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Biomedical subjects

Y Takamiya

Publications and source records attributed to Y Takamiya.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Expression of thymidine kinase is essential to low dose radiation resistance of rat glioma cells.

We have found that thymidine kinase expression is a major radioresponse determinant in rat glioma cells. Cells that lack thymidine kinase expression are significantly more radiosensitive relative to the wild-type cells. The degree of sensitization is large, particularly at the dose levels used in fractionated radiotherapy. The difference in low dose survival can be accounted for by a marked difference in the ability of the cells to undergo repair of sublethal damage. When herpes thymidine kinase was introduced into the thymidine kinase-deficient mutant cells, radioresistance was partially restored, and sublethal damage repair was also enhanced. All other radiobiological responses, including DNA double-strand break repair, potentially lethal damage repair, G2 arrest, and cell cycle distribution, appeared similar among the cell lines. These data suggest that the thymidine kinase enzyme or its cellular gene may be an excellent therapeutic target to increase radiosensitivity and thereby, to enhance the radiocurability of malignant brain gliomas.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural localization of P-glycoprotein on capillary endothelial cells in human gliomas.

The P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) encoded by the human multidrug-resistance gene MDR1 has been suggested to play certain roles in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, the detailed mechanism of the activity of P-Gp in multidrug-resistance (MDR) remains unclear in human glioma. We examined the localization of P-Gp in human glioma by immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunoelectron microscopic (IEM) methods with anti P-Gp monoclonal antibodies (C219, MRK16). We also examined MDR1 expression in primary glioma and xenografts by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with human MDR1-specific primers. The IHC study showed no P-Gp expression on tumour cells but it was present on capillary endothelial cells and IEM analysis showed definitive localization on their luminal surface. MDR1 gene expression was detected in eight primary glioma and three normal brain specimens by RT-PCR, but not in glioma xenografts. The lack of MDR1 expression in these cells appears to be a consequence of the replacement of the original human stroma, including blood vessels, by murine stroma in glioma xenografts. The unique distribution of P-Gp on the capillary blood vessels was confirmed in human glioma by the results of immunohistochemical and molecular biological studies.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

HLA-B*3501-peptide interactions: role of anchor residues of peptides in their binding to HLA-B*3501 molecules.

Two HLA-B*3501 binding self-peptides, LPFDFTPGY (37F) and LPGPKFLQY (28H), were isolated from HLA-B*3501 molecules expressed by cultured human B lymphoid cells. Both sequences were consistent with previously reported motifs of HLA-B*3501 binding peptides which carry proline at position 2 and tyrosine at position 9 as anchor residues. Direct binding of these peptides to HLA-B*3501 molecules was quantitated by flow cytometry analysis of RMA-S cells. transfected with the HLA-B*3501 gene (RMA-S-B*3501). Both 37F and 28H peptides bound effectively to HLA-B*3501 molecules. Substitution of amino acids at position 2 and/or 9 of HLA-B*3501 binding peptides markedly reduced their binding to HLA-B*3501 molecules. These results indicate that two anchor residues, proline at position 2 and tyrosine at position 9 are critical in binding of peptides to HLA-B*3501 molecules. Insertion of up to four glycine residues at position 8 of the peptide 37F did not affect its binding affinity to HLA*3501 molecules. These results indicate that long peptides can effectively bind to HLA class I molecules provided that anchor residues are conserved.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of the conserved residue in pocket A and the polymorphic residue in pocket E of HLA-B*3501 in presentation of human minor histocompatibility peptides to T cells.

We investigated T cell recognition for human minor histocompatibility (hmH) peptides using HLA-B*3501 restricted, hmH specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) clones. These CTL clones killed C1R cells expressing HLA-B*3501 but not C1R cells expressing chimeric antigens between HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*5101. They also failed to kill C1R cells expressing HLA-B*3501 mutants at residue 152 (B*3501-V152E) or at residue 171 (B*3501-Y171H). The CTL clone failed to kill C1R cells expressing these mutant molecules loaded with the hmH peptides isolated from C1R-B*3501 cells although it killed a self-B cell line expressing HLA-B3501 loaded with the specific hmH peptides. The CTL clone also failed to kill T2 cells expressing the mutant molecules loaded with the specific peptides whereas it killed T2 cells expressing HLA-B*3501 loaded with the specific peptide. On the other hand, naturally occurring specific hmH peptides were isolated from purified B*3501-V152E and B*3501-Y171H molecules, indicating that both HLA-B*3501-V152E and HLA-B*3501-Y171H molecules can bind the hmH peptides. These findings indicate that both the conserved residue 171 in pocket A and the polymorphic residue 152 in pocket E are critical in recognition of the T cells but not binding of the hmH peptides. Furthermore, these results provide the possibility that the TCR recognizes a conformational structure of hmH peptides bound to HLA-B*3501 molecules.

Antigen Presentation↗

AGM-1470 inhibits the growth of human glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Glioblastoma is the most malignant primary brain tumor. Inhibition of angiogenesis is one potential strategy for treating this fatal hypervascular tumor. AGM-1470 (also called TNP-470), a novel, potent, fungus-derived inhibitor of angiogenesis, was tested on the growth of human glioblastoma cells in culture and on the growth of the tumor in nude mice. In nude mice with subrenally implanted U-87 MG glioblastomas, AGM-1470 significantly inhibited tumor growth (P < 0.01), and in nude mice with intracranial U-87 MG glioblastomas, AGM-1470 prolonged survival. In addition to its expected action as an angiogenesis inhibitor, AGM-1470 also directly inhibited U-87 MG cells in culture at concentrations similar to those that inhibited endothelial cells. The combined inhibition of glioblastoma cell mitosis and of glioblastoma-induced neovascularization suggests that AGM-1470 should be considered for further investigation in the treatment of this fatal tumor.

Animals↗

Solitary plasmacytoma of the mandible. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of solitary plasmacytoma of the mandible is presented. Review of the literature disclosed the following characteristics regarding the clinical course and prognosis. The patients ages ranged from 34 to 76 years, with a mean of 53 years; there was a marked preponderance of males. The site of predilection was the posterior portion of the mandible. The common symptom was a non-painful swelling of the mandible of long duration, and radiological features were non-specific. Monoclonal immunoglobulin was initially detected in 42% of the evaluated patients. The majority of patients were treated with radiation therapy with a mean dose of 48Gy with or without surgery. The period of follow-up ranged from 4 months to 12 years, and 17% of the patients progressed to multiple myeloma within 1 year.

Female↗

Inhibition of angiogenesis and growth of human nerve-sheath tumors by AGM-1470.

The effectiveness of AGM-1470, a potent, fungal-derived inhibitor of angiogenesis, in suppressing the neovascularization and growth of human Schwann cell tumors was tested in six schwannomas, seven neurofibromas, and one neurofibrosarcoma. Tumor fragments from surgical specimens were implanted into the subrenal capsule of 348 nude mice (nu/nu). Seven days after implantation, the tumors were measured and vascularity was graded. The animals were then randomly assigned to one of two groups, to receive either saline (control group) or systemic AGM-1470 treatment. After 2 to 6 weeks of treatment, tumor size and degree of vascularity were recorded. In the six different schwannomas implanted into 138 mice, the average vascular grade in the control group after 2 weeks of treatment increased from 2.2 to 3.2 (+1.0), while in the AGM-1470-treated group it decreased from 2.2 to 1.7 (-0.5) (p < 0.01). In the seven different neurofibromas implanted into 158 mice, the change in the average vascular grade in control and AGM-1470-treated animals was +0.5 and -1.0, respectively (p < 0.01). In the one neurofibrosarcoma implanted into 52 mice, the change in average vascular grade in each group during the 6-week treatment period was +1.9 and -1.0, respectively (p < 0.01). Neurofibrosarcoma growth after 6 weeks of AGM-1470 treatment was only 8.5% of the growth found in the control animals (p < 0.01). This study determined that AGM-1470 is effective in inhibiting angiogenesis and the growth of human nerve-sheath tumors.

Animals↗

An experimental model of retrovirus gene therapy for malignant brain tumors.

Recent research using rodent models of central nervous system gliomas indicates that a combination of gene transfer and drug treatment may be successful in killing tumor cells. In the present study, a mouse fibroblast-derived packaging cell line, psi 2, which releases a replication-defective retrovirus vector bearing the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV)-thymidine kinase (TK) gene, was grown with rat C6 tumor cells in the presence and absence of wild type Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV). Consequently, tumor cells became sensitive to ganciclovir, which is selectively converted to a toxic nucleotide analog by HSV-TK. This killing effect was more effective in the presence than in the absence of wild type retrovirus both in culture and in subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Tumors regressed in vivo and failed to regrow over a subsequent 10-day observation period after combined treatment with packaging cells, wild type MoMLV, and ganciclovir. This killing effect may be augmented by the ability of the helper retrovirus to package the vector in tumor cells and thus extend delivery of the HSV-TK gene to more tumor cells. This represents significant improvement in tumor therapy in this model system as compared with helper-free systems previously reported by the authors and others. Although additional improvements in the therapy can be envisioned, this approach may prove useful in combination with current modes of therapy for these insidious and lethal tumors.

Animals↗

Gene therapy of malignant brain tumors: a rat glioma line bearing the herpes simplex virus type 1-thymidine kinase gene and wild type retrovirus kills other tumor cells.

Tumor cells infected with a retrovirus vector (VIK) containing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene can be selectively killed by treatment with nucleoside analogues, such as ganciclovir. To mediate delivery of the HSV-TK gene to "recipient" tumor cells, "donor" C6 rat glioma cells infected with the VIK vector (C6VIK) were superinfected with wild type Moloney murine leukemia virus (WT Mo-MLV). These modified donor cells (C6VIKWT) produced both wild type retrovirus and the VIK vector. In culture, C6VIKWT cells were 300-fold more sensitive to the toxicity of ganciclovir than were C6VIK cells, suggesting that the presence of wild type retrovirus contributed to the toxicity. Co-culture of C6VIKWT cells with the C6 subline, C6BAG, sensitized the latter to ganciclovir treatment. Nude mice inoculated subcutaneously with a mixture of C6VIKWT and C6BAG cells showed regression of subsequent tumors when treated with ganciclovir. The observations show that tumor cells modified in culture by infection with a retrovirus bearing the HSV-TK gene and wild type retrovirus are not only sensitive to ganciclovir, but can transfer this sensitivity to neighboring "naive" tumor cells in culture and in vivo.

Animals↗

Fusiform superior cerebellar artery aneurysm presenting with contralateral abducens nerve paresis--case report.

A 25-year-old female suddenly developed headache and diplopia. On admission, neurological examination revealed neck stiffness and left abducens nerve paresis. A computed tomographic scan suggested subarachnoid hemorrhage. Left vertebral angiogram showed an aneurysm on the anterior pontine segment of the right superior cerebellar artery (SCA) and marked flexion and meandering of the basilar artery to the left. At surgery, an atherosclerotic, fusiform aneurysm was found through the right subtemporal transtentorial approach, and the right SCA was clipped just proximal to the aneurysm. Thirteen cases of SCA aneurysm have been described in the literature, but none was a fusiform aneurysm.

Abducens Nerve↗

Immunohistochemical studies on the proliferation of reactive astrocytes and the expression of cytoskeletal proteins following brain injury in rats.

The appearance of reactive astrocytes following brain injury was investigated in 4-week-old rats with special reference to their proliferation and chronological changes in the cytoskeletal proteins. Two days after the injury, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells had increased in number around the lesion and spread to the entire ipsilateral cortex by 3 days after the injury. To investigate the distribution of mitotic cells and its chronological change, immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody to bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was performed. BrdU-positive cells began to appear around the lesion and spread to the entire ipsilateral cortex by 3 days and their distribution was the same as that of GFAP-positive cells. To investigate the association of GFAP-positive cells with cell division, double labeling experiments using [3H]thymidine autoradiography and immunohistochemical staining with antiserum to GFAP were performed. Cells doubly labeled with GFAP and [3H]thymidine were localized in the area adjacent to the lesion, in the molecular layer of the cortex and in the white matter. By contrast, none of the cells were doubly labeled in the IInd to VIth layers of the cortex. Furthermore, only astrocytes in the former areas expressed vimentin transiently from 2 to 10 days after the injury. In the rats administered vincristine, cells arrested during mitosis were found in the regions which express vimentin. From these results, it was suggested that astrocytes in the molecular layer of the cortex and the white matter adjacent to the lesion proliferated in response to the injury and expressed vimentin transiently, then acquired GFAP, and that astrocytes in the IInd to VIth layers of the cortex became reactive astrocytes without mitosis.

Animals↗

Possible association of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) with the appearance of reactive astrocytes following brain injury in situ.

The association of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) with the appearance of reactive astrocytes following injury was investigated by using a specific antagonist of PDGF, Trapidil. The cerebral cortex of 4-week-old male rats was unilaterally injured with a 22-gauge needle. Immunohistochemical staining with antiserum to glial fibrillary acidic protein revealed that reactive astrocytes had increased in number around the wound by 2 days following the injury and had spread to the ipsilateral areas distant from the wound by 3 days. The appearance of reactive astrocytes in areas distant from the wound was dramatically suppressed by the administration of Trapidil. This finding indicates that PDGF might play a role in gliosis following injury.

Animals↗

Wilms' tumor with intracranial metastases presenting with intracranial hemorrhage.

Intracranial metastasis of Wilms' tumor is very rare. Furthermore, intracerebral hemorrhage is an unusual presentation of metastases. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who had multiple intracranial metastatic lesions, initially presenting as an intracranial hemorrhage. Removal of the tumors and hematoma was followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Thereafter, complete remission occurred. It is thought that this malignant tumor with metastases may be curable through combined therapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗