• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.148-154
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• 2012

Previously, we have reported that high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a proinflammatory mediator in sepsis, is released via the IFN-${\beta}$-mediated JAK/STAT pathway. However, detailed mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we dissected upstream signaling pathways of HMGB1 release using various molecular biology methods. Here, we found that calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase, CaMK) is involved in HMGB1 release by regulating IFN-${\beta}$ production. CaMK inhibitor, STO609, treatment inhibits LPS-induced IFN-${\beta}$ production, which is correlated with the phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). Additionally, we show that CaMK-I plays a major role in IFN-${\beta}$ production although other CaMK members also seem to contribute to this event. Furthermore, the CaMK inhibitor treatment reduced IFN-${\beta}$ production in a murine endotoxemia. Our results suggest CaMKs contribute to HMGB1 release by enhancing IFN-${\beta}$ production in sepsis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2016

Background: Estrogen signaling pathways are modulated by exogenous factors. Panax ginseng exerts multiple activities in biological systems and is classified as an adaptogen. Zearalenol is a potent mycoestrogen that may be present in herbs and crops arising from contamination or endophytic association. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of P. ginseng, zearalenol and estradiol in tests on spermatozoal function. Methods: The affinity of these compounds for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and beta ($ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$)-was assessed in receptor binding assays. Functional tests on boar spermatozoa motility, movement and kinematic parameters were conducted using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Tests for capacitation, acrosome reaction (AR), and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were performed using microscopic analysis. Results: Zearalenol-but not estradiol ($E_2$)- or ginseng-treated spermatozoa-decreased the percentage of overall, progressive, and rapid motile cells. Zearalenol also decreased spontaneous AR and increased chromatin decondensation. Ginseng decreased chromatin decondensation in response to calcium ionophore and decreased AR in response to progesterone ($P_4$) and ionophore. Conclusion: Zearalenol has adverse effects on sperm motility and function by targeting multiple signaling cascades, including $P_4$, $E_2$, and calcium pathways. Ginseng protects against chromatin damage and thus may be beneficial to reproductive fitness.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

Differentially expressed genes by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were identified in order to evaluate them as dioxin-sensitive markers and crucial signaling molecules to understand dioxin-induced toxic mechanisms in human bronchial cells. Gene expression profiling was analyzed by cDNA microarray and ten genes were selected for further study. They were cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1 (CYP1B1), S100 calcium binding protein A8 (calgranulin A), S100 calcium binding protein A9 (calgranulin B), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A3 (ALDH6) and peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) in up-regulated group. Among them, CYP1B1 was used as a hallmark for dioxin and sharply increased by TCDD exposure. Down-regulated genes were IK cytokine, interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1), nuclease sensitive element binding protein 1 (NSEP1), protein tyrosine phosphatase type VI A, member 1 (PTP4A1), ras oncogene family 32 (RAB32). Although up-regulated 4 genes in microarray were coincided with northern hybridization, down-regulated 5 genes showed U-shaped expression pattern which is sharply decreased at lower doses and gradually increased at higher doses. These results introduce some of TCDD-responsive genes can be sensitive markers against TCDD exposure and used as signaling cues to understand toxicity initiated by TCDD inhalation in pulmonary tissues.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.282-290
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) is the major bioactive ingredient of Panax ginseng and has many pharmacological effects, including antiadipogenic, antiviral, and anticancer effects. However, the effect of G-Rg3 on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation has not been investigated. Method: The antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 on allergic inflammation were evaluated using the human and rat mast cell lines HMC-1 and RBL-2H3. Antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 were detected by measuring cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), detecting calcium influx, and using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and in vivo experiments. Results: G-Rg3 decreased histamine release from activated mast cells by enhancing cAMP levels and calcium influx. Proinflammatory cytokine production was suppressed by G-Rg3 treatment via regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases/nuclear factor-kappa B and receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIP2)/caspase-1 signaling pathway in mast cells. Moreover, G-Rg3 protected mice against the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock. Conclusion: G-Rg3 may serve as an alternative therapeutic agent for improving allergic inflammatory disorders.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.295-302
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• 2020

Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) is a deciduous tree found in Japan, China and Korea. The root, stems, bark and fruit of C. tricuspidata has been used as traditional herbal remedies such as eczema, mumps, acute arthritis and tuberculosis. In this study, we investigated the potential efficacies of this natural compound by focusing on the inhibitory effect of cudraxanthone L (CXL) isolated from the roots of C. tricuspidata on human platelet aggregation. Our study focused on the action of CXL on collagen-stimulated human platelet aggregation, inhibition of platelet signaling molecules such as fibrinogen binding, intracellular calcium mobilization, fibronectin adhesion, dense granule secretion, and thromboxane A2 secretion. In addition, we investigated the inhibitory effect of CXL on thrombin-induced clot retraction. Our results showed that CXL inhibited collagen-induced human platelet aggregation, intracellular calcium mobilization, fibrinogen binding, fibronectin adhesion and clot retraction without cytotoxicity. Therefore, we confirmed that CXL has inhibitory effects on human platelet activities and has potential value as a natural substance for preventing thrombosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.187-196
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• 2023

Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are non-selective calcium-permeable cation channels. It is suggested that TRPC4β is regulated by phospholipase C (PLC) signaling and is especially maintained by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂). In this study, we present the regulation mechanism of the TRPC4 channel with PIP₂ hydrolysis which is mediated by a channel-bound PLCδ1 but not by the G_qPCR signaling pathway. Our electrophysiological recordings demonstrate that the Ca²⁺ via an open TRPC4 channel activates PLCδ1 in the physiological range, and it causes the decrease of current amplitude. The existence of PLCδ1 accelerated PIP₂ depletion when the channel was activated by an agonist. Interestingly, PLCδ1 mutants which have lost the ability to regulate PIP₂ level failed to reduce the TRPC4 current amplitude. Our results demonstrate that TRPC4 self-regulates its activity by allowing Ca²⁺ ions into the cell and promoting the PIP₂ hydrolyzing activity of PLCδ1.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.367-379
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• 2019

Although atopic dermatitis (AD) is known to be a representative skin disorder, it also affects the systemic immune response. In a recent study, myoblasts were shown to be involved in the immune regulation, but the roles of muscle cells in AD are poorly understood. We aimed to identify the relationship between mitochondria and atopy by genome-wide analysis of skeletal muscles in mice. We induced AD-like symptoms using house dust mite (HDM) extract in NC/Nga mice. The transcriptional profiles of the untreated group and HDM-induced AD-like group were analyzed and compared using microarray, differentially expressed gene and functional pathway analyses, and protein interaction network construction. Our microarray analysis demonstrated that immune response-, calcium handling-, and mitochondrial metabolism-related genes were differentially expressed. In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology pathway analyses, immune response pathways involved in cytokine interaction, nuclear factor-kappa B, and T-cell receptor signaling, calcium handling pathways, and mitochondria metabolism pathways involved in the citrate cycle were significantly upregulated. In protein interaction network analysis, chemokine family-, muscle contraction process-, and immune response-related genes were identified as hub genes with many interactions. In addition, mitochondrial pathways involved in calcium signaling, cardiac muscle contraction, tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidation-reduction process, and calcium-mediated signaling were significantly stimulated in KEGG and Gene Ontology analyses. Our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the genome-wide transcriptional changes of HDM-induced AD-like symptoms and the indicated genes that could be used as AD clinical biomarkers.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.447-453
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• 2013

Osteoblastic activity of nectandrin A was examined in C2C12 cells. Nectandrin A enhances the BMP-induced osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization, manifested by the up-regulation of differentiation markers (alkaline phosphatase and osteogenic genes) and increased calcium contents. In C2C12 cells co-transfected with expression vector encoding Smad4 and Id1-Luc reporter, nectandrin A increased Id1 luciferase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, when compared to that in BMP-2 treated cells, indicating that Smad signaling pathway is associated with nectandrin A-enhanced osteoblastic differentiation in C2C12 cells. In addition, nectandrin A activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in time- and concentration-dependent manners, and phosphorylated form of pSmad1/5/8 and alkaline phosphatase activity were both decreased when the cells were pretreated with SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, suggesting that p38 MAPK might be an upstream kinase for Smad signaling pathway. Taken together, nectandrin A enhances the BMP-induced osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of C2C12 cells via activation of p38 MAPK-Smad signaling pathway, and it has a therapeutic potential for osteoporosis by promoting bone formation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.77-82
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• 2007

Serotonin (5-HT), the endogenous nonselective 5-HT receptor agonist, activates the inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate/calcium $(InsP3/Ca^{2+})$ signaling pathway and exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory actions on cAMP production and neuromodulin secretion in rat hypothalamic neurons. Specific mRNA transcripts for 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT4 were identified in rat hypothalamic neurons. These experiments were supported by combined techniques such as cAMP and a $Ca^{2+}$ assays in order to elucidate the associated receptors and signaling pathways. The cAMP production and neuromodulin release were profoundly inhibited during the activation of the Gi-coupled 5-HT1A receptor. Treatment with a selective agonist to activate the Gq-coupled 5-HT2C receptor stimulated InsP3 production and caused $Ca^{2+}$ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Selective activation of the Gs-coupled 5-HT4 receptor also stimulated cAMP production, and caused an increase in neuromodulin secretion. These findings demonstrate the ability of 5-HT receptor subtypes expressed in neurons to induce neuromodulin production. This leads to the activation of single or multiple G-proteins which regulate the $InsP3/Ca^{2+}/PLC-{\gamma}$ and adenyl cyclase / cAMP signaling pathways.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.335-341
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• 2021

Zinc is an essential micronutrient with crucial roles in multiple facets of biological processes. Dysregulated zinc homeostasis impairs overall immune function and resultantly increases susceptibility to infection. Clinically, zinc supplementation is practiced for treatment of several infectious diseases, such as diarrhea and malaria. Recent focus on zinc as a beneficial element for immune system support has resulted in investigation of the immunomodulatory roles of zinc in a variety of immune cells. Besides its classical role as a cofactor that regulates the structural function of thousands of proteins, accumulating evidence suggests that zinc also acts, in a manner similar to calcium, as an ionic regulator of immune responses via participation as an intracellular messenger in signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the role of zinc as a signaling molecule in major pathways such as those downstream of Toll-like receptors-, T cell receptor-, and cytokine-mediated signal transduction that regulate the activity and function of monocytes/macrophages and T cells, principal players in the innate and adaptive immune systems.