• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2022

The airway epithelium is equipped with the ability to resist respiratory disease development and airway damage, including the migration of airway epithelial cells and the activation of TLR3, which recognizes double-stranded (ds) RNA. Primary cilia on airway epithelial cells are involved in the cell cycle and cell differentiation and repair. In this study, we used Beas-2B human bronchial epithelial cells to investigate the effects of the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)] on airway cell migration and primary cilia (PC) formation. PC formation increased in cells incubated under serum deprivation. Migration was faster in Beas-2B cells pretreated with Poly(I:C) than in control cells, as judged by a wound healing assay, single-cell path tracking, and a Transwell migration assay. No changes in cell migration were observed when the cells were incubated in conditioned medium from Poly(I:C)-treated cells. PC formation was enhanced by Poly(I:C) treatment, but was reduced when the cells were exposed to the ciliogenesis inhibitor ciliobrevin A (CilioA). The inhibition of Beas-2B cell migration by CilioA was also assessed and a slight decrease in ciliogenesis was detected in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP)-treated Beas-2B cells overexpressing ACE2 compared to control cells. Cell migration was decreased by SP but restored by Poly(I:C) treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that impaired migration by SP-treated cells can be attenuated by Poly(I:C) treatment, thus increasing airway cell migration through the regulation of ciliogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 2018

Background: Recent studies show that mitophagy, the autophagy-dependent turnover of mitochondria, mediates pulmonary epithelial cell death in response to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure and contributes to the development of emphysema in vivo during chronic cigarette smoke (CS) exposure, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we investigated the role of mitophagy in the regulation of CSE-exposed lung bronchial epithelial cell (Beas-2B) death. We also investigated the role of a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, roflumilast, in CSE-induced mitophagy-dependent cell death. Results: Our results demonstrated that CSE induces mitophagy in Beas-2B cells through mitochondrial dysfunction and increased the expression levels of the mitophagy regulator protein, PTEN-induced putative kinase-1 (PINK1), and the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin-1-like protein (DRP1). CSE-induced epithelial cell death was significantly increased in Beas-2B cells exposed to CSE but was decreased by small interfering RNA-dependent knockdown of DRP1. Treatment with roflumilast in Beas-2B cells inhibited CSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy by inhibiting the expression of phospho-DRP1 and -PINK1. Roflumilast protected against cell death and increased cell viability, as determined by the lactate dehydrogenase release test and the MTT assay, respectively, in Beas-2B cells exposed to CSE. Conclusion: These findings suggest that roflumilast plays a protective role in CS-induced mitophagy-dependent cell death.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.224-230
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• 2008

Ceramides are well-known second messengers that induce apoptosis in various kinds of cancer cells, and their effects are closely related to radiation sensitivity. Phytoceramides, the yeast counterparts of the mammalian ceramides, are also reported to induce apoptosis. We investigated the effect of a novel ceramide derivative, N-acetylphytosphingosine (NAPS), on the radiosensitivity of NCI-H460 human lung carcinoma cells and its differential cytotoxicity in tumor and normal cells. The combination of NAPS with radiation significantly increased clonogenic cell death and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The combined treatment greatly increased Bax expression and Bid cleavage, but not Bcl-2 expression. However, there was no effect on radiosensitivity and apoptosis in BEAS2B cells, which derive from normal human bronchial epithelium. Cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were significantly inhibited by NAPS in both NCI-H460 and BEAS2B cells, but only the BEAS2B cells recovered by 48h after removal of the NAPS. Furthermore, the NCI-H460 cells underwent more DNA fragmentation than the BEAS2B cells in response to NAPS. Our results indicate that NAPS may be a potential radiosensitizing agent with differential effects on tumor vs. normal cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.605-613
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• 2014

We have previously shown that paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative stress causes dramatic damage in various human cell lines. Naringenin (NG) is an active flavanone, which has been reported to have beneficial bioactivities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumorigenic activities, with a relatively low toxicity to normal cells. In this study, we intended to assess the cytoprotective effect of NG against PQ-induced toxicity in the human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cell line. Co-treatment with NG in PQ-treated BEAS-2B cells can reduce PQ-induced cellular toxicity. NG can also decrease the generation of intracellular ROS caused by PQ treatment. We also observed that treatment with NG in PQ-exposed BEAS-2B cells can significantly induce the expression of antioxidant-related genes, including GPX2, GPX3, GPX5, and GPX7. NG co-treatment can also activate the NRF2 transcription factor and promote its nuclear translocation. In addition, NG co-treatment can induce the expression of NRF2-downstream target genes such as that of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). A small interfering RNA study revealed that the knockdown of NRF2 can abrogate NG-mediated protection of the cells from PQ-induced cellular toxicity. We propose that NG effectively alleviates PQ-induced cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells through the NRF2-regulated antioxidant defense pathway, and NG might be a good therapeutic candidate molecule in oxidative stress-related diseases.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4 s.55
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• pp.357-363
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• 2006

Chromium compounds are widely used in diverse industries including pigment manufacturing, painting, metal plating and leather tanning. With the wide uses of chromium, various adverse effects of the compounds on the environment and human health have been reported. Among them, hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)], which is a carcinogenic heavy metal, has been widely studies. Epidemiological investigations have shown that respiratory cancers had been found in workers who had been occupationally exposed to Cr (VI). In this study, cell toxicity and induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by Cr (VI) (1, 2, 4, $8{\mu}M$) in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells were investigated. Exposure of the cells to Cr (VI) led to cell death, ROS increase, and cytosolic caspase-3 activation. The ROS increase was related with the decreased level of GSH. Chromatin condensation and fragmentation were occurred by Cr (VI) when evaluated by DAPI staining or agarose gel electrophoresis of the extracted DNA. Expression of ROS related genes including glutathione S-transferase, heme oxygenase-1, metallothionein were significantly induced in Cr (VI) treated cells. This result suggests the toxicity in cultured cells by Cr (VI) was expressed through the apoptotic process with ROS induction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.145-154
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• 2003

Background : Production of cytokines by bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to the local accumulation of inflammatory cells in patients with bronchial asthma. In many recent studies, molecular biological methods have been used to investigate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets of asthma. Objective : We aimed to identify the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of Lonicerae Flos and Paeoniae Radix on the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-16, and GM-CSF involved in the asthma model. Materials and Methods : In the study BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells were used. These cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$ for artificial inflammatory expression. ${\beta}-actin$ messenger RNA (mRNA) was used for internal standard. After 24 hours of Lonicerae Flos, Paeoniae Radix, total cellular RNAs were collected treating RNA zol directly on the living cells. Then the transcriptional activities of IL-6, 16, GM-CSF were measured by RT- PCR with electrophoresis. Results : In the Lonicerae Flos study, the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-16 and GM-CSF was showed no inhibitory effect compared to the control group in all concentrations. In the Paeoniae Radix study, the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-l6 and GM-CSF was showed no inhibitory effect compared to the control group in all concentrations. Conclusion : This study shows that Lonicerae Flus and Paeuniae Radix have no inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-16 and GM-CSF in BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells. Advanced studies are required to investigate the other mechanisms of inhibitory effect by Lonicerae Flus and Paeoniae Radix in the asthma model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.485-496
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• 2002

Background : The NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription factors control various biological processes including the immune response, acute phase reaction and cell cycle regulation. NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes are retained in the cytoplasm in the basal state and various stimuli cause a translocation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes into the nucleus where they bind to the ${\kappa}B$ elements and regulate the transcription of the target genes. Recent reports also suggest that NF-${\kappa}B$ proteins are involved in oncogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. High expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ expression was reported in many cancer cell lines and tissues. The constitutive activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was also reported in several cancer cell lines supporting its role in cancer development and survival. The anti-apoptotic action of NF-${\kappa}B$ is important for cancer survival. NF-${\kappa}B$ also controls the expression of several proteins that are important for cellular adhesion (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) suggesting a role in cancer metastasis. In lung cancer, high expression levels of the NF-${\kappa}B$ subunit p50 and c-Rel were reported. In fact, high expression does not mean a high activity, and the activation pattern of NF-${\kappa}B$ in lung cancer has not been reported. Materials and Methods : In this study, the NF-${\kappa}B$ nuclear binding activity in the basal and TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulated states were exmined in various lung cancer cell lines and compared with the normal bronchial epithelial cell line. Twelve lung cancer cell lines including the non-small cell and small cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, NCI-H358, NCI-H441, NCI-H552, NCI-H2009, NCI-H460, NCI-H1229, NCI-H1703, NCI-H157, NCI-H187, NCI-H417, NCI-H526) and BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cell line were used. To evaluate the NF-${\kappa}B$ expression and DNA binding activity, western blot analysis and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay with the nuclear protein extracts. Results : The basal expressions of the p65 and p50 subunits were observed in the BEAS-2B cell line and all lung cancer cell lines except for NCI-H358 and NCI-H460. The expression levels of p65 and p50 were increased 30 minutes after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ in BEAS-2B and in 10 lung cancer cell lines. In the NCI-H358 and NCI-H460 cell lines, p65 expression was not observed in the basal and stimulated states and the two p50 related protein levels were higher after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ These new proteins were smaller than p50 and are thought to be variants of p50. In the basal state, NF-${\kappa}B$ was nearly activated in the BEAS-2B and all lung cancer cell lines. The DNA binding activity of the NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes was markedly higher after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ In the BEAS-2B and all lung cancer cell line except for NCI-H358 and NCI-H460, the activated NF-${\kappa}B$ complex was a p65/p50 heterodimer. In the NCI-H358 and NCI-H460 lung cancer cell lines, the NF-${\kappa}B$ complex was variant of a p50/p50 homodimer. Conclusion : The NF-${\kappa}B$ activation pattern in the lung cancer cell lines and the normal bronchial epithelial cell lines was similar except for the activation of a variant of the p50/p50 homodimer in some lung cancer cell linse.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.387-389
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• 2011

A previous study of ours indicated that Citrus auranifoli oil possesses antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur and Malassezia pachydermatis. In this study, we evaluated the anti-M. furfur and M. pachydermatis activities of limonene, which is a major component of C. aurantifolia oil, using the disk diffusion method. We also examined cytotoxicity against human normal epithelial (Beas-2B) cells using the cytopathic effect reduction (CPE) method. The results revealed that the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) value of limonene is lower than the value for itraconazole. The MFC value of limonene was seen to be 7.81 ${\mu}g$/mL against M. furfur and 3.90 ${\mu}g$/mL against M. pachydermatis. MFC values of itraconazole against M. furfur and M. pachydermatis were 62.50 ${\mu}g$/mL and 31.25 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively. In addition, it was noted that limonene was not toxic to Beas-2B cells with normal morphology at a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g$/mL. However, itraconazole exhibited weak toxicity at the same concentration. Therefore, our results indicate that limonene could potentially be effective at controlling M. furfur and M. pachydermatis infections with no cytotoxicity.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.222-230
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• 2007

Some drugs may be limited in their clinical application due to their propensity towards their adverse effects. Toxicogenomic technology represents a useful approach for evaluating the toxic properties of new drug candidates early in the drug discovery process. Nitrofurantoin (NF) is clinical chemotherapeutic agent and antimicrobial and used to treatment of urinary tract infections. However, NF has been shown to result in pulmonary toxic effects. In this research, we revealed the changing expression gene profiles in BEAS-2B, human bronchial epithelial cell line, exposed to NF by using human oligonucleotide chip. Through the clustering analysis of gene expression profiles, we identified 136 up-regulated genes and 379 down-regulated genes changed by more than 2-fold by NF. This study identifies several interesting targets and functions in relation to NF-induced toxicity through a gene ontology analysis method including biological process, cellular components, molecular function and KEGG pathway.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.260-273
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• 2004

Backgrounds : In recent years, asthma has become recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease associated pathologically with airway epithelial inflammation and airway remodeling. Objectives : To evaluate the different effects of Hirudo depending upon pharmaceutical manufactures on the expression and the activities of IL-6 and GM-CSF in airway epithelial cells, samples of Hirudo(水蛭), Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) and Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) were tested. Methods : After inducing enhanced messenger RNA(mRNA) expression and secretion of each cytokine by tumor necrosis factor-alpha(10 ng/ml) treatment, cultured human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was added to each sample$(l,\;10,\;100\;&\;1000\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Subsequently, DNA activities were analyzed. Specifically mRNA expression and culture supernatants(protein levels) of IL-6 and GM-CSF from BEAS-2B cells, were analyzed using luciferase reporter gene assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) inhibited IL-6 activities in BEAS-2B cells remarkably, and inhibited mRNA expression levels and protein levels in supernatant of IL-6 and GM-CSF at various concentrations, significantly(p<0.05). However, Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) had no effect on mRNA expression levels and showed a slight inhibitory effect on GM-CSF protein levels in supernatant of culture medium. Conclusions : These results strongly suggest that Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) would be serve as effective medicaments in the treatment of airway inflammation and remodeling of asthmatic patients.