Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

T Osada

Publications and source records attributed to T Osada.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The expressed localization of rat putative pheromone receptors.

The localization of pheromone receptors in the rat vomeronasal epithelium was examined by light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemical analysis, using affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies. The antibodies were raised against a synthetic oligopeptide corresponding to a partial sequence of the rat putative pheromone receptor (VN6). Positive immunoreactivity was observed on the luminal surface of the sensory epithelium, and was abolished when an excess of the antigen peptide was added to the primary reaction solution. On electron microscopy, the immunoreactivity for the VN6 peptide was localized at the dendritic knobs and microvilli of receptor cells, but not in those of the supporting cells. These results show the first evidence of cellular localization of putative pheromone receptors in rat vomeronasal receptor cells.

Animals

Increased anxiety and impaired pain response in puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase gene-deficient mice obtained by a mouse gene-trap method.

A mouse mutation, termed goku, was generated by a gene-trap strategy. goku homozygous mice showed dwarfism, a marked increase in anxiety, and an analgesic effect. Molecular analysis indicated that the mutated gene encodes a puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (Psa; EC 3. 4.11.14), whose functions in vivo are unknown. Transcriptional arrest of the Psa gene and a drastic decrease of aminopeptidase activity indicated that the function of Psa is disrupted in homozygous mice. Together with the finding that the Psa gene is strongly expressed in the brain, especially in the striatum and hippocampus, these results suggest that the Psa gene is required for normal growth and the behavior associated with anxiety and pain.

Aminopeptidases

Acquisition of glutamine synthetase expression in human hepatocarcinogenesis: relation to disease recurrence and possible regulation by ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis.

BACKGROUND: The authors previously reported increased ubiquitin (Ub) immunoreactivity in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and suggested a possible correlation between changes in ubiquitinated protein levels and multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. The current study was performed to identify one of these ubiquitinated proteins (42 kDa) and to analyze the clinical significance of its accumulation. METHODS: The protein was purified using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by amino acid sequence analysis. The authors studied the expression of this protein in 101 HCCs and 23 precancerous lesions by immunohistochemical methods and in 26 HCCs by immunoblot analysis. A survival analysis was performed on patients with advanced HCC using the Kaplan-Meier method with approximate chi-square statistics for the log rank test. RESULTS: The target protein for ubiquitination was identified as glutamine synthetase (GS). Accumulation of GS was found in 19 of 49 advanced HCCs (38.8%) by immunohistochemical methods and in 9 of 16 (56.3%) by immunoblot analysis, whereas the frequency was much lower in early HCCs (12.9% and 33.3%, respectively) and precancerous lesions (4.3% by immunostaining). In the Ub immunoblot analysis of strongly GS positive specimens, an intense 42-kDa ubiquitinated band was observed. Nine of 21 (42.9%) nodule-in-nodule type HCCs showed a GS positive, high-grade component within a GS negative, low-grade component, indicating the acquisition of GS expression during progression. Among 23 patients with a single advanced HCC nodule, the relapse free survival time was significantly shorter in the GS positive group than in the GS negative group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the acquisition of GS expression during hepatocarcinogenesis and the possible regulation of GS enzyme activity by a Ub-dependent proteolytic system. Moreover, GS might play a significant role in promoting the metastatic potential of HCC.

Amino Acid Sequence

CD8(+)NKR-P1A (+)T cells preferentially accumulate in human liver.

A unique subset of T cells that co-express NKR-P1, which is a lectin type of NK receptor and is thought to have a major role in triggering NK activity, has been identified. In mice, NK1.1 (mouse NKR-P1C)(+) T cells, called NKT cells, preferentially accumulate in the liver and bone marrow. They predominantly use invariant Valpha14 chain TCR and phenotypically are CD4(+)CD8(-) or CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells. In this study, we analyzed, phenotypically and functionally, the NKR-P1A (analogue of murine NKR-P1C)(+) T cells resident in the human liver. Here, we show that in complete contrast to the NKT cells in the mouse liver, the majority of NKR-P1A(+) T cells in the human liver are CD8(+) and their TCR repertoire is not skewed to Valpha24 TCR, the homologue of murine Valpha14 TCR. Almost all of the NKR-P1A(+) T cells in the human liver expressed CD69, suggesting that they were activated. Furthermore, the NKR-P1A(+) T cells in the human liver exhibited strong cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cell lines including K562, Molt4 and some colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Adenocarcinoma

A developmental study using three antibodies (VOBM1, VOBM2, and VOM2): immunocytochemical and electron microscopical analysis of the luminal surface of the rat vomeronasal sensory epithelium.

The development of the rat vomeronasal organ was studied morphologically and immunocytochemically, using the monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) VOBM1, VOBM2 and VOM2 that react with the luminal surface of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium. Postnatal day (P) 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and adult animals were examined. The vomeronasal organ and the blood vessel of the organ markedly increased in size and the vomeronasal glands increased in number between P7 and P14. At P35, the shape of the vomeronasal organ was similar to that of the adult but its size was slightly smaller. Electron microscopy showed that only a few scattered microvilli were present on supporting cells, and receptor cells were immature at P7. At P21, well-branched microvilli of the receptor cells and many microvilli of the supporting cells were observed on the luminal surface of the sensory epithelium. At P35, most apical endings of supporting cells and receptor cells were covered with numerous microvilli. Less developed areas were also present at the luminal surface of the epithelium at P35. At P7, immunoreactivities of the three antibodies were observed as discontinuous thin-layered bands only on the luminal surface of the sensory epithelium and no immunoreactivity was observed in other regions of the vomeronasal organ. Immunoreactivities of the VOBM1, VOBM2 and VOM2 increased with age and were observed as continuous thin-layered bands on the luminal surface of the epithelium by P35. These finding suggest that the development of the vomeronasal organ continues after birth and that the organ may reach maturity just before puberty (P42-49).

Animals

Laminin mediates tethering and spreading of colon cancer cells in physiological shear flow.

Under the physiological shear condition, cultured colon cancer cells bound to laminin (LM), but not to fibronectin or vitronectin. Most of the tethered cells did not roll, but arrested immediately and spread within 10-30 min on LM under the continuous presence of shear flow. The tethering of Colo201 was partially inhibited by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to alpha6 integrin and a combination of mAbs to beta1 and beta4 integrins, but not by mAb to 67KD laminin receptor. Some Colo201 cells still tethered at 4 degrees C. This suggests that alpha6beta1 and alpha6beta4 integrins participate in Colo201 tethering on LM, although other non-integrin molecules play roles. In contrast, the spread of Colo201 was effectively inhibited by the mAbs to integrin alpha2, alpha6 and beta1 chains. The effect of anti-alpha2 plus anti-alpha6 mAbs was almost equal to anti-beta1, suggesting that Colo201 cells mainly use alpha2beta1 and alpha6beta1 integrins for spreading on LM. When the cells were perfused on subconfluent endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured on LM, they did not tether on HUVEC but did on coated LM exposed at intercellular gap area. Immunohistochemistry revealed that LM abundantly existed in the cytosol of human portal and hepatic vein endothelial cells. These data suggest that LM can mediate from tethering to spreading of colon cancer cells under the blood flow and plays an essential role in haematogeneous metastasis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Inhibition of haematogenous metastasis of colon cancer in mice by a selective COX-2 inhibitor, JTE-522.

It is proposed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce colorectal tumorigenesis by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). COX is a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and two isoforms of COX have been characterized, COX-1 and COX-2. Multiple studies have shown that COX-2 is expressed at high levels in colorectal tumours and play a role in colorectal tumorigenesis. Recently it has been reported that selective inhibition of COX-2 inhibits colon cancer cell growth. In this study we investigated the effect of a selective COX-2 inhibitor (JTE-522) on haematogenous metastasis of colon cancer. For this purpose, we selected a murine colon cancer cell line, colon-26, that constitutively expresses the COX-2 protein. The subclone P expressed a high level of COX-2 and the subclone 5 expressed a low level. The colon-26 subclones were injected into the tail vein of BALB/c mice. JTE-522 was given intraperitoneally every day from the day prior to cancer cell injection, and the mice were sacrificed 16 days after cell injection. Lung metastases were compared between groups with and without JTE-522. In the mice injected with subclone P, the number of lung metastatic nodules was significantly reduced in the treated group. However, in the mice injected with subclone 5, there was little difference between the control and the treated groups. These results indicate that there may be a direct link between inhibition of haematogenous metastasis of colon cancer and selective inhibition of COX-2, and that selective COX-2 inhibitors may be a novel class of therapeutic agents not only for colorectal tumorigenesis but also for haematogenous metastasis of colon cancer.

Animals

Long-term deprivation of oestrogens by ovariectomy potentiates beta-amyloid-induced working memory deficits in rats.

1 In the present study, we examined whether deprivation of oestrogens by ovariectomy could modify learning and memory deficits caused by a continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta), the major constituent of senile plaques in AD. 2 Neither long-term (3 months) nor short-term (1 month), deprivation of oestrogens by ovariectomy caused a significant impairment in spatial learning and memory in a water maze and spontaneous alternation behaviour in a Y-maze. 3 A continuous i.c.v. infusion of Abeta-(1-42) caused spatial learning and memory deficits in both ovariectomized and sham-operated rats. 4 The Abeta-induced working memory deficits were significantly potentiated in ovariectomized rats compared with sham-operated rats when mnemonic ability was examined 3 months after ovariectomy. 5 These results suggest that long-term deprivation of oestrogens induced by ovariectomy increases susceptibility to memory deficits produced by Abeta-(1-42) in rats.

Amyloid beta-Peptides

Effect of temperature and mechanical strain on gastric epithelial cell line GSM06 wound restoration in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The influence of the degree of cell differentiation and of physical stimulation on gastric mucosal wound healing is not completely understood. METHODS: A gastric mucosal cell line, GSM06, derived from the gastric mucosal cells of transgenic mice harbouring the simian virus 40 large T antigen, was cultured at 33 degrees C to make a confluent cell sheet. Artificial wounds of constant size were created. Wound healing was monitored at different temperatures (33, 37 and 39 degrees C), which altered the degree of differentiation. Cell proliferation was detected by bromodeoxyuridine staining. Mechanical strain was applied to adherent GSM06 cells after wounding in order to increase their length by an average of 5 or 10% at 5 cycles/min for 60 h. Repair of the wound was monitored every 12 h. RESULTS: Differentiated gastric epithelial cells showed a higher speed of migration. The number of proliferating cells around the wound was greatest at 33 degrees C and barely detectable at 39 degrees C. Under conditions of mechanical strain, the migration speed of differentiated cells (at 39 degrees C) slowed in a strain strength-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that cell differentiation status and physical stimulants might play a role in gastric wound healing in vivo by modifying cellular migration.

Animals

The distribution of sugar chains on the vomeronasal epithelium observed with an atomic force microscope.

The distribution of sugar chains on tissue sections of the rat vomeronasal epithelium, and the adhesive force between the sugar and its specific lectin were examined with an atomic force microscope (AFM). AFM tips were modified with a lectin, Vicia villosa agglutinin, which recognizes terminal N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). When a modified tip scanned the luminal surface of the sensory epithelium, adhesive interactions between the tip and the sample surface were observed. The final rupture force was calculated to be approximately 50 pN based on the spring constant of the AFM cantilever. Distribution patterns of sugar chains obtained from the force mapping image were very similar to those observed using fluorescence-labeled lectin staining. AFM also revealed distribution patterns of sugar chains at a higher resolution than those obtained with fluorescence microscopy. Most of the adhesive interactions disappeared when the scanning solution contained 1 mM GaINAc. The adhesive interactions were restored by removing the sugar from the solution. Findings suggest that the adhesion force observed are related to the binding force between the lectin and the sugars distributed across the vomeronasal epithelium.

Acetylgalactosamine

Prophylaxis of local vascular graft infection with levofloxacin incorporated into albumin-sealed dacron graft (LVFX-ALB Graft).

An animal model was used to assess the efficacy of levofloxacin (LVFX) incorporated into albumin (ALB)-sealed Dacron (LVFX-ALB) graft for the prevention of vascular graft infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Under general anesthetic, an interposition graft was placed into dog carotid artery. On completion of the operation, 0.1 ml of normal saline containing 10(7) colony-forming units (CFU) of a slime-producing S. aureus was inoculated directly onto the graft. After 1 day, the samples were sterilely harvested. The antibacterial activity of LVFX into the LVFX-ALB graft was evaluated by colony counting in bacterial cultures and by the fluorescent antibody method staining bacteria adhesion to the grafts. LVFX-ALB grafts had a lower infection rate than the control grafts (1/4, 10(2) CFU vs 4/4, 1.50 x 10(5)+/-1.38 x 10(5)CFU (mean+/-SE)). In an immunostaining study, LVFX-ALB grafts had small fluorescent areas showing S. aureus adhesion, while fluorescence was observed over the entire surface of the control grafts. Therefore, LVFX-ALB presumably had a bactericidal action and adhesive prevention against inoculated S. aureus. LVFX-ALB may be useful in preventing graft infections during and immediately after vascular reconstruction.

Albumins

Histopathological prognostic factors influencing long-term prognosis after surgical resection for hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to present new histopathological features of metastatic liver nodules as more reliable prognostic factors after surgical resection for colorectal metastatic cancer. METHODS: Clinicopathological features, including newly proposed histopathological ones, of 63 consecutive patients were reviewed retrospectively to determine which most strongly correlated with long-term prognosis after hepatectomy for metastatic tumors from colorectal cancers, using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cancer-related survival rates after hepatectomy were 87.8%, 55.2%, and 47.3%, respectively. New histopathological features we proposed, which are expansive growth, marginal fibrosis, and peritumorous lymphocytic infiltration of hepatic tumor, were significant prognostic factors for cancer-related survival after hepatectomy in an univariate analysis. Also in a multivariate analysis, i.e., a stepwise Cox regression analysis, infiltrative, i.e., not expansive, growth of hepatic tumor was one of significant and independent poor prognostic factors for survival after hepatectomy, with moderate to severe lymphatic vessel involvement of the primary colorectal lesion, microscopic cancer invasion at the surgical margin of hepatectomy, and extrahepatic distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that our proposed new histopathological features of hepatic metastases were good predictors of prognosis after surgical resection for hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. Especially, infiltrative growth of hepatic tumor is strongly correlated with a poor prognosis after hepatectomy.

Colorectal Neoplasms

Effect of mechanical strain on gastric cellular migration and proliferation during mucosal healing: role of Rho dependent and Rac dependent cytoskeletal reorganisation.

BACKGROUND: Various factors affect gastric wound healing. The influence of physical stimulation on gastric mucosal cells during the process of gastric wound healing is not completely understood. AIMS: To assess the role of a physical stimulant, in this case mechanical strain, on gastric mucosal restoration. METHODS: Mechanical strain was applied to adherent rat gastric mucosal cells (RGM1) cultured confluently on collagen type I coated silicone elastomer membrane in order to increase the dimension by an average of 5% and 10% at 5 cycles/minute for 72 hours after wounding. Repair of the wound was monitored every 12 hours for up to 72 hours using an inverted phase contrast microscope. Cell proliferation was detected using 5-bromodeoxyuridine staining. The cytoskeletal protein actin, a component of focal adhesion plaque protein, vinculin, and the small GTP-binding proteins RhoA and Rac1 were detected by immunohistochemistry in the cells located at the margin of and remote from the wound. RESULTS: The cells located at the margin of the wound showed the greatest migration and proliferation and were found to express more rudimentary lamellipodia and filopodia in the absence of mechanical strain. Vinculin, RhoA, and Rac1 were also strongly expressed in the wound margin. Under conditions of mechanical strain, the speed of migration of cells slowed and fewer proliferating cells were detected around the wound in a strain strength dependent manner. Lamellipodial formation, vinculin, RhoA, and Rac1 were poorly expressed in the same area. However, in cells located more than 1 mm from the wound edge, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and the expression of vinculin, RhoA, and Rac1 were not influenced by mechanical strain. CONCLUSIONS: Migration and proliferation of RGM1 cells in culture during wound healing were inhibited by mechanical strain, which caused dysfunction of the cytoskeletal and cell adhesion systems. It is suggested that physical stimulants such as mechanical strain may play a role in gastric wound healing in vivo by modifying cellular migration and proliferation.

Animals

Reduced blood flow in abdominal viscera measured by Doppler ultrasound during one-legged knee extension.

The redistribution of blood flow (BF) in the abdominal viscera during right-legged knee extension-flexion exercise at very low intensity [peak heart rate (HR), 76 beats/min] was examined by using Doppler ultrasound. While sitting, subjects performed a right-legged knee extension-flexion exercise every 6 s for 20 min. BF was measured in the upper abdominal aorta (Ao), right common femoral artery (RCFA), and left common femoral artery (LCFA). Visceral BF (BFVis) was determined by the equation [BFAo - (BFRCFA + BFLCFA)]. A comparison with the change in BF (DeltaBF) preexercise showed a greater increase in DeltaBFRCFA than in DeltaBFAo during exercise. This resulted in a reduction of BFVis to 56% of its preexercise value or a decrease in flow by 1,147 +/- 293 (+/-SE) ml/min at the peak workload. Oxygen consumption correlated positively with DeltaBFAo, DeltaBFRCFA, and DeltaBFLCFA but inversely with DeltaBFVis during exercise and recovery. Furthermore, BFVis (% of preexercise value) correlated inversely with both an increase in HR (r = -0.89), and percent peak oxygen consumption (r = -0.99). This study demonstrated that, even during very-low-intensity exercise (HR <90 beats/min), there was a significant shift in BF from the viscera to the exercising muscles.

Adult

Role of mast cells as a trigger of inflammation in Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) induces severe inflammation and plays a key role in gastric mucosal diseases. In general, mast cells have been believed to play an important role in inflammation. Although mast cells were detected in the gastric mucosa, the role of mast cells in the gastric mucosal inflammation caused by H. pylori is still unclear. Therefore, we examined the effects of H. pylori water extract on the degranulation of mast cells to clarify the role of these cells in gastric mucosal inflammation induced by H. pylori. Mast cells prepared from rat abdominal cavity were incubated with H. pylori for 30 min. The protein concentrations of H. pylori water extract used in this study were 0.5-3 mg/ml. The degranulation of mast cells were monitored morphologically by phase contrast microscopy equipped with time-lapse video recording system and biochemically by measuring histamine and beta-hexosaminidase. H. pylori water extract induced the degranulation of mast cells dose-dependently. The identical experiment was performed without extracellular calcium, and no significant degranulation was found. The data indicates that the degranulation of mast cells by H. pylori water extract depend on extracellular calcium. The present results indicate that H. pylori might be involved in the gastric mucosal inflammation as a trigger of mast cell degranulation for releasing chemical mediators.

Albinism

Continual neurogenesis of vomeronasal neurons in vitro.

We developed a culture system of vomeronasal neurons in which continuous degeneration and regeneration of axon bundles were observed. Partially dissociated vomeronasal cells from rat embryonic day 15 were grown in culture and formed a miniature vomeronasal-like epithelium. We called these structures vomeronasal pockets. They contained both vomeronasal neurons and supporting cells. They formed a spherical structure with a central cavity where microvilli protruded from supporting cells. Mature vomeronasal neurons with well-developed microvilli were not observed in the vomeronasal pocket. The time period between degeneration of axon bundles and the next was about 2 weeks. When vomeronasal pockets were incubated with 5 microgram/mL aphidicolin, an inhibitor of cell division, regeneration of axon bundles was not observed after degeneration. These results suggest that vomeronasal neurons in culture undergo continuous regeneration but do not fully mature. In this culture system, vomeronasal pockets survived for over 1 year.

Animals

Prediction of functional recovery and prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction by 123I-BMIPP and 201Tl myocardial single photon emission computed tomography: a multicenter trial.

123I-BMIPP [15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid] was developed for metabolic imaging with SPECT. A multicenter collaborative study was conducted on a large patient series to determine whether 123I-BMIPP and 201Tl myocardial SPECT are of use in predicting the prognosis and ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Patients with uncomplicated first AMI underwent resting 123I-BMIPP and 201Tl myocardial SPECT in the subacute phase after the onset of AMI. Of these, 167 patients who had been followed up for an average of 22 months were retrospectively reviewed to predict serious cardiac events and recurrent ischemia. In addition, the association between changes in radionuclide parameters and recurrent ischemia was investigated in Subgroup A (58 patients) who had repeated SPECT in the chronic phase. Furthermore, prediction of the ejection fraction (EF) was investigated in Subgroup B (94 patients) and Subgroup C (76 patients) in whom left ventriculography was performed at the time of discharge and 90 days or more after the onset, respectively. The prognosis was generally favorable, with 4 cases of cardiac death (2%), 3 of heart failure (2%), 4 of nonfatal reMI (2%), and 25 of recurrent ischemia (15%). The results of Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed a high probability of serious cardiac events in patients who were elderly (p = 0.04), who had 90% or more residual stenosis of the infarct-related artery (p = 0.09), and who had a high BMIPP defect score (p = 0.17). There was a high probability of recurrent ischemia in elderly patients (p = 0.10) who had multi-vessel disease (p = 0.03), but no association was found with radionuclide parameters in the subacute phase. In Subgroup A, however, the probability of recurrent ischemia tended to be high in patients with a large mismatch scorebetween 123I-BMIPP and 201Tl in the subacute to chronic phase. An important observation was that the extent of BMIPP defect was more strongly correlated with EF at the time of discharge and 90 days or more after the onset than the extent of Tl defect (r = -0.60 vs. r = -0.47, and r = -0.53 vs. r = -0.43, respectively). In addition, multiple regression analysis showed that parameters related to the BMIPP defect were also better predictive factors of EF both at the time of discharge and 90 days or more after the onset. In conclusion, resting 123I-BMIPP and 201Tl myocardial SPECT performed in the subacute phase of AMI were shown to be useful in predicting prognosis and ventricular function for patient management.

Aged