THE EXPRESSION OF HLA-G ANTIGEN IN DIFFERENT HUMAN TISSUES AND PLACENTAS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF PREGNANCY

The distribution of HLA-G antigens in human tissues including placents was examined by immunohistochemical methods, using monoclonal antibody (Mab) specific to HLA-G antigen (87 G). Comparatively, class Ⅰ specific Mab, W 6/32 was also employed for the detection of the antigen. W 6/32 reacted with a wide variety of cells and tissues throughout the body, whereas Mab 87 G did not react at all with these W 6/32 reactive cells except for those of placental tissues. Mab 87 G reacted with extravillous cytotrophoblast cells such as cytotrophoblastic cell columns, cytotrophoblastic shell and invasive cytotrophoblast but not other parts of placentas throughout the pregnant periods. Essentially the same results were obtained with W 6/32 staining in placentas. These results indicate that HLA-G antigens are exclusively expressed in extravillous cytotrophoblast cells although we cannot rule out the possibility that undetectable amounts of the HLA-G antigen or its isoforms which cannot be recognized by the Mabs used in this study are synthesized in some other tissues

Effects of mouse utricle stromal tissues on hair cell induction from induced pluripotent stem cells

BACKGROUND: Hair cells are important for maintaining our sense of hearing and balance. However, they are difficult to regenerate in mammals once they are lost. Clarification of the molecular mechanisms underlying inner ear disorders is also impeded by the anatomical limitation of experimental access to the human inner ear. Therefore, the generation of hair cells, possibly from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, is important for regenerative therapy and studies of inner ear diseases. RESULTS: We generated hair cells from mouse iPS cells using an established stepwise induction protocol. First, iPS cells were differentiated into the ectodermal lineage by floating culture. Next, they were treated with basic fibroblast growth factor to induce otic progenitor cells. Finally, the cells were co-cultured with three kinds of mouse utricle tissues: stromal tissue, stromal tissue + sensory epithelium, and the extracellular matrix of stromal tissue. Hair cell-like cells were successfully generated from iPS cells using mouse utricle stromal tissues. However, no hair cell-like cells with hair bundle-like structures were formed using other tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Hair cell-like cells were induced from mouse iPS cells using mouse utricle stromal tissues. Certain soluble factors from mouse utricle stromal cells might be important for induction of hair cells from iPS cells

Nutritional Intakes of Obese Elementary School Children Residing in the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori, Japan

This research examined the lifestyles and eating habits of 42 elementary school fifth graders(20 boys and 22 girls) over a 3-day period; these children resided in theShimokita Peninsula, Aomori prefecture, which has the highest childhood obesityrate in Japan. The children’s nutritionalintakes were recorded via questionnaires and self-documented meal recorddiaries overa 3-day period (1 weekday and the weekend). The meal record diaries recorded which meals the children ate (including snacks) during the 3-day period. A regular feature of these children’s lifestyle was theviewing of at least 3 hours of television per day. Compared with the National Health and Nutrition Survey conductedby the Japanese government, the nutritionaland energy intake levels were the same but when we examined food group intakes,the vegetable intake was lower on weekends in comparison to the weekdays whenthe children were provided school lunches. In addition, salt intake exceededthe recommended standard in more than 80% of the study sample. We suggest thatthe pattern of reduced vegetable intake juxtaposed with high salt intake stemsfrom childhood and is repeated and passed down through generations; therefore, theguardians of these children require nutritional guidance and education