Publications (157) View all
-
Article: A novel metallo-β-lactamase, IMP-34, in Klebsiella isolates with decreased resistance to imipenem.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We investigated 5 metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-positive Klebsiella isolates from Japan showing intermediate resistance to imipenem. Sequencing of the MBL gene identified a novel variant of IMP-1 with a single amino acid substitution, Glu87Gly. This variant is designated as IMP-34 where blaIMP-34 is located on a transmissible plasmid.Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease 03/2013; · 2.45 Impact Factor -
Article: Dental infection of Porphyromonas gingivalis exacerbates high fat diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of dental infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.), an important periodontal pathogen, on NASH progression, by feeding mice a high fat diet (HFD)and examining P.g. infection in the liver of NASH patients. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed either chow-diet (CD) or HFD for 12 weeks, and then half of the mice in each group were infected with P.g. from the pulp chamber (HFD-P.g.(-), HFD-P.g.(+), CD-P.g.(-) and CD-P.g.(+)). Histological and immunohistochemical examinations, measurement of serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels and ELISA for cytokines in the liver were performed. We then studied the effects of LPS from P.g. (P.g.-LPS) on palmitate-induced steatotic hepatocytes in vitro, and performed immunohistochemical detection of P.g. in liver biopsy specimens of NASH patients. RESULTS: Serum levels of LPS are upregulated in P.g.(+) groups. Steatosis of the liver developed in HFD groups, and foci of Mac2-positive macrophages were prominent in HFD-P.g.(+). P.g. was detected in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. Interestingly, areas of fibrosis with proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and collagen formation were only observed in HFD-P.g.(+). In steatotic hepatocytes, expression of TLR2, one of the P.g.-LPS receptors, was upregulated. P.g.-LPS further increased mRNA levels of palmitate-induced inflammasome and proinflammatory cytokines in steatotic hepatocytes. We demonstrated for the first time that P.g. existed in the liver of NASH patients with advanced fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Dental infection of P.g. may play an important role in NASH progression through upregulation of the P.g.-LPS-TLR2 pathway and activation of inflammasomes. Therefore, preventing and/or eliminating P.g. infection by dental therapy may have a beneficial impact on management of NASH.Journal of Gastroenterology 01/2013; · 4.16 Impact Factor -
Article: The Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b autolysin IspC has N-acetylglucosaminidase activity.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: IspC is a novel peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolase that is conserved in Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b strains and is involved in virulence. The aim of this study was to establish the hydrolytic bond specificity of IspC. Purified L. monocytogenes peptidoglycan was digested by recombinant IspC and the resulting muropeptides were separated by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The structure of each muropeptide was determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-time-of-flight mass spectrometry in combination with MALDI-post-source decay mass spectrometry. The structure of muropeptides resulting from IspC-mediated hydrolysis indicated that IspC has N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. These muropeptides also had a high proportion of N-acetylated glucosamine residues. To determine whether IspC is more effective at hydrolysing N-acetylated peptidoglycan than de-N-acetylated peptidoglycan, a peptidoglycan deacetylase (PgdA) in-frame deletion mutant was created. This mutant was shown to have fully N-acetylated peptidoglycan and was more susceptible to hydrolysis by IspC when compared with the partially de-N-acetylated wild-type peptidoglycan. This indicates that IspC is more efficient when hydrolysing a fully N-acetylated peptidoglycan substrate. The finding that IspC acts as an N-acetylglucosaminidase is consistent with its categorization, based on amino acid sequence, as a member of the GH73 family. As with other members of this family, de-N-acetylation seems to be an important mechanism for regulating the activity of IspC.Glycobiology 06/2012; 22(10):1311-20. · 3.58 Impact Factor -
Article: Rapid detection of blaIMP-6 by amplification refractory mutation system.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to almost all ß-lactams except imipenem designated as ISMRK (imipenem-susceptible meropenem-resistant Klebsiella) is emerging in Japan. All ISMRK carries bla(IMP-6) which differs from bla(IMP-1) by only a single nucleotide at position 640. We devised a rapid detection system of bla(IMP-6) by using ARMS PCR.Journal of microbiological methods 11/2011; 88(1):182-4. · 2.43 Impact Factor -
Article: Emergence in Japan of an imipenem-susceptible, meropenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying blaIMP-6.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We identified 5 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates showing high resistance to β-lactams except imipenem and designated them ISMRK (imipenem-susceptible but meropenem-resistant Klebsiella). They carried the bla(IMP-6) and bla(CTX-M-2) on a self-transmissible plasmid. ISMRK may be falsely categorized as susceptible to carbapenems if imipenem is used to screen carbapenem resistance.Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease 11/2011; 72(1):109-12. · 2.45 Impact Factor
