Yoko Yoshida

Hepatic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived UE7T-13 cells: Effects of cytokines and CCN family gene expression.

Aim:  Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are expected to be an excellent source of cells for transplantation. We aimed to study the culture conditions and involved genes to differentiate MSC into hepatocytes.

Effect of rectal administration of rebamipide on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis: Role of hepatocyte growth factor

Abstract.Objective and design:Since rebamipide is effective for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), we examined the involvement of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the action of rebamipide.Materials:Fifty-five and forty female Balb/c mice, respectively, were used in Exp. 1 and 2.Treatment:50 mg/kg/day rebamipide (Exp. 1) and 1 × 107 pfu pAxCAHGF (the CAG promoter-driving HGF gene in adenovirus vector) (Exp. 2) were intrarectally introduced after induction of colitis by 4 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).Methods:Therapeutic effects were assessed by cell proliferation and apoptosis.Results:Rebamipide caused proliferation of epithelial cells at 10 days after treatment, and decreased apoptosis at 10, 14 and 21 days, compared with controls. Expression of HGF was greatly increased in rebamipide-treated mice. pAxCAHGF caused cell proliferation and apoptosis, which showed the same pattern as with rebamipide treatment.Conclusions:Rectal administration of rebamipide is effective for DSS-induced colitis in association with induction of HGF.