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Biomedical subjects

S Oikawa

Publications and source records attributed to S Oikawa.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and nonspecific crossreacting antigen (NCA) in gastrointestinal cancer; the correlation with degree of differentiation.

In spite of its reputation as a tumour marker, little is known about the function of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). We examined the mRNA expression of CEA and NCA in 26 gastric and 14 colorectal cancers together with adjacent morphologically normal mucosae. There was no significant difference between the CEA mRNA levels of colorectal cancer and adjacent mucosa, whereas the CEA mRNA levels were significantly elevated in gastric cancer compared with normal gastric mucosa. The expression of NCA, on the other hand, was more cancer-specific and was significantly up-regulated in both gastric and colorectal cancers compared with the corresponding normal mucosae. No correlation was found between the mRNA level and plasma CEA value. No significant up-regulation was recognised in the node positive cancer, cancer with distant metastasis, or the metastatic tissues themselves. Marked diversity in the degree of differentiation in gastric cancer tissues, however, resulted in varied expression of the CEA gene family, compared with the constantly high expression found in colorectal cancer. Further analysis revealed significant up-regulation of NCA in well and moderately differentiated gastric cancers over poorly differentiated cancers, suggesting that NCA might have roles in differentiation.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Nonspecific crossreacting antigen (NCA) is a major member of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-related gene family expressed in lung cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is one of the most important tumour markers in the management of human carcinoma, including lung cancer. So far, however, because of the nonspecificity of anti-CEA antibodies, it remains unclear whether the experimental measurements of CEA expression really reflect genuine CEA. In normal lung, nonspecific cross reacting antigen (NCA) has been described as a major component of CEA-related antigens. Recently isolated CEA and NCA cDNA clones enabled us to analyse CEA and NCA expression of in vivo tumour specimens and tumour cell lines at mRNA levels. NCA-specific mRNA (but not CEA-specific mRNA) was detected in all normal lung tissues examined. Of 21 lung cancer tissue specimens, nine expressed both NCA and CEA and five expressed only NCA. Of 16 tumour cell lines, two expressed only NCA and one expressed both NCA and CEA, although its level of CEA mRNA was weaker than that of NCA mRNA. Therefore, CEA-related mRNA expression was always accompanied by NCA mRNA expression; there were no cases of CEA mRNA expression alone. These findings suggest that NCA is a major member of the CEA-related gene family expressed in lung cancer.

Animals↗

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy. Report of a normolipidemic case and review of the literature.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy is a disease characterized by intraglomerular lipoprotein thrombi and abnormal lipid metabolism similar to type III hyperlipoproteinemia. Recently, glomerular lesions compatible with lipoprotein glomerulopathy were found in a 38-year-old man. In this case, plasma apolipoprotein (apo) E level was elevated, and the apo E isoform was heterozygous E2/3, similar to most of the reported cases of lipoprotein glomerulopathy. However, the plasma levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol were within their respective normal ranges. Review in 11 cases revealed that lipoprotein glomerulopathy was not always associated with hyperlipidemia, and that apo E abnormality was always recognized. These findings suggest that lipoprotein thrombi associated with lipoprotein glomerulopathy are not induced via systemic hyperlipidemia but may be formed by intraglomerular accumulation of lipoprotein composed of abnormal apo E.

Adult↗

Intraoperative protection of cranial nerves and arteries by split silicone tube.

The authors describe the usefulness of split silicone tubing to protect the cranial nerves and arteries during microneurosurgery. The inner diameter of the tube varied from 1.0 to 3.3 mm with a thickness of 0.125 mm. Application of the tube protects the nerves and arteries from mechanical trauma, electrical injury, and dryness.

Adult↗

The effect of serum on low density lipoprotein metabolism of human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Macrophages oxidatively modify low density lipoprotein (LDL). These cells then recognize and take up oxidized LDL (OxLDL) via the scavenger receptor. In the present study, we examined the effect of lipoprotein depleted serum (LPDS) on the oxidative modification of LDL and its uptake and degradation by human monocyte-derived macrophages. LPDS inhibited LDL oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner and the complete inhibition was observed in the concentration from 2.5 to 10.0%. In the presence of 5% of LPDS, cell-associated 125I-LDL was reduced by 70%, compared with that in the absence of LPDS. In contrast, 125I-LDL degradation increased in the presence of LPDS. The ratio of degradation products to cell-associated radioactivity in the presence of LPDS was five-fold greater than that in the absence of LPDS. In the presence of LPDS, unlabeled LDL competed for about 50% of cellular uptake and degradation of 125I-LDL. In the absence of LPDS, however, unlabeled LDL competed for only 20% of uptake and only 30% of degradation of 125I-LDL. Unlabeled OxLDL competed for about 80% of uptake and degradation in the absence of LPDS. These results suggest that LPDS inhibited the production of OxLDL which was taken up by macrophages via the pathway for the OxLDL.

Blood Physiological Phenomena↗

Subarachnoid hemorrhage presenting an "abnormal movement"--case report.

A 61-year-old male presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage manifesting an abnormal movement as the initial symptom. The movement was rhythmic with phases: tongue protrusion with eyes wide open, and tongue retraction with eyes closed, lasting for about 10 minutes. Neuroradiological methods identified a small aneurysm as the origin of the hemorrhage. The movement never after recurred clipping the aneurysm and clot drainage. Transient increase in the intracranial pressure was thought to be the cause.

Facial Muscles↗

Gene cloning and expression of a bone morphogenetic protein derived from a murine osteosarcoma.

Based on information from partial amino acid sequences of a protein with bone-inducing activity that was purified from a murine osteosarcoma (Dunn type), a cDNA library of the sarcoma was screened to clone a gene complementary to the protein. The cloned cDNA was amplified and transfected into Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells for expression. When the protein produced by the transfected cell line was implanted in combination with pure carrier collagen into allogeneic mice, ectopic ossicles consistently developed at implanted sites within two weeks. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA and its deduced amino acid sequence were homologous to those of human bone morphogenetic protein-4 (also BMP-2B). In addition, the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences were identical to those proposed for murine BMP-4 derived from the normal murine fetus. It is postulated that the cloned cDNA encodes the protein responsible for bone formation induced by implantation of devitalized Dunn-type osteosarcoma tissue or cells. The protein product was identified as murine BMP-4, a member of the TGF-beta gene family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and its predicted immunoglobulin-like domains in HeLa cells for epitope analysis.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily with one predicted variable domain-like region (N domain; 108 amino acids) and three sets of constant domain-like regions (A1B1, A2B2, and A3B3; 92 amino acids for A domains and 86 amino acids for B domains). In addition, CEA possesses two signal peptides, one at the amino terminus and one at the carboxyl terminus. Both are removed during posttranslational processing, with the one at the carboxyl terminus being replaced by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety. We have previously expressed the full length complementary DNA clone for CEA in Chinese hamster ovary cells and murine L cells, demonstrating proper processing of nascent polypeptide chains to mature, fully glycosylated CEA including the GPI anchor. Using the same full length CEA complementary DNA clone and the polymerase chain reaction, we have now constructed expression clones for secreted versions of the N domain, the A3B3 domain, and the A3 and B3 subdomains. The clones were expressed in HeLa cells using the beta-actin promoter. A stop codon was introduced at the end of the A3B3 and the A3 and B3 domains to allow secretion instead of retention on plasma membranes with the GPI anchor. Expressed products were purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies specific for each domain and by reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Purified domains were characterized by Western blotting, antibody binding and inhibition studies, amino-terminal sequence and amino acid analyses, and laser desorption/time of flight mass spectrometry. These analyses revealed that the monomeric N domain is of size 15,990, with a glycosylation mass of about 4100, in good agreement with two N-linked glycosyl units of about mass 2100. There is some evidence that the N domain forms dimers. The N domain reacted with antibodies specific for this domain with an affinity similar to that of intact CEA. The A3B3 domain had a mass of 34,462, with a glycosylation mass of 14,900, in good agreement with seven N-linked glycosylation sites of average mass 2100. The A3B3 domain reacted only with antibodies specific for this domain, with a slightly lower affinity than that of native CEA. The amino-terminal sequences of the N domain and A3B3 domain proteins demonstrated proper processing of the signal peptide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homotypic and heterotypic Ca(++)-independent cell adhesion activities of biliary glycoprotein, a member of carcinoembryonic antigen family, expressed on CHO cell surface.

Homotypic and heterotypic cell adhesion activities of a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family member, biliary glycoprotein a (BGPa), have been examined. CHO cells transfected with the cDNA for BGPa, CEA, non-specific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) and CGM6 have been used. The BGPa producers showed both homotypic and heterotypic adhesion to CEA and NCA producers. However, they hardly adhered to CGM6 producers. Calcium ion was not required for BGPa-mediated homotypic and heterotypic cell adhesion as well as for the adhesions of other members of CEA family. The results strongly suggested that BGPa may play some important roles through Ca(++)-independent cell adhesion activities.

Animals↗

T lymphocytes increase the synthesis of esterified cholesterol in human monocyte-derived macrophages by activation of the scavenger pathway.

Immunohistochemical analyses have shown the presence of T lymphocytes (T-cells) in atherosclerotic places in addition to macrophages and smooth muscle cells. To elucidate the role of T-cells in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, we studied whether T-cells can stimulate the scavenger pathway and promote esterified cholesterol (EC) synthesis by [14C]oleate incorporation in macrophages. Macrophages and T-cells were co-cultured in two ways. In one culture, macrophages were in direct contact with T-cells (direct contact form). In the other, macrophages and T-cells were separated by Transwell membrane, but shared the same culture medium via the membrane (indirect contact form). Based on the incorporation of [14C]oleate into EC, macrophages strikingly increased EC synthesis in both forms of co-culture. This increase was proportional to the number of T-cells present and was inhibited by cyclosporin A. When macrophages were co-cultured indirectly in contact with T-cells in the presence of AcLDL for 24 h, and the T-cells were subsequently removed, EC synthesis in macrophages increased. However, this increase was not observed in macrophages that were rinsed twice with PBS. When macrophages, previously incubated with AcLDL for 24 h, were co-cultured indirectly in contact with T-cells for 24 h, the medium were prepared as activated T-cell-conditioned medium (aTCM). EC synthesis in macrophages cultured with aTCM increased. The ability of aTCM to increase EC synthesis disappeared upon repeated freezing/thawing, boiling and trypsin treatment. T-cells (indirect contact form) and aTCM similarly increased AcLDL-binding and -degradation in macrophages. These results indicated that T-cells secreted an active substance(s), protein in nature, which could activate the scavenger pathway and increase EC synthesis in macrophages. These observations suggest that T-cells can promote the uptake of modified lipoproteins by macrophages to induce foam cell-formation.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Multiple spinal neurinomas presenting visual disturbance as the initial symptom: case report.

A case of multiple spinal neurinomas with visual disturbance is reported. A 63-year-old man was admitted with a complaint of progressive visual disturbance due to papilledema without spinal symptoms and signs. The neuroimaging studies demonstrated communicating hydrocephalus and two mass lesions in the cauda equina. Both tumors were found to be neurinomas. Intracranial hypertension secondary to spinal tumors is unusual, and multiple spinal neurinomas are rare. In the patient without spinal symptoms and signs, it is difficult to make a diagnosis of spinal tumor. Importance of checking for a spinal cord lesion by magnetic resonance imaging in such a case is stressed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Epitope mapping of the carcinoembryonic antigen with various related recombinant proteins expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and 25 distinct monoclonal antibodies.

Antigenic epitopes of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and non-specific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) were analysed in relation to their domain structures [domains N, I (A1-B1), II (A2-B2), III (A3-B3) and M for CEA and domains N, I (A1-B1), and M for NCA]. We reconstructed cDNAs for CEA-N, CEA-N-I, CEA-N-I-II, CEA-N-I-II-III-M (CEA-whole), NCA-N, NCA-N-I and NCA-N-I-M (NCA-whole), which were expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. The recombinant proteins were purified by immunoadsorption and gel filtration. Their mol. wts judged from Western blotting were 17,000-26,000 for CEA-N, 70,000 for CEA-N-I, 150,000 for CEA-N-I-II, 165,000 for s-CEA-whole which was spontaneously released from cells into culture medium, 180,000 for p-CEA-whole which was solubilized with phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from cells, 18,000-25,000 for NCA-N, 63,000 for NCA-N-I, and 96,000 for p-NCA-whole which was solubilized with PI-PLC from cells. The divergence of the observed mol. wts from those calculated from cDNA sequences seems to indicate that these recombinant proteins are highly N-glycosylated. By enzyme immunoassays, the immunoreactivities of the purified recombinant proteins were tested with 25 distinct anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), each representative of 25 different subgroups within five groups (Groups 1-5) previously classified by us in terms of the reactivity with CEA and CEA-related antigens. Twenty-one MAbs previously shown to react with different protein epitopes of the CEA molecule allow to define six groups (A-F) of epitopes according to their expression by different domains of the CEA and NCA molecules. Among four epitopes common to CEA and NCA, two were found to be present on domain N (Group A) and two on domain I (Group B). Among 15 epitopes absent from NCA but expressed by CEA and normal fecal antigens (NFAs), four were on domain N (Group C), five on domain I (Group D) and six on domain II (Group E). Two epitopes were previously described as "CEA distinctive", because they were recognized by MAbs reacting with CEA but not with the NFAs. These two epitopes (Group F) were found to be expressed by p-CEA-whole but not by s-CEA-whole. The latter results suggest that the Group F epitopes are located on a part of the domain III close to the anchoring device of the CEA molecule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Enhancement of murine alveolar macrophage functions by orally administered beta-glucan.

The effect of orally administered SSG, a beta-1,3-glucan obtained from the culture filtrate of the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395, on alveolar macrophage (AM) functions of CDF1 mice was examined. SSG administered orally (20, 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days enhanced the lysosomal enzyme activity of AM. The greatest enhancing effect was observed at 80 mg/kg of SSG. Multiple oral administrations of SSG (10 consecutive days) were needed to induce significant enhancing effects. Phagocytic activity and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production of AM were also augmented by oral administration of SSG, and the kinetics of the activated state differed depending on the kind of activity. However, H2O2 production of AM was not affected by SSG. Orally administered SSG also (40 or 80 mg/kg, 10 consecutive days) increased the number of AM and the greatest increment was observed 14 days after the first administration. On the other hand, the supernatant of Peyer's patch (PP) cells from mice administered SSG (80 mg/kg) orally stimulated the lysosomal enzyme activity of AM in vitro, and enhanced colony stimulating activity (CSA) was detected from this supernatant. These results demonstrate that SSG given by the oral route can activate murine AM both qualitatively and quantitatively, and it would mediated, at least in part, by the activation of PP cells in the intestine.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Biochemical characterization of 25 distinct carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) epitopes recognized by 57 monoclonal antibodies and categorized into seven groups in terms of domain structure of the CEA molecule.

The chemical nature of 25 distinct carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) epitopes, which were recognized by 57 different monoclonal antibodies and categorized into 7 groups (Groups A to G) in terms of domain structure of the CEA molecule, was analyzed and the findings obtained were compared with the results of our previous studies using recombinant CEA proteins. All 21 epitopes of Groups A to F defined by 48 MAbs were resistant to periodate oxidation and were to a greater or lesser extent retained after deglycosylation of CEA, indicating that they are all protein in nature. The 21 epitopes were detected in recombinant CEA proteins expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Seven of the 21 epitopes of protein nature were partially or completely sensitive to reduction and alkylation of CEA and not detected or only slightly revealed in the recombinant CEA proteins expressed in E. coli, indicating that those epitopes are dependent on the tertiary structure of the peptide chain, which is formed by disulfide bonds. All 4 epitopes of Group G defined by 9 MAbs were sensitive to mild periodate oxidation and deglycosylation, but resistant to reduction and alkylation and to digestion with pepsin or pronase, indicating that those 4 epitopes are carbohydrate in nature. Although none of the 4 epitopes of Group G were detected in the recombinant CEA proteins expressed in E. coli, two were detected in those expressed in CHO cells. The biochemical studies reported here thus provide information as to the nature of the epitopes on the CEA molecule and help form the basis for selecting the anti-CEA MAbs for use in biological study and potential clinical applications of CEA.

Animals↗

Epitopes predominantly retained on the carcinoembryonic antigen molecules in plasma of patients with malignant tumors but not on those in plasma of normal individuals.

We have previously reported that a group of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), designated Group F MAbs, are able to discriminate CEA in tumor tissues from normal fecal antigen-2, a soluble form CEA-counterpart in normal adult feces, and that the protein epitopes recognized by them are present on the domain A3-B3 of the CEA molecule. In this study, we further investigated the molecular localization of the epitopes recognized by the Group F MAbs using three new recombinant CEA proteins with restricted domain structures expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and found that the epitopes for the Group F MAbs are present on domain B3 close to the anchoring device of the CEA molecule. The epitopes for the Group F MAbs were retained on the CEA molecules in the plasma of patients with malignant tumors and on the CEA molecules spontaneously released into the culture media from established tumor cell lines. However, a large part of the CEA molecules in the plasma of normal individuals were found to lack the epitopes for the Group F MAbs. These results provide a basis for the improved cancer diagnosis by using our CEA assay system utilizing a Group F MAb, and indicate the potential clinical utility of the Group F MAbs.

Animals↗

Epitope mapping of the nonspecific cross-reacting antigen using various related recombinant proteins expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and eight distinct monoclonal antibodies.

Antigenic epitopes of nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) recognized by 8 different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were analyzed in relation to the domain structures of NCA [domains N, I (A1-B1) and M] and CEA [domains N, I (A1-B1), II (A2-B2), III (A3-B3) and M]. We reconstructed cDNAs for NCA-N, NCA-N-I-M, CEA-N, CEA-N-I, CEA-N-I-II, CEA-N-I-II-III-M in a eukaryotic expression vector, pdKCR-dhfr, and expressed them in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. The recombinant proteins were purified by immunoadsorption and gel filtration. By solid-phase enzyme immunoassays, the immunoreactivities of the purified recombinant proteins were tested against eight different MAbs reactive with NCA. All 8 MAbs had been shown to recognize the protein epitopes of the NCA molecule and classified into two groups in terms of the reactivity with NCA and CEA; Group X, 5 clones reactive with both NCA and CEA; and Group Y, 3 clones reactive only with NCA. The epitopes recognized by two of five Group X MAbs were found to be present on the domain N of the NCA molecule as well as of the CEA molecule, and those of the three others were on the domain I (A1-B1) of both molecules, respectively. All three epitopes of Group Y MAbs, which were unique to NCA, were present on the domain I (A1-B1) but not on the domain N of the NCA molecule. The epitope mapping reported here helps form the basis for understanding the relation between the chemical structure and antigenic activities of the NCA molecule and may be useful to study the functions of the NCA molecule, especially those of the respective domains.

Animals↗

Immunoreactivity of recombinant carcinoembryonic antigen proteins expressed in Escherichia coli.

Immunoreactivities of recombinant carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) proteins expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) were analyzed in relation to the CEA domain structure [domains N, I (A1-B1), II (A2-B2), III (A3-B3) and M]. We reconstructed in a prokaryotic expression vector, pUCPL-cI, the cDNAs fro CEA-N, CEA-I, CEA-II, and CEA-III-M. The latter three were expressed as fusion products with bacterial beta-galactosidase. The recombinant proteins were solubilized by sonication in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and purified by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electroelution. Their molecular weights judged from Western blotting coincided with those calculated from their cDNA sequences, respectively. By solid-phase enzyme immunoassays, the immunoreactivities of the purified recombinant proteins were tested with 21 distinct anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which had been found to recognize the peptide epitopes of the CEA molecule and to be reactive with the recombinant CEA proteins expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Fourteen of the 21 MAbs reacted with the recombinant CEA proteins expressed in E. coli and confirmed the localization of the epitopes identified by using the recombinant CEA proteins expressed in CHO cells. The reactivities of 5 MAbs with the recombinant proteins expressed in E. coli were remarkably low when compared with those of the proteins expressed in CHO cells but also confirmed the localization of the epitopes identified with the recombinant CEA proteins expressed in CHO cells. The remaining 2 MAbs did not react with any recombinant protein expressed in E. coli. These results indicate that the fusion CEA-proteins expressed in E. coli are useful in the localization of the epitopes on the polypeptide chains when they reacted with the MAbs tested. However, one third of the epitopes of CEA peptides may be profoundly affected by the presence of disulfide bonds and/or sugar chains which do not seem to be formed well in E. coli.

Base Sequence↗