• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.391-397
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• 2010

E2F transcription factors and their target genes have been known to play an important role in cell growth control. We found that curcumin, a polyphenolic phytochemical isolated from the plant Curcuma longa, markedly suppressed E2F4 expression in HCT116 colon cancer cells. Hydrogen peroxide was also found to decrease E2F4 protein level, indicating the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in curucmin-induced downregulation of E2F4 expression. Involvement of ROS in E2F4 downregulation in response to curcumin was confirmed by the result that pretreatment of cells with N-acetylcystein (NAC) before exposure of curcumin almost completely blocked the reduction of E2F4 expression at the protein as well as mRNA level. Anti-proliferative effect of curcumin was also suppressed by NAC which is consistent to previous reports showing curcumin-superoxide production and induction of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage as well as apoptosis. Expression of several genes, cyclin A, p21, and p27, which has been shown to be regulated in E2F4-dependent manner and involved in the cell cycle progression was also affected by curcumin. Moreover, decreased (cyclin A) and increased (p21 and p27) expression of these E2F4 downstream genes by curcumin was restored by pretreatment of cells with NAC and E2F4 overexpression which is induced by doxycycline. In addition, E2F4 overexpression was observed to partially ameliorate curcumin-induced growth inhibition by cell viability assay. Taken together, we found curcumin-induced ROS down-regulation of E2F4 expression and modulation of E2F4 target genes which finally lead to the apoptotic cell death in HCT116 colon cancer cells, suggesting that E2F4 appears to be a novel determinant of curcumin-induced cytotoxicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7095-7100
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• 2013

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors of cyclic peptide have been proved to be the most complex but the most stable and relative efficient inhibitors because of their large cap region. In this paper, a series of studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of synthetic bicyclic tetrapeptide inhibitors 1-5 containing hydroxamic acid referring molecular docking, anti-proliferation, morphology and apoptosis. Docking analysis, together with enzyme inhibitory results, verified the selective capability of inhibitor 4 to HDAC4, which might closely related to haematological tumorigenesis, with Phe227, Asp115, Pro32, His198 and Ser114 participating into hydrophobic interactions and Van der Waals force which was familiar with former study. Moreover, inhibitor 4 inhibited K562 cell line at the $IC_{50}$ value of 1.22 ${\mu}M$ which was 51-67 times more efficient than that for U937 and HL60 cell lines. Inhibitor 4 exhibited the cell cycle-arrested capability to leukemia at S phase or G2/M phase as well as apoptosis-induced ability in different degrees. Finally, we considered that bicyclic tetrapeptide inhibitors were promising inhibitors used in cancer treatment and inhibitor 4 could prevent K562 cell line well from proliferation, arrest cell cycle and induce K562 towards apoptosis to achieve the goals of reversing cancer cells which could become a potential leukemia therapeutic agent in the future.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.291-296
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• 2007

The corrosion of metals and alloys in flowing liquids can be classified into uniform corrosion and localized corrosion which may be categorized as follows. (1) Localized corrosion of the erosion-corrosion type: the protective oxide layer is assumed to be removed from the metal surface by shear stress or turbulence of the fluid flow. A macro-cell may be defined as a situation in which the bare surface is the macro-anode and the other surface covered with the oxide layer is the macro-cathode. (2) Localized corrosion of the differential flow-velocity corrosion type: at a location of lower fluid velocity, a thin and coarse oxide layer with poor protective qualities may be produced because of an insufficient supply of oxygen. A macro-cell may be defined as a situation in which this surface is the macro-anode and the other surface covered with a dense and stable oxide layer is the macro-cathode. (3) Localized corrosion of the active/passive-cell type: on a metal surface a macro-cell may be defined as a situation in which a part of it is in a passivation state and another in an active dissolution state. This situation may arise from differences in temperature as well as in the supply of the dissolved oxygen. Compared to uniform corrosion, localized corrosion tends to involve a higher wall thinning rate (corrosion rate) due to the macro-cell current as well as to the ratio of the surface area of the macro-anode to that of the macro-cathode, which may be rationalized using potential vs. current density diagrams. The three types of localized corrosion described above can be reproduced in a Jet-in-slit test by changing the flow direction of the test liquid and arranging environmental conditions in an appropriate manner.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.315-321
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• 2016

Background: Herbal medicine has becoming a potential source of treatment for different types of cancer including breast cancer. It has been shown that plants from the family Rhamnaceae possess anticancer activity. Objective: In this study, we determined the antiproliferative influence of Ziziphus spina christi- a species from this family- on the MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cell line. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of the total extract, ethanol, ethanol-aqueous (1:1) as well as aqueous fractions of Ziziphus spina christi leaves was evaluated through MTT assay against MCF-7 cell line. Cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis induction were assessed by flowcytometry cycle RNase/PI analysis and Annexin V-FLUOS, respectively. Apoptosis was also analyzed by immunoblotting assay. Results: Our results indicated that the ethanolic fraction had the lowest $IC_{50}$ value (0.02 mg/ml), induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase as well as apoptosis after a 48h of treatment. Conclusions: This is the first report on anticancer effect of Ziziphus spina christi ethanolic fraction on breast cancer cells, providing a scientific basis for its utility in traditional medicine. However, further in-depth studies are needed to confirm the precise mechanisms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4939-4941
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• 2012

Background: The serum level of soluble CD30 (sCD30) is known to be increased with several lymphomas and to correlate with prognosis. Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a highly aggressive malignant lymphoma with poor prognosis, but the existence and significance of sCD30 in PEL have not yet been investigated in detail. Objectives: Since the membrane type of CD30 is frequently expressed on the surface of PEL cells, we compared the expression of the membrane type of CD30 and the production of sCD30 among PEL cell lines as well as other lymphomas. Methods: The expression of surface CD30 in various lymphoma cell lines was analyzed with flow cytometry ans sCD30 was quantified by ELISA. Results: Both surface and sCD30 were detected on PEL cell lines as well as on Hodgkin's lymphoma and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. Surface CD30 and sCD30 levels of each cell lines correlated with each other. Conclusion: The serum level of sCD30 appear to be a useful biological tumor marker for the diagnosis and management of CD30-positive PEL.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.752-760
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• 2017

A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) is known to be the regulator of bone homeostasis, but its regulatory mechanisms in osteoclast formation are less well-defined. Here, we demonstrate the effect of A2BAR stimulation on osteoclast differentiation and activity by RANKL. A2BAR was expressed in bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage (BMM) and RANKL increased A2BAR expression during osteoclastogenesis. A2BAR stimulation with its specific agonist BAY 60-6583 was sufficient to inhibit the activation of ERK1/2, p38 MAP kinases and $NF-{\kappa}B$ by RANKL as well as it abrogated cell-cell fusion in the late stage of osteoclast differentiation. Stimulation of A2BAR suppressed the expression of osteoclast marker genes, such as c-Fos, TRAP, Cathepsin-K and NFATc1, induced by RANKL, and transcriptional activity of NFATc1 was also inhibited by stimulation of A2BAR. A2BAR stimulation caused a notable reduction in the expression of Atp6v0d2 and DC-STAMP related to cell-cell fusion of osteoclasts. Especially, a decrease in bone resorption activity through suppression of actin ring formation by A2BAR stimulation was observed. Taken together, these results suggest that A2BAR stimulation inhibits the activation of ERK1/2, p38 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ by RANKL, which suppresses the induction of osteoclast marker genes, thus contributing to the decrease in osteoclast cell-cell fusion and bone resorption activity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.340-347
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• 1999

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) capable of inducing the primary T cell response to antigen. Although tumor cells express target antigens, they are incapable of stimulating a tumor-specific immune response due to a defect in the costimulatory signal that is required for optimal activation of T cells. In this work, we describe a new approach using tumor-DC coculture to improve the antigen presenting capacity of tumor cells which does not require a source of tumor-associated antigen. Immunization of a weakly immunogenic and progressive tumor cocultured with none marrow-derived DCs generated an effective tumor vaccine. Immunization with the cocutured DCs was able to induce complete protectiv immunity against tumor challenges and was effective for the induction of tumor-specific CTL (cytotoxic T lymphocyte) activity. Furthermore, high NK cell activity was observed in mice in which tumors were rejected. In addition, immunization with tumor-pulsed DC s induced delayed tumor growth, but not tumor eradication in tumor-bearing mice. Our results demonstrate that coculture of DCs with tumors generated antitumor immunity due to the NK cell activation as well as tumor-specific T cell. This approach would be used for designing tumor vaccines using DCs when the information about tumor antigens is limited.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.235-247
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan coating on the attachment, proliferation, functional and morphological change of human gingival fibroblasts. Primary culture of human gingival fibroblasts were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics. In experimental group, cells were inoculated in the multiwell plates coated with chitosan in concentration of 0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg/ml. Cell counting and MTT assay were done after 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6 and 24 hours of incubation to evaluate the cell attachment, and then after 2 and 7 days of culture to evaluate the cell proliferation. The alkaline phosphatase activity was measured after 4 and 7 days of culture and the ability to produce mineralized nodules was evaluated after 21 days of culture. The results were as follows : The morphology of cells on the chitosan-coated well was round or spheric. Round cells were aggregated since 6 hours of culture and showed nodule-like appearance after 24 hours of culture and did not achieved confluency at 7 days. The attachment of gingival fibroblasts was inhibited by chitosan coating with a tendency of dose dependent pattern. But, cellular activity of unit cell was higher than control. The proliferation of gingival fibroblasts was inhibited by chitosan coating at 2 mg/ml(P<0.01), while the cell proliferation at 0.02, 0.2 $mg/m{\ell}$ was comparable to the control well. Total alkaline phosphatase activity was inhibited by chitosan coating and decreased in the course of time. While ALP activity of unit cell was the highest at 2mg/ml after 4 days of culture. Finally, gingival fibroblasts produced the mineralized nodule at 2 mg/ml. In summary, the attachment, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase activity of gingival fibroblasts were influenced differently by the concentration of coated chitosan. From this study, it could be used as the matrix of tissue engineering for gingiva without inhibition on proliferation of gingival fibroblasts using chitosan at the optimal concentration (0.02mg/ml).

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1998

One cervical cancer cell line, C9, carrying human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) genes that is one of the major etiologic concoviruses for cervical cancer was characterized. This cell line was further characterized for its capacity related to the epithelial cell proliferation, stratification and differentiation in reconstituted artificial epithelial tissue. The in vitro construction of three dimensional artificial cervical opithelial tissue has been engineered using C9 epithelial cancer cells, human foreskin fibroblasts and a matrix made of type I collagen by organotypic culture of epithelial cells. The morphology of paraffin embedded artificial tissue was examined by histochemical staining. The artificial epithelial tissues were well developed having multilayer. However, the tissue morphology was similar to the cervical tissus having displasia induced by HPV infection. The characteristics of the artificial tissues were examined by determinining the expression of specific marker proteins. In the C9 derived artificial tissues, the expression of EGF receptor, as epithelial proliferation marker proteins for stratum basale was observed up to the stratum spinosum. Another epithelial proliferation marker for stratum spinosum, cytokerations 5/6/18, were observed well over the stratum spinosum. For the differentiation markers, the expression of involucrin and filaggrin were observed while the terminal differentiation marker, cytokeratins 10/13 was not detected at all. Therefore the reconstituted artificial epithelial tissues expressed the same types of differentiation marker proteins that are expressed in normal human cervical epithelial tissues but lacked the final differentiation capacity representing characteristics of C9 cell line as a cancer tissue devived cell line. Expression of HPV18 E6 oncoprotein was also observed in this artifical cervical opithelial tissue though the intensity of the staining was weak. Thus this artificial epithelial tissue could be used as a useful model system to examine the relationship between HPV-induced cervical oncogenesis and epithelial cell differentiation.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.186-191
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: With the global demand for dairy protein for consumption growing annually, there has been increasing activity in the research field of dairy protein synthesis and production. From a manipulation perspective, it is more difficult to use live cattle for laboratory studies on the production of milk as well as of dairy protein such as casein, as compared with using laboratory animals like rodents. Therefore, we aimed to develop a mouse model of bovine mammary alveolar ducts for laboratory-scale studies. We studied the formation of the bovine mammary gland ductal structure by transplanting the MAC-T bovine alveolar cell line into mice. Methods and Results: MAC-T cells ($1{\times}10^7$) were suspended in Matrigel and injected into the dorsal tissue of 8-week-old male BALB/C nude mice. Histological analysis of tissue dissected from the MAC-T cell-transplanted mice after 6 weeks showed the typical morphology of the tubuloalveolar female gland, as well as glands made up of branching ducts that were surrounded by smooth muscle with small alveoli budding off the ducts. In addition, the epithelial markers CK14 and CK18 were expressed within the duct-like structure. Prolactin was detected in the duct interior in these CK14+ and CK18+ cells but not in the non-transplanted MAC-T cells. Conclusions: These results showed that duct-like tissue had been successfully formed after 6 weeks of transplantation of the CK14+ and CK18+ MAC-T cells into mice dorsal tissue. This mouse model will be a useful tool for further research on the bovine mammary gland.