Expression and localization of AQP5 in the stomach and duodenum of the rat.

The expression, localization, and regulation of aquaporin 5 (AQP5), a member of the water channel family of proteins, was investigated in tissues of the rat gastrointestinal tract. Reverse transcriptase--polymerase chain reaction (RT--PCR) detected AQP5 mRNA in the lower stomach and duodenum. DNA sequencing confirmed that the cDNA fragment amplified had the complete sequence of the AQP5 cDNA fragment.

Leucine zipper structure of TSC-22 (TGF-beta stimulated clone-22) markedly inhibits the anchorage-independent growth of salivary gland cancer cells.

Several investigators have demonstrated that TGF-beta stimulated clone-22 (TSC-22) regulates cell growth and differentiation, and cell death. TSC-22 is a putative transcriptional regulator containing a leucine zipper-like structure and a nuclear export signal. We previously showed the cytoplasmic localization of TSC-22 and the nuclear translocation of TSC-22 concomitant with induction of apoptosis in salivary gland cancer cells.

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and the growth inhibitory effect of its synthetic ligands in human salivary gland cancer cell lines.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. It is expressed in several tissue types, including adipose tissue in which it stimulates adipogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that PPARgamma ligands induce cellular differentiation and inhibit cell growth in carcinomas of various organs including the breast, prostate, lung, colon, stomach, bladder, and pancreas.

Bone changes around hydroxyapatite and titanium implants after abutment placement in rabbits-observations using histological and three-dimensional examinations.

We have previously developed a computer-aided system for examination of the three-dimensional bone structure around implants and observed the bone changes in the healing period after implant placement. This paper describes the bone changes around hydroxyapatite (HA) and titanium (Ti) implants after abutment placement using histological and three-dimensional examinations. Twenty-four HA and Ti implants were embedded in the tibias of adult male New Zealand white rabbits.

Enhancement of anti-cancer immunity by a lipoteichoic-acid-related molecule isolated from a penicillin-killed group A Streptococcus.

We isolated the lipoteichoic-acid-related molecule (OK-PSA) from OK-432, a streptococcal preparation, by affinity chromatography on CNBr-activated Sepharose-4B-bound monoclonal antibody TS-2, which neutralizes the interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducing activity of OK-432. We have previously reported that OK-PSA is a potent inducer of Th1-type cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. In this study, we conducted an animal experiment to examine whether OK-PSA exhibits an anti-tumor effect in vivo by acting as a Th1 inducer in syngeneic Meth-A tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, in which the Th2 response is genetically dominant.

Possible role of organ-specific autoantigen for Fas ligand-mediated activation-induced cell death in murine Sjögren's syndrome.

Activation-induced cell death (AICD) is a well-known mechanism of peripheral T cell tolerance that depends upon an interaction between Fas and Fas ligand (FasL). In this study, we demonstrate that the administration of a soluble form of anti-FasL Ab, FLIM58, results in severe destructive autoimmune exocrinopathy in the murine model of human Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and we found that an organ-specific autoantigen may play an important role on down-modulation of AICD. A high titer of serum autoantibodies against 120-kDa alpha-fodrin autoantigen was detected in the FLIM58-treated mice, and splenic T cell culture supernatants contained high levels of IFN-gamma.

Comparison of cytokine-inducing activity in a lipoteichoic acid-related molecule isolated from a penicillin-killed group A Streptococcus and from untreated bacteria.

We previously generated a monoclonal antibody, TS-2, that neutralizes the interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducing activity of OK-432, a penicillin-killed streptococcal preparation [J. Immunother. 13 (1993) 232].

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase mRNA level correlates with the response to 5-fluorouracil-based chemo-immuno-radiation therapy in human oral squamous cell cancer.

The measurement of the intra-tumoral level of thymidylate synthetase (TS), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), may be useful in predicting tumor sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In this study, we examined the mRNA levels of DPD and TS in 28 oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and 22 salivary gland tumors by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Then we examined the correlation of the responsiveness of the patients with oral SCC to 5-FU with the intra-tumoral levels of DPD and TS mRNA.

Osteopontin in gingival crevicular fluid.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a major glycosylated phosphoprotein in bone matrix and is produced by several cells including osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages. OPN levels increase in active sites of bone metabolism. Recently, several bone-related proteins were identified in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to seek markers of alveolar bone resorption in periodontal disease.

Severe impairment of anti-cancer effect of lipoteichoic acid-related molecule isolated from a penicillin-killed Streptococcus pyogenes in toll-like receptor 4-deficient mice.

A lipoteichoic acid-related molecule (OK-PSA) isolated from OK-432, a penicillin-killed Streptococcus pyogenes, is a potent inducer of Th1 cytokines, and elicits anti-cancer effect in tumor-bearing mice. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 is a member of the recently identified toll-like receptor family of proteins that has been implicated in lipopolysaccharide-induced cell signaling. In the present study, we have examined the role of TLR4 for OK-PSA-induced Th1-cytokine production and anti-tumor effect by using C3H/HeJ mice in which TLR4 function is impaired.

Soluble products from Eikenella corrodens stimulate oral epithelial cells to induce inflammatory mediators.

In the inflammatory response elicited by bacterial colonization in periodontal pockets, pocket epithelial cells not only serve as a barrier to isolate the pocket microenvironment from external stimuli but also regulate the functions of neighboring cells including fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. To elucidate this mechanism, we characterized the effects of periodontopathic bacterium Eikenella corrodens 1073 components on the production of some inflammatory mediators in a human oral epithelial cell line (KB). In enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the E.

Nifedipine induces gingival overgrowth in rats through a reduction in collagen phagocytosis by gingival fibroblasts.

Background: Nifedipine is used as a long-acting vasodilator, and a primary side effect is the induction of gingival overgrowth, which is characterized by an accumulation of collagenous components within the gingival connective tissue. To elucidate the mechanisms of nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth, we investigated the effect of nifedipine on Type I collagen metabolism in the gingiva of rats.

Methods: Twenty-day-old rats were fed a powdered diet containing or lacking nifedipine for 3 to 55 days.

Enhanced IkappaB kinase activity is responsible for the augmented activity of NF-kappaB in human head and neck carcinoma cells.

The nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays an important role in the development and progression of cancers. However, the mechanism by which cancer cells in the head and neck region acquire high NF-kappaB activity has not yet been clarified. In this study, we examined the NF-kappaB binding activity and the expression of the signal-transduction-related proteins of NF-kappaB in head and neck carcinoma cell lines.

Th1-cytokine induction and anti-tumor effect of 55 kDa protein isolated from Aeginetia indica L., a parasitic plant.

We have isolated a 55 kDa protein from the seed extract of Aeginetia indica L. (AIL), a parasitic plant, by affinity chromatography on an N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated Sepharose High Performance column bound with F3, a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the cytokine-inducing and anti-tumor effect of AIL. In the present study, we examined this protein (AILb-A) for cytokine induction and anti-tumor effects by animal study, using syngeneic Meth-A tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, in which the Th2 response is genetically dominant.

Immunohistochemical localization of osteopontin in human pulp stones.

The organic matrix component of human pulp stones was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Two pulp stones were extracted from the upper molar teeth of two patients suffering from irreversible pulpitis. Both were formed in the center of the pulp cavity and located apart from the dentin walls.

Role of HGF/c-met system in invasion and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro and its clinical significance.

We examined the role of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-met system on invasion and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. In monolayer culture, exogenous HGF marginally affected the growth of oral SCC cells (BHY, HN, IH) and human gingival epithelial cells (GE). In type I collagen matrix, however, HGF significantly enhanced the invasive growth of the cancer cells (p < 0.

A valid quantitative histochemical technique for assaying cytochrome c oxidase in single cells.

A quantitative histochemical method for assaying cytochrome c oxidase (COX) has been validated with two new findings concerning the optimal tissue thickness and a suitable substrate. The kinetics of a COX-catalysed reaction coupled to the oxidation of diaminobenzidine (DAB) were followed at 37 degrees C in single muscle fibres in unfixed sections of mouse gastrocnemius using a real-time image analysis system. The optimum composition of the substrate medium for the reaction was 0.

Low-dose retinoic acid enhances in vitro invasiveness of human oral squamous-cell-carcinoma cell lines.

Retinoids inhibit the proliferation of several types of tumour cells, and are used for patients with several malignant tumours. In this study, we examined the effect of retinoic acids (RAs) on the invasive potentials of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, BHY and HNt. BHY cells expressed all of retinoid nuclear receptors (RARalpha, beta, gamma, and RXRalpha) and cytoplasmic retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABP1 and CRABP2).

Most apoptotic cells in mdx diaphragm muscle contain accumulated lipofuscin.

An age-related pigment, lipofuscin (LF), which accumulates in postmitotic, long-lived cells, is formed by the oxidative degradation of cellular macromolecules by oxygen-derived free radicals. In the present study we show that LF is accumulated in some myofibres, myosatellite cells and interstitial cells in the diaphragm muscles of the X chromosome-linked muscular dystrophic (mdx) mice at the age of 10 weeks when repetitive cycles of de- and regeneration of myofibres occur. In contrast, LF is virtually absent in diaphragm muscles of age-matched C57BL/10 (C57) normal control mice.

Possible involvement of EBV-mediated alpha-fodrin cleavage for organ-specific autoantigen in Sjogren's syndrome.

A cleavage product of alpha-fodrin may be an important organ-specific autoantigen in the pathogenesis of Sjogren's syndrome (SS), but the mechanisms of alpha-fodrin cleavage remain unclear. Since EBV has been implicated in the pathogenesis of SS, we determined whether EBV activation could induce the SS-specific 120-kDa autoantigen alpha-fodrin. ZEBRA mRNA expression, a marker for activation of the lytic cycle of EBV, was found in the salivary gland tissues from SS patients, but not in those from control individuals.

Enhancing effects of fibroblast growth factor on the proliferation of salivary gland carcinoma cells and salivary gland carcinogenesis.

The proliferation of mouse submandibular gland carcinoma YT-12 cells was stimulated by endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF)/bovine brain-derived acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and recombinant human aFGF. To determine whether aFGF was capable of modifying salivary gland carcinogenesis, the effect of brain-derived aFGF was examined in vivo. Mice in Groups 1 and 2 were injected with 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) into the left submandibular gland, and then Group 1 mice received bovine brain-derived aFGF and Group 2 mice received vehicle subcutaneously for 10 weeks.

5-Fluorouracil suppression of NF-KappaB is mediated by the inhibition of IKappab kinase activity in human salivary gland cancer cells.

We have recently shown that 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) suppresses the transcription factor NF-kappaB in human salivary gland cancer cells (cl-1) by mediating upregulation of IkappaB-alpha expression. However, the precise mechanism involved in this action has not yet been elucidated. IkappaB kinases (IKK-alpha and IKK-beta) are the key components of the IKK complex that mediates activation of NF-kappaB in response to external stimuli such as cytokines.

Sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesis and its regulation by transforming growth factor-beta in rat clonal dental pulp cells.

Dental pulps contain sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as chondroitin 4-sulfate (CSA/4CS), dermatan sulfate (CSB/DS), and chondroitin 6-sulfate (CSC/6CS). Sulfated GAGs play important roles in mineralization and collagen fibrillogenesis during primary, secondary, and reparative dentin formations. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent regulator for several extracellular matrix (ECM) components and modulates the proliferation and differentiation.

Effect of a mutant form of IkappaB-alpha on 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in transformed human salivary gland cells.

Increasing evidence indicates that transcription factor NF-kappaB may play a role in cell survival, and that some chemotherapeutic agents activate NF-kappaB, while inhibition of NF-kappaB renders cells sensitive to these drugs. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) exerts its cytotoxic effect through the induction of apoptosis. However, it still remains uncertain whether 5-FU treatment in combination with the inhibition of NF-kappaB largely exerts an anti-proliferative effect on the growth of neoplastic human salivary gland cells.

Involvement of apoptotic protease cascade for tissue destruction in Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by diffuse lymphoid cell infiltrates in the salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in symptoms of dry mouth and eyes due to insufficient secretion. Although it has been assumed that a combination of immunologic, genetic and environmental factors may play a key role in the development of autoimmune lesions in the salivary and lacrimal glands, little is known about the disease pathogenesis of SS in humans. We have identified the 120 kDa alpha-fodrin as an important autoantigen in the development of SS in both an animal model and SS patients, but the mechanism of alpha-fodrin cleavage leading to tissue destruction in SS remains unclear.