Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Furutani

Publications and source records attributed to M Furutani.

76 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Augmented local immunity in the liver by a streptococcal preparation, OK432, related to antitumor activity of hepatic macrophages.

The aim of this study was to investigate the augmentative effect of a streptococcal preparation, OK432, on the immunological competence of hepatic macrophages. We found that OK432 was distributed predominantly to hepatic macrophages after intravenous injection, and Northern blot analysis revealed that OK432 induced the gene expression of IL-1 alpha, beta, and TNF alpha in the liver. The induction of mRNAs was evident 1 h after the intravenous injection of OK432 and their accumulation reached a maximal level at 3 h. TNF production of hepatic macrophages was also increased by the intravenous injection of OK432. Furthermore, OK432 significantly increased the proportion of IL-2 receptor-positive hepatic macrophages. As for antitumor activity in the liver being augmented by OK432, the cytotoxic and cytostatic activity of hepatic macrophages from OK432-treated rats against tumor cells was significantly increased and OK432 markedly reduced the number of tumor nodules in the liver after the inoculation of tumor cells via the portal vein. These findings, which indicate that OK432 has various immuno-stimulating actions on hepatic macrophages, leading to the augmentation of antitumor activity in the liver, suggest that OK432 may be of some benefit in helping to prevent hepatic metastasis, at least in part, via its activation of hepatic macrophages.

Animals↗

Perioperative quantitative analysis of cytokeratin 20 mRNA in peripheral venous blood of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Hematogenous dissemination is a significant short-coming of colorectal carcinoma treatment. To screen patients with high risk for such blood-borne metastasis, we previously developed a highly sensitive system for the detection of cytokeratin 20 (CK-20) mRNA in blood. For a more practical application, we improved this system by making it quantitative and capable of analyzing peripheral venous blood for the detection of perioperative changes in CK-20 mRNA. CK-20 mRNA was not always detected in the preoperative blood, even in patients in an advanced stage, but it was identified without fail in intra- and post-operative blood. In addition, more copies of CK-20 mRNA were observed in the intra-operative blood than in pre- and post-operative blood. This study suggests that analysis of perioperative changes may provide important information for the precise evaluation of hematogenous dissemination and of the effect of surgical maneuvers on recurrence.

Adenocarcinoma↗