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Biomedical subjects

S Yano

Publications and source records attributed to S Yano.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Monoclonal antibodies specific to carbohydrates of Echinococcus multilocularis.

To investigate the complexity of epitopes presented on Echinococcus multilocularis (E.m.) metacestode carbohydrates, a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) was generated and characterized. Thirty of the clones were obtained and classified into three types (types I to III) based on Western blotting (WB) and dot-ELISA. One MoAb (type I) appeared to react with one of the carbohydrate antigens (C-antigens) located at 30-35 kDa, and was the most effective diagnostic antigen for human alveolar hydatid disease (AHD) in Hokkaido, Japan. The second group (15 clones) of MoAb (type II) reacted with another C-antigen; one which also induced antibody response in AHD patients. The third group (14 clones) of MoAb (type III) reacted with other C-antigens both in ELISA and dot-ELISA, but did not react in WB. Cross-reaction to the antigens of Echinococcus granulosus was faintly observed in only the type I-MoAb by dot-ELISA. In the immunohistological studies, all of the MoAbs reacted strongly with the laminated layer though not with protoscoleces in metacestode tissue prepared from experimentally infected cotton rats. Tissue sections treated with sodium periodate lost their immunoreactivity, suggesting that these MoAbs recognized carbohydrate epitopes of the E.m. metacestode.

Animals↗

The effects of angiotensin metabolites on the regulation of coagulation and fibrinolysis in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells.

Not only angiotensin II (Ang II) but also other angiotensin metabolites such as angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin III (Ang III), angiotensin IV, or angiotensin 1-7 have recently been reported to have various activities. Few data, however, are available on the regulation of thrombus formation. In this study, we investigated the effects of angiotensin metabolites on the mRNA expression of tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue type plasminogen activator (TPA) in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells. None of the used angiotensin metabolites altered TFPI or TPA mRNA expression levels. Ang I, Ang II, and Ang III made TF and PAI-1 mRNA inductions which were inhibited by an selective antagonist of angiotensin II type 1 receptors. These metabolites made TF predominant to TFPI or PAI-1 to TPA, and could render endothelial cells thrombogenic.

Angiotensin I↗

Role of autoantibodies against tubular brush border antigens in tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with Heymann nephritis.

Previous studies have shown that a rat experimental model of membranous nephropathy (Heymann nephritis) is often associated with tubulointerstitial changes. Although antibody-dependent tubular injuries have been proposed in this model, precise mechanisms have been ill-defined. In the present report, we established a model of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) by injecting puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) to Wistar rats which had been immunized with tubular antigens (Tub-Ag). In this model, TIN developed 4 weeks after Tub-Ag immunization when rats had a high titer of circulating anti-Tub-Ag antibodies and began to excrete massive proteinuria. Deposits of immunoglobulins along tubular brush borders were also demonstrated. Rats receiving either Tub-Ag or PAN alone failed to develop TIN during this relatively acute phase. These results suggest that anti-Tub-Ag antibodies excreted into the urine play a role in developing TIN in this model.

Animals↗

Therapeutic efficacy of a new topoisomerase I and II inhibitor TAS-103, against both P-glycoprotein-expressing and -nonexpressing drug-resistant human small-cell lung cancer.

We examined the effect of a novel topoisomerase I and II (topo I and II) inhibitor, TAS-103, on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-expressing and -nonexpressing drug-resistant human small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells in vitro and in vivo. We observed that TAS-103 was effective in inhibiting in vitro proliferation of human SCLC (SBC-3 and H69) cells and their drug-resistant variants SBC-3/ADM or SBC-3/CDDP and H-69/VP, respectively. SBC-3/ADM and H-69/VP expressed high P-gp, whereas SBC-3/CDDP did not. TAS-103 also effectively reduced the tumor growth (more than 50% inhibition) of the parental as well as MDR SCLC cells grown SC in nude mice. Adriamycin (ADM) and cisplatin (CDDP), on the other hand, were effective only against the parental cells, while these drugs failed to inhibit the respective drug-resistant variants in vitro or in vivo. TAS-103 was observed to induce apoptosis dose dependently in the parental as well as drug-resistant SCLC cells as analyzed after 48 h of in vitro treatment, suggesting that the stabilization of cleavable topo I- or II-DNA complexes by topo I and II inhibitors like TAS-103 is followed by apoptosis of the cells. Overall, our study suggests that TAS-103 may have clinical application against drug-resistant human SCLC.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

[Role of angiogenesis in lung cancer and its metastases].

Although the modalities for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer patients have been improved, the prognosis of the patients is still poor. However, new technology and advances in the fields of molecular and cell biology have allowed investigators to explore the mechanisms of growth, invasion, and metastasis of lung cancer. In fact, it has been reported that angiogenesis is necessary for the growth and metastasis of lung cancer, thus indicating the therapeutic target. Moreover, VEGF has been shown to be essential not only for angiogenesis but also for the formation of pleural effusions produced by lung cancer via induction of vascular hyperpermeability. Here, we review recent findings on angiogenesis in lung cancer, and the possibility of the clinical use of antiangiogenic agents for lung cancer patients.

Animals↗

Calcium promotes cell survival through CaM-K kinase activation of the protein-kinase-B pathway.

The protection against apoptosis provided by growth factors in several cell lines is due to stimulation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) pathway, which results in activation of protein kinase B (PKB; also known as c-Akt and Rac) and phosphorylation and sequestration to protein 14-3-3 of the proapoptotic Bcl-2-family member BAD. A modest increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration also promotes survival of some cultured neurons through a pathway that requires calmodulin but is independent of PI(3)K and the MAP kinases. Here we report that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaM-KK) activates PKB directly, resulting in phosphorylation of BAD on serine residue 136 and the interaction of BAD with protein 14-3-3. Serum withdrawal induced a three- to fourfold increase in cell death of NG108 neuroblastoma cells, and this apoptosis was largely blocked by increasing the intracellular Ca2+ concentration with NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) or KCl or by transfection with constitutively active CaM-KK. The effect of NMDA on cell survival was blocked by transfection with dominant-negative forms of CaM-KK or PKB. These results identify a Ca2+-triggered signalling cascade in which CaM-KK activates PKB, which in turn phosphorylates BAD and protects cells from apoptosis.

Animals↗

Therapeutic efficacy of mouse-human chimeric anti-ganglioside GM2 monoclonal antibody against multiple organ micrometastases of human lung cancer in NK cell-depleted SCID mice.

The development of distant metastases to multiple organs is a critical problem in the treatment of human lung cancer. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a mouse-human chimeric anti-ganglioside GM2 (GM2) monoclonal antibody (MAb), KM966 against metastasis formation of GM2-positive human lung cancer cells inoculated intravenously (i.v.) into natural killer (NK) cell-depleted severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. GM2-positive human small cell lung cancer (SCLC), SBC-3 cells (1 x 10(6)), injected through a tail vein into NK cell-depleted SCID mice, formed large number of metastatic colonies in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes by 42 days after inoculation (day 42). KM966, but not control MAb, given on days 2 and 7, almost completely inhibited metastasis formation of SBC-3 cells in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, treatment with KM966 at advanced stages of metastasis (even from day 28) significantly suppressed multiple organ metastases of SBC-3 cells. The anti-metastatic effect of KM966 in vivo was mainly due to an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) reaction mediated by macrophages of the SCID mice. Our findings suggest that the mouse-human chimeric anti-GM2 MAb, KM966 may be useful for eradicating multiple organ micrometastases of lung cancer in humans.

Animals↗

Integrin-mediated signal transduction in cells lacking focal adhesion kinase p125FAK.

We have previously shown that integrin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of p130Cas (Cas) could be induced in a mouse fibroblast cell line that does not express focal adhesion kinase p125FAK (FAK). By analyzing FAK-deficient (FAK-/-) cells transiently expressing Cas mutant proteins, we demonstrate here that the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of Cas is indispensable for adhesion-mediated Cas phosphorylation in this mutant cell line. While the FAK directly binds to Cas-SH3, our findings imply that SH3-binding molecule(s) other than FAK might regulate Cas phosphorylation, at least in FAK-/- cells. In this regard, we observed that FAK-/- cells expressed cell adhesion kinase beta (CAKbeta), a protein tyrosine kinase of the FAK subfamily. CAKbeta expressed by FAK-/- cells was associated in vivo with Cas in a Cas-SH3-dependent manner. Moreover, integrin stimulation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of CAKbeta in FAK-/- cells. Thus, our results suggest that CAKbeta contributes to integrin-mediated signal transduction in place of FAK in FAK-deficient cells.

Animals↗

Two sib cases of Leber congenital amaurosis with cerebellar vermis hypoplasia and multiple systemic anomalies.

Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), a type of congenital blindness, is clinically and genetically heterogeneous and often associated with systemic anomalies. We report on two sisters who were born to a consanguineous couple and had retinitis pigmentosa-like pigmented retinal lesions, alternating exotropia, bilateral cataracts, and anomalous coarse facies characterized by deformed skull with narrow forehead, low anterior hairline, hypertelorism, short philtrum, thin upper lip, and prominent jaw; cerebellar vermis hypoplasia; dilatation of the fourth ventricle; severe mental retardation; tremor; brisk deep tendon reflexes and abnormal behavior; and skeletal abnormalities such as limited extension of elbow and/ or finger joints and talipes equinovalgus. Skin defect and renal anomalies were seen in only one patient. Our patients are the first familial LCA associated with cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, and the disease involving particular multiple systemic anomalies may represent a distinct clinical entity.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Evidence supporting an association between the DRB1 gene and schizophrenia in Japanese.

The authors attempted a replication of earlier studies that detected an association of HLA-DR4 and DR1 with schizophrenia. Japanese patients with schizophrenia (n = 266, DSM-III-R criteria) and Japanese controls (n = 283) were genotyped for DR1 and DR4 alleles using a combination of group-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Significant positive association with HLA-DR1 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, corrected p = 0.04] and a negative association with HLA-DR4 (OR = 0.63, corrected p = 0.02) was noted. DR1 and DR4 were independently associated with schizophrenia. The association of the DR1-positive/DR4-negative genotype with schizophrenia was modest (OR = 2.60, 95% confidence intervals = 1.38-4.89, corrected p = 0.008). Thus, these findings support an association of the HLA DRB1 gene locus with schizophrenia in the Japanese population. Since both DR4 and DR1 are positively associated with rheumatoid arthritis, our findings are not simply consistent with the known negative association between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Female↗

Inhibitory effect of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine on gastric secretion induced by secretagogues and vagal stimulation in the isolated stomach.

The involvement of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in the control of gastric acid secretion induced by some secretagogues was studied in the mouse isolated whole stomach. The gastric acid secretion induced by McNeil A-343 [4-[[[(3-chlorophenyl)amino]carbonyl]oxy]-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-butyn- 1-aminium chloride], a muscarinic M1 receptor agonist, pentagastrin or electrical vagus nerve stimulation was markedly inhibited by pretreatment with the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). This inhibitory effect of L-NNA was reversed by L-arginine, but not by D-arginine. Histamine-induced gastric acid secretion was not influenced by treatment with L-NNA. Famotidine completely inhibited the gastric acid secretion induced by McNeil A-343, pentagastrin or electrical vagus nerve stimulation, showing that these stimulations induced gastric acid secretion mainly through histamine release from histamine-containing cells in the gastric mucosa. Moreover, the pentagastrin- and bethanechol-induced histamine release from gastric mucosal cells was significantly inhibited by L-NNA. The NO donor, sodium nitroprusside, at a concentration not affecting histamine-induced gastric acid secretion, increased the acid secretory response, and this response was inhibited by famotidine. These results suggest that endogenous NO is involved in the gastric acid secretion via histamine release from histamine-containing cells.

(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethy↗

Effect of side chain location in (2-aminoethyl)-aminomethyl-2-phenylquinolines as antitumor agents.

Three new derivatives of 2-phenylquinoline having an (2-aminoethyl)aminomethyl group in 7-, 6-, or 4'- (para position of 2-phenyl ring) positions of aromatic system have been prepared. The antitumor activity of these compounds together with 8- or 4- substituted isomers against the HeLa cell is in the order of 8- > 7- > 4- approximately 6- approximately 4'- substituted ones, which is almost in good agreement with that of DNA-binding ability evaluated by means of DNA-titration of UV-VIS spectra, DNA melting experiment, and ethidium displacement assay. Two representative compounds (8- and 4- isomers) are confirmed to have an ability to intercalate into double stranded DNA by topoisomerase I superhelix unwinding assay.

Animals↗

Evaluation of a GPIIb/IIIa antagonist YM337 in a primate model of middle cerebral artery thrombosis.

We compared the antithrombotic effect of anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody Fab fragment YM337 with that of a thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor, sodium ozagrel. With the monkeys under halothane anesthesia, the right middle cerebral artery was observed via a transorbital approach without cutting the dura mater. Photoillumination (wavelength 540 nm) was applied to the middle cerebral artery, and then rose bengal (20 mg kg(-1)) was administered intravenously. The experimental drugs were intravenously injected 15 min before rose bengal injection and followed by continuous infusion for 3 h after dye injection. The thrombotic occlusion induced by this photochemical reaction in monkey middle cerebral artery was reproducible. YM337 significantly prolonged the time to first occlusion and the total time of arterial patency during the 3-h observation period after dye injection. In contrast, sodium ozagrel had no significant effect. YM337 but not sodium ozagrel significantly inhibited ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation. However, while sodium ozagrel significantly inhibited the thromboxane B2 generation accompanying arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation, YM337 had no effect on this variable. Neurological deficit in the YM337-treated animals was significantly milder than that in the control group. The area of infarct in the YM337 treatment animals was smaller than that in the control group. The novel selective GPIIb/IIIa antagonist YM337 was effective in ameliorating the decrease in patency of the middle cerebral artery and reducing the area of cerebral infarction in monkeys.

Animals↗

Antifungal nickel(II) complexes derived from amino sugars against pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans.

Nickel(II) complexes containing N-glycosides derived from D-glucosamine (D-GlcN) and ethylenediamine (en) and trimethylenediamine (tn), [Ni(D-GlcN-en)2]Cl2.H2O (1) (D-GlcN-en = 1-¿(2-aminoethyl)amino¿-2-amino-1,2-dideoxy-D-glucose) and [Ni(D-GlcN-tn)2]Cl2.4H2O (2) (D-GlcN-tn = 1-¿(3-aminopropyl)amino¿-2-amino-1,2-dideoxy-D-glucose), are fairly stable in water at room temperature and showed effective antifungal activity against pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, with the MIC (minimal concentration of inhibition) values of the complexes being 0.25 mM. The results obtained enzyme assays by using preparations of C. albicans chitinase fraction suggested that the sugar complexes 1 and 2 played a role of novel chitinase (chitin-degradation enzyme) inhibitor, where the modes of inhibition were competitive (Ki = 1.3 mM for 1, Ki = 1.8 mM for 2). The newly prepared nickel(II) complex 2 was characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, electronic absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopies, and an X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Antifungal Agents↗

Suppression of intracellular hydrogen peroxide generation and catalase levels in CD8+ T-lymphocytes from HIV+ individuals.

CD8+ T-lymphocytes from HIV+ individuals contain short telomeres, a sign of cell senescence. To test our hypothesis that the cell type is functionally defective in the biochemical indices related to cell proliferation, we investigated the profiles of intracellularly generated H2O2 levels with or without PMA as well as immunoreactive catalase levels using flow cytometric method. We observed that, in HIV+ but not in HIV- individuals, the constitutively generated H2O2 level was significantly lower in CD8+ T-cells compared with CD4+ T-cells. Importantly, activated effector CD8+CD28- cells showed remarkably low H2O2 levels compared with CD8+CD28+ cells, and the latter in HIV+ individuals also showed low levels. A similar defect of CD8+ cells of HIV+ individuals was also seen with H2O2 levels stimulated with PMA in the presence of a catalase inhibitor. Furthermore, the immunoreactive catalase content was lower in CD8+ cells compared with CD4+ cells only in HIV+ individuals. These results suggest that CD8+ T-lymphocytes are functionally defective with the constitutively generated and PMA-elicited levels of H2O2 and the corresponding scavenger. Diminished immunocompetence of HIV+ individuals may be caused, in part, by the functional defect of CD8+ T-cells.

Adult↗

Sulfite is released by human neutrophils in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide.

Exposure to sulfite, a well-known air pollutant, induces inflammatory reactions characterized by neutrophil infiltration into the airways. Using a simple and sensitive assay for sulfite concentration in biological fluids, we demonstrate herein that human neutrophils released significant amounts of sulfite (1.0 nmol/h/10(7) cells) in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of bacterial endotoxin. A large proportion of the sulfite release by neutrophils was dependent on inorganic sulfate contained in culture media, suggesting production via the sulfate reducing pathway in this response. We also show that glucocorticoids and FK506 completely inhibit LPS-mediated sulfite release by neutrophils. Given the well-known antimicrobial activities of sulfite, our results suggest that sulfite acts as a neutrophil mediator of host defense. A putative role of sulfite as an endogenous biological mediator is further underscored by the observation that in vivo administration of LPS is associated with a marked increase in the serum concentration of sulfite in Wistar rats. Inhibition of sulfite release by immunosuppressive agents may contribute to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection commonly associated with the administration of these drugs.

Animals↗