• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.176-179
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• 2003

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a polypeptide that has the function of regulating the expression of steroid hormones through endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine actions in reproductive organs. Moreover, IGF-I is involved in ovulation, implantation, maintenance of pregnancy, and development of fetuses in animals. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of serum IGF-I concentration on progesterone ($P_4$) concentration and pregnancy rates in Korean native cattle (Hanwoo). Blood was collected at estrus (Day 0) and Day 11. Artificial insemination was performed at Day 0. Serum IGF-I and $P_4$ concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Overall, $P_4$ concentration was higher at Day 11 than Day 0, whereas the pattern of IGF-I concentration was reversed. When animals were divided into two groups depending on the pregnancy status, $P_4$ concentrations of the pregnant group was significantly higher than that of the non-pregnant group at Day 0 (p<0.05) and Day 11 (p<0.05). But, lower IGF-I concentrations were detected in the pregnant group at Day 0 (p<0.05) and Day 11 (p<0.05) compared to the non-pregnant group. In conclusion, these results indicated that serum IGF-I is inversely associated with $P_4$ concentration during early pregnancy in Hanwoo.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.402-406
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• 2000

In order to understand the role of AGP on the differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia cells, the AGP expression and its relation to cytokines were investigated during granulocytic or monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. When HL-60 cells were treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) for 5 days, the cells were fully differentiated into granulocytes, and the AGP mRNA and protein levels were continuously increased up to 5 days in a dose- and time- dependent manner. However, in the case of the monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells by tetradeanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), the AGP gene expression was not induced. In addition, $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNAs were also enhanced during granulocytic differentiation. These cytokine transcripts showed a peak level 3 days after the ATRA treatment. It decreased gradually thereafter. However, direct addition of recombinant cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$) and dexamethasone to the HL-60 cell cultures showed no AGP induction. These findings suggest that the AGP and proinflammatory cytokines are expressed in ATRA-treated promyelocytic cells. However, these cytokines do not act as autocrine inducers on AGP expression. This fact implies that the AGP expression during granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells is induced through a signal pathway different from hepatocyte signaling in inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2001

In estrogen-dependent MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, $E_2$ at 10 nM stimulated cell proliferation to over 200% compared to the untreated control. EGF and TGF${\alpha}$, which are known as the autocrine/paracrine growth factors induced by $E_2$, also directly stimulated the cell growth in almost as the same extent as $E_2$. DFMO which is the specific inhibitor of ODC could inhibit cell growth even at as low as 0.5 mM. In the treatment with 1 mM DFMO for 4 days, the cell growth was inhibited to 38% of the control. HO-TAM at 1 ${\mu}$M could inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 cells to 19% of the control. Those inhibitory effects were also found in the cells stimulated with $E_2$, EGF, and TGF${\alpha}$. The inhibitory effects were found even in 2 days of treatment. However, $E_2$, EGF, and TGF${\alpha}$ did not give any effect in the protein synthesis. Neither DFMO or HO-TAM gave any effect on the total protein synthesis. But the pattern of protein secretion was noticeably influenced by the growth stimulants or inhibitors. Proteins of 160, 52, 42, 36, and 32 kDa belonged to the major secretory proteins. Especially, 42 and 36 kDa proteins were most significantly influenced by the treatment of $E_2$, EGF, or TGF$\alpha$. DFMO and HO-TAM inhibited the secretion of these major proteins.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.639-645
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• 2005

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, a family of serine-threonine kinases, are important regulators of cell proliferation and malignant transformation. Phorbol esters, the prototype PKC activators, cause PKC translocation to the plasma membrane in prostate cancer cells, and trigger an apoptotic response. Studies in recent years have determined that each member of the PKC family exerts different effects on apoptotic or survival pathways. $PKC{\delta}$, one of the novel PKCs, is a key player of the apoptotic response via the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway. Studies using RNAi revealed that depletion of $PKC{\delta}$ totally abolishes the apoptotic effect of the phorbol ester PMA. Activation of the classical $PKC{\alpha}$ promotes the dephosphorylation and inactivation of the survival kinase Akt. Studies have assigned a pro-survival role to $PKC{\varepsilon}$, but the function of this PKC isozyme remains controversial. Recently, it has been determined that the PKC apoptotic effect in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells is mediated by the autocrine secretion of death factors. $PKC{\delta}$ stimulates the release of $TNF{\alpha}$ from the plasma membrane, and blockade of $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion or $TNF{\alpha}$ receptors abrogates the apoptotic response of PMA. Molecular analysis indicates the requirement of the extrinsic apoptotic cascade via the activation of death receptors and caspase-8. Dissecting the pathways downstream of PKC isozymes represents a major challenge to understanding the molecular basis of phorbol ester-induced apoptosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.637-647
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• 2018

Extra-hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) plays an important role in reproduction. To study the treatment effect of Grin (a novel hGHRH homodimer), the infertility models of 85 male Chinese hamsters were established by intraperitoneally injecting 20 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide once in a week for 5 weeks and the treatment with Grin or human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) as positive control was evaluated by performing a 3-week mating experiment. 2-8 mg/kg of Grin and 200 U/kg of hMG showed similar effect and different pathological characteristics. Compared to the single cyclophosphamide group (0%), the pregnancy rates (H-, M-, L-Grin 26.7, 30.8, 31.3%, and hMG 31.3%) showed significant difference, but there was no difference between the hMG and Grin groups. The single cyclophosphamide group presented loose tubules with pathologic vacuoles and significant TUNEL positive cells. Grin induced less weight of body or testis, compactly aligned tubules with little intra-lumens, whereas hMG caused more weight of body or testis, enlarging tubules with annular clearance. Grin presented a dose-dependent manner or cell differentiation-dependentincrease in testicular GHRH receptor, and did not impact the levels of blood and testicular GH, testosterone. Grin promotes fertility by proliferating and differentiating primitive cells through up-regulating testicular GHRH receptor without triggering GH secretion, which might solve the etiology of oligoasthenozoospermia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.270-279
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• 2003

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid (LA) and exhibits anticarcinogenic activity in a variety of animal models. We have previously observed that CLA inhibited the growth of Caco-2 cells, a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. The present study was performed to determine whether the growth inhibitory effect of CLA is related to change in secretion of IGF- II and/or IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) that have been shown to regulate Caco-2 cell proliferation by an autocrine mechanism. Cells were incubated in serum-free medium with various concentrations of CLA or linoleic acid (LA). Immunoblot analysis of 24-hours, serum-free, conditioned medium using a monoclonal anti-IGF-IIantibody revealed that Caco-2 cells secreted both mature 6,500 Mr and higher Mr forms of pro IGF-II. The levels of pro IGF-II and mature IGF-IIwere decreased by 43 $\pm$ 2% and 53 $\pm$ 6%, respectively by treatment with 50 $\mu$ M CLA. LA slightly increased pro IGF- II levels. Results from Northern blot analysis showed that CLA decreased IGF-II mRNA levels at 50 $\mu$ M concentration suggesting that CLA regulation of IGF-II protein expression occurs partly at the transcriptional level. Ligand blot analysis of conditioned media using 1251-IGF-II revealed that CLA slightly decreased IGFBP-2 levels and increased IGFBP-4 levels. We confirmed our previous results that CLA inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner but LA slightly increased cell growth. Exogenous IGF-II mitigated the growth inhibitory effect of CLA. These results indicate that the growth inhibitory effect of CLA may be at least in part mediated by decreasing IGF-II and IGFBP-2 secretion and increasing IGFBP-4 secretion in Caco-2 cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2495-2499
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• 2015

Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3) is an important serine/threonine protein kinase and a member of the MAPK family. MEKK3 can effectively activate the MEK/ERK signaling pathway and promote an autocrine growth loop critical for tumor genesis, cell proliferation, terminal differentiation, apoptosis and survival. To explore the relationship between MEKK3 and cell apoptosis, clinicopathology and prognosis, we characterize the expression of MEKK3, pERK and FoxP3 in the renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC). Protein expression was detected by tissue microarray and immunochemistry in 46 cases of RCCC and 28 control cases. Expression levels of CD3+,CD3+CD4+,CD3+CD8+,CD4+CD25+, CD4+CD25+ FoxP3+ were assessed by flow cytometry and analyzed for their association with pathological factors, correlation and prognosis in RCCC. Expression of MEKK3, pERK and FoxP3 was significantly up-regulated in RCCC as compared to control levels (p<0.01), associated with pathological grade (p<0.05)and clinical stage (p<0.05). CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells were also significantly increased in RCCC patients (p<0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that MEKK3, pERK expression and patholigical stage were independent prognostic factors in patients with RCCC (p<0.05). MEKK3 can be used as an important marker of early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation in RCCC. It may be associated with imbalance of anti-tumor immunity and overexpression of pERK. Expression of MEKK3 and pERK are significantly increased in RCCC, with protein expression and clinical stage acting as independent prognostic factors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1830-1840
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• 2019

Loliolide is one of the most ubiquitous monoterpenoid compounds found in algae, and its potential therapeutic effect on various dermatological conditions via agent-induced biological functions, including anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties, was demonstrated. Here, we investigated the effects of loliolide on hair growth in dermal papilla (DP) cells, the main components regulating hair growth and loss conditions. For this purpose, we used a three-dimensional (3D) DP spheroid model that mimics the in vivo hair follicle system. Biochemical assays showed that low doses of loliolide increased the viability and size of 3D DP spheroids in a dose-dependent manner. This result correlated with increases in expression levels of hair growth-related autocrine factors including VEGF, IGF-1, and KGF. Immunoblotting and luciferase-reporter assays further revealed that loliolide induced AKT phosphorylation, and this effect led to stabilization of β-catenin, which plays a crucial role in the hair-inductive properties of DP cells. Further experiments showed that loliolide increased the expression levels of the DP signature genes, ALP, BMP2, VCAN, and HEY1. Furthermore, conditioned media from loliolide-treated DP spheroids significantly enhanced proliferation and the expression of hair growth regulatory genes in keratinocytes. These results suggested that loliolide could function in the hair growth inductivity of DP cells via the AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2011

Lipid metabolites involved in cellular regulation as signaling mediators. Prostaglandins (PGs), metabolites of lipid are involved to pregnancy at the time of implantation but the functional roles of PGs on embryo development are still controversy and largely unknown. In previous report, the levels of $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2a}$ at embryos of morula stage and blastocyst stage were explored (Cheon et al., 1998). In this study, the previous suggestion was confirmed and the possible downstream mediator of prostaglandin $E_2$ and prostaglandin $F_{2a}$ on the expansion and hatching of mouse embryo was examined. As expected, developmental rate of the blastocyst to expanded stage was a concentration-response curve that showed the highest expansion rate at 10 ${\mu}M$ $PGE_2$, but at 100 ${\mu}M$ $PGE_2$, the rate was decreased. In contrast to the $PGE_2$, $PGF_{2a}$ stimulated expansion without toxicity at highest concentration. Cotreatment of PGs with indomethacin overcame the inhibitory effects of indomethacin in expansion. Exogenous PGs also improved the development of expanded embryos to the hatching stage. Besides, PGs receptors' transcripts detected at blastocyst. $PGE_2$ was caused of calcium fluctuation in the blastocyst but $PGF_{2a}$ did not. The changes of intracellular calcium concentration were different between indomethacin pretreated embryos and non-treated embryos. Based on these results it is suggested that PGs work as paracrine and/or autocrine factors through calcium and the others which were not identified in this study.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.87-94
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• 2002

Low intensity laser irradiation is potential physical agent that triggers the muscle regeneration by previous study. In muscle regeneration, a number of growth factors also promotes that is triggered in response to muscle damage. The transforming growth factor(TGF)-$\beta$ is involved in the activation of cell proliferation and the inhibition of cell differentiation in muscle regeneration. This is secreted not only autocrine system but also paracrine and endocrine. Therefore, We investigated that effects of Gallium aluminum arsenide(GaAlAs) diode laser for the expression of TGF-$\beta$ on lumbar spinal cord after extensor digitorum muscle crush injury. After laser irradiation, the immunoreactivity of TGF-$\beta$ was increased bilaterally in gray mater of spinal cord. Especially, in 1 day, experimental group was highed than control, and in 3 day, lateral motor nucleus were storong immunoreactivy of TGF-$\beta$. Also, in 1 and 2 day, TGF-$\beta$ was showed in white mater as well as gray mater, but in 3 day, only showed in gray mater. These data may suggests to the establishment of laser irradiation on spinal cord for skeletal muscle injury.