• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.188-197
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• 2010

Background: Lichen-derived glucans have been known to stimulate the functions of immune cells. However, immunostimulatory activity of glucan obtained from edible lichen, Umbilicaria esculenta, has not been reported. Thus we evaluated the phenotype and functional maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) following treatment of extracted glucan (PUE). Methods: The phenotypic and functional maturation of PUE-treated DCs was assessed by flow cytometric analysis and cytokine production, respectively. PUE-treated DCs was also used for mixed leukocyte reaction to evaluate T cell-priming capacity. Finally we detected the activation of MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ by immunoblot. Results: Phenotypic maturation of DCs was shown by the elevated expressions of CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC class I/II molecules. Functional activation of DCs was proved by increased cytokine production of IL-12, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\alpha}/{\beta}$, decreased endocytosis, and enhanced proliferation of allogenic T cells. Polymyxin B, specific inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), did not affect PUE activity, which suggested that PUE was free of LPS contamination. As a mechanism of action, PUE increased phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPKs, and enhanced nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p50/p65 in DCs. Conclusion: These results indicate that PUE induced DC maturation via MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.435-441
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• 2013

Emodin, a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative isolated from Polygoni cuspidati radix, has several beneficial pharmacologic effects, which include anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the authors examined the effect of emodin on the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6, in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus the calcium ionophore A23187. To investigate the mechanism responsible for the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by emodin, the authors assessed its effects on the activations of transcriptional factor nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Emodin attenuated the nuclear translocation of (NF)-${\kappa}B$ p65 and its DNA-binding activity by reducing the phosphorylation and degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ kinase B (IKK). Furthermore, emodin dose-dependently attenuated the phosphorylations of MAPKs, such as, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAP kinase, and the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK)/c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of emodin on PMA plus A23187-stimulated BMMCs are mediated via the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and of the MAPK pathway.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.249-257
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• 2019

Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-ecotoxic potential of a 116 kDa glycoprotein isolated from UDN (UDN glycoprotein) in human intestinal epithelial INT-407 cells. We demonstrated that UDN glycoprotein ($20{\mu}g/mL$) could inhibit the production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) induced by toluene, an ecotoxic substance. Additionally, we found that the toluene-induced intestinal cytotoxicity was mediated by the phosphorylation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) via the production of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The UDN glycoprotein significantly decreased the levels of ROS production and p38 MAPK activation in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Moreover, the UDN glycoprotein inhibits the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), which is responsible for the production of LDH, in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Collectively, our data indicate that UDN glycoprotein is a natural antioxidant and a modulator of ecotoxicity signaling pathways in human intestinal epithelial cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.436-441
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• 2019

연은 아시아 국가에서 음식과 약재로 널리 사용되는 재료이다. 본 연구에서는 연의 잎(leaf, NL), 자육(seed, NS), 자방(seedpod, NSP)으로부터 에탄올 추출물을 제조하고 이들의 항염증 활성과 작용기전을 규명하였다. 이들의 항염증 활성을 연구하기 위하여 LPS로 자극된 RAW 264.7 세포에서 nitric oxide (NO) 생산을 측정하였다. NL, NS, NSP는 세포 생존율에 영향을 주지 않으면서, 농도의존적으로 NO의 생산을 현저하게 저해하였으며, iNOS 및 COX-2와 같은 pro-inflammatory 중재자들의 단백질 발현을 감소시켰다. 또한, NL, NS, NSP는 MAPKs 단백질의 인신화를 감소시키고 $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65의 핵으로의 이동을 저해함으로써, 세 추출물에 의한 항염증 활성은 MAPKs 경로와 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 경로를 조절함으로써 이루어짐을 제시한다. 게다가, ROS의 생성이 세 추출물에 의해서 모두 저해되었으며, HO-1의 발현과 HO-1의 전사조절인자인 Nrf2의 핵으로의 이동이 증가되었다. 결론적으로, 이러한 연구 결과는 연의 다양한 부위의 추출물인 NL, NS 그리고 NSP는 항염증 활성을 가지고 있으며, MAPKs, $NF-{\kappa}B$, Nrf2/HO-1 등 다양한 신호경로를 통해 조절할 수 있음을 제시한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.575-582
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• 2021

Background: In ginseng, there exists a glycolipoprotein complex with a special form of lipid LPAs called Gintonin. The purpose of this study is to show that Gintonin has a therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis through LPA2 receptors. Methods: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were treated with Gintonin and stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β. The antioxidant effect of Gintonin was measured using MitoSOX and H₂DCFDA experiments. The anti-arthritic efficacy of Gintonin was examined by analyzing the expression levels of inflammatory mediators, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, and translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/p65 into the nucleus through western blot. Next, after treatment with LPAR2 antagonist, western blot analysis was performed to measure inflammatory mediator expression levels, and NF-κB signaling pathway. Carrageenan/kaolin-induced arthritis rat model was used. Rats were orally administered with Gintonin (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) every day for 6 days. The knee joint thickness, squeaking score, and weight distribution ratio (WDR) were measured as the behavioral parameters. After sacrifice, H&E staining was performed for histological analysis. Results: Gintonin significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and COX-2. Gintonin prevented NF-κB/p65 from moving into the nucleus through the JNK and ERK MAPK phosphorylation in FLS cells. However, pretreatment with an LPA2 antagonist significantly reversed these effects of Gintonin. In the arthritis rat model, Gintonin suppressed all parameters that were measured. Conclusion: This study suggests that LPA2 receptor plays a key role in mediating the anti-arthritic effects of Gintonin by modulating inflammatory mediators, the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.181-186
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• 2018

본 연구에서는 인간 단핵구 세포인 THP-1 세포를 이용하여 berberine의 항염증 활성을 조사 하였다. Propionibacterium acnes의 감염은 THP-1 세포에서 산화질소(NO)와 $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-8 및 $IL-1{\beta}$와 같은 전 염증성 사이토카인의 생산을 유도했다. 그러나, P. acnes에 의해 유도된 THP-1 세포에 berberine을 처리했을 때, 전 염증성 사이토카인 및 NO의 생성이 유의하게 감소하였다. 또한 우리는 berberine의 항 염증 기능의 신호 전달 경로를 분석하여 berberine이 P. acnes 유도 세포에서 ERK1/2, JNK 및 p38의 인산화를 억제하고 $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65의 발현 및 핵이동을 억제한다는 것을 발견했다. 이러한 결과로부터 berberine은 인간 단핵구 세포에서 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 및 MAPK 신호 전달 경로를 억제함으로써 항 염증 활성을 효과적으로 발휘할 수 있다고 결론지었다. 또한, 이러한 결과는 P. acnes에 의해 유발된 염증성 질환의 치료를 위해 천연물 소재에서 유래한 알칼로이드 화합물인 berberine을 사용하여 천연 치료제를 개발할 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.25-30
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• 2017

In the central nervous system, viral infection can induce inflammation by up-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators that contribute to enhanced infiltration of immune cells into the central nervous areas. Celastrol is known to exert various regulatory functions, including anti-microbial activities. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects and the mechanisms of action of celastrol against astrocytes activated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a synthetic dsRNA, as a model of pro-inflammatory mediated responses. Celastrol significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced expression of adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1/VCAM-1, and chemokines, such as CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL10, in CRT-MG human astroglioma cells. In addition, celastrol significantly suppressed poly(I:C)-induced activation of JNK MAPK and STAT1 signaling pathways. Furthermore, celastrol significantly suppressed poly(I:C)-induced activation of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway. These results suggest that celastrol may exert its regulatory activity by inhibiting poly(I:C)-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators by suppressing activation of JNK MAPK-STAT1/$NF-{\kappa}B$ in astrocytes.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.57-66
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• 2019

The ethyl acetate fraction of Bat Faeces (Ye Ming Sha: natural products used in Chinese Medicine) after fermentation (EFBF-AF) showed enhanced anti-oxidative effects in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt assays. Fermentation of the Bat Faeces by using the crude enzyme extract from Aspergillus kawachii, significantly increased the anti-inflammatory effects. Fermented Bat Faeces markedly inhibited nitric oxide production, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The EFBF-AF reduced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) via $IKK{\alpha}$ and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, and decreased the phosphorylated the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and p38 expression in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, the EFBF-AF suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, such as interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$. These results suggest that fermented Bat Faeces may suppress pro-inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages cells via ERK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.97-108
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• 2018

The present study aimed to investigate the comparative evaluation of pharmacological efficacy between sulfasalazine alone and combination with herbal medicine on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in mice. Balb/c mice received 5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis. Animals were divided into five groups (n = 9): group I-normal group, group II-DSS control group, group III-DSS + sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg), group IV-DSS + sulfasalazine (60 mg/kg), group V-DSS + sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg) + Radish Extract mixture (30 mg /kg) (SRE). DSS-treated mice developed symptoms similar to those of human UC, such as severe bloody diarrhea and weight loss. SRE supplementation, as well as sulfasalazine, suppressed colonic length and mucosal inflammatory infiltration. In addition, SRE treatment significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory signaling moleculesthrough suppression both mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling pathways, and prevented the apoptosis of colon. Moreover, SRE administration significantly led to the up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzyme including SOD and Catalase. This is the first report that Radish extract mixture combined with sulfasalazine protects against experimental UC via the inhibition of both inflammation and apoptosis, very similar to the standard-of-care sulfasalazine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.95-103
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• 2008

Mushrooms are regarded as one of the well-known foods and biopharmaceutical materials with a great deal of interest. Polysaccharide ${\beta}$-glucan is the major component of mushrooms that displays various biological activities such as antidiabetic, anticancer, and antihyperlipidemic effects. In this study, we compared the immunostimulatory potency of polysaccharide fractions, prepared from liquid culture of pine-mushroom Tricholoma matsutake, with a potent immunogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and their molecular mechanisms on the functional activation of macrophages. We found that fraction II (TMF-II) was able to comparably upregulate or highly enhance the phenotypic functions of macrophages such NO production and cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-${\alpha}$) expression, to LPS. TMF-II triggered the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, a critical step for NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and translocation. Of the upstream signaling enzymes tested, Src and Akt were thought to be the responsible upstream signaling components in induction of NO production, although TMF-II strongly upregulated the phosphorylation of all MAPK pathways. Therefore, our data suggest that T. matsutake-derived ${\beta}$-glucan may exert its immunostimulating activities with similar potency to LPS via activation of multiple signaling pathways linked to NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.