• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.175-183
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• 2013

Cathepsin B is abundantly expressed peptidase of the papain family in the lysosomes, and closely related to the cell degradation system such as apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. Abnormal degradation of organelles often occurs due to release of cathepsin B into the cytoplasm. Many studies have been reported that relationship between cathepsin B and intracellular mechanisms in various cell types, but porcine embryos has not yet been reported. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of cathepsin B inhibitor (E-64) on preimplantation developmental competence and quality of porcine embryos focusing on apoptosis and oxidative stress. The expression of cathepsin B mRNA in porcine embryos was gradually decreased in inverse proportion to E-64 concentration by using real-time RT-PCR. When putative zygotes were cultured with E-64 for 24 h, the rates of early cleavage and blastocyst development were decreased by increasing E-64 concentration. However, the rate of blastocyst development in $5{\mu}M$ treated group was similar to the control. On the other hand, both the index of apoptotic and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of blastocysts were significantly decreased in the $5{\mu}M$ E-64 treated group compared with control. We also examined the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis related genes in the blastocysts derived from $5{\mu}M$ E-64 treated and non-treated groups. Expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax gene was shown to be decreased in the E-64 treated blastocyst group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL gene was increased. Taken together, these results suggest that proper inhibition of cathepsin B at early development stage embryos improves the quality of blastocysts, which may be related to not only the apoptosis reduction but also the oxidative stress reduction in porcine embryos.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.139-146
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• 2011

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) plays an important role in promoting the invasion and metastasis of a range of cancer cells. However, there are no reports of the expression and function of SLPI in oral carcinoma cells. In this study, the oral carcinoma cell line KB was used to determine whether SLPI affects the proliferation, migration and invasion of oral carcinoma cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed high levels of endogenous SLPI expression in KB cells as well as a strong increase in SLPI secretion after wounding compared to immortalized normal oral keratinocytes (INOK). The wound healing assay revealed more migration of KB cells than INOK cells, and the SLPI treatment increased the migration of KB cells. KB cell proliferation was increased significantly by the SLPI protein but decreased by SLPI-siRNA. SLPI strongly increased the migration and invasion of KB cells. On the other hand, SLPI-siRNA decreased the migration and invasion of KB cells. This suggests that SLPI plays an important role in the metastasis of oral carcinoma cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.37-45
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• 2022

The aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological role of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) associated with odontogenic differentiation during tooth development in mice. Mouse dental papilla cell-23 (MDPC-23) cells cultured in differentiation media were stimulated with the specific NAMPT inhibitor, FK866, and Visfatin (NAMPT) for up to 10 days. The cells were evaluated after 0, 4, 7, and 10 days. Cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The mineralization assay was performed by staining MDPC-23 cells with Alizarin Red S solution. After cultivation, MDPC-23 cells were harvested for quantitative PCR or Western blotting. Analysis of variance was performed using StatView 5.0 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The expression of NAMPT increased during the differentiation of murine odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. Furthermore, the up-regulation of NAMPT promoted odontogenic differentiation and accelerated mineralization through an increase in representative odontoblastic biomarkers, such as dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix protein-1, and alkaline phosphatase in MDPC-23 cells. However, treatment of the cells with the NAMPT inhibitor, FK866, attenuated odontogenic differentiation, as evidenced by the suppression of odontoblastic biomarkers. These data indicate that NAMPT regulated odontoblastic differentiation through the regulation of odontoblastic biomarkers. The increase in NAMPT expression in odontoblasts was closely related to the formation of the extracellular matrix and dentin via the Runx signaling pathway. Therefore, these data suggest that NAMPT is a critical regulator of odontoblast differentiation during tooth development.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.384-394
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) play an important role in the repair of tooth injuries. Electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 (NBCe1) is a Na⁺-coupled HCO₃^- transporter encoded by the solute carrier 4A4 (SLC4A4) gene and plays a crucial role in maintaining the pH of DPSCs. Our previous research confirmed that NBCe1 is highly expressed in odontoblasts during the development of the tooth germ. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of NBCe1 on odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs and further clarify the underlying mechanisms. Methods and Results: DPSCs were isolated and identified, and the selective NBCe1 inhibitor S0859 was used to treat DPSCs. We used a cell counting Kit-8 assay to detect cell proliferative ability, and intracellular pH was assessed using confocal microscopy. Odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs was analyzed using real-time PCR and Alizarin Red S staining, and the NF-κB pathway was assessed using western blotting. Our results indicated that 10 µM S0859 was the optimal concentration for DPSC induction. Intracellular pH was decreased upon treatment with S0859. The mRNA expressions of DSPP, DMP1, RUNX2, OCN, and OPN were upregulated in the NBCe1 inhibited group compared to the controls. Moreover, NBCe1 inhibition significantly activated the NF-κB pathway, and a NF-κB inhibitor reduced the effect of NBCe1 on DPSC differentiation. Conclusions: NBCe1 inhibition significantly promotes odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs, and this process may be regulated by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.347-358
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The search for a suitable alternative for urethral defect is a challenge in the field of urethral tissue engineering. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) possess multipotential for differentiation. The in vitro derivation of urothelial cells from mouse-iPSCs (miPSCs) has thus far not been reported. The purpose of this study was to establish an efficient and robust differentiation protocol for the differentiation of miPSCs into urothelial cells. Methods and Results: Our protocol made the visualization of differentiation processes of a 2-step approach possible. We firstly induced miPSCs into posterior definitive endoderm (DE) with glycogen synthase kinase-3𝛽 (GSK3𝛽) inhibitor and Activin A. We investigated the optimal conditions for DE differentiation with GSK3𝛽 inhibitor treatment by varying the treatment time and concentration. Differentiation into urothelial cells, was directed with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and recombinant mouse fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10). Specific markers expressed at each stage of differentiation were validated by flow cytometry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay, immunofluorescence staining, and western blotting Assay. The miPSC-derived urothelial cells were successfully in expressed urothelial cell marker genes, proteins, and normal microscopic architecture. Conclusions: We built a model of directed differentiation of miPSCs into urothelial cells, which may provide the evidence for a regenerative potential of miPSCs in preclinical animal studies.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권8호통권88호
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• pp.1115-1120
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 다섯 종류의 phytochemical (resveratrol, genistein, epicatechin gallate, diaIly disulfide, caffeic acid phenetyl ester)과 sulindac sulfide가 암 억제 단백질 p53을 유도할 수 있는지에 대해 연구하였다. 처리한 모든 phytochemical에 의해 p53 단백질의 발현이 강하게 유도된 반면, sulindac sulfide에 의해서는 p53 단백질이 유도되지 않았다. 처리한 phytochemical 중 포도껍질이나 와인에 많이 들어있는 resveratrol에 의해 p53 단백질이 농도의존적 혹은 처리시간 의존적으로 증가 발현되는 것을 확인하였다. 암 억제 단백질인 p53 하위 단계의 유전자들만 집적되어 있는 membrane microarray를 이용하여 실험을 수행한 결과, 25개의 유전자가 up-regulation 된 반면, 2개의 유전자가 down-regulation 되는 것을 확인하였다. Up-regulation 되는 유전자중 4개를 선택하여, RT-PCR을 수행한 결과 모두 membrane microarray 실험의 결과와 일치하였다. 게다가 p53 null인 HCT116 세포주를 이용한 RT-PCR을 통하여 TSP-1 유전자의 발현은 p53 의존적이지 않은 반면, MASPIN 유전자는 p53 의존적임을 확인하였다. 이러한 연구 결과는 resveratrol에 의한 화학적 암 예방법의 분자생물학적 기전을 이해하는데 도움을 줄 것으로 기대된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.217-229
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• 2010

목 적: 영양막세포의 과도한 세포자멸사는 태반의 발달뿐 아니라 산과 질환을 유발하는 요인으로 알려져 있다. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP)은 임신 기간 동안 영양막세포의 세포자멸사와 관련되어 있다고 알려져 있으나, 자간전증을 유발하는 인자인 저산소성과의 관계에 관한 연구는 미흡한 실정이다. 본 연구의 목적은 XIAP가 정상 태반과 자간전증 산모의 태반에서 발현 양상의 차이를 분석하고, 저산소 상태에 노출된 HTR-8/SVneo 영양막세포주에서의 XIAP 기능을 분석하고자 하였다. 연구방법: XIAP 발현을 분석하고자, 정상 태반 (n=15), 중기 자간전증 태반 (n=11), 그리고 말기 자간전증 태반 (n=15) 조직을 수집하여 RT-PCR, 면역조직화학법, 그리고 Western blot 등을 실시하였다. 저산소성 상태에서 XIAP의 기능을 확인하고자 HTR-8/SVneo 영양막세포주에 1% 산소가 공급되는 hypoxia 상태에 노출시킨 뒤 12시간, 24시간 후에 각 세포자멸사 관련 유전자들의 발현을 fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)와 Western blot 분석 등을 실시하였다. 결 과: XIAP는 태반의 합포영양막세포와 포합체결절에서 발현이 관찰되었으며, 정상 태반보다 자간전증 태반에서의 발현이 현저히 감소됨이 관찰되었다 (p<0.05). 또한, 저산소 상태에 노출된 HTR-8/SVneo 영양막세포주에서 감소된 XIAP 발현은 세포질에서 핵으로의 이동에 따라 세포자멸사를 유발하는 단백질들의 발현이 증가됨이 관찰되었다. 결 론: XIAP의 발현은 태반 발달 및 자간전증 태반에서 XIAP 유전자의 발현은 감소되었으며, XIAP의 저하로 인한 caspase-9의 증가가 자간전증 태반에서의 세포자멸사는 더 많이 유도되었음을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, 저산소 상태에 의해 XIAP의 발현이 감소되었으며, XIAP 단백질의 세포질에서 핵으로의 위치 변화는 영양막세포의 세포자멸사에 중요한 역할을 하는 것이 관찰되었고, 이는 자간전증의 진단에 유용한 마커로써의 활용되기 위한 기본적인 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.66-76
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• 2017

Purpose: Oral wound healing requires gingival fibroblasts to respond to local growth factors. Epigenetic silencing through DNA methylation can potentially decrease the responsiveness of gingival fibroblasts to local growth factors. In this study, our aim was to determine whether the inhibition of DNA methylation sensitized gingival fibroblasts to transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$). Methods: Gingival fibroblasts were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza), a clinically approved demethylating agent, before stimulation with TGF-${\beta}1$. Gene expression changes were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. DNA methylation was detected by methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes and PCR amplification. Results: We found that 5-aza enhanced TGF-${\beta}1$-induced interleukin-11 (IL11) expression in gingival fibroblasts 2.37-fold (P=0.008). 5-aza had no significant effects on the expression of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). Consistent with this, 5-aza caused demethylation of the IL11 gene commonly next to a guanosine (CpG) island in gingival fibroblasts. The TGF-${\beta}$ type I receptor kinase inhibitor SB431542 impeded the changes in IL11 expression, indicating that the effects of 5-aza require TGF-${\beta}$ signaling. 5-aza moderately increased the expression of TGF-${\beta}$ type II receptor (1.40-fold; P=0.009), possibly enhancing the responsiveness of fibroblasts to TGF-${\beta}1$. As part of the feedback response, 5-aza increased the expression of the DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) (P=0.005) and DNMT3B (P=0.002), which are enzymes responsible for gene methylation. Conclusions: These in vitro data suggest that the inhibition of DNA methylation by 5-aza supports TGF-${\beta}$-induced IL11 expression in gingival fibroblasts.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.314-319
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• 2017

본 연구에서는 마가목 열매에서 추출한 chlorogenic acid의 유사체인 cryptochlorogenic acid(CCA)가 조골세포 분화에 미치는 영향에 대해서 알아보았다. 먼저 세포독성 여부를 확인하기 위해 MTT assay를 수행하였고 독성이 없다고 확인된 $5{\mu}M$의 농도에서 실험을 진행하였다. 그리고 조골세포로 분화할 수 있는 다분화능 세포인 C3H10T1/2와 조골세포인 MC3T3-E1에 CCA를 처리하여 표지 유전자인 Id1, Dlx5, Runx2의 발현을 확인하였다. 확인한 결과 표지유전자들의 발현이 대조군에 비교해서 증가한 것을 확인하였고, 그중 조골세포의 핵심 전사조절인자인 Runx2의 전사활성에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 promoter assay를 수행하여 Runx2의 전사활성이 증가하는 것을 재확인하였다. 이러한 결과들을 토대로 CCA는 조골세포 분화를 촉진한다는 것을 알게 되었고, 골 질환 관련 제제로 CCA가 이용 가능할 수 있다고 생각된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.109-114
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• 2018

Coxsackievirus Type B3 (CVB3) is an enterovirus that belongs to the Picornaviridae and causes various diseases such as myocarditis and hand-foot-mouth disease. However, an effective antiviral drug is still not developed. In this study, we looked for potential inhibitors of CVB3 replication by examining the survival of CVB3-infected HeLa cells. We detected an antiviral effect by cholic acid and identified it as a candidate inhibitor of CVB3 replication. Cholic acid circulates in the liver and intestines, and it helps the digestion and absorption of lipids in the small intestine. HeLa cells were cultured in 12-well plates and treated with cholic acid (1 and $10{\mu}g/ml$) and $10^6PFU/ml$ of CVB3. After 16 h post-infection, the cells were lysed and subjected to western blot analysis and RT-PCR. The production of the viral capsid protein VP1 was dramatically decreased, and translation initiation factor eIF4G1 cleavage was significantly inhibited by treatment with $10{\mu}g/ml$ cholic acid. Moreover, cholic acid inhibited ERK signaling in CVB3-infected HeLa cells. RT-PCR showed that the amounts of the CVB3 RNA genome and mRNA for the ER stress-related transcription factor ATF4 were significantly reduced. These results showed that cholic acid strongly reduced ER stress and CVB3 proliferation. This compound can be developed as a safe natural therapeutic agent for enterovirus infections.