Biomedical subjects

Junko Tashiro

Publications and source records attributed to Junko Tashiro.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Differential susceptibility of cells expressing allogeneic MHC or viral antigen to killing by antigen-specific CTL.

CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) generated by immunization with allogeneic cells or viral infection are able to lyse allogeneic or virally infected in vitro cells (e.g., lymphoma and mastocytoma). In contrast, it is reported that CD8(+) T cells are not essential for allograft rejection (e.g., heart and skin), and that clearance of influenza or the Sendai virus from virus-infected respiratory epithelium is normal or only slightly delayed after a primary viral challenge of CD8-knockout mice. To address this controversy, we generated H-2(d)-specific CD8(+) CTLs by a mixed lymphocyte culture and examined the susceptibility of a panel of H-2(d) cells to CTL lysis. KLN205 squamous cell carcinoma, Meth A fibrosarcoma, and BALB/c skin components were found to be resistant to CTL-mediated lysis. This resistance did not appear to be related to a reduced expression of MHC class I molecules, and all these cells could block the recognition of H-2(d) targets by CTLs in cold target inhibition assays. We extended our observation by persistently infecting the same panel of cell lines with defective-interfering Sendai virus particles. The Meth A and KLN205 lines infected with a variant Sendai virus were resistant to lysis by Sendai virus-specific CTLs. The Sendai virus-infected Meth A and KLN205 lines were able to block the lysis of Sendai virus-infected targets by CTLs in cold target inhibition assays. Taken together, these results suggest that not all in vivo tissues may be sensitive to CTL lysis.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

AID mutant analyses indicate requirement for class-switch-specific cofactors.

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is the essential and sole B cell-specific factor required for class-switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM). However, it is not known how AID differentially regulates these two independent events. Involvement of several cofactors interacting with AID has been indicated by scattered distribution of loss-of-function point mutations and evolutionary conservation of the entire 198-amino-acid protein. Here, we report that human AID mutant proteins with insertions, replacements or truncations in the C-terminal region retained strong SHM activity but almost completely lost CSR activity. These results indicate that AID requires interaction with a cofactor(s) specific to CSR.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2003

Induction of hair regrowth in the alopecia site of IFN-gamma knockout mice by allografting and IFN-gamma injection into the transplantation site.

We previously demonstrated that around 6 weeks of age most of the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)(-/-) but none of the IFN-gamma(+/+) C57BL/6 mice began to lose hair in their dorsal or occipital areas or both and that a single s.c. injection of IFN-gamma into IFN-gamma(-/-) mice at 3 but not at 8 weeks of age (or later) could protect all the mice from alopecia. Here, we report hair regrowth in the alopecia site of IFN-gamma(-/-) mice at 8 weeks of age (or later) by the combination of IFN-gamma and allografting. Skin or tumor allografting and IFN-gamma injections into the transplantation site induced hair regrowth in the alopecia site of IFN-gamma(-/-) mice at 8-66 weeks of age, whereas IFN-gamma injections into the hairless site or allografting alone was ineffective in causing the hair regrowth. Histologic findings showed that the hair cycle in the region of alopecia of IFN-gamma(-/-) mice was blocked at the anagen stage and that in the IFN-gamma(-/-) mice treated with IFN-gamma and allografting, the cycle was at the telogen stage. The therapeutic effects were maintained for >1 year.

Alopecia↗

PubMed2003

Cellular origin of IFN-gamma essential for hair cycle in normal skin.

Hair growth abnormalities in mice usually are accompanied by histologic abnormalities as well. Recently, however, we reported a mouse model in which an arrest of the hair cycle and diffuse shedding of the hair without pathologic features induced alopecia in interferon-gamma(-/-) (IFN-gamma(-/-)) C57BL/6 (B6) mice. Here, we explored the cellular origin of IFN-gamma. When bone marrow from IFN-gamma(-/-) B6 mice was transplanted into lethally irradiated IFN-gamma(+/+) B6 mice, the level of IFN-gamma mRNA expression in the skin or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of recipient mouse was markedly reduced, suggesting that IFN-gamma is normally produced by bone marrow-derived cells. Although severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice lack mature T cells and B cells, IFN-gamma-dependent hair regrowth was induced in SCID mice by depilation, which caused alopecia in IFN-gamma(-/-) B6 mice. Consistently, IFN-gamma mRNA expression in the skin or PBMC from SCID mice was comparable to that from their genetic counterpart (BALB/c mice), suggesting IFN-gamma production by non-T cells. RT-PCR analyses after separation of PBMC from SCID mice into eight fractions by a cell sorter revealed that Mac-1(+) cells were the major origin of IFN-gamma.

Alopecia↗

PubMed2003

Asphyxia and diuretic-induced changes in the Ca2+ concentration of endolymph.

Using Ca2+ -selective microelectrodes based on the neutral carrier, ETH-1001 with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), we have measured changes in the free Ca2+ concentration of guinea pig cochlear endolymph ([Ca](e)) after transient asphyxia or intravenous administration of diuretics. Under the control conditions, the endocochlear potential (EP) was +80 mV, and the [Ca](e) was in the range 1.4 x 10(-7)-2.4 x 10(-6) M (n = 16). Transient asphyxia (1-1.5 min) produced an increase in the [Ca](e) with a fall in the EP, whereas the cessation of the asphyxia led to a quick recovery of both [Ca](e) and EP to their control levels. Intravenous administration of furosemide (60 mg/kg) or bumetanide (30 mg/kg) also caused an increase in the [Ca](e) with a fall in the EP, followed by a gradual recovery of both [Ca](e) and EP. From these results, we obtained a significant correlation between EP and p[Ca](e) (= -log[Ca](e)), and conclude that (1) the [Ca](e) is extremely low, around 10(-6) M or less, under normal conditions and (2) the [Ca](e) is directly correlated with EP under physiological conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Exploring health promoting lifestyle behaviors of Japanese college women: perceptions, practices, and issues.

The purpose of this study was to explore health promoting lifestyle behaviors (HPLBs) of college women in Japan. In addition, perceived health status and concerns were evaluated. The methods used were both qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative data from focus groups with 38 Japanese college women were used to develop a questionnaire. Subsequently, 546 randomly selected college women responded to the mailed survey (response rate 54%). Forty percent of the college women respondents perceived themselves as "rather unhealthy" or "unhealthy." The investigator conclude that (1) perceived HPLBs, health status, and health concerns were mutually associated, thus, to increase perceived health status and/or decrease perceived health concerns, promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors must be considered; (2) the number of perceived motives or cues and the number of perceived health concerns of importance to college women must be considered to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Adolescent↗