• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.30-50
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• 2023

Objectives : To investigate the active compounds and therapeutic mechanisms of Atractylodes Lancea(Thunb.) D.C. and Magnolia Officinalis Rehder et Wilson in the treatment of dermatitis accompanied by pruritus, as well as their potential to complement or replace standard drugs. Methods : We conducted the network pharmacological analysis. We selected effective ingredients among the active compounds of research target herbs. Then we explore pathway/terms of the common target proteins among research target herbs, fexofenadine and disease. Results : We selected 9 active compounds are selected from Atractylodes lancea and identified 231 target proteins. Among them, 74 proteins are associated with inflammatory skin diseases that cause pruritus. These proteins are involved in various pathways including, 'Nitric-oxide synthase regulator activity', 'Hydroperoxy icosatetraenoate dehydratase activity, Aromatase activity', 'RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity', 'Arachidonic acid metabolism', 'Peptide hormone processing', 'Chemokine binding' and 'Sterol biosynthetic process'. Additionally, coregenes are involved in 'IL-17 signaling pathway'. Similarly, we selected 2 active compounds from Magnolia officinalis and identified 133 target proteins. Among them, 33 proteins are related to inflammatory skin diseases that cause pruritus. These proteins are primarily involved in 'Vascular associated smooth muscle cell proliferation' and 'Arachidonic acid metabolism'. There is no significant difference between the pathways in which coregenes are involved. Conclusions : It is expected that Atractylodes Lancea will be able to show direct or indirect anti-pruritus and anti-inflammatory effects on skin inflammation accompanied pruritus through suppressing inflammation and protecting skin barrier. Meanwhile, it is expected that Magnolia Officinalis will only be able to show indirect anti-inflammation effects. Therefore, Atractylodes Lancea and fexofenadine are believed to complement each other, whereas Magnolia Officialinalis is expected to provide supplementary support on skin disease.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권11호
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• pp.851-858
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• 2023

Unique cartilage matrix-associated protein (UCMA)은 γ-카르복실화(Gla) 잔기가 풍부한 간외 비타민 K 의존 단백질이다. UCMA는 조골세포 분화를 촉진하고 뼈 형성을 강화한다고 보고되고 있지만 고혈당 스트레스 하에서 조골세포에 미치는 영향에 대해서는 아직 알려진 바가 없다. 본 연구에서는 고혈당 조건하에서의 MC3T3-E1 조골세포에서 UCMA 효과를 조사하기 위해 MC3T3-E1 조골세포를 높은 포도당에 노출한 후 재조합 UCMA 단백질을 처리하였다. MC3T3-E1 세포에서 활성 산소종(ROS)의 생성은 고혈당 조건하에서 증가했으나 UCMA 단백질 처리 후 감소했음을 CellROX 및 MitoSOX 염색으로 확인하였다. 또한 고혈당 조건에서 UCMA 단백질을 함께 처리한 MC3T3-E1 세포에서 정량적 중합효소 연쇄반응 결과, 항산화 유전자인 nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 와 superoxide dismutase 1 발현이 증가하였다. 동일 조건하에서 UCMA 단백질 처리에 의해 heme oxygenase-1 발현 감소와 함께 세포질에서 핵으로의 전위가 감소되었고, 미토콘드리아 분열에 관여하는 dynamin-related protein 1 발현이 증가하였으며, AKT 신호 활성은 억제되었다. 종합적으로 UCMA는 고혈당에 노출된 조골세포에서 ROS 생성을 완화하고, 항산화 유전자 발현을 증가시키고, 미토콘드리아 역학에 영향을 미치며, AKT 신호를 조절하는 것으로 보인다. 본 연구는 UCMA의 세포 메커니즘에 대한 이해를 돕고, 대사 장애 관련한 골 합병증에 대한 새로운 치료제로서의 잠재적 사용 가능성을 제시하고 있다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.123-135
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• 2024

Although gemcitabine-based regimens are widely used as an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, acquired resistance to gemcitabine has become an increasingly common problem. Therefore, a novel therapeutic strategy to treat gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer is urgently required. Piceamycin has been reported to exhibit antiproliferative activity against various cancer cells; however, its underlying molecular mechanism for anticancer activity in pancreatic cancer cells remains unexplored. Therefore, the present study evaluated the antiproliferation activity of piceamycin in a gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cell line and patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids. Piceamycin effectively inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the expression of alpha-actinin-4, a gene that plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis of various cancers, in gemcitabine-resistant cells. Long-term exposure to piceamycin induced cell cycle arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase and caused apoptosis. Piceamycin also inhibited the invasion and migration of gemcitabine-resistant cells by modulating focal adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers. Moreover, the combination of piceamycin and gemcitabine exhibited a synergistic antiproliferative activity in gemcitabine-resistant cells. Piceamycin also effectively inhibited patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoid growth and induced apoptosis in the organoids. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that piceamycin may be an effective agent for overcoming gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer.

• 한국식품저장유통학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.276-286
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• 2024

본 연구에서는 후코이단/이고들빼기 혼합물이 HepG2 세포의 apoptosis에 미치는 영향을 확인하고 어떠한 경로를 통해 나타나는지를 조사하였다. 후코이단/이고들빼기 혼합물이 HepG2 세포의 증식을 억제하고 세포 독성을 나타냈다. 이러한 HepG2 세포의 증식 억제 및 세포 독성이 apoptosis에 의한 효과인지를 확인한 결과, DNA fragmentation과 mitochondria membrane potential의 저해를 일으키는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 HepG2 세포에서 후코이단/이고들빼기 혼합물이 apoptosis를 유도하는 기전에 관여하는 단백질의 발현 양상을 확인한 결과, intrinsic apoptosis 경로인 p53을 증가시키고, Bcl-2 family인 Bcl-2의 억제 및 BAX의 증가를 통해서 cytochrome c를 증가시켜 caspase-9 활성화하였고, caspase-3를 활성화시켜 결과적으로 apoptosis를 유도하였다. 또한, 전반적으로 후코이단/이고들빼기 혼합물의 apoptosis 유도 효과는 후코이단만 처리한 것보다 더 높은 효과를 나타냈으며, 이는 이고들빼기 추출물과의 혼합물 제조를 통해서 후코이단의 apoptosis 유도 효과가 증대되는 것으로 판단된다. 이러한 결과는 후코이단/이고들빼기 혼합물이 HepG2 세포에서 apoptosis 관련 유전자의 발현 조절에 의해 항암 효과를 나타내며, 이는 후코이단/이고들빼기 혼합물의 항암 작용의 기전을 해석하였을 뿐만 아니라, 이러한 기전 연구를 바탕으로 실질적인 간암 치료제로서의 사용 가능성을 확인하기 위해서는 유용 물질 분석 및 in vivo에서 추가 실험 등이 다양하게 수행되어야 할 것으로 판단된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.48.1-48.21
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• 2023

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) possess immunoregulatory properties and their regulatory functions represent a potential therapy for acute lung injury (ALI). However, uncertainties remain with respect to defining MSCs-derived immunomodulatory pathways. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the enhanced effect of human recombinant bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) primed ES-MSCs (MSC^BMP2) in promoting Tregs in ALI mice. MSC were preconditioned with 100 ng/ml rhBMP-2 for 24 h, and then administrated to mice by intravenous injection after intratracheal injection of 1 mg/kg LPS. Treating MSCs with rhBMP-2 significantly increased cellular proliferation and migration, and cytokines array reveled that cytokines release by MSC^BMP2 were associated with migration and growth. MSC^BMP2 ameliorated LPS induced lung injury and reduced myeloperoxidase activity and permeability in mice exposed to LPS. Levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase were decreased while levels of total glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity were further increased via inhibition of phosphorylated STAT1 in ALI mice treated with MSC^BMP2. MSC^BMP2 treatment increased the protein level of IDO1, indicating an increase in Treg cells, and Foxp3⁺CD25⁺ Treg of CD4⁺ cells were further increased in ALI mice treated with MSC^BMP2. In co-culture assays with MSCs and RAW264.7 cells, the protein level of IDO1 was further induced in MSC^BMP2. Additionally, cytokine release of IL-10 was enhanced while both IL-6 and TNF-α were further inhibited. In conclusion, these findings suggest that MSC^BMP2 has therapeutic potential to reduce massive inflammation of respiratory diseases by promoting Treg cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.40.1-40.15
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• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.326-341
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that leads to the progressive destruction of articular cartilage. Current clinical therapeutic strategies are moderately effective at relieving OA-associated pain but cannot induce chondrocyte differentiation or achieve cartilage regeneration. We investigated the ability of wedelolactone, a biologically active natural product that occurs in Eclipta alba (false daisy), to promote chondrogenic differentiation. Methods and Results: Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and immunofluorescence staining assays were used to evaluate the effects of wedelolactone on the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). RNA sequencing, microRNA (miRNA) sequencing, and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation analyses were performed to explore the mechanism by which wedelolactone promotes the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. We found that wedelolactone facilitates the chondrogenic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs and rat bone-marrow MSCs. Moreover, the forkhead box O (FOXO) signaling pathway was upregulated by wedelolactone during chondrogenic differentiation, and a FOXO1 inhibitor attenuated the effect of wedelolactone on chondrocyte differentiation. We determined that wedelolactone reduces enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-mediated histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation of the promoter region of FOXO1 to upregulate its transcription. Additionally, we found that wedelolactone represses miR-1271-5p expression, and that miR-1271-5p post-transcriptionally suppresses the expression of FOXO1 that is dependent on the binding of miR-1271-5p to the FOXO1 3'-untranscribed region. Conclusions: These results indicate that wedelolactone suppresses the activity of EZH2 to facilitate the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs by activating the FOXO1 signaling pathway. Wedelolactone may therefore improve cartilage regeneration in diseases characterized by inflammatory tissue destruction, such as OA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.307-314
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• 2008

목 적 : 한국인 음식에 널리 이용되고 있는 중요한 향신료인 고추에 많이 들어있는 capsaicin이 최근 많은 연구를 통해 암을 예방하고 더 나아가 치료할 수 있는 성분으로 밝혀지고 있다. 따라서 본 연구의 목적은 한국인이 많이 섭취하고 있는 식이성분인 capsaicin이 한국인에 많은 위암세포의 세포자멸사의 유도물질로 가능성을 알아보고 이를 항암치료의 일부분으로 시도하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 한국인의 위암세포주인 SNU-668 세포에 capsaicn를 처리한 후 세포 생존은 trypan blue 와 crystal violet 분석, 세포독성은 MTT 분석, 세포사 분석은 핵 응축과 DNA 분절화 실험, bcl-2와 bax의 mRNA 발현은 역전사 중합효소 연쇄반응, 세포사와 관련된 단백질 발현은 Western immunoblot analysis로 분석하였다. Capsaicin에 의해 항암제의 감수성이 증가되는 지를 알아보기 위하여 일정 농도의 capsaicin과 농도 별 각 항암제를 같이 처리하여 2일 간 배양 하고 MTT assay로 분석하였으며 이와 관련된 세포사와 관련된 단백질 발현을 분석하였다. 결 과 : capsaicin의 농도에 따라 SNU-668 위암세포의 증식을 현저히 억제하였으며, 이러한 capsaicin의 증식 억제는 DNA 단편화, 핵 응축과 caspase 활성화에 의해 세포자멸사의 유도에 의한 것으로 입증되었다. 더욱이 capsaicin에 의해 pro-apoptotic Bax에 대한 anti-apoptotic Bcl-2의 비율이 현저히 감소하고, caspase-3활성이 증가하였다. Capsaicin을 처리한 세포는 처리하지 않은 세포에 비하여 etoposide나 adriamycin에 의해 유도되는 세포사멸에 더욱 감수성을 보였다. 결 론 : 이상의 연구에서 capsaicin은 caspase-3 의존적 경로를 통하여 SNU-668 세포에서 세포자멸사를 유도하며 항암제의 감수성을 증가시키므로 위암의 효과적인 항암치료제와 항암제 민감성 유도제의 일환으로 가능성이 있다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.203-213
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• 2018

Tumor undergo uncontrolled, excessive proliferation leads to hypoxic microenvironment. To fulfill their demand for nutrient, and oxygen, tumor angiogenesis is required. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been known to the main source of angiogenesis because of their potential to differentiation into endothelial cells. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of EPC-mediated angiogenesis in hypoxia is critical for development of cancer therapy. Recently, mitochondrial dynamics has emerged as a critical mechanism for cellular function and differentiation under hypoxic conditions. However, the role of mitochondrial dynamics in hypoxia-induced angiogenesis remains to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that hypoxia-induced mitochondrial fission accelerates EPCs bioactivities. We first investigated the effect of hypoxia on EPC-mediated angiogenesis. Cell migration, invasion, and tube formation was significantly increased under hypoxic conditions; expression of EPC surface markers was unchanged. And mitochondrial fission was induced by hypoxia time-dependent manner. We found that hypoxia-induced mitochondrial fission was triggered by dynamin-related protein Drp1, specifically, phosphorylated DRP1 at Ser637, a suppression marker for mitochondrial fission, was impaired in hypoxia time-dependent manner. To confirm the role of DRP1 in EPC-mediated angiogenesis, we analyzed cell bioactivities using Mdivi-1, a selective DRP1 inhibitor, and DRP1 siRNA. DRP1 silencing or Mdivi-1 treatment dramatically reduced cell migration, invasion, and tube formation in EPCs, but the expression of EPC surface markers was unchanged. In conclusion, we uncovered a novel role of mitochondrial fission in hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. Therefore, we suggest that specific modulation of DRP1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics may be a potential therapeutic strategy in EPC-mediated tumor angiogenesis.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.431-438
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• 2007

해조류는 다양한 생리 활성을 나타내는 성분들을 함유하고 있어 항산화효과 등 다양한 생리활성 효과를 나타내는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 식용 가능한 28종의 해조류 메탄올추출물 중 보라우무 메탄올추출물이 인간의 대장에서 유래한 암세포인 HT-29세포의 세포증식을 억제함을 밝혔고, 가장 강한 HT-29 세포 증식 억제 효과를 나타낸 보라우무 메탄올추출물의 대장암세포 증식억제 기전을 밝히고자 하였다. 보라우무 메탄올추출물을 HT-29 세포 배양액에 여러 농도$(0{\sim}20{\mu}g/mL)$로 첨가하여 세포를 배양한 경우 보라우무 메탄올추출물 처리 농도가 증가할수록 세포증식이 현저히 감소하였고, apoptotic cell수는 현저히 증가하였다. Apoptosis의 주요한 조절인자인 Bcl-2 family 단백질 중 Bcl-2는 보라우무 메탄올추출물에 의해 변화가 없었고 Bax는 고농도에서만 소폭 감소하였다. 반면, t-Bid 단백질 수준은 보라우무 메탄올추출물의 처리에 의해 현저하게 증가하였다 Bcl-2 family Protein과 더불어 apoptosis의 조절에 주요한 역할을 하는 caspase 단백질의 경우 보라우무메탄올추출물 처리에 의해 cleaved caspase-8, -9, -7, -3 단백질 수준이 현저히 증가하였고, cleaved PARP 단백질수준도 현저히 증가하였다. 또한, caspase-8의 활성화를 유도하는 Fas 단백질 수준도 보라우무 메탄올추출물에 의해 현저하게 증가하였다. 이 결과로부터 보라우무 메탄올추출물은 caspase-8의 활성 증가에 의한 미토콘드리아 막 투과성 변화와 caspase-7/-3 활성의 증가를 통해 apoptosis를 유도함으로써 암세포의 증식을 억제한다는 결론을 내릴 수 있다. 본 연구는 보라우무를 항암효과를 지니는 기능성식품이나 항암제로 개발할 수 있는 가능성을 제시하고 있으며 향후 보라우무를 이용한 제품의 개발을 위해서는 유효성분의 동정 및 그 성분의 작용 기전에 대한 면밀한 추가 연구가 필요할 것으로 보인다.