• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.12-22
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• 2013

Objective: We investigated the norepinephrine transporter (NET) expression in normal and pre-eclamptic placentas and analyzed the invasion activity of trophoblastic cells based on norepinephrine (NE)-NET regulation. Methods: NET and NE expression levels were examined by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Trophoblast invasion activity, depending on NE-NET regulation, was determined by NET-small interfering RNA (siRNA) and NET transfection into the human extravillous trophoblast cells with or without NE treatment and invasion rates were analyzed by zymography and an invasion assay. Results: NET mRNA was expressed at a low level in pre-eclamptic placentas compared with normal placentas and NE concentration in maternal plasma increased significantly in pre-eclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women (p<0.05). NET gene upregulation and NE treatment stimulated trophoblast cell invasion up to 2.5-fold (p<0.05) by stimulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity via the phosphoinositol-3-kinase/AKT signaling pathway, whereas NET-siRNA with NE treatment reduced invasion rates. Conclusion: NET expression is reduced by inadequate regulation of NE levels during placental development. This suggests that a complementary balance between NET and NE regulates trophoblast cell invasion activities during placental development.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.438-444
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• 2012

N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) including endocannabinoids, anadamide, are long chain fatty acid ethanolamines and express ubiquitously in animal and plant tissues. NAEs have several pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anorexic effects. The levels of NAEs in tissues are strictly regulated by synthesizing and hydrolyzing enzymes because NAEs are not stored in the cell but rather made on demand. NAEs are hydrolyzed to free fatty acids and ethanolamines by fatty acid amide hydrolase and N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA). Here, we suggest the fluorescence-based assay system for NAAA. We developed N-(4-methy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)palmitamide (PAAC) as a fluorogenic substrate for NAAA and we also generated NAAA stably expressing COSM6 cell line. When extracts of cells expressing NAAA were incubated with PAAC, NAAA specifically hydrolyzed PAAC to palmitic acids and fluorogenic dye, coumarin. Release of coumarin was monitored by using fluorometer. NAAA hydrolyzed PAAC with an apparent Km of $20.05{\mu}M$ and Vmax of 32.18 pmol/mg protein/min. This assay system can be used to develop inhibitors or activators of NAAA.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2002

Phthalate analogues are a plasticizer and solvent used in industry. Phthalates were reported to be a potential carcinogen classified in the category of suspected endocrine disruptors. Most common human exposure to these compounds may occur with contaminated food. They may migrate into food from plastic wrap or may enter food from general environmental contamination. Since these substances are not limited to the original products, and enter the environment, they have become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of phthalates that possibly threaten the public health. Concern about their use has been mounting. To screen and elucidate the endocrine disrupting activity and their mechanism of phthalate analogues, first of all, E-screen assay was performed in MCF7 human breast cancer cells with seven phthalate analogues. In this cell proliferation assay, only dibutyl phthalate (DBP) showed weak estrogenic activity. Also the yeast-based transcription assay to assess the interactions of DBP with the estrogen, androgen, and progesterone receptors was conducted. DBP in the concentration ranges from 10$^{-16}$ to 10$^{-11}$ M was active in the estrogen transcriptional assay, but it did not show the effect on $\beta$-galactosidase activity in the progesterone and androgen transcriptional assays. These data indicate that DBP shows estrogenic potential and can be classified as weak and/or suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2009

Human erythropoietin(EPO) is a glycoprotein that enhances red blood cell production by stimulating proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD) suffer from anemia caused by reduced production of EPO in the kidney. Recombinant human EPO protein has been used successfully for the treatment of anemia associated with CKD. Recently, attention has been paid to the development of side effect of EPO, pure red cell aplasia(PRCA), in some patients with CKD. PRCA is a rare disorder of erythropoiesis that leads to a severe anemia due to an almost complete cessation of red blood cell production. EPO-related PRCA is caused by the production of EPO-neutralizing antibodies(Abs) that eliminate the biological activity of EPO as well as endogenous EPO in patients undergoing therapy. Since 1988, almost 200 cases worldwide have been reported with Ab-positive PRCA after receiving EPO therapeutics. The underlying mechanisms of the breaking of immune tolerance to self-EPO have been investigated. Modification of formulation, organic compounds of container closures, and route of administration has been suggested for the possible mechanism of increased immunogenicity of EPO. A number of assays have been used to detect Abs specific to EPO. These assays are generally grouped into two major categories: binding Ab assays and neutralizing Ab assays(bioassays). There are several types of binding Ab assays, including radioimmunoprecipitation assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the BIAcore biosensor assay. In vitro cell-based bioassays have been utilized for the detection of neutralizing Abs. Finally, the recent experience with anti-EPO Abs may have considerable implications for the future development and approval of EPO preparations. Also, considering that millions of patients are being treated with EPO, clinicians need to be aware of signs and consequences of this rare but severe clinical case.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.416-422
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• 2013

PURPOSE. This study was performed to define attachment and growth behavior of osteoblast-like cells and evaluate the gene expression on zirconia compared to titanium. MATERIALS AND METHODS. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on (1) titanium and (2) zirconia discs. The tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT test) was used for examining the attachment of cells. Cellular morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured to evaluate the cell differentiation rate. Mann-Whitney test was used to assess the significance level of the differences between the experimental groups. cDNA microarray was used for comparing the 20215 gene expressions on titanium and zirconia. RESULTS. From the MTT assay, there was no significant difference between titanium and zirconia (P>.05). From the SEM image, after 4 hours of culture, cells on both discs were triangular or elongated in shape with formation of filopodia. After 24 hours of culture, cells on both discs were more flattened and well spread compared to 4 hours of culture. From the ALP activity assay, the optical density of E1 cells on titanium was slightly higher than that of E1 cells on zirconia but there was no significant difference (P>.05). Most of the genes related to cell adhesion showed similar expression level between titanium and zirconia. CONCLUSION. Zirconia showed comparable biological responses of osteoblast-like cells to titanium for a short time during cell culture period. Most of the genes related to cell adhesion and signal showed similar expression level between titanium and zirconia.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2011

Background: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) appear to play an important role in the control and prevention of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The pp65 antigen is a structural protein, which has been defined as a potential target for effective immunity against HCMV infection. Incorporation of an 11 amino acid region of the HIV TAT protein transduction domain (Tat) into protein facilitates rapid, efficient entry into cells. Methods: To establish a strategy for the generation of HCMV-specific CTLs in vitro, recombinant truncated N- and C-terminal pp65 protein (pp65 N&C) and N- and C-terminal pp65 protein fused with Tat (Tat/pp65 N&C) was produced in E.coli system. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with pp65 N&C or Tat/pp65 N&C protein and immune responses induced was examined using IFN-${\gamma}$ ELISPOT assay, cytotoxicity assay and tetramer staining. Results: DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65N&C protein could induce higher T-cell responses in vitro compared with pp65N&C. Moreover, the DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C could stimulate both of $CD8^+$ and $CD4^+$ T-cell responses. The T cells induced by DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C showed higher cytotoxicity than that of pp65-pulsed DCs against autologous lymphoblastoid B-cell line (LCL) expressing the HCMV-pp65 antigen. Conclusion: Our results suggest that DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C protein effectively induced pp65-specific CTL in vitro. Tat fusion recombinant protein may be useful for the development of adoptive T-cell immunotherapy and DC-based vaccines.

• Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research
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• v.95 no.5
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• pp.240-248
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to validate the synergistic effect of ABT-737 on docetaxel using MDA-MB-231, a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line overexpressing B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Methods: Western blot analysis was performed to assess expression levels of Bcl-2 family proteins and caspase-related molecules. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry analysis. Benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk) was used for pretreatment to assess the role of caspases. Results: Cell viability of MDA-MB-231 after combination treatment with ABT-737 and docetaxel was significantly lower than that after docetaxel or ABT-737 monotherapy based on MTT assay (both P < 0.001), with a combination index of 0.41. The proportion of sub-G1 population after combination treatment was significantly higher than that after docetaxel or ABT-737 monotherapy (P = 0.001, P = 0.003, respectively). Pretreatment with z-VAD-fmk completely restored cell viability of MDA-MB-231 from apoptotic cell death induced by combination therapy (P = 0.001). Although pro-caspase-8 or Bid did not show significant change in expression level, pro-casepase-9 showed significantly decreased expression after combination treatment. Cleaved caspase-3 showed increased expression while poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage was induced after combination treatment. However, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 totally lost their expression after combination treatment. Conclusion: Combination of ABT-737 with docetaxel elicits synergistic therapeutic effect on MDA-MB-231, a TNBC cell line overexpressing Bcl-2, mainly by activating the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Therefore, adjunct of ABT-737 to docetaxel might be a new therapeutic option to overcome docetaxel resistance of TNBCs overexpressing Bcl-2.

• Ceramist
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.204-215
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• 2018

Proteases are one of the most abundant classes of enzymes in living organisms and have been considered major targets for drug development. However, despite the ability to specifically cleave their substrates, many attempts to assay protease activity have generally relied upon the use of gel zymography or fluorophore-labeled peptide substrates, which is limited in rapid and multiplex analysis. Here we review the recent advances in nanoparticle (NP)-utilized assays of protease activity focused on in vitro and cell imaging-based approaches. Owing to large surface area and unprecedented physical properties of NPs, these approaches are anticipated to facilitate many applications related to protease activity-based disease diagnosis and drug discovery.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.263-269
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• 2007

Although taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) can inhibit oxidative stress in both animal and epidemiological studies, it is obscure whether taurine directly scavenges oxy-radicals or indirectly regulates oxidant production and/or antioxidant defense system. The reason for this discrepancy remains unknown but may be due, in part, to the lack of a validated assay system for evaluating oxy-radical scavenging capacity. The antioxidant activities of taurine and hypotaurine (2-aminoethanesulfinic acid), a precursor of taurine, against peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrites were determined by the total oxy-radical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay and cell-based assay using H4IIE cells. tert-Butylhydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide-induced cell toxicity determined by MTT assay was markedly inhibited by 10mM taurine or hypotaurine. The tert-butylhydroperoxide- or hydrogen peroxide-induced changes in oxidative stress markers, such as cellular glutathione and malondialdehyde, were ameliorated by 10mM taurine or hypotaurine. However, specific TOSC values calculated from the slope of the linear regression for taurine against peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals or peroxynitrites were all less than 1 TOSC/mM. On the other hand specific TOSC values for hypotaurine against peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals or peroxynitrites were 48, 2096, or 69 TOSC/mM, respectively. These results suggest that taurine protects cells against oxidative insults, which is not ascribed to directly scavenging activity of taurine against oxy-radicals. These results support the idea that the oxidation state of sulfur in antioxidants may be a determinant of oxy-radical scavenging capacity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.851-856
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• 2004

Minerals separated from irradiated dried red pepper (whole) at 2.5 kGy or higher showed typical thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves ($TL_1$) at around $150^{\circ}C$, which increased with irradiation dose. The TL ratio ($TL_1/TL_2$) through re-irradiation step at 1 kGy enhanced reliability of TL identification results. DNA comet assay indicated that the intact cell was observed in non-irradiated pepper (seed), while some long tails were found in irradiated ones, showing relationship between irradiation dose and tail length. Log DEPT/APC values increased in proportion to irradiation doses in powdered and whole peppers. Based on overall results, irradiated dried red peppers could be screened using DNA comet assay or log DEFT/APC, and moreover the identification results were verified by TL analysis.