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Biomedical subjects

Tsuyoshi Takahashi

Publications and source records attributed to Tsuyoshi Takahashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Interactions between peptides containing nucleobase amino acids and T7 phages displaying S. cerevisiae proteins.

The importance of high-throughput analyses of protein abundances and functions is interestingly increasing in genomic/proteomic studies. In such postgenome sequencing era, a protein-detecting chip, in which a large number of molecules specifically capturing target proteins (capturing agents) such as antibodies, recombinant proteins, and small molecules are arrayed onto solid, wet, or semi-wet substrates, enables comprehensive analysis of proteomes by a single experiment. However, whole proteomes are generally complicated for comprehensive analyses so that alternative approaches to subproteome analysis categorized by protein functions and binding properties (focused proteome) would be effective. Approaching the goal of development of designed peptide chip for protein analysis, diversity increases in peptide structures and validation of target proteins are needed. We herein describe design and synthesis of nucleobase amino acid (NBA)-containing peptides, selection of nucleic acid-related proteins derived from S. cerevisiae, and detection of interactions between NBA-containing peptides and T7 phages displaying proteins by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and label-free anomalous reflection of gold (AR) measurements. Twenty-eight phage clones were obtained by the phage-display method and sequenced. Ten of 28 clones were expected to be nucleic acid-related proteins including initiation factor, TYB protein, ribosomal proteins, elongation factor, ATP synthase subunit, GTP-binding protein, and ribonuclease. Other phage clones encoded several classes of enzymes such as reductase, oxidase, aldolase, metalloprotease, and hexokinase. Both ELISA and AR measurements suggested that the methodology of in vitro selection for recognition of the NBA-containing peptide presented in this study was successfully established. Such a combination of NBA and phage display technologies would be potential to efficiently confirm valuable target proteins binding specifically to capturing agents, to be arrayed onto solid surfaces to develop the designed peptide chip.

Bacteriophage T7↗

Surgical strategy for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors: laparoscopic vs. open resection.

BACKGROUND: Because wide resections and extensive lymphadenectomies are usually not required, the laparoscopic approach has been considered reasonable for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of gastric origin and has been reported with increased frequency. However, its long-term oncologic outcome has not been fully assessed. METHODS: We reviewed 67 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic (LAP) or traditional open (OPEN) resection of gastric GISTs from January 1993 to May 2004. RESULTS: There were 39 LAP and 28 OPEN cases. One LAP case was converted to open (2.6%). Patients in both groups had comparable backgrounds. Tumor location, size, and risk classification were similar. There was no difference in operating time and blood loss. Five patients (one in LAP and four in OPEN) showed recurrence and/or metastases after a median followup period of 26 months. Tumor enucleation resulted in a higher recurrence rate in both groups: one after three enucleations in LAP and two after six in OPEN. In cases with tumors that were larger than 5 cm, laparoscopic manipulation became technically challenging, although no recurrence was noted in this subgroup. Overall recurrence rate was comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery is oncologically justified for gastric GISTs, while its indication should be carefully discussed for cases with bulky and high-risk tumors. Tumor enucleations should be avoided whichever approach (open/laparoscopic) is selected.

Adolescent↗

Binding modes of the precursor of adenovirus major core protein VII to DNA and template activating factor I: implication for the mechanism of remodeling of the adenovirus chromatin.

Template Activating Factor (TAF) I remodels the adenovirus (Ad) core structure composed of the Ad genome DNA and basic viral core proteins and stimulates in vitro DNA replication and transcription of the Ad core. We have recently reported that TAF-I binds to major core protein VII and forms DNA-protein VII-TAF-I ternary complexes in vitro and in vivo. Further to understand the mechanism of remodeling of the Ad core, we characterized the interaction mode between the precursor of protein VII (pre-VII) and either DNA or TAF-I by means of biochemical and biophysicochemical methods. We found that a major binding region of pre-VII with both DNA and the acidic carboxyl-terminal region of TAF-I lies in the arginine-rich region of pre-VII. Both amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal regions of pre-VII without the arginine-rich region directly bound to DNA and supported the DNA binding activity of the arginine-rich region. A TAF-I mutant protein lacking the acidic carboxyl-terminal region bound preferentially to the carboxyl-terminal region of pre-VII containing the arginine-rich region rather than the amino-terminal region of pre-VII. Thus, DNA interacted with the entire region of pre-VII, while TAF-I bound preferentially to the carboxyl-terminal region of pre-VII. This binding mode suggests the formation of the ternary complexes among DNA, protein VII, and TAF-I. On the basis of the binding modes in binary systems, we discussed the remodeling mechanism of the Ad core in early phases of infection.

Adenoviridae↗

Expression of CD161 (NKR-P1A) defines subsets of human CD4 and CD8 T cells with different functional activities.

A subset of T cells in human peripheral blood expresses CD161 (NKR-P1A) receptors that are primarily associated with NK cells. In the current study we isolated blood T cell subsets according to the expression of CD161 and examined their contents of naive, central memory, and effector memory cells and their capacities for proliferation, cytokine secretion, and natural cytolysis. We found that CD4+CD161- and CD8+CD161- subsets contained predominantly naive T cells that secreted high levels of IL-2 after in vitro stimulation, and CD4+CD161int and CD8+CD161int subsets contained predominantly effector and central memory T cells that secreted high levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. All of these subsets showed vigorous proliferation after stimulation in vitro, but none had NK lytic activity. Unexpectedly, the CD8+CD161+ cells contained an anergic CD8alpha+CD8betalow/-CD161high T cell subset that failed to proliferate, secrete cytokines, or mediate NK lytic activity.

Antigens, Surface↗

CD1d expression level in tumor cells is an important determinant for anti-tumor immunity by natural killer T cells.

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are thought to regulate anti-tumor immunity. Human iNKT (i.e. Valpha24+ NKT) cells have been reported to recognize CD1d on target cells and show cytotoxicity directly on the target cells in vitro. However, the anti-tumor effect of mouse iNKT (i.e. Valpha14+ NKT) cells has been repeatedly reported to be dependent on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells via interferon-gamma, with no evidence of direct cytotoxicity. In the present study, we report that in vitro cytolysis of EL-4 mouse lymphoblastic lymphoma cells by Valpha24+ NKT cells and in vivo eradication of these cells are both dependent on the level of CD1d expression on the tumor cell surface. These observations possibly suggest that direct cytotoxicity of tumor cells by iNKT cells is common to both humans and mice, and that the high expression level of CD1d may be a predictor whether the tumor is a good target of iNKT cells.

Animals↗

Protective conditioning for acute graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND: Conditioning with total lymphoid irradiation plus antithymocyte serum protects mice against acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic-cell transplantation. We tested this strategy in humans. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with lymphoid malignant diseases or acute leukemia underwent an experimental conditioning regimen with 10 doses of total lymphoid irradiation (80 cGy each) plus antithymocyte globulin, followed by an infusion of HLA-matched peripheral-blood mononuclear cells from related or unrelated donors who received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. RESULTS: Of the 37 transplant recipients, only 2 had acute GVHD after hematopoietic-cell transplantation. Potent antitumor effects in patients with lymphoid malignant diseases were shown by the change from partial to complete remission. In the transplant recipients who underwent conditioning with total lymphoid irradiation and antithymocyte globulin, the fraction of donor CD4+ T cells that produced interleukin-4 after in vitro stimulation increased by a factor of five, and the proliferative response to alloantigens in vitro was reduced, as compared with normal control subjects and control subjects who underwent conditioning with a single dose of total-body irradiation (200 cGy). CONCLUSIONS: A regimen of total lymphoid irradiation plus antithymocyte globulin decreases the incidence of acute GVHD and allows graft antitumor activity in patients with lymphoid malignant diseases or acute leukemia treated with hematopoietic-cell transplantation.

Acute Disease↗

Relationship between ovarian weight and follicular population in heifers.

The size of the ovary varies substantially among cattle. This variation may influence the potential of the ovary to produce follicles. In the present study, we examined whether a relationship exists between the weight of the ovary and the number of antral follicles >or=1 mm. Paired ovaries were obtained from Holstein x Japanese Black F1 heifers. Follicles were classified into three size categories (small: 1.0-<5.0 mm, medium: 5.0-<8.5 mm and large: >or=8.5 mm), and the number of follicles in each category was recorded. Large variations in the weight of ovaries and the number of follicles were observed among animals. Significant positive correlations (r>or=0.4, P<0.001) were found between the weight of intact ovaries and the number of follicles in all three categories for the ovary contralateral to CL (OCC) and in the small follicles for the ovary ipsilateral to CL (OIC). Significant positive correlations (r>0.4, P<0.0001) were also observed between the weight of ovaries devoid of CL and follicles and the number of small and medium follicles in both OIC and OCC, indicating that the correlation is not due to the increase in ovarian weight associated with the increase in follicular number. Paired ovaries contained a similar number of small and medium follicles, and significant positive correlations were observed between them (r>0.6, P<0.0001). There were significant positive correlations between the weight of OCC and the number of small and medium follicles in paired ovaries (r>0.4, P<0.0001). These results suggest that 1) the weight of an ovary reflects the potential of the ovary to produce antral follicles, and 2) a rough estimation of follicular population might be possible by using the weight of the ovary contralateral to CL in heifers.

Animals↗

Host-residual invariant NK T cells attenuate graft-versus-host immunity.

Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells have an invariant TCR-alpha chain and are activated in a CD1d-restricted manner. They are thought to regulate immune responses and play important roles in autoimmunity, allergy, infection, and tumor immunity. They also appear to influence immunity after hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, we examined the role of iNKT cells in graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) and graft rejection in a mouse model of MHC-mismatched bone marrow transplantation, using materials including alpha-galactosylceramide, NKT cells expanded in vitro, and Jalpha18 knockout mice that lack iNKT cells. We found that host-residual iNKT cells constitute effector cells which play a crucial role in reducing the severity of GVHD, and that this reduction is associated with a delayed increase in serum Th2 cytokine levels. Interestingly, we also found that host-residual iNKT cause a delay in engraftment and, under certain conditions, graft rejection. These results indicate that host-residual iNKT cells attenuate graft-vs-host immunity rather than host-vs-graft immunity.

Adoptive Transfer↗

A case of incarcerated femoral hernia in an infant.

The authors describe the case of an incarcerated femoral hernia in an infant. A 4-month-old female infant was hospitalized with an incarcerated right groin hernia. Attempts to reduce the mass were unsuccessful, so an emergency surgery was performed. During surgery, the hernial sac seemed to protrude under the inguinal ligament. The authors opened the hernial sac and observed a dark red small intestine. The authors did not resect the intestine because its color gradually improved after the constriction was released. The hernial sac passed under the inguinal ligament, and the infant was diagnosed with incarcerated femoral hernia.

Emergencies↗

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 promotes fibrosarcoma cell migration by modifying cellular attachment to vitronectin via alpha(v)beta(5) integrin.

Both urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) are associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients. We demonstrate that PAI-1 inhibits human fibrosarcoma cell (HT-1080) adhesion to vitronectin (Vn) via alpha (v)beta (5) integrin, and stimulates cell migration from Vn toward collagen type IV (Col). The cells attached more strongly to Vn and Col than to fibronectin (Fn), whereas PAI-1 interfered with cell attachment to Vn only. An integrin antagonist, RGD peptide, and anti-alpha (v)beta (5) integrin antibodies, which similarly inhibited cell attachment to Vn, also stimulated cell migration from Vn toward Col. u-PA did not modify cell attachment directly, but reversed the PAI-1-mediated inhibitory effect on cell adhesion to Vn, and its stimulatory effect on cell migration from Vn toward Col. Thus HT-1080 cell migration appears to be modified by u-PA and PAI-1, altering cell adhesion to Vn via alpha (v)beta (5) integrin. This may be related to their tumor-promoting effect.

Cell Adhesion↗

Liver transplantation using liver grafts preserved under high pressure.

To extend organ preservation time, we attempted to establish a unique method of maintaining a preservation solution in a stable unfrozen state below its freezing point by pressurizing the solution. Livers removed from Lewis rats (RT1l) were stored in UW solution pressurized at the prescribed pressure. After the termination of preservation, orthotopic liver transplantation was performed. Experiment 1: Liver grafts were pressurized up to 30, 40, 50, and 70 MPa and preserved at 0 degrees C for 60 min. Experiment 2: Liver grafts were compressed at a rate of 1.32 or 0.04 MPa/s to 35 MPa and preserved for 60 min at 0 degrees C. Experiments 3 and 4: Liver grafts were pressurized up to 5, 10, 20, and 30 MPa and preserved at -2 degrees C (Exp. 3), -3 degrees C or -4 degrees C (Exp. 4) for 5 h. All rats transplanted with livers pressurized up to 30 MPa (Exp. 1), all rats in the 5 MPa and control groups at -2 degrees C (Exp. 3), and all rats in the 5 MPa group at -3 degrees C (Exp. 4) survived for 2 weeks. In light microscopy, diffuse hemorrhage and vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes were observed in a pressure-dependent manner. Liver grafts preserved under pressurized, subzero nonfrozen condition have sufficient function to sustain the life of rats after orthotopic transplantation.

Animals↗

Immature granulocyte fraction in the peripheral blood is a practical indicator for mobilization of CD34(+) cells.

We propose a simple parameter that improves prediction of the number of CD34(+) cells in blood cells collected by apheresis for autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation following administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. The percentage of immature granulocytes including myeloblasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes (LSI for left-shift index) immediately prior to the start of each apheresis correlated with the number of CD34(+) cells in PBSC collections (r = 0.79, P < 0.0001, Y = 0.227X - 0.99, R(2) = 0.623) much better than did the white blood cell count (r = 0.07), currently the most commonly used predictor in deciding the initiation of apheresis. We then used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine a cutoff point for LSI to prevent unnecessary apheresis. At LSI > 7.5, sensitivity and specificity of cutoff points in the probability of obtaining >1.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg BW were 93.3% and 94.3% (95% CI, 91.4-100.0%), respectively. When LSI reaches 15.25, nearly 100% of apheresis will attain the target CD34(+) cell dose. These findings indicate that LSI is a useful and simple method for predicting the yield of CD34(+) cells before the start of PBSC collection and avoiding unnecessary apheresis.

Adolescent↗

A novel method for isolation of endothelial cells and macrophages from murine tumors based on Ac-LDL uptake and CD16 expression.

Analysis of specific properties of tumor endothelium should be useful for development of novel antiangiogenic strategies. However, the isolation of pure endothelial cells from tumor tissues is still a fundamental problem. In this study, we have attempted to develop a reliable method for the isolation of endothelial cells from murine tumors. We found that the labeling with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-acetylated-low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL), commonly used for this purpose, can result in the contamination of isolated endothelium by macrophages due to the overlapping staining patterns of these two distinct cell types. Therefore, we chose the CD16, which is expressed on macrophages but not endothelial cells, to better distinguish them when labeled with Dil-Ac-LDL. By using this method, we obtained pure populations of endothelial cells and macrophages from murine colorectal cancer tissues, showing characteristic morphological and functional properties of the either cell type. The endothelial cells were long spindle-shaped, spread on gelatin, formed tube-like structures on Matrigel and expressed MECA-32 but not CD68. In contrast, the macrophages were round-shaped, partially spread on gelatin, formed unorganized aggregates on Matrigel and expressed CD68 but not MECA-32. The additional analysis of normal and tumor tissues revealed a positive correlation between the relative numbers of tumor endothelial cells and macrophages, calculated as % total cells, as well as the respective relative number and tumor weight. The present method is hoped to be useful for the evaluation of tumor angiogenesis and antitumor immunity.

Animals↗

Primary repair of tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to disc battery ingestion: a case report.

The authors report on a child with tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to disc battery ingestion. Through a low cervical collar incision with limited sternal split, the fistula was primarily repaired, and the omohyoid muscle and thymus were mobilized to cover the suture lines. There are no signs of recurrent fistula 6 months after the operation. The anterior cervical approach with limited sternal split provided excellent access to the fistula. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of successful primary repair of a tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to disk battery ingestion.

Burns, Chemical↗

The many-demes limit for selection and drift in a subdivided population.

A diffusion approximation is obtained for the frequency of a selected allele in a population comprised of many subpopulations or demes. The form of the diffusion is equivalent to that for an unstructured population, except that it occurs on a longer time scale when migration among demes is restricted. This many-demes diffusion limit relies on the collection of demes always being in statistical equilibrium with respect to migration and drift for a given allele frequency in the total population. Selection is assumed to be weak, in inverse proportion to the number of demes, and the results hold for any deme sizes and migration rates greater than zero. The distribution of allele frequencies among demes is also described.

Alleles↗