• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2015

In this study, we tried to separate the photosensitizer that induces apoptosis of leukemia cells (U937) from perilla leaves. Perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens Britt var. japonica Hara) are a popular vegetable in Korea, being rich in vitamins (A and E), GABA, and minerals. Dried perilla leaves were extracted with methanol to separate the photosensitizer by various chromatographic techniques. The structure of the isolated compound (PL9443) was identified by 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and FAB-mass spectroscopy. Absorbance of the UV-Vis spectrum was highest at 410 nm and was confirmed by the 330, 410, and 668 nm. PL9443 compound was determined to be pheophorbide, an ethyl ester having a molecular weight of 620. It was identified as a derivative compound of pheophorbide structure when magnesium comes away from a porphyrin ring. Observation of morphological changes in U937 cells following cell death induced by treated PL9443 compound revealed representative phenomena of apoptosis only in light irradiation conditions (apoptotic body, vesicle formation). Results from examining the cytotoxicity of PL9443 substance against U937 cells showed that inhibition rates of the cell growth were 99.9% with the concentration of 0.32 nM PL9443. Also, the caspase-3/7 activity was 99% against U937 cells with the concentration of 0.08 nM of PL9443 substance. The result of the electrophoresis was that a DNA ladder was formed by the PL9443. The PL9443 compound is a promising lead compound as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.492-501
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• 1995

Background: Transforming growth factor- alpha(TGF-$\alpha$) may play important roles in carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and angiogenesis. Transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-$\beta$) are known to be involved in cell-cycle control and regeneration. TGF-$\alpha$ positively acts on growth control of many epithelial cells in contrast to the negative role of TGF-$\beta$. Method: To evaluate the possible role of TGF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ in human primary lung cancers, the expression of TGF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ were immmunohistochemically investigated in tissue sections from forty seven cases with lung cancers and ten cases with non-cancerous lung tissues. Recombinant cloned monoclonal antibody of TGF-$\alpha$ and neutralizing antibody of TGF-$\beta$ were employed as primary antibodies after dewaxing the formalin-fixed, paraffinized tissue sections. Results: TGF-$\alpha$ was expressed in the cytoplasms of tumor cells in thirty five cases of forty seven(74.5%) primary lung cancers, whereas the control expressed in two of ten brochial epithelial cells. The expression of TGF-$\alpha$ was disclosed in four cases of eleven(36.4 %) small cell carcinomas and thirty one cases of thirty six(86.1%) non-small cell carcinomas of the lung. Expressions of TGF-$\beta$ was discernible in bronchial epithelium in eight of ten non-cancerous lung tissues. The expression of TGF-$\beta$ was noted in the cytoplasms of tumor cells in eight cases of forty seven(17.0%) primary lung cancers. The expression of TGF-$\beta$ disclosed in two cases of eleven(18.2%) small cell carcinomas and six cases of thirty six(16.7%) non- small cell carcinomas of the lung. Conclusion: These findings suggest that up-regulation of TGF-$\alpha$ and down-regulation of TGF-$\beta$ are involved during development and growth of primary lung cancers.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.766-778
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• 2019

In this study, Poria cocos bark were extracted by supercritical process, and anti-inflammatory, whitening, and antioxidant effects were measured in comparison with ethanol extract. Also, An effective percutaneous permeation method using a selected formulation of the extract and a drug delivery peptide was proposed. Pachymic acid, known as the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory compound of the ventricle, is an indicator component and the HPLC analysis shows that the supercritical extract of the pericardium is more than twice that of the Poria cocos bark extract. In order to confirm antioxidative effect of Bombyx mori, DPPH scavenging ability and ABTS scavenging ability test showed that the ethanol extract of Poria cocos Back had lower concentration than the supercritical extract of Poria cocos back. However, RAW 264.7 Measurements of Nitric oxide (NO) production in cells showed lower NO production at the same concentration than the Poria cocos back ethanol extract. In addition, after 72 hours of processing of $20{\mu}g/mL$ of the Poria cocos back extract in B16 melanoma cells, both the intracellular and extracellular melanin extract were effective and the supercritical extract was lower melanin content. No toxicity was observed at the concentration of $800{\mu}g/mL$ in RAW 264.7 cells used in NO production experiments. However, in B16 melanoma cells, even at $50{\mu}g/mL$, both Poria cocos back ethanol extract and supercritical extract showed a survival rate of less than 60%. The liposome formulation and drug delivery peptides were shown to be useful for percutaneous permeation of Supercritical Extract of Poria cocos back using a liposome formulation and a drug delivery peptide. it is expected that there will be great potential for development as a variety of cosmetic materials for Poria cocos back.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1179-1191
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• 2019

Cancer cells undergo the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and show unique oncogenic metabolic phenotypes such as the glycolytic switch (Warburg effect) which are important for tumor development and progression. The EMT is a critical process for tumor invasion and metastasis. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-associated nuclear protein, but it acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule when released from dying cells and immune cells. HMGB1 induces the EMT, as well as invasion and metastasis, thereby contributing to tumor progression. Here, we show that HMGB1 induced the EMT by activating Snail. In addition, the HMGB1/Snail cascade was found induce a glycolytic switch. HMGB1 also suppressed mitochondrial respiration and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity by a Snail-dependent reduction in the expression of the COX subunits COXVIIa and COXVIIc. HMGB1 also upregulated the expression of several key glycolytic enzymes, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase-2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2), and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1), in a Snail-dependent manner. However, HMGB1 was found to regulate some other glycolytic enzymes including lactate dehydrogenases A and B (LDHA and LDHB), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 (MCT1 and 4) in a Snail-independent manner. Transfection with short hairpin RNAs against HK2, PFKFB2, and PGAM1 prevented the HMGB1-induced EMT, indicating that glycolysis is associated with HMGB1-induced EMT. These findings demonstrate that HMGB1 signaling induces the EMT, glycolytic switch, and mitochondrial repression via Snail activation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.339-355
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• 2024

The pulmonary system is a highly complex system that can only be understood by integrating its functional and structural aspects. Hence, in vivo animal models are generally used for pathological studies of pulmonary diseases and the evaluation of inhalation toxicity. However, to reduce the number of animals used in experimentation and with the consideration of animal welfare, alternative methods have been extensively developed. Notably, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have agreed to prohibit animal testing after 2030. Therefore, the latest advances in biotechnology are revolutionizing the approach to developing in vitro inhalation models. For example, lung organ-on-a-chip (OoC) and organoid models have been intensively studied alongside advancements in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting and microfluidic systems. These modeling systems can more precisely imitate the complex biological environment compared to traditional in vivo animal experiments. This review paper addresses multiple aspects of the recent in vitro modeling systems of lung OoC and organoids. It includes discussions on the use of endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts composed of lung alveoli generated from pluripotent stem cells or cancer cells. Moreover, it covers lung air-liquid interface (ALI) systems, transwell membrane materials, and in silico models using artificial intelligence (AI) for the establishment and evaluation of in vitro pulmonary systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.524-531
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• 2015

Antioxidant activities and in vitro anticancer effects of bamboo salt doenjang on HT-29 human colon cancer cells were studied. 3Y3B-D (three-year fermentation using three-time baked bamboo salt doenjang), 3Y9B-D (three-year fermentation using nine-time baked bamboo salt doenjang), 6Y3B-D (six-year fermentation using three-time baked bamboo salt doenjang), and 6Y9B-D (six-year fermentation using nine-time baked bamboo salt doenjang) were compared to C-D (commercial doenjang) and 3B-S (cooked soy beans prepared using three-time baked bamboo salt). There were no differences between experimental groups in pH, amino-type nitrogen, or ammonia-type nitrogen levels. 6Y9B-D showed the highest antioxidative effect, followed by 6Y3B-D, 3Y9B-D, and 3Y3B-D, in order. 6Y9B-D showed the highest total polyphenol concentration. 6Y9B-D showed the highest anticancer effect, as determined by MTT assay, as well as levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2, followed by 6Y3B-D, 3Y9B-D, and 3Y3B-D, in order. From the results above, 6Y9B-D showed the highest antioxidative and anticancer effects, followed by 6Y3B-D, 3Y9B-D, 3Y3B-D, C-D, and 3B-S.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2017

This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the proximate composition, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Sageretia thea (Osbeck) M.C.Johnst (S. thea) fruit and blueberry. The calorific value, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and carbohydrate were higher in S. thea fruit than in blueberry. S. thea fruit and blueberry have different profile of free sugars, in which amounts of fructose, glucose, and maltose were much higher in S. thea fruit than in blueberry. The methanol extracts of S. thea fruit contain higher amounts of total polyphenol and anthocyanin compared to those of blueberry extracts. In additions, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), alkyl, and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities are greater in S. thea fruit extracts. Ethyl acetate fractions and n-butanol fractions of S. thea fruit and blueberry show the most potent scavenging activity in DPPH-, alkyl-, and ABTS-radical scavenging assay. The ethyl acetate fractions of S. thea fruit and blueberry are the richest fraction in polyphenol contents while the n-butanol fractions of those are the highest fraction in anthocyanin contents. Furthermore, both S. thea fruit and blueberry extracts protect human dermal fibroblast cells against a $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. The antiproliferative activities of n-hexane and chloroform fraction from S. thea fruit and blueberry were observed in AGS human gastric cancer and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Therefore, our results suggest for the first time that the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of S. thea fruit is comparable to that of blueberry and the nutritional value of the former is even superior to that of the latter.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 1996

Background: Endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide(LPS) can prime phagocytic cells such as polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes or animal peritoneal macrophages to generate increased amounts of secretory products such as oxygen free radicals and tumor necrosis factor, which play an important role in developing adult respiratory distress syndrome in gram negative sepsis. Human alveolar macrophages(HAM) are continuously exposed to various stimuli inhaled into the alveoli, and the response to LPS might be different in HAM. Therefore, we investigated the effect of LPS pre-exposure on HAM adhered to plastic surface and A549 cell(type II human alveolar epithelial cell line) monolayer. Methods: HAM were isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from normal lung of the patients with localized lung cancer and esophageal cancer. LPS was exposed to HAM for 2hrs before or after adherence to plastic surface of 24-well Linbro plate and A549 cell monolayer. And then HAM was stimulated with PMA(phorbol myristate acetate) or fMLP(N-formyl-methionylleucyl-phenylalanine). The amount of hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) production in the supernatant was measured on the principle of peroxidase-dependent oxidation of phenol red by hydrogen peroxide. Results: LPS pre-exposure could not enhance $H_2O_2$ production in neither HAM adhered to plastic surface nor one to A549 cell monolayer. But LPS even in the absence of PMA or fMLP stimulation directly increased $H_2O_2$ release in HAM if added after the adherence to A549 cell monolayer. Conclusion: Endotoxin does not prime HAM, but may directly activate HAM adhered to alveolar epithelial cells. Further investagation will be necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the mutagenic, antimutagenic, cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of Adenophora triphylla (AT). AT was extracted with 70% ethanol and then further fractionated to hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. Antimutagenic, cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of AT extracts were measured by using Ames test, SRB method, and the tumor growth inhibition test. AT extracts did not show any mutagenicity in the Ames test; however, 70% ethanol extracts and its fractions had strong antimutagenic effects against mutation induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO). The ethyl acetate fraction of AT (200 ${\mu}g$/plate) showed approximately 66.5% inhibitory effect on the mutagenesis induced by 4NQO against TA98 strain, whereas 83.3% and 75.1% inhibitions were observed on the mutagenesis induced by MNNG and 4NQO against TA100 strain. In anticancer effects, the cytotoxicity of AT extract and its fractions against cancer cell lines including human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human gastric carcinoma (AGS), human lung carcinoma (A549) and transformed primary human embryo kidney (293) were investigated. The treatment of 1 mg/mL AT ethyl acetate faction had the highest cytotoxicity of 79.9%, 74.9%, 66.0%, 71.0% and 74.3% against HeLa, Hep3B, MCF-7, AGS and A549 cells, respectively. In contrast, the extract and its fractions showed only $3{\sim}36%$ cytotoxicity for a normal human kidney cell line (293). In vivo anti-cancer effect of Adenophora triphylla extract was tested using Balb/c mice transplanted sarcoma-180 cells. Adenophora triphylla ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest inhibition rate of 37.2% at the 50 mg/kg concentration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2012

Bee venom (BV) has been used in medicine to treat a variety of diseases including arthritis, rheumatism, and various cancers. Recent reports indicate that BV has anti-angiogenic effects, but the precise molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BV against colorectal cancer remains to be elucidated. We examined the effects of BV and its major components (melittin and apamin) on tumor angiogenesis and found that BV significantly decreased protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), an important factor involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression, in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells. BV also suppressed the transcription of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ under hypoxia, leading to a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major target gene of HIF-$1{\alpha}$. We also found that these effects were mainly elicited by apamin, but not melittin. BV specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without changing the total levels of this protein, but had no effect on kinases of p38/JNK and AKT. Our results suggest that BV may inhibit human colorectal cancer progression and angiogenesis by inhibiting HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and VEGF expression, thereby providing a novel potential mechanism for the anticancer action of BV.