• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.167-176
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• 2007

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) is expressed at very high levels in the gastrointestinal epithelium. Many of the functions of $PPAR{\gamma}$ in gastrointestinal epithelial cells have been elucidated in recent years, and a pattern is emerging which suggests that this receptor plays an important role in gastrointestinal physiology. There is also strong evidence that $PPAR{\gamma}$ is a colon cancer suppressor in pre-clinical rodent models of sporadic colon cancer, and there is considerable interest in exploitation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists as prophylactic or chemopreventive agents in colon cancer. Studies in mice and in human colon cancer cell lines suggest several mechanisms that might account for the tumor suppressive effects of $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists, although it is not in all cases clear whether these effects are altogether mediated by $PPAR{\gamma}$. Conversely, several reports suggest that $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists may promote colon cancer under certain circumstances. This possibility warrants considerable attention since several million individuals with type II diabetes are currently taking $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists. This review will focus on recent data related to four critical questions: what is the physiological function of $PPAR{\gamma}$ in gastrointestinal epithelial cells; how does $PPAR{\gamma}$ suppress colon carcinogenesis; is $PPAR{\gamma}$ a tumor promoter; and what is the future of $PPAR{\gamma}$ in colon cancer prevention?

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.103-107
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• 2017

Angelica koreana is an important medicinal plant for some locals in East Asia including Korea. A few reports have shown the efficacy of its phytochemical constituents. We have isolated and purified one compound falcarindiol (FAL) from the methanolic extract of A. koreana roots. At concentrations from to $1{\mu}M$ to $25{\mu}M$, the FAL isolated from the roots of A. koreana exerted no significant cytotoxicity and down-regulated LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 in colon epithelial cells, while up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, the FAL decreased the expression of LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein by Western blot analysis. Colon epithelial cells play pivotal roles in regulating the colon immune system and thus FAL is expected to be candidate agent as therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by modulating LPS-induced inflammation in colon epithelial cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.177-180
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• 2011

Entamoeba histolytica is an enteric tissue-invading protozoan parasite that can cause amebic colitis and liver abscess in humans. E. histolytica has the capability to kill colon epithelial cells in vitro; however, information regarding the role of calpain in colon cell death induced by ameba is limited. In this study, we investigated whether calpains are involved in the E. histolytica-induced cell death of HT-29 colonic epithelial cells. When HT-29 cells were co-incubated with E. histolytica, the propidium iodide stained dead cells markedly increased compared to that in HT-29 cells incubated with medium alone. This pro-death effect induced by ameba was effectively blocked by pretreatment of HT-29 cells with the calpain inhibitor, calpeptin. Moreover, knockdown of m- and ${\mu}$-calpain by siRNA significantly reduced E. histolytica-induced HT-29 cell death. These results suggest that m- and ${\mu}$-calpain may be involved in colon epithelial cell death induced by E. histolytica.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.151-156
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• 2015

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is commonly used for the therapy of colon cancer; however, acquired resistance to 5-FU is a critical barrier to successful treatment and the primary cause of chemotherapy failure. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process whereby cells undergo alterations in morphology and molecular characteristics promoting tumor progression and metastasis. Accumulating evidence shows that transition from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype in cancer cells is associated with their resistance to chemotherapy. However, it is still poorly understood whether EMT is involved in acquired resistance to 5-FU. In this study, we developed an in vitro cell model, 5-FU-resistant HT-29 colon cancer cells, and characterized the differences in cellular morphology and molecular alterations between parental and resistant cells. In accord with mesenchymal-like morphology of 5-FU-resistant HT-29 cells, the expression of the mesenchymal marker fibronectin was significantly increased in these cells in comparision with that in the parental cells. Of interest, we also found a marked increase in the expression of EMT-inducing transcription factors Twist, Zeb1, and Zeb2. Finally, 5-FU-resistant cells showed enhanced migration in comparison with parental HT-29. Taken together, these results indicate that EMT could be associated with 5-FU resistance acquired by HT-29 cells. A specific role of each transcription factor found in this study will require further investigation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.357-364
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• 1995

이질아메바에 의한 장염 환자의 조직 또는 이질아메바를 실험적으로 감염시킨 동물의 조직 검사에서 호중구의 침윤이 특징적으로 관찰된다. 그러나 이와같은 호중구의 침윤을 설명할 수 있는 기전에 대한 연구는 매우 미흡하다. 따라서 본 연구자들은 아메바 감염 초기에 인체 대장상피 세포에서 interleukin-8(IL-8)이 유도되어 호중구 침윤과 같은 염증반응이 유발될 것이라는 가설을 설정하였다. 이를 위하여 인체 대장상피세포주인 HT-29에 이질아메바 영양형을 실험적으로 노출시킨 뒤 발현되는 IL-S mRNA를 역전사 중합효소법(reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR)으로 검사함과 퐁시에 발현된 IL-8 mRNA를 인공적으로 합성시킨 표준 RNA와 RT-PCR법을 이용하여 정량하였다. 실험 결과 이질아메바 영양형에 노출된 30분 후 부터 IL-8 mRAN가 발현되기 시작하였다 그리고 그 발현 분자수는 노출 시간의 증가에 따라 계속 증가하여 3시간 대에는 $3.1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^7{\;}molecules/\mu\textrm{g}$ total RNA를 나타내었다. 동시에 IL-8 mRNA의 발현은 노출시킨 이질아메바 영양형의 수에 비례하였다. 즉 HT-29/아메바 영양형의 비율이 10:1인 경우 IL-8 mRNA의 발현 분자수는 $1.2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^7{\;}molecules/\mu\textrm{g}$ total RNA로 나타났다. 이와같은 IL-8 mRNA의 발현은 IL-8 단백질 분비로 이어짐을 ELISA 검사로 확인할 수 있었다. 한편 이질아메바 파쇄액(Iysate)도 대장상피세포군인 Caco-2에서 IL-8 mRNA발현을 유도하였다. 결론적으로 본 실험은 이질아메바 감염 초기에 대장상피세포로 부터 IL-8이 발현되며, 이에 의하여 염증반응이 촉발될 가능성이 있음을 시사해 준다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.137-144
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• 2022

Radiation resistance represents an imperative obstacle in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer, which remains difficult to overcome. Here, we explored the anti-proliferative and migration-inhibiting properties of the natural product shikonin on a radiation-resistant human colon carcinoma cell line (SNU-C5RR). Shikonin reduced the viability of these cells in a dose-dependent manner; 38 µM of shikonin was determined as the half-maximal inhibitory concentration. Shikonin induced apoptotic cell death, as demonstrated by increased apoptotic body formation and the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Moreover, shikonin enhanced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and Bax expression and also decreased Bcl-2 expression with translocation of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. In addition, shikonin activated mitogen-activated protein kinases, and their specific inhibitors reduced the cytotoxic effects of shikonin. Additionally, shikonin decreased the migration of SNU-C5RR cells via the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of N-cadherin. Taken together, these results suggest that shikonin induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in SNU-C5RR cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.61-68
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• 2013

Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic colitis and occasionally liver abscess in humans, is able to induce host cell death. However, signaling mechanisms of colon cell death induced by E. histolytica are not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the signaling role of NOX in cell death of HT29 colonic epithelial cells induced by E. histolytica. Incubation of HT29 cells with amoebic trophozoites resulted in DNA fragmentation that is a hallmark of apoptotic cell death. In addition, E. histolytica generate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a contact-dependent manner. Inhibition of intracellular ROS level with treatment with DPI, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidases (NOXs), decreased Entamoebainduced ROS generation and cell death in HT29 cells. However, pan-caspase inhibitor did not affect E. histolytica-induced HT29 cell death. In HT29 cells, catalytic subunit NOX1 and regulatory subunit Rac1 for NOX1 activation were highly expressed. We next investigated whether NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1)-derived ROS is closely associated with HT29 cell death induced by E. histolytica. Suppression of Rac1 by siRNA significantly inhibited Entamoeba-induced cell death. Moreover, knockdown of NOX1 by siRNA, effectively inhibited E. histolytica-triggered DNA fragmentation in HT29 cells. These results suggest that NOX1-derived ROS is required for apoptotic cell death in HT29 colon epithelial cells induced by E. histolytica.

• 약학회지
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.62-66
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• 2008

In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of propenone derivatives, 1,3-diphenyl-propenone (DPhP), 3-phenyl-1-thiophen-2-yl-propenone (PhT2P), 3-phenyl-1-thiophen-3-yl-propenone (PhT3P) and 1-furan-2-yl-3-phenyl-propenone (FPhP), on $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activity and interleukin (IL)-8-induced monocyte adhesion to colon epithelial cells. 1-Furan-2-yl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propenone (FPP-3) that is previously reported as a $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor suppressed $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced monocyte-epithelial cell adhesion in a concentration-dependent manner. The propenone derivatives, DPhP, PhT2P, PhT3P, FPhP, also inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in a similar degree to FPP-3. In a DPPH radical scavenging assay, none of the compounds showed DPPH radical scavenging activity, indicating that the inhibitory actions of the propenone derivatives on redox-sensitive $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity is not due to a simple free radical scavenging activity. In addition, the propenone derivatives also suppressed the IL-8-induced monocyte adhesion to colon epithelial cells. Furthermore, the effective concentrations of the propenone derivatives on both $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation as well as IL-8 induced monocyte-epithelial cell adhesion were 1000 times lower than 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), a clinically used drug for inflammatory bowel disease. These results suggest that the propenone derivatives may be a potential lead having a strong inhibitory activity against inflammatory cytokine-induced epithelial inflammation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.288-297
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• 2018

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing, with metastasis of newly diagnosed CRC reported in a large proportion of patients. However, the effect of Korean Red Ginseng extracts (KRGE) on epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CRC is unknown. Therefore, we examined the mechanisms by which KRGE regulates EMT of CRC in hypoxic conditions. Methods: Human CRC cell lines HT29 and HCT116 were incubated under hypoxic (1% oxygen) and normoxic (21% oxygen) conditions. Western blot analysis and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the expression of EMT markers in the presence of KRGE. Furthermore, we performed scratched wound healing, transwell migration, and invasion assays to monitor whether KRGE affects migratory and invasive abilities of CRC cells under hypoxic conditions. Results: KRGE-treated HT29 and HCT116 cells displayed attenuated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels and hypoxia-inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ ($HIF-1{\alpha}$) protein expression under hypoxic conditions. KRGE repressed Snail, Slug, and Twist mRNA expression and integrin ${\alpha}V{\beta}6$ protein levels. Furthermore, hypoxia-repressed E-cadherin was restored in KRGE-treated cells; KRGE blocked the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells by repressing $NF-{\kappa}B$ and ERK1/2 pathways in hypoxia. Conclusions: KRGE inhibits hypoxia-induced EMT by repressing $NF-{\kappa}B$ and ERK1/2 pathways in colon cancer cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.402-410
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• 2010

Although the overproduction of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in intestinal epithelial cells has been considered to be highly correlated with the colorectal carcinogenesis, the precise mechanism of action remains poorly elucidated. Accumulating evidence suggests that the PGE receptor (EP)-mediated signal transduction pathway might play an important role in this process. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of action underlying $PGE_2$-mediated cell proliferation and the effect of resveratrol on the proliferation of human colon cancer cells in terms of the modulating $PGE_2$-mediated signaling pathway. $PGE_2$ stimulated the proliferation of several human colon cancer cells and activated growth-stimulatory signal transduction, including Akt and ERK. $PGE_2$ also increased the phosphorylation of GSK-$3{\beta}$, the translocation of ${\beta}$-catenin into the nucleus, and the expressions of c-myc and cyclin D1. Resveratrol, a cancer chemopreventive phytochemical, however, inhibited $PGE_2$-induced growth stimulation and also suppressed $PGE_2$-mediated signal transduction, as well as ${\beta}$-catenin/T cell factor-mediated transcription in human colon cancer cells. These findings present an additional mechanism through which resveratrol affects the regulation of human colon cancer cell growth.