• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.381-386
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• 2008

Deep sea water was tested for cancer chemopreventive activity by measuring the activities of ${\beta}-$ naphthoflavone $({\beta}-NF)-induced$ cytochrome P 450 1A2 (CYP 1A2), quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) levels, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. The in vitro incubation of rat liver microsome with deep sea water (a hardness range of $100{\sim}1,000$) showed a hardness-dependent inhibition of CYP 1A2 activity. QR and GST activities were induced about $1.1{\sim}1.2$ fold with the treatment of deep sea water in murine hepatoma Hepa 1clc7 cells. In addition GSH levels were increased $1.3{\sim}1.4$ fold in a hardness range of $100{\sim}1,000$. The deep sea water showed 20.3 and 35.0% inhibition of 12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-a-cetate (TPA)-induced ODC activity at hardness 800 and 1,000, respectively. Therefore, deep sea water is worth further investigation with respect to cancer chemoprevention or therapy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.79-94
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• 2011

Background: Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are currently being evaluated as a novel strategy for tumor vaccination and immunotherapy. However, inducing long-term regression in established tumor-implanted mice is difficult. Here, we show that deoxypohophyllotoxin (DPT) induces maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived DCs via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 activation of MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Methods: The phenotypic and functional maturation of DPT-treated DCs was assessed by flow cytometric analysis and cytokine production, respectively. DPT-treated DCs was also used for mixed leukocyte reaction to evaluate T cell-priming capacity and for tumor regression against melanoma. Results: DPT promoted the activation of $CD8^+$ T cells and the Th1 immune response by inducing IL-12 production in DCs. In a B16F10 melanoma-implanted mouse model, we demonstrated that DPT-treated DCs (DPT-DCs) enhance immune priming and regression of an established tumor in vivo. Furthermore, migration of DPT-DCs to the draining lymph nodes was induced via CCR7 upregulation. Mice that received DPT-DCs displayed enhanced antitumor therapeutic efficacy, which was associated with increased IFN-${\gamma}$ production and induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that the adjuvant effect of DPT in DC vaccination is associated with the polarization of T effector cells toward a Th1 phenotype and provides a potential therapeutic antitumor immunity.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Curcumin has diverse anticancer activities that lead to tumor growth inhibition of cancer cells and induction of apoptosis. Curcumin is involved in the regulation of multiple genes via transcription factors including NF-${\kappa}B$, STATs, AP1, and SP. Notch signaling plays critical roles in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and thereby may contribute to the development of various cancers involving breast cancer. This study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on Notch1 gene expression and to explore the underlying mechanism. Here, we found that curcumin decreased the levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, along with the downregulation of Sp family genes (Sp1, Sp2, Sp3, and Sp4). The repressive effect of curcumin on Notch1 gene transcription was confirmed by performing Notch1 promoter-driven reporter assay and three Sp-binding sites were identified on Notch1 promoter that may act as curcumin-respose elements. Moreover, treatment with mitramycin A, a specific Sp inhibitor, decreased the levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in human breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results indicate that Notch1 gene expression is downregulated by curcumin, at least in part, through the suppression of Sp family, which may lead to apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.173-178
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) is a multifunctional cytokine that is elevated in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent evidence has suggested that ${\beta}2$ adrenergic receptor (${\beta}2AR$) activation in osteoblasts suppresses osteogenic activity. In the present study, we explored whether $TNF{\alpha}$ modulates ${\beta}AR$ expression in osteoblastic cells and whether this regulation is associated with the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation by $TNF{\alpha}$. In the experiments, we used C2C12 cells, MC3T3-E1 cells and primary cultured mouse bone marrow stromal cells. Among the three subtypes of ${\beta}AR$, ${\beta}2$ and ${\beta}3AR$ were found in our analysis to be upregulated by $TNF{\alpha}$. Moreover, isoproterenol-induced cAMP production was observed to be significantly enhanced in $TNF{\alpha}$-primed C2C12 cells, indicating that $TNF{\alpha}$ enhances ${\beta}2AR$ signaling in osteoblasts. $TNF{\alpha}$ was further found in C2C12 cells to suppress bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression of osteogenic marker genes including Runx2, ALP and osteocalcin. Propranolol, a ${\beta}2AR$ antagonist, attenuated this $TNF{\alpha}$ suppression of osteogenic differentiation. $TNF{\alpha}$ increased the expression of receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL), an essential osteoclastogenic factor, in C2C12 cells which was again blocked by propranolol. In summary, our data show that $TNF{\alpha}$ increases ${\beta}2AR$ expression in osteoblasts and that a blockade of ${\beta}2AR$ attenuates the suppression of osteogenic differentiation and stimulation of RANKL expression by $TNF{\alpha}$. These findings imply that a crosstalk between $TNF{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}2AR$ signaling pathways might occur in osteoblasts to modulate their function.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.149-164
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• 2007

Objectives : Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract. The sources and pathologic mechanisms of IBD are still unknown. Moreover conventional therapies for IBD are not always effective, and they often have serious side effects. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture in IBD affected mice. Methods : Mice were treated with 5 % 2, 4, 6 - trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) on day 1 and day 7. To assume the preemptive effect and therapeutic effect, herbal acupuncture was practiced with Moxi-tar at BL25 (Daejangsu) on day 0, day 3, and day 6. The end of day in treatment with Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture, the mortality and the inflammatory factors of the colon were measured by the various methods. Results TNBS induced high mortality but herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar at BL25 sup-pressed the mortality caused by TNBS. TNBS induced infiltration of immune cells in all layers of the colon and increased myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity, while the treatment with Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at BL25 suppressed the infiltration of immune cells and the increase of MPO activity caused by TNBS to normal levels, Herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar regulated $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity, which is an important factor for the pathogenesis of chronic colitis, and reduced the expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and ICAM-1 in the colons of TNBS treated mice. Furthermore herbal acupuncture suppressed macro- and micro- colonic damages caused by TNBS. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar at BL25 isa potential preemptive and/or therapeutic method targeting the chronic IBD.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.246-268
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• 2019

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a species of legume native to East Asia. The interactions between climatic conditions and genetic characteristics are known to affect the agricultural performance of soybean. Therefore, the present investigation was conducted to identify the main elements affecting the agricultural performances of 11 soybean varieties/lines from China [Harbin ($45^{\circ}12^{\prime}N$), Yanji ($42^{\circ}53^{\prime}N$), Dalian ($39^{\circ}30^{\prime}N$), Qingdao ($36^{\circ}26^{\prime}N$)] and the Republic of Korea [Suwon ($37^{\circ}16^{\prime}N$), and Jeonju ($35^{\circ}49^{\prime}N$)]. The days to flowering (DTF) of soybeans with the e1-nf and e1-as alleles and the E1e2e3e4 genotype, except in 'Keumgangkong', 'Tawonkong', and 'Duyoukong', were relatively short compared to those of soybeans with other alleles. Although DTF of the soybeans was highly correlated with all climatic conditions [negative: precipitation, average temperature (AVT), accumulated temperature; positive: day-length (DL)], days to maturity and 100-seed weight of the soybeans showed no significant correlation with any climatic conditions. The soybeans with a dominant Dt1 allele, except 'Tawonkong', had the longest stem length (STL). Moreover, STL of the soybeans grown in the test fields showed a positive correlation with only DL; however, the results of our chamber test that was conducted to complement the field tests showed that STL of soybean was positively affected by AVT and DL. Although soybean yield (YLD) showed positive correlations with latitude and DL (except L62-667, OT89-5, and OT89-6), the response of YLD to the climatic conditions was cultivar-specific. Our results show that DTF and STL of soybeans grown in six different latitudes are highly affected by DL, and AVT and genetic characteristic also affect DTF and STL.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.414-422
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• 2019

There is accumulating evidence that microRNAs are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of neuropathic pain. MicroRNA-15a/16 (miR-15a/16) have been reported to play an important role in various diseases and inflammation response processes. However, whether miR-15a/16 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain development remains unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of neuropathic pain by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerves. Our results showed that both miR-15a and miR-16 expression was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Downregulation of the expression of miR-15a and miR-16 by intrathecal injection of a specific inhibitor significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of CCI rats. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 downregulated the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor-necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), an important regulator in neuropathic pain and inflammation, was a potential target gene of miR-15a and miR-16. Inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 markedly increased the expression of GRK2 while downregulating the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and $NF-{\kappa}B$ in CCI rats. Notably, the silencing of GRK2 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-15a/16 inhibition in neuropathic pain. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of miR-15a/16 expression alleviates neuropathic pain development by targeting GRK2. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing neuropathic pain development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.430-440
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• 2023

The type three secretion system (T3SS) is a major virulence system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The effector protein Exotoxin S (ExoS) produced by P. aeruginosa is secreted into the host cells via the T3SS. For the purpose of an experiment on inhibitors with regard to ExoS secretion, we developed a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. Quercetin was selected because it has a prominent ExoS inhibition effect and also is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on mammalian cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of quercetin on the expression and secretion of ExoS using ELISA and Western blot analysis methods. The results showed that the secretion of ExoS was significantly decreased by 10 and 20 µM of quercetin. Also, popB, popD, pscF, and pcrV which are composed of the T3SS needle, are reduced by quercetin at the mRNA level. We also confirmed the inhibitory effect of quercetin on cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18) in P. aeruginosa-infected H292 cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA. Collectively, quercetin inhibits the secretion of ExoS by reducing both ExoS production and the expression of the needle protein of T3SS. Furthermore, these results suggest that quercetin has the potential to be used as an anti-toxic treatment for the inflammatory disease caused by P. aeruginosa infection.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Reports
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: Cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome presenting with chronic illness, decreases in body weight, and loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, mostly in patients with advanced cancer and chronic wasting disease. Even after years of intensive researches, there remains no convincing therapy to prevent cancer cachexia. Methods: In this in vivo study, we have established C26 adenocarcinoma-induced cancer cachexia model in mice to explore the underlying core changes in cytokine, signal transduction, and muscle wasting. The ultimate aim of establishing animal model is to find optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia. Results: We have administered C26 adenocarcinoma cells onto BALB/c mice and observed 4 weeks to assess the progression of cancer cachexia. Significant loss of weight accompanied with loss of appetite was noted. As C26 adenocarcinoma xenograft progressed, mortality was started from 3 weeks, accompanied with significant sarcopenia and decreased mice movement. Surges in TNF-α and IL-6 were noted with the commencement of cancer cachexia. Conclusion: Using C26 adenocarcinoma cancer cachexia model, we can screen the optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia, in which agents to modulate IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB were essential.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: Cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome presenting with chronic illness, decreases in body weight, and loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, mostly in patients with advanced cancer and chronic wasting disease. Even after years of intensive researches, there remains no convincing therapy to prevent cancer cachexia. Methods: In this in vivo study, we have established C26 adenocarcinoma-induced cancer cachexia model in mice to explore the underlying core changes in cytokine, signal transduction, and muscle wasting. The ultimate aim of establishing animal model is to find optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia. Results: We have administered C26 adenocarcinoma cells onto BALB/c mice and observed 4 weeks to assess the progression of cancer cachexia. Significant loss of weight accompanied with loss of appetite was noted. As C26 adenocarcinoma xenograft progressed, mortality was started from 3 weeks, accompanied with significant sarcopenia and decreased mice movement. Surges in TNF-α and IL-6 were noted with the commencement of cancer cachexia. Conclusion: Using C26 adenocarcinoma cancer cachexia model, we can screen the optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia, in which agents to modulate IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB were essential.