• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.403-412
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• 2020

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of CTZ in rats with DN and in high glucose-treated mesangial cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 5 mg/kg/day of CTZ after developing STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopy revealed that CTZ reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane and improved mitochondrial morphology in mesangial cells of diabetic kidney. CTZ treatment reduced excessive kidney mitochondrial DNA copy numbers induced by hyperglycemia and interacted with the intrinsic pathway for regulating cell apoptosis as an antiapoptotic mechanism. In high-glucose-treated mesangial cells, CTZ reduced ROS production, altered the apoptotic status, and down-regulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Base on the results of our previous and current studies, CTZ deceleration of hyperglycemia-induced DN is attributable to ROS reduction and thereby maintenance of the mitochondrial function and reduction in TGF-β and NF-κB levels.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.88-94
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women. The patients with advanced breast cancer develop metastasis to bone. Bone metastasis and skeletal-related events by breast cancer are frequently associated with the invasiveness of breast cancer cells and osteoclasts-mediated bone resorption. Forsythia koreana is used in oriental traditional medicine to treat asthma, atopy, and allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of F. koreana extracts on the invasion of breast cancer cells and bone resorption by osteoclasts. Methods: Cell viability was measured by an MTT assay and the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by a Boyden chamber assay. The formation of osteoclasts and pit was detected using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and calcium phosphate-coated plates, respectively. The activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cathepsin K were evaluated by gelatin zymography and a cathepsin K detection kit. Results: The fruit and leaf extracts of F. koreana significantly inhibited the invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells at noncytotoxic concentrations. The fruit extract of F. koreana reduced the transforming growth factor ${\beta}1-induced$ migration, invasion and MMPs activities of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the fruit, branch, and leaf extracts of F. koreana also inhibited the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced osteoclast formation and osteoclast-mediated bone-resorbing activity by reducing the activities of MMPs and cathepsin K. Conclusions: The extracts of F. koreana may possess the potential to inhibit the breast cancer-induced bone destruction through blocking invasion of breast cancer cells, osteoclastogenesis, and the activity of mature osteoclasts.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.115-120
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• 2022

Background In addition to vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are subject to continuous shear stress because of blood circulation. The angiogenic properties of VSMCs in extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may exceed those of normal blood vessels if the body responds more sensitively to mechanical stimuli. This study was performed to investigate the hypothesis that rapid angiogenesis may be achieved by mechanical shear stress. Methods VSMCs were obtained from six patients who had AVMs and six normal controls. The target genes were set to angiopoietin-2 (AGP2), aquaporin-1 (AQP1), and transforming growth factor-beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1). Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR were implemented to identify the expression levels for target genes. Immunofluorescence was also conducted. Results Under the shear stress condition, mean relative quantity values of AGP2, AQP1, and TGFBR1 in AVM tissues were 1.927±0.528, 1.291±0.031, and 2.284±1.461 when compared with neutral conditions. The expression levels of all three genes in AVMs were higher than those in normal tissue except for AQP1 under shear stress conditions. Immunofluorescence also revealed increased staining of shear stress-induced genes in the normal tissue and in AVM tissue. Conclusions Shear stress made the VSMCs of AVMs more sensitive. Although the pathogenesis of AVMs remains unclear, our study showed that biomechanical stimulation imposed by shear stress may aggravate angiogenesis in AVMs.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.19-28
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• 2024

Objectives : Ephedrae Herba has been used in the East Asian traditional medicine, for treatment of asthma, cold and influenza. Silymarin is an effective antioxidant and its anti-fibrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties have been reported. This study was performed to explore an anti-fibrogenic potential of Ephedrae Herba extract (EHE) + silymarin on immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2 cells. Methods : We studied the anti-fibrogenic effects of EHE + silymarin on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling pathway in LX-2 cells. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. TGF-β1 signaling-related proteins expression were detected by Western blot. Results : Silymarin 30 ㎍/mL and EHE 100 ㎍/mL showed cytotoxicity on LX-2 cells. Therefore, the concentrations of silymarin and EHE were studied at 10 ㎍/mL, respectively. Silymarin significantly reduced PAI-1 protein expression, Smad binding element (SBE) luciferase activity, and mRNA (PAI-1, MMP2 and 9) expression compared to TGF-β1. EHE significantly reduced SBE luciferase activity and mRNA (PAI-1, MMP2 and 9) expression compared to TGF-β1. More importantly, EHE + silymarin significantly reduced all parameters compared to TGF-β1, and also significantly reduced compared to EHE alone and silymarin alone. Conclusion : The results indicate that EHE + silymarin has anti-fibrogenic effect in LX-2 cells induced by TGF-β1. Additionally, EHE + silymarin shows more effective anti-fibrogenic effect than EHE alone and silymarin alone.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.314-320
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• 2000

목적 :폐암으로 확진되어 근치적 방사선 치료를 받은 환자에서 방사선페렴이 발생할 수 있는 위험군을 사전에 예측해 보고자 혈장내 TGF-$\beta$1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6의 농도를 측정하여 페렴 발생과의 상관관계를 분석하고자 하였다. 재료 및 방법 : 1998년 5월부터 1999년 7월까지 폐암으로 확진되어 근치적 방사선 치료를 받은 17명의 환자(비소세포암 11명, 소세포암 6명)을 대상으로 하였다. 방사선 치료는 주 5회 매일 1.8 Gy씩 실시하였고 비소세포암과 소세포암에서 각각 평균 60 Gy와 져 Gy를 조사하였다. 모든 환자에서 방사선치료 전, 방사선치료 중 주 1회, 치료 후 추적관찰로 내원시마다 혈액을 채취하여 혈장 TGF-$\beta$1, TNF-$\alpha$ 및 IL-6의 양을 ELISA법으로 측정하였다. 모든 환자에서 단순흉부촬영(치료중 주1회, 치료 후 추적관찰 시마다 촬영) 및 방사선 폐렴과 연관된 증세를 관찰하여 방사선 페렴의 징후가 발견되면 즉시 고해상도 컴퓨터 단층 촬영(HRCT)를 촬영하여 방사선 폐렴 발생여부를 확진하고자 하였다. 결과: 17명의 환자 중 13명에서 방사선 폐렴과 연관된 증세가 발현되었고 단순 흉부 촬영과 고해상도 컴퓨터 단층 찰영에서 이를 확인할 수 있었다. 방사선 폐렴이 발생한 환자에서 측정한 TGF-$\beta$1의 경우 특징적인 수치 변화를 보여 치료 전 평균값은 38.45 ng/ml로 방사선 페렴이 발생하지 않은 군에 비해 상승되어 나타났고(0.7T ng/ml) 방사선치료 중 13.66 ng/ml의 평균값을 보인 후 다시 점진적으로 상승하여 치료 2$\~$4주 후까지 평균 60.63 ng/ml로 상승되어 유지되었고 이 수치는 폐렴이 발생하지 않은 군과 비교할 때(12.77 ng/ml) 통계적으로 의미가 있었다(p<0.05). TNF-$\alpha$와 IL-6의 수치도 방사선 폐렴군에서 더 높게 측정되었으나 수치변화의 양상은 특징적이지 못하였으며 통계학적 의미도 찾을 수 없었다. 결론: 방사선 치료를 받은 폐암환자에서 치료 전과 치료 기간 중 및 치료 후 측정한 혈장 TGF-$\beta$1,의 수치는 향후 방사선 페렴이 발생할 위험군을 예측할 수 있는 지표로 사용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.37.1-37.11
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• 2023

Forkhead box P3-positive (Foxp3⁺)-inducible Tregs (iTregs) are readily generated by TGF-β1 at low TCR signaling intensity. TGF-β1-mediated Foxp3 expression is further enhanced by retinoic acid (RA) and lactoferrin (LF). However, the intensity of TCR signaling required for induction of Foxp3 expression by TGF-β1 in combination with RA and LF is unknown. Here, we found that either RA or LF alone decreased TGF-β1-mediated Foxp3 expression at low TCR signaling intensity. In contrast, at high TCR signaling intensity, the addition of either RA or LF strongly increased TGF-β1-mediated Foxp3 expression. Moreover, decreased CD28 stimulation was more favorable for TGF-β1/LF-mediated Foxp3 expression. Lastly, we found that at high signaling intensities of both TCR and CD28, combined treatment with TGF-β1, RA, and LF induced robust expression of Foxp3, in parallel with powerful suppressive activity against responder T cell proliferation. Our findings that TGFβ/RA/LF strongly generate high affinity Ag-specific iTreg population would be useful for the control of unwanted hypersensitive immune reactions such as various autoimmune diseases.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.141-153
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• 2024

Objective : Ephedrae Herba (Ephedra) has been frequently used in the East Asian traditional medicine including Korea, China and Japan in the clinical treatment of asthma, cold and influenza etc. This study was performed to explore an anti-fibrogenic potential of Ephedra Herba water extract (EHE) using immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2 cells. Methods : We examined the anti-fibrogenic effects of EHE on canonical pathway of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling in LX-2 cells. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Proteins expression were detected by Western blot. Results : Treatment of EHE 30 ㎍/ml did not show any cytotoxicity on LX-2 cells. Pre-treatment of EHE (30 ㎍/mL) significantly inhibited α-smooth muscle actin expression induced by TGF-β1. Additionally, EHE significantly decreased Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylations, Smad binding element-driven luciferase activity and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 expression by TGF-β1. Furthermore, increases of matrix metalloproteinases 2 genes by TGF-β1 was also attenuated by EHE treatment. Conclusion : These results suggest that EHE has an ability to suppress fibrogenic process in activated HSC via inhibition of TGF-β1-TGFBR mediated canonical (Smad dependent) pathway.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

본 연구에서는 고혈당으로 인해 유발되는 당뇨병성 신장병증의 대표적인 증상인 사구체 경화증을 완화시키는 nobiletin의 효능에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 신장 세포인 HRMC를 이용하여 고혈당에서의 세포외 기질 축적 단백질의 발현과 경화에 관여하는 신호 전달 억제 효능을 확인한 결과 nobiletin은 고혈당의 자극에 의해 증가하는 섬유화 단백질인 collagen IV, fibronectin 그리고 CTGF의 발현을 억제하였으며, 여기에 관여하는 TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 신호 전달 경로를 통해 사구체 경화증을 억제하는 것을 확인하였다. 따라서 nobiletin은 고혈당으로 유도된 당뇨병성 신장병증에 있어 사구체 경화증을 예방하는 기능성 성분으로서의 활용 가능성을 확인하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.432-441
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• 2024

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.177-184
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• 2020

연구목적 산후우울증은 일반적으로 산모의 10~15%에서 발병하는 질환으로 그 원인으로는 정신사회적인 요인과 산과적인 요인이 모두 관계 있다고 알려져 있다. 감염, 손상, 악성종양, 자가면역질환, 스트레스에 의해 면역체계가 자극되면 proinflammatory cytokine과 anti-inflammatory cytokine이 생성되고 분비된다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 산후우울증이 있는 경우 산후우울증이 없는 군에 비해 혈중 Transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), β-Nerve growth factor (β-NGF), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)의 농도가 상승되어 있을 것이라 가정하고, 임산부에서의 우울증의 경과에 따라 cytokine의 농도의 변화를 알아보고자 한다. 방 법 본 연구는 총 104 명의 임산부와 60명의 임신을 하지 않은 정상 대조군을 대상으로 하였다. 우울 증상은 임신 24주, 출산 1주, 출산 6주에 에딘버러 산후 우울 척도(EPDS)를 사용하여 평가하였다. EPDS의 총 점수가 10 이상인 경우, 우울증상이 있는 것으로 판단하였으며 EPDS 점수 변화에 따라 임산부 정상대조군, 출산 후 우울-회복군, 출산 후 우울군 세 그룹으로 나누었다. 결 과 임신군과 비임신 정상대조군을 비교하였을 때 TGF-β1, IGF-1의 혈장 농도는 임신군에서 비임신 정상대조군보다 더 높았다(TGF-β1 ; p<0.01, IGF-1 ; p=0.026). 그러나 β-NGF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α는 비임신 여성대조군에 비해 임산부 정상대조군에서 그 농도가 낮게 측정되었다(β-NGF ; p=0.001, IL-2 ; p<0.01, IL-4 ; p<0.01, IL-6 ; p<0.01, IFN-γ ; p<0.01, TNF-α ; p<0.01) 임신 24주에 TGF-β1, IGF-1, β-NGF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α의 농도를 살펴보면 임산부 정상대조군, 출산 후 우울-회복군, 출산 후 우울군 세 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었으며 출산 6주에도 역시 유의한 차이가 관찰되지 않았다. 또한 임신 24주, 출산 6주에 시간에 따른 농도 차이를 비교해 보았을 때 세 군에서 모두 그 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다. 결 론 본 연구는 비임신 정상대조군과 임신군간의 혈장 cytokine 농도에서 유의한 차이를 발견했으나 산후우울증군과 정상 임신대조군간의 혈장 cytokine 농도는 유의한 차이를 밝혀내지는 못했다.