Successful Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation from a Matched Related Donor with Beta-Thalassemia Minor for Severe Aplastic Anemia.

The first-line treatment for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), with full-matched related donors considered the most suitable. We report a case of SAA in which the patient successfully underwent HSCT from a donor with β-thalassemia minor. The patient in this case underwent HSCT from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched younger brother with β-thalassemia minor.

The ion channel activator CyPPA inhibits melanogenesis via the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway.

Research into materials that inhibit melanogenesis in skin has gained interest. Screening for such compounds in B16F10 cells revealed that cyclohexyl-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine (CyPPA), a positive modulator of small-conductance Ca-activated K channels, is a strong inhibitor of melanogenesis. We investigated the anti-melanogenic activity of CyPPA and the molecular mechanism by which CyPPA reduced melanin production in normal human melanocytes (NHM).

Optimization of Large-Scale Expansion and Cryopreservation of Human Natural Killer Cells for Anti-Tumor Therapy.

Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapy is a potential therapeutic approach for a variety of solid tumors. We established an expansion method for large-scale production of highly purified and functionally active NK cells, as well as a freezing medium for the expanded NK cells. In the present study, we assessed the effect of cryopreservation on the expanded NK cells in regards to viability, phenotype, and anti-tumor activity.

Improving the production of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-4 in Chinese hamster ovary cell cultures by inhibition of undesirable endocytosis.

Endocytic regulation serves a critical role in modulating the extracellular level of signaling molecules, such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Unfortunately, endocytosis may result in poor yields of recombinant human BMP-4 (rhBMP-4) from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures. When rhBMP-4 was incubated with CHO cells, rhBMP-4 was actively internalized into cells.

Comparing the Postoperative Complications, Hospitalization Days and Treatment Expenses Depending on the Administration of Postoperative Prophylactic Antibiotics to Hysterectomy.

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare postoperative complications, hospitalization days and treatment expenses to postoperative prophylactic antibiotics administrated to hysterectomy or not.

Methods: A retrospective survey study was performed with 128 cases in which elective hysterectomy had undergone. They were divided into two groups by identifying whether postoperative prophylactic antibiotics was administered for hysterectomy: a) one group who received postoperative prophylactic antibiotics and; b) those who did not.

Polycan, a β-glucan from SM-2001, mitigates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Polycan, a β-glucan from SM-2001, in a rat model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were orally administered 31.25, 62.

Characterization and abiotic stress-responsive expression analysis of SGT1 genes in Brassica oleracea.

SGT1 genes are involved in enhancing plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Brassica oleracea is known to contain two types of SGT1 genes, namely suppressor of G2 allele of SKP1 and suppressor of GCR2. In this study, through systematic analysis, four putative SGT1 genes were identified and characterized in B.

Present and Future of Allogeneic Natural Killer Cell Therapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that are capable of eliminating tumor cells and are therefore used for cancer therapy. Although many early investigators used autologous NK cells, including lymphokine-activated killer cells, the clinical efficacies were not satisfactory. Meanwhile, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation revealed the antitumor effect of allogeneic NK cells, and HLA-haploidentical, killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor ligand-mismatched allogeneic NK cells are currently used for many protocols requiring NK cells.

Diameter of parathyroid glands measured by computed tomography as a predictive indicator for response to cinacalcet in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background/aims: Cinacalcet is one of the important treatments of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). We evaluated the role of computed tomography (CT) for parathyroid glands (PTGs) to determine the response to cinacalcet therapy in dialysis patients.

Methods: In study 1, we compared the predictive cutoff values of the largest volume or diameter of PTGs on ultrasonography or CT for achievement of target intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level according to K/DOQI guideline after cinacalcet treatment in a single dialysis center.

IL-32γ induces chemotaxis of activated T cells via dendritic cell-derived CCL5.

Interleukin (IL)-32 has been associated with a variety of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis and Crohn's disease. We have previously reported that IL-32γ, the IL-32 isoform with the highest biological activity, could act as an immune modulator through regulation of dendritic cell (DC) functions in immune responses. Cell locomotion is crucial for induction of an effective immune response.

Cutaneous Mycobacterium massiliense Infection of the Sole of the Feet.

Mycobacterium massiliense which is recognized as a separate species from M. abscessus is little known regarding its clinical patterns and the response to treatment. We present a case of a localized cutaneous infection due to M.

Principal role of IL-12p40 in the decreased Th1 and Th17 responses driven by dendritic cells of mice lacking IL-12 and IL-18.

IL-12 and IL-18 are cytokines which are mainly secreted by endothelial cells and monocytes including dendritic cells. The well-known effects of IL-12 and IL-18 in the protection against bacteria and virus infection as well as tumor development are associated with their characteristics in synergistically driving the development of T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and inducing IFN-γ production. In this study, we compared the knockout effects of IL-12 and/or IL-18 genes on phenotypes and functional capabilities of dendritic cells (DCs) including their ability to polarize naive CD4(+) T cells.

C6-ceramide in combination with transforming growth factor-β enhances Treg cell differentiation and stable FoxP3 expression in vitro and in vivo.

Ceramides, sphingosine-based lipid molecules, are generated mainly from the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin and play pivotal roles in biological processes including cell growth, differentiation, and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of exogenous ceramides on the differentiation of regulatory T (Treg) cells and expression of FoxP3 gene in Treg cells. A cell-permeable C6-ceramide (C6) was capable of upregulating Treg cell differentiation when acting together with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and this induction was independent of T-cell receptor (TCR) and CD28 strength.

AIMP1 deficiency enhances airway hyperreactivity in mice via increased TH2 immune responses.

Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multicomplex protein 1 (AIMP1) is known as a novel cytokine carrying out a variety of biological activities, including angiogenesis and wound repair. In our previous reports AIMP1 was demonstrated to induce TH1 polarization. However, the effects of AIMP1 deficiency in TH1 or TH2 immune disorders remain unclear.

Adiponectin induces dendritic cell activation via PLCγ/JNK/NF-κB pathways, leading to Th1 and Th17 polarization.

Adiponectin (APN) is a crucial regulator for many inflammatory processes, but its effect on Th cell-mediated responses has not been fully understood. Thus, we investigated the immune-modulatory effects of APN on dendritic cells (DCs) controlling Th cell polarization. APN induced maturation and activation of DCs, as demonstrated by the increased expression of MHC class II, costimulatory molecules in both mouse and human DCs, and it significantly enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines.

C6-ceramide enhances Interleukin-12-mediated T helper type 1 cell responses through a cyclooxygenase-2-dependent pathway.

Ceramides, lipid molecules located predominantly within the plasma membrane of a cell, can function as second messengers, and have been known to carry out a number of cellular functions. T helper type 1 (Th1) immune responses are known to be involved in the cellular immunity, which is crucial in the cancer and allergy immunotherapy. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of ceramides on T helper cell responses and their underlying mechanisms.

IL-32gamma induces the maturation of dendritic cells with Th1- and Th17-polarizing ability through enhanced IL-12 and IL-6 production.

IL-32, a newly described multifunctional cytokine, has been associated with a variety of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and Crohn's disease. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of IL-32γ on bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (DC)-driven Th responses and analyzed the underlying signaling events. IL-32γ-treated DCs exhibited upregulated expression of cell-surface molecules and proinflammatory cytokines associated with DC maturation and activation.

Immunity to Trop-1, a newly identified breast cancer antigen, inhibits the growth of breast cancer in mice.

This study describes the immunotherapeutic properties of vaccines that encode tumor-associated calcium signal transducer-1 (Trop-1), a newly identified breast cancer antigen, in mice with breast cancer. Previously we found that Trop-1 was over-expressed in cellular breast cancer vaccines that were highly enriched for cells that induced therapeutic CTL-mediated immune responses in mice with breast cancer, as compared with non-enriched vaccines. In this study, to determine if the expression of Trop-1 by cells in the enriched vaccine was responsible for its therapeutic benefits, an expression plasmid that specified the Trop-1 gene was transfected into the LM fibroblast cells, which was then used as a vaccine.

Effects of Machilus thunbergii Sieb et Zucc on UV-induced photoaging in hairless mice.

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure induces photoaging and oxidative stress in the skin. We investigated whether Machilus thunbergii Sieb et Zucc (M. thunbergii) could reduce UV-induced photoaging and oxidative stress in hairless mice.

Analysis of the expression profiles of cytokines and cytokine-related genes during the progression of breast cancer growth in mice.

Cytokines are a protein family of regulatory factors derived from tumors and their environmental components that contribute to the growth, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. However, the way in which tumor progression and cytokines regulate each other is not well understood. In this study, we used an oligoDNA microarray to assess the kinetic expression profile of cytokine genes in tumor tissues and lymph nodes during the progression of tumor growth in mice that had been subcutaneously challenged with breast adenocarcinoma SB5b cells.