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T Kurashige

Publications and source records attributed to T Kurashige.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Ny-ESO-1 expression and immunogenicity associated with transitional cell carcinoma: correlation with tumor grade.

NY-ESO-1 mRNA expression in transitional cell carcinoma was investigated by reverse transcription-PCR and immunohistochemistry. NY-ESO-1 mRNA was detected in 20 of 62 (32%) tumor specimens. There was a correlation between NY-ESO-1 expression and tumor grade: 0 of 4 (0%) grade 1 (G1), 6 of 26 (23%) grade 2 (G2), and 14 of 32 (44%) grade 3 (G3) tumors were NY-ESO-1 mRNA positive. Immunohistochemical analysis using NY-ESO-1-specific monoclonal antibody ES121 showed that 2 of 14 NY-ESO-1 mRNA-expressing G3 tumors were positive for NY-ESO-1. No NY-ESO-1 staining was observed in the panel of 30 G1 or G2 tumor specimens, including 6 NY-ESO-1 mRNA-positive cases. Sera from an expanded panel of 124 patients with transitional cell carcinoma were tested for the presence of NY-ESO-1 antibody. Seropositivity was observed in 9 of 72 (12.5%) patients with G3 tumors, whereas none of 52 patients with G1 or G2 tumors produced antibody against NY-ESO-1. In the 9 positive patients with NY-ESO-1 antibody, 4 had muscular invasive tumors, and 5 had carcinoma in situ.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Identification of proacrosin binding protein sp32 precursor as a human cancer/testis antigen.

Serological expression cloning of antigens eliciting a humoral immune response to a syngeneic mouse sarcoma identified pem (mouse placenta and embryonic expression gene) as a new member of the cancer/testis family. To identify the human homologue of pem, mouse pem sequences and pem-related expressed sequence tags from human testis were used as PCR primers for amplification using human testis cDNA. However, rather than pem, another gene, designated OY-TES-1, was isolated and found to be the human homologue of proacrosin binding protein sp32 precursor originally identified in mouse, guinea pig, and pig. OY-TES-1 maps to chromosome 12p12-p13 and contains 10 exons. Southern blot analysis suggests the presence of two OY-TES-1-related genes in the human genome. In normal tissues, OY-TES-1 mRNA was expressed only in testis, whereas in malignant tissues, a variable proportion of a wide array of cancers, including bladder, breast, lung, liver, and colon cancers, expressed OY-TES-1. Serological survey of 362 cancer patients with a range of different cancers showed antibody to OY-TES-1 in 25 patients. No OY-TES-1 sera reactivity was found in 20 normal individuals. These findings indicate that OY-TES-1 is an additional member of the cancer/testis family of antigens and that OY-TES-1 is immunogenic in humans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of positive anticardiolipin antibody in benign infantile convulsion.

We report six anticardiolipin antibody (aCL)-positive cases among 18 children with epilepsy showing various seizure types in our initial study. These six cases revealed normal coagulation tests. As three of these six cases involved benign infantile convulsion (BIC), we further investigated the high frequency of positive aCL-Immunoglobulin (Ig) G in BIC in our subsequent study of nine cases that included three cases from the previous study and an additional six BIC cases followed and/or diagnosed by co-author (T.K.). As a result, eight of nine BIC cases were positive for aCL-IgG and the values of aCL-IgG decreased over long-term observation in three of these cases. The frequency of positivity for aCL-IgG in BIC was obviously higher than that of controls. Based on these results, we suggest that some immunological responses may be responsible for the pathogenesis of BIC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Differentiation stages of eosinophils characterized by hyaluronic acid binding via CD44 and responsiveness to stimuli.

To characterize interleukin (IL)-5-induced eosinophils, we examined the expression of CD44, very late antigen (VLA)-4, and the IL-5 receptor alpha chain, as well as the levels of eosinophil peroxidase and the generation of superoxide. Eosinophils were prepared from IL-5-transgenic mice, then characterized using electron microscopy to determine their responses to stimuli. Whereas CD44 densities remained almost constant, the level of VLA-4 increased in parallel with eosinophil maturation. Although a subset of IL-5-induced eosinophils with high side scatter recovered from bone marrow and rare ones found in blood recognized hyaluronic acid (HA), most did not have this property. Bone marrow eosinophils with high side scatter and lower density contained eosinophil peroxidase, not only in granules, but also in membranous structures for 30% of this population. This population developed HA-binding ability in response to IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, eotaxin, nerve growth factor (NGF), and opsonized zymosan (OZ). Peripheral blood eosinophils acquired HA-binding ability in response to the same stimuli, but their responses were less than those of bone marrow eosinophils with high levels of side scatter. However, splenic eosinophils did not respond to these stimuli. Although peripheral blood eosinophils did not proliferate when stimulated by IL-5, these were the only cells that released eosinophil peroxidase in response to IL-4, MIP-2, MCP-1, eotaxin, NGF, and OZ. With the exception of a subset of bone marrow eosinophils, the ability to acquire HA binding, but not the ability to generate superoxide, correlated with eosinophil peroxidase activity and major basic protein accumulation in the granules of maturing cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Intractable Q fever treated with recombinant gamma interferon.

A 3-year-old boy with Q fever received several kinds of antibiotics including minocycline, but spiking fever and positive PCR of Coxiella burnetii continued for several months. He became asymptomatic and his abnormal laboratory data normalized after the administration of gamma interferon three times a week.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2000

A simple approach for the analysis of intracellular movement of oxidant-producing intracellular compartments in living human neutrophils.

In human neutrophils, superoxide is generated primarily within specialized oxidant-producing intracellular compartments. The present study employs a simple methodological approach to evaluate the intracellular movement of these structures in living human neutrophils. Using a CCD camera system, we monitored fluorescence in cells loaded with the succinimidyl ester of dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, which is nonfluorescent until oxidized by reactive oxygen species. Fluorescence-positive intracellular compartments became detectable after neutrophils were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate for 1 min. Further stimulation increased the intracellular compartments in both number and size in a time-dependent manner. Upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, no fluorescence was seen in intracellular compartments of neutrophils isolated from patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease lacking gp91-phox, a membrane component of NADPH oxidase. The method enables tracking of the movement of a single oxidant-producing intracellular compartment following cell stimulation and visualization of the intracellular structures formed by fusion of oxidant-producing intracellular compartments with endocytotic vesicles and phagosomes. Therefore, it is considered to be an informative tool for evaluation of the intracellular dynamics of oxidant-producing intracellular compartments in living human neutrophils and may have a diagnostic value.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of the pharmacological activity of extracts from amomi semen on the gastrointestinal tracts.

We have investigated the effects of methanolic and alcoholic extracts from Amomi Semen on gastric secretion, as well as gastrointestinal propulsion or the prokinetic activities. The methanolic extract from Amomi Semen dose dependently decreased the volume output, acid output, and pepsin output in rat's gastric juice with increasing pH value, while the alcoholic extract had no influence on basal gastric acid secretion. Furthermore, the alcoholic extract improved the L-dopa to induce a delay of gastrointestinal transit in mice, while the methanolic extract did not improve it. However, both extracts had no influence on gastrointestinal transit in intact mice. These results suggest that Amomi Semen has an inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion and that it has effects as the gastrointestinal prokinetics rather than propulsion. The present study pharmacologically elucidates a belief that Amomi Semen has been used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal dyspepsia, which includes hyperchlorhydria, stomachache, abdominal distention, anorexia, gastric atony, etc.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Age-related changes in the posterior limb of the internal capsule revealed by magnetic resonance imaging.

In this study, we examined the age-related differences in the corticospinal tract (CST) of the posterior limb (PL) of the internal capsule (IC) by analyzing 53 magnetic resonance (MR) images from 45 subjects. Regions in the posterior part of the PL of the IC were observed as hypointense areas in T1-weighted images of axial sections at 4 years of age. These regions became clear, spotty hyperintense areas in T2-weighted images of subjects older than 9 years. These regions persisted in all cases beyond 9 years of age, level on both T1- and T2-weighted images. The region is consistent with the CST from MR images of coronal and sagittal sections in our study. These results suggest that differences among the region may occur, such as an increase in fiber size and an increase in the thickness of the myelin sheaths, depending on age after the completion of general myelination in the CST.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of IgG subclasses in chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Although elevated serum levels of immunoglobulins are frequently observed in patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, there have been no reports concerning levels of IgG subclasses. METHODS: Serum levels of IgG subclasses were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 30 children with severe chronic active EBV infection. RESULTS: Serum levels of IgG1 were elevated in most patients, except for one who showed an abnormally low level of IgG1 and progressive hypogammaglobulinemia. Serum levels of IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 in the patients were comparable to those in control children, while abnormally low levels of IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 were observed in six, three and four cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although not always susceptible to bacterial infections, low levels of IgG2 were frequently observed in patients with chronic active EBV infection and elevated IgG1 is responsible for the increase of serum IgG in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

An immunohistochemical study of developing glomeruli in human fetal kidneys.

BACKGROUND: In the glomerulonephritis, mesenchymal cells frequently repeat the expression of fetal immunohistochemical phenotypes. However, in human glomerulogenesis the phenotypic alteration of mesangial and other types of glomerular cells has not been clearly defined. Our aim was to clarify the characteristics of fetal mesangial cells and glomerular capillary endothelial cells, as well as their changes during glomerulogenesis using immunohistochemistry. METHODS: We examined the renal tissues of 34 autopsied fetuses and neonates, 5 children, and 5 adults using immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy, using antibodies for cytoskeletons, contraction-associated proteins, and endothelial cell markers. RESULTS: In the V and S stages, there were no cells showing mesangial and endothelial features within the vesicles and the S-shaped bodies. In the S stage, small blood vessels, consisting of endothelial cells (CD31+, CD34+) and primitive perivascular mesenchymal cells (alpha-smooth muscle actin+, low molecular caldesmon+, vimentin+), were branched from developing interlobular arteries and appeared to extend to the lower clefts of the S-shaped bodies. In the C stage, the perivascular mesenchymal cells aggregated at the root of the immature glomeruli. In the M stage, they migrated toward the periphery of immature glomeruli and gradually lost their fetal immunohistochemical features. Similarly, with further maturation, the fetal glomerular capillary endothelial cells gradually lost the immunostaining for CD34, while the strong staining intensity of CD31 remained unchanged, just as that in the adult glomerular capillary endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: In human glomerulogenesis, we demonstrate that fetal mesangial and capillary endothelial cells change their immunohistochemical phenotypes with maturation. They gradually lose fetal immunohistochemical phenotypes. Already before birth, the mesangial cells in almost all glomeruli at the late M stage acquire the adult phenotype.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Polymyositis associated with primary cytomegalovirus infection.

A case of polymyositis associated with primary cytomegalovirus infection in a 17-y-old girl is reported. The girl exhibited fever, sore throat, progressive myalgia and muscle weakness with elevated creatine kinase, atypical lymphocytosis and myopathic features in the electromyogram. Histopathologically, biopsied muscle met the criteria for polymyositis. Primary cytomegalovirus infection was proven by seroconversion of IgG as well as IgM antibodies. This is the first report of an association between cytomegalovirus infection and polymyositis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A variant of myelokathexis with hypogammaglobulinemia: lymphocytes as well as neutrophils may reverse in response to infections.

A 7-year-old boy with prolonged and marked leukopenia diagnosed at 6 months of age is described. The polymorphonuclear cells presented no hypersegmented nuclei or concentrated nuclear chromatin, although vacuolated myeloid cells appeared in bone marrow smears. Neutrophils reversed in response to administration of G-CSF. His leukocyte counts were 400-1000/microL during afebrile periods and increased to 2000-3000/microL in response to infections. The increased leukocyte was usually neutrophils, but lymphocytes also increased at EB-virus infection. The serum IgG decreased gradually and was 364 mg/dL at 7 years of age. Antibody responses were normal and recurrent otitis media has been the patient's only problem. Granulocytopenia with hypogammaglobulinemia of this patient mimics myelokathexis with hypogammaglobulinemia, and lymphocytes also increased at viral infections.

Agammaglobulinemia↗
PubMed2000

A boy with normal growth in spite of growth hormone deficiency after resection of a suprasellar teratoma.

We reported a boy with panhypopituitarism after removal of a suprasellar teratoma and pituitary stalk transection at the age of 3 months. His growth was accelerated after 5 years of age without growth hormone (GH) therapy, although he had poor height growth until age 4 under treatment with hydrocortisone, levothyroxine sodium, and desamino-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP). Hyperphagia and obesity developed after surgery. Endocrinological examination revealed no GH response to glucagon, low serum levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). Serum prolactin was normal, but serum insulin was high. Some patients who received an operation for craniopharyngioma were reported to achieve normal growth without GH secretion, but the mechanism is still unknown. High serum levels of prolactin or insulin can be associated with normal IGF in GH deficient patients. This patient had obesity and high serum insulin, which may be related to growth without GH secretion.

Growth↗
PubMed1999

CD34 expression as a novel marker of transformed mesangial cells in biopsied glomerular diseases.

CD34 is a marker of haematopoietic progenitor cells, stromal precursors, vascular endothelial cells, and a variety of stromal tumour cells. This immunohistochemical study examined the CD34 expression of glomerular mesangial cells in normal and diseased glomeruli and compared it with the staining patterns of alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), as a transformed mesangial cell marker, and CD31, as an endothelial cell marker. In addition, the CD34 and ASMA expression of mesangial cells in various glomerulonephritis and the relationship of the immunostaining intensity to the severity of IgA nephropathy were semiquantitatively evaluated. In normal glomeruli, all cell types were negative for CD34, but in glomeruli in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, CD34 was expressed exclusively in mesangial cells, corresponding to ASMA expression. The dendritic and scattered staining pattern, the mesangial location of positive signals, and the enhanced expression were clearly different from CD31 expression in diseased glomeruli. In comparison with normal controls, the grade of immunostaining for CD34 (CD34 INDEX) in mesangial proliferative glomerular diseases was higher than that of ASMA (ASMA INDEX). With the severity of glomerulonephritis, the CD34 INDEX gradually increased. These studies indicate that CD34 is a useful marker of mesangial transformation and that immunohistochemical examination with the anti-CD34 antibody is useful for the diagnosis and stage determination of glomerular diseases.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

Strong response of T cells in infants with dual infection by Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus.

BACKGROUND: Although a reversed CD4/CD8 ratio and increased proportion of CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells are well known as the characteristic immune response in infectious mononucleosis (IM), it has not been elucidated whether these immune responses are affected by patient age and pathogenetic viruses. METHODS: T cell subsets were analyzed by two-color flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate- and phycoerythrin-conjugated monoclonal antibodies in 115 infants and children aged from 4 months to 10 years with IM due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and dual infection with both viruses. RESULTS: A reversed CD4/CD8 ratio and increased proportions of CD4+/HLA-DR+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD8+/HLA-DR+ T cells became more prominent as the age of the patients became older. No differences were observed in proportions of T cell subsets between EBV- and CMV-infection among patients aged from 6 to 17 months. Although the responses of these T cells were weak in infants with single virus infection by EBV and CMV, markedly strong T cell responses comparable with those in older children were observed in infants with EBV/CMV dual infection. Clinical symptoms were more severe in patients with EBV/CMV dual infection than those with EBV or CMV alone. CONCLUSION: The manner of these T cell responses in the acute phase of IM was considered to be age dependent, although strong T cell responses and severe disease were observed in EBV/CMV dual infection irrespective of patient age.

Age Factors↗