PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Hiroaki Takeuchi

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroaki Takeuchi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Radiological findings for arterial dissection of the anterior cerebral artery.

We treated a patient with anterior cerebral artery (ACA) dissection that caused an ischaemic stroke, and investigated serial changes over time by using three different radiological methods. The conventional angiography findings for ACA dissection corresponded to those of computed tomography (CT) angiography, but not those of magnetic resonance angiography for each phase. We presume that the results were based on the velocity of the blood flow in the pseudolumen of the dissected artery, and we believe that CT angiography is a useful and less invasive diagnostic tool for intracranial arterial dissection.

Adult↗

Chemical chaperones improve transport and enhance stability of mutant alpha-glucosidases in glycogen storage disease type II.

Glycogen storage disease type II (GSDII; Pompe disease or acid maltase deficiency) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase (AalphaGlu) deficiency and manifests predominantly as skeletal muscle weakness. Defects in post-translational modification and transport of mutant AalphaGlu species are frequently encountered and may potentially be corrected with chaperone-mediated therapy. In the present study, we have tested this hypothesis by using deoxynojirimycin and derivatives as chemical chaperones to correct the AalphaGlu deficiency in cultured fibroblasts from patients with GSDII. Four mutant phenotypes were chosen: Y455F/Y455F, P545L/P545L, 525del/R600C and D645E/R854X. In case of Y455F/Y455F and P545L/P545L, N-(n-butyl)deoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ) restored the transport, maturation and activity of AalphaGlu in a dose dependent manner, while it had no effect on the reference enzyme beta-hexosaminidase. NB-DNJ promoted export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the lysosomes and stabilized the activity of mutant AalphaGlu species, Y455F and P545L, inside the lysosomes. In long-term culture, the AalphaGlu activity in the fibroblasts from the patients with mutant phenotypes, Y455F/Y455F and P545L/P545L, increased up to 14.0- and 7.9-fold, respectively, in the presence of 10mumol/L NB-DNJ. However, the effect of NB-DNJ on Y455F/Y455F subsided quickly after removal of the compound. We conclude that NB-DNJ acts in low concentration as chemical chaperone for certain mutant forms of AalphaGlu that are trapped in the ER, poorly transported or labile in the lysosomal environment. Chemical chaperone therapy could create new perspectives for therapeutic intervention in GSDII.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗

A case of transient left ventricular ballooning with pheochromocytoma, supporting pathogenetic role of catecholamines in stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

We experienced a case with severe acute heart failure showing "takotsubo"-like left ventricular asynergy. Subsequently, he was found to have pheochromocytoma, and underwent emergent adrenalectomy, which almost completely reversed his cardiac function and symptoms. His clinical course, supports the pathogenetic role of catecholamines in "takotsubo cardiomyopathy".

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Mitotic activity of multinucleated giant cells with glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in glioblastomas: an immunohistochemical double labeling study.

To investigate the mitotic activity of multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in glioblastomas, double immunohistochemical staining for GFAP and Ki67 was performed in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 12 primary glioblastomas with MNGCs including three giant cell glioblastomas. The Ki67 labeling index (LI:%) of GFAP+ tumor cells ranged from 0 to 5.6 (2.5+/-1.7, mean+/-standard deviation). The Ki67 LI of GFAP- tumor cells ranged from 18.6 to 35.9 (24.7+/-6.6). The Ki67 LI of GFAP+ cells was significantly lower than that of GFAP- cells (P<0.0001). The number of Ki67+ GFAP- MNGCs ranged from 0 to 23 (8.6+/-8.2). The number of Ki67- GFAP+ MNGCs ranged from 0 to 15 (6.2+/-5.1). There was no significant difference between them (P=0.42). The Ki67 LI of GFAP+ MNGCs was 10.4+/-12.6. The Ki67 LI of GFAP- MNGCs was 45.9+/-29.9. The Ki67 LI of GFAP+ MNGCs was significantly lower than that of GFAP- MNGCs (P<0.01). Our study suggested that MNGCs with mitotic capacity were not dominant and that GFAP+ MNGCs had little mitotic activity in glioblastomas. MNGCs identified in glioblastomas may develop via not only the proliferation of abnormal nuclei in a single tumor cell but also other processes.

Adult↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: DNA cloning and inhibition studies of the alpha-carbonic anhydrase from Helicobacter pylori, a new target for developing sulfonamide and sulfamate gastric drugs.

We have cloned and sequenced Helicobacter pylori alpha-class carbonic anhydrase (hpCA) from patients with different gastric mucosal lesions, including gastritis (n=15), ulcer (n=6), and cancer (n=16). Although several polymorphisms were newly identified such as 12Ala, 13Thr, 16Ile, and 168Phe, there was no significant relevance of any polymorphism with gastric mucosal lesion types. A library of sulfonamides/sulfamates has been investigated for the inhibition of hpCA, whereas new derivatives have been obtained by attaching 4-tert-butyl-phenylcarboxamido/sulfonamido tails to benzenesulfonamide/1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide scaffolds. All types of activity for inhibition of hpCA have been detected. Dorzolamide and simple 4-substituted benzenesulfonamides were weak inhibitors (KI 873-4360 nM). Sulfanilamide, orthanilamide, some of their derivatives, and indisulam showed better activity (KI 413-640 nM), whereas most of the clinically used inhibitors, such as methazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dichlorophenamide, brinzolamide, topiramate, zonisamide, etc., acted as medium-potency inhibitors (KI 105-378 nM). Some potent hpCA inhibitors were detected too (KI 12-84 nM) among acetazolamide, 4-amino-6-chloro-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide and some newly designed compounds incorporating lipophilic tails. Some of the newly prepared derivatives had selectivity ratios for inhibiting hpCA over hCA II in the range of 1.25-3.48, showing thus some selectivity for inhibiting the bacterial enzyme. Since hpCA is essential for the survival of the pathogen in acid, it might be used as a new pharmacologic tool in the management of drug-resistant H. pylori.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cervical extradural meningioma with rapidly progressive myelopathy.

A 50-year-old man noticed numbness of both hands. Muscle strength in the upper and lower extremities progressively deteriorated, and he became unable to stand or hold a cup over a five-day period. MRI showed an extradural tumour encasing the anterior, posterior and right lateral aspects of the cervical spinal cord, maximal at C3-4 but extending to C1, and emerging from the right C3-4 intervertebral foramen. At surgery, the tumour was entirely extradural. Histological examination revealed a meningioma. The patient recovered without neurological deficit with no recurrence 3 years after surgery.

Humans↗

Length of laparotomy incision and surgical stress assessed by serum IL-6 level.

BACKGROUND: Because surgical stress is thought to have an effect on morbidity, mortality, and remnant tumour progression after surgery, diminishing surgical stress is important. The purpose of this study was to assess in a murine model whether the length and type of laparotomy incision influence surgical stress. METHODS: Serum IL-6 concentrations were measured sequentionally in 220 male BALB/c mice who were assigned to different basic laparotomies, (1-cm versus 2-cm versus 3-cm laparotomy with or without caecal resection), other types of laparotomy (3-cm, 1-cm x 3, 3-cm transverse, 3-cm laparotomy with rapid closure), or 3-cm skin incision with or without laparotomy. The serum level of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 levels at 3 and 6h after surgery were significantly higher in the 3-cm laparotomy group (1,680+/-802pg/ml and 1,066+/-507pg/ml, respectively), than in the 1-cm laparotomy group (797+/-427pg/ml and 515+/-212pg/ml, respectively). When caecal resection was added, the serum IL-6 level at 6h was significantly higher in the 3-cm laparotomy group (2,844+/-134pg/ml) than in the 1-cm laparotomy group (2,200+/-379pg/ml). Although the type of laparotomy incision was not associated with the serum level of IL-6, the serum IL-6 level after midline skin incision without laparotomy (245+/-142pg/ml) was significantly lower than that after 3-cm laparotomy (1,680+/-802pg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The length of laparotomy incision was correlated with the serum level of IL-6 in a murine model. The surgical stress related to abdominal procedures might be decreased when laparotomy wounds are kept as small as possible.

Animals↗

Helicobacter pylori CagA status associated with gastric cancer incidence rate variability in Costa Rican regions.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated several risk factors for gastric cancer in Costa Rican regions having contrasting gastric cancer incidence rates, despite the small dimensions of the country. METHODS: A total of 180 dyspeptic patients were classified into two groups according to the gastric cancer incidence (GCI) rate in their Costa Rican region: group A, with a high GCI rate (n = 91) and group B, with a low GCI rate (n = 89). Helicobacter pylori infection was detected by rapid urease test, Gram staining, and histological observation. Antral and corpus specimens were obtained to assess the grade of inflammation, topography of gastritis, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia by histological examination. Serum CagA antibody was measured by an antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in H. pylori prevalence between groups A (73%) and B (63%); however, serum CagA antibody was more frequently detected in group A (79%) than in group B (54%) [P = 0.02; odds ratio (OR), 2.68]. Among patients under 60 years of age, serum CagA antibody was even more frequently detected in group A (81%) than in group B (49%) (P < 0.01; OR, 4.50). The prevalence of corpus-predominant gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and moderate/severe grades of neutrophilic infiltration was higher in serum CagA antibody-positive patients than in CagA antibody-negative patients (P = 0.003, 0.04, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Infection with H. pylori possessing the cagA gene is associated with the development of severe gastric damage such as gastric atrophy, leading to gastric cancer, and probably influences the differences in GCI between Costa Rican regions.

Adult↗

Cell-specific but p53-independent regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression by interferons in human glioblastoma cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis. Interferons (IFNs) have been widely used in the treatment of malignant or recurrent gliomas with only marginal benefit. The association between IFNs and VEGF expression remains unclear and should be an intensively investigated subject. The present study therefore examined the effects of different types of IFNs on VEGF expression in human T98G, A172 and U251 glioblastoma cells by quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA. Both type I (alpha, beta) and type II (gamma) IFNs upregulated VEGF expression in a cell-specific but p53-independent manner. Actinomycin D experiments demonstrated that IFNs did not alter VEGF mRNA stability. In contrast, induction of VEGF mRNA by IFNs was blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Interestingly, cycloheximide also blocked IFN-induced activation of the p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase, which was partially required for induction of VEGF by IFNs. These findings suggest that VEGF might be an indirect target gene of IFNs, and might provide insights into therapeutic applications of IFNs against angiogenesis-dependent tumors.

Blotting, Western↗

Mild hypothermia promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production in monocytes.

Hypothermia is often associated with compromised host defenses and infection. Deteriorations of immune functions related to hypothermia have been investigated, but the involvement of cytokines in host defense mechanisms and in infection remains unclear. We have previously shown that mild hypothermia modifies cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In this study, the effects of hypothermia on the monocytic production of several cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) were determined. Monocytes obtained from 10 healthy humans were cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) under hypothermic (33 degrees C) or normothermic (37 degrees C) conditions for 48 hours. We performed flow cytometric analysis for simultaneous measurement of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in culture supernatants. NO production was quantified as accumulation of nitrite in the medium by a colorimetric assay. Compared with normothermia, mild hypothermia raised the levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12p70, and TNF-alpha produced by monocytes stimulated with LPS. On calculating the ratios of these elevated cytokines to IL-10, however, only IL-12p70/IL-10 and TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratios were significantly elevated under hypothermic conditions. In contrast, hypothermia did not affect NO production. This study demonstrates that mild hypothermia affects the balance of cytokines produced by monocytes, leading to a pro-inflammatory state. Specifically, monocytic IL-12 and TNF-alpha appear to be involved in the immune alterations observed in mild hypothermia. However, the clinical significance of these phenomena remains to be clarified.

Adult↗

Cell elongation and cell death of helicobacter pylori is modulated by the disruption of cdrA (cell division-related gene A).

The cell division-related gene A (cdrA) of Helicobacter pylori is dispensable in vivo and unique in having a repressive role on cell division and long-term survival. To clarify its role, comparisons of the wildtype HPK5 and isogenic cdrA-disrupted mutant HPKT510 were examined by ultrastructural morphology, PBP profiles, and susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics during long-term cultivation. Ultrastructural analyses revealed that the shorter rods of HPKT510 had a slightly wider periplasmic space between the inner and the outer membrane than those of HPK5. Cell division of HPKT510 cells was complete even under high-salt conditions in which HPK5 cells became filamentous due to inhibition of division. The filamentous HPK5 cells constructed an inner membrane without a cell wall at the presumed division site. After 4 days of cultivation (the late stationary phase), most of the HPK5 cells turned into ghosts and aggregates, while some of the HPKT510 cells remained as curved rods, which coincided with the results of cell viability. HPKT510 cells became resistant to ampicillin killing compared to HPK5 cells, although their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and PBP profiles were not significantly different. These results suggest that the cdrA product represses cell division via inhibiting cell wall synthesis at division site. During infection in both mice and humans, inactivation of cdrA eventually gains biological aspects such as increased viability, long-term survival and tolerance to antibiotics and high-salt condition, which might enhance a persistent infection.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Astroblastoma: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of distinctive epithelial and probable tanycytic differentiation.

We report the clinicopathological findings of astroblastoma found in an 8-year-old girl who was subsequently treated for 11 years. The primary superficially circumscribed tumor was located in the frontoparietal lobe, while the recurrent and the second recurrent tumor were restricted to the same region 11 years later. The tumors obtained on these three occasions showed fundamentally the same histological, immunohistochemical and fine structural features. They exhibited astrocytic as well as ependymal tanycytic features with apparent epithelial cell lineage. The tumor cells showed typical features of astroblastoma comprising prominent perivascular pseudorosettes with remarkable vascular sclerosis. The immunohistochemical study revealed intensive positivity of GFAP, vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin, connexin 26 and 32, desmocollin 1 and neuronal cadherin. The fine structure revealed divergent types of junctional complexes, some of which were connected with tonofilament bundles. Numerous microvilli protruded and basal lamina abutted on the tumor cell surface. We report these unique histological features, and stress that astroblastoma should be categorized as a specific type of neuroepithelial tumor.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

A case of transient 2:1 atrioventricular block, resolved by thyroxine supplementation for subclinical hypothyroidism.

A 42-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with palpitation attacks. Holter ECG showed 2:1 atrioventricular block and bradycardia with the minimum heart rate of 44 beats/min. There was a possible indication of electrophysiological study and cardiac pacemaker implantation. Laboratory data on admission revealed elevated thyrotropin level, with normal thyroxine level. To rule out functional atrioventricular block, we tried 2 weeks of the thyroxine supplementation, and Holter ECG showed improved heart rate without any atrioventricular block or long pause. We experienced that subclinical hypothyroidism caused severe bradycardia and 2:1 atrioventricular block, and that thyroxine supplementation completely improved these conditions.

Adult↗

Anti-V3 humanized antibody KD-247 effectively suppresses ex vivo generation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and affords sterile protection of monkeys against a heterologous simian/human immunodeficiency virus infection.

In an accompanying report (Y. Eda, M. Takizawa, T. Murakami, H. Maeda, K. Kimachi, H. Yonemura, S. Koyanagi, K. Shiosaki, H. Higuchi, K. Makizumi, T. Nakashima, K. Osatomi, S. Tokiyoshi, S. Matsushita, N. Yamamoto, and M. Honda, J. Virol. 80:5552-5562, 2006), we discuss our production of a high-affinity humanized monoclonal antibody, KD-247, by sequential immunization with V3 peptides derived from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) clade B primary isolates. Epitope mapping revealed that KD-247 recognized the Pro-Gly-Arg V3 tip sequence conserved in HIV-1 clade B isolates. In this study, we further demonstrate that in vitro, KD-247 efficiently neutralizes CXCR4- and CCR5-tropic primary HIV-1 clade B and clade B' with matching neutralization sequence motifs but does not neutralize sequence-mismatched clade B and clade E isolates. Monkeys were provided sterile protection against heterologous simian/human immunodeficiency virus challenge by the passive transfer of a single high dose (45 mg per kg of body weight) of KD-247 and afforded partial protection by lower antibody doses (30 and 15 mg per kg). Protective neutralization endpoint titers in plasma at the time of virus challenge were 1:160 in animals passively transferred with a high dose of the antibody. The antiviral efficacy of the antibody was further confirmed by its suppression of the ex vivo generation of primary HIV-1 quasispecies in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from HIV-infected individuals. Therefore, KD-247 promises to be a valuable tool not only as a passive immunization antibody for the prevention of HIV infection but also as an immunotherapy for the suppression of HIV in phenotype-matched HIV-infected individuals.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Biochemical activities of highly purified, catalytically active human APOBEC3G: correlation with antiviral effect.

APOBEC3G (APO3G), a cytidine deaminase with two zinc finger domains, inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in the absence of Vif. Here, we provide a comprehensive molecular analysis of the deaminase and nucleic acid binding activities of human APO3G using a pure system containing only one protein component, i.e., highly purified, catalytically active enzyme expressed in a baculovirus system. We demonstrate that APO3G deaminates cytosines in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) only, whereas it binds efficiently to ssDNA and ssRNA, about half as well to a DNA/RNA hybrid, and poorly to double-stranded DNA and RNA. In addition, the base specificities for deamination and binding of ssDNA are not correlated. The minimum length required for detection of APO3G binding to an ssDNA oligonucleotide in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay is 16 nucleotides. Interestingly, if nucleocapsid protein and APO3G are present in the same reaction, we find that they do not interfere with each other's binding to RNA and a complex containing the RNA and both proteins is formed. Finally, we also identify the functional activities of each zinc finger domain. Thus, although both zinc finger domains have the ability to bind nucleic acids, the first zinc finger contributes more to binding and APO3G encapsidation into virions than finger two. In contrast, deamination is associated exclusively with the second zinc finger. Moreover, zinc finger two is more important than finger one for the antiviral effect, demonstrating a correlation between deaminase and antiviral activities.

APOBEC-3G Deaminase↗

Monomeric APOBEC3G is catalytically active and has antiviral activity.

APOBEC3G (APO3G) is a cytidine deaminase that restricts replication of vif-defective human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Like other members of the cellular deaminase family, APO3G has the propensity to form homo-multimers. In the current study, we investigated the functional determinants for multimerization of human APO3G and studied the role of APO3G multimerization for catalytic activity, virus encapsidation, and antiviral activity. We found that human APO3G is capable of forming multimeric complexes in transfected HeLa cells. Interestingly, multimerization of APO3G was exquisitely sensitive to RNase treatment, suggesting that interaction of APO3G subunits is facilitated or stabilized by an RNA bridge. Mutation of a conserved cysteine residue (C97) that is part of an N-terminal zinc-finger motif in APO3G abolished multimerization of APO3G; however, the C97 mutation inhibited neither in vitro deaminase activity nor antiviral function of APO3G. These results suggest that monomeric APO3G is both catalytically active and has antiviral activity. Interference studies employing either catalytically inactive or packaging-incompetent APO3G variants suggest that wild-type APO3G is packaged into HIV-1 particles in monomeric form. These results provide novel insights into the catalytic function and antiviral property of APO3G and demonstrate an important role for C97 in the RNA-dependent multimerization of this protein.

APOBEC-3G Deaminase↗

Mortality factors of eggs of Leptocorisa chinensis (Hemiptera: Alydidae) in rice fields.

To clarify factors causing mortality of Leptocorisa chinensis Dallas (Hemiptera: Alydidae) eggs in rice fields, sentinel egg masses were exposed for seven days in two rice, Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae), fields. An insecticide was sprayed to remove natural enemies in one-half of each field before exposing egg masses to predation. An egg mass containing 14 eggs was glued to a plastic label, and 21 egg masses each were placed in the sprayed and unsprayed control plots. During exposure, the number of hatched and missing eggs was observed daily. Egg predators were sampled in the fields before and after insecticide application. After the egg masses were retrieved from the fields, mortality factors of the unhatched eggs were assessed in the laboratory. The mean number of hatched and missing eggs was not significantly different between the sprayed and control plots in field A. In field B, however, the numbers were significantly different. The percentage of missing eggs in damaged egg masses ranged from 80 to 100%. In the laboratory, we observed that feeding marks caused by the grasshopper Conocephalus chinensis (Redtenbacher) were similar to those on the eggs exposed in the rice fields. The density of C. chinensis was low in control plots of field A. In contrast, the density was high in those of field B. These observations suggest that the density of egg predators, e.g., C. chinensis, is a mortality factor of L. chinensis eggs in rice fields.

Animals↗