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Biomedical subjects

M Mukoyama

Publications and source records attributed to M Mukoyama.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide level in pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement of brain natriuretic peptide in the circulation of pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. METHODS: We determined the plasma levels of brain and atrial natriuretic peptides in a cross-sectional study of 36 normal pregnant women and 17 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. RESULTS: During normal pregnancy, the plasma brain natriuretic peptide level was similar to that in nonpregnant women, but the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level in the second trimester was significantly higher than that in nonpregnant women (P < .05). In women with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension, the plasma brain natriuretic peptide level was eight times higher than that in normal pregnant women in the third trimester; the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level in the same patients was three times higher than that in normal pregnancy. The plasma brain natriuretic peptide level showed a positive correlation with the mean blood pressure (r = 0.62, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that brain natriuretic peptide is increased in the plasma of women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and that brain natriuretic peptide, in concert with atrial natriuretic peptide, participates in maintaining homeostasis of the maternal circulation.

Adult↗

Specific blockade of basic fibroblast growth factor gene expression in endothelial cells by antisense oligonucleotide.

The migration and proliferation of endothelial cells play a pivotal role in various vascular diseases. To elucidate the role of endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) produced within endothelial cells on cell growth, we introduced the antisense oligonucleotide complementary to bFGF mRNA into cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells by cationic liposome to block the production of autocrine bFGF. The treatment of the endothelial cells with the specific antisense oligomer efficiently inhibited the synthesis of bFGF with the concomitant suppression of endothelial proliferation, indicating the significant role of bFGF as an endothelial growth promotor. The neutralizing antibody against bFGF had no inhibition on basal DNA synthesis of the endothelial cells, in contrast to marked suppressive action of bFGF antisense oligomer. The results provide the new analytic and therapeutic implications in the use of the antisense methodology for the study of vascular biology.

3T3 Cells↗

Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies of neuronal and oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. 1. Neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions.

Neuronal alterations in five cases of multiple system atrophy (MSA) were investigated histologically, immunocytochemically and ultrastructurally. Argentophilic neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) were observed in all cases. They were distributed, in order of decreasing frequency, in the pontine nucleus, striatum, subiculum, amygdala, hippocampus, dentate fascia, substantia nigra and inferior olivary nucleus. Anti-ubiquitin antibodies visualized many thickened neurites in the degenerating gray matter as well as NCIs. Some NCIs were also recognized by anti-phosphorylated neurofilament antibodies. Ultrastructurally, NCIs consisted of a meshwork of granule-associated filaments, the diameter ranging from 18 to 28 nm, that were mixed with neurofilaments. The granule-associated filaments were also present in the axoplasm of myelinated fibers. Our studies demonstrate widespread distribution of NCIs in the central nervous system of MSA. The same pathological process that forms the granule-associated filaments in axons may also be responsible for the formation of ubiquitin-positive thickened neurites. These axonal alterations, as well as neuronal perikaryal changes, may play an important role in the impaired neuronal function in MSA.

Adult↗

Characterization of natriuretic peptide receptors in cultured cells.

To elucidate physiological and clinical implications of the natriuretic peptide family, the expression of receptors for natriuretic peptides has been examined in cultured cells (a rat pheochromocytoma cell line [PC12], bovine endothelial cells, rat aortic smooth muscle cells, human mesangial cells, and a porcine kidney epithelial cell line [LLC-PK1]) by Northern blot analysis and cyclic GMP production method for the ANP-A and ANP-B receptors and by Northern blot analysis and binding assay for the clearance receptor. The ANP-A receptor was predominantly expressed in PC12 cells, bovine endothelial cells, and LLC-PK1 cells but was barely expressed in rat aortic smooth muscle cells and human mesangial cells. By contrast, the ANP-B receptor was the major subtype of the biologically active receptors in rat aortic smooth muscle cells and human mesangial cells. Only a small amount of the ANP-B receptor was detected in PC12 cells, bovine endothelial cells, and LLC-PK1 cells. The clearance receptor was abundantly expressed in rat aortic smooth muscle cells and human mesangial cells and was also present in bovine endothelial cells, but it was undetectable in PC12 cells and LLC-PK1 cells. These results demonstrate that the expression of three natriuretic peptide receptors varies from cell to cell, which is relevant to cell- or tissue-specific action of the natriuretic peptide family.

Animals↗

Phenotype-related alteration in expression of natriuretic peptide receptors in aortic smooth muscle cells.

To elucidate the physiological and pathophysiological roles of the natriuretic peptide family in vascular smooth muscle cells, in which the natriuretic peptide family is implicated in growth inhibition as well as vasorelaxation, we have examined the phenotype-related expression of three kinds of natriuretic peptide receptors in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. The expression of natriuretic peptide receptors at the mRNA level was studied by Northern blot hybridization, and the expression at the protein level was determined by the cGMP production method and receptor binding assay. In intact aortic media, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-A receptor mRNA and ANP-B receptor mRNA were detected, and the potency of cGMP production by ANP was at least two orders of magnitude stronger than that by C-type natriuretic peptide. Clearance receptor mRNA was undetectable, and only a small amount of the clearance receptor was detected by the binding assay in intact aortic media. By contrast, in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells at the first, fifth, and 17th passages, the ANP-B receptor mRNA level markedly increased; meanwhile, the expression of the ANP-A receptor mRNA became undetectable. C-type natriuretic peptide was one order of magnitude more potent than ANP in cGMP production in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. The clearance receptor density and its mRNA level increased tremendously in these cultured cells. These results demonstrate that the marked phenotype-related alteration occurs in the expression of natriuretic peptide receptors in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Actins↗

Receptor selectivity of natriuretic peptide family, atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, and C-type natriuretic peptide.

To elucidate the ligand-receptor relationship of the natriuretic peptide system, which comprises at least three endogenous ligands, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and three receptors, the ANP-A receptor or guanylate cyclase-A (GC-A), the ANP-B receptor or guanylate cyclase-B (GC-B), and the clearance receptor (C-receptor), we characterized the receptor preparations from human, bovine, and rat tissues and cultured cells with the aid of the binding assay, Northern blot technique, and the cGMP production method. Using these receptor preparations, we examined the binding affinities of ANP, BNP, and CNP for the C-receptor and their potencies for cGMP production via the ANP-A receptor (GC-A) and the ANP-B receptor (GC-B). These analyses revealed the presence of a marked species difference in the receptor selectivity of the natriuretic peptide family, especially among BNPs. Therefore, we investigated the receptor selectivity of the natriuretic peptide family using the homologous assay system with endogenous ligands and receptors of the same species. The rank order of binding affinity for the C-receptor was ANP greater than CNP greater than BNP in both humans and rats. The rank order of potency for cGMP production via the ANP-A receptor (GC-A) was ANP greater than or equal to BNP much greater than CNP, but that via the ANP-B receptor (GC-B) was CNP greater than ANP greater than or equal to BNP. These findings on the receptor selectivity of the natriuretic peptide family provide a new insight into the understanding of the physiological and clinical implications of the natriuretic peptide system.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of brain natriuretic peptide in rats.

The pharmacokinetics of rat brain natriuretic peptide (rBNP) was compared with that of alpha-rat atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-rANP) in rats. After intravenous infusion in rats (600 pmol min-1kg-1 for 2 min), the disappearance of plasma rBNP was 4-fold slower than that of alpha-rANP. The estimated mean plasma clearance rates for rBNP and alpha-rANP were 45.9 ml min-1kg-1 and 74.4 ml min-1kg-1, respectively. The affinity of rBNP for the clearance receptor or degradation enzyme was considered to be lower than that of alpha-rANP.

Animals↗

Augmented secretion of brain natriuretic peptide in acute myocardial infarction.

In order to elucidate biosynthesis and secretion of natriuretic peptides in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we measured the plasma level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a novel cardiac hormone secreted from the ventricle, in patients with AMI and compared with that of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The plasma level of BNP increased rapidly (within hours from the onset of AMI) and markedly (greater than 100 times the normal level) as compared to that of ANP. The plasma ANP level correlated with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), whereas the plasma BNP level did not correlate with PCWP but highly correlated inversely with cardiac index. These results indicate that BNP is secreted from the heart much more acutely and prominently than ANP in the early phase of AMI, in association with left ventricular dysfunction.

Adult↗

Cloning and expression of human endothelin-1 receptor cDNA.

We isolated a human endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor cDNA from a human placenta cDNA library. The cDNA encodes a 427-amino acid protein with seven putative transmembrane domains. The rank order of the binding to the receptor expressed in COS-7 cells was: ET-1 greater than or equal to ET-2 much greater than ET-3. The receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes showed a potent electrophysiological response to 1 x 10(-7) M ET-1 under voltage clamp at -60 mV, while a much weaker response was produced by 1 x 10(-7) M ET-3. Northern blot analysis with RNA from human tissues revealed a single band with a size of 4.3 kb in a wide variety of human tissues, especially highly in the blood vessel.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Post-translational processing and secretory pathway of human atriopeptin in rat pheochromocytoma cells.

Atriopeptin (AP) is expressed in several tissues with each tissue capable of specific differences in processing of the prohormone (pro-AP) to mature low molecular forms of the peptide. Since pro-AP has low biological activity, processing into mature AP is a critical activation event. This observation prompted us to study whether granule storage or regulated secretion of AP is essential for cleavage of mature peptide. We examined the processing of AP in adrenal medulla derived cells, using the rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12 cell) stably transfected with a genomic human AP DNA in the presence and absence of nerve growth factor (NGF), and also examined the mechanism of AP secretion and compared the results with those obtained using transfected chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO cells). The amount of prohormone was 5-10 fold higher than that of low molecular form of AP in the transfected PC12 cells. This ratio was essentially unchanged in differentiated PC12 cells after NGF treatment of the cells. Potassium depolarization of the transfected PC12 cells caused a 5-fold increase in AP release into the medium primarily as the intact prohormone. On the other hand, transfected CHO cells only exhibited constitutive AP release which is non-response to depolarization. These results suggest that the AP prohormone is sorted into secretory granules as the prohormone in PC12 cells and undergoes regulated release in response to depolarization indicating granule storage or release is not the critical determinant of AP prohormone cleavage.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Acute pulmonary alveolar hypoxia increases lung and plasma endothelin-1 levels in conscious rats.

To investigate the effect of pulmonary alveolar hypoxia on the synthesis and release of endothelin (ET)-1, ET-1-like immunoreactivity (-LI) levels of the lung and plasma were measured in conscious unrestrained rats under hypoxic conditions. Sixty-min exposure to alveolar hypoxia (10% O2 or 5% O2) increased the ET-1-LI level in the lung. The plasma ET-1-LI level in hypoxic rats also increased significantly. The increase of plasma and lung ET-1-LI levels were parallel to the severity of hypoxia. These results demonstrates that acute pulmonary alveolar hypoxia increases lung and plasma ET-1-LI levels in conscious unrestrained rats, suggesting a possible physiological or pathophysiological significance of ET in alveolar hypoxia.

Animals↗

Pathophysiological role of augmented atrial natriuretic polypeptide gene expression in DOCA-salt hypertension. Effects of atrial natriuretic polypeptide monoclonal antibody.

To elucidate the pathophysiological significance of endogenous atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) in hypertension, we investigated the biosynthesis and secretion of ANP in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats and also examined the effect of passive immunization with monoclonal antibody raised against alpha-rat ANP on the development of hypertension in DOCA-salt rats. The plasma ANP level in DOCA-salt rats was significantly elevated in comparison to control rats. While the atrial ANP concentration in DOCA-salt rats was not significantly altered, the atrial level of ANPmRNA in DOCA-salt rats was two-fold higher than that in control rats. These results suggest the augmented biosynthesis of ANP in the atrium and the oversecretion of ANP from the heart in DOCA-salt rats. The levels of ANP and ANPmRNA in the ventricle of DOCA-salt rats exhibited significant increases, compared with those in control rats, suggesting the induction of ANP gene expression in the ventricle of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats under pre/after overload. Weekly intravenous administrations of monoclonal antibody with high affinity for alpha-rat ANP significantly augmented the rise in blood pressure of DOCA-salt rats. These results support the hypothesis that the augmented secretion of ANP is one of the defensive mechanisms to counteract high arterial pressure in this model of hypertension.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of porcine endothelin-like peptide.

Two endogenous molecules possessing an endothelin-like sequence with an apparent molecular weight of 7 kDa were isolated from serum-free culture medium of porcine aortic endothelial cells, using a specific radioimmunoassay. N-terminal sequences of two molecules were identical to each other and were Ser-Leu-Lys-Asp-Leu-Phe-Pro-Ala-Lys-Ala-Ala-Asp-Arg-Arg-Asp-Arg-X-Gln-X- Ala-X- Gln-Lys-Asp, which corresponds to the sequence [94-117] of preproendothelin-1. This finding indicates that these two molecules may be closely related peptides such as the oxidized form or disulfide analogues and also suggests that the endogenous peptide possessing an endothelin-like sequence is generated by proteolytic cleavage at paired basic amino acids Arg92-Arg93. Further studies on the structure and function of new endogenous peptides possessing an endothelin-like sequence are ongoing in our laboratory.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Endothelin in patients with chronic renal failure.

To investigate the pathophysiological significance of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in renal failure, we measured plasma and urine concentrations of ET-1-like immunoreactivity (LI) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The plasma ET-1-LI level was significantly increased in hemodialyzed and nonhemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). The increase in the plasma ET-1-LI level in CRF was much larger than that in other diseases in which the plasma ET-1-LI level was reported to be increased. The urine ET-1-LI level was lower, and daily excreted amounts of ET-1-LI were smaller in CRF patients than in normal subjects. These findings indicate that the increased plasma level of ET-1-LI in CRF results from the decreased clearance rate of ET-1-LI in the kidney. Gel permeation chromatographic analysis revealed that ET-1-LI in plasma from CRF consisted of small and large molecular forms of ET-1-LI. The small molecular form is presumably ET-1, and large molecular forms are big ET-1 and another component with the molecular weight of 6,000 as is the case of that in normal plasma (1). However, the ratio of the smaller to large molecular forms of ET-1-LI in CRF was 1:13 and was quite different from that in normal plasma (1:4). These observations clearly indicate that the elevation of plasma ET-1-LI level in CRF was mainly due to the increase in the large molecular form of ET-1-LI.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Biosynthesis, secretion, and receptor selectivity of human brain natriuretic peptide.

Biosynthesis, secretion and receptor selectivity of human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP) were studied. The BNP mRNA level in the ventricle was approximately 40% of that in the atrium and, taking tissue weight into account, the total amount of BNP mRNA in the ventricle was about twofold greater than the total amount in the atrium. The plasma BNP-like immuno-reactivity (-LI) level in normal subjects was 0.90 +/- 0.07 fmol/mL, which was 16% of the ANP-LI level. In contrast, the plasma BNP-LI level markedly increased in patients with congestive heart failure, with a progressive rise in proportion to its severity. There was a significant step-up of the plasma BNP-LI level in the coronary sinus (CS) compared with that in the aortic root, and the difference in the plasma BNP-LI level between the CS and the aorta (Ao), delta (CS-Ao)BNP, increased with the severity of congestive heart failure. In addition, the difference in the BNP-LI level between the anterior inverventricular vein (AIV) draining the ventricle and the aorta (delta (AIV-Ao)BNP) was comparable to delta (CS-Ao) BNP, indicating that BNP is secreted predominantly from the ventricle. Binding ability to human clearance receptors (C receptors) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) production of hBNP were investigated and compared with those of ANP. hBNP bound to human C receptors very weakly (about 7%), but exerted cGMP production similar to ANP in cultured human mesangial cells and bovine endothelial cells. In conclusion, hBNP is a novel cardiac hormone mainly synthesized in and secreted from the ventricle and plays physiological and pathophysiological roles in the dual cardiac natriuretic peptide system.

Adolescent↗

Atrial natriuretic peptide in acute hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

To test the hypothesis that exogenous atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) prevents the acute pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia, ANP (20-micrograms/kg bolus followed by 1-microgram.kg-1.min-1 infusion) or vehicle was administered intravenously to conscious rats beginning 3 min before exposure to hypoxia or room air for 90 min. Exogenous ANP abolished the acute pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia in association with marked and parallel increases in plasma ANP and guanosine 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and with a significant increase in lung cGMP content. To examine whether endogenous ANP modulates the acute pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia, rats were pretreated with a monoclonal antibody (Ab) to ANP and exposed to hypoxia. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) in the Ab-treated rats was not different from control over the first 6 h of hypoxic exposure. Thereafter, the Ab-treated group had significantly higher MPAP than control. Our data suggest that 1) exogenous ANP blocks the pulmonary pressor response to acute hypoxia via stimulation of cGMP accumulation in the pulmonary vasculature, and 2) endogenous ANP may modulate the subacute, but not acute, phase of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Acute Disease↗