Osaka University

About: Osaka University is a education organization based out in Osaka, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Laser & Catalysis. The organization has 83778 authors who have published 185669 publications receiving 5158122 citations. The organization is also known as: Ōsaka daigaku.

In vitro neurogenesis by progenitor cells isolated from the adult human hippocampus.

Abstract: Neurogenesis persists in the adult mammalian hippocampus. To identify and isolate neuronal progenitor cells of the adult human hippocampus, we transfected ventricular zone-free dissociates of surgically-excised dentate gyrus with DNA encoding humanized green fluorescent protein (hGFP), placed under the control of either the nestin enhancer (E/nestin) or the Tα1 tubulin promoter (P/Tα1), two regulatory regions that direct transcription in neural progenitor cells. The resultant P/Tα1:hGFP+ and E/nestin:enhanced (E)GFP+ cells expressed βIII-tubulin or microtubule-associated protein-2; many incorporated bromodeoxyuridine, indicating their genesis in vitro. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, the E/nestin:EGFP+ and P/Tα1:hGFP+ cells were isolated to near purity, and matured antigenically and physiologically as neurons. Thus, the adult human hippocampus contains mitotically competent neuronal progenitors that can be selectively extracted. The isolation of these cells may provide a cellular substrate for re-populating the damaged or degenerated adult hippocampus.

Molecular mechanism of metabolic syndrome X: contribution of adipocytokines adipocyte-derived bioactive substances.

Abstract: Syndrome X is a clinical syndrome in which multiple risks cluster in an individual, and it is a common basis of vascular disease in the industrial countries. The molecular basis of Syndrome X, however, has not been elucidated. We have analyzed body fat distribution using CT scan and have shown that people who have accumulated intra-abdominal visceral fat frequently have multiple risks and vascular diseases. Thus, “visceral fat syndrome” is a clinical entity compatible with Syndrome X. To clarify the molecular mechanism of the disorders in visceral fat syndrome, we analyzed the expressed genes in adipose tissue by a large-scale random sequencing. Unexpectedly, visceral fat expressed a variety of the genes for secretory proteins including various bioactive substances; we designated them adipocytokines. One of them, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, was overproduced in accumulated visceral fat and might contribute to the development of vascular disease. We have also cloned a novel adipose-specific gene named adiponectin. Adiponectin is a collagen-like plasma protein which has an inhibitory effect on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells; its plasma levels are paradoxically decreased in obesity. Adipocytokines may play important roles in the development of the disorders in Syndrome X.

Analysis of a Complete Library of Putative Drug Transporter Genes in Escherichia coli

Abstract: The complete sequencing of bacterial genomes has revealed a large number of drug transporter genes. In Escherichia coli, there are 37 open reading frames (ORFs) assumed to be drug transporter genes on the basis of sequence similarities, although the transport capabilities of most of them have not been established yet. We cloned all 37 putative drug transporter genes in E. coli and investigated their drug resistance phenotypes using an E. coli drug-sensitive mutant as a host. E. coli cells transformed with a plasmid carrying one of 20 ORFs, i.e., fsr, mdfA, yceE, yceL, bcr, emrKY, emrAB, emrD, yidY, yjiO, ydhE, acrAB, cusA (formerly ybdE), yegMNO, acrD, acrEF, yhiUV, emrE, ydgFE, and ybjYZ, exhibited increased resistance to some of the 26 representative antimicrobial agents and chemical compounds tested in this study. Of these 20 ORFs, cusA, yegMNO, ydgFE, yceE, yceL, yidY, and ybjYZ are novel drug resistance genes. The fsr, bcr, yjiO, ydhE, acrD, and yhiUV genes gave broader resistance spectra than previously reported.

Mincle is an ITAM-coupled activating receptor that senses damaged cells.

Abstract: Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) is expressed mainly in macrophages and is induced after exposure to various stimuli and stresses. Here we show that Mincle selectively associated with the Fc receptor common gamma-chain and activated macrophages to produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Mincle-expressing cells were activated in the presence of dead cells, and we identified SAP130, a component of small nuclear ribonucloprotein, as a Mincle ligand that is released from dead cells. To investigate whether Mincle is required for normal responses to cell death in vivo, we induced thymocyte death by irradiating mice and found that transient infiltration of neutrophils into the thymus could be blocked by injection of Mincle-specific antibody. Our results suggest that Mincle is a receptor that senses nonhomeostatic cell death and thereby induces the production of inflammatory cytokines to drive the infiltration of neutrophils into damaged tissue.