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Biomedical subjects

S Itami

Publications and source records attributed to S Itami.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

In vivo expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-gamma mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and effect of cyclosporin A in a patient with Kimura's disease.

Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to analyse the expression of cytokine mRNAs in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from a patient with Kimura's disease. The patient was treated with cyclosporin A (CsA) after incomplete tumour resection and irradiation of lesions. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA were elevated and the level of interferon (IFN)-gamma mRNA was within normal limits before treatment. The levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA, the number of eosinophils, and the serum level of IgE decreased markedly after surgery and radiation therapy. CsA treatment suppressed these values in a dose-dependent manner, but had a minimal effect on the level of IFN-gamma mRNA. The number of peripheral eosinophils decreased in association with decreases in the levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 mRNAs during CsA therapy; the serum level of IgE remained low during therapy and did not fluctuate in association with changes in cytokine levels. These results suggest the Th2 cytokines play a part in the development of Kimura's disease and that CsA suppresses the activity of this disease.

Aged↗

A case of stasis papillomatosis associated with psoriasis vulgaris.

A markedly obese, 41-year-old Japanese man who had suffered from psoriasis vulgaris for several years visited us with elephantiasis-like swelling of his lower legs of three months' duration. His right lower leg showed marked papillomatosis with thick scales, and the left lower leg was eroded and papillomatous. Although direct lymphography of his lower extremities showed no abnormality, indirect lymphography revealed local lymphatic damage in the involved skin. Histological examination showed hyperkeratosis, marked papillomatosis, proliferation of capillaries in the upper dermis, and lymphectasia in the lower dermis. The lesions were much improved by washing and topical use of corticosteroids for two months. It was suspected that obesity and the preceding psoriatic lesions caused local lymphatic disturbances, followed by the development of stasis papillomatosis.

Adult↗

Androgen induction of follicular epithelial cell growth is mediated via insulin-like growth factor-I from dermal papilla cells.

Androgen significantly stimulates the proliferation of outer root sheath cells that are cocultured with beard dermal papilla cells without cell contact. The expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA in beard dermal papilla cells was stimulated by androgen and antagonized by cyproterone acetate. Outer root sheath cells did not express mRNA for IGF-I either in the presence or absence of androgen. Both of these two types of cells expressed mRNA for IGF-I receptor and the expression was not affected by androgen. Neutralizing antibody against IGF-I antagonized the stimulatory effect of androgen on the growth of outer root sheath cell cocultured with beard dermal papilla cells. These findings suggest that IGF-I is a candidate for androgen induced hair growth factors.

Antibodies↗

Interaction between dermal papilla cells and follicular epithelial cells in vitro: effect of androgen.

To investigate the mode of action of testosterone on human hair follicles, we studied the localization of androgen receptors in hair follicles and cultured dermal papilla cells from different body sites, using immunohistochemistry with a polyclonal antibody. Androgen receptors were detected in the dermal papilla cells of beard and axillary hair follicles, but not in those of occipital scalp hair follicles. Epithelial cells of the hair follicles were not stained by the antibody. Androgen receptors were also detected in the nuclei of cultured beard and axillary dermal papilla cells, but the dermal papilla cells from occipital scalp hair follicles showed little staining with this antibody. We also examined the effects of testosterone on the DNA synthesis and proliferation of cultured outer root sheath cells and dermal papilla cells. Testosterone did not have a proliferative effect on either type of cell when cultured alone. In contrast, testosterone significantly stimulated the proliferation of outer root sheath cells which were co-cultured with beard or axillary dermal papilla cells, without cell contact. No such effect was observed when dermal papilla cells from occipital scalp hair follicles were used in the cultures. This proliferative effect of testosterone was concentration-dependent, and was antagonized by cyproterone acetate. Our findings suggest that dermal papilla cells from the beard and axillary hair follicles produce androgen-dependent diffusible growth factors which stimulate follicular epithelial cells.

Adolescent↗

Mechanism of action of androgen in hair follicles.

In order to investigate the mode of action of testosterone (T) on human hair follicles we studied the metabolism of T and localization of androgen receptors in outer root sheath cells (ORSC) and dermal papilla cells (DPC) from different body sites. T was principally metabolized to androstenedione (delta 4) even in beard ORSC as well as epidermal keratinocytes (EK), and the ratio of apparent 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha-R) to 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) did not differ between these two kinds of cells. The 5 alpha-R activity in beard DPC was 3 times as high as that in occipital scalp and axillary DPC. The 5 alpha-R of beard DPC exhibited a narrow optimum pH of 5.5, which is characteristic of type 2 enzyme present in androgen target cells. In contrast, 5 alpha-R of DPC from axillary and occipital scalp hair showed a broad optimum pH range between 6.5-9.0 corresponding to type 1 5 alpha-R. Androgen receptors were detected in the DPC of beard and axillary hair follicles, but not in those of occipital scalp hair follicles using immunohistochemical staining with polyclonal anti-androgen receptor antibody. Epithelial cells of the hair bulb were not stained by the antibody. Androgen receptors were also detected in the nuclei of cultured beard and axillary DPC, but the DPC from occipital scalp hair follicles showed little staining with the antibody. We also examined the effects of T on the DNA synthesis and proliferation of cultured ORSC and DPC. T did not have a proliferative effect on either type of cell when cultured alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Successful transplantation of cultured human outer root sheath cells as epithelium.

We used sheets of cultured outer root sheath cells derived from plucked human hair follicles for the epidermal reconstruction of a burn wound of a patient and prepared wounds of athymic mice. The outer root sheath cells obtained from plucked human follicles can grow in serial culture in a defined medium without serum. After seven subcultures within 5 weeks, outer root sheath cells obtained from a single follicle grew approximately 1 x 10(7) cells, which covered a 360-cm2 area of a monolayer sheet. These cultured outer root sheath cells, carried on a bovine atelocollagen sheet (Meipac) or a polyurethane sheet (Tegaderm), were transplanted on a graft bed prepared on the backs of athymic mice. Contraction of the graft beds was prevented by the use of these carriers. Histological examination of the graft removed 2 weeks after transplantation showed four to seven layers of epithelial cells. Both the epidermal granular and horny cell layers were well developed, although the rete ridges were absent. Using the same technique, the sheet of outer root sheath cells with an atelocollagen as a carrier was successfully transplanted onto the granulating site in a burn patient.

Adult↗

Infantile myofibromatosis: report of two cases.

Two cases of solitary type infantile myofibromatosis (IM) were presented. Case 1 was a 6-month-old male infant with a firm, dark red, fixed tumor on his right knee. A computerized tomographic scan revealed that the tumor was attached to the underlying muscle. Case 2 was a 1-month-old male infant with a tumor on his right knee, similar to that in case 1. In neither case was there any clinical evidence of visceral involvement. Histological and immunohistochemical findings were similar. The lesions appeared histologically as non-encapsulated nodules composed of whorled fascicles of spindle-shaped cells and a vascular element with a hemangiopericytoma-like appearance. The tumor cells were positively stained with PTAH. They were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, but negative for desmin. These findings support the myofibroblastic nature of IM. In case 2, the tumor regressed spontaneously at the age of 12 months. Unlike the multicentric form, spontaneous regression of the solitary form of IM has not previously been reported.

Hemangiopericytoma↗

Testosterone metabolism by cultured human beard outer root sheath cells in comparison with epidermal keratinocytes.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of action of androgen in human hair follicles, we studied testosterone metabolism by cultured beard outer root sheath cells in comparison with that of epidermal keratinocytes. When cells were incubated as a monolayer in serum-free keratinocyte growth medium with physiological concentrations (25 nM) of [3H]testosterone, the major metabolite was androstenedione in either type of cells. Small amounts of androstanedione, dihydrotestosterone and androsterone were also formed. The ratio of apparent 5 alpha-reductase to 17 beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase activities ranged from 0.11 to 0.81 and did not differ between these two kinds of cells. After these cells were cultured in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum for 10 days, the activities of both metabolic pathways markedly increased without significant changes of the ratio of activities of these two enzymes. Thus, testosterone was rather converted to weak androgens even in beard outer root sheath cells under the experimental conditions.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Fasting diet therapy for chronic urticaria: report of a case.

We used fasting diet therapy with a 28-year-old woman with chronic urticaria who responded only to systemic administration of glucocorticosteroids. The rashes began to decrease on the third therapeutic day and completely disappeared on the 11th day. Although the eruptions relapsed three days after the termination of the therapy, they were milder than previous ones. We also discussed the possible efficacy of fasting diet therapy for chronic urticaria as reported in the literature.

Adult↗

[Detection of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli using polymerase chain reaction from dairy cattle].

The vero cytotoxin (VT) is responsible for hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect VT-producing coliform bacteria from dairy cattle. It was found that 39 (33.3%) of the 117 fecal samples examined were recognized with VT genes in BGLB enrichment broth by the PCR method (named BGLB-PCR). Of the VT-positive samples, 31 samples (26.5%) were found to have VT-producing Escherichia coli. Frequencies of isolation in younger cattle (under 5 months) were 31.3-32.9%. On the other hand, the PCR method using the bacterial suspension of some colonies from DHL selective isolation medium (named DHL-PCR), was used for 105 samples. The DHL-PCR was validated according to the number of colonies tested for detecting VTEC. When using E. coli strains which have been stored after isolation by the conventional culture method, the VT-producing strains found were 7 (10.3%) of the 68 isolates tested. The 101 out of the 108 VTEC strains from cattle were classified into 14 O groups. 4 O serogroups (O26, O111, O145, O157) from 60% of VTEC positive cattle, were also the most common in humans with diarrhea. All E. coli O157:H7 isolates failed to ferment after 48 hrs and to hydrolyze 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG). These results suggests that cattle may play an important role in human VTEC infections. The BGL B-PCR technique is usefull in ecological studies for VT-producing pathogens.

Animals↗

Gastrin releasing peptide-like immunoreactive substance in rat mammary glands during pregnancy.

The concentration of gastrin releasing peptide-like immunoreactive substance (GRP-IS) was measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in rat mammary glands during pregnancy and after delivery. The GRP-IS concentration was high in the middle stage of pregnancy (10-14 days of gestation) and decreased in late pregnancy to reach a plateau range. By using HPLC, it was shown that GRP(20-29) and GRP(16-29) were mainly present in rat mammary glands. Immunohistochemical study revealed that epithelial cells of rat mammary glands were stained intensely with antiserum GP-6201. These results suggest that GRP-IS is produced and secreted in epithelial cells of mammary glands and takes part in the proliferation, differentiation and hypertrophy of mammary glands.

Animals↗

Intranuclear androgen concentrations in facial skin.

The concentrations of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in the crude nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of facial skin containing large sebaceous glands. The data obtained were compared with those obtained with specimens from non-target areas. The intranuclear levels of DHT and testosterone in facial skin were 0.03 +/- 0.3 pg/micrograms DNA and 0.35 +/- 0.03 pg/micrograms DNA, respectively levels in genital skin. By contrast, both androgens were below detection by RIA in non-target skin. There was no significant difference between men and women with respect to the intranuclear androgen levels in facial skin. These findings support the view that the sebaceous gland is a typical androgen target organ irrespective of sex.

Axilla↗

Characterization of 5 alpha-reductase in cultured human dermal papilla cells from beard and occipital scalp hair.

In order to gain a deeper insight into the role of 5 alpha-reductase in the growth of beards in men, we studied some kinetic properties of the enzyme in cell homogenates of cultured human dermal papilla cells from beard and occipital scalp hair. When cell homogenates were incubated with [3H]-testosterone, the 5 alpha-reductase of beard dermal papilla cells exhibited an optimum activity at pH 5.5, whereas the enzyme of dermal papilla cells from occipital scalp hair showed a broad and low plateau between pH 6.0 and 9.0, without a sharp peak. The apparent Michaelis constant of 5 alpha-reductase was 3.3 x 10(-7) M in dermal papilla cells from beard and 2.4 x 10(-5) M in those cells from occipital scalp hair. The apparent Km of 5 alpha-reductase for NADPH was 2.8 x 10(-5) M and 7.6 x 10(-4) M in beard and occipital scalp hair dermal papilla cells, respectively. There were no significant differences in the substrate specificity between these two types of cells. The 5 alpha-reductase activity was recovered mainly in the nuclear fraction of beard dermal papilla cells. By contrast, it was widely distributed among the individual subcellular fractions of dermal papilla cells from occipital scalp hair. These results strongly suggest that these two kinds of dermal papilla cells have different types of 5 alpha-reductase, and that the enzyme in beard dermal papilla cells is similar in characteristics to that in the androgen target organs such as prostate.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma: report of three cases.

Three cases of spindle cell hemangioendothelioma were studied. Two had multiple nodules and the third had a single, recurrent lesion in the dermis or subcutis of the distal extremities. The tumor initiated at the age of 3 months in one patient and at the ages of 11 or 12 years in the remaining two. Local recurrence after surgical excision was observed in all cases. Microscopically the tumors were composed of two components; cavernous blood spaces and a proliferation of spindle cells. Among these spindle cells, there were occasional epithelioid endothelial cells with intracytoplasmic lumina. Phleboliths were observed in two cases. Most of the endothelial cells lining the cavernous spaces were positive for factor VIII-associated antigen in all cases; the intracytoplasmic lumina were also positive in two cases. The spindle cells were negative for that antigen in all cases. However, they were positive for desmin in one case. Electronmicroscopically, the spindle cells resembled primitive mesenchymal cells.

Adolescent↗

Recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma with expression of cytokeratin.

A case of locally recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma was documented in a 70-year-old man. He first noticed a subcutaneous nodule forty years previously. The tumor was surgically removed four times during the last four years with local recurrence on every occasion. In the recurrent tumors, the tumor cells almost completely replaced the whole dermis and invaded skeletal muscles. They were composed of pleomorphic spindle cells arranged in a storiform pattern and bizarre histiocytic cells, which were present principally in the deeper portions of the tumor. Both types of tumor cells showed marked nuclear atypicality. In the primary tumor, surrounding a large necrotic area, spindle-shaped cells were arranged in a storiform pattern. These tumor cells exhibited only mild nuclear atypia. The recurrent tumor was strongly positive for vimentin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. Most tumor cells were also weakly positive for KL1, a monoclonal antibody for keratin. A Western-blot analysis revealed the presence of two bands (62 and 69 Kd) reacting with KL1 in the fractions which were obtained from the tumor according to the method for keratin extraction.

Aged↗

Primary localized amyloidosis in one family.

Primary localized amyloidosis was found in a family. A 66-year-old woman had suffered from hoarseness for 18 years. A biopsy specimen from the larynx showed amyloid deposits in the submucosal connective tissue. Her 40-year-old daughter noticed a subcutaneous nodule on her philtrum. Histologic examination showed the deposition of amyloid in the middle and lower dermis, which also encased the blood vessels and epidermal appendages. In both cases the amyloid deposits were positively stained with Congo red and the staining was resistant to potassium permanganate treatment. These amyloid deposits were strongly positive against the anti-amyloid antibody of the lambda light chain. These results indicate that the amyloid substance is derived from protein AL. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of systemic amyloidosis or multiple myeloma in either patient.

Adult↗