• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.503-516
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• 2020

KCNQ family constitutes slowly-activating potassium channels among voltage-gated potassium channel superfamily. Recent studies suggested that KCNQ4 and 5 channels are abundantly expressed in smooth muscle cells, especially in lower urinary tract including corpus cavernosum and that both channels can exert membrane stabilizing effect in the tissues. In this article, we examined the electrophysiological characteristics of overexpressed KCNQ4, 5 channels in HEK293 cells with recently developed KCNQ-specific agonist. With submicromolar EC₅₀, the drug not only increased the open probability of KCNQ4 channel but also increased slope conductance of the channel. The overall effect of the drug in whole-cell configuration was to increase maximal whole-cell conductance, to prolongate the activation process, and left-shift of the activation curve. The agonistic action of the drug, however, was highly attenuated by the co-expression of one of the β ancillary subunits of KCNQ family, KCNE4. Strong in vitro interactions between KCNQ4, 5 and KCNE4 were found through Foster Resonance Energy Transfer and co-immunoprecipitation. Although the expression levels of both KCNQ4 and KCNE4 are high in mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells, we found that 1 μM of the agonist was sufficient to almost completely relax phenylephrine-induced contraction of the muscle strip. Significant expression of KCNQ4 and KCNE4 in corpus cavernosum together with high tonic contractility of the tissue grants highly promising relaxational effect of the KCNQ-specific agonist in the tissue.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.5705-5711
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• 2013

Background: Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the potential to form teratomas when implanted into immunodeficient mice, but data in immunocompetent mice are limited. We therefore investigated teratoma formation after implantation of three different mouse ESC (mESC) lines into immunocompetent mice. Materials and Methods: BALB/c mice were injected with three highly germline competent mESCs (129Sv, BALB/c and C57BL/6) subcutaneously or under the kidney capsule. After 4 weeks, mice were euthanized and examined histologically for teratoma development. The incidence, size and composition of teratomas were compared using Pearson Chi-square, t-test for dependent variables, one-way analysis of variance and the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and median test. Results: Teratomas developed from all three cell lines. The incidence of formation was significantly higher under the kidney capsule compared to subcutaneous site and occurred in both allogeneic and syngeneic mice. Overall, the size of teratoma was largest with the 129Sv cell line and under the kidney capsule. Diverse embryonic stem cell-derived tissues, belonging to the three embryonic germ layers, were encountered, reflecting the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Most commonly represented tissues were nervous tissue, keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium (ectoderm), smooth muscle, striated muscle, cartilage, bone (mesoderm), and glandular tissue in the form of gut- and respiratory-like epithelia (endoderm). Conclusions: ESCs can form teratomas in immunocompetent mice and, therefore, removal of undifferentiated ESC is a pre-requisite for a safe use of ESC in cell-based therapies. In addition the genetic relationship of the origin of the cell lines to the ability to transplant plays a major role.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.226-233
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• 2016

혈관평활근세포의 세포자멸사는 죽상경화증을 비롯한 여러 혈관질환에서 일어나며, 죽상판의 불안정화에 중요한 역할을 한다. Oxysterol은 혈관평활근세포의 세포자멸사를 야기하는데, 죽상경화 병변에는 비효소적으로 생성되는 주된 oxysterol인 7-ketocholesterol (7KC)이 대량 존재한다고 알려져 있다. 그러나 7KC에 의한 혈관평활근세포의 세포자멸사에 관하여 밝혀진 자세한 기전은 아직 미흡하다. 본 연구는 7KC가 혈관평활근세포의 세포자멸사를 일으키는 기전을 구명하고자 하였다. Sprague-Dawley계 숫쥐의 대동맥 절편으로부터 배양한 혈관평활근세포에 7KC를 처리하여 혈관평활근세포의 생존력의 변동과 세포자멸사를 각각 methylthiazole tetrazolium bromide 분석법 및 trypan blue 분석법 그리고 유세포 분석법, 면역 형광 측정법, 면역침전법 및 웨스턴블럿 등으로 측정하였다. 7KC는 혈관평활근세포의 생존력을 시간- 및 농도-의존적으로 감소시켰고, 혈관평활근세포내에 지질과산화 최종산물인 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) 생성을 증가시켰으며, HNE 단독 처리 또한 혈관평활근세포의 생존력을 농도-의존적으로 감소시켰다. 7KC 또는 HNE에 의하여 감소되었던 혈관평활근세포의 생존력은 HNE 생성 억제제인 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine 전처치에 의하여 회복되었다. 더욱이 세포생존 매개인자로 잘 알려져 있는 Akt의 발현이 7KC와 HNE에 의하여 농도-의존적으로 감소되었고, 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine 또는 N-acetylcysteine 전처치에 의하여 회복되었다. 단백질분해효소복합체 억제제인 lactacystin은 7KC에 의한 세포자멸사와 Akt 감소는 억제하였지만 7KC에 의한 HNE 생성은 억제하지 못하였다. HNE에 결합된 Akt의 양은 7KC와 HNE에 의하여 현저히 증가하였으며 단백질분해효소복합체 억제제인 lactacystin 전처치 시에도 유의하게 증가하였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 죽상경화 병변에서 7KC는 혈관평활근세포내 HNE 생성을 증가시키고, 이 HNE에 결합된 Akt는 단백질분해효소복합체에 의하여 분해되는 것으로 보이며, 이와 같은 기전에 의하여 죽상판의 불안정화가 촉진되는 것으로 생각된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.193-198
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• 2006

Many gastrointestinal muscles show electrical oscillation, so-called 'slow wave', originated from interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Thus, a technique to freshly isolate the cells is indispensable to explore the electrophysiological properties of the ICCs. To apply an enzyme solution on the serosal surface for cell isolation, the intestine was inverted and 0.02% trypsin solution and 0.04% collagenase solution were applied to serosal cavity. After the enzyme treatment, mucosal layer was removed and longitudinal muscle layer was gently separated from the rest of tissue. The thin layer was stretched in the recording chamber and mounted on an inverted microscope. Using ${\beta}-escine$, perforated whole cell patch clamp technique was used. Under a microscope, the tissue showed smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells around the myenteric plexus. Under voltage clamp condition, three types of membrane potential were recorded. One group of interstitial cells, which were positive to methylene blue and CD34, showed spontaneous outward current. These cells had bipolar shape and were considered as fibroblast-like cells because of their peculiar shape and arrangement. Another group, positive to c-kit and methylene blue, showed spontaneous inward current. These cells had more rounded shape and processes and were considered as ICCs. The third, positive to c-kit and had granules containing methylene blue, showed quiet membrane potentials under the voltage-clamp mode. These cells appeared to be resident macrophages. Therefore, in the freshly isolated thin tissue preparation, methylene blue could easily identify three types of cells rather than morphological properties. Using this method, we were able to study electrical properties of fibroblast and residential macrophage as well as myenteric ICCs.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.25-42
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• 2007

Purpose : Uterine leiomyoma (fibroids) are benign smooth muscle tumors originating from the myometrium. These benign neoplasms of monoclonal origin are typically diagnosed during the reproductive years, occurring only after puberty and tending to regress after menopause. In the present study we used Chiljehyangbu-hwan to determine its growth inhibitory effect and apoptosis in human uterine leiomyoma cells. Methods : Primary cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells were treated with Chiljehyangbu-hwan. Cell viability analysis was analyzed by MTS assay and FACS was performed to ascertain the effects Chiljehyangbu-hwan. DNA fragmentation analysis and casapase-3 activity test were done. Expression of apoptosis related proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results : Cell viability was significantly influenced by Chiljehyangbu-hwan treatment in a dose-dependent manner in leiomyoma cells compare to normal myometrial cells. FACS showed that Chiljehyangbu-hwan induced Sub G1 arrest. DNA fragmentation assay was carried out and apoptosis was detected. Activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2, with concomitant increased expression in Bid and Bax were observed. Chiljehyangbu-hwan treatment of uterine leiomyoma cells resulted in a concentration-dependent cell death induced via the mitochondrial pathway.

• 통합자연과학논문집
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects essential oil from Lavendular officinalis on the production of UVB-irradiated-induced nitric oxide(NO), in vivo and in vitro. NO is a recently discovered mediator of cell communication involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. This enzyme is present in various tissues including smooth muscle cells and macrophages and take part in several immunopathological process. In vitro, the cytotoxicity and cell viability of aroma oil was evaluated by the MTT assay in the concentration of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1%. And, the effect of aroma oil was investigated to production of NO in human fibroblast cells line CCD-986sk ($2{\times}10^5$ cell/well) after UVB-irradiation with aroma oil (0.01, 0.1, and 1%). The result showed that aroma oil did not affected the production of NO. In vivo, it was investigated to production of NO after UVB- irradiation with aroma oil. The experimental groups were divided into four groups. Aroma oil was stimulated the production of NO by itself. As the results, all of the in vitro and in vivo, aroma oil were affected production of NO by dependent the concentration-manners.

• 대한병리학회지
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.416-419
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• 2018

We describe a case of a 61-year-old Korean man who was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma that was discovered on abdominopelvic computed tomography obtained after the patient complained of back pain. A radical nephrectomy was performed, and the surgical specimen showed a relatively well-circumscribed and yellowish lobulated hard mass. Microscopically, the tumor showed sheets and nests of hypercellular pleomorphic cells with thick fibrous septation, frequent mitoses, and areas of adrenal cortical-like tissue. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor cells were positive for inhibin-${\alpha}$, vimentin, synaptophysin, and melan A. It also revealed that the tumor cells were negative for pan-cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, paired box 8, ${\alpha}$-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase, CD10, cytokeratin 7, carbonic anhydrase 9, c-Kit, renal cell carcinoma, transcription factor E3, human melanoma black 45, desmin, smooth muscle actin, S-100, chromogranin A, CD34, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, and integrase interactor 1. Based on these histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, we diagnosed the tumor as intrarenal adrenocortical carcinoma arising in an adrenal rest. Several cases of intrarenal adrenocortical carcinoma have been reported, although they are very rare. Due to its poor prognosis and common recurrence or metastasis, clinicians and pathologists must be aware of this entity.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.18-22
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• 2005

저자들은 Pompe 병으로 진단된 3세 남아에 recombinant human GAA 정주를 통한 효소 보충 치료를 시행하여 운동 능력과 심기능이 호전되며 간비대도 호전된 1례를 경험하였기에 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

배경: 혈관내피 성장인자(vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF)는 혈관평활근세포(vascular smooth muscle cell)의 증식과 이동을 촉진함으로써 혈관신생에 중요한 역할을 한다. 당뇨병은 VEGF의 발현과 연관되어 정상 혈당상태에서 보다 세포의 증식을 더욱 촉진시킨다. 당뇨병쥐에서 VEGF 수용체의 선택적 차단이 손상된 혈관에서 신내막 형성과 혈관평활근세포의 이동에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 했다. 대상 뜻 방법: 당뇨병 쥐의 경동맥 풍선손상 모델에서 위약을 투여하거나, 혈관내피 성장 인자 수용체-1(VEGFR-1)에 선택적으로 작용하는 항-Flt-1 펩타이드(anti-Flt-1 peptide; Gly-Asn-Gln-Trp-Phe-Ile)를 풍선손상 2일 전부터 0.5mg/kg의 용량으로 2주간 매일 투여한 군으로 나누어 Hematoxylin-Eosin 염색을 하여 신내막의 형성정도와 혈관내강의 협착정도를 비교하였으며, proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)에 대한 면역조직화학염색법을 시행하여 세포의 증식정도를 관찰하였다. 혈관평활근세포를 고혈당환경에서 배양하고 transwell assay를 시행하여 혈관평활근세포의 이동 정도를 측정하였다. 고혈당 환경에서 자라고 있는 혈관평활근세포에 50ng/mL의 VEGF를 단독 또는 3ug/mL의 항-Flt-1 펩타이드와 함께 처리하고 일정시간이 지난 후 matrigel filter를 통과한 세포를 세어 아무런 처치를 받지 않은 세포가 이동한 정도와 비교하였다. 또한, 혈관평활근세포에 세포이동 정도 측정 시와 같은 처리를 한 후, RNA를 분리하고 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)을 시행하여 기질금속단백분해효소(matrix metalloprotenase, MMP)의 발현 정도를 관찰하였다. 결과: 신내막의 면적은 위약 투여 쥐는 $0.24{\pm}0.03 mm^2$이었으나, 항-Flt-1 펩타이드의 처리에 의해 $0.15{\pm}0.04 mm^2$로 유의하게 감소하였으며(p<0.01), 신내막 형성에 따른 내강의 협착 정도도 위약 투여 쥐는 $61.85{\pm}5.11%$, 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 투여 쥐는 $36.03{\pm}3.78%$로 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 투여에 의하여 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.01). 신내막의 전체 세포수에 대한 PCNA(+)인 세포를 백분율로 구하였으며, 위약 투여 쥐와 항- Flt-1 펩타이드 투여 쥐에서 각각 $52.82{\pm}4.20%,\;38.11{\pm}6.89%$로 나타나 항-Flt-1 펩타이드를 투여한 쥐에서 PCNA(+)인 세포가 유의하게 적음을 보이고 있다(p<0.05). 혈관평활근세포의 이동 정도 측정에서는 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 처리에 의하여 VEGF에 의한 혈관평활근 세포의 이동이 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.01). 또한, 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 처리에 의하여 VEGF에 의한 MMP-3와 MMP-9 mRNA의 발현 증가가 억제되었다. 결론: 항-Flt-1 펩타이드는 당뇨병쥐의 경동맥손상모델에서 신내막 형성을 억제하였으며, 고혈당 환경에서 배양된 혈관평활근세포의 이동과, MMP-3와 MMP-9의 활성을 억제하였다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.533-538
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• 2016

Angiogenesis plays an essential role in embryo development, tissue repair, inflammatory diseases, and tumor growth. In the present study, we showed that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) regulates retinal angiogenesis. Mice that lack eNOS showed growth retardation, and retinal vessel development was significantly delayed. In addition, the number of tip cells and filopodia length were significantly reduced in mice lacking eNOS. Retinal endothelial cell proliferation was significantly blocked in mice lacking eNOS, and EMG-2-induced endothelial cell sprouting was significantly reduced in aortic vessels isolated from eNOS-deficient mice. Finally, pericyte recruitment to endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cell coverage to blood vessels were attenuated in mice lacking eNOS. Taken together, we suggest that the endothelial cell function and blood vessel maturation are regulated by eNOS during retinal angiogenesis.