Inside-the-body light delivery system using endovascular therapy-based light illumination technology.

Background: Light-based therapies are promising for treating diseases including cancer, hereditary conditions, and protein-related disorders. However, systems, methods, and devices that deliver light deep inside the body are limited. This study aimed to develop an endovascular therapy-based light illumination technology (ET-BLIT), capable of providing deep light irradiation within the body.

Expression of NCAM in activated portal fibroblasts during regeneration of the rat liver after partial hepatectomy.

In the portal tract of the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy, vascular and bile ductular remodeling takes place in response to the portal hyperdynamic state and parenchymal hyperplasia. In order to reveal phenotypical changes in the portal fibroblasts, we immunohistochemically investigated neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) and alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) expression and the ultrastructural changes in them during liver regeneration. In the control rat liver, portal fibroblasts were negative for both NCAM and alphaSMA.

Macrophage scavenger receptor down-regulates mycobacterial cord factor-induced proinflammatory cytokine production by alveolar and hepatic macrophages.

We aimed to reveal the regulatory function of macrophage scavenger receptor-A (MSR-A) in proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages stimulated with mycobacterial cord factor (CF). By the culture with CF, MSR-A (+/+) alveolar macrophages and Kupffer cells produced TNF-alpha/MIP-1alpha in a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, the amounts of cytokines produced by them were much less compared to those produced by MSR-A (-/-) macrophages.

TNP-470 blockage of VEGF synthesis is dependent on MAPK/COX-2 signaling pathway in PDGF-BB-activated hepatic stellate cells.

Angiogenesis is a key pathogenic event in hepatic fibrogenesis, which is mediated by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). TNP-470 is a known anti-angiogenic agent in cancer, and in this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of TNP-470 blockage of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis in activated HSCs. Primary HSCs were isolated from rat liver, cultured in vitro, and activated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB).

Immunohistologic attempt to find carcinogenesis from hepatic progenitor cell in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To clarify whether hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) originates from hepatic progenitor cells and whether there is any correlation with the clinicopathologic factors of HCC, we reviewed 217 resected HCC specimens.

Methods: Immunohistochemical examination of cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK19, CD34, and CD117 (c-KIT) was performed. Overexpression of CK7 and CK19 indicates differentiation from cholangiocellular and hepatic progenitor cells, while overexpression of CD34 and CD117 indicates hepatic stem cells.

A murine model of NKT cell-mediated liver injury induced by alpha-galactosylceramide/d-galactosamine.

Natural killer-T (NKT) cells are rich in the liver. However, their involvement in liver injury is not fully understood. We developed here a new murine model of NKT-cell-activation-associated liver injury, and investigated a role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and Fas in pathogenesis.

Association of hnRNP S1 proteins with vimentin intermediate filaments in migrating cells.

S1 proteins C2 and D2 are multifunctional hnRNP proteins acting as transcriptional regulators in the nucleus. Immunofluorescence staining of various cells in culture revealed that S1 proteins also occur in the cytoplasm, often in association with vimentin intermediate filaments (VFs). Here, we verified the association of S1 proteins with vimentin using vimentin-deficient cells, crosslinking and immunoprecipitation, and further investigated the biological significance of this association.

Correlation between dynamic computed tomographic and histopathological findings in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: To determine the characteristic image findings on dynamic computed tomography (CT) for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we evaluated the correlation of histopathological and radiological findings with respect to the angioarchitecture in small HCCs.

Methods: CT and early- and late-phase dynamic CT findings of 80 small HCCs (< or =3 cm) were divided into iso-, high, low, and mixed density. We studied the correlation between the imaging findings and the histopathological findings as follows: differentiation grade; presence of fibrous capsule; presence of Glisson's sheath, and growth pattern.

Surgical strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma originating in the caudate lobe.

Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma originating in or mainly involving the caudate lobe (caudate HCC) is generally poor. We reviewed the clinicopathologic findings of patients who underwent liver resection of caudate HCC and correlated the outcome with the surgical strategy.

Methods: Records of 402 patients who underwent liver resection for HCC were reviewed.

Regulatory role of vHL/HIF-1alpha in hypoxia-induced VEGF production in hepatic stellate cells.

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) produce cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein to induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production that participates in angiogenesis in injured liver. To reveal the unknown regulatory mechanism, we used hypoxic atmosphere mimicking injured-tissue microenvironment to induce VEGF expression in a rat hepatic stellate cell line (T6-HSCs). The present study showed that hypoxia up-regulated the protein levels of COX-2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha (HIF-1alpha), but rapidly effected degradation of von Hippel-Lindau (vHL) protein.

Pit cells as liver-associated natural killer cells: morphology and function.

Pit cells are one type of hepatic sinusoidal cells, defined morphologically as large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) and functionally as liver-associated natural killer (NK) cells. They are situated inside the sinusoidal lumen, adhering to the endothelial cells and Kupffer cells. They contain multivesicular body-related dense granules and rod-cored vesicles.

Localization of lymphocyte apoptosis in murine lymphoid tissues after stimulation of natural killer T cells with alpha-galactosylceramide.

Alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) has been reported to induce activation-induced cell death (AICD) in natural killer T (NKT) cells. We undertook this study to demonstrate the distribution of AICD of NKT cells in the lymphoid tissues and differences in frequency between the central and peripheral lymphoid tissues, histologically and quantitatively analyzing the apoptotic figure in the murine spleen, lymph node, and thymus after alpha-GalCer treatment. Lymphocyte apoptosis was identified as a cluster of nuclei with chromatin condensation in hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections, and was confirmed by TUNEL staining, double staining for TUNEL and CD4, and electron microscopy.

Cytokeratin 19 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma predicts early postoperative recurrence.

Clinicopathologic features and postoperative outcomes were investigated for patients who underwent curative surgery for biliary marker (CK7 and CK19)-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Of 157 HCCs, 93 were CK7(-)CK19(-), 49 were CK7(+)-CK19(-), 1 was CK7(-)CK19(+), and 14 were CK7(+)- CK19(+). Semiquantitative analysis of expression levels demonstrated a significant correlation between CK7 and CK19 expression.

Apoptosis of T cells in the hepatic fibrotic tissue of the rat: a possible inducing role of hepatic myofibroblast-like cells.

Apoptosis of T cells contributes to the immune homeostasis in inflamed organs. A prominent T-cell infiltration is usually seen in human chronic active hepatitis, being associated with liver fibrosis. In order to demonstrate T-cell apoptosis in the hepatic fibrotic tissue, we induced T-cell infiltration in the fibrotic liver of the rat by injecting concanavalin A (Con A), a T-cell mitogen.

A murine model of granulomatous colitis with mesenteric lymphadenitis induced by mycobacterial cord factor.

Granulomatous colitis is a major entity of human intestinal diseases. We previously reported that intravenous injection of mycobacterial cord factor (CF), a potent macrophage activator, induced pulmonary granulomas in mice with enhanced production of Th1 cytokines and chemokines. In this study we made a murine model of granulomatous colitis by intramural injection of CF.

Granulated metrial gland cells in the murine uterus: localization, kinetics, and the functional role in angiogenesis during pregnancy.

Granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are a major immune cell population in the murine pregnant uterus, and contribute to the maintenance of pregnancy by functioning as uterus-specific natural killer (NK) cells. In order to reveal their kinetics, activation, and functional roles in pregnancy, we conducted quantitative and immunohistochemical analyses in normal and immuno-modulator-treated mice. Under a light microscope, GMG cells were identified by red cytoplasmic granules in periodic-acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained sections.

Expression of SPARC by activated hepatic stellate cells and its correlation with the stages of fibrogenesis in human chronic hepatitis.

Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), which functions in tissue remodeling, has been reported to be expressed by myofibroblasts in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to reveal its expression in chronic hepatitis. Immuno-light and electron microscopy demonstrated that SPARC was expressed by nerve fibers and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the liver parenchyma and myofibroblasts in the fibrous septa.

Hemodynamics in the microvasculature of thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic rat livers.

Background/aims: To evaluate the hepatic microcirculatory changes in liver cirrhosis, in vivo microscopic findings were assessed quantitatively in cirrhotic rats.

Methodology: Using in vivo microscopy, the blood flow velocity through terminal portal venules and terminal hepatic venules, and their diameters were measured. The rats were classified into a normal group, fibrosis group, and cirrhosis group, histopathologically.