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Biomedical subjects

H Miyazaki

Publications and source records attributed to H Miyazaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Recombinant human thrombopoietin (Mpl ligand) enhances proliferation of erythroid progenitors.

We have studied the effects of recombinant human thrombopoietin (TPO, Mpl ligand) on human hematopoiesis in vitro. TPO alone did not support erythroid burst formation but, in the presence of erythropoietin, it enhanced erythroid burst formation from CD34+ bone marrow and cord blood cells. The burst-promoting activity (BPA) was stronger under 5% serum than 30% serum conditions. The direct nature of BPA effects was documented by replating studies of early erythroid bursts. The BPA of TPO was less than that of interleukin-3 but was comparable with that of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and steel factor. The soluble form of Mpl receptor inhibited burst enhancing effects of TPO, suggesting that the BPA effects of TPO are mediated through the Mpl receptor. These results further delineate the physiologic roles of TPO and may aid in the determination of the clinical usages of TPO.

Adult

A positive regulatory gene, pvdS, for expression of pyoverdin biosynthetic genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO.

In response to iron limitation Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO induces production of pyoverdin, a low-molecular-weight siderophore able to capture ferric ion with a very high affinity. The pvd genes involved in the pyoverdin biosynthesis are organized in a chromosomal region termed the pvd region, and expression of some pvd genes is regulated at the transcriptional level. Two sets of promoter regions for the pvd genes were defined that were transcriptionally derepressed under iron-limiting conditions. Analysis of transcription from such promoters in Escherichia coli led to isolation and identification of a positive regulatory gene, pvdS, for expression of the pvd genes, and pvdS was localized in the pvd region. A genomic pvdS mutant of PAO, constructed by allelic exchange mutagenesis, produced no pyoverdin and did not allow transcription from the pvd promoters. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that PvdS shows considerable similarity to FecI of E. coli, a positive regulator for transcription of the fec (ferric citrate transport system) operon. The promoter region of pvdS has the sequence that matches well the consensus binding site for the E. coli Fur protein, a global negative regulatory protein that represses the transcription of the iron-repressible genes. Consistent with the presence of such a consensus sequence, addition of iron repressed transcription of the pvdS gene in P. aeruginosa.

Amino Acid Sequence

Recombinant thrombopoietin induces rapid protein tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 and Shc in human blood platelets.

A cDNA for the thrombopoietin has been cloned by several groups. The recombinant thrombopoietin has been reported to stimulate the megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. Little is known regarding the molecular basis of its effects. To elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in signal transduction, we have investigated the effects of thrombopoietin on platelet tyrosine phosphorylation. We report here that thrombopoietin induced time- and dose-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins including Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) and a 52-kD protein, Shc, in human blood platelets. Both Jak2 and Shc were tyrosine phosphorylated within 15 seconds after stimulation. The tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2 was accompanied by increased kinase activity, whereas Shc tyrosine phosphorylation induced its association with a 25-kD protein, Grb2. Thus, our data suggest that Jak2, Shc, and Grb2 may be involved in signal transduction after ligand binding to c-mpl in human platelets.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing

Cloning of the rat angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene and identification of its functional promoter region.

We have cloned the rat angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2) gene, whose physiological function remains unclear. Sequence analysis indicated that exons 1 and 2 exist in the 5'-untranslated region and the initiation codon ATG is located in exon 3. The 1.6-kb genomic fragment at positions -1567 to +26 relative to the putative transcription start site was found to contain a functional promoter region using transient chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. This is the first report demonstrating the nucleotide sequence of the promoter region of this gene.

Animals

The sequence of a rat cDNA encoding thrombopoietin.

Overlapping cDNA clones encoding rat thrombopoietin (TPO) were isolated from liver-derived cell line cDNA libraries and the nucleotide sequences were determined. The deduced 326-amino-acid rat TPO showed significant homology to the known TPO of other species, especially in the N-terminal sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterization of angiotensin II receptor type 2 during differentiation and apoptosis of rat ovarian cultured granulosa cells.

We examined the change in the content of angiotensin II (AII) receptor type 2 (AT2) during differentiation and apoptosis of rat ovarian granulosa cells in culture. The AT2 content was not changed by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a differentiation factor of granulosa cells, but was markedly increased in FSH-free media. The cells cultured without FSH underwent internucleosomal DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis, which occurs during follicle atresia. AII augmented the increase in the AT2 content in the absence of FSH. This AII-induced augmentation was suppressed by the AT2-selective antagonist PD123319 but not by Dup753, an antagonist specific for type 1 receptor, suggesting that AII up-regulates the AT2 expression via AT2 itself. These data strongly support the hypothesis that AT2 might modulate the onset and progression of follicle atresia involving apoptosis of granulosa cells.

Angiotensin II

Improvement of blood compatibility on cellulose dialysis membrane. III. Synthesis and performance of water-soluble cellulose grafted with phospholipid polymer as coating material on cellulose dialysis membrane.

To improve the surface blood compatibility on a cellulose hemodialysis membrane, a blood compatible polymer with a phospholipid polar group, poly[2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine(MPC)], was immobilized on the surface through the coating of a water-soluble cellulose grafted with poly(MPC) (MPC-grafted cellulose, MGC). The MGC was synthesized by graft copolymerization of MPC on a water-soluble cellulose using cerium ion as an initiator. The coating process on the cellulose membrane with an aqueous solution of the MGC was convenient, and the MGC on the surface was not significantly detached even after immersion in water. The permeability and mechanical strength of the membrane coated with the MGC did not decrease compared with the original membranes. The MGC-coated cellulose membrane was blood compatible, as determined by the prevention of platelet adhesion and aggregation after contact with platelet-rich plasma. From these results, it is concluded that the MGC may be a useful material for improving the blood compatibility of the cellulose hemodialysis membrane.

Animals

Differing kinase activity of the c-yes and c-src gene proteins in TPA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of T-33 and K562 cell lines.

We examined the protein kinase (PK) activity of the c-yes and c-src gene proteins (c-YES, c-SRC) at an early phase of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of T-33 and K562 cells with use of immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase assay. We found that c-SRC PK activity of TPA-treated T-33 and K562 cell lines had been enhanced compared with the untreated ones, but in contrast, no enhancement of c-YES PK activity by the TPA treatment was observed in these cell lines. We also examined PK activity in TPA-induced monocytic differentiation of U937 monoblastic cells that exhibited no megakaryocytic markers and found that both the c-YES and c-SRC PK activity was enhanced by the TPA treatment. Our data suggest that c-YES and c-SRC play different and unique roles in TPA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation in T-33 and K562 cells.

Cell Differentiation

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and acute leukemia: in vitro proliferative response to IL-1 beta, IL-1 beta content of leukemic cells and treatment outcome.

We evaluated the in vitro proliferative response to exogenous IL-1 beta in terms of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation in leukemic cells obtained from 119 patients with various types of acute leukemia. The content of IL-1 beta in leukemic cells was measured by enzyme-amplified sensitivity immunoassay. We observed a significant proliferative response to exogenous IL-1 beta in leukemic cells from 27/66 patients with de novo AML, 1/29 patients with ALL, 2/3 patients with AUL, 8/12 patients with AML arising from MDS, 4/7 patients with myeloid crisis of CML, and 0/4 patients with lymphoid crisis of CML. Proliferation was marked in myeloid leukemic cells of a more premature stem cell origin. There were no significant differences in proliferative responses among the different FAB classes of de novo AML. The IL-1 beta content of leukemic cells was low in patients with lymphoid leukemia, but there was no significant difference among the various types of myeloid leukemia. There was no correlation between the proliferative response to exogenous IL-1 beta and the IL-1 beta content of leukemic cells. When we correlated the proliferative response to exogenous IL-1 beta with treatment outcome in patients with de novo AML, we found the rate of complete remission (CR) to be lower in those with a high proliferative response. We noted a longer duration of CR (p = 0.07) and of survival (p < 0.05) in patients with a low proliferative response. Thus, a high proliferative response to IL-1 beta in the cells of AML patients may indicate a poor prognosis.

Acute Disease

Biliary secretion of antibody to dextran following oral immunization with dextran B512.

Anti-dextran in bile was induced to high levels by oral immunization with dextran B512. IgM anti-dextran were dominant in serum, whereas IgG anti-dextran was dominant in bile. The binding properties of these IgM and IgG antibodies were different, as determined by ELISA with several dextrans. Splenocytes produced equal amounts of IgG and IgM antidextran but cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and Peyer's patches produced mainly IgG anti-dextran. Differences were observed among different strains of mice in their ability to produce anti-dextran in serum and bile upon immunization with dextran. BALB/c mice, which are intermediate responders in terms of their serum antibody levels, produced high levels of anti-dextran in bile. C3H/He and C57BL/6, which are high responders in terms of serum antibody levels, had intermediate responses in bile. DBA/2, which are low responders in terms of serum antibody levels, showed low responses in bile. The results provide further evidence of the existence of anti-dextran producing cells. These results indicate that B cells in systemic and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues from BALB/c, C3H/He, C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice respond differently to oral immunization with dextran B512.

Administration, Oral

Effects of GTP gamma S on muscarinic receptor-stimulated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in permeabilized smooth muscle from the small intestine.

1. Smooth muscle fragments from the longitudinal layer of the small intestine of the guinea-pig were permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha toxin (alpha-toxin) and used to investigate the role of G-protein activation in the regulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-stimulated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis. 2. The efficiency of alpha-toxin permeabilization was estimated by the release of [3H]-2-deoxyglucose ([3H]-2DG) after prior loading or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme release from the smooth muscle fragments. 3. In alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle, but not in non-permeabilized muscle, GTP gamma S induced time- and concentration-dependent increases in labelled inositol phosphates. Carbachol (CCh) increased labelled inositol phosphates in both permeabilized and non-permeabilized muscle, although the increases were greater in non-permeabilized smooth muscle. The response to 100 microM CCh was severely reduced by 0.5 microM atropine. 4. In permeabilized muscle the effects of GTP gamma S or CCh on inositol phosphate levels were reduced by treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX) and completely inhibited by GDP beta S. 5. GTP gamma S caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the CCh-induced increases in the levels of labelled inositol phosphates. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP or Sp-cAMPs (adenosine-3',5'-cyclic phosphorothiolate-Sp) reduced the effects of CCh on inositol phosphate levels. 6. The results suggest that muscarinic AChR activation induces inositol phospholipid hydrolysis via more than one G-protein in this smooth muscle and that several mechanisms may contribute to the modulation of both stimulatory and inhibitory responses observed.

Animals

Genetic and physical mapping of genes involved in pyoverdin production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO was mutagenized with Tn1737KH, a type I transcription probe transposon containing a promoterless lacZ (beta-galactosidase) gene, and 24 insertion mutants that did not grow under iron-deficient conditions were isolated. None of the culture supernatants from any mutants contained pyoverdin, a low-molecular-weight siderophore able to sequester ferric iron at very high affinity, and the growth defects of the mutants were all phenotypically recovered by the addition of the culture supernatant from the wild-type strain. These phenotypes led to the inference that all the mutants had defects in the genes (pvd genes) for production of pyoverdin. In some pvd::Tn1737KH mutants, high levels of beta-galactosidase activities were observed, and such activities were drastically reduced by the addition of ferric ion in the culture media, indicating that the expression of at least some pvd genes is regulated at the transcriptional level. Molecular cloning and physical analysis of the chromosomal fragments with Tn1737KH insertions allowed us to allocate all the mutations within a 103-kb region, referred to as the pvd region, that was found to locate at 47 min on the genetic map of PAO. Further physical mapping and Southern analysis showed that there is a 10-kb overlap between the pvd region and the 125-kb catA region described by Zhang and Holloway (C. Zhang and B. W. Holloway, J. Gen. Microbiol. 138:1097-1107, 1992). We could hence illustrate the physical map of the P. aeruginosa chromosome with a size of 218 kb.

Amino Acid Sequence

Manipulation of the lighting schedule can modify the pharmacological effects of theophylline in chick embryos.

The effect of the lighting schedule on the pharmacological action of theophylline was studied in chick embryos. Fertile eggs of White Leghorns were incubated and investigated, on two occasions, under constant light conditions or under constant dark conditions. A single injection of theophylline 2.14, 4.29, 8.57 and 17.14 mg/egg into the air sac of fertile eggs was carried out on the 16th day of incubation. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded 0 to 60 min after drug injection. After drug injection, heart rate increased under constant light conditions, but decreased under dark conditions. In addition, arrhythmia was produced by theophylline, 17.14 mg/egg, under constant dark conditions. These results indicate that the manipulation of the lighting schedule may have a marked influence on the pharmacological effects of theophylline in chick embryos.

Animals

[Inhibitory effects of sepimostat mesilate (FUT-187) on the activities of trypsin-like serine proteases in vitro].

Inhibitory activities of FUT-187 on trypsin-like serine proteases were compared using camostat mesilate (camostat), and 4-(4-guanidino benzoyloxy)-phenyl acetic acid methanesulfonate (GBPA) known as an active metabolite of camostat in the blood. Ki values of FUT-187 on the competitive inhibition mechanism were 0.097 microM for trypsin, 0.029 microM for pancreatic kallikrein, 0.61 microM for plasma kallikrein, 0.57 microM for plasmin, 2.5 microM for thrombin, 20.4 microM for factor Xa and 6.4 microM for C1r. However, FUT-187 acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor for factor XIIa and an uncompetitive inhibitor for C1s, and Ki values for these proteases were 0.021 and 0.18 microM, respectively. Ki values of camostat for these proteases were in the range of 0.037 to 96.4 microM, and those of GBPA for the above proteases except trypsin and plasma kallikrein were higher than those of FUT-187. The inhibitory activity of FUT-187 on trypsin was not reduced by the addition of the serum at 10%, whereas, that of GBPA was reduced (4.3 fold) in terms of IC50 values. The concentration of FUT-187 required to double APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) was 1.09 microM, while GBPA, by concentrations up to 1 mM failed to double APTT. The kinin formation by glandular kallikrein in the rat plasma was inhibited by FUT-187 with IC50 value of 0.024 microM, while camostat revealed no inhibition by concentrations up to 1 microM. The complement-mediated hemolyses in the classical and alternative pathways were also inhibited by FUT-187 with IC50 values of 0.17 and 3.5 microM, respectively, the corresponding values for camostat being 350 and 150 microM, respectively. It is concluded that FUT-187 is a potent and selective inhibitor of trypsin-like serine proteases, and its inhibitory activities are stronger than those of camostat on glandular kallikrein, factor XIIa and C1s in complement pathway.

Animals

Correlation between volatile sulphur compounds and certain oral health measurements in the general population.

Oral malodor was measured using a portable sulphide monitor in 2,672 individuals aged 18 to 64 years. In addition, dental (DMFT) and periodontal conditions (CPITN and attachment loss), dental plaque, and tongue coating status were assessed. Before clinical examination, subjects were interviewed about their oral health habits, smoking habits, and medical history. Data on volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) were analyzed by gender, age group, and time of measurement. There were no significant differences observed in the VSC between males and females in any age group. In each age group, the measured values of oral malodor were highest in the late morning group (58.6 ppb in average), followed by the late afternoon group (52.1 ppb), while lowest values were shown in the early afternoon group (39.4 ppb). Significant correlation was observed only between the VSC value and periodontal conditions and tongue coating status. The results also suggest that oral malodor might be caused mainly by tongue coating in the younger generation and by periodontal diseases together with tongue coating in older cohorts in the general population. Age was not a risk factor for increasing VSC.

Adolescent

Evidence for the presence of an inactive precursor of human hepatocyte growth factor in plasma and sera of patients with liver diseases.

Human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), which is now known to be the same protein as the scatter factor and the tumor cytotoxic factor, is a heterodimeric protein with one heavy chain and one light chain linked together by a disulfide bond, and is thought to be involved in liver regeneration. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis, we found that a significant amount of single chain precursor of hHGF (pro-hHGF) was present in plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and that normal human serum contained a protease or proteases that convert pro-HGF to a heterodimeric (mature) form of hHGF. We also showed that the processing protease activity for hHGF was suppressed by such serine protease inhibitors as leupeptin, antipain, and aprotinin, and that sera of patients with liver diseases such as fulminant hepatic failure, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, and cirrhosis contained not only pro-hHGF but also the protease. This is the first report showing the presence of pro-hHGF in human blood, and our observations suggest that hHGF is synthesized and secreted from the hHGF-producing cells as an inactive pro-hHGF after hepatic injuries, and the pro-hHGF is then converted to an active heterodimeric form of hHGF in the blood. It is also suggested that plasma of patients with liver diseases contains an active protease or proteases that convert pro-hHGF to a mature form of hHGF.

Animals