Young Rae Lee

Inhibition of VEGF blocks TGF-β1 production through a PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mediator of airway inflammation and remodelling in asthma. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 plays pivotal roles in diverse biological processes, including tissue remodelling and repair in a number of chronic lung diseases. However, there are few studies elucidating the interactions between VEGF and TGF-β1 in allergic airway disease. A murine model of allergic airway disease was used to define the mechanism by which VEGF induces subepithelial fibrosis and to investigate a potential relationship between VEGF and TGF-β1 and the mechanisms by which VEGF signalling regulates TGF-β1 expression in allergic airway disease. The ovalbumin (OVA)-inhaled murine model revealed the following typical pathophysiological features of allergic airway disease in the lungs: increased numbers of inflammatory cells of the airways, airway hyperresponsiveness, increased peribronchial fibrosis, and increased levels of VEGF and TGF-β1. Administration of VEGF inhibitors reduced the pathophysiological signs of allergic airway disease and decreased the increased TGF-β1 levels and peribronchial fibrosis, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity after OVA inhalation. In addition, the increased TGF-β1 levels and collagen deposition after OVA inhalation were decreased by administration of PI3K inhibitors. These results suggest that inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor attenuates peribronchial fibrosis, at least when mediated by regulation of transforming growth factor-β1 expression through phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway in a murine model of allergic airway disease.

A novel thiol compound, N-acetylcysteine amide, attenuates allergic airway disease by regulating activation of NF-kappaB and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. Recent studies have demonstrated that antioxidants are able to reduce airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in animal models of allergic airway disease. A newly developed antioxidant, small molecular weight thiol compound, N-acetylcysteine amide (AD4) has been shown to increase cellular levels of glutathione and to attenuate oxidative stress related disorders such as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and multiple sclerosis. However, the effects of AD4 on allergic airway disease such as asthma are unknown. We used ovalbumin (OVA)-inhaled mice to evaluate the role of AD4 in allergic airway disease. In this study with OVA-inhaled mice, the increased ROS generation, the increased levels of Th2 cytokines and VEGF, the increased vascular permeability, the increased mucus production, and the increased airway resistance in the lungs were significantly reduced by the administration of AD4. We also found that the administration of AD4 decreased the increases of the NF-κB and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) levels in nuclear protein extracts of lung tissues after OVA inhalation. These results suggest that AD4 attenuates airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness by regulating activation of NF-κB and HIF-1α as well as reducing ROS generation in allergic airway disease.

The role of sirtuin 1 in osteoblastic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Activation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) promotes the differentiation of keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells, but inhibits the differentiation of muscle and fat cells. However, the involvement of SIRT1 in the differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells into osteoblast-like cells remains unclear. To identify the role of SIRT1 in human periodontal ligament cells, we measured SIRT1 mRNA and SIRT1 protein levels during the osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells. Additionally, we investigated the effects of overexpressing and underexpressing SIRT1 on the differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells, and the signaling mechanisms involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS Expression of SIRT1 and osteoblastic differentiation markers was assessed by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Alizarin red staining and western blotting. RESULTS Marked upregulation of SIRT1 mRNA and SIRT1 protein was observed in cells grown for 3 d in osteogenic induction medium (OM). Activation of SIRT1 using resveratrol and isonicotinamide stimulated osteoblastic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, as assessed by the expression of mRNAs encoding alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, osteocalcin, osterix and Runx2, and induced calcium deposition. In contrast, inhibition of SIRT1 using sirtinol, nicotinamide and gene silencing by RNA interference suppressed mineralization and the expression of osteoblast marker mRNAs. Further mechanistic studies revealed that resveratrol treatment increased the phosphorylation of Akt, adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK), Smad 1/5/8 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, but reduced OM-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB. Conversely, application of sirtinol suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt, AMPK, Smad 1/5/8, p38, ERK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and enhanced nuclear factor-κB activity, in OM-stimulated cells. CONCLUSION These data suggest that SIRT1 is a potent regulator of differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells and may have clinical implications for periodontal bone regeneration.

PTEN Down-Regulates IL-17 Expression in a Murine Model of Toluene Diisocyanate-Induced Airway Disease

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced airway disease is a disorder characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway remodeling. A recently discovered group of cytokines is the IL-17 family, which has been introduced as an important regulator of immune and inflammatory responses, including airway inflammation. Recently, we have reported that phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. However, there are no available data for the effects of PTEN or IL-17 on TDI-induced airway disease and the relationship between PTEN and IL-17. We used a murine model to determine the role of PTEN in the pathogenesis of TDI-induced airway disease and the regulation of IL-17 production. These mice developed the typical pathophysiological features of TDI-induced airway disease and increased IL-17 expression in the lungs. Administration of phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors or adenoviruses carrying PTEN cDNA (AdPTEN) reduced the pathophysiological features of TDI-induced airway disease and decreased the increased levels of IL-17 expression. Our results also showed that PI3K inhibitors or AdPTEN down-regulated a transcription factor, NF-κB activity, and BAY 11-7085 substantially reduced the increased levels of IL-17 after TDI inhalation. We also found that inhibition of IL-17 activity with an anti-IL-17 Ab reduced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. These results suggest that PTEN plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of TDI-induced airway disease, at least in part through the regulation of IL-17 expression. Thus, PTEN may be a useful target for treating TDI-induced airway disease by modulating IL-17 expression.

Silibinin Enhances Ultraviolet B-Induced Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Purpose Chemotherapies for breast cancer generally have strong cellular cytotoxicity and severe side effects. Thus, significant emphasis has been placed on combinations of naturally occurring chemopreventive agents. Silibinin is a major bioactive flavonolignan extracted from milk thistle with chemopreventive activity in various organs including the skin, prostate, and breast. However, the mechanism underlying the inhibitory action of silibinin in breast cancer has not been completely elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effect of silibinin in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and determined whether silibinin enhances ultraviolet (UV) B-induced apoptosis. Methods The effects of silibinin on MCF-7 cell viability were determined using the MTT assay. The effect of silibinin on PARP cleavage, as the hallmark of apoptotic cell death, and p53 protein expression in MCF-7 cells was analyzed using Western blot. The effect of silibinin on UVB-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results A dose- and time-dependent reduction in viability was observed in MCF-7 cells treated with silibinin. Silibinin strongly induced apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells, and induction of apoptosis was associated with increased p53 expression. Moreover, silibinin enhanced UVB-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion Silibinin induced a loss of cell viability and apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the combination of silibinin and UVB resulted in an additive effect on apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. These results suggest that silibinin might be an important supplemental agent for treating patients with breast cancer.