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Sumio Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Sumio Watanabe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Protective effect of a novel rice extract against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rat.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective action of rice extract on ethanol-induced mucosal damage in vivo and wound healing of epithelial cells in vitro. Also, the effect of rice extract on gastric mucosal prostaglandin E(2) level, HSP72 expression, gastric acid secretion, and contribution of vanilloid receptor-mediated action was studied. In addition, using cultured gastric mucosal cells (RGM-1), the effect of rice extract on cytoprotection and wound healing of epithelial cells was evaluated. Rice extract significantly reduced gastric mucosal damage produced by ethanol in vivo, and heat treatment (80 degrees C, 3 min) of this agent did not alter its protective effect. Rice extract also protected RGM-1 from ethanol-induced damage in a dose-dependent manner. Rice extract accelerated wound healing of gastric epithelial cells. Our results demonstrate that rice extract could be an alternative ulcer treatment that provides cytoprotection and enhancement of wound healing not dependent on acid secretion, prostaglandin E(2) level, HSP72 expression, or vanilloid receptors.

Animals↗

Identification of ER membrane targeting signal of kinectin.

Kinectin has been identified as a kinesin receptor on endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER membrane binding domain of kinectin is still obscure and is thought to require a half of the molecule. To determine the ER insertion site, we produced several constructs around N-terminus of kinectin connected with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and visualized the distribution in Cos-7 cells. The fragment of residues 7-29 appeared in the reticular pattern exactly colocalized with the ER marker but did not remain for a long time. On the other hand, residues 1-106 maintained a reticular pattern for more than seven days. These results indicate that residues 7-29 of kinectin are sufficient for targeting to the ER membrane but insufficient for remaining on the ER.

Animals↗

The induction mechanism of the molecular chaperone HSP70 in the gastric mucosa by Geranylgeranylacetone (HSP-inducer).

To elucidate the induction mechanism of HSP70 by geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), we investigated GGA specific binding proteins using a GGA-affinity column. Alteration of chaperone activity of HSP70 and binding affinity of HSP70 to heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1) was evaluated in the presence or absence of GGA. The binding domain of HSP70 to GGA was also analyzed. A 70-kDa protein eluted by 10 mM GGA from the GGA-affinity column was identical to constitutively expressed HSP70 on immunoblotting. GGA-binding domain of HSP70 was C-terminal of the protein as peptide-binding domain (HSP70C). The chaperone activity of HSP70 and recombinant HSP70C was suppressed by GGA. Furthermore, dissociation of the HSP70 from HSF-1 was observed in the presence of GGA. GGA preferentially binds to the C-terminal of HSP70 which binds to HSF-1. After dissociation of HSP70, free HSF-1 could acquire the ability to bind to HSE (the promoter region of HSP70) gene.

Animals↗

Gene expression profiling following constitutive activation of MEK1 and transformation of rat intestinal epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Constitutive activation of MEK1 (caMEK) can induce the oncogenic transformation of normal intestinal epithelial cells. To define the genetic changes that occur during this process, we used oligonucleotide microarrays to determine which genes are regulated following the constitutive activation of MEK in normal intestinal epithelial cells. RESULTS: Microarray analysis was performed using Affymetrix GeneChip and total RNA from doxycycline inducible RIEtiCAMEK cells in the presence or absence of doxycycline. MEK-activation induced at least a three-fold difference in 115 gene transcripts (75 transcripts were up-regulated, and 40 transcripts were down-regulated). To verify whether these mRNAs are indeed regulated by the constitutive activation of MEK, RT-PCR analysis was performed using the samples from caMEK expressing RIE cells (RIEcCAMEK cells) as well as RIEtiCAMEK cells. The altered expression level of 69 gene transcripts was confirmed. Sixty-one of the differentially expressed genes have previously been implicated in cellular transformation or tumorogenesis. For the remaining 8 genes (or their human homolog), RT-PCR analysis was performed on RNA from human colon cancer cell lines and matched normal and tumor colon cancer tissues from human patients, revealing three novel targets (rat brain serine protease2, AMP deaminase 3, and cartilage link protein 1). CONCLUSION: Following MEK-activation, many tumor-associated genes were found to have significantly altered expression levels. However, we identified three genes that were differentially expressed in caMEK cells and human colorectal cancers, which have not been previously linked to cellular transformation or tumorogenesis.

Animals↗

Expression of HSP72 in the gastric mucosa is regulated by gastric acid in rats-correlation of HSP72 expression with mucosal protection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The real mechanism of adaptive cytoprotection in the gastric mucosa is not well established. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acid suppressing agents on a 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) expression, which is known as endogenous cytoprotective factor, in the gastric mucosa. Also, the association of gastric mucosal protective function against HCl-challenge was compared between HSP72-induced and -reduced group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of HSP72 was measured by Western blotting in the gastric mucosa before and after administration of famotidine or omeprazole. The gastric mucosal protective function against 0.6 N HCl was compared between control group and HSP72-reduced group. Also, the effect of increased expression of gastric HSP72 by additional administration of zinc sulfate or zinc L-carnosine, which is known as HSP72-inducer, on mucosal protective function was studied. RESULTS: HSP72 expression in the gastric mucosa was reduced by acid suppressing agents. The lowest expression level of HSP72 was observed 12 h (famotidine, H2-receptor antagonist) or 48 h (omeprazole, proton pump inhibitor) after administration. The gastric mucosal protective ability against 0.6 N HCl was also reduced when HSP72 expression was decreased by famotidine or omeprazole. This phenomenon was reversed by HSP72 induction by additional administration of zinc derivatives. CONCLUSION: Our results might indicate that the expression of HSP72 in the gastric mucosa is physiologically regulated by gastric acid, and that HSP72 induction could be important in view of mucosal protection especially when HSP72 expression is reduced by administration of acid suppressing agents such as proton pump inhibitor or H2 receptor antagonist.

Animals↗

Stochastic complexities of general mixture models in variational Bayesian learning.

In this paper, we focus on variational Bayesian learning of general mixture models. Variational Bayesian learning was proposed as an approximation of Bayesian learning. While it has provided computational tractability and good generalization in many applications, little has been done to investigate its theoretical properties. The asymptotic form was obtained for the stochastic complexity, or the free energy in the variational Bayesian learning of a mixture of exponential-family distributions, which is the main contribution this paper makes. We reveal that the stochastic complexities become smaller than those of regular statistical models, which implies that the advantages of Bayesian learning are still retained in variational Bayesian learning. Moreover, the derived bounds indicate what influence the hyperparameters have on the learning process, and the accuracy of the variational Bayesian approach as an approximation of true Bayesian learning.

Animals↗

Morphogenic protein epimorphin protects intestinal epithelial cells from oxidative stress by the activation of EGF receptor and MEK/ERK, PI3 kinase/Akt signals.

Epimorphin is a mesenchymal protein that regulates morphogenesis of epithelial cells. Our preliminary study suggested a novel function of epimorphin in enhancing survival of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Oxidative stress leads to cell injury and death and is suggested to be a key contributor to pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. This study was conducted to determine whether epimorphin protects IEC from oxidative stress. Rat intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6 was cultured with epimorphin (10 and 20 mug/ml), and the life span of IEC was assessed. The mean life span of IEC-6 cells was prolonged 1.9-fold (P < 0.0006) by treatment with epimorphin. We then examined the epimorphin signaling pathways. Epimorphin phosphorylated epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, activated the MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase/Akt pathways, phosphorylated Bad, and induced Bcl-X(L) and survivin. Hydrogen peroxide (1 mM) induced cell death in 92% of IEC-6 cells, but epimorphin dramatically diminished (88.7%) cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.0001). This protective effect of epimorphin was significantly attenuated by inhibitors of MEK and PI3 kinase (P < 0.0001) or EGF receptor-neutralizing antibody (P = 0.0007). In wound assays, the number of migrated cells in the wound area decreased (72.5%) by treatment with 30 muM hydrogen peroxide, but epimorphin increased the number of migrated cells 3.18-fold (P < 0.0001). These results support a novel function of epimorphin in protecting IEC from oxidative stress. This anti-oxidative function of epimorphin is dramatic and is likely mediated by the activation of EGF receptors and the MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase and PI3 kinase/Akt signaling pathways and through the induction of anti-apoptotic factors.

Animals↗

Zinc L-carnosine protects colonic mucosal injury through induction of heat shock protein 72 and suppression of NF-kappaB activation.

In this study, we investigated the effects of zinc L-carnosine, an anti-ulcer drug, on acetic acid-induced colonic mucosal injury and the correlation of these effects with expression of 72-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP72) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in rat colonic mucosa in vivo. After intrarectal administration of zinc L-carnosine, the rats received intrarectal infusion of 5% acetic acid (1 ml). The colonic mucosal damage was evaluated by macroscopic assessments 24 h after the intrarectal infusion of acetic acid. Expression of HSP72 in rat colonic mucosa was evaluated by Western blot analysis before and after zinc L-carnosine administration. NF-kappaB activation was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). Zinc L-carnosine inhibited visible damage in rat colonic mucosa by acetic acid. Expression of HSP72 was significantly increased at 6 h after zinc L-carnosine administration. Furthermore, NF-kappaB activation in colonic mucosa was suppressed 6 h after zinc L-carnosine treatment. These results suggested that zinc L-carnosine protects the colonic mucosa against acetic acid by induction of HSP72 and suppression of NF-kappaB activation and zinc L-carnosine may be a novel therapeutic agent for the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease.

Acetic Acid↗

A selective adenosine A2A receptor agonist, ATL-146e, prevents concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury in mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Concanavalin A (Con A) activates T lymphocytes and induces CD4+ T cell-mediated hepatic injury in mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), are critical mediators in this experimental model. Activation of adenosine A2A receptors reduces the production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppresses T cell activation. A selective adenosine A2A receptor agonist (ATL-146e) has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of inflammation by increasing intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) in leukocytes. The aim of the present study was to determine whether ATL-146e could ameliorate Con A-induced hepatic injury, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. METHODS: Balb/c mice were injected with 25mg/kg Con A with or without a single injection of ATL-146e (0.5-50 microg/kg), 5 min prior to Con A administration. Liver enzymes, histology, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-6 were examined. We also assessed the effects of ATL-146e on pro-inflammatory cytokine production with CD4+ T cell. RESULTS: Pretreatment with ATL-146e significantly reduced serum levels of liver enzymes (P<0.001). The serum pro-inflammatory cytokines were all increased after Con A administration and reduced to near normal levels by ATL-146e. ATL-146e also inhibited CD4+ T cell pro-inflammatory cytokine production. CONCLUSION: A selective adenosine A2A receptor agonist, ATL-146e, can prevent concanavalin A-induced hepatic injury that is presumably mediated by its anti-inflammatory properties.

Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists↗

Role of heat shock proteins (molecular chaperones) in intestinal mucosal protection.

Most studies into the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have primarily focused on the cytotoxic agents and processes involved in producing mucosal injury, including the immune system. However, less consideration has been given to the inherent mechanisms of cytoprotection and cellular repair in the intestinal mucosa. This review will focus on intestinal mucosal protection against cytotoxic agents and cellular stress mainly from the viewpoint of expression and function of heat shock proteins, in their role of "molecular chaperones," as internal cytoprotectants. Elucidation of such stress-responses in the intestinal mucosa may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of cytoprotection and cellular repair, and present new strategies for IBD therapy.

Animals↗

Is Mongolian gerbil really adequate host animal for study of Helicobacter pylori infection-induced gastritis and cancer?

BACKGROUND: Many researches have been published to understand the pathogenesis and mechanism of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-associated diseases, including gastritis followed by gastric cancer, using Mongolian gerbil (MG) model because Hp could be hardly inoculated in other animal species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the induction ability of heat shock protein (HSP70) and protective ability in the gastric mucosa of MG comparing with those of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, since HSP70 is a key molecule known to be involved in important biological activities such as apoptosis, carcinogenesis, and cytoprotection from cytotoxic damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Basal expression level and induction ability of gastric mucosal HSP70 were evaluated by immunoblotting and densitometric analysis in MG and SD rats before and after HSP-induction by zinc l-carnosine, gastric HSP70 inducer, administration. Mucosal protective ability against water-immersion stress-induced mucosal lesion was also compared. RESULTS: Basal expression level of HSP70 was not significantly different between MG and SD rats. However, HSP70-induction by zinc derivatives was not observed in MG. Mucosal lesion induced by water-immersion stress was significantly severe in MG compared with SD rats. CONCLUSIONS: MG might be special (not ordinary) animal, in which HSP70-induction was absent and has extremely poor mucosal protective ability in view of HSP-dependent cytoprotection in the gastric mucosa. Our results may suggest that MG is not an adequate animal to evaluate the effect of Hp-infection-associated gastric inflammation followed by development of gastric cancer.

Animals↗

Specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor ameliorates cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Type IV phosphodiesterase is a key enzyme to metabolize intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) expressed in inflammatory cells. The specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor that increases intracellular cAMP is known to be potent suppressor of proinflammatory cytokines. However, the effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on the development of pancreatitis has not been well understood. In the present study, we examined the effect of a specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor on experimentally induced pancreatitis. METHODS: Severity of cerulein-induced pancreatitis and pancreatic proinflammatory cytokine levels were studied with or without pretreatment with a specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor (rolipram) in Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS: Administration of rolipram clearly ameliorated severity of pancreatitis evaluated by edema, serum amylase (P<0.05), and lipase levels (P<0.05) in rats. Also, the level of pancreatic proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)) was significantly reduced when rats were treated with rolipram prior cerulein injection (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that intracellular cAMP and pancreatic proinflammatory cytokine level, which are regulated by type IV phosphodiesterase, might play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Decreased renal expressions of heat shock protein-72 and -25 are associated with renal dysfunction in biliary cirrhotic rats.

During the course of liver cirrhosis, severe renal complications frequently occur. However, the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction in liver cirrhosis has not been completely understood. In this study, we investigated the association between renal function and expressions of renal heat shock proteins (HSPs) in biliary cirrhotic rats. Following bile duct ligation (BDL), renal function and expressions of HSPs were compared in control and BDL cirrhotic rats. Serum BUN and creatinine levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats compared with control rats at 4 weeks post-BDL operation. Renal expressions of HSP72 and HSP25 were decreased with progression of liver cirrhosis in BDL rats by Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry revealed that expression of renal HSP72 was suppressed in tubular epithelial cells, and expression of renal HSP25 was suppressed not only in tubular epithelial cells but also in blood vessels in rats with liver cirrhosis. Renal expressions of HSP90 and HSP60 did not differ between control and BDL rats. Renal function was impaired in biliary cirrhotic rats with decreased expressions of renal HSP72 and HSP25. These findings suggest that decreased expressions of renal HSP72 and HSP25 may be a part of the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction in liver cirrhosis.

Journal Article↗

Hepatic gene expression in hepatocyte-specific Pten deficient mice showing steatohepatitis without ethanol challenge.

Hepatocyte-specific Pten deficient (Pten KO) mice possess almost the same hepatic lesions histologically as human NASH and are thought to represent some limited NASH patients. We analyzed a comprehensive gene expression of hepatocytes derived from 10- to 35-week-old Pten KO mice using the DNA microarray technology to find out the candidate genes related to development and aggravation of human NASH. Spp1, Vnn1, Itga6, Abcd2, Auh, Acox1, Pdk4, Cpt1a, Lcn2, Igfbp2, Gstm6, Socs3, Tgm2, and Aldh9a1 were regarded as the candidate genes related to inflammation. The candidate genes of fibrosis were Spp1, Ctgf, and Cyp2c39 and moreover Cidec and Spp1 were regarded as the candidate genes of carcinogenesis. To confirm that these genes contribute to the etiology of some human NASH, further investigations using human liver samples are needed.

Journal Article↗

Over-expression of 70-kDa heat shock protein confers protection against monochloramine-induced gastric mucosal cell injury.

The major heat shock protein, HSP70, is known to be involved in cytoprotection against environmental stresses mediated by their function as a "molecular chaperone". Monochloramine (NH(2)Cl) is a potent cytotoxic oxidant generated by neutrophil-derived hypochlorous acid and Helicobacter pylori urease-induced ammonia. In this study, to evaluate the cytoprotective effect of HSP70 against NH(2)Cl-induced gastric mucosal cell injury, rat gastric mucosal cells (RGM-1) were stably transfected with pBK-CMV containing the human HSP70 gene (7018-RGM-1) or pBK-CMV alone (pBK-CMV-12) as control cells. These cells were treated with various concentrations of NH(2)Cl. Cell Viability was determined by MTT assay and the direct plasma membrane damage was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation analysis. NH(2)Cl caused injury to pBK-CMV-12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. NH(2)Cl-induced gastric cell injury was significantly diminished in HSP70 over-expressing cell line (7018-RGM-1) both necrosis and apoptosis compared to the control cell line (pBK-CMV-12) transfected with CMV vector alone. These result suggest that overexpression of HSP70 plays an important role in protecting gastric cells against NH(2)Cl-induced injury.

Animals↗