• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제58권3호
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• pp.219-226
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 레몬 잎 메탄올 추출물(MLL)의 인간 유방암 줄기 세포인 MCF-7-SC에 대한 항암 활성을 조사하였다. MLL이 MCF-7-SC에서 apoptosis를 유도하였으며, 이를 apoptotic body의 형성, sub-G1 phase 및 annexin V-positive 세포와 Bax/Bcl-2 ratio의 증가, caspase-9과 caspase-3의 활성화 및 PARP의 절 단을 통하여 확인하였다. 동시에 MCF-7-SC에서 MLL은 acidic vesicular organelles의 형성, LC3-II의 축적 증가, Akt/mTOR/p70S6K의 활성 억제 등을 통하여 autophagy를 유도하였다. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)는 세포가 전이 상태를 획득하기 위한 중요한 과정이며, 이 기작은 암세포가 전이되는 것을 억제함에 있어서 중요한 표적이 된다. 낮은 농도에서의 MLL은 epithelial 마커 단백질인 E-cadherin이 증가와 mesenchymal 마커 단백질인 Snail과 Slug의 발현 감소를 통해 EMT 과정을 저해함으로써 MCF-7-SC에서 항전이 활성을 나타내었다. 본 연구에서는 레몬 잎 메탄올 추출물이 농도 의존적으로 유방암 줄기세포에 대해 세포 독성과 항전이 활성을 나타내고 있으며, 따라서 레몬잎은 항암 소재로서의 개발 가능성이 높은 식물이라고 사료된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.30.1-30.12
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• 2021

High expression of mitofusin-2 (MFN2), a mitochondrial fusion protein, has been frequently associated with poor prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. Here, we aimed to identify the function of MFN2 in cervical cancer to understand its influence on disease prognosis. To this end, from cervical adenocarcinoma, we performed an MTT assay and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis to assess the effects of MFN2 on the proliferation and of HeLa cells. Then, colony-formation ability and tumorigenesis were evaluated using a tumor xenograft mouse model. The migration ability related to MFN2 was also measured using a wound healing assay. Consequently, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MFN2-knockdowned HeLa cells originating from adenocarcinoma. markers related to MFN2 were assessed by qRT-PCR. Clinical data were analyzed using cBioPortal and The Cancer Genome Atlas. We found that MFN2 knockdown reduced the proliferation, colony formation ability, migration, and in vivo tumorigenesis of HeLa cells. Primarily, migration of MFN2-knockdowned HeLa cells decreased through the suppression of EMT. Thus, we concluded that MFN2 facilitates cancer progression and in vivo tumorigenesis in HeLa cells. These findings suggest that MFN2 could be a novel target to regulate the EMT program and tumorigenic potential in HeLa cells and might serve as a therapeutic target for cervical cancer. Taken together, this study is expected to contribute to the treatment of patients with cervical cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.625-633
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• 2017

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) is one of the bioactive phospholipids that has many cellular functions such as cell migration, adhesion, proliferation, angiogenesis, and $Ca^{2+}$ signaling. Recent studies have reported that SPC induces invasion of breast cancer cells via matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) secretion leading to WNT activation. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a matricellular and calcium-binding protein that binds to a wide variety of integrin and non-integrin cell surface receptors. It regulates cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in inflammation, angiogenesis and neoplasia. TSP-1 promotes aggressive phenotype via epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). The relationship between SPC and TSP-1 is unclear. We found SPC induced EMT leading to mesenchymal morphology, decrease of E-cadherin expression and increases of N-cadherin and vimentin. SPC induced secretion of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) during SPC-induced EMT of various breast cancer cells. Gene silencing of TSP-1 suppressed SPC-induced EMT as well as migration and invasion of MCF10A cells. An extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor, PD98059, significantly suppressed the secretion of TSP-1, expressions of N-cadherin and vimentin, and decrease of E-cadherin in MCF10A cells. ERK2 siRNA suppressed TSP-1 secretion and EMT. From online PROGgene V2, relapse free survival is low in patients having high TSP-1 expressed breast cancer. Taken together, we found that SPC induced EMT and TSP-1 secretion via ERK2 signaling pathway. These results suggests that SPC-induced TSP-1 might be a new target for suppression of metastasis of breast cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.4065-4069
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• 2015

Background: Epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7), a secreted protein specifically expressed by endothelial cells during embryogenesis, recently was identified as a critical gene in tumor metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found to be closely related with tumor progression. Accordingly, it is important to investigate the migration and EMT change after knock-down of EGFL7 gene expression in human pancreatic cancer cells. Materials and Methods: EGFL7 expression was firstly testified in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and western blot, and the highest expression of EGFL7 was found in PANC-1 cell line. Then, PANC-1 cells transfected with small interference RNA (siRNA) of EGFL7 using plasmid vector were named si-PANC-1, while transfected with negative control plasmid vector were called NC-PANC-1. Transwell assay was used to analyze the migration of PANC-1 cells. Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression change of EGFL7 gene, EMT markers like E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin and transcription factors like snail, slug in PANC-1, NCPANC-1, and si-PANC-1 cells, respectively. Results: After successful plasmid transfection, EGFL7 gene were dramatically knock-down by RNA interference in si-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, migration ability decreased significantly, compared with PANC-1 and NC-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, the expression of epithelial phenotype marker E-Cadherin increased and that of mesenchymal phenotype markers N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin dramatically decreased in si-PANC-1 group, indicating a reversion of EMT. Also, transcription factors snail and slug decreased significantly after RNA interference. Conclusions: Current study suggested that highly-expressed EGFL7 promotes migration of PANC-1 cells and acts through transcription factors snail and slug to induce EMT, and further study is needed to confirm this issue.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.533-540
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• 2023

Sweroside is a natural monoterpene derived from Swertia pseudochinensis Hara. Recently, studies have shown that sweroside exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects. However, its role and mechanisms in high glucose (HG)-induced renal injury remain unclear. Herein, we established a renal injury model in vitro by inducing human renal tubular epithelial cell (HK-2 cells) injury by HG. Then, the effects of sweroside on HK-2 cell activity, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed. As a result, sweroside treatment ameliorated the viability, inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and VCAM-1), reduced the generation of ROS, and inhibited EMT in HK-2 cells. Moreover, the protein expression of SIRT1 was increased and the acetylation of p65 NF-kB was decreased in HK-2 cells with sweroside treatment. More importantly, EX527, an inhibitor of SIRT1, that inactivated SIRT1, abolished the improvement effects of sweroside on HK-2 cells. Our findings suggested that sweroside may mitigate HG-caused injury in HK-2 cells by promoting SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p65 NF-kB.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권12호
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• pp.909-914
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• 2016

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical step in the acquisition of the migratory and invasive capabilities associated with metastatic competence. Cysteine-rich protein 61 (CCN1/Cyr61) has been implicated as an important mediator in the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer. Hence, Cyr61 and associated pathways are attractive targets for therapeutic interventions directed against the EMT. In the present study, we report that baicalein significantly inhibits the expression of Cyr61 and migration and invasion of MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cells. Exposure to baicalein led to increased E-cadherin expression, possibly due to the ubiquitination of Snail and Slug, which was mediated by the Cyr61/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase $3{\beta}$ ($GSK3{\beta}$) pathway. Further analysis revealed that baicalein inhibited the expression of lysyl oxidase like-2 (LOXL-2), which is a functional collaborator of Snail and Slug, and subsequently attenuated the direct interaction between LOXL-2 and Snail or Slug, thereby enhancing $GSK3{\beta}$-dependent Snail and Slug degradation. Our findings provide new insights into the antimetastatic mechanism of baicalein and may contribute to its beneficial use in breast cancer therapies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.197-207
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• 2024

The potential of tivozanib as a treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was explored in this study. We investigated the effects of tivozanib on OSCC using the Ca9-22 and CAL27 cell lines. OSCC is a highly prevalent cancer type with a significant risk of lymphatic metastasis and recurrence, which necessitates the development of innovative treatment approaches. Tivozanib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, has shown efficacy in inhibiting neovascularization in various cancer types but has not been thoroughly studied in OSCC. Our comprehensive assessment revealed that tivozanib effectively inhibited OSCC cells. This was accompanied by the suppression of Bcl-2, a reduction in matrix metalloproteinase levels, and the induction of intrinsic pathway-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, tivozanib contributed to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition by increasing E-cadherin levels while decreasing N-cadherin levels. These findings highlight the substantial anticancer potential of tivozanib in OSCC and thus its promise as a therapeutic option. Beyond reducing cell viability and inducing apoptosis, the capacity of tivozanib to inhibit EMT and modulate key proteins presents the possibility of a paradigm shift in OSCC treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.340-347
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• 2022

Advanced or metastatic breast cancer affects multiple organs and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Cancer metastasis is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal metastasis (EMT). However, the specific signals that induce and regulate EMT in carcinoma cells remain unclear. PRR16/Largen is a cell size regulator that is independent of mTOR and Hippo signalling pathways. However, little is known about the role PRR16 plays in the EMT process. We found that the expression of PRR16 was increased in mesenchymal breast cancer cell lines. PRR16 overexpression induced EMT in MCF7 breast cancer cells and enhances migration and invasion. To determine how PRR16 induces EMT, the binding proteins for PRR16 were screened, revealing that PRR16 binds to Abl interactor 2 (ABI2). We then investigated whether ABI2 is involved in EMT. Gene silencing of ABI2 induces EMT, leading to enhanced migration and invasion. ABI2 is a gene that codes for a protein that interacts with ABL proto-oncogene 1 (ABL1) kinase. Therefore, we investigated whether the change in ABI2 expression affected the activation of ABL1 kinase. The knockdown of ABI2 and PRR16 overexpression increased the phosphorylation of Y412 in ABL1 kinase. Our results suggest that PRR16 may be involved in EMT by binding to ABI2 and interfering with its inhibition of ABL1 kinase. This indicates that ABL1 kinase inhibitors may be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of PRR16-related breast cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제52권8호
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• pp.944-952
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• 2009

목 적 : Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)은 태생기에 있어 필수 불가결한 발달과정일 뿐 아니라, 신 섬유화에 있어서도 중요한 역할을 하며, nestin은 고전적인 줄기세포 표지자로 신 세뇨관 간질 손상에 있어 새로운 표지자로 밝혀지고 있다. 신생 백서 신장에서 Angiotensin (Ang) II가 EMT에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자, 안지오텐신 전환 효소 억제제를 투여한 신생 백서의 신장에서 EMT 표지자 및 nestin의 발현 양상을 조사하였다. 방 법 : 7일 동안 신생 백서에게 enalapril (30 mg/kg/d) 또는 vehicle을 투여하였으며, ${\alpha}-smooth$ muscle actin (SMA), E-cadherin, vimentin 및 nestin에 대한 면역 조직 화학 염색을 시행하였다. 결 과 : enalapril 투여군에서 대조군에 비해 신 피질 및 수질 모두에서 ${\alpha}-SMA$ 발현이 증가하였으며, 이는 확장된 세뇨관 상피 세포에서 뚜렷하였다(P<0.05). E-cadherin 발현은 enalapril 투여군의 신 피질 및 수질의 세뇨관 상피 세포에서 확연히 감소하였다(P<0.05). vimentin 및 nestin 발현은 신 피질에서는 양군간의 차이가 없었으나, 신 수질에서는 enalapril 투여군에서 세뇨관 간질 세포에서 발현이 의미있게 증가하였다(P<0.05). 결 론 : 신생 백서 신장에서 Ang II 억제는 ${\alpha}-SMA$ 발현을 증가시키고, E-cadherin 발현을 감소시킴으로써 발달하는 신장의 EMT를 증가시켰다. Enalapril 투여는 또한 신 수질에서 vimentin과 nestin의 발현을 증가시켰으며, 이는 신생 백서 신장에서의 Ang II 억제로 인한 EMT 과정 중 신 수질의 변화가 더욱 뚜렷한 것을 시사하며, Ang II 억제가 EMT 표지자들의 발현을 다르게 변화시키는 것으로 사료된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권10호
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• pp.4271-4274
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• 2014

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key step during embryonic morphogenesis and plays an important role in drug resistance and metastasis in diverse solid tumors. We previously reported that 48 h treatment of anti-cancer drug doxorubicin could induce EMT in human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. However, the long term effects of this transient drug treatment were unknown. In this study we found that after 48 h treatment with $0.1{\mu}g/ml$ doxorubicin, most cells died during next week, while a minor population of cells survived and formed colonies. We propagated the surviving cells in drug free medium and found that these long term cultured drug survival cells (abbreviated as ltDSCs) retained a mesenchymal-like cell morphology, and expressed high levels of EMT-related molecules such as vimentin, twist and ${\beta}$-catenin. The expression of chromatin reprogramming factors, Oct4 and c-myc, were also higher in ltDSCs than parental cells. We further demonstrated that the protein level of p300 was upregulated in ltDSCs, and inhibition of p300 by siRNA suppressed the expression of vimentin. Moreover, the ltDSCs had higher colony forming ability and were more drug resistant when compared to parental cells. Our results suggested that an epigenetic mechanism is involved in the EMT of ltDSCs.