Publications by authors named "Yoshiko Ikawa"

Background/aims: Selecting an optimal advanced therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC) is difficult because of the increasing number of available therapies. This study assessed UC patients' preferences for drug profiles in decision-making regarding advanced therapies using conjoint analysis.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted from October to November 2023 in patients with UC aged ≥ 18 years with prior oral 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment (UMIN000052327).

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Introduction: There have been limited reports on the clinical efficacy of golimumab (GLM) in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in real clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the real-life effectiveness and factors associated with response to GLM in Japanese patients with UC.

Methods: This observational, retrospective, multicenter study was conducted in hospitals with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease treatment.

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Ulcerative colitis (UC) specifically affects the colon and rectum through multifactorial mechanisms associated with genetic alterations, environmental factors, microbiota, and mucosal immune dysregulation. In patients with corticosteroid-refractory UC, current therapies primarily employ antibodies against tumor necrosis factor-α, α4β7 integrin, and interleukin (IL)-12/23 p40; and a small-molecule Janus kinase inhibitor. Despite these revolutionary molecular targeting therapies introduced during the last two decades, 30%-55% of patients fail to respond such molecular targeting agents in the induction phase, requiring changes in treatment.

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The histamine H4 receptor (H4R) is the newest receptor identified of four histamine receptors. Its expression in numerous immune and inflammatory organs has been implicated in relation to immune systems and allergic diseases. In the present study, we demonstrate the expression of H4R in human dermal fibroblasts and investigate changes in its expression level when stimulated by histamine, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), dexamethasone and indomethacin.

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The effects of histamine and its receptor antagonists on mouse bone marrow cells (MBMC) and MC3T3-E1 cells were studied to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying histamine activities in the respective cell types. The studied parameters were osteoclast differentiation and expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL), histamine receptors (HR), and osteoblast differentiation markers. The osteoclastogenesis was assessed by TRAP-dye method.

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The last of four histamine receptors (HRs), H4 receptor (H4R), was identified in the year 2000. Since that time, the H4R has been implicated in cellular mechanisms related to immune systems, inflammatory processes, and allergic reactions. We have previously reported the expression of H4R mRNA in rheumatoid arthritic (RA) synovial cell cultures by means of the RT-PCR method.

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While histamine H4 receptor (H4R) has been implicated in immune system disturbances in different organ tissues, the presence and possible roles of H4R in synovial cells (SC) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients has not previously been documented. This study conclusively evidences H4R expression in SC of RA patients by use of RT-PCR method. As RA consists mainly of immunological disturbances in SC of RA patients, this study's findings document a novel histamine action site, and opens potential new avenues to investigate mechanisms and to develop pharmacotherapeutic agents for the disease.

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