• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1011-1022
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• 2020

Cell type specification is a delicate biological event in which every step is under tight regulation. From a molecular point of view, cell fate commitment begins with chromatin alteration, which kickstarts lineage-determining factors to initiate a series of genes required for cell specification. Several important neuronal differentiation factors have been identified from ectopic over-expression studies. However, there is scarce information on which DNA regions are modified during induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) to neuronal progenitor cell (NPC) differentiation, the cis regulatory factors that attach to these accessible regions, or the genes that are initially expressed. In this study, we identified the DNA accessible regions of iPSCs and NPCs via the Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq). We identified which chromatin regions were modified after neuronal differentiation and found that the enhancer regions had more active histone modification changes than the promoters. Through motif enrichment analysis, we found that NEUROD1 controls iPSC differentiation to NPC by binding to the accessible regions of enhancers in cooperation with other factors such as the Hox proteins. Finally, by using Hi-C data, we categorized the genes that directly interacted with the enhancers under the control of NEUROD1 during iPSC to NPC differentiation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.570-575
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• 2022

Stress breaks body balance, which can cause diverse physiological disorders and worsen preexisting diseases. However, recent studies have reported that controllable stress and overcoming from stress reinforce resilience to resist against more intense stress afterwards. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of corticosterone (CORT), a representative stress hormone against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced neuronal cell death and its underlying molecular mechanism in SH-SY5Y cells, a human neuroblastoma cell line. The decreased cell viability by H₂O₂ was effectively restored by the pretreatment with low concentration of CORT (0.03 μM for 72 h) in the cells. H₂O₂-increased expression of apoptotic markers such as PUMA and Bim was decreased by CORT pretreatment. Furthermore, pretreatment of CORT attenuated H₂O₂-mediated oxidative damages by upregulation of antioxidant enzymes via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). These findings suggest that low concentration of CORT with eustressed condition enhances intracellular self-defense against H₂O₂-mediated oxidative cell death, suggesting a role of low concentration of CORT as one of key molecules for resilience and neuronal cell survival.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Sericultural Science Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.109-111
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• 2003

In the present study, we examined ceramide-induced neuronal cell death and its mechanism and process using SK-N-KH cells, and investigated whether ROS was produced and related to other factors. In addition, we tried to check whether silk fibroin had protective effect fur neuronal cells, and through which cell death process this protective mechanism functioned. (omitted)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.87-97
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• 2005

Backgrounds: Intracerebral hemon-hage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. Ginseng radix, the root of Panax Ginseng, C. A. MEYER (Araliaceae), is one of the most famous medicinal herbs with various therapeutic applications. Objectives: In the present study, the effect of aqueous extract of Ginseng radix on intracerebral hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death in rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: Step-down avoidance task, Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry for caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were used for this study. Results: The present results show that hemorrhage-induced lesion volume and apoptotic neuronal cell death in the striatum were significantly suppressed by treatment with Ginseng radix, resulting in enhancement of short-ten-n memory. Conclusions: We have shown that Ginseng radix has a neuroprotective effect on stroke, and aids the recovery from central nervous system sequelae following stroke.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2019

Methamphetamine (METH) acts strongly on the nervous system and damages neurons and is known to cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds present in green tea, red wine and several fruits exhibit antioxidant properties that protect neurons from oxidative damage and promote neuronal survival. Especially, epicatechin (EC) is a powerful flavonoid with antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor and antimutagenic effects as well as antioxidant effects. We therefore investigated whether EC could prevent METH-induced neurotoxicity using HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells. EC reduced METH-induced cell death of HT22 cells. In addition, we observed that EC abrogated the activation of ERK, p38 and inhibited the expression of CHOP and DR4. EC also reduced METH-induced ROS accumulation and MMP. These results suggest that EC may protect HT22 hippocampal neurons against METH-induced cell death by reducing ER stress and mitochondrial damage.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.451-456
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• 2015

Purpose: Neuronal apoptotic events induced by aging and hypoxic/ischemic conditions is an important risk factor in neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemia stroke and Alzheimer's disease. The peel of Citrus sunki Hort. ex Tanaka has long been used as a traditional medicine, based on multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-obesity. In the current study, we examined the actions of fermented C. sunki peel extract against cobalt chloride ($CoCl_2$)-mediated hypoxic death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: Cell viability was measured by trypan blue exclusion. Expression of apoptosis related proteins and release of cytochrome c were detected by western blot. Production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic morphology were examined using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Results: Exposure to $CoCl_2$, a well-known mimetic agent of hypoxic/ischemic condition, resulted in neuronal cell death via caspase-3 dependent pathway. Extract of fermented C. sunki peel significantly rescued the $CoCl_2$-induced neuronal toxicity with the cell viability and appearance of apoptotic morphology. Cytoprotection with fermented C. sunki peel extract was associated with a decrease in activities of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP). In addition, increase in the intracellular ROS and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol were inhibited by treatment with extract of fermented C. sunki peel. Conclusion: Based on these data, fermented C. sunki peel extract might have a protective effect against $CoCl_2$-induced neuronal injury partly through generation of ROS and effectors involved in mitochondrial mediated apoptosis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.188-202
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Brain aging is a major risk factor for severe neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, L-histidine and L-carnosine are known to exhibit neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to examine the potential for L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination to mediate anti-brain aging effects in neuronal cells subjected to D-galactose-induced aging. MATERIALS/METHODS: The neuroprotective potential of L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination was examined in a retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiated SH-SY5Y cell line exposed to D-galactose (200 mM) for 48 h. Neuronal cell proliferation, differentiation, and expression of anti-oxidant enzymes and apoptosis markers were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: Treatment with L-histidine (1 mM), L-carnosine (10 mM), or both for 48 h efficiently improved the proliferation, neurogenesis, and senescence of D-galactose-treated SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, protein expression levels of both neuronal markers (β tubulin-III and neurofilament heavy protein) and anti-oxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase-1 and superoxide dismutase-1 were up-regulated. Conversely, protein expression levels of amyloid β (1-42) and cleaved caspase-3 were down-regulated. Levels of mRNA for the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, we provide the first evidence that L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination mediate anti-aging effects in a neuronal cell line subjected to D-galactose-induced aging. These results suggest the potential benefits of L-histidine and L-carnosine as anti-brain aging agents and they support further research of these amino acid molecules.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2000

We examined the neurotoxic effects of 3 glutathione (GSH) depletors, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), diethyl maleate (DEM) and phorone, under the presence of trolox, cycloheximide (CHX), pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or MK-801 in primary mouse cortical cell cultures. All three depletors induced neuronal death in dose and exposure time dependent manner, and decreased total cellular GSH contents. The patterns of the neuronal death and the GSH decrements were dependent on the individual agents. DEM $(200\;{\mu}M)$ induced rapid and irreversible decrement of the GSH. BSO (1 mM) also decreased the GSH irreversibly but the rate of decrement was more progressive than that of DEM. Phorone (1 mM) reduced the GSH content to 40% by 4 hr exposure, that is comparable to the decrement of BSO, but the GSH recovered and reached over the control value by 36 hr exposure. BSO showed a minimal neurotoxicity $(0{\sim}10%)$ at the end of 24 hr exposure, but marked neuronal cell death at the end of 48 hr exposure. The BSO (1 mM)-induced neurotoxicity was markedly inhibited by trolox or CHX and partially attenuated by MK-801. DEM induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity at the end of 24 hr exposure. Over the doses of $400\;{\mu}M,$ glial toxicity also appeared. DEM $(200\;{\mu}M)-induced$ neurotoxicity was markedly inhibited by trolox or PDTC. Phorone (1 mM) induced moderate neurotoxicity (40%) at the end of 48 hr exposure. Only CHX showed significant inhibitory effect on the phorone-induced neurotoxicity. These results suggest that the GSH depletors induce neuronal injury via different mechanisms and that GSH depletors should be carefully employed in the researches of neuronal oxidative injuries.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.423-430
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• 2002

The fabrication and experimentation of multi-channel electrodes which enable detecting and recording of multi-site neuronal signals have been investigated. A multi-channel electrode array was fabricated by depositing 2000${\AA}$ thick Au layer on the 1000${\AA}$ thick Ti adhesion layer on a glass wafer. The metal paths were patterned by wet etching and passivated by depositing a PECVD silicon nitride insulation layer to prevent signals from intermixing or cross-talking. After placing a thin slice of rat cerebellar granule cell in the culture ring located in central portion of the multi-channel electrode plate, a neuronal signal from an electrode which is in contact with the cerebellar granule cell has been detected. It was found that the electrode impedance ranges 200㏀∼1㏁ and the impedance is not changed by cleaning with nitric acid. Also, the impedance is inversely proportion to the exposed electrode area and the cross-talk is negligible when the electrode spacing is bigger than 600$\mu\textrm{m}$. The amplitude and frequency of the measured action potential were 38㎷ and 2㎑, which are typical values. From the experimental results, the fabricated multi-channel electrode array proved to be suitable for multi-site neuronal signal detection for the analysis of a complicated cell network.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2009

Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) isolated from human adult bone marrow have self-renewal capacity and can differentiate into multiple cell types in vitro and in vivo. A number of studies have now demonstrated that MSCs can differentiate into various neuronal populations. Due to their autologous characteristics, replacement therapy using MSCs is considered to be safe and does not involve immunological complications. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Olig2 is necessary for the specification of both oligodendrocytes and motor neurons during vertebrate embryogenesis. To develop an efficient method for inducing neuronal differentiation from MSCs, we attempted to optimize the culture conditions and combination with Olig2 gene overexpression. We observed neuron-like morphological changes in the hMSCs under these induction conditions and examined neuronal marker expression in these cells by RTPCR and immunocytochemistry. Our data demonstrate that the combination of Olig2 overexpression and neuron-specific conditioned medium facilitates the neuronal differentiation of hMSCs in vitro. These results will advance the development of an efficient stem cell-mediated cell therapy for human neurodegenerative diseases.