• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2011

Purpose: FGF4 (fibroblast growth factor 4) is a newly characterized gene which was found to be a transforming gene in several cancerous cells. FGF4 expression and amplification has been subsequently observed in several human cancers including stomach cancer, breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer and bladder cancer. This study was designed to measure the protein expression of FGF4 in malignant skin cancers. Methods: We examined 8 normal skin tissues and 24 malignant skin tumor tissues which were 8 malignant melanomas, 8 squamous cell carcinomas and 8 basal cell carcinomas. The specimens were analyzed for the protein expression of FGF4 using immunohistochemical staining. To evaluate the amount of expression of FGF4, the histochemical score (HSCORE) was used. Results: FGF4 was expressed more intensely in malignant melanoma, followed by SCC and BCC in immunohistochemistry. The average HSCORE was 0.01 for normal skin, 2.02 for malignant melanoma, 1.28 for squamous cell carcinoma, and 0.27 for basal cell carcinoma, respectively. The expression of FGF4 in malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma was increased in comparison with normal tissues and basal cell cancer, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference between malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma was not statistically significant. Conclusion: These findings provide evidences that the expression of FGF4 plays an important role in malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma progressions. This article demonstrates expression of FGF4 in human skin malignant tumors, and suggests that FGF4 is more expressed in highly aggressive skin tumors.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

Several studies have investigated the various effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Previously, we reported that co-treatment with L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 maintained differentiation potential in MSCs through expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In this study, we investigated the effects of co-treatment with FGF-2 and Dex on the proliferation and differentiation potential of MSCs during a 2-month culture period. Co-treatment with FGF-2 and Dex increased approximately a 4.7-fold higher accumulation rate of MSC numbers than that by FGF-2 single treatment during a 2-month culture period. Interestingly, co-treatment with FGF-2 and Dex increased expression of HGF and maintained adipogenic differentiation potential during this culture period. These results suggest that co-treatment with FGF-2 and Dex preserves the proliferation and differentiation potential during long-term culture.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.301-304
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• 2002

In our previous study, we have shown that Fgf-8 is expressed in the basal layer of the apical epithelial cap (AEC) and in the underlying thin layer of mesenchymal tissue of the regenerating limbs of Mexican axolotl, Amby-stoma mexicanum. Our present RT-PCR data also demonstrate that Fgf-8 transcript is localized both in the mesenchymal and epidermal tissues. To understand the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the expression of Fgf-8 in the regenerating axolotl limbs, RA was injected intraperitoneally at the dediffer-entiation stage of limb regeneration. The RA treatment caused 8 change in the Fgf-8 expression profile of the regenerating limbs. In RA-treated limbs, duration of Fgf-8 expression was prolonged and a high level of expression was maintained during dedifferentiation and blastema formation stages. These results suggest that Fgf-8 is an important molecule in the process of pattern duplication of regenerating salamander limbs evoked by RA treatment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2002

Purpose : In order to understand in vivo radiation damage modifying of bFGF on jejunal mucosa, bone marrow and the effect of bFGF on the growth of transplanted mouse sarcoma 180 tumor in mice. Materials and Methods : Mice were treated with $6\;{\mu}g$ of bFGF at 24 hours and 4 hours before exposing to 600 cGy, 800 cGy and 1,000 cGy total body irradiation (TBI), and then exposed to 3,000 cGy local radiation therapy on the tumor bearing thigh. Survival and tumor growth curve were plotted in radiation alone group and combined group of bFGF and irradiation (RT). Histologic examination was performed in another experimental group. Experimental groups consisted of normal control, tumor control, RT (radiation therapy) alone, $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF alone, combined group of $3\;{\mu}g$ bFGF and irradiation (RT), combined group of $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF and irradiation (RT). Histologic examination was peformed with H-E staining in marrow, jejunal mucosa, lung and sarcoma 180 bearing tumor. Radiation induced apoptosis was determined in each group with the DNA terminal transferase nick-end labeling method ($ApopTag^{\circledR}$ S7100-kit, Intergen Co.) Results : The results were as follows 1) $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF given before TBI significantly improved the survival of lethally irradiated mice. bFGF would protect against lethal bone marrow syndrome. 2) $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF treated group showed a significant higher crypt depth and microvilli length than RT alone group (p<0.05). 3) The bone marrow of bFGF treated group showed less hypocellularity than radiation alone group on day 7 and 14 after TBI (p<0.05), and this protective effect was more evident in $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF treated group than that of $3\;{\mu}g$ bFGF treated group. 4) bFGF protected against early radiation induced apoptosis in intestinal crypt cell but might have had no antiapoptotic effect in bone marrow stem cell and pulmonary endothelial cells. 5) There was no significant differences in tumor growth rate between tumor control and bFGF alone groups (p>0.05). 6) There were no significant differences in histopathologic findings of lung and mouse sarcoma 180 tumor between radiation alone group and bFGF treated group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that bFGF protects small bowel and bone marrow from acute radiation damage without promoting the inoculated tumor growth in C3H mice. Improved recovery of early responding normal tissue and reduced number of radiation induced apoptosis may be possible mechanism of radioprotective effect of bFGF.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

This study was designed to localize the distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in the developing rat condylar region and to elucidate the associated function of bFGF in the condyle development. The condyles of temporomandibular joint of Sprague-Dawley rats (27g of weight) were used. The tissues were examined with electron microscope and immunohistochemical method. The results were as follows: 1. The developing condylar region are divided in to 5 zones apparently: proliferative, maturation, hypertrophic, calcifying, and ossification zones. 2. The cells in the proliferative zone are condensed and have under-developed cell organells in the cytoplasm. This zone shows a strong immunoreactivity of bFGF. 3. The cells in the maturation zone are typical chondroblasts showing well-developed cell organells and round nucleus. The cartilaginous matrix does not show the immunoreactivity of bFGF, while the chondroblasts show the immunoreactivity. 4. The cells in the hypertrophic zone show hypertrophic change having the degenerated cell organelles and small nucleus. There are no immunoreactivity of bFGF in this zone except the nucleus and endoplasmic region showing mild immunoreactivity. 5, The cells in the calcifying zone show hypertrophic change and cell organelles are disappeared. The cells are surrounded by the calcified cartilaginous matrix. There are no immunoreactivity of bFGF in this zone except the endoplasmic region showing mild immunoreactivity. 6. In the zone of bone formation, chondroblasts are disappeared. Newly differentiated osteoblasts secreting osteoid around the calcified cartilaginous matrix. The bone marrow shows the immunoreactivity of bFGF, while the bone matrix does not show the immunoreactivity of bFGF.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 1999

The stimulatory effect of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on wound healing was evaluated in healing-impaired animal models. Full-thickness wounds were made in prednisolone-treated mice, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and mitomycin C (MMC)-treated rats. Saline or bFGF at a dose of 1, 5, or $25\mu\textrm{g}$ per wound was applied to the open wound once a day for three to five days. The degree of wound healing was assessed using wound size and histological parameters such as degree of epidermal and dermal regeneration. Local application of bFGF accelerated wound closure significantly in a dose-dependent manner in all healing-impaired wounds (p<0.05). The wound healing effect of bFGF was further confirmed by histological examination in MMC-treated rats. Epidermal and dermal regeneration were enhanced in bFGF-treated wounds with a dose-related response. Dermal regeneration parameters such as collagen matrix formation and angiogenesis were significantly increased in $5\mu\textrm{g}$, or $\25mu\textrm{g}$ of bFGF-treated wounds when compared to saline-treated wounds (p<0.05). pectin immunostaining on day 8 for vascular endothelium showed an increased number of neovessels in bFGF-treated wounds. These results suggest that topical application of bFGF has beneficial effects on wound healing by angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation in healing-impaired wounds.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.437-442
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• 2016

We aimed to study the role of protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase (PIMT) in neuronal differentiation using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced neuronal differentiation, characterized by cell-body shrinkage, long neurite outgrowth, and expression of neuronal differentiation markers light and medium neurofilaments (NF). The bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells was induced through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules [MAPK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p90RSK], and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling molecules PI3Kp110β, PI3Kp110γ, Akt, and mTOR. Inhibitors (adenosine dialdehyde and S-adenosylhomocysteine) of protein methylation suppressed bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. PIMT-eficiency caused by PIMT-specific siRNA inhibited neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells by suppressing phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the MAPK signaling pathway and Akt and mTOR in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, these results suggested that PIMT was critical for bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and regulated the MAPK and Akt signaling pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.347-355
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• 2022

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening disorder worldwide. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was shown to display a high level in the plasma of patients with AAA; however, its detailed functions underlying AAA pathogenesis are unclear. An in vitro AAA model was established in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) by angiotensin II (Ang-II) stimulation. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays were utilized for measuring cell proliferation and migration. RT-qPCR was used for detecting mRNA expression of FGF21 and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Western blotting was utilized for assessing protein levels of FGF21, ATF4, and markers for the contractile phenotype of HASMCs. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were implemented for identifying the binding relation between AFT4 and FGF21 promoters. FGF21 and ATF4 were both upregulated in Ang-II-treated HASMCs. Knocking down FGF21 attenuated Ang-II-induced proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of HASMCs. ATF4 activated FGF21 transcription by binding to its promoter. FGF21 overexpression reversed AFT4 silencing-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch. ATF4 transcriptionally upregulates FGF21 to promote the proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of Ang-II-treated HASMCs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.375-381
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• 2008

Objective : The effects on neural proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSC) of basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (bFGF). insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I). brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). and nerve growth factor (NGF) were assessed. Also, following combinations of various factors were investigated : bFGF+IGF-I, bFGF+BDNF, bFGF+NGF, IGF-I+BDNF, IGF-I+NGF, and BDNF+NGF. Methods : Isolated NSC of Fisher 344 rats were cultured with individual growth factors, combinations of factors, and no growth factor (control) for 14 days. A proportion of neurons was analyzed using $\beta$-tubulin III and NeuN as neural markers. Results : Neural differentiations in the presence of individual growth factors for $\beta$-tubulin III-positive cells were : BDNF, 35.3%; IGF-I, 30.9%; bFGF, 18.1%; and NGF, 15.1%, and for NeuN-positive cells was : BDNF, 34.3%; bFGF, 32.2%; IGF-I, 26.6%; and NGF, 24.9%. However, neural differentiations in the absence of growth factor was only 2.6% for $\beta$-tubulin III and 3.1% for NeuN. For $\beta$-tubulin III-positive cells, neural differentiations were evident for the growth factor combinations as follows : bFGF+IGF-I, 73.1 %; bFGF+NGF, 65.4%; bFGF+BDNF, 58.7%; BDNF+IGF-I, 52.2%; NGF+IGF-I, 40.6%; and BDNF+NGF, 40.0%. For NeuN-positive cells : bFGF+IGF-I, 81.9%; bFGF+NGF, 63.5%; bFGF+BDNF, 62.8%; NGF+IGF-I, 62.3%; BDNF+NGF, 56.3%; and BDNF+IGF-I, 46.0%. Significant differences in neural differentiation were evident for single growth factor and combination of growth factors respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion : Combinations of growth factors have an additive effect on neural differentiation. The most prominent neural differentiation results from growth factor combinations involving bFGF and IGF-I. These findings suggest that the combination of a mitogenic action of bFGF and post-mitotic differentiation action of IGF-I synergistically affects neural proliferation and NSC differentiation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.550-557
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• 2017

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is the connective tissue between tooth root and alveolar bone containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). It has been suggested that human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) differentiate into osteo/cementoblast and ligament progenitor cells. The periodontitis is a representative oral disease where the PDL tissue is collapsed, and regeneration of this tissue is important in periodontitis therapy. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) stimulates proliferation and differentiation of fibroblastic MSCs into various cell lineages. We evaluated the dose efficacy of FGF-2 for cytodifferentiation of hPDLSCs into ligament progenitor. The fibrous morphology was highly stimulated even at low FGF-2 concentrations, and the expression of teno/ligamentogenic markers, scleraxis and tenomodulin in hPDLSCs increased in a dose dependent manner of FGF-2. In contrast, expression of the osteo/cementogenic markers decreased, suggesting that FGF-2 might induce and maintain the ligamentogenic potential of hPDLSCs. Although the stimulation of tenocytic maturation by $TGF-{\beta}1$ was diminished by FGF-2, the inhibition of the expression of early ligamentogenic marker by $TGF-{\beta}1$ was redeemed by FGF-2 treatment. The stimulating effect of BMPs on osteo/cementogenesis was apparently suppressed by FGF-2. These results indicate that FGF-2 predominantly differentiates the hPDLSCs into teno/ligamentogenesis, and has an antagonistic effect on the hard tissue differentiation induced by BMP-2 and BMP-4.