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Biomedical subjects

Y Kohgo

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kohgo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Selective cytotoxicity of farnesylamine to pancreatic carcinoma cells and Ki-ras-transformed fibroblasts.

Farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase) catalyses the post-translational modification of proteins by a farnesyl pyrophosphate. One of the substrates of this enzyme is p21ras, the product of the ras oncogene. We examined whether farnesylamine, one of the FPTase inhibitors (FTI), is selectively cytotoxic in pancreatic carcinoma cells and Ki-ras-transformed fibroblasts. Furthermore, we investigated whether the cytotoxicity of farnesylamine is caused by the induction of apoptosis in these cells. Using the FPTase assay, we found that farnesylamine inhibited FPTase in vitro. Immunoprecipitation showed that farnesylamine inhibited farnesylation of p21ras in vivo. In addition, 24 and 5 microM farnesylamine were required to achieve 50% cytotoxicity in pancreatic carcinoma cells containing activated Ki-ras and Ki-ras-transformed NIH/3T3 cells, respectively. The parental NIH/3T3 cells were resistant to the cytotoxic effect of farnesylamine at concentrations less than 100 microM. After incubation with farnesylamine, DNA fragmentation was observed in both pancreatic carcinoma cells and Ki-ras-transformed fibroblasts at cytotoxic doses of this compound but not in NIH/3T3 cells. These results indicate that the mechanism of cell death induced by farnesylamine is apoptosis, and this apoptosis occurred specifically in pancreatic carcinoma cells containing mutated Ki-ras and the Ki-ras-transformed cells. Because raf is downstream of ras (p21ras) in the ras-raf-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, we used c-raf-1-transformed fibroblasts, which proved to be resistant to apoptosis induced by farnesylamine. This supports the theory that inhibition of ras signaling may be related to the induction of apoptosis. These data further suggest that farnesylamine could be useful as a chemotherapeutic agent in cancers that very frequently contain a Ki-ras oncogene mutation, e.g., pancreatic cancer.

3T3 Cells↗

Multifocal serous cystadenoma of the pancreas. A case report and review of the literature.

Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is usually unifocal; multifocal tumors are rare. We report a case of multifocal serous cystadenoma of the pancreas in a 48-yr-old female complaining of general malaise. Serum tumor markers, such as CA 19-9, DUPAN-2, and Span-1, were elevated. Abdominal ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) scans revealed two distinct cystic masses in the head and body of the pancreas, respectively. The patient underwent total pancreatectomy. The resected pancreas contained two discrete cystic masses in the head and body; no solid components were observed. Microscopically, the inner surfaces of the cysts were evenly lined by a single layer of low cuboidal or significantly attenuated epithelial cells containing clear cytoplasm and abundant glycogen without other morphological alterations. The histogenesis of serous cystadenoma is not clear; multicentric tumors may be helpful in understanding histogenesis.

Abdomen↗

Segmental groove pancreatitis accompanied by protein plugs in Santorini's duct.

"Groove pancreatitis", a form of segmental pancreatitis affecting the head of the pancreas, is localized within the "groove" between pancreas head, duodenum, and common bile duct. Differentiation between groove pancreatitis and pancreatic head carcinoma is often difficult. We report a case of groove pancreatitis in which a hypoechoic mass between the duodenal wall and pancreas was clearly imaged, and narrowing of the second portion of the duodenum and bile duct stenosis were also found. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery (pylorus-preserving pancreato duodenectomy). The patient was relieved from abdominal pain post operation. Up to the present, the patient has been good condition. We review the clinicopathologic and radiologic features of groove pancreatitis in the Japanese literature and discuss the possible role of Santorini's duct in its pathogenesis. We consider that impacted protein plugs in Santorini's duct are a pathogenic factor in the development of groove pancreatitis. Therefore, the findings of Santorini's duct on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography are very important in the diagnosis of groove pancreatitis. Groove pancreatitis presents various clinical features, such as biliary stenosis, duodenal stenosis, and pancreatic mass, and often masquerades as pancreatic head carcinoma. This condition should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic head carcinoma.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Reduced expression and rare genomic alteration of nm23-H1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoma cell lines.

We investigated the expression and genomic alteration of nm23-H1 (which encodes a nucleoside diphosphate, kinase A) in 12 human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and four hepatoma cell lines. The expression of nm23-H1 protein was significantly reduced in HCCs with intrahepatic metastasis (72%) compared with expression in HCCs without intrahepatic metastasis (38%). However, in two of three HCCs examined that had marked reduction of nm23-H1 protein, the nm23-H1 mRNA level was not reduced. A hepatoma cell line, HLF (phenotype, poorly differentiated carcinoma) revealed marked reduction of nm23-H1 protein compared with two other hepatoma cell lines, HuH-1 and HuH-2, although the mRNA level was similar in the three cell lines. No allelic deletion of the nm23-H1 gene was detected in the 12 HCCs examined. No point mutation in the coding region of the nm23-H1 gene was observed in any of the 12 HCCs or the four hepatoma cell lines. These findings suggest that: (i) the expression of nm23-H1 protein is inversely associated with high metastatic potential of HCC, (ii) regulation of nm23-H1 expression may occasionally occur at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in HCC; and (iii) genomic alteration of nm23-H1 is a rare event in HCC.

Adult↗

Suppressive effect of ethanol on the expression of hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors augmented by interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Blood levels of inflammatory-related cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, are elevated in patients with alcoholic liver diseases. We investigated the effects of these cytokines and ethanol on the expression of hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors (AGPRs) in a human hepatoblastoma cell line, HepG2. An [125I]-asialo-orosomucoid binding assay showed significant increases in surface AGPR numbers in HepG2 cells by treatment with IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, to levels which were approximately 130% of the values in untreated control cells. However, the enhanced AGPR numbers induced by treatment with these cytokines were markedly suppressed, to 70%-80% of the number in the untreated cells, by treatment with ethanol. Immunological detection of AGPR with a specific antibody demonstrated that the modulation of surface AGPR numbers was correlated with the cellular expression levels of AGPR. These results suggest that, although IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha stimulate the synthesis of hepatic AGPR, ethanol suppresses the expression of AGPR augmented by these cytokines. This leads to an increase in serum asialo-orosomucoid levels caused by the disordered catabolism mediated by AGPR in patients with alcoholic liver disease.

Asialoglycoprotein Receptor↗

Invasion depth diagnosis of depressed type early colorectal cancers by combined use of videoendoscopy and chromoendoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Depressed type early colorectal cancers are found less frequently than other polypoid cancers although they have a higher submucosal invasion rate. Recently videocolonoscopy and chromoendoscopy have become available and precise descriptions of these lesions are now routine. Because endoscopic mucosal resection is designated for intramucosal and focally extended submucosal (m-sm1) cancers, an evaluation of the characteristic findings indicating invasion depth with these modalities is important. METHODS: Between January 1991 and March 1996, 64 depressed type early colorectal cancers were detected and treated. When a faint abnormality of the mucosa was suspected by routine videocolonoscopy, 0.1% of indigo carmine solution was sprayed on the mucosal surface (chromoendoscopy). Colonoscopic findings of m-sm1 cancers and moderately and massively extended submucosal (sm2-3) cancers were retrospectively reviewed and compared with confirmed histologic findings. RESULTS: Characteristic colonoscopic findings needed for surgical operation were as follows: (1) expansion appearance, (2) deep depression surface, (3) irregular bottom of depression surface, and (4) folds converging toward the tumor. By using these findings, the invasion depth of depressed type early colorectal cancers could be correctly determined in 58 of 64 lesions (91%). CONCLUSIONS: Characteristic colonoscopic findings obtained by a combination of videocolonoscopy and chromoendoscopy are useful for determination of the invasion depth of depressed type colorectal cancers, an essential factor in choosing a treatment modality.

Colon↗

Delayed gastric emptying by Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide in conscious rats.

The present study was carried out to investigate the possibility that lipopolysaccharide deprived from Helicobacter pylori may alter gastric motility. To address the question, we examined the effect of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide on gastric emptying in conscious rats. Gastric emptying was evaluated by the phenol red method. Time-course and dose-related effects of intraperitoneal administration of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide were investigated. Intraperitoneal injection of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide significantly suppressed gastric emptying of a liquid meal in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide was observed 2, 4, 8, or 12 hr after the injection. These results suggest for the first time that H. pylori lipopolysaccharide may suppress gastric emptying in a long-lasting fashion. It is also suggested that H. pylori may influence gastric function through its cell wall structure named lipopolysaccharide.

Animals↗

Tc-99m leukocyte imaging for evaluating disease severity and monitoring treatment response in ulcerative colitis: comparison with colonoscopy.

The diagnostic value of Tc-99m leukocyte imaging for evaluating disease activity and monitoring treatment response in ulcerative colitis was compared with that of colonoscopy. A total of 48 studies were performed in 28 patients with ulcerative colitis. Forty-six studies had both Tc-99m leukocyte imaging and colonoscopy within 2 weeks of each other, and the remaining two studies had only Tc-99m leukocyte imaging. In 46 studies, semiquantitative grading of colonic radioactivity by comparison with iliac crest marrow activity on radionuclide imaging correlated well with macroscopic grading based on Matts' criteria on colonoscopy. Fourteen (82%) of 17 studies with slight colonoscopic change showed a negative result on the radionuclide image. In 15 patients treated with glucocorticoids or leukapheresis, radionuclide imaging showed nearly the same statistical results as colonoscopy in monitoring treatment response. Tc-99m leukocyte imaging could be used as an alternative to colonoscopy to evaluate the disease activity of ulcerative colitis or to monitor the treatment response, although it is insensitive for detecting disease with only slight macroscopic changes.

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical detection of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-modified-protein adducts in human alcoholic liver diseases.

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is one of the major components of lipid peroxidation product and has been shown to react with proteins to form HNE-protein adducts. HNE-protein adducts are relatively stable and can be used as a marker of radical-mediated cellular damage. We report herein the immunohistochemical analysis of HNE-protein adducts in human alcoholic liver diseases using a specific monoclonal antibody HNEJ-2. Cytoplasm of hepatocytes and bile duct epithelia was positively stained for HNE-protein adducts, and the nucleus was negligibly stained. The immunohistochemical intensity of hepatocytes was classified into three groups: strong, moderate, and faint staining. Strong staining was found in 43% of alcoholic liver diseases and in 4% of viral liver diseases. Hepatocytes of alcoholic liver diseases contained a higher amount of HNE-protein adducts than those of viral liver diseases, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005; chi2 test). Semiquantitative analysis of the histological intensities of HNE-protein adducts and iron indicated a significant positive correlation (p = 0.084; Spearman's rank correlation). The localization of HNE-protein adducts and iron in hepatocytes appeared to be identical. These data suggested the correlation between HNE-protein adducts and iron. Our results indicate that HNE-protein adducts, a marker of oxidative stress-induced damage, are increased in human alcoholic liver damage, and that hepatic siderosis may act on the production of free radicals.

Aldehydes↗

Association between anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union and adenomyomatosis of the gall-bladder.

A frequent association of biliary tract carcinoma and anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union (APBD) is well recognized, especially gall-bladder carcinoma in undilated type APBD. However, little is known about the presence and incidence of adenomyomatosis (AMT) of the gall-bladder, a presumed premalignant lesion, in patients with APBD. This retrospective study was conducted to elucidate the clinical features and incidence of AMT in APBD patients with relation to undilated type and dilated type APBD. We reviewed the clinicopathological records of 30 patients with APBD (28 women and two men) encountered during the past 10 years. Among them, 22 patients underwent cholecystectomy and the resected specimens were subjected to histopathological examinations. Eleven cases of APBD patients were undilated type and 11 cases were dilated type. Adenomyomatosis was found in six (55%) of 11 undilated type and one (9%) of 11 dilated type, and fundal type was predominantly observed in six (86%) of seven AMT. An overall incidence of AMT in APBD patients was 32%. An undilated type of APBD is frequently associated with AMT and we believe, therefore, that clinicians should be aware of a possible coexistence of APBD and AMT.

Adenomyoma↗

Altered intrahepatic pathway of para-umbilical vein in portal hypertension.

The object of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of altered paraumbilical vein in the hepatic parenchyma, developed from portal hypertension, using computed tomography (CT). Two hundred and ninety-two patients who presented with portal hypertension from 1986 to 1996 were studied retrospectively. The pathway of the dilated para-umbilical vein was demonstrated by contrast-enhanced CT. Thirty-one (11%) patients had a dilated para-umbilical vein arising from the left portal vein into the falciform ligament. In 24 (77%) of these patients, the para-umbilical vein followed the expected route, passing through the fissure of ligamentum teres hepatis. The remaining seven patients (23%) displayed the unusual pathway, with the vein arising from the left branch of the portal vein and passing into the hepatic parenchyma. In these seven patients, four had one collateral vein, and three patients had two collateral veins in the liver parenchyma. The dilated para-umbilical vein frequently passes through the hepatic parenchyma in patients with portal hypertension.

Adult↗

Solitary true cyst of the pancreas in two adults: analysis of cyst fluid and review of the literature.

Solitary true cyst of the pancreas in adults is extremely rare. We report two adult cases of solitary true cyst of the pancreas. In a 53-yr-old woman there was discovered, incidentally, a unilocular cyst of 7.0 x 6.5 cm in size in the tail of the pancreas that was noted on abdominal US and CT scan. A 16-yr-old boy presented with abdominal pain, and an abdominal US and CT scan revealed a 6.5 cm cystic mass located in the tail of the pancreas. Both patients underwent distal pancreatectomy. Histologically, the cyst was lined with flattened cuboidal and squamous epithelium without morphological alterations. Analysis of the cyst fluid revealed high CA 19-9 (>100,000 U/L) and Span-1 levels (>60,000 U/L) in both cases. Immunohistochemically, the lining epithelial cells of true cyst were positive for CA 19-9 staining. The clinicopathological features of solitary true cyst of the pancreas in adults are briefly reviewed.

Adolescent↗

Centrifugal leukocyte apheresis for ulcerative colitis.

Corticosteroids are effective in bringing about clinical remission for ulcerative colitis. However, relapsed cases are frequently refractory to corticosteroids. In addition, the long-term use of corticosteroids often causes serious side effects. We have already reported that leukocyte apheresis using a centrifugal procedure was effective for patients with corticosteroid-resistant ulcerative colitis after conducting a pilot study in 14 patients. In the present paper, the clinical efficacy of leukocyte apheresis using a centrifugal procedure was evaluated again for corticosteroid-resistant ulcerative colitis. Twenty-three patients with corticosteroid-resistant severely active ulcerative colitis were treated by centrifugal leukocyte apheresis. Eighteen patients (78.3%) achieved clinical remission which was evaluated by the clinical activity index within 4 weeks after apheresis. Both colonoscopic and histological examinations confirmed the beneficial effect of this procedure. No significant side effects were noticed throughout the therapy.

Adult↗

Morphological heterogeneity of myeloperoxidase-positive granules in normal circulating neutrophils: an ultrastructural study by cryosection.

Ultrastructural localization of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the granules of human circulating neutrophils was examined by cryosection. On careful comparison with the morphological characteristics of the granules by conventional transmission electron microscopic study, large MPO-positive granules were divided into five types by immunocryoultramicrotomy using monoclonal antibody. Double staining of MPO and lactoferrin (or lysozyme) was also performed. Lactoferrin was generally detected in MPO-negative granules. Lysozyme immunostaining was present in MPO-positive and -negative granules. These data may suggest different functions among large MPO-positive granules of human circulating neutrophils.

Cryoultramicrotomy↗

[Alteration of genomic structure and/or expression of cancer associated genes in hepatocellular carcinoma].

Cancer is thought to arise from the accumulation of several genetic mutations in a single cell. These include integration of viral genomes, activation of protooncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. HCC is one of the most common cancers in Asia and Africa. Various studies have revealed its association with hepatitis B or C viral infection. While activation of known protooncogenes, such as ras genes does not seem to play an important role, frequent allelic loss on specific chromosomal arms, 4q, 13q, 16q and 17p, indicates that dysfunction of diverse tumor suppressor genes located on these chromosome arms is involved in the development of HCC. An informative p53 mutational spectrum of frequent G to T transversions in codon 249 is found in HCCs from either Qidong, People's Republic of China, or southern Africa. This observation links exposure to aflatoxin B1, a known cancer risk factor in these geographic regions. Recently, we found that expression of syndecan-1, which is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan involved in cell matrix interactions and growth factor bindings, was inversely associated with metastatic potential in human hepatocellular carcinoma as like nm23-H1 expression was. Transfection with syndecan-1 gene suppresses invasive activity of hepatoma cells. These data support our hypothesis that syndecan-1 is one of important metastasis suppressor factors in hepatoma cells. PR-39 is a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide which was isolated from a pig small intestine and has been reported to induced syndecan-1 on mouse mesenchymal cells. Transfection with PR-39 gene caused induction of syndecan-1 and altered invasive phenotype and actin structure on hepatoma cells. Syndecan-1 and PR-39 may serve as a basis for design of drug or gene therapy effective against metastasis of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reduced expression of syndecan-1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma with high metastatic potential.

Syndecans comprise a gene family of transmembrane proteoglycans that regulate cellular behavior through interactions with various effectors, including heparin-binding growth factors and insoluble matrix components. Syndecan-1, the most extensively studied, localizes in epithelial cells and has been shown to present in normal hepatocytes. However, little is known about the change of syndecan-1 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated syndecan-1-protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 57 HCC tissue samples. Syndecan-1 gene expression was also determined. Syndecan-1 protein was expressed in cytoplasm and cell membrane of the hepatocytes and in the bile duct epithelial cells of liver with underlying hepatitis and cirrhosis. Conversely, among 57 HCC tissues, 39 HCC (68.4%) showed negative staining; 50% of well-differentiated HCC showed positive staining, whereas 82.4% of poorly differentiated HCC were negative. Loss of syndecan-1-protein expression was more prevalent in HCC with intra-hepatic metastasis (85.2%) than those without metastasis (48.0%). Similarly, syndecan-1 expression was significantly reduced in HCC with extra-hepatic metastasis (91.7%) as compared with the HCC without extra-hepatic metastasis (62.2%). The gene expression of syndecan-1 was significantly lower in HCC tissue than that in non-tumoral liver tissue. In 2 human HCC cell lines with poorly differentiated phenotype, HLE and HLF, syndecan-1 expression was markedly decreased both at the mRNA and the protein levels. These results suggest that the loss of syndecan-1 expression is a characteristic feature of HCC with high metastatic potential.

Antibody Specificity↗