• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.331-336
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• 2010

In rapidly growing tumors, hypoxia commonly develops due to the imbalance between $O_2$ consumption and supply. Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-$1{\alpha}$ is a transcription factor responsible for tumor growth and angiogenesis in the hypoxic microenvironment; thus, its inhibition is regarded as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Given that CamKII or PARP inhibitors are emerging anticancer agents, we investigated if they have the potential to be developed as new HIF-$1{\alpha}$-targeting drugs. When treating various cancer cells with the inhibitors, we found that a CamKII inhibitor, KN-62, effectively suppressed HIF-$1{\alpha}$ specifically in hepatoma cells. To examine the effect of KN-62 on HIF-$1{\alpha}$-driven gene expression, we analyzed the EPO-enhancer reporter activity and mRNA levels of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ downstream genes, such as EPO, LOX and CA9. Both the reporter activity and the mRNA expression were repressed by KN-62. We also found that KN-62 suppressed HIF-$1{\alpha}$ by impairing synthesis of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ protein. Based on these results, we propose that KN-62 is a candidate as a HIF-$1{\alpha}$-targeting anticancer agent.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2003년도 Annual Meeting of KSAP : International Symposium on Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences on Obesity
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• pp.70-70
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• 2003

Estrogen receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor. Its action depends on the receptor, its ligand, and its coactivator proteins. As a consequence, the concentration of the receptor is a major component that governs the magnitude of the estrogen response. Despite the extensive knowledge on mechanism of estrogen receptor action, regulation of estrogen receptor itself is not very well understood. Estrogen receptor is known to be downregulated under hypoxia leading to inhibition of estrogen receptor mediated transcription activation. We have studied mechanism of loss of estrogen responsiveness under hypoxia. We found that Hif-l${\alpha}$, a major transcription factor regulating hypoxic response, inhibited transcription of estrogen response element driven luciferase gene by expression of HIF-l${\alpha}$/vp16 construct designed to contain transcription activity under normoxia. This loss of estrogen responsiveness appears to be the result of ER${\alpha}$ downregulation. ER${\alpha}$was downregulated at the levels of ligand-biding and protein within l2-24h, and the response was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132, protein synthesis inhibitor cyclohexamide, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor Genistein. These results demonstrate that Hif-l${\alpha}$ downregulates ER${\alpha}$ by proteasome dependent pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.528-534
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• 2015

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a key regulator of tumor growth and angiogenesis. Recent studies have shown that, BIX01294, a G9a histone methyltransferase (HMT)-specific inhibitor, induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. However, not many studies have investigated whether inhibition of G9a HMT can modulate HIF-$1{\alpha}$ stability and angiogenesis. Here, we show that BIX01294 dose-dependently decreases levels of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The half-life of HIF-$1{\alpha}$, expression of proline hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), hydroxylated HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL) under hypoxic conditions were decreased by BIX01294. The mRNA expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also significantly reduced by BIX01294 under hypoxic conditions in HepG2 cells. BIX01294 remarkably decreased angiogenic activity induced by VEGF in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo, as demonstrated by assays using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), mouse aortic rings, and chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs), respectively. Furthermore, BIX01294 suppressed VEGF-induced matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) activity and inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and paxillin in HUVECs. In addition, BIX01294 inhibited VEGF-induced formation of actin cytoskeletal stress fibers. In conclusion, we demonstrated that BIX01294 inhibits HIF-$1{\alpha}$ stability and VEGF-induced angiogenesis through the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway and actin cytoskeletal remodeling, indicating a promising approach for developing novel therapeutics to stop tumor progression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2010

Epidermal keratinocytes overgrow in response to ultraviolet-B (UVB), which may be associated with skin photoaging and cancer development. Recently, we found that HIF-$1{\alpha}$ controls the keratinocyte cell cycle and thereby contributes to epidermal homeostasis. A further study demonstrated that HIF-$1{\alpha}$ is down-regulated by UVB and that this process is involved in UVB-induce skin hyperplasia. Therefore, we hypothesized that the forced expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in keratinocytes would prevent UVB-induced keratinocyte overgrowth. Among several agents known to induce HIF-$1{\alpha}$, pyrithione-zinc (Py-Zn) overcame the UVB suppression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in cultured keratinocytes. Mechanistically, Py-Zn blocked the degradation of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ protein in keratinocytes, while it did not affect the synthesis of HIF-$1{\alpha}$. Moreover, the p21 cell cycle inhibitor was down-regulated after UVB exposure, but was robustly induced by Py-Zn. In mice repeatedly irradiated with UVB, the epidermis became hyperplastic and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ disappeared from nuclei of epidermal keratinocytes. However, a cream containing Py-Zn effectively prevented the skin thickening and up-regulated HIF-$1{\alpha}$ to the normal level. These results suggest that Py-Zn is a potential agent to prevent UVB-induced photoaging and skin cancer development. This work also provides insight into a molecular target for treatment of UVB-induced skin diseases.

• 한국융합학회논문지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.161-166
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• 2022

HIF-2α는 저산소 조건에서 활성화되는 전사인자로 암, 대사증후군, 관절염, 간염 등의 발병 기전에서 핵심 역할을 한다고 보고된 바 있다. 이에 HIF-2α 저해제를 도출하고자 기존 약리활성 구조를 도입한 N'-arylisonicotinolyhydrazide를 골격으로 설정하고 화합물 라이브러리로부터 해당 화합물들을 선택하여 HIF-2α 저해활성을 측정하였다. 이를 위해 HRE-luciferase를 HTB-94세포에 transfection하고 아데노바이러스를 이용하여 HIF-2α를 세포 내로 도입하여 luciferase reporter gene assay를 수행하였다. 2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl 기를 포함한 화합물에서 저해활성이 발견됨에 따라 이 구조를 포함하는 골격을 다시 설정하고 해당 화합물들을 선정하여 활성을 측정하였다. 그 결과 HIF-2α 저해활성과 위양성 시험을 통하여 2 종의 HIF-2α 저해제를 도출하였다. 본 연구는 생물학과 화학의 융합연구로 수행되었으며 도출된 저해제는 후속 저해제 탐색 연구와 HIF-2α의 기능 연구에 활용될 수 있고 관련 질환의 치료제 개발에도 기여 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.465-472
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• 2022

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers. Hypoxia contributes to the aggressiveness of melanoma by promoting cancer growth and metastasis. Upregulation of cyclin D1 can promote uncontrolled cell proliferation in melanoma, whereas stimulation of cytotoxic T cell activity can inhibit it. Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in melanoma metastasis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a main transcriptional mediator that regulates many genes related to hypoxia. CoCl₂ is one of the most commonly used hypoxia-mimetic chemicals in cell culture. In this study, inhibitory effects of IDF-11774, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, on melanoma growth and metastasis were examined using cultured B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and nude mice transplanted with B16F10 melanoma cells in the presence or absence of CoCl₂-induced hypoxia. IDF-11774 reduced HIF-1α upregulation and cell survival, but increased cytotoxicity of cultured melanoma cells under CoCl₂-induced hypoxia. IDF-11774 also reduced tumor size and local invasion of B16F10 melanoma in nude mice along with HIF-1α downregulation. Expression levels of cyclin D1 in melanoma were increased by CoCl₂ but decreased by IDF-11774. Apoptosis of melanoma cells and infiltration of cytotoxic T cells were increased in melanoma after treatment with IDF-11774. EMT was stimulated by CoCl₂, but restored by IDF11774. Overall, IDF-11774 inhibited the growth and metastasis of B16F10 melanoma via HIF-1α downregulation. The growth of B16F10 melanoma was inhibited by cyclin D1 downregulation and cytotoxic T cell stimulation. Metastasis of B16F10 melanoma was inhibited by EMT suppression.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.305-311
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• 2014

Dieckol is a polyphenol compound isolated from brown algae that has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activity. We examined the anti-angiogenic effects of dieckol in endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions. Treatment with $CoCl_2$, a hypoxic mimetic agent, increased proliferation, adhesion, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs, as well as vessel sprouting in rat aortic rings, which correlated well with increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha ($HIF1{\alpha}$) and ${\beta}1$-integrin. Dieckol suppressed $CoCl_2$-induced adhesion, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs and vessel sprouting in rat aortic rings. Dieckol treatment decreased $CoCl_2$-induced overexpression of $HIF1{\alpha}$ and its downstream signaling molecules, including ${\beta}1$-integrin/Fak, Akt/eNOS, and p38 MAPK. These results suggest that dieckol is a novel angiogenesis inhibitor and a potential treatment for angiogenesis-dependent diseases in humans, such as malignant tumors.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.78-83
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• 2023

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has a markedly improved prognosis with the use of breakpoint cluster region-abelson 1 (BCR-ABL1) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BCR-ABL1 TKIs). However, approximately 40% of patients are resistant or intolerant to BCR-ABL1 TKIs. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a hypoxia response factor that has been reported to be highly expressed in CML patients, making it a therapeutic target for BCR-ABL1 TKI-sensitive CML and BCR-ABL1 TKI-resistant CML. In this study, we examined whether HIF-1α inhibitors induce cell death in CML cells and BCR-ABL1 TKI-resistant CML cells. We found that echinomycin and PX-478 induced cell death in BCR-ABL1 TKIs sensitive and resistant CML cells at similar concentrations while the cell sensitivity was not affected with imatinib or dasatinib in BCR-ABL1 TKIs resistant CML cells. In addition, echinomycin and PX-478 inhibited the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Akt, and extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation via suppression of BCR-ABL1 and Met expression in BCR-ABL1 sensitive and resistant CML cells. Moreover, treatment with HIF-1α siRNA induced cell death by inhibiting BCR-ABL1 and Met expression and activation of JNK, Akt, and ERK1/2 in BCR-ABL1 TKIs sensitive and resistant CML cells. These results indicated that HIF-1α regulates BCR-ABL and Met expression and is involved in cell survival in CML cells, suggesting that HIF-1α inhibitors induce cell death in BCR-ABL1 TKIs sensitive and resistant CML cells and therefore HIF-1α inhibitors are potential candidates for CML treatment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.291-299
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• 2006

Vitexin, a natural flavonoid compound identified as apigenin-8-C-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside, has been reported to exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated its effect on hypoxiainducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) in rat pheochromacytoma (PC12), human osteosarcoma (HOS) and human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Vitexin inhibited HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in PC12 cells, but not in HOS or HepG2 cells. In addition, it diminished the mRNA levels of hypoxia-inducible genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), smad3, aldolase A, enolase 1, and collagen type III in the PC12 cells. We found that vitexin inhibited the migration of PC12 cells as well as their invasion rates, and it also inhibited tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs). Interestingly, vitexin inhibited the hypoxia-induced activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not of extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK), implying that it acts in part via the JNK pathway. Overall, these results suggest the potential use of vitexin as a treatment for diseases such as cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.191-199
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• 2005

목적: Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) 감염이 숙주의 혈관형성을 유도하는 작용은 잘 알려져 있으나, 이러한 혈관형성 유도작용을 억제하는 기전이나 치료법은 아직 연구되지 않았다. 이에 저자들은 HP 감염이 위 점막의 혈관형성에 미치는 영향과 이에 대한 gastric proton pump inhibitor (PPI)의 강력한 억제 효과를 규명하기 위해 본 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법: H. pylori 양성인 20명의 위염 환자들과 음성인 18명의 위염 환자들을 대상으로 내시경생검으로 수집한 위 점막의 CD34의 발현을 조사하였다. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha $(HIF-1{\alpha})$와 vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)의 발현은 RT-PCR로 측정하였다. H. pylori 감염이 human umbilical vein endothelial cell의 분화에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위하여 in vitro 혈관형성 실험을 시행하였다. 결과: 면역조직화학 염색 검사상 H. pylori음성 위염에서 보다 H. pylori양성 위염에서 위 점막층의 CD34양성 혈과이 유의하게 많이 발현되었으며, 이러한 결과는 $HIF-1{\alpha}$의 발현과 밀접한 상관관계를 보였다. H. pylori에 감염된 위 점막 세포의 조건화된 배지는 human umbilical vein endothelial cell의 세관 형성을 자극하였다. 그리고 H. pylori 박멸치료에 사용되는 PPI가 HP 유도성 혈관형성을 현저히 억제하는 효과를 발견하였고, PPI의 작용은 H. pylori 유도성 혈관형성의 주된 신호전달 경로인 MAP kinase ERK1/2의 인산화를 억제함으로 이루어졌다. 결론: PPI가 H. pylori 유도성 혈관형성을 억제하다: 결과는 H, pylori가 관련된 암 발생의 예방을 위하여 PPI를 사용한 항혈관형성 치료가 사용될 수 있음을 제시한다.