• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.271-277
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• 2006

Transforming growth $factor-{\beta}\;(TGF-{\beta})$ has been shown to have a positive effect on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and has been reported to stimulate meiosis at follicular level in variety of species. The study was designed to determine the expression patterns of $TGF-{\beta}1,\;TGF-{\beta}$ receptors type I, II and Smads gene in bovine oocytes and embryos. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and their receptors were observed in the unfertilized oocytes. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and type II receptor were not expressed at the blastocyst stage, however, only type I receptor was exclusively observed at the same stage. The blastocyst stage, in particular, showed high levels of mRNA expression patterns containing a $TGF-{\beta}1$ type I receptor. The mRNA expression pattern of Smad 2 at all stages of embryonic development was similar in all respect with $TGF-{\beta}1$ type I receptor. On the contrary, Smad 3 and 4 were expressed with high and low level mRNA at the blastocyst stage. In conclusion. it is suggested that $TGF-{\beta}1$ signaling may be regarded as an important entity during the preimplantation embryo development.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.320-327
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• 2020

In current study, we aimed to investigate whether the gentiopicroside (GPS) derived from Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa could block the progression of alcoholic hepatic steatosis to fibrosis induced by chronic ethanol intake. C57BL/6 mice were fed an ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli diet for 4 weeks. LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells were treated with GPS 1 h prior to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) stimulation, and murine hepatocyte AML12 cells were pretreated by GPS 1 h prior to ethanol treatment. GPS inhibited the expression of type I collagen (collagen I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and tissue inhibitor of metal protease 1 in ethanol-fed mouse livers with mild fibrosis. In addition, the imbalanced lipid metabolism induced by chronic ethanol-feeding was ameliorated by GPS pretreatment, characterized by the modulation of lipid accumulation. Consistently, GPS inhibited the expression of collagen I and α-SMA in LX-2 cells stimulated by TGF-β. Inhibition of lipid synthesis and promotion of oxidation by GPS were also confirmed in ethanol-treated AML12 cells. GPS could prevent hepatic steatosis advancing to the inception of a mild fibrosis caused by chronic alcohol exposure, suggesting GPS might be a promising therapy for targeting the early stage of alcoholic liver disease.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.496-504
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• 2013

Background Amniotic-fluid-derived stem cells and amniocytes have recently been determined to have wound healing effects, but their mechanism is not yet clearly understood. In this study, the effects of amniotic fluid stem cells and amniocytes on wound healing were investigated through animal experiments. Methods On the back of Sprague-Dawley rats, four circular full-thickness skin wounds 2 cm in diameter were created. The wounds were classified into the following four types: a control group using Tegaderm disc wound dressings and experimental groups using collagen discs, amniotic fluid stem cell discs, and amniocyte discs. The wounds were assessed through macroscopic histological examination and immunohistochemistry over a period of time. Results The amniotic fluid stem cell and amniocyte groups showed higher wound healing rates compared with the control group; histologically, the inflammatory cell invasion disappeared more quickly in these groups, and there was more significant angiogenesis. In particular, these groups had significant promotion of epithelial cell reproduction, collagen fiber formation, and angiogenesis during the initial 10 days of the wound healing process. The potency of transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ and fibronectin in the experimental group was much greater than that in the control group in the early stage of the wound healing process. In later stages, however, no significant difference was observed. Conclusions The amniotic fluid stem cells and amniocytes were confirmed to have accelerated the inflammatory stage to contribute to an enhanced cure rate and shortened wound healing period. Therefore, they hold promise as wound treatment agents.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2008

Purpose : To investigate the effects of irradiation on transforming growth factor ${\beta}_1$ (TGF-${\beta}_1$) mRNA expression and calcific nodule formation in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line. Materials and Methods : Cells were cultured in alpha-minimum essential medium ($\alpha$-MEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. When the cells reached the level of 70-80% confluence, culture media were changed with $\alpha$-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS, 5 mM $\beta$-glycerol phosphate, and $50\;{\mu}g/mL$ ascorbic acid. Thereafter the cells were irradiated with a single dose of 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy at a dose rate of 1.5 Gy/min. The expression pattern of TGF-${\beta}_1$ mRNA, calcium content and calcific nodule formation were examined on day 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, respectively, after the irradiation. Results : The amount of TGF-${\beta}_1$ mRNA expression decreased significantly on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 6, 8 Gy. It also decreased on day 14 after irradiation of 6, 8 Gy. and decreased on day 21 after irradiation of 8 Gy. The amount of calcium deposition decreased significantly on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 8 Gy (P < 0.01) and showed a decreased tendency on day 14, 21 after irradiation of 4, 6, 8 Gy. The number of calcific nodules was decreased on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 8 Gy. Conclusion: Irradiation with a single dose of 4, 6, 8 Gy influences negatively the bone formation at the molecular level by affecting the TGF-${\beta}_1$ mRNA expression that was associated with proliferation and the production of extracellular matrix in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.159-170
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• 2020

Purpose: Immunization with Porphyromonas gingivalis heat shock protein 60 (PgHSP60) may have an immunoregulatory effect on atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether nasal immunization with a PgHSP60 peptide could reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice. Methods: Seven-week-old male ApoE KO mice were assigned to receive a normal diet, a Western diet, a Western diet and challenge with PgHSP60-derived peptide 14 (Pep14) or peptide 19 (Pep19), or a Western diet and immunization with Pep14 or Pep19 before challenge with Pep14 or Pep19. Results: Atherosclerotic plaques were significantly smaller in mice that received a Western diet with Pep14 nasal immunization than in mice that received a Western diet and no Pep14 immunization with or without Pep14 challenge. An immunoblot profile failed to detect serum reactivity to Pep14 in any of the study groups. Stimulation by either Pep14 or Pep19 strongly promoted the induction of CD4⁺CD25⁺ forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)⁺ human regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro. However, the expression of mouse splenic CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs was lower in the Pep14-immunized mice than in the Pep14-challenged or Pep19-immunized mice. Levels of serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta were higher and levels of interleukin (IL) 10 were lower in the Pep14-immunized mice than in the other groups. Induction of CD25^- IL-17⁺ T helper 17 (Th17) cells was attenuated in the Pep14-immunized mice. Conclusions: Nasal immunization with Pep14 may be a mechanism for attenuating atherogenesis by promoting the secretion of IFN-γ and/or suppressing Th17-mediated immunity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.56-63
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• 2007

Insulin stimulates the fusion of intracellular vesicles containing glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) with plasma membrane in adipocytes and muscle cells. Here we show that adipocyte differentiation results in enhanced insulin sensitivity of glucose uptake. On the other hand, glucose uptake in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation was markedly reduced by adipocyte differentiation. Expression level of insulin receptor and caveolin-1 was dramatically increased during adipocyte differentiation. Adipocyte differentiation caused :ilightly enhanced activation of acutely transforming retrovirus AKT8 in rodent T cell lymphoma (Akt) by insulin stimulation. However, activation of Akt by PDGF stimulation was largely reduced. Activation of ERK was not detected in both fibroblasts and adipocytes after stimulation with insulin. PDGF-dependent activation of ERK was reduced by adipocyte differentiation. Insulin-dependent glucose uptake was abrogated by LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, in both fibroblasts and adipocytes. Also disassembly of caveolae structure by $methyl-\beta-cyclodextrin$ caused impairment of Akt activation and glucose uptake. Finally, insulin receptor, Akt, SH2-domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2), and regulatory subunit of PI3K are localized at lipid raft domain and the translocation was facilitated upon insulin stimulation. Given these results, we suggest that lipid raft provide proper site for insulin action for glucose uptake.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2015

The capacity for liver regeneration involves a variety of nutritional factors. Vitamin C has multiple metabolic and antioxidant functions. In this study, we investigated the role of vitamin C in liver regeneration following hepatectomy in senescence marker protein (SMP)-30 knockout (KO) mice. Partial hepatectomy was performed by resecting the median and left lateral lobes of mice. Vitamin C accelerated liver recovery in SMP30 KO mice treated with vitamin C (KV). The livers of the KV mice exhibited lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase and lower injury than those of the KO mice. Increased type II transforming growth factor-β receptor (TGF-βRII)-mediated regeneration signaling was accompanied by HGF and cMet in the KV but not the KO mice. Consistent with this, the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), increased rapidly in the KV mice. Enhanced activation of ERK and GSK-3β proteins and a significantly increased number of binuclear hepatocytes were also detected in the livers of the KV mice. Moreover, the KV mice synthesized the highest levels of albumin. These data suggest that treating SMP30 knockout mice with vitamin C resulted in earlier recovery and liver regeneration by activation of the regeneration system.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.265-286
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• 1997

Bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs) are a group of transforming growth factor beta(TGF-${\beta}$)-related factors and multifunctional proteins, especially the only known biologic factors capable of inducing endochondral bone formation at an extraskeletal site. This study was performed to investigate the effect of the partially purified porcine BMP(pBMP) at an ectopic site. PBMP was partially purified from porcine bone matrix and its activity was monitored by an in vivo bioassay. The purification method utilized extraction of the bone-inducing activity with 4M guanidine, followed by chromatography on heparin-Sepharose. Active fractions were assayed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. And the fractions were reconstituted with inactive insoluble collagenous bone matrix from rats, acid soluble type I collagen from rat tail and chondroitin-6-sulfate sodium salt and implanted into the pectroralis muscle pouches of Sprague-Dawley rats. And the carrier complex was implanted on the opposite side as control. The rats were sacrificed at the day of 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 11th, 14th and 21st after implantation and examined histologically, radiologically and biochemically. And alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content were used as indices of bone formation. The results were as follows ; 1. Active fractions were localized in a zone between 31 and 40 KDa on SDS-PAGE. 2. The implanted 3.0mg of the partially purified pBMP induced cartilage and bone in the muscle tissue of rats through an endochondral ossification process. 3. Inactive insoluble bone matrix, type I collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate have functioned as carriers for pBMP, but revealed some foreign body reactions. 4. Soft X-ray didn't reveal significant change between the experimental and the control group. 5. The alkaline phosphatase activities in the experimental group of 5th, 7th, 11th, 14th and 21st were increased significantly compared with control (p<0.01) with the peak in the group of 11th day. 6. With time, the calcium content of the experimental group increased. And the calcium contents in the experimental group of 11th, 14th and 21st were increased significantly compared with control (p<0.01).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2017

Objectives : It is well known that Sibjotang (Shizaotang), traditional herbal medicine formula, regulates the body fluid blood pressure homeostasis. This study is to investigate whether Sibjotang improves diabetic renal dysfunction in type II diabetes mellitus animal model, db/db mice. Methods : The animals model were divided into three groups at the age of 8 weeks; control group (C57BLKS/J-db/m mice), diabetic group [(C57BLKS/J+Lepr)-db/db mice], and Sibjotang group [(C57BLKS/J+Lepr)-db/db mice + Sibjotang 100 mg/kg/day]. During 8 weeks of treatment, blood glucose and urinary albumin excretion were checked in metabolic chamber at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age, respectively. Results : Body weight and food intake of diabetic group were significantly higher than control group after 8 weeks administration. However, there were not significant different between the diabetic group and Sibjotang group. Urinary albumin excretion was significantly decreased in the Sibjotang group than the diabetic group. In addition, supplementation with Sibjotang significantly lowered levels of blood glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), suggesting reduced insulin resistance. The ratio of mesangial matrix/glomerular area was markedly larger in diabetic group than control group, whereas Sibjotang significantly reduced this expansion. Moreover, immunohistological study revealed that Sibjotang attenuated the increase of transforming growth $factor(TGF)-{\beta}$ expression in kidney. Conclusion : Sibjotang ameliorates diabetes-associated renal injury through the improvement of the blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, and inhibiting the $TGF-{\beta}1$ expression. Therefore, Sibjotang may be a new therapeutic formula for the treatment of diabetic-associated renal dysfunction.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.948-955
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• 2005

Glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) in diverse renal diseases undergo cell proliferation and/or hypertrophy, and gangliosides have been reported to play an important role in modulating cell structure and function. This study compared the effects of transforming growth $factor-\beta\; (TGF­\beta1)$ and the effects of the application of exogenous gangliosides on GMCs and investigated whether the application of exogenous gangliosides regulated cellular proliferation and hypertrophy. Human GMCs were cultured with exogenous gangliosides and $TGF-\beta1$ in a media containing $10\%$ fetal bovine serum and in a media without the fetal bovine serum. Exogenous gangliosides biphasically changed the proliferation of human GMCs (0.1-1.0 mg/mL). A low concentration (0.1 mg/mL) of gangliosides mainly increased the number of human GMCs, whereas cellular proliferation was significantly reduced by raising the concentration of exogenous gangliosides. $TGF-\beta1$ greatly reduced the number of human GMCs in a concentration­dependent manner (1-10 ng/mL). Serum deprivation accelerated the gangliosides- and $TGF­\beta1-induced$ inhibition of mesangial cell proliferation to a greater extent. Gangliosides (1.0 mg/ mL) and $TGF-\beta1$ (10 ng/mL) both caused a significant increase in the incorporation of $[^3H]leucine$ per cell in the serum-deprived condition, whereas it was completely reversed in serum­supplemented condition. Similar results to the $[^3H]leucine$ incorporation were also observed in the changes in cell size measured by flow cytometric analysis. These results show that exogenous gangliosides modulate cell proliferation and hypertrophy in cultured human GMCs, and these cellular responses were regulated differently based on whether the media contained serum or not. Results from the present study raise new possibilities about the potential involvement of gangliosides in the development of mesangial cell proliferation and hypertrophy.