Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Imanishi

Publications and source records attributed to Y Imanishi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Oxygen ion implantation at 20 to 2000 keV into polysulfone for improvement of endothelial cell adhesion.

The irradiation effects of oxygen on polysulfone have been investigated at energies of 20 keV, 150 keV and 2 MeV. The strong improvement of endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation is found on ion irradiated polysulfone at 20 keV. Such improvement is declined with increasing ion energy. The changes of surface color and free energy are strongly dependent on ion energy and dose. The formation of amorphous carbon phase is demonstrated by Raman spectroscopy and its degree is correspondent to the color changes observed. The formations of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups are confirmed by the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy. The depletions of heteroatoms are conjectured by detail analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Since no single one of these changes can be related directly to the improved adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells on irradiated surface, we argue that the distribution of functional groups is crucial in promoting the adhesion of endothelial cells. Although the distribution cannot directly be detected at present, the irradiation effects were related to the results of TRIM simulation. The surface changes can be controlled by adjusting the size energy and dose of irradiating ion for the optimum morphology to cell adhesion.

Journal Article↗

Chemical changes of polymeric surfaces after modification with multi-source cluster deposition.

A new process for surface modification of polymers with multi-source cluster deposition apparatus has been reported in our previous work. The apparatus simultaneously supplies reactant of ammonium sulfamate and activator of energetic Ar(+) ion. In this work chemical changes are analyzed on the basis of XPS spectra and the relations of contact angle and platelet adhesion with chemical changes are discussed. Polymer film, setting on a turning holder, was irradiated by Ar(+) ions during bombardment with ammonium sulfamate clusters. The Ar(+) ion source served for activation of polymer surface and a cluster ion source supplied ammonium sulfamate molecules to react with activated surface. After thorough washing with deionized sterile water, the modified surfaces were evaluated in terms of contact angle of water, elemental composition and binding state on XPS and platelet adhesion with platelet rich plasma (PRP). The modification of polysulfone decreased the contact angle of water on surfaces from 82.6 down to 34.5 degrees. The adhesion number of platelets were decreased to one-tenth of the original surface. Ammonium, amine, sulfate and thiophene combinations were formed on the modified surfaces. The primary studies showed successful modification of polysulfone with ammonium sulfamate by assistance of Ar(+) ion irradiation. The polar groups like N-sulfate were formed on surfaces and contribute to the decrease of surface contact angle and adhesion number of platelets. Since the same process can also be applied to other polymeric materials with various substrates, combining with the features of no solvent and no topographic changes, this method might be developed in a promising way for modification of polymers.

Journal Article↗

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor upregulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) in human head and neck cancer cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP) play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the mechanism of their regulation is not clearly understood. Recently, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been shown to be associated with cancer invasion and metastasis. We hypothesized that GM-CSF may upregulate MMP-2 and/or MT1-MMP expression in HNSCC cells, and may thereby influence their ability to invade and metastasize. We studied the effects of GM-CSF on the production of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP in HNSCC cell lines SAS and HSC-2. Gelatin zymography of conditioned media derived from HNSCC cells revealed a major band of 68 kDa, which was characterized as proMMP-2. GM-CSF stimulated the production of proMMP-2 in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 50 ng/ml GM-CSF for 24 h increased the proMMP-2 activity 3.4-fold in SAS cells and 2.3-fold in HSC-2 cells compared with untreated controls. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that GM-CSF led to elevated mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP in both cell lines. The results identify GM-CSF as a regulator of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP expression in certain types of HNSCC, and suggest that GM-CSF may contribute to the invasiveness of HNSCC through the regulation of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP expression.

Cell Division↗

Activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: studies of clinical samples and in vitro cell lines co-cultured with fibroblasts.

We undertook this present study to investigate the activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) tissues and cell lines. Gelatinolytic activities of active MMP-2 were significantly higher in carcinoma samples than in normal portions. Furthermore, the activation ratio of proMMP-2 significantly correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis. In vitro studies revealed an HNSCC cell line, HEp-2, to produce neither the pro form nor the active form of MMP-2, but human fibroblasts were found to produce proMMP-2. However, coculture of HEp-2 cells with fibroblasts resulted in the production of not only proMMP-2 but also activeMMP-2 in the culture medium. Northern blot analysis revealed a stronger expression of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP),which is a specific activator of MMP-2, mRNA in HEp-2 cells than in fibroblasts. These results suggest the activation of proMMP-2 as an important event in the process of HNSCC metastasis. They also suggest MMP-2 is secreted in its pro form by stromal fibroblasts surrounding the cancer cells and activated by MT1-MMP localized on the cancer cells.

Aged↗

Spontaneous Vesicle Formation by Helical Glycopeptides in Water.

Hydrophobic helical peptide molecules with a lactose unit at the C terminal, Nap-(Ala-Aib)(n)-NHCH(2)CH(2)NH-Lac (Nap, Aib, and Lac represent 2-naphthylacetic acid group, 2-aminoisobutyric acid, and lactobionic acid group, respectively, n=4, 6, 8), were synthesized and their formation of self-assemblies in water was investigated. Nap-(Ala-Aib)(4)-NHCH(2)CH(2)NH-Lac was spontaneously dispersed in water and formed aggregates of 70 nm diameter, shown by dynamic light scattering measurement. Cryo-TEM observation revealed that the aggregates took on a vesicular structure with a single membrane. The membrane is suggested to be composed of helical peptide molecules with an interdigitated antiparallel packing on the basis of circular dichroism and fluorescence measurements. On the other hand, the dodecapeptide formed a fibrous assembly, and the hexadecapeptide could not be dispersed in water. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Role of CD44 variant exon 6 in invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlation between the expression of CD44 variant exon 6 (v6) and the clinicopathological features of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), and to study the role of CD44v6 in cell invasion using a human HNSCC cell line (HSC-2). DESIGN: The expression of CD44v6 was evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis in paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 89 primary lesions. The concentration of CD44v6 protein in 37 cryopreserved tumor specimens was evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The HSC-2 cells were treated with 2F10, a monoclonal antibody against CD44v6. The effects of 2F10 on HSC-2 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion potential were evaluated. RESULTS: The down-regulation of CD44v6 expression or the concentration of cancer tissue significantly correlated with a lower degree of pathohistological differentiation and a higher rate of cervical metastasis. The invasion of HSC-2 cells into type I collagen gel and the expression of CD44v6 were decreased in invading cells released from the upper layer. Furthermore, the treatment of HSC-2 cells with 2F10 significantly enhanced cell invasion. However, 2F10 did not affect either the proliferation or migration properties of HSC-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The down-regulation of CD44v6 expression may be useful as a biological marker for the degree of malignancy in HNSCCs. We assume that the loss or dysfunction of CD44v6 is involved in the acquisition of invasion ability in HSC-2 cells. In addition, the potential existence of a CD44v6-mediated signal transduction pathway may play a role in inhibiting the invasion in HNSCCs.

Biomarkers↗

Cation recognition by self-assembled monolayers of oriented helical peptides having a crown ether unit.

Cation recognition of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of helical peptides having a crown ether unit was investigated by the impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Lipo-(Ala-Aib)8-Ala-Cr and Boc-Glu(Cr)-(Ala-Aib)8-Lipoa (Lipo, Lipoa, and Cr represent lipoic acid, lipoamide, and amidobenzo-18-crown-6, respectively) were synthesized and the helix SAMs were prepared. The peptides having a crown ether unit formed SAMs oriented nearly vertically to the substrate. The capacitance of the Lipo-(Ala-Aib)(8)-Ala-Cr SAM changed specifically with the addition of cations, and the binding constants of the SAM were larger than those of the crown ether in aqueous solution because of a large dipole moment of the helical peptide. In the case of the Boc-Glu(Cr)-(Ala-Aib)8-Lipoa SAM, the cation binding to the SAM showed a drastic decrease in the peak current of the cyclic voltammetry around 10(-5)M of K+ ion. In either capacitance measurement or cyclic voltammetry, the helical peptide SAM played an important role in the sensitive response to cations.

Cations↗

Effects of cyclic polylactate (CPL) on the growth of cloned leukemic cells in vitro.

A novel supramolecular oligomer, cyclic polylactate (CPL), was first discovered in the culture medium of HeLa-S tumour cells, and was reported to inhibit the growth of FM3A ascites tumour cells by inhibiting the activities of pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). We have now synthesized CPL-containing oligomers with polymerization numbers ranging from 9 to 19, by prolonged heating and rapid mixing of a carbohydrate compound of the L-lactic acid monomer (C(3)H(6)O(3)) under decreased pressure and have studied its effects on the growth of leukemic cells. Treatment with 0.02 mg/ml CPL inhibited the growth of HL60 and TF-1 cells, while the growth of K562 cells was inhibited by 0.2 mg/ml CPL. A concentration of 2 mg/ml CPL was required to inhibit granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cell (CFU-GM) and burst-forming unit erythroid (BFU-E) precursor colony formation among normal bone marrow cells. Furthermore, 7A6 antigen expression and DNA ladder formation were observed in leukemic cells cultured with CPL, indicating that CPL induces apoptotic changes in these cells. These findings suggest that CPL might be a useful chemotherapeutic agent for leukemia.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

In vitro selected oligonucleotides as receptors in binding assays.

This paper describes a new binding assay that uses oligodeoxyribonucleotides (DNAs) obtained by the in vitro selection method instead of antibodies. DNAs that specifically bound to a target molecule were selected, labeled with some probes, and then used to detect the target molecule by staining or competitive binding assay.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of high-risk breast cancer patients from genetic changes of their tumors.

To identify the genetic prognostic markers for breast cancer, we analyzed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 11p, 16q, 17p, 17q, and 18q, as well as amplification of the ERBB2, INT2, and MYC genes, in 131 patients with breast carcinoma, 49 of whom had lymph node involvement, but none of whom had distant metastases. Among the several chromosome arms tested, LOH at 17q was correlated with lymph node metastasis. Amplification of the ERBB2, MYC, and INT2 genes was found more frequently in tumors from patients with lymph node metastases than in tumors from those without lymph node metastases. Univariate analysis demonstrated that LOH at 17q and INT2 amplification were factors influencing disease-free survival (DFS). A multivariate analysis was performed on 89 tumors that were able to be evaluated for both LOH at 17q and INT2 amplification, and the results showed that patients who had tumors with these genetic changes were more likely to have a poor prognosis. The findings of this study suggest that investigating genetic changes, in addition to conventional clinicopathologic factors, may contribute to defining groups of breast cancer patients with differences in prognosis.

Blotting, Southern↗

Enkephalin-cell interactions.

Enkephalin analogs for multivalent ligand systems, bivalent enkephalins, multivalent enkephalins on polymers, multivalent ligands on vesicles, simultaneous activation of two different receptor systems, and cell interactions of enkephalin/polypeptide conjugates are described. Multivalent ligand systems can trigger receptor-receptor interactions and are considered to possess interesting possibilities in terms of enhanced potency, reduction of side effects, and a new biological activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathophysiology and diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism--strategy for asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), the most common cause of hypercalcemia due to excessive secretion of PTH, is usually associated with hypophosphatemia and elevated serum chloride. Although PHPT was often complicated by renal stone disease and osteitis fibrosa in the past, routine screening of serum calcium (Ca) and development of sophisticated assay of parathyroid hormone have contributed to earlier detection of asymptomatic PHPT (APHPT). The proportion of APHPT patients, who have a mild elevation of serum Ca levels, usually within 1.0 mg/dL above the upper limit of normal, rose from 10-20% to approximately 45% of all PHPT patients in 1990-1995 in our clinic. Although it has been reported that the prevalence of PHPT is about 0.1% of the American population, the prevalence of PHPT appears to be far less in the Japanese population. Determination of a strategy for the increasing number of APHPT patients, is a pressing need but has yet to be accomplished. Treatment with bone antiresorptive drugs has met with some success, although the long-term efficacy of this treatment is not clear. The therapeutic effects of Ca-sensing receptor agonists appear promising.

Hormone Antagonists↗

Clinical significance of expression of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Three different membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) activate in vitro the latent form of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which is one of the key proteinases in invasion and metastasis of various cancers. We examined the mRNA expression of MT1, 2, and 3-MMPs and MMP-2 in cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and quantitated the relative expression levels in human HNSCC tissues by Northern blotting. The tissue localization of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Their implications in clinicopathologic factors were statistically evaluated. All cell lines examined consistently expressed MT1-MMP and MMP-2, but not MT2, 3-MMP. In the clinical specimens, there was a significant correlation in coexpression of messenger of RNA (P = .0005) and colocalization by immunohistochemistry (P < .0001) for MT1-MMP and MMP-2. Relative mRNA expression levels of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 in the carcinoma tissues were significantly higher than those of the control tissues (P = .0045 and P = .0122, respectively). Both mRNA expression level and immunopositivity of MT1-MMP significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = .0081 and P = .0193, respectively), which was confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Immunoreaction of MT1-MMP and its mRNA expression were observed in both carcinoma cells and stromal cells. The localization of MMP-2 closely corresponded to that of MT1-MMP. These observations suggest that MT1-MMP possesses a role as a determinant of lymph node metastasis in HNSCC, and that concurrent expression of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 are involved in progression of HNSCC.

Blotting, Northern↗

Clinicopathological significance of expression of CD44 variants in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Splice variants of the cell surface glycoprotein CD44 have been reported to be associated with the progression of various human tumors. The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the expression of CD44 isoforms, especially CD44 variant 2 (CD44v2), and the clinicopathological features of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). The expression of CD44 isoforms was evaluated immunohistochemically in paraffin-embedded tissues from 89 primary lesions, using monoclonal antibodies against CD44 standard (CD44st), CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) and CD44v2. Cancer tissues from 89 (100%), 85 (95.5%) and 59 (66.3%) patients showed positive immunoreactivity for CD44st, CD44v6 and CD44v2, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between the down-regulation of CD44v2 and poorer differentiation of the tumor cells (P = 0.02). We could not find any significant correlation between the expression of CD44v2 and T stage or N stage (lymph node status). However, the rate of positive cervical lymph node metastasis tended to increase with reduced expression of CD44v2 (P = 0.08). Down-regulation of CD44v2 expression was correlated with shorter overall survival (P = 0.01). Furthermore, Cox's multivariate analysis revealed that only CD44v2 expression and lymph node status were independent prognostic factors. These findings suggest that down-regulation of CD44v2 expression may be one of the biological markers for the degree of malignancy in HNSCCs.

Adult↗

Rare somatic inactivation of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 gene in secondary hyperparathyroidism of uremia.

The molecular pathway of autonomous growth of the parathyroid glands in uremic patients is poorly understood. Loss of heterozygosity at the recently identified multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene locus on chromosome 11q13 has been found in a subset of parathyroid glands from patients with refractory hyperparathyroidism. To clarify the role of the MEN1 gene in parathyroid tumorigenesis, we analyzed 81 parathyroid glands from 22 Japanese uremic patients for allelic loss on chromosomal arm 11q13 DNA using 3 flanking markers (PYGM, D11S4946, and D11S449) and for mutations of the MEN1-coding exons by PCR-based single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and sequencing. Allelic loss on 11q13 was observed in 6 glands (7%), and 1 of 6 demonstrated a previously unrecognized somatic frameshift deletion (331delG) of the MEN1 gene. This mutation would probably result in a nonfunctional menin protein, consistent with a tumor suppressor mechanism. Clinical and pathological characteristics of hyperparathyroidism were unrelated to the presence or absence of loss of heterozygosity on 11q13 and MEN1 gene mutations. These observations indicate that somatic inactivation of the MEN1 gene contributes to the pathogenesis of uremia-associated parathyroid tumors, but its role in this disease appears to be very limited.

Chromosome Mapping↗

[A case of biloma caused by early complications of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy].

We report a 70-year-old male who had biloma as an early complication of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy. The patient had a history of subtotal gastrectomy for a advanced gastric cancer. Two years after the primary operation on the stomach, a solitary metastatic liver tumor was indicated by follow-up abdominal CT, and a segmental hepatectomy was performed. Soon after the hepatectomy, intraarterial catheter placement was performed via the left subclavian artery for preventive chemotherapy. Infusion chemotherapy of 10.5 g 5-FU and 75 mg CDDP was administered for a month, during which time the patient had liver dysfunction, fever, tenderness, and abdominal fullness. Abdominal CT revealed a large low density mass at a lateral segment of the liver which could not be seen on the previous CT image. Also, extravasation of contrast media was identified by angiography via the reservoir catheter. Using an interventional technique, percutaneous transhepatic drainage for biloma and extubation of the reservoir catheter were performed. The present case is thought to be of an early and rare complication of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy. The etiology is discussed herein.

Aged↗

UFT plus carboplatin for head and neck cancer.

Cisplatin plus fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely accepted as neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; UFT is also an active agent against this disease. In the first retrospective study, we examined the efficacy of UFT as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with maxillary cancer. The 5-year survival rate of those treated with UFT vs those not treated was 71.4% vs 23.8%, respectively. In the second study we developed the carboplatin plus UFT regimen--as a modification of cisplatin plus 5-FU--and studied its efficacy and toxicity in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These patients received UFT plus carboplatin. The objective response rate was 53.1%; grade > or = 3 leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were rare. These findings suggest that UFT plus carboplatin in the outpatient setting is feasible for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Administration, Oral↗