• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5271-5276
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• 2014

Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3) is an important protein kinase and a member of the MAPK family, which regulates cellular responses to environmental stress and serves as key integration points along the signal transduction cascade that not only link diverse extracellular stimuli to subsequent signaling molecules but also amplify the initiating signals to ultimately activate effector molecules and induce cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. To explore the relationship between MEKK3 and cell apoptosis, clinicopathology and prognosis, we characterize the expression of MEKK3 and survivin in cervical cancer. MEKK3 and survivin expression was measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting of fresh surgical resections from 30 cases of cervical cancer and 25 cases of chronic cervicitis. Protein expression was detected by tissue microarray and immunochemistry (En Vision) in 107 cases of cervical cancer, 86 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 35 cases of chronic cervicitis. Expression patterns were analyzed for their association with clinicopathological factors and prognosis in cervical cancer. Expression of MEKK3 and survivin mRNA was significantly higher in cervical cancer than in the controls (p<0.05). MEKK3 and survivin expression differed significantly between cervical carcinoma, CIN, and cervicitis (p<0.05) and correlated with clinical stage, infiltration depth, and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). MEKK3 expression was positively correlated with survivin (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that MEKK3 and survivin expression, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, and FIGO stage reduce cumulative survival. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that MEKK3, survivin, and clinical staging are independent prognostic factors in cervical cancer (p<0.05). Expression of MEKK3 and survivin are significantly increased in cervical cancer, their overexpression participating in the occurrence and development of cervical cancer, with protein expression and clinical staging acting as independent prognostic factors for patients with cervical cancer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.721-725
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• 2010

Purpose: The survival of composite graft is dependent on three steps, (1) plasmatic imbibitions, (2) inosculation, and (3) neovascularization. Among the many trials to increase the survival rate of composite graft, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has beneficial effects on the microcirculatory level with vasodilating, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and neoangiogenic properties. Lipo-PGE1 which is lipid microspheres containing PGE1 had developed to compensate the systemic and local side effects of PGE1. This study was proposed to determine whether Lipo-PGE1 administration enhanced the survival of composite graft through neovascularization quantitatively in a rabbit ear model. Methods: Fourteen New Zealand White Rabbits each weighing 3~4 kg were divided in two groups: (1) intravenous Lipo-PGE1 injection group and (2) control group. A $2{\times}1\;cm$ sized, full-thickness rectangular composite graft was harvested in each auricle. Then, the graft was reaaproximated in situ using a 5-0 nylon suture. For the experimental group, $3{\mu}g$/kg/day of Lipo-PGE1 ($5{\mu}g$/mL) was administered intravenously through the marginal vein of the ear for 14 days. The control group was received no pharmacologic treatment. On the 14th postoperative day, composite graft of the ear was harvested and immunochemistry staining used Monoclonal mouse anti-CD 31 antibody was performed. Neoangiogenesis was quantified by counting the vessels that showed luminal structures surrounded by the brown color-stained epithelium and counted from 10 random high-power fields (400x) by independent blinded observer. Statistical analysis (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test for nonparametric data) was performed using SPSS v12.0, with values of p<0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean number of the microvessels was $15.48{\pm}8.65$ in the experimental group and $9.82{\pm}7.25$ in the control group (p=0.028). Conclusion: The use of Lipo-PGE1 facilitated the neoangiogenesis, resulted in the improvement of the survival rate of graft. On the basis of this results, we could support wider application of Lipo-PGE1 for more effective therapeutic angiogenesis and successful survival in various cases of composite graft in the human.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1258-1266
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• 2019

Yangkyuksanhwa-Tang (YKSH), consisting of nine different herbs, is commonly used in Soyangin-type individuals with stroke, based on the Sasang Constitution Theory in Korea. However, no evidence has yet confirmed a beneficial effect of YKSH in ischemic stroke treatment. In this study, we investigated the effects of YKSH on ischemic brain injury in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia. Focal cerebral ischemia in mice was induced by photothrombosis, and behavioral recovery was evaluated. Infarct volume, inflammation, and newly generated cells were evaluated by histology and immunochemistry. YKSH treatment resulted in a significant recovery from the motor impairments induced by focal cerebral ischemia, as determined with wire grip and rotarod tests. YKSH treatment also decreased the infarct volume and the number of cells positive for tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and myeloperoxidase when compared with a vehicle-treated control group. By contrast, YKSH treatment considerably increased the number of cells positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, as well as the number of cells doubly positive for Ki67/doublecortin when compared with the vehicle-treated group. These results suggest that YKSH treatment attenuated the infarct size by anti-inflammatory action, astrocyte and microglia activation, and neuronal proliferation, thereby facilitating neurofunctional recovery from a cerebral ischemic assault. YKSH could therefore be a potential treatment for neurofunctional restoration of the injured brains of patients with stroke.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.99-113
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• 2010

Objective: It has been recently reported that very small stem cells with pluripotency are detected in murine and human. The purposes of this study are to confirm whether very small putative stem cells (VSPSCs), which have the proper characteristics of stem cells as well as the expression of stem cell markers, are detected in human endometrium. Methods: The endometrial cells of 5 women, which were obtained by endometrial biopsy, were cultured for 2 weeks and were confirmed for the expressions of alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4 and CXCR4 by immunochemistry. Subsequently VSPSCs were separated by percoll density gradient method and were cultured. Also VSPSCs and their derived cells were confirmed for the expressions of OCT-4 and CXCR4. Results: The colonies, which is composed with VSPSCs less than 3 ${\mu}m$ and the 5~15 ${\mu}m$ sized hyperchromatic round cells, were detected in the endometrium of all of women and showed the strong expressions of alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4 and CXCR4. In culture after the separation of VSPSCs by percoll, these cells showed the morphological and functional characteristics of stem cells; self-renewal, colony formation, embryoid body-like formation and differential plasticity. VSPSCs formed gradually the 5~15 ${\mu}m$ sized hyperchromatic round cells and the 10~20 ${\mu}m$ sized sphere-shaped cells by cell-to-cell aggregation or cell fusion. Then these cells differentiated the various cells including fibroblast-like cells, nerve-like cells and endothelium-like cells. VSPSCs and their derived cells often showed the strong expressions of OCT-4 and CXCR4. Conclusion: VSPSCs less than 3 ${\mu}m$ and their derived cells are detected in human endometrium and these cells have the proper characteristics of stem cells and the expressions of stem cell markers as alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4 and CXCR4.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2008

Background: Fascin is an actin-bundling protein that induces membrane protrusions and it increases cell motility in various transformed cells. Esophageal cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, and it exhibits extensive local invasion or frequent regional lymph node metastasis even after curative surgery. We investigate the expression of fascin by performing immunohistochemistry to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of its expression in esophageal cancer patients. Material and Method: Immunochemistry for fascin was performed on 76 tumor samples from 76 patients who underwent esophageal cancer operations. The expression levels of fascin in the 76 esophageal cancer tissues were compared with those in the corresponding normal esophageal epithelium. The fascin-positive samples were defined as those showing more than 75% of fascin-positive cells. Result: Overall, a fascin positive expression was detected in 39 (51.3%) out of the total 76 cases. The tumors with positive fascin expression tended to more frequently show a higher stage (p=0.030), and a higher T-factor (p=0.031). The prognosis of the fascin negative group was significantly better than that of the fascin positive group (p=0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that lymphovascular invasion and the fascin expression were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: Fascin was expressed in 513% of the esophageal cancer tissues and a positive expression of fascin was associated with more advanced tumor progression and recurrence. Our study suggests that the fascin expression may be an independent prognostic factor for an unfavorable clinical course few those patients suffering with esophageal cancer.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.165-176
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• 2005

Studies on molecular plasticity of Bermann glia (BG) after harmaline-induced Purkinje cell (PC) degeneration in the rat cerebellum. The intimate structural relationship between BG and PC, evidenced by the sheathing of the PC dendrites by veil-like process from the BG has been suggestive of the close functional relationship between these two cell types. However, little is known about metabolic couplings between these cells. This study designed to investigate molecular plasticity of BG in the rat cerebellum in which PCs were chemically ablated by harmaline treatment. Immunohistochemical examination reveals that harmaline induced PC degeneration causes a marked glial reaction in the cerebellum with activated BG and microglia aligned in parasagittal stripes within the vermis. In these strips, activated BG were associated with upregulaion of metallotheionein, while GLAST and was down regulated, as compared with nearby intact area where both BG are in contact with PCs. The data from this study demonstrate that BG can change their phenotypic expression when BG loose their contact with PCs. It is conceivable that activated BG may upregulate structural proteins, metallothionein expression to use for their proliferation and hypertrophy; metallothionein expression to cope with oxidative stress induced by PC degeneration and microglial activation. On the contrary, BG may down regulated expression of GLAST because sustained loss of contact with PCs would eliminate the necessity for the cellular machinery involved glutamate metabolism. In conclusion, BG might respond man to death of PCs by undergoing a change in metabolic state. It seems possible that signaling molecules released from PCs regulates the phenotype expression of BG. Also ultrastructures in the organelles of normal PC and BG are distinguished by mitochondrial appearance, and distributed vesicles at the synaptic area in the cytoplasm.