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Biomedical subjects

T Umemoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Umemoto.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Treponema medium sp. nov., isolated from human subgingival dental plaque.

A new Treponema species, for which we propose the name Treponema medium, was isolated from subgingival plaque from an adult with periodontal disease. The morphological characteristics, differential biochemical characteristics, and protein profiles on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels of this organism are described. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of the DNA of T. medium is 51 mol%. The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of the new species to other Treponema species, including Treponema denticola, Treponema vincentii, Treponema socranskii, Treponema pallidum, and Treponema phagedenis, are less than 30%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences distinguished the new Treponema strain from strains belonging to previously described Treponema species. The type strain of T. medium is strain G7201.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Adherence of human oral spirochetes by collagen-binding proteins.

The ability of spirochetes to adhere to collagens was compared among three species of human oral treponemes. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that type I-, IV-, and V-collagen-binding polypeptides (CBPs) were detected in the heated and unheated preparations from both Treponema denticola ATCC 33520 and T. socranskii subsp. buccale ATCC 35534. Few CBPs, however, were detected in the heated and unheated preparations from a recently characterized isolate, T. medium strain G7201. Immunoelectron microscopy using rabbit antisera against the CBPs from the unheated preparations demonstrated that four CBPs, a 27 kDa type V-CBP of T. denticola ATCC 33520, a 95 kDa type IV-CBP and a 110 kDa type I-CBP of T. socranskii subsp. buccale ATCC 35534, and a 95 kDa type IV-CBP of T. medium strain G7201, were located on the outer envelopes of the individual cells. The adherence of T. denticola to the collagen-coated surfaces was significantly greater than that of T. medium, suggesting that the CBPs on the oral spirochetal cells play an important role in their adherence to collagen-rich connective tissues of the host.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Chemical and biological properties of lipopolysaccharide from Selenomonas sputigena ATCC 33150.

Chemical and biological studies were performed on lipopolysaccharide isolated from Selenomonas sputigena ATCC 33150T, a possible causative agent of periodontal diseases. The sugar components of the lipopolysaccharide of S. sputigena were mannose, galactose, glucose, L-glycero-D-mannoheptose (heptose), 2-keto-3-deoxy-octonic acid, glucosamine and galactosamine in a molar ratio of 0.3:1.0:1.0:1.0:0.2:3.0:3.2 (mol/mol heptose). Sephadex G-50 chromatography of the polysaccharide portion of the lipopolysaccharide obtained by partial hydrolysis yielded three fractions: the O-polysaccharide chain attached to the core oligosaccharide, the core oligosaccharide and monosaccharides. Compositional analysis of these fractions revealed that lipopolysaccharide of S. sputigena carries a short O-polysaccharide chain consisting of galactose and glucosamine and that the core oligosaccharide consisted of glucose, heptose, glucosamine and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid. It is of particular interest that galactosamine was detected as a component sugar of the lipid A moiety in addition to glucosamine, which is a usual component sugar of the lipid A of most gram-negative bacteria. Thus, the lipid A of S. sputigena might have a unique backbone that differs from that of the lipid A of other gram-negative bacteria. Lipid A of S. sputigena consisted mainly of fatty acids such as undecanoic, tridecanoic, tridecenoic, 3-hydroxytridecanoic and 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid in a molar ratio of 0.4:1.0:0.3:4.0:0.5 (mol/mol tridecanoic acid). Lipopolysaccharide and lipid A from S. sputigena both exhibited biological activity in activating the clotting enzyme of Limulus amebocytes, the Schwartzman reaction, mitogenicity for murine lymphocytes and in inducing interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 production in murine macrophages to the same extent as those observed for lipopolysaccharide of the Salmonella serovar typhimurium used as a positive control. The results suggested that the lipopolysaccharide of S. sputigena is a virulent factor in human periodontal diseases.

Animals↗

Genetic characterization of an oral treponeme isolated from human subgingival plaque.

We examined the genetic characteristics of a human oral treponeme isolated from subgingival plaque of a patient with periodontal disease that could not be assigned to any of the previously described oral Treponema species. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of its DNA was 51 mole%. The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of the organism to other Treponema species, including Treponema denticola, Treponema vincentii, Treponema socranskii, Treponema pallidum and Treponema phagedenis, were less than 30%. This study clearly demonstrated that the isolated treponeme could be completely distinct from the established oral Treponema species genetically. Also, the study indicated remarkable genetic heterogeneity among human oral Treponema species.

Cytosine↗

Osteopontin antisense deoxyoligonucleotides inhibit bone resorption by mouse osteoclasts in vitro.

Osteopontin (OPN) is an acidic phosphoprotein synthesized by osteoblasts and osteoclastic cells that are localized in the mineralized phase of bone matrix. OPN is thought to bind to the vitronection receptor on the osteoclast membrane and regulates bone resorption by the osteoclast. In this study, we investigated whether or not OPN can relate to osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in a co-culture system. When C57Black/6N mouse bone marrow cells suspended on ivory slices coated with collagen were inoculated onto a MC3T3-G2/PA6 cell layer, colonies containing TRAP(+) mononuclear and multinuclear cells were formed in the presence of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and dexamethasone. At the end of culture period the number of TRAP(+) osteoclast-like cells were counted and the resorption pits were evaluated by reflected light microscopy. The mRNA of OPN was detected by in situ hybridization. Osteoclast-like cells expressed OPN mRNA. The addition of an OPN antisense oligomer (5' AAT CAC TGC CAA TCT CAT 3') at the start of the co-culture period decreased the number of TRAP(+) cells present after 7 d (30.3 +/- 3.4 vs 56.9 +/- 12.4), and the ratio of mononuclear and multinucleated cells was changed (77.6:23.2 vs 60.8:39.3). The total area of pits per ivory slice was also decreased by adding the OPN antisense oligomer (246813 vs 303139 microns2). These results showed that OPN can be an important mechanism for regulating differentiation and bone resorption.

3T3 Cells↗

Engraftment of human tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the production of anti-tumor antibodies in SCID mice.

We report here the placement of nondisrupted 1-mm3 pieces of fresh human lung tumor biopsy tissue into the subcutis of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice results in the engraftment of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TIL) in all but 5 of 148 mice inoculated with 39 different biopsy tissue specimens. In mice coengrafted with tumor and TIL the normal histologic architecture of the tumor and TIL interface was maintained for up to 22 wk. The TIL in the xenograft were shown to divide and were maintained exclusively at the site of tumor inoculation. It is established here that plasma cells in the TIL population produce Abs that react in western blots with tumor cell lysates. These Abs were shown to react with high and low m.w. proteins derived from both the membrane and cytosolic fractions of tumor cell lysates. The production of human Ig was found to be T cell dependent, and immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization of DNA, using a human-specific cDNA probe, established the human identity of the tumor and TIL. High levels of human Ig in the sera of mice inoculated with tumor biopsy tissue are associated with the growth arrest of adenocarcinoma xenografts. Our results establish the co-engraftment of human tumors and TIL into SCID mice as new animal model with which to evaluate TIL function and novel therapeutic strategies that are designed to augment TIL anti-tumor activity.

Animals↗

Starch debranching enzyme (R-enzyme or pullulanase) from developing rice endosperm: purification, cDNA and chromosomal localization of the gene.

Starch debranching enzyme (R-enzyme or pullulanase) was purified to homogeneity from developing endosperm of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Fujihikari) using a variety of high-performance liquid chromatography columns, and characterized. A cDNA clone encoding the full length of the rice endosperm debranching enzyme was isolated and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 2958 bp. The mature debranching enzyme of rice appears to be composed of 912 amino acids with a predicted relative molecular mass (Mr) of 102,069 Da, similar in size to its Mr of about 100,000 Da estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The amino acid sequence of rice debranching enzyme is substantially similar to that of bacterial pullulanase, while it bears little similarity to that of bacterial isoamylase or to glycogen debranching enzymes from human muscle and rabbit muscle. Southern blot analyses strongly suggest that the debranching enzyme gene is present as a single copy in the rice genome. Analysis by restriction fragment length polymorphism with a probe including the 3'-untranslated region of cDNA for rice debranching enzyme confirmed that the debranching enzyme gene is located on chromosome 4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Histological findings of human leprosy periapical granulomas.

Histological analysis of human leprosy periapical granulomas was conducted to study the histological responses to Mycobacterium leprae. Many Langhans-type giant cells and epithelioid cell tubercles were observed, although M. leprae were not detected in leprosy periapical granulomas. Although numerous T- and B-cells were infiltrated in leprosy periapical granuloma, the T-/B-cell ratio of leprosy is not changed to that of periapical granulomas isolated from normal patients. These findings suggested that human leprosy periapical granulomas develop as a result of immunological responses to M. leprae.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Immunological studies on venereal spirochetosis of rabbits (rabbit syphilis).

White rabbits in a family, which were clinically diagnosed as moderately or severely diseased with spirochetosis, were bacteriologically and immunologically examined. The specimens from the diseased rabbits, including affected prepuces, scrotum, or skins with an occasional presence of the spirochetes, did not, however, result in growth in six conventional culture media. Serological tests, including quantitative complement fixation test, rapid plasma reagin card test, Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test, and microscopic agglutination test for leptospires using sera from diseased rabbits showed no differences when compared with those of pooled normal rabbit sera. Immunoblot analysis of the polypeptides from three human oral treponemes and three non-oral spirochetes demonstrated that antibodies against several treponemal polypeptides were detected.

Animals↗

Growth inhibition of a human oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis by rat cysteine proteinase inhibitor cystatin S.

Agar diffusion analysis demonstrated that rat cystatin S, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, inhibited the growth of all tested strains of a human oral, Gram-negative anaerobic periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. Its specific inhibitory activity against this tissue-invasive bacterium but not against other tested oral bacterial species emphasized the importance of specific cysteine proteinases for growth of P. gingivalis.

Animals↗

Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbrillin is one of the fibronectin-binding proteins.

In this study, we demonstrate that Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbrillin, a major component of bacterial fimbriae, is one of the fibronectin-binding proteins and that fibronectin is a potent inhibitor of the adherence of the bacteria to host cells and of the pathogenesis of the bacterium that acts by binding to the fimbriae. A Western blotting (immunoblotting) assay showed that fibronectin binds strongly to P. gingivalis fimbrillin. The fimbrial binding to fibronectin was also evidenced by a binding assay involving 125I-labeled fimbriae. Furthermore, fibronectin markedly inhibited the fimbria-induced expression of interleukin-1beta and neutrophil-specific chemoattractant KC genes in macrophages. The inhibitory action depended on the fimbrial interaction with heparin-binding and cell attachment domains in the fibronectin structure. The binding of P.gingivalis to mouse peritoneal macrophages via its fimbriae was inhibited by fibronectin. Fibronectin also inhibited the bacterial cell-induced expression of interleukin-1beta and KC genes in the macrophages. These results demonstrate the importance of fibronectin as a modulator of the pathogenic mechanism of P. gingivalis, a pathogen that causes adult periodontal disease.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Atomic force microscopy in histology and cytology.

This review briefly introduces the principles of the atomic force microscope (AFM) and shows our own results of AFM application to biological samples. The AFM, invented in 1986, is an instrument that traces the surface topography of the sample with a sharp probe while monitoring the interaction forces working between the probe and sample surface. Thus, the AFM provides three-dimensional surface images of the sample with high resolution. The advantage of the AFM for biologists is that AFM can visualize non-conductive materials in a non-vacuous (i.e., air or liquid) environment. AFM images of the plasmid DNA are comparable to those by transmission electron microscopy using a rotary shadowing technique, and have the advantage of examining directly the molecule without staining nor coating. The surface structure of human metaphase chromosomes and mouse collagen fibrils demonstrated in air by the non-contact mode AFM is comparable to that obtained by scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative information on the heights of structures is further obtainable from the AFM images. Embedment-free thin tissue-sections are useful for observing intracellular structures by AFM. The present review also shows AFM images of living cultured cells which have been collected in a contact mode in liquid. This technique afforded us three-dimensional observation of the cellular movement with high resolution. Although there are some innate limitations for AFM imaging, the AFM has great potential for providing valuable new information in histology and cytology.

Animals↗

[Locoregional therapy for liver metastases of colorectal cancer].

The role of biological response modifiers (BRM) in locoregional therapy for liver metastases of colorectal cancer was studied clinically and experimentally. Seven patients with numerous metastases to both lobes of liver were given intraarterial administration of BRM in combination with anticancer drugs. A partial response was observed in 1 patient. The response rate was 14.3%. Alternatively, intraarterial administration of both OK-432 and IL-2 into the rabbit with liver metastases of VX-2 tumors could bring about the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes around the tumors, followed by a significant decrease of the metastatic nodules. In addition, the same anti-tumor effect was observed when PSK was administered intraperitoneally into the BALB/c mouse with liver metastases of colon 26 tumors. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of water in oil type emulsion encapsulating both OK-432 and IL-2 was greater than that of the solution of BRM in BALB/c mouse with liver metastases of colon 26 tumors. These results indicated that BRM could be one of the promising agents in locoregional therapy against liver metastases of colorectal cancer.

Adult↗

[A case report of multiple pseudoaneurysms of the left ventricle following acute myocardial infarction].

Multiple pseudoaneurysms of the left ventricle following acute myocardial infarction were successfully repaired in a 50-year-old man. Three days after onset of acute myocardial infarction, we electively performed PTCA on the right coronary artery which was completely occluded at the proximal segment. One month after PTCA, the left ventriculogram revealed multiple pseudoaneurysms of the left ventricle. Primary closure of orifices of the pseudoaneurysms was performed using pledgeted mattress sutures under cardiopulmonary bypass. Histology of aneurysm confirmed the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm.

Aneurysm, False↗

Immunological characterization and localization of a Porphyromonas gingivalis BApNA-hydrolyzing protease possessing hemagglutinating activity.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb-PC) was produced against a BA pNA-hydrolyzing protease possessing hemagglutinating activity (Pase-C) from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Other P. gingivalis BA pNA-hydrolyzing enzymes (Pase-B and Pase-S) did not react with this antibody. By ELISA or SDS-PAGE and Western immunoblotting analysis, mAb-PC recognized all P. gingivalis and P. endodontalis strains tested but did not recognize other members of the Porphyromonas genus nor other putative periodontopathogenic organisms. Pase-C, extracellular vesicles (ECV) and human strains of P. gingivalis showed two major immunoreactive bands (44 kDa and 40 kDa), whereas a different pattern was obtained with animal strains of P. gingivalis. Biotinylarginyl chloromethane, an irreversible inhibitor of trypsin-like proteases, did not affect the reactivity of Pase-C with mAb-PC on immunoblot. By reversed-phase electronmicroscopy following immunogold labeling, the antibody was shown to bind to the cell surface of P. gingivalis. mAb-PC inhibited the hemagglutinating activity of both P. gingivalis cells and ECV whereas a monoclonal antibody against LPS of P. gingivalis did not. These results suggest that Pase-C is located on the cell surface of P. gingivalis and may participate in erythrocyte binding.

Animals↗

Development of near-field optic/atomic force microscope for biological materials in aqueous solutions.

This paper reports improvements of optical fiber cantilevers and the scanning near-field optical microscopy imaging of biological materials in liquid. In our scanning near-field optical/atomic-force microscope (SNOAM), the scanning of an optical fiber cantilever over the specimen was controlled by dynamic mode AFM to reduce damage to the probe and soft specimens. The typical resonant frequency of the optical fiber cantilever was 19.5 kHz, while it was 23.0 kHz in air. The Q-factor of the cantilever depended on the vibration amplitude and was typically 260-600 in air and 40-240 in water. The relationship between the vibration amplitude and the average sample-probe separation indicated that the cantilever worked in the non-contact mode in water, while it worked in the cyclic-contact mode in air. Cultured cells in aqueous solutions were visualized by the SNOAM, indicating that the SNOAM is suitable to observe soft specimens.

Animals↗

Bactericidal effect of rat cystatin S on an oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis.

We tested antibacterial and antiviral activities of rat cystatin S, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, belonging to the family 2 cystatins against 18 different bacterial species and poliovirus type 1 (Sabin). Rat cystatin S specifically inhibited the growth of a human oral anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis due to a bactericidal effect.

Amino Acid Sequence↗