GM-CSF mediates alveolar macrophage proliferation and type II cell hypertrophy in SP-D gene-targeted mice.

Mice deficient in surfactant protein (SP) D develop increased surfactant pool sizes and dramatic changes in alveolar macrophages and type II cells. To test the hypothesis that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mediates alveolar macrophage proliferation and activation and the type II cell hypertrophy seen in SP-D null mice, we bred SP-D and GM-CSF gene-targeted mice to obtain littermate double null, single null, and wild-type mice. Bronchoalveolar lavage levels of phospholipid, protein, SP-D, SP-A, and GM-CSF were measured from 1 to 4 mo.

Activation of caspase-3 by lysosomal cysteine proteases and its role in 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

We previously reported that in addition to mitochondrial cytochrome c dependent activation, lysosomal cysteine proteases were also involved in the activation of caspase-3. In this study, we have separately obtained the lysosomal and mitochondrial caspase-3 activating factors in a crude mitochondrial fraction and characterized their ability to activate pro-caspase-3 in the in vitro assay system. When a rat liver crude mitochondrial fraction containing lysosomes (ML) was treated with a low concentration of digitonin, lysosomal factors were selectively released without the release of a mitochondrial factor (cytochrome c, Cyt.

RIKEN integrated sequence analysis (RISA) system--384-format sequencing pipeline with 384 multicapillary sequencer.

The RIKEN high-throughput 384-format sequencing pipeline (RISA system) including a 384-multicapillary sequencer (the so-called RISA sequencer) was developed for the RIKEN mouse encyclopedia project. The RISA system consists of colony picking, template preparation, sequencing reaction, and the sequencing process. A novel high-throughput 384-format capillary sequencer system (RISA sequencer system) was developed for the sequencing process.

Mechanism of dibucaine-induced apoptosis in promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60).

Dibucaine, a local anesthetic, inhibited the growth of promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) without inducing arrest of the cell cycle and differentiation to granulocytes. Typical DNA fragmentation and DNA ladder formation were induced in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The half-maximal concentration of dibucaine required to induce apoptosis was 100 microM.

Effects of a magnetic fields on the various functions of subcellular organelles and cells.

Magnetic fields (MF) are widely distributed in environment and their effects are increasing by the development of electrical machines. Several investigators reported that the MF might affect various functions of cells. However, an acceptable hypothesis has not yet been proposed.

Participation of a cathepsin L-type protease in the activation of caspase-3.

A previous paper from this laboratory reported the activation of a caspase-3-like protease by a digitonin-treated lysosomal fraction [FEBS Lett. 435, 233-236, 1998]. In this study, we examined the effects of specific inhibitors of lysosomal cysteine proteases, such as cathepsins B, S, and L, on the activation of caspase-3 to find out which cathepsin is responsible for the activation.

Thrombolytic therapy can reduce the arrhythmogenic substrate after acute myocardial infarction: a study using the signal-averaged electrocardiogram, endocardial catheter mapping and programmed ventricular stimulation.

Thrombolytic therapy improves survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) primarily by preserving left ventricular function. Its influence on the arrhythmogenic substrate remains uncertain. To investigate the electrophysiologic effects of thrombolytic therapy, signal-averaged electrocardiography, endocardial catheter mapping and programmed stimulation were performed in 93 consecutive patients with their first AMI who underwent thrombolytic therapy.

Selective inhibition of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF)-dependent superoxide generation in neutrophils by pravastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase.

It has been shown previously that inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, such as compactin, lovastatin, and pravastatin, block cholesterol synthesis, suppress lymphocyte functions, and beneficially affect atherogenesis. Recently, it was reported that compactin and lovastatin inhibit the respiratory burst of DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells, an effect reversed by mevalonic acid. The mode of action of these inhibitors in this role is not understood fully.

Effects of milk and colostrum on superoxide generation of oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils and the changes that occur during storage at low temperature.

Human oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils (OPMN) generate reactive oxygen species even in the absence of stimulants. Because OPMN from newborn babies are exposed to colostrum and mature milk, the biological properties of these cells including the generation of reactive oxygen species might possibly be affected by the constituents of colostrum and milk. The present work reports the effects of colostrum and mature milk, including the effects of storage at low temperature, on superoxide generation by OPMN.

Hyperkalemia probably reverses the antiarrhythmic effects of amiodarone: a case report.

Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) developed in a 58-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction and end-stage renal disease. Amiodarone was effective in preventing VT recurrence. Sustained VT was not induced during an electrophysiologic study.

Characterization of the mouse collectin gene locus.

Three of the four known mouse collectin genes have been mapped to chromosome 14. To further characterize the spatial relationship of these genes, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of mouse chromosome 14 was screened using mouse surfactant protein (SP)-A and -D complementary DNAs (cDNAs). One large clone hybridized to both SP-A and SP-D cDNAs and was found by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to contain sequences from one of the mouse mannose-binding lectin genes (Mbl1).

Automated filtration-based high-throughput plasmid preparation system.

Current methods of plasmid preparation do not allow for large capacity automated processing. We have developed an automated high-throughput system that prepares plasmid DNA for large-scale sequencing. This system is based on our previously reported filtration method.

Ultrastructure of phospholipid mixtures reconstituted with surfactant proteins B and D.

Surfactant protein (SP)-D is secreted from pulmonary alveolar type II cells into the alveolar lumen where potential interactions with surfactant lipids might occur. SP-D binds phosphatidylinositol (PI), a component of mammalian surfactants that is increased in a variety of injury states. We investigated the ultrastructure and properties of lipid protein recombinants that included SP-D, PI, and SP-B and compared these with recombinants based on SP-A.

Interlaboratory validation of the in vitro eye irritation tests for cosmetic ingredients (9). Evaluation of cytotoxicity test on HeLa cells.

The cytotoxicity test using MTT on HeLa cells (HeLa-MTT) was evaluated as an alternative method to the Draize eye irritation test (Draize test) by six to eight laboratories. The 50% inhibition concentration (EC(50)) for MTT reduction was calculated. A total of thirty-nine test chemicals were examined.

Interlaboratory validation of the In Vitro eye irritation tests for cosmetic ingredients (7) evaluation of cytotoxicity test by CornePack((R)).

The cytotoxicity test of neutral red (NR) uptake in normal rabbit corneal epithelial cells (CornePack((R))) was validated as an alternative method to the Draize rabbit eye irritation test (Draize test). We tested 38 cosmetic ingredients as well as isotonic sodium chloride solution in three phases of the validation study. The test procedures were controlled among participating laboratories under a common standard operating procedure (SOP).

Superoxide dismutase-like activity of metal substituted lactoferrin derivatives.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in various secretions including milk and the specific granules of neutrophils. The main biological properties of this protein are thought to concern the regulation of iron absorption, antimicrobial activity and modulation of neutrophil activity. Copper bound LF (Cu-LF) inhibited the stimulation-dependent reduction of cytochrome c (Cyt.

Altered surfactant homeostasis and alveolar type II cell morphology in mice lacking surfactant protein D.

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is one of two collectins found in the pulmonary alveolus. On the basis of homology with other collectins, potential functions for SP-D include roles in innate immunity and surfactant metabolism. The SP-D gene was disrupted in embryonic stem cells by homologous recombination to generate mice deficient in SP-D.

A novel control system for polymerase chain reaction using a RIKEN GS384 thermalcycler.

We have developed a novel high-throughput thermalcycler, the RIKEN GS384, which has a maximum of 1536 wells and whose temperature can be controlled accurately and simultaneously for a very small volume of a reaction mixture. In practice, the reaction is carried out using four 384-well (3.5 mm in diameter) plate formats which can be automatically moved using a robotic arm.

Valinomycin induces apoptosis of ascites hepatoma cells (AH-130) in relation to mitochondrial membrane potential.

Valinomycin is a potassium ionophore, and is well known to cause the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. It has been reported that loss of mitochondrial membrane potential is observed in the early stages of apoptosis induced by various agents. Thus, the effects of valinomycin on tumor cells were examined.

Longitudinal dissociation in the his bundle: a possible mechanism of two distinct cycle lengths in atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia.

Two wide QRS tachycardias with identical morphology but different cycle lengths (CLs) developed in a 63-year-old man. Electrophysiological study demonstrated inducible atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) due to a concealed left posterior accessory pathway (AP), which was successfully ablated by radiofrequency application. Neither dual AV nodal pathways nor other APs were documented.

Epigallocatechin gallate-induced histamine release in patients with green tea-induced asthma.

Background And Objective: Epigallocatechin gallate is the causative agent of green tea-induced asthma. To determine whether an IgE-mediated mechanism plays a pathogenetic role in this disorder, we measured histamine release after in vitro exposure to epigallocatechin gallate.

Methods: Subjects included eight patients (four men and four women) with green tea-induced asthma, who had been diagnosed by skin test and inhalation challenge, and eight controls (four asthmatic subjects with no previous exposure tea dust and four healthy volunteers).

Ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside-induced redox modulation in human keratinocyte cell line, SCC: mechanisms of photoprotective effect against ultraviolet light B.

We previously reported that the topical application of ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside (AA-2G) suppressed the cutaneous inflammation by ultraviolet irradiation in human and guinea pigs (Miyai et al., Nishinihon J. Dermatol.

[Pleural B cell lymphoma presenting as paraplegia].

A 54-year-old man felt pain on the right side of his chest. Two months later, paraplegia developed. A chest CT scan revealed a pleural effusion and a mass lesion along the right parietal pleura.