• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.190-197
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• 2005

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications including nephropathy. However, the role of AGE in the activation of mesangial cells cultured under high glucose has not been elucidated. The effects of aminoguanidine, which prevents formation of AGE and protein cross-linking, on the synthesis of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin by rat mesangial cells cultured under high glucose for 2 weeks were examined and compared with the effects of $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME), a selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, because aminoguanidine also inhibits the inducible nitric oxide synthase. Culture of mesangial cells in 30 mM (high) glucose for 2 weeks induced 1.5-fold (ELISA) and 1.9-fold (Western blot analysis) increase in AGE in the culture media compared to 5.6 mM (control) glucose. Northern blot analysis revealed 1.5-fold increase in $TGF-{\beta}1$ and 1.7-fold increase in fibronectin mRNA expression in cells cultured under high glucose compared to control glucose. Increases in mRNA expression were followed by increased protein synthesis. Mink lung epithelial cell growth inhibition assay revealed 1.4-fold increase in $TGF-{\beta}1$ protein in high glucose media compared to control. Fibronectin protein also increased 2.1-fold that of control glucose by Western blot analysis. Administration of aminoguanidine suppressed AGE formation in a dose dependent manner and at the same time suppressed $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin synthesis by mesangial cells cultured in both control and high glucose. In contrast, NAME did not affect high glucose-induced changes. These findings support a role for AGE in high glucose-induced upregulation of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin synthesis by mesangial cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1371-1377
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• 2012

Fibrosis in kidney by internal and external factors causes progressive loss of renal function. Renal fibrosis is the inevitable consequence of an excessive accumulation of the extracellular matrix. TGF-${\beta}$ plays an important role in the process of renal fibrosis and stimulates the synthesis of profibrotic factors, including collagens, fibronectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). We examined the effect of Moringa oleifera Lam (moringa) extracts in a rat kidney fibrosis model. We found that moringa root extract suppresses protein expression/mRNA levels of Type I collagen, fibronectin, and PAI-1 induced by TGF-${\beta}$ in renal fibroblasts. Moringa root extract selectively inhibited phosphorylation of TGF-${\beta}$-induced $T{\beta}RII$ and the downstream signaling pathway (e.g., Smad4), and phospho-ERK, but not JNK, p38, or PI3K/AKT. These results suggest that moringa root extract can act against TGF-${\beta}$-induced renal fibrosis in rat kidney fibroblast cells by a mechanism related to its antifibrotic activity, which regulates expression of fibronectin, Type I collagen, and PAI-1 through $T{\beta}RII$-Smad2/3-Smad4 and ERK. Therefore, moringa root extract is an effective substance for fibrosis therapy and provides a new therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with elevated profibrotic factor synthesis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

Rutaecarpine is one of the major alkaloids present in the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa. In this study, rutaecarpine was evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo, for its hepatoprotective properties against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis. The results showed that rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the expression of the fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$), and induced the expression of bcl-2. To evaluate its in vivo effects, animal models with TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis were utilized. Levels of liver tissue injury-associated enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were monitored. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and the ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) were measured as markers of the protective effects on hepatic fibrosis. The AST and ALT levels in blood were greatly enhanced by TAA and completely blunted by rutaecarpine. Rutaecarpine led to the down-regulation of $TGF-{\beta}$ and Bax mRNA expression, as well as the up-regulation of Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ mRNA levels. In conclusion, rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis and apoptosis by inducing the expression of Bcl-2 while blocking $TGF-{\beta}1$ in our TAA-intoxicated model.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2005

Effects of antioxidants on the established nephropathy were investigated. The experimental nephropathy was induced in rats by intravenous injection of adriamycin (2 mg/kg). Six weeks later, when proteinuria was apparent, the rats were supplemented with N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 1 g/kg/day) in drinking water for additional 6 weeks. Glomerulosclerosis score and tubulointerstitial injury index were determined by light microscopy. Expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) ${\beta}1$ and laminin ${\beta}1$ was determined in the renal cortex by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunogold electron microscopy. The adriamycin-induced proteinuria as well as the glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury was ameliorated by the treatment with NAC. Adriamycin increased the expression of TGF ${\beta}1$ mRNA and protein, which was ameliorated by NAC. Although the expression of laminin ${\beta}1$ mRNA was increased, adriamycin did not significantly alter that of its protein. These results indicate that antioxidants ameliorate the established nephropathy in association with normalization of overexpressed TGF ${\beta}1$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2000

Objectives: This study was camed out to examine the effect of five fractions of aqueous extract from Artemisia capillaris THUNB(ACT), on TGF, 1-induced apoptosis, cell viability, cell cycle progression and mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes in human hepatocyte cell line HepG2. Methods: This study employed Tryphan blue exclusion assay, DNA fragmentation assay, Cpp32 protease activity assay and Quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Results: In the Tryphan blue exclusion assay, the butanol fraction of ACT with $TGF{\beta}$, l showed magnificent (Nice word, ut is it appropriate in a medical abstract\ulcorner) viability and the H2O fraction of ACT with $TGF{\beta}$, l also showed higher viability than only $TGF{\beta}$, l-treated group. DNA fragmentation assay showed that the butanol fraction and the H2O fraction carried inhibitory effects on apoptosis induction, with the butanol fraction displaying greater effects. The Cpp32 protease activity assay showed that the butanol fraction decreased Cpp32 protease activity. The H2O fraction of ACT had no significant effect on the Cpp32 protease activity. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the butanol fraction suppressed Bax, p 15/INK4B, p21/Waf1, PAI-1 and increased Bcl-2 gene. Conclusions: The data shows that butanol fraction of ACT increases the hepatocyte viability and has the hepatocellular protective effect by the suppression of $TGF{\beta}$, l induced-apoptosis through gene regulation.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2005

[ ${\beta}ig-h3$ ] is a secretory protein that is induced by $TGF-{\beta}$ and implicated in various disease conditions including fibrosis. We have previously reported that ${\beta}ig-h3$ expression is implicated in astrocyte response to brain injury. In this study, we further investigated potential roles of ${\beta}ig-h3$ protein in the injured central nervous system (CNS). We specifically assessed whether the treatment of microglial cells with ${\beta}ig-h3$ can regulate microglial activity. Microglial cells are the prime effector cells in CNS immune and inflammatory responses. When activated, they produce a number of inflammatory mediators, which can promote neuronal injury. We prepared conditioned medium from the stable CHO cell line transfected with human ${\beta}ig-h3$ cDNA. We then examined the effects of the conditioned medium on the LPS- or $IFN-{\gamma}-mediated$ induction of proinflammatory molecules in microglial cells. Preincubation with the conditioned medium significantly attenuated LPS-mediated upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression in BV2 murine microglial cells. It also reduced $IFN-{\gamma}-mediated$ upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA expression but not iNOS mRNA expression. Assays of nitric oxide release correlated with the mRNA data, which showed selective inhibition of LPS-mediated nitric oxide production. Although the regulatory mechanisms need to be further investigated, these results suggest that astrocyte-derived ${\beta}ig-h3$ may contribute to protection of the CNS from immune-mediated damage via controlling microglial inflammatory responses.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.206-217
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• 2011

Background: Transcription factor FOXP3 characterizes the thymically derived regulatory T cells. FOXP3 is expressed by cancer cell itself and FOXP3 expression was induced by TGF-${\beta}$ treatment in pancreatic cancer cell line. However, the expression of FOXP3 expression is not well known in patients with lung cancer. This study was conducted to investigate the expression of FOXP3 in patients with lung cancer and to investigate the regulation of FOXP3 expression by the treatment of TGF-${\beta}$ and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor in lung cancer cell lines. Methods: FOXP3 expression in the tissue of patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The regulation of FOXP3 expression was investigated by Western blot and RT-PCR after lung cancer cell lines were stimulated with TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}2$. The regulation of FOXP3 expression was also investigated by RT-PCR and flow cytometry after lung cancer cell lines were treated with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5-AZA-dC). Results: FOXP3 expression was confirmed in 27% of patients with NSCLC. In NCI-H460 cell line, TGF-${\beta}2$ decreased FOXP3 mRNA and protein expressions. In A549 cell line, both TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}2$ decreased FOXP3 mRNA and protein expressions. 5-AZA-dC increased FOXP3 mRNA expression in NCI-H460 and A549 cell lines. Moreover, 5-AZA-dC increased intracellular FOXP3 protein expression in A549 cell lines. Conclusion: It was shown that FOXP3 is expressed by cancer cell itself in patients with NSCLC. Treatment of TGF-${\beta}2$ and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor seems to be associated with the regulation of FOXP3 expression in lung cancer cell lines.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.519-531
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• 2014

Objectives: Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end stage renal disease. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) are the main factors of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effects of Prunus on renal function and histopathological changes of diabetic nephropathy rat model induced by unilateral nephrectomy and streptozotocin. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats ($290{\pm}10g$) by injecting streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) into the tail vein after unilateral nephrectomy. Rats were divided into 3 groups (n=6): normal, control, and Prunus. After 8 weeks of oral administration of Prunus extract on the Prunus group from 3 days after streptozotocin injection, we checked weight, 24 hrs urine, blood biochemistry and renal tissue to evaluate renal function and histopathological changes by examining parameters including albuminuria, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, AGEs, and AT1. We also measured mRNA expression of TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, AGEs, and AT1 by Real Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Prunus decreased the amount of 24 hrs proteinuria, and inhibited histopathological changes of diabetic nephropathy including the expression and accumulation of TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen and AGEs which could promote development of diabetic nephropathy. Prunus also inhibited mRNA expression of TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Prunus might protect the renal function and inhibit the development of renal injury by regulating factors including TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, AGEs, except AT1, so Prunus can be used for diabetic patients to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2007

Smad proteins mediate transforming growth $factor(TGF)-{\beta}$ signaling and play a pivotal role in embryonic development. The estrogen receptor-related receptors(ERRs), which are structurally similar to estrogen receptors, are members of orphan nuclear receptor in the nuclear receptor superfamily and their functions are known to be involved in the formation of extra-embryonic ectoderm. To investigate the involvement of Smad3 and $ERR{\beta}$ like 1 in reproductive activities and embryogenesis in marine invertebrate, we examined gene expression of Smad3 and $ERR{\beta}$ like 1 in Strongylocentrotus nudus during their seasonal changes and embryonic development using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The Smad3 mRNA levels in gonad showed an increasing pattern from February to June 2004 but decreased at August(spawning season) followed by an elevation of the levels at October and December 2004. The mRNA levels of the $ERR{\beta}$ like 1 significantly elevated during the spawning season. During embryonic development, Smad3 mRNA levels at $8{\sim}16$ cell stages were significantly higher than those of other stages, whereas the mRNA of the $ERR{\beta}$ like 1 was significantly high levels at late development stages, i.e., blastular, gastrula and plutei stages. These results suggest that the Smad3 could be involved at least in part in the early cleavage stages and the $ERR{\beta}$ like 1 may play an important role in the spawning season and late developmental stage in the sea urchin.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.87-101
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of JUJSTK on atopic dermatitis in an in-vitro experiment using an NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, which has histological and clinical similarities to the humans in terms of health condition. Methods : We evaluated IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA, TGF-$\beta$ mRNA, CD4+/IFN-$\gamma$+ and IL-17+CD4+Th17 cells of NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse by real-time PCR and intracellular staining in vitro. Results : JUJSTK medicines supressed the activities of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, TGF-$\beta$ mRNA and IL-17+CD4+Th17 cells and it incresed the activities of IL-10 mRNA in B cells. The level of CD4+/IFN-$\gamma$+ in T cells were increased by JUSSTK. Conclusions : JUJSTK on atopic dermatitis might be incredibly effective to the atopic dermatitis treatment.