Details of a Researcher - KIKUCHI Shin

Papers - KIKUCHI Shin

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The interplay between the epithelial permeability barrier, cell migration and mitochondrial metabolism of growth factors and their inhibitors in a human endometrial carcinoma cell line.

Takumi Konno, Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Arisa Kura, Kimihito Saito, Tadahi Okada, Hiroshi Shimada, Yuya Yamazaki, Tomoki Sugiyama, Motoki Matsuura, Yuki Ohsaki, Tsuyoshi Saito, Takashi Kojima

Tissue barriers 2304443 - 2304443 2024.01 [International journal]

It is known that there are abnormalities of tight junction functions, cell migration and mitochondrial metabolism in human endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma. In this study, we investigated the effects of growth factors and their inhibitors on the epithelial permeability barrier, cell migration and mitochondrial metabolism in 2D and 2.5D cultures of human endometrioid endometrial carcinoma Sawano cells. We also investigated the changes of bicellular and tricellular tight junction molecules and ciliogenesis induced by these inhibitors. The growth factors TGF-β and EGF affected the epithelial permeability barrier, cell migration and expression of bicellular and tricellular tight junction molecules in 2D and 2.5D cultures of Sawano cells. EW-7197 (a TGF-β receptor inhibitor), AG1478 (an EGFR inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) affected the epithelial permeability barrier, cell migration and mitochondrial metabolism and prevented the changes induced by TGF-β and EGF in 2D and 2.5D cultures. EW-7197 and AG1478 induced ciliogenesis in 2.5D cultures. In conclusion, TGF-β and EGF promoted the malignancy of endometrial cancer via interplay among the epithelial permeability barrier, cell migration and mitochondrial metabolism. EW-7197 and AG1478 may be useful as novel therapeutic treatments options for endometrial cancer.

Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation Decreases the Motility and Length of Axonal Mitochondria in Cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion Cells of Rats.

Shin Kikuchi, Takayuki Kohno, Takashi Kojima, Haruyuki Tatsumi, Yuki Ohsaki, Takafumi Ninomiya

Cellular and molecular neurobiology 2022.06 [International journal]

Controlling axonal mitochondria is important for maintaining normal function of the neural network. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), a model used for mimicking ischemia, eventually induces neuronal cell death similar to axonal degeneration. Axonal mitochondria are disrupted during OGD-induced neural degeneration; however, the mechanism underlying mitochondrial dysfunction has not been completely understood. We focused on the dynamics of mitochondria in axons exposed to OGD; we observed that the number of motile mitochondria significantly reduced in 1 h following OGD exposure. In our observation, the decreased length of stationary mitochondria was affected by the following factors: first, the halt of motile mitochondria; second, the fission of longer stationary mitochondria; and third, a transformation from tubular to spherical shape in OGD-exposed axons. Motile mitochondria reduction preceded stationary mitochondria fragmentation in OGD exposure; these conditions induced the decrease of stationary mitochondria in three different ways. Our results suggest that mitochondrial morphological changes precede the axonal degeneration while ischemia-induced neurodegeneration.

Inhibition of HDAC and Signal Transduction Pathways Induces Tight Junctions and Promotes Differentiation in p63-Positive Salivary Duct Adenocarcinoma.

Masaya Nakano, Kizuku Ohwada, Yuma Shindo, Takumi Konno, Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Mitsuhiro Tsujiwaki, Daichi Ishii, Soshi Nishida, Takuya Kakuki, Kazufumi Obata, Ryo Miyata, Makoto Kurose, Atsushi Kondoh, Kenichi Takano, Takashi Kojima

Cancers 14 ( 11 ) 2022.05 [International journal]

BACKGROUND: The p53 family p63 is essential for the proliferation and differentiation of various epithelial basal cells. It is overexpressed in several cancers, including salivary gland neoplasia. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are thought to play a crucial role in carcinogenesis, and HDAC inhibitors downregulate p63 expression in cancers. METHODS: In the present study, to investigate the roles and regulation of p63 in salivary duct adenocarcinoma (SDC), human SDC cell line A253 was transfected with siRNA-p63 or treated with the HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and quisinostat (JNJ-26481585). RESULTS: In a DNA array, the knockdown of p63 markedly induced mRNAs of the tight junction (TJ) proteins cingulin (CGN) and zonula occuludin-3 (ZO-3). The knockdown of p63 resulted in the recruitment of the TJ proteins, the angulin-1/lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR), occludin (OCLN), CGN, and ZO-3 at the membranes, preventing cell proliferation, and leading to increased cell metabolism. Treatment with HDAC inhibitors downregulated the expression of p63, induced TJ structures, recruited the TJ proteins, increased the epithelial barrier function, and prevented cell proliferation and migration. CONCLUSIONS: p63 is not only a diagnostic marker of salivary gland neoplasia, but it also promotes the malignancy. Inhibition of HDAC and signal transduction pathways is, therefore, useful in therapy for p63-positive SDC cells.

FOXO3/TGF-β signal-dependent ciliogenesis and cell functions during differentiation of temperature-sensitive mouse cochlear precursor hair cells.

Takuya Kakuki, Takayuki Kohno, Soshi Nishida, Takumi Konno, Shin Kikuchi, Kizuku Ohwada, Masaya Nakano, Mitsuki Tezuka, Kenichi Takano, Takashi Kojima

Histochemistry and cell biology 157 ( 4 ) 415 - 426 2022.04 [International journal]

The transcription factor FOXO3 is necessary to preserve cochlear hair cells. Growth factors, including TGF-β, closely contribute to cochlear hair cell regeneration. In the present study, to investigate the roles of FOXO3 in the ciliogenesis and cell functions of cochlear hair cells, UB/OC-2 temperature-sensitive mouse cochlear precursor hair cells were treated with TGF-β receptor type 1 inhibitor EW-7197 or EGF receptor inhibitor AG-1478 after transfection with or without siRNA-FOXO3a. GeneChip analysis revealed that treatment with EW-7197 increased Foxo3 genes and decreased genes of Smads. During cell differentiation, treatment with EW-7197 or AG-1478 induced an increase in length of cilia-like structures that were positive for acetylated tubulin and inhibited cell migration. Treatment with EW-7197 also increased cell metabolism measured as mitochondrial basal respiration (oxygen consumption rate). The effects of EW-7197 were stronger than those of AG-1478. Knockdown of FOXO3 prevented the growth of cilia-like structures induced by EW-7197 or AG-1478 and induced cell migration under treatment with EW-7197. No change of the epithelial cell polarity molecule PAR3 was observed with any treatment. Treatment with the antimicrobial agent amikacin prevented the growth of cilia-like structures induced by EW-7197 and induced apoptosis. Pretreatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibited the apoptosis induced by amikacin. This in vitro model of mouse cochlear hair cells suggests that FOXO3/TGF-β signaling plays a crucial role in ciliogenesis and cell functions during differentiation of cochlear hair cells. This model is useful for analysis of the mechanisms of hearing loss and to find therapeutic agents to prevent it.

The Roles of Tricellular Tight Junction Protein Angulin-1/Lipolysis-Stimulated Lipoprotein Receptor (LSR) in Endometriosis and Endometrioid-Endometrial Carcinoma.

Hiroshi Shimada, Takayuki Kohno, Takumi Konno, Tadahi Okada, Kimihito Saito, Yuma Shindo, Shin Kikuchi, Mitsuhiro Tsujiwaki, Marie Ogawa, Motoki Matsuura, Tsuyoshi Saito, Takashi Kojima

Cancers 13 ( 24 ) 2021.12 [International journal]

Tight junction proteins play roles beyond permeability barriers functions and control cell proliferation and differentiation. The relation between tight junctions and the signal transduction pathways affects cell growth, invasion and migration. Abnormality of tight junction proteins closely contributes to epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and malignancy of various cancers. Angulin-1/lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) forms tricellular contacts that has a barrier function. Downregulation of angulin-1/LSR correlates with the malignancy in various cancers, including endometrioid-endometrial carcinoma (EEC). These alterations have been shown to link to not only multiple signaling pathways such as Hippo/YAP, HDAC, AMPK, but also cell metabolism in ECC cell line Sawano. Moreover, loss of angulin-1/LSR upregulates claudin-1, and loss of apoptosis stimulating p53 protein 2 (ASPP2) downregulates angulin-1/LSR. Angulin-1/LSR and ASPP2 concentrate at both midbody and centrosome in cytokinesis. In EEC tissues, angulin-1/LSR and ASPP2 are reduced and claudin-2 is overexpressed during malignancy, while in the tissues of endometriosis changes in localization of angulin-1/LSR and claudin-2 are seen. This review highlights how downregulation of angulin-1/LSR promotes development of endometriosis and EEC and discusses about the roles of angulin-1/LSR and its related proteins, including claudins and ASPP2.

The Role of Galanin in Cerebellar Granule Cell Migration in the Early Postnatal Mouse during Normal Development and after Injury.

Yutaro Komuro, Ludovic Galas, Yury M Morozov, Jennifer K Fahrion, Emilie Raoult, Alexis Lebon, Amanda K Tilot, Shin Kikuchi, Nobuhiko Ohno, David Vaudry, Pasko Rakic, Hitoshi Komuro

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 41 ( 42 ) 8725 - 8741 2021.10 [International journal]

Galanin, one of the most inducible neuropeptides, is widely present in developing brains, and its expression is altered by pathologic events (e.g., epilepsy, ischemia, and axotomy). The roles of galanin in brain development under both normal and pathologic conditions have been hypothesized, but the question of how galanin is involved in fetal and early postnatal brain development remains largely unanswered. In this study, using granule cell migration in the cerebellum of early postnatal mice (both sexes) as a model system, we examined the role of galanin in neuronal cell migration during normal development and after brain injury. Here we show that, during normal development, endogenous galanin participates in accelerating granule cell migration via altering the Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways. Upon brain injury induced by the application of cold insults, galanin levels decrease at the lesion sites, but increase in the surroundings of lesion sites. Granule cells exhibit the following corresponding changes in migration: (1) slowing down migration at the lesion sites; and (2) accelerating migration in the surroundings of lesion sites. Experimental manipulations of galanin signaling reduce the lesion site-specific changes in granule cell migration, indicating that galanin plays a role in such deficits in neuronal cell migration. The present study suggests that manipulating galanin signaling may be a potential therapeutic target for acutely injured brains during development.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Deficits in neuronal cell migration caused by brain injury result in abnormal development of cortical layers, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. Here, we report that on brain injury, endogenous levels of galanin, a neuropeptide, are altered in a lesion site-specific manner, decreasing at the lesion sites but increasing in the surroundings of lesion sites. The changes in galanin levels positively correlate with the migration rate of immature neurons. Manipulations of galanin signaling ameliorate the effects of injury on neuronal migration and cortical layer development. These results shed a light on galanin as a potential therapeutic target for acutely injured brains during development.

Dysfunction of epithelial permeability barrier induced by HMGB1 in 2.5D cultures of human epithelial cells.

Takashi Kojima, Yuma Shindo, Takumi Konno, Yuki Kodera, Wataru Arai, Maki Miyakawa, Kizuku Ohwada, Hiroki Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Tsujiwaki, Yuji Sakuma, Shin Kikuchi, Tsuyoshi Ohkuni, Kenichi Takano, Atsushi Watanabe, Takayuki Kohno

Tissue barriers 10 ( 2 ) 1972760 - 1972760 2021.09 [International journal]

Airway and intestinal epithelial permeability barriers are crucial in epithelial homeostasis. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), increased by various stimuli, is involved in the induction of airway inflammation, as well as the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. HMGB1 enhances epithelial hyperpermeability. Two-and-a-half dimensional (2.5D) culture assays are experimentally convenient and induce cells to form a more physiological tissue architecture than 2D culture assays for molecular transfer mechanism analysis. In 2.5D culture, treatment with HMGB1 induced permeability of FITC-dextran into the lumen formed by human lung, nasal and intestinal epithelial cells. The tricellular tight junction molecule angulin-1/LSR is responsible for the epithelial permeability barrier at tricellular contacts and contributes to various human airway and intestinal inflammatory diseases. In this review, we indicate the mechanisms including angulin-1/LSR and multiple signaling in dysfunction of the epithelial permeability barrier induced by HMGB1 in 2.5D culture of human airway and intestinal epithelial cells.

Translocation of LSR from tricellular corners causes macropinocytosis at cell-cell interface as a trigger for breaking out of contact inhibition.

Takayuki Kohno, Takumi Konno, Shin Kikuchi, Masuo Kondoh, Takashi Kojima

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology ( Wiley ) 35 ( 9 ) e21742 2021.09 [International journal]

Withdrawal from contact inhibition is necessary for epithelial cancer precursor cells to initiate cell growth and motility. Nevertheless, little is understood about the mechanism for the sudden initiation of cell growth under static conditions. We focused on cellular junctions as one region where breaking out of contact inhibition occurs. In well-differentiated endometrial cancer cells, Sawano, the ligand administration for tricellular tight junction protein LSR, which transiently decreased the robust junction property, caused an abrupt increase in cell motility and consequent excessive multilayered cell growth despite being under contact inhibition conditions. We observed that macropinocytosis essentially and temporarily occurred as an antecedent event for the above process at intercellular junctions without disruption of the junction apparatus but not at the apical plasma membrane. Collectively, we concluded that the formation of macropinocytosis, which is derived from tight junction-mediated signaling, was triggered for the initiation of cell growth in static precancerous epithelium.

Voluntary exercise prevents abnormal muscle mitochondrial morphology in cancer cachexia mice.

Yu Kitaoka, Mitsunori Miyazaki, Shin Kikuchi

Physiological reports 9 ( 16 ) e15016 2021.08 [International journal]

This study aimed to examine the effects of voluntary wheel running on cancer cachexia-induced mitochondrial alterations in mouse skeletal muscle. Mice bearing colon 26 adenocarcinoma (C26) were used as a model of cancer cachexia. C26 mice showed a lower gastrocnemius and plantaris muscle weight, but 4 weeks of voluntary exercise rescued these changes. Further, voluntary exercise attenuated observed declines in the levels of oxidative phosphorylation proteins and activities of citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase in the skeletal muscle of C26 mice. Among mitochondrial morphology regulatory proteins, mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) were decreased in the skeletal muscle of C26 mice, but exercise resulted in similar improvements as seen in markers of mitochondrial content. In isolated mitochondria, 4-hydroxynonenal and protein carbonyls were elevated in C26 mice, but exercise blunted the increases in these markers of oxidative stress. In addition, electron microscopy revealed that exercise alleviated the observed increase in the percentage of damaged mitochondria in C26 mice. These results suggest that voluntary exercise effectively counteracts mitochondrial dysfunction to mitigate muscle loss in cachexia.

Role of tight junctions in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells.

Daisuke Kyuno, Akira Takasawa, Shin Kikuchi, Ichiro Takemasa, Makoto Osanai, Takashi Kojima

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes 1863 ( 3 ) 183503 - 183503 2021.03 [International journal]

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential step in cancer progression. Epithelial cells possess several types of cell-cell junctions, and tight junctions are known to play important roles in maintaining the epithelial program. EMT is characterized by a loss of epithelial markers, including E-cadherin and tight junction proteins. Somewhat surprisingly, the evidence is accumulating that upregulated expression of tight junction proteins plays an important role in the EMT of cancer cells. Tight junctions have distinct tissue-specific and cancer-specific regulatory mechanisms, enabling them to play different roles in EMT. Tight junctions and related signaling pathways are attractive targets for cancer treatments; signal transduction inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies for tight junction proteins may be used to suppress EMT, invasion, and metastasis. Here we review the role of bicellular and tricellular tight junction proteins during EMT. Further investigation of regulatory mechanisms of tight junctions during EMT in cancer cells will inform the development of biomarkers for predicting prognosis as well as novel therapies.

Sarcomere length of the vastus intermedius with the knee joint angle change.

Ryosuke Ando, Keigo Taniguchi, Shin Kikuchi, Shogo Mizoguchi, Mineko Fujimiya, Masaki Katayose, Hiroshi Akima

Physiological reports 9 ( 5 ) e14771 2021.03 [International journal]

The force-length relation of the skeletal muscles is an important factor influencing the joint torque at a given joint angle. We aimed to clarify the relationship between the resting sarcomere length and knee joint angle in the vastus intermedius (VI) and to compare it with that of the vastus lateralis (VL). The left and right legs were fixed at knee joint angles of 0° and 90°, respectively, in seven cadavers (age at the time of death: 70-91 years). Muscle tissues were dissected by necropsy of the VL and the VI, and electron microscopy images were obtained to calculate the sarcomere length. At knee joint angles of 0° and 90°, the VL sarcomere length was 2.28 ± 0.49 μm and 2.30 ± 0.48 μm, respectively, and the VI sarcomere length was 2.19 ± 0.35 μm and 2.46 ± 0.53 μm, respectively, with a significant difference between the two (p = 0.028). The magnitude of sarcomere length changes with knee joint angle changes was significantly greater for the VI (0.27 ± 0.20 μm) than for the VL (0.02 ± 0.09 μm) (p = 0.009). Thus, knee joint angle changes may affect the passive and active tension produced by the VI more than those produced by the VL.

Increase in Epithelial Permeability and Cell Metabolism by High Mobility Group Box 1, Inflammatory Cytokines and TPEN in Caco-2 Cells as a Novel Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Maki Miyakawa, Takumi Konno, Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Hiroki Tanaka, Takashi Kojima

International journal of molecular sciences 21 ( 22 ) 2020.11 [International journal]

High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with IBD develop zinc deficiency. However, the detailed roles of HMGB1 and zinc deficiency in the intestinal epithelial barrier and cellular metabolism of IBD remain unknown. In the present study, Caco-2 cells in 2D culture and 2.5D Matrigel culture were pretreated with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type 1 receptor kinase inhibitor EW-7197, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitor AG-1478 and a TNFα antibody before treatment with HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IFNγ). EW-7197, AG-1478 and the TNFα antibody prevented hyperpermeability induced by HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines in 2.5D culture. HMGB1 affected cilia formation in 2.5D culture. EW-7197, AG-1478 and the TNFα antibody prevented the increase in cell metabolism induced by HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines in 2D culture. Furthermore, ZnSO4 prevented the hyperpermeability induced by zinc chelator TPEN in 2.5D culture. ZnSO4 and TPEN induced cellular metabolism in 2D culture. The disruption of the epithelial barrier induced by HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines contributed to TGF-β/EGF signaling in Caco-2 cells. The TNFα antibody and ZnSO4 as well as EW-7197 and AG-1478 may have potential for use in therapy for IBD.

ASPP2 suppression promotes malignancy via LSR and YAP in human endometrial cancer.

Takumi Konno, Takayuki Kohno, Tadahi Okada, Hiroshi Shimada, Seiro Satohisa, Shin Kikuchi, Tsuyoshi Saito, Takashi Kojima

Histochemistry and cell biology 154 ( 2 ) 197 - 213 2020.08 [International journal]

Apoptosis-stimulating p53 protein 2 (ASPP2) is an apoptosis inducer that acts via binding with p53 and epithelial polarity molecule PAR3. Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is an important molecule at tricellular contacts, and loss of LSR promotes cell migration and invasion via Yes-associated protein (YAP) in human endometrial cancer cells. In the present study, to find how ASPP2 suppression promotes malignancy in human endometrial cancer, we investigated its mechanisms including the relationship with LSR. In endometriosis and endometrial cancers (G1 and G2), ASPP2 was observed as well as PAR3 and LSR in the subapical region. ASPP2 decreased in G3 endometrial cancer compared to G1. In human endometrial cancer cell line Sawano, ASPP2 was colocalized with LSR and tricellulin at tricellular contacts and binding to PAR3, LSR, and tricellulin in the confluent state. ASPP2 suppression promoted cell migration and invasion, decreased LSR expression, and induced expression of phosphorylated YAP, claudin-1, -4, and -7 as effectively as the loss of LSR. Knockdown of YAP prevented the upregulation of pYAP, cell migration and invasion induced by the ASPP2 suppression. Treatment with a specific antibody against ASPP2 downregulated ASPP2 and LSR, affected F-actin at tricellular contacts, upregulated expression of pYAP and claudin-1, and induced cell migration and invasion via YAP. In normal human endometrial epithelial cells, ASPP2 was in part colocalized with LSR at tricellular contacts and knockdown of ASPP2 or LSR induced expression of claudin-1 and claudin-4. ASPP2 suppression promoted cell invasion and migration via LSR and YAP in human endometrial cancer cells.

Tricellular tight junction protein LSR/angulin-1 contributes to the epithelial barrier and malignancy in human pancreatic cancer cell line.

Takuro Kyuno, Daisuke Kyuno, Takayuki Kohno, Takumi Konno, Shin Kikuchi, Chihiro Arimoto, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Masafumi Imamura, Yasutoshi Kimura, Masuo Kondoh, Ichiro Takemasa, Takashi Kojima

Histochemistry and cell biology 153 ( 1 ) 5 - 16 2020.01 [Refereed] [International journal]

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR)/angulin-1 is a crucial molecule of tricellular contacts in the epithelial barrier of normal cells and the malignancy of cancer cells. To investigate whether LSR/angulin-1 affects the epithelial barrier and malignancy in human pancreatic cancer, human pancreatic cancer cell line HPAC was used. Treatment with EGF or TGF-β increased the expression of LSR, but not tricellulin (TRIC), and induced the localization of LSR and TRIC to bicellular tight junctions from tricellular tight junctions. TGF-β receptor type-1 inhibitor EW-7197 prevented changes of the distribution and the barrier function of LSR by TGF-β. Knockdown of LSR increased cell migration, invasion, proliferation and EGF ligand amphiregulin expression and decreased the epithelial barrier. Treatment with amphiregulin induced cell migration and invasion and knockdown of amphiregulin prevented the increases of cell migration, invasion and proliferation caused by knockdown of LSR. Treatment with LSR ligand peptide angubindin-1 decreased the epithelial barrier and the expression of LSR, but not TRIC, and increased cell invasion. Knockdown of TRIC decreased cell migration and the epithelial barrier. In immunohistochemical analysis of human pancreatic cancer tissues, LSR and TRIC were found to be localized at the cell membranes of normal pancreatic ducts and well-differentiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), whereas in poorly differentiated PDAC, LSR was weakly detected in the cytoplasm. Amphiregulin was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of well- and poorly differentiated PDAC. In pancreatic cancer, LSR contributes to the epithelial barrier and malignancy via growth factors and may be a potential targeting molecule in the therapy.

Localization of Tricellular Tight Junction Molecule LSR at Midbody and Centrosome During Cytokinesis in Human Epithelial Cells.

Takumi Konno, Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Hiroshi Shimada, Seiro Satohisa, Kenichi Takano, Tsuyoshi Saito, Takashi Kojima

The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society 68 ( 1 ) 59 - 72 2020.01 [International journal]

Epithelial integrity and barrier function are maintained during cytokinesis in vertebrate epithelial tissues. The changes in localization and the roles of tricellular tight junction molecule lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) during cytokinesis are not well known, although new tricellular tight junctions form at the flank of the midbody during cytokinesis. In this study, we investigated the changes in localization and the role of LSR at the midbody and centrosome during cytokinesis using human endometrial carcinoma cell line Sawano, comparing the tricellular tight junction molecule tricellulin; bicellular tight junction molecules occludin, claudin-7, zonula occludens-1, and cingulin; and the epithelial polarized related molecules apoptosis-stimulating of p53 protein 2, PAR3, and yes-associated protein. During cytokinesis induced by treatment with taxol, the epithelial barrier was maintained and the tricellular tight junction molecules LSR and tricellulin were concentrated at the flank of the acetylated tubulin-positive midbody and in γ-tubulin-positive centrosomes with the dynein adaptor Hook2, whereas the other molecules were localized there as well. All the molecules disappeared by knockdown using small interfering RNAs. Furthermore, by the knockdown of Hook2, the epithelial barrier was maintained and most of the molecules disappeared from the centrosome. These findings suggest that LSR may play crucial roles not only in barrier function but also in cytokinesis.

Epithelial barrier dysfunction and cell migration induction via JNK/cofilin/actin by angubindin-1.

Takumi Konno, Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Hiroshi Shimada, Seiro Satohisa, Tsuyoshi Saito, Masuo Kondoh, Takashi Kojima

Tissue barriers 8 ( 1 ) 1695475 - 1695475 2020 [International journal]

Angulin-1/LSR is a tricellular tight junction molecule, that plays an important role in maintaining the epithelial and endothelial barriers. The actin cytoskeleton at tricellular contacts also contributes to the maintenance of the epithelial barrier. Loss of angulin-1/LSR enhances the migration of various cancer cells. Angubindin-1 is a novel binder to angulin-1/LSR and angulin-3. It is a peptide generated from the angulin-1 binding site of Clostridium perfringens iota toxin, which affects the actin cytoskeleton and decreases the epithelial and endothelial barrier functions. However, its regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of the epithelial barrier dysfunction and cell migration induction by angubindin-1, we used human endometrial cancer cell line Sawano, which has high LSR expression and the epithelial barrier function. Angubindin-1 decreased LSR expression and the epithelial barrier function and increased cell migration. It inhibited the recovery of the epithelial barrier function in a Ca-switch model. At tricellular contacts, sinking of the membrane and an increase of actin fibers near the junctions were caused by angubindin-1. It dynamically changed F-actin from lines to dot-like structures at tricellular contacts. Angubindin-1 transiently increased the phosphorylation of cofilin and JNK, which are involved in the regulation of the intracellular actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, knockdown of JNK and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 prevented the decrease of the epithelial barrier function and the increase of cell migration induced by angubindin-1. These findings suggest that angubindin-1 might reversibly regulate the epithelial barrier and cell migration at tricellular contacts via JNK/cofilin/actin cytoskeleton dynamics.

Rho-kinase and PKCα Inhibition Induces Primary Cilia Elongation and Alters the Behavior of Undifferentiated and Differentiated Temperature-sensitive Mouse Cochlear Cells.

Akito Kakiuchi, Takayuki Kohno, Takuya Kakuki, Yakuto Kaneko, Takumi Konno, Yukino Hosaka, Tomohiro Hata, Shin Kikuchi, Takafumi Ninomiya, Tetsuo Himi, Kenichi Takano, Takashi Kojima

The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society 67 ( 7 ) 523 - 535 2019.07 [Refereed] [International journal]

Primary cilia, regulated via distinct signal transduction pathways, play crucial roles in various cellular behaviors. However, the full regulatory mechanism involved in primary cilia development during cellular differentiation is not fully understood, particularly for the sensory hair cells of the mammalian cochlea. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 and PKCα inhibitor GF109203X on primary cilia-related cell behavior in undifferentiated and differentiated temperature-sensitive mouse cochlear precursor hair cells (the conditionally immortalized US/VOT-E36 cell line). Our results indicate that treatment with Y27632 or GF109203X induced primary cilia elongation and tubulin acetylation in both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. Concomitant with cilia elongation, Y27632 treatment also increased Hook2 and cyclinD1 expression, while only Hook2 expression was increased after treatment with GF109203X. In the undifferentiated cells, we observed an increase in the number of S and G2/M stage cells and a decrease of G1 cells after treatment with Y27632, while the opposite was observed after treatment with GF109203X. Finally, while both treatments decreased oxidative stress, only treatment with Y27632, not GF109203X, induced cell cycle-dependent cell proliferation and cell migration.

Mitochondria transfer from mesenchymal stem cells structurally and functionally repairs renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in diabetic nephropathy in vivo.

Naoto Konari, Kanna Nagaishi, Shin Kikuchi, Mineko Fujimiya

Scientific reports 9 ( 1 ) 5184 - 5184 2019.03 [International journal]

The underlying therapeutic mechanism of renal tubular epithelium repair of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) has not been fully elucidated. Recently, mitochondria (Mt) transfer was reported as a novel action of BM-MSCs to rescue injured cells. We investigated Mt transfer from systemically administered BM-MSCs to renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animals. BM-MSCs also transferred their Mt to impaired PTECs when co-cultured in vitro, which suppressed apoptosis of impaired PTECs. Additionally, BM-MSC-derived isolated Mt enhanced the expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 and Bcl-2 expression and inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro. Isolated Mt also inhibited nuclear translocation of PGC-1α and restored the expression of megalin and SGLT2 under high glucose condition (HG) in PTECs. Moreover, isolated Mt directly injected under the renal capsule of STZ rats improved the cellular morphology of STZ-PTECs, and the structure of the tubular basement membrane and brush border in vivo. This study is the first to show Mt transfer from systemically administered BM-MSCs to damaged PTECs in vivo, and the first to investigate mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic effects of Mt transfer from BM-MSCs in DN.

Cobalt inhibits motility of axonal mitochondria and induces axonal degeneration in cultured dorsal root ganglion cells of rat.

Shin Kikuchi, Takafumi Ninomiya, Takayuki Kohno, Takashi Kojima, Haruyuki Tatsumi

Cell biology and toxicology 34 ( 2 ) 93 - 107 2018.04 [Refereed] [International journal]

Cobalt is a trace element that localizes in the human body as cobalamin, also known as vitamin B12. Excessive cobalt exposure induces a peripheral neuropathy, the mechanisms of which are yet to be elucidated. We investigated how cobalt may affect mitochondrial motility in primary cultures of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG). We observed mitochondrial motility by time-lapse imaging after DsRed2 tagging via lentivirus, mitochondrial structure using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and axonal swelling using immunocytochemical staining. The concentration of cobaltous ion (Co2+) required to significantly suppress mitochondrial motility is lower than that required to induce axonal swelling following a 24-h treatment. Exposure to relatively low concentrations of Co2+ for 48 h suppressed mitochondrial motility without leading to axonal swelling. TEM images indicated that Co2+ induces mitochondrial destruction. Our results show that destruction of the axonal mitochondria precedes the axonal degeneration induced by Co2+ exposure.

The role of transcriptional factor p63 in regulation of epithelial barrier and ciliogenesis of human nasal epithelial cells.

Yakuto Kaneko, Takayuki Kohno, Takuya Kakuki, Ken-Ichi Takano, Noriko Ogasawara, Ryo Miyata, Shin Kikuchi, Takumi Konno, Tsuyoshi Ohkuni, Ryoto Yajima, Akito Kakiuchi, Shin-Ichi Yokota, Tetsuo Himi, Takashi Kojima

Scientific reports ( NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP ) 7 ( 1 ) 10935 - 10935 2017.09 [Refereed] [International journal]

Disruption of nasal epithelial tight junctions (TJs) and ciliary dysfunction are found in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal polyps (NPs), along with an increase of p63-positive basal cells and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. To investigate these mechanisms, primary cultures of HNECs transfected with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT-HNECs) were transfected with siRNAs of TAp63 and Delta Np63, treated with the NF-kB inhibitor curucumin and inhibitors of HDACs, and infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In TERT-HNECs, knockdown of p63 by siRNAs of TAp63 and Delta Np63, induced claudin-1 and -4 with Sp1 activity and enhanced barrier and fence functions. The knockdown of p63 enhanced the number of microvilli with the presence of cilia-like structures. Treatment with curcumin and inhibitors of HDACs, or infection with RSV prevented expression of p63 with an increase of claudin-4 and the number of microvilli. The knockdown or downregulation of p63 inhibited phospho-p38MAPK, and the p38MAPK inhibitor downregulated p63 and upregulated the barrier function. Thus, epithelial barrier and ciliogenesis of nasal epithelium are regulated in a p63-negative manner in normal and upper airway diseases. Understanding of the regulation of p63/p38 MAPK/NF-kappa B may be important in the therapy for airway allergy and its drug delivery system.

Histone deacetylase inhibition prevents cell death induced by loss of tricellular tight junction proteins in temperature-sensitive mouse cochlear cells.

Kenichi Takano, Takuya Kakuki, Yakuto Kaneko, Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Tetsuo Himi, Takashi Kojima

PloS one ( PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE ) 12 ( 8 ) e0182291 2017.08 [Refereed] [International journal]

Tricellular tight junctions (tTJs) are specialized structures that occur where the corners of three cells meet to seal adjacent intercellular space. The molecular components of tTJs include tricellulin (TRIC) and lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) which recruits TRIC, are required for normal hearing. Although loss of TRIC causes hearing loss with degeneration of cochlear cells, the detailed mechanisms remains unclear. In the present study, by using temperature-sensitive mouse cochlear cells, US/VOT-E36 cell line, we investigated the changes of TRIC and LSR during cochlear cell differentiation and the effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors against cell degeneration induced by loss of TRIC and LSR. During cell differentiation induced by the temperature change, expression of TRIC and LSR were clearly induced. Treatment with metformin enhanced expression TRIC and LSR via AMPK during cell differentiation. Loss of TRIC and LSR by the siRNAs induced cell death in differentiated cells. Treatment with HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A and HDAC6 inhibitor prevented the cell death induced by loss of TRIC and LSR. Collectively, these findings suggest that both tTJ proteins TRIC and LSR have crucial roles for the differentiated cochlear cell survival, and that HDAC inhibitors may be potential therapeutic agents to prevent hearing loss.

The bicellular tensile force sorts the localization of LSRs in bicellular and tricellular junctions.

Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Takafumi Ninomiya, Takashi Kojima

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences ( WILEY ) 1397 ( 1 ) 185 - 194 2017.06 [Refereed] [International journal]

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptors (LSRs) localize to tricellular tight junctions. Recent studies have shown that changes in the localization and expression profiles of LSRs are associated with malignancy of endometrial carcinomas, although the precise mechanisms by which malignant progression induces changes in the localization of LSRs are still unknown. In this study, we found that changes in cell tension correlated with alterations in the junctional localization of LSRs in endometrial cancer Sawano cells. At high cell densities, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) localized to bicellular junctions, whereas activated myosin regulatory light chain 2 (MRLC2) was dislocated from these regions, suggesting that circumferential tensile forces decreased at high cell densities. Under these conditions, LSRs localized to tricellular junctions. In contrast, a phosphorylated form of MRLC2 localized to bicellular regions, while MYPT1 was excluded from these regions, suggesting that tensile forces formed along the circumferential edge at low cell densities. It is noteworthy that, when cells were cultured under these conditions, LSRs localized to bicellular regions. Upon treatment with a myosin inhibitor, LSR localization in bicellular junctions decreased at low cell densities. Overall, our results indicate that the modulation of cellular tension was involved in the translocation of LSRs from bicellular to tricellular tight junctions.

1．クラウド活用のために：「情報薬」の開発と応用

辰巳治之, 溝口照悟, 新見隆彦, 太田秀造, 竹中郁夫, 菊池真, 市川量一, 二宮孝文, 戸倉一, 山口徳蔵

日本皮膚科学会雑誌 ( 公益社団法人日本皮膚科学会 ) 127 ( 11 ) 2455 - 2461 2017

クラウドを流れる情報を，どの様に活用するかが重要である．そこで，原点に戻り，情報の定義を「人の心を動かすもの」とすると，分子生物学的に「細胞を動かすもの」といえ，医療に活用できるところから「情報薬」という発想に辿り着いた．例えば，医療情報の氾濫による弊害は一種の社会病であり，「情報薬」により予防できる．そこでクラウド活用のためのワイドスペクトラムな「情報薬」について説明し，その応用について述べる．

Staurosporine induces formation of two types of extra-long cell protrusions: actin-based filaments and microtubule-based shafts.

Takayuki Kohno, Takafumi Ninomiya, Shin Kikuchi, Takumi Konno, Takashi Kojima

Molecular pharmacology ( AMER SOC PHARMACOLOGY EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS ) 87 ( 5 ) 815 - 24 2015.05 [Refereed] [International journal]

Staurosporine (STS) has been known as a classic protein kinase C inhibitor and is a broad-spectrum inhibitor targeting over 250 protein kinases. In this study, we observed that STS treatment induced drastic morphologic changes, such as elongation of a very large number of nonbranched, actin-based long cell protrusions that reached up to 30 mu m in an hour without caspase activation or PARP cleavage in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. These cell protrusions were elongated not only from the free cell edge but also from the cell-cell junctions. The elongation of STS-dependent protrusions was required for ATP hydrolysis and was dependent on myosin-X and fascin but independent of Cdc42 and VASP. Interestingly, in the presence of an actin polymerization inhibitor, namely, cytochalasin D, latrunculin A, or jasplakinolide, STS treatment induced excess tubulin polymerization, which resulted in the formation of many extra-long microtubule (MT)-based protrusions toward the outside of the cell. The unique MT-based protrusions were thick and linear compared with the STS-induced filaments or stationary filopodia. These protrusions, which were composed of microtubules, have been scarcely observed in cultured non-neuronal cells. Taken together, our findings revealed that STS-sensitive kinases are essential for the maintenance of normal cell morphology, and a common unidentified molecular mechanism is involved in the formation of the following two different types of protrusions: actin-based filaments and MT-based shafts.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125 enhances barrier function and elongation of human pancreatic cancer cell line HPAC in a Ca-switch model.

Takumi Konno, Takafumi Ninomiya, Takayuki Kohno, Shin Kikuchi, Norimasa Sawada, Takashi Kojima

Histochemistry and cell biology ( SPRINGER ) 143 ( 5 ) 471 - 9 2015.05 [Refereed] [International journal]

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), known as a stress-activated protein kinase, regulates normal epithelial biological processes, including assembly of adherens and tight junctions, and it is involved in the development of several cancers. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 enhances epithelial barrier function through modulation of tight junction molecules in normal human pancreatic epithelial cells. Furthermore, this JNK inhibitor suppresses the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells. However, the effects of SP600125 on the epithelial barrier in human pancreatic cancer cells remain unknown. In the present study, the JNK inhibitor SP600125 markedly enhanced the barrier function and cell elongation of well-differentiated human pancreatic cancer cell line HPAC in a Ca-switch model. The epithelial barrier function induced by SP600125 was regulated by phosphorylated beta-catenin without changes in the tight junction molecules. The cell elongation induced by SP600125 was closely related to the expression of the F-actin-binding protein DrebrinE. These findings suggest that JNK is involved in the regulation of the epithelial barrier function and cell shape during remodeling of pancreatic cancer cells. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 may have potential as a therapeutic drug for pancreatic cancer via induction of differentiation.

Mitochondrial fission augments capsaicin-induced axonal degeneration.

Hao Chiang, Nobuhiko Ohno, Yu-Lin Hsieh, Don J Mahad, Shin Kikuchi, Hitoshi Komuro, Sung-Tsang Hsieh, Bruce D Trapp

Acta neuropathologica ( SPRINGER ) 129 ( 1 ) 81 - 96 2015.01 [Refereed] [International journal]

Capsaicin, an agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1, induces axonal degeneration of peripheral sensory nerves and is commonly used to treat painful sensory neuropathies. In this study, we investigated the role of mitochondrial dynamics in capsaicin-induced axonal degeneration. In capsaicin-treated rodent sensory axons, axonal swellings, decreased mitochondrial stationary site length and reduced mitochondrial transport preceded axonal degeneration. Increased axoplasmic Ca2+ mediated the alterations in mitochondrial length and transport. While sustaining mitochondrial transport did not reduce axonal swellings in capsaicin-treated axons, preventing mitochondrial fission by overexpression of mutant dynamin-related protein 1 increased mitochondrial length, retained mitochondrial membrane potentials and reduced axonal loss upon capsaicin treatment. These results establish that mitochondrial stationary site size significantly affects axonal integrity and suggest that inhibition of Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial fission facilitates mitochondrial function and axonal survival following activation of axonal cationic channels.

髄鞘形成期における初代培養ラット後根神経節細胞への組み替えアデノウイルスを用いた変異MPZ cDNAの導入

菊池真, 小塚直樹, 二宮孝文, 山下利春, 武田秀勝, 舘延忠

札幌医科大学保健医療学紀要 13 21 - 27 2011 [Refereed]

Tricellulin is expressed in autotypic tight junctions of peripheral myelinating Schwann cells.

Shin Kikuchi, Takafumi Ninomiya, Haruyuki Tatsumi, Norimasa Sawada, Takashi Kojima

The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society ( SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD ) 58 ( 12 ) 1067 - 73 2010.12 [Refereed] [International journal]

Autotypic tight junctions are formed by tight junction-like structures in three regions of myelinating Schwann cells, the paranodal loops, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and outer/inner mesaxons, and various tight junction molecules, including claudin-19 and junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-C. Our findings demonstrate the identification and subcellular distribution of a novel tricellular tight junction protein, tricellulin (TRIC), in the autotypic tight junctions of mouse myelinating Schwann cells, compared with the autotypic adherens junction protein E-cadherin and the autotypic tight junction protein JAM-C, which are expressed in the paranodal loops, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and mesaxons. In real-time RT-PCR, the expression level of TRIC mRNA was about 10-fold higher in the sciatic nerve than in the spinal cord or cerebrum. In immunostaining, TRIC signals were completely restricted to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and strongly concentrated at the paranodal loops, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and mesaxons of myelinating Schwann cells. In addition, TRIC was expressed in the thin region of the paranode and there was a gap between TRIC and the Na(+) channel. Furthermore, TRIC was more distally located from the node than E-cadherin and was colocalized with JAM-C. It is possible that TRIC may be a component to maintain the integrity for PNS myelin function and morphology. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc.org. Please visit this article online to view these materials. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:1067-1073, 2010)

c-Jun N-terminal kinase is largely involved in the regulation of tricellular tight junctions via tricellulin in human pancreatic duct epithelial cells.

Takashi Kojima, Jun Fuchimoto, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Tatsuya Ito, Akira Takasawa, Takafumi Ninomiya, Shin Kikuchi, Noriko Ogasawara, Tsuyoshi Ohkuni, Tomoyuki Masaki, Koichi Hirata, Tetsuo Himi, Norimasa Sawada

Journal of cellular physiology ( WILEY-LISS ) 225 ( 3 ) 720 - 33 2010.11 [Refereed] [International journal]

Tricellulin (TRIC) is a tight junction protein at tricellular contacts where three epithelial cells meet, and it is required for the maintenance of the epithelial barrier. To investigate whether TRIC is regulated via a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, human pancreatic HPAC cells, highly expressed at tricellular contacts, were exposed to various stimuli such as the JNK activators anisomycin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), and the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, and IL-1 alpha. TRIC expression and the barrier function were moderated by treatment with the JNK activator anisomycin, and suppressed not only by inhibitors of JNK and PKC but also by siRNAs of TRIC. TRIC expression was induced by treatment with the PKC activator TPA and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, and IL-1 alpha, whereas the changes were inhibited by a JNK inhibitor. Furthermore, in normal human pancreatic duct epithelial cells using hTERT-transfected primary cultured cells, the responses of TRIC expression to the various stimuli were similar to those in HPAC cells. TRIC expression in tricellular tight junctions is strongly regulated together with the barrier function via the JNK transduction pathway. These findings suggest that JNK may be involved in the regulation of tricellular tight junctions including TRIC expression and the barrier function during normal remodeling of epithelial cells, and prevent disruption of the epithelial barrier in inflammation and other disorders in pancreatic duct epithelial cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 720-733, 2010. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The acid-sensing ion channel 2 (ASIC2) of ciliated cells in the developing rat nasal septum.

Shin Kikuchi, Takafumi Ninomiya, Tomoyuki Kawamata, Noriko Ogasawara, Takashi Kojima, Nobutada Tachi, Haruyuki Tatsumi

Archives of histology and cytology ( INT SOC HISTOLOGY & CYTOLOGY ) 73 ( 2 ) 81 - 9 2010 [Refereed] [Domestic journal]

The airway epithelium is exposed to an acidic environment in certain conditions. The acid-sensing ion channel 2 (ASIC2) belongs to the epithelial amiloride-sensitive sodium channel and degenerin (ENaC/DEG) family and is expressed on cilia of the respiratory epithelium. The aim of this study was to detect the expression of ASIC2 in the nasal septum in the embryonic stage of the rat. ASIC2 expression was not observed in the primary cilium but was found in some cilia on embryonic day 17 (E17). After E18, all cilia showed ASIC2 immunoreactivity. RT-PCR analysis revealed that ASIC2b, a subtype of ASIC2, was expressed in the nasal septum while ASIC2a was not. Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR studies indicated that the expression level of ASIC2 mRNA was highest on E21, just before birth. These results imply that ASIC2 plays little part in the development of the nasal septum epithelium. On the other hand, ASIC2, especially ASIC2b, may function for the survival and retention of ciliated cells of the nasal septum against dynamic changes in the pH environment at birth.

Expression and localization of tricellulin in human nasal epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro

Tsuyoshi Ohkuni, Takashi Kojima, Noriko Ogasawara, Tomoyuki Masaki, Takafumi Ninomiya, Shin Kikuchi, Mitsuru Go, Ken-ichi Takano, Tetsuo Himi, Norimasa Sawada

MEDICAL MOLECULAR MORPHOLOGY ( SPRINGER TOKYO ) 42 ( 4 ) 204 - 211 2009.12 [Refereed]

Tricellulin was identified as the first marker of the tricellular tight junction, which forms at the meeting points of three cells, and it is required for the maintenance of the transepithelial barrier. Although it is also considered to be important for the mucosal barrier of the upper respiratory tract, little is known about its expression and localization. In the present study, we examined the expression and localization of tricellulin in normal human nasal epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro, especially using primary cultures and telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-transfected cells. In human nasal epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro, mRNA and protein of tricellulin were detected. It was localized not only at tricellular contacts but also at bicellular borders, and in part colocalized with occludin. In human nasal epithelium, by immunoelectron microscopy analysis, tricellulin-associated gold particles were observed around the junction-like structure of the uppermost region. By treatment with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), expression of tricellulin mRNA was weakly increased, whereas that of bicellular tight junction molecules was strongly increased, in real-time PCR. These results suggest that tricellulin is stably expressed in human nasal epithelial cells and may play an important role for the sealing of the corner at tricellular contacts to prevent infiltration by various inhaled viruses and antigens.

Expression of ASIC2 in ciliated cells and stereociliated cells

Shin Kikuchi, Takafumi Ninomiya, Tomoyuki Kawamata, Haruyuki Tatsumi

CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH ( SPRINGER ) 333 ( 2 ) 217 - 224 2008.08 [Refereed]

Acid-sensing ion channel 2 (ASIC2) plays a role as a mechanorecptor and acid receptor in the peripheral and central nervous systems. However, several recent studies have suggested that ASIC2 is expressed in several organs, in addition to the nervous system. We have examined the expression and distribution of ASIC2 in rat ciliated cells (trachea and oviduct) and stereociliated cells (epididymis, Corti organ, and ampullary crest) by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Imunohistochemistry revealed that ASIC2 was expressed in both ciliated cells and stereociliated cells, but the localization differed between these cell types. In ciliated cells, ASIC2 was coexpressed with a cilial marker (acetylated tubulin). In stereociliated cells stained with a stereocilial marker (phalloidin), ASIC2 was observed in the cell body. Observation by TEM suggested that ASIC2 expression was present at the apical side of the cilial membrane in ciliated cells and at the apical side of the cell body in stereociliated cells. This study thus indicates that the proton receptor ASIC2 is expressed in both ciliated and stereociliated cells.

Expression of tight junction proteins in epithelium including Ck20-positive M-like cells of human adenoids in vivo and in vitro

Ken-ichi Takano, Takashi Kojima, Noriko Ogasawara, Mitsuru Go, Shin Kikuchi, Takafumi Ninomiya, Makoto Kurose, Jun-ichi Koizumi, Ryuta Kamekura, Masaki Murata, Satoshi Tanaka, Hideki Chiba, Tetsuo Himi, Norimasa Sawada

JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR HISTOLOGY ( SPRINGER ) 39 ( 3 ) 265 - 273 2008.06 [Refereed]

The human adenoid epithelium forms a continuous barrier against a wide variety of exogenous antigens. In this study, to elucidate the structures of the epithelial barrier in the human adenoid, including M-cells, we identified M-cells using an anti-cytokeratin 20 (Ck20) antibody and investigated expression of tight junction proteins in human adenoid epithelium in vivo and in vitro. In human adenoid epithelium and primary cultures, mRNAs of occludin, junctional adhesion molecule-A, ZO-1, and claudin-1, -4, -7, and -8 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, whereas claudin-2 and -9 were expressed in vitro. In the epithelium in vivo, some Ck20-positive cells were randomly observed and indicated pocket-like structures, whereas Ck7 was positive in almost cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Ck20-associated gold particles could be identified in M-like cells which had short microvilli and harboured the lymphocyte in the pocket-like structure. In primary cultures in vitro, Ck20-positive cells were also detected and had a function to take up fluorescent microparticles. In Ck20-positive cells in vivo and in vitro, expression of occludin, ZO-1, claudin-1 and -7 were observed at cell borders. These results indicate that the epithelial barrier of the human adenoid is stably maintained by expression of tight junction proteins in the epithelium including Ck20-positive M-like cells.

The change of grip strength in a patient with congenital myotonic dystrophy over a 4-year period

Shin Kikuchi, Naoki Kozuka, Eiji Uchida, Takafumi Ninomiya, Haruyuki Tatsumi, Hidekatsu Takeda, Nobutada Tachi

Journal of the Japanese Physical Therapy Association ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) 23 - 27 2008 [Refereed]

Myotonic dystrophy (MyD) is a neuromuscular disease that is autosomal dominant and the most common form of muscular dystrophy affecting adults. The clinical features of MyD include a multisystemic disorder characterized by myotonia, progressive muscle weakness and wasting, cataracts, premature balding and mental retardation. The most severe type of MyD is classified as congenital MyD (CMyD). The muscle weakness in CMyD is very severe, but muscle development can be observed in the period of growth. However, no clinical case of this type has been reported yet. Therefore, we report on a girl with CMyD who had an increase in muscle strength over a four-year period. The girl with CMyD participated in this study from the age of 9 to the age of 12. The measurement of muscle strength was recorded as the maximum score of grip strength with the use of dynamometers. Grip strength was assessed once a year by the same two physical therapists. Grip strength of CMyD for each year was markedly weak when compared with the normal controls, but muscle strength changed within some specific growth areas. The muscle weakness in CMyD was remarkable, but the result showed that specific muscle strength of CMyD in childhood was actually increased.

Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1(SMARD1)の臨床

舘延忠, 菊池真, 仙石泰仁, 小塚直樹, 野上亜津彩

小児科診療 69 131 - 132 2006 [Refereed]

A new mutation of IGHMBP2 gene in spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1

N Tachi, S Kikuchi, N Kozuka, A Nogami

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY ( ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC ) 32 ( 4 ) 288 - 290 2005.04 [Refereed]

This report presents a new mutation in the first Japanese female infant with spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1. She manifested the characteristic clinical features, including early-onset respiratory failure due to diaphragmatic paralysis and severe distal muscle weakness. Muscle biopsy in the femoral muscle indicated massive neurogenic changes. Sural nerve biopsy disclosed a moderate reduction of myelinated fibers, predominantly reduced large fibers. She had a novel homozygous missense mutation 2685 C -> A, leading to a T879K substitution in the immunoglobulin mu-binding protein 2 gene. Both parents were heterozygous for this mutation. (c) 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

急性の脳障害を呈した小児のリハビリテーション

谷口志穂, 小塚直樹, 横串算敏, 菊池真, 坪田貞子, 加藤正巳

北海道リハビリテーション学会雑誌 33 57 - 61 2005 [Refereed]

aprataxin遺伝子変異689ins T患者の小脳症状、末梢神経症状に関する報告

堀本佳誉, 小塚直樹, 菊池真, 舘延忠

北海道理学療法 22 58 - 62 2005 [Refereed]

先天性筋強直性ジストロフィー症における3年間の筋力変化

菊池真, 小塚直樹, 舘延忠, 堀本佳誉, 内田英二, 仙石泰仁, 武田秀勝

北海道理学療法 21 69 - 73 2004 [Refereed]

Non-radioactive PCR southern method for analysis of CTG repeat in myotonic dystrophy

Naoki Kozuka, Nobutada Tachi, Kazuhiro Ohya, Eiji Uchida, Shin Kikuchi, Yasuhito Sengoku

No To Hattatsu ( 5 ) 35 ( 5 ) 380 - 387 2003 [Refereed]

Myotonic dystrophy (MyD) is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder of an autosomal dominant trait. MyD is caused by an expansion of unstable CTG trinucleotide repeat in the 3′ untranslated region of mRNA coding myotonin protein kinase (MT-PK). We analyzed CTG repeat expansion in 10 patients with congenital MyD and their relatives using the non-radioactive PCR Southern method. The region containing the CTG repeat was amplified by PCR using specific primers. The PCR products were electrophoresed on a 1% agarose gel and transferred to a nylon membrane. The CTG repeat expansion was shown using a fluorescein-labelled (CTG) 10 probe. To estimate the number of CTG repeats, we compared the smears obtained on Southern blotting with a picture of PCR products and a DNA size marker (100 bp). We compared our results of radioactive Southern blotting for genomic DNA digested by Eco RI or Bgl I and for PCR products. In congenital MyD patients, heterogeneous smears (3.89-10.22kb: about 1252-3362 CTG repeat) were observed, whereas in the adult type MyD had heterogeneous smears (0.92-1.82kb: about 262-562 CTG repeat). In asymptomatic MyD patients, there were heterogeneous smears (0.35-1.16kb: about 72-342 CTG repeat). These results demonstrated anticipation. We conclude that the non-radioactive PCR Southern method is useful and convenient for the DNA diagnosis of MyD.

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