• Molecules and Cells
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.175-181
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• 2007

The present study was undertaken to determine whether $SM22{\alpha}$ participates in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle contractility using $SM22{\alpha}$ knockout mice and, if so, to investigate the mechanisms involved. Aortic ring preparations were mounted and equilibrated in organ baths for 60 min before observing contractile responses to 50 mM KCl, and then exposed to contractile agents such as phenylephrine and phorbol ester. Measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular or cellular experiments. Interestingly, the aortas from $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice ($SM22^{-/-LacZ}$) displayed an almost three-fold increase in the level of $SM22{\beta}$ protein compared to wild-type mice, but no change in the levels of caldesmon, actin, desmin or calponin. $Ca^{2+}$-independent contraction in response to phenylephrine or phorbol ester was significantly decreased in the $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice, whereas in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ neither contraction nor subcellular translocation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in response to phenylephrine or 50 mM KCl was significantly affected. A decrease in phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was observed in the $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice and this may be related to the decreased vascular contractility. Taken together, this study provides evidence for a pivotal role of $SM22{\alpha}$ in the regulation of $Ca^{2+}$-independent vascular contractility.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.415-420
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• 2011

Diabetes is a well-known independent risk factor for vascular disease. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. It has been reported that increased influx of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) induces O-GlcNAcylation of proteins, leading to insulin resistance. In this study, we determined whether or not O-GlcNAc modification of proteins could increase vessel contraction. Using an endothelium-denuded aortic ring, we observed that glucosamine induced OGlcNAcylation of proteins and augmented vessel contraction stimulated by U46619, a thromboxane $A_2$ agonist, via augmentation of the phosphorylation of MLC20$MLC_{20}$, MYPT1(Thr855), and CPI17, but not phenylephrine. Pretreatment with OGT inhibitor significantly ameliorated glucosamine-induced vessel constriction. Glucosamine treatment also increased RhoA activity, which was also attenuated by OGT inhibitor. In conclusion, glucosamine, a product of glucose influx via the HBP in a diabetic state, increases vascular contraction, at least in part, through activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway, which may be due to O-GlcNAcylation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.11-21
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• 1996

This study has observed the development, structure and distribution of oil canals in mitsuba, seri, ashitaba and hamabohu, that are condiment herbs belonging to the Umbelliferae family, using a light microscope. Oil canals were found in the petioles, leaf blades, stems, roots, hypocotyls and cotyledons. Oil classified into distribution due to ring vascular bundles, as in mitsuba and seri, and distribution due to diffuse vascular bundles, as in ashitaba and hamabohu. Oil canal development in the cortex due to petiole thickening was followed by the development of collenchyma and vascular bundles. However, no vascular bundles were formed in some cases. Many oil canals were found in the periphery of the petioles. Oil canals in leaf blades were found on the adaxial and abaxial sides on the veins. Those around the main veins were larger. Steam oil canals were found in the cortex and pith in mitsuba and seri, and in the cortex and fundamental tissues around the xylem, in ashitaba and hamabohu, while those in the roots were found in the pericycle in mitsuba and seri, and in the collenchyma-like tissues and phloem in ashitaba and hamabohu. The transverse sections of oil canals were round or elliptical. The secretory cells in the cortex and pith were smaller than the neighboring parenchyma cells, while they were larger than the neighboring parenchyma cells in the phloem.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.208-213
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• 2006

Rat aortic ring preparations were mounted in organ baths, exposed to sodium cyanide $(0.01{\sim}1.0\;mM)$ for 10 min, and then subjected to contractile agents or relaxants such as acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside and isoproterenol. Presence of low concentration of sodium cyanide did not affect the contractile response to KCl or phenylephrine in the aortic rings with intact endothelium or endothelium denuded. Sodium nitroprusside but not acetylcholine or isoproterenol augmented phenylephrine-induced intact or denuded vascular contraction in the presence of low concentration of sodium cyanide. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence concerning the potentiating effect of sodium nitroprusside on the contraction induced by phenylephrine in rat aortic rings regardless of endothelial function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제51권5호
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• pp.360-362
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• 2018

Pulmonary artery sling is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, in which the left pulmonary artery originates from the right pulmonary artery and courses leftward between the trachea and the esophagus. Tetralogy of Fallot associated with pulmonary artery sling is even rarer, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of tetralogy of Fallot associated with pulmonary artery sling that was repaired successfully.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.320-326
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• 1985

Pulmonary sequestration occurs when some disturbance produces a cystic mass of nonfunctioning lung tissue which lacks normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree. Between 1971 and 1985, pulmonary sequestration was diagnosed in 11 patients, ranging age from 3 to 29 years. All sequestration were intralobar type. Definitive diagnosis can only be obtained by aortography and/or surgical exploration in 10 cases. The other one was confirmed by pathologic examination postoperatively. The presenting complaints were mostly recurrent local pulmonary infection, but in 2 cases mediastinal mass with respiratory symptoms was presented, and cardiac murmur was only finding in one case. Preoperative diagnostic procedure revealed 3 associated anomalies which were funnel chest, right aortic arch, and pulmonic stenosis with vascular ring. Operative treatment for sequestration was lobectomy in 10 cases, and a segmentectomy in one. There was no operative mortality, but 3 complications [empyema, B-P fistula, post-op bleeding] which were controlled by subsequent operations or conservative measure. Aortography is strongly advocated not only for its diagnostic value, but for its preoperative localization of the aberrant vessels that are the major concern to the surgeon.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 한국임상수의학회 2008년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.192-192
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• 2008

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.247-249
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• 2011

We report a case of pseudo-pseudoaneurysm, which is a very rare complication of myocardial infarction. A 69-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with chest tightness and dyspnea. He had undergone aortic valve replacement with a pericardial bioprosthetic valve, ring mitral annuloplasty, and reconstruction of an aortic annular defect due to infective endocarditis with bovine pericardium 4 years prior. Echocardiography and computed tomography showed pericardial effusion and a 16-mm cavity at the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested either pseudo-pseudoaneurysm or myocardial abscess. We successfully repaired the myocardial defect using a patch made from a vascular graft with pledgeted horizontal mattress sutures under cardiopulmonary bypass.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.241-248
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• 2020

Luminespib (AUY922), a heat shock proteins 90 inhibitor, has anti-neoplastic and antitumor effects. However, it is not clear whether AUY922 affects events in vascular diseases. We investigated the effects of AUY922 on the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). VSMC viability was detected using the XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reagent. To detect the attenuating effects of AUY922 on PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs migration in vitro, we performed the Boyden chamber and scratch wound healing assays. To identify AUY922-mediated changes in the signaling pathway, the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was analyzed by immunoblotting. The inhibitory effects of AUY922 on migration and proliferation ex vivo were tested using an aortic ring assay. AUY922 was not cytotoxic at concentrations up to 5 nM. PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation, migration, and sprout outgrowth were significantly decreased by AUY922 in a dose-dependent manner. AUY922 significantly reduced the PDGF-BB-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Furthermore, PD98059 (a selective ERK1/2 inhibitor) and LY294002 (a selective Akt inhibitor) decreased VSMC migration and proliferation by inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Greater attenuation of PDGF-BB-induced cell viability and migration was observed upon treatment with PD98059 or LY294002 in combination with AUY922. AUY922 showed anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects towards PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt. Thus, AUY922 is a candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.78-88
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• 2017

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis; therefore, it has become an important target in cancer therapy. Novel anticancer pharmaceutical products that have relatively few side effects or are non-cytotoxic must be developed, and such products may be obtained from traditional herbal medicines. Coptis chinensis Franch. is an herb used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and diabetes. However, potential antiangiogenic effects of C. chinensis water extract (CCFWE) have not yet been studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the antiangiogenic effect of CCFWE in order to evaluate its potential for an anticancer drug. We found that the treatment with CCFWE inhibited the major steps of the angiogenesis process, such as the endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and capillary-like tube formation in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and also resulted in the growth inhibition of new blood vessels in an ex vivo rat aortic ring assay. We also observed that CCFWE treatment arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, preventing the G0/G1 to S phase cell cycle progression in response to VEGF. In addition, the treatment reduced the VEGF-induced activation of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9. Taken together, these findings indicate that CCFWE should be considered a potential anticancer therapy against pathological conditions where angiogenesis is stimulated during tumor development.