• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.261-263
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• 2009

Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid which is usually taken intravenously for many neurosurgical diseases which cause edema including brain tumor, and trauma including spinal cord injury. Methylprednisolone reduces swelling and decreases the body's immune response. It is also used to treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. To identify genes expressed during methylprednisolone treatment against neurons of rats (PC12 cells), DNA microarray method was used. We have isolated 2 gene groups (up- or down-regulated genes) which are methylprednisolone differentially expressed in neurons. Lipocalin 3 is the gene most significantly increased among 772 up-regulated genes (more than 2 fold over-expression) and Aristaless 3 is the gene most dramatically decreased among 959 down-regulated genes (more than 2 fold down-expression). The gene increased expression of Fgb, Thbd, Cfi, F3, Kngl, Serpinel, C3, Tnfrsf4 and Il8rb are involved stress-response gene, and Nfkbia, Casp7, Pik3rl, I11b, Unc5a, Tgfb2, Kitl and Fgf15 are strongly associated with development. Cell cycle associated genes (Mcm6, Ccnb2, Plk1, Ccnd1, E2f1, Cdc2a, Tgfa, Dusp6, Id3) and cell proliferation associated genes (Ccl2, Tnfsf13, Csf2, Kit, Pim1, Nr3c1, Chrm4, Fosl1, Spp1) are down-regulated more than 2 times by methylprednisolone treatment. Among the genes described above, 4 up-regulated genes are confirmed those expression by RT-PCR. We found that methylprednisolone is related to expression of many genes associated with stress response, development, cell cycle, and cell proliferation by DNA microarray analysis. However, We think further experimental molecular studies will be needed to figure out the exact biological function of various genes described above and the physiological change of neuronal cells by methylprednisolone. The resulting data will give the one of the good clues for understanding of methylprednisolone under molecular level in the neurons.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.583-588
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• 2013

To determine alteration of immune responses during visceral larva migrans (VLM) caused by Toxascaris leonina at several time points, we experimentally infected mice with embryonated eggs of T. leonina and measured T-helper (Th) cell-related serial cytokine production after infection. At day 5 post infection (PI), most larvae were detected from the lungs, spleen, intestine, and muscle. Expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and CCL11 (eotaxin) showed a significant increase in most infected organs, except the intestine. However, expression of the CXCL1 (Gro-${\alpha}$) gene was most highly enhanced in the intestine at day 14 PI. Th1-related cytokine secretion of splenocytes showed increases at day 28 PI, and the level showed a decrease at day 42 PI. Th2-related cytokine secretion of splenocytes also showed an increase after infection; in particular, IL-5 level showed a significant increase at day 14 PI, and the level showed a decrease at day 28 PI. However, levels of Th17-related cytokines, IL-6 and IL-17A, showed gradual increases until day 42 PI. In conclusion, Th1, Th2, and Th17-related cytokine production might be important in immune responses against T. leonina VLM in experimental mice.

• Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.57-60
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• 2007

The Han River is divided into North and South Korea by NLL(Northern Limit Line) and its area has been blocked by CCL(Civil Control Line) since the Korean War in 1950. Satellite remote sensing, therefore, is uniquely suited to monitoring bar transformation in the region. In river with bar, the characteristics of its physical conditions have a close relationship with bar morphology. In this paper, a monitoring approach of bar transformation in the Han River Estuary is presented using RADARSAT/SAR images from 2000 to 2005 and spatial patterns of bar morphology are presented. It could be said that in the estuary vegetated area and natural levees are developed well, but bars are shifted after an event like a flood. It is also showed that suspended solids such as silt transported through the estuary could contribute highly to a sedimentation environment around Incheon.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6417-6421
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• 2015

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2016

Background: Adipocyte-macrophage communication plays a critical role regulating white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammatory gene expression. Because WAT inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic diseases, there is significant interest in understanding how exogenous compounds regulate the adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. An aqueous (AQ) extract of North American (NA) ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was previously shown to have strong inflammo-regulatory properties in adipocytes. This study examined whether different ginseng extracts influence adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk, as well as WAT inflammatory gene expression. Methods: The effects of AQ and ethanol (EtOH) ginseng extracts ($5{\mu}g/mL$) on adipocyte and macrophage inflammatory gene expression were studied in 3T3-L1 and RAW264.7 cells, respectively, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adipose tissue organ culture was also used to examine the effects of ginseng extracts on epididymal WAT (EWAT) and inguinal subcutaneous WAT (SWAT) inflammatory gene expression. Results: The AQ extract caused significant increases in the expression of common inflammatory genes (e.g., Mcp1, Ccl5, Tnf-${\alpha}$, Nos2) in both cell types. Culturing adipocytes in media from macrophages treated with the AQ extract, and vice versa, also induced inflammatory gene expression. Adipocyte Ppar-${\gamma}$ expression was reduced with the AQ extract. The AQ extract strongly induced inflammatory gene expression in EWAT, but not in SWAT. The EtOH extract had no effect on inflammatory gene expression in either both cell types or WAT. Conclusion: These findings provide important new insights into the inflammo-regulatory role of NA ginseng in WAT.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.61-77
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• 2016

목적: 본 연구에서는 TJ 열수추출물이 아토피 피부염에 미치는 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 방법: 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzen (DNCB)으로 BALB/c 마우스에 1차 감작 후 3주간 2차 감작을 시행하여 아토피 유사 피부병변을 나타내는 접촉성 피부염을 유발한 뒤 동결건조 처리된 TJ 분말을 (PBS/EtOH/Cremophor=6:1:3)에 용해시켜 쥐의 등 피부에 10, 50 mg/ml 농도로 3주간 도포하였다. 결과: TJ 열수추출물은 아토피 피부 병변의 염증세포 침윤을 억제하였고 (10, 50 mg/ml ) 표피와 진피 두께를 회복시켰으며 (10, 50 mg/ml ), 혈청에서 히스타민 방출을 억제하였다 (00 mg/ml ). 또한 Th2 세포와 관련된 cytokine인 interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13과 thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)의 mRNA 발현 양을 감소시켰고 (10, 50 mg/ml ), Th2 chemokine인 thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC or CCL17)의 mRNA의 발현 양을 감소시켰다 (10, 50 mg/ml ). 결론: TJ 열수추출물을 BALB/c 마우스에 외용하였을 때 항아토피 효과가 있음을 확인하였으며 따라서 TJ가 아토피 피부염 치료의 외용제로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 2010

In this study we examined the effects of water extract of garlic on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury, and demonstrated increased beneficial enzyme and anti-oxidant activity as well as histopathological changes (by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining, Trichrome staining, and TEM examination), and showed that the treatment was dose-dependent and safe. A total of 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally (n=7) into six groups. To induce hepatotoxicity in these subjects, carbon tetrachloride diluted in an equal volume of olive oil was intraperitoneally administrated at 0.5 ml/kg (0.20 g/kg/day) once a day for five days. Water extract of Korean-grown garlic was administered via a stomach sonde once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. Groups received 0.35 g/kg (E1), 0.70 g/kg (E2), or 1.40 g/kg (E3), with the dose adjusted for body weight. Administration of garlic extract resulted in positive physiological effects in terms of reduced oxidative stress and toxicity, and induced functional changes in the liver. Comparing the subject groups (E1, E2, E3) administered different doses of garlic extract, the importance of morphological analysis in further studies is emphasized, because morphological changes indicating hepatotoxicity could occur, even though beneficial enzyme activities were found to be elevated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2121-2127
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• 2012

Objective: Deoxyribonucleoside kinase of Drosophila melanogaster (Dm-dNK) mutants have been reported to exert suicide gene effects in combined gene/chemotherapy of cancer. Here, we aimed to further evaluate the capacity of the mutanted enzyme and its potential for inhibiting cancer cell growth. Methods: We altered the sequence of the last 10 amino acids of Dm-dNK to perform site-directed mutagenesis and constructed active site mutanted Dm-dNK (Dm-dNKmut), RT-PCR and western bloting studies were used to reveal the expression of lentivirus mediated Dm-dNKmut in a breast cancer cell line (Bcap37), a gastric cancer cell line (SGC7901) and a colorectal cancer cell line (CCL187). [3H]-labeled substrates were used for enzyme activity assays, cell cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assays, cell proliferation using a hemocytometer and apoptosis induction by thenannexin-V-FITC labeled FACS method. In vivo, an animal study was set out in which BALB/C nude mice bearing tumors were treated with lentivirus mediated expression of Dm-dNKmut with the pyrimidine nucleoside analog brivudine (BVDU, (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-(2-deoxyuridine). Results: The Dm-dNKmut could be stably expressed in the cancer cell lines and retained its enzymatic activity. Moreover, the cells expressing Dm-dNKmut exhibited increased sensitivity in combination with BVDU, with induction of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: These findings underlined the importance of BVDU phosphorylated by Dm-dNKmut in transduced cancer cells and the potential role of Dm-dNKmut as a suicide gene, thus providing the basis for future intensive research for cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.937-943
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• 2014

Polymorphisms in miRNA binding sites have been shown to affect miRNA binding to target genes, resulting in differential mRNA and protein expression and susceptibility to common diseases. Our purpose was to predict SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) within miRNA binding sites of inflammatory genes in relation to gastric cancer. A complete list of SNPs in the 3'UTR regions of all inflammatory genes associated with gastric cancer was obtained from Pubmed. miRNA target prediction databases (MirSNP, Targetscan Human 6.2, PolymiRTS 3.0, miRNASNP 2.0, and Patrocles) were used to predict miRNA target sites. There were 99 SNPs with MAF>0.05 within the miRNA binding sites of 41 genes among 72 inflammation-related genes associated with gastric cancer. NF-${\kappa}B$ and JAK-STAT are the two most important signaling pathways. 47 SNPs of 25 genes with 95 miRNAs were predicted. CCL2 and IL1F5 were found to be the shared target genes of hsa-miRNA-624-3p. Bioinformatic methods could identify a set of SNPs within miRNA binding sites of inflammatory genes, and provide data and direction for subsequent functional verification research.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3601-3604
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• 2016

Background: The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is a potent chemoattractant for natural killer cells, monocytes, and memory T lymphocytes. However, any role in the genesis of salivary gland tumors (SGT) is unknown. To assess the diagnostic relevance of chemokines in SGT, MCP-1 levels in the serum of patients were investigated in association with tumor progression and clinical aggressiveness. Materials and Methods: Using an ELISA kit, we assessed and compared the circulating levels of MCP-1 in blood serum of 70 SGT patients with 44 healthy control samples. Results: The results of this study showed that the concentration of MCP-1 was significantly lower in patients with benign ($463.8{\pm}158.5pg/ml$, P=0.033) and malignant ($454.8{\pm}190.4pg/ml$, P=0.007) SGT than in healthy subjects ($645.7{\pm}338.9$). No significant difference in mean serum levels of MCP-1 was observed between the benign and malignant group (p=0.9). While MCP-1 levels were lower in patients with an advanced clinical stage, advanced tumor size, higher tumor grade, or lymph node involvement, but the mean MCP-1 level between groups showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusions: MCP-1 levels in the serum of patients with SGT were decreased, indicating that this might a good marker for discriminating patients with SGT from healthy people. However, no clear-cut relationship was detected between MCP-1 levels and clinicopathologic factors, and MCP-1 is not a good marker for evaluating tumor dissemination.