• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2000

Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli, normal colonic inhabitants, are the most frequently isolated bacteria in infected tissues, particularly in intraabdominal abscesses. This study was designed to determine whether enteric bacteria may alter the B. fragilis-induced expression of pro inflammatory cytokines in mouse peritoneal tissue (MPT). After C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with abscess-forming mixture containing B. fragilis in the presence or absence of E. coli, RNA was extracted from MPT. Expression of interleukin (IL)-$1{\alpha}$ and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF){\alpha}$ mRNA was assessed using RT-PCR and standard RNA. Each cytokine protein was also measured by ELISA. The co-inoculation of E. coli into mouse peritoneal cavity advanced the onset of abscess development by B. fragilis infection. When mouse was co-infected with E. coli and B. fragilis intraperitoneally, there was a synergistic increase in the expression of IL-$1{\alpha}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ mRNA in MPT and this was paralleled by increased cytokine protein secretion. Mixed inoculation of heat-killed E. coli and B. fragilis did not cause a synergistic increase in those cytokine mRNA expression. These results suggest that enteric bacteria may significantly affect proinflammatory cytokine signal produced by host peritoneal cavity in response to B. fragilis infection.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.112-119
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• 2013

Objectives: This study investigated the question of whether adenoviral magnetofection can be a suitable method for increasing the efficacy of gene delivery into bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) and for generation of a high level of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) secretion at a minimized viral titer. Materials and Methods: Primary BMSCs were isolated from C57BL6 mice and transduced with adenoviral vectors encoding ${\beta}$ galactosidase or BMP2 and BMP7. The level of BMP secretion, activity of osteoblast differentiation, and cell viability of magnetofection were measured and compared with those of the control group. Results: The expression level of ${\beta}$ galactosidase showed that the cell transduction efficiency of AdLacZ increased according to the increased amount of magnetic nanoparticles. No change in cell viability was observed after magnetofection with 2 ${\mu}L$ of magnetic nanoparticle. Secretion of BMP2 or BMP7 was accelerated after transduction of AdBMP2 and 7 with magnetofection. AdBMP2 adenoviral magnetofection resulted in up to 7.2-fold higher secretion of BMP2, compared with conventional AdBMP2-transduced BMSCs. Magnetofection also induced a dramatic increase in secretion of BMP7 by up to 10-fold compared to the control. Use of only 1 multiplicity of infection (moi) of magnetofection with adenoviral transduction of AdBMP2 or AdBMP7 resulted in significantly higher transgene expression compared to 20 moi of conventional adenoviral transduction. Conclusion: Magnetic particle-mediated gene transudation is a highly efficient method of gene delivery to BMSCs. Magnetofection can lower the amount of viral particles while improving the efficacy of gene delivery.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2011

We demonstrate that glycoprotein isolated from Dioscorea batatas (GDB) has immunostimulatory effects including macrophage activation. Analysis of infiltration of inflammatory cells into peritoneal cavity showed GDB treatment significantly increased the recruitment of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes into the peritoneal cavity. Treatment of spleen cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice with GDB significantly increased the proliferation of B cells and T cells induced by LPS and ConA, respectively. Treatment with GDB significantly increased the cytolytic capacity of NK cells and macrophages against YAC-1 and B16 cells, respectively. In order to further confirm and investigate the mechanism of GDB on macrophage activation, we analyzed the effects of GDB on the cytokine expression including iNOS, IL-1${\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. RT-PCR and ELISA showed that GDB increased the expression of IL-1${\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$, whereas iNOS was not induced by GDB. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that GDB stimulates immune system including macrophage activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.437-445
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• 2018

${\alpha}$-Iso-cubebene (ICB) is a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignin contained in Schisandra chinensis (SC), a well-known medicinal herb that ameliorates cardiovascular symptoms, but the mechanism responsible for this activity has not been determined. To determine the role played by ICB on the regulation of vascular tone, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ICB on vascular contractile responses by adrenergic ${\alpha}$-receptor agonists. In addition, we investigated the role on myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and cytosolic calcium concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In aortic rings isolated from C57BL/6J mice, ICB significantly attenuated the contraction induced by phenylephrine (PE) and norepinephrine (NE), whereas ICB had no effects on KCl (60 mM)-induced contraction. In vasculatures precontracted with PE, ICB caused marked relaxation of aortic rings with or without endothelium, suggesting a direct effect on VSMC. In cultured rat VSMC, PE or NE increased MLC phosphorylation and increased cytosolic calcium levels. Both of these effects were significantly suppressed by ICB. In conclusion, our results showed that ICB regulated vascular tone by inhibiting MLC phosphorylation and calcium flux into VSMC, and suggest that ICB has anti-hypertensive properties and therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disorders related to vascular hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2016

In our search for natural products affecting blood circulation, the n-butanol fraction from whole plant of Glehnia littoralis Fr. Schm. (GLB) improved blood lipid parameters, and ameliorated obesity in high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mouse model. Hyperlipidemia was induced by high-fat-diet for 4 weeks, and then GLB was orally administrated with 400 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. GLB-treated group showed that the gain in body weight was significantly attenuated, the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride significantly lowered on blood chemical analysis, and significantly prolonged the mice bleeding time when compared with those of HFD control group. Concomitantly, phytochemical composition of GLB was investigated by HPLC-hyphenated spectroscopy, and two major phenolic compounds, rutin and chlorogenic acid were identified in the GLB. Taken together, these results indicate that GLB has cardiovascular protective effects and could be a natural medicine candidate for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.358-367
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• 2008

The embryonic germ cell (EGCs) of mice is a kind of pluripotent stem cell that can be generated from pre- and post-migratory primordial germ cells (PGCs). Most previous studies on DNA methylation of EGCs were restricted to 12.5 days post coitum (dpc). This study was designed to establish and characterize murine EGC lines from migrated PGCs as late as 13.5 dpc and to estimate the degrees of methylation of their imprinted genes as well as of the non-imprinted locus, Oct4, using an accurate and quantitative method of measurement. We established five independent EGC lines from post migratory PGCs of 11.5-13.5 dpc from C57BL/6 ${\times}$ DBA/2 F1 hybrid mouse fetuses. All the EGCs exhibited the typical features of pluripotent cells including hypomethylation of the Oct4 regulatory region. We examined the methylation status of three imprinted genes; Igf2, Igf2r and H19 in the five EGC lines using bisulfite genomic sequencing analysis. Igf2r was almost unmethylated in all the EGC lines irrespective of the their sex and stage of isolation; Igf2 and H19 were more methylated than Igf2r, especially in male EGCs. Moreover, EGCs derived at 13.5 dpc exhibited higher levels of DNA methylation than those from earlier stages. These results suggest that in vitro derived EGCs acquire different epigenotypes from their parental in vivo migratory PGCs, and that sex-specific de novo methylation occurs in the Igf2 and H19 genes of EGCs.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.108-116
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• 2012

In this study, to develop hair growth agents using natural products which has excellent ability to promote hair growth effect and fewer side effect, animal experiment and clinical trials was performed to evaluate hair growth promotion effect of herbal product containing $Rosa$ $mutiflora$ roots extracts as a main component (RMHP). 4-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were removed the dorsal hair using thioglycolate, and applied 15% EtOH solution as a negative control, 5% minoxidil as a positive control and RMHP to dorsal skin. In the results of macroscopy and photo-interpretation, RMHP group recorded 100% (+++++) of hair growth was proved to significantly stimulate hair growth against 80% (++++) negative control group. 37 patients were treated with RMHP and evaluated the therapeutic effect at 16 weeks. Hair density was significantly increased at 16 weeks after applying RMHP ($125.0{\pm}4.9\;FU/cm^2$) compared to before treatment ($104.3{\pm}4.7\;FU/cm^2$, p < 0.05), and hair thickness were also significantly increased ($0.066{\pm}0.003$ mm) than before treatment ($0.055{\pm}0.002$ mm, p < 0.05). The result of clinical photo-interpretation using 7-point rating scale assessment, after 16 weeks clinical symptoms were evaluated to significantly improve with $1.23{\pm}0.05$ (p < 0.05). Therefore, the results of this study were observed that RMHP have hair loss prevention effect and hair growth promotion effect to hair loss patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 1990

The present study was undertaken to investigate effects of ionizing radiation on DNA synthesis and chromosomal abnormality in cultured submandibular gland(SG) cells. SG cells from C57BL/6N Crj mice were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DME) supplemented with $10\%$ fetal bovine serum, antibiotics and fungizone. The cultured SG cells were irradiated with graded doses of gamma ray ($^{60}Co$) at a dose rate of 58.4rad/min. The effect of irradiation of $^{60}Co$ on DNA synthesis in cultured cells was evaluated by measuring the incorporation of 3H-TdR. Using conventional chromosome techniques and Giemsa staining methods, chromosomal abnormalities in cultured SG cells, induced by irradiation of $^{60}Co$ werw examined. Cytological observations were carried out by a light microscope with high resolving power. The results obtained were as follows : 1. DNA synthesis of SG cells was quantitatively dependent on a radiation dose compare to control. 2. A polyploids and few chromosome-type break, such as single and double breaks, deltions and triradial figures were more predominantly in irradiated SG cells than in control. This increase of chromosomal abnormality was in the proposition to the irradiation doses.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2018

Recent findings indicate that Type 2 taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed outside the gustatory system, including in the gastrointestinal tracts and the exocrine glands, such as the submandibular (SM), parotid (P), lacrimal (L) glands and pancreas (PC). Specifically, T2Rs are found in some of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells, and these cells secreted peptide hormones in response to stimulation by bitter-tasting compounds. The results show that T2Rs may have significant physiological roles besides bitter taste reception. The functions of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands remain poorly understood. An expression levels analysis of T2Rs will help to determine those functions in the exocrine glands. The expression levels of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands were discovered via the qPCR. C57BL/6J mice of 42~60-day-old were used. Messenger RNAs were extracted from S, P, L and PC. Cloned DNAs were synthesized by reverse transcription. Quantitative PCRs were performed using the SYBR Green method. The expression levels of the T2Rs were calculated as relative expression levels to that of the GAPDH. The statistical significance among the observed exocrine glands was tested using the variance analysis (ANOVA test). Tas2r108, out of murine 35 T2Rs, was the most highly expressed in every observed exocrine gland. This finding was similar to previous results from tongue papillae, but the expression levels were lower than those of the tongue papillae. Tas2r137 of SM, P, L and PC were expressed a little lower than that of tongue papillae. The T2Rs in the exocrine glands may play slightly different roles from those in the tongue. We suggest that physiological studies such as a patch clamp and functional $Ca^{2+}$ imaging of acinar cells are necessary for understanding the Tas2r108 functions.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2016

An in vitro assay following culture of endometrial epithelial cells is essential for understanding epithelial cell function in reproduction. Several diverse techniques have been developed for isolating endometrial epithelial cells, although an optimal technique has not been identified. In this study, we describe a sedimentation-adherence (S-A) isolation technique with a high-yield cell-separating ability to isolate endometrial epithelial cells from 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice. We analyzed total cell number, viability, morphology, and expression of cytokeratin 18 as an endometrial epithelial cell-specific marker in cells isolated using a mechanical method compared to the S-A technique. There were no significant differences in the total number, viability, or morphology of the putative endometrial epithelial cells with either method. In contrast, significantly more endometrial epithelial cells harvested using the S-A method were positively stained for cytokeratin 18 than those isolated using the mechanical method. These results confirm that the S-A method is more efficient for retrieving endometrial epithelial cells than a mechanical method.