Publications by authors named "Ken-Ichiro Nan-Ya"

The Hippo pathway plays an important role in the growth, development, and regeneration of cells and organs. Transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD), a transcription activator of the Hippo pathway, forms the complex with a transcriptional coactivator yes-associated protein (YAP) or a transcriptional coactivator PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Their excessive activations are involved in carcinogenesis such as malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), and thus inhibition of the TEAD complex is expected to have potent anticancer activity against MPM.

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The activation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2)/death receptor 5 (DR5) induces apoptosis in various tumor cells but not in normal human cells. Because some therapeutic antibodies targeting TRAIL-R2 have demonstrated severe hepatotoxicity in clinical applications, novel in vivo models reflecting clinical hepatotoxicity are now required. In this study, we investigated the hepatotoxicity caused by KMTR2, an anti-human TRAIL-R2 monoclonal antibody, in chimeric mice with humanized livers (PXB-mice).

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Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and highly aggressive neoplasm that arises from the pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal lining. Although surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combinations of these therapies are used to treat MPM, the median survival of such patients is dismal. Therefore, there is a compelling need to develop novel therapeutics with different modes of action.

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We explored biomarkers suitable for monitoring sub-chronic kidney injury using the three rat models of cisplatin (CDDP)-induced kidney injury, which were designed to extend the current knowledge beyond the sub-acute exposure period. In the pilot study, a single intravenous administration of 1.5 mg kg(-1) CDDP to rats was confirmed to result in no histopathological changes.

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Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is known to mobilize stem cells to various organs and that it participates in tissue regeneration. Effect of the recombinant human G-CSF nartograstim (CAS 134088-74-7) was tested on elastase-induced emphysema. Porcine pancreas elastase (PPE) was administered intratracheally to male Sprague-Dawley rats to induce parenchymal destruction which was assessed by measuring the mean linear intercept (Lm) in tissue sections as an indicator of air space size.

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Introduction And Aims: Adenosine shows protective effects against cellular damage and dysfunction under several adverse conditions such as inflammation and ischemia. In the current study, we examined the effects of 3-[1-(6,7-diethoxy-2-morpholinoquinazolin-4-yl)piperidin-4-yl]-1,6-dimethyl-2,4(1,3 )-quinazolinedione hydrochloride (KF24345), an adenosine uptake inhibitor, on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice to investigate whether inhibition of adenosine uptake could ameliorate the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Methodology: Acute pancreatitis was induced in mice with six intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50 microg/kg each) at hourly intervals.

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Adenosine protects against cellular damage and dysfunction under several adverse conditions including inflammation and ischemia. In this study, we examined the effects of 3-[1-(6,7-diethoxy-2-morpholinoquinazolin-4-yl)piperidin-4-yl]-1,6-dimethyl-2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione hydrochloride (KF24345), an adenosine uptake inhibitor, on experimental acute pancreatitis induced by choline-deficient and ethionine-supplemented diet in mice. KF24345, administered with the diet onset and every 24 h thereafter, prevented hyperamylasemia, acinar cell injury and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha elevation and ultimately decreased mortality.

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