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Takeshi Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Takeshi Watanabe.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells can be detected in metastatic lymph nodes from gastrointestinal cancers.

AIM: To investigate the expression of receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) in metastatic lymph nodes from gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS: Metastatic lymph nodes from gastrointestinal cancer were detected for RCAS1 by immunohistochemical staining and mRNA in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A total of 102 metastatic lymph nodes from bile duct, gastric, colon and pancreatic cancer were investigated for RCAS1 expression. The immunoreactivity of RCAS1 was identified in 100% of metastatic lymph nodes. Both local and distant metastatic lymph nodes showed RCAS1 expression. On the contrary, specimens of non-cancerous lymph nodes were negative for RCAS1. The result of mRNA in situ hybridization was also confirmed by the finding of immunohistochemical staining. RCAS1 mRNA was detected in all tumor cells that metastasized to lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: All metastatic lymph nodes express RCAS1 in tumor cells at both mRNA levels, and RCAS1 that should be used as a complementary factor for identification of metastatic lymph nodes from gastrointestinal cancers.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

GPVI-deficient mice lack collagen responses and are protected against experimentally induced pulmonary thromboembolism.

Platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is now considered to be a major player in platelet-collagen adhesive interactions leading to thrombus formation. GPVI blockade, or its depletion, has been shown in mice to result in complete protection against arterial thrombosis, without significant prolongation of bleeding time. GPVI may therefore represent a useful antithrombotic target. In order to reaffirm the role of GPVI in platelet-collagen interactions, we developed GPVI(null) mice by targeted disruption methodology. GPVI(null) mice platelets failed to respond to a high dose of fibrillar collagen, or convulxin, a GPVI agonist, but showed a normal response to other agonists such as ADP, PMA and arachidonic acid. We report, for the first time, that a proportion of GPVI(null) mice is protected against lethal thromboembolism, induced by the infusion of a mixture of collagen and epinephrine. Greater than 55% of GPVI(null) mice survived the challenge, whereas the maximal survival from the other genotypes was 17% (n=18 per genotype). Washed platelets obtained from GPVI(null) mice showed >90% reduction in adhesion to fibrillar collagen under static conditions. Platelet adhesion to collagen under dynamic conditions using a high shear rate (2600 s(-1)) was dramatically reduced using blood from GPVI(null) mice, while platelets from wild-type and heterozygous animals showed a similar amount of adhesion. Animals from each genotype had essentially similar tail bleeding time, suggesting that a complete deficiency of GPVI, at least in mice, does not result in an enhanced bleeding tendency. These observations clearly establish that blockade of GPVI may attenuate platelet-collagen interactions without adversely affecting the bleeding time.

Animals↗

Molecular directionality in crystalline beta-chitin: hydrolysis by chitinases A and B from Serratia marcescens 2170.

Beta-chitin microfibrils were treated with ChiA and ChiB (chitinases A and B respectively) from Serratia marcescens 2170. The beta-chitin microfibrils were shortened, and the tips appeared narrowed and sharpened at both ends, after either consecutive or simultaneous degradation by ChiA and ChiB. Increased production of reducing sugars by simultaneous degradation (by ChiA and ChiB) of beta-chitin, but not of glycol chitin, suggests synergistic interactions between the two enzymes. A combined analysis using the tilt microdiffraction method to determine the crystallographic axes, together with the biotin-streptavidin-gold-labelling method specific to the reducing ends, was used to investigate the polarity of the degraded beta-chitin microcrystals. The digestion of the beta-chitin fibrils by ChiA occurred from the reducing end to the nonreducing end, whereas digestion by ChiB occurred from the non-reducing end to the reducing end. The results are in agreement with the previously determined three-dimensional structures of these enzymes.

Chitin↗

Development of functional human blood and immune systems in NOD/SCID/IL2 receptor {gamma} chain(null) mice.

Here we report that a new nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mouse line harboring a complete null mutation of the common cytokine receptor gamma chain (NOD/SCID/interleukin 2 receptor [IL2r] gamma(null)) efficiently supports development of functional human hemato-lymphopoiesis. Purified human (h) CD34(+) or hCD34(+)hCD38(-) cord blood (CB) cells were transplanted into NOD/SCID/IL2rgamma(null) newborns via a facial vein. In all recipients injected with 10(5) hCD34(+) or 2 x 10(4) hCD34(+)hCD38(-) CB cells, human hematopoietic cells were reconstituted at approximately 70% of chimerisms. A high percentage of the human hematopoietic cell chimerism persisted for more than 24 weeks after transplantation, and hCD34(+) bone marrow grafts of primary recipients could reconstitute hematopoiesis in secondary NOD/SCID/IL2rgamma(null) recipients, suggesting that this system can support self-renewal of human hematopoietic stem cells. hCD34(+)hCD38(-) CB cells differentiated into mature blood cells, including myelomonocytes, dendritic cells, erythrocytes, platelets, and lymphocytes. Differentiation into each lineage occurred via developmental intermediates such as common lymphoid progenitors and common myeloid progenitors, recapitulating the steady-state human hematopoiesis. B cells underwent normal class switching, and produced antigen-specific immunoglobulins (Igs). T cells displayed the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-dependent cytotoxic function. Furthermore, human IgA-secreting B cells were found in the intestinal mucosa, suggesting reconstitution of human mucosal immunity. Thus, the NOD/SCID/IL2rgamma(null) newborn system might be an important experimental model to study the human hemato-lymphoid system.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Association between RCAS1 expression and microenvironmental immune cell death in uterine cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: : The presence of regional lymph node metastasis is one of the prognostic factors for uterine cervical cancer. The development of metastasis requires that cancer cells avoid lymphocyte attack. Impaired lymphocyte function is mediated by apoptotic factors including receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1), Fas ligand (FasL), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Our aim was to evaluate the association between expression of these factors and microenvironmental lymphocyte apoptosis in this disease. METHODS: : Immunohistochemical methods were used to determine the relationship between the expression of RCAS1, FasL, and TNF-alpha, and the number of apoptotic lymphocytes in primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes in patients with cervical cancer. RESULTS: : Expression of these apoptosis-inducing molecules was quite different in primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes: RCAS1 expression in lymph nodes was significantly higher than that in primary lesions (P < 0.0001), whereas FasL and TNF-alpha expressions at these two locations were not significantly different. The number of cells with positive expression of RCAS1, but not of FasL or TNF-alpha, was significantly correlated with the number of apoptotic lymphocytes in uterine cervix and metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.0001 for both). CONCLUSION: : RCAS1 expression may be related to tumor cell evasion of immune surveillance via induction of lymphocyte apoptosis in primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes in uterine cervical cancer.

Adult↗

Antioxidant defense of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in relation to dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E contents.

This study examined the modulation of the antioxidant status and related physiological changes in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss under different levels of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) and vitamin E. Six diets containing 0, 100 or 1000 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate kg(-1) diet and 20% or 48% n-3 HUFA provided by normal fish oil or DHA concentrated fish oil, respectively, were fed to 100 g size fish for 15 weeks. Growth of fish fed vitamin E deficient diets under both levels of n-3 HUFA were slightly retarded, accompanied by a reduction of hematocrit values, an enlargement of liver and spleen, an elevation of lipid hydroperoxide in red blood cell and the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase). Supplementation of vitamin E could protect the fish from these adverse effects; however the higher dose was no better compared to the moderate dose. The modulations were clearly seen in fish fed high n-3 HUFA (48%) since they were under greater oxidative stress as indicated by the markers, lipid hydroperoxide and 8-isoprostane. The increased activity of enzymes corresponds to physiological mechanisms combating the elevation of free radicals under oxidative stress and a dietary fatty acid profile-dependent moderate dose of vitamin E is all that is required to function as an effective antioxidant.

Animals↗

Effects of activation of central nervous histamine receptors in cardiovascular regulation; studies in H(1) and H(2) receptor gene knockout mice.

To elucidate the central roles of histamine receptors in cardiovascular regulatory system, systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressures (BPs) and heart rate (HR) were examined in conscious H(1) receptor gene knockout (H(1)KO) mice, H(2) receptor gene knockout (H(2)KO) mice, H(1) and H(2) receptor gene double knockout (DKO) mice, and their respective control mice by the tail-cuff system. Histamine, histamine-trifluoromethyl-toluidine derivative (HTMT, an H(1) agonist), dimaprit (an H(2) agonist), and immepip (an H(3) agonist) were intrathecally administered to these KO mice and control mice. Basal BPs and HR were not different among these three KO mice and their control or wild-type mice. Intrathecal administration of histamine significantly increased BPs and decreased HR in control mice. The increases in BPs were produced by histamine in H(1)KO and H(2)KO mice and by HTMT and dimaprit in C57BL mice. The pressor responses by HTMT and dimaprit in C57BL mice were greater than those by histamine in H(1)KO and H(2)KO mice, although the same decreases in HR were induced by histamine in C57BL and H(1)KO mice and by dimaprit in C57BL mice. The selective stimulation of H(3) receptors by immepip produced a consistent decrease in BPs in control mice. These results obtained with the exogenous selective agonists of three histamine receptors suggest that the pressor responses to histamine are mediated through the stimulation of both H(1) and H(2) receptors, whereas the atropine-sensitive decrease in heart rate is mainly due to H(2) receptors which activate the vagal output to the heart.

Animals↗

Quantitative analysis of helix-coil transition of block copolypeptide, Glu12-Ala12, by combined use of CD and NMR spectroscopy.

To investigate helix-coil transition mechanisms, conformations of Glu12-Ala12, EA, in aqueous solution have been studied in detail over the pH range from 2 to 8 and the temperature range from 20 to 60 degrees C using CD and NMR spectroscopy. The 750-MHz NMR spectra displayed excellent dispersion of the backbone amide proton signals, and permitted essentially complete sequence-specific resonance assignments. These assignments, together with short- and medium-range nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) constraints and coupling constants, enable us to analyze conformational characteristics of all the residues in the EA peptide individually. A combined use of CD and NMR techniques reveals that the EA peptide assumes a stable alpha-helix from Glu12 to Ala19 in 0.1 M NaCl solution at 20 degrees C above pH 7. The alpha-helix is getting longer as decreasing pH. Below pH 4, the peptide assumes the longest alpha-helix from Glu3 to Ala23. The important observation of the present study is that the helix-coil transition occurs stepwise, residue by residue, from both the N- and C-termini of the alpha-helix. No conformational equilibrium between the helical and random-coil states is detected for the residues in the central region of the alpha-helix. Quantitative analysis of temperature-induced helix-to-coil transitions at various pHs provides a pH-independent residual enthalpy change delta H(r) = 0.95 kcal res(-1). Similar values have been reported for a 50-residue alanine-rich peptide (1.2 kcal res(-1)), poly-L-glutamate (1.1 kcal res(-1)), poly-L-lysine (1.1 kcal res(-1)), and poly-L-alanine (0.86 kcal res(-1)). Those investigations, along with our present result, suggest that delta H(r) is mainly determined by the transformation of the backbone associated with the disruption of the intramolecular hydrogen bond. These results should increase our understanding of the helix-coil transition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Results of total hip arthroplasty with bone graft and support ring for protrusio acetabuli in rheumatoid arthritis.

We evaluated 19 hips of 15 rheumatoid arthritis patients with protrusio acetabuli that had been surgically treated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a support ring; four hips were replaced with a TACT cup supporter, one hip with a Kerboull plate, six hips with a Ganz ring, and eight hips with a Müller ring. The average age was 60.2 years (range 48-75 years), and the average follow-up was 38 months (range 6-74 months). Two patients (three hips) died before the final follow-up, and two patients (two hips) underwent revision owing to loosening of the Ganz ring. Hip functions were rated according to the evaluation chart of hip joint functions of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA score). The mean total JOA score was 25.2 +/- 8.6 preoperatively and 55.6 +/- 8.7 postoperatively. Radiographically, 17 hips (minus the two revised hips) showed satisfactory incorporation of bone graft and no loosening of the support ring. The mean depth of protrusio acetabuli for these 17 hips was 3.5 +/- 4.1 mm before operation, 2.8 +/- 5.1 mm just after operation, and 2.3 +/- 3.9 mm at the final follow-up (no significant difference at the critical rate of 5%). Our study indicated the usefulness of THAs using a bone graft and a support ring in RA patients with protrusio acetabuli.

Acetabulum↗

Invasive potency related to RCAS1 expression in uterine cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: RCAS1 expression is significantly associated with clinical prognosis in various human cancers, which suggests that RCAS1 may be involved in acquisition of malignant phenotypes. To investigate the relationship between RCAS1 and one such characteristic, tumor invasiveness, we examined RCAS1 expression in cervical neoplasms ranging from the precancerous state to invasive cancer. METHODS: RCAS1 expression was studied retrospectively via immunohistochemical methods. Samples consisted of biopsy tissue from 90 patients with intraepithelial neoplasia and resected tumor tissue from 154 patients with invasive cancer. Statistical analysis was done to correlate RCAS1 expression and clinicopathologic variables in patients with a depth of cancer cell invasion into stromal tissue of >5 mm. RESULTS: RCAS1 expression was detected in patients with intraepithelial cancer and invasive cancer but not in patients with dysplasia. The occurrence and degree of RCAS1 expression increased with the depth of invasion. In patients with invasive cancer, RCAS1 overexpression was significantly correlated with invasion of the lymph-vascular space, lymph node metastasis in two or more sites, and tumor volume; RCAS1 expression was not associated with histologic subtype. Overall survival rates for patients with RCAS1 overexpression were significantly shorter than those for patients without RCAS1 overexpression. In connective tissue surrounding tumor cells, the number of cells expressing vimentin significantly decreased in relation to RCAS1 expression level. Moreover, significant associations between expression levels of RCAS1 and those of MMP-1 and laminin-5 were found. CONCLUSION: RCAS1 may contribute to acquisition of malignant uterine cervical phenotypic characteristics including invasion, metastasis, and tumor growth via connective tissue remodeling.

Adult↗

The role of histamine H1 receptor and H2 receptor in LPS-induced liver injury.

To examine the role of histamine H1 and H2 receptors in the regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury, a combination of D-galactosamine and LPS (GalN/LPS) was administered to histamine H1 receptor knockout (H1-R KO) and H2 receptor knockout (H2-R KO) mice. The numbers of necrotic and apoptotic hepatocytes in the liver, as well as the levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), were increased significantly by GalN/LPS treatment compared to the appropriate controls. Pretreatment with histamine ameliorated the GalN/LPS-induced necrotic and apoptotic changes in the hepatocytes and inhibited the elevation of serum AST and ALT levels. Histamine attenuated the GalN/LPS-induced increases in the levels of TNF-alpha, but augmented those of IL-10 both in the liver and serum. Histamine inhibited the GalN/LPS-induced caspase-3 activity in the liver. Furthermore, these effects of histamine were completely or partially attenuated in H2-R KO mice, but not in H1-R KO mice. Peritoneal macrophages from H2-R KO mice exhibited blunted changes in the effects of histamine on LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-10 production in vitro compared to the wild-type (WT) controls. In summary, the present findings suggest that the histamine H2-R-TNF-alpha and -IL-10 pathways play protective roles in endotoxin-induced hepatic injury.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Identification of immunoglobulin superfamily 11 (IGSF11) as a novel target for cancer immunotherapy of gastrointestinal and hepatocellular carcinomas.

We previously performed gene expression profile analyses of 20 intestinal-type gastric cancers, and identified a set of genes whose expression levels were elevated in cancer tissues compared to their corresponding non-cancerous tissues. In the present study we focused on the immunoglobulin superfamily 11 gene (IGSF11). Its expression was also elevated in colorectal cancers and hepatocellular carcinomas as well as intestinal-type gastric cancers. Northern blot analysis showed that it was expressed abundantly in testis and ovary. These data suggest that IGSF11 is a good candidate of cancer-testis antigen. Furthermore, suppression of IGSF11 by siRNA retarded the growth of gastric cancer cells. To investigate the possibility of clinical application of peptide vaccine to IGSF11, we synthesized candidate epitope peptides for IGSF11 and tested whether the peptides elicit IGSF11-specific CTL. As a result, we successfully established oligo-clonal CTL by stimulation with IGSF11-9-207 (ALSSGLYQC). In addition, we also established additional CTL using IGSF11-9V (ALSSGLYQV), anchor-modified peptides of IGSF11-9-207. These peptides showed IGSF11-specific cytotoxic activity in an HLA-A*0201-restricted fashion, suggesting that these peptides may be applicable for cancer immunotherapy. These findings have provided a novel insight into carcinogenesis of the stomach, colon and liver, and will be helpful for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to a wide range of human cancers.

3T3 Cells↗

A novel mechanism in suppression of erythropoiesis during inflammation: a crucial role of RCAS1.

A novel human tumor-associated antigen, receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1), induces apoptosis in normal human erythroid progenitor cells, which express putative RCAS1 receptors. In the present study, we investigated a possible role of RCAS1 produced by human peripheral blood monocytes (CD14-positive cells) and monocyte-derived macrophages. RCAS1 was immunohistochemically detected in monocytes as well as macrophages. When macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the expression of RCAS1 was remarkably enhanced. An increased production of RCAS1 mRNA was observed in LPS-stimulated macrophages by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Soluble RCAS1 molecules were only detected in the culture supernatants obtained from LPS-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, LPS-stimulated macrophages induced cell death of erythroid progenitor cells through RCAS1 production. These results suggest that macrophages may negatively regulate erythropoiesis at least in part through the production of RCAS1 molecules, and this may contribute to the pathogenesis of the anemia seen in patients with inflammatory disorders.

Antigens, CD↗

Two-point separation in far-field super-resolution fluorescence microscopy based on two-color fluorescence dip spectroscopy, Part I: Experimental evaluation.

The two-point resolution of a novel two-color far-field super-resolution fluorescence microscopy was evaluated by measuring fluorescent beads 100 nm in diameter. This microscopy is based on a combination of two-color fluorescence dip spectroscopy and a phase-modulation technique for a laser beam. By simply introducing two-color laser light, the size of the fluorescent image of a bead was shrunk down to a diameter of 250 nm from the diffraction-limited image with a diameter of 360 nm. For two closely adjacent fluorescent beads with a separation distance of 350 nm, the two-color microscope clearly gave separated fluorescence images, while the conventional one-color fluorescence microscope could not resolve them. It has been proved that our technique breaks Rayleigh's diffraction limit.

Fluorescent Dyes↗

[The effect of botulinum toxin injection into the bladder for overactive bladder: two case].

Two cases of intractable overactive bladder which were treated by intradetrusor botulinum-A toxin (BTX-A) are presented. Case 1: A 53-year-old woman suffered from adhesive arachinoiditis. She had severe detrusor hyperreflexia and urge urinary incontinence despite a high dose of anticholinergic medication. Under cystoscopic control, a total of 300 units of BTX-A were injected into the detrusor muscle at 30 sites (10 units per ml per site), sparing the trigone area using a 27G flexible injection needle. This procedure was done under both caudal anesthesia with 10 ml 1% lidocaine and bladder mucosa anesthesia by instilling 40 ml 2% lidocaine. At a 12-week followup she was completely continent. Case 2: A 63-year-old man with intractable detrusor overactivity of idiopathic origin was treated using the above technique. Urge urinary incontinence decreased 4 weeks after the BTX-A injections. However, postvoid residual urine volume was increased, and intermittent self-catheterization was needed. Intradetrusor BTX-A dramatically increases the bladder capacity and decreases the frequency of urge urinary incontinence. However, this treatment caused urinary retention in Case 2. We believe that the dosage amount of BTX-A should be changed case by case.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A↗

Generation of a synthetic lymphoid tissue-like organoid in mice.

Stromal cells play an important role in the formation of the normal organized microarchitecture of secondary lymphoid organs. Here we demonstrate that a tissue-engineered, lymphoid tissue-like organoid, which was constructed by transplantation of stromal cells embedded in biocompatible scaffolds into the renal subcapsular space in mice, had an organized tissue structure similar to secondary lymphoid organs. This organoid contained compartmentalized B-cell and T-cell clusters, high endothelial venule-like vessels, germinal centers and follicular dendritic cell networks. Furthermore, the organoid was transplantable to naive normal or severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, and antigen-specific, IgG-isotype antibody formation could be induced soon after intravenous administration of the antigen. This simplified system of lymphoid tissue-like organoid construction will facilitate analyses of cell-cell interactions required for development of secondary lymphoid organs and efficient induction of adaptive immune responses, and may have possible applications in the treatment of immune deficiency.

Animals↗