Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Katoh

Publications and source records attributed to M Katoh.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Involvement of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in collagen degradation induced by IL-1 in rabbit cartilage explant culture.

To determine whether matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) or MMP-3 is involved in cartilage collagen degradation, polyclonal antibodies were separately raised against MMP-1 and MMP-3 and their effects on collagen degradation were assessed in rabbit cartilage explant culture. We found that anti-MMP-1 antibodies completely inhibited collagen degradation induced by the combination of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and plasminogen. Anti-MMP-3 antibodies showed 40% inhibition at maximum concentration. These results indicate that MMP-1, and possibly MMP-3, are involved in collagen degradation in cartilage explant culture.

Animals↗

Design, synthesis and evaluation of transition-state analogue inhibitors of Escherichia coli gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase.

Phosphinic acid-, sulfoximine- and sulfone-based transition-state analogues were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of Escherichia coli gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase. These compounds have a carboxyl function at the beta-carbon to the tetrahedral central hetero atom so as to mimic the carboxyl group of the attacking cysteine in the transition state. The phosphinic acid- and the sulfoximine-based compounds were found to be potent ATP-dependent inactivators, both showing a slow-binding kinetics with overall affinities and second-order inactivation rates of one to two orders of magnitude greater than those of L-buthionine (SR)-sulfoximine (L-BSO). The sulfone was a simple reversible inhibitor without causing ATP-dependent enzyme inactivation, but its affinity toward the enzyme was still five times greater than that of L-BSO, indicating that the beta-carboxyl function plays a key role in the recognition of the inhibitors by the enzyme. The sulfoximine with (S)-beta-carbon to the sulfur was synthesized stereoselectively, and the two diastereomers with respect to the chiral sulfur atom were separated as a cyclic sulfoximine derivative. The sulfoximine with R-configuration around the sulfur served as an extremely powerful ATP-dependent inactivator with an overall inhibition constant of 39 nM and an inactivation rate of 6750 M-1 s-1, which correspond to 1260-fold higher affinity and almost 1400-fold greater inactivation rate as compared with L-BSO. The sulfoximine with (S)-sulfur was a simple reversible inhibitor with an inhibition potency comparable to that of the sulfone. The synthesis and inhibition profile of the N-phosphoryl sulfoximine is also described.

Butyrates↗

Skeletal muscle regeneration induced by chorio-allantoic grafting.

To examine whether the expression pattern of fast-muscle type troponin-T (TnT) isoforms was fixed in cell lineage, breast muscle pieces (pectoralis major) from chick embryos and young and adult chickens were grafted on to chorio-allantoic membrane of 9-day-old chick embryos and cultured until the host embryos hatched out. Muscle fibre formation of the grafts was investigated by histological and immunohistochemical methods with anti-fast-muscle type and anti-slow-muscle type TnT sera, and the expression of fast-muscle type TnT in the grafts from chick embryos and young chickens was studied by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), two-dimensional SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting. In the chorio-allantoic grafting, the breast muscle initially degenerated forming pyknotic nuclei and hyaline cytoplasm. The surviving cells, which were supposed to be satellite cells, regenerated new muscle fibres of the same type as those of the grafted muscle in respect of TnT isoform expression. Therefore, we considered that the ability to express specific isoforms of TnT was fixed in the satellite cells, and that chorio-allantoic grafting was a useful technique for studying muscle differentiation.

Allantois↗

Early induction of transforming growth factor-beta via angiotensin II type 1 receptors contributes to cardiac fibrosis induced by long-term blockade of nitric oxide synthesis in rats.

We previously reported that the chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis increases cardiac tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme expression and causes cardiac fibrosis in rats. However, the mechanisms are not known. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a key molecule that is responsible for tissue fibrosis. The present study investigated the role of TGF-beta in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. The development of cardiac fibrosis by oral administration of the NO synthesis inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to normal rats was preceded by increases in mRNA levels of cardiac TGF-beta1 and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. TGF-beta immunoreactivity was increased in the areas of fibrosis. Treatment with a specific angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, but not with hydralazine, completely prevented the L-NAME-induced increases in the gene expression of TGF-beta1 and ECM proteins and also prevented cardiac fibrosis. Intraperitoneal injection of neutralizing antibody against TGF-beta did not affect the L-NAME-induced increase in TGF-beta1 mRNA levels but prevented an increase in the mRNA levels of ECM protein. These results suggest that the early induction of TGF-beta1 via the angiotensin II type 1 receptor plays a major role in the development of cardiac fibrosis in this model.

Administration, Oral↗

Regulation of angiotensin II receptor expression by nitric oxide in rat adrenal gland.

We recently reported that administration of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) production, activates the vascular and cardiac renin-angiotensin systems and causes vascular thickening and myocardial hypertrophy in rats with perivascular and myocardial fibrosis. It has been reported that aldosterone may contribute to the development of cardiac fibrosis, but it is not known whether inhibition of NO synthesis affects angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor gene expression and aldosterone secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of NO inhibition on the expression of Ang II receptors in the adrenal gland and on aldosterone secretion in rats. Wistar King A rats received normal water, L-NAME alone (1 mg/mL in the drinking water), or L-NAME and the alpha1-adrenergic receptor blocker bunazosin (0.1 mg/mL in the drinking water) for 1 week. After 1 week of treatment with L-NAME, systolic blood pressure, plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), and mRNA level and number of Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) were increased. Plasma renin activity, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and the number of AT2-R were unchanged. Although addition of bunazosin to L-NAME restored systolic blood pressure to the control level, PAC and AT1-R numbers remained significantly higher than those of control level. These results suggest that the increased AT1-R number and PAC induced by the inhibition of NO synthesis were independent of blood pressure and systemic renin-angiotensin system. Therefore, hypertension and myocardial fibrosis induced by NO blockade may be due in part to an elevation of PAC caused by increased AT1-R in the adrenal gland.

Adrenal Glands↗

ATP-dependent inactivation of Escherichia coli gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase by L-glutamic acid gamma-monohydroxamate.

Incubation of Escherichia coli gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase with L-glutamic acid gamma-monohydroxamate and ATP caused slow but irreversible inhibition of the enzyme, and more than 90% activity was lost in three days. The enzyme was not inactivated when ATP was absent or L-aspartic acid beta-monohydroxamate was substituted for L-glutamic acid gamma-monohydroxamate, suggesting that the inactivation process reflected a mechanism-based reaction of L-glutamic acid gamma-monohydroxamate and ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Cooperative inhibitory effects of cervical mucus and neutrophils on growth of Candida albicans].

Preparations of human cervical mucus were obtained from fifteen female volunteers with or without vaginal candidiasis. Their content of lactoferrin and inhibitory effects on the growth of Candida albicans were estimated. The concentration of lactoferrin in cervical mucus was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lactoferrin concentration of the eleven preparations among them was more than 0.2 mg/ml. The effects of these cervical mucus preparations on Candida growth were examined in vitro. Candida growth was not inhibited by the addition of 1/200 diluted cervical mucus alone, however, anti-Candida activity of murine neutrophils was augmented by such an addition. These results suggest that the combination of neutrophils and cervical mucus may have an important role in defense against Candida infection in the vaginal mucosa.

Adult↗

Telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer and adenoma.

In order to examine their roles in carcinogenesis or in progression of colorectal carcinoma, we investigated telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in 67 non-familial colorectal cancers and in 18 adenomas. The incidence of detectable telomerase activity increased from 22% of normal colorectal mucosas adjacent to carcinoma, and 33% of adenomas, to 75% of carcinomas. On the other hand, the incidence of detectable microsatellite instability in carcinomas (30%) was almost the same as in adenomas (22%). No significant correlation was detected in the incidence of telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in carcinomas or in adenomas. Moreover, the incidence of telomerase activity and microsatellite instability did not increase during the progression of carcinomas. These results indicate that telomerase activity and microsatellite instability are independent events in colorectal carcinogenesis, and that telomerase activity and microsatellite instability are not correlated with the progression of colorectal carcinoma. However, in 13 multiple cancers, the incidence of telomerase activity (92%) and the incidence of microsatellite instability (54%) was higher than that of telomerase activity (70%) and that of microsatellite instability (24%) in 54 sporadic cancers. Moreover, the incidence of telomerase activity and that of microsatellite instability in adenomas with carcinomas (45% and 36% respectively) was higher than that of telomerase activity and microsatellite instability in adenomas without carcinomas (14% and 0% respectively). These results indicate that telomerase activity and microsatellite instability may play an important role in multicentric carcinogenesis in colorectal carcinoma.

Adenoma↗

Identification of soluble type of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-3 formed by alternatively spliced mRNA.

Homology screening for human membrane-type MMP (MT-MMP) was carried out, and cDNA encoding a soluble type of MT3-MMP (SM3), which is considered to be an alternatively spliced variant of MT3-MMP, was obtained. SM3 had a novel sequence consisting of 50 amino acids after Lys407 instead of amino acids containing the transmembrane domain of MT3-MMP. When SM3 tagged with a FLAG epitope (SM3-flag) was expressed in COS-7 cells, SM3-flag was present in the conditioned medium in its activated form. The enzymatic activity of SM3 was studied using a recombinant enzyme expressed in E. coli (SM3-e). The fluorogenic peptide substrate hydrolyzing activity of SM3-e was inhibited by EDTA and by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), whereas TIMP-1 had only relatively weak inhibitory ability. SM3-e was able to activate proMMP-2, and this activity was also inhibited by TIMP-2 but not by TIMP-1. SM3-e was able to cleave type III collagen, and also digested fibronectin. In view of the homology of the primary structures, MT3-MMP was considered to have the same catalytic activity as SM3. The results of studies of SM3's activity on extracellular matrix (ECM) protein suggests that MT3-MMP plays a role in ECM turnover not only by activating proMMP-2 but also by acting directly on ECM macromolecules.

Alternative Splicing↗

Four-week repeated inhalation study of HCFC 225ca and HCFC 225cb in the common marmoset.

Four male and three female marmosets in each group were exposed to air only, 1000 ppm of HCFC 225ca or 5000 ppm of HCFC 225cb, for 6 h per day for 28 consecutive days. HCFC 225ca caused a slight reduction in body weight. HCFC 225cb occasionally caused somnolence during exposure and vomiting on the first day of exposure. Clinical chemistry findings included a mild reduction of triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid levels and increased GOT level in the HCFC 225ca exposure group. HCFC 225cb also caused a reduction of triglyceride levels in some animals. HCFC 225ca caused a slight increase of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity while HCFC 225cb slightly increased cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl CoA beta-oxidation (FAOS) activity. In the HCFC 225cb exposure group, an increase in cytochrome P-450 content was also observed. HCFC 225ca caused a fatty change in the hepatic cells. Increased incidence of lipid droplets in the hepatic cells and myelin-like bodies in hepatic cells, Kupffer's cells and hepatic blood vessels were observed electron microscopically in the HCFC 225ca exposure group. A proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum was observed in the HCFC 225cb exposure group. Decreased peroxisome volume density in the HCFC 225ca group, and increased volume density in the HCFC 225cb exposed females were seen. However, organ weight measurement and histopathological examination did not reveal hepatomegaly or hypertrophy with either substance. Although slight changes were noticed in peroxisome volume density and in some of the peroxisomal enzyme activities, the changes related to peroxisome proliferation with HCFC 225ca and 225cb were minimal in marmosets compared to those seen in rats. Histopathological examination and hormonal analysis did not reveal any abnormalities in the pancreas or testes.

Administration, Inhalation↗

MST/MLK2, a member of the mixed lineage kinase family, directly phosphorylates and activates SEK1, an activator of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase.

c-Jun N-terminal kinases/stress-activated protein kinases (JNKs/SAPKs) are mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-related protein kinases that are involved in several cellular events, including growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Mixed lineage kinases (MLKs) form a family of protein kinases sharing two leucine zipper-like motifs and a kinase domain whose primary structure is similar to both the tyrosine-specific and the serine/threonine-specific kinase classes. We have reported that a member of the MLK family, MUK/DLK/ZPK, can activate JNK/SAPK in vivo, and here we show that another member of the MLK family, MST/MLK2, activates JNK/SAPK. Both MUK/DLK/ZPK and MST/MLK2 cause a slight activation of p38/Mpk2 when overexpressed in COS-1 cells, whereas MST/MLK2, but not MUK/DLK/ZPK, activates extracellular response kinase (ERK) to a certain degree. The activity of SEK1/MKK4/JNKK, a MAPK kinase class protein kinase designated as a direct activator of JNK/SAPK, is also induced by MUK/DLK/ZPK or MST/MLK2 overexpression. Furthermore, recombinant MST/MLK2 produced in bacteria directly phosphorylates and activates SEK1/MKK4/JNKK in vitro, showing that MST/MLK2 acts like a MAPK kinase kinase. Taken together, these results suggest that MLK family members are MAPK kinase kinases preferentially acting on the JNK/SAPK pathway.

Animals↗

Cloning of human bone morphogenetic protein type IB receptor (BMPR-IB) and its expression in prostate cancer in comparison with other BMPRs.

Bone metastasis is a common event in prostate cancer, and it is known that some of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are expressed in prostate cancer cells, while no study on the expression of their receptors, BMPRs, has been reported. Here we report cloning and sequence analysis of the human BMPR-IB cDNA. We also analysed the expression of transcripts of three types of the BMPR genes in human tissues and prostate cancer cell lines. The BMPR-IB mRNA was present in various organs, but the highest level was found in the prostate. Moreover, the amount of BMPR-IB mRNA was significantly low in prostate cancer tissues after androgen withdrawal and was also low in prostate cancer cell lines. RT-PCR analysis showed that the BMPR-IB message was upregulated by androgen stimulation in the LNCaP cell line which expresses the androgen receptor. By contrast, the mRNA levels of BMPR-IA and BMPR-II were not significantly different among non-cancerous and cancerous prostate tissues. It was also suggested that human BMPR-IA and BMPR-IB might have different biological functions in the prostate, although their sequences were 85.3% identical in the serine-threonine kinase domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of myocyte nitric oxide in beta-adrenergic hyporesponsiveness in heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The positive inotropic response to beta-adrenergic stimulation is attenuated at the isolated myocyte level in heart failure. Nitric oxide (NO) has a negative inotropic effect and attenuates the response to isoproterenol. It has been suggested that NO synthesis is increased in failing myocytes. However, the pathophysiological consequences after induction of NO in myocyte contractility are less clear in the setting of heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the effects of an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor on contractile function in myocytes isolated from 11 dogs with rapid pacing-induced heart failure (ejection fraction, 29 +/- 2%) and 8 control dogs (ejection fraction, 74 +/- 3%). Sarcomere shortening velocity was measured as an index of contractility under four experimental conditions: at baseline, after adding isoproterenol (ISO; 1 nmol/L), after an NOS inhibitor (N pi-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], 0.1 nmol/L), and after L-NAME plus ISO. L-NAME alone had no effects on basal sarcomere shortening velocity in either control or heart failure myocytes. However, L-NAME significantly augmented the inotropic response to isoproterenol in heart failure myocytes (107.1 +/- 7.3% [ISO alone] versus 140.6 +/- 10.7% [ISO plus L-NAME] increase from baseline; P < .05) but not in control myocytes (135.5 +/- 9.9% [ISO alone] versus 137.1 +/- 11.4% [ISO plus L-NAME]; P = NS). Myocardial NOS activity measured by the conversion of arginine to citrulline was significantly increased in dogs with heart failure compared with that in control dogs. CONCLUSIONS: The increased NO induction in failing myocytes does not alter baseline sarcomere mechanics but attenuates the positive inotropic response to isoproterenol. Thus, myocyte NO plays an important role in the autocrine regulation of the contractile function of myocytes in congestive heart failure.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Mutations induced in male germ cells after treatment of transgenic mice with ethylnitrosourea.

The present study was undertaken to clarify whether the transgenic mouse mutagenesis assay system can be used instead of dominant lethals or specific locus test after treatment of male germ cells in mouse with ethylnitrosourea (ENU). Male Big Blue transgenic mice (BB) carrying a lacI target gene were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg ENU. Vasa deferential sperm, caudal epididymal sperm or whole testes were assayed for mutation at 3, 14, 22 and 93 days after treatment with ENU. The average of background lacI- mutant frequencies was 2.05 x 10(-5). The MF observed in post spermatogonial stage after treatment with ENU were slightly increased over background. On the other hand, ENU induced high MF in the spermatogonial stage. MF detected after treatment of BB male germ cells with ENU were lower than those detected in the mouse visible specific-locus mutations in previous reports. Nevertheless, it is clear that this assay is a practical alternative to the specific locus test for detecting mutations induced in spermatogonial stage.

Animals↗

Analysis of vascular anatomy and lymph node metastases warrants radical segmental bowel resection for colon cancer.

To determine the indications for limited colon cancer surgery in each location, we reviewed the arterial branching patterns and lymph node metastases along the course of specific vascular trunks in 344 colon cancer patients who had undergone preoperative angiography and colectomy with lymph node dissection. Our conclusions are follows: Because the ileocecal artery always arises from the superior mesenteric artery and lymph node metastases of cecum cancer were limited to nodes along the ileocolic artery, cecum cancer can be cured by ileocecal resection. The right colic artery has various origins, and ascending colon cancer shows various patterns of lymph node metastases. Therefore a right hemicolectomy should be performed for ascending colon cancer. The middle colic artery forks into right and left branches, and each branch has different branching variations. If the right colic and middle colic arteries have a common trunk, a right hemicolectomy should be performed for transverse colon cancer on the right side. If the left branch of the middle colic artery has an independent replaced origin, lymph node dissection should be modified according to the variant origin. If the left colic artery and the first sigmoidal artery have a common trunk, the lymph nodes along the common trunk should be removed for sigmoid colon cancer and for descending colon cancer. Of the patients with sigmoid colon cancer, 6.3% also had lymph node metastases along the superior rectal artery. Given that the lymph nodes along the superior rectal artery are skeletonized, sigmoid colon cancer can be also cured by partial sigmoidectomy.

Arteries↗

Collagen degradation induced by the combination of IL-1alpha and plasminogen in rabbit articular cartilage explant culture.

To investigate the effect of plasminogen on cartilage catabolism, we assessed collagen degradation in rabbit articular cartilage explants treated with or without plasminogen and interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha). The combination of IL-1 alpha and plasminogen induced rapid collagen degradation, amounting to more than 60% of the total collagen by day 7, while neither IL-1alpha nor plasminogen alone had any effect. To examine the mechanism of collagen degradation induced by IL-1alpha and plasminogen, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the culture supernatants were examined by ELISA, Western blotting and gelatin zymography. We found that the treatment with IL-1alpha induced MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9. In addition, plasminogen converted the pro form of MMPs into the active form. Both a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and a synthetic hydroxamate MMP inhibitor prevented this collagen release. These results suggest that plasminogen causes collagen degradation via activation of MMPs induced by IL-1alpha.

Amino Acid Sequence↗