• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.425-433
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• 2023

During liver injury, hepatic stellate cells can differentiate into myofibroblast-like structures, which are more susceptible to proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix generation, leading to liver fibrosis. Anaerobic glycolysis is associated with activated stellate cells and glyceraldehyde (GA) is an inhibitor of glucose metabolism. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of GA in human stellate LX-2 cells. In this study, we used cell viability, morphological analysis, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), western blotting, and qRT-PCR techniques to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-fibrotic effects of GA in LX-2 cells. The results showed that GA significantly reduced cell density and inhibited cell proliferation and lactate levels in LX-2 cells but not in Hep-G2 cells. We found that GA prominently increased the activation of caspase-3/9 for apoptosis induction, and a pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk, attenuated the cell death and apoptosis effects of GA, suggesting caspase-dependent cell death. Moreover, GA strongly elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and notably increased the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. Interestingly, it dramatically reduced α-SMA and collagen type I protein and mRNA expression levels in LX-2 cells. Thus, inhibition of ERK and JNK activation significantly rescued GA-induced cell growth suppression and apoptosis in LX-2 cells. Collectively, the current study provides important information demonstrating the anti-fibrotic effects of GA, a glycolytic metabolite, and demonstrates the therapeutic potency of metabolic factors in liver fibrosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.289-294
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• 2012

Background: Myofibroblasts play an important role in the development of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). In the current study, we investigate the effect of curcumin on growth and apoptosis of myofibroblasts derived from human oral mucosa. Methods: Myofibroblasts were generated by incubating fibroblasts, obtained from human oral mucosa, with transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$). MTT, PI staining, and FACS assays were used to investigate curcumin's effect on proliferation and cell cycle of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Annexin V/PI binding and FACS assays were used to examine apoptosis of myofibroblasts, Western blotting to determine the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax, and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was employed to examine the levels of collagen type I and III in the supernatants of myofibroblasts. Results: Curcumin inhibits proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts; it also disturbs the cell cycle, induces apoptosis and decreases the generation of collagen type I and III in myofibroblasts, which are more sensitive to its effects than fibroblasts. Curcumin induces apoptosis in myofibroblasts by down-regulating the Bcl-2/ Bax ratio. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the antifibrotic effect of curcumin in vitro. It may therefore be a candidate for the treatment of OSF.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.179-185
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• 2015

Background Capsular contracture is the most troublesome complication in breast implant surgery. Although capsule formation can be seen as a normal reaction to a foreign body, it can induce pain, hardness, deformity, and other pathologic problems. Surgical intervention is required in severe cases, but even surgery cannot guarantee a successful outcome without recurrence. This experimental study confirms that single topical administration of leukotriene antagonist zafirlukast (Accolate, Astrazeneca) reduces peri-implant capsule formation and prevents capsular contracture. Methods Twelve smooth-surfaced cohesive gel implants were implanted in New Zealand White rabbits. These miniature implants were designed to be identical to currently used products for breast augmentation. The rabbits were divided into 2 groups. In the experimental group (n=6), the implant and normal saline with zafirlukast were inserted in the submuscular pocket. In the control group (n=6), the implant and normal saline alone were used. Two months later, the implants with peri-implant capsule were excised. We evaluated capsule thickness and collagen pattern and performed immunohistochemical staining of myofibroblasts, transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, 2. Results The thickness of the capsules in the experimental group was reduced in both dorsal and ventral directions. The collagen pattern showed parallel alignment with low density, and the number of myofibroblasts as well as the amounts of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$ were reduced in the experimental group. Conclusions We suggest that single topical administration of leukotriene antagonist zafirlukast can be helpful in reducing capsule formation and preventing capsular contracture via myofibroblast suppression, modulation of fibroblastic cytokines, and anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.1003-1012
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• 1996

The induction of a phenotype with preoperties may have clinical significance in the acceleration of the wound-healing process. Wound contraction involves a specialized cell known as the myofibroblast. The myofibroblasts can be identified by their intense staining of actin bundles with anti-actin antibody. Tissue-specific actin distribution is correlated with the contractile activity of the myofibroblasts and smooth muscle etc. This study was performed to determine the expression of actin filaments in the cytoplasm of cultured human gingival fibroblsts after GaAs laser(BIOSAER, Korea) irradiation. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured from explants of normal interdental gingival tissue. The third-generation fibroblasts were used for immunohistochemical study. The cultured fibroblasts were exposed $0.53joule/cm^2$(lmW, 7 mimutes) of energy density, and then observed by immunohistochemical method using, rabbit anti0gelsolin, hen smooth muscle polyclonal antibody(Chemicon international inc.), and biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG(Vectastain) 24-, 36-, 48-hour after laser irradiation Following results were obtained ; 1. In nonirradiated cultures, round shaped active fibroblasts with abundant cytoplasm and prominet nucleoli were observed. 2. In 24- and 36-hour cultures after laser irradiation, spindle shaped cells with long process were observed. The intensity of stain was seen in cytoplasm of these modified fibroblasts. 3. In 48-hoour cultures after laser irradiation, stained spindle shape cell were not observed. The results suggest that the effect of the galium-arsenide laser treatment on cultured gingival fibroblasts is the rapid development of cytoplasmic actin filaments.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.192-197
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• 2022

Cell signals for growth factors depend on the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells. Microtubule acetylation is involved in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation in the soft ECM. However, the mechanism of activation of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (α-TAT1), a major α-tubulin acetyltransferase, in the soft ECM is not well defined. Here, we found that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is required for the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 that promotes microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix. Genetic mutation and pharmacological inhibition of CK2 catalytic activity specifically reduced microtubule acetylation in the cells cultured on a soft matrix rather than those cultured on a stiff matrix. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that CK2α, a catalytic subunit of CK2, directly bound to the C-terminal domain of α-TAT1, and this interaction was more prominent in the cells cultured on the soft matrix. Moreover, the substitution of alanine with serine, the 236th amino acid located at the C-terminus, which contains the CK2-binding site of α-TAT1, significantly abrogated the TGF-β-induced microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix, indicating that the successful binding of CK2 and the C-terminus of α-TAT1 led to the phosphorylation of serine at the 236th position of amino acids in α-TAT1 and regulation of its catalytic activity. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 in a soft matrix.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.32-38
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• 2010

목 적: 항암요법에 의한 부작용 중 방사선섬유증(radiation fibrosis)은 방사선치료 후 빈번하게 일어나지만 발생빈도 및 심각성에 비해 치료법이 제한적이다. 본 연구에서는 방사선섬유증의 기전 연구 및 치료제 개발을 위해 방사선섬유증 동물모델계를 확립하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 마우스의 대퇴부에 20 Gy의 방사선을 1주 간격으로 2회 조사한 후 날짜 별로 육안적 평가와 haematoxylin & eosin (H&E) 및 Masson’s Trichrome 염색을 통한 조직학적 변화를 평가하였다. 연부조직 수축도를 평가하기 위하여 특별히 고안된 틀을 이용하여 양쪽 하지의 길이 차이를 측정하였고, transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$의 발현 정도를 면역조직염색 및 중합효소연쇄반응(polymerase chain reaction)을 통해 측정하였다. 결 과: 본 연구에서 20 Gy씩 2회의 방사선조사를 시행하고 14, 28, 42, 97일 후 양측 하지의 수축도를 비교한 결과 42일 이후에 유의한 길이 차이가 나타났고 조직검사 결과 방사선이 조사된 피부 및 연부조직에서 아교질(collagen)과 세포외바탕질(extracellular matrix) 섬유가 불규칙한 배열을 나타내었으며 근육섬유모세포(myofibroblast)의 증가가 관찰되었다. TGF-${\beta}$ 발현 정도를 면역염색으로 조사한 결과 시간이 지남에 따라 증가하였고, 중합효소연쇄반응상 mRNA 발현량도 대조군에 비해 유의하게 증가하였다. 결 론: BALB/c 마우스의 대퇴부에 20 Gy의 방사선을 2회 조사하였을 때 방사선섬유증과 관련된 주요 인자인 TGF-${\beta}$의 발현량이 증가하였을 뿐만 아니라 외관적으로도 뚜렷한 방사선섬유증이 관찰되어 앞으로의 연구를 위한 효과적인 동물모델계로 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권12호
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• pp.1795-1803
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• 2011

현대인의 고지방 식습관과 당뇨와 비만인구 증가로 인한 비 알코올성 지방간(nonalcoholic fatty liver)의 유병률(prevalence rate)은 나날이 증가하고 있는 추세이며, 특히 남성과 폐경기 여성에게서 두드러진다. 이런 성 특이적(sex-specific) 간질환의 차이는 여성 호르몬인 에스트로겐(estrogen)의 보호 역할 때문일 것으로 추정되고 있으나, 에스트로겐의 보호 기작을 포함한 지방간의 만성 간질환으로의 진행 메커니즘이 규명되어 있지 않기 때문에 간질환의 효과적인 예방 및 치료책이 없는 실정이다. 그런데 최근에 간 섬유화(fibrosis)를 포함한 만성 간질환의 진행에서 헤지호그(hedgehog) 신호전달계가 주요한 역할을 함이 보고되면서 손상된 간의 회복과 간질환 진행메커니즘 조절을 위한 연구대상으로서 주목 받고 있다. 헤지호그는 발생 및 분화를 조절하는 모포젠(morphogen)으로 성인의 건강한 간에서는 발현되지 않으나, 손상된 간에서 손상 정도에 비례하게 재 발현되며, 섬유화 유발세포인 근섬유아세포(myofibroblasts) 및 간 줄기세포(hepatic progenitor cells)의 활성 및 증식인자로 작용하여 지나친 간 섬유화를 일으킨다. 이에 반해, 에스트로겐은 간 성상세포(hepatic stellate cells)가 근섬유아세포로 활성화되는 것을 억제함으로써 간 섬유화를 막는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 간 섬유화에 대한 헤지호그와 에스트로겐의 상반된 역할 사이의 관련성은 아직 밝혀지지 않고 있으나, 간 섬유화 유발 물질인 오스테오폰틴(osteopontin) 발현에 대한 에스트로겐의 억제효과와 헤지호그에 의한 오스테오폰틴 발현 유도는 오스테오폰틴에 의해 매개되는 에스트로겐과 헤지호그 신호전달계 사이의 연관성을 시사한다. 따라서, 에스트로겐에 의한 헤지호그 신호전달계 조절 메커니즘을 규명하는 것은 간질환 환자에서의 간 섬유화 및 만성 질환으로의 진행을 억제할 수 있는 치료제 개발에 대한 기초 지식을 제공할 수 있다. 이를 위해 간 섬유화에 대한 헤지호그와 에스트로겐의 역할을 확실하게 이해하고, 상호 관련성 및 조절 기작을 밝히는 연구가 선행되어야 할 것이다.