Akira Itô

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) are implicated in inflammation and tissue destruction, where IL-1 is a potent stimulator of connective tissue cells to produce the extracellular matrix-degrading MMPs. Here, we report that IL-1beta, but not IL-1alpha, is degraded by MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase), MMP-2 (gelatinase A), MMP-3 (stromelysin 1), and MMP-9 (gelatinase B). This degradation was effectively blocked by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1. When IL-1be

AM-715 [1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid] is a new nalidixic acid analog. AM-715 has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity of AM-715 was greater than those of pipemidic acid and nalidixic acid. AM-715 had higher antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than did gentamicin. Most nalidixic acid-resistant bacteria were susceptible to AM-715, and cross-resista

Immunotherapy (IT) has become an accepted therapeutic modality. We previously reported that intracellular hyperthermia (IH) using magnetic nanoparticles induces antitumor immunity. We undertook these studies in order to study the combined effects of IT and IH on melanoma. Magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs) have a positive surface charge and generate heat in an alternating magnetic field (AMF) due to hysteresis loss. MCLs were injected into a B16 melanoma nodule in C57BL/6 mice, which were subje

Novel technologies to establish three-dimensional, in vivo-like tissue consisting of various types of cells are required for tissue engineering. We applied magnetic force to construct a heterotypic, layered coculture system of rat hepatocytes and human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) that was not limited by cell type. Magnetite cationic liposomes carrying a positive surface charge to improve adsorption accumulated in HAECs at a concentration of 38 pg of magnetite per cell. Magnetically labeled

Novel technologies for creating three-dimensional constructs with complex shapes would be highly useful in tissue engineering. In the present study, tubular structures were constructed using magnetic force. Magnetite nanoparticles in cationic liposomes were taken up by target cells. The magnetically labeled cells were seeded onto ultralow-attachment plates, and a magnet was placed under the wells. After 24 h of culture, the magnetically labeled cells formed a cell sheet. Subsequently, when a cyl

Novel technologies to establish three-dimensional constructs are desired for tissue engineering. In the present study, magnetic force was used to construct multilayered keratinocyte sheets and harvest the sheets without enzymatic treatment. Our original magnetite cationic liposomes, which have a positive surface charge in order to improve adsorption, were taken up by human keratinocytes at a concentration of 33 pg of magnetite per cell. The magnetically labeled keratinocytes (2x10(6) cells, whic

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the most severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which causes rapid visual loss. Transplantation of cultured retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell sheet by tissue engineering is a possible approach to the treatment of CNV. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of using magnetite nanoparticles and magnetic force to construct and deliver RPE cell sheets in vitro. When magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs), having a positive charge