Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Ueda

Publications and source records attributed to M Ueda.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Increased tenascin expression is an early feature of the development of transplant renal arteriopathy in humans.

Transplant renal arteriopathy (TRA) is a major obstacle to the long-term survival of human renal allografts. Tenascin (TN) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein associated with cell growth and differentiation. We investigated TN expression in intrarenal arteries with TRA, in association with cellular components, with phenotypic expression of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and with fibronectin expression. Ten renal allografts that had been removed due to rejection were available. Monoclonal antibodies against SMC, macrophages, T cells, B cells, fibronectin, and TN were used. In the early stages, medial SMC showed a de-differentiated phenotype and the neointima consisted largely of T cells and macrophages. At these stages, increased expression of TN was observed in the media. In later stages, the neointima consisted almost entirely of SMC of a differentiated phenotype and no TN expression was found. Up-regulation of TN may play a role in the migration and phenotypic modulation of SMC at an early stage of TRA in humans.

Actins↗

A novel heterologous gene expression system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the isocitrate lyase gene promoter from Candida tropicalis.

We have found that the upstream region of the isocitrate lyase gene (UPR-ICL) from the n-alkane-utilizing yeast Candida tropicalis was functional in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a novel promoter with nonfermentable carbon sources, such as oleic acid, acetate, ethanol, and glycerol/lactate. The expression of two foreign genes coding for beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli (LacZ) and glutamate decarboxylase from rat brain was carried out under the control of UPR-ICL. Expression of LacZ was repressed by glucose and enhanced over 300-fold by acetate. When an expression vector pWI3 containing multicloning sites between UPR-ICL and the transcriptional terminator of the isocitrate lyase gene (TERM-ICL) was used, the smaller isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65) was highly produced in a soluble and active form. These results demonstrate that the novel expression system using UPR-ICL and TERM-ICL from C. tropicalis is useful for the production of heterologous proteins in S. cerevisiae.

Animals↗

Effectiveness of an adriamycin immunoconjugate that recognizes the C-erbB-2 product on breast cancer cell lines.

Adriamycin (ADM) was chemically conjugated to a murine monoclonal antibody, A0011, which recognizes the c-erbB-2 product, via a disulfide bond using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) and 2-iminothiolane (2-IT). The molar ratio of ADM to the monoclonal antibody ranged from 15:1 to 25:1 and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the binding activity of the conjugate was almost retained. We compared the efficacy of A0011 alone, ADM alone, the A0011-ADM conjugate, against the human breast cancer cell lines SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-361, MCF-7, and BT-20. The A0011-ADM conjugate was observed to be ten times more cytotoxic to the cell lines overexpressing the c-erbB-2 product, namely, SK-BR-3 and MDA-MB-361, than free ADM, but it showed weak cytotoxicity against the cell lines with a low level of c-erbB-2 product expression, namely, MCF-7 and BT-20. However, free A0011 and nonspecific murine IgM-ADM conjugate showed no cytotoxicity toward any of the four cell lines, while the addition of a tenfold molar excess of A0011 inhibited conjugate cytotoxicity. These data suggest that conjugate cytotoxicity is antibody-mediated. Moreover, conjugate cytotoxicity at 10(-6)M was correlated with antigen volume, and the data were fitted to the regression equation y = -11.63logX + 116.38 where the correlation coefficient = 0.950. Our results indicate that targeting therapy aiming at the c-erbB-2 product may be useful in the treatment of breast cancers overexpressing the c-erbB-2 product.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Tissue oxygen saturation of human hepatic grafts after reperfusion: paradoxical elevation in poor graft function.

The present study investigated the pathophysiology of primary nonfunction (PNF) of grafted livers with regard to hepatic tissue oxygenation. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation in hepatic tissue (H-So2) after reperfusion was determined using near-infrared spectroscopy. Graft tissue oxygen consumption was also estimated according to Fick's principle. Six grafts with PNF were compared with 40 functioning grafts. One PNF graft with extremely low and heterogeneous H-So2 after reperfusion was found to contain multiple intrahepatic portal thrombi. However, five other PNF grafts showed no lower and, on the contrary, more homogeneous H-So2 at the end of the operation. As a whole, mean H-So2 was negatively correlated and the coefficient of variation (CV) of H-So2 was positively correlated with graft tissue oxygen consumption at the end of the operation; grafts whose H-So2 showed a secondary decrease had better initial function. In later relaparotomy, the H-So2 of the five PNF grafts was significantly higher and more homogeneous than that of the functioning grafts. These results suggest that H-So2 level reflects tissue oxygen consumption as well as oxygenation, and that the dissociation of both factors can occur in hepatic graft reperfusion. Not only low and heterogeneous H-So2 but also high and homogeneous H-So2, suggesting some shunt mechanism, can be signs of poor graft function.

Adolescent↗

Biological and physicochemical characterization of recombinant human erythropoietins fractionated by Mono Q column chromatography and their modification with sialyltransferase.

Ten erythropoietin (EPO) fractions differing in sialic acid content, ranging from 9.5 to 13.8 mol mol-1 of EPO, were obtained from baby hamster kidney cell-derived recombinant human EPO by Mono Q column chromatography. The mean pI values of the EPO fractions determined by IEF-gel electrophoresis systematically shifted from 4.11 to 3.31, coinciding with the sialic acid content, without a change in the constitution of asialo N-linked oligosaccharides of each fraction. Although a linear relationship between the in vivo bioactivity and the sialic acid content of the fractionated samples was observed until 12.1 mol mol-1 of EPO, there was no further increase in their activity over 12.4 mol mol-1 of EPO. On the other hand, an inverse relationship between the in vitro bioactivity and sialic acid content of EPO was observed. Also, we showed that the in vivo bioactivity of some fractions with low sialic acid contents was increased after treatment with alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase, but the in vivo bioactivity of the other fractions with high sialic acid contents was either decreased or not affected.

Animals↗

Epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent cytotoxic effect by an EGF-ribonuclease conjugate on human cancer cell lines--a trial for less immunogenic chimeric toxin.

Mammalian pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase) was conjugated chemically via a disulfide bond to human or murine epidermal growth factor (EGF). The conjugation between EGF and RNase was ascertained by SDS-PAGE using reduced and nonreduced conjugates. The EGF-RNase conjugate retained potent RNase activity and competed with 125I-EGF for binding to EGFR to the same extent as unconjugated EGF. Both the human and murine EGF-RNase conjugates showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against EGFR-overexpressing A431 human squamous carcinoma cells with IC50 values of 3 x 10(-7) M and 6 x 10(-7) M, respectively, whereas free RNase had an IC50 of 10(-4) M. Against the EGFR-deficient small-cell lung cancer cell line H69, the EGF-RNase conjugate had no cytotoxic effect. The Human EGF-RNase conjugate showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against other squamous carcinoma cell lines (TE-5, TE-1) and breast cancer cell lines (BT-20, SK-BR-3, MCF-7) and the cytotoxicity of the conjugate correlated positively with the level of expression of EGFR by each cell line. An unconjugated mixture of EGF and RNase had no greater effect than RNase alone on any cell line. Excess free EGF blocked EGF-RNase conjugate cytotoxicity against A431 cells. These results suggest that the EGF-RNase conjugate may be a more effective anticancer agent with less immunogenicity than coventional chimeric toxins.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Selected salivary-gland cell culture and the effects of isoproterenol, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and substance P.

To establish a selected salivary-gland cell culture and determine the effect of neuropeptides, monolayers were cultured using 3T3 cells as a feeder layer. To confirm the origin of these cultured cells, amylase production was examined by electron microscopy and periodic acid-Schiff staining, together with immunocytochemical analysis of myosin, anti-cytokeratin (CK-1, CK 10/13, CK MNF116, CK LMW, CK HMW and CK-19) and amylase antibody. The cultured cells demonstrated secretion granules containing amylase and presented features characteristic of acinar cells, which they retained until passage two. By using a feeder layer in conjunction with a newly formulated culture medium, the selectability of these cells was improved. Changes in proliferation of cultured salivary-gland cells in the presence of selected neurotransmitters were also examined. Isoproterenol enhanced cellular proliferation. On the other hand, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and substance P, which increase the weight of salivary glands in vivo, showed no significant enhancement of proliferation.

3T3 Cells↗

Ovarian tumors associated with pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical characteristics of ovarian tumors associated with pregnancy were investigated. METHOD: A series of 106 cases of ovarian tumor surgically resected during pregnancy was investigated with respect to incidence, clinicopathologic features and outcome. RESULTS: Among 106 cases undergoing ovarian surgery, 31 (29.2%), 70 (66%) and five (4.7%) were diagnosed as physiologic, benign and malignant, respectively. The incidence of benign neoplastic tumor was 1:112 deliveries and that of malignant neoplastic tumor was 1:1684 deliveries. Dermoid cyst was the most common lesion found. Of the 70 benign tumors, 51 (72.9%) were greater than 8 cm in diameter and 55 (78.6%) were preoperatively diagnosed before the 10th gestational week; 44 (62.9%) were operated before the 15th gestational week. The spontaneous abortion rate in 80 cases followed up after surgery was only 10%, 61 patients (76.3%) progressing to full-term delivery. Five malignant tumors included three epithelial carcinomas, one embryonal carcinoma and one dysgerminoma. CONCLUSION: Ovarian surgery in the first trimester for persistent or enlarging masses is important to obtain a final histologic diagnosis and rule out malignancy.

Adolescent↗

Epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent cytotoxicity for human squamous carcinoma cell lines of a conjugate composed of human EGF and RNase 1.

Recombinant human ribonuclease 1 (RNase 1) was chemically linked to recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF). The EGF-RNase conjugate showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity for EGF receptor-overexpressing A431 and TE-8 human squamous carcinoma cells with an IC50 of 2 x 10(-7)M and 10(-6)M, respectively, whereas the IC50 of RNase alone was almost 10(-4)M. An unconjugated mixture of EGF and RNase had no greater effect than RNase alone. The conjugate showed no detectable cytotoxicity against EGF receptor-deficient small cell lung cancer cells (H69). Addition of excess EGF in the medium protected A431 cells from the EGF-RNase conjugate cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity of the EGF-RNase conjugate was positively correlated with the EGF receptor numbers of each cell line. The chimeric toxin composed of only human proteins might be a more useful anti-cancer agent with less immunogenicity than the conventional chimeric toxins.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Dual effect of serotonin on formalin-induced nociception in the rat spinal cord.

To examine the role of the descending serotonergic system in the regulation of spinal nociceptive processing, the effects of serotonin (5-HT) and selective ligands for 5-HT receptor subtypes on persistent nociception were investigated. Formalin (5% formaldehyde) injected into the plantar region of the rat hindpaw induced two phases of aversive responses such as licking and biting. Intrathecal administration of selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, granisetron (0.1-100 pmol/rat) and ondansetron (1-1000 pmol/rat), reduced the second phase of the formalin-induced aversive responses without affecting the first one. The antinociceptive effect of granisetron (100 pmol/rat) was abolished when 5-HT was depleted from the lumbar cord by pretreatment with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). In the 5,7-DHT-treated rats, intrathecal administration of 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide, a selective 5-HT3 receptor agonist, facilitated the aversive responses in the second phase whereas that of 8-OH-DPAT, a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, suppressed them. Intrathecal administration of 5-HT showed a dual effect on the second phase of the aversive responses in the 5,7-DHT-treated rats; 5-HT inhibited the aversive responses when administered at a low dose (0.1 nmol/rat) but facilitated them at a high dose (1 nmol/rat). In addition, the inhibitory and facilitatory effects of intrathecal 5-HT were blocked by its co-administration with NAN190, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, and granisetron, respectively. These results suggest that 5-HT suppresses formalin-induced nociception in the spinal cord via the 5-HT1A receptor and facilitates it via the 5-HT3 receptor.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

Expression of p53 protein in melanoma progression.

p53, A tumor suppressor gene, has been documented as the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers including non-melanoma skin tumors. It has been controversial whether the p53 gene mutation plays a major role for melanoma genesis. To examine the role of p53 in human malignant melanoma carcinogenesis, we performed immunohistochemical analysis using anti-p53 antibodies (CM-1 and DO-7) in microwaved paraffin sections. When cases having more than 1% reactive cells were regarded as positive, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that in primary melanomas 14 of 51 (27%) were positive with CM-1 or 15 of 51 (29%) were positive with DO-7. Tumor thickness of primary melanomas in p53 positive cases was significantly thicker than that in p53 negative cases. In metastatic melanomas, 35 of 41 (85%) lymph node metastases were positive with either antibody and in skin metastases 16 of 28 (57%) lesions with CM-1 or 18 of 28 (64%) lesions with DO-7 were positive. The mean percentages of reactive cells were 2.3% in primary lesions and 4.9% in metastases. The incidence of positivity was significantly higher in metastases than primary lesions. In 10 cases examined, with both primary and metastatic melanoma, 3 cases were negative in both lesions and 1 case was positive in both lesions, while 6 cases were negative in the primary lesions and positive only in metastatic lesions. Four Spitz nevi, 6 dysplastic nevi and 11 common nevi were all negative. These data suggest that the expression of p53 protein may be a late event in melanoma progression.

Disease Progression↗

Erythropoietin gene expression by hydrogen peroxide.

We examined the effect of H2O2 on the regulation of the human erythropoietin (Epo) gene through the GATA sequence in the Epo promoter in Hep3B cells. The addition of exogenous H2O2 in Hep3B cells inhibited hypoxia-induced Epo production of mRNA as assessed by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and protein by EIA. Likewise, menadione, which increased production of endogenous H2O2, inhibited hypoxia-induced Epo production in Hep3B cells. Furthermore, the expression of the human GATA (hGATA) transcription factor was increased dose-dependently by the addition of H2O2 or menadione in Hep3B cells as assessed by gel mobility shift assay. We concluded that H2O2 inhibits Epo gene expression, because it enhanced the expression of the hGATA transcription factor. Our findings support the hypothesis that GATA is a transcription factor for the Epo gene acting through the oxygen sensor.

Cells, Cultured↗

Meanings of c-erbB and int-2 amplification in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Accumulation of genetic abnormalities is linked to the development and progression of cancer. We therefore analyzed the correlation between the clinical characteristics of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and oncogene amplifications. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1991, there were 63 cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma (Tis and T1 cancer) at Keio University Hospital. The T1 cases were divided into two groups: T1a cases, in which the tumor had invaded the lamina propria, and T1b cases, in which the tumor had invaded the submucosa. DNA was isolated from paraffin-embedded blocks. Oncogene amplification was determined by slot-blot hybridization. RESULTS: Amplification of int-2 and c-erbB was detected in 14 and 5, respectively, of the 54 cases. Three of 12 T1b patients with int-2 amplification died of distant organ metastasis. The survival rate for the group with int-2 amplification was significantly lower than that without int-2 amplification. All 4 T1b patients with c-erbB amplification had lymph node metastasis at operation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings mean that genetic abnormalities are a useful marker for treating patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

A newly developed solution enhances thirty-hour preservation in a canine lung transplantation model.

Ischemia and reperfusion cause the production of oxygen free radicals. These damage grafts or disrupt normal vascular homeostatic mechanisms, with a parallel reduction in endothelial nitric oxide and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate levels. We hypothesized that lung preservation failure may be related to these events. To improve lung preservation, we prepared a new ET-Kyoto solution, which contains N-acetylcysteine (a radical scavenger), nitroglycerin (to elevate the nitric oxide level), and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (to elevate the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate level) and examined its efficacy in a canine single-lung transplantation model. Lungs were flushed with new ET-Kyoto solution (group I, n = 9), basal ET-Kyoto solution (group II, n = 6), basal ET-Kyoto solution plus ethanol and propylene glycol (solvents of nitroglycerin; group III, n = 6), or low-potassium dextran glucose solution (group IV, n = 6), and stored at 4 degrees C for 30 hours. After left single-lung transplantation, the right main bronchus and right pulmonary artery were ligated and the functions of the transplanted lung were assessed for 6 hours. Arterial oxygen tension was significantly higher in group I than in groups II, III, and IV (p < 0.05). Peak inspiratory pressure and wet-to-dry lung weight ratio were significantly lower in group I than in groups II and IV (p < 0.01). Histologic and ultrastructural studies showed better preservation in group I than in groups II, III, and IV. We conclude that the new ET-Kyoto solution provides enhanced 30-hour lung preservation.

Animals↗

Split transplantation of the trachea: a new operative procedure for extended tracheal resection.

Before tracheal transplantation can be applied clinically, several problems must be solved: immunosuppression, blood supply to grafts, and reliable long-term preservation of grafts. We have conducted experiments on tracheal transplantation to solve these problems. In the present study, we tried a new operative procedure to accomplish reliable revascularization of transplanted tracheal grafts. It has been reported that transplantation of a 10-ring length of trachea is difficult even with omentopexy. Long tracheal allografts can be transplanted with use of direct revascularization, but this technique is extremely troublesome. Thus we developed a new operative procedure, "split tracheal transplantation," in which grafts are divided at the midportion and covered with omentum, after demonstrating that the blood supply to tracheal grafts can be reestablished around the suture lines. Two groups of dogs were used. In group A (control, n = 4), a 10-ring length of trachea was autotransplanted. The anastomotic sites and grafts were covered with omental pedicles. In group B (split tracheal transplantation, n = 10), tracheal grafts 10 rings long were autotransplanted. These grafts were divided at the midportion, a piece of omentum was inserted between the two halves, and the midportion was sutured. Grafts were observed regularly by bronchoscopy and examined histopathologically after the animals died or were killed. In some animals, microangiography of the bronchial circulation was done. In the control group, necrosis, stenosis, or malacia of the grafts was observed in three of the four animals. In the split transplantation group, all animals survived for at least 2 months, all grafts were incorporated, and none showed ischemia, stenosis, or malacia. Microscopic examination and microangiography revealed that neovascularization of the graft was promoted by omentum inserted at the midportion of the graft. Split transplantation of the trachea is an easy and reliable way to extend tracheal resection.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Long-term cryopreservation can prevent rejection of canine tracheal allografts with preservation of graft viability.

We previously reported that cryopreservation of tracheas for 1 month was possible in a canine tracheal autotransplantation model with use of a preservative solution containing trehalose. Realizing that the allogenicity of many organs is decreased by freezing, we examined the possibility of immunosuppressant-free canine tracheal allotransplantation after long-term cryopreservation. Six to 10 rings of the trachea were removed from donor dogs (n = 12), immersed in the preservative solution, and cryopreserved in a deep freezer at -85 degrees C for 285 +/- 28 days (cryopreservation group). Five rings of the mediastinal trachea of recipient dogs were removed. The cryopreserved tracheas were thawed and transplanted to replace the excised mediastinal tracheas. In a control group (n = 6), the graft was preserved in Euro-Collins solution at 10 degrees C for 16 to 17 hours. Allotransplantation of tracheas was done as in the cryopreservation group. The anastomotic site and graft were covered with an omental pedicle in both groups. In the cryopreservation group, every animal, except one that was killed for pathologic examination, survived more than 2 months. All the grafts of this group were viable, and no stenosis or tracheomalacia was observed. In the control group, most of the animals died within 1 month of tracheal stenosis caused by rejection. These findings reveal that immunosuppressant-free canine tracheal allotransplantation was consistently possible after long-term cryopreservation of the graft in a preservative solution containing trehalose. This simple method could solve both donor shortage and immunosuppression problems.

Animals↗

Histologic study of the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on autogenous free bone grafts.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on autogenous free bone grafts transplanted from iliac crest to the mandibles of rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A piece of corticocancellous bone harvested from iliac crest was grafted to a same-size bone defect in the mandibles of 16 Japanese white rabbits. In 8 rabbits, 20 and 10 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment were carried out twice per day (2.4 ATA 60 min.) before and after operation, respectively. The other 8 rabbits served as controls. The graft and surrounding bone were sampled at 1, 2, 4, or 8 weeks after transplantation, and the effects of HBO were evaluated by light micrography and contact microradiography. RESULTS: At 1 week after grafting, osteoid formation in the experimental group was much greater than in the control group. Union between the grafted and the host bone was observed in the experimental group at 2 weeks after grafting, but it was not observed in the control group until 4 weeks. Although it was difficult to differentiate grafted from host bone in the experimental group at 4 weeks, it was readily distinguishable in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HBO accelerates the union of autogenous free bone grafts.

Animals↗

Ultrasonic root-end preparation: clinical and radiographic evaluation of results.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the results of periradicular surgery performed using ultrasonic root-end preparation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The course of healing during observation periods ranging from 6 months to 3 years was examined in 157 teeth. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five teeth were successfully treated, for a success rate of 92.4%. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the ultrasonic root-end preparation technique for periradicular surgery is a simple procedure that provides excellent results.

Adolescent↗