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Biomedical subjects

S Kawaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to S Kawaguchi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The cytocidal activity of OK-432-activated mononuclear cells against human glioma cells is partly mediated through the Fas ligand/Fas system.

We have been applying an adoptive immunotherapy protocol to patients with malignant brain tumors using OK-432-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (OK-MCs). In order to elucidate the mechanism of OK-MCs' cytotoxicity, we examined the expression of Fas ligand mRNA in OK-MCs and the cytocidal activity of these cells against a human glioma cell line, T98G which expresses a high level of Fas. The expression of Fas ligand mRNA was low in non-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and was elevated by treatment with OK-432, irrespective of the dose employed. Apoptosis of T98G cells induced by OK-MCs was unequivocally inhibited by the pretreatment of T98 G cells with ZB4 monoclonal antibody, which binds to Fas and blocks the binding of Fas ligand to Fas. These data indicate that the cytotoxic activity of OK-MCs via apoptosis seems to be at least partly mediated by the Fas ligand/Fas system. Adoptive immunotherapy using the Fas ligand/Fas system could be a new treatment modality for human malignant brain tumors.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1996

Establishment and characterization of human gastric carcinoma lines with high metastatic potential in the liver: changes in integrin expression associated with the ability to metastasize in the liver of nude mice.

There is a need to establish animal models which are suitable for investigation of human gastric cancer metastasis to the liver. To this end, a human gastric carcinoma line, AZ521 was injected into the spleens of nude mice. Cells from the few liver metastatic foci of injected AZ521 were expanded "in vitro" and subsequently injected into the spleens of nude mice. By repeating these procedures three times, we were able to obtain a cell line, designated as AZ-H3c, with high metastatic potential in nude mice. Liver metastasis developed in 15 of 21 (71%) animals injected with AZ-H3c, but only in 14% of those injected with parental AZ521. Further, AZ-H3c caused faster tumor development than did AZ521. However, the primary AZ-H3c tumors and liver metastatic AZ-H3c tumors showed essentially the same histological appearance. We also analyzed the cell surface expression of adhesion molecules. The data showed that the expression of VLA-1, VLA-2, VLA-3, VLA-4, VLA-5 was enhanced in AZ-H3c. In contrast, the expression of VLA-6, (alpha(v)beta3), E-cadherin, ICAM-1 and LFA-1 was reduced in this high-metastatic line. These results suggest that (beta1) integrins play an important role in the liver metastasis of human gastric carcinoma cells. Our high-metastatic line should be useful for studies aimed at the prevention of liver metastasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Hypertrophic and metaplastic changes of goblet cells in rat nasal epithelium induced by endotoxin.

To elucidate the mechanisms of epithelial mucus hypersecretion in upper respiratory airway inflammation, we produced hypertrophic and metaplastic changes of goblet cells in rat nasal respiratory epithelium by intranasal instillation of endotoxin. Significant increase of hypertrophic goblet cells was induced in the septal epithelium transversely sectioned at the level of incisive papilla at 24 h after the intranasal instillation of 0.1 mg of endotoxin. This change was completed after 3 d of endotoxin instillations and recovered by normal epithelium 7 d after the last instillation. Total cell number and the number of basal and ciliated cells counted over 2 mm of basal lamina did not change; however, the number of goblet cells increased and that of nongranulated secretory cells decreased time-dependently after endotoxin instillations. Mitotic rates examined after a 6-h colchicine metaphase blockade were very low at any time point studied, and cell division did not play a major role in this process. These results indicate that endotoxin induces hypertrophic and metaplastic changes of goblet cells in rat nasal epithelium rather than a hyperplastic change, and this metaplasia is produced by direct conversion of nongranulated secretory cells into the goblet cells. Histochemical examination of this epithelium revealed that most of the mucus produced by these goblet cells was sulfomucin. Intraperitoneal injection of antirat neutrophil antiserum or cyclophosphamide depleted circulating blood neutrophils. Endotoxin-induced changes of goblet cells were significantly inhibited in these neutrophil-depleted rats, and intranasal instillation of elastase also induced hypertrophic and metaplastic changes of goblet cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Three extracellular chitinases in suspension-cultured rice cells elicited by N-acetylchitooligosaccharides.

In rice suspension culture, a large part (about 90% of total activity in the culture) of the chitinase activity was found in the medium. Two extracellular chitinases (which we named RCH-A and -B) were separated from the cell suspension by DEAE-cellulofine column chromatography. When cells were treated with N-acetylchitooligosaccharides (chitin oligosaccharides) for 3 days, extracellular chitinase activity increased about 3-fold over the control culture. After the treatment, another extracellular chitinase (named RCH-C) appeared in addition to increases in the levels of RCH-A and -B. Partial amino acid sequences of these enzymes indicated that RCH-A (33.5 kDa) and -B (34 kDa) were class Ib chitinases but RCH-C (27 kDa) was a class III chitinase. RCH-A and -B were capable of actively degrading water-insoluble chitin with high affinities, while RCH-C had less affinity for the substrate. However, when a water-soluble chitin derivative, 6-O-hydroxyethylchitin (glycolchitin) was used, RCH-C as well as RCH-A and -B degraded actively with a high affinity. A synergistic effect was observed when these three chitinases acted simultaneously in the hydrolysis of chitin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Expression of apoptosis-related gene products in human brain tumors and apoptosis-inducing therapy].

To elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis in brain tumors, we analyzed the expression of apoptosis-related gene products in cultured glioma cells and biopsied brain tumor specimens. Fas, Bcl-2 family (Bcl-2, Bcl-x and Bax) and ICE family (ICE, Ich-1) were found to be involved in tumorigenesis of certain brain tumors. It was also clarified that OK-432 activated mononuclear cells could kill T98G glioblastoma cells by apoptotic mechanism through the Fas ligand/Fas system.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1996

[Summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a family].

We encountered a family in which three of the five members (The parents and a daughter) had summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis that occurred in late summer. All three patients had a productive cough and shortness of breath. Chest roentgenograms of the mother and daughter (but not the father) showed diffuse small nodular shadows in both lung fields. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from all three patients showed very high total cell counts, high percentages of T lymphocytes, and low ratios of CD4(+)-to-CD8+ cells. Microscopic examination of transbronchial biopsy specimens obtained from the daughter revealed infiltration of mononuclear cells with characteristic Masson bodies in alveolar septa, and granulomas in the interstitium. Both mother and daughter were positive for serum anti-Trichosporon cutaneum (serotype II) antibody, but the father, who was a current smoker was not. Thus, both mother and daughter were given the diagnosis of summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and in the father that diagnosis was strongly suspected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Age-related changes in basal dendrite and dendritic spine of hippocampal pyramidal neurons (CA1) among SAMP1TA/Ngs--quantitative analysis by the rapid Golgi method.

It has been confirmed that a substrain of the senescence-accelerated mouse SAMP1TA/Ngs develops learning disturbance-like behavior at 3 months of age, exhibits almost normal behavior at 5 months, and manifests learning disturbance at 7 months. The changes with age in basal dendrites and dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons were quantitatively evaluated by the Golgi method using male SAMP1TA/Ngs. The correlation between the change in learning ability and the morphometry was examined. The number of dendritic spines in the 3- and 7-month-old groups was significantly lower than that in the 5-month-old group. It is presumed that the disturbance in acquisition of learning ability at 3 months of age is secondary to the immaturity of neurons, while the learning disturbance at 7 months of age is due to neuronal aging. This substrain, which is characterized by the impairment of acquired learning ability due to senescence, is useful as a model for studies on human brain dysfunction associated with senescence.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Separation of heat-stable proteins from Thermus thermophilus HB8 by two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Thermostable proteins from Thermus thermophilus HB8, an extremely thermophilic bacterium, were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. About 1200 spots were detected with silver staining on the gel between pH 3 and 10. According to the genome size of T. thermophilus, we consider that more than half of the proteins in the cell are visualized on a two-dimensional gel. Using comigrated standard marker proteins, the molecular weight and isoelectric point of each protein spot were calculated. The average molecular weight and isoelectric point values were estimated to be 30 000 and 5.2, respectively. The average size and isoelectric point of detected protein from T. thermophilus were smaller and more acidic than those from Escherichia coli. After the protein spots had been electroblotted onto a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue, the N-terminal amino acid sequences were determined for about twenty protein spots. Few proteins had blocked N-termini. Some spots were identified as proteins whose sequences had been reported previously from T. thermophilus. Others had amino acid sequences homologous with those of various proteins from other organisms. The amino acid sequence information of this report will be useful for obtaining stable proteins and for identifying open reading frames determined from the genome DNA sequence. Considering its small genome size and protein stability, T. thermophilus will be an excellent candidate for studying the molecular biology of an autotrophic living cell at the atomic level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Approach through the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle for clipping of large dorsal type basilar bifurcation aneurysms.

The authors describe an approach through the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle which proved to be useful for clipping of a large dorsal type basilar bifurcation aneurysms. It facilitates the preservation of the perforating arteries behind the aneurysm, because it gives sufficient working space to move the aneurysm dome. Furthermore this approach avoids many of the disadvantages of other approaches, especially the risk of iatrogenic injuries of the Sylvian or Labe's vein.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗
PubMed1995

Cerebellotectal projection in the rat: anterograde and retrograde WGA-HRP study of individual cerebellar nuclei.

Cerebellotectal projections were studied in the rat by the anterograde and retrograde tracing methods using wheat-germ-agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase. The pathway arises from all four cerebellar nuclei on the contralateral side; mainly from the posterior interpositus nucleus and lateral nucleus and to a lesser extent from the medial nucleus and anterior interpositus nucleus. The fibers arising from the medial nucleus and the posterior interpositus nucleus terminate mainly in the deeper zone of layer IV and in layer VI throughout the entire rostrocaudal extent of the contralateral superior colliculus. Those arising from the anterior interpositus nucleus and the lateral nucleus terminate mainly in the superficial zone of layer IV in the rostral three-fourths of the contralateral superior colliculus. In addition, the fibers from the lateral nucleus terminate densely in a zone extending from the deep part of layer III through layer VII in the lateral portion of the rostral half of the superior colliculus. In comparison with data on other species the present findings are discussed with respect to the evolutional changes from monocular to binocular vision.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Rat antibodies bearing idiotypes of mouse antibodies against bromelain-treated mouse RBC.

Part of mouse antibodies reactive with bromelain-treated mouse RBC (BrMRBC) use VH12 and VK4 genes, and VH12/VK4-type antibodies are detectable specifically with rabbit anti-idiotype (Id) antibodies (here referred to as RAIb). This study showed that normal rat sera contained RAIb+ IgM at concentrations of 1-6 micrograms/ml. Rat spleens had many anti-BrMRBC B cells, most of which secreted RAIb+ IgM. Hybridomas of spleen cells from LPS-injected rats were screened with RAIb-binding and BrMRBC-hemolytic activity. We found 48 BrMRBC-hemolytic wells, which included all of 39 RAIb(+)-wells. From anti-BrMRBC wells, 7 RAIb+ monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were isolated. All the RAIb+ mAb could react with phospholipid antigens. Rat RAIb+ antibodies, as well as mouse RAIb+ antibodies, can be regarded as antiphospholipid antibodies reactive with BrMRBC. The interspecies expression of RAIb-Id on mouse and rat anti-BrMRBC antibodies indicates that some (antigenic) selective forces may act strongly to conserve the Id (V genes).

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of histamine on nasal epithelial permeability to horseradish peroxidase in allergic guinea pigs.

The effect of histamine and antigen on the permeability of nasal mucosa to macromolecules in allergic guinea pigs was investigated with a histochemical technique using horseradish peroxidase (HRP). We found that the ratio of intercellular spaces penetrated by HRP to the total number of intercellular spaces of the nasal epithelium in nonallergic groups was increased by histamine challenge dose-dependently. The HRP reaction products in the intercellular spaces in allergic groups were significantly increased by challenge with histamine at 5.4 x 10(-4) mol/L and 5.4 x 10(-2) mol/L, in contrast to nonallergic groups. We conclude that histamine increases nasal mucosal permeability, and this effect is most likely mediated by a functional change in the epithelial tight junctions.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Eighth cranial nerve lipoma manifesting as intractable vertigo--Case report.

A 49-year-old female presented with an extremely rare lipoma of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) manifesting as intractable vertigo and tinnitus. Subtotal removal of the lipoma was performed to debulk the tumor and decompress the cranial nerve VIII. Her complaints were resolved without new neurological deficit. We recommended surgery in patients with symptomatic CPA lipomas for diagnosis, debulking, and decompression of cranial nerves to relieve the symptoms.

Cerebellopontine Angle↗
PubMed1995

[A case of surgical retrieve of migrated microcatheter].

This is a report of an accidental breakaway of a microcatheter during endovascular embolization for cerebral arteriovenous malformation occurring in a 48-year-old female. She had a sudden onset of cerebral herniated signs caused by a large hemorrhage in the region of the right parietal lobe. An angiogram showed a large arteriovenous malformation in the same region. 48 days after emergency evacuation of the hematoma and clipping of a feeding artery, we performed endovascular embolization using a microcatheter as assistant therapy for total removal of the nidus. However, accidentally, the microcatheter broke and migrated to the distal middle cerebral artery. Although we tried to retrieve the catheter using a loop snare, we had no success. We eventually retrieved it by open surgery next day. Fortunately the migrated catheter could be seen through a cortical artery, so after trapping it by using elastic thread and cutting off the artery we were able to extract the migrated catheter. Finally we were able to remove the nidus totally without other complications. Since breaking and migration of a microcatheter is a rare but possible accident, we should be prepared to cope with it appropriately.

Catheterization↗
PubMed1995

[Spontaneous regression in a case of primary pulmonary lymphoma with Sjögren's syndrome].

A 62-year-old asymptomatic woman had a nodular shadow approximately 3 cm in diameter in the middle lung field on chest roentgenogram. The shadow gradually grew over 1.5 years. She was then admitted to our hospital for evaluation of the abnormal shadow. Transbronchial biopsy specimens showed a diffuse, small, lymphoid infiltrate with predominance of B-cells. These findings suggested neoplastic proliferation. Further examinations revealed the presence of Sjögren's syndrome. Four months later, she was readmitted for surgical resection. Chest roentgenogram on the second admission disclosed that the mass shadow had shrunk slightly. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen led to the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma, diffuse small cell type (IgG kappa type). Gene analysis revealed the presence of heavy chain gene rearrangements, which confirmed the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma. In this case, no contraction or necrosis of the lesion was observed, and the change in the shadow size was probably due to partial or transient spontaneous regression.

Female↗
PubMed1995

[Autopsy of a patient with rheumatic fever, who initially presented with acute respiratory failure].

A 59-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea, fever, and general erythema. He had hypoxemia on admission. Chest X-ray film showed diffuse reticulonodular shadows in both lungs. Chest CT showed a diffuse increase in density, predominantly in both lower lobes. The respiratory failure had rapidly progressed, and the patient died only 40 hours after admission. Autopsy revealed diffuse alveolar damage in the lung, and Aschoff's bodies in the cardiac muscle. Aschoff's bodies are specific for rheumatic fever, and consist of Aschoff's cells with owl-eye-like or caterpillar-like nuclei. We diagnosed this patient's condition as rheumatic fever because of the presence of Aschoff's bodies. Rheumatic fever is generally seen as a disease of younger people, and these patients rarely present with respiratory signs, but this case shows that we have to recognize the possibility of rheumatic fever in adults with respiratory signs and skin lesions.

Acute Disease↗