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Biomedical subjects

Kenichi Koike

Publications and source records attributed to Kenichi Koike.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Analysis of histone modification around the CpG island region of the p15 gene in acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Seven of 11 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) had allele(s) in which more than half of 27 CpG sites in the p15 gene were methylated. The p15 CpG island region was surrounded with both the acetylated histone H3 (AcH3) and dimethylated histone H3-lysine 9 (MeH3K9) in bone marrow cells of AML patients, whereas with AcH3 alone in normal marrow cells. The p15 CpG islands of DNA immunoprecipitated with anti-AcH3 antibody and anti-MeH3K9 antibody were not always unmethylated and methylated, respectively, in the patients. These results suggest perturbed modifications of histone H3 around the p15 CpG island region in AML.

Aged↗

Effect of parathyroid hormone administration in a patient with severe hypoparathyroidism caused by gain-of-function mutation of calcium-sensing receptor.

Hypoparathyroidism caused by gain-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) in the transmembrane domain is usually severe and difficult to manage. A patient with severe hypoparathyroidism, caused by CaR activating mutation F821L, was treated for 3 days (Day 1 to Day 3) with synthetic human parathyroid hormone 1-34 (teriparatide, PTH). An Ellsworth-Howard test of the patient revealed normal responses of urine phosphate and cyclic AMP excretion, indicating that the patient's renal tubules normally responded to extrinsic PTH. On Day 1 to Day 3, 0.9 microg/kg/day of PTH was administered subcutaneously twice daily at 0800 and 2000. On Day 1, the serum calcium level that was 1.8 mmol/l before PTH administration increased to 2.1 mmol/l at 1200, and gradually decreased to 1.8 mmol/l at 2000. On Days 2 and 3, the maximum calcium levels were 2.5 and 2.4 mmol/l, respectively, at 1200. At 2000, they returned to or below basal levels at 0800. On Day 4 without PTH administration, the calcium levels were maintained at the basal levels at Day 0. The urine calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr) ratio that was high (>0.4) before PTH injection decreased after PTH administration (0.4>). Changes in the ionized calcium levels were almost parallel with the total calcium levels. The serum inorganic phosphate (IP) level decreased to 2.4 mmol/l at 1000, but gradually increased before the second PTH injection to the level at 0800 on Day 1. The minimum IP level on Days 2 and 3 was 2.1 mmol/l and 2.0 mmol/l, respectively. In contrast to the remarkable changes in the serum calcium level by PTH treatment, the serum magnesium levels showed few changes. These results indicate that PTH therapy could be effective in correcting serum and urine calcium and the phosphate levels in hypoparathyroidism caused by activating mutation of CaR.

Calcium↗

Features and outcome of neonatal leukemia in Japan: experience of the Japan infant leukemia study group.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal leukemia characterized by early stem cell origin and extramedullary infiltration in the first 4 weeks of life is rare. We analyzed the features and outcome of neonatal leukemia in Japan to establish an appropriate treatment strategy for this rare disorder. PROCEDURE: Patients with infant leukemia registered and treated in the Japan Infant Leukemia Study between 1996 and 2001 were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 162 infant leukemia patients, 11 exhibited neonatal leukemia; frequencies for all infant leukemias were 6.9% (8/116) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 7.3% (3/41) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Positive MLL gene rearrangement was observed in all eight patients with ALL; a single patient with AML displayed germline configuration. Acute monoblastic leukemia was apparent in all three patients with AML (M5a in the FAB classification). Most of the patients demonstrated hepatoplenomegaly and hyperleukocytosis at diagnosis. Cutaneous and central nervous system involvement were detected in half of the patients. Four patients (one with AML, and three with ALL) have survived following stem cell transplantation (SCT); however, growth impairment related to SCT was observed in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an improvement attributable to treatment of neonatal leukemia. International-based collaborative studies are necessary to investigate the biology of this condition and to establish appropriate therapeutic strategies.

Acute Disease↗

Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation from alternative donors with a conditioning regimen of low-dose irradiation, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in Fanconi anaemia.

A pilot study was undertaken using a fludarabine-based conditioning regimen to improve haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from alternative donors in 27 Fanconi anaemia (FA) patients. Patients were conditioned with 150-180 mg/m2 of fludarabine, 40 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide, 5-10 mg/kg of antithymocyte globulin, and 300-450 cGy of thoracoabdominal/total body irradiation. One patient who received unrelated cord blood transplantation failed to engraft, another patient died of sepsis. The 1-year overall survival was 96.3% (95% CI, 89-100). This conditioning regimen exerted an immunosuppressive effect that enabled durable engraftment in alternative donor HCT without severe toxicity.

Child↗

CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma complicated by pyoderma gangrenosum with increased levels of serum cytokines.

We here present the case of a 5-yr-old girl with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) in association with underlying CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma with increased serum cytokine levels (interleukin-8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor). An association between PG and increased cytokine levels was suggested. Even in children, dermatosis of PG should receive prompt careful evaluation for underlying hematological malignancy.

Child, Preschool↗

Novel compound heterozygous mutation of the MC2R gene in a patient with familial glucocorticoid deficiency.

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by glucocorticoid insufficiency without mineralocorticoid deficiency. Here, we report a 2 year-old girl with FGD, showing tall stature and skin pigmentation, but no abnormalities of the external genitalia. Serum sodium, potassium and chloride levels were within normal ranges. Endocrinological analysis revealed low serum cortisol (<5.5 nmol/1), elevated plasma ACTH (875.2 pmol/1) and low 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (< 0.303 nmol/l). We suspected the patient of having FGD type 1. Direct and allele-specific sequence analyses of the melanocortin 2 receptor gene (MC2R) revealed compound heterozygous mutations (C21Y and R146H) in the MC2R gene. Her father and mother each had heterozygous C21Y and R146H mutations, respectively, without symptoms of glucocorticoid deficiency. This is the first report of FGD associated with a compound heterozygous mutation of C21Y and R146H in the MC2R gene.

Alleles↗

Effective combination therapy using interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 for disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection in a pediatric patient with AIDS.

A 5-year-old girl presented with disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection during advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection. Interferon-gamma or interleukin-2 monotherapy showed only limited effects. Use of a combination of interferon-gamma and interferon-2 resulted in a remarkable improvement in the patient's condition, accompanied by an increase in circulating CD4+ T cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induces de novo methylation of the p15 CpG island in hematopoietic cells.

The process of p15 CpG island methylation induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was investigated, using MO7e cells. The cells proliferating in response to GM-CSF+fetal bovine serum (FBS) were almost fully methylated in the p15 CpG island. The withdrawal of both GM-CSF and FBS for 48 h reduced the cell viability, and increased the frequency of alleles with completely or partially demethylated CpG sites by approximately 50%. Viable cells were responsible for this epigenetic change. The add-back of GM-CSF restored the methylation. Seventy-two hours withdrawal of GM-CSF+FBS followed by 24-h exposure to inhibitors for DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) caused the demethylation of nearly all CpG sites in the p15 CpG island on every allele sequenced. When GM-CSF was re-added after 96-h treatment, the cells exhibited p15 transcriptional silencing via the methylation. The initial methylation event encompassed the entire CpG island. No new methylated alleles appeared in the coexistence of the DNMT and HDAC inhibitors. Taken together, GM-CSF may be able to induce de novo methylation of the p15 gene, using HDAC(s) as well as DNMT(s).

Azacitidine↗

Genetic subtypes of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: correlations with clinical features and cytotoxic T lymphocyte/natural killer cell functions.

Mutations of the perforin (PRF1) and MUNC13-4 genes distinguish 2 forms of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL2 and FHL3, respectively), but the clinical and biologic correlates of these genotypes remain in question. We studied the presenting features and cytotoxic T lymphocyte/natural killer (CTL/NK) cell functions of 35 patients for their relationship to distinct FHL subtypes. FHL2 (n = 11) had an earlier onset than either FHL3 (n = 8) or the non-FHL2/FHL3 subtype lacking a PRF1 or MUNC13-4 mutation (n = 16). Deficient NK cell activity persisted after chemotherapy in all cases of FHL2, whereas some patients with FHL3 or the non-FHL2/FHL3 subtype showed partial recovery of this activity during remission. Alloantigen-specific CTL-mediated cytotoxicity was deficient in FHL2 patients with PRF1 nonsense mutations, was very low in FHL3 patients, but was only moderately reduced in FHL2 patients with PRF1 missense mutations. These findings correlated well with Western blot analyses showing an absence of perforin in FHL2 cases with PRF1 nonsense mutations and of MUNC13-4 in FHL3 cases, whereas in FHL2 cases with PRF1 missense mutations, mature perforin was present in low amounts. These results suggest an association between the type of genetic mutation in FHL cases and the magnitude of CTL cytolytic activity and age at onset.

Adolescent↗

Development of two cytogenetically abnormal clones from multipotential hematopoietic stem cells in a patient with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.

We report a patient with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia who had two cytogenetically independent clones at the time of diagnosis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses showed that 42.5% of myeloperoxidase(+) cells and 27.3% of CD20(+) cells had three signals for chromosome 8, while 13.1% of myeloperoxidase(+) cells and 6.0% of CD20(+) cells had del (Y). However, a great majority of CD3(+) cells had no numerical aberration of the two chromosomes. The two karyotypically abnormal clones might have developed from multipotential hematopoietic stem cells with the potential to differentiate into myeloid and B-lymphoid lineages, but not T-lymphoid lineage.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a potential inhibitory mediator of inflammation via neutrophil apoptosis.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is supposed to be an effective agent for neutrophil-mediated inflammation in the area of critical medicine. We investigated the involvement of SOD in the regulation of neutrophil apoptosis. Exogenously added SOD effectively induced neutrophil apoptosis, and the fluorescence patterns determined using annexin-V and the 7-AAD were similar to those seen in Fas-mediated neutrophil apoptosis. Neutrophils are short-lived leukocytes that need to be removed safely by apoptosis. The clearance of apoptotic neutrophils from sites of inflammation is a crucial determinant of the resolution of inflammation. Catalase inhibited the neutrophil apoptosis and caspase-3 activation. Spontaneous apoptosis, hydrogen peroxide and anti-Fas antibody-induced apoptosis of neutrophils were accelerated in Down's syndrome patients, in whom the SOD gene is overexpressed. Hydrogen peroxide was thought to be a possible major mediator of ROS-induced neutrophil apoptosis in caspase-dependent manner. Neutrophil apoptosis represents a crucial step in the mechanism governing the resolution of inflammation and has been suggested as a possible target for the control of neutrophil-mediated tissue injury. SOD may be a potential inhibitory mediator of neutrophil-mediated inflammation.

Adult↗

Methylation status of the p15 and p16 genes in paediatric myelodysplastic syndrome and juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia.

Aberrant DNA methylation is frequently observed in adults with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and is recognized as a critical event in the disease's pathogenesis and progression. This is the first report to investigate the methylation status of p15 and p16, cell cycle regulatory genes, in children with MDS (n = 9) and juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML; n = 18) by using a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of p15 hypermethylation in paediatric MDS was 78% (7/9), which was comparable to that in adult MDS. In contrast, p15 hypermethylation in JMML was a rare event (17%; 3/18). In JMML, clinical and laboratory characteristics including PTPN11 mutations and aberrant colony formation were not different between the three patients with hypermethylated p15 and the others. Aberrant methylation of p16 was not detected in children with either MDS or JMML. Since p15 and p16 genes were unmethylated in two children with JMML, in whom the disease had progressed with an increased number of blasts, a condition referred to as blastic crisis, we infer that the aberrant methylation of these genes is not responsible for the progression of JMML. The results suggest that demethylating agents may be effective in most children with MDS and a few patients with JMML.

Adolescent↗

Regulation of mast cell development.

Human mast cells originated from multipotential hematopoietic progenitors in bone marrow (BM). A large proportion of these progenitors were CD34+CD38-c-kit+ cells and CD34+CD38+c-kit+ cells. Cloning of stem cell factor (SCF) contributed to the development of culture systems of human mast cells from different sources including BM mononuclear cells, CD34+ cord blood (CB) cells, and fetal liver cells. SCF could support mast cell development from CD34+ CB cells in the serum-deprived culture system. The cumulative mast cell number reached 10(10)-fold the input quantity at 50 weeks of SCF-containing serumdeprived culture. CB-derived mast cells expressed tryptase, chymase, and histamine similar to mast cells residing in tissues. The surface expression of FcepsilonRI, however, was very low on fetal liver- or CB-derived mast cells. Factors that had effects on SCF-dependent human mast cell development were divided into four types: (1) factors that stimulated both proliferation and maturation: SCF; (2) factors that stimulated only proliferation: thrombopoietin, interleukin (IL)-9; (3) factors that inhibited proliferation, but stimulated maturation: IL-4, IL-6, and (4) factors that inhibited proliferation and maturation: retinoids.

Animals↗

Serum levels of free light chain before and after chemotherapy in primary systemic AL amyloidosis.

OBJECTIVE: Immunoglobulin-related free light chains (FLCs) in serum have recently become quantitatively detectable using the nephelometric assay in plasma cell disorders, including multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis. To investigate whether FLCs are useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker in Japanese patients with primary systemic AL amyloidosis, we determined these values in serum before and after chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum FLC analysis was carried out in 25 patients with primary systemic AL amyloidosis (mean age, 60.1+/-8.4 years). All of the patients were shown to have either ALkappa- or ALlambda-immunoreactive amyloid deposits on biopsied tissues. Thirteen patients were treated with VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) alone (n=6) or VAD and subsequent high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell support (n=7), and serum FLCs were serially determined before and after the chemotherapy. RESULTS: Before chemotherapy the amyloidogenic FLC was elevated in serum with or without abnormal e/e ratios in 24 patients, including 5 with undetectable M-protein in both serum and urine on immunofixation. After chemotherapy the amyloidogenic FLC in serum was significantly decreased irrespective of high-dose melphalan (p<0.05), and all the patients with normalized kappa/lambda ratios showed a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to sensitivity and quantification serum FLCs will be a key marker for diagnosis and therapeutic effects in primary systemic AL amyloidosis. The prognosis of patients with this disease may be improved if the kappa/lambda ratio in serum can be normalized by intensive chemotherapy.

Adult↗

High-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell support in primary systemic AL amyloidosis with multiple organ involvement.

A patient with primary systemic AL amyloidosis achieved partial hematological response after 2 courses of VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) and subsequent high-dose melphalan followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation despite involvement of multiple organs, including the heart. In this patient natriuretic peptides and free light chains in serum were useful as markers of cardiac involvement and therapeutic effects, respectively. When amyloidosis-related dysfunction is seen in multiple organs, this intensive chemotherapy might be a possible therapeutic option, although several modifications in the regimen and careful management are necessary.

Amyloid↗

IgM AL amyloidosis due to B cell lymphoproliferative disorder: efficacy of high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation.

This report concerns a patient with IgM AL amyloidosis due to a B cell lymphoproliferative disorder who was successfully treated with VAD and subsequent high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell support. After this chemotherapeutic regimen, the patient showed complete hematological remission and improvement in nephrotic syndrome. These findings suggest that high-dose melphalan may also be effective for lymphoplasmacytoid cells producing monoclonal IgM which are phenotypically distinct from plasma cells. Myeloablative therapies, such as high-dose melphalan, should definitely be considered as a treatment option for AL amyloidosis, irrespective of the type of precursor immunoglobulin.

Amyloidosis↗

VAD with or without subsequent high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell support in AL amyloidosis: Japanese experience and criteria for patient selection.

Patients with AL amyloidosis were treated with VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) with or without high-dose melphalan followed by auto-PBSCT according to eligibility criteria based on disease severity, and prospectively investigated the therapeutic benefits and complications. Thirty-one patients were enrolled in this study. VAD and subsequent high-dose melphalan with auto-PBSCT were performed only in patients who met all of the eligibility criteria. Among patients ineligible for this treatment, VAD alone was performed in those with satisfactory general status. Eleven patients met the eligibility criteria, and of these, 7 were treated with VAD and subsequent high-dose melphalan with auto-PBSCT. Seven patients received VAD alone, and the remaining 17 were treated with the supportive therapy. Among the 14 patients treated with chemotherapy, 9 (5 of the 7 treated with VAD and high-dose melphalan, and 4 of the 7 treated with VAD alone) showed complete hematological response with apparent improvement of amyloidosis-related clinical symptoms. Serious complications of chemotherapy were cytomegalovirus infection and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia seen in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. These chemotherapies may be effective for reduction of M-protein and are also useful in improving of amyloidosis-induced organ dysfunction. In patients who cannot tolerate high-dose melphalan, VAD alone is a potent therapeutic option, although there are possible harmful effects on the heart and peripheral nerve.

Adult↗