Kyushu University

About: Kyushu University is a education organization based out in Fukuoka, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 68284 authors who have published 135190 publications receiving 3055928 citations. The organization is also known as: Kyūshū Daigaku.

SOCS proteins, cytokine signalling and immune regulation.

Abstract: Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins are inhibitors of cytokine signalling pathways. Studies have shown that SOCS proteins are key physiological regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity. These molecules positively and negatively regulate macrophage and dendritic-cell activation and are essential for T-cell development and differentiation. Evidence is also emerging of the involvement of SOCS proteins in diseases of the immune system. In this Review we bring together data from recent studies on SOCS proteins and their role in immunity, and propose a cohesive model of how cytokine signalling regulates immune-cell function.

P2x4 receptors induced in spinal microglia gate tactile allodynia after nerve injury

Abstract: Pain after nerve damage is an expression of pathological operation of the nervous system, one hallmark of which is tactile allodynia-pain hypersensitivity evoked by innocuous stimuli. Effective therapy for this pain is lacking, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we report that pharmacological blockade of spinal P2X4 receptors (P2X4Rs), a subtype of ionotropic ATP receptor, reversed tactile allodynia caused by peripheral nerve injury without affecting acute pain behaviours in naive animals. After nerve injury, P2X4R expression increased strikingly in the ipsilateral spinal cord, and P2X4Rs were induced in hyperactive microglia but not in neurons or astrocytes. Intraspinal administration of P2X4R antisense oligodeoxynucleotide decreased the induction of P2X4Rs and suppressed tactile allodynia after nerve injury. Conversely, intraspinal administration of microglia in which P2X4Rs had been induced and stimulated, produced tactile allodynia in naive rats. Taken together, our results demonstrate that activation of P2X4Rs in hyperactive microglia is necessary for tactile allodynia after nerve injury and is sufficient to produce tactile allodynia in normal animals. Thus, blocking P2X4Rs in microglia might be a new therapeutic strategy for pain induced by nerve injury.

Comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), 2011

Abstract: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a novel clinical disease entity characterized by elevated serum IgG4 concentration and tumefaction or tissue infiltration by IgG4+ plasma cells Although IgG4-RD is not rare and is clinically important, its clinical diagnostic criteria have not been established Comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD, including the involvement of various organs, are intended for the practical use of general physicians and nonspecialists Two IgG4-RD study groups, the Umehara and Okazaki teams, were organized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Japan As IgG4-RD comprises a wide variety of diseases, these groups consist of physicians and researchers in various disciplines, including rheumatology, hematology, gastroenterology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, odontology, pathology, statistics, and basic and molecular immunology throughout Japan, with 66 and 56 members of the Umehara and Okazaki teams, respectively Collaborations of the two study groups involved detailed analyses of clinical symptoms, laboratory results, and biopsy specimens of patients with IgG4-RD, resulting in the establishment of comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD Although many patients with IgG4-RD have lesions in several organs, either synchronously or metachronously, and the pathological features of each organ differ, consensus has been reached on two diagnostic criteria for IgG4RD: (1) serum IgG4 concentration >135 mg/dl, and (2) >40% of IgG+ plasma cells being IgG4+ and >10 cells/high powered field of biopsy sample Although the comprehensive diagnostic criteria are not sufficiently sensitive for the diagnosis of type 1 IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis (IgG4-related AIP), they are adequately sensitive for IgG4-related Mikulicz’s disease (MD) and kidney disease (KD) In addition, the comprehensive diagnostic criteria, combined with organ-specific diagnostic criteria, have increased the sensitivity of diagnosis to 100% for IgG4-related MD, KD, and AIP Our comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD are practically useful for general physicians and nonspecialists

Assembly of multicomponent protein films by means of electrostatic layer-by-layer adsorption

Abstract: Multilayer films which contain ordered layers of more than one protein species were assembled by means of altemate electrostatic adsorption mostly with positively charged poly(ethy1enimine) (PEI) or with negatively charged poly(styrenesu1fonate) (PSS). Water-soluble proteins used are cytochrome c (Cyt), myoglobin (Mb), lysozyme (Lys), histone f3, hemoglobin (Hb), glucoamylase (GA), and glucose oxidase (GOD). Charged protein layers formed multilayers with linear polymers acting as glue or filler. The assembly was monitored by a quartz crystal microbalance and W spectroscopy. Linear film growth was observed up to at least 25 molecular layers. The assembly of Mb and Lys, both positively-charged, was realized in altemation with PSS in the form of {PEI/PSS + (Mb/PSS)2 + (MbPSS/Lys/PSS)d}. The assembly of oppositely-charged (at pH 6.5) Lys and GOD consists from Lys and GOD layers separated by a polycatiodpolyanion bilayer: {PEYPSSPEI f (PSS/Lys)2 + PSSPEI f (GOD/PEI)6}. Hb was assembled as “positive” unit at pH 4.5 (in alternation with PSS) and as “negative” unit at pH 9.2 (in altemation with PEI). A multilayer consisting of alternating montmorillonite, PEI, and GOD layers was also assembled. These biomolecular architecture open a way to construct artificially orchestrated protein systems that can carry out complex enzymic reactions.