Kyushu University · Medicine
Professor Eikichi Ihara's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal and vascular smooth muscle physiology, with a focus on the molecular mechanisms regulating smooth muscle contractility. The lab investigates key signaling pathways involving protein kinases—such as ZIPK, Rho-kinase, PKC, and MAPKs—controlling myosin light chain phosphorylation and calcium sensitization. Their work also explores endoscopic diagnostic techniques, particularly mucosal-incision assisted biopsy (MIAB), for accurate histological diagnosis of gastric stromal tumors and submucosal lesions. Additionally, the lab examines endothelial modulation of vascular tone, especially in response to vasoactive agents like bradykinin.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Smooth muscle contractility is mainly regulated by phosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chains (LC20), a process that is controlled by the opposing activities of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP). Recently, intensive research has revealed that various protein kinase networks including Rho-kinase, integrin-linked kinase, zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK), and protein kinase C (PKC) are involved in the regulation of LC20 phosphorylation and hav
We investigated the protein kinases responsible for myosin regulatory light chain (LC20) phosphorylation and regulation of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) activity during microcystin (phosphatase inhibitor)-induced contraction at low Ca2+ concentrations of rat ileal smooth muscle stretched in the longitudinal axis. Application of 1 microM microcystin induced LC20 diphosphorylation and contraction of beta-escin-permeabilized rat ileal smooth muscle at pCa 9. The PKC inhibitor GF-109203x, th
The diagnostic yield of MIAB was satisfactorily as high as EUS-FNA with ROSE for gastric SEL with an intraluminal growth pattern.
Based on the accumulated evidences, the treatment strategies of our institution are as follows: effects of medical treatments on achalasia are limited. Either PD or LHM/POEM can be considered a first-line in achalasia type I, according to the patient's wish. PD and POEM can be considered first-line in achalasia types II and III, respectively. Conversely, In EGJOO, medical treatments including drugs like acotiamide and/or diltiazem can be tested as a first-line, and PD and POEM will be considered
To evaluate the diagnostic yield of the procedure, mucosal-incision assisted biopsy (MIAB), for the histological diagnosis of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), we performed a retrospective review of the 27 patients with suspected gastric GIST who underwent MIAB in our hospitals. Tissue samples obtained by MIAB were sufficient to make a histological diagnosis (diagnostic MIAB) in 23 out of the 27 patients, where the lesions had intraluminal growth patterns. Alternatively, the samples
The mechanism of endothelium-dependent regulation of vascular tone of bradykinin was investigated by simultaneously monitoring the changes in the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration and the force of smooth muscle in fura-2-loaded strips of the porcine renal artery with endothelium. During phenylephrine-induced sustained contraction, bradykinin (>3x10(-9) M) caused endothelium-dependent triphasic changes in the force of the strips, composed of an initial relaxation, a subsequent transient contraction
The profiles of Th/Treg-related gene expression in the colonic mucosa are altered, even during clinical and endoscopic remission of UC, with a detectable Th17-predominant profile predicting future relapse. This association might represent latent immune dysregulation during disease quiescence and has the potential to be utilized to improve patient care.
The mechanism of down-regulation of L-type Ca(2+) channel (L-VOC) was investigated in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in primary culture. On culture days 3-5, the cells actively incorporated the 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU), and did not respond to K(+) depolarization nor express alpha(1C) subunit of L-VOC. At confluence on day 8, BrdU incorporation decreased, and the cells up-regulated alpha(1C) subunit mRNA, expressed alpha(1C) subunit protein at cell periphery, and responded to K(+) depolari
The Japan Gastroenterological Association published the first version of its clinical guidelines for chronic constipation 2023. Based on the latest evidence, these guidelines describe the definition, classification, diagnostic criteria, diagnostic testing methods, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of chronic constipation. They include flowcharts for both diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation. In the treatment of chronic constipation, the first step involves differentiating b
ERK and p38MAPK contribute to CCh-induced sustained contraction in a LC20 phosphorylation dependent manner. Moreover, both kinases inhibit MLCP activity possibly by a novel mechanism.
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis compared with other solid pancreatic tumors. Diagnosis of PDAC in the earliest possible stage is important to improve the prognosis. Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been the gold-standard modality for diagnosing pancreatic lesions, its diagnostic yield is not satisfactory for pancreatic tumors smaller than 20 mm. The purpose of this study was to determine the EUS fin
Both BMI and total cholesterol could be highly predictive factors for esophageal body contractility, while BMI and glucose could be predictive factors for lower esophageal sphincter contractile function.
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