Biomedical subjects

T Asano

Publications and source records attributed to T Asano.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Antitumor response of genetically engineered IL-2 expression to human esophageal carcinoma cells in mature T cell-defective condition.

We examined whether antitumor effect could be produced by retrovirally expressed human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) gene in human esophageal cancer cells (T.Tn) using immunocompromised nude mice. Loss of tumorigenicity of hIL-2-producing T.Tn (T.Tn/hIL-2) cells inoculated subcutaneously was observed in contrast to continuous tumor growth of wild-type cells, although in vitro proliferation of T.Tn/hIL-2 cells remained the same as that of wild-type cells. The antitumor effect was also evidenced by the injection of T.Tn/hIL-2 cells into established tumors of wild-type cells. The injection significantly retarded the subsequent growth of wild-type tumors. Histological examination of regressing T.Tn/hIL-2 cells revealed necrotic areas and infiltration of several types of inflammatory cells. Treatment of nude mice with anti-asialoGM1 antibody did not influence the IL-2-mediated tumor rejection. Vaccination of nude mice with irradiated T.Tn/hIL-2 cells whose secretion of hIL-2 in amount was comparable to that of unirradiated cells did not develop protective immunity. Taken together, the antitumor effect achieved in nude mice by the inoculation of T.Tn/hIL-2 cells is mediated by non-T non-natural killer cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical application of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy into patients with cerebral ischemia].

In early stage of ischemia, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is able to detect metabolic changes even though conventional MR images and CT scans are generally normal or of no specific note. It is known that N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), which is present predominantly in neurons, and some metabolites containing lactate have dynamic changes in quantity from the onset of infarction. We examined 5 patients with acute cerebral infarction using multi-voxel (section) MRS called 1H chemical shift imaging (CSI), or spectroscopic imaging (MRSI), during the first 24 hours from the onset. The spectra obtained from the voxels of each patient were classified into three groups according to the characteristics of inside, border and outside of the infarcted area by reference to the superimposed T2 weighted MR images taken at the chronic stage. The "inside" voxels, in which infarction consequently developed, showed statistically a significant high lactate level (P < 0.0001). And infarction also developed in the voxels where significant reduction of NAA (P < 0.0001) was observed in the early stage. These results imply the possibility to predict the area destined to develop infarction by the profile of 1H spectra taken in the acute stage of cerebral ischemia.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

Anti-thrombotic effects of CX-397, a recombinant hirudin analog, in a canine model of coronary artery thrombosis.

CX-397, a recombinant hirudin analog, is a potent and specific inhibitor of human alpha-thrombin. We conducted a comparative study of CX-397 and heparin in a canine model of left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery thrombosis to evaluate the anti-thrombotic efficacy of CX-397. Administration of drugs (i.v.; bolus + infusion) was commenced 10 min prior to the initiation of LCX coronary artery electrolytic injury (100 microA for 300 min). All saline-treated control animals (7/7) developed thrombotic occlusion during the experimental period, leaving a residual thrombus mass of 15.4 +/- 3.8 mg. Treatment with CX-397 at three incremental dose levels reduced the incidence of occlusion (4/7, 2/5 and 0/7) and decreased thrombus weight (12.6 +/- 2.5 mg, 6.3 +/- 3.0 mg and 2.1 +/- 1.3 mg, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner. At the intermediate dose (15,000 ATU/kg + 15,000 ATU/kg/h) or higher, CX-397 showed significant anti-thrombotic effects (p <0.05 and p <0.01) and suppressed increases in thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) levels (p <0.01 and p <0.001). In the heparin (80 U/kg + 60 U/kg/h)-treated group, the incidence of occlusion (5/7) and thrombus weight (14.1 +/- 6.2 mg) did not differ significantly from the control group. Plasma TAT levels in the heparin group decreased compared with the control group (p <0.01), but was less potent than the intermediate dose CX-397 (p <0.01). The anti-coagulation (activated partial thromboplastin time and activated clotting time) and template bleeding time prolongation effects of heparin were more potent than those of the intermediate dose CX-397 which showed significant anti-thrombotic effects. In conclusion, CX-397 dose-dependently suppressed thrombus formation by inhibition of thrombin activity in a canine coronary artery injury model. The anti-thrombotic efficacy of CX-397 was more potent than that of heparin at equivalent anti-coagulation dosage.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Stimulation by G protein betagamma subunits of phospholipase C beta isoforms in human platelets.

Different phospholipase C (PLC) isoforms were located in human platelet cytosol and membranes. PLCgamma2 and PLCbeta3b were mainly located in the cytosol and PLCbeta2 and PLCbeta3a were in both cytosol and membranes by using specific antibodies against PLC isozymes (Banno Y, Nakashima S, Ohzawa M, Nozawa Y. J Biol Chem 1996; 271: 14989-94). Three PLC fractions activated by G protein betagamma subunits were purified from human platelet cytosol and membrane fractions. Two PLC fractions from membranes were identified as PLCbeta2 and PLCbeta3a, and one from cytosol was PLCbeta3b. These PLCbeta isoforms were activated by the purified betagamma subunits of brain G proteins in the order PLCbeta3b > PLCbeta3a > PLCbeta2. Western blot analysis of gamma subunits of the purified platelet G proteins with antibodies against various standard gamma subunits revealed that the major component of the gamma subunit of Gi2 and Gq was gamma5, and that gamma7 was a minor component. Studies using various subtypes of betagamma subunits, betagamma2, betagamma3, and betagamma7 purified from bovine brain, betagamma5 from bovine lung, or betagamma12 from bovine spleen, failed to show differences in their ability to stimulate the isolated platelet PLCbeta isoforms. These results suggest that the betagamma subunits of Gi2 and Gq have similar efficacy in regulation of effectors in human platelets.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma inefficacious with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)].

For 6 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in whom TAE was inefficacious, we tried hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. 5-FU 500 mg/day + CDDP 10 mg/day was administered during 5 days. The AFP level was decreased for 4 patients, and 2 patients showed a partial response in CT image. These 2 patients have been alive over 22 and 18 months, respectively. These results suggest that 5-FU + CDDP HAI might be a useful treatment of HCC inefficacious with TAE.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Intraperitoneal dissemination of testicular tumor: a case report].

A 42-year-old male presented with bilateral scrotal swelling and sense of abdominal fullness. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic (CT) scan showed right testicular tumor, left scrotal hydrocele and excessive ascites, but no distant metastases. The serum lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) value was as high as 4,060 IU/L and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) value was 4.0 ng/ml while alpha fetoprotein (AFP) value was within the normal range. Right high orchiectomy was performed as well as the ascites and the left scrotal fluid sampling. Histological examinations revealed anaplastic seminoma in the right testis, and similar cells were found in the ascites and the left scrotal fluid. The patient received three courses of BEP chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin, VP-16 and cisplatin. The ascites and tumor markers (LDH and beta hCG) decreased markedly. Intraperitoneal dissemination of the tumor cells seems to be caused by invasion along the right spermatic cord, but the route of dissemination into the left hydrocele fluid is not known. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of testicular tumor that showed intraperitoneal dissemination without any evidence of metastasis to the lymph nodes or distant organs.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Magnetization transfer imaging of periventricular white matter lesions in patients with multi-infarct dementia].

Using magnetization transfer (MT) imaging, we studied the underlying pathological conditions of periventricular hyperintense (PVH) white matter changes seen on T2-weighted MR images of patients with multi-infarct dementia. Twenty-two patients with multiple lacunar infarcts and PVH lesions, including 11 with dementia (diagnosed as multi-infarct dementia) and 11 without dementia, and 10 control subjects (with multiple lacunes, but no PVH lesion) were studied using the MT technique. MT ratios (MTRs) were calculated for PVH lesions (normal-appearing frontal white matter in controls) and the genu of the corpus callosum. Signal intensities on T2-weighted images in PVH lesions of patients were significantly higher than those in normal-appearing white matter of controls, while there were no significant differences in signal intensity in the genu of the corpus callosum among the dementia, non-dementia and control groups. However, MTRs in patients with PVH lesions were significantly lower than those in controls, and MTRs in demented patients were significantly lower than those in non-demented patients. Moreover, MTRs in the genu of the corpus callosum of demented patients were significantly lower than in those in non-demented patients and controls. MTRs in PVH lesions and the genu of the corpus callosum significantly correlated with Hasegawa's dementia scale score. These results suggest that there is some difference in histopathologic changes of PVH lesions between demented and non-demented patients and that the pathological substrate in the corpus callosum may play a role in inducing cognitive decline. Studies with MT imaging may allow the characterization of different pathological conditions that cannot be visualized by conventional MRI.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical evaluation of irinotecan combined with cisplatin by divided administration in patients with untreated primary non-small cell lung cancer].

The efficacy and safety of irinotecan (CPT-11) combined with cisplatin (CDDP) were assessed in 24 previously untreated patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer. CPT-11 (60 mg/m2) and CDDP (30 mg/m2) were administered in combination at weekly intervals, on days 1.8, and 15 of the treatment course. During treatment, the patients were evaluated for adverse drug reactions and response. The response rate was 58.3% for all patients and 60.9% for the patients who completed the full treatment course. The median survival time was 13.0 months. The major adverse reactions were myelosuppression and gastro-intestinal disorders, but no treatment-related deaths were observed. Myelosuppressions included grade 3 or 4 leukopenia (25.0%) and anemia (33.3%). Grade 3 and higher gastro-intestinal reactions included nausea and vomiting (8.3%), diarrhea (12.5%), and anorexia (16.7%). These results suggest that combined weekly CPT-11 and CDDP therapy is capable of achieving a favorable tumor response with less toxicity, and thus worth consideration as a treatment option. Given that only 33.3% of the patients finished the full treatment course, further study should be devoted to the subject of CDDP and/or CPT-11 dosages.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Enhanced myosin light chain phosphorylations as a central mechanism for coronary artery spasm in a swine model with interleukin-1beta.

BACKGROUND: Although coronary artery spasm plays an important role in a wide variety of ischemic heart diseases, the intracellular mechanism for the spasm remains to be clarified. We examined the role of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylations, a key mechanism for contraction of vascular smooth muscle, in our swine model with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). METHODS AND RESULTS: IL-1beta was applied chronically to the porcine coronary arteries from the adventitia to induce an inflammatory/proliferative lesion. Two weeks after the operation, intracoronary serotonin repeatedly induced coronary hyperconstrictions at the IL-1beta-treated site both in vivo and in vitro, which were markedly inhibited by fasudil, an inhibitor of protein kinases, including protein kinase C and MLC kinase. Western blot analysis showed that during serotonin-induced contractions, MLC monophosphorylation was significantly increased and sustained in the spastic segment compared with the control segment, whereas MLC diphosphorylation was noted only in the spastic segment. A significant correlation was noted between the serotonin-induced contractions and MLC phosphorylations. Both types of MLC phosphorylation were markedly inhibited by fasudil. In addition, MLC diphosphorylation was never induced by a simple endothelium removal in the normal coronary artery, whereas enhanced MLC phosphorylations in the spastic segment were noted regardless of the presence or absence of the endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that enhanced MLC phosphorylations in the vascular smooth muscle play a central role in the pathogenesis of coronary spasm in our swine model.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

RGS8 accelerates G-protein-mediated modulation of K+ currents.

Transmembrane signal transduction via heterotrimeric G proteins is reported to be inhibited by RGS (regulators of G-protein signalling) proteins. These RGS proteins work by increasing the GTPase activity of G protein alpha-subunits (G alpha), thereby driving G proteins into their inactive GDP-bound form. However, it is not known how RGS proteins regulate the kinetics of physiological responses that depend on G proteins. Here we report the isolation of a full-length complementary DNA encoding a neural-tissue-specific RGS protein, RGS8, and the determination of its function. We show that RGS8 binds preferentially to the alpha-subunits G(alpha)o and G(alpha)i3 and that it functions as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP). When co-expressed in Xenopus oocytes with a G-protein-coupled receptor and a G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channel (GIRK1/2), RGS8 accelerated not only the turning off but also the turning on of the GIRK1/2 current upon receptor stimulation, without affecting the dose-response relationship. We conclude that RGS8 accelerates the modulation of G-protein-coupled channels and is not just a simple negative regulator. This property of RGS8 may be crucial for the rapid regulation of neuronal excitability upon stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Na+-dependent glucose uptake and collagen synthesis by cultured bovine retinal pericytes.

This study was performed to clarify the presence of sodium-dependent glucose uptake and its role in the synthesis of type IV and type VI collagen by cultured bovine retinal pericytes. The glucose uptake by retinal pericytes and retinal endothelial cells was measured using 3H-D-glucose in the presence or absence of sodium. Glucose uptake in the presence of sodium was twice as high as that observed in the presence of phlorizin and sodium or in the absence of sodium. Sodium-dependent glucose uptake was observed at different sodium concentrations, and its half-maximal stimulation occurred at 48 mM. These findings were not observed in retinal endothelial cells. Levels of type IV and type VI collagen produced by retinal pericytes were significantly increased at glucose concentrations higher than 20 mM. Phlorizin decreased both collagen synthesis and glucose consumption by retinal pericytes incubated with 30 mM of glucose to the levels observed with 5 mM of glucose. These data suggest that sodium-dependent glucose uptake is present in retinal pericytes and that excessive glucose entry into the cell is an important factor for overproduction of collagen. Phlorizin normalized the synthesis of type IV and type VI collagen with decreasing glucose consumption under high glucose conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Novel small GTPase M-Ras participates in reorganization of actin cytoskeleton.

During an attempt to elucidate regulatory mechanisms of skeletal muscle cell differentiation, we cloned cDNAs encoding a novel small GTPase from cDNA libraries of the mouse skeletal muscle cell line C2 and rat brain. It was designated as M-Ras due to the structural similarity to Ras family proteins. M-Ras contained conserved motifs for GDP/GTP-binding and GTPase activities, whereas it varied from the other Ras family proteins at several amino acids within the extended effector domain. From the C-terminal sequence, M-Ras is presumed to be anchored to the cell membrane with a geranylgeranyl group in combination with a polybasic region. Bacterially expressed recombinant M-Ras exerted the GTP-binding and GTPase activities. A mutant M-RasG22V was unable to hydrolyze bound GTP, indicating that it serves as a constitutively active form. Epitope-tagging experiments showed that M-Ras was concentrated on certain plasma membrane-associated structures. Transfection of M-Ras cDNA and microinjection of the M-RasG22V protein into fibroblasts induced formation of the peripheral microspikes. In addition, the actin stress fibers disappeared and instead numerous actin foci were formed in the injected cells. The transfected cells eventually exhibited dendritic appearances with microspikes. Consequently, M-Ras is likely to participate in reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1997

14-3-3 protein binds to insulin receptor substrate-1, one of the binding sites of which is in the phosphotyrosine binding domain.

Insulin binding to its receptor induces the phosphorylation of cytosolic substrates, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2, which associate with several Src homology-2 domain-containing proteins. To identify unique IRS-1-binding proteins, we screened a human heart cDNA library with 32P-labeled recombinant IRS-1 and obtained two isoforms (epsilon and zeta) of the 14-3-3 protein family. 14-3-3 protein has been shown to associate with IRS-1 in L6 myotubes, HepG2 hepatoma cells, Chinese hamster ovary cells, and bovine brain tissue. IRS-2, a protein structurally similar to IRS-1, was also shown to form a complex with 14-3-3 protein using a baculovirus expression system. The amount of 14-3-3 protein associated with IRS-1 was not affected by insulin stimulation but was increased significantly by treatment with okadaic acid, a potent serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor. Peptide inhibition experiments using phosphoserine-containing peptides of IRS-1 revealed that IRS-1 contains three putative binding sites for 14-3-3 protein (Ser-270, Ser-374, and Ser-641). Among these three, the motif around Ser-270 is located in the phosphotyrosine binding domain of IRS-1, which is responsible for the interaction with the insulin receptor. Indeed, a truncated mutant of IRS-1 consisting of only the phosphotyrosine binding domain retained the capacity to bind to 14-3-3 protein in vivo. Finally, the effect of 14-3-3 protein binding on the insulin-induced phosphorylation of IRS-1 was investigated. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that IRS-1 coimmunoprecipitated with anti-14-3-3 antibody to be weakly phosphorylated after insulin stimulation, on tyrosine as well as serine residues, compared with IRS-1 immunoprecipitated with anti-IRS-1 antibody. Thus, the association with 14-3-3 protein may play a role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity by interrupting the association between the insulin receptor and IRS-1.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

PubMed1997

Two-dimensional distribution of Gi2alpha in the plasma membrane: a critical evaluation by immunocytochemistry.

Caveolae have been postulated as a center for signal transduction, because many signaling molecules are concentrated in caveolin-rich fractions. We took Gi2alpha as an example and examined whether it is constitutively concentrated in caveolae. First, the behavior of caveolin and Gi2alpha in density-equilibrium ultracentrifugation was reexamined. By collecting fractions efficiently, caveolin and Gi2alpha were found to distribute differently. Secondly, by novel immunocytochemical methods it was found that the labeling density of Gi2alpha was 2.29 times higher in caveolae than in the non-caveolar plasma membrane. The results indicate that the concentration of Gi2alpha in caveolae is lower than deduced from most biochemical studies.

Caveolin 1↗

PubMed1997

Role of the C terminus in histamine H2 receptor signaling, desensitization, and agonist-induced internalization.

To evaluate the role of the histamine H2 receptor C terminus in signaling, desensitization, and agonist-induced internalization, canine H2 receptors with truncated C termini were generated. Wild-type (WT) and truncated receptors were tagged at their N termini with a hemagglutinin (HA) epitope and expressed in COS7 cells. Most of the C-terminal intracellular tail could be truncated (51 of 70 residues, termed T308 mutant) without loss of functions: cAMP production, tiotidine binding, and plasma membrane targeting. In fact, the T308 mutant produced more cAMP than the WT when cell-surface expression per cell was equivalent. Pretreatment of cells with 10(-5) M histamine desensitized cAMP productions via WT and T308 receptors to similar extents. Incubation of cells expressing WT receptors with 10(-5) M histamine reduced cell-surface anti-HA antibody binding by approximately 30% (by 30 min, t1/2 approximately 15 min), but did not affect the Bmax of tiotidine in membrane fractions, which represents total receptor amounts, suggesting that WT receptors were internalized from the cell surface. In contrast, no internalization was observed with T308 receptors following histamine treatment. A mutant with a deletion of the 30 C-terminal amino acids, termed T329, was functional but was as potent as the WT in terms of cAMP production. Apart from being desensitized by histamine, the internalization of the receptor was indistinguishable from that of the WT. Internalization was observed in the T320 but not in T313 mutant, narrowing the region involved in internalization to that between Glu314 and Asn320 (ETSLRSN). Of these seven residues, either Thr315, Ser316, or both, were replaced with Ala. Thr315 and Ser316 are conserved among species. The mutation at Thr315 (but not that at Ser316) abolished internalization. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Thr315 is involved in agonist-induced internalization. Furthermore, the finding that T308 receptors were desensitized in the absence of internalization suggests that internalization and desensitization are meditated by independent mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Oligomer formation of histamine H2 receptors expressed in Sf9 and COS7 cells.

A histamine H2 receptor, which had been mutated at its glycosylation site and tagged at its N-terminus with an HA tag (HA-H2 receptor), was expressed in Sf9 cells and COS7 cells. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting of HA-H2 receptors with alphaHA antibody revealed four bands of 31.5 +/- 2.5 kDa, 59.0 +/- 6.0 kDa, 80.5 +/- 4.5 kDa and 120 kDa. These bands were also detected by immunoblot using anti-H2 receptor serum (C-terminus). In addition, H2 receptors without the HA-tag coimmunoprecipitated with HA-tagged H2 receptors devoid of the 51 C-terminal amino acids, via immunoprecipitation with alphaHA antibody, when the two receptors were coexpressed. These results suggest that H2 receptors are present as receptor oligomers and that the C-terminal portion is not involved in the formation of these oligomers.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 is dephosphorylated more rapidly than IRS-1 via its association with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in skeletal muscle cells.

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 is structurally and functionally similar to IRS-1. Indeed, stimulation with insulin or insulin-like growth factor I led to the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of both IRS-1 and IRS-2, which in turn activated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in L6 cells and rat skeletal muscle. However, IRS-2 was rapidly dephosphorylated (3-10 min after the addition of insulin/insulin-like growth factor I), whereas IRS-1 phosphorylation continued for at least 60 min. The time courses of the PI 3-kinase activity associated with IRS-1 and IRS-2 paralleled the tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins. Preincubation with sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase, blocked the rapid dephosphorylation of IRS-2, suggesting the involvement of tyrosine phosphatase. The activation of PI 3-kinase apparently plays an important role in the rapid dephosphorylation of IRS-2, as IRS-2 dephosphorylation was inhibited markedly by suppressing PI 3-kinase activity with wortmannin or overexpression of the dominant negative p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase, which cannot bind the p110 catalytic subunit. In addition, platelet-derived growth factor stimulation prior to insulin stimulation decreased IRS-associated PI 3-kinase and significantly inhibited the dephosphorylation of IRS-2. Taken together, these observations suggest that IRS-2 plays a unique role in mediating the signals from the insulin receptor to downstream molecules and that this effect is more transient than that of IRS-1. Tyrosine phosphatase and IRS-associated PI 3-kinase activity thus contribute to the rapid dephosphorylation of IRS-2.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed1997

Co-localization of glucokinase with actin filaments.

A portion of glucokinase appeared to be co-localized with actin filaments in the cytoplasm of cultured rat hepatocytes incubated with 25 mM glucose. When liver- or islet-type glucokinase was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, the expressed glucokinase was also co-localized with actin filaments in the cytoplasm of these transfected cells. Although co-localization of glucokinase with actin filaments was not clearly demonstrated in the pancreatic beta-cell line MIN6, islet glucokinase was found to be present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, though predominantly in the nucleus. These findings suggest that subcellular localization of glucokinase, including co-localization with actin filaments, may have an important physiological role in metabolic regulation.

Actins↗