The Discovery of LOX-1, its Ligands and Clinical Significance

LOX-1 is an endothelial receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), a key molecule in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.The basal expression of LOX-1 is low but highly induced under the influence of proinflammatory and prooxidative stimuli in vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, platelets and cardiomyocytes. Multiple lines of in vitro and in vivo studies have provided compelling evidence that LOX-1 promotes endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis induced by oxLDL. The roles of LOX-1 in the development of atherosclerosis, however, are not simple as it had been considered. Evidence has been accumulating that LOX-1 recognizes not only oxLDL but other atherogenic lipoproteins, platelets, leukocytes and CRP. As results, LOX-1 not only mediates endothelial dysfunction but contributes to atherosclerotic plaque formation, thrombogenesis, leukocyte infiltration and myocardial infarction, which determine mortality and morbidity from atherosclerosis. Moreover, our recent epidemiological study has highlighted the involvement of LOX-1 in human cardiovascular diseases. Further understandings of LOX-1 and its ligands as well as its versatile functions will direct us to ways to find novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cardiovascular disease.     

Contact sensitivity induced in mice by methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate

An experimental model of contact sensitivity has been developed in C57BL/6 mice using methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), a raw material of polyurethane resins. Sensitization through a single epidermal application of 1% MDI solution in ethyl acetate to the backs of the mice resulted in marked ear swelling. The time course of the swelling was characteristic of delayed-type hypersensitivity and the increment of the ear thickness was compatible with that induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Passive transfer of the MDI-induced contact sensitivity was successfully achieved using lymphocytes from the lymph nodes of MDI-sensitized syngeneic mice, and the effector cells were found to be T cells. Cross reaction between MDI and TDI has shown that MDI is not only a potent contact sensitizer but also can form a contact sensitizer group together with TDI.     

Sequential reorganization of cornified cell keratin filaments involving filaggrin-mediated compaction and keratin 1 deimination

The final step of keratinocyte differentiation, transition from the granular cells to the cornified cells, involves various post-translational modifications that include deimination of arginine residues. Major deiminated epidermal proteins are derived from K1. Two preferred deimination sites were identified in mouse K1, one in the V1 and the other in the V2 subdomains. An antibody against the deiminated peptide sequence in the V2 subdomain recognized not only deiminated mouse K1 but also deiminated human K1. In this study we analyzed distribution of deiminated K1 in normal human skin and in bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma at light and electron microscopic levels. In normal skin the first few (1-3) cornified cell layers were positive for filaggrin and negative for the antibody against deiminated mouse K1 peptide, whereas the more superficial cells were negative for filaggrin and strongly positive for the antibody against deiminated mouse K1 peptide, indicating slightly delayed onset of K1 deimination at the initial stage of cornification. The clumped keratin in bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma that was not properly compacted with filaggrin was poorly positive to the antibody against deiminated mouse K1 peptide. In addition, K1 derivatives in bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma reacted poorly with the antibody against deiminated mouse K1 peptide compared with the normal control in immunoblot analyses. Our results suggest sequential reorganization of cornified cell keratin filaments involving filaggrin-mediated compaction and K1 deimination. Abnormal keratin aggregation in bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma is likely to disturb the normal deimination of K1.     

Direct differentiation of hepatic cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells using a limited number of cytokines

Purpose

Development of improved protocols for differentiating induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into hepatic cells is an important step toward their use in the field of hepatology. Specifically, the number of different cytokines should be reduced to limit undesired effects and to reduce the cost of the process. In this report, we describe a simple method for directing human iPS cells to differentiate into hepatic cells using only two cytokines and a short incubation time.

Methods

A two-step protocol for differentiating iPS cells into hepatic cells was developed. A high dose of activin A was applied for 3 days to induce definitive endoderm formation. Subsequently, cells were treated with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for 5 days to generate hepatic cells. Differentiation was confirmed by immunostaining for differentiation markers. Albumin mRNA levels in differentiated hepatic cells generated using a previously tested three-step protocol that uses activin A, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), and HGF, and our new protocol were compared to determine the efficiency of differentiation.

Results

Our two-step protocol induced the differentiation of iPS cells into hepatic cells and required a shorter differentiation period than the previous three-step protocol. The differentiation efficiencies of the two protocols were comparable and the induced hepatic cells were functional.

Conclusions

Developing efficient induction and culture methods to generate more highly matured hepatocytes is essential for regenerative cell-based therapies. Our protocol provides a simple, cost-effective, and time-saving approach for generating hepatic cells from iPS cells.     

Genetic screening of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy by PCR with whole blood cell lysate

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is accompanied by a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation. The G to A substitution at nucleotide position 11,778 (11,202) of mtDNA is most common in Japanese LHON patients. Whole blood cell lysate, not purified DNA, was used as a template of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the analysis of the G11,778 (11,202)A point mutation. The amplified DNA fragment was concentrated and desalted with a centrifuge device, SUPREC TM -02, and digested by SfaNI and MaeIII. This method does not need purified DNA from blood and avoids the phenol/chloroform treatments for PCR products prior to the restriction enzyme digestion. Therefore, it is convenient and safe for the genetic screening of LHON.     

Effects of serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor ISP-I on the stratum corneum of intact mouse skin

Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) is involved in the ceramide synthesis pathway. We investigated the effects of ISP-I, a potent inhibitor of SPT, on the stratum corneum (SC) of hairless mouse skin. Application of ISP-I for one week resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of ceramide, which was associated with a decrease in SC hydration. However, there was an increase in the number of SC layers and less transepidermal water loss than control. Transmission Electron Microscopy observation revealed that the number of desmosome-like structures in the layers immediately above the stratum granulosum (SG) was significantly increased in ISP-I-treated skin compared to vehicle-treated skin. The activity of serine protease-an enzyme associated with the process of desquamation-was lower in the SC of ISP-I-treated skin than control. Furthermore, immunoelectronmicroscopy revealed that glucosylceramide and corneodesmosin tended to remain in corneocytes and were not secreted into the intercellular spaces of the SC in the ISP-I-treated skin. These results indicate that the application of ISP-I decreases ceramide and skin hydration, while at the same time increases the number of SC layers. The accumulation of corneocyte layers may originate from an aberrant desquamation process related to the decrease in the serine protease activity as well as an alteration in the transport of desquamation-related proteases by lamellar bodies.