• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.12-25
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of the combination treatment of phytochemical resveratrol and the anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX) on prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells, including factors related to detailed cell death mechanisms. MATERIALS/METHODS: Using 2-dimensional monolayer and 3-dimensional spheroid culture systems, we examined the effects of resveratrol and DTX on cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, and necroptosis by MTT, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. RESULTS: At concentrations not toxic to normal human prostate epithelial cells, resveratrol effectively decreased the viability of LNCaP cells depending on concentration and time. The combination treatment of resveratrol and DTX exhibited synergistic inhibitory effects on cell growth, demonstrated by an increase in the sub-G0/G1 peak, Annexin V-phycoerythrin positive cell fraction, ROS, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage response as well as concurrent activation of apoptosis and necroptosis. Apoptosis and necroptosis were rescued by pretreatment with ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine. CONCLUSIONS: We report resveratrol as an adjuvant drug candidate for improving the outcome of treatment in DTX therapy. Although the underlying mechanisms of necroptosis should be investigated comprehensively, targeting apoptosis and necroptosis simultaneously in the treatment of cancer can be a useful strategy for the development of promising drug candidates.

• BMB Reports
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.305-310
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• 2021

Cereblon (CRBN) is a multi-functional protein that acts as a substrate receptor of the E3 ligase complex and a molecular chaperone. While CRBN is proposed to function in mitochondria, its specific roles are yet to be established. Here, we showed that knockdown of CRBN triggers oxidative stress and calcium overload in mitochondria, leading to disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, long-term CRBN depletion using PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) induced irreversible mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cell death. Our collective findings indicate that CRBN is required for mitochondrial homeostasis in cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.20-29
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• 2022

Stem cell-based therapy is a promising approach for treating a variety of disorders, including acute brain insults and neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), circular membrane fragments (30 nm-1 ㎛) that are shed from the cell surface, carrying several therapeutic molecules such as proteins and microRNAs. Because EV-based therapy is superior to cell therapy in terms of scalable production, biodistribution, and safety profiles, it can be used to treat brain diseases as an alternative to stem cell therapy. This review presents evidences evaluating the role of stem cell-derived EVs in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson' disease. In addition, stem cell-derived EVs have better profiles in biocompatibility, immunogenicity, and safety than those of small chemical and macromolecules. The advantages and disadvantages of EVs compared with other strategies are discussed. Even though EVs obtained from native stem cells have potential in the treatment of brain diseases, the successful clinical application is limited by the short half-life, limited targeting, rapid clearance after application, and insufficient payload. We discuss the strategies to enhance the efficacy of EV therapeutics. Finally, EV therapies have yet to be approved by the regulatory authorities. Major issues are discussed together with relevant advances in the clinical application of EV therapeutics.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.172-177
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• 2023

BEST family is a class of Ca²⁺-activated Cl- channels evolutionary well conserved from bacteria to human. The human BEST paralogs (BEST1-BEST4) share significant amino acid sequence homology in the N-terminal region, which forms the transmembrane helicases and contains the direct calcium-binding site, Ca²⁺-clasp. But the cytosolic C-terminal region is less conserved in the paralogs. Interestingly, this domain-specific sequence conservation is also found in the BEST1 orthologs. However, the functional role of the C-terminal region in the BEST channels is still poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to understand the functional role of the C-terminal region in the human and mouse BEST1 channels by using electrophysiological recordings. We found that the calcium-dependent activation of BEST1 channels can be modulated by the C-terminal region. The C-terminal deletion hBEST1 reduced the Ca²⁺-dependent current activation and the hBEST1-mBEST1 chimera showed a significantly reduced calcium sensitivity to hBEST1 in the HEK293 cells. And the C-terminal domain could regulate cellular expression and plasma membrane targeting of BEST1 channels. Our results can provide a basis for understanding the C-terminal roles in the structure-function of BEST family proteins.

• 생약학회지
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Sparassis crispa is an edible mushroom that has been widely utilized in Japan and Korea. It has various biological activities, such as anti-hypertensive, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-cancer effects. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity and underlying molecular mechanism of chloroform fraction of methanol extract of S. crispa (CESP) against cervical cancer stem cells (CSCs), which contribute to tumor initiation, recurrence, and resistance to therapy of human cervical cancer. CESP effectively inhibited the proliferation, tumorsphere formation, and migration of HeLa-derived cervical CSCs by promoting apoptosis. In addition, CESP significantly downregulated the expression of key cancer stemness markers, including integrin α6, CD133, CD44, ALDH1A1, Nanog, Oct-4, and Sox-2, in HeLa-derived cervical CSCs. Furthermore, CESP remarkably suppressed in vivo tumor growth of HeLa-derived cervical CSCs in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Therefore, our findings suggest that CESP has potential as a natural medicine for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer by targeting CSCs.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.155-160
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• 2024

Lung cancer carries one of the highest mortality rates among all cancers. It is often diagnosed at more advanced stages with limited treatment options compared to other malignancies. This study focuses on calnexin as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Calnexin, a molecular chaperone integral to N-linked glycoprotein synthesis, has shown some associations with cancer. However, targeted therapeutic or diagnostic methods using calnexin have been proposed. Through 1D-LCMSMS, we identified calnexin as a biomarker for lung cancer and substantiated its expression in human lung cancer cell membranes using Western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry. Anti-calnexin antibodies exhibited complement-dependent cytotoxicity to lung cancer cell lines, resulting in a notable reduction in tumor growth in a subcutaneous xenograft model. Additionally, we verified the feasibility of labeling tumors through in vivo imaging using antibodies against calnexin. Furthermore, exosomal detection of calnexin suggested the potential utility of liquid biopsy for diagnostic purposes. In conclusion, this study establishes calnexin as a promising target for antibody-based lung cancer diagnosis and therapy, unlocking novel avenues for early detection and treatment.

• 대한방사성의약품학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.17-21
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• 2023

In this study, we evaluated the targeting of prostate cancer (PCa) using [¹⁸F]Florastamin in non-clinical study, for the purpose of therapeutic monitoring of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep, a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical for PCa, [¹⁸F]Florastamin/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep was co-administered to a single-individual prostate tumor bearing mouse model, mimicking clinical condition. Considering the difference in half-life of the two isotopes (¹⁸F or ¹⁷⁷Lu), image scan of whole-body autoradiography was performed at 24 or 48 h after preparation of frozen section, respectively. Then, it was confirmed whether they showed the same targeting efficiency for the area of tumor. A tumor xenograft model was prepared using PSMA-overexpressing PC3-PIP prostate cancer cells. [¹⁸F]Florastamin [111 MBq (3 mCi) in 100 µL]/¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep [3.7 MBq (100 µCi) in 100 µL] was co-administered through the tail vein, and 2 hours after administration, the mice were frozen, and after freezing for 24 hours, whole-body cryosection was performed at 24 h after freezing. Image scanning using cryosection was performed after 24 or 48 hours after freezing, respectively. In the scan image after 24 hours, tumor uptake of [¹⁸F] Florastamin/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep were simultaneously observed specific uptake in the tumor. In the scan image after 48 hours in the same section, signal of ¹⁸F was lost by decay of radioisotope, and specific uptake image for [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep was observed in the tumor. Uptake of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep was specific to the same tumor region where [¹⁸F]Florastamin/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep was uptake. These results suggested that [¹⁸F]Florastamin showed the same tumor uptake efficiency to PCa as [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep, and effective therapeutic monitoring is expected to be enable using [¹⁸F]Florastamin during [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep therapy for PCa.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.179-188
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• 2024

Objective: ¹⁷⁷Lutetium [Lu] Ludotadipep is a novel prostate-specific membrane antigen targeting therapeutic agent with an albumin motif added to increase uptake in the tumors. We assessed the biodistribution and dosimetry of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Materials and Methods: Data from 25 patients (median age, 73 years; range, 60-90) with mCRPC from a phase I study with activity escalation design of single administration of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep (1.85, 2.78, 3.70, 4.63, and 5.55 GBq) were assessed. Activity in the salivary glands, lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen was estimated from whole-body scan and abdominal SPECT/CT images acquired at 2, 24, 48, 72, and 168 h after administration of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep. Red marrow activity was calculated from blood samples obtained at 3, 10, 30, 60, and 180 min, and at 24, 48, and 72 h after administration. Organand tumor-based absorbed dose calculations were performed using IDAC-Dose 2.1. Results: Absorbed dose coefficient (mean ± standard deviation) of normal organs was 1.17 ± 0.81 Gy/GBq for salivary glands, 0.05 ± 0.02 Gy/GBq for lungs, 0.14 ± 0.06 Gy/GBq for liver, 0.77 ± 0.28 Gy/GBq for kidneys, 0.12 ± 0.06 Gy/GBq for spleen, and 0.07 ± 0.02 Gy/GBq for red marrow. The absorbed dose coefficient of the tumors was 10.43 ± 7.77 Gy/GBq. Conclusion: [¹⁷⁷Lu]Ludotadipep is expected to be safe at the dose of 3.7 GBq times 6 cycles planned for a phase II clinical trial with kidneys and bone marrow being the critical organs, and shows a high tumor absorbed dose.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.343-349
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• 2007

방사성옥소는 갑상선암의 핵의학적 영상과 방사성치료에 널리 그리고 성공적으로 사용되어 왔다. 최근 세포의 옥소섭취를 담당하는 운반체로서 Na/I symporter (NIS)의 분자세포학적 특성이 규명되고 그 유전자가 클로닝되면서 앞으로는 갑상선암 이외의 각종 암에도 NIS 유전자를 외부에서 전달함으로써 방사성옥소 치료를 적용하는 새로운 암치료 기술이 가능할 것으로 기대되고 있다. 방사성옥소를 이용한 암치료의 성공을 위해서는 NIS를 통한 표적세포의 옥소 섭취를 극대화 시키는 것이 핵심이다. TSH는 갑상선 세포의 NIS 발현을 항진시키고 retinoic acid는 갑상선암과 유방암 세포의 NIS발현을 증가시키는 효과가 있다. 또 일반 암세포에는 NIS 유전자를 전달하여 발현 시킬 수 있다. 그러나 NIS 발현 만으로는 원하는 수준의 방사성옥소 섭취를 충분히 얻지 못할 수 있다. 이는 세포의 옥소 섭취가 NIS 단백질의 총량이 아니라 세포막에 위치한 NIS의 양에 의해 결정되기 때문이다. 즉, 옥소를 섭취하려는 전사된 NIS단백질이 세포막으로 이동하여 정상적으로 기능하게 하는 조절 기전이 중요하다. NIS의 세포막 이동 기전은 아직 밝혀져 있지 않으나 다른 운반체와 유사하게 단백질의 전사후 glycosylation이나 phosphorylation이 관여할 것으로 생각된다. 본 연구진은 NIS 유전자를 전달한 암세포에서epidermal growth factor를 통한 extracellular signal regulated kinase 신호경로의 활성화가 방사성옥소 섭취를 항진시킴을 관찰하여 NIS의 전사외 기능조절 기전을 조사하고 있다. 앞으로 NIS기능에 대한 조절기전이 보다 자세하게 밝혀지면 방사성옥소 치료기술과 NIS유전자 영상기술의 개선과 발전에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

A1E is an extract from traditional Asian medicinal plants that has therapeutic activities against cancers, metabolic disease, and other intractable conditions. However, its mechanism of action on cervical cancer has not been studied. In order to ascertain if A1E would have pronounced anti-cervical cancer effect, cervical cancer cells were incubated with A1E and apoptosis was detected by nuclear morphological changes, annexin V-FITC/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, western blotting, Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. Expression of human papiloma virus E6 and E7 oncogenes was down-regulated in A1E-treated cervical cancer cells, while p53 and retinoblastoma protein levels were enhanced. A1E also perturbed cell cycle progression at sub-G1 and altered cell cycle regulatory factors in SiHa cervical cancer cells. A1E activated apoptotic intrinsic pathway markers such as caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. A1E induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and cytochrome c release, and inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, key factors involved in cell survival signaling. Taken all these results, A1E induced apoptosis via activation of the intrinsic pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt survival-signaling pathway in SiHa cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, A1E exerts anti-proliferative action growth inhibition on cervical cancer cells through apoptosis which demonstrates its anti-cervical cancer properties.