Zoological Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 0289-0003 22 9 2005 Interleukin-18 (IL-18) mRNA Expression and Localization of IL-18 mRNA-Expressing Cells in the Mouse Uterus 1003 1010 EN Kenji Kusumoto Yousuke Murakami Mariko Otsuki Munetoshi Kanayama Sakae Takeuchi Sumio Takahashi Interleukin-18 (IL-18) belongs to the interleukin-1 family and was identified as an interferon gamma inducing factor. We investigated IL-18 mRNA-expressing cells in the mouse uterus. By RNase protection assay, IL-18 mRNA and a subunit of IL-18 receptor mRNA were detected in the uterus. In the uterus, IL-18 mRNA levels increased during sexual maturation. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated IL-18 mRNA-expressing cells in the mouse uterus of different ages. At 21 days of age, IL-18 mRNA-expressing cells were detected in the luminal epithelial cells and stromal cells although the IL-18 mRNA signal was weak. At 42 days of age, IL-18 mRNA signal was mainly detected in the stromal cells located near the myometrium, and in some of the luminal and glandular epithelial cells. In the uterus of 63-day-old adult mice, a strong hybridization signal for IL-18 mRNA was detected at estrus, but was weak at diestrus. IL-18 mRNA was mainly detected in the glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells. The effect of estradiol-17 beta (E-2) on IL-18 mRNA-expressing cells in the uterus was examined in ovariectomized mice. In oil-treated mice IL-18 mRNA signal was localized in luminal epithelial cells and stromal cells, while in E-2-treated mice IL-18 mRNA signal was localized in stromal cells alone. These results suggest that the mouse uterus has an IL-18 system, and IL-18 exerts a physiological role within the uterus in a paracrine manner, and that IL-18 gene expression is regulated by estrogen. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Zoological Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 0289-0003 26 2 2009 Estradiol, Progesterone, and Transforming Growth Factor α Regulate Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP3) Expression in Mouse Endometrial Cells 131 138 EN Tetsuya Maekawa Sakae Takeuchi Munetoshi Kanayama Sumio Takahashi Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) Is Involved in the proliferation of mouse and rat endometrial cells in a paracrine or autocrine manner. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) modulates actions of IGFs directly or indirectly. The present study aimed to determine whether IGFBP3 is Involved In the regulation of proliferation of mouse endometrial cells. Mouse endometrial epithelial cells and stromal cells were isolated, and cultured In a serum free medium. IGF1 stimulated DNA synthesis by endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, and IGFBP3 Inhibited IGF1-induced DNA synthesis. Estradiol-17 beta (E2) decreased the Igfbp3 mRNA level in endometrial stromal cells, whereas It Increased the Igf1 mRNA level. Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) significantly decreased IGFBP3 expression at both the mRNA and secreted protein levels in endometrial stromal cells. Progesterone (134) did not affect the E2-induced down-regulation of Igfbp3 mRNA expression in endometrial stromal cells, although P4 alone increased Igfbp3 mRNA levels. The present findings suggest that in mouse endometrial stromal cells E2 enhances IGF1 action through enhancement of IGF1 synthesis and reduction of IGFBP3 synthesis, and that TGF alpha affects IGF1 actions through modulation of IGFBP3 levels. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学環境管理センター Acta Medica Okayama 0917-1533 15 1993 岡山市周辺の環境放射線ならびに放射能の調査・研究(I) 13 22 EN Mikiro Tada Bun-ichiro Ono Munetoshi Kanayama Kinji Hachiya Kimiyuki Satoh No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学環境管理センター Acta Medica Okayama 0917-1533 16 1994 岡山市周辺の環境放射線ならびに放射能の調査・研究（II）―環境レベルの空間線量からの外部被曝に関する評価― 3 10 EN Mitsunobu Mio Munetoshi Kanayama Mikiro Tada Bun-ichiro Ono Kinji Hachiya Kimiyuki Satoh Monitoring of environmental ionizing radiation and radioisotopes in Okayama city and the vicinity was carried out from the point of view of the external radiation from the environmental radiation dose. Although the fluctuation of monthly detected radiation dose throughout the year was rather low at each observation point, the mean value of dose equivalent was varied between the place of observation. From the observation of the distribution of environmental radiation dose in Okayama city, it was assumed that its distribution was well corresponded with the distribution of igneous rocks. The concentrations of radioisotopes in various kinds of rocks corrected in Okayama city and its vicinity were determined. It became apparent that high concentrations of radioisotopes, such as (134)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra and (228)Th, were detected in igneous rocks, such as granite, gabbro and rhyolitic tuff, although the contents in sedimentary rocks, such as pelite, schist, psammite and limestone, were rather low. This result was in good agreement with that of the distribution of radiation dose in Okayama city. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学農学部 Acta Medica Okayama 0474-0254 82 1 1993 長波長紫外光による酵母Saccharomyces cerevisiae 細胞膜機能の損傷 1 7 EN Shin-ichiro Arami Megumi Hada Asako Itadani Satoko Yamashita Kinji Hachiya Munetoshi Kaneyama Mikiro Tada 酵母Saccharomyces cerevisiaeに長波長紫外光を照射すると,酵母の生存率は光量に依存して急激に低下した.この現象の発現機構についての知見を得るために,細胞膜機能として非常に重要な透過障壁能と能動輸送能の長波長紫外照射による損傷について,光量一効果曲線を作成して調べた. 酵母に10J/mlの長波長紫外光を照射すると生存率は50%に低下する.この照射光量は,細胞膜の透過障壁能の破壊を引き起こし,細胞内のカリウムイオンおよびナトリウムイオンの非選択的漏出と細胞膜非透過性物質の細胞内への浸入をもたらした .5J/ml以下の光量は酵母の生存率にほとんど影響を与えないが,アミノ酸の取り込み速度の著しい低下とポンプあるいはチャンネル機構の損傷を予想させるカリウムイオンの選択的漏出をもたらした.また,動力学的解析結果から,アミノ酸の取り込み速度低下の要因は､細胞膜表面に存在するレセプターの損傷によるものではなく､受容以降の輸送系の損傷によることが示唆された。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.