• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.306-311
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• 2023

The current study aimed to reveal the potential effect of meclofenamate, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on the gene expression of airway MUC5AC mucin. Human pulmonary mucoepidermoid NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with meclofenamate for 30 min and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 h. Thereafter, the effect of meclofenamate on the PMA-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway was assessed. Meclofenamate inhibited glycoprotein production and mRNA expression of MUC5AC mucins induced by PMA by inhibiting the degradation of inhibitory kappa Bα (IkBα) and NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation. These results suggest meclofenamate suppresses mucin gene expression by regulating NF-kB signaling pathway in human pulmonary epithelial cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.425-433
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• 2023

During liver injury, hepatic stellate cells can differentiate into myofibroblast-like structures, which are more susceptible to proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix generation, leading to liver fibrosis. Anaerobic glycolysis is associated with activated stellate cells and glyceraldehyde (GA) is an inhibitor of glucose metabolism. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of GA in human stellate LX-2 cells. In this study, we used cell viability, morphological analysis, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), western blotting, and qRT-PCR techniques to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-fibrotic effects of GA in LX-2 cells. The results showed that GA significantly reduced cell density and inhibited cell proliferation and lactate levels in LX-2 cells but not in Hep-G2 cells. We found that GA prominently increased the activation of caspase-3/9 for apoptosis induction, and a pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk, attenuated the cell death and apoptosis effects of GA, suggesting caspase-dependent cell death. Moreover, GA strongly elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and notably increased the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. Interestingly, it dramatically reduced α-SMA and collagen type I protein and mRNA expression levels in LX-2 cells. Thus, inhibition of ERK and JNK activation significantly rescued GA-induced cell growth suppression and apoptosis in LX-2 cells. Collectively, the current study provides important information demonstrating the anti-fibrotic effects of GA, a glycolytic metabolite, and demonstrates the therapeutic potency of metabolic factors in liver fibrosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.692-699
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• 2023

The lack of molecular targets hampers the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study, we determined the cytotoxicity of domperidone, a dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) antagonist in human TNBC BT-549 and CAL-51 cells. Domperidone inhibited cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The annexin V/propidium iodide staining showed that domperidone induced apoptosis. The domperidone-induced apoptosis was accompanied by the generation of mitochondrial superoxide and the down-regulation of cyclins and CDKs. The apoptotic effect of domperidone on TNBC cells was prevented by pre-treatment with Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondria-specific antioxidant. The prevention of apoptosis with Mito-TEMPO even at concentrations as low as 100 nM, implies that the generation of mitochondrial ROS mediated the domperidone-induced apoptosis. Immunoblot analysis showed that domperidone-induced apoptosis occurred through the down-regulation of the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. Moreover, domperidone downregulated the levels of D2-like dopamine receptors including DRD2, regardless of their mRNA levels. Our results support further development of DRD2 antagonists as potential therapeutic strategy treating TNBC.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.12.1-12.17
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• 2024

Exosomes are double phospholipid membrane vesicles that are synthesized and secreted by a variety of cells, including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, immune cells, are extracellular vesicles. Recent studies have revealed that exosomes can play a significant role in under both physiological and pathological conditions. They have been implicated in regulation of inflammatory responses, immune response, angiogenesis, tissue repair, and antioxidant activities, particularly in modulating immunity in autoimmune diseases (AIDs). Moreover, variations in the expression of exosome-related substances, such as miRNA and proteins, may not only offer valuable perspectives for the early warning, and prognostic assessment of various AIDs, but may also serve as novel markers for disease diagnosis. This article examines the impact of exosomes on the development of AIDs and explores their potential for therapeutic application.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.94-108
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• 2023

Cancer cell heterogeneity is a serious problem in the control of tumor progression because it can cause chemoresistance and metastasis. Heterogeneity can be generated by various mechanisms, including genetic evolution of cancer cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and niche heterogeneity. Because the genetic heterogeneity of CSCs has been poorly characterized, the genetic mutation status of CSCs was examined using Exome-Seq and RNA-Seq data of liver cancer. Here we show that different surface markers for liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) showed a unique propensity for genetic mutations. Cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133)-positive cells showed frequent mutations in the IRF2, BAP1, and ERBB3 genes. However, leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5-positive cells showed frequent mutations in the CTNNB1, RELN, and ROBO1 genes. In addition, some genetic mutations were frequently observed irrespective of the surface markers for LCSCs. BAP1 mutations was frequently observed in CD133-, CD24-, CD13-, CD90-, epithelial cell adhesion molecule-, or keratin 19-positive LCSCs. ASXL2, ERBB3, IRF2, TLX3, CPS1, and NFATC2 mutations were observed in more than three types of LCSCs, suggesting that common mechanisms for the development of these LCSCs. The present study provides genetic heterogeneity depending on the surface markers for LCSCs. The genetic heterogeneity of LCSCs should be considered in the development of LCSC-targeting therapeutics.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.492-498
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• 2024

Bioassay and HPLC-UV guided fractionations of the crude extract of marine-derived Streptomyces sp. SNA-077 have led to the isolation of a red pigment, undecylprodigiosin (1). The chemical structure of undecylprodigiosin (1) was revealed by the interpretation of NMR and mass spectroscopic (MS) data. Further, anti-melanogenic effects of undecylprodigiosin (1) were investigated. First, the melanin contents of undecylprodigiosin (1)-treated B16 cells were evaluated. Furthermore, undecylprodigiosin (1) significantly inhibited the key enzymes involved in melanogenesis, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein-1 (TYRP-1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). The mRNA and protein expression levels of Microphthalmia-associated transcriptian factor (MiTF), a critical transcription factor for tyrosinase gene expression, were also suppressed by undecylprodigiosin (1) treatment in B16 analyses. Collectively, our results suggest for the first time that undecylprodigiosin (1), a potent component isolated from an extract of marine Streptomyces sp. SNA-077, critically exerts the anti-melanogenic ability for melanin synthesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.531-539
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• 2024

Sleep is one of the most essential physiological phenomena for maintaining health. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, are often accompanied by psychiatric or physical conditions such as impaired attention, anxiety, and stress. Medication used to treat insomnia have concerns about potential side effects with long-term use, so interest in the use of alternative medicine is increasing. In this study, we investigated the hypnotic effects of β-lapachone (β-Lap), a natural naphthoquinone compound, using pentobarbital-induced sleep test, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and western blot in mice. Our results indicated that β-Lap exerts a significant hypnotic effect by showing a decrease in sleep onset latency and an increase in total sleep time in pentobarbital-induced sleep model. The results of c-Fos immunostaining showed that β-Lap decreased neuronal activity in the basal forebrain and lateral hypothalamus, which are wakefulness-promoting brain regions, while increasing in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus, a sleep-promoting region; all these effects were significantly abolished by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), an adenosine A₁ receptor (A₁R) antagonist. Western blot analysis showed that β-Lap increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappa B translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus; these effects were inhibited by DPCPX. Additionally, β-Lap increased the mRNA levels of A₁R. Taken together, these results suggest that β-Lap exerts hypnotic effects, potentially through A₁R.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.167-175
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• 2001

Recent studies have shown that cytokines are capable of modulating cardiovascular function and that some drugs used in the treatment of heart failure variably modulate the production of cytokines. Hige- namine, a positive inotropic isoquinoline alkaloid, has been used traditionally as cardiac stimulant, and reported to reduce nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS- and/or cytokine-activated cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, we investigated whether higenamine modulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines in myocardial infarction. In addition, effects of higenamine on antioxidant action and antioxidant enzyme expression (MnSOD) were studied. Myocardial infarction (MI) was confirmed by measuring left ventricular (LV) pressure after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 5 weeks in rats. Treatment of higenamine (10 mg/kg/day) reduced infarct size about 35 %, which accompanied by reduction of production TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, but not IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-1$\beta$ in the myocardium. The expression of TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA in infracted myocardium was significantly reduced by higenamine. Although iNOS mRNA was not detected, nitrotyrosine staining was significantly increased in myocardium of Ml compared to higenamine-treated one, Indicating that peroxynitrite-induced damage is evident in MI. Cytochrome c oxidation by peroxynitrite was concentration-dependently reduced by higenamine, an effect which was almost compatible to glutathion. Higenamine treatment did not affect the expression of MnSOD mRNA in myocardial tissues in MI. Taken together, higenamine may be beneficial in oxidative stress conditions such as ischemic-reperfusion injury and MI due to antioxidant action as well as modulation of cytokines.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.5-14
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• 2003

Objective : Recently, Herbal-acupuncture therapeutics has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Especially, we have been interested in chemical mediators concerned with inflammation such as prostaglandin, cytokine, nitric oxide. The purpose of this study is investigated that the effect of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, performed several expeimental items : those are prostaglandin E. nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase-2. Method : The cytotoxicity of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were measured by MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. In order to observe cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, RT-PCR was used. Prostaglandin $E_2$ formation and nitric oxide production was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay and Griess assay. Results : 1. The MTT assay demonstrated that cytotoxic effect of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were not appeared before concentration of 5mg/mL 2. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 3. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 4. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited prostaglandin $E_2$ formation in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion : On the basis of these results, It was shown that Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution is significantly able to inhibit the production of $PGE_2$ and NO, as well as COX-2 mRNA expression. Our results may provide new mechanism by which Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution accounts for its beneficial effect on accelerating wound healing and anti-inflammation.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.9-19
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• 2020

본 연구는 고병원성 조류 인플루엔자 바이러스(high pathogenic avian influenza virus; HPAIV)와 저병원성 조류인플루엔자 바이러스(low pathogenic avian virus; LPAIV)가 감염된 오리의 폐세포에서 보고된 기존 전사체 데이터를 재분석하여 조류 인플루엔자 감염에 대응하는 숙주의 공통 전사체를 발굴하고, 생물정보 분석을 실시하여 바이오 마커로서 가능성을 제시하기 위하여 수행하였다. 이전 연구에서 생산된 microarray 데이터 세트를 재분석하여, HPAIV와 LPAIV가 각각 감염된 오리의 폐세포에서 각각 총 731 및 439개의 차등발현 유전자를 발굴하였다. 이들 차등발현 유전자 중에서, 227개의 유전자가 HPAIV와 LPAIV가 감염된 세포에서 공통적으로 조절되어, 193개의 유전자는 발현이 증가한 반면, 34개의 유전자는 발현이 감소하였다. 생물정보 분석을 통하여 차등발현 유전자들의 기능에 대한 주석달기를 실시하여, 리보솜과 단백질 대사 및 유전자 발현 관련 GO가 풍부해짐을 확인하였다. REACTOME 분석을 통하여 단백질 및 RNA 대사 경로 및 콜라겐 생합성과 변형을 포함한 조직 복구 경로가 조절됨을 확인하였다. 보다 구체적으로, 번역 및 RNA 품질 관리 경로에 관여하는 단백질을 코딩하는 유전자는 HPAIV 및 LPAIV 감염에 반응하여 발현의 증가 또는 감소하는 방향으로 조절되어 AIV가 숙주 번역 기계를 억제함으로써 숙주 방어 시스템을 회피할 수 있거나 번역을 위해 세포질로 내보내기 전에 AIV가 억제될 수 있음을 시사한다. AIV 감염은 바이러스 감염으로 인한 조직의 병변 형성을 조절하는 경로를 활성화시킬 수 있음을 시사한다.