Showing papers in "Biomedical Research-tokyo in 2015"

Bifidobacterium species lower serum glucose, increase expressions of insulin signaling proteins, and improve adipokine profile in diabetic mice.

Abstract: This study, using C57BL/6J mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, aimed to determine whether Bifidobacterium species (spp.) both induces the expressions of proteins in the insulin signaling pathway and enhances the expressions of certain adipocytokines. The protein expressions of IκB kinase alpha (IKKα), IκB kinase beta (IKKβ), nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor alpha (IκBα), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were also investigated. Oral administration of Bifidobacterium spp. reduced blood glucose levels significantly and increased the protein expressions of insulin receptor beta, insulin receptor substrate 1, protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), IKKα, and IκBα. Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) showed increased expression. Bifidobacterium spp. also induced the adiponectin expression and decreased both macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. In addition, IKKβ, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase expressions showed no significant changes in both groups. In conclusion, Bifidobacterium spp. may be the promising bacteria for treating diabetes.

Nicotianamine is a novel angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibitor in soybean.

Abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a carboxypeptidase which is highly homologous to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE2 produces vasodilator peptides angiotensin 1-7 from angiotensin II. In the present study, we synthesized various internally quenched fluorogenic (IQF) substrates (fluorophore-Xaa-Pro-quencher) based on the cleavage site of angiotensin II introducing N-terminal fluorophore N-methylanthranilic acid (Nma) and C-terminal quencher N(e)-2,4- dinitrophenyl-lysine [Lys(Dnp)]. The synthesized mixed substrates "Nma-Xaa-Pro-Lys(Dnp)" were hydrolyzed by recombinant human (rh) ACE2. The amount of each product was determined by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with fluorescence detection and it was found that Nma-His-Pro-Lys(Dnp) is the most suitable substrate for rhACE2. The K(m), k(cat), and k(cat)/K(m) values of Nma-His-Pro-Lys(Dnp) on rhACE2 were determined to be 23.3 μM, 167 s(-1), and 7.17 μM(-1) s(-1), respectively. Using the rhACE2 and the newly developed IQF substrate, we found rhACE2 inhibitory activity in soybean and isolated the active compound soybean ACE2 inhibitor (ACE2iSB). The physicochemical data on the isolated ACE2iSB were identical to those of nicotianamine. ACE2iSB strongly inhibited rhACE2 activity with an IC50 value of 84 nM. This is the first demonstration of an ACE2 inhibitor from foodstuffs.

Stroke rehabilitation using exoskeleton-based robotic exercisers:Mini Review.

Abstract: Stroke is a debilitating disease that has afflicted millions of people throughout the world. Assisting physiotherapists in post-stroke activities to conduct rehabilitation therapies, scientific community has presented a new type of man-machine intelligent systems i.e. exoskeleton based exercisers. These devices help the patients having neurological disabilities to partially or fully regain their motor performance by applying forces to the affected finger phalanx and preventing unsuitable motion patterns. The exoskeletons because of their wide range of sensory capabilities have replaced traditional assessment of stroke patients. This article reviews developments in robotic prosthetics and exoskeletons. The primary design requirements of these devices are identified. Highlighting the authors’ research achievements in this domain, a collection of exoskeleton-based hand rehabilitation devices has been then presented with a brief description about their mechanical designs. Finally, an overall view of research in this domain is commented.

Cellular distributions of monocarboxylate transporters: a review.

Abstract: Lactate and ketone bodies play important roles as alternative energy substrates, especially in conditions with a decreased utility of glucose. Short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), produced by bacterial fermentation, supply most of the energy substrates in ruminants such as the cow and sheep. These monocarboxylates are transfered through the plasma membrane by proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) and sodium-coupled MCTs (SMCTs). To reveal the metabolism and functional significance of monocarboxylates, the cellular localization of MCTs and SMCTs together with the expressed intensities holds great importance. This paper reviews the immunohistochemical localization of SMCTs and major MCT subtypes throughout the mammalian body. MCTs and SMCTs display a selective membrane-bound localization with porality. In contrast to the limited expression of SMCTs in the intestine and kidney, MCTs display a broader distribution pattern than GLUTs. The brain, kidney, placenta, and male genital tract express multiple subtypes of the MCT family. Determination of the cellular localization of MCTs is most controversial in the brain, possibly due to regional differences and the transcriptional modification of MCT proteins. Information on the localization of MCTs and SMCTs aids in understanding the nutrient absorption and metabolism throughout the mammalian body. In some cases, the body may use monocarboxylates as signal molecules, like hormones.

Effect of plantar subcutaneous administration of bergamot essential oil and linalool on formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in mice

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of bergamot essential oil (BEO) or linalool, a major volatile component of BEO, on the nociceptive response to formalin. Plantar subcutaneous injection of BEO or linalool into the ipsilateral hindpaw reduced both the first and late phases of the formalin-induced licking and biting responses in mice. Plantar subcutaneous injection of BEO or linalool into the contralateral hindpaw did not yield an antinociceptive effect, suggesting that the antinociceptive effect of BEO or linalool in the formalin test occurred peripherally. Intraperitoneal and plantar subcutaneous injection pretreatment with naloxone hydrochloride, an opioid receptor antagonist, significantly attenuated both BEO- and linalool-induced antinociception. Pretreatment with naloxone methiodide, a peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonists, also significantly antagonized the antinociceptive effects of BEO and linalool. Our results provide evidence for the involvement of peripheral opioids in antinociception induced by BEO and linalool. These results suggest that activation of peripheral opioid receptors may play an important role in reducing formalin-induced nociception.

Hyaline cartilage formation and tumorigenesis of implanted tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells

Abstract: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising cell source for cartilage regenerative medicine. Meanwhile, the risk of tumorigenesis should be considered in the clinical application of human iPSCs (hiPSCs). Here, we report in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs and maturation of the differentiated hiPSCs through transplantation into mouse knee joints. Three hiPSC clones showed efficient chondrogenic differentiation using an established protocol for human embryonic stem cells. The differentiated hiPSCs formed hyaline cartilage tissues at 8 weeks after transplantation into the articular cartilage of NOD/SCID mouse knee joints. Although tumors were not observed during the 8 weeks after transplantation, an immature teratoma had developed in one mouse at 16 weeks. In conclusion, hiPSCs are a potent cell source for regeneration of hyaline articular cartilage. However, the risk of tumorigenesis should be managed for clinical application in the future.

Potential toxic effects of Zirconia Oxide nanoparticles on liver and kidney factors.

Abstract: Nanoparticles In addition to the positive aspects of tending to its toxicity in the environment is unavoidable. This research studies the effects of ZrO2 NPs on the liver and kidney tissues as well as the activities in liver and kidney enzymes in the male rats. This study is done on 40 Wistar rat race, in 4 groups which includes on control and 3 experimental groups that are monitored daily, for the control group we give a Saline Solution and 3 other with 1ml/day nanoparticle by differ-ent doses (50,25,100 ppm) intra-peritoneally. After a 1 week period, samples were unconscious, blood sample were collected from the heart and the ALT, AST, ALP and creatinine were meas-ured. Post-treatment tissue level of malondialdehyde as well as the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were measured in the liver. The statistical raw data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software. The significant difference (p<0.05) in the levels of foregoing factors was obtained by the application of the maximum density of ZrO2NPs (100ppm) in comparison with the control groups. The rats when exposed to a high dosage of nanoparticles reported a significant increase in MDA concentration level while significant decreases were ob-served in GPX , CAT and SOD activities (P<0.001). In the rats which were exposed to high dos-age of nanoparticles, the liver enzyme concentration was significantly increased (p<0.05). The ob-tained results revealed the significant role of ZrO2 as an increasing ROS generation agent and the ROS have induced the development of free radicals.

Adipose stem cell sheets improved cardiac function in the rat myocardial infarction, but did not alter cardiac contractile responses to β-adrenergic stimulation

Abstract: Adipose stem cells (ASCs) are a source of regenerative cells available for autologous transplantation to hearts. We compared protective actions of ASC sheets on rat myocardial infarction (MI) in comparison with those of skeletal myoblast cell sheets. Their effects on infarcted hearts were evaluated by biological, histochemical as well as physiological analyses. ASC sheets secreted higher concentrations of angiogenic factors (HGF, VEGF, and bFGF; P < 0.05) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions than those of myoblast cell sheets, associated with reduction of cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). Like myoblast cell sheets, ASC sheets improved cardiac function (P < 0.05) and decreased the plasma level of ANP (P < 0.05) in MI hearts. ASC sheets restored cardiac remodeling characterized by fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy and impaired angiogenesis (P < 0.05), which was associated with increases in angiogenic factors (P < 0.05). In isolated perfused rat hearts, ASC sheets improved both systolic and diastolic functions, which was comparable to cardiac functions of myoblast cell sheets, while both cell sheets failed to restore cardiac contractile response to either isoproterenol, pimobendan or dibutyryl cAMP. These results indicated that ASC sheets improved cardiac function and remodeling of MI hearts mediated by their paracrine action and this improvement was comparable to those by myoblast cell sheets.

The effect of repetitive mild hyperthermia on body temperature, the autonomic nervous system, and innate and adaptive immunity

Abstract: The effect of repetitive mild hyperthermia on body temperature, the autonomic nervous system, and innate and adaptive immunity was investigated using a new hyperthermia treatment system, nanomist sauna (NMS). Six healthy volunteers participated and the concentration of catecholamines and cortisol, and the frequency and function of leukocytes in the peripheral blood were investigated before and after successive 7 days of hyperthermia treatment (20 min/day, 40°C, 100% relative humidity). After treatment, the blood level of adrenaline and cortisol on the 7th day was decreased compared with the 1st day, indicating the suppression of the sympathetic nervous system activity. Moreover, the frequency of CD56(+)NK, CD56(+)NKT and B cells on the 7th day tended to be increased compared with the 1st day. The frequency of HLA-DR-positive NK and NKT cells and expression of HLA-DR on B and T cells increased. The cytotoxicity of NK cells and proliferative response of B cells were also elevated. The results indicate that repetitive mild hyperthermia treatment might suppress excessive sympathetic dominance and modify immunity. Additionally, because it can provide the same effects as conventional hyperthermia treatments with minimal burden to the body, NMS may be a novel patient- and elderly-friendly hyperthermia treatment for health promotion.

Regulation of mouse chondrocyte differentiation by CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins

Abstract: CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) β regulates chondrocyte differentiaion and proliferation during endochondral ossification. However, expression and function of other C/EBP family members in chondrocytes have not been fully understood. To understand the comprehensive regulation of chondrocyte differentiation by C/EBPs, we initially examined their expression levels. Among four members (C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ and C/EBPe) with transactivation domain, expression of Cebpb and Cebpd was abundant compared to Cebpa, while Cebpe was hardly expressed in mouse isolated chondrocytes. Doxycycline (DOX)-inducible overexpression of each of the three C/EBPs (C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ) in ATDC5 cells suppressed expressions of early differentiation markers including Col2a1, aggrecan and Sox9, enhanced those of late differentiation markers including Mmp13, Vegfa and Col10a1, and decelerated cell proliferation, indicating their overlapped functions in chondrocytes. In contrast, DOX-inducible overexpression of A-CEBP, which exerts a dominant-negative effect against all C/EBPs, increased expressions of early differentiation markers and decreased those of late differentiation markers. Finally, microarray and gene ontology analyses showed that A-CEBP altered many genes related with various events or tissues such as skeletal development, cartilage, cell cycle, inflammation and apoptosis. In conclusion, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ regulate proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes and possibly is involved with apoptosis and inflammation. C/EBPs may play a variety of roles in the homeostasis of joint cartilage under physiological and pathological conditions.

Immunohistochemical localization of GLUT3, MCT1, and MCT2 in the testes of mice and rats: the use of different energy sources in spermatogenesis.

Abstract: Lactate represents a preferential energy substrate of germ cells rather than glucose. Testicular Sertoli cells are believed to produce lactate and pyruvate and to supply these to germ cells, particularly spermatocytes and spermatids. Monocarboxylate transporter (MCT), responsible for the transport of lactate and other monocarboxylates via the cell membrane, is abundant in the testes and sperm (MCT1, MCT2, and MCT4). For the uptake of glucose, germ cells within the seminiferous tubules and sperm have been known to intensely express GLUT3. The present study investigated expression profiles of MCTs and GLUTs and revealed their cellular and subcellular localization in the mouse and rat testis. An in situ hybridization analysis showed significant expressions of MCT1, MCT2, and GLUT3 mRNA in the testis. Immunohistochemically, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids expressed MCT1 on their cell surfaces in a stage-dependent manner: in some seminiferous tubules, an intense expression of MCT1 was unique to the spermatogonia. MCT2 was restricted to the tails of elongated spermatids and sperm. An intense immunoreactivity for GLUT3 was shared by spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm. Sertoli cells were devoid of any immunoreactivities for MCT1, MCT2, and GLUT3. The predominant energy source of germ cells may be lactate and other monocarboxylates--especially for spermatogonia, but glucose and other hexoses may be responsible for an energy supply to spermatocytes and spermatids.

1α,25(OH)2D3 downregulates gene expression levels of muscle ubiquitin ligases MAFbx and MuRF1 in human myotubes

Abstract: Clinical trials involving in patients with osteoporosis have reported that activated vitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3, calcitriol) can prevent falling by acting on the skeletal muscles. However, pharmacological mechanisms of 1α,25(OH)2D3 with respect to skeletal muscle hypertrophy or atrophy are still poorly understood. Therefore, we examined changes in the expression of several related genes in human myotubes to test whether 1α,25(OH)2D3 influences hypertrophy and atrophy of skeletal muscle. Myotubes treated with 1α,25(OH)2D3 increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression and inhibited expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), whereas the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) that is involved in muscle hypertrophy was not affected. However, 1α,25(OH)2D3 treatment significantly inhibited the expression of muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1), ubiquitin ligases involved in muscle atrophy. The analysis of pathways using microarray data suggested that 1α,25(OH)2D3 upregulates AKT-1 by inhibiting the expression of protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A), a phosphatase acting on AKT-1, in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the expression of ubiquitin ligases. Thus, this study showed that 1α,25(OH)2D3 might have an inhibitory effect on the expression of MAFbx and MuRF1 in skeletal muscle and a suppressive effect on muscle degradation in patients with osteoporosis.

Contribution of extracellular ATP on the cell-surface F1F0-ATP synthase-mediated intracellular triacylglycerol accumulation.

Abstract: Cell-surface F1F0-ATP synthase was involved in the cell signaling mediating various biological functions. Recently, we found that cell-surface F1F0-ATP synthase plays a role on intracellular triacylglycerol accumulation in adipocytes, and yet, the underlying mechanisms remained largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of extracellular ATP on the intracellular triacylglycerol accumulation. We demonstrated that significant amounts of ATP were produced extracellularly by cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes and that the antibodies against α and β subunits of F1F0-ATP synthase inhibited the extracellular ATP production. Piceatannol, a F1F0-ATP synthase inhibitor, and apyrase, an enzyme which degrades extracellular ATP, suppressed triacylglycerol accumulation. The selective P2Y1 receptor antagonist MRS2500 significantly inhibited triacylglycerol accumulation, whereas the selective P2X receptor antagonist NF279 has less effect. The present results indicate that cell-surface F1F0-ATP synthase on adipocytes is functional in extracellular ATP production and that the extracellular ATP produced contributes, at least in part, to the cell-surface F1F0-ATP synthase-mediated intracellular triacylglycerol accumulation in adipocytes through P2Y1 receptor.

Characterization of mesenchymal progenitor cells in the crown and root pulp of primary teeth

Abstract: The existence of progenitor/mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was demonstrated previously in human primary/deciduous teeth. In this study, we examined dental pulp cells from root portion (root cells) of primary teeth without discernible root resorption and compared them with pulp cells from the crown portion (crown cells). Root cells and crown cells were characterized and compared to each other based on progenitor/MSC characteristics and on their generation efficiency of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Root cells and crown cells included cells manifesting typical progenitor/MSC properties such as osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential and clonogenicity. Interestingly, root cells showed a higher expression level of embryonic stem cell marker, KLF4, than crown cells. Moreover, the number of colony-forming unit-fibroblast and cell proliferation rate were higher for root cells than crown cells, and the efficiency of generating iPS cells from root cells was approximately four times higher than that from crown cells. Taken together, these results suggest that root cells from primary teeth show the MSC-like properties and thus could be a potent alternative source for iPS cell generation and the subsequent transplantation therapy.

Classification of brain MRI images using support vector machine withvarious Kernels.

Abstract: An enhanced classification system for classification of brain tumor from MR images using association of kernels with support vector machine is developed and presented in this paper. Oriented Rician Noise Reduction Anisotropic Diffusion filter is used for image denoising. A modified fuzzy c-means algorithm termed as Penalized fuzzy c-means algorithm is used for image segmentation. The texture and Tamura features are extracted using GSDM and Tamura method. Genetic algorithm with Joint entropy is adopted for feature selection. The classification is done by support vector machine along with various kernels and the performance is validated. A classification accuracy of 98.83% is obtained using SVM with GRBF kernel.

Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor DEC1 regulates the cisplatin-induced apoptotic pathway of human esophageal cancer cells

Abstract: DEC1 [basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) E40/Stra13/Sharp2] and DEC2 (BHLHE41/Sharp1) are BHLH transcription factors that are associated with the regulation of apoptosis, cell proliferation, and circadian rhythms, as well as malignancy in various cancers However, the roles of DEC1 and DEC2 expression in esophageal cancer are poorly understood In this study, we examined the roles of DEC1 and DEC2 in human esophageal cancer TE 5 and TE 10 cells that had been treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin: CDDP) Expression of DEC1 and DEC2 was decreased with CDDP treatment in TE 5 cells; however, knockdown or overexpression of DEC1/DEC2 had little effects on CDDP-induced apoptosis in TE 5 cells DEC1 expression was up-regulated in CDDP-treated TE 10 cells, whereas DEC2 expression was unchanged DEC1 knockdown by siRNA in TE 10 decreased the amount of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) after treatment with CDDP, whereas DEC2 knockdown had no effects on the amount of cleaved PARP in both the presence and absence of CDDP We also demonstrated that DEC1 overexpression promoted cleaved PARP expression, whereas DEC2 overexpression had no effects on the amount of cleaved PARP in TE 10 cells These results suggested that DEC1 has pro-apoptotic effects on human esophageal cancer TE 10 cells of well-differentiated type

A non-invasive computer aided diagnosis of osteoarthritis from digitalx-ray images

Abstract: Computer aided method is becoming the popular tool in the diagnosis of various disease. These tools provide an error free and simplistic diagnostic procedure. This paper discusses the computer aided tool developed for the diagnosis of bone disorders caused by Osteoarthritis. The methodology involves the feature extraction from the Region of Interest (ROI) and classification of those features. Haralick feature extraction technique and Support Vector Machine classifier (SVM) with the kernel functions are used for the development of the algorithm. The algorithm is tested with the various combinations of Haralick features and kernel functions.130 digital X-ray images of knee joints are used for testing the developed algorithm. This methodology produced a successful classification rate of 99 percentage in the diagnosis of skeletal disorders caused by Osteoarthritis.

Structure of the methyl orange-binding site on human serum albumin and its color-change mechanism.

Abstract: The goal in this study was to clarify the color-change mechanisms of methyl orange (MO) bound to human serum albumin (HSA) and the structure of the binding site. The absorbance of the MOHSA complex was measured at 560 nm in solutions of varying pH (pH 2.4-6.6). The obtained pH-dependent experimental data were consistent with the data calculated using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and pKa values (3.8, MO; 1.4, carboxyl group). The extent of the binding of MO to an HSA molecule was determined to be 1-4 by performing surface plasmon resonance analysis. Furthermore, the binding of MO to HSA was inhibited by warfarin. A fitting model of MO to HSA was created to evaluate these results based on PDB data (warfarin-HSA complex: 2BXD) and protein-structure analysis. The color-change mechanism of the MO-HSA complex appears to be as follows: the dissociated sulfo group of MO binds to Arg218/Lys444 sidechains through electrostatic interaction in the warfarin-binding site, and, subsequently, the color change occurs through a proton exchange between the diazenyl group and the γ-carboxyl group of Glu292. The color-changed MO is fixed in the warfarin-binding site. These results could support the development of a reliable dye-binding method and of a new method for staining diverse tissues that is based on a validated mechanism.

Knowledge and perception of Community Pharmacists towards generic medicines in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the Saudi Community Pharmacists’ knowledge and perception towards generic medicines. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a self-completed paper-based survey with sample size (450) was conducted among a random sample of community pharmacists in central Saudi Arabia (SA). Statistical analysis: The data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS; version 22.0 both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were applied. Results: Responses were obtained from 365 pharmacies (response rate, 81.1%). About 80.0% of the community pharmacists agreed that all products that are approved as generic equivalents can be considered therapeutically equivalent with the innovator medicines. More than 72.2% of respondents believed that a generic medicine must be in same dose form and dose as brand name medicine. Only 51.3% thought that generic medicines have more side effect than brand name medicines. Nearly, two- third (62.5%) trusted that brand name medicines are required to meet higher safety standards than generic medicines. Conclusion: The Saudi community pharmacists’ have lack of information and/or trust in the generic medicines. An educational program among pharmacists and relevant government agencies should be implemented. Additionally, national generic medicine policies and guidelines are warranted in SA.

Upregulation of energy metabolism-related, p53-target TIGAR and SCO2 in HuH-7 cells with p53 mutation by geranylgeranoic acid treatment.

Abstract: Metabolic alternation in cancer cells is one of the most common characteristics that distinguish malignant cells from normal cells. Many studies have explained the Warburg hypothesis that cancer cells obtain more energy from aerobic glycolysis than mitochondrial respiration. Here, we show that a branched-chain C-20 polyunsaturated fatty acid, geranylgeranoic acid (GGA), induces upregulation of the cellular protein levels of TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) and synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 (SCO2) in human hepatoma-derived HuH-7cells harboring the mutant TP53 gene, suggesting that GGA may shift an energetic state of the tumor cells from aerobic glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration. In addition, UPLC/TOF/MS-based metabolomics analysis supported the GGA-induced energetic shift, as it revealed that GGA induced a time-dependent increase in the cellular contents of fructose 6-phosphate and decrease of fructose 1,6-diphosphate. Furthermore, metabolomics analysis revealed that GGA rapidly induced spermine accumulation with slight decrease of spermidine. Taken together, the present study strongly suggests that GGA may shift HuH-7 cells from aerobic glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration through the immediate upregulation of TIGAR and SCO2 protein levels.

Polymorphisms of canine BRCA2 BRC repeats affecting interaction with RAD51.

Abstract: Mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2 leading to the failure of interactions with the recombinase RAD51 are associated with an increased risk of cancer in humans. This in-teraction depends on the eight BRC repeat (BRC1–8) sequences in BRCA2. We previously report-ed that canine BRC3 has two polymorphisms (T1425P and K1435R) influencing the interaction with RAD51, and 1435R was identified in mammary tumor dog samples. In this study, we investi-gated the sequence variations of BRC3 and 4 in 236 dogs of five breeds. Allele frequencies of 1425P and 1435R were 0.063 and 0.314, respectively, and there was no other polymorphism in the sequenced region. A mammalian two-hybrid assay using BRC3–4 sequences demonstrated that 1425P allele reduced the binding strength with RAD51 but 1435R had no effect. These results may provide an insight into the functions of not only individual but also multiple BRC repeats of BRCA2 in dogs.In humans, the predisposition to heritable breast and ovarian cancers is associated with mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2 (7). The BRCA2 protein plays an important role in the ho-mologous recombination repair (HR) of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) (7) and promotes the assembly of RAD51 recombinase onto single-strand-ed DNA (6). To initiate DSB repair by HR, BRCA2 interacts with RAD51 at the highly conserved BRC repeats (BRC) of BRCA2, which consist of 13 con-served amino acid (aa) residues (1). Among eight BRC repeats (BRC1–8), BRC3 and BRC4 are two best-characterized ones exhibiting strong interaction with RAD51 (10, 18, 21). Mammary tumors are the most common neoplasia in female dogs, and are highly prevalent in certain dog breeds (17). It has been reported that BRCA2 mutations are associated with the development of mammary tumors in dogs (4, 12). We cloned and sequenced canine BRCA2 and found polymorphisms in the putative functional regions containing BRC repeats and nuclear localization signals (8, 19). In particular, two polymorphisms in BRC3 (4273A> C: T1425P and 4304A>G: K1435R located in the open reading frame of NCBI accession number NM_001006653.4) influenced the interaction with RAD51 (21). In contrast, mutations or polymor-

Brazilian propolis extract increases leptin expression in mouse adipocytes.

Abstract: We investigated the anti-obesity effects of Brazilian green propolis ethanol extract using a mouse model of obesity. Repeated intraperitoneal injection of propolis (100 mg/kg twice a week) caused feeding suppression in C57BL/6 mice, whereas this treatment had negligible effects on C57BL/6 ob/ob mice. Since C57BL/6 ob/ob mice have a missense mutation in the Lep gene, leptin is likely to contribute to the propolis-induced feeding suppression. We found that propolis treatment indeed clearly increased leptin mRNA production in the visceral adipose tissues. Moreover, propolis extract directly elevated leptin expression in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Artepillin C, an important organic compound found in Brazilian green propolis, failed to induce leptin mRNA in 3T3-L1 cells. Compounds other than artepillin C in Brazilian propolis must thus cause leptin induction in adipocytes, possibly resulting in the suppression of feeding and obesity.

Blood pressure, renal biochemical parameters and histopathology in an original rat model of essential hypertension (SHRSP/Kpo strain).

Abstract: Hypertensive nephropathy, a consequence of chronic high blood pressure, is increasingly a cause of end-stage renal diseases and its correct management is very important for clinical outcome. Spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR/Kpo) and stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP/Kpo) strains represent models of human essential hypertension. However, the kidney injuries in SHR/Kpo and SHRSP/Kpo are not well defined. We therefore characterized the renal pathophysiology of SHR/Kpo and SHRSP/Kpo compared with normotensive control (WKY/Kpo) rats. The SHRSP/Kpo exhibited increased systolic blood pressure at 10 weeks of age, and proteinuria and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels at 20 weeks. We simultaneously detected mononuclear cell infiltration, tubular injuries, accumulation of extracellular matrix and marked expression of α-SMA in the tubulointerstitium. Additionally, TGF-β1 and CTGF were up-regulated in the kidney of SHRSP/Kpo. We lastly focused on changes in glomerular cells of SHRSP/Kpo. Nestin, a podocyte marker, was detected but decreased slightly in 20-week-old SHRSP/Kpo. PECAM-1 expression was increased in SHRSP/Kpo glomeruli, indicating the thickening of glomerular endothelial cells. Moreover, we found that α-SMA, a myofibroblast marker, was also upregulated in the glomeruli of SHRSP/Kpo at 20 weeks. These findings suggest that SHRSP/Kpo could be a valuable animal model for human hypertensive nephropathy.

The effect of prescription of different Dexamethasone doses on reproductive system

Abstract: Dexamethasone is a widely used glucocorticoid which has been prescribed increasingly in recent years. The effects of Dexamethasone on LH, FSH and testosterone levels were investigated in present study. In this experimental work, 40 adult male Wistar rats were assigned into four tenmembered groups. The rats in the control group received saline, while the rats in experimental group were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone in 0.4, 0.7, and 1 mg/kg doses daily for period of 10 days. On following day of last injection, the rats were anaesthetized and plasma was drawn from their heart, FSH, LH and testosterone levels were measured and the results were analyzed using SPSS software and Dunnett test. The hormonal test of LH, FSH and testosterone was made using Pars kit and the groups were compared. In this study, no significant change was observed in the targeted hormones up to 0.7mg/kg dose, but significant changes in the concentration of LH, FSH and testosterone were found in higher doses, i.e., 1 mg/kg dose in experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). The results of present study indicated that frequent injection of dexamethasone has come up with multiple changes in LH, FSH and testosterone and it has borne harmful effects on the reproductive system of male rats.

CD14+ follicular dendritic cells in lymphoid follicles may play a role in the pathogenesis of IgG4-related disease.

Abstract: Proliferated IgG4(+) plasma cells are polyclonal, suggesting that the pathogenesis of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) involves upstream events related to the regulation of IgG4 expansion. We hypothesized that lymphoid follicle formation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD. Using various antibodies, especially against monocyte, macrophage, and follicular dendritic cell markers, we immunohistochemically assessed the distribution of immune cells in lymphoid follicles. Pathological findings of tissue samples from patients with IgG4-RD (n = 22), reactive hyperplasia (n = 3), multicentric Castleman's disease (n = 3), and Sjogren's syndrome (n = 13) were analyzed. CD14-positive lymphoid follicles were observed only in patients with IgG4-RD, and CD14-positive cells were identified as follicular dendritic cells by multicolor immunohistochemistry. There were few differences in the distributions of other cell types between the IgG4-RD and control groups. The presence of CD14(+) follicular dendritic cells in lymphoid follicles may play a pathophysiological role in IgG4-RD.

Genetic background-dependent diversity in renal failure caused by the tensin2 gene deficiency in the mouse.

Abstract: Tensin2 (Tns2) is thought to be a component of the cytoskeletal structures linking actin filaments with focal adhesions and is known to play a role as an intracellular signal transduction mediator through integrin in podocytes, although the mechanism by which it functions remains unclear. A Tns2-null mutation (nph) leads to massive albuminuria following podocyte foot process effacement in the ICGN mice, the origin of the mutation, and the DBA/2J (D2) mice, but not in the C57BL/6J (B6) mice or 129(+Ter)/SvJcl (129T) mice. Elucidating the reasons for these differences in diverse genetic backgrounds could help in unraveling Tns2 function in podocytes. We produced congenic mice in which Tns2(nph) was introgressed into a FVB/NJ background (FVB-Tns2(nph)), and evaluated the progression of kidney disease. FVB-Tns2(nph) mice developed albuminuria, renal fibrosis and renal anemia as seen in ICGN mice. The FVB-Tns2(nph) mice demonstrated podocyte foot process alteration under an electron microscope by as early as 4 weeks of age. This revealed that FVB strain is susceptible to Tns2-deficiency.

Cellular localization and tissue distribution of endogenous DFCP1 protein.

Abstract: Autophagy is essential for the maintenance of cellular metabolism. Once autophagy is induced in cells, the isolation membrane forms a so-called phagophore. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is one of several candidates for the membrane source for phagophores. Recently, LC3-positive isolation membranes were found to emerge from a DFCP1 (double FYVE domain-containing protein)-positive, ER-associated compartment called the omegasome. Although the GFP-tagged DFCP1 protein has been examined in cultured cells, little is known about the precise cellular and tissue distribution of this endogenous protein. To determine the expression of the endogenous DFCP1 protein, we produced antibodies specific to mouse DFCP1 protein. The antibody recognized both human and mouse DFCP1 proteins, both of which have molecular masses of approximately 87 kDa. In HeLa cells under normal conditions, immunoreactivity for DFCP1 was found dotted or tubular along Tom20-positive filamentous mitochondria and was only partially co-localized in the ER or Golgi apparatus. Moreover, under starved conditions, distinct DFCP1-positive structures became more dotted and scattered in the cytoplasm, while one part of the LC3-positive autophagosomes were immunopositive for DFCP1. These results indicate that an antibody raised against DFCP1 could be a useful tool in explaining the mechanism of phagophore formation from omegasome compartments.

Influence of neonatal sevoflurane exposure on nerve development-related microRNAs and behavior of rats.

Abstract: Commonly used anesthetics adversely affect the developing brain, but the mechanisms remain unknown. We previously showed that the expressions of microRNAs (miRNAs) in major organs are affected by anesthetics. Therefore, we used TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) to analyze gene expression in the hippocampus of neonatal rats exposed to sevoflurane and performed behavioral tests after they reached adulthood to evaluate cognitive and memory function. Rat male pups at postnatal day 7 were exposed to 1.9% sevoflurane for 3 h, and the hippocampus-miRNA expression profile on postnatal day 8 was determined. Open field and fear conditioning tests conducted during postnatal weeks 7 and 8 indicated that sevoflurane-exposed rats, but not controls, exhibited anxiety-like disorders. TLDA analysis identified 20 differentially expressed miRNAs, which were not shared between postnatally and maturely sevoflurane-exposed rats. The level of rno-miR-632, which targets brain-derived neurotrophic factor and calcium channel, voltage-dependent, alpha 2/delta subunit 2, increased by 10-fold, indicating that exposure to sevoflurane during early neural development alters hippocampus-miRNA expression and may induce subsequent behavioral disorders.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of serial sections for analysis of the microvasculature of the white pulp and the marginal zone in the human spleen.

Abstract: Although a number of papers have given useful information on splenic microcirculation by light and/or scanning electron microscopy, controversies remain as to the vascular arrangement, especially in the human spleen. The present study re-examined the microvasculature of the human spleen using a three-dimensional reconstruction of immunohistochemically stained tissue sections, and showed that the central artery does not directly issue follicular arteries in the human spleen; follicular arteries are derived from penicillar arteries outside the follicle and end in the white pulp. We found that the splenic follicle is surrounded by an elaborate system of anastomosed capillaries in both the marginal zone and the superficial layer of the white pulp. Most of these capillaries are also branches of the penicillar arterioles that are issued from the central artery in the same, or a different, white pulp system. Because the endothelia of these capillaries are widely open in the marginal zone, this vascular network may play a major role in supplying blood to the marginal zone. The accumulation of sialoadhesin-positive macrophages was also observed around the vascular network, suggesting an important role for this structure as the front line of immune response.

Enhancing osteoblast-affinity of titanium scaffolds for bone engineering by use of ultraviolet light treatment.

Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) treatment immediately prior to use is attracting attention as an effective surface conditioning method for titanium to improve osteoblast-affinity. The affinity of titanium to osteoblasts in two-dimensional plate culture has been well studied, but that in three-dimensional cultures remains unclear. Here, we examined the effect of UV treatment on titanium scaffolds, comprising micro-thin titanium fibers, used in bone engineering. Titanium scaffolds, with and without UV treatment, were seeded with rat bone marrow derived osteoblasts, and the number of cells attached to scaffolds and osteoblastic phenotype in the cultures were examined. UV treatment improved the wettability of scaffolds and significantly reduced the percentage of surface carbon. Along with these physicochemical changes in the scaffolds, cell attachment increased by a factor of 1.3 as compared to that of the untreated control. In addition, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition significantly increased by a factor of 2.3 and 2.0, respectively. Robust formation of mineralized structures consisting of clear peaks of calcium and phosphorus was observed in the UV-treated scaffolds. The observed increase in osteoblast affinity and capability of mineralized matrix formation indicates the potential use of UV-treated titanium scaffolds for bone engineering.