Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Morimatsu

Publications and source records attributed to M Morimatsu.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Central IL-1 differentially regulates peripheral IL-6 and TNF synthesis.

Centrally given interleukin (IL)-1 is known to induce a rapid rises in blood IL-6. To extend this and to examine the mechanism by which this occurs, the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of human recombinant IL-1 beta on mRNA expression of IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the spleen and liver were examined in rats. I.c.v. injection of IL-1 produced a rapid rise of the tissue mRNA levels of Il-6 and TNF in both organs, prior to and/or in parallel with an increase in their serum levels. Pretreatment with chlorisondamine, a ganglionic blocking agent, inhibited the Il-6 responses, while it had little influence on the TNF responses. The results suggest that brain IL-1 induces peripheral production of IL-6, but not of TNF, through autonomic nervous system activation.

Animals↗

High-signal basal ganglia on T1-weighted images in a patient with Sydenham's chorea.

We report a 16-year-old girl with Sydenham's chorea. Choreiform movements involved both sides of her body. MRI 2 months after the onset revealed abnormal increased signal on T2-weighted images and enlargement of the caudate and putamen bilaterally. MRI 5 months later showed resolution of the swelling, but with increased signal on T1-weighted images in the putamen, globus pallidus and the head of the caudate nucleus bilaterally, with slightly increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images.

Adolescent↗

IL-6 in a pleomorphic type of malignant fibrous histiocytoma presenting high fever.

We describe a rare case of pleomorphic type of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in the buttock that presented a systemic involvement. The case was of a 58-year-old woman presenting hepatic dysfunction and inflammatory reactions including fever, positive C-reactive protein (CRP), an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and high levels of platelets and ferritin. The fever of 3 months duration subsided on the first postoperative day. The MFH resection also brought rapid normalization in CRP, platelets, and leukocytes. The local and systemic productions of cytokines induced by this tumor were evaluated. In vivo and in vitro production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha by tumor cells were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood samples taken preoperatively, tumor tissues, and the primary culture medium showed extraordinarily high IL-6 levels. The plasma IL-6 level was normalized postoperatively. Immunohistochemistry showed the positivity of tumor cells for IL-6. The IL-6 produced by the tumor was concluded to have been responsible for the systemic illness.

Buttocks↗

Response to platelet-derived growth factor by phenotypically different cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells.

We investigated the effects of PDGF on DNA synthesis and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity, and demonstrated that the adult intimal SMC was concentration-dependently stimulated by all PDGF isoforms in terms of both [3H]thymidine incorporation and MAP kinase activation, with PDGF-BB and -AB being more potent than PDGF-AA. The intimal SMCs and the neonatal SMCs showed a similar response with regard to MAP kinase activation. On the other hand, the intimal SMCs expressed many more PDGF receptors than the adult medial SMCs, which expressed a greater amount of PDGF-A chain mRNA and showed a lesser response to PDGFs. These results suggest that the intimal SMCs have a relatively high potential to react to exogenous PDGFs, whereas the adult medial SMCs depend on endogenous or autocrine secretion of PDGF-AA.

Adult↗

Muscle weakness in Parkinson's disease: isokinetic study of the lower limbs.

Isokinetic strength of knee extension and flexion was measured at two speeds of movement in 23 patients with Parkinson's disease, to clarify whether muscle weakness is inherent to the disease. To counteract normal variation among subjects, we selected patients with symptoms completely or largely confined to one side and compared sides for each patient. The affected side was weaker than the other in both slow and fast movements early in the disease. In more advanced disease, the difference between sides diminished at the slow speed but remained significant at the faster speed. These observations suggest that weakness is inherent to Parkinson's disease and influenced by movement speed.

Aged↗

Comparison of amino acid sequence of the C-terminal domain of insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) in livestock mammals.

The nucleotide sequence of cDNA coding the 38-amino acid of the C-terminal domain of insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) was determined by the method of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the sheep, goat and pig, and compared with that of bovine which have been shown to have a unique amino acid conversion of Asn508 to His. The deduced amino acid sequence was completely identical in the three species, and did not have the amino acid conversion at position 508. Western blot analysis confirmed that an antiserum raised against a rat C-terminal peptide cross-reacted efficiently with GLUT4 of these livestock mammals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clinicopathologic study of multiple primary superficial carcinoma of the esophagus.

Endoscopic examination with iodine staining has led to the easy detection of multiple superficial esophageal carcinoma (MSEC). The purpose of this study was to better understand the characteristics of MSEC. Of 49 patients with multiple esophageal carcinomas, 19 had superficial carcinoma. Multiple esophageal carcinomas were more often found in superficial carcinomas (31.1%) than in advanced carcinomas (14.4%). Comparing the depth of invasion of multiple esophageal carcinomas, the secondary lesions represented relatively early stages. Ki-67-positive cells were seen significantly more frequently in the main lesion of MSEC than in the secondary lesions, but proliferating cell nuclear antigen positivity and p53 expression did not differ significantly. Since multiple carcinoma occurs more frequently, care should be taken to look for small secondary lesions when treating superficial esophageal carcinoma. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry suggested that tumor cells proliferate more slowly in secondary lesions than in main lesions of MSEC.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fibroblast growth factor-2 and -9 regulate proliferation and production of matrix metalloproteinases in human gliomas.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling has been recognized in human gliomas. We tested the effect of FGF-2 and FGF-9 on the proliferation and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitor (TIMP-1) in vitro. Both FGFs showed mitogenic activity on U251MG and NMC-G1 cells. MMP-1 expression and collagenolytic activity of NMC-G1 but not of U251MG, and TIMP-1 expression of both cells were stimulated by FGFs. MMP-2 expression, gelatinolytic activity, and chemoinvasion on the matrigel were not altered. FGFs may regulate proliferation and microenvironmental factors independently in each glioma type.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Cytologic and genetic study of polyomavirus-infected or polyomavirus-activated cells in human urine.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a morphologic and genetic study of human polyomavirus infection or activation in child and adult urine specimens. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study was carried out on 16 urine samples from children with human polyomavirus infection and 104 samples from adults with virus activation identified among 18800 consecutive urine samples (0.64%). RESULTS: All specimens from children showed numerous typical intranuclear inclusion-bearing (INIB) cells. All adult specimens with cytological features similar to childhood specimens were defined as type 1 adult cases. We identified 14 adult cases with marked immunologic suppression as type 1 cases. The inclusions were large, homogeneous, and basophilic, and they were mainly attributable to the BK virus, as demonstrated by a polymerase chain reaction. These infected or activated cells revealed features demonstrating their origin in the superficial transitional epithelium of the urinary tract. Adult cases with different cytologic features were designated as type 2 adult cases. In type 2 adult cases, the number of virus-activated cells was lower, and degenerated intranuclear inclusion-bearing cells with a coarse chromatin pattern were observed in most cases. These characteristics were identified in 90 adults without immunologic suppression. A polymerase chain reaction with BamHI digestion demonstrated JC virus DNA in nearly all of these specimens. CONCLUSION: The JC virus-activated cells found in type 2 adult cases and the BK virus-infected cells found in childhood cases were not of clinical importance. However, the BK virus-activated cells associated with immunologic suppression may have prognostic significance.

Adult↗

Adrenergic activation of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression in rat brown adipose tissue: implication in cold-induced angiogenesis.

Cold exposure produces adaptive hyperplasia and growth of brown adipose tissue (BAT), the major site of non-shivering thermogenesis in rodents, associated with increased angiogenesis in this tissue. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the most potent angiogenic factors, was found to be expressed abundantly in BAT of the rat. When rats were exposed to cold at 4 degrees C, the VEGF mRNA level in BAT was increased by 2-3-fold in 1-4 h, but returned to the basal level within 24 h. VEGF expression in other tissues such as heart, kidney and lung did not change after cold exposure. The cold-induced increase in VEGF mRNA was abolished by surgical sympathetic denervation, but mimicked by administration of noradrenaline or a beta3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316,243, indicating the critical role of the beta-adrenergic pathway in VEGF expression in BAT. Among three isoforms of VEGF, the mRNA of a short form (VEGF120) lacking heparin-binding activity was preferentially increased after cold exposure and treatment with the adrenergic agonists. These results suggest that cold exposure activates the sympathetic nerves and leads to a rapid increase in synthesis of VEGF in BAT, which in turn stimulates the proliferation of surrounding vascular endothelial cells.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Immobilization stress increases hepatic IL-6 expression in mice.

When mice were subjected to restriction of movement in a small cylinder (immobilization stress), the serum interleukin (IL)-6 level rose in 1 h, following increased expression of IL-6 mRNA in both the liver and the spleen. The IL-6 mRNA induction was much greater in the liver than in the spleen when compared on a whole-organ basis. Intraperitoneal injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) also increased IL-6 mRNA expression in these organs, but more preferentially in the spleen. Immunohistochemical examinations of liver tissue using an antibody against murine IL-6 revealed that immobilization stress induced IL-6 mainly in hepatic parenchymal cells, whereas LPS injection did so only in sinusoidal mononuclear cells. These results indicate that immobilization stress induces IL-6 production in the liver, especially in hepatic parenchymal cells, probably by a different mechanism from that for IL-6 induction by LPS.

Animals↗

Embryonic lethality and radiation hypersensitivity mediated by Rad51 in mice lacking Brca2.

Inherited mutations in the human BRCA2 gene cause about half of the cases of early-onset breast cancer. The embryonic expression pattern of the mouse Brca2 gene is now defined and an interaction identified of the Brca2 protein with the DNA-repair protein Rad51. Developmental arrest in Brca2-deficient embryos, their radiation sensitivity, and the association of Brca2 with Rad51 indicate that Brca2 may be an essential cofactor in the Rad51-dependent DNA repair of double-strand breaks, thereby explaining the tumour-suppressor function of Brca2.

3T3 Cells↗

Expression of stem cell factor in human aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

It has been confirmed that the receptor protein encoded by the c-kit proto-oncogene is expressed by cells of the hematopoietic, gonadal, pigment, and mast cell lineages and that its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), is mainly expressed in their microenvironment. In a previous study we investigated the expression of the c-kit gene in human aortic endothelial cells (EC). In the present study we investigated the expression of SCF in human aortic EC and smooth muscle cells (SMC). Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Northern blot analyses showed that both human arterial EC and SMC expressed mRNA specific for the SCF gene. In addition, tissue-specific expression of the SCF gene was confirmed by in situ hybridization in the EC and the SMC. Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry showed evidence of production of SCF protein in both the EC and the SMC. These results indicate the existence of mast cell-SMC interaction and of an autocrine loop of c-kit and its ligand on the surface of EC, suggesting that the interaction between c-kit protein and SCF may play an important role in metabolism of arterial wall and in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in the arterial intima.

Animals↗

Inhibition of intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury by antibodies to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1.

BACKGROUND: Although intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is known to be expressed in balloon-injured arteries, it remains unknown whether ICAM-1 plays a role in the progression of intimal hyperplasia (IH) induced by balloon injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the ICAM-1 expression in rat carotid arteries at 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after injury by immunohistochemistry. Medial smooth muscle cells (SMC) expressed ICAM-1 intensely at 1 to 2 days after injury. The regenerating endothelial cells expressed ICAM-1 more than did those of intact carotid arteries. To investigate the effects of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on IH, we examined the intima/ medial ratio of arteries at 2 weeks after injury in five treatment groups: nonimmune IgG, anti-membrane glycoprotein MAb, anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) MAb, anti-ICAM-1 MAb, and anti-ICAM/LFA-1 MAb. Treatments were administered intravenously into rats for 6 consecutive days after injury. MAb against LFA-1 alone or membrane glycoprotein had no effect on IH. The intima/media ratios in anti-ICAM-1 MAb-treated and anti-ICAM-1/LFA-1 MAb-treated animals were significantly less than those in nonimmune IgG-treated and anti-membrane glycoprotein MAb-treated animals (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon injury induced or upregulated the ICAM-1 expression on vascular SMC and on regenerating endothelial cells. MAb against ICAM-1 or ICAM-1/LFA-1 attenuated IH. These results suggest that ICAM-1 may play a role in the progression of IH after injury in rats.

Animals↗

The effect of radioimmunotherapy using murine monoclonal antibody KIS1 on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-bearing nude mice.

The monoclonal antibody (MoAb) KIS1 has been shown to react specifically with an antigen of human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); however, a major problem in its clinical application is that the intact murine antibody induces a human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA). To overcome this problem, we produced the KIS1 F(ab')2 fragment, then radioiodinated the intact KIS1 antibody and its F(ab')2 fragment. Nude mice bearing human esophageal SCC implants were injected with 100 microCi of 131I-intact KIS1 or 131I-KIS1 F(ab')2, and images were obtained using a gamma camera. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) was performed by injecting the tumor-bearing nude mice with 131I-intact KIS1 or 131I-KIS1 F(ab')2 at a dosage of 300 microCi, following which 7 or 3 days were required to produce high quality tumor images by scintigraphy. The tumor-bearing mice treated with 131I-KIS1 F(ab')2 showed significant tumor growth inhibition, about 5.4 times greater than that of the control group and 1.8 times greater than that of the 131I-intact KIS1 group 21 days after the injection. These results indicate that the KIS1 F(ab')2 fragment is superior to intact KIS1, and that it may be clinically useful for radioimmunodetection followed by tumor targeting therapy for patients with SCC of the esophagus.

Animals↗

A hamartoma-like mass on the palate? A possible discussion regarding the components of a pigmented naevus and hyperplastic salivary gland.

An extremely rare mass lesion arising on the hard palate is presented. The patient was a 49-year-old Japanese male. He had a painless, semi-globular, smooth-surfaced and partially pigmented mass located on the left hard palate with no evidence of growth for approximately 20 years. The resected specimen included hyperplastic salivary gland tissue, nerve fibres and vessels surrounded by adipose tissue. All constituent tissues showed excessive growth for this location. Also spiralling nests of naevus cells representing inactive intramucosal naevus were included. We consider the whole lesion to be a hamartoma.

Hamartoma↗

Molecular cloning and mRNA expression of the bovine insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4).

Insulin-response glucose transporter GLUT4 is a member of the glucose transporter family (GLUT) and is present exclusively in muscle and adipose tissue. It is a target of insulin action in humans and rodents. To clarify the molecular structure of bovine GLUT4, its GLUT4 cDNA was cloned by the RT-PCR method. Several cDNA clones corresponding to the different regions of GLUT4 were obtained by amplifying reverse-transcriptase products of RNA extracted from Holstein cattle skeletal muscle. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cDNA clones revealed that bovine GLUT4 cDNA was composed of 2,656 base pairs with a coding region for a 509 amino acid protein. The deduced amino acid sequence was 64% and 92% identical with bovine GLUT1 (GLUT ubiquitously expressed in all tissues) and rat GLUT4, respectively. Although the amino acid sequence of the GLUT4 COOH-terminal region is highly conserved among the species so far reported, one amino acid (Asp) of the region was replaced by His in bovine GLUT4. The tissue distribution of GLUT4 was also examined by Northern blot analysis using a probe prepared from the bovine cDNA. GLUT4 mRNA was detected in skeletal muscle, heart, and adipose tissue, but not in liver, kidney, lung, brain, or spleen. Such a distribution is essentially the same as in humans and rodents, suggesting that GLUT4 is an insulin-responsive glucose transporter in cattle.

Adipose Tissue↗