• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.142-152
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• 2023

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mediates the cellular antioxidant response, allowing adaptation and survival under conditions of oxidative, electrophilic and inflammatory stress, and has a role in metabolism, inflammation and immunity. Activation of Nrf2 provides broad and long-lasting cytoprotection, and is often hijacked by cancer cells, allowing their survival under unfavorable conditions. Moreover, Nrf2 activation in established human tumors is associated with resistance to chemo-, radio-, and immunotherapies. In addition to cancer cells, Nrf2 activation can also occur in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and facilitate an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Several cancer cell-derived metabolites, such as itaconate, L-kynurenine, lactic acid and hyaluronic acid, play an important role in modulating the TIME and tumor-TAMs crosstalk, and have been shown to activate Nrf2. The effects of Nrf2 in TIME are context-depended, and involve multiple mechanisms, including suppression of proinflammatory cytokines, increased expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and kynureninase, accelerated catabolism of cytotoxic labile heme, and facilitating the metabolic adaptation of TAMs. This understanding presents both challenges and opportunities for strategic targeting of Nrf2 in cancer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigates the alterations in A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells exposed to Citrus junos extract (CJE). We further examine the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of CJE on NSCLC cells. Methods: Inhibition of proliferation was examined by applying the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay on CJE-treated A549 NSCLC cells. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was performed to measure the degree of toxicity of CJE on NSCLC cells. The effect on migratory proliferation was confirmed using the scratch wound healing assay. The antiproliferative effect of the CJE on human lung cancer cells was verified through morphological observation, fluorescence microscopy, and caspase-3 colorimetry. Results: Exposure of NSCLC cells to CJE resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell activity and increased toxicity to the cells. In addition, microscopic observation revealed a reduced ability of the cancer cells to migrate and proliferate after exposure to the CJE, with simultaneous morphological apoptotic changes. Fluorescence staining and microscopic examination revealed that this death was a process of self-programmed cell death of NSCLC cells. Compared to unexposed NSCLC cells, the expression of caspase-3 was significantly increased in cells exposed to CJE. Conclusion: Exposure of A549 human NSCLC cells to CJE inhibits the proliferation, increases the cytotoxicity, and decreases the ability of cells to migrate and grow. Moreover, the expression of caspase-3 increases after CJE treatment, suggesting that the apoptosis of NSCLC cells is induced by a chain reaction initiated by caspase-3. These results indicate that Citrus junos is a potential therapeutic agent for human non-small-cell lung cancer.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2018

N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) and N-nitroso-N-ethylurea (NEU), direct alkylating chemical mutagens and carcinogens, are shown to be the upregulators of cellular $NF-{\kappa}B$, regulating various genes that mediate tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO), a toxic reactive radical gas, has been known to induce programmed cell death or apoptosis in various cells. Therefore, the assessment of NO production was examined to elucidate the possible contribution of NO release to the chemical carcinogenic potency of NMU and NEU in human skin cells. NMU and NEU did not alter the NO production, but they caused a significant downregulation of the NO generation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production at concentrations ranging from $2{\sim}5{\mu}M$. The degree of downregulation of NO by NMU and NEU decreased up to 15% and 20%, respectively, compared to the control. These results demonstrate that the LPS-inducible keratinocytes NO synthase is involved in modulating carcinogenic potency by NMU and NEU, and the regulation of the cellular $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity by NMU and NEU is negatively correlated with the level of LPS-induced NO production in human skin cells. The findings of this study suggest the hypothesis that NMU and NEU-induced carcinogenesis may be associated with the downregulation of NO production, and the inducible NO may play an important role in NMU and NEU-induced carcinogenicity in human epidermal keratinocytes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2002

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a genetically regulated pathway that is altered in many cancers. Overexpression of bcl-2 leads to resistance to apoptosis and promotes tumorigenesis. To determine the effect of bcl-2 antisense treatment in human lung cancer cell lines, a 20 mer full phosphorothioate oligonucleotide (ODN) targeted at the coding region of the bcl-2 mRNA was synthesized. Western blot analyses were used to examine bcl-2 protein level in five human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (NCI-H226, SK-MES-1 NCI-H358, NCI-H522 and NCI-Hl 299) and four human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines (NCI-H69, NCI-H4l7, HCC-2108 and SW2). Three out of five NSCLC (NCI-H226, SK-MES-1 and NCI-Hl 299) and all of SCLC cell lines expressed Bcl-2 protein. Treatment of these cell with antisense ODN for 48 hours reduced their viability and Bcl-2 protein level. As a conclusion, bcl-2 antisense treatment appears reduction of the Bcl-2 protein levels and cytotoxic effect including apoptosis in human lung cancer cell lines.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2019

Hyperlipidemia is defined as conditions of the accumulation of lipids such as free fatty acids (FFA), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol and/or phospholipid in the bloodstream. Hyperlipidemia can cause lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissue, which is lipid-cytotoxic effects in many tissues and mediates cell dysfunction, inflammation or programmed cell death (PCD). TG is considered to be a major cause of atherosclerosis through inflammatory necrosis of vascular endothelial cells. Recently, TG have also been shown to exhibit lipid-cytotoxicity and induce PCD. Therefore, we investigated the effect of TG on the cytotoxic effect of various cell types. When exposed to TG, the cell viability of U937 monocytes and Jurkat T lymphocytes, as well as the cell viability of MCF-7, a non-immune cell, decreased in time- and dose-dependent manner. In U937 cells and Jurkat cells, caspase-9, an intrinsic apoptotic caspase, and caspase-8, an extrinsic apoptotic caspase, were increased by exposure to TG. However, in TG-treated MCF-7 cells, caspase-8 activity increased only without caspase-9 activity. In addition, the reduction of cell viability by TG was recovered when all three cell lines were treated with pan-caspase inhibitor. These results suggest that activation of apoptotic caspases by TG causes lipotoxic effect and decreases cell viability.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

In reproduction, mitochondria produce bioenergy, help to synthesize biomolecules, and support the ovaries, oogenesis, and preimplantation embryos, thereby facilitating healthy live births. However, the regulatory mechanism of mitochondria in oocytes and embryos during oogenesis and embryo development has not been clearly elucidated. The functional activity of mitochondria is crucial for determining the quality of oocytes and embryos; therefore, the underlying mechanism must be better understood. In this review, we summarize the specific role of mitochondria in reproduction in oocytes and embryos. We also briefly discuss the recovery of mitochondrial function in gametes and zygotes. First, we introduce the general characteristics of mitochondria in cells, including their roles in adenosine triphosphate and reactive oxygen species production, calcium homeostasis, and programmed cell death. Second, we present the unique characteristics of mitochondria in female reproduction, covering the bottleneck theory, mitochondrial shape, and mitochondrial metabolic pathways during oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ovarian aging, a diminished ovarian reserve, a poor ovarian response, and several reproduction problems in gametes and zygotes, such as aneuploidy and genetic disorders. Finally, we briefly describe which factors are involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and how mitochondrial function can be recovered in reproduction. We hope to provide a new viewpoint regarding factors that can overcome mitochondrial dysfunction in the field of reproductive medicine.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.25.1-25.8
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• 2013

Homoeopathically prepared Condurango 30C is traditionally used in amelioration of certain types of cancer by homeopathic practitioners. In this study, ability of Condurango 30C in amelioration of the conventional benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung cancer in rat has been tested. After one month of scheduled oral feeding of BaP, lung cancer is routinely developed after four months in rats. Tumorbearing rats were then treated with Condurango 30C for the next one ($5^{th}$), two ($6^{th}$) and three ($7^{th}$) months, respectively, and sacrificed. Efficacy of post-cancer treatment by Condurango 30C was evaluated against controls (placebo) by different study parameters like: body and lung weights, number and diameter of lung tumour nodules, lung architecture, DNA damage, anti-oxidant activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Administration of this homeopathic remedy caused increase of body weight and decrease of lung weight, decrease in number and diameter of lung tumour nodules, particularly after one and two months of drug treatment. BaP intoxication significantly increased lipid peroxidase (LPO) with concomitant decrease in activities of different antioxidants, while Condurango 30C administration certainly reduce their levels than normal and cancerous groups, notably after one and two months' of drug treatment. Condurango 30C showed capability to induce ROS-mediated cell death evidenced from the study of ROS activities at different time-points. Further, the remedy possibly achieved its anticancer goal through mediation of DNA-nicks that possibly led cancer cells to the apoptotic pathway. Thus, Condurango 30C has anticancer potential in BaP-induced lung cancer of rats via tissue damage recovery and ROS-mediated programmed cell death.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.77-91
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• 2006

Purpose : To address the ability of Dohaekseungkitang (DST: a commonly used herb formulation in Korea, Japan and China to have anti-cancer effect on cervical carcinoma), we investigated the effects of DST on programmed cell death (apoptosis) in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Methods : We cultured HeLa cell which is human metrocarcinoma cell in D-MEM included 10% fetal bovine serum(Hyclone Laboratories) below $37^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2. Then we observed apoptosis of log phage cell which is changed cultivation liquid 24 Hours periodically. Results : After the treatment of DST for 48 hours, apoptosis occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we have shown that DST induces calpain and the associated caspase-8 and -9 activations. Apoptosis was prevented by pre-incubation of the cells with the calcium cHeLator-BAPTA-AM, calcium channel blocker-Nif edipine or Ryonidine agonist-Ryonidine peptide, implicating calcium in the apoptotic process. Ubiquitous calpains (mu- and m-calpain) have been repeatedly implicated in apoptosis, especially in calcium-related apoptosis. However this study showed 1hat either calpain inhibitor-calpastin or caspase-3 inhibitor-DEVD- did not blocked the herb formulation-induced apoptosis in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. D ST initiates a cell death pathway that is partially dependent of caspases. DST-induced apoptosis requires caspase-independent mechanism. Conclusion : We conclude that DST-induced calpain activation triggers the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in which caspase-independent mechanism is also involved.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.63-63
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• 2020

Rice stripe virus (RSV) disease is one of the major constraints in rice production, transmitted by the small brown planthopper (SBPH; Laodelphax striatellus). Upon RSV infection, plants develop typical symptoms, which include chlorosis and weakness of newly emerged leaves, white and yellow spots, stripe on leaves, and necrotic and wilting leaves, resulting in plant growth inhibition, oxidative damage that may culminate in programmed cell death (PCD) and plant death in severe epidemics. Although RSV-resistant quantitative trait loci (QTLs), Stv-a, Stv-b, and Stv-bi, were mapped using various resistant varieties, one RSV-resistant gene, OsSOT1, has been identified so far. In this study, we used the rice cultivar Zenith, known to carry Stv-b, to investigate novel RSV-genes through fine mapping. Therefore, we crossed Zenith (Donor parent, RSV resistant) with Ilpum (Recurrent parent, RSV susceptible) to fine-map using a BC₂F₂ population of 2100 plants. Chromosome segment introgression lines that were heterozygous at a different region were selected, two types of heterozygous lines showed an heterozygous genotype between Sid2 and Sid75 to Indel9 and RM6680. Interestingly, we identified qSTV11^Z region harboring Stv-b, covering about 171-kb region between the InDel markers Sid75 and Indel8. The localization of qSTV11^Z provides useful information that could be used for marker-assisted selection and determination of genetic resources in rice breeding.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.267-280
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• 2024

Apoptosis, programmed cell death pathway, is a vital physiological mechanism that ensures cellular homeostasis and overall cellular well-being. In the context of cancer, where evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark, the overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 has been documented. Consequently, these proteins have emerged as promising targets for therapeutic interventions. The BCL-2 protein family is central to apoptosis and plays a significant importance in determining cellular fate serving as a critical determinant in this biological process. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of the BCL-2 protein family, emphasizing its dual nature. Specifically, certain members of this family promote cell survival (known as anti-apoptotic proteins), while others are involved in facilitating cell death (referred to as pro-apoptotic and BH3-only proteins). The potential of directly targeting these proteins is examined, particularly due to their involvement in conferring resistance to traditional cancer therapies. The effectiveness of such targeting strategies is also discussed, considering the tumor's propensity for anti-apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, the review highlights emerging research on combination therapies, where BCL-2 inhibitors are used synergistically with other treatments to enhance therapeutic outcomes. By understanding and manipulating the BCL-2 family and its associated pathways, we open doors to innovative and more effective cancer treatments, offering hope for resistant and aggressive cases.