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Biomedical subjects

S Shimura

Publications and source records attributed to S Shimura.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Eosinophil penetration through cultured human airway epithelial cell layer.

We investigated the mechanisms of eosinophil penetration and mannitol permeability through a multilayer of cultured human tracheal epithelial cells. Wells of tissue culture plates were separated into the upper and the lower chambers by the cultured epithelial cell layer. 51Cr-labeled eosinophils or 3H-mannitol were put into the lower chamber. To stimulate the epithelial cells, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and/or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were added to the upper chamber. After 4 h of incubation, the eosinophil penetration rate was determined as a percentage of the total count added to the lower chamber. PMA significantly increased the eosinophil penetration rate in a dose-dependent manner (4.0% at 10(-5) M), compared with control (0.67%), whereas PAF itself did not. Activation of eosinophils by the addition of PAF to the lower chamber produced a significant increase in the eosinophil penetration (6.5% at 10(-6) M), which was inhibited by staurosporine. For determining the mannitol permeability, PMA, PAF, and/or supernatant from eosinophils were added to both upper and lower chambers and incubated for 30 min. PMA induced a significant increase in the mannitol permeability (175% of controls at 10(-5) M), whereas PAF itself did not alter it. Supernatant from eosinophils activated by PAF (10(-6) M) significantly increased the permeability (451% of controls), which was blocked by staurosporine. Supernatants from AA861 (a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor)-treated or phenidon (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor)-treated eosinophils activated by PAF failed to alter the supernatant-induced increases in mannitol permeability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1994

HMT regulates histamine-induced Cl- secretion across the canine tracheal epithelium.

Although histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT), the primary enzyme responsible for the inactivation of histamine, has been shown to exist in the airway epithelium, it is still unknown whether this enzyme regulates ion transport across the airway epithelium. Using an Ussing chamber, we examined the effect of a HMT inhibitor, SKF 91488, on potential difference (PD) and short circuit current (SCC) in epithelial membranes from the posterior portion of canine trachea. SKF 91488 itself did not significantly alter PD or SCC values. Pretreatment with SKF 91488 significantly augmented PD and SCC induced by histamine. Amiloride did not significantly alter the augmentation by SKF 91488 in histamine-induced PD and SCC rises. These findings indicate that HMT regulates Cl- secretion across airway epithelium.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1994

Tachykinins induce a [Ca2+]i rise in the acinar cells of feline tracheal submucosal gland.

The intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of acinar cells of isolated submucosal glands from trachea was measured using a fluorescent dye, Fura-2. Neurokinin A (NK-A) produced a sustained rise in [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner, reaching a response of 500 to 600% of the prior baseline value at 10(-6) or 10(-5) M, and the NK-A evoked [Ca2+]i was significantly higher than that by substance P (SP) at similar concentrations. NK-B did not induce significant increases in [Ca2+]i. In a Ca(2+)-free solution, NK-A produced a transient rise in [Ca2+]i, which returned to the baseline within 3 min. Mucus glycoprotein (MGP) secretion, estimated by measuring trichloroacetic-acid (TCA) precipitable glycoconjugates, was stimulated by NK-A or SP. These findings indicate that tachykinins produce a rise in [Ca2+]i by both entry from the extracellular solution and release from intracellular storage, probably by NK-2 receptor stimulation, and stimulate MGP secretion from airway submucosal glands.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

CGRP induces [Ca2+]i rise and glycoconjugate secretion in feline tracheal submucosal gland.

Submucosal glands were isolated from feline trachea. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of the acinar cells of isolated glands was measured using the fluorescent dye Fura-2. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) at 10(-8) to 10(-5) M produced a significant and sustained rise in the [Ca2+]i of isolated glands, reaching a maximal response of 127% of the prior baseline level but did not alter the intracellular adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate ([cAMP]i). In a Ca(2+)-free solution, CGRP produced no significant alteration in [Ca++]i. Glycoconjugate secretion from isolated glands was stimulated by CGRP in a dose dependent fashion, reaching a maximal response of 167% of control at 10(-6) M but was without effect in tracheal explants. Further, CGRP did not produce any significant increase in glycoconjugate secretion in the Ca(2+)-free medium. These findings indicate that CGRP stimulates glycoconjugate secretion from airway submucosal glands by inducing Ca2+ influx from the extracellular solution.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Magnesium regulates ion transport across canine tracheal epithelium.

We examined the effect of Mg2+ on potential difference (PD) and short circuit current (SCC) of the posterior epithelial membrane of canine trachea using an Ussing chamber. After the exchange to a Mg(2+)-free solution, PD and SCC rapidly increased, reaching maximal values within 3 min, followed by a gradual return towards the baseline over 60 min. In a Ca(2+)-free solution, Mg2+ removal did not alter PD and SCC values. Increased Mg2+ in the solution produced significant gradual decreases in PD and SCC. The decreases in PD and SCC were reversed by the addition of excessive Ca2+ to the solution. Mg2+ removal did not alter significantly isoproterenol-induced increases in PD and SCC values, while increased Mg2+ significantly reduced the increases. These findings indicate that extracellular Mg2+ is an important determinant in ion transport across the airway epithelium, probably through antagonistic actions of Mg2+ and Ca2+.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1994

Glucocorticoids suppressed production and gene expression of interleukin-5 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in atopic patients and normal subjects.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is known to play a major role in regulating eosinophil function in atopic diseases, including bronchial asthma. Glucocorticoids are most effective agents for treating these diseases. However, their mechanism remains unclear. We examined the effects of glucocorticoids on the production and gene expression of IL-5 in atopic patients and normal subjects. METHODS: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in five atopic and four normal subjects were cultured with phytohemagglutinin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in the presence of dexamethasone. IL-5 secreted by PBMCs was assayed by ELISA. Gene expression of IL-5 by PBMCs was assessed semiquantitatively by sequential reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Southern blot analysis. RESULTS: Phytohemagglutinin/PMA-stimulated PBMCs from all atopic patients and three normal subjects secreted detectable amounts of IL-5, which were suppressed by dexamethasone in a dose-dependent manner, with 85.8% suppression at 10(-6) mol/L. Gene expression of IL-5 was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in PBMCs from all subjects, even when not stimulated; was increased by stimulation; and was suppressed by dexamethasone. The concentration of dexamethasone resulting in 50% inhibition in IL-5 gene expression did not differ between atopic patients and normal subjects. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that dexamethasone suppressed IL-5 production in atopic human PBMCs through an inhibitory action on the gene expression. These results suggest that the suppression of IL-5 production through the suppression of IL-5 gene expression is one of the most important mechanisms by which glucocorticoids inhibit eosinophil functions in the treatment of atopic diseases, including bronchial asthma.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

A pitfall in diagnosing a tumor thrombus by computed tomography.

This paper presents a case of right renal cell carcinoma with a false-positive finding of tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. The intraluminal filling defect revealed by computed tomography appeared to be an artifact due to the inflow of non-opacified blood into the inferior vena cava. The possibility of such an artifact should be borne in mind to avoid as far as possible any unnecessary diagnostic intervention and delay in instituting proper therapy.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1994

Apically localized IP3 receptors control chloride current in airway gland acinar cells.

We examined the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors in acetylcholine (ACh)-induced chloride (Cl-) current in acinar cells of human and feline airway submucosal glands, using whole cell patch-clamp analysis. ACh (10 nM-1 microM) induced an initial Cl- current followed by a K+ current, and lower doses of ACh (1-10 nM) often induced oscillations of both currents, which were mimicked by the application of intracellular IP3. Neither isoproterenol (-10 microM) nor raising intracellular adenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate induced any current. Caffeine (20-50 mM) and intracellular ryanodine (1-100 microM) induced a K+ current alone without Cl- current. Monoclonal antibodies to the IP3 receptor abolished both ACh-induced K+ and Cl- currents. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the localization of IP3 receptors on both the cytosol and some regions of the endoplasmic reticulum beneath the apical membrane of acinar cells. These results indicate that apically localized IP3 receptors control Cl- secretion from airway submucosal gland cells.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1994

Extracellular ATP regulation of feline tracheal submucosal gland secretion.

The standard patch-clamp technique was employed on enzymatically digested acinar cells of submucosal glands isolated from feline trachea. ATP (-10(-3) M) evoked bidirectional current responses and an initial inward current at -80 mV (Cl- current) was followed by an outward current at 0 mV of membrane potential (K+ current). Isoproterenol (ISO) alone did not evoke any significant current responses. However, ISO augmented the ATP-induced inward and outward currents. A phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, mimicked the augmentation by ISO. [Ca2+]i of acinar cells in isolated gland was measured using a fluorescent dye, fura 2. ATP (-10(-3) M) induced an immediate increase in [Ca2+]i followed by a prolonged plateau, and Ca2+ removal resulted in an initial increase alone without the prolonged phase. ISO also augmented the ATP-evoked increases in [Ca2+]i mainly in the plateau phases. Mucus glycoprotein (MGP) secretion was estimated by measuring trichloroacetic acid-precipitable [3H]glycoconjugates from isolated glands. ATP (-10(-3) M) evoked significant MGP secretion and ISO enhanced the ATP-induced MGP secretion. In contrast, adenosine (-10(-3) M) produced no significant responses in current, MGP secretion, or [Ca2+]i. These findings suggest that 1) P2-receptor stimulation and the resultant [Ca2+]i rise induced both electrolyte and MGP secretions and 2) ATP-induced secretion is enhanced by an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate intracellular concentration [cAMP]i-rise after beta-receptor stimulation in airway submucosal glands.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1994

An expectorant, stepronin, reduces airway secretion in vitro.

Stepronin (SPN) is clinically used as an expectorant, and thenoic acid (TA) is its metabolite. We examined the effects of these drugs on the bioelectric parameters [potential difference (PD), short circuit current (SCC), conductance (G)] of the posterior epithelial membrane of canine trachea and on those of the mucus glycoprotein secretion from feline tracheal isolated glands. PD and SCC were obtained using an Ussing chamber and G was calculated as the ratio SCC/PD. Neither SPN nor TA significantly altered the baseline values of PD and SCC. However, in the mucosal solution, both SPN and TA significantly inhibited PD and SCC evoked by isoproterenol (ISOP), whereas G remained unchanged. Amirolide did not alter the inhibitory action of SPN and TA. Mucus glycoprotein secretion from isolated glands was estimated by measuring trichloride acetic acid-precipitable [3H]-glycoconjugates. SPN and TA significantly reduced mucus glycoprotein secretion. Further, when stimulated by methacholine, these agents significantly inhibited mucus glycoprotein secretion from isolated glands. These findings suggest that SPN inhibits airway secretion in vitro by both decreasing Cl- secretion from epithelial cells and mucus glycoprotein secretion from submucosal glands.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1994

Accumulation of basophils and their chemotactic activity in the airways during natural airway narrowing in asthmatic individuals.

To investigate cellular differentials in natural airway narrowing of steroid-dependent asthmatic individuals, we performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on 10 inpatients with asthma treated only with bronchodilators during episodes of natural airway narrowing evaluated by serial monitoring of peak expiratory flow (PEF), and on nine normal volunteers. We confirmed that the airway narrowing was not completely reversed by salbutamol aerosol just before the BAL study, but was completely reversed by administration of systemic steroid after the BAL study. Thus, the natural airway narrowing investigated in this study consisted not only of the constriction of airway smooth muscle, but also of edema of the airway mucosa and/or secretion in airways. Both the numbers and percentages of eosinophils and alcian blue-positive cells in BAL fluids from the asthmatic subjects were significantly higher than those of normals, but the numbers and percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages were not. Thus, eosinophils and alcian blue-positive cells selectively increased in the airways during the natural airway narrowing. Because we found that the metachromatic cells consisted of two types, with a single nucleus and with segmented nuclei, we further examined basophil chemotactic activity (BCA) in BAL fluids. We showed that BCA was significantly higher in the asthmatic (79.3 +/- 17.2 cells/5 hpf) than in the normal subjects (6.2 +/- 1.6 cells/5 hpf), and also that the activity was more strongly correlated with the cells having segmented nuclei (p = 0.95) than with all of the cells (p = 0.73).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Bronchorrhea from diffuse lymphangitic metastasis of colon carcinoma to the lung.

Bronchorrhea, defined as watery sputum of 100 ml or more per day, was seen in a 52-year-old female patient with diffuse lymphangitic metastasis of colon carcinoma to the lung. For 5 months before the visit to our clinic, she complained of progressive worsening of the cough, watery sputum, and shortness of breath. On admission to our hospital, she expectorated large amounts of nonpurulent watery sputum (150 to 300 ml/d), and showed diffuse reticular and linear shadows in both lungs on chest radiograph and severe obstructive impairment (FEV1 percent, 35 percent) in lung function tests. Histologic findings obtained from both surgical specimens at abdominal operation for ileus and lungs at the autopsy revealed lymphangitic metastasis of ascending colon carcinoma to the lung. At autopsy, histologically the lungs showed diffuse infiltrations of mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma cells to both lung parenchyma and airway submucosa.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed1994

Intrapleural omentum simulating pleural effusion.

We report herein a case of Morgagni hernia of omentum into the pleural space, simulating a pleural effusion on a routine chest radiograph. A 62-year-old man was referred to our clinic for close examination of a pleural effusion-like shadow at the right costophrenic region. He had no history of trauma and no symptoms. Chest computed tomographic scan showed a pleural effusion-like shadow with a fat density. Thoracoscopy revealed a movable omentum-like mass and no significant fluid in the right pleural space. Magnetic resonance imaging and celiac angiography confirmed the herniation of omentum into the right pleural space. This case suggests that a Morgagni hernia must be excluded in a patient with a fat density effusion-like shadow in the pleural space.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1994

Bronchoalveolar lavage as a possible cause of acute exacerbation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

In the past 13 years (1980 to 1992), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on 124 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients (29 F and 95 M, 60 +/- 1 years, mean +/- S.E.) at Tohoku University Clinic and Hospital. Among them, three patients showed acute exacerbation immediately after BAL and died of progressive respiratory failure after 2.5 weeks, 2 months and 3.5 months, respectively, despite intensive care. They were all older patients (79, 74 and 66 years old) and we failed to find any evidence of viral, bacterial or fungus infections either before or after BAL in blood, sputum or BAL fluid samples. Further, all autopsied lungs showed interstitial pneumonia and fibrosis and no evidence of infectious diseases. In contrast, no progressive deteriorations after BAL were observed in 282 patients (122 F and 160 M, 48 +/- 1 years old) with other pulmonary diseases (sarcoidosis, bronchial asthma, collagen diseases and other interstitial lung diseases), who received BAL during the same period. This suggests that BAL itself sometimes induces a progressive degeneration in IPF patients, especially in older patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

A stimulatory role of protein kinase C in feline tracheal submucosal gland secretion.

To determine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in airway submucosal gland secretion, we examined the effect of a selective PKC stimulant, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), on mucus glycoprotein (MGP) secretion, fluid secretion and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated feline submucosal glands. MGP and fluid secretions were estimated by measuring trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable glycoconjugates and 22Na-efflux, respectively, from isolated glands. [Ca2+]i was measured using a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye, Fura 2. PMA itself produced a significant increase in MGP secretion in a dose-dependent fashion (173% of control at 10(-5) M). PMA also produced a significant increase in 22Na-efflux (151% of baseline rate constant at 10(-5) M). Indomethacin failed to alter the increase in MGP secretion or in 22Na-efflux in response to PMA. Two PKC inhibitors, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) and sphingosine, inhibited both MGP secretion and 22Na-efflux stimulated by PMA; there was only a partial inhibition after stimulation by methacholine (MCh). PMA did not significantly alter [Ca2+]i and H-7 did not alter the MCh-induced [Ca2+]i rise. These findings indicate that PKC has a direct stimulatory role in stimulus-secretion coupling of airway submucosal gland secretion.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1993

Surfactant apoprotein A secretion by human tracheobronchial epithelial cells.

To determine whether surfactant apoproteins are produced locally by the airway walls, we used a two-site simultaneous immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies and measured the surfactant apoprotein-A (SP-A) content in media cultured with human airway explants or cultured epithelial cells. Tracheobronchial explants were cultured for 2 successive periods (periods I and II). Significant SP-A concentrations were detected in both periods. Methacholine (MCh) or isoproterenol (ISP), added to the medium at the beginning of period II, reduced the ratio of SP-A concentration in period II to that in period I, compared to samples without treatment. The SP-A concentration in the medium at the confluent period of cultured epithelial cells was significantly higher than at the mid-period, indicating that SP-A secretion is dependent on the cell number. The supernatant from explants stimulated by MCh was capable of reducing SP-A secretion from cultured epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical study of SP-A using monoclonal antibody demonstrated positive immunoperoxidase staining in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. Further, Western blots of electrophoresed proteins from epithelial cells showed the characteristic properties of SP-A. These findings indicate that tracheobronchial epithelium can secrete SP-A.

Apolipoproteins A↗
PubMed1993

Dexamethasone modulation of ion transport and fluid movement across airway epithelium.

Electrolyte or fluid is secreted across airway mucosa by both superficial epithelium and submucosal glands. To understand the effect of glucocorticoid on fluid movement across airway mucosa, we examined the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on bioelectric properties of canine and feline tracheal epithelium and on 22Na efflux from isolated feline tracheal submucosal glands. Potential difference (PD) and short-circuit current (SCC) across tracheal epithelium were measured using an Ussing chamber, and conductance (G) was calculated as the ratio SCC/PD. Isolated glands were loaded with 22Na, and the rate constant (RC) of Na2+ efflux was calculated by measuring the radioactivity of each effluent sample. After treatment with 10(-9) to 10(-5) M Dex for up to 6 h, the epithelium and isolated glands were stimulated with isoproterenol (ISP) and methacholine (MCh), respectively. Dex treatment did not alter significantly baseline values of PD, SCC, or RC. However, Dex treatment produced a dose-dependent attenuation of ISP-evoked epithelial PD and SCC and of MCh-evoked glandular RC. In canine epithelium, pretreatment with 10(-5) M Dex for 6 h reduced by 40% the ISP (10(-6) M)-evoked rise in PD and SCC, whereas G remained unchanged. After 10(-5) M Dex treatment for 6 h, MCh (10(-5) M)-evoked RC in isolated glands was significantly less than in control glands (MCh alone) by 23%. These findings suggest that glucocorticoid decreases the fluid secretion across the airway mucosa, especially when the mucosa are stimulated.

Animals↗