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Biomedical subjects

Tomoya Kitayama

Publications and source records attributed to Tomoya Kitayama.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Activation of GABA(A) receptors facilitates astroglial differentiation induced by ciliary neurotrophic factor in neural progenitors isolated from fetal rat brain.

Immunocytochemical analysis confirmed the validity of isolation procedures of neural progenitors capable of self-replication and differentiation from discrete fetal rat brain structures. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the expression of particular GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R), GABA(B)R-1 and GABA(C)R, but not GABA(B)R-2, subunits in neocortical cells before commitment. Sustained exposure to the GABA(A)R agonist muscimol at 100 mumol/L led to significant increases in the mitochondrial activity and the total areas of neocortical neurospheres formed during the cultivation for 12 days in a manner sensitive to a GABA(A)R antagonist, with lactate dehydrogenase release being unchanged. Moreover, prior sustained exposure to muscimol significantly facilitated the subsequent expression of an astroglial marker protein in cells differentiated by ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) toward an astroglial lineage, with a concomitant decrease in the neuronal marker protein expression, in an antagonist-sensitive manner on Western blotting analysis. However, muscimol failed to significantly affect the expression of both marker proteins in cells differentiated in either the presence or absence of all-trans-retinoic acid. These results suggest that prior activation of GABA(A)R may preferentially facilitate the commitment by CNTF of neural progenitor cells toward an astroglial lineage after simulation of the self-replication activity in the developing rat brain.

Analysis of Variance↗

Analgesic action of nicotine on tibial nerve transection (TNT)-induced mechanical allodynia through enhancement of the glycinergic inhibitory system in spinal cord.

The activation of cholinergic pathways by nicotine elicits various physiological and pharmacological effects in mammals. For example, the stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) leads to an antinociceptive effect. However, it remains to be elucidated which subtypes of nAChR are involved in the antinociceptive effect of nicotine on nerve injury-induced allodynia and the underlying cascades of the nAChR-mediated antiallodynic effect. In this study, we attempted to characterize the actions of nicotine at the spinal level against mechanical allodynia in an animal model of neuropathic pain, tibial nerve transection (TNT) in rats. It was found that the intrathecal injection of nicotine, RJR-2403, a selective alpha4beta2 nAChR agonist, and choline, a selective alpha7 nAChR agonist, produced an antinociceptive effect on the TNT-induced allodynia. The actions of nicotine were almost completely suppressed by pretreatment with mecamylamine, a non-selective nicotinic antagonist, or dihydro-beta-erythroidine, a selective alpha4beta2 nAChR antagonist, and partially reversed by pretreatment with methyllycaconitine, a selective alpha7 nAChR antagonist. Furthermore, pretreatment with strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, blocked the antinociception induced by nicotine, RJR-2403, and choline. On the other hand, the GABAA antagonist bicuculline did not reverse the antiallodynic effect of nicotine. Together, these results indicate that the alpha4beta2 and alpha7 nAChR system, by enhancing the activities of glycinergic neurons at the spinal level, exerts a suppressive effect on the nociceptive transduction in neuropathic pain.

Analgesics↗

A simplified method for power-law modelling of metabolic pathways from time-course data and steady-state flux profiles.

BACKGROUND: In order to improve understanding of metabolic systems there have been attempts to construct S-system models from time courses. Conventionally, non-linear curve-fitting algorithms have been used for modelling, because of the non-linear properties of parameter estimation from time series. However, the huge iterative calculations required have hindered the development of large-scale metabolic pathway models. To solve this problem we propose a novel method involving power-law modelling of metabolic pathways from the Jacobian of the targeted system and the steady-state flux profiles by linearization of S-systems. RESULTS: The results of two case studies modelling a straight and a branched pathway, respectively, showed that our method reduced the number of unknown parameters needing to be estimated. The time-courses simulated by conventional kinetic models and those described by our method behaved similarly under a wide range of perturbations of metabolite concentrations. CONCLUSION: The proposed method reduces calculation complexity and facilitates the construction of large-scale S-system models of metabolic pathways, realizing a practical application of reverse engineering of dynamic simulation models from the Jacobian of the targeted system and steady-state flux profiles.

Kinetics↗

Down-regulation of norepinephrine transporter function induced by chronic administration of desipramine linking to the alteration of sensitivity of local-anesthetics-induced convulsions and the counteraction by co-administration with local anesthetics.

Alterations of norepinephrine transporter (NET) function by chronic inhibition of NET in relation to sensitization to seizures induce by cocaine and local anesthetics were studied in mice. Daily administration of desipramine, an inhibitor of the NET, for 5 days decreased [(3)H]norepinephrine uptake in the P2 fractions of hippocampus but not cortex, striatum or amygdalae. Co-administration of lidocaine, bupivacaine or tricaine with desipramine reversed this effect. Daily treatment of cocaine increased [(3)H]norepinephrine uptake into the hippocampus. Daily administration of desipramine increased the incidence of appearance of lidocaine-induced convulsions and decreased that of cocaine-induced convulsions. Co-administration of lidocaine with desipramine reversed the changes of convulsive activity of lidocaine and cocaine induced by repeated administration of desipramine. These results suggest that down-regulation of hippocampal NET induced by chronic administration of desipramine may be relevant to desipramine-induced sensitization of lidocaine convulsions. Inhibition of Na(+) channels by local anesthetics may regulate desipramine-induced down-regulation of NET function. Repeated administration of cocaine induces up-regulation of hippocampal NET function. Desipramine-induced sensitization of lidocaine seizures may have a mechanism distinct from kindling resulting from repeated administration of cocaine.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

Cyclic ADP-ribose requires FK506-binding protein to regulate intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and catecholamine release in acetylcholine-stimulated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) mediates the amplification of Ca2+ signaling and catecholamine release via the involvement of FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs)/ryanodine receptor (RyR) in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. cADPR induced Ca2+ release in digitonin-permeabilized chromaffin cells and this was blocked by FK506 and rapamycin, ligands for FKBPs; 8Br-cADPR, a competitive antagonist for cADPR; and antibody for FKBP12/12.6, while it was enhanced by cyclosporin A. Ryanodine-induced Ca2+ release was not affected by 8Br-cADPR and was remarkably enhanced by FK506, rapamycin, cyclosporin A, and cADPR. FK506 binds to FKBP12.6 and removes it from RyRs, but cADPR did not affect the binding between FKBP12.6 and RyR. In intact chromaffin cells, 8Br-cADPR, FK506, and rapamycin, but not cyclosporin A attenuated the sustained intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) rise induced by acetylcholine (ACh). 8Br-cADPR, FK506, and SK&F 96365 reduced the Mn2+ entry stimulated with ACh only when Ca2+ was present in the extracellular medium. 8Br-cADPR, FK506, and rapamycin concentration-dependently inhibited the ACh-induced catecholamine (CA) release. Here, we present evidence that FKBP12.6 associated with RyR may be required for Ca2+ release induced by cADPR in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. cADPR-mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum in ACh-stimulated chromaffin cells is coupled with Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane which is essential for ACh-stimulated CA release.

Acetylcholine↗

A microarray data-based semi-kinetic method for predicting quantitative dynamics of genetic networks.

BACKGROUND: Elucidating the dynamic behaviour of genetic regulatory networks is one of the most significant challenges in systems biology. However, conventional quantitative predictions have been limited to small networks because publicly available transcriptome data has not been extensively applied to dynamic simulation. RESULTS: We present a microarray data-based semi-kinetic (MASK) method which facilitates the prediction of regulatory dynamics of genetic networks composed of recurrently appearing network motifs with reasonable accuracy. The MASK method allows the determination of model parameters representing the contribution of regulators to transcription rate from time-series microarray data. Using a virtual regulatory network and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomal protein gene module, we confirmed that a MASK model can predict expression profiles for various conditions as accurately as a conventional kinetic model. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the MASK method for the construction of dynamic simulation models of genetic networks from time-series microarray data, initial mRNA copy number and first-order degradation constants of mRNA. The quantitative accuracy of the MASK models has been confirmed, and the results indicated that this method enables the prediction of quantitative dynamics in genetic networks composed of commonly used network motifs, which cover considerable fraction of the whole network.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Regulation of neuronal differentiation by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors expressed in neural progenitor cells isolated from adult mouse hippocampus.

In vitro culture of neural progenitor cells isolated from adult murine hippocampus according to the Percoll density gradient method resulted in formation of round spheres not immunoreactive to microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) or glial fibrillary acidic protein in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor within 12 days in vitro (DIV). Reverse-transcription PCR analysis revealed constitutive expression in these neurospheres of different subunits required for assembly of functional heteromeric N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor channels. Immunocytochemical analysis confirmed expression of NR1, NR2A, and NR2B subunits in neurospheres cultured for 4-12 DIV. Brief (5 min) exposure to NMDA induced marked expression of c-Fos, Fos-B, Fra-2, and c-Jun proteins in neurospheres cultured for 12 DIV 2 hr later. The NMDA receptor antagonist dizocilpine markedly inhibited expression of both c-Jun and c-Fos proteins in NMDA-exposed neurospheres. Sustained exposure to NMDA not only markedly inhibited neurosphere formation by 12 DIV when exposed from 4-12 DIV, but also resulted in facilitation of subsequent differentiation of neurospheres exposed to all-trans retinoic acid to cells immunoreactive to both neuron-specific enolase and neuronal nuclei, in addition to MAP-2, as revealed by Western blot and immunocytochemistry analyses. These results suggest that functional heteromeric NMDA receptors may be expressed constitutively in neural progenitor cells before differentiation to play a crucial role in commitment and differentiation to neurons in adult murine hippocampus.

Analysis of Variance↗

Immunohistochemical detection by immersion fixation with Carnoy solution of particular non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits in murine hippocampus.

Immunoblotting analysis revealed heterologous distribution profiles of the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits, GluR1, GluR2 and GluR6, in membrane fractions prepared from murine discrete brain structures including hippocampus. In coronal sections fixed with paraformaldehyde (PA) solution after dissection from mice perfused with 4% PA, however, no marked immunoreactivity was detected to GluR6 subunit in any hippocampal subregions, with high immunoreactivities to both GluR1 and GluR2 subunits in the strata oriens, radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of the CA1 and CA3 subfields and the stratum moleculare of the dentate gyrus in hippocampus. In coronal, sagittal and horizontal sections fixed with Carnoy solution after dissection from animals decapitated, by contrast, high immunoreactivity was additionally detected to GluR6 subunit in the stratum lucidum of hippocampus. The systemic administration of kainate not only resulted in marked neuronal losses along the CA1-CA4 pyramidal layers 1 week later, but also led to significant decreases in immunoreactivities to GluR1, GluR2 and GluR6 subunits in the CA1 and CA3 subfields on brain coronal sections prepared by immersion fixation with Carnoy solution. These results suggest that immersion fixation with Carnoy solution may be suitable and appropriate for reproducible and quantitative immunohistochemical detection of particular non-NMDA receptor subunits in murine hippocampus.

Animals↗

Immersion fixation with Carnoy solution for conventional immunohistochemical detection of particular N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits in murine hippocampus.

Immunoblotting analysis revealed heterologous distribution profiles of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits GluR zeta-1, GluR epsilon-1, and GluR epsilon-2 in membrane preparations of different murine brain structures, with exclusive detection of GluR epsilon-3 subunit in cerebellar preparations. Mice were anesthetized and perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde (PA), Zamboni, or Carnoy solution for subsequent immunohistochemical detection of these NMDA receptor subunits. In coronal brain sections from animals perfused with 4% PA and Zamboni solutions, high immunoreactivity was detected exclusively with GluR zeta-1, GluR epsilon-1, GluR epsilon-2, and GluR epsilon-3 subunits in the pyramidal and dentate granular layers, where the GluR epsilon-3 subunit is supposed to be absent. By contrast, high immunoreactivity was detected with GluR zeta-1, GluR epsilon-1, and GluR epsilon-2, but not GluR epsilon-3, subunits in the strata oriens and radiatum of the CA1 subfield without immunoreactivity along the pyramidal and granular layers when sections were prepared by immersion fixation with Carnoy solution after dissection from brains of mice decapitated. On these sections, relatively high immunoreactivity was found also with GluR zeta-1, GluR epsilon-1, and GluR epsilon-2 subunits in the stratum lacunosum-moleculare of the CA1 region, the strata oriens, radiatum, and lacunosum-moleculare of the CA3 region, and the stratum moleculare of the dentate gyrus, respectively. The systemic administration of kainate led to significant decreases in immunoreactivity to GluR zeta-1, GluR epsilon-1, and GluR epsilon-2 subunits in the CA1 and CA3 subfields on brain sections prepared by immersion fixation with Carnoy solution. These results suggest that immersion fixation with Carnoy solution may be suitable and appropriate for reproducible and quantitative immunohistochemical detection of particular NMDA receptor subunits in murine hippocampus.

Acetic Acid↗

Possible regulation by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors of proliferative progenitor cells expressed in adult mouse hippocampal dentate gyrus.

An immunohistochemical technique was employed to analyze mechanisms underlying modulation by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors of proliferation of neural progenitor cells in adult mouse brain. The systemic administration of NMDA at 100 mg/kg resulted in marked expression of c-Fos, Fra-2 and c-Jun proteins in the granule cell layers of the dentate gyrus in murine hippocampus 2 h later, followed by a significant reduction of the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in a manner sensitive to the antagonist dizocilpine 2 days after administration. The administration of NMDA also suppressed constitutive expression of both nestin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the dentate granule cells 2 days later, without markedly affecting cell viability for up to 8 weeks after administration. In the subventricular zone and olfactory bulb, however, NMDA failed to affect either the incorporation of BrdU or the expression of nestin and PCNA. The NR1 subunit was highly expressed in the dentate gyrus in addition to the stratum oriens in the hippocampus, but not in the subventricular zone and olfactory bulb. These results suggest that NMDA receptors may play a role crucial for maintenance of the integrity and function of proliferative neural progenitor cells through expression of the nuclear transcription factor activator protein-1 in granule cells of the dentate gyrus in adult mouse brain.

Animals↗