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Biomedical subjects

I Azuma

Publications and source records attributed to I Azuma.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Chemical synthesis and biological activities of 6,6'-di-O-mycoloyl-beta,beta- and -alpha,beta-trehalose.

6,6'Di-O-mycoloyl-beta,beta-trehalose (beta,beta-TDM) and 6,6'-di-O-mycoloyl-alpha,beta-trehalose (alpha,beta-TDM) were synthesized and their toxicity and ability to activate peritoneal macrophages in situ were examined in mice, in comparison with 6,6'-di-O-mycoloyl-alpha,alpha-trehalose (TDM). Both beta,beta-TDM and alpha,beta-TDM caused a decrease in body weight two days after injection, however the weights reverted to a normal level. No deaths were caused by either analog. On the other hand, TDM showed potent toxicity, causing decrease in body weight and death of all animals injected. Beta,beta-TDM and alpha,beta-TDM were effective in the in situ activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis by sulfated chitin derivatives.

The effect of antimetastatic sulfated chitin derivatives (SCM-chitin III) on angiogenesis induced by B16-BL6 cells was examined in syngeneic mice. SCM-chitin III caused a marked decrease of the number of vessels toward tumor mass (angiogenic response) without affecting the tumor cell growth when coinjected with tumor cells (on day 0), or injected into tumor site on day 1 or 3 after tumor inoculation. In contrast, carboxymethyl chitin as well as heparin had no effect. Invasion of endothelial cells through reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) toward tumor-conditioned media was significantly inhibited by SCM-chitin III in a Transwell chamber assay. SCM-chitin III also inhibited the haptotactic migration of endothelial cells to fibronectin-substrate, but did not inhibit the chemotactic activity in tumor conditioned media in vitro. SCM-chitin III did not directly affect the viability and the growth of tumor cells and endothelial cells in vitro. These results suggest that inhibition of lung tumor metastasis by SCM-chitin III may in part be due to the inhibition of tumor-associated angiogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of bunazosin hydrochloride on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in normotensive human eyes.

We investigated the effects of topical administration of bunazosin hydrochloride, a new selective alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in normal human eyes. In the single-dose study, all concentrations of bunazosin (0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%) significantly lowered intraocular pressure in a concentration-dependent manner. Administration of multiple doses of 0.1% bunazosin revealed no occurrence of tachyphylaxis after 1 week. Single application of 0.1% bunazosin had no significant influence on aqueous flow rate, tonographic outflow facility, or episcleral venous pressure, suggesting that bunazosin reduces intraocular pressure by increasing uveoscleral outflow. Aqueous protein concentration was found to be unaltered by bunazosin, indicating that blood-aqueous barrier permeability to protein molecules remained unchanged. We conclude that bunazosin may be a possible new antiglaucoma agent with a mechanism of action different from those currently in use for treating ocular hypertension.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1991

Effects of prostaglandin D2 and its analogue, BW245C, on intraocular pressure in humans.

The effects of topically applied prostaglandin (PG) D2 and BW245C, a potent PGD2 agonist, on intraocular pressure (IOP) were studied in normotensive human volunteers. Doses of 5 and 10 micrograms PGD2 induced a mean reduction in IOP of 0.8 and 1 mmHg, respectively. At a dose of 50 micrograms, hypotension was preceded by initial hypertension (4 mmHg at 0.5 h) and the magnitude of the mean IOP reduction during the hypotensive phase was 1.1 mmHg. The application of BW245C (2.5 micrograms) induced an IOP change similar to that observed following treatment with 50 micrograms PGD2. Side effects caused by these compounds included conjunctival hyperemia, itching, and foreign-body and mild burning sensations. However, miosis and signs of intraocular inflammation were not observed. These results indicate that although PGD2 and BW245C are effective in reducing human IOP, their clinical usefulness as anti-glaucoma drugs may be limited by the extraocular side effects.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1991

Inhibitory effect of fibronectin and its recombinant polypeptides on the adhesion of metastatic melanoma cells to laminin.

We have utilized recombinant fibronectin fragments with cell-binding domain (C-274), heparin-binding domain (H-271) or CS1 peptide in type III connecting segment (IIICS) and their fusion polypeptides such as CH-296 (containing C-274, H-271 and CS1), CH-271 (containing C-274 and H-271) and C-CS1 (containing C-274 and CS1) to investigate the mechanism of the fibronectin-mediated inhibitory effect on tumor cell adhesion to laminin as well as fibronectin. These fragments retained cell adhesion-promoting and/or heparin-binding properties when they were immobilized on a surface. Pretreatment of tumor cells with CH-296 or CH-271 suppressed cell adhesion to both laminin and fibronectin. H-271 at the high concentration of 500 micrograms/ml slightly inhibited cell adhesion to laminin (but not to fibronectin), whereas C-274, C-CS1 or a mixture of C-274, H-271 and CS1 (similar molar ratio to CH-296) inhibited cell adhesion to fibronectin but not to laminin. On the other hand, tumor cell adhesion to laminin-substrate was also inhibited by heparin or heparan sulfate, which were able to bind to laminin, suggesting that heparin-like molecules on the cell surface may be included among the laminin receptors. These results indicated that the co-presence of cell- and heparin-binding domains of fibronectin may be required for the fibronectin-mediated inhibitory effect on tumor cell adhesion to laminin, and that the interaction of the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin with the cell surface leads to the inhibition of the cell adhesion to laminin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Recombinant fusion polypeptide with cell- and heparin-binding domains of fibronectin inhibits liver metastasis of L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cells.

We have investigated the effect of recombinant polypeptides with cell-binding domain (C-274) or with heparin-binding domain (H-271) and their fusion polypeptide (CH-271) on liver metastasis of murine lymphoid tumor. The polypeptides containing heparin-binding domain, H-271 and CH-271, were able to inhibit liver metastasis when co-injected i.v. with L5178Y-ML25 T-lymphoma cells, while C-274 with cell-binding domain showed much weaker antimetastatic activity. Treatment with H-271 or CH-271 substantially prolonged the survival time of mice injected i.v. with L5178Y-ML25 cells. CH-271, containing cell- and heparin-binding domains, was more antimetastatic than H-271. The reason why CH-271 was more effective in inhibiting liver metastasis than H-271 can not be explained in terms of a difference in the stability in the circulation or in the molecular size of the polypeptide. The polypeptides used in this study did not affect the tumor cell growth or viability in vitro. CH-271 was found to be still active in inhibiting liver metastasis even when natural killer cells or macrophages were removed from this system. Furthermore, multiple administrations of CH-271 after tumor implantation effectively inhibited liver metastasis and enhanced the survival rate as compared with H-271, C-274 and untreated control. Thus, the fusion of H-271 with C-274 (i.e. CH-271) augments the antimetastatic property of H-271, possibly through the interaction between tumor cells and the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin.

2-Chloroadenosine↗
PubMed1991

Inhibitory effect of antimetastatic fusion polypeptide of human fibronectin on tumor cell adhesion to extracellular matrices.

We investigated the inhibitory mechanism of liver metastasis by using recombinant fragments with cell- and/or heparin-binding domains (C-274, H-271 or the fusion fragment CH-271). Intravenous co-injection of L5178Y-ML25 cells with CH-271 was more effective for the inhibition of liver metastasis than C-274, H-271 or C-274 + H-271. Reduction of the arrest and retention of the radiolabeled tumor cells in the liver of mice was found when CH-271 was co-injected with tumor cells. L5178Y-ML25 cells adhered both concentration- and time-dependently to the substrates precoated with fibronectin, laminin and reconstituted basement membrane, Matrigel. The tumor cell adhesions to the substrates were inhibited in the presence of CH-271. The tumor cell interaction with CH-271-substrate was inhibited by heparin, and monoclonal antibodies (IST-1 or IST-2) against the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin. However, monoclonal antibodies against the cell-binding domain failed to block the interaction. Similarly, CH-271-mediated antimetastatic activity was also inhibited by the treatment of CH-271 with IST-1 before the co-injection with tumor cells, whereas monoclonal antibody against the cell-binding domain had no effect. Thus, the antimetastatic effect of CH-271 fusion fragment on liver metastasis of L5178Y-ML25 cells may be partly due to interference with the adhesive interaction of tumor cells with extracellular matrix or basement membrane components by a heparin-binding domain-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Molecular properties of poly(RGD) and its binding capacities to metastatic melanoma cells.

We examined the binding capacity of anti-metastatic polypeptide containing repetitive Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD) sequence derived from cell binding site of fibronectin, poly(RGD), to the surface of tumor cells. Poly(RGD) competitively inhibited the binding of radiolabeled fibronectin to the cell surface more potently than oligo(RGD) or RGD tripeptide on a molar basis. Compared on a weight basis to oligo(RGD) or RGD peptide, poly(RGD) was more active than the oligo- and monomeric peptide at inhibiting tumor cell adhesion to immobilized fibronectin. The secondary structure of poly(RGD) was predicted to be a beta-turn from the data of CD spectra and its amino acid sequence. These findings suggest that poly(RGD)-mediated inhibition of cell adhesion is due to its potent binding capacity to fibronectin receptors on cell surface probably through its conformational properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[A follow-up study of pupillary dynamics in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open angle glaucoma].

The authors previously reported light reflex abnormalities and adrenergic supersensitivity to topical epinephrine (DPE; dipivalyl epinephrine) of the pupils in patients with ocular hypertension (OH) and those with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). In this investigation, we attempted to reconfirm pupillary light reflex abnormalities we reported previously, and to investigate the relationship between the normotensive effect of 0.1% DPE and the pupillary light reflex abnormalities in OHs and POAGs. A total of 11 OHs and 11 POAGs under good oculotensive control with neither mydriatics nor miotics were examined. They were measured by an open-loop photically stimulated infrared videopupilogram, and were neurologically diagnosed by comparing the simulated patterns of the light reflex made by topical autonomic agents. When we considered the progress of the stage of POAG, both OHs and POAGs showed satisfactory reproducibility of pupillary light reflex abnormalities. Other cases in which light reflexes altered, showed worsening of the visual field deficit, which was prominent when OHs developed into POAG. OHs with significant reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) after topical administration of 0.1% DPE showed various kinds of abnormal pupillary light reflexes. On the contrary, cases with little reduction of IOP after 0.1% DPE instillation showed normal pupillary light reflexes in OHs and afferent pupillary defect on POAGs.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Modulation of haptotactic migration of metastatic melanoma cells by the interaction between heparin and heparin-binding domain of fibronectin.

We utilized recombinant fibronectin polypeptides with cell-binding domain and heparin-binding domains (referred to as C-274 and H-271, respectively) and their fusion polypeptide (CH-271) to examine the role of sulfated polysaccharide heparin and/or the functional domains of fibronectin in modulating tumor cell behavior. Both C-274 and CH-271 polypeptides with cell-binding domains promoted the adhesion and migration of B16-BL6 melanoma cells, whereas H-271 did not. Heparin bound to the immobilized polypeptides with heparin-binding domain (H-271, CH-271, and a mixture of C-274 and H-271 or fibronectin) but did not affect the tumor cell adhesion to the substrates. At the same time, heparin or two monoclonal antibodies against the heparin-binding domain were able to inhibit the haptotactic migration to CH-271 or fibronectin, though not to C-274 or a mixture of C-274 and H-271. This suggests that although heparin did not affect tumor cell adhesion to the cell-binding domain near the heparin-binding domain in CH-271 or fibronectin, it did lead to a modulation of cell motility. It seems likely that the regulatory mechanism may depend on interaction between heparin-like molecules on the cell surface and the heparin-binding domain in fibronectin, rather than on simple steric hindrance or on the masking of the cell-binding domain caused by the binding of heparin to heparin-binding domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Inhibition by sulfated chitin derivatives of invasion through extracellular matrix and enzymatic degradation by metastatic melanoma cells.

We have investigated the effects of sulfated chitin derivatives and heparin on the invasion of B16-BL6 melanoma cells through reconstituted basement membrane Matrigel which contains laminin, type IV collagen, heparin sulfate proteoglycan, and entactin. 6-O-sulfated chitin (S-chitin) and 6-O-sulfated and carboxymethyl chitin (SCM-chitin) significantly inhibited the penetration of tumor cells through Matrigel in parallel with the increased degree of sulfation. However, 6-O- and N-sulfated but partially N-deacetylated chitin derivative (SCM-chitosan) and CM-chitin had no effect. SCM-chitin with a high degree of sulfation (SCM-chitin III), which exhibited fairly low levels of anticoagulant activity, was more effective than intact heparin. SCM-chitin III and heparin were also shown to block the attachment and migration of tumor cells to laminin-coated substrates, which are considered to be involved in tumor invasion. The inhibition of cell attachment and migration by SCM-chitin III and heparin is likely to depend upon their specific binding to laminin molecules (possibly the heparin-binding domain). Degradation of heparan sulfate by heparanase was inhibited by SCM-chitin III and heparin in a dose-dependent manner. Surprisingly, SCM-chitin III could inhibit type IV collagenolytic activity of tumor cells more potently than heparin. Thus, nontoxic SCM-chitin III of low anticoagulant properties may provide a promising basis for the prevention of cancer metastasis.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1990

Tumor growth inhibitory activity of a lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor.

A lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor (LBIF) has been characterized as an immunoregulatory molecule, especially on the T-lymphocyte proliferation. Using fast protein liquid chromatography-purified LBIF, we examined the effect of LBIF on the proliferation of various 18 tumor cell lines in vitro in comparison with those of interferon-alpha, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta 1, or interleukin 1 alpha/beta. We showed here that LBIF strongly inhibited the proliferation of various tumor cell lines irrespective of cell lineage or species. LBIF was effective on a wider spectrum of tumor cell lines than other cytokines tested here. The inhibition resulted from cytotoxic or cytostatic effects, depending on individual characteristics of tumor cell lines. Five cell lines showed insensitivity against LBIF activity, suggesting a plausible involvement of LBIF receptor molecules to transduce LBIF signals. These results suggest that LBIF may play important roles in regulating cell growth.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1990

Abnormal behavior of gamma-committed B lymphocytes probed by a lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor in autoimmune MRL mice.

Recently, we have characterized a lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor (LBIF) which was purified from the culture supernatant of a human histiocytic lymphoma U-937 (Sugimura, K. et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 1989. 19: 1357). In this study, we investigated the effect of LBIF on the antibody production of autoimmune MRL mice in vitro. We demonstrated here that (a) LBIF inhibited the IgM, IgG and IgA antibody responses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated spleen cells of normal BALB/c mice, (b) in the case of old autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/l) and MRL/Mp-(+)/+ mice, however, LBIF inhibited IgM and IgA but not IgG responses of LPS-stimulated spleen cells, (c) the antibody production of all IgG subclasses, IgG3, IgG1, IgG2b and IgG2a, was not sensitive to LBIF inhibitory activity in these autoimmune mice, (d) in young MRL mice (3-5-week-old MRL/l), which were phenotypically normal, LPS-induced antibody production of all isotypes (IgM, IgG and IgA) was strongly inhibited by LBIF as shown in normal BALB/c mice and (e) in the case of 7-week-old MRL/l the insensitivity to LBIF was concomitant with the appearance of gamma + B lymphocytes. Thus, by employing LBIF as a probe, this study showed a correlation between the pathogenesis of MRL autoimmune disease and the lack of LBIF sensitivity of hyperactive B lymphocytes and suggested that the intrinsic abnormality of autoimmune MRL B lymphocytes might be confined to gamma- but not mu- or alpha-committed B cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor (LBIF) reversibly arrests a human melanoma cell line, A375, at G1 and G2 phases of cell cycle.

A lymphocyte blastogenesis inhibitory factor, LBIF, has been found in the culture supernatant of a human macrophage-like cell line, U937. The factor has been purified by fast protein liquid chromatography. Partial amino acid sequencing analysis showed that LBIF was a novel immunoregulatory factor. Recent study has demonstrated that LBIF possesses a remarkable tumor growth inhibitory activity. In this study, the cell growth inhibitory activity of LBIF was characterized on the proliferation of a human melanoma cell line A375 in vitro. LBIF strongly inhibits the proliferation of A375 cells. The inhibitory activity was cytostatic and reversible by Day 5 although the lethal effect became apparent at Day 7. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that LBIF arrested A375 cells at both G1 and G2/M phases. Mitotic index analysis indicated that A375 cells were arrested in G1 and G2 phases. LBIF function was not attributed to the elevation of intracytoplasmic cyclic-AMP levels. Thus, these results suggest that LBIF plays an important role in controlling cell cycle and there is a similarity between the mechanisms of G1 and G2 arrests in eukaryotic cell proliferation. LBIF-induced reversible cell-cycle arrest of A375 cells can be a useful system to analyze the signal transduction for cell proliferation and cell-cycle arrest.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1990

Elevated argininosuccinate synthetase activity in adult T leukemia cell lines.

Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) is a ATP-dependent and rate-limiting enzyme of the urea cycle which catalyzes L-citrulline to L-arginine in combination with argininosuccinate lyase (ASL). We demonstrate here that (a) human normal T and B lymphocytes did not express ASS activity, (b) however, three adult T leukemia (ATL) cell lines tested here exhibited significant elevation of ASS activity, and (c) ASL activity remained relatively constant in normal lymphocytes and various leukemia cell lines. These results suggest that the ASS expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes is of value as a diagnostic marker of leukemia including ATL. The implication of these results is discussed.

Arginine↗
PubMed1990

Production of interleukin 1 from human monocytes stimulated by synthetic lipid A subunit analogues.

We have investigated that synthetic lipid A subunit analogues (GLA compounds) as well as E. coli type lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and synthetic lipid A (compound 506) are able to stimulate human monocytes to release IL-1 in vitro. Of monosaccharide-type GLA compounds, GLA-60 was found to be more active for the induction of IL-1 production than GLA-59 and GLA-27, and similar to that of LPS or compound 506. GLA-60 could induce not only the secretion of IL-1 into culture supernatant but also the expression of membrane-associated form of IL-1 in human monocytes. Furthermore, no detectable IL-2 activity was observed in the culture supernatant. These results show that synthetic lipid A analogues of low toxicity, in particular GLA-60, are active in inducing IL-1 production in human monocytes.

Cell Division↗