• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2020

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a very well-known traditional herbal medicine that has long been used to enhance the body's immunity. Because it is a type of ginseng, it is believed that wild simulated ginseng (WSG) also has immune-enhancing activity. However, study on the immune-enhancing activity of WSG is quite insufficient compared to ginseng. In this study, we evaluated immune-enhancing activity of WSG through macrophage activation to provide a scientific basis for the immune enhancing activity of WSG. WSG increased the production of immunomodulators such as NO, iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and activated phagocytosis in mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 reduced the production of immunomodulators induced by WSG. WSG activated MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and inhibition of such signaling activation blocked WSG-mediated production of immunomodulators. In addition, activation of MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways by WSG was reversed by TLR2 or TLR4 inhibition. Based on the results of this study, WSG is thought to activate macrophages through the production of immunomodulators and phagocytosis activation through TLR2/4-dependent MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Therefore, it is thought that WSG have the potential to be used as an agent for enhancing immunity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.211-215
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• 2009

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in sensing microbial components and inducing innate immune and inflammatory responses by recognizing invading microbial pathogens. Lipopolysaccharide-induced dimerization of TLR4 is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways including nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Therefore, TLR4 dimerization may be an early regulatory event in activating ligand-induced signaling pathways and induction of subsequent immune responses. Here, we report biochemical evidence that 6-shogaol, the most bioactive component of ginger, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced dimerization of TLR4 resulting in the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2. Furthermore, we demonstrate that 6-shogaol can directly inhibit TLR-mediated signaling pathways at the receptor level. These results suggest that 6-shogaol can modulate TLR-mediated inflammatory responses, which may influence the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.375-382
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• 2014

Objective : To assess the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) transplantation in the expression of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) in spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods : BMMNCs were isolated from tibia and femur by a density gradient centrifugation. After establishment of acute transection SCI, rats were divided into experiment (BMMNCs), experiment control (0.1 M PBS infused) and sham surgery groups (laminectomy without any SCI). Locomotor function was assessed weekly for 5 weeks post-injury using BBB locomotor score and urinary bladder function daily for 4 weeks post-injury. Activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in spinal cord was assessed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results : At each time point post-injury, sham surgery group had significantly higher Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan locomotor and urinary bladder function scores than experiment and experiment control group (p<0.05). At subsequent time interval there were gradual improvement in both experiment and experiment control group, but experiment group had higher score in comparison to experiment control group (p<0.05). Comparisons were also made for expression of activated NF-${\kappa}B$ positive cells and level of NF-${\kappa}B$ messenger RNA in spinal cord at various time points between the groups. Activated NF-${\kappa}B$ immunoreactivity and level of NF-${\kappa}B$ mRNA expression were significantly higher in control group in comparison to experiment and sham surgery group (p<0.05). Conclusion : BMMNCs transplantation attenuates the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in injured spinal cord tissue and thus helps in recovery of neurological function in rat models with SCI.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.227-231
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• 2014

Cimicifuga heracleifolia extract (CHE) was investigated for its effects on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and at the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in mouse macrophages. We found that C. heracleifolia elicited a dose-dependent increase in NO production and the level of iNOS mRNA. Since, iNOS transcription has been shown to be under the control of the transcription factor $NF-{\kappa}B$, the effects of CHE on $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation were examined. Transient expression assays with $NF-{\kappa}B$ binding sites linked to the luciferase gene revealed that the increased level of iNOS mRNA, induced by CHE, was mediated by the $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor complex. By using DNA fragments containing the $NF-{\kappa}B$ binding sequence, CHE was shown to activate the protein/DNA binding of $NF-{\kappa}B$ to its cognate site, as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These results demonstrate that C. heracleifolia stimulates NO production and is able to up-regulate iNOS expression through $NF-{\kappa}B$ transactivation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2021

Donggwaja (Benincasae Semen), the seed of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., has been used in Korean traditional medicine to control the body heat and water retention caused by various diseases. Both the symptoms targeted by the herbal medicine in clinic and studies with disease mouse models support the potential anti-inflammatory effect of Donggwaja. However, it is less understood how Donggwaja exerts its possible anti-inflammatory effect. Here, we present evidence that Donggwaja suppresses macrophage inflammatory reactions via expressing tumor necrosis factor a-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3 or A20) and suppressing NF-kB activity. The ethanol extract of Donggwaja (EED) showed no toxicity when added to RAW 264.7 cells less than 100mg/ml. When treating the cells for 16 h, EED significantly suppressed the nuclear localization of NF-kB, suggesting that EED suppresses NF-kB activity. Concordantly, a semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that EED decreased the expression of prototypic pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, IL(interleukin)-6, and IL-1b. EED induced in RAW 264.7 cells the expression of A20, a ubiquitin modulator that suppresses inflammatory signaling cascades initiated from TLR4 and TNF and IL-1 receptors, while not affecting the induction of Nrf2, an anti-inflammatory factor that could suppress the effect of NF-kB. These results suggest that EED exerts its suppressive effect on inflammation, at least in part, by expressing anti-inflammatory factor A20 and suppressing pro-inflammatory factor NF-kB activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.476-484
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• 2017

C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) stimulates cancer metastasis. NF-${\kappa}B$ regulates CXCR4 expression in cancer cells, and O-GlcNAc modification of NF-${\kappa}B$ promotes its transcriptional activity. Here, we determined whether CXCR4 expression is affected by O-GlcNAcylation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in lung metastasis of cervical cancer. We found elevated levels of O-linked-N-actylglucosamine transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcylation in cervical cancer cells compared to those in non-malignant epithelial cells and detected increased expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 (p65) and CXCR4 in cervical cancer cells. Knockdown of OGT inhibited the O-GlcNAcylation of p65 and decreased CXCR4 expression levels in HeLa cells. Thiamet G treatment increased O-GlcNAcylated p65, which subsequently enhanced CXCR4 expression levels. Inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation by 6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) treatment decreased p65 activation, eventually inhibiting CXCR4 expression in HeLa cells. Lung tissues from mice engrafted with OGT-knockdown HeLa cells (shOGT) exhibited lower expression of Ki-67 and HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes compared to lung tissues from mice engrafted with control HeLa cells (shCTL). In addition, lung tissues from mice engrafted with shOGT cells exhibited lower p65 and CXCR4 immunoreactivity compared to tissues from mice engrafted with shCTL cells. Taken together, our data suggest that p65 O-GlcNAcylation promotes lung metastasis of cervical cancer cells by activating CXCR4 expression.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.410-415
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• 1998

Procine pepsin hydrolysis of hexapeptide L-S-pNF-Nle-A-OMe in the presence of dipeptide L-L generates a new peak on HPLC analysis of reaction mixtures that is not seen when enzyme is incubated with either peptide alone. The peaks can be detected spectroscopically at either 214 or 254 nm, the latter consistent with a new peptide containing the p-nitro-F residue. The data suggest acyl transpeptidation between E(L-S-pNF) and L-L to form L-S-pNF-L-L. Consistent with this inference are (1) the ability of L-L-NH$_{2}$ and inability of Boc-L-L to undergo a similar transpeptidation reaction, and (2) the data from electrospray mass spectrum. This synthesis requires that Nle-A-L-OMe be released before L-S-pNF, an order opposite to that proposed on the basis of product inhibition kinetics. Consistent with this inference are reciprocal solvent isotope effects ; normal isotope effects of 1.736$\pm$0.121 on the formation of Nle-A-L-OMe and 2.281$\pm$0.184 in the formation of L-S-pNF, coupled to an inverse isotope effects of 0.576$\pm$0.045 on the formation of L-S-pNF-L-L. Because transpeptidation precedes faster in D$_{2}$O, the isotopically-sensitive step must occur after release of Nle-A-L-OMe. Isotopically-enhanced transpeptidation is consistent with the Uni-Bi iso memchanism postulated on the basis of an isotope effects on Vmax but not on Vmax/Km$^{1)}$ and confirmed by isotope effects on the onset of inhibition by pepstatin$^{2)}$.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.69-80
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• 1975

Relationships between yield and various nitrogen efficiencies, between efficiencies and between efficiency and nitrogen uptake amount of rice plant were proposed and tested using data from N.P.K simple trials about 30 to 50 locations, for three years. Established relationships are well in accordance with experimental results by showing highly significant correlations between them. The overall indications are that high yielding capacity of fields with fertilizer application, depends primarily on high fertilizer nitrogen uptake by increasing fertilizer use efficiency (Eu), secondly the efficiency (Ef) of absorbed fertilizer nitrogen (Nf) and fertilization efficiency (Fe) and also depends much on nitrogen efficiency for grain yield (E) to great extend and that the efficiency (Es) of soil nitrogen (Ns) contributes to E more than Ef does. All nitrogen efficiencies are negatively correlated with the uptake amount of corresponding nitrogen and counterpart efficiency. Es and Ef could be determined firstly by difference method and secondly E versus Cs (Cs=Ns/Ns+Nf) plotting and thirdly E-Cs plotting with labelled fertilizermethod using the equation E=Es Cs+B where B=Ef Cf but a constant under the given condition and at last Y-Ns plotting with labelled fertilizer using Eq Y=$Es{\cdot}Ns+B$ where B=$Ef{\cdot}Nf$. Es which seems not much variable from field to field is mostly greater (about 80% of tested fields) than Ef which is much variable and depends much on fertilizer form. The relationships tested and well agreed are as follows: 1. Y=$Es{\cdot}Ns+Ef{\cdot}Nf$ (Y is yield) 2. E=$Es{\cdot}Cs+Ef{\cdot}Cf$ where Cf=Nf/Nf+Ns 3. E=b-aN where E=E, Es or Ef and N=N, Ns or Nf respectively, (E=Y/N, N=Nf+Ns), b is theoretical maximum under the given system and a is tangent at N=O of the curve, Y=EN. 4. Fe=Ef Eu and Se=$Es{\cdot}Eu$ where Se is efficiency of soil available nitrogen. 5. E=$(Se{\cdot}Cs+Fe{\cdot}Cf)/Eu$ 6. Y=$Es{\cdot}Eu{\cdot}Sf+Ef{\cdot}Eu{\cdot}Fn$or Y=$Es{\cdot}Eu{\cdot}Ea{\cdot}Sn+Ef{\cdot}Eu{\cdot}Fn $where Sf=$Ea{\cdot}Sn$, Ea is soil available nitrogen equivalent to fertilizer(Sf) divided by total soil nitrogen (Sn).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

Lactobacillus sakei S1 strongly inhibits the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in lipopolysaccharide-induced peritoneal macrophages by a mechanism for which lactic acid bacteria from kimchi that inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were isolated. Therefore, we further evaluated the protective effect of this strain on the colitis mouse model induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). TNBS significantly elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression, macroscopic scores, and colon shortening. Oral L. sakei S1 administration resulted in reduction of TNBS-induced loss in body weight, colon shortening, MPO activity, expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). L. sakei S1 inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, induced by TNBS, but enhanced IL-10 expression. L. sakei S1 showed resistance to artificial digestive juices and adherence to intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. Thus, L. sakei S1 may inhibit the NF-κB pathway and be used in functional food to treat colitis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.257-260
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• 2009

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize molecular structures derived from microbes including bacteria, viruses, yeast, and fungi. TLRs have emerged as a major signaling component of the mammalian host defense. TLR4 is a member of the Toll family that senses lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell wall component of gram negative bacteria. LPS recognition by TLR4 requires an additional accessory molecule, MD-2. LPS induces the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and IRF3 through MyD88 or TRIF-dependent pathways. The activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ leads to the induction of inflammatory gene products including cytokines and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of oak wood vinegar. Oak wood vinegar inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and COX-2 expression induced by LPS. These results provide new ideas to understand the mechanism of oak wood vinegar for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.