Effective control of massive venous bleeding by "multioverlapping therapy" using polysaccharide nanosheets in a rabbit inferior vena cava injury model.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of multioverlapping therapy using a polysaccharide nanosheet having 75-nm thickness for sealing and stopping massive venous hemorrhage.

Methods: The hydrostatic durability of the polysaccharide nanosheet was evaluated in vitro when secured to an incised silicon tube. For in vivo studies, the inferior vena cava (IVC) of rabbits was cut longitudinally, and multiple polysaccharide nanosheets were overlapped onto the injured IVC.

The effect of synthetic C-reactive protein on the in vitro immune response of human PBMCs stimulated with bacterial reagents.

Synthetic C-reactive protein (CRP) rescues mice from lethal endotoxin shock or bacterial infection by suppressing tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), but in turn, enhances Kupffer cell phagocytic activity. We herein assessed the influence of CRP in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). When human PBMCs were stimulated in vitro with penicillin-treated Streptococcus pyogenes, bacterial DNA motifs and lipopolysaccharide with or without synthetic CRP, CRP suppressed the production of TNF-α and IL-12, but not that of IFN-γ.

Activation of CD11b+ Kupffer cells/macrophages as a common cause for exacerbation of TNF/Fas-ligand-dependent hepatitis in hypercholesterolemic mice.

We have reported that the mouse hepatic injury induced by either α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) or bacterial DNA motifs (CpG-ODN) is mediated by the TNF/NKT cell/Fas-ligand (FasL) pathway. In addition, F4/80(+) Kupffer cells can be subclassified into CD68(+) subset with a phagocytosing capacity and CD11b(+) subset with a TNF-producing capacity. CD11b(+) subset increase if mice are fed high-fat and cholesterol diet (HFCD).

Liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin attenuates cardiac dysfunction and sympathetic activity during hypohemoglobinemic shock.

The use of liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin (LHb), which is a cellular Hb, has been demonstrated to be beneficial in the treatment of hypohemoglobinemic shock. As a molecule of appropriate size (220 nm) that can carry oxygen, LHb may ameliorate cardiac dysfunction during lethal hemodilation. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of LHb transfusion in relieving cardiovascular dysfunction in a rat model of lethal progressive hemodilution.

Pivotal advance: characterization of mouse liver phagocytic B cells in innate immunity.

Although B cells in vertebrates have been thought to lack phagocytic activity, there has been a recent report of such ability by the B cells of early vertebrates such as fish and frogs. Here, we show for the first time that mouse liver IgM(+) B cells actively phagocytose microsphere beads and Escherichia coli and that they effectively kill bacterial cells. Such phagocytic activity is not observed in other liver MNCs, except for F4/80(+) Kupffer cells.

The immunologic outcome of enhanced function of mouse liver lymphocytes and Kupffer cells by high-fat and high-cholesterol diet.

Dietary lipids/cholesterol may modulate liver immune function. We have recently found that mouse F4/80 Kupffer cells are classified into phagocytic CD68 Kupffer cells and cytokine-producing CD11b Kupffer cells. We here investigate how a high-fat and/or high-cholesterol diet affects innate immune liver mononuclear cells.

Characterization of two F4/80-positive Kupffer cell subsets by their function and phenotype in mice.

Background & Aims: Liver Kupffer cells have been suggested to be heterogeneous macrophage lineage cells. We explored this possibility by classifying the mouse Kupffer cells into subpopulations and characterizing them by their phenotype and function.

Methods: Liver mononuclear cells (MNCs) from C57BL/6 mice were isolated and their phenotypes and functions were analyzed.

The effect of ketamine anesthesia on the immune function of mice with postoperative septicemia.

Background: It is unknown how ketamine anesthesia immunologically affects the outcome of patients with postoperative septicemia. We investigated the effects of ketamine anesthesia on mice with an Escherichia coli or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge after laparotomy, focusing on phagocytosis by liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) and cytokine production.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice received ketamine or sevoflurane anesthesia during laparotomy, which was followed by an E.

Intraosseous transfusion with liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin improves mouse survival after hypohemoglobinemic shock without scavenging nitric oxide.

Recently, we developed liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin (LEH), a novel cellular hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier. We hypothesized that the LEH effectively suppresses scavenging of nitrogen oxides by sequestering hemoglobin, thereby being useful for resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock, especially in prehospital settings where blood transfusion is not available. However, putting a catheter into the peripheral vessels is sometimes difficult in prehospital resuscitation, because these vessels collapse in patients with hemorrhagic shock.

Sealing effect of a polysaccharide nanosheet for murine cecal puncture.

Background: Recent developments in nanobiotechnology have led us to develop a method of producing a free-standing polymer nanosheet composed of polysaccharides (ie, polysaccharide nanosheet) with a thickness of tens of nanometers. Owing to its enormous aspect ratio, the polysaccharide nanosheet is semi-absorbent and has a physical adhesive strength 7.5-fold greater than that of conventional films of >1 microm thickness.

Immunosuppression in the livers of mice with obstructive jaundice participates in their susceptibility to bacterial infection and tumor metastasis.

Although patients with obstructive jaundice are susceptible to bacterial infections and cancers, the mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, liver mononuclear cells (MNCs) of bile duct-ligated (BDL) mice were immunologically assessed. Liver natural killer T cells were greatly decreased within 24 h after BDL.

Superoxide produced by Kupffer cells is an essential effector in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice.

Unlabelled: Although concanavalin A (Con-A)-induced experimental hepatitis is thought to be induced by activated T cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, and cytokines, precise mechanisms are still unknown. In the current study, we investigated the roles of Kupffer cells, NKT cells, FasL, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and superoxide in Con-A hepatitis in C57BL/6 mice. Removal of Kupffer cells using gadolinium chloride (GdCl(3)) from the liver completely inhibited Con-A hepatitis, whereas increased serum TNF and IFN-gamma levels were not inhibited at all.

Effects and cost of glycyrrhizin in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in members of the Japanese maritime self-defense force: Preliminary report of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group, alternate-day treatment assignment clinical trial.

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) account for at least half of all acute illnesses. Specific antiviral therapy has not been developed against most respiratory viruses thought to cause URTIs. The pharmacologic action of glycyrrhizin has been shown to produce anti-inflammatory activity, modulation of the immune system, inhibition of virus growth, and inactivation of viruses.