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Biomedical subjects

Y Higashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Higashimoto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

20 kDa human growth hormone (20K hGH) stimulates insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene expression at lower concentrations than 22K hGH in hGH receptor-expressing Ba/F3 cells.

Growth hormone (GH) secreted from the pituitary is essential for postnatal growth in animals. GH exerts its actions by a direct effect on target organs and by stimulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) production. In the human pituitary, there is a naturally occurring variant protein which has a molecular mass of 20 kDa (20K hGH) besides the major 22 kDa hGH (22K hGH), but the physiological actions of 20K hGH are still poorly understood. In this study we have examined its effects on the IGF-I mRNA expression in the pro B-cell line Ba/F3 cells stably expressing hGH receptor (Ba/F3-hGHR). Ba/F3-hGHR cells were incubated for 2 h with a series of various concentrations (10 pM to approximately 10 nM) of 20K or 22K hGH. The IGF-I mRNA expression in the Ba/F3-hGHR cells was detected by the RT-PCR method. IGF-I gene expression was increased by 20K and 22K hGH stimulation, but not by PRL or IL-3 in the Ba/F3-hGHR. And this effect was not observed in parental Ba/F3 cells. Lower concentrations of 20K hGH more strongly induced IGF-I gene expression than 22K-hGH. These results suggest that 20K and 22K hGH stimulate the IGF-I gene expression in the Ba/F3-hGHR through hGH receptors, and that the stronger effect of 20K hGH than that of 22K hGH in enhancing the IGF-I gene expression may be correlated with a 20K hGH specific receptor dimerization mechanism.

Cell Line↗

Ovalbumin in developing chicken eggs migrates from egg white to embryonic organs while changing its conformation and thermal stability.

Ovalbumin was detected in developing chicken eggs. The large majority of these ovalbumin molecules was found to be in a heat-stable form reminiscent of S-ovalbumin. About 83 and 90% of the ovalbumin population was in a heat-stable form in day 14 or stage 40 amniotic fluid and day 18 or stage 44 egg yolk, respectively, whereas ovalbumin in newly deposited eggs was in the heat-unstable, native form. Purified preparations of stable ovalbumin from egg white and amniotic fluid showed a less ordered configuration than native ovalbumin, as analyzed by circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, mass spectrometric analysis exhibited distinct size microheterogeneity between the stable and native forms of ovalbumin. Immunohisotochemical study revealed that ovalbumin was present in the central nervous system and other embryonic organs. These results indicated that egg white ovalbumin migrates into the developing embryo while changing its higher order structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Calcium-dependent interaction of S100B with the C-terminal domain of the tumor suppressor p53.

In vitro, the S100B protein interacts with baculovirus recombinant p53 protein and protects p53 from thermal denaturation. This effect is isoform-specific and is not observed with S100A1, S100A6, or calmodulin. Using truncated p53 proteins in the N-terminal (p53(1-320)) and C-terminal (p53(73-393)) domains, we localized the S100B-binding region to the C-terminal region of p53. We have confirmed a calcium-dependent interaction of the S100B with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal region of p53 (residues 319-393 in human p53) using plasmon resonance experiments on a BIAcore system. In the presence of calcium, the equilibrium affinity of the S100B for the C-terminal region of p53 immobilized on the sensor chip was 24 +/- 10 nM. To narrow down the region within p53 involved in S100B binding, two synthetic peptides, O1(357-381) (residues 357-381 in mouse p53) and YF-O2(320-346) (residues 320-346 in mouse p53), covering the C-terminal region of p53 were compared for their interaction with purified S100B. Only YF-O2 peptide interacts with S100B with high affinity. The YF-O2 motif is a critical determinant for the thermostability of p53 and also corresponds to a domain responsible for cytoplasmic sequestration of p53. Our results may explain the rescue of nuclear wild type p53 activities by S100B in fibroblast cell lines expressing the temperature-sensitive p53val135 mutant at the nonpermissive temperature.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gastrin induces heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in rat gastric epithelial cells transfected with gastrin receptor.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Parietal cells express heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF). However, it is unknown whether HB-EGF mediates the trophic action of gastrin. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gastrin modulates the expression of HB-EGF, which mediates the proliferative effects of gastrin on gastric epithelial cells. METHODS: RGM1 cells, a rat gastric epithelial cell line, were transfected with a human gastrin receptor complementary DNA. Gastrin induction of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for EGF-related polypeptides was assayed by Northern blotting. Processing of cell surface-associated proHB-EGF and secretion of HB-EGF were determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting, respectively. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor was assayed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting with an antiphosphotyrosine antibody. Cell growth was evaluated by [3H]thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Gastrin induced expression of HB-EGF mRNA, processing of proHB-EGF, release of HB-EGF into the medium, and tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor. The growth-stimulatory effects of gastrin were partly inhibited by anti-rat HB-EGF serum and completely blocked by AG1478, an EGF receptor-specific tyrphostin. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that HB-EGF at least partially mediates the proliferative effects of gastrin on gastric epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Structure-function relationship of model Aib-containing peptides as ion transfer intermembrane templates.

Peptaibols comprise a family of peptide antibiotics with high contents of 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues and C-terminal amino alcohols. These peptides form alpha-helical structures leading to voltage-gated ion channels in lipid membranes. In the present study, amphiphilic helical Aib-containing peptides of various chain-lengths, Ac-(Aib-Lys-Aib-Ala)n-NH2 (n = 1-5), were designed to investigate the mechanisms of the aggregation and transmembrane orientation of helical motifs in lipid bilayer membranes. Peptide synthesis was performed by the conventional stepwise Fmoc solid-phase method. The crude peptides were obtained in high yields (66-85%) with high purities (69-95%). Conformational analysis of the synthetic peptides was performed by CD spectroscopy. It was found that these peptides take on highly helical structures, and the helicity of the peptides increases with an increase in chain-length. The longest peptide, Ac-(Aib-Lys-Aib-Ala)5-NH2, self-aggregates and adopts a barrel-stave conformation in liposomes. Ac-(Aib-Lys-Aib-Ala)5-NH2 exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Patch-clamp measurements revealed that this peptide can form well-defined ion channels with a long lifetime at relatively low transbilayer potentials and peptide concentrations. For this peptide, the single-channel conductance of the most frequent event is 227 pS, which could be related to a single-state tetrameric pore.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Morphological and functional restoration of parietal cells in helicobacter pylori associated enlarged fold gastritis after eradication.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Helicobacter pylori infections are associated with hypochlorhydria in patients with pangastritis. It has previously been shown that eradication of H pylori leads to an increase in acid secretion in H pylori associated enlarged fold gastritis, suggesting that H pylori infection affects parietal cell function in the gastric body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of H pylori infection on parietal cell morphology and function in hypochlorhydric patients. PATIENTS/METHODS: The presence of H pylori infection, mucosal length, and inflammatory infiltration were investigated in six patients with enlarged fold gastritis and 12 patients without enlarged folds. Parietal cell morphology was examined by immunohistochemistry using an antibody against the alpha subunit of H(+),K(+)-ATPase and electron microscopy. In addition, gastric acid secretion and fasting serum gastrin concentration were determined before and after the eradication of H pylori. RESULTS: In the H pylori positive patients with enlarged fold gastritis, fold width, foveolar length, and inflammatory infiltration were increased. In addition, the immunostaining pattern of H(+), K(+)-ATPase was less uniform, and the percentage of altered parietal cells showing dilated canaliculi with vacuole-like structures and few short microvilli was greatly increased compared with that in H pylori positive patients without enlarged folds. After eradication, fold width, foveolar length, and inflammatory infiltrates decreased and nearly all parietal cells were restored to normal morphology. On the other hand, altered parietal cells were negligible in H pylori negative patients. In addition, the basal acid output and tetragastrin stimulated maximal acid output increased significantly from 0.5 (0.5) to 4.1 (1.5) mmol/h and from 2.5 (1.2) to 13.8 (0.7) mmol/h (p<0.01), and fasting serum gastrin concentrations decreased significantly from 213.5 (31.6) to 70.2 (7.5) pg/ml (p<0.01) after eradication in patients with enlarged fold gastritis. CONCLUSION: The morphological changes in parietal cells associated with H pylori infection may be functionally associated with the inhibition of acid secretion seen in patients with enlarged fold gastritis.

Adult↗

Endotoxin-specific NF-kappaB activation in pulmonary epithelial cells harboring adenovirus E1A.

Adenovirus E1A DNA and proteins are detected in lung epithelial cells of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In investigating E1A regulation of inflammatory mediator expression in human lung epithelial cells, we found increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin-8 expression after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of A549 cells stably transfected with adenovirus 5 E1A. We now show that E1A-dependent induction of interleukin-8 expression is specific to LPS, superinduced by cycloheximide, and not observed after tumor necrosis factor or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that tumor necrosis factor or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced nuclear factor-kappaB binding complexes of Rel A and p50 in E1A and control transfectants, whereas LPS was effective only in E1A transfectants. Similarly, LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB was observed only in E1A transfectants. CCAAT-enhancer binding protein binding was undetected and activator protein-1 binding was unaffected by LPS in either cell type, whereas basal mRNA levels of c-jun were unchanged by E1A. We conclude that E1A enhances the expression of these inflammatory mediator genes by modulating events specific to LPS-triggered nuclear factor-kappaB induction in these cells.

Adenoviridae↗

Modulation of proinflammatory cytokines by nitric oxide in murine acute lung injury.

We tested the hypothesis that NO synthase inhibition alters proinflammatory cytokine expression during acute lung injury in mice. Five-week-old CD-1 mice were pretreated with l-NAME or d-NAME and then received an intratracheal injection of endotoxin (or PBS). TNF-alpha and IL-6 ELISAs and RT-PCR were performed on lung homogenates sampled 6 h later. l-NAME increased TNF-alpha and IL-6 protein and mRNA expression in lungs. Immunostaining demonstrated that TNF-alpha was expressed predominantly by macrophages in the lung. l-NAME did not alter pulmonary macrophage concentration. To better understand the effect of NO synthase inhibition, elicited murine peritoneal macrophages were stimulated in vitro with LPS after addition of l-NAME, d-NAME, nitroprusside, or control. Nuclear proteins were extracted 3 h later and electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays were performed using radiolabeled NF-kappaB consensus sequence oligonucleotides. Endotoxin increased NF-kappaB p50/p65 heterodimer binding. Binding was further increased by l-NAME and decreased by nitroprusside. The effect of nitroprusside was not blocked by guanylate cyclase inhibition. We conclude that, in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury, NO synthase inhibition increases proinflammatory cytokine protein and mRNA expression in part because NO decreases the amount of NF-kappaB available for binding to the regulatory region of proinflammatory cytokine genes.

Animals↗

Effect of adenovirus E1A on ICAM-1 promoter activity in human alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells.

In previous studies we demonstrated that the E1A DNA and proteins of group C adenovirus are present in excess in the lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because adenovirus EIA gene products are known to regulate the expression of many genes by interacting with cellular transcription factors, we postulated that E1A enhances the production of inflammatory mediators and exacerbates the inflammatory process in smokers' lungs. We reported that LPS-induced ICAM-1 expression in A549 cells is upregulated by E1A. In the current study we investigated whether this regulation is mediated through the ICAM-1 promoter. A549 cells and primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells were transiently cotransfected with a plasmid containing the ICAM-1 enhancer-promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene (pBS-CAT-P) and either a plasmid carrying the adenovirus 5 E1A gene (pE1Aneo) or a control plasmid (pneo). To compare the effect of transient versus stable E1A expression on the activity of this promoter, we also transiently transfected stable E1A-expressing A549 cells with pBS-CAT-P. Transient cotransfection of pE1Aneo and pBS-CAT-P had no effect on basal ICAM-1 promoter activity in A549 or HBE cells. After stimulation of A549 cells with TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, or LPS, promoter activity was increased by two- to threefold in the presence of adenovirus EIA. In HBE cells, on the other hand, E1A repressed the ICAM-1 promoter after stimulation with IFN-gamma and LPS with little change after TNF-alpha stimulation. In stable E1A transfectants, ICAM-1 promoter activity was 2 to 2.5 times higher than in control transfectants with or without stimulation with TNF-alpha or LPS. These findings suggest that EIA can modulate the activity of the ICAM-1 promoter in lung epithelial cells and this modulation is different in cells of alveolar origin compared to bronchial epithelial cells.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

Modulation of apoptosis by endogenous Bcl-xL expression in MKN-45 human gastric cancer cells.

This study was designed to clarify the role of endogenous Bcl-xL expression in modulating apoptosis of malignant cells. Administration of bcl-x-antisense oligonucleotides decreased Bcl-xL protein levels in the MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell line. The decrease in Bcl-xL protein content resulted in increased cell death induced by serum deprivation or Fas-antibody administration. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the increased apoptotic cell death was more prominent in bcl-x-antisense-treated cells as compared to control cells, bcl-x-sense-treated cells, or bcl-x-nonsense-treated cells. To inhibit the effect of intrinsic Bcl-xL protein, we overexpressed Bak, which binds Bcl-xL and inhibits the anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-xL, by transfection into MKN-45 cells. Bak-overexpressing cells showed increased apoptotic cell death induced by Fas-antibody when compared to parent cells and MKN-neo-transfected cells. Bak-overexpressing cells also showed greater sensitization to 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin than parent cells and MKN-neo-transfected cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that administration of bcl-x-antisense oligonucleotides or overexpression of Bak protein induces sensitization to apoptosis in MKN-45 gastric cancer cells, suggesting that endogenous Bcl-xL expression in cancer cells is an important modulator of apoptosis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

STAT3 mediates the survival signal in oncogenic ras-transfected intestinal epithelial cells.

The oncogenic ras mutation is a common and critical step in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis. In a previous study, we demonstrated that oncogenic ras activated the EGF-related peptide autocrine loop and that the apoptosis resistance observed in the oncogenic ras-stimulated cell (IEC-ras cell) was dependent on this activated EGF-related peptide autocrine loop. STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription), first identified as intracellular signal transducers stimulated by cytokines, are known to also be activated by EGF. However, the role of STATs in the survival signal of IEC-ras cells is not clear. In the present study, we demonstrate that STAT3 is constitutively activated in ras-stimulated cells and that STAT3 activation is considerably suppressed by the EGF-specific receptor kinase inhibitor AG 1478. We also show that disruption of the STAT3 pathway by introduction of a dominant-negative STAT3 mutant abolishes the apoptosis resistance against UVC and MMC treatment observed in IEC-ras cells without affecting proliferation. Moreover, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, apoptosis-suppressive proteins, is reduced in dominant-negative STAT3-transfected cells. Thus, STAT3 appears to be an important mediator of the antiapoptotic signal in IEC-ras cells.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Identification of glucocorticoid- and adenovirus E1A-regulated genes in lung epithelial cells by differential display.

Adenovirus infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung inflammatory diseases for which glucocorticoids provide effective antiinflammatory treatment. In this study, the differential display assay was used to identify messenger RNAs (mRNAs) differentially expressed in dexamethasone (1 microM for 24 h)-treated A549 lung epithelial cells compared to A549 cells transfected with the adenoviral E1A gene. Thirty-seven complimentary DNAs (cDNAs) (15 glucocorticoid-regulated, 22 adenovirus E1A-regulated) were isolated. DNA sequence analysis showed that 35 of these were unique, 2 were identical with each other, and 3 were common to the glucocorticoid- and E1A-regulated groups. Genes identified included those involved in transcription/translation, cytoskeletal/contractile element genes, metabolic enzyme genes, and genes associated with cell regulation/signal transduction. After further analysis of the isolated clones by Northern blotting, ribonuclease protection, and semiquantitative RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction), 10 of the 14 glucocorticoid-regulated and one of the three common to both the adenovirus E1A- and glucocorticoid-regulated cDNAs were confirmed for this control of their expression. We conclude that the strategy of identifying cDNAs regulated by both adenovirus E1A and glucocorticoids provides a promising approach for identifying genes that may be important in the pathogenesis of lung inflammation and therefore targets for glucocorticoid treatment.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

A urokinase-sensitive region of the human urokinase receptor is responsible for its chemotactic activity.

The role of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR/CD87) in cell migration and invasion is well substantiated. Recently, uPA has been shown to be essential in cell migration, since uPA-/- mice are greatly impaired in inflammatory cell recruitment. We have shown previously that the uPA-induced chemotaxis requires interaction with and modification of uPAR/CD87, which is the true chemoattracting molecule acting through an unidentified cell surface component which mediates this cell surface chemokine activity. By expressing and testing several uPAR/CD87 variants, we have located and functionally characterized a potent uPAR/CD87 epitope that mimics the effects of the uPA-uPAR interaction. The chemotactic activity lies in the region linking domains 1 and 2, the only protease-sensitive region of uPAR/CD87, efficiently cleaved by uPA at physiological concentrations. Synthetic peptides carrying this epitope promote chemotaxis and activate p56/p59(hck) tyrosine kinase. Both chemotaxis and kinase activation are pertussis toxin sensitive, involving a Gi/o protein in the pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of heparin-binding EGF-related peptides in proliferation and apoptosis of activated ras-stimulated intestinal epithelial cells.

The ras mutation is a common and critical step in carcinogenesis. Autocrine growth factors are also known to play an important role in cancer cell growth and transformation. However, the contribution of autocrine growth factors in regulation of proliferation and apoptosis of activated ras-stimulated intestinal epithelium is not fully understood. Therefore, we constructed activated ras-transfected intestinal epithelial cell clones (IEC-ras) to examine the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related peptides in the behavior of IEC-ras. Overexpression of EGF family growth factors (transforming growth factor alpha, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, amphiregulin and betacellulin) and stronger phosphorylation of the EGF receptor was observed in IEC-ras compared with control cells. IEC-ras proliferated more rapidly than control cells, and a specific EGF receptor kinase inhibitor, AG 1478, abolished the increased proliferation of IEC-ras. Heparitinase and chlorate also prevented increased proliferation of IEC-ras. Additionally, IEC-ras expressed more bcl-2 and was more resistant to apoptosis induction by UV radiation and mitomycin C. AG 1478 suppressed bcl-2 expression and inhibited resistance to apoptosis of IEC-ras. Heparitinase and chlorate had effects similar to those of AG 1478. Our data indicate that heparin-binding EGF family growth factors play an important role in both increased proliferation and resistance to apoptosis of ras-stimulated intestinal epithelial cells.

Amphiregulin↗

Determinants of T cell reactivity to the Mycobacterium leprae GroES homologue.

The 10-kDa protein Ag of Mycobacterium leprae, a human GroES hsp10 cognate, is a major T cell Ag in human leprosy infection. We investigated the mechanism for T cell responsiveness to this Ag according to the trimolecular interaction between T cell, peptide, and Ag-presenting element. This research was accomplished by mapping T cell epitopes in leprosy patients and correlating these responses with peptide-MHC binding affinities. We found that the majority of tuberculoid leprosy patients responded to peptides corresponding to residues 25-39 and 28-42. Truncation analysis of these peptides mapped the exact epitope to be within the overlapping region comprising residues 28-39. Responsiveness was correlated with the HLA-DRB5*0101 allele, which bound the peptides with moderate affinity. This allele is linked to HLA-DR2, which is associated with the resistant form of leprosy. Therefore, T cell responsiveness in tuberculoid leprosy may be mediated by the ability of HLA-DRB5*0101 to bind and present peptides of the immunodominant 10-kDa Ag.

Alleles↗

Induction of heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and amphiregulin mRNAs by gastrin in the rat stomach.

The present study was designed to investigate whether heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and its related peptides are expressed in response to gastrin in rat stomach. Rat gastrin-17I (2.5 nmol/kg/hour) or gastrin-17I plus gastrin receptor antagonist, L-740,093 (2.0 mg/kg/hour), was injected intravenously into male Sprague-Dawley rats. RNA was extracted from oxyntic mucosa, and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and related peptide gene expression was estimated using a ribonuclease protection assay. The level of transforming growth factor-alpha mRNA did not change at any time point during the experiment. In contrast, the levels of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and amphiregulin mRNA were significantly increased within 3 hours following gastrin infusion and reached maximum levels 6 and 12 hours later, respectively. Continuous infusion of gastrin significantly increased oxyntic mucosal proliferation. Gastrin receptor antagonist significantly inhibited gastrin-induced heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and amphiregulin gene expression and gastrin-induced oxyntic mucosal proliferation. These findings indicate that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and amphiregulin genes are induced by gastrin and that they play a role in the trophic action of gastrin on oxyntic mucosa.

Amphiregulin↗

The improved outlook for biliary atresia with corticosteroid therapy.

Controversy exists regarding the efficacy of corticosteroids on bile flow after Kasai portoenterostomy in biliary atresia (BA). Fourteen patients who had BA and underwent Kasai portojejunostomy between November 1990 and March 1996 were subject of this study. Corticosteroid therapy ("blast" type) was used for inadequate bile drainage. Corticosteroid support was unnecessary in one patient with good bile drainage, and corticosteroids were aggressively used in the remaining 13 patients. Two patients who had no response to an initial blast subsequently responded and now are doing well. The remaining 11 patients responded to corticosteroids with varying degrees. Three had a limited response, and two ultimately underwent liver transplantation. There was one death caused by subdural hematoma. Three had an excellent initial response. However, one subsequently deteriorated because of intractable cholangitis, requiring liver transplantation. Ten survivors with native liver are anicteric with satisfactory growth and quality of life. Aggressive corticosteroid therapy is an important part of the management after Kasai portoenterostomy. The initial response to steroids does not necessarily reflect the final outcome.

Biliary Atresia↗

Congenital true diverticula of the esophagus: a case report.

Pseudodiverticulosis secondary to gastroesophageal reflux is a common disease in adults, but true esophageal diverticula are rare in infants and children. A 5-year-old boy was well until the age of 1 1/2 years when he started vomiting. An upper gastrointestinal series showed two diverticula bulging from the posterior right side of the middle esophagus associated with slight hiatal hernia and short esophagus. Diverticulectomy, the Collis-Nissen antireflux procedure, and pyloroplasty were performed simultaneously through a left thoracoabdominal incision. Histological examination of the diverticula showed that the wall of each diverticulum consisted of a full-thickness of esophageal wall. Because there was no tracheal remnant in the diverticula, this lesion is more likely to be a true diverticulum than a duplication.

Child, Preschool↗