Masato Fujimori

Heterozygosity of the major histocompatibility complex controls the autoimmune disease in (NZW × BXSB) F1 mice☆

In the F1 hybrid of phenotypically normal NZW (H-2z) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone BXSB mice (H-2b), features of the disease became more severe than those seen in the BXSB mice, regardless of the presence or absence of the Yaa (Y-chromosome-linked autoimmune acceleration) mutant gene. To determine whether the gene(s) linked to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of NZW mice is involved in this event, we developed the H-2-congenic NZW.H-2d strain and compared the severity of autoimmune disease between (NZW x BXSB) F1 (H-2z/b) and (NZW.H-2d x BXSB) F1 mice (H-2d/b). The H-2z/b, but not H-2d/b, heterozygous F1 mice of both sexes showed an accelerated, higher incidence of proteinuria and a more severe thrombocytopenia than did the BXSB mice. In NZW x (NZW x BXSB) F1 backcross mice, the H-2z/b heterozygous progeny showed more severe disease than did the H-2z/z homozygotes. Thus, disease-accelerating events in (NZW x BXSB) F1 mice are linked to the H-2z/b heterozygosity. Because H-2d/z heterozygosity plays a crucial role for SLE in (NZB x NZW) F1 mice, in which SLE features differ from those in (NZW x BXSB) F1 mice, the present observations may imply that the different but related MHC heterozygosity acts as a predisposing genetic element in these different SLE syndromes.

A case report of metastasizing myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland arising in a recurrent pleomorphic adenoma

Myoepithelial carcinoma, arising in a recurrent or in a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland is an extremely rare cancer. We herein report the case of myoepithelial carcinoma occurring in a recurrent pleomorphic adenoma, which showed a high metastatic potential. A 53-year-old male, who had undergone a superficial parotidectomy of the pleomorphic adenoma 2 years previously, presented with recurrent parotid swelling and with multiple coin lesions in the lung. A total parotidectomy and a thoracoscopic biopsy of the lung lesion revealed both lesions to be myoepithelial carcinoma. The patient died about 12 months later despite undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

Modulation of neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelial cells in rat experimental otitis media treated with a macrolide

OBJECT We previously reported that erythromycin (EM) affected the adhesion molecules that interact with neutrophils and inhibited neutrophil infiltration in a rat experimental otitis media model. PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to examine whether EM affects the adhesion of rat neutrophils to endothelial cells. METHODS The adhesion of neutrophils to WK-5 endothelial cells was evaluated. One group of rats was given EM for 2 weeks, while the other group received no treatment. The adhesion of peripheral-blood neutrophils and neutrophils accumulated in the middle ear from these two groups were compared. RESULTS Two-week EM pretreatment inhibited adhesion of neutrophils to WK-5 cells. The adhesion of neutrophils accumulated in the middle ear cavity to WK-5 cells was significantly higher than that of peripheral-blood neutrophils from control rats. CONCLUSION The results suggest that EM affects the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells.

Distribution and role of mast cells in human tonsil

Abstract Mast cells (MC) are an important component in inflammation and immune surveillance mechanisms, and play a key role in defense against bacterial infection. Since tonsils are involved in inflammatory and allergic reactions, and because mast cells are also part of these reactions, this study was to clarify the local distribution of human mast cells in tonsils. Tonsillar tissues were from patients suffering from chronic tonsillitis or hyperplastic tonsils, divided into atopy and non-atopy groups. The localization and distribution of mast cells was determined by immunohistological study using anti-tryptase and anti-C-kit antibodies. Furthermore, the expression of IgE was also investigated. We revealed that in both groups, mast cells were distributed in perivascular and interfollicular areas. However, the expression of tryptase and C-kit in interfollicular areas was more significant in non-atopy group rather than atopy group. In addition, IgE was significantly expressed in perivascular areas, crypt and subepithelial tissue of tonsils from atopy group. In contrast, there was no remarkable increase of IgE expression in interfollicular areas. The finding that mast cells are differently distributed in the tonsillar tissues incited us to investigate the possible new role of mast cells in the tonsillar tissues in inflammatory or allergic conditions.

Effects of Erythromycin on Neutrophil Chemotaxis in Rats

Background: Erythromycin showed an inhibitory effect on neutrophil exudation to the middle ear cavity in a rat model of otitis media. Methods: Erythromycin (EM) was administered intraperitoneally into male Splague-Dawley rats at 10 mg/kg once daily for 7 or 14 days. A purified neutrophil suspension was employed in the neutrophil chemotaxis experiment using the Boyden chamber method. Results: A significant increase in migration was observed at 50 and 100 ng/ml growth-related gene product (GRO) as compared to the assay with the addition of serum alone. Strong migration activity was also seen in the presence of zymosanactivated C5a in the assay medium. Treatment with EM for both 7 and 14 days suppressed the enhanced migration of neutrophils induced by 50 and 100 ng/ml GRO. In contrast, C5a significantly enhanced neutrophil migration under the treatment of EM for both 7 and 14 days. Conclusion: The present study first revealed that EM administration to animals selectively inhibited the GRO-induced migration of neutrophils, which may contribute to its antiinflammatory effect on the upper respiratory mucosa.

Study of Expression of L-Selectin and Mac-1 in Pre- and Post-Operative Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

In obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), it has recently been reported that complications such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and cerebral disease occur at high rates. In this study we assessed the function of neutrophils in patients with OSAS. By taking blood samples before and after operative treatment, we measured the levels of neutrophil-adhesive molecules, L-selectin and Mac-1.

Residual Disinfector on Endoscope after Disinfection.

In 1993 we described a newly designed disinfector for flexible laryngeal fiberoptic endoscopes which used glutaral solution and running water. The endoscope was first dipped in glutaral solution and then washed thoroughly in the washer with running water. Because of its coagulative effect on protein, glutaral solution should not be applied directly to the mucosa.In this study we tried to investigate if the glutaral solution was detectable on the surface of the endoscopes after washing. The detection of the glutaral solution was carried out using a color comparaison method with fuchsin.In all 60 trials of testing after 3 minutes or less of washing by the washer, no glutaral solution was detected on the surface of the endoscopes which had been dipped in the solution. However, in tests of old endoscopes with rough surfaces caused by extream usage, over 2 ppm of glutaral solution was detectable after 2 minutes of washing.In conclusion, when the disinfector which we had designed was applied for the disinfection of endoscopes, less than 2 ppm of glutaral solution (which is thought to be safe for human skin) remained on the surface after 3 minutes of washing, as long as the endoscope had not been damaged by excessive use.

Case Report of Parotid Gland Calculi.

Parotid grand calculi in a 52-year-old man is reported. The examinations showed swelling of left parotid gland and a palpable small hard mass at the mid portion of the parotid duct and on the left side. CT and Echo were recommended for its diagnosis. CT showed a small high density area, and the Echo showed an acoustic shadow in front of the left parotid gland. The surgical operation was performed with a small external incision in the longitudinal direction along the parotid duct. After the operation, a cut-down tube with a diameter of 1mm was retained in the parotid duct, for preventing stenosis of the parotid duct. The stone was analyzed by infrared spectrometry, and was composed of calcium phosphate and protein.