• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.247-256
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• 2017

Background: KG-135, a standardized formulation enriched with Rk1, Rg3, and Rg5 ginsenosides, has been shown to inhibit various types of cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we explored its effects in A549 human lung cancer cells to investigate the induction of Forkhead Class box O3a (FOXO3a) and autophagy. Methods: Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B staining. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed using flow cytometry. The changes of protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis. Autophagy induction was monitored by the formation of acidic vesicular organelles stained with acridine orange. Results: KG-135 effectively arrested the cells in G1 phase with limited apoptosis. Accordingly, a decrease of cyclin-dependent kinase-4, cyclin-dependent kinase-6, cyclin D1, and phospho-retinoblastoma protein, and an increase of p27 and p18 proteins were observed. Intriguingly, KG-135 increased the tumor suppressor FOXO3a and induced the accumulation of autophagy hallmark LC3-II and acidic vesicular organelles without an increase of the upstream marker Beclin-1. Unconventionally, the autophagy adaptor protein p62 (sequestosome 1) was increased rather than decreased. Blockade of autophagy by hydroxychloroquine dramatically potentiated KG-135-induced FOXO3a and its downstream (FasL) ligand accompanied by the cleavage of caspase-8. Meanwhile, the decrease of Bcl-2 and survivin, as well as the cleavage of caspase-9, were also drastically enhanced, resulting in massive apoptosis. Conclusion: Besides arresting the cells in G1 phase, KG-135 increased FOXO3a and induced an unconventional autophagy in A549 cells. Both the KG-135-activated extrinsic FOXO3a/FasL/caspase-8 and intrinsic caspase-9 apoptotic pathways were potentiated by blockade of autophagy. Combination of KG-135 and autophagy inhibitor may be a novel strategy as an integrative treatment for cancers.

• 대한미생물학회지
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.501-512
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• 1999

Gliotoxin, a fungal metabolite, is one of the epipolythiodioxopiperazine classes and has a variety of effects including immunomodulatory and apoptotic agents. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of zinc on gliotoxin-induced death of HL-60 cells. Here, we demonstrated that treatment of gliotoxin decreased cell viability in a dose and time-dependent manner. Gliotoxin-induced cell death was confirmed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin margination, fragmentation and ladder-pattern digestion of genomic DNA. Gliotoxin increased the proteolytic activities of caspase 3, 6, 8, and 9. Caspase-3 activation was further confirmed by the degradation of procaspase-3 and PARP in gliotoxin-treated HL-60 cells. Zinc compounds including $ZnCl_2$ and $ZnSO_4$ markedly inhibited gliotoxin-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells (from 30% to 90%). Consistent with anti-apoptotic effects, zinc also suppressed the enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and -9 proteases. In addition, cleavage of both PARP and procaspase 3 in gliotoxin-treated HL-60 cells was inhibited by the addition of zinc compounds. We further demonstrated that expression of Fas ligand by gliotoxin was suppressed by zinc compounds. These data suggest that zinc may prevent gliotoxin-induced apoptosis via inhibition of Fas ligand expression as well as suppression of caspase family cysteine proteases-3 and -9 in HL-60 cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.165-174
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• 2018

Background: Extended endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may initiate apoptotic pathways in cancer cells, and ER stress has been reported to possibly increase tumor death in cancer therapy. We previously reported that caspase-8 played an important role in compound K-induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 directly or indirectly through Bid cleavage, cytochrome c release, and caspase-9 activation in HL-60 human leukemia cells. The mechanisms leading to apoptosis in A549 and SK-MES-1 human lung cancer cells and the role of ER stress have not yet been understood. Methods: The apoptotic effects of compound K were analyzed using flow cytometry, and the changes in protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis. The intracellular calcium levels were monitored by staining with Fura-2/AM and Fluo-3/AM. Results: Compound K-induced ER stress was confirmed through increased phosphorylation of $eIF2{\alpha}$ and protein levels of GRP78/BiP, XBP-1S, and $IRE1{\alpha}$ in human lung cancer cells. Moreover, compound-K led to the accumulation of intracellular calcium and an increase in m-calpain activities that were both significantly inhibited by pretreatment either with BAPTA-AM (an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator) or dantrolene (an RyR channel antagonist). These results were correlated with the outcome that compound K induced ER stress-related apoptosis through caspase-12, as z-ATAD-fmk (a specific inhibitor of caspase-12) partially ameliorated this effect. Interestingly, 4-PBA (ER stress inhibitor) dramatically improved the compound K-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: Cell survival and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis during ER stress in human lung cancer cells are important factors in the induction of the compound K-induced apoptotic pathway.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.552-560
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 인체백혈병세포 U937에서 HDAC 저해제에 의한 증식억제, 세포주기 교란 및 apoptosis 유도에 미치는 Bcl-2 유전자의 영향에 관하여 조사하였다. 이를 위하여 U937/vector 및 U937/Bcl-2 세포주를 대상으로 대표적인 HDAC 저해제인 TSA 및 Na-B 처리에 의한 세포 증식 및 생존율에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과, TSA에 의한 U937 세포의 증식억제 및 생존율의 감소는 Bcl-2의 과발현에 의하여 차단되는 효과를 보였으나, Na-B는 U937/vector 및 U937/Bcl-2세포사이에 큰 변화를 보이지는 않았다. 세포주기 교란효과에서 Na-B는 TSA에 비하여 유의적인 차이를 보이지 못하였으며, 이는 TSA에 의한 apoptosis가 U937/Bcl-2 세포에서는 억제되었으나, Na-B에 의한 apoptosis는 Bcl-2의 과발현에 의하여 차단되지 못한 것과 연관성이 있는 결과였다. 또한 TSA에 의한 apoptosis 유발의 Bcl-2에 의한 차단 효과는 TSA에 의하여 활성화된 caspase의 활성 억제, Bcl-2 발현 자체의 완화 등 apoptosis 조절 인자들의 발현 및 활성 변화에 기인 된 것임을 알 수 있었다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제40권9호
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• pp.1201-1207
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• 2011

TRAIL은 최근 암세포의 apoptosis 유도를 위한 효율적인 도구로 제시되었으나 많은 암세포들이 TRAIL 저항성을 획득한 것으로 알려져 TRAIL 저항성 극복을 위한 새로운 방법론의 제시가 요구되어지고 있다. Genistein은 대두의 대표적인 생리활성 물질인 isoflavonoid의 일종으로 많은 암세포에서 G2/M arrest를 유발하면서 apoptosis를 유도하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 U937 인체백혈병세포를 대상으로 genistein에 의한 TRAIL 유도 apoptosis의 감수성 증대 여부를 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 U937 세포에서 세포독성이 없는 범위의 genistein 처리는 TRAIL에 의한 apoptosis 유도를 매우 증진시켰으며, 이는 tBid의 발현 증가와 cFLIPL의 발현 감소와 연계된 caspase의 활성 증가와 연관성이 있었다. 또한 caspase의 활성 저해제는 genistein과 TRAIL의 복합처리에 의한 apoptosis를 유의적으로 감소시켜 복합 처리에 의한 apoptosis의 유도에 caspase의 활성 증대가 필수적임을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 genistein은 TRAIL 저항성을 획득한 암세포의 효율적인 combined therapy approach를 위해 유용하게 사용될 수 있음을 알 수 있었다.

• 운동과학
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.289-298
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• 2012

본 연구는 당뇨를 유발한 흰쥐에서 트레드밀 운동이 망막 신경세포의 사멸에 억제 효과가 있는지를 실험 하였다. 본 연구에서 Sprague-Dawley계 흰쥐 28마리를 대조군, 운동군, 당뇨군, 당뇨운동군으로 분류하여 각 군당 7마리씩 배정하였다. 당뇨는 streptozotocin을 복강에 주사하여 유발하였다. 운동군은 분당 8 m의 속도로 하루 30분씩 주 5회, 총 12주 동안 트레드밀 운동을 실시하였다. 본 연구의 결과, 당뇨 유발 흰쥐의 망막에서 세포사멸 인자인 terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)-양성 세포수 그리고 caspase-3, cytochrome c, Bax의 발현이 증가되었으며, 항 세포사멸 인자인 Bcl-2의 발현은 감소되었다. 트레드밀 운동은 TUNEL-양성 세포수 그리고 caspase-3, cytochrome c, Bax의 발현을 감소시켰으며, Bcl-2의 발현은 증가시켰다. 본 실험의 결과, 당뇨에 의한 망막의 세포사멸 증가에 트레드밀 운동이 억제 작용을 나타내었으며, 따라서 트레드밀 운동은 당뇨 환자들에서 후유증을 경감시키는데 효과적인 치료법임을 알 수 있었다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.128-137
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• 2006

Background: Apoptosis is a physiologic phenomenon involved in development, elimination of damaged cells, and maintenance of cell homeostasis. Deregulation of apoptosis may cause diseases, such as cancers, immune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. The mouse myeloma cell P3-X63-Ag8.653 (v653) is an HGPRT deficient $(HGPRT^-)$ mutant strain. High dependency on de novo transcription and translation of aminopterin induced apoptosis of this cell seems to be an ideal experimental system for searching apoptosis-induced genes. Methods & Results: For searching apoptosis-related genes we carried out GE-array (dot blot), Affymetrix GeneChip analysis, Northern analysis and differential display-PCR techniques. The chip data were analyzed with three different programs. 66 genes were selected through Affymetrix GeneChip analyses. All genes selected were classified into 8 groups according to their known functions. They were Genes of 1) Cell growth/maintenance/death/enzyme, 2) Cell cycle, 3) Chaperone, 4) Cancer/disease-related genes, 5) Mitochondria, 6) Membrane protein/signal transduction, 7) Nuclear protein/nucleic acid binding/transcription binding and 8) Translation factor. Among these groups number of genes were the largest in the genes of cell growth/maintenance/death/enzyme. Expression signals of most of all groups were peaked at 3 hour of apoptosis except genes of Nuclear protein/nucleic acid binding/transcription factor which showed maximum signal at 1 hour. Conclusion: This study showed induction of wide range of proapoptotic factors which accelerate cell death at various stage of cell death. In addition apoptosis studied in this research can be classified as a type 2 which involves cytochrome c and caspase 9 especially in early stages of death. But It also has progressed to type 1 in late stage of the death process.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.147-154
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 인간 골육종암세포주인 Saos-2 세포를 이용하여 Eucheuma cottonii 추출물(Extract of Eucheuma cottonii, EE)의 항암 활성 및 분자적 작용기전을 분석하였다. 먼저 EE가 세포증식에 미치는 영향을 WST-1^® assay를 통해 확인한 결과 EE는 인간 위암세포 AGS, 인간 간암세포 SK-Hep 1, 인간 뇌교모세포종 U87MG, 인간 정상 신장세포 HEK-293의 생존율에는 영향을 미치지 않고 Saos-2 세포주의 생존율만을 농도의존적으로 감소시킴을 확인 하였다. 또한 처리 농도가 증가함에 따라 Saos-2 세포의 외형적 변화가 나타남을 도립현미경을 통해 확인할 수 있었다. 그리고 DAPI staining을 통해 apoptosis classical hall marker라고 할 수 있는 DNA fragmentation이 EE 처리 농도 의존적으로 나타남을 관찰할 수 있었다. 이를 토대로 EE가 Saos-2 세포에서 세포 내의 어떠한 기작을 통해 apoptosis를 유도하는지 Western blot analysis를 통해 확인한 결과, Fas-Associated Death Domain(FADD)에 의한 caspase cascade signal pathway 발현이 증가하였고, apoptosis의 key protein 이라고 할 수 있는 cleaved caspase-3와 하위 인자인 cleaved PARP가 증가 함을 확인할 수 있었다. 이와 관련된 분자적 기전 분석을 위한 immunofluorescence staining과 Flow cytometry analysis를 추가로 수행한 결과, EE 처리시 caspase cascade signal pathway의 시발점인 FAS와 cleaved caspase-3의 발현증가가 실제 세포 내에서 일어남을 관찰 할 수 있었으며 apoptosis 유발군인 sub G1기가 증가 함을 알 수 있었다. 이상의 결과를 통해 EE는 인간 골육종암세포에서 FADD에 의한 caspase cascade signal pathway 발현증가가 유도되어 apoptosis를 유발시킨다는 것을 증명하였으며 새로운 골육종암 치료제로서의 개발 가능성과 기전연구를 위한 중요한 기초자료가 될 수 있음을 시사한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.9655-9660
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• 2014

Background: Nigella Sativa (NS) is an herb from the Ranunculaceae family that exhibits numerous medicinal properties and has been used as important constituent of many complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). The ability of NS to kill cancer cells such as PC3, HeLa and hepatoma cells is well established. However, our understanding of the mode of death caused by NS remains nebulous. The objective of this study was to gain further insight into the mode and mechanism of death caused by NS in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were treated with a methanolic extract of NS, and a dose- and time-dependent study was performed. The $IC_{50}$ was calculated using a Cell Titer $Blue^{(R)}$ viability assay assay, and evidence for DNA fragmentation was obtained by fluorescence microscopy TUNEL assay. Gene expression was also profiled for a number of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes) through qPCR. Results: The $IC_{50}$ of MCF-7 cells was $62.8{\mu}L/mL$. When MCF-7 cells were exposed to $50{\mu}L/mL$ and $100{\mu}L/mL$ NS for 24h, 48h and 72h, microscopic examination (TUNEL assay) revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptosis. Similarly, the expression of the Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes increased significantly according to the dose and time. Conclusions: NS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through both the p53 and caspase pathways. NS could potentially represent an alternative source of medicine for breast cancer therapy.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

Objectives: Oldenlandia diffusa is traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of and to treat various diseases, but its anti-cancer activity has not been well studied. In the present study, the authors investigated the anti-cancer effects of an ethanol extract of Oldenlandia diffusa (EOD) on HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: Cells were treated with different concentrations of an EOD, and cell death was assessed by using a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Analyses of the sub G1 peak, the caspase-3 and -9 activities, and the mitochondrial membrane depolarizations were conducted to confirm cell death by apoptosis. Also, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using carboxy-H2DCFDA (5-(and-6)-carboxy-20,70-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate). Results: EOD inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells for 24 hours by $78.6%{\pm}8.1%$ at $50{\mu}g/mL$, $74.4%{\pm}4.6%$ at $100{\mu}g/mL$, $65.9%{\pm}5.2%$ at $200{\mu}g/mL$, $51.4%{\pm}6.2%$ at $300{\mu}g/mL$, and by $41.7%{\pm}8.9%$ at $400{\mu}g/mL$, and treatment for 72 hours reduced the proliferation at the corresponding concentrations by $43.3%{\pm}8.8%$, $24.3{\pm}5.1mV$, $13.5{\pm}3.2mV$, $6.5{\pm}2.3mV$, and by $2.6{\pm}2.3mV$. EOD increased the number of cells in the sub-G1 peak in a dose-dependent manner. The mitochondrial membrane depolarization was elevated by EOD. Also, caspase activities were dose-dependently elevated in the presence of EOD, and these activities were repressed by a pan-caspase inhibitor (zVAD-fmk). The ROS generation was significantly increased by EOD and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC; a ROS scavenger) remarkably abolished EOD-induced cell death. In addition, a combination of sub-optimal doses of EOD and chemotherapeutic agents noticeably suppressed the growth of HT-29 cancer cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that EOD might be an effective chemotherapeutic for the treatment of human colorectal cancer.