• BMB Reports
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• 제51권12호
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• pp.636-641
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• 2018

DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4), a highly conserved transmembrane glycoprotein with an exo-peptidase activity, has been shown to contribute to glucose metabolism, immune regulation, signal transduction, and cell differentiation. Here, we show that DPP4 is involved in control of activin/nodal signaling in Xenopus early development. In support of this, gain of function of DPP4 augmented Smad2 phosphorylation as well as expression of target genes induced by activin or nodal signal. In addition, Dpp4 and Xnr1 showed synergistic effect on induction of ectopic dorsal body axis, when co-injected at suboptimal doses in early embryos. Conversely, saxagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor repressed activin induction of Smad2 phosphorylation. Notably, overexpression of Dpp4 disrupted specification of dorsal body axis of embryo, leading to malformed phenotypes such as spina bifida and a shortened and dorsally bent axis. Together, these results suggest that DPP4 functions as a potentiator of activin/nodal signaling pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.41-44
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• 2015

Based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) a linkage between several variants such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 3 of SMAD7 (mothers against decapentaplegic homolog7) were, rs12953717, rs4464148 and rs4939827 has been noted for susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study we investigated the relationship of rs12953717 and rs4464148 with risk of CRC among 487 Iranian individuals based on a case-control study. Genotyping of SNPs was performed by PCR-RFLP and for confirming the outcomes, 10% of genotyping cases were sequenced with RFLP. Comparing the case and control group, we have found significant association between the rs4464148 SNP and lower risk of CRC. The AG genotype showed decreased risk with and odds ratio of 0.635 (adjusted OR=0.635, 95% CI: 0.417-0.967, p=0.034). There was no significant difference in the distribution of SMAD7 gene rs12953717 TT genotype between two groups of the population evaluated (adjusted OR=1.604, 95% CI: 0.978-2.633, p=0.061). On the other hand, rs12953717 T allele showed a statistically significant association with CRC risk (adjusted OR=1.339, 95% CI: 1.017-1.764, p=0.037). In conclusion, we found a significant association between CRC risk and the rs4464148 AG genotype. Furthermore, the rs12953717 T allele may act as a risk factor. This association may be caused by alternative splicing of pre mRNA. Although we observed a strong association with rs4464148 GG genotype in affected women, we did not detect the same association in CRC male patients.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2016

Objectives : Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes and a leading cause of end-stage renal failure in the world. Mesangial cell proliferation is known as the major pathologic features such as glomerulosclerosis and renal fibrosis. Wiryeongtang (WRT) is a well-known traditional herbal formula as therapeutic agents for chronic edema and dysuresia of renal homeostasis. In the present study, we investigated whether WRT inhibits high glucose (HG)-induced renal dysfunction by TGF-β/Smads signal regulation in cultured mesangial cells.Methods : Inhibitory effect of WRT (10-50 ㎍/ml) on HG-stimulated mesangial cells proliferation and dysfunction were evaluated by [³H]-thymidine incorporation, Western blot, and RT-qPCR.Results : WRT significantly decreased HG-accelerated thymidine incorporation in human renal mesangial cell in a dose-dependent levels. WRT induced down-regulation of cyclins/CDKs and up-regulation of CDK inhibitor, p21waf1/cip1 and p27kip1 expression. In addition, HG enhanced expression of dysfunction biomarker such as collagen IV and CTGF, which was markedly attenuated by WRT. WRT decreased TGF-β1 and Smad-2/Smad-4 expression, whereas increased Smad-7 expression under HG. Furthermore, WRT inhibited HG-induced inflammatory factors level such as ICAM-1 and MCP-1 as well as NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and intracellular ROS production.Conclusions : These results suggested that WRT may alleviate mesangial proliferation and inflammation possibly involved in renal fibrotic process, further diabetic nephropathy through disturbing TGF-β1/Smad signaling and NF-κB/ROS pathway. Thus, WRT might prove to be effective in the treatment of renal dysfunction leading to diabetic nephropathy.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.75-82
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• 2019

Objectives : In this study, various biological effects of Curcuma longa L. have been studied, however, beneficial effect of Curcuma longa L. in skin health remain still unclear. In this study, Curcuma longa L. water extract (CLE) was prepared. Inhibitory effect of CLE on melanin accumulation of B16F10 cells and expression levels of skin fibril-related proteins of human skin fibroblasts (HSF) were evaluated. Methods : The cytotoxic effect of CLE in B16F10 cells and HSF were examined by MTT assay. Inhibitory effect of CLE on the ${\alpha}-MSH-$ and IBMX-induced melanin accumulation and tyrosinase activity were evaluated in B16F10 cells. The expression levels of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2), Smad2, procollagen $1{\alpha}2$, collagen $1{\alpha}2$, and fibronectin in CLE-treated HSF were analyzed by western blotting. Results : The CLE treatment (concentrations 10 to $400{\mu}g/ml$) for 72 h did not affect to the B16F10 viability. However, 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$ of CLE treatment for 24 h showed cytotoxic effect in HSF. Therefore, the concentrations 10, 50, and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of CLE were chosen in this study. The CLE treatment for 72 h dose dependently and significantly suppressed melanin accumulation and tyrosinase activity of B16F10 cells. In addition, the CLE treatment up-regulated expression levels of skin fibril-related proteins such as CCN2, Smad2, procollagen $1{\alpha}2$, collagen $1{\alpha}2$, and fibronectin. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that the CLE could be used as a natural material for skin health.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.141-155
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• 2001

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Injin fractions on hepatic fibrosis induced by $TGF-{\beta}1$. Method : $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNA, protein, $TGF-{\beta}1$ receptor, Smad family and PAI-I mRNA were studied in HepG2 cell, and the proliferation, connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin and collagen type I mRNA in T3891 fibroblast by quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA and thymidine incorporation assay. Results : On $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNA and protein synthesis in HepG2, $H_2O$, butanol and hexane fractions of Injin showed inhibitory effect in a dose-dependent way. In the study on $TGF-{\beta}1$ receptor, Smad family and PAI-1 mRNA in HepG2, $H_2O$, butanol and hexane fraction of Injin showed inhibitory effect on the expression of PAI-1 in a dose-dependent way. On the proliferation of T3891 fibroblast induced by $TGF-{\beta}1$, $H_2O$, ethylacetate and butanol fractions of Injin showed inhibitory effect. In the study on the factors affected by $TGF-{\beta}1$, $H_2O$, ethylacetate and butanol fractions of Injin showed inhibitory effect on CTGF, and $H_2O$, butanol, chloroform and hexane fractions showed inhibitory effect on the expression of collagen type I, whereas no fraction showed inhibitory effect on the expression of fibronectin Conclusion : These results show that each fraction of Injin acts as a fibrosis inhibitory factor by itself or in combination, ultimately inhibiting liver cirrhosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권12호
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• pp.1061-1071
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• 2018

From Xenopus embryo studies, the BMP4/Smad1-targeted gene circuit is a key signaling pathway for specifying the cell fate between the ectoderm and neuro-ectoderm as well as the ventral and dorsal mesoderm. In this context, several BMP4/Smad1 target transcriptional factors have been identified as repressors of the neuro-ectoderm. However, none of these direct target transcription factors in this pathway, including GATA1b, Msx1 and Ventx1.1 have yet been proven as direct repressors of early neuro-ectodermal gene expression. In order to demonstrate that Ventx1.1 is a direct repressor of neuro-ectoderm genes, a genome-wide Xenopus ChIP-Seq of Ventx1.1 was performed. In this study, we demonstrated that Ventx1.1 bound to the Ventx1.1 response cis-acting element 1 and 2 (VRE1 and VRE2) on the promoter for zic3, which is a key early neuro-ectoderm gene, and this Ventx1.1 binding led to repression of zic3 transcription. Site-directed mutagenesis of VRE1 and VRE2 within zic3 promoter completely abolished the repression caused by Ventx1.1. In addition, we found both the positive and negative regulation of zic3 promoter activity by FoxD5b and Xcad2, respectively, and that these occur through the VREs and via modulation of Ventx1.1 levels. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the BMP4/Smad1 target gene, Ventx1.1, is a direct repressor of neuro-ectodermal gene zic3 during early Xenopus embryogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.142-147
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• 2021

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG phosphorothioate (PS CpG-ODN) are known to decrease IgE synthesis in Th2 allergy responses. Nonetheless, the therapeutic role of PS CpG-ODN is limited due to cytotoxicity. Therefore, we developed a phosphodiester (PO) form of CpG-ODN (46O) with reduced toxicity but effective against allergies. In this study, we first compared the toxicity of 46O with CpG-ODNs containing a PS backbone (1826S). We also investigated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of 46O injected intravenously in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD). To elucidate the mechanism of 46O underlying the inhibition of IgE production, IgE- and TGF-β-associated molecules were evaluated in CD40/IL-4- or LPS/IL-4-stimulated B cells. Our data showed that the treatment with 46O was associated with a lower hematological toxicity compared with 1826S. In addition, injection with 46O reduced erythema, epidermal thickness, and suppressed IgE and IL-4 synthesis in mice with OVA-induced AD. Additionally, 46O induced TGF-β production in LPS/IL-4-stimulated B cells via inhibition of Smad7, which suppressed IgE synthesis via interaction between Id2 and E2A. These findings suggest that enhanced TGF-β signaling is an effective treatment for IgE-mediated allergic conditions, and 46O may be safe and effective for treating allergic diseases such as AD and asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.37-46
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• 2004

연구 배경 : 허파혈관주위세포는 허파미세혈관에서 혈액공기 장벽을 이루고 있는 중요한 세포이다. 이 세포는 생리학적으로 혈류와 혈관의 투과성을 조절하는 기능이 있다. 본 연구는 급성폐손상/급성호흡곤란증후군에서 혈관 과투과성 및 개형에 혈관주위세포의 변화가 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 보고 시작하게 되었다. 흰쥐로 부터 일차 배양한 허파혈관주위세포에 저산소 상태를 만들었을 때, 세포의 생존능에 미치는 영향과 저산소증에 의해 유도되는 유전자의 발현을 살펴보았다. 방 법 : 흰쥐로부터 허파혈관주위세포를 일차 배양 및 계대 배양하였다. 광학 현미경 및 세포 면역 화학 염색으로 세포를 확인하였다. 2% $O_2$의 세포 배양기와 $200{\mu}M$ $CoCl_2$를 처리하였다. 세포의 증식은 tryphan blue 염색 후 세포수를 세는 방법을 택하였다. 유전자 발현은 역전사 중합 효소 연쇄반응을 이용하였다. 결 과 : 1. 흰쥐로부터 허파혈관주위세포를 성공적으로 일차 배양 및 계대 배양할 수 있었다. 2. 2% $O_2$나 $CoCl_2$에서 혈관주위세포는 24시간, 36시간, 48시간에 증식이 억제되었다. 3. 허파혈관주위세포에 저산소 상태의 자극을 주면 VEGF와 smad-2의 발현이 현저하게 증가하였다. 4. 허파혈관주위세포의 HIF$1{\alpha}$, COX-2는 저산소상태에서 VEGF, smad-2에 비해 발현의 변화가 현저하지 않았다. 결 론 : 허파혈관주위세포를 일차 배양함으로써 허파꽈리혈관장벽의 연구를 위한 한 모델을 만들었고, 저산소 상태에서 증식의 억제와 유전자 발현의 변화를 살펴봄으로써 허파혈관손상의 기전을 규명하는데 향후 도움이 될 것으로 보인다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권11호
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• pp.600-604
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• 2020

Macrophages are re-educated and polarized in response to myocardial infarction (MI). The M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype is a known dominator of late stage MI. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising tool for cell therapy, particularly heart related diseases. In general, MSCs induce alteration of the macrophage subtype from M1 to M2, both in vitro and in vivo. We conjectured that hypoxic conditions can promote secretome productivity of MSCs. Hypoxia induces TGF-β1 expression, and TGF-β1 mediates M2 macrophage polarization for anti-inflammation and angiogenesis in infarcted areas. We hypothesized that macrophages undergo advanced M2 polarization after exposure to MSCs in hypoxia. Treatment of MSCs derived hypoxic conditioned medium (hypo-CM) promoted M2 phenotype and neovascularization through the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway. In addition, hypo-CM derived from MSCs improved restoration of ischemic heart, such as attenuating cell apoptosis and fibrosis, and ameliorating microvessel density. Based on our results, we propose a new therapeutic method for effective MI treatment using regulation of macrophage polarization.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.134-148
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• 2021

Background: Lung cancer has a high incidence worldwide, and most lung cancer-associated deaths are attributable to cancer metastasis. Although several medicinal properties of Panax ginseng Meyer have been reported, the effect of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) stimulated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and self-renewal in A549 cells is relatively unknown. Methods: We treated TGF-β1 or alternatively Rk1 and Rg5 in A549 cells. We used western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), wound healing assay, Matrigel invasion assay, and anoikis assays to determine the effect of Rk1 and Rg5 on TGF-mediated EMT in lung cancer cell. In addition, we performed tumorsphere formation assays and real-time PCR to evaluate the stem-like properties. Results: EMT is induced by TGF-β1 in A549 cells causing the development of cancer stem-like features. Expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, decreased and an increase in vimentin expression was noted. Cell mobility, invasiveness, and anoikis resistance were enhanced with TGF-β1 treatment. In addition, the expression of stem cell markers, CD44, and CD133, was also increased. Treatment with Rk1 and Rg5 suppressed EMT by TGF-β1 and the development of stemness in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Rk1 and Rg5 markedly suppressed TGF-β1-induced metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP2/9) activity, and activation of Smad2/3 and nuclear factor kappa B/extra-cellular signal regulated kinases (NF-kB/ERK) pathways in lung cancer cells. Conclusions: Rk1 and Rg5 regulate the EMT inducing TGF-β1 by suppressing the Smad and NF-κB/ERK pathways (non-Smad pathway).