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Biomedical subjects

Y Tominaga

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tominaga.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genistein inhibits Brca1 mutant tumor growth through activation of DNA damage checkpoints, cell cycle arrest, and mitotic catastrophe.

Epidemiological studies revealed that amount of consumption of soy was inversely related to incidence of breast cancer. Genistein, the predominant isoflavone in soy, has been reported to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in animal models. To investigate whether genistein has a therapeutic effect on BRCA1-associated breast cancer, we treated Brca1 mutant mammary tumor cells with genistein. We showed that genistein treatment depleted the G1 population of cells, which was accompanied by an accumulation of cells at G2. Some genistein-treated cells entered mitosis; however, they exhibited chromosome abnormalities and maintained tetraploidy owing to abortive mitotic exit. A fraction of G2 cells underwent endoreduplication and became polyploid, which was accompanied by increased cell death through activating DNA damage response. Furthermore, our data indicated that Brca1 mutant cells were more sensitive to genistein than some other types of cancer cells, highlighting a good therapeutic potential of genistein for BRCA1-associated breast cancer.

Animals↗

Overexpression of aurora kinase A in mouse mammary epithelium induces genetic instability preceding mammary tumor formation.

Aurora-A/STK15/BTAK, which encodes a centrosome-associated kinase, is amplified and overexpressed in multiple types of human tumors, including breast cancer. However, the causal relationship between overexpression of Aurora-A and tumorigenesis has not been fully established due to contradictory data obtained from different experimental systems. To investigate this, we generated a mouse strain that carries an MMTV-Aurora-A transgene. We showed that all the MMTV-Aurora-A mice displayed enhanced branch morphogenesis in the mammary gland and about 40% developed mammary tumors at 20 months of age. The tumor incidence was significantly increased in a p53(+/-) mutation background with about 70% MMTV-Aurora-A;p53(+/-) animals developed tumors at 18 months of age. Of note, overexpression of Aurora-A led to genetic instability, characterized by centrosome amplification, chromosome tetraploidization and premature sister chromatid segregation, at stages prior to tumor formation. Most notably, the severe chromosomal abnormality did not cause cell death owing to the activation of AKT pathway, including elevated levels of phosphorylated AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin, and nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1, which enabled continuous proliferation of the tetraploid cells. These data establish Aurora-A as an oncogene that causes malignant transformation through inducing genetic instability and activating oncogenic pathways such as AKT and its downstream signaling.

Animals↗

Changes in coagulative and fibrinolytic activities in patients with intracranial hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether any changes occur in the coagulative/fibrinolytic cascade in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects included 143 patients with intracranial hemorrhage (SAH, n = 50; HICH, n = 82; ROSC-SAH [return of spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary arrest due to SAH], n = 11). Coagulative and fibrinolytic factors were measured in blood samples taken on admission. RESULTS: The prothrombin fragment 1+2 level was significantly higher (p < 0.005) in SAH patients than in HICH patients. The fibrinolytic factors (plasmin alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex, D-dimer, or fibrinogen degradation products) in SAH and ROSC-SAH were both significantly higher than those in HICH, but the significance of difference was stronger in the case of ROSC-SAH (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Both coagulative and fibrinolytic activities were altered after the onset of SAH. These results demonstrate that the coagulative/fibrinolytic cascade might be activated via different mechanisms in different types of stroke. It remains unclear, however, whether a significant alteration of the fibrinolytic cascade in patients with ROSC-SAH might be a nonspecific phenomenon attributable to the reperfusion after collapse.

Blood Coagulation↗

Pathogenic mechanisms for parathyroid hyperplasia.

Parathyroid hyperplasia is the cause of parathyroid gland enlargement in kidney disease (KD). Hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and vitamin D deficiency are critical contributors to the worsening of the hyperplastic parathyroid growth induced by KD. Reproduction of the features of human KD in the 5/6 nephrectomized rat model has shown that 80% of the mitogenic signals induced by KD in parathyroid cells that are aggravated by either high phosphate (P) or low calcium (Ca) diets occurred within 5 days after the onset of KD. Enhanced parathyroid expression of the potent growth promoter transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) and its receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), was identified as the main cause of parathyroid hyperplasia in experimental KD. Indeed, administration of highly specific EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), which block downstream signaling from TGFalpha-activated EGFR, completely prevented high P- and low Ca-induced parathyroid hyperplasia in early KD, as well as the severe progression of high P-induced parathyroid growth in established secondary hyperparathyroidism, the latter characterized by marked TGFalpha and EGFR overexpression in the parathyroid glands. More importantly, the suppression of signals downstream from TGFalpha binding to EGFR with EGFR-TKI treatment also revealed that TGFalpha self-upregulation in the parathyroid glands is the main determinant of the severity of the hyperplastic growth, and that enhanced TGFalpha activation of EGFR mediates the reduction in parathyroid vitamin D receptor levels thereby causing resistance to both the antiproliferative and parathyroid hormone-suppressive properties of calcitriol therapy.

Animals↗

Cervical intervertebral disc injury during simulated frontal impact.

Cervical disc injury due to frontal impact has been observed in both clinical and biomechanical investigations; however, there is a lack of data that elucidate the mechanisms of disc injury during these collisions. The goals of the current study were to determine the peak dynamic disc annular tissue strain and disc shear strain during simulated frontal impact of the whole human cervical spine model with muscle force replication at 4 g, 6 g, 8 g and 10 g horizontal accelerations of the T1 vertebra. These data were compared with those obtained during physiological loading, and with previously reported rear impact data. Peak disc shear strain and peak annular tissue strain during frontal impact exceeded (p<0.05) corresponding physiological limits at the C2-C3 intervertebral level, beginning at 4 g and 6 g, respectively. These subsequently spread throughout the entire cervical spine at 10 g, with the exception of C4-C5. The C5-C6 intervertebral level was at high risk for injury during both frontal and rear impacts, while during frontal impact, in addition to C5-C6, subfailure injuries were likely at superior intervertebral levels, including C2-C3. The disc injuries occurred at lower impact accelerations during rear impact as compared with frontal impact. The subfailure injuries of the cervical intervertebral disc that occur during frontal impact may lead to the chronic symptoms reported by patients, such as head and neck pain.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Clinical success of Neoral absorption profile.

We investigated the clinical benefits of cyclosporine microemulsion preconcentrate (CyA-MEPC; Neoral) in 16 de novo renal transplant recipients. The dose of CyA-MEPC was managed from AUC(0-4h), with serial target values of AUC(0-4h) at 5000-->4000-->3000-->2000 ng. hr/mL. The frequency of acute rejection episodes was 25%. The decreased renal function reached a low value of 12.5%, and creatinine was stable. Therefore, setting the target AUC(0-4h) value in the early phase at 5000 ng.hr/mL is an effective strategy to prevent acute rejection episodes. The single dose of Neoral given immediately after the renal transplant was 6 mg/kg (making a daily dose of 12 mg/kg). Thereafter, the dose-normalized AUC(0-4h) was set at a constant value to 4 weeks posttransplant. At week 4, the single dose was decreased to 4 mg/kg twice daily (a daily dose of 8 mg/kg). From these studies a daily dose of 12 mg/kg is suggested to be the appropriate amount for the first dose immediately after transplant. The renal biopsy performed at 6 months posttransplant showed neither cyclosporine-induced renal impairments, nor findings of chronic rejection, suggesting that 2000 ng.hr/mL is an appropriate target AUC(0-4h) value in the maintenance phase. These results suggest that it is possible to set the target value of C2 monitoring in the maintenance phase to a value slightly lower than that proposed from other studies.

Adult↗

DeltaFosB, but not FosB, induces delayed apoptosis independent of cell proliferation in the Rat1a embryo cell line.

The fates of Rat1a cells expressing FosB and DeltaFosB as fusion proteins (ER-FosB, ER-DeltaFosB) with the ligand binding domain of human estrogen receptor were examined. The binding of estrogen to the fusion proteins resulted in their nuclear translocation and triggered cell proliferation, and thereafter delayed cell death was observed only in cells expressing ER-DeltaFosB. The proliferation of Rat1a cells, but not cell death triggered by ER-DeltaFosB, was completely abolished by butyrolactone I, an inhibitor of cycline-dependent kinases, and was partly suppressed by antisense oligonucleotides against galectin-1, whose expression is induced after estrogen administration. The cell death was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and -9, the fragmentation of the nuclear genome and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, and was suppressed by zDEVD-fmk and zLEHD-fmk but not zIETD-fmk. The cell death was not suppressed by exogenous His-PTD-Bcl-x(L) at all, suggesting involvement of a Bcl-x(L)-resistant pathway for cytochrome c release.

Animals↗

Spontaneous tumorigenesis in mice defective in the MTH1 gene encoding 8-oxo-dGTPase.

Oxygen radicals, which can be produced through normal cellular metabolism, are thought to play an important role in mutagenesis and tumorigenesis. Among various classes of oxidative DNA damage, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) is most important because of its abundance and mutagenicity. The MTH1 gene encodes an enzyme that hydrolyzes 8-oxo-dGTP to monophosphate in the nucleotide pool, thereby preventing occurrence of transversion mutations. By means of gene targeting, we have established MTH1 gene-knockout cell lines and mice. When examined 18 months after birth, a greater number of tumors were formed in the lungs, livers, and stomachs of MTH1-deficient mice, as compared with wild-type mice. The MTH1-deficient mouse will provide a useful model for investigating the role of the MTH1 protein in normal conditions and under oxidative stress.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Statistical analysis of diagnostic failure of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in breast cancer.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed on 300 patients. Among those, 57 cases failed in accurate diagnosis of malignancy and 243 were successful. Fourteen clinicopathological factors altogether were analyzed to elucidate any correlation with FNAC failure using uni- and multivariate analysis. The univariate analysis in each clinicopathlogical factor showed that these error cases were vaguely palpable cancers, estrogen receptor (ER) positive cancers, small-sized of tumors, scattered type of cancer cell distribution in tumor tissues, with low tumor grade, with low Nottingham prognostic index (NPI), with benign-like ultrasound findings and with low TNM stage. The multivariate analysis revealed tumor grade was the strongest factor for all, followed by cellular distribution type of cancer cells and benign-like ultrasound findings. From these results, we speculated that diagnostic failure of FNAC at first clinic visit seemed to be caused by mainly two histocytological factors: extrinsic factor (structural factors of tissue-like tumor cells' distribution pattern, etc.); and intrinsic one (cellular factors of low atypism such as benign-like ultrasound finding, low tumor grade, and so on).

Analysis of Variance↗

Simultaneous multi-site recordings of neural activity with an inline multi-electrode array and optical measurement in rat hippocampal slices.

Understanding neuronal network function requires multi-site recording. An optical imaging method using voltage-sensitive dyes (VSD) is one such suitable method. It is also important to complement this technique with methods that measure other physiological parameters of neuronal network activity. We aimed to develop a multi-channel electrode method that would easily permit the simultaneous optical imaging of neural activity in vitro. There are several multi-electrode systems; some of these are commercially available, but they are not easy to use and are also expensive. We developed a novel, less expensive, stainless steel inline electrode array that utilizes the standard etching method of circuit board manufacturing. This method, along with widely available computer drawing software, allowed us to produce electrode arrays with uniform quality in electrical characteristics and shapes. The electrode array was designed so that it could easily substitute for single electrode systems without modifying the conventional set-up used for electrophysiological measurements and optical recordings. Simultaneous measurement of evoked neural activities in area CA1 of the rat hippocampal slice with our optical imaging method using the VSD Di-4-ANEPPS is demonstrated in this paper. The electrode array was also used as a stimulating electrode, and the evoked response was measured by the optical recording method. The results demonstrate the advantages of simultaneous recordings obtained by these complementary multi-site recording methods in vitro.

Animals↗

Chronic cyclosporin nephropathy: long-term effects of cyclosporin on renal allografts.

Cyclosporin (CSA) has significantly reduced both incidence and severity of acute rejection, and brought excellent graft survival rates. Chronic CSA nephrotoxicity seems to be the second most important diagnosis responsible for the late graft failure. CSA-associated arteriolopathy (CAA) is well known as a characteristic lesion of chronic CSA nephrotoxicity by graft biopsies. There are few reports on the long-term outcome of renal transplant patients with biopsy-proven chronic CSA nephrotoxicity after diagnosis of CAA. We conducted two studies, the long-term outcome of the patients with CAA, and the FGS lesion related to CAA. Seventy-four CAA patients continued on CSA therapy after diagnosis of CAA were classified into two groups by outcome of the graft after follow-up: the functioning graft group (n = 30) and the graft-loss group (n = 44). There was no significant difference in severity of CAA grade between the functioning and graft-loss groups. Concomitant lesion of chronic rejection but not severity of CAA was the most important risk factor of graft loss for CAA patients in our study. Of a total of 54 recipients with FGS lesion, 32 patients (59%) were diagnosed as CAA-associated glomerulopathy (CAG) accompanied with severe CAA. Eighteen of 32 CAG patients lost their grafts after follow-up. Their serum creatinine level at biopsy was higher than that of the functioning group; however, there was no significant difference in daily proteinuria at biopsy between two groups. We have tried to reduce CSA dosage to maintain lower blood levels than the usual optimal target levels, but did not discontinue CSA after diagnosis of severe CAA and FGS lesion. In 15 isolated pure CAG patients, those with increasing daily proteinuria exceeding 2 g lost their graft function even after reducing CSA administration. The change in daily proteinuria seems to be a useful indicator for late graft loss in the patients of FGS lesion with severe CAA. CAA is not specific for chronic CSA nephrotoxicity, and FGS lesion is also a non-specific lesion often developed in renal allografts. Our study revealed clinicopathological characteristics of chronic CSA nephrotoxicity. Isolated chronic CSA arteriolopathy of severe degree has a fairly good prognosis under controlled CSA therapy. FGS lesion accompanied by CAA is considered as a new concept of CAG, and increasing proteinuria in patients with CAG is a good indicator for poor outcome. These results will contribute towards an appropriate therapeutic plan for renal transplant patients undergoing long-term CSA treatment.

Adult↗

Does infiltration of neutrophils in peritubular capillaries indicate humoral rejection? A case displaying a characteristic lesion of a significantly high amount of neutrophils in peritubular capillaries at 1-h graft biopsy during transplant operation.

We present a case report of a 50-yr-old Japanese woman with a significant accumulation of neutrophils in the peritubular capillaries (PTC) and severe acute tubular necrosis (ATN) at 1-h allograft biopsy during transplant operation from cadaver donor after a cardiac death. Significant accumulation of neutrophils in the PTC is usually valuable diagnostically for acute humoral rejection. However, the patient showed no clinical signs of acute rejection. A second graft biopsy performed on the fifth postoperative day (POD) revealed that both infiltration of neutrophils in PTC and ATN lesions were more aggravated. Neither clinical course nor other morphological findings were compatible with humoral rejection. After the third biopsy of POD 27 revealing acute vascular rejection of moderate degree, acute rejection therapy using methylprednisolone pulse therapy and OKT-3 therapy was performed. Consequently, after a period of delayed graft function requiring haemodialysis for approximately 4 wk, graft function was restored and serum creatinine decreased to 2 mg/dL. Later, we were able obtain information from a paired graft from the same donor. Significant accumulation of neutrophils in the PTC similar to our recipient was also noted in a 1-h biopsy specimen of the paired kidney. This confirmed that the accumulation of neutrophils in the PTC noted in two recipients was transmitted from the donor kidney. The pathogenesis and clinical significance of neutrophils in the PTC has been shrouded in mystery.

Biopsy↗

Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 production by prostaglandin F2alpha in human gingival fibroblasts.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of prostglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and combination of PGF2alpha and interleukin(IL)-1beta on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). PGF2alpha enhanced MMP-1 production in a dose-dependent manner in HGF. Combination of PGF2alpha and IL-1beta induced a synergistic increase of MMP-1 production in HGF. Furthermore, fluprostenol, a specific FP receptor agonist, increased MMP-1 production and induced a synergistic enhancement of IL-1beta-induced MMP-1 production in HGF, similar to PGF2alpha. FP receptor mRNA expression was detected in HGF, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Northern blot analysis revealed that PGF2alpha enhanced MMP-1 mRNA expression in HGF and that PGF2alpha increased MMP-1 mRNA levels induced by IL-1beta. In conclusion, we suggest that PGF2alpha increases MMP-1 production in HGF and synergistically enhances MMP-1 production in IL-1beta-stimulated HGF. PGF2alpha may be involved in degradation of connective tissue in periodontal lesions.

Blotting, Northern↗

More than 1,000 cases of total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft for renal hyperparathyroidism.

Between March 1981 and December 2000, we performed 1,053 total parathyroidectomies with forearm autograft for advanced renal hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Based on histopathologic and pathophysiologic investigations, surgical treatment should be considered when parathyroid glands show nodular hyperplasia. Measuring parathyroid volume by ultrasonography was useful to detect nodular glands and to determine surgical indications. The clinical effect of parathyroidectomy on the symptoms and biochemical variables was striking. Skeletal deformity, progressive bone loss, and vessel calcification leading to high mortality risk could not be alleviated by even successful surgery, however. To prevent cardiovascular complications, parathyroidectomy should be performed in the relatively early stage of renal HPT. Total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft is a suitable procedure for renal HPT, especially in patients who require long-term hemodialysis. For surgeons, it is important to remove all parathyroid glands, including supernumerary glands, at the initial operation and to choose adequate parathyroid tissue for the autograft to prevent persistent and recurrent HPT. Although the risk of graft-dependent recurrent HPT is not negligible, enlarged transplanted parathyroid tissue can be removed easily and noninvasively from the forearm under local anesthesia. There is no risk of hypofunction of the autograft.

Adult↗

Osteoprotegerin levels before and after renal transplantation.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a newly identified glycoprotein that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and regulates bone mass by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption. The regulatory mechanism of OPG is still unclear after successful renal transplantation (RTX), however, resulting in resolution of uremia. The present study was designed to clarify the potential role of OPG in uremia and after RTX under immunosuppressive therapy. We evaluated circulating OPG levels by measuring them before and after RTX (postoperative days 2, 14, and 28). Our protocol of immunosuppressive drugs was dual therapy using cyclosporine and steroids. Serum OPG was quantitated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After successful RTX, serum OPG levels decreased significantly on day 14 and day 28 compared with the baseline level (P < 0.05). Creatinine clearance dramatically increased until day 14 and decreased thereafter. Serum OPG declines for the first 2 weeks after RTX owing to functioning allograft and decreases again for the next 2 weeks because of steroids and possible immunosuppressive agents.

Adult↗

A novel alpha-amino-acid esterase from Bacillus mycoides capable of forming peptides of DD- and DL-configurations.

A novel alpha-amino-acid esterase possessing some properties favorable for the synthesis of D-amino acid-containing peptides has been purified from the culture broth of Bacillus mycoides. The enzyme consisted of 4 subunits of 39 kDa, had an isoelectric point of 7.0, and showed its maximum activity at around 47 degrees C and pH 7.6. The enzyme activity was strongly depressed by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, but not by penicillin G or ampicillin, suggesting that the protein is a serine enzyme lacking penicillin-binding ability. The enzyme hydrolyzed a variety of D- and L-amino acid methyl esters with concomitant formation of homooligomers from D-Phe, D-Trp, D-Tyr, and D-Asp(OCH(3)) methyl esters, but it did not act on the D- or L-amino acid amides tested. Incubation of a mixture of Ac-D-Phe-OMe and D-/L-Leu-NH(2) with the enzyme yielded Ac-D-Phe-D-/L-Leu-NH(2) together with Ac-D-Phe-OH, the hydrolysate of the carboxyl component. To its credit, the enzyme failed to hydrolyze casein as well as peptides including diastereomers of diphenylalanine and dialanine, indicating that the enzyme would not cause secondary hydrolysis of once-formed peptides. These observations indicate the potential utility of the newly isolated enzyme for the synthesis of D-amino acid-containing peptides.

Bacillus↗