• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.175-183
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• 2021

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway controls intestinal epithelial barrier permeability by regulating tight junctions (TJs) and epithelial cells damage. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and carbon monoxide (CO) protect the intestinal epithelial barrier function, but the molecular mechanism is not yet clarified. MAPK activation and barrier permeability were studied using monolayers of Caco-2 cells treated with tissue necrosis factor α (TNF-α) transfected with FUGW-HO-1 or pLKO.1-sh-HO-1 plasmid. Intestinal mucosal barrier permeability and MAPK activation were also investigated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration with CoPP (a HO-1 inducer), ZnPP (a HO-1 inhibitor), CO releasing molecule 2 (CORM-2), or inactived-CORM-2-treated wild-type mice and mice with HO-1 deficiency in intestinal epithelial cells. TNF-α increased epithelial TJ disruption and cleaved caspase-3 expression, induced ERK, p38, and JNK phosphorylation. In addition, HO-1 blocked TNF-α-induced increase in epithelial TJs disruption, cleaved caspase-3 expression, as well as ERK, p38, and JNK phosphorylation in an HO-1-dependent manner. CoPP and CORM-2 directly ameliorated intestinal mucosal injury, attenuated TJ disruption and cleaved caspase-3 expression, and inhibited epithelial ERK, p38, and JNK phosphorylation after chronic CCl4 injection. Conversely, ZnPP completely reversed these effects. Furthermore, mice with intestinal epithelial HO-1 deficient exhibited a robust increase in mucosal TJs disruption, cleaved caspase-3 expression, and MAPKs activation as compared to the control group mice. These data demonstrated that HO-1-dependent MAPK signaling inhibition preserves the intestinal mucosal barrier integrity by abrogating TJ dysregulation and epithelial cell damage. The differential targeting of gut HO-1-MAPK axis leads to improved intestinal disease therapy.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.157-165
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• 2001

정상 성인 고환의 버팀세포(Sertoli cell)는 비분열세포이며, 정세관(seminiferous tubule)단면에서 비교적 불분명하게 관찰되고, 정세관 세포 성분의 $10\sim15%$를 차지하고 있다. 전자현미경적으로 버팅 세포는 특징적인 핵소체와 원형질막 및 세포질 소기관을 갖고 있다. 원형질막은 사춘기에 발달한 두 종류 즉 버팅세포와 버팀세포 및 버팅세포와 생식세포 사이의 세포연접을 가지고 있다. 그러나 태이에서 버팅세포의 정확한 미세구조에 대한 기술은 드물다. 이에 본 저자는 태아 고환의 발생 제 14주부터 제27주 사이의 17예를 수집하여 정상 미세구조를 확인하고, 태아기 버팀세포의 분화 양상을 알아보고자 하였다. 태아기에서 버팀세포와 생식세포 및 버팀세포와 버팀세포 사이의 세포연접은 부착반점과 비슷한 구조로 이루어져 있었고, 이들은 관찰 대상인 태령 제14주부터 관찰되었다. 태아기 버팅세포의 세포소기관의 발달은 전반적으로 미약하였다. 비교적 풍부하게 사립체가 태령 제14주부터 관찰되었고, 무과립세포질세망이 소수, 그리고 과립세포질세망이 비교적 풍부하게 관찰되었다. 지방소포의 수는 비교적 일정하게 관찰되었고, 포도당입자는 발생 단계에 따라 점차 증가하는 소견을 보였다. 미세섬유와 Charcot-Bottcher의 결정소체는 본 연구대상에서는 관찰되지 않았다. 결론적으로, 태아기의 버팀세포에서는 어른에서 관찰되는 특징적인 소견들이 관찰되지 않았으며, 어른과는 다소 다른 전자현미경 소견을 나타냈다. 하지만 버팅세포의 분화양상을 정확히 알기 위해서는 태령 제27주 이후부터 사춘기까지의 연구가 추가되어야 할 것으로 생각한다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.265-275
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• 2006

In the developing brain, capillaries are differentiated and matured into the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is composed of cerebral endothelial cells, astrocyte end-feet, and pericytes. Since the BBB regulates the homeostasis of central nervous system (CNS), the maintenance of the BBB is important for CNS function. The disruption of the BBB may result in many brain disorders including brain tumors. However, the molecular mechanism of BBB formation and maintenance is poorly understood. Here, we summarize recent advances in the role of oxygen tension and growth factors on BBB development and maintenance, and in BBB dysfunction related with brain tumors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제22권12호
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• pp.1629-1635
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• 2012

Previously, we demonstrated that the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) is present on fibroblasts, where it regulates focal contact. Here, we assessed whether this action of EpoR is involved in the reduced cell adhesion observed in colonocytes exposed to Clostridium difficile toxin A. EpoR was present and functionally active in cells of the human colonic epithelial cell line HT29 and epithelial cells of human colon tissues. Toxin A significantly decreased activating phosphorylations of EpoR and its downstream signaling molecules JAK-2 (Janus kinase 2) and STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5). In vitro kinase assays confirmed that toxin A inhibited JAK 2 kinase activity. Pharmacological inhibition of JAK2 (with AG490) abrogated activating phosphorylations of EpoR and also decreased focal contacts in association with inactivation of paxillin, an essential focal adhesion molecule. In addition, AG490 treatment significantly decreased expression of occludin (a tight junction molecule) and tight junction levels. Taken together, these data suggest that inhibition of JAK2 by toxin A in colonocytes causes inactivation of EpoR, thereby enhancing the inhibition of focal contact formation and loss of tight junctions known to be associated with the enzymatic activity of toxin A.

• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.106-116
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• 2020

Background/Aims Emerging evidence shows that the mechanism of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with neurotrophic factors and tight junction proteins (TJPs). It is known that there are sex differences in the pathophysiology of IBS. The aim of the present study is to determine expression levels of neurotrophic factors, TJPs, and cytokines according to IBS subtype and sex. Methods From 59 IBS (33 IBS-constipation, 21 IBS-diarrhea, and 5 IBS-mixed) and 36 control patients, colonic mucosa mRNA expression levels of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and various TJPs were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot was performed to determine levels of zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1). Serum levels of cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results TRPV1, GDNF, and NGF mRNA levels were significantly increased in those with IBS-constipation compared to those in controls (all P < 0.05). However, they showed no significant difference between those with IBS-diarrhea and controls. Expression level of TRPV1 correlated with that of GDNF (r = 0.741, P < 0.001) and NGF (r = 0.935, P < 0.001). ZO-1 RNA expression levels were lower (P = 0.021) in female IBS-diarrhea than those in controls, although they showed no significant differences between male IBS-diarrhea and controls. Serum IL-1β levels in female IBS were significantly higher than those of male IBS, especially in IBS-constipation (P < 0.001). Conclusion Our results suggest that neurotrophic factors and IL-1β are closely related to IBS-constipation and that decrease of ZO-1 is an important factor in female with IBS-diarrhea.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.65-76
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the inhibitory effects of Hwangheuk-san (HHS), a Korean multi-herb formula comprising four medicinal herbs, on cell migration and invasion, two critical cellular processes that are often deregulated during metastasis, using the human bladder cancer 5637 cell line.Methods: Cell viability, motility, and invasion were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2,5-diphnyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), wound healing migration, and Transwell assays, respectively. Gene expression was detected by Western blot analysis. In addition, the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the values for transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were analyzed using a Gelatinase Activity Assay Kit and an Epithelial Tissue Voltohmmeter, respectively.Results: Our data indicated that within the concentration range that was not cytotoxic, HHS effectively inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of 5637 cells. HHS markedly decreased the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which was associated with unregulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. Further investigation revealed that phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT was decreased in HHS-treated 5637 cells, and a PI3K/AKT inhibitor synergistically reduced the inhibition of migration and invasion and also inactivated MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, HHS increased the tightening of tight junctions (TJs), which was demonstrated by an increase in the TER, and reduced the expression the levels of claudin family members (claudin-3 and -4), which are major components involved in the tightening of TJs.Conclusions: The present findings demonstrated that HHS attenuated the migration and invasion of bladder cancer 5637 cells by modulating the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and also through TJ tightening.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.83-94
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• 1999

미세혈관 수술의 발달로 수지동맥의 재접합술이 성행함에 따라 혈관벽의 구조에 관한 연구들이 활발하지만 수지의 미세동맥과 모세혈관에 관한 연구는 드물다. 이에 저자는 흰쥐 수지의 충양근 안에 있는 미세동맥과 모세혈관의 구조를 전자현미경으로 관찰하여 보고하고자 한다. 1. 흰쥐 충양근 내의 미세동맥 (small arterioles)은 그 직경이 $12\sim20{\mu}m$로 중막이 한 층의 평활근세포로 구성된 종말소동맥 (terminal arteriole) 형태였는데 인체의 종말소동맥$(30\sim35{\mu}m)$에 비해 직경이 작았으며, 모세혈관은 직경이 $5\sim8{\mu}m$로 비슷하였다. 2. 모든 미세동맥 및 모세혈관의 내막을 구성하는 내피세포는 연속형 (continuous type)이었고, 따라서 전체 세포질내에 포음소포(pinocytic vesicles)가 많이 관찰되었다. 3. 모세혈관 주위에서 자주 혈관주위세포(pericytes)가 관찰되었는데 철관주위세포의 긴 들기가 내피세포의 일부를 싸는 경우도 많았으며 이들은 기저판에 의해 둘러싸여 있었다. 4. 내피세포들 사이에는 여러 가지 형태의 접촉이 있었으나 특히 폐쇄띠 (tight junction)를 가장 많이 관찰할 수 있었다. 미세동맥의 내피하층은 기저판 아래에서 매우 불규칙한 양상으로 나타났는데 곳곳에 내피세포와 중막을 구성하는 평활근세포의 막이 꽉 붙어 관찰되었다. 5. 미세동맥의 중막을 구성하는 한 층의 평활근세포의 세포질은 많은 filaments가 있어 균질성으로 보이는 균질성 영역 (homogeneous area)과 mitochondria, 조면내형질망, 골지복합체, polyribosome 등이 관찰되는 핵 주위의 비균질성 영역 (non-homogeneous area)으로 구분되었다. 6. 미세동맥의 외막은 섬유모세포의 아주 가느다란 돌기들로 형성되어 있었으며 군데군데 교원섬유들이 관찰되었다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권10호
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• pp.1579-1589
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the roles of LIM kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) during porcine early embryo development. We checked the mRNA expression patterns and localization of LIMK1/2 to evaluate their characterization. We further explored the function of LIMK1/2 in developmental competence and their relationship between actin assembly and cell junction integrity, specifically during the first cleavage and compaction. Methods: Pig ovaries were transferred from a local slaughterhouse within 1 h and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected. COCs were matured in in vitro maturation medium in a CO2 incubator. Metaphase II oocytes were activated using an Electro Cell Manipulator 2001 and microinjected to insert LIMK1/2 dsRNA into the cytoplasm. To confirm the roles of LIMK1/2 during compaction and subsequent blastocyst formation, we employed a LIMK inhibitor (LIMKi3). Results: LIMK1/2 was localized in cytoplasm in embryos and co-localized with actin in cell-to-cell boundaries after the morula stage. LIMK1/2 knockdown using LIMK1/2 dsRNA significantly decreased the cleavage rate, compared to the control group. Protein levels of E-cadherin and β-catenin, present in adherens junctions, were reduced at the cell-to-cell boundaries in the LIMK1/2 knockdown embryos. Embryos treated with LIMKi3 at the morula stage failed to undergo compaction and could not develop into blastocysts. Actin intensity at the cortical region was considerably reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. LIMKi3-induced decrease in cortical actin levels was attributed to the disruption of adherens junction and tight junction assembly. Phosphorylation of cofilin was also reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. Conclusion: The above results suggest that LIMK1/2 is crucial for cleavage and compaction through regulation of actin organization and cell junction assembly.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 1999

In order to study the implantation mechanism various methods for culture of endometrial cells in vitro have been attempted. However, a disadvantage is that primary cultures of stromal and epithelial cells do not have the ability to differentiate, and therefore cannot be reproduced in the same manner as in vivo endometrium. The object of this study is to establish a three dimensional culture of endometrial cells which are both morphologically and functionally identical to in vivo endometrium. Endometrial tissues obtained after hysterectomies were cut into thin slices and treated with collagenase and trypsin-EDTA. The stromal cells and the epithelial cells were separated by centrifugation and cultured for 24 hours in DMEM media containing 10% FCS, 100 nM progesterone, and 1 nM estradiol. The cultured stromal cells were mixed with collagen gel and solidified, after which it was covered with matrigel. Epithelial cells were inoculated on the top and then cultured for 3 days. The three dimensionally cultured endometrial cells were stained for integrin ${\alpha}1,\;{\alpha}4,\;{\beta}3$, and cyclooxygenase-l, -2 by immunohistochemistry, which all showed strong expression. The cultured epithelial cells showed the formation of microvilli, tight junctions and pinopodes by electron microscopy. Studies are currently under way utilizing this three dimensional culture model to ascertain the interaction between the embryo and human endometrial cells at the time of implantation, and it is thought that further studies into a new culture environment which would allow longer periods of culture will be necessary.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.246-251
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• 2003

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of the brain capillaries, which are lined by endothelial cells displaying extremely tight intercellular junctions. Several attempts at creating an in vitro model of the BBB have been met with moderate success as brain capillary endothelial cells lose their barrier properties when isolated in cell culture. This may be due to a lack of recreation of the in vivo endothelial cellular environment in these models, including nearly constant contact with astrocyte foot processes. This work is motivated by the hypothesis that growing endothelial cells on one side of an ultra-thin, highly porous membrane and differentiating astrocyte or astrogliomal cells on the opposite side will lead to a higher degree of interaction between the two cell types and therefore to an improved model. Here we describe our initial efforts towards testing this hypothesis including a procedure for membrane fabrication and methods for culturing endothelial cells on these membranes. We have fabricated a 1 $\mu\textrm{m}$ thick, 2.0 $\mu\textrm{m}$ pore size, and 55% porous membrane with a very narrow pore size distribution from low-stress silicon nitride (SiN) utilizing techniques from the microelectronics industry. We have developed a base, acid, autoclave routine that prepares the membranes for cell culture both by cleaning residual fabrication chemicals from the surface and by increasing the hydrophilicity of the membranes (confirmed by contact angle measurements). Gelatin, fibronectin, and a 50/50 mixture of the two proteins were evaluated as potential basement membrane protein treatments prior to membrane cell seeding. All three treatments support adequate attachment and growth on the membranes compared to the control.