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Biomedical subjects

S Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to S Uchida.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Isolation of human aquaporin 3 gene.

Human aquaporin 3 (AQP3) gene was isolated, and its structural organization was characterized. The gene appeared to exist as a single copy in the human genome and to comprise six exons distributing over 7 kilobases. The sizes of the exons are 171, 127, 138, 119, 218, and 1035 base pairs, and those of introns are approximately 3530, 300, 350, 330, and 90 base pairs, respectively. The initiation site of transcription was identified to locate 64 base pairs upstream of the first ATG codon by primer extension analysis and ribonuclease protection assay. The 5'-flanking region has a TATA box, two Sp1 sequences, and some consensus sequences including AP2 sites. With luciferase assay, the 5'-flanking region was demonstrated to have a promoter activity, which is up-regulated 4-fold by phorbol ester. These findings about the genomic clone of human AQP3 will contribute to elucidate the molecular mechanism of transcriptional regulation of AQP3.

Amino Acid Sequence

Myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis complicating the course of Graves' disease: report of three adult cases.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis has been recently recognized in Graves' disease patients treated with propylthiouracil. We have experienced three adult cases of Graves' disease with main features being renal derangements. All three patients, who were between the ages of 22 and 82 years, had been treated with propylthiouracil for 2 to 5 years after a diagnosis of Graves' disease. After several weeks of upper respiratory tract infection or flu-like symptoms, they abruptly began to manifest proteinuria and hematuria concomitant with severe anemia. Their serum creatinine increased from normal levels to 1.2 to 3.6 mg/dL. Renal biopsy revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis without deposition of immune complexes (ie, pauci-immune type). Crescent formations were observed in 40% to 60% of the glomeruli in all three cases. The serum from the patients revealed positive perinuclear-ANCA and negative cytoplasmic-ANCA (C-ANCA) pattern, and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA titers were 120 to 502 ELISA Units/mL (normal, < 10 ELISA Units/mL). A withdrawal of propylthiouracil with or without immunosuppressive therapy ameliorated their renal derangements. Graves' disease patients should be placed under vigilant observation by monitoring their urinalysis and serum creatinine, especially when being treated with antithyroid drugs and when suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Adult

Stable and functional expression of the CIC-3 chloride channel in somatic cell lines.

The CIC family is the superfamily of voltage-gated Cl- channels. Although the CIC channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes have been characterized, their channel properties are still poorly understood. We recently cloned a unique member of the CIC family, CIC-3, that is expressed abundantly in neurons. Its channel activity was regulated by phorbol esters. Now, we have established a stably transfected somatic cell line expressing functional CIC-3 channels and examined the CIC-3 single-channel current by patch-clamp techniques. In inside-out patches from the stably transfected cells, a rise of bath Ca2+ concentration in the physiological range of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations inhibited the CIC-3 single-channel currents. This inhibition by Ca2+ was independent of phosphorylation and ATP. Thus, the CIC-3 channel is a Ca(2+)-sensitive Cl- channel localized in neuronal cells, and its Ca2+ sensitivity implies a physiological role in neuronal functions.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid

Establishment of a T-cell line from lymphocytes presumably implicated in posttransfusion graft-versus-host disease.

Posttransfusion graft-versus-host disease (PTGVHD) is known to develop in immunocompetent patients exhibiting clinical symptoms such as erythroderma, fever, liver dysfunction, diarrhea and pancytopenia. It is speculated that transfused blood donors' lymphocytes might recognize the recipients' HLAs as alloantigens. The thus stimulated lymphocytes might proliferate, expand and finally attack the host's immune system or tissues. However, details regarding these expanded donor cells such as: (1) whether they represent one clone or more, (2) the composition of lymphocyte subsets, and (3) the target HLA antigens of recipients, are not clear, since T-cell lines derived from PTGVHD patients have not yet been obtained. The aim of this study is to characterize T-cells responsible for PTGVHD and to identify their target molecules. For that purpose, we attempted to establish T-cell lines derived from a PTGVHD patient. We show that the established T-cell line, proven to be derived from donor lymphocytes, showed a CD4+ phenotype and had cytotoxic activities. Furthermore, we describe that the target of the cytotoxic T-cell line (CTL) is an HLA-DRB1*0405-related molecule of the patient.

Base Sequence

The receptor occupation and plasma concentration of NKY-722, a water-soluble dihydropyridine-type calcium antagonist, in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. The occupation in vivo by NKY-722 of 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium antagonist receptors in myocardium, aorta and cerebral cortex was investigated. At 1 and 3 h after oral administration of NKY-722 (3 mg kg-1) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), there was a significant (44 and 41%, respectively) decrease in the number of myocardial (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 binding sites (Bmax) compared to control values. A greater reduction of Bmax values was observed at 1 (86%), 3 (88%), 6 (63%) and 12 (46%) h later by a higher dose (10 mg kg-1) of this drug. The occupation of myocardial 1,4-DHP calcium antagonist receptors after oral administration of NKY-722 correlated significantly with its plasma concentration. There was a significant decrease in cerebral cortical (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 binding (Bmax) at 1 and 3 h after oral administration of NKY-722 (10 mg kg-1). 2. Oral administration of nicardipine (10 mg kg-1) in SHR caused a significant reduction of Bmax values for (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 binding in myocardium at 1 and 3 h later and in cerebral cortex at 1 h later. 3. The in vivo specific binding of (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 in particulate fractions of aorta of SHR was significantly (79 and 83%, respectively) reduced at 1 and 6 h after oral administration of NKY-722 (3 mg kg-1), while myocardial (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 binding was decreased by 52% only at 1 h later. Also, nicardipine administration reduced in vivo ( + )-[3H]-PN 200-110 binding in aorta at 1 and 6 h later and in myocardium at 1 h later. On the other hand, the administration of both NKY-722 and nicardipine had no significant effect on in vivo (+ )-[3H]-PN 200-110 binding in cerebreal cortex.4 It is concluded that NKY-722 may exert more selective and sustained occupation in vivo of 1,4-DHP calcium antagonist receptors in vascular tissues of SHR than in myocardial and brain tissues.

Administration, Oral

Localization and functional characterization of rat kidney-specific chloride channel, ClC-K1.

To investigate the physiological role of a kidney-specific chloride channel (ClC-K1), we sought to determine its exact localization by immunohistochemistry and its functional regulation using Xenopus oocyte expression system. The antiserum specifically recognized a 70-kD protein in SDS-PAGE of membrane protein from rat inner medulla and an in vitro translated ClC-K1 protein. Immunohistochemistry revealed that ClC-K1 was exclusively localized to the thin limb of Henle's loop in rat inner medulla. In comparison with the immunostaining with anti-aquaporin-CHIP antibody that only stains the descending thin limb of Henle's loop (tDL), ClC-K1 was found to be localized only in the ascending limb (tAL) which has the highest chloride permeability among nephron segments. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that the staining of ClC-K1 in tAL was observed in the region of both apical and basolateral plasma membranes. Expressed chloride current in Xenopus oocytes by ClC-K1 cRNA was regulated by extracellular pH and extracellular calcium. Furosemide inhibited the expressed current (Ki = 100 microM), whereas N-ethyl-maleimide stimulated the current. These functional characteristics were consistent with the in vitro perfusion studies of chloride transport in tAL. The localization and the functional characteristics described here indicate that ClC-K1 is responsible for the transepithelial chloride transport in tAL.

Animals

Production of mice entirely derived from embryonic stem (ES) cell with many passages by coculture of ES cells with cytochalasin B induced tetraploid embryos.

Mice entirely derived from ES cells were obtained from aggregates of TT2 ES cells and cytochalasin B induced tetraploid embryos. Tetraploid embryos were cocultured with ES cells in a well on the Multiplate-Terasaki. After embryo transfer of the aggregates, the male newborns were recovered normally after Cesarean section and reached adulthood. The male mice exhibited complete pigmentation of the eye and coat, suggesting ES cell contributions alone. Alkaline phosphatase-1 analysis yielded no evidence of tetraploid cells in the kidney or liver. The TT2-derived males were fertile, produced normal offspring, and exclusively transmitted the TT2 genotype to their progeny. This result clearly shows that ES cells are able to support complete fetal development.

Animals

[A drug-induced transient Fanconi syndrome associated with pure red cell aplasia: pathophysiology of the electrolyte disorders].

A 55-year-old female with a long history of pure red cell aplasia temporarily manifested Fanconi syndrome with hypophosphatemia, hypouricemia, glycosuria, acidic amino aciduria, but not metabolic acidosis nor hypokalemia. These abnormalities completely resolved in 3-4 weeks after withdrawal of several drugs, suggesting that the cause of her Fanconi syndrome could be attributed to a drug or a combination of multiple drugs, though lymphocyte stimulating tests revealed negative results for all possible drugs. Postmortem specimen of her kidneys showed mild mesangial proliferation without significant changes in tubular and interstitial regions. Massive ferrous precipitations were found in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal glands. The pathophysiology of Fanconi syndrome shown in the patient was likely to have been a drug-induced transient and mild dysfunction of the Na+/K+ pump of the renal proximal tubules, which might also explain the selective amino aciduria. The absence of hypokalemia corroborates well with both a lack of bicarbonaturia and hemochromatosis-induced adrenal insufficiency. Patients with a renal dysfunction associated with electrolyte derangements and without proteinuria or azotemia should be under vigilant observation when using many drugs.

Fanconi Syndrome

Isolation of human aquaporin-CD gene.

The human gene encoding aquaporin-CD (AQP-CD) was isolated, and its structural organization was characterized. The gene appeared to exist as a single copy in the human genome and comprises four exons distributing over 5 kilobases. The size range of exons is 81-761 base pairs, and that for introns is approximately 3000 to approximately 250 base pairs. The exon-intron boundaries of human AQP-CD gene are identified at identical positions in other related genes, the human AQP-CHIP gene and the human major intrinsic protein gene. The major transcription initiation sites were identified to positions 93 and 94 base pairs upstream of the ATG initiation codon by primer extension and ribonuclease protection assay. The 5'-flanking region of the hAQP-CD gene was characterized by a TATA box, two GATA consensus sequences, an AP-1 site, an AP-2 site, three E-boxes, and a cyclic AMP-responsive element. These structural features will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of tissue-specific expression and the regulation by dehydration in AQP-CD gene and will also be of help in search for possible genetic disorders in human AQP-CD gene.

Amino Acid Sequence

Molecular cloning and expression of a member of the aquaporin family with permeability to glycerol and urea in addition to water expressed at the basolateral membrane of kidney collecting duct cells.

Water transport in highly water-permeable membranes is conducted by water-selective pores--namely, water channels. The recent cloning of water channels revealed the water-selective characteristics of these proteins when expressed in Xenopus oocytes or reconstituted in liposomes. Currently, it is assumed that the function of water channels is to transport only water. We now report the cloning of a member of the water channel that also transports nonionic small molecules such as urea and glycerol. We named this channel aquaporin 3 (AQP3) for its predominant water permeability. AQP3 has amino acid sequence identity with major intrinsic protein (MIP) family proteins including AQP-channel-forming integral membrane protein, AQP-collecting duct, MIP, AQP-gamma tonoplast intrinsic protein, nodulin 26, and glycerol facilitator (33-42%). Thus, AQP3 is an additional member of the MIP family. Osmotic water permeability of Xenopus oocytes measured by videomicroscopy was 10-fold higher in oocytes injected with AQP3 transcript than with water-injected oocytes. The increase in osmotic water permeability was inhibited by HgCl2, and this effect was reversed by a reducing agent, 2-mercaptoethanol. Although to a smaller degree, AQP3 also facilitated the transport of nonionic small solutes such as urea and glycerol, while the previously cloned water channels are permeable only to water when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. AQP3 mRNA was expressed abundantly in kidney medulla and colon. In kidney, it was exclusively immunolocalized at the basolateral membrane of collecting duct cells. AQP3 may function as a water and urea exit mechanism in antidiuresis in collecting duct cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

Blood flow in the sciatic nerve is regulated by vasoconstrictive and vasodilative nerve fibers originating from the ventral and dorsal roots of the spinal nerves.

Anesthetized rats were subjected to repetitive electrical stimulation of either the ventral or dorsal root of the spinal nerves between the 11th thoracic and 2nd sacral spinal segments. The response of nerve blood flow (NBF) in the sciatic nerve was examined using laser Doppler flowmetry. For all nerve fibers stimulation was for a 10-30-s period at a supramaximal intensity. (1) Stimulation of the T11-L1 ventral roots produced an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and a biphasic NBF response was comprised of an initial increase and a subsequent decrease. The initial increase was a passive vasodilation due to the increase in MAP, while the following decrease in NBF resulted from active vasoconstriction of the vasa nervorum due to the activation of sympathetic nerves innervating the sciatic vasa nervorum. (2) Stimulation of the ventral root of the L6 segment produced an increase in NBF, even though MAP decreased. This increase in NBF was apparently mediated by activation of parasympathetic cholinergic vasodilators, because the response was abolished by i.v. injection of atropine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist. (3) Stimulation of the dorsal roots between the L3 and S1 segments produced an increase in NBF, independent of changes in MAP. This increase in NBF appeared to be mediated by activation of a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) containing afferent fibers innervating the vasa nervorum, because the response was abolished by topical application of hCGRP (8-37), a CGRP receptor antagonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Functional characterization and cell immunolocalization of AQP-CD water channel in kidney collecting duct.

Vasopressin-regulated water permeability of the kidney collecting duct is a key component of the urine concentration machinery. Recently, a cDNA for AQP-CD, the vasopressin-regulated water channel, initially reported as WCH-CD, has been isolated (K. Fushimi, S. Uchida, Y. Hara, Y. Hirata, F. Marumo, and S. Sasaki. Nature Lond. 361: 549-552, 1993). AQP-CD was expressed in oocyte membrane using a Xenopus expression vector, and functional characteristics of AQP-CD were examined. Osmotic water permeability (Pf) of oocytes expressing AQP-CD was 138 +/- 19 microns/s (mean +/- SE), 12 times greater than the control (11 +/- 3 microns/s), 90% inhibited by 0.3 mM HgCl2, and weakly temperature dependent (energy of activation for Pf was 4.0 kcal/mol). Urea influx measured from 15-min [14C]urea uptake by oocytes injected with AQP-CD/expression vector 1 cRNA was 86 +/- 17% of the control. Two-electrode voltage-clamp experiments revealed insignificant ion conductance of AQP-CD. Immunoblots of membranes from rat kidney medulla and oocytes expressing AQP-CD using anti-AQP-CD COOH-terminal antibody showed a 29-kDa protein and 35- to 50-kDa high-molecular-mass forms. Immunohistochemistry showed apical and subapical localization of AQP-CD in the collecting duct principal cells. Our results indicated that AQP-CD is a 29-kDa protein, a selective water channel, distinct from a urea channel, and localized to the membranes of vasopressin-sensitive components in kidney collecting duct principal cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

Cloning, characterization, and chromosomal mapping of human aquaporin of collecting duct.

We recently cloned a cDNA of the collecting duct apical membrane water channel of rat kidney, which is important for the formation of concentrated urine (Fushima, K., S. Uchida, Y. Hara, Y. Hirata, F. Marumo, and S. Sasaki. 1993. Nature [Lond.]. 361:549-552). Since urine concentrating ability varies among mammalian species, we examined whether an homologous protein is present in human kidney. By screening a human kidney cDNA library, we isolated a cDNA clone, designated human aquaporin of collecting duct (hAQP-CD), that encodes a 271-amino acid protein with 91% identity to rat AQP-CD. mRNA expression of hAQP-CD was predominant in the kidney medulla compared with the cortex, immunohistochemical staining of hAQP-CD was observed only in the collecting duct cells, and the staining was dominant in the apical domain. Functional expression study in Xenopus oocytes confirmed that hAQP-CD worked as a water channel. Western blot analysis of human kidney medulla indicated that the molecular mass of hAQP-CD is 29 kD, which is the same mass expected from the amino acid sequence. Chromosomal mapping of the hAQP-CD gene assigned its location to chromosome 12q13. These results could be important for future studies of the pathophysiology of human urinary concentration mechanisms in normal and abnormal states.

Amino Acid Sequence

Pharmacokinetics of amlodipine and its occupancy of calcium antagonist receptors.

We characterized the occupancy of dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium antagonist receptors by amlodipine in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in relation to its pharmacokinetics. Oral administration of amlodipine (10 mg/kg) in SHR produced a significant (20-70%) decrease in the number of specific (+)[3H]PN 200-110 binding sites in cardiac tissues 0.5-18 h later, and the effect was greatest 3 h later. In these rats, there was little change in cerebral cortical (+)[3H]PN 200-110 binding. Occupancy of cardiac calcium antagonist receptors after oral administration of amlodipine correlated well with its plasma concentration. In vitro blockade of cardiac (+)[3H]PN 200-110 binding sites induced by amlodipine also persisted after the tissues were washed by centrifugation and suspension, whereas that induced by nifedipine was reversible under these conditions. Thus, our results suggest that the gradual onset and long-lasting pharmacologic effect of amlodipine are due to its slow binding kinetics (association and dissociation) of cardiovascular receptor sites in addition to its slow pharmacokinetics.

Amlodipine

Suppressive effect of cyclophosphamide on the progression of lethal graft-versus-host disease in mice--a therapeutic model of fatal post-transfusion GVHD.

In this paper, we examine in a murine system whether cyclophosphamide (CY) could prevent the development of fatal GVHD and furthermore whether it could be used to treat on-going GVHD. (C57BL/6xDBA/2)F1 (BDF1) mice were injected with spleen cells from B6 donors and their thoraces were opened to mimic cardiac operation. These mice lost body weight gradually and most of them died during 2-4 weeks post-transfusion. They showed splenomegaly, thymic atrophy and marked bone-marrow aplasia. When CY was administered at 100 mg kg-1 on days 0, 2, 7 and 9, all mice were relieved of GVHD and their organs were almost free of signs of GVHD. CY (100 mg kg-1) administered on days 7 and 9 also save mice from lethal GVHD. Moreover, CY administered at a dose of 20 mg kg-1 on days 9 and 11 when GVHD became apparent was also effective. These data suggest that CY might be used as a therapeutic agent for lethal post-transfusion GVHD.

Animals

ClC family in the kidney.

PCR cloning strategy was used to isolate cDNAs of ClC family members in the kidney. Three new members, named ClC-K1, ClC-K2, ClC-3, have been isolated. Functional expression studies in the Xenopus oocytes confirmed that these are chloride channel proteins. Northern blot and immunohistochemistry showed that ClC-K1 and ClC-K2 are selectively expressed in the kidney, while ClC-3 distributes in a variety of organs such as brain, lung, and kidney. Identification and characterization of new ClC channel proteins will contribute to a better understanding of chloride transport in the kidney.

Animals

Cloning and expression of a PKC-regulated chloride channel.

The cDNA of a protein kinase C-regulated chloride channel (CIC-3) was cloned. CIC-3 encodes 760 amino acids, which has significant amino acid identity with the previously cloned CIC chloride channels. CIC-3 cRNA elicited the chloride currents in Xenopus oocytes, which was completely blocked by activation of protein kinase C by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The most abundant expression of CIC-3 mRNA was observed in rat brain, and the moderate level of CIC-3 expression was also observed in various rat tissues including adrenal gland, kidney, and lung. These findings suggest that CIC-3 may have important roles in various types of cells with regulation by protein kinase C.

Animals

Tissue expression of mRNA of chloride channel from MDCK cells and its regulation by protein kinases.

A new chloride channel has recently been identified by expression cloning (Paulmichl, M., et al. Nature 356: 238). To date there is no information available on the distribution of this channel in mammalian tissues. We cloned rat homologue of this Cl channel and found 92% identity in deduced amino-acid sequence. We studied the tissue distribution of its mRNA and regulation by protein kinases. Its mRNA was expressed in all 17 bovine tissues we studied, most abundantly in the brain. In the kidney, it was expressed more in the medulla than cortex. Dehydration up to 5 days did not change its mRNA level in the rat kidney. Both phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and forskolin down regulated its expression in MDCK cells, suggesting that both PKC and PKA modulated its expression. The physiological role of this chloride channel remains to be clarified.

Amino Acid Sequence