• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.1386-1388
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• 2012

• 한국안광학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.15-22
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• 1996

본 연구는 망막조직의 미세구조를 전자현미경을 이용하여, 생쥐(ICR)에 대한 Laser 조사의 영향을 조사하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. l. 정상군에서 대개의 망막층은 여러 특수한 세포들과 신경섬유로 구성된 복잡한 구조를 가지고 있었다. 2. Laser 조사의 기간이 길어질수록, 망막의 각 세포의 층과 구조는 일정한 형태를 나타내지 못했다. 시세포 visual cell들은 심하게 이형염색질체 heterochromatin이며, 세포질은 종대되며, 핵의 모양은 불규칙적이며,일부의 세포질은 소실되었다. 망막층의 핵과 신경섬유는 매우 불규칙적이며, 소포의 형성, 각 세포간 경계의 불명확함이 있었다. 색소상피세포 pigment epithelail cell들은 정상모양이 아니며, 세포질에는 큰 공포 형성이 있으며, 핵의 응축과 불규칙한 모양 등이 있었다.

• 폴리머
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.364-370
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• 2014

망막색소상피(RPE)는 건강한 망막을 유지하는데 중요한 역할을 하고 RPE의 퇴화는 많은 망막질병을 유발한다. RPE 이식은 최근 망막 퇴화에 대한 가능성 있는 치료법으로 제시되고 있다. RPE 세포를 안전하게 이식하기 위해서는 지지체가 필요하므로 독특한 기계적 성질과 생체적합성을 갖는 실크를 사용하여 필름을 제조하였다. 실크필름의 FTIR, 접촉각 및 생분해성을 측정한 후, RPE 세포를 실크필름에 파종하여 그 영향을 확인하였다. MTT 분석, SEM, 면역형광염색, RT-PCR을 통해 세포의 부착, 생존도, 형태유지, 특이적 mRNA의 발현을 분석하였다. 본 연구에서는, 실크필름에 배양한 RPE 세포의 부착, 증식 및 표현형 유지가 뛰어남을 확인함으로써 실크필름의 망막 재생을 위한 조직 공학적 지지체로의 응용 가능성을 제시했다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권7호
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• pp.420-429
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• 2023

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in elderly individuals. However, the currently used intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor are invasive, and repetitive injections are also accompanied by a risk of intraocular infection. The pathogenic mechanism of AMD is still not completely understood, but a multifactorial mechanism that combines genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including cellular senescence, has been suggested. Cellular senescence refers to the accumulation of cells that stop dividing due to the presence of free radicals and DNA damage. Characteristics of senescent cells include nuclear hypertrophy, increased levels of cell cycle inhibitors such as p16 and p21, and resistance to apoptosis. Senolytic drugs remove senescent cells by targeting the main characteristics of these cells. One of the senolytic drugs, ABT-263, which inhibits the antiapoptotic functions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, may be a new treatment for AMD patients because it targets senescent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. We proved that it selectively kills doxorubicin (Dox)-induced senescent ARPE-19 cells by activating apoptosis. By removing senescent cells, the expression of inflammatory cytokines was reduced, and the proliferation of the remaining cells was increased. When ABT-263 was orally administered to the mouse model of senescent RPE cells induced by Dox, we confirmed that senescent RPE cells were selectively removed and retinal degeneration was alleviated. Therefore, we suggest that ABT-263, which removes senescent RPE cells through its senolytic effect, has the potential to be the first orally administered senolytic drug for the treatment of AMD.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.267-268
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• 2002

A vertebrate retina is an organ belonging to the central nerve system (CNS), and is usually difficult to regenerate except at an embryonic stage in life. However, certain species of urodele amphibians, such as newts and salamanders, possess the ability to regenerate a functional retina from retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells even as adults. After surgical removal of neural retinas from adult newt eyes, the remaining RPE cells lose their pigment granules, transdifferentiate into retinal progenitor cells, which further differentiate into various retinal neurons, and then finally reform a functional neural network. To understand the molecular mechanisms of CNS regeneration, we attempted to investigate the genes expressing in regenerating newt retina. mRNAs were isolated from regenerating retinas at 18-19 days after the surgical removal of the normal retina, and a cDNA library (regenerating retinal cDNA library) were constructed. Our EST analysis of 112 clones in the regenerating cDNA library revealed that about 70% clones are closely related to the genes previously identified. About 40% clones are housekeeping genes, and about 15% clones encode proteins related to the regulation of gene expression and to the proliferation of the cells. Sequences similar to neural retina- and RPE-specific genes were not detected at all. These results led us to suppose that the regenerating retinal cells are in a state considerably different from those of neither neural retina nor RPE cells.

• 폴리머
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.24-30
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• 2014

망막색소상피(retinal pigment epithelium, RPE)는 시기능을 유지하는데 중요한 역할을 하여 RPE의 퇴화는 여러 망막변성질병을 유발한다. 현재 이에 대한 효과적인 치료법이 부족하여 세포 이식에 적합한 지지체를 제작하기 위해, 생분해성 고분자인 PLGA와 항염증, 항산화 작용 등의 기능이 있는 헤스페리딘을 이용하여 하이브리드 필름을 제조하였다. ARPE-19를 파종한 후, MTT 분석법을 이용하여 세포 증식률을 확인하고, 세포의 부착 및 세포 형태를 SEM을 통하여 확인하였다. 또한 RPE 세포의 특이적 유전자 발현정도를 확인하기 위하여 RT-PCR을 수행하였고, RPE65의 발현을 확인하기 위해 AEC 면역화학적 염색을 실시하였다. 그 결과, 헤스페리딘/PLGA 필름은 PLGA보다 RPE 세포의 부착, 증식 및 표현형 유지가 우수함을 확인하였고, 이를 통해 헤스페리딘/PLGA 필름의 망막재생을 위한 조직공학적 담체로써 응용 가능성을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.65-73
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• 2023

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant visual disease that induces impaired vision and irreversible blindness in the elderly. However, the effects of ginseng berry extract (GBE) on the retina have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of GBE on blue light (BL)-induced retinal damage and elucidate its underlying mechanisms in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells) and Balb/c retina. Methods: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of GBE on retinal damage in vitro, we performed cell viability assay, pre-and post-treatment of sample, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and western immunoblotting using A2E-laden ARPE-19 cells with BL exposure. In addition, Balb/c mice were irradiated with BL to induce retinal degeneration and orally administrated with GBE (50, 100, 200 mg/kg). Using the harvested retina, we performed histological analysis (thickness of retinal layers), qRT-PCR, and western immunoblotting to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of GBE against retinal damage in vivo. Results: GBE significantly inhibited BL-induced cell damage in ARPE-19 cells by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, regulating NF-kB translocation, caspase 3 activation, PARP cleavage, expressions of apoptosis-related factors (BAX/BCL-2, LC3-II, and p62), and ROS production. Furthermore, GBE prevented BL-induced retinal degeneration by restoring the thickness of retinal layers and suppressed inflammation and apoptosis via regulation of NF-kB and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP, and expressions of apoptosis-related factors in vivo. Conclusions: GBE could be a potential agent to prevent dry AMD and progression to wet AMD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.311-318
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• 2023

Background: The beneficial effects of compound K (CK) on different chronic diseases have been shown to be at least related to antioxidant action. Nevertheless, since its antioxidant activity in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is still unknown, here we investigated whether CK alleviates oxidative stress-stimulated damage in RPE ARPE-19 cells. Methods: The cytoprotective consequence of CK in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated cells was evaluated by cell viability, DNA damage, and apoptosis assays. Fluorescence analysis and immunoblotting were performed to investigate the inhibitory action of CK on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial dysfunction. Results: H₂O₂-promoted cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial impairment, and apoptosis were significantly attenuated by CK in ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation level and its shuttling to the nucleus were increased, which was correlated with upregulated activation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). However, zinc protoporphyrin, a blocker of HO-1, significantly abrogated the preventive action of CK in H₂O₂-treated ARPE-19 cells. Conclusion: This study indicates that activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling by CK plays an important role in rescuing ARPE-19 cells from oxidative cellular damage.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.284-289
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• 2020

Tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, is used routinely as a chemotherapeutic agent for ER-positive breast cancer. However, it is also causes side effects, including retinotoxicity. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has been recognized as the primary target of tamoxifen-induced retinotoxicity. The RPE plays an essential physiological role in the normal functioning of the retina. Nonetheless, potential therapeutic agents to prevent tamoxifen-induced retinotoxicity in breast cancer patients have not been investigated. Here, we evaluated the action mechanisms of sulfasalazine against tamoxifen-induced RPE cell death. Tamoxifen induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated autophagic cell death and caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis in RPE cells. However, sulfasalazine reduced tamoxifen-induced total ROS and ROS-mediated autophagic RPE cell death. Also, mRNA levels of tamoxifen-induced pyroptosis-related genes, IL-1β, NLRP3, and procaspase-1, also decreased in the presence of sulfasalazine in RPE cells. Additionally, the mRNA levels of tamoxifen-induced AMD-related genes, such as complement factor I (CFI), complement factor H (CFH), apolipoprotein E (APOE), apolipoprotein J (APOJ), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), were downregulated in RPE cells. Together, these data provide novel insight into the therapeutic effects of sulfasalazine against tamoxifen-induced RPE cell death.

• 생약학회지
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.131-138
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• 2020

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage plays a major role in ocular diseases, such as cataracts and retinal degeneration. UV irradiation can generate free radicals including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to cause lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. It has also been shown that UV can damage DNA directly and induce apoptosis. Rhynchosia volubilis Loureiro (the small black bean or yak-kong, RV) and Beta bulgaris (beet, BB) are used as health supplements. In this study, we explored the protective effects of RV and BB against UVA-induced damage in human pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and in mice. RV and BB mixture and their effective constituents (cyanidin, delphidin, petunidin glycosides) improved cell viability and suppressed intracelluar ROS generation. Phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Erk1/2 was analyzed by immunoblotting. RV and BB mixture inhibited UVA-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, JNK, Erk1/2 in APRE-19 cells. RV and BB treatment also showed protective effects on ocular damage in UVA-irradiated mice by increasing the levels of endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione. RV and BB have the potential to be used in a range of ocular diseases and conditions, based on in vitro and in vivo study.