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S Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Hashimoto.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Cooling and rewarming-induced IL-8 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells through p38 MAP kinase-dependent pathway.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP) kinase is activated by various stresses; however, little is known about cold stress which has been shown to cause various inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we examined the effect of cold stimulation on interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression and a role of p38 MAP kinase in IL-8 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) in order to clarify the mechanism in hypothermic temperature-induced inflammation. The results showed that cold stimulation induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase but not IL-8 expression. IL-8 expression in BEC was induce when the temperature of incubation changed from 1 degree C to 37 degrees C (cooling and rewarming). The specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580 inhibited cooling and rewarming-induced IL-8 expression, indicating that cooling and rewarming-induced IL-8 expression in BEC was mediated through p38 MAP kinase-dependent pathway.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1998

Cloning of the TIS gene suppressed by topoisomerase inhibitors.

We recently cloned the cDNA TIS (topoisomerase inhibitor-suppressed) in RVC lymphoma cells exposed to the topoisomerase inhibitors. To elucidate the suppression mechanism of the TIS mRNA by camptothecin, we characterized the structures of the TIS gene. The gene spanned about 21 kb including 11 exons and was present as a single copy. The putative transcription site was present 192 bp upstream from the ATG codon. The typical TATA sequence and CCAAT promoter element were located at positions -21 and -81, respectively. The unidirectional deletion analysis of the 5'-flanking region revealed that [-132/+160] is the promoter region, which participates in the responsiveness to camptothecin. A Northern blot analysis showed that the TIS was expressed in most mouse tissues; at the highest level in the liver and to less extent in the heart and skeletal muscle. The present study showed that the expression of the TIS is suppressed at the transcriptional level by camptothecin. Considering that topoisomerase I is an essential enzyme in mammalian cells, the TIS protein may have an important role in camptothecin toxicity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Cloning of PCPTP1-Ce encoding protein tyrosine phosphatase from the rat cerebellum and its restricted expression in Purkinje cells.

Recently, cDNAs encoding brain-specific transmembrane-type protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) with single catalytic domain have been cloned. These include PC12-PTP, PCPTP1, PTPBR7, and PTP-SL, whose cytoplasmic domains had high similarity to STEP, a brain-specific nontransmembrane-type PTP. Based on the high similarity and expression pattern, PCPTP1 seems to be identical with PC12-PTP1 and to be the rat homologue of murine PTPBR7. Here, we report the molecular cloning and expression profile of PCPTP1-Ce, a variant of PCPTP1. Both PCPTP1 mRNA and PCPTP1-Ce mRNA seem to be derived from a single common region gene. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence comparison between PCPTP1-Ce and PCPTP1 revealed that the predicted protein product of PCPTP1-Ce is identical with that translated from the third initiation methionine of the longest ORF of PCPTP1, and that these two clones differ in the 5'-untranslated sequences. Northern blot analyses with specific probes for PCPTP1 and PCPTP1-Ce confirmed our previous observation that PCPTP1-Ce mRNA was almost exclusively expressed in the cerebellum, whereas PCPTP1 was widely expressed in various brain regions dissected including cerebellum. In situ hybridization study demonstrated that PCPTP1-Ce mRNA was exclusively expressed in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. In contrast, PCPTP1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in granule cells and less in Purkinje cells. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis using an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody raised against the cytoplasmic region of PCPTP1/PCPTP1-Ce demonstrated that Purkinje cells were strongly immunostained, whereas granule cells were stained only faintly in the cerebellum. These observations clearly demonstrated that PCPTP1-Ce mRNA and its protein products are expressed in Purkinje cells and suggest that PCPTP1-Ce may play an important role in Purkinje cell function in the rat cerebellum.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Bovine lactoferrin stimulates the phagocytic activity of human neutrophils: identification of its active domain.

Bovine LF (bLF) at concentrations in the range of 50-250 micrograms/ml enhanced the phagocytic activity of human neutrophils as determined by measuring the incorporation of FITC-labeled latex beads by flow cytometry. The stimulatory effect of bLF was not abrogated by hydrolysis with pepsin. Bovine lactoferricin (bLFcin), which is a bactericidal fragment purified from a pepsin hydrolysate of bLF (bLFH), also enhanced the phagocytic activity, whereas, in contrast, the fraction of bLFH depleted of bLFcin showed no stimulatory effect. The phagocytosis-enhancing activity of bLF still remained after washing the neutrophils, following exposure to bLF. Also, bLF pretreatment of the latex beads stimulated their uptake. These results demonstrate that bLF is effective in promoting the phagocytic activity of human neutrophils. This activity appears to be due to its bLFcin domain and may involve dual mechanisms of direct binding to neutrophils and opsonin-like activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Bifurcated dendritic cell differentiation in vitro from murine lineage phenotype-negative c-kit+ bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells.

We have recently established the culture system to generate dendritic cells (DCs) from murine Lin-c-kit+ bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) + stem cell factor (SCF) + tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). We present here the identification of two DC precursor subsets originated from HPCs with the phenotype of CD11b-/dullCD11c+ and CD11b+hiCD11c+ that develop independently at early time points (days 4 to 6) in the same culture conditions. Both of CD11b-/dullCD11c+ and CD11b+hiCD11c+ precursors could differentiate at day 10 to 14 into CD11b-/dullCD11c+ mature DCs with typical morphology, phenotype, and the ability to stimulate allogenic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). However, the endocytic capacity of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran was markedly reduced during the differentiation. CD11b-/dullCD11c+ precursors expressed high levels of Ia, CD86, CD40, and E-cadherin molecules, but not c-fms transcript, and mature DCs derived from this precursor subset continue to express abundant E-cadherin antigen, a discernible marker for Langerhans cells. In contrast, CD11b+hiCD11c+ precursors expressed c-fms mRNA, but low levels of Ia, CD86, and E-cadherin, whereas CD40 was undetectable. CD11b-/dullCD11c+ mature DCs differentiated from these precursors displayed abundant c-fms mRNA and nonspecific esterase activity. Interestingly, CD11b+hiCD11c+ precursors, but not CD11b-/dullCD11c+ precursors, may be bipotent cells that can be induced by M-CSF to differentiate into macrophages. All of these results suggest that CD11b-/dullCD11c+ and CD11b+hiCD11c+ cells are distinct DC precursors derived from Lin-c-kit+ HPCs, which differentiate into mature DCs through bifurcated and independent DC differentiation pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A novel isoform of rat estrogen receptor beta with 18 amino acid insertion in the ligand binding domain as a putative dominant negative regular of estrogen action.

A novel isoform of rat estrogen receptor (ER) beta, ER beta 2, which is a putative alternative splicing product of the reported ER beta (ER beta 1) has been identified. Rat ER beta 2 cDNA contains an additional, in-frame 54 base pair insertion in the ligand binding domain of ER beta 1, which generates an 18 amino acid residue insertion. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses revealed that ER beta 2 coexists with ER alpha and ER beta 1 in all tissues examined including brain, lung, liver, kidney, fat, bone, uterus, prostate, and ovary. The insertion caused loss of ligand binding activity of ER beta 2, whereas the ability to bind the palindromic estrogen response element (ERE) was retained. In an ERE-containing luciferase reporter gene assay using COS-1 cells, ER beta 2 failed to activate estrogen-dependent transcription. Furthermore, ER beta 2 dose dependently suppressed the ER alpha- and ER beta 1-mediated transcriptional activation. These results suggest that rat ER beta 2 functions as a negative regulator of estrogen action.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1998

Transcriptional regulation of muscle-specific genes during myoblast differentiation.

A rapid, highly sensitive method to determine the mRNA level of muscle-specific markers using TaqMan PCR analysis was developed and used to study sequential gene regulation of myoblasts during induced differentiation of C2C12 cells. mRNA levels of muscle regulatory factor (MRF) myogenin, alpha-actin, thermoregulatory uncoupling protein UCP2 and glucose transporter isotype glut4 increased rapidly during early stage differentiation. In contrast, myf5, beta-actin, UCP1 and glut1 mRNA levels gradually decreased during 8 days. However, the mRNA level of other genes such as MyoD, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and hexokinase II changed only slightly in comparison. Muscle-specific uncoupling protein UCP3 mRNA was detected during differentiation and increased rapidly within 8 days. These data clearly show the sequential and the differential regulation of muscle-specific genes in C2C12 cells during multinucleate myotube formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Isochronous storage ring of the New SUBARU project.

The aims of the New SUBARU project are to promote industrial applications in the VUV and soft X-ray region and to develop research and development towards new light sources. The main facility of the New SUBARU project is the 1.5 GeV electron storage ring which is under construction at the SPring-8 site in Harima Science Garden City, Japan. The storage ring is quasi-isochronous and has variable momentum dispersion for the deep study of beam dynamics in very short bunches.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

A crowbarless power supply for klystrons.

A new crowbarless power supply is to be installed at the New SUBARU storage ring. A high-power switching inverter unit eliminates the need for expensive and unstable crowbar circuits for the klystron power supply. It also realizes a very small voltage ripple in the low-frequency region. This is an important characteristic, especially in a quasi-isochronous storage ring such as New SUBARU.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Identification and characterization of a novel SH3-domain binding protein, Sab, which preferentially associates with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BtK).

Protein interaction cloning method was used to identify a novel molecule, Sab, which binds to the SH3 domain of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), the deficient cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase in human X-linked agammaglobulinemia and murine X-linked immunodeficiency. Immunoprecipitation using the anti-Sab antibody identified the protein product of the gene as a 70 kDa molecule. While Sab does not have a proline-rich sequence, it was shown to bind to Btk through the commonly conserved structure among SH3 domains. Remarkably, Sab exhibited a high preference for binding to Btk rather than to other cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, which suggests a unique role of Sab in the Btk signal transduction pathway.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1998

Chondrocyte-derived apoptotic bodies and calcification of articular cartilage.

Chondrocytes exposed to nitric oxide (NO) or antibody to Fas undergo cell death by apoptosis. This study examines structural and functional properties of chondrocyte-derived apoptotic bodies. In NO treated cartilage, the dense pericellular matrix that normally surrounds the cells is degraded and apoptotic bodies accumulate within and in the vicinity of the chondrocyte lacunae. Functional analysis shows that apoptotic bodies isolated from NO-treated chondrocytes or cartilage produce pyrophosphate. The levels of pyrophosphate produced by apoptotic bodies are increased by pretreatment of the chondrocytes with transforming growth factor beta and decreased by interleukin 1. Apoptotic bodies contain alkaline phosphatase and NTP pyrophosphohydrolase activities and can precipitate calcium. These results suggest that chondrocyte-derived apoptotic bodies express functional properties that may contribute to the pathologic cartilage calcification observed in aging and osteoarthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Deficient expression of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in monocytes from X-linked agammaglobulinemia as evaluated by a flow cytometric analysis and its clinical application to carrier detection.

The B-cell defect in X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is caused by mutations in the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). Using the anti-BTK monoclonal antibody (48-2H), a flow cytometric analysis of intracytoplasmic BTK protein expressed in monocytes was successfully performed. To examine the possible identification of XLA patients and female carriers by this assay, we studied 41 unrelated XLA families with (35) or without (6) known BTK mutations. A flow cytometric assay showed deficient expression of the BTK protein in 40 of 41 patients, complete BTK deficiency in 35, and partial BTK deficiency in 5. One patient exhibited a normal level of BTK expression. All 6 patients with partial BTK deficiency or normal BTK expression had missense BTK mutations. The cellular mosaicism of BTK expression in monocytes from obligate carriers was clearly shown in 35 of 41 families. The results suggested that most BTK mutations in XLA might result in deficient expression of the BTK protein. We conclude that deficient expression of BTK protein can be evaluated by a flow cytometric assay, and the clinical usefulness and limitations in diagnosis of XLA patients and carriers are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Chondrocyte apoptosis and nitric oxide production during experimentally induced osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Chondrocytes produce nitric oxide (NO) and undergo apoptosis in response to exogenous NO. This study sought to examine the relationship between NO synthesis, chondrocyte apoptosis, and the development of cartilage degradation during experimental osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: OA was induced in rabbits by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Knees were harvested after 4 weeks and assessed for OA severity and chondrocyte apoptosis. Conditioned media from cultured cartilage explants were analyzed for nitrite content. Cartilage sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of nitrotyrosine. RESULTS: All ACLT knees demonstrated osteoarthritic changes. Conditioned media from ACLT cartilage organ cultures contained higher levels of nitrite as compared with cartilage samples from the nonoperated side or from rabbits that had not received ACLT. Cultures of specific areas of cartilage from ACLT knees showed high levels of NO production in the medial femoral and medial tibial cartilage. Approximately 28.7% of chondrocytes isolated from ACLT cartilage and 6.7% of chondrocytes from cartilage of the nonoperated side underwent apoptosis. In situ staining demonstrated apoptotic cells in the superficial and middle zones of ACLT cartilage. A high number of apoptotic cells was present at the pannus-cartilage junction. In control cartilage, the superficial zone contained a small number of cells in apoptosis. The prevalence of apoptotic cells was significantly correlated with the levels of nitrite production and OA grade. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that, during the early phases of OA, NO production may lead to chondrocyte apoptosis, and that both events contribute to the pathogenesis of cartilage degradation. Inhibitors of NO synthesis and chondrocyte apoptosis may therefore be of therapeutic value after cartilage injury and in patients with OA.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Linkage of chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage degradation in human osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the occurrence of apoptosis in human osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage, and to determine its relationship to cartilage degradation. METHODS: Knee cartilage was obtained from subjects at autopsy, from a tissue bank, and from OA patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery. Chondrocytes were isolated and the number of apoptotic cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells in cartilage sections were identified by the detection of DNA strand breaks. Electron microscopy was applied to demonstrate morphologic changes, and Safranin O staining was performed to analyze the relationship between apoptosis and proteoglycan depletion. RESULTS: Flow cytometry on cell suspensions prepared from collagenase digests of cartilage showed that approximately 22.3% of OA chondrocytes and 4.8% of normal chondrocytes were undergoing apoptosis. Staining of cartilage sections demonstrated the presence of apoptotic cells in the superficial and middle zones. Cartilage areas that contained apoptotic cells showed proteoglycan depletion, and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly correlated with the OA grade. CONCLUSION: These observations demonstrate increased chondrocyte apoptosis in OA cartilage. Chondrocyte apoptosis and proteoglycan depletion are anatomically linked and may be mechanistically related.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Parathyroid hormone-related proteins is abundant in osteoarthritic cartilage, and the parathyroid hormone-related protein 1-173 isoform is selectively induced by transforming growth factor beta in articular chondrocytes and suppresses generation of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate.

OBJECTIVE: Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a major, locally expressed regulator of growth cartilage chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, synthetic function, and mineralization. Because mechanisms that limit cartilage chondrocytes from maturing and mineralizing are diminished in osteoarthritis (OA), we studied PTHrP expression by articular chondrocytes. METHODS: PTHrP was studied in normal knee cartilage samples and cultured articular chondrocytes, and in cartilage specimens from knees with advanced OA, obtained at the time of joint replacement. RESULTS: PTHrP was more abundant in OA than in normal human knee articular cartilage. Both demonstrated PTH/PTHrP receptor expression. PTHrP 1-173, one of three alternatively spliced PTHrP isoforms, was exclusively expressed and induced by transforming growth factor beta in cultured chondrocytes. Chondrocytes mainly used the GC-rich P2 alternative promoter to express PTHrP messenger RNA. Inhibition by PTHrP 1-173, but not by PTHrP 1-146 or PTHrP 1-87, of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) elaboration suggested selective functional properties of the 1-173 isoform. Exposure to a neutralizing antibody to PTHrP increased PPi elaboration by articular chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of PTHrP, including the 1-173 isoform, has the potential to contribute to the pathologic differentiated functions of chondrocytes, including mineralization, in OA.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of orally administered bovine lactoferrin on the immune system of healthy volunteers.

A protective effect of bovine lactoferrin (Lf) during lethal bacteraemia has been reported in mice. Also, protective effects of orally administered bovine Lf have been reported in cases of intractable stomatitis in cats and Cryptocaryon irritans infection in red sea bream. In this study, we examined the effects of orally administered bovine Lf on the immune system of healthy volunteers. Ten healthy male volunteers (age range of 31 to 55 years old) were given bovine Lf (2 g/body/day) for 4 weeks. Blood samples were drawn before, during and after administration of Lf. Phagocytic activity and superoxide production activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were evaluated from the number of PMN phagocytizing polymer particles and by the dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation assay, respectively. The expression levels of CD11b, CD16 and CD56 molecules on leukocytes were quantified using flow cytometry. The phagocytic activity of PMN increased during the period of Lf administration in 3 of the 10 volunteers. In 2 of the 3 volunteers in which the phagocytic activity increased, PMN expressed CD16 at higher levels corresponding to the increase in 3 of the 10 volunteers, whereas the CD11b+ lymphocytes and CD56+ lymphocytes increased in 4 volunteers including the same 3 volunteers who showed an increase in CD16+. These results suggest that the proportion of natural killer (NK) cells among the lymphocytes might have increased in these subjects. It was demonstrated that the phagocytic activity or superoxide production activity of PMN or the proportions of CD11b+, CD16+ and CD56+ in lymphocytes was influenced by Lf administration in 7 of the 10 volunteers, while the effects of Lf on the immune system differed in individual cases. These results suggest that Lf administration may influence primary activation of the host defense system.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Anti-inflammatory effect of YPE-01, a novel diarylheptanoid derivative, on dermal inflammation in mice.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of YPE-01, a novel diarylheptanoid derivative in vitro and in vivo. MATERIAL: In the in vitro study, rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells were used. For the in vivo study, ICR and ddY mice (male, 7 weeks old) were used. TREATMENT: In the in vitro study, the supernatant of RBL-1 cells lysate was incubated with 50 microM arachidonic acid (AA) and 0.01-100 microM test drugs for 15 min. RBL-1 cells were preincubated with 0.01-100 microM test drugs for 10 min before incubation with 0.5 microM calcium ionophore A23187 for 10 min. In the in vivo study, YPE-01 (0.1-3 mg/ear) was applied to the ear of mice at the same time as a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) application or 1 h before an AA application. METHODS: In the in vitro study, the amounts of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and leukotrienes were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and an enzyme immunoassay, respectively. In the in vivo study, a circular tissue sample from the ear of the mice was weighed. Statistical analysis was done using Dunnett's test. RESULTS: YPE-01 inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase activity (IC50, 0.28 microM) and the leukotriene B4 (IC50, 0.035 microM) and C4 (IC50, 0.046 microM) production by RBL-1 cells without any inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity in vitro. The topical application of YPE-01 significantly suppressed both the AA- and TPA-induced ear edemas in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: YPE-01 is a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor with a suppressive effect against dermal inflammation.

Animals↗