Akihiro Ishizu

More than 10years have passed since the discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in 2004. NETs are extracellular web-like DNA decorated with antimicrobial proteins, which are released from activated neutrophils. The state of neutrophils with NET formation is called NETosis. It has been realized that NETosis includes suicidal NETosis and vital NETosis. The former state means cell death of neutrophils, whereas the latter state preserves living neutrophilic functions. Although both suicid

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular chromatin fibers adorned with antimicrobial proteins, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), which are extruded from activated neutrophils. NETosis is the metamorphosis of neutrophils with NET formation that follows decondensation of DNA and rupture of the plasma membrane. Although NETs play important roles in innate immunity, excessive formation of NETs can be harmful to the hosts. Until now, various methods for evaluation of NETs have been report

Myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a systemic small-vessel vasculitis, wherein, MPO-ANCA plays a critical role in the pathogenesis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released from activated neutrophils are composed of extracellular web-like DNA and antimicrobial proteins, including MPO. Diverse stimuli, such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ligands of toll-like receptors (TLR), induce NETs. Although TLR-mediated NET formation can occ

NKT cells belong to a distinct subset of T cells that recognize hydrophobic antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class I-like molecules, such as CD1d. Because NKT cells stimulated by antigens can activate or suppress other immunocompetent cells through an immediate production of a large amount of cytokines, they are regarded as immunological modulators. CD1d-restricted NKT cells are classified into two subsets, namely, type I and type II. CD1d-restricted type I NKT cells expres

<b>Objectives:</b> Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is effective against some autoimmune diseases. We examined the effects of pharmaceutical immunoglobulins on the development of MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV).<b>Methods:</b> Peripheral blood neutrophils were pretreated with 5 mg/ml sulfo-immunoglobulins (IVIG-S) and then exposed to 100 nM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Thereafter, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were detected by flow cytometry. Next, Wistar-Kyoto rats

We investigated the role of surface adhesion molecules on endothelial cells in regulating vascular permeability, in vitro and in vivo. Cultured rat endothelial cells (REC) express Thy-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), CD44 and RT1A. Permeability of albumin across the REC monolayer increased through the interaction of Thy-1 and anti-Thy-1 mAb, but not through ICAM-1 and anti-ICAM-1, CD44 and anti-CD44, and RT1A and anti-RT1A mAb. This anti-Thy-1-effect was completely inhibited when t

Lactoferrin (Lf) is one of the antigens of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and functions as an endogenous suppressor of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. However, the prevalence and pathogenicity of anti-lactoferrin antibodies (aLf) in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) remain unrevealed. This study aimed to examine the significance of aLf in AAV, initially. Sixty-five sera from AAV patients, including 41 microscopic polyangiitis, 5 granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and 1