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Yoshitaka Hayashi

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshitaka Hayashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular cloning of prostaglandin EP3 receptors from canine sensory ganglia and their facilitatory action on bradykinin-induced mobilization of intracellular calcium.

We previously demonstrated that the activation of prostaglandin E-prostanoid-3 (EP3) receptor sensitized the canine nociceptor response to bradykinin (BK). To elucidate the molecular mechanism for this sensitization, we cloned two cDNAs encoding EP3s with different C-terminals, from canine dorsal root ganglia, and established the transformed cell lines stably expressing them. In both transformants, EP3 agonist did not increase intracellular cAMP levels, but it attenuated forskolin-dependent cAMP accumulation in a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive manner and increased intracellular calcium levels in a PTX-resistant manner, indicating that both EP3s can couple with Gi and Gq, but not with Gs proteins. As the nociceptor response to BK is mediated by BK B2 receptor, it was transfected into the transformants and the effects of EP3 agonist on BK-dependent calcium mobilization were investigated. When BK was applied twice with a 6-min interval, the second response was markedly attenuated. Pre-treatment with EP3 agonist had no effect on the initial response, but restored the second response in a PTX-sensitive manner. A protein kinase A inhibitor mimicked the effect of EP3 agonist. These results demonstrate that the activation of EP3 restores the response to BK by attenuating the desensitization of BK B2 receptor activity via Gi protein.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

The Sp family of transcription factors regulates the human laminin alpha1 gene in JAR choriocarcinoma cells.

Laminin-111 (alpha1beta1gamma1) is the major component of the embryonic and extra-embryonic basement membrane. The laminin alpha1 chain shows a restricted and developmentally regulated expression in basement membranes of distinct epithelial tissues while beta1 and gamma1 chains have a wide tissue distribution. To understand how human laminin alpha1 chain expression is controlled, we cloned and characterized the 5'-flanking region of the human laminin alpha1 (LAMA1) gene. Transfection studies using serially deleted promoter constructs and JAR choriocarcinoma cells revealed that the minimal promoter fragment resided in the +31 to -206 region, which contains a number of GC- and GT/A-rich motifs for the binding of the Sp family of transcription factors. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and mutational analyses revealed that Sp1 and Sp3 bound specifically to these elements and are important for the promoter activity. Furthermore, we showed that Krüppel-like factors KLF4 and KLF6 also activate transcription of the human LAMA1 gene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated recruitment of these transcription factors to the promoter region. These results indicate that transcription of the human LAMA1 gene is controlled by a combination of the actions of Sp1/Sp3 and Krüppel-like factors, KLF4 and KLF6.

Animals↗

"Initial, continuous and intermittent bolus" administration of minimally-diluted blood cardioplegia supplemented with potassium and magnesium for hypertrophied hearts.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophied hearts are subject to the deleterious effects of intraoperative ischemia-reperfusion, and stable maintenance of myocardial cardioplegic arrest is essential. Continuous cardioplegia infusion appears an ideal modification to overcome this issue, except for a large amount of crystalloid solution infused into the myocardium. We previously introduced "initial, continuous and intermittent bolus" administration of minimally-diluted blood cardioplegia (mini-BCP) supplemented with potassium and magnesium, and this study was designed to elucidate its efficacy in patients with hypertrophied hearts. METHODS: Thirty patients (M:F=17:13, 69.2+/-7.8 years) with left ventricular mass index greater than 150 g/m(2) who underwent aortic valve replacement between 1996 and 2002 were enrolled, and were allocated to one of the two groups. The same infusion protocol was used for both groups as follows: initial and intermittent (every 20 min) BCP was antegradely infused for 2 min at the rate of 200 mL/min, and continuous retrograde BCP flow rate was set at 60-100mL/min. Group C (n=15) received 4:1-diluted BCP modified with Buckberg solution, and Group M (n=15) were given mini-BCP supplemented with potassium (initial/others: 15.4/9.8 mEq/L) and magnesium (initial/others: 6.5/4.0 mEq/L). RESULTS: Stable cardioplegic arrest was maintained in all study patients, and total amount of crystalloid solution as cardioplegia was lesser in Group M (79.4+/-27.5 mL) than in Group C (937.3+/-372. 1mL, p<0.01). Group M showed a higher incidence of spontaneous heartbeat recovery after aortic unclamping (13 versus 6, p<0.05) and a lower incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (0 versus 5, p<0.05). Postoperatively, maximum dopamine dose (3.35+/-2.27 microg/kg/min versus 5.49+/-2.30 microg/kg/min, p<0.05) and peak plasma creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) (21.7+/-7.2 IU/L versus 28.8+/-8.4 IU/L, p<0.05) were lower in Group M. Early postoperative echocardiography revealed a lower incidence of paradoxical ventricular septal motion (M versus C; 3 versus 10, p<0.05) and greater left ventricular ejection fraction (M versus C; 70.7+/-4.0% versus 67.0+/-5.3%, p<0.05) in Group M. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that "initial, continuous and intermittent bolus" administration of mini-BCP, supplemented with potassium and magnesium, is a novel modification for patients with hypertrophied hearts in terms of simplifying the maintenance of cardioplegic arrest with beneficial myocardial protective effects.

Aged↗

A novel large-scale production system for modified basement membrane matrices using gene-swapped parietal endoderm cells.

Parietal endoderm-like cells, including Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor and differentiated F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, produce huge amounts of basement membrane components, including laminin-1 (alpha1beta1gamma1). We employed a double-lox system-based gene-swapping strategy in F9 cells to replace the laminin alpha1 gene with a laminin alpha5 minigene. The gene-swapped F9 cells secreted laminin-10 (alpha5beta1gamma1) consisting of the exogenous alpha5 subunit and endogenous beta1 and gamma1 subunits on differentiation. The laminin-10 concentration in the conditioned medium exceeded 10 mg/l, which is 10-fold higher than the concentrations achieved by conventional recombinant expression systems. The gene-swapped F9 cells deposited basement membrane-like matrices containing laminin-10 on culture dishes, offering a novel microenvironment for in vitro cell manipulation.

Animals↗

Growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-r) gene mutation in Indian children with familial isolated growth hormone deficiency: a study from western India.

BACKGROUND: Various mutations of the growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) gene have been recently described to cause familial isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency (FIGHD), with the GHRH-R nonsense mutation E72X reported in patients with FIGHD from South Asia. The molecular genetic basis of FIGHD in Indian children is not known. OBJECTIVE: To look for the GHRH-R E72X non-sense mutation in our patients with FIGHD and describe its clinical phenotype. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total of 31 patients from 22 families diagnosed 4-20 years previously, 20 patients with familial IGHD-IB from 11 families and 11 patients with non-familial isolated GH deficiency (NFIGHD) (phenotypes IGHD-IB in eight patients and -IA in three) were included. Twenty-eight of 31 patients with IGHD-IB came from two states of Western India, 27 of them Hindus from 18 families (three consanguineous) and one from an inbred Moslem kindred. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the patients (71%) (18 FIGHD and four NFIGHD) had a homozygous G-->T transversion in exon 3, with this GHRH-R gene mutation E72X in 90% (18/20) of patients with FIGHD, 36% (4/11) of NFIGHD, altogether 78% (22/28) with phenotype IB. One parent pair with IGHD had homozygous E72X mutation, the rest were heterozygous carriers. Two siblings with IGHD due to homozygous E72X mutation were also heterozygous carriers for GH-1 gene 6.7 kb deletion, inherited from their mother, heterozygous for both GH-1 and GHRH-R mutations. Initial chronological age was 10.89 +/- 3.69 years, bone age 6.4 +/- 3.4 years, and mean height SDS was -5.83 +/- 1.41. The clinical phenotype, with sharp features, lean habitus, lack of frontal bossing or hypoglycemia, was characteristic. The mean peak GH was 1.25 +/- 0.75 ng/ml, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 below -2 SDS with no response to GHRH in those tested. MRI (n = 10) showed pituitary hypoplasia, mean vertical height 2.61 +/- 0.76 mm. Among the other 7/11 NFIGHD patients, four with phenotype IB were negative for genotypes tested in this study; of three patients with phenotype IA, two had the GH-1 gene 6.7 kb deletion, and one was a compound heterozygote with 6.7 and 7.6 kb deletions. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with FIGHD from different communities belonged to non-consanguineous Hindu families from Western India. The GHRH-R gene E72X mutation was found in 71% of this series, in 90% of FIGHD, 36% of NFIGHD, and in 78% with phenotype IB. The characteristic phenotype helped in suspecting this mutation. GHRH-R gene mutations may be the most reasonable candidate for IGHD-IB with the E72X mutation predominating in the Indian subcontinent. More extensive studies need to be undertaken.

Adolescent↗

SOX7 and SOX17 regulate the parietal endoderm-specific enhancer activity of mouse laminin alpha1 gene.

Laminin-1 is the major component of embryonic basement membrane and consists of alpha1, beta1, and gamma1 chains. The expression of laminin-1 is induced in mouse F9 embryonal carcinoma cells upon differentiation into parietal endoderm cells. We recently identified a parietal endoderm-specific enhancer in the mouse laminin alpha1 (Lama1) gene and showed that Sp1/Sp3 and YY1 transcription factors were involved in the enhancer activity. Although here we identified that NF-Y binds to the enhancer sequence between Sp1/Sp3- and YY1-binding sites, all these transcription factors are ubiquitously expressed and thus are not sufficient to explain parietal endoderm-specific enhancer activity. In the present study, we further showed that SOX7 and SOX17 are involved in the regulation of parietal endoderm-specific enhancer activity of the mouse Lama1 gene. Northern blot analysis revealed that the steady-state levels of mouse Sox7 and Sox17 mRNAs increased in parallel with that of Lama1 mRNA during the differentiation of F9 cells. Both SOX7 and SOX17 markedly trans-activated the transcription of the Lama1 enhancer-reporter construct in undifferentiated F9 cells in a manner dependent on high mobility group box-mediated DNA binding. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and mutational analyses revealed that SOX7 and SOX17 bound specifically to two SOX-binding sites within the Lama1 enhancer, and that these SOX-binding sites functioned synergistically to confer the trans-activation by SOX7 and SOX17. Furthermore, this trans-activation was dependent on the integrity of the binding sites for Sp1/Sp3 and NF-Y located at upstream of the two SOX-binding sites. These results indicate that the transcription of the mouse Lama1 gene during the differentiation of F9 cells is controlled by a combination of the actions of the ubiquitous factors, Sp1/Sp3 and NF-Y, and the parietal endoderm-specific factors, SOX7 and SOX17.

Animals↗

Peroxynitrite, a product between nitric oxide and superoxide anion, plays a cytotoxic role in the development of post-bypass systemic inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to induce post-bypass systemic inflammatory response. Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a potent oxidant formed by a rapid reaction between nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion. We hypothesized that ONOO- plays a role in the development of post-bypass systemic inflammatory response and examined the efficacy of ONOO- scavenger in a rat-CPB model. METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 60 min of CPB (100 ml/kg per min, 34 degrees C). Group-P (n = 10) received 50 mg/kg of ONOO- scavenger, quercetin, intraperitoneally 24 h before the initiation of CPB, and Group-C (n = 10) served as controls. RESULTS: There were significant time-dependent changes in plasma nitrate+nitrite (NOx), the percentage ratio of nitrotyrosine to tyrosine (%NO2-Tyr: an indicator of ONOO- formation), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and respiratory index (RI). There were significant differences in %NO2-Tyr between the groups both at CPB termination (Group-P vs C; 0.26+/-0.07 vs 0.55+/-0.11%, P < 0.01) and 3 h after CPB termination (0.65+/-0.14 vs 1.46+/-0.25%, P < 0.01); whereas there were no significant differences in NOx between the groups at any sampling point ((at CPB termination) Group-P vs C; 31.6+/-4.3 vs 32.7+/-4.1 micromol/l, (3 h after CPB termination) Group-P vs C; 47.8+/-4.9 vs 51.7+/-5.3 micromol/l). Group-P showed significantly lower plasma IL-6 (176.8+/-44.3 vs 302.4+/-78.1 pg/ml, P < 0.01), IL-8 (9.45+/-1.78 vs 16.42+/-2.53 ng/ml, P < 0.01) and RI (1.07+/-0.19 vs 1.54+/-0.25, P < 0.01) 3 h after CPB termination, though there were no significant differences between the groups at CPB termination. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ONOO- plays a crucial role in the development of post-bypass systemic inflammatory response and the pretreatment with quercetin has a potential benefit to avoid deleterious effects of ONOO-.

Animals↗

A nonsense mutation (E72X) in growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) gene is the major cause of familial isolated growth hormone deficiency in Western region of India: founder effect suggested by analysis of dinucleotide repeat polymorphism close to GHRHR gene.

An identical nonsense mutation (E72X) in growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) gene was identified in 17 patients with isolated GH deficiency belonging to one Muslim and four Hindu families residing in the Western part of India. Analysis of two dinucleotide repeat polymorphism, one at 6 kb downstream and the other at 13 kb downstream of GHRHR gene, revealed that all the patients shared the same homozygotic alleles at both loci. These results strongly indicate that the nonsense mutation occurred in a single ancestor and was subsequently transmitted to the descendants. This GHRHR mutation may be an important cause of familial IGHD in Western India and Sindh area of Pakistan as previous studies have also reported the same mutation.

Adolescent↗

Establishment and characterization of a parietal endoderm-like cell line derived from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor (EHSPEL), a possible resource for an engineered basement membrane matrix.

Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor produces large amounts of basement membrane (BM) components, which are widely used as cell culture substrates mimicking BM functions. EHS tumor arose spontaneously in an ST/Eh strain mouse and has been propagated by transplantation. In the present study, we established a cell line, EHSPEL (EHS Parietal Endoderm-Like), which can be cultured ex vivo and preserves the capacity to form tumors in vivo. EHSPEL cells secreted large amounts of laminin-1 into the medium and deposited BM components onto dishes. To further characterize EHSPEL cells, their gene expression profile was compared to those of parietal endoderm cells from Reichert's membrane at embryonic day 13.5, differentiated F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, and PYS-2 parietal endoderm cells. These analyses outlined not only common features of parietal endoderm-like cells that underlie the efficient production of BM components, but also germline cell-like features of EHSPEL cells, at least some of which may play crucial roles in their capacity to form tumors that accumulate abundant BM components in vivo. Karyotyping of EHSPEL cells using chromosome painting probes showed a large number of interchromosomal rearrangements and partial chromosome hyperploidy. Exogenous introduction of a human laminin-alpha(4)-EGFP fusion protein into EHSPEL cells resulted in the production and deposition of human-mouse-hybrid laminin-8. This strategy should be applicable for creating efficient systems to produce chimeric laminins as well as BM-like gels with modified biological activity.

Animals↗

Left atrial diameter is a simple indicator of a deficiency in atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in patients with mitral stenosis: efficacy of postoperative supplementation with synthetic human alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide.

OBJECTIVE: With regard to a deficiency in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion, the relationship between plasma ANP and left atrial diameter measured by echocardiography was examined and the efficacy of postoperative supplementation was evaluated. METHODS: (1) Ninety-six patients with mitral valve disease from 1997 to 2002 (M:F = 65:31, mean-age 65.3 +/- 8.9 years) were studied for relationship analyses. (2) Twenty-six patients with mitral stenosis and left atrial diameter > or = 60 mm undergoing mitral valve replacement (M:F = 17:9, mean-age 67.4 +/- 7.5 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups; ANP-treated group (n = 13, 0.05 microg/kg/min of synthetic human alpha-ANP was postoperatively administered) and Control group (n = 13). RESULTS: (1) There were significant positive correlations between left atrial diameter and plasma renin-activity (r = 0.690, P < 0.01) and between left atrial diameter and plasma aldosterone (r = 0.757, P < 0.01). The maximum value of plasma ANP was 249.5 pg/mL accompanied with 56.2 mm of left atrial diameter in 29 patients suffering from mitral stenosis. There was a significant negative correlation between left atrial diameter and ANP in patients with left atrial diameter > 56.2 mm (r = - 0.725, P < 0.0001), whereas there was a significant positive correlation in patients with left atrial diameter < or = 56.2 mm (r = 0.529, P = 0.0066). (2) At 24 hours after operation, the ANP-treated group showed significantly lower plasma renin-activity (9.2 +/- 3.3 versus 36.2 +/- 7.4 ng/mL/h) and aldosterone (113.6 +/- 36.9 versus 473.8 +/- 95.8 pg/mL) than the Control group. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial diameter can be a simple and useful indicator of a deficiency in endogenous ANP secretion in patients with mitral stenosis, and postoperative ANP supplementation contributes to suppressing further activation of renin-angiotensin system during the immediate postoperative period.

Aged↗

Sox7 plays crucial roles in parietal endoderm differentiation in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells through regulating Gata-4 and Gata-6 expression.

During early rodent development, the parietal endoderm appears from an inner cell mass and produces large amounts of basement membrane components, such as laminin-1 and collagen IV. To elucidate the regulatory network for gene expression during these procedures, we constructed a series of short interfering RNA expression vectors targeted to various transcription factors, transfected them into F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, and evaluated the effects of the gene silencing on the induction of parietal endoderm differentiation and basement membrane component production by treating F9 cells with all trans-retinoic acid and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Among the transcription factors tested, silencing of Sox7 or combined silencing of Gata-4 and Gata-6 resulted in suppression of cell shape changes and laminin-1 production, which are the hallmarks of parietal endoderm differentiation. In cells silenced for Sox7, induction of Gata-4 and Gata-6 by retinoic acid and cyclic AMP treatment was inhibited, while induction of Sox7 was not affected in cells silenced for Gata-4 and Gata-6, indicating that Sox7 is an upstream regulatory factor for these Gata factors. Nevertheless, silencing of Sox7 did not totally cancel the action of retinoic acid, since upregulation of coup-tf2, keratin 19, and retinoic acid receptor beta2 was not abolished in Sox7-silenced F9 cells. Although overexpression of Sox7 alone was insufficient to induce parietal endoderm differentiation, overexpression of Gata-4 or Gata-6 in Sox7-silenced F9 cells restored the differentiation into parietal endoderm. Sox7 is therefore required for the induction of Gata-4 and Gata-6, and the interplay among these transcription factors plays a crucial role in parietal endoderm differentiation.

Animals↗

Minimally-diluted blood cardioplegia supplemented with potassium and magnesium for combination of 'initial, continuous and intermittent bolus' administration.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to examine the hypothesis that minimally-diluted blood cardioplegia (BCP) supplemented with potassium and magnesium provides superior myocardial protection in comparison with the standard-diluted BCP for a combination of 'initial, continuous, and intermittent bolus' BCP administration. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy patients undergoing elective coronary revascularization between 1997 and 2001 (M : F =55:15, mean age 67.6+/-7.5 years) were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group C (n=35) was given the standard 4:1-diluted blood-crystalloid BCP, and Group M (n=35) was given minimally-diluted BCP supplemented with potassium-chloride and magnesium-sulfate. The BCP temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C. Cardioplegic arrest was induced with 2 min of initial antegrade BCP infusion, followed by continuous retrograde BCP infusion. Intermittent antegrade BCP was infused every 30 min for 2 min. The time required for achieving cardioplegic arrest was significantly shorter in Group M (47.5+/-16.3 vs 62.5+/-17.6 s, p<0.0001). The number of patients showing spontaneous heart beat recovery after reperfusion was significantly larger in Group M (28 vs 15, p=0.0029), and the number of patients suffering from atrial fibrillation during the postoperative period was significantly smaller in Group M (n=3 vs 11, p=0.034). Both the postoperative maximum dopamine dose (3.57+/-2.46 vs 5.44+/-2.23 microg/kg per min, p=0.0014) and peak creatine kinase-MB (19.5+/-8.5 vs 25.8+/-11.9 IU/L, p=0.0128) were significantly less in Group M. The number of patients showing paradoxical movement of the ventricular septum in the early postoperative echocardiography was significantly smaller in Group M (9 vs 24, p=0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that 'initial, continuous and intermittent bolus' administration of minimally-diluted BCP supplemented with potassium and magnesium is a reliable and effective technique for intraoperative myocardial protection.

Aged↗

Molecular dissection of the alpha-dystroglycan- and integrin-binding sites within the globular domain of human laminin-10.

The adhesive interactions of cells with laminins are mediated by integrins and non-integrin-type receptors such as alpha-dystroglycan and syndecans. Laminins bind to these receptors at the C-terminal globular domain of their alpha chains, but the regions recognized by these receptors have not been mapped precisely. In this study, we sought to locate the binding sites of laminin-10 (alpha5beta1gamma1) for alpha(3)beta(1) and alpha(6)beta(1) integrins and alpha-dystroglycan through the production of a series of recombinant laminin-10 proteins with deletions of the LG (laminin G-like) modules within the globular domain. We found that deletion of the LG4-5 modules did not compromise the binding of laminin-10 to alpha(3)beta(1) and alpha(6)beta(1) integrins but completely abrogated its binding to alpha-dystroglycan. Further deletion up to the LG3 module resulted in loss of its binding to the integrins, underlining the importance of LG3 for integrin binding by laminin-10. When expressed individually as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase or the N-terminal 70-kDa region of fibronectin, only LG4 was capable of binding to alpha-dystroglycan, whereas neither LG3 nor any of the other LG modules retained the ability to bind to the integrins. Site-directed mutagenesis of the LG3 and LG4 modules indicated that Asp-3198 in the LG3 module is involved in the integrin binding by laminin-10, whereas multiple basic amino acid residues in the putative loop regions are involved synergistically in the alpha-dystroglycan binding by the LG4 module.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular basis of constitutive production of basement membrane components. Gene expression profiles of Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor and F9 embryonal carcinoma cells.

Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumors produce large amounts of basement membrane (BM) components that are widely used as cell culture substrates mimicking BM functions. To delineate the tissue/organ origin of the tumor and the mechanisms operating in the BM overproduction, a genome-wide expression profile of EHS tumor was analyzed using RIKEN cDNA microarrays containing approximately 40,000 mouse cDNA clones. Expression profiles of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells that produce laminin-1 and other BM components upon differentiation into parietal endoderm-like cells (designated F9-PE) were also analyzed. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the gene expression profiles of EHS and F9-PE were the most similar among 49 mouse tissues/organs in the RIKEN Expression Array Database, suggesting that EHS tumor is parietal endoderm-derived. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that not only BM components but also the machineries required for efficient production of BM components, such as enzymes involved in post-translational modification and molecular chaperones, were highly expressed in both EHS and F9-PE. Pairs of similar transcription factor isoforms, such as Gata4/Gata6, Sox7/Sox17, and Cited1/Cited2, were also highly expressed in both EHS tumor and F9-PE. Time course analysis of F9 differentiation showed that up-regulation of the transcription factors was associated with those of BM components, suggesting their involvement in parietal endoderm specification and overproduction of the BM components.

Animals↗

Identification of an upstream enhancer in the mouse laminin alpha 1 gene defining its high level of expression in parietal endoderm cells.

Laminin-1 is the major component of the embryonic basement membrane and consists of alpha1, beta1, and gamma1 chains. The expression of laminin-1 is induced in mouse F9 embryonal carcinoma cells upon differentiation into parietal endoderm through transcriptional up-regulation of the genes encoding these subunits. Here, we identified a 435-bp enhancer in the 5'-flanking region of the mouse laminin alpha1 (LAMA1) gene that activated its transcription in a differentiation-dependent manner. This enhancer was also active in PYS-2 parietal yolk sac-derived cells but not in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, indicating that it was a parietal endoderm-specific enhancer. This enhancer was also active in Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor-derived cells characterized by excessive production of laminin-1 and other basement membrane components, suggesting that EHS tumors have a transcriptional control mechanism similar to that of parietal endoderm cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses revealed four protein binding sites (PBS1-PBS4) in the 435-bp region. However, these DNA-binding proteins were detected not only in parietal endoderm cells (i.e. differentiated F9 cells, PYS-2 cells, and EHS tumor-derived cells) but also in undifferentiated F9 cells and NIH/3T3 cells. Mutational analyses revealed that three of these binding sites (PBS2, PBS3, and PBS4) function synergistically to confer the parietal endoderm-specific enhancer activity. The proteins binding to PBS2 and PBS4 were identified as the Sp1/Sp3 family of transcription factors and YY1, respectively.

3T3 Cells↗

Leukocyte-depleted terminal blood cardioplegia provides superior myocardial protective effects in association with myocardium-derived nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production for patients undergoing prolonged aortic crossclamping for more than 120 minutes.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the myocardial protective effect of leukocyte-depleted terminal blood cardioplegia in association with nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production, especially for patients undergoing prolonged aortic crossclamping. METHODS: Fifty-four patients (34 men, 20 women, mean age 56.7 +/- 12.7 years) undergoing aortic valve replacement were randomly allocated to one of two groups; group LDTC (n = 27) received 10 minutes of leukocyte-depleted terminal blood cardioplegic solution, and group CONT (n = 27) served as controls. Each group was subdivided into 2 groups: aortic crossclamping for less than 120 minutes in groups LDTC-S (n = 13) and CONT-S (n = 14); aortic crossclamping for 120 minutes or more in groups LDTC-L (n = 14) and CONT-L (n = 13). RESULTS: After aortic unclamping, group LDTC-L showed higher incidence of spontaneous defibrillation (78.6% vs 30.8%, P =.0213), higher plasma nitrate + nitrite in the coronary sinus effluent (32.5 +/- 4.1 vs 28.7 +/- 3.0 micromol/L, P =.0013), lower differences between coronary sinus effluent and arterial blood in the percentage ratio of nitrotyrosine to tyrosine (myocardium-derived peroxynitrite; 2.987% +/- 0.576% vs 3.951% +/- 0.952%, P =.0036), and plasma polymorphonuclear-elastase (113.9 +/- 21.3 vs 155.5 +/- 41.6 microg/L, P =.0029) and malondialdehyde (2.75 +/- 0.67 vs 4.02 +/- 0.96 micromol/L, P =.0005) than group CONT did. Postoperatively, group LDTC-L showed lower human-heart fatty acid-binding protein (111.4 +/- 25.2 vs 156.4 +/- 38.6 IU/L, P =.0013), lower creatine kinase-muscle and brain (19.2 +/- 4.7 vs 24.8 +/- 6.5 IU/L, P =.0120), and smaller requirement of catecholamine (5.44 +/- 2.29 vs 8.45 +/- 3.42 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), P =.0122). There were no significant differences in these parameters between groups LDTC-S and CONT-S. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that leukocyte-depleted terminal blood cardioplegia provided superior myocardial protective effects and regulated myocardial-derived nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production only for patients undergoing aortic crossclamping for more than 120 minutes. The results suggest that prolonged aortic crossclamping deteriorates the tolerance to leukocyte-mediated myocardial injury accompanied by endothelial dysfunction associated with nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production.

Adolescent↗

Synthetic human alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide improves the management of postoperative hypertension and renal dysfunction after the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed hypertension (HT) and renal dysfunction (RD) are observed after aortic operations accompanied by infra-renal aortic cross-clamping (AXC). Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has effects on vasodilation and renal protection, and we examined the hypothesis that synthetic human alpha-ANP (hANP) improves the postoperative management for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing elective aneurysmectomy for infrarenal-AAA between 1998 and 2001 (M:F = 43:7, mean age 70.5 +/- 7.7 years) were randomly allocated to one of 2 groups; Group H (n = 24) received hANP immediately after operation (initial dose: 0.025 microg/kg/min), and Group C (n = 26) served as a control group. RESULTS: All patients in Group C required nicardipine hydrochloride (4.41 +/- 1.68 mg/h) for prevention of postoperative HT, whereas only 6 patients in Group H required the increase in hANP dose due to HT (P < 0.0001). Maximum hANP dose was 0.035 +/- 0.019 microg/kg/min. Group H showed significantly smaller furosemide dosage in the initial 3 days (H vs. C; 9.2 +/- 11.0 vs. 58.8 +/- 41.5 mg, P < 0.0001), significantly lower peak-Crn (H vs. C; 1.16 +/- 0.53 vs. 2.58 +/- 1.42 mg/dL, P < 0.0001), and significantly lower plasma renin-activity (7.09 +/- 2.38 vs. 11.52 +/- 4.89 ng/mL/h, P = 0.0002) and aldosterone (51.6 +/- 12.7 vs. 81.2 +/- 34.2 pg/mL, P = 0.0002) on the first postoperative day than Group C did. CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that renin-angiotensin system may play a role in the incidence of postoperative HT and RD, and suggest that hANP infusion is a simple, reliable, and effective method for management during the immediate period after AAA operations.

Aged↗