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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

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Feb 23;50(1):49-55. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science.

Mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) is a novel iron storage protein with high homology to H-ferritin. Unlike the ubiquitously expressed H- and L-ferritin, FtMt is expressed in specific tissues such as the testis, heart, and brain. The function of FtMt is not fully understood; however, evidence suggests that it has a neuroprotective role in neurodegenerative diseases. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Feb 25;50(1):39-48. Epub 2017 Feb 25.

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

Although estrogen is implicated in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation in many organs, the exact mechanism for liver regeneration is not completely understood. We investigated the effect of estrogen on liver regeneration in male and female Wistar rats after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) and performed immunohistochemistry, western blotting and Southwestern histochemistry. 17β-estradiol (E) and ICI 182,780 were injected into male rats on the day before PHx. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Feb 22;50(1):29-37. Epub 2017 Feb 22.

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 direction selectivity of the retina is a distinct mechanism that is critical function of eyes for survival. The direction-selective retinal ganglion cells (DS RGCs) strongly respond to a preferred direction, but rarely respond to opposite direction or null directional visual stimuli. The DS RGCs are sensitive to acetylcholine, which is secreted from starburst amacrine cells (SACs) to the DS RGCs. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Feb 22;50(1):21-28. Epub 2017 Feb 22.

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki , 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.

Mucosal immune dysregulation associated with T cells plays a critical role in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, the definite significances of these cells in IBD still remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the population and expression of CD4CD161 T cells in the colonic lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) in patients with IBD by analyses using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Feb 22;50(1):11-19. Epub 2017 Feb 22.

Department of Physiology/Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, King Saud University , Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Acute kidney failure is the main cause of death among patients with severe trauma due to massive blood loss and hemorrhagic shock (HS). Renal cell injury is caused by tissue ischemia. Renal ischemia initiates a complex and interconnected chain of events resulting in cell injury and renal cell necrosis. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017 Feb 23;50(1):1-9. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medical Sciences.

To study the significance of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 3 in lung epithelial development of fetal mice, we examined fetal mouse lungs, focusing on the expression of Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP), Forkhead box protein J1 (Foxj1), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), phosphorylated Stat3 (Tyr705), and hairy/enhancer of split (Hes) 1, and observed cultured fetal lungs upon treatment with IL-6, a Stat3 activator, or cucurbitacin I, a Stat3 inhibitor. Moreover, the interaction of Stat3 signaling and Hes1 was studied using Hes1 gene-deficient mice. Phosphorylated Stat3 was detected in fetal lungs and, immunohistochemically, phosphorylated Stat3 was found to be co-localized in developing Clara cells, but not in ciliated cells. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2016 Dec 22;49(6):197-206. Epub 2016 Dec 22.

Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University , 1-2-3 Kausmi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.

The function of the serotonin transporter (SERT) is regulated by its membrane trafficking. Previously, we showed that the C-terminus-deleted mutant of SERT (SERTΔCT) exhibited an aberrant membrane trafficking and subsequent retention at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In addition, we found that proteasome inhibitor-induced ER stress resulted in the impairment of SERT membrane trafficking and retention of SERT at the ER, an impairment very similar to that of SERTΔCT. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2016 Dec 22;49(6):191-196. Epub 2016 Dec 22.

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

Kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) regulate prolactin secretion, and are in physical contact with tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons, which inhibit prolactin secretion. Prolactin levels in the blood are increased with advancing age in rats; therefore, we investigated the interactions with TIDA neurons and kisspeptin neurons in aged female rats (24 months of age), relative to those of young adult female rats (9-10 weeks of age). Plasma prolactin levels in the aged rats were significantly higher than those of young adult rats. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2016 Dec 22;49(6):181-190. Epub 2016 Dec 22.

Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University , Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) has recently been identified as an itch-signaling molecule in the primary afferents and spinal cord of rodents. However, little information exists on the expression and localization of GRP in the trigeminal somatosensory system other than in rats. We examined the generality of the trigeminal GRP system in mammals using two distinct species, suncus as a model of specialized placental mammals known to have a well-developed trigeminal sensory system and mice as a representative small laboratory animal. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2016 Dec 22;49(6):171-179. Epub 2016 Dec 22.

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

Fibromodulin belongs to the family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), an active component of extracellular matrix. It directly binds collagens to promote fibrillogenesis and also binds transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) to antagonize its actions. Our previous studies of rat anterior pituitary gland revealed that fibromodulin is expressed in folliculostellate cells and pericytes. Read More

Acta Histochem Cytochem 2016 Dec 23;49(6):159-169. Epub 2016 Dec 23.

Division of Anatomy, Meikai University School of Dentistry , Sakado, Saitama, Japan.

Myoepithelial cells (MECs) exist on the basal surface of acini in major exocrine glands, include myofilaments and various constructive proteins, and share characteristics with smooth muscle and epithelial cells. MECs project several ramified processes to invest acini, and possibly contract to compress acini to support the secretion by the glandular cells. However, the functional roles of MECs in salivary secretion are still unclear. Read More