• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.401-406
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• 2022

Ahnak, a large protein first identified as an inhibitor of TGF-β signaling in human neuroblastoma, was recently shown to promote TGF-β in some cancers. The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, various biological functions, and cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, we used Ahnak knockout (KO) mice that underwent a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) to investigate the function of Ahnak in TGF-β signaling during liver regeneration. At the indicated time points after PH, we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of the TGF -β/Smad signaling pathway and cell cycle-related factors, evaluated the cell cycle through proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining, analyzed the mitotic index by hematoxylin and eosin staining. We also measured the ratio of liver tissue weight to body weight. Activation of TGF-β signaling was confirmed by analyzing the levels of phospho-Smad 2 and 3 in the liver at the indicated time points after PH and was lower in Ahnak KO mice than in WT mice. The expression levels of cyclin B1, D1, and E1; proteins in the Rb/E2F transcriptional pathway, which regulates the cell cycle; and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in Ahnak KO mice and showed tendencies opposite that of TGF-β expression. During postoperative regeneration, the liver weight to body weight ratio tended to increase faster in Ahnak KO mice. However, 7 days after PH, both groups of mice showed similar rates of regeneration, following which their active regeneration stopped. Analysis of hepatocytes undergoing mitosis showed that there were more mitotic cells in Ahnak KO mice, consistent with the weight ratio. Our findings suggest that Ahnak enhances TGF-β signaling during postoperative liver regeneration, resulting in cell cycle disruption; this highlights a novel role of Ahnak in liver regeneration. These results provide new insight into liver regeneration and potential treatment targets for liver diseases that require surgical treatment.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.7-14
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• 2023

The effects of fermented Achyranthes japonica Nakai, Angelica gigas Nakai, and Eucommia ulmoides Oliver extracts (FAAE) on regulation of inflammation and apoptosis were investigated in primary cultured rat cartilage cells. To identify the protective effects of FAAE against H₂O₂, cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Smad3, Collagen type I, MMP3, and MMP13 were measured by real-timpe PCR and westernbot and the inflammatory (NF-κB pathway, COX-2, iNOS) factors were determined by western blot. The apoptosis related factors (JNK, c-Fos, c-Jun, caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2) were determined by western blot. FAAE significantly increased the follwing: H₂O₂ treated cell survival, mRNA and protein expression of Smad 3, collagen type I. In addition, FAAE significantly decreased the protein expression of inflammatory and apoptosis related factors. This study suggests that FAAE have a protection effect of chondrocytes through inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis. Thus, FAAE is a therapeutic potential food componet in osteoarthritis.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.248.1-248.1
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• 2003

Keloids are characterized by abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and overproduction of collagen. Recently, it is reported that transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) and its signaling molecule, SMAD3 are related to the mitogenic effect of fibroblasts and a stimulatory factor for collagen synthesis. Cationic SLN was developed to improve the complex formation of DNA/SLN and enhance the uptake efficiency to cells. SLN was formulated by DC-Chol, DOPE, trimyristin as a solid core and other surfactant. The physical properties of the SLN and the ATS-SLN complex were characterized. (omitted)

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2023

Prominin-1 (PROM1), also called CD133, is a penta-span transmembrane protein that is localized in membrane protrusions, such as microvilli and filopodia. It is known to be expressed in cancer stem cells and various progenitor cells of bone marrow, liver, kidney, and intestine. Accumulating evidence has revealed that PROM1 has multiple functions in various organs, such as eye, tooth, peripheral nerve, and liver, associating with various molecular protein partners. PROM1 regulates PKA-induced gluconeogenesis, TGFβ-induced fibrosis, and IL-6-induced regeneration in the liver, associating with Radixin, SMAD7, and GP130, respectively. In addition, PROM1 is necessary to maintain cancer stem cell properties by activating PI3K and β-Catenin. PROM1-deficienct mice also show distinct phenotypes in eyes, brain, peripheral nerves, and tooth. Here, we discuss recent findings of PROM1-mediated signal transduction.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2012

Although previous studies have demonstrated that BMP9 is highly capable of inducing osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, the molecular mechanism involved remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we showed that BMP9 simultaneously promotes the activation of Smad1/5/8, p38 and ERK1/2 in C3H10T1/2 cells. Knockdown of Smad4 with RNA interference reduced nuclear translocation of Smad1/5/8, and disrupted BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation. BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation was blocked by p38 inhibitor SB203580, whereas enhanced by ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059. SB203580 decreased BMP9-activated Smads singling, and yet PD98059 stimulated Smads singling in C3H10T1/2 cells. The effects of inhibitor were reproduced with adenovirus expressing siRNA targeted p38 and ERK1/2, respectively. Taken together, our findings revealed that Smads, p38 and ERK1/2 are involved in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation. Also, it is noteworthy that p38 and ERK1/2 may play opposing regulatory roles in mediating BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.594-599
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• 2020

Lin28a has diverse functions including regulation of cancer, reprogramming and regeneration, but whether it promotes injury or is a protective reaction to renal injury is unknown. We studied how Lin28a acts in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis following unilateral ureteral obstruction, in a mouse model. We further defined the role of Lin28a in transforming growth factor (TGF)-signaling pathways in renal fibrosis through in vitro study using human tubular epithelium-like HK-2 cells. In the mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction model, obstruction markedly decreased the expression of Lin28a, increased the expression of renal fibrotic markers such as type I collagen, α-SMA, vimentin and fibronectin. In TGF-β-stimulated HK-2 cells, the expression of Lin28a was reduced and the expression of renal fibrotic markers such as type I collagen, α-SMA, vimentin and fibronectin was increased. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Lin28a inhibited the expression of TGF-β-stimulated type I collagen, α-SMA, vimentin and fibronectin. Lin28a inhibited TGF-β-stimulated SMAD3 activity, via inhibition of SMAD3 phosphorylation, but not the MAPK pathway ERK, JNK or p38. Lin28a attenuates renal fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy, making its mechanism a possible therapeutic target for chronic kidney disease.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.558-572
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• 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. One of its components, emphysema, has been defined as a lung disease that irreversibly damages the lungs' alveoli. Treatment is currently unavailable for emphysema symptoms and complete cure of the disease. Hyaluronan (HA) and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), an HA-binding protein linking HA in the extracellular matrix to stabilize the proteoglycan structure, forms a bulky hydrogel-like aggregate. Studies on the biological role of the full-length HAPLN1, a simple structure-stabilizing protein, are limited. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that treating human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells with recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) increased TGF-β receptor 1 (TGF-β RI) protein levels, but not TGF-β RII, in a CD44-dependent manner with concurrent enhancement of the phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3), but not p-Smad2, upon TGF-β1 stimulation. Furthermore, rhHAPLN1 significantly increased sirtuins levels (i.e., SIRT1/2/6) without TGF-β1 and inhibited acetylated p300 levels that were increased by TGF-β1. rhHAPLN1 is crucial in regulating cellular senescence, including p53, p21, and p16, and inflammation markers such as p-NF-κB and Nrf2. Both senile emphysema mouse model induced via intraperitoneal rhHAPLN1 injections and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced COPD mouse model generated via rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols inhalations showed a significantly potent efficacy in reducing alveolar spaces enlargement. Preclinical trials are underway to investigate the effects of inhaled rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols on several COPD animal models.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.481-485
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• 2015

The present study determined the normal reference ranges for overall pelvic limb alignment of small-breed dogs. For this purpose, 60 cadaveric canine pelvic limbs from normal small-breed dogs (Maltese, Poodle, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier). A frontal full-limb radiograph of each pelvic limb was obtained, and mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), mechanical metatarsotibial angle (mMTTA), mechanical axis-femur angle (MAFA), and mechanical axis-metatarsus angle (MAMTA) were measured from each radiograph, along with mechanical deviation of the stifle (SMAD) and tarsal joints (TMAD). The 95% CI for radiographic values of all pelvic limbs were mTFA, 5.7-7.4; mMTTA, $-2.2--0.8^{\circ}$; MAFA, $3.5-4.5^{\circ}$; MAMTA, 1.0-2.0; SMAD, 2.1-2.7%; TMAD, 0.5-1.0%. There values varied among the breeds, except for mTFA. The reference ranges can be used for diagnosing pelvic limb deformities in small-breed dogs and for planning corrective osteotomies.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.408-419
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• 2021

Background: The decreased renal function is known to be associated with biological aging, of which the main pathological features are chronic inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis. In previous studies, we reported that total saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJs) can availably protect acute myocardial ischemia. We proposed that SPJs might have similar protective effects for aging-associated renal interstitial fibrosis. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the overall effect of SPJs on renal fibrosis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) aging rats were given SPJs by gavage beginning from 18 months old, at 10 mg/kg/d and 60 mg/kg/d, up to 24 months old. After the experiment, changes in morphology, function and fibrosis of their kidneys were detected. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and cystatin C (Cys C) were assayed with ELISA kits. The levels of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), inflammatory factors and changes of oxidative stress parameters were examined. Results: After SPJs treatment, SD rats showed significantly histopathological changes in kidneys accompanied by decreased renal fibrosis and increased renal function; As compared with those in 3-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in 24-month group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the 24-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in the SPJ-H group were significantly decreased. While ECM was reduced and the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased, the levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling were decreased; the expression level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was down-regulated with reduced inflammatory factors; meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling was aggrandized. Conclusion: These results suggest that SPJs treatment can improve age-associated renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad, NFκB signaling pathways and activating Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways and that SPJs can be a potentially valuable anti-renal fibrosis drug.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.206-211
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• 2020

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are a unique cell type that has unusual plasticity controlled by environmental stimuli. As an abnormal increase of VSMC proliferation is associated with various vascular diseases, tight regulation of VSMC phenotypes is essential for maintaining vascular homeostasis. Hypoxia is one environmental stress that stimulates VSMC proliferation. Emerging evidence has indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators in the hypoxic responses of VSMCs. Therefore, we previously investigated miRNAs modulated by hypoxia in VSMCs and found that miR-1260b is one of the most upregulated miRNAs under hypoxia. However, the mechanism that underlies the regulation of VSMCs via miR-1260b in response to hypoxia has not been explored. Here we demonstrated that hypoxia-induced miR-1260b promotes VSMC proliferation. We also identified growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, as a novel target of miR-1260b. miR-1260b directly targets the 3'UTR of GDF11. Downregulation of GDF11 inhibited Smad signaling and consequently enhanced the proliferation of VSMCs. Our findings suggest that miR-1260b-mediated GDF11-Smad-dependent signaling is an essential regulatory mechanism in the proliferation of VSMCs, and this axis is modulated by hypoxia to promote abnormal VSMC proliferation. Therefore, our study unveils a novel function of miR-1260b in the pathological proliferation of VSMCs under hypoxia.