• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.41-59
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• 2006

Chronic liver diseases and hepatic cancer have been reported as 10% of cause of death in Koreans. Regardless of various causes, chronic liver disease accompanies commonly hepatic fibrosis. But still the mechanism of hepatic fibrosis remains poorly understood. Using the dimethylnitrosamine(DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis rat model, We performed to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of RIP(extracts of Phellodendron amurense and Patrinia scabiosaefolia) and to investigate the changes in referential connective tissue proteins($TGF-{\beta}_1$, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin, and vimentin) as a marker of fibrogenesis. For these purposes, liver tissues were stained with H & E, and Azan staining for estimation of developing fibrosis. In the DMN-treated rat liver tissue, fibrosis were developed forming incomplete septal fibrosis. Whereas, in the RIP-treated rat liver tissues, the fibrosis were decreased recovering to normal morphology. The expressions of $TGF-{\beta}_1$, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin($\alpha-SMA$), and vimetin were increased in the DMN-treated rat liver tissues, but decreased in the various areas of RIP-treated rat liver tissues. According to these results, RIP could be a possible therapeutic agent to reduce hepatic fibrosis, and the $TGF-{\beta}_1$, ${\alpha}$-SMA, and vimentin could be possible indicative markers of hepatic fibrosis development and recovery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.267-276
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• 2005

Background : The transforming growth $factor-{\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$) plays a key role in lung fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in $TGF-{\beta}1$-induced lung fibrosis are unclear. $TGF-{\beta}1$ is the key inducer of myofibroblast transdifferentiation via de novo synthesis of ${\alpha}-smooth$ muscle actin (${\alpha}-SMA$). Since $TGF-{\beta}1$ signals through reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS have been shown to induce accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in various tissues, this study examined if ROS play a role in $TGF-{\beta}1$-induced fibronectin secretion and ${\alpha}-SMA$ expression in human lung fibroblasts, MRC-5 cells. Methods : Growth arrested and synchronized MRC-5 cells were stimulated with $TGF-{\beta}1$ (0.2-10 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) for up to 96 hours. Dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-sensitive cellular ROS were measured by FACScan and secreted fibronectin and cellular ${\alpha}-SMA$ by Western blot analysis. Results : $TGF-{\beta}1$ increased the level of fibronectin secretion and ${\alpha}-SMA$ expression in MRC-5 cells in a dosedependent manner. Both NAC (20 and 30 mM) and DPI (1 and $5{\mu}M$) significantly inhibited $TGF-{\beta}1$-induced fibronectin and ${\alpha}-SMA$ upregulation. The $TGF-{\beta}1$-induced cellular ROS level was also significantly reduced by NAC and DPI. Conclusions : The results suggest that NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS play an important role in $TGF-{\beta}1$-induced fibronectin secretion and ${\alpha}-SMA$ expression in MRC-5 cells, which leads to myofibroblast transdifferentiation and progressive lung fibrosis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2007

There is increasing evidence that stromal reaction in cancer has an important diagnostic and prognostic significance. The aim of our study is to analyze the relation between the increase in mast cell number and the expression CD34 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) in the stroma of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We investigated a total of 29 CIN (1,2,3) and 21 SCC (microinvasive and invasive) specimens and compared the distribution of $CD34^+$ stromal cells, ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ $(TGF-{\beta}1)^+$ cells, and the density of mast cells using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against CD34, ${\alpha}$-SMA, TGF-${\beta}1$, and c-Kit (CD117) respectively. Computerized image analysis was to evaluate the positive area (%) and density of the respective immunoreactive cells. In CIN $CD34^+$ cells were abundant in the stroma but no ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells were identified except the wall of blood vessels. $CD34^+$ cells were progressively decreased along the continuum from CIN 2 to microinvasive SCC and not observed in the stroma of invasive SCC. Whereas ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells were only observed in the stroma of microinvasive and invasive SCC. We found more intense TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in the increased mast cells in the stroma of invasive SCCs than that in the stroma of CIN. These results indicate that disappearance of $CD34^+$ stromal cells and appearance of ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells are associated with the stromal change of CIN to SCC and the transformation of $CD34^+$ stromal cells into ${\alpha}-SMA^+$ cells is mediated by TGF-${\beta}1$ secretions in the stromal mast cell of SCC.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.137-142
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• 2013

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are highly useful for vascular regeneration of injured or inflamed tissue. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent activator of macrophages and stimulates macrophages to release inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we explored the role of LPS-activated macrophages in the differentiation of hMSCs to smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We demonstrated that conditioned medium from LPS-induced macrophages (LPS CM) stimulates differentiation of hMSCs to SMCs, as evidenced by increased expression of smooth muscle-specific markers, including alpha-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, and calponin. LPS induced the secretion of $PGF2{\alpha}$ from macrophages, and $PGF2{\alpha}$ treatment stimulated expression levels of SMC-specific markers in hMSCs. Furthermore, small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of the $PGF2{\alpha}$ receptor inhibited LPS CM-stimulated ${\alpha}$-SMA expression. These results suggest that LPS-activated macrophages promote differentiation of hMSCs to SMCs through a $PGF2{\alpha}$-dependent mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.807-814
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• 2016

Fucoidan, one of the dominant sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown seaweed, possesses a wide range of biological activities. Transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, by stimulating the synthesis of profibrotic factors. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of fucoidan on collagen synthesis, ${\alpha}-smooth$ muscle actin (${\alpha}-SMA$) expression, and interleukin (IL)-6 production in $TGF-{\beta}$-stimulated human pulmonary fibroblasts. The expression of type I collagen and ${\alpha}-SMA$ was detected by Western blot, and the production of IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. $TGF-{\beta}1$ treatment of pulmonary fibroblasts enhanced the expression of ${\alpha}-SMA$, type I collagen, and IL-6 whereas these effects were inhibited in cells pretreated with fucoidan. The activation of Smad2/3, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt was also inhibited in fucoidan-pretreated, $TGF-{\beta}1-stimulated$ human pulmonary fibroblasts. These data demonstrate the anti-fibrotic potential of fucoidan in $TGF-{\beta}-induced$ human pulmonary fibroblasts, via the inhibition of Smad2/3, p38 MAPKs, and Akt phosphorylation. Our results suggest the therapeutic potential of fucoidan in the prevention or treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2011

Migration and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells are crucial for tissue regeneration in response to injury. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that regulates a variety of biological processes, including proliferation, survival, differentiation and motility. In the present study, we determined the role of S1P in migration and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). S1P stimulated migration of BMSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and pre-incubation of the cells with pertussis toxin completely abrogated S1P-induced migration, suggesting involvement of Gi-coupled receptors in S1P-induced cell migration. S1P elicited elevation of intracellular concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) and pretreatment with VPC23019, an antagonist of $S1P_1/S1P_3$, blocked S1P-induced migration and increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous $S1P_1$ attenuated S1P-induced migration of BMSCs. Furthermore, S1P treatment induced expression of $\alpha$-smooth muscle actin ($\alpha$-SMA), a smooth muscle marker, and pretreatment with VPC23019 abrogated S1P-induced $\alpha$-SMA expression. S1P induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and pretreatment of cells with SB202190, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, or adenoviral overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of the p38 MAPK blocked S1P-induced cell migration and $\alpha$-SMA expression. Taken together, these results suggest that S1P stimulates migration and smooth muscle differentiation of BMSCs through an $S1P_1$-p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1584-1591
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• 2000

Objective : Until now, it has been little known about the biological mechanisms associated with the genesis, growth, and rupture of intracranial aneurysm. This study was performed to investigate and understand a part of these mechanisms. Materials and Methods : Immunohistochemical stains for angiogenesis growth factors(basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)) and selected vascular wall matrix proteins(alpha smooth muscle actin(${\alpha}SMA$) and collagen Type IV) were performed in fixed sections from a normal circle of Willis artery which was taken from the autopsy specimen as a control vessel and 17 aneurysmal wall specimens which was taken during surgical clipping of aneurysms. The staining intensity and distribution of immunoreactivity to angiogenesis growth factors and selected wall matrix proteins in control vessel and aneurysmal wall were examined and compared with each other. The difference of staining intensity according to the size of aneurysm was also investigated. Results : There was no immunoreactivity to bFGF and VEGF in the control vessel. bFGF immunoreactivity was exhibited in 15 of 17 aneurysm specimens around smooth muscle cells within the media of aneurysm. VEGF immunoreactivity was also exhibited in all aneurysm specimens in patches or diffusely affecting all layers of the aneurysmal wall. The degrees of intensity of bFGF and VEGF immunoexpression were proportionate roughly to the size of aneurysm. Strong immunoexpression of both factors were noticed in large aneurysm. A regularly arranged and defined band of immunoreactivity of ${\alpha}SMA$ was noticed in the media of the control vessel, whereas diffuse, faint, irregularly arranged ${\alpha}SMA$ was noticed in the aneurysmal wall. A regularly defined band of collagen Type IV immunoreactivity was also noticed in the subendothelium of the control vessel, whereas diffuse disorganized immunoreactivity of collagen Type IV was noticed in the entire wall of the aneurysm. Conclusion : These results indicate substantial evidences of abnormal expression of angiogenesis factors and changes of selected vascular wall matrix proteins in the wall of intracranial aneurysm. The unbalanced changes of angiogenesis factors and vascular wall matrix proteins in the wall of aneurysm may be one of the biological mechanisms for the growth and rupture of aneurysm.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2011

Purpose : Men are generally more prone to chronic renal disease and progression to end stage renal disease than women. The purpose of this study is to prove the effect of gender and sex hormone on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and to elucidate the specific underlying mechanisms. Methods :We compared the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) in female and male mice with complete UUO (day 7). After this, we estimated the changes of renal fibrosis in the female mice with oophorectomy and in the female mice with oophorectomy and replacement of $17{\beta}$-estradiol, respectively. Results : The level of ${\alpha}$-SMA in the female kidney with UUO was significantly lower than that in the male kidney with UUO. oophorectomy and replacement of $17{\beta}$-estradiol did not change the expression of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor in the female kidney with UUO, whereas the expression of angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor was significantly more elevated in the intact female (IF) and the oophorectomized female with estrogen (OF+E) than that in the oophorectomized female (OF). The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the IF and OF+E mice were significantly more elevated than that in the OF mice, which was similar to the expression of AT2 receptor. Conclusion : The female gender is associated with resistance to renal fibrosis in obstructive uropathy and this gender difference may originate from the existence of $17{\beta}$-estradiol, which has an anti-fibrotic effect via upregulation of the AT2 receptor and iNOS.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.161-169
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• 2008

Purpose: To better understand the corneal regeneration after alkali burn regarding the initial clinical progression and the therapy, we investigated the changes of the multi factors following chemical injury in cornea. Methods: This study was performed to observation on the healing process of alkali burned cornea in aspect of immunohistochemistry by immunofluorescence or H-E staining and TUNEL assay. Results: The results showed that although a healing process occurred after alkali burn, apoptosis of epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells in the cornea was continuously observed. Neovascularization and expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) from limbus and from injured cornea, respectively, were observed after 3 days of alkali burn. Formation of collagen III in corneal stroma and increased expression of chondroitin sulfate are coincident with expression of ${\alpha}$-SMA and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$). Conclusions: These data suggest that medical treatment within 3 days of alkali burn will be effective to inhibit neovascularization and formation of collagen III and chondroitin sulfate. This study extends our immumohistochemical understanding of healing process in alkali burned cornea, and the results get in this study will be cornerstones in the development of therapeutic agent for accelerating renewal of chemical damaged cornea.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.213-219
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• 2021

Plexiform fibromyxoma (PF) of the stomach is a very rare mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. We report the first case of PF with 2 different growth patterns pathologically confirmed after surgical resection. The tumor was characterized microscopically as infiltrative; it demonstrated diffuse growth into the smooth muscle bundles of the muscularis propria and was also multinodular and plexiform within the myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor cells were positive or weakly positive for smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and H-caldesmon and negative for desmin, CD117, CD34, CK-20, Pan-CK, Dog1, S100, ER, PR, and CD10. No mutations of C-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha were detected. No genetic disruption of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The final diagnosis of PF was mainly based on the morphological and immunohistochemical findings.