• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권18호
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• pp.7547-7552
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• 2014

The mir-155 family is not only involved in a diversity of cancers, but also as a regulator of the immune system. However, the evolutionary history of this family is still unclear. The present study indicates that mir-155 evolved independently with lineage-specific gain of miRNAs. In addition, arm switching has occurred in the mir-155 family, and alternative splicing could produce two different lengths of ancestral sequences, implying the alternative splicing can also drive evolution for intragenic miRNAs. Here we screened validated target genes and immunity-related proteins, followed by analyzation of the mir-155 family function by high-throughput methods like the gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Eneyclopedin of Genes and Genemes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The high-throughput analysis showed that the CCND1 and EGFR genes were outstanding in being significantly enriched, and the target genes cebpb and VCAM1 and the protein SMAD2 were also vital in mir-155-related immune reponse activities. Therefore, we conclude that the mir-155 family is highly conserved in evolution, and CCND1 and EGFR genes might be potential targets of mir-155 with regard to progress of cancers, while the cebpb and VCAM1 genes and the protein SMAD2 might be key factors in the mir-155 regulated immune activities.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.135-147
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• 2020

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a stable and biocompatible material that has been broadly used in biomedical applications. Due to its piezoelectric property, the electrospun nanofiber of PVDF has been used to culture electroactive cells, such as osteocytes and cardiomyocytes. Here, taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of PVDF, we have fabricated a PVDF nanofiber scaffolds using an electrospinning technique for differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into neural precursors (NPs). Surface coating with a peptide derived from vitronectin enables hESCs to firmly adhere onto the nanofiber scaffolds and differentiate into NPs under dual-SMAD inhibition. Our nanofiber scaffolds supported the differentiation of hESCs into SOX1-positive NPs more significantly than Matrigel. The NPs generated on the nanofiber scaffolds could give rise to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursors. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome analysis revealed the variable expressions of 27 genes in the nanofiber scaffold groups, several of which are highly related to the biological processes required for neural differentiation. These results suggest that a PVDF nanofiber scaffold coated with a vitronectin peptide can serve as a highly efficient and defined culture platform for the neural differentiation of hESCs.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.807-814
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• 2016

Fucoidan, one of the dominant sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown seaweed, possesses a wide range of biological activities. Transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, by stimulating the synthesis of profibrotic factors. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of fucoidan on collagen synthesis, ${\alpha}-smooth$ muscle actin (${\alpha}-SMA$) expression, and interleukin (IL)-6 production in $TGF-{\beta}$-stimulated human pulmonary fibroblasts. The expression of type I collagen and ${\alpha}-SMA$ was detected by Western blot, and the production of IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. $TGF-{\beta}1$ treatment of pulmonary fibroblasts enhanced the expression of ${\alpha}-SMA$, type I collagen, and IL-6 whereas these effects were inhibited in cells pretreated with fucoidan. The activation of Smad2/3, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt was also inhibited in fucoidan-pretreated, $TGF-{\beta}1-stimulated$ human pulmonary fibroblasts. These data demonstrate the anti-fibrotic potential of fucoidan in $TGF-{\beta}-induced$ human pulmonary fibroblasts, via the inhibition of Smad2/3, p38 MAPKs, and Akt phosphorylation. Our results suggest the therapeutic potential of fucoidan in the prevention or treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.84-89
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• 2019

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a principal of mackerel-derived fermented fish oil, increases the proliferation of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) via the upregulation of cell cycle-associated proteins such as cyclin D1 and cdc2 p34, and might promote hair-growth. However, the intracellular mechanisms that underlie the action of DHA in the proliferation of DPCs have not been investigated fully. In this study, we addressed the action mechanisms of DHA to trigger the activation of anagen in DPCs. DHA activated β-catenin signaling by the increased phosphorylation at serine 552 and serine 675 as well as the translocation and accumulation of activated β-catenin into the nucleus. In the other hand, DHA inhibited canonical TGF-β/Smad signaling by the decreased phosphorylation of Smad2/3. Taken together, the results indicate that DHA might stimulate anagen signaling via the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, while the inactivation of canonical TGF-β signaling pathway in DPCs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.9915-9919
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• 2014

Lamellarin D (LamD) is a marine alkaloid with a pronounced cytotoxicity against a large panel of cancer cells, affecting cell growth and inducing apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms of action of this compound are poorly understood. In this study, the anticancer efficacy of LamD was investigated in human leukemia K562 cells. The results showed suppressed cell proliferation and induction of G0/G1-phase arrest,while expression of CDK1, and activity of smad3 and smad5 were reduced, but that of p27, p53 and STGC3 was increased. LamD induced cell apoptosis through activation of caspases-8/-3, inhibition of survivin and Bcl-2, suggesting that this compound may also act through a caspase-independent pathway. Moreover, LamD inhibited the secretion of TGF-${\beta}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8 and other inflammatory cytokines and the transcriptional activity of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ in human leukemia K562 cells.Taken together, our results suggest that LamD-mediated inhibition of leukemia cell proliferation may be related to the induction of apoptosis and the regulation of cell cycle, tumor-related gene expression and cytokine expression, which may provide a new way of thinking for the treatment leukemia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.190-197
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gallus gallus domesticus (GD) is a natural mutant breed of chicken in Korea with an atypical characterization of melanin in its tissue. This study investigated the effects of melanin extracts of GD on osteoblast differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast formation. MATERIALS/METHODS: The effects of the melanin extract of GD on human osteoblast MG-63 cell differentiation were examined by evaluating cell viability, osteoblast differentiation, and expression of osteoblast-specific transcription factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), small mothers against decapentaplegic homologs 5 (SMAD5), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin and type 1 collagen (COL-1) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis. We investigated the inhibitory effect of melanin on the osteoclasts formation through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and TRAP stains in Raw 264.7 cell. RESULTS: The melanin extract of GD was not cytotoxic to MG-63 cells at concentrations of $50-250{\mu}g/mL$. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone mineralization of melanin extract-treated cells increased in a dose-dependent manner from 50 to $250{\mu}g/mL$ and were 149% and 129% at $250{\mu}g/mL$ concentration, respectively (P < 0.05). The levels of BMP-2, osteocalcin, and COL-1 gene expression were significantly upregulated by 1.72-, 4.44-, and 2.12-fold in melanin-treated cells than in the control cells (P < 0.05). The levels of RUNX2 and SMAD5 proteins were higher in melanin-treated cells than in control vehicle-treated cells. The melanin extract attenuated the formation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced TRAP-positive multinucleated RAW 264.7 cells by 22%, and was 77% cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 macrophages at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the melanin extract promoted osteoblast differentiation by activating BMP/SMADs/RUNX2 signaling and regulating transcription of osteogenic genes such as ALP, type I collagen, and osteocalcin. These results suggest that the effective osteoblastic differentiation induced by melanin extract from GD makes it potentially useful in maintaining bone health.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.216-223
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• 2004

Background: It is well known that IgA isotype switching is induced by $TGF-{\beta}1$. LPS-activated mouse normal B cells well differentiate into IgA secreting plasma cells under the influence of $TGF-{\beta}1$. Nevertheless, there are lots of difficulties in studying normal B cells in detail because it is not simple to obtain highly purified B cells, showing low reproducibility and transfection efficacy, moreover impossible to keep continuous culture. To overcome these obstacles, it is desperately needed to develop B cell line which acts like normal B cells. In the present study, we investigated whether CH12F3-2A lymphoma cells are appropriate for studying IgA isotype switching event. Methods: CH12F3-2A B cell line was treated with LPS and $TGF-{\beta}1$, then levels of germ-line (GL) transcripts were measured by RT-PCR, and $GL{\alpha}$ promoter activity was measured by luciferase assay. In addition, membrane IgA (mIgA) expression and IgA secretion were determined by FACS and ELISA, respectively. Results: $TGF-{\beta}1$, regardless of the presence of LPS, increased level of $GL{\alpha}$ transcripts but not $GL{\gamma}2b$ transcripts. However, IgA secretion was increased dramatically by co-stimulation of LPS and $TGF-{\beta}1$. Both mIgA and IgA secretion in the presence of $TGF-{\beta}1$ were further increased by over-expression of Smad3/4. Finally, $GL{\alpha}$ promoter activity was increased by $TGF-{\beta}1$. Conclusion: CH12F3-2A cell line acts quite similarly to the normal B cells which have been previously reported regarding IgA expression. Thus, CH12F3-2A lymphoma cell line appears to be adequate for the investigation of the mechanism(s) of IgA isotype switching at the cellular and molecular levels.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.175-188
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• 2022

혈관과 섬유증 기관들의 평활근과 세포외기질에 대한 릴랙신의 조절기능이 입증되어왔다. 본 총설에서는 저항성 소동맥과 방광을 포함한 섬유증 기관들의 세포외기질에 작용하는 릴랙신의 다양한 기전들을 고찰한다. 릴랙신은 혈관 평활근육의 수축을 억제하고, 콜라겐과 같은 세포외기질의 구성성분들을 감소키켜 혈관벽의 수동적 신전성을 증가시킴으로써, 혈관확장을 유도한다. 릴랙신이 동맥의 혈관확장을 유도하는 주된 세포기전은 RXFP1/PI3K의 활성화, Akt 인산화 및 eNOS 활성화를 통한 내피세포-의존성 산화질소의 생성에 의해 매개된다. 추가적으로, 릴랙신은 또한 다른 대체경로들을 작동하여 신장과 장간막 동맥의 혈관확장을 증가시킨다. 신장 소동맥에서, 릴랙신은 내피세포의 MMPs 및 EtB 수용체의 활성화와 VEGF 및 PlGF의 생성을 촉진하여, 평활근의 수축성과 콜라겐의 침착을 억제함으로써 혈관확장을 초래한다. 이와 달리, 장간막 소동맥에서, 릴랙신은 bradykinin (BK)-유도 이완을 시간-의존적으로 증강시킨다. BK-매개 이완의 신속 증가는 IK_Ca 이온통로와 뒤이은 EDH 유발에 의존하는 반면, BK에 의한 지속적 이완은 COX 활성과 PGI₂에 의존한다. 릴랙신의 항섬유화 효과는 염증유발 면역세포의 침투, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) 및 근섬유아세포의 분화와 활성을 억제하여 매개된다. 릴랙신은 또한 근섬유아세포 내 NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG-1 경로를 활성화하여, TGF-β1-유도 ERK1/2 및 Smad2/3 신호의 활성과 ECM 콜라겐의 침착을 억제한다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권11호
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• pp.565-570
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• 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and devastating disease whose pathogenesis is associated with a phenotypic switch of pulmonary arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and potassium two pore domain channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3) play crucial roles in PAH pathogenesis. However, the relationship between BMP signaling and KCNK3 expression in the PASMC phenotypic switching process has not been studied. In this study, we explored the effect of BMPs on KCNK3 expression and the role of KCNK3 in the BMP-mediated PASMC phenotypic switch. Expression levels of BMP receptor 2 (BMPR2) and KCNK3 were downregulated in PASMCs of rats with PAH compared to those in normal controls, implying a possible association between BMP/BMPR2 signaling and KCNK3 expression in the pulmonary vasculature. Treatment with BMP2, BMP4, and BMP7 significantly increased KCNK3 expression in primary human PASMCs (HPASMCs). BMPR2 knockdown and treatment with Smad1/5 signaling inhibitor substantially abrogated the BMP-induced increase in KCNK3 expression, suggesting that KCNK3 expression in HPASMCs is regulated by the canonical BMP-BMPR2-Smad1/5 signaling pathway. Furthermore, KCNK3 knockdown and treatment with a KCNK3 channel blocker completely blocked BMP-mediated anti-proliferation and expression of contractile marker genes in HPAMSCs, suggesting that the expression and functional activity of KCNK3 are required for BMP-mediated acquisition of the quiescent PASMC phenotype. Overall, our findings show a crosstalk between BMP signaling and KCNK3 in regulating the PASMC phenotype, wherein BMPs upregulate KCNK3 expression and KCNK3 then mediates BMP-induced phenotypic switching of PASMCs. Our results indicate that the dysfunction and/or downregulation of BMPR2 and KCNK3 observed in PAH work together to induce aberrant changes in the PASMC phenotype, providing insights into the complex molecular pathogenesis of PAH.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.152-163
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• 2010

이 연구에서는 mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)를 in vitro로 인간치수세포에 적용하였을 때 유전자들의 변화를 조사하였다. 실험군은 MTA를 teflon tube (직경 10 mm 길이 2 mm)에 담아 4시간 경화시킨 후HDPCs에 적용하였고, 대조군은 빈tube만을 적용하였다. 6, 24, 72시간 후 total RNA를 추출하여 microarray를 이용하여 분석하여, 2배 이상 또는 절반 이하의 변화를 보이는 유전자 중 선택적으로 역전사 중합효소 연쇄반응(reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction)을 사용하여 발현을 확인하였다. 24,546개의 유전자 중에서 109개의 유전자가 2배 이상 up-regulation되었으며(예. FOSB, THBS1, BHLHB2, EDN1,IL11, FN1, COL10A1, TUFT1) 69개의 유전자가 50%이하로 down-regulation되었다(예. SMAD6, DCN). MTA는 bio-inert한 재료라기 보다는 치수세포에 다양한 경로로 영향을 주는 재료로 사료된다. 특히 치수세포의 분화와 증식에 관여하는 유전자의 변화에 영향을 주며 석회화 과정에 관여하는 유전자의 변화에 직접적인 영향을 주리라 사료된다.