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Biomedical subjects

M Matsui

Publications and source records attributed to M Matsui.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Seronegative myasthenia gravis associated with atonic urinary bladder and accommodative insufficiency.

We report a 20-year-old female with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) who developed atonic urinary bladder and accommodative insufficiency. Although her sera did not contain antibodies to either nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or voltage-gated calcium channels, a positive intravenous edrophonium test and a waning phenomenon on electromyographic studies indicated a diagnosis of seronegative MG. Myasthenic symptoms as well as urinary incontinence and impaired near vision disappeared with slight sequelae after corticosteroid therapy and total removal of the hyperplastic thymus. These symptoms recurred during a tapering course of corticosteroids, and improved again with an increased dose. Therefore, in this patient, the neuromuscular transmission of muscarinic type of AChR in the smooth muscles was also affected. This patient provides insight into the mechanisms by which some smooth muscles are involved in MG.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Identification of novel CD23 transcripts on human T and B lymphocytes and eosinophil cell line.

The main aim of the present studies was to investigate the structure of the human low-affinity IgE Fc receptor (CD23) present on T and B lymphoid cells and eosinophil cell line. A novel finding in these studies has been the detection and sequence analysis of CD23 transcripts in human T lymphocytes. These studies have established that some of the human T-cell populations analyzed express CD23 mRNA and that its structure is quite similar to that previously described for human B lymphocytes. A second major finding in these studies is that some human T- and B-cell lines and eosinophil cell line contain multiple forms of CD23 transcripts. These appear to be generated via alternative splicing, resulting in transcripts that may encode a truncated, possibly secretory form of CD23. These findings in human T and B lymphocytes and eosinophils provide new information about the structure of lymphocyte CD23 and suggest that alternative processing of transcripts generates CD23 mRNA that encodes CD23 isoforms. These studies are the first experimental evidence showing that CD23 isoforms may occur in the human and are the first direct evidence for production of CD23 by human T lymphocytes. In addition, these studies provide the first experimental evidence that T and B lymphocytes express CD23 transcripts lacking exon 3-encoded sequences, raising the possibility that a secretory form of CD23 may be synthesized by human T and B lymphocytes, and eosinophils.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Indocyanine green videoangiographic findings in detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Several forms of retinal pigment epithelial detachment have been reported. The authors used indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography, which is useful to study the choroidal vasculature and Bruch membrane, to study pigment epithelial detachments. METHODS: Ninety-eight pigment epithelial detachments in 75 eyes were classified based on the appearance of choroidal neovascular membranes or late phase findings of ICG videoangiography done at the initial examination. The authors also followed the evolution of 51 such detachments not associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). RESULTS: Sixty-four pigment epithelial detachments without CNV were divided into five groups. Among eyes with pigment epithelial detachments that showed intense hyperfluorescence, all except one of the patients had both eyes involved and had several pigment epithelial detachments, sometimes with exudative retinal detachments. Weak hyperfluorescence was observed more often in younger patients. During follow-up of eyes with pigment epithelial detachments that showed irregular hypofluorescence, a neovascular membrane developed in one eye, microrips developed in four eyes and retinochoroidal folds in one eye. Most eyes that showed irregular hyperfluorescence developed atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium. In 34 pigment epithelial detachments with CNV, either irregular hypofluorescence or absence of fluorescence was observed in areas that corresponded to the pigment epithelial detachment. CONCLUSION: The intense hyperfluorescence is thought to be due to the accumulation of protein-rich fluid within the pigment epithelial detachment. Most pigment epithelial detachments that showed weak fluorescence probably represent variants of central serous choroidopathy. Pigment epithelial detachments that showed irregular hypofluorescence or hyperfluorescence were associated with age-related macular degeneration, and the former was correlated closely with CNV. Close follow-up therefore is recommended for eyes with pigment epithelial detachments that show irregular hypofluorescence.

Adult↗

Use of monoclonal antibody to detect bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4).

A monoclonal antibody that reacts with murine and human bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) has been developed using recombinant BMP-4 as an immunogen. The antibody that bound most tightly to recombinant murine (rm)BMP-4 was selected, subcloned, and characterized. The specificity of the antibody was confirmed using Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antibody reacts with murine and human BMP-4 in both the reduced and nonreduced condition; however, this antibody shows cross-reactivity with neither human BMP-2 nor TGF-beta 1. Thus, the produced antibody could recognize the disulfide-linked dimeric structure of bioactive BMP-4, regardless of the species. Immunocytochemical study using this antibody successfully shows the cytosolic localization of BMP-4 in osteoinductive cells; i.e., BFO and Saos-2 in which the level of mRNA for BMP-4 was proved to be constitutively high by Northern blot analysis. In addition, the antibody could demonstrate the presence of BMP-4 in developmental bone formation in the alveolar bone of rat embryo by immunohistochemistry. The antibody could be used for a more sensitive approach for quantitative analysis of BMP-4.

Animals↗

Establishment and structural analysis of human mAb to the E2 component of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex generated from a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis.

We established one Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell hybrid clone producing human mAb of the IgG class to the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC) for the first time from the peripheral B lymphocytes of a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This mAb, designated mAbM37GO37, specifically bound to OGDC and its dissociation constant with OGDC was calculated to be 3.70 x 10(-10) mol/l. mAbM37GO37 stained murine stomach/kidney cryostat sections in a typical immunofluorescence pattern of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA). Western blotting analysis revealed that mAbM37GO37 reacted with an E2 component of OGDC but not with other components of OGDC nor pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). Furthermore, mAbM37GO37 completely inhibited the enzymatic activity of OGDC. In order to determine the structure and genetic origin of anti-OGDC autoantibody, we cloned and sequenced the Ig heavy and light chain variable regions of mAbM37GO37. This mAb used the VHIII family member, V3-7, and the V kappa IV family member. The amino acid difference between the expressed V genes of this mAb and respective putative germline genes was concentrated within the complementarity determining regions (CDR) rather than the framework regions (FR). The R:S mutation ratio was high in the CDR and low in the FR. These features suggested that the immune response to OGDC is similar to that to exogenous antigen, and that the heavy and light chain variable regions of the anti-OGDC antibody undergo somatic hypermutation through antigen-driven clonal selection. This human mAb to OGDC, which was established for the first time from a patient with PBC and characterized at the molecular level, would be a valuable tool to study the B cell autoepitopes of OGDC, to clone as yet undetermined full length cDNA encoding OGDC and to dissect the autoimmune response to mitochondrial antigens in PBC.

Adult↗

Mapping of rat bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase gene (Ugt1a1) to chromosome region 9q35-->q36.

Bilirubin and phenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are located on the same chromosome and comprise the UGT1 gene complex. A 1,763-bp cDNA probe (UGT1*0) specific for rat liver bilirubin UGT was used to localize the UGT1 complex locus (Ugt1a1) to chromosome region 9q35-->q36 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. This assignment is the first report on the location of a gene of the rat UGT1 complex using high-resolution banded metaphase chromosomes.

Animals↗

Assessment of MRI criteria for MS in Japanese MS and HAM/TSP.

We evaluated the usefulness of the MRI criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) proposed by Paty et al and Fazekas et al in 36 Japanese MS patients, using HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM)/tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) as the control. Although 30 of 36 HAM/TSP patients had multiple white matter lesions on T2-weighted cranial MRI, only two fulfilled the MRI criteria for MS. At the same time, 31 of the 36 MS patients fulfilled the primary MRI criterion, yielding 93% specificity and 86% sensitivity for the criterion. MS has disease-specific MRI abnormalities.

Brain↗

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulate the development of bovine embryos fertilized in vitro.

To study the effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on early development of bovine embryos, one-cell embryos were cultured in a chemically defined, protein-free medium: modified synthetic oviduct fluid. The addition of 10 micrograms/ml insulin or 20 ng/ml IGF-I increased the percentage of morulae at Day 5 (5 days after insemination). The cell number of blastocysts which developed after 2 days culture of morulae obtained at Day 5 was increased by supplementation with insulin or IGF-I. The combination of insulin and IGF-I had neither additive nor synergistic effect on the embryonic development. These results clearly show that insulin and IGF-I improve the in vitro development of bovine embryos.

Animals↗

Stimulatory effects of insulin on the development of bovine embryos fertilized in vitro.

To obtain information about the effects of insulin on the development of bovine embryos, fertilized bovine embryos in vitro were cultured in a chemically defined, protein-free medium: modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) supplemented with 1 mg/ml polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The percentage of embryos reaching the morula stage was not affected by the addition of 5 micrograms/ml insulin alone, but insulin showed a beneficial synergistic effect with amino acids (AAs) on the embryonic development to morula. Supplementation of insulin (1-100 micrograms/ml) with mSOF+AAs did not improve the percentage of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage. However, a significant increase in cell numbers of blastocysts was observed with the addition of 1 mM glucose and 1 or 10 micrograms/ml insulin from the morula stage. These results show that insulin has a beneficial effect on the preimplantation development of bovine embryos in the presence of AAs and/or glucose, and suggest that insulin improves embryonic development by stimulating AAs transport and/or glucose uptake.

Animals↗

Peripheral B lymphocyte repertoire to mitochondrial antigen in primary biliary cirrhosis--positive correlation between the disease activity and the frequency of circulating B lymphocytes specific for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

B lymphocytes committed to the production of IgG antibodies (Abs) to mitochondrial antigen such as pyruvate dehydrogenase complex(PDC) were quantitated in the peripheral blood of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) using Epstein-Barr virus as a polyclonal activator of human B lymphocytes. B lymphocytes committed to the production of IgG Abs to PDC were found in high frequency in patients with PBC(0.54 +/- 0.16%, mean value +/- SE, of total IgG-producing B lymphocytes) in contrast to type C chronic hepatitis and healthy subjects in which they were less than 0.01%. The frequency of these B lymphocytes specific for PDC increased in parallel to the progression of the Scheuer's stage from I to II (stage I: 0.35 +/- 0.23%, stage II: 1.04 +/- 0.32%), but decreased with further progression to stage IV (stage III: 0.39 +/- 0.21%, stage IV: 0.07 +/- 0.06%). In addition, B lymphocytes specific for PDC decreased in the peripheral blood during the administration of cyclosporin A; this was accompanied by an improvement of lymphocyte infiltration severity in the liver. These data indicate that B lymphocytes specific for PDC are present in the peripheral blood of patients with PBC and their frequency reflects the degree of the lymphocyte infiltration in the liver.

Adult↗

Biological activity of (all-E)-beta-apo-12'-carotenoic acid and the geometrical isomers on human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60.

(all-E)-beta-Apo- 12'-carotenoic acid and a series of the geometrical isomers were synthesized and their biological activities to inhibit growth and to induce differentiation of human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 were analyzed. It was found that (all-E)-beta-apo- 12'-carotenoic acid (I, Fig. 1) and (15' -Z)-apo- 12'-carotenoic acid (II, Fig. 1) showed strong activity both in inhibition of growth and the induction of differentiation. The biological activity of (13'-Z)-beta-apo- 12'-carotenoic acid (III, Fig. 1) was modest, while that of (13', 15'-di-Z)-beta-apo- 12'-carotenoic acid (IV, Fig. 1) was negligible. (all-E)-beta-Apo- 12'-carotenoic acid and the geometrical isomers acted additively with (all-E)-retinoic acid, and synergetically with (9-Z)-retinoic acid. In accord with our previous report, biological activities of (all-E)-beta-apo- 14'-carotenoic acid (V, Fig. 1) and of (15-Z)-beta-apo- 14'-carotenoic acid (VI, Fig. 1) were very weak. It was indicated that (all-E)-beta-apo- 12'-carotenoic acid, an intermediate metabolite of excentric cleavage pathway of beta-carotene, per se may exert the biological function.

Carotenoids↗

[A case of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with congenital cataract and mental retardation].

A 6-year-old boy with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN), congenital cataract and mental retardation was reported. The condition commenced with distal weakness and wasting of lower limbs. Subsequently marked right pes cavus and equinovarus deformity appeared. Motor and sensory conduction velocities in the limbs were slowed. Pathological examination of biopsied sural nerve showed significant loss of large myelinated fibers. Neither demyelination nor onion bulbs were observed. For clinical and neuropathological findings, the present case did not fit in with previously reported cases of HMSN. The case was classified as a new variant of HMSN type II.

Cataract↗

Effects of supplementation of the maturation media with insulin on in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementation of the maturation media with insulin on in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine oocytes. In Experiment 1, cumulus-intact bovine oocytes were cultured in a maturation medium (TCM-199 containing 10% fetal calf serum, 0.02 U/ml follicular stimulating hormone and 1 microgram/ml estradiol-17 beta) with or without insulin supplementation (10 micrograms/ml). The maturation and fertilization rates of oocytes and subsequent embryonic development to the blastocyst stage were not affected by the treatment with insulin in the presence of serum and the hormones during the maturation period. In Experiment 2, to avoid the effects of serum and the hormones, a serum- and hormone-free maturation medium (TCM-199 containing 1 mg/ml polyvinyl alcohol) was used. In the absence of serum and hormones during the maturation period, the maturation rate was not affected by treatment with insulin, but the fertilization rate was improved. In Experiment 3, when denuded oocytes were inseminated together with cumulus cells cultured in serum- and hormone-free maturation medium supplemented with insulin, the fertilization rate was increased. These results demonstrate that the addition of insulin to the serum- and hormone-free maturation medium improves the fertilization rate of bovine oocytes in vitro, and suggest that insulin may stimulate the secretion of sperm capacitating agent (s) from cumulus cells.

Animals↗

[High-resolution MR imaging of the mediastinum and hilus of the lung using surface-coils].

High-resolution MR imaging using surface-coils (Helmholtz-coil) was performed on patients with hilar lung cancer and healthy volunteers. We evaluated the clinical usefulness of this technique compared with MR imaging performed with a conventional body-coil. Although the signal-to-noise ratio was slightly decreased, normal anatomic structures, hilar masses, and enlarged lymph nodes were distinctly visualized in comparison with those on MR images obtained with a body-coil. High-resolution MR imaging with the Helmholtz-coil seemed to be useful for the evaluation of mediastinal and hilar disease, and may able to supplant MR imaging with a conventional body-coil in routine examinations.

Humans↗

[Blood flow pattern in pulmonary atelectasis with color Doppler flow imaging].

Blood flow pattern in the lesion was evaluated in 4 patients with pulmonary atelectasis by color Doppler flow imaging synchronized electrocardiography. The pulsatile signal and triphasic signal were detected, whereas the continuous signal was not. It seemed that in pulmonary atelectasis the pulsatile signal was the blood flow signal in the pulmonary artery and the triphasic signal was the blood flow signal in the pulmonary vein.

Aged↗

Cultured mouse keratinocyte allografts prime for accelerated second set rejection and enhanced cytotoxic lymphocyte response.

It has been reported that cultured keratinocyte (CK) allografts are not rejected in mice, unlike in other species. Several reports have suggested that mouse CK allografts are incapable of stimulating a primary alloresponse, including sensitization of recipients to alloantigens. In this study, we investigated the immunogenicity of mouse CK allografts in vivo by determining whether CK allografts primed for a second set rejection response. First, we grafted mice with either CK allografts, CK autografts, full-thickness (FT) allografts, or no graft at all. We then regrafted mice 4 weeks later with a tail skin allograft. Mice grafted with CK allografts rejected second allografts as rapidly and as vigorously as mice grafted with FT flank allografts. Next, we tested whether CK allograft primed recipients for enhanced CTL responses. We found that mice grafted with CK allografts generated a significantly enhanced CTL alloreactive response after in vitro stimulation. The response was similar to that of mice grafted with FT skin allografts. With evidence that CK allografts primed, we biopsied wounds immediately after CK allografting and, using Western immunoblotting, found that CK allografts had substantial expression of MHC class II antigens in vivo. We conclude from the results of our studies that mouse CK allografts unequivocally prime recipients to alloantigens in vivo and suggest that a possible mechanism for alloantigen priming may be CK allograft expression of MHC class II antigens.

Animals↗