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Biomedical subjects

T Tanabe

Publications and source records attributed to T Tanabe.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Generation of multiple transcripts from the chicken chondromodulin-I gene and their expression during embryonic development.

Chondromodulin-I (ChM-I) is an angiogenesis inhibitor isolated from fetal bovine cartilage. Here, we report the nucleotide sequence of chicken ChM-I cDNA. Chicken mature ChM-I had a significantly larger N-terminal hydrophilic domain than its mammalian counterparts. Chicken embryos expressed multiple transcripts (3.3, 2.0 and 1.7 kb in size) due to the alternative utilization of polyadenylation signals, whereas only the 1.7 kb transcripts were detected in mammals. Although confined to cartilage and eye at a later stage of development, whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed the expression of ChM-I mRNA in somites, heart, bronchial arches, roof plate, retina and limb buds. The expression pattern of the gene suggests a role for ChM-I in the morphogenesis during embryonic development.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Inhibitory effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the activity and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human oral epithelial cells and in a rat model of inflammation.

We investigated the mechanisms by which caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a phenolic antioxidant, inhibited the stimulation of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in cultured human oral epithelial cells and in an animal model of acute inflammation. Treatment of cells with CAPE (2.5 microg/ml) suppressed phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate; TPA) and calcium ionophore (A23187)-mediated induction of PGE2 synthesis. This relatively low concentration of CAPE did not affect amounts of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. CAPE nonselectively inhibited the activities of baculovirus-expressed hCOX-1 and hCOX-2 enzymes. TPA- and A23187-stimulated release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids was also suppressed by CAPE (4-8 microg/ml). Higher concentrations of CAPE (10-20 microg/ml) suppressed the induction of COX-2 mRNA and protein mediated by TPA. Transient transfections using human COX-2 promoter deletion constructs were performed; the effects of TPA and CAPE were localized to a 124-bp region of the COX-2 promoter. In the rat carrageenan air pouch model of inflammation, CAPE (10-100 mg/kg) caused dose-dependent suppression of PG synthesis. Amounts of COX-2 in the pouch were markedly suppressed by 100 mg/kg CAPE but were unaffected by indomethacin. These data are important for understanding the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of CAPE.

Air↗

The common marmoset as a target preclinical primate model for cytokine and gene therapy studies.

Nonhuman primate models are useful to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new therapeutic modalities, including gene therapy, before the inititation of clinical trials in humans. With the aim of establishing safe and effective approaches to therapeutic gene transfer, we have been focusing on a small New World monkey, the common marmoset, as a target preclinical model. This animal is relatively inexpensive and easy to breed in limited space. First, we characterized marmoset blood and bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPCs) and showed that human cytokines were effective to maintain and stimulate in culture. We then examined their susceptibility to transduction by retroviral vectors. In a mixed culture system containing both marmoset stromal cells and retroviral producer cells, the transduction efficiency into BMPCs and peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) was 12% to 24%. A series of marmosets then underwent transplantation with autologous PBPCs transduced with a retroviral vector carrying the multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) and were followed for the persistence of these cells in vivo. Proviral DNA was detectable by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in peripheral blood granulocytes and lymphocytes in the recipients of gene transduced progenitors up to 400 days posttransplantation. To examine the function of the MDR1 gene in vivo, recipient maromsets were challenged with docetaxel, an MDR effluxed drug, yet the overall level of gene transfer attained in vivo (<1% in peripheral blood granulocytes) was not sufficient to prevent the neutropenia induced by docetaxel treatment. Using this model, we safely and easily performed a series of in vivo studies in our small animal center. Our results show that this small nonhuman primate, the common marmoset, is a useful model for the evaluation of gene transfer methods targeting hematopoietic stem cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Growth stimulation and induction of epidermal growth factor receptor by overexpression of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 in human colon carcinoma cells.

There are two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX), COX-1 and COX-2. Recent epidemiological and experimental studies indicated a close relationship between COXs and the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible roles of both isoforms in the proliferation of colon carcinoma cells. A human colon carcinoma cell line, COLO 320DM, was transfected with an eukaryotic expression vector carrying cDNA of either COX-1 or COX-2, the expression of which was driven by a powerful elongation factor-1alpha promoter in pEF-BOS. Both COX-1- and COX-2-expressing cells possessed a similar enzyme activity, 8-10 nmol/10 min per mg protein. Growth rates of both cell lines were stimulated by about 2-fold during a course of culture for 7 days as compared with mock-transfected cells. Although COX-1 and COX-2 are believed to have fundamentally different biological roles, essentially no differences in growth stimulation were observed between the COX-1 and COX-2 overexpressions in our experiments. The reason may be explained by high levels of COX expression, and subtle differences between the both cell lines would be possibly apparent by lower expression levels. The stimulated growth of the COX-transfected cells was accompanied by increased DNA synthesis as assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Furthermore, expression of epidermal growth factor receptor was markedly increased in these cells as examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A COX inhibitor, indomethacin, suppressed the stimulated growth, increased DNA synthesis and induction of epidermal growth factor receptor in COX-1- and COX-2-transfected cells.

Cell Division↗

Glucocorticoid-mediated suppression of the promoter activity of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene is modulated by expression of its receptor in vascular endothelial cells.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inducible isozyme of cyclooxygenase, is expressed selectively in response to various inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its expression is suppressed by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) in numerous types of cells. However, LPS-enhanced production of prostacyclin in bovine arterial endothelial cells (BAEC) was not significantly decreased by treatment with DEX but was suppressed by selective COX-2 inhibitors. This is consistent with the finding that DEX was not effective at preventing the expression of LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA. Transient transfection analysis showed that DEX did not suppress the LPS-induced promoter activity of the 5'-flanking region of the human COX-2 gene (nucleotides -327 to +59). Since RNA blot analysis indicated low-level expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA in BAEC, a GR-expression vector was transfected to evaluate the role of the GR in the COX-2 promoter activity. It was found that DEX mediated the suppression of the LPS-induced COX-2 promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the DEX-mediated suppression of LPS-induced promoter activity of the COX-2 gene is modulated by expression of the GR, which will be possible to account for a unique expression pattern of the COX-2 gene in BAEC.

Animals↗

Differences in DNA recognition and conformational change activity between boxes A and B in HMG2 protein.

High mobility group (HMG) 2 is a sequence-nonspecific DNA-binding protein consisting of a repeat of DNA-binding domains called HMG1/2 boxes A and B and an acidic C-terminal. To understand the mode of HMG2 interaction with DNA, we expressed various HMG2 peptides containing HMG1/2 box(es) in Escherichia coli cells and purified them. Gel retardation and DNA supercoiling assay indicated that the region essential for the preferential binding of HMG2 with negatively supercoiled DNA and DNA unwinding activity is located in box B, but not sufficient alone. The flanking C-terminal basic region or box A linked by a linker region is necessary to express activities. The SPR measurements certified that the intrinsic DNA binding affinity of box B is weaker (Kd = 170 microM), and these adjoining regions largely strengthen the affinity (Kd </= 1.2 microM). In contrast, box A, even in the presence of the adjoining basic linker region, showed no such activities, indicating that boxes A and B are different in their DNA recognition mode. The computer modeling suggested that the side chain of Phe-102 in box B is inserted into the base stack to cause DNA conformational changes, while the side chain of Ala-16 in box A is too small to intercalate. These represent that boxes A and B have similar tertiary structures but their activities for DNA conformational changes obviously differ. Box B is the main region for DNA recognition and conformational changes, and box A must play an assistant to increase its DNA recognition.

Animals↗

Monocyte proliferation induced by modified serum is associated with endogenous M-CSF production: evidence for involvement of a signalling pathway via scavenger receptors.

It was found that human serum stored for 2 months at 4 degrees C (modified serum) induced monocyte proliferation and simultaneous macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) production by these cells in vitro. Cell number, estimated by DNA content, doubled after 10 days in culture in the presence of modified serum, while it decreased in culture with freshly thawed control serum. As the addition of more than 2.5 ng/ml of recombinant M-CSF significantly supported monocyte survival/proliferation, cells were cultured for 10 days in medium supplemented with control serum, and endogenous M-CSF production was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. M-CSF concentration in the supernatants was 15-30 ng/ml after 10 day in culture with modified serum, a level that might be sufficient for monocyte proliferation. The modified serum induced M-CSF from freshly isolated monocytes, while M-CSF was hardly detected in cultures supplemented with control serum. Assay for peroxidized lipid and agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the modified serum contained more oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) than the control serum. Ligands of scavenger receptors, which are receptors for oxidized LDL, such as dextran sulphate, polyinosinic acid, heparin and acetylated LDL also significantly induced M-CSF production from human monocytes, although this was at levels below 2 ng/ml. These results indicate that serum modified by oxidation stimulates monocytes to produce M-CSF resulting in their proliferation, and that signalling via scavenger receptors is one of the mechanisms responsible for this induction of M-CSF.

Acetylation↗

Abundant expression and cytoplasmic aggregations of [alpha]1A voltage-dependent calcium channel protein associated with neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is one of the eight neurodegenerative diseases caused by a tri-nucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion coding polyglutamine (CAG repeat/polyglutamine diseases) and is characterized by late onset autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia and predominant loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Although the causative, small and stable CAG repeat expansion for this disease has been identified in the [alpha]1A voltage-dependent calcium channel gene (CACNA1A), the mechanism which leads to predominant Purkinje cell degeneration is totally unknown. In this study, we show that the calcium channel mRNA/protein containing the CAG repeat/polyglutamine tract is most intensely expressed in Purkinje cells of human brains. In SCA6 brains, numerous oval or rod-shaped aggregates were seen exclusively in the cytoplasm of Purkinje cells. These cytoplasmic inclusions were not ubiquitinated, which contrasts with the neuronal intra-nuclear inclusions of other CAG repeat/polyglutamine diseases. In cultured cells, formation of perinuclear aggregates of the channel protein and apoptotic cell death were seen when transfected with full-length CACNA1A coding an expanded polyglutamine tract. The present study indicates that the mechanism of neurodegeneration in SCA6 is associated with cytoplasmic aggregations of the [alpha]1A calcium channel protein caused by a small CAG repeat/polyglutamine expansion in CACNA1A.

Animals↗

Fluorescent probe and permeability to cells of isopoly (S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine) derivative of nucleic acid bases.

Isopoly(S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine) derivatives of nucleic acid bases were found to form stable complex with oligo-DNA in vitro. Fluorescent probed isopoly(S-carboxymethyl cysteine) derivatives of nucleic acid bases were prepared as antisense oligomers. The transfection of the oligomer into cells was carried out by HVJ-liposome method. Fluorescence was observed from the cells treated with HVJ-liposome including fluorescent probed oligomers.

Animals↗

Histamine monoclonal antibody for brain immunocytochemistry.

Among five monoclonal antibodies (AHA-1 to 5 mAbs) prepared against glutaraldehyde (GA)-conjugated histamine (HA) in our previous study, only mAb AHA-2 was found to detect HA specifically in rat brain neurons by an immunocytochemistry method (ICC) using GA as a tissue fixative. All the other mAbs, except for AHA-5, reacted with HA in the enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL cells) of rat stomach [Fujiwara et al. (1997) Histochem. Cell Biol. 107, 39-45]. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) binding and inhibition tests demonstrated that AHA-2 is specific for HA, with almost no detectable cross-reaction with any other established or putative amino acid neurotransmitters, LH-RH, TRH, or peptides with N-terminal histidines. ELISA assays also suggested that the AHA-2 mAb recognizes a HA epitope structure different from the one recognized by the AHA-1 mAb. The immunostaining patterns with AHA-2 mAb, as seen in the five subgroups of the tuberomammillary nuclei in the rat posterior hypothalamus, were very similar to those described by Inagaki et al. [(1988) Brain Res. 439, 402-405; (1990) Exp. Brain Res. 80, 374-380] and Panula et al. [(1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 2572-2576; (1988) J. Histochem. Cytochem. 36, 259-269] using polyclonal anti-HA serum. However, it was also noted that moderate numbers of immunoreactive nerve fibers projected into the median eminence. The present HA ICC method using AHA-2 mAb allows highly sensitive HA detection in brain, and thus might permit detailed studies of HA localization hitherto impossible using previously available anti-HA polyclonal antibodies produced against carbodiimide-conjugated HA.

Animals↗

Glutaraldehyde (GA)-hapten adducts, but without a carrier protein, for use in a specificity study on an antibody against a GA-conjugated hapten compound: histamine monoclonal antibody (AHA-2) as a model.

In our recent study on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs AHA-1-5) against glutaraldehyde (GA)-conjugated histamine (HA), we identified one mAb (AHA-2) which can detect neuronal HA in the rat brain with an immunocytochemistry method (ICC) [Fujiwara et al. (1999) J. Biochem. 126, 503-509]. In the present study the specificity of AHA-2 mAb for use for ICC has been examined by means of competitive experiments involving HA and analogs, all of which had been allowed to react with GA followed by sodium borohydride, but not allowed to couple with the carrier protein. It was demonstrated that the antibody distinguished alterations in the chemical structure of the molecule, showing decreased immunoreactivity with all the GA-adducts of (R)-(-)-alpha-methylhistamine, 1- and 3-methylhistamine, L-histidine, and 1- and 3-methyl-L-histidine. On the other hand, AHA-1 mAb only reacted with GA-adducts of 3-MeHA (3-MeHA-GA) and HA (HA-GA), to almost the same degree, in relatively high concentration ranges. AHA-3, 4, and 5 mAbs reacted about 10-times more strongly with 1-MeHA-GA than with HA-GA, but reacted very little or not at all with the other analogs. These results may suggest that AHA-2 mAb recognized both the non-substituted imidazole and alpha-methine groups of a HA molecule in addition to the conjugation site of GA including the part(s) reduced with NaBH(4), and especially the imidazole group more strictly than the other mAbs. This may partly explain why AHA-2, among the five AHA mAbs, can detect neuronal HA with an ICC method. The present ELISA method for GA-hapten adducts should be applicable to other antibodies against GA-conjugated biologically active amines or amino acids, thus allowing the study of antibody specificity for ICC more easily and accurately than was previously possible with hapten-protein conjugates as antigens.

Animals↗

Electrophysiologic and blood-flow responses in the endocardium and epicardium to disopyramide and MS-551 during myocardial ischemia in the dog.

The aim of this study was to determine whether a quantitative relation exists between changes in regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) and those in electrophysiologic determinants recorded via left ventricular endocardial and epicardial bipolar electrograms after administration of disopyramide (DP) and a class III antiarrhythmic drug, MS-551 (MS), during myocardial ischemia in the dog. Dogs were given DP (1 mg/kg, i.v., n = 14), MS (1 mg/kg, i.v., and 0.1 mg/kg/min, d.i.v., n = 13), or saline (n = 12). The effective refractory period (ERP) was determined by an S1-S2 extrastimulus method, and RMBF by a nonradioactive microsphere technique. The duration of regional electrograms (DRE) was measured as an indicator of conduction time in the myocardium. DP blunted ischemia-induced shortening of ERPs and lengthened DREs at the endocardial and epicardial sites, with a greater effect seen epicardially (p < 0.01 each). DP reduced RMBF, especially at the endocardial surfaces of the ischemic zone (p < 0.05). MS prolonged ERPs at the endocardial and epicardial sites in the ischemic and normal zones (p < 0.05-0.01), but there were no significant differences between the two sites. MS prolonged DREs (p < 0.05), but the magnitude of the prolongation of the DREs was similar to the values in the control group. MS had no effects on RMBF. DP treatment prolonged DREs at both sites in the ischemic zone more markedly than MS or saline treatment (p < 0.01 each). DP reduced RMBF at the endocardial site of the ischemic zone more markedly than MS or saline (p < 0.05 in each). Accordingly, MS prolonged ERPs, but did not increase disparities between endocardial and epicardial sites in the ischemic myocardium, whereas DP had a greater ERP-prolonging effect at the epicardial site than at the endocardial site. DP reduced endocardial RMBF more markedly than epicardial RMBF. These observations suggest that differences in ERPs between endocardial and epicardial ischemic myocardium caused by DP treatment are not due to the difference in RMBF reduction between the two tissue layers, and that DP and MS do not affect the same population of ion channel(s) when ERPs are prolonged.

Animals↗

Resveratrol inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription in human mammary epithelial cells.

A large body of evidence suggests that inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible form of COX, will be an important strategy for preventing cancer. In this study, we investigated whether resveratrol, a chemopreventive agent found in grapes, could suppress phorbol ester (PMA)-mediated induction of COX-2 in human mammary and oral epithelial cells. Treatment of cells with PMA induced COX-2 mRNA, COX-2 protein, and prostaglandin synthesis. These effects were inhibited by resveratrol. Nuclear runoffs revealed increased rates of COX-2 transcription after treatment with PMA, an effect that was inhibited by resveratrol. Resveratrol inhibited PMA-mediated activation of protein kinase C and the induction of COX-2 promoter activity by c-Jun. Phorbol ester-mediated induction of AP-1 activity was blocked by resveratrol. These data are likely to be important for understanding the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Factors governing the activity in vivo of ribozymes transcribed by RNA polymerase III.

In order to determine the parameters that govern the activity of a ribozyme in vivo, we made a systematic analysis of chimeric tRNAVal ribozymes by measuring their cleavage activities in vitro as well as the steady-state levels of transcripts, the half-lives of transcribed tRNAVal ribozymes, and their activities in both HeLa and H9 cells. These analyses were conducted by the use of transient expression systems in HeLa cells and stable transformants that express ribozymes. Localization of transcripts appeared to be determined by the higher-order structure of each transcribed tRNAVal ribozyme. Since colocalization of the ribozyme with its target RNA is important for strong activity of the ribozyme in vivo, the best system for tRNA-based expression seems to be one in which the structure of the transcript is different from that of the natural tRNA precursor so that processing of the tRNAVal ribozyme can be avoided. At the same time, the structure of the transcript must be similar enough to allow recognition, probably by an export receptor, so that the transcript can be exported to the cytoplasm to ensure colocalization with its target. In the case of several tRNAVal ribozymes that we constructed, inspection of computer-predicted secondary structures enabled us to control the export of transcripts. We found that only a ribozyme that was transcribed at a high level and that had a sufficiently long half-life, within cells, had significant activity when used to withstand a challenge by human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Animals↗

Gene transfer of human prostacyclin synthase prevents neointimal formation after carotid balloon injury in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A disordered proliferative process in the vascular wall is thought to underlie the pathogenesis of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and carotid endarterectomy. A growth inhibitory property of overexpressed prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase (PGIS) was recently implicated in the pathological proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in vitro. Here, we investigated the effects of increased PGI2 synthesis on the pathological proliferation of VSMCs. METHODS: The cDNA encoding human PGIS was transfected into endothelium-denuded rat carotid arteries after arterial balloon injury with the use of hemagglutinating virus Japan (HVJ). HVJ liposome vector complex without PGIS cDNA was used for vehicle control. The level of 6-keto PGF1alpha, a stable hydrolyzed metabolite of PGI2, the histological distribution of the immunoreactivity for human PGIS and the ratio of neointimal/medial area were analyzed. RESULTS: In the analyses of 6-keto PGF1alpha, the level in the carotid arteries was significantly elevated 3 days after PGIS expression-vector transfection compared with that in the arteries after vehicle transfection. Seven days after human PGIS expression-vector transfection, the PGIS cDNA-transfected neointimal cells were strongly positive for human PGIS immunoreactivity in 81% sections examined. Fourteen days after the injury, the ratio of neointimal/medial area was 1.2+/-0.4 in the PGIS expression-vector transfected group, which was significantly smaller than that of the vehicle control group, 1.7+/-0.5; P<0.01. CONCLUSIONS: It was thus demonstrated that the gene transfer of human PGIS expression-vector into rat carotid arteries resulted in the increased production of human PGI2 in the vascular wall, the expression of human PGIS in the developing neointima and significantly inhibited the neointimal formation generated after balloon injury.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Laser surgery for allergic and hypertrophic rhinitis.

Laser surgery, which is one type of surgical treatment for allergic and hypertrophic rhinitis, was investigated basically and clinically. The basic investigation showed morphological changes in the nasal mucosa before and after laser surgery. Before laser surgery, hyperplasia of the mucous epithelium, thickening of the basement membrane, edema of the lamina propria mucosa, eosinophilic infiltration, and enlargement of the nasal glands were noted. After laser surgery, the nasal mucosa was covered with 1) epithelium that was squamatized or cuboidal and/or 2) columnar epithelium that was stratified. Granulation-like tissue or cicatricial tissue was found in the lamina propria mucosa. Clinically, we performed laser surgery in 204 cases. Regarding the short-term results, laser surgery was effective in 87%. In the long term, the short-term results persisted in 81% of cases treated for sneezing, 78% for nasal discharge, and 76% for nasal obstruction. From these results, we concluded that laser surgery was a useful surgical treatment for allergic and hypertrophic rhinitis.

Adolescent↗

Thrombosed dissection of the ascending aorta complicating extravasation.

This report presents 2 patients with thrombosed dissection of the ascending aorta complicating extravasation. The first case was an 85-year-old male admitted with shock due to cardiac tamponade. Plain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a dilated ascending aorta without clear evidence of aortic dissection. The second case was a 77-year-old female presenting with shock, in whom an enhanced CT scan demonstrated a dilated ascending aorta and periaortic effusion. However, dissection of the distal ascending aorta was not identified in either case before emergency surgery. In case 1, soon after the bloody pericardial effusion was decompressed during the operation, bleeding from the ascending aorta occurred. A small intimal tear was found in the distal ascending aorta, and in each case the pseudolumen was filled with fresh thrombus. The ascending aorta was replaced. Each patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Based on this experience, it is suggested that patients with thrombosed ascending aortic dissection complicating extravasation should undergo early graft replacement.

Aged↗