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Biomedical subjects

K Imai

Publications and source records attributed to K Imai.

At least 757 records · Page 42Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Effects of 15-deoxyspergualin in vitro and in vivo on cytokine gene expression.

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed that interleukin 3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, interferon-gamma and stem cell factor mRNA expression were higher in 15-deoxyspergualin-treated spleen cells than in control spleen cells. Increased IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression were observed in 15-deoxyspergualin-treated bone marrow cells. On the other hand, increased platelet counts in BALB/c-->C3H/He bone marrow chimeras were observed from days 20 to 33 in our previous work, when they were treated with 15-deoxyspergualin from days 14 to 25. In contrast, marked leukocytopenia and anemia were simultaneously observed, although a marked leukocytosis and a rapid recovery of anemia were observed on day 33 and thereafter. To analyze effects of 15-deoxyspergualin on hematopoiesis and the immune system, we examined mRNA expression in bone marrow and spleen cells from BALB/c-->C3H/He bone marrow chimeras treated with 15-deoxyspergualin from days 14 to 25. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed that IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, stem cell factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA expression were higher in 15-deoxyspergualin-treated chimeras than in control chimeras, indicating that these cytokines are responsible for an enhancement of hematopoiesis. It was conceivable that IL-6 supported thrombopoiesis in concert with other cytokines. On the contrary, increased IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, and IL-10 mRNA expression may play an immunosuppressive role in vivo.

Actins↗
PubMed1994

Vagally mediated heart rate recovery after exercise is accelerated in athletes but blunted in patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Vagally mediated heart rate recovery after exercise was assessed in patients with chronic heart failure and in well trained athletes by analyzing the postexercise heart rate decay. BACKGROUND: Vagal reactivation is an important cardiac deceleration mechanism after exercise. However, alterations of this mechanism under pathologic conditions have not been characterized because of the lack of a specific index. METHODS: To find a vagally mediated component of heart rate recovery, the time constants of the beat-by-beat heart rate decay for the first 30 s (T30) and the first 120 s (T120) after exercise were obtained at six levels of exercise in eight normal volunteers: 1) at maximal exercise, 2) at anaerobic threshold, 3) at anaerobic threshold with propranolol administration, 4) at anaerobic threshold with atropine administration, 5) at anaerobic threshold with concomitant administration of both drugs, and 6) at 50% of anaerobic threshold. To investigate the effects of heart failure and endurance training on vagally mediated heart rate recovery, T30 and T120 at anaerobic threshold were obtained in 20 patients with chronic heart failure and in 9 cross-country skiers. RESULTS: In normal volunteers, T30 and T120 were markedly prolonged by atropine administration, indicating that both time constants are mediated by vagal reactivation. Moreover, T30 was almost independent of the exercise intensity and sympathetic blockade, whereas T120 was affected by sympathetic nerve activity and exercise work load. These results indicate that T30 is mediated primarily by vagal reactivation, independent of sympathetic withdrawal, and is significantly smaller in athletes (p < 0.01) and significantly larger in patients with chronic heart failure (p < 0.01) than that in respective age-matched normal control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The T30 value could be a specific index for vagally mediated heart rate recovery. Vagally mediated heart rate recovery after exercise is accelerated in well trained athletes but blunted in patients with chronic heart failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Susceptibility of tenascin to degradation by matrix metalloproteinases and serine proteinases.

The degradation of tenascin purified from human melanoma cells was examined by treatment with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and serine proteinases. Among eight different types of proteinases examined, MMP-1, -3, and -7, cathepsin G and leukocyte elastase could digest tenascin, but MMP-2, MMP-9 and thrombin did not. This suggests that tenascin may be readily catabolized by extracellular matrix-degrading proteinases found in the pathophysiological conditions.

Cathepsin G↗
PubMed1994

Consequence of rapid heme rotation to the oxygen binding of myoglobin.

The myoglobin complexed with octamethylhemin was prepared. The visible absorption profiles are typical of general alkylhemin-substituted myoglobins, suggesting normal insertion of the hemin into the hydrophobic cavity. The NMR spectra of various ferric proteins were anomalous, without clearly resolved signals from the prosthetic group, most probably reflecting rapid heme rotation about the iron-histidine bond. The equilibrium and kinetic oxygen bindings were measured to examine the functional significance of the heme motion. Functional comparison with the myoglobin having immobile hemin indicates that rotation of the octamethylheme negligibly affects the myoglobin function. The results suggest that neither the heme peripheral contacts nor the proximal imidazole orientation about the heme normal is the dominant factor to control myoglobin function.

Heme↗
PubMed1994

Expression of MUC1 on myeloma cells and induction of HLA-unrestricted CTL against MUC1 from a multiple myeloma patient.

Polymorphic epithelial mucin (MUC1) was detected in myeloma cells and in sera of multiple myeloma patients. HLA-unrestricted CTL that recognize tumor-associated epitopes on MUC1 has been shown to be induced from breast and pancreas cancer patients. To investigate whether such CTL can also be induced from multiple myeloma patients, an allogeneic mixed leukocyte tumor cell culture was performed. PBMCs of a multiple myeloma patient were stimulated by different allogeneic breast carcinoma and myeloma cell lines. The cultured PBMCs were proliferated and a CTL line TN was established. TN exclusively expressed TCR-alpha/beta, CD3, and CD8. TN lysed breast carcinoma and myeloma cell lines but did not lyse K562, which is sensitive to NK cells. The cytotoxicity of TN was inhibited by anti-CD3 Abs but not by anti-HLA Abs. Thus, the TCR-alpha/beta was considered to be involved in the recognition of the target cells but HLA was not. Furthermore, TN lysed transformed mouse fibroblast cells transfected with MUC1 cDNA, suggesting that this CTL line recognizes MUC1 directly. Thus, it is concluded that precursors of HLA-unrestricted and anti-MUC1 reactive CTL could exist in the peripheral blood of multiple myeloma patients and that myeloma cells can express epitopes on MUC1, which can be recognized by the CTL.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1994

Molecular characterization of ovary trehalase of the silkworm, Bombyx mori and its transcriptional activation by diapause hormone.

We have isolated a cDNA encoding ovary trehalase of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Sequence analyses revealed that the isolated cDNA contains 3143 nucleotides and comprises 579 amino acids, including a cleavable signal sequence and five potential N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis showed a 3.0 kb transcript in developing ovaries carrying membrane-bound trehalase. A single copy of trehalase gene was present in the haploid genome of the silkworm. The effect of diapause hormone on the accumulation of trehalase mRNA was examined on developing ovaries in in vivo and in vitro conditions. The synthetic diapause hormone brought about a 6-fold increase in trehalase mRNA content in ovaries 4 h after injection. The similar increase was found in ovaries which were incubated in vitro with diapause hormone. Coincubation of ovaries with diapause hormone and actinomycin D could not increase the mRNA level in ovaries, and maintained a basal level which was found in ovaries incubated without diapause hormone. These results indicate that diapause hormone stimulates transcription of the trehalase gene in developing ovaries of the silkworm.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

In vivo effects of the immunosuppressant 15-deoxyspergualin on hematopoiesis in murine allogeneic bone marrow chimeras. Its thrombopoietic activity and reversal of adverse effects with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and/or erythropoietin.

When 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG), a potent immunosuppressant, was administered into [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras from day 14 to day 25, increased thrombopoiesis was induced on day 20 to day 33, accompanied by marked leukocytopenia and anemia. The mean platelet counts in DSG-treated and control [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras on day 25 were (114.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(4)/microliter versus (58.6 +/- 2.6) x 10(4)/microliter (1.9-fold increase). Colony-forming units-megakaryocyte (CFU-Meg) were not significantly increased in DSG-treated bone marrow chimeras. Colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) and burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) were decreased during DSG-treatment whereas CFU-Mix colony formations were rather increased, and more primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (highly proliferative potential colony-forming units [CFU-HPP]) were not decreased in the same time period. Since CFU-GM and BFU-E colony formations were increased immediately after the cessation of DSG treatment, followed by the rebound of leukocyte counts and the recovery of hemoglobin (Hb) levels, the leukocytopenia and anemia appeared to be induced by a cytostatic effect of DSG. The adverse effect of DSG was partly reversed by the simultaneous administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and/or erythropoietin (EPO), suggesting the need for the administration of these cytokines in the case of bone marrow transplants treated with DSG. Furthermore, it was of note that DSG modulated hematopoiesis and stimulated the production of thrombopoietin (TPO)-like cytokine(s) as well as interleukin-3 (IL-3).

Anemia↗
PubMed1994

"Module" substitution in hemoglobin subunits. Preparation and characterization of a "chimera beta alpha-subunit".

In the genes of alpha- and beta-subunits of hemoglobin, Go showed that modules F1, F2 + F3, and F4 correspond to exons 1, 2, and 3, respectively (Go, M. (1981) Nature 291, 90). The analysis of the correlation of function with its exon pattern showed that the residues associated with the defined function are concentrated in the specific exons encoding the "module" (Eaton, W.A. (1980) Nature 284, 183). To investigate the functional and structural significance of the "modular structure," we engineered a "chimera" subunit, in which module F4 of the beta-subunit was replaced by that of the alpha-subunit by use of mutagenesis. The NMR and resonance Raman spectra of the isolated "chimera beta alpha-subunit" have revealed that it has a beta-subunit-like heme environmental structure. However, the gel chromatography and NMR spectra of mixtures of the chimera and native subunits clearly showed that the chimera beta alpha-subunit binds specifically to the beta-subunit to form a heterotetramer, not to the alpha-subunit. These results led us to conclude that the predominant role of the module F4 is the subunit association and suggest that the modules are structural and functional units that have advantages in producing stable functional proteins.

Carboxyhemoglobin↗
PubMed1994

Expression of matrilysin mRNA in colorectal adenomas and its induction by truncated fibronectin.

Matrilysin is believed to have a role in tumor progression. Its expression correlates with the occurrence of colorectal cancer. We have examined the expression of matrilysin mRNA in various colorectal disorders and its localization using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. We have also examined whether Matrilysin is induced by cell to matrix interaction. Matrilysin mRNA was detected in all adenoma tissues examined, whereas none was detectable in hyperplastic polyps, mildly inflamed regions of ulcerative colitis or normal colon tissues, and its message was localized in adenoma cells themselves. In addition, levels of enzyme activities of matrilysin were lower in adenomas compared with cancers in casein zymography. Matrilysin mRNA was induced by immobilized truncated fibronectin or RGD peptide. Thus, matrilysin may play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1994

Downregulation of Wilms' tumor gene (wt1) during myelomonocytic differentiation in HL60 cells.

The putative Wilms' tumor-suppressor gene (wt1) encodes a zinc finger DNA binding protein that functions as a transcription repressor. The wt1 gene expression corresponds to kidney development, suggesting a role for this gene in nephroblast differentiation. Here we show that wt1 mRNA expression was downregulated during terminal differentiation of promyelocytic HL60 cells. When HL60 cells were induced to differentiate to granulocytes by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or retinoic acid (RA), a marked downregulation in the levels of wt1 transcripts was found. The wt1 transcripts were also downregulated in HL60 cells during differentiation to monocytes by vitamin D3 or 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. Nuclear run-on transcription studies showed the transcriptional rate of wt1 gene was not significantly altered during DMSO-induced granulocytic differentiation, suggesting the downregulation was mostly caused by posttranscriptional modification. Importantly, wt1 transcripts were not significantly altered in K562 cells by treatments with DMSO or RA, which do not induce differentiation of K562 cells. These findings suggest that wt1 gene expression may be downregulated as a differentiation-linked event in HL60 cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Site-directed mutagenesis in hemoglobin: functional and structural role of the penultimate tyrosine in the alpha subunit.

The penultimate tyrosine in the hemoglobin subunit is considered to be one of the most important residues for the normal structure and function of hemoglobin. To elucidate the functional and structural role of the penultimate residue in the alpha-subunit, we prepared new artificial mutants; Hb Y140 alpha Q, in which Tyr-140 alpha is replaced by a nonaromatic residue, Gln, and Hb Y140 alpha F, which loses its hydrogen bond to Val-93 alpha by the substitution of Phe for Tyr. HB Y140 alpha Q exhibited a markedly increased oxygen affinity and almost completely diminished cooperativity, whereas Hb Y140 alpha F showed similar but less extensively impaired function, indicating that the aromatic residue at the penultimate position in the alpha-subunit contributes to the stabilization of the T-quaternary structure as does the corresponding residue in the beta-subunit. However, the deoxygenated forms of these mutants bear significant T-state character in their spectroscopic properties observed at high protein concentrations. The tetramer-dimer equilibrium data of the mutants suggested that a significant part of the functional alterations observed for dilute solution appears to result from partial dissociation into alpha beta dimers rather than direct destabilization of the T-quaternary structure in the deoxygenated form. Therefore, we can conclude that the penultimate tyrosine in the alpha-chain plays a key role not only in the stabilization of the T-state but also in the subunit assembly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allosteric Regulation↗
PubMed1994

Chromosomal localization of the protein tyrosine phosphatase G1 gene and characterization of the aberrant transcripts in human colon cancer cells.

We have recently described the isolation of the human PTPG1 gene which encodes a member of intracellular protein tyrosine phosphatases that may be candidates for tumor suppressor genes. In order to investigate the abnormality of the PTPG1 transcript in various human cancer cell lines, we have analyzed the consensus catalytic region of PTPG1 cDNA, using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In a colorectal carcinoma cell line, DLD-1, we found three aberrant transcripts. Sequencing analysis revealed that one had a missense point mutation and the remainders contained 77 bp and 173 bp deletions, respectively. These alterations might directly affect their phosphatase activities. Our findings provide the first evidence for the aberrant transcripts of the protein tyrosine phosphatase in human cancer cells, and suggest that the aberration of PTPG1 gene might be involved in the tumorigenesis. Moreover, the human PTPG1 gene is localized on chromosome 7q11.23, a region with frequent abnormalities implicated in some human cancers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Induction of protein-tyrosine phosphatase LC-PTP by IL-2 in human T cells. LC-PTP is an early response gene.

Tyrosine phosphorylation has been implicated in interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced growth signaling and the phosphorylation levels are regulated by the balance of tyrosine kinase and tyrosine phosphatase activities. Here, we demonstrate the rapid activation of a leukocyte tyrosine phosphatase LC-PTP (HePTP) gene expression by IL-2 in an IL-2 dependent human T cell ILT-Mat. Accumulation of LC-PTP mRNA appeared at 1 h and peaked at 6 h after IL-2 stimulation, simultaneous with the G1 to early S phase, and the induction of LC-PTP mRNA did not require protein synthesis. LC-PTP protein increased approximately 6-fold at 8 h after IL-2 stimulation. Nuclear run-on assays showed that the induction of LC-PTP mRNA expression is mostly due to transcriptional activation. These data suggest that LC-PTP is an early response gene and its protein seems to be a crucial molecule which regulates the tyrosine phosphorylation level during T cell proliferation.

Enzyme Induction↗
PubMed1994

Complementary DNA cloning and characterization of truncated form of c-kit in human colon carcinoma cells.

We have obtained a novel c-kit complementary DNA (cDNA) from a colon carcinoma cell line, Colo201, and characterized its structure. The size of the transcript in Colo201 was approximately 3.5 kilobases and it hybridized to the c-kit cDNA fragments encompassing the kinase domain, but not to the cDNA fragments encoding extracellular and transmembrane domains. The predicted protein encoded by those cDNAs was composed of 257 amino acids containing the NH2-terminal 25 unique amino acids in frame by the COOH terminal of the KIT protein. Of interest, these 25 amino acids were encoded by intron 15 of the c-kit gene. The aberrant mRNA was also detected in another colon carcinoma cell line, BM314. The translation of this message in Colo201 was confirmed by flow cytometry and immunoblot analysis. This is the first report describing the aberrant transcript of c-kit in human tumor cells, and it is suggested that truncated form of c-kit might play a role in the onset and development of human colon carcinoma.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

High expression of CD56 (N-CAM) in a patient with cutaneous CD4-positive lymphoma.

Cutaneous lymphoma is a disease characterized with massive skin infiltration of lymphoid malignant cells. They commonly express some T-cell markers, such as CD2, CD3, CD4, and CD7, and thus termed as CTCL (cutaneous T cell lymphoma). Here, we present a case with CD56/N-CAM-positive cutaneous lymphoma, which appears lymphocytic morphology and expresses CD4, but does not express CD2, CD3, CD8, CD14, CD16, CD57, and CD20. The most malignant cells contained no distinctive azurophilic granules in the cytoplasm. Southern blot analysis revealed that T cell receptor-beta, gamma, and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes in the cells were in germ-line configurations. Electron microscopic examination showed characteristics of lymphoid cells with higher nucleocytoplasmic ratio and lacked structures typical of other cell types (i.e., epithelial cells, neuroendocrine cells, and mesenchymal cells). Thus, the cells are likely to be immature lymphoid cells. Histological analysis revealed the cells infiltrate mainly into the dermis with angiocentric growth pattern. The clinical course was aggressive, with rapid involvement of bone marrow and central nervous system. These striking features of the patient may represent a novel fraction (CD2-, CD4+, and CD56+) of cutaneous lymphoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

A Japanese patient with the Costello syndrome.

The Costello syndrome is characterized by dwarfism, unique cutaneous lesions, distinct facial gestalt, and mental retardation. We present a Japanese patient with the Costello syndrome. She showed high serum IgM level during the early infantile period. Nissen's fundplication was carried out to treat severe gastroesophageal reflux. Endocrinological investigations revealed a partial deficiency of growth hormone.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗