UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase specifically upregulated in plasmacytoid dendritic cells regulates type I interferon production upon CpG stimulation.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a distinct subset of DCs involved in immune regulation and antiviral immune responses. Recent studies have elucidated the metabolic profile of pDCs and reported that perturbations in amino acid metabolism can modulate their immune functions. Glycolipid metabolism is suggested to be highly active in pDCs; however, its significance remains unclear.

Plasma Gel Matrix as a Promising Carrier of Epigallocatechin Gallate for Regenerative Medicine.

Plasma gel (PG) is a protein matrix prepared from platelet-poor plasma and can be utilized as a drug carrier for controlled release. We previously demonstrated its applicability as a carrier of polyphosphate. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main flavonoid found in green tea and functions as a strong antioxidant.

Reduced chondroitin sulfate content prevents diabetic neuropathy through transforming growth factor-β signaling suppression.

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a major complication of . Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is one of the most important extracellular matrix components and is known to interact with various diffusible factors; however, its role in DN pathology has not been examined. Therefore, we generated CSGalNAc-T1 knockout (T1KO) mice, in which CS levels were reduced.

Decade-long WT1-specific CTLs induced by WT1 peptide vaccination.

Introduction: The peptide-based cancer vaccine targeting Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) is a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for hematological malignancies. It remains unclear how long and to what extent the WT1-specific CD8 + cytotoxic T cell (CTL) persist after WT1 peptide vaccination.

Methods: The WT1 peptide vaccine was administered with written consent to a patient with CML in the chronic phase who did not respond well to imatinib, and the patient was followed for 12 years after vaccination.

Strategic analysis of body composition indices and resting platelet ATP levels in professional soccer players for better platelet-rich plasma therapy.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is ambiguously thought to be more effective in elite athletes than in sedentary patients, although the possible importance of recipient responsiveness remains poorly understood. To address this issue, along with the well-known PRP quality, in this initial study, we evaluated two candidate biomarkers: body composition indices (BCIs), which reflect systemic physical conditions, and resting platelet ATP levels, which reflect platelet energy expenditure and the mass of energy generation units. In this cross-sectional cohort study, blood samples were collected from male professional soccer players (PSPs) on a local professional team during the off-season and platelet ATP levels were quantified using an ATP luminescence assay kit.

Characterization of Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma Derived from Female Collage Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study Focusing on Growth Factor, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly used in sports medicine owing to its various advantages. The purpose of our project was to standardize the parameters before performing large-scale clinical trials in the near future to precisely evaluate individual PRP quality. To examine the effects of regular exercise on PRP quality, this study focused on young female athletes, who have been relatively less studied.

Metformin-suppressed platelet's function in vitro: Possible relation to delayed or failure of platelet-rich fibrin preparation.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a popular autologous blood-derived biomaterial that is used in regenerative therapy. Owing to its simple preparation without additional factors, the PRF quality directly reflects the characteristics of individual blood samples. Antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs can hamper the successful preparation of PRF.

Optimized Protocol for Preservation of Human Platelet Samples for Fluorometric Polyphosphate Quantification.

Platelet polyphosphate (polyP) can be conveniently quantified by exploiting a recent methodological breakthrough using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). However, the preservation of these biological samples has not yet been standardized. In a preliminary study, potential protocols were screened, while accepted protocols were further tested in this study.

The levels of TGFβ1, VEGF, PDGF-BB, and PF4 in platelet-rich plasma of professional soccer players: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Background: Regenerative therapy using platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a rich source of growth factors, has become popular in orthopedic sports medicine. Elite athletes prefer PRP therapy for their injured muscles and tendons primarily to avoid the possible risks of surgical treatment. However, the clinical effectiveness of PRP therapy in elite athletes compared to that in non-athletes remains unknown.

Modulation of ATP Production Influences Inorganic Polyphosphate Levels in Non-Athletes' Platelets at the Resting State.

Platelets produce inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) upon activation to stimulate blood coagulation. Some researchers have linked polyP metabolism to ATP production, although the metabolic linkage is yet to be elucidated. We found evidence for this possibility in our previous study on professional athletes (versus non-athletes), and proposed that the regulatory mechanism might be different for these two groups.

Hyporesponsiveness against donor's ABO antigens of renal grafts after ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation.

Background: ABO antigens expressed on the red blood cells (RBCs) are not identical to those expressed on the renal endothelial cells. The isohemagglutinin assay employing the RBCs is the gold standard for evaluating anti-ABO antibody (Ab) levels. However, it remains unclear whether the anti-ABO Abs detected by the isohemagglutinin assay after ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantations (KTx) that are not associated with antibody-mediated rejection can bind to renal graft endothelial cells.

Platelet polyphosphate and energy metabolism in professional male athletes (soccer players): A cross-sectional pilot study.

Human platelet polyphosphate (polyP) is a multifunctional molecule; however, its functions are not yet fully understood. A recent study demonstrated that similar to skeletal muscle, polyP is involved in energy metabolism in platelets, which suggests that well-trained athletes may exhibit elevated platelet polyP levels for energy storage. To test this hypothesis, we quantified platelet polyP along with NADH, a component involved in ATP production in non-trained and well-trained male Japanese participants of the same generation.

A Novel Method of CD31-Combined ABO Carbohydrate Antigen Microarray Predicts Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation.

Isohemagglutinin assays employing red blood cells (RBCs) are the most common assays used to measure antibody titer in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi KTx). However, ABO antigens expressed on RBCs are not identical to those of kidney and antibody titers do not always correlate with clinical outcome. We previously reported that CD31 was the main protein linked to ABO antigens on kidney endothelial cells (KECs), which was different from those on RBCs.

Altered microbiota by a high-fat diet accelerates lethal myeloid hematopoiesis associated with systemic SOCS3 deficiency.

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are negative regulators of cytokine signaling required to prevent excessive cellular responses. In particular, SOCS3 is involved in the regulation of metabolic syndromes, such as obesity and diabetes, by suppressing leptin and insulin signals. SOCS3 also suppresses the inflammatory response associated with metabolic stress, but this specific role remains undefined.

Osteoclastogenic Potential of Tissue-Engineered Periosteal Sheet: Effects of Culture Media on the Ability to Recruit Osteoclast Precursors.

Cell culture media influence the characteristics of human osteogenic periosteal sheets. We have previously found that a stem cell medium facilitates growth and collagen matrix formation in vitro and osteogenesis in vivo. However, it has not yet been demonstrated which culture medium is superior for osteoclastogenesis, a prerequisite for reconstruction of normal bone metabolic basis.

Distinct effects of chondroitin sulfate on hematopoietic cells and the stromal microenvironment in bone marrow hematopoiesis.

The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, known as the BM niche, regulates hematopoiesis but is also affected by interactions with hematopoietic cells. Recent evidence indicates that extracellular matrix components are involved in these interactions. Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a glycosaminoglycan, is a major component of the extracellular matrix; however, it is not known whether CS has a physiological role in hematopoiesis.

Immunoglobulin therapy for successful management of prolonged, recurrent jaundice in a young adult male with combined immunodeficiency.

Jaundice may be persistent in drug-induced liver injury associated with vanishing bile duct syndrome. However, recurrent jaundice is atypical, following bile flow restoration. Here, we report a 28-year-old man with prolonged, recurrent jaundice (more than 300 days) and combined immunodeficiency (CID) of B-cells, T-cells, and natural killer (NK) cells.

WT1-specific CD8 + cytotoxic T cells with the capacity for antigen-specific expansion accumulate in the bone marrow in MDS.

Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) is a tumor-associated antigen and immunotherapy target in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Further information is needed on the characteristics of WT1-specific CD8 + T cells to develop immunotherapeutic strategies for MDS. To clarify the frequency, distribution, and phenotype of WT1-specific CD8 + T cells, which occur innately in MDS patients, we analyzed paired peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples from 39 patients with MDS or acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes.

Patient-based prediction algorithm of relapse after allo-HSCT for acute Leukemia and its usefulness in the decision-making process using a machine learning approach.

Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative therapy for high-risk acute leukemia (AL), some patients still relapse. Since patients simultaneously have many prognostic factors, difficulties are associated with the construction of a patient-based prediction algorithm of relapse. The alternating decision tree (ADTree) is a successful classification method that combines decision trees with the predictive accuracy of boosting.

Rh phenotype caused by a novel RHAG mutation, c.945+1G>A, in the Japanese population.

Background: The Rh complex contributes to cell membrane structural integrity of erythrocytes. Rh syndrome is characterized by the absence of the Rh antigen on the erythrocyte membrane, resulting in chronic hemolytic anemia. We recently came across 3 Rh phenotype probands within two families with the same novel RHAG mutation in the Japanese population.

Platelet-Rich Fibrin Extract: A Promising Fetal Bovine Serum Alternative in Explant Cultures of Human Periosteal Sheets for Regenerative Therapy.

In 2004, we developed autologous periosteal sheets for the treatment of periodontal bone defects. This regenerative therapy has successfully regenerated periodontal bone and augmented alveolar ridge for implant placement. However, the necessity for 6-week culture is a limitation.