Transcriptional silencing of the inhibin-α gene in human gastric carcinoma cells.

Although inhibin was first identified as a hormone regulating pituitary FSH secretion, it was later recognized to act as a tumor suppressor in the gonad and adrenal glands. Recently, the alpha subunit of this dimeric hormone (inhibin‑α) was reported to be involved in prostate tumorigenesis. To identify additional roles outside the reproductive axis, we investigated inhibin‑α gene activity and subsequent cell fate in human gastric cancer cells.

Effects of 15-deoxy-∆¹²,¹⁴-prostaglandin J₂ on the production of IL-8 and the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 in human primary keratinocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide.

15-deoxy-∆(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) is an anti-inflammatory prostaglandin that plays a role in promoting the resolution of inflammation. We investigated the effects of 15d-PGJ(2) on the production of IL-8 and on the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 in human primary keratinocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell proliferation was analyzed using the MTT assay, TLR2 and -4 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, and IL-8 production and NF-κB p65 activities were determined by ELISA.

Cell growth regulation through apoptosis by activin in human gastric cancer SNU-16 cell lines.

Activin has a wide variety of biological functions, including the regulation of cell proliferation and inhibition of tumor cells. We have studied whether activin regulates apoptosis by investigating the effects of activin A on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, apoptosis-related gene expression, and caspase activity in SNU-16 cells. Activin A significantly inhibited DNA synthesis and growth suppression in a time-dependent manner in SNU-16 cells.

Selective inhibition of cell growth by activin in SNU-16 cells.

Aim: To investigate whether activin regulates the cell proliferation of human gastric cancer cell line SNU-16 through the mRNA changes in activin receptors, Smads and p21(CIP1/WAF1).

Methods: The human gastric cancer cell lines were cultured, RNAs were purified, and RT-PCRs were carried out with specifically designed primer for each gene. Among them, the two cell lines SNU-5 and SNU-16 were cultured with activin A for 24, 48 and 72 h.