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Biomedical subjects

S Kishimoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Kishimoto.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Mechanism of direct cardiostimulating actions of hydralazine.

The vasodilator, hydralazine, was reported to also exert a direct positive inotropic effect on the myocardium at high concentrations. In the present study we investigated the mechanism of this positive inotropic action by using the ventricular myocardium of isolated perfused chick hearts. Hydralazine (10(-3) M) enhanced contractile force and heart rate, and elevated the myocardial cyclic AMP level. To study the Ca2+-dependent slow action potentials, the fast N+ channels were voltage-inactivated with elevated K+ (25 mM), resulting in a loss of electrical excitability. Hydralazine (10(-4) M) rapidly (less than 3 min) allowed the generation of slow action potentials and accompanying contractions by electrical stimulation. These effects of hydralazine were only partially prevented by propranolol. The results suggest that the increase of myocardial contractility produced by hydralazine is the result, at least in part, of a direct effect on the myocardium to increase Ca2+ inflow. The increased Ca2+ influx and inward slow current is due partly to activation of beta-adrenoceptors, with resultant elevation of cyclic AMP, and partly to another mechanism.

Action Potentials↗

Development of selective IgM deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with disease of long duration.

Statistical analysis of serum immunoglobulin levels in 54 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients showed a decrease in serum IgM (normal 77 +/- 26 mg/dl; P less than 0.001) that was closely related to disease duration. The longer the duration of SLE, the more striking the decrease in serum levels of IgM (r = -0.74, P less than 0.01). Selective IgM deficiency (less than 47 mg/dl) occurred in SLE patients whose disease was clinically inactive or less active.

Adolescent↗

Effect of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton on augmentation of cytotoxicity function in human pleural macrophages.

The ability of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS) to augment macrophage cytotoxicity function was examined using human pleural macrophages prepared from 32 malignant pleural effusions and 53 pleural washings. The cytostatic activity of pleural macrophages for human lung cancer cells (PC-9) was augmented following incubation of pleural mononuclear cells with 10 micrograms/ml N-CWS for 24 h. Macrophage activity was increased by direct interaction of macrophages with N-CWS or by incubation of macrophages with supernatant culture fluids from pleural lymphocytes with N-CWS. The cytotoxic potential of the pleural macrophages obtained from patients treated with 500 micrograms of N-CWS intrapleurally was also increased. The heat and acid stability studies revealed that the culture fluids from pleural lymphocytes treated with N-CWS contained macrophage activation factor in addition to interferon-gamma. These results suggest that direct and indirect macrophage activation is part of the mechanism in which N-CWS has a clinical effect on malignant pleural effusions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Methylation of c-myc gene changes in human lymphoproliferative diseases.

The degree of methylation at the c-myc proto-oncogene was found to change in human lymphoproliferative diseases, when examined using a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) c-myc DNA showed hypomethylation in human lymphoproliferative diseases, in comparison to normal subjects matched in age and sex. In cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the change was amplified in the crisis. When the DNA was examined at the actin gene, no significant change was observed. The results suggest that the change in c-myc protooncogene methylation might become an important clue in understanding the relationship between levels of gene expression and methylation in human lymphoproliferative diseases.

DNA↗

Disturbed function of the pineal gland in familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

In order to estimate the function of the pineal gland, the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy relative to healthy subjects, we have quantified urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin, normetanephrine and metanephrine. Urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin level correlated with neither of two O-methylated catecholamine levels in healthy subjects. The excretion of both 6-hydroxymelatonin and metanephrine were reduced in the patient group as compared with the control group, and the normal daily rhythm of 6-hydroxymelatonin was undetectable in the most of the patients. This finding indicates that the function of the pineal gland is disturbed in familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Sodium molybdate converts the RNA-associated transformed, oligomeric form of the glucocorticoid receptor into the transformed, monomeric form.

The glucocorticoid receptor from rat liver cytosol prepared in 2 ml buffer/g tissue sedimented at approximately 10 S in low salt density gradient centrifugation without molybdate. When the receptor was heated at 25 degrees C, both approximately 10 S and approximately 7 S forms were seen in low salt gradient. The approximately 10 S form was not capable of binding to DNA-cellulose and was stabilized by sodium molybdate, namely it corresponded to untransformed receptor. The approximately 7 S form was capable of binding to DNA-cellulose and regarded as transformed receptor. On the other hand, partially-purified transformed receptor labeled with [3H]dexamethasone-21-mesylate sedimented at approximately 5 S, which migrated as a approximately 94 kDa species in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The reconstitution analysis of this partially-purified approximately 5 S receptor and liver cytosol, showed the shift to approximately 7 S form. RNase A or T1 converted approximately 7 S transformed form into approximately 5 S but it did not affect approximately 10 S untransformed form. 5-20 mM sodium molybdate also shifted approximately 7 S to approximately 5 S. These results indicate that the approximately 7 S transformed form of the glucocorticoid receptor observed in low salt conditions might be an oligomer, probably including both approximately 5 S steroid-binding component and RNA/ribonucleoprotein, and that molybdate dissociates these interactions in a specific manner.

Adrenalectomy↗

Biological and biochemical characterization of estrogen-dependent mouse Leydig cell tumors.

Leydig cell tumors formed in BALB/c mice were found to be able to be transplanted subcutaneously in the same strain. One of the sublines, called T 22137, showed growth inhibition in response to estrogenization of host mice. The other subline (T 124958-O), which was originally classified as an estrogen-independent line, was observed to contain the low-affinity estradiol binding component in the cytosol fraction. At a later stage of transplantation, however, the growth of this subline was modestly but significantly enhanced by estrogenic stimuli. This alteration was accompanied by appearance of an estrogen receptor-like molecule which was associated with chromatin even in the absence of estrogen stimuli. In the presence of estrogen selection pressure, a new tumor line, designated as T 124958-R, was established, which showed marked estrogen-dependent growth. T 124958-R was found to contain the cytosolic estrogen receptor. The additional difference was that the annulate lamellae were identified only in T 124958-R, but not in T 124958, by electron microscopic studies. The estrogen dependency of T 124958-R was further substantiated by demonstration of an estrogen secretory protein as well as the estrogen-enhanced formation of 5 alpha-steroids. T 22137 showed growth inhibition in tamoxifen-treated mice. The growth of T 124958-R was enhanced by the administration of tamoxifen to mice. This tamoxifen-induced tumor growth was further stimulated by the simultaneous administration of estrogen. These observations would suggest that mouse Leydig cell tumor systems provide us with a valuable model to investigate the influence of estrogen as well as antiestrogen on malignant cells.

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

Leupeptin inhibits the transformation of glucocorticoid receptor.

The effect of leupeptin upon the transformation of the glucocorticoid receptor was tested. When the labeled receptor was treated with heat or high salt in the presence of leupeptin, the binding to DNA-cellulose decreased in a dose-dependent manner. We observed 50% inhibition with about 40 mM leupeptin. The addition of leupeptin after the transformation procedures did not inhibit the binding to DNA-cellulose. In gradient centrifugation, 40 mM leupeptin retained approximately 10S, untransformed form. Elution profiles from DEAE-cellulose showed the preservation of the peak eluted with 0.2 M KCl, corresponding to the untransformed form. These results indicate that leupeptin might have the similar effects to molybdate in regard to blocking the transformation of rat liver glucocorticoid receptor, though the effects with leupeptin were not as great as those seen with molybdate.

Adrenalectomy↗

Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptor binding has been studied in platelet membranes from 16 patients with type 1 familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) at various clinical stages and 15 normal subjects. Binding of the radioligand [3H]yohimbine to platelet membranes was used to examine alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. The number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors were significantly lower in patients of the early stage than in normal subjects. Then, the numbers tended to be higher than those of normal subjects in the intermediate stage, and they were higher in the single advanced-stage patient studied. The reduction in alpha 2-adrenergic receptor numbers in platelet membranes from patients of the early stage might be explained by the down-regulation of the receptors in vascular smooth muscle, but it remains uncertain whether a high number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors observed in the single advanced-stage patient might be explained by the up-regulation of the receptors.

Adult↗

Differentiation of an Abelson virus-transformed immature B precursor cell line under the expression of tyrosine kinase activity of v-abl oncogene product.

The expression of v-abl oncogene during the in vitro differentiation of an Abelson-virus-transformed immature B precursor cell line from immunoglobulin-null to intracytoplasmic mu-positive cells and further to intracytoplasmic gamma 2b-positive cells was examined. The results showed no significant alteration in the amounts and tyrosine kinase activity of v-abl oncogene product during differentiation, indicating that B cell differentiation processes are independent of v-abl functions.

Abelson murine leukemia virus↗

Age-related changes of the function of T cell subsets: predominant defect of the proliferative response in CD8 positive T cell subset in aged persons.

The proportion of CD8 positive cells in the peripheral blood AET-rosette forming T cells from aged persons was significantly reduced than that from young persons. The difference in the proportion between aged and young groups became more significant after proliferative response to a mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or a specific antigen tuberculin active peptide (TAP). The purified macrophage-deprived T cells (Twp), CD4 (T4) positive cells or CD8 positive cells were prepared from aged or young persons. These cell preparations lost proliferative response to PHA or TAP but showed marked proliferative response to the combined stimulation to 1 microM of ionomycin and 1 nM of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) at usual culture cell density (2.5 X 10(5)/ml). Proliferative responses of these cell preparations to the combined stimulation were significantly reduced in the aged than those in the young and the magnitude of the difference in the proliferative responses between aged and young groups was more pronounced in CD8 positive cell population than in CD4 positive cell population. Although the cell preparations were relatively independent of exogenous IL-2 for the proliferative response to the combined stimulation of ionomycin and PMA at usual culture cell density, they needed exogenous IL-2 for sustained proliferation at lower culture cell density (5 X 10(3)/ml). These IL-2-dependent proliferative responses to the combined stimulation in the aged were significantly lower than those in the young and again the difference in the proliferative magnitude between aged and young groups was greater in CD8 positive population. The mechanism(s) of age-related change of the proportion and proliferative ability of T subsets were discussed.

Adult↗

Age-associated changes in proliferative and differentiative response of human B cells and production of T cell-derived factors regulating B cell functions.

The abilities of highly purified B cells to repeat replication for clonal expansion and to differentiate into immunoglobulin secreting cells (ISC) were examined in the aged and young groups. B cells from the aged showed twofold less proliferative response to B cell mitogen Cowan 1 (SAC) than those from the young. The original clone size of SAC responding B cells determined by colchicine block and [3H] thymidine [( 3H] TdR) uptake was not significantly reduced in the aged whereas the ability to repeat replication to expand clonal size was significantly reduced. B cells from aged and young persons were induced into ISC by combined stimulation with SAC and partially purified B cell differentiation factor (BCDF) free of IL-2 activity. ISCs for IgG and IgA were rather increased or at least not reduced in number in the aged as compared with those in the young. We also determined the IL-2 and BCDF activity produced by T cells from aged and young persons. Upon PHA stimulation, the aged T cells produced tenfold less IL-2 activity and threefold higher BCDF activity than did young T cells. Approximately threefold increase in spontaneous secretion of BCDF activity by aged T cells was found as compared with young T cells. The inverse correlation between the IL-2 activity and BCDF activity was found when both activities were determined in the same samples.

Adult↗

Protooncogene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus as an indicator of the disease activity.

In the present study, we examined the various protooncogene expressions in PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients to determine if they could be an indicator for the disease activity. We divided SLE patients into "very active," "active," and "remitting" states according to the clinical symptoms in addition to the laboratory data peculiar to SLE. In addition, we determined the amount of circulating immune complex (IC) as one of the representative laboratory indicators for the disease activity. We found a positive correlation with either c-myc or c-myb expression and the amounts of IC and clinical disease activity. The degree of c-myc and c-myb expression was significantly reduced along with or prior to the amelioration of clinical symptoms and improvement as determined by laboratory data under treatment with prednisolone and/or azathioprine administration. The degree of c-myc and c-myb gene expression had no direct relation to the presence of particular clinical sign(s) or autoantibody. The expression of the c-raf gene was found in SLE and other systemic autoallergic patients although it showed no correlation with the disease activity. No significant expression of c-src, c-ras, c-fos, c-fgr, c-fps, c-fes, c-fms, c-yes, c-rel, c-abl, c-mos, c-sis, and c-erb B genes was found in the patients. c-myc and c-myb expression as having pathogenic and clinical significance is discussed.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Acute haemodynamic effect of taurine on hearts in vivo with normal and depressed myocardial function.

The acute haemodynamic effects of taurine were studied in normal and in beta blocker (propranolol) or calcium antagonist (diltiazem) treated rabbits and in rabbits with experimentally produced chronic aortic regurgitation. The administration of taurine (25 mg.kg-1) did not affect heart rate and left ventricular end diastolic pressure but produced significant increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax, cardiac output, and left ventricular systolic pressure in control hearts, indicating that intravascularly administered taurine substantially increased cardiac performance. In propranolol (1 mg.kg-1) treated rabbits taurine significantly improved left ventricular dP/dtmax and cardiac output, which were previously depressed by propranolol. Taurine had the same effect on diltiazem (1 mg.kg-1) treated rabbits. In rabbits with aortic regurgitation a bolus injection of taurine improved cardiac performance. Continuous infusion of taurine (100 mg.h-1) also produced a significant increase in left ventricular dP/dtmax. These results suggest that taurine has a unique action as an inotropic agent and that it may be useful in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical study of mononuclear cell infiltrates in squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and paranasal sinus.

Serial frozen sections were prepared from 22 squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity and paranasal sinus. Mononuclear cell infiltrates were stained by the biotin-avidin-horseradish peroxidase method using a panel of 10 mouse monoclonal antibodies to human leukocyte antigens. The degree of infiltration was graded from + + + (marked) to - (absent). The infiltration of anti-Leu-4-reactive cells (Leu-4+ cells) was grade + + or + + + in 14 of 22 cases. In 13 of 22 cases, infiltration of Leu-3a + 3b+ cells (helper/inducer T lymphocytes) was grade + + (moderate). In 5 of 20 cases, infiltration of Leu-2a+ cells (cytotoxic/suppressor T lymphocytes) was grade + +. As for B lymphocytes, infiltration of Leu-12+ cells was grade + + in only 2 of 19 cases. In conclusion, T lymphocyte infiltrates were commonly seen in squamous cell carcinoma in oral cavity and paranasal sinus and the number of patients with grade + + infiltration of helper/inducer T lymphocytes significantly predominated over that of patients with infiltration of cytotoxic/suppressor T lymphocytes grade + +.

Adult↗