Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Miyazawa

Publications and source records attributed to K Miyazawa.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Possible role of immunocompetent cells on periodic exacerbation of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

A 44 year-old man was admitted to our hospital in October, 1992 with epistaxis. Fifteen months before admission, thrombocytopenia had been pointed out, but he had no bleeding episode. At admission, neither hepatosplenomegaly nor lymph node swelling was observed. Hematological findings were as follows; WBC 10,000/microliter, Hb 14.0 g/dl, PLT 5,000/microliter, including giant platelets. Platelet associated IgG (PAIgG) was 471 ng/10(7) cells. Bone marrow aspiration revealed normocellularity with moderate increase in the number of mature megakaryocytes, but no dysplastic changes were seen. Biochemical and radiological examinations disclosed neither malignant diseases nor autoimmune diseases. Based on the diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, danazol therapy (300 mg/day) was started in November, 1992. After initiation of treatment, the platelet count changed cyclically every 4 weeks. To elecuidate the mechanism of this phenomenon, we periodically evaluated the patient's immunological background. T lymphocyte counts and subset proportions remained almost the same through out the course, whereas NK cell counts and NK activity coincided with the change of the platelet count. These results suggest that in this case NK cells may play a role in the cyclic fluctuation of platelet count by regulating the immune system.

Adult↗

[Essential thrombocythemia in transformation to acute leukemia (FAB-M0) as a natural history from myelofibrosis with t(1;7)].

A 34-year-old man was found to have leukocytosis and thrombocytosis in 1983. In 1988, his leukocyte count was 10,400/microliter, Hb 16.5g and a platelet was 73 x 10(4)/microliter. A bone marrow examination showed megakaryocyte hyperplasia. Essential thrombocythemia (ET) was diagnosed but no treatment was given. In February 1993, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly developed and cytogenetic study of the peripheral blood demonstrated t(1;7) (q10;p10). Myelofibrosis was diagnosed as by bone marrow biopsy. The patient was treated with blood transfusion, oxymetholone and prednisolone, but without effect. In 1995, acute myeloid leukemia developed, and he died in December 1995 due to septicemia. We report here a case of the ET developed myelofibrosis with t(1;7) (q10;p10) anomaly and acute leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

[Chronic myelogenous leukemia received unrelated bone marrow transplantation following surgical resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformation--first case report].

We report a 15-year-old boy with chronic myelogenous leukemia who received unrelated bone marrow transplantation (uBMT) after surgical resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage caused by rupture of cerebral ABM in cases of BMT is uncertain. However, since the risk of rupture of AVM was supposed to increase due to both severe thrombocytopenia after intensive chemotherapy and increased intracranical pressure because of total body irradiation (TBI) as preconditioning therapy for BMT, we have first carried out surgical resection of the cerebral AVM, and subsequently performed uBMT. This resulted in a favorable clinical course without serious complications.

Adolescent↗

Oviductal progesterone concentration and its spatial distribution in cyclic and early pregnant cows.

Changes and local distribution of oviductal progesterone (P(4)) concentration during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in cows were investigated. Intact reproductive tracts were collected from 16 Holstein cows at an abattoir. Samples were classified in to 4 stages (follicular, postovulatory, luteal and early pregnant,< 20 d) based on visual observation of corpus luteum (CL), uterine characteristics and luteal P(4) concentrations. Oviducts were separated from the uterus at the utero-tubal junction and divided into 4 parts: fimbriae, proximal, medial and distal parts. Luteal tissue samples were also collected. Progesterone levels in oviductal and luteal tissues were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Comparatively higher (P < 0.001) P(4) levels were found in stages with a functioning CL ( luteal phase and early pregnancy) than in those with a regressing CL (follicular phase and post ovulation). The oviduct ipsilateral to the CL bearing ovary during the luteal phase and early pregnancy showed higher ( P < 0.001) P(4) concentrations than the contralateral side. Such a difference was not observed during the follicular phase or post ovulation. The ipsilateral oviduct to the functioning CL at early pregnancy showed higher (P <0.05) P(4) levels than at the luteal phase, while no significant difference in luteal P(4) levels between these 2 stages was observed. Neither were any differences in P(4) concentration within the oviduct observed during any phase of the estrous cycle or during early pregnancy. A positive relationship between luteal and oviductal P(4) concentrations was noted. In conclusion, changes in P(4) levels in the oviduct depend on the location and functional stage of the CL. Localized levels of P(4) in the oviduct may be due to local delivery of P(4) from the CL.

Journal Article↗

Mammalian mature osteoclasts as estrogen target cells.

The decrease in estrogen levels that follows the onset of menopause causes rapid bone loss, resulting in osteoporosis. However, the mechanism by which this occurs remains unclear, especially concerning the regulation of osteoclasts, i.e. the bone-resorbing cells. Using a pit assay involving isolated mature osteoclasts from rabbit long bones, we found that estrogen inhibited the bone-resorbing activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, we clarified by Northern analysis that estrogen down-regulated the mRNA levels of cathepsin K/OC-2 and that putative estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA was expressed in these osteoclasts. Moreover, other sizes of mRNAs that hybridized with ER cDNA probe were found in these cells. Our results suggest that osteoclasts may be indeed target cells for estrogen and that estrogen might regulate a part of bone metabolism through osteoclasts.

Animals↗

Tranilast antagonizes angiotensin II and inhibits its biological effects in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Recent studies have been reported indicating that angiotensin II may potentiate neointimal formation. In the present study, we examined the antagonistic effect of tranilast on angiotensin II. Losartan was used as the reference compound. First, tranilast inhibited the angiotensin II-induced contraction of rabbit aortic strips in a noncompetitive manner (pD'(2) = 3.7), whereas it had little effect on the contraction induced by noradrenaline or endothelin-l. Second, tranilast inhibited the binding of (125)I-labeled angiotensin II to angiotensin AT1 receptors in rat liver membranes with an IC(50) value of 289 mu M. Finally, functional antagonism of tranilast (100 and 300 mu M) was demonstrated by its blockade of angiotensin II (10(-8)M)-induced (45)Ca(2+) -efflux from human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). However, tranilast (30-300 mu M) exerted no influence on PDGF-induced formation of inositol triphosphates which cause an increase in [Ca(2+)]i in human VSMC. The antagonistic activity of tranilast towards angiotensin II may be involved in part in preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

Angiotensin II↗

Vitamin K2 inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption by inducing osteoclast apoptosis.

In contrast to vitamin K1(VK1), vitamin K2(VK2) inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption by unfractionated bone cells and isolated osteoclasts. To investigate the mechanism of inhibition of osteoclastic bone resorption by VK2, we examined the effect of this vitamin on osteoclast apoptosis using a DNA-binding fluorescent dye, Hoechst 33258. In unfractionated bone cells and isolated osteoclasts on dentin slices, we first demonstrated that VK2 induced osteoclast apoptosis, but VK1 did not. Moreover, cycloheximide inhibited VK2-induced osteoclast apoptosis. These results suggest the possibility that VK2 inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption by targeting osteoclasts to undergo apoptosis, which leads to cell death.

Animals↗

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced cell migration is negatively modulated by epidermal growth factor through tyrosine phosphorylation of the HGF receptor.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulated cell migration of human gastric carcinoma cell lines MKN1, MKN7, and MKN28. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) also stimulated the cell migration of these three cell lines. In MKN7 cells, HGF-stimulated cell migration was rather reduced in the presence of EGF, whereas such an observation was not made with MKN1 and MKN28 cells. Therefore, we compared the effect of EGF on HGF-stimulated HGF receptor phosphorylation in these cell lines. HGF induced a rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the HGF receptor in all these cell lines. In MKN7 cells, the increased phosphorylation was further enhanced by EGF, although EGF alone did not affect tyrosine phosphorylation of the HGF receptor. In MKN1 and MKN28 cells, EGF did not influence tyrosine phosphorylation of the HGF receptor, whether HGF was present or not. The data presented here suggest that EGF negatively modulates the cellular response to HGF by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of the HGF receptor in certain types of epithelial cells, e.g., MKN7 cells.

Carcinoma↗

Immobilized anti-KIT monoclonal antibody induces ligand-independent dimerization and activation of Steel factor receptor: biologic similarity with membrane-bound form of Steel factor rather than its soluble form.

Interaction of a tyrosine kinase type receptor and its ligand induces receptor-dimerization or -oligomerization followed by transphosphorylation and activation of its intrinsic kinase, which leads to a series of intracellular signals. We have previously reported that the membrane-bound form of Steel factor (SLF) induces more persistent tyrosine kinase activation and longer life span of c-kit encoded protein (KIT) than its soluble form (Miyazawa et al, Blood 85:641, 1995). In this study, we used YB5.B8 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) that recognizes the extracellular domain of KIT to investigate whether immobilized anti-KIT MoAb can substitute for SLF as a potent activator of KIT by cross-linking receptors and further compared its effect with each SLF isoform in a factor-dependent cell line M07e. YB5.B8 MoAb in a soluble state suppressed SLF-induced M07e cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, once this antibody was immobilized on the goat-antimouse MoAb (GAM)-coated culture plates, it supported the growth of M07e cells in the absence of any growth factors, whereas culture the cells in GAM alone or YB5.B8 without GAM-coated plates resulted in rapid cell-death within 24 hours. As with the natural ligand SLF, immobilized YB5.B8 MoAb synergized with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in inducing cell proliferation compared with either YB5.B8 MoAb or GM-CSF alone. Immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine MoAb showed that interaction of M07e cells with immobilized YB5.B8 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a series of intracellular proteins including KIT (145 kD). In addition, cross-linking studies using a water-soluble cross linking reagent bis-sulfosuccinimidyl-suberate showed that immobilized YB5.B8 MoAb induced dimerization and activation of KIT. However, as with stimulation by the membrane-bound form of SLF, the kinetics of KIT activation with YB5.B8 MoAb was more prolonged compared with the cells treated with recombinant soluble SLF. Flow cytometry showed that, unlike the cells treated with soluble SLF, no downmodulation of cell-surface KIT expression was observed in M07e cells cultured with immobilzed YB5.B8 MoAb. These data suggest that immobilized antibodies against hematopoietic receptors may replace their ligand-stimulators; however, their activities may resemble the membrane-bound form rather than the soluble form of natural ligands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dissociation of c-fos induction and mitogen-activated-protein kinase activation from the hepatocyte-growth-factor-induced motility response in human gastric carcinoma cells.

The function of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is to increase proliferation as well as to stimulate motility and disperse cell colonies of epithelial cells. In this study, we examined the motogenic and mitogenic responses of two human gastric carcinoma cell types, MKN7 and MKN74. Cell motility of both cell lines was markedly stimulated by HGF/SF. In contrast, HGF/SF stimulated cell growth of MKN74 cells, but did not stimulate growth of MKN7 cells. To address the cause of the difference in response of these cells, which may reflect some differences in signaling pathways downstream from the HGF/SF receptor, c-Met, we investigated the induction of the proto-oncogene c-fos. The level of c-fos mRNA increased and reached a maximum approximately 40 min after HGF/SF stimulation in MKN74 cells, and thereafter its level rapidly decreased. In contrast, the level of c-fos expression was very low irrespective of the stimulation in MKN7 cells. c-Fos protein was transiently induced only in MKN74 cells l h after treatment with HGF/SF, and its levels subsequently decreased. We subsequently examined the activation of mitogen-activated-protein kinase, which is a major mediator in the signaling pathway leading to the stimulation of c-fos transcription, after HGF/SF treatment in both cell lines. Mitogen-activated-protein kinase was markedly activated by this treatment in MKN74 cells, but was only slightly activated in MKN7 cells. These results suggest that although mitogen-activated-protein kinase activation and c-fos induction play an essential role in the signaling pathway leading to cell growth, they are not required for the motility response induced by HGF/SF.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Activation of hepatocyte growth factor in the injured tissues is mediated by hepatocyte growth factor activator.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen, motogen, and morphogen for epithelial cells in vitro. It appears likely that HGF participates in tissue regeneration following hepatic and renal injury in vivo. The activity of HGF is localized to the injured tissues by a proteolytic activation system; HGF remains as an inactive single-chain form in the normal state and is converted to an active heterodimeric form in response to tissue injury. A protease responsible for this conversion is induced in the injured liver, but it has not yet been identified. We have previously purified and characterized HGF activator (HGFA), a serum-derived serine protease that efficiently activates single-chain HGF in vitro. In this study, we found that the HGF-converting activity in the injured liver was inhibited by an anti-HGFA antibody. We also found that the active form of HGFA was generated exclusively in the injured tissues. Thus, it appears likely that HGFA is the key enzyme that regulates the activity of HGF in the injured tissues. We also analyzed the heparin binding properties of the precursor and mature forms of HGFA. HGFA had a weak affinity for heparin near the physiological salt concentration in its precursor form but acquired a strong affinity for heparin upon activation that is linked to blood coagulation. This property may ensure the local action of this enzyme at the site of tissue injury.

Animals↗

Dense microspheres in normal horse brain.

Here were report eosinophilic globular bodies referred to as dense microspheres (DMS), in the brains of normal horse in relation to the ageing process. The characteristic structures of DMS found in the horse were in similar to those previously reported in the human. The DMS were found predominantly in the neuropil of the cerebral cortex, and were shown histochemically to have a proteinaceous content. Electron microscopy showed that the DMS consisted of homogeneous electron-dense material bound by a single membrane and that they were found within the neuronal processes. In addition, immature or small DMS were observed, which seemed to be closely correlated with the endoplasmic reticulum.

Aging↗

Inhibitory effect of a nucleoside analog, acyclovir, on leukemia cells.

Acyclovir (ACV), a nucleoside analog, has been demonstrated previously to suppress selectively the proliferation of NIH3T3 fibroblastic cells transformed by either v-abl or bcr-abl gene transfection. From a viewpoint of clinical application of ACV, we investigated whether ACV inhibited the growth of leukemia cells expressing either p210 BCR-ABL or p185BCR-ABL. Acyclovir exerted an inhibitory effect on OM9;22 cells, p185BCR-ABL expressing cells, in a dose-dependent manner. Despite no down-modulation of a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity or its expression was observed after treatment with ACV, cell cycle analysis demonstrated synchronization of OM9;22 cells at the G0/G1 phase. This suggests that, although ACV does not directly act on BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, ACV may exert its inhibitory effect on some leukemia cell lines via alterations of the cell cycle. Although selective inhibition of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia cell growth was not apparent, our data provides a therapeutic possibility for ACV in the treatment for leukemia.

Acyclovir↗

Bone morphogenetic protein-induced heterotopic bone in osteopetrosis.

The objectives of the present research on the osteopetrotic mouse are to investigate the factors influencing heterotopic bone development. The osteopetrotic mutant was deficient in macrophage colony stimulating factor and failed to activate functioning monocytes, macrophages, and osteoclasts. Macrophage colony stimulating factor deficiency also caused a heretofore undescribed delay in organization and absorption of hematomas resulting from surgical operations. Surgically implanted in a heterotopic site, bone morphogenetic protein induced approximately 10% more bone in osteopetrotic than littermate+/? mice. Radiographically, the heterotopic bone was at least 50% denser than new bone. The new bone was metachromatic or slightly basophilic rather than eosinophilic and undermined with large deposits of hypercalcified hypertrophic cartilage. Bone mineral in the osteopetrotic mouse was deposited in an apatite-like form with a higher calcium/phosphorus ratio than the bone of +/? littermates. High levels of alkaline phosphatase synthesis were sustained longer in the osteopetrotic mouse than in the +/? littermate. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase synthesis was almost nil in osteopetrotic mice during the first 4 weeks, and thereafter appeared coincidental with spontaneous remission of osteopetrosis at 6 weeks. Implants of the mineralized cortical bone matrix of the osteopetrotic mouse showed minimal if any bone morphogenetic protein activity of matrix of +/? littermate or otherwise normal mice. The cause of the remission of the bone disorder in the osteopetrotic mouse is not known but is of great interest to students studying the problem of coupling of bone formation to bone resorption.

Animals↗

Antiproliferative and c-myc mRNA suppressive effect of tranilast on newborn human vascular smooth muscle cells in culture.

1. Newborn human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferated faster and were more sensitive to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) than those from adults. In this study, we investigated mechanism of the inhibitory effect of tranilast on PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of VSMCs from newborns. 2. Tranilast (30-300 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited the VSMC proliferation in randomly growing cultures stimulated with PDGF-BB. 3. Tranilast (30-300 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited the [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in VSMCs that had been synchronized by 48 h serum depletion and then stimulated by addition of PDGF-BB. However, tranilast had little influence on unscheduled DNA synthesis in quiescent cells or on RNA and protein synthesis, unlike aphidicolin, actimomycin D, and cycloheximide. 4. In synchronized VSMC cultures, tranilast still inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced DNA synthesis even when added 18 h after stimulation of the quiescent cells. The mode of the antiproliferative action of tranilast was different from that of NiCl2, genistein, or staurosporin. In addition, flow cytometry of synchronized VSMCs treated with tranilast revealed a blockade of PDGF-inducible cell-cycle progression at the G1/S checkpoint. 5. Northern blotting showed that tranilast (30-300 microM) concentration-dependently suppressed constitutive c-myc mRNA expression even when added 18 h after PDGF-BB-stimulation of quiescent VSMCs. Tranilast still had an inhibitory effect on the induction of c-myc mRNA when de novo protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide and did not shorten the degradation of c-myc mRNA at the post-transcriptional level, demonstrating that tranilast directly inhibited c-myc mRNA expression at the transcriptional level. 6. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of tranilast on PDGF-BB-induced proliferation is due to S-phase blockade and may be, at least in part, involved in the direct suppression of c-myc gene expression. Tranilast did not cause cell toxicity and may therefore hold promising potential for the prevention of vascular proliferative diseases.

Adult↗

Tranilast suppresses intimal hyperplasia in the balloon injury model and cuff treatment model in rabbits.

Intimal hyperplasia is a serious problem after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In this study, we investigated the effects of tranilast on intimal hyperplasia in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. For the in vivo experiments, we used the balloon injury model and the cuff treatment model of rabbits fed regular chow. In the balloon injury model, tranilast decreased intimal area, intima/media ratio, stenosis ratio and vascular DNA content after endothelial injury. Also in the cuff treatment model, tranilast suppressed the intimal hyperplasia. In the in vitro experiments, we assessed the effects of tranilast on platelet-derived growth factor-induced rabbit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation and on collagen synthesis by VSMCs. Tranilast inhibited VSMC migration, proliferation and collagen synthesis. These results suggest that tranilast has a suppressive effect on intimal hyperplasia after a vascular injury such as PTCA.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗