S Uwatoko

Japan Research Institute, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan

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Publications (38)115.03 Total impact

  • Article: Endothelial cell-binding activity of anti-U1-ribonucleoprotein antibodies in patients with connective tissue diseases.
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    ABSTRACT: In order to elucidate the immunological properties of anti-U1-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibody, one of the autoantibodies detected in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs), we tested the endothelial cell-binding by anti-U1-RNP antibodies and epitopes on human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) to which the autoantibody bound. IgG fractions positive for anti-U1-RNP from patients with CTDs bound to the HPAECs. Furthermore, intact and F(ab')2 IgG anti-U1-RNP purified by affinity chromatography also bound to endothelial cells. The binding activity of IgG fractions positive for anti-U1-RNP to the endothelial cells could be effectively absorbed by U1-RNP-Sepharose. An immunoblotting assay of purified IgG anti-U1-RNP antibodies showed that these antibodies could bind to various membrane proteins of NP40-treated HPAECs such as 68, 48, 43, 38, 33, 29, 28 and 24 kDa. Some bands, 68, 33, 28 and 24 kDa, seemed to correspond to components of U1-RNP, i.e. 68 kDa, A, B' and C peptides, respectively. We confirmed that the anti-U1-RNP antibody from patients with CTDs can directly recognize a variety of antigens on the endothelial surface of the pulmonary artery, including the components of U1-RNP or other unknown polypeptides. These results suggest that binding to pulmonary artery endothelial cells of this autoantibody may be one of the triggers of endothelial cell inflammation in CTDs.
    Clinical & Experimental Immunology 12/2001; 126(2):345-54. · 3.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: Intracellular pH regulatory mechanism in a human renal proximal cell line (HKC-8): evidence for Na+/H+ exchanger, CI-/HCO3- exchanger and Na+-HCO3- cotransporter.
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    ABSTRACT: In the present study we investigated whether an immortalized human renal proximal cell line, HKC-8, expresses a recently cloned Na+-HCO3- cotransporter (NBC-1) and, if so, which isoform (kNBC-1 from kidney or pNBC-1 from pancreas) is expressed in this cell line. Cell pH (pHi) measurements using a pH-sensitive fluorescence probe in the absence of HCO3-/CO2 revealed the presence of a Na+/H+ exchanger that required high concentrations of amiloride for full inhibition. In the presence of HCO3-/CO2 another pHi recovery process, dependent on Na+ but independent of Cl-, was identified. This process was electrogenic and was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), being consistent with the Na+-HCO3- cotransporter. In addition, the pHi responses to Cl- removal were compatible with the presence of a Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger that was also inhibited by DIDS. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers designed for specific and common regions detected mRNAs of both kNBC-1 and pNBC-1 and Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of NBC-1 protein. These results indicate that HKC-8 has transport activities similar to intact proximal tubules and also suggest that both kNBC-1 and pNBC-1 may contribute to the Na+-HCO3- cotransport activity in this cell line.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 10/2000; 440(5):713-20. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: Dopamine inhibits renal Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in rabbits and normotensive rats but not in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
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    ABSTRACT: Dopamine (DA) is thought to regulate renal proximal transport through the inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase and/or Na+/H+ exchanger. Defects in this dopaminergic system are proposed to be a pathogenic factor of genetic hypertension. However, microperfusion studies have not consistently confirmed direct tubular effects of DA. Isolated proximal straight tubules were perfused peritubularly with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's tissue culture medium (DMEM) containing norepinephrine (NE) to improve incubation conditions. Intracellular Na+ concentrations ([Na+]i) and cell pH (pHi) were measured with fluorescence probes. When incubated in DMEM plus NE, DA increased [Na+]i in rabbit tubules. Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase could not explain this response, as it was not suppressed by ouabain. An analysis of pHi responses to bath HCO3- reduction revealed that DA, SKF 38393 (a DA1 agonist), and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) inhibited the basolateral Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in rabbit and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY), if its transport stoichiometry was converted to 3 HCO3-:1 Na+ by DMEM plus NE incubation. The inhibitory effect of DA was abolished by SCH 23390, a DA1 antagonist, but not by (-)-sulpiride, a DA2 antagonist. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), however, DA and SKF 38393 failed to inhibit the cotransporter, although the inhibitory effects of cAMP and parathyroid hormone were comparable to those in WKY. These results indicate that DA inhibits the Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in renal proximal tubules and also suggest that dysregulation of the cotransporter, possibly through the defect in DA1 receptor signaling, could play an important role in development of hypertension in SHRs.
    Kidney International 03/2000; 57(2):534-43. · 6.61 Impact Factor
  • Article: Functional and molecular evidence for Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter in human corneal endothelial cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Although bicarbonate transport in corneal endothelium has been suggested to be coupled to Na+, the underlying molecular mechanism has not been clarified. In the present study we investigated whether a recently cloned Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter (NBC-1) is responsible for this process, and, if so, whether the endothelium expresses a separate isoform or one of the other two isoforms that have recently been identified (kNBC-1 from kidney and pNBC-1 from pancreas). Using primers designed for specific and common regions we demonstrated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that both kNBC-1 and pNBC-1 are expressed in cultured human corneal endothelial cells. In addition functional studies with a pH-sensitive fluorescence probe were performed. In the presence of HCO3-/CO2 a pH regulatory process was demonstrated which depends on the presence of Na+ and membrane potential, but is independent of Cl- and is inhibited by the disulfonic stilbene DIDS. These results support the presence of NBC-1 as the major bicarbonate transport system in corneal endothelium.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 10/1999; 438(4):458-62. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: Up-regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) and class II MHC molecules on pulmonary artery endothelial cells by antibodies against U1-ribonucleoprotein.
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    ABSTRACT: In order to elucidate the pathogenic role(s) of autoantibodies in connective tissue disease (CTD), we examined whether autoantibodies against U1-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) and double-stranded (ds) DNA can up-regulate ICAM-1, ELAM-1 and class I and II MHC molecule expression on pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC). ICAM-1, ELAM-1 and class II MHC molecule expression on HPAEC cultured in the presence of anti-U1-RNP-containing and anti-dsDNA-containing IgG from CTD patients was up-regulated significantly in comparison with that on HPAEC cultured with IgG from normal healthy volunteers. Affinity chromatographic enrichment and depletion of the anti-U1-RNP antibody content of anti-U1-RNP-containing IgG confirmed that the anti-U1-RNP antibody did up-regulate ICAM-1, ELAM-1 and class II MHC molecule expression. The finding that an IgG F(ab')2-purified anti-U1-RNP antibody also up-regulated expression of these molecules may indicate that mechanisms other than Fc receptor-mediated stimulation are involved. These in vitro findings suggest that autoantibodies against U1-RNP and dsDNA play important roles in the immunopathological processes leading to the proliferative pulmonary arterial vasculopathy observed in CTD patients with pulmonary hypertension by up-regulating adhesion and class II MHC molecule expression on endothelial cells.
    Clinical & Experimental Immunology 05/1999; 116(1):174-80. · 3.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: Mechanism of anion permeation in the basolateral membrane of isolated rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment.
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    ABSTRACT: Conventional and double-barreled microelectrodes were used to examine the anion selectivity of Cl- conductance in the basolateral membrane of rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment. The permeability sequence determined by anion replacements in the presence of K+ channel blocker quinine was SCN- > I- > Br- > Cl- > gluconate in both nonperfused and luminally perfused tubules. The anion-selective microelectrodes with higher sensitivity to I- enabled us to measure intracellular I- activities. With these electrodes, we could compare the conductive movements of Cl- and I- in response to the increase in bath K+ concentrations and confirmed that the conductance sequence was also I- > Cl-. Although the basolateral potential changes generated by Cl- and Br- currents were stimulated by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), the potential changes by SCN- and I- currents were somewhat inhibited by cAMP. In addition, the conductive uptake of I- was, in contrast to that of Cl-, inhibited by cAMP These results are consistent with the existence of at least two distinct anion conductances in this membrane, which are differently regulated by cAMP.
    The American journal of physiology 03/1997; 272(3 Pt 1):C837-46.
  • Article: Roles of Ca2+ and PKC in regulation of acid/base transport in isolated proximal tubules.
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    ABSTRACT: Roles of Ca2+ and protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of acid/base transport in isolated rabbit proximal tubules were investigated by measuring cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and cell pH (pHi) with fluorescent probes. Ionomycin (0.2 microM) increased [Ca2+]i by approximately 200 nM but did not affect the basolateral Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter. However, the apical Na+/H+ exchanger was inhibited by 50% by ionomycin, and this inhibition was abolished either by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, or by KN-62, an inhibitor of calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II). On the other hand, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 0.5 microM) did not affect the apical Na+/H+ exchanger but did stimulate the basolateral Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter by 60-80%, and this stimulation was prevented by calphostin C, an inhibitor of PKC. Consistent with the cotransporter stimulation, PMA decreased steady-state pHi in the presence of CO2/ HCO3-. These results indicate that 1) the acute increase in [Ca2+]i within physiological ranges inhibits the apical Na+/H+ exchanger, probably through mediation of CaM kinase II; and 2) the short-term PKC activation stimulates the basolateral Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter.
    The American journal of physiology 12/1996; 271(5 Pt 2):F1068-76.
  • Article: Effect of ionomycin on cell pH in isolated renal proximal tubules.
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    ABSTRACT: In isolated rabbit proximal tubules the addition of 2.0 microM but not 0.2 microM ionomycin induced a sustained increase in cell pH ([pH]i). This [pH]i response to 2.0 microM ionomycin was shown to be independent of several transporters such as Na+/H+ exchanger, Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter, Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, or H(+)-ATPase. On the other hand, the removal of extracellular Ca2+ abolished the [pH]i increase or even induced a transient [pH]i decrease in the presence of ionomycin. These results are consistent with the induction of Ca2+/H+ exchange by ionomycin. Therefore Ca2+ ionophores should be used with caution as probes to estimate renal tubule functions.
    Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 09/1996; 225(1):215-8. · 2.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: Mechanism of [Ca2+]i increase by extracellular ATP in isolated rabbit renal proximal tubules.
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    ABSTRACT: The effects of extracellular ATP on cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and cell membrane potentials (Vb) of rabbit renal proximal tubules were investigated using fura 2 and microelectrodes. ATP transiently increased [Ca2+]i without an apparent sustained phase, and the maximum effect was obtained at 10 microM. ADP, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), and 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-triphosphate were equally effective as ATP, whereas UTP, adenosine, and alpha beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate were far less effective. The [Ca2+]i responses to ATP were strongly inhibited by reactive blue 2, a P2-purinergic receptor antagonist. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ as well as the addition of thapsigargin also markedly attenuated the responses to ATP. In addition, ATP had virtually no effect on Vb, except for the occasional small depolarization by 300 microM ATP. These results indicate that extracellular ATP increases [Ca2+]i through a P2-purinergic receptor and that this effect of ATP is dependent on both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+.
    The American journal of physiology 05/1996; 270(4 Pt 1):C1096-104.
  • Article: Activation of the basolateral Cl- conductance by cAMP in rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segments.
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    ABSTRACT: The regulatory mechanism of basolateral Cl- conductance in rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segments was investigated with conventional and Cl- sensitive microelectrodes. After the basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger was blocked by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS) we increased the bath K+ concentration from 5 mmol/l to 20 mmol/l, which depolarized the cells and thereby increased intracellular Cl- activity ([Cl-]i). This [Cl-]i response was enhanced by +63% in the presence of forskolin (20 mumol/l), by +40% in the presence of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP) (1 mmol/l) and by +44% in the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH, 10 nmol/l), whereas it was inhibited by a Cl- channel blocker, indanyl-oxyacetic acid (IAA-94, 0.3 mmol/l). In addition, forskolin, PTH and chlorophenylthio-cAMP enhanced the electrogenic response to removal of bath Cl- after the blockade of K+ conductance, and this activation was also sensitive to IAA-94. On the other hand, 2 mumol/l ionomycin and 0.5 mumol/l phorbol myristate failed to activate the [Cl-]i response to elevation of bath K+ concentration and the electrogenic response to Cl- removal, and ionomycin had no effect even in the absence of DIDS. These results indicate that this basolateral Cl- conductance can be activated by cAMP, while neither the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ nor the activation of protein kinase C has direct effects on this conductance.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 06/1995; 430(1):88-95. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: C1q-binding immunoglobulin G in MRL/l mice consists of immune complexes containing antibodies to DNA.
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    ABSTRACT: Previous studies have shown that the majority of C1q-binding IgG in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is composed of autoantibodies to the collagen-like region of C1q. Mice of the MRL/l strain are considered as a murine model of human SLE and possess autoantibodies to nuclear antigens as well as IgM and IgG rheumatoid factors (RF). This study was undertaken to characterize the C1q-binding IgG in MRL/l mice. In contrast to human SLE, C1q-binding IgG in MRL/l mice showed immunochemical characteristics of immune complexes rather than those of autoantibodies to C1q. Namely, C1q-binding IgG in MRL/l mice was large-sized upon HPLC gel filtration and abolished by digestion with pepsin or by high salt concentration, and bound to the globular region of C1q. The C1q-binding activity in MRL/l mice was absorbed by double-stranded DNA- or single-stranded DNA-cellulose. The medium-sized immune complexes containing RF have been well documented in MRL/l mice. In this study, however, mouse IgG-Sepharose failed to absorb fully C1q-binding IgG. We conclude that the majority of C1q-binding IgG in MRL/l mice consists of large-sized immune complexes containing antibodies to DNA.
    Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology 06/1995; 75(2):140-6.
  • Article: Enhanced synthesis of cytokines by peripheral blood monocytes cultured in the presence of autoantibodies against U1-ribonucleoprotein and/or negatively charged molecules: implication in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).
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    ABSTRACT: An attempt was made to determine whether addition of purified autoantibodies against U1-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) and negatively charged molecules (cardiolipin and double-stranded (ds) DNA) to cultures of peripheral blood monocytes could enhance the synthesis of cytokines in patients with MCTD and normal healthy volunteers. It was found that: (i) at the baseline, levels of cytokines such as IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 extracellularly released by or associated with monocytes were significantly higher in MCTD patients than in normal subjects; (ii) addition of antibodies against U1-RNP to cultures of MCTD monocytes resulted in a significant overall increase of the released and cell-associated IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6. On the other hand, addition of antibodies against cardiolipin or dsDNA to cultures of MCTD monocytes resulted in a significant increase of released and/or cell-associated IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta; (iii) addition of these autoantibodies to cultures of normal monocytes resulted in a significant overall increase of released and cell-associated IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6. The extent of enhancement of cytokines released by or associated with monocytes was greater in normal subjects than in MCTD patients; (iv) a F(ab')2 preparation of autoantibodies against U1-RNP also enhanced the level of released and cell-associated IL-1 alpha. Our findings that both autoantibodies against U1-RNP and negatively charged molecules were able to enhance the synthesis of cytokines by monocytes suggest that these autoantibodies might cause derangement of endothelial cells and lead to proliferative vasculopathy, which is a characteristic of pulmonary hypertension in MCTD.
    Clinical & Experimental Immunology 01/1995; 98(3):427-33. · 3.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: Detection and quantitation of EP3 prostaglandin E2 receptor mRNA along mouse nephron segments by RT-PCR.
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    ABSTRACT: mRNA of the EP3 prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor was detected and quantitated in microdissected mouse nephron segments by a modified protocol of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At the step of RT, a point mutation was introduced in cDNA, which made a new restriction site for the Mbo I enzyme. PCR was performed using a set of primers on the same exon, and genomic DNA was coamplified with cDNA by these primers. PCR products were treated with Mbo I, and signals from genomic DNA and mRNA were separately detected on gel electrophoresis. The relative amount of mRNA per cell was expressed as a ratio of amount of product from mRNA to that from genomic DNA. EP3 PGE2 receptor mRNA expression was abundant in thick ascending limb of Henle, present to a lesser extent in distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts, and undetectable in glomeruli, proximal tubules, and descending thin limb. The results support the notion that PGE2 modulates water and solute transport through the EP3 receptor in specific structures of the kidney.
    The American journal of physiology 06/1994; 266(5 Pt 1):C1453-8.
  • Article: Activation of the basolateral Cl- conductance by cyclic AMP in rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment.
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    ABSTRACT: The regulation of basolateral Cl- conductance in renal proximal tubule was investigated by microelectrodes. Our results suggest that this conductance can be activated by cAMP, while increase in cell Ca2+ or activation of PKC has no effect. These properties of this conductance also suggest that CFTR may exist in the basolateral membrane of proximal tubule.
    The Japanese Journal of Physiology 02/1994; 44 Suppl 2:S231-2. · 1.04 Impact Factor
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    Article: Evidence for conductive Cl- pathway in the basolateral membrane of rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment.
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    ABSTRACT: The mechanism of Cl- exit was examined in the basolateral membrane of rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment with double-barreled, ion-selective microelectrodes. After the basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger was blocked by 2'-disulfonic acid, a bath K+ step from 5 to 20 mM induced 26.6 mV depolarization and 7.7 mM increase in intracellular Cl- activities ([Cl(-)]i). K+ channel blockers, Ba2+, and quinine strongly suppressed both the response in cell membrane potentials (Vb) and in (Cl-)i to the bath K+ step, while Cl- channel blockers, A9C (1 mM) and IAA-94 (0.3 mM) inhibited only the latter response by 49 and 74%, respectively. By contrast, an inhibitor of K(+)-Cl- cotransporter, H74, had no effect on the increase in (Cl-)i to the bath K+ step. Furosemide and the removal of bath Na+ were also ineffective, suggesting that (Cl-)i are sensitive to the cell potential changes. Bath Cl- removal in the presence of quinine induced a depolarization of more than 10 mV and a decrease in (Cl-)i, and IAA-94 inhibited these responses similarly in the bath K+ step experiments. These results indicate that a significant Cl- conductance exists in the basolateral membrane of this segment and functions as a Cl- exit mechanism.
    Journal of Clinical Investigation 10/1993; 92(3):1229-35. · 15.39 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of parathyroid hormone on acid/base transport in rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment.
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    ABSTRACT: The effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on acid/base transport in isolated rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment was investigated with double-barreled and conventional microelectrodes. PTH (10 nM) induced a small depolarization and enhanced the initial rates of cell pH (pHi) increase and cell Cl- ([Cl-]i) decrease in response to bath Cl- removal by 28.0 +/- 2.1% and 31.0 +/- 6.4% respectively. The calculated initial HCO3- influx to bath Cl- removal was also enhanced by 28%. On the other hand, PTH reduced the initial rate of pHi decrease to luminal Na+ removal in the absence of HCO3-/CO2 by 20.4 +/- 3.9%. The PTH-induced depolarization was not accompanied with changes in steady-state pHi or [Cl-]i levels, but was greatly attenuated in the presence of ouabain (0.1 mM). Either dibutyryl-cAMP (0.1 mM) plus theophylline (1 mM) or forskolin (10 microM) alone could reproduce all the effects of PTH. These results indicate that (a) PTH inhibits the luminal Na+/H+ exchanger but stimulates the basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in the S3 segment; (b) the PTH-induced depolarization largely results from inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and (c) all these effects are at least partly mediated by a cAMP-dependent mechanism.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 05/1993; 423(1-2):7-13. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: Shunt nephritis: efficacy of an antibiotic trial for clinical diagnosis.
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    ABSTRACT: Coagulase negative staphylococcus, a normal skin flora, is especially nosopoietic under shunt management, because coagulase negative staphylococcus sometimes forms a biofilm around itself at catheter tips in vivo, which shields the organism from the effects of antibiotics. But it is difficult to distinguish this pathogen from a possible confounding contamination of a blood culture. In this article, we report a case, and discuss how a patient with suspected shunt nephritis should be examined and treated. In addition, to further histological and prognostic interpretation, we review the previously reported cases of shunt nephritis in Japanese adults.
    Internal Medicine 05/1993; 32(4):291-4. · 0.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Distribution of beta 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression along the hamster nephron segments.
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    ABSTRACT: Distribution of beta 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression along the microdissected hamster nephron segments was examined by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Conventional RT-PCR using a set of primers on separate exons could not be applied for the detection of beta 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA because of its intronless nature. We used the 'rapid amplification of cDNA ends' protocol [(1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 8998-9002] as a maneuver for RT-PCR of an intronless gene. Using this method, we successfully located hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA only in glomeruli and early proximal convoluted tubule along the nephron segments tested.
    FEBS Letters 03/1993; 318(1):65-70. · 3.54 Impact Factor
  • Article: Chronic neutropenia associated with C2 and C9 deficiency.
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    ABSTRACT: A Japanese male with a deficiency of the second and ninth components of complement associated with chronic idiopathic neutropenia is presented. In this case the second component of complement is totally deficient while the ninth component is approximately half that of normal control. Neutrophil granulocytes are constantly few, but this case shows no evidence of susceptibility to either viral or bacterial infections. His HLA type is different from that of Caucasians, suggesting that the genetic abnormality responsible for the complement deficiency of this Japanese case is different from that seen in Caucasian patients.
    International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 02/1993; 102(3):304-6. · 2.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: The B cell repertoire in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases: analysis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-inducible circulating precursors that produce autoantibodies against nuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP).
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    ABSTRACT: Peripheral blood B cells from patients with systemic autoimmune disease and healthy volunteers were immortalized using EBV and the frequencies of B cell precursors that produced immunoglobulin class-specific antibodies against anti-nRNP, a specific marker for mixed connective tissue disease, were assessed using limiting dilution analysis. The frequencies of EBV-induced B cell precursors that produced IgG anti-nRNP were correlated closely with the serum titres of the corresponding autoantibodies, which indicates that B cell precursors that produced potentially pathogenic autoantibodies could be immortalized from the peripheral blood of the patients by EBV. In contrast, the frequency of EBV-induced B cell precursors that produced IgM anti-nRNP in patients with systemic autoimmune disease was comparable to that in healthy volunteers and greater than those that produced IgG and IgA anti-nRNP. Moreover, many of the clones that produced IgM antibodies against nRNP reacted with other autoantigens, such as double-stranded DNA, single-stranded DNA and rabbit IgG. These polyreactive IgM antibodies are believed to belong to the 'natural antibodies', to be coded by the germline immunoglobulin V genes, and to react with evolutionarily conserved structural cellular components, including nRNP. Our finding that nRNP is one of the target antigens for this polyreactive autoantibody may lead to the elucidation of the origin of the pathogenic IgG and IgA anti-nRNP antibodies found in sera from patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.
    Clinical & Experimental Immunology 01/1993; 90(3):415-21. · 3.36 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 1999
    • Japan Research Institute
      Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan
  • 1987–1995
    • The University of Tokyo
      • • Division of Internal Medicine
      • • Department of Internal Medicine
      • • Faculty & Graduate School of Medicine
      Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan
  • 1988–1991
    • University of Washington Seattle
      • Department of Medicine
      Seattle, WA, USA