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Biomedical subjects

Y Kaneda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kaneda.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Lung volume reduction surgery for pulmonary emphysema using dynamic Xenon-133 and Tc-99m-MAA SPECT images.

The usefulness of Xe-133 and Tc-99m-MAA single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in identifying areas to be resected during video-assisted thoracoscopic lung reduction surgery for emphysema was examined. Twenty-nine patients with advanced emphysema were examined using Xe-133 and Tc-99m-MAA SPECT prior to and following surgery. For the Xe-133 dynamic SPECT, patients inhaled Xe-133 gas for 6 minutes. Equilibrium and subsequent washout SPECT images were acquired every 30 seconds for 6 to 7 minutes during spontaneous breathing. Ventilation was quantified by Xe-133 clearance time (T1/2) in addition to visual assessment. The patients underwent unilateral thoracoscopic volume reduction in the regions with abnormal Xe-133 retention and Tc-99m-MAA defect. All patients demonstrated marked, heterogeneous Xe-133 retention and Tc-99m-MAA defects preoperatively. The worst functioning areas were identified as nonventilated and noflow areas, or areas with air trapping and low perfusion. These changes were found even in patients with diffuse and symmetrical impairments on chest CT. After surgery, most of these "target areas" disappeared and pulmonary function tests demonstrated significant improvement. T1/2 correlated closely with the percent predicted FEV1 (%FEV) and 6-minute walk distance before and after surgery (p<0.0001). Xe-133 and Tc-99m-MAA SPECT imaging was useful in identifying "target areas" in the emphysematous lung. Directed unilateral thoracoscopic volume reduction based on these SPECT images is an effective treatment for emphysema.

Aged↗

Amino acids and peptides. XXXII: A bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid of fibronectin-related peptides.

An amino acid type poly(ethylene glycol) (aaPPEG) was prepared and its application to a drug carrier was examined. The peptides, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and Glu-Ile-Leu-Asp-Val (EILDV) which were reported as active fragments of Fibronectin (a cell adhesion protein), were conjugated with aaPEG (molecular weight, 10,000). The hybrid, RGD-aaPEG-EILDV, was prepared by a combination of the solid-phase method and the solution method. Antiadhesive activity of the peptides was not lost by its hybrid formation with the large aaPEG molecule. A mixture of RGD (0.43 mmol) and EILDV (0.43 mmol) did not demonstrate an antiadhesive effect, but the hybrid containing 0.43 mmol of each peptide did exhibit this effect.

Carrier Proteins↗

Development and characterization of cationic liposomes conjugated with HVJ (Sendai virus): reciprocal effect of cationic lipid for in vitro and in vivo gene transfer.

Today, nonviral gene transfer vectors attract more attention as a therapeutic strategy for human diseases, because viral vectors such as adenoviral and herpes viral vectors have been proven to have problems, especially in immunogenicity and cytotoxicity. However, the main limitation of nonviral vectors has been low efficiency of gene expression. To overcome this defect, we have developed a new class of transfection vehicles, HVJ-cationic liposomes. The use of the cationic lipid DC-cholesterol facilitates efficient entrapment of negatively charged macromolecules (plasmid DNA, oligodeoxynucleotides, and proteins) and efficient interaction with negatively charged plasma membranes of cultured cells in vitro. Moreover, the fusogenic envelope proteins of hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) enhance delivery of the enclosed materials into cells. Using firefly luciferase as a marker, we optimized the liposome formula. As a result, we have succeeded in obtaining 100-800 times higher gene expression in vitro than with the conventional HVJ-anionic liposomes. However, in vivo gene transfer experiments have revealed that the use of cationic lipid instead of anionic lipid reduced the transgene expression dramatically in organs such as muscle and liver. We further discovered that the use of anionic liposomes with a viral-mimic king lipid composition increased transfection efficiency by several times in vivo. We conclude that the alternative usage of transfer vectors, for example, HVJ-anionic liposomes for in vivo delivery to extended areas of organs and HVJ-cationic liposomes for in vitro delivery (and possibly for in vivo delivery to a restricted area of organs), is of significance.

Animals↗

A novel strategy for myocardial protection using in vivo transfection of cis element 'decoy' against NFkappaB binding site: evidence for a role of NFkappaB in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: NFkappaB, an important transcriptional factor, has been reported to play a significant role in the coordinated transcription of cytokine and adhesion molecule genes. Therefore, blocking the NFkappaB may attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury in the myocardium. For blocking transcriptional factors, gene therapy, such as cis element "decoy," appears to be an innovative and useful therapy. This study aimed to prove the efficacy of cis element decoy against NFkappaB binding site for myocardial protection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rat hearts were transfected with fluorescence isothiocyanate-labeled cis element decoy against NFkappaB (NF)-binding site (NF group, n=6) and scrambled decoy (SD) group (n=6) by coronary infusion of hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome during cardioplegic arrest. Both the NF and SD groups showed marked FITC-staining in the nuclei of myocytes, demonstrating the efficacy of gene transfer into the nuclei of cardiac myocytes as compared with the control group transfected with empty liposomes. After 3 days of transfection, the NF group showed significantly higher percentages of recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (NF versus SD, 87+/-11 versus 54+/-12%) and coronary flow (97+/-16 versus 61+/-15%) than did the control hearts when exposed to ischemia (30 minutes, 37 degrees C) and reperfusion (30 minutes, 37 degrees C). The NF group showed a significantly lower percentage of neutrophil adherence to endothelial cells (38+/-6 versus 81+/-3%) and a lower tissue level of interleukin-8 (109+/-48 versus 210+/-55 ng/mg) than did the SD group. CONCLUSION: The hearts transfected with cis element decoy against NFkappaB binding site showed significant improvement in tolerance against ischemia-reperfusion injury in association with the inhibition of neutrophil adherence and tissue IL-8 production. This suggests that NFkappaB plays a significant role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. This method, using in vivo gene transfection of cis element decoy against NFkappaB binding site, appears to be a novel and future strategy for myocardial protection.

Animals↗

Efficient transfer of synthetic ribozymes into cells using hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-cationic liposomes. Application for ribozymes that target human t-cell leukemia virus type I tax/rex mRNA.

We investigated the usefulness of ribozymes in inhibiting the expression of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) gene. Two hammerhead ribozymes that were against HTLV-I rex (RR) and tax (TR) mRNA were synthesized. Both ribozymes were sequence-specific in the in vitro cleavage analysis of run-off transcripts from tax/rex cDNA. Intracellular activities of the ribozymes were studied in HTLV-I tax cDNA-transfected rat embryonic fibroblasts (Rat/Tax cells), which expressed the Tax but not Rex. Ribozymes were delivered into cells using anionic or cationic liposomes fused with hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ). Cellular uptake of ribozymes complexed with HVJ-cationic liposomes was 15-20 times higher cellular uptake than naked ribozymes, and 4-5 times higher than that of ribozymes complexed with HVJ-anionic liposomes. HVJ-cationic liposomes promoted accumulation of ribozymes in cytoplasm and accelerated transport to the nucleus. Tax protein levels were decreased about 95% and were five times lower when the same amount of TR was introduced into the cells using HVJ-cationic, rather than HVJ-anionic liposomes. Inactive ribozyme and tax antisense oligodeoxynucleotides reduced Tax expression by about 20%, whereas RR and tax sense oligodeoxynucleotides had no effect. These results suggest that the ribozymes' effect against tax mRNA was sequence-specific, and HVJ-cationic liposomes can be useful for intracellular introduction of ribozymes.

Animals↗

Bioconjugation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha with the copolymer of divinyl ether and maleic anhydride increasing its antitumor potency.

To enhance the therapeutic usefulness of antitumor cytokines in vivo, we synthesized bioconjugated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) with divinyl ether and maleic anhydride copolymer (DIVEMA), which has intrinsic antitumor activity as a synthetic biological response modifier. The degree of modification could be controlled by the addition of 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMMAn), which binds to amino groups of TNF-alpha by changing the pH. In addition, the specific activity of DIVEMA-TNF-alpha was hardly decreased in vitro. DIVEMA-TNF-alpha showed a marked antitumor effect compared to native TNF-alpha without any side effects such as sudden death, body-weight reduction, and decrease in platelet count on mice bearing solid tumors. These results suggest that DIVEMA is a useful polymeric modifier for-bioconjugation of TNF-alpha in order to increase its antitumor activity, and multifunctionally bioconjugated TNF-alpha may be a potentiated antitumor agent for therapeutic use.

Animals↗

In vivo gene transfection of human endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase in cardiomyocytes causes apoptosis-like cell death. Identification using Sendai virus-coated liposomes.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) has various actions on the cardiovascular system, although its pathophysiological significance in myocardial cells remains obscure. The aim of the present study was to identify direct NO actions on cardiomyocytes by gene transfection in vivo using a newly developed vector under physiological conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Liposomes containing the beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene alone or with the human endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) gene were coated with UV-inactivated Sendai virus and injected into the left ventricular wall of rat heart in vivo. Histological examination confirmed that the transfection efficiency was comparable to adenovirus-mediated transfection and that the new vector per se caused no inflammation. beta-Gal expression was confined to cardiomyocytes between two intercalated discs, suggesting that the transfected gene did not permeate the discs. An immunohistochemical study showed that cotransfection of the ecNOS gene induced massive myocardial cell shrinkage in both transfected cells and the adjacent myocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Histochemical findings in shrunk cells coincided with apoptosis as identified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling. Electron microscopy of the lesion revealed myofibrillar degradation and accumulation of mitochondria but no apoptotic bodies. Pre-treatment with the NOS inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester abolished these morphological alterations. CONCLUSIONS: The efficient expression of the human ecNOS gene in vivo suggests that NO or its toxic metabolite caused myocardial degradation, a part of which was compatible with apoptosis of the transfected cardiomyocytes themselves and the adjacent cells as a paracrine effect. These morphological features mimicked acute myocarditis or ischemic injury.

Animals↗

Prevention of restenosis by gene therapy.

We have developed an efficient vector system based on the liposome for the delivery of oligonucleotides and genes into various organs. The liposome was decorated with fusion proteins of HVJ (Sendai virus) to introduce DNA directly into the cytoplasm and contained DNA and DNA-binding nuclear protein inside the particle to enhance its expression. Using the vector, called HVJ-liposome gene delivery system, we attempted to prevent the neointima formation of vascular walls after balloon injury. Antisense oligonucleotides against PCNA and cdc2 kinase transferred into injured arterial walls by protein-liposomes greatly reduced the message of those genes and inhibited neointima formation of the injured artery for 8 weeks. Moreover, double-stranded oligonucleotides containing the consensus sequence for E2F binding sites inhibited the growth of smooth muscle cells and prevented neointima formation. Finally, c-NOS gene was introduced into injured rat carotid artery by HVJ-liposome, and neointima formation was inhibited by 70% for 2-4 weeks.

Animals↗

In vivo gene transfection with heat shock protein 70 enhances myocardial tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat.

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) has been reported to be involved in the myocardial self-preservation system. To obtain the evidence that HSP70 plays a direct role in the protection from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, rat hearts were transfected with human HSP70 gene by intracoronary infusion of hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome containing human HSP70 gene. The control hearts were infused with HVJ-liposome without the HSP70 gene. The hearts from whole-body heat-stressed or nontreated rats were also examined. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis showed that apparent overexpression of HSP70 occurred in the gene transfected hearts and that gene transfection might be more effective for HSP70 induction than heat stress. In Langendorff perfusion, better functional recovery as well as less creatine phosphokinase leakage after ischemia were obtained in the gene transfected hearts with HSP70 than in the control or nontreated hearts. Furthermore, the gene transfected hearts showed better functional recovery than the heat-stressed hearts. These results indicated that overexpressed HSP70 plays a protective role in myocardial injury, suggesting the possibility that gene transfection with HSP70 may become a novel method for myocardial protection through enforcing the self-preservation systems.

Animals↗

In vivo transfer efficiency of antisense oligonucleotides into the myocardium using HVJ-liposome method.

Although antisense strategy has been at the center of interest in gene therapy, little is known about application of this strategy to cardiac diseases because of the lack of a suitable delivery method into the heart. Therefore, we compared the transfection efficiency of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) using HVJ-liposome method and direct transfer in in vivo transfer into heart. To investigate the cellular fate and localization of ODN, transfer of "naked" FITC-labeled antisense ODN or ODN enwrapped in HVJ-liposome complex were examined. Following in vivo transfer using direct injection as well as in vitro transfer, fluorescence rapidly disappeared within 1 day, whereas transfer by HVJ-liposome method resulted in sustained fluorescence localized in the nucleus for at least 1 week. Measurement of fluorescence also demonstrated a significantly higher level in myocardium transfected by HVJ-liposome method than direct transfer. The present study demonstrated that HVJ-liposome method is more efficacious for ODN delivery by prolongation of half-life of ODN, suggesting its usefulness for gene therapy in cardiac diseases.

Animals↗

The immediate early gene of human cytomegalovirus stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been carefully studied regarding the relationship with the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in either atherosclerosis or post-angioplasty restenosis, but its role in the vessel wall has yet to be elucidated. To clarify the pathogenic ability of CMV in the vessel wall, we transduced the immediate early (IE) gene of CMV into the VSMCs and endothelial cells (ECs) by hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome method. The in vitro IE gene transfer demonstrated that the conditioned medium of IE gene transferred ECs enhanced [3H]-thymidine uptake of VSMCs. The enhanced proliferation of the IE gene transferred VSMCs was observed after the stimulation by basic fibroblast growth factor. The in vivo IE gene transfer showed neointimal thickening while the control arteries did not. These findings thus suggest that the expression of CMV-IE gene in the vessel wall may play a role in the fibrocellular neointimal formation or progression of atherosclerosis in vivo.

Animals↗

In vivo direct gene transfer into articular cartilage by intraarticular injection mediated by HVJ (Sendai virus) and liposomes.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a system for efficient, direct in vivo gene transfer into joints. METHODS: A hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus)-liposome suspension containing SV40 large T antigen (SVT) gene was injected intraarticularly into knee joints of 6-week-old female Lewis rats. Rats were killed at various times for immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of SVT gene. RESULTS: The expression of SVT gene was detected immunohistochemically in chondrocytes in the superficial and middle zones of articular cartilage in the knee joints. The average percentage of SVT-positive cells was estimated to be approximately 30% on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after transfection. Moreover, no pathologic change caused by HVJ-liposome injection was observed in the joints. CONCLUSION: The transfection frequency and stability of expression recognized in this study indicate the possibility of a strategy for treatment of joint disorders, including arthritis, using direct gene transfer.

Animals↗

Ribozyme-based gene cleavage approach to chronic arthritis associated with human T cell leukemia virus type I: induction of apoptosis in synoviocytes by ablation of HTLV-I tax protein.

OBJECTIVE: To develop gene therapy for patients with human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated arthropathy (HAAP), we investigated the effects of ribozyme-mediated cleavage of HTLV-I tax/rex messenger RNA (mRNA) on synovial overgrowth. METHODS: We introduced 2 hammerhead ribozymes targeted against HTLV-I tax/rex mRNA into synovial cells obtained from patients with HAAP and from patients with HTLV-I-negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and examined the ribozyme-mediated ablation of Tax expression. Using standard methods, we also determined the cells' ability to stop proliferating and to undergo apoptosis. RESULTS: The ribozymes successfully cleaved tax/rex mRNA in HAAP patient synoviocytes. Both tax mRNA expression and Tax protein synthesis were inhibited significantly, resulting in inhibition of synovial cell growth and induction of apoptosis. In contrast, synovial cells from RA patients were not affected. CONCLUSION: In vitro results suggest that ribozyme-mediated gene therapy can inhibit the growth of HTLV-I-infected synovial cells, which is maintained by Tax protein, in HTLV-I-related diseases including HAAP.

Apoptosis↗

Efficient in vivo gene transfer into the heart in the rat myocardial infarction model using the HVJ (Hemagglutinating Virus of Japan)--liposome method.

The lack of efficient treatment for myocardial infarction remains an unresolved problem in the field of cardiovascular disease. Gene therapy may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of myocardial infarction. However, current methods of in vivo gene transfer into the heart are limited by their low efficiency and/or potential toxicity. In the present study, we developed an efficient technique of gene transfer into the intact heart in vivo using the Sendai virus (HVJ: Hemagglutinating Virus of Japan)--liposome method. We used the beta-galactosidase gene, luciferase gene and human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene as markers. In vivo gene transfer into the rat heart was performed as follows: (1) direct injection into the rat heart, (2) incubation within the pericardium, and (3) infusion into a coronary artery. Direct injection of the HVJ-liposome complex containing the beta-galactosidase vector into the rat heart resulted in limited staining of beta-galactosidase 3 days after transfection. To compare transfection efficiency between "naked" plasmid DNA transfection and the HVJ-liposome method, we also transfected the luciferase reporter gene into the heart. Luciferase activity was significantly higher in hearts transfected by the HVJ-liposome method than that in hearts transfected by direct "naked" plasmid transfection (P < 0.01). To confirm the successful gene in the protein level, we measured ACE activity in the hearts. Cardiac ACE activity was significantly increased in hearts transfected with human ACE gene as compared to hearts transfected with control vector (P < 0.01). On the other hand, incubation of HVJ-liposome complex, containing beta-galactosidase vector, within the pericardium resulted in widespread staining of cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, mainly located in several surface layers beneath the pericardium. More importantly, widespread stained areas of beta-galactosidase were also observed in the middle of the myocardium around the vasa vasorum. We also examined the efficiency of gene transfer by the HVJ-liposome method in a rat myocardial infarction model. In the infarction model, using the pericardium incubation approach, staining for beta-galactosidase was observed in the viable cells around the infarction area. Finally, direct infusion of the HVJ complex, containing the beta-galactosidase vector, into coronary artery also resulted in widespread staining of beta-galactosidase in cardiac myocytes around the microvasculature. Using direct injection, we found significant injury to the myocardium and severe fibrosis at the injection site, whereas no apparent injury was observed using pericardium incubation and coronary infusion. There was no evidence of cytotoxicity or inflammation caused by the HVJ-liposome complex itself. Overall, we have established an efficient in vivo gene transfer method into the heart using the HVJ-liposome method. Direct infusion into the coronary artery resulted in widespread transfection without damaging the myocytes; incubation within the pericardium demonstrated the usefulness of the HVJ-liposome method for studying cardiac function and as a means of gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases.

Animals↗

Combined thoracoscopic lung resection and laser ablation for lung cancer with pulmonary emphysema: report of a case.

We report herein the case of the 71-year-old man with lung cancer and pulmonary emphysema requiring supplementary oxygen at 21/min by nasal cannula for whom thoracoscopic wedge resection of an adenocarcinoma in his left lower lobe was successfully performed. During the same procedure, thoracoscopic laser ablation of pulmonary bullae was also carried out. There were no postoperative complications, and the patient is currently well 12 months following surgery without any evidence of local or regional recurrence, or distant metastasis. His severe dyspnea on exertion improved, and he no longer requires supplementary oxygen.

Adenocarcinoma↗