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Biomedical subjects

S Yasuda

Publications and source records attributed to S Yasuda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist recognizes inter-species differences in angiotensin AT1 receptors.

Oral administration of the angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist 3-methyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl ]methoxy] pyridine (ME3221) inhibited the pressor response to angiotensin II at doses of 0.3-1.0 mg/kg in rats. A higher dose of ME3221 (3-10 mg/kg) was required to obtain the same inhibitory potency in dogs. The antagonistic potency of ME3221 for angiotensin II-induced contraction in the rabbit aorta (pA2 = 8.82) was about five times higher than that in the canine aorta (pA2 = 8.18). The inhibition constant of ME3221 for displacing [125I]angiotensin II binding to membrane fractions from the rabbit aorta (Ki = 3.84 nM) and rat liver (Ki = 2.55 nM) was significantly lower than that for the canine aorta (Ki = 84.5 nM), canine liver (Ki = 122 nM) and bovine adrenal cortex (Ki = 21.5 nM). In contrast, [Sar1, Ala8]angiotensin II had a similar inhibition constant (Ki = 0.85-4.67 nM) in the species investigated. Treatment with 5 mM dithiothreitol significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the angiotensin II-induced contractile response to 1.2% in the rabbit aorta, but it did not significantly reduce the response in the canine aorta (83.2%). Dithiothreitol reduced [125I]angiotensin II binding to membrane fractions from the rabbit aorta and the rat liver but partially inhibited binding in preparations that had a low affinity for ME3221. These data indicate a species difference in the angiotensin AT1 receptor: the canine and bovine angiotensin AT1 receptor has a relatively low affinity for ME3221 and is slightly resistant to dithiothreitol. The species difference in the angiotensin AT1 receptor reflects the in vivo efficacy of ME3221 in rats and dogs.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists

Fas/FasL interaction is not involved in apoptosis of activated CD4+ T cells upon HIV-1 infection in vitro.

In HIV-1-infected individuals, Fas expression and Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis of mature T cells are known to increase compared with those in normal individuals. To elucidate a relation between acute HIV-1 infection and the regulation of Fas/FasL system upon T-cell activation, resting CD4+ T cells were acutely infected or uninfected with HIV-1 and subsequently activated by phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin (PMA/IM). Four days after infection, when HIV-1 env gp120 is expressed in more than one half of activated T cells, Fas/FasL expression was analyzed by flow cytometry, and apoptosis-inducing activity of these activated primary CD4+ T cells on Fas+ Jurkat cells was examined. The level of Fas or FasL expression was not altered during acute HIV-1 infection. The enhanced apoptosis-inducing activity upon HIV-1 infection was observed in some individuals, but its activity was not Fas/FasL-mediated. These results indicate that HIV-1 infection is not necessarily associated with either upregulation of Fas/FasL expression or Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

NMDA receptors in the inferior colliculus are critically involved in audiogenic seizures in the adult rats with neonatal hypothyroidism.

The effects of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor antagonists were compared on audiogenic seizures in the rats neonatally exposed to propylthiouracil (PTU). The rats treated with 0.02% PTU through mother's milk during days 0-19 after delivery showed a high incidence of audiogenic seizures consisting of running fit (RF) followed by generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) after matured. The systemic administration with MK-801, a NMDA receptor antagonist dose-dependently inhibited both RF and GTCS. NBQX (6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione), a non-NMDA receptor antagonist, when systemically administered, failed to block audiogenic seizures. Audiogenic seizures caused a marked induction of c-fos messenger RNA (mRNA) in septal nucleus, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, amygdaloid nuclei, peripeduncular nucleus, and inferior colliculus, which was almost completely blocked by the pretreatment with MK-801. Bilateral microinjection of MK-801 into the inferior colliculus showed a tendency for inhibiting GTCS, but not RF, whereas CPP (3-(R)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid), a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist produced a significant inhibition against both RF and GTCS. These NMDA receptor antagonists administered into cisterna ambience, the floor of which is composed of inferior colliculus and neighboring structures, have shown potent blocking effects on both RF and GTCS. The present results suggest that NMDA receptors in the inferior colliculus, presumably in the subnucleus of external cortex may play the critical role in the initiation of audiogenic seizures in PTU-treated rats.

Acoustic Stimulation

Four cases of Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland detected with FDG PET.

In the cancer screening with FDG PET for 1,872 medical health club members, high FDG accumulation in the parotid gland was found in four males (age, 57-70 years). Warthin's tumor was confirmed by surgical pathology. The exact mechanism of high FDG accumulation in Warthin's tumor is not yet known. This tumor may be found incidentally during FDG PET studies. When high FDG accumulation is found in the parotid gland, integrated consideration of the results of the physical examination, medical history and 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy makes it possible to differentiate Warthin's tumor from other lesions.

Adenolymphoma

Accumulation of IL-12-activated antitumor effector cells into lymph nodes of tumor-bearing mice.

Simultaneous administration of high dose of IL-12 into tumor-inoculated mice resulted in a marked reduction of tumor growth in parallel with the augmented generation of cytotoxic T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells and IFN-gamma-producing Th cells. We found that these IL-12-activated antitumor effector cells preferentially accumulated in peripheral lymph nodes concomitantly with lymphadenopathy. However, IL-12 rather induced disappearance of antitumor effector cells including CD4+ T, CD8+ T and NK cells from spleen in spite of inducing splenomegaly. Lymph node cells obtained from IL-12-treated B16F0-bearing mice showed a marked IFN-gamma production in response to not only IL-2, IL-12, anti CD3 mAb but also B16F0 melanoma cells. Moreover, they could lyse B16F0 melanoma cells in a long-term cytotoxicity assay. It was also confirmed that IL-12-activated IFN-gamma producing Th1 cells were accumulated in tumor local site. Thus, IL-12 appeared to have a capability of stimulating selective migration of antitumor cells into lymph nodes and tumor local sites.

Animals

Reconstitution of immune systems in RAG2-/- mice by transfer with interleukin-12-induced splenic hematopoietic progenitor cells.

The administration of a high dose of IL-12 into the mice resulted in the induction of splenomegaly. From the flow cytometry analysis of cellularity in an enlarged spleen, it was demonstrated that Thyl.2-CD45RB-c-Kit + Sca-1 + Lin- hematopoietic progenitor cells markedly increased in IL-12-administered mouse spleen compared with untreated mouse spleen. The IL-12-induced hematopoietic progenitor cells showed a greatly enhanced colony-forming activity in CFU-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM), blast-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) and CFU-spleen (CFU-S) assay. Moreover, it was initially demonstrated that the transfer of IL-12-induced splenic hematopoietic progenitor cells into immunodeficient RAG2-/- mice caused a complete reconstitution of their immune functions including T- and B-cell-mediated immunity. Thus, the evidence that IL-12 has a capability of inducing hematopoietic progenitor cells possessing stem cell-like activity in vivo, indicated another important immunomodulating activity of IL-12 in immunotherapy.

Animals

Differential production of monoclonal antibodies to carbohydrate moiety or peptides moiety of glycoproteins by different routes of immunization.

The administration of ABO blood group active glycoproteins via the rear footpads of BALB/c mice with subsequent fusion of popliteal lymph node lymphocytes produced hybridomas differentially secreting antibodies to the peptide moiety of antigens. On the other hand, conventional intraperitoneal immunization of the same antigens and intraperitoneal boost followed by splenic lymphocyte fusion produced hybridomas differentially secreting antibodies to the carbohydrate moiety of antigens. Similar results were obtained in the production of monoclonal antibodies to erythrocyte membranes. Almost all hybridomas obtained by rear foodpad immunization secreted antibodies to the peptide moiety of erythrocyte membrane proteins, and those obtained by intraperitoneal immunization secreted antibodies to both peptide and carbohydrate moieties of erythrocyte membrane components. These results suggest the possibility of differential production of monoclonal antibodies to the carbohydrate moiety and the peptide moiety of some glycoproteins by different immunization routes.

Animals

Primary colorectal cancers detected with PET.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose can sensitively detect cancers of increased glucose metabolism. We describe three asymptomatic individuals who were found to have colorectal cancer and underwent potentially curative surgery. On the PET images, lesions were easily discernible. Our experience and the experience of others suggest that primary colorectal cancer can be detected with PET in a resectable stage. Our three cases are presented and the potential utility of PET is discussed.

Adult

Detection of HIV-Gag p24-specific antibodies in sera and saliva of HIV-1-infected adults and in sera of infants born to HIV-1-infected mothers.

Secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) is known to play an important role in the mucosal defense against a variety of pathogens. Although the role of IgA antibodies during sexual transmission of HIV is not clear, HIV-specific IgA antibodies have been detected in various mucosal secretions of HIV-infected individuals. Using a monoclonal antibody against human IgA, we established an ELISA system to detect anti-HIV p24 IgA antibodies in sera and saliva. We have analyzed the levels of anti-HIV p24 IgG and IgA antibodies in sera and saliva of 107 and 119 adults, respectively, with HIV infection at different clinical stages, and in the sera of 13 infants born to HIV-infected mothers. The level of anti-HIV p24 IgA antibodies was lower in sera and higher in saliva as compared to that of anti-HIV p24 IgG antibodies. Where the percentage of HIV-specific serum antibody-positive cases decreased with disease progression, that of saliva antibody-positive cases increased in AIDS patients. Among the 13 infants born to HIV-infected mothers, 7 infants were HIV-p24-specific serum IgA positive. These sera were negative for anti-HIV p24 secretory IgA, suggesting that some infants develop their own immune responses against HIV infection. Thus, the detection of HIV-specific IgA antibodies, especially in saliva, could be a simple and reliable test for the diagnosis of HIV infection.

AIDS Serodiagnosis

Chronic thyroiditis: diffuse uptake of FDG at PET.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and clinical importance of diffuse 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake in the thyroid gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,102 healthy subjects underwent whole-body positron emission tomography (PET). PET images were evaluated for increased diffuse FDG uptake in the thyroid gland. Serum free thyroxine and thyrotropin levels were measured in 36 subjects with increased uptake and in 36 matched control subjects without uptake. Antithyroid antibodies were also measured. Morphologic abnormalities were examined by using ultrasonography (US). RESULTS: Diffuse FDG uptake was found in three men and 33 women; the prevalence was significantly higher in women (P < .01). Thirty-five subjects were euthyroid; one had hypothyroidism. Antithyroid antibodies were positive in 27 subjects. In most subjects, US findings facilitated the diagnosis of chronic thyroiditis. In control subjects, the positive rates for antithyroid antibodies and US abnormalities were significantly lower than those of the study group (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Diffuse thyroidal FDG uptake may be an indicator of chronic thyroiditis. The actual prevalence of the disorder was not low in this series, and such lesions may be found incidentally at FDG PET.

Adult

Effects of dietary unsaturated fatty acid and chronic carbon tetrachloride treatment on the accumulation of oxidation products, alpha-tocopherol and liver injury in mice.

Mice, at weaning, were placed on a diet supplemented with beef tallow (BT), linoleic acid (18: 2n-6)-rich safflower oil (SO), alpha-linolenic acid (18: 3n-3)-rich perilla oil (PO) or docosahexaenoic acid (22: 6n-3, DHA)-rich fish oil (FO) to modify membrane fatty acid vulnerability to peroxidation, then carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was administered chronically. CCl4-induced liver injury, estimated using serum alanine aminotransferase activity and liver hydroxyproline content, was not different among the 4 dietary groups; however, the FO diet lowered the liver triacylglycerol (TG) level when compared with the BT and SO diets. The FO diet group exhibited a significantly higher level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver when compared with the three other dietary groups. Chronic CCl4 treatment decreased the proportion of eicosanoid precursors (arachidonate and eicosapentaenoate) rather than that of DHA, with the highest peroxidizability among major fatty acids in liver, and did not enhance TBARS formation in any of the dietary groups. The protein carbonyl content in the liver was similar among the 4 dietary groups but was decreased following CCl4 treatment. Liver alpha-tocopherol contents were affected both by diet and CCl4 treatment, and a positive correlation was observed between alpha-tocopherol and TG contents. These results indicate that increasing the autoxidizability of dietary fatty acids or the chronic CCl4 treatment did not synergistically enhance liver injury or the accumulation of oxidation products in mice.

Alanine Transaminase