Increased production of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) by asbestos exposure enhances tissue migration of human regulatory T-like cells.

The effects of asbestos on immunocompetent cells have been investigated. In particular, attention was paid to regulatory T cell function, which was observed using the HTLV-1 immortalized human polyclonal T cell line MT-2. Exposure to asbestos (approximately more than 25 μg/mL for 1-3 day) induced apoptosis, and we observed an increase in regulatory T cell function and acceleration of the cell cycle with continuous exposure to low concentrations of asbestos (5-10 μg/mL for more than eight months).

Effect of asbestos exposure on differentiation and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Asbestos exposure is known to cause malignant mesothelioma, which is associated with poor prognosis. We focused on and examined the effect of asbestos exposure on the differentiation and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). CTLs have the ability to specifically attack tumor cells after being differentiated from naïve CD8 T cells following antigen stimulation.

The Effects of Asbestos Fibers on Human T Cells.

Asbestos exposure causes malignant tumors such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. The effects of asbestos fibers on immunocompetent cells, however, have not been well studied. Asbestos physically comprises a fibrous substance, which differs from silica particles which are a particulate substance, although chemically it is a mineral silicate.

Structure-based design of gRNA for Cas13.

Cas13 endonuclease activity depends on the RNA local secondary structure with strong preference for single-stranded (SS) regions. Hence, it becomes indispensable to identify the SS regions for effective Cas13 mediated RNA knockdown. We herein present rational gRNA design by integrating experimental structure-seq data and predicted structural models.

Enhanced expression of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) and its role in a human T cell line continuously exposed to asbestos.

The effects of asbestos fibers on human immune cells have not been well documented. We have developed a continuously exposed cell line model using the human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)-immortalized human T cell line MT-2. Sublines continuously exposed to chrysotile (CH) or crocidolite (CR) showed acquired resistance to asbestos-induced apoptosis following transient and high-dose re-exposure with fibers.

Didgeridoo Health Promotion Method Improves Mood, Mental Stress, and Stability of Autonomic Nervous System.

A potential method of health promotion using the traditional wooden brass instrument the didgeridoo was examined, especially in terms of mood, stress, and autonomic nerve stabilization. Twenty Japanese healthy subjects undertook 10 lessons of the Didgeridoo Health Promotion Method (DHPM) and a moods questionnaire, blood pressure, salivary amylase (sAmy) as a stress marker, pulse rate and autonomic balance expressed by Ln[low frequency (LF)/High frequency (HF) were examined twice before the entire lessons and once before and after each lesson. The subjects had improved total mood disturbance (TMD: overall mood disorder degree) as measured by the Japanese version of the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2) as a result of taking the lessons.

Role of Nephronectin in Pathophysiology of Silicosis.

Silicosis is a typical form of pneumoconiosis and is characterized as a type of lung fibrosis. Silica particles are captured and recognized upon by alveolar macrophages via the macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) scavenger receptor, and thereafter the inflammasome is activated. Thereafter, various chemokines/cytokines play their roles to eventually form fibrosis.

Decrease in Intracellular Perforin Levels and IFN- Production in Human CD8 T Cell Line following Long-Term Exposure to Asbestos Fibers.

Although the tumorigenicity of asbestos, which is thought to cause mesothelioma, has been clarified, its effect on antitumor immunity requires further investigation. We previously reported a decrease in the percentage of perforin cells of stimulated CD8 lymphocytes derived from patients with malignant mesothelioma. Therefore, we examined the effects of long-term exposure to asbestos on CD8 T cell functions by comparing long-term cultures of the human CD8 T cell line EBT-8 with and without exposure to chrysotile (CH) asbestos as an model.

Aberrant expression of FoxP3 in a human T cell line possessing regulatory T cell‑like function and exposed continuously to asbestos fibers.

Prompted by the known carcinogenic activity of asbestos, our investigations revealed that asbestos causes a reduction in antitumor immunity. One mechanism involves the enhancement of regulatory T (Treg) cell function and volume assayed using MT‑2 original cells (Org), an HTLV‑1 immortalized human T cell line which possesses Treg‑like function. Continuous and relatively low‑dose exposure of MT‑2 to asbestos fibers yielded sublines resistant to asbestos‑induced apoptosis and enhanced Treg function via cell‑cell contact mechanisms and increased the production of soluble factors such as interleukin (IL)‑10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β.

Decrease in Serum Amyloid a Protein Levels Following Three-month Stays in Negatively Charged Particle-dominant Indoor Air Conditions.

Objective: The changes in serum adipokines and cytokines related to oxidative stress were examined during 3 months 'Off to On' and 'On to Off' periods using negatively charged particle-dominant indoor air conditions (NCPDIAC).

Methods: Seven volunteers participated in the study, which included 'OFF to 3 months ON' periods (ON trials) for a total of 16 times, and 'ON to 3 months OFF' (OFF trials) periods for a total of 13 times.

Results: With the exception of one case, serum amyloid A (SAA) levels decreased significantly during the ON trials.

Inflammatory Alteration of Human T Cells Exposed Continuously to Asbestos.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen and exposure can lead to lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. To examine the effects of asbestos fibers on human immune cells, the human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV)-1 immortalized human T cell line MT-2 was employed. Following continuous exposure to asbestos fibers for more than eight months, MT-2 sublines showed acquisition of resistance to asbestos-induced apoptosis with decreased death signals and increased surviving signals.

Search for biomarkers of asbestos exposure and asbestos-induced cancers in investigations of the immunological effects of asbestos.

The immunological effects of asbestos exposure on various lymphocytes such as the regulatory T cell (Treg), responder CD4+ T helper cell (Tresp), CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), and natural killer (NK) cells were investigated. Results show that asbestos exposure impairs antitumor immunity through enhancement of regulatory T cell function and volume, reduction of CXCR3 chemokine receptor in responder CD4+ T helper cells, and impairment of the killing activities of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and NK cells. These findings were used to explore biological markers associated with asbestos exposure and asbestos-induced cancers and suggested the usefulness of serum/plasma IL-10 and TGF-β, surface CXCR3 expression in Tresp, the secreting potential of IFN-γ in Tresp, intracellular perforin level in CTL, and surface expression NKp46 in NK cells.

Clinical evaluation of CENP-B and Scl-70 autoantibodies in silicosis patients.

Silicosis patients (SIL) suffer from respiratory disorders and dysregulation of autoimmunity. Frequent complications such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis (SSc) and vasculitis are known in SIL. Furthermore, we reported previously that some SIL exhibited better respiratory conditions in association with a worse immunological status.

Accelerated cell cycle progression of human regulatory T cell-like cell line caused by continuous exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos exposure causes malignant tumors such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Based on our hypothesis in which continuous exposure to asbestos of immune cells cause reduction of antitumor immunity, the decrease of natural killer cell killing activity with reduction of NKp46 activating receptor expression, inhibition of cytotoxic T cell clonal expansion, reduced CXCR3 chemokine receptor expression and production of interferon-γ production in CD4+ T cells were reported using cell line models, freshly isolated peripheral blood immune cells from health donors as well as asbestos exposed patients such as pleural plaque and mesothelioma. In addition to these findings, regulatory T cells (Treg) showed enhanced function through cell-cell contact and increased secretion of typical soluble factors, interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, in a cell line model using the MT-2 human polyclonal T cells and its sublines exposed continuously to asbestos fibers.

Biological Effects of Cloth Containing Specific Ore Powder in Patients with Pollen Allergy.

Objective: The custom-homebuilding company, Cosmic Garden Co. Ltd., located in Okayama City, Japan was established in 1997 and uses specific natural ore powder (SNOP) in wall materials and surveys customers in order to improve allergic symptoms.

In vitro quantitative determination of the concentration of the polymerization agent methyl 2-benzoylbenzoate in intravenous injection solution and the cytotoxic effects of the chemical on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

In previous studies, we detected the photoinitiators 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (1-HCHPK) and 2-methyl-4'-(methylthio)-2-morpholinopropiophenone (MTMP) in an intravenous injection solution. Importantly, 1-HCHPK and MTMP have been demonstrated to be cytotoxic to normal human peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells (MNC). Cell death (apoptosis) pathways can be classified into two modes, caspase-dependent and -independent pathways.

Environmental factors and human health: fibrous and particulate substance-induced immunological disorders and construction of a health-promoting living environment.

Among the various scientific fields covered in the area of hygiene such as environmental medicine, epidemiology, public health and preventive medicine, we are investigating the immunological effects of fibrous and particulate substances in the environment and work surroundings, such as asbestos fibers and silica particles. In addition to these studies, we have attempted to construct health-promoting living conditions. Thus, in this review we will summarize our investigations regarding the (1) immunological effects of asbestos fibers, (2) immunological effects of silica particles, and (3) construction of a health-promoting living environment.

Enhancement of regulatory T cell-like suppressive function in MT-2 by long-term and low-dose exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos exposure causes lung fibrosis and various malignant tumors such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. The effects of asbestos on immune cells have not been thoroughly investigated, although our previous reports showed that asbestos exposure reduced anti-tumor immunity. The effects of continuous exposure of regulatory T cells (Treg) to asbestos were examined using the HTLV-1 immortalized human T cell line MT-2, which possesses a suppressive function and expresses the Treg marker protein, Foxp3.

Exposure to negatively charged-particle dominant air-conditions on human lymphocytes in vitro activates immunological responses.

Indoor air-conditions may play an important role in human health. Investigation of house conditions that promote health revealed that negatively charged-particle dominant indoor air-conditions (NAC) induced immune stimulation. NAC was established using fine charcoal powder on walls and ceilings and utilizing forced negatively charged particles (approximate diameter: 20 nm) dominant in indoor air-conditions created by applying an electric voltage (72 V) between the backside of the walls and the ground.