W Wei

Publications (3)8.33 Total impact

• Article: Induction of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid P component, and kininogens in the submandibular and lacrimal glands of rats with experimentally induced inflammation.

  W Wei, N Parvin, K Tsumura, T Akamatsu, J Tada, N Kanamori, K Hosoi
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  ABSTRACT: The mRNAs for acute-phase proteins and kininogens were found to be increased in the submandibular gland (SMG) and extraorbital and intraorbital lacrimal gland (ELG and ILG) in response to experimentally induced inflammation in rats; i.e., 24 hours after subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil, mRNAs for C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid P component (SAP), and H- and T-kininogens were induced in the SMG, ELG, and ILG of rats, whereas these mRNAs were not detected in the same tissues of normal control rats. The induction of mRNAs for these inflammatory proteins by turpentine oil was preceded by a transient increase in the level of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at 6 hours after subcutaneous injection of the oil. This was confirmed by injection of another inflammation inducer, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which induced the TNF-alpha mRNA in the same way at 6 hours as turpentine oil did. The up-regulation of acute-phase proteins including kininogens in the SMG, ELG, and ILG suggest the existence of a strict defense system in the exocrine glands.
  Life Sciences 07/2001; 69(3):359-68. · 2.53 Impact Factor
• Article: Expression of kininogens in the connective tissue-type mast cells of the rat.

  K Hosoi, S Matsuura, K Tsumura, W Wei, M N Parvin, J Tada, T Akamatsu, N Kanamori, K Suzuki
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  ABSTRACT: The connective tissue-type mast cells present in the submandibular gland (SMG) and peritoneal cavity of rats were found to express kininogens (KGs), the expression of which was demonstrated by Western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), RT-PCR Southern blotting, and light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. In the SMG, the analysis of cDNA amplified by RT-PCR revealed that the molecular species of mRNAs expressed were high-molecular-weight (HMW)-K KG and T-I KG. Light microscopic immunocytochemistry exclusively localized the KG protein(s) in the mast cells present in the SMG. The signals in the mast cells were very strong, but no positive reaction was observed in the granular convoluted tubular cells, acinar cells or striated duct cells. As determined by using electron microscopy, extremely strong labelling with immunogold was observed in the secretory granules of the mast cells, but no labelling in their nucleus or cytoplasm. Analysis by Western blotting and RT-PCR Southern blotting indicated that both protein and mRNA of KGs were present in the mast cells separated from the peritoneal cavity, indicating de novo synthesis of KG in these cells. Preliminary experiments implied that the connective tissue-type mast cells in other rat tissues also expressed KG.
  Immunology 01/2001; 101(4):531-40. · 3.32 Impact Factor
• Article: Highly regulated expression of subtilisin-like proprotein convertase PACE4 (SPC4) during dentinogenesis.

  T Akamatsu, Y Matsuda, K Tsumura, J Tada, M N Parvin, W Wei, N Kanamori, K Hosoi
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  ABSTRACT: Expressions of mRNAs for four subtilisin-like proprotein convertases (SPCs: furin, PACE4, PC6, and PC8) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in the rat molar tooth during development were analyzed by Northern blotting, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and in situ hybridization to explore the possible involvement of SPCs in the processing of proBMPs. We found a temporospacial expression of PACE4, but not one of the other SPCs, in this tissue; i.e., RT-PCR analysis revealed that the level of PACE4 mRNA, but not that of the other SPC mRNAs became high around the second postnatal day. This increase was in good accordance with the increase in BMP4 mRNA, indicating an apparent association of these molecules with the differentiation and establishment of functional ameloblasts and odontoblasts. During dentinogenesis, PACE4 mRNA was localized in the ameloblasts and odontoblasts. These observations suggest that PACE4 plays a crucial role in dentinogenesis, especially via the activation of BMPs.
  Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 07/2000; 272(2):410-5. · 2.48 Impact Factor