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Torayuki Okuyama

Publications and source records attributed to Torayuki Okuyama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

EYA1 and SIX1 gene mutations in Japanese patients with branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome and related conditions.

We isolated genomic DNA from 15 patients with branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome or BOR-related conditions. Seven patients had BOR syndrome (two familial and five sporadic), and eight had deafness and renal malformations without branchial fistula (BOR-related conditions). We analyzed all exons and exon-intron boundaries of EYA1 and SIX1 using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) direct sequencing, and characterized their mutations. In some patients, analysis of mRNA by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed to examine whether the mutation affects the mRNA splicing. We identified five novel disease-causing heterozygous EYA1 mutations in five patients with BOR syndrome (two familial and three sporadic, 5/7=71%), but EYA1 and SIX1 mutations were not detected in the other two patients with BOR syndrome or any of the patients with BOR-related conditions. The detected EYA1 mutations were two nonsense mutations, two splicing acceptor-site mutations, and a point mutation (G>T) of the first base of exon 10. Analysis of mRNA by RT-PCR direct sequencing revealed that the latter point mutation led to the skipping of exon 10. In conclusion, (1) EYA1 mutations are a major cause of BOR syndrome in Japanese, (2) EYA1 and SIX1 mutations were not a major cause of BOR-related conditions, (3) we demonstrated for the first time that the point mutation (G>T) of the first base of the exon in EYA1 gene induced exon skipping.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2006

Oculocutaneous albinism type 4: six novel mutations in the membrane-associated transporter protein gene and their phenotypes.

Oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4) is an autosomal recessive hypopigmentary disorder caused by mutations in the Membrane-Associated Transporter Protein gene (SLC45A2). The SLC45A2 protein is a 530-amino-acid polypeptide that contains 12 putative transmembrane domains, and appears to be a transporter that mediates melanin synthesis. Eighteen pathological mutations have been reported so far. In this study, six novel mutations, p.Y49C (c.146A > G), p.G89R (c.265G > A), p.C229Y (c.686G > A), p.T437A (c.1309A > G), p.T440A (c.1318A > G) and p.G473D (c.1418G > A) were found in eight Japanese patients with various clinical phenotypes. The phenotypes of OCA4 were as various as the other types of OCA and probably depended on the mutation sites in the SLC45A2 gene.

Albinism, Oculocutaneous↗
PubMed2006

Discrepancies in cytogenetic results between amniocytes and postnatally obtained blood: trisomy 9 mosaicism.

When amniocentesis reveals a mosaic karyotype and the baby presents with multiple malformations, an analysis of the baby's peripheral blood typically reveals a mosaic karyotype. We present a boy who was prenatally diagnosed by amniocentesis as having trisomy 9 mosaicisim but who had normal G-banding results on postnatal blood karyotyping; the patient also exhibited multiple malformations, including a diaphragmatic hernia, arthrogryposis, undescended testes, and characteristic facies. Because of the discrepancy between the phenotype and karyotype, we repeated the chromosomal studies on multiple occasions. Interphase FISH performed on abdominal wall muscle tissue revealed a mosaic trisomy 9 karyotype: 47,XY, + 9(159)/46,XY (19). Based on these findings, we finally diagnosed the patient as having trisomy 9 mosaicism and counseled the parents that the risk of recurrence was low. We conclude that it is important to be aware of the possibility that the patient can have a normal postnatal blood karyotype and an abnormal phenotype with multiple malformations when trisomy 9 mosaicism is detected prenatally. When the baby's phenotype is abnormal, karyotyping on multiple tissues is useful for confirming clinical impression as well as determining the prognosis and providing accurate genetic counseling.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed2006

Encapsulation cell therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type VII using genetically engineered immortalized human amniotic epithelial cells.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPSVII) is a lysosomal storage disease resulted from a deficiency of the enzyme beta-glucuronidase (GUSB), which is necessary for degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The deficiency of GUSB causes progressive accumulation of GAGs and subsequent lysosomal distension in multiple tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). In murine experiments, bone marrow transplant, enzyme replacement, viral vectors, and genetically modified cells were successfully used for correction of the visceral accumulation of GAGs, but little improvement was seen in the brain, because these therapeutic agents cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Although direct intracerebral injection of GUSB-encoding viral vectors has been developed to bypass the BBB, the possibility of tumor formation and the toxicity of over-expressed GUSB have been reported. In this study, we generated immortalized human amniotic epithelial (IHAE) cells to maintain the effect of implantation, and encapsulated these cells to prevent harmful immunological response and tumor formation and to regulate the level of GUSB expression within the host. Moreover, we generated IHAE cells that over-express and secrete human GUSB following transduction with an adenoviral vector encoding human GUSB. Therapeutic efficacy for MPSVII was evaluated in and ex vivo experiments using these encapsulated genetically engineered GUSB-encoding IHAE cells. We confirmed that encapsulated genetically engineered IHAE cells could secrete significant amounts of GUSB outside the capsule in vitro and into the cerebral parenchyma of C3H mice seven days after the capsule implantation. Thus, encapsulation cell therapy using genetically engineered IHAE cells is an effective armamentarium for the treatment of MPSVII.

Amnion↗
PubMed2005

Histopathological and behavioral improvement of murine mucopolysaccharidosis type VII by intracerebral transplantation of neural stem cells.

The therapeutic efficacy of neural stem cell transplantation for central nervous system (CNS) lesions in lysosomal storage disorders was explored using a murine model of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII). We used fetal neural stem cells derived from embryonic mouse striata and expanded in vitro by neurosphere formation as the source of graft materials. We transplanted neurospheres into the lateral ventricles of newborn MPS VII mice and found that donor cells migrated far beyond the site of injection within 24 h, and some of them could reach the olfactory bulb. A quantitative measurement indicated that the GUSB activity in the brain was 12.5 to 42.3% and 5.5 to 6.3% of normal activity at 24 h and 3 weeks after transplantation. In addition, histological analysis revealed a widespread decrease in lysosomal storage in the recipient's hippocampus, cortex, and ependyma. A functional assessment with novel-object recognition tests confirmed improvements in behavioral patterns. These results suggest that intracerebral transplantation of neural stem cells is feasible for treatment of CNS lesions associated with lysosomal storage disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Segmental and full paternal isodisomy for chromosome 14 in three patients: narrowing the critical region and implication for the clinical features.

We report on segmental and full paternal isodisomy for chromosome 14 in three previously unreported Japanese patients. Patient 1 was a 5(6/12)-year-old girl, Patient 2 was a male neonate, and Patient 3 was a -year-old girl. Physical examination at birth showed various somatic features characteristic of paternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 14 (upd(14)pat) such as hairy forehead, protruding philtrum, micrognathia, small thorax, and abdominal wall defects in Patients 1-3, and the constellation of somatic features was persistently observed in Patients 1 and 3. Radiological studies at birth delineated unique bell-shaped thorax with coat-hanger appearance of the ribs in Patients 1-3, but the thoracic deformity ameliorated in Patients 1 and 3 by mid childhood. Chromosome analysis showed a 46,XX karyotype in Patients 1 and 3 and was not performed in Patient 2. Microsatellite analysis indicated full paternal isodisomy for chromosome 14 in Patients 1 and 2 and segmental paternal isodisomy for chromosome 14 distal to D14S981 at 14q23.3 in Patient 3. Methylation specific PCR assay for the differentially methylated region (DMR) of GTL2 at 14q32 yielded positive products with methylated allele specific primers and no products with unmethylated allele specific primers in Patients 1-3. Since clinical phenotype was similar between Patient 3 with segmental upd(14)pat and Patients 1 and 2 with full upd(14)pat, the results are keeping with the 14q32 localized imprinted genes as the critical components of the phenotype observed in upd(14)pat and help narrow the search for additional genes to the approximately 40 Mb region distal to D14S981. Furthermore, it is likely that the characteristic thoracic deformity ameliorates with age.

Child↗
PubMed2005

Microdeletion in the SHOX 3' region associated with skeletal phenotypes of Langer mesomelic dysplasia in a 45,X/46,X,r(X) infant and Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis in her 46,XX mother: implication for the SHOX enhancer.

It is known that SHOX nullizygosity results in Langer mesomelic dysplasia (LMD) and SHOX haploinsufficiency leads to Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWDC). Here, we report on a microdeletion in the SHOX 3' region identified in a Japanese infant with LMD-compatible skeletal features and a 45,X[191]/46,X,r(X)(p22.3q24)[9] karyotype and in her mother with LWDC-compatible skeletal features and a normal 46,XX karyotype. Physical and auxological examinations revealed mesomelic appearance, ulnarly deviated hands, and borderline micrognathia in the infant, and relatively short forearms and lower legs in the mother. Radiological studies indicated mesomelia, markedly curved radii, hypoplastic ulnas and fibulas, and metaphyseal splaying in the infant, and borderline to mild curvature of the radii, decreased carpal angles, and high-normal triangularization index in the mother. Cytogenetic and molecular studies showed that the ring X chromosome of the infant was missing SHOX and of paternal origin, whereas the cytogenetically normal X chromosomes of the infant and one of the two X chromosomes of the mother, though they retained SHOX with normal coding sequences, had a microdeletion in the SHOX 3' region. The microdeletion started from a position approximately 200 kb from SHOX coding sequences, and spanned 240-350 kb in physical length involving DXYS233. The results, in conjunction with those reported by Flanagan et al. [2002], suggest that a cis-acting enhancer exists in the SHOX 3' region around DXYS233.

3' Flanking Region↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of allogeneic T-cell responses by dendritic cells expressing transduced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

BACKGROUND: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an enzyme involved in the catabolism of tryptophan and has been shown to prevent rejection of the fetus during pregnancy by inhibiting alloreactive T cells. METHODS: In this study we investigated dendritic cells (DCs) that are transfected with IDO cDNA in the inhibition of T-cell proliferation after antigen-specific interaction. XS106 DCs, derived from A/J mice (H-2k), were transduced with IDO with a gene-delivery system using a recombinant adenoviral vector. RESULTS: Western blotting and immune staining revealed IDO expression in XS106 DCs transduced with IDO (XS106-IDO DCs), and its catabolic effect was confirmed by an increase in kynurenine concentration. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed that XS106-IDO DCs were not changeable for Ia, CD80, and CD86 expression. After XS106-IDO DCs were co-cultured with C57BL/6 allogeneic splenic T cells, the proliferation of the T cell was significantly inhibited. The co-cultured T cells with XS106-IDO DCs exhibited cell-cycle arrest. Furthermore, injection of XS160-IDO DCs into the footpads of C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice demonstrated a reduced T-cell response against allo-antigen. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that overexpression of IDO in the DCs effectively inhibited T-cell proliferation, and may expand a new immunomodulatory strategy for the prevention of allo-rejection of organ transplantation.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2005

[Genetic medicine in Japan].

Present status of genetic medicine in Japan is reviewed. More than five hundred medical doctors have now been qualified as Japanese board of clinical genetics. Training courses for genetic counselors have started in several colleges. Thirty-six hospitals organized by University or National Centers have independent units of clinical genetics. Two major Japanese homepages concerning about clinical genetics are available. Ethical guidelines for gene testing and prenatal diagnosis are published by Japanese Society for Human Genetics and other Japanese medical societies. Infrastructure for clinical genetics are now rapidly organized in Japan, however lots of problems are still waiting to be solved.

Genetic Therapy↗
PubMed2004

Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene mutations and Antley-Bixler syndrome with abnormal genitalia and/or impaired steroidogenesis: molecular and clinical studies in 10 patients.

We report on molecular and clinical findings in 10 Japanese patients (four males and six females) from eight families (two pairs of siblings and six isolated cases) with Antley-Bixler syndrome accompanied by abnormal genitalia and/or impaired steroidogenesis. Direct sequencing was performed for all the 15 exons of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene (POR), showing two missense mutations (R457H and Y578C), a 24-bp deletion mutation resulting in loss of nine amino acids and creation of one amino acid (L612_W620delinsR), a single bp insertion mutation leading to frameshift (I444fsX449), and a silent mutation (G5G). R457H has previously been shown to be a pathologic mutation, and computerized modeling analyses indicated that the 15A>G for G5G could disturb an exonic splicing enhancer motif, and the remaining three mutations should affect protein conformations. Six patients were compound heterozygotes, and three patients were R457H homozygotes; no mutation was identified on one allele of the remaining one patient. Clinical findings included various degrees of skeletal features, such as brachycephaly, radiohumeral synostosis, and digital joint contractures in patients of both sexes, normal-to-poor masculinization during fetal and pubertal periods in male patients, virilization during fetal life and poor pubertal development without worsening of virilization in female patients, and relatively large height gain and delayed bone age from the pubertal period in patients of both sexes, together with maternal virilization during pregnancy. Blood cholesterol was grossly normal, and endocrine studies revealed defective CYP17A1 and CYP21A2 activities. The results suggest that Antley-Bixler syndrome with abnormal genitalia and/or impaired steroidogenesis is caused by POR mutations, and that clinical features are variable and primarily explained by impaired activities of POR-dependent CYP51A1, CYP17A1, CYP21A2, and CYP19A1.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2004

Genitourinary phenotype in XX patients with distal 9p monosomy.

Although testicular development has been shown to be variably impaired in XY patients with distal 9p monosomy, ovarian and other genitourinary phenotype has poorly been studied in XX patients monosomic for the distal 9p region. Thus, we studied a 13-month-old infant with 46,XX,der(9)t(9;10)(p23;p13) (case 1) and an 11-year-old girl with 46,XX,der(9)t(9;16)(p23;q22) (case 2). Case 1 had primary hypogonadism (basal serum follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], 40.0 mIU/mL; leteinizing hormone [LH], 1.2 mIU/mL; estradiol [E2], <10 pg/mL), whereas case 2 had age-appropriate pubertal development (breast, Tanner stage 4; pubic hair, Tanner stage 3; menarche 11.7 years of age) and hormone values (FSH, 7.3 mIU/mL; LH, 6.7 mIU/mL; E2, 47 pg/mL). In addition, case 1 had hypoplastic labia majora, short distance between the vaginal orifice and the anus, and five renal cysts, and case 2 had anal atresia, short distance between the vaginal orifice and the anus, bilateral hydronephrosis of grade 3 with probable ureteropelvic junction stenosis, and renal dysfunction (serum creatinine, 1.52 mg/dL; urea nitrogen, 34.5mg/dL). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis for five regions and microsatellite analysis for 10 loci on 9p confirmed hemizygosity for the distal 9p region with the breakpoints between IFNA and D9S285 in case 1 and between D9S168 and D9S286 in case 2. The results, in conjunction with the previous data in XX patients with molecularly defined distal 9p monosomy, are consistent with the presence of a gene(s) involved in the development of indifferent gonad or subsequent ovarian differentiation in a approximately 11 Mb region distal to D9S168. In addition, it is possible that a gene(s) for anoperineal and renal development also maps distal to D9S168 and that for external genital development maps distal to D9S285 at the position approximately 16 Mb from the 9p telomere.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor type 11 mutation analysis and clinical assessment in 45 patients with Noonan syndrome.

We report on PTPN11 (protein-tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor type 11) mutation analysis and clinical assessment in 45 patients with Noonan syndrome. Sequence analysis was performed for all of the coding exons 1-15 of PTPN11, revealing a novel 3-bp deletion mutation and 10 recurrent missense mutations in 18 patients. Clinical assessment showed that 1) the growth pattern was similar in mutation-positive and mutation-negative patients, with no significant difference in birth length [-0.6 +/- 2.2 sd (n = 10) vs. -0.6 +/- 1.4 sd (n = 21); P = 0.95], childhood height [-2.6 +/- 1.1 sd (n = 14) vs. -2.1 +/- 1.6 sd (n = 23); P = 0.28], or target height [-0.4 +/- 0.9 sd (n = 14) vs. -0.2 +/- 0.7 sd (n = 17); P = 0.52]; 2) pulmonary valve stenosis was more frequent in mutation-positive patients than in mutation-negative patients (10 of 18 vs. 6 of 27; P = 0.02), as was atrial septal defect (10 of 18 vs. 4 of 27; P = 0.005), whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was present in five mutation-negative patients only; and 3) other features were grossly similar in the prevalence between mutation-positive and mutation-negative patients, but hematological abnormalities, such as bleeding diathesis and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, were exclusively present in mutation-positive patients (5 of 18 vs. 0 of 27; P = 0.007). The results suggest that PTPN11 mutations account for approximately 40% of Noonan syndrome patients, as has been reported previously. Furthermore, assessment of clinical features, in conjunction with data reported previously, implies that the type of cardiovascular lesions and the occurrence of hematological abnormalities are different in mutation-positive and mutation-negative patients, whereas the remaining findings are similar in the two groups of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Improvement of skeletal lesions in mice with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII by neonatal adenoviral gene transfer.

Neonatal gene transfer using adenovirus vectors expressing human beta-glucuronidase (AxCAhGUS) resulted in pathological improvement in multiple visceral organs of mice with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPSVII). However, the therapeutic effect on skeletal deformities and growth retardation, the major clinical symptoms in MPSVII, was not fully investigated by biochemical and histopathological analyses. In this study, we injected AxCAhGUS into a murine model of MPSVII (B6/MPSVII) within 24 h of birth and evaluated the therapeutic effects on skeletal deformities and growth retardation. High levels of beta-glucuronidase (GUSB) activity (approximately threefold higher than normal GUSB activity) were observed in the articular cartilage of the mice 30 days after the treatment. Histopathological study in the knee joints showed elimination of vacuole cells in the articular cartilage and growth plate. Subchondral bone near the articular surface was almost normal in the treated MPSVII mice. Long-term observation (for 140 days after treatment) indicated that characteristic phenotypes such as flattened face, hunched stature, and shortening of bone length in the treated mice were almost normal. These results demonstrate that a single injection of adenovirus vector into neonatal MPSVII mice is sufficient for long-term normalization of skeletal deformities and effective in pathological correction of the articular cartilage and growth plate.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2003

Gene expression profile in the regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When a loss of hepatic mass occurs, the expression of a large number of genes is either induced or altered, accompanying hepatocyte proliferation. In the present study, we made an in-house cDNA microarray containing 4608 elements (Liver chip), and analyzed extensively gene expression profiles of the regenerating liver after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) in rats. METHODS: RNAs were prepared from three rat livers at each time point (taken at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72 h, and 1 week after PHx). Using the liver chip, we performed large-scale analysis of gene expression during liver regeneration. Elements either up- or down-regulated more than twofold at one or more time points were selected. RESULTS: Among the 4608, 382 were identified. Using cluster analysis, we found great similarity between gene-expression profiles at 12 and 18 h after PHx as well as between 48 and 72 h after PHx. We also found that there are at least six distinct temporal patterns of gene expression in the regenerating rat liver after PHx. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that microarray analysis is a powerful approach for monitoring molecular events in the regenerating liver.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Bcl-2 prevents doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of human liver cancer cells.

We have isolated two stable human bcl-2 transfected cell lines, HCC-T-bcl and PLC-bcl, that were derived from the transfection of two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HCC-T and PLC/PRF/5, respectively) with a plasmid vector containing recombinant bcl-2 (pCAGGS-bcl).) Cell lines transfected with the plasmid alone (pCAGGS-neo) were also established as controls (HCC-T-neo and PLC-neo). HCC-T-neo and PLC-neo were sensitive to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, as defined by morphological observation. Although HCC-T-neo expressed endogenous Bcl-2, the sensitivity of HCC-T-neo to doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity was similar to that of PLC-neo, which does not express endogenous Bcl-2. In contrast, both HCC-T-bcl and PLC-bcl were more resistant to doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity. Although these bcl-2 transfectants were resistant to the drug-induced apoptosis, Bcl-2 overexpression did not affect doxorubicin-induced growth suppression. These results suggest that the overexpression of Bcl-2 renders human HCC cells resistant to doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Prolonged survival of rat liver allograft with adenoviral gene transfection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nef.

HIV-1 nef is believed to allow immune evasion by modifying cell surface molecules because of certain mechanisms such as downregulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule complex as well as upregulation of FasL. In the present study, we successfully generated a recombinant adenovirus vector containing HIV-1 nef. We detected the expression of nef in liver infected with AxCANef by immune staining and Western blotting, and confirmed its expression as persistent for more than 4 weeks. Furthermore, the surface expression of MHC class I was downregulated in AxCANef-infected hepatic cells. In addition, we also observed nef-induced FasL upregulation of gene-transfected hepatic cells. Using a DA-to-Lewis orthotopic liver transplantation model, we transfected AxCANef to a liver graft to determine whether nef expression could have an effect on recipient survival. AxCANef significantly prolonged recipient survival time (14.5 days) compared with the uninfected group (11 days) (P <.001) and the AxCALacZ-infected group (11 days) (P <.001). Histologic analysis showed reduction in the number of accumulated inflammatory cells and an increase in apoptotic cells in grafts expressing nef. In conclusion, we showed that the nef gene could prolong survival of rat liver allografts, and this result suggested the potential clinical use of its transfection.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2003

Stat3 protects against Fas-induced liver injury by redox-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3) is one of the most important molecules involved in the initiation of liver development and regeneration. In order to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Stat3, we examined whether Stat3 protects against Fas-mediated liver injury in the mouse. A constitutively activated form of Stat3 (Stat3-C) was adenovirally overexpressed in mouse liver by intravenous injection, and then a nonlethal dose of Fas agonist (Jo2) was injected intraperitoneally into the mouse (0.3 microg/g body wt). Stat3-C dramatically suppressed both apoptosis and necrosis induced by Jo2. In contrast, liver-specific Stat3-knockout mice failed to survive following Jo2 injection. Stat3-C upregulated expression of FLICE inhibitor protein (FLIP), Bcl-xL, and Bcl-2, and accordingly downregulated activities of FLICE and caspase-3 that were redox-independent. Interestingly, Stat3-C also upregulated the redox-associated protein redox factor-1 (Ref-1) and reduced apoptosis in liver following Jo2 injection by suppressing oxidative stress and redox-sensitive caspase-3 activity. These findings indicate that Stat3 activation protects against Fas-mediated liver injury by inhibiting caspase activities in redox-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Animals↗