A coculture of endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which mimics cellular interactions appearing in vivo, has been performed in studies on the relationship between atherogenesis and fluid shear stress conditions. Although healthy arteries in vivo consist of contractile phenotype SMCs, cultured cells used in many studies normally exhibit a synthetic phenotype. Here, we developed an EC-SMC coculture model to investigate the interactions between ECs and contractile SMCs, and examined the effect of shear stress applied to ECs on SMC phenotypes. Cultured human umbilical artery SMCs were differentiated into contractile states by arresting cell growth using a serum-free medium. Western blotting confirmed that SMC expression of contractile protein markers, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and calponin, increased to levels similar to those observed in arterial cells. After coculturing contractile SMCs with ECs separated by a collagen gel layer, the expression of α-SMA decreased under static conditions, indicating that the SMC phenotype tended to be synthetic by coculturing with ECs, but shear stress applied to cocultured ECs maintained the level of α-SMA expression in SMCs. The coculture model constructed in the present study will be a useful tool to investigate interactions between ECs and contractile SMCs under shear conditions.

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The number of examinations using interventional radiology (IVR) has increased recently. Because of the more advanced and more complex procedures for IVR, longer treatment time is required. Therefore, it is important to determine exposure doses. We measured operator exposure dose during IVR using a thermoluminescence dosimeter. The results revealed the dose equivalent to the operator's hands and fingers to be higher than that of other parts, although the effective dose for the operator was low. Moreover, we looked into the factors that affected exposure dose to the operator's fingers, and examined ways to reduce the dose. In regard to the exposed dose to the operator's fingers, dose reduction was possible as a result of a geometric arrangement of the fluoroscopic unit, the radiation field size, using a radiation protective device and deliberation to exposure dose reduction of the operator. It is possible to carry out IVR more safely using the method of exposure dose reduction to the operator's fingers.

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IIn humans, perspiration is essential for skin homeostasis. Sweat consists of metabolites, antibiotic peptides, and electrolytes; and it contributes to body temperature regulation, immune defense, and moisture retention. Acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis (AIGA) is an intractable disease that causes skin dryness and may result in fatal heatstroke. Symptoms related to AIGA impair patient quality of life scores; however, there are currently few promising treatment strategies. The etiology of AIGA remains obscure; therefore, further study is greatly warranted to better establish disease therapy. To investigate the pathogenesis of AIGA, transcriptome analysis was used to identify pathogenic genes by comparing skin specimens from anhidrotic and hidrotic areas of AIGA patients. Unexpectedly, genes related to immune-cell activation were upregulated in hidrotic sweat glands and, in contrast, were downregulated in anhidrotic sweat glands (e.g.,Th1 pathway, Calcuim-induced T lymphocyte). These results suggest a possible role of sweat glands in cellular immunity.