Shuichi Tsuchiya

Cloning of cDNAs for New Subtypes of Murine Low-Affinity Fc Receptor for IgE (FcεRII/CD23)

In humans, two subtypes of the low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE, Fc epsilon RIIa and Fc epsilon RIIb, have been identified. The two forms differ only in a short stretch of amino acids at the cytoplasmic amino terminus. On the other hand, only one Fc epsilon RIIa-like receptor was reported in the mouse, although the existence of another subtype of transcript has been suggested. A new cDNA subtype for murine Fc epsilon RII that has amino acid homology to the human subtype b at the amino terminus was cloned by polymerase chain reaction. When expressed transiently in COS cells, the cDNA is capable of generating a functional cell surface protein that is recognized by an anti-Fc epsilon RII antibody and that has affinity to IgE. In the spleen, although the expression level is considerably lower than that of subtype a, the transcript appears in B cells and in non-B cells upon stimulation with IL-4 and LPS, in contrast to the constitutive expression of the conventional Fc epsilon RII transcript. It is also detectable in several cell lines of B- or T-cell lineages. These results suggest that this gene may be the murine counterpart of human Fc epsilon RII subtype b. Another cDNA clone for the distinct Fc epsilon RII transcript has also been isolated. The cDNA also encodes a surface protein functional on COS cells, but its human counterpart has not been found.

Studies on contact hypersensitivity in the guinea pig The cumulative contact enhancement test

A method to determine the quantitative induction and challenge of the allergenicity of externally applied toiletories and cosmetics, including their components, is described.

Application of heat- and steam-generating sheets to the lumbar or abdominal region affects autonomic nerve activity.

Effects of applying a heat- and steam-generating (HSG) sheet on peripheral hemodynamics and autonomic nerve activity were examined. An HSG sheet was applied to the lumbar or abdominal region. Measurements included skin temperature at the lumbar and abdominal regions and the fingertip, total hemoglobin, tissue oxygen saturation ratio (StO2), pupillary light reflex, changes in ECG R-R interval blood pressure and percutaneous electrogastrography (EGG). A heat-generating sheet without steam was used as the control. Based on the present findings, application of the HSG sheet to the lumbar or abdominal region may improve peripheral hemodynamics and inhibit sympathetic nerve activity, resulting in parasympathetic nerve activity dominance.

Application of a Heat- and Steam-Generating Sheet Increases Peripheral Blood Flow and Induces Parasympathetic Predominance

To promote the practical application of a Japanese traditional medical treatment, such as hot compresses, we developed a plaster-type warming device consisting of a heat- and steam-generating sheet (HSG sheet). First, we tested its effects when applied to the anterior abdominal wall or lumbar region of women complaining of a tendency towards constipation. Application of the sheet to either region produced a feeling of comfort in the abdomen, as assessed by a survey of the subjects. The significant increases in the total hemoglobin observed in these regions suggested an increase in peripheral blood flow, and significant increases in the HF component on ECG and in the amplitude of gastric motility suggested parasympathetic predominance. We concluded that application of the HSG sheet improves the peripheral hemodynamics and autonomic regulation, induces a feeling of comfort in the abdomen, and provides a beneficial environment for the improvement of gastrointestinal movements.

Macrophage chemotactic factor (MCF) produced by a human T cell hybridoma clone

A human T cell hybridoma clone, D6-18, producing high levels of macrophage chemotactic factor (MCF) was established by the emetine-actinomycin D selection method. MCF was found to be present not only in the culture medium but also in the cell lysate of D6-18 cells. The secretion of the MCF from D6-18 cells was effectively inhibited by disodium cromoglycate, which is an inhibitor of the degranulation of mast cells, suggesting that MCF is stored in granules. The MCF of D6-18 cells was purified from the sonicated cell lysate by ion-exchange chromatographies and high-performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid sequence of the purified MCF was revealed to be WLGREDGSE or WLGRQDGSE. The synthetic peptide WLGREDGSE showed chemotactic activity against guinea pig macrophages and human monocytes at the concentration of about 10(-8) M.

P35.26 Application of a heat- and steam-generating sheet produces parasympathetic predominance and increases peripheral blood flow

Background: The prevalence of Visual hallucination (VH) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been reported to be between 6% and 60%. VH were a risk factor for permanent nursing home placement, with its associated high mortality rate. Some report mentioned that autonomic dysfunction was associated with VH. Objective: We clarify the relationship between the extent and pattern of autonomic dysfunction and VH in patients with PD. Methods: The subjects were 92 patients with PD (30 men and 62 women, age 66.2 years, range 41–88 years) with disease duration of 1–12 years (mean 2.8 years). Autonomic nervous function, including cardiac sympathetic gain, was evaluated on the basis of cardiac radioiodinated metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake and hemodynamic testing using the Valsalva maneuver (VM). The systolic blood pressure and the plasma norepinephrine concentration (NE) were also measured in supine and standing position on tilt table test. Results: MIBG uptakes in heart were significantly lower in PD patients with VH than in patients without VH. Hemodynamic studies using the VM revealed that PD patients with VH had reduced vasomotor sympathetic function, but not parasympathetic function. No significant difference in blood pressure response on the tilt table test was found between control and patients without VH, while the blood pressure response was significantly reduced in patients with VH as compared with control. The NE level of PD patients without VH was similar to those of controls in the supine and standing positions. However, PD patients with VH had a significantly lower NE level than controls in the supine and standing positions. Conclusion: Our results show that cardiac and vasomotor sympathetic dysfunction is more severe in PD patients with VH than in patients without VH, but not parasympathetic dysfunction. Theses findings may be due to postganglionic sympathetic dysfunction and suggest widespread Lewy body pathology in PD with VH.