• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.89-95
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• 2011

식품에서 추출한 파이토케미컬은 여러 암종에서 암세포의 증식억제와 apoptosis를 유도한다. 최근에 이러한 파이토케미컬의 세포 내 신호전달 기작에 관한 관심이 높아지고 있으며, 본 연구에서는 파이토케미컬의 일종인 커큐민과 EGCG를 HCT116 대장암세포에 처리함으로써 암세포의 증식억제와 apoptosis 유도 효과를 알아보고, 암세포의 증식에 관여하는 Akt의 활성과 종양 억제유전자인 p53의 신호경로를 규명하고자 하였다. 그 결과, 커큐민과 EGCG를 처리했을 때 HCT116 세포의 증식이 억제되었고, 암세포에서 apoptosis 효과가 나타남을 확인하였다. 동일한 조건에서 Western blotting을 실시했을 때 Akt의 활성은 감소하였으며 p53의 발현은 증가하였다. 또한 Akt의 저해제인 LY294002를 처리했을 때 암세포의 증식이 더욱 강하게 억제되었으며, p53의 발현은 더욱 강하게 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 HCT116 세포에서 커큐민과 EGCG 처리에 의한 암세포의 증식 억제 및 apoptosis는 p53의 발현이 증가함에 따라 유도되며, 이러한 p53의 발현 증가는 Akt 신호경로를 저해함으로써 일어난다는 것을 확인하였다.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.21-26
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• 2015

Plasma is an ionized gas mixture, consisting of neutral particles, positive ions, negative electrons, electronically excited atoms and molecules, radicals, UV photons, and various reactive species. Also, plasma has unique physical properties distinct from gases, liquids, and solids. Until now, non-thermal plasmas have been widely utilized in bio-medical applications (called bio-plasma) and have been developed for the plasma-related devices that are used in the medical field. Although numerous bio-plasma studies have been performed in biomedicine, there is no confirmation of the nonthermal effect induced by bio-plasma. Standardization of the biological application of plasma has not been evaluated at the molecular level in living cells. In this context, we investigated the biological effect of bio-plasma on living cells. Hence, we treated the fibroblasts with Dielectric Bauvier Discharge bio-plasma (DBD), and assessed the characteristic change at the molecular level, one of the typical cellular responses. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) regulates its own protein level in response to stimuli. HSP70 responds to heat shock by increasing its own expression at the molecular level in cells. Hence, we confirmed the level of HSP70 after treatment of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with DBD. Interestingly, DBD-plasma induced cell death, but there was no difference in the level of HSP70, which is induced by heat shock stimuli, in DBD-treated MEFs. Our data provide the basic information on the interaction between MEFs and DBD, and can help to design a molecular approach in this field.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.56-62
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess both the approximate lethal dose and the single dose intramuscular injection toxicity of Danggui (Angelica gigantis radix) pharmacopuncture (DGP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The experiments were conducted at the good laboratory practice (GLP) laboratory, Biotoxtech Co., which is a laboratory approved by the ministry of food and drug safety (MFDS). The study was performed according to the GLP regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the MFDS (2009) after approval of the institutional animal care and use committee of Biotoxtech. Single doses of DGP were injected intramuscularly into the rats in three test groups of 6 week old SD rats (5 male and 5 female rats per groups) in the amounts of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL/animal for groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and normal saline solution in the amount of 1.0 mL/animal was injected intramuscularly into the rats (5 male and 5 female rats) in the control group. Observations of the general symptoms and weight measurements were performed during the 14 day observation period after the injection. Hematologic and serum biochemical examination, necropsy, and a local tolerance test at the injection site were done after the observation period. Results: No death was observed in three test groups (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL/animal group). In addition, the injection of DGP had no effect on general symptoms, weights, hematologic and serum biochemical examination, and necropsy. The results from the local tolerance tests at injection site showed no treatment related effects in the SD rats. Conclusion: The results of single dose intramuscular injection of DGP suggest that the approximate lethal dose is above 1.0 mL/animal for both male and female SD rats and that intramuscular injection of DGP may be safe.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.99-108
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• 2020

Purpose: The probability of recurrence of cancer after adjuvant or definitive radiotherapy in patients with human papillomavirus-negative (HPV(-)) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) varies for each patient. This study aimed to identify and validate radiation sensitivity signature (RSS) of patients with HPV(-) HNSCC to predict the recurrence of cancer after radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Clonogenic survival assays were performed to assess radiosensitivity in 14 HNSCC cell lines. We identified genes closely correlated with radiosensitivity and validated them in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. The validated RSS were analyzed by ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) to identify canonical pathways, upstream regulators, diseases and functions, and gene networks related to radiosensitive genes in HPV(-) HNSCC. Results: The survival fraction of 14 HNSCC cell lines after exposure to 2 Gy of radiation ranged from 48% to 72%. Six genes were positively correlated and 35 genes were negatively correlated with radioresistance, respectively. RSS was validated in the HPV(-) TCGA HNSCC cohort (n = 203), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was found to be significantly lower in the radioresistant group than in the radiosensitive group (p = 0.035). Cell death and survival, cell-to-cell signaling, and cellular movement were significantly enriched in RSS, and RSSs were highly correlated with each other. Conclusion: We derived a HPV(-) HNSCC-specific RSS and validated it in an independent cohort. The outcome of adjuvant or definitive radiotherapy in HPV(-) patients with HNSCC can be predicted by analyzing their RSS, which might help in establishing a personalized therapeutic plan.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2021

Objectives : This study investigated cellular-protective effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA)+iron or tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP). Methods : In vitro, MTT assay was assessed for cell viability, and immunoblotting analysis was performed to detect expression of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and autophagy related proteins. In vivo, mice were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of NSCE of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then injected with CCl₄ 0.5 mg/kg body weight to induce acute damage. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis. Results : Treatment with NSCE inhibited cell death induced by AA+iron and tBHP. NSCE induced the phosphorylation of AMPK, and this compound also induced the phosphorylation of LKB1, an upstream kinase of AMPK, and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a primary downstream target of AMPK. NSCE increased the protein levels of autophagic markers (LC3II and beclin-1) and decreased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and simultaneously increased the phosphorylation of unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK-1) in time-dependent manner. Conclusions : NSCE has the ability 1) to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by AA+iron or tBHP. NSCE 2) to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and 3) to regulate autophagy, an important regulator in cell survival.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.390-400
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• 2021

Background: We recently showed that gintonin, an active ginseng ingredient, exhibits antibrain neurodegenerative disease effects including multiple target mechanisms such as antioxidative stress and antiinflammation via the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a spinal disease characterized by neurodegenerative changes in motor neurons with subsequent skeletal muscle paralysis and death. However, pathophysiological mechanisms of ALS are still elusive, and therapeutic drugs have not yet been developed. We investigate the putative alleviating effects of gintonin in ALS. Methods: The G93A-SOD1 transgenic mouse ALS model was used. Gintonin (50 or 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) administration started from week seven. We performed histological analyses, immunoblot assays, and behavioral tests. Results: Gintonin extended mouse survival and relieved motor dysfunctions. Histological analyses of spinal cords revealed that gintonin increased the survival of motor neurons, expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, choline acetyltransferase, NeuN, and Nissl bodies compared with the vehicle control. Gintonin attenuated elevated spinal NAD(P) quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression and decreased oxidative stress-related ferritin, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1-immunoreactive microglia, S100β-immunoreactive astrocyte, and Olig2-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes compared with the control vehicle. Interestingly, we found that the spinal LPA1 receptor level was decreased, whereas gintonin treatment restored decreased LPA1 receptor expression levels in the G93A-SOD1 transgenic mouse, thereby attenuating neurological symptoms and histological deficits. Conclusion: Gintonin-mediated symptomatic improvements of ALS might be associated with the attenuations of neuronal loss and oxidative stress via the spinal LPA1 receptor regulations. The present results suggest that the spinal LPA1 receptor is engaged in ALS, and gintonin may be useful for relieving ALS symptoms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.166-174
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• 2021

Multiple myeloma is a malignant cancer of plasma cells. Despite recent progress with immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors, it remains an incurable disease that requires other strategies to overcome its recurrence and non-response. Based on the high expression levels of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in human multiple myeloma isolated from bone marrow and the murine myeloma cell lines, NS-1 and MOPC-315, we propose PD-L1 molecule as a target of anti-multiple myeloma therapy. We developed a novel anti-PD-L1 antibody containing a murine immunoglobulin G subclass 2a (IgG2a) fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain that can induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The newly developed anti-PD-L1 antibody showed significant antitumor effects against multiple myeloma in mice subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or intravenously inoculated with NS-1 and MOPC-315 cells. The anti-PD-L1 effects on multiple myeloma may be related to a decrease in the immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), but there were no changes in the splenic MDSCs after combined treatment with lenalidomide and the anti-PD-L1 antibody. Interestingly, the newly developed anti-PD-L1 antibody can induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in the myeloma cells, which differs from the existing anti-PD-L1 antibodies. Collectively, we have developed a new anti-PD-L1 antibody that binds to mouse and human PD-L1 and demonstrated the antitumor effects of the antibody in several syngeneic murine myeloma models. Thus, PD-L1 is a promising target to treat multiple myeloma, and the novel anti-PD-L1 antibody may be an effective anti-myeloma drug via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity effects.

• 환경생물
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.452-462
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• 2021

Pretilachlor (PRE)는 전 세계적으로 사용되는 아세트아닐리드계 제초제이며 수생 광영양생물에 미치는 영향에 대해서는 알려진 바가 거의 없다. 본 연구에서 해양 와편모조류 P. minimum를 대상으로 PRE의 생리적, 분자적 독성 영향을 평가하였다. 그 결과, PRE는 P. minimum의 성장률, 색소, 광합성 지표를 유의하게 감소시켰다. 또한, 광합성 관련 유전자 PmpsbA, PmpsaA 및 항산화 단백질 PmGST의 상대적 유전자 발현율과 세포 내 ROS 증가가 유의하였다. 이는 PRE가 P. minimum의 광합성 효율 저하 및 광계 손상을 야기하며, GST가 세포 내 산화 스트레스 및 PRE의 무독화에 관여함을 보여준다. 본 연구 결과는 PRE를 비롯한 아세트아닐라이드계 제초제가 해양 와편모조류의 세포 독성을 야기하며, 광합성 저해가 스트레스의 주요 원인임을 제시한다. 다른 아세트아닐라이드계 제초제가 비표적 광영양 생물에게 미치는 독성 영향은 아직 연구가 부족하므로, 향후 연구에서 다양한 생물종을 대상으로 추가 연구가 필요하다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.45.1-45.22
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• 2023

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) involves persistent inflammation and fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential in ILD therapeutics but obtaining an adequate quantity of cells for drug application is difficult. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's MSCs (DW-MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells sustain a high proliferative capacity following long-term culture and expansion. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of DW-MSCs in experimental mouse models of ILD. DW-MSCs were expanded up to 12 passages for in vivo application in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and collagen-induced connective tissue disease-ILD mouse models. We assessed lung inflammation and fibrosis, lung tissue immune cells, fibrosis-related gene/protein expression, apoptosis and mitochondrial function of alveolar epithelial cells, and mitochondrial transfer ability. Intravenous administration of DWMSCs consistently improved lung fibrosis and reduced inflammatory and fibrotic markers expression in both models across various disease stages. The therapeutic effect of DW-MSCs was comparable to that following daily oral administration of nintedanib or pirfenidone. Mechanistically, DW-MSCs exhibited immunomodulatory effects by reducing the number of B cells during the early phase and increasing the ratio of Tregs to Th17 cells during the late phase of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, DW-MSCs exhibited anti-apoptotic effects, increased cell viability, and improved mitochondrial respiration in alveolar epithelial cells by transferring their mitochondria to alveolar epithelial cells. Our findings indicate the strong potential of DW-MSCs in the treatment of ILD owing to their high efficacy and immunomodulatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.191-195
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• 2014

오미자(Schizandra chinensis Baillon., Schisandrae Semen)의 열매는 한국을 포함한 아시아 지역에서 오랫동안 전통 의약제로 광범위하게 사용되어 왔다. 식물에서 분리된 정유(essential oils)는 다양한 약리효능을 지니고 있지만, 오미자 열매에서 추출한 정유의 약리학적 기전은 밝혀진 바 없다. 본 연구에서는 오미자 종자의 정유(Schisandrae Semen essential oil, SSeo)에 대한 안정성을 확보하기 위하여 단회경구투여 독성시험을 ICR 마우스를 대상으로 실시하였다. SSeo은 ICR mice에 5,000 mg/kg 농도로 경구 투여하였으며, 14일 후 희생시켰다. SSeo 투여 후 치사율, 임상 증상, 체중 및 부검 소견 상의 유의적인 변화는 관찰되지 않았다. 또한 각 장기의 무게, 혈액학적 및 혈청학적 임상 화학적 지표에도 총 bilirubin량을 제외한 유의적인 변화는 관찰할 수 없었다. 따라서 SSeo 단회 투여에 따른 치사량은 5,000 mg/kg 이상일 것으로 추정되어 급성 독성 측면에서 유해성이 없다는 의미를 지니며, 경구투여에 따른 어떤 부작용도 나타내지 않았음을 의미한다.