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Biomedical subjects

M Inaba

Publications and source records attributed to M Inaba.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Vitamin D3].

With the application of biochemical technique came the discovery that vitamin D is metabolized sequentially to 25-hydroxyvitamin D in liver and then to 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1.25D), the hormonal form of vitamin D, in kidney. The latter process is strictly controlled with the demand of calcium and phosphorus. The produced 1.25D binds its specific receptor probably located in the nuclei. With the application of modern tools of molecular biology came the discovery that vitamin D receptor (VDR), which belongs to steroid receptor family, acquires increased affinity for DNA when it binds to 1.25D and then VDR complexes bind to DNA with its two zinc-finger projections. VDR complexes recognize vitamin D responsive element on DNA, two tandemly repeated hexanucleotide sequences separated by three base pairs. Furthermore, to interact with the VDRE, VDR complexes require nuclear accessory factor, which might be retinoid X receptor (RXR). As above, molecular biology helps us to extend our knowledge in the field of vitamin D.

Calcitriol

Detection of equine immunoglobulin-secreting cells by a plaque assay.

A protein A-hemolytic plaque assay was applied to detect immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing cells in horse peripheral blood, using pokeweed mitogen as a B lymphocyte activator. A maximum number of Ig-secreting cells was obtained when horse peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured in a medium containing horse serum. The number of Ig-secreting cells in young horses (2 years old) was lower than that in adult horses (6 to 23 years old). In addition, the plaque formation was unchanged from blood samples kept at 4 degrees C for 24 hours, while blood samples kept for 72 hours did not yield plaques. These results indicate that the plaque assay is a reliable and useful method for detecting Ig-secreting cells in the peripheral blood of the horse.

Animals

Enrichment of murine bone marrow natural suppressor activity in the fraction of hematopoietic progenitors with interleukin 3 receptor-associated antigen.

Natural suppressor (NS) activity has been identified in several sites of active hematopoiesis. In this study we characterized NS activity in murine bone marrow (BM) using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to interleukin 3 (IL-3) receptor-associated antigen (IL-3RAA) and various cytokines that exert a strong influence on hematopoiesis or lymphocyte interaction. NS activity of BM cells of relatively low density was enhanced by IL-3 or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). When the BM cells were separated into IL-3RAA+ cells and IL-3RAA- cells, the IL-3RAA+ cells demonstrated potent NS activity, whereas IL-3RAA- cells had either no or weak NS activity. The IL-3RAA+ cells showed non-T- and non-B-cell phenotype and had high affinity to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a marker for hematopoietic progenitors. In assays for hematopoietic activity, it appeared that the early differentiating progenitors (day 8 spleen colony-forming units [CFU-S], granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units [CFU-GM]) were enriched in the IL-3RAA+ cell population, whereas more immature multipotent progenitors (day 12 CFU-S, granulocyte erythrocyte macrophage megakaryocyte colony-forming units [CFU-GEMM]) were contained in the IL-3RAA- cell population. Both suppressor cells and IL-3RAA+ cells spontaneously developed from the IL-3RAA- cell population. These findings suggest that NS cells in murine BM are early hematopoietic progenitors and are probably committed to the myeloid lineage. Hybridoma cells established between the IL-3RAA+ cells and BW5147 cells produced suppressor factor(s). This finding suggests that the NS cells produce soluble mediator(s) that may be responsible for their suppressive action.

Animals

Analyses of acute graft-versus-host-like reaction in [MRL/lpr----MRL/+] chimeric mice using MRL/lpr-Thy-1. 1 congenic mice.

When MRL/Mp(-)+/+(MRL/+) mice are lethally irradiated and then reconstituted with MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) bone marrow and/or spleen cells, these MRL/+ mice develop "lpr-GVHD" which is similar to acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Using a Thy-1 congenic strain of MRL/lpr mice (MRL/lpr-Thy-1.1), we analyzed T cell subpopulations in the thymus and spleen of MRL/+ mice suffering from lpr-GVHD. lpr-GVHD was induced in MRL/+ mice by transplantation of bone marrow cells (BMC) from MRL/lpr-Thy-1.1 mice; severe lymphocyte depletion associated with fibrosis was observed in the spleens after 7 weeks of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Thymocytes of the host MRL/+ thymus were replaced with donor-derived cells from the early stage of lpr-GVHD, whereas in the spleen, a small number of host T cells (Thy-1.2+) (4-5%) were retained until the late stage of lpr-GVHD. Donor-type (Thy-1.1+) T cell subsets were not different from those of nontreated MRL/+ mice in the thymus, whereas in the spleen. CD8+ T cells (Thy-1.1+) reached a peak at 5 weeks after BMT, and CD4+ T cells (Thy-1.1+), a peak at 6 weeks. The elimination of T cells from MRL/lpr BMC had no evident effect on the prevention of lpr-GVHD. T cell subpopulations showed a similar pattern to GVHD elicited by MHC differences. Analyses of autoreactive T cells expressing V beta 5 or V beta 11 revealed that autoreactive T cells were deleted from the peripheral lymph nodes. Interestingly, the levels of IgG anti-ssDNA antibodies markedly increased, and both IgM and IgG rheumatoid factors slightly increased 5 to 7 weeks after BMT. These findings are discussed in relation to not only GVHD elicited by MHC differences but also autoimmune diseases.

Animals

Ontogeny of thymic B cells in normal mice.

Ontogeny of thymic B cells and their surface characteristics were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against B220 molecules (CD45, CD45R). A small number of B cells were detected in fetal thymus on Gestation Day 14 (approximately 3.5% of the low-density fraction). Similarly, the percentage of B cells in the low-density fraction was 3.2% on Gestation Day 18, and 3.5% on Day 1 after birth. These were the same level as that of adult mice. CD5+ B cells, which form the major population of thymic B cells, were also found in the fetal life (0.5% on Day 14 and 2.2% on Day 16 in the low-density cells). The percentage of CD5+ B cells in B cell-enriched fraction was about 65% on Day 1 after birth, which is the same level as that in adult mice. These results indicate that a small number of B cells or cells in the B-cell lineage are present in the fetal thymus and also suggest the importance of these thymic B cells in the negative selection of T cells during early developmental stages.

Animals

Hereditary high-potassium erythrocytes with high Na, K-ATPase activity in Japanese shiba dogs.

The sodium (Na) and potassium (K) concentrations and Na, K-ATPase activity were examined in erythrocytes from 24 Japanese shiba dogs and 79 dogs of 24 other breeds. Eleven of the shibas had erythrocytes with high K and low Na concentrations, together with high Na, K-ATPase activity (HK RBCs), while red cells from the remaining shibas and all of the other breeds examined showed low K and high Na concentrations, with no enzyme activity (LK RBCs). The concentration of reduced glutathione in HK RBCs was about five times that in LK RBCs. All the findings from HK shibas were in good agreement with those from HK mongrel dogs found in Japan previously. Since the shiba is a Japanese breed of dog, the results of the present study strongly suggest that the gene for HK RBCs may be inherent in dogs indigenous to Japan, particularly in shiba dogs.

Animals

Effect of alpha 1-blockade on diminished forearm blood flow in diabetics.

An increased risk of atherosclerotic disease has been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus. The present study was therefore designed to determine forearm blood flow (FBF) in patients with essential hypertension or those with diabetes mellitus with or without hypertension. FBF determined by venous occlusion plethysmography decreased with age in controls as well as in patients with essential hypertension, whereas FBF in diabetics was significantly lower irrespective of age or blood pressure. As a result, vascular resistance was significantly higher in diabetics than in controls or patients with essential hypertension. Glycemic control in normotensive diabetics during 3 weeks significantly augmented a diminished FBF. alpha 1-Blockade by oral administration of 1 mg of prazosin also augmented the diminished FBF in diabetics, in association with a significant decrease in mean blood pressure and vascular resistance. These results suggest that FBF may be a simple and useful index for determining arterial and/or venous distensibility, and that alpha 1-blocker therapy, in addition to glycemic control, may be a first-line antihypertensive treatment for diabetics with associated hypertension.

Administration, Oral

Characterization of B cells in human thymus.

The surface characteristics of B cells present in the human thymus were investigated. Cytofluorometrical and immunohistological studies, using anti-human IgM or anti-B cell monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; anti-Leu 12Ab, anti-Leu 16Ab, or L26), revealed that a small number of B cells are present in the human thymus. The thymic B cells were detected only in a low-density cell population, whereas in a high-density cell fraction, only T cells were found. In 15 cases, all of which the thymi were histologically normal, the percentages of B cells in the low-density fraction were 0.28% to 50% (6.8% in average), and Leu 1+ (CD5+) B cells in the low-density fraction were 0.1% to 26% (3.5% in average); approximately 50% of the thymic B cells were Leu 1+ B cells. These results indicate that B cells, especially Leu 1 (CD5)+ B cells, are also present in the human thymus, as suggested from our previous reports on mice.

Adolescent

Significance of proteolytic activity in 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Two types of HL-60 cells, 1,25-(OH)2D3-responsive ATCC HL-60 cells and 1,25-(OH)2D3-resistant LG HL-60 cells were used. Despite the presence of enough amounts of normal 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors, only 22% of LG cells matured after a 4-day treatment with 10(-7) M 1,25-(OH)2D3, while 80% of ATCC cells differentiated. However, 1,25-(OH)2D3 inhibited the proliferation of LG cells to the same degree as that of ATCC cells. 1,25-(OH)2D3 also induced (1) the ability to metabolize 1,25-(OH)2D3 to 1,24,25-(OH)3D3, and (2) up-regulation of the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor in LG as well as ATCC cells. Furthermore, the proportion of mature LG cells was 78% after treatment with 10(-7) M 1,25-(OH)2D3 for the first 48 h and 10(-7) M dbcAMP for the second 48 h, which was greater than that when treated only with 10(-7) M dbcAMP for the second 48 h (24.2%). These results indicate that 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor complexes function normally in LG cells at commitment step in cell differentiation. ATCC cells had a serine proteinase to destroy specific 1,25-(OH)2D3-binding activity of the unoccupied receptor and digest 53-kD receptor to a small fragment with a MW of 16.3 kD, while not affecting the level of the specific binding of the occupied receptor. Other cells, such as murine leukemia cells, M1, and human chronic myeloid leukemia cells, the differentiation of which is induced by 1,25-(OH)2D3, seemed to have the same type of proteinase, suggesting the physiological significance of this proteinase in 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced cell differentiation.

Bucladesine

Effect of dietary calcium on serum BGP (osteocalcin).

The present study was designed to clarify the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) intake on serum BGP (osteocalcin) levels. Twelve women with a mean age of 21.2 years participated in the study. After one week of normal Ca intake (mean +/- SE, 535 +/- 2 mg/day), a low-Ca diet (163 +/- 1 mg/day) was given for one further week. Additional asparagine Ca (3 g as Ca/day) was also given to half of the subjects. Serum total and ionized Ca concentrations as well as BGP, PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3 were measured at the end of each period. Amounts of Ca and hydroxyproline excreted in urine were also determined. The plasma level of ionized Ca was significantly increased without any change in total Ca in either group. Low and high Ca intake decreased and increased urinary Ca excretion by 28% and 56%, respectively. Serum levels of BGP and 1,25(OH)2D3 were significantly augmented along with a transient increase in urinary hydroxyproline excretion after Ca deprivation. These results suggest that serum BGP is increased after one week of Ca restriction in healthy subjects.

Adult

Effects of uremic serum on 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced differentiation of a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60.

The mechanism by which resistance to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) occurs in patients with chronic renal failure was studied. This agent induces differentiation and 1,25-(OH)2D3-24-hydroxylase activity in the mitochondria of the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, via a steroid-hormone receptor mechanism. HL-60 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% normal or uremic serum. Treatment of these cells with 10(-8)M 1,25-(OH)2D3 for 5 days in a medium containing 10% uremic serum from 4 patients with chronic renal failure resulted in a maturation of the cells amounting to 30.3 +/- 18.7% (mean +/- SD) and 32.5 +/- 11.2%, as obtained by NBT reduction assay and NSE assay, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those obtained with 10% serum from 3 normal controls (66.6 +/- 12.8%, 58.3 +/- 10.9%, p less than 0.02). The treatment of HL-60 cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3 in a mixture of 5% normal plus 5% uremic serum caused cell differentiation to an extent similar to that in 10% uremic serum, which suggests the presence of a substance(s) having 1,25-(OH)2D3-inhibitory activity in the uremic serum. Exposure of HL-60 cells to uremic serum significantly impaired their responsiveness to 1,25-(OH)2D3 as assessed by the induction of the cell's ability to hydroxylate the C-24 position of 1,25-(OH)2[3H]D3. The mechanism by which uremic serum confers an impaired cellular response to 1,25-(OH)2D3 seemed to be due, in part, to a decrease in 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor levels. A significant positive correlation was observed between intracellular cAMP levels and 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced HL-60 cell maturation. In summary, the mechanism by which uremic serum confers 1,25-(OH)2D3 resistance upon HL-60 cells seemed to be due to the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3-inhibitory activity in uremic serum, which may modulate cellular responsiveness to 1,25-(OH)2D3 by such mechanisms as reducing 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor levels in the cells, in part through alteration in cAMP metabolism.

Adult

Functional analyses of thymic CD5+ B cells. Responsiveness to major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T blasts but not to lipopolysaccharide or anti-IgM plus interleukin 4.

The function of thymic B cells in several standard in vitro assays was investigated. Thymic B cells, 75% of which were CD5+, showed a poor responsiveness to the mitogens LPS or anti-mu plus IL-4. Both proliferation and antibody formation were much lower in thymic than splenic B cell cultures. However, CD5- B cells purified using a cell sorter responded well to B cell stimulants, whereas purified CD5+ thymic B cells did not, indicating that CD5+ thymic B cells were unresponsive to B cell growth factor or LPS. Thymic B cells could be activated polyclonally by direct interaction with alloreactive T blasts, as manifested by DNA synthesis and antibody formation. These findings indicate that CD5+ thymic B cells may not be stimulated via sIg and IL-4, but require instead direct interaction with T blasts.

Animals

Hyperreninemia due to increased renal renin synthesis in BioBreeding Worcester rats.

It is well known that diabetes mellitus is often associated with hypertension. We previously reported the unresponsiveness of renin release to volume depletion with impaired renal prostaglandin E2 synthesis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. However, we have found that BioBreeding Worcester rats, spontaneously susceptible to diabetes mellitus either before or after the onset of diabetes, showed a pronounced fourfold to ninefold increase in plasma renin activity in comparison with control Wistar rats. Furthermore, these rats developed mild hypertension as high as 134 mm Hg after the age of 90 days. The hyperreninemia responded to 1-week sodium loading or restriction; the blood pressure increased during sodium loading. Oral administration of captopril (30 mg/kg) for 1 week resulted in a large blood pressure decrease (-47.1 +/- 5.9 mm Hg, n = 10) in comparison with controls (-17.0 +/- 4.7 mm Hg, n = 12). Vascular response to angiotensin II was also attenuated. Plasma angiotensin II levels were 5.7-fold higher and associated with a 1.5-fold increase of plasma aldosterone concentration compared with control rats, whereas angiotensinogen-plasma concentrations were lower than in control rats. The renal renin content determined enzymatically or histochemically was more enhanced in BioBreeding Worcester rats than in control rats, but the renal renin messenger RNA levels did not differ. These results suggest that the strain-specific hyperreninemia in BioBreeding Worcester rats might be due to posttranscriptional abnormalities of renal renin synthesis. Further work is needed to elucidate the specific mechanism or mechanisms responsible.

Angiotensin II

Thymic dendritic cells and B cells: isolation and function.

The thymus is the primary organ in which T cells undergo rearrangement of T cell receptor alpha and beta genes, positive selection for affinity to self MHC products, and elimination (negative selection) of reactivity to self antigens. These events require an interaction of the developing T cell with other cell types in the thymus. The latter include epithelial cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and the recently described thymic B cells the majority of which are CD5+. Here we review the identification and isolation of thymic dendritic cells and CD5+ B cells. We consider phenotype, ontogeny, and function, including possible contributions to the induction of self tolerance. Thymic dendritic cells are similar to spleen dendritic cells, but are larger and exhibit a few differences in phenotype. Dendritic cells from both organs are equally potent accessory cells for the MLR and lectin-induced, T cell proliferation. Thymic dendritic cells have higher levels of Fc receptors and support anti-CD3 dependent mitogenesis. Thymic CD5+ B cells share phenotypic features with peritoneal CD5+ B cells. However thymic B cells neither proliferate nor form antibody producing cells in response to the stimulation with LPS or anti-IgM plus IL-4, but do respond to stimulation with MHC class II-restricted helper T cells. Thymic dendritic cells and CD5+ B cells both appear at a similar time in ontogeny, about 14 d of gestation, which is the time T cell differentiation begins to take place. Dendritic cells from spleen, which are potent activators for peripheral T cells, are also potent inactivators for thymic-derived cytotoxic T cells. A correlation between reactivity to MIs products and the expression of TCR-V beta genes is well documented, and B cells are the primary APC for this antigen. Therefore, thymic CD5+ B cells may be a good tool for the investigation of tolerance to M1s products.

Animals

Enhanced efflux of actinomycin D, vincristine, and vinblastine in adriamycin-resistant subline of P388 leukemia.

In vitro cross-resistance of adriamycin-resistant subline of P388 leukemia to non-anthracycline agents-actinomycin D, vincristine and vinblastine was elucidated. Decreased uptake of these 3 drugs was observed with the resistant cells. In addition, 2,4-dinitrophenol, a metabolic inhibitor, greatly enhanced the uptake of these drugs by the sensitive and resistant cell lines, particularly by the latter, abolishing a difference in drug uptake between the 2 which was observed under the normal condition. These results suggest that adriamycin-resistant cells are endowed with an enhanced capacity for outward transport of not only anthracycline antibiotics, but chemically and pharmacologically dissimilar agents such as the aforementioned agents.

Animals

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 2'-substituted chelocardin analogues.

Chelocardin (1) was condensed with numerous hydrazines, hydrazides, and anilines, yielding 2'-substituted derivatives with antibacterial spectra similar to the parent antibiotic. The hydrazone derivatives 9 and 10 and the two anilino derivatives 42 and 44 had more in vivo antibacterial activity than chelocardin.

Animals

Histologic study of the regeneration of axillary hair after removal with subcutaneous tissue shaver.

It was observed that after subcutaneous tissue shaving for the radical therapy of hircismus and hyperhidrosis axillary hair often regrew. Histologic study of this phenomenon showed that hair bulb and most of the follicle up to a level near the sebaceous duct opening had been removed. Hair regrows from remnant outer root sheath, but only when sebaceous glands are preserved, that is when the upper portion of the follicular isthmus is intact. One or several solid epithelial pegs grow downward from the cut end of the trichilemma, and inner root sheath and new young hair are formed in its center. In hair peg stage, the lower tip of the hair follicle descends while new hair is growing in its center through the mitotic activity is growing in its center through the mitotic activity of hair germ cells and is prevented from pushing toward the skin surface by interlocking fusion between hair cuticula and sheath cuticula. Eventually, the epithelial cells wrap around a mass of mesenchymal cells and form a new bulb from which the terminal hair grows upward. The new matrix acquires a new complement of functioning melanocytes.

Adult