Gwonhwa Song

Chrysin is a natural flavone found in numerous plant extracts, honey, and propolis that has multiple biological activities including anti-cancer effects. Understanding of biological mechanisms mediated in response to chrysin in cancerous cells may provide novel insight into chemotherapeutic approaches with reduced side effects in cancers. In the present study, we investigated functional roles of chrysin in progression of prostate cancer cells using DU145 and PC-3 cell lines. The results showed t

Cathepsins (CTS) are peptidases that have biological roles in degrading extracellular matrix, catabolism of intracellular proteins, and processing of prohormones. Expression of CTSB, CTSD, CTSH, CTSK, CTSL, CTSS, and CTSZ genes was detected in the endometria of cyclic and early pregnant ewes with distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns. In the d 18 and 20 conceptus, expression of CTSB, CTSD, CTSL, and CTSZ mRNA was detected in the trophectoderm. Of particular note, CTSL mRNA was the mo

Cathepsins (CTSB and CTSL1) and their inhibitor, cystatin C (CST3), remodel uterine endometrium and placenta for transport of gases, micronutrients, and macromolecules essential for development and growth of the conceptus (embryo/fetus and placental membranes). We examined the temporal/spatial control of expression for CTSB, CTSL1, and CST3 mRNAs in endometria and placentae of pigs using three developmental models: 1) pigs were hysterectomized during the estrous cycle or pregnancy; 2) cyclic pig

Radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2) encodes a cytoplasmic antiviral protein induced by interferons (IFN). Interferon-induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1) is a RNA helicase involved in innate immune defense against viruses, growth suppression, and apoptosis. Interferon tau (IFNT), a Type I IFN produced by the peri-implantation ruminant conceptus, acts on the uterine endometrium to signal pregnancy recognition and promote receptivity to implantation. Transcriptional profi

Apigenin is a plant‐derived flavonoid having antiproliferative, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐angiogenic properties in chronic and metabolic diseases, and cancers. However, the functional role of apigenin remains to be identified in human endometriosis that is a benign inflammatory disease causing infertility, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. In the present study, we determined the effects of apigenin on two well‐established human endometriosis cell lines (VK2/E6E7

Cystatin C (CST3) is a secreted inhibitor of lysosomal cysteine proteases cathepsins B (CTSB) and CTSL, which are abundant in the ovine endometrium and conceptus. In mice, cathepsins and cystatins play important roles in implantation and placentation. This study determined effects of the estrous cycle, pregnancy, progesterone (P4), and interferon-tau (IFNT) on CST3 in the ovine uterus. In cyclic ewes, CST3 mRNA was low on d 10, increased about 12-fold by d 12, and declined thereafter. In early p

This work was supported by grants from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (No. HI15C0810 awarded to G.S. and HI17C0929 awarded to W.L.). The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.