• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.129-141
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• 2003

Background: Leptin is a 16-KDa non-glycosylated peptide hormone synthesized almost exclusively by adipocytes. The well-known function of leptin is regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Leptin also plays a regulatory role in immune and inflammatory process including cytokine production. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leptin on the expression of several chemokine genes(RANTES, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, Mig, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\beta}$, and GRO-${\alpha}$) in THP-1 cells. Materials and Methods: Total RNA of THP-1 cells were prepared by Trizol method, and then stimulated with the leptin(250 ng/$m{\ell}$) or LPS(100 ng/$m{\ell}$). We examined the expression patterns of various chemokine mRNAs in THP-1 cell lines by RT-PCR and Northern blot. Results: Leptin did not induce the expression of chemokine mRNAs in THP-1 cells. The expression patterns of RANTES, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, and Mig mRNAs in THP-1 cells stimulated with leptin and LPS simultaneously was almost same to the patterns of LPS alone-induced chemokine mRNAs. RANTES mRNA expression was independent on the concentrations of leptin. Although leptin did not have strong effect on the expression of RANTES, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, Mig, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\beta}$, and GRO-${\alpha}$ mRNAs in THP-1 cells, leptin could induce the expression of long isoform of leptin receptor(OB-RL) mRNA, and its expression was elevated in simultaneous stimulation of leptin and LPS. Conclusion: These data suggest that leptin is able to induce OB-RL in THP-1 cells, however, leptin has little effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory chemokine genes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.53-65
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• 2003

Although the effect of Bee Venom has been reported, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Nitric Oxide(NO) is one of the free radicals and mediates in inflammation diseases. Chemokines contribute to the pathogenesis of several disorders such as allergic rhinitis and rheumatoid arthritis and so on. The objective of this study was to investigate the scavenging effect of Bee Venom on NO and on expression of chemokine genes. There was no significant NO scavenging effect in Crude Bee Venom, Apamin, Melittin, and MCD-peptide. The expression of chemokines was examined by RT-PCR using the human mast cell line(HMC-1), which is known to secrete and express chemokines. In order to investigate the protective effect of Bee Venom, HMC-1 cells were incubated with pretreatment of Bee Venom for 24 hrs and stimulated with 1 uM calcium ionophore A23178 for 2 hrs. RT-PCR analyses of chemokine genes showed that expressions of RANTES and MCP-1 were increased compared to the calcium ionophore-only treated group. But IL-8 and MCP-3 did not express increasing effect compared to control group. This study may provide important basic data on the possibility of the clinical treatment of Bee Venom in inflammation diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.186-194
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• 2001

Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi infection, is clinically and histopathologically characterized by local as well as systemic inflammatory reactions, indicating that orientiae induce mechanisms that amplify the inflammatory response. To reveal underlying mechanisms of chemoattraction and activation of responding leukocytes, expression of chemokine and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) genes in murine peritoneal macrophages after infection with the obligate intracellular bacterium Ο.tsutsugamushi was investigated. The genes that were unregulated included macrophage inflammatory proteins l$\alpha$/$\beta$(MIP-l$\alpha$/$\beta$), MIP-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1), RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), gamma-interferon-inducible protein 10(IP-10) and TNF-$\alpha$. Peak expression of these chemokines and TNF-$\alpha$ was observed between 1 and 3 h after infection. These responses returned to or approached baseline preinfection levels 6 h after challenge. Semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis revealed dramatic Increases during infection in the steady-state levels of mRNA ceding for the inhibitory subunit of NF-kB (IkB$\alpha$), whose transcription is enhanced by binding of NF-kB within the IkB$\alpha$promoter region. Thus, Ο. tsutsugamushi appears to be a stung inducer of chemokines and TNF-$\alpha$ which may significantly contribute to inflammation and tissue damage observed in scrub typhus by attracting and activating phagocytic leukocytes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2023

Objectives : Network pharmacology-based research is one of useful tool to predict the possible efficacy and molecular mechanisms of natural materials with multi compounds-multi targeting effects. In this study, we investigated the functional underlying mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (AM) on its anti-obesity effects using a network pharmacology analysis. Methods : The constituents of AM were collected from public databases and its target genes were gathered from PubChem database. The target genes of AM were compared with the gene set of obesity to find the correlation. Then, the network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.9.1. and functional enrichment analysis was conducted to predict the most relevant pathway of AM. Results : The result showed that AM network contained the 707 nodes and 6867 edges, and 525 intersecting genes were exhibited between AM and obesity gene set, indicating that high correlation with the effects of AM on obesity. Based on GO biological process and KEGG Pathway, 'Response to lipid', 'Cellular response to lipid', 'Lipid metabolic process', 'Regulation of chemokine production', 'Regulation of lipase activity', 'Chemokine signaling pathway', 'Regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes' and 'PPAR signaling pathway' were predicted as functional pathways of AM on obesity. Conclusions : AM showed high relevance with the lipid metabolism related with the chemokine production and lipolysis pathways. This study could be a basis that AM has promising effects on obesity via network pharmacology analysis.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.341-350
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• 2018

Chemokines is a small protein that plays a major role in inflammatory reactions and viral infections as a chemotactic factor of cytokines involved in innate immunity. Most of the chemokines belong to the chemokine groups CC and CXC. To investigate the immune system of the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), an expression pattern specifically induced in the early developmental stages of analysis is examined using qRT-PCR. We also examined tissue-specific expression of both CC and CXC chemokine in healthy olive flounder samples. CC and CXC chemokine shows increased expression after immune-related organs are formed compared to expression during early development. CC chemokine was more highly expressed in the fin, but CXC chemokine showed higher expression in the gills, spleen, intestines, and stomach. Spatial and temporal expression analysis of CC and CXC chemokine were performed following viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) infection. CC chemokine showed high expression in the gills, which are respiratory organs, whereas CXC chemokine was more highly expressed in the kidneys, an immune-related organ. These results suggest that CC and CXC chemokine play an important role in the immune response of the olive flounder, and may be used as basic data for the immunological activity and gene analysis of it as well as other fish.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.281-286
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• 2003

To design gene deliver systems which can deliver higher amounts of genes into stem cells, we studied the expression of receptors involved in the receptor-mediated endocytosis of bone marrow stromal stem cells. Bone marrow was isolated from ICR mice, and bone marrow stromal stem cells were isolated based on their plastic adherence property. Several culture conditions were screened for effective and continuous culture of marrow stromal stem cells. MesenCult medium was finally used to cultivate marrow stromal stem cells in vitro. As candidate receptors, various chemokine receptors were studied. Both bone marrow cells ad marrow-derived stromal stem cells showed expression of CC chemokine receptors (CCR) and CXC chemokine receptors (CXCR). Marrow stromal stem cells showed higher expression of CCR5 ad CXCR4 chemokine receptors as compared to other types of chemokine receptors. Moreover, though the expression of chemokine receptors generally decreased in most chemokine receptors with the cultivaton of marrow stromal stem cells, CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine receptors retained the higher level of receptor expressions over prolonged periods. These results suggest that the ligands exhibiting specific binding to CCR5 or CXCR4 might be used to modify gene delivery systems for increased levels of receptor-mediated gene delivery into stromal stem cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.4 s.127
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• pp.280-286
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• 2001

Epigallocathechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenol component in green tea, inhibits angiogenesis, urokinase, and matalloproteinases, and EGCG also has the antioxidative property. Recent reports proposed that EGCG may modulate the immune response on allergy or asthma. Human nasal mucosal fibroblasts are a rich source of cytokines, inflammatory mediators, and chemokines. Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of infection, which is essential in host defense. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of EGCG on the expression of the chemokines such as RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted), eotaxin, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human nasal mucosal fibroblasts after stimulation with cytokines like IL-4, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$, and $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$. To detect the expression of chemokine genes, RT-PCR was performed. Expressions of RANTES, eotaxin, and IL-8 mRNA stimulated with IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were increased, respectively, while the expression of those genes incubated with $IFN-{\gamma}$ was similar pattern compared to control group. Analyses of chemokine genes of cells pretreated with EGCG showed that the expressions of eotaxin, and IL-8 genes stimulated $IFN-{\gamma}$ were higher compared with those not pretreated with EGCG.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15.1-15.11
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• 2020

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of horse oil in 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated BALB/c mice. After the application of DNCB, the mice showed atopic dermatitis symptoms, including severe erythema, hemorrhage, and erosion, whereas those symptoms were alleviated by treatment with horse oil. To explain the anti-dermatitis effect of horse oil, the gene expression levels in the healing process in dorsal skin were observed using a cDNA microarray. The cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of 30 genes related to the inflammation, including Ccr1, Ccr2, Ccl20, Anxa1, and Hc genes, were up-regulated (higher than 2.0-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. In contrast, the gene expression levels of 28 genes related to inflammation, including chemokine genes Ccl5, Ccl7, Ccl8, Cxcl10, and Cxcl13 genes, were down-regulated (lower than 0.5-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. Overall, the results show that horse oil restores the expression levels of genes related to inflammation that were perturbed by DNCB treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2019

Upon viral infection, the 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)-ribonuclease L (RNaseL) system works to cleave viral RNA, thereby blocking viral replication. However, it is unclear whether OAS proteins have a role in regulating gene expression. Here, we show that OAS1 and OAS3 act as negative regulators of the expression of chemokines and interferon-responsive genes in human macrophages. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9) technology was used to engineer human myeloid cell lines in which the OAS1 or OAS3 gene was deleted. Neither OAS1 nor OAS3 was exclusively responsible for the degradation of rRNA in macrophages stimulated with poly(I:C), a synthetic surrogate for viral double-stranded (ds)RNA. An mRNA sequencing analysis revealed that genes related to type I interferon signaling and chemokine activity were increased in $OAS1^{-/-}$ and $OAS3^{-/-}$ macrophages treated with intracellular poly(I:C). Indeed, retinoic-acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I- and interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein (IFIH1 or MDA5)-mediated induction of chemokines and interferon-stimulated genes was regulated by OAS3, but Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)- and TLR4-mediated induction of those genes was modulated by OAS1 in macrophages. However, stimulation of these cells with type I interferons had no effect on OAS1- or OAS3-mediated chemokine secretion. These data suggest that OAS1 and OAS3 negatively regulate the expression of chemokines and interferon-responsive genes in human macrophages.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2015

In Trichinella spiralis infection, type 2 helper T (Th2) cell-related and regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cell-related immune responses are the most important immune events. In order to clarify which Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are closely associated with these responses, we analyzed the expression of mouse TLR genes in the small intestine and muscle tissue during T. spiralis infection. In addition, the expression of several chemokine- and cytokine-encoding genes, which are related to Th2 and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, were analyzed in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/TIR-associated proteins (TIRAP) and Toll receptor-associated activator of interferons (TRIF) adapter protein deficient and wild type (WT) mice. The results showed significantly increased TLR4 and TLR9 gene expression in the small intestine after 2 weeks of T. spiralis infection. In the muscle, TLR1, TLR2, TLR5, and TLR9 gene expression significantly increased after 4 weeks of infection. Only the expression of the TLR4 and TLR9 genes was significantly elevated in WT MEF cells after treatment with excretory-secretory (ES) proteins. Gene expression for Th2 chemokine genes were highly enhanced by ES proteins in WT MEF cells, while this elevation was slightly reduced in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells, and quite substantially decreased in $TRIF^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In contrast, IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}$ expression levels were not elevated in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In conclusion, we suggest that TLR4 and TLR9 might be closely linked to Th2 cell and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, although additional data are needed to convincingly prove this observation.