• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.2 s.33
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• pp.108-115
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• 2007

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of Scutellariae radix on the release of RANTES, eotaxin, TARC induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4 in human bronchial epithelial cell(A549 cell) was examined. Scutellariae radix significantly inhibited the secretion of RANTES, eotaxin, TARC with a dose-dependant manner. Methods : In the experiment, to observe the toxity of the cell according to concentration of Scutellariae radix, MIT assay was carried out to examine cell viability. The effective dosage did not have the cytotoxicity on human bronchial epithelial cell in all control group excepting 50\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. Results : The above results shows Scutellariae radix inhibits the secretion of the release of RANTES, eotaxin, TARC on human bronchial epithelial cell(A549 cell). Conclusion : These results suggest that Scutellariae radix could be used as a prophylaxis and remedy of asthma induced by allergy and inflammatory reaction caused by several reasons.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2010

Ceramide induces cell death in a variety of cell types however, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to renal epithelial cells remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in ceramide-induced cell death in renal epithelial cells. An established renal proximal tubular cell line of opossum kidney (OK) cells was used for this research. Ceramide induced apoptotic cell death in these cells. Western blot analysis showed that ceramide induced activation of ERK. The ERK activation and cell death induced by ceramide were prevented by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Ceramide caused cytochrome C release from mitochondria into the cytosol as well as activation of caspase-3. Both effects were prevented by PD98059. The ceramide-induced cell death was also prevented by a caspase inhibitor. These results suggest that ceramide induces cell death through an ERK-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in OK cells.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 1995

Porcine follicular oocytes matured in culture were inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa. When the oocytes were inseminated in the medium with oviductal epithelial cell monolayer, the penetration rates higher in those with (4.1, 31.7, 45.1, 54.5 and 69.4%) than without cells (0, 17.1, 34.8, 45.2 and 58.9%) at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 h after insemination. The proportions of polyspermy in penetrated oocytes in medium with or without cells increased with time of examine. In another experiment, the penetration rate was higher without (57.6%) than with (19.6~24.1%) preincubation of spermatozoa for 1~4 h in medium. However, when the oocytes were inseminated with spermatozoa preincubated for 1~2 h, the penetration rates significantly higher (P<0.05) in those with (65.6 and 55.9% for 1 and 2 h) than without (24.1 and 20.6% for 1 and 2 h) oviductal epithelial cell monolayer. On the other hand, the proportions of polyspermy decreased with time of spermatozoa preincubation. These results indicate the significant advantages of the spermatozoa preincubation with oviductal epithelial cell monolayer for 1 and 2 h to maintain penetration potential during in vitro fertilization in the porcine.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2022

The airway epithelium is equipped with the ability to resist respiratory disease development and airway damage, including the migration of airway epithelial cells and the activation of TLR3, which recognizes double-stranded (ds) RNA. Primary cilia on airway epithelial cells are involved in the cell cycle and cell differentiation and repair. In this study, we used Beas-2B human bronchial epithelial cells to investigate the effects of the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)] on airway cell migration and primary cilia (PC) formation. PC formation increased in cells incubated under serum deprivation. Migration was faster in Beas-2B cells pretreated with Poly(I:C) than in control cells, as judged by a wound healing assay, single-cell path tracking, and a Transwell migration assay. No changes in cell migration were observed when the cells were incubated in conditioned medium from Poly(I:C)-treated cells. PC formation was enhanced by Poly(I:C) treatment, but was reduced when the cells were exposed to the ciliogenesis inhibitor ciliobrevin A (CilioA). The inhibition of Beas-2B cell migration by CilioA was also assessed and a slight decrease in ciliogenesis was detected in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP)-treated Beas-2B cells overexpressing ACE2 compared to control cells. Cell migration was decreased by SP but restored by Poly(I:C) treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that impaired migration by SP-treated cells can be attenuated by Poly(I:C) treatment, thus increasing airway cell migration through the regulation of ciliogenesis.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2014

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one mechanism by which cells with mesenchymal features can be generated and is a fundamental event in morphogenesis. Recently, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells from the primary tumor are now thought to be initiated by the developmental process termed the EMT, whereby epithelial cells lose cell polarity and cell-cell interactions, and gain mesenchymal phenotypes with increased migratory and invasive properties. The EMT is believed to be an important step in metastasis and is implicated in cancer progression, although the influence of the EMT in clinical specimens has been debated. This review presents the recent results of two cell surface proteins, the functions and underlying mechanisms of which have recently begun to be demonstrated, as novel regulators of the molecular networks that induce the EMT and cancer progression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.353-361
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• 2022

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa and tissue remodeling, which can include basal/progenitor cell hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous cell metaplasia, loss or dysfunction of ciliated cells, and increased matrix deposition. Repeated injuries can stimulate airway epithelial cells to produce inflammatory mediators that activate epithelial cells, immune cells, or the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit. This persistent inflammation can consequently induce aberrant tissue remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms driving disease within the different molecular CRS subtypes remain inadequately characterized. Numerous secreted and cell surface proteins relevant to airway inflammation and remodeling are initially synthesized as inactive precursor proteins, including growth/differentiation factors and their associated receptors, enzymes, adhesion molecules, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. Therefore, these precursor proteins require post-translational cleavage by proprotein convertases (PCs) to become fully functional. In this review, we summarize the roles of PCs in CRS-associated tissue remodeling and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting PCs for CRS treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.62.1-62.10
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• 2022

Background: The corneal and limbal morphology relevant to corneal epithelial maintenance in ten different species was examined using histological methods. Objectives: The presence of a Bowman's layer, limbal epithelial cell, and superficial stromal morphology was examined in the following species to evaluate the differences in corneal thickness and epithelium: Java sparrows, frogs, macaws, spoonbills, red pandas, penguins, horses, Dobermans, orangutans, and humans. Methods: Corneal sections (4 ㎛) were obtained from ten ocular globes from three different animal classes: Aves, Amphibia, and Mammalia. All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff reaction. After microscopy, all stained slides were photographed and analyzed. Results: Significant morphological differences in the corneal and limbal epithelia and their underlying stroma between species were observed. The number of corneal epithelial cell layers and the overall corneal epithelial thickness varied significantly among the species. The presence of a Bowman's layer was only observed in primates (orangutans and humans). Presumed supranuclear melanin caps were noted in four species (orangutans, macaws, red pandas, and horses) in the limbal basal epithelial layer (putative site of corneal epithelial stem cells). The melanin granules covered the apex of the cell nucleus. Conclusions: Supranuclear melanin capping has been described as a process within the epidermis to reduce the concentration of ultraviolet-induced DNA photoproducts. Similarly, there may be a relationship between limbal stem cell melanin capping as a protective mechanism against ultra-violet radiation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 1995

Cytokine release from alveolar macrophages and subsequent interaction of these cytokines with the bronchial epithelium can induce epithelial cells to release inflammatory mediators. Nitric oxide(NO), a highly reactive gas formed from arginine by nitric oxide synthase(NOS), is known to be involved in inflammation and edema formation, and the inducible form of NOS(iNOS) can be increased by cytokines. In this context, we hypothesized that lung epithelial cells could be stimulated by cytokines released by alveolar macrophages to express iNOS. To test this hypothesis, the murine lung epithelial cell line, LA-4, or the human lung epithelial cell line, A549, were stimulated with culture supernatant fluids from alveolar macrophages. NO production was assessed by evaluating the culture supernatant fluids for nitrite and nitrate, the stable end products of NO. Both murine and human cell culture supernatant fluids demonstrated an increase in nitrite and nitrate which were time- and dose-dependent and attenuated by $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ antibodies(p<0.05, all comparisons). Consistent with these observations, cytomix a combination of $TNF{\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and $\gamma$-interferon, stimulated the lung epithelial cell lines as well as primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells to increase their NO production as evidenced by an increase in nitrite and nitrate in their culture supernatant fluids, an increase in the iNOS staining by immunocytochemistry, and an increase in iNOS mRNA by Northern blottin(p<0.05, all comparisons). The cytokine effects on iNOS were all attenuated by dexamethasone. To determine if these in vitro observations are reflected in vivo, exhaled NO was measured and found to be increased in asthmatics not receiving corticosteroids. These data demonstrate that alveolar macrophage derived cytokines increase iNOS expression in lung epithelial cells and that these in vitro observations are mirrored by increased exhaled NO levels in asthmatics. Increased NO in the lung may contribute to edema formation and airway narrowing.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.321-332
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• 2010

Growing interest in the nasal route as a drug delivery system calls for a reliable in vitro model which is crucial for efficiently evaluating drug transport through the nasal cells. Various in vitro cell culture systems has thus been developed to displace the ex vivo excised nasal tissue and in vivo animal models. Due to species difference, results from animal studies are not sufficient for estimating the drug absorption kinetics in humans. However, the difficulty in obtaining reliable human tissue source limits the use of primary culture of human nasal epithelial cells. This shortage of human nasal tissue has therefore prompted studies on the "passage" culture of nasal epithelial cells. A serially passaged primary human nasal epithelial cell monolayer system developed by the air-liquid interface (ALI) culture is known to promote the differentiation of cilia and mucin gene and maintain high TEER values. Recent studies on the in vitro nasal cell culture systems for drug transport studies are reviewed in this article.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.479-484
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• 2007

A case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma transformed in pleomorphic adenoma occurring in palate of a 61 years old woman is reported. The tum or was composed of 2 different components, pleomorphic adenoma and epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma, accounting for approximately 40% and 60% of whole tumor, respectively. As the results of the immunohistopathologic study, epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma showed multiple tubular or solid nest, which were separated by a basement membrane and considered of variable proportion of 2 cell types, cuboidal epithelial cells positive for cytokeratin and clear myoepithelial cells positive for glial fibrillary acid protein, wheres the myoepithelial nest of pleomorphic adenoma intermingled with hyaline and myxoid stroma. The malignancy was demonstrated by convincing evidence of invasion into the submucosa, although the epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma component was mostly surrounded by the pleomorphic adenoma componemts. An increased immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antign in the epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma area in comparison to the pleomorphic adenoma also suggested epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising in a pleomorphic adenoma.