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Biomedical subjects

N Nagata

Publications and source records attributed to N Nagata.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Glycyrrhetinic acid bound to 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat liver microsomes.

A binding protein which exhibits high affinity to [3H]glycyrrhetinic-acid in the rat liver microsomal fraction was solubilized with 0.2% Triton DF-18 and then purified to homogeneity. The equilibrium dissociation constant of the [3H]glycyrrhetinic-acid binding reaction and the maximal concentration for the binding of the purified protein, as determined by Scatchard plot analysis, were 27.6 nM and 7.79 nmol/mg protein, respectively. The molecular mass of the subunit (34 kDa) and 30 amino acids of N-terminal sequence of the purified protein were entirely the same as those of the reported 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD). In each purification step, the recovery and purification (fold) of the glycyrrhetinic-acid binding activity corresponded to the values of 11 beta-HSD activity. These results show that the purified [3H]glycyrrhetinic-acid binding protein is 11 beta-HSD. From the molecular mass of 11 beta-HSD (135 kDa) and the maximal concentration of the binding site, it was calculated that one glycyrrhetinic acid molecule binds to one 11 beta-HSD molecule. The inhibitory effects of various glycyrrhetinic-acid derivatives on [3H]glycyrrhetinic acid binding and 11 beta-HSD activity indicate that the C30-carboxyl and C11-carbonyl groups of glycyrrhetinic acid are the principal structures for the 11 beta-HSD inhibition.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases

A human osteoblastic cell line, MG-63, produces two molecular types of macrophage-colony-stimulating factor.

A human osteoblastic cell line, MG-63, mouse primary osteoblasts, and a mouse osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1, were shown to produce macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) by bone-marrow-cell colony assay, using a specific neutralizing antibody for M-CSF. Immunoblot analysis of M-CSF, produced by MG-63 cells, revealed the presence of a higher-molecular-weight species of M-CSF, in addition to the 85-kDa M-CSF. The higher-molecular-weight species had a high affinity to the DEAE-Sephacel column and was sensitive to chondroitinase ABC and AC. These physico-chemical profiles were wholly compatible with those of the proteoglycan form of M-CSF (PG-M-CSF), which was recently identified by our group in the conditioned medium of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the 4.0-kb cDNA of the M-CSF gene. Conditioned medium of MG-63 cells was fractionated by DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography, and the M-CSF of each fraction was measured by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and bone-marrow-cell colony assay. The fractions eluted by 0.3-0.6 M NaCl, which were shown to contain only PG-M-CSF on immunoblot analysis, also have macrophage-colony-stimulating activity.

Animals

Biological activity of a proteoglycan form of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and its binding to type V collagen.

Two different types of macrophage colony-stimulating factors (M-CSF) were found, one with an apparent molecular mass of 85 kDa and the other greater than 200 kDa. The high molecular mass M-CSF was identified as a proteoglycan carrying chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan and was designated as the proteoglycan form of M-CSF (PG-M-CSF). In this study, we compared the biological activity of the 85-kDa M-CSF and PG-M-CSF and examined the binding properties of these two M-CSF to certain extracellular matrix proteins, i.e. types I-V collagen and fibronectin, using a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PG-M-CSF was capable of supporting the formation of murine macrophage colonies, and pretreatment of PG-M-CSF with chondroitinase AC, which degrades chondroitin sulfate, did not alter its colony-stimulating activity. The specific activity of PG-M-CSF was similar to that of the 85-kDa M-CSF. The 85-kDa M-CSF had no apparent affinity for the extracellular matrix proteins examined, whereas PG-M-CSF had an appreciable binding capacity to type V collagen, but did not bind to types I, II, III, and IV collagen or to fibronectin. Pretreatment of PG-M-CSF with chondroitinase AC completely abolished the binding of the species to type V collagen. Addition of exogenous chondroitin sulfate inhibited the binding of PG-M-CSF to type V collagen in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that the interaction between PG-M-CSF and type V collagen was mediated by the chondroitin sulfate chain of PG-M-CSF. PG-M-CSF bound to type V collagen could stimulate the proliferation of bone marrow macrophages, indicating that the matrix protein-bound PG-M-CSF retained its biological activity. This interaction between PG-M-CSF and type V collagen implies that the role of PG-M-CSF may be distinct from that of 85-kDa M-CSF.

Animals

Identification of a high molecular weight macrophage colony-stimulating factor as a glycosaminoglycan-containing species.

Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with a 4.0-kilobase macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) cDNA express two different M-CSF species; one has an apparent molecular weight of 85,000 and is identified as a homodimer of a 43-kDa subunit, and the other has an indeterminate structure greater than 200 kDa. In this study, we investigated the structure of the high molecular weight M-CSF by immunochemical procedures. The high molecular weight M-CSF was easily purified, since it bound tightly to DEAE-Sephacel and eluted at a characteristically high salt concentration. The high molecular weight M-CSF migrated as a diffuse band of over than 200,000 on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Analysis of the same samples under reducing conditions revealed that the larger species consisted of a heteromer of the 43- and 150-200-kDa M-CSF subunits. Digestion of the 150-200-kDa M-CSF subunit with chondroitinase, which degrades the chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chain, yielded a 100 kDa band. This species was secreted instead of 150-200-kDa species when the cells were cultured in the presence of beta-D-xyloside, which inhibits the elongation of the chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chain in proteoglycans, providing additional evidence for the existence of a chondroitin sulfate chain in the 150-200-kDa M-CSF subunit. Removal of O- and N-linked carbohydrate from the 150-200-kDa subunit yielded a polypeptide chain with a larger molecular mass (approximately 45 kDa) than that of the 43-kDa subunit (approximately 25 kDa). Collectively, these results indicate that the 150-200-kDa M-CSF subunit is a proteoglycan with a core protein that may be an alternatively processed form of M-CSF.

Animals

Growth-inhibitory action of an estrogen-chlorambucil conjugate (KM2210) in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7: its relation to reduction of estrogen receptor and transforming growth factor-alpha secretion.

We investigated the effects of a benzoate of an estradiol-chlorambucil conjugate (KM2210) and chlorambucil on growth, estrogen receptor, and secretion of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha in the hormone-dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. In the presence of 10(-10)-10(-6) M KM2210, the estrogen-induced growth of MCF-7 was completely inhibited. Inhibited growth of MCF-7 treated with 10(-8) or 10(-6) M KM2210 for 4 days was not rescued by removal of the drug and the addition of estradiol. By treatment of MCF-7 with KM2210 for 4 days, estrogen receptor-binding sites were decreased at 10(-8) M and were not detected at 10(-6) M but were unaltered by 10(-8) M chlorambucil. Moreover, estrogen receptor immunoreactivity and the level of estrogen receptor mRNA were decreased through treatment with 10(-6) M KM2210 for 4 days. These suppressions occurred prior to the onset of inhibitory action on MCF-7 growth. Secretion of TGF-alpha from MCF-7 was decreased by 4 days of treatment with 10(-8) and 10(-6) M KM2210 but not with chlorambucil. The addition of exogenous TGF-alpha generally restored the growth of MCF-7 treated with 10(-8) M KM2210. We concluded that KM2210 has irreversible or at least long-standing inhibitory effect on estrogen-dependent growth of MCF-7. It is conceivable that the decrease of estrogen receptor renders the cell unable to respond to estrogen with increased TGF-alpha secretion and succeeding cell growth.

Antineoplastic Agents

Elevated neutrophil function in chronic neutrophilic leukemia.

A 65-year-old man with marked leukocytosis was admitted for diagnosis and treatment. His peripheral blood leukocyte count was 37,500/microliters and the leukocytes consisted of mature neutrophil-like cells. A high neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score and a normal bone marrow cell karyotype suggested that the patient had chronic neutrophilic leukemia rather than chronic myeloid leukemia. Several neutrophil functions, such as superoxide production, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction activity, and phagocytosis, were elevated. These data and the morphological features (toxic granules and Döhle bodies) indicated that the patient's neutrophils were in an activated stage.

Aged

Preparation and characterization of a mouse osteoclast-like multinucleated cell population.

We have reported that numerous tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (TRAP+ MNCs) are formed when mouse osteoblastic cells and spleen cells are cocultured in the presence of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3] (Endocrinology 123:2600, 1988). In this study, we prepared a TRAP+ MNC population using a modified coculture system and examined its osteoclastic properties. TRAP+ MNCs were formed in cocultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and marrow cells on 10 cm collagen gel-coated dishes. The TRAP+ MNC population was prepared by treating the dishes with 0.2% bacterial collagenase followed by density gradient centrifugation. The yield of TRAP+ MNCs was 20,000-40,000 cells per dish, much higher than that of osteoclasts (OCLs) isolated from neonatal rat bones (approximately 1000 cells per head). The purity of TRAP+ MNCs was 5.6 +/- 0.6% in cell number and about 30% in the number of nuclei. The recovery of TRAP+ MNCs after density gradient centrifugation was 30-40%. Acid production by MNCs was demonstrated by vital staining with acridine orange. Numerous resorption pits were formed when the MNC population was cultured for 48 h on bone slices. Autoradiography using [125I]salmon calcitonin (CT) showed abundant CT binding in most TRAP+ MNCs. Saturation analysis of [125I]salmon CT indicated a dissociation constant Kd for TRAP+ MNCs of 8.9 +/- 0.7 x 10(-10) M and 16.5 +/- 1.5 x 10(6) binding sites per cell. These results were similar to the Kd value (3.5 x 10(-10) M) and the number of binding sites (3.3 x 10(6) per cell) in isolated rat OCLs. Displacement curves for [125I]salmon CT with unlabeled salmon and human CT were similar in MNC and OCL preparations. Salmon and human CT increased cAMP production (maximal response: slmon CT at 10(-10) M, human CT at 10(-8) M; ED50s: salmon CT, 2.2 x 10(-11) M, human CT, 1.3 x 10(-9) M) in the MNC preparation. These results indicate that a large number of mouse TRAP+ MNCs possessing OCL characteristics can be easily prepared from in vitro cultures. This procedure will facilitate examination of mammalian OCL functions.

Acid Phosphatase

Distribution of calcium-activated neutral protease inhibitor in the central nervous system of the rat.

The ubiquitous existence of calcium-activated neutral protease (CANP, calpain), an enzyme whose activity is regulated by calcium ions and a specific endogenous CANP inhibitor (calpastatin), is well known. Although there has been much investigation concerning the distribution and role of CANP, investigations of the distribution of the CANP inhibitor using immunohistochemical techniques are rare. We made antiserum against a 40K fragment of cDNA corresponding to two C-terminal repeats of rat liver CANP inhibitor expressed in Escherichia coli. Using this antiserum, we examined the distribution of CANP inhibitor in the rat central nervous system by the ABC technique and compared it with the distribution of CANP. Neurons and glias were stained, with the cytosol stained diffusely and the cell membranes stained clearly and strongly. Axons and myelin were stained faintly, but nuclei and vessels were not stained. The distribution of CANP inhibitor was thus found to be similar to that of CANP.

Animals

Replication of human cytomegalovirus in the cells of the U937 monocytoid cell line.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in immunocompromized hosts sometimes occurs as a result of reactivation. Cells of the monocyte-macrophage linkage are suggested to be a site of latency and persistence for HCMV. The human monocytic cell line U937 was infected with the AD169 strain and a clinical isolate of HCMV. The expression of surface antigens on the cells was assessed by flow cytometry. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect viral DNA from infected cells. CMV immediate early antigen, early antigen, and late antigen (LA) were detected from both clinical isolate- and AD169-inoculated U937 cells by flow cytometry. CMV DNA which code major immediate early gene (US3) and LA gene (US14) were detected from the clinical isolate-inoculated U937 over a period of 31 days as tested by PCR. These U937 cells proliferated as well as uninfected U937 cell, but only a small number of AD169-inoculated U937 cells survived after 14 days of inoculation. Interleukin-2 activities were detected in the media on days 24-40 after inoculation with AD169. This chronic CMV infection model of U937 might be utilized to study the mechanisms of persistence and reactivation.

Antigens, Viral

The role of the rat submandibular gland in the excretion of bis (tributyltin) oxide: electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis and atomic absorption analysis.

The role of the submandibular glands in the excretion of parenterally administered bis (tributyltin) oxide (TBTO) was studied. Fine structural alterations of the submandibular glands were observed with an electron microscope. Accumulation sites of TBTO were determined with an X-ray microanalyzer and tin concentrations in saliva and blood were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Animals

Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens in primary pulmonary adenocarcinomas and their metastases.

To better understand the metastatic behavior of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, we studied the differences in carbohydrate antigens between primary tumors and their metastases using three monoclonal antibodies (FH-2 defining Lewis [Le]x, AH-6 defining Le(y), and FH-6 defining sialyl Le(x-i)) on 56 autopsy cases (including 15 cases in which primary tumors were surgically resected) and 116 cases of surgically resected pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Metastatic lesions were divided into two groups according to the route of metastasis: group 1 comprised lymphatic metastases, such as lymph node and contralateral lung metastases, and group 2 comprised hematogenous metastases, such as extrathoracic spread. Both primary tumors and metastatic lesions with well-differentiated glandular patterns showed higher positive rates for Le(y) than the poorly differentiated lesions. Such a difference in the antigen expression in relation to tumor differentiation was barely demonstrated for Le(x) and sialyl Le(x-i). Discordance in antigen expression between primary and metastatic lesions (ie, positive primary tumors with negative metastatic lesions and negative primary tumors with positive metastatic lesions) was observed in the following order of frequency: extrathoracic metastatic lesion, contralateral lung, mediastinal lymph node (N2), and ipsilateral peribronchial and hilar (N1) lymph nodes. This study revealed increased biologic diversity of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in cell surface antigens following tumor progression, especially in extrathoracic metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma

Time-dependent alterations of leukotriene production and catabolism in rat peritoneal macrophages following intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate broth.

Alterations of leukotriene (LT) productivity in peritoneal macrophages (PM) from untreated rats (control) as well as from rats treated i.p. with thioglycollate broth (TG) were investigated on days 3, 7 and 14 after TG administration. The resident PM from the untreated rats produced mainly LTB4 and 5-HETE with small amounts of 12-HETE and LTD4 with only a trace of LTC4 when stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187. The PM elicited from rats on days 3 and 7 produced more LTC4 than did the resident PM but fewer other lipoxygenase metabolites. On day 14, however, the elicited PM resembled the resident PM in terms of lipoxygenase metabolite production. Similar results were achieved in the presence of arachidonic acid and A23187. A decrease in lipoxygenase metabolism in the elicited PM was also suggested by using opsonized zymosan. Catabolism studies indicated a reduction in r-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in the elicited PM and suggested a reduction in catabolism for LTB4 in the former cells. The authors conclude that the TG-elicited PM generate fewer lipoxygenase metabolites than the resident PM following stimulation, but show a preferential conversion of LTA4 to sulfidopeptide LTs rather than to LTB4. The elicited PM also show a reduced catabolism for LTC4 and LTB4.

Animals

Auto-MHC class II-reactive T cell line obtained from MRL/+ mice suffering from lpr-GVHD. II. Analyses of functional characteristics of T cell line by in vivo administration.

Functional characteristics of an autoreactive (I-Ek-restricted) T cell line (l/+ T1), previously established from MRL/M(p-)+/+(MRL/+) mice with lpr-GVHD, were analyzed in vivo. Intravenous injection of l/+ T1 cells to non-irradiated H-2k (MRL/+ or AKR) mice (but not H-2d mice) induced enhanced spontaneous proliferation of recipient spleen cells; this was also I-Ek self-restricted. This augmented self-reactivity seemed to be mediated by recipient L3T4+ T cells, since few l/+ T1 cells were detected in the spleen cells of l/+ T1-injected AKR mice by cell surface marker analyses, and the treatment of the spleen cells with anti-Thy-1.1 antibody (Ab) or anti-L3T4 Ab plus complement abolished this enhanced spontaneous proliferation. The production of IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) in AKR mice and IgG RF in MRL/+ mice increased, although no enhancement of anti-ssDNA Ab production was observed. Judging from both spleen B cell proportion and serum Ig levels, autoantibody induction by the injection of l/+ T1 cells was not associated with polyclonal B cell activation. When lethally irradiated B10 congenic mice were used as recipients, B10. BR mice showed elevated levels of IgM anti-ssDNA and IgM RF 1 wk after l/+ T1 cell injection; it is likely that lethal irradiation causes autoantigens, particularly DNA, to be exposed. These findings suggest that the autoreactivity of l/+ T1 cells can be transferred to recipient L3T4+ T cells via T-T interaction or the immunological network, and that increased autoreactivity induces autoantibody production in the presence of autoantigen stimulation. In contrast to the stimulatory effects observed in AKR and MRL/+ mice, MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr(MRL/lpr) mice showed a different response to the injection of l/+ T1 cells; spontaneous proliferation of spleen cells and autoantibody production were not enhanced, and suppression of the mitogen responses was observed. It is discussed that lpr-GVHD may be due to these unusual features of MRL/lpr mice.

Animals

Functional analyses of lpr gene in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice. Role of lymph node stromal cells in lpr-lymphadenopathy.

To clarify the mechanism by which the lpr gene causes lymphadenopathy, we established an experimental system to induce lymph node (LN) swelling in unaffected mice. In MRL-(+)/+ mice that had been 5 Gy-irradiated and grafted with bone marrow cells (BMCs) plus LN from MRL-lpr/lpr mice, a remarkable enlargement of the LN grafts was seen. The enlarged grafts lacked normal LN structure and were indistinguishable from LNs of MRL-lpr/lpr mice. The induction of LN swelling by this method was achieved not only in [MRL-lpr/lpr-->MRL-(+)/+] but also in [MRL-lpr/lpr-->BALB/c], [MRL-lpr/lpr-->C3H], [B6-lpr/lpr-->B10.Thy1.1], and [B6-lpr/lpr-->BALB/c] combinations. Furthermore, the lpr/lpr LN grafts developed lymph node swelling even without the transplantation of BMCs. Most cells in the grafted LNs disappeared within a few days, and large clear fibroblast-like cells then became dominant for 1 to 4 weeks. Thereafter, lymphoid cells increased and had filled the graft by the 8th week. The LN grafts obtained from MRL-lpr/lpr (but not MRL-(+)/+) mice showed the ability to transfer LN node swelling into the secondary MRL-(+)/+ hosts two weeks after the primary transplantation. These results strongly suggest that the fibroblast-like LN stromal cells play a crucial role in lpr-associated lymphadenopathy.

Animals

Intracellular hydrogen peroxide production by peripheral phagocytes from diabetic patients. Dissociation between polymorphonuclear leucocytes and monocytes.

Although the standard assays for reactive oxygen species have been based on the measurement of those released into the extracellular environment, the microbicidal capacity to the engulfed microorganisms is mainly dependent on those released into the intracellular environment, such as phagosomes. We studied intracellular oxidative activities of individual phagocytes by dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation assay to investigate the relationship between the reactive oxygen species released intracellularly and the impaired microbicidal capacity in diabetic patients. Time courses of intracellular production of hydrogen peroxide by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) and monocytes were observed at the resting condition and after the stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA; 160 nM) by flow cytometry. Thirty-four patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 23 age-matched healthy volunteers were subjected to the studies. PMNL from patients with NIDDM showed a significantly decreased capacity to produce hydrogen peroxide after the stimulation (P less than 0.05 at 15 min, P less than 0.01 at 30 and 45 min). By contrast, intracellular hydrogen peroxide production by monocytes at the resting condition and an early stimulatory phase (8 min after the stimulation) was significantly (P less than 0.01) enhanced in patients with NIDDM compared with that in controls. Both the changes of intracellular hydrogen peroxide production observed in PMNL and monocytes from patients with NIDDM were in association with an increased haemoglobin Alc level in erythrocytes, but did not relate to total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the serum. The possible mechanisms of these dissociated changes in hydrogen peroxide producing capacity of phagocytes from patients with NIDDM are discussed.

Adult

Suction effusion fluid from skin and constituent analysis: new candidate for interstitial fluid.

The authors analyzed the constituents of effuse transcutaneous fluid, labeled suction effusion fluid (SEF), and monitored its glucose concentration during glucose loading in rabbits (Japan White, female) under pentobarbital anesthesia. The SEF was sampled by suctioning corneal layer-stripped skin at 400 mmHg absolute pressure. The SEF proved to have nearly the same concentrations as serum for lower-molecular-weight substances such as glucose, creatinine, and urea nitrogens, but not for higher-molecular-weight substances such as serum proteins. The SEF protein concentration was one-fourth that of serum protein. Proteins > 100 kDa molecular mass were barely detectable in the SEF. Monitoring of SEF glucose change every 10 min during intravenous glucose loading was successfully accomplished, and SEF glucose concentration followed blood glucose concentration with a 10-min delay. The SEF was thought to consist of interstitial fluid and/or effuse fluid from small vessels in subcutaneous tissue.

Animals

A case of pulmonary tuberculosis with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy diagnosed by sputum culture subsequent to open thoracic biopsy.

We report a case of pulmonary tuberculosis with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. Open thoracic lymph nodes and lung biopsy revealed findings consistent with sarcoidosis. Culture and special staining of the biopsied specimen for mycobacteria were negative. Culture of the postoperative sputum grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis and antituberculous therapy resulted in a decrease in sizes of the lymphadenopathy. A review of the literature, with emphasis on the differential diagnosis between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis, is discussed.

Aged

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-producing malignant lymphoma.

A 71-year-old woman with leukocytosis was admitted for treatment of malignant lymphoma. During the clinical course, neutrophilia of unknown origin occurred in parallel with the progression of the malignant lymphoma. The supernatant of lymphoma tissue culture contained a high titer of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and lymphoma cells were positive when immunohistochemically stained by anti-G-CSF antibody. Western blot analysis and mouse colony assay of the supernatant also confirmed that the lymphoma produced G-CSF.

Aged