• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.401-412
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an oriental herbal preparation obtained from Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). To expand our understanding of the action of KRG on central nervous system (CNS) function, we examined the effects of KRG on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in rat primary astrocytes. KRG extract was treated in cultured rat primary astrocytes and neuron in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL and the expression of functional tPA/PAI-1 was examined by casein zymography, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KRG extracts increased PAI-1 expression in rat primary astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner (0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL) without affecting the expression of tPA itself. Treatment of 1.0 mg/mL KRG increased PAI-1 protein expression in rat primary astrocytes to $319.3{\pm}65.9%$ as compared with control. The increased PAI-1 expression mediated the overall decrease in tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Due to the lack of PAI-1 expression in neuron, KRG did not affect tPA activity in neuron. KRG treatment induced a concentration dependent activation of PI3K, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in rat primary astrocytes and treatment of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors such as LY294002, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 (10 ${\mu}M$ each), significantly inhibited 1.0 mg/mL KRG-induced expression of PAI-1 and down-regulation of tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Furthermore, compound K but not other ginsenosides such as Rb1 and Rg1 induced PAI-1 expression. KRG-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in astrocytes may play important role in the regulation of overall tPA activity in brain, which might underlie some of the beneficial effects of KRG on CNS such as neuroprotection in ischemia and brain damaging condition as well as prevention or recovery from addiction.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2004

Purpose : Hypercoagulability is present in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1(PAI-1) is a major inhibitor of plasminogen activators. PAI-1 inactivates both tissue plasminogen activator(tPA) and urokinase plasminogen activator(uPA) by rapid formation of inactive 1:1 stoichiometric complexes. Recently some studies showed that the enhanced PAI-1 expression may be involved in the intraglomerular fibrinogen/fibrinrelated antigen deposition seen in nephrotic syndrome. Methods : PAI-1 gene promoter -844(G/A) polymorphism was evaluated in 146 children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS) and 230 control subjects. The patients with MCNS were subdivided into 85 infrequent-relapser(IR) group and 61 frequent relapser(FR) group. PCR of PAI-1 gene promoter region including -844(G/A) and RFLP using the restriction enzyme Xhol were performed for each DNA samples extracted from the groups. Results : The distribution of PAI-1 genotype in the control group was G/G 81(32.5%), A/A 42(16.9%), and G/A 126(50.6%). The distribution of PAI-1 genotypes in the IR group of MCNS was G/G 29(34.1%), A/A 15(17.7%), and G/A 41(48.2%). The distribution of PAI-1 genotype in the FR group of MCNS was G/G 17(27.9%), A/A 18(29.5%), and G/A 26(42.6%). There was a significantly increased frequency of A/A genotype(P=0.0251) in the FR group of MCNS. Conclusion : Our results indicate that the PAI-1 gene promoter A/A genotype may be associated with the FR in MCNS.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 1999

The pathogenesis of endometriosis is unknown, but retrograde menstruation is widely accepted as an etiology. Refluxed endometrium from endometriosis patients is more prone to implant and invade peritoneum possibly through the action of extracellular proteolysis. This proteolytic action may involve plasminogen activators and the collagenase system. Plasminogen activators (PAs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critical role in the breakdown of extracellular matrix components and basement membrane in the processes of implantation and tumor invasion. PAs are inhibited by plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) and MMPs activity is inhibited by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP). To test the hypothesis that lower expression of PAI-1 and TIMP-3 in endometrium from women with endometriosis, we investigated their PAI-1 and TIMP-3 expression by quantitative competitive RT PCR in endometrium from women with and without endometriosis. Endometrial tissues were obtained from 14 patients with severe endometriosis and 14 patients without endometriosis. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA, and quantitative competitive PCR (QC PCR) was performed to evaluate PAI-1 and TIMP-3 mRNA expression. Endometrium from patients with endometriosis showed decreased expression of PAI-1 and TIMP-3 mRNA compared to endometrium from control in luteal phase (p<0.05). Our results suggest that endometrium from women with endometriosis expresses lower levels of PAI-1 and TIMP-3 than endometrium from normal women. Endometrium from endometriosis patients may be more invasive and prone to peritoneal implantation than control because of higher PA and MMP enzymatic activity. Thus, increased proteolytic activity may be one of the reasons for the invasive properties of the endometrium resulting in the development of endometriosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1299-1305
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• 2011

An important modification of thrombolytic agents is resistance to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). In previous studies, a new truncated PAI-1-resistant variant was developed based on deletion of the first three domains in t-PA and the substitution of KHRR 128-131 amino acids with AAAA in the truncated t-PA. The novel variant expressed in a static culture system of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells exhibited a higher resistance to PAI-1 when compared with the full-length commercial drug; Actylase. In the present study, the truncated-mutant protein was expressed in CHO DG44 cells in 50 ml orbital shaking bioreactors. The final yield of the truncated-mutant in the culture was 752 IU/ml, representing a 63% increase compared with the static culture system. Therefore, these results suggest that using the combined features of a transient and stable expression system is feasible for the production of novel recombinant proteins in the quantities needed for preclinical studies.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.212-215
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• 2006

Several reports have suggested a possible relationship between blood coagulation factors and schizophrenia. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) belongs to a serine protease inhibitor family, which regulates fibrinolysis and proteolysis by inhibiting plasminogen activation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of polymorphisms of the PAI-1 gene with schizophrenia in Korean population. Two important polymorphisms (-675 4G/5G and -844 G/A) located on promoter region of the PAI-1 gene were analyzed on 178 schizophrenia patients and 226 controls. The genotypic and allelic associations of -675 4G/5G were found significant. Furthermore, haplotype analysis revealed significant result, which suggests that -675 4G/5G polymorphism might confer increased susceptibility for schizophrenia in Korean population.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.385-390
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• 2010

Excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation is the main feature of chronic renal disease including diabetic nephropathy. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is known to play an important role in renal ECM accumulation in part through suppression of plasmin generation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation. The present study examined the effect of PAI-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) on fibronectin upregulation and plasmin/MMP suppression in primary mesangial cells cultured under high glucose (HG) or transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$, major mediators of diabetic renal ECM accumulation. Growth arrested and synchronized rat primary mesangial cells were transfected with $1\;{\mu}M$ phosphorothioate-modified antisense or control mis-match ODN for 24 hours with cationic liposome and then stimulated with 30 mM D-glucose or 2 ng/ml TGF-${\beta}1$. PAl-1 or fibronectin protein was measured by Western blot analysis. Plasmin activity was determined using a synthetic fluorometric plasmin substrate and MMP-2 activity analyzed using zymography. HG and TGF-${\beta}1$ significantly increased PAI-1 and fibronectin protein expression as well as decreased plasmin and MMP-2 activity. Transient transfection of mesangial cells with PAI-1 antisense ODN, but not mis-match ODN, effectively reversed basal as well as HG- and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced suppression of plasmin and MMP-2 activity. Both basal and upregulated fibronectin secretion were also inhibited by PAI-1 antisense ODN. These data confirm that PAI-1 plays an important role in ECM accumulation in diabetic mesangium through suppression of protease activity and suggest that PAI-1 antisense ODN would be an effective therapeutic strategy for prevention of renal fibrosis including diabetic nephropathy.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1994.10a
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• pp.233.1-233
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• 1994

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 1999

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) is known as the primary physiological inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA) in the plasma, and is present within the atherosclerotic vessels. Increased plasma levels of PAI-1 are one of the major disturbances of the hemostatic system in patients with diabetes and/or hypertension, and may have multiple interrelations with the important risk factors in the development of atherosclerosis. This study was performed to determine whether altered gene expression of PAI-1 occurs within the arterial wall, and thereby potentially contributing to the increase of cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes and/or hypertension. Material and Method: The aortic vascular smooth muscle cells of the rat were exposed to 22 mM glucose, angiotensin II, and insulin increased PAI-1 mRNA expression with the use of Northern blotting were examined. Also examined were the effects of 22 mM glucose, angiotensin II and insulin on the growth of the rat's aortic smooth muscle cells by using MTT assay. Result: Twenty-two mM glucose treatment increased the PAI-1 mRNA expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Aniotensin II treatment synergistically increased the glucose-induced PAI-1 mRNA expression. In contrast, addition of insulin attenuated the increase of 22 mM glucose and angiotensin II induced PAI-1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, treatment of 22 mM glucose, angiotensin II and insulin resulted in a significant increase in cell numbers. This study demonstrated that 22 mM glucose and angiotensin II have a synergistic effect in stimulating the PAI-1 mRNA expression and in the cell growth of the rat's aortic smooth muscle cells. Conclusion: Elevation of glucose and angiotensin II may be important risk factors in impairing fibrinolysis and developing atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.463-477
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Many studies have suggested that Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) and its extract are anticancer agents. However, RVS had limited use because it contains urushiol, an allergenic toxin. By improving an existing allergen-removal extraction method, we developed a new allergen-free Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract (RVSE) with higher flavonoid content. In this study, we examined whether RVSE inhibits the ability of AGS gastric cancer cells to migrate and invade. MATERIALS/METHODS: The flavonoids content of RVSE was analyzed by HPLC. The effects of RVSE on migration and invasion in AGS cells were analyzed by each assay kit. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) protein expression was analyzed by protein antibody array. The Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 were assayed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: RVSE treatment with 0-100 ㎍/mL dose-dependently reduced the ability of AGS cells to migrate and invade. Notably, treatment with RVSE strongly inhibited the expression of MMP-9 and uPA and the phosphorylation of STAT3. In contrast, RVSE treatment dramatically increased the expression of PAI-1. These results indicate that the inhibition of MMP-9 and uPA expression and STAT3 phosphorylation and the stimulation of PAI-1 expression contributed to the decreased migration and invasion of AGS cells treated with RVSE. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RVSE may be used as a natural herbal agent to reduce gastric cancer metastasis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 1993

Plasminogen activator (PA)-plasmin system in follicular fluid is involved in the process leading to follicular rupture at ovulation. It is well known that PA is closely associated with cellular differentiation and tissue remodeling on evidences from the study of normal and malignant tissues. This study was designed to ascertain a potential role of PA in the ovarian folliculogenesis. Immature Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, followed by injection of serine protease inhibitor (SPI; mixture of 1 mol/L benzamidine and 1 mol/L amino-caproic acid) into the unilateral ovarian bursa. In the control study, mechanical effect of bursal injection and contralateral ovarian effect SPI were ruled out. Total antral follicular areas relative to total ovarian cross-sectional areas was siginificantly lower in SPI-injected ovary than in saline-injected ovary. SPI injection decreased the relative antral follicular area by 33 % respectively. Electron microscopic finding of granulosa cell in the atretic follicle showed the presence of pyknotic nucleus, blurring of neucleolemma, degeneration of mitochondria and dilation of endoplasmic reticulum. After induction of ovulation with hCG, the number of oocytes released was significantly decreased in SPI-injected oviduct than in saline-injected oviduct. From above results, author discussed that PA may play a role not only in ovulation but also in some processes of folliculogenesis.