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Biomedical subjects

K Imaoka

Publications and source records attributed to K Imaoka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Sensitivity to two major allergens (Cry j I and Cry j II) in patients with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis.

BACKGROUND: Japanese cedar (Cryptmeria japonica: CJ) pollinosis is one of the most important allergic diseases in Japan. Recently, the second major allergen (Cry j II) was isolated from CJ pollen. There have been no prevalence studies of sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II among a large number of patients with pollinosis. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II. We measured specific IgE antibodies to these allergens in the sera of 145 patients. Furthermore, comparison of the sensitivity to Cry j I and Cry j II was examined by the histamine release assay. METHODS: Specific IgE antibodies to Cry j I and Cry j II were assayed by a fluorometric ELISA. Allergen-specific histamine release was measured by a radioimmunoassay kit. RESULTS: More than 90% of 145 patients had specific IgE antibodies to both allergens, the remainder had specific IgE to either one or the other. There were seasonal changes in the level of specific IgE. The changes in the levels of anti-Cry j II IgE antibodies were parallel to those of anti-Cry j I IgE. The histamine release assay with leucocytes from the patients demonstrated that the allergenic potency of the two allergens is almost the same. CONCLUSION: Cry j II is an as important a major allergen as Cry j I.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of IgE antibody to crude and purified allergens of Japanese cedar pollen among different troops of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata).

We measured specific IgE antibodies to the crude allergen as well as two purified allergens (Cry j I and Cry j II) of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica--CJ) pollen in the serum of 276 Japanese monkeys in nine troops. Of 45 monkeys with CJ specific IgE in eight of nine troops, 23 (51%) were found to have IgE to both Cry j I and Cry j II, 21 (47%) only to Cry j I, and one (2.2%) only to Cry j II. The positive rate of specific IgE antibody to each allergen varied among the troops.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

[Effects of Celosia argentea and Cucurbita moschata extracts on anti-DNP IgE antibody production in mice].

We have already reported that the Perilla frutescens extract (PFE) suppressed anti-DNA IgE antibody production in mice. In this study, we prepared extracts of Celosia argentea L. (CAE) and Cucurbita moschata Duch (CME), which are Chinese herbal medicines like Perilla frutescens, and examined the effects on anti-DNP antibody responses in mice. To examine the effects of CAE & CME on primary antibody responses, CAE & CME were intraperitoneally injected the day before primary immunization of DNP-ovalbumin. Anti-DNP antibody production was markedly suppressed. Then, we examined the effects on secondary antibody responses. CEA & CME were injected only the day before secondary immunization. Anti-DNP IgE production was markedly suppressed, but IgG responses were not affected. It was also found that mitogenic activity occurred in CAE & CME dose dependently in vitro. These effects of CAE & CME were superior to that of PFE. These results suggest that CAE & CME may be more useful than PFE for the suppression of IgE antibody in certain allergic disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Expression in baculovirus vector system of the nucleocapsid protein gene of rinderpest virus.

The rinderpest (RV) nucleocapsid (NP) gene segment was inserted into the genome of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) adjacent to the polyhedrin promoter. The expression of NP protein in Sf9 cells was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence and by Western blotting analysis with monoclonal antibodies. Recombinant RV-NP protein was purified by ultracentrifugation on a sucrose density gradient, and used as an antigen for an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to detect anti RV-NP antibody. Both IgM and IgG antibodies against RV-NP were detected in the sera of rabbits infected with the L strain of RV. The pattern of development of IgG anti RV-NP antibody closely correlated with that of virus neutralizing antibody. In rabbits inoculated with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing RV-H gene (RRV-H), anti RV-NP was not detected. The results indicated that the baculovirus vector system can be used for the preparation of the diagnostic antigen of rinderpest as well as to distinguish between natural infection and vaccination with RRV-H.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Antibody responses against Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j I) in different strains of rats].

We established an IgE-capture ELISA for rat IgE antibody, and examined rat strain differences in the antibody responses against the major allergen of Japanese cedar pollen (Cry j I). First, IgE-capture ELISA and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) method were compared. IgE-capture ELISA was found to be, in sensitivity, about 10 times higher than, and, in specificity, equal to, PCA. Second, seven strains of rat were immunized three times at days 0, 14 and 28 by intraperitoneal injections of 1 or 10 micrograms Cry j I mixed with 4 mg aluminium hydroxide gel. Anti-Cry j I IgE was detected by IgE-capture ELISA. Anti-Cry j I IgG and IgM responses were found not significantly different among different strains, but IgE responses in Brown-Norway (BN) rat were about 10 times higher than in other strains of rats. These results suggest that BN rat may be a useful animal model for studying physiological and pathological changes in the nose after pollen challenge to that organ.

Allergens↗
PubMed1993

[Feelings of well-being and depression in relation to social activity in normal elderly people].

In order to clarify the influence of social activities on the feeling of well-being or depression in the elderly, we studied these relationships in 2 groups with different activities. Group I consisted of 26 subjects (mean age, 77.2 years) living in a retirement house and exposed to relatively few social stimuli. Group II consisted of 47 subjects (mean age, 75.6 years) who were living in their own homes and were confirmed to be socially active. The Morale Scale and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate feelings of well-being or depression. The morale scale in group I was significantly lower than in group II. In particular, there was a significant difference in the factor related to aging. The SDS score of group I was significantly higher than that of group II. The depressive state incidence was significantly higher in group I than in group II in all subjects. There was a highly significant correlation between the morale scale score and the SDS score. These results indicate that group I is less satisfied and more depressed than group II. We conclude that social environmental factors are extremely important for the quality of life of elderly people.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

[A case of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with vocal cords palsy and diaphragmatic weakness].

A case of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) type 1 (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)) is reported with vocal cords palsy, deafness, diaphragmatic weakness, and cerebellopontine atrophy. A 42-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in April, 1991 with marked respiratory distress. He had been diagnosed as having CMT 14 years previously. On admission to our hospital, he revealed dyspnea with marked stridor during inspiration. Physical examination showed marked use of respiratory accessory muscles with thoracoabdominal paradox in the supine position. Neurologic examination revealed tonic pupils, mild bilateral weakness of facial muscles, deafness, mild bulbar palsy, severe wasting and weakness in both proximal and distal muscles of the arms and legs, areflexia, distal loss of all sensory modalities. Pes cavus and hammer toe were present. Movement of upper extremities was ataxic. No hypertrophic changes were noted in his peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerve conduction study showed undetectable both sensory and motor action potentials. Electromyography showed evidence of denervation, more marked in distal muscles. Auditory brain stem response was undetectable. Chest radiographic film showed a normal-sized heart with marked elevation of both hemidiaphragm. Laryngofiberscopy confirmed the presence of bilateral vocal cord paralysis without tumor formation, inflammation or anomaly. The vocal cords lay near the midline and did not show any movement during respiration. Moderate cerebellopontine atrophy was confirmed on MRI scan. A sural nerve section showed severe decrease of myelinated fibers, and onion bulbs. Diagnosis of HMSN type 1 was made by clinical, electrodiagnostic, and sural nerve sections study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Effects of Perilla frutescens extract on anti-DNP IgE antibody production in mice].

Perilla frutescens is a Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, we prepared an extract of Perilla frutescens (PFE) and examined its effects on anti-DNP antibody responses in mice. The mice were immunized with DNP-ovalbumin in Alum adjuvant. To examine the effects of PFE on primary antibody responses, PFE was intraperitoneally injected the day before primary immunization. Anti-DNP IgE antibody production was found to be markedly suppressed by PFE injection. Then, we examined the effects on secondary antibody responses. PFE was injected only the day before secondary immunization. Anti-DNP IgE production was markedly suppressed, but IgG response was not so affected. These results suggest that the immunosuppressive effects of PFE are preferentially on IgE production and that PFE may be useful for the suppression of IgE antibody in certain allergic disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Novel monoclonal antibodies to double stranded DNA that require Ca2+ or Mg2+ for their binding.

Murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 2B5 (IgG2aK) was obtained by its binding on a solid phase to double-stranded (ds) DNA from one of the mutant CBA/K1(CBA/K1Jms-1prcg/1prcg) mice which were recently found, in our institute, to develop lymphadenopathy associated with the production of anti-double-stranded (ds) antibodies. MoAb 2B5 was highly specific for dsDNA, as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The dsDNA binding of 2B5 was decreased dose-dependently by the chelating agent EDTA, being lost completely with 2.5-5.0 mM EDTA, whereas dsDNA on the solid phase remained intact after incubation with EDTA. Addition of Ca2+ or Mg2+ to antibody in culture supernatant that had lost dsDNA binding activity by dialysis against Ca2+ and Mg(2+)-free buffer restored its binding with dsDNA to the original level, indicating that MoAb 2B5 requires Ca2+ or Mg2+ for its binding with dsDNA. It is unknown whether MoAb 2B5 recognizes new conformational epitopes created in the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+, but this MoAb should be useful in studies on the modes of interaction of DNA with antibodies and DNA-binding proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Measurement of serum IgE antibodies against Japanese cedar pollen (Cryptomeria japonica) in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) with pollinosis.

IgE antibodies against allergens of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, CJ) pollen in the serum of seven Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) with pollinosis were measured by fluorometric indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All of the monkeys were found to have specific IgE to the crude pollen antigen. The specific IgE levels were well correlated with those determined by the Pharmacia CAP system. IgE antibodies were then assayed with two kinds of purified allergens (Cry j I and Cry j II) by the ELISA. We found that five monkeys had specific IgE to both allergens, although the other two had IgE only to Cry j I or Cry j II; there is different immune responsiveness to the two major allergens in the monkeys.

Allergens↗
PubMed1991

Existence of exine-free airborne allergen particles of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen.

We investigated whether exine-free pollen allergen particles exist together with the intact pollen grains of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) in the air during the pollen season in Yamagata City. First, we separated the allergen particles in an Andersen multi-stage air-sampler according to their aerodynamic diameters. The amount of major allergen (Cry j I) on each stage of the sampler was determined by a sensitive fluorometric sandwich ELISA, and the pollen count of the same samples was done by light microscopy after Carberla staining. Cry j I was found in stages 1 to 6, whereas most of intact and ruptured pollen grains were microscopically observed only in stages 1 and 2. Second, we suctioned the air through a tandem membrane filter system (the first filter, Nuclepore filter with 5 microns-pores; and the second, Millipore filter with 0.3 micron-pores). None of the pollen grains was detectable on the 0.3 micron-pore filter with light microscopy. However, Cry j I was detectable in the aqueous extract from the second filter. From these results, we concluded that pollen-free Cry j I existed in the air of Yamagata City during the pollen season.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1990

Temporary breakdown of immunological tolerance to dsDNA and nucleohistone antigens in rabbits infected with rinderpest virus.

The rabbit-passaged L strain of rinderpest virus (RV) causes the transient induction of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in rabbits. It has been shown by an indirect immunofluorescence test that the target antigens of these ANA are DNA and/or DNA-histone complexes (nucleohistone). Here detailed examinations of the target antigens were carried out by ELISA, and it was revealed that rabbit sera contained three types of antibodies: antibodies reacting equally with both dsDNA and ssDNA; those reacting with ssDNA alone; and those reacting with nucleohistone. Epitopes recognized by the third type consisted of complexes of dsDNA and H2A + H2B or of dsDNA and H2B. All types of antibodies were antigen specific. Since the diversity of ANA among experimental rabbits was large, it was suggested that genetic background is important in the induction of anti-dsDNA antibodies in this system. Moreover, early induction of antibodies to nucleohistone and the rapid disappearance of ANA suggest that B cell proliferation/maturation for continuous production of ANA requires factors other than RV infection. This system may help elucidate the mechanisms of ANA induction and the development of autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[An association of Shy-Drager syndrome with moyamoya disease--a case report].

A 58-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of orthostatic syncope, and difficulty in urination and walking for 2 years. At age 35, she suffered from cerebral hemorrhage and was diagnosed as Moyamoya disease (MD). Neurological examination on admission revealed severe orthostatic syncope so that she could not stand. At that time, her blood pressure and heart rate were 104/74 mmHg and 78/min in supine position and 52/48 mmHg and 52/min in 60 degrees head-up position. She also had severe pollakisuria, cerebellar ataxia and dysarthria. Cranial nerves, motor strength and deep reflexes were normal. ECG, chest X-ray, and EEG were normal. Aschner, Czermak, and cold pressor tests revealed no response. Urodynamic study revealed autonomic bladder. MRI showed only enlarged fourth ventricle because of atrophy of the pons. Bilateral CAG revealed "Moyamoya" vessels in the cerebral basal regions. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by 133Xe inhalation method. Mean arterial blood pressure changed from 134 mmHg to 126 mmHg in 45 degrees head-up tilting and CBF decreased from 47.5 mg/100 g/min to 37 ml/100 g/min position. Though there was no relationship between SDS and MD, each one shows dysautoregulation of CBF, it is supposed that a severe orthostatic syncope attack was resulted from synergism of both effects.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed1989

Development of heat-stable recombinant rinderpest vaccine.

Recombinant vaccinia virus (RVV) containing the full-length cDNA of rinderpest virus (RV)-haemagglutinin (H) gene was constructed. The H gene was inserted into the attenuated vaccine strain of vaccinia virus (VV), Le 16 m0, with two different promoters, namely cowpox virus A-type inclusion body (ATI) promoter or VV 7.5 kilodalton (P7.5) promoter. These RVVs produced the same sized fully glycosylated RV-H protein in RK 13 cells as that of the authentic RV-H. Their heat stability in the lyophylized state was similar to that of the parental VV. All rabbits immunized with these RVVs produced virus neutralizing (VN) antibody to RV as well as anti RV-H antibody. Four weeks after immunization, these animals were challenged with RV intravenously. None of the RVV-immunized rabbits developed any clinical signs of RV infection except one which was immunized with RVV containing the ATI promoter and developed low VN titer. These results indicate the possibility of developing a heat-stable recombinant vaccine for the eradication of rinderpest in tropical countries without cold storage systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of antinuclear antibodies induced in rabbits by rinderpest virus infection.

Rabbits infected with the L strain of rinderpest virus (RV) produced high titres of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) which reached a maximum two weeks after inoculation but rapidly disappeared by 6-8 weeks. These ANAs reacted with HeLa cells by indirect immunofluorescence test resulting in a homogeneous nuclear fluorescence. In order to investigate the target antigens of ANAs, the effects on the nuclear fluorescence pattern of pretreating HeLa cells were examined: DNase 1 treatment resulted in a decrease in the fluorescence whereas no changes were evident after RNase A treatment. Some group of sera showed decreased fluorescence in the cells from which histones were acid extracted, but other groups did not change in fluorescence. Sera which had failed to react with acid extracted cells gave positive fluorescence following histone reconstitution. The results indicate that DNA and nucleohistone are the major target antigens for ANAs. In addition, antibodies against nucleoli and extractable nuclear antigens were induced in some rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A unique monoclonal antibody derived from a lupus-prone mouse with multiple bindings to autoantigens associated with rheumatic disease.

Monoclonal anti-poly(ADP-ribose) (MRP-2) was primarily a product of a hybridoma selected by binding to poly(ADP-ribose) from an autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/1) mouse. Detailed examination revealed that anti-poly(ADP-ribose) monoclonal IgMK antibody bound not only to left-handed Z-DNA and single-stranded (ss) DNA but also to a conformational epitope formed by histone and double-stranded (ds) DNA. A reconstitution study revealed that association of dsDNA with histone H3 plus H4 was essential for their binding to MRP-2 monoclonal antibody. MRP-2 monoclonal antibody acted as a rheumatoid factor (RF). Since some monoclonal or polyclonal human serum antibodies of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) have been reported to recognize shared epitopes of denatured IgG and DNA-histone (nucleosomes), this MRP-2 monoclonal antibody with the similar activity derived from a lupus-prone mouse will be useful for the studies on the etiology of autoantibodies associated with RA, MCTD and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Animals↗