• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.52-65
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the origins of myofibroblasts in renal interstitial fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alleviating EMT has been proved, but the concrete mechanism is unclear. To explore the mechanism, serum-free MSCs conditioned medium (SF-MSCs-CM) was used to treat rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) which ameliorated EMT. Methods and Results: Galectin-3 knockdown (Gal-3 KD) and overexpression (Gal-3 OE) lentiviral vectors were established and transfected into NRK-52E. NRK-52E fibrosis model was induced by TGF-β1 and treated with the SF-MSCs-CM for 24 h after modelling. Fibrosis and autophagy related indexes were detected by western blot and immunocytochemistry. In model group, the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), Galectin-3, Snail, Kim-1, and the ratios of P-Akt/Akt, P-GSK3β/GSK3β, P-PI3K/PI3K, P-mTOR/mTOR, TIMP1/MMP9, and LC3B-II/I were obviously increased, and E-Cadherin (E-cad) and P62 decreased significantly compared with control group. SF-MSCs-CM showed an opposite trend after treatment compared with model group. Whether in Gal-3 KD or Gal-3 OE NRK-52E cells, SF-MSCs-CM also showed similar trends. However, the effects of anti-fibrosis and enhanced autophagy in Gal-3 KD cells were more obvious than those in Gal-3 OE cells. Conclusions: SF-MSCs-CM probably alleviated the EMT via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail pathway. Meanwhile, Gal-3 KD possibly enhanced autophagy via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/mTOR pathway, which synergistically ameliorated renal fibrosis. Targeting galectin-3 may be a potential target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.421-429
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• 2022

본 연구에서는 죽상경화 플락에서 발견되는 펩티도글리칸이 혈관염증에서 어떠한 역할을 하는지 알아보기 위하여 염증성 사이토카인의 한 종류인 인터루킨-1 알파의 발현에 대한 영향을 조사하였다. 실험방법으로는 혈관염증을 주도하는 단핵구/대식세포인 THP-1 세포주에 펩티도글리칸을 처리하고 인터루킨-1 알파의 발현을 RT-PCR, real-time PCR, ELISA 방법으로 분석하였다. 펩티도글리칸의 처리 시간과 농도에 비례하여 단핵구/대식세포에서 인터루킨-1 알파의 전사체와 단백질 분비가 증가함을 관찰하였다. 또한 펩티도글리칸의 작용기전을 규명하기 위하여 신호전달을 차단하는 억제제를 세포에 처리하고 인터루킨-1 알파의 발현을 조사하였다. TLR2/4의 억제제인 OxPAPC 그리고 세포 kinase의 작용을 억제하는 LY294002(PI3 kinase 억제), Akti IV (Akt 억제), rapamycin (mTOR 억제), U0126 (MEK 억제), SB202190 (p38 MAPK 억제), SP6001250 (JNK 억제), DPI (NOX 억제)를 처리하는 경우 인터루킨-1 알파 전사체의 발현 그리고 단백질의 분비가 감소되었다. 반면에 LPS의 작용을 억제하는 polymyxin B는 인터루킨-1 알파의 발현에 영향을 주지 않았다. 이상의 결과는, 펩티도글리칸이 TLR2, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, MAPKs를 통하여 단핵구/대식세포의 인터루킨-1 알파 발현을 증가시키고 혈관염증에 기여한다는 것을 나타낸다.

• 한국광물학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.65-72
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• 2000

미생물을 이용한 광물 합성은 현재 초기 연구단계에 있으나 신소재 개발측면에서 다야한 활용성을 보인다. 본 연구의 목적은 철환원 박테리아를 이용한 자철석 합성에 있어 미치는 환경조건들을 알아보는데 있다. 본 연구를 위해 지하 3-km 코아 시료에서 분리한 호열성 철 환원 박테리아인 TOR-39을 이용하였다. TOR-39은 $65^{\circ}C$에서 12시간이내에 비정질 철수화물을 환원시켜 자철석을 형성한다. 25일 동안 배양하여 형성된 자철석은 정육각형 모양으로 입자 크기는 50-100 나노미터이다. TOR-39을 이용한 자철석 합성시 적절한 조건은 pH는 7.9-8.5, Eh는 -200 mV 이하, 배양기간은 3-25일 그리고 온도는 $45-75^{\circ}C$이다. 미생물에 의한 자철석 합성은 나노미터 크기의 광물을 직접 합성하므로, 산업적으로 많은 이용 가치를 가질 것으로 본다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권11호
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• pp.837-846
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• 2017

As a component of the neurovascular unit, cerebral smooth muscle cells (CSMCs) are an important mediator in the development of cerebral vascular diseases such as stroke. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are the products of arachidonic acid catalyzed by cytochrome P450 epoxygenase. EETs are shown to exert neuroprotective effects. In this article, the role of EET in the growth and apoptosis of CSMCs and the underlying mechanisms under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions were addressed. The viability of CMSCs was decreased significantly in the OGD group, while different subtypes of EETs, especially 14,15-EET, could increase the viability of CSMCs under OGD conditions. RAPA (serine/threonine kinase Mammalian Target of Rapamycin), a specific mTOR inhibitor, could elevate the level of oxygen free radicals in CSMCs as well as the anti-apoptotic effects of 14,15-EET under OGD conditions. However, SP600125, a specific JNK (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase) pathway inhibitor, could attenuate oxygen free radicals levels in CSMCs as well as the anti-apoptotic effects of 14,15-EET under OGD conditions. These results strongly suggest that EETs exert protective functions during the growth and apoptosis of CSMCs, via the JNK/c-Jun and mTOR signaling pathways in vitro. We are the first to disclose the beneficial roles and underlying mechanism of 14,15-EET in CSMC under OGD conditions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권11호
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• pp.675-687
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• 2023

Accumulation of pathogenic amyloid-β disrupts the tight junction of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), one of its senescence-like structural alterations. In the clearance of amyloid-β, the autophagy-lysosome pathway plays the crucial role. In this context, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibits the process of autophagy and lysosomal degradation, acting as a potential therapeutic target for age-associated disorders. However, efficacy of targeting mTOR to treat age-related macular degeneration remains largely elusive. Here, we validated the therapeutic efficacy of the mTOR inhibitors, Torin and PP242, in clearing amyloid-β by inducing the autophagy-lysosome pathway in a mouse model with pathogenic amyloid-β with tight junction disruption of RPE, which is evident in dry age-related macular degeneration. High concentration of amyloid-β oligomers induced autophagy-lysosome pathway impairment accompanied by the accumulation of p62 and decreased lysosomal activity in RPE cells. However, Torin and PP242 treatment restored the lysosomal activity via activation of LAMP2 and facilitated the clearance of amyloid-β in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, clearance of amyloid-β by Torin and PP242 ameliorated the tight junction disruption of RPE in vivo. Overall, our findings suggest mTOR inhibition as a new therapeutic strategy for the restoration of tight junctions in age-related macular degeneration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.635-647
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• 2014

Unfertilized oocytes age inevitably after ovulation, which limits their fertilizable life span and embryonic development. Rapamycin affects mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expression and cytoskeleton reorganization during oocyte meiotic maturation. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of rapamycin treatment on aged porcine oocytes and their in vitro development. Rapamycin treatment of aged oocytes for 24 h (68 h in vitro maturation [IVM]; $44h+10{\mu}M$ rapamycin/24 h, $47.52{\pm}5.68$) or control oocytes (44 h IVM; $42.14{\pm}4.40$) significantly increased the development rate and total cell number compared with untreated aged oocytes (68 h IVM, $22.04{\pm}5.68$) (p<0.05). Rapamycin treatment of aged IVM oocytes for 24 h also rescued aberrant spindle organization and chromosomal misalignment, blocked the decrease in the level of phosphorylated-p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and increased the mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (MOS, BMP15, GDF9, and CCNB1) compared with untreated, 24 h-aged IVM oocytes (p<0.05). Furthermore, rapamycin treatment of aged oocytes decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity and DNA fragmentation (p<0.05), and downregulated the mRNA expression of mTOR compared with control or untreated aged oocytes. By contrast, rapamycin treatment of aged oocytes increased mitochondrial localization (p<0.05) and upregulated the mRNA expression of autophagy (BECN1, ATG7, MAP1LC3B, ATG12, GABARAP, and GABARAPL1), anti-apoptosis (BCL2L1 and BIRC5; p<0.05), and development (NANOG and SOX2; p<0.05) genes, but it did not affect the mRNA expression of pro-apoptosis genes (FAS and CASP3) compared with the control. This study demonstrates that rapamycin treatment can rescue the poor developmental capacity of aged porcine oocytes.

• 생약학회지
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

The skin is an important barrier that protects the body from harmful environments such as UV rays. When the skin is repeatedly stimulated, such as UV rays, ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines are overproduced. As a result, the proteins and nucleic acids that make up the skin are damaged, and aging occurs. Esculetin is known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and UV-induced MMP-1 inhibitory effects. However, the inhibitory effect of MMP-1 on TNF-α-induced fibroblasts is not known. Therefore, in this study, the MMP-1 inhibitory effect of esculetin was confirmed in TNF-α-induced fibroblasts. As a result of confirming the cytotoxicity of esculetin in Hs68 cells by MTT assay, there was no significant toxicity up to 200 µM. As a result of real-time PCR and ELISA, it was confirmed that esculetin inhibited the expression of MMP-1. Esculetin did not inhibit MAPK (ERK, JNK, p38) phosphorylation, but inhibited phosphorylation of the mTOR-p70S6k signaling pathway. In addition, it was confirmed that the phosphorylation of the transcription factor NF-κB was inhibited. These results suggest that esculetin has potential as an anti-aging material.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권11호
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• pp.1331-1337
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• 2015

S-allylcysteine (SAC)은 숙성된 마늘로부터 유래된 수용성 유기황화합물로서, 여러 유형의 암세포에 대한 항암효과를 갖는 것으로 제시되어왔다. 본 논문은 in vitro 및 in vivo 연구결과에 기초하여 SAC가 세포증식, 세포사멸, 세포주기 및 전이에 미치는 세포신호전달경로와 분자적 메커니즘을 정리하였다. SAC는 Bax와 caspase-3을 포함하는 세포사멸촉진 단백질을 활성화하고 Bcl-2 세포사멸억제 단백질군을 억제하여 미토콘드리아-매개 내인성 경로를 통한 세포사멸을 초래 한다. SAC는 또한 PI3K/Akt/mTOR 및 MAPK/ERK 신호전달경로를 억제하여 NF-κB, cyclins, Cdks, PCNA 및 c-Jun의 발현과 활성을 감소시키고, 세포주기 억제단백질인 p16 및 p21의 발현을 증가시킴으로써 세포주기 억제를 유도하여 세포증식을 억제한다. 뿐만 아니라, SAC는 glutathione-s-transferase (GST)와 같은 항산화효소의 활성을 유도하여 독성물질에 의해 유도된 발암작용을 방지한다. 그리고, SAC는 MAPK/ERK 및 PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB 신호경로의 억제를 통한 전사억제조절인자 Id-1 및 SLUG의 발현억제를 통하여 초래된 COX-2의 발현감소와 E-cadherin의 발현증가에 의해 신생혈관생성과 MET의 억제를 유도함으로써 암세포의 침투와 전이를 억제한다. 따라서, SAC는 암의 예방과 치료를 위한 하나의 잠재적 화학요법제로 간주될 수 있다.

• 대한수학회보
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.11-24
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• 2013

Let m and n be fixed positive integers and M a right R-module. Recall that M is said to be ($m$, $n$)-injective if $Ext^1$(P, M) = 0 for any ($m$, $n$)-presented right R-module P; M is said to be ($m$, $n$)-flat if $Tor_1$(N, P) = 0 for any ($m$, $n$)-presented left R-module P. In terms of some derived functors, relative injective or relative flat resolutions and dimensions are investigated. As applications, some new characterizations of von Neumann regular rings and p.p. rings are given.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.387-397
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• 2016

본 연구는 17-DMAG이 골격근에서 autophagy에 관여하는 가를 조사하기 위해, C2C12세포와 마우스 골격근에서 17-DMAG (Hsp90 억제제/Hsp72 활성제)을 처치하는 그룹과 autophagy 억제제(Bafilomycin 또는 colchicine)를 처치하는 그룹과 처치하지 않는 그룹을 동시에 두고 autophagy flux를 측정하였다. C2C12 배양세포에서 17-DMAG이 Hsp90 억제/hsp72 활성화시켰으며 Akt-mTOR 신호체계를 유의하게 감소시켰지만(p<0.05) autophagy marker 단백질인 LC3 II와 p62를 증가시키지 않았다. in vivo 모델의 경우 17-DMAG 처치가 배양세포에서 발견된 것처럼 Hsp90억제/hsp72를 활성화시켰고 Akt-mTOR 신호체계를 유의하게 감소시켰다(p<0.05). 반면 LC3 II와 p62 단백질 수준은 autophagy 억제제(colchicine) 처치 수준보다 더 높게 증가되었다. 이는 17-DMAG이 골격근에서 autophagy를 증가시키지만 C2C12 배양세포에서는 autophagy의 활성화가 제한적임을 암시한다. 현재 이러한 in vitro와 in vivo 모델에서의 차이는 불분명하다.