Koichiro Nakamura | Meio University (original) (raw)
Papers by Koichiro Nakamura
ABSTRACT Patients with Behcet’s disease (BD) have hypersensitivity against oral streptococci incr... more ABSTRACT Patients with Behcet’s disease (BD) have hypersensitivity against oral streptococci increased in their oral cavity. Heat shock protein-65/60 (Hsp-65/60) derived from S. sanguinis and the damaged mammalian tissues, respectively, are supposed to play an important role in BD pathogenesis. The antigen presenting cells taken Hsp-65 via Toll-like receptors in the oral lesion are carried to the local lesions by blood flow and they are known to lead T cells undergo apoptosis in the regional delayed type hypersensitive reaction. The human Hsp-60 peptide (336-351 aa) combined with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit was reported to be a therapeutic agent for BD patients with advanced uveitis. Here, we recognized that the peptide (249-264 aa; designated LO1 and 311-326aa: UK) of Hsp-65/60 exhibiting highly homologous to the T cell-epitope lead CD4+ and CD8+ T cell apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BD patients. In BD patients IL-8 and IL-12 production from activated T cells was significantly inhibited by LO1 and UK peptides. The results suggest that the peptides of Hsp-65/60 are able to be therapeutic agents for active BD patients.
Neuroscience Letters, Jan 10, 2011
It has been reported that the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has some functional roles ... more It has been reported that the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has some functional roles in inducing plasticity in the adult human brain and the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism affects the plasticity induction. In contrast, some long lasting effects were not fully induced in subjects with non-Val-Val polymorphism. In this communication, we retrospectively investigated whether this polymorphism affects the plastic changes induced by a newly developed stimulation method (quadripulse stimulation (QPS)) in 12 subjects. Both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) like effects were induced by QPS for 30min in any types of BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms. This finding presents a striking contrast to the previous results, which showed reduced long-term effects elicited by some other induction methods in subjects with non-Val-Val polymorphism. Although we are not able to make a final conclusion about the effect of Val66Met BDNF polymorphism on QPS because of the small number of subjects studied, QPS may be less affected by the BDNF polymorphism than several other protocols for inducing LTP/LTD-like effects in humans. Several possibilities may explain this difference. One candidate possibility is that QPS may be long enough for inducing the late LTP/LTD like effect whereas the other stimulation methods may be long enough for early but not enough for late LTP/LTD like effect. It is conspicuous that the QPS for 30min does elicit stable bidirectional long-term effects even in subjects with non-Val-Val polymorphism of BDNF.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Aug 1, 2001
Recent studies indicate that Th1 and Th2 cells differ in their chemokine receptor expression and ... more Recent studies indicate that Th1 and Th2 cells differ in their chemokine receptor expression and their responsiveness to various chemokines. Therefore, selective Th2 cell recruitment in Th2-predominant inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis may be under the influence of some chemokines. It is reported that CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 4 is selectively expressed on Th2 cells whereas CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR) 3 is selectively expressed on Th1 cells. In this study we examined CCR4 and CXCR3 expression on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells obtained from adult atopic dermatitis subjects, and compared the results with those from patients with psoriasis vulgaris and healthy controls. CCR4 was preferentially expressed on CD4+ T cells from atopic dermatitis subjects and CXCR3 was preferentially expressed on CD4+ T cells from psoriasis vulgaris subjects. This CCR4 expression was prominent especially in severe atopic dermatitis subjects. CCR4 expression on CD4+ T cells in severe atopic dermatitis subjects decreased on improvement of disease activity. CD25 was preferentially expressed on CCR4+CD4+ T cells but not on CXCR3+CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis subjects. Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen was also preferentially expressed on CCR4+CD4+ T cells but not on CXCR3+CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis subjects. CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis skin lesions were predominantly CCR4+ cells. Taken together, this study strongly indicates that CCR4+CD4+ T cells reflect disease activity and suggests that CCR4 expression is important for T cell infiltration into atopic dermatitis lesions. Thus, CCR4 may be a possible target for therapy of atopic dermatitis in the future.
J Dermatological Sci, 1998
British Journal of Dermatology, Oct 1, 1990
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the expression of MHC class II antigens on non-lymphoid cell... more Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the expression of MHC class II antigens on non-lymphoid cells. In this study we investigated the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), the most active metabolite of vitamin D3, on the IFN-gamma-induced expression of MHC class II antigens on HEp-2 cells. We found that 1,25(OH)2D3 enhanced the IFN-gamma-induced expression of HLA-DR on these cells. Differential effects on the MHC class II antigens HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP were also observed.
The Journal of dermatology, 2005
The Journal of dermatology, 2006
We report a 65-year-old woman with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who developed severel... more We report a 65-year-old woman with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who developed severely sclerotic skin on the fingers, hand and trunk following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). The patient had suffered from breast cancer and been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. She showed pancytopenia and was treated with APBCST. Four years after APBSCT, she developed the severe sclerotic changes on the fingers, hands, extremities and trunk. The skin biopsy showed a flattened epidermis and a proliferation of collagen bundles in the dermis. No anti-nucleolar DNA titers were detected in the serum. She was diagnosed with chronic GVHD. Despite treatment with oral prednisolone, the skin sclerotic change developed and the breast cancer recurred. She died due to pericarditis. This is a rare case of sclerodermatous GVHD following APBSCT. The serum interleukin (IL)-12 levels were examined during the treatment.
Clinical Neurophysiology, 2015
In patients with benign myoclonus epilepsy (ME), giant sensory-evoked potential (SEP) reflects th... more In patients with benign myoclonus epilepsy (ME), giant sensory-evoked potential (SEP) reflects the hyperexcitability of the sensory cortex. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of quadripulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (QPS) on the median nerve SEP between ME patients and healthy subjects. Ten healthy volunteers and six ME patients with giant SEP participated in this study. QPSs at interpulse intervals (IPIs) of 5, 30, 50, 100, 500 and 1250ms were applied over the left primary motor cortex (M1) for 30min. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of N20 to P25 (N20-P25) and P25 to N33 (P25-N33) components were measured at the left somatosensory cortex. In healthy participants, the P25-N33 was bidirectionally modulated by QPS over M1, following the Bienenstock-Cooper-Munro (BCM) theory. The N20-P25 was not affected by any QPSs. In ME patients, the giant P25-N33 was potentiated after any QPSs. Furthermore, the N20-P25 was also potentiated after QPS at IPIs of 5, 30, 50 100 or 500ms. In ME patients, the cascade for long-term depression-like effects may be impaired. The giant SEP was furthermore enhanced by QPS.
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are characterized by the accumulation of a proteinase-r... more Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are characterized by the accumulation of a proteinase-resistant isoform of the cellular prion-related protein (PI-P") within the central nervous system (CNS). The accumulation of scrapie-as- sociated PrP (Prpk) within cells of the lymphoreticular system prior to its accumulation in the CNS is regarded as important for the development of neurological diseases after peripheral inoculation. Little, however, is
2010 IEEE 23rd International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), 2010
ABSTRACT We have simulated piezoresistance coefficients in single-crystal hydrogen-terminated sil... more ABSTRACT We have simulated piezoresistance coefficients in single-crystal hydrogen-terminated silicon nanosheets with (001) surface orientation on the basis of first-principles calculations of model structures. The [110] uniaxial tensile stress causes band deformation, and a drastic change of conductivity can be observed for nanosheet models. We have obtained high piezoresistance coefficients for p-type nanosheet of about 1 nm thickness, ¿l[110] = 174 �? 10-11 Pa-1, and ¿t[110] = -139 �? 10-11 Pa-1. It is expected that p-type ultra-thin Si(001) nanosheet will be a suitable candidates for nanoscale piezoresistors due to its giant piezoresistivity.
International journal of dermatology, Jan 2, 2014
International journal of dermatology, 2012
Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine, 2010
The Journal of dermatology, 2008
The Journal of dermatology, 2007
. Sclerotic changes of hands and forearms.
The Journal of dermatology, 2005
The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD, 2005
Mastocytosis represents a clonal proliferation of mast cell hematopoietic progenitors caused by g... more Mastocytosis represents a clonal proliferation of mast cell hematopoietic progenitors caused by gain-of-function mutations of the c-kit gene. The heterogeneity of c-kit mutations may have contributed to difficulties in characterizing genotype-phenotype correlation of the disease. Our goal was to analyze a set of reported pathogenic c-kit mutations in patients with childhood-onset cutaneous mastocytosis, in comparison with those with adult-onset disease, and to correlate these with clinical presentation. We performed polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing using genomic DNA samples from 16 nonfamilial Japanese patients with indolent cutaneous mastocytosis (12 with childhood-onset disease and 4 with adult-onset disease) to look for the most common c-kit mutations at codons 816, 560, 820, and 839. A substantial number of patients had missense codon 816 mutations (10 of 12 in the childhood-onset group, 83.3%; and 4 of 4 in the adult-onset group, 100%). The most common mutation w...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2003
ABSTRACT The presence of Bes-1 DNA seems to be more closely related to the pathogenesis of BD tha... more ABSTRACT The presence of Bes-1 DNA seems to be more closely related to the pathogenesis of BD than the presence of HSV1/2. Our results suggest a causative role for Bes-1 in the pathogenesis of BD and a correlation with chronic focal infection in the oral cavity. Consistent PCR-ISH findings are crucial for demonstrating a causal association between an infectious agent, Bes-1, and skin lesions in patients with BD. Therefore, further studies, probably utilizing double staining for characterizing of PCR-ISH-positive cells, may elucidate the role of the streptococcal antigen, Bes-1, in the pathogenesis of BD lesions.
ABSTRACT Patients with Behcet’s disease (BD) have hypersensitivity against oral streptococci incr... more ABSTRACT Patients with Behcet’s disease (BD) have hypersensitivity against oral streptococci increased in their oral cavity. Heat shock protein-65/60 (Hsp-65/60) derived from S. sanguinis and the damaged mammalian tissues, respectively, are supposed to play an important role in BD pathogenesis. The antigen presenting cells taken Hsp-65 via Toll-like receptors in the oral lesion are carried to the local lesions by blood flow and they are known to lead T cells undergo apoptosis in the regional delayed type hypersensitive reaction. The human Hsp-60 peptide (336-351 aa) combined with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit was reported to be a therapeutic agent for BD patients with advanced uveitis. Here, we recognized that the peptide (249-264 aa; designated LO1 and 311-326aa: UK) of Hsp-65/60 exhibiting highly homologous to the T cell-epitope lead CD4+ and CD8+ T cell apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BD patients. In BD patients IL-8 and IL-12 production from activated T cells was significantly inhibited by LO1 and UK peptides. The results suggest that the peptides of Hsp-65/60 are able to be therapeutic agents for active BD patients.
Neuroscience Letters, Jan 10, 2011
It has been reported that the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has some functional roles ... more It has been reported that the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has some functional roles in inducing plasticity in the adult human brain and the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism affects the plasticity induction. In contrast, some long lasting effects were not fully induced in subjects with non-Val-Val polymorphism. In this communication, we retrospectively investigated whether this polymorphism affects the plastic changes induced by a newly developed stimulation method (quadripulse stimulation (QPS)) in 12 subjects. Both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) like effects were induced by QPS for 30min in any types of BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms. This finding presents a striking contrast to the previous results, which showed reduced long-term effects elicited by some other induction methods in subjects with non-Val-Val polymorphism. Although we are not able to make a final conclusion about the effect of Val66Met BDNF polymorphism on QPS because of the small number of subjects studied, QPS may be less affected by the BDNF polymorphism than several other protocols for inducing LTP/LTD-like effects in humans. Several possibilities may explain this difference. One candidate possibility is that QPS may be long enough for inducing the late LTP/LTD like effect whereas the other stimulation methods may be long enough for early but not enough for late LTP/LTD like effect. It is conspicuous that the QPS for 30min does elicit stable bidirectional long-term effects even in subjects with non-Val-Val polymorphism of BDNF.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Aug 1, 2001
Recent studies indicate that Th1 and Th2 cells differ in their chemokine receptor expression and ... more Recent studies indicate that Th1 and Th2 cells differ in their chemokine receptor expression and their responsiveness to various chemokines. Therefore, selective Th2 cell recruitment in Th2-predominant inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis may be under the influence of some chemokines. It is reported that CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 4 is selectively expressed on Th2 cells whereas CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR) 3 is selectively expressed on Th1 cells. In this study we examined CCR4 and CXCR3 expression on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells obtained from adult atopic dermatitis subjects, and compared the results with those from patients with psoriasis vulgaris and healthy controls. CCR4 was preferentially expressed on CD4+ T cells from atopic dermatitis subjects and CXCR3 was preferentially expressed on CD4+ T cells from psoriasis vulgaris subjects. This CCR4 expression was prominent especially in severe atopic dermatitis subjects. CCR4 expression on CD4+ T cells in severe atopic dermatitis subjects decreased on improvement of disease activity. CD25 was preferentially expressed on CCR4+CD4+ T cells but not on CXCR3+CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis subjects. Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen was also preferentially expressed on CCR4+CD4+ T cells but not on CXCR3+CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis subjects. CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis skin lesions were predominantly CCR4+ cells. Taken together, this study strongly indicates that CCR4+CD4+ T cells reflect disease activity and suggests that CCR4 expression is important for T cell infiltration into atopic dermatitis lesions. Thus, CCR4 may be a possible target for therapy of atopic dermatitis in the future.
J Dermatological Sci, 1998
British Journal of Dermatology, Oct 1, 1990
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the expression of MHC class II antigens on non-lymphoid cell... more Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the expression of MHC class II antigens on non-lymphoid cells. In this study we investigated the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), the most active metabolite of vitamin D3, on the IFN-gamma-induced expression of MHC class II antigens on HEp-2 cells. We found that 1,25(OH)2D3 enhanced the IFN-gamma-induced expression of HLA-DR on these cells. Differential effects on the MHC class II antigens HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP were also observed.
The Journal of dermatology, 2005
The Journal of dermatology, 2006
We report a 65-year-old woman with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who developed severel... more We report a 65-year-old woman with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who developed severely sclerotic skin on the fingers, hand and trunk following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). The patient had suffered from breast cancer and been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. She showed pancytopenia and was treated with APBCST. Four years after APBSCT, she developed the severe sclerotic changes on the fingers, hands, extremities and trunk. The skin biopsy showed a flattened epidermis and a proliferation of collagen bundles in the dermis. No anti-nucleolar DNA titers were detected in the serum. She was diagnosed with chronic GVHD. Despite treatment with oral prednisolone, the skin sclerotic change developed and the breast cancer recurred. She died due to pericarditis. This is a rare case of sclerodermatous GVHD following APBSCT. The serum interleukin (IL)-12 levels were examined during the treatment.
Clinical Neurophysiology, 2015
In patients with benign myoclonus epilepsy (ME), giant sensory-evoked potential (SEP) reflects th... more In patients with benign myoclonus epilepsy (ME), giant sensory-evoked potential (SEP) reflects the hyperexcitability of the sensory cortex. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of quadripulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (QPS) on the median nerve SEP between ME patients and healthy subjects. Ten healthy volunteers and six ME patients with giant SEP participated in this study. QPSs at interpulse intervals (IPIs) of 5, 30, 50, 100, 500 and 1250ms were applied over the left primary motor cortex (M1) for 30min. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of N20 to P25 (N20-P25) and P25 to N33 (P25-N33) components were measured at the left somatosensory cortex. In healthy participants, the P25-N33 was bidirectionally modulated by QPS over M1, following the Bienenstock-Cooper-Munro (BCM) theory. The N20-P25 was not affected by any QPSs. In ME patients, the giant P25-N33 was potentiated after any QPSs. Furthermore, the N20-P25 was also potentiated after QPS at IPIs of 5, 30, 50 100 or 500ms. In ME patients, the cascade for long-term depression-like effects may be impaired. The giant SEP was furthermore enhanced by QPS.
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are characterized by the accumulation of a proteinase-r... more Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are characterized by the accumulation of a proteinase-resistant isoform of the cellular prion-related protein (PI-P") within the central nervous system (CNS). The accumulation of scrapie-as- sociated PrP (Prpk) within cells of the lymphoreticular system prior to its accumulation in the CNS is regarded as important for the development of neurological diseases after peripheral inoculation. Little, however, is
2010 IEEE 23rd International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), 2010
ABSTRACT We have simulated piezoresistance coefficients in single-crystal hydrogen-terminated sil... more ABSTRACT We have simulated piezoresistance coefficients in single-crystal hydrogen-terminated silicon nanosheets with (001) surface orientation on the basis of first-principles calculations of model structures. The [110] uniaxial tensile stress causes band deformation, and a drastic change of conductivity can be observed for nanosheet models. We have obtained high piezoresistance coefficients for p-type nanosheet of about 1 nm thickness, ¿l[110] = 174 �? 10-11 Pa-1, and ¿t[110] = -139 �? 10-11 Pa-1. It is expected that p-type ultra-thin Si(001) nanosheet will be a suitable candidates for nanoscale piezoresistors due to its giant piezoresistivity.
International journal of dermatology, Jan 2, 2014
International journal of dermatology, 2012
Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine, 2010
The Journal of dermatology, 2008
The Journal of dermatology, 2007
. Sclerotic changes of hands and forearms.
The Journal of dermatology, 2005
The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD, 2005
Mastocytosis represents a clonal proliferation of mast cell hematopoietic progenitors caused by g... more Mastocytosis represents a clonal proliferation of mast cell hematopoietic progenitors caused by gain-of-function mutations of the c-kit gene. The heterogeneity of c-kit mutations may have contributed to difficulties in characterizing genotype-phenotype correlation of the disease. Our goal was to analyze a set of reported pathogenic c-kit mutations in patients with childhood-onset cutaneous mastocytosis, in comparison with those with adult-onset disease, and to correlate these with clinical presentation. We performed polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing using genomic DNA samples from 16 nonfamilial Japanese patients with indolent cutaneous mastocytosis (12 with childhood-onset disease and 4 with adult-onset disease) to look for the most common c-kit mutations at codons 816, 560, 820, and 839. A substantial number of patients had missense codon 816 mutations (10 of 12 in the childhood-onset group, 83.3%; and 4 of 4 in the adult-onset group, 100%). The most common mutation w...
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2003
ABSTRACT The presence of Bes-1 DNA seems to be more closely related to the pathogenesis of BD tha... more ABSTRACT The presence of Bes-1 DNA seems to be more closely related to the pathogenesis of BD than the presence of HSV1/2. Our results suggest a causative role for Bes-1 in the pathogenesis of BD and a correlation with chronic focal infection in the oral cavity. Consistent PCR-ISH findings are crucial for demonstrating a causal association between an infectious agent, Bes-1, and skin lesions in patients with BD. Therefore, further studies, probably utilizing double staining for characterizing of PCR-ISH-positive cells, may elucidate the role of the streptococcal antigen, Bes-1, in the pathogenesis of BD lesions.