• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.324-333
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: This study was to investigate the role of microRNA-29a-3p (miR-29a-3p) in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and its relationship with steroid-associated osteonecrosis. Methods and Results: The online tool GEO2R was used to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE123568 dataset. Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of miR-29a-3p, forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein (OCN) and RUNX family transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the hBMSCs isolated from the patients with steroid-associated osteonecrosis. CCK-8 assay was executed to measure cell viability; western blot assay was utilized to detect FOXO3, ALP, Runx2, OCN and β-catenin expression. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the sub-cellular localization of β-catenin. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to confirm whether miR-29a-3p can combine with FOXO3 3'UTR. MiR-29a-3p was markedly up-regulated in the hBMSCs of patients with steroid-associated osteonecrosis, while FOXO3 mRNA was significantly down-regulated. Transfection of miR-29a-3p mimics significantly inhibited the hBMSCs' proliferation, osteogenic differentiation markers' expressions, including ALP, Runx2, OCN, and repressed the ALP activity, as well as promoted cell apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. FOXO3 was identified as a target gene of miR-29a-3p, and miR-29a-3p can inhibit the expression of FOXO3 and β-catenin, and inhibition of miR-29a-3p promoted translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus. Conclusions: MiR-29a-3p can modulate FOXO3 expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling to inhibit viability and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, thereby promoting the development of steroid-associated osteonecrosis.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.359-371
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived microRNA (miR)-150-5p-expressing exosomes in promoting skin wound healing through activating PI3K/AKT pathway by PTEN. Methods and Results: Human umbilical cord (HUC)-MSCs were infected with miR-150-5p overexpression and its control lentivirus, and HUC-MSCs-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exos) with stable expression of miR-150-5p were obtained. HaCaT cells were induced by H₂O₂ to establish a cellular model of skin injury, in which the expression of miR-150-5p and PTEN and the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT were evaluated. HaCaT cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-PTEN or pcDNA3.1 and then cultured with normal exosomes or exosomes stably expressing miR-150-5p. Cell proliferation was inspected by CCK-8. Cell migration was detected by scratch test and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. The starBase tool was used to predict the binding site of miR-150-5p to PTEN. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were applied to assess the interaction between miR-150-5p and PTEN. In H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells, the miR-150-5p expression decreased, and PTEN expression increased in a concentration-dependent manner. MSCs-Exos promoted the growth and migration of H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells and inhibited their apoptosis. In addition, overexpression of exosomal miR-150-5p enhanced the protective effect of MSCs-Exos on H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells; PTEN overexpression in HaCaT cells partially restrained miR-150-5p-mediated inhibition on H₂O₂-induced injury in HaCaT cells. PTEN was a target gene of miR-150-5p. MiR-150-5p regulated PI3K/AKT pathway through PTEN. Conclusions: MSCs-derived miR-150-5p-expressing exosomes promote skin wound healing by activating PI3K/AKT pathway through PTEN.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.198-206
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• 2024

EZH2 is a methyltransferase that is a critical target for lymphoma treatment. However, it is not yet widely used in clinical settings. PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) represent a novel therapeutic strategy aimed at eliminating proteins that have been a challenging target using conventional small molecules. In our previous research, we compared the small molecules-based EZH2 inhibitor used in clinical settings with a PROTAC-based EZH2 degrader. We found that the PROTAC-based degrader was significantly more effective. Building on this, we further investigated the effects of combining the PROTAC-based EZH2 degrader (dEZH2) with a METTL3 inhibitor, both of which have demonstrated effectiveness in inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in Burkitt's lymphoma. Using the CCK-8 assay, we found that both drugs, alone and in combination, significantly inhibited Daudi and Ramos cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. The combined treatment markedly suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, as confirmed by Annexin V/PI staining. Our results revealed G2/M phase arrest with a significant decrease in the G0/G1 phase by flow cytometry. Our study also showed increased levels of cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3, tumor protein p53 (TP53), and PUMA using the western blot technique, indicating enhanced p53-dependent apoptosis. Our findings suggest that the combination therapy of dEZH2 and iMETTL3 could be a promising approach in the treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2008

Background: A co-inhibitory molecule, B7-H4, is believed to negatively regulate T cell immunity by suppressing T cell proliferation and inhibiting cytokine production. However, the mechanism behind B7-H4-mediated tolerance remains unclear. Methods: Balb/c $(H-2^d)$ mice were fed with dendritic cell line, DC2.4 $(H-2^d)$ every day for 10 days. Meantime, mice were hydrodynamically injected with recombinant plasmid expressing B7-H4 fusion protein (B7-H4.hFc) or hFc via tail vein. One day after last feeding, mice were immunized with allogeneic B6 spleen cells. 14 days following immunization, mice were challenged with B6 spleen cells to ear back and the ear swelling was determined the next day. Subsequently, a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was also performed and cytokines profiles from the reaction were examined by sandwich ELISA. Frequency of immunosuppressive cell population was assayed with flow cytometry and mRNA for FoxP3 was determined by RT-PCR. Results: Tolerant mice given plasmid expressing B7-H4.hFc showed a significant reduction in ear swelling compared to control mice. In addition, T cells from mice given B7-H4.hFc plasmid revealed a significant hyporesponsiveness of T cells against allogeneic spleen cells and showed a significant decrease in Th1 and Th2 cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-5, and TNF-${\alpha}$. Interestingly, flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in spleen was increased in tolerant mice given recombinant B7-H4.hFc plasmid compared to control group. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that B7-H4 synergistically potentiates oral tolerance induced by allogeneic cells by increasing the frequency of FoxP3+ CD4+CD25+ Treg and reducing Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.181-185
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• 2001

The naturally occurring chemical indole-3-carbinol (13C), found in vegetables of the Brassica genus, is a promising anticancer agent that was shown previ- ously to induce a Gl cell cycle arrest of human breast cancer cell lines, independent of estrogen receptor signaling. The anticancer activity of 13C and the possible mechanisms of its action were explored in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2. Treatment of HepG2 cells with 13C suppressed the growth of the cells. The growth sup- pression caused by 13C ($IC_{50}$/: 444$\mu$M) was found to be partially due to its ability to stop the cell cycle in HepG2 cells. Western blot analysis for the Gl phase artiest demonstrated that the expression-levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk4, Cdk6) and cyclic D were reduced strongly after treatment of Hep72 cells with 13C (4007M) for 24- 72 hrs. Furthermore, I3C selectively abolished the expression of Cdk6 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and accordingly, inhibited the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma. Interestingly, after the HepG2 cells reached their max- imal growth arrest, the level of the p21, a well-known Cdk inhibitor, increased significantly. Therefore, it could be considered that the Gl arrest of HepG2 cells treated with 13C was due to the indirect inhibition of Cdk4/6 activities by p21 Western blot analysis for G2/M phase arrest of demonstrated the levels of Cdc2 and cyclin Bl werer reduced dramatically after the treatment of HepG2 cells with 13C ($40\mu$M) for 24-72 hrs. flow cytometry of propidium iodide-stained HepG2 cells revealed that 13C induces a Gl (53%,72hr incubation) and G2 (25%,24hr incubation) cell cycle arrest. Thus, our observations have uncovered a previously undefined antiproliferative pathway for r3C that implicates Cdk4/6 and Cdc2 as a target for cell cycle control in human HepG2 cells. However, the 13C-medi- ated cell cycle arrest and repression of Cdk4/6 production did not affect the apoptotic induction of HepG2 cell.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.116-127
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• 1998

Background: The natural course of sarcoidosis is variable from spontaneous remission to significant morbidity or death. So the assessment of disease activity is important but no single parameter was generally accepted as a good marker. Recently several studies suggested that adhesion molecules, especially ICAM-1 can be a marker, but there are some controversies. And only few data are available about the relationship of ICAM-1 with clinical follow-up course. Methods: We measured the expression of adhesion molecules on BAL cells by flow cytometry and the level of soluble ICAM-1(sICAM-1) in serum and BALF at the time of diagnosis in 12 patients with active disease and 7 inactive sarcoidosis(5 male, 14 female, mean age: $39.4{\pm}10.7$ years, mean follow-up : $20{\pm}15$ months). Follow-up clinical course were compared with the changes in serum sICAMA-1 level and the adhesion molecule on BAL cells. Results: In the patients with active disease, the ICAM-1 on AM(RMFI: $3.68{\pm}1.71$) and sICAM-1 level in serum($582{\pm}193$ng/ml) and BAL fluid($47.8{\pm}16.5$ng/ml) were all higher than those of 7 inactive disease(RMFI: $1.89{\pm}0.75$, p=0.0298, serum: $294{\pm}117$ ng/ml, p=0.0049, BALF: $20.9{\pm}8.3$ ng/ml). In the active sarcoidosis, ICAM-1 on AM(RMFI : $1.51{\pm}0.84$) and serum sICAM-1 were decreased after the therapy($250{\pm}147$ ng/ml) but no significant change was noted in inactive disease. Also we found the initial ICAM-1 on AM and serum sICAM-1 had a significant correlation with the degree of improvement in PFT after the therapy. During the follow-up, the disease relapsed in 4 patients after the discontinuation of steroid and the serum sICAM-1 level went-up again at the time of relapse. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the serum sICAM-1 level and the ICAM-1 expression on AM can be a good marker of disease activity and also a predictor of outcome in sarcoidosis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.93-108
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• 2019

To investigate the temporal-spatial distribution of picophytoplankton in relation to different water masses in the northern East China Sea (ECS), picophytoplankton abundance were investigated using flow cytometry with environmental factors in 2016-2017. The results from the analysis of flow cytometer data showed that Synechococcus appeared across all seasons, exhibiting its minimum abundance in winter and maximum abundance in summer. Furthermore, high abundance was detected in the surface mixed layer during spring and summer when vertical stratification occurs; in particular, Synechococcus exhibited maximum abundance in thermocline layer, indicating a close correlation to water temperature and thermocline formation. In addition, the abundance of Synechococcus indicated a decrease in the western seas in 2017 compared to 2016 under the strong influence of the Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW). This was determined by the significant influence of the CDW on the abundance of Synechococcus during summer in the northern waters of the ECS. In contrast, Prochlorococcus did not appear during winter and spring, and its distribution was limited during summer and autumn in the eastern seas under the influence of the Kuroshio current. The largest range of Prochlorococcus distribution was confirmed during autumn without the influence of the CDW. Thus, the distribution pattern of each picophytoplankton genus was found to be changing in accordance to the extension and reduction of sea current in different seasons and periods of time. This is anticipated to be a useful biological marker in understanding the distribution of sea currents and their influence in the northern waters of the ECS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1173-1181
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• 1996

The causes of degenerative changes in allograft cardiac valves are not well known to this day. Today's preserved allografts possess highly viable endothelial cells and degeneration of allografts can be facilitated by immune reaction which may be mediated by these viable cells. To test the antigenicity of endothelial cells, pieces from aortic wall were obtained from fresh and cryo-preserved rat allograft. Timings of sampling were prior to sterilization, after sterilization, after 1, 2, 7, 14 days of fresh preservation and cryopreservation. Endothelial cells were tested by immunohistochemical methods using monoclonal antibodies to MHC class I(MRC OX-18), class II(MRC OX-6) and ICAM-1 antigens. After transplantation of each group of aortic allograft at the subcutaneous layers of rats, population of CD4$^{+}$ T cell and CD8$^{+}$ T cell were analyzed with monoclonal antibodies after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. MHC class I expression was 23.95% before preservation and increased to 35.53~48.08% after preservation(p=0.0183). MHC Class II expression was 9.72% before preservation and 10.13~13.39% after preservation(P=0.1599). ICAM-1 expression was 15.02% before preservation and increased to 19.85~35.33% after preservation(P=0.001). The proportion of CD4$^{+}$ T-cell was 42.13% before transplantation. And this was 49.23~36.8% after transplantation in No treat group (p=0.955), decreased to 29.56~32.80% in other group(p=0.0001~0.008). In all the groups, the proportion of CD8$^{+}$ T-cell increased from 25.57% before transplantation to 42.32~58.92% after transplantation(p=0.000l~0.0002). The CD4$^{+}$/CD8$^{+}$ ratio decreased from 1.22~2.28 at first week to 0.47~0.95 at eighth week(p=0.0001). The results revealed that the expression of MHC class I and ICAM-1 in aortic allograft endothelium were increased but that of MHC class II were not changed, despite the different method of preservation. During 8 weeks after transplantation of aortic allograft, the subpopulations of CD4$^{+}$ T cell were not changed or only slightly decreased but those of CD8$^{+}$ T cell were progressively increased.ely increased.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.189-219
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• 2000

To study the effects of anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immune response improvement effects of aqua-acupuncture with Rubi Fructus infusion solution, we used Rubi Fructus infusion solution(taken by water-alcohol method) put into Chung-wan (CV12) and Chok-Samni(ST36) of BALB/c or C57BL/6 which are corresponding to humanbody. We observed the cytotoxicity, the effect on the expression of MMP-9 gene, the ability to control cancer cell proliferation, change of body weight, surviving number, median surviving time, increase of life span, changes in amount of leukocyte, erythrocyte, platelet, total protein, creatinine, glucose and LDH, weight of spleen, number of pulmonary colony, histological analysis on tissue metastasis of lung and liver, splenic cell proliferation, the expression of cytokine gene, the number of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD19^+$ and NK cell, and concluded like this. The results were obtained as follows : 1. Effects of Anti-cancer 1) The cytotoxicity about B16-F10 cell line of $2^0$, $2^{-1}$, $2^{-2}$, $2^{-3}$, $2^{-5}$, $2^{-6}$, $2^{-7}$, $2^{-8}$ diluent groups in Rubi Fructus infusion solution treatment was inhibited significantly, compared with control group. 2) The cytotoxicity about HT1080 cell line of $2^0{\sim}2^{-8}$ diluent groups in Rubi Fructus infusion solution treatment was inhibited significantly, compared with control group. 3) The effect on expression of MMP-9 gene was inhibited significantly in all the sample groups, compared with control group. 4) The effect on the control-ability on the cancer cell proliferation showed cytotoxicity significantly in $2^0$, $2^{-1}$, $2^{-2}$, $2^{-3}$, $2^{-4}$, $2^{-5}$, $2^{-6}$, $2^{-7}$, diluent groups. 2. Effects of Anti-metastasis 1) S-180 cancer cell line transplants in BALB/c mice were inhibited significantly in weight increase in all the sample groups, compared with control group. The surviving number increased in almost sample groups, except one group put into Chok-Samni(ST36) with 20% Rubi Fructus infusion solution treatment group that showed same number of the control group. 2) S-180 cancer cell line transplants in BALB/c mice showed high MST significantly in almost sample groups, compared with control group. But one group put into Chok-Samni(ST36) with 20% Rubi Fructus infusion solution showed low MST than control group. 3) The group injected in vein with B16-F10 cancer cell line in C57BL/6 mice showed increased ILS than control group significantly in anti-metastasis test. 3. Effects of Immune response improvement 1) The group injected in vein with B16-F10 cancer cell line in C57BL/6 mice were increased significantly in the number of leukocyte and glucose, and decreased significantly in the amount of platelet and LDH, compared with control group. However, there's no significant increase or decrease in number of erythrocyte, total protein and creatinine. 2) We couldn't find any significant relation in spleen weight of the sample group. 3) In pulmonary colony, sample group was decreased significantly, compared with control group. 4) Histological analysis of sample group inhivited compared with that of control group in both of lung and liver. 5) In immune system, all the sample groups showed having more relevancy to the effect on splenic cell proliferation than normal group. 6) Cytokine gene increased in almost sample groups, except one group treated with $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ Rubi Fructus infusion solution on IL-12. 7) In flow cytometry there's no significant relation in number of $CD8^+$ cell, however, the number of $CD4^+$, $CD19^+$ cell and NK cell in sample group had more relation than in control group. Above the results showed that aqua-acupuncture of Rubi Fructus solution has effects of anti-cancer, and-metastasis and immune response improvement.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.251-286
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• 2000

To study the effects of anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immune response improvement of aqua-acupuncture with Cistanches Herba infusion solution, we used Cistanches Herba infusion solution(taken by water-alcohol method) put into Chung-wan(CV12) and Chok-Samni(S36) of BALB/c or C57BL/6 which are corresponding to human body. We observed the cytotoxicity, the effect on the expression of MMP-9 gene, the ability to control cancer cell proliferation, change of body weight, surviving number, MST, ILS, changes in amount of WBC, RBC, PLT, total protein, creatinine, glucose and LDH, weight of spleen, number of pulmonary colony, histological analysis on tissue metastasis of lung and liver, splenic cell proliferation, the expression of cytokine gene, the number of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD19^+$ and NK cell, and concluded like this. The results were obtained as follows : 1. The cytotoxicity about B16-F10 cell line of $2^0$, $2^{-1}$, $2^{-2}$, $2^{-5}$ diluent groups in Cistanches Herba infusion solution treatment was inhibited significantly, compared with control group. 2. The cytotoxicity about HT1080 cell line of $2^0$, $2^{-1}$, $2^{-2}$, $2^{-3}$, $2^{-5}$, $2^{-8}$ diluent groups in Cistanches Herba infusion solution treatment was inhibited significantly, compared with control group. 3. The effect on expression of MMP-9 gene was decreased in all the sample groups, compared with control group. 4. The effect on the control-ability on the cancer cell proliferation showed cytotooicity significantly in $2^0$, $2^{-1}$, $2^{-2}$, $2^{-3}$, $2^{-4}$, $2^{-5}$ diluent groups. 5. S-180 cancer cell line transplants in BALB/c mice were inhibited significantly in weight increase in all the sample groups, compared with control group. The surviving number increased in almost sample groups, except one group put into Chok-Samni(S36) with 20% Cistanches Herba infusion solution treatment group that showed same number of the control group. 6. S-180 cancer cell line transplants in BALB/c mice showed high MST and ILS significantly in almost sample groups, compared with control group. But one group put into Chok-Samni(S36) with 20% Cistanches Herba infusion solution treatment group showed low MST and ILS than control group. 7. The sample group injected in vein with B16-F10 cancer cell line in C57BL/6 mice showed increased ILS compared with control group significantly in anti-metastasis test. 8. The sample group injected in vein with B16-F10 cancer cell line in C57BL/6 mice were increased significantly in the number of WBC and glucose, and decreased significantly in the amount of LDH, compared with control group. However, there's no significant increase or decrease in number of RBC, PLT, total protein and creatinine. 9. We couldn't find any significant relation in spleen weight of the sample group. 10. In pulmonary colony, sample group was decreased significantly, compared with control group. 11. Histological analysis of sample group inhivited compared with that of control group in both of lung and liver. 12. In immune system, all the sample groups showed having more relevancy to the effect on splenic cell proliferation than normal group. 13. The effect on cytokine gene expression of all the sample groups were increased than control group. 14. In flow cytometry there's no significant relation in number of $CD8^+$, $CD19^+$ cell, however, the number of $CD4^+$ cell and NK cell in sample groups were increased than in control group. Above the results showed that aqua-acupuncture of Cistanches Herba infusion solution has effects of anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immune response improvement.