• 생물정신의학
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2023

Many psychiatric disorders are associated with brain functional dysfunctions and neuronal degeneration. According to the research so far, enhanced brain plasticity reduces neurodegeneration and recovers neuronal damage. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most extensively studied neurotrophins in the mammalian brain that plays major roles in neuronal survival, development, growth, and maintenance of neurons in brain circuits related to emotion and cognitive function. Also, BDNF plays an important role in brain plasticity, influencing dendritic spines in the hippocampus neurogenesis. Changes in neurogenesis and dendritic density can improve psychiatric symptoms and cognitive functions. BDNF has potent effects on brain plasticity through biochemical mechanisms, cellular signal pathways, and epigenetic changes. There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to increase the expression of BDNF and enhance brain plasticity. Non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise, nutritional change, environmental enrichment, and neuromodulation have biological mechanisms that increase the expression of BDNF and brain plasticity. Non-pharmacological interventions are cost-effective and safe ways to improve psychiatric symptoms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.65-76
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• 2024

Bortezomib (BTZ) is a proteasome inhibitor used to treat multiple myeloma (MM). However, the induction of peripheral neuropathy is one of the major concerns in using BTZ to treat MM. In the current study, we have explored the effects of BTZ (0.01-5 nM) on rat neural stem cells (NSCs). BTZ (5 nM) induced cell death; however, the percentage of neurons was increased in the presence of mitogens. BTZ reduced the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated X protein ratio in proliferating NSCs and differentiated cells. Inhibition of βIII-tubulin (TUBB3) degradation was observed, but not inhibition of glial fibrillary acidic protein degradation, and a potential PEST sequence was solely found in TUBB3. In the presence of growth factors, BTZ increased cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) transcription, BDNF expression, and Tubb3 transcription in NSCs. However, in the neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y, BTZ (1-20 nM) only increased cell death without increasing CREB phosphorylation, Bdnf transcription, or TUBB3 induction. These results suggest that although BTZ induces cell death, it activates neurogenic signals and induces neurogenesis in NSCs.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.108-118
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• 2022

뇌실하 영역은 뇌에서 신경줄기세포가 분포하는 곳으로 평생에 걸쳐 새로운 신경세포를 생성하는 곳이다. 많은 세포 안팎의 인자들이 신경줄기세포의 세포 증식과 신경세포로의 분화에 영향을 미친다. 최근 들어, L-type 칼슘 채널이 신경계의 발달을 조절하고 뇌실하 영역에 있는 신경줄기세포, 신경세포로 분화 중인 세포, 그리고 성숙한 신경세포에 분포한다고 밝혀졌다. L-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제인 nifedipine은 고혈압의 치료제로 오랜 기간 사용되어 왔다. 신경줄기세포에 nifedipine을 사용하여 L-type 칼슘 채널을 저해하는 연구는 많이 없는 상황이다. 이번 연구에서, 우리는 5일령 쥐의 뇌실하 영역에서 배양한 신경줄기세포에 nifedipine을 처리하여 신경세포로의 분화에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. Nifedipine은 Tuj1을 발현하는 신경세포의 수를 증가시킨 반면, Olig2를 발현하는 희소 돌기 아교 세포(oligodendrocytes)의 수에는 큰 영향을 미치지 않았다. Nifedipine은 S기를 표지하는 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)가 들어간 세포의 수를 증가시켰고, 세포 분열시 나타나는 인산화된 히스톤 H3(PH3)를 발현하는 세포의 수를 증가시켰다. Nifedipine은 신경세포로의 분화를 촉진하는 Dlx2 유전자의 전사를 증가시켰고, 초기 신경세포에서 보이는 Mash1의 양도 증가시켰다. Nifedipine 외 또다른 L-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제인 verapamil을 처리하자, 신경세포로의 분화가 소폭 증가하였으나, 통계적 유의미성은 매우 낮았다. T-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제 유전자인 Cav3.1, Cav3.2, Cav3.3가 발현함을 관찰하여, T-type 칼슘 채널의 저해제인 pimozide를 신경줄기세포에 처리하였으나, 신경세포로의 분화에는 변화가 없었다. 이러한 결과를 통해 nifedipine이 신경줄기세포의 초기 분화를 증진함을 알 수 있으며, L-type 칼슘 채널이 신경세포로의 분화에 관여함을 알 수 있다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.623-631
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• 2017

뇌실하 영역과 subgranular zone은 뇌에서 평생 새로운 신경 세포를 만들어 내는 곳이다. 이 부위에 있는 신경줄기세포는 세포 분열을 통해서 줄기 세포군을 계속 유지할 뿐만 아니라, 신경 세포와 신경 교세포로 분화한다. 세포 분열을 측정하기 위해 thymidine 유사체인 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)가 사용되어 왔다. 몇몇의 경우에서는 새롭게 만들어지는 신경 세포를 표지하려는 목적으로 사용되었다. 이번 연구에서는, EdU가 쥐의 뇌실 하영역에서 분리해낸 신경줄기세포의 분열과 분화에 어떠한 영향을 미치는 지를 보여주었다. 첫째, 신경줄기세포가 EdU를 포함하는 세포 증식 배양액에서 24시간 동안 배양되었을 때, 추후에 분화를 유도하여도 신경세포로 분화가 전혀 일어나지 않았다. EdU를 1시간 동안 처리했을 때도 신경세포로의 분화가 상당부분 저해되었다. 둘째, EdU는 농도가 높을수록, 처리시간이 많을수록 신경줄기세포의 증식을 더욱 많이 저해하였다. 끝으로, EdU는 신경 교세포 중에서 oligodendrocyte으로의 분화는 억제하였지만, astrocyte로의 분화는 오히려 증가시켰다. 본 연구결과는 뇌실하 영역 신경줄기세포의 분화에 EdU가 어떠한 영향을 미치는 지를 처음으로 보여주었고, 이러한 결과들은 신경 세포와 oligodendrocyte로의 분화에 세포 분열이 반드시 필요하다는 것을 제안하고 있다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권7호
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• pp.985-991
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• 2011

본 연구는 고지방식이로 인한 비만으로 불균형된 지질구성과 산화적 손상이 신경세포형성과 초기발현단백질에 미치는 생물학적 영향을 알아보고, 규칙적인 운동의 효과를 알아보기 위하여 실시하였다. 실험동물은 4주령 SD rat 수컷 30마리를 1주간의 적응기간을 둔 뒤, 15주간 고지방식이를 통해 비만으로 유도하였으며, high fat diet sedentary (HDS, n=15)와 high fat diet and training (HDT, n=15)으로 분류하여 연구하였다. 운동강도는 1~4주는 저강도, 5~8주는 중강도로 주5회 실시하였다. 8주 트레이닝 후 혈청지질, 8-OHdG, MDA, neurotrophic factor, 그리고 IEG를 분석하였다. 그 결과 TC와 TG에서 HDS와 HDT 사이 유의한 차이가 나타났다(p<0.05). 8-OHdG에서 HDT는 트레드밀 트레이닝 후에 HDS보다 낮게 나타났다(p<0.05). 해마에서 c-jun, BDNF 그리고 간에서 MDA의 단백질 발현은 HDT가 트레드밀 트레이닝 후 HDS보다 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 결론적으로 8주간 트레드밀 훈련은 고지방식이 비만 유도 쥐의 혈청지질 성분의 불균형을 개선시키고, 조직과 혈청의 산화적 손상과 DNA 손상을 완화시켜 주어, 비만으로 인한 합병증 예방에 도움을 줄 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. 또한 NT의 발현을 증가시킴으로써 손상된 뇌기능과 신경세포의 생성 기전 활동에 긍정적 영향을 나타냄으로써 공간적 학습기능의 향상을 가져온 것으로 판단된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.15-24
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• 2019

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can proliferate and differentiate into multiple cell types that constitute the nervous system. NSCs can be derived from developing fetuses, embryonic stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells. NSCs provide a good platform to screen drugs for neurodegenerative diseases and also have potential applications in regenerative medicine. Natural products have long been used as compounds to develop new drugs. In this review, natural products that control NSC fate and induce their differentiation into neurons or glia are discussed. These phytochemicals enable promising advances to be made in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.23-25
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• 2019

Recent research suggests that the brain has capable of remarkable plasticity and physical activity can enhance it. In this editorial letter, we summarize the role of hippocampal plasticity in brain functions. Furthermore, we briefly sketched the factors and mechanisms of motion that influence brain plasticity. We conclude that physical activity can be an encouraging intervention for brain restoration through neuronal plasticity. At the same time, we suggest that a mechanistic understanding of the beneficial effects of exercise should be accompanied in future studies.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.188-202
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Brain aging is a major risk factor for severe neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, L-histidine and L-carnosine are known to exhibit neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to examine the potential for L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination to mediate anti-brain aging effects in neuronal cells subjected to D-galactose-induced aging. MATERIALS/METHODS: The neuroprotective potential of L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination was examined in a retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiated SH-SY5Y cell line exposed to D-galactose (200 mM) for 48 h. Neuronal cell proliferation, differentiation, and expression of anti-oxidant enzymes and apoptosis markers were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: Treatment with L-histidine (1 mM), L-carnosine (10 mM), or both for 48 h efficiently improved the proliferation, neurogenesis, and senescence of D-galactose-treated SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, protein expression levels of both neuronal markers (β tubulin-III and neurofilament heavy protein) and anti-oxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase-1 and superoxide dismutase-1 were up-regulated. Conversely, protein expression levels of amyloid β (1-42) and cleaved caspase-3 were down-regulated. Levels of mRNA for the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, we provide the first evidence that L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination mediate anti-aging effects in a neuronal cell line subjected to D-galactose-induced aging. These results suggest the potential benefits of L-histidine and L-carnosine as anti-brain aging agents and they support further research of these amino acid molecules.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the changes in the properties of the neuronal setm cells or progenitor cells associated with age-related decline in neurogenesis of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Active whole cells cycle marker Ki67 (a marker of whole cell cycle)-positive and S phase marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive. Neural stem cells gradually were reduced in the hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ) in an age-dependant manner after birth (from P1 month to P1 year). The ratio of BrdUpositivecells/Ki67-positive cells was gradually enhanced in an age-dependent manner. The ratio of Ki67-positive cells/accu-mulating BrdU-positive cells at 3 hrs after BrdU injection was injected once a day for consecutive 5 days gradually decreased during ageing. TUNEL- and caspase 3 (apoptotic terminal caspase)-positive cells gradually decreased in the dentate SGZ during ageing and immunohistochemical findings of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) were not changed during ageing. NeuN, a marker of mature neural cells, and BrdU-double positive cells gradually decreased in an age-dependent manner but differentiating ratio and survival rate of cells were not changed at 4 wks after BrdU injection once a day for consecutive 5 days. The number of BrdU-positive cells migrated from the hippocampal SGZ into granular layer and its migration speed was gradually declined during ageing. These results suggest that the adult neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampal DG gradually decrease through reducing proliferation of neural stem cells accompanying with cells cycle change and reduced cells migration rather than changes of differentiation.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.31-37
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• 2015

Purpose: We investigated the neurogenic potentials of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) according to the expression levels of stem cell markers and ingredients in the neural induction media. Materials and Methods: Four samples of AFSCs with different levels of Oct-4 and c-kit expression were differentiated neurally, using three kinds of induction media containing retinoic acid (RA) and/or a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine/indomethacin/insulin (neuromix), and examined by immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for their expression of neurospecific markers. Results: The cells in neuromix-containing media displayed small nuclei and long processes that were characteristic of neural cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the number of neural markers showing upregulation was greater in cells cultured in the neuromix-containing media than in those cultured in RA-only medium. Neurospecific gene expression was also higher in Oct-4 and c-kit double-positive cells than in c-kit-low or -negative cells. Conclusion: The stem cell marker c-kit (rather than Oct-4) and the ingredient neuromix (rather than RA) exert greater effects on neurogenesis of AFSCs.