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Biomedical subjects

T Taniguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Taniguchi.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

Identification of multiple cis-elements and trans-acting factors involved in the induced expression of human IL-2 gene.

Regulated expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene constitutes an essential part in the clonal proliferation of activated T lymphocytes (T-cells). In order to gain insight on the mechanism(s) of the IL-2 gene induction, deletions were introduced in the human IL-2 gene 5'-flanking region and the mitogen inducibility of each deletion mutant was examined in cultured T cell lines. At least four functional regions were identified, they contain potential binding sites for several transcription factors including one NF-kappa B and two octamer binding factor sites. Whereas each of the functional regions (or elements) is required for the maximal induction of the IL-2 gene by mitogen, one such region was found to be dispensable for activation by the HTLV-1-encoded trans-activator, tax-1. Furthermore, the potent immunosuppressive agent, cyclosporin A was found to inhibit the gene induction by mitogen, but not by tax-1.

Cell Line↗

Inhibitory effect of ethanol on endothelium-dependent vascular responsiveness.

The effect of ethanol was studied on the endothelium-dependent vascular responses in isolated rat aortic strips. Ethanol depressed the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine and ATP but not that induced by the calcium ionophore, A23187. Endothelium-independent relaxation in response to sodium nitroprusside, a soluble guanylate cyclase activator, was not depressed by ethanol. On the other hand, ethanol significantly enhanced the contractile response to clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, in endothelium-intact strips and depressed it in endothelium-denuded strips. These results suggest that ethanol can inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation by acting on endothelial cells but not on smooth muscle cells, and can also suppress an inhibitory effect of the endothelium on alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction.

Acetylcholine↗

Structurally similar but functionally distinct factors, IRF-1 and IRF-2, bind to the same regulatory elements of IFN and IFN-inducible genes.

Viral infections commonly induce expression of type I interferon (IFN) genes. The induction is transient and involves transcriptional activation wherein a positive factor, IRF-1, binds to upstream regulatory cis elements. In the present study we report the isolation of a cDNA encoding a novel factor, termed IRF-2, that interacts with the same nucleotide sequence elements as IRF-1. Both genes are inducible not only by virus but also by IFN. Unlike IRF-1, IRF-2 does not function as an activator; rather, it suppresses the function of IRF-1 under certain circumstances. Our results suggest that transcription of the IFN and IFN-inducible genes is regulated by two similar trans-acting factors that apparently compete for the same cis-acting recognition sequences, but which have opposite effects.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The structures of the asparagine-linked sugar chains of human apolipoprotein B-100.

The asparagine-linked sugar chains of human apolipoprotein B-100 were liberated from the polypeptide portion by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation and NaB3H4 reduction. Their structures were elucidated by sequential exoglycosidase digestion in combination with methylation analysis after fractionation by paper electrophoresis and gel permeation chromatography. One neutral and two acidic fractions were obtained by paper electrophoresis in a molar ratio of 7:8:5. The neutral fraction contained high-mannose type oligosaccharides consisting of Man5GlcNAc2 to Man9GlcNAc2. The acidic fractions contained monosialylated and disialylated biantennary complex type oligosaccharides. As minor components in the monosialylated fraction, biantennary complex-type oligosaccharides which were absent one terminal galactose residue, monoantennary complex type, and hybrid type oligosaccharides were detected. Apolipoprotein B-100 was calculated to contain 5-6 mol of high-mannose type and 8-10 mol of complex type oligosaccharides per mole protein.

Apolipoprotein B-100↗

Involvement of a cis-element that binds an H2TF-1/NF kappa B like factor(s) in the virus-induced interferon-beta gene expression.

Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) gene is transcriptionally activated following virus infection of various cell types such as fibroblasts. In the previous studies, regulatory DNA sequences that mediate the virus-induced transcriptional activation have been identified within the 5'-flanking region (up to around -117 respect to the CAP site) of the human IFN-beta gene. The sequences contain binding sites (-100 to -61) for a transcriptional activator, IRF-1, the gene of which is also virus-inducible. In the present study, we focused on an additional cis-element, located between the IRF-1 binding sites and TATA box. Interestingly, the element coincides with the previously identified elements for the transcription factors H2TF-1 and NF kappa B. The element, when tandemly repeated, functions in activating the distal gene expression in either constitutive or virus-inducible manner depending on the cell type. The results suggest the importance of cooperation between IRF-1 and H2TF-1/NF kappa B-like factor in the maximal IFN-beta gene induction.

Animals↗

Interleukin-2 receptor beta chain gene: generation of three receptor forms by cloned human alpha and beta chain cDNA's.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) binds to two distinct receptor molecules, the IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2R alpha, p55) chain and the newly identified IL-2 receptor beta (IL-2R beta, p70-75) chain. The cDNA encoding the human IL-2R beta chain has now been isolated. The overall primary structure of the IL-2R beta chain shows no apparent homology to other known receptors. Unlike the IL-2R alpha chain, the IL-2R beta chain has a large cytoplasmic region in which a functional domain (or domains) mediating an intracellular signal transduction pathway (or pathways) may be embodied. The cDNA-encoded beta chain binds and internalizes IL-2 when expressed on T lymphoid cells but not fibroblast cells. Furthermore, the cDNA gives rise to the generation of high-affinity IL-2 receptor when co-expressed with the IL-2R alpha chain cDNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphatidylinositol turnover in human monocyte-derived macrophages by native and acetyl LDL.

Monocyte-derived macrophages play a key role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism of activating macrophages in atheromatous lesions has not been fully investigated. This report describes the contribution of phosphatidylinositol turnover to the uptake of low density lipoproteins (LDL) by macrophages. Both native and acetyl LDL stimulated inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) formation in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0-70 micrograms/ml. The potency of IP3 formation by acetyl LDL (0.44 nmol/mg protein) was 2-fold higher than that by native LDL (0.21 nmol/mg protein). Time course studies showed that a maximal effect of IP3 formation by acetyl LDL at concentrations of 30 micrograms/ml was observed at 3 min. Longer incubation diminished IP3 formation. Oxidized LDL also stimulated IP3 formation with a similar efficiency to acetyl LDL. It was indicated that chemically modified LDL which were taken up through the scavenger receptor pathway activated the macrophages by mediating the phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and IP3 formation.

Cells, Cultured↗

Effect of in vivo exposure to hypoxia on muscarinic cholinergic receptor-coupled phosphoinositide turnover in the rat brain.

We examined the effects of a transient exposure of rats to severe (5% O2, 95% N2 for 30 min) or mild (10% O2, 90% N2 for 30 min) hypoxia and a chronic exposure to mild hypoxia (10% O2, 90% N2 up to 48 h) on carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide (PI) turnover and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding in 4 regions of the brain (cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum). When the rats were exposed to hypoxia transiently, significant changes were caused only by severe hypoxia. In all 4 regions examined, basal incorporation of [3H]inositol into inositol phosphates (IPs) in the absence of carbachol was significantly increased following transient severe hypoxia and remained high for 48 h. Carbachol stimulation of PI turnover (% of basal) was significantly enhanced only in the hippocampus. The increase in carbachol stimulation in the hippocampus was observed only after a 6-h exposure to room air following the severe hypoxia and lasted for at least 48 h. In Ca2+-free incubation medium, the increase in basal incorporation of [3H]inositol into IPs elicited by severe hypoxia was not observed but carbachol still had an enhanced stimulatory effect. Binding studies showed that maximum binding capacity (Bmax values) of [3H]QNB binding was significantly increased only in the hippocampus and only after a 6-h exposure to room air following the severe hypoxic exposure and remained increased for 48 h. Kd values showed no significant change. While a transient exposure of rats to mild hypoxia caused no significant change either in carbachol-stimulated PI turnover or in [3H]QNB binding parameters, a chronic exposure to mild hypoxia for more than 6 h caused a significant increase in [3H]QNB binding capacity localized in the hippocampus, which was accompanied by an enhanced stimulatory effect of carbachol on PI turnover. These changes observed with mild hypoxia, however, were transient and tended to return to control levels following a 48-h exposure. These results suggest an up-regulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptor-coupled PI turnover in the rat brain caused either by transient severe hypoxia or by chronic mild hypoxia.

Animals↗

Induction of endogenous IFN-alpha and IFN-beta genes by a regulatory transcription factor, IRF-1.

Interferons (IFNs) have an important role in cell growth and differentiation. The most well-known function of IFNs is their antiviral activity; viral infections result in induction of the transcription of the IFN-alpha and IFN-beta genes. Recently we isolated the gene encoding a transcription factor, IRF-1, that may play a part in the induction of IFN genes. Interestingly, the IRF-1 gene itself is virus-inducible, suggesting the importance of de novo production of IRF-1 in IFN gene induction. Here we show that high-level expression of the cloned mouse IRF-1 gene in monkey COS cells results in the induction of endogenous IFN-alpha and IFN-beta genes without viral stimulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate the induction of these genes by an IRF-1/yeast GAL4 chimaeric transcription factor. This may be the first demonstration of the specific induction of silent chromosomal genes by transfection of a single transcription factor gene in mammalian cells.

Animals↗

Human interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor beta chain allows transduction of IL 2-induced proliferation signal(s) in a murine cell line.

Interleukin 2 (IL 2) delivers cell growth signal by virtue of its interaction with the high-affinity receptor complex, which consists of two distinct IL 2-binding molecules: the IL 2 receptor alpha (IL 2R alpha) and beta (IL 2R beta) chains. Unlike many known growth factor receptors, neither of the IL 2R chains seems to contain a tyrosine kinase domain. In this report, we have shown that the human IL 2R beta chain expressed in a murine IL 3-dependent, non-lymphoid cell line can transduce IL 2-induced cell proliferation signal(s) in combination with the autologous mouse IL 2R alpha chain. This observation should provide a tool to dissect IL 2-induced signal transduction pathway in lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells.

Animals↗

Transient induction of IL-2 receptor in cultured T cell lines by HTLV-1 LTR-linked tax-1 gene.

Human lymphotropic virus, HTLV-1, encodes in its proviral genome a transcriptional activator protein, tax-1, that may be responsible for the development of virus-induced adult T cell leukemia (ATL), possibly through the aberrant activation of the genes for interleukin-2 (IL-2) and one of its receptor (IL-2R) components, the IL-2 receptor alpha-chain (IL-2R alpha). In the present study, an expression plasmid containing tax-1 cDNA under the control of HTLV-1 LTR was introduced into mouse and human CD4-positive T cell lines. Analysis of the established cell clones revealed a number of interesting features: (i) a limited fraction of the total cell population (less than 25% in each clone) was positive for IL-2R alpha; (ii) the IL-2R alpha expression was not permanent, as the IL-2R alpha positive and negative cells could convert either way. The experimental data suggest that the observed heterogeneity in IL-2R alpha expression in the transformants is due to a cell-cycle-regulated expression and function of tax-1. Furthermore, a proportion of the induced IL-2R in EL-4 was in high-affinity form, suggesting the association of the IL-2R alpha and the IL-2R beta chain (p70-75) components.

Animals↗

Long-term results of 5-fluorouracil trabeculectomy for primary open-angle glaucoma.

The effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) subconjunctival injection on the bleb formation and intraocular pressure (IOP) following trabeculectomy was studied in 27 primary open-angle glaucoma patients (33 eyes) who had never been operated upon (25 eyes) or had undergone single trabeculectomy that failed to reduce IOP (8 eyes). The results were analyzed by means of life table analysis and compared with those of 65 primary open-angle glaucoma eyes that had undergone trabeculectomy without postoperative administration of 5-FU as the first or the second filtering surgery. The surgical techniques and postoperative care were virtually identical between the eyes treated with 5-FU and the eyes that had undergone trabeculectomy without 5-FU. At the end of 28-month follow-up, the success probability was 74.8% without any postoperative antiglaucoma medication, and 100% with antiglaucoma medication. Whereas, the success probability with postoperative antiglaucoma medication was as low as 60.8% for the first, and 51.5% for the second trabeculectomy without 5-FU at the 24-month follow-up. Postoperative, subconjunctival injection of 5-FU appears to improve the prognosis following trabeculectomy in primary open-angle glaucoma patients.

Adult↗

The prevention of an acute rise in intraocular pressure following Q-switched Nd:YAG laser iridotomy with clonidine.

We evaluated the ability of topical clonidine to suppress an acute rise in postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) following Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. A total of 36 eyes (29 patients) with chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma underwent Q-switched Nd:YAG laser iridotomy: 18 eyes were treated topically with 0.5% clonidine ophthalmic solution prior to and immediately following the procedure, and a control group of 18 eyes underwent Nd:YAG laser iridotomy without topical clonidine. The control group was selected to match the clonidine-treated group in terms of preoperative IOP, the extent of peripheral anterior synechia, and the total amount of laser energy delivered. None of the clonidine-treated eyes experienced an IOP rise greater than 4 mm Hg over baseline, whereas 4 of the nontreated eyes (22.2%) developed an IOP rise greater than 10 mm Hg. The mean IOPs were significantly lower during the first 4 h postsurgery in the clonidine-treated eyes.

Administration, Topical↗

Alpha-adrenoceptors in human and animal cerebral arteries: alterations after sympathetic denervation and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Vasospasm of cerebral arteries in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage frequently presents severe clinical problems resulting from cerebral ischemia, but the pathogenesis of vasospasm is still poorly understood. The contractile response of human cerebral arteries to noradrenaline is larger than the responses in other species. Neurogenic factors controlling brain circulation may play an important role in pathological conditions such as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Motohatsu Fujiwara and colleagues review species variations of alpha-adrenoceptors in cerebral arteries and their alterations after surgical sympathectomy. They compare these changes to those occurring in human cerebral arteries following subarachnoid hemorrhage and discuss their relationship to vasospasm.

Animals↗

Induction of the transcription factor IRF-1 and interferon-beta mRNAs by cytokines and activators of second-messenger pathways.

Nuclear protein IRF-1 (interferon regulatory factor 1) was earlier shown to bind to cis-acting regulatory elements present on interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta genes and some IFN-inducible genes. Here we show that in both human FS-4 and murine L929 cells, steady-state levels of IRF-1 mRNA were increased by treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1), poly(I).poly(C), or IFN-beta. IRF-1 mRNA induction was also demonstrated in cells treated with calcium ionophore A23187 or with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, but not with epidermal growth factor, dibutyryl-cAMP, or the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. To determine whether stimulation of IRF-1 mRNA levels correlates with IFN-beta induction, we compared IRF-1 and IFN-beta mRNA levels in cells exposed to various stimuli. In L929 cells, treatment with poly(I).poly(C) under conditions that failed to induce significant levels of IFN-beta mRNA led to a very low induction of IRF-1 mRNA, but "priming" cells with IFN prior to the addition of poly(I).poly(C) greatly increased both IRF-1 and IFN-beta mRNAs. In FS-4 cells an increase in IFN-beta mRNA (examined by the polymerase chain reaction) was seen after treatment with TNF, IL-1, A23187, or poly(I).poly(C), but not with IFN-beta, epidermal growth factor, dibutyryl-cAMP, or forskolin. Thus, all treatments that increased steady-state levels of IFN-beta mRNA also enhanced IRF-1 mRNA levels. However, treatment with IFN-beta, which caused a marked stimulation in IRF-1 mRNA, failed to produce a detectable increase in IFN-beta mRNA. It appears that IRF-1 may be necessary but not sufficient for IFN-beta induction. The ability of TNF and IL-1 to increase both IRF-1 and IFN-beta mRNAs may be responsible for some similarities in the actions of TNF, IL-1, and the IFNs.

Animals↗