• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.857-864
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• 2014

Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) is a recently discovered oncogene that has been reported to be highly expressed in various types of malignant tumors, including renal cell carcinoma. However, the precise role of AEG-1 in renal cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis has not been clarified. In this study, we transfected the renal cancer cell line Caki-1 with a plasmid expressing AEG-1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and obtained cell colonies with stable knockdown of AEG-1. We found that AEG-1 down-regulation inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation and arrested cell cycle progression at the sub-G1 and G0/G1 phase. Western blot analysis indicated that the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 and cyclin E were significantly reduced following AEG-1 down-regulation. In addition, AEG-1 knockdown led to the appearance of apoptotic bodies in renal cancer cells, and the ratio of apoptotic cells significantly increased. Expression of the antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 was dramatically reduced, whereas the pro-apoptotic factors Bax, caspase-3 and poly (ADPribose) polymerase (PARP) were significantly activated. Finally, AEG-1 knockdown in Caki-1 cells remarkably suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis in response to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment, suggesting that AEG-1 inhibition sensitizes Caki-1 cells to 5-FU. Taken together, our data suggest that AEG-1 plays an important role in renal cancer formation and development and may be a potential target for future gene therapy for renal cell carcinoma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.151-161
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• 2022

This study elucidates the anti-cancer potential of gallic acid (GA) as a promising therapeutic agent that exerts its effect by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. To prove our research rationale, we used diverse experimental methods such as cell viability assay, colony formation assay, tumor spheroid formation assay, cell cycle analysis, TUNEL assay, Western blot analysis, xenograft mouse model and histological analysis. Treatment with GA inhibited cell proliferation in dose-dependent manner as measured by cell viability assay at 48 h. GA and cisplatin (CDDP) also inhibited colony formation and tumor spheroid formation. In addition, GA and CDDP induced apoptosis, as determined by the distribution of early and late apoptotic cells and DNA fragmentation. Western blot analysis revealed that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway induced upregulation of p53 (tumor suppressor protein), which in turn regulated cell cycle related proteins such as p21, p27, Cyclin D1 and E1, and intrinsic apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3. The anti-cancer effect of GA was further confirmed in an in vivo mouse model. Intraperitoneal injection with GA for 4 weeks in an A549-derived tumor xenograft model reduced the size of tumor mass. Injection of them downregulated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p-Akt, but upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in tumor tissues. Taken together, these results indicated that GA hindered lung cancer progression by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, suggesting that GA would be a potential therapeutic agent against non-small cell lung cancer.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.341-348
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• 2011

Sloan-Kettering virus gene product of a cellular protooncogene c-Ski is an unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. Ski plays multiple roles in a variety of cell types, it can induce both oncogenic transformation and terminal muscle differentiation when expressed at high levels. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to predict the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development and atresia. First, expression of c-Ski mRNA in the ovaries of adult female rats was confirmed by RT-PCR. Then, ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in combination with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL). Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of follicles. Expression of Ski in TUNEL-positive granulosa cells, but not in PCNA-positive granulosa cells, was also verified in immature hypophysectomized rats having a single generation of developing and atretic follicles by treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles, and suggest that Ski plays a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.421-426
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• 2015

The increased potential for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth is a key abnormality in the development of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. Abnormally high activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is believed to play a central role in the etiology of these pathophysiological situations. Here, we investigated the anti-proliferative effects and possible mechanism(s) of murrayafoline A, a carbazole alkaloid isolated from Glycosmis stenocarpa Guillamin (Rutaceae), on PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs. Murrayafoline A inhibited the PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured using a non-radioactive colorimetric WST-1 assay and direct cell counting. Furthermore, murrayafoline A suppressed the PDGF-BB-stimulated progression through $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle, as measured by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assay and cell cycle progression analysis. This anti-proliferative action of murrayafoline A, arresting cell cycle progression at $G_0/G_1$ phase in PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs, was mediated via down-regulation of the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). These results indicate that murrayafoline A may be useful in preventing the progression of vascular complications such as restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2009

Objectives : The present study was carried out investigate the anti-cancer effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Carydalis turtschaminovii and Reynoutria elliptica herbal acupuncture on solid tumor of rats induced by injection of RK3E-ras cells. Methods : RK3E-ras cells were injected on the right lumbar region of rats. After 1 weeks, the experimental rats were divided into four groups : Control group, Salvia miltiorrhiza herbal acupuncture group(SM), Carydalis turtschaminovii herbal acupuncture group(CT), Reynoutria elliptica herbal acupuncture group(RE). And we investigated the weight and size of tumor tissue, gross anatomy, histological and PCNA immunohistochemical study, hepatic and renal metastasis for tumor of each group. Results : 1. In the weight of tumor tissue assessment, SM and CT's weight of tumor tissue was decreased. 2. In the size of tumor tissue assessment, SM was smaller than any other group. 3. In the histological observation, SM's formation of tunica fibrosa that surround the tumor cell was obvious and vasculature that developes circumference of tumor cell was not observed, and density of tumor cell was very low. 4. In the PCNA immunohistochemical study, Control group, SM, RE showed strong immune response in the central site of tumor tissue. 5. In observation of liver and kidney tissue, we were not able to observe tumor cell in the SM. Conclusions : Consequently, SM and CT showed a inhibition of growth and metastasis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.401-406
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• 2022

Ahnak, a large protein first identified as an inhibitor of TGF-β signaling in human neuroblastoma, was recently shown to promote TGF-β in some cancers. The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, various biological functions, and cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, we used Ahnak knockout (KO) mice that underwent a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) to investigate the function of Ahnak in TGF-β signaling during liver regeneration. At the indicated time points after PH, we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of the TGF -β/Smad signaling pathway and cell cycle-related factors, evaluated the cell cycle through proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining, analyzed the mitotic index by hematoxylin and eosin staining. We also measured the ratio of liver tissue weight to body weight. Activation of TGF-β signaling was confirmed by analyzing the levels of phospho-Smad 2 and 3 in the liver at the indicated time points after PH and was lower in Ahnak KO mice than in WT mice. The expression levels of cyclin B1, D1, and E1; proteins in the Rb/E2F transcriptional pathway, which regulates the cell cycle; and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in Ahnak KO mice and showed tendencies opposite that of TGF-β expression. During postoperative regeneration, the liver weight to body weight ratio tended to increase faster in Ahnak KO mice. However, 7 days after PH, both groups of mice showed similar rates of regeneration, following which their active regeneration stopped. Analysis of hepatocytes undergoing mitosis showed that there were more mitotic cells in Ahnak KO mice, consistent with the weight ratio. Our findings suggest that Ahnak enhances TGF-β signaling during postoperative liver regeneration, resulting in cell cycle disruption; this highlights a novel role of Ahnak in liver regeneration. These results provide new insight into liver regeneration and potential treatment targets for liver diseases that require surgical treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.63-66
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• 2018

A 5-month-old castrated male Bichon $Fris{\acute{e}}$ was presented with a subcutaneous mass on the occipital region. Anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and binucleation were observed on the cytology, and the suspected diagnosis was sarcoma. There were no metastatic lesions on radiography or computed tomography. Surgical resection was performed and fibrosarcoma was diagnosed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This is a very rare case of a spontaneously occurring subcutaneous fibrosarcoma in a small breed puppy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2007

Objective: In organotypic culture of immortalized human oral keratinocytes (IHOK), the change of the growth and differentiation was investigated according to the fibroblast type and the involvement of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Materials & Methods: IHOK was cultured three dimensionally with gingival fibroblast (GF), dermal fibroblast (DF) and immortalized gingival fibroblast (IGF). We characterized biologic properties of three dimensionally reconstructed IHOK by histological, immunohistochemical, and Western blot analysis. We also investigated whether MAP kinase pathway was involved in epithelial-mesenchymal interaction by Western blot analysis. Results: The best condition of three dimensionally cultured IHOK was the dermal equivalent consisting of type I collagen and IGF. IGF increased the expression of more proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), involucrin than GF and DF in response to co-culture with IHOK. Extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was activated in organotypic co-culture with IGF. Conclusion: The organotypic co-culture of IHOK with dermal equivalent consisting of type I collagen and IGF resulted in excellent morphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics and involved ERK pathway. The epithelial-mesenchymal interaction was activated according to the fibroblast type.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.327-331
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• 2014

In this study we investigated the effects of fucoidan on the proliferation of fibroblasts and the reconstruction of a skin equivalent (SE). Fucoidan significantly stimulated the proliferation of CCD-25Sk human fibroblasts and Western blot analysis demonstrated that fucoidan markedly increased the expression of cyclin D1 and decreased the expression of p27. Fucoidan was used to reconstruct SE. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the addition of fucoidan to dermal equivalents increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p63. In addition, expression of ${\alpha}6$-integrin was significantly increased by fucoidan, whereas expression of ${\beta}1$-integrin, type 1 collagen, elastin, fibronectin did not markedly change. These results suggest that fucoidan has positive effects on epidermal reconstruction and will therefore be beneficial in the reconstruction of SE.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2014

We evaluated the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with Yacon pill, the preparation composed of Smallanthus sonchifolius, Torilis japonica and Acorus gramineus. A total of 45 rats were divided into five groups. One group was used as a control and the other groups received subcutaneous injections of testosterone for 4 weeks to induce BPH. Yacon pill extract (200 or 400 mg/kg) was administered daily for 4 weeks to two groups by oral gavage concurrently with testosterone. The rats euthanized, the prostate and body weights were recorded, and tissues were subjected to hormone assay. In addition, we investigated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in the prostate using immunoblotting. Rats with BPH showed significantly increased prostate weights, increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the serum and increased PCNA expression in the prostate; however, Yacon pill extracts treated rats showed significant reduction of prostate weights, DHT levels and PCNA expression compared with the BPH group. Conclusively, Yacon pill showed the possibility as ameliorable agents of BPH symptoms.