• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2019

Different methodologies in hair cortisol extraction may alter the final output. Thus finding the standard methodology according to a laboratory facilities is pivotal. This study was carried out to validate the feasibility of two methods of grinding hair for cortisol extraction in Korean native (Hanwoo) cattle. Hair from nine cattle including mature cows, heifers, and calves were assigned to one of the following methods for grinding hair; 1) using bead beater (BB) and 2) using surgical scissors (SS). Hair samples (> 1 g) were harvested from forehead of each individual twice (first and second measurement) to validate the results. To improve the accuracy of the obtained data, each sample was duplicated into two wells during enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analysis. Overall comparison of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) showed that the data within the range (out of the range) of standards provided by the EIA kit were 88.9% (11.1%) and 66.7% (33.3%) for BB compared with SS, respectively. In the first measurement, application of BB was tended to show higher (p = 0.056) amount of HCC compared with SS. In the second measurement application of BB showed higher (p = 0.0028) amount of HCC compared with SS. Among the cattle, calves showed higher HCC using BB compared with SS (p < 0.05). Application of BB in hair grinding methodology for Hanwoo cattle may improve cortisol extraction in comparison to application of SS method, with more consistency. Thus, it would be the preferable method to use.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권9호
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• pp.830-841
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• 2018

Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. In this study, we showed that miR-766-3p was decreased in approximately 72% of HCC tissues and cell lines, and its low expression level was significantly correlated with tumour size, TNM stage, metastasis, and poor prognosis in HCC. Ectopic miR-766-3p expression inhibited HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. In addition, we showed that miR-766-3p repressed Wnt3a expression. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that Wnt3a was a direct target of miR-766-3p, and an inverse correlation between miR-766-3p and Wnt3a expression was observed. Moreover, Wnt3a up-regulation reversed the effects of miR766-3p on HCC progression. In addition, our study showed that miR-766-3p up-regulation decreased the nuclear ${\beta}-catenin$ level and expression of Wnt targets (TCF1 and Survivin) and reduced the level of MAP protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1). However, these effects of miR-766-3p were reversed by Wnt3a up-regulation. In addition, PRC1 upregulation increased the nuclear ${\beta}-catenin$ level and protein expression of TCF1 and Survivin. iCRT3, which disrupts the ${\beta}-catenin-TCF4$ interaction, repressed the TCF1, Survivin and PRC1 protein levels. Taken together, our results suggest that miR-766-3p down-regulation promotes HCC cell progression, probably by targeting the Wnt3a/PRC1 pathway, and miR-766-3p may serve as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.96-102
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• 2016

miR-101 is considered to play an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we aimed to confirm whether Girdin is a target gene of miR-101 and determine the tumor suppressor of miR-101 through Girdin pathway. In our previous studies, we firstly found Girdin protein was overexpressed in HCC tissues, and it closely correlated to tumor size, T stage, TNM stage and Edmondson-Steiner stage of HCC patients. After specific small interfering RNA of Girdin was transfected into HepG2 and Huh7.5.1 cells, the proliferation and invasion ability of tumor cells were significantly inhibited. In this study, we further explored the detailed molecular mechanism of Girdin in HCC. Interestingly, we found that miR-101 significantly low-expressed in HCC tissues compared with that in matched normal tissues while Girdin had a relative higher expression, and miR-101 was inversely correlated with Girdin expression. In addition, after miR-101 transfection, the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of HepG2 cells were weakened. Furthermore, we confirmed that Girdin is a direct target gene of miR-101. Finally we confirmed Talen-mediated Girdin knockout markedly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in HCC while downregulation of miR-101 significantly restored the inhibitory effect. Our findings suggested that miR-101/Girdin axis could be a potential application of HCC treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.2771-2775
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• 2015

Background: Associations between ABO blood groups and risk of several malignancies have been reported, although there are limited data regarding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate any possible association between the ABO genotype, especially blood group A, and HCC risk in Koreans. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 1,538 patients with newly diagnosed HCC at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and 1,305 randomly selected members of the general population. The ABO genotype was determined by multicolor real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using displacing probes. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression models with adjustment for gender, age, smoking, alcohol drinking, and hepatitis B and C status. Results: The risk of HCC in genotype AA was significantly higher than in OO (aOR=1.773, 95% CI=1.161-2.705). The risk in blood group A was also higher than in blood group O (aOR=1.448, 95% CI=1.005 1.897). No significant difference was found for the AA, BO, BB, and AB genotypes, or blood group B and AB. Conclusions: Blood group A and genotype AA showed the highest risks of HCC in a Korean population. No significant difference was found for the AO, BO, BB, and AB genotypes, or blood group B and AB.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.1-2
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• 2017

Acquiring a selective growth advantage by breaking the proliferation barrier established by gatekeeper genes is a centrally important event in tumor formation. Removal of the mammalian Hippo kinase Mst1 and Mst2 in hepatocytes leads to rapid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation, indicating that the Hippo signaling pathway is a critical gatekeeper that restrains abnormal growth in hepatocytes. By rigorous genetic approaches, we identified an interacting network of the Hippo, Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin and Notch signaling pathways that control organ size and HCC development. We found that in hepatocytes, the loss of Mst1/2 leads to the activation of Notch signaling, which forms a positive feedback loop with Yap/Taz (transcription factors controlled by Mst1/2). This positive feedback loop results in severe liver enlargement and rapid HCC formation. Blocking the Yap/Taz-Notch positive feedback loop by Notch inhibition in vivo significantly reduced the Yap/Taz activities, hepatocyte proliferation and tumor formation. Furthermore, we uncovered a surprising inhibitory role of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling to Yap/Taz activities, which are important in tumor initiation. Genetic removal of ${\beta}$-catenin in the liver of the Mst1/2 mutants significantly accelerates tumoriogenesis. Therefore, Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling, known for its oncogenic property, exerts an unexpected function in restricting Yap/Taz and Notch activities in HCC initiation. The molecular interplay between the three signaling pathways identified in our study provides new insights in developing novel therapeutic strategies to treat liver tumors.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-18
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• 2008

1980년대부터 시행된 HBV 감염의 예방 백신접종으로 HBV 감염율이 감소되고 1997년부터 시작된 핵산유사체인 LMV의 항바이러스치료 효과로 인하여 CHB 환자에서 HBV 증식 억압이 가능하게 되면서 10~20여년 동안 HCC 발생율이 현저히 감소된다는 보고가 증가하고 있으며 21세기 전반기에는 1980년대 부터인 백신접종가능 시기 이후의 출생자들이 성인이 되는 시점이 되면 HBV 감염율 감소로 동반된 HCC 발생율의 현저한 감소를 예측하고 있다. 이미 백신 개발 이 전에 또는 백신접종의 기회를 얻지 못하고 이미 영유아 시기에 감염되어 CHB에 이환된 환자들의 간경변증, HCC 등 만성 합병증을 치료하기 위해서는 적극적인 항바이러스치료가 필요하였으나 1980년대 후반에 유일하게 CHB 치료제로 인정된 인터페론은 치료 적응증이나 그 효과에 있었으나 극소수의 제한된 환자에서 제한된 효과만이 입증되었으며 특히 역학적 차이로 인한 바이러스학적, 개체 면역학적 조건에 따라 전혀 고려되지 않는 경우가 많고 수직감염자가 대다수인 우리나라를 포함한 대부분의 고감역지역에서는 우선 선택되지 않는 약제였으며 장기 효과에 대해서는 이십여년이 지난 시점에도 확실하지 않은 상황에서, 1997년부터 극적인 항바이러스 효과를 나타내는 LMV을 투약할 수 있게 되었다. LMV의 HCC 발생 억제효과를 높이기 위해 개선해야 할 점은 필수적인 장기투약에 의해 발생되는 내성 바이러스의 출현이며 이는 간기능뿐 만아니라 HCC 발생의 위험도 높일 수 있다는 보고도 있다. LMV 이후 처방 허가된 ADV, telbivudine(LdT), ETV, CLV, TDF 등도 장기 투약시 내성바이러스 발생이 가능하나 내성 발생을 줄이기 위해서는 적절한 약의 선택과 새로운 약제의 개발과 동시에 치료 원칙의 정립이 필요하다. 그러나 이러한 문제점이 있음에도 불구하고 항바이러스치료로 CHB의 진행 및 만성 합병증 발생의 빈도가 감소되고 있으며 HCC 발생 역시 감소될 것이며, 그 효과를 더 높이기 위해서는 내성변이종 발생 문제를 해결해야 하며 치료대상, 치료기준, 약제의 선택과 방법 및 면밀한 검사관리가 필요하다. 그러나 무엇보다 중요한 것은 일단 HBV에 감염되면 과거감염이건 현재 감염이건 현재의 핵산유사체 제제로 HBV DNA 증식을 억제하더라도 간조직내 cccDNA와 융합된 HBV DNA를 보유할 수 있으며 그 증거로는 HBsAg이 음성인 HCC 환자의 혈청이나 간조직에서 HBV DNA가 발견되는 빈도가 높다는 증거가 무수히 많고, 상황에 따라서는 간질환의 원인이 된다는 보고가 다수 있으므로 가장 완벽하고 확실한 예방법인 HBV 백신 접종이 무엇보다 필수적이며 전세계 대부분의 HCC 발생을 예방할 수 있다. 또한 현재 제시되고 있는 항바이러스제 치료기준은 혈청 간세포괴사치 상승을 조건으로 제한하는데 혈청 ALT치나 HBeAg 상태에 무관하게 간 조직의 상태나 HBV DNA치의 증가와 비례해서 간경변이나 HCC 발생의 위험이 높아진다는 사실이 중요하다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.1579-1583
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• 2013

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, its main function being to participate in recognition and adhesion between cells. ICAM-1 is considered closely related to occurrence, development, metastasis and invasion process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A variety of inflammatory cytokines and stimulus affect its expression through the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signal transduction pathway. In the initial stage of inflammation, hepatocirrhosis and tumor development, ICAM-1 is expressed differently, and has varied effects on different cells to promote occurrence of malignancy and metastasis. ICAM-1 has diagnostic significance for AFP-negative or suspected HCC, and may be a prognositic significance. It is thus widely used in studies as a biomarker which reflects cancer cells metastasis as well as curative effect of drugs. Many new treatments of HCC may be based on the effects of ICAM-1 on different levels of function.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.255-260
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• 2012

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations derive clinical benefit from treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors ((EGFR-TKIs)-namely gefitinib and erlotinib. However, these patients eventually develop resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Despite the fact that this acquired resistance may be the result of a secondary mutation in the EGFR gene, such as T790M or amplification of the MET proto-oncogene, there are other mechanisms which need to be explored. MicroRNAs (miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis, tumor progression and chemo-resistance. In this study, we firstly successfully established a gefitinib resistant cell line-HCC827/GR, by exposing normal HCC827 cells (an NSCLC cell line with a 746E-750A in-frame deletion of EGFR gene) to increasing concentrations of gefitinib. Then, we found that miR-214 was significantly up-regulated in HCC827/GR. We also showed that miR-214 and PTEN were inversely expressed in HCC827/GR. Knockdown of miR-214 altered the expression of PTEN and p-AKT and re-sensitized HCC827/GR to gefitinib. Taken together, miR-214 may regulate the acquired resistance to gefitinib in HCC827 via PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Suppression of miR-214 may thus reverse the acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7331-7333
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• 2013

Aim: To investigate associations of fasting insulin and glucose levels in serum with hepatocellular carcinoma risk. Materials and Methods: This hospital based study was carried out using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, between 1st December, 2011 and 31st June, 2013. The variables collected were age, fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin and ALT. Quantitative determination of human insulin concentrations was accomplished by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. Results: Of the total 220 subjects enrolled in our present study, 20 cases were of HCC and 200 were healthy controls. The maximum number of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma in category cutpoints of fasting insulin levels fell in the range of >6.10 ${\mu}U/ml$. The highest insulin levels (>6.10 ${\mu}U/ml$) were seen to be associated with an 2.36 fold risk of HCC when compared with fasting insulin levels of (<2.75 ${\mu}U/ml$). Furthermore, the insulin levels (2.75-4.10 ${\mu}U/ml$) of category cutpoints also conferred a 1.57 fold risk for HCC when compared with lowest fasting insulin levels of (<2.75 ${\mu}U/ml$). Conclusions: The effect of an insulin level in increasing HCC risk appeared consistent, influencing incidence, risk of recurrence, overall survival, and treatment-related complications in HCC patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 2012

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Korea. To decrease its mortality rate, its early detection is very important. Screening for HCC detection has been accepted as the management modality for patients with chronic liver disease. Reported herein is a case involving the marked rapid growth of HCC detected at an advanced stage in a screening test with a 3 months interval. A 49-year-old male patient with chronic hepatitis B was admitted to the hospital due to a liver mass detected on CT scan. The patient underwent a first CT scan 3 months earlier, and no tumor was detected. Follow-up CT scan was performed and showed a 9.1 cm HCC with portal vein thrombosis. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed, and the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed. In the pertinent guidelines, the recommended screening interval for HCC is 6-12 months, but the screening interval and additional diagnostic methods should be considered due to the variation in the HCC growth rate according to the patient's clinical characteristics.