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Biomedical subjects

T Ohno

Publications and source records attributed to T Ohno.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Chronic myeloid leukemia with minor-bcr breakpoint developed hybrid type of blast crisis.

Although a breakpoint in the minor breakpoint cluster region (m-bcr) of the BCR gene is observed in about two-thirds of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, this type of genomic rearrangement occurs very rarely in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We describe here the eighth case of m-bcr CML, and delineate unique clinical characteristics found in common to the 7 cases reported previously. Monocytosis with a low neutrophil/monocyte ratio resembling chronic myelomonocytic leukemia was the most striking feature of m-bcr CML. Splenomegaly and basophilia were not conspicuous in chronic phase. A high percentage of immature granulocytes and low neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score were the findings in common with classical CML. Lymphoid and myeloid blast changes have been observed at and shortly after presentation so far. We found a hybrid type of blast crisis in the course of m-bcr CML.Thus, m-bcr CML may be a definite subtype of CML, exhibiting distinct clinical characteristics. The presence of fusion product of m-bcr mRNA in an earlier myeloid cell may involve monocytic lineage in addition to myeloproliferative defects.

Blast Crisis↗

Intrahepatic hepatitis C virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and response to interferon alfa therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been shown to play a role in host defense and pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that intrahepatic HCV-specific CTL activity may impact subsequent response to interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) therapy. Of the 37 patients that we have prospectively evaluated for HCV-specific CTL activity in liver, 21 received IFN therapy, and 19 completed a 6-month course and attended 6 to 18 months of follow-up. Intrahepatic CD8+ cells were isolated from liver biopsy tissue and tested against target cells expressing HCV antigens to determine intrahepatic CTL activity. The relationship between treatment response and HCV-specific CTL activity and other factors known to associate with response (genotype, viremia, histology) was analyzed. HCV-specific CTL activity was detected in 9 of 21 patients (and 9 of 19 who completed therapy). After 6 months of IFN therapy, 8 of 19 (42%) patients had normal serum alanine transaminase (ALT) (complete responders). After 18 months of follow-up, only 3 patients (16%) had a sustained biochemical response. Of the 9 patients with detectable HCV-specific CTL activity in their liver before treatment, 7 (78%) developed a complete response. In contrast, only 1 of the 10 patients with no detectable HCV-specific CTL activity developed a complete response to IFN (P < .01). In 6 of 8 patients with a complete response, including the 3 sustained responders, the CTL response appeared to be directed predominately to the HCV core region. These data suggest that the host immune response, particularly that mediated by CD8+ CTL, may be important in determining the outcome of IFN therapy for chronic HCV infection. Further understanding of the mechanism of action of IFN should impact the design of better therapeutic strategies against chronic HCV infection.

Adult↗

Quantitative analysis of hyaluronan in the synovial tissues of patients with joint disorders.

Quantitative analysis of hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid; HA) in the synovial tissues of patients with joint disorders were performed. HA was found not only in the synovial intimal cells and matrices, but also especially in the alveolar lymphoid follicles and connective tissues surrounding blood vessels in the inflammatory granular synovium which formed the pannus. HA levels in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (459.0+/-66.2 microg/g) where shown to be higher than those in patients with osteoarthritis (246.9+/-34.8 microg/g) and traumatic injury (227.7+/-35.4 microg/g). It follows from the present findings, HA in the synovium might contribute to the high amounts of serum levels of HA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗

Cell death induced by high-linear-energy transfer carbon beams in human glioblastoma cell lines.

The cytotoxic effect of high-linear-energy transfer (LET) carbon beams on two human glioblastoma cell lines (A172 and TK1) was analyzed, especially concerning cell death, including apoptosis. Gamma-ray radiation was used for comparison. The results of standard colony formation assay showed that the survival fraction of each cell line decreased in an LET-dependent manner. The results of other direct cytotoxic assays, dye exclusion test, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, also displayed a similar relationship between the cytotoxic effect of carbon beams and LET. The maximum values of the cell death index (CDI) were 50.2% in A172 and 37.5% in TK1, both obtained on day 7 after exposure to carbon beams of 80 keV/microm. Apoptosis was observed only on days 4 and 7 after carbon beam irradiation, with maximum values of 7% in A172 and 4.5% in TK1, and the induction of apoptosis after high-LET radiation could be p53-independent. This indicated that a combination of multiple assays to detect cell death was important in evaluating the radiosensitivity of tumor cells, because this approach could more precisely reflect the clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy.

Apoptosis↗

In vitro induction of HLA-A2402-restricted and carcinoembryonic-antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes on fixed autologous peripheral blood cells.

HLA-A2402-restricted and carcinoembryonic-antigen(CEA)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were induced by culturing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) on formalin-fixed autologous adhesive PBMC that had been loaded with CEA-bound latex beads. The CTL killed the CEA-producing HLA-type matched cancer cells, but not the non-producers of CEA, at an effector/target ratio of 10 within 24 h. On the basis of available HLA-A24-binding peptides, we have also attempted to identify the epitope peptide recognized by the CTL. The peptide CEA652(9), TYACFVSNL, stimulated the CTL most strongly when pulsed on HLA-A2402-expressing target cells. The other nine peptides so far tested were also active, but less efficient in their effect on CTL. The CTL failed to kill target cells pulsed with the HLA-A2-binding CEA peptide, CAP-1. The CTL were also generated on the fixed adherent cells previously pulsed with the peptide CEA652(9). Cytotoxic activity of the CTL was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD8, and MHC class I molecules. These results suggest that human autologous CTL will be inducible on the autologous fixed PBMC without use of the cultured target cancer cells if tumor antigenic protein is available.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Abscess formation as a complication caused by postoperative osteomyelitis of the femur.

We report an unusual case of a giant femoral abscess caused by postoperative osteomyelitis after treating a fracture of the femoral shaft. The patient ignored it until the abscess began to interfere with knee flexion, but no symptoms of inflammation such as fever, pain or abnormal laboratory values were found. Within the marrow cavity, many plasma cells produced immunoglobulins G and M, and the level of these substances in the abscess fluid connected to the bony focus were higher than the serum levels. It was concluded that the inflammation in this case signified a peculiarity in a primarily chronic process.

Abscess↗

Hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular injury is associated with increase in endogenous fluorescence from rat gastric mucosal epithelial cell culture: A new method for detecting oxidative cellular injury by fluorescence measurement.

To develop a new method of detecting cellular injury caused by oxygen radicals, we studied endogenous fluorescence from the cultured cells of a rat gastric mucosal epithelial cell line. Measurement with an ultra-high sensitivity camera-image processor system under an inverted epifluorescence microscope showed that the fluorescence intensity of the cells increased time- and dose-dependently after the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an oxygen radical precursor, to the medium. This increase was inhibited by the presence of catalase. Phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy revealed that the fluorescence was emitted from granular substances in the cytoplasm of the injured cells. The spectral pattern of excitation and emission indicated that the fluorescent substances were flavins. In cell-free experiments, glutathione reductase which has flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) at the active site, increased in fluorescence after incubation with H2O2 in the presence of reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. These findings indicate that FAD in the cytoplasm of cells injured by H2O2 increased in endogenous fluorescence according to the extent of injury, and suggest that fluorescence measurement may be a simple method in cellular toxicology to detect oxygen radical-induced injuries.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural studies of tubules, analogous to skeletal cell T-tubules, in alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Tumor tissues from six patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) were investigated ultrastructurally to determine the presence of smooth tubules associated with plasmalemmal invaginations. Two different types of smooth tubular structures were identified: an aggregated and a dispersed type. The aggregated type (found in one of the six ASPSs) showed marked aggregation of many elongated smooth tubules without ribosomes associated with the plasmalemma. In the dispersed type (observed in the remaining five ASPSs), there was a conspicious appearance of a few smooth tubules scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Smooth tubules were the main component in both types, suggesting that both types appeared to have the same origin, although there were some differences in number, appearance, and distribution of the tubules between the two types. The smooth tubules in both types were classified into three different subtypes on the basis of materials in the tubular lumen. Ultrastructual observation and a plasmalemmal tracer-method, showed smooth tubules in continuity with the plasmalemma in three of the six cases, indicating that the tubules originated from the plasmalemma. Since the tubular structures were found in the tumor tissues of all six patients, they are probably one of the characteristic features of ASPS.

Adolescent↗

A novel human glassy-cell carcinoma cell line producing IL-6 and IL-8 from uterine cervix.

A novel human cell line, TOM-2, was established from a rare uterine cervical cancer, glassy cell carcinoma (GCC). TOM-2 is the second established GCC cell line so far reported. The cells were intermediately or poorly differentiated with dysplastic nuclei and polygonal shape and secreted two tumor markers and cytokines, i.e., CA-125 and SCC, interleukin (1L)-1alpha, -6, and -8, and TNF-alpha. Growth of TOM-2 was so strongly dependent on population density that it was not possible to determine the plating efficiency. In mass culture, the following characteristics were observed: doubling time, 83 h; mode of chromosome number, 79; human papillomavirus type 18 DNA, detectable; tumorigenicity, easily transplantable into subcutis of nude mice; chemosensitivity in vitro, considerably sensitive to Cisplatin and 5-FU but not to 9 other antineoplastic agents. This novel cell line will be useful for developing new therapeutic strategies for the rare cancer, GCC.

Adult↗

A new spontaneous animal model of NIDDM without obesity in the musk shrew.

The EDS (early-onset diabetes in suncus) colony has been developed as a new closed breeding colony of the musk shrew (Suncus murinus, Insectivora) exhibiting a high incidence of spontaneous diabetes mellitus. We investigated the characteristic features of diabetic shrews in this colony. All diabetic shrews are characterized by glycosuria (Tes-tape value > or = 3+), hyperglycemia (23.3 +/- 0.8 mmol/l) and polyuria, and they were affected by the age of 3 months. Cumulative incidence (64.1% in males and 27.8% in females) was kept intact after the age of 3 months. The growth pattern of diabetic shrews was similar to that of non-diabetic shrews, and obesity was not consistent in diabetic shrews. The intraperioneal glucose tolerance test revealed both impaired glucose tolerance and impaired insulin secretion in diabetic shrews. Insulin sensitivity of diabetic shrews decreased in the intraperioneal insulin tolerance test. Neither severe hypertrophy nor lymphocytic infiltration was observed in pancreatic islets of diabetic shrews. These facts suggested that diabetic shrews in the EDS colony should be classified as early-onset non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) without obesity. Early-onset of severe hyperglycemia with impaired glucose tolerance is a distinctive character compared with other non-obese NIDDM models in rodents. We concluded that the diabetic shrews in the EDS colony are a new animal model of human NIDDM without obesity.

Age of Onset↗

Toxin-induced IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) in the musk shrew.

We administered streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan (AL) to the musk shrew (Suncus murinus, Insectivora) to determine the effective diabetogenic dose of the two toxins for this species. A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 75 mg/kgBW or the consecutive 5-day s injection of 25 mg/kgBW of STZ to non-fasted shrews, effectively (100%) induced hyperglycemia (> or = 300 mg/dl) with hypoinsulinaemia (< 30% of control level) in male shrews at 10 days after administration. Morphological studies showed cytological changes of B cells in the pancreatic islets of diabetic shrews. Hyperglycemic shrews induced by STZ were thus in IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and showed high susceptibility to the diabetogenic effect of STZ as compared with rodents. Shrews showed a sex difference in the diabetogenic susceptibility to STZ as do mice (male > female). They also showed a species specific resistance to the diabetogenic effect of AL. Of the eight shrews (with 8-hr fasting) that has been treated with a single injection of 200 mg/kgBW of AL, seven (88%) survived at least 10 days, showing no signs of hyperglycemia. All shrews died within 3 day s after injection of 250 or 300 mg/kgBW. These results indicated that the STZ-induced diabetic shrew is a unique animal model and may be useful for IDDM research. On the other hand, the musk shrew was highly resistant to the diabetogenic effects of AL.

Alloxan↗

Differing profiles of prostaglandin formation inhibition between selective prostaglandin H synthase-2 inhibitors and conventional NSAIDs in inflammatory and non-inflammatory sites of the rat.

The present study examined the inhibitory profiles of NS-398 and nimesulide against prostaglandin (PG) formation in inflammatory and non-inflammatory sites, and compared them with those of aspirin and indomethacin. In vitro, indomethacin inhibited PGH synthase (PGHS)-1 and PGHS-2 almost equally, while NS-398 and nimesulide inhibited only PGHS-2. NS-398 (1, 10 mg/kg) and nimesulide (3 mg/kg) slowed the rate of plasma exudation and thus the exudate accumulation in rat carrageenin-induced pleurisy. Aspirin (30, 100 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) also reduced this rate. NS-398 and nimesulide reduced the PGE2 more potently than TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the exudate. However, aspirin and indomethacin did not exhibit this selectivity. The levels of PGE2 correlated significantly with the plasma exudation rate. Moreover, nimesulide (3 mg/kg) did not affect PGE2 formation in rat stomachs injected with 1 M NaCl solution, while indomethacin (10 mg/kg) reduced it. Thus, NS-398 and nimesulide exhibit different inhibitory profiles from aspirin and indomethacin against PG formation. These results suggest that PGE2 may be produced by PGHS-2 in the inflammatory site, and may play a more prominent role than PGI2 in plasma exudation.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Hybrid peptides constructed from RES-701-1, an endothelin B receptor antagonist, and endothelin; binding selectivity for endothelin receptors and their pharmacological activity.

Hybrid peptides were constructed from endothelin B receptor (ET(B)) selective antagonist RES-701-1 (1) and endothelin (ET-1). They have N-terminal 10 amino acids derived from 1 and C-terminal 10 amino acids derived from ET-1. RES-701-1(1-10)-[Ala15]ET-1(12-21) and its analogues substituted or truncated at the residues derived from RES-701-1 had proved to possess high receptor binding activity selective for ETB as well as 1. Substitutions at the residues derived from ET-1 had produced some analogues that possessed high affinity not only for ETB but for ETA. Although all analogues had antagonistic effects on ETA, some analogues had proved to function as agonist on ETB confirmed by the changes in intracellular calcium concentrations of ET receptor-transfected COS-7 cells. We have found four types of ET receptor-binding peptides: (1) ETB-selective agonist with weak ETA antagonism (3, KT7421); (2) ETB-selective antagonist with weak ETA antagonism (29, KT7539); (3) ETB agonist with potent ETA antagonism (27, KT7538); and (4) non-selective ETA/ETB antagonist (26, KT7540).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complete nucleotide sequence of the genomic RNA of tobacco mosaic virus strain Cg.

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-Cg is a crucifer-infecting tobamovirus that was isolated from field-grown garlic. We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the genomic RNA of TMV-Cg. The genomic RNA of TMV-Cg consists of 6303 nucleotides and encodes four large open reading frames, organized basically in the same way as that of other tobamoviruses. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences are very similar to those of the other crucifer-infecting tobamoviruses that have been sequenced so far.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gene transduction for disseminated intraperitoneal tumor using cationic liposomes containing non-histone chromatin proteins: cationic liposomal gene therapy of carcinomatosa.

Cationic liposome-mediated gene therapy of cancer has been examined in a disseminated intraperitoneal tumor model. A combination of the strong CAG promoter-enhancer unit and high mobility group 1,2 (HMG-1,2) proteins has been used to improve transfection efficiency. The optimal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and HMG-1,2 concentration ratio was determined in in vitro studies. Subsequently, we administered the liposome-DNA-HMG-1,2 complex intraperitoneally to tumor bearing nude mice and defined the most efficient concentration of liposomes. Using this approach, the median survival of tumor bearing nude mice was prolonged by the administration of a human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene inserted into a eukaryotic strong expression vector (pcagTNF-alpha) and exogenously added interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) (72 +/- 3 days: mean +/- s.e.). By contrast, survival was 36 +/- 3, 39 +/- 3 and 46 +/- 4 days in group receiving the TNF-alpha gene inserted in the reverse orientation (pcagTNF-alpha R) and normal saline (NS), pcagTNF-alpha R and INF-gamma and pcagTNF-alpha and NS, respectively. These results demonstrate an efficient approach for gene therapy of disseminated intraperitoneal cancer.

Animals↗

Demonstration of double-chambered right ventricle on myocardial perfusion SPECT.

A 19-year-old man with a double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) and an associated ventricular septal defect was admitted to the hospital for surgical correction. Preoperative study of myocardial perfusion with Tc-99m tetrofosmin SPECT depicted the two chambers of the right ventricle. There was a substantial differential in the radioactive uptake between these two chambers. The inflow and outflow chambers with different peak-pressures (94 and 18 mm Hg) showed different uptakes reflecting the pressure difference, which was intense in the inflow chamber and weak in the outflow.

Adult↗

Direct activation of human CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes by interleukin-18.

Direct activation of human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) by interleukin (IL)-18 was observed in a system in which CTL effective against autologous tumor cells were generated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from tumor-bearing patients, after removal of natural killer (NK) cells, were cultured in a medium containing IL-1, -2, -4, and -6, with or without IL-18, and stimulated with autologous tumor cells. IL-18 increased the activity of the CTL and the proportion of autologous CD8+ T cells present after 28 days in the induction culture. When purified CD8+ T cells were cultured in the presence of IL-18 and IL-2 for 7 days, the CTL showed enhanced cytotoxic activity against autologous tumor cells. Moreover, a purified CD8+ T cell population, which did not exhibit any apparent cytotoxic activity against autologous tumor cells, displayed cytotoxic activity after 7-day incubation with IL-18. These results suggest that IL-18 may be useful to generate autologous CTL in humans and may thereby contribute to adoptive immunotherapy for tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗