• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.13-21
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• 2015

Objectives : In Korea, Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has been used in traditional medicine for various diseases such as back pain, syndromes of the blood system in women, gastrointestinal disease, and cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer activity have not been clearly elucidated yet. Methods : This study investigated the possible mechanisms by which RVS extract (RVE) exerts its anti-proliferative action in cultured human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. Results : Treatment with RVE in MCF-7 cells resulted in inhibition of cell viability through G1 arrest of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, as determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. The induction of G1 arrest by RVE treatment was associated with the inhibition of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2, retinoblastoma protein (pRB), and mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) expression. Moreover, RVE treatment concentration dependently increased the levels of tumor suppressor p53, which was associated with the marked induction of Cdk inhibitors such as p21 (Waf1/Cip1) and p27 (Kip1). However, the inhibition of p53 function by the wild-type p53-specific inhibitor, pifithrin-α, abolished the above-mentioned effects of RVE, showing that p53 was responsible for the cytotoxicity of RVE Conclusions : These data indicate that a molecular pathway involving p53-dependent G1 cell cycle arrest plays a pivotal role in the cellular response to RVE, and demonstrate the potential applications of RVE as an anti-cancer drug for breast cancer treatment.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.29-36
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• 2011

Nardostachyts chinensis (N. chinensis) belonging to the family Valerianaceae has been used to elicit stomachic and sedative effects. The MAPKs are serine/threonine kinases involved in the regulation of various cellular responses, such as cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The PKC also plays a key role in regulating the response of hematopoietic cells to both physiological and pathological inducers of proliferation and differentiation. This study investigated the signaling pathways on the U937 cell differentiation induced by N. chinensis. N. chinensis induced the differentiation of U937 cells, as shown by increased of differentiation surface antigen CD11b. Activation of ERK increased time-dependently in differentiation of U937 cells induced by N. chinensis, but activations of JNK and p38 were unaffected. Inhibitor of ERK (PD98059) significantly reduced CD11b expression induced by N. chinensis in U937 cells. In addition, N. chinensis increased protein level of PKC ${\beta}$I and PKC ${\beta}$II isoforms, but the protein level of PKC ${\alpha}$ and PKC ${\gamma}$was constant. PKC inhibitors (GF 109203X and H-7) inhibited U937 cell differentiation and the ERK activation induced by N. chinensis. These results indicated that PKC and ERK may be involved in U937 cell differentiation induced by N. chinensis.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.165-171
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• 2007

Mitomycin C (MMC), an antitumor antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces caespitosus, is used in chemotherapy of gastric, bladder and colorectal cancer. MMC is activated in vivo to alkylate and crosslink DNA, via G-G interstrand bonds, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis and transcription. This study investigates gene expression changes in response to MMC treatment in order to elucidate the mechanisms of MMC-induced toxicity. MMC was admistered with single dose (0.32 and 1.6 ${\mu}M$) to TK6 cells. Applied Biosystem's DNA chips were used for identifying the gene expression profile by MMC-induced toxicity. We identified up- or down-regulated 90 genes including cyclin M2, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21, cip1), programmed cell death 1, tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 9, et al. The regulated genes by MMC associated with the biological pathways apoptosis signaling pathway. Further characterization of these candidate markers related to the toxicity will be useful to understand the detailed mechanism of action of MMC.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

Objectives : The water extract of Nueihyuljunbang (NHJB) has long been used for treatment of ischemic brain damage in Oriental Medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of NHJB recovers brain cens from ischemic damage. Methods : To elucidate the protective mechanism on ischemic induced cytotoxicity, we investigated the regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in C6 glial cells. Results : LPS combined PMA treatment for 72 hours in C6 glial cells markedly induced nitric oxide (NO), but treatment of the cells with the water extract of NHJB decreased dose-dependently nitrite formation. In addition, LPS combined PMA treatment for 72 hours induced severe celt death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in C6 glial cells. However, treatment of the celts with the water extract of NHJB did not induce significant change compared to control cells. Furthermore, the protective effects of the water extract of NHJB were mimicked by the treatment of NGMMA, a specific inhibitor of NOS. LPS combined PMA induced iNOS activation in C6 glial cells caused chromosomal condensation and fragmentation of the nuclei by caspase activation. The treatment of C6 glial cells with the water extract of NHJB might suppress apoptosis via caspase inhibition by regulation of iNOS expression. Conclusions : From the results, we suggest that the protective effects of the water extract of NHJB against ischemic brain damage may be mediated by regulation of iNOS during ischemic condition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.517-522
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• 2012

Objective : Meningiomas represent 18-20% of all intracranial tumors and have a 20-50% 10-year recurrence rate, despite aggressive surgery and irradiation. Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, is known to inhibit meningioma cells by induction of apoptosis. We report the long-term follow-up result of hydroxyurea therapy in the patients with recurrent meningiomas. Methods : Thirteen patients with recurrent WHO grade I or II meningioma were treated with hydroxyurea (1000 $mg/m^2/day$ orally divided twice per day) from June 1998 to February 2012. Nine female and 4 male, ranging in age from 32 to 83 years (median age 61.7 years), were included. Follow-up assessment included physical examination, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Standard neuro-oncological response criteria (Macdonald criteria) were used to evaluate the follow-up MRI scans. The treatment was continued until there was objective disease progression or onset of unmanageable toxicity. Results : Ten of the 13 patients (76.9%) showed stable disease after treatment, with time to progression ranging from 8 to 128 months (median 72.4 months; 6 patients still accruing time). However, there was no complete response or partial response in any patients. Three patients had progressive disease after 88, 89, 36 months, respectively. There was no severe (Grade III-IV) blood systemic disorders and no episodes of non-hematological side effects. Conclusion : This study showed that hydroxyurea is a modestly active agent against recurrent meningiomas and can induce long-term stabilization of disease in some patients. We think that hydroxyurea treatment is well tolerated and convenient, and could be considered as an alternative treatment option in patients with recurrent meningiomas prior to reoperation or radiotherapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권9호
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• pp.5397-5402
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• 2013

The rates of morbidity and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not lessened because of difficulty in treating tumor metastasis. Mongolian Saussurea involucrata (SIE) possesses various anticancer activities, including apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However, detailed effects and molecular mechanisms of SIE on metastasis are unclear. Thus, the present study was undertaken to investigate antimetastatic effects on HCC cells as well as possible mechanisms. Effects of SIE on the growth, adhesion, migration, aggregation and invasion of the SK-Hep1 human HCC cell line were investigated. SIE inhibited cell growth of metastatic cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Incubation of SK-Hep1 cells with $200-400{\mu}g/mL$ of SIE significantly inhibited cell adhesion to gelatin-coated substrate. In the migration (wound healing) and aggregation assays, SIE treated cells showed lower levels than untreated cells. Invasion assays revealed that SIE treatment inhibited cell invasion capacity of HCC cells substantially. Quantitative real time PCR showed inhibitory effects of SIE on MMP-2/-9 and MT1-MMP mRNA levels, and stimulatory effects on TIMP-1, an inhibitor of MMPs. The present study not only demonstrated that invasion and motility of cancer cells were inhibited by SIE, but also indicated that such effects were likely associated with the decrease in MMP-2/-9 expression of SK-Hep1 cells. From these results, it was suggested that SIE could be used as potential anti-tumor agent.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.193-199
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• 2014

Fluoride has been accepted as an important material for oral health and is widely used to prevent dental caries in dentistry. However, its safety is still questioned by some. Autophagy has been implicated in cancer cell survival and death, and may play an important role in oral cancer. This study was undertaken to examine whether sodium fluoride (NaF) modulates autophagy in SCC25 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells. NaF demonstrated anticancer activity via autophagic and apoptotic cell death. Autophagic vacuoles were detectable using observed to form by monodansylcadaverine (MDC) and acridine orange (AO). Analysis of NaF-treated SCC25 cells for the presence of biochemical markers revealed direct effects on the conversion of LC-3II, degradation of p62/SQSTM1, cleavage formation of ATG5 and Beclin-1, and caspase activation. NaF-induced cell death was suppressed by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). NaF-induced autophagy was confirmed as a pro-death signal in SCC25 cells. These results implicate NaF as a novel anticancer compound for oral cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.649-655
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• 2006

The NSAID activated gene (NAG-1), a member of the TGF-$\beta$ superfamily, is involved in tumor progression and development. The over-expression of NAG-1 in cancer cells results in growth arrest and increase in apoptosis, suggesting that NAG-1 has anti-tumorigenic activity. This conclusion is further supported by results of experiments with transgenic mice that ubiquitously express human NAG-1. These transgenic mice are resistant to the development of intestinal tumors following treatment with azoxymethane or by introduction of a mutant APC gene. In contrast, other data suggest a pro-tumorigenic role for NAG-1, for example, high expression of NAG-1 is frequently observed in tumors. NAG-1 may be like other members of the TGF-$\beta$ superfamily, acting as a tumor suppressor in the early stages, but acting pro-tumorigenic at the later stages of tumor progression. The expression of NAG-1 can be increased by treatment with drugs and chemicals documented to prevent tumor formation and development. Most notable is the increase in NAG-1 expression by the inhibitors of cyclooxygenases that prevent human colorectal cancer development. The regulation of NAG-1 is complex, but these agents act through either p53 or EGR-1 related pathways. In addition, an increase in NAG-1 is observed in inhibition of the AKT/GSK-$3{\beta}$ pathway, suggesting NAG-1 alters cell survival. Thus, NAG-1 expression is regulated by tumor suppressor pathways and appears to modulate tumor progression.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.211-223
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• 2017

Transforming growth factor beta ($TGF-{\beta}$) signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, immunity, survival, and apoptosis of many cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of $TGF-{\beta}$-related genes, and their interactions and regulators in the spleen of two genetically disparate chicken lines (Marek's disease resistant line 6.3 and Marek's disease-susceptible line 7.2) induced with necrotic enteritis (NE) by Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens infection. By using high-throughput RNA-sequencing, we investigated 76 $TGF-{\beta}$-related genes that were significantly and differentially expressed in the spleens of the chickens. Approximately 20 $TGF-{\beta}$ pathway genes were further verified by qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with our RNA sequencing data. All 76 identified genes were analyzed through Gene Ontology and mapped onto the KEGG chicken $TGF-{\beta}$ pathway. Our results demonstrated that several key genes, including $TGF-{\beta}$1-3, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)1-7, inhibitor of differentiation (ID) proteins ID1-3, SMAD1-9, and Jun, showed a markedly differential expression between the two chicken lines, relative to their respective controls. We then further predicted 24 known miRNAs that targeted BMP7 mRNA from 139 known miRNAs in the two chicken lines. Among these, six miRNAs were measured by qRT-PCR. In conclusion, this study is the first to analyze most of the genes, interactions, and regulators of the $TGF-{\beta}$ pathway in the innate immune responses of NE afflicted chickens.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.1262-1269
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• 2008

Low intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS) is known to accelerate bone regeneration, but the precise cellular signaling mechanism is still unclear. The purpose if this study was to determine the effect of LIPUS on the signaling mechanism of rat chondrocyte. In the explant culture condition, there was inhibition effect of 1 $W/cm^2$ intensity LIPUS on chondrocytes proliferation but chondrocytes proliferation was increased at 0.25 $W/cm^2$ intensity. In addition, western blot analysis of MAPKs showed that LIPUS increased ERK1/2 activity from the 10 min treatment of LIPUS. Hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$), resulted in a time- and dose-dependent cell proliferation, which was largely attributed to apoptosis. $H_2O_2$ treatment caused marked sustained nucleus condensation in Hoechst stain. LIPUS and $H_2O_2$ activates phosphorylation of p-ERK1/2 and PD 98059($10^{-5}M$) blocked the effect of LIPUS and $H_2O_2$. Moreover, the synergistic phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK by $H_2O_2$, LIPUS was selectively inhibited by PD 98059, ERK1/2 inhibitor. In order to determine whether the increase in cell proliferation caused by $H_2O_2$ and LIPUS could be explained by changes in the level of the prostaglandin $E_2$. Our study demonstrated that LIPUS stimulate the cell proliferation via activated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in condrocyte. LIPUS has anabolic effects on rat cartilage in explant cultures, indicating a potential important method for the treatment of osteoarthritic cartilarge.