• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.428-431
• /
• 2015

Various approaches have been attempted in translational moyamoya disease research. One promising material for modeling and treating this disease is vascular progenitor cells, which can be acquired and expanded from patient peripheral blood. These cells may provide a novel experimental model and enable us to obtain insights regarding moyamoya disease pathogenesis. We briefly present the recent accomplishments in regard to the studies of vascular progenitor cells in moyamoya disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.519-530
• /
• 2022

Recent research indicates that lactate promotes the switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to a synthetic phenotype, which has been implicated in various vascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactate on the VSMC phenotype switch and the underlying mechanism. The CCK-8 method was used to assess cell viability. The microRNAs and mRNAs levels were evaluated using quantitative PCR. Targets of microRNA were predicted using online tools and confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay. We found that lactate promoted the switch of VSMCs to a synthetic phenotype, as evidenced by an increase in VSMC proliferation, mitochondrial activity, migration, and synthesis but a decrease in VSMC apoptosis. Lactate inhibited miR-23b expression in VSMCs, and miR-23b inhibited VSMC's switch to the synthetic phenotype. Lactate modulated the VSMC phenotype through downregulation of miR-23b expression, suggesting that overexpression of miR-23b using a miR-23b mimic attenuated the effects of lactate on VSMC phenotype modulation. Moreover, we discovered that SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) was the target of miR-23b in regulating VSMC phenotype. Further findings suggested that lactate promotes VSMC switch to synthetic phenotype by targeting SMAD3 and downregulating miR-23b. These findings suggest that correcting the dysregulation of miR-23b/SMAD3 or lactate metabolism is a potential treatment for vascular diseases.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.04a
• /
• pp.177.2-178
• /
• 2002

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.04a
• /
• pp.114.2-114.2
• /
• 2002

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.04a
• /
• pp.129.2-129.2
• /
• 2002

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
• /
• 2002.05a
• /
• pp.79-79
• /
• 2002

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.35-42
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Alterations in the structure and function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are important in cardiovascular disease and maintaining chronic hypertension. Chronic hypertension is associated with changes in vascular smooth muscle tone. The spontaneous or myogenic tone of a blood vessel reflects the ability to adapt smooth muscle tone to changes in transmural pressure. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms involved in myogenic tone are not fully understood. Methods: Here, we investigated the relationship between mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) in isometric contraction and enzymatic activity using muscle strips from rats made hypertensive with aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salts. Results: Changes in myogenic tone and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) were different after physiological salt solution (PSS) in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The myogenic tone and quiescent phosphorylation induced by the PSS treatment were inhibited by 10 ${\mu}$M PD098059, an extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor, and 10 ${\mu}$M wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K, in hypertensive rats. Conclusion: The development of DOCA-induced hypertension is associated with altered isometric contractions and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via changes in activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K after DOCA-salt treatment. Therefore, ERK1/2 and PI3K activity affect hypertension and may be suitable targets for physical therapy in cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.1382-1386
• /
• 2004

This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of Samhwangsasim-tang(SST), herbal remedy. SST relaxed vascular strips precontracted with phenylephrine or KCI(51 mM), but the magnitude of relaxation was greater in phenylephrine(PE) induced contraction. The relaxation effects of SST was endothelium-independent. L-NAME, iNOS inhibitor, and methyl en blue(MB), cGMP inhibitor, did not attenuate the relaxation responses of SST. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with SST significantly reduced the contraction by PE, suggesting that the relaxant action of the SST includes inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores (SR). In addition, the cell death was induced by SST in human aortic smooth muscle cells but not that of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We conclude that in rat thoracic aorta, SST may induce in part vasodilation through inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.50-58
• /
• 1998

The effects of the Evodiae fructus on the cardiovascular function were assessed in spontaneously hypertensive rats, and isolated preparation of spontaneously hypertensive rats aortic strip. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, intraperitoneal administration of methanol crude extract of Evodiae Fructus (0.5mg/kg) lowered aterial blood pressure which lasted for at least 4 hours. The hypotensive effect of Evodiae Fructus was more stronger with ${\alpha}-adrenoreceptor$ inhibitor(Phentholamine) and it was not affected by ${\beta}-adrenoreceptor$ inhibitor(Propranolol). The hypotensive effect of Evodiae Fructus was abolished by NAME. It is suggested that the hypotensive effect of Evodiae Fructus may be concern with endothelium-derived relaxing factor and it may be mediated through NO synthesis. Evodiae Fructus showed a vasorelaxing effect on denude aortic strip. It is suggested that Evodiae Fructus has a direct relaxing effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. Judging from above results, it was proved that hypotensive effect of Evodiae Fructus. The mechanism of hypotensive action may be concern with endothelium-derived relaxing factor and direct relaxing effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. Therefore, it is suggested that Evodiae Fructus is applicable to hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 2007

To elucidate a potential molecular link between diabetes and atherosclerosis, we investigated the role of Janus tyrosine kinase(JAK) for NAD(P)H oxidase-derived superoxide generation in the enhanced proliferative capacity of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty(OLETF) rat, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. An enhanced proliferative response to 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS) and superoxide generation with an increased NAD(P)H oxidase activity were observed in diabetic(OLETF) VSMC. Both the enhanced proliferation and superoxide generation in diabetic VSMC were significantly attenuated by AG490, JAK2 inhibitor, and PP2, Src kinase inhibitor. Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in diabetic VSMC, especially JAK2, was increased compared to control VSMC. Furthermore, the enhanced NAD(P)H oxidase activity in diabetic VSMC was significantly attenuated by AG490 in a dose-dependent manner. Together, these results indicate that the signal pathway which leads to diabetes-associated activation of Src kinase/JAK is critically involved in the diabetic VSMC proliferation through NAD(P)H oxidase activation and superoxide generation.