• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.115-122
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• 2001

난자와 난포세포는 gap junction channel을 통해 긴밀한 연락을 주고받음으로써 난자의 발달이나 난포의 성장에 영향을 미친다. 본 연구는 같은 크기의 난포에서 나온 난자라고 하여도 cumulus cell(난구세포)들이 붙어있는 상태가 다르다는 것을 관찰, 이렇게 난구세포와의 서로 다른 연결상태를 갖는 난자의 재질에 차이가 있을 것으로 가정하고, 난자의 competence와 이때 난자와 난구세포 사이의 cell-to-cell communication에 관여하는 gap junction protein인 connexin(CX) 37과 CX 43의 발현 정도가 어떤 상관관계가 있는지를 알아보고자 수행하였다. 생후 3주일 된 생쥐에 PMSG를 주입하고 48시간 후에 난소를 적출하여 난포를 450 $\mu\textrm{m}$ 이상(large)의 난포와 200～400 $\mu\textrm{m}$(small) 난포로 분리하여 그 난자를 얻었다. 난자에 난구세포가 compact하게 붙어있는 것은 intact로(L1, Sl), 난구세포가 어느 정도 붙어 있거나, 하나도 붙어있지 않은 것은 partial/denuded로 그룹을 나누었다(LPD. SPD). 각 그룹의 난자를 체외에서 성숙시키고, 수정시켜서 발달율을 비교하였다. 각각의 CX의 mRNA 발현을 RT-PCR과 in situ hybridization으로 비교하였다. intact와 denuded 난자의 비율은 큰 난포의 경우는 55%와45%의 비율로, 작은 난포의 경우는 30%와 70%의 비율로 난포가 작을수록 denude상태의 난자가 많이 나왔다. 어떤 경우의 난자는 체외 성숙율은 차이가 없이 모두 97%이상 성숙하였다. 그러나, 수정률에서는 차이를 보여서 intact한 난자에서 높은 수정율을 보였으며, SPD의 경우, 가장 낮은 수정ㆍ발달율을 보였다. 난자의 경우, 주로 발현되는 것은 CX 37이었으며, CX 43은 발현되지 않았다. 난구세포의 경우, CX 43이 가장 높게 발현하였고, 그 다음으로 CX 37이 관찰되었다. 본 실험 결과, 같은 발달크기의 난포라고 하더라도 그 안에 존재하는 난자의 상태는 난구세포와 얼마나 밀접한 cell-to-cell communication을 이루고 있느냐에 따라 영향을 받는다는 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구결과 다음과 같이 결론 내릴 수 있었다. 1)아직 발달이 끝나지 않은 난포에서 나온 미성숙난자라고 하여도 난구세포와 밀접한 연결을 갖는 경우 성숙난자와 거의 같은 능력을 갖고 있으며, 2) 난자와 난구세포간의 gap junctional communication은 heterotypic channel로 이루어지고, 3) 본 연구에서 관찰한 CX 43과 CX 37 두 종류만으로는 intact와 denuded의 차이점을 설명할 수 없었다.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.147-153
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• 2004

The oocyte and its surrounding granulosa cells co-exist in a closed compartment called a follicle, although they receive many signals from other parts of the body. It is well established that the intercellular communications between the oocyte and granulosa cells are required for normal oocyte development and ovulation during folliculogenesis. Gap junctions are intercellular channels allowing the direct transmission of ions and small molecules between coupled cells. Several lines of studies have shown that multiple connexins (Cx, subunits of gap junction) are expressed in mammalian ovarian follicles. Among them, two major connexins Cx37 and Cx43 are expressed in different manner. While the gap junction channels formed by Cx37 are localized between the oocyte and encompassing granulosa cells, the intercellular channels by Cx43 are located between granulosa cells. In this review, I will summarize the general properties of gap junction channels and discuss their possible formation (or compatibility) of intercellular channels formed by the oocyte and granulosa cells.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.349-357
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• 2016

The present research was chiefly designed to determine the effect of the treatment of estrogenic agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or antiandrogenic compound, flutamide (Flu), at the weaning age on the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis of adult male rat. Animals were subcutaneously administrated with a single shot of either EB at a low-dose ($0.015{\mu}g$ of EB/kg body weight (BW)) or a high-dose ($1.5{\mu}g$ of EB/kg BW) or Flu at a low-dose ($500{\mu}g$ of EB/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg of EB/kg BW). Expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis were examined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The treatment of a low-dose EB caused significant increases of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx32, and Cx43 transcript levels but reduction of Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression. Exposure to a high-dose EB resulted in very close responses observed in a low-dose EB treatment, except no significant expressional change of Cx37 and a significant induction of Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms, except Cx45, was significantly increased by a low-dose Flu treatment. Expressional increases of all Cx isoforms were detected by a high-dose Flu treatment. The current study demonstrates that a single exposure to estrogenic or antiandrogenic compound during the early postnatal developmental period is sufficient to disrupt normal expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.541-547
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• 2003

목 적 : HSVtk 유전자를 암세포에 도입하여 GCV에 대해 선택적으로 감수성을 증가시키는 HSVtk/GCV 유전자 치료에서 방관자 효과는 모든 암세포에 유전자를 도입하지 않고도 치료효과를 얻을 수 있으므로 방관자 효과를 증강시킬 수만 있다면 HSVtk/GCV 유전자 치료의 효과를 극대화시킬 수 있다. HSVtk의 방관자 효과에 관한 기전으로는 간격결합분자들이 주요 역할을 하리라고 알려져 있다. 간격결합분자들은 세포간의 통신을 담당하는 connexin family이며, 주로 Cx43에 관해서는 많이 알려져 왔다. Cx37을 암의 유전자 치료에 이용 가능한 유전자로서의 가능성을 타진하기 위하여 HSVtk/GCV 유전자 치료에 Cx37 유전자를 직접 세포에 발현을 시켜 방관자 효과를 증가시킬 수 있는 새로운 방법의 가능성을 검토하였다. 방 법 : 효과의 검증을 위한 세포주로는 NIH3T3를 사용하였다. HSVtk가 형질도입된 NIH3T3 세포에 GCV의 농도별로 세포사를 관찰하였다. 또한 Cx37의 발현 여부에 따른 세포사멸의 효과를 검토하기 위하여 Cx37 발현 세포주와 비발현 세포주를 서로 다른 비율로 혼합 배양후 나타나는 세포사를 관찰하였다. 최종적으로 Cx37이 세포사멸을 직접적으로 매개하고 있음을 규명하기 위하여 Cx37 발현 표적세포를 크로미움으로 표지화한 후 Cx37 발현 세포주와 비발현 작동세포와 혼합 배양 시 사멸되는 세포로부터 유리되는 크로미움의 양을 측정하였다. 결 과: HSVtk 발현 세포는 GCV 농도에 비례하여 세포가 사멸되었으며 HSVtk/Cx37 동시 발현 세포는 HSVtk만 발현된 세포에 비해 2배 이상의 사멸 효과가 나타났다. 아울러 Cx37에 의해 유도되는 방관자 효과는 표적세포와 작동세포 모두에 Cx37이 발현되는 경우는 세포의 혼합배양 비율에 상관없이 80%에 이르는 세포가 사멸되었다. 특히 작동세포에 Cx37이 없더라도 표적세포에 Cx37이 발현하면 세포사멸은 Cx37이 매개되지 않는 경우에 비교하여 2배 이상의 증가를 보였다. 이러한 결과는 크로미움 유리 실험에서도 동일한 결과가 유도되어 Cx37은 세포사멸을 직접적으로 매개하고 있음이 나타났다. 결 론 : 이상의 결과로부터 HSVtk/GCV 유전자 치료에서 방관자효과를 나타내는 분자의 하나로 Cx37의 기능을 확인하였으며, Cx37은 방관자 효과를 증가시켜 유전자치료의 낮은 유전자 전이율을 극복하고 암의 자살 유전자 치료의 효과를 극대화할 수 있는 분자로 예측된다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.521-530
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• 2013

Direct cell-cell communication via the transfer of small molecules between neighboring cells in tissue is accomplished by gap junctions composed of various connexins (Cxs). Proper postnatal development of the epididymis is important for acquisition of male reproduction. The epididymal epithelium is composed of several cell types, and some of these cells are connected by gap junctions. The present study was conducted to determine the presence of Cx transcripts in the corpus and cauda epididymis. In addition, transcriptional changes of Cxs expressed during different postnatal stages were examined by real-time PCR analysis. In both epididymal regions, the same nine Cx transcripts of thirteen Cxs tested were detected. In the corpus epididymis, the highest levels of Cxs31.1 and 37 transcripts were observed at 45 days of age, and amounts of Cxs26, 30.3, and 32 transcripts increased with age and subsequently decreased in the elderly. Expression of Cx31 was greatly increased in the adult and elder stages, while Cxs40, 43, and 45 were abundant in the early postnatal stages. In the cauda epididymis, expression of Cxs26, 30.3, 31.1, 37, and 40 reached the highest levels at 5 months of age. The levels of Cxs31 and 32 mRNAs fluctuated throughout the postnatal period. The amounts of Cxs43 and 45 transcripts were more abundant during the late neonatal and prepubertal ages than later ages. These findings suggest that regional specification of the epididymis is partly regulated by differential expression of Cx genes during the postnatal developmental period.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.129-142
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• 2002

Epithelial-mesenchymal interaction plays a important role in cell growth and differentiation. This interaction is already well known to have an importance during the organ development as well as cell growth and differentiation. However, in vitro experimental model is not well developed to reproduce in vivo cellular microenvironment which provide a epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. Because conventional monolayer culture lacks epithelial-mensenchymal interaction, cultivated cells have an morphologic, biochemical, and functional characteristics differ from in vivo tissue. Moreover, it's condition is not able to induce cellular differention due to submerged culture condition. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop and evaualte the in vitro experimental model that maintains epithelial-mesenchymal interaction by organotypic raft culture, and to characterize biologic properties of three-dimensionally reconstituted oral keratinocytes by histological and immunohistochemical analysis. The results were as follow; 1. Gingival keratinocytes reconstituted by three-dimensional organotypic culture revealed similar morphologic characteristics to biopsied patient specimen showing stratification, hyperkeratinosis, matutation of epithelial architecture. 2. Connective tissue structure was matured, and there is no difference during stratification period of epithelial 3-dimensional culture. 3. The longer of air-exposure culture on three-dimensionally reconstituted cells, the more epithelial maturation, increased epithelial thickness and surface keratinization 4. In reconstitued mucosa, the whole epidermis was positively stained by anti-involucrin antibody, and there is no difference according to air-exposured culture period. 5. The Hsp was expressed in the epithelial layer of three-dimensionally cultured cells, especially basal layer of epidermis. The change of Hsp expression was not significant by culture stratification. 6. Connexin 43, marker of cell-cell communication was revealed mild immunodeposition in reconstitued epithelium, and there is no significant expression change during stratification. These results suggest that three-dimensional oragnotypic co-culture of normal gingival keratinocytes with dermal equivalent consisting type I collagen and gingival fibroblasts results in similar morphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics to in vivo patient specimens. And this culture system seems to provide adequate micro-environment for in vitro tissue reconstitution. Therefore, further study will be focused to study of in vitro gingivitis model, development of novel perioodntal disease therapeutics and epithelial-mensenchymal interaction.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.269-273
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• 2006

소르빈산 칼륨은 소르빈산의 일종으로 항세균 및 곰팡이 발육 저지 효과를 갖고 있다. 이러한 성질로 인하여 소르빈산 칼륨은 곰팡이와 진균에 대한 식품 방부제로서 사용되고 있다. 소르빈산 칼륨은 많은 양에 노출되었을 때도 체내에서 수분과 이산화탄소로 분해되는 특성으로 인하여 독성이 없는 것으로 알려져 있다. gap junction을 통한 세포 간 신호 전달(GJIC)는 생체의 성장과 분화에 있어서 조직의 항상성 유지에 본질적인 역할을 하고 있다. 본 연구는 WB-F344 랫드의 정상 간 상피 세포(WB 세포)에서 소르빈산 칼륨을 노출하였을 때 GJIC에 대하여 어떤 영향을 미치는지 알아보았다. 그 결과 소르빈산 칼륨에 노출에 의하여 WB세포의 GJIC가 농도 및 시간 의존적으로 현격하게 감소하는 것을 관찰하였다. 소르빈산 칼륨은 GJIC를 강력하게 억제하며, 이는 WB 세포에서 gap junction을 구성하는 connexin 43의 인산화와 병행하는 것을 확인하였다. 소르빈산 칼륨이 gap junction의 기능을 방해함으로 인해 소르빈산 칼륨에 의한 간독성이 유발될 수 있을 것이다.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.251-264
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• 2022

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately half of all heart failure (HF) cases. The prevalence of HFpEF is increasing due to an aging population with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. HFpEF remains a challenging clinical entity due to a lack of effective treatment options. Traditional HF medications have not been shown to reduce mortality of patients with HFpEF, and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is not indicated due to normal ejection fraction. Sudden death is the most common mode of death in patients with HFpEF; however, the underlying mechanisms of sudden death are not fully elucidated. Although ventricular arrhythmias are responsible for the majority of sudden deaths in general, their contribution to sudden deaths in HFpEF patients is likely less significant. The mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in HFpEF are 1) reduced conduction velocity due to ventricular hypertrophy, 2) delayed repolarization due to potassium current down-regulation, 3) calcium leakage due to altered excitation-contraction coupling, and 4) increased ventricular fibrosis caused by systemic inflammation. Hypertension and subsequent ventricular hypertrophy reduce the conduction velocity in HFpEF hearts via heterogeneous distribution of connexin 43. Delayed repolarization caused by potassium current down-regulation in HFpEF hearts provides a window for early afterdepolarization to trigger ventricular arrhythmias. Altered excitation-contraction coupling in HFpEF can cause calcium to leak and trigger delayed afterdepolarization. Increased systemic inflammation and subsequent ventricular fibrosis provide substrates for re-entry. Further research is warranted to investigate the detailed mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in HFpEF.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.114-121
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• 2014

Refractoriness of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to chemotherapeutics represents a major clinical barrier. Suicide gene therapy for cancer has been attractive but with limited clinical efficacy. In this study, we investigated the potential application of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GCV) based system to inhibit chemoresistant AML cells. We first generated Ara-C resistant K562 cells and doxorubicin-resistant THP-1 cells. We found that the HSV-TK/GCV anticancer system suppressed drug resistant leukemic cells in culture. Chemoresistant AML cell lines displayed similar sensitivity to HSV-TK/GCV. Moreover, HSV-TK/GCV killing of leukemic cells was augmented to a mild but significant extent by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with concomitant upregulation of Connexin 43, a major component of gap junctions. Interestingly, HSV-TK/GCV killing was enhanced by expression of vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSV-G), a fusogenic membrane protein, which also increased leukemic cell fusion. Co-culture resistant cells expressing HSV-TK and cells stably transduced with VSV-G showed that expression of VSV-G could promote the bystander killing effect of HSV-TK/GCV. Furthermore, combination of HSV-TK/GCV with VSV-G plus ATRA produced more pronounced antileukemia effect. These results suggest that the HSV-TK/GCV system in combination with fusogenic membrane proteins and/or ATRA could provide a strategy to mitigate the chemoresistance of AML.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

The plant Dendropanax morbifera Léveille is effective folk medicines for the treatment of several conditions, such as infectious diseases, skin diseases, and other illnesses. Although the inhibitory effects of D. morbifera on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have been shown in our previous study, its effects in vivo remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of the extracts from D. morbifera (EDM) on neointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery and explore the underlying mechanisms. We observed that the ratio of intima to media thickness (I/M) was significantly decreased in the EDM-treated groups by ~80% compared to that of the control. The expression of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was decreased by ~70% in the EDM-treated groups compared to that of the control. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 significantly reduced in the neointimal layer of the EDM-treated groups. Moreover, the decreased levels of contractile phenotypic markers of VSMCs, such as α-smooth muscle actin, myocardin, and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, were successfully restored by EDM treatment. Furthermore, the levels of synthetic phenotypic markers, cellular retinal binding protein 1 and connexin 43 were also restored to normal levels. These results suggest that EDM inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury in rats via phenotypic modulation of VSMCs. Therefore, EDM may be a potential drug candidate for the prevention of restenosis.