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Biomedical subjects

Y Shimizu

Publications and source records attributed to Y Shimizu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Differential expression of VLA-alpha 4 and VLA-beta 1 discriminates multiple subsets of CD4+CD45R0+ "memory" T cells.

Given the importance of adhesion in T cell development, we have undertaken systematic flow cytometric analysis of CD4 T cells to determine relationships between the developmentally regulated marker CD45R0 and adhesion receptors (five VLA integrin chains). The most important findings are that: 1) expression of alpha 3, alpha 5, and alpha 6 are closely coregulated with beta 1 on CD4 cells, while regulation of VLA-alpha 4 is quite discordant. 2) CD45R0- cells, generally understood to be naive cells, have low homogeneous expression of VLA-alpha 3, VLA-alpha 4, VLA-alpha 5, VLA-alpha 6, and beta 1 integrin chains; studies of cord blood CD4 cells confirm the low homogeneous expression of alpha 4 and beta 1 on naive cells. 3) In marked contrast, CD45R0+ cells, generally understood to be memory cells, show not only an overall increase in expression of these integrins (relative to CD45R0- cells) but also heterogeneity. Dramatic heterogeneity is revealed when the markers VLA-alpha 4 and beta 1 are analyzed together. Many CD45R0+ cells show increased levels of both VLA-alpha 4 and VLA-beta 1; however, some have increased levels principally of either VLA-beta 1 or VLA-alpha 4. We hypothesize that T cells becoming memory cells in different microenvironments specialize their integrin phenotype, thereby acquiring distinctive functional and homing capacities; in this process, VLA-4 (CD49d) appears to play a unique role.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes

Molecular analysis of POP2 gene, a gene required for glucose-derepression of gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have isolated a new mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that exhibits a glucose-derepression resistant (and sucrose-non-fermentor) phenotype. This mutant was obtained by screening for overproduction of alpha-amylase in a strain containing the mouse alpha-amylase gene under the control of the PGK promoter. The mutation designated pop2 (PGK promoter directed over production). The pop2 mutant overproduced amylase 5-6 fold and displayed several other pleiotropic defects: (1) resistance to glucose derepression, (2) temperature-sensitive growth, (3) failure of homozygous diploid cells to sporulate and (4) reduced amount of reserve carbohydrates. We mapped pop2 to chromosome XIV, distal to lys9 and SUP28, indicating that POP2 is a newly-identified locus. We isolated the POP2 gene from two yeast strains of different genetic backgrounds, S288C and A364A, and determined their nucleotide sequences. The predicted amino acid sequence of the POP2 protein contains three glutamine-rich region, a proline-rich region and a serine/threonine-rich region, characteristic of many transcription factors. Steady state levels of RNA transcribed from the PGK-amylase fusion gene and from endogenous PGK gene in stationary-phase pop2 cells were 5- to 10-fold higher than those observed in wild-type cells, showing that the pop2 mutation affects transcription of the PGK gene transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence

Two new human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and their cytogenetics and responses to growth factors, hormones, cytokines or immunologic effector cells.

Two new human cholangiocarcinoma (CC) cell lines (CC-SW-I and CC-LP-I) were established and maintained in culture for 2 years. Histologically, both original liver tumors were adenocarcinomas, and the cell lines exhibited morphologic features of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed that both cell lines were strongly positive for cytokeratin AEI but negative for carbohydrate tumor-associated antigen, CA19-9. Ultrastructural analysis of both cell lines showed the presence of tight junctional complexes and focally formed microvilli. Both CC cell lines were tumorigenic in nude mice. Cytogenetic analysis showed that both cell lines expressed highly aneuploid karyotypes with numerous structural and numerical deviations. CC-SW-I was hypodiploid with numerous chromosome losses and structural rearrangements, while CC-LP-I was hyperdiploid and displayed multiple additional chromosomes. Doubling times for the CC-SW-I and CC-LP-I cell lines in the presence of 15% fetal bovine serum were 72 hr and 180 hr, respectively. Growth of the CC-SW-I cell line was significantly stimulated in the presence of insulin, while that of the CC-LP-I cell line was significantly augmented by epidermal growth factor (EGF). In contrast, dexamethasone strongly inhibited proliferation of both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Among various recombinant cytokines examined for effects on growth or surface antigen expression on CC cell lines, only interleukin I-beta (ILI-beta) strongly inhibited growth of the CC-LP-I cell line, while interferons (IFNs) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were mildly inhibitory. Both tumor cell lines were resistant to natural killer (NK) cells but sensitive to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Preincubation of tumor cells with IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha or TNF-alpha significantly decreased the susceptibility of each tumor cell line to lysis by LAK cells, and the change in sensitivity did not correlate with the expression of HLA antigens or intercellular adhesion molecule-I (ICAM-I) on the surface of tumor cells. These 2 CC cell lines are expected to provide valuable information about cell biology of human CC.

Adenocarcinoma

CD31 expressed on distinctive T cell subsets is a preferential amplifier of beta 1 integrin-mediated adhesion.

The CD31 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 [PECAM-1]/endothelial cell adhesion molecule [endoCAM]) molecule expressed on leukocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells is postulated to mediate adhesion to endothelial cells and thereby function in immunity, inflammation, and wound healing. We report the following novel features of CD31 which suggests a role for it in adhesion amplification of unique T cell subsets: (a) engagement of CD31 induces the adhesive function of beta 1 and beta 2 integrins; (b) adhesion induction by CD31 immunoglobulin G (IgG) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is sensitive, requiring only bivalent mAb; (c) CD31 mAb induces adhesion rapidly, but it is transient; (d) unique subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells express CD31, including all naive (CD45RA+) CD8 T cells; and (e) CD31 induction is selective, inducing adhesive function of beta 1 integrins, particularly very late antigen-4, more efficiently than the beta 2 integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1. Conversely, CD3 is more effective in inducing beta 2-mediated adhesion. Taken together, these findings indicate that unique T cell subsets express CD31, and CD31 has the capacity to induce integrin-mediated adhesion of T cells in a sensitive and selective fashion. We propose that, in collaboration with other receptors/ligands, CD31 functions in an "adhesion cascade" by amplifying integrin-mediated adhesion of CD31+ T cells to other cells, particularly endothelial cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Cold exposure increases glucose utilization and glucose transporter expression in brown adipose tissue.

When rats were exposed to a cold environment (4 degrees C) for 10 days, tissue glucose utilization was increased in brown adipose tissue (BAT), a tissue specified for non-shivering thermogenesis, but not in skeletal muscle. Cold exposure also caused an increase in the amount of GLUT4, an isoform of glucose transporters expressed in insulin-sensitive tissues, in parallel with an increased cellular level of GLUT4 mRNA. In contrast to BAT, no significant effect of cold exposure was found in skeletal muscle. The results suggest the cold-induced increase in glucose utilization by BAT is attributable, at least in part, to the increased expression of GLUT4.

Acclimatization

Detection of intrahepatic replication of hepatitis C virus RNA by in situ hybridization and comparison with histopathology.

A nonisotopic in situ hybridization (NISH) assay was used to detect hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. A synthetic oligonucleotide complementary to bases 252-301 of the highly conserved 5' noncoding region of the HCV genome was end-labeled by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase using digoxigenin-conjugated dUTP. The hybridized oligomer was revealed by an immunohistochemical reaction after incubation with an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-digoxigenin antibody and subsequent amplification with a complex of alkaline phosphatase and anti-alkaline phosphatase antibodies. The intracellular distribution of HCV RNA was monitored in the livers of two chimpanzees experimentally infected with the H strain of HCV and compared with the serum alanine aminotransferase activity, serum HCV RNA, and liver histopathology. Most cells were stained in the cytoplasm as early as 2 days after inoculation, 1 and 2 days, respectively, before the appearance of viral RNA in the serum. The time course of HCV RNA replication was correlated with increases in serum alanine aminotransferase. However, neither one paralleled the appearance of liver cell necrosis nor showed any correlation with the inflammatory response. The NISH signal was not found in liver biopsy specimens taken from these two animals before inoculation with HCV, from chimpanzees with acute hepatitis type A, B, or delta, or from two animals never experimentally infected with any hepatitis agent; moreover, it disappeared when the positive specimens were predigested with RNase and it was not observed after hybridization of positive controls with a labeled oligomer unrelated to HCV RNA. Thus, detection of liver HCV RNA by NISH is a sensitive and specific method for studying HCV replication at the cellular level. Intracellular replication of HCV did not appear to be associated with histopathologic changes in the liver, although the correlation with increases of liver enzyme activity in the serum suggested possible damage to the liver cell membrane.

Alanine Transaminase

Augmenting effect of sizofiran on the immunofunction of regional lymph nodes in cervical cancer.

The immunomodulating effect of sizofiran on regional lymph nodes (RLN) was studied in cervical cancer and benign gynecologic tumors comparatively between treated patients (sizofiran intramuscularly (1) 1 day (20 mg) before and (2) 8 days (20 mg) and 1 day (20 mg) before surgery; n = 34) and untreated patients (n = 21). The RLN (internal iliac lymph nodes) were dissected surgically, and freshly obtained mononuclear (MN) cells were studied to observe interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and lymphokine-activated killer cell and natural-killer cell activities. The infiltration of surface phenotype of MN cells into RLN was determined semiquantitatively by immunohistochemistry. Sizofiran augmented IL-2 production of RLN, which was accompanied by a marked increase in the number of cells stained with anti-Leu-3a and IL-2 receptor. This effect was found more often in Stage Ib disease than in Stage 0, and it was not observed in benign tumors. These results suggest that stimulation with some antigens (e.g., cancer antigen in the current study) is necessary to induce immunoaugmentation by sizofiran which has no antigenicity. The augmenting effect was seen even in lymph nodes involved by advanced cervical cancer. Therefore, sizofiran was found to be a potent biologic response modifier in patients with cervical cancer.

Adjuvants, Immunologic

Crosslinking of the T cell-specific accessory molecules CD7 and CD28 modulates T cell adhesion.

Regulated adhesion enables T cells to migrate through tissue and transiently interact with an endless succession of cells. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) engagement of the CD3/T cell receptor (TCR) complex results in a rapid and transient augmentation of the adhesion function of LFA-1 and VLA integrin molecules on human T cells. We show in this study that mAb crosslinking of the T cell-specific accessory molecules CD7 and CD28, or treatment with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, results in the rapid induction of integrin-mediated adhesion to three distinct ligands: the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, and the cell surface molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Like CD3 crosslinking, increased adhesion via CD7 and CD28 crosslinking appears to involve both protein kinase C (PKC) and cAMP-dependent protein kinases. In contrast, A23187 induction of adhesion is unaffected by PKC inhibitors. CD7 is preferentially expressed on naive T cells and is unique in being a potent inducer of naive T cell adhesion. Enhanced expression/function of adhesion-inducing molecules thus overcomes relative deficits in adhesion receptor expression.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Inclusion bodies in cerebral cortical astrocytes: a new change of astrocytes.

A unique pathological finding of astrocytes was observed in the brain of a 20-year-old man who had severe physical and mental retardation. The brain was malformed showing micropolygyria in several cortical areas. A large number of hypertrophic astrocytes with eosinophilic granular substances in their cytoplasm were found throughout the cerebral cortex. Several staining procedures and electron microscopical examinations were carried out on these intracytoplasmic inclusion. It was found that the appearance and staining character of these inclusions were different from other astrocytic changes, especially the Rosenthal fiber, described so far. The authors consider that these inclusion bodies in cerebral cortical astrocytes represent new pathological changes of astrocytes that appear to be associated with malformation of the brain.

Adult

Correlation between epidermal growth factor receptor concentration and the growth of human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice.

Seven human gastric cancer xenografts with different concentrations of EGF receptor were established in nude mice. The expression of EGF receptor in the tumors was demonstrated by Western blotting with anti-EGF receptor antibody, binding assay with 125I-EGF and immunohistochemistry with anti-EGF receptor antibody. Western blotting revealed EGF receptor doublet bands at molecular masses of 150 KDa and 170 KDa in all of the samples. The concentration of 125I-EGF binding activity in the tumors ranged from 36.0 to 11,000 fmol/mg protein, with a mean of 345 fmol/mg protein. EGF receptor was also demonstrated immunohistochemically on the apical border of the glands and the cell membrane of the tumor cells. There seemed to be a close correlation between the concentration of 125I-EGF binding activity and the doubling time of these tumors in nude mice (gamma = -0.68). However, no definite correlation was observed between EGF ligand binding and histological features of intestinal type or diffuse type. The expression of EGF receptor appears to facilitate the growth of human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice.

Animals

Plasma growth hormone (GH) responses to corticotropin-releasing hormone in patients with acromegaly--the effect of dexamethasone pretreatment and the comparison with GH responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone and GH-releasing hormone.

It has been reported that paradoxical GH responses to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) occur in only few patients with acromegaly. However, we have observed such responses in 7 of 14 active acromegalic patients. Therefore, we have studied the GH responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (500 micrograms, iv), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (LHRH) (100 micrograms, iv) and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) (100 micrograms, iv) in these patients to examine the relationships between the GH responses to CRH and the responses to these hypothalamic hormones. Further, these patients received human CRH (1-41) NH2 (100 micrograms, iv) with or without dexamethasone (Dex) pretreatment (1 mg/100 ml saline, iv, from -30 to +30 min) to study the mechanism of CRH-induced GH secretion, and a perifusion experiment was performed using adenoma tissue obtained at surgery from one patient (10(-7) M CRH and TRH were added) to elucidate whether CRH acts directly at the pituitary level. Aberrant GH responses induced by CRH were found in 7 of 14 (50%) acromegalic patients (TRH responders: 10/13, 77%; LHRH responders: 2/9, 22%; GHRH responders: 10/12, 83%). In these patients, percent GH increment induced by CRH ranged from 81 to 144% (Mean +/- SE, 118 +/- 8%), and the GH peak (19 +/- 3 min) appeared as early as after TRH (23 +/- 4 min, N = 10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acromegaly

Immunolocalization of Ku-proteins (p80/p70): localization of p70 to nucleoli and periphery of both interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes.

Distribution on both nuclei and metaphase chromosomes of Ku-proteins, recognized by autoantibodies from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, has been studied using a specific monoclonal antibody (mAbH6) that recognizes p70, one Ku-protein. Observation with either a conventional fluorescent microscope or a confocal laser scanning microscope revealed mAbH6-stained p70 antigen localized on both nuclear periphery and nucleoli of human interphase cells. The specific staining of nucleoli with mAbH6 has been confirmed using isolated nucleoli from rat liver in which the staining was seen as fine granules surrounding nucleolar DNA. During mitosis p70 antigen moved away from association with the nuclear envelope region to localization on the periphery of condensed chromosomes with no apparent staining of chromosome interior. The p70 antigen was copurified with DNA fragments by immunoaffinity column chromatography using mAbH6. The mAbH6 staining of both nuclear periphery and nucleoli was lost upon digestion with DNase I at low concentrations. These results suggest that p70 antigen is connected with these nuclear structures through DNA.

Amino Acid Sequence

Antibodies to brevetoxin B: serologic differentiation of brevetoxin B and brevetoxin A.

A brevetoxin B immunogen was prepared by reacting brevetoxin B with the amino groups of bovine albumin followed by treatment with sodium borohydride. Immunized rabbits produced antibodies that bound [3H]brevetoxin B-alcohol. This binding increased with repeated immunization (KD for one rabbit after three courses of immunization was about 10 pM). Brevetoxin B inhibited greater than 500 times more effectively than brevetoxin A. When tested in a competitive binding assay with [3H]brevetoxin B-alcohol-brevetoxin B antibody, the alcohol was six times more effective as an inhibitor than brevetoxin B. Despite some similarities in structure with brevetoxin A, the antibodies to brevetoxin B did not recognize the backbone of brevetoxin A.

Animals

Controlled cisplatin delivery system using poly(D,L-lactic acid).

Cisplatin (CDDP)-containing poly(D,L-lactic acid) microspheres (CDDP-MS) and beads (CDDP-B) with an average molecular weight of the oligomer of 1.2 x 10(4) and 4% CDDP loading were prepared. In Tris buffer, 95% of CDDP disappeared from CDDP-MS within 3 d. In vitro and in vivo, CDDP-B released CDDP for 30-57 d, and for 21-42 d, respectively. The other CDDP-B with an average oligomer molecular weight of 9.6 x 10(3) with 5% lactic acid monomers, that contained 4% CDDP, showed a two-phase CDDP release pattern and CDDP disappeared within 41 d in vitro, and within 21 d in vivo. Histologically, tissue necrosis surrounding the CDDP-B was not severe.

Animals

Lymphocyte interactions with endothelial cells.

Adhesion of lymphocytes to endothelium is vital to lymphocyte migration into lymphoid tissue and into inflammatory sites. In this review, Yoji Shimizu and colleagues identify the molecules that mediate lymphocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, describe the underlying principles of lymphocyte migration, and discuss a model of the sequence of events that allow a lymphocyte to successfully attach to endothelium and migrate into the surrounding tissue.

Cell Adhesion Molecules

Carcinogenicity study of gamma-oryzanol in F344 rats.

The carcinogenic potential of gamma-oryzanol, a drug mainly used for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, was studied in F344 rats. Groups of 50 males and 50 females were fed a diet containing 0 (control), 200, 600 or 2000 mg gamma-oryzanol/kg body weight/day for 2 yr. Although females in the highest dose group (2000 mg/kg body weight) showed a slight decrease in body weight at 104 wk, there were no treatment-related changes in general condition, food consumption, mortality, organ weight or haematology. Histopathological examination showed various tumours in all groups, including the control group. In the control and 2000-mg/kg groups, high tumour incidences were observed in the testes, pituitary and thyroid of males, and in the pituitary, uterus and mammary gland of females; however, there was no significant increase in the incidence of any tumours between the control and the 2000-mg/kg groups. The findings indicate that under the experimental conditions described gamma-oryzanol was not carcinogenic in F344 rats.

Administration, Oral

Memory T-lymphocytes are the main population of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes obtained from human primary liver tumors.

The phenotypic characteristics of freshly isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) obtained from human liver tumors were analyzed by two-color flow cytometry. TIL consisted of mainly CD3+ T-lymphocytes (70-80%). The ratio of CD4/CD8 in TIL from primary and metastatic liver tumors and autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (A-PBL) was 1.3, 1.1 and 1.3, respectively. The majority of CD3+ T-lymphocytes (mean +/- SD; 95 +/- 11%) expressed T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) alpha/beta, and gamma/delta TCR positive T-cells were only 5 +/- 4.5% in TIL from both primary and metastatic liver tumors. TIL showed significantly higher percentages of transient activation markers, such as CD25 (Tac) and HLA-DR, than A-PBL. TIL also contained significantly more populations of CD3+ CD45RO+ T-lymphocytes, which are considered to be expressed on primed (memory) T-lymphocytes, than A-PBL. Furthermore, TIL from primary liver tumors demonstrated significantly higher percentages of CD3+ CD45RO+ T-cells than those from metastatic liver tumors. These data indicate that TIL from human liver tumors are an apparently distinct population from A-PBL, and that local immune responses against human primary and metastatic liver tumors might be different. Moreover, TIL from primary liver tumors consisted of mainly activated or primed (memory) T-cells, suggesting that they were sensitized and activated by autologous tumor cells in vivo. These observations may imply the possibility of adoptive immunotherapy using TIL against human primary liver tumors.

Flow Cytometry