MicroRNA 196B regulates FAS-mediated apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Using miRNA microarray analysis, we identified 31 miRNAs that were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated in colon cancer tissues. We chose MIR196B, which was specifically up-regulated in colon cancer, for further study. We identified 18 putative MIR196B target genes by comparing between the mRNAs down-regulated in MIR196B-overexpressed cells and the assumed MIR196B target genes predicted by public bioinformatics tools.

Methylsulfonylmethane suppresses hepatic tumor development through activation of apoptosis.

Aim: To investigate the effect of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), recently reported to have anti-cancer effects, in liver cancer cells and transgenic mice.

Methods: Three liver cancer cell lines, HepG2, Huh7-Mock and Huh7-H-ras (G12V), were used. Cell growth was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 and soft agar assay.

Identifying Polymorphisms in IL-31 and Their Association with Susceptibility to Asthma.

Background: Interleukin 31 (IL-31) is a T helper type 2 effector cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic and allergic diseases. IL-31 may be involved in promoting allergic inflammation and in inducing airway epithelial responses such as allergic asthma.

Methods: Single-base extension analysis was used to detect the genotypes of IL-31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and we compared the genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-31 SNPs between patients with asthma and healthy controls.

Hepatitis B virus X protein regulates hepatic glucose homeostasis via activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Dysregulation of liver functions leads to insulin resistance causing type 2 diabetes mellitus and is often found in chronic liver diseases. However, the mechanisms of hepatic dysfunction leading to hepatic metabolic disorder are still poorly understood in chronic liver diseases. The current work investigated the role of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) in regulating glucose metabolism.

Steatosis induced by the accumulation of apolipoprotein A-I and elevated ROS levels in H-ras12V transgenic mice contributes to hepatic lesions.

Hepatic steatosis is considered to have an important impact on liver tumorigenesis, despite a lack of clear experimental evidence. Histopathological analysis of H-ras12V transgenic mice showed liver lesions on a steatosis background had significantly higher incidence than on a non-steatosis background. Further investigation showed that apolipoprotein A-I was elevated and accumulated around fatty vacuoles.

Chemopreventive effect of Curcuma longa Linn on liver pathology in HBx transgenic mice.

Unlike other forms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection shows a poor prognosis after conventional therapies. HBV induces liver cirrhosis and HCC. Many researchers have made efforts to find new substances that suppress the activity of HBV.

Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced micro-MR imaging of hepatic tumors in H-ras 12V transgenic mice.

Rationale And Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the morphologic characteristics and growth pattern of hepatic tumors in H-ras 12V transgenic (TG) mice using a micro-magnetic resonance (MR) system and to assess the usefulness of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhancement for the detection of hepatic tumors in these mice.

Materials And Methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma lines were established to allow insertion of the H-ras 12V transgene under the control of the albumin enhancer/promoter. Seven H-ras 12V TG mice and four wild-type mice were included in this study.

Identifying the polymorphisms in the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) and their association with asthma.

The present study aimed to investigate whether the polymorphisms in the TSLPR gene are associated with atopic and asthmatic disease in the Korean population. We identified eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two variation sites in the TSLPR gene, including the promoter region. The genotype and allele frequencies of g.

Nucleotide changes related to hepatocellular carcinoma in the enhancer 1/x-promoter of hepatitis B virus subgenotype C2 in cirrhotic patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely known to develop more frequently in cirrhotic patients with a high expression of Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), which is controlled by the enhancer 1 (Enh1)/X-promoter. To examine the effect of the mutations in the Enh1/X-promoter region in hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes on the development of HCC, we investigated the differences in HBV isolated from cirrhotic patients with or without HCC along with the promoter activities of certain specific mutations within the Enh1/X-promoter. We examined 160 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive cirrhotic patients (80 HCC patients, 80 non-HCC patients) by evaluating the biochemical, virological, and molecular characteristics.

Proteomic analysis of liver tissue from HBx-transgenic mice at early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis.

The hepatitis B virus X-protein (HBx), a multifunctional viral regulator, participates in the viral life cycle and in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported a high incidence of HCC in transgenic mice expressing HBx. In this study, proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins that may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis and/or that could be utilized as early detection biomarkers for HCC.

Non-structural 5A protein of hepatitis C virus induces a range of liver pathology in transgenic mice.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism of HCV pathogenesis is not well understood. Our previous in vitro studies suggested that non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein may play an important role in liver pathogenesis.

[Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Korea].

Background/aims: Considering the incidence of prevailing hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in neighboring nations, the predominance of genotype C in Korea is exceptional and needs to be confirmed by nationwide investigation.

Methods: A total of 510 HBsAg (+) or HBeAg (+) serum samples was collected from subjects in several cities and harbors throughout the Korean peninsula for genotype (A-G)-specific multiplex PCR analysis. Another 40 serum samples from chronic HBV carriers from Iksan city were selected for sequencing of the entire HBV genome.

Association of FOXJ1 polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population.

The forkhead-box J1 (FOXJ1) transcription factor could suppress a spontaneous activation of T cells and B cells through an induction of IkappaBbeta that results in repression of NF-kappaB activity. In Foxj1 deficiency mice, systemic autoimmune inflammation is quite common symptom. Therefore, deregulated Foxj1 is supposed to be associated with autoimmune diseases and/or other inflammatory diseases.

Hepatitis B virus X protein induces hepatic steatosis via transcriptional activation of SREBP1 and PPARgamma.

Background & Aims: Hepatic steatosis occurs frequently in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recently, several studies suggested that steatosis plays an important role as a cofactor in other liver diseases such as hepatic fibrosis, hepatitis, and liver cancer. In contrast to HCV, however, the molecular mechanism by which HBV mediates hepatic steatosis has not been clearly studied.

Orchiectomy reduces hepatotumorigenesis of H-ras12V transgenic mice via the MAPK pathway.

A common characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma in humans and animals is a striking male prevalence. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. We have reported that hepatotumorigenesis is prevalent in male H-ras12V transgenic mice (Wang et al.

Expression of hepatitis C virus nonstructural 4B in transgenic mice.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a pathogen that is of great medical significance in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Although the HCV proteins have been intensively investigated over the past decade, the biochemical functions of the NS4B protein are still largely unknown. To investigate NS4B as a potential causative agent of liver disease, transgenic mice expressing the NS4B protein in liver tissue were produced.

Asialoglycoprotein receptor targeted gene delivery using galactosylated polyethylenimine-graft-poly(ethylene glycol): in vitro and in vivo studies.

The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) on the hepatocyte membrane is a specific targeting marker for gene and drug delivery. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a polycationic nonviral vector that is used for gene transfer. We have synthesized galactosylated polyethylenimine-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (GPP) for performing gene delivery to the hepatocytes.

Gender-dependent hepatic alterations in H-ras12V transgenic mice.

Background/aims: Although it has been proposed that Ras and related signal pathways play important roles in hepatocarcinogenesis, appropriate in vivo models are lacking.

Methods: Two hepatocellular carcinoma lines were established using pronuclear microinjection techniques to create an insertion of the H-ras12V transgene under the control of the albumin enhancer/promoter. The resulting phenotypes and related molecular events were then examined.

Hepatic steatosis in transgenic mice overexpressing human histone deacetylase 1.

It is generally thought that histone deacetylases (HDACs) play important roles in the transcriptional regulation of genes. However, little information is available concerning the specific functions of individual HDACs in disease states. In this study, two transgenic mice lines were established which harbored the human HDAC1 gene.

Transgenic expression of Korean type hepatitis C virus core protein and related mutants in mice.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent in liver disease. In order to investigate if Korean type HCV core protein and its related mutants, S99Q and S1161, are cytopathic to liver, three types of transgenic mice were established. The expression of transgenes was confirmed by HCV specific RT-PCR and Western immunoblotting.

Intratumoral injection of 188Re labeled cationic polyethylenimine conjugates: a preliminary report.

188Re (Rhenium) is easily obtained from an in-house 188W/188Re generator that is similar to the current 99Mo/99mTc generator, making it very convenient for clinical use. This characteristic makes this radionuclide a promising candidate as a therapeutic agent. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a cationic polymer and has been used as a gene delivery vector.

Interleukin-10 is up-regulated by prolactin and serum-starvation in cultured mammary epithelial cells.

The epithelial cells of the mammary gland go through a cycle of growth, differentiation, and involution during pregnancy. Recently, we found that interleukin-10 (IL-10) was induced at the involution stage and contributed to apoptosis in the mammary gland. To elucidate the role of the epithelial cells in involution, we examined IL-10 expression in an in vitro model of HC11 cells, in various culture conditions.

Downregulation of p38 kinase pathway by cAMP response element-binding protein protects HL-60 cells from iron chelator-induced apoptosis.

The signaling mechanisms that control apoptotic events evoked by iron chelators are largely unknown. We found that cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is cleaved during iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO)-induced apoptosis, and that the cleavage is largely prevented by the cell-permeable analog of cAMP, dibutyryl-cAMP (dbcAMP), a known CREB activator. In addition, dbcAMP profoundly reduced DFO-induced apoptosis along with significant suppression of caspase-3 and -8 activation and inhibition of loss of mitochondrial potential.

Expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and P450 side chain cleavage enzyme in the human uterine endometrium.

The enzyme complex 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta5-Delta4-isomerase (3beta-HSD) is involved in the biosynthesis of all classes of active steroids. The expression of 3b-HSD in human uterine endometrium during the menstrual cycle and decidua was examined in an effort to understand its role during ova implantation. 3beta-HSD was weakly expressed in the glandular epithelium of the proliferative phase and moderately expressed in the glandular epithelium of secretory phase of the endometrium.