Biomedical subjects

Naoko Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Naoko Watanabe.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Two-gene systems of vernalization requirement and narrow-sense earliness in einkorn wheat.

The genetic segregation of the heading trait was analyzed using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) of einkorn wheat, RILWA-1, derived from cultivated Triticum monococcum L., and wild-type T. boeoticum Boiss. The latency to heading was examined in 115 lines under controlled environmental conditions, as well as in the field, and the degrees of narrow-sense earliness and vernalization requirement were evaluated for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Single-marker analysis using 107 RFLP markers segregating in RILWA-1 detected 20 linking markers for heading factors. In all marker loci, the alleles for early heading were conferred by T. monococcum. In interval analysis of chromosome 5Am, two vernalization genes, Vrn-Am1 and Vrn-Am2, were precisely mapped to the Xcdo504-Xpsr426 interval on the central region of the long arm and to the Xwg114-Xwec87 interval on its distal region, respectively. Interval analysis also showed that two genes for narrow-sense earliness, designated Nse-3Am and Nse-5Am, were located on chromosome 3Am and 5Am, respectively. It was noticed that heading time in the field was determined mainly by Nse-3Am, suggesting that narrow-sense earliness is critical for heading in the field in einkorn wheat.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

Stimulation of osteoblastic cell differentiation by Notch.

Notch is a transmembrane protein that plays a critical role in the determination of cellular differentiation pathways. Although its importance in the development of mesenchymal tissues has been suggested, its role in skeletal tissues has not been well investigated. Northern blot experiments showed the expression of Notch1 in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells at early differentiation stages. When a Notch1 cytoplasmic domain (Notch-IC [NIC]) delivered by an adenovirus vector was expressed in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, a significant increase in calcified nodule formation was observed in long-term cultures. Activation of endogenous Notch in MC3T3-E1 by coculturing them with Delta-like-1 (Dll1)-expressing myeloma cells also resulted in a stimulation of calcified nodule formation. Not only affecting nodule formation, Notch activation also had effects on osteoblastic differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal cells. Osteoblastic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells induced by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) was significantly stimulated, whereas adipogenic differentiation was suppressed strongly, resulting in a dominant differentiation of osteoblastic cells. NIC expression in primary human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) also induced both spontaneous and stimulated osteoblastic cell differentiation. These observations suggest that osteoblastic cell differentiation is regulated positively by Notch and that Notch could be a unique and interesting target molecule for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Potentiation by human serum of anti-inflammatory cytokine production by human macrophages in response to apoptotic cells.

Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages leads to the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby preventing inflammation. In this study, we demonstrate that human serum potentiates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-beta, by PMA-treated THP-1 cells and human monocyte-derived macrophages in response to apoptotic cells, which results in great suppression of the production of proinflammatory cytokine IL-8. Human IgG but not its F(ab)'(2) suppressed the IL-8 production. Pretreatment of macrophages but not apoptotic cells with human serum or human IgG caused the suppression, suggesting that immune complex may not be formed with apoptotic cells. When FcgammaRI was specifically down-modulated by a monoclonal antibody, M22, the potentiating effects of human serum and human IgG on the anti-inflammatory cytokine production and the suppressive effects on IL-8 production were completely abolished. Thus, human IgG and FcgammaRI appear to be critical in leading to the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines by macrophage in response to apoptotic cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Peri-implant stress analysis in simulation models with or without trabecular bone structure.

Most 3-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses (FEAs) simplify the cancellous bone to a block and completely ignore its trabecular structure. Thus, a 3D FEA was performed to compare the peri-implant stress distribution of a model in which the trabecular structure was accurately simulated (precise model) with that of a model with a homogenous cancellous bone component (simplified model). In contrast to the simplified model, the distribution patterns and higher stresses in the precise model may explain the overall bone resorption at the implant-bone interface in load-related implant failures. Further studies using data from the jawbone and a more detailed implant simulation are planned.

Animals↗