Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: Fujino Y

Mizukoshi F, Baba K, Goto Y, Setoguchi A, Fujino Y, Ohno K, Oishi S, Kodera Y, Fujii N, Tsujimoto H. · Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan. · Vet Microbiol. · Pubmed #19036536 No free full text.

Abstract: For the entry of lentivirus into target cells, fusion between its viral membrane and cellular membrane is essential. The present study was conducted to examine the inhibitory effect of modified peptides corresponding to heptad repeats (HR) 1 and 2 of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) envelope gp40 on the fusion between the viral and cellular membranes. FIV-N36 and FIV-C35 were synthesized as authentic peptides of the N-terminal HR1 domain and C-terminal HR2 domain of FIV gp40, respectively. FIV-C35EK1, FIV-C35EK2, and FIV-C35EK3 were peptides synthesized by modifying FIV-C35 as the X-EE-XX-KK concept to increase their solubility in water and the stability of their alpha-helicity. FIV-C35 and FIV-C35EK1 inhibited the cell membrane fusion mediated by FIV-infected cells and the replication of FIV. FIV-N36, FIV-C35EK2, and FIV-C35EK3 did not show any apparent inhibitory effect. These results indicated that the newly developed membrane fusion inhibitors could facilitate the development of novel anti-lentiviral chemotherapies.

Kashiwase M, Yamauchi Y, Sata T, Nagata Y, Usui N, Mochizuki M, Fujino Y, Iwasaki T, Sato Y, Kurata T, Usui M. · Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan. · Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi. · Pubmed #15359904 No free full text.

Abstract: PURPOSE: We examined eyeballs collected from autopsied acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, and analyzed the precise pathogenesis of CMV retinitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eyeballs were fixed with 10% buffered formalin embedded in paraffin. CMV antigens were investigated by histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Histopathological findings were compared with funduscopic images. RESULTS: CMV antigens remained in the necrotic area of the retina and many CMV immediate early antigens existed in intact parts of the inner retina showing almost intact structure, and around retinal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that CMV infects the inner retina first via the retinal vessels, although funduscopic examination may appear normal. It extends through the neuronal cells and glial cells horizontally and Muller cells vertically. CMV severely damages the retinal structure.

Kitagawa M, Nagata Y, Fujino Y, Mochizuki M. · Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. · Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi. · Pubmed #11210785 No free full text.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of routine ophthalmologic examinations for cytomegalovirus retinitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. METHODS: Clinical symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS who had circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes 50/microliter or less and received monthly ophthalmological examinations (examined group) were compared with those of the patients detected by non-routine ophthalmological examinations (unexamined group). RESULTS: The patients in whom early CMV retinitis was detected by monthly ophthalmological examinations had no subjective symptoms or iritis. The size of CMV retinitis was smaller than 2 disc diameters and it did not extend to the papillomacular area in a majority of the patients. On the other hand, the size of CMV retinitis in the unexamined group was larger than 10 disc diameters and it extended to the papillomacular area in most cases. The visual prognosis of the examined group was better than that of the unexamined group. CONCLUSIONS: To protect visual acuity, it is important to conduct monthly ophthalmological examinations in patients with AIDS whose serum CD4+ T lymphocyte counts are 50 cells/microliter or less.