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Biomedical subjects

M Higuchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Higuchi.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Partial purification and some properties of a neutral proteinase in rat ovary.

The ovary of rat possessed a neutral proteinase which had an optimum pH at around 8.5 in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl. The proteinase was soluble only in media of high ionic strength such as 2 M NaCl. In order to prevent the reprecipitation in media of low ionic strength of the enzyme solubilized, it is necessary to add protamine sulfate to the solubilizing medium. When the solubilized enzyme was applied to a Sephadex column, the proteinase activity was eluted at the same position as bovine alpha-chymotrypsinogen. The results using some protease inhibitors showed that the proteinase was a chymotrypsin-like serine enzyme. When rats were treated with compound 48/80, the proteinase activity almost completely disappeared, suggesting that the enzyme is of mast cell origin.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of rhG-CSF on infection complications and impaired function of neutrophils secondary to chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Hokkaido Study Group of Malignant Lymphoma, and rhG-CSF, Japan.

It has been previously demonstrated that the administration of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) ameliorates the decrease of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) count after the cytotoxic chemotherapies, thereby reducing the infection complications associated with neutropenia. In this multi-center study, we studied the prophylaxtic effect of rhG-CSF administration on infection complications in patients with non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma, who received cytotoxic chemotherapies (CHOP or ProMACE/CytaBOM). rhG-CSF administration reduced the frequency of infection complications, and there was no obvious difference in it's frequency between the CHOP-treated and the ProMACE/CytaBOM-treated groups when administered with rhG-CSF, thereby indicating that third generation therapy for NHL may be safely completed in Japanese in combination with rhG-CSF administration. Furthermore, we investigated both the in vitro and the in vivo effects of rhG-CSF on the function of PMNs in patients with NHL and healthy donors, and revealed that the administration of rhG-CSF for NHL patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy brought on an improvement of the production of active oxygen but did not affect serum levels of IFNs, IL-1-beta, and IL-6, inspite of a slight elevation of TNF-alpha. Consistent with these results, in vitro treatment of PMNs with rhG-CSF induced no significant production of these inflammatory cytokines and their mRNA expressions. Furthermore, rhG-CSF administration showed no significant effects in vivo on the expression of CD11a, CD11b and LECAM-1 on PMNs and integrins on platelets.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Administration of rhG-CSF increases complete remission rates after CHOP and ProMACE/CytaBOM for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a pilot study. Hokkaido Study Group of Malignant Lymphoma and rhG-CSF.

To evaluate the clinical effects of the administration of recombinant human granulocyte-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) post chemotherapy for patients with advanced-staged intermediate-grade or high-grade non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma (NHL), we conducted this multicenter study and compared the responses between both the regimens, CHOP as a first-generation chemotherapy and ProMACE/CytaBOM as a third-generation chemotherapy, when combined with the rhG-CSF administration. In this multicenter study, where forty patients were registered, patients in both the CHOP and ProMACE/CytaBOM groups were treated with the original regimen designs without the necessity of reducing drug dosages when combined with the administration of rhG-CSF. The administration of rhG-CSF post both of the cytotoxic therapies brought about much higher rates of complete remission in both the groups (CHOP, 75 percent; ProMACE/CytaBOM, 75 percent), as compared with those of the previous study without the rhG-CSF administration. Regarding response rates according to the International prognostic factor index, the CHOP group showed a lower rate of complete remission in patients with risk factors, compared with ProMACE/CytaBOM group. This result suggested that the administration of rhG-CSF may offer one important approach for improving the first-line therapy for aggressive NHL with high risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Control of kinetic properties of AMPA receptor channels by nuclear RNA editing.

AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor channels mediate the fast component of excitatory postsynaptic currents in the central nervous system. Site-selective nuclear RNA editing controls the calcium permeability of these channels, and RNA editing at a second site is shown here to affect the kinetic aspects of these channels in rat brain. In three of the four AMPA receptor subunits (GluR-B, -C, and -D), intronic elements determine a codon switch (AGA, arginine, to GGA, glycine) in the primary transcripts in a position termed the R/G site, which immediately precedes the alternatively spliced modules "flip" and "flop." The extent of editing at this site progresses with brain development in a manner specific for subunit and splice form, and edited channels possess faster recovery rates from desensitization.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1994

Haemophilia A: database of nucleotide substitutions, deletions, insertions and rearrangements of the factor VIII gene, second edition.

A large number of different mutations in the factor VIII (F8) gene have been identified as a cause of haemophilia A. This compilation lists known single base-pair substitutions, deletions and insertions in the F8 gene and reviews the status of the inversional events which account for a substantial proportion of mutations causing severe haemophilia A.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Reconstitution of nuclear factor kappa B activation induced by tumor necrosis factor requires membrane-associated components. Comparison with pathway activated by ceramide.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is known to induce the activation of a nuclear transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), in a wide variety of cell types. The post-receptor binding events that culminate in TNF-dependent NF-kappa B activation are not understood. To dissect this pathway, we developed a reconstitution system consisting of membrane, cytosolic, and post-nuclear fractions. Our results indicate that when incubated with the post-nuclear fraction derived from TNF-untreated cells, the membrane fraction from TNF-treated cells causes the activation of NF-kappa B with kinetics similar to that observed in intact cells. Under these conditions, the cytosolic fraction has no effect. This activation is tyrosine kinase-dependent since erbstatin completely abolished the effect. Furthermore, as revealed by immunoblotting, no degradation of the inhibitory subunit of NF-kappa B was observed. In this reconstitution system, we can also demonstrate the activation of NF-kappa B by ceramide, but this activation is not tyrosine kinase-dependent. Overall, our results indicate that intermediates required for NF-kappa B activation by TNF or ceramide are membrane-bound, but the mechanism of activation by TNF is most likely different from that of ceramide.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin 2-induced activation of JAK3: possible involvement in signal transduction for c-myc induction and cell proliferation.

We have investigated the role of JAK3 in interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced signal transduction with a human T cell line, ED40515(-), lacking expression of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain and its sublines transfected with wild-type or mutant cDNAs of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain. Our results demonstrated that the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic region, encompassing the src homology region 2 (SH2)-like subdomain, of the gamma chain is essential for association and activation of JAK3. Furthermore, IL-2-induced activation of JAK3 paralleled induction of the c-myc gene and DNA synthesis but not induction of the c-fos and c-jun genes. These results support the hypothesis that JAK3 plays a pivotal role in the IL-2 receptor-mediated signals for cell growth.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1994

Expression of the alpha 2-macroglobulin-encoding gene in rat brain and cultured astrocytes.

The alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), a protease inhibitor, is a major acute-phase protein in rats, and is produced in the liver during acute inflammation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that alpha 2M is also produced by cultured astrocytes from newborn rat brain and has neurite-promoting activity. Here, we found that the expression of the alpha 2M gene was significantly enhanced in the brain following intraperitoneal injection of the neurotoxicant, kainic acid (KA), suggesting that alpha 2M acts as an acute-phase protein in the brain, as in the case of the liver, and may be involved in neural repair processes. Expression of alpha 2M in cultured astrocytes was shown to be stimulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the presence of glucocorticoid. The amount of mRNAs for IL-6 and LIF increased in the brain of KA-injected rats prior to alpha 2M induction. These results strongly suggested that IL-6 and LIF are involved in alpha 2M induction in the brain, as in the case of the liver. Analysis of the cis-acting element(s) and the trans-acting factor(s) suggested that the regulatory mechanism for alpha 2M expression in astrocytes was similar to that in inflamed liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Differential roles of two types of the TNF receptor in TNF-induced cytotoxicity, DNA fragmentation, and differentiation.

Two different types of TNF receptors, the p60 receptor with a molecular mass of 60 kDa and the p80 receptor with a mass of 80 kDa, have been identified. TNF exhibits a wide variety of biologic actions, but which receptor is responsible for these biologic actions is not well characterized. In the present study, we examined the roles of the p60 and p80 receptors in three different TNF-induced biologic actions: 1) cytotoxicity; 2) DNA fragmentation; and 3) differentiation to macrophages. Analysis of TNF actions on various tumor cell lines revealed that TNF-induced cytotoxicity occurred in cells that expressed the p60 receptor, irrespective of expression of the p80 receptor. In contrast, DNA fragmentation and differentiation were observed only in cells that expressed both receptor types. Additionally, the specific Ab to each receptor were used to examine the roles of both receptors in the myelogenous leukemia cell line, ML-1a. Anti-p60 Ab alone showed cytotoxicity but little DNA fragmentation and differentiation, and anti-p80 Ab alone showed no effects. When these Abs were added in the presence of TNF, each independently, and almost completely, inhibited TNF-induced DNA fragmentation and differentiation. We also found that both Abs together synergistically induce differentiation and DNA fragmentation. These results indicate that signals through the p60 receptor are essential to induce cytotoxicity, but signals through both the p60 and p80 receptors are necessary, and act synergistically, for DNA fragmentation and differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed1994

Staurosporine induces the cell surface expression of both forms of human tumor necrosis factor receptors on myeloid and epithelial cells and modulates ligand-induced cellular response.

Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, is commonly used to inhibit the growth factor-induced signal transduction pathway at the post-receptor level. In this report, we examined the effect of staurosporine on the constitutive expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors in K562, a human erythroblastoid leukemic cell line. Exposure of these cells to staurosporine enhanced cell surface expression of TNF receptors by almost 7-fold in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Maximum induction occurred at a concentration of 20 nM of the agent for 16 h at 37 degrees C. Induction of the TNF receptor was found to be temperature-dependent. No induction was observed at 22 or at 4 degrees C, suggesting the role of cell metabolism. Scatchard analysis indicated an increase in receptor number without any change in receptor affinity. TNF receptors were induced by staurosporine on a wide variety of human cells of both epithelial (primarily p60 receptors) and myeloid (mainly p80 receptor) origin. Receptor-specific antibodies showed that both TNF receptors were induced. The induction was abolished by inhibitors of protein synthesis, thus suggesting the de novo synthesis of the receptor. Furthermore, we found that staurosporine had no effect on the internalization or shedding of the receptor, but it induced the mRNA for both forms of the TNF receptor. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases had no effect on the induction of TNF receptors. Modulation of the receptor number by staurosporine correlated with the enhancement of antiproliferative effects of TNF against different tumor cells. Thus, overall these results indicate that protein kinase C may be involved in the signal transduction of TNF not only at the postreceptor level but also at the receptor level.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1994

TNF induces internalization of the p60 receptor and shedding of the p80 receptor.

As is true for other peptide hormones, TNF causes the down-modulation of its own receptor. The process by which down-regulation occurs and the particular role of each of two recently identified receptors, however, are not understood. In this report we used Abs specific to p60 and p80 TNFR types to examine the ligand-induced down-regulation in histiocytic cell line U-937. These cells express both types of TNFRs, but the amount of p80 is two to three times greater than that of the p60 receptor. Treatment of U-937 cells with the ligand led to maximum down-modulation of TNFR within 30 min, and this decrease was found to be a result of receptor number and not affinity. When examined for the receptor type, approximately 90% of the p60 receptor and 35% of the p80 receptor was down-regulated by the cytokine. Rapid internalization of TNF in U-937 cells is mediated through p60, because this process was inhibited only by anti-p60 Ab and was also inhibited in cells (PMA-pretreated) that primarily express the p80 receptor. In contrast to p60, we observed that the ligand-induced shedding of the p80 receptor into the medium results in the down-regulation. Interestingly, however, the signal for shedding of the p80 receptor appears to be mediated through the p60 receptor, because anti-p60 Ab inhibited the shedding. Overall, our results provide evidence that ligand-induced down-modulation of TNFR is a result of the internalization of p60 and of the shedding of the p80 receptor and that the signaling for both is mediated through the p60 receptor.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1994

Functional participation of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain in IL-7 receptor complexes.

The gamma chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor is shared with the functional IL-4 receptor and is causatively related to X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID), which is ascribed to a profound T cell defect. Studies with monoclonal antibodies specific for the IL-2 receptor gamma chain showed that the gamma chain participates in the functional high-affinity receptor complexes for IL-7 that are involved in the differentiation of T and B cells. Participation of the gamma subunit in more than one receptor may enable the elucidation of the mechanisms of XSCID development and lymphocyte differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Suramin inhibits tumor cell cytotoxicity mediated through natural killer cells, lymphokine-activated killer cells, monocytes, and tumor necrosis factor.

Suramin, a polysulfonated naphthylurea, is an antitrypanosomal and antifilarial drug. Because of its anti-reverse transcriptase activity and antiproliferative activity, suramin is also used for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and cancer. In spite of these uses, very little is known about its effects on the immune system. In this report, we investigated the effects of suramin on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We found that natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity against human erythroblastoid cell line K562 was completely inhibited by suramin in a dose-dependent manner. It also completely blocked lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity against the human B lymphoblastoid cell lines Raji and Daudi. The cytotoxicity against the human melanoma tumor cell line A-375 mediated by unstimulated and stimulated monocytes was also suppressed by suramin. Maximum inhibition of monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity was observed when suramin was present during both the activation and the effector phases of cytotoxicity. Besides its effects on cell-mediated cytotoxicity, suramin also inhibited the cytotoxic effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) against different tumor cell lines. Furthermore, we found that suramin interferes with the binding of TNF with its receptor. Thus our results indicate that suramin overall downregulates the immune system by inhibiting cell-mediated and TNF-mediated cytotoxicity against different tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Inhibitory effect of vapiprost on contractile responses of isolated dog renal arteries to thromboxane A2 analogue, U46619.

1. Cumulative administrations of U46619, a thromboxane A2 analogue, and prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha produced concentration-dependent contractions of isolated dog renal arterial preparations, which were significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited by vapiprost. 2. A bolus administration of U46619 or PGF2 alpha produced sustained contracture of these preparations, which was concentration-dependently relaxed by cumulative vapiprost. 3. Results indicate that vapiprost inhibits U46619- and PGF2 alpha-induced dog renal arterial contractions through antagonism for so-called TP receptors.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1994

Haemophilia A: database of nucleotide substitutions, deletions, insertions and rearrangements of the factor VIII gene, second edition.

A large number of different mutations in the factor VIII (F8) gene have been identified as a cause of haemophilia A. This compilation lists known single base-pair substitutions, deletions and insertions in the F8 gene and reviews the status of the inversional events which account for a substantial proportion of mutations causing severe haemophilia A.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the gene encoding the H2O2-forming NADH oxidase from Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans induces both H2O2-forming and H2O-forming NADH oxidases in the presence of O2 [M. Higuchi, J. Gen. Microbiol., 130, 1819-1826 (1984)]. In this paper, a nox-1 gene encoding H2O2-forming NADH oxidase (NOX-1) from Streptococcus mutans was cloned, and the nucleotides sequenced. The structural gene of nox-1 consisted of 1530 base pairs, which encode a polypeptide consisting of 510 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 55,196 Da. The deduced N-terminal amino acid sequence was consistent with that previously found for the purified NOX-1 protein. The nox-1 gene was expressed in Escherichia coli using its own promoter. Alignment of the amino acid sequence of NOX-1 with those of NADH oxidases from other microorganisms showed identities of 55.6%, 20.8%, 20.3%, and 7.3% for those of Amphibacillus xylanus Ep01, Streptococcus faecalis 10C1, Thermoanaerobium brockii Rt8.G4, and Thermus thermophilus HB8, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗