Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Fujimori

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujimori.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Low-dose retinoic acid enhances in vitro invasiveness of human oral squamous-cell-carcinoma cell lines.

Retinoids inhibit the proliferation of several types of tumour cells, and are used for patients with several malignant tumours. In this study, we examined the effect of retinoic acids (RAs) on the invasive potentials of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, BHY and HNt. BHY cells expressed all of retinoid nuclear receptors (RARalpha, beta, gamma, and RXRalpha) and cytoplasmic retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABP1 and CRABP2). HNt cells lacked the expression of RARbeta, but expressed other nuclear receptors and CRABPs. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cisRA) (10(-6)and 10(-7)M) inhibited the growth of the cells, but low-dose ATRA and 13-cisRA (10(-8)M) marginally affected the growth of the cells. Surprisingly, low-dose RAs enhanced the activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and activated pro-matrix metalloproteinases (proMMP2 and proMMP9). Activation of proMMP2 and proMMP9 was inhibited by aprotinin, a serine-proteinase, tPA inhibitor. Furthermore, low-dose RAs enhanced the in vitro invasiveness of BHY cells. These results indicate that low-dose RAs enhances the in vitro invasiveness of oral SCC cells via an activation of proMMP2 and proMMP9 probably mediated by the induction of tPA.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Severely reduced production of klotho in human chronic renal failure kidney.

We recently identified a novel gene, termed klotho (kl) that is involved in the development of a syndrome in mice resembling human aging. A defect of the kl gene expression in mice leads to multiple disorders including arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, ectopic calcification, and skin atrophy together with short life-span and infertility. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), develop multiple complications that are reminiscent of phenotypes observed in kl mutant mice. Furthermore, the kl gene is mainly expressed in kidney and brain. These evidences above suggest the possible involvement of Klotho function in the complications arising in CRF patients. To investigate the above possibility, we examined the kidneys of 10 clinically or histologically diagnosed CRF cases. The level of kl gene expression was measured by utilizing RNase protection assay. The expression of Klotho protein was assayed by utilizing Western blot analysis and by immunohistochemistry. The levels of kl mRNA expression were greatly reduced in all CRF kidneys. Moreover, the production of Klotho protein was also severely reduced in all CRF kidneys. These results suggest that the decrease in kl gene expression in CRF patients may underlie the deteriorating process of multiple complications in the CRF patients.

Adult↗

Cyclooxygenase-2 is overexpressed in serrated adenoma of the colorectum.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify whether cyclooxygenase-2 and cyclooxygenase-1 is expressed in hyperplastic polyps and serrated adenomas. METHODS: Forty-nine serrated adenomas and 25 hyperplastic polyps were immunostained using anticyclooxygenase-2 and anticyclooxygenase-1 antibodies. Cyclooxygenase-2 and cyclooxygenase-1 expression was investigated in all specimens. RESULTS: Cyclooxygenase-2 was expressed in dysplastic glands in the majority of serrated adenomas. Thirty-five of 49 (71.4 percent) serrated adenomas exhibited moderate to intense cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity, and 8 of 25 hyperplastic polyps (32 percent) showed weak to moderate cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity. Cyclooxygenase-1 immunoreactivity was very weak in all the hyperplastic polyps and serrated adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 is overexpressed in serrated adenoma of the colorectum. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors will reduce the incidence of serrated adenomas.

Adenoma↗

Intracytoplasmic localization of cathepsin D reflects the invasive potential of gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of cathepsin D in the invasiveness of human gastric cancer. METHODS: Immunohistochemical cathepsin D staining was performed in samples from 29 early gastric adenocarcinomas (papillary or tubular adenocarcinoma) and 15 gastric adenomas, and their adjacent nonneoplastic gastric mucosa. We classified the patterns of cathepsin D immunostaining into four types; type A, fine granular staining in the apical portion: type B, intense coarse granular staining in the apical portion; type C, fine granular staining in the basal portion; and type D, diffuse granular staining throughout the cytoplasm. RESULTS: All of the nonneoplastic mucosa showed an apical cytoplasmic distribution pattern (type A or type B). However, 20% (2/10) of low-grade gastric adenomas and 60% (3/5) of high-grade gastric adenomas showed an abnormal staining pattern. i.e., types C and D. Moreover, 82% (9/11) definite intramucosal gastric adenocarcinomas, and the majority of gastric adenocarcinomas with submucosal invasion [83% (15/18) of those in the mucosal part and 100% (14/ 14) of those in the invasive submucosal part] showed an abnormal staining pattern (types C and D). Interestingly, most of the carcinoma cells invading the stroma and lymphatics showed the type D staining pattern. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an abnormal cytoplasmic staining pattern of cathepsin D may reflect the invasive potential of gastric carcinoma cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Genetic analysis of a local recurrent tumor after colonic polypectomy.

After polypectomy, the cut end of the polyp is usually examined by light microscopy to assess the risk of recurrent cancer. Here, we report a recurrent tumor that appeared in the colon 6 years after polypectomy, although cancer cells were not observed in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the cut end of the primary polyp. Retrospectively, the primary polyp and the recurrent tumor were analyzed for mutations of the p53 gene. We detected p53 mutations in the primary polyp, even in the cut end of the polyp. The same set of two p53 mutations was detected in the recurrent tumor. These observations indicate a common origin of the primary tumor and the recurrent tumor. We conclude that it is important to analyze p53 mutations in colonic polyps, especially when the cut end of the polyp is difficult to evaluate histologically, in order to predict recurrence.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A malonylated anthocyanin and flavonols in blue Meconopsis flowers.

The structures of the major anthocyanin and two flavonols from the blue flowers of Meconopsis were identified by NMR spectroscopy as being cyanidin 3-O-[(6-O-malonyl-2-O-B-D-xylopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-(6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and kaempferol 3-O-(6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside respectively.

Anthocyanins↗

Aging increases, and duodenal ulcer reduces the risk for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in Japanese patients with dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The classification of gastritis by using the revised Sydney system suggests that there are two types of Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis. The aim of the present study was to examine the risk factors that might be involved in the presence of either atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus of Japanese patients. METHODS: Biopsy samples were obtained from the gastric corpus in 154 patients with dyspepsia, and the degree of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was determined histologically. The correlation between several variables and presence of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was evaluated by using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 11 variables, which included age, peptic ulcer diseases and H. pylori infection, H. pylori infection was the major risk factor associated with the presence of atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. In contrast, duodenal ulcer (DU) disease reduced the risk of contracting both conditions. Age was an independent risk factor only for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. When 128 H. pylori-positive subjects were analyzed, DU and age were similarly associated with the presence of both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that DU reduces the risk for contracting atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, and age is an independent risk factor for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in dyspeptic Japanese patients.

Adult↗

Concurrent occurrence of gastric adenocarcinoma and duodenal neuroendocrine cell carcinoma: a composite tumour or collision tumours ?

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine cell (NEC) carcinoma is occasionally accompanied by adenocarcinoma but the relationship between these two morphologically distinct tumours is unclear. Two hypotheses have arisen regarding the mechanism for the association of adenocarcinoma and NEC carcinoma. One is that both are derived from a common multipotential epithelial stem cell. The second hypothesis is that adenocarcinoma and NEC carcinoma arise from a multipotential epithelial stem cell and a primitive NEC, respectively. AIMS: To elucidate the relationship between the two histologically distinct tumours, adenocarcinoma of the stomach and NEC carcinoma of the duodenum. PATIENT/METHODS: We present a case in which the tumour extended across the pyloric ring, the gastric portion of which revealed adenocarcinoma while the duodenal portion showed argyrophil NEC carcinoma. The two histologically distinct lesions of the tumour were examined by immunohistochemistry and genetic analysis of p53. RESULTS: The gastric region was negative for chromogranin A staining but positive for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) staining. In contrast, the duodenal region was positive for chromogranin A but negative for CEA. All tumour regions showed a point mutation in p53 gene at exon 7 (GGC (glycine)-->GTC (valine) at codon 245). The distal portion of the duodenal tumour showed an additional point mutation in p53 gene at exon 5 (GCC (alanine)-->GTC (valine) at codon 129). CONCLUSIONS: The two histologically distinct tumours, adenocarcinoma of the stomach and NEC carcinoma of the duodenum, appear to be derived from a common epithelial cell.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Decreased expression of E-cadherin and Yamamoto-Kohama's mode of invasion highly correlates with lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: A reduction in cell-cell adhesion in cancer cells is an essential step in the progression from localized malignancy to metastatic disease. E-Cadherin is an important component of cell-cell adhesion molecules and may be a crucial determinant of tumor invasion and metastasis. E-Cadherin expression is reported to be correlated with lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The objective of this experiment is to examine the factors that are associated with invasion and metastasis of esophageal SCC. METHODS: Forty-six cases of esophageal SCC were examined by immunohistochemical staining for E-cadherin. The relationship between E-cadherin-staining patterns, conventional clinicopathological parameters and Yamamoto-Kohama's (Y-K's) mode of invasion were examined. RESULTS: The expression of E-cadherin on the cell membrane was reduced or lost in some of the esophageal SCC. Lymph node metastasis was highly correlated with the expression pattern of E-cadherin (p = 0.0002) and also highly correlated with Y-K's mode of invasion (p = 0.0078). However, lymph node metastasis was not correlated with any conventional clinicopathological parameters for invasion. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that E-cadherin plays a crucial role in invasion and metastasis in esophageal SCC, and that Y-K's mode of invasion highly reflects the invasiveness and metastatic potentials of esophageal SCC cells. Therefore, examination of the expression of E-cadherin and Y-K's mode of invasion would be helpful in predicting lymph node metastasis in esophageal SCC.

Aged↗

Identification of the prelinitis condition in gastric cancer and analysis of TGF-beta, TGF-beta RII and pS2 expression.

In the present study, we performed an immunohistochemical examination of the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), TGF-beta type II receptor (TGF-beta RII) and a trefoil peptide, pS2, in the several types of gastric cancer. The TGF-beta:TGF-beta RII ratios of IIc-like type and Ménétrier type closely resembled that of linitis type. pS2 was intensely expressed in cytoplasm of the superficial and foveolar epithelium, as well as in scirrhous type gastric cancers which retained the gastric or intestinal phenotype. However, pS2 expression was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in linitis type gastric cancers (1 of 6; 17%) when compared with other scirrhous types of gastric cancers (13 of 22; 59%). A decrease in the TGF-beta:TGF-beta RII ratios in linitis type, IIc-like type and Ménétrier type gastric cancers may be associated with the fibrosis seen in these types of cancer. Furthermore, reduction of pS2 expression in linitis type gastric cancer may represent a dedifferentiation of the cancer from gastric or intestinal phenotype. Judging by the expression patterns of TGF-beta, TGF-beta RII and pS2, it is possible that IIc-like type and Ménétrier type gastric cancers are precursor lesions of linitis type gastric cancer.

Humans↗

Effects of beta-casomorphins on neuronal survival in culture of embryonic chick dorsal root ganglion neurons.

We studied the effects of beta-casomorphins (beta-CMs, mu-acting opioid peptides from milk protein beta-casein) on survival of primary-cultured chick dorsal root ganglion neurons in the presence of nerve growth factor. Beta-CM-5 and beta-CM-7 had potent neuronal survival-promoting activities. Beta-CM-4 amide (morphiceptin) and des-Tyr'-beta-CM-7 also exhibited the similar promoting effects, although their effects were very weak. The promoting effect of beta-CM-5 was prevented by co-administration of naloxone, or pretreatment with pertussis toxin. These results suggest that the neuronal survival-promoting effects of beta-CMs might be mediated through opioid receptors coupled to G proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A new in vivo model for studying invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of our current study was to establish an orthotopic inoculation model for studying invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Male BALB/c nude mice were used for the experiment. A midline incision was made from the upper to middle abdomen. The abdominal esophagus was carefully exposed. Human esophageal T.Tn SCC cells or human cervical HeLa SCC cells, were injected into the submucosa of the lower esophagus. One of the mice injected with T.Tn cells was sacrificed at 5 weeks, and the remaining five sacrificed at 13 weeks after inoculation. The mice injected with HeLa cells were sacrificed at 3-4 weeks after inoculation. T.Tn cells and HeLa cells formed tumors at the esophagus, but did not metastasize to lymph nodes or lungs. HeLa cells produced peritoneal implants, and directly invaded the stomach and the liver. In the present study, we established a novel orthotopic inoculation model of esophageal SCC. This system is an appropriate and a useful model for studying invasion and metastasis of esophageal SCC, and can also be used as a model for developing therapeutic strategies for esophageal cancer in vivo.

Animals↗

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase mRNA level correlates with the response to 5-fluorouracil-based chemo-immuno-radiation therapy in human oral squamous cell cancer.

The measurement of the intra-tumoral level of thymidylate synthetase (TS), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), may be useful in predicting tumor sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In this study, we examined the mRNA levels of DPD and TS in 28 oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and 22 salivary gland tumors by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Then we examined the correlation of the responsiveness of the patients with oral SCC to 5-FU with the intra-tumoral levels of DPD and TS mRNA. All specimens were obtained at the biopsy before treatment, and then the patients were treated by oral administration of a 5-FU compound (UFT), the irradiation of cobalt-60 (upto 60 Gy) and injection of an immuno-potentiator (OK-432). Intra-tumoral levels of DPD mRNA in the patients who showed CR (complete response) and PR (partial response) were significantly lower than those in the patients who showed NC (no change). However, intra-tumoral levels of DPD mRNA did not correlate with the local recurrence of the tumor during the observation period after initial treatment with or without surgical resection of the residual tumors. On the other hand, TS mRNA levels in the tumors did not correlate with any clinico-pathological parameters. These observations suggest that intra-tumoral levels of DPD mRNA may predict the tumor response to 5-FU-based chemo-immuno-radiation therapy in the patients with oral SCC.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

[Colitis enhances the colorectal carcinogenesis in rats: correlation between the incidence of aberrant crypt foci and the incidence of tumors].

We examined the implication of colitis on the colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. We used 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) as a carcinogen and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNB) as a colitis-inducing agent on F344 rats. After treating the rats with DMH, TNB markedly enhanced the incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), putative preneoplastic lesions, as well as colon cancers in the rats (p < 0.01). There was positive correlation between the incidence of ACF and the incidence of tumors. Furthermore, we treated the rats with two different anti-inflammatory drugs (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: Fenbufen and a platelet activating factor-receptor antagonist: PAF-RA) after pre-treatment with DMH and TNB. Only PAF-RA significantly decreased the incidence of ACF in the rats (p < 0.05).

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

Beta-catenin expression as a prognostic indicator in cervical adenocarcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic influence of beta-catenin expression by immunohistochemistry in patients with cervical adenocarcinomas. The study group comprised of 51 patients who underwent total hysterectomy for cervical cancer. The median follow-up was 39 months (range 1-138 months). beta-catenin was expressed strongly on the membranes of normal cervical epithelial and glandular cells. Uniform membranous beta-catenin staining localized to intercellular borders was observed in 35% of tumors, whereas 65% of tumors demonstrated an abnormal pattern of reduced or aberrant beta-catenin expression (i.e., cytoplasmic and/or nuclear staining patterns). Abnormal beta-catenin immunoreactivity was associated statistically with advanced pathologic stage (p=0.018). The 10-year disease-free survival was 51.0% in patients with preserved expression of beta-catenin. On the other hand, a poorer prognosis was noted in the group with abnormal expression of beta-catenin with a 10-year disease-free survival of 43.4%. By multivariate analysis, low pathologic stage (stages I and II, p=0.001) and preservation of beta-catenin expression (p=0.012) were independently favorable prognostic factors. Our results indicate that changes in beta-catenin expression occur during the progression of cervical adenocarcinoma to an invasive phenotype. These results suggest that beta-catenin is an important intercellular adhesion molecule. Assessment of beta-catenin immunoreactivity may be a useful prognostic tool in cervical adenocarcinoma complementary to established prognostic factors. Furthermore, we developed a strategy for choosing biomarkers representing the steps in malignant progression in an effort to identify patients with occult metastases who will need adjuvant therapy and spare women from unnecessary interventions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Nuclear translocation of TSC-22 (TGF-beta-stimulated clone-22) concomitant with apoptosis: TSC-22 as a putative transcriptional regulator.

We examined the alteration of the subcellular localization of TSC-22 (TGF-beta-stimulated clone-22) after induction of apoptosis and the transcription-regulatory activity of TSC-22. In the living cells, TSC-22-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein was clearly localized to the cytoplasm, however, in the apoptotic cells, the TSC-22-GFP fusion protein was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. TSC-22 fused to GAL4-DNA binding domain (GAL4BD) did not show the transcriptional activity on the reporter genes in yeast and in HSG (salivary gland cancer cells) and Hela. However, in CHO cells, TSC-22-GAL4BD fusion protein strongly activated the reporter gene. The transcriptional activity of the leucine zipper structure of TSC-22 is greater than that of the full-length TSC-22. These findings suggest that after receiving the apoptotic stimuli, TSC-22 translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and shows the transcription-regulatory activity.

Animals↗