• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권16호
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• pp.6813-6823
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• 2015

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most aggressive of human brain tumors and has a stunning progression with a mean survival of one year from the date of diagnosis. High cell proliferation, angiogenesis and/or necrosis are histopathological features of this cancer, which has no efficient curative therapy. This aggressiveness is associated with particular heterogeneity of the tumor featuring multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations, but also with implications of aberrant signaling driven by growth factors. The transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ ($TGF{\beta}$) superfamily is a large group of structurally related proteins including $TGF{\beta}$ subfamily members Nodal, Activin, Lefty, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and growth and differentiation factor (GDF). It is involved in important biological functions including morphogenesis, embryonic development, adult stem cell differentiation, immune regulation, wound healing and inflammation. This superfamily is also considered to impact on cancer biology including that of GBM, with various effects depending on the member. The $TGF{\beta}$ subfamily, in particular, is overexpressed in some GBM types which exhibit aggressive phenotypes. This subfamily impairs anti-cancer immune responses in several ways, including immune cells inhibition and major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and II abolishment. It promotes GBM angiogenesis by inducing angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-I) and insulinlike growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), contributes to GBM progression by inducing metalloproteinases (MMPs), "pro-neoplastic" integrins (${\alpha}v{\beta}3$, ${\alpha}5{\beta}1$) and GBM initiating cells (GICs) as well as inducing a GBM mesenchymal phenotype. Equally, Nodal promotes GICs, induces cancer metabolic switch and supports GBM cell proliferation, but is negatively regulated by Lefty. Activin promotes GBM cell proliferation while GDF yields immune-escape function. On the other hand, BMPs target GICS and induce differentiation and sensitivity to chemotherapy. This multifaceted involvement of this superfamily in GBM necessitates different strategies in anti-cancer therapy. While suppressing the $TGF{\beta}$ subfamily yields advantageous results, enhancing BMPs production is also beneficial.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.194-201
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• 2017

Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains high concentrations of growth factors involved in wound healing. Hydrogel is a 3-dimensional, hydrophilic, high-molecular, reticular substance generally used as a dressing formulation to accelerate wound healing, and also used as a bio-applicable scaffold or vehicle. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PRP and hydrogel on wound healing, in combination and separately, in an animal wound model. Methods A total of 64 wounds, with 2 wounds on the back of each nude mouse, were classified into 4 groups: a control group, a hydrogel-only group, a PRP-only group, and a combined-treatment group. All mice were assessed for changes in wound size and photographed on scheduled dates. The number of blood vessels was measured in all specimens. Immunohistochemical staining was used for the analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Results Differences in the decrease and change in wound size in the combined-treatment group were more significant than those in the single-treatment groups on days 3, 5, 7, and 10. Analysis of the number of blood vessels through histological examination showed a pattern of increase over time that occurred in all groups, but the combined-treatment group exhibited the greatest increase on days 7 and 14. Immunohistochemical staining showed that VEGF expression in the combined-treatment group exhibited its highest value on day 7. Conclusions This experiment demonstrated improved wound healing using a PRP-hydrogel combined treatment compared to either treatment individually, resulting in a decrease in wound size and a shortening of the healing period.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.13-22
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• 2007

Objectives : The differentiation of osteoblasts is controlled by various growth factors and matrix protein expressed in bone. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of many herbs medicine(KHBJs) for bone healing that induces osteogenic activity in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Methods : The osteogenic effects of KHBJs were evaluated by using cell proliferation(WST-8) assay, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity assay, colorimetric analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) expression in human osteoblast like SaOS-2 cell. Also, osteogenic activity of KHBJ fractions(KHBJB and KHBJR) by activity guided fractionation were evaluated. Results : About 7 KHBJs had effect on the proliferation of osteoblast like SaOS-2 cells, and dose-dependently increased alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity. KHBJs markedly increased expression for VEGF. Fractionated KHBJs(KHBJB or KHBJR) not enhanced more than KHBJs on osteogenic activity in SaOS-2 cells. Conclusions: This study found that 7 KHBJs had effect on proliferation, ALP activity, and VEGF expression in osteoblast like SaOS-2 cells. These results propose that KHBJs can play an important role in osteoblastic bone formation, and may possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drugs.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.10-16
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• 2001

Purpose: The p53 protein is a tumor supressor gene, and its mutation is associated with biologic aggressiveness. CD44v6, one of the CD44 family, is a cell surface glycoprotein that plays a role in cancer invasion and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is another recently identified growth factor with significant angiogenic properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate p53, CD44v6, and VEGF expressions to determine whether degree of expression was related to pathological parameters such as Lauren's classification, depth of invasion, and lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical stains of p53, CD44v6, and VEGF in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 125 gastric adenocarcinomas were done. Results: The overall expression rates of p53, CD44v6, and VEGF were $54.4\%$ (68/125), $36.8\%$ (46/125), and $48.0\%$ (60/125), respectively. The p53, not CD44v6 and VEGF was higher in intestinal-type gastric carcinomas by Lauren's classification. The expressions of p53, CD44v6, and VEGF were statistically correlated with depth of tumor invasion. The expression of CD44v6 was higher in the lymph node metastatic group than in the negative group. The p53 expression was significantly associated with VEGF expression. Conclusions: These data suggest that the expressions of p53, CD44v6, and VEGF are biologically related to malignancy. The p53 and CD44v6 expressions are independent; however, p53 gene mutation is one of the contributing factors to VEGF expression in gastric adenocarcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.4415-4420
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• 2016

We aimed to investigate any association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the view of cytokines that control inflammation/angiogenesis and their correlation with certain CD markers. NHL patients with or without HCV infection were studied. CD5, CD30, CD3, CD20 and CD45 were immunohistochemically evaluated. Plasma levels of vascular endothelial and platelet derived growth factors (VEGF, and PDGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$), transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-4, IL-12 and interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HCV+ve NHL patients showed a significant reduction in VEGF, PDGF, IFN-${\gamma}$, CD5 and CD45 and a significant increase in IL-12 and IL-8. In conclusion, there was a significant change in cytokine secretion and expression of CD markers in HCV+ve NHL patients. Based on our results, HCV infection in NHL patients requires more in-depth investigations to explore any role in lymphoma progression.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.235-243
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate a natural material extracted from germinated brown rice (GBR). Herein, we evaluated whether the natural material could positively activate the biological effects seen during bone formation, including enhancement of metabolic activity, osteogenesis, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the growth factors in human osteoblast-like cells. Methods: The natural material was created by a hot water extraction process after being soaked for 2~3 days in tap water and dried at $50^{\circ}C$. The material was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The biological behaviors of the material were also investigated; we performed tests to assess cell cytotoxicity, metabolic activity, osteogenic markers related to bone formation, and VEGF. Results: The EDX, XRD, and FTIR results for the natural material indicated the presence of organic compounds. The natural material caused positive increases in cell metabolic activity and mineralized bone formation without cytotoxicity. The protein levels in the extract for the $6.25{\mu}g/mL$, $12.25{\mu}g/mL$, $25{\mu}g/mL$, $50{\mu}g/mL$, and $100{\mu}g/mL$ groups were significantly different from that for the control. Conclusions: The GBR-based natural material was easy to prepare and had characteristics of a potential biomaterial. The biocompatibility of this natural material was evaluated using in vitro techniques; our findings indicate that this novel material is promising for agricultural and biological applications.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.181-190
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• 2005

Background & Object : The differentiation of osteoblasts controlled by various growth factors and matrix proteins expression in bone. The aim of this study was to identify the Astragalus membranaceus that may induce the osteogenic activity in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Methods : The osteogenic activity of Astragalus membranaceus were evaluated by WST-8 assay, ALP activity, RT-PCR analysis of VEGF, OCN, OPN, Col I mRNA, and ELISA or colorimetric analysis, and mineralization by Alizarin red staining in SaOS-2 cells. Results : Astragalus membranaceus had no effect on viability of osteoblastic cells, and dose dependently increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Astragalus membranaceus markedly increased mRNA expression for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and type I collagen (Col 1) in SaOS-2 cells. Extracellular accumulation of proteins such as VEGF, and Col I was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Also, Astragalus membranaceus significantly induced mineralization in the culture of SaOS-2 cells. Conclusion : This study showed that Astragalus membranaceus not affect on viability, but it enhanced ALP activity, VEGF, bone matrix proteins such as OCN, OPN and Col I, and mineralization in SaOS-2 cells. These results propose that Astragalus membranaceus plays an important role in osteoblastic bone formation, and possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drug.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.117-125
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• 2019

Malarial infection induces tissue hypoxia in the host through destruction of red blood cells. Tissue hypoxia in malarial infection may increase the activity of $HIF1{\alpha}$ through an intracellular oxygen-sensing pathway. Activation of $HIF1{\alpha}$ may also induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to trigger angiogenesis. To investigate whether malarial infection actually generates hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we analyzed severity of hypoxia, the expression of hypoxia-related angiogenic factors, and numbers of blood vessels in various tissues infected with Plasmodium berghei. Infection in mice was performed by intraperitoneal injection of $2{\times}10^6$ parasitized red blood cells. After infection, we studied parasitemia and survival. We analyzed hypoxia, numbers of blood vessels, and expression of hypoxia-related angiogenic factors including VEGF and $HIF1{\alpha}$. We used Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to analyze various tissues from Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. In malaria-infected mice, parasitemia was increased over the duration of infection and directly associated with mortality rate. Expression of VEGF and $HIF1{\alpha}$ increased with the parasitemia in various tissues. Additionally, numbers of blood vessels significantly increased in each tissue type of the malaria-infected group compared to the uninfected control group. These results suggest that malarial infection in mice activates hypoxiainduced angiogenesis by stimulation of $HIF1{\alpha}$ and VEGF in various tissues.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.129-139
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• 2016

운동은 중추와 말초의 각종 성장인자(BDNF, IGF-1, VEGF)들의 상호작용에 의해 뇌신경가소성을 증진시키고 인지기능을 향상시킨다. 지금까지 저·중강도 지속성 유산소 운동의 효과를 검증하는 선행연구가 주로 이루어졌기 때문에 고강도 운동에 따른 뇌신경성장인자의 발현 및 인지기능 개선 효과에 대한 연구는 미흡한 실정이다. 하지만 최근의 과학적 증거들은 고강도 인터벌 운동이 시간 효율성, 안전성, 심폐지구력 개선 및 체중 감소에 효과적임을 암시하고 있으며, 미스포츠의학회(ACSM)에서 권장하는 일반인을 위한 운동지침에서도 무리가 되지 않는 수준에서 고강도 인터벌 운동 수행을 강조하고 있다. 특히 최근에 발표된 선행 연구에서 고강도 인터벌 운동은 말초조직과 뇌에서의 BDNF, IGF-1, VEGF의 발현을 증가시키고 그로 인한 인지기능 발달에 기여한다는 것을 보고하였으며, 관련된 유력한 생리학적 기전으로 고강도 인터벌 운동으로 인한 뇌의 저산소화와 뇌신경대사의 부가적인 에너지원이 될 수 있는 젖산 이용성 증가가 대두되고 있다. 따라서 향후 저산소화 및 젖산 이용성 증가에 따른 뇌신경성장인자 발현 개선에 어떤 분자생물학적 기전이 관여하는지를 탐구할 필요가 있으며, 또한 동일한 운동량을 가진 저·중강도 지속성 유산소 운동과의 비교 연구를 통해 뇌신경성장인자의 발현 및 인지기능 개선에 있어 고강도 인터벌 운동의 우수성을 입증하는 연구가 요구된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제64권3호
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• pp.200-205
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• 2008

연구배경: 혈관신생은 종양의 성장과 유지 및 전이에 필수적이며 따라서 종양조직은 혈관신생을 위해 많은 종류의 혈관형성 촉진인자들을 생성하고 있다. VEGF와 bFGF는 혈관신생과 관련되는 물질로 본 연구에서는 폐암환자에서 조직 내 VEGF와 bFGF의 발현에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 조직학적으로 샘암종 또는 편평상피세포암종으로 진단받고 완치의 목적으로 수술을 시행 받은 35명의 폐암환자 조직에서 VEGF 및 bFGF의 농도를 ELISA 방법으로 측정하였으며 이에 대한 임상적 양상을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 결과: VEGF 및 bFGF의 농도는 종양조직이 대조조직보다 유의하게 높았으며 T2+T3의 종양조직이 T1의 종양 조직보다 유의하게 VEGF의 농도가 높았다. 림프절 전이가 있었던 경우가 없었던 경우보다 종양조직에서 VEGF의 농도가 증가한 경향을 보였다(p=0.06). 하지만 VEGF 및 bFGF의 농도는 환자의 병기 및 생존율에 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결론: VEGF 및 bFGF 모두 종양조직에서 증가하였으나 VEGF만이 종양크기, 림프절 전이 등의 임상양상과 연관성을 보여주었다. 하지만 각각의 VEGF 및 bFGF의 종양조직 내 농도는 예후와 관련되지는 않았다.