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Biomedical subjects

K Koike

Publications and source records attributed to K Koike.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Stem cell factor enhances proliferation, but not maturation, of murine megakaryocytic progenitors in serum-free culture.

The effects of recombinant rat stem cell factor (SCF/c-kit ligand) on murine megakaryocytopoiesis were studied using partially purified bone marrow cells derived from normal and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated mice in a serum-free culture system. SCF alone did not support the formation of megakaryocyte (M) and granulocyte-macrophage-megakaryocyte (GMM) colonies. However, the addition of SCF to cultures containing interleukin-3 (IL-3) resulted in a significant increase in the number of M and GMM colonies formed by bone marrow cells from normal mice, whereas IL-6 augmented only M colony growth. The stimulatory effect of SCF was approximately three to four times as high as that of IL-6 on the primitive progenitors capable of megakaryocytic-lineage expression derived from 5-FU-treated mice. In addition, SCF, but not IL-6, significantly increased the number of constituent cells in the individual M colonies supported by IL-3. On the other hand, SCF did not exert any effect on the size and DNA content of megakaryocytes in IL-3-dependent M and GMM colonies, whereas IL-6 enhanced the maturation of megakaryocytes. These results suggest that SCF stimulates the proliferative process in megakaryocytic progenitors and that the main activity of IL-6 is the promotion of megakaryocyte maturation.

Animals

Stimulation of mouse connective tissue-type mast cells by hemopoietic stem cell factor, a ligand for the c-kit receptor.

The proliferative capacity of mouse connective tissue-type mast cells (CTMC) was analyzed by using a newly discovered c-kit ligand, termed stem cell factor (SCF). More than 90% of CTMC in the peritoneal cavity responded to recombinant rat SCF (rrSCF) and were able to give rise to pure mast cell colonies in methylcellulose culture. Serial observation (mapping) of growth of individual CTMC in culture containing rrSCF confirmed their striking proliferative ability. No serum but accessory cells (non-CTMC cells) in the peritoneal population were required for the clonal growth of CTMC induced by rrSCF in our methylcellulose culture of whole peritoneal cells. The rrSCF-induced mast cell colony formation from peritoneal CTMC was completely inhibited by the addition of anti-c-kit antibody, which can block the binding of SCF to c-kit, to the culture. When IL-3 was combined with rrSCF, mast cell colonies dramatically increased in size. Mapping studies revealed that the combination of the two factors augmented the proliferative rate of CTMC. Approximately 60% of the constituent cells of the mast cell colonies which were formed from peritoneal CTMC in the culture containing rrSCF alone were stained with berberine sulfate, which is a characteristic of CTMC. However, most mast cells which were induced by rrSCF+IL-3 from peritoneal CTMC contained berberine(-)-safranin(-)-Alcian blue(+) granules. Although IL-4 exhibited little synergism with rrSCF in the induction of CTMC proliferation, the addition of IL-4 to the culture containing rrSCF+IL-3 resulted in an increase in mast cells which retained CTMC characteristics.

Animals

[Image-transmission using 64 kbps-ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and mini-PACS].

We carried out the image-transmission using 64kbps-ISDN between two image workstations (IWS) of mini-PACS installed at the Department of Radiology, Osaka Teishin Hospital and the Kashiwa Works, Hitachi Medical Corporation. The distance between Osaka and Kashiwa is about 600 km. The subtraction of two images before and after transmission revealed no change of the data of the image during transmission. For 1/2 compression image, the times of image-transmission of 256 x 256, 320 x 320 and 512 x 512 matrix were 9, 17 and 33 second, respectively. The efficiency of image-transmission was about 80%. Using ISDN, we can make an accurate, rapid and cheap image-transmission.

Computer Communication Networks

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding human 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (lipoamide).

2-Oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (lipoamide) (( OGDH: 2-oxoglutarate:lipoamide 2-oxidoreductase (decarboxylating and acceptor-succinylating), EC 1.2.4.2 )) is a component enzyme of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. We have cloned a human cDNA encoding OGDH from a fetal liver cDNA library by plaque hybridization with a mixture of oligonucleotide probes designed from the amino acid sequences of porcine OGDH. This cDNA spans 4156 bases and contains an open reading frame of 3009 nucleotides encoding a presequence of 40 amino acid residues and a mature protein of 963 amino acid residues (Mr = 108,642). The size of the mRNA is approximately 4.2 kilobases. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the human OGDH with experimentally determined segments of porcine OGDH comprising 308 amino acid residues shows 93% sequence identity. The human OGDH has 37% sequence identity with 933 amino acid residues of the Escherichia coli OGDH and 40% sequence identity with 1014 residues of the yeast OGDH.

Amino Acid Sequence

Proteinase-catalyzed activation of porcine heart muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase and identification of its cleavage site.

Porcine heart muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH, EC 1.2.4.1) with subunit composition alpha 2 beta 2 catalyzes the initial decarboxylation step of an oxidative decarboxylation sequence of pyruvate. Highly purified PDH, was further activated several-fold by limited digestion with trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase (V8) or papain. The activation with these proteinases required about 10 min to attain a maximal level, lasted 1/2-2 h and thereafter decreased gradually. Addition of an inhibitor of each proteinase resulted in an immediate cessation of any further changes in the enzymatic activity. The optimal pH of the proteinase-activated PDH was not affected. Proteinases increased the maximum velocity and the apparent Km values for pyruvate, but the Hill coefficients for pyruvate were unchanged. Proteinase-activated PDH was capable of associating two other component enzymes to produce large unit resembling the native complex. The Coomassie brilliant blue stained gels after SDS-PAGE showed that the PDH alpha subunit (41 kDa) was cleaved by trypsin or V8 into two major fragments (31 and 10 kDa), whereas PDH beta was unaffected. By amino-terminal sequence analyses of these fragments the trypsin cleavage sites were identified as Arg-273 and Arg-282 and the V8 cleavage sites were Glu-277 and Glu-280.

Amino Acid Sequence

Interferon-gamma inhibits proliferation, but not commitment, of murine granulocyte-macrophage progenitors.

We investigated the effects of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) on the growth of murine hematopoietic progenitors. IFN-gamma inhibited granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)- and interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent colony growth by granulocyte-macrophage (GM) progenitors derived from the bone marrow cells of normal mice. However, the number of IL-3-dependent GM colonies formed by the bone marrow cells of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated mice was not influenced by the addition of IFN-gamma. Replating experiments suggested that IFN-gamma suppressed GM colony growth directly and that it exerted an inhibitory effect on the proliferation, but not on the commitment, of GM progenitors. In contrast, IFN-gamma failed to suppress colony growth by mast cell progenitors. Erythroid and megakaryocytic progenitors exhibited different responses to IFN-gamma depending on mouse strains. These results suggest that potent negative regulators are not always inhibitors of hematopoietic progenitors.

Animals

Immunochemical detection of unrepaired cyclobutane-type pyrimidine dimers of DNAs extracted from human skin tumours.

Unrepaired cyclobutane-type pyrimidine dimers of DNA extracted from human skin tumours were examined by an immunoblotting method using polyclonal antibodies raised against UV-irradiated calf thymus DNA. A total of 40 DNA samples extracted from seven SCC lesions, two AK lesions, two lymphomas, one basal cell epithelioma, one eccrine poroma, one neurofibroma of Recklinghausen's disease, on verruca vulgaris, four femoral normal skins and white blood cells of 21 humans were studied by immunoblotting using this antibody. Two of the 40 DNAs examined, one from facial actinic keratosis (AK) and one from a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which developed form facial AK formed immunoprecipitates. It was found, using photoreactivation enzyme plus visible light, that both immunoprecipitates were cyclobutane-type pyrimidine dimers. In addition, immunofluorescent studies on AK tissue were positive in an immunoblotting assay and revealed that the unremoved photodamage in DNA remained in the nucleus of AK cells. These findings indicate that these tumour cells may be deficient in the enzyme function for repairing photoproduct damage. The unrepaired cyclobutane-type pyrimidine dimer in AK cells might reflect the genetic process in multistage carcinogenesis as well as in xeroderma pigmentosum.

Adult

Endotoxin after gut ischemia/reperfusion causes irreversible lung injury.

We have recently reported that 45 min of gut ischemia causes moderate 125I-albumin lung leak at 6 hr of reperfusion which was reversed at 18 hr. Our purpose was to determine the effect of a second insult, low dose endotoxin (LPS, 2.5 mg/kg), given 6 hr after gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) on this lung injury as assessed by 125I-albumin leak, neutrophil influx (myeloperoxidase assay, MPO), histopathology, and mortality. Rats were randomized to either sham laparotomy (LAP) or 45 min of superior mesenteric artery occlusion and 6 hr later were treated with LPS or saline. At 18 hr reperfusion the lungs were harvested, assayed for 125I-albumin leak and MPO, and microscopically examined by an unbiased observer after routine H&E staining. We observed that LPS increased lung neutrophil levels both with or without gut I/R. However, only the combined insult (I/R + LPS) increased 125I-albumin leak at 18 hr of reperfusion. Lung histology confirmed that the sequential combination of I/R + LPS caused marked interstitial edema and neutrophil sequestration accompanied by alveolar edema, hemorrhage, and fibrinous exudate, while I/R or LAP + LPS did not. The mortality rate of I/R + LPS was 39% which was significantly higher than LAP alone (0%), gut I/R alone (0%), or LAP + LPS (4%). In conclusion, a delayed exposure to low dose endotoxin converts moderate gut I/R-induced lung dysfunction into advanced organ failure.

Albumins

Gut ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver dysfunction occurs despite sustained oxygen consumption.

We have previously shown that gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) causes liver dysfunction in vivo (increased [I125]albumin leak, decreased mitochondrial redox potential). Our purpose was to investigate liver dysfunction due to gut I/R in an ex vivo model where oxygen delivery (DO2) could be controlled. Rats underwent laparotomy (sham) or 45 min of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion (I/R) and 6 hr later the gut and liver were isolated in situ. Pressures were monitored while recirculating blood was perfused via the hepatic artery (2.5 ml/min) for 90 min and the SMA (7.5 ml/min) for the first 30 min, then the portal vein (7.5 ml/min) for 60 min. Both gut and liver DO2 and VO2 (Fick method) were maintained throughout the study period in the gut I/R as well as sham groups. Despite maintenance of liver VO2, however, gut I/R resulted in a marked and persistent reduction in bile flow. In conclusion, dysfunctional bile production after gut I/R is not due to impaired VO2, but rather gut-liver signaling yet to be defined.

Animals

Identification of a binding protein to the X gene promoter region of hepatitis B virus.

The X protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a transactivator to homologous and heterologous viral and cellular transcriptional regulatory elements. One sequence-specific binding protein, whose binding site located from nt 1102 to nt 1117 of HBV DNA, was identified by mobility shift assay and DNase I foot-printing analysis. A CAT assay experiment demonstrated this 16-bp binding site to have a promoter activity in the X gene transcription. The 58-bp DNA fragment (nt 1085 to nt 1142), which contains the above binding site, could be enhanced by the HBV enhancer. Mobility shift assay using the mutated 58-bp DNA fragments as probes, showed that the mutation, which damaged the palindrome structure between nt 1105 and nt 1112, resulted in loss of the binding activity. This mutation also remarkably reduced the promoter activity. The binding site differed from the target sequences of known transcriptional factors. This factor was thus concluded to be a binding protein to the X gene promoter (X-PBP) of HBV. A homology search demonstrated the binding site to be highly homologous to the promoter elements of human laminin receptor (2H5epitope) and lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) genes.

Base Sequence

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of 14 leukemia and lymphoma cell lines with 11q23 translocations.

11q23 translocation is the most popular chromosomal abnormality in infant leukemia. In adults, it is often encountered in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In this study, we analyzed the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 9 acute leukemic cell lines with 11q23 translocations and one with deletion of the 11q23 locus, nine of which were established by researchers in this group, together with 4 NHL cell lines with 11q23 translocations. All lines were considered to belong to the B-cell lineage at different stages. All 10 leukemic lines showed clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene: two corresponded to the B-precursor stage (CD19+, cytoplasmic mu-), while the other 8 corresponded to the pre-B stage (cytoplasmic mu+). All 4 NHL lines showed rearrangements of both the IgH and Ig kappa genes with three expressing surface Ig; specifically, mature B-cell phenotype. As for myelocytic-monocytic markers, at least one out of 4 antigens examined were positive in 8 of the 10 leukemic cell lines, while only one of the 4 NHL lines was reactive. There were essentially no clear phenotypic or genotypic differences between t(4;11) and t(11;19) cell lines, supporting the view that both diseases have similar clinicopathological characteristics. These cell lines are also valuable for cloning genes at the chromosomal breakpoints.

Acute Disease

Ca-blocking action of stereoisomers of CI-951, (+)-CI-951 (NC-1500) and (-)-CI-951 in the isolated muscle preparations.

1. Stereoselectivity of CI-951 in Ca-entry blocking activity was tested in guinea pig taenia caecum and urinary bladder and rabbit thoracic aorta and basilar artery. 2. NC-1500 ((+)-CI-951) and (-)-CI-951 had a selectivity to the basilar artery. 3. NC-1500 ((+)-CI-951) was about 6-16 times as potent as (-)-CI-951. 4. These results suggest that NC-1500 ((+)-CI-951) may be considered a cerebral vasodilator and have potential usefulness as a therapeutic drug.

Animals

Development of a 2,048 x 2,048-pixel image intensifier-TV digital radiography system. Basic imaging properties and clinical application.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: A 2,048 x 2,048-pixel matrix image intensifier (II)-TV digital radiography system has been developed. Potential clinical applications of this new II-TV system were investigated. METHODS: Basic imaging properties were assessed with clinical applications to gastrointestinal (GI) tract and chest examinations. RESULTS: Basic imaging properties showed improvement of modulation transfer functions (MTFs) from the 1,024 x 1,024- to the 2,048 x 2,048-pixel matrix and approximated the screen-film system at low spatial frequencies. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of simulated linear shadows improved similarly. Clinical applications showed that the image quality of the 2,048 x 2,048-pixel matrix was comparable with that of the screen-film system for upper GI and chest radiography, but the image quality of the screen-film system was better for the lower GI tract. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' II-TV digital radiography system is clinically applicable to gastrointestinal and chest examinations.

Digestive System

Steady-state pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of total and unbound disopyramide in children with cardiac arrhythmias.

We studied the pharmacokinetics of the total (protein-bound plus -unbound and unbound forms of disopyramide (DP) at steady-state in six children (aged 5.2 to 12.2 years) with cardiac arrhythmias who had received repeated oral DP therapy. Maximum concentrations after the oral dose were reached at 2.5 +/- 1.1 h (mean +/- SD) for both total and unbound DP. The bioavailabilities calculated from total and unbound plasma concentration-time curves were 99 +/- 23 and 89 +/- 27% of the dose, respectively. These parameters seen in our children are similar to those reported from adult subjects. The mean elimination half-lives (t1/2), volumes of distribution, and total body clearances (CL) of total and unbound DP were 3.15 +/- 0.64 and 2.50 +/- 0.37 h, 1.02 +/- 0.25 and 2.60 +/- 0.38 L/kg, and 3.79 +/- 0.82 and 13.12 +/- 2.60 ml/min/kg, respectively. These mean CL and t1/2 values are considerably greater and shorter, respectively, than those reported from adult subjects. The findings indicate that the greater doses of DP per kg of body weight reportedly required for attaining a therapeutic plasma drug level in pediatric age patients should be due to a greater drug CL in children than in adults. A sustained-release preparation of DP may be required for pediatric patients to minimize a large fluctuation of plasma drug levels during the dosing intervals.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac

Binding sites for interleukin-6 in the anterior pituitary gland.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) binding site in the rat anterior pituitary gland was characterized using radioiodinated human recombinant (hr) IL-6. Results showed that the anterior pituitary gland contained 170 binding sites per cell of a single class with a dissociation constant of 2.7 x 10(-9) M. The binding of 125I-hrIL-6 to the rat anterior pituitary gland was competitively inhibited by unlabeled hrIL-6, but not by hrIL-1 alpha, hrIL-1 beta, hrIL-2 or hr-interferon-gamma, indicating these binding sites are specific for IL-6. We also demonstrated mouse IL-6 receptor gene expression in the rat anterior pituitary gland by Northern blot analysis. Furthermore, the IL-6 receptor was detected on human gonadotrophs by the double immunofluorescence method. Our findings demonstrate the presence and expression of IL-6 binding site in the rat anterior pituitary gland and the presence of IL-6 binding site on human gonadotrophs, suggesting the important role of IL-6 binding site in pituitary hormone release in both species.

Animals

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides enhance dopamine accumulation in cultured rat hypothalamic cells including dopaminergic neurons.

Dopamine accumulation in hypothalamic cells by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was analyzed using newborn rat hypothalamic cells in culture. Both ANP and BNP caused a dose-dependent increase in [3H]-dopamine accumulation in the cells. ANP increased [3H]-dopamine accumulation significantly within 20 min. The effects of ANP and BNP on dopamine accumulation paralleled an increase in intracellular cGMP concentration. (Bu)2-cGMP and sodium nitroprusside, a stimulator of the soluble form of guanylate cyclase, also enhanced [3H]-dopamine accumulation. ANP had no effect on efflux of [3H] radioactivity after [3H]-dopamine uptake. These results suggest that a change in cGMP is one of the intermediate steps in dopamine accumulation in hypothalamic cells by ANP and BNP.

Animals

[Modification of classical drug receptor mechanisms].

It is generally accepted that full and partial agonists interact with the same receptors according to the classical receptor mechanisms. We have modified the drug receptor mechanisms of M3-, alpha 1- and beta-receptors. Among the muscarinic receptors, there are two subtypes of M3-cholinoceptors, propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PrBCM)-sensitive receptors and (PrBCM)-resistant ones. Full agonists contract the guinea pig ileum through both types of cholinoceptors, while the partial agonists produce contractions through only the PrBCM-sensitive receptors. Two subtypes of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, alpha 1A and alpha 1B, were demonstrated in some arteries. Full agonists contracted the rabbit aorta through both the alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors, while the partial agonists mediated contraction through only the alpha 1A-adrenoceptors. beta-Chloroethylamines (PrBCM and chloroethylclonidine) can discriminate the subtype of M3- or alpha 1-receptors in the presence of GTP. beta-Adrenoceptors have two different types of binding sites, high and low affinity sites. The competitive antagonistic effect of the partial agonist is due to their ability to compete with the full agonists for the high affinity site, while the partial agonists interact with the low affinity site to induce the beta-adrenergic effect. A regional difference in alpha 1-adrenoceptor mechanisms was discussed. The potency of norepinephrine in veins is related to alpha 1-adrenoceptor densities. In contrast, the potency of norepinephrine is linearly related to the agonist dissociation constant. This discrepancy suggests a qualitative difference between alpha 1-adrenoceptor mechanisms in the veins and arteries.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

Characterization of subtype of propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PrBCM)-sensitive and -resistant muscarinic cholinoceptors in guinea pig ileal muscle.

The subtype of propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PrBCM)-sensitive and -resistant muscarinic cholinoceptors in guinea pig ileal muscle was examined using four selective muscarinic antagonists, pirenzepine, AF-DX 116, himbacine and 4-DAMP. The pA2 values of the four antagonists against pilocarpine were not different from their values against carbachol after the treatment with PrBCM and was identified with the values for the m3 subtype. These results suggest that the subtype of PrBCM-sensitive and -resistant muscarinic cholinoceptors in guinea pig ileal muscle is the m3 subtype only and not other subtypes.

4-Aminopyridine