Biomedical subjects

Kiyoshi Takeda

Publications and source records attributed to Kiyoshi Takeda.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

The kinase domain of death-associated protein kinase is inhibitory for tubulointerstitial fibrosis in chronic obstructive nephropathy.

Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine kinase that is thought to mediate apoptosis. We have shown that the kinase domain of DAPK is crucial for the induction of renal tubular cell apoptosis in chronic obstructive uropathy (COU) created by unilateral ureteral ligation. DAPK-mutant mice, generated by deletion of 74 amino acids from the catalytic kinase domain, were used to investigate the role of the DAPK kinase domain in renal fibrosis following COU. Interstitial collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expressions in situ were compared between obstructed kidneys in wild-type and mutant mice. As a result, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, as quantified by interstitial collagen expression, was significantly augmented in mutant kidneys compared with wild-type kidneys following COU. Furthermore, deletion of the kinase domain from DAPK significantly increased the appearance of alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts in the renal interstitium during COU. Thus, our results suggest that the kinase domain deleted by gene targeting plays a suppressive role for the development of renal fibrosis through inhibition of the tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in a mouse model of COU.

Actins↗

PubMed2005

STAT6 deficiency inhibits tubulointerstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy.

To elucidate the contribution of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 6 to the pathophysiology of chronic renal injury, STAT6-/- mice were subjected to unilateral ureteral ligation together with wild-type control mice. STAT6-/- kidneys had more apoptotic cells and a greater influx of F4/80-positive cells than wild-type kidneys following ureteral obstruction. There was a much larger alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive area in STAT6-/- kidneys than in wild-type kidneys after ureteral ligation. However, renal fibrosis, as quantified by Masson-Trichrome staining, was not significantly exaggerated in STAT6-/- kidneys compared with wild-type kidneys. The accumulation of collagen I was significantly less in STAT6-/- kidneys than in wild-type kidneys. These observations indicate that the STAT6 signal transduction pathway exerts a protective role on renal cell apoptosis in chronic obstructive uropathy. Our findings also suggest that the STAT6 pathway may have a promotive effect on renal fibrosis by activating collagen synthesis following ureteral obstruction.

Actins↗

PubMed2005

Down-regulation of dopamine transporter and abnormal behavior in STAT6-deficient mice.

To determine the role of STAT6 transcription factors in brain function, we performed a battery of mouse behavioral analyses of STAT6-deficient mice and made comparisons with wild-type mice. STAT6-deficient mice were significantly more hyperactive in the final two blocks of an open field test, indicating abnormal habituation in completing the task. Two learning tasks, a water maze and a passive avoidance test, were mastered by STAT6-deficient mice as effectively as the wild-type. RT-PCR analysis suggested that the levels of dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNA may be lower in the midbrain of the mutant. In agreement with the finding, subsequent Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated lower levels of DAT protein in the mutant striatum. These results lead to the proposal that, in addition to being a pivotal transcription factor in the immune system, STAT6 may be crucially implicated in mouse behavior by modulating the expression of neuronal genes such as DAT.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Reduced prepulse inhibition of startle in STAT6-deficient mice.

To determine the role of STAT6 transcription factors in brain function, we performed a battery of mouse behavioral analyses of STAT6-deficient mice. We recently showed that STAT6-deficient mice displayed increased locomotor activities and had reduced levels of dopamine transporter (DAT) expression in the striatum. To further examine the behavioral effects of STAT6 deficiency, we subjected STAT6-deficient mice to behavior task testing prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the auditory startle response. In acoustic prepulse conditions, STAT6-deficient mice displayed significantly lower levels of PPI in acoustic startle than did wild-type mice, indicating their sensorimotor gating deficits. Thus, STAT6 transcription factors may be crucially implicated in sensorimotor gating by modulating the expression of several genes, including DAT in brain neurons.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2004

Osteoclast differentiation is impaired in the absence of inhibitor of kappa B kinase alpha.

Signaling through the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) is required for both osteoclast differentiation and mammary gland development, yet the extent to which RANK utilizes similar signaling pathways in these tissues remains unclear. Mice expressing a kinase-inactive form of the inhibitor of kappa B kinase alpha (IKK alpha) have mammary gland defects similar to those of RANK-null mice yet have apparently normal osteoclast function. Because mice that completely lack IKK alpha have severe skin and skeletal defects that are not associated with IKK alpha-kinase activity, we wished to directly examine osteoclastogenesis in IKK alpha(-/-) mice. We found that unlike RANK-null mice, which completely lack osteoclasts, IKK alpha(-/-) mice did possess normal numbers of TRAP(+) osteoclasts. However, only 32% of these cells were multinucleated compared with 57% in wild-type littermates. A more profound defect in osteoclastogenesis was observed in vitro using IKK alpha(-/-) hematopoietic cells treated with colony-stimulating factor 1 and RANK ligand (RANKL), as the cells failed to form large, multinucleated osteoclasts. Additionally, overall RANKL-induced global gene expression was significantly blunted in IKK alpha(-/-) cells, including osteoclast-specific genes such as TRAP, MMP-9, and c-Src. IKK alpha was not required for RANKL-mediated I kappa B alpha degradation or phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases but was required for RANKL-induced p100 processing. Treatment of IKK alpha(-/-) cells with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in combination with RANKL led to partial rescue of osteoclastogenesis despite a lack of p100 processing. However, the ability of TNF alpha alone or in combination with transforming growth factor beta to induce osteoclast differentiation was dependent on IKK alpha, suggesting that synergy between RANKL and TNFalpha can overcome p100 processing defects in IKK alpha(-/-) cells.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed2004

Non-mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan induces lung inflammation via toll-like receptor 2.

Non-mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (AraLAM) is part of the cell membrane of atypical mycobacteria. To determine the capacity of AraLAM to induce lung inflammation in vivo and to determine the signaling receptors involved herein, wild-type (WT) mice, lipopolysaccharide binding protein knockout mice, CD14-deficient (CD14 KO) mice, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 mutant mice, or TLR2 KO mice were intranasally inoculated with purified AraLAM. AraLAM induced high lung levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (KC) and an influx of neutrophils into the pulmonary compartment of WT mice. Lipopolysaccharide binding protein knockout, CD14 KO, and TLR4 mutant mice displayed similar inflammatory responses as WT mice, whereas in TLR2 KO mice, AraLAM-induced lung inflammation was strongly diminished. In addition, TLR2 KO mice, but not CD14 KO or TLR4 mutant mice, displayed a delayed clearance of pulmonary infection with the atypical AraLAM expressing Mycobacterium smegmatis. These data indicate that TLR2 is the signaling receptor for purified AraLAM in the lung in vivo and that this receptor contributes to an effective clearance of M. smegmatis from the pulmonary compartment.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

MyD88 but not TRIF is essential for osteoclastogenesis induced by lipopolysaccharide, diacyl lipopeptide, and IL-1alpha.

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) plays essential roles in the signaling of the Toll/interleukin (IL)-1 receptor family. Toll-IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-beta (TRIF)-mediated signals are involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MyD88-independent pathways. Using MyD88-deficient (MyD88-/-) mice and TRIF-deficient (TRIF-/-) mice, we examined roles of MyD88 and TRIF in osteoclast differentiation and function. LPS, diacyl lipopeptide, and IL-1alpha stimulated osteoclastogenesis in cocultures of osteoblasts and hemopoietic cells obtained from TRIF-/- mice, but not MyD88-/- mice. These factors stimulated receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand mRNA expression in TRIF-/- osteoblasts, but not MyD88-/- osteoblasts. LPS stimulated IL-6 production in TRIF-/- osteoblasts, but not TRIF-/- macrophages. LPS and IL-1alpha enhanced the survival of TRIF-/- osteoclasts, but not MyD88-/- osteoclasts. Diacyl lipopeptide did not support the survival of osteoclasts because of the lack of Toll-like receptor (TLR)6 in osteoclasts. Macrophages expressed both TRIF and TRIF-related adaptor molecule (TRAM) mRNA, whereas osteoblasts and osteoclasts expressed only TRIF mRNA. Bone histomorphometry showed that MyD88-/- mice exhibited osteopenia with reduced bone resorption and formation. These results suggest that the MyD88-mediated signal is essential for the osteoclastogenesis and function induced by IL-1 and TLR ligands, and that MyD88 is physiologically involved in bone turnover.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Human papillomavirus type-16 virus-like particles activate complementary defense responses in key dendritic cell subpopulations.

Human papillomavirus type-16 (HPV16) L1 virus-like particles (VLPs) activate dendritic cells (DCs) and induce protective immunity. In this study, we demonstrate, using global gene expression analysis, that HPV16 VLPs produce quite distinct innate responses in murine splenic DC subpopulations. While HPV16 VLPs increase transcription of IFN-gamma and numerous Th1-related cytokines and chemokines in CD8alpha(+)CD11c(+) DCs, CD4(+)CD11c(+) DCs up-regulate only type I IFN and a different set of Th2-associated cytokines and chemokines. Type I IFN, but not IFN-gamma, potentiates humoral immunity, notably production of VLP-specific IgG2a. However, HPV16 VLP-stimulated IL-12 production by CD8alpha(+)CD11c(+) DCs is augmented by autocrine IFN-gamma signaling. Thus, before adaptive immunity, HPV16 VLPs signal complementary defense responses in key DC subpopulations, indicating specialized DC lineages with predetermined polarization.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Expression of toll-like receptor 4 on dendritic cells is significant for anticancer effect of dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in combination with an active component of OK-432, a streptococcal preparation.

A lipoteichoic acid-related molecule OK-PSA is an active component of OK-432, a Streptococcus-derived anticancer immunotherapeutic agent. In the present study, we first examined the effect of OK-PSA on the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro by using the DCs derived from 5 healthy donors and 10 patients with head and neck cancer with or without expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) or MD-2 mRNA. OK-PSA treatment effectively increased the surface expression of MHC class II, CD80, CD83, and CD86. OK-PSA-stimulated DCs secreted the cytokines that can induce helper T-cell 1 (Th1)-type T-cell response, and stimulated allogeneic T cells to produce IFN-gamma and to elicit an allogeneic antigen-specific cytotoxicity. These activities almost depended on expression of TLR4 and MD-2 genes. We next investigated the in vivo anticancer effect of intratumoral administration of syngeneic DCs followed by OK-PSA against established tumors in mice. C57BL/6 mice, which express wild-type TLR4, and C57BL/6-derived TLR4-knockout (TLR4(-/-)) mice were used. Although OK-PSA accelerated the antitumor effect of intratumoral DC administration in wild-type mice bearing syngeneic tumors, the antitumor effect of OK-PSA as well as of the combination therapy with DCs and OK-PSA was not significant in TLR4(-/-) mice. Interestingly, an administration of wild-type-mouse-derived DCs followed by OK-PSA exhibited a marked antitumor effect even in the TLR4(-/-) mice. These findings suggest that OK-PSA may be a potent adjuvant for local DC therapy, and that DC therapy followed by OK-PSA is able to elicit anticancer activity even in a TLR4-deficient host when TLR4 is expressed only in DCs injected intratumorally.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2004

Insulin secretory defects and impaired islet architecture in pancreatic beta-cell-specific STAT3 knockout mice.

Normal islet formation and function depends on the action of various growth factors operating in pre- and postnatal development; however, the specific physiological function of each factor is largely unknown. Loss-of-function analyses in mice have provided little information so far, perhaps due to functional redundancies of the growth factors acting on the pancreas. The present study focuses on the role of the transcription factor STAT3 in insulin-producing cells. STAT3 is one of the potential downstream mediators for multiple growth factors acting on the pancreatic beta-cells, including betacellulin, hepatocyte growth factor, growth hormone, and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor. To elucidate its role in the beta-cells, the STAT3 gene was disrupted in insulin-producing cells in mice (STAT3-insKO), using a cre-mediated gene recombination approach. Unexpectedly, STAT3-insKO mice exhibited an increase in appetite and obesity at 8 weeks of age or older. The mice showed partial leptin resistance, suggesting that expression of the RIP (rat insulin promoter)-cre transgene in hypothalamus partially inhibited the appetite-regulating system. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests, performed in non-obese 5-week-old mice, showed that the STAT3-insKO mice were glucose intolerant. Islet perifusion experiments further revealed a deficiency in early-phase insulin secretion. Whereas islet insulin content or islet mass was not affected, expression levels of GLUT2, SUR1, and VEGF-A were significantly reduced in STAT3-insKO islets. Interestingly, STAT3-insKO mice displayed impaired islet morphology: alpha-cells were frequently seen in central regions of islets. Our present observations demonstrate a unique role of STAT3 in maintaining glucose-mediated early-phase insulin secretion and normal islet morphology.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Regulation of Toll/IL-1-receptor-mediated gene expression by the inducible nuclear protein IkappaBzeta.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize microbial components and trigger the inflammatory and immune responses against pathogens. IkappaBzeta (also known as MAIL and INAP) is an ankyrin-repeat-containing nuclear protein that is highly homologous to the IkappaB family member Bcl-3 (refs 1-6). Transcription of IkappaBzeta is rapidly induced by stimulation with TLR ligands and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Here we show that IkappaBzeta is indispensable for the expression of a subset of genes activated in TLR/IL-1R signalling pathways. IkappaBzeta-deficient cells show severe impairment of IL-6 production in response to a variety of TLR ligands as well as IL-1, but not in response to tumour-necrosis factor-alpha. Endogenous IkappaBzeta specifically associates with the p50 subunit of NF-kappaB, and is recruited to the NF-kappaB binding site of the IL-6 promoter on stimulation. Moreover, NF-kappaB1/p50-deficient mice show responses to TLR/IL-1R ligands similar to those of IkappaBzeta-deficient mice. Endotoxin-induced expression of other genes such as Il12b and Csf2 is also abrogated in IkappaBzeta-deficient macrophages. Given that the lipopolysaccharide-induced transcription of IkappaBzeta occurs earlier than transcription of these genes, some TLR/IL-1R-mediated responses may be regulated in a gene expression process of at least two steps that requires inducible IkappaBzeta.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

The roles of two IkappaB kinase-related kinases in lipopolysaccharide and double stranded RNA signaling and viral infection.

Viral infection and stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or double stranded RNA (dsRNA) induce phosphorylation of interferon (IFN) regulatory factor (IRF)-3 and its translocation to the nucleus, thereby leading to the IFN-beta gene induction. Recently, two IkappaB kinase (IKK)-related kinases, inducible IkappaB kinase (IKK-i) and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), were suggested to act as IRF-3 kinases and be involved in IFN-beta production in Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and viral infection. In this work, we investigated the physiological roles of these kinases by gene targeting. TBK1-deficient embryonic fibroblasts (EFs) showed dramatic decrease in induction of IFN-beta and IFN-inducible genes in response to LPS or dsRNA as well as after viral infection. However, dsRNA-induced expression of these genes was residually detected in TBK1-deficient cells and intact in IKK-i-deficient cells, but completely abolished in IKK-i/TBK1 doubly deficient cells. IRF-3 activation, in response not only to dsRNA but also to viral infection, was impaired in TBK1-deficient cells. Together, these results demonstrate that TBK1 as well as, albeit to a lesser extent, IKK-i play a crucial role in the induction of IFN-beta and IFN-inducible genes in both TLR-stimulated and virus-infected EFs.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Toll-like receptors are temporally involved in host defense.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins that recognize microbial molecules and initiate host defense. To investigate how TLRs work together to fight infections, we tested the role of TLRs in host defense against the Gram-negative bacterial pathogen, Salmonella. We show that TLR4 is critical for early cytokine production and killing of bacteria by murine macrophages. Interestingly, later on, TLR2, but not TLR4, is required for macrophage responses. Myeloid differentiation factor 88, an adaptor protein directly downstream of TLRs, is required for both early and late responses. TLR4, TLR2, and myeloid differentiation factor 88 are involved in murine host defense against Salmonella in vivo, which correlates with the defects in host defense observed in vitro. We propose a model where the sequential activation of TLRs tailors the immune response to different microbes.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Production of IL-12 by macrophages infected with Toxoplasma gondii depends on the parasite genotype.

Three clonal strain types (I, II, and III) of Toxoplasma gondii predominate worldwide. The outcome of infection in mice is highly dependent on the parasite genotype with type I strains being uniformly virulent, while types II and III are nonvirulent. Interactions with the innate immune response play a major role in determining the outcome of infection in the murine model. To identify key early differences in the innate immune response that contribute to pathogenesis, we examined the cytokine production of macrophages after in vitro infection with parasites of virulent type I and nonvirulent type II genotypes. Infection with type II strain parasites stimulated the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and particularly high levels of the Th1-polarizing cytokine, IL-12. Infection with type II strain parasites stimulated NF-kappaB nuclear translocation at early time points and led to the up-regulation of mRNA levels of IL-12 and other proinflammatory cytokines that was dependent on the myeloid differentiation factor 88 signaling pathway. Induction of IL-12 required active invasion by live parasites and was not blocked by infection with virulent type I strain parasites, arguing against an active inhibition of signaling. Our findings suggest that early induction of high levels of IL-12 by macrophages infected with type II strain parasites may contribute to more effective control.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Adjuvant-mediated tumor regression and tumor-specific cytotoxic response are impaired in MyD88-deficient mice.

The Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin cell-wall skeleton (BCG-CWS) activates Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4, but unlike the typical TLR4 agonist bacterial lipopolysaccharide barely induces type 1 IFN. BCG-CWS has been used for adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with cancer. We investigated the adjuvant potential of BCG-CWS for induction of CTLs subsequent to TLR-mediated dendritic cell (DC) maturation, using a syngeneic mouse tumor model (B16 melanoma in C57BL/6). We evaluated the retardation of tumor growth and cytotoxic response in wild-type and MyD88-/- mice immunized with tumor debris and/or BCG-CWS. Delays in tumor growth and cytotoxic response were induced by immunization with a mixture of BCG-CWS emulsion and the tumor. BCG-CWS was capable of activating DCs ex vivo by the criteria of CD80/CD86 up-regulation and cytokine (interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) induction. Efficient tumor suppression and ex vivo cytokine induction did not occur in MyD88-deficient mice and cells, suggesting that the MyD88 adapter is crucial for induction of tumor cytotoxicity. Because TLR4 is involved in both MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways and the latter affects DC maturation, our findings indicate that both pathways cooperate to induce CTL-based tumor immunity.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Role of STAT-3 in regulation of hepatic gluconeogenic genes and carbohydrate metabolism in vivo.

The transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) contributes to various physiological processes. Here we show that mice with liver-specific deficiency in STAT-3, achieved using the Cre-loxP system, show insulin resistance associated with increased hepatic expression of gluconeogenic genes. Restoration of hepatic STAT-3 expression in these mice, using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, corrected the metabolic abnormalities and the alterations in hepatic expression of gluconeogenic genes. Overexpression of STAT-3 in cultured hepatocytes inhibited gluconeogenic gene expression independently of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha), an upstream regulator of gluconeogenic genes. Liver-specific expression of a constitutively active form of STAT-3, achieved by infection with an adenovirus vector, markedly reduced blood glucose, plasma insulin concentrations and hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression in diabetic mice. Hepatic STAT-3 signaling is thus essential for normal glucose homeostasis and may provide new therapeutic targets for diabetes mellitus.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2004

Functions of toll-like receptors: lessons from KO mice.

The innate immune response is a first-line defense system in which individual Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize distinct pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and exert subsequent immune responses against a variety of pathogens. TLRs are composed of an extracellular leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain and a cytoplasmic domain that is homologous to that of the IL-IR family. Upon stimulation, TLR recruits a cytoplasmic adaptor molecule MyD88, then IL-IR-associated kinase (IRAK), and finally induces activation of NF-kappaB and MAP kinases. However, the responses to TLR ligands differ, indicating the diversity of TLR signaling pathways. Besides MyD88, several novel adaptor molecules have recently been identified. Differential utilization of these adaptor molecules may provide the specificity in the TLR signaling.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Microbial recognition by Toll-like receptors.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) sense invasion of microorganisms by detecting microbial components that are conserved among pathogens. Recognition of microbial components by TLRs triggers activation of the innate immune system. Signaling pathways via TLRs originate from conserved cytoplasmic Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domains. Recent accumulating evidence demonstrates that TIR domain-containing adaptors, such as MyD88, TIRAP/Mal, TRIF, and TRAM, regulate TLR-mediated signaling pathways. MyD88 is common to all TLR-mediated pathways, which lead to the production of inflammatory cytokines, whereas TRIF mediates induction of IFN-beta in TLR3 and TLR4 signaling pathways. TIRAP/Mal is implicated in the TLR2- and TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. TRAM is specifically involved in the TLR4-mediated TRIF-dependent pathway. Thus, TIR domain-containing adaptors play a pivotal role in TLR signaling pathways, which culminate in pathogen-specific immune responses.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗