• Gut and Liver
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.664-673
• /
• 2018

Background/Aims: Regulatory dendritic cells (rDCs), which can be induced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), play an important role in inducing and maintaining homeostasis of regulatory T cells and exhibit anti-inflammatory functions. In this study, we investigated whether MSCs could differentiate DCs into rDCs and compared the therapeutic effects of rDCs and MSCs on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced chronic colitis mice. Methods: Immature DCs (imDCs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mature DCs (mDCs) were co-cultured with MSCs for 48 hours, and then the profiles of surface markers and cytokines and regulatory roles of these DCs for primary splenocytes were analyzed. In addition, the therapeutic effects of MSCs and DCs co-cultured with MSCs were compared in chronic colitis mice. Results: After co-culture of imDCs (MSC-DCs) or LPS-treated mDCs (LPS+MSC-DCs) with MSCs, the expression of CD11c, CD80, CD86, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), was decreased, but that of CD11b, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) was increased. Furthermore, MSC-DCs and LPS+MSC-DCs induced the expression of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3 in primary splenocytes isolated from mice. In DSS-induced colitis mice, MSCs and MSC-DCs increased colon length, body weight, and survival rate and induced histological improvement. Moreover, in the colon tissues, the expression of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ decreased, but that of IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$, and Foxp3 increased in the MSC- and MSC-DC-injected groups. Conclusions: Our data suggest that MSCs differentiate DCs into rDCs, which ameliorate chronic colitis. Thus, rDCs stimulated by MSCs may be therapeutically useful for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.332-336
• /
• 2019

The use of ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy for foods is known to have a microbial inhibitory effect. UV-A having a longer wavelength than UV-C can be used for continuous or intermittent UV irradiation of food stored in containers or packages. Because UV-LED can be used effectively at a low price, this study reported the effect of UV-A 365 nm-LED on inhibiting Bacillus subtilis in accordance with the packaging conditions employed in daily use. The packaging materials were linear low-density polyethylene (LLD-PE), nylon/low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, and glass. When all packaging materials were treated with 365 nm UV-LED, B. subtilis was observed to remain inactive for 30-60 min. Further, compared with the control (-log 5), the survival rate of B. subtilis was -log 2.0-2.5 for nylon/LDPE and -log 2.58-3.61 for LLD-PE. These packaging materials showed an excellent inhibitory effect regardless of their thickness. Typically, a decrease in the viable cell count of more than 3 log indicates a 99.9% bactericidal effect. These results suggest that 365 nm UV-LED permeated the packaging material and inhibited bacterial growth.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.10
• /
• pp.1086-1095
• /
• 2019

This research was performed to develop a new material consisting of a mixture of Red Allium cepa (RA) Cucurbita moschata duch (CM), and Angelica gigas Nakai (AG). RA and CM have low storage stability because of their high moisture content. Therefore, their major components were extracted and used for the research after a content analysis. In order to overcome these limitations, the quercetin from RA, ${\beta}-carotene$ from CM, and decursin/decursinol angelate (D/DA) from AG were separately extracted, and the biochemical activity of each extract and mixture was compared. RA was bioconverted by the Bacillus subtillis KJ-3 (BS3) after ethanol extraction. After bioconversion, the quercetin content of RA was increased by 128.9%. ${\beta}-carotene$ was detected in the CM ethanol extract and its content was very low concentrations at 0.2 mg/g. The AG ethanol extract (1 mg) contained 0.4146 mg and 0.3659 mg of D/DA, respectively. The purity of the D/DA was found to be about 78%. The flavonoid and polyphenol content of each extract and their mixtures (mixture 1 (RA:CM:AG = 5:2:3), mixture 2 (RA:CM: AG = 3:5:2), and mixture 3 (RA:CM:AG = 3:2:5)) were measured. In addition, the cell survival rate, anti-inflammatory activity, and antioxidant ability were also evaluated. In all the results, the antioxidant activity of mixture 3 was most effective. Therefore, these findings provide basic data for future food development using a 3:2:5 mixture of RA, CM, and AG.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.28-36
• /
• 2021

Edwardsiella piscicida is a significant cause of hemorrhagic septicemia in fish and gastrointestinal infections in humans. Survival bacteria require specialized mechanisms to adapt to environmental fluctuations. Hence, to understand the mechanism through which E. piscicida senses and responds to environmental osmolarity changes, we determined the protein expression profile and physiological properties under various salinity conditions in this study. The OmpR protein is a part of the Env-ZOmpR two-component system that has been implicated in sensing salt stress in bacteria. However, the physiological role played by this protein in E. piscicida remains to be elucidated. Therefore, in this work, the function of the OmpR protein in response to salt stress was investigated. Phenotypic analysis revealed that, in the mutant, three of the biochemical phenotypes were different from the wild type, including, citrate utilization, hydrogen sulfide, and indole production. Introduction of the plasmid containing the entire ompR gene to the mutant strain returned it to its parental phenotype. The retarded growth rate also partially recovered. Furthermore, in our studies, OmpR was not found to be related to cell motility. Taken together, our results from the mutational analysis, the growth assay, MALDI-TOF MS, qRT-PCR, and the phenotype studies suggest that the OmpR of E. piscicida is implicated in osmoregulation, growth, expression of porins (ETAE_1826), virulence-related genes (EseC, EseD and EvpC), and certain genes of unknown function (ETAE_1540 and ETAE_2706).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.350-358
• /
• 2023

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infectious disease that occurs in children under 5 years of age. Its main causes are coxsackievirus (CV) and enterovirus (EV). Since there are no efficient therapeutics for HFMD, vaccines are effective in preventing the disease. To develop broad coverage against CV and EV, the development of a bivalent vaccine form is needed. The Mongolian gerbil is an efficient and suitable animal model of EV71 C4a and CVA16 infection used to investigate vaccine efficacy following direct immunization. In this study, Mongolian gerbils were immunized with a bivalent inactivated EV71 C4a and inactivated CVA16 vaccine to test their effectiveness against viral infection. Bivalent vaccine immunization resulted in increased Ag-specific IgG antibody production; specifically, EV71 C4a-specific IgG was increased with medium and high doses and CVA16-specific IgG was increased with all doses of immunization. When gene expression of T cell-biased cytokines was analysed, Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses were found to be highly activated in the high-dose immunization group. Moreover, bivalent vaccine immunization mitigated paralytic signs and increased the survival rate following lethal viral challenges. When the viral RNA content was determined from various organs, all three doses of bivalent vaccine immunization were found to significantly decrease viral amplification. Upon histologic examination, EV71 C4a and CVA16 induced tissue damage to the heart and muscle. However, bivalent vaccine immunization alleviated this in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the bivalent inactivated EV71 C4a/CVA16 vaccine could be a safe and effective candidate HFMD vaccine.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of extract from Trogopterorum Faeces (TF) on the RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : To prove the TF's anti-inflammatory effects, we investigated nitric oxide (NO) production and own cell viability. We examined the cytokine productions on lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and also cellular regulatory mechanisms. Results : TF does not have any cytotoxic effect. TF reduced LPS-induced NO production, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in RAW 264.7 cells. TF inhibited the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38, extracelluar signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and also the degradation of inhibitory kappa B a (Ik-Ba) in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. TF reduced the serum levels of IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a. The survival rate of LPS-induced endotoxin shock was increased by TF administration. Conclusions : TF down-regulated LPS-induced NO and cytokines production, which could provide a clinical basis for anti-inflammatory properties.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the stress response of pacific abalone exposed to various water temperatures (4, 6, 8, and 10℃) and salinities (26, 30, and 34 psu) for 7 days, with the aim of finding optimum conditions for long-distance ocean transport of pacific abalone. At the end of the experiments, the survival rate was ranged from 98.7~100% at 8 and 10℃ but dropped to 25~55% at 4℃ in all salinity levels. The levels of SOD and glutathione in hemolymph were significantly higher at 4 and 6℃ than the control in all salinity groups, indicating that these temperatures induce severe stress in pacific abalone. It was found that THC was lowest at 6℃ in the 26 psu groups. The study showed that the hemocyte of pacific abalone populations mostly consisted of blast-like cells and hyalinocytes with the ratio of hyalinocytes being significantly lower at 4 and 6℃ than the other temperatures in the 26 psu groups. Percentages of apoptotic cells and necrotic cells were higher in the 26 psu group and 4 and 6℃ temperature groups. These results explicit that pacific abalone was exposed to greater stress at 26 psu and at 4 and 6℃ but experienced no significant higher stress at 30 and 34 psu and 8 and 10℃. It was therefore concluded that the optimum temperature and salinity for the long distance transport of pacific abalone range from 8~10℃ and 30~34 psu, respectively.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.148-156
• /
• 2024

Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, a plant pathogenic bacterium that can survive for a long time in soil and water, causes lethal wilt in the Solanaceae family. Sigma S is a part of the RNA polymerase complex, which regulates gene expression during bacterial stress response or stationary phase. In this study, we investigated the role of sigma S in R. pseudosolanacearum under stress conditions using a rpoS-defective mutant strain of R. pseudosolanacearum and its wild-type strain. The phenotypes of rpoS-defective mutant were complemented by introducing the original rpoS gene. There were no differences observed in bacterial growth rate and exopolysaccharide production between the wild-type strain and the rpoS mutant. However, the wild-type strain responded more sensitively to nutrient deficiency compared to the mutant strain. Under the nutrient deficiency, the rpoS mutant maintained a high bacterial viability for a longer period, while the viability of the wild-type strain declined rapidly. Furthermore, a significant difference in pH was observed between the culture supernatant of the wild-type strain and the mutant strain. The pH of the culture supernatant for the wild-type strain decreased rapidly during bacterial growth, leading to medium acidification. The rapid decline in the wild-type strain's viability may be associated with medium acidification and bacterial sensitivity to acidity during transition to the stationary phase. Interestingly, the rpoS mutant strain cannot utilize acetic acid, D-alanine, D-trehalose, and L-histidine. These results suggest that sigma S of R. pseudosolanacearum regulates the production or utilization of organic acids and controls cell death during stationary phase under nutrient deficiency.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 2020

Esophageal cancer is easy to infiltrate and metastasize because esophagus does not have serosa, and is difficult to remove it because esophagus is in the middle of the chest. Because of this, treatments of esophageal cancer do not always follow the guideline. In this situation, efforts to increase treatment efficiency and improve survival rate through multidisciplinary treatment are increasing. In this case, we report the patient with three superficial esophageal cancers (one in cervical esophagus and two in thoracic esophagus). The patient was treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy instead of surgery through multidisciplinary discussion. The patient reached a complete remission through this discussion. This case is intended to inform the usefulness of multidisciplinary treatment in patients with esophageal cancer.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.205-210
• /
• 2006

Purpose: FDG uptake on positron omission tomography (PET) has been considered a prognostic indicator in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of maximum value of SUV (maxSUV) in recurrence prediction in patients with surgically resected NSCLC. Materials & methods: NSCLC patients (n=42, F:M =14:28, age $62.3{\pm}12.3$ y) who underwent curative resection after FDG-PET were enrolled. Twenty-nine patients had pathologic stage 1, and 13 had pathologic stage II. Thirty-one patients were additionally treated with adjuvant oral chemotherapy. MaxSUVs of primary tumors were analyzed for correlation with tumor recurrence and compared with pathologic or clinical prognostic indicators. The median follow-up duration was 16 mo (range, 3-26 mo). Results: Ten (23.8%) of the 42 patients experienced recurrence during a median follow-up of 7.5 mo (range, 3-13 mo). Univariate analysis revealed that disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly correlated with maxSUV (<7 vs. $\geq7$, p=0.006), tumor size (<3 cm vs. $\geq3$ cm, p=0.024), and tumor tell differentiation (well/moderate vs. poor, p=0.044). However, multivariate Cox proportional analysis identified maxSUV as the single determinant for DFS (p=0.014). Patients with a maxSUV of $\geq7$(n=10) had a significantly lower 1-year DFS rate (50.0%) than those with a maxSUV of <7 (n=32, 87.5%). Conclusion: MaxSUV is a significant independent predictor for recurrence in surgically resected NSCLC. FDG uptake can be added to other well-known factors in prognosis prediction of NSCLC.