• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.775-780
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• 2014

Objectives: TCR-gamma-delta+T cells (${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells) are non-conventional T lymphocytes that can recognize and eradicate tumor cells. Our previous studies showed that infiltration and function of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells were substantially attenuated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, their prognostic value was not clarified. Methods: The association between ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells and the clinical outcomes was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a HCC patient cohort (n = 342). Results:Immunohistochemistry showed decreased infiltration of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in tumoral tissues compared with paired peritumoral tissues. The counts of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in peritumoral tissues were negatively correlated with tumor size (P = 0.005). Survival analysis showed that the levels of peritumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$T cells were related to both time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.010 and P = 0.036, respectively) in univariate analysis, and related to TTR in multivariate analysis (P = 0.014, H.R. [95% CI] = 0.682 [0.502-0.927]). Furthermore, the level of peritumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells showed independent prognostic value for TTR in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A patients (P = 0.038, H.R. [95% CI] = 0.727 [0.537-0.984]). However, tumoral ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells did not show independent prognostic value for either TTR or OS in HCC patients. Conclusions: Low counts of ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells in peritumoral liver tissue are related to a higher incidence of recurrence in HCC and can predict postoperative recurrence, especially in those with early-stage HCC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.569-579
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• 2021

Cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2) has been addressed as a candidate biomarker in various cancer types. Previously, we have shown that CAP2 is expressed during multi-step hepatocarcinogenesis; however, its underlying mechanisms in liver cancer cells are not fully elucidated yet. Here, we demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced CAP2 expression, and which promoted migration and invasion of liver cancer cells. We also found that the ER stress-induced CAP2 expression is mediated through activation of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) and the promotor binding of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). In addition, we further demonstrated that CAP2 expression promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through activation of Rac1 and ERK. In conclusion, we suggest that ER stress induces CAP2 expression promoting EMT in liver cancer cells. Our results shed light on the novel functions of CAP2 in the metastatic process of liver cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2010

The molecule possessing ankyrin-repeats induced by lipopolysaccharide (MAIL) protein is a novel member of the $Ikappa{\beta}$ family. In the present study, we examined the effect of norepinephrine (NE) on MAIL mRNA expression in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells. MAIL mRNA expression in hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells was not directly influenced by NE. However, MAIL mRNA expression in hepatocytes was significantly induced by incubation with a culture medium of non-parenchymal liver cells, treated with NE. Pretreatment with an interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist significantly attenuated the stimulatory effect of the medium. Moreover, exogenous $IL-1{\beta}$ induced MAIL mRNA expression in hepatocytes, while IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ did not. The concentration of $IL-1{\beta}$ in the medium of non-parenchymal liver cells was significantly increased after NE-treatment. These results suggest that NE can induce MAIL mRNA expression in hepatocytes through $IL-1{\beta}$, released from non-parenchymal liver cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-oxidative effect of Yongyukjowi-tang (YJT) distillate on liver and spleen cells of aged rats. This experiment was performed using liver and spleen cells of 10w, 52w, 72w old SD rats. The cells were divided into three groups; DW, Vit.C, and YJT groups, which were treated with distilled water, vitamin C, and YJT distillate respectively, and the levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. SOD level in liver and spleen cells of 10w old rats was significantly increased in YJT group compared to DW group. MDA level in liver cells of 72w old rats was significantly decreased in YJT group compared to DW group. Yongyukjowi-tang distillate showed an anti-oxidative effect on liver and spleen cells of aged rats.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Liver organoids have gained much attention in recent years for their potential applications to liver disease modeling and pharmacologic drug screening. Liver organoids produced in vitro reflect some aspects of the in vivo physiological and pathological conditions of the liver. However, the generation of liver organoids with perfusable luminal vasculature remains a major challenge, hindering precise and effective modeling of liver diseases. Furthermore, vascularization is required for large organoids or assembloids to closely mimic the complexity of tissue architecture without cell death in the core region. A few studies have successfully generated liver organoids with endothelial cell networks, but most of these vascular networks produced luminal structures after being transplanted into tissues of host animals. Therefore, formation of luminal vasculature is an unmet need to overcome the limitation of liver organoids as an in vitro model investigating different acute and chronic liver diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the unique features of hepatic vasculature under pathophysiological conditions and summarize the biochemical and biophysical cues that drive vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro. We also highlight recent progress in generating vascularized liver organoids in vitro and discuss potential strategies that may enable the generation of perfusable luminal vasculature in liver organoids.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.527-534
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• 2023

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the main cause of organ dysfunction and failure after liver surgeries including organ transplantation. The mechanism of liver IRI is complex and numerous signals are involved but cellular metabolic disturbances, oxidative stress, and inflammation are considered the major contributors to liver IRI. In addition, the activation of inflammatory signals exacerbates liver IRI by recruiting macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils, and activating NK cells, NKT cells, and cytotoxic T cells. Technological advances enable us to understand the role of specific immune cells during liver IRI. Accordingly, therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat liver IRI have been proposed but no definitive and effective therapies exist yet. This review summarizes the current update on the immune cell functions and discusses therapeutic potentials in liver IRI. A better understanding of this complex and highly dynamic process may allow for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches and optimize patient outcomes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was purposed to the anti-oxidative effects of Polygonati Multiflori Caulis(henceforth PMC) on oxidized brain and liver cells in rats. Methods : After extraction of PMC with water, the water extract was divided into five fractions : hexane, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate, butanol and an aqueous fraction. The phenol contents of each fraction were measured. The lipid peroxidation inhibition effect were then investigated. Results : After processing PCM water and PCM fractionations on oxidized brain cells in rats, the SOD (super oxide dismutase) activity and glutathione content were increased, and the NO (nitric oxide) content was decreased. It had much higher SOD activity than liver cells in rats excluded in the n-BuOH and aqueous fractions. In case of oxidized liver cells in rats, the SOD activity and glutathione content increased, while both the NO content and the MDA (malondialdehyde) content decreased. It had much higher glutathione content than brain cells in rats in the every fractions. It had much lower MDA content than brain cells in rats in the Aqueous fractions and brain cells in rats had much lower MDA content than liver cells in rats in the total extract, n-hexane, EtOEt, EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions. Conclusions : PMC has anti-oxidative effect on oxidized liver cells and brain cells in rats, through there are differences in fraction. Additionally, Anti-oxidative effect of brain cells can be relaxed the mental nerve and it is related PMC effect.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.327-332
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• 2011

It has been shown that some opium derivatives promote cell death via apoptosis. This study was designed to examine the influence of opium addiction on brain and liver cells apoptosis in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats. This experimental study was performed on normal, opium-addicted, diabetic and diabetic opium-addicted male and female rats. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL and DNA fragmentation assays. Results of this study showed that apoptosis in opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted brain and liver cells were significantly higher than the both normal and diabetic rats. In addition, we found that apoptosis in brain cells of opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted male rats were significantly higher than opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted female, whereas apoptosis in liver cells of opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted female rats were significantly higher than opium-addicted and diabetic opium-addicted male. Overall, these results indicate that opium probably plays an important role in brain and liver cells apoptosis, therefore, leading neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. These findings also in away possibly means that male brain cells are more susceptible than female and interestingly liver of females are more sensitive than males in induction of apoptosis by opium.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.386-393
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• 1998

The study was performed to investigate the histological findings and the appearances of positive cells by immunohistochemical methods using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody and apoptotic kit in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) -induced rat liver cancer model. Forty four male rats (Sprague Dawley), initially 5 to 6 weeks of age and 120 to 150gm in body weight were continuously were given with water containing 0.01% DEN for 13 weeks and 3~6 rats per week were randomly sacrified at intervals of a week from 8 weeks to 17 weeks. The interlobular connective tissues in the rat livers were proliferated at early 8 weeks. The vaccuolated or fatty degenerated liver cells were focally distributed and then widely distributed with the passage of weeks and the liver cells with large vacuoles tended to be crowded in focal areas, and the liver cells in some lobules were transformed into small or eosinophilic polyhedral large cells. The hepatocellular carcinoma and the cholangiocarcinoma were simultaneously developed in same liver and tended to be markedly developed after 12 weeks but the development of carcinoma in some livers at same week were less or more advanced as 3~5 week intervals. The regions with more number of positive cells by PCNA antibody or apoptotic kits in livers were ranked as following order ; small hepatocellular carcinoma regions, cholangiocarcinoma regions, trabecular or acinar type carcinoma regions, and large liver cell regions. The numbers of the positive cells by PCNA antibody were more numerous than those by apoptotic kit. So these findings suggested that the volumes and weights of the livers were increasing by more many proliferating of carcinoma cells on the above ordered regions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.342-351
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• 2021

Liver colonization is initiated through the interplay between tumor cells and adhesion molecules present in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). This crosstalk stimulates tumor COX-2 upregulation and PGE2 secretion. To elucidate the role of the LSEC intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the prometastatic response exerted by tumor and stromal COX-2, we utilized celecoxib (CLX) as a COX-2 inhibitory agent. We analyzed the in vitro proliferative and secretory responses of murine C26 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), cultured alone or with LSECs, and their effect on LSEC and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) migration and in vivo liver metastasis. CLX reduced sICAM-1-stimulated COX-2 activation and PGE2 secretion in C26 cells cultured alone or cocultured with LSECs. Moreover, CLX abrogated sICAM-1-induced C26 cell proliferation and C26 secretion of promigratory factors for LSECs and HSCs. Interestingly, CLX reduced the protumoral response of HSC, reducing their migratory potential when stimulated with C26 secretomes and impairing their secretion of chemotactic factors for LSECs and C26 cells and proliferative factors for C26 cells. In vivo, CLX abrogated the prometastatic ability of sICAM-1-activated C26 cells while reducing liver metastasis. COX-2 inhibition blocked the creation of a favorable tumor microenvironment (TME) by hindering the intratumoral recruitment of activated HSCs and macrophages in addition to the accumulation of fibrillar collagen. These results point to COX-2 being a key modulator of processes initiated by host ICAM-1 during tumor cell/LSEC/HSC crosstalk, leading to the creation of a prometastatic TME in the liver.