• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제27권9호
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• pp.954-960
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• 2004

Expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes responsible for inflammation, such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), contributes to chronic inflammation which is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer＇s disease). Although NF-$textsc{k}$B plays a biphasic role in different cells like neurons and microglia, controlling the activation of NF-$textsc{k}$B is important for its negative feedback in either activation or inactivation. In this study, we found that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) inhibited I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$ degradation to block expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes in microglia when activated by $\beta$-amyloid peptide (A$\beta$). We also showed that when microglia is activated by $A\beta$42, the expression of A20 is suppressed. These findings place A20 in the category of ' protective ' genes, protecting cells from pro-inflammatory reper-toires induced in response to inflammatory stimuli in activated microglia via NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. In light of the gene and proteins for NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent gene and inactivator for NF-$textsc{k}$B (I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$), the observations now reported suggest that UDCA plays a role in supporting the attenuation of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Moreover, an NF-$textsc{k}$B inhibitor such as A20 can collaborate and at least enhance the anti-inflammatory effect in microglia, thus giving a potent benefit for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.uch as AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.481-486
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• 2013

Macrophages play a role in innate immune responses to various foreign antigens. Many products from primary tumors influence the activation and transmigration of macrophages. Here, we investigated a migration of macrophages stimulated with cancer cell culture-conditioned medium (CM). Macrophage activation by treatment with CM of B16F10 cells were judged by the increase in protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). The location where macrophages were at 4 h-incubation with control medium or CM was different from where they were at 5 h-incubation in culture dish. Percentage of superimposed macrophages at every 1 h interval was gradually increased by CM treatment as compared to control. Total coverage of migrated track expressed in coordinates was smaller and total distance of migration was shorter in CM-treated macrophages than that in control. Rac1 activity in CM-treated macrophages was also decreased as compared to that in control. When macrophages were treated with CM in the presence of dexamethasone (Dex), an increase in COX2 protein levels, and a decrease in Rac1 activity and total coverage of migration were reversed. In the meanwhile, biphasic changes were detected by Dex treatment in section distance of migration at each time interval, which was more decreased at early time and then increased at later time. Taken together, data demonstrate that macrophage motility could be reduced in accordance with activation in response to cancer cell products. It suggests that macrophage motility could be a novel marker to monitor cancer-associated inflammatory diseases and the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.137-145
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• 2012

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is the most important etiologic agent of aggressive periodontitis and can interact with endothelial cells. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are chemokines, playing important roles in periodontal pathogenesis. In our current study, the effects of A. actinomycetemcomitans on the production of MCP-1 and IL-8 by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were investigated. A. actinomycetemcomitans strongly induced the gene expression and protein release of both MCP-1 and IL-8 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dead A. actinomycetemcomitans cells were as effective as live bacteria in this induction. Treatment of HUVEC with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of endocytosis, did not affect the mRNA up-regulation of MCP-1 and IL-8 by A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, substantially inhibited the MCP-1 and IL-8 production by A. actinomycetemcomitans, whereas pharmacological inhibition of each of three members of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family had little effect. Furthermore, gel shift assays showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans induces a biphasic activation (early at 1-2 h and late at 8-16 h) of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and an early brief activation (0.5-2 h) of activator protein-1 (AP-1). Activation of canonical NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway ($I{\kappa}B$ kinase activation and $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation) was also demonstrated in these experiments. Although lipopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans also induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, this activation profile over time differed from that of live A. actinomycetemcomitans. These results suggest that the expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 is potently increased by A. actinomycetemcomitans in endothelial cells, and that the viability of A. actinomycetemcomitans and bacterial internalization are not required for this effect, whereas the activation of protein tyrosine kinase(s), NF-${\kappa}B$, and AP-1 appears to play important roles. The secretion of high levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 resulting from interactions of A. actinomycetemcomitans with endothelial cells may thus contribute to the pathogenesis of aggressive periodontitis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제25권7호
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• pp.1041-1045
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• 2004

Kinetic studies of the pyridinolysis $(XC_5H_4N)$ of aryl dithiomethylacetates $(CH_3CH_2C(=S)SC_6H_4Z,\;1)$ are carried out in acetonitrile at $60.0^{\circ}C$. A biphasic Bronsted plot is obtained with a change in slope from a large $({\beta}X\;{\cong}\;0.8)$ to a small $({\beta}X\;{\cong}\;0.2)$ value at $pK_a^{\circ}$ = 5.2, which is attributed to a change in the rate limiting step from breakdown to formation of a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate, $T^{\pm}$, in reaction path as the basicity of the pyridine nucleophile increases. This mechanism is supported by the change of the cross-interaction constant ${\rho}xz$ from a large positive ( ${\rho}xz$ = +1.36) for the weakly basic pyridines to a small negative ( ${\rho}_xz$ = -0.22) value for the strongly basic pyridines. The magnitudes of ${\rho}z$ and activation parameters are also consistent with the proposed mechanism.

• BMB Reports
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.521-528
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• 1999

The folding of recombinant hepatitis B virus X-protein (rHBx) solubilized from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies was investigated. By sequential dialysis of urea, rHBx was folded into its native structure, which was demonstrated by the efficacy of its transcriptional activation of the adenovirus major late promoter (MLP), fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) analysis. The decrease in CD values at 220 nm and a corresponding blue shift of the intrinsic fluorescence emission confirmed the ability of rHBx to refold in lower concentrations of urea, yielding the active protein. Equilibrium and kinetic studies of the refolding of rHBx were carried out by tryptophan fluorescence measurements. From the biphasic nature of the fluorescence curves, the existence of stable intermediate states in the renaturation process was inferred. Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis further demonstrated the existence of these intermediates and their apparent compactness.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.281-286
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• 1990

The kinetics and mechanism of reduction of Cu(II) with an excess D-penicillamine have been examined at pH = 6.2 and 0.60M in ionic strength. The reaction at the initial stage is biphasic with a rapid complexation process to give "red" transient complex of $[Cu(II)(pen)_2]^2$- that is partially reduced to another transient "brown" intermediate. The "brown" intermediate is finally reduced to diamagnetic "yellow" complex, $[Cu(I)(Hpen)]_n$. The final reduction process is pseudo-first order in ["brown" transient] disappearance $with {\kappa} = {{\kappa}_{3a} + {\kappa}_{3b}[pen]^{2-}},$ where ${\kappa}_{3a} = (5.0{\pm}0.8){\times}10^{-3}sec^{-1}$ and ${\kappa} = (0.14{\pm}0.02) M^{-1}sec^{-1}$ at $25^{\circ}C$. The activation parameters for the $[H_2pen]$-independent and $[H_2pen]$-dependent paths are ${\Delta}H^{\neq} = (52{\pm}5)kJmol^{-1},$ and ${\Delta}S^{\neq} = ( - 27{\pm}3)JK^{-1}mo^{l-1},$ and ${\Delta}H^{\neq} = (56{\pm}2)kJmol^{-1}$ and ${\Delta} S^{\neq} = ( - 18{\pm}0.7)JK^{-1}mol^{-1}$ respectively. The nature of "brown" intermediate is not clearly identified, but this intermediate seems to be in the mixed-valence state, judging from the kinetic and spectroscopic informations.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.175-179
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• 2009

High concentrations of ATP induce membrane blebbing. However, the underlying mechanism involved in epithelial cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in membrane blebbing using Par C5 cells. We stimulated the cells with 5 mM of ATP for 1${\sim}$2 hrs and found the characteristics of membrane blebbing, a hallmark of apoptotic cell death. In addition, 500 ${\mu}M$ Bz-ATP, a specific P2X7R agonist, induced membrane blebbing. However, 300 ${\mu}M$ of Ox-ATP, a P2X7R antagonist, inhibited ATP-induced membrane blebbing, suggesting that ATP-induced membrane blebbing is mediated by P2X7R. We found that ATP-induced membrane blebbing was mediated by ROCK I activation and MLC phosphorylation, but not by caspase-3. Five mM of ATP evoked a biphasic $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ response; a transient $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ peak and sustained $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase secondary to ATP-stimulated $Ca^{2+}$ influx. These results suggest that P2X7R plays a role in membrane blebbing of the salivary gland epithelial cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.195-201
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• 2002

Background: IgE is closely related to the development of allergies. However, the poor relationship between the specific IgE level and the severity of allergic diseases suggests the possibility of functionally different IgE isoforms. With this in mind, rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 activation was analyzed with each type of rat IgE for two parameters, exocytosis and IL-4 mRNA production. RBL-2H3 has been well documented in the rat mucosal mast cell line. Methods: RBL-2H3 cells sensitized with each kind of rat IgE was activated by cross-linking FcRI with B5 (monoclonal anti-rat IgE mouse IgG antibodies). The RBL-2H3 exocytosis was measured by analyzing the ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase level, and the level of IL-4 mRNA synthesis was analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Rat IgE, which was produced by a parasite infection (REP), was prepared using either Paragonimus westermani metacercariae (REP-PW) or Anisakis simplex third stage larvae (REP-AS). A rat IgE prototype of IR162 was prepared by a peritoneal injection of immunocytoma. Results: The level of exocytosis showed a linear relationship with the rat IgE concentration when REP-PW or REP-AS was applied. However, it exhibited a biphasic response with IR162. In addition, the time course of heating at $56^{\circ}C$ illustrated the similarity between REP-PW and REP-AS, which differed from that of IR162. In contrast, the level of IL-4 mRNA synthesis in the RBL-2H3 cells with IR162 was comparable to that of either REP-PW or REP-AS. Conclusion: These results suggest that functionally different rat IgE isoforms exists in RBL-2H3 exocytosis.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.45-52
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• 2017

Calcium has versatile roles in diverse physiological functions. Among these functions, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ plays a key role during the secretion of salivary glands. In this review, we introduce the diverse cellular components involved in the saliva secretion and related dynamic intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signals. Calcium acts as a critical second messenger for channel activation, protein translocation, and volume regulation, which are essential events for achieving the salivary secretion. In the secretory process, $Ca^{2+}$ activates $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ channels to transport water and electrolyte constituting whole saliva. We also focus on the $Ca^{2+}$ signals from intracellular stores with discussion about detailed molecular mechanism underlying the generation of characteristic $Ca^{2+}$ patterns. In particular, inositol triphosphate signal is a main trigger for inducing $Ca^{2+}$ signals required for the salivary gland functions. The biphasic response of inositol triphosphate receptor and $Ca^{2+}$ pumps generate a self-limiting pattern of $Ca^{2+}$ efflux, resulting in $Ca^{2+}$ oscillations. The regenerative $Ca^{2+}$ oscillations have been detected in salivary gland cells, but the exact mechanism and function of the signals need to be elucidated. In future, we expect that further investigations will be performed toward better understanding of the spatiotemporal role of $Ca^{2+}$ signals in regulating salivary secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.255-262
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• 2022

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and plays an important role in the regulation of mammalian birth and lactation. It has been shown that oxytocin has important cardiovascular protective effects. Here we investigated the effects of oxytocin on vascular reactivity and underlying the mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and in rat aorta ex vivo. Oxytocin increased phospho-eNOS (Ser 1177) and phospho-Akt (Ser 473) expression in HUVECs in vitro and the aorta of rat ex vivo. Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), inhibited oxytocin-induced Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. In the rat aortic rings, oxytocin induced a biphasic vascular reactivity: oxytocin at low dose (10^-9-10^-8 M) initiated a vasorelaxation followed by a vasoconstriction at high dose (10^-7 M). L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), endothelium removal or wortmannin abolished oxytocin-induced vasorelaxation, and slightly enhanced oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Atosiban, an oxytocin/vasopressin 1a receptor inhibitor, totally blocked oxytocin-induced relaxation and vasoconstriction. PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) partially inhibited oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Oxytocin also increased aortic phospho-ERK1/2 expression, which was reduced by either atosiban or PD98059, suggesting that oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction was partially mediated by oxytocin/V1aR activation of ERK1/2. The present study demonstrates that oxytocin can activate different signaling pathways to cause vasorelaxation or vasoconstriction. Oxytocin stimulation of PI3K/eNOS-derived nitric oxide may participate in maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis, and different vascular reactivities to low or high dose of oxytocin suggest that oxytocin may have different regulatory effects on vascular tone under physiological or pathophysiological conditions.