Biomedical subjects

M Nishikawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Nishikawa.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Adhesion of NFS-60 myeloid leukemia cells to MC3T3-G2/PA6 stromal cells induces granulocyte colony-stimulating factor production.

To examine the interaction between immature myeloid cells and stromal cells in the induction of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) production, stromal cells of the MC3T3-G2/PA6 (PA6) murine cell line, which has preadipocyte characteristics and can support hematopoiesis, were cocultured with various myeloid cell lines and G-CSF mRNA expression was examined by Northern and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses. A significant amount of G-CSF mRNA was induced by the culture of an interleukin-3/G-CSF-dependent murine myeloid leukemia cell line, NFS-60, on PA6 stromal cells for 16 hours. Using a G-CSF-dependent subline of DA-1 (DA-1N), the biologic activity of G-CSF was also detected in PA6/NFS-60 coculture supernatants, but not in the culture supernatant of PA6 or NFS-60 alone. Direct contact of NFS-60 cells with the PA6 stromal layer was essential for the induction of G-CSF mRNA, as indicated by the following observations: (1) NFS-60 cells efficiently adhered to PA6 cells; (2) medium conditioned by NFS-60 cells did not contain the activity to induce G-CSF mRNA in PA6 cells; and (3) induction of G-CSF mRNA was not observed when NFS-60 cells were separated from PA6 cells by a microporous membrane (0.45-microns pore size). Several other myeloid cell lines, including FDC-P2, 32Dcl3, WEHI-3, and DA-1, did not induce G-CSF mRNA expression after the coculture with PA6 cells, although significant numbers of these cells adhered to PA6 cells. Therefore, NFS-60 cells may express or overexpress a molecule that is involved in adhesion-mediated induction of G-CSF production.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

The analysis of cocaine and its metabolites by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS).

The method for simultaneous determination of cocaine and its four metabolites (benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, ecgonine and norcocaine) in urine by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS) was studied. The mass spectra showed the quasi-molecular ions, [M+H]+ as the base peak. LC/APCI-MS analysis was performed by focusing the characteristic ions at m/ = 186, 290, 200, 304 and 290 for ecgonine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, cocaine and norcocaine, respectively. Cocaine and its four metabolites were well separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The recoveries of cocaine and its metabolites from the spiked urine were 40.3-94.7% by solid-phase extraction with two type cartridges (Bond Elut Certify and Bond Elut SCX).

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed1994

Superantigen-like properties of an antibody bispecific for MHC class II molecules and the V beta domain of the T cell antigen receptor.

A working model for the action of superantigens (SAg) is that they are simple proteins having binding sites for both MHC class II molecules and the V beta domain of the TCR. Binding of a SAg to both molecules cross-links the TCR, inducing a biologic response. In this study, we have tested this working model using a SAg mimic consisting of a hybrid Ab bispecific for the murine MHC class II molecule I-E and the V beta 8 domain of the murine TCR. The bispecific Ab activates V beta 8-bearing T cells only in the presence of I-E molecules on APC when tested in vitro. The effect of the bispecific Ab in vivo revealed both clonal deletion and a reduction in the responsiveness of V beta 8-bearing T cells. Thus, the results suggest that molecules distinct from SAg that can bind to both MHC class II molecules and the V beta domain of the TCR can mimic the biologic actions of a SAg.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Leptomycin B targets a regulatory cascade of crm1, a fission yeast nuclear protein, involved in control of higher order chromosome structure and gene expression.

The molecular action of leptomycin B (LMB), an agent inducing arrest of the eukaryotic cell cycle at G1 and G2 phases, was investigated by analyzing an LMB resistance gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A genomic library of an LMB-resistant mutant was screened for LMB resistance, and a DNA fragment containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 1078 amino acids was cloned on a multicopy vector. The plasmid was found to confer drug resistance specifically to LMB. Nucleotide sequencing revealed that the ORF was a mutant gene for the essential nuclear protein crm1, which had been reported to complement a cold-sensitive mutation causing deformed nuclear morphology. The gene product named crm1-N1 had two amino acid replacements (Gly-503 to Asp and Met-546 to Ile). Two allelic mutants of crm1 (crm1-809 and crm1-119) were found to be hypersensitive and resistant, respectively, to LMB. Nuclear morphology of the cold-sensitive crm1-809 mutant at the restrictive temperature was almost the same as that of the wild-type cells treated with LMB. Furthermore, a low concentration of LMB induced the intracellular accumulation of a 25-kDa protein in the wild-type cells, which was immunologically identical to the protein accumulating in the crm1-809 mutant cells. These results strongly suggest that LMB primarily inhibits the function of the crm1 gene which is required for maintaining higher order chromosome structures, correct gene expression, and cell growth in the fission yeast.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1994

Targeted delivery of superoxide dismutase to macrophages via mannose receptor-mediated mechanism.

Human recombinant superoxide dismutase (SOD) was modified into a mannosylated form (Man-SOD), and its cellular uptake and inhibitory effect on superoxide anion release were studied in vitro, using cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages. [111In]Man-SOD was taken up by the macrophages to a great extent, whereas no significant uptake was observed for native and galactosylated SOD. The uptake of Man-SOD was inhibited significantly at a low temperature and by the presence of mannan, mannose and colchicine, demonstrating the targeted delivery of Man-SOD via mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis. Man-SOD exhibited a superior inhibitory effect on superoxide anion release from inflammatory macrophages stimulated by phorbol-myristate acetate. The present study suggested the potential of Man-SOD as a therapeutic agent for the inflammatory disease mediated by superoxide anions generated by macrophages.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[A study of aspiration in infants with recurrent pneumonia by Barium swallow examination using different concentrations of barium].

We conducted barium swallow examinations using different concentrations of barium sulfate suspension (10, 30, 60 w/v%) in infants with recurrent pneumonia. Aspiration of swallowed barium into the airway was demonstrated in 43 of 54 infants (44 of 56 examinations). Of these, 22 infants had no neurological or anatomical abnormality. In comparing the degree of aspiration and the barium concentration, it was found that the higher the concentration of barium, the less severe the degree of aspiration tended to be. There was no infant in whom thicker barium aggravated aspiration. The difference in the degree of aspiration was considered to be attributable to difference, in the viscosity of barium. The results of our study showed aspiration to the airway was more frequent than previously reported, and occurred even in infants without any other abnormality. The detectability of aspiration was dependent on the concentration of barium sulfate suspension. Because the viscosity of conventionally used milk is identical to that of 10-20 w/v% barium, 10-20 w/v% barium should be used in barium swallow examinations for infants with recurrent pneumonia.

Barium Sulfate↗

PubMed1994

Facilitatory effect of docosahexaenoic acid on N-methyl-D-aspartate response in pyramidal neurones of rat cerebral cortex.

1. The effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) responses in the presence of glycine was investigated in pyramidal neurons acutely dissociated from rat cerebral cortex in whole-cell and single channel configurations. 2. DHA potentiated the NMDA-induced response but reduced the non-NMDA (kainate-induced) response in a concentration-dependent manner at a holding potential of -60 mV under voltage-clamp conditions. 3. Arachidonic acid (AA) also potentiated the NMDA-induced response in a manner similar to DHA. Oleic acid caused a slight potentiation. However, other polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids had no such effects. 4. The facilitatory action of DHA on the NMDA-induced response was not affected by adding inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase, lipoxygenase or phospholipase A2, suggesting that DHA may exert its facilitatory effect directly on the NMDA receptor. 5. The facilitatory action of DHA was observed in the presence of a saturating dose of NMDA. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the NMDA receptor-operated single channel currents revealed that, in the presence of DHA, the open probability of the channel increased without changing the conductance, indicating that DHA may act by binding directly to a novel site on the NMDA receptor or by altering the lipid environment of the NMDA receptor and thereby potentiating the response to NMDA. 6. The results are discussed in terms of the possibility that DHA may play an important role in the genesis of long-term potentiation, at least that involving the activation of NMDA receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Mediation of the physiological response of platelets by interactions of spectrin and protein 4.1 with the cytoskeleton.

Spectrin and protein 4.1 became associated with the Triton-insoluble cytoskeletons during platelet activation. Inhibition of platelet activation by a PGI2 analogue resulted in release of the proteins from the cytoskeletons. Changes in subcellular distributions of the proteins preceded changes in the state of platelet aggregation. These results suggest that interactions of spectrin and protein 4.1 with the cytoskeletons are involved in mediating the physiological response of the platelet.

Actins↗

PubMed1994

Functioning of the intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate acid secretion and motility of the intrathoracic stomach with truncal vagotomy after esophagectomy. DESIGN: Case-control study of patients undergoing esophagectomy, with average follow-up of 3.2 months, compared with health controls. SETTING: Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Kogushi, Japan. PATIENTS: A random sample of 21 patients selected from 79 patients with esophageal cancer during the period from May 1988 to August 1993 received the intrathoracic stomach after subtotal esophagectomy. A control sample consisted of 14 men. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For acid secretion, a pH probe was placed in the intrathoracic stomach to measure the average pH value (average of total monitoring values) and pH holding time (ratio of the period during which the pH value was 3 or higher based on the entire continuous monitoring periods). For motility, digestive tract scintigraphy was performed to obtain the time activity curve from the analog image observed when patients ate meals labeled with indium 111. In addition, hemorrhagic ulcers in the intrathoracic stomachs of three patients were reported. RESULTS: A pH value below 3 was recognized after surgery, and there was no significant difference between pH values in patients and normal volunteers (average pH value, 3.9 +/- 1.5 vs 3.3 +/- 1.9; pH holding time, 52.2 +/- 20.2% vs 57.1 +/- 24.4%, respectively). The time activity curve of the intrathoracic stomach observed by scintigraphy underwent no change after surgery. Among three patients with hemorrhagic ulcers, two exhibited improvements after receiving a histamine blocker, while in the other, it was not effective. CONCLUSION: Acid secretion ability and motility of the intrathoracic stomach with truncal vagotomy may be unchanged after esophagectomy.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed1994

The c-kit receptor transduces the stem cell factor-triggered growth signal in murine interleukin-3-dependent cell line.

The stem cell factor is a glycoprotein hormone which regulates the proliferation and differentiation of primitive hematopoietic cells through its interaction with a tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptor which is encoded by the c-kit proto-oncogene. To examine whether a murine c-kit receptor can be functional in murine interleukin-3 (mIL-3)-dependent hematopoietic cell line, we introduced the murine c-kit cDNA into mIL-3-dependent pro-B cell line Ba/F3. One of the resulting clones, Ba/F3 clone BF-K96, expressed the 140 kDa protein recognized by anti-c-kit monoclonal antibody and the expressed c-kit receptor protein on the cell surface bound to a radiolabeled soluble form of murine stem cell factor (mSCF) with high affinity. BF-K96 clone expressing the c-kit receptor could proliferate in response to mSCF in the absence of mIL-3. The cell clone could also grow in co-culture with mouse 3T3 cells which are endogeneously expressing a membrane-associated type of mSCF on their cell surfaces. These findings demonstrate that the c-kit receptor expressed on mIL-3-dependent hematopoietic cell line Ba/F3 transduce the mSCF-dependent growth signal, indicating that established cell clone will provide a unique cellular system for the study of SCF/c-kit signal transduction mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Triple primary brain tumors of different histological types: case report.

We report a case of triple primary intracranial tumors of different histologic types: meningioma, astrocytoma, and pituitary adenoma. Von Recklinghausen's disease or other etiologic factors supposedly associated with multiple primary brain tumors were not recognized in this 64-year-old female patient. Triple primary brain tumors with no association of von Recklinghausen's disease are rare--there is only one reported case with histologic studies.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1994

Forskolin potentiates G-CSF-induced proliferation of a murine myeloblastic leukemia cell line.

The role of the cAMP/A-kinase signaling pathway in G-CSF dependent proliferation of murine myeloblastic NFS-60 cells was investigated. G-CSF treatment resulted in a rapid and transient elevation of cAMP content of NFS-60 cells. G-CSF treatment of NFS-60 cells also resulted in the activation of A-kinase parallel to the increase in cAMP concentration. A low concentration (0.2-10 nM) of forskolin augmented the G-CSF-dependent cell proliferation, although forskolin by itself had no effect on NFS-60 cell growth. Forskolin did not affect the IL-3-induced proliferation of this cell line. Addition of forskolin resulted in further increases in the cAMP level, activation of A-kinase in NFS-60 cells stimulated by G-CSF. Proliferation of NFS-60 cells by G-CSF, but not by IL-3, was blocked by the axial diastereoisomer of adenosine 3',5'-phosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS), a competitive cAMP antagonist. KT-5720(8R*,9S*,11S*)-(-)-9-hydroxy-9-n-hexyloxy-8-methyl-2, 3, 9, 10-tetrahydro-8, 11-epoxy-1H, 8H, 11H-2,7b, 11a-triazadibenzo(a,g) cycloocta(c,d,e)trinden-1-one), an A-kinase inhibitor, inhibited the G-CSF-dependent proliferation. These findings suggest that activation of the cAMP/A-kinase signaling pathway may be involved in G-CSF-mediated cell proliferation of NFS-60 cells, whereas IL-3-dependent proliferation is not mediated in such a manner.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Naloxone attenuates drinking behavior in psychiatric patients displaying self-induced water intoxication.

1. The present study was performed to examine the effect of naloxone on drinking behavior in three schizophrenic inpatients with psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia. 2. Their body weight were checked five times daily and the maximum weight gain during a day was chosen as an index of their polydipsia. 3. After control recording for six weeks, a daily naloxone (0.6 mg) injection series was performed once every two weeks for three series (six weeks). Withdrawal of this drug for six weeks resulted in weight gain recovering to control level. 4. The present study showed that naloxone seems to be a potential treatment for psychiatric patients displaying self-induced water intoxication and that endogenous opioid systems are involved in the compulsive drinking behavior of this syndrome.

Drinking Behavior↗

PubMed1994

Calyculin A and okadiac acid inhibit human platelet aggregation by blocking protein phosphatases types 1 and 2A.

Two potent inhibitors of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) and type 2A (PP2A), calyculin A (CAL-A) and okadaic acid (OKA), inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, collagen and 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2). IC50 values of CAL-A and OKA for STA2-induced aggregation were 53 nM and 3.5 microM, respectively. These drugs also inhibited thrombin-induced [14C]serotonin secretion of platelets. CAL-A and OKA elicited phosphorylation of certain proteins with an apparent M(r) (x 10(-3) of 200, 60, 50 and 20 light chain of myosin (MLC). Agonist-induced 47,000 M(r) protein phosphorylation was strongly inhibited by these compounds, whereas phosphorylation of 20,000 M(r) MLC was enhanced. The increase in 50,000 M(r) protein phosphorylation by CAL-A and OKA was observed in the presence of agonists, and the 50,000 M(r) phosphorylation may be involved in the inhibition of platelet activation by these compounds. Subcellular analysis of the phosphatase activity in human platelets showed that MLC phosphatase activity was present mainly (approx. 78%) in the cytosolic fraction. Chromatography of human platelet extract on heparin-Sepharose resolved two peaks of MLC phosphatase activity: PP2A in 0.1 M NaCl eluate and PP1 in 0.5 NaCl eluate. PP2A and PP1 isozymes (PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma and PP1 delta) have also been identified in human platelets, by cross-reactivity with polyclonal antibodies against PP2A and PP1 isozymes, respectively. These results suggest that PP1 and/or PP2A may play an important role in the process of platelet activation by regulating levels of phosphorylation of certain proteins.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed1994

The distribution of [11C]cocaine in normal and cocaine-sensitization mice.

[N-11C-methyl]-cocaine ([11C]cocaine), synthesized by N-methylation of norcocaine with [11C]CH3I, was used to assist in imaging the variety of local distribution by positron emission tomography (PET). The radiochemical yield and the radiochemical purity after purification of [11C]cocaine by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at a sp. act. of 814 GBq/mmol were 47-58% and > 99%, respectively. The time required for synthesis including the purification was 25-30 min from the end of [11C]CH3I trapping. The physical distribution of [11C]cocaine in organ was also investigated in mice at various time after i.v. injection. The main accumulation of radioactivity occurred in the lung, kidney and brain within 1 min after the injection. In the brain, no differences in the organ were observed except the radioactivity level in each section increased for the first 5 min, since then radioactivity decreased dramatically. Furthermore, in the behavioral sensitization model of cocaine, the peak of [11C]cocaine uptake in each brain area was shown to be 5-15 min.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Intracellular membrane traffic of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins: vpu liberates Golgi-targeted gp160 from CD4-dependent retention in the endoplasmic reticulum.

The membrane traffic of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins has been investigated in COS-1 cells transiently expressing the HIV-1 env, vpu, and rev genes. Analysis of oligosaccharide processing revealed that the majority of gp160 remained fully endo-H sensitive throughout a 21-h chase period, and hence cleavage of gp160 to gp120-gp41 took place prior to the creation of hybrid and complex oligosaccharides on gp120. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that in the absence of CD4 both gp160 and Vpu are targeted to the Golgi apparatus, that can be stained with wheat germ agglutinin or antibodies to the human KDEL receptor. In contrast, gp160 complexed with CD4 was retained in the ER and thus failed to reach the cis-Golgi compartment. Although gp160-bound CD4 has its own half life of 4 h 35 min in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), co-expression of Vpu accelerated the turnover of CD4 by 5.5-fold and thereby enabled gp160 to be translocated out of the ER to the cis-Golgi compartment. We concluded that Vpu prevents the formation of stable CD4-gp160 complexes in the ER and thus indirectly allows gp160 to accumulate in the Golgi apparatus, where it is selectively retained to produce gp120-gp41.

Biological Transport↗

PubMed1994

Effect of FK-506 on xenografted human Graves' thyroid tissue is severe combined immunodeficient mice.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the macrolide antibiotic FK-506, an immunosuppressive agent, in an attempt to ameliorate the lesion of autoimmune thyroid disease in human thyroid tissue xenografted into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. It was not felt appropriate to employ this agent directly in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease because adequate therapeutic modalities are available and the introduction of new, experimental agents could not be justified. Moreover, the study of the tissue before and after treatment could not have been undertaken directly in patients. DESIGN: Human thyroid xenografts from four patients with Graves' disease and two normal persons were xenografted into SCID mice. Two weeks after xenografting, human immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detectable in all SCID mice xenografted with Graves' thyroid tissue. Mice were divided into two groups with human IgG levels similar to each other. Mice in the first group were treated with FK-506 daily for 6 weeks; mice in the second (similar) group were given phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only (control group). MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks from the tail veins for human IgG, thyroid stimulating antibody, thyroperoxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). After 8 weeks treatment, animals were sacrificed; thyroid tissue was examined histologically and for thyrocyte HLA-DR expression. FK-506 was also added to thyrocytes in in-vitro tissue culture conditions. RESULTS: After 4-6 weeks of FK-506 therapy, human IgG, all thyroid antibodies and IFN-gamma were suppressed, while the levels remained elevated in the control group. Lymphocytic infiltration virtually disappeared in the human thyroid tissue of the FK-506-treated mice and thyrocyte HLA-DR expression markedly declined; in the control mice, lymphocytic infiltration remained heavy and HLA-DR expression remained high. On the other hand, FK-506 added directly to thyrocytes in vitro (without lymphocytes) did not reduce thyrocyte HLA-DR expression. CONCLUSIONS: FK-506 appears to suppress the activation of intrathyroidal lymphocytes, but not thyrocytes. From these observations, it is concluded that this agent, by its action on intrathyroidal lymphocytes, is able to ameliorate the immunologically mediated histological and serological disturbance in human autoimmune thyroid disease, at least under these circumstances.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Muscarinic acetylcholine response in pyramidal neurones of rat cerebral cortex.

1. The effects of acetylcholine (ACh) on pyramidal neurons acutely dissociated from the rat cerebral cortex were studied in the whole-cell mode, by use of the nystatin-perforated patch recording configuration. 2. ACh induced a net inward current (IACh) accompanied by a membrane conductance decrease at a holding potential (VH) of -40 mV. IACh increased in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximum concentration (EC50) of 8.7 x 10(-7) M. 3. IACh mainly resulted from the suppression of the voltage- and time-dependent K+ current (M-current). 4. Muscarine and muscarinic agonists such as McN-A-343, oxotremorine and oxotremorine-M mimicked the ACh response. The potency was in the order of oxotremorine-M > McN-A-343 > or = muscarine > oxotremorine. 5. Pirenzepine shifted the concentration-response curve for ACh to the right and the corresponding Schild plot yielded a pA2 value of 7.81. Other muscarinic antagonists also reversibly blocked IACh in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory potency was in the order of atropine > 4-DAMP > pirenzepine > AF-DX-116. 6. IACh could be induced normally even after pre-incubation of dissociated neurones in external solution with 200 ng ml-1 pertussis toxin (PTX) for 8 h, whereas the inhibitory effect of ACh on high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels was completely abolished by the PTX treatment.

Acetylcholine↗