Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Yoshihisa Itoh

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshihisa Itoh.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Expression of uteroglobin in normal and carcinogenic endometrium and influence of hormone replacement therapy.

Uteroglobin, first reported in 1968 as a steroid secreted in rabbit uterine fluid during early pregnancy, is a progesterone-regulated and progesterone-binding protein. There is evidence that indicates that uteroglobin is inversely correlated to neoplastic growth but its role to endometrial carcinogenesis is not known. Therefore we analyzed the expression of uteroglobin in 13 normal endometrium, 19 hyperplasia and 21 endometrial carcinoma samples and the relation to estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) and progesterone receptor (PR) by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. We also analyzed the expression of uteroglobin in 15 menopausal women who received hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The expression of uteroglobin was higher during the secretory phase than in the proliferative phase; however, it was detected in endometrial hyperplasia as weakly as in the proliferative phase and decreased according to the loss of differentiation in endometrial carcinoma. The results were basically in accord with those for PR; however, the expression of uteroglobin was weak, though PR was most detected in endometrial hyperplasia. In menopausal endometrium, the group treated with estrogen plus progesterone exhibited higher expression of uteroglobin than the group treated only with estrogen. The evidence suggests that uteroglobin expression is regulated by progesterone in the normal endometrium but that the regulation by PR is lost in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma according to acquirement of tumorigenesis and that estrogen plus progesterone therapy reduces the risk for endometrial carcinoma by restoring uteroglobin.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2004

Diagnostic and epidemiological implications of regional differences in serum concentrations of proteins observed in six Asian cities.

The IFCC Committee on Plasma Proteins has been investigating regional differences for commonly assayed plasma proteins to determine whether universal reference intervals can be applied. As a part of this study, we launched an Asian project analyzing the concentrations of 13 serum proteins whose values are standardized to CRM470, and five newer analytes: retinol-binding protein (RBP), cystatin C (CysC), light-chain-kappa (L-kappa), and light-chain-lambda (L-lambda). In Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai, serum samples were collected from 146 to 415 apparently healthy individuals with nearly equal gender ratios. All assays were performed in Tokyo on a Behring Nephelometer II (BN II). Seven chemical analytes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gammaGT), creatinine, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) were also measured. These results were used for excluding individuals with possible latent clinical disorders. Positive acute phase reactants were consistently lower, and negative ones were higher, in Tokyo than those in other cities. The most conspicuous difference was observed in C-reactive protein (CRP). There were no regional differences in transferrin, albumin, or CysC. Creatinine was much lower in Tokyo despite comparable CysC levels. ALT and gammaGT were higher in Shanghai, Taipei and Seoul; gammaGT and TG were higher in Shanghai; and HDL-C was higher in Tokyo. Gender-related differences in reference intervals were observed for immunoglobulin (Ig)M, haptoglobin, RBP, transferrin, alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M), transthyretin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, CysC, and C4 in all cities. Slight age-related differences were observed, irrespective of the region, in IgA and ceruloplasmin (increase) and A2M (decrease). Environmental factors and lifestyle seem to have a great influence on many commonly measured analytes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Polymorphism of Clara cell 10-kD protein gene of sarcoidosis.

Clara cell 10-kD protein (CC10) exhibits potent antiinflammatory properties. G38A polymorphism was found in the CC10 gene. We investigated the genetic influence of the allele on the development of sarcoidosis using case control analysis in a Japanese population (265 sarcoidosis cases and 258 control subjects). The A allele frequency in sarcoidosis cases (45.1%) was significantly higher than healthy control subjects (34.9%, p = 0.0002). According to outcomes, we divided 223 patients with follow-up periods of 3 years or more into two subgroups (55 progressive and 168 regressive disease). The A allele frequency in patients with progressive disease was significantly higher than control subjects (odds ratio = 4.55; 95% confidence interval, 2.97-6.97; p < 0.0001), whereas that of regressive disease was not. The A/A genotypes had significantly lower bronchoalveolar lavage fluid CC10 levels than the G/G (nonsmokers, p = 0.0054, and smokers, p = 0.0045) and G/A genotypes (nonsmokers, p = 0.0022, and smokers, p = 0.0402). The reporter gene assay showed significantly lower reporter activities in the presence of interferon-gamma for the 38A construct than the 38G construct (p = 0.0177). The G38A polymorphism in the CC10 gene may influence protein expression and be associated with the development of progressive sarcoidosis.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2003

Analysis of an expanded width of albumin fraction by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis in IgA nephropathy urine before treatment.

Cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis with colloidal silver stain re-vealed that the width of the albumin fraction in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) urine before treatment was significantly expanded. This phenomenon was not shown in IgAN urine after treatment or in non-IgAN urine. There was a reverse correlation between the width of the albumin fraction and the albumin con-centration in IgAN urine. By immuno-fixation, Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) was located in the same position as the albumin band in IgAN urine before treatment; however, in the urine of a healthy subject it was located in the same position as alpha(1)-globulin. By ELISA, the THP-albumin complex concentration in IgAN urine before treatment was significantly higher than in the other two diseases. The width of the albumin fraction and the sodium ion concentra-tion of the urine were significantly correlated. The THP/albumin ratio in IgAN urine before treatment was significantly higher than in the other two groups. This suggests that the characteristic expanded width of albumin found by immunofixation indicates a THP-albumin complex, and that the sodium concentration of urine is involved in the formation of this complex.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed2003

Cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis in the analysis of urinary proteins in patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Urinary proteins from 14 patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis were analyzed by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis. Urinary total protein concentrations were measured, and urinary 15 proteins (prealbumin, albumin, alpha(1)-microglobulin, alpha(1)-antitrypsin, alpha(2)-macroglobulin, haptoglobin, retinol binding protein, transferrin, beta(2)-microglobulin, IgA, IgG, kappa- and lambda-light chains, cystatin C, and lysozyme) were identified by the use of a rapid and highly sensitive colloidal silver staining reagent suited for use with cellulose acetate membranes, as reported previously by Matsuda et al. (J Clin Lab Anal 15:171-174, 2001; Clin Chem47:763-766, 2001) and Hiratsuka et al. (J Clin Lab Anal 10:403-406, 1996). We also analyzed urinary total protein concentration and urinary protein fractions according to the presence of acute or nonacute interstitial nephritis. In addition, the relationship between urinary protein fraction and complications of interstitial nephritis was analyzed. The goal of this work was to find a useful index for the diagnosis of tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Alterations in penicillin binding protein gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae and their correlation with susceptibility patterns.

Penicillin binding protein (pbp) gene alterations of 328 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were examined for a correlation with their antibiotic-resistance. The frequency of penicillin G (PEN-G) resistance was determined to clarify susceptibility to several antibiotics, namely PEN-G, ampicillin, sulbactam/ampicillin, cefozopram, panipenem (PAPM), clarithromycin (CLR), azithromycin (AZM) and levofloxacin (LVX). Oligonucleotide primers for three pbp genes (pbp1a, pbp2x and pbp2b) were used to detect mutations in pbp. Of the strains, 25.9% were classified as Pen-Gs, 68.0% as Pen-Gir and 6.1% as Pen-Gr. The polymerase chain reaction product for wild-type pbp1a was found in 185 isolates, that for wild-type pbp2x was found in 66 isolates and that for wild-type pbp2b was found in 213 isolates. None of these three genes was detectable in 100 isolates while all of them were detected in 64 isolates (1aw/2xw/2bw). Of those 64 isolates with 1aw/2xw/2bw, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PEN-G was < or =0.06 mg/l for 54 isolates and 0.12 mg/l for 10 isolates. Of the 272 strains for which the MIC of PAPM was < or =0.03 mg/l, there were 85 Pen-Gs, 184 Pen-Gir and three Pen-Gr isolates. Three strains for which the MIC of LVX was > or =4.0 mg/l included one Pen-Gs and two Pen-Gir isolates. The MICs of CLR correlated significantly with those of AZM. The MIC of CLR was > or =1 mg/l for 216 isolates, and the MIC of AZM was > or =1 mg/l for 244 of them. These data suggested that PAPM may be effective against S. pneumoniae infection, although acquisition of resistance should be considered. LVX also seemed to be effective against S. pneumoniae.

Aminoacyltransferases↗
PubMed2003

Clinical aspects of Clara cell 10-kDa protein/ uteroglobin (secretoglobin 1A1).

Clara cell 10-kDa protein (CC10)/ uteroglobin (UG) is a nonglycoprotein with a molecular mass of 16 kilodaltons, which is produced by mucosal epithelial cells in the lung (Clara cells), uterus and prostate. Like other low molecular weigh proteins it is catabolized in renal proximal tubules. Structurally it is a homodimer of subunits of 70 amino acids covalently bound in an antiparallel manner. It belongs to secretogobin (SCGB) family and is assigned as subgroup 1A1. The function of the protein so far elucidated is immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory in innate immunity. The knockout mouse of UG gene resulted in aggravation of inflammation by allergic and hyperoxic stimuli. It also showed very similar pathological features with human IgA nephropathy. The value is changed in the lung fluid and serum of various inflammatory and allergic lung diseases. Several kinds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human CC10/UG gene were recently discovered; Adenine allele accumulation in G38A SNP has possible association with asthma and IgA nephropathy, being paralleled with disease severity of IgA nephropathy. Its expression is enhanced by some transcriptional factors induced by cytokines such as interferon-gamma. For cancer cells, the protein functions as an antagonist of neoplastic phenotype. CC10/UG forms one of intra- and intercellular regulators involved in inflammation and malignant transformation in the respiratory and urogenital fields.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Epitope analysis of human immunoglobulin D with a mouse monoclonal anti-Fab delta chain antibody.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of IgD measurements in serum is limited as the frequency of abnormal concentrations is rare. METHODS: We prepared a mouse monoclonal antibody and a rabbit polyclonal antibody against Fab delta and Fc delta chain and compared epitope recognition by the monoclonal antibody against Fab delta (anti-Fab delta mono) with that by other antibodies. RESULTS: Anti-Fab delta mono specifically reacted with purified IgD and Fab delta of myelomatous origin, but not with other isotypes and light chains. In 19 of 22 myeloma sera, the monoclonal antibody recognized intact IgD and/or its fragments when analyzed by immunoblotting. Of these there were only four cases in which possible Fab delta fragments were identified. The other three sera showed no reactivity with the antibody and the IgD value was low on a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the presence of at least two immunochemically different IgD molecules in the sera. No positive reaction with any synthetic peptide was observed for the antibody on delta-chain ranging from N-terminus of JH, C delta 1 to a hinge region. We suggest that the epitope recognized by the antibody is related to the variable region or a conformational structure on the Fd delta region of IgD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Association of the uteroglobin gene polymorphism with IgA nephropathy.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy results from the abnormal deposition of IgA in the renal mesangium. Genetic factors may be involved in the development and progression of IgA nephropathy. Uteroglobin (UG) is a steroid-inducible, cytokine-like, multifunctional protein with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The knockout or antisense mouse of the UG gene develops renal disease similar to IgA nephropathy. We analyzed the UG gene as a candidate for a predisposing factor in 61 Japanese patients with IgA nephropathy (23 children, 38 adults) and detected only the G38A mutation. The gene frequency of the G38A mutation in patients was 0.43, not significantly different from the frequency of 0.36 in healthy controls. However, the frequency of patients homozygous for G38A was twice that of controls, and a significant increase was seen in child patients. We measured serum UG levels in patients and healthy adults. A significant decrease in serum UG levels in homozygotes of G38A compared with homozygotes of G38 was detected only in adult women patients and controls. There is no information on where serum UG is produced or how UG may work in association with IgA nephropathy. However, it is possible that the effect of G38A may be apparent under such stimulation as sex steroids or infections, and homozygotes of the G38A mutation cannot produce sufficient UG in response to stimulation and may be predisposed to IgA nephropathy, especially in childhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Current topics on urinary proteins: human albumin, protein 1, beta 2-microglobulin, and type IV collagen].

Current topics are presented on four urinary proteins under investigations with special emphasis on importance of preanalytical sampling and assay standardization. These comprise of albumin, protein 1 (P1), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), and Type IV collagen. Microalbuminuria is an essential marker for early diabetic nephropathy. The author is trying to reduce the discrepancy of urinary albumin value with value assignment from CRM470, BCR international reference material, to calibrator in each assay system. At the same time nonspecific binding of the protein on urine containers were found, which can cause the discrepancy. Furthermore structure of albumin both in calibrator and urine is important. Protein 1 is a low molecular weight nonglycoprotein of 14 kDa isolated from pathologic urine. Marked sex-related difference was noted in urine, being higher in male than female. This is due to the contamination from prostate. Its localization was finally demonstrated with immunohistochemical staining and a RT-PCR method. With the same methods the protein is demonstrated to be synthesized in female prostate. beta 2-m is easily degraded in acid urine. Employing various immunochemical methods and analyses of its amino acid sequences, we successfully identified cathepsin D as one of acid proteases responsible for the degradation. Urinary measurement of type IV collagen is now clinically under use for an independent marker for early diabetic nephropathy. Nonspecific elevation was observed in urine with UTI, in which mechanisms is should be clarified.

Albuminuria↗