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Biomedical subjects

Takashi Horie

Publications and source records attributed to Takashi Horie.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) enhances the antitumor effect of etoposide (VP16) in lung cancer cells.

We have previously reported that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) enhances the cytotoxic effects of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4HC) on leukemia cells without affecting the normal hematopoietic stem cells. Increased cell membrane permeability induced by ATP may cause high incorporation of 4HC into leukemia cells, ultimately leading to cell death. In the present study, we show that ATP has cytotoxicity against PC14, a lung adenocarcinoma cell line. When PC14 cells were cultured with 1, 3, and 5 mM ATP, colony number significantly decreased to 91.0, 48.8, and 2.3% respectively, compared to untreated controls. Additionally, ATP enhanced the antitumor effects of etoposide (VP16) in PC14 and another lung adenocarcinoma cell line, A549. With 5, 25, and 50 mM VP16, the percentage of colony numbers compared to control was 95.5, 75.8, and 61.3% in PC14 and 86.0, 65.0, and 57.1% in A549 cells, respectively. In the presence of 3 mM ATP, however, the colony number of PC14 was further limited to 49.6, 34.1, and 24.4% of the untreated level in 5, 25, and 50 mM VP16, respectively. When A549 cells were incubated with 1 mM ATP, the proportion of clonogeneic cells significantly fell to 62.5, 41.7, and 31.7% in 5, 25, and 50 mM VP16, respectively. With 3 and 5 mM of ATP, uptake of [3H]VP16 in PC14 cells increased respectively to 8.9- and 14.1-fold of the negative controls. These results suggest that ATP itself has antitumor effects on lung cancer cells and enhances the cytotoxicity of VP16 through the increased uptake of VP16 into the cells. The combined use of ATP and antitumor agents such as VP16 may have the potential to improve the therapeutic index in human lung carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Multiple myeloma of the IgD-lambda type invading CNS].

A 52-year-old woman was admitted to the gynecological department of our hospital on July 29, 2002 because of a right lower abdominal mass. She has been suffering from pain in the right leg and inguinal area for a month before coming to the hospital. She was found to have pancytopenia and high serum levels of LDH and IgD. A bone marrow examination showed 63.8% of plasma cells and serum immunoelectrophoresis showed M-protein of the IgD-lambda type. She was diagnosed as having multiple myeloma and transferred to our department. VAD therapy was started from August 22. Although the plasma cells in the bone marrow almost disappeared, the right lower abdominal mass remained and a new mass appeared on the right frontal chest wall after two courses of the treatment. Combination chemotherapy with vincristine, ranimustine, melphalan, and dexamethasone (ROAD) was started on November 1. This was followed with thalidomide and radiation therapy of the right inguinal region was added. On December 16th, she suddenly experienced speech disturbance, nausea and the disturbance of consciousness. Examination of her cerebrospinal fluid showed 368/microl mononuclear cells with 93% plasma cells. The plasma cells disappeared after the 6th intrathecal injection with MTX and prednisolone and the chemotherapy was resumed. One month later, CNS relapse was apparent followed by generalized spread of the tumor mass, and she died on March 17, 2003.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

ASK1 regulates influenza virus infection-induced apoptotic cell death.

Apoptosis occurs in influenza virus (IV)-infected cells. There are a number of mechanisms for the regulation of apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanism of IV infection-induced apoptosis is still controversial. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1) is a ubiquitously expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates the SEK1-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and MKK3/MKK6-p38 MAPK signaling cascades. ASK1 has been implicated in cytokine- and stress-induced apoptosis. Here, we show the following: (1) IV infection activated ASK1 and concomitantly phosphorylated JNK and p38 MAPK in human bronchial epithelial cells; (2) the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK but not extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) in embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from ASK1 knockout mice (ASK1(-/-) MEFs) was depressed compared to MEFs derived from wild type mice (ASK1(+/+) MEFs); and (3) ASK1(-/-) MEFs were defective in IV infection-induced caspase-3 activation and cell death. These results indicate that apoptosis in IV-infected BEC is mediated through ASK1-dependent cascades.

Animals↗

L-cysteine administration prevents liver fibrosis by suppressing hepatic stellate cell proliferation and activation.

Recent studies showed that the function of some amino acids is not only nutritional but also pharmacological. However, the effects of amino acids on liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) remain unclear. In this research, as a result of screening of amino acids using liver fibrosis induced by DMN administration, L-cysteine was selected as a suppressor of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the number of activated HSCs, which increased in the fibrotic liver after DMN administration, was decreased in L-cysteine-fed rats. Treatment of freshly isolated HSCs with L-cysteine resulted in inhibition of the increase in smooth muscle alpha-actin (alphaSMA) expression by HSCs and BrdU incorporation into the activated HSCs. These findings suggest that L-cysteine is effective against liver fibrosis. The mechanism of inhibition of fibrosis in the liver is surmized to be direct inhibition of activated HSC proliferation and HSC transformation by L-cysteine.

Animals↗

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1-mediated signaling pathway regulates nitric oxide-induced activator protein-1 activation in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is increased in individuals with bronchial asthma. NO may have antiinflammatory and proinflammatory effects; however, its role in bronchial asthma is unclear. In the present study, to clarify this issue we examined the effect of NO in inducing activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) and a role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1), an upstream kinase kinase of c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in NO-mediated AP-1 activation. The results showed that (1) the reactive nitrogen generating species NOR-1(+/--(E)-methyl-2-[(E)-hydroxykmino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexeneamide]) induced AP-1 activation determined by AP-1-dependent luciferase gene activity, and an NO scavenger, carboxyl-PTIO, attenuated NOR-1-induced AP-1 activation; (2) NOR-1 phosphorylated ASK1, JNK, and p38 MAPK; and (3) transient transfection of the dominant negative form of AKS1 attenuated NOR-1-induced AP-1 activation in BEC. To further characterize the role of ASK-1 cascade, the dominant negative form of ASK1-stable transfected porcine artery endothelial (PAE) cells were used. AP-1 activity and JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation were depressed in the dominant-negative form of ASK1-stable transfected PAE cells. These results indicate that NO is capable of inducing AP-1 activation, and that ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade regulates AP-1 activation in NO-stimulated BEC.

Asthma↗

Successful treatment of ulcerative colitis with leukocytapheresis using non-woven polyester filter.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the rectum and colon. Although the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis is not fully elucidated, cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in disease pathogenesis. Leukocytapheresis is a newly emerging therapy to eliminate activated leukocyte from systemic circulation. We have studied the effects of leukocytapheresis on patients with ulcerative colitis who had failed to respond to conventional therapy. A total of 51 patients with ulcerative colitis were treated with apheresis using a non-woven polyester fiber filter (Finecell, Asahi Medical Co.,Tokyo, Japan) originally developed as a microcoagulation elimination filter for massive transfusion. Of the 51 patients, 33 (64.7%) achieved clinical remission manifested by clinical activity and colonoscopic findings without any adverse effects. This result suggested that leukocytapheresis using Finecell might serve as an alternative therapy for ulcerative colitis as other leukocytapheresis using centrifugation or column.

Adolescent↗

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1-mediated signaling pathway regulates hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Reactive oxygen species initiate pulmonary vascular endothelial cell damage leading to an increase in endothelial permeability resulting in the production of pulmonary edema. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)-1 is a ubiquitously expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates the MKK3/MKK6-p38 MAPK and the SEK1-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade. ASK1 has been implicated in cytokine- and stress-induced apoptosis. However, little is known about the role of ASK1 in apoptosis in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated pulmonary vascular endothelial cells and how ASK1-mediated apoptosis is executed. To clarify this issue, we examined the role of ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade in apoptosis and caspase-3 activation in H2O2-stimulated pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. DESIGN: Experimental laboratory study. SETTING: University laboratory. SUBJECTS: Normal human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. INTERVENTIONS: Western blot analysis and quantification of apoptosis in cells. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The results showed that H2O2 induced ASK1 phosphorylation and concomitantly p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation as well as induced caspase-3 activation in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. To further characterize the role of ASK1 cascade in H2O2-induced apoptosis of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, the dominant negative form of ASK1-stably transfected porcine artery endothelial cells was used. p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis in the dominant negative form of ASK1-stably transfected porcine artery endothelial cells were depressed compared with those in the parental porcine artery endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade regulates apoptosis of H2O2-stimulated human pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.

Animals↗

Multibacterial sepsis in an alcohol abuser with hepatic cirrhosis.

An alcohol abuser with hepatitis C developed multibacterial sepsis. His mean 100% alcohol intake reached 400 ml/day. In January 2001, he suddenly experienced fever (39 degrees C) with no other symptoms. One week later, he was admitted to our hospital and was subsequently diagnosed with sepsis associated with four species of bacteria (Streptococcus constellatus, Fusobacterium mortiferum, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and non-spore-forming anaerobic gram-positive bacillus). A drip infusion of imipenem/cilastatin was administrated, resulting in a successful therapeutic outcome. No underlying disorder was found except for gastric ulcers and hepatic cirrhosis. Damaged gastric mucosa was assumed to be the possible cause and route for the bacterial invasion.

Aged↗

Mutational analysis of IkappaBalpha in hematologic malignancies.

The activation of the NF-kappaB family of transcription factors plays a crucial role in oncogenesis. The IkappaB family has the ability to retain the NF-kappaB in an inactive complex in the cytoplasm. Recently, mutations of the IkappaBalpha gene were found in Hodgkin's lymphoma, which allows NF-kappaB proteins to translocate into the nucleus in an active form. In this report, we describe a mutational analysis of IkappaBalpha for primary tumor cells obtained from patients with a variety of hematologic malignancies (acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, hairy cell leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia, and mantle cell lymphoma) as well as 15 leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cell lines (HL60, U937, HEL, K562, NALM1, Jurkat, JM, MOLT4, Raji, KS1, OKM2T, OKM3T, F6T, Su9T01, and C2-2). RT-PCR, followed by direct sequencing, was performed and all samples expressed IkappaBalpha. One missense mutation was identified in a primary effusion lymphoma cell line, KS1. However, NF-kappaB (p65) protein was absent from the nucleus of KS1 immunohistochemically, suggesting that the mutation did not alter the function of IkappaBalpha in this case. Taken together, although it is not clear whether normal IkappaBalpha protein was expressed in hematologic malignancies, mutations of IkappaBalpha could be rare events in these diseases, except for Hodgkin's lymphoma. Alterations of other members of NF-kappaB/ IkappaB family proteins might act on the development of hematologic malignancies.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

Requirement of soluble factors produced by bone marrow stromal cells on the growth of novel established human myeloma cell line.

The growth of myeloma cells is believed to be mediated by functional interactions between tumor cells and the marrow environment involving the action of several cytokines. We report on the establishment and characterization of a new human myeloma cell line (TAB1) that can be long-term maintained in the presence of conditioned medium of bone marrow stromal cells (BMCM) and a BMCM independent variant, C2-2. Both cell lines have plasma cell morphology and express plasma cell antigens (CD38, PCA-1 and immunoglobulin kappa light chain). In the absence of BMCM, TAB1 cells undergoing apoptosis were observed. Among the adherent molecules tested, these cells expressed VLA-4, ICAM-1 and H-CAM, but not VLA-5, suggesting that these were mostly immature plasmacytes. Introduction with exogenous IL-6 and/or GM-CSF, which were detected in BMCM, partially supported the proliferation of TAB1 cells. Treatment with anti-IL-6 antibody partially inhibited the proliferation of TAB1 cells cultured with BMCM. These findings strongly suggest that TAB1 required at least two or more factors on their growth in vitro; IL-6 was one of the factors necessary for cell growth. Further studies are required to clarify the precise molecules which support TAB1 cell growth in combination with IL-6, however, TAB1 and its variant C2-2 cells may offer an attractive model to unravel novel molecular mechanisms involved in bone marrow stroma-dependent growth of myeloma cells.

Adult↗

C-propeptide region of human pro alpha 1 type 1 collagen interacts with thioredoxin.

Thioredoxin (TRX) is one of major components of thiol reducing systems. To investigate the molecular mechanism of TRX function in the lung tissue, we screened a human lung epithelial cell cDNA library for TRX-binding protein by yeast two-hybrid systems. We isolated a plasmid containing C-propeptide region of human pro alpha 1 type 1 collagen (CP-pro alpha 1(1)). CP-pro alpha 1(1) stably binds to wild type TRX but not to mutant TRX, in which redox-active cysteine residues are substituted. Failure of the interaction of mutant TRX with CP-pro alpha 1(1) was confirmed in yeast two-hybrid systems. The CP-pro alpha 1(1)/TRX interaction was increased by dithiothreitol treatment, but was markedly inhibited by hydrogen peroxide or diamide treatment. These data showed that the reducing status of TRX active site cysteine residues is important for the TRX-CP-pro alpha 1(1) interaction, indicating that collagen biosynthesis is under the regulation of TRX-dependent redox control.

Binding Sites↗

Spontaneous clinical and cytogenetic remission of aplastic anemia in a patient with del(13q).

We describe the case of a 64-year-old Japanese man with pancytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy findings were consistent with aplastic anemia. The patient was treated by transfusions without immunosuppressive therapy. Chromosome analysis of bone marrow cells at 6 months after onset showed a 46,XY,del(13) (q14q22) karyotype. The pancytopenia resolved gradually over the next 5 years; chromosome analysis of bone marrow cells at that time yielded normal findings. To our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous hematologic and cytogenetic remission of aplastic anemia. These findings suggest that the abnormal clone with deletion of the long arm of chromosome 13 was not sufficient for clonal evolution in aplastic anemia in this case.

Anemia, Aplastic↗