• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.553-562
• /
• 2007

Osteoblasts regulate osteoclastogenesis by production of various cytokines. Aggregatibacter(A) ac-tinomycetemcomitans is one of periodontopathogens which invades gingival tissue. Therefore, clarifying the effect of alive A. actinomycetemcomitans on osteoblasts is important to understand the mechanism of alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis. We investigated induction of osteoclastogenesis-inducing cytokines, adherence, and invasion by A. actinomycetemcomitans in osteoblasts. Osteoblasts were isolated from mouse calvaria and expression of cytokines was determined by RT-PCR. When the ratio of the number of A. actinomycetemcomtians to the number of osteoblasts was 10:1, 50:1 and 100:1, RANKL mRNA expression was increased. A. actinomycetemcomitans also increased expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) -1${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-1${\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$. A. actinomycetemcomitans attached to and invaded osteoblasts at ratio of 1000:1. These results suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans increases osteoclastogenesis-inducing ability of osteoblasts by stimulating the expression of RANKL, MIP-1${\alpha}$,IL-1${\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$ and that invasion of A. actinomycetemcomitans provides a means by which the bacteria escape from immune system and antibiotic therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.2837-2840
• /
• 2012

We investigated whether IFN-${\beta}$ inhibits the growth of human malignant glioma and induces glioma cell apoptosis using the human IFN-${\beta}$ gene transfected into glioma cells. A eukaryonic expression vector ($pSV2IFN{\beta}$) for IFN-${\beta}$ was transfected into the glioma cell line SHG44 using liposome transfection. Stable transfection and IFN-${\beta}$ expression were confirmed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell apoptosis was also assessed by Hoechst staining and electron microscopy. In vivo experiments were used to establish a SHG44 glioma model in nude mice. Liposomes containing the human IFN-${\beta}$ gene were injected into the SHG44 glioma of nude mice to observe glioma growth and calculate tumor size. Fas expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The IFN-${\beta}$ gene was successfully transfected and expressed in the SHG44 glioma cells in vitro. A significant difference in the number of apoptotic cells was observed between transfected and non-transfected cells. Glioma growth in nude mice was inhibited in vivo, with significant induction of apoptosis. Fas expression was also elevated. The IFN-${\beta}$ gene induces apoptosis in glioma cells, possibly through upregulation of Fas. The IFN-${\beta}$ gene modulation in the Fas pathway and apoptosis in glioma cells may be important for the treatment of gliomas.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.107-123
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Endometriosis has been thought to be related with blood stasis in uterus. Pinelliae Tuber is a herb which has effectiveness of dispelling phlegm which can be transformed into blood stasis, so is used in gynecology blood stasis-desease. Therefore in the present study, the effects of Pinelliae Tuber on endometriosis were investigated. Also retention enema therapy acts on the limited part directly, so is used frequently in gynecology clinic. This study was to examine the comparative effects on the surgical induction of endometriosis in the rat between orally and rectally administered with Pinelliae Tuber extract. Methods: The endometrial tissue was autografted to Rat's small intestine. Rats with surgically induced endometriosis were orally and rectally administerd with Pinelliae Tuber extract for 40 days. Size of ectopic uterine implants at the serosal wall and concentration of progesterone, estradiol, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-I0 in serum were examined and compared with the control group. Results: There was no difference in the size of ectopic uterine implants of experimental group compared with control group. The concentration of IL-10 level was significantly decreased in orally administered experimental group and the concentration of progesterone, IL-6 level was significantly decreased in rectally administered experimental group. There was no significant difference between orally and rectally administerd with Pinelliae Tuber. Conclusion: Judging from the above results, it can be suggested that Pinelliae Tuber should be not a useful agent for inhibiting the proliferation of uterine endometrial tissue. There is no difference between orally and rectally administerd with Pinelliae Tuber extract.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8271-8279
• /
• 2016

Background: Hepato-carcinogenesis is multifaceted in its molecular aspects. Among the interplaying agents are altered gap junctions, the proteasome/autophagy system, and mitochondria. The present experimental study was designed to outline the roles of these players and to investigate the tumor suppressive effects of curcumin with or without mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Adult female albino rats were divided into normal controls and animals with HCC induced by diethyl-nitrosamine (DENA) and $CCl_4$. Additional groups treated after HCC induction were: Cur/HCC which received curcumin; MSCs/HCC which received MSCs; and Cur+MSCs/HCC which received both curcumin and MSCs. For all groups there were histopathological examination and assessment of gene expression of connexin43 (Cx43), ubiquitin ligase-E3 (UCP-3), the autophagy marker LC3 and coenzyme-Q10 (Mito.Q10) mRNA by real time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, along with measurement of LC3II/LC3I ratio for estimation of autophagosome formation in the rat liver tissue. In addition, the serum levels of ALT, AST and alpha fetoprotein (AFP), together with the proinflammatory cytokines $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-6, were determined in all groups. Results: Histopathological examination of liver tissue from animals which received DENA-$CCl_4$ only revealed the presence of anaplastic carcinoma cells and macro-regenerative nodules. Administration of curcumin, MSCs; each alone or combined into rats after induction of HCC improved the histopathological picture. This was accompanied by significant reduction in ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein together with proinflammatory cytokines and significant decrease of various liver enzymes, in addition to upregulation of Cx43, UCP-3, LC3 and Mito.Q10 mRNA. Conclusions: Improvement of Cx43 expression, nonapoptotic cell death and mitochondrial function can repress tumor growth in HCC. Administration of curcumin and/or MSCs have tumor suppressive effects as they can target these mechanisms. However, further research is still needed to verify their effectiveness.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.113-117
• /
• 2012

FasL, perforin, $TNF{\alpha}$, IL-1 and NO have been considered as effector molecule(s) leading to ${\beta}$-cell death in autoimmune diabetes. However, the real culprit(s) of ${\beta}$-cell destruction have long been elusive despite intense investigation. Previously we have suggested $IFN{\gamma}/TNF{\alpha}$ synergism as the final effector molecules in autoimmune diabetes of NOD mice. A combination of $IFN{\gamma}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ but neither cytokine alone, induced classical caspase-dependent apoptosis in murine insulinoma and pancreatic islet cells. $IFN{\gamma}$ treatment conferred susceptibility to $TNF{\alpha}$-induced apoptosis on otherwise resistant murine insulinoma cells by STAT1 activation followed by IRF-1 induction. Here we report that $IFN{\gamma}/TNF{\alpha}$ synergism induces apoptosis of human pancreatic islet cells. We also observed STAT1 activation followed by IRF-1 induction by $IFN{\gamma}$ treatment in human islet cells. Taken together, we suggest that $IFN{\gamma}/TNF{\alpha}$ synergism could be involved in human islet cell death in type 1 diabetes, similar to murine type 1 diabetes.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.322-328
• /
• 2001

Excision and amplification of pre-determined, large genomic segments (taken directly from the genome of a natural host, which provides an alternative to conventional cloning in foreign vectors and hosts) was explored in human cells. In this approach, we devised a procedure for excising a large segment of human genomic DNA, the iNOS gene, by using the Cre/loxP system of bacteriophage P1 and amplifying the excised circles with the EBNA-1/oriP system of the Epstein-Barr virus. Two loxP sequences, each of which serves as a recognition site for recombinase Cre, were integrated unidirectionally into the 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR regions of the iNOS gene, together with an oriP sequence for conditional replication. The traps-acting genes cre and EBNA-1, which were under the control of a tetracycline responsive $P_{hcmv^*-1}$ promoter, were also inserted into the 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR regions of the iNOS gene, respectively, by homologous recombination. The strain carrying the inserted elements was stably maintained until the excision and amplification functions were triggered by the induction of cre and EBNA-1. Upon induction by doxycycline, Cre excised the iNOS gene that was flanked by two ZoxP sites and circularized it. The circularized iNOS gene was then amplified by the EBNA-1/oriP-system. With this procedure, approximately a 45.8-kb iNOS genomic fragment of human chromosome 17 was excised and successfully amplified in human cells. Our procedure can be used effectively for the sequencing of unclonable genes, the functional analysis of unknown genes, and gene therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.2121-2127
• /
• 2012

Objective: Deoxyribonucleoside kinase of Drosophila melanogaster (Dm-dNK) mutants have been reported to exert suicide gene effects in combined gene/chemotherapy of cancer. Here, we aimed to further evaluate the capacity of the mutanted enzyme and its potential for inhibiting cancer cell growth. Methods: We altered the sequence of the last 10 amino acids of Dm-dNK to perform site-directed mutagenesis and constructed active site mutanted Dm-dNK (Dm-dNKmut), RT-PCR and western bloting studies were used to reveal the expression of lentivirus mediated Dm-dNKmut in a breast cancer cell line (Bcap37), a gastric cancer cell line (SGC7901) and a colorectal cancer cell line (CCL187). [3H]-labeled substrates were used for enzyme activity assays, cell cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assays, cell proliferation using a hemocytometer and apoptosis induction by thenannexin-V-FITC labeled FACS method. In vivo, an animal study was set out in which BALB/C nude mice bearing tumors were treated with lentivirus mediated expression of Dm-dNKmut with the pyrimidine nucleoside analog brivudine (BVDU, (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-(2-deoxyuridine). Results: The Dm-dNKmut could be stably expressed in the cancer cell lines and retained its enzymatic activity. Moreover, the cells expressing Dm-dNKmut exhibited increased sensitivity in combination with BVDU, with induction of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: These findings underlined the importance of BVDU phosphorylated by Dm-dNKmut in transduced cancer cells and the potential role of Dm-dNKmut as a suicide gene, thus providing the basis for future intensive research for cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.747-752
• /
• 2013

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a multifunctional cellular regulator acting on a wide variety of cells, which has potential roles in the regulation of gene activation, cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies have shown that OSM can induce morphological and/or functional differentiation and maturation of many tumor cells. However, the action of OSM on the induction of differentiation of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been reported. Here, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of OSM on human HCC cell line SMMC-7721 growth, proliferation, cell cycling, apoptosis and differentiation in vitro. Cell growth was determined via MTT assay, proliferation by cell cycle analysis, apoptosis by flow cytometry, morphology by transmission electronic microscopy, and cell function by detection of biochemical markers. Our results demonstrated that OSM strongly inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose-dependent manner, associated with decreased clonogenicity. Cell cycle analysis revealed a decreased proportion of cells in S phase, with arrest at G0/G1. The apotosis rate was increased after OSM treatment compared to the control. These changes were associated with striking changes in cellular morphology, toward a more mature hepatic phenotype, accompanied by significant reduction of the expression of AFP and specific activity of ${\gamma}$-GT, with remarkable increase in secretion of albumin and ALP activity. Taken together, our findings indicate that OSM could induce the differentiation and reduce cell viability of SMMC-7721 cells, suggesting that differentiation therapy with OSM offers the opportunity for therapeutic intervention in HCC.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.133-142
• /
• 2008

For solid organ transplant, ABO blood type of donor and recipient should be compatible in principle. Recent improvement of immunosuppressant made HLA typing not so important while no-mismatch transplant still shows the longest graft survival. PRA(panel reactive antibody) test is to screen and identify recipients with HLA sensitization. When solid organ transplant is scheduled, cross-match test of donor cell and recipient serum should be performed and positive result of cross-match prohibits transplantation. Donor specific antibody(DSA) test can predict the severity of recipient immune reaction against donor organ. Today's mainstay of allograft immunosuppressant regimen is triple therapy of steroid, calcineurin inhibitor(cyclosporine, tacrolimus), azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil(MMF). Antibody induction using Thymoglobulin or anti-IL-2 receptor antibody(basiliximab or daclizumab) is frequently practiced as well.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.701-709
• /
• 2006

The Rhus verniciflua Stokes (乾漆-RVS) has been used in traditional East Asia medicine for the therapy of gastritis, stomach cancer, although the mechanism for the biological activity is unclear. In the present study aims to investigate RVS extract contributes to growth inhibitory effect and it's the molecular mechanism on the human gastric cancer cells. AGS (gastric cancer cells) and RIEI (normal cells) were treated to different concentrations and periods of RVS extract $(10{\;}{\sim{{\;}100{\;}ug/mil)$. Growth inhibitory effect was analyzed by measuring FACS study and MTS assay. Cell cycle inhibition was confirmed by measuring CDK2 kinase activity by immunoprecipitation and kinase assay. And apoptosis was confirmed by surveying caspase cascades activation using a pan caspase inhibitor Exposure to RVS extract (50 ug/mll) resulted in a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth in AGS cells. Growth inhibition was related with the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The extract induces Gl -cell cycle arrest through the regulation of cyclins, the induction of p27kip1, and the decrease CDK2 kinase activity. And upregulated p27kip1 level is caused by protein stability increment by the reduction of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), a key molecule related with p27kip1 ubiquitination and degradation, and do novo protein synthesis. Besides, 乾漆 extract induces apoptosis through the expression of Bax, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activation of caspase-3. RVS extract induces Gl -cell cycle arrest via accumulation of p27kip1 and apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells but not in normal cells, therefore we suggest that the extract can be used as a novel class of anti-cancer drugs.