• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.464-473
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• 2018

Cripto is a small glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored signaling protein that can detach from the anchored membrane and stimulate proliferation, migration, differentiation, vascularization, and angiogenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that Cripto positively affected proliferation and survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) without affecting multipotency. Cripto also increased expression of phosphorylated janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), c-Myc, and cyclin D1. Notably, treatment with an anti-GRP78 antibody blocked these effects. In addition, pretreatment with STAT3 short interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited the increase in p-JAK2, c-Myc, cyclin D1, and BCL3 levels caused by Cripto and attenuated the pro-survival action of Cripto on MSCs. We also found that incubation with Cripto protected MSCs from apoptosis caused by hypoxia or $H_2O_2$ exposure, and the level of caspase-3 decreased by the Cripto-induced expression of B-cell lymphoma 3-encoded protein (BCL3). These effects were sensitive to down-regulation of BCL3 expression by BCL3 siRNA. Finally, we showed that Cripto enhanced expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In summary, our results demonstrated that Cripto activated a novel biochemical cascade that potentiated MSC proliferation and survival. This cascade relied on phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 and was regulated by GRP78. Our findings may facilitate clinical applications of MSCs, as these cells may benefit from positive effects of Cripto on their survival and biological properties.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 2019

Purpose: Increased apoptosis was recently found in the hypertrophied left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Although the available evidence suggests that apoptosis can be induced in cardiac cells by various insults including pressure overload, cardiac apoptosis appears to result from an exaggerated local production of angiotensin in adult SHRs. Altered expressions of Bcl associated X (Bax), Bcl-2, chemokine receptor (CCR)-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (PERK), and connexin 43 proteins, and kallikrein mRNA were investigated to explore the effects of losartan on the SHR model. Methods: Twelve-week-old male rats were grouped as follows: control (C), SHR (hypertension: H), and losartan (L; SHRs were treated with losartan [10 mg/kg/day] for 5 weeks). Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were performed. Results: Expression of Bax, CCR-2, MCP-1, $TGF-{\beta}1$, PERK, and connexin 43 proteins, and kallikrein mRNA was significantly increased in the H group compared to that in the C group at weeks 3 and 5. Expression of Bax, CCR-2, MCP-1, $TGF-{\beta}1$, and connexin 43 proteins and kallikrein mRNA was significantly decreased after losartan treatment at week 5. PERK protein expression was significantly decreased after losartan treatment at weeks 3 and 5. Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly decreased in the H group compared to that in the C group at weeks 3 and 5. Conclusion: Losartan treatment reduced expression of Bax, CCR-2, MCP-1, $TGF-{\beta}1$, PERK, and connexin 43 proteins, and kallikrein mRNA in SHRs, along with decreased inflammation and apoptosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1126-1133
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• 2002

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for a class of positional and geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid (LA) and has anti-cancer activity in experimental animals. We have previously observed that an isomeric mixture of CLA and trans-10,cis-12 (t10c12) inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner whereas LA and cis-9,trans-11 (c9t11) had no effect. The present study examined whether the CLA mixture and t10c12 induce apoptotic cell death. TSU-Prl cells were incubated for three days in serum-free medium in the absence or presence of individual fatty acids, and the DNA fragmentation assay was performed. Cells treated with the CLA mixture or t10c12 produced a distinct oligonucleosomal ladder with different sizes of DNA fragments, a typical characteristic of cells undergoing apoptosis. By contrast, LA and c9t11 had no effect. Western immunoblot analysis of total lysates revealed that t10c12 reduced anti-apoptotic, 26 kDa, Bcl-2 protein levels by 49$\pm$8% compared with controls, whereas this CLA isomer did not alter pro-apoptotic,21 kDa, Bax protein levels. These results suggest that growth inhibitory effect of the t10c12 CLA isomer may, at least in part, be attributed to Increased apoptotic death in TSU-Prl cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.446-457
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• 2018

Adiponectin, a hormone predominantly originated from adipose tissue, has exhibited potent anti-inflammatory properties. Accumulating evidence suggests that autophagy induction plays a crucial role in anti-inflammatory responses by adiponectin. However, underlying molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. Association of Bcl-2 with Beclin-1, an autophagy activating protein, prevents autophagy induction. We have previously shown that adiponectin-induced autophagy activation is mediated through inhibition of interaction between Bcl-2 and Beclin-1. In the present study, we examined the molecular mechanisms by which adiponectin modulates association of Bcl-2 and Beclin-1 in macrophages. Herein, we demonstrated that globular adiponectin (gAcrp) induced increase in the expression of AUF1 and ZFP36L1, which act as mRNA destabilizing proteins, both in RAW 264.7 macrophages and primary peritoneal macrophages. In addition, gene silencing of AUF1 and ZFP36L1 caused restoration of decrease in Bcl-2 expression and Bcl-2 mRNA half-life by gAcrp, indicating crucial roles of AUF1 and ZFP36L1 induction in Bcl-2 mRNA destabilization by gAcrp. Moreover, knock-down of AUF1 and ZFP36L1 enhanced interaction of Bcl-2 with Beclin-1, and subsequently prevented gAcrp-induced autophagy activation, suggesting that AUF1 and ZFP36L1 induction mediates gAcrp-induced autophagy activation via Bcl-2 mRNA destabilization. Furthermore, suppressive effects of gAcrp on LPS-stimulated inflammatory mediators expression were prevented by gene silencing of AUF1 and ZFP36L1 in macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that AUF1 and ZFP36L1 induction critically contributes to autophagy induction by gAcrp and are promising targets for anti-inflammatory responses by gAcrp.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated the effect of Petasites japonicus extract on the cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effects against cadmium for cosmetics use. We measured the protein expression of apoptosis regulatory factor (Bcl-2 and procaspase-3) after treatment of Petasites japonicus extract in the cadmium-induced keratinocyte. As a result, high cell viabilities above 98% were observed in the all treated concentrations except at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of Petasites japonicus extract in keratinocytes with cadmium-induced damages. In keratinocytes with cadmium-induced damages, Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 protein expression increased in the experimental group treated with Petasites japonicus extract. Also HaCaT cells resulted in cleavage of PARP protein at 12 h post-cadmium exposure. Western blot analysis and relative density of the bands suggested that pretreatment of cells with Petasites japonicus extract inhibited cadmium-mediated cleavage of PARP. These results suggest that Petasites japonicus extract can be used as the cosmetic ingredients for cytoprotective effect.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.125-140
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• 2007

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of acupuncture therapy(AT, AT-9), electro-acupuncture therapy(EAT) and low level laser acupuncture therapy(LAT) at LRJ on the focal ischemia-induced by intraluminal filament insertion in rats. Methods : In the present syudy, the focal ischemia was induced by Intraluminal filament insertion into left middle cerebral artery. The subjects were divided into five groups after focal brain ischemia. (n=15, in each group) : Control with no treatment, AT with acupuncture at $LR_3$, AT-9 with acupuncture at $LR_3$ and rotating 9 times in a clockwise direction, EAT with electro-acupuncture at $LR_3$ and LAT with invasive laser acupuncture at $LR_3$. Anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of acupuncture were observed by mGluR5 mRNA, Bax mRNA, Bcl-2 mRNA, Cytochrome C protein, Cresyl violet-stain and Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-stain in the hippocampus. Results: 1. In LAT, mGluR5, Cresyl violet-stain and ChAT-stain were increased. 2. In LAT, Cytochrome C protein was decreased. 3. In AT-9, Bax, Cytochrome C protein and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were decreased. 4. In AT-9, Bcl-2, Cresyl violet-stain and ChAT-stain were increased. 5. In EAT, Bcl-2 and Cresyl violet-stain were increased. Conclusions: These results suggests that LAT and AT-9 show anti-apoptotic and neuro-protective effects and that LAT and AT-9 may be useful for managing stroke by focal brain ischemia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Dokhwalgisaeng-tang on immobilization-induced muscle atrophy. Methods: Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. The rats in Dokhwalgisaeng-tang group were orally administered Dokhwalgisaeng-tang water extract, and the rats in the control group were given saline only. Hind limb immobilization was performed with casting tape to keep the left ankle joint in a fully extended position. No intervention was performed on the right leg which was used as an intact region. After 2 weeks of immobilization, all animals were sacrificed, and the gastrocnemius muscle was dissected from both legs and weighed. The morphology of the right and the left gastrocnemius muscle in both the Dokhwalgisaeng-tang and the control group was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The muscle cross sectional area was examined by image analysis (Axiovision LE software). In addition, immunohistochemical staining was carried out using the free-floating method, and the number of apoptotic related proteins were counted (anti-BAX, anti-Bcl-2). Results: Dokhwalgisaeng-tang showed a significant protective effect against the reduction of the left gastrocnemius muscle (weight and muscle cross sectional area) compared with the control group. Moreover, the treatment with Dokhwalgisaeng-tang significantly reduced protein expression of BAX and increased protein expression of Bcl-2 in the gastrocnemius muscle compared with the control group. Conclusion: Dokhwalgisaeng-tang showed protective effects against disuse muscle atrophy, potentially through altered BAX and Bcl-2 protein expression in the gastrocnemius muscle.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.33-38
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• 2013

Objects : Apoptosis leads to the death of a cell. The mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, a process regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins, plays a key role in various biological processes. The tuber of Liriope platyphylla Wang et TANG (Liliaceae), also known as Liriopis tuber, is famous in Oriental medicine owing to its tonic, antitussive, expectorant and anti-asthmatic properties. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of the Liriopis tuber on mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in PC-12 cells. Method : A cytotoxic test on Liriopis Tuber water extract was conducted and another MTT assay was conducted to observe the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE 25 ${\mu}M$ that causes oxidative stress in PC-12 cells for 24 hours. In addition, in order to observe the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein involved with apoptosis, western blot was conducted. Results : The LT water extract had no toxicity for PC-12 cell. In the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE, both of the group treated with 50 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of LT water extract showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group. In Bax protein expression, all the experimental groups treated with LT water extract showed a decrease in comparison with the control group but had no significance. In Bcl-2 protein expression, all the experimental groups treated with LT water extract showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that LT is effective in reducing apoptosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.379-393
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• 2006

Objectives: We are aimed to identify anti-tumor effects of Curcuma aromatics on some kinds of cancer cells through molecular biologic methods. Materials & Methods: We used 4 kinds of cancer cell lines such as lung cancer cells(AS49), cervical cancer cells(HeLa), glioma cancer cells(A172) and prostate cancer cells(PC3). We treated the boiled extract of Curcuma aromatica $5{\mu}g,\;10{\mu}g$ to cultural media(ml) for 24 hours. We measured the cytotoxicitv on 4 kinds of cancer cells through tryphan blue exclusion test and the suppressive effect on viability of 4 kinds of cancer cells via MTT assay. We measured change of mitochondria membrane potential via flow cytometry. The quantitative RT-PCR was used to examine the effect on the revelation of Bcl-2 and Bax which are genes related to apoptosis. We examined the effect on the revelation of Bcl-2 Protein and Bar protein by western blot analysis. Results : In the experiment of tryphan blue exclusion test, the extract of Curcuma aromatica showed more significant killing effect on AS49, HeLa than the control group with density dependent manner, which was statistically significant. In the experiment of MTT assay the extract of Curcuma aromatica showed more suppressive effect on viability of A549, HeLa than the control group with density dependent manner, which was statistically significant. Curcuma aromatica induced apoptosis by decreasing the membrane potential of mitochondria in A549, HeLa. In the experiment of the revelation of genes related to apoptosis, the revelation of Bcl-2 decreased and the revelation of Bax increased in A549, HeLa treated with Curcuma aromatica with dose dependent manner. In the experiment of the revelation of protein related to apoptosis, the protein levels of Bcl-2 decreased and the protein levels of Bax increased in AS49, HeLa treated with Curcuma aromatica with dose dependent manner. Conclusions: From this study, we can infer that Curcuma aromatica has anti-tumor effect on lung cancer cells and uterine carcinoma cells but not on glioma cells and prostate cancer cells.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.76-82
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• 2003

An increased understanding of apoptosis makes anti-apoptosis engineering possible, which is an approach used to inhibit apoptosis for the purpose of therapeutic, or industrial applications in the treatment of the diseases associated with increased apoptosis, or to improve the productivity of animal cell cultures, respectively. Some known anti-apoptosis proteins are the Bcl-2 family, IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) and Hsps (heat shock proteins), with which anti-apoptosis engineering has progressed. This article reviews anti-apoptosis engineering using known anti-apoptosis compounds, and introduces a 30 K protein, isolated from silkworm hemolymph, as a novel anti-apoptotic protein, that Shows no homology with other known anti-apoptotic proteins. The regulation of apoptosis, using anti-apoptotic proteins and genes originating from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, may provide a new strategy in this field.