• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.235-240
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• 2005

Extracts of pine needles (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) have diverse physiological and pharmacological actions. In this study we show that pine needle extract alters pacemaker currents in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) by modulating ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels and that this effect is mediated by prostaglandins. In whole cell patches at $30^{\circ}C$, ICC generated spontaneous pacemaker potentials in the current clamp mode (I = 0), and inward currents (pacemaker currents) in the voltage clamp mode at a holding potential of -70 mV. Pine needle extract hyperpolarized the membrane potential, and in voltage clamp mode decreased both the frequency and amplitude of the pacemaker currents, and increased the resting currents in the outward direction. It also inhibited the pacemaker currents in a dose-dependent manner. Because the effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were the same as those of pinacidil (an ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel opener) we tested the effect of glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels blocker) on ICC exposed to pine needle extract. The effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were blocked by glibenclamide. To see whether production of prostaglandins (PGs) is involved in the inhibitory effect of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents, we tested the effects of naproxen, a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor, and AH6809, a prostaglandin EP1 and EP2 receptor antagonist. Naproxen and AH6809 blocked the inhibitory effects of pine needle extract on ICC. These results indicate that pine needle extract inhibits the pacemaker currents of ICC by activating ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels via the production of PGs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.392-402
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• 2017

Background: Previously, we reported that Korean Red Ginseng inhibited liver fibrosis in mice and reduced the expressions of fibrogenic genes in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The present study was undertaken to identify the major ginsenoside responsible for reducing the numbers of HSCs and the underlying mechanism involved. Methods: Using LX-2 cells (a human immortalized HSC line) and primary activated HSCs, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assays were conducted to examine the cytotoxic effects of ginsenosides. $H_2O_2$ productions, glutathione contents, lactate dehydrogenase activities, mitochondrial membrane permeabilities, apoptotic cell subpopulations, caspase-3/-7 activities, transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and immunoblot analysis were performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism responsible for ginsenoside-mediated cytotoxicity. Involvement of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related signaling pathway was examined using a chemical inhibitor and small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. Results and conclusion: Of the 11 ginsenosides tested, 20S-protopanaxadiol (PPD) showed the most potent cytotoxic activity in both LX-2 cells and primary activated HSCs. Oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis induced by 20S-PPD was blocked by N-acetyl-$\text\tiny L$-cysteine pretreatment. In addition, 20S-PPD concentration-dependently increased the phosphorylation of AMPK, and compound C prevented 20S-PPD-induced cytotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, 20S-PPD increased the phosphorylation of liver kinase B1 (LKB1), an upstream kinase of AMPK. Likewise, transfection of LX-2 cells with LKB1 siRNA reduced the cytotoxic effect of 20S-PPD. Thus, 20S-PPD appears to induce HSC apoptosis by activating LKB1-AMPK and to be a therapeutic candidate for the prevention or treatment of liver fibrosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.130-137
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• 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous RNAs that play important gene-regulatory roles by binding to the imperfectly complementary sequences at the 3'-UTR of mRNAs and directing their gene expression. Here, we first discovered that miR-576-3p was down-regulated in human bladder cancer cell lines compared with the non-malignant cell line. To better characterize the role of miR-576-3p in bladder cancer cells, we over-expressed or down-regulated miR-576-3p in bladder cancer cells by transfecting with chemically synthesized mimic or inhibitor. The overexpression of miR-576-3p remarkably inhibited cell proliferation via G1-phase arrest, and decreased both mRNA and protein levels of cyclin D1 which played a key role in G1/S phase transition. The knock-down of miR-576-3p significantly promoted the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by accelerating the progression of cell cycle and increased the expression of cyclin D1. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that miR-576-3p could directly target cyclin D1 through binding its 3'-UTR. All the results demonstrated that miR-576-3p might be a novel suppressor of bladder cancer cell proliferation through targeting cyclin D1.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.239-253
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• 2022

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to be involved in airway remodeling and fibrosis of bronchial asthma. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to EMT have yet to be fully clarified. The current study was designed to reveal the potential mechanism of microRNA-21 (miR-21) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) affecting EMT through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE cells) were transfected with miR-21 mimics/inhibitors and PARP-1 plasmid/small interfering RNA (siRNA). A dual luciferase reporter assay and biotin-labeled RNA pull-down experiments were conducted to verify the targeting relationship between miR-21 mimics and PARP-1. The migration ability of 16HBE cells was evaluated by Transwell assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting experiments were applied to determine the expression of Snail, ZEB1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, and PARP-1. The effects of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 on the migration of 16HBE cells and EMT were investigated. Overexpression of miR-21 mimics induced migration and EMT of 16HBE cells, which was significantly inhibited by overexpression of PARP-1. Our findings showed that PARP-1 was a direct target of miR-21, and that miR-21 targeted PARP-1 to promote migration and EMT of 16HBE cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Using LY294002 to block PI3K/AKT signaling pathway resulted in a significant reduction in the migration and EMT of 16HBE cells. These results suggest that miR-21 promotes EMT and migration of HBE cells by targeting PARP-1. Additionally, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway might be involved in this mechanism, which could indicate its usefulness as a therapeutic target for asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.473-479
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• 2005

연구 배경 : Gefitinib은 경구용 상피세포 성장인자 수용체 억제제로서 주로 동양인, 여성, 비흡연가, 선암 세포형의 폐암 환자에서 반응율이 좋은 것으로 되어 있으나 그 정확한 기전에 대해 밝혀진 것을 없다. 최근 몇몇 보고에 의하면 병기가 진행된 폐암 세포에서 PTEN 발현이 감소되어 있었으며, 또한 PTEN 발현이 감소된 폐암 세포주에서 EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor의 반응율이 감소되었음을 보고한 논문들이 있다. 이에 저자들은 본원에서 비소세포 폐암으로 진단받고 표준 항암화학요법에 실패한 이후 gefitinib으로 치료받은 환자군의 폐조직을 대상으로 PTEN의 발현 정도를 조사하였으며, PTEN의 발현 정도와 임상병기, 치료반응율과의 상관관계에 대해 분석하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 2002년 1월부터 2004년 8월까지 본원에 내원하여 원발성 비소세포성 폐암 진단 받은 후 표준 항암 화학요법에 실패하고 gefitinib을 복용한 환자 38명 중 2개월 이상을 투여 받아 반응 정도를 평가가 가능한 환자로서 폐조직에 대해 PTEN 면역조직화학 염색 및 정량화를 시행할 수 있었던 22명의 환자들에 대해 환자들의 약제 반응율과 PTEN의 발현양상과의 관계에 대해 후향적으로 조사하였다. 결 과 : 평균 연령은 62세, 남녀의 비는 6.3:1이었으며, 조직 병리학적 분류는 편평상피암 32%, 선암 59%, 대세포암 등 기타가 9%였다. 병기는 I 병기 1례, II 병기 1례, III 병기 9례, IV 병기가 11례였다. ECOG performance status는 grade 0-1이 9명, 2가 11명, 3이 2명이었다. 조직 병리학적 분류에 따른 PTEN 발현의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 또한 TNM 병기 상승에 따른 PTEN 발현율과는 서로 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 그 러나, 약제 반응을 보인 군에서 약제 반응을 보이지 않은 군보다 PTEN 발현율이 통계적으로 유의하게 높게 나타났다(p=0.039). 결 론 : 표준 항암 화학 요법에 실패하고 gefitinib을 복용한 비소세포 폐암 환자의 약제 반응율과 종양 억제 단백질인 PTEN의 발현율과 서로 상관관계가 있다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제60권3호
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• pp.304-313
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• 2006

연구배경 : Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)은 heme의 분해 대사과정에 관여하는 유도성 효소로 heme을 분해하여 biliverdin, free iron, 및 일산화탄소 등을 생성시킨다. HO-1의 발현은 다양한 스트레스성 자극에 반응하여 생체방어 기능을 갖는 것으로 알려져 있는데 세포성장이나 세포사 특히 세포고사를 조절하는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 현재 신장암, 전립선암, 간암, 육종 등의 고형암에서 발현됨이 알려져 있고, 실제 HO-1 억제제를 투여했을 때 암성장이 억제됨이 보고되었다. 저자들은 폐암세포주들에서 HO-1의 발현유무와 그 역할을 규명하고 나아가 HO-1 억제제의 치료제로서의 가능성을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 비소세포폐암세포주인 A549, H23, NCI-H157, NCI-H460을 이용하였다. 세포독성은 MTT 방법으로 구하였고, HO-1의 발현은 Western blotting으로 확인하였다. HO의 효소활성은 시간당 세포단백질의 mg당 형성된 빌리루빈의 양을 이용하여 측정하였다. 또한 $H_2O_2$의 생성은 horse radish peroxidase(HRP)와 형광물질인 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein(DCF)를 이용한 두 가지 방법을 이용하였다. A549세포에 HO-1 small interfering RNA(siRNA)을 주입하여 유식세포 분석과 caspase-3에 대한 Western blotting을 통하여 세포고사유무를 확인하였다. 결 과 : 비처리 상태에서 다른 세포주에 비해 A549세포의 HO-1 발현이 증가되었으며 HO-1 활성억제제인 ZnPP를 처리하였을 때 생존율의 의미 있는 감소를 보였다. 이러한 소견과 일치하여 ZnPP는 용량의존적으로 HO 의 효소활성 감소와 세포 내 $H_2O_2$ 생성의 증가를 초래하였다. 또한 HO-1 siRNA로 주입된 A549세포는 세포고사를 유도하였다. 결 론 : HO-1은 폐암의 치료에 있어서 새로운 분자생물학적 기전의 가능성을 제시하여 HO-1에 대한 표적치료의 가능성을 보여줄 것으로 기대된다.