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Biomedical subjects

Y Yoshida

Publications and source records attributed to Y Yoshida.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

Stimulation of acetylcholine or dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens differentially alters dopamine release in the striatum of freely moving rats.

The present study examined whether unilateral stimulation of acetylcholine or dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens induces an asymmetry in dopamine transmission in the ventrolateral striatum. For this purpose, a microdialysis technique was used to measure dopamine release in both sides of the ventrolateral striatum following unilateral injections of carbachol (5 micrograms/0.5 microliter) or a mixture of dopamine D1 and dopamine D2 receptor agonists (1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol 5 micrograms + quinpirole 10 micrograms/0.5 microliter) into the nucleus accumbens. The results show that carbachol injection increased dopamine release in the ipsilateral striatum without changing dopamine release in the contralateral striatum, whereas the dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonist mixture injected unilaterally into the nucleus accumbens produced an increase followed by a decrease in dopamine release in the ipsilateral striatum, but only a decrease in dopamine release in the contralateral striatum. The biochemical effects of the cholinergic treatment greatly outlasted the drug-induced contralateral turning, whereas the biochemical effects of the dopaminergic treatment showed a good correlation with the drug-induced contralateral turning. The present study provides biochemical evidence that unilateral stimulation of acetylcholine or dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens elicits an asymmetry in dopaminergic activity in the ventrolateral striatum. The present study also provides biochemical evidence that two distinct neural substrates are involved in the effects of cholinergic and dopaminergic manipulation of the nucleus accumbens.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗

Purification of a novel UV-damaged-DNA binding protein highly specific for (6-4) photoproduct.

UV damage-specific binding proteins are considered to play important roles in early responses of cells irradiated with UV, including damage recognition in the DNA repair process. We have surveyed nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins which bind selectively to UV-irradiated DNA using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We detected four distinct binding activities with different mobilities in fractions separated from HeLa cells by heparin chromatography. Three of them were found in nuclear extracts and one in cytoplasmic extracts. We purified one of the binding factors from nuclear extracts to homogeneity, which was designated NF-10 (the 10th fraction of nuclear extract on heparin chromatography). It migrated as a 40 kDa polypeptide in SDS-PAGE, and bound to UV-irradiated double- stranded DNA but not to unirradiated DNA. The binding pattern of the NF-10 protein to DNA irradiated with UV corresponded to the induction kinetics of (6-4) photoproduct. Removal of (6-4) photoproducts from UV- irradiated DNA by (6-4) photoproduct-specific photolyase diminished the binding of NF-10 protein. These results suggest that the NF-10 protein binds to UV-damaged DNA through (6-4) photoproduct. Immunoblot analysis using a monoclonal antibody revealed that the NF-10 protein was expressed in cell lines from all complementation groups of xeroderma pigmentosum, indicating that the NF-10 protein is a novel UV-damaged-DNA binding protein.

Animals↗

Adenovirus-mediated prodrug gene therapy for carcinoembryonic antigen-producing human gastric carcinoma cells in vitro.

We analyzed the ability of a recombinant replication-defective adenovirus vector with the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) promotor to transfer the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus (HSVtk) into gastric cancer cells to confer sensitivity to ganciclovir (GCV). CEA-producing gastric cancer cell lines (MKN28 and MKN45), a CEA-nonproducing gastric cancer cell line (MKN1), and a human uterine cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) were infected with a recombinant adenovirus carrying lacZ reporter gene coupled to the CEA promoter (AdCEAlacZ). The efficiency of AdCEAlacZ-mediated gene transfer was correlated with the amount of CEA produced by each cell line. Furthermore, the 50% growth inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of GCV were 21 and 5.8 microm for MKN28 and MKN45, respectively, when infected with a recombinant adenovirus carrying the HSVtk gene coupled to the CEA promoter (AdCEAtk). However, MKN1 and HeLa cells infected with AdCEAtk remained resistant to GCV (IC50 > 300 microm of GCV). In addition, a bystander killing effect was demonstrated against MKN45 cells when only 20% of AdCEAtk-infected cells were mixed with uninfected cells. These data indicate the potential for targeted gene therapy using the cell type-specific promotor of the CEA gene against gastric cancers that produce CEA.

Adenoviridae↗

New shuttle vectors for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Escherichia coli.

A series of shuttle vectors for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Escherichia coli (Ec) was developed. These vectors carry a multiple cloning site, the lacZalpha reporter gene, the replication origin for Aa derived from pVT736-1 and a replicon for Ec originated from pUC, P15A or pSC101. With these vectors, cloning and expression can be effectively performed in Aa and Ec.

Actinobacillus↗

Tob, a novel protein that interacts with p185erbB2, is associated with anti-proliferative activity.

We have molecularly cloned a cDNA for a novel protein termed Tob (Transducer of ErbB-2) that interacts with the c-erbB-2 gene product p185erbB2. Nucleotide sequencing reveals that the Tob protein is a 45 kDa protein that does not contain either SH2 (Src Homology 2) or SH3 domain but is homologous to the previously characterized anti-proliferative gene product BTG-1 at its amino-terminal half. The carboxyl-terminal half of Tob is characterized by the presence of a sequence rich in proline and glutamine and shows no homology to known proteins. Like BTG-1, exogenously expressed Tob is able to suppress growth of NIH3T3 cells, but the growth suppression is hampered by the presence of kinase-active p185erbB2. By using the GST-Tob protein that contains either full length or amino-terminal half of Tob, we show that the carboxyl-terminal half of Tob is relevant to its interaction with p185erbB2. Furthermore, we could co-immunoprecipitate the Tob protein with anti-ErbB-2 antibody, and reciprocally the p185erbB2 with anti-Tob antibodies. These data suggest that p185erbB2 negatively regulates the Tob-mediated anti-proliferative pathway through its interaction with Tob, resulting possibly in growth stimulation by p185erbB2. Finally, expression of the Tob mRNA is observed in various cell types and is not correlated with expression of c-erbB-2, suggesting that other receptor-type protein-tyrosine kinases are also involved in the Tob-mediated regulation of cell growth.

3T3 Cells↗

In vivo antitumor effect of cytotoxic T lymphocytes engineered to produce interferon-gamma by adenovirus-mediated genetic transduction.

Immunotherapy with adoptive transfer of genetically-modified cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is a promising approach for cancer gene therapy. We developed an adoptive therapy model with murine tumor-specific CTL, to which very efficient (up to 100%) gene introduction was achieved by using recombinant adenoviral vectors. Through a comparative study on the antitumor effects of CTL genetically modified with cytokine genes, transduction with interferon-gamma gene resulted in a prominent increase in therapeutic efficacy of CTL in both metastatic and subcutaneous tumor models. Further additive effect was obtained by the adoptive cellular therapy in combination with vaccination of cytokine gene-modified tumor cells. Our findings provide a hopeful strategy of adoptive immunotherapy for human cancers.

Adenoviridae↗

Gene therapy for alpha-fetoprotein-producing human hepatoma cells by adenovirus-mediated transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene.

We have developed a recombinant replication-defective adenovirus containing human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter/enhancer to direct cell type-specific expression of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene to AFP-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. After an in vitro infection by a recombinant adenovirus carrying the lacZ gene under the control of human AFP promoter/enhancer (AdAFPlacZ), an expression of the lacZ gene was demonstrated efficiently in AFP-producing HuH-7 and HepG2 cell lines, but not in AFP-nonproducing HLE and HLF cell lines, although lacZ gene expression was demonstrated in all these cell lines when infected with adenovirus vector carrying lacZ gene driven by the beta-actin-based promoter. Expression of the HSVtk gene by adenovirus, from AFP promoter/enhancer (AdAFPtk) induced the cells sensitive to ganciclovir (GCV) in the AFP-producing cell line efficiently, but not in AFP-nonproducing HLF hepatoma cells. An in vitro bystander effect was observed when only 10% of the cells were infected with AdAFPtk. These findings suggest that the AFP promoter/enhancer sequence can provide the tumor-specific activity for the therapeutic gene expression, and that the AdAFPtk vector induces the selective growth inhibition by GCV in the adenovirus-infected human hepatoma cells in vitro. Recombinant adenovirus transfer of the HSVtk gene under the control of tumor-specific promoter followed by GCV may have promise as a targeted in situ treatment for solid neoplasms.

Adenoviridae↗

Influence of head model in biomagnetic source localization.

We evaluated the influence of the head model on biomagnetic source localization by utilizing a computer simulation. We localized the source of a magnetic field that was calculated using a realistic head model, and then evaluated the localization errors. It was seen that the sphere model adequately localized the dipole in cases near the sensor, but not in cases where the dipole was deeply situated.

Brain↗

Characterization of mucin in whole-gut lavage fluid obtained from patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Whole-gut lavage fluid, collected by administering an electrolyte lavage solution orally, was found to be an excellent and easily collectable source of abundant mucin. Furthermore, the biochemical features of the mucin from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease were investigated. The mucin was separated into four fractions by Sepharose CL-4B, Sepharose CL-2B, and DEAE Sephacel chromatography. Compared with healthy subjects, the total yields of mucin from ulcerative colitis patients were low due to a deficiency of neutral mucin, whereas those from Crohn's disease patients were high, which was attributable mainly to high-molecular-weight mucin. The fucose and sulfate contents were low in ulcerative colitis, but only the former was low in Crohn's disease. The different biochemical features of the mucin obtained from whole gut lavage fluid appear to reflect mucosal pathological changes associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Adult↗

Pericholangitis in a rabbit colitis model induced by injection of muramyl dipeptide emulsified with a long-chain fatty acid.

Rabbit colitis has been induced by injection of muramyl dipeptide emulsified with a long-chain fatty acid. The muramyl dipeptide emulsion was injected submucosally at six portions of the rectum and colon, 10 cm proximal to the anus, using a flexible endoscope. Six rabbits were injected six times every 2 weeks and subsequently killed 2 weeks after the last injection. The histological changes of the colon that occurred in all 6 rabbits were mononuclear cell and histiocyte infiltration with sporadic eosinophils, transmural infiltration, and well-maintained goblet cell populations. These changes were different in degree. In 4 of 6 rabbits histological examination of the liver showed pericholangitis and periductal fibrosis mimicking the pericholangitis frequently seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Fibrosis bridging between the portal and portal veins occurred in 2 rabbits, and noncaseating granuloma was seen in 1 rabbit. These histological changes in our model have led to the suggestion that continuous stimulation with bacterial cell wall fragments may be involved in chronic intestinal inflammation and extraintestinal manifestations such as pericholangitis.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Factors that influence bleeding in superficial-type colorectal tumors: study of endoscopic and histologic correlates.

To clarify the mechanisms responsible for superficial-type colorectal tumor (STT) bleeding, 74 STTs were studied to determine whether their size, shape, surface area features, colorectal site, and level of invasion were correlated with bleeding. The bleeding rate, the proportion of specimens from patients with positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) results relative to the total number of specimens in each morphological group and probability of an STT being an invasive submucosal carcinoma were positively correlated with tumor size, and bleeding was more common in submucosal than in intramucosal lesions. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the level of submucosal invasion had a significant influence on bleeding. It was also found that the length of erosion on the surface of STTs was significantly greater in bleeding tumors, and that the potential for invasion into the submucosa increased with the area of erosion.

Colon↗

Validity of various diagnostic tests to evaluate cure of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Many diagnostic methods have been developed and used for detecting Helicobacter pylori to evaluate the success of treatment of H. pylori infection. We investigated and compared the suitability of the rapid urease test (RUT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT), and serology with culture for evaluating cure of H. pylori infection. Forty-seven H. pylori-positive gastric ulcer patients received dual therapy of lansoprazole (30 mg u.i.d.) and clarithromycin (200 mg b.i.d.). Four weeks after the completion of treatment, RUT, PCR, 13C-UBT, and culture were performed and the negative rates of these tests were compared. Anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and 4 weeks after completion of the treatment to evaluate changes of titers during the treatment. The negative rate of RUT (55%) was significantly greater than that of culture (27%). Significant declines in titers were seen in the patients who had negative culture results, while the decline in the titer was not significant in the patients who had positive results. PCR assay and 13C-UBT were suitable for the evaluation of H. pylori eradication, but RUT was not suitable, because of its sensitivity. By monitoring anti-H. pylori IgG antibody titers, therapeutic failure can be detected early after completion of treatment.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Extraintestinal manifestations of granulomatous enterocolitis induced in rabbits by long-term submucosal administration of muramyl dipeptide emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant.

We examined whether extraintestinal manifestations of granulomatous enterocolitis in rabbits might be produced by the long-term administration of muramyl dipeptide which represents the basic fragment of the bacterial cell wall, emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Muramyl dipeptide emulsion was injected submucosally at six sites in the rectum and colon, 10 cm proximal to the anus, each time with a flexible endoscope. Seven rabbits were injected nine times or more every month, and all were sacrificed 1 month after the last injection. The histological changes in the colon in the seven rabbits were mononuclear cell infiltration, epithelioid granulomas, granulomatous lesion, and denuded and regenerative epithelia, although the changes differed in degree. In five of the seven rabbits, histological examination of the liver showed pericholangitis and periductal fibrosis, findings analogous to sclerosing cholangitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In four of the seven rabbits, fibrosis bridging mainly between portal and portal veins, and, in places, between portal and central veins, was seen. Two of the seven rabbits developed polyarthritis. The histological changes in our model suggest that continuous stimulation with bacterial cell wall fragments may be involved in the extraintestinal manifestations of chronic intestinal inflammation such as that seen in inflammatory bowel disease.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

A case-control study of myelodysplastic syndromes among Japanese men and women.

To determine the risk factors of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) we conducted a case-control study in Japan. One hundred and sixteen MDS patients were diagnosed from 1 September to 31 October 1992 and from 1 August to 31 October 1993 in the 32 hospitals enrolled in the idiopathic Disorders of Hematopoietic Organs Research Committee. Age, sex, and hospital-matched controls were selected for each case. Information on cigarette smoking and drinking habits, hair dye use, history of keeping pet animals, and occupational exposures to organic solvents, lead and radiation was obtained from self-administered questionnaires. Conditional logistic regression was applied to this individually matched case-control study and odds ratios (ORs) were computed to estimate association between each exposure variable and risk of MDS. Alcohol drinking was associated with increased risk of MDS (OR = 2.15; 95% confidence interval = 1.12-4.16) and there was a significant trend in risk with increasing amounts of ethanol consumed per week (P < 0.05). We also found elevated ORs for cigarette smokers (OR = 1.80), users of hair dye products (OR = 1.77), and workers exposed to organic solvents (OR = 1.50), although these ratios were not statistically significant. Exposure to pet animals was not associated with risk of MDS. The association observed between alcohol drinking and MDS was still eminent even after adjusted with other variables of cigarette smoking, hair dye use and occupational exposure to organic solvents, and the dose-response relationship was also confirmed.

Adult↗

Prophylactic treatment of cytomegalovirus infection with traditional herbs.

Hot water extracts of four traditional herbs, Geum japonicum, Syzygium aromaticum, Terminalia chebula and Rhus javanica, which have been shown to have anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) activity in vivo, were examined for anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) activity in vitro and in vivo in this study. They inhibited replication of human CMV and murine CMV (MCMV) in vitro. These anti-CMV activities in vivo were examined in an MCMV infection model using immunosuppressed mice. Mice were subcutaneously treated with various doses of cyclosporine, and immunosuppression and MCMV infection were monitored by suppression of antibody production and virus yield in the lung, respectively. Each herbal extract was orally administered to mice treated with 50 mg/kg of cyclosporine from a day before intraperitoneal infection, and the efficacy of herbs was evaluated by the reduction in the virus yield in the lung. Among them Geum japonicum, Syzygium aromaticum, and Terminalia chebula significantly suppressed MCMV yields in lungs of treated mice compared with water treatment. Efficacy of oral treatment with 750 mg/kg per day of Geum japonicum extract was similar to that of the intraperitoneal administration of 2 mg/kg per day of ganciclovir in increasing the body weight of infected mice and reducing the virus yield in the lungs. These herbs may be beneficial for the prophylaxis of CMV diseases in immunocompromised patients.

Animals↗

Reduction of progressive burn injury by a stable prostaglandin I2 analogue, beraprost sodium (Procylin): an experimental study in rats.

Beraprost sodium is a chemically stable prostaglandin I2 analogue with antiplatelet and vasodilator actions. Burn injury causes thrombosis and vessel occlusion by increasing the blood viscosity and by thermal damage to the vascular network in the dermis. A vascular response also occurs in the uninjured dermis surrounding the site of injury. Diminished blood flow and spreading tissue oedema lead to progressive ischaemia and necrosis around the burn site (zone of stasis), with the final necrotic tissue area being larger than the initial one. If blood flow could be restored in the zone of stasis, secondary tissue damage would be minimized. In this study, we examined the effects of a prostaglandin I2 analogue, beraprost sodium (Procylin, Kaken Pharmaceutical Company, Tokyo, Japan) on burn injury in rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing an average of 450 g were burned with a comb-shaped brass probe that produced a row of three burns measuring 10 x 30 mm each and two intervening unburned areas measuring 5 x 30 mm each. The rats were divided into two groups of 10 animals. One group received 0.015 mg of beraprost sodium intraperitoneally immediately after burn injury, while the control group received the same volume of saline. Skin blood flow was measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter, and the development of oedema as well as the area of necrotic tissue were also determined. The extent of skin necrosis and oedema were significantly reduced in the beraprost sodium-treated rats, and blood flow in the zone of stasis was increased. These findings demonstrate that prostaglandin I2 plays an important role in burn injury and that beraprost sodium can reduce secondary necrosis in the zone of stasis.

Animals↗