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Biomedical subjects

S Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to S Fukuda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cloning of the cDNA for human IFN-gamma-inducing factor, expression in Escherichia coli, and studies on the biologic activities of the protein.

We have recently reported that a novel molecule, murine IFN-gamma-inducing factor (IGIF) produced by mouse liver cells, possesses potent biologic activities, including the induction of IFN-gamma production by spleen cells and the enhancement of NK cell cytotoxicity. In this paper, we report on the isolation of human IGIF cDNA clones from normal human liver cDNA libraries using murine IGIF cDNA as a probe. The amino acid sequence deduced from the human cDNA clones indicated a 193-amino acid precursor peptide and revealed 65% homology with that of murine IGIF. The amino acid sequence of IGIF also included an IL-1 signature-like sequence. Subsequently, the cloned cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli, and preliminary studies on the biologic activities of the recombinant protein were performed. The recombinant human IGIF induced IFN-gamma production by mitogen-stimulated PBMC and enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity, in a manner similar to murine IGIF. In addition, recombinant human IGIF also augmented granulocyte-macrophage-CSF production and decreased IL-10 production, but had no effect on IL-4 production by Con A-stimulated PBMC. Based on these pleiotropic effects of IGIF, we propose that this novel cytokine be designated as IL-18.

Adult

O-glycosylated species of natural human tumor-necrosis factor-alpha.

Tumor-necrosis factor-alpha, produced by human B-cell lymphoblastoid cell line BALL-1, was expressed as four protein bands on SDS/PAGE analysis. It may have been glycosylated, based on the fact that the heavier two of the four bands disappeared after neuraminidase treatment. Sugar composition analyses revealed that the tumor necrosis factor-alpha contained galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid as sugar components. To prepare sugar chains, tumor necrosis factor-alpha was treated with alkaline borodeuteride and the oligosaccharide-alditols liberated were fractionated by gel-filtration chromatography on a Bio-Gel P-4 column, followed by normal-phase HPLC. Three oligosaccharide-alditols were obtained, and the structures of two of them were identified by methylation analysis and exoglycosidase digestion. The structures of these oligosaccharide-alditols were Gal beta 1-3(NeuAc alpha 2-6)GalNAcol and Gal beta 1-3GalNAcol (GalNAcol, N-acetylgalactosaminitol). The structure of the remaining oligosaccharide-alditol was determined to be NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal1-3GalNAcol by composition and methylation analyses. About 20% of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was found to be 0-glycosylated, based on the results of the sugar composition and structure analyses. An amino acid sequence analysis of the glycosylated peptides was performed after Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha had been completed, and it was proved that the 0-glycosylation site of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was Ser 4.

Amino Acid Sequence

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I: identification of common mutations that cause Hurler and Scheie syndromes in Japanese populations.

alpha-L-Iduronidase (IDUA) deficiency (mucopolysaccharidosis type I; MPS-I) is an inborn error of lysosomal degradation of glycosaminoglycans that results in storage of undegraded glycosaminoglycans in lysosomes. Previous studies in Caucasian populations showed that (1) homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for the W402X and Q70X mutations are the common causes of MPS-I with a severe form (Hurler syndrome), and (2) the presence of R89Q may lead to a milder phenotype. We studied mutations in the IDUA gene from 19 MPS-I patients, including two pairs of siblings, with various clinical phenotypes (Hurler, 6 cases; Hurler/Scheie, 7 cases; Scheie, 6 cases). We report the presence of two common mutations that account for 42% of the 38 alleles in these patients. One is a novel 5-bp insertion between the thymidine at nt 704 and a cytosine at nt 705 (704ins5), which is seen only in the Japanese population. The other is a missense mutation, R89Q, which is also seen in Caucasians, although uncommonly. In the 19 Japanese MPS-I patients, the 704ins5 mutation accounted for 7 of 38 alleles (18%), while the R89Q accounted for 9 of 38 (24%). No Japanese patient was found to carry the W402X or Q70X alleles, the two most common MPS-I mutations in Caucasians. Homozygosity for the 704ins5 mutation is associated with a severe phenotype, and for the R89Q mutation with a mild phenotype. Compound heterozygosity for these two mutations produced an intermediate phenotype. Haplotype analysis using polymorphisms linked to the IDUA locus demonstrated that each mutation occurs on a different specific haplotype, suggesting that individuals with each of these common mutations derive from common founders. These data continue to document the molecular heterogeneity and racial differences in mutations in MPS-I.

Adult

Validity of various diagnostic tests to evaluate cure of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Many diagnostic methods have been developed and used for detecting Helicobacter pylori to evaluate the success of treatment of H. pylori infection. We investigated and compared the suitability of the rapid urease test (RUT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT), and serology with culture for evaluating cure of H. pylori infection. Forty-seven H. pylori-positive gastric ulcer patients received dual therapy of lansoprazole (30 mg u.i.d.) and clarithromycin (200 mg b.i.d.). Four weeks after the completion of treatment, RUT, PCR, 13C-UBT, and culture were performed and the negative rates of these tests were compared. Anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and 4 weeks after completion of the treatment to evaluate changes of titers during the treatment. The negative rate of RUT (55%) was significantly greater than that of culture (27%). Significant declines in titers were seen in the patients who had negative culture results, while the decline in the titer was not significant in the patients who had positive results. PCR assay and 13C-UBT were suitable for the evaluation of H. pylori eradication, but RUT was not suitable, because of its sensitivity. By monitoring anti-H. pylori IgG antibody titers, therapeutic failure can be detected early after completion of treatment.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: four new exonic mutations in patients with N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase deficiency.

We report four new mutations in Japanese patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPSIVA) who were heterozygous for a common double gene deletion. A nonsense mutation of CAG to TAG at codon 148 in exon 4 was identified, resulting in a change of Q to a stop codon and three missense mutations. V (GTC) to A (GCC) at codon 138 in exon 4, P (CCC) to S (TCC) at codon 151 in exon 5, and P (CCC) to L (CTC) at codon 151 in exon 5. Introduction of these mutations into the normal GALNS cDNA and transient expression in cultured fibroblasts resulted in a significant decrease in the enzyme activity. V138A and Q148X mutations result in changes of restriction site, which were analyzed by restriction-enzyme assay. P151S and P151L mutations that did not alter the restriction site were detected by direct sequencing or allele specific oligohybridization. Detection of the double gene deletion was initially done using Southern blots and was confirmed by PCR. Haplotypes were determined using seven polymorphisms to the GALNS locus in families with the double gene deletion. Haplotype analysis showed that the common double gene deletion occurred on a single haplotype, except for some variation in a VNTR-like polymorphism. This finding is consistent with a common founder for all individuals with this mutation.

Adolescent

[Supraannular implantation of bioprosthetic valve for severe tricuspid valve regurgitation associated with atrial septal defect in an adult patient].

With an adult atrial septal defect, there was often regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valve due to volume overload in a long term period. Especially concerning tricuspid regurgitation, what can be done surgically has not yet been decided. For severe tricuspid regurgitation, some cases where tricuspid valve annuloplasty were performed have had exacerbation of tricuspid regurgitation. We experienced a case where tricuspid valve supraanular implantation without excision of native tricuspid valve (TVSI) was performed for severe tricuspid regurgitation associated with atrial septal defect, and improved. A 53-year-old female complained of dyspnea on exertion. An atrial septal defect was revealed being 4 cm in size, complicated with severe tricuspid regurgitation (IV), and 62 mmHg difference of pressure from the right atrium to right ventricle shown by a ultrasonography. Pulmonary artery pressure was 66/16 mmHg by cardiac catheter. Patch closure for ASD and TVSI for TR was performed on her, and amelioration of cardiac function was recognized.

Bioprosthesis

[A case of familial cardiac myxoma].

We experienced a case of familial cardiac myxoma observed in a mother and her daughter. A 58-year-old woman was addmited to our hospital because of repeated cerebral embolism. Echocardiography showed a left atrial myxoma to be considered as the cause of cerebral embolism. At the operation, 3 myxomas were found in the left atrium, and were removed successfully. No recurrence has been observed for 14 years after the operation. Three years after that, her 3rd child, 31-year-old-women, suffered from cerebral embolism and was also diagnosed as a left atrial myxoma. A friable myxoma was removed with the interatrial septum. She had no recurrence for 11 years after the operation. In patients with cardiac myxoma who have unusual biologic behavior, including familial myxoma, "complex" type myxoma must be suspected. We suggest that it is important to distinguish patients with "complex" type myxoma, because the recurrence rate is much higher in those than in patients with "sporadic" type myxoma.

Adult

Sulfated disaccharide inhibitors of L-selectin: deriving structural leads from a physiological selectin ligand.

The selectins are a family of three adhesion molecules (L-, P-, and E-) that direct the interaction of circulating leukocytes with endothelial cells during the first step in recruitment to tissue sites. Their involvement in inflammatory disease makes the selectins attractive targets for anti-inflammatory therapy. The sialyl Lewis x tetrasaccharide binds weakly to all three selectins and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. However, the synthetic difficulties inherent to sialylated and fucosylated oligosaccharides motivate the search for alternative antagonists. Here we demonstrate that information gained from the biochemical analysis of a physiological selectin ligand can provide new leads for small molecule design. Previous structural analysis of the oligosaccharide chains on GlyCAM-1, an endothelial-derived ligand for L-selectin, revealed two novel structures: 6'-sulfo sialyl Lewis x and 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis x. The sulfate esters on these structures are thought to be essential for high-affinity binding to L-selectin. By incorporating sulfate esters on the analogous positions of the disaccharide lactose, we generated a simple small molecule (lactose 6',6-disulfate) with greater inhibitory potency for L-selectin than sialyl Lewis x.

Carbohydrate Sequence

Ultrastructural localization and translocation of nitric oxide synthase in the endothelium of the human cerebral artery.

An electron microscopic immunocytochemical study was undertaken to clarify ultrastructural localization and translocation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in endothelial cells (EC) of the human cerebral and superficial temporal arteries (STA) employing antibody against endothelial NOS (EC-NOS). NOS immunoreactivity was found in all EC examined, in association with the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, Weibel-Palade body and subplasmalemmal vesicles, and in the cytoplasm devoid of organelles and extracellular regions, irrespective of arteries. The immunoreactivity in subplasmalemmal vesicles was, however, demonstrated only in human cerebral arteries. In the human STA exposed to bradykinin which induces EC-NOS phosphorylation, the gold particles significantly increased in the cytosol and decreased in the areas associated with cytoplasmic organelles; however, the number of particles did not change significantly in the plasma membrane. The results implicate that NOS may be translocated from the area associated with cytoplasmic organelles to cytosol following EC exposure to bradykinin.

Adult

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA: common double deletion in the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase gene (GALNS).

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS). We found two separate deletions of nearly 8.0 and 6.0 kb in the GALNS gene, including some exons. There are Alu repetitive elements near the breakpoints of the 8.0-kb deletion, and this deletion resulted from an Alu-Alu recombination. The other 6.0-kb deletion involved illegitimate recombinational events between incomplete short direct repeats of 8 bp at deletion breakpoints. The same rearrangement has been observed in a heteroallelic state in four unrelated patients. This is the first documentation of a common double deletion a gene that is not a member of a gene cluster.

Base Sequence

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter disease): identification and characterization of eight point mutations in the iduronate-2-sulfatase gene in Japanese patients.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter disease) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase. Varied clinical phenotypes of this disease have been described. To identify mutations in individual patients and to examine possible correlations between mutations and clinical phenotypes, we analyzed the iduronate-2-sulfatase gene in Japanese patients with different clinical phenotypes. Five missense mutations, S333L (severe), R468Q (severe), R468L (severe), W337R (intermediate), R48P (mild), and three nonsense mutations, W345X (severe), R443X (intermediate), Q531X (mild), were identified by the RT-PCR method. Transient expression in the enzyme-deficient fibroblasts revealed that all five missense mutant enzymes were synthesized as the normal-size precursor (73 kD), and the nonsense mutant enzymes were synthesized as truncated ones (W345X:54 kD, R443X:59 kD, and Q531X:69 kD), although stable mature enzymes (45-56 kD) were not detected by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, expression of the eight mutant cDNAs resulted in severe reductions of iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme activity in comparison with a normal cDNA.

Adolescent

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: structural gene alterations identified by Southern blot analysis and identification of racial differences.

Ninety-six alleles (36 alleles of Japanese and 60 of Caucasian origin) from forty-eight patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IVA were investigated for structural gene alterations using Southern blot analysis. All patients had a previously demonstrated deficiency of N-acetyl-galactosamine-6-sulfate-sulfatase and exhibited a wide spectrum of clinical severity. Initially, using the full-length cDNA as a probe, five of 36 chromosomes from the Japanese patients revealed similar rearrangements with respect to DNA digested with BamHI, SacI, and XhoI. Subsequent analysis using seven genomic fragments, covering the entire gene, enhanced the detection of aberrant fragments produced by the above restriction enzymes. Conversely, the 60 chromosomes of Caucasian origin revealed no evidence of large structural rearrangements when analyzed by these methods. There was a statistically significant difference between the two populations (P < 0.01). A severely affected Japanese patient showed structural rearrangements on both chromosomes by means of BamHI blots. An 8.0-kb fragment and a highly polymorphic 7.0-kb to 11.0-kb fragment present in normal individuals disappeared and two aberrant fragments of 11.5 kb and 12.0 kb were observed. Three other Japanese patients also showed these two aberrant fragments, in addition to the normal fragment pattern, and were thus heterozygous for this rearrangement. Interpretation of Southern blots was difficult because of the complexity of polymorphic bands resulting from variable number of tandem repeat elements. However, by utilizing these aberrant fragments or polymorphic bands, carrier detection was effective, even in families with poorly characterized mutations. Hybridization with probe MG-A (5'-end genomic probe in intron 1) showed a 8.4-kb fragment in BamHI blots of one Japanese and one Caucasian patient; XhoI, SacI, and EcoRI blots were normal. Since this BamHI alteration was also observed in one normal control, it appears to be a rare nonpathological polymorphism.

Alleles

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: polymorphic haplotypes and informative RFLPs in the Japanese population.

Seven different restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) locus were analyzed using Southern blotting and polymerase chain reaction based techniques to search for the frequency of each RFLP produced by StyI, SphI, HaeIII, StuI, HapII, XhoI, and BamHI restriction endonucleases, respectively, in 36 mutant alleles, including two sibling cases and 100 normal alleles. Calculation of heterozygosity indexes showed that these RFLPs were polymorphic, ranging from 0.31 to 0.69 in mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA) patients compared with 0.21 to 0.65 in normal individuals. There was some significant difference in several RFLPs and in the combination with four kinds of RFLPs (SphI, StuI, HapII, XhoI polymorphisms). The normal alleles were composed of 13 different RFLPs haplotypes; the most common among the Japanese population carrying normal alleles was haplotype 8 (bDEF1) (31.3%), the others being dispersed. The same haplotype 8 was the most frequent in the mutant alleles (44.4%), with seven further haplotypes. These findings revealed the striking variety of polymorphic haplotypes in the MPS IVA gene. By using these five kinds of RFLPs, we examined the theoretical informativity of haplotype analysis in heterozygote detection in nine unrelated MPS IVA families and ten unrelated normal families. All the members of the MPS IVA families studied were diagnosed as a patient, carrier, or non-carrier. We propose that prenatal diagnosis or family analysis in cases in which mutations have not been characterized is now feasible.

Base Sequence

A tailgut cyst found accompanying rectal cancer: report of a case.

Tailgut cysts are rare congenital lesions. To date, only four cases have been reported in Japan, and the occurrence of a tailgut cyst with rectal cancer has never been documented. We describe here the case of a patient in whom a tailgut cyst in the retrorectal space was associated with rectal cancer. Preoperative computed tomography scans and endorectal ultrasonography failed to identify the lesion as cystic, instead suggesting an involved lymph node. This case emphasizes the necessity for careful diagnosis of masses in the retrorectal space in patients with rectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous

Significance of rapid urease test for identification of Helicobacter pylori in comparison with histological and culture studies.

Helicobacter pylori in the stomach is an etiological factor of gastritis and peptic ulcer. It is now considered that gastric cancer can be, at least in some cases, a late complication of H. pylori infection. In 123 consecutive endoscopic antral biopsies obtained from patients with the Okamoto Hospital, the specimens were subjected to the rapid urease test (RUT), histology (H&E stain), and culture, for the identification of H. pylori. The results of these methods were compared semi-quantitatively in order to evaluate these detection methods for identifying H. pylori. The results of these methods were found to agree well, with the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between RUT and culture being 0.90 (P < 0.01) and that between histology and culture being 0.80 (P < 0.01). RUT is considered to be a very simple, sensitive, and highly specific test which enables the endoscopist to diagnose H. pylori infection.

Adult