Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Ono

Publications and source records attributed to M Ono.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Augmented humoral and anaphylactic responses in Fc gamma RII-deficient mice.

Despite its widespread distribution on both lymphoid and myeloid cells, the biological role of the low-affinity immunoglobulin-G receptor, Fc gamma RII, is not fully understood. Defects in this receptor or its signalling pathway in B cells result in perturbations in immune-complex-mediated feedback inhibition of antibody production. We now report that Fc gamma RII-deficient animals display elevated immunoglobulin levels in response to both thymus-dependent and thymus-independent antigens. Additionally, the effector arm of the allergic response is perturbed in these mice. Mast cells from Fc gamma RII-/- are highly sensitive to IgG-triggered degranulation, in contrast to their wild-type counterparts. Fc gamma RII-deficient mice demonstrate an enhanced passive cutaneous analphylaxis reaction, the result of a decreased threshold for mast-cell activation by Fc gamma RIII cross-linking. These results demonstrate that Fc gamma RII acts as a general negative regulator of immune-complex-triggered activation in vivo for both the afferent and efferent limbs of the immune response. Exploiting this property offers new therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of allergic and autoimmune disorders.

Animals↗

An in vitro invasion model for human renal cell carcinoma cell lines mimicking their metastatic abilities.

We developed a modified in vitro invasion assay system using monolayers of vascular endothelial cells. A type I collagen gel was formed in plastic dishes, and overlaid with type IV collagen. Calf pulmonary arterial endothelial (CPAE) cells were seeded onto these plates, and incubated until they reached confluence. Five human renal cell carcinoma cell lines with various metastatic potentials in vivo were then seeded on the monolayer CPAE cells, and their colony formation and invasion activities were examined for 9 days. At day 4, the highly metastatic cell lines increased the number of colony foci on monolayer CPAE cells several fold higher than their poorly metastatic counterpart. The horizontal spreading patterns were also different between poorly and highly metastatic cell lines. On day 9, the number of carcinoma foci that penetrated the monolayer of CPAE cells and type IV collagen sheets into type I collagen gels in highly metastatic cell lines greatly increased as compared with that of poorly metastatic cell lines. Our in vitro invasion assay using monolayer CPAE cells would be useful to evaluate protease activities and colony formation during invasion.

Animals↗

Anatomical and technical aspects of the contralateral approach for multiple aneurysms.

Microsurgery of multiple aneurysms is still a controversial subject. In order to avoid the risk of rebleeding and the consequent increase in morbidity in such cases all aneurysms or at least as many aneurysms as possible should be treated in the first operative procedure. To reach that goal aneurysms located on the contralateral side should also be considered for clipping during the first operation. Between 1984 and 1994 a series of 51 patients harboring multiple aneurysms of which 55 aneurysms were located on the contralateral side of the craniotomy were operated at our institution. No mortality or morbidity could be directly ascribed to the aneurysm that was clipped contralaterally. Based on that series we have described the anatomical features, technical aspects and surgical difficulties of approaching bilateral aneurysms through the same craniotomy.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗

Identification of a potential Marek's disease virus serotype 2 glycoprotein D gene with homology to herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D.

The gene of Marek's disease virus (MDV) serotype 2 (MDV2) homologous to glycoprotein D (gD) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) was identified and characterized by its nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences. The MDV2 gD homologous gene contains an open reading frame capable of specifying a polypeptide of 385 amino acids, which include N- and C-terminal hydrophobic domains consistent with signal and anchor regions, respectively, and two potential N-linked glycosylation sites, one of which was located in a highly conserved region when compared to MDV serotype 1 (MDV1) and herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT). By northern blot analysis using a MDV2 gD-specific DNA probe, two highly abundant polycistronic 6.0 and 4.2 kb transcripts were detected in MDV2-infected cells. The genes encoding MDV2 protein kinase (PK), gD, and glycoprotein I (gI) homologues are transcribed to form 3' coterminal mRNAs of 6.0 kb (encoding PK, gD and gI) and 4.2 kb (encoding gD and gI), respectively. By using rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) method, several RNA start sites, to be thought those of the 4.2 kb mRNA, were detected in the upstream of MDV2 gD homologue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy of a thymidine kinase-deficient mutant of feline herpesvirus type 1 in cats.

We constructed a recombinant feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) which was deleted in a defined region (450 bp) within the thymidine kinase (TK) gene (C7301dlTK) [Yokoyama et al. (1995) J Vet Med Sci 57: 709-714]. In this report, we carried out two experiments to assess the pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy of the recombinant C7301dlTK in cats. The first experiment showed that, following multiple inoculation of the recombinant C7301dlTK by intraocular, intranasal and oral routes, the virus was sufficiently attenuated in cats, although a high titer of the virus was recovered from target organs (eye, nose, and mouth). In the second experiment, two intramuscular vaccinations with the recombinant C7301dlTK protected cats to a significant degree against subsequent challenge with the parent FHV-1 strain C7301 at 4 weeks after the last vaccination. These results demonstrate that the recombinant C7301dlTK is effective as a live attenuated vaccine with a clear genetic marker.

Alphaherpesvirinae↗

Primary biliary cirrhosis associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

A case of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is reported. The patient is a 59-year-old man. When he was 49 years old, he was diagnosed with ITP and received steroid therapy that successfully increased platelet numbers. However, the steroid therapy failed to normalize the elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Ten years after this episode, he suffered from general itching and malaise and exhibited a gradual increase of serum biliary enzyme levels. Immunologically, IgM was increased and anti-mitochondrial antibody was positive. Histological findings of liver needle biopsy showed chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis, confirming the diagnosis of PBC. To date, very few PBC cases associated with ITP have been reported. Our case is the second one in Japan. PBC and ITP in our patient seemed to develop simultaneously, but the effect of steroid therapy on the two conditions was different. This result suggests that the autoimmune process may have been different in PBC and ITP in the present patient.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Distribution of peptidergic nerve fibres in bullfrog lingual papillae demonstrated by a combination of double immunofluorescence labelling and a multiple dye filter.

Immunoreactivity of substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neuropeptide Y, and galanin is localized in nerve fibres distributed in the fungiform and filiform papillae of the tongue of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. A combination of indirect double immunofluorescence labelling and a multiple dye filter system clearly demonstrated that all substance P fibres in the connective tissue core of the fungiform and filiform papillae, and within the rim of ciliated cells located on the top of the fungiform papillae showed coexistence with calcitonin gene-related peptide. A few fibres in the epithelial discs, which are located in the centre of the top of the fungiform papillae, showed the immunoreactivity of calcitonin gene-related peptide alone. There were no substance P fibres which showed coexistence with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, galanin, and neuropeptide Y. In high magnification images, substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and substance P and galanin fibres were recognized as two intertwined fibres within the same thin nerve bundle. No immunoreactivity of leucine- and methionine-enkephalins can be detected. These findings suggest that the chemoreceptor function of the bullfrog gustatory organ may be under the control of complicated peptidergic innervation.

Animals↗

Angiogenesis as a new target for cancer treatment.

Neovascularization is often required for rapid growth of solid tumors and also limits vascular metastasis of tumor cells. Neovascularization-targeting agents are a recent innovation that may be a novel means of anticancer therapy. These antiangiogenic drugs have been developed by targeting cell proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, basement-membrane-degrading enzymes, angiogenic factors/receptors, extracellular matrix, angiogenesis signaling, and cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions. In this report, we describe how tumor angiogenesis occurs and how antiangiogenic agents are developed.

Animals↗

Resinous plate for permanent sternal splinting in patients with extracardiac conduits.

During operations on patients with extracardiac conduits, sternal reapproximation occasionally results in critical compression of the conduit and serious deterioration in hemodynamic function. Permanent splinting of the sternum with a methyl methacrylate resinous plate provides an adequate substernal space for the extracardiac conduit.

Adolescent↗

Ku is a general inhibitor of DNA-protein complex formation and transcription.

Ku is a ubiquitous and abundant DNA binding protein. Recently, it has been shown that Ku plays a crucial role in double stranded-DNA (dsDNA) break repair such as occurs during the V(D)J recombination of Ig genes. Ku has also been found to provide DNA binding activity to the catalytic domain of DNA-PK which is known to phosphorylate several transcription factors, suggesting that Ku is a multifunctional protein that participates as a component of several functional DNA-protein complexes. Here, we examined the interaction of Ku with several DNA binding proteins. Firstly, the DNA binding interaction between Ku and well-characterized transcription factors (OTF-1, Sp-1, AP-1) was analysed by EMSA. Although sequence non-specific, Ku was strongly competitive with these sequence specific transcription factors on compatible DNA elements, displacing them because of its high affinity association with DNA ends. Secondly, to determine whether this competitive effect was functionally relevant, we tested Ku in an in vitro transcription system with the adenovirus major late promoter. We found that Ku inhibited transcription from linear, but not from circular template DNA. These results suggest that Ku inhibits transcription when it is able to bind to template DNA and that the inhibition is the result of Ku displacing specific transcription factors from DNA.

Antigens, Nuclear↗

Effects of repeated treatment with methamphetamine plus scopolamine and methamphetamine on behavioral sensitization and conditioning.

This study compared repeated treatment with methamphetamine (4.0 mg/kg, i.p.) plus scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and methamphetamine alone in behavioral sensitization and drug conditioning with respect to a reciprocal balance between the dopaminergic and cholinergic systems. Repeated methamphetamine plus scopolamine treatment induced a more progressive and enduring enhancement of stereotyped behavior than repeated methamphetamine treatment. Methamphetamine plus scopolamine-induced stereotyped behavior was reproduced by challenge injections of not only methamphetamine plus scopolamine and methamphetamine, but also, to a lesser extent, by scopolamine challenges. The methamphetamine plus scopolamine-sensitized rats were conditioned to a low-frequency tone (300 Hz, 100 dB) as conditioned stimulus associated with the drug state. They responded to pairings of the tone and placebo injections, but not to the tone alone or the placebo alone. The methamphetamine-sensitized rats failed to exhibit conditioning. These results suggest that methamphetamine plus scopolamine-induced pronounced behavioral sensitization may produce an enhanced conditioning. Exteroceptive conditioned stimulus-interoceptive unconditioned stimulus associations may provide an important source for drug conditioning. We concluded that behavioral sensitization may be mediated via a reciprocal balance between the dopaminergic and cholinergic systems, in favor of a dopaminergic dominance. Conditioning to the drug-associated tone may operate via a reciprocal balance between the dopaminergic and cholinergic systems.

Animals↗

Methamphetamine modifies the photic entraining responses in the rodent suprachiasmatic nucleus via serotonin release.

We examined whether methamphetamine modifies the photic entraining responses in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus. Optic nerve stimulation increased vasoactive intestinal polypeptide release from rat suprachiasmatic nucleus slices, and methamphetamine inhibited this increase in a concentration-dependent manner. Optic nerve stimulation has been reported to evoke field potentials in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus slices. Methamphetamine attenuated this field potential, and maximal inhibition (75.5%) was achieved at a concentration of 100 microM. Systemic administration of methamphetamine (1-5 mg/kg) inhibited light (300 lux, 1h)-induced Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus; methamphetamine at a dose of 5 mg/kg, i.p. caused 40% inhibition of light-induced Fos expression. We examined whether the inhibitory effect of methamphetamine on photic entraining responses mediates serotonin release from the suprachiasmatic nucleus. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that methamphetamine application increased serotonin release from rat suprachiasmatic nucleus slices in a concentration-dependent manner, but did not affect noradrenaline release. In addition, reduction of serotonin content attenuated the effect of methamphetamine on field potential induced by optic nerve stimulation in vitro and also light-induced phase advances of wheel running activity rhythm in vivo. The present results support the idea that methamphetamine produces an inhibitory effect on photic entrainment in the suprachiasmatic nucleus via serotonin release.

Animals↗

IL-7 upregulates T cell receptor/CD3 expression by cultured dendritic epidermal T cells.

Dendritic epidermal T Cells (DETC) in adult mice express uniformly the phenotype of Thy-1+, T cell receptor (TCR)-V gamma 3/V delta 1+, CD3+, CD4- and CD8-. In newborn mice, however, the epidermis contains smaller numbers of Thy-1+ cells and they rarely express TCR or CD3, suggesting that a phenotypic maturation and/or a rapid expansion of TCR+/CD3+ cells must occur within the epidermis soon after birth. We have observed previously that keratinocytes produce biologically relevant amounts of IL-7 and that this cytokine promotes the survival and growth of DETC in vitro. Here we report that IL-7 also promotes CD3/TCR expression by DETC. When the long-term cultured DETC line, 7-17, was incubated with IL-7, surface expression was upregulated in time- and dose-dependent fashions, as assessed with antibodies against gamma delta TCR, V gamma 3 TCR or CD3 epsilon. Among 10 other cytokines tested, only IL-2 was effective. IL-7-dependent upregulation also occurred at the levels of mRNA expression (Northern blot) and protein synthesis (immunoprecipitation). We propose that keratinocyte-derived IL-7 promotes not only the growth, but also the phenotypic maturation of DETC, thereby supporting the intraepidermal development of a DETC network during the neonatal period.

Animals↗

Cyclosporine-related encephalopathy following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

A 46-year-old man with chronic myelogenous leukemia received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from a partially human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched sibling. Cyclosporine (CYA)-related encephalopathy developed on days 10 and 21 following BMT, and CYA-related thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) developed on day 45 following BMT. We measured serum concentrations of thrombomodulin (TM) as a marker of endothelial injury. The concentrations of TM were increased during the encephalopathy or TTP and decreased following recovery. Since CYA can cause endothelial injury, we suggest that CYA-induced endothelial injury is common to the pathogenesis of both the encephalopathy and the TTP. CYA therapy should be reinstituted with extreme caution in patients with a past history of CYA-related encephalopathy, since readministration of a low-dose CYA can evoke the immediate return of the encephalopathy.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

(R-Z)-7,15-hexadecadien-4-olide, sex pheromone of the yellowish elongate chafer, Heptophylla picea.

An active component of the sex pheromone system of the yellowish elongate chafer, Heptophylla picea was identified by GC-EAD. Mass spectral data and hydrogenation revealed that the active compound was a hexadecadien-4-olide. It was not possible to determine the double bond positions by direct DMDS derivatization of the pheromone, but partial hydrogenation (diimide) followed by DMDS derivatization showed that the double bonds were located in positions 7 and 15. FTIR (tracer) of the pheromone corroborated the lactone structure (1772 cm-1) and showed a band characteristic of a terminal double bond at 3073 cm-1, and one of a double bond in the cis-configuration at 3002 cm-1. Chiral resolution of the pheromone, after hydrogenation, demonstrated that the natural lactone had the (R)-stereochemistry. Synthetic (R,Z)-7,15-hexadecadien-4-olide, prepared from L-malic acid in 14 steps, was identical to the natural product in MS, IR, retention times and biological activity. This is the first fatty acid derivative compound found as a sex pheromone of a Melolonthinae species and as far as biosynthesis is concerned this is the most complex pheromone constituent of a scarab species.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Surgical reconstruction of the ocular surface in advanced ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

PURPOSE: Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and Stevens-Johnson syndrome often cause ocular damage and blindness not amenable to surgical correction. We present a new surgical technique for reconstructing affected eyes. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 11 patients with cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis (seven patients with cicatricial pemphigoid and four with Stevens-Johnson syndrome; average age +/- S.D., 55.5 +/- 25.4 years) were treated with a combination of allograft limbal transplantation, amniotic membrane transplantation, and tarsorrhaphy, followed every 15 minutes by artificial tears derived from the patient's blood serum. Eight eyes required concomitant penetrating or lamellar keratoplasty because of corneal opacity. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 143 days (range, 10 to 608 days), we achieved successful ocular surface reconstruction in 12 eyes, with minimal recurrence of symblepharon. Failure occurred in two eyes (one each in 9- and 10-year-old boys) that developed corneal infiltration and vascularization. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of allograft limbal transplantation, amniotic membrane transplantation, and tarsorrhaphy, followed by the use of serum-derived tears, can reconstruct the ocular surface in most cases. Although in this study the follow-up period was short and relatively few patients were studied, this approach appears to offer an alternative to keratoprosthesis for treating severe cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis with dry eye.

Adult↗

Vascular lesions in mice with a deficit in Fas-mediated apoptosis and their transfer.

The lpr and gld genes are thought to result in an incapacity for Fas-mediated apoptosis of T and B cells and the development of subsequent autoimmune disease. A newly established gld-congenic strain of mice, MRL/MpTn-gld/gld (MRL/gld), was found to develop vascular lesions involving arteritis and glomerulonephritis (GN), which were similar to those observed in the MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) strain. However, comparative studies with a C3H/HeJ strain bearing lpr or gld revealed that these lesions developed only in mice with an MRL background. We were successful in transferring GN to normal MHC-compatible gld/gld and irradiated +/+ mice by bone marrow cells of MRL/gld mice, but were unsuccessful using those of C3H/gld mice. Transfer of arteritis, however, was only successful in mice with an MRL background. Nephritogenic monoclonal antibodies obtained from an MRL/lpr and an MRL/gld mouse were shown to be bone marrow-derived and rich in clonal diversity, and at least two of these were capable of causing glomerular injury by different mechanisms. Development of GN and systemic arteritis in MRL/lpr and MRL/gld mice will be dependent not only on their incapacity for Fas-mediated apoptosis but also on bone marrow cells and peripheral cells with intrinsic defects.

Animals↗

Expression and properties of feline herpesvirus type 1 gD (hemagglutinin) by a recombinant baculovirus.

We constructed a recombinant baculovirus expressing feline herpesvirus type I (FHV-1) gD in insect cells (Sf9 cells). The expressed product was identified as FHV-1 gD by a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for the FHV-1 gD, and had an apparent molecular mass of approximately 49 kDa, which was less than that of the authentic FHV-1 gD. When the FHV-1 gD protein were expressed in Sf9 cells and CRFK cells in the presence of tunicamycin, the FHV-1 gD exhibited a molecular mass of 41 kDa. It was shown that the gD protein was transported to the surface of recombinant virus-infected Sf9 cells when examined by membrane-immunofluorescence analysis, and that the gD expressed on the surface of Sf9 cells adsorbed feline erythrocytes. Mice inoculated with a lysate of Sf9 cells expressing FHV-1 gD induced antibodies with virus-neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibition activities. Therefore, the expressed gD appears to be biologically authentic. These data suggested that recombinant FHV-1 gD produced in Sf9 cells may be a useful immunogen as a feline vaccine.

Animals↗