• BMB Reports
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.84-89
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• 2023

The implications of nutrient starvation due to aging on the degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is yet to be fully explored. We examined the involvement of AMPK activation in mitochondrial homeostasis and its relationship with the maintenance of a healthy mitochondrial population and epithelial characteristics of RPE cells under nutrient starvation. Nutrient starvation induced mitochondrial senescence, which led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RPE cells. As nutrient starvation persisted, RPE cells underwent pathological epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the upregulation of TWIST1, a transcription regulator which is activated by ROS-induced NF-κB signaling. Enhanced activation of AMPK with metformin decelerated mitochondrial senescence and EMT progression through mitochondrial biogenesis, primed by activation of PGC1-α. Thus, by facilitating mitochondrial biogenesis, AMPK protects RPE cells from the loss of epithelial integrity due to the accumulation of ROS in senescent mitochondria under nutrient starvation.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권9호
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• pp.1082-1087
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 염증성 사이토카인 IL-1α가 소장의 tight junction (TJ)의 integrity에 미치는 영향을 평가하고 항염증 효능이 있다고 알려진 curcumin (CCM)이 IL-1α에 의한 TJ 손상 예방효과를 알아보고자 Caco-2 세포 모델을 이용하여 실험하였다. Caco-2 세포 단층의 TJ integrity에 대한 IL-1α의 영향을 FITC-dextran flux와 transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER)를 측정하여 검증하였다. IL-1α를 100 ng/ml의 농도로 Caco-2 세포 단층의 상부에 24시간 동안 처리하였을 때 처리 2시간 이후 FITC-dextran의 flux가 유의적으로 증가하였고, IL-1α 처리시간에 비례하여 상승하였다. 또한 IL-1α의 처리는 TEER 값을 유의적으로 감소시켜 IL-1α에 의한 TJ 손상을 확인할 수 있었다. 반면 CCM의 전처리는 이러한 IL-1α에 의한 TJ 기능 저하를 거의 완전히 예방하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이상의 결과로 염증성 사이토카인 IL-1α이 TJ의 integrity 조절에 부정적인 영향을 미치며 이는 강황에서 발견되는 CCM 전처리에 의해 효과적으로 억제될 수 있음을 보여준다. 본 연구 결과와 관련되어 TJ 구성단백질 발현 및 작용 기작에 대한 분자세포생물학적 연구와 in vivo 연구가 필요하다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.616-630
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) is a tryptophan-derived microbial metabolite that has been associated with protective effects against inflammatory and metabolic diseases. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the effects of IPA under physiological conditions and at the intestinal level. MATERIALS/METHODS: Human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells were treated for 2, 24, and/or 72 h with IPA or its precursors - indole, tryptophan, and propionate - at 1, 10, 100, 250, or 500 μM to assess cell viability, integrity, differentiation, and proliferation. RESULTS: IPA induced cell proliferation and this effect was associated with a higher expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) and a lower expression of c-Jun. Although indole and propionate also induced cell proliferation, this involved ERK2 and c-Jun independent mechanisms. On the other hand, both tryptophan and propionate increased cell integrity and reduced the expression of claudin-1, whereas propionate decreased cell differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, these findings suggested that IPA and its precursors distinctly contribute to the proliferation, differentiation, and barrier function properties of human intestinal epithelial cells. Moreover, the pro-proliferative effect of IPA in intestinal epithelial cells was not explained by its precursors and is rather related to its whole chemical structure. Maintaining IPA at physiological levels, e.g., through IPA-producing commensal bacteria, may be important to preserve the integrity of the intestinal barrier and play an integral role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.175-183
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• 2021

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway controls intestinal epithelial barrier permeability by regulating tight junctions (TJs) and epithelial cells damage. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and carbon monoxide (CO) protect the intestinal epithelial barrier function, but the molecular mechanism is not yet clarified. MAPK activation and barrier permeability were studied using monolayers of Caco-2 cells treated with tissue necrosis factor α (TNF-α) transfected with FUGW-HO-1 or pLKO.1-sh-HO-1 plasmid. Intestinal mucosal barrier permeability and MAPK activation were also investigated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration with CoPP (a HO-1 inducer), ZnPP (a HO-1 inhibitor), CO releasing molecule 2 (CORM-2), or inactived-CORM-2-treated wild-type mice and mice with HO-1 deficiency in intestinal epithelial cells. TNF-α increased epithelial TJ disruption and cleaved caspase-3 expression, induced ERK, p38, and JNK phosphorylation. In addition, HO-1 blocked TNF-α-induced increase in epithelial TJs disruption, cleaved caspase-3 expression, as well as ERK, p38, and JNK phosphorylation in an HO-1-dependent manner. CoPP and CORM-2 directly ameliorated intestinal mucosal injury, attenuated TJ disruption and cleaved caspase-3 expression, and inhibited epithelial ERK, p38, and JNK phosphorylation after chronic CCl4 injection. Conversely, ZnPP completely reversed these effects. Furthermore, mice with intestinal epithelial HO-1 deficient exhibited a robust increase in mucosal TJs disruption, cleaved caspase-3 expression, and MAPKs activation as compared to the control group mice. These data demonstrated that HO-1-dependent MAPK signaling inhibition preserves the intestinal mucosal barrier integrity by abrogating TJ dysregulation and epithelial cell damage. The differential targeting of gut HO-1-MAPK axis leads to improved intestinal disease therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.195-200
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• 2013

To understand the corneal regeneration induced by bevacizumab, we investigated the structure changes of stroma and basement membrane regeneration. A Stick soaked in 0.5 N NaOH onto the mouse cornea and 2.5 mg/ml of bevacizumab was delivered into an alkali-burned cornea (2 ${\mu}l$) by subconjunctival injections at 1 hour and 4 days after injury. At 7 days after injury, basement membrane regeneration was observed by transmission electron microscope. Uneven and thin epithelial basement membrane, light density of hemidesmosomes, and edematous collagen fibril bundles are shown in the alkali-burned cornea. Injured epithelial basement membrane and hemidesmosomes and edematous collagen fibril bundles resulting from alkali-burned mouse cornea was repaired by bevacizumab treatment. This study demonstrates that bevacizumab can play an important role in wound healing in the cornea by accelerating the reestablishment of basement membrane integrity that leads to barriers for scar formation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.94-98
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• 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce a variety of cellular responses, such as proliferation, differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis. Intestinal epithelial cells are continuously exposed to ROS, and excessive generation of ROS severely damages cells via oxidative stress. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may lead to intestinal inflammation and damage by inducing excessive ROS generation. In this study, we showed that papiliocin, an antimicrobial peptide, significantly inhibited ROS production, without affecting cell viability. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-6 expression was decreased in the intestinal epithelial cells. The activity of papiliocin may significantly contribute to preserving the integrity of the intestinal mucosa against oxidative damage and inflammation-related disorders.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.580-586
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• 2014

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) forming the barrier for the first-line of protection are interconnected by tight junction (TJ) proteins. TJ alteration results in impaired barrier function, which causes potentially excessive inflammation leading to intestinal disorders. It has been suggested that toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 ligands and some bacteria enhance epithelial barrier function in humans and mice. However, no such study has yet to be claimed in swine. The aim of the present study was to examine whether Bacillus subtilis could improve barrier integrity and protection against deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced barrier disruption in porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2). We found that B. subtilis decreased permeability of TJ and improved the expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin during the process of forming TJ. In addition, ZO-1 expression of IPEC-J2 cells treated with B. subtilis was up-regulated against DON-induced damage. In conclusion, B. subtilis may have potential to enhance epithelial barrier function and to prevent the cells from DON-induced barrier dysfunction.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.10-18
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• 2006

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important etiologic factor for the development of peritoneal fibrosis in CAPD patients. Mesothelial cells are main source of trans-differentiated fibroblasts under stress from the bioincompatible peritoneal dialysate. In our study there was no difference in dialysate TGF-${\beta}$ and VEGF between the low and high GDP groups during an initial 12 months. However, after adjusting with D-CA125, the low GDPs group showed a significantly lower D-TGF-${\beta}$/D-CA125 and D-VEGF/CA125 during the initial 12 months. Among the adjusted peritoneal growth factors for CA125, VEGF/CA125 and TGF-b/CA125 were factors significantly associated with greater EMT in this study. Adjustment of the peritoneal growth factor for effluent CA125 (surrogate for mass of HPMCs) revealed significant association with EMT suggesting that the fibroblastoid transition from HPMCs could be affected by the amount of intraperitoneal growth factors (TGF-b, VEGF) per unit mass of HPMCs. There was significant improvement in both cell score and D-CA125 at the sixth and 12th months after switching from a high GDPs solution to a low GDPs solution. Use of icodextrin solution in patients who had average peritoneal transport showed not only better systemic effects such as decreased glucose absorption via dialysate but also preservation of the peritoneum, including less EMT and high mesothelial bulk mass. In conclusion, Therapy with low GDP solution including icodextrin may positively impact preservation of the peritoneal membrane integrity and prevention of peritoneal fibrosis with time on PD.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권11호
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• pp.1349-1356
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• 2017

$K^+$ 통로 개방제들은 심근, 뇌, 골격근 등에서 세포막 혹은 미토콘드리아 내막에 존재하는 큰 전도성의 $Ca^{2+}$-의 존성 $K^+$ (BK) 통로 및 ATP-조절성 $K^+$ 통로(ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels, $K_{ATP}$)에 작용하여 허혈성 혹은 산화성 세포 손상을 완화하는 효과가 있는 것으로 보고되어 있다. 본 연구에서는 망막 색소 상피세포주인 ARPE-19 세포를 실험 모델로 하여 큰 전도성의 BK 통로 개방제인 NS 1619가 유사한 보호 효과를 나타낼 수 있는지, 또한 그 작용기전이 무엇인지를 확인하고자 하였다. AREE-19 세포를 여러 형태의 산화 스트레스에 노출시켜 세포 손상을 유발하고 그 손상의 정도 및 이에 미치는 NS 1619의 효과를 trypan blue 배출능, Tunel 염색 분석을 통하여 측정하였다. NS 1619는 여러 형태의 산화 스트레스에 의한 괴사성 및 apoptosis에 의한 세포 손상을 효과적으로 방지하였으며 그 보호 효과는 BK 통로 봉쇄제인 paxilline 의해 차단되었다. NS 1619는 $H_2O_2$에 의한 세포내 ATP 고갈을 현저히 완화시켰으며, 또한 MTT 환원능으로 측정한 미토콘드리아의 기능을 보호하는 효과를 보였다. 유세포형광 분석법을 이용한 실험에서 NS 1619는 $H_2O_2$에 의한 미토콘드리아 막전압의 소실을 유의하게 방지하였다. 이상의 결과들을 종합하면 NS 1619는 망막 색소 상피세포에서 산화성 세포 손상을 방지하는 효과를 나타내며 그 기전에 미토콘드리아 기능에 대한 보호 작용이 연관되어 있는 것으로 사료된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.102-106
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• 2013

Emerging evidence suggests that gap formation and opening of the endothelial junctions during leukocyte extravasation is actively controlled to maintain the integrity of the vascular barrier. While the role for endothelial cells to this process has been well defined, it is not clear whether leukocytes are also actively contributing to endothelial barrier function. We have recently showed that extravasating leukocytes deposit microparticles on the subendothelium during the late stages of extravasation, which is LFA-1 dependent. Using multiphotonintravital microscopy (MP-IVM) of mouse cremaster muscle vessels in the current work, we show that microparticle formation and deposition maintains the integrity of the microvascular barrier during leukocyte extravasation. Inhibition of neutrophil-derived microparticle formation resulted in dramatically increased vascular leakage. These findings suggest that deposition of microparticles during neutrophil extravasation is essential for maintaining endothelial barrier function and may result in temporal difference between neutrophil extravasation and an increase in vascular leakage.