• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2018

Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (VEGF-VEGFR) system play a critical role in the regulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in vertebrates. Each of the VEGF has specific receptors, which it activates by binding to the extracellular domain of the receptors, and, thus, regulates the angiogenic balance in the early embryonic and adult stages. However, de-regulation of the VEGF-VEGFR implicates directly in various diseases, particularly cancer. Moreover, tumor growth needs a dedicated blood supply to provide oxygen and other essential nutrients. Tumor metastasis requires blood vessels to carry tumors to distant sites, where they can implant and begin the growth of secondary tumors. Thus, investigation of signaling systems related to the human disease, such as VEGF-VEGFR, will facilitate the development of treatments for such illnesses.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2016

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin, is reported to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in vascular cells. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by specialized brain endothelial cells that are interconnected by tight junctions, strictly regulates paracellular permeability to maintain an optimal extracellular environment for brain homeostasis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of resveratrol and the role of AMPK in BBB dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exposure of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) to LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) for 4 to 24 hours week dramatically increased the permeability of the BBB in parallel with lowered expression levels of occluding and claudin-5, which are essential to maintain tight junctions in HBMECs. In addition, LPS significantly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) productions. All effects induced by LPS in HBVMCs were reversed by adenoviral overexpression of superoxide dismutase, inhibition of NAD(P) H oxidase by apocynin or gain-function of AMPK by adenoviral overexpression of constitutively active mutant (AMPK-CA) or by resveratrol. Finally, upregulation of AMPK by either AMPK-CA or resveratrol abolished the levels of LPS-enhanced NAD(P)H oxidase subunits protein expressions. We conclude that AMPK activation by resveratrol improves the integrity of the BBB disrupted by LPS through suppressing the induction of NAD(P)H oxidase-derived ROS in HBMECs.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 1999

The palatine tonsils(tonsils) and pharyngeal tonsils(adenoids) are situated at the entrance of the respiratory and alimentary tracts and represent the first site of contact with a variety of microorganisms and other antigens present in food and inhaled air. They are known as lymphoid organs carrying out the function of cellular and humoral immunity, and so they form a local protective barrier. And the expression of the vascular endothelial adhesion molecules is known to play an important role for the inflammatory reaction in tonsils and adenoids as well as in other inflammatory tissues, by binding with the receptors on the surface of leukocytes. But although several scientific hypotheses on the role of these lympoid tissues have been suggested, their complete functions have remained unknown. The purpose of this study is to present an basic data of the knowledge on the immunologic physiology of the tonsils and adenoids and their role as active immunologic organs that reinforce the mucosal immunity of the entire upper aerodigestive tract. We examined 16 human tonsils and adenoids and the expression of three endothelial adhesion molecules, vascular endothelial adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), and E-selection, in tissue sections using immunohistochemistry. We used the inferior turbinate mucosa obtained from 9 patients getting septal surgery as a control group. The expressions of vascular endothelial adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were significantly higher in the tonsils and adenoids. But respectively, there were no significant differences between the tonsils and adenoids. The expression of E-selection was significant higher in the tonsils, but not in the adenoids. We observed that tonsils and adenoids showed significantly higher expressions of vascular endothelial adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), and E-selection (in the case of E-selection, only in the tonsils). We propose that these adhesion molecules play an important role for the immunologic reaction by the transendothelial migration of lymphocytes and binding with the receptors on the surface of leukocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2013

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in various cells, including vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, and regulate ion channel functions. $K_{Ca}3.1$ plays an important role in endothelial functions. However, the effects of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radicals on the expression of this ion channel in the endothelium remain unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of ROS donors on $K_{Ca}3.1$ expression and the $K^+$ current in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The hydrogen peroxide donor, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), upregulated $K_{Ca}3.1$ expression, while the superoxide donors, xanthine/xanthine oxidase mixture (X/XO) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), downregulated its expression, in a concentration-dependent manner. These ROS donor effects were prevented by antioxidants or superoxide dismustase. Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) was upregulated by TBHP and downregulated by X/XO. In addition, repressor element-1-silencing transcription factor (REST) was downregulated by TBHP, and upregulated by X/XO. Furthermore, $K_{Ca}3.1$ current, which was activated by clamping cells with 1 ${\mu}M$ $Ca^{2+}$ and applying the $K_{Ca}3.1$ activator 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone, was further augmented by TBHP, and inhibited by X/XO. These effects were prevented by antioxidants. The results suggest that hydrogen peroxide increases $K_{Ca}3.1$ expression by upregulating pERK and downregulating REST, and augments the $K^+$ current. On the other hand, superoxide reduces $K_{Ca}3.1$ expression by downregulating pERK and upregulating REST, and inhibits the $K^+$ current. ROS thereby play a key role in both physiological and pathological processes in endothelial cells by regulating $K_{Ca}3.1$ and endothelial function.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2013

Objective: To assess the effect of vitamin D administration on the skin blood flow response to occlusion and heat. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty age matched subjects; 10 who had diabetes and 10 who were controls were administered 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 for 3 weeks at breakfast. The function of the endothelial cells was evaluated in 2 ways; first, the response to 4 minutes of vascular occlusion of the skin was measured with a laser Doppler flow meter. Second, the skin blood flow response to local heat at 42 degrees C for 6 minutes was examined. Results: The results of the experiments showed that the blood flow response to heat was reduced after 3 weeks administration of vitamin D in the subjects with diabetes and in the control subjects (p<0.05). The response to occlusion was not significantly different within each group before and after vitamin D administration, but the group with diabetes had a significantly lower blood flow response to occlusion than did the controls (p<0.05). Conclusions: Acute doses of vitamin D may impair nitric oxide production and reduce blood flow to tissue during stressors in people with diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2020

Mushrooms have been extensively used as traditional medicines to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we examined whether Trametes cubensis extract (TCE) exerted beneficial effects on cardiovascular function. First, we demonstrated that TCE was non-cytotoxic and enhanced cell proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Moreover, TCE induced cell migration and blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced adhesion of monocytes to BAEC. We performed a variety of cell signaling studies, showing that TCE activates p38 MAPK and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results showed that TCE-induced vascular functions were mediated by p38 MAPK, but not by ROS. These results provide insights into bio-medical applications of TCE as a preventive or therapeutic agent for treating cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.128-128
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• 2002

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.166.2-167
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• 2001

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.543-551
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• 2001

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or VEGF-A, is intimately involved in both physiological and pathological forms of angiogenesis. VEGF-A is now recognized as the founding member of a family of growth factors that has expanded to include VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-E, and placental growth factor (PIGF). This family of cytokines binds differentially to at least three receptor tyrosine kinases, however, the extent to which family members other than VEGF-A contribute to physiological and pathological angiogenesis remains unclear. Issues that are of relevance include uncertainty regarding the consequences of signaling through VEGF - RI in particular, and the ability of some family members to heterodimerize, leading to the possibility ofheterodimeric receptor complexes. Structural characterization is one approach that can be used to address these issues, however, the vast majority of previous structure-function studies have only focused on VEGF-A. While these studies may provide some clues regarding the structural basis of the interaction of other family members with their receptors, studies using the ligands themselves are clearly required if highly specific interactions are to be revealed. With the recent progress toward refolding and purifying substantial' quantities of other VEGF family members, such structural studies are now possible. Here, these ~ssues are addressed with a particular emphasis on VEGF-B and its receptors.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2008

The present study was undertaken to determine whether hypoxia influences on the agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Hypoxia significantly inhibited fluoride-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function, but there was no relaxation on thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic U-46619-induced contraction suggesting that other pathway such as $Ca^{2+}$ entry or thin filament regulation was not affected. In addition, hypoxia significantly decreased fluoride-induced increase of phospho-myosin-targeting subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase (pMYPT1). Interestingly, hypoxia didn't inhibit significantly phenylephrine-induced contraction suggesting that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activity or thin filament regulation is less important on the hypoxia-induced vasorelaxation in the denuded muscle than Rho-kinase activity. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence and possible related mechanism concerning the vasodilation effect of hypoxia on the agonist-specific contraction in rat aortic rings regardless of endothelial function.