Toshiaki Kogure

Reactivity of Anti-Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Murine Monoclonal Antibodies and Human Autoantibodies to the PCNA Multiprotein Complexes Involved in Cell Proliferation

Proliferating cell nuclear Ag (PCNA) occurs as a component of multiprotein complexes during cell proliferation. We found the complexes to react with murine anti-PCNA mAbs, but not with anti-PCNA Abs in lupus sera. The complexes were purified from rabbit thymus extract by affinity chromatography using anti-PCNA mAbs (TOB7, TO17, and TO30) and analyzed by ELISA, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, and HPLC gel filtration. That PCNA was complexed with other proteins was demonstrated by its copurification with a group of proteins excluded by an HPLC G3000 SW column. Although immunoblot analysis showed the mAbs to react exclusively with the 34-kDa PCNA polypeptide, they nonetheless immunoprecipitated the same group of proteins, confirming the interaction of the isolated PCNA with other proteins. Anti-PCNA sera, including AK, which reacts with biologically functional sites on PCNA, did not react with complexed PCNA, but did react with it once it was dissociated from the complexes. PCNA complexes in turn reacted with murine anti-DNA mAbs, as well as with Abs against p21, replication protein A, DNA helicase II, cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 5, and topoisomerase I. These findings suggest that the PCNA complexes purified using anti-PCNA mAbs comprise the “protein machinery” for DNA replication and cell cycle regulation. They also suggest that anti-PCNA mAbs are useful tools with which to characterize the protein-protein interactions within PCNA complexes, as well as the autoimmune responses to proteins interacting with PCNA, which may shed light on the mechanisms of autoantibody production in lupus patients.

Effect of Kampo Medicine on Pain and Range of Motion of Osteoarthritis of the Hip Accompanied by Acetabular Dysplasia: Case Report and Literature Review

We report a 52-year-old female with end-stage osteoarthritis of the hip accompanied by acetabular dysplasia in whom quality of life (QOL) was improved by Kampo treatment. When she was 42 years old, she developed pain in the left hip joint, and early-stage OA of the hip was diagnosed by hip joint x-ray. Therefore, she took NSAIDs, and received conservative therapies such as diet and muscle training. However, pain in the hip joint increased and her activity of daily life (ADL) decreased at the age of 50, although she continued to receive the conservative therapies. At the age of 52, she consulted our department requesting Japanese Oriental (Kampo) Medicine. Kampo formulae; Keishikaryojutsubuto (12Tab/day: Kuracie Co. Ltd. Japan), and Boiougito (7.5 g/day: Kuracie Co. Ltd. Japan), were administered. Treatment for 3 months resulted in a decrease in the left hip joint pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) and improvement of her ADL. One year later, her joint symptoms have not increased, and both the Harris hip score and the clinical evaluation criteria of osteoarthritis of the hip have improved. The course of this disease varies depending on the lifestyle of the patient, and Kampo formulations may offer safe, potent supplemental treatment.

Edematous Erythema at the Hands and Feet Probably Caused by the Traditional Herb “Radix Astragali”:

Objective: To describe a patient with erhythema and edema after Radix Astragali was added to a kampo formula. Case summary: A 21-year-old male, who was diagnosed as having atopic dermatitis in 1989, demonstrated systemic dry eruptions and consulted our department for treatment with traditional herbal medicine (THM) in 2004. The oral administration of herbal medicine resulted in decreased symptoms as well as a reduction in the serum IgE level. In August 2007, he complained of sweating on the neck and we added Radix Astragali to the previous formula. About 18 hours after he ingested the new formula including Radix Astragali, erhythema appeared with swelling of the bilateral hands and feet. Administration of the formula was discontinued and about 48 hours later, his symptoms had almost disappeared. Astragaloside, which is the main ingredient of Radix Astragali, was negative on lymphocyte transforming test (LTT) and we could not determine the ingredient that induced erhythema. Conclusion: We consider that the Radix Astragali induced acute erhythema with swelling based on the clinical course. Acute edematous erythema due to THM is very rare and we discuss allergic reactions to traditional herbs and review the litrature.

Detection of prospective biomarkers of response to Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using immune response biomarker profiling

In Japan, Kampo medicine (KM) plays a critical role in primary health care, and also in the treatment of several serious diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although traditional diagnostic methods are able to discriminate responders from non‐responders to KM, the aim of this study was to propose a methodology to translate the traditional diagnosis, and identify a predictive biomarker of the beneficial effect of KM in RA patients.

Traditional herbal (kampo) medicine for musculoskeletal symptoms in menopausal women

Traditional herbal (kampo) medicine has been used since ancient times to treat various types of musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this report was to describe the successful treatment of menopausal musculoskeletal symptoms (MMS) with kampo medicine, and to discuss its application to MMS. We observed the clinical course of three patients with MMS using kampo medicines: keishikaryojutsubuto and boiogito, or keishikaryojutsubuto alone.

Utility of Japanese oriental medicine for the alternative target in the treating rheumatoid arthritis to target: 2014 recommendations update

The therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has markedly changed over the past 10 years. The aim of this study was to describe the position of Japanese oriental (kampo) medicine (JOM) in the therapeutic strategy for RA, termed ‘treat to target’ by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR).

Serial determination of serum IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐17 in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis successfully treated with kampo medicine: Case report and literature review

A 68‐year‐old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who was being treated with prednisolone (PSL) and bucillamine (Buc) presented to request kampo medicine.