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Biomedical subjects

T Yamane

Publications and source records attributed to T Yamane.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

An effective method for recovering CD34 positive progenitor cells from peripheral blood stem cell apheresis products cryopreserved with simplified method.

The use of small volume collection chamber (SVCC) during peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) apheresis, combined with simplified cryopreservation without rate-controlled freezing, have successfully been applied to clinical PBSC transplantation following myeloablative chemotherapies. However, the method to effectively select CD34+ progenitor cells from frozen apheresis products obtained with these simplified methods has not been reported. For this goal, after washing the thawed apheresis products with medium containing Dnase I, two different approaches to purify CD34+ progenitor cells from washed WBCs were compared. In method I, CD34+ cells were purified on the same day using immunomagnetic method. In method II, the cells after wash were cultured for overnight in RPMI-1640/10% FCS containing SCF and IL-3, followed by enrichment of CD34+ cells as in method I on the next day. In both methods, CD34+ cells were recovered with high viability. However, subsequent liquid culture revealed that the cells obtained from method II have clearly higher growth potential compared with the cells from method I. In addition, these CD34+ cells from method II well-tolerated to further refreeze and thaw. Thus, allowing to "rest" overnight after thaw may be critical for processing of the simply cryopreserved apheresis products as in method II.

Adult↗

Incidence of abnormalities in laboratory tests found in surveillance of adults over 40 years of age.

National health check-up systems have been used for 5 years in Japan for adults who are over 40 years of age. As part of a national project, Osaka prefecture is also conducting a program for health check-up testing and cancer screening for this age group. This surveillance revealed that incidence of obesity, hypertension, cholesterolemia, albuminuria, or abnormal ECG was high. Analysis of surveillance results should contribute to understanding the present status and recent trends in diseases in the aged. With continuation of this surveillance for a number of years, trends in life-style related diseases in Japan should be detectable.

Adult↗

Multiple intensified performance of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in organic medium.

A lipase-catalyzed glycerolysis reaction (a transesterification between polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl ester [PUFA] and glycerol) was investigated. Its performance was multiply intensified by (1) using a lipase having high specific activity, high activity in organic solvent, and high tolerance in organic solvent; (2) immobilization on fine CaCO3 powder (cheap and safe material, easy physical adsorption method of immobilization, reusable); (3) reaction in vacuo resulting in 100% conversion and effective avoidance of oxidative deterioration of PUFA; (4) high volumetric productivity because of no use of solvent; and (5) no need of further separation and purification of the oil product. It is emphasized that performance of biocatalytic reactions in organic media should be enhanced manifold for industrial implementation.

Chromobacterium↗

Laminar shear stress-induced GRO mRNA and protein expression in endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: The shear stress induced by blood flow may play a pivotal role in the induction or prevention of atherosclerosis by changing endothelial functions. To disclose the mechanisms of this change, we prepared an endothelial cell (EC) cDNA library to select specific clones expressed in response to shear stress. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mRNA of cultured confluent bovine aortic ECs (BAECs) subjected to steady laminar shear stress (30 dyne/cm2) for 4 hours was separated, and a cDNA library was prepared. Nine clones whose expressions were specifically enhanced by the shear stress were selected by use of a differential hybridization method. One clone had 94% homology at the nucleotide sequence level to Oryctolagus cuniculus gro (GRO) mRNA and 79% homology at the amino acid sequence level to human GRO-beta. The GRO mRNA expression was increased in both BAECs and human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) after the ECs were subjected to high (30 dyne/cm2) and low (5 dyne/cm2) laminar shear stress. GRO-alpha and/or -beta protein expression also increased after the HUVECs and BAECs were subjected to shear stress. Because GRO protein has been shown to function as an adhesion factor of monocytes on the surface of ECs, we studied whether shear stress-induced monocyte adhesion was caused by GRO protein expression on ECs. The 4-hour shear stress enhanced monocyte adhesion to ECs by 2.5-fold over control levels, and this enhancement was inhibited by 53% by anti-GRO-alpha antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first report that shear stress induced the expression of GRO mRNA and protein in ECs and enhanced the monocyte adhesion on ECs via GRO protein. Further investigations of the functions and participation in atherogenesis of this selected clone may clarify the significance of shear stress on atherogenesis.

Animals↗

Regulation of Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein-mediated cell adhesion by kininogens and their derivatives.

MC3T3-E1 (mouse osteoblast-like) cells adhered to a tissue culture plate coated with human Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein (Znalpha2gp). The adhesion of MC3T3-E1 cells to Znalpha2gp was inhibited by synthetic peptides such as RGDS and ELRGDV, and by antibody against vitronectin receptor. These findings suggested that the RGD region of Znalpha2gp interacts with the vitronectin receptor (alphavbeta3) on the MC3T3-E1 cell surface. Furthermore, we found that the common heavy chain of both HMW- and LMW-kininogens accelerated the Znalpha2gp-mediated MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion. Among the three domains of the common heavy chain of both kininogens, domain 3 promoted the cell adhesion by up to 200%. Among the nine synthetic peptides covering domain 3, the peptide, N334AEVYVVPWEKKIYPTVN351 accelerated in a dose-dependent manner the Znalpha2gp- and vitronectin (VN)-mediated MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion. These findings suggested that a defined region of domain 3 is responsible for the acceleration of cell adhesion.

3T3 Cells↗

Gene dosage effects on polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis from n-alcohols in Paracoccus denitrificans.

Putative promoters of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-synthetic genes of Paracoccus denitrificans were identified. Gene dosage effects for PHA synthesis were investigated in recombinants of P. denitrificans with increased expression levels of each PHA synthetic enzyme. In the cultivation of shake flasks using ethanol or n-pentanol as carbon source, a self-cloning recombinant of the phaC-encoding PHA synthase showed the highest contents [(g PHA). (g total biomass)-1] and the highest rates of PHA accumulation [(g PHA). (g residual biomass)-1. h-1] among these recombinants. The PHA content and PHA accumulation rate (g PHA/g residual biomass. h-1) of the self-cloning recombinant was 2 and 2.7 times higher, respectively, than that of the wild strain. This result strongly suggests that the step of PHA synthase is limited in in vivo PHA synthesis from n-pentanol via 3-ketovaleryl-CoA through beta-oxidation, and from ethanol via acetyl-CoA. Studies on fed-batch cultures keeping the alcohol concentration constant (0.02%) in a 5-L bioreactor showed that the ability of PHA biosynthesis was improved by the gene dosage of PHA synthase, although the growth rate of cells during the growth-associated PHA synthesis phase was retarded. The molecular weight of the polymer isolated from the strain, dosed by the PHA synthase gene, was lower than that of the polymer from the wild strain, indicating that the amount of PHA synthase in vivo affects the molecular weight of the polymer.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

In vitro method for the generation of protein libraries using PCR amplification of a single DNA molecule and coupled transcription/translation.

A novel in vitro method for the generation of a protein library has been developed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a single DNA molecule followed by in vitro coupled transcription/translation. DNA template encoding green fluorescent protein of a jellyfish Aequorea victoria was extensively diluted to one molecule per well, and then amplified by a total of 80 cycles of PCR with nested primers. The exact number of origins in the amplified DNA fragment was then estimated by directly sequencing a part of the fragment, at which an individual template molecule was marked by PCR with a primer containing three randomized bases. Since the sequences obtained in 91 independent amplifications were diversified statistically, each amplified fragment was likely originated from a single DNA molecule. In addition, the amplified fragments served as a template for in vitro coupled transcription/translation using T7 RNA polymerase and Escherichia coli S30 extract. These results suggest that the library obtained by the PCR amplification of a single DNA molecule diluted from a variety of DNA pools is potentially useful in high-throughput generation of protein libraries.

Animals↗

Design, construction, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray studies of a fine-tuning mutant (F133V) of module-substituted chimera hemoglobin.

A chimera betaalpha-subunit of human hemoglobin was crystallized into a carbonmonoxy form. The protein was assembled by substituting the structural portion of a beta-subunit of hemoglobin (M4 module of the subunit) for its counterpart in the alpha-subunit. In order to overcome the inherent instability in the crystallization of the chimera subunit, a site-directed mutagenesis (F133V) technique was employed based on a computer model. The crystal was used for an X-ray diffraction study yielding a data set with a resolution of 2.5 A. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic space group P21, with cell dimensions of a = 62.9, b = 81.3, c = 55.1 A, and beta = 91.0 degrees . These dimensions are similar to the crystallographic parameters of the native beta-subunit tetramers in three different ligand states, one of which is a cyanide form that was also crystallized in this study.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Citrus auraptene exerts dose-dependent chemopreventive activity in rat large bowel tumorigenesis: the inhibition correlates with suppression of cell proliferation and lipid peroxidation and with induction of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes.

In our previous short-term experiment, Citrus auraptene inhibited the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci, which are precursor lesions for colorectal carcinoma. In the present study, the possible inhibitory effect of dietary administration of auraptene was investigated using an animal colon carcinogenesis model with a colon carcinogen AOM. Male F344 rats were given s.c. injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) once a week for 3 weeks to induce colon neoplasms. They also received diets containing 100 or 500 ppm auraptene for 4 weeks in groups of "initiation" feeding, starting 1 week before the first dosing of AOM. The diets containing auraptene were also given to rats for 38 weeks in groups of "postinitiation" feeding. At the termination of the study (38 weeks), dietary administration of auraptene caused dose-dependent inhibition in AOM-induced large bowel carcinogenesis. Auraptene feeding during the initiation phase reduced the incidence of colon adenocarcinoma by 49% at 100 ppm (P = 0.099) and 65% at 500 ppm (P = 0.0075). Auraptene administration during the postinitiation phase inhibited the incidence of colon adenocarcinoma by 58% at 100 ppm (P = 0.021) and 65% at 500 ppm (P = 0.0075). Also, the multiplicity of colon carcinoma was significantly reduced by initiation feeding at a dose level of 500 ppm (P < 0.01) and postinitiation feeding at a level of 100 and 500 ppm (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Feeding of auraptene suppressed the expression of cell proliferation biomarkers (ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine content) in the colonic mucosa and reduced the production of aldehydic lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal]. In addition, auraptene increased the activities of Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes (glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase) in the liver and colon. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of auraptene on AOM-induced colon tumorigenesis at the initiation level might be associated, in part, with increased activity of Phase II enzymes, and those at the postinitiation stage might be related to suppression of cell proliferation and lipid peroxidation in the colonic mucosa.

Aldehydes↗

Phosphatase-immunodepleted cell-free protein synthesis system.

A cell-free protein synthesis system using wheat-germ extract was improved by a novel approach involving selective removal of endogenous phosphatase, which reduces both the duration and the rate of translation by hydrolyzing ATP and GTP, from the translational reaction. Immunodepletion of the phosphatases by the antibodies raised against the major one of the wheat-germ phosphatase isozymes removed 20-40% of ATP-hydrolysis activity from the wheat-germ extract, and thereby prolonged the reaction period of translation. Moreover, the condensation of the phosphate-immunodepleted extract by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and the addition of copper ions, which was known to inhibit phosphatase and nuclease activity, increased the protein synthesis more than two-fold compared with the reaction using control IgG-treated condensed extract.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Two distinct phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase Cs from Streptomyces antibioticus.

Two phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) genes from Streptomyces antibioticus were cloned by a shotgun method using Streptomyces lividans TK24 as a host. The genes of the two PI-PLCs (named as PLC1 and PLC2) were adjoined and opposite in the direction of transcription/translation. Both of them were confirmed to be expressed in S. antibioticus. The two enzymes were different in the following properties. (i) PLC2 had considerable sequence similarity to other bacterial PI-PLCs, while PLC1 had a short stretch that was similar to PI-PLCs of eukaryotes rather than the other bacterial enzymes. (ii) PLC1 was Ca2+-dependent, whereas PLC2 was not. (iii) PLC1 generated myo-inositol-1-phosphate and myo-inositol-1:2-cyclic phosphate simultaneously from PI, but PLC2 showed sequential formation of them. (iv) PLC2 has GPI-anchor-degrading activity while PLC1 does not have. Both enzymes did not hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. Both PLC1 and PLC2 contained two histidine residues that might be catalytic residues. PLC1 has residues that possibly form a Ca2+-binding site. Then it was suggested that both PLC1 and PLC2 act according to the catalytic mechanism using the two histidine residues as proposed in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic enzymes, but that PLC1 has a more 'eukaryotic' mechanism in which Ca2+ participates than that of the Ca2+-independent bacterial enzymes. Thus, we propose that PLC2 is a conventional 'bacteria-type' enzyme, while PLC1 is more closely related to the eukaryotic enzymes rather than the bacterial enzymes.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Establishment and characterization of an immortal macrophage-like cell line inducible to differentiate to osteoclasts.

Osteoclasts are hematopoietic cells essential for bone remodeling and resorption. To understand the process of osteoclast development, we established a macrophage-like cell line C7 that has the potential to differentiate into functional osteoclasts; multinuclear tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive cells capable of forming pits on dentin slices. C7 cells share the characteristics of their cell surface molecules and phagocytic activity with macrophages. Generation of osteoclasts from C7 cells was mostly suppressed by the addition of a function-blocking antibody directed to c-Fms, the receptor for macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), or by osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF). These responses correspond well with the osteoclast precursors present in bone marrow and peritoneal cavity. Reagents such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide and granulocyte/macrophage-CSF that are known to act as inducers for other cell lineages rather than osteoclasts abolished the potential of osteoclastogenesis in C7 cells. These phenotypes of C7 cells have been stably maintained for more than 2 years. We believe that the cell line established in this study will provide an important tool for osteoclast biology.

Antibodies↗

Cell-free protein synthesis systems.

Cell-free protein synthesis systems enable the direct in vitro expression of proteins from template DNA or RNA. Use of biochemical and bioengineering techniques has greatly improved the yields and productivities of cell-free systems. In some cases, the yields approach the in vivo levels. Moreover, in vitro systems are capable of rapidly providing artificial polypeptides that greatly facilitate protein engineering. Post-translational modification steps in cell-free systems also offer exciting possibilities as reviewed here.

Journal Article↗

Successful treatment of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris with granulocyte colony stimulating factor in a patient with hereditary neutropenia.

A 26-year-old female with hereditary neutropenia had Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris. Drug administration did not improve her symptoms. Following administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim), her neutrophil count increased from 300 to 58,000/microliters, and her dermatosis improved. Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris has been described as a representative second lesion of focal infection. Neutropenia may be one cause of Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris due to refractory focal infection. In the present case, increase in neutrophils with G-CSF may have improved focal infection, resulting in improvement in refractory Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris.

Adult↗

Expression of the leptin receptor in human leukaemic blast cells.

The leptin receptor is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily, and is expressed in CD34 haemopoietic stem cells. We examined expression of the leptin receptor in fresh human leukaemia cells. Northern blot analysis showed the leptin receptor was expressed in leukaemic cells from patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). In CML, higher expression was observed in blast crisis than in chronic phase. The expression of leptin receptor decreased during in vitro differentiation of leukaemic blast cells. It appeared that expression of the leptin receptor was associated with immature leukaemic blast cells. Our findings may indicate the possibility that leptin has some role in leukaemia.

Acute Disease↗

Flow visualization as a complementary tool to hemolysis testing in the development of centrifugal blood pumps.

With a 250% scaled-up pump model, high speed video camera, and argon ion laser light sheet, flow patterns related to hemolysis were visualized and analyzed with 4 frame particle tracking software. Different flow patterns and shear distributions were clarified by flow visualization for pumps modified to have different hemolysis levels. A combination of in vitro hemolysis tests, flow visualization, and CFD analysis suggested a close relationship between hemolysis and high shear caused by small impeller/casing gaps. Because arbitrary cross sections can be illuminated by laser light sheet, flow visualization is a useful tool in finding locations related to hemolysis in the design process of rotary blood pumps.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗