• BMB Reports
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• 제48권8호
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• pp.473-478
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• 2015

The NEK6 (NIMA-related kinases 6) is reported to play po-tential roles in tumorigenesis. Although it is suggested to function in several cellular pathways, the underlying mechanism in tumorigenesis is still largely unknown. In the present study, we discovered interaction of NEK6 with Smad4, a key member of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway. Over-expression of NEK6 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines suppresses TGFβ-mediated transcription activity in a kinase activity-dependent manner. In addition, NEK6 suppresses the cell growth arrest induced by TGFβ. Mechanically, NEK6 blocks nuclear translocation of Smad4, which is essential for TGFβ function. Moreover, we identified that NEK6 could be regulated by TGFβ and hypoxia. Our study sheds new light on the roles of NEK6 in canonical TGFβ/Smad pathway and tum-origenesis. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(8): 473-478]

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.99-109
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• 2013

Trophoblasts, in the placenta, play a role for placental development as well as implantation in the early pregnancy. The characteristics and functions of trophoblast are identified by their localization and potency for proliferation, differentiation, and invasion. Thus, inadequate trophoblast cell death induces trophoblast dysfunction resulting in abnormal placental development and several gynecological diseases. Recently, it was reported that increased immortalization-upregulated protein-2 (IMUP-2) by hypoxia influences trophoblast apoptosis. However, IMUP-2 function on autophagy, which is type II programmed cell death remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed IMUP-2 expression in trophoblast cells (HTR8-SVneo) and compared IMUP-2 effects on cell death including apoptosis and autophagy in trophoblast regardless of IMUP-2 expression. Increased IMUP-2 in trophoblast by IMUP-2 gene transfection induces cell death, especially, apoptosis increases more than autophagy (p<0.05). However, the decreased IMUP-2 in trophoblasts after siRNA treatment decreased apoptosis with the decreased activities of caspase 3 and 7. The expressions of LC3 and MDC as an autophagosome makers and phosphorylated mTOR, which is a negative regulator for autophagy, increased. In addition, the S phase of cell cycle increased in trophoblasts when IMUP-2 expression decreased. Taken together, the alteration of IMUP-2 can control the balance between apoptosis and autophagy of trophoblasts resulting in functional involvement in placental development and in gynecological diseases by regulating the function of trophoblasts.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.260-267
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer significant therapeutic promise for various regenerative therapies. However, MSC-based therapy for injury exhibits low efficacy due to the pathological environment in target tissues and the differences between in vitro and in vivo conditions. To address this issue, we developed adipose-derived MSC spheroids as a novel delivery method to preserve the stem cell microenvironment. MSC spheroids were generated by suspension culture for 3 days, and their sizes increased in a time-dependent manner. After re-attachment of MSC spheroids to the plastic dish, their adhesion capacity and morphology were not altered. MSC spheroids showed enhanced production of hypoxia-induced angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stromal cell derived factor (SDF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In addition, spheroid culture promoted the preservation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as laminin and fibronectin, in a culture time- and spheroid size-dependent manner. Furthermore, phosphorylation of AKT, a cell survival signal, was significantly higher and the expression of pro-apoptotic molecules, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and cleaved caspase-3, was markedly lower in the spheroids than in MSCs in monolayers. In the murine hindlimb ischemia model, transplanted MSC spheroids showed better proliferation than MSCs in monolayer. These findings suggest that MSC spheroids promote MSC bioactivities via secretion of angiogenic cytokines, preservation of ECM components, and regulation of apoptotic signals. Therefore, MSC spheroid-based cell therapy may serve as a simple and effective strategy for regenerative medicine.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.464-473
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• 2018

Cripto is a small glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored signaling protein that can detach from the anchored membrane and stimulate proliferation, migration, differentiation, vascularization, and angiogenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that Cripto positively affected proliferation and survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) without affecting multipotency. Cripto also increased expression of phosphorylated janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), c-Myc, and cyclin D1. Notably, treatment with an anti-GRP78 antibody blocked these effects. In addition, pretreatment with STAT3 short interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited the increase in p-JAK2, c-Myc, cyclin D1, and BCL3 levels caused by Cripto and attenuated the pro-survival action of Cripto on MSCs. We also found that incubation with Cripto protected MSCs from apoptosis caused by hypoxia or $H_2O_2$ exposure, and the level of caspase-3 decreased by the Cripto-induced expression of B-cell lymphoma 3-encoded protein (BCL3). These effects were sensitive to down-regulation of BCL3 expression by BCL3 siRNA. Finally, we showed that Cripto enhanced expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In summary, our results demonstrated that Cripto activated a novel biochemical cascade that potentiated MSC proliferation and survival. This cascade relied on phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 and was regulated by GRP78. Our findings may facilitate clinical applications of MSCs, as these cells may benefit from positive effects of Cripto on their survival and biological properties.

• 대한치과마취과학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

Background: Autophagy is a self-eating process that is important for balancing sources of energy at critical times in development and in response stress. Autophagy also plays a protective role in removing clearing damaged intracellular organelles and aggregated proteins as well as eliminating intracellular pathogens. The purpose of the present study was to examine the protective effect of propofol against hypoxic damage using keratinocytes. Methods: Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. Propofol which were made by dissolving them in DMSO were kept frozen at $-4^{\circ}C$ until use. The stock was diluted to their concentration with DMEM when needed. Prior to propofol treatment cells were grown to about 80% confluence and then exposed to propofol at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, $100{\mu}M$) for 2 h pretreatment. Cell viability was measured using a quantitative colorimetric assay with thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT assay), and fluorescence microscopy and western blot analysis were used for evaluation of autophagy processes. Results: The viability of propofol-treated HaCaT cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol did not show any significant toxic effect on the HaCaT cells. The autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine, reduced cell viability of hypoxia-injured HaCat cells. Fluorescence microscopy and western blot analysis showed propofol induce autophagy pathway signals. Conclusions: Propofol enhanced viability of hypoxia-injured HaCaT cells and we suggest propofol has cellular protective effects by autophagy signal pathway activation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.173-183
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• 2003

이 논문(論文)은 활성 산소(ROS)의 작용(作用)을 규명하고 호도약침액(胡桃藥鍼液)이 인간의 신경교종 세포인 A172에서 화학적(化學的) 저산소증(低酸素症)으로 유발된 세포 사멸에 대해 효능이 있는지를 연구(硏究)한 것이다. 화학적(化學的) 저산소증(低酸素症)은 세포내 미토콘드리아의 전자 수송을 방해하는 antimycin A를 가진 배양세포에 의해 유발(誘發)하였다. 화학적(化學的) 저산소증(低酸素症)에 노출된 세포(細胞)는 시간과 그 양에 따라서 세포 사멸의 결과(結果)가 다르게 나타난다. 화학적 저산소증에 의해서 ROS의 생산이 증가하는데 이것은 $H_2O_2$ 소거(消去) Catalase(과산화수소를 물과 산소로 분해하는 효소)에 의해 방지(防止)된다. Catalase는 화학적 저산소증에 의해 유발(誘發)된 세포 사멸을 방지하는데 비해 DMTU는 효과적이지 않다. 지질(脂質)에 녹는 산화방지제 DPPD와 물에 녹는 산화방지제 Trolox는 세포사멸을 방지하는데 효과(效果)가 없다. 호도약침액(胡桃藥鍼液)은 그 양(量)에 의존적으로 저산소증에 의해 유발된 세포 사멸을 방지하는 효과가 있다. 즉 화학적 저산소증으로 유도된 ROS의 발생을 막고, $H_2O_2$로 유도된 세포사멸을 방지하는데 이것은 화학적 저산소증과 $H_2O_2$의해 유도된 세포사멸에 대해 호도약침액(胡桃藥鍼液)이 방지효과(防止效果)가 있다는 것을 의미한다. 이러한 결과(結果)들은 $H_2O_2$가 지질 과산화와는 무관한 메카니즘으로 저산소증(低酸素症)으로 유발(誘發)된 세포사멸을 중재하고, 따라서 호도약침액(胡桃藥鍼液)은 지질막의 과산화를 방지하기 보다는 ROS를 직접적으로 소거(消去)함으로써 방지 효과가 있다는 것을 의미한다. 더구나 화학적(化學的) 저산소증(低酸素症)은 caspase와 무관한 메카니즘으로 apoptosis를 유발(誘發)한다.

• 대한기계학회논문집B
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.533-538
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• 2012

본 논문에서는 산소 민감 발광 염료를 이용하여 마이크로 채널 내에서 세포가 배양되고 있을 때 산소농도를 측정하였다. 현재까지 알려진 여러 산소 민감 발광 염료 중 본 논문에서는 물에 잘 녹으며 장 시간 동안 사용하여도 독성이 없는 것으로 알려진 $[Ru(bpy)_3]^{2+}$를 사용하였으며 이와 더불어 산소 민감 염료 측정법의 단점을 보완하기 위하여 칼세인 염료를 이용하여 두 염료의 밝기 비율을 구하여 농도를 측정하였다. SCOMS 카메라와 마이크로 채널을 이용하여 캘리브레이션을 실시하고 농도와 밝기와의 관계를 구하였으며 이 관계를 이용하여 세포가 배양되는 조건에서의 배양액의 산소농도를 측정하였다. 실험 결과 채널입구에서 점점 멀어질수록 마이크로 채널 내에서 산소농도는 점점 낮아진다는 것을 관찰 할 수 있었다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.385-389
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• 2001

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) appears to be an important modular of the insulin growth factor (IGF) bioactivity in metabolic disease and chronic hypoxia. Treatment of desferrioxamine (Dfo), cobalt, or nickel in HepG2 cells stimulated the expression of IGFBP1 mRNA as hypoxia. However, the presence of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) in the 1% $O_2$ decreased the upregulation of the IGFBP-1 mRNA expression. In addition, actinomycin D and cycloheximide abolished the increase in the expression of IGFBP-1 mRNA that was induced by Dfo and transition metals (cobalt and nickel). To obtain further information about the putative oxygen sensor, we postulate that putative heme proteins, responsible for the oxygen-sensing process in HepG2 cells, should be sensitive to hypoada. The mechanism of these upregulations of the IGFBP-1 mRNA expression by Dfo and transition metals was investigated by treatment with 2 mM of 4,6-dioxoheptanoic acid (DHA), an inhibitor of heme biosynthesis. The results showed that 1% $O_2$-, Dfo-, cobalt-, or nickel induced IGFBP-1 mRNA expressions in HepG2 cells were all markedly inhibited when the heme synthesis was blocked by DHA. We suggest that the IGFBP-1 mRNA expression in the HepG2 cell is regulated by 1% $O_2$, Dfo, cobalt, or nickel, implicating the involvement of the putative heme-containing oxygensensing molecule.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.111-119
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• 2013

Objective. To investigate the effects of the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) activation-mimicking agent cobalt chloride ($CoCl_2$) on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Study design. The dose and exposure periods for $CoCl_2$ in hMSCs were optimized by cell viability assays. After confirmation of $CoCl_2$-induced HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in these cells by RT-PCR, the effects of temporary preconditioning with $CoCl_2$ on hMSC osteogenic differentiation were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis of osteogenic gene expression, an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and by alizarin red S staining. Results. Variable $CoCl_2$ dosages (up to $500{\mu}M$) and exposure times (up to 7 days) on hMSC had little effect on hMSC survival. After $CoCl_2$ treatment of hMSCs at $100{\mu}M$ for 24 or 48 hours, followed by culture in osteogenic differentiating media, several osteogenic markers such as Runx-2, osteocalcin and osteopontin, bone sialoprotein mRNA expression level were found to be up-regulated. Moreover, ALP activity was increased in these treated cells in which an accelerated osteogenic capacity was also verified by alizarin red S staining. Conclusions. The osteogenic differentiation potential of hMSCs could be preserved and even enhanced by $CoCl_2$ treatment.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.439-456
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• 2021

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) has high morbidity and mortality and is a serious threat to public health. The flavonoid compound vitexin is known to exhibit anti-tumor activity. In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential of vitexin in GC and its underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: The viability, migration, and invasion of GC cells were determined using MTT, scratch wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. Target molecule expression was determined by western blotting. Tumor growth and liver metastasis were evaluated in vivo using nude mice. Protein expression in the tumor tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Vitexin inhibited GC cell viability, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a dose-dependent manner. Vitexin treatment led to the inactivation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway by repressing HMGB1 expression. Vitexin-mediated inhibition in proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of GC cells were counteracted by hyper-activation of PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α pathway or HMGB1 overexpression. Finally, vitexin inhibited the xenograft tumor growth and liver metastasis in vivo by suppressing HMGB1 expression. Conclusions: Vitexin inhibited the malignant progression of GC in vitro and in vivo by suppressing HMGB1-mediated activation of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway. Thus, vitexin may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of GC.