Atsuhiko Hikita

Publications (3)1.4 Total impact

• Article: The roles of TGF-β signaling in carcinogenesis and breast cancer metastasis.

  Takeshi Imamura, Atsuhiko Hikita, Yasumichi Inoue
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ligand is a multifunctional growth factor that regulates various cell behavior, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. Because TGF-β is a potent growth inhibitor, abnormalities in TGF-β signaling result in carcinogenesis. In addition to tumor suppressor function, TGF-β acts as an oncogenic factor. In particular, TGF-β signaling plays an important role during metastasis of breast cancer. Recently, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to confer malignant properties such as cell motility and invasiveness to cancer cells and plays crucial roles during cancer metastasis. Moreover, breast stem-like cells exhibit EMT properties. Because TGF-β is a potent regulator of EMT as well as cell stemness, TGF-β signaling might play a crucial role in the regulation of breast cancer stem cells.
  Breast Cancer 12/2011; 19(2):118-24. · 1.36 Impact Factor
• Article: [In vivo optical imaging of cancer].

  Takeshi Imamura, Aki Hanyu, Atsuhiko Hikita
  Seikagaku. The Journal of Japanese Biochemical Society 05/2011; 83(5):406-9. · 0.04 Impact Factor
• Article: [Bone analysis by in vivo optical imaging].

  Takeshi Imamura, Atsuhiko Hikita, Mari Sasaki, Naoki Honkura
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: There has been a growing interest in analyzing complex biology in living animals by in vivo fluorescent imaging. In vivo fluorescent imaging by using novel fluorescent molecular probes and advanced fluorescent microscopy e.g. two-photon microscopy allow us to analyze deep tissues in bone. In this review, we demonstrated our data and discussed about in vivo fluorescent imaging in bone research field.
  Clinical calcium 01/2011; 21(7):1036-40.