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Biomedical subjects

M Higuchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Higuchi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Transformation of type 1 astrocytes with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea: establishment of an in vitro system and the role of the p53 gene.

N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced gliomas, animal models of human gliomas, are most frequently oligodendrocytic, while human gliomas tend to be astrocytic. To facilitate a detailed study of human glial carcinogenesis, we developed an in vitro system using type 1 astrocyte transformation with ENU. Type 1 astrocytes from fetal Wistar rat brain were treated by a single dose of ENU. Transformed colonies appeared 50 days after exposure to single doses of ENU greater than 150 micrograms/mL. Cloned cells from these colonies retained the immunohistochemical characteristics of type 1 astrocytes. They showed rapid growth and high saturation densities, colony formation in low (2%) serum medium and gave rise to tumors when injected into nude mice. When p53 expression was studied at each passage, a single cell positive for mutant p53 protein emerged 40 days after ENU treatment. In the next 1-3 passages, the mutant p53 positive cell formed piled-up colonies and exhibited dominant growth. Northern blot analysis showed markedly increased accumulations of p53 mRNA in transformed cells. This in vitro transformation system of type 1 astrocytes provides a valuable tool for further investigations of astrocyte carcinogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Combined choriocarcinoma, hepatoid adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma in the oesophagus.

We describe an oesophageal tumour composed of choriocarcinoma, hepatoid adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma. The choriocarcinomatous areas and hepatoid adenocarcinomatous areas contained beta human chorionic gonadotropin-positive cells and alpha fetoprotein-positive cells, respectively. The small cell carcinomatous areas contained cells positive for serotonin or adrenocorticotrophic hormone, while the tubular adenocarcinomatous areas contained cells positive for carcinoembryonic antigen. Non-neoplastic gastric type columnar epithelium was found directly adjoing the tumour at the oral side. This tumour, with its unprecedented histology combination of tissues may have originated in Barrett's oesophagus, although we could not confirm a history of chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Differential expression of Notch1 and Notch2 in developing and adult mouse brain.

The Notch gene encodes a large transmembrane protein, and is required for the correct differentiation of both neural and non-neural tissues in Drosophila. Mammals have more than one Notch gene homolog, e.g. Notch1 and Notch2. Here, in order to determine the role of Notch genes in the mouse nervous system, we used in situ hybridization to study the expression of the Notch1 and -2 genes through mouse embryogenesis and into adulthood. The expression of Notch1 and Notch2 differed throughout development. Notch2 was expressed in the embryonic ventricular zone, the postnatal ependymal cells, and the choroid plexus throughout embryonic and postnatal development. Notch1 was also expressed in the ventricular zone between embryonic days 10 and 14, but its expression decreased gradually as embryos developed. The postnatal mouse brain strongly expressed Notch2, but not Notch1, in the granular cell layer of hippocampal dentate gyrus, where neurogenesis continues even in adult rodents. The most remarkable finding was the detection of a strong signal for Notch2 mRNA in two circumventricular organs: the subfornical organ and the area postrema. The receptor encoded by the Notch2 gene, which is located in these areas, may respond to unknown ligands in CSF. This putative receptor may participate in signal transduction by way of both neural and humoral links. These data suggest that Notch2, rather than Notch1, is related not only to development, but also to some postnatal functions of mouse central nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Role of high glycogen in underperfused diabetic rat hearts with added norepinephrine.

The relationship between cardiac dysfunction and glycogen level and/or duration of diabetes was examined during underperfusion (2 ml/min/g heart weight) with 10(-6)M norepinephrine (NE) in isolated 1- and 6-week streptozotocin-diabetic rat (diabetes mellitus, DM) hearts and non-DM hearts. Glycogen levels in non-DM and 1- and 6-week DM hearts were 85, 120, and 206 mumol/g dry weight, respectively, in the subendocardium. About 13 min after the start of underperfusion with NE, the diastolic tension in 1-week DM hearts began to increase when the glycogen level had decreased to half; in 6-week DM hearts, glycogen decreased more markedly without greater lactate accumulation, but these glycogen levels were still higher (104 mumol/g dry weight) than those in 1-week DM hearts and the diastolic tension did not increase. About 17 min after the onset of underperfusion, the glycogen decreased to the 13-min level of 1-week DM hearts (64 mumol/g dry weight) and the diastolic tension began to increase. Until 20 min after the onset of underperfusion, the injury was less in 6-week than in 1-week DM hearts. However, after 60-min underperfusion with NE, when the glycogen level was markedly low in both groups ( < 20 mumol/g dry weight), diastolic tension was increased twice as much in 6-week DM as in 1-week DM hearts and was related to the decreased subendocardial ATP level. The results indicate that the markedly high glycogen content in diabetic hearts probably helps delay the start of the increase in left ventricular (LV) stiffness during underperfusion with NE. Ultimately, however, the degree of the injury depends on the duration, i.e., the severity, of the diabetes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Low expression of adhesion molecules in a case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

A case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with low expression of the adhesion molecules lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) is described. The patient was a 90-year-old man with red round homogeneous tumors on his scalp, trunk, and extremities. He had no history of definite erythema or plaque stage. A biopsy sample taken from a tumor revealed massive infiltration of atypical lymphocytes in the reticular dermis and subcutis with a definite clear zone. The atypical lymphocytes were medium-sized with slightly convoluted nuclei. Immunohistochemically, the infiltrates showed the phenotype of so-called memory T cells. On the basis of these features, the case was diagnosed as CTCL. Expression of LFA-1, ICAM-1 and VLA-4 on the infiltrates was 9%, 13% and 11%, respectively, which is much lower than that in classic mycosis fungoides. This finding suggests that loss of these adhesion molecules may contribute to loss of epidermotropism in the advanced stage of CTCL.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Cloning of cDNAs encoding mammalian double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase.

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-specific adenosine deaminase converts adenosine to inosine in dsRNA. The protein has been purified from calf thymus, and here we describe the cloning of cDNAs encoding both the human and rat proteins as well as a partial bovine clone. The human and rat clones are very similar at the amino acid level except at their N termini and contain three dsRNA binding motifs, a putative nuclear targeting signal, and a possible deaminase motif. Antibodies raised against the protein encoded by the partial bovine clone specifically recognize the calf thymus dsRNA adenosine deaminase. Furthermore, the antibodies can immunodeplete a calf thymus extract of dsRNA adenosine deaminase activity, and the activity can be restored by addition of pure bovine deaminase. Staining of HeLa cells confirms the nuclear localization of the dsRNA-specific adenosine deaminase. In situ hybridization in rat brain slices indicates a widespread distribution of the enzyme in the brain.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1995

Screening of tissue cultures and thalli of lichens and some of their active constituents for inhibition of tumor promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus activation.

Inhibition of tumor promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation was screened using tissue culture and thallus extracts of lichens. Usnea longissima ACH. thallus and Cetraria ornata MULL. ARG. tissue culture showed strong inhibitory activity. We identified (+)-usnic acid (1), barbatic acid (2), diffractaic acid (3), 4-O-demethylbarbatic acid (4), and evernic acid (5) as inhibitors of EBV activation from the U. longissima thallus. Of these compounds, (+)-usnic acid exhibited the highest inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1.0 microM).

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed1995

Partial purification and some properties of a neutral proteinase in rat ovary.

The ovary of rat possessed a neutral proteinase which had an optimum pH at around 8.5 in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl. The proteinase was soluble only in media of high ionic strength such as 2 M NaCl. In order to prevent the reprecipitation in media of low ionic strength of the enzyme solubilized, it is necessary to add protamine sulfate to the solubilizing medium. When the solubilized enzyme was applied to a Sephadex column, the proteinase activity was eluted at the same position as bovine alpha-chymotrypsinogen. The results using some protease inhibitors showed that the proteinase was a chymotrypsin-like serine enzyme. When rats were treated with compound 48/80, the proteinase activity almost completely disappeared, suggesting that the enzyme is of mast cell origin.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of rhG-CSF on infection complications and impaired function of neutrophils secondary to chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Hokkaido Study Group of Malignant Lymphoma, and rhG-CSF, Japan.

It has been previously demonstrated that the administration of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) ameliorates the decrease of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) count after the cytotoxic chemotherapies, thereby reducing the infection complications associated with neutropenia. In this multi-center study, we studied the prophylaxtic effect of rhG-CSF administration on infection complications in patients with non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma, who received cytotoxic chemotherapies (CHOP or ProMACE/CytaBOM). rhG-CSF administration reduced the frequency of infection complications, and there was no obvious difference in it's frequency between the CHOP-treated and the ProMACE/CytaBOM-treated groups when administered with rhG-CSF, thereby indicating that third generation therapy for NHL may be safely completed in Japanese in combination with rhG-CSF administration. Furthermore, we investigated both the in vitro and the in vivo effects of rhG-CSF on the function of PMNs in patients with NHL and healthy donors, and revealed that the administration of rhG-CSF for NHL patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy brought on an improvement of the production of active oxygen but did not affect serum levels of IFNs, IL-1-beta, and IL-6, inspite of a slight elevation of TNF-alpha. Consistent with these results, in vitro treatment of PMNs with rhG-CSF induced no significant production of these inflammatory cytokines and their mRNA expressions. Furthermore, rhG-CSF administration showed no significant effects in vivo on the expression of CD11a, CD11b and LECAM-1 on PMNs and integrins on platelets.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Administration of rhG-CSF increases complete remission rates after CHOP and ProMACE/CytaBOM for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a pilot study. Hokkaido Study Group of Malignant Lymphoma and rhG-CSF.

To evaluate the clinical effects of the administration of recombinant human granulocyte-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) post chemotherapy for patients with advanced-staged intermediate-grade or high-grade non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma (NHL), we conducted this multicenter study and compared the responses between both the regimens, CHOP as a first-generation chemotherapy and ProMACE/CytaBOM as a third-generation chemotherapy, when combined with the rhG-CSF administration. In this multicenter study, where forty patients were registered, patients in both the CHOP and ProMACE/CytaBOM groups were treated with the original regimen designs without the necessity of reducing drug dosages when combined with the administration of rhG-CSF. The administration of rhG-CSF post both of the cytotoxic therapies brought about much higher rates of complete remission in both the groups (CHOP, 75 percent; ProMACE/CytaBOM, 75 percent), as compared with those of the previous study without the rhG-CSF administration. Regarding response rates according to the International prognostic factor index, the CHOP group showed a lower rate of complete remission in patients with risk factors, compared with ProMACE/CytaBOM group. This result suggested that the administration of rhG-CSF may offer one important approach for improving the first-line therapy for aggressive NHL with high risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Control of kinetic properties of AMPA receptor channels by nuclear RNA editing.

AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor channels mediate the fast component of excitatory postsynaptic currents in the central nervous system. Site-selective nuclear RNA editing controls the calcium permeability of these channels, and RNA editing at a second site is shown here to affect the kinetic aspects of these channels in rat brain. In three of the four AMPA receptor subunits (GluR-B, -C, and -D), intronic elements determine a codon switch (AGA, arginine, to GGA, glycine) in the primary transcripts in a position termed the R/G site, which immediately precedes the alternatively spliced modules "flip" and "flop." The extent of editing at this site progresses with brain development in a manner specific for subunit and splice form, and edited channels possess faster recovery rates from desensitization.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1994

Haemophilia A: database of nucleotide substitutions, deletions, insertions and rearrangements of the factor VIII gene, second edition.

A large number of different mutations in the factor VIII (F8) gene have been identified as a cause of haemophilia A. This compilation lists known single base-pair substitutions, deletions and insertions in the F8 gene and reviews the status of the inversional events which account for a substantial proportion of mutations causing severe haemophilia A.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Reconstitution of nuclear factor kappa B activation induced by tumor necrosis factor requires membrane-associated components. Comparison with pathway activated by ceramide.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is known to induce the activation of a nuclear transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), in a wide variety of cell types. The post-receptor binding events that culminate in TNF-dependent NF-kappa B activation are not understood. To dissect this pathway, we developed a reconstitution system consisting of membrane, cytosolic, and post-nuclear fractions. Our results indicate that when incubated with the post-nuclear fraction derived from TNF-untreated cells, the membrane fraction from TNF-treated cells causes the activation of NF-kappa B with kinetics similar to that observed in intact cells. Under these conditions, the cytosolic fraction has no effect. This activation is tyrosine kinase-dependent since erbstatin completely abolished the effect. Furthermore, as revealed by immunoblotting, no degradation of the inhibitory subunit of NF-kappa B was observed. In this reconstitution system, we can also demonstrate the activation of NF-kappa B by ceramide, but this activation is not tyrosine kinase-dependent. Overall, our results indicate that intermediates required for NF-kappa B activation by TNF or ceramide are membrane-bound, but the mechanism of activation by TNF is most likely different from that of ceramide.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin 2-induced activation of JAK3: possible involvement in signal transduction for c-myc induction and cell proliferation.

We have investigated the role of JAK3 in interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced signal transduction with a human T cell line, ED40515(-), lacking expression of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain and its sublines transfected with wild-type or mutant cDNAs of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain. Our results demonstrated that the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic region, encompassing the src homology region 2 (SH2)-like subdomain, of the gamma chain is essential for association and activation of JAK3. Furthermore, IL-2-induced activation of JAK3 paralleled induction of the c-myc gene and DNA synthesis but not induction of the c-fos and c-jun genes. These results support the hypothesis that JAK3 plays a pivotal role in the IL-2 receptor-mediated signals for cell growth.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1994

Expression of the alpha 2-macroglobulin-encoding gene in rat brain and cultured astrocytes.

The alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), a protease inhibitor, is a major acute-phase protein in rats, and is produced in the liver during acute inflammation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that alpha 2M is also produced by cultured astrocytes from newborn rat brain and has neurite-promoting activity. Here, we found that the expression of the alpha 2M gene was significantly enhanced in the brain following intraperitoneal injection of the neurotoxicant, kainic acid (KA), suggesting that alpha 2M acts as an acute-phase protein in the brain, as in the case of the liver, and may be involved in neural repair processes. Expression of alpha 2M in cultured astrocytes was shown to be stimulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the presence of glucocorticoid. The amount of mRNAs for IL-6 and LIF increased in the brain of KA-injected rats prior to alpha 2M induction. These results strongly suggested that IL-6 and LIF are involved in alpha 2M induction in the brain, as in the case of the liver. Analysis of the cis-acting element(s) and the trans-acting factor(s) suggested that the regulatory mechanism for alpha 2M expression in astrocytes was similar to that in inflamed liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Differential roles of two types of the TNF receptor in TNF-induced cytotoxicity, DNA fragmentation, and differentiation.

Two different types of TNF receptors, the p60 receptor with a molecular mass of 60 kDa and the p80 receptor with a mass of 80 kDa, have been identified. TNF exhibits a wide variety of biologic actions, but which receptor is responsible for these biologic actions is not well characterized. In the present study, we examined the roles of the p60 and p80 receptors in three different TNF-induced biologic actions: 1) cytotoxicity; 2) DNA fragmentation; and 3) differentiation to macrophages. Analysis of TNF actions on various tumor cell lines revealed that TNF-induced cytotoxicity occurred in cells that expressed the p60 receptor, irrespective of expression of the p80 receptor. In contrast, DNA fragmentation and differentiation were observed only in cells that expressed both receptor types. Additionally, the specific Ab to each receptor were used to examine the roles of both receptors in the myelogenous leukemia cell line, ML-1a. Anti-p60 Ab alone showed cytotoxicity but little DNA fragmentation and differentiation, and anti-p80 Ab alone showed no effects. When these Abs were added in the presence of TNF, each independently, and almost completely, inhibited TNF-induced DNA fragmentation and differentiation. We also found that both Abs together synergistically induce differentiation and DNA fragmentation. These results indicate that signals through the p60 receptor are essential to induce cytotoxicity, but signals through both the p60 and p80 receptors are necessary, and act synergistically, for DNA fragmentation and differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗