• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2003

Carcass weight and backfat thickness are two of important elements in determining the carcass trait in pigs and are studied on animal genetics, nutrition, and endocrinology. Growth factors stimulate or inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of various cells. In particular, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), transforming growth factor (TGF)-$\beta$, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are involved in the growth and maintenance of muscle. Also, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and cortisol are known to be related to the obesity and subcutaneous fat depth in pigs. Therefore, this study was performed to relate growth factors (IGFs, TGF-${\beta}1$, and EGF) and hormones (cortisol and DHEA-S) concentrations at antemortem and postmortem periods to carcass traits including carcass weight and backfat thickness. Blood and m. Longissimus were collected in pigs at antemortem (30 days before slaughter) and postmortem periods. After slaughtered, carcass weight and backfat thickness were measured. Growth factors and hormones in serum and m. Longissimus were measured by radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked imuunosorbent assay. Before antemortem period, serum IGF-I and -II concentrations were positively correlated with the carcass weight and backfat thickness in gilts, and the concentrations of TGF- ${\beta}1$ and cortisol in barrows show the correlation with only carcass weight. Also, the positive correlations of muscular IGFs and TGF-${\beta}1$ at postmortem 45 min with the carcass weight and backfat thickness were detected. Consequently, these results suggest that the serum and muscular endocrine factors are involved in the carcass weight and backfat thickness in pigs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2001

Cytokines are hormone-like proteins which mediate and regulast inflammatory and immune responses. Transforming growth factor -$\beta$1(TGF-$\beta$) plays an important role in the control of the immune response and wound healing, and in the development o various tissues and organs, Nitric oxide(NO) is major messenger molecule regulating immune function and blood vessel dilation and serving as a neurotransmitter in the brain and peripheral nervous system. Also, NO is to be a potent mutagen that cause mutation in the p53 tumor suppressor gene in early phases of human gastric carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Helicobacter phlori lystes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and Staphylococcus enterotoxin B(SEB) on production of TGF-$\beta$1 and NO by human fibroblasts. Primary cultured human fibroblasts were incubated with H. pylori lysates(Hp), LPs, SEB, Hp+LPS, Hp+SEB, Hp+LPS+SEB. Cultured supernatants that were collected at 24, 48 and 72 hr were assessed for TGF-$\beta$1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and NO production by quantification of nitrite ion. TGF-$\beta$1 production in fibroblasts exposed with Hp, LPS or SEB for 48 hrs was enhanced, but for 72 hrs inhibited. Its production by doble exposure such as Hp+LPS, Hp+SEB, Hp+LPS+SEB was lowered in comparison with single exposure of Hp in cases of 24 and 48 hrs incubation, but for 72 hrs decreased in Hp vaculoating toxin(+), increased in Hp vacuolating toxin(-). No production in fibroblasts increaed at all doses of LPS. But its production by exposure of SEB increased or decreased according to dose and incubation time. Also, NO production by Hp vacuolating toxin(+) increased at all doses, but its production by Hp vacuolating toxin(-) decreased. Its production by doble exposure such as Hp+LPS, Hp+SEB, Hp+LPS+SEB decreased in comparison with single exposure Hp Therefore, quantities pf TGB-$\beta$1 and NO released by human fibroblasts shows differences according to kinds of stimulants. Also, in care stimulated with same kinds of stimulants, its productions exhibit quantitative differences according to exposure times. These results suggest that the decreased of TGF-$\beta$1 in fibroblasts by mixed exposure with Hp producing vacuolating toxin and bacterial toxins such as LPS and SEB may effect negatively in healing of host tissue and increased of NO by infection oh H. pylori may related to the increased susceptibility for human gastric carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.486-491
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• 2012

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family, is a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth and maintenance. The MSTN prodomain inhibits MSTN biological activity. The rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis is an excellent primary live feed for fish larvae in aquaculture; however, it is not known whether the rotifer expresses MSTN and the MSTN prodomain along with its activity. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of recombinant MSTN prodomains. Individual cultures of the rotifer B. rotundiformis were carried out to determine the effect of recombinant MSTN prodomains (pMALc2x-poMSTNpro and pMALc2x-sMSTNpro) on the pre-reproductive phase, reproductive phase, post-reproductive phase, offspring, lifespan, fecundity, and male ratio. In addition, a population culture of the rotifer was performed to confirm the effects of pMALc2x-poMSTNpro and pMALc2x-sMSTNpro on population growth. The results showed that the rotifer treated with pMALc2x-pMSTNpro had a reduced pre-reproductive phase at higher concentrations (1, 2, and 4 ${\mu}g/ml$) compared to the non-treated control group. Moreover, the pMALc2xsMSTNpro treated rotifer effectively decreased the pre-reproductive phase at a lower concentration (0.25 ${\mu}g/ml$) compared to the pMALc2x-pMSTNpro treated and control group. Interestingly, pMALc2x-poMSTNpro and pMALc2x-sMSTNpro significantly increased the population of $B.$ $rotundiformis$.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.84-88
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• 2015

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that predominantly affects children, and can result in coronary artery lesions (CAL). A patient with KD who is resistant to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has a higher risk of developing CAL. Incomplete KD has increased in prevalence in recent years, and is another risk factor for the development of CAL. Although the pathogenesis of KD remains unclear, there has been increasing evidence for the role of genetic susceptibility to the disease since it was discovered in 1967. We retrospectively reviewed previous genetic research for known susceptibility genes in the pathogenesis of KD, IVIG resistance, and the development of CAL. This review revealed numerous potential susceptibility genes including genetic polymorphisms of ITPKC, CASP3, the transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ signaling pathway, B lymphoid tyrosine kinase, FCGR2A, KCNN2, and other genes, an imbalance of Th17/Treg, and a range of suggested future treatment options. The results of genetic research may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of KD, and aid in the discovery of new treatment modalities for high-risk patients with KD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2429-2434
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• 2016

Transforming growth factor-B1 ($TGF-{\beta}1$ )and its coreceptor endoglin (ENG) have been shown to contribute to hepatocellular tumor development and malignant progression. Our aim was to evaluate the serum expression levels of $ENG/TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNAs and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic Egyptian patients. Our study included 77 subjects. Real time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the expression level of ENG and $TGF-{\beta}1$mRNAs. The relative expression ratio of ENG mRNA was 0.82 (0.1 -3.2), 0.66 (0.15-5.3), 0.38(0.007-2.8) and 0.12 (0.00-0.22) and the relative expression ratio of $TGF-{\beta}1$mRNA was 1.4 (0.19 -6.2), 1.2 (0.22-4.3), 1.0 (0.15-4.4) and 0.6 (0.00-2.2) for cirrhotic HCC cirrhotic, HCC only and healthy control groups respectively. Increased ENG and $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNA gene expression was correlated with TNM clinical stage. The expression ratio in TNM stage III-IV 1.1 (0.07-3.2), 1.55 (0.15-6.2) was statistically significantly higher than that in stage I-II 0.47 (0.007-2.8), 1.0 (0.31-4.4) (P<0.05). Our data suggested that increased ENG and $TGF-{\beta}1$ gene expression may participate in hepatocarcinogenesis and increased risk of HCC in individuals with cirrhosis. Early screening for evidence of cirrhosis and consideration of ENG and $TGF-{\beta}1$ as targets for therapy and treatment strategies are warranted.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.543-551
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• 2021

Nocardiopsis species produce bioactive compounds, such as antimicrobial and anti-cancer agents and toxins. However, no reports have described their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects during nasal polyp (NP) formation. In this study, we investigated whether marine-derived bacterial Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced NP-derived fibroblasts (NPDFs). Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels were analyzed. Extract from Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 significantly inhibited the upregulation of NO and PGE₂ in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated; smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA), collagen type I (Col-1), and fibronectin also phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 2 and 3 in TGF-β1-stimulated NPDFs. The Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 extract suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPKs and Akt and the DNA-binding activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1). The expression of pro-fibrotic components such as α-SMA, Col-1, fibronectin, and SMAD2/3 was inhibited in TGF-β1-exposed NPDFs. These findings suggest that Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 has the potential to treat inflammatory disorders, such as NP formation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.376-379
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• 2019

Concomitant Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) and hematologic malignancies are exceptionally rare. This is the first report of a patient operated on for aortic root dilation who had been previously diagnosed with LDS and B-cell-lymphoma. After completion of chemotherapy and complete remission, an elective valve-sparing aortic root replacement (using the David-V method) was performed. Due to the positive family history, preoperative genetic counseling was conducted, and revealed LDS with a TGFBR1 (transforming growth factor beta receptor type I) mutation in 6 probands of the family, albeit in 1 of them posthumously. This missense mutation has been previously described in relation to aortic dissection, but a causative relationship to malignancy has so far neither been proposed nor proven.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.222-229
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• 2009

Our previous finding that pre-initiation treatment of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) represents a chemopreventive effect in dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis has prompted us to test the global expression of genes at an early stage. Rats were continuously fed 300 ppm I3C in their diet at 6 weeks of age and were injected with DMBA at 7 weeks of age, and were sacrificed at 8 weeks of age. Global gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide microarrays was conducted to detect altered genes in DMBA- or DMBA plus I3C-treated mammary glands. Altered genes were identified by fold changes of 1.2 and by t-test (P<0.05) from the log ratios of the hybridization intensity of samples between control (Group 1) and DMBA (Group 2), and from those of samples between DMBA (Group 2) and DMBA plus I3C (Group 3). From these genes, we chose altered genes that were up- or down-regulated by DMBA treatment and recovered to the control level by I3C treatment. For early stage of carcinogenesis, I3C treatment induced the recovery to normal levels of several genes including cell cycle pathway (cyclin B2, cell division cycle 2 homolog A), MAP signaling pathway (fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, platelet derived growth factor receptor, beta polypeptide), and insulin signaling (protein phosphatase 1, regulatory (inhibitor) subunit 3B and flotillin 2), which were up-regulated by DMBA treatment. In addition, I3C treatment induced the recovery to normal levels of several genes including those of MAPK signaling (transforming growth factor, beta receptor 1 and protein phosphatase 3, catalytic subunit, beta isoform), which were down-regulated by DMBA treatment. These results suggest that the targeting of these genes presents a possible approach for chemoprevention in DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.159-165
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• 2013

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}$) superfamily and are involved in osteoblastic differentiation. The largest TGF-${\beta}$ superfamily subgroup shares genetic homology with human BMPs (hBMPs) and silkworm decapentaplegic (dpp). In addition, hBMPs are functionally interchangeable with Drosophila dpp. Bombyx mori dpp may induce bone formation in mammalian cells. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized the 1,285-base pairs cDNA of full-length B. mori dpp using total RNAs obtained from the fat body of 3-day-old of the $5^{th}$ instar larvae and cloned the cDNA into the pCEP4 mammalian expression vector. Next, B. mori dpp was expressed in C3H10T1/2 cells. The target cells transfected with the pCEP4-Bm dpp plasmid showed biological functions similar to those of osteogenic differentiation induction growth factors such as hBMPs. We determined the relative mRNA expression rates of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osterix, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to validate the osteoblast-specific differentiation effects of B. mori dpp by performing quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Interestingly, mRNA expression levels of the 3 marker genes except RUNX2, in cells expressing B. mori dpp were much higher than those in control cells and C3H10T1/2 cells transfected with pCEP4. These results suggested that B. mori dpp signaling regulates osterix expression during osteogenic differentiation via RUNX2-independent mechanisms.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.413-424
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• 2022

Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 4 is a pluripotent signaling mediator that regulates myriad cellular functions, including cell growth, cell division, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell invasion, and metastasis, through transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD4 is a critical modulator in signal transduction and functions primarily as a transcription factor or cofactor. Apart from being a DNA-binding factor, the additional SMAD4 mechanisms in tumor suppression remain elusive. We previously identified methyl malonyl aciduria cobalamin deficiency B type (MMAB) as a critical SMAD4 binding protein using a proto array analysis. This study confirmed the interaction between SMAD4 and MMAB using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, proximity ligation assay (PLA), and conventional immunoprecipitation. We found that transient SMAD4 overexpression down-regulates MMAB expression via a proteasome-dependent pathway. SMAD4-MMAB interaction was independent of TGF-β signaling. Finally, we determined the effect of MMAB downregulation on cancer cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMAB affected cancer cell metabolism in HeLa cells by decreasing ATP production and glucose consumption as well as inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that SMAD4 controls cancer cell metabolism by regulating MMAB.