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Biomedical subjects

M Kawamura

Publications and source records attributed to M Kawamura.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

Compatibility of rev gene activity in the four groups of primate lentiviruses.

The compatibility of rev genes derived from various primate immunodeficiency viruses of all distinct subgroups identified was assessed in three experimental systems: complementation experiments between proviral rev and gag mutants, evaluation of the ability of the rev gene products to activate proviral reporters, and examination of the capacity of various viruses to augment marker gene expression in the infected reporter cell lines. In all systems, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) rev was not substantially substituted or was extremely poorly substituted by the rev of the other viruses. The rev of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) from a mandrill could be exchanged by HIV-1 rev. In contrast, the rev gene products of all viruses efficiently activate HIV-2 and SIV from an African green monkey.

Base Sequence↗

Functional analysis of long terminal repeats derived from four strains of simian immunodeficiency virus SIVAGM in relation to other primate lentiviruses.

The promoter activity of long terminal repeats (LTRs) of four strains of the simian immunodeficiency virus isolated from African green monkeys (SIVAGM) was compared with those of various LTRs derived from the other representative primate lentiviruses: human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), type 2 (HIV-2), SIV from a rhesus monkey (SIVMAC), and SIV from a mandrill (SIVMND). The expression of the LTRs was evaluated by monitoring chloramphenicol acetyltransferase production after transfection of reporter plasmid clones. In the absence of viral tat, all SIVAGM LTRs acted as much more efficient promoters than any of the other LTRs. When tat gene products were supplied in trans, LTRs of SIVAGM and SIVMND were activated inefficiently relative to high responder LTRs of HIV-2 and SIVMAC. The LTR of HIV-1 was highly activated by HIV-1 tat, but not so much by HIV-2, SIVAGM, and SIVMND tat.

Animals↗

Intrathecal injections of galanin and its antiserum affect nociceptive response of rat to mechanical, but not thermal, stimuli.

To ascertain the involvement of galanin in nociceptive transmission in the spinal dorsal horn, we examined the effects of intrathecal injections of porcine galanin and its antiserum on behavioral nociceptive responses of the rat, using the paw-pressure and paw-radiant heat tests. An intrathecal injection of antiserum against porcine galanin reversed the decreased nociceptive threshold for mechanical, but not thermal, stimulation of the carrageenin-treated hind paw of rat, with no effect on the nociceptive threshold of the non-inflamed hind paw. Rat galanin as well as porcine galanin suppressed the binding of [125I]porcine galanin to the antiserum, a finding suggesting that the antiserum can bind rat galanin. An intrathecal injection of porcine galanin (0.1 and 1 nmol, but not 0.01 nmol) decreased the mechanical nociceptive threshold of the rat hind paw with no effect on thermal nociception. These results suggest that galanin present in the dorsal horn is involved in the facilitation of mechanical, but not thermal, nociceptive transmission.

Animals↗

4-Borono-2-[18F]fluoro-D,L-phenylalanine as a target compound for boron neutron capture therapy: tumor imaging potential with positron emission tomography.

We studied the tumor uptake and metabolism of 4-borono-2-[18F]fluoro-D,L-phenylalanine ([18F]FBPA), an 18F-labeled target compound for boron neutron capture therapy. In mice bearing FM3A mammary carcinoma, the accumulation of [18F]FBPA in the FM3A for the first 2 h, and its decrease in all other tissues, resulted in high FM3A-to-tissue uptake ratios. In the FM3A, the tracer was stable for metabolic alteration, which was in contrast to the gradual increase of protein-bound radioactivity in plasma. Imaging of FM3A was demonstrated by whole body autoradiography. [18F]FBPA has potential for use as a PET tracer for tumor imaging with high contrast, even in the pancreas.

Animals↗

Effect of a calcium-entry blocker, nicardipine, on intrarenal hemodynamics in essential hypertension.

The effects of a calcium-entry blocker, nicardipine, on intrarenal hemodynamics were studied in essential hypertension. A 4-week study was performed in eight patients with essential hypertension who were given a regular sodium diet in the first and third weeks, and a sodium-restricted diet in the second and fourth weeks. Nicardipine, 60 mg/d, was administered in the third and fourth weeks. The urinary sodium excretion rate (UNaV) was plotted on the y-axis against the mean arterial pressure (MAP) on the x-axis before and after the administration of nicardipine. Assuming the difference between MAP and the x-intercept of this renal function curve represents the effective filtration pressure across the glomerular capillaries, the intrarenal hemodynamics such as afferent arteriolar resistance (RA) and efferent arteriolar resistances (RE), glomerular pressure (PG), and gross filtration coefficient (KFG) were calculated. Although the MAP on regular salt diet was lowered from 125 +/- 3 to 109 +/- 2 mm Hg by nicardipine, neither the renal blood flow rate (RBF) (670 +/- 40 mL/min) nor the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (79 +/- 2 mL/min) was altered. The RA was estimated to be reduced from 9,300 +/- 900 to 7,400 +/- 700 dyne.s.cm-5 (P less than 0.01), while no changes were noted in RE (4,900 +/- 400 dyne.s.cm-5), PG (50 +/- 1 mm Hg), or KFG (0.180 +/- 0.041 [mL/s]/mm Hg). Essential hypertension has been characterized by a prominent increase in RA, resulting in maintenance of normal PG. This Ca-entry blocker worked to normalize intrarenal hemodynamics in essential hypertension by dilating afferent arterioles alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diet, Sodium-Restricted↗

Involvement of thromboxane A2, leukotrienes and free radicals in puromycin nephrosis in rats.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2), leukotrienes (LTs) and free radicals are considered to be possible mediators in the induction of glomerular injury and proteinuria. In this study, we examined the involvement of these three mediators and the protective effect of simultaneous inhibition of all three in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis in rats. A single intraperitoneal injection of PAN (100 mg/kg) induced massive proteinuria and enhanced production of TXA2 and LTs from arachidonic acid in renal cortical slices and renal glomeruli, and increased malondialdehyde levels in plasma, urine and renal cortex. Oral administration of CV-6504(HCl) (3 to 20 mg/kg/day, for 1 to 2 weeks), a novel treble inhibitor of TXA2 synthetase, 5-lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidation, dose-dependently attenuated PAN-induced proteinuria and the increases in these three mediators. Any single specific inhibitor (CV-4151, a TXA2 synthetase inhibitor; AA-861, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor; or CV-3611, a radical scavenger) or a combination of two inhibitors showed no or only a slight antiproteinuric effect, but the combination of all three inhibitors significantly reduced PAN-induced proteinuria. These results suggest that, these three mediators may be involved in the pathogenesis of PAN nephrosis and that CV-6504(HCl), which can simultaneously inhibit all three, may be a useful therapeutic agent for nephrosis.

Animals↗

Production and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies against the transmembrane protein of a human immunodeficiency virus type 2.

We established seven hybridoma clones producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the envelope transmembrane protein (TMP) of a Ghanian isolate of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2[GH-1]) from mice immunized with the detergent-disrupted purified whole virus. The MAbs were found to react with 35 kilodalton (kD) TMP of the HIV-2[GH-1] virus in a Western blot assay (WB). Two of these MAbs recognized 135 kD proteins in addition to TMP in the lysate of HIV-2[GH-1]-infected cells. Two other MAbs cross-reacted with viral components corresponding to TMPs of HIV-2ROD and SIVMAC isolates in a Western blot. Results of competitive binding assay suggest that there are at least three epitopes on a TMP molecule of the HIV-2[GH-1] isolate. The MAbs did not inhibit syncytium formation between HIV-2[GH-1]-infected MOLT-4 cells and MOLT-4 clone 8 cells, nor virus infection to MOLT-4 clone 8 cells.

Animals↗

Aspirin test for differentiation of unilateral renovascular hypertension from hyperreninemic essential hypertension.

Responses of renin release and blood pressure to aspirin DL-lysine (ASP) were examined to find out if the responses could help in the differentiation between unilateral renovascular hypertension (RVH) and hyperreninemic essential hypertension (EHT). The two studies involved ten patients with unilateral RVH, eight with hyperreninemic EHT, and five with hyporeninemic EHT. In a radiological study, before and 30 min after an intravenous injection of ASP (18 mg/kg), renal venous and abdominal aortic plasma was sampled and assayed for prostaglandin (PG) E2 and plasma renin activity (PRA). Systemic blood pressure was measured serially. The reproducibility of the responses to ASP was confirmed in a bedside study. In unilateral RVH, ASP suppressed renin release from the stenotic kidney and reduced the renal vein PRA ratio to less than 1.5 via the inhibition of PG synthesis, which is accelerated in that kidney. The mean suppression of aortic PRA at this dose of ASP was 35% in these patients, and their blood pressure decreased in proportion to the suppression of PRA. However, in the two EHT groups, ASP elevated the mean blood pressure. The renal synthesis of PGE2 was inhibited by ASP in all patients, but the suppression of PRA, while small, was significant (19% in the aorta) in the patients with hyperreninemic EHT, and not significant in patients with hyporeninemic EHT. The different responses of blood pressure and PRA to ASP between RVH and EHT were reproducible in the bedside study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Mineralization ability of cultured human osteoblast-like periosteal cells does not decline with aging.

Studies of the mechanisms of osteoporosis have not yet determined whether these conditions result from increased osteoclast activity or decreased osteoblast activity, or perhaps both. Osteoporosis is related to aging and to postmenopausal status. The function and the mitotic capacity of cultured human osteoblast-like cells were investigated in this study. The age at which these cells lose the ability to divide showed a strong negative correlation with donor age (r = .815, p less than .01). There was also significant correlation of maximum cell saturation density with donor age (r = .698, p less than .01). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization ability, typical functions of osteoblasts, continue undiminished up to the point at which mitotic capacity ceases. When cells were treated with 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 in the presence of 2 mM alpha-glycerophosphate, ALP activity and mineralization ability showed an increase, rather than a decrease, with advancing donor age. However, these functions showed no correlation with in vitro cell aging. We propose that human osteoblast-like cells from elderly subjects do not lose their functions of mineralization and ALP formation, and that loss of these functions with cell aging does not correlate with advancing age.

Adolescent↗

Protein rotation study of cytochrome P-450 in submitochondrial particles: effect of KCl and intermolecular interactions with redox partners.

The rotational diffusion of cytochrome P-450 in submitochondrial particles (SMP) of bovine adrenocortical mitochondria was measured by detecting the decay of absorption anisotropy, r(t), after photolysis of the heme.CO complex by a vertically polarized laser flash. Analysis of r(t) was based on a "rotation-about-membrane normal" model. The measurements were used to investigate the effect of KCl on intermolecular interactions involving cytochrome P-450 and to investigate the interactions of cytochrome P-450 with other redox partners. The rotational diffusion of cytochrome P-450 was significantly dependent on KCl concentration. When the KCl concentration was increased from 0 to 1,000 mM, the mobile population of cytochrome P-450 was increased from 33 to 82%. After removing the KCl, the mobile population of cytochrome P-450 returned to the original 33%. These results suggest that nonspecific protein aggregates are dissociated by the presence of KCl, possibly due to the change in electrostatic interactions, resulting in mobilization of cytochrome P-450. SMP were observed to be nearly free from adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase. The addition of adrenodoxin to SMP increased the mobile population of cytochrome P-450 from 35 to 54%. Further addition of adrenodoxin reductase to SMP containing adrenodoxin immobilized cytochrome P-450 by 6%. The addition of only adrenodoxin reductase to SMP, however, did not immobilize cytochrome P-450. The present results are consistent with our previous observations [Ohta, Y., Mitani, F., Ishimura, Y., Yanagibashi, K., Kawamura, M., & Kawato, S. (1990) J. Biochem. 107, 97-104] that cholesterol-bearing P-450SCC forms a transient ternary association with adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Early and delayed I-123 IMP SPECT in epileptic patients with partial seizures and normal CT.

Forty-six epileptic patients with partial seizures and normal CT underwent 48 examinations of early and delayed SPECT using I-123 IMP in the interictal phase. One of them underwent a follow-up SPECT in a more stable state compared to the first SPECT. Another patient, with informed consent, underwent a follow-up SPECT in combination with pharmacologic activation with bemegride. Early SPECT was performed 30 minutes after an IMP injection and delayed SPECT 4 to 4 1/2 hours later. Temporal changes in uptake pattern were visually classified into six types and compared with known patterns of SPECT uptake in relation to ischemic, hyperemic, and other changes. These were also correlated with the amount of epileptic activity seen on the EEG.

Adolescent↗

Differential effects of endothelin-1 and big endothelin on canine kidneys.

Renal effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1, human, 1-21) and the equivalent molar concentration of big ET (human, 1-38) and the contributions of prostaglandins and endothelium-derived relaxing factor to these actions were examined. Intrarenal infusion of ET-1, at a dose of 0.4 pmol/kg/min, decreased renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine output (V) to 62, 70, and 45% of control values, respectively. Additional aspirin-DL-lysine (ASP) treatment (25 mg/kg) caused marked decreases in RBF, GFR, and V to 20, 14, and 9% of control values, respectively. During ET-1 infusion, intrarenal infusion of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 1 mumol/min) caused decreases in RBF, GFR, and V. In another group, intrarenal infusion of big ET at a dose equivalent to that of ET-1 did not significantly affect RBF, GFR, or urine output, which were 95, 107, and 84% of control values, respectively. Additional ASP treatment decreased these values to 78, 69, and 52% of control values, respectively. L-NMMA infusion during big ET infusion showed little effect on renal function. Our study demonstrated that intrarenal infusion of ET-1, at a dose of 0.4 pmol/kg/min, caused significant hemodynamic and functional changes in the canine kidney compared with an equivalent molar concentration of big ET.

Animals↗

The inhibitory effects of oligonucleotides, complementary to Marek's disease virus mRNA transcribed from the BamHI-H region, on the proliferation of transformed lymphoblastoid cells, MDCC-MSB1.

An oligonucleotide complementary to the splice donor sequence of the 1.8 kb gene family produced from the BamHI-H region of Marek's disease virus (MDV) DNA inhibited the proliferation of the MDV-derived lymphoblastoid cell line, MDCC-MSB1 (MSB-1), but not that of the avian lymphoid leukosis-derived lymphoblastoid cell line, LSCC-BK3. Colony formation in soft agar was also inhibited by treatment of MSB-1 cells with the antisense oligonucleotide. It is hypothesized that expression of the 1.8 kb gene family produced from the BamHI-H region is directly associated with the maintenance of the tumorigenic state of transformed Marek's disease-derived lymphoblastoid cells.

Animals↗

Generation of a chimeric human and simian immunodeficiency virus infectious to monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We constructed five chimeric clones between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVMAC) and four SIVMAC mutants by recombinant DNA techniques. Three chimeric clones and all mutants with an alteration in either the vif, vpx, vpr, or nef gene were infectious to human CD4-positive cell lines. The susceptibility of macaque monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to infection by these mutants and chimeras was examined in vitro. Macaque PBMC supported the replication of wild-type and vpx, vpr, and nef mutant SIVMAC strains. A chimera carrying the long terminal repeats (LTRs), gag, pol, vif, and vpx of SIVMAC and tat, rev, vpu, and env of HIV-1 was also replication competent in PBMC. In contrast, HIV-1, the vif mutant of SIVMAC, a chimera containing rev and env of SIVMAC, and a chimera containing vpx, vpr, tat, rev, and env of SIVMAC did not grow in PBMC. Western immunoblotting analysis of the replicating chimera in PBMC confirmed the hybrid nature of the virus. These data strongly suggested that the sequence important for macaque cell tropism lies within the LTR, gag, pol, and/or vif sequences of the SIVMAC genome.

Animals↗

Intrarenal hemodynamics in patients with essential hypertension.

Intrarenal hemodynamics were estimated clinically in essential hypertension. Two-week studies were performed in 30 patients with essential hypertension who were given a regular sodium diet in the first week and a sodium-restricted diet in the second week. Intrarenal hemodynamic parameters such as afferent arteriolar (preglomerular) resistance, efferent arteriolar resistance, and glomerular hydrostatic pressure were calculated from renal clearances and plasma total protein concentration measured on the last day of the regular sodium diet. Calculations were based on Gomez's equations with the assumption that the gross filtration coefficient of glomerular capillaries was normal. The increase in afferent arteriolar resistance (8,100 +/- 500 dyne.sec.cm-5) was significantly correlated with an elevation in mean arterial pressure (120 +/- 2 mm Hg), whereas glomerular pressure (56 +/- 1 mm Hg) and efferent arteriolar resistance (2,500 +/- 100 dyne.sec.cm-5) remained normal. The renal function curve (pressure-natriuresis relation) was drawn by plotting urinary sodium excretion on the y axis as a function of mean arterial pressure on the x axis, both of which were measured on the last 3 days of each week. The extrapolated x intercept (107 +/- 2 mm Hg) of the renal function curve was strongly correlated in a 1:1 fashion with the sum of the arterial pressure drop from the aorta to the renal glomeruli plus the opposing pressures against glomerular filtration at glomeruli (r = 0.7, p less than 0.001) on the regular sodium diet, suggesting that the difference between mean arterial pressure on the regular sodium diet and the extrapolated x intercept represented the effective filtration pressure across the glomerular capillaries on the regular sodium diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Heterogeneous mutations in the human lipoprotein lipase gene in patients with familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency.

The DNA sequences were determined for the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene from five unrelated Japanese patients with familial LPL deficiency. The results demonstrated that all five patients are homozygotes for distinct point mutations dispersed throughout the LPL gene. Patient 1 has a G-to-A transition at the first nucleotide of intron 2, which abolishes normal splicing. Patient 2 has a nonsense mutation in exon 3 (Tyr61----Stop) and patient 3 in exon 8 (Trp382----Stop). The latter mutation emphasizes the importance of the carboxy-terminal portion of the enzyme in the expression of LPL activity. Missense mutations were identified in patient 4 (Asp204----Glu) and patient 5 (Arg243----His) in the strictly conserved amino acids. Expression study of both mutant genes in COS-1 cells produced inactive enzymes, establishing the functional significance of the two mis-sense mutations. In these patients, postheparin plasma LPL mass was either virtually absent (patients 1 and 2) or significantly decreased (patients 3-5). To detect these mutations more easily, we developed a rapid diagnostic test for each mutation. We also determined the DNA haplotypes for patients and confirmed the occurrence of multiple mutations on the chromosomes with an identical haplotype. These results demonstrate that familial LPL deficiency is a heterogeneous genetic disease caused by a wide variety of gene mutations.

Adolescent↗

Effects of MCI-727, a new antiulcer agent, on various gastric and duodenal lesions in experimental animals.

Effects of a new antiulcer drug, MCI-727, on gastric and duodenal lesions, gastric secretion and gastric motility were studied in comparison with cimetidine and teprenone. MCI-727 dose-dependently (3-100 mg/kg, p.o. or i.d.) inhibited the development of acute gastric or duodenal lesions such as pyrolus ligation-, water-immersion stress-, indomethacin-, HCl-, HCl-ethanol-induced gastric lesions and cysteamine-induced duodenal lesions in rats and histamine-induced duodenal lesions in guinea pigs. These antiulcer effects exceeded those of cimetidine or teprenone. Repeated administration of MCI-727 (0.3-3 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 10 days) significantly promoted the spontaneous healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers. Concerning gastric acid secretion, MCI-727 selectively inhibited tetragastrin-stimulated acid secretion without effecting basal acid secretion and acid secretion by other stimuli. Cimetidine and teprenone inhibited acid secretion in several cases. MCI-727 and teprenone had inhibitory effects on gastric motility, although cimetidine had no effect. These results suggest that MCI-727 has a wide spectrum of antiulcer activity, and its mode of antiulcer action is different from that of cimetidine or teprenone.

Animals↗

Effects of MCI-727, a new anti-ulcer agent, on plasma secretin concentration in rats and dogs and pancreatic exocrine secretion in rats.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of MCI-727, a new anti-ulcer agent, on plasma immunoreactive secretin concentration in rats and dogs using secretin specific RIA with the ethanol extraction method. Plasma secretin levels were increased dose-dependently 10 min after oral administration of MCI-727 in rats (control: 5.5 +/- 0.6; MCI-727, 10 mg/kg: 10.4 +/- 2.6; 30 mg/kg: 15.3 +/- 1.5; 100 mg/kg: 20.7 +/- 2.6 pg/ml, n = 6). Teprenone also caused a significant increase of plasma secretin at 10 min after oral administration at the doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. Under the same conditions, MCI-727 and teprenone did not alter the plasma immunoreactive gastrin concentration in rats. From the results of the time course study, the increasing effect of MCI-727 (30 mg/kg, p.o.) on plasma secretin remained for at least 240 min after administration. On the other hand, the increasing effect of teprenone (200 mg/kg, p.o.) was only observed at 30 and 60 min after administration. Furthermore, MCI-727 had increasing effects on plasma secretin concentration in dogs, but teprenone had no effects in this species. The volume of pancreatic secretion and the pancreatic bicarbonate output increased after intra-duodenal administration of MCI-727 at 30 and 100 mg/kg in rats. Similar effects were also observed with teprenone (30-300 mg/kg, i.d.) or secretin (Secrepan, 0.1-1.0 unit/kg, i.v.).

Administration, Oral↗