• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.9-21
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• 2015

Cancer, a serious public health problem in worldwide, results from an excessive and uncontrolled proliferation of the body cells without obvious physiological demands of organs. The gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and intestine, is a unique organ system. It has the highest cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality in the body and is influenceed by both genetic and environmental factors. Among the various chemical elements recognized in the nature, some of them including zinc, iron, cobalt, and copper have essential roles in the various biochemical and physiological processes, but only at low levels and others such as cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and nickel are considered as threats for human health especially with chronic exposure at high levels. Cadmium, an environment contaminant, cannot be destroyed in nature. Through impairment of vitamin D metabolism in the kidney it causes nephrotoxicity and subsequently bone metabolism impairment and fragility. The major mechanisms involved in cadmium carcinogenesis could be related to the suppression of gene expression, inhibition of DNA damage repair, inhibition of apoptosis, and induction of oxidative stress. In addition, cadmium may act through aberrant DNA methylation. Cadmium affects multiple cellular processes, including signal transduction pathways, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Down-regulation of methyltransferases enzymes and reduction of DNA methylation have been stated as epigenetic effects of cadmium. Furthermore, increasing intracellular free calcium ion levels induces neuronal apoptosis in addition to other deleterious influence on the stability of the genome.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.14-28
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• 2008

Objective : This study was carried out to understand effects of ginseng(hearinafter ; GS, Panax Ginseng) extract on regeneration responses on injured sciatic nerves in rats. Methods :Using white mouse, we damaged sciatic nerve & central nerve, and then applied GS to the lesion. Then we observed regeneration of axon and non-neuron. Results : 1. NF-200 protein immunostaining for the visualization of axons showed more distal elongation of sciatic nerve axons in GS-treated group than saline-treated control 3 and 7 days after crush injury. 2. GAP-43 protein was increased in the injured sciatic nerve and further increased by GS treatment. Enhanced GAP-43 protein signals were also observed in DRG prepared from the rats given nerve injury and GS treatment. 3. GS treatment in vivo induced enhanced neurite outgrowth in preconditioned DRG sensory neurons. In vitro treatment of GS on sensory neurons from intact DRG also caused increased neurite outgrowth. 4. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were higher in the injured nerve treated with GS than saline. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein signals were mostly found in the axons in the injured nerve. 5. NGF and Cdc2 protein levels showed slight increases in the injured nerves of GS-treated group compared to saline-treated group. 6. The number of Schwann cell population was significantly increased by GS treatment in the injured sciatic nerve. GS treatment with cultured Schwann cells increased proliferation and Cdc2 protein signals. 7. GS pretreatment into the injured spinal cord generated increased astrocyte proliferation and oligodendrocytes in culture. In vitro treatment of GS resulted in more differentiated pericytoplasmic processes compared with saline treatment. 8. More arborization around the injury cavity and the occurrence at the caudal region of CST axons were observed in GS-treated group than in saline-treated group. Conclusion :GS extract may have the growth-promoting activity on regenerating axons in both peripheral and central nervous systems.

• BMB Reports
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.127-132
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• 2010

Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate ($PIP_3$) is a lipid second messenger that employs a wide range of downstream effector proteins for the regulation of cellular processes, including cell survival, polarization and proliferation. One of the most well characterized cytoplasmic targets of $PIP_3$, serine/threonine protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt, promotes cell survival by directly interacting with nucleophosmin (NPM)/B23, the nuclear target of $PIP_3$. Here, we report that nuclear $PIP_3$ competes with Akt to preferentially bind B23 in the nucleoplasm. Mutation of Arg23 and Arg25 in the PH domain of Akt prevents binding to $PIP_3$, but does not disrupt the Akt/B23 interaction. However, treatment with phosphatases PTEN or SHIP abrogates the association between Akt and B23, indicating that nuclear $PIP_3$ regulates the Akt/B23 interaction by controlling the concentration and subcellular dynamics of these two proteins.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.21-31
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• 2008

Backgrounds: Singihwan is used "to strengthen inborn energy" and we suspected a protective effect on brain neuron cells. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Singihwan (SGH) on traumatic brain injury-induced delayed apoptosis in rat hippocampal dentate gyrus. Methods: For a surgical induction of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a 5 mm diameter stainless rod was used to make traumatic attack from the surface of the brain used by an impactor. The protective effect of the aqueous extract of SGH against TBI in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus was investigated by using step-down avoidance task, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, Bax immunohistochemistry, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. Results: The aqueous extract of SGH suppressed the TBI-induced increase in apoptosis and cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Conclusions: It is possible that the aqueous extract of SGH has a neuroprotective effect on TBI-induced neuronal cell death.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권10호
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• pp.491-499
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• 2020

The extracellular matrix is a critical component of every human tissue. ECM not only functions as a structural component but also regulates a variety of cellular processes such as cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, and cell death. In addition, current studies suggest that ECM is critical for the pathophysiology of various human diseases. ECM is composed of diverse components including several proteins and polysaccharide chains such as chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. Each component of ECM exerts its own functions in cellular and pathophysiological processes. One of the interesting recent findings is that ECM is involved in inflammatory responses in various human tissues. In this review, we summarized the known functions of ECM in neuroinflammation after acute injury and chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nerve systems.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권8호
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• pp.619-624
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• 2016

Glioblastoma stem cells (GBM-SCs) are believed to be a subpopulation within all glioblastoma (GBM) cells that are in large part responsible for tumor growth and the high grade of therapeutic resistance that is so characteristic of GBM. MicroRNAs (miR) have been implicated in regulating the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer stem cells, including GBM-SCs, and they are a potential target for cancer therapy. In the current study, miR-203 expression was reduced in $CD133^+$ GBM-SCs derived from six human GBM biopsies. MicroRNA-203 transfected GBM-SCs had reduced capacity for self-renewal in the cell sphere assay and increased expression of glial and neuronal differentiation markers. In addition, a reduced proliferation rate and an increased rate of apoptosis were observed. Therefore, miR-203 has the potential to reduce features of stemness, specifically in GBM-SCs, and is a logical target for GBM gene therapy.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.401-409
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• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the effects of BojungIkkiTang-Gamybang freeze dried powder (BITG) on proliferauion, protective of cell death induced by chemicals such as paraquat, hydrogen peroxide etc and anti-oxidative effects in C6 glioma cells. In our results, BITC accelerated proliferation rates of C6 cells in vitro. In addition, protective effects on cell death induced by paraquat and hydrogen peroxide. And, BITC did not have effects on SOD and total glutathione activities, but decresed malone dialdehyde activity. In conclusion, these results suggest the possibility of BojungIkkiTang-Gamybang to protect brain cell or neuronal cell from damage induced by oxidative stress. And also suggest that related mechanisms are involved in malone dialdehyde activity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.389-396
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• 2009

Objective : Triptolide (TP) has been reported to suppress the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), of which main function is to inactivate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2), the p38 MAPK and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1/2 (JNK-1/2), and to exert antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. However, the mechanisms underlying antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of TP are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the down-regulation of MKP-1 expression by TP would account for antiproliferative activity of TP in immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells. Methods : MKP-1 expression and MAPK phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blot. Cell proliferation was assessed by $^3H$-thymidine incorporation. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against MKP-1, vanadate (a phosphatase inhibitor), U0126 (a specific inhibitor for ERK-1/2), SB203580 (a specific inhibitor for p38 MAPK), and SP600125 (a specific inhibitor for JNK-1/2) were employed to evaluate a possible mechanism of antiproliferative action of TP. Results : At its non-cytotoxic dose, TP suppressed MKP-1 expression, reduced cell growth, and induced persistent ERK-1/2 activation. Similar growth inhibition and ERK-1/2 activation were observed when MKP-1 expression was blocked by MKP-1 siRNA and its activity was inhibited by vanadate. The antiproliferative effects of TP, MKP-1 siRNA, and vanadate were significantly abolished by U0126, but not by SB203580 or SP600125. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that TP inhibits the growth of immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells via persistent ERK-1/2 activation by suppressing MKP-1 expression. Additionally, this study provides evidence supporting that MKP-1 may play an important role in regulation of neuronal cell growth.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.558-564
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• 2006

목 적 : 경뇌 전자기 자극법은 변조 자기장을 이용하여 뇌세포에 대한 직접적인 영향을 주지 않으면서 중추 신경계를 자극할 수 있는 비침습적인 방법이다. 이전의 연구들은 대부분 생체 동물을 대상으로 수행되어져 왔으며 배양 조직에서의 연구는 별로 이루어진 바 없다. 이에 본 연구에서는 배양된 해마 절편에서 다른 주파수의 전자기 자극이 신경원에 미치는 영향과 약물에 의한 세포 손상 후 전자기 자극의 세포보호효과 여부에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 생후 8일된 실험쥐의 대뇌를 적출하여 dissection microscope 하에서 양쪽 해마 부위를 분리하고 tissue chopper를 이용하여 $450{\mu}M$ 두께로 절편을 만든 후 Stoppini가 고안한 방법대로 배양을 시행하였다. 각각 5개의 건강한 해마 절편이 포함된 inserts를 선택하고, 전자기 자극군에 대해 0.67 Hz와 50 Hz의 주파수로 각각 배양 5일부터 3일 간격으로 6차례 전자기 자극을 가하였다. 또한, 배양 제 14일에 inserts 2개에 $100{\mu}M$ NMDA에 노출시키고 3일 후부터 3일 간격으로 insert 1개에 전자기 자극을 3차례 시행하였고 다른 1개의 insert와 대조군에는 자극을 가하지 않았다. 결 과 : 전자기 자극 후 신경원의 활성도를 알아보기 위해 NeuN 단백 발현을 western blotting을 이용하여 측정한 후 ${\beta}$-actin 단백 발현과의 비를 얻어 각 군에서 비교 분석하였다. 대조군($1.01{\pm}0.27$)에 비해 전자기 자극군에서 NeuN의 발현이 증가되어 있었으며, 특히 저주파 자극군($1.12{\pm}0.14$)에서보다 고주파 자극군($1.27{\pm}0.17$)에서 현저하였고 고주파 자극군에서는 대조군에 비해 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 보였다(P<0.05). 또한, NMDA 노출 후 실험군(전자기 자극군 : $1.15{\pm}0.27$, 전자기 비자극군 : $0.92{\pm}0.09$)에서 대조군($1.26{\pm}0.04$)에 비해 NeuN 발현이 감소되었으나 전자기 비자극군에서 더 많이 감소한 것을 알 수 있었다. 결 론 : 배양된 해마조직의 신경세포에 대한 전자기 자극은 저주파 자극군에 비해 고주파 자극군에서 대조군보다 통계적으로 유의한 수준의 NeuN 발현의 증가를 관찰할 수 있었고, NMDA 노출 후 전자기 자극을 가한 군에서 대조군보다 NeuN 발현 감소가 관찰되기는 하였으나 고주파 자극군에서는 통계적으로 유의하지 않은 정도였던 것으로 보아 전자기 자극이 신경원 활성을 증가시켜 신경세포의 발생 및 증식을 유도하며 세포 손상에 대한 신경보호효과도 보인다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 전자기 자극은 여러 신경 질환에 있어서 치료적 역할을 할 수 있는 가능성이 있다고 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.108-118
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• 2022

뇌실하 영역은 뇌에서 신경줄기세포가 분포하는 곳으로 평생에 걸쳐 새로운 신경세포를 생성하는 곳이다. 많은 세포 안팎의 인자들이 신경줄기세포의 세포 증식과 신경세포로의 분화에 영향을 미친다. 최근 들어, L-type 칼슘 채널이 신경계의 발달을 조절하고 뇌실하 영역에 있는 신경줄기세포, 신경세포로 분화 중인 세포, 그리고 성숙한 신경세포에 분포한다고 밝혀졌다. L-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제인 nifedipine은 고혈압의 치료제로 오랜 기간 사용되어 왔다. 신경줄기세포에 nifedipine을 사용하여 L-type 칼슘 채널을 저해하는 연구는 많이 없는 상황이다. 이번 연구에서, 우리는 5일령 쥐의 뇌실하 영역에서 배양한 신경줄기세포에 nifedipine을 처리하여 신경세포로의 분화에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. Nifedipine은 Tuj1을 발현하는 신경세포의 수를 증가시킨 반면, Olig2를 발현하는 희소 돌기 아교 세포(oligodendrocytes)의 수에는 큰 영향을 미치지 않았다. Nifedipine은 S기를 표지하는 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)가 들어간 세포의 수를 증가시켰고, 세포 분열시 나타나는 인산화된 히스톤 H3(PH3)를 발현하는 세포의 수를 증가시켰다. Nifedipine은 신경세포로의 분화를 촉진하는 Dlx2 유전자의 전사를 증가시켰고, 초기 신경세포에서 보이는 Mash1의 양도 증가시켰다. Nifedipine 외 또다른 L-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제인 verapamil을 처리하자, 신경세포로의 분화가 소폭 증가하였으나, 통계적 유의미성은 매우 낮았다. T-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제 유전자인 Cav3.1, Cav3.2, Cav3.3가 발현함을 관찰하여, T-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제인 pimozide를 신경줄기세포에 처리하였으나, 신경세포로의 분화에는 변화가 없었다. 이러한 결과를 통해 nifedipine이 신경줄기세포의 초기 분화를 증진함을 알 수 있으며, L-type 칼슘 채널이 신경세포로의 분화에 관여함을 알 수 있다.