• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.657-662
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• 2015

Rapid and efficient engulfment of apoptotic cells is an essential property of phagocytes for removal of the large number of apoptotic cells generated in multicellular organisms. To achieve this, phagocytes need to be able to continuously uptake apoptotic cells. It was recently reported that uncoupling protein 2 (Ucp2) promotes engulfment of apoptotic cells by increasing the phagocytic capacity, thereby allowing cells to continuously ingest apoptotic cells. However, the functions of Ucp2, beyond its possible role in dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential, that contribute to elevation of the phagocytic capacity have not been determined. Here, we report that the anion transfer or nucleotide binding activity of Ucp2, as well as its dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, is necessary for Ucp2-mediated engulfment of apoptotic cells. To study these properties, we generated Ucp2 mutations that affected three different functions of Ucp2, namely, dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, transfer of anions, and binding of purine nucleotides. Mutations of Ucp2 that affected the proton leak did not enhance the engulfment of apoptotic cells. Although anion transfer and nucleotide binding mutations did not affect the mitochondrial membrane potential, they exerted a dominant-negative effect on Ucp2-mediated engulfment. Furthermore, none of our Ucp2 mutations increased the phagocytic capacity. We conclude that dissipation of the proton gradient by Ucp2 is not the only determinant of the phagocytic capacity and that anion transfer or nucleotide binding by Ucp2 is also essential for Ucp2-mediated engulfment of apoptotic cells.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2002

We investigated the morphological changes and TUNEL reaction of apoptotic cells in the liver of D-galactosamine (20 mg/mouse) and lipopolysaccharide (5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mouse)-treated 30 mice (BALB/c), and in additioa also of apoptotic cells in kidney and spleen. The livers and other some organs of mice at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after treatment were collected and were fixed with 10% neutral formalin and paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin or terminal deoxynucleotidly transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Morphological changes in apoptotic hepatocytes were chondensation of nuclei and density of cytoplasms, then the margination and pyknosis of chromatin, the formation of half-moon- or horse-shoe- or ship-like shapes of condensed chromatin mass, lastly formation of apoptotic bodies, disappearance of nuclear envelopes, decrease of stainability, then lysis and disappearance of apoptotic bodies. TUNEL positive reactions of hepatocytes were appeared first moderate in uncondensed hepatocytes, severe in condensed hepatocytes, moderate in chromatin-marginated hepatocytes. These reactions also were appeared moderate in hepatocytes with half-moon- or horse-shoe- or ship-like pyknotic chromatin mass or apoptotic bodies, and mild or negative in hepatocytes with lysed apoptotic bodies or with disappeared nuclear envelopes. Consequently these results suggested that TUNEL positive reactions of hepatocytes appeared at more early stages than appearance of chromatin condensation and disappeared at more early stage than disappearance of histological findings of apoptosis. We also confirmed that the differentiation of apoptotic cells from normal healthy cells of Kupffer cells and vascular endothelial cells in liver, reticular cells and lymphocytes in spleen and epithelial cells of tubules and ducts in kidney was impossible in H-E preparations but was possible in TUNEL preparations.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2007

Programmed cell death was characterized in the silkworm thoracic ganglia TG1, TG2 and TG3 during postembryonic periods by TUNEL assay. Apoptotic cells were detected in the three TGs of all larval stages except for day-1, 2 1st instar larvae, in which no apoptotic cells were found. From day-7 5th larva, the numbers of apoptotic cells were dramatically increased and peaked on day-1 pupa and day-2 pupa and then abruptly decreased. Apoptotic cells finally disappeared in day-1 adult. In-vivo injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) into day-8 5th larva resulted in a striking decrease of apoptotic cells. Actinomycin D (Act D) or cycloheximide (CHX), injected into hemolymph of day-8 5th larva, resulted in a decrease of apoptotic cells in the three TGs. Injection of caspase-8 and -3 inhibitors also blocked cellular apoptosis. These results will provide valuable information for understanding of cellular changes in the three TGs during metamorphosis of the insect species.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2019

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) initiates the extrinsic apoptotic pathway through formation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), followed by activation of effector caspases. TRAIL receptors are composed of death receptors (DR4 and DR5), decoy receptors (DcR1 and DcR2), and osteoprotegerin. Among them, only DRs activate apoptotic signaling by TRAIL. Since the levels of DR expressions are higher in cancer cells than in normal cells, TRAIL selectively activates apoptotic signaling pathway in cancer cells. However, multiple mechanisms, including down-regulation of DR expression and pro-apoptotic proteins, and up-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins, make cancer cells TRAIL-resistant. Therefore, many researchers have investigated strategies to overcome TRAIL resistance. In this review, we focus on protein regulation in relation to extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways via ubiquitination. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is an important process in control of protein degradation and stabilization, and regulates proliferation and apoptosis in cancer cells. The level of ubiquitination of proteins is determined by the balance of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs), which determine protein stability. Regulation of the UPS may be an attractive target for enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our review provides insight to increasing sensitivity to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through control of post-translational protein expression.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2009

Aromatic (ar)-turmerone from turmeric oil displays anti-tumorigenesis activity that includes inhibited cell proliferation. This study investigated ar-turmerone-mediated apoptotic protein activation in human lymphoma U937 cells. Ar-turmerone treatment inhibited U937 cell viability in a concentration-dependent fashion, with inhibition exceeding 84%. Moreover, the treatment produced nucleosomal DNA fragmentation and the percentage of sub-diploid cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner; both are hallmarks of apoptosis. The apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone was associated with the induction of Bax and p53 proteins, rather than Bcl-2 and p21. Activation of mitochondrial cytochrome c and caspase-3 demonstrated that the activation of caspases accompanied the apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone, which mediated cell death. These results suggest that the apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone on U937 cells may involve caspase-3 activation through the induction of Bax and p53, rather than Bcl-2 and p21.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1997

Recent studies have demonstrated that apoptotic cell death plays an important role in the mechanism underlying follicular atresia and luteolysis. However, the mechanisms responsible for initiating these processes have not been elucidated. In in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs, it is highly possible that continuous and repeated administration of FSH/hMG and GnRH agonists for the usage of ovarian hyperstimulation may induce apoptotic death of granulosa cells leading to atresia in the human ovarian follicles. The present study was performed to investigate whether FSH/hMG and GnRh agonists used for a longer period in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation has any effect on the apoptosis of granulosa-luteal (GL) cells obtained from hyperstimulated ovaries. To examine apoptotic cell death in the GL cells, cells were stained with acridie orange followed by observed in some of GL cells. Similar but distinct staining of apoptotic GL cells was observed when the cells were examined by using in situ TUNEL method. The healthy-looking cells with normal nuclear morphology were not stained, whereas cells with pyknotic nuclei or with apoptotic nuclei were intensively stained. After examining the ultrastructural features of GL cells by TEM, it was confirmed that the majority of cells seemed to have normal nuclei while GL cells undergoing apoptotic cel death were rarely found. The DNA extracted from GL cells showed a typical pattern of fragmentation following DNA electrophoretic analysis. We have confirmed that the apoptosis occurs in granulosa-luteal cells obtained from hyperstimulated ovaries. Technically, in situ apoptosis detection method is simple and reproducible and is well suited to identify the quality of oocytes retrieved from hyperstimulated ovaries.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2013

Palmitic acid (PAM), one of the most common saturated fatty acid (SFA) in animals and plants, has been shown to induce apoptosis in exocrine pancreatic AR42J cells. In this study, we investigated cellular mechanisms underlying protective effects of oleic acid (OLA) against the lipotoxic actions of PAM in AR42J cells. Exposure of cells to long-chain SFA induced apoptotic cell death determined by MTT cell viability assay and Hoechst staining. Co-treatment of OLA with PAM markedly protected cells against PAM-induced apoptosis. OLA significantly attenuated the PAM-induced increase in the levels of pro-apoptotic Bak protein, cleaved forms of apoptotic proteins (caspase-3, PARP). On the contrary, OLA restored the decreased levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1) in PAM-treated cells. OLA also induced up-regulation of the mRNA expression of Dgat2 and Cpt1 genes which are involved in triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and mitochondrial ${\beta}$-oxidation, respectively. Intracellular TAG accumulation was increased by OLA supplementation in accordance with enhanced expression of Dgat2 gene. These results indicate that restoration of anti-apoptotic/pro-apop-totic protein balance from apoptosis toward cell survival is involved in the cytoprotective effects of OLA against PAM-induced apoptosis in pancreatic AR42J cells. In addition, OLA-induced increase in TAG accumulation and up-regulation of Dgat2 and Cpt1 gene expressions may be possibly associated in part with the ability of OLA to protect cells from deleterious actions of PAM.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.511-518
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• 2001

The effect of mycolactone, a recently reported apoptosis-inducing factor, was investigated in SCC15 oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) cell line. Mycolactone rapidly induced cell death in OSCC cells in 2days, which was similar to that found in apoptotic cell such as detaching from culture plate and rounding-up of cells. Apoptotic cells were increased 4hrs after mycolactone treatment and more than half of cells showed apoptosis after 72hrs. Caspase 3 activation a biochemical evidence of apoptosis, was determined by Western blotting. Caspase 3 activation was started at 2hrs that lasted until 8hrs after mycolactone treatment. The expression of bcl-2 family genes was determined to explain the mechanism of apoptosis found in OSCC cells. The expressions of bad, bak, and bax (pro-apoptotic genes) and bcl-w and bcl-2 genes (anti-apoptotic genes) were not changed by mycolactone treatment. The expression of bcl-xi was decreased 8 hrs after mycolactone treatment. Mcl-1 expression was initially increased at 2 hrs which was decreased 8 hrs after mycolactone treatment. The down-regulation of these two anti-apoptotic genes might explain the mycolactone-induced apoptosis in OSCC cells. In this study, mycholactone was revealed to induce cell death in OSCC cells apoptosis and the apoptosis mechanism of OSCC cells was shown to be down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes, bcl-xi and mcl-1. These results suggested the applicability of mycolactone for the development of an anti-cancer drug candidate by inducing apoptosis of OSCC cancer cell.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.107-119
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• 1998

This study was designed to investigate the appearence and the characteristics of the apoptotic cells and the process of the joint cavity formation in mouse knee joint. Fetal mouse knee joints from 15 to 19 days of gestation were used. Paraffin-embedded serial sections, stained with H & E for light microscopic observation, Epon 812 embedded thin sections for electron microscopic observation and Lowicryl HM 20 embedded thin sections for immune-electron microscopic observation were prepared. Monoclonal antibodies to $\beta-tubulin$ and polyclonal antibodies to tissue transglutaminase were used for immune-electron microscopic study. The results obtained were as follows. 1. At 15 days of gestation, blood vessels, which have invaded in the mesenchymal cells, were present in the synovium, to form the joint cavity in the future. 2. At 16 days of gestation, the joint cleft was first appeared and several RBCs were present in the joint cleft. The invasion of blood vessels into the joint cleft was continuing, and apoptotic cells were present in the inner cell layer, adjacent to the joint cleft. Necrotic cells were also present in the outer cell layer; they were present 18 days of gestation, but apoptotic cells did not appear after 17 days of gestation. 3. In the apoptotic cells, transglutaminase were localized around vacuoles and the marginal site of the cytoplasm. 4. In the apoptotic cells, tubulin was around the endoplasmic reticulum and the marginal site of the cytoplasm. In the late stage of apoptotic cells, tubulin was localized diffusely in the cytoplasm. Tubulin was also strongly labeled around in the cytoplasm of the neighboring cell at which the apoptotic body was phagocytosed. Tubulin labeled particles were apparently increased in the seperated apoptotic bodies. On the basis of the above findings, it is proposed that during the development of the mouse knee joint, blood vessel invasion first occurs and then apoptosis and cell necrosis follow it. In the apoptotic cell, present in the synovium of the developing knee joint of the mouse. it is suggested that the redistribution of tubulin is associated with apoptotic process. And transglutaminase overexpressed in the apoptotic cell.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

To verify the inhibitory or protective effects of light-emitting diode(LED) irradiation on apoptotic cell death induced by $CoCl_2$, human SH-SY5Y cells were treated with $CoCl_2$ and LED were used to irradiate the cells. In the cell viability assay, cells were died slowly from $50{\mu}M$ to $250{\mu}M$ and about 50% of cells died after 12 hours at $400{\mu}M$ of $CoCl_2$. The Diff-Quik staining revealed that cells showed condensation of DNA and blebbing of the cell membrane. The DNA fragmentation assay revealed the DNA fragmentation, which is another apoptosis marker, occurred in cells treated with $400{\mu}M$ $CoCl_2$ for 16 hours. In the western blot for HIF-$1{\alpha}$, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ was expressed after 3 hours from induction and peaked maximally at 16 hours. In the cell viability assay of the effects of LED irradiation (at 590 nm for 1 hour 20 minutes), the cells showed more proliferation (about 20%) than the control group. The RPA assay of various apoptosis-related molecules showed that pro-apoptosis molecules such as Bax, Bak, and Bid were upregulated in the $CoCl_2$ treatment group. This means that the apoptotic cell population was increased. However there was some significant changes in LED irradiated cells. In the $CoCl_2$-treated LED irradiation group, those molecules were down-regulated more than in the only $CoCl_2$-treated group. These results have shown that $CoCl_2$ may induce apoptotic cell death in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. And LED irradiation has a positive effect on apoptotic cells by down-regulation of pro-apoptotic molecules.