• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.307-314
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• 2013

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent pro-fibrotic factor, which is implicated in fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) induction in diabetic cardiovascular complications. It is an important downstream mediator in the fibrotic action of transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ ($TGF{\beta}$) and is potentially induced by hyperglycemia in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify the signaling pathways of CTGF effects on ECM accumulation and cell proliferation in VSMCs under hyperglycemia. We found that high glucose stimulated the levels of CTGF mRNA and protein and followed by VSMC proliferation and ECM components accumulation such as collagen type 1, collagen type 3 and fibronectin. By depleting endogenous CTGF we showed that CTGF is indispensable for the cell proliferation and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. In addition, pretreatment with the MEK1/2 specific inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126 potently inhibited the CTGF production and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Furthermore, knockdown with ERK1/2 MAPK siRNA resulted in significantly down regulated of CTGF production, ECM components accumulation and cell proliferation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Finally, ERK1/2 signaling regulated Egr-1 protein expression and treatment with recombinant CTGF reversed the Egr-1 expression in high glucose-induced VSMCs. It is conceivable that ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating CTGF expression and suggests that blockade of CTGF through ERK1/2 MAPK signaling may be beneficial for therapeutic target of diabetic cardiovascular complication such as atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.334-343
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• 2016

Background: Progressed tissue culture techniques have allowed us to easily obtain mass products of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng over 100 yr old (TCMG-100). We investigated the effects of TCMG-100 extract on erectile function using in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: To examine the relaxation effects and mechanisms of action of TCMG-100 on rabbit cavernosal strips evaluated in an organ bath. To investigate the long-term treatment effect of TCMG-100, 8-wk administration was performed. After administration of TCMG-100, intracavernosal pressure, cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitric oxide (NO) levels of cavernosal tissue, serum testosterone level, histological observation of collagen fiber, endothelium, smooth muscle cell, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ were investigated. Results: TCMG-100 extract displayed dose-dependent relaxation effects on precontracted rabbit corporal smooth muscle. The TCMG-100-induced relaxation was significantly reduced by removing the endothelium, and treatment with an NO synthase inhibitor or NO scavenger. Eight weeks of TCMG-100 administration increased intracavernosal pressure in a rat model. The levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and NO in the corpus callosum and serum testosterone level were also increased by TCMG-100 treatment. Furthermore, histological evaluation of collagen, smooth muscle, and endothelium showed increases in endothelium and smooth muscle, and a decrease in transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ expression. Conclusion: These relaxation effects on corporal smooth muscle and increased erectile function suggest that TCMG-100 might be used as an alternative herbal medicine to improve erectile function.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.23-32
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• 2015

Facile immobilization of growth factors in hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels using dual enzymes is reported in the paper. The hydrogels were formed by using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and transforming growth factor-${\beta}3$ (TGF-${\beta}3$) was covalently conjugated on the hydrogels in situ using tyrosinase (Ty) without any modifications. For the preparation of hydrogels, HA was grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which was modified with a tyrosine. The gelation times of the HA hydrogels were ranging from 415 to 17 s and the storage moduli was dependent on the concentration of $H_2O_2$ and Ty (470-1600 Pa). A native TGF-${\beta}3$ (200 ng/mL) was readily encapsulated in the HA hydrogels and 17% of the TGF-${\beta}3$ was released over 1 month at the Ty concentration of 0.5 KU/mL, while the release was faster when 0.3 KU/mL of Ty was used for the encapsulation (27%). It can be suggested that the growth factors resident in the hydrogels for a long period of time may lead cells proliferating and differentiating, whereas the growth factors that are initially released from the hydrogels can induce the ingrowth of cells into the matrices. Therefore, the dual enzymatic methods as facile gel forming and loading of various native growth factors or therapeutic proteins could be highly promising for tissue regenerative medicines.

• 생약학회지
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.148-154
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• 2017

Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum and its active component, norgalanthamine have been reported to have hair growth-promoting effect via the proliferation of dermal papilla cells. In this study, we investigated the other mechanisms of C. asiaticum extract var. japonicum and norgalanthamine on the hair growth. The C. asiaticum var. japonicum extract inhibited $5{\alpha}$-reductase activity by 16%, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a main cause of androgenetic alopecia, whereas the C. asiaticum var. japonicum extract didn't function as an opener of the $K_{ATP}$ channel. On the other hand, we examined whether norgalanthamine can inhibit transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) signal pathway, which is essential in the regression induction of hair growth. Norgalanthamine inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced canonical pathway in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. These results suggested that the C. asiaticum var. japonicum extract and norgalanthamine had the potential to influence hair growth through the inhibition of $5{\alpha}$-reductase activity and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced canonical pathway.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.111-117
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• 1996

본 연구는 혈청첨가 또는 무첨가에 따른 소 난포란의 체외성숙에 있어서 참가된 TGF-$\beta$1과 IGF-I이 그후의 수정 및 발생에 미치는 영향과, 이들 growth factor의 농도에 따른 8세포기 소 체외수정란의 발달에 미치는 영향을 조사하고자 실시하였다. 도축장에서 얻어진 난소로부터 채취된 난포란을 20% FBS가 첨가 또는 첨가되지 않은 TCM-199에 TGF-$\beta$1, IGF-I 또는 TGF-$\beta$1＋IGF-I을 각각 10ng/ml 첨가하여 38.5$^{\circ}C$에서 24시간 배양하여 체외성숙을 유기하였다. 성숙된 난자를 1$\times$106/ml 정자농도로 수정후 24시간에 glucoserk 첨가되지 않은 CZB 배양액으로 옮겨 48시간 배양한 다음, TCM-199＋20%FBS에서 96시간 추가배양하였다. 본 연구에서 혈청이 첨가된 난포란의 체외성숙배양액에 첨가된 growth factor들은 수정후의 배분할 및 배발생에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 혈청이 첨가되지 않은 경우에서는 TGF-$\beta$1의 첨가는 배분할 및 배발생율을 향상시켰다(P<0.05). 한편 TCM-199＋20%FBS에 5, 10ng/ml의 TGF-$\beta$1 및 5, 10, 50, 100ng/ml의 IGF-I을 각각 첨가후 8세포기 체외수정란을 배양한 결과, 10ng/ml TGF-$\beta$1의 첨가는 배반포기로의 발생율을 향상시켰다(P<0.05). 결론적으로, 혈청이 포함되지 않은 소 난포란의 체외성숙 배양액, 또는 수정란의 체외배양액에 10ng/ml TGF-1의 첨가는 배반포기로의 발생율을 향상시킨다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.18-24
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• 2005

연구배경 : 기관지 결핵의 주요 합병증인 기관지 협착은 기도폐쇄에 의한 호흡곤란을 초래하거나 천식이나 폐암으로 오인되는 등의 임상적 문제를 가진다. 본 연구는 기관지 결핵 환자를 대상으로 치료 후 기관지 협착이 발생한 군과 발생하지 않은 군간에 치료 전후의 $IFN-{\gamma}$ 및 $TGF-{\beta}$의 혈청 및 기관지 세척액 농도를 비교함으로써 $IFN-{\gamma}$ 및 $TGF-{\beta}$의 농도와 기관지 협착 발생과의 연관성을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 기관지 내시경을 통한 세균학적 검사 및 조직검사로 기관지 결핵으로 진단받은 16명의 환자를 대상으로 치료 전후에 기관지 세척술을 포함한 기관지 내시경술을 시행하였으며 $IFN-{\gamma}$와 $TGF-{\beta}$의 혈청 및 기관지 세척액에서의 농도를 측정하였다. 동일한 방법으로 건강한 성인 대조군 10명에서 혈청 및 기관지 세척액의 $IFN-{\gamma}$와 $TGF-{\beta}$ 농도를 측정하였다. 결 과 : 기관지 결핵 환자군에서 대조군에 비해 기관지 세척액의 $IFN-{\gamma}$(108.55 pg/ml vs undetectable, median)와 $TGF-{\beta}$ 농도(60.80 pg/ml vs undetectable, median)가 유의하게 증가되어 있었다(p<0.05). 치료 후 시행한 기관지 내시경 소견에서 섬유화로 인한 기관지 협착이 남은 환자가 7명 이었고 나머지 9명은 후유증 없이 치유된 소견을 보였다. 기관지 협착을 보인 환자군이 협착이 남지 않은 군에 비해 치료 전의혈청 $TGF-{\beta}$ 농도(847.67 pg/ml vs 1140.30 pg/ml, median)가 낮았으며 또한 치료 후에 더 많이 감소하였다(${\Delta}381.08pg/ml$ vs ${\Delta}191.47pg/ml$, median)(p<0.05). 결 론 : 증가된 기관지 세척액의 $IFN-{\gamma}$와 $TGF-{\beta}$ 농도는 기관지 결핵의 발생기전과 관련이 있을 것으로 생각되며 치료 경과에서 섬유화로 인한 기관지 협착의 발생 유무는 혈청 $TGF-{\beta}$의 치료 전 농도 및 치료 후 농도 변화와 연관성이 있을 것으로 추정된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.431-436
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• 2007

Stem cell-based therapy is being considered as an alternative treatment for cardiomyopathy. Hence understanding the basic molecular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte differentiation is important. Besides BMP or Wnt family proteins, $TGF-{\beta}$ family members are thought to play a role in cardiac development and differentiation. Although $TGF-{\beta}$ has been reported to induce cardiac differentiation in embryonic stem cells, the differential role of $TGF-{\beta}$ isoforms has not been elucidated. In this study, employing the DMSO-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation system using P19CL6 mouse embryonic teratocarcinoma stem cells, we investigated the $TGF-{\beta}$-induced signaling pathway in cardiomyocyte differentiation. $TGF-{\beta}1$, but not the other two isoforms of $TGF-{\beta}$, was induced at the mRNA and protein level at an early stage of differentiation, and Smad2 phosphorylation increased in parallel with $TGF-{\beta}1$ induction. Inhibition of $TGF-{\beta}1$ activity with $TGF-{\beta}1$-specific neutralizing antibody reduced cell cycle arrest as well as expression of the CDK inhibitor $p21^{WAF1}$. The antibody also inhibited induction of the cardiac transcription factor Nkx2.5. Taken together, these results suggest that $TGF-{\beta}1$ is involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation by regulating cell cycle progression and cardiac gene expression in an autocrine or paracrine manner.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.411-418
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• 2017

Background: Recently, protein from ginseng was studied and used for the treatment of several kinds of diseases. However, the effect of ginseng total protein (GTP) on proliferation and wound healing in fibroblast cells remains unclear. Methods: In this study, cell viability was analyzed using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometer. The levels of transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagens were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of cyclin A, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK1/2), and ERK1/2 were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Our results showed that GTP promoted cell proliferation and increased the percentage of cells in S phase through the upregulation of cyclin A in NIH/3T3 cells. We also found that GTP induced the secretion of type I collagen, and promoted the expression of other factors that regulate the synthesis of collagen such as transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 at Thr202/Tyr204 was also increased by GTP. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that GTP promoted proliferation and secretion of collagen in NIH/3T3 cells by activating the ERK signal pathway, which shed light on a potential function of GTP in promoting wound healing.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.111-124
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• 1996

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of co-culture cells and growth factors on in vitro culture of Korean native cattle(KNC) embryos fertilized in vitro. Two-eight cell embryos were cultured in vitro using 4 types of co-culture cells and 3 growth factors singly or in combination. The results were as follows, In the co-culture of 2~8 cell embryos with bovine oviductal epithelial cell(BOEC), granulosa cell(BGC), uterine epithelial cell(BUEC) and mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) monolayers, the developing rate to blastocysts was significantly(P<0.05) higher with BUEC(32.1%) than with MEF(15.3%), BGC(13.2%) and non co-culture control(11.6%). When the morula co-cultured with BOEC for 5 days following in vitro fertilization were co-cultured with BOEC continuously or with BUEC, respectively, the developing rate to blastocysts was higher with BUEC(73.9%) than with BOEC(56.0%). To examine the effects of growth factors on in vitro development of 2~8 cell embryos, epidermal growth factor(EGF), transforming growth factor-$\beta$l(TGF-$\beta$l) and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) were added singly or in combination to TCM 199 maturation medium with respective concentration. In a addition of each 10, 30 and SOng /rnl EGF, the developing rate to blastocysts was the highest in lOng /ml EGF(25.3%). In addition of each 1, 2 and Sng /mi TGF-$\beta$1, the developing rate to blastocysts was the highest in lng /ml TGF-$\beta$1(28.8%). In addition of each 50, 100ng/ml JGF-l, the developing rate to blastocysts was higher in 100ng/ml IGF-l(16.5%) than in SOng/mi IGF-1(12.9%). When lOng /ml EGF and lng /ml TGF-$\beta$l was added singly or in combination, the developing rate to blastocysts was similar in groups added singly or in combination with EGF and TGF-$\beta$l (23.l~24.6%), although higher than in control(16.7%). In the co-culture of 2~8 cell embryos Wth BOEC + each 10, 30 and 5Ong /rnl EGF, the developing rate to blastocysts was significantly(p<0.05) higher in BOEC + long /ml EGF(32.3%) than in BOEC + 3Ong /ml EGF(18.9%) and BOEC + song /ml EGF(9.7%). In the co-culture of 2~8 cell embryos with BOEC + each 1, 2, Sng /ml TGF-$\beta$l the developing rate to blastocysts was higher in BOEC + Sng/rnl TGF-$\beta$l(28.2%) than in BOEC + lng /ml TGF-$\beta$l(21.7%) and BOEC + 2ng/ml TGF-$\beta$l(21.4%). In summary, higher developing rate to blastocysts were obtained with co-culture of BUEC for co-culture system, with addition of lOng /ml EGF or lng /ml TGF-$\beta$l for growth factor culture system, and with co-culture of BOEC + lOng /ml EGF or BOEC + Sng /ml TGF-$\beta$l for co-culture + growth factor culture system.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

젖소 초유에는 성장인자가 풍부하게 함유되어 있는데, 상처 치유에 중요한 역할을 하고, 초유의 생리활성 기능을 담당하고 있다. Tyrosine kinase receptor의 활성을 유도하는 성장인자가 특이적으로 관여하여 세포의 분화, 면역기능, 신경기능 등 세포간 상호작용에 관여하는 EGFR(상피증식인자 수용체)와 FGFR(섬유아세포 증식인자)가 있다. 또한 VEGFR (혈관내피 증식인자)와 PDGF(혈소판유래 증식인자)도 존재한다. 조직회복을 위한 각질세포 분화와 세포의 이행에 성장인자가 상승효과를 나타내었고, 초유 또는 초유에 포함된 성장인자 peptide들은 장관질환 치료에 효과가 있으므로 치료제로 이용 가능성을 보여주었다.