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Biomedical subjects

M Sugamata

Publications and source records attributed to M Sugamata.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Swift and definite serotyping for isolated Listeria monocytogenes strains.

The serotype is most important for molecular epidemiological analysis of Listeria monocytogenes (L.m.) contaminating marketed meats. An improvement on the traditional method was thus attempted in the present study because of the requirement of swift and definite serotyping. In the determination of O-antigen, definite judgement was allowed by an immediate cooling at 80 degrees C after autoclaving the bacteria. In the determination of H-antigen, use of a culture plate without Craigie's tube yielded the active bacteria only by single culture. The stable and clear agglutination in many samples was also obtained with a microplate using less antiserum. The availability was confirmed with 123 strains and the serovar 1/2b was dominant in the Japanese strains.

Humans↗

Biochemical and morphological changes in herniated human intervertebral disc.

The molecular and morphologic features of herniated human intervertebral disc tissues are of particular importance to clarify the pathogenesis. The present study analyzed the biochemical and morphological features of herniated intervertebral disc tissues to determine the constituent factors responsible for intervertebral disc herniation. A total of 32 herniated disc specimens and 4 control disc samples were analyzed. Collagen subunit composition, collagenase activity, lipid peroxidation level, caspase-3 activity, metal levels, morphologic studies, and genetic analysis were performed on herniated disc tissues of chronic (group A) and acute (group B) group and compared with findings of control group. Nick translation analysis in situ revealed apoptotic-positive stained DNA fragments as black-brown spots in herniated disc tissues. The presence of type II collagen in control disc samples and its absence in herniated samples were confirmed immunohistochemically. The increased caspase-3 activity, the apoptotic-positive stained DNA fragments, and the electron microscopic findings suggest enhanced programmed cell death in herniated discs. The significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels and collagenase activity, and the low metal levels suggest the enhancement of cell death signals in herniated discs, caused by oxygen stress. Linkage analysis of herniated disc tissues in Japanese individuals may suggest ethnic variation. These findings may be helpful in understanding the pathogenesis of herniated disc disease.

Adolescent↗

Direct detection of apoptotic cells in peripheral blood from highly pathogenic SHIV-inoculated monkey.

Apoptosis in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) has been estimated by the enhancement of spontaneous apoptosis after in vitro culture, because apoptotic cells have not been observed directly in freshly isolated PBL in the course of HIV/AIDS. In monkeys infected with a highly pathogenic simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV), which corresponds to rapid progressors of HIV infection, a high frequency of apoptotic cells was directly detected in fresh PBL by electron-microscopic studies. Peripheral blood apoptosis transiently occurred after intense plasma viremia, and peaking at 3 weeks postinfection; occurrence was not limited specifically to lymphocytes, but also occurred in other types of leukocytes. Apoptosis in peripheral lymph nodes was also detected following intense plasma viremia. However, the in vivo apoptosis was not detected in nonpathogenic SHIV-infected monkeys that showed no cell loss. Thus, we directly showed the apoptosis of PBL, which might be associated with pathogenic SHIV produced during the time of plasma viremia.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural evaluation of apoptosis induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in human gastric mucosa: novel remarks on lamina propria mucosae.

It has been considered that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of human gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcers (G-DU). Many investigations of the relationship between H. pylori and apoptosis have been reported recently. However, these studies focused mostly on epithelium, using the TUNEL method. In the present study, we evaluated by electron microscopy the occurrence of apoptosis in the mesenchymal cells of lamina propria mucosae infected with H. pylori. Gastric biopsy specimens from 37 H. pylori-infected G-DU patients and 8 noninfected volunteers were examined with both light and electron microscopy and analyzed by the TUNEL method. The TUNEL method showed no significant difference between H. pylori-infected and noninfected cases. In contrast, electron microscopy revealed significant numbers of apototic fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in H. pylori-infected lamina propria mucosae, with a diminished number of collagen fibers in surrounding areas. These areas showed edematous changes histopathologically. These results indicated that H. pylori infection induces apoptosis of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in lamina propria, with decrease in the numbers of collagen fibers, suggesting that these alterations may be affected by exaggerate acid secretion, decrease mucus protecting factors, and result in ulcer formation.

Apoptosis↗

Induction of autoimmune colitis by Yersinia enterocolitica 60-kilodalton heat-shock protein.

BACKGROUND: Many investigations of the relationship between ulcerative colitis (UC) and heat-shock protein (Hsp) 60 have been reported. We have already established an animal model exhibiting UC-like lesions caused by administration of Escherichia coli expressing Yersinia enterocolitica Hsp60. In this study, we therefore attempted to induce mouse colitis by purified Y. enterocolitica Hsp60. METHODS: Purified Y. enterocolitica Hsp60 was injected intraperitoneally into B10A/SgSn mice at a dose of 3 microg/0.2 ml once a week for 2 months, and morphological changes in the intestine were examined by light and electron microscopical analysis. Autoimmune responses were also examined. RESULTS: The mice treated with Y. enterocolitica Hsp60 exhibited immune reaction between large intestine and autologous serum. Light and electron microscopically, degradation of glandular ducts, erosions, ulceration, crypt abscess-like formation, infiltration of inflammatory cells and absence of perivascular reticular fibers in lamina propria mucosae and subepithelial reticular layer were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that administration of Y. enterocolitica Hsp60 induces UC-like lesions with autoimmune responses.

Animals↗

Mouse colitis induced by Escherichia coli producing Yersinia enterocolitica 60-kilodalton heat-shock protein: light and electron microscope study.

In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC), heat-shock protein (Hsp) 60 has been detected in serum and the intestinal tract. Our mouse colitis model was established using Escherichia coli transformed with Yersinia enterocolitica Hsp60 gene as an immunizing antigen, and examined light and electron microscopically as compared with lesions of UC. The large intestine of mice injected with Hsp60 antigen showed swollen goblet cells, glandular dilation, erosion, ulceration, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The change like crypt abscesses was also found, and various phases of inflammation were observed simultaneously in individual mice. In addition, the reticulum fibers were absent ultrastructurally in the subepithelial reticular layer. Hyperplasia of the thymus was found in antigen-treated mice. These lesions were similar to those of UC. These results suggest that UC-like enteritis in mice was induced by using Hsp60, considered as one of the pathogens for UC.

Animals↗

Exposure to diesel exhaust affects the male reproductive system of mice.

Several recent reports have suggested that sperm count and quality in normal men are declining. Various environmental chemical compounds may affect the male reproductive system. We propose here that diesel exhaust is an environmental pollutant with the potential to influence male reproductive function. Ultrastructural changes were observed in Leydig cells of mice exposed to diesel exhaust (0.3 mg diesel exhaust particles (DEP)/m3 through the airway, 12 h daily, up to 6 months) and reduction in LH receptor mRNA expression in Leydig cells was observed at a concentration of 1 mg DEP/m3. Daily sperm production per gram of testis dose-dependently decreased with exposure to DE for 6 months; 29%, 36%, and 53% reductions were observed at 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg DEP/m3, respectively. A no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was observed with approximately 30 micrograms DEP/m3, which is lower than the WHO-recommended limit.

Air Pollutants↗

The process of ultrastructural changes from nuclei to apoptotic body.

There have been many reports on the formation of apoptotic bodies, but little is known about the cellular pathological processes and the morphological changes involved. We induced apoptotic cell death by administering nivalenol (NIV), a trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, and investigated the ultrastructural process of formation of apoptotic bodies. The thymus was examined by electron microscopy 6, 12, and 18 h after administration. Apoptotic cell death was induced in the thymus of NIV-treated mice. The nuclei became invaginated and pinched off to give fragments, and crescent-shaped spaces (CSS) were found around the nuclear envelopes of these cells at quite an early stage. In some of these spaces, myelin figures were observed. We divided the process of formation into four stages and characterized each of them. These are easily recognized in morphological stages and are also useful for clarifying the apoptotic mechanism.

Animals↗

Suppression of arachidonic acid cascade-mediated apoptosis in aflatoxin B1-induced rat hepatoma cells by glucocorticoids.

It has been shown that hypophysectomy protects aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) hepatocarcinogenesis and the prevention of apoptosis is a critical process for tumorigenesis. In this paper, we analyzed the cell death of AFB1-induced rat hepatoma Kagura-2 (K2) cells elicited by an estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen (TAM), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) to elucidate the function of endocrine factors in AFB1 hepatocarcinogenesis. TAM and TGF-beta1 induced a typical apoptosis in K2 cells. The apoptotic cell death was efficiently suppressed by glucocorticoids (GCs), but not by other steroid compounds including 17beta-estradiol (E2). Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors such as aspirin (ASP) and indomethacin (IND) also inhibited the apoptosis, while inhibitory effects of general lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors such as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid (ETI) were not observed. TAM and TGF-beta1 enhanced the release of [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) from pre-labeled K2 cells, which was inhibited by dexamethasone (DEX). Furthermore, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity in K2 cells treated with TAM for 2 h was higher than that in the control. Prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2) and delta12-PGJ2, AA metabolites formed in the COX pathway, induced K2 cell death. These results suggest that AA metabolites are involved in apoptotic K2 cell death elicited by TAM and TGF-beta1, and GCs could act as a tumor promoter in AFB1 hepatocarcinogenesis through the prevention of apoptosis induced by AA metabolites formed in vivo.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Apoptotic cellular damage in mice after T-2 toxin-induced acute toxicosis.

By histopathologic, electron microscopic, and immunochemical observation, the mechanism of cellular death was investigated in thymus, spleen, and liver of mice given intraperitoneally sublethal doses of T-2 toxin, a trichothecene mycotoxin. In the thymus and spleen of mice given 5.0 mg/kg body weight of T-2 toxin and killed 12 hours later, a massive cellular destruction characterized by chromatin condensation was evident, and electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of apoptotic bodies. In the liver of mice given 2.5 mg/kg of T-2 toxin and killed 2 hours later, the induction of apoptotic cellular lesions was observed by electron microscopy, and Kupffer cells phagocytosed the apoptotic bodies. Such lesions were not observed in the mice killed 12 hours after receiving the toxin. In situ nick translation analysis (Tunel method) revealed DNA fragmentation in thymus, spleen, and liver shortly after administration of T-2 toxin. As previously observed in vitro, these findings indicated that T-2 toxin is a potent inducer of apoptotic cell death in thymus, spleen, and liver in vivo; especially in liver, apoptosis is induced rapidly as compared with the other tissues observed, and Kupffer cells play an important role for clearance of apoptosis.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural study of antral G cells in patients with duodenal ulcer: effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND: It is established now that Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with exaggerated gastrin release to meals and other stimuli and that the abnormal secretion of gastrin is reversed after successful treatment of the infection. By comparing morphology of G cells from the same patients before and after treatment, we were able to investigate the ultrastructural effect of cure of H. pylori on G cells. METHODS: Gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from 10 patients with duodenal ulcer before and 3, 6, and 9 months after cure of H. pylori infection. Negative controls consisted of four healthy volunteers without H. pylori infection. G cells were evaluated by immunohistochemical and electron microscopy. Treatment with H2-antagonists was continued for 6 months after cure of the H. pylori infection. RESULTS: Ultrastructural studies of secretory granules of antral G cells in controls displayed a broad range of electron density ranging from dark with a full appearance to totally electron-lucent with a "vacuolating" appearance. In duodenal ulcer patients before treatment, electron-lucent vacuolating granules predominated. After elimination of H. pylori, G-cell granules showed a marked increase in electron density close to that of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the density of granules of G cells is decreased in H. pylori-infected duodenal ulcer patients compared to that in H. pylori-negative controls and is consistent with enhanced gastrin release. Cure of H. pylori infection was associated with return to normal density of G-cell granules.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Novel monoclonal antibodies against microcystin and their protective activity for hepatotoxicity.

Six monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to microcystin-LR (MCLR), a cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin isolated from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, were produced. They showed the protective effects on hepatotoxicity of MCLR in vitro and in vivo, and on the inhibition of protein phosphatase by MCLR. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with various microcystins revealed that the six MAbs recognized a part of the molecule, in particular, a tertial structure around Adda, 3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8,-trimethyl-10-phenyldeca-4,6-dienoic acid. The specificity of these MAbs varied slightly. In primary rat hepatocyte cultures, all MAbs showed protective effects against the MCLR-induced cell damages, assessed by morphological changes, lactate dehydrogenase release into the medium, and a calorimetric assay to measure the cell viability using a tetrazolium dye. The M8H5 MAb showing the highest affinity for MCLR blocked the lethal effects and hepatocellular damage to mice. In addition, M8H5 MAb recovered protein phosphatase 2A inhibition by MCLR in a dose-dependent manner, while phosphatase inhibition by okadaic acid was not affected. Thus, the MAbs specifically reacted with the microcystins and prevented their biological activities. This is the first report on the protective effects of specific monoclonal antibodies on MCLR-induced toxicity.

Animals↗

Induction of apoptosis by T-2 toxin and other natural toxins in HL-60 human promyelotic leukemia cells.

Based on the DNA fragmentation profile in gel electrophoresis and the morphological changes in electron microscopy, the induction of apoptotic nuclear changes by mycotoxins and other microbial products, in total 31 chemicals, was investigated in HL-60 human promyelotic leukemia cells, along with the cytotoxicity tests with 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-zyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion. Among the chemicals tested, trichothecenes (T-2 toxin, roridin A, nivalenol, deoxynivalenol), certain anthraquinones (luteoskyrin, skyrin, 2-hydroxyemodin), diketopiperazines (emethallicin A, emestrin), isocoumarins (ochratoxin A, citrinin), lactone (penicillic acid), dihydrobisfuran (aflatoxin B1), potassium ionophore (valinomycin), and an inhibitor of interleukin-2 synthesis (cyclosporin A) were positive for the induction of DNA fragmentation. No DNA fragmentation was observed under the present conditions with fumonisin B1, cyclic peptides (cyclochlorotine, phalloidin, microcystin-LR), certain anthraquinones (emodin, chrysophanol, rugulosin), and others (sterigmatocystin, cytochalasin A, griseofulvin, fusaric acid, kojic acid, rubratoxin B, butenolide, wortmannin, FK506, and sphingosine). The apoptotic changes in the cells exposed to T-2 toxin and luteoskyrin were confirmed by electron microscopic observation. Detailed experiments on dose and time dependencies revealed that T-2 toxin induced the apoptosis at 10 ng/ml (= 4 x 10(-8) M) levels within 2-6 hr without significant cytotoxicity evaluated by the dye exclusion and MTT.

Anthraquinones↗

Paralysis of street rabies virus-infected mice is dependent on T lymphocytes.

Street rabies virus (SRV)-infected T-lymphocyte-deficient (nude) mice, in contrast to euthymic mice, did not develop hindlimb paralysis prior to death. To document the role of T lymphocytes in rabies virus-associated paralysis, 10(8) spleen cells from normal immunocompetent euthymic mice were transferred to nude mice and the recipient mice were challenged with SRV. One hundred percent of the reconstituted mice developed paralysis and died. Depletion of T cells from the donor spleen suspension prior to transfer abrogated the development of paralysis but did not prevent the deaths of the recipient animals. Mice receiving 10(8) rabies virus-immune spleen cells did not become paralyzed and did not die. Nude mice inoculated with either rabies virus-immune or normal mouse serum prior to and following SRV inoculation did not develop paralysis. Immune serum protected the mice, whereas animals inoculated with normal serum died. Central nervous system inflammatory responses in nude mice immunologically reconstituted with normal spleen cells were characterized by diffuse cellular infiltrates in the parenchyma and extensive perivascular cuffing. Perivascular infiltrates included CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes and Mac-1+ macrophage-microglial cells. Inflammatory cells in the parenchyma were limited to CD8+ lymphocytes and Mac-1+ cells. These observations indicate that paralysis of SRV-infected mice is dependent on T lymphocytes. Whether injury leading to paralysis is mediated by T lymphocytes or by an influence of T lymphocytes on macrophage-microglial cells or other cells remains to be determined.

Animals↗

Detection of anti-rabies virus cytotoxic T lymphocytes in mice of four distinct H-2 haplotypes using target cells persistently infected with ERA rabies virus.

Cells persistently infected with Evelyn-Rokitnicki-Abelseth (ERA) rabies virus were established. The cells were used as stimulator and target cells to compare H-2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses specific for rabies virus in A/WySnJ (H-2a), C57BL/6J (H-2b), BALB/cByJ (H-2d), A.SW/SnJ (H-2s) and SJL/J (H-2s) mice. Using a 51chromium release assay, it was determined that an effector/target (E/T) ratio of 5:1 was necessary to demonstrate specific lysis of ERA virus persistently infected mouse neuroblastoma (MNB) (H-2a), EL-4 (H-2b) and P815 (H-2d) cells. Effectors at an E:T ratio of only 0.05:1 specifically lysed an SV-40 transformed SJL/J mouse fibroblast (SSSV) (H-2s) target monolayer. The CTL destruction of the SSSV monolayer was observed visually following Giemsa staining. This is the first instance in which a detailed method for detection of murine anti-rabies virus CTLs has been reported. Furthermore, it is the first time target cells persistently infected with rabies virus were used as stimulator cells to amplify CTLs in vitro and as target cells in the CTL assay. It also is the initial report in which rabies specific CTLs were characterized in H-2d and H-2s rabies virus infected mice.

Animals↗

Seroepidemiological study of infection with West Nile virus in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1983 and 1985.

The prevalence of West Nile (WN) virus infection in Karachi, Pakistan, was unknown until 1982. It had been noticed that there were more than a few patients with encephalitides in Karachi, and it was supposed that Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases would be found among them. Therefore, a seroepidemiological study was conducted to define the prevalence of WN virus infection and the possible occurrence of JE virus infection in the Karachi area. Prevalences of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization (NT) antibodies against WN virus were studied among 81 serum samples (in July, 33 samples; in September, 48) during 1983, and among 156 paired serum samples that were collected twice, in July and October of 1985. Nearly the same antibody-positive rates were obtained in July of both years (1983: HI 55%; 1985: HI 53%; NT 50%); the rates increased slightly during September/October (1983: HI 65%; 1985: HI 59%, NT 54%). Among 156 paired samples in 1985, 20 (13%) and 12 (8%) showed positive- or negative-antibody conversion between July and October. Two serum samples from each of 156 residents obtained in July had a significantly higher NT antibody titre against JE virus than against WN virus (in case 1, JE 1:80, WN less than 1:10; in case 2, JE 1:40, WN less than 1:10). This is the first report to show the prevalence of WN virus infection in Karachi, Pakistan.

Antibodies, Viral↗