• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.221-227
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• 2014

Background: Aberrant phenotypes in acute leukemia have variable frequency and their prognostic and predictive relevance is controversial, despite several reports of clinical significance. Aims: To determine the prevalence of aberrant antigen expression in acute leukemia, assess clinical relevance and demonstrate immunophenotype-karyotype correlations. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 (40 AML and 33 ALL) newly diagnosed acute leukemia cases presenting to KAMC, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were included. Diagnosis was based on WHO criteria and FAB classification. Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry, conventional karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization for gene rearrangements were performed. Results: Aberrant antigens were detected in 27/40 (67.5%) of AML and in 14/33 (42.4%) in ALL cases. There were statistically significant higher TLC in Ly+ AML than in Ly-AML (p=0.05) and significant higher blast count in ALL with aberrant antigens at presentation and day 14 (p=0.005, 0.046). There was no significant relation to clinical response, relapse free survival (RFS) or overall survival (p>0.05), but AML cases expressing ${\geq}2$ Ly antigens showed a lower median RFS than those expressing a single Ly antigen. In AML, CD 56 was expressed in 11/40. CD7 was expressed in 7/40, having a significant relation with an unfavorable cytogenetic pattern (p=0.046). CD4 was expressed in 5/40. CD19 was detected in 4/40 AML associated with M2 and t (8; 21). In ALL cases, CD33 was expressed in 7/33 and CD13 in 5/33. Regarding T Ag in B-ALL CD2 was expressed in 2 cases and CD56 in 3 cases. Conclusions: Aberrant antigen expression may be associated with adverse clinical data at presentation. AML cases expressing ${\geq}2$ Ly antigens may have shorter median RFS. No specific cytogenetic pattern is associated with aberrant antigen expression but individual antigens may be related to particular cytogenetic patterns. Immunophenotype-karyotype correlations need larger studies for confirmation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.273-276
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• 2014

Ellagic acid has been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, our aim was to investigate whether ellagic acid inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells via regulation of the TGF-${\beta}$/Smad3 signaling pathway. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were transfected with pEGFP-C3 or pEGFP-C3/Smad3 plasmids, and treated with ellagic acid alone or in combination with SIS3, a specific inhibitor of Smad3 phosphorylation. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay and the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Moreover, gene expression was detected by RT-PCR, real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. The MTT assay showed that SIS3 attenuated the inhibitory activity of ellagic acid on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Flow cytometry revealed that ellagic acid induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest which was mitigated by SIS3. Moreover, SIS3 reversed the effects of ellagic acid on the expression of downstream targets of the TGF-${\beta}$/Smad3 pathway. In conclusion, ellagic acid leads to decreased phosphorylation of RB proteins mainly through modulation of the TGF-${\beta}$/Smad3 pathway, and thereby inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7137-7141
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• 2013

Several studies have shown that nemo-like kinase (NLK) plays a vital role in apoptosis of cancer cells. The present research concerned effects and mechanisms of Taxol on NLK knockdown human laryngeal cancerHep-2 cell lines in vitro. Using RNAi, methyl-thiazoltetrazolium (MTT) assays, real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry analysis, growth and the cell cycle progression of NLK knockdown Hep-2 cells and expression of downstream molecules were observed. Cell growth was obviously suppressed in the Taxol treated group (P<0.001, 48 hours). Cell numbers of combined Taxol-based chemotherapy with lentivirus mediated RNAi treatment group (Lv-shNLK+Taxol goup) were significantly different from NLK-specific siRNA lentivirus infected group (Lv-shNLK group) (p<0.001). Flow cytometry analysis revealed that Lv-shNLK+Taxol caused the G0/G1-phase DNA content to decrease from 44.1 to 3.33% (p<0.001) and the S-phase DNA content to increase from 38.4 to 82.0% (p<0.001), in comparison with the Lv-shNLK+Taxol group. Immunoblot analysis showed that knockdown of NLK led to significant reduction in the levels of cyclin D1, PCNA and PARP, whereas cyclin B1 was elevated in. Cell growth was also obviously suppressed in the Hep-2 cell line, knockdown of NLK making them more sensitive to Taxol treatment. NLK is expected to become a target of new laryngeal cancer gene therapies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.5
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• pp.573-580
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• 1998

The study aims to identify the mechanism (s) underlying the altered vasodilatory responses of the pial artery of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) under a hypothesis that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) exerts a modulator role in the autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF). The animals were divided into four groups: 1) Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR), 2) Wistar rats (WR), 3) SHR with high blood pressure $(BP{\ge}150\;mmHg),$ and 4) SHR with normotensive BP $({\le}150\;mmHg).$ The lower limit of CBF autoregulation in SHR shifted to a higher BP $(82.8{\pm}9.3\'mmHg,\;P<0.05)$ than that in SDR $(58.9{\pm}5.7\;mmHg)$. In SHR, whether the BP levels were high or normotensive, the vasodilator responses to a stepwise hypotension were significantly attenuated unlike with SDR and WR. When artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) containing capsaicin $(3{\times}10^{-7}\;M)$ was suffused over the cortical surface, a transient increase in pial arterial diameter was observed in the SHR with high or normotensive BP. In contrast, SDR and WR showed a large increase in diameter, and the increase was sustained for over 10 minutes. In line with these results, the basal releases of CGRP-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) in the isolated pial arteries from SHR with high and normotensive BP were $12.5{\pm}1.4\;and\;9.8{\pm}2.8\;fmole/mm^2/60\;min\;(P<0.05)$, while those from SDR and WR were $25.5{\pm}3.1\;and\;24.6{\pm}3.1\;fmole/mm^2/60\;min,$ respectively. The isolated basilar arteries showed similar results to those of the pial arteries in SHR. Thus, it is summarized that, in the SHR, the reduced autoregulatory vasodilator responses to stepwise hypotension and capsaicin may be, in part, ascribed to the decreased release of CGRP from the perivascular sensory nerve fibers of the pial arteries, and that altered vasomotor activity in SHR may not be related with the hypertensive tone.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2003

In molecular biology, it is necessary to develop an easy and rapid method to identify a specific DNA sequence. Though Southern and Northern blot techniques have been used widely for the analysis of gene structure and function, those methods are inconvenient in the points that we need to control incubation temperature, time, and other parameters to get the final result. In this study, we report a new method for the rapid analysis of specific DNA sequence with the modification of an immunochromatographic method. The lateral flow DNA analysis strip is composed of a sample pad, a nitrocellulose membrane for the separation and propagation of analytes, and an absorption pad for the generation of capillary action. Capture DNA was immobilized on the membrane by UV cross-linking and target DNA was labeled with Cy-5 for signaling. The samples containing target DNA were applied onto the sample pad, incubated for 15 min for separation, and scanned with a GSI fluorescence scanner. Though the hybridization reaction occurs in a short time without any washing steps, there appears to be little cross hybridization between the different sequences. The result showed a possibility that the new method can be used for the rapid identification of specific DNA sequence among the samples.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6417-6421
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• 2015

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7943-7957
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• 2015

Background and Aims: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth-suppression potentiality of a crude saponin extract (CSENS) prepared from medicinal herb, Nigella sativa, on human colon cancer cells, HCT116. Materials and Methods: HCT116 cells were subjected to increasing doses of CSENS for 24, 48 and 72 h, and then harvested and assayed for cell viability by WST-1. Flow cytometry analyses, cell death detection ELISA, fluorescent stains (Hoechst 33342 and acridine orange/ethidium bromide), DNA laddering and comet assays were carried out to confirm the apoptogenic effects of CSENS. Luciferase reporter gene assays, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were performed to assess the impact of CAERS and CFEZO on the expression levels of key regulatory proteins in HCT116 cells. Results: The results demonstrated that CSENS inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry analyses, while CSENS-treated cells exhibited morphological hallmarks of apoptosis including cell shrinkage, irregularity in cellular shape, cellular detachment and chromatin condensation. Biochemical signs of apoptosis, such as DNA degradation, were observed by comet assay and gel electrophoresis. The pro-apoptotic effect of CSENS was caspase-3-independent and associated with increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. CSENS treatment down-regulated transcriptional and DNA-binding activities of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 proteins, associated with down-regulation of their target oncogenes, c-Myc, cyclin D1 and survivin. On the other hand, CSENS up-regulated transcriptional and DNA-binding activities of Nrf2 and expression of cytoprotective genes. In addition, CSENS modulated the expression levels of ERK1/2 MAPK, p53 and p21. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CSENS may be a valuable agent for treatment of colon cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5513-5518
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• 2013

IFN-${\gamma}$ plays an indirect anti-cancer role through the immune system but may have direct negative effects on cancer cells. It regulates the viability of gastric cancer cells, so we examined whether it affects their proliferation and how that might be brought about. We exposed AGS, HGC-27 and GES-1 gastric cancer cell lines to IFN-${\gamma}$ and found significantly reduced colony formation ability. Flow cytometry revealed no effect of IFN-${\gamma}$ on apoptosis of cell lines and no effect on cell aging as assessed by ${\beta}$-gal staining. Microarray assay revealed that IFN-${\gamma}$ changed the mRNA expression of genes related to the cell cycle and cell proliferation and migration, as well as chemokines and chemokine receptors, and immunity-related genes. Finally, flow cytometry revealed that IFN-${\gamma}$ arrested the cells in the G1/S phase. IFN-${\gamma}$ may slow proliferation of some gastric cancer cells by affecting the cell cycle to play a negative role in the development of gastric cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1482-1489
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative effect of polysaccharides from Salicornia herbacea on HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Crude polysaccharides from S. herbacea (CS) were prepared by extraction with hot steam water, and fine polysaccharides from S. herbacea (PS) were obtained through further size exclusion chromatography. The anti-proliferative effect of CS and PS were measured using the MTS assay, apoptosis analysis, cell cycle analysis, and RT-PCR. HT-29 cells were treated with CS or PS at different dosages (0.5, 1, 2, 4 mg $ml^{-1}$) for 24 or 48 h. CS and PS inhibited proliferation and stimulated apoptosis of cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis after Annexin V-FITC and PI staining revealed that treatment with CS or PS increased total apoptotic death of cells to 24.99% or 91.59%, respectively, in comparison with the control (13.51 %). PS increased early apoptotic death substantially - up to 12 times more than the control. Treatment with CS or PS resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of the G2/M cell population of the cell cycle as determined by flow cytometry. G2/M arrest was induced significantly with the highest concentration (4 mg $ml^{-1}$) of PS. RT-PCR was performed to study the correlation between G2/M arrest and transcription of cell cycle control genes. The anti-proliferative activity of CS and PS was accompanied by inhibition of cyclin B1, and Cdc 2 mRNA. Moreover, both CS and PS induced expression of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the Cdk inhibitor p21. These results suggest that polysaccharides from S. herbacea have anti-cancer activity in human colon cancer cells.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 2008

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in combination with stem cells gain more significance for their use in bone tissue engineering. The mesenchymal stem cell can be differentiated into osteoblast by the treatment of BMP. The aim of this study is to characterize the osteogenic differentiation process of adult stem cells derived from buccal fat pad according to BMP-2 within culture media and decide the appropriate concentration of BMP-2 to facilitate osteogenesis. The authors procured the stem cell from buccal fat pad and analyzed for presence of stem cell by flow cytomety against CD-34, CD-105 and STRO-1. The buccal fat derived stem cells (BFDC) were treated by application of the different concentration with BMP-2 of 0, 10, 50, 100 and 200ng/ml, respectively. And their ability to differentiate into osteogenic pathway were checked by alkaline phosphatase(ALP) staining, Alizarin red staining and RT-PCR for osteocalcin(OC) gene expression at 7, 14 and 21day of culture. Flow cytometric analysis and biochemical assays demonstrated that BFDC might be a distinguished stem cells, and mineralization was accompanied in proportion to BMP-2 concentration. However, with 100ng/ml concentration of BMP-2, the BFDC demonstrated most efficient staining pattern of ALP and Alizarin red. The feasibility of the osteogenic differentiation in the group of both 50ng/ml and 200ng/ml of BMP-2 showed similar activity and relatively weaker than that of 100ng/ml. These results suggest that the BMP-2 stimulate osteogenesis by BFDC effectively and that bone induction might be controlled through negative regulatory feedback in higher concentration.