• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.31.1-31.16
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• 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death globally. The classification of advanced GC (AGC) according to molecular features has recently led to effective personalized cancer therapy for some patients. Specifically, AGC patients whose tumor cells express high levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) can now benefit from trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal Ab that targets HER2. However, patients with HER2^negative AGC receive limited clinical benefit from this treatment. To identify potential immune therapeutic targets in HER2^negative AGC, we obtained 40 fresh AGC specimens immediately after surgical resections and subjected the CD45⁺ immune cells in the tumor microenvironment to multi-channel/multi-panel flow cytometry analysis. Here, we report that HER2 negativity associated with reduced overall survival (OS) and greater tumor infiltration with neutrophils and non-classical monocytes. The potential pro-tumoral activities of these cell types were confirmed by the fact that high expression of neutrophil or non-classical monocyte signature genes in the gastrointestinal tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression and Gene Expression Omnibus databases associated with worse OS on Kaplan-Meir plots relative to tumors with low expression of these signature genes. Moreover, advanced stage disease in the AGCs of our patients associated with greater tumor frequencies of neutrophils and non-classical monocytes than early stage disease. Thus, our study suggests that these 2 myeloid populations may serve as novel therapeutic targets for HER2^negative AGC.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.31.1-31.8
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• 2024

Background: Recently, there has been a growing interest in stem cells for human medicine. Limited feline endometrial mesenchymal stem cell (fEM-MSC) research in veterinary medicine necessitates reporting for future feline disease research and therapy. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate fEM-MSCs from feline endometrial tissues and evaluate their morphology, proliferative ability, differentiation ability, and immunophenotype. Methods: Feline endometrial tissues were obtained from the ovariohysterectomies of healthy cats and isolated using an enzymatic method. The morphology and proliferative ability of the isolated cells were assessed using a doubling time (DT) assay from passages 3 to 6 (P3 - P6). We measured pluripotency gene expressions of cells in P2 using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). To investigate MSC characteristics, a trilineage differentiation assay was conducted in P4, and cells in P4 were immunophenotyped using flow cytometry. Results: fEM-MSCs showed a typical spindle-shaped morphology under a microscope, and the DT was maintained from P3 to P6. fEM-MSCs could differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes, and expressed three pluripotency markers (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG) by qRT-PCR. Immunophenotypic analysis showed that the fEM-MSCs were CD14 ^-, CD34 ^-, CD45 ^-, CD9⁺, and CD44⁺. Conclusions: In this study, the feline endometrium was a novel source of MSCs, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation method and characteristics of fEM-MSCs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.479-497
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions. Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans. MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C). Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT's effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION: CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제52권9호
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• pp.680-696
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Circular RNAs were known to play vital role in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI), while the role of CircZNF609 in MIRI remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the function of CircZNF609 in MIRI. Methods: Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established to mimic MIRI in vitro. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate gene transcripts. Cellular localization of CircZNF609 and miR-214-3p were visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8. TUNEL assay and flow cytometry were applied to detect apoptosis. Lactate dehydrogenase was determined by commercial kit. ROS was detected by DCFH-DA probe. Direct interaction of indicated molecules was determined by RIP and dual luciferase assays. Western blot was used to quantify protein levels. In vivo model was established to further test the function of CircZNF609 in MIRI. Results: CircZNF609 was upregulated in H/R model. Inhibition of CircZNF609 alleviated H/R induced apoptosis, ROS generation, restored cell proliferation in cardiomyocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Mechanically, CircZNF609 directly sponged miR-214-3p to release PTGS2 expression. Functional rescue experiments showed that miR-214-3p/PTGS2 axis was involved in the function of circZNG609 in H/R model. Furthermore, data in mouse model revealed that knockdown of CircZNF609 significantly reduced the area of myocardial infarction and decreased myocardial cell apoptosis. Conclusions: CircZNF609 aggravated the progression of MIRI via targeting miR-214-3p/PTGS2 axis, which suggested CircZNF609 might act as a vital modulator in MIRI.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.960-972
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• 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in cancer physiology as important epigenetic regulators of gene expression. Several miRNAs have been previously discovered that regulate the proliferation of the colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCT116. In the present study, one of these miRNAs, miR-5191, was characterized as a tumor suppressor in CRC cells. Transfection with miR-5191 led to a significant decrease in cell proliferation, invasiveness, tumor sphere-forming ability and tumor organoid growth, as determined via trypan blue, Transwell, sphere culture and organoid culture assays, respectively. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that miR-5191 induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of CRC cells. Additionally, the expression of miR-5191 was downregulated in CRC tumor tissues compared with in normal tissues, as measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Ribosomal protein S6 kinase β1 (RPS6KB1) was identified as a direct target of miR-5191. Ectopic expression of RPS6KB1 suppressed the function of miR-5191. Intratumoral injection of miR-5191 mimic suppressed tumor growth in HCT116 xenografts. These findings suggested a novel tumor-suppressive function for miR-5191 in CRC, and its potential applicability for the development of anticancer miRNA therapeutics.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.236-243
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• 2001

Background: An immunological approach for aging mechanism appears to be important. Lymphocyte subsets analysis in peripheral blood is widely performed to assess the immune status and to diagnose and monitor various diseases. Some lymphocyte subsets are known to change with age, but only few data about age-related reference ragnes for these subsets in healthy individuals have been reported. So we attempted to report reference ranges for these subsets in each age group and review changes of the results with age for the secondary studies about immune cell function as lymphocyte blast transformation and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement (VDJ) including recombination activating genes (RAG-1 and RAG-2). Methods: Lymphocyte subset analysis was performed on 302 subjects, 189 males and 113 females with age group of all decades of life. Two color direct immunofluorescene flow cytometry (FCM) was done using $Simultest^{TM}$ IMK-Lymphocyte kit (Becton Dickinson, USA), $FACScan^{TM}$ (Becton Dickinson, USA) and $FACSCalibur^{TM}$ (Becton Dickinson, USA). Lymphocyte subsets analysed were T ($CD3^+$) and B cells ($CD19^+$), helper/inducer T ($CD4^+$) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells ($CD8^+$), helper/suppressor ($CD4^+/CD8^+$) ratio and natural killer (NK) cells ($CD3^-CD16^+/CD56^+$). The absolute numbers of each subset were calculated from total lymphocyte counts. Data collected was analysed using SAS 6.12. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We reported the counts and percentages of lymphocyte and these subsets in each age group. There were no statistically significant differences between male and female subjects. The percentage of $CD4^+$ T cells, and the count of NK cells did not show the significant difference among the various age groups. The age-related changes observed in our study were as following: 1) a decrease in the percentages of T cells, B cells and $CD8^+$ T cells ; 2) a decrease in the counts of B cells and $CD8^+$ T cells ; 3) an increase in the percentage and count of NK cells ; and 4) an increase in the $CD4^+/CD8^+$ ratio. Conclusion: The characteristics of aging process appeared to be showing a marked decrease of lympocyte subsets T and B cells as well as T8 ($CD8^+$). The age-related increase of the percentage of cells bearing NK marker can be interpreted as a compensatory consequence to cope with the decrease of T cells related to the thymic involution. These changes with age appeared to be for the secondary study about immune cell function as lymphocyte blast transformation and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.387-395
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• 2009

신경섬유 말단에서의 유해자극 인지과정에는 신경성장인자 (nerve growth factor [NGF])와 감각성 신경펩티드가 관여하고, 또한 이들은 중추신경계에도 광범위하게 분포되어 있다. 본 연구는 인체 혈액과 타액에서 NGF와 감각성 신경펩티드(substance P [SP], calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP])의 농도를 조사하여 다양한 구강안면통증 증상들과의 관계를 알아보고자 시행되었다. 67명의 구강안면통증 환자 (관절 통증, 치아 혹은 치주 통증, 점막 통증)와 36명의 건강한 성인에서 혈장과 안정시 전타액을 채취하여 효소면역분석법 (enzyme immunoassay)을 이용하여 NGF, SP, CGRP의 농도를 측정하였다. 만성통증척도 (Graded Chronic Pain Scale) 설문지를 이용하여 각 피실험자들의 통증강도를 조사하였으며 안정시 전타액의 타액분비율 또한 측정하였다. 관절 통증 환자군은 치아 통증 환자군, 점막 통증 환자군, 대조군 각각에 비하여 유의하게 높은 혈장 내 NGF 농도를 나타내었다. 치아 통증 환자군의 혈장 내 NGF 농도는 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 높았다. 치아 통증 환자군의 타액 내 SP 농도와 점막 통증 환자군의 타액 내 CGRP 농도 또한 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 높았다. 관절 통증 환자군의 혈장 및 타액 내 SP 농도는 통증 강도와 유의한 상관관계를 보였다. 치아 통증 환자군과 점막 통증 환자군에서, 혈장 내 SP 농도, 타액 내 SP 농도, 타액 내 CGRP 농도는 연령에 따라 증가하였다. 혈장과 타액에서의 신경성장인자와 신경펩티드 검사는 다양한 구강안면통증의 특성과 예후를 평가하는데 도움을 줄 수 있으리라 생각된다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.470-486
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• 1995

유선에 존재하는 유선 상피 모세포(mammary epithelial stem cells)의 존재 증거, 정상 조직에서 이들의역할, flow cytometry 및 면역 염색법에 의한 세포 분리, 세포 기질 단백질을 이용한 삼차원적 세포 배양에서의 증식 등을 요약한다. 유선의 실질 조직에 상피 모세포가 존재한다는 것은 여러 형태의 이식 실험에서 설명되었고 또 모세포의 표현형적 특징들은 여러 가지의 monoclonal antibodies에 의해 논증되었다. 이들 연구의 결과들은 유선의 모세포군이 end bud와 유선의 기저층(basal layer)에 존재한다고 제시하고 있다. 이들을 분리, 동정하기 위해 FITC-PNA와 PE-Thy-1.1 항체와 같은 세포 표지자를 이용하여 유선 상피 세포를 4군으로 나눌 수 있었다. FITC-PNA에만 양성 반응을 보인 PNA+ 세포군, PE-Thy-1.1에만 양성 반응을 보인 Thy-1.1+ 세포군, 이들 두 표지자에 양성 반응을 보인 B+ 세포군, 그리고 양쪽에 음성 반응을 보인 B- 세포군이었는데 이들을 flow cytometry로 분리하고 생체에 이식 실험을 하였을 때 PNA+ 세포군이 유선 모세포들을 가장 많이 가진 것으로 확인되었다. 그리고 유선 상피세포로 이루어진 유선 조직 절편(organoids) 이들 상피세포군을 세포외기질 단백질체인 Matrigel 내에서 배양한 결과 a) stellate, b) duct, c) web, d)squamous, e) lobuloduct 등 5종류의 다세포 구조물이 생성됨을 확인하였다. 이들 중 편평상피화생의 구조물은 정상적인 유선 조직에서는 나타나지 않는 구조물인데 all-trans retinoic acid를 처리하였을 때 배지의 조정에 따라 다소 차이는 있으나 대부분 이들 편평상피화생의 생성이 억제됨을 확인하였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 본 연구에 이용된 생체 이식법 및 삼차원적 세포외기질 세포 배양법이 상피세포의 성장, 분화 및 모세포 연구에 유용하게 이용될 수 있으리라 사료된다.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.206-215
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• 2023

본 연구는 고온 스트레스에 노출된 홀스타인종 젖소와 이후 회복 기간을 가진 홀스타인종 젖소의 혈액을 분석하여 면역세포의 분포와 기능을 확인하여 고온 스트레스에 대한 시간에 따른 면역변화를 규명하고자 하였다. 실험은 HTP(THI: 76 ± 1.2)와 CTP(THI: 66 ± 1.3)의 국립축산과학원 낙농과에서 사육중인 홀스타인종 젖소를 그룹당 5마리를 사용하여 수행되었다. EDTA tube를 사용하여 혈액을 샘플링하여 CBC 분석과 PBMC를 분리되었다. 분리된 PBMC는 유세포 분석을 실시하였다. CBC 결과는 그룹 간 면역세포 수에 변화가 없었다. PBMC의 Flow Cytometry를 사용한 분석에서는 그룹 간 B cell, Helper T cell, cytotoxic T cell, γδ T cell 간에 유의한 차이가 관찰되지 않았다. 그러나 IL-17a를 생산하는 Th17 cell의 증가가 있었던 반면, CTP 중 Th1 cell은 감소하였다. CTP에서 IL-10의 발현 증가와 HSP70과 HSP90의 발현 감소가 관찰되었다. 결론적으로, IL-10의 발현 증가와 HSP 발현의 감소는 고온 스트레스로부터 약한 회복의 가능성을 시사한다. 그러나 B cell, T cell 및 기타 면역세포의 관찰된 변화가 없다는 것은 CTP 중 고온 스트레스로부터 불완전하게 회복되었음을 나타낸다. 본 연구에서는 적온기 정상수준의 젖소 면역세포 분포에 대한 결과가 부재하여 적온기, 고온기, 회복기의 연결성 있는 비교분석이 부족하다는 한계가 있으며 젖소의 생리대사와 유생산량, 고온 스트레스 바이오마커 등에 대한 분석이 함께 이루어진다면 좀 더 명확한 회복기 대사 및 면역반응에 대한 결과 도출이 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.205-212
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• 2007

대동맥류 질환에 사용되는 스텐트그라프트의 체외실험을 위한 대동맥류 혈류 팬텀의 유효성과 실현가능성에 대해 평가하고자 한다. 팬텀은 인체의 혈류 조건과 유사한 상황을 재현할 수 있도록 심장부분과 대동맥류 부분으로 구성되었다. 심장부분은 고압력 수중펌프와 솔레노이드 밸브를 사용하여 심장의 대동맥 혈류를 재현하였고, 대동맥류 부분은 지점토를 사용하여 동맥류 모양을 재현하고 그 틀을 투명 실리콘으로 틀을 떠내는 방법으로 제작하였다. 두부분은 실리콘 관으로 연결하였다. 제작된 팬텀에서 밸브의 개폐 시간에 따른 압력(수축기/이완기) 변화를 측정하였으며, 스텐트그라프삽입술 전, 후의 압력변화를 측정하였으며, 통계적 유의성을 알아보았다. 밸브의 개폐 시간에 따른 압력 변화는 통계적으로 유의한 결과를 보였다(P<0.05). 0.5회/초의 개폐조건에서는 팬텀의 대동맥 근위부, 대동맥류, 원위부의 압력은 각각 $157.80{\pm}1.92/130.20{\pm}1.92$, $159.40{\pm}1.14/134.00{\pm}2.92$, $147.20{\pm}1.480/129.60{\pm}2.70\;mmHg$이었으며, 1.0회/초의 개폐 조건에서는 $161.40{\pm}1.34/90.20{\pm}1.64$, $175.00{\pm}1.58/93.00{\pm}1.58$, $176.80{\pm}1.48/90.80{\pm}1.92\;mmHg$이었고, 1.5회/초의 개폐 조건에서는 $159.40{\pm}1.82/127.20{\pm}1.48$, $166.60{\pm}1.67/138.00{\pm}1.87$, and $161.00{\pm}1.22/135.40{\pm}1.67\;mmHg$이었다. 스텐트그라프삽입술 전, 후의 팬텀의 압력변화는 대동맥부분에서 측정하였으며, 각각 $143.60{\pm}1.67/90.20{\pm}1.64$, $47.20{\pm}1.92/84.60{\pm}1.82$, and $137.40{\pm}1.52/88.80{\pm}1.64\;mmHg$이었다. 결론적으로, 대동맥류 팬텀은 압력의 범위를 다양하게 적용할 수 있고, 팬텀 내에서 시술의 재현이 가능하여 동물실험 전 스텐트그라프트의 유용성을 평가하기 위한 체외실험 기구로 유용할 것으로 기대된다.