Department of Occupational Pneumology

Professor;
Isamu Tanaka (Dr. Engineering)

Associate Professor;
Yasuo Morimoto (MD, Ph.D.)

Focus of research

 

The primary concern of the Department of Occupational Pneumology is to elucidate the development and pathophysiological mechanisms of occupational and environmental lung disease. The results of these studies are incorporated into post-graduate education and applied in the field of occupational health. Therefore, particular focuses are;

1) To introduce molecular-biomarkers into the risk assessment system of occupational exposure to particles,

2) To apply molecular-biomarkers into conventional research methods, for the purpose of preventing and detecting early effects caused by occupational exposure to particles.
Lung is one of the most important organ that is directly contact with the work environment. For this reason, factors concerning pathogenesis of occupational or work -related lung disease would be multiple. Evaluating the environmental factors including smoking are also important.
  1. Risk assessment of the newly-developed man-made fiber using molecular biological method
  2. Effects of smoking on the occupational lung disease
  3. Evaluation of the chest X-ray image and the computer-aided image (IS&C system) in pneumoconiotic patients
  4. Work related lung disease and airway secretion

Mucin gene expression and its regulation

 

 

Key words
 
occupational lung diseases, molecular biology, risk assessment, man-made mineral fiber, mucin gene
  1. Molecular approaches for the analysis of mechanisms of fiber-related pulmonary fibrogenesis and oncogenesis, and the risk assessment of man-made fiber.

    The expression of genes from lung and alveolar macrophages was assessed by RT-PCR in rats exposed to asbestos (chrysotile, crocidolite) and/or man-made mineral fibers (refractory ceramic fibers, potassium titanate fibers) . By using the results which have obtained to date concerning IL-1a , IL-6, TNFa, PDGF-B, TGFb1, MnSOD, iNOS, Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2) and TIMP1andTIMP2, type IV collagen, FGF, elastin, the identification of the most useful index for the precise evaluation of biological toxicity of the fiber among these factors is under progress. Additionally, the involvement of cigarette smoking on biological effects of mineral fibers is also assessed by using the same method. Furthermore, silica as well as fibrous materials will be included to this research.

    *Fig 1 Mechanism of fiber and cigarette smoking induced lung remodeling*

     

  2. International collaborative research on the early detection, treatment and prevention of occupational pulmonary diseases.

Technical interchanges among Japan (Keio University, UOEH, Nihon University School of Medicine), China (Peking University, Shanghai Institute of the Prevention of Occupational Pulmonary Diseases), and Korea (Catholic University) on the early detection, treatment and prevention of occupational pulmonary diseases have been in progress since 1988 as a part of WHO's strategic development in Asia. Japan performed broncho-fiberscopy for BAL analysis, TBLB, peripheral airway impairment observation. At the conference held in 1995, the results obtained in initial plans were integrated and discussed for the future development of the research. Further effort should be made in the more basic including the identification of the mechanisms of pulmonary fibrogenesity and oncogenecity. Therefore, a plan to consider the relationship between molecular biological markers and the intensity of exposures and the severity of pneumoconiosis is under consideration. Databases including image data (chest X-rays) and medical records (exposures, pulmonary function findings), which can be the fundamental information in evaluating occupational pulmonary diseases will be established by utilizing the IS&C system.

Latest publications of our research

Higashi T, TakahashiK, Tsuda T
Asbestos Environmental Health in Japan, 1990's, in International Asbestos, ed by G Peters, Butterworth, California, ; 163-209(1996)
Morimoto Y, Nambu Z, Hori H, Tsuda T, Yamato H, Higashi T, Yokosaki Y, Kido M, Tnaka I,chronic exposure to cigarette smoke inhibitts the stimulating effects of mineral fibers on the production of tumor necrosis factor by alveolar macrophages of rats Int J Occup Eniviron Health ;2:95-98(1996)
Yahata K., Higashi T., Tsuda T., Oda S., Funatani F,
Utilization of IS&C (Image Save and Carry) system to occupational health,
Proceeding of Pacific Rim Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health , (1995)
Higashi T, Hori H, Sakurai H, Omae K, Tsuda T, Tnaka I, Satoh T, Hoshi H,
Work environment of plants manufacturing asbestos-containing products in Japan,
Ann. Occup. Hyg, , 38(4); 489-494,(1994)
Kido M, Tsuda T,
Pulmonary fibrosis due to inhaled inorganic dusts.
Basic and clinical aspects of pulmonary fibrosis, ed. by Takishima
CRC Press Inc.,389-401 (1994)
Tsuda T, Higashi T
Lung diseases due to chemical substances exposure and environmental pollution; Graphite lung, Japanese J Clin Med (Supple I); 535-537 ,(1994)
Tanaka, .I., Oyabu, T., Ishimatau, S., Hori, H., Higashi, T., Yamato, H.,:
Pulmonary Deposition and Clearance of Glass Fiber in Rat Lungs after Long-term Inhalation Environmental Health Perspectives 102(5):215-216 (1994)
Tsuda T, Galloup M, Jany B, Gum J, Kim Y, Basbaum C.
Characterzation of rat airway cDNA encoding a mucin-like protein. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comun.;195,1:363-373. (1993)
Morimoto, Y., Kido, M., Tanaka, I., Fujino, A., Higashi, T., Yokosaki, Y.:
Synergistic Effects of Mineral Fibers and Cigarette Smoke on The Production of Tumor Necrosis Factor by Alveolar Macrophages of Rats British Journal of Industrial Medicine. 50:955-960 ,(1993)
Morimoto, Y., Kido, M., Tanaka, I., Fujino, A., Higashi, T., Yokosaki, Y.: Combined Effects of Mineral Fibers and Cigarette Smoke on The Production of Tumor Necrosis Factor by Alveolar Macrophages In: Gibbs WG, Kido, M. Dunnigan J., Higashi, T., Eds. Health Risks From Exposure to Mineral Fibers: An International Perspective. Captus University publications. 264-272 ,(1993)

 

 

 

 

Profile of staff

  2. Isamu Tanaka (Dr.Engineering)

     

  3. Key words of Research Fields
    Industrial Hygiene. Aerosol. Inhalation Toxicity. Dust Control

     

  4. Publications
    Haratake,J.,Yamato,H.,Hori,H.,Tanaka,I,:
    Histopathologic Examinations of Rats Treated by Chronic Inhalation Exposures to Glass Fibers Inhalation Toxicology 7:343-352 (1995)

    Tanaka, I.:
    Inhalation Toxicity Test of Fibrous Particles
    XIII World Congress on Occupational Safety and Health
    National Safety Council Bombay, India 689-692 (1994)

    Tanaka, .I., Ishimatau, S., Oyabu, T., Yamato, H., Hori, H.:
    Clearance Mechanism of Inhaled Glass Fiber in Rats
    Proceeding of 4th International Aerosol Conference
    Los Angels, USA 729-731 (1994)

    Tanaka, .I., Oyabu, T., Ishimatau, S., Hori, H., Higashi, T., Yamato, H.,:
    Pulmonary Deposition and Clearance of Glass Fiber in Rat Lungs after Long-term InhalationEnvironmental Health Perspectives 102(5):215-216 (1994)

    Tanaka, I., Syutou, T., Ishimatsu, S.:
    Pulmonary Deposition and Clearance of Glass Fiber in Rats after Continuous Inhalation Annals of Occupational Hygiene 38(7):553-556 (1994)

    Kodama, Y., Tanaka, I., Matsuno, K., Ishimatsu, S., Kawamoto, T.:
    Comparative Deposition and Clearance of Various Nickel Compounds Exposed by Inhalation in Rats
    Biological Trace Element Research 36(3):257-269 (1993)

    Tanaka, I., Higashi, T.:
    Can Animal Experimental Data Provide Evidence for the Biological Effects of Mineral Fibers at Low Exposure Level?
    Health Risks from Exposure to Mineral Fibers
    Ed. Gibbs, G.W., Dunnigan, J., Kido, M. and Higashi, T.
    Captus University Publications 84-97 (1993 )

    Tanaka, I., Ishimatsu, S., Kodama, Y., Haratake, J., Horie, A., Tsuchiya, K., Cho, S.:
    Durability of by InhalationNickel and Human Health: Current Persectives
    Ed.: E. Nieborer and J.O.Nriagu
    John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York 481-490 (1992)

    Cho, S., Tanaka, I., Kodama, Y., Horie, A., Haratake, J., Tsuchiya, K.:
    Effect of Inhaled Green Nickel Oxide on the Lipid Levels of Rat Lungs Nickel and Human Health: Current Perspectives
    Ed.: E. Nieboer and J.O.Nriagu
    Johm Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York 537-544 (1992)

     

  5. Activities in scientific society and social contributions
    1. ICOH Menber
    2. ACGIH Menber

     

  6. Miscellaneous
  7. Education (Lectures)

 

  2. Tohru Tsuda MD, Ph.D.

     

  3. Key words of Research Fields
    occupational lung disease, molecular biology,man-wade-mineral fiber, mucin-gene, occupational health information

     

  4. Publications
    Ohmori H; Tsuda T; Nogami H; Kido M;Basbaum C.
    Mucin gene--Regulation of the expression of MUC2 and MUC3 mucin genes in the airway
    Japanese J Clin Med 54, 411-417, (Abstract in English) (1996)

    Tsuda T
    Development of the animal model of respiratory diseases and gene targeting
    Congress Report Respiratory Disease, Life science publication; 7: 15-17. (Written in Japanese)( 1994)

    Tsuda T
    Cloning and expression of airway mucin gene
    Research of airway hypersensitivity (Written in Japanese) (1994)

    Dohrman A; Tsuda T; Escudier E; Cardone M; Jany B; Gum J; Kim Y; Basbaum C. Distribution of lysozyme and mucin (MUC2 and MUC3) mRNA in human bronchus. Experimental Lung Research, 1994 Jul-Aug, 20(4):367-80.

    Tsuda T, Higashi T
    Lung diseases due to chemical substances exposure and environmental pollution; Graphite lung,
    Japanese J Clin Med (Supple. I); 535-537 (Written in Japanese) (1994)

    Ohmori H, Dohrman A, Gallup M, Tsuda T, Kai H, Gum J, Kim Y, Basbaum C. Molecular cloning of the amino terminal region of rat MUC2 mucin gene homologue :
    Evidence for expression in both intestine and airway
    J. Biol. Chem. 1994; 269, 27:17833-17840.

    Basbaum C, Tournier J, Takeuchi K, Tsuda T, Jany B.
    Gene expression in airway mucus-secreting cells. Physiological Bases for the Control of Mucous Hypersecretion, ed by Takishima and Shimura
    Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, Lung Biol. in Health and Dis.,1994; 72 : 315-324.

    Kido M, Tsuda T.
    Pulmonary fibrosis due to inhaled inorganic dusts. Basic and clinical aspects of pulmonary fibrosis, ed. by Takishima
    CRC Press Inc., 1994, 389-401.

    Tsuda T, Gallup M, Jany B, Gum J, Kim Y, Basbaum C.
    Characterization of rat airway cDNA encoding a mucin-like protein. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comun. 1993ÅG 195, 1:363-373.

    Kido M; Tsuda T
    Occupational carcinogen and respiration system
    Respiration 9(6) 648-656. (Written in Japanese)(1990)

     

  5. Activities in scientific society and social contributions
    1. membership of scientific society
      Japan Society of Occupational Health, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine,
      Japan Society of Chest Diseases, Japan Lung Cancer Society, Japan Society of Bronchology,
      Japanese Society of Traumatology and Occupational Medicine
      Japanese Society of Aerosol Science
      American Thoracic Society, American Association of Cancer Research

       

    2. Social contributions
      • Member of Committee on Safety Production System of Asbestos Containing Materials, Member of Subcommittee and Working Group (Sponsored by Ministry of International Trade and Industry, managed by Japan Asbestos Association)
      • International advisory committee for the 6th international meeting on the toxicology of natural and man-made fibrous and non-fibrous particles

Education (Lectures)

  1. Three-month course in Fundamental Occupational Health
    Management of pneumoconiosis( field training)

     

  2. Courses in Occupational Health Training Center
    Measurement of mineral fibers in the lung, Measurement of mineral fibers in the environment

     

  3. School of Occupational Health Nursing
    Introduction of Ergonomics

     

  4. International Course on Occupational Health
    Field Visit Training Course

     

  5. School of Medicine
    Series lecture of Respiratory Disease