• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2002

Objective : To investigate the expression of apoptosis related proteins and apoptotic cells on the human ovarian follicles. Materials and Methods: Thirty five Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human ovarian tissue blocks were selected from the surgical pathology files of the department of pathology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, for the period from 1996 to 1998. All specimen were from premenopausal women aged from $32{\sim}45$. Ovarian tissues were collected from the patients performing hysterectomy for benign uterine diseases. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the detection of DNA fragmented cell, Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and Fas-ligand. Results: Bcl-2 and bax were not expressed on the surrounding cells and oocyte of the primary, primordial and preantral follicles. Fas and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) were not expressed on the surrounding cells on the primordial and primary follicles. But expressed on the surrounding granulosa cells and oocyte in the primordial and primary follicles. In the healthy follicles, Bcl-2 was expressed on the granulosa cells, however, Bax was not expressed. DNA fragmented cells were expressed on the inner granulosa cell layer of atretic follicles. Conclusion: Fas, Fas-ligand, and Bax may be responsible for the follicular atresia and Bcl-2 may be involved in the follicular survival in the human ovary.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2005

We have demonstrated previously on a replication incompetent recombinant adenoviral vector, AdLPCD, in which the expression of cytosine deaminase (CD) gene is driven by the tumor-specific L-plastin promoter. The object of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of AdLPCD together with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) in suppression of the growth of established human tumor cells of ovary, Consistent with the knowledge that infection of OVCAR-3 cells with AdLPCD resulted in expression of a functional intracellular CD enzyme capable of converting 5-FC to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (Chung and Deisseroth, 2004), statistically significant differences in cytotoxicity were observed when AdLPCD infected cells were also exposed to 5-FC for 6 days (p=0.05), 9 days (p<0.0005) and 12 days (p<0.005), compared to 5-FC exposure alone, These results indicate that the CD gene delivered by adenoviral vector could efficiently sensitize OVCAR-3, otherwise non-toxic 5-FC. On the other hand, SKOV-3 cells, an ovarian carcinoma cell line, were more resistant to the CD/5-FC strategy compared with OVCAR-3 cells under the same condition. The results of present study suggest that the replacement of 5-FU with CD/5-FC in combination chemotherapy would be less toxic and much greater cytotoxicity than the conventional combination chemotherapy in some patients.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 1998

Oocyte maturation of the swordtail (Kiphophorus hellerii) was investigated by light and electron microscopy. In the ovary of the swordtail, various staged oocytes were observed, Mature oocytes were located in ovarian cortex, meanwhile immature ones were positioned in ovarian medulla. The oocyte was surrounded by several structures or cells such as chorion, follicle cells, follicular theaca and ovarian epithelium, respectively, from the inside toward outside. Growing and maturing oocytes healed numerous microvilli which interconnected the oocyte and the follicle cells to communicate each other. The mature oocyte had the electron dense chorion which appeared to be ultrastructure of two layers and contained pore canals. Oocyte maturation was characterized by not only the enlarged cell size and well differentiated cell organelles, brit also the increases of fat droplets, pinocytotic vesicles and yolk granules.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.427.2-428
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• 2002

Previously we formulated new cationic liposomes, DDC, composed of DOTAP. DOPE, and cholesterol (Chol) in 1 : 0.7 : 0.3 molar ratios, and showed that DDC efficiently deliver the plasmid DNA into ovarian cancer cell lines. Here, wild type p53 DNA was transfected into ovarian cancer cells, using the DOC as a nonviral vector and the expression and activity of p53 gene were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The complexes of plasmid DNA (pp53-EGFP) and DDC were transfected into OVCAR-3 cells. The gene expression was determined by RT -PCR and western blot analysis. (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 1992

In order to study the mechanism of follicle growth and maturation, and also to supplement the criteria identifying the follicle state of normal of atretic, the histochemical investigation on the ovarian follicles according to the ovarian cycle of mouse, rat and pig has been done. The intercellular space of granulosa cells, especailly Call-Exner body, and follicular fluid in the antrum showed positive to PAS, and blue stain by trichrome dye. The resutls suggest that the mucous polysaccharide was synthesized by the granulosa cells, and secreted into the antrum through Call-Exner body so as to be the components of the follicular fluid as the follicles proceeded to growth and maturation. The further the follicles proceeded to atresia the more densely their theca externa were stained blue by follicles proceeded to atresia the more densely their theca externa were stained blue by trichrome dye, and the more densely the granulosa cells were stained red by oil red 0 dye. Therefore, these staining methods can be applied to the criteria identifying the follicle atresia.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.384-388
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• 2016

Reactive oxygen species are tumorigenic by their ability to increase cell proliferation, survival, and cellular migration. The purpose of the present study was to compare the antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects of 3 berry extracts (strawberry, Korean raspberry, and mulberry) in A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells. Except for raspberry, the ethyl acetate or methylene chloride fractions of berries containing phenolic compounds exerted dose dependent free radical scavenging activities. In the raspberry fractions, the hexane fraction also exhibited potent antioxidant activity. The cytotoxic effects of berries extracts in A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells were measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Surprisingly, co-treatment with n-butanol (BuOH) fractions of berries showed stronger cytotoxic effects compared to the other fractions. These findings suggest that potent anticancer molecules are found in the BuOH fractions of berries that have stronger cytotoxic activity than antioxidants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3631-3636
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• 2012

Objective: To determine whether silence of $PKC-{\alpha}$ expression by small interference RNA (siRNA) might regulate MDR1 expression and reverse chemoresistance of ovarian cancer. Methods: We measured gene and protein expression of MDR1 and $PKC-{\alpha}$ in ovarian cancer cells and assessed their correlation with cell drug resistance. We also examined whether blocking $PKC-{\alpha}$ by RNA interference (RNAi) affected MDR1 expression and reversed drug resistance in drug sensitivity tests. Results: The drug resistance cell lines, OV1228/DDP and OV1228/Taxol, had higher gene and protein expression of MDR1 and $PKC-{\alpha}$ than their counterpart sensitive cell line, OV1228. SiRNA depressed $PKC-{\alpha}$ gene protein expression, as well as MDR1 and protein expression and improved the drug sensitivity in OV1228/DDP and OV1228/Taxol cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that decreasing $PKC-{\alpha}$ expression with siRNA might be an effective method to improve drug sensitivity in drug resistant cells with elevated levels of $PKC-{\alpha}$ and MDR1. A new siRNA-based therapeutic strategy targeting $PKC-{\alpha}$ gene could be designed to overcome the chemoresistance of ovarian cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3517-3522
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• 2015

Background: Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a type of molecular chaperone. It is a possible candidate protein that contributes to development of drug resistance. We first examined the involvement of GRP78 in chemotherapy-resistance in human ovarian cancer cell. Materials and Methods: The expression of GRP78 mRNA and protein were examined by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively, in human ovarian cancer cells line (HO-8910). Sensitivity of HO-8910 to paclitaxel was determined with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Suppression of GRP78 expression was performed using specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) in HO-8910 cells, and cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 15.0 statistical package. Results: HO-8910 cells, with high basal levels of GRP78, exhibited low sensitivity to paclitaxel. The mRNA and protein levels of GRP78 were dramatically decreased at 24h, 48h and 72h after transfection and the sensitivity to paclitaxel was increased when the GRP78 gene was disturbed by specific siRNA transfection. Conclusions: The results suggested that high GRP78 expression might be one of the molecular mechanisms causing resistance to paclitaxel, and therefore siRNA of GRP78 may be useful in tumor-specific gene therapy for ovarian cancer.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2020

Aquaporin channels (AQPs) are known to play an important role in the development of ovarian follicles through their function in water transport pathways. Compared to other AQPs, research on the role of AQP4 in female reproductive physiology, particularly in cattle, remains limited. In our previous study, gene chip microarray data showed a downregulation of AQP4 in bovine cystic follicles. This study was performed to validate the AQP4 expression level at the protein level in bovine follicles using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation assays. Immunostaining data showed that AQP4 was expressed in granulosa and theca cells of bovine ovarian follicles. The ovarian follicles were classified according to size as small (< 10 mm) or large (> 25 mm) in diameter. Consistent with earlier microarray data, semi-quantitative PCR data showed a decrease in AQP4 mRNA expression in large follicles. Western blot analysis showed a downregulation of the AQP4 protein in large follicles. In addition, AQP4 was immunoprecipitated and blotted with anti-AQP4 antibody in small and large follicles. Accordingly, AQP4 exhibited a low expression in large follicles. These results show that AQP4 is downregulated in bovine ovarian large follicles, suggesting that the downregulation of AQP4 expression may interfere with follicular water transport, leading to bovine follicular cysts.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.618-629
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• 2020

Bcl2l10, also known as Diva, Bcl-b and Boo, is a member of the Bcl2 family of proteins, which are involved in signaling pathways that regulate cell apoptosis and autophagy. Previously, it was demonstrated that Bcl2l10 plays a crucial role in the completion of oocyte meiosis and is a key regulator of Aurora kinase A (Aurka) expression and activity in oocytes. Aurka is overexpressed in several types of solid tumors and has been considered a target of cancer therapy. Based on these previous results, in the present study, the authors aimed to investigate the regulatory role of Bcl2l10 in A2780 and SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells. The protein expression of Bcl2l10 was examined in human cancer tissues and cell lines, including the ovaries, using a tissue microarray and various human ovarian cancer cell lines. It was found that Bcl2l10 regulated the protein stability and activities of Aurka in ovarian cancer cells. Although apoptosis was not affected, the cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase by Bcl2l10 knockdown. Of note, cell viability and motility were markedly increased by Bcl2l10 knockdown. On the whole, the findings of this study suggest that Bcl2l10 functions as tumor suppressor gene in ovarian cancer.