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Biomedical subjects

Tomoko Matsuda

Publications and source records attributed to Tomoko Matsuda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A fused gene of nucleoprotein (NP) and herpes simplex virus genes (VP22) induces highly protective immunity against different subtypes of influenza virus.

We evaluated the immunogenicity and protective activity of plasmid DNA vaccines encoding the influenza virus NP gene (pNP) alone or in combination with the herpes simplex virus type 1 protein 22 gene (pVP22). Optimal immune responses were observed in BALB/c mice immunized with the combination of pVP22 plus pNP, as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and intracellular cytokine staining (ICCS). These mice also showed maximal resistance following challenge with the A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) and A/Udron/72 (H3N2) strains of influenza virus. The susceptibility of immunized mice to virus infection was significantly increased following depletion of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. These results indicate that a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding pVP22 plus NP induces a high level of cross-protective immunity against influenza virus subtypes.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Multivalent DNA vaccine protects mice against pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

For efficacious vaccine development against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), the immunogenicity of multivalent DNA vaccine was evaluated. Three different plasmids each targeting a fusion of outer membrane proteins (OprF/OprI), a protein regulating type III secretion system (PcrV), or an appendage (PilA) were prepared and mice were immunized with single (monovalent) or a combination of these plasmids (multivalent) via intramuscular electroporation (imEPT) or gene gun. Immunization with multivalent DNA vaccine via imEPT induced the most potent protection against lethal pneumonia. Although the serum levels of IgG binding to whole bacteria cells were comparable between groups, the strongest immune protection was associated with the serum levels of Th1-dominated multivalent IgG, the bronchoalveolar levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) and IFN-gamma, and the number of neutrophils and macrophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage following intranasal challenge. These results implied the possible clinical application of multivalent DNA vaccine against P. aeruginosa.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Enthalpy and interfacial free energy changes of water capillary condensed in mesoporous silica, MCM-41 and SBA-15.

The effect of confinement on the solid-liquid phase transitions of water was studied by using DSC and FT-IR measurements. Enthalpy changes upon melting of frozen water in MCM-41 and SBA-15 were determined as a function of pore size and found to decrease with decreasing pore size. The melting point also decreased almost monotonically with a decrease in pore size. Analysis of the Gibbs-Thomson relation on the basis of the thermodynamic data showed that there were two stages of interfacial free energy change after the constant region, i.e., below a pore size of 6.0 nm: a gradual decrease down to 3.4 nm and another decrease after a small jump upward. This fact demonstrates that the simple Gibbs-Thomson relation, i.e., a linear relation between the melting point change and the inverse pore size, is limited to the range not far from the melting point of bulk water. FT-IR measurements suggest that the decrease in enthalpy change and interfacial free energy change with decreasing pore size reflect the similarity of the structures of both liquid and solid phases of water in smaller pores at lower temperatures.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed2006

Lysozyme penetration in group IV soft contact lenses.

PURPOSE: To establish proper contact lens care as a common practice by discovering the quantity and condition of protein deposition on various types of soft contact lenses. METHODS: The amounts of deposition of two proteins found in tear fluid, lysozyme and albumin, on various types of contact lenses were measured. Lenses deposited with albumin and lenses deposited with lysozyme were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB). Frozen cross-sections of these lenses were examined using a microscope. RESULTS: A considerably larger amount of lysozyme was found on group IV (U.S. Food and Drug Administration classification) contact lenses. Conversely, there were no significant differences between the four groups in the quantity of albumin found. When various lenses were stained with CBB, only the lysozyme-deposited lenses of group IV obtained a strong tint. When cross-sections of the tinted group IV contact lenses were examined, not only the surface, but also the matrix of the lens was stained. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggested that the reason group IV lenses accumulated a considerably greater amount of lysozyme than did lenses of other groups is that lysozyme accumulates not only on the surface, but also in the matrix of group IV lenses.

Albumins↗
PubMed2006

Toll-like receptor adaptor molecules enhance DNA-raised adaptive immune responses against influenza and tumors through activation of innate immunity.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize microbial components and trigger the signaling cascade that activates the innate and adaptive immunity. TLR adaptor molecules play a central role in this cascade; thus, we hypothesized that overexpression of TLR adaptor molecules could mimic infection without any microbial components. Dual-promoter plasmids that carry an antigen and a TLR adaptor molecule such as the Toll-interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing beta interferon (TRIF) or myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) were constructed and administered to mice to determine if these molecules can act as an adjuvant. A DNA vaccine incorporated with the MyD88 genetic adjuvant enhanced antigen-specific humoral immune responses, whereas that with the TRIF genetic adjuvant enhanced cellular immune responses. Incorporating the TRIF genetic adjuvant in a DNA vaccine targeting the influenza HA antigen or the tumor-associated antigen E7 conferred superior protection. These results indicate that TLR adaptor molecules can bridge innate and adaptive immunity and potentiate the effects of DNA vaccines against virus infection and tumors.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2005

Monocyte chemotactic S19 ribosomal protein dimer in atherosclerotic vascular lesion.

To elucidate the molecular mechanism inducing monocyte/macrophage infiltration in the atherosclerotic lesion, we measured the monocyte chemotactic capacity in the extracts of aortic lesions. Five out of seven extracts exhibited significant chemotactic activities. Immunohistochemical examination with an anti-CD68 monoclonal antibody demonstrated that the five positive lesions possessed obvious monocyte/macrophage infiltrations at the intima, whereas the two negative lesions did so at significantly lower intensities. We subjected the chemotactic extracts to immunological analyses to identify the monocyte chemoattractant in them. The monocyte chemotactic capacities of all positive extracts were removed with anti-S19 ribosomal protein (RP S19) antibody beads and antimonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) antibody beads. In three of the five extracts, the anti-RP S19 antibody beads were more effective than the anti-MCP-1 antibody beads for removal, while in the remaining two extracts, the opposite was observed. A combined immunoabsorption with these beads depleted the monocyte chemotactic capacity of a representative sample of each group. Consistently, the chemotactic capacity of an apparently RP S19 dimer-predominant extract was strongly inhibited by the presence of a C5a receptor antagonist. These results suggest that the RP S19 dimer and MCP-1 play a major role in the monocyte/macrophage infiltration of the atherosclerotic vascular lesion.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Antagonistic effects of methanolic extract of Polygala telephioides on morphine responses in mice.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antagonistic effects of the methanolic extract of Polygala telephioides (PT) on morphine responses in mice. Single administration of PT tended to antagonize the morphine-induced analgesia in a hot-plate test. Moreover, PT (300 mg/kg, p.o.) improved the morphine-induced memory impairment in an elevated plus maze test. However, PT alone had no effect on behaviors in the open-field, hot-plate and elevated plus maze tests. We investigated the effects of PT on naloxone-induced jumping (as withdrawal sign) in morphine-dependent mice. To induce dependence, mice were twice daily treated with morphine (10-45 mg/kg, s.c.) for 5 days. Co-administrations of PT (10, 100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) during repeated morphine treatments significantly suppressed the naloxone (10 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced jumping. However, the naloxone-induced jumping was not affected by a single large administration of PT on the 5th day. The inhibitory effect of PT on the naloxone-induced jumping was due to the development of dependence rather than expression of withdrawal sign. Moreover, single administration of PT (30 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the morphine levels in plasma. These results indicate that PT may be useful in facilitating narcotic detoxification.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Stereocontrolled synthesis of beta-difluoromethylated materials.

Investigation of synthetic routes for regio- and stereocontrolled fluorinated materials with a difluoromethyl group, using ethyl bromodifluoroacetate as a starting material, is described. In particular, (E)-difluoromethylated trisubstituted olefins were prepared via the proton migration reaction catalyzed by using fluoride anion. Further, optically active beta-difluoromethyl esters were obtained by the enzymatic resolution.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Contact lens user statistics in Okada eye clinic.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships between contact lens wearers, their lens wear, and treatment to provide correct instructions for use. METHOD: A total of 55,056 consumers, who purchased contact lenses in the two institutions of Okada Eye Clinic in the 1-year period from April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003, were analyzed with regard to age, sex, contact lens brands, treatments and lens-solution combinations purchased, and patterns of wear. RESULTS: The 2-week frequent-replacement soft contact lenses were the most popular type of contact lens, and most wearers of these lenses were those in their 20s. Saline solution was the treatment purchased most often with conventional soft contact lenses. Hard contact lens wearers tended to buy treatments of the same brand as their hard contact lenses. Hydrogen peroxide was the most purchased product with the 2-week frequent-replacement soft contact lenses and multipurpose treatment the next, especially with consumers in their 20s. There were no significant sex gaps. CONCLUSIONS: The survey was conducted on a wide age range of more than 50,000 people and can be assumed to accurately reflect the tendencies of contact lens wearers in Japan. The results clearly show the actual use of contact lenses and treatments of each age group and will be useful in instructing wearers to the correct use of their treatments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

An investigation of the actual conditions of use of daily-disposable soft contact lenses and two-week disposable soft contact lenses.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether daily-disposable and 2-week disposable soft contact lenses are being used correctly. METHODS: The number of purchases made and brands selected by the 44,566 consumers who purchased daily-disposable and 2-week disposable soft contact lenses in Okada Eye Clinic institutions between April 1, 2002 and November 1, 2002 were monitored. From the 7,759 respondents to a survey conducted in the clinic between November 1, 2002 and March 31, 2003, the number of purchases made and brands selected by the 1,584 respondents, whose sales records could be traced, were analyzed in further detail. RESULTS: The total number of consumers purchasing daily-disposable soft contact lenses was 14,909, and their annual average purchase was 10.56 boxes. Most purchases were of two boxes followed by purchases of four and then six. Only 6.4% of consumers purchased 24 boxes at a time. Consumers purchasing four or fewer boxes at a time accounted for 37.8%. A total of 25,705 consumers purchased 2-week disposable soft contact lenses, with an annual average purchase of 6.37 boxes per consumer. Nineteen percent of the consumers purchased eight boxes of 2-week disposable soft contact lenses per year. Most consumers tended to purchase their contact lenses in even numbers for daily-disposable and 2-week disposable soft contact lenses. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Jacksonville, FL) was the most popular manufacturer. According to the survey, 86.6% of the 2-week disposable soft contact lens wearers followed instructions correctly, whereas 13.4% did not. That is, they exceeded the instructed 14 days of wear. CONCLUSIONS: Annual average purchases of daily-disposable and 2-week disposable soft contact lenses tended to be in even numbers and showed differences in their sales depending on contact lens brands. The results obtained from the survey and the actual sales records correlated.

Contact Lens Solutions↗
PubMed2004

Vestibulosympathetic reflex mediates the pressor response to hypergravity in conscious rats: contribution of the diencephalon.

To investigate the mechanism of arterial pressure (AP) regulation during hypergravity, the AP response to gravitational force was examined in conscious rats and the AP was found to increase, depending on the degree of gravity load induced by centrifugation. At 20 s after application of 2, 3, or 5 G, the AP increased by 9+/-2, 20+/-3, or 24+/-3 mm Hg, respectively. The AP increase during first 60 s was suppressed by vestibular lesion or pretreatment with hexamethonium, suggesting that the vestibular system and sympathetic nerve system be involved, respectively, in the afferent and efferent pathways. To further examine the central pathway of this response, Fos expression in the brain was examined after exposure to 5 G for 90 min. Intense Fos expression was seen in the medial vestibular nucleus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, autonomic nuclei in the brain stem in intact rats, but not in rats with vestibular lesion. To examine the involvement of the diencephalic nuclei in this pressor response, AP was measured under hypergravity in rats with midcollicular transection. In these rats, the AP change was minimal at 2, 3, and 5 G, indicating that nuclei rostral to the transection level were involved in the pressor response. These results indicate that output from the vestibular system project to the diencephalon, and activation of diencephalic nuclei is indispensable to the pressor response via the sympathetic nerve system.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2004

Systematic investigation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzymes catalyzing carbonyl reductions.

Eighteen key reductases from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) have been overproduced in Escherichia coli as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. A representative set of alpha- and beta-keto esters was tested as substrates (11 total) for each purified fusion protein. The stereoselectivities of beta-keto ester reductions depended both on the identity of the enzyme and the substrate structure, and some reductases yielded both L- and D-alcohols with high stereoselectivities. While alpha-keto esters were generally reduced with lower enantioselectivities, it was possible in all but one case to identify pairs of yeast reductases that delivered both alcohol antipodes in optically pure form. Taken together, the results demonstrate not only that individual yeast reductases can be used to supply important chiral building blocks, but that GST-fusion proteins allow rapid identification of synthetically useful biocatalysts (along with their corresponding genes).

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed2004

High-efficiency and minimum-waste continuous kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols by using lipase in supercritical carbon dioxide.

A novel continuous-flow scCO(2) process for kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols can be performed with an immobilized lipase to lead to a quantitative mixture of the corresponding optically active acetates with up to 99% ee and unreacted alcohols with up to 99% ee, in which the productivity of the optically active compounds was improved by over 400 times compared to the corresponding batch reaction using scCO(2).

Alcohols↗
PubMed2004

Acute hemodynamic responses in the head during microgravity induced by free drop in anesthetized rats.

To examine acute hemodynamic responses to microgravity (microG) in the head, we measured carotid artery pressure (CAP) and jugular vein pressure (JVP) to calculate cephalic perfusion pressure (CPP = CAP - JVP) and recorded images of microvessels in the iris to evaluate capillary blood flow velocity (CBFV) and capillary diameter (CD) in anesthetized rats during 4.5 s of microG induced by free drop. Rats were placed in 30 degrees head-up whole body-tilted (HU, n = 7) or horizontal (flat, n = 6) position. In the flat group, none of the measured variables was significantly affected by microG, whereas in the HU group, CAP, JVP, and CPP increased, respectively, by 23.4 +/- 2.6, 1.3 +/- 0.2, and 22.9 +/- 3.1 mmHg, and CBFV and CD increased, respectively, by 33 +/- 8 and 9 +/- 3%, showing an increase in capillary blood flow. To further examine the mechanisms underlying these CAP and JVP increases, another experiment was performed in which CAP and JVP were measured in anesthetized rats (n = 6) during a postural change from HU to flat. In these animals, the change in JVP was similar to that observed during actual microG, but no change in CAP was seen, indicating that the JVP increase during actual microG is caused by disappearance of the gravitational pressure gradient in the head-to-foot axis, whereas the CAP increase is not. In conclusion, actual microG elicits an increase in CPP due to a greater increase in CAP than JVP, resulting in increased capillary blood flow. Although the increase in JVP is explained by the disappearance of gravitational pressure gradient in the head-to-foot axis as a result of microG, the larger increase in CAP is not.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2004

Regulation of interleukin-8 secretion in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells by alpha-humulene.

It is well known that various cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha are expressed and secreted from intestinal epithelial cells and that these cytokines affect the immune cells beneath the intestinal epithelial monolayers. As the secretion of these cytokines is likely to be regulated by food-derived substances, we focused on those food substances which regulate the secretion of IL-8 in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. 72 food samples extracted with 40% ethanol were tested, and the extracts of peppermint and dokudami significantly increased the IL-8 secretion. Among the compounds known to be contained in peppermint and dokudami, alpha-humulene substantially increased the IL-8 secretion.alpha-Humulene had no significant effect on the secretion of such other soluble factors as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, or NGF, suggesting that the effect of alpha-humulene was specific for IL-8 secretion. The expression level of IL-8 mRNA was significantly increased by treating with alpha-humulene. These results suggest that the secretion of IL-8 by alpha-humulene is regulated at the transcriptional level.

Cell Line, Tumor↗
PubMed2004

Phenotypic classification of human CD8+ T cells reflecting their function: inverse correlation between quantitative expression of CD27 and cytotoxic effector function.

Phenotypic classification of human CD8(+) T cells using three cell surface markers, CD27, CD28 and CD45RA, was recently suggested to be useful for identification of naive, memory and effector CD8(+) T cells. However, it still remains unclear whether such classification precisely reflects functional classification of CD8(+) T cells. To clarify this, we characterized each CD27CD28CD45RA subset of total and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-specific CD8(+) T cells by analyzing the expression of perforin and two chemokine receptors, CCR5 and CCR7, as well as their function. An inverse correlation between perforin and CD27 expression was found in all four CD28CD45RA subsets. Therefore, to achieve a phenotypic classification of CD8(+) T cells that more precisely reflects their function, the CD27(+) subset was divided into CD27(low) and CD27(high) subsets based on the expression level of CD27. Functional and flow cytometric analyses of CD27CD28CD45RA subsets showed that this phenotypic classification reflects functional classification of CD8(+) T cells. HCMV-specific CD8(+) T cells from healthy HCMV-seropositive individuals were predominantly found in effector and memory/effector subsets, indicating that HCMV-specific effector CD8(+) T cells are actively induced by HCMV replication in healthy HCMV carriers. Phenotypic analyses of CD8(+) T cells using this classification will enable the characterization of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells.

CD28 Antigens↗
PubMed2003

Roles of baroreflex and vestibulosympathetic reflex in controlling arterial blood pressure during gravitational stress in conscious rats.

Gravity acts on the circulatory system to decrease arterial blood pressure (AP) by causing blood redistribution and reduced venous return. To evaluate roles of the baroreflex and vestibulosympathetic reflex (VSR) in maintaining AP during gravitational stress, we measured AP, heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in four groups of conscious rats, which were either intact or had vestibular lesions (VL), sinoaortic denervation (SAD), or VL plus SAD (VL + SAD). The rats were exposed to 3 G in dorsoventral axis by centrifugation for 3 min. In rats in which neither reflex was functional (VL + SAD group), RSNA did not change, but the AP showed a significant decrease (-8 +/- 1 mmHg vs. baseline). In rats with a functional baroreflex, but no VSR (VL group), the AP did not change and there was a slight increase in RSNA (25 +/- 10% vs. baseline). In rats with a functional VSR, but no baroreflex (SAD group), marked increases in both AP and RSNA were observed (AP 31 +/- 6 mmHg and RSNA 87 +/- 10% vs. baseline), showing that the VSR causes an increase in AP in response to gravitational stress; these marked increases were significantly attenuated by the baroreflex in the intact group (AP 9 +/- 2 mmHg and RSNA 38 +/- 7% vs. baseline). In conclusion, AP is controlled by the combination of the baroreflex and VSR. The VSR elicits a huge pressor response during gravitational stress, preventing hypotension due to blood redistribution. In intact rats, this AP increase is compensated by the baroreflex, resulting in only a slight increase in AP.

Animals↗