• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.347-355
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• 2022

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening disorder worldwide. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was shown to display a high level in the plasma of patients with AAA; however, its detailed functions underlying AAA pathogenesis are unclear. An in vitro AAA model was established in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) by angiotensin II (Ang-II) stimulation. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays were utilized for measuring cell proliferation and migration. RT-qPCR was used for detecting mRNA expression of FGF21 and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Western blotting was utilized for assessing protein levels of FGF21, ATF4, and markers for the contractile phenotype of HASMCs. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were implemented for identifying the binding relation between AFT4 and FGF21 promoters. FGF21 and ATF4 were both upregulated in Ang-II-treated HASMCs. Knocking down FGF21 attenuated Ang-II-induced proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of HASMCs. ATF4 activated FGF21 transcription by binding to its promoter. FGF21 overexpression reversed AFT4 silencing-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch. ATF4 transcriptionally upregulates FGF21 to promote the proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of Ang-II-treated HASMCs.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.319-338
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• 2022

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) has high morbidity and mortality, the cure rate of surgical treatment and drug chemotherapy is not ideal. Therefore, development of new treatment strategies is necessary. We aimed to identify the mechanism underlying Sp1 regulation of GC progression. Methods and Methods: The levels of Sp1, β-catenin, SET domain bifurcated 1 (SETDB1), and 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD) were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The targets of SETDB1 were predicted by AnimalTFDB, and dual-luciferase reporter assay was used for confirming the combination of Sp1, β-catenin, and SETDB1. HGC27 or AGS cells (1×10⁶ cells/mouse) were injected into mice via the caudal vein for GC model establishment. The level of Ki67 was detected using immunohistochemistry, and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for evaluating tumor metastasis in mice with GC. Results: HPGD was inhibited, while the protein levels of Sp1, β-catenin, and SETDB1 were up-regulated in GC tissues and cell lines. HPGD overexpression or SETDB1 silencing inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells, and Sp1 regulated the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells in a β-catenin-dependent manner. Furthermore, HPGD served as a target of SETDB1, and it was negatively regulated by SETDB1; additionally, Sp1 and β-catenin bound to the SETDB1 promoter and negatively regulated HPGD expression. We proved that Sp1 regulated GC progression via the SETDB1/HPGD axis. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that Sp1 transcriptionally inhibited HPGD via SETDB1 in a β-catenin-dependent manner and promoted the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.398-409
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• 2023

LncRNAs play crucial roles in the progression of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), but the role of LINC01232 in COAD has not received much attention. The present study was designed to explore the related mechanisms of LINC01232 in the progression of COAD. LINC01232, miR-181a-5p, p53, c-myc, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, p16, Bax, VEGF, E-cadherin, vimentin, N-cadherin and SDAD1 expressions were determined by western blot and qRT-PCR. CCK-8, tubule formation, and Transwell assays were employed to detect proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration/invasion of COAD cells, respectively. The relationship between LINC01232 and miR-181a-5p was predicted by LncBase Predicted v.2, and then verified through dual luciferase reporter gene assay. According to the results, LINC01232 was highly expressed in COAD cells and enhanced proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of COAD cells. Downregulated LINC01232 promoted expression of p53 and p16, and inhibited c-myc, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 expressions in COAD cells, while upregulation of LINC01232 generated the opposite effects. LINC01232 was negatively correlated with miR-181a-5p while downregulated miR181a-5p could reverse the effects of siLINC01232 on cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. Similarly, miR-181a-5p mimic could also offset the effect of LINC01232 overexpression. SiLINC01232 increased the expressions of Bax and E-cadherin, and decreased the expressions of VEGF, vimentin, N-cadherin and SDAD1, which were partially attenuated by miR-181a-5p inhibitor. Collectively, LINC01232 enhances the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of COAD cells by decreasing miR-181a-5p expression.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.440-447
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• 2023

Background: The human hair follicle undergoes cyclic phases-anagen, catagen, and telogen-throughout its lifetime. This cyclic transition has been studied as a target for treating hair loss. Recently, correlation between the inhibition of autophagy and acceleration of the catagen phase in human hair follicles was investigated. However, the role of autophagy in human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), which is involved in the development and growth of hair follicles, is not known. We hypothesized that acceleration of hair catagen phase upon inhibition of autophagy is due to the downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hDPCs, and that components of Panax ginseng extract can increase the autophagic flux in hDPCs. Methods: We generated an autophagy-inhibited condition using 3-methyladenine (3-MA), a specific autophagy inhibitor, and investigated the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling using the luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis. In addition, cells were cotreated with ginsenoside Re and 3-MA and their roles in inhibiting autophagosome formation were investigated. Results: We found that the unstimulated anagen phase dermal papilla region expressed the autophagy marker, LC3. Transcription of Wnt-related genes and nuclear translocation of β-catenin were reduced after treatment of hDPCs with 3-MA. In addition, treatment with the combination of ginsenoside Re and 3-MA changed the Wnt activity and hair cycle by restoring autophagy. Conclusions: Our results suggest that autophagy inhibition in hDPCs accelerates the catagen phase by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, ginsenoside Re, which increased autophagy in hDPCs, could be useful for reducing hair loss caused by abnormal inhibition of autophagy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.333-344
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• 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor with high fatality. It has yet to be reported whether circ-SNX27 can affect the progression of HCC. This study attempted to analyze circ-SNX27's precise role and underlying mechanisms in HCC. HCC cell lines and tumor specimens from HCC patients were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting to quantify the expressions of circ-SNX27, miR-375, and ribophorin I (RPN1). Cell invasion and cell counting kit 8 experiments were conducted for the evaluation of HCC cell invasion and proliferation. Caspase-3 Activity Assay Kit was utilized to gauge the caspase-3 activity. Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were executed to ascertain the relationships among miR-375, circ-SNX27, and RPN1. To determine how circ-SNX27 knockdown affects the growth of HCC xenografts in vivo, tumor-bearing mouse models were constructed. Elevated expressions of circ-SNX27 and RPN1 as well as a reduced miR-375 expression were observed among HCC cells and HCC patient tumor specimens. Knocking-down circ-SNX27 in HCC cells abated their proliferative and invasive abilities but raised their caspase-3 activity. Moreover, the poor levels of circ-SNX27 inhibited HCC tumor growth among the mice. Circ-SNX27 enhanced RPN1 by competitively binding with miR-375. Silencing miR-375 in HCC cells promoted their malignant phenotypes. Nonetheless, the promotive effect of miR375 silencing was reversible via the knockdown of circ-SNX27 or RPN1. This research demonstrated that circ-SNX27 accelerated the progression of HCC by modulating the miR-375/RPN1 axis. This is indicative of circ-SNX27's potential as a target for the treatment of HCC.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.151-167
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often occurs suddenly and leads to fatal consequences. Ferroptosis is closely related to the progression of AMI. However, the specific mechanism of ferroptosis in AMI remains unclear. Methods: We constructed a cell model of AMI using AC16 cells under oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions and a mice model of AMI using the left anterior descending (LAD) ligation. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide was employed to determine cell viability. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and iron were measured using corresponding kits. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down were performed to validate the correlations among AC005332.7, miR-331-3p, and cyclin D2 (CCND2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining was employed to evaluate myocardial damage. Results: AC005332.7 and CCND2 were lowly expressed, while miR-331-3p was highly expressed in vivo and in vitro models of AMI. AC005332.7 sufficiency reduced ROS, MDA, iron, and ACSL4 while boosting the GSH and GPX4, indicating that AC005332.7 sufficiency impeded ferroptosis to improve cardiomyocyte injury in AMI. Mechanistically, AC005332.7 interacted with miR-331-3p, and miR-331-3p targeted CCND2. Additionally, miR-331-3p overexpression or CCND2 depletion abolished the suppressive impact of AC005332.7 on ferroptosis in OGD-induced AC16 cells. Moreover, AC005332.7 overexpression suppressed ferroptosis in mice models of AMI. Conclusions: AC005332.7 suppressed ferroptosis in OGD-induced AC16 cells and LAD ligation-operated mice through modulating miR-331-3p/CCND2 axis, thereby mitigating the cardiomyocyte injury in AMI, which proposed novel targets for AMI treatment.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권7호
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• pp.1289-1302
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• 2024

Objective: There is a strong relationship between the content of beneficial fatty acids in milk and milk fat metabolic activity in the mammary gland. To improve milk quality, it is therefore necessary to study fatty acid metabolism in bovine mammary gland tissue. In adipose tissue, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), the core transcription factor, regulates the fatty acid metabolism gene network and determines fatty acid deposition. However, its regulatory effects on mammary gland fatty acid metabolism during lactation have rarely been reported. Methods: Transcriptome sequencing was performed during the prelactation period and the peak lactation period to examine mRNA expression. The significant upregulation of PPARG drew our attention and led us to conduct further research. Results: According to bioinformatics prediction, dual-luciferase reporter system detection, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, miR-130a and miR-130b could directly target PPARG and inhibit its expression. Furthermore, triglyceride and oil red O staining proved that miR-130a and miR-130b inhibited milk fat metabolism in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs), while PPARG promoted this metabolism. In addition, we also found that the coexpression of miR-130a and miR-130b significantly enhanced their ability to regulate milk fat metabolism. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR-130a and miR-130b could target and repress PPARG and that they also have a functional superposition effect. miR-130a and miR-130b seem to synergistically regulate lipid catabolism via the control of PPARG in BMECs. In the long-term, these findings might be helpful in developing practical means to improve high-quality milk.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.233-252
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) refers to the damage of cardiac function caused by restoration of blood flow perfusion in ischemic myocardium. However, long non-coding RNA prostate androgen regulated transcript 1 (PART1)'s role in MIRI remain unclear. Methods: Immunofluorescence detected LC3 expression. Intermolecular relationships were verified by dual luciferase reporter assay. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry and transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays analyzed cell viability and apoptosis. The release of lactate dehydrogenase was tested via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Left anterior descending coronary artery surgery induced a MIRI mouse model. Infarct area was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Hematoxylin and eosin staining examined myocardial injury. ELISA evaluated myocardial marker (creatine kinase MB) level. Results: PART1 was decreased in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced AC16 cells and MIRI mice. PART1 upregulation attenuated the increased levels of Bax, beclin-1 and the ratio of LC3II/I, and enhanced the decrease of Bcl-2 and p62 expression in H/R-treated cells. PART1 upregulation alleviated H/R-triggered autophagy and apoptosis via miR-302a-3p. Mechanically, PART1 targeted miR-302a-3p to upregulate transcription factor activating enhancer-binding protein 2C (TFAP2C). TFAP2C silencing reversed the protected effects of miR-302a-3p inhibitor on H/R treated AC16 cells. We further established TFAP2C combined to dual-specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) promoter and activated DUSP5. TFAP2C upregulation suppressed H/R-stimulated autophagy and apoptosis through upregulating DUSP5. Overexpressed PART1 reduced myocardial infarction area and attenuated MIRI in mice. Conclusion: PART1 improved the autophagy and apoptosis in H/R-exposed AC16 cells through miR-302a-3p/TFAP2C/DUSP5 axis, which might provide novel targets for MIRI treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.315-324
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• 2001

연구배경 : IL-8은 강력한 화학주성인자로서 결핵감염 부위로 염증세포들을 동원함으로서 결핵균에 대한 숙주의 방어기전에 있어서 중요한 역할을 한다. IL-8의 유전자의 발현에 있어서 NF-${\kappa}B$가 중요한 역할을 한다. 저자들은 결핵 감염시 폐상피세포가 NF-${\kappa}B$ 의존성으로 IL-8을 분비하는지 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 말초혈액단핵구에 결핵균을 감염시키고 24시간 배양 후 배양상층액(CoMTB)을 얻었다. 결핵균, CoMTB로 자극한 A549 세포주의 IL-8 분비 정도를 ELISA 방법으로 측정하였다. CoMTB로 자극한 A549 세포주의 IL-8 mRNA 의 발현 정도를 RT-PCR로, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$의 분해를 western blot 분석으로, NF-${\kappa}B$의 핵이동과 DNA 결합은 electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA)를 이용하여, 그리고 NF-${\kappa}B$ 의존성 IL-8 유전자의 전사활성은 luciferase reporter gene assay를 이용하여 측정하였다. 결 과 : A549 세포주를 CoMTB로 24시간 자극하여 얻은 배양액의 IL-8 농도는 $46.8{\pm}4.8\;ng/ml$로 분비하여 결핵균으로 직접 자극하였을 때의 $6.8{\pm}2.9\;ng/ml$보다 높았다. CoMTB로 A549 세포주를 자극하였을 때 IL-8 mRNA의 발현이 증가하였고, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$의 분해가 일어났으며, NF-${\kappa}B$의 핵이동과 DNA 결합이 일어났으며, NF-${\kappa}B$ 의존성 IL-8 유전자의 전사활성이 증가하였다. 결 론 : 결핵병변에서 폐상피세포는 결핵균을 탐식한 단핵식 세포와의 상호작용에 의해 NF-${\kappa}B$ 의존성으로 IL-8을 분비한다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.149-154
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• 2017

미만성 거대 B 세포 림프종(DLBCL)은 비호지킨 림프종에서 가장 흔한 형태이다. DLBCL에서 약물치료에 대한 연구가 많은 진전을 보였지만, 아직 많은 환자의 경우 DLBCL로 인한 사망률이 상당하다. 따라서 DLBCL에 대한 이해와 새로운 표적 치료제의 개발이 필요하다. PDE (인산이에스테르 가수분해효소)4B는 최근 시행된 유전자 발현 프로파일링에서 약제내성을 가지는 DLBCL에서 과발현 되는 유전자로 밝혀졌다. PDE4B의 주된 역할은 이차전달자인 고리형 AMP (cylclic AMP, cAMP)를 5'AMP로의 가수분해를 촉진시켜 cAMP를 비활성화 시키는 것이다. cAMP는 B 세포에서 세포증식 저해와 세포사멸을 유도하고 PDE4B는 B 세포에서 이러한 cAMP의 기능을 소멸시키는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 PDE4B의 과발현이 어떤 기작에 의한 것인지는 연구가 미비하다. 본 논문에서는 비정상적으로 발현된 마이크로 RNA (microRNA, miRNA)가 PDE4B의 과발현에 관련되어 있을 것이라는 가정하에 실험을 진행하였다. PDE4B 3'-UTR에는 세 개의 miR-23b 예상 결합부위가 존재하고, 이는 luciferase reporter assay를 통해서 확인하였다. 흥미롭게도, miR-23b 결합 부위들은 인간에서부터 도마뱀에 이르기까지 진화적으로 보존되어 있었고, 이는 세포 생리학적 측면에서 PDE4B-miR-23b 사이의 상호작용이 중요한 역할을 수행함을 암시하고 있다. miR-23b의 과발현은 PDE4B의 mRNA 발현을 감소시키고 세포내의 cAMP의 농도를 증가시켰다. 뿐만 아니라, miR-23b의 발현은 아데닐산고리화효소(adenylyl cyclase)의 활성약제인 forskolin이 처리된 경우에만 DLBCL 세포들의 증식과 생존을 억제하였다. 이는 miR-23b는 PDE4B 발현을 감소시킴으로써 세포증식과 생존을 조절함을 보여주는 것이다. 이를 통해 생각해 볼 때, miR-23b는 PDE4B를 억제함으로써 DLBCL에서 나타나는 항암제 내성을 극복할 수 있고, 따라서 miR-23b는 잠재적 종양 억제자로서 효과적인 치료적 타겟으로 예상된다.