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Biomedical subjects

Y Kanakura

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kanakura.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Constitutive activation of c-kit in FMA3 murine mastocytoma cells caused by deletion of seven amino acids at the juxtamembrane domain.

A peculiar point mutation results in constitutive activation of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) in three different tumor mast cell lines; ie, the HMC-1, P-815, and RBL-2H3. Because constitutive activation of KIT was also observed in the FMA3 mouse mastocytoma cell line, we investigated the molecular mechanism. Sequencing of the whole coding region of the c-kit showed that the point mutation found in HMC-1, P-815, and RBL-2H3 cells was absent in FMA3 cells and that the c-kit cDNA of FMA3 cells carried an in-frame deletion of 21 base pairs (bp) encoding Thr-Gln-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Asp-His at codons 573 to 579 at the juxtamembrane domain. The FMA3-type c-kit cDNA with 21 bp deletion was introduced into the IC-2 cell line, which was derived from murine cultured mast cells. IC-2 cells were dependent on interleukin (IL)-3 and did not express KIT on the surface. In IC-2 cells introduced with the FMA3-type c-kit cDNA, KIT was constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosines and activated. Moreover, the FMA3-type KIT was dimerized without the stimulation by stem cell factor (SCF), a ligand for KIT. The spontaneously dimerized FMA3-type KIT without SCF binding was not internalized even after the activation. IC-2 cells expressing the FMA3-type KIT grew in suspension culture without IL-3 and SCF and became leukemic in nude athymic mice. The deletion of seven amino acids at the juxtamembrane domain appeared to be a new activating mutation of KIT that might be involved in neoplastic growth of mast cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Circulating thrombopoietin level in chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

The circulating thrombopoietin (TPO) level in 43 patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was examined by an ELISA system. The TPO level (mean +/- SD) in ITP patients was mildly elevated (1.86 +/- 1.17 fmol/ml) compared to that in normal subjects (0.76 +/- 0.21), and was within the normal range in 30% of ITP patients. In contrast, the TPO level in patients with aplastic anaemia was very high, 12.35 +/- 6.42 fmol/ml. There was no correlation between TPO level and platelet count in ITP patients. Splenectomy was performed in two ITP patients, after which platelet counts increased to normal levels and TPO levels showed a transient increase. These data suggest that reactive TPO production against thrombocytopenia in ITP is small when compared to that in aplastic anaemia. Relative endogenous TPO deficiency may play some role in the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia in ITP patients.

Adult↗

A single nucleotide insertion in codon 317 of the CD36 gene leads to CD36 deficiency.

CD36 is a multifunctional integral-membrane glycoprotein that acts as a receptor for thrombospondin, collagen, long-chain fatty acids, and oxidized LDL. Platelet CD36 deficiency can be divided into two groups. In type I, neither platelets nor monocytes/macrophages express CD36; in type II, monocytes/macrophages express CD36 but platelets do not. Two known mutations cause CD36 deficiency, ie, a 478C-->T substitution in codon 90 (proline90-->serine) and a dinucleotide deletion at nucleotide 539 in codon 110. In this study we investigated a type I Japanese subject (A.T.) and identified a new mutation, a single nucleotide insertion at nucleotide 1159 in codon 317. This mutation leads to a frameshift and the appearance of a premature stop codon. CD36 gene analysis indicated that A.T. was a compound heterozygote for a dinucleotide deletion at nucleotide 539 and the single nucleotide insertion at nucleotide 1159. RNase protection studies suggested that the new mutation as well as the dinucleotide deletion led to a marked reduction in the level of CD36 mRNA in her macrophages. However, the new mutation could be detected in macrophage but not platelet CD36 mRNA. These data suggest that the allele having the single nucleotide insertion in this subject has an additional abnormality that results in the absence of the mutated CD36 mRNA in platelets.

Base Sequence↗

The effects of thrombopoietin on the growth of acute myeloblastic leukemia cells.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a novel hematopoietic growth factor that was cloned as a ligand for c-mpl proto-oncogene. The c-mpl proto-oncogene is expressed on various types of human leukemia cell lines derived from erythroid, megakaryocytic, and stem-cell leukemia cells. Also, c-mpl mRNA is detectable on blast cells in about half of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) cases regardless of French-American-British (FAB) classification. In the cases with myelodysplastic syndrome, c-mpl is expressed in a substantial fraction of refractory anemia with excess of blast (RAEB), RAEB in transformation, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia cells, but not in refractory anemia or sideroblastic anemia. Little or no expression of c-mpl mRNA is observed in human lymphoid cell lines and blast cells of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases. The in vitro treatment of AML cells with TPO resulted in proliferation in about 70% of c-mpl-positive AML cases. The proliferative responses of AML cells to TPO were observed not only in M7-type, but also in the other subtypes of AML cases. Furthermore, the TPO-induced proliferation of AML cells was augmented by the addition of the other hematopoietic growth factors such as interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-6, stem cell factor, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. In addition to proliferation, TPO appeared to induce megakaryocytic differentiation in a small part of AML cells. These results suggested that TPO/c-mpl system might contribute, at least in part, to abnormal growth and differentiation of AML cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

Transforming and differentiation-inducing potential of constitutively activated c-kit mutant genes in the IC-2 murine interleukin-3-dependent mast cell line.

Two mutations of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT), valine-559 to glycine (G559) and aspartic acid-814 to valine (V814), resulted in its constitutive activation. To examine the transforming and differentiation-inducing potential of the mutant KIT, we used the murine interleukin-3-dependent IC-2 mast cell line as a transfectant. The IC-2 cells contained few basophilic granules and did not express KIT on the surface. The KITG559 or KITV814 gene was introduced into IC-2 cells using a retroviral vector. KITG559 and KITV814 expressed in IC-2 cells were constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine and demonstrated kinase activity in the absence of stem cell factor, which is a ligand for KIT. IC-2 cells expressing either KITG559 or KITV814 (IC-2G559 or IC-2V814 cells) showed factor-independent growth in suspension culture and produced tumors in nude athymic mice. In addition, IC-2G559 and IC-2V814 cells showed a more mature phenotype compared with the phenotype of the original IC-2 cells, especially after transplantation into nude mice. The number of basophilic granules and the content of histamine increased remarkably. KITG559 and KITV814 also influenced the transcriptional phenotype of mouse mast cell proteases (MMCP) in IC-2 cells. The expression of MMCP-2, MMCP-4, and MMCP-6 was much greater in IC-2G559 and IC-2V814 cells than in the original IC-2 cells. The results indicated that constitutively activated KIT had not only oncogenic activity but also differentiation-inducing activity in mast cells.

Animals↗

Coexpression of thrombopoietin and c-mpl genes in human acute myeloblastic leukemia cells.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a recently identified hematopoietic growth factor that is essential for the growth and development of megakaryocytes. We have previously shown that TPO induces proliferation of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) cells in vitro. In this study, we have examined the expression of TPO and its receptor c-mpl in a series of AML cases and human leukemia cell lines. The mRNA transcripts of TPO were detectable in 18 of 50 AML cases and in some myeloid leukemia cell lines (HEL, M07E and CMK) by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, TPO transcripts were coexpressed with c-mpl transcripts in 10 of 50 AML cases and in HEL, M07E and CMK cells. With regard to the French-American-British (FAB) classification, coexpression OF TPO and c-mpl was observed with high frequency in AML cases of M7-type. Despite the TPO expression in a substantial fraction of leukemia cells, biological activity of TPO was not found in the conditioned medium that was obtained from cultivation of TPO mRNA-positive leukemia cells. These results suggest that TPO may not commonly participate in the abnormal growth of AML cells as an extracellular autocrine growth factor.

Base Sequence↗

Platelet-associated anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa autoantibodies in chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura mainly recognize cation-dependent conformations: comparison with the epitopes of serum autoantibodies.

Platelet-associated and serum anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa autoantibodies were investigated in 57 patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In modified antigen capture ELISA (MACE) using GPIIb-IIIa-specific-, GPIIb-specific-, and GPIIIa-specific-monoclonal antibody (mAb) for antigen capture, platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies were detected in 14 out of 37 patients (38%), and these antibodies could be detected with all 3 mAbs used for antigen capture. In the MACE using EDTA-treated platelets at 37 degrees C, the reactivity of platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies in 9 out of 10 patients was markedly reduced in both cases of GPIIb-specific- and GPIIIa-specific-mAb used. Immunoprecipitation experiments further confirmed that the EDTA-treatment abrogated the antigenicity of GPIIb-IIIa for platelet-associated antibodies in 2 patients. Serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa autoantibodies were detected in 23 out of 57 patients (40%). However, only 7 out of 23 serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies could be detected with all 3 mAbs. The MACE using EDTA-treated platelets further showed that the features of serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies were different from those of platelet-associated antibodies even in the same patient. Our data demonstrate that the platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies mainly recognize the cation-dependent antigenic determinants on GPIIb-IIIa and that serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies may contain some components which differ in specificity from platelet-associated antibodies.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Growth response of acute myeloblastic leukemia cells to recombinant human thrombopoietin.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a newly identified hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates both megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis through its interaction with a specific cell surface receptor encoded by the c-mpl proto-oncogene. In an effort to investigate the effect of TPO on human myeloid leukemia cells, the expression of c-mpl and the proliferative response to recombinant human (rh) TPO were investigated in a series of patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Of 50 cases of AML, the c-mpl mRNA was detectable by means of Northern blot analysis in 26 cases, and the in vitro treatment with rhTPO led to proliferation of AML cells in 22 cases. The c-mpl expression and proliferative response to rhTPO was observed in all subtypes of AML and did not correlate with French-American-British classification, whereas all cases of M7-type AML cells expressed c-mpl and proliferated in response to rhTPO. Furthermore, rhTPO-induced proliferation of AML cells was augmented with the addition of interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-6, stem cell factor, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These results suggested that c-mpl may be functional in terms of supporting proliferation of various types of AML cells and that TPO may contribute, at least in part, to abnormal growth of the cells, especially in combination with other hematopoietic growth factors.

Acute Disease↗

Constitutively activating mutations of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase confer factor-independent growth and tumorigenicity of factor-dependent hematopoietic cell lines.

The c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) is activated upon ligand binding, thereby leading to a variety of signaling events that play a fundamental role in hematopoiesis. In addition to ligand-dependent activation, we have previously shown that KIT is constitutively activated in a ligand-independent manner by two point mutations, Val-559-->Gly (G559) mutation in the juxtamembrane domain and Asp-814-->Val (V814) mutation in the phosphotransferase domain. To investigate the biochemical consequence and biologic significance of these mutations, retroviral vectors encoding KITG559 or KITV814 were introduced into murine pro-B-type Ba/F3 cells and myeloid FDC-P1 cells, both of which require interleukin-3 (IL-3) for their growth and survival. In the cells, KITG559 or KITV814 were found to be constitutively phophorylated on tyrosine in the absence of stem cell factor (SCF) that is a ligand for KIT. Chemical cross-linking analysis showed that a substantial fraction of the phosphorylated KITG559 underwent dimerization even in the absence of SCF, whereas the phosphorylated KITV814 did not, suggesting the distinct mechanisms underlying constitutive activation of KIT by G559 and V814 mutations. Furthermore, the cells expressing either KITG559 or KITV814 were found to show a factor-independent growth, whereas the cells expressing wild-type KIT (KITWT) proliferated in response to SCF as well as IL-3. Moreover, subcutaneous injection of Ba/F3 cells expressing KITG559 or KITV814 into nude mice resulted in production of large tumors at all sites of the injection within 2 weeks, and all nude mice quickly succumbed to leukemia and died. These results suggest that, although the mechanisms underlying constitutive activation of KITG559 or KITV814 may be different, both of the activating mutations have a function to induce a factor-independent and tumorigenic phenotype. Also, the data of this study raise the possibility that the constitutively activating mutations of c-kit may play a causal role in development of hematologic malignancies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Monoclonal anticardiolipin autoantibodies established from the (New Zealand white x BXSB)F1 mouse model of antiphospholipid syndrome cross-react with oxidized low-density lipoprotein.

OBJECTIVE: Autoimmunity-prone (New Zealand white x BXSB)F1 ([NZW x BXSB]F1) mice have been shown to be useful as a model of antiphospholipid syndrome with myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to examine the cross-reactivity of anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) derived from (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), which is closely associated with atherosclerosis. METHODS: Six monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against CL were established from (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice, and reactivity of aCL with ox-LDL was examined by micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Higher titers of anti-ox-LDL autoantibodies were found in adult (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice compared with other autoimmunity-prone mouse strains (P < 0.01) or a control strain (P < 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between titers of aCL and those of anti-ox-LDL in (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice (r = 0.79, P < 0.001). Of the 6 MAb against CL, 2 clones that showed beta 2-glycoprotein 1-dependent reactivity also cross-reacted with ox-LDL. Binding of monoclonal aCL to solid-phase cardiolipin was inhibited by ox-LDL, but not by native LDL. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that aCL derived from (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice can cross-react with ox-LDL. This result suggests that aCL, which is closely associated with lupus-associated thrombosis, may also play an important role in atherosclerotic complications in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Animals↗

Expression of vascular permeability factor (VPF/VEGF) messenger RNA by plasma cells: possible involvement in the development of edema in chronic inflammation.

Edema occurs in some types of chronic inflammation such as nasal polyps, uterine cervical polyps and gastric hyperplastic polyps. However, the factors or cellular components involved in the development of edema in chronic inflammation remain to be clarified. Recently, the gene encoding vascular permeability factor (VPF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the genes encoding its receptors (kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) and fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 [fit-1]) have been cloned. VPF/VEGF induces vascular hyperpermeability and vascular endothelial proliferation through KDR or fit-1 receptors. As there is a possibility that VPF/VEGF may play a role in the development of edema in chronic inflammation, we examined the messenger (m) RNA expression of VPF/VEGF and its receptors in nasal polyp tissues, which is an example of chronic inflammation with remarkable edema. Using northern blotting, all nasal polyp tissues examined expressed mRNA of VPF/VEGF and KDR. In situ hybridization revealed that VPF/VEGF mRNA-expressing cells were scattered in the edematous stroma of nasal polyps. In the adjacent sections, these cells showed the morphological features of plasma cells and expressed mRNA of immunoglobulin light chains. Human B cell leukemia and plasmacytoma cell lines expressed VPF/VEGF mRNA but human mast-cell leukemia and T cell leukemia cell lines did not. The alternatively spliced pattern of VPF/VEGF transcripts observed in nasal polyp tissues was consistent with that in plasmacytoma cell lines. Taken together, the VPF/VEGF mRNA-expressing cells in nasal polyps appeared to be plasma cells, suggesting that plasma cells may play an important role in the development of edema in chronic inflammation through the production of VPF/VEGF.

Base Sequence↗

Substitution of an aspartic acid results in constitutive activation of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase in a rat tumor mast cell line RBL-2H3.

The c-kit protooncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates signals required for differentiation, proliferation and survival of mast cells. We have already shown the constitutive activation of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) in a human mast cell leukemia line (HMC-1) and a murine mastocytoma cell line (P-815). We here examined whether such constitutive activation of KIT occurred in the rat tumor mast cell line RBL-2H3 as well, which is frequently used as a tool for studying functions of mast cells. In RBL-2H3 cells, KIT was constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine and activated in the absence of autocrine production of its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF). Sequencing analysis revealed that one of c-kit genes of RBL-2H3 cells had a point mutation, resulting in amino acid substitution of Tyr for Asp in codon 817. When rat wild-type c-kit cDNA and mutant-type c-kit cDNA encoding KITTyr817 were transfected into cells of a human embryonic kidney cell line (293T), only mutant form KITTyr817 was constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine and activated in the absence of SCF. Since mutations at the same Asp codon constitutively activated KIT in all the human HMC-1, murine P-815, and rat RBL-2H3 cell lines, and since the incorporation of antisense oligonucleotides of c-kit messenger RNA significantly suppressed the proliferation of RBL-2H3 cells, the activating mutations in the Asp codon of the c-kit gene appeared to be involved in neoplastic growth of mast cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Family studies of type II CD36 deficient subjects: linkage of a CD36 allele to a platelet-specific mRNA expression defect(s) causing type II CD36 deficiency.

We performed family studies with type II CD36 deficiency. In the Mi. Y family, the proband (YII.1) and his brother (YII.2) displayed a type II deficient phenotype. In the mother (YI.2), binding of the anti-CD36 monoclonal antibody, OKM5, to both platelets and monocytes was reduced as compared to CD36 positive control cells. In the father (YI.1), while OKM5 binding to his platelets was reduced, that of his monocytes was almost the same as normal control monocytes. Analysis of genomic DNA showed that YI.2, YII.1 and YII.2 were heterozygous for a proline90-->serine mutation, and showed that both alleles of YI.1 did not have the mutation. Analysis of CD36 cDNA showed that the Pro90 form of CD36 cDNA could be detected in monocytes, but not in platelets from YII.1 and YII.2. These data indicated that YII.1 and YII.2 could be compound heterozygotes; an allele having a platelet-specific mRNA expression defect(s), which was responsible for the different CD36 expression between their platelets and monocytes, and the Ser90 allele. YI.1 was suggested to be a carrier of the platelet-specific silent allele. The platelet-specific silent allele was linked to a specific genotype of a polymorphic microsatellite sequence in the CD36 gene, supporting our hypothesis that mRNA expression defect(s) occurred at or near the CD36 gene. In a second type II CD36 deficient family, we also obtained results consistent with this hypothesis.

Alleles↗

Induction of programmed cell death in human hematopoietic cell lines by fibronectin via its interaction with very late antigen 5.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules such as fibronectin (FN), collagens, and laminin have important roles in hematopoiesis. However, little is known about the precise mechanisms by which ECM molecules regulate proliferation of human hematopoietic progenitor cells. In this study, we have investigated the effects of ECM molecules, particularly of FN, on the proliferation of a myeloid leukemia cell line, M07E, which proliferates in response to either human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or stem cell factor (SCF). The [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell enumeration assays showed that FN strikingly inhibited GM-CSF- or SCF-induced proliferation of M07E cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas little or no inhibition was induced by collagen types I and IV. The growth suppression of M07E cells was not due to the inhibitory effect of FN on ligand binding or very early events in the signal transduction pathways from the GM-CSF or SCF receptors. DNA content analysis using flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide revealed that the treatment of M07E cells with FN did not block the entry of the cells into the cell cycle after stimulation with GM-CSF or SCF, whereas the treatment resulted in the appearance of subdiploid peak. Furthermore, FN was found to induce oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation in the cells even in the presence of GM-CSF or SCF, suggesting the involvement of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the FN-induced growth suppression. The growth suppression or apoptosis induced by FN was rescued by the addition of either anti-FN antibody, anti-very late antigen 5 monoclonal antibody (anti-VLA5 mAb), or GRGDSP peptide, but not by that of anti-VLA4 mAb or GRGESP peptide, suggesting that the FN effects on M07E cells were mediated through VLA5. In addition, the FN-induced apoptosis was detectable in VLA5-positive human hematopoietic cell lines other than M07E cells, but not in any of the VLA5-negative cell lines. These results suggest that FN is capable of inducing apoptosis via its interaction with VLA5, and also raise the possibility that the FN-VLA5 interaction may contribute, at least in part, to negative regulation of hematopoiesis.

Apoptosis↗

Ligand-independent activation of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase in a murine mastocytoma cell line P-815 generated by a point mutation.

The c-kit proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is known to play a crucial role in hematopoiesis, especially in mast cell growth and differentiation. Although a number of dominant loss-of-function mutations of c-kit gene have been well characterized in mice, rats, and humans, little is known about the c-kit mutations contributing to ligand-independent activation of the c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT). In a murine mastocytoma cell line, P-815, KIT has been found to be constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine and activated in a ligand-independent manner. Sequencing of the whole coding region of c-kit cDNA showed that c-kit cDNA of P-815 cells carries a point mutation in codon 814, resulting in amino acid substitution of Tyr for Asp. Murine wild-type c-kit cDNA and mutant-type c-kit cDNA encoding Tyr in codon 814 were expressed in cells of a human embryonic kidney cell line, 293T. In the transfected cells, mutant-form KITTyr814 was strikingly phosphorylated on tyrosine and activated in immune complex kinase reaction regardless of stimulation with a ligand for KIT (stem cell factor), whereas tyrosine phosphorylation and activation was barely detectable in wild-form KIT. The data presented here provide evidence for a novel activating mutation of c-kit gene that might be involved in neoplastic growth or oncogenesis of some cell types, including mast cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗