• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.137-142
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• 2019

Numerous efforts are being made to develop an ideal dermal filler that should be bio-compatibility, non-immunogenicity, long-lasting and biodegradable without a toxic secretion. Biomaterials of dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid filler, calcium filler, PMMA filler and collagen filler depending on the ingredient. Although hyaluronic acid (HA) is most widely used, it has shortages such as short shelf life and low mechanical strength compare to extracellular matrix (ECM). The cartilage ECM composed of collagen type II, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and in a minor part with glycoproteins. In this study, we developed a cartilage ECM injectable filler capable of improving biocompatibility and longevity compared with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. The ECM hydrogel was cross-linked by the reaction of N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) for mechanical enhancement. Prepared ECM filler was compared with cross-linked HA by butanediol diglycidyle ether (BDDE), which is the most widely used natural polymers for dermal filler. In the results, the articular cartilage ECM hydrogel has great potential as a dermal filler to improve the biophysical and biological performance.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1711-1717
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• 2024

This study evaluates the efficacy of a decellularized intestine tissue-derived extracellular matrix (Intestine ECM) as a scaffold for culturing colorectal cancer (CRC) organoids and establishing cell-derived xenograft (CDX) models, comparing its performance to traditional Matrigel. Intestine ECM demonstrates comparable support for organoid formation and cellular function, highlighting its potential as a more physiologically relevant and reproducible platform. Our findings suggest that Intestine ECM enhances the mimetic environment for colon epithelium, supporting comparable growth and improved differentiation compared to Matrigel. Moreover, when used as a delivery carrier, Intestine ECM significantly increases the growth rate of CDX models using patient-derived primary colorectal cancer cells. This enhancement demonstrates Intestine ECM's role not only as a scaffold but also as a vital component of the tumor microenvironment, facilitating more robust tumorigenesis. These findings advocate for the broader application of Intestine ECM in cancer model systems, potentially leading to more accurate preclinical evaluations and the development of targeted cancer therapies.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.39-56
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• 1991

The development of notochordal cells of nucleus pulposus was studied with electron microscope in human fetuses ranging from 30 mm to 260 mm crown-rump length. At 30 mm fetus, primitive notochordal cells were large with central nucleus, few organelles, and their cytoplasm usually contained dense glycogen and fine filaments. Notochordal cells at all ages contained bundles of fine filaments of indeterminate nature. One unusual feature of fetal notochordal cells was the consistent presense of rough endoplasmic reticulum surrounding poorly developed mitochondria. At 50 mm fetus, notochordal cells formed dense masses with interdigitating cell membranes connected by a variety of cell to cell junctions. With increasing age, the cell connections became slender threaded cytoplamic extending from cell and enclosed large extracellular space. Chondrocyte-like cells appeared to be separated by large volumes of extracellular matrix. Viable notochordal and condrocyte-like cells existed in specimen from all age. The extracellular spaces were filled with fibrillar and granular material by 90 mm fetus. Necrotic cells were distinguished by loss of their membrane integrity, vacuolization of their organelles, and the presence of dense osmiophilic masses. In adult tissue, notochordal cells became rounded or irregular in shape and developed a pericellular matrix consisting of collagen fibrile, and dense particle. The structure of notochordal cells and their persistance in the nucleus pulposus after fetal life suggested that they may have a significant role in the formation and maintenance of the nucleus pulposus. The presence of Golgi complex and well-developed endoplasmic reticulum in chondrocyte-like cells suggested that they are capable of producing and maintaining the extracellular matrix.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2013

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent pro-fibrotic factor, which is implicated in fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) induction in diabetic cardiovascular complications. It is an important downstream mediator in the fibrotic action of transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ ($TGF{\beta}$) and is potentially induced by hyperglycemia in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify the signaling pathways of CTGF effects on ECM accumulation and cell proliferation in VSMCs under hyperglycemia. We found that high glucose stimulated the levels of CTGF mRNA and protein and followed by VSMC proliferation and ECM components accumulation such as collagen type 1, collagen type 3 and fibronectin. By depleting endogenous CTGF we showed that CTGF is indispensable for the cell proliferation and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. In addition, pretreatment with the MEK1/2 specific inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126 potently inhibited the CTGF production and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Furthermore, knockdown with ERK1/2 MAPK siRNA resulted in significantly down regulated of CTGF production, ECM components accumulation and cell proliferation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Finally, ERK1/2 signaling regulated Egr-1 protein expression and treatment with recombinant CTGF reversed the Egr-1 expression in high glucose-induced VSMCs. It is conceivable that ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating CTGF expression and suggests that blockade of CTGF through ERK1/2 MAPK signaling may be beneficial for therapeutic target of diabetic cardiovascular complication such as atherosclerosis.

• 한국당과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.3-5
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• 2006

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2011

Yam extracts (Dioscorea batatas) have been reported to possess a variety of functions. However, studies on its osteogenic properties are limited. In this study, we investigated the effect of ethanol and water extracts on osteoblast proliferation and bone matrix protein synthesis, type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), using osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell model. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with yam ethanol and water extracts (0~30 mg/L) within 39 days of osteoblast differentiation period. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Bone matrix proteins were assessed by the accumulation of type I collagen and ALP activity by staining the cell layers for matrix staining. Also, the secreted (media) matrix protein concentration (type I collagen) and enzyme activity (ALP) were measured colorimetrically. Yam ethanol and water extracts stimulated cell proliferation within the range of 15~30 mg/L at 15 day treatment. The accumulation of type I collagen in the extracellular matrix, as well as secreted collagen in the media, increased with increasing doses of yam ethanol (3~15 mg/L) and water (3~30 mg/L) extracts. ALP activity was not affected by yam ethanol extracts. Our results demonstrated that yam extracts stimulated osteoblast proliferation and enhanced the accumulation of the collagenous bone matrix protein type I collagen in the extracellular matrix. These results suggest that yam extracts may be a potential activator for bone formation by increasing osteoblast proliferation and increasing bone matrix protein type I collagen. Before confirming the osteogenic action of yam, further studies for clarifying how and whereby yam extracts can stimulate this ostegenesis action are required.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.192-197
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• 2022

Cell signals for growth factors depend on the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells. Microtubule acetylation is involved in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation in the soft ECM. However, the mechanism of activation of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (α-TAT1), a major α-tubulin acetyltransferase, in the soft ECM is not well defined. Here, we found that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is required for the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 that promotes microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix. Genetic mutation and pharmacological inhibition of CK2 catalytic activity specifically reduced microtubule acetylation in the cells cultured on a soft matrix rather than those cultured on a stiff matrix. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that CK2α, a catalytic subunit of CK2, directly bound to the C-terminal domain of α-TAT1, and this interaction was more prominent in the cells cultured on the soft matrix. Moreover, the substitution of alanine with serine, the 236th amino acid located at the C-terminus, which contains the CK2-binding site of α-TAT1, significantly abrogated the TGF-β-induced microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix, indicating that the successful binding of CK2 and the C-terminus of α-TAT1 led to the phosphorylation of serine at the 236th position of amino acids in α-TAT1 and regulation of its catalytic activity. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 in a soft matrix.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.218-227
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• 2019

This study was designed to determine the effects of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption in a murine abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model. After injection of PVT1-silencing lentiviruses, AAA was induced in Apolipoprotein E-deficient ($ApoE^{-/-}$) male mice by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion for four weeks. After Ang II infusion, mouse serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analysed, and aortic tissues were isolated for histological, RNA, and protein analysis. Our results also showed that PVT1 expression was significantly upregulated in abdominal aortic tissues from AAA patients compared with that in controls. Additionally, Ang II treatment significantly increased PVT1 expression, both in cultured mouse VSMCs and in AAA murine abdominal aortic tissues. Of note, the effects of Ang II in facilitating cell apoptosis, increasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, reducing tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1, and promoting switching from the contractile to synthetic phenotype in cultured VSMCs were enhanced by overexpression of PVT1 but attenuated by knockdown of PVT1. Furthermore, knockdown of PVT1 reversed Ang II-induced AAA-associated alterations in mice, as evidenced by attenuation of aortic diameter dilation, marked adventitial thickening, loss of elastin in the aorta, enhanced aortic cell apoptosis, elevated MMP-2 and MMP-9, reduced TIMP-1, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 suppresses VSMC apoptosis, ECM disruption, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in a murine Ang II-induced AAA model.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.590-600
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• 2003

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes responsible for degrading connective tissue. MMPs catalyze the breakdown of collagen from the extracellular matrix, leading to wrinkle formation and accelerated skin aging. Furthermore, ultraviolet irradiation causes increased expression of certain MMPs. In the extracellular matrix turnover, MMPs are interacting with endogenous regulators named tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Using peptide substrate assays, it has been demonstrated that TIMP-MMP complexes interact highly specifically with $K_{i}$ values of 10$^{-9}$ -10$^{-16}$ M. Therefore applications for TIMP as inhibitor of collagen degradation are suggested for cosmetic anti-aging products to prevent wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity. To date four TIMP proteins (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4) have been identified which show a high degree in sequence similarity. The production of human TIMP-2, a 194-residue nonglycosylated protein, was performed by fed-batch culture of Escherichia coli. TIMP-2 accumulated in the bacterial cells in an insoluble form as inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were solubilized and the protein refolded to yield the native TIMP-2 in the active form. The integrity of the protein was confirmed by mass analysis, Edman sequencing and gel shift experiments with authentic samples. The inhibitory activity of the refolded and purified TIMP-2 was demonstrated with MMP-1 and MMP-2 assays using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates.s.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.182-187
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• 2018

In carcinoma, cancer-associated fibroblasts participate in force-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, consequently leading to invasion of cancer cells. Likewise, the ECM remodeling actively occurs in glioblastoma (GBM) and the consequent microenvironmental stiffness is strongly linked to migration behavior of GBM cells. However, in GBM the stromal cells responsible for force-mediated ECM remodeling remain unidentified. We show that tumor-associated mesenchymal stem-like cells (tMSLCs) provide a proinvasive matrix condition in GBM by force-mediated ECM remodeling. Importantly, CCL2-mediated Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) activation increased phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 in tMSLCs and led to collagen assembly and actomyosin contractility. Collectively, our findings implicate tMSLCs as stromal cells providing force-mediated proinvasive ECM remodeling in the GBM microenvironment, and reminiscent of fibroblasts in carcinoma.