Structure and function of macrophage scavenger receptors.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
M Naito
Publications and source records attributed to M Naito.
Supportive cellular elements for hepatic T cell differentiation: T cells expressing intermediate levels of the T cell receptor are cytotoxic against syngeneic hepatoma, and are lost after hepatocyte damage.
Extrathymic T cells exist in the liver and are often seen in close contact with Kupffer cells in the hepatic sinusoids. Since selective depletion of Kupffer cells has become possible by using liposome-encapsulated clodronate, it was investigated whether elimination of Kupffer cells influences the level of extrathymic T cells in the liver. Extrathymic T cells were identified as interleukin-2 receptor beta-chain (IL-2R beta) intermediate TCR (TCRint) cells by two-color staining for CD3 or T cell receptor (TCR) and IL-2R beta. The elimination of Kupffer cells did not significantly affect levels of TCRint cells up to 7 days after treatment. We then examined monocyte colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)-deficient op/op mice (low levels of Kupffer cells). Extrathymic T cells both in the liver and spleen of these mice were detected at a level comparable to that of control mice. Since extrathymic T cells in the liver are sometimes located in the parenchymal space, the relationship between extrathymic T cells and hepatocytes was then examined. Electron microscopy revealed that some hepatic T cells adhered directly to hepatocytes. When hepatocytes were damaged by a single injection of CCl4, hepatocyte death and subsequent hepatic fibrosis were induced. Beginning 3 days after injection, CD3int cells, but not other type of cells, decreased prominently. Purified CD3int cells, as well as whole lymphocytes in the liver, were cytotoxic against syngeneic hepatoma. In parallel with the above-mentioned hepatic damage, the cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes against such targets was impaired in the liver. These results suggest that extra-thymic generation of TCRint cells and their acquisition of cytotoxic function are relatively independent of Kupffer cells, but are dependent on hepatocytes.
Animals↗
Cementum-impregnated gelatine membrane: its effect on periodontal tissue regeneration.
This study was designed to evaluate the ability of cementum-impregnated gelatine membranes (CGM) to stimulate regeneration of periodontal ligament following surgery. Three monkeys with no periodontal disease were used. Following flap elevation, recession type defects were created on the buccal side of maxillary lateral incisors and second premolars, and roots were subsequently planed. Experimental sites received CGM at approximately 2-3 mm below the cementoenamel junction while control sites received gelatine membrane (GM) free of cementum. Wounds were allowed to heal for 3 weeks, during which time daily plaque control measures were maintained. Tissues prepared from sacrificed animals revealed that experimental specimens exhibited formation of new cementum, new bone, and periodontal ligament. Control specimens exhibited connective tissue adhesion without either new cementum or significant new bone formation. Histometric analysis showed that the average vertical growth of cementum (NC) and bone (NB) at experimental sites were 3.48 +/- 0.29 and 0.64 +/- 0.43 mm, respectively. At the control sites the corresponding results were NC = 0.09 +/- 0.03 and NB = 0.06 +/- 0.28. It was concluded that placement of CGM resulted in significantly greater postsurgical cementum and bone formation than that of GM alone.
Animals↗
Induction of angiogenesis by smooth muscle cell-derived factor: possible role in neovascularization in atherosclerotic plaque.
The development of atherosclerotic plaque is associated with neovascularization in the thickened intima and media of vascular walls. Neovascularization may have a role in the progression of atherosclerotic plaque as well as in the development of intraplaque hemorrhage. However, the mechanism and stimulus for neovascularization in atherosclerotic plaque are unknown. We postulated that smooth muscle cells (SMCs), a major cellular component in the vascular wall, might contribute to the induction of neovascularization in atherosclerotic plaque through the secretion of an angiogenic factor. We observed that endothelial cells (ECs) cultured on collagen gel with SMC-conditioned medium became spindle shaped, invaded the underlying collagen gel, and organized a capillary-like branching cord structure in the collagen gel. The conditioned medium also stimulated EC proliferation and increased the EC-associated plasminogen activator activity. The angiogenic factor in SMC-conditioned medium was retained in a heparin-Sepharose column and eluted with 0.9 M NaCl. Neutralizing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody attenuated the angiogenic activity in the conditioned medium, including the induction of morphologic changes in ECs, mitogenic activity, and increased plasminogen activator activity associated with ECs. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the secretion of VEGF from SMCs. These observations indicate that SMC may be responsible for the neovascularization in atherosclerotic plaque through the secretion of VEGF.
Arteriosclerosis↗
Expression of the c-kit gene product in normal and neoplastic mast cells but not in neoplastic basophil/mast cell precursors from chronic myelogenous leukaemia.
The expression of the c-kit gene product has been examined in normal mast cells, mast cell neoplasms, and basophil/mast cell precursors obtained from patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections or smears fixed with formalin vapour were studied by immunohistochemical methods, using a polyclonal antibody against the c-kit gene product. Normal and neoplastic mast cells showed a positive immunoreaction for c-kit gene product, but neoplastic basophil/mast cell precursors from CML patients lacked c-kit gene product by immunohistochemical and flow cytometric methods, even in cells having mast cell granules, together with or without basophil granules. Mast cell tryptase was, however, expressed in normal and neoplastic mast cells and basophil/mast cell precursors containing mast cell granules. In addition, cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage lacked c-kit gene product. These findings indicate that the c-kit gene product may play an important role in the development and function of mast cell but not of cell of basophil and monocyte/macrophage lineage.
Animals↗
Germ line chimera produced by transfer of cultured chick primordial germ cells.
Intrinsic primordial germ cells (PGCs) from stage 27 (5-day-old) chick embryonic germinal ridges were cultured in vitro for a further 5 days, and shown to proliferate on stroma cells derived from the germinal ridge. To determine whether these cultured PGCs could colonize and contribute to the germ-line, PGCs were isolated by gentle pipetting, labeled with PKH26 fluorescent dye and injected into the blood stream of stage 17 (2.5-day-old) chick embryos. The recipient embryos were incubated until they reached stage 28. Thin sections of these embryos were analysed by fluorescent confocal laser microscopy. These analyses showed that the labeled donor PGCs had migrated into the germinal ridges of the recipient embryos, and transplanted PGCs had undergone at least 3-7 divisions. These results suggest that PGCs that had passed far beyond the migration stage in vivo were still able to migrate, colonize and proliferate in recipient chick embryonic gonads.
Animals↗
Relationship between multidrug resistant gene expression and multidrug resistant-reversing effect of MS-209 in various tumor cells.
MS-209 is a novel quinoline compound which can overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) both in vitro and in vivo, while having a low level of side effects, and is now being evaluated in a clinical phase II study. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantitate the expression levels of MDR genes in various mouse and human tumor cell lines. The MDR gene and the beta actin gene, as the internal reference standard, were coamplified separately, and the relative expression of the MDR gene was represented by the MDR/beta actin ratio. The in vitro MDR-reversing effect of MS-209 was then compared with the MDR gene expression (MDR/beta actin ratio). We found a significant correlation between these two parameters. Moreover, a significant correlation was also observed between the level of expression of the MDR1 gene and that of P-glycoprotein in human cell lines. Therefore, the efficacy of MS-209 seems to specifically depend on the level of MDR gene expression (P-glycoprotein). From these observations, it is suggested that RT-PCR assays of MDR1 gene in tumor biopsy specimens might be an effective means to predict the response of tumor cells to combination therapy with MS-209.
Animals↗
Reversal of multidrug resistance by a novel quinoline derivative, MS-209.
MS-209, a novel quinoline derivative, was examined for its reversing effect on multidrug-resistant tumor cells. MS-209 at 1-10 microM completely reversed resistance against vincristine (VCR) in vitro in multidrug-resistant variants of mouse leukemia P388 cells (VCR-resistant P388/VCR and Adriamycin (ADM)-resistant P388/ADM) and human leukemia K562 cells (VCR-resistant K562/VCR and ADM-resistant K562/ADM). MS-209 at 1-10 microM also completely reversed resistance against ADM in vitro in P388/VCR cells, K562/VCR cells, and K562/ADM cells. In ADM-resistant P388 (P388/ADM) cells, however, ADM resistance was only partially reversed at the MS-209 concentrations tested. MS-209 enhanced the chemotherapeutic effect of VCR in P388/VCR-bearing mice. When MS-209 was given p.o. at 80 mg/kg twice a day (total dose, 160 mg/kg per day) with 100 micrograms/kg VCR, a treated/control (T/C) value of 155% was obtained. MS-209 also enhanced the chemotherapeutic effect of ADM in P388/ADM-bearing mice. The most prominent effects were obtained when MS-209 was given with 2 mg/kg ADM, yielding T/C values of 150%-194% for the combined treatment at an MS-209 dose of 200-450 mg/kg. MS-209 inhibited [3H]-azidopine photolabeling of P-glycoprotein efficiently. Furthermore, the accumulation of ADM in K562/ADM cells was increased more efficiently by MS-209 than by verapamil. These results indicate that MS-209, like verapamil, directly interacts with P-glycoprotein and inhibits the active efflux of antitumor agents, thus overcoming multidrug resistance in vitro and in vivo.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
Reconstitution of purified P-glycoprotein into liposomes.
To study the molecular function of the multidrug-resistance gene product P-glycoprotein, we purified and reconstituted it into liposomes. Twelve detergents were examined in an attempt to solubilize and reconstitute the transport activity of K562/ADM membrane proteins containing P-glycoprotein. We found that transport activity was effective reconstituted after solubilization with cholate, glycocholate and taurocholate. Other detergents, such as CHAPS, Triton X-100 and deoxycholate, diminished the transport activity. The K562/ADM membrane was solubilized by 1% glycocholate, and P-glycoprotein was purified by MRK-16 immunoaffinity column chromatography to a homogeneous single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified P-glycoprotein was reconstituted by detergent dialysis into liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. The reconstituted P-glycoprotein specifically bound [3H]azidopine and had an ATPase activity that was slightly stimulated when vincristine was added. Furthermore, though its activity was reduced, the reconstituted P-glycoprotein was shown to be an ATP-dependent transporter of vincristine.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
Astrocytoma linked to familial ataxia-telangiectasia.
A 7-year and 11 month-old girl with cerebellar astrocytoma linked to familial ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is presented. She was born as the 7th girl of a woman with aortic arch syndrome. Two elder sisters of the patient have ataxia telangiectasia. She had immunodeficiency, and cerebellar ataxia, but had no oculocutaneous telangiectasia. The risk of cancer developing in AT patients is about 1,200 times greater than that in age-matched controls. With regard to central nervous system tumours, seven primary tumours have been reported, such as 3 cases of medulloblastoma and 4 cases of glioma. Members of AT families who were under the age of 45 had a risk of dying of a malignant neoplasm five times greater than in the general population. However, there were no reports of glioma in AT families. In this case, it is suggested that IgA deficiency linked to familial AT may have contributed to the development of astrocytoma.
Astrocytoma↗
Physiological concentration of estradiol inhibits polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis via a receptor mediated system.
Estrogen exhibits a variety of actions, including immuno-modulatory effects, in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism by which estrogen exerts its anti-inflammatory effect is not yet understood. We investigated the possible mechanisms of estradiol acting via the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), which are important in the immune response. The agent, 17 beta-estradiol, but not 17 alpha-estradiol, significantly reduced PMNs chemotaxis to FMLP in a dose-dependent manner (control vs estrogen 10(-10)-(-6) M, P < 0.05). Physiological concentrations of estradiol significantly reduced the chemotaxis of PMNs (10(-10) mol). Pre-incubation with clomiphene or tamoxifen which are estrogen receptor antagonists, eliminated the inhibitory effect of 17 beta-estradiol on the chemotaxis of PMNs, restoring it to the control level. These observations suggest that 17 beta-estradiol suppressed the chemotaxis of PMNs by a receptor-dependent mechanism. In addition, the level of estradiol in human plasma, which PMNs were drawn, showed a close, inverse correlation with the PMNs chemotaxis to FMLP (r = -0.821 p < 0.001). Estrogen may modify the activity of neutrophils during the normal menstrual cycle, not only during pregnancy, and influence inflammation.
Adult↗
Density analysis of hepatitis C virus particle population in the circulation of infected hosts: implications for virus neutralization or persistence.
Hepatitis C virus has a low buoyant density in sucrose, but high-density particles are often observed in hepatitis C virus infection. To investigate the characteristics of circulating hepatitis C virus particles and their association with liver disease progression, we examined sera from two histologically normal hepatitis C virus carriers, 20 chronic hepatitis patients and five acute hepatitis C patients. The supernatants obtained after immunoprecipitation with anti-immunoglobulins antibody were subjected to sucrose equilibrium centrifugation. HCV-RNA positive fractions separated after the treatments were further examined for immunoprecipitation with anti-core hepatitis C virus antibody. We separated hepatitis C virus particle populations according to the density difference on 35% sucrose with centrifugation. The proportions of high and low density particles in hepatitis C virus populations were determined by means of competitive reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Circulating hepatitis C virus particles in chronically infected patients could be separated into two populations: those immunoglobulin-bound with high densities and -unbound with low densities. Patients with severe liver inflammation had high-density hepatitis C virus that did not precipitate with anti-immunoglobulins but with anti-core hepatitis C virus antibodies. Thus, hepatitis C virus particle populations consist of low-density virions and high-density immune complexes and/or nucleocapsids. Among the chronic hepatitis patients, the dominant population shifted from low-density to high-density particles with the progression of liver disease. In acute hepatitis patients, this density shift was observed with alanine aminotransferase normalizations. Therefore, the major hepatitis C virus populations change from virion to immune complex and/or nucleocapsid with the progression of liver disease or inflammation.
Acute Disease↗
Induction of hepatic P-glycoprotein enhances biliary excretion of vincristine in rats.
To clarify the contribution of P-glycoprotein to the biliary excretion of vincristine in rats, the effects of induction of hepatic P-glycoprotein by a phenothiazine treatment on the biliary excretion of [3H]vincristine were investigated. Immunoblot analysis using C219, a monoclonal antibody to P-glycoprotein, demonstrated that the phenothiazine treatment increased the P-glycoprotein level in isolated bile canalicular membrane vesicles approximately 6.5-fold. Transport of [3H]vincristine to canalicular membrane vesicles from the phenothiazine-treated and control rats revealed ATP-dependency, with an overshoot that results from the consumption of medium ATP. The maximum ATP-dependent uptake was increased in canalicular membrane vesicles from the phenothiazine-treated rats approximately 2-fold compared to the control. The biliary excretion of [3H]vincristine was further studied using an indicator dilution method in a single-pass perfused liver. The ratios of the cumulative amount of [3H]vincristine excreted into the bile ot the amount of [3H]vincristine taken up by the liver at 15, 30 and 90 min were significantly increased in the phenothiazine-treated rats by 60, 45 and 25%, respectively, compared to the control rats. Furthermore, the corrected mean residence time of [3H]vincristine in hepatocytes in the phenothiazine-treated rats was reduced to 21 min from that in the control rats (30 min), supporting the contention that the induction of hepatic P-glycoprotein on the bile canalicular membrane function sas a transporter not only in the isolated membrane but also in the more physiological perfused liver system. One must be cautious in the interpretation of the data, however, since phenothiazine can induce other proteins which might affect the behavior of [3H]vincristine.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
Improvement of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with natural interferon alpha.
To investigate the histological change (change of liver fibrosis) produced by the anti-viral effect of interferon on hepatitis C virus, 40 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with natural interferon alpha were divided according to the existence of viremia at the end of treatment and 6 months after the end of treatment. The condition of liver fibrosis was scored numerically with a new "hepatic fibrosis score" which is sensitive to more subtle changes than Knodell's fibrosis score. Each portal zone was evaluated separately. End-of-treatment biopsy for the HCV RNA-negative group (negative for HCV RNA at the end of treatment) showed a significant improvement of the "hepatic fibrosis score" as well as the alleviation of necrosis and inflammation. At the end of treatment and 6 months after that, serum procollagen type III peptide levels and serum type IV collagen-7s levels had also decreased significantly in the HCV RNA-negative group. The present study showed that treatment with interferon alpha could alleviate fibrosis in addition to necrosis and inflammation.
Adult↗
Physical entrapment of adriamycin in AB block copolymer micelles.
The entrapment of Adriamycin (ADR) in micelles composed of AB block copolymers (poly(ethylene oxide-co-beta-benzyl L-aspartate) (PEO-PBLA)) was investigated. The loading process involved transfer of ADR and PEO-PBLA into an aqueous milieu from dimethylformamide (DMF) through a dialysis procedure. Evidence for the physical entrapment of ADR in the polymeric micelles was derived from fluorescence spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The total fluorescence intensity of ADR was low, suggesting that the drug was self-associated in the micelles. In addition, quenching experiments, using a water-soluble quencher (iodide (I-)), showed that the fluorescence of ADR present in micellar solutions was largely unaffected by I-, whereas the fluorescence of free ADR was readily quenched. From Stern-Volmer plots, quenching constants (KSV) of 2.2 and 17 M-1 were determined for ADR in micellar solutions and free ADR, respectively. As a result of the entrapment of ADR in the micelles, ADR binds only slightly serum albumin as evidenced by GPC. In contrast, ADR readily binds serum albumin in aqueous solutions. The findings suggest that ADR is stably entrapped in PEO-PBLA micelles. ADR entrapment in polymeric micelles is expected to affect markedly the pharmacokinetics of ADR.
Chromatography, Gel↗
An in vitro culture method for chick embryos obtained from the anterior portion of the magnum of oviduct.
1. Chick embryos, obtained from the anterior portion of the magnum of the oviduct 60 to 80 min after the preceding egg had been laid, were cultured in vitro in small and large recipient eggshells until hatching. 2. Of 82 embryos cultured, 46.3% had survived to day 4 of incubation, and 19.5% survived to hatching. 3. The method for culturing embryos used in this experiment could facilitate research on the in vitro manipulation of early chick embryos.
Animals↗
Pigmented renal cell carcinoma.
A rare case of pigmented renal cell carcinoma is presented. The tumor was yellow, somewhat elastic, and soft with focal gray and tan areas. Microscopically, the tumor was a typical renal cell carcinoma of the clear-cell type. Tumor cells containing brown pigment in the cytoplasm were scattered throughout the tumor. Ultrastructurally, the electron-dense granules consistent with the brown pigment noted at the microscopic level showed a coarse or fine granular matrix with or without homogeneous high electron-dense areas, resembling lipofuscin. However, the nature of the pigment was different from that of lipofuscin by the Masson-Fontana method after bleaching and rather similar to neuromelanin. The current case is a rare renal cell carcinoma with pigmentation attributed to abnormally excessive accumulation of neuromelanin pigment.
Adult↗
Inhibition by differentiation-inducing agents of wild-type p53-dependent apoptosis in HL-60 cells.
The product of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene has been shown to function in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. However, there is little information regarding the regulation of apoptosis in cell differentiation. We investigated the relationship between p53-dependent apoptosis and differentiation induction using human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells transfected with pMAMneo expression vectors containing dexamethasone-inducible wild-type p53 (wt-p53) cDNA inserts. Continuous exposure of the pMAMneo/wt-p53 transfectants to 1 microM dexamethasone for more than 24 h caused overexpression of wt-p53 followed by cell death with morphological changes typical of apoptosis. Using the wt-p53-inducible HL-60 cells, we examined the effects of differentiation inducers on the wt-p53-dependent apoptosis. All-trans retinoic acid (all-trans RA) at 1 nM or granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) at 35 pM inhibited the wt-p53-induced apoptosis over a 42-h treatment. The apoptosis inhibition by GM-CSF, but not all-trans RA, was abolished by specific inhibitors of protein kinase C. These results suggest that extracellular signals involved in the differentiation induction could modulate the wt-p53-dependent apoptosis through protein kinase C-dependent and independent pathways.
Apoptosis↗