Takeaki Nitto

Saga University, Saga-shi, Saga-ken, Japan

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Publications (13)42.67 Total impact

  • Article: Quantitative peptidomic analysis by a newly developed one-step direct transfer technology without depletion of major blood proteins: its potential utility for monitoring of pathophysiological status in pregnancy-induced hypertension.
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    ABSTRACT: We have recently developed a new target plate (BLOTCHIP®) for MALDI-MS. An advantage of this procedure is that it does not require the lowering of protein concentrations in test samples prior to analysis. Accordingly, this new technology enables the detection of peptides present in blood samples, including those that would otherwise be adsorbed to abundant blood proteins and would thus escape detection. Using this technology, we analyzed the peripheral blood of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH; the most common serious complication of pregnancy) to test a potential utility of the technology for monitoring of the pathophysiological status. In the present study, we found 23 characteristic peptides for PIH in the blood serum of pregnant women. Offline LC-MALDI MS/MS identified 7 of the 23 peptides as fragments derived from kininogen-1 (three peptides), fibrinogen-α, complement component C4-A/B, α-2-HS-glycoprotein and inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4. 2-D scatter plots with combinations of the peptides found in the present study can be grouped for pregnant women with/without PIH, which would be satisfactory reflected for their status. Additionally, the levels of most of these peptides found were significantly decreased by albumin/IgG depletion prior to BLOTCHIP® analysis in accordance with conventional proteomics procedures. These results indicated that BLOTCHIP® analysis can be applied for discovery study of PIH biomarker candidates.
    Proteomics 07/2011; 11(13):2727-37. · 4.43 Impact Factor
  • Article: Eicosapentaenoic acid increases cytochrome P-450 2J2 gene expression and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid production via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in endothelial cells.
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    ABSTRACT: ω-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases. Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2J2 that is expressed in endothelial cells metabolizes arachidonic acids to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) that possess anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects. We studied the effects of EPA and DHA on the expression of CYP 2J2 mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and found that EPA, but not DHA, increased the expression of CYP 2J2 mRNA in a dose-dependent and a time-dependent manner. EPA-induced CYP 2J2 expression was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ antagonist, GW9662. EPA, but not DHA, caused a significant increase in cellular levels of 11,12-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid that is a stable metabolite of 11,12-EET, which was blocked by pretreatment with GW9662. These data demonstrate that EPA increases CYP 2J2 mRNA expression and 11,12-EET production via PPARγ in endothelial cells and indicate a novel protective role of EPA and PPARγ against vascular inflammation.
    Journal of Cardiology 12/2009; 54(3):368-74. · 1.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Alternative spliced variants in the pantetheinase family of genes expressed in human neutrophils.
    Takeaki Nitto, Teruo Inoue, Koichi Node
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    ABSTRACT: Pantetheinase (EC 3.5.1.92) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes pantetheine, an intermediate metabolite of coenzyme A, into pantothenic acid (vitamin B(5)) and cysteamine, a potent antioxidant. The pantetheinase gene family consists of three independent genes, pantetheinase/vanin-1/VNN1, GPI-80/VNN2 and vanin-3/VNN3 that are each composed of seven exons. We herein report that human neutrophils express transcripts encoding at least nine splice variants of VNN3 and four splice variants of GPI-80/VNN2. Analysis of the DNA sequence of the human VNN3 gene demonstrated that the VNN3 locus in the human genome as well as the sequence of cDNA clones obtained in this study does not encode the complete VNN3 protein, as previously reported due to a frame shift caused by lack of one nucleotide. Moreover, the VNN3 locus indeed encodes smaller peptides compared to the proteins encoded by the mouse orthologous gene, vanin-3. The anti-GPI-80 monoclonal antibody 3H9 recognized amino acids 120-179 of the GPI-80/VNN2 protein as shown by the results of immunoblotting with recombinant GPI-80/VNN2 variant proteins. Immunoblotting with human neutrophil lysate suggests that the GPI-80/VNN2 variants exist in human neutrophils. The existence of splice variants in the pantetheinase gene family suggests the possibility of alternative roles in addition to canonical enzymatic activity in human neutrophils.
    Gene 10/2008; 426(1-2):57-64. · 2.34 Impact Factor
  • Article: Expression of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase CYP2J2 in human monocytic leukocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: CYP2J2 is one of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenases involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid. CYP2J2 has been identified in several tissues, especially cardiovascular tissues. CYP2J2 has cardiovascular effects, as epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, one of its metabolites, has anti-inflammatory and vasodilative activities. We investigated the expression of CYP2J2 in human leukocytes using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting and immunostaining. Human monocytic cells, but not human neutrophils, exhibited constitutive expression of CYP2J2. Furthermore, the expression of CYP2J2 mRNA increased when the human monocytic cell line THP-1 cells and human monocytes were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and macrophage-colony stimulating factor in combination with granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor, respectively. These results suggest that expression of CYP2J2 was up-regulated when human monocytes differentiated into macrophages and that human monocytic cells and macrophages have a pathway to metabolize arachidonic acid using CYP epoxygenases.
    Life Sciences 09/2008; 83(9-10):339-45. · 2.53 Impact Factor
  • Article: STAT6 mediates apoptosis of human coronary arterial endothelial cells by interleukin-13.
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    ABSTRACT: Interleukin (IL)-13 is a cytokine produced by type 2 helper T cells that has pathophysiological roles in allergic inflammation and fibrosis formation. IL-13 shares many functional properties with IL-4, which promotes apoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs). We here investigated the effects of IL-13 on apoptosis using human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Assessment by WST-1 assay demonstrated that IL-13 as well as IL-4 significantly inhibited cell growth. IL-13 significantly attenuated the cell viability and induced apoptosis of HCAECs as well. Expression of mRNA for vascular endothelial cell growth factor, which maintains survival of ECs, was significantly diminished by IL-13. The effects of IL-13 and IL-4 were abolished by depletion of STAT6 using RNA interference. These results suggest that IL-13 attenuates EC viability by inducing apoptosis, and that STAT6 plays pivotal roles on IL-13- and IL-4-induced apoptosis in ECs.
    Hypertension Research 04/2008; 31(3):535-41. · 2.58 Impact Factor
  • Article: IL-13 attenuates vascular tube formation via JAK2-STAT6 pathway.
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    ABSTRACT: Interleukin (IL)-13, which is a cytokine produced by type 2 helper T cells, has pathophysiological roles in allergic inflammation and fibrosis formation. IL-13 shares many functional properties with IL-4, which is known to inhibit angiogenesis. The effects of IL-13 on angiogenesis were examined using human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), in addition to investigating the mechanism(s) of this action. Using an in vitro assay of angiogenesis it was demonstrated that IL-13, as well as IL-4, significantly inhibited capillary-like tube formation. Migration of HCAECs, considered to be a process of new capillary tube formation, was also significantly inhibited by IL-13. IL-13 activated signal transduction and transcription 6 (STAT6) as a result of the activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). The inhibitory effect of IL-13 on angiogenesis was abolished by depletion of JAK2 and STAT6 by RNA interference. IL-13 has anti-angiogenic activity as a result of activation of JAK2 and subsequent activation of STAT6.
    Circulation Journal 04/2008; 72(3):469-75. · 3.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Increased interleukin-13 levels in patients with chronic heart failure.
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    ABSTRACT: A great number of basic and clinical studies have demonstrated that inflammatory cytokines play an important role in development and progress of heart failure. However, there is limited information about allergic cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13). The inflammatory responses mediated by allergic cytokines can cause significant morbidity and mortality when they become chronic. Therefore, we elucidated the role of IL-13 in the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure. We measured plasma IL-13 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 110 patients with chronic heart failure and 20 control subjects. Plasma IL-13 levels were increased in heart failure patients, compared with the controls, in association with NYHA functional class. In addition, IL-13 levels were correlated positively with plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein, and negatively with left ventricular ejection fraction. Plasma IL-13 levels may be useful for evaluating disease severity in chronic heart failure.
    International journal of cardiology 12/2007; 131(3):421-3. · 7.08 Impact Factor
  • Article: Structural divergence of GPI-80 in activated human neutrophils.
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    ABSTRACT: GPI-80 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein that is mainly expressed in human neutrophils. Previous studies using 3H9, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against GPI-80, suggested that GPI-80 regulates leukocyte adherence and migration through Mac-1. GPI-80, which is anchored at the plasma membrane in resting neutrophils, moves into the pseudopodia and is released from activated human neutrophils. Here, we demonstrate that neutrophil activation affects GPI-80 dynamics using a new anti-GPI-80 mAb, designated 4D4, which is directed against the form of GPI-80 found on resting human neutrophils. Similar to 3H9, 4D4 influences Mac-1-dependent neutrophil adhesion. Treatment of purified GPI-80 with periodic acid and trypsin indicated that 3H9 and 4D4 recognize peptide and carbohydrate moieties, respectively. Stimulation with fMLP decreased the binding of 4D4 to GPI-80 on the neutrophil surface but increased the overall expression of GPI-80, as visualized by the 3H9 signal. Confocal laser microscopy revealed the 4D4 signal mainly on cell bodies and at a low level on pseudopodia during migration toward increasing concentrations of fMLP, whereas the 3H9 signal was observed in both areas. In addition, soluble GPI-80 released from activated neutrophils did not bind 4D4. These results suggest that there are two populations of GPI-80 that differ in the ability to bind 4D4. The 4D4-recognized form may regulate Mac-1-dependent neutrophil adhesion, and may subsequently be converted to a 4D4-unrecognized form during neutrophil activation.
    Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 08/2007; 359(2):227-33. · 2.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: Elevation of the soluble form GPI-80, a β2 integrin-associated glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored protein, in the serum of patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis.
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    ABSTRACT: Background: The purpose of present study is to determine the value of serum levels of the soluble form of β2 integrin-associated glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein (GPI-80) for monitoring disease activity during the clinical course of the disease, in a total of 24 serum samples from 9 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Methods: The serum soluble form GPI-80 (sGPI-80) concentrations of WG patients were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The titers of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) were assessed by an indirect immunofluorescence method. The serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR) I and II, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 of WG patients were also measured by ELISA. Results: The serum sGPI-80 levels were significantly elevated in active WG and were positively correlated with disease activity. At the time of remission, a significant decrease in GPI-80 was observed. The serum sGPI-80 levels were correlated with the ANCA titer and the concentrations of sTNFR I and II. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sGPI-80 is useful as an additional measure of WG activity.
    Allergology International 01/2005; 54(2):299-303.
  • Article: Expression of GPI-80, a beta2-integrin-associated glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, requires neutrophil differentiation with dimethyl sulfoxide in HL-60 cells.
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    ABSTRACT: GPI-80 is a member of the amidohydrolase family that has been proposed as a potential regulator of beta2-integrin-dependent leukocyte adhesion. GPI-80 is expressed mainly in human neutrophils. Our previous studies suggested that GPI-80 expression might be associated with myeloid differentiation. To verify this, we examined whether GPI-80 is expressed on the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 following treatment with differentiation inducers. GPI-80 expression was induced in cells treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to stimulate differentiation down the neutrophil pathway. On the other hand, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), another neutrophil-inducing reagent, induced no clear GPI-80 expression. Potent monocyte-inducing reagents such as 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate also had no significant effect on the protein expression. GPI-80-positive cells were found in the well-differentiated CD11b-positive and transferrin-receptor-negative cell population. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, which augments neutrophil differentiation of HL-60 cells, up-regulated GPI-80 expression in the presence of DMSO. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, which is known to suppress the neutrophil maturation of cells, inhibited expression. Adhesion of DMSO-induced cells was regulated by anti-GPI-80 monoclonal antibody, similar to the regulation observed in neutrophils. These results suggest that use of DMSO to induce neutrophil differentiation provides suitable conditions for GPI-80 expression, and that this culture system may be a helpful model for further study of the regulation of GPI-80 expression during myeloid differentiation.
    Experimental Cell Research 07/2003; 286(2):199-208. · 3.58 Impact Factor
  • Article: GPI-80, a beta2 integrin associated glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, concentrates on pseudopodia without association with beta2 integrin during neutrophil migration.
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    ABSTRACT: Previously, we identified a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, designated GPI-80, present on human neutrophils and monocytes. GPI-80 is physically associated with beta2 integrin on the surface of human neutrophils and may be a regulator of neutrophil adherence and migration. However, it is not yet known how GPI-80 regulates cell adhesion and migration. To investigate the physiological role(s) of GPI-80, we examined the topological relationship of GPI-80 and the beta2 integrin subunit (CD18) on resting and migrating human neutrophils by confocal laser microscopy. On resting neutrophils, GPI-80 was evenly distributed on the cell surface and was associated with CD18. On the other hand, during the early phase of migration (5 - 30 minutes), GPI-80 was detected on cell bodies and also on pseudopodia, but CD18 was detected only on cell bodies, where it was associated with GPI-80. In the late phase of migration (60 minutes), GPI-80 was detected only on pseudopodia and its association with CD18 was hardly observed. Furthermore, some of the GPI-80 on pseudopodia of migrating neutrophils during the late phase was associated with urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a regulator of beta2 integrin-dependent adherence and migration. The distribution of GPI-80 on cell surfaces is similar to that of uPAR. These observations suggest that GPI-80 belongs to the beta2 integrin-associated GPI-anchored protein family, which has regulatory activity in cell adherence.
    Immunobiology 02/2003; 208(4):391-9. · 3.20 Impact Factor
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    Article: Pharmacological analysis for mechanisms of GPI-80 release from tumour necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated human neutrophils.
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    ABSTRACT: 1 GPI-80, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein initially identified on human neutrophils, plays a role(s) in the regulation of beta2 integrin function. Previous studies have shown that GPI-80 is sublocated in secretory vesicles. It is also found in soluble form in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients, and in the culture supernatant of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated neutrophils. To understand the behaviour of GPI-80 under conditions of stimulation, we investigated the effects of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha on its expression and release. We also probed the mechanism of its release with various pharmacologic tools. 2 TNF-alpha induced the release of GPI-80 from human neutrophils in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (in the range of 1-100 u ml(-1) and 30-120 min, respectively), but did not affect surface GPI-80 levels. 3 Cytochalasin B, genistein, and SB203580 but not PD98059 inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated GPI-80 release and neutrophil adherence at the same concentration. In addition, TNF-alpha-induced GPI-80 release was inhibited by blocking monoclonal antibodies specific to components of Mac-1 (CD11b and CD18). 4 Antioxidants (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and N-acetyl-L-cysteine) inhibited GPI-80 release by TNF-alpha stimulation, but superoxide dismutase did not. Antioxidants but not superoxide dismutase reduced an intracellular oxidation state. 5 These findings indicate that TNF-alpha-stimulated GPI-80 release from human neutrophils depends upon adherence via beta2 integrins. They also suggest that cytochalasin B, genistein, and SB203580 inhibit GPI-80 release by suppressing signals for cell adherence, rather than by a direct effect on its secretion. Finally, we suggest that GPI-80 release involves an intracellular change in a redox state.
    British Journal of Pharmacology 11/2002; 137(3):353-60. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cross-linking of GPI-80, a possible regulatory molecule of cell adhesion, induces up-regulation of CD11b/CD18 expression on neutrophil surfaces and shedding of L-selectin.
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    ABSTRACT: Previously, we described a novel glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein (designated GPI-80) on human neutrophils and monocytes that may regulate beta(2) integrin-dependent neutrophil adherence and migration. However, the mechanism regulating beta(2) integrin remains to be clarified. To study this, we examined changes in beta(2) integrin expression and function caused by cross-linking GPI-80. GPI-80 cross-linking induced up-regulation of CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) expression on neutrophil surfaces and shedding of L-selectin, which depends on tyrosine phosphorylation and cytoskeleton remodeling. Furthermore, the cross-linking enhanced fMLP-induced human neutrophil adherence. These results suggest that GPI-80 may be a regulator of beta(2) integrin in neutrophils.
    Journal of Leukocyte Biology 03/2002; 71(2):205-11. · 4.99 Impact Factor