• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in not only cancer development and metastasis but also non-cancerous conditions. Hypoxia is one of the proposed critical factors contributing to formation of chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) has antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we analyzed whether wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on the EMT process in airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were incubated in hypoxic conditions ($CO_2$ 5%/$O_2$ 1%) for 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of wheatgrass extract (50, 75, 100, and $150{\mu}g/mL$) and changes in expression of epithelial or mesenchymal markers were evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Accordingly, associated EMT-related transcriptional factors, Snail and Smad, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Hypoxia increased expression of N-cadherin and reduced expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, E-cadherin levels were recovered during hypoxia by silencing hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-$1{\alpha}$ or administering wheatgrass extract. Wheatgrass inhibited the hypoxia-mediated EMT by reducing the expression of phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) and Snail. It suppressed the hypoxia-mediated EMT processes of airway epithelial cells via HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and the pSmad3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that wheatgrass has potential as a therapeutic or supplementary agent for HIF-1-related diseases.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.59-65
• /
• 2015

In this study, we investigated whether cynaroside, cynarin and linarin derived from Chrysanthemum indicum L. affect the secretion, production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin in airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with cynaroside, cynarin or linarin for 30 min and then stimulated with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) for 24 h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression, mucin protein production and secretion were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Effect of linarin on EGF (epidermal growth factor) - or TNF-${\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$)-induced MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production was also examined. The results were as follows: (1) Cynaroside and cynarin did not significantly affect PMA-induced MUC5AC mucin secretion from NCI-H292 cells. However, linarin decreased MUC5AC mucin secretion; (2) Cynaroside did not affect PMA-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expresion from NCI-H292 cells. However, cynarin and linarin inhibited the production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin; (3) Linarin also inhibited the production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin induced by EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$ from NCI-H292 cells. These results suggest that linarin can regulate the gene expression, production and secretion of mucin, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.685-695
• /
• 2009

Objectives : In this study, the author tried to investigate whether Geonpye-tang(GPT) significantly affects PMA-, EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods : Effects of the agent on PMA-, EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of GPT and treated with PMA (10ng/ml) or EGF (25ng/ml) or TNF-alpha (0.2nM), to assess both effect of the agent on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Possible cytotoxicity of the agent was assessed by examining the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells after treatment with the agent over 72 hrs (SRB assay). Results : (1) GPT significantly inhibited PMA-induced and EGF-induced MUC5AC mucin production from NCI-H292 cells. However, GPT did not affect TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production. (2) GPT significantly inhibited the expression levels of PMA-, EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC genes in NCI-H292 cells (3) GPT did not show significant cytotoxicity to NCI-H292 cells. Conclusion : This result suggests that GPT can affect the production and gene expression of respiratory mucin observed in diverse respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion. This can explain the traditional use of GPT in oriental medicine. Effects of GPT with their components should be further investigated using animal experimental models that reflect pathophysiology of airway diseases through future studies.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1500-1508
• /
• 2008

The author investigated whether Chwiyeon-tang(PC), Haengso-tang(PH), Jawanchihyo-san(PJ) and Gamisocheongryong-tang(PS) significantly affect both PMA-induced mucin production and MUC5AC gene expression in airway epithelial cells and sulfur-dioxide-induced airway goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion animal model using rat. Possible cytotoxicity of each herbal medicine was assessed by measuring the survival and proliferation rate of NCI-H292 cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of PC, PH, PJ and PS, respectively, and treated with PMA(10 $ng/m{\ell}$), to assess the effect of each herbal medicine on PMA-induced mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Effects of each herbal medicine on PMA-induced MUC5AC gene expression from the same cells were investigated. Also, hypersecretion of airway mucus and goblet cell hyperplasia were induced by exposure of rats to $SO_2$ during 3 weeks. Effects of orally-administered PC, PH, PJ and PS during 1 week on intraepithelial mucosubstances and hyperplasia of goblet cells were examined using histological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with PAS-alcian blue. (1) PC, PJ, PS and PH did not show significant effects on the survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells ; (2) PC, PJ and PS significantly decreased PMA-induced mucin production from NCI-H292 cells ; (3) PC, PJ and PS significantly inhibit the expression levels of PMA-induced MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells ; (4) Among PC, PJ, PS and PH, only PS decreased $SO_2$-induced hyperplasia of airway goblet cells and intraepithelial mucosubstances. This result suggests that PC, PJ and PS can not only affect the production of mucin but also affect the expression of mucin gene and this can explain, at least in part, the traditional use of PC, PJ and PS for controlling airway diseases showing hypersecretion of mucus in oriental medicine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.77 no.5
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 2014

Background: In this study, we investigated whether lobetyolin, lobetyol, and methyl linoleate derived from Codonopsis pilosula affect MUC5AC mucin secretion, production, and gene expression from airway epithelial cells. Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with lobetyolin, lobetyol, or methyl linoleate for 30 minutes and then stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 hours. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression, and mucin protein production and secretion were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Lobetyolin, lobetyol, and methyl linoleate inhibited the gene expression of MUC5AC mucin induced by PMA; lobetyolin did not affect PMA-induced MUC5AC mucin production. However, lobetyol and methyl linoleate inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin; lobetyolin and lobetyol did not significantly affect PMA-induced MUC5AC mucin secretion from NCI-H292 cells. However, methyl linoleate decreased the MUC5AC mucin secretion. Conclusion: These results suggest that among the three compounds, methyl linoleate can regulate gene expression, production, and secretion of MUC5AC mucin by directly acting on the airway epithelial cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.76 no.3
• /
• pp.120-126
• /
• 2014

Background: We investigated whether wogonin and apigenin significantly affect the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway involved in MUC5AC mucin gene expression, and production from cultured airway epithelial cells; this was based on our previous report that apigenin and wogonin suppressed MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production from human airway epithelial cells. Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with wogonin or apigenin for 15 minutes or 24 hours and then stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 24 hours or the indicated periods. Results: We found that incubation of NCI-H292 cells with wogonin or apigenin inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR. The downstream signals of EGFR such as phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 were also inhibited by wogonin or apigenin. Conclusion: The results suggest that wogonin and apigenin inhibits EGFR signaling pathway, which may explain how they inhibit MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production induced by EGF.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.198-203
• /
• 2012

Chrysin and chlorogenic acid are natural products derived from Scutellariae Radix and Lonicerae Flos, respectively. We examined whether chrysin and chlorogenic acid affect airway mucin production induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ in NCI-H292 cells. Cells were pretreated with each agent for 30 min and then stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h. Of the two compounds, chrysin suppressed airway MUC5AC mucin production. Also, chrysin suppressed MUC5AC mucin gene expression and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 induced by TNF-${\alpha}$. This result suggests that chrysin can regulate the production and gene expression of mucin induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ through the inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in airway epithelial cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2014

We examined whether silibinin and resveratrol affect airway mucin production, degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ in NCI-H292 cells. Cells were pretreated with each agent for 30 min and then stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h or the indicated periods. The two compounds suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced airway mucin production, degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65. This result suggests that silibinin and resveratrol can regulate the production of mucin induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ through the inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in airway epithelial cells.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.182-187
• /
• 1998

Platelet activating factor (PAP) has been known as implicating as one of potent inflammatory mediators and reported 0 be involved in inflammation and allergy. PAF induces ciliary dysfunction and epithelial damage of human paranasal sinus mucosa in vitro. However, several recent papers have reported that PAF may not readily damage the airway epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural evidence to elucidate the pathogenesis of epithelial damage induced by PAF. Sixteen $\mu\textrm{g}$ g of PAF was applied into the maxillary sinuses of 6 rabbits. Rabbits were divided into 2 subgroups along with time interval at 1st and 3rd experimental day, and sinus mucosae were taken for the histopathologic study using electron microscopy. At 1st day, epithelial cells showed no ultrastructural change. Ultrastructures of the cilia were well preserved. Subepithelial space showed no evidence of the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Intravascular platelet aggregation and swelling of endothelial cells were evident. At 3rd day, epithelial cells showed vacuolar degeneration. Fusion of cilia forming giant cilia and focal loss of cilia were evident. Eosinophils were infiltrated in subepithelial and intraepithelial space. Swelling of endothelial cells, and migration of inflammatory cells into the connective tissue were evident. This study implies that epithelial damage induced by PAF may be secondary to the cytotoxicity of mobilized eosinophils rather than direct cytotoxicity of PAF.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.70 no.3
• /
• pp.218-223
• /
• 2011

Background: We investigated whether curcumin and genistein affect the MUC5AC mucin production from human airway epithelial cells that is induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$). Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with each agent for 30 min and then stimulated with PMA or TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 hours. MUC5AC mucin production was measured by an ELISA. Results: (1) Curcumin dose-dependently inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin that was induced by PMA or TNF-${\alpha}$; (2) Genistein inhibited PMA-induced MUC5AC mucin production. However, it did not decrease TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production. Conclusion: These results suggest that curcumin and genistein inhibit the production of airway mucin induced by PMA.