Biomedical subjects

Atsushi Ihata

Publications and source records attributed to Atsushi Ihata.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Systemic sclerosis and pseudomesotheliomatous adenocarcinoma of the lung.

A 55-year-old man, diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) for 20 years, was admitted to our hospital for exertional dyspnea and pleural effusion. Computed tomography scan and cytological findings of the pleural fluid suggested malignant mesothelioma. In the postmortem examination, the tumor was pathologically diagnosed as pseudomesotheliomatous adenocarcinoma (PMA) of the lung, classified into pleomorphic carcinoma with adenocarcinoma component according to the new World Health Organization guidelines. This is the first case report of SSc with PMA.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2006

[DNA vaccination].

No one knows the timing when influenza pandemic will occur, but that catastrophe will undoubtedly happen. Current vaccines elicit antibodies to membranes of viruses effective against highly specific strains, however they are not effective against multiple strains. New strategies are urgently needed for the protection against multiple strains. It is necessary to develop immunologically superior vaccines. DNA vaccination is an established immunization method in animal models. DNA vaccines are gaining importance due to the induction of a strong cellular immunity. Moreover, the protection against multiple strains of influenza A virus has already been achieved. But their immunogenicity is not so strong that to improve the efficacy of this method is very important. This article highlights some of the recent developments in investigational DNA vaccines. Various tactics for enhancement of their immunity are considered. DNA vaccines together with DNA encoding various cytokines showed better immunological responses in several animal models. Alteration in the vector, inclusion of CpG-ODN motifs, addition of transcriptional factor and appropriate vaccine delivery mechanisms are expected to further improve the efficacy of these vaccines.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides enhance neonatal resistance to Listeria infection.

Infection by Listeria monocytogenes causes serious morbidity and mortality during the neonatal period. Previous studies established that immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) can increased the resistance of adult mice to many infectious pathogens, including Listeria. This work examines the capacity of CpG ODN to stimulate a protective immune response in newborns. Results indicate that dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells from 3-day-old mice respond to CpG stimulation by secreting IFN-gamma, IL-12, and/or TNF-alpha. Spleen cells from CpG-treated neonates produce large amounts of cytokine and NO when exposed to bacteria in vitro. Newborns treated with CpG ODN are protected from lethal Listeria challenge and generate Ag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells that afford long-term protection against subsequent infection. These results demonstrate that cellular elements of the neonatal immune system respond to stimulation by CpG ODN, thereby reducing host susceptibility to infectious pathogens.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2005

Contribution of nitric oxide to CpG-mediated protection against Listeria monocytogenes.

Immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) improve host resistance to listeriae. CpG ODN trigger immune cells to produce gamma interferon and "prime" host cells to secrete nitric oxide in response to bacterial exposure. CpG treatment does not protect inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 knockout mice, indicating that NO is critical to CpG-mediated protection against listeriae.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗