Yoritsuna Yamamoto

A novel regulatory function of sweet taste-sensing receptor in adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.

Background Sweet taste receptor is expressed not only in taste buds but also in nongustatory organs such as enteroendocrine cells and pancreatic beta-cells, and may play more extensive physiological roles in energy metabolism. Here we examined the expression and function of the sweet taste receptor in 3T3-L1 cells. Methodology/Principal Findings In undifferentiated preadipocytes, both T1R2 and T1R3 were expressed very weakly, whereas the expression of T1R3 but not T1R2 was markedly up-regulated upon induction of differentiation (by 83.0 and 3.8-fold, respectively at Day 6). The α subunits of Gs (Gαs) and G14 (Gα14) but not gustducin were expressed throughout the differentiation process. The addition of sucralose or saccharin during the first 48 hours of differentiation considerably reduced the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα at Day 2, the expression of aP2 at Day 4 and triglyceride accumulation at Day 6. These anti-adipogenic effects were attenuated by short hairpin RNA-mediated gene-silencing of T1R3. In addition, overexpression of the dominant-negative mutant of Gαs but not YM-254890, an inhibitor of Gα14, impeded the effects of sweeteners, suggesting a possible coupling of Gs with the putative sweet taste-sensing receptor. In agreement, sucralose and saccharin increased the cyclic AMP concentration in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells and also in HEK293 cells heterologously expressing T1R3. Furthermore, the anti-adipogenic effects of sweeteners were mimicked by Gs activation with cholera toxin but not by adenylate cyclase activation with forskolin, whereas small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Gαs had the opposite effects. Conclusions 3T3-L1 cells express a functional sweet taste-sensing receptor presumably as a T1R3 homomer, which mediates the anti-adipogenic signal by a Gs-dependent but cAMP-independent mechanism.

Low Oxygen Tension Enhances Proliferation and Maintains Stemness of Adipose Tissue–Derived Stromal Cells

Abstract Recent evidence indicates that low oxygen tension or hypoxia alters the characteristics of stem cells. The actions of hypoxia are mediated through the hypoxia-inducible factor, a critical mediator of the cellular response to hypoxia. Adipose tissue–derived stromal cells (ASCs) are one of the most promising cell sources for tissue engineering applications. This study investigated the effect of hypoxia on ASCs in terms of the ability to proliferate and differentiate. ASCs were extracted from mice and maintained under hypoxic atmosphere (2% O2) for up to eight in vitro passages. The proliferation rate was examined as a growth curve, and the potency of differentiation was evaluated. To investigate the cell characteristics, we checked several stem-cell markers and growth factors. Compared with the normoxic state (20% O2), hypoxia enhances proliferation with an approximately six- to sevenfold higher ASC expansion over 6 weeks. The expression of Oct3/4 and Nanog (stem-cell marker) and the amount of secreted growth factors were increased under the hypoxic condition. These results suggest that low oxygen tension enhances proliferation and maintains stemness of ASCs. Thus, this study emphasizes the profitability of hypoxic culture for expansion of ASCs and maintenance of their undifferentiated state for further therapeutic use.

Correlation between left ventricular mass and urinary sodium excretion in specific genotypes of CYP11B2.

Background Aldosterone has essential roles in regulating intravascular volume and blood pressure, and is suggested to influence cardiac structure. However, the association of polymorphisms in the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) with hypertension or cardiac hypertrophy remains controversial. Objective To evaluate the distribution of polymorphisms in the CYP11B2 gene and the possible associations between genotypes and blood pressure, urinary excretion of aldosterone or electrolytes and echocardiographic measurements, in a Japanese population. Methods and results We examined the association of two common diallelic polymorphisms within CYP11B2, one in the promoter −344T/C and the other an intron 2 gene conversion, with blood pressure, 24-h urinary excretion of aldosterone and electrolytes, and echocardiographic measurements, in a Japanese population. We confirmed significant linkage disequilibrium between these polymorphic loci and ethnic differences in frequency of the alleles. The −344C and −344T haplotypes apparently diverged before the intron conversion polymorphism was generated on the latter haplotype. Allele frequencies did not differ between 535 normotensive and 360 hypertensive individuals or between hypertensive individuals with higher and lower concentrations of renin. The only significant correlation was a positive correlation of left ventricular mass with 24-h urinary excretion of sodium, which occurred only in individuals with the −344CC genotype or the intron 2 conversion (−/−) genotype. Conclusions The −344CC or intron 2 conversion (−/−) genotype in CYP11B2 may be a risk factor for developing sodium-sensitive cardiac hypertrophy. Ethnic differences in the distribution of CYP11B2 genotypes combined with differences in salt intake might account for inconsistencies between previous reports.

Insulin Treatment Directly Restores Neutrophil Phagocytosis and Bactericidal Activity in Diabetic Mice and Thereby Improves Surgical Site Staphylococcus aureus Infection

ABSTRACT Bacterial infections, including surgical site infections (SSI), are a common and serious complication of diabetes. Staphylococcus aureus, which is eliminated mainly by neutrophils, is a major cause of SSI in diabetic patients. However, the precise mechanisms by which diabetes predisposes to staphylococcal infection are not fully elucidated. The effect of insulin on this infection is also not well understood. We therefore investigated the effect of insulin treatment on SSI and neutrophil function in diabetic mice. S. aureus was inoculated into the abdominal muscle in diabetic db/db and high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed mice with or without insulin treatment. Although the diabetic db/db mice developed SSI, insulin treatment ameliorated the infection. db/db mice had neutrophil dysfunction, such as decreased phagocytosis, superoxide production, and killing activity of S. aureus; however, insulin treatment restored these functions. Ex vivo treatment (coincubation) of neutrophils with insulin and euglycemic control by phlorizin suggest that insulin may directly activate neutrophil phagocytic and bactericidal activity independently of its euglycemic effect. However, insulin may indirectly restore superoxide production by neutrophils through its euglycemic effect. HFD-fed mice with mild hyperglycemia also developed more severe SSI by S. aureus than control mice and had impaired neutrophil phagocytic and bactericidal activity, which was improved by insulin treatment. Unlike db/db mice, in HFD mice, superoxide production was increased in neutrophils and subsequently suppressed by insulin treatment. Glycemic control by insulin also normalized the neutrophil superoxide-producing capability in HFD mice. Thus, insulin may restore neutrophil phagocytosis and bactericidal activity, thereby ameliorating SSI.

Conophylline Suppresses Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Improves Islet Fibrosis in Goto-Kakizaki Rats

Activin A is a differentiation factor for β-cells and is effective to promote β-cell neogenesis. Activin A is also an autocrine activator of pancreatic stellate cells, which play a critical role in fibrogenesis of the pancreas. Conophylline (CnP) is a natural compound, which reproduces the effect of activin on β-cell differentiation and promotes β-cell neogenesis when administered in vivo. However, its effect on stellate cells is not known. We therefore investigated the effect of CnP on stellate cells both in vitro and in vivo. Unlike activin A, CnP inhibited activation of cultured stellate cells and reduced the production of collagen. We then analyzed the involvement of stellate cells in islet fibrosis in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In pancreatic sections obtained from 6-wk-old GK rats, CD68-positive macrophages and glial fibrillary acidic protein- and α-smooth muscle actin-positive stellate cells infiltrated into islets. Later, the number of macrophages was increased, and the α-smooth muscle actin staining of stellate cells became stronger, indicating the involvement of stellate cells in islet fibrosis in GK rats. When CnP was administered orally for 4 wk, starting from 6 wk of age, invasion of stellate cells and macrophages was markedly reduced and islet fibrosis was significantly improved. The insulin content was twice as high in CnP-treated rats. These results indicate that CnP exerts antifibrotic actions both in vitro and in vivo and improves islet fibrosis in Goto-Kakizaki rats.

Effect of 1α,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 and vitamin E on insulin-induced glucose uptake in rat adipocytes

Vitamin E, an antioxidant, improves insulin sensitivity through the suppression of conventional PKC in vascular smooth muscle cells. It has been reported that vitamin E reduces platelet aggregation through the suppression of PKC alpha and beta (Diabetes 47 (1998) 1494). On the other hand, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25D3) activates conventional PKC and may subsequently cause insulin resistance. Against this background, we examined the effect of vitamin E and 1,25D3 on PKC beta and PKC zeta/lambda activities in vitro and 10 nM insulin-induced glucose uptake in rat adipocytes. In vitro PKC beta activity of adipocytes was slightly decreased by the addition of 1 microM vitamin E, but not PKC zeta/lambda activity. In contrast, a 10-1000 nM 1,25D3 dose responsively activated PKC beta activity of adipocytes (ED 50%, 10 nM), but not PKC zeta/lambda activity. Pretreatment with 1 microM vitamin E for 60 min did not improve the insulin-induced glucose uptake. On the other hand, pretreatment with a 10-1000 nM 1,25D3 dose responsively suppressed insulin-induced glucose uptake. Moreover, 1,25D3 increased membrane-associated PKC beta immunoreactivity for 60 min, but no additional increase in membrane-associated PKC beta immunoreactivity during treatment with insulin was observed. These results suggest that 1,25D3 reduces insulin-induced glucose uptake via activation of PKC beta, but not vitamin E in rat adipocytes.

Therapeutic Effect of Exendin-4, a Long-Acting Analogue of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist, on Nerve Regeneration after the Crush Nerve Injury

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is glucose-dependent insulinotropic hormone secreted from enteroendocrine L cells. Its long-acting analogue, exendin-4, is equipotent to GLP-1 and is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, exendin-4 has effects on the central and peripheral nervous system. In this study, we administered repeated intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of exendin-4 to examine whether exendin-4 is able to facilitate the recovery after the crush nerve injury. Exendin-4 injection was started immediately after crush injury and was repeated every day for subsequent 14 days. Rats subjected to sciatic nerve crush exhibited marked functional loss, electrophysiological dysfunction, and atrophy of the tibialis anterior muscle (TA). All these changes, except for the atrophy of TA, were improved significantly by the administration of exendin-4. Functional, electrophysiological, and morphological parameters indicated significant enhancement of nerve regeneration 4 weeks after nerve crush. These results suggest that exendin-4 is feasible for clinical application to treat peripheral nerve injury.

Protective effect of inhalation of hydrogen gas on radiation-induced dermatitis and skin injury in rats

The effect of inhalation of hydrogen-containing gas (1.3% hydrogen + 20.8% oxygen + 77.9% nitrogen) (HCG) on radiation-induced dermatitis and on the healing of healing-impaired skin wounds in rats was examined using a rat model of radiation-induced skin injury. An X-ray dose of 20 Gy was irradiated onto the lower part of the back through two holes in a lead shield. Irradiation was performed before or after inhalation of HCG for 2 h. Inhalation of HCG significantly reduced the severity of radiodermatitis and accelerated healing-impaired wound repair. Staining with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) showed that the proportion of apoptotic keratinocytes and the level of staining in the X-irradiated skin of rats that pre-inhaled HCG were significantly lower than that of rats which did not pre-inhale HCG. Cutaneous full-thickness wounds were then created in the X-irradiated area to examine the time-course of wound healing. X-irradiation significantly increased the time required for wound healing, but the inhalation of HCG prior to the irradiation significantly decreased the delay in wound healing compared with the control and post-inhalation of HCG groups. Therefore, radiation-induced skin injury can potentially be alleviated by the pre-inhalation of HCG.

Effects of platelet‐rich plasma‐containing fragmin/protamine microparticles in enhancing endothelial and smooth muscle cell growth and inducing collateral vessels in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of isogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-containing fragmin/protamine microparticles (F/P MPs) as a delivery system for proteins in PRP on growth of endothelial and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in vitro and as an alternative treatment for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia. Frozen and thawed PRP contains high concentrations of growth factors that are adsorbed by F/P MPs. Human aorta endothelial cells (AECs) and SMCs were grown in a medium with PRP. Addition of F/P MPs significantly enhanced the proliferative effects of PRP on AECs and SMCs at 37 °C for >10 days. Intramuscular administration of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; 2 mL, control), F/P MPs (12 mg in 2 mL PBS), PRP (2 mL), or PRP (2 mL) containing F/P MPs (12 mg) was then performed in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia prepared by resection of the left femoral artery. Blood flow and pressure were measured on days 0, 14, and 28, and angiography to assess arteriogenesis was performed on day 28. PRP-containing F/P MPs strongly induced functional collateral vessels in the rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia, indicating possible use of these microparticles in therapy for PAD.

Reversal of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia by continuous supply of betacellulin in mice

Previous studies have shown the efficacy of betacellulin (BTC) to promote β-cell regeneration. Because of its short half-life, however, the effect of BTC may have been underestimated. This study was conducted to assess the effect of continuous administration of BTC on β-cell regeneration. Adenovirus vectors encoding proBTC (Ad-proBTC) and mature BTC (Ad-mBTC) were prepared, and the efficacy of secretion of BTC was compared in AML12 hepatocytes. When AML12 cells were infected with Ad-proBTC or Ad-mBTC, cells infected with Ad-mBTC secreted considerably larger amount of BTC. We then infused Ad-mBTC into the mouse tail vein. Expression of BTC was detected in the liver for at least 21 days, and serum BTC was maintained at approximately 1 ng/ml for 7 days. When Ad-mBTC was infused immediately after administration of STZ (170 mg/kg), elevation of the plasma glucose induced by STZ was markedly inhibited, and the plasma glucose concentration remained at less than 200 mg/dl for 21 days. The insulin content and the β-cell mass were significantly increased in Ad-mBTC-infused mice. These results indicate that continuous administration of BTC is quite effective in promoting regeneration of β-cells.