• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.437-442
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• 2015

Aim: To establish a pancreatic cancer stem cell model using human pancreatic cancer cells in nude mice to provide a platform for pancreatic cancer stem cell research. Materials and Methods: To establish pancreatic cancer xenografts using human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990, nude mice were randomly divided into control and gemcitabine groups. When the tumor grew to a volume of $125mm^3$, they treated with gemcitabine at a dose of 50mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection of 0.2ml in the gemcitabine group, while the mice in control group were treated with the same volume of normal saline. Gemcitabine was given 2 times a week for 3 times. When the model was established, the proliferation of pancreatic cancer stem cells was observed by clone formation assay, and the protein and/or mRNA expression of pancreatic stem cell surface markers including CD24, CD44, CD133, ALDH, transcription factors containing Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog and Gli, the key nuclear transcription factor in Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway was detected by Western blot and/or RT-PCR to verify the reliability of this model. Results: This model is feasible and safe. During the establishment, no mice died and the weight of nude mice maintained above 16.5g. The clone forming ability in gemcitabine group was stronger than that of the control group (p<0.01). In gemcitabine group, the protein expression of pancreatic cancer stem cell surface markers including CD44, and ALDH was up-regulated, the protein and mRNA expression of nuclear transcription factor including Oct-4, Sox-2 and Nanog was also significantly increased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein expression of key nuclear transcription factor in Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway, Gli-1, was significantly enhanced (p<0.01). Conclusions: The pancreatic cancer stem cell model was successfully established using human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 in nude mice. Gemcitabine could enrich pancreatic cancer stem cells, simultaneously accompanied by the activation of Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.237-246
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• 2005

Background: Little information is available on the identification and characterization of the upstream regulators of the signal transduction cascades for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tbc)-induced ERK 1/2 activation and chemokine expression. We investigated the signaling mechanisms involved in expression of CCL3 /MIP-1 and CCL4/MIP-1 in human primary monocytes infected with M. tbc. Methods: MAP kinase phosphorylation was determined using western blot analysis with specific primary antibodies (ERK 1/2, and phospho-ERK1/2), and the upstream signaling pathways were further investigated using specific inhibitors. Results: An avirulent strain, M. tbc H37Ra, induced greater and more sustained ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, and higher CCL3 and CCL4 production, than did M. tbc H37Rv. Specific inhibitors for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK; U0126 and PD98059) significantly inhibited the expression of CCL3 and CCL4 in human monocytes. Mycobactetia-mediated expression of CCL3 and CCL4 was not inhibited by the Ras inhibitor manumycin A or the Raf-1 inhibitor GW 5074. On the other hand, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U73122) and protein kinase C (PKC)specific inhibitors ($G\ddot{o}6976$ and Ro31-8220) significantly reduced M. tbc-induced activation of ERK 1/2 and chemokine synthesis. Conclusion: These results are the first to demonstrate that the PLC-PKC-MEK-ERK, not the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, pathway is the major signaling pathway inducing M. tbc-mediated CCL3 and CCL4 expression in human primary monocytes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.677-680
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• 2007

To analyze a cotG-based Bacillus subtilis spore display system directly, $GFP_{UV}$ was expressed on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spores. When $GFP_{UV}$ was fused to the C-terminal of the cotG structural gene and expressed, the existence of a $CotG-GFP_{UV}$ fusion protein on the B. subtilis spore was confirmed by flow cytometry confocal microscopic analysis. When the cotG anchoring motif was deleted, no fluorescence emission was observed under flow cytometry and confocal microscopic analysis from the purified spore, confirming the essential role of CotG as an anchoring motif. This $GFP_{UV}$ displaying spore might be used for another signaling application triggered by intracellular or extracellular stimuli.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2018

에스트로겐(E2)은 유방암의 발달과 진행에 관여하며, 에스트로겐 수용체(ER)에 의해 매개된다. ER은 유방암세포에서 epidermal growth factor receptor와 insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor의 신호전달경로들 사이에서 다양한 cross-talk을 통하여 세포의 증식, 이주, 침습 및 약물에 대한 저항성을 일으키는데 중요한 역할을 수행한다. 유방암은 내분비신호전달의 항상성 붕괴에 의해 주로 발생되며, 특히 E2/IGF-1/EGF와 ER/G-protein estrogen receptor (GPER)/IGF-1R/EGFR, 그리고 이들의 세포내 신호전달 매개인자들의 통제되지 않는 발현과 활성증가에 의해 유발된다. 이러한 변화는 E2와 성장인자 신호전달 사이의 복잡한 cross-talk에 영향을 주어 결국 암의 진행과 내분비조절인자들에 대한 저항성을 갖게 된다. 따라서, E2와 성장인자들 사이의 cross-talk에 관한 분자적 기전을 단계별로 규명하는 것은 유방암의 다양한 유형에 따른 맞춤형 치료에 기여할 것으로 사료된다. 특히, 다양한 유전형 및 표현형을 가진 유방암의 치료를 위한 전략으로서, ER+ 호르몬의존성 유방암세포에 대한 aromatase 억제제 및 E2작용 차단제의 사용과 E2와 성장인자들 사이의 cross-talk에 의한 암세포의 증식억제를 위한 IGF-1R/EGFR 활성차단제의 사용 등을 들 수 있다. 뿐만 아니라, ER과 EGFR/IGF-1R 사이의 cross-talk에 의해 조절되는 ECM 분자들의 발현변화는 유방암세포의 전이에 대한 표적치료제를 위해 활용될 수 있다. 따라서, 암의 진행과 관련된 ER, GPER, IGF-1R 및 EGFR 매개에 의한 신호전달경로들 사이의 cross-talk에 관한 보다 더 자세한 분자적 수준의 규명이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.9-14
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• 2013

Bamboo leaves (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex J. Houz (Poacea)) have a long history of food and medical applications in Asia, including Japan and Korea. They have been used as a traditional medicine for centuries. We investigated the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of a bamboo leaf extract (BLE) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced monocyte adhesion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Exposure of HUVECs to BLE did not inhibit cell viability or cause morphological changes at concentrations ranging from 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ to 1 mg/ml. Treatment with 0.1 mg/ml BLE caused 63% inhibition of monocyte adhesion in TNF-${\alpha}$-activated HUVECs, which was associated with 38.4% suppression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. Furthermore, TNF-${\alpha}$-induced reactive oxygen species generation was decreased to 47.9% in BLE treated TNF-${\alpha}$-activated HUVECs. BLE (0.05 mg/ml) also caused about 50% inhibition of interleukin-6 secretion from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocyte. The results indicate that BLE may be clinically useful as an anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant for human cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.58-63
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• 2020

The salivary glands secrete saliva, which plays a role in the maintenance of a healthy oral environment. Under physiological conditions, saliva secretion within the acinar cells of the gland is regulated by stimulation of specific calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling mechanisms such as increases in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) via storeoperated Ca²⁺ entry, which involves components such as Orai1, transient receptor potential (TRP) canonical 1, stromal interaction molecules, and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP₃) receptors (IP₃Rs). Homer proteins are scaffold proteins that bind to G protein-coupled receptors, IP₃Rs, ryanodine receptors, and TRP channels. However, their exact role in Ca²⁺ signaling in the salivary glands remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of Homer2 in Ca²⁺ signaling and saliva secretion in parotid gland acinar cells under physiological conditions. Deletion of Homer2 (Homer2^-/-) markedly decreased the amplitude of [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations via the stimulation of carbachol, which is physiologically concentrated in parotid acinar cells, whereas the frequency of [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations showed no difference between wild-type and Homer2^-/- mice. Homer2^-/- mice also showed a significant decrease in amylase release by carbachol in the parotid gland in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that Homer2 plays a critical role in maintaining [Ca²⁺]_i concentration and secretion of saliva in mouse parotid gland acinar cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.134-139
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• 2021

Under physiological conditions, calcium (Ca²⁺) regulates essential functions of polarized secretory cells by the stimulation of specific Ca²⁺ signaling mechanisms, such as increases in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) via the store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) and the receptor-operated Ca²⁺ entry (ROCE). Homer proteins are scaffold proteins that interact with G protein-coupled receptors, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP₃) receptors, Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1, and transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels. However, their role in the Ca²⁺ signaling in exocrine cells remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of Homer2 in the Ca²⁺ signaling and regulatory channels to mediate SOCE and ROCE in pancreatic acinar cells. Deletion of Homer2 (Homer2^-/-) markedly increased the expression of TRPC3, TRPC6, and Orai1 in pancreatic acinar cells, whereas these expressions showed no difference in whole brains of wild-type and Homer2^-/- mice. Furthermore, the response of Ca²⁺ entry by carbachol also showed significant changes to the patterns regulated by specific blockers of SOCE and ROCE in pancreatic acinar cells of Homer2^-/- mice. Thus, these results suggest that Homer2 plays a critical role in the regulatory action of the [Ca²⁺]_i via SOCE and ROCE in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.126-132
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• 1998

In the present study, we examined effects of ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) on pp60c-src protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity, intracellular calcium concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i), and cell proliferation in NIH3T3 cells. Eight different ginsenosides [ginsenoside-Rb1 (G-$Rb_1$), -$Rb_2$, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rf, -$Rg_1$, -$Rg_2$) and ginseng total saponin (GTS) were used for these experiments. All ginsenosides and GTS tested stimulated the activation of $pp60^{c-src}$ kinase, and especially G-$Rb_1$,-Rd,-$Rg_1$, and -$Rg_1$ showed a higher stimulatory effect than others at 16.7 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of ginsenosides with a 18 hr-incubation, increasing the activity by 4.5, 3.5, 3.5, and 3.0-fold, respectively, over that of untreated control. In addition, both G-Rd and -$Rg_2$)Rg2 increased ($Ca^{2+}$), to 202 and 334 nM, respectively, about 2-3-fold above the basal level within 7min at 250 $\mu\textrm{g}$/yml of ginsenosides. The increases of ($Ca^{2+}$), were eliminated by Pretreatment of EGTA, an extracellular calcium chelator, suggtasting that they result from an influx of calcium ion from extracellular medium rather than an efflux from intracellular calcium store, endoplasmic reticulum (ER). All ginsenosides studied enhanced cell proliferation to 1.2-1.4-fold over that of untreated control at 5~250 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of concentrations. Interestingly the promotion of cell proliferation by ginsenosides corresponded with the activation of c-src kinase, which is an early step in the mitogenic signaling cascade. Taken together, we suggest that some ginsenosides may lead to cellProliferation via the activation of cellular signal transduction Pathway involving $pp60^{c-src}$ kinase.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.393-400
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• 2009

NO released by myenteric neurons controls the off contraction induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in distal esophageal smooth muscle, but in the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME, contraction by EFS occurs at the same time. The authors investigated the intracellular signaling pathways related with G protein and ionic channel EFS-induced contraction using cat esophageal muscles. EFS-induced contractions were significantly suppressed by tetrodotoxin ($1\;{\mu}M$) and atropine ($1\;{\mu}M$). Furthermore, nimodipine inhibited both on and off contractions by EFS in a concentration dependent meaner. The characteristics of 'on' and 'off contraction and the effects of G-proteins, phospholipase, and $K^+$ channel on EFS-induced contraction in smooth muscle were also investigated. Pertussis toxin (PTX, a $G_i$ inactivator) attenuated both EFS-induced contractions. Cholera toxin (CTX, $G_s$ inactivator) also decreased the amplitudes of EFS-induced off and on contractions. However, phospholipase inhibitors did not affect these contractions. Pinacidil (a $K^+$ channel opener) decreased these contractions, and tetraethylammonium (TEA, ${K^+}_{Ca}$ channel blocker) increased them. These results suggest that EFS-induced on and off contractions can be mediated by the activations Gi or Gs proteins, and that L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel may be activated by G-protein ${\alpha}$ subunits. Furthermore, ${K^+}_{Ca^-}$ channel involve in the depolarization of esophageal smooth muscle. Further studies are required to characterize the physiological regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channel and to investigate the effects of other $K^+$ channels on EFS-induced on and off contractions.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.903-910
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• 2003

Phosphipase D(PLD)는 호중구의 활성에서 중요한 신호전달 인자로 작용한다. 본 연구에서는 호중구에서 PLD의 활성화에 대한 nitric oxide(NO)와 cGMP의 영향을 조사하였다. 세포 내 NO의 생성을 증가시키는 물질인 sodium nitroprusside (SNP)를 단독으로 처리하였을 때 SNP를 처리하지 않은 세포에 비교하여 PLD 활성은 0.5 mM 농도에서 2배 이상 증가하였다. 세포 내 cAMP의 농도를 증가시키는 물질인 dibutyryl-cAMP를 처리하였을 때 formyl-Met-Leu-Phe(fMLP)에 의한 PLD활성은 억제되었으나 cGMP를 증가시키는 물질인 8-bromo-cGMP(300 $\mu$M)를 단독으로나 fMLP와 같이 처리하였을 때 PLD의 활성은 큰 영향이 없었다. NO에 의한 PLD의 활성은 cGMP-의존형 인산화 효소인 protein kinase G(PKG)의 억제제인 KT 5823에 의하여 억제되지 않았는데 이러한 결과는 PKG 이외의 경로를 통하여 일어남을 제시한다. NO를 처리한 호중구에서 p38 mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK)가 활성화되어 인산화된 p38 MAPK가 Western blot에서 증가되었다. NO에 의한 p38 MAPK의 인산화는 KT 5823에 의하여 억제되지 않았고 PLD 억제제인 n-butanol에 의하여도 영향을 받지 않았다. PLD 활성의 인자인 RhoA는 fMLP나 phorbol myristate acetate(PMA)의 자극에 의하여 세포질로부터 세포막으로 전이가 되었으나 cGMP의 전처리에 의하여 fMLP에 의한 RhoA의 전이는 억제되었으나 PMA에 의한 전이는 영향을 받지 않았다. 이들 결과들은 호중구 내 증가된 cGMP가 RhoA를 억제하였으나 세포 내 증가된 NO는 cGMP 이외의 인자를 통하여 PLD의 활성화를 일으킨다는 것을 제시하고 있다.