• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2017

We investigated whether betulin affects the gene expression, secretion and proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as in vivo production of MMP-3 in the rat knee joint to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effect of betulin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$)-induced gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), ADAMTS-5 and type II collagen. Effect of betulin on IL-$1{\beta}$-induced secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 was investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. Effect of betulin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. The results were as follows: (1) betulin inhibited the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5, but increased the gene expression of type II collagen; (2) betulin inhibited the secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3; (3) betulin suppressed the production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that betulin can regulate the gene expression, secretion, and proteolytic activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.628-633
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• 2017

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) has been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. The migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key components of vascular inflammation that leads to the development of atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular effect of GRP on VSMC proliferation and migration. We report that GRP significantly enhanced the proliferation and migration of rat VSMCs. GRP increased mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2/9) in VSMCs. The induction of MMP-2/9 by GRP was regulated by the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3). In addition, STAT3-knockdown of VSMCs by siRNA or blockade of the GRP receptor inhibited GRP-induced migration of VSMCs. Taken together, our findings indicate that GRP promotes the migration of VSMCs through upregulation of MMP-2/9 via STAT3 activation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.751-754
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• 2013

Neurognathostomiasis is a severe form of human gnathostomiasis which can lead to disease and death. Diagnosis of neurognathostomiasis is made presumptively by using clinical manifestations. Immunoblotting, which recognizes antigenic components of molecular mass 21 kDa and 24 kDa in larval extracts of Gnathostoma spinigerum (Gs 21/24), has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of neurognathostomiasis. However, only very small amounts of the Gs 21/24 antigens can be prepared from parasites harvested from natural or experimental animals. To overcome this problem, we recently produced a recombinant matrix metalloproteinase (rMMP) protein from G. spinigerum. In this study, we evaluated this rMMP alongside the Gs 21/24 antigens for serodiagnosis of human neurognathostomiasis. We studied sera from 40 patients from Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, with clinical criteria consistent with those of neurognathostomiasis, and sera from 30 healthy control adults from Thailand. All sera were tested for specific IgG antibodies against both G. spinigerum crude larval extract and rMMP protein using immunoblot analysis. The sensitivity and specificity for both antigenic preparations were all 100%. These results show that G. spinigerum rMMP protein can be used as an alternative diagnostic antigen, in place of larval extract, for serodiagnosis of neurognathostomiasis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.175-187
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• 2017

Laetiporus sulphrueus var. miniatus is widely distributed worldwide, and has commonly been used as a medicinal mushroom. In the present study, we investigated the effects of water extract and solvent fractions from the Laetiporus miniatus as possible antioxidant, anti-thrombin and anti-invasive agents against phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)- or thrombin-induced matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 activities. Samples were fractionated into n-hexane, $CHCl_3$, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water fractions, and individually analysed. The water fraction had the highest extraction yield at 34.90% (w/w), while the n-butanol fraction demonstrated the highest anti-oxidative activity at 81.44%. In the thrombin inhibitory activity test, the water fraction exhibited the highest activity at 94.64%. Even at the concentration of $40{\mu}g/mL$, evaluation of anti-proliferating activity in YD-10B cells did not reveal any cytotoxic effects. Although MMP-9 expression in YD-10B cells increased after the addition of PMA and thrombin, MMP-2 did not. Additionally, MMP-2/-9 levels in PMA-treated YD-10B cells (i.e., both mRNA expression and protein activation) were highly inhibited in the hexane and chloroform fractions. Compared with MMP-2 levels, MMP-9 mRNA expression and proteolytic activity were inhibited to a greater extent by the hexane and chloroform fractions in thrombin-treated YD-10B cells. Taken together, these results support that thrombin induces tumor invasion through MMP-2/9 and suggest that the L. miniatus may act as an effective functional food, conferring anti-oxidative, anti-thrombotic and anti-cancer activities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.237-243
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• 2014

Objective : Symptomatic disc degeneration develops from inflammatory reactions in the annulus fibrosus (AF). Although inflammatory mediators during annular inflammation have been studied, the roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the production of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) during annular inflammation using an in vitro co-culture system. We also examined the effect of notochordal cells on annular inflammation. Methods : Human AF (hAF) pellet was co-cultured for 48 hours with phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated macrophage-like THP-1 cells. hAF pellet and conditioned media (CM) from co-cultured cells were assayed for MMPs, TIMPs, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and enzyem-linked immunosorbent assay. To evaluate whether notochordal cells affected MMPs or TIMPs production on annular inflammation, hAF co-cultured with notochordal cells from adult New Zealand White rabbits, were assayed. Results : MMP-1, -3, -9; and TIMP-1 levels were significantly increased in CM of hAF co-cultured with macrophage-like cells compared with hAF alone, whereas TIMP-2 and IGF-1 levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05). After macrophage exposure, hAF produced significantly more MMP-1 and -3 and less TIMP-1 and -2. Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ stimulation enhanced MMP-1 and -3 levels, and significantly diminished TIMP-2 levels. Co-culturing with rabbit notochordal cells did not significantly influence MMPs and TIMPs production or COL1A2 gene expression. Conclusion : Our results indicate that macrophage-like cells evoke annular degeneration through the regulation of major degradative enzymes and their inhibitors, produced by hAF, suggesting that the selective regulation of these enzymes provides future targets for symptomatic disc degeneration therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2903-2908
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• 2012

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is associated with disruption of basement membranes of blood vessels and promotion of metastasis through the lymphatics. However, its prognostic value for survival in patients with gastric cancer remains controversial. Method: We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of the published literature in order to clarify the impact of MMP-9. Clinical studies were selected for further analysis if they provided an independent assessment of MMP-9 in gastric cancer and reported analysis of survival data according to MMP-9 expression. Results: A total of 11 studies, covering 1700 patients, were included for meta-analysis. A summary hazard ratio (HR) of all studies and sub-group hazard ratios were calculated. The combined HR suggested that a positive MMP-9 expression had an impact on overall survival: 1.25 (95% confidence interval 1.11-1.40) in all eligible studies; 1.13 (1.06-1.20) in 8 studies detecting MMP-9 by immunohistochemistry; 1.36 (1.12-1.65) in 7 studies from Asia. Only one study for DFS showed a significant impact on disease free survival (HR 1.73, 95%CI 1.27-2.34). Conclusions: Our findings suggested that MMP-9 protein expression might be a factor for a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. However, the association was rather weak, so that more prospective studies should further explore the prognostic impact of MMP-9 mRNA and correlations between MMP-9 and clinicopathological characteristics.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.193-197
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• 2006

The effect of protein extract from Asterina pectinifera on breast cancer chemopreventive (aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2) and metastatic (matrix metalloproteinase) enzymes was tested. Protein extract from A. pectinifera was capable of suppressing aromatase in a human placenta microsomal assay. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity was significantly inhibited by the protein extract from A. pectinifera at concentrations of 10, 20 and $40{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The extract markedly reduced 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity. These results suggest that A. pectinifera could be of therapeutic value in preventing human breast cancer.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2006

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is a key enzyme involved in tumor invasiveness. The plant of Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. is often included as an ingredient in various herbal remedies recommended for cancer theraphies in Korea. Various extracts prepared from stems of M. officinalis were tested for cytotoxic activity on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SK-Hep cells using the XTT assay method. Then, the inhibitory effect was examined on MMP-2 activity using gelatin zymography. Methanol (MeOH) extract of M. officinalis caused the strongest inhibition of the MMP-2 activity, as measured by gelatin zymography method for enzyme activity. $IC_{50}$ values of fractions on MMP-2 activity were in a range of $4.9{\sim}11.3\;{\mu}g/mL$. Among each fraction, butanol and ethylacetate (EtOAc) fractions showed the strong inhibitory activities ($IC_{50}=10.7\;and\;4.9\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively). When the M. officinalis's constituents such as magnolol, honokiol, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and ovovatol were examined for inhibitory effects on MMP-2 activity, EGCG showed strong inhibitory activity. However, MeOH extract of M. officinalis was dose-dependently inhibited to MMP-2 activity. The MeOH extract, hexane and EtOAc fractions $(IC_{50}\;of\;>200\;{\mu}g/mL)$ exhibited weak cytotoxicity activity, while butanol $(IC_{50}=80\;{\mu}g/mL)$ and chloroform fractions $(IC_{50}=90\;{\mu}g/mL)$ exhibited relatively strong cytotoxic activity. From these results, M. officinalis could be suitable for cancer treatment and chemopreventive drugs.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2013

Ponciri fructus, the unripe fruits of Poncirus trifoliata, are widely used in oriental traditional medicine as a remedy for inflammation, gastritis, emesis, digestive ulcers, allergy, and dysentery. To study the anti-wrinkle effects of Ponciri fructus extract (PFE) containing flavanone glycosides, PFE was fermented with Ganoderma lucidum mycelia and its biological activities were investigated. In Ponciri fructus extracts fermented with G. lucidum (G-PFE), polyphenol content was $1,021.00{\pm}0.50{\mu}g/mL$ and flavonoid content was $589.41{\pm}0.21{\mu}g/mL$. G-PFE was found to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and superoxide anion radical by a dose dependent manner, respectively. G-PFE showed higher antioxidant activity than that of PFE. In addition, the photoprotective properties of G-PFE was tested in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) exposed to UVA radiation. G-PFE inhibited the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and showed a dose dependent decrease in the expression level of MMP-1. G-PFE also increased collagen biosynthesis in HDF. These results demonstrate that G-PFE could be useful as a potential cosmetic ingredient for anti-wrinkle.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.675-685
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• 2005

Bone resorption involves sequential stages of osteoclast precursor migration and differentiation of osteoclast precursors into multinucleated osteoclasts. Stromal cell derived factor (SDF)-1 is a chemotactic factor for osteoclast precursor migration. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is involved in migration of osteoclast precursors and activation of $interleukin(IL)-1{\beta}$. Alveolar bone destruction is a characteristic feature of periodontal disease. Treponema lecithinolyticum is a oral spirochete isolated from the periodontal lesions. The effect of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) from T. lecithinolyticum on expression of SDF-1 and MMP-9 was examined in cocultures of bone marrow cells and osteblasts derived from mouse calvariae. T. lecithinolyticum LPS increased expression of MMP-9 in the coculture. Polymyxin B, an inhibitor of LPS, abolished the increase of MMP-9 mRNA expression by LPS. LPS did not increase the expression of SDF-1, $IL-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha}$ mRNA in cocultures. Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ up-regulated the expression of MMP-9 and NS398, an inhibitor of $PGE_2$ synthesis, down-regulated the induction of MMP-9 expression by T. lecitbinolyticm LPS. These results suggest that T. lecitbinolyticm LPS increases MMP-9 expression in bone cells via $PGE_2$ and that the induction of MMP-9 expression by T. lecitbinolyticm LPS is involved in alveolar bone destruction of periodontitis patients by the increase of osteoclast precursor migration and the activation of bone resorption-inducing cytokine.