Article
Environmental Sciences
Lianxin Li, Jinge Xin, Hesong Wang, Yadong Wang, Weiqi Peng, Ning Sun, Haonan Huang, Yanxi Zhou, Xingmei Liu, Yu Lin, Jing Fang, Bo Jing, Kangcheng Pan, Yan Zeng, Dong Zeng, Xiang Qin, Yang Bai, Xueqin Ni
Summary: Fluoride is a common contaminant that poses challenges to animal and human health. This study investigates the role of the cytoskeleton in fluoride-induced barrier dysfunction and provides potential therapeutic targets for fluoride-induced intestinal injury.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Fan Wu, Hui Li, Heng Zhang, Yusheng Liao, Huanping Ren, Jie Wu, Dan Zheng
Summary: In a D-GalN/LPS-induced ALF model, TNF-alpha and IL-6 signaling may increase MLCK and ROCK expression levels, further mediate phosphorylation of MLC, resulting in tight junction dysregulation and intestinal barrier dysfunction.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Juan Wang, Hui Zhao, Ke Lv, Wei Zhao, Ning Zhang, Fan Yang, Xiang Wen, Xiaohua Jiang, Jingrui Tian, Xinjuan Liu, Chi-Tang Ho, Shiming Li
Summary: Pterostilbene (PTE) protects intestinal epithelial barrier integrity through the NF-kappa B-MLCK/p-MLC signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Tatsuro Hitsumoto, Osamu Tsukamoto, Ken Matsuoka, Junjun Li, Li Liu, Yuki Kuramoto, Shuichiro Higo, Shou Ogawa, Noboru Fujino, Shohei Yoshida, Hidetaka Kioka, Hisakazu Kato, Hideyuki Hakui, Yuki Saito, Chisato Okamoto, Hijiri Inoue, Jo Hyejin, Kyoko Ueda, Takatsugu Segawa, Shunsuke Nishimura, Yoshihiro Asano, Hiroshi Asanuma, Akiyoshi Tani, Riyo Imamura, Shinsuke Komagawa, Toshio Kanai, Masayuki Takamura, Yasushi Sakata, Masafumi Kitakaze, Jun-ichi Haruta, Seiji Takashima
Summary: This study demonstrates that dysregulation of cMLCK contributes to the development of cardiac systolic dysfunction in humans, and restoring cMLCK activity could serve as a novel myotropic therapy for advanced systolic heart failure.
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Masaaki Ito, Ryuji Okamoto, Hiromasa Ito, Ye Zhe, Kaoru Dohi
Summary: Regulation of muscle contraction is essential in the cardiovascular system, with the interaction between myosin and actin filaments being a common mechanism. The phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain plays a crucial role in smooth muscle contraction, while in cardiac muscle, troponin C is the primary target protein for Ca2+ with RLC phosphorylation also modulating contraction. Recent advances have improved our understanding of the regulatory role of RLC phosphorylation in smooth and cardiac muscles.
HYPERTENSION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Matthew J. White, Kyle A. Jacobs, Tania Singh, Lakyn N. Mayo, Annie Lin, Christopher S. Chen, Young-wook Jun, Matthew L. Kutys
Summary: This study uses a 3D model to demonstrate that Notch1 influences epithelial morphogenesis through a mechanism independent of transcriptional signaling. Notch1 cortical signaling directly regulates epithelial cell architecture and proliferation by stabilizing adherens junctions and cortical actin. These findings provide new insights into Notch1 signaling and regulation and suggest a coordination between transcriptional and cell adhesive programs.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Guangxi Zhou, Huili Wu, Jian Lin, Ritian Lin, Baisui Feng, Zhanju Liu
Summary: TRIM21 expression is decreased in colitis-associated cancer, and its deficiency promotes colorectal carcinogenesis, impacting tumor cell proliferation, tissue remodeling, and inflammatory cytokines. This suggests TRIM21 may be a potential therapeutic target for CAC.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yingxiang Li, Chengdong Liu, Luke Rolling, Veronica Sikora, Zhimin Chen, Jack Gurwin, Caroline Barabell, Jiandie Lin, Cunming Duan
Summary: We investigated the reactivation of quiescent cells through a zebrafish model and observed an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential in the reactivated cells. Genetic and pharmacological perturbations revealed that elevated mitochondrial metabolism and ATP synthesis are crucial for cell reactivation. Further analysis showed that the elevated mitochondrial metabolism leads to increased mitochondrial ROS levels, which induce the expression of Sgk1 in the mitochondria. Sgk1, in turn, promotes S phase entry in human breast cancer cells by coordinating mitochondrial activity with ATP synthesis through phosphorylating F1Fo-ATP synthase.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Juan F. Burgueno, Julia Fritsch, Eddy E. Gonzalez, Kevin S. Landau, Ana M. Santander, Irina Fernandez, Hajar Hazime, Julie M. Davies, Rebeca Santaolalla, Matthew C. Phillips, Sophia Diaz, Rishu Dheer, Nivis Brito, Judith Pignac-Kobinger, Ester Fernandez, Gregory E. Conner, Maria T. Abreu
Summary: Chronic colonic inflammation can lead to dysplasia and cancer. Activation of TLR4 is associated with up-regulation of DUOX2 and NOX1, leading to increased epithelial production of H2O2, promoting colorectal tumor formation.
Article
Neurosciences
Ryohei Oya, Osamu Tsukamoto, Takashi Sato, Hisakazu Kato, Ken Matsuoka, Kazuo Oshima, Takefumi Kamakura, Yumi Ohta, Takao Imai, Seiji Takashima, Hidenori Inohara
Summary: The organ of Corti contains hair cells (HCs) and inner sulcus cells (ISCs) that exhibit cellular shape changes resembling neural epithelia, with MYL12 phosphorylation by smooth muscle MLCK potentially contributing to the apical constriction-like cellular shape change of HCs.
JARO-JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN OTOLARYNGOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Yang Hu, Parivash Afradiasbagharani, Ranli Lu, Lifeng Liu, Lynn A. Birch, Gail S. Prins
Summary: The MEK/ERK and Rho/Rho kinase signaling pathways play crucial roles in prostate growth and branching during development, with MLCK-regulated MLC-P potentially serving as a central downstream target of both pathways in regulating prostate morphogenesis. Experiments demonstrated that inhibiting these pathways significantly inhibited prostate growth and blocked branching morphogenesis, highlighting their importance in prostate development.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shibo Wang, Rui Wang, George Q. Li, Jun-Lae Cho, Yulin Deng, Yujuan Li
Summary: The study found that simulated microgravity for 21 days damaged the intestinal barrier, leading to decreased numbers of goblet cells, enlarged intercellular space, down-regulated adhesion molecules, and increased intestinal permeability. Proteomic analysis revealed that simulated microgravity significantly down-regulated adhesion molecules, deteriorated metabolic pathways, focal adhesion pathways, and the regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathways.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Shuiping Liu, Jinyan Li, Weili Kang, Yun Li, Lei Ge, Dandan Liu, Yunhuan Liu, Kehe Huang
Summary: This study revealed that AFB1 induces intestinal barrier dysfunction through the FXR-mediated MLCK signaling pathway, providing novel insights into the prevention of mycotoxin poisoning in the intestine.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shengbo Chen, Hongbin Liu, Zhijun Li, Jingyi Tang, Bing Huang, Fachao Zhi, Xinmei Zhao
Summary: PBLD plays a crucial role in UC, as its deficiency leads to impaired intestinal barrier function and dysregulated immune responses, exacerbating colonic inflammation.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yu Yang, Yong Xiao, Yue Jiang, Jiajun Luo, Jingwen Yuan, Junfeng Yan, Qiang Tong
Summary: ALA promotes migration and wound healing of colonic epithelial cells by increasing the expression of tight junction factors and inhibiting MAPK signaling pathways.
MEDIATORS OF INFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Katsuyoshi Matsuoka, Toshimitsu Fujii, Ryuichi Okamoto, Akihiro Yamada, Reiko Kunisaki, Minoru Matsuura, Kenji Watanabe, Hisashi Shiga, Noritaka Takatsu, Shigeki Bamba, Yohei Mikami, Takayuki Yamamoto, Takahiro Shimoyama, Satoshi Motoya, Takehiro Torisu, Taku Kobayashi, Naoki Ohmiya, Masayuki Saruta, Koichiro Matsuda, Takayuki Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakase, Atsuo Maemoto, Shinichiro Shinzaki, Yoko Murata, Shinichi Yoshigoe, Ayako Sasaki, Tsutomu Yajima, Tadakazu Hisamatsu
Summary: This study reports the clinical characteristics and disease course of newly diagnosed Crohn's disease patients in Japan. The findings reveal differences in disease phenotype among patients of different age groups, providing important information for patient management.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sakura Kirino, Nobuharu Tamaki, Masayuki Kurosaki, Shun Kaneko, Kento Inada, Yuki Tanaka, Shun Ishido, Koji Yamashita, Tsubasa Nobusawa, Hiroaki Matsumoto, Yuka Hayakawa, Tatsuya Kakegawa, Mayu Higuchi, Kenta Takaura, Shohei Tanaka, Chiaki Maeyashiki, Yutaka Yasui, Yuka Takahashi, Kaoru Tsuchiya, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Ryuichi Okamoto, Namiki Izumi
Summary: The aim of this study was to establish a target value of ALT level during NA treatment as a risk marker for HCC. The results showed that patients with ALT <21 IU/L at 1 year after NA initiation had a lower risk of HCC.
HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Eiko Saito, Kazuo Ohtsuka, Ami Kawamoto, Toshimitsu Fujii, Kento Takenaka, Shuji Hibiya, Hiromichi Shimizu, Masakazu Nagahori, Shohei Tomii, Ryuichi Okamoto
Summary: A 50-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea persisting for 8 months, after being treated for myocarditis with ulceration in the gastrointestinal tract. Biopsy confirmed CMV gastrocolitis and antiviral therapy was given. Improvement was observed after discontinuation of eplerenone.
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kento Takenaka, Yoshio Kitazume, Ami Kawamoto, Toshimitsu Fujii, Yumi Udagawa, Ryosuke Wanatabe, Hiromichi Shimizu, Shuji Hibiya, Masakazu Nagahori, Kazuo Ohtsuka, Hiroyuki Sato, Akihiro Hirakawa, Mamoru Watanabe, Ryuichi Okamoto
Summary: This study investigates the use of LRG as a biomarker for evaluating transmural activity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The results show a positive correlation between LRG levels and MRE scores, indicating that LRG is a highly accurate biomarker for detecting transmural activity in CD patients. Furthermore, high LRG levels are associated with increased risks of CD-related hospitalization, surgery, and clinical relapse.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ryuichi Okamoto, Tomohiro Mizutani, Hiromichi Shimizu
Summary: This article discusses the importance of mucosal healing in patients with IBD and introduces current factor-based or cell-based treatment options. It also explores the future prospects of regenerative medicine in the treatment of IBD.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shun Kaneko, Yasuhiro Asahina, Mina Nakagawa, Miyako Murakawa, Yasunari Miyazaki, Takahiro Asakage, Shohei Fukuda, Takeshi Namiki, Yoshihito Kano, Masashi Nagata, Jun Tsuchiya, Masato Miyoshi, Fukiko Kitahata-Kawai, Sayuri Nitta, Yasuhiro Itsui, Sei Kakinuma, Ryuichi Okamoto
Summary: This study aimed to identify factors associated with immune-related liver injury (irLI) and investigate its impact on overall survival (OS) in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The results showed that treatment with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 agents and baseline grade 1 aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase elevation were independent predictive factors for grade >= 2 irLI. Treatment with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 was the only independent predictive factor for grade >= 3 irLI. Patients who experienced any immune-related adverse events (irAEs) had a significantly longer median OS, and those with grade >= 2 irLI also had a significantly longer median OS. However, there was no significant difference in median OS between patients with grade >= 3 irLI and others.
HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kento Takenaka, Ami Kawamoto, Yoshio Kitazume, Toshimitsu Fujii, Yumi Udagawa, Hiromichi Shimizu, Shuji Hibiya, Masakazu Nagahori, Kazuo Ohtsuka, Mamoru Watanabe, Ryuichi Okamoto
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between serum concentrations of biologics and transmural healing in patients with Crohn's disease. The results showed that patients who achieved transmural healing had a lower risk of hospitalization and surgery. Additionally, the concentration levels of drugs were found to be related to transmural healing.
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mina Nakagawa, Yasuhiro Asahina, Sei Kakinuma, Ryuichi Okamoto
Summary: Hepatitis C virus infection causes chronic liver inflammation and fibrogenesis, resulting in severe liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma. The presence of the virus in non-hepatic tissues can also lead to pathogenic impacts on extrahepatic systems and organs. These extrahepatic manifestations have significant effects on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Taisei Keitoku, Nobuharu Tamaki, Masayuki Kurosaki, Kento Inada, Sakura Kirino, Naoki Uchihara, Keito Suzuki, Yuki Tanaka, Haruka Miyamoto, Shun Ishido, Michiko Yamada, Tsubasa Nobusawa, Hiroaki Matsumoto, Mayu Higuchi, Kenta Takaura, Shohei Tanaka, Chiaki Maeyashiki, Shun Kaneko, Yutaka Yasui, Yuka Takahashi, Kaoru Tsuchiya, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Yasuhiro Asahina, Ryuichi Okamoto, Namiki Izumi
Summary: The significance of fatty liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving nucleic acid analog therapy remains unclear. This study aimed to determine if fatty liver affects the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients receiving NA therapy. The results showed that fatty liver was not a significant factor for HCC development in these patients, while advanced fibrosis was found to be an important risk factor.
JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Shun Ishido, Kaoru Tsuchiya, Yoshihito Kano, Yutaka Yasui, Kenta Takaura, Naoki Uchihara, Keito Suzuki, Yuki Tanaka, Haruka Miyamoto, Michiko Yamada, Hiroaki Matsumoto, Tsubasa Nobusawa, Taisei Keitoku, Shohei Tanaka, Chiaki Maeyashiki, Nobuharu Tamaki, Yuka Takahashi, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Urara Sakurai, Yasuhiro Asahina, Ryuichi Okamoto, Masayuki Kurosaki, Namiki Izumi
Summary: The clinical usefulness of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received multiple systemic therapies is investigated in this study. Gene alterations were detected in all nine patients, with seven being eligible for clinical trials based on CGP results. The median number of alterations per patient was four, and blood samples were used in patients with extrahepatic metastasis. These findings provide genomic information of patients with multiple systemic therapies and highlight the utility of blood samples in patients with extrahepatic metastasis. Furthermore, the study suggests that understanding the genomic status in patients treated with multiple molecular-targeted agents could lead to the development of newer systemic agents for HCC treatment.
Article
Physics, Applied
Takeya Unuma, Kosuke Ueda, Ryuichi Okamoto
Summary: We investigate how the initial energy distribution of electrons in a biased semiconductor superlattice, created by femtosecond pump pulses, affects terahertz Bloch oscillations. The emitted terahertz waveforms are well reproduced from a damped oscillation current with capacitive nature. In-plane excess energy changes the relaxation time via scattering processes, while partial use of the pump pulse spectrum reduces the temporal resolution.
APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Satoshi Watanabe, Nobuhiko Ogasawara, Sakurako Kobayashi, Sakura Kirino, Masami Inoue, Yui Hiraguri, Sayaka Nagata, Hiromichi Shimizu, Go Ito, Tomohiro Mizutani, Yasuhiro Nemoto, Kiichiro Tsuchiya, Ryuichi Okamoto, Mamoru Watanabe, Shiro Yui
Summary: This study focused on the role of sulfomucin in ulcerative colitis (UC) and found that sulfomucin production decreased in the inflammatory region of UC and increased in the distal colon and cecum of mice. Through organoids transplantation, sulfomucin secretion was restored in severely injured distal colon. This study provides a basis for the advancement of organoids transplantation therapy for refractory UC.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mina Nakagawa, Yasuhiro Asahina, Sei Kakinuma, Ryuichi Okamoto
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Junichi Takahashi, Tomohiro Mizutani, Ryuichi Okamoto
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sakurako Kobayashi, Nobuhiko Ogasawara, Satoshi Watanabe, Go Ito, Yoshito Kano, Tomohiro Mizutani, Hiromichi Shimizu, Mamoru Watanabe, Ryuichi Okamoto, Shiro Yui
