• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.935-949
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• 2022

Liver cancer has a high prevalence, with majority of the cases presenting as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prognosis of metastatic HCC has hardly improved over the past decade, highlighting the necessity for liver cancer research. Studies have reported the ability of the KiSS1 gene to inhibit the growth or metastasis of liver cancer, but contradictory research results are also emerging. We, therefore, sought to investigate the effects of KiSS1 on growth and migration in human HCC cells. HepG2 human HCC cells were infected with lentivirus particles containing KiSS1. The overexpression of KiSS1 resulted in an increased proliferation rate of HCC cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting revealed increased Akt activity, and downregulation of the G1/S phase cell cycle inhibitors. A significant increase in tumor spheroid formation with upregulation of β-catenin and CD133 was also observed. KiSS1 overexpression promoted the migratory, invasive ability, and metastatic capacity of the hepatocarcinoma cell line, and these effects were associated with changes in the expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)- related genes such as E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and slug. KiSS1 overexpression also resulted in dramatically increased tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model, and upregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 in the HCC tumors. Furthermore, KiSS1 increased the angiogenic capacity by upregulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and CD31. Based on these observations, we infer that KiSS1 not only induces HCC proliferation, but also increases the metastatic potential by increasing the migratory ability and angiogenic capacity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.505-510
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• 2005

Allylthio group of allicin and other organosulfur compounds which are isolated from garlic is considered as a pharmacophore, a key structure component of the molecule which is responsible biological activities. In the foregoing studies various 3-allylthio -6- alkoxypyridazine derivatives (K- compounds ) and 3-allylthio -6- alkylthiopyridazine derivatives(Thio-K-compounds) were synthesized and their biological activities were tested in vivo. They showed good hepatoprotective activities on the carbon tetrachloride-treated mouse and aflatoxin Bl-treated rat and chemopreventive activities on bepatocarcinoma cells in rat as expected. Now 3-allylthio-6-heterocyclylalkylaminopyridazine derivatives that the oxygen atom at 6-Position of 3-allylthio-6-alkoxypyridazine is replaced by nitrogen (N) were synthesiz ed and their activities were tested in vitro against SK-Hep-1 human liver cancer cells. They showed good chemopreventive activities on hepatocarcinoma cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.568-573
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• 2003

We invesgated the GBH water extracts can be used as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent in humans, especially in hepatological cancer cell lines. The GBH was found to act as an potent inhibitor of COX-I only, but not as COX-2 inhibitor. Furthermore, the extract mediated anti-inflammatory effects and inhibited COX-associated hydroperoxidase functions(antipromotion activity). Inhibitory effect of the GBH water extracts on the growth of cancer cell lines such as HepG2 cell and Hep3B cell was shown.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2012

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) is serious metabolic disease related to fatty acid. According to "two hit theory", fatty acid-induced oxidative stress is important factor to progress nonalcoholic steatohepatitis from steatosis. In this study, we evaluated stearic acid induced oxidative stress in human hepatocarcinoma SK-Hep-1 cell. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde and expression of antioxidant enzymes were determined at various time-points and concentrations of stearic acid. At 0.2 mM, non-toxic concentration, of stearic acid, production of ROS was significantly increased at 24 hours and the level of GSH was significantly decreased. Expression of superoxide dismutase-1 and 2 was slightly increased in 0.2 mM stearic acid at 24 hours. These results represent that the non-toxic concentration of stearic acid resulted in oxidative stress, suggesting that stearic acid may play a critical role in development of steatohepatitis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.34-34
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• 2005

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.660-664
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• 2005

We have previously isolated specific RNA aptamers with high affinity against the helicase domain of hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3 (NS3). The RNA aptamers competitively and efficiently inhibited the helicase activity, partially impeding HCV replicon replication in human hepatocarcinoma cells. In this study, the RNA aptamers were tested for binding to the HCV NS3 proteins in eukaryotic cells, using a yeast three-hybrid system. The aptamers were then recognized by the HCV NS3 proteins when expressed in the cells, while the antisense sequences of the aptamers were not. These results suggest that the in vitro selected RNA aptamers can also specifically bind to the target proteins in vivo. Consequently, they could be potentially utilized as anti-HCV lead compounds.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.769-776
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• 2014

Anisomycin, also known as flagecidin, is an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces griseolus that inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the ribosomal 28S subunit. The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein that induces apoptotic cell death. TRAIL primarily causes apoptosis in tumor cells by binding to death receptors. Many human cancer cell lines are refractory to TRAIL-induced cell death. In this study, we investigated whether anisomycin could enhance TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. Treatment with anisomycin and TRAIL alone did not reduce cell viability in Hep3B cells. However, in the presence of TRAIL, the anisomycin concentration dependently reduced the cell viability. Our results indicate that anisomycin sensitizes Hep3B cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and that this occurs, at least partly, via caspase activation. Interestingly, Bid knockdown by small interfering RNA significantly reduced the induction of apoptosis in combination with anisomycin and TRAIL, indicating that anisomycin effectively acts to lower the threshold at which TRAIL-mediated truncated Bid triggers the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis program in Hep3B cells. Therefore, the use of TRAIL in combination with anisomycin might provide an effective therapeutic strategy for the safe treatment of some TRAIL-resistant cancer cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.127-128
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• 2015

Tumor metastasis involves circulating and tumor-initiating capacities of metastatic cancer cells. Hepatic TM4SF5 promotes EMT for malignant growth and migration. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biomarkers remain unexplored for metastatic potential throughout metastasis. Here, novel TM4SF5/CD44 interaction-mediated self-renewal and circulating tumor cell (CTC) capacities were mechanistically explored. TM4SF5-dependent sphere growth was correlated with $CD133^+$, $CD24^-$, ALDH activity, and a physical association between CD44 and TM4SF5. The TM4SF5/CD44 interaction activated c-Src/STAT3/ Twist1/ B mi1 signaling for spheroid formation, while disturbing the interaction, expression, or activity of any component in this signaling pathway inhibited spheroid formation. In serial xenografts of less than 5,000 cells/injection, TM4SF5-positive tumors exhibited locally-increased CD44 expression, suggesting tumor cell differentiation. TM4SF5-positive cells were identified circulating in blood 4 to 6 weeks after orthotopic liver-injection. Anti-TM4SF reagents blocked their metastasis to distal intestinal organs. Altogether, our results provide evidence that TM4SF5 promotes self-renewal and CTC properties supported by $CD133^+/TM4SF5^+/CD44^+^{(TM4SF5-bound)}/ALDH^+/CD24^-$ markers during HCC metastasis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.821-827
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• 2010

Gene delivery that provides targeted delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells of a lesion enhances therapeutic efficacy and reduces toxic side effects. This process is especially important in cancer therapy when it is advantageous to avoid unwanted damage to healthy normal cells. Incorporating cancer-specific ligands that recognize receptors overexpressed on cancer cells can increase selective binding and uptake and, as a result, increase targeted transgene expression. In this study, we investigated whether a peptide capable of homing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could facilitate targeted gene delivery by cationic liposomes. This homing peptide (HBP) exhibited selective binding to a human hepatocarcinoma cell line, HepG2, at a concentration ranging from 5 to 5,000 nM. When conjugated to a cationic liposome, HBP substantially increased cellular internalization of plasmid DNA to increase the transgene expression in HepG2 cells. In addition, there was no significant enhancement in gene transfer detected for other human cell lines tested, including THLE-3, AD293, and MCF-7 cells. Therefore, we demonstrate that HBP provides targeted gene delivery to HCC by cationic liposomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1321-1325
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• 1999

The inhibitory effect of Ramaria botrytis on the mutagenicity in Salmonella assay and cytotoxicity on cancer cell were studied. Ramaria botrytis methanol extracts showed antimutagenic effects of 60~90% on B(a)P and AFB1 in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100. These extracts showed 73~85% antimutagenicity on TA100 against MNNG. The methanol extracts with strong antimutagenic activities were further fractionated by ethylacetate and water, the ethylacetate fraction were found to be stronger antimutagen icity against MNNG than water fraction. Ramaria botrytis methanol extracts and ethylacetate fraction revealed the highest cytoxicity against HT 29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells in which cell growth was inhibited by 57~88% and 69~94% at 0.25~1.0mg/ml, respectively. These methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction exhibited 53~79% and 66~87% inhibition against HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells, respectively. But water fraction showed only 10~24% inhibition. However, these extract and fractions did not show cytotoxic effect against human chang liver cells. From these results, it is considered that Ramaria botrytis has stronger antimutagenic and anticancer effects in vitro.