Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Ichinose

Publications and source records attributed to M Ichinose.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Effects of nutrition on the cell survival and gene expression of transplanted fat tissues in mice.

Fat tissue transplantation is a useful and common clinical technique in the plastic and reconstructive surgeries. To know the nutritional effects on the survival and maintenance of fat grafts, the weights of tissues and cell sizes, and the gene expressions in the fat tissues were analyzed 14 days after transplantation. The body weight and the plasma insulin level in high nutritional group (HNG) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in low nutritional group (LNG), respectively. The measurements of cell size showed that there were 32.5% distributed in the diameter less than 2 microm in LNG, significantly higher than 28.5% in HNG. There were 7.5% distributed in the diameter more than 6 microm in LNG, significantly lower than 10.0% in HNG. The mRNA levels of leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and beta(3)-adrenergic receptor were 2.0-, 1.5-, and 1.7-fold higher in HNG than those in LNG, respectively. The levels of hormone sensitive lipase and hexokinase 2 transcripts were not significantly different in both groups. These results show that the systemic nutritional status in host causes the changes of cell size and tissue weight as well as gene expression in the transplanted fat using mice model. The nutritional condition is probably important for the fat graft clinically both as lipid-storage and functional cells.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2002

Association between gastric myoelectrical activity and intraluminal nitric oxide.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that the intraluminal concentration of NO in H. pylori-positive patients is significantly reduced compared to that in H. pylori-negative patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori infection on gastric motor activity in relation to the level of NO and nitrite in the stomach in humans. METHODS: Thirty-two H. pylori-negative and 32 H. pylori-positive patients with dyspepsia were studied. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded for 24 h using surface electrogastrography. Intraluminal gas and juice were endoscopically collected from the stomach to determine NO and nitrite and nitrate (NOx) levels using a chemiluminescence system. RESULTS: The percentage of tachygastria in the morning preprandial state was significantly higher (P = 0.005) in H. pylori-positive than -negative patients. In H. pylori-negative patients, there was a significant positive correlation between NO levels and the percentage of bradygastria (r = 0.56, P = 0.001) and a significant negative correlation between NOx levels and the percentage of normal electrical activity (r = - 0.57, P=0.001) in the preprandial state. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric motor activity is associated with NO and NOx levels in the gastric lumen. H. pylori infection may play a role in the pathogenesis of abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

iNOS depletion completely diminishes reactive nitrogen-species formation after an allergic response.

Nitric oxide (NO) shows proinflammatory actions mainly via reactive nitrogen species (RNS) formation through superoxide- and peroxidase-dependent mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in RNS production, airway hyperresponsiveness, and inflammation after allergen challenge. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitised, iNOS-deficient and wild-type mice were used. RNS production was assessed by nitrotyrosine (NT) immunoreactivity in the airways. Airway inflammation and responsiveness were evaluated by eosinophil accumulation and methacholine (i.v.) challenge, respectively. In wild-type mice, OVA-inhalation challenge increased iNOS immunoreactivity in airway epithelial cells as well as iNOS protein measured by Western blotting. The total amounts of nitrite and nitrate in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were increased, and NT immunoreactivity was also observed abundantly in airway inflammatory cells. In iNOS-deficient mice, both iNOS expression and NT formation were completely abolished, and the total amounts of nitrite and nitrate in BAL fluid were significantly decreased. In contrast, OVA-induced airway eosinophil recruitment and hyperresponsiveness were observed almost equally in wild-type and iNOS-deficient mice. These data suggest that reactive nitrogen species production after allergic reaction occurs totally via inducible nitric oxide synthase-dependent pathways. Allergen-mediated airway eosinophil recruitment and hyperresponsiveness appear to be independent of reactive nitrogen species production.

Allergens↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of MUC4 mucin expression in lung carcinoma cells and its immunogenicity.

BACKGROUND: MUC4 has been cloned from tracheobronchial mucosa cDNA and reportedly is highly expressed in some human malignancies, including lung carcinoma. However, little is known about molecular and biologic characteristics. The authors analyzed expression levels of MUC4 mRNA and protein in lung carcinoma cells and analyzed the immunogenicity of this mucin. METHODS: Nine cultured lung carcinoma cell lines and 29 tumor samples from patients with lung carcinoma were examined by Northern hybridization for MUC4 mRNA expression and by flow cytometry or an immunohistochemical staining for its protein expression. Sera from the patients were examined for their reactivity with MUC4 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Forty-four percent of the cell lines and 72% of the tumor samples showed high levels of MUC4 mRNA expression. Although MUC4 protein was not detected in any live carcinoma cell lines by flow cytometry using rabbit antisera reactive with the MUC4 core, pretreatment with paraformaldehyde and sialidase resulted in successful detection of the protein in 50% of the cell lines. An immunohistochemical study revealed that 67% of the tumors exhibited MUC4 protein expression without any digestion. In 29% of the patients, high levels of anti-MUC4 immunoglobulin M or immunoglobulin G were detected. CONCLUSIONS: MUC4 protein expression was elevated in lung carcinoma tissues because of the increase in its mRNA expression and deglycosylation on its core. This mucin is sufficiently immunogenic to elicit humoral and cellular immunity specific for MUC4 in patients with malignant disease. MUC4 is expected to be useful as a target antigen in immunotherapy for patients with carcinoma of the lung.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2001

Establishment of gene-vaccinated skin grafting against Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice.

Vaccine effects of in vivo gene-vaccinated skin graft were evaluated against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection. By using a gene gun, cDNA coding T. gondii SAG1 molecule was intracutaneously vaccinated into C57BL/6 (B6; a susceptible strain), BALB/c (a resistant strain) and (C57BL/6 x BALB/c) F1 (CBF1) mice, and the gene-vaccinated skin of these strains was transplanted to CBF1 mice. Regarding the antibody production against SAG1, CBF1-recipient mice transplanted with the SAG1 gene-vaccinated B6 skin were high responders, whereas CBF1 mice skin grafted with vaccinated skin of both BALB/c and CBF1 mice were low responders. The donor-derived LC/DC migrated to the draining lymph nodes of the recipients from the skin graft within 3 days. The vaccine effect against T. gondii challenge infection was obtained in CBF1 mice which received the skin graft of the SAG1 gene-vaccinated BALB/c mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Mutagenicity of bisphenol A and its suppression by interferon-alpha in human RSa cells.

Bisphenol A is used as a monomer in the production of polycarbonate plastic products. The widespread use of bisphenol A has raised concerns about its effects in humans. Since there is little information on the mutagenic potential of the chemical, the mutagenicity of bisphenol A was tested using human RSa cells, which has been utilized for identification of novel mutagens. In genomic DNA from cells treated with bisphenol A at concentrations ranging from 1x10(-7) to 1x10(-5)M, base substitution mutations at K-ras codon 12 were detected using PCR and differential dot-blot hybridization with mutant probes. Mutations were also detected using the method of peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated PCR clamping. The latter method enabled us to detect the mutation in bisphenol A-treated cells at a dose (1x10(-8)M) equivalent to that typically found in the environment. Induction of ouabain-resistant (Oua(R)) phenotypic mutation was also found in cells treated with 1x10(-7) and 1x10(-5)M of bisphenol A. The induction of K-ras codon 12 mutations and Oua(R) mutations was suppressed by pretreating RSa cells with human interferon (HuIFN)-alpha prior to bisphenol A treatment. The cells treated with bisphenol A at the concentration of 1x10(-6)M elicited unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS). These findings suggested that bisphenol A has mutagenicity in RSa cells as well as mutagens that have been tested in these cells, and furthermore, that a combination of the PNA-mediated PCR clamping method with the human RSa cell line may be used as an assay system for screening the mutagenic chemicals at very low doses.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗
PubMed2001

Adrenocorticotropic hormone activates an outward current in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages.

To define the effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in immunocompetent cells, ion channel activities in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages were analyzed by the perforated patch-clamp method. ACTH induced outward currents at smaller holding potentials than K+ equilibrium potentials. Reversal potentials of ACTH-induced currents were dependent on external K+ concentrations, but not on external Cl- concentration. Quinine potently blocked the outward current and tetraethylammonium (TEA) partially suppressed that current. ACTH did not induce the response in Ca2+ free solution containing EGTA. These results suggest that ACTH can modulate macrophage functions through the activation of Ca2+ dependent K+ channels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2001

Mesenchymal transcription factor Fkh6 is essential for the development and differentiation of parietal cells.

The role of transcription factor forkhead homologue 6 (Fkh6) gene expressed only in gastrointestinal mesenchymes on the differentiation of gastric epithelia was analyzed by inactivating the gene by targeting disruption. Gastric mucosa exhibited hyperplasias with disordered glandular structures in the absence of gene. Measurement of acid secretion in the isolated whole stomach demonstrated that both basal and stimulated secretions were severely suppressed in the Fkh6-/- stomach, while immunohistochemical studies showed that comparable numbers of parietal cells were differentiated in both wild-type and Fkh6-/- stomachs. Ultrastructurally Fkh6-/- parietal cells were furnished with developed intracellular canaliculi and many mitochondria, but their canaluculi were not enlarged nor fully connected to the luminal surface even when animals were treated with histamine, suggesting that Fkh6-/- parietal cells were far less responsive to acid secretion-inducing stimulations. Some parietal cells contained secretory granules positively stained with anti-pepsinogen antibodies, indicating that they retained characteristics of oxynticopeptic cells found in lower vertebrates. We thus concluded that Fkh6 plays essential roles for the development and differentiation of parietal cells via epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Fas ligand expression and depletion of T-cell infiltration in astrocytic tumors.

Fas (APO-1/CD95) ligand (FasL) and its receptor, Fas, play a key role in the regulation of apoptosis in the immune system. FasL acts as a cytotoxic effector molecule to Fas-expressing malignant tumor cells; however, it has recently been suggested that FasL also acts as a possible mediator of tumor immune privilege. We studied FasL expression in glioblastoma cell lines and a series of human glioma specimens by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In addition, quantitative analysis of T-cell infiltration in these tumors was performed. FasL expression was seen in all cell lines and in 9 of 14 specimens by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The distribution of FasL was recognized in the cytoplasm of tumor cells (5 of 9) and in the vascular endothelium (4 of 9). Both types of FasL expression were associated with a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in T-cell infiltration when compared with FasL-negative areas within the same tumor or FasL-negative specimens. Since T-cell apoptosis could be induced by FasL-expressing tumor cells, the present findings suggest that apoptosis induction by FasL expressed on tumor cells and/or vascular endothelium might be one mechanism for T-cell depletion in astrocytic tumor tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Thymoma. Analysis of prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the prognostic factors for thymoma that remain controversial. METHODS: We studied 72 consecutive patients treated for thymoma during the period between 1966 and 1997. Recurrence-free interval rates and overall survival rates calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method were compared using log-rank test by the Masaoka stage, extent of surgical resection, histology, or associated disease(s). Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Thirty-two thymomas were at Masaoka stage I, 9 at stage II, 15 at stage III, and 16 were at stage IV. There were 56 complete resections, 7 incomplete resections (2 at stage III and 5 at stage IV), and 9 biopsies (1 at stage III and 8 at stage IV). Forty-one thymomas were cortical, 16 medullary, and 15 were mixed form. Association of myasthenia gravis was found in 20 patients, and pure red cell aplasia in 7. After an average follow-up period of 103 months, the recurrence-free 5-, 10-, 15-year interval rate was 89%, 80%, 80%, respectively, and overall 5-, 10-, 15-year survival rate was 86%, 71%, 59%, respectively. Factors influencing the recurrence-free interval and overall survival included the Masaoka stage, extent of surgical resection, and association with pure red cell aplasia. Multivariate analysis revealed stage IV tumor and association with pure red cell aplasia as risk factors for recurrence. Pure red cell aplasia indicated poor prognosis for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Masaoka stage, extent of surgical resection, and association with pure red cell aplasia were prognostic factors for thymoma. Multidisciplinary treatment for stage IV tumors and better control of pure red cell aplasia, if associated, should be investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Extensive mesenteric vein and portal vein thrombosis successfully treated by thrombolysis and anticoagulation.

Mesenteric vein thrombosis is generally difficult to diagnose and can be fatal. A case of extensive thrombosis of the mesenteric and portal veins was diagnosed early and successfully treated in a 26-year-old man with Down syndrome who was admitted to hospital because of abdominal pain, severe nausea and high fever. Ultrasonography revealed moderate ascites, and there was minimal flow in the portal vein (PV) on the Doppler examination. Computed tomography (CT) showed remarkable thickening of the walls of the small intestine and extensive thrombosis of the mesenteric, portal and splenic veins. Because neither intestinal infarction nor peritonitis was seen, combined thrombolysis and anticoagulation therapy without surgical treatment was chosen. Urokinase was administered intravenously and later through a catheter in the superior mesenteric artery. Heparin and antibiotics were given concomitantly. The patient's symptoms and clinical data improved gradually. After 10 days, CT revealed that collateral veins had developed and the thrombi in the distal portions of the mesenteric veins had dissolved, although the main trunk of the PV had not recanalized. The only risk factor of thrombosis that was detected was decreased protein S activity.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of a membrane-bound arginine-specific serine protease from rat intestinal mucosa.

Previously we isolated and characterized a membrane-bound, arginine-specific serine protease from pig intestinal mucosa [J. Biol. Chem. 269, 32985-32991 (1994)]. For further characterization of this type of enzyme, we cloned a cDNA from rat intestinal mucosa encoding the precursor of a similar protease. The partial amino acid sequences determined for the pig enzyme were found to be shared almost completely by the rat enzyme. The serine protease domain of the rat enzyme, heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, specifically cleaved Arg (or Lys)-X bonds with a marked preference for Arg-Arg or Arg-Lys, similar to the pig enzyme. The mRNA for the rat enzyme was shown to be distributed mainly in intestine, and the enzyme was detected in the duodenal mucosa as a 70 kDa protein. Immunohistochemical analysis of the small intestinal tissue showed that the enzyme is localized mainly on brushborder membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Expression of ICAD-l and ICAD-S in human brain tumor and its cleavage upon activation of apoptosis by anti-Fas antibody.

ICAD / DFF is a downstream molecule of caspases, participating in nuclear DNA fragmentation during apoptosis. ICAD / DFF binds CAD / DFF40 and inhibits its DNase activity. ICAD / DFF has two alternative isoforms, long isoform (ICAD-L / DFF45) and short isoform (ICAD-S / DFF35). We have studied the presence and functional status of ICAD / DFF in human glioma cell lines. All cell lines tested expressed both ICAD-L and ICAD-S. When the cultured glioma cells were exposed to anti-Fas antibody, these isoforms were degraded prior to the fragmentation of the nuclear DNA, indicating that the ICAD / DFF expressed in cultured glioma cells was potentially functional. In primary brain tumors and normal brain tissues, there was a difference in the expression level between ICAD-L and ICAD-S. In glioblastomas, ICAD-S was more abundant than ICAD-L. In contrast, ICAD-L was more abundant than ICAD-S in medulloblastomas. The present findings suggest that primary brain tumors and normal brain constitutively express ICAD / DFF, and that there is a difference between the expression levels of ICAD-L and ICAD-S.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2001

Appendectomy protects against the development of ulcerative colitis and reduces its recurrence: results of a multicenter case-controlled study in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Studies in the US and Europe have shown that appendectomy may prevent the development of ulcerative colitis, but no detailed study has been conducted in Japan, where ulcerative colitis is uncommon and the population is racially homogeneous. In addition, there has been no detailed analysis of the relationship between appendectomy and the clinical course of ulcerative colitis. In this multicenter clinical study, we evaluated the effects of appendectomy on ulcerative colitis in Japan. METHODS: A case-control study was undertaken in seven medical institutions comparing the incidence of appendectomy and tonsillectomy in 325 patients with ulcerative colitis and 325 controls matched for age (10-yr intervals) and sex. Disease duration, extent, and prognosis were determined in 21 patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent appendectomies and 304 patients with ulcerative colitis who did not undergo appendectomies. RESULTS: Appendectomy was performed in a significantly lower percentage of patients in the ulcerative colitis group (21/325, 6.5%) than in the control group (53/325, 16.3%) (p < 0.001) (odds ratios = 0.355, 95% CI = 0.208-0.603). In contrast, no significant difference was observed between the groups with respect to tonsillectomy. The mean age (25.7 +/- 10.9 yr) of patients with ulcerative colitis at the time of appendectomy was significantly higher than the mean age (20.1 +/- 8.7 yr) of patients in the control group at the time of appendectomy (p < 0.05). The incidence of proctitis was higher in the appendectomy group than in the group that did not undergo appendectomies (38.1% vs 18.1%). In addition, the recurrence rates were significantly lower in the appenectomy group than in the group that did not undergo appendectomies (57. 1% vs 78.6%, p < 0.05), although both groups were similar in composition as to sex, age, duration of disease, smoking status, and previous medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that appendectomy has a negative association with and perhaps a preventive effect on the development of ulcerative colitis in the Japanese population. Furthermore, appendectomy also appears to reduce the extent and recurrence of ulcerative colitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Adoptive immunotherapy for malignant brain tumors using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells activated by the Streptococcal preparation OK-432.

Adoptive immunotherapy using OK-432-activated mononuclear cells (OK-MCs) offers cell-mediated and cytokine-mediated pathways for antitumor activity. The effectiveness of direct intratumoral administration of OK-MCs via a catheter/reservoir system was studied in patients with malignant brain tumors. Seventeen patients, 12 with malignant glioma, four with metastatic adenocarcinoma, and one with primary sarcoma of the brain, were treated by OK-MC therapy (1.0 to 11.2 x 10(7) cells/person) between June 1989 and April 1999. The OK-MC therapy was given to patients with tumors progressing despite previous cytoreductive surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Adverse effects seen after the therapy were fever in 10 patients, seizure in two patients, and hypotension in one patient. Evaluation by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging revealed that seven patients showed no change including three with minor response, and 10 showed progressive disease. Adoptive immunotherapy using OK-MC was safe and well tolerated, but the therapeutic potential is limited.

Adenocarcinoma↗