Biomedical subjects

T Taniguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Taniguchi.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

The enhanced production of placental interleukin-1 during labor and intrauterine infection.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of labor and chorioamnionitis in interleukin-1 production by human placenta. We studied the activity of the placenta to produce interleukin-1 with an enzyme immunoassay by culturing tissue blocks. The placental tissue obtained after labor produced a larger amount of interleukin-1 than placental tissue obtained before labor. All the placental tissues produced more interleukin-1 beta than interleukin-1 alpha. The placentas with labor and chorioamnionitis produced about seventeenfold more interleukin-1 than placentas with labor only. We immunohistochemically identified interleukin-1--producing cells in the placenta and found that syncytiotrophoblasts produced both interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta, while Hofbauer cells produced only interleukin-1 beta. In vitro analysis of the trophoblast activities to produce interleukin-1 revealed that microbial byproducts enhanced interleukin-1 production, possibly inducing accumulation of interleukin-1 receptor-positive cells at the sites of inflammation. In addition to stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis and labor, the placental interleukin-1 may act as an inflammatory mediator, leading to systemic and local changes at fetomaternal interface and activating fetomaternal immune systems against intrauterine infection.

Chorioamnionitis↗

PubMed1991

Possible endogenous substrate proteins for cytosolic protein-tyrosine kinase from porcine spleen.

1. Endogenous phosphate acceptor proteins by cytosolic protein-tyrosine kinase from porcine spleen (CPTK-40) were studied using subcellular fractions of porcine spleen and supernatant fraction of rat various tissues. 2. At least 13 phosphate acceptor proteins ranging from 94 to 26 kDa were observed in all but mitochondrial subcellular fractions. 3. Among the supernatant fraction of rat tissues, brain, testis and spleen contained many phosphate acceptor proteins. 4. The most heavily phosphorylated band of around 55 kDa which was commonly recognized among various tissues was confirmed as tubulin by the immunoreactivity with anti-tubulin antibody. 5. The results obtained in this paper indicate that CPTK-40 has the potential to catalyze the phosphorylation of numerous endogenous proteins including tubulin.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Effects of various electric fields on the fusion and in vitro development of mouse two-cell embryos.

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of various electric fields such as alternating current (a.c.) voltage, fusion pulse strength, pulse duration, pulse number and electrode geometry on blastomere fusion and developmental rates of mouse two-cell embryos. The a.c. voltages (6 and 12 V/mm) did not affect the fusion and developmental rates. High fusion and developmental rates were obtained when pulse strengths of 1.0 to 2.5 kV/cm, pulse durations of 30 to 90 mu sec and pulse numbers of 1 to 6 were applied using a wire chamber. Comparison of electrode geometries showed that fusion rates were similarly high (93 to 98%) when pulse strengths of 1.0 to 2.5 kV/cm were applied, regardless of the electrode geometry. However, significantly lower developmental rates were observed in a rectangular chamber compared with those in a wire chamber, except when the pulse strength was 1.0 kV/cm. It was further observed that in a rectangular chamber, the developmental rate decreased with increasing pulse strength from 1.0 to 2.0 and 2.5 kV/cm. The results of this study indicate that by using a wire chamber, electric fields can be successfully applied across a relatively wide range of pulse strength, duration and number to provide sufficiently high fusion and subsequent developmental rates. The fusion conditions did, however, vary with chambers of different electrode geometries.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

Fusion and development rates of single blastomere pairs of mouse two- and four-cell embryos using the electrofusion method.

The present study was undertaken to find suitable conditions for blastomere fusion of mouse two- and four-cell embryos using the electrofusion method to simplify the nuclear transfer procedure. Single blastomeres of ICR and F1 (C57BL/6J x CBA/N) two-cell embryos or ICR four-cell embryos and F1 two-cell embryos were paired and treated with electric stimulus under different fusion conditions. Two hours after electrofusion treatment, the fused blastomere pairs were encapsulated in alginate gel and cultured for 96 hours to observe their developmental potential. When the single blastomere pairs of two-cell embryos were exposed to electric pulses of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kV/cm for 30, 60 and 90 mu sec, high fusion rates were obtained (84.6 to 100%). However, when two-cell blastomere were paired with four-cell blastomere and then treated under the same conditions, the fusion rates (27.5 to 87.5%) were lower than that of single blastomere pairs of two-cell embryos regardless of the duration and strength of the d.c. pulses. The blastocyst developmental rate after in vitro culture of the fused blastomere pairs of two-cell embryos using the above electrofusion conditions was high (81.8 to 100%). Lower blastocyst developmental rates were obtained on the fused blastomere pairs of two- and four-cell embryos (46.4 to 76.2%). Based on the results of this study, a pulse duration of 60 mu sec and a pulse strength of 1.0kV/cm were the most suitable conditions for single blastomere pair fusion of two-cell or two- and four-cell embryos. The study further showed that alginate gel is a good substitute for zonae pellucidae for encapsulating zona-free embryos.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

Assignment of the human interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF1) gene to chromosome 5q23-q31.

It has been shown that a nuclear factor, interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF1), plays a key role in the regulation of the type I interferon (IFN) system by affecting the transcription of type I IFN and some IFN-inducible genes. In this study, the human IRF1 gene was mapped to chromosome 5 by analysis of mouse-human somatic cell hybrids. Furthermore, by linkage analysis based on RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), the gene was localized to chromosome 5q23-q31, the region that has been termed "critical" for some myeloid disorders.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Signal transduction through the human IL-2 receptor beta-chain expressed in IL-6-dependent mouse B cell hybridoma.

Non-covalent association between at least two polypeptides, alpha (p55) and beta (p70), yields a high-affinity interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R). Recent findings suggest that the beta-chain can mediate IL-2 signals on its own, while the alpha-chain is not involved in IL-2 signal transduction. To study the role of the beta-chain, directly, we transfected with the human IL-2R beta-chain cDNA a murine IL-6-dependent B cell hybridoma, F12-28, which originally did not express IL-2R. We established a stable transformant, beta E12, expressing the beta-chain (Kd = 1300 pM, 3000 sites/cell) in the absence of any detectable alpha-chain. We showed that (i) beta E12 manifested the intermediate affinity IL-2 binding, which was completely blocked with anti-human beta-chain antibody (Mik-beta 1); (ii) beta E12 acquired an ability to proliferate in response to IL-2 (greater than 0.1 nM) in a dose-dependent manner. These results clearly demonstrate that the beta-chain itself is directly involved in IL-2 signal transduction in the absence of the alpha-chain. Our results also suggest that a certain IL-6-dependent B cell line possesses cellular components) capable of transducing IL-2 signals.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Signal transduction by interleukin 2 receptor beta chain: importance of the structural integrity as revealed by site-directed mutagenesis and generation of chimeric receptors.

The functional interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) consists of at least two IL-2 binding cell surface molecules, IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta, the latter component being responsible for the intracellular growth signal transduction. In this study we attempted to identify the critical amino acid residues in the cytoplasmic domain of human IL-2R beta for such signal transduction by expressing mutated IL-2R beta cDNAs in a pro-B cell line, BAF-B03. We demonstrate that a single amino acid substitution within the 'serine-rich' cytoplasmic region of IL-2R beta (i.e. Leu299 changed to Pro) completely abrogates the receptor function in growth stimulation, but not in ligand binding. We also show that the murine erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) is functional in BAF-B03, but that chimeric receptors, essentially possessing the IL-2R beta extracellular and a homologous region derived from EPO-R cytoplasmic domain, are not capable of transducing the IL-2-induced signal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Detection of bovine rhinotracheitis virus antibody by neutralizing test and ELISA in experimentally infected rabbits.

The antibody response of rabbit to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus was examined. Two rabbits were inoculated with IBR virus strain Los Angeles into the trachea and intravenously, and intravenously two times, respectively. The patterns of antibody titers in the rabbits measured by neutralization test and ELISA were similar to those in the case of bovine. The antibody was detected after the inoculation, and much more antibody was detected after the second inoculation. The fact suggests that rabbits are a very useful laboratory animal for IBR virus infection studies.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Development of tolerance to inhibitory effect of ethanol on endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in ethanol-fed rats.

Rats were maintained on liquid diets containing ethanol (35% of total calories) or an equicaloric volume of sucrose instead of ethanol for 10 wk. Vascular strips of isolated rat aortas were mounted in organ chambers to record isometric tension. Ethanol in vitro inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine and ATP in both pair-fed control and ethanol-fed rats. The inhibitory effect of ethanol was greater in the pair-fed rats. In addition, the magnitudes of these relaxation responses in the absence of ethanol in vitro in pair-fed rats were similar to those in the presence of ethanol in ethanol-fed rats. In the absence of ethanol in vitro, the relaxations in response to acetylcholine and ATP in the ethanol-fed rats were greater than in the pair-fed rats. These results suggest that chronic ethanol consumption can induce tolerance to ethanol-induced inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine and ATP, and that the relaxations can become adapted to the presence of plasma levels of ethanol, which may inhibit the relaxation in vivo. The augmented relaxation in the ethanol-fed rats may result from the mechanism causing tolerance to the inhibitory effect of ethanol.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1991

Cholera enterotoxin production in Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated from the environment and from humans in Japan.

Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated from various sources in Japan over the years 1977 through 1987 were examined to confirm the presence or absence of the cholera enterotoxin (CT) gene and production of CT and to determine the kappa-phage type. The CT gene was detected in none of 225 isolates from natural waters but was present in all of the 10 isolates from environmental waters implicated in domestic cholera cases, in 64 strains (26.6%) of the 241 isolates from imported seafoods, in 43 strains (95.6%) of the 45 isolates from domestic cholera cases, and in 119 strains (93.7%) of the 127 isolates from imported cholera cases. The results suggest that the CT gene-positive strains of V. cholerae O1 have been imported into Japan through seafoods and/or by travelers. Sporadic cholera cases have resulted in contamination of the surrounding environment, but the CT gene-positive strains may not have persisted in natural waters to serve as a reservoir for epidemic cholera. The commercially available VET-RPLA kit (a latex agglutination kit for immunological detection of CT) detected production of CT in all of the CT gene-positive strains, indicating that there was no silent CT gene in the test strains. There was a strong correlation between the kappa-phage type and the presence or absence of the CT gene, suggesting a significant clonal difference between CT gene-positive and -negative strains. Five CT gene-negative strains isolated from imported cholera cases (travelers with mild diarrhea) induced a considerable amount of fluid accumulation in rabbit and/or suckling mouse intestines, indicating production of an enterotoxic factor(s) other than CT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Organization of the murine and human interleukin-7 receptor genes: two mRNAs generated by differential splicing and presence of a type I-interferon-inducible promoter.

To better understand the regulation of interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) expression, we have pursued a detailed analysis of the structure of the murine and human IL-7R genes. The genes consist of eight exons, the sizes of which are conserved in mouse and human cells, spread out over 24 kbp (murine) and 19 kbp (human). A differential splicing event results in an mRNA encoding a secreted form of the human IL-7R gene. Primer extension and S1 nuclease analysis show a single transcriptional start site for the murine IL-7R gene. The 5'-flanking region of the murine IL-7R gene contains TATA- and CAAT-like sequences. The promoter region also contains a functional interferon regulatory element, to which the interferon-induced nuclear factors IRF-1 and IRF-2 are capable of binding and which is able to confer interferon-inducible expression on a heterologous gene. There are also potential binding sites for the transcription factors AP-1 and AP-2 as well as multiple glucocorticoid response elements. A fusion gene containing 2.5 kb of murine IL-7R 5' regulatory sequence linked to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene directed expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in murine pre-B-cell line 70Z/3 but not in the mouse fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3. Comparison of the murine and human IL-7R exon/intron boundaries with those of other hematopoietin receptor superfamily members whose exon/intron boundaries are also known reveals a conserved evolutionary structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Changes in Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase gene during induced erythroid and myeloid differentiation.

We investigated the alteration of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase during erythroid and myeloid differentiation in order to elucidate its physiological significance in different types of cells. We measured enzyme activity and mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase in the process of differentiation to erythroid cells or myeloid cells. When human leukemia K562 cells are incubated in the presence of 80 microM hemin, benzidine-positive cells appear on day 1 and 80% of the cells become positive on day 5. During hemin-induced erythroid differentiation, Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase activity increases 3.5-fold of the initial value and mRNA for Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase increases prior to the activity to the same extent. On the other hand, when human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells are incubated in the presence of 1.3% dimethyl sulfoxide, nitroblue tetrazolium-positive cells reach approximately 90% on day 5. During dimethyl sulfoxide-induced myeloid differentiation, the activity of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase decreases below 15% of the initial value on day 5 and mRNA for Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase decreases as well. The results indicate that the synthesis of superoxide dismutase is linked with either the erythroid or myeloid differentiation program.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1991

Trophoblast-derived interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulates the release of human chorionic gonadotropin by activating IL-6 and IL-6-receptor system in first trimester human trophoblasts.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has a unique activity to stimulate the release of multiple hormones in a number of human and murine endocrine systems. IL-6 also expresses such activities by activating IL-6-receptor (R)-mediated signal transduction pathways. Since the placenta produces both of these cytokines and endocrine hormones such as hCG, we investigated how these cytokines regulate hCG release by normal trophoblasts. Trophoblasts purified by Percoll density gradient released hCG from 120 min after stimulation with recombinant (r) IL-1 alpha, and its release was dependent on the rIL-1 alpha concentration used. The rIL-1 alpha-stimulated trophoblasts released a molecule with IL-6 activity antecedently, as determined by an IL-6-dependent cell line, MH60.BSF2 cells. The IL-6 identity of the released molecule was confirmed by goat anti-IL-6 antiserum. rIL-1-mediated hCG release from trophoblasts was completely abrogated to the basal level by pretreatment of the trophoblasts with PM1, an anti-IL-6-R monoclonal antibody. Identical results were observed with rIL-1 beta. These results showed that rIL-1-induced hCG release was totally dependent on IL-6- and IL-6-R-mediated signal transduction in human trophoblasts. The presence of peripheral monocytes in the purified trophoblast fraction, however, induced a rapid decrease in IL-6 and hCG release after their maximal release, suggesting some regulatory interaction between trophoblasts and the monocytes. In contrast, rIL-1-mediated enhancement of IL-6 and hCG secretion by purified trophoblasts was no longer observed at 24 h compared with that of the unstimulated trophoblasts, while spontaneous hCG secretion was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of trophoblasts with PM1. The results showed that IL-6 and hCG secretion might also be regulated by a number of agents besides IL-1, and that hCG secretion as well as its release is dependent on IL-6 and IL-6-R system in trophoblasts.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1991

An alteration in molecular form associated with activation of human heat shock factor.

In higher eucaryotes, heat shock factor (HSF) exists in a cryptic form in unstressed cells. We investigated molecular forms of human HSF before and after activation by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and by gel mobility shift assay using a 32P-labeled heat shock element (HSE). We found that the in vivo or in vitro activated HSF, which is capable of binding to HSE, and its inactive form present in unstressed cells have different sedimentation coefficient; the former is 8 S whereas the latter is 4-5 S. Both the 8 S and 4-5 S forms contain the HSF polypeptide which has the ability to bind to HSE upon activation. The inactive 4-5 S form acquires HSE-binding ability when activated by heat shock or other stimuli. This HSF activity was greatly reduced, however, during recentrifugation in sucrose density gradient and, in addition, the residual activity was not recovered in 8 S fractions. Transformation of the inactive 4-5 S form of HSF to the stable, active 8 S form was achieved when the inactive form was activated and mixed with cytosols of unstressed cells.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

[Protective effect of eptazocine, a novel analgesic, against cerebral ischemia in mice and rats].

The cerebral protective effect of eptazocine, an opioid mu-antagonist-kappa-agonist, was investigated using mice and rats subjected to ischemia. 1) Decapitation or concussive head injury (20 g, 30 cm)-induced ischemia in mice: Eptazocine (3,10 mg/kg) prolonged the gasping duration or the survival time in a dose-dependent manner. 2) Ischemic brain edema induced by bilateral carotid arterial occlusion (BLCO) in rats: Administration of eptazocine just after BLCO treatment significantly prevented the incidence of ischemic seizures, lethality and an increase in cerebral water content. 3) Acute ischemic changes in cerebral energy metabolism in mice: 2-min BLCO treatment decreased the cerebral contents of phosphocreatine and ATP, and it increased the contents of AMP and lactate, resulting in a 34% decrease in energy charge potential and an increase in lactate/pyruvate ratio. Such changes were improved by eptazocine (3, 10 mg/kg) and ethylketocyclazocine (3 mg/kg), a kappa-agonist. 4) Respiratory function in mouse brain mitochondria preparations: Eptazocine increased the State 3 respiration and respiratory control index (RCI:State 3/State 4), and it prevented a decrease in RCI induced by 3-min ischemia. These results suggest that eptazocine may improve cerebral ischemic disorders through an activation and/or protection of mitochondrial energy-producing systems.

Analgesics↗

PubMed1991

Reassessment of [3H]glutamate binding to human brain membrane preparations.

We studied [3H]glutamate binding to human brain membrane preparations. We found that the binding assay of [3H]glutamate should be done at 4 degrees C using glass-fiber filters pretreated with polyethyleneimine, sterile incubation buffer, and membrane preparations pretreated with a detergent. Under these assay conditions, we have characterized the three subtypes of glutamate receptors: N-methyl-D-aspartate-, quisqualate- and kainate-sensitive binding sites. Scatchard analysis revealed that the N-methyl-D-aspartate-sensitive [3H]glutamate binding sites consisted of a single component with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 28.2 +/- 2.8 nM and total concentration (Bmax) of 36.2 +/- 3.6 fmol/mg protein (N = 8). These data were much different from those presented in previous studies.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Effects of chronic administration of carteolol on beta-adrenoceptors in spontaneously hypertensive rat heart.

We studied the effects of chronic administration of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with and without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA): carteolol (with ISA) and propranolol (without ISA), respectively, on the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY). Six-week-old SHRs and WKYs were orally given carteolol or propranolol for ten weeks. The heart rate was reduced in propranolol-treated SHR, but not in carteolol-treated ones. In WKY, carteolol-treatment increased the heart rate. The number and affinities of beta-adrenoceptors were analyzed using [3H]dihydroalprenolol as a ligand. Propranolol at 30 mg/kg increased the number of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors in both SHR and WKY. In contrast, 10 mg/kg carteolol significantly decreased the number of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors in SHR, but not in WKY. These data indicate that carteolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with ISA, does not cause up-regulation of the number of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors in the rat and suggest that this fact is related to a possible lack of "rebound phenomena" after sudden discontinuation of chronic carteolol-therapy in humans.

Aging↗

PubMed1991

Ethacrynic acid-sensitive and ATP-dependent Cl- transport in the rat kidney.

Ouabain- and furosemide-insensitive and ATP-dependent Cl- uptake was demonstrated in rat renal membrane vesicles. Such a Cl- uptake activity was prominent in cortical plasma membrane fractions with high activities of Cl(-)-ATPase and Na+, K(+)-ATPase. The membrane vesicles accumulated Cl- in an osmotically reactive manner with the following sequence of nucleotide specificity: ATP greater than ITP greater than UTP greater than GTP greater than CTP., beta, gamma-Methylene ATP, ADP and AMP had no effect. ATP-dependent Cl- uptake was markedly inhibited by a Cl(-)-ATPase inhibitor, ethacrynic acid (0.3 mM), but not affected by an H(+)-ATPase inhibitor, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.1 mM). These findings suggest that an ethacrynic acid-sensitive and ATP-driven

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗