Involvement of the IL-22/REG Ialpha axis in ulcerative colitis.

The Regenerating gene (REG) Ialpha protein, a trophic and/or anti-apoptotic factor, is important in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal inflammation. Interleukin (IL)-22 is a recently identified cytokine that is suggested to have pivotal roles in inflammatory bowel diseases. We therefore investigated the involvement of the IL-22/REG Ialpha axis and examined the mechanism of regulation of REG Ialpha expression by IL-22 stimulation in ulcerative colitis (UC) mucosa.

Magnifying pharmacoendoscopy: response of microvessels to epinephrine stimulation in differentiated early gastric cancers.

Background: Magnifying endoscopy is a promising modality for fine observation of minute surface structures and microvessel architecture in gastric lesions.

Objective: To observe the response of microvessels to epinephrine stimulation in early gastric cancer tissues and to assess the usefulness of magnifying pharmacoendoscopy for histologic diagnosis.

Design: This was a prospective pilot study.

Hes1-deficient mice show precocious differentiation of Paneth cells in the small intestine.

We have previously shown that Hes1 is expressed both in putative epithelial stem cells just above Paneth cells and in the crypt base columnar cells between Paneth cells, while Hes1 is completely absent in Paneth cells. This study was undertaken to clarify the role of Hes1 in Paneth cell differentiation, using Hes1-knockout (KO) newborn (P0) mice. Electron microscopy revealed premature appearance of distinct cells containing cytoplasmic granules in the intervillous region in Hes1-KO P0 mice, whereas those cells were absent in wild-type (WT) P0 mice.

Expression of reg I alpha protein in human gastric cancers.

Background/aims: Although regenerating gene(Reg) I alpha protein has a trophic effect on gastric epithelial cells, it is unclear whether Reg I alpha protein and its receptor are involved in gastric carcinogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the Reg I alpha protein expression in human gastric cancers and assessed its relationship to clinicopathological factors.

Methods: Sixty-one gastric cancer specimens were examined, using immunohistochemistry, for Reg I alpha protein, p53, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

STAT3 is constitutively activated and supports cell survival in association with survivin expression in gastric cancer cells.

Signal transduction and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) signaling is constitutively activated in various tumors, and is involved in cell survival and proliferation during oncogenesis. There are few reports, however, on the role of STAT3 signaling in gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of STAT3 signaling in apoptosis and cellular proliferation in gastric cancer.

Identification of GM-CSF in Paneth cells using single-cell RT-PCR.

Paneth cells, granule-containing cells located at the bottom of the intestinal crypts, have a role in innate mucosal immunity. We identified the exclusive expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in Paneth cells using single-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cDNA array. Cytosolic total RNA was aspirated from single Paneth cells and other villous epithelial cells (non-Paneth cells) of rats using capillary micropipettes.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and angiogenesis in gastric hyperplastic polyp--association with polyp size.

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis, and plays an important role in tumor enlargement. COX-2 is expressed in human gastric and colorectal tumors, and the expression increases in a tumor size-dependent manner. In the present study, we attempted to examine the COX-2 expression pattern in gastric hyperplastic polyp, a non-tumorous lesion.

Candidate markers for stem and early progenitor cells, Musashi-1 and Hes1, are expressed in crypt base columnar cells of mouse small intestine.

Musashi-1, a neural RNA-binding protein, is important for maintaining neural stem cells. Both Musashi-1 and Hes1, a transcriptional factor regulated by Musashi-1, are expressed in the small intestine. Here we show that Musashi-1 is present in a few epithelial cells just above the Paneth cells in the small intestinal crypt, the putative position of stem cells, whereas Hes1 is expressed in lower crypt cells just above the Paneth cells, including Musashi-1-positive cells.