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Acta Histochem Cytochem 2020 Apr 25;53(2):21-31. Epub 2020 Apr 25.

Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon City, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.

Diabetic nephropathy is a major source of end-stage renal failure, affecting about one-third cases of diabetes mellitus. It has long been accepted that diabetic nephropathy is mainly characterized by glomerular defects, while clinical observations have implied that renal tubular damage is closely linked to kidney dysfunction at the early stages of diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we conducted pathohistological analyses focusing on renal tubular lesions in the early-stage diabetic kidney with the use of a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus mouse model. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2020 Apr 9;53(2):11-19. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Department of Anatomy, University of Fukui Faculty of Medical Sciences, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.

In the gastrointestinal tract musculatures, c-Kit receptor tyrosine kinase is specifically expressed in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). ICC are distributed among the smooth muscle cells and are either bipolar or multipolar in shape. Our previous and current study shows that c-Kit-immunopositive smooth muscle cells are present in the murine cecum. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2020 Feb 26;53(1):1-10. Epub 2020 Feb 26.

Department of Pathology, Division of Pathological Neuroscience, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.

Cancer is widely considered to be a set of genetic diseases that are currently classified by tissue and cell type of origin and, increasingly, by its molecular characteristics. This latter aspect is based primarily upon oncogene gains, tumor suppressor losses, and associated transcriptional profiles. However, cancers are also characterized by profound alterations in cellular metabolism and epigenetic landscape. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Dec 25;52(6):101-106. Epub 2019 Dec 25.

Applied Life Science Department, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.

Dacomitinib, a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was irreversible inhibitor forming covalent bonds with the kinase domains of EGFR and other ErbB family receptors. Dacomitinib has been approved for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. In this study, we aimed to develop an immunohistochemistry to detect dacomitinib-ErbB family receptor conjugates. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Dec 20;52(6):93-99. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.

Rhythmic incremental growth lines occur in dental hard tissues of vertebrates, and dentinogenesis in rodent incisors is suggested to be controlled by the 24-hr circadian clock. Rodent incisors continue to grow throughout the animal's life; however, similar to human teeth, rodent molars stop growing after crown formation. This similarity suggests that the mouse molar is an excellent model to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying growth of human teeth. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Oct 26;52(5):85-91. Epub 2019 Sep 26.

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.

Hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons stimulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) release. Kisspeptin neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) of rats induce an LH surge for ovulation, and those in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) regulate pulsatile LH secretion for follicle development and spermatogenesis. Dysfunction of kisspeptin neurons thus reduces the reproductive function. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Aug 27;52(4):59-65. Epub 2019 Aug 27.

Department of Molecular Oral Physiology, Division of Oral Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.

Four major kallikreins (mK1, mK22, mK9, and mK13) were identified in the mouse submandibular gland (SMG). mK1, a true tissue kallikrein, was used as a protein marker to identify different types of SMG granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells along with epidermal growth factor (EGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and renin. Kallikrein mK1 was localized in a very small number (~5%) of GCT cells, which were scattered throughout the GCT, indicating that the majority of GCT cells are mK1-negative. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Aug 10;52(4):77-83. Epub 2019 Aug 10.

Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine.

The interleukin (IL)-4, 1,25(OH)D and retinoic acid, increase surface expression of functional integrin αβ on murine osteoclast precursors. All three agonists stimulate transcription of the β gene, leading to increased steady-state levels of mRNA this protein. By contrast, mRNA levels of α remain unchanged. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Aug 27;52(4):67-75. Epub 2019 Aug 27.

Department of Anatomy, Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.

Fatty liver is common in men and post-menopausal women, suggesting that estrogen may be involved in liver lipid metabolism. The aim of this study is to be clear the role of estrogen and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in fat accumulation during liver regeneration using the 70% partial hepatectomy (PHX) model in male, female, ovariectomized (OVX) and E-treated OVX (OVX-E) rats. Liver tissues were sampled at 0-48 hr after PHX and fat accumulation, fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and ERα were examined by Oil Red O, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Jun 19;52(3):45-58. Epub 2019 Jun 19.

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer frequently causes salivary gland dysfunction. Pilocarpine is a clinically approved and effective drug that induces saliva secretion, thereby keeping the oral mucosa moist and reducing discomfort in patients, but the effect is transient. We expected that this drug also has beneficial long-term effects that maintain the integrity of salivary glands by reducing, for instance, apoptosis. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Apr 23;52(2):35-43. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan.

RNase 7 is a skin-derived antimicrobial peptide expressed in various epithelial tissues. It is upregulated by stimulation with microbes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Herein, we examined the expression levels of RNase 7 in tissues from normal and inflamed oral epithelia and salivary glands via immunohistochemistry. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Feb 23;52(1):27-34. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Department of Applied Life Science, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.

Knowledge of time sequence of localization of drugs in cells and tissues of animals may help in developing a better understanding of the actual overall pharmacokinetics of the drugs. We produced monoclonal antibody (mAb) against alogliptin (AG), a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, conjugated to BSA with -(γ-maleimidobutyryloxy)-succinimide. The mAb was specific for AG and did not cross-react with sitagliptin, vancomycin or amoxicillin. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Feb 23;52(1):19-26. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan.

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) usually results from a failure of the medial nasal prominences to fuse with the lateral and maxillary prominences. This failure inhibits facial morphogenesis regulated by several major morphogenetic signaling pathways. We hypothesized that CLP results from the failure of the Wnt signaling pathway. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Feb 26;52(1):9-17. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.

B-cell lymphoma 9 (Bcl9) is the core component of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and overexpressed in nuclei of various tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the extent of Bcl9 expression relative to HCC differentiation stage and its functional aspects are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of Bcl9 immunohistochemically, using two anti-Bcl9 antibodies; one was a conventional polyclonal-antibody (anti-Bcl9) against amino acid no. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2019 Feb 23;52(1):1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Department of Anatomy, Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is a rare and aggressive gastrointestinal tract cancer that is characterized by hepatic differentiation and production of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Cisplatin is mainly used to treat HAC, but the efficacy is poor. Recently, the histone deacetylase inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), was approved as an anticancer agent. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Dec 3;51(6):185-190. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Department of Cell Biology, Unit of Basic Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.

We previously reported that the terminal differentiation of odontoblasts was inhibited in transgenic {} mice under the control of the 2.3-kb promoter. Odontoblasts in mice lose their characteristic long cellular processes, and show marked reductions in the protein levels of markers for odontoblasts, such as dentin sialophosphoprotein, nestin, and microtubule-associated protein tau (Mapt). Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Dec 15;51(6):173-183. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts.

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), referring to vasculogenic structures lined by tumor cells, can be distinguished from angiogenesis, and is responsible for the aggressiveness and metastatic potential of tumors. HCC1937/p53 cells were derived from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and used to investigate the roles of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the formation of VM. HCC1937/p53 cells formed mesh-like structures on matrigel culture in which expression of VM-related genes, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 was confirmed by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Dec 3;51(6):167-172. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Institute for Hematopathology Hamburg, Fangdieckstr. 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany.

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated by a family of enzymes termed NO synthases (NOS) that convert L-arginine to NO and citrulline. The role of NO as an important biological mediator and recognition of the pathophysiological significance of superoxides/NO interaction has led to an intensive research and development of therapies based on the interception of the NO signaling cascade in the pancreatitis course. However, the presence and localization of the NO-generating enzymes in various organs including pancreas are subject to controversy. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Oct 29;51(5):153-165. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, and Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, South Korea.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the organization of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunoreactive (IR) fibers in the visual cortex of the microbat, using standard immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. ChAT-IR fibers were distributed throughout all layers of the visual cortex, with the highest density in layer III and the lowest density in layer I. However, no ChAT-IR cells were found in the microbat visual cortex. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Oct 13;51(5):145-152. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.

Laminin, a major basement membrane protein, comprises three subunit chains: α, β, and γ chains. Among these chains, only the laminin α chain is capable of signaling via laminin receptors. Although laminin isoforms containing the α5 chain were reported to be the first laminin produced during rat anterior pituitary gland development, the functions of these isoforms are unknown. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Oct 30;51(5):137-143. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4, Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 201-1196, Japan.

Intracellular labile iron is an iron species which is not or weakly bound to proteins and depicts an important effect on homeostatic regulation in cells. An excess or deficiency of iron can cause oxidative damage to key cellular biomolecules. The behavior and concentrations of labile iron are difficult to monitor, but the specific redox state of the Fe ions is relevant to the physiological and pathological properties that we would like to study. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Aug 23;51(4):129-136. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

School of Health Sciences, Bukkyo University, Kyoto, Japan.

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that has two subtypes: ERα and ERβ. ERs regulate transcription of estrogen-responsive genes through interactions with multiple intranuclear components, such as cofactors and the nuclear matrix. Live cell imaging using fluorescent protein-labeled ERs has revealed that ligand-activated ERs are highly mobile in the nucleus, with transient association with the DNA and nuclear matrix. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Jun 20;51(3):119-128. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Center, Aichi 480-0392, Japan.

ARHGEF9, also known as Collybistin, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho family GTPases, is thought to play an essential role in the mammalian brain. In this study, we prepared a specific polyclonal antibody against ARHGEF9, anti-ARHGEF9, and carried out expression analyses with mouse tissues especially brain. Western blotting analyses demonstrated tissue-dependent expression profiles of ARHGEF9 in the young adult mouse, and strongly suggested a role during brain development. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Jun 23;51(3):111-118. Epub 2018 May 23.

Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan.

The TRK-fused gene () is reported to be involved in the regulation of cell size, apoptosis, cell growth, ER-Golgi protein secretion, NF-κβ pathway signaling, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and pancreatic β-cell mass and function. mutations were reported in some neurodegenerative diseases affecting sensory and motor functions. However, the function of in the nervous system and how mutations lead to neurodegeneration remain unclear. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Jun 20;51(3):101-110. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

Department of Pathology and Cell Regulation, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.

Raman scattering of a cell conveys the intrinsic information inherent to chemical structures of biomolecules. The spectroscopy of Raman scattering, or Raman spectroscopy, allows label-free and quantitative molecular sensing of a biological sample without disruption. For the last five decades Raman spectroscopy has been widely utilized in biological research fields. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Apr 24;51(2):93-100. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.

For a better understanding of epigenetic regulation of cell differentiation, it is important to analyze DNA methylation at a specific site. In this study, we examined changes in the methylation level of CCGG and GATCG sites during mouse folliculogenesis in paraffin-embedded sections of mouse ovaries. For the purpose, we used a new method, histo endonuclease-linked detection of methylation sites of DNA (HELMET), designed to detect methylation sites of DNA with a specific sequence in a tissue section. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Apr 2;51(2):81-92. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.

Liposomes, artificial phospholipid vesicles, have been developed as a non-viral drug delivery system to allow contained agents to be efficiently delivered to target sites via systemic circulation. Liposomes have been used as a gene transfer tool with cultured cells; however, their precise trafficking and processing remain uncertain. Furthermore, liposomes with different surface charges are known to exhibit distinct properties. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Apr 2;51(2):73-80. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Department of Systems Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.

Jet-lag symptoms arise from temporal misalignment between the internal circadian clock and external solar time when traveling across multiple time zones. Light is known as a strong timing cue of the circadian clock. We here examined the effect of daily light on the process of jet lag by detecting c-Fos expression in the master clock neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) under 8-hr phase-advanced jet lag condition. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Apr 19;51(2):63-71. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Haruhi Respiratory Medical Hospital, Kiyosu, Japan.

In the diagnostic pathology practice, specimens for electron microscopy (EM) are not necessarily handled and fixed under the ideal condition. In the present article, the author describes ultrastructural study using formalin-fixed and/or paraffin-embedded material. The fine morphologic preservation is often acceptable, particularly when small cubes are dug out of paraffin blocks. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Feb 21;51(1):53-62. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan.

Guidance molecules, such as Netrin-1, and their receptors have important roles in controlling axon pathfinding, modulate biological activities of various cancer cells, and may be a useful target for cancer therapy. Dorsal repulsive axon guidance protein (Draxin) is a novel guidance molecule that binds not only common guidance molecule receptors with Netrin-1, but also directly binds the EGF domain of Netrin-1 through a 22-amino-acid peptide (22aa). By immunostaining, Draxin was positively expressed in small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma (ADC), and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Feb 30;51(1):41-52. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 13 Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8586, Japan.

This study investigates the significance of the expression and dynamics of podoplanin in mechanostress and mineralization in cultured murine osteoblasts. Podoplanin increased in osteoblasts subjected to straining in non-mineralization medium, suggesting that the mechanostress alone is a podoplanin induction factor. In osteoblasts subjected to vertical elongation straining in the mineralization medium, the mRNA amounts of podoplanin, osteopontin, and osteocalcin were significantly larger than those in cells not subjected to straining, suggesting that mechanostress is the cause of a synergistic effect in the expression of these proteins. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Feb 21;51(1):33-40. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Department of Anatomy, Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is caused by multiple factors, including dysfunction of the immune system and genetic and epigenetic alterations. Aberrant epigenetic regulation, especially histone acetylation, was found in biopsies from IBD patients and mouse models of colitis, suggesting that an epigenetic treatment approach may be useful for IBD therapy. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Feb 21;51(1):21-31. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Department of Anatomy, Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.

Estrogen affects mitochondrial function in various tissues, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. We, therefore investigated the effect on estrogen-regulated mitochondrial morphology by dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and its Ser616-phosphorylated derivative (pDrp1) are involved in mitochondrial fission. MCF7 human breast cancer cells were treated with 17β-estradiol (E), an estrogen receptor (ER) α and β antagonist (ICI 182, 780), an ERα antagonist (MPP), and an ERβ antagonist (PHTPP) for 24 hr. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Feb 21;51(1):9-20. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Department of Anatomy and Molecular Histology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.

Combined analysis of immunostaining for various biological molecules coupled with investigations of ultrastructural features of individual cells is a powerful approach for studies of cellular functions in normal and pathological conditions. However, weak antigenicity of tissues fixed by conventional methods poses a problem for immunoassays. This study introduces a method of correlative light and electron microscopy imaging of the same endocrine cells of compact and diffuse islets from human pancreatic tissue specimens. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2018 Feb 21;51(1):1-8. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan.

Although the hypothalamus is classified into more than 10 compartments, it still contains uncharacterized areas. In this study, we identified a new triangular-shaped area between the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and the fornix area in the mouse anterior hypothalamus, which is enriched in chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). We designated this region as the perifornical area of the anterior hypothalamus (PeFAH) based on its anatomical location. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Dec 21;50(6):177-180. Epub 2017 Dec 21.

Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan.

There are many commercial antibodies with little information provided by their suppliers as to their reliability. Accordingly, commercial antibodies require proper validation before being used in scientific research. In this study, we validated several commercial antibodies, including anti-CSPα, SNAP25, tyrosine hydroxylase, ubiquitin, cleaved caspase 3, and pSer PKC motif. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Dec 7;50(6):169-176. Epub 2017 Dec 7.

Department of Human Pathology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan.

Identification of fusion genes in cancer is essential for pathological diagnosis and clinical therapy. Although methods for detection of fusion genes, such as fluorescence hybridization (FISH) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been developed in last two decades, these methods are not ideal for detection of these genetic alterations owing to their high cost and time-consuming procedures. In this study, we developed novel application for detection of gene translocations using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Dec 23;50(6):159-168. Epub 2017 Nov 23.

Department of Advanced Therapeutics for GI Diseases, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.

Intestinal goblet cells are characterized by their unique morphology and specialized function to secrete mucins. Although it is known that they are a heterogeneous population of cells, there have been few studies that relate the expression of a particular gene with functionally distinct subpopulations of intestinal goblet cells. Here we show that , a gene encoding a member of the CCN family proteins, is induced by inhibition of Notch signaling in colonic epithelial cells and expressed in goblet cells in mice. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Dec 23;50(6):149-158. Epub 2017 Nov 23.

Brain Functions and Neuroscience Unit, Department of Oral Science, Graduate School of Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental University, Inaoka-cho 82, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-8580, Japan.

In the present study, we investigated the distribution of CXCL14 immunoreactive endocrine cells and neurons in mouse alimentary tract by immunohistochemistry. CXCL14 immunoreactive endocrine cells were found as closed-type cells in the stomach and open-type cells in the small intestine. The immunostaining of these endocrine cells corresponded with that of the somatostatin-containing endocrine cells. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Oct 7;50(5):141-147. Epub 2017 Oct 7.

Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.

Phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4)P] is a phosphoinositide that plays important roles in signal transduction, endocytosis, and cell migration among others. The intracellular distribution of PtdIns(3,4)P has mainly been studied by observing the distribution of GFP-tagged PtdIns(3,4)P-binding protein domains in live cells and by labeling with anti-PtdIns(3,4)P antibody in fixed cell samples, but these methods only offer low spatial resolution results and may have pitfalls. In the present study, we developed an electron microscopic method to observe the PtdIns(3,4)P distribution using the SDS-treated freeze-fracture replica labeling method. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Oct 19;50(5):135-140. Epub 2017 Oct 19.

Department of Anatomy and Cell Science, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata City, Osaka, Japan.

"Array tomography" is a method used to observe the fine structure of cells and tissues in a three-dimensional view. In this method, serial ultrathin sections in the ribbon state (ribbons) are mounted on a solid substrate and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The method may also be used in conjunction with post-embedding immunocytochemistry. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Aug 10;50(4):127-133. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon City, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.

In mammals, the müllerian duct (MD) is an embryonic tubular structure that gives rise to the female reproductive tract (FRT). The MD originates from the coelomic epithelium (CoE) and takes on a rostral to caudal shape to establish the primary structure of the FRT under the regulation of morphogenetic signals. During these developmental processes, the MD and its derivatives require proper regulation of the Wnt-signaling-pathway. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Aug 10;50(4):119-125. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Department of Oral Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.

Tight junction (TJ) is one of the cell-cell junctions and known to have the barrier and fence functions between adjacent cells in both simple and stratified epithelia. We examined the distribution pattern, constitutive proteins, and permeability of TJ in the stratified squamous epithelium of the palatal mucosa of mice. Ultrastructural observations based on the ultrathin section and freeze-fracture methods revealed that poorly developed TJs are located at the upper layer of the stratum granulosum. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Jun 22;50(3):111-118. Epub 2017 Jun 22.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Life Dentistry, The Nippon Dental University at Niigata, Japan.

Long-term submandibular duct obstruction is thought to cause irreversible atrophy and dysfunction of the submandibular gland. As an atrophic gland may be induced clinically by chronic or recurrent infection, it is generally removed surgically. However, the regenerative capacity of atrophic submandibular glands after long-term obstruction is not completely understood. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Jun 14;50(3):105-109. Epub 2017 Jun 14.

Department of Radiation Science, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Honcho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.

The ciliary zonules link the lens to the ciliary body in the eye, controlling the thickness of the lens for focusing through their characteristic elasticity. The ciliary zonules are composed of oxytalan fibers. Physiological or pathological damage to the ciliary zonules, including exposure to ultraviolet (UV)-A and UV-B components, can lead to lens dislocation. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Apr 22;50(2):95-104. Epub 2017 Apr 22.

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osaka-Sayama City, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.

Both prokineticin receptor 2 () and prokineticin 2 () gene-deficient mice have hypoplasia of the main olfactory bulb (MOB). This hypoplasia has been attributed to disruption of the glomerulus that is caused by loss of afferent projection from olfactory sensory neurons (OSN), and to the impaired migration of granule cells, a type of interneuron. In the present study, we examined whether migration of the second type of interneuron, periglomerular cells (PGC), is dependent on the expression by observing the localization of distinct subpopulations of PGC: calretinin (CR)-, calbindin (CB)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-expressing neurons. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Apr 22;50(2):85-93. Epub 2017 Apr 22.

Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.

The estrogen receptor (ER) functions as a dimer and is involved in several different biological functions. However ER dimeric proteins have not been identified by methodologies. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) has been recently developed, which enabled the localization of protein and protein interaction. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Apr 15;50(2):71-84. Epub 2017 Apr 15.

Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science, 1-1 Ridaicho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0005, Japan.

We used suncus (; house musk shrew) to generate partner cells for cell fusion to produce suncus monoclonal antibodies. Suncus are insectivores that are genetically distant to rodents, and recognize antigens and epitopes that are not immunogenic in mice and rats, which are the animals most commonly used in basic life science research and from which monoclonal antibodies are usually produced. To date, monoclonal antibodies from suncus have not been generated due to the lack of a plasmacytoma fusion partner. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Apr 15;50(2):63-69. Epub 2017 Apr 15.

Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.

After publication of reports describing the presence of stem/progenitor cells among non-hormone-producing cells in the pituitary, the mechanism responsible for proliferation and differentiation generated considerable interest. Several studies have suggested that Notch signaling is involved. In the present study, we examined the histochemical relationship between Notch signaling molecules and the transcription factor SOX2 in rat pituitary. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Apr 15;50(2):57-61. Epub 2017 Apr 15.

Sanno Hospital, 8-10-16, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan.

In order to confirm the relationship between glutathione-peroxidase (GPx1) and biological significance on steroidogenesis, we have studied the immunocytochemical localization of GPx1 in the rat adrenal cortical cells. GPx1 was observed not only in cytoplasm (cytosol GPx1) but in mitochondria (mitochondrial GPx1). The staining intensity was altered by the functional state of the adrenal cortical cells. Read More