ABSTRACT Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax is thought to play a pivotal role in immortalization of T cells. We have recently shown that the expression protected mouse line CTLL-2 against apoptosis induced by interleukin-2 (IL-2) deprivation and converted its growth from being IL-2 dependent independent. In this study, we demonstrate constitutive bcl-xl but not bcl-2 , bcl-xs bak bad or bax was associated with resistance after cells expressed Tax. Transient-transfection assays...

The effect of isomalto-oligosaccharides on human fecal flora was studied. Bifidobacteria and the Bacteroides fragilis group from intestine could utilize but Escherichia coli other bacteria not. After administration isomaltooligosaccharides (13.5 g daily for 2 weeks) to healthy adult men senile persons, numbers bifidobacteria in feces increased. consistency improved. These studies may support usefulness as components new foodstuffs improvement intestinal flora.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and infection depend on the lipid components of cell, is inhibited by inhibitors sphingomyelin biosynthesis. We found that bound to activated genotype 1b RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enhancing its template binding activity. Sphingomyelin also 1a JFH1 (genotype 2a) RdRps but did not activate them. bind or J6CF (2a) RdRp. The domain (SBD) HCV RdRp was mapped helix-turn-helix structure (residues 231 260), which essential for activation. Helix...

In a previous study, we showed that administration of antigen-incorporated virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from simian virus 40 (SV40) induces production cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), as well antibodies against the incorporated antigen(s), without need for an adjuvant; however, it remains unclear how immune cells recognize and respond to SV40 capsid because VLPs did not upregulate expression maturation markers on dendritic cells. this chicken ovalbumin (OVA) within induced interferon...

ABSTRACT Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of adult leukemia. Tax, viral protein, thought to be crucial in development disease, since it transforms healthy T cells vitro and induces tumors transgenic animals. We examined effect Tax activity on growth interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent line CTLL-2. Stable expression CTLL-2 transformed cell from being IL-2 dependent independent. stimulated transcription through NF-κB cyclic AMP-responsive element-like sequence...

Abstract The development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapy faces two major obstacles: selecting small interfering (siRNA) sequences with strong activity and identifying a carrier that allows efficient delivery to target organs. Additionally, conservative region at nucleotide level must be targeted for RNAi in applying virus because hepatitis C (HCV) could escape from therapeutic pressure genome mutations. In vitro preparation Dicer-generated siRNAs targeting conserved, highly ordered...

The transactivator protein Tax of human T-cell leukemia virus type I plays an important role in the development adult probably through modulation growth regulatory molecules including p16^INK4a. molecular mechanism leukemogenesis induced by has yet to be elucidated. We analyzed function cell cycle using interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent line (Kit 225) that can undergo arrest at G₀/G₁ phase deprivation IL-2. activated endogenous E2F activity IL-2-starved Kit 225...

Abstract Aims: To identify differentially expressed genes and thereby detect potential molecular targets for future therapies directed against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: isolate between HCC adjacent non‐cancerous liver tissues, cDNA microarray quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed. Gene knockdown experiments in HepG2 cells also performed using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Proteins detected by immunostaining, cell proliferation...

The expression of amino acid transporter (AT) mRNAs including A system (ATA1/SNAT1/SLC38A1, ATA2/SNAT2/SLC38A2 and ATA3/SNAT3/SLC38A4), L (LAT1/SLC7A5 LAT2/SLC7A8), y+ (CAT2/SLC7A2) genes, were compared among hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) non-cancerous liver cells. Among them the ATA1 mRNA was significantly elevated in all HCC cell lines (HepG2, HLF, HuH7 JHH4) examined with normal tissue. We further discovered that activated tissues also pre-malignant cirrhotic livers from patients,...

Transgenic mice carrying the env-pX region of human T lymphocyte virus type I (HTLV-I) develop autoimmune arthropathy in high incidence. Adopting approach that Fas-mediated apoptosis has a critical function elimination self-reactive cells, we examined involvement this induction autoimmunity HTLV-I transgenic mice. Splenic cells derived from were more resistant to induced by anti-Fas mAb than those nontransgenic mice, whereas no appreciable difference was detected for thymocytes either...

Abstract Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), vitamin D3 (VD), and retinoic acid (RA) induce differentiation of human monoblastic leukemia U937 cells to macrophage-like with potential superoxide anion-generating activity upon further stimulation. Here we report that U93 7 thus differentiated show various responses apoptotic induction a cytotoxic anti-Fas antibody tumor necrosis factor (TNF). VD-or RA-treated acquired resistance against Fas- or TNF receptor (TNFR)-mediated apoptosis, whereas cell death was...

We have previously reported that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-regulated transmembrane transcription factor 6 alpha (ATF6alpha) is implicated in pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). In order to further identify genes are regulated by ATF6alpha, global gene expression profiles ATF6alpha-transfected and untransfected HCC cell line, HLF, were analyzed. These results then compared with differential patterns poorly differentiated control non-tumorous liver tissue. Our...

Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-forming cells of central nervous system (CNS). Failure myelin development and oligodendrocyte loss results in serious human disorders, including multiple sclerosis. Here, we show that donepezil, an acetlycholinesterase inhibitor developed for treatment Alzheimer's disease, can stimulate differentiation maturation neural stem cell-derived progenitor without affecting proliferation or cell viability. Transcripts essential myelin-associated genes, such as PLP,...

Massive hepatic necrosis develops after endotoxin administration in rats pretreated with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes as a result of microcirculatory disturbance caused by endothelial cell destruction activated macrophages the sinusoids. Immunohistochemical expression intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 α (LFA-1 α) effect monoclonal antibodies against both molecules on liver provoked was studied these rats. There were increased...

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-I) is the etiologic agent of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) with an autoimmune condition. We examined sensitivity HTLV-I-infected lines to Fas-mediated apoptosis, which plays a critical role in elimination self-reactive cells. Among 13 human T-cell lines, all 4 HAM-derived and 6 non-HAM/HTLV-I were resistant apoptosis induced by anti-Fas antibody, whereas only 3 uninfected was apoptosis. The expressed viral tax...

Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-forming cells of central nervous system. Oligodendrocyte loss and failure myelin development result in serious human disorders, including multiple sclerosis. Previously, using oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, we have shown that donepezil, which is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor developed for treatment Alzheimer's disease, stimulates gene expression differentiation. Here, aimed to analyze effects donepezil on primary mouse embryonic neural stem (NSCs)....

We used a novel differential display (DD) technique to identify host factors involved in virus replication, pathogenesis, and response HIV-1-infected T cells. Thirteen cDNA fragments differentially expressed HIV-1NL4-3-infected MT-4 cells prior the occurrence of specific apoptotic cell death were sequenced identified. Two seven elevated genes identical HIV-1 sequences other five M IP-1α, ACTE-III, CD11c, arginase I, CCR5. The six downregulated included prothymosin-α, Jaw-1, proteasome...

The expression of Galectin-1 (Gal-1) mRNA was activated in primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) compared to matched non-tumorous liver tissues. To elucidate the mechanism Gal-1 activation HCC cells, DNA methylation encompassing transcriptional start site (-165/+151) examined. Among 12 CpG dinucleotides on both strands, those at positions -116, -109, -52, -41, -36, +35 and +43 were preferentially methylated tissue, while hypomethylated tissue. Transient transfection a series deleted GAL-1...