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Biomedical subjects

M Ichijo

Publications and source records attributed to M Ichijo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Hepatocyte growth factor promotes the growth of cytotrophoblasts by the paracrine mechanism.

Both placental and decidual tissues contained extractable HGF, the former HGF level (31.4 +/- 23.4 ng/mg total protein) being approximately 30 times the latter HGF level. When the localization of HGF protein and HGF mRNA in placental tissues was examined by immunohistological staining and in situ hybridization, HGF protein and HGF mRNA were detected in the mesenchymal cells of the placenta, but were absent in the cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. Although c-met protein was expressed in the cytotrophoblast, this receptor was not detectable in the syncytiotrophoblast by immunohistochemical methods. c-met mRNA was detected in placental cell line (tPA30-1) and 4 choriocarcinoma cell lines (BeWo, Jar, Jeg-3, and NUC-1), but HGF mRNA was absent in these cells. When cytotrophoblast cells were cultured in a serum-free medium in the presence of HGF, their DNA synthesis was enhanced depending on the HGF concentration, although human placental lactogen secretion itself was not affected by HGF. These results demonstrated that HGF promotes the growth of the cytotrophoblast by the paracrine mechanism, although it does not serve as a placental differentiation factor.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Identification of macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human milk and mammary gland epithelial cells.

Human milk contains cellular and soluble host-protective components. Macrophages in human milk constitute a major cellular component in contrast to those in the peripheral blood. We have investigated a mechanism of local expansion of macrophages in human milk. First, biologically active macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) was identified in human milk. The maximal concentrations of M-CSF in human milk were 10- to 100-fold higher than those in the serum. The concentrations of M-CSF in the milk had no correlation with those in the serum. M-CSF was immunohistochemically detected in the epithelial cells of the ducts and alveoli of the mammary gland. In situ hybridization study confirmed the local synthesis of M-CSF in the mammary gland epithelial cells. A possible role of female sex steroids was discussed in the regulation of M-CSF production by mammary gland epithelial cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The viewpoints of viral vertical transmission from fetal neonatal immunologic aspects].

A. The development of fetal Immune system 1. Complement: Alternative pathway is dominant in the development of fetal complement. 2. Neutrophil function: Phagocytosis in full term infants was increased to be adult-level, but bactericidal function was decreased. 3. NK activity: NK activity in full-term infants was significantly lower than in adults, however, IL-2-augmented NK activity did not indicate any significant difference with levels in adults. In pre-32 week infants both NK and IL-2-augmented NK activity were further decreased as opposed to in full-term infants. 4. LAK activity: LAK activity was fully developed already in 19 week infants, indicating that auto-monitoring of mutant cells is already under control from the early stages of fetal development. 5. Antibody production: Antibody production in infants was significantly decreased in comparison to adults. Reduced cytokine (IL-1, BCDF) production were considered to be the causal factors. 6. IL-2, IL-2R: In IL-2 production, no difference was recognized between normal neonates and adult subjects. In contrast, a significantly higher value of IL-2 production was observed for premature neonates born between 16 and 36 GW, compared with adults. IL-2 production and IL-2R system is fully developed at 22 weeks. 7. BCDF gamma, BCDF mu: Reduced compared to that of adults. 8. IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF: Much higher levels were found in cases of intrauterine infection, particularly in cases of premature delivery. The cytokine levels were 20-to-30-fold higher in chorioamnitis-positive premature delivery group. 9. M-CSF: M-CSF is increased, M-CSF may play a role in decidual function and placental function by the autocrine and paracrine system. 10. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6: These production by macrophages was diminished in aborted fetuses, premature infants and IUGR infants. However, in the infants of mother with intrauterine infection, cytokine production was elevated to the level in full term infants and adults. 11. IFN gamma: Production of IFN gamma by memory T cells was diminished in premature infants. B. The vertical transmission of HTLV-I. The routes of vertical transmission of HTLV-I are intrauterine, intra-birth canal and via breast milk. Bottle-feeding is an effective way of avoiding mother-to-child infection. However breast milk is necessary for optimal infant nourishment, so we use -20 degrees C for 12 hours freeze-thawing of breast milk.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Localization of stem cell factor (SCF) and c-kit mRNA in human placental tissue and biological effects of SCF on DNA synthesis in primary cultured cytotrophoblasts.

The supernatant of homogenized human placental tissues at early and late stages of pregnancy were found to contain 40-100 pg of stem cell factor (SCF)/mg of total protein by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. When the SCF mRNA expression was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the secretory type and membrane-bound type SCF mRNA were detected in the human placental tissues in the early stages of pregnancy and in a human placental cell line;tPA30-1 cells. However, the secretory type SCF mRNA was predominant and membrane-bound type SCF mRNA was absent or very weak in the term placental tissues. When the distribution of SCF mRNA and c-kit mRNA in the placental tissues was examined by in situ hybridization, SCF mRNA was detected in the cytotrophoblast, the intermediate trophoblastic cell column and the stromal cells, while c-kit mRNA was detected in the cytotrophoblast and the intermediate trophoblastic cell column. Both c-kit and SCF mRNA were absent or very weak in the syncytiotrophoblasts. The supernatant of primary cultured cytotrophoblasts and tPA30-1 cells were found to contain SCF. In cytotrophoblasts in the early stage of pregnancy cultured in the presence of recombinant human secretory type SCF, DNA synthesis was increased depending on the SCF concentration. These findings indicate that SCF is a cytokine which promotes the growth of placental cells by the autocrine and paracrine mechanism.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin-8 production by CD16-CD56bright natural killer cells in the human early pregnancy decidua.

Decidual CD16-CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells were sorted from the decidual mononuclear cells (MNC) at the early pregnancy using a fluorescence activated cell sortor. The CD16-CD56bright NK cell population occupies a major population in the decidual MNC, in contrast to a very small population (< 1%) in the peripheral blood MNC. These decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells produced a large amount of IL-8, i. e., mean of 96.7 +/- 19.8 ng/ml in the 24 hr-cultured supernatants without any stimulant, which was comparable to the IL-8 production by LPS-stimulated peripheral blood MNC. Most of the IL-8 was ascribable to the production from decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells. Intracytoplasmic IL-8 in the decidual CD56bright NK cells was also detected by flow cytometry. RT-PCR methods confirmed IL-8 mRNA expression in this population, while no or very scarce expression of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA was observed. The present study is a first observation revealing that decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells express IL-8 mRNA and produce IL-8.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

Detection and localization of interleukin-8 mRNA and protein in human placenta and decidual tissues.

It has been reported that interleukin-8 (IL-8) is secreted from the placental and decidual tissues and that IL-8 levels in the amniotic fluids are significantly elevated by chorioamnionitis or labor pain. The present study was aimed at defining the localization of IL-8 mRNA as well as IL-8 protein at the feto-maternal interface using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. Both IL-8 mRNA and protein were localized in cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast and Hofbauer cells of the placenta, decidual stromal cells, decidual lymphocytes and endometrial gland cells. IL-8 secretion from glandular cells has not previously been reported. In addition, we confirmed IL-8 mRNA expression and secretion of IL-8 by an endometrial cancer cell line (Ishikawa) using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods, respectively.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Presynaptic glutamate receptors facilitate release of norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine as well as dopamine in the normal and ischemic striatum.

We investigated the effects of selective glutamate (Glu) agonists on the release of monoamine neurotransmitters and their implication in the enhanced monoamine release in cerebral ischemia. In the striatum of anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, in vivo microdialysis was performed and the release of excitatory amino acids (Glu and aspartate (Asp)) and monoamines (dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector. (1) Forebrain ischemia by 4-vessel occlusion generated significant correlations between the Glu and Asp levels and the DA, NE and 5-HT levels (r = 0.922-0.967, P < 0.01, n = 6). (2) L-Glu and its selective agonists (N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate (KA)) evoked a simultaneous release of striatal DA, NE and 5-HT in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01, ANOVA, n = 8). The maximal monoamine release evoked by the Glu agonists showed different magnitudes in the order of DA >> NE > 5-HT (118-, 16- and 9-fold from the baseline levels by 62.5 mM L-Glu, respectively). Each Glu agonist exerted a different magnitude of transmitter release and the order of agonist efficacy was different among NE, 5-HT and DA release: AMPA = KA > L-Glu = NMDA for DA release, AMPA > L-Glu = NMDA = KA for NE release, and L-Glu = NMDA = KA = AMPA for 5-HT release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A study of CD45RO, CD45RA and CD29 antigen expression on human decidual T cells in an early stage of pregnancy.

The decidua is the place where the fertilized egg is implanted and where the immunocompetent cells of the mother come into direct contact with genetically disparate cells of the conceptus. Although the T cells in the decidua are exposed to fetal antigens, the fetus is not rejected by maternal immunocompetent cells. In the present study, we examined surface markers to determine whether the T cells in the human decidua are naive T cells without or memory T cells with a history of antigen stimulation. Although few T cells were present in the decidua, as compared to the peripheral blood, CD45RO+, CD29+ and CD45RA- CD4+ T cells as well as CD45RO+, CD29+ and CD45RA- CD8+ T cells, which are considered to be memory T cells, were in the majority, with only small numbers of CD45RO-, CD29- and CD45RA+ CD4+ and CD8+ cells, which are naive T cells, present. Also, the decidual mononuclear cells secreted IL-2 and IL-4. Since IL-4 is secreted only by memory T cells, it is suggested that in the decidua memory T cells increase in number and secrete cytokines, thereby in some way influencing the phenomenon of fertility.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

Expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and its receptor at the fetomaternal interface in murine and human pregnancy.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine which regulates proliferation and differentiation of neutrophilic granulocytes, and its receptor (G-CSF-R) is a member of the hemopoietic growth factor receptor family. We studied the expression of G-CSF and G-CSF-R at the fetomaternal interface in murine and human pregnancy. Immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization indicated that both G-CSF and G-CSF-R are expressed in mouse spongiotrophoblasts and placental labyrinths, and human placental cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. They were also detected in mouse decidual basalis cells and endometrial epithelial cells, and human decidual stromal cells and endometrial gland cells. These results suggest that G-CSF plays a role in decidual and placental functions by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1993

The effect of interleukin 2 and transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) on the proliferation and natural killer activity of decidual CD16- CD56bright natural killer cells.

The present study, using flow cytometry, demonstrated that CD16- CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells, which are abundant in the decidua, have both interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL-2R alpha) and interleukin-2 receptor beta (IL-2R beta). The NK activity and DNA synthesis of CD16- CD56bright NK cells were markedly elevated even by treatment with small amounts of IL-2. These results indicate that decidual CD16- CD56bright NK cells possess a high-affinity receptor for IL-2. Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2), which is contained in the decidua and is thought to serve as a major immunosuppressive factor, reduced the NK activity of decidual CD16- CD56bright NK cells, but it hardly affected the IL-2-induced augmentation of the NK activity or DNA synthesis of decidual CD16- CD56bright NK cells. The conclusion has therefore been reached that once IL-2 is produced in the decidua, the IL-2-induced potentiation of the NK activity of decidual CD16- CD56bright NK cells cannot be suppressed by TGF-beta 2.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1993

Elevation of amniotic fluid interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8 and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in term and preterm parturition.

We determined the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and IL-8 in the amniotic fluids from women with premature or term delivery. Cytokines were detectable even in the absence of apparent infection (group 1), but much higher cytokine levels were found in cases of intrauterine infection, particularly in cases of premature delivery (group 2). In cases of term delivery (groups 3-5), all of the cytokine levels showed c. 3- to 4-fold increase during labor pain (group 4) and an 8- to 13-fold increase in the presence of endotoxin (group 5), in comparison with the levels in cases where neither factor was present (group 3). Regarding infection, the cytokine levels were 20- to 30-fold higher in chorioamnionitis-positive premature delivery group (group 2), than in the infection-negative group (group 1). All the cytokines were simultaneously induced in amniotic fluid by labor pain and infection, and a significant positive correlation was observed among these three cytokine levels. In-vitro culture system and immunohistochemical study indicated that the cytokines in the amniotic fluid appeared to originate from trophoblasts and decidual cells. Thus, infection and labor pain may trigger the production of inflammatory cytokines at term as well as premature delivery and the determination of these cytokine levels will be a good indication for the prediction of the presence of intrauterine infection.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1993

Cytokine production by CD16-CD56bright natural killer cells in the human early pregnancy decidua.

Using a cell sorter, CD16-CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells were sorted from decidual mononuclear cells at an early stage of pregnancy. These cells were examined by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for their expression of mRNA coding for the following 12 cytokines: IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Although mRNA coding for every cytokine was detected in decidual mononuclear cells, mRNAs coding for only G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and LIF were detected in CD16-CD56bright NK cells. Also, the supernatant of CD16-CD56bright NK cell cultures was found to contain G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and LIF. These findings indicate that CD16-CD56bright NK cells produce many different cytokines and that these cytokines may play an important role in a successful pregnancy.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1993

Localization and production of human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hM-CSF) in human placental and decidual tissues.

The localization of the human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hM-CSF) in human trophoblast cells (syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast), decidual stromal cells, decidual lymphocytes, macrophages, and endometrial gland cells during the early stage of pregnancy was determined by the immunohistochemical examination and in situ hybridization. A large amount of hM-CSF was detected in the supernatant of the primary cultured cytotrophoblasts and decidual stromal cells. The decidual stromal cells secreted approximately 2 to 20 times as much hM-CSF as the trophoblast cells. Northern blot analysis showed that the placental and decidual tissues expressed the 4.0 kb hM-CSF-mRNA, however a larger amount of hM-CSF-related mRNA was found in the decidual than in the placental tissue. We also demonstrated the localization of hM-CSF mRNA expression in human decidual macrophages and CD16- CD56+ NK cells using the RT-PCR method. These findings indicate that hM-CSF is produced by decidual stromal cells, decidual macrophages, decidual CD16- CD56+ NK cells, and endometrial gland cells, as well as by trophoblasts. This increased production of hM-CSF may play a role in decidual function and placental function by the autocrine and paracrine system.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1992

A study on the placental transport mechanism of vitamin K2 (MK-4).

The present study was primarily concerned with in vitro investigation of vitamin K2 (MK-4) transport using human placental villous tissues, with the objective of elucidating the placental transport mechanism of vitamin K2. 1. When vitamin K2 (MK-4) was not administered to gravidae, the observed concentrations of vitamin K2 were 0.32 +/- 0.07 ng/ml in the maternal venous blood, undetectable in umbilical venous blood, and 1.01 +/- 0.37 ng/g wet tissue in the placental villous tissue. 2. When vitamin K2 was administered to gravidae, (20 mg/day x 7 days per os), the corresponding concentrations were 0.89 +/- 0.21 ng/ml in the maternal venous blood, 0.18 +/- 0.06 ng/ml in umbilical venous blood, and 5.38 +/- 1.05 ng/g wet tissue in the placental villous tissue. 3. In vitro studies using placental villous tissue indicated that vitamin K2 transport into villous tissue is not active, but suggested the existence of a highly vitamin K2 specific transport system in the human placenta. On the other hand, the results of comparison studies of transport of vitamin K2 and vitamin K1 into villous tissue indicated that transport activity with respect to the former vitamin was higher. Moreover, comparison of vitamin K2 transport into villous tissue at the end of the first trimester and at full term revealed that transport was somewhat higher during the final stage. In summary, the above results indicated that whereas transport of vitamin K1 into the fetus is not especially pronounced, transport into the placental villous tissue is comparatively good.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1992

Origin of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in amniotic fluid.

A large amount of M-CSF and G-CSF exists in human amniotic fluid and both are considered to have some physiological affect on maintaining pregnancy. We therefore examined the source of M-CSF and G-CSF found in the amniotic fluid. The average level of M-CSF in the amniotic fluid of patients without complications was 17.3 +/- 8.5 ng/ml and that of G-CSF 1.85 +/- 1.72 ng/ml, both being high values. In neonatal urine, the average level of M-CSF was also very high, 144.3 +/- 97.0 ng/ml, but that of G-CSF was below the determination limit of 60 pg/ml. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that production of M-CSF and G-CSF was localized in the epithelial cells of fetal membrane. On the basis of the above observations, M-CSF was found to derive from neonatal urine and the epithelial cells of fetal membrane, and G-CSF from the epithelial cells of fetal membrane.

Amniotic Fluid↗