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Hitoshi Sugiyama

Publications and source records attributed to Hitoshi Sugiyama.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Tumstatin peptide, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, prevents glomerular hypertrophy in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy.

In the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes) glomerular hyperfiltration and hypertrophy are observed. It is clinically important to regulate glomerular hypertrophy for preventing glomerulosclerosis. The number of glomerular endothelial cells is known to be increased in diabetic nephropathy associated with enlarged glomerular tufts, suggesting that the mechanism is similar to that of angiogenesis. Tumstatin peptide is an angiogenesis inhibitor derived from type IV collagen and inhibits in vivo neovascularization induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the mediators of glomerular hypertrophy in diabetic nephropathy. Here, we show the effect of tumstatin peptide in inhibiting alterations in early diabetic nephropathy. Glomerular hypertrophy, hyperfiltration, and albuminuria were suppressed by tumstatin peptide (1 mg/kg) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Glomerular matrix expansion, the increase of total glomerular cell number and glomerular endothelial cells (CD31 positive), and monocyte/macrophage accumulation was inhibited by tumstatin peptide. Increase in renal expression of VEGF, flk-1, and angiopoietin-2, an antagonist of angiopoietin-1, was inhibited by tumstatin treatment in diabetic mice. Alteration of glomerular nephrin expression, a podocyte protein crucial for maintaining glomerular filtration barrier, was recovered by tumstatin in diabetic mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential use of antiangiogenic tumstatin peptide as a novel therapeutic agent in early diabetic nephropathy.

Albuminuria↗

Overexpression of angiotensin type 2 receptor ameliorates glomerular injury in a mouse remnant kidney model.

Angiotensin II mediates the progression of renal disease through the type 1 receptor (AT(1)R). Recent studies have suggested that type 2 receptor (AT(2)R)-mediated signaling inhibits cell proliferation by counteracting the actions of AT(1)R. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of AT(2)R overexpression on glomerular injury induced by (5/6) nephrectomy ((5/6)Nx). AT(2)R transgenic mice (AT(2)-Tg), overexpressing AT(2)R under the control of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) promoter, and control wild-type mice (Wild) were subjected to (5/6)Nx. In AT(2)-Tg mice, the glomerular expression of AT(2)R was upregulated after (5/6)Nx. Urinary albumin excretion at 12 wk after (5/6)Nx was decreased by 33.7% in AT(2)-Tg compared with Wild mice. Glomerular size in AT(2)-Tg mice was significantly smaller than in Wild mice after (5/6)Nx (93.1 +/- 3.0 vs. 103.3 +/- 1.8 microm; P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed significant decreases in glomerular expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB chain (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in AT(2)-Tg with (5/6)Nx compared with Wild mice. Urinary excretion of nitric oxide metabolites was increased 2.5-fold in AT(2)-Tg compared with Wild mice. EMSA showed that activation of early growth response gene-1, which induces the transcription of PDGF-BB and TGF-beta(1), was decreased in AT(2)-Tg mice. These changes in AT(2)-Tg mice at 12 wk after (5/6)Nx were blocked by the AT(2)R antagonist PD-123319. Taken together, our findings suggest that AT(2)R-mediated signaling may protect from glomerular injuries induced by (5/6)Nx and that overexpression of AT(2)R may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for glomerular disorders.

Actins↗

Glomerular cell apoptosis in human lupus nephritis.

Disturbed apoptosis is proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the role of renal cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis and progression of human lupus nephritis is still controversial. We have investigated glomerular cell apoptosis and the clinicopathological relationship between apoptosis and immunoserological or histological findings in 22 patients with lupus nephritis using electron microscopy and the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Resident glomerular cells as well as infiltrating neutrophils undergoing apoptosis were observed in 12 of 20 patients with lupus nephritis using electron microscopy. TUNEL-positive cells were recognized in 93% of patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (class IV) in contrast to the 20% of patients with class V. The number of TUNEL-positive cells in glomeruli significantly correlated with the level of immunoserological activity of lupus, such as anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibody and consumption of plasma complement. There was a positive correlation between glomerular cell apoptosis and the degree of proliferation in lupus nephritis. These data suggest that apoptosis is increased, but not decreased in glomeruli from patients with lupus nephritis. The signals that could induce glomerular cell apoptosis in lupus nephritis will need to be identified.

Adult↗

The subgingival microflora in phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Microbial flora and gingival conditions were compared between a group of patients with phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia as a test group, a control group of patients who were administered phenytoin without gingival hyperplasia and a blank group who took no phenytoin and no gingival hyperplasia in mentally retarded patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgingival plaque samples were collected from a PHT-induced overgrown gingival pocket and microbiological experiments were performed by culture and PCR methods. RESULTS: The predominant genera in total cultivable bacteria from subgingival plaque samples were streptococcus and actinomyces with recovery ranges of 37.6-42.1% and 23.4-25.5% of total bacteria, respectively, in all groups. The test group showed a significantly higher level of obligate Gram-negative rods than the control and blank groups. Black-pigmented obligate anaerobic Gram-negative rods were detected in 10.3% of total cultivable bacteria in the test group. The black-pigmented rods were predominantly Prevotella intermedia in the test group and Prevotella nigrescens in the control and blank groups. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas endodontalis were also detected in the test group with small values. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that black-pigmented rods, particularly P. intermedia, could be habitable in the environment of gingival hyperplasia.

Adolescent↗

Pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is an immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis characterized by the presence of immunoglobulin A deposits in mesangial and paramesangial regions. The patients with IgA nephropathy present with varying clinical symptoms (eg, microhematuria with preserved renal function or progressive deterioration of renal functions resulting in end-stage renal disease). The factors involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of IgA nephropathy include (1). environmental factors, (2). genetic factors, (3). abnormality of the IgA1 molecule, and (4). various inflammatory mediators. The gene polymorphism studies for human leukocyte antigen (HLA), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and selectin gene clusters, suggest a certain degree of genetic predisposition in patients for IgA nephropathy. Also, the genome-wide screening in familial IgA nephropathy showed linkage of IgA nephropathy to the 6q22-23 chromosome. Besides genetic influence in its pathogenesis, aberrant galactosylation in serum IgA and IgA1 eluted from kidneys with IgA nephropathy has been observed, and conceivably such abnormalities induce the expression of various cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in the renal cells, which contributes to further glomerular injury. Despite an enormous amount of information available in the literature, further studies are needed to delineate the precise pathogenetic mechanisms involved in primary IgA nephropathy and also to facilitate the development of newer therapeutic interventions.

Animals↗

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 induces vascular endothelial growth factor expression in murine proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen that promotes angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and increases vascular permeability. VEGF is expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells and urinary VEGF excretion is increased in various glomerular disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying expression of VEGF in renal tubular epithelial cells have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we attempted to define a predominant regulator of VEGF expression using a cultured murine renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (mProx24). VEGF protein concentration in the culture supernatant was measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mProx24 constitutively produced VEGF at low level. Major isoforms expressed in this cell line were VEGF164 and VEGF120 determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method. Among various stimuli including angiotensin II, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), lipopolysaccharides, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma, only TGF-beta1 significantly increased the level of VEGF protein at 24 h in a dose-dependent manner. The steady-state mRNA level of VEGF was dose dependently increased by TGF-beta1 detected by Northern blotting. Treatment with neutralizing anti-TGF-beta1 antibody abolished TGF-beta1-induced VEGF expression by 70%. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), Ro-31-8220 and staurosporin, significantly suppressed TGF-beta1-induced VEGF protein expression. These results demonstrate the role of TGF-beta1 on the expression of VEGF in proximal tubular epithelial cells mediated potentially via PKC pathway. This regulatory mechanism may be associated with the progression of tubulointerstitial lesions in renal disorders.

Animals↗

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome developing during postoperative interferon-beta therapy for malignant melanoma.

A 64-year-old man presented with proteinuria during postoperative interferon (IFN)-beta therapy against malignant melanoma. Renal pathologic findings were consistent with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) showing extensive foot process effacement of visceral glomerular epithelial cells (podocyte). Nephrotic range proteinuria gradually regressed after stoppage of local injection of IFN-beta without glucocorticoid treatment. To our knowledge this is the first report that demonstrates histological abnormalities of the glomerulus associated with postoperative IFN-beta therapy for the malignant melanoma.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Heat stress facilitates stretch-induced hypertrophy of cultured muscle cells.

Increased mechanical stress induced by stretch is an important growth stimulus in skeletal muscle. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are an important family of endogenous, protective proteins. HSP90 and HSP70 families show elevated levels under beat stress. Mechanical stress, such as physical exercise, is known to induce not only muscular hypertrophy but also the elevation of HSPs expression in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine whether heat stress facilitates the stretch-induced hypertrophy of skeletal muscle cells. Cultured rat myotubes (L6) were plated on collagenized Silastic membranes and incubated at 41 degrees C for 60 and 75 minutes (heat shock). Following the incubation, the cells were subjected two-second stretching and four-second releasing for 4 days at 37 degrees C. Protein concentrations in the homogenates and pellets of the cultured skeletal muscle cells increased under heat shock and/or mechanical stretching. The protein concentration of cells following mechanical stretching following heat shock was significantly higher than that following either heat shock or mechanical stretching alone. HSP72 in supernatants and HSP90 in pellets increased under heat shock and/or mechanical stretching. HSP90 in supernatants decreased following heat shock and/or mechanical stretching. Changes in HSPs and cellular protein concentrations in stressed cells suggest that the expression of HSPs may be closely related with muscular hypertrophy.

Journal Article↗

Renal interstitial fibrosis is reduced in angiotensin II type 1a receptor-deficient mice.

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) results in tubulointerstitial fibrosis of the affected kidney by stimulating the renin-angiotensin system. This study established a UUO model in angiotensin type 1a receptor (AT1a) deficient (mutant) mice to elucidate the role of angiotensin II through AT1a on the fibrosis of the obstructed kidney (OBK). The relative volume of the tubulointerstitium was measured by an image analyzer; deposition of collagen types III and IV and monocyte/macrophage infiltration were histologically examined using specific antibodies. Also determined were the mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-beta by Northern blot analysis. Nuclear factor-kappaB activity was assessed by gel shift assay. UUO in wild mice resulted in a marked expansion of relative volume of the tubulointerstitium, together with increased deposition of collagen types III and IV and number of infiltrated monocytes/macrophages in the interstitium, relative to sham-operated mice. In comparison, these changes were significantly lower in mutant mice with UUO. The mRNA level of transforming growth factor-beta was significantly higher in the OBK of wild mice with UUO compared with sham-operated mice. In contrast, the increase in mRNA level in the OBK of mutant mice was significantly less than in wild mice. Finally, UUO resulted in activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in wild mice but was inhibited in the OBK of mutant mice. The results provide direct evidence that angiotensin II acting via the AT1a plays a pivotal role in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in UUO.

Animals↗