1.Aspirin-induced acetylation of APE1/Ref-1 enhances RAGE binding and promotes apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Hao JIN ; Yu Ran LEE ; Sungmin KIM ; Eun-Ok LEE ; Hee Kyoung JOO ; Heon Jong YOO ; Cuk-Seong KIM ; Byeong Hwa JEON
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):293-305
The role of acetylated apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) in ovarian cancer remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of recombinant human APE1/Ref-1 (rhAPE1/Ref-1) and aspirin (ASA) on two ovarian cancer cells, PEO-14, and CAOV3.The viability and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells treated with rhAPE1/Ref-1 or ASA were assessed. Our results demonstrated that ASA induced rhAPE1/Ref-1 acetylation and widespread hyperacetylation in PEO-14 cells. Additionally, co-treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA substantially reduced cell viability and induced PEO-14 cell apoptosis, not CAOV3, in a dose-dependent manner. ASA increased the expression and membrane localization of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGEs). Acetylated APE1/Ref-1 showed enhanced binding to RAGEs. In contrast, RAGE knockdown reduced cell death and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage caused by rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA combination treatment, highlighting the importance of the APE1/Ref-1-RAGE interaction in triggering apoptosis. Moreover, combination treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA effectively induced apoptosis in 3D spheroid cultures of PEO-14 cells, a model that better mimics the tumor microenvironment. These results demonstrate that acetylated APE1/Ref-1 and its interaction with RAGE is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Thus, the combination of ASA and APE1/Ref-1 may offer a promising new strategy for inducing cancer cell death.
2.Aspirin-induced acetylation of APE1/Ref-1 enhances RAGE binding and promotes apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Hao JIN ; Yu Ran LEE ; Sungmin KIM ; Eun-Ok LEE ; Hee Kyoung JOO ; Heon Jong YOO ; Cuk-Seong KIM ; Byeong Hwa JEON
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):293-305
The role of acetylated apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) in ovarian cancer remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of recombinant human APE1/Ref-1 (rhAPE1/Ref-1) and aspirin (ASA) on two ovarian cancer cells, PEO-14, and CAOV3.The viability and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells treated with rhAPE1/Ref-1 or ASA were assessed. Our results demonstrated that ASA induced rhAPE1/Ref-1 acetylation and widespread hyperacetylation in PEO-14 cells. Additionally, co-treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA substantially reduced cell viability and induced PEO-14 cell apoptosis, not CAOV3, in a dose-dependent manner. ASA increased the expression and membrane localization of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGEs). Acetylated APE1/Ref-1 showed enhanced binding to RAGEs. In contrast, RAGE knockdown reduced cell death and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage caused by rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA combination treatment, highlighting the importance of the APE1/Ref-1-RAGE interaction in triggering apoptosis. Moreover, combination treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA effectively induced apoptosis in 3D spheroid cultures of PEO-14 cells, a model that better mimics the tumor microenvironment. These results demonstrate that acetylated APE1/Ref-1 and its interaction with RAGE is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Thus, the combination of ASA and APE1/Ref-1 may offer a promising new strategy for inducing cancer cell death.
3.Aspirin-induced acetylation of APE1/Ref-1 enhances RAGE binding and promotes apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Hao JIN ; Yu Ran LEE ; Sungmin KIM ; Eun-Ok LEE ; Hee Kyoung JOO ; Heon Jong YOO ; Cuk-Seong KIM ; Byeong Hwa JEON
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):293-305
The role of acetylated apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) in ovarian cancer remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of recombinant human APE1/Ref-1 (rhAPE1/Ref-1) and aspirin (ASA) on two ovarian cancer cells, PEO-14, and CAOV3.The viability and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells treated with rhAPE1/Ref-1 or ASA were assessed. Our results demonstrated that ASA induced rhAPE1/Ref-1 acetylation and widespread hyperacetylation in PEO-14 cells. Additionally, co-treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA substantially reduced cell viability and induced PEO-14 cell apoptosis, not CAOV3, in a dose-dependent manner. ASA increased the expression and membrane localization of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGEs). Acetylated APE1/Ref-1 showed enhanced binding to RAGEs. In contrast, RAGE knockdown reduced cell death and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage caused by rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA combination treatment, highlighting the importance of the APE1/Ref-1-RAGE interaction in triggering apoptosis. Moreover, combination treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA effectively induced apoptosis in 3D spheroid cultures of PEO-14 cells, a model that better mimics the tumor microenvironment. These results demonstrate that acetylated APE1/Ref-1 and its interaction with RAGE is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Thus, the combination of ASA and APE1/Ref-1 may offer a promising new strategy for inducing cancer cell death.
4.Aspirin-induced acetylation of APE1/Ref-1 enhances RAGE binding and promotes apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Hao JIN ; Yu Ran LEE ; Sungmin KIM ; Eun-Ok LEE ; Hee Kyoung JOO ; Heon Jong YOO ; Cuk-Seong KIM ; Byeong Hwa JEON
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):293-305
The role of acetylated apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) in ovarian cancer remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of recombinant human APE1/Ref-1 (rhAPE1/Ref-1) and aspirin (ASA) on two ovarian cancer cells, PEO-14, and CAOV3.The viability and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells treated with rhAPE1/Ref-1 or ASA were assessed. Our results demonstrated that ASA induced rhAPE1/Ref-1 acetylation and widespread hyperacetylation in PEO-14 cells. Additionally, co-treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA substantially reduced cell viability and induced PEO-14 cell apoptosis, not CAOV3, in a dose-dependent manner. ASA increased the expression and membrane localization of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGEs). Acetylated APE1/Ref-1 showed enhanced binding to RAGEs. In contrast, RAGE knockdown reduced cell death and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage caused by rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA combination treatment, highlighting the importance of the APE1/Ref-1-RAGE interaction in triggering apoptosis. Moreover, combination treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA effectively induced apoptosis in 3D spheroid cultures of PEO-14 cells, a model that better mimics the tumor microenvironment. These results demonstrate that acetylated APE1/Ref-1 and its interaction with RAGE is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Thus, the combination of ASA and APE1/Ref-1 may offer a promising new strategy for inducing cancer cell death.
5.Aspirin-induced acetylation of APE1/Ref-1 enhances RAGE binding and promotes apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Hao JIN ; Yu Ran LEE ; Sungmin KIM ; Eun-Ok LEE ; Hee Kyoung JOO ; Heon Jong YOO ; Cuk-Seong KIM ; Byeong Hwa JEON
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):293-305
The role of acetylated apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) in ovarian cancer remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of recombinant human APE1/Ref-1 (rhAPE1/Ref-1) and aspirin (ASA) on two ovarian cancer cells, PEO-14, and CAOV3.The viability and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells treated with rhAPE1/Ref-1 or ASA were assessed. Our results demonstrated that ASA induced rhAPE1/Ref-1 acetylation and widespread hyperacetylation in PEO-14 cells. Additionally, co-treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA substantially reduced cell viability and induced PEO-14 cell apoptosis, not CAOV3, in a dose-dependent manner. ASA increased the expression and membrane localization of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGEs). Acetylated APE1/Ref-1 showed enhanced binding to RAGEs. In contrast, RAGE knockdown reduced cell death and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage caused by rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA combination treatment, highlighting the importance of the APE1/Ref-1-RAGE interaction in triggering apoptosis. Moreover, combination treatment with rhAPE1/Ref-1 and ASA effectively induced apoptosis in 3D spheroid cultures of PEO-14 cells, a model that better mimics the tumor microenvironment. These results demonstrate that acetylated APE1/Ref-1 and its interaction with RAGE is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Thus, the combination of ASA and APE1/Ref-1 may offer a promising new strategy for inducing cancer cell death.
6.Learning curve analysis for hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: an analysis of 96 consecutive cases performed by a trained gastrointestinal surgeon
Chang In CHOI ; Kyeong Jun LEE ; Min Joo KIM ; Jae-Kyun PARK ; Da Woon KIM ; Hyo Jin KIM ; Harin RHEE ; Sang Heon SONG ; Eun Young SEONG ; Dae-Hwan KIM ; Tae Yong JEON ; Hyuk Jae JUNG
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2024;107(2):81-90
Purpose:
This study aims to analyze the learning curve of hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (HLDN) conducted by a trained gastrointestinal surgeon.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on the perioperative clinical data of 96 consecutive patients who underwent HLDN from May 2013 to March 2023. The learning curve was evaluated using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) test based on operation time and risk-adjusted CUSUM for postoperative complications. Patients were divided into three groups (novice, development, and competency phases) based on changes in operation time. Patient demographics and perioperative outcomes were compared between each group.
Results:
Among the patients, 35 were male, with a mean age of 48.9 ± 11.3 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 24.5 ± 3.2 kg/m 2 . The novice phase (phase 1) included the first 30 cases, with the development phase (phase 2) up to the 65th case. Operation times were significantly different across phases, averaging 263.2 ± 33.4, 211.1 ± 34.4, and 161.1 ± 31.3 minutes for phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P < 0.001). Blood loss decreased gradually across phases (phase 1, 264.7 ± 144.4 mL; phase 2, 239.7 ± 166.3 mL; phase 3, 198.8 ± 103.5 mL), though not statistically significant. BMI impacted operation time only in phase 1. Overall postoperative complications occurred in 13 cases (Clavien-Dindo grade I, 4 cases;grade II, 9 cases), with no significant differences across phases.
Conclusion
HLDN can be safely performed by a trained gastrointestinal surgeon, with approximately 30 cases needed to achieve proficiency.
7.Study Design and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of a Triple Combination of Ezetimibe, Fenofibrate, and Moderate-Intensity Statin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors (ENSEMBLE)
Nam Hoon KIM ; Juneyoung LEE ; Suk CHON ; Jae Myung YU ; In-Kyung JEONG ; Soo LIM ; Won Jun KIM ; Keeho SONG ; Ho Chan CHO ; Hea Min YU ; Kyoung-Ah KIM ; Sang Soo KIM ; Soon Hee LEE ; Chong Hwa KIM ; Soo Heon KWAK ; Yong‐ho LEE ; Choon Hee CHUNG ; Sihoon LEE ; Heung Yong JIN ; Jae Hyuk LEE ; Gwanpyo KOH ; Sang-Yong KIM ; Jaetaek KIM ; Ju Hee LEE ; Tae Nyun KIM ; Hyun Jeong JEON ; Ji Hyun LEE ; Jae-Han JEON ; Hye Jin YOO ; Hee Kyung KIM ; Hyeong-Kyu PARK ; Il Seong NAM-GOONG ; Seongbin HONG ; Chul Woo AHN ; Ji Hee YU ; Jong Heon PARK ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Chan Ho PARK ; Kyong Hye JOUNG ; Ohk-Hyun RYU ; Keun Yong PARK ; Eun-Gyoung HONG ; Bong-Soo CHA ; Kyu Chang WON ; Yoon-Sok CHUNG ; Sin Gon KIM
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(5):722-731
Background:
Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined.
Methods:
This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months.
Conclusion
This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.
8.Immune Cells Are DifferentiallyAffected by SARS-CoV-2 Viral Loads in K18-hACE2 Mice
Jung Ah KIM ; Sung-Hee KIM ; Jeong Jin KIM ; Hyuna NOH ; Su-bin LEE ; Haengdueng JEONG ; Jiseon KIM ; Donghun JEON ; Jung Seon SEO ; Dain ON ; Suhyeon YOON ; Sang Gyu LEE ; Youn Woo LEE ; Hui Jeong JANG ; In Ho PARK ; Jooyeon OH ; Sang-Hyuk SEOK ; Yu Jin LEE ; Seung-Min HONG ; Se-Hee AN ; Joon-Yong BAE ; Jung-ah CHOI ; Seo Yeon KIM ; Young Been KIM ; Ji-Yeon HWANG ; Hyo-Jung LEE ; Hong Bin KIM ; Dae Gwin JEONG ; Daesub SONG ; Manki SONG ; Man-Seong PARK ; Kang-Seuk CHOI ; Jun Won PARK ; Jun-Won YUN ; Jeon-Soo SHIN ; Ho-Young LEE ; Ho-Keun KWON ; Jun-Young SEO ; Ki Taek NAM ; Heon Yung GEE ; Je Kyung SEONG
Immune Network 2024;24(2):e7-
Viral load and the duration of viral shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are important determinants of the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019.In this study, we examined the effects of viral doses on the lung and spleen of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice by temporal histological and transcriptional analyses. Approximately, 1×105 plaque-forming units (PFU) of SARS-CoV-2 induced strong host responses in the lungs from 2 days post inoculation (dpi) which did not recover until the mice died, whereas responses to the virus were obvious at 5 days, recovering to the basal state by 14 dpi at 1×102 PFU. Further, flow cytometry showed that number of CD8+ T cells continuously increased in 1×102 PFU-virusinfected lungs from 2 dpi, but not in 1×105 PFU-virus-infected lungs. In spleens, responses to the virus were prominent from 2 dpi, and number of B cells was significantly decreased at 1×105PFU; however, 1×102 PFU of virus induced very weak responses from 2 dpi which recovered by 10 dpi. Although the defense responses returned to normal and the mice survived, lung histology showed evidence of fibrosis, suggesting sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings indicate that specific effectors of the immune response in the lung and spleen were either increased or depleted in response to doses of SARS-CoV-2. This study demonstrated that the response of local and systemic immune effectors to a viral infection varies with viral dose, which either exacerbates the severity of the infection or accelerates its elimination.
9.Serum and urine metabolomic biomarkers for predicting prognosis in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy
You Hyun JEON ; Sujin LEE ; Da Woon KIM ; Suhkmann KIM ; Sun Sik BAE ; Miyeun HAN ; Eun Young SEONG ; Sang Heon SONG
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice 2023;42(5):591-605
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. Prediction of disease progression in IgAN can help to provide individualized treatment based on accurate risk stratification. Methods: We performed proton nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics analyses of serum and urine samples from healthy controls, non-progressor (NP), and progressor (P) groups to identify metabolic profiles of IgAN disease progression. Metabolites that were significantly different between the NP and P groups were selected for pathway analysis. Subsequently, we analyzed multivariate area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to evaluate the predictive power of metabolites associated with IgAN progression. Results: We observed several distinct metabolic fingerprints of the P group involving the following metabolic pathways: glycolipid metabolism; valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; aminoacyl-transfer RNA biosynthesis; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. In multivariate ROC analyses, the combinations of serum glycerol, threonine, and proteinuria (area under the curve [AUC], 0.923; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.667–1.000) and of urinary leucine, valine, and proteinuria (AUC, 0.912; 95% CI, 0.667–1.000) showed the highest discriminatory ability to predict IgAN disease progression. Conclusion: This study identified serum and urine metabolites profiles that can aid in the identification of progressive IgAN and proposed perturbed metabolic pathways associated with the identified metabolites.
10.First Case of ETV6–RUNX1 Fusion in Adult De Novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia Detected Using Targeted RNA Sequencing
Seong-Jun JEON ; Joo-Heon PARK ; HaJin LIM ; Eun Jeong WON ; HyunWoo CHOI ; Hyun-Jung CHOI ; Seung-Jung KEE ; Soo Hyun KIM ; Jong Hee SHIN ; Myung-Geun SHIN
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2023;43(1):92-95

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