메리골드 꽃 추출물에 의한 미세먼지 유도 인간 각막 상피 ​​세포의 이동성 및 상피-중간엽 전이의 억제 = Inhibition of Particulate Matter-Induced Migration and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells by Tagetes erecta Linn. Flower Extract

국문 초록 (Abstract)

최근 PM이 인체에 미치는 다양한 부정적 영향에 대한 우려가 증가하고 있으며, 이를 억제하고자 하는 노력 또한 증가하고 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 PM2.5가 hCECs에 미치는 세포독성을 TE가 방어할 수 있는지를 조사하는 것이다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면, TE는 PM2.5 처리에 의한 세포독성과 자가포식 유도를 억제하였다. 또한 TE는 PM2.5 유도 세포 이동성, TJ의 붕괴 및 EMT를 차단하였으며, 이는 TGF-β1/Smad 신호계의 비활성화와 연관성이 있었다. PM2.5가 처리된 hCECs에 TE의 이러한 효능은 ROS 생성의 억제에 따른 것으로 추측된다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 TE가 PM에 의한 각막 기능 장애를 잠재적으로 예방하거나 치료할 수 있는 천연물로서의 유용성에 대한 중요한 기초 자료로서 활용성이 높을 것으로 기대된다.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Concerns about the adverse effects of particulate matter (PM) on the human body are increasing, and efforts to suppress them are also increasing. This study examined whether the ethanol extract of Tagetes erecta Linn. flower (TE) can protect against the cytotoxicity of PM2.5 on human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs). The results showed that PM2.5 decreased the cell viability of hCECs in a concentration-dependent manner, but pretreatment with TE within a non-cytotoxic range significantly inhibited PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, the PM2.5 treatment induced autophagy in hCEC, but it was attenuated in the presence of TE. PM2.5 also increased cell motility and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), but TE inhibited both effects. Furthermore, EMT induction by PM2.5 was associated with the activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic signaling, but TE inactivated this signaling pathway while significantly decreasing PM2.5-induced TGF-β production. In particular, TE blocked the PM2.5-induced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular ROS, possibly because of the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of TE may have contributed to the defense against PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity, mobility, and EMT in hCECs. Therefore, these results provide important evidence for the utility of TE as a natural product that might prevent or treat corneal dysfunction induced by PM. Nevertheless, future studies should examine the main bioactive components of TE and verify the efficacy of TE in an in vivo model.