Biomedical subjects

F Tokuchi

Publications and source records attributed to F Tokuchi.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Distribution of angiotensinogen in diseased human hearts.

Extrahepatic synthesis and localization of angiotensinogen (ATN) have been described in animals, thus establishing the tissue renin-angiotensin (RA) system. However, there had been no reports of tissue RA systems in human organs, including the heart. In earlier, we have reported the possibility of ATN synthesis in the human heart using ribonuclease protection assay system. ATN mRNA was detected not only in the liver, but also in both the atrial and ventricular heart tissues, suggesting that ATN is synthesized in the human heart. In this report, we looked for the distribution of ATN in diseased human heart. Northern blot hybridization of cDNA with total RNA extracted from human liver, brain, kidney, atrial and ventricular tissues revealed that ATN mRNA exists in cardiac ventricule. Immunohistochemical studies using a specific antibody to ATN revealed a stronger reaction in the endocardial layer of the human left ventricle, than in the epicardial layer, and intense immunoreactivity in the conduction system and right atrium. This distribution pattern was similar to that of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP), which functions a smooth muscle relaxant. Double immunostaining of ATN and hANP demonstrated that all myocytes in the right atrium had immunopositive reactions to ATN, hANP or both of ATN and hANP. Double immunoelectron staining enabled us to show more detailed localization of ATN and hANP; hANP only existed in the specific granules and ATN existed in the myofibril, but not in the granule. Furthermore, our experiments provide evidence of ATN in healthy human hearts and also reveal a widespread immunopositive reaction for ATN in the left ventricle of diseased hearts.

Angiotensinogen↗

PubMed1992

Clinical significance of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses.

The authors retrospectively analyzed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification in 49 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from the nasal cavities (NC) and paranasal sinuses (PS) by using slot-blot analysis of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Also, the relationship between the results of gene analysis and the clinical features of the patients was studied to investigate the clinical significance of the EGFR in SCC of the NC and PS. Amplification of the EGFR gene was detected in 5 of the 49 cases (10%). No significant difference was observed between EGFR gene amplification and the presence of lymph node metastases, local recurrence, or prognosis. This suggests that EGFR gene amplification is not related to the local progression or metastasis of the SCC in the NC and PS. In addition, it appears that amplification of the EGFR gene is not a prognostic indicator for SCC in the NC and PS.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Expression of the angiotensinogen gene and localization of its protein in the human heart.

BACKGROUND: There have been no reports on the presence of the tissue renin-angiotensin system in the human heart, although the presence of angiotensinogen has been described in the animal heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine whether angiotensinogen is synthesized in the human heart, we examined angiotensinogen messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis in autopsy hearts by using ribonuclease protection assay. As a result, angiotensinogen mRNA was detected in the atrial muscle, muscles of the conduction system, and the left ventricular wall. In the left ventricular wall, mRNA expression was more prominent in the subendocardial muscles than in the midcardial or epicardial muscles. Using a monoclonal antibody to human angiotensinogen in immunoblotting experiments, we detected two closely spaced bands at approximately 70 kd in the heart, which was quite consistent with the human angiotensinogen molecule. Immunohistochemical studies with this monoclonal antibody demonstrated intense immunoreactivity in the atrial muscles, the muscles of the conduction system, and those of the subendocardial layers. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that angiotensinogen was synthesized in the human heart. It was evident that the localization of angiotensinogen was not ubiquitous in the cardiac muscles, showing its predilection for the atrial muscles, muscles of the conduction system, and subendocardial layer of the left ventricle.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1992

[Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: immunopathological analysis of antigenic reactivity and loss of encephalitogenicity].

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). EAE can be induced by immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP) or passive transfer of MBP-reactive T cell lines and clones. We established several T-cell clones from SJL/J mice by immunization with whole rat MBP or a synthetic peptide encompassing guinea pig MBP 89-101 which contains the encephalitogenic determinant for SJL/J mice. One clone was found to have lost its encephalitogenicity during long-term passages in vitro, although this clone maintains its specific reactivity to the encephalitogenic determinant. To clarify the difference between the encephalitogenic T cell clone (4b. 14a) and the non-encephalitogenic T-cell clone (4b. 14a/n), we examined the suppressive activity of 4b. 14a/n on the reactivity to antigen of 4b. 14a, various lymphokine production and adhesion molecules expression of 4b. 14a and 4b. 14a/n. The culture fluid of the both 4b. 14a/n and 4b. 14a revealed a suppressive effect on the proliferation of 4b. 14a stimulated by MBP 89-101, and the effect was not different between these clones. In lymphokine production, the activities of lymphotoxin, interferon or interleukin-2 were not different between encephalitogenic clones (4b.14a and TNT-1) and 4b. 14a/n, whereas the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, passively secreted by antigen presenting cell, was higher in culture media of 4b. 14a/n. Examination of adhesion molecule expression of 4b.14a/n failed to show any differences in expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) alpha and CD2 in the comparison with 4b. 14a. However, LFA-1 beta expression of 4b. 14a/n was always less than of 4b. 14a. The present studies indicated that the lack of encephalitogenicity of T-cell clones which were responsive to an encephalitogenic determinant depends not on the difference in major lymphokines production but partially on adhesion molecules expression which was decreased in non-encephalitogenic T-cell clone.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Lymphokine production by encephalitogenic and non-encephalitogenic T-cell clones reactive to the same antigenic determinant.

Among the myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T-cell clones mediating experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), which were established from SJL/J mice, one clone was found to have lost its encephalitogenicity during long-term passages in vitro, although the clone keeps its specific reactivity to the encephalitogenic determinant lying in the sequence of guinea pig MBP 89-101. To clarify the difference between the encephalitogenic T-cell clone (4b.14a) and non-encephalitogenic T-cell clone (4b.14a/n), we examined various lymphokines secreted into the culture media of 4b.14a and 4b.14a/n. The results show that the activities of lymphotoxin, interferon-gamma or interleukin-2 were not different between encephalitogenic clones and 4b.14a/n, whereas the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, possibly secreted from antigen-presenting cells, was higher in culture media of 4b.14a/n. Moreover, the culture fluid of both 4b.14a/n and 4b.14a revealed suppressive effect on the proliferation of 4b.14a stimulated by MBP 89-101, but the effect was not different between the two clones. Thus, it is suggested that neither production of lymphokines examined so far nor soluble suppressive substance is related to the loss of encephalitogenicity of the T-cell clone.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

[New fixative for pathological specimens in cold areas].

In cold areas where the lowest temperature of the day can fall to minus 20 degree Celsius in winter, surgical specimens which are sent from the local hospitals to the pathology department often become frozen during delivery. Although the antigenicity of tissues may remain intact, pathological diagnosis is difficult due to the destruction of the tissue by freezing. To overcome this difficulty and the development of artifact, we have attempted to make a fixative based on a 10% formalin solution to provide good fixation effect. Various mixtures of 10% formalin with sucrose, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerin, ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol were prepared in different concentrations. Tissues of liver, kidney and stomach taken from autopsy or surgical biopsy were fixed with each solution at room temperature for 24 hours and then exposed to -20 degrees C for 2 days. After they were returned to room temperature, they were embedded in paraffin and stained with H&E and immunohistochemically examined by the PAP method. It could be shown that 10% formalin containing 20% ethylene glycol was the most suitable "fixative" to use. The specimens did not freeze and examination of the tissues showed that the morphology and antigenicity remained intact. In addition, this solution could be prepared easily and economically.

Cold Temperature↗