• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권12호
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• pp.1064-1070
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• 2015

Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein and is abundantly expressed in a variety of organ and tissues. To date, the functional role of TSPO on vascular endothelial cell activation has yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 250 nM), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), was used to induce vascular endothelial activation. Adenoviral TSPO overexpression (10-100 MOI) inhibited PMA-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in a dose dependent manner. PMA-induced VCAM-1 expressions were inhibited by Mito-TEMPO ($0.1-0.5{\mu}m$), a specific mitochondrial antioxidants, and cyclosporin A ($1-5{\mu}m$), a mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor, implying on an important role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the endothelial activation. Moreover, adenoviral TSPO overexpression inhibited mitochondrial ROS production and manganese superoxide dismutase expression. On contrasts, gene silencing of TSPO with siRNA increased PMA-induced VCAM-1 expression and mitochondrial ROS production. Midazolam ($1-50{\mu}m$), TSPO ligands, inhibited PMA-induced VCAM-1 and mitochondrial ROS production in endothelial cells. These results suggest that mitochondrial TSPO can inhibit PMA-induced endothelial inflammation via suppression of VCAM-1 and mitochondrial ROS production in endothelial cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제70권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2011

Background: Although the gold standard method for research trials on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations has been direct sequencing, this approach has the limitations of low sensitivity and of being time-consuming. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clamping is known to be a more sensitive detection tool. The aim of this study was to compare the detection rate of $EGFR$ mutation and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) responsiveness according to $EGFR$ mutation status using both methodologies. Methods: Clinical specimens from 112 NSCLC patients were analyzed for $EGFR$ mutations in exons 18, 19, 20, and 21. All clinical data and tumor specimens were obtained from 3 university hospitals in Korea. After genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, both PNA-mediated PCR clamping and direct-sequencing were performed. The results and clinical response to $EGFR$-TKIs were compared. Results: Sequencing revealed a total of 35 (22.9%) mutations: 8 missense mutations in exon 21 and 26 deletion mutations in exon 19. PNA-mediated PCR clamping showed the presence of genomic alterations in 45 (28.3%) samples, including the 32 identified by sequencing plus 13 additional samples (6 in exon 19 and 7 in exon 21). Conclusion: PNA-mediated PCR clamping is simple and rapid, as well as a more sensitive method for screening of genomic alterations in $EGFR$ gene compared to direct sequencing. This data suggests that PNA-mediated PCR clamping should be implemented as a useful screening tool for detection of $EGFR$ mutations in clinical setting.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.973-981
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• 2007

In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of the water extract of Samgibopae-tang (SGBPT) in NCI-H460 and A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines. We found that exposure of A549 cells to SGBPT resulted in the growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay, however SGBPT did not affect the growth of NCI-H460 cells. The antiproliferative effect by SGBPT treatment in A549 cells was associated with morphological changes such as membrane shrinking and cell rounding up. SGBPT treatment did not induce the cell cycle arrest in both cell lines, however the frequency of sub-G1 population was concentration-dependently increased by SGBPT treatment in A549 cells. SGBPT treatment partially induced the expression of tumor suppressor p53 in A549 cells and the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) was markedly increased in both transcriptional and translational levels in A549 cells. The up-regulation of p21 by SGBPT occurred in a similar a concentration dependent manner to that observed with the inhibition of cell viability and induction of sub-G1 population of the cell cycle. However SGBPT treatment did not affect other growth regulation-related genes such as early growth response-1 (Egr-1), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1), inducible nitric oxide synthease (iNOS), cyclooxygenases (COXs), telomere-regulatory factors in A549 as well as NCI-H460 cells. Taken together, these findings suggested that SGBPT-induced inhibition of human lung carcinoma A549 cell growth was aoosciated with the induction of p21 and the results provided important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of SGBPT.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.213-221
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• 2017

Baicalein, a natural flavonoid obtained from the rhizome of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to have anticancer activities in several human cancer cell lines. However, its antimetastatic effects and associated mechanisms in melanoma cells have not been extensively studied. The current study examined the effects of baicalein on cell motility and anti-invasive activity using mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. Within the noncytotoxic concentration range, baicalein significantly inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of B16F10 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Baicalein also reduced the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9; however, the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 were concomitantly increased. The inhibitory effects of baicalein on cell motility and invasiveness were found to be associated with its tightening of tight junction (TJ), which was demonstrated by an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance and downregulation of the claudin family of proteins. Additionally, treatment with baicalein markedly reduced the expression levels of lipopolysaccharide-induced phosphorylated Akt and the invasive activity in B16F10 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that baicalein inhibits B16F10 melanoma cell migration and invasion by reducing the expression of MMPs and tightening TJ through the suppression of claudin expression, possibly in association with a suppression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.443-455
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• 2020

The thioredoxin (Trx) system plays critical roles in regulating intracellular redox levels and defending organisms against oxidative stress. Recent studies indicated that Trx reductase (TrxR) was overexpressed in various types of human cancer cells indicating that the Trx-TrxR system may be a potential target for anti-cancer drug development. This study investigated the synergistic effect of auranofin, a TrxR-specific inhibitor, on sulforaphane-mediated apoptotic cell death using Hep3B cells. The results showed that sulforaphane significantly enhanced auranofin-induced apoptosis by inhibiting TrxR activity and cell proliferation compared to either single treatment. The synergistic effect of sulforaphane and auranofin on apoptosis was evidenced by an increased annexin-V-positive cells and Sub-G1 cells. The induction of apoptosis by the combined treatment caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and upregulation of Bax. In addition, the proteolytic activities of caspases (-3, -8, and -9) and the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a substrate protein of activated caspase-3, were also higher in the combined treatment. Moreover, combined treatment induced excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS scavenger, reduced combined treatment-induced ROS production and apoptosis. Thereby, these results deduce that ROS played a pivotal role in apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane. Furthermore, apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane was significantly increased through inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that down-regulation of TrxR activity contributed to the synergistic effect of auranofin and sulforaphane on apoptosis through ROS production and inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• 한국해양바이오학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.76-83
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• 2006

본 연구에서는 다양한 인체암세포의 증식에 미치는 등불가사리 메탄올 추출물(MEGF)의 영향을 조사하였다. MEGF는 처리 농도의존적으로 암세포의 형태적변이 및 증식억제가 효과를 보여주었으며, 특히 백혈병세포에서 가장 높은 감수성을 보여주었다. 따라서 백혈병세포의 증식억제 효과가 apoptosis 유발과 연관성이 있는지를 flow cytometry 분석 및 DAPI staining 법으로 조사한 결과, MEGF 처리에 의한 백혈병세포의 증식억제는 세포주기 교란과 무관한 apoptosis 유발에 의한 것임을 sub-G1기 세포의 빈도 증가 및 apoptotic body 형성의 증가 등으로 확인하였다. 또한 MEGF 처리에 의한 백혈병세포의 증식억제 및 apoptosis 유발은 p53 비의존적인 p21의 발현 증가 및 Fas/FasL system의 발현 증가와 연관성이 있음을 알 수 있었다. 이상의 결과들은 인체 암세포, 특히 백혈병세포에서 MEGF의 항암작용을 이해하는데 중요한 자료가 될 것이고 나아가 MEGF 내 함유된 생리활성 물질의 분리 및 항암적용 연구를 위한 중요한 기초 자료로 활용될 것이다.

• 한국해양바이오학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.63-70
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• 2006

본 연구에서는 U937 인체 백혈병 세포의 증식에 미치는 PTX-2의 영향을 조사한 결과, PTX-2의 처리에 따라 U937 세포는 처리 농도 및 처리 시간 의존적으로 심한 형태적 변형과 함께 증식이 억제되었다. 이러한 PTX-2 처리에 의한 U937 세포의 증식억제는 apoptosis 유발과 관련이 있었으며, 이를 DAPI staining에 의한 apoptotic body 형성, flow cytometry를 이용한 sub-G1 세포 빈도의 정량적 분석을 통하여 확인하였다. 이러한 PTX-2 처리에 의한 U937 세포의 apoptosis 유발은 Bcl-2 family에 속하는 anti-apoptotic 인자인 Bcl-$X_L$의 발현 감소 및 IAPs family에 속하는 유전자들의 선택적 발현 감소와 연관성이 있음을 알 수 있었다. 이상의 결과들은 인체 암세포에서 PTX-2의 항암작용을 이해하는데 중요한 자료가 될 것이고 나아가 PTX-2을 포함한 그와 유사한 항암제 후보물질들의 연구에 있어서 기초 자료로서 사용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.204-209
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• 2018

Purpose: Growth hormone transduction defect (GHTD) is characterized by severe short stature, impaired STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription-3) phosphorylation and overexpression of the cytokine inducible SH2 containing protein (CIS) and p21/CIP1/WAF1. To investigate the role of p21/CIP1/WAF1 in the negative regulation of the growth hormone (GH)/GH receptor and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)/EGF Receptor pathways in GHTD. Methods: Fibroblast cultures were developed from gingival biopsies of 1 GHTD patient and 1 control. The protein expression and the cellular localization of p21/CIP1/WAF1 was studied by Western immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, respectively: at the basal state and after induction with $200-{\mu}g/L$ human GH (hGH) (GH200), either with or without siRNA CIS (siCIS); at the basal state and after inductions with $200-{\mu}g/L$ hGH (GH200), $1,000-{\mu}g/L$ hGH (GH1000) or 50-ng/mL EGF. Results: After GH200/siCIS, the protein expression and nuclear localization of p21 were reduced in the patient. After successful induction of GH signaling (control, GH200; patient, GH1000), the protein expression and nuclear localization of p21 were reduced. After induction with EGF, p21 translocated to the cytoplasm in the control, whereas in the GHTD patient it remained located in the nucleus. Conclusion: In the GHTD fibroblasts, when CIS is reduced, either after siCIS or after a higher dose of hGH (GH1000), p21's antiproliferative effect (nuclear localization) is also reduced and GH signaling is activated. There also appears to be a positive relationship between the 2 inhibitors of GH signaling, CIS and p21. Finally, in GHTD, p21 seems to participate in the regulation of both the GH and EGF/EGFR pathways, depending upon its cellular location.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.492-501
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• 2019

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as quinoline, quinazolinones and indole are scaffolds of natural products and have broad biological effects. During the last years those structures have been intensively synthesized and modified to yield new synthetic molecules that can specifically inhibit the activity of dysregulated protein kinases in cancer cells. Herein, a series of newly synthesized isoquinolinamine (FX-1 to 8) and isoindoloquinazolinone (FX-9, FX-42, FX-43) compounds were evaluated in regards to their anti-leukemic potential on human B- and T- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Several biological effects were observed. B-ALL cells (SEM, RS4;11) were more sensitive against isoquinolinamine compounds than T-ALL cells (Jurkat, CEM). In SEM cells, metabolic activity decreased with $10{\mu}M$ up to 26.7% (FX-3), 25.2% (FX-7) and 14.5% (FX-8). The 3-(p-Tolyl) isoquinolin-1-amine FX-9 was the most effective agent against B- and T-ALL cells with IC50 values ranging from 0.54 to $1.94{\mu}M$. None of the tested compounds displayed hemolysis on erythrocytes or cytotoxicity against healthy leukocytes. Anti-proliferative effect of FX-9 was associated with changes in cell morphology and apoptosis induction. Further, influence of FX-9 on PI3K/AKT, MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling was detected but was heterogeneous. Functional inhibition testing of 58 kinases revealed no specific inhibitory activity among cancer-related kinases. In conclusion, FX-9 displays significant antileukemic activity in B- and T-ALL cells and should be further evaluated in regards to the mechanisms of action. Further compounds of the current series might serve as templates for the design of new compounds and as basic structures for modification approaches.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.256-264
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• 2019

Lymphotoxin ${\beta}$ receptor ($LT{\beta}R$)는 TNF 계열로 림프조직의 미세구조와 기관형성에 중요한 역할을 한다. MLCK와 ROCK는 세포의 stress fiber 형성조절에 관여하는 주요 신호전달자이다. Fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC)에서 $LT{\beta}R$ 자극을 통한 이런 신호전달자들의 관련성을 알아보기 위해 ML-7 (MLCK 저해제)이 사용되었다. ML7 처리된 FRC에서 SF가 완전히 파괴되었고 anti-$LT{\beta}R$ antibody 처리 세포와 유사하게 ML7 처리 FRC에서 응축된 세포형태를 관찰 할 수 있었다. Y27632로 ROCK를 저해 했을 때 FRC의 액틴 세포골격과 세포형태 변화가 유도 되었다. FRC에서 p-MLC가 액틴과 함께 SF 구성성분을 이루었다. FRC세포 추출물로 Rho-guanosine diphosphate (GDP)/guanosine triphosphate (GTP) 교환활성을 확인했다. Agonistic anti-$LT{\beta}R$ antibody로 $LT{\beta}R$을 자극 했을 때 Rho-GDP/GTP 교환활성이 크게 감소했다. MLCK 저해처럼 $LT{\beta}R$ 자극은 MLC의 인산화를 감소시켰다. Agonistic anti-$LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated FRC에서 세포골격 구성요소인 세포막과 세포골격 링커 역할을 하는 p-ezrin의 인산화는 감소 되었고 b- actin, 그리고 tubulin 발현도 줄었다. 이런 결과는 FRC의 $LT{\beta}R$ 신호전달을 통한 SF 조절에는 MLCK와 ROCK가 관여하고 있다는 것을 알 수 있었다.