Biomedical subjects

N Terada

Publications and source records attributed to N Terada.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Absence of mast cell involvement in leukocyte adhesion and emigration induced by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase.

Leukocyte adhesion on venules and their emigration to extravascular connective tissue are induced by administration of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. In the present study, the involvement of mast cells in the process was examined in genetically mast cell-deficient and normal rats by intravital microscopy. Superfusion of the NOS inhibitor into the mesentery induced partial degranulation of mast cells in normal rats. However, leukocyte adhesion on mesenteric venules and emigration to extravascular connective tissue occurred even in mast cell-deficient rats, with no significant difference from the normal rats. When the reverse-passive Arthus reaction, characterized by generalized antigen-antibody complex formation, was induced in the rat mesentery, the immune complex increased both the adhesion and emigration in normal rats but not in mast cell-deficient rats. These results show that mast cells are not involved in the leukocyte adhesion and emigration induced by NOS inhibition, but are in the reverse-passive Arthus reaction.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Rapamycin-sensitive phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S17 by p70 S6 kinase.

The immunosuppressant rapamycin selectively inhibits the phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6. We demonstrate that rapamycin also inhibits the phosphorylation of another ribosomal protein identified by isolation and microsequencing as ribosomal protein S17. The phosphorylation of S17 in T- and B-cell lines is specifically inhibited by rapamycin. IL-3 induces the phosphorylation of S17 in the IL3-responsive cell line, BaF3, and this phosphorylation is inhibited by rapamycin. Purified preparations of recombinant S17 are phosphorylated in vitro by immunoprecipitated p70 S6 kinase. Finally, recombinant S17 is phosphorylated by cellular fractions containing p70 S6 kinase, whereas no other cellular fractions were found to contain any significant S17 kinase activity. These data suggest that the ribosomal protein S17 is a substrate for p70 S6 kinase both in vitro and in vivo and that S17 may be involved in mediating the inhibitory effects of rapamycin on protein translation in cells of different lineages.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed1996

p70 S6 kinase sensitivity to rapamycin is eliminated by amino acid substitution of Thr229.

Rapamycin, which forms a complex with FK506-binding protein and FK506-binding protein-rapamycin-associated protein, induces immunosuppression through an as yet undefined pathway. Our previous studies demonstrated that rapamycin inactivates p7Os6k, which results in the inhibition of translation of ribosomal proteins. Here, we analyzed the mechanism of inactivation of p70s6k by rapamycin using site-directed mutagenesis of the phosphate acceptor site. We introduced a point mutation at Thr229 in the catalytic subdomain VIII of p7Os6k because Thr229 of p7Os6k corresponds to the phosphorylation site of mitogen-activated protein kinases by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and to the autophosphorylation site of protein kinase A whose phosphorylation is required for its full activation. Thr229 of rat p70s6k was substituted by either a neutral amino acid Ala (T229A) or by an acidic amino acid Glu (T229E). T229A-P70s6k, expressed in COS cells, migrated faster in SDS-polyacrylamide gels than wild-type p70s6k, and this mutation completely ablated the catalytic activity of the kinase. In contrast, T229E-p70s6k migrated more slowly in SDS-polyacrylamide gels, but demonstrated partial kinase activity (approximately 20% compared with the wild type). These data indicate that the negative charge at Thr229 which is normally achieved by phosphorylation of the residue, is important for the catalytic function of p70s6k. Further, the residual activity of T229E-p70s6k was not affected by rapamycin, implying that rapamycin-induced inactivation of p70s6k may be caused by dephosphorylation or impaired phosphorylation of Thr229.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Aggregation of the FcepsilonRI on mast cells stimulates c-Jun amino-terminal kinase activity. A response inhibited by wortmannin.

Aggregation of the high-affinity Fc receptors for immunoglobulin E (IgE) (FcepsilonRI) on the surface of mast cells initiates intracellular signal transduction pathways including the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, an increase in intracellular calcium, and protein kinase C activation. These signals are believed to be involved in the exocytic release of inflammatory mediators such as vasoactive amines, cytokines, and lipid metabolites. However, the downstream consequences of these early activation events are not well defined. One exception is the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases/mitogen-activated protein kinases. One member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, designated c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), has been recently identified. JNK is activated following dual phosphorylation at a Thr-Pro-Tyr motif in response to diverse stimuli including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, heat shock, or ultraviolet irradiation. We found that JNK was strongly activated by antigen cross-linking in a mouse mast cell line passively sensitized with ovalbumin-specific IgE. Anti-mouse IgE antibody also activated JNK. MEK kinase 1 (MEKK1) which activates the JNK activator, JNK kinase (JNKK), was similarly activated by antigen stimulation. JNK but not p42(erk2) activation induced by antigen was significantly inhibited in the presence of wortmannin, a known inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. These results indicate that in response to the aggregation of FcepsilonRI on mast cells, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation is involved in the stimulation of the MEKK1, JNKK, JNK pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

The later administration of progesterone more rapidly activates dormant mouse mammary tumor cells initiated by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene.

Implantation of progesterone at 1 month of age induced the development of mammary tumors in female C57BL/6 x DS-F1 mice that had been treated with 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me-DAB) neonatally, and that had undergone ovariectomy and received implants of estradiol-17beta (E2) pellets at 1 month of age, and the incidence of mammary tumors became 100% at 15 months of age. On the other hand, no mammary tumors developed in these mice with implants of E2 pellets alone. Implantation of progesterone alone also induced no mammary tumors in mice that had been treated with 3'-Me-DAB neonatally, and had undergone ovariectomy at 1 month of age. Implantation of progesterone at 4, 6, 8, and 10 months of age also caused the prompt development of mammary tumors as implantation of progesterone at 1 month of age. When ages at which the incidence became 50% were estimated on curves of the incidences, these ages on implantation of progesterone at 1, 4, 6, 8, and 10 were about 11, 13, 14, 14, and 14 months of age. These results suggest that progesterone together with estrogen promotes the development of mammary tumors induced by 3'-Me-DAB, and that the later progesterone is administered, the more rapidly it activates dormant mammary tumor cells initiated by 3'-Me-DAB.

Aging↗

PubMed1996

Activation of p42erk2 MAPK and p90rsk by IL-2 occurs independently of protein kinase C.

Stimulation of the human interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent cell line, Kit225, with IL-2 resulted in the rapid activation of microtubule-associated protein-2 kinase (MAPK), as demonstrated by the tyrosine phosphorylation of p42erk2, the reduced mobility of MAPK in SDS-PAGE gels, and the increased ability of lysates from these cells to phosphorylate myelin basic protein. Measurements of kinase activity in immunoprecipitates of p9O ribosomal S6 kinase (p90rsk) demonstrated that stimulation of this cell line with IL-2 also resulted in the activation of p90rsk. Further, increased MAPK activity occurred following IL-2 stimulation, but not following phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation in cells depleted of PKC by prolonged treatment with a high concentration of PMA. These results demonstrate that IL-2 stimulation results in the activation of MAPK and p90rsk and that this activation occurs in a PKC-independent manner.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

PubMed1996

Dissociation of EBV genome replication and host cell proliferation in anti-IgG-stimulated Akata cells.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt's lymphoma cell line, Akata, was treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 96 hr in order to reversibly arrest cell cycle progression in G1 phase. Stimulation of the cells with anti-IgG antibody induced a marked and synchronous replication of EBV DNA within 12 hr, before the cells entered into S-phase after release from DMSO-induced arrest. Furthermore, a reduced efficiency of productive replication was demonstrated if anti-IgG stimulation was delayed after release. The results indicate that entry into S-phase of host cells is not only unnecessary for, but also may have negative consequences for the productive phase of EBV infection. Also, it was shown that addition of acyclovir, an inhibitor of the EBV-encoded DNA polymerase, to anti-IgG-stimulated Akata cells inhibited the productive replication of EBV DNA, but had no effect on the expression of early genes of the virus, including BZLF1, BRLF1, BMRF1, and BHRF1.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

PubMed1996

Dynamic structure of glomerular capillary loop as revealed by an in vivo cryotechnique.

Morphological studies using immersion or perfusion fixation methods do not reveal the ultrastructure of functioning kidneys with normal circulation. A simple apparatus was developed for freezing the kidneys in vivo without stopping the blood supply, and the ultrastructure of the glomerular capillary loops was examined under different haemodynamic conditions. Mouse kidneys were frozen under normal blood flow conditions; others were frozen in the same way after ligation of the abdominal aorta at a point caudal to the renal arteries. They were then processed for the freeze-substitution or deep-etching method. Good ultrastructural preservation was obtained within about 5 microM depth from the frozen tissue surface. Functioning glomeruli with normal blood flow possessed open capillary lumens, different shapes of foot processes and atypical basement membranes with low density. Moreover, heterogeneity in width between foot processes was identified on the replica membranes. Under the acute conditions used to increase blood supply into the kidneys, the spaces between the flat foot processes became more widely dilated and the basement membrane was seen to be three-layered. The ultrastructure of glomeruli in functioning kidneys has been demonstrated for the first time by this "in vivo cryotechnique."

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Cell biology of kidney glomerulus.

It has been accepted that some artifacts are inevitably produced by the conventional preparation steps for electron microscopy, including fixation, dehydration, embedding, ultrathin sectioning, and staining. Therefore, conventional ultrastructural findings on kidney glomeruli are hardly thought to be correlated with the physiological functions of kidneys in vivo. In this chapter, two preparation techniques, the quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method or the quick-freezing and freeze-substitution (QF-FS) method, are presented and shown to be useful for clarifying the ultrastructures of kidney glomeruli more closely to structures in vivo with fewer artifacts. Moreover, the ultrastructures of glomerular capillary loops have been demonstrated by a new "in vivo cryotechnique," that shows that hemodynamic factors should be considered in the morphological study of glomerular functions.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

RANTES production in nasal epithelial cells and endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that the chemokine that is regulated upon activation, normal T expressed and presumably secreted, RANTES, is produced by macrophages, platelets, fibroblasts, and renal tubular epithelial cells. Recently, however, production of RANTES by vascular endothelium and airway epithelial cells was demonstrated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and epithelial cell lines. OBJECTIVE: This investigation was aimed at determining whether human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) and human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells (HMMECs) produce RANTES when they are stimulated by several cytokines. METHODS: HNECs and HMMECs were isolated from nasal mucosa and subsequent continuous subcultures and were stimulated either by IL-1 beta or by the combination of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). RESULTS: After the combined stimulation by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, HNECs and HMMECs dramatically produced RANTES, as previously observed in HUVECs and bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. IL-1 beta also increased RANTES production to a lesser extent. We also demonstrated that the amount of RANTES induced by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma was higher in HNECs and HMMECs obtained from patients with nasal allergy than in those from patients without allergy. CONCLUSION: RANTES from HNECs and HMMECs likely plays a critical role in eosinophil infiltration of the nasal mucosa in subjects with nasal allergy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Splint therapy for trigger thumb and finger in children.

Forty-three trigger thumbs and fingers in 33 children (15 boys and 18 girls, average age 2 years and 4 months) were treated using a polyethylene splint. Affected digits included 40 thumbs, one index finger, and two middle fingers. The IP joint was stabilized in maximum extension via a strap on the dorsal side. The splint was applied only at night and during day-time naps. Twenty-four digits recovered completely in an average of 10 months, seven digits improved, and two digits required surgery. Eight patients (10 digits) dropped out of treatment. Splint therapy is effective in treating trigger thumbs and fingers in children.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1996

Effects of nimesulide, a preferential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on carrageenan-induced pleurisy and stress-induced gastric lesions in rats.

Intrapleural injection of carrageenan in rats increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and induced newly synthesized cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in pleural exudate cells without affecting COX-1 levels. Nimesulide, a preferential inhibitor of COX-2, reduced pleural PGE2 production and was almost as active as indomethacin and 10 times more active than ibuprofen. Only COX-1, and nc COX-2, was detected in gastric mucosal cells, and PGE2 concentration of gastric mucosa was significantly decreased by indomethacin and ibuprofen. The decrease in gastric PGE2 production induced by indomethacin and ibuprofen was enhanced in stressed rats, resulting in aggravation of stress-induced gastric lesions at anti-inflammatory doses. However, nimesulide did not produce stress-induced gastric lesions even at 30 times the anti-inflammatory dose. This supports the hypothesis that inhibition of COX-1 causes unwanted side effects and inhibition of COX-2 produces anti-inflammatory effects.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Changes in levels of mRNAs of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, -beta2, -beta3, TGF-beta type II receptor and sulfated glycoprotein-2 during apoptosis of mouse uterine epithelium.

To examine the roles played by transforming growth factors (TGF)-beta1, -beta2, -beta3, and TGF-beta type II receptors in the induction of apoptosis in the mouse uterine epithelium after estrogen deprivation, we investigated the expression of their mRNAs and the mRNA of sulfated glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2). Pellets containing 100 microg estradiol-17beta (E2) were implanted into ovariectomized mice and removed four days later. Apoptotic indices (percentage of apoptotic cells) of both luminal and glandular epithelia increased after E2 pellets were removed, but administration of progesterone (P), 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or continued implantation of E2 pellets suppressed this increase. Levels of mRNAs of TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3, and SGP-2 did not increase after estrogen deprivation. However, estrogen deprivation caused a gradual increase in the level of TGF-beta type II receptor mRNA, and its level increased about six-fold six days later. Moreover, E2, P, and DHT markedly decreased the level of TGF-beta type II receptor mRNA. In situ hybridization demonstrated that mRNAs of TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3 and TGF-beta type II receptor were localized to the epithelium. Exogenous administration of TGF-beta1 into the uterine stroma induced apoptosis in the epithelium, a finding that suggests that signals produced by TGF-betas can induce apoptosis. Therefore, the present results suggest that increased sensitivity of uterine epithelial cells to TGF-betas, as demonstrated by an increase in TGF-beta type II receptor mRNA, is involved in the induction of apoptosis after estrogen deprivation, although signals produced by TGF-betas do not appear sufficient to induce apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Genetic and epigenetic resistance of SL/Ni mice to lymphomas.

The murine spontaneous B lymphoma is etiologically related to the expression of endogenous ecotropic murine leukemia virus (ETV). Although both SL/Kh and SL/Ni mouse strains show a high level of expression of ETV from early in life, the former is a pre-B lymphoma-prone strain and the latter is rather lymphoma-resistant. In order to identify the host background difference related to the lymphomagenesis, we performed a genetic cross study between these two strains. In the reciprocal F1 generation, the length of the lymphoma latent period was slightly but significantly longer in (SL/Ni xSL/Kh)F1 than in (SL/KhxSL/Ni)F1(P < 0.05). The incidence of overall lymphomas and that of acute pre-B lymphomas was lower in (SL/NixSL/Kh)F1 than in (SL/KhxSL/Ni)F1, although the difference was not statistically significant. These observations indicate that an epigenetic maternal resistance mechanism of SL/Ni mice plays a role in the lymphoma resistance. Furthermore, in the backcross combinations without maternal influence of SL/Ni, we observed a genetic mechanism of lymphoma resistance: an SL/Ni-derived recessive lymphoma-resistance gene mapped in the proximal segment of Chr. 4. We named this gene nir-1 (SL/Ni-lymphoma resistance-1). Thus, we have demonstrated epigenetic and genetic mechanisms of lymphoma resistance of the SL/Ni mouse with the high expression of endogenous ETV.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Ultrastructural study of the cytoskeleton of optic nerve axons in guinea pigs as revealed by a quick-freezing, deep-etching method.

The ultrastructure of the cytoskeleton of optic nerve axons in guinea pigs was examined by the quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method. The optic nerve tissues were treated with 0.5% saponin before QF. In the replicas, the axoplasm, as observed with conventional ultrathin sections, was seen to be composed of longitudinally oriented microtubules (MT) and neurofilaments (NF). Thin and elaborate cross-linking structures were observed in the interstices between MTs, NFs, and membranous organelles. They consisted of two different types: NF-associated cross-linking structures (about 20-50 nm in length) and MT-associated structures (about 10-20 nm in length), and may play a role in the slow transport of NF and MT and fast transport of organelles, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Role of substance P in the vascular response of nasal mucosa in nasal allergy.

The effects of topically administered substance P (SP) on nasal blood flow and nasal airway resistance (NAR) were evaluated in 11 subjects with perennial nasal allergy. The change in NAR induced by SP was compared with those induced by nasal challenge with histamine, leukotriene D4 (LTD4), and antigen. In doses > or = 16 nmol, SP caused a significant increase of nasal blood flow within 5 minutes that lasted for less than 20 minutes. In doses > or = 16 nmol, SP caused a dose-dependent, short-lasting, significant increase in NAR. The magnitude of the increase in NAR was LTD4 > SP > histamine when compared on a molar basis. Our results may suggest that SP released from C fiber terminals is partially involved in an early nasal vascular response after antigen challenge by acting on adjacent vascular smooth muscle to cause a transient vasodilatation of both resistance and capacitance vessels only while sensory stimulation persists in subjects with nasal allergy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Inhibitory effects of retinoic acids on androgen-dependent development of neonatal mouse seminal vesicles in vitro.

The effects of retinoic acids (RAs) on development of seminal vesicles (SVs) of neonatal mice were investigated in vitro. SVs from 0-day-old male mice were cultured for 2-6 days in serum-free, chemically defined medium containing transferrin and BSA supplemented with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 10(-8) M) and insulin (10 microg/ml), alone and in combination. Before culture, SVs from 0-day-old mice consisted of an unbranched epithelium surrounded by mesenchyme. SVs cultured in medium with DHT plus insulin or DHT alone formed numerous epithelial branches after day 2 of culture, whereas epithelial branching did not occur in SVs cultured with insulin alone. All-trans-RA or 13-cis-RA (10(-9)-10(-6) M) added to medium containing DHT plus insulin or DHT alone inhibited epithelial branching in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was reversible after removal of the retinoids from the medium on day 4 of culture. These RAs also decreased [3H]thymidine labeling indexes of both epithelium and mesenchyme of SVs cultured in medium with DHT plus insulin or DHT alone and inhibited the increase in their protein contents. 9-Cis-RA was less inhibitory than all-trans-RA or 13-cis-RA on epithelial branching, [3H]thymidine labeling indexes of epithelium and mesenchyme, and protein content of SVs cultured in medium with DHT and insulin. In the absence of DHT (insulin alone), all-trans-RA did not affect either the [3H]thymidine labeling indexes of epithelium and mesenchyme or the protein content of cultured SVs. Reverse transcriptase-PCR demonstrated strong expression of transcripts for mouse RA receptors (RARalpha, RARgamma, and RXRalpha), with lower levels of expression of RARbeta, RXRbeta, and RXRgamma in neonatal SVs. The present results indicate that RAs reversibly inhibit androgen-dependent development of neonatal mouse SVs, most likely through RARs.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Immunoglobulin as an eosinophil degranulation factor: change in immunoglobulin level in nasal lavage fluid after antigen challenge.

To examine the involvement of immunologlobulins in eosinophil degranulation, we investigated the change in the amount of immunogobulins in consecutive nasal lavage fluid samples obtained after antigen challenge, as compared with the corresponding eosinophil counts and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels. Eosinophil counts and ECP levels increased both during the early and late phases but more markedly during the late phase. The levels of secretory IgA (sIgA) and IgA were prominently increased at 10 min after challenge, but returned to the respective prechallenge levels by 1 h after challenge. In the late phase they increased again. ECP levels were correlated both with cosinophil counts x sIgA levels and with eosinopil counts x IgA levels. Both sIgA/albumin and IgA/albumin ratios decreased in the early phase, due to the increased permeability of postcapillary vessels, but then increased again in the late phase becoming higher than the respective prechallenge levels. In the late phase, both secretory IgA and IgA seemed to be actively produced and released in nasal mucosa, thus causing eosinophil degranulation.

Adolescent↗