ABSTRACT
This study investigated whether α-asarone could promote proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells into the neuronal cell types in in vitro and ex vivo studies. For in vitro assay, neural progenitor cells were isolated from fetal cerebral cortex (E15) and checked cell proliferation rate and neural progenitor cell marker in neurospheres. Treatment of α-asarone, particularly at a concentration of 3 µM, promoted the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and effectively differentiated neural progenitor cells into neurons. For ex vivo assay, a hippocampi slice culture system from 7 day postnatal rat fetuses was used. Although slight tissue damage was observed in the hippocampus after the high concentration (100 µM) of α-asarone, however, α-asarone enhanced the proliferation of neural progenitor cells in dentate gyrus region and also effectively differentiated into neuroblast at concentration of 30 µM. Consequently, α-asarone promotes the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and effectively differentiates neural progenitor cells into neurons. Therefore, our results support the therapeutic benefits of α-asarone for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Cell Proliferation , Cerebral Cortex , Dentate Gyrus , Fetus , Hippocampus , In Vitro Techniques , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Neurons , Stem CellsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of expression of p63, p27, and p53 as well as Ki-67 and its efficacy to discriminate the cervical lesion such as intraepithelial lesion, microinvasive carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma in surgical sample. METHODS: Cervical tissue samples were obtained from 64 patients visited Hanyang University Medical Center via hysterectomy, conization, punch biopsy, and polypectomy from September 2001 to February 2002. The biopsies were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) to detect dysplasia (mild, moderate, severe), microinvasive carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma. All samples were stained immunohistochemically for Ki-67, p63, p27, and p53 to determine the location and proportion of positive cells. The differences of expression patterns between each group were analized using Kruskal-Wallis test of SPSS ver. 10.0 and a result of p<0.05 was judged significant. RESULTS: K-67 and p63 positive cells were highly correlated with the grade of dysplasia and invasiveness (p<0.0001). There were no differences of expression proportion between each group in p53 and p27. Ki-67 and p63 expression were increased in LSIL and HSIL groups, but not significant statistically in Ki-67 groups. In ASCUS group, Ki-67 and p63 expression level were higher but not significant statistically in p63 groups. In CIS/SCC groups, Ki-67 and p63 expression levels were higher than any other groups. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the efficacy of Ki-67, the cell proliferation marker for discrimination of CIN. Along with p63 immunohistochemical stain, Ki-67 can be used for auxiliary test to detect microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma and to discriminate CIN. p63 may be helpful in detecting cancer cell invading stromal tissue and can be used as a marker of differentiation of squamous cell for poorly differentiated tumor or mixed type tumor.