The molecular regulation of oligodendrocyte development and CNS myelination by ECM proteins.

Oligodendrocytes are myelin-forming cells in the central nervous system (CNS). The development of oligodendrocytes is regulated by a large number of molecules, including extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that are relatively less characterized. Here, we review the molecular functions of the major ECM proteins in oligodendrocyte development and pathology.

Association Between Vertebral Fracture and Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis.

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in vertebral fracture patients admitted to our hospital.

Summary Of Background Data: Although vertebral fracture is generally treated conservatively with rest and use of a corset, surgery with rigid internal fixation is recommended for vertebral fractures in patients with DISH.

Internalization of CCR4 and inhibition of chemotaxis by K777, a potent and selective CCR4 antagonist.

CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates the chemotaxis of Th2 lymphocytes, which are key players in allergic diseases. K777 is a small compound identified in a binding assay using a CCR4 ligand, CCL17. K777 inhibited both CCL17 binding and CCL17-induced chemotaxis in Hut78 cells (IC50: 57 and 8.

Inhibitory effect of the new orally active CCR4 antagonist K327 on CCR4+CD4+ T cell migration into the lung of mice with ovalbumin-induced lung allergic inflammation.

CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is expressed on Th2 cells, found in inflamed tissues of allergic diseases, and is therefore suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases by controlling Th2 cell migration into inflamed tissues. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of a selective CCR4 antagonist, K327 [6-cyclopropancarbonyl-4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylamino)-2-(4-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl] piperazin-1-yl)-7,8-dihydro-5H-pyrido (4,3-d)pyrimidine], on the recruitment of CCR4+CD4+ T cells to the airway of mice with ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation. K327 was administered to mice in which CCR4+CD4+ T cell accumulation was elicited by multiple inhalations of aerosolized ovalbumin.

Effect of bone marrow grafting on the titanium porous-coated implant in bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Background And Purpose: Poor bone ingrowth into the porous coating of tibial components has been reported. We hypothesized that iliac marrow grafting might be useful to enhance bone ingrowth into a porous-coated implant. The first part of this study was to examine the presence of fibroblast colony-forming units (CFUF) containing osteogenic precursor cells in tibial bone marrow and iliac bone marrow.

K579, a slow-binding inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, is a long-acting hypoglycemic agent.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors are expected to be categorized in a new type of antidiabetic drugs. We had developed a long-acting dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor, K579 [(S)-1-[4-methyl-1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-4-piperidylamino]acetyl-2-pyrrolidinecarbonitrile]. The aim of present study was to characterize the pharmacological profiles of K579.

A novel bisphosphonate inhibits inflammatory bone resorption in a rat osteolysis model with continuous infusion of polyethylene particles.

This study examined the inhibitory effect of a new bisphosphonate (TRK-530) on wear debris-mediated bone resorption in a rat osteolysis model involving continuous infusion of high density polyethylene (HDPE) particles. TRK-530 (TRK) is a novel synthetic bisphosphonate that has been shown to decrease the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in the bone marrow of rats with adjuvant arthritis. Forty Wistar rats were randomized to two groups (n = 20 each).