• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권15호
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• pp.6349-6352
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• 2014

The present study was undertaken to determine the roles of insulin in the growth of transplanted breast cancer in nude mice, and the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and assess its influence on downstream signaling pathways. In a xenograft mouse model with injection of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, tumor size was measured every other day. The insulin level and insulin receptor (IR) were increased in the breast cancer patient tissues. Insulin injected subcutaneously around the tumor site in mice caused increase in the size and weight of tumor masses, and promoted proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells. The effects of insulin on the increase in the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were abolished by pretreatment with the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059. Insulin increased the phosphorylation of ERK in the MCF-7 cells. These results indicate that insulin promotes the growth of breast cancer in nude mice, and increases the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells via the ERK pathway.

• 생약학회지
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.18-24
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• 2019

Andrographolide, the main compound of Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata), shows various biological properties including anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. Our previous study has shown that A. paniculata extract exerts antiaging effects by activation of stemness in epidermal stem cells (EpSCs). In this study, we investigated the effect of andrographolide as a main compound of A. paniculata on EpSCs and its mechnism of action using several in vitro assays. Andrographolide increased the proliferation of EpSCs and induced cell cycle progression. Additionally, andrographolide increased VEGF production and the expression of stem cell markers integrin ${\beta}1$ and p63. Furthermore, phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), S6 ribosomal protein (S6RP) and Akt were increased by andrographolide. Taken together, these results indicate that andrographolide-induced proliferation of EpSCs is mediated by the ERK1/2, Akt-dependent pathway with increased production of VEGF and upregulated stemness through integrin ${\beta}1$ and p63.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2002년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2
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• pp.254.2-254.2
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• 2002

Mast cells play an important role in inflammation by functioning as a source of histamine, tryptase, and proinflammatory cytokines. Lonicera Japonica (Caprifoliaceae. Lc) has been used to treat inflammation. We investigated whether the water extract of Lonicera Japonica(Lc) inhibit production of inflammatory mediators such as tryptase and tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) in trypsin-stimulated HMC-1. (omitted)

• 대한후두음성언어의학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.15-23
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• 2021

Background and Objectives During speech, the vocal folds oscillate at frequencies ranging from 100-200 Hz with amplitudes of a few millimeters. Mechanical stimulation is an essential factor which affects metabolism of human vocal folds. The effect of mechanical vibration on the cellular response in the human vocal fold fibroblasts cells (hVFFs) was evaluated. Materials and Method We created a culture systemic device capable of generating vibratory stimulations at human phonation frequencies. To establish optimal cell culture condition, cellular proliferation and viability assay was examined. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess extracellular matrix (ECM) related and growth factors expression on response to changes in vibratory frequency and amplitude. Western blot was used to investigate ECM and inflammation-related transcription factor activation and its related cellular signaling transduction pathway. Results The cell viability was stable with vibratory stimulation within 24 h. A statistically significant increase of ECM genes (collagen type I alpha 1 and collagen type I alpha 2) and growth factor [transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1)] observe under the experimental conditions. Vibratory stimulation induced transcriptional activation of NF-κB by phosphorylation of p65 subunit through cellular Mitogen-activated protein kinases activation by extracellular signal regulated kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation on hVFFs. Conclusion This study confirmed enhancing synthesis of collagen, TGF-β1 and FGF was testified by vibratory stimulation on hVFFs. This mechanism is thought to be due to the activation of NF-κB and MAPKs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that vibratory bioreactor may be a suitable alternative to hVFFs for studying vocal folds cellular response to vibratory vocalization.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.209-220
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• 2014

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key factor involved in the induction of angiogenesis and has become an attractive target for anti-angiogenesis therapies. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the anti-angiogenic activity of Rubus coreanus Miquel water extract (RCME). Rubus coreanus Miquel has long been employed as a traditional medicine, and recent studies have demonstrated that it has measureable biological activities. Thus, we investigated for the first time the effect of RCME on angiogenesis and its underlying signaling pathways. The effects of RCME were tested on in vitro models of angiogenesis, namely, proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells as well as an ex vivo model of vessel sprouting from the rat aorta in response to VEGF. We observed that VEGF-induced angiogenesis was strongly suppressed by RCME treatment compared to that of the control group. Moreover, we found that RCME inhibited VEGF-induced activation of matrix metalloproteinases and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38, and also effectively inhibited phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2. These results indicated that RCME inhibits angiogenesis by suppressing phosphorylation of the VEGF receptor and may be useful for the treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.416-425
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• 2009

Angiogenesis is important for promoting cardiovascular disease, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. We here investigated the pharmacological effects of Korea red ginseng water extract (KRGE) on angiogenesis and its underlying signal mechanism. This study showed that KRGE increased in vitro proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical endothelial cells, as well as stimulated in vivo angiogenesis. KRGE-induced angiogenesis was accompanied by phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) as well as an increase in NO production. Inhibition of PI3K activity by wortmannin completely inhibited KRGE-induced angiogenesis and phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and eNOS, indicating that PI3K/Akt activation is an upstream event of KRGE-mediated angiogenic pathway. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 completely blocked KRGE-induced angiogenesis and ERK phosphorylation without affecting Akt and eNOS activation. However, the eNOS inhibitor NMA effectively inhibited tube formation, but partially blocked proliferation and migration as well as ERK phosphorylation without altering Akt and eNOS activation, revealing that eNOS/NO pathway is in part involved in ERK1/2 activation. This study first demonstrated the critical involvement of both ERK1/2 and eNOS activation in KRGE-induced angiogenesis, which lie on downstream of PI3K/Akt. Thus, these results indicate that KRGE requires activation of both the PI3K/Akt-dependent ERK1/2 and eNOS signal pathways and their cross-talk for its full angiogenic activity.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권12호
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• pp.1345-1355
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• 2014

약초 추출물을 이용한 혈관신생 억제는 많은 고형종양을 치료하기 위한 효과적인 방안으로 인식되어 왔다. 현재까지 가장 효과적으로 종양을 억제하는 방법은 VEGF-유도성 혈관형성 경로를 목표로 하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 처음으로 복분자 온수추출물의 혈관형성 억제효과를 in vitro와 ex vivo 실험을 통해서 확인하였다. 복분자 온수추출물은 VEGF-유도성 혈관신생을 억제할 뿐만 아니라 ERK와 p38의 인산화, MMP의 활성화를 억제하였다. 또한, 복분자 온수추출물은 VEGF에 의해서 유도된 VEGFR2 인산화를 억제하였다. 이 결과들은 복분자 온수추출물이 VEGFR2의 인산화를 저해함으로써 혈관신생을 억제하고 이것은 혈관신생과 관련된 질병을 치료하는데 좋은 소재가 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.479-486
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• 2008

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play an indispensable role in activation of the myogenic program, which is responsive to mechanical stimulation. Although there is accumulating evidence of mechanical force-mediated cellular responses, the role of MAPK in regulating the myogenic process in myoblasts exposed to cyclic stretch is unclear. Cyclic stretch induced the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts and inhibited their differentiation into myotubes. In particular, it induced persistent phosphorylation of p38 kinase, and decreased the level of phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK). Partial inhibition of p38 phosphorylation increased cellular levels of MyoD and p-ERK in stretched C2C12 cells, along with increased myotube formation. Treatment with $10{\mu}M$ PD98059 prevented myogenin expression in response to a low dose of SB203580 ($3{\mu}M$) in the stretched cells, suggesting that adequate ERK activation is also needed to allow the cells to differentiate into myotubes. These results suggest that cyclic stretch inhibits the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells by activating p38-mediated signaling and inhibiting ERK phosphorylation. We conclude that p38 kinase, not ERK, is the upstream signal transducer regulating cellular responses to mechanical stretch in skeletal muscle cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.109-114
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• 2018

Liquiritigenin (LQ) is a flavonoid that can be isolated from Glycyrrhiza radix. It is frequently used as a tranditional oriental medicine herbal treatment for swelling and injury and for detoxification. However, the effects of LQ on cognitive function have not been fully explored. In this study, we evaluated the memory-enhancing effects of LQ and the underlying mechanisms with a focus on the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) in mice. Learning and memory ability were evaluated with the Y-maze and passive avoidance tests following administration of LQ. In addition, the expression of NMDAR subunits 1, 2A, and 2B; postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95); phosphorylation of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII); phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2); and phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding (CREB) proteins were examined by Western blot. In vivo, we found that treatment with LQ significantly improved memory performance in both behavioral tests. In vitro, LQ significantly increased NMDARs in the hippocampus. Furthermore, LQ significantly increased PSD-95 expression as well as CaMKII, ERK, and CREB phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Taken together, our results suggest that LQ has cognition enhancing activities and that these effects are mediated, in part, by activation of the NMDAR and CREB signaling pathways.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.268-276
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• 2017

Background: UV-B-exposed keratinocytes secrete various paracrine factors. Among these factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates the proliferation of melanocytes. Ginsenosides, the major active compounds of ginseng, are known to have broad pharmacological effects. In this study, we examined the antiproliferative effects of ginsenosides on bFGF-induced melanocyte proliferation. Methods: We investigated the inhibitory effects of Korean Red Ginseng and ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on bFGF-induced proliferation of melan-a melanocytes. Results: When melan-a melanocytes were treated with UV-B-irradiated SP-1 keratinocytes media, cell proliferation increased. This increased proliferation of melanocytes decreased with a neutralizing anti-bFGF antibody. To elucidate the effects of ginsenosides on melanocyte proliferation induced by bFGF, we tested 15 types of ginsenoside compounds. Among them, Rh3, Rh1, F1, and CK demonstrated antiproliferative effects on bFGF-induced melanocyte proliferation after 72 h of treatment. bFGF stimulated cell proliferation via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in various cell types. Western blot analysis found bFGF-induced ERK phosphorylation in melan-a. Treatment with Rh3 inhibited bFGF-induced maximum ERK phosphorylation and F1-delayed maximum ERK phosphorylation, whereas Rh1 and CK had no detectable effects. In addition, cotreatment with Rh3 and F1 significantly suppressed bFGF-induced ERK phosphorylation. Western blot analysis found that bFGF increased microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) protein levels in melan-a. Treatment with Rh3 or F1 had no detectable effects, whereas cotreatment with Rh3 and F1 inhibited bFGF-induced MITF expression levels more strongly than a single treatment. Conclusion: In summary, we found that ginsenosides Rh3 and F1 have a synergistic antiproliferative effect on bFGF-induced melan-a melanocyte proliferation via the inhibition of ERK-mediated upregulation of MITF.