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Biomedical subjects

K Takeda

Publications and source records attributed to K Takeda.

At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources

Induction of resistance to TNF cytotoxicity and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase on U-937 cells by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) dose-dependently inhibited the cytotoxicity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in a human monoblastic leukemic cell line, U-937. Combination of TNF and 1,25(OH)2D3 remarkably increased mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (mSOD) of U-937 cells, TNF alone increased it only slightly and 1,25(OH)2D3 alone did not. The cytosolic SOD (cSOD) activity was not changed by TNF or/and 1,25(OH)2D3. The mSOD activity was not inhibited by 2 mM KCN, suggesting that mSOD should be a manganese SOD (MnSOD). These results suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 may reduce the susceptibility to TNF cytotoxicity of U-937 cells by enhancing the ability of inducing MnSOD by TNF.

Calcitriol↗

The blocking effects of omega-conotoxin on Ca current in bovine chromaffin cells.

The effects of omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTX) on voltage-sensitive Ca currents (ICa) were studied in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. A maximal block of ICa of 40-50% was obtained with omega-CgTX in the microM range, and was independent of the holding potential. The onset of block was both concentration- and time-dependent. In bovine chromaffin cells, Ca channels, both sensitive and insensitive to omega-CgTX, appear to be present.

Adrenal Medulla↗

[Quantitative assessment of mineral content in metacarpal bone with Fuji computed radiography].

A new microdensitometry method for quantitative assessment of bone mineral content using Fuji computed radiography (FCR) was developed and the results were compared with those obtained by the conventional film-screen method. Using both methods, X-ray pictures of the 2nd metacarpal bone were taken with a reference aluminum step wedge in nine normal subjects and nine parameters representing the width and density of bone marrow and cortex were calculated in the middle of the bone shaft. Interobserver reproducibility assessed for three parameters was significantly higher in the FCR method than the conventional one. The value of sigma GS computed by the FCR method, that is equivalent to the net bone density of the transverse section of the shaft, showed higher correlation with the one obtained by computed tomography in comparison with the conventional method. In our FCR method, moreover, interobserver reproducibility and accuracy was improved by employing automatic manipulation as much as possible in the process of calculation. The exposure dose in the FCR method could be reduced to half of the one in the conventional method without deteriorating the accuracy. In conclusion, our new microdensitometry method with FCR provides high accuracy and good reproducibility for the measurement of bone mineral content with small exposure dose and is likely to be useful for the long-term follow-up of the osteoporotic patients from the variety of causes.

Adult↗

Effects of pertussis toxin on the affinity of exocytosis for Ca2+ in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Effects of pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein, IAP) on the secretory function of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in culture were studied. Treatment of chromaffin cells with IAP resulted in an increase in both basal release of catecholamine and evoked-release by either acetylcholine (ACh) or high K+. In the dose-response curve for ACh-evoked release, IAP treatment produced an increase of the maximal response without affecting the half-maximal concentration of ACh. When the cells were permeabilized with digitonin after IAP-pretreatment, Ca2(+)-dependent exocytosis was markedly increased where the affinity of exocytosis for Ca2+ was augmented. These findings suggest that IAP-sensitive GTP-binding protein (or proteins) directory controls the Ca2(+)-triggered process in the machinery of exocytosis by modulating the affinity for Ca2+ of its unknown target.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Effects of combinations of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and tumor necrosis factor on induction of differentiation of human myelogenous leukemic cell lines.

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), either alone or in combination with TNF, on the induction of differentiation of human myelogenous leukemic cell lines were examined. TGF-beta 1 alone induced differentiation of a human monocytic leukemia U-937 line into the cells with macrophage characteristics. When combined with TNF, TGF-beta 1 synergistically or additively induced differentiation associated properties. A human myeloblastic leukemia cell line, ML-1, differently responded to TGF-beta 1 in induction of differentiation. FcR activity and phagocytic activity induced by TNF were suppressed by TGF-beta 1. However, nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity was synergistically induced by combinations of TGF-beta 1 and TNF. Scatchard analysis of TNF receptors indicated that the number of binding sites and dissociation constant of TNF for its receptors on U-937 or ML-1 cells were not changed by treatment with TGF-beta 1. Although IFN-gamma, IL-6, granulocyte CSF, and granulocyte-macrophage CSF-induced nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity of U-937 cells, only IFN-gamma, and TNF induced it synergistically in combination with TGF-beta 1. Synergism between TGF-beta 1 and TNF was also observed in inhibition of growth of U-937 and ML-1 cells. Although TGF-beta 1 induction of differentiation of other monocytoid leukemic THP-1 cells was similar to that of U-937 cells, TGF-beta 1 only slightly induced differentiation of promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells, either alone or in combination with TNF. Our observations indicate that TGF-beta 1 strongly modulates differentiation and proliferation of human myelogenous leukemia cells, macrophage precursors.

Cell Differentiation↗

Site-directed mutagenesis of Asp-376, the catalytic phosphorylation site, and Lys-507, the putative ATP-binding site, of the alpha-subunit of Torpedo californica Na+/K(+)-ATPase.

Point mutations of Asp-376 of the alpha-subunit of Torpedo californica Na+/K(+)-ATPase (the site of phosphorylation during the catalytic cycle) to Asn, Glu or Thr led to virtual abolishment of Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity and ouabain-binding capacity. Replacement of Lys-507 of the same subunit (the putative ATP-binding site) by Met resulted in decreases in Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity and ouabain-binding capacity. These results are in agreement with those reported for rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2(+)-ATPase (Maruyama, K. and MacLennan, D.H. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 3314-3318).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[A case of pheochromocytoma with an AMI-like ECG change corrected by an alpha-blocking agent].

A 59 year-old housewife was admitted to the emergency service with a sudden onset of chest pain and nausea. Initially she was treated as an acute myocardial infarction, but conventional treatments were not effective, and she was sent to our hospital for further evaluation. Her ECG showed several abnormal findings including T-wave inversion, atrial flutter, QT-time prolongation, ST-segment depression or elevation, and frequent ventricular ectopic beats. The echocardiogram, 201thallium scintigram and coronary angiography were almost normal. Both urinary and plasma levels of catecholamines were remarkably increased, and the plasma epinephrine was extremely high during attacks. Abdominal echotomography and CT-scanning showed a large left adrenal tumor. The 131MIBG scintiscan revealed a high accumulation in this tumor. Then the patient was diagnosed as having pheochromocytoma and catecholamine-induced myocarditis. The administration of phentolamine (10 mg) normalized the inversion of T-wave and the high blood pressure. But when propranolol (2 mg) was administrated in addition to phentolamine, the ECG showed a biphasic low T-wave change. According to these phenomena, we supposed that the alpha-adrenergic receptor was involved in the development of the ST-T changes of the ECG, and the alpha-adrenergic receptor of this patient might be sensitive under excessive catecholamines, according to the inhibition of the beta-receptor by propranolol.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Defects in the precore region of the HBV genome in patients with chronic hepatitis B after sustained seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe induced spontaneously or with interferon therapy.

Hepatitis B virus DNA clones were propagated from sera of six patients with chronic hepatitis B who seroconverted from HBeAg to antibody to HBeAg either spontaneously or after administration of alpha-interferon. Defects in the precore region blocking synthesis and secretion of HBeAg were detected in all 46 hepatitis B virus DNA clones from three patients who remained positive for antibody to HBeAg and in whom hepatitis resolved. Defective clones had point mutations from guanine to adenine at nucleotide 83 in the precore region, converting codon 28 from tryptophan (TGG) to a stop codon (TAG). In contrast, this defect was not found in any of 39 hepatitis B virus DNA clones from three patients who seroconverted to antibody to HBeAg but then redeveloped HBeAg with reactivation of hepatitis. Using these results, the G-to-A point mutation at nucleotide 83 in the precore region would predict sustained positivity for antibody to HBeAg and remission of hepatitis in patients who have seroconverted either spontaneously or with interferon therapy.

Adult↗

27 amino acid residues can be deleted from the N-terminus of human lymphotoxin without impairment of its cytotoxic activity.

In order to study the relationship between activity and structure of human lymphotoxin (hLT, 171 aa), we synthesized the gene (519 bp) for hLT and expressed it in Escherichia coli. Purification of the recombinant hLT from crude extracts was difficult because of the low level of expression of the gene. To improve the yield of the recombinant protein, we prepared five truncated genes for mutant proteins in which 25, 26, 27, 28 and 37 amino acid residues, respectively, were missing from the N-terminus. All of the genes were efficiently expressed and adequate amounts of mutant proteins were synthesized. The proteins were recovered mainly in the supernatant fractions after disruption of cells, with the exception of LT delta 37N, in which 37 residues were absent from the N-terminal region. Cytotoxic activities against mouse fibroblast L929 cells were detected in supernatant fractions that contained these mutant proteins, except in the case of LT delta 28N, which lacks the first amino acid residue conserved in both hLT and human tumour necrosis factor (hTNF). LT delta 27N, which is the smallest of the active proteins, was purified to homogeneity, and its cytotoxic activity was found to be similar to that of recombinant hTNF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fluorescence lifetime and rotational correlation time of bovine serum albumin-sodium dodecyl sulfate complex labeled with 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride: effect of disulfide bridges in the protein on these fluorescence parameters.

A fluorescent dye, 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride, was used to label bovine serum albumin (BSA), intact and disulfide bridges-cleaved. The fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence anisotropy of the adducts in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solutions were studied by the nanosecond fluorescence depolarization method. The volume of equivalent sphere (Ve) was calculated to be 2.1 x 10(-19) cm3 for BSA with the intact disulfide bridges from the rotational correlation time. The value of Ve was 4.4 x 10(-19) cm3 for the disulfide bridges-cleaved BSA. With an increase in SDS concentration, the rotational correlation time of the intact BSA became longer, while that of the disulfide bridges-cleaved BSA became shorter. This suggests that upon the binding of SDS, the total volume of the intact BSA increases while the expanded state of the protein, caused by the cleavage of the disulfide bridges, becomes compact.

Circular Dichroism↗

Circular dichroism studies on helical structure preferences of amino acid residues of proteins caused by sodium dodecyl sulfate.

The extent of helical structure of 19 intact proteins and of 15 proteins with no disulfide bridges in the absence and presence of 10 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was determined using the curve-fitting method of circular dichroic spectra. The change in helicity caused by the addition of SDS was examined as a function of each amino acid fraction. An increase in the helicity upon the addition of SDS occurred in most of the proteins with no disulfide bridges (C proteins) and containing more than 0.06 Lys fraction. In most of the intact proteins (B proteins), most of which contained disulfide bridges, helicity in SDS decreased with an increase in Lys fraction. The helicity of the C proteins in SDS also tended to increase with an increase in the Leu and Phe fractions, while it decreased with an increase in the Gly fraction. For the helicity of the B proteins in SDS, there was a tendency to increase with increased Asn fraction and decrease with increased His fraction. On the other hand, amino acids were divided into eight groups according to their side-chain properties and the conformational preference for each of the amino acid groups of C proteins was calculated using a simple assumption.

Amino Acids↗

Horseshoe lung without respiratory distress.

A case of horseshoe lung associated with scimitar syndrome is reported. The patient, a six year old boy, had no respiratory distress. Plain chest film showed hypoplasia of the right lung and scimitar vein. Angiography demonstrated that right inferior pulmonary arteries crossed the midline and reached to the left lung base.

Child↗

Molecular basis for the properties of the thyroxine-binding globulin-slow variant in American blacks.

Thyroxine-binding globulin-slow (TBG-S), a variant found in 4-12% of Black and Pacific Island populations, is inherited as an X-chromosome linked trait. This variant is detected on isoelectric focusing by the characteristic cathodal shift of all its isoforms, suggesting that the difference resides in the core protein. In addition, TBG-S is slightly more thermolabile, which explains why subjects expressing TBG-S have on the average lower serum TBG, and thus reduced T4, concentrations. We now report the molecular basis for this TBG variant, deduced from sequencing the TBG-S gene of an American Black man. Sequencing of the four coding regions and all intron/exon junctions revealed a single nucleotide substitution in the codon for amino acid 171 of the mature protein. The resulting change of the codon GAC to AAC results in replacement of the normal aspartic acid by asparagine. Since the negative charge provided by the aspartic acid is lost when replaced by the neutral asparagine, this substitution seems responsible for the cathodal shift on isoelectric focusing and slower electrophoretic mobility of TBG-S. An identical nucleotide substitution was identified in an unrelated American Black man expressing TBG-S. Whether the TBG-S phenotype observed in populations from the Pacific Islands is caused by the same mutation remains to be determined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Scorbutic and fasted guinea pig sera contain an insulin-like growth factor I-reversible inhibitor of proteoglycan and collagen synthesis in chick embryo chondrocytes and adult human skin fibroblasts.

Chick embryo chondrocytes cultured in sera from scorbutic and fasted guinea pigs exhibited decreases in collagen and proteoglycan production to about 30-50% of control values (I. Oyamada et al., 1988, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 152, 1490-1496). Here we show by pulse-chase labeling experiments that in the chondrocyte system, as in the cartilage of scorbutic and fasted guinea pigs, decreased incorporation of precursor into collagen was due to decreased synthesis rather than to increased degradation. There was a concomitant decrease in type II procollagen mRNA to about 32% of the control level. As in scorbutic cartilage, proteoglycan synthesis by chondrocytes in scorbutic serum was blocked at the stage of glycosaminoglycan chain initiation. Scorbutic and fasted guinea pig sera also caused a 50-60% decrease in the rates of collagen and proteoglycan synthesis in adult human skin fibroblasts, which synthesize mainly type I collagen. Decreased matrix synthesis in both cell types resulted from the presence of an inhibitor in scorbutic and fasted sera. Elevated cortisol levels in these sera were not responsible for inhibition, as determined by the addition of dexamethasone to chondrocytes cultured in normal serum. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I, 300-350 ng/ml) reversed the inhibition of extracellular matrix synthesis by scorbutic and fasted guinea pig sera in both cell types and prevented the decrease in type II procollagen mRNA in chondrocytes. Therefore, in addition to its established role in proteoglycan metabolism, IGF-I also regulates the synthesis of several collagen types. An increase in the circulating inhibitor of IGF-I action thus could lead to the negative regulation of collagen and cartilage proteoglycan synthesis that occurs in ascorbate-deficient and fasted guinea pigs.

Animals↗

Determination of plasma total renin level by RIA with a monoclonal antibody: value as a marker for nephroblastoma.

Plasma total renin is a new, useful marker for nephroblastoma, but the conventional method for determining its level is sophisticated and requires large blood samples. To develop a simpler technique, a monoclonal antibody specific for both inactive and active renin (inactive + active = total) was raised, and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) system was established. This monoclonal antibody stains only the juxtaglomerular apparatus; values determined by this RIA did not change before and after activation. So far, the RIA system has been applied to 136 samples from 92 patients. Plasma total renin levels were also determined with the conventional method: samples were activated, then renin activity was assayed by measuring angiotensin I. The coefficient of the data obtained by these two different techniques was 0.921 (P less than .01). Plasma total renin levels in patients with nephroblastoma were significantly increased (546.5 +/- 297.8 pg/mL) over those in patients with neuroblastoma (218.6 +/- 46.5 pg/mL) and in controls (165.8 +/- 67.5 pg/mL, P less than .01). After removal of Wilms' tumors, the levels decreased to normal when sampled every 2 weeks. It was concluded that a newly developed RIA system is more useful in determining plasma total renin levels in patients with nephroblastoma.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Evaluation of clastogenicity of formic acid, acetic acid and lactic acid on cultured mammalian cells.

Using Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells, chromosomal aberration tests were carried out with formic acid, acetic acid and lactic acid, and the relationship between the pH of the medium and the clastogenic activity was examined. The medium used was Ham's F12 supplemented with 17 mM NaHCO3 and 10% fetal calf serum. All of these acids induced chromosomal aberrations at the initial pH of ca. 6.0 or below (about 10-14 mM of each acid) both with and without S9 mix. Exposure of cells to about pH 5.7 or below (about 12-16 mM of each acid) was found to be toxic. When the culture medium was first acidified with each of these acids and then neutralized to pH 6.4 or pH 7.2 with NaOH, no clastogenic activity was observed. Using F12 medium supplemented with 34 mM NaHCO3 as a buffer, no clastogenic activity was observed at doses up to 25 mM of these acids (initial pH 5.8-6.0). However, it was found that about 10% of the cells had aberrations at pH 5.7 or below (27.5-32.5 mM of each acid). Furthermore, when 30 mM HEPES was used as a buffer, chromosomal aberrations were not induced at doses up to 20 mM formic acid and acetic acid (initial pH 7.0-7.1), and at doses up to 30 mM lactic acid (initial pH 6.6). In the initial pH range of 6.4-6.7 (25-32.5 mM of each acid), chromosomal aberrations were observed. The above results show that these acids themselves are non-clastogenic, and the pseudo-positive reactions attributable to non-physiological pH could be eliminated by either neutralization of the treatment medium or enhancement of the buffering ability.

Acetates↗

Enhancement of interferon-gamma-induced differentiation of human monoblastic leukemia U-937 cells by cAMP-inducing agents.

The effects of combinations of interferons (IFNs) and cAMP-inducing agents on the induction of differentiation of human monocytic leukemia U-937 cells were examined. IFN-gamma induced nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reducing activity of U-937 cells in a dose-dependent manner, while cAMP-inducing agents such as cholera toxin, prostaglandin E1, forskolin, and isoproterenol only marginally induced NBT reducing activity. However, they all synergistically increased IFN-gamma induction of NBT reducing activity. Cholera toxin was the most potent of the cAMP-inducing agents. Combination effects of IFN-gamma and cholera toxin on other differentiation-associated markers of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity, morphological maturation, Fc receptors, and surface phenotype were also observed. IFN-alpha and -beta, either alone or in combination with cAMP-inducing agents, did not induce NBT reducing activity. IFN-gamma and cholera toxin also synergistically induced differentiation-associated markers in another human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, and a human myeloblastic leukemia cell line, ML-1. These results suggest that cAMP/A-kinase may be an important but insufficient signal for the maturation process of myelogenous leukemia cells.

Alprostadil↗

Clonidine abolishes exaggerated pressor responses to shaker stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To determine whether clonidine would attenuate exaggerated pressor responses to stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), pressor responses to shaker stress were recorded following intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of clonidine in conscious SHR. Pressor responses to shaker stress were significantly larger in SHR than in Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Increased sympathetic nerve responses to shaker stress were also significantly greater in SHR than in WKY. Exaggerated pressor responses in SHR were partly attenuated by adrenalectomy and abolished by clonidine (icv). By contrast, 1-Sar,8-Ile angiotensin II (icv) was ineffective. These findings suggest that in SHR, the alpha-adrenergic system in the brain may contribute to exaggerated pressor responses to shaker stress, but not the brain renin-angiotensin system.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗