Brown Norway allergy model rats sensitized to toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) were developed. Histamine H₁ receptor mRNA level was elevated in nasal mucosa of allergy model rats after the provocation with TDI, which was followed by H₁-receptor up-regulation. Elevation of histamine H₁ receptor mRNA was partially suppressed by d-chlorpheniramine and olopatadine, antihistamines. Histamine induced increase in histamine H₁ receptor gene expression in vitro, and the protein kinase C-δ isoform was suggested to mediate the gene expression. On the other hand, elevation of histamine H₁ receptor mRNA was completely suppressed by dexamethasone in allergy model rats. Provocation with TDI also induced mRNA elevation of histidine decarboxylase, a sole histamine-forming enzyme, followed by the increase of both HDC activity and histamine content in nasal mucosa of allergy model rats. HDC mRNA elevation and increase in both HDC activity and histamine level were almost completely suppressed by dexamethasone. These observations suggest that histamine H₁ receptor up-regulation and increase in histamine level play an important role in allergy through the regulation of histamine signaling.

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In a mouse experimental asthma model, the administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), particularly at low doses, enhances the levels of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation. In an effort to clarify the cellular and molecular basis for the LPS effect, we demonstrate that the OVA-induced eosinophilic inflammation in the lung is dramatically increased by administration of LPS at the priming phase in wild-type mice, whereas such an increase was not observed in mast cell deficient mice. Adoptive transfer of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) from wild type but not from Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-deficient mice restored the increased eosinophilic inflammation in mast cell–deficient mice. Moreover, in vitro analysis revealed that treatment of BMMC with LPS resulted in sustained up-regulation of GATA1 expression and increased production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) upon restimulation. Thus, mast cells appear to control allergic airway inflammation after their activation and modulation through TLR4-mediated induction of GATA1 proteins and subsequent increase in Th2 cytokine production.

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The crosslinking of FcεRI by IgE and antigen (Ag) on mast cells initiates activation cascades that lead to allergic responses. Although it was thought that IgE binding to FcεRI is a passive “sensitization”, recent reports suggest that IgE actively promotes mast cell survival in the absence of Ag. However, it is largely unknown how these distinct responses are delivered through the same receptor, FcεRI, depending on the types of stimli. As an underlying molecular mechanism for the generation of diverse responses through FcεRI, we found that the quantity and the duration of the signal through the FcεRI γ chain (FcRγ) determine different mast cell responses. Furthermore, FcRγ-mediated sustained Erk activation is critical for IgE-induced mast cell survival through autocrine production of IL-3. Transmembrane adaptors LAT and NTAL contribute to the maintenance of prolonged Erk activation through membrane retention of the Ras-activating complex, Grb2-Sos. In this review, the signal regulation for the distinct responses of mast cells through FcεRI are discussed.

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At the end of the last century, microarray technology that examines the total genes and transcripts present in a cell became available as a laboratory tool. Mast cells are known to play a pivotal role in initiating allergic inflammation by releasing various mediators and cytokines. According to the recent microarray-based studies, mast cells have been found to be much more versatile functional molecules than we ever thought. Also, genes that are exclusively expressed in mast cells have been identified in comparison with other cell types. In this article, the outcome of microarray-based analyses on the role of mast cells in allergic inflammation will be reviewed by focusing on the mast cell–specific genes as drug targets.

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Since its discovery in 1910, histamine has been regarded as one of the most important biogenic amines in the medical and biological fields. This article summarizes the information about the role of histamine in allergic situations, atherosclerosis, and autoimmune encephalomyelitis, especially focusing on our study with histidine decarboxylase gene knockout mouse. In the allergic bronchial asthma model, histamine positively controls eosinophilia but not bronchial hypersensitivity. Histamine is proved to be an important substance that controls body temperature and respiration in systemic anaphylaxis but its role in controlling blood pressure is minor. Histamine also plays a role in inducing atherosclerosis in the mouse model. We showed that experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is significantly more severe in histamine-deficient mice with diffuse inflammatory infiltrates in the brain and cerebellum, including a prevalent granulocytic component. Histamine is mainly produced in mast cells and basophils in hematopoietic cells. We’ve shown that mast cells not only produce histamine, but also uptake it from the environmental medium and release it by allergic stimulants. The protein used for the plasma transport of histamine in basophils was identified as organic cation transporter (OCT3).

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Although histamine is a central mediator in the immediate allergic reaction, its role in goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway of asthma is not completely understood. This study was designed to examine the role of histamine in goblet cell hyperplasia using histamine-deficient mice (Hdc^−/− mice) with allergic airway inflammation. Wild-type and Hdc^−/− C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). After two-week exposure to OVA, goblet cell hyperplasia was evaluated. Cell differentials in BALF were analyzed. The mRNAs level of MUC5AC and Gob-5 gene were quantitatively determined. The number of eosinophils in BALF increased in both the wild-type mice and Hdc^−/− mice; however, their ratio in Hdc^−/− mice was significantly lower than that in the wild-type mice. The mRNA levels of Gob-5 and MUC5AC and the ratio of the goblet cells in the airway epithelium were significantly increased in Hdc^−/− mice exposed to OVA compared to the wild-type mice under the same condition. These results suggested that histamine may play a regulatory role in goblet cell hyperplasia in allergic airway inflammation.

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Nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP)-receptor agonists have been shown to produce anxiolytic-like effects in rodents subjected to various behavioral assays. Recently, we developed a new nonpeptide agonist of the NOP receptor, 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (MCOPPB), as an anxiolytic agent. MCOPPB has a high affinity for the human NOP receptor (pKi = 10.07 ± 0.01) and selectivity for the NOP receptor over other members of the opioid receptor family: 12-, 270- and >1000-fold more selective for the NOP receptor than for the μ-, κ-, and δ-receptor, respectively. In an ex vivo binding study, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited signaling through the NOP receptor in the mouse brain, suggesting that it penetrated into the brain after it was orally administered. In the mouse Vogel conflict test, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (3 mg/kg, p.o.) elicited anxiolytic-like effects, although MCOPPB produced a bell-shaped response curve. In addition, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was still effective as an anxiolytic agent even after repeated administration for 5 days. MCOPPB at an oral dose of 10 mg/kg did not affect locomotor activity or memory, nor did it contribute to ethanol-induced hypnosis. On the other hand, the benzodiazepine-type anxiolytic agent diazepam caused memory deficits and enhanced ethanol-induced hypnosis. These findings suggest that MCOPPB – a compound with few adverse effects on the central nervous system – is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of anxiety.

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We examined whether phenoxazine derivatives, 2-amino-4,4α-dihydro-4α-7-dimethyl-3H-phenoxazine-3-one (Phx-1), 3-amino-1,4α-dihydro-4α-8-dimethyl-2H-phenoxazine-2-one (Phx-2), and 2-amino-phenoxazine-3-one (Phx-3) may have antiviral activity against herpes family viruses: human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The antiviral activity was evaluated by the selectivity index (SI), which is the ratio of 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) and 50% antiviral concentration (IC₅₀). Among these phenoxazines, Phx-2 exerted strong antiviral activity to HCMV with the SI of 200, while Phx-1 and Phx-3 exerted no marked anti-HCMV activity. Phx-2 also showed moderate inhibition of HSV-1 and HSV-2, with the SI of 6.7 and 17, respectively. In the time-of-addition experiments, inhibitory effect of Phx-2 against HCMV was active even when applied to cells at 100 h after HCMV infection, while ganciclovir (GCV) showed potent inhibition when applied to cells before 42-h post-infection, but its inhibitory effects disappeared thereafter. Attachment and penetration of HCMV was not affected by the presence of Phx-2. When HCMV was pretreated with Phx-2, concentration-dependent virucidal action was observed, suggesting that Phx-2 inactivates HCMV directly. From these data, it was found that Phx-2 might have a different anti-HCMV target from GCV.

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Taking into consideration that mechanisms involved in the vasodilatator actions of angiotensin II have not yet been completely elucidated, the present study was undertaken in order to examine the mechanisms underlying the angiotensin II–induced relaxation of rat renal artery (RRA). Angiotensin II produced concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation of isolated RRA. Angiotensin II–induced relaxation was partially reduced by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and guanylyl cyclase. The remaining dilatation was inhibited by a potassium channel blocker, charybdotoxin. Precontraction of RRA with high concentration of K⁺ partially reduced angiotensin II–evoked relaxation, while indomethacin, glibenclamide, apamin and barium did not alter the angiotensin II concentration-response curve. Losartan had no effect on angiotensin II effect. Oppositely, HOE 140 and PD123319, separately or in combination, partially antagonized vasorelaxation induced by angiotensin II. Complete blockade of RRA response was obtained after simultaneous incubation of all three receptor antagonists HOE-140, PD123319, and losartan; L-NOARG plus HOE-140; or PD123319 plus charybdotoxin. These results indicate that angiotensin II produces endothelium-independent relaxation of RRA, which is most probably mediated by the interaction of the NO-cGMP pathway and K⁺ channels. Moreover, we can assume that AT₁, AT₂, and B₂ receptors are involved in the vasorelaxant effect of angiotensin II.

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In the present experiments, we tried to elucidate whether changes in arginase activity and protein expression of arginase I and II are involved in the occurrence of intimal hyperplasia in premenopausal human uterine arteries. They were obtained from thirty-four patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy with informed consent for the present study. All specimens were assessed histologically and the intima/media ratio (%) was evaluated as an index of the intimal hyperplasia. Thirteen patients out of 34 had histologically normal arteries (intima/media ratio = 18.1 ± 0.7%), whereas the remaining 21 patients had various degrees of intimal hyperplasia (intima/media ratio = 32.7 ± 2.3%), and these specimens were categorized as hyperplasic. Intimal hyperplasia was accompanied by impaired cyclic GMP production, enhanced overall arginase activity, and up-regulations of arginase I and II in endothelial cells and of arginase II in the smooth muscle layer. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analyses revealed the close relationships among the arginase activities in endothelial cells and smooth muscle layer, the intimal/media ratio, and cyclic GMP production. These results suggest that the enhanced arginase activity and expressions of two arginase subtypes shed new light on the processes associated with the occurrence of intimal hyperplasia in premenopausal human uterine arteries.

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AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation has an antiapoptotic effect in endothelial cells, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether AMPK activation could inhibit palmitate-induced apoptosis through suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Palmitate increases ROS generation and thereby p38 activation, which leads to apoptosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells. The AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) and constitutive active AMPK inhibit palmitate-induced apoptosis through suppression of ROS. The AMPK inhibitor compound C, dominant-negative AMPK, and the uncoupling protein inhibitor guanosine diphosphate block the antiapoptotic and antioxidative effects of AICAR. The increase in uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) by AICAR is also suppressed by compound C and guanosine diphosphate. AICAR-mediated suppression of palmitate-induced p38 activation is also inhibited by guanosine diphosphate. Over-expression of UCP2 inhibits palmitate-induced apoptosis and ROS generation. These data suggest that the activation of AMPK inhibits palmitate-induced endothelial cell apoptosis through the suppression of ROS generation, and UCP-2 may be one of possible mediators of the antioxidative effect of AMPK.

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Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL) is characterized by ectopic ossification in the spinal ligaments, which enlarges with time and compresses the spinal cord, resulting in serious neurological symptoms. We previously reported that Runx2 expression was enhanced in spinal ligament cells from OPLL patients (OPLL cells). To clarify genes regulated by Runx2, Runx2 expression was first enhanced by culturing primary OPLL cells in osteogenic medium (OS induction) and then inhibited by siRNAs targeted to Runx2. DNA microarray demonstrated that in addition to chondrogenic factors such as connective tissue growth factor and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, angiopoietin-1 was also significantly increased by OS induction and decreased by siRNAs for Runx2 in OPLL cells, suggesting that these genes are regulated by Runx2. However, these changes were not observed in non-OPLL control cells (from cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients). Furthermore, Runx2 was not decreased by siRNAs for angiopoietin-1. OS induction and RNAi inhibition of angiopoietin-1 expression was also observed in osteoblasts. Both siRNAs for Runx2 and angiopoietin-1 completely inhibited aggrecan-1 expression. These results suggest that angiopoietin-1 is downstream of Runx2 in both OPLL primary cells and osteoblasts. Angiopoietin-1 may play an important role in ectopic ossification.

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Gabexate mesilate (GM), a serine protease inhibitor, often causes severe vascular injury, when injected in high concentration. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms for the cytotoxicity of GM on porcine aorta endothelial cells (PAECs). GM (0.5 – 5.0 mM) decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and caused cell injury, whilst nafamostat mesilate (NM), another serine protease inhibitor, or mesilate itself had no effect on cell viability. zVAD-fmk, a pancaspase inhibitor, or zDEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, did not affect the GM (1.5 mM)-induced decrease of cell viability. Apoptotic cells or DNA fragmentation were also not observed after GM treatment. Moreover, Ca²⁺ chelators, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, antioxidants, and radical scavengers had no effect on the GM-induced cell injury. On the other hand, cellular ATP content was decreased in the GM (2.0 mM)-treated cells. Surprisingly, GM (2.0 mM) immediately increased cellular uptake of propidium iodine. These findings suggest that GM induces necrotic cell death via injury of the cell membrane.

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In the present study, we investigated the direct effects of antiglaucoma drugs (timolol, betaxolol, pilocarpine, and latanoprost) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor function using a Xenopus oocytes expression system and electrophysiological techniques. In oocytes expressing wild-type NMDA (NR1a/NR2A) receptors, timolol and betaxolol significantly inhibited glutamate-evoked currents, whereas less inhibition was obtained with pilocarpine, and latanoprost had few effects. Moreover, the effect of timolol and betaxolol was noncompetitive with respect to glutamate. Mutations that changed Asn616 of the NR1a subunit, a critical residue for Mg²⁺ blocking of NMDA receptors, to Arg (N616R) or Gln (N616Q) almost eliminated the inhibitory effects of timolol and betaxolol, as well as the blocking effect of Mg²⁺. Experiments were also carried out to examine the protective effects of timolol and betaxolol against death of oocytes expressing NMDA receptors. During incubation of oocytes, especially in Mg²⁺-free medium, cell death was induced by addition of glutamate because of the continuous activation of the NMDA receptors expressed. Timolol and betaxolol significantly improved oocyte viability when they were added during the incubation period. These results suggest that timolol and betaxolol may have an additional role that they directly inhibit NMDA-receptor function, possibly via N616 of the NR1a subunit.

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Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of moulds that which exert adverse effects in humans and animals. It is known that direct cellular toxicity is often associated with increased cellular accumulation of toxic compounds, and membrane transport may be the first fundamental stage in the development of the cytotoxicity. To elucidate the entry pathway for mycotoxins into cells, we have investigated the interactions of human and rat organic anion transporters (hOATs/rOats) and human organic cation transporters (hOCTs) with mycotoxins using cells stably expressing hOATs/rOats/hOCTs. The mycotoxins tested were aflatoxin B1, α-zearalenol, citrinin, citrioveridine, cyclopiazonic acid, fumonisin B1, gliotoxin, patulin, penicillic acid, rubratoxin B, and zearalenone. These mycotoxins inhibited organic anion uptake mediated by hOAT1-4, and organic cation uptake mediated by hOCT1-2. By comparing the IC₅₀ values of mycotoxins for hOATs, it was found that hOAT1 and hOAT3 exhibited higher affinity interactions with mycotoxins than hOAT2 and hOAT4. There was no interspecies difference between humans and rats for the interactions of OATs with mycotoxins except that of OAT3 with rubratoxin B. Finally, we observed that hOAT1-4 and hOCT1-2 mediated the uptake of aflatoxin B1. In conclusion, hOATs and hOCTs interacted with various mycotoxins. Considering the localization of hOATs/rOats and hOCTs, it was suggested that these transporters were the possible entrance pathway for mycotoxins in kidney and liver, leading to the induction of adverse effects in humans and rats.

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A growing amount of attention has been focused on the investigation of the effects of chemopreventive agents on the inhibition of cancer cell growth and toxicity in combination with chemotherapeutics. The objective of this study was to determine whether isoliquiritigenin (ISL) has the potential to serve as a beneficial supplement during cisplatin chemotherapy. We found that the administration of ISL alone significantly reduced the size of the solid tumors in CT-26 cell–inoculated BALB/c mice, without any detectable induction of nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and oxidative stress, and ISL reduced the viability and DNA synthesis of CT-26 murine colon cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. ISL did not affect the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin. Furthermore, ISL suppressed cisplatin-induced kidney damage characterized by increases in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as well as cisplatin-induced liver damage characterized by increases in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. The repeated oral administration of ISL prior to cisplatin treatment exerted a preventive effect on cisplatin-mediated increases in serum nitric oxide and tissue lipid peroxidation levels, and it recovered depleted GSH levels in the tissues. Therefore, supplementation with ISL may be an effective approach to counteracting the side effects of cisplatin therapy in cancer patients.

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In this study, the effects of atropine sulfate (atropine) on swallowing and cough reflex were evaluated in the two experimental models in conscious dogs. To evaluate the effects of atropine on swallowing, 1 mL of marker (contrast medium) was injected into the pharynx under X-ray exposure to induce swallowing. Baclofen, used as a positive control, caused marker congestion in the upper esophagus. In our experimental model, atropine (0.02 and 0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently increased not only the number of marker congestions but also that of the swallows. In addition, atropine significantly shortened the onset of first swallowing. In the evaluation of atropine effects on electrically evoked cough reflex induced by two electrodes implanted into the trachea, atropine strongly inhibited the number of coughs at 0.01 or 0.05 mg/kg accompanied with 0.01 or 0.05 mg/kg per hour (i.v.), respectively. These findings indicate that atropine has the potential of causing aspiration pneumonia through induction of swallowing disorder and inhibition of the cough reflex.

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This study was designed to examine the glucocorticoid-like inhibitory effect of glycyrrhizin (GL) on interleukin (IL)-8 production in A549 lung epithelial cells. GL, as well as dexamethasone (DEX) inhibited both tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α– and IL-1β–induced IL-8 production, mRNA expression, and promoter activity in A549 cells. Both GL and DEX inhibited transactivation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, without inhibiting translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit to the nucleus. However, the effect of GL was insensitive to RU486, a GR antagonist, and to GR knockdown by siRNA. Furthermore, only GL inhibited DNA binding of p65 to the IL-8 promoter region. These findings indicated that GL had a glucocorticoid-like inhibitory effect on IL-8 production via a mechanism that differs from that of glucocorticoids.

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Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are known to induce gastroduodenal complications such as ulcer, bleeding, and dyspepsia. In this study, we examined the prophylactic effect of rebamipide, an anti-ulcer agent with free-radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effect, on acidified aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. In addition, we investigated the mucosal barrier functions disrupted by aspirin. Oral administration of acidified aspirin resulted in linear hemorrhagic erosions with increasing myeloperoxidase activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance concentrations in the gastric mucosa. Rebamipide suppressed these acidified aspirin-induced gastric lesions and inflammatory changes significantly, and its protective effect was more potent in the case of repeated (twice daily for 3 days) treatment than single treatment before aspirin administration. Immunostaining of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, one of the tight junctional proteins, was strengthened in rat gastric mucosa after repeated administration of rebamipide. In addition, aspirin induced the increasing transport of fluorescine isothiocyanate-labeled dextrans with localized disruption and decreased expression of ZO-1 protein on rat gastric mucosal cell line RGM-1. Rebamipide effectively prevented aspirin-induced permeability changes and disruption of ZO-1 distribution. These results suggest that rebamipide protects against aspirin-induced gastric mucosal lesions by preserving gastric epithelial cell-to cell integrity in addition to the anti-inflammatory effects.

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The present study examined the combined effects of fish-oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and cyclic stretching on the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment with EPA alone did not inhibit the differentiation, although it partially suppressed the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ₂ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)α transcripts, which are considered to be indispensable for the determination of adipocyte differentiation. However, the differentiation was significantly reduced when EPA but not DHA was concomitantly applied with cyclic stretching. In addition, EPA, but not DHA, could be a substrate of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and we found that the stretching significantly augmented the expression of COX-2 and that a selective COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398) inhibited the combined effect of the stretching and EPA. Taken together, it appears that the stretching and EPA exhibit a synergistic effect for the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation through stretch-induced COX-2.

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The cholinergic system plays an important role in regulation of arousal and REM sleep. In the present study, we showed that a muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol (CCh), activates almost 20% of orexin-producing neurons (orexin neurons), which play a critical role in maintenance of arousal. We also found that a very small population of orexin neurons (1%) was inhibited by CCh. Muscarinic receptor antagonists inhibited the CCh-induced activation of orexin neurons in a dose-dependent manner. The M₃-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) affected the response at a significantly lower concentration compared with the M₁-selective muscarinic antagonist pirenzepine. IC₅₀ of 4-DAMP and pirenzepine was 0.30 ± 0.15 and 59.9 ± 18.6 nM, respectively. The CCh-induced inward current was attenuated by the nonselective cation channel blocker SKF96365. These results indicate that CCh activates 20% of orexin neurons through the M₃ muscarinic receptor and subsequent activation of nonselective cation channels.

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Although cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a novel Ca²⁺-mobilizing mediator, is suggested to be involved in the functions of neutrophils in rodents, its role in human neutrophils remains unclear. The present study examined the ability of cADPR to mobilize Ca²⁺ and mediate formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated increase in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and migration in human neutrophils. cADPR induced Ca²⁺ release from digitonin-permeabilized neutrophils, and the release was blocked by 8Br-cADPR, an antagonist of cADPR. Immunophilin ligands, FK506 and rapamycin, but not cyclosporine A, inhibited cADPR-induced Ca²⁺ release. 8Br-cADPR partially reduced fMLP-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rise and abolished the rise in combination with 2APB, an IP₃-receptor antagonist. Anti-CD38Ab and NADase that interfere with cADPR formation, reduced the fMLP-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rise. When β-NAD⁺, a substrate of ADP-ribosyl cyclase, and cADPR were added to the medium, the former gradually increased [Ca²⁺]_i and the latter potentiated the fMLP-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rise. The β-NAD⁺–induced [Ca²⁺]_i rise in Ca²⁺-free medium was inhibited by anti-CD38Ab, 8Br-cADPR, FK506, ruthenium red, and thapsigargin. mRNAs of nucleoside transporter (NT), ENT1, ENT2, CNT, and CNT3 were expressed in neutrophils; and their inhibitors, inosine, uridine, and s-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine, reduced the [Ca²⁺]_i rise induced by β-NAD⁺ and fMLP. fMLP-timulated migration was inhibited by the removal of Ca²⁺ from the medium or by the addition of 8Br-cADPR, anti-CD38Ab, NADase, and NT inhibitors. These results suggest that cADPR was synthesized extracellularly by CD38, transported into the cells through NTs, and then Ca²⁺ was mobilized by FK506-binding protein–dependent process. This process may be involved in fMLP-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling and migration in human neutrophils.

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Lafutidine is a histamine H₂-receptor antagonist with gastric antisecretory and gastroprotective activity associated with activation of capsaicin-sensitive nerves. The present study examined the effect of lafutidine on neurotransmission of capsaicin-sensitive calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing vasodilator nerves (CGRPergic nerves) in rat mesenteric resistance arteries. Rat mesenteric vascular beds were perfused with Krebs solution and vascular endothelium was removed by 30-s perfusion with sodium deoxycholate. In preparations preconstricted by continuous perfusion of methoxamine (α₁ adrenoceptor agonist), perfusion of lafutidine (0.1 – 10 μM) concentration-dependently augmented vasodilation induced by the periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS, 1 Hz) without affecting vasodilation induced by exogenous CGRP (10 pmol) injection. Perfusion of famotidine (H₂-receptor antagonist, 1 – 100 μM) had no effect on either PNS-induced or CGRP-induced vasodilation. Perfusion of lafutidine concentration-dependently augmented vasodilation induced by a bolus injection of capsaicin (vanilloid-1 receptor agonist, 30 pmol). The presence of a vanilloid-1 receptor antagonist, ruthenium red (10 μM) or capsazepine (5 μM), abolished capsaicin-induced vasodilation and significantly decreased the PNS-induced vasodilation. The decreased PNS-induced vasodilation by ruthenium red or capsazepine was not affected by perfusion of lafutidine. These results suggest that lafutidine facilitates CGRP nerve-mediated vasodilation by modulating the function of presynaptic vanilloid-1 receptors located in CGRPergic nerves.

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Human ubiquitin ligase HRD1 is involved in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). We recently reported that HRD1 interacts with Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R), a substrate of Parkin, and promotes Pael-R degradation, resulting in the protection of cells from the lethal accumulation of Pael-R. However, except for RING-finger domain that is necessary for ubiquitin ligase activity, the roles of other human HRD1 domains are unclear. Here, we show that the proline-rich domain of HRD1 is necessary to promote the degradation of Pael-R and that the protein’s transmembrane domain is necessary to transfer Pael-R from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cytosol. A HRD1 mutant defective in the transmembrane domain is markedly more unstable than wild-type HRD1. These results suggest that HRD1 has diverse functions besides ubiquitin ligase activity.

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We examined the effect of trimidox-induced apoptosis involvement of p53 in the NALM-6 cell line of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Trimidox has been shown to increase the induction of p53. Phosphorylation of p53 protein at Ser-15 and Ser-20 residues was activated earlier than the obvious increase in p53 expression. Pifithrin-α, a p53 inhibitor, significantly prevented trimidox-induced apoptotic characteristics, as detected by nuclear morphological observation and DNA fragmentation. Trimidox-induced apoptosis was enhanced or attenuated by transfection with wild-type or dominant-negative p53 containing expression vectors, respectively. These results indicate that one of the induction mechanisms of apoptosis by trimidox is the mediated augmentation of p53.

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In this study, we have elucidated that propionate, one of the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is the transport substrate for murine organic anion transporter 2 (mOat2), which is expressed in the kidneys and the liver. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, mOat2-mediated [³H]PGE₂ transport was inhibited by three- to five-carbon SCFAs (C3 to C5). Among the SCFAs tested, propionate (3-carbon SCFA) was transported by mOat2 in a time-dependent manner. Since propionate is a potent glucogenic compound, Oat2 may be involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism through the transport of these metabolites in the kidneys and the liver.

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