• BMB Reports
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.118-123
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• 2020

Cardiac regeneration with adult stem-cell (ASC) therapy is a promising field to address advanced cardiovascular diseases. In addition, extracellular vesicles (EVs) from ASCs have been implicated in acting as paracrine factors to improve cardiac functions in ASC therapy. In our work, we isolated human cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells (h-CMSCs) by means of three-dimensional organ culture (3D culture) during ex vivo expansion of cardiac tissue, to compare the functional efficacy with human bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-BM-MSCs), one of the actively studied ASCs. We characterized the h-CMSCs as CD90^low, c-kit^negative, CD105^positive phenotype and these cells express NANOG, SOX2, and GATA4. To identify the more effective type of EVs for angiogenesis among the different sources of ASCs, we isolated EVs which were derived from CMSCs with either normoxic or hypoxic condition and BM-MSCs. Our in vitro tube-formation results demonstrated that the angiogenic effects of EVs from hypoxia-treated CMSCs (CMSC-Hpx EVs) were greater than the well-known effects of EVs from BM-MSCs (BM-MSC EVs), and these were even comparable to human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF), a potent angiogenic factor. Therefore, we present here that CD90^lowc-kit^negativeCD105^positive CMSCs under hypoxic conditions secrete functionally superior EVs for in vitro angiogenesis. Our findings will allow more insights on understanding myocardial repair.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.756-764
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• 2009

Scutellariae baicalensis GEORGt Acorus gramineus SOLAND and Gastrodia elata BLUME are traditional medicines used in the treatment of incipient stoke. In this study we investigated their effects on various aspects of neuronal differentiation in single or composite forms. Water-extracts of these medicines showed neuroprotective effects on cultured rat cortical neurons in normoxia and hypoxia. To understand the mechanism for neuroprotection we carried out various cell biological assays. They stimulated initial differentiation of neuronal development (transition from stage 1 to 2), and increased the number of spines and the length and number of dendritic processes. These effects were best manifested in the experimental group, which were given a mixture of the three kinds of extracts (p<0.01). To assess improvement of brain functions we carried out Morris water-maze tests for the mice that were fed on these extracts instead of water for 4 weeks. The experimental groups, especially those which were given the mixture of the three kinds of extract, showed significant (p<0.01) enhancement in memory as early as one day after the learning trial. These results indicate that these three kinds of extracts have synergistic effects on neuronal protection and improvement of brain functions.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.67-71
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• 2018

Neuronal excitotoxicity induces mitochondrial dysfunction and the release of proapoptotic proteins. Excitotoxicity, the process by which the overactivation of excitatory neurotransmitter receptors leads to neuronal cell death. Neuronal death by excitotoxicity was related to neuronal degenerative disorders and hypoxia, results from excessive exposure to excitatory neurotransmitters, such as glutamate. Glutamate acts at NMDA receptors in cultured neurons to increase the intracellular free calcium concentration. Therefore endogenous glutamate may be a key factor to regulate neuronal cell death via activating $Ca^{2+}$ signaling. For this issue, we tested some conditions to alter intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level in dissociated hippocampal neurons of rats. Cultured hippocampal neuron were treated by KCl (20 mM), $CaCl_2$ (3.8 mM) and glutamate ($5{\mu}M$) for 24 hrs. Interestingly, The Optical Density of hippocampal neurons was increased by high KCl application in MTT assay data. This enhanced response by high KCl was dependent on synaptic $Ca^{2+}$ influx but not on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level. However, the number of neurons seemed to be not changed in Hoechst 33342 staining data. These results suggest that enhancement of synaptic activity plays a key role to increase mitochondrial signaling in hippocampal neurons.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권7호
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• pp.864-874
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• 2023

Natural killer (NK) cell dysfunctions against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a hypoxic environment. Many solid tumors are present in a hypoxic condition, which changes the effector function of various immune cells. The transcription of hypoxic-inducible factors (HIFs) in cancer cells make it possible to adapt to their hypoxic environment and to escape the immune surveillance of NK cells. Recently, the correlation between the transcription of HIF-1α and pro-inflammatory cytokines has been reported. Interleukin (IL)-6 is higher in cancers with a highly invasive ability, and is closely related to the metastasis of cancers. This study showed that the expression of HIF-1α in HCC cells was associated with the presence of IL-6 in the environment of HCC-NK cells. Blocking of IL-6 by antibody in the HCC-NK interaction changed the production of several cytokines including TGF-β, IL-1, IL-18 and IL-21. Interestingly, in a co-culture of HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells and NK cells, blocking of IL-6 increased the production of IL-21 in their supernatants. In addition, the absence of IL-6 significantly enhanced the cytotoxic ability and the expression of the activating receptors (NKG2D, NKp44, and NKG2C) in NK cells to HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells. These effects might be made by the decreased expression of HIF-1α in HCC cells through the inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3. In conclusion, the absence of IL-6 in the interaction of HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells and NK cells could enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells to HCC cells.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.324-336
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• 2004

Objectives : The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI on alteration in gene expression in a hypoxia model using cultured rat cortical cells. Methods : E18 rat cortical cells were grown in a Neurobasal medium containing B27 supplement. On 12 DIV, Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI(20 ug/ml) was added to the culture media and left for 24 hrs. On 11 DIV, cells were given a hypoxic insult $(2%\;O_2/5%\;CO_2,\;37^{\circ}C,\;3\;hrs)$, returned to normoxia and cultured for another 24 hrs. Total RNA was prepared from Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI-untreated (control) and -treated cultures and alteration in gene expression was analysed by microarray using rat 5K-TwinChips. Results : For most of the genes altered in expression, the Global M values were between -0.5 to +0.5. Among these, 1143 genes increased in their expression by more than Global M +0.1, while 1161 genes decreased by more than Global M -0.1. Effects on some of the genes whose functions are implicated in neural viability are as follows: 1) The expression of apoptosis-related genes such as Bad (Global M = 0.39), programmed cell death-2(Pdcd2) (Global M = 0.20) increased, while Purinergic receptor P2X(P2rxl) Global M = -0.22), Bc12-like1(Bc1211)(Global M = -0.19) decreased. 2) The expression of 'response to stress-related genes such as antioxidation-related AMP-activated protein kinase subunit gamma 1 gene (Prkag1) (Global M = 0.14), catalase gene (Global M = 0.14) and Heme Oxygenase(Hmoxl) increased. 3) The expression of Fos like antigen 2 (Fos12) expressed in neurons that survive ischemic insult increased (Global M = 0.97). Conclusions : these data suggest that Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI increases the expression of antiapoptosis- and antioxidation- related genes in a way that can not yet be explained.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.39-46
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• 1975

It is the purpose of this paper to design the most preferable method of erythropoietin bioassay in Korea. Bioassay utilizing polycythemic mice are currently in general use for the indirect determination of erythropoietin. Assay animals are usually prepared either by transfusion or by exposure to reduced oxygen tension in specially constructed chamber. We prepared the polycythemic, mice by the specially constructed hypobaric chamber. We observed weights and hematocrits of the mice in the hypobaric chamber, then hematocrits and 72 hours $^{59}Fe$ red cell upatke ratio of the polycythemic mice induced by hypoxia after removal from the hypobaric chamber. We designed the method of erythropoietin bioassay according to the results obtained by above experiments. Then we measured the 72 hours $^{59}Fe$ red cell uptake ratio of the polycythemic mice with normal saline, normal plasma and anemic plasma according to the method we designed. The results are followed: 1. The hematocrits of the mice in hypobaric chamber increased to 74% in 14 days It is preferable to maintain the pressure of the chamber to 400mmHg for first 4 days then 300mmHg for last 10 days to reduce the death rate and time consuming in hypobaric chamber. 2. After removal from the hypobaric chamber, the 72 hours $^{59}Fe$ red cell uptake ratio decreased rapidly and maintained the lowest level from the fourth day to tenth day. 3. We design the method of erythropoietin bioassay according to the results of above experiment and to the half life of erythropoietin. 4. The Korean product S9Fe is mixture of $^{59}Fe\;and\;^{55}Fe$. And the $^{59}Fe$ red cell uptake ratio in normal mice was far less with Korean product $^{59}Fe$ than with pure $^{59}Fe$ of foreign product. So it is desirable to use pure $^{59}Fe$ in this method of erythropoietin bioassay. 5. Considering the cost, the technique, the time consuming and the sensitivity it is the most preferable method of erythropoietin bioassay in Korea using hypobaric chamber to induce the polycythemia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권12호
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• pp.5043-5047
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• 2014

Nowadays increasing effectiveness in cancer therapy and investigation of formation of new strategies that enhance antiproliferative activity against target organs has become a subject of interest. Although the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis can not be fully explained, it is known that cell suicide program existing in their memory genetically is activated by pathophysiological conditions and events such as oxidative stress. Low pressure (hypobaric) conditions that create hypoxia promote apoptosis by inhibiting cell cycling. In this study, determination of the effects of fractional hypobaric applications at different times on HeLa cells at cellular and molecular levels were targeted. Experiments were carried out under hypobaric conditions (35.2 kPa) in a specially designed hypobaric cabin including 2% $O_2$ and 98% N. Application of fractional hypobaric conditions was repeated two times for 3 hours with an interval of 24 hours. At the end of the implementation period cells were allowed to incubate for 24 hours for activation of repair mechanisms. Cell kinetic parameters such as growth rate (MTT) and apoptotic index were used in determination of the effect of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cells. Also in our study expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene family that have regulatory roles in apoptosis were determined by the RT-PCR technique to evaluate molecular mechanisms. The results showed that antiproliferative effect of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cells started three hours from the time of application and increased depending on the period of exposure. While there was a significant decrease in growth rate values, there was a significant increase in apoptotic index values (p<0.01). Also molecular studies showed that hypobaric conditions caused a significant increase in expression level of proapoptotic gene Bax and significant decrease in antiapoptotic Bfl-1. Consequently fractional application of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cell cultures increased both antiproliferative and apoptotic effects and these effects were triggered by the Bax gene.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.66-74
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• 2018

Background: Tumor response to anticancer therapies can much be influenced by microenvironmental factors. In this study, we determined the effect of these microenvironmental factors on DNA methylation using A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Materials and Methods: We subjected A549 cells to various conditions mimicking tumor microenvironment including hypoxia, acidosis (sodium lactate), oxidative stress ($H_2O_2$), bystander effect (supernatant from doxorubicin (Dox)-treated or irradiated cells), and immune cell infiltration (supernatant from THP-1 or Jurkat T cells). Genomic DNA was isolated from these cells and analyzed for DNA methylation. Clonogenic cell survival, gene expression, and metabolism were analyzed in cells treated with some of these conditions. Results and Discussion: We found that DNA methylation level was significantly decreased in A549 cells treated with conditioned media from Dox-treated cells or Jurkat T cells, or sodium lactate, indicating an active transcription. To determine whether the decreased DNA methylation affects radiation sensitivity, we exposed cells to these conditions followed by 6 Gy irradiation and found that cell survival was significantly increased by sodium lactate while it was decreased by conditioned media from Dox-treated cells. We further observed that cells treated with conditioned media from Dox-treated cells exhibited significant changes in expression of genes including BAX and FAS (involved in apoptosis), NADPH dehydrogenase (mitochondria), EGFR (cellular survival) and RAD51 (DNA damage repair) while sodium lactate increased cellular metabolism rather than changing the gene expression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that various tumor microenvironmental factors can differentially influence DNA methylation and hence radiosensitivity and gene expression in A549 cancer cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권7호
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• pp.686-693
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• 2007

목 적 : Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)의 활성 대사산물인 (MPA는 IMPDH의 잠재적인 반응 억제제로써 새로운 면역치료제로 사용되고 있다. 이러한 MPA는 신경계에서 흥분독성 손상 후 뇌세포를 보호하고, 미세아교세포에서는 세포사멸사(apoptosis)를 유도하지만, 저산소성 허혈성 뇌질환에서 MPA의 효과는 아직 알려지지 않아, 본 연구에서 Rice-Vannucci 모델을 이용한 신생 백서의 저산소성 허혈성 뇌 손상과 저산소 상태의 태아 백서 뇌세포 배양에서 MPA의 뇌보호 효과를 알아보고자 실험하였다. 방 법 : 생후 7일된 백서의 좌측 총 경동맥을 결찰한 후 저산소 (8% $O_2$) 상태에서 2시간 노출하여, 저산소성 허혈성 뇌 손상을 유발하고 뇌 손상 전후에 MPA(10 mg/kg)를 투여하여 대조군과 비교하였다. 또한, 재태기간 18일된 태아 백서의 대뇌피질 세포를 배양하여 1% $O_2$ 배양기에서 저산소 상태로 세포손상을 유도하여 저산소군, 손상 전후 MPA 투여군($10{\mu}g/mL$)으로 나누어 정상산소군과 비교하였다. 세포사멸사와의 관련을 알아보기 위해서 Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 항체로 western blotting하였고 Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 primer를 이용하여 real-time PCR을 하였다. 결 과 : 형태학적으로 H&E 염색상 MPA를 투여한 군에서 뇌 보호 효과를 보였다. Western blotting과 real-time PCR을 이용한 저산소성 허혈성 뇌손상 동물 모델뿐만 아니라 저산소 상태로 태아 백서 뇌세포 배양 실험에서도 MPA 투여한 경우 caspase-3의 발현과 Bax/Bcl-2의 비율이 감소함을 보였다. 결 론 : 본 연구에서 MPA가 anti-apoptosis 작용을 통하여 주산기 저산소성 허혈성 뇌 손상에 뇌보호 역할을 하는 것을 알 수 있었고 향후 신생아 저산소성 허혈성 뇌병증의 치료에 임상적 적용이 가능하리라 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.317-325
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• 2006

목 적 : 주산기 저산소성 허혈성 뇌손상의 병태 생리에서 nitric oxide(NO)가 급성 저산소성 허혈(hypoxia-ischemia, HI) 후 재산소-재관류기(reoxygenation-reperfusion, RR)에 대뇌의 혈역학 및 에너지 대사에 미치는 영향을 규명하기 위하여, NO 합성 억제제인 NG-monomethyl-L-arginine(L-NMMA)와 NO 합성 촉진제인 L-arginine(L-Arg) 투여를 통하여 뇌신경 세포에 어떠한 영향을 주는지 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 생후 3일 이내의 신생자돈 28마리를 대상으로 무작위로 나누어, Sham 처치만 받은 정상 대조군(n=9), HI와 RR만 유발한 실험 대조군(n=7), HI 이후 RR 직전에 L-NMMA 투여군(n=6)과 L-arginine 투여군(n=6) 등 4군으로 구분하였다. 실험은 ether을 흡입 시킨 후 thiopental을 정주하고, 기관 삽관 후 인공호흡기 등의 처지를 끝낸 후, HI를 유발하기 위하여 실험군에서 수술 겸자로 양측 경동맥을 폐쇄한 후 8% 산소로 30분간 흡입하였고, RR을 시행하기 위하여 경동맥 폐색을 풀고 흡입 산소농도를 60%로 올려 1시간까지 투여하면서 관찰하였다. 생리적 변수로 혈압과 동맥혈 가스 소견을 관찰하였고, 뇌의 혈역학적 변화와 에너지 상태는 near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)를 이용하여 대뇌의 산화 헤모글로빈($HbO_2$), 환원헤모글로빈(Hb), 환산 헤모글로빈(HbD), 싸이토크롬 $aa_3$(Cyt $aa_3$) 등을 지속적으로 관찰하여 비교하였다. 또한 실험 종료 시 얻은 뇌조직에서 $Na^+$, $K^+$-ATPase의 활성도 및 지질 대사산물인 conjugated dienes, 고에너지 인분자인 ATP(adeninetriphosphate)와 phosphocreatine(PCr)을 비교하였다. 결 과 : 생리적 변수의 변화에서는 실험군 모두에서 정상 대조군에 비하여 혈압, 동맥혈 산소 분압, pH, base excess 등이 유의하게 감소하였고(P<0.05), 젖산은 유의하게 증가하였다(P<0.05). L-NMMA와 L-Arg군에서 실험 대조군과 유의한 차이는 없었다. 실험군에서 RR 1시간 후 pH를 제외한 혈압, 동맥혈 산소 분압, base excess 등의 이상소견은 모두 기저치로 회복되었고, 실험군간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. NIRS 소견에서 $HbO_2$와 HbD는 HI 동안 정상 대조군에 비하여 실험군 모두에서 유의하게 감소하였으나(P<0.05), RR 직후 기저치로 회복되었으며, $HbO_2$는 RR 40분 이후 정상 대조군에 비해 유의하게 감소하였다(P<0.05). Hb은 정상 대조군을 제외한 모든 실험군에서 HI 동안 유의하게 증가하였다가(P<0.05), RR 직후 기저치로 회복되었다. 산화 Cyt $aa_3$는 HI 동안 실험군 모두에서 감소하는 경향을 보였고, RR 이후 다시 증가하였다. 정상 대조군과 각 실험군간에 유의한 차이는 없었다. 뇌의 $Na^+$, $K^+$-ATPase 활성도와 conjugated dienes은 실험군 모두에서 정상 대조군(제1군)에 비하여 유의하게 감소하였다(P<0.05). 뇌의 ATP, phosphocreatine은 실험군 모두에서 정상 대조군과 차이가 없었고, 또한 실험군간에도 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결 론 : 신생 자돈에서 급성 저산소성 허혈 이후 재산소-재관류기 동안 NO 합성 억제제인 L-NMMA나 NO 생성 촉진제인 L-arginine이 뇌 혈역학이나 뇌의 에너지 대사에는 특별한 변화를 일으키지 않았다. 따라서 급성 저산소성 허혈성 뇌손상에서 재산소화 재관류기 초기에는 NO가 뇌손상의 주요한 기전으로 작용하지 않을 것으로 사료된다. 또한 뇌혈역학 및 생화학적 검사 결과 등에서 급성기에는 에너지 부전 상태가 주요한 세포손상 기전이 아니고, 이온 농도의 변화에 의한 뇌부종, 산소유리기에 의한 뇌세포 손상이 저산소성 허혈성 뇌손상의 급성기에 주로 작용하는 뇌세포 손상의 주요 기전임을 시사한다. 따라서 NO 생성 억제제 혹은 생성 전구물질인 L-Arg은 뇌신경 세포 보호 효과를 보이지 않아 급성 주산기 가사의 치료제로서 제한이 됨을 알 수 있었다. 그러나 좀 더 명확한 효과를 보기 위하여 선택적 억제제의 사용, 제제의 용량 및 투여시기, 손상 후 좀더 긴 시간 이후의 변화에 대한 연구가 필요하다.