• BMB Reports
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• 제55권12호
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• pp.633-638
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• 2022

Liver regeneration is a well-known systemic homeostatic phenomenon. The N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification pathway has been associated with liver regeneration and hepatocellular carcinoma. m⁶A methyltransferases, such as methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) and methyltransferase 14 (METTL14), are involved in the hepatocyte-specific-regenerative pathway. To illustrate the role of METTL14, secreted from non-parenchymal liver cells, in the initiation phase of liver regeneration, we performed 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) in Mettl14 heterozygous (HET) and wild-type (WT) mice. Next, we analyzed the ratio of liver weight to body weight and the expression of mitogenic stimulators derived from non-parenchymal liver cells. Furthermore, we evaluated the expression of cell cycle-related genes and the hepatocyte proliferation rate via MKI67-immunostaining. During regeneration after PH, the weight ratio was lower in Mettl14 HET mice compared to WT mice. The expressions of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, mitogens derived from non-parenchymal liver cells that stimulate the cell cycle, as well as the expressions of cyclin B1 and D1, which regulate the cell cycle, and the number of MKI67-positive cells, which indicate proliferative hepatocyte in the late G1-M phase, were significantly reduced in Mettl14 HET mice 72 h after PH. Our findings demonstrate that global Mettl14 mutation may interrupt the homeostasis of liver regeneration after an acute injury like PH by restraining certain mitogens, such as HGF and TNF-α, derived from sinusoidal endothelial cells, stellate cells, and Kupffer cells. These results provide new insights into the role of METTL14 in the clinical treatment strategies of liver disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.126-136
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• 2022

Liver fibrosis is part of the wound healing process to help the liver recover from the injuries caused by various liver-damaging insults. However, liver fibrosis often progresses to life-threatening cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To overcome the limitations of current in vivo liver fibrosis models for studying the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and establishing effective treatment strategies, we developed a new mouse model of liver fibrosis using polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a humidifier sterilizer known to induce lung fibrosis in humans. Male C57/BL6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with PHMG-p (0.03% and 0.1%) twice a week for 5 weeks. Subsequently, liver tissues were examined histologically and RNA-sequencing was performed to evaluate the expression of key genes and pathways affected by PHMG-p. PHMG-p injection resulted in body weight loss of ~15% and worsening of physical condition. Necropsy revealed diffuse fibrotic lesions in the liver with no effect on the lungs. Histology, collagen staining, immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and collagen, and polymerase chain reaction analysis of fibrotic genes revealed that PHMG-p induced liver fibrosis in the peri-central, peri-portal, and capsule regions. RNA-sequencing revealed that PHMG-p affected several pathways associated with human liver fibrosis, especially with upregulation of lumican and IRAK3, and downregulation of GSTp1 and GSTp2, which are closely involved in liver fibrosis pathogenesis. Collectively we demonstrated that the PHMG-p-induced liver fibrosis model can be employed to study human liver fibrosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.184-190
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• 2022

Targeting the cystine/glutamate exchange transporter, system x_c^-, is a promising anticancer strategy that induces ferroptosis, which is a distinct form of cell death mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The concentration of ⳑ-cystine in culture medium is higher than the physiological level. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of ⳑ-cystine concentration on the efficacy of ferroptosis inducers in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This study showed that treatment with sulfasalazine or erastin, a system x_c^- inhibitor, decreased the viability of Huh6 and Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the degree of growth inhibition was greater in medium containing a physiological ⳑ-cystine concentration of 83 µM than in commercial medium with a concentration of 200 µM ⳑ-cystine. However, RSL3, a glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibitor, decreased cell viability to a similar extent in media containing both ⳑ-cystine concentrations. Sulfasalazine and erastin significantly increased the percentages of propidium iodide-positive cells in media with 83 µM ⳑ-cystine, but not in media with 200 µM ⳑ-cystine. Sulfasalazine- or erastin-induced accumulation of lipid peroxidation as monitored by C11-BODIPY probe was higher in media with 83 µM ⳑ-cystine than in media with 200 µM ⳑ-cystine. In contrast, the changes in the percentages of propidium iodide-positive cells and lipid peroxidation by RSL3 were similar in both media. These results showed that sulfasalazine and erastin, but not RSL3, were efficacious under conditions of physiological ⳑ-cystine concentration, suggesting that medium conditions would be crucial for the design of a bioassay for system x_c^- inhibitors.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.479-491
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• 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high incidence and is one of the highest mortality cancers when advanced stage is proceeded. However, Anti-cancer drugs available for treatment are limited and new anti-cancer drugs and new ways to treat them are minimal. We examined that the effects and possibility of Red Ginseng (RG, Panax ginseng Meyer) as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by combining network pharmacology and molecular biology. Materials and Methods: Network pharmacological analysis was employed to investigate the systems-level mechanism of RG focusing on HCC. Cytotoxicity of RG was determined by MTT analysis, which were also stained by annexin V/PI staining for apoptosis and acridine orange for autophagy. For the analyze mechanism of RG, we extracted protein and subjected to immunoblotting for apoptosis or autophagy related proteins. Results: We constructed compound-target network of RG and identified potential pathways related to HCC. RG inhibited growth of HCC through acceleration of cytotoxicity and reduction of wound healing ability of HCC. RG also increased apoptosis and autophagy through AMPK induction. In addition, its ingredients, 20S-PPD (protopanaxadiol) and 20S-PPT (protopanaxatriol), also induced AMPK mediated apoptosis and autophagy. Conclusion: RG effectively inhibited growth of HCC cells inducing apoptosis and autophagy via ATG/AMPK in HCC cells. Overall, our study suggests possibility as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by proof for the mechanism of the anti-cancer action of RG.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.148-157
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• 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease and is highly dependent on cellular proteins for viral propagation. Using protein microarray analysis, we identified 90 cellular proteins as HCV nonstructural 5A (NS5A) interacting partners, and selected telomere length regulation protein (TEN1) for further study. TEN1 forms a heterotrimeric complex with CTC and STN1, which is essential for telomere protection and maintenance. Telomere length decreases in patients with active HCV, chronic liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the molecular mechanism of telomere length shortening in HCV-associated disease is largely unknown. In the present study, protein interactions between NS5A and TEN1 were confirmed by immunoprecipitation assays. Silencing of TEN1 reduced both viral RNA and protein expression levels of HCV, while ectopic expression of the siRNA-resistant TEN1 recovered the viral protein level, suggesting that TEN1 was specifically required for HCV propagation. Importantly, we found that TEN1 is re-localized from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in HCV-infected cells. These data suggest that HCV exploits TEN1 to promote viral propagation and that telomere protection is compromised in HCV-infected cells. Overall, our findings provide mechanistic insight into the telomere shortening in HCV-infected cells.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.323-323
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• 2022

Jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.)], belonging to the Leguminosae family has been frequently used in edible and medicinal plants in Asian countries. Jack beans are high in protein which is approximately 30%. Concanavalin A (Con A) is a major protein of Jack bean and belongs to the family of legume lectins. It has inhibitory effect on hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing autophagy. However, Con A negatively affects nutrient utilization by other mechanisms. It binds to the glycoproteins and glycolipids of the digestive tract mucosa, inhibits the activity of the enzymes of the brush border of the enterocytes. In order to use Jack bean young seedpods, they are restricted to 'young pods (soft, pre-swelling)' according to the 'Food Code' (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). Therefore, in this study, we investigated the quantitative change of Con A across developmental stages of Jack bean pods. Biological samples consisted of Jack bean pods and seeds in 7 stages of development. The expression pattern of Con A mRNA was monitored by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Expression of Con A proteins was analyzed by western blotting. The expression of Con A mRNA and protein in the seeds tended to increase gradually as the seeds expanded. However, in pods, they were much less than in seeds. As the expression of Con A mRNA and protein increases as the pods thicken, it is predicted that Con A synthesis increases when the thickness growth of the pod begins after the length growth of the pod is completed. Since the expression of Con A in the pods and seeds in very low when the pods are about 2 cm, therefore 2 cm pods seem appropriate when using 'young pods'. It is also necessary to study other proteins in Jack bean, such as Urease and Canavalin. These studies will serve as the basis for processing Jack bean.

• 한국작물학회지
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• 제68권3호
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• pp.175-187
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• 2023

Peanuts, also known as groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), are globally recognized as a vital oilseed crop. Peanuts are rich in proteins (e.g., arginine), oils (e.g., oleic acid and linoleic acid), fiber, vitamins (e.g., niacin and tocopherol), and carbohydrates and are consumed worldwide. However, the presence of aflatoxin (AF) has garnered substantial attention since its initial discovery as the causative agent of Tukey's X disease in the United Kingdom in 1960. Among the 18 aflatoxins identified, aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) has the highest toxic activity and causes hepatocellular carcinoma. It is classified as Group I by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO). The present study was conducted to evaluate aflatoxin B₁ resistance of 102 peanut accessions and select putative aflatoxin B₁-resistant peanut accessions to aflatoxin B₁. One hundred and one Korean germplasms harvested in 2020 were inoculated with A. flavus to identify aflatoxin-resistant cultivars, and the aflatoxin B₁ concentration was measured using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector. Twenty-six accessions with aflatoxin B₁ concentrations lower than those of the check plant 55-437 were chosen for the development of aflatoxin-resistant varieties in Korea. As Korean aflatoxin-resistant varieties have not yet been developed, the findings of the present study are expected to provide useful information for the development of aflatoxin-resistant cultivars.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.119-130
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• 2024

Objectives : The objective of this review is to examine the variety of evaluation parameters utilized in clinical trials that assess the anticancer efficacy of herbal medicine, focusing on the importance of including both symptomatic management and direct anticancer effectiveness. Methods : A detailed literature review was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify clinical trials investigating the antitumor efficacy of herbal medicine. The search was performed on February 22, 2024. This review specifically examined the employed outcome measures, which were then categorized and analyzed to understand their relevance and application in evaluating the anticancer properties of herbal medicine. Results : From an initial search of 900 records, 15 clinical trials were selected for in-depth analysis after deduplication and screening. These studies evaluated the efficacy of herbal medicine across various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer, using outcome measures such as survival rates, disease control rates, and quality of life improvements. The research spanned multiple countries, primarily in East Asia and the United States, reflecting a global interest in herbal medicine as a complementary approach to cancer treatment. The present study demonstrated that herbal medicine, especially when used alongside standard treatments, potentially improved clinical outcomes and patient well-being. Conclusions : The findings of this review highlight the need for a broader focus on the full range of therapeutic capabilities of herbal medicine, including its direct anticancer effects, in the management of cancer patients. Future oncology research involving herbal medicine should integrate a wide spectrum of clinical endpoints to fully ascertain its impact on cancer treatment and patient health.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.44.1-44.10
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• 2023

Tumor hypoxia, oxygen deprivation state, occurs in most cancers and promotes angiogenesis, enhancing the potential for metastasis. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family genes play crucial roles in tumorigenesis by promoting angiogenesis. To investigate the malignant processes triggered by hypoxia-induced angiogenesis across pan-cancers, we comprehensively analyzed the relationships between the expression of VEGF family genes and hypoxic microenvironment based on integrated bioinformatics methods. Our results suggest that the expression of VEGF family genes differs significantly among various cancers, highlighting their heterogeneity effect on human cancers. Across the 33 cancers, VEGFB and VEGFD showed the highest and lowest expression levels, respectively. The survival analysis showed that VEGFA and placental growth factor (PGF) were correlated with poor prognosis in many cancers, including kidney renal cell and liver hepatocellular carcinoma. VEGFC expression was positively correlated with glioma and stomach cancer. VEGFA and PGF showed distinct positive correlations with hypoxia scores in most cancers, indicating a potential correlation with tumor aggressiveness. The expression of miRNAs targeting VEGF family genes, including hsa-miR-130b-5p and hsa-miR-940, was positively correlated with hypoxia. In immune subtypes analysis, VEGFC was highly expressed in C3 (inflammatory) and C6 (transforming growth factor β dominant) across various cancers, indicating its potential role as a tumor promotor. VEGFC expression exhibited positive correlations with immune infiltration scores, suggesting low tumor purity. High expression of VEGFA and VEGFC showed favorable responses to various drugs, including BLU-667, which abrogates RET signaling, an oncogenic driver in liver and thyroid cancers. Our findings suggest potential roles of VEGF family genes in malignant processes related with hypoxia-induced angiogenesis.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제81권3호
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• pp.707-713
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• 2020

간문맥 종양혈전이 있으면서 간 실질에 이상 소견이 없는 것은 매우 드문 일이다. 간에서 종양 혈전이 있는 경우 간세포암이 가장 발생률이 높으며 림프종은 감별질환으로 잘 생각되지 않는다. 림프종의 종양혈전이 간문맥을 침범한 것은 이제까지 총 네 가지 경우에서만 보고되어 있고, 모든 경우에서 종양이 혈관으로 직접 전파되거나 또는 그 외의 림프종을 시사하는 다른 병변들이 있었다. 혈관 내 대세포 림프종이 간문맥을 함께 침범한 경우, 본 케이스와 영상학적으로 비슷하게 보일 수 있으나 본 증례 보고는 혈관 내 대세포 림프종이 아니므로 제외하여 생각하였다. 미만성 거대 B세포 림프종이 간문맥에서만 발견된 무증상의 면역력이 정상인 67세 여자 환자에 대한 증례를 소개한다. 이전에 발표된 증례에서 이와 비슷한 경우는 보고된 바가 없다.