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Biomedical subjects

M Aikawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Aikawa.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Spontaneous nephrotic syndrome in a genetic rat model.

Advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of proteinuria in humans have depended on a variety of animal models. Most of these have been partially satisfactory because they require pretreatment of the animal with chemicals or toxins or they depend on an aging-related glomerular protein leakiness. The strain in this study was obtained by Koletsky after selective inbreeding of the offspring from a hypertensive Kyoto-Wistar and a normotensive Sprague-Dawley rat. The affected animals appear in 25% of the litters, indicating an autosomal recessive gene, and present with a spontaneous and progressive nephrotic syndrome detected as early as 3-5 weeks and associated with obesity, hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia. Preliminary morphologic and immunofluorescence studies of their kidneys show progressive glomerular segmental sclerotic lesions and prominent mesangial deposition of IgM, a picture which resembles a steroid-resistant form of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in humans, namely, focal glomerular sclerosis.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibodies to a 140,000-m.w. protein on Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites inhibit their invasion of rhesus erythrocytes.

Merozoites are the invasive stage of the malaria parasite, which are released from infected erythrocytes to invade other erythrocytes. Antibody to surface antigens on merozoites may prevent invasion by agglutinating merozoites as they are released from infected erythrocytes or by blocking receptors before contact of merozoites with the host erythrocyte. Monoclonal antibodies were produced to a 140,000-m.w. protein on the merozoite surface. The protein was synthesized by the mature intraerythrocytic parasite, the schizont, as a 143,000-m.w. protein and had a m.w. of 140,000 on the surface of free merozoites. The monoclonal antibodies were shown to bind to the surface of merozoites by immune electron microscopy. Ascitic fluid containing four of 11 anti-140,000 monoclonal antibodies partially blocked invasion of erythrocytes by merozoites released from schizont-infected cells. The low invasion rate was always associated with a high frequency of multiply infected erythrocytes (two or more rings per erythrocyte). Monoclonal antibodies purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and diethylaminoethyl column fractionation also blocked invasion and caused multiple invasion of individual erythrocytes. The monoclonal antibodies, incubated with free merozoites, did not block invasion, indicating that the antibodies did not bind to merozoite receptors for erythrocytes. We propose that the reduced rate of invasion and the multiple invasion of erythrocytes, the characteristic of these monoclonal antibodies, was caused by weak agglutination of merozoites as they were released from infected erythrocytes.

Animals↗

Structural alteration of the erythrocyte membrane during malarial parasite invasion and intraerythrocytic development.

Erythrocyte entry by malarial merozoites causes structural alteration of the erythrocyte membrane. First, entry into erythrocytes by merozoites requires the formation of a junction between the erythrocyte membrane and the apical end of the merozoite. Secondly, migration of the junction parallel to the long axis of the merozoite brings the merozoite into an invagination of the erythrocyte membrane. Freeze-fracture studies show that the junction consists of a narrow band of rhomboidally arrayed intramembrane particles (IMP) on the P face of the erythrocyte membrane and matching rhomboidally arrayed pits on the E face. IMP on the P face of the erythrocyte membrane disappear beyond this junction, resulting in the absence of IMP from the P face of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane which originated from the erythrocyte membrane. The erythrocyte membrane is sealed off by fusion of the junction at the posterior end of the merozoite in the fashion of an iris diaphragm. After completing its entry into the erythrocyte the merozoite is surrounded by a parasitophorous vacuole membrane which is different in its molecular organization from the original erythrocyte membrane. In addition, two types of erythrocyte membrane modification are induced by intraerythrocytic parasites. They include electron-dense protrusions called knobs and caveola-vesicle complexes along the erythrocyte membrane.

Animals↗

Plasmodium knowlesi: studies on invasion of rhesus erythrocytes by merozoites in the presence of protease inhibitors.

The effect of protease inhibitors on invasion of rhesus erythrocytes by Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites was evaluated. Chymostatin, N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), and L-1-tosylamide-2-phenylethylchloromethyl ketone (TPCK) inhibited invasion. Leupeptin, antipain, pepstatin, and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) had no effect. TLCK and TPCK inhibited attachment of merozoites to host erythrocytes. Chymostatin had no adverse effect on attachment, and in its presence junction formation between the merozoite and host erythrocyte occurred. Both chymostatin and leupeptin inhibited normal rupture of schizont-infected erythrocytes. It is suggested that proteolytic activity may be important both in the rupture of schizont-infected erythrocytes and in the invasion of erythrocytes by malaria parasites.

Animals↗

Plasmodium falciparum: effect of time in continuous culture on binding to human endothelial cells and amelanotic melanoma cells.

An in vitro correlate of the binding in vivo of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to capillary and venular endothelium, using cultured human endothelial cells and amelanotic melanoma cells, was previously developed. The effects of different times in continuous culture on binding of erythrocytes infected with nine different isolates of P. falciparum is now reported. Four isolates, which bound at the time they were first tested, rapidly lost the ability to bind after 26-43 days in culture. One of these, the Cameroun isolate, tested 12 h after the blood was obtained from the patient, had the highest rate of binding of all isolates (680 infected erythrocytes per 100 melanoma cells). After 37 days in culture, only 18 infected erythrocytes per 100 melanoma cells bound. Three isolates first tested after 30-62 days in culture bound poorly. In contrast, two others, the Vietnam (VI) and Brazil (It), continued to bind during the period of study. The Brazil (It) isolate studied after 43 days in culture bound 505 infected erythrocytes per 100 melanoma cells; its clone ItG2G1 continued to bind equally well after 400 days in culture. The ultrastructural morphology of knobs on the binding and nonbinding infected erythrocytes were indistinguishable. Since evidence from other studies indicates that knobs are necessary for binding to endothelium, it is proposed that some parasites in continuous culture may not express the molecules responsible for binding, although the morphologic knobs are still present.

Animals↗

A Merkel cell tumor of the eyelid.

The Merkel cell is a distinctive nondendritic, nonkeratinocytic, epithelial clear cell believed to migrate from the neural crest to the epidermis and dermis, which is usually located in or near the basal layer of the epidermis and associated with nerve terminations. Merkel first described these cells in 1875 as "Tastzellen" occurring in the snout of a mole. They are believed to function as slowly adapting mechanoreceptors that mediate the sense of touch. Tumors arising from Merkel cells have been reported to occur on the head and neck area, the trunk, arms, and legs, and resemble a primary cutaneous lymphoma or cutaneous metastasis of a lymphoma or a carcinoma. Electron microscopy, to locate the characteristic membrane-bound, dense core neurosecretory granules, is needed for accurate diagnosis. These tumors must be treated aggressively to minimize the chance of local recurrence and nodal or visceral metastases. The authors present a case of Merkel cell tumor occurring on the eyelid. The clinical history, light and electron microscopic findings are shown.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Monoclonal antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi inhibit motility and nucleic acid synthesis of culture forms.

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the surface of epimastigotes and metacylic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, as shown by electron microscopy, agglutination, and immunofluorescence. The antibodies were stage specific but not strain specific. A deleterious effect of the antibodies on T. cruzi culture forms was shown by the drastic reduction of parasite motility and incorporation of nucleic acid precursors. Some fraction of the parasite population, however, was viable and replicated and infected mouse macrophages in culture. The antibodies were found to also mediate complement-induced lysis of culture forms of T. cruzi.

Animals↗

Antibody-dependent phagocytosis of Trypanosoma rhodesiense by murine macrophages.

Murine resident peritoneal adherent cells bound and ingested Trypanosoma rhodesiense in the presence of specific rat or mouse antiserum. Serum which mediated this phenomenon was obtained as early as 3 days after mice were immunized with gamma-irradiated parasites, with peak levels of activity obtained on day 7. A second injection of gamma-irradiated trypanosomes resulted in a secondary elevation in activity. Fresh normal serum, as a source of complement, enhanced phagocytosis in the presence of otherwise suboptimal antiserum concentrations. P388D1 cells, which like peritoneal macrophages possess Fc and complement receptors, also bound trypanosomes in the presence of antiserum. This in vitro model reflects events that occur in vivo in hosts immunized against T. rhodesiense.

Animals↗

In vitro immune mechanisms associated with clearance of microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis.

An in vitro system has been developed to elucidate potential immune mechanisms associated with clearance of microfilariae (Mf) from the bloodstream in canine Dirofilaria immitis infection. Granulocytes as well as mononuclear cells adhere to Mf of Dirofilaria immitis in the presence of immune serum. Only granulocytes, however, were capable of killing Mf, whereas PBMC attach to but do not effectively kill Mf. In the presence of granulocytes 1% +/- 1, 10% +/- 2, and 12% +/- 3 of Mf were killed by heated normal (NDS), patent (PS), and occult serum (OS), respectively, after an 18-hr incubation. With the addition of fresh NDS there was an increase in killing to 5% +/- 1 (p less than 0.025) with heat-inactivated NDS, to 12% +/- 3 in the presence of PS and to 77% +/- 12 (p less than 0.005) in the presence of OS. On further purification of granulocyte cell populations with metrizamide gradients, neutrophils were found to be the predominant effector cells with 73% +/- 18 killing with neutrophils and 18% +/- 6 with eosinophils (p less than 0.0005). Only with neutrophils was a significant increase in killing of Mf observed when fresh NDS was added to delta OS. Fractionation of OS by gel filtration suggested that IgM was the opsonizing antibody in the occult serum. In addition, immunofluorescent studies showed only IgM bound to the surface on Mf on incubation in OS. The involvement of complement in the fresh serum enhancement of killing was supported by the finding, by immunofluorescence, of surface C3 on Mf after incubation in fresh OS.

Animals↗

Effect of prostaglandin E1 and polyphloretin phosphate on hemolysis of human erythrocytes.

Prostaglandin E1 was found to reduce the hemolysis rate induced by various factors, such as frequent shakings, treatment with hog pancreatic phospholipase A2, the addition of active oxygens generated by a xanthine oxidase system, and the addition of a prostaglandin antagonist, polyphloretin phosphate (PPP). Prostaglandin E1 was found to act on the erythrocytes in such a way as to cause the phospholipids in the membrane to become more compactly arranged thus becoming less susceptible to the attack of hemolytic reagents. It was observed that the extents of hemolysis were different between erythrocytes from males and females and furthermore, it was shown that prostaglandin E1 clearly reduced the rate of hemolysis of erythrocytes from males, while, in females, the effects of prostaglandin E1 were less than those in erythrocytes from males.

Adult↗

Plasmodium falciparum malaria. An amelanotic melanoma cell line bears receptors for the knob ligand on infected erythrocytes.

Erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum trophozoites and schizonts are not seen in the peripheral circulation because they attach to venular endothelium via knoblike structures on the infected erythrocyte membrane. We have recently shown that erythrocytes containing P. falciparum trophozoites and schizonts likewise attach to cultured human venous endothelial cells via knobs. In search of a more practical target cell for large scale binding studies designed to characterize and isolate the knob ligand, we tested various normal cells and continuous cell lines for their ability to bind P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Of the 18 cell types tested, binding of infected erythrocytes was observed to a human amelanotic melanoma cell line and amnion epithelial cells as well as to human aortic and umbilical vein endothelial cells. 96-100% of amelanotic melanoma cells bound 17+/-4 (+/-1 SEM) infected erythrocytes per positive cell, whereas fewer endothelial cells (4-59%) and amnion epithelial cells (8-19%) were capable of binding 12+/-5 and 4+/-1 infected erythrocytes per positive cell, respectively. Further studies designed to compare the mechanism of binding to the amelanotic melanoma cell line and endothelial cells showed the following results. First, that adhesion of infected erythrocytes to these two cell types was parasite stage-specific in that only erythrocytes containing late ring forms, trophozoites, and schizonts bound. Erythrocytes containing early ring forms, which do not attach to venular endothelium in vivo, did not bind to either cell type. Second, erythrocytes infected with trophozoites and schizonts of P. vivax or a knobless strain of P. falciparum, both of which continue to circulate in vivo, did not bind to either target cell type. Third, transmission electron microscopy showed that infected erythrocytes attached to the amelanotic melanoma cells via knobs. We conclude that cultured human endothelial cells and an amelanotic melanoma cell line share common determinants on their surface and that the mechanism of binding to these two different cell types is similar. The amelanotic melanoma cell line offers a useful substitute for endothelial cells in binding studies requiring large numbers of target cells.

Amnion↗

Regression of dense deposits in Type II membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: case report of clinical course in a child.

The clinical course and follow-up of a child who presented with rapidly progressive renal failure due to dense deposit disease is described. The patient showed a dramatic response to immunosuppressive and anticoagulent therapy. Two and a half years later, a follow-up renal biopsy showed regression of the intramembranous dense deposits on electron microscopy. The unusually slow progression of renal failure in this patient has been of interest and its possible relationship with either the disappearance of dense deposits or the initial therapy received are discussed.

Azathioprine↗

Interaction of Borrelia spirochetes with human mononuclear leukocytes causes production of leukocytic pyrogen and thromboplastin.

Relapsing fever caused by Borrelia spirochetes is characterized by episodes of spirochetemia, fever, and DIC. We examined the ability of Borrelia hermsii to induce production of leukocytic pyrogen and thromboplastin from human blood leukocytes in vitro. Organisms were found devoid of endotoxin by the Limulus assay. Human peripheral blood leukocytes were separated into MNC and PMN fractions and were incubated with two to five spirochetes per cell in 10% human serum. Supernatant fluids from MNC-spirochete mixtures produced mean increases in the temperature of rabbits of 0.80 degree to 1.35 degrees C, which were significantly higher than those caused by supernatant fluids of MNC or spirochetes alone (p less than 0.05). MNC-spirochete mixtures possessed seven to 15 times the thromboplastic activity of MNC suspensions alone, assayed with a modified one-stage prothrombin time. Supernatant fluids of PMNs and spirochetes, on the other hand, did not contain leukocytic pyrogen, and PMN suspensions did not produce thromboplastin. Cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml), and inhibitor of protein synthesis, completely suppressed both pyrogen and thromboplastin production. Although intracellular spirochetes were observed within phagosomes of blood monocytes by electron microscopy, the production of leukocytic pyrogen and thromboplastin was not significantly altered by serum opsonins or by the inhibitors of phagocytosis cytochalasin B (5 micrograms/ml) or phenylbutazone (2 mg/ml). These results showed that Borrelia spirochetes stimulated human MNCs to produce increased amounts of leukocytic pyrogen and thromboplastin and that this stimulation required de novo synthesis of protein, was not mediated by endotoxin, and was not prevented by omitting opsonic proteins or by inhibiting phagocytosis.

Borrelia↗