• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.129-134
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• 2019

In a previous study, we isolated 11 different kinds of compounds from ethyl acetate fractions of lees (jubak) which is a by-product of Korean traditional wine production. These compounds were identified as caffeic acid, coumaric acid, D-mannitol, ferulic acid, hesperetin, hesperidin, naringenin, naringin, sinapic acid, syringic acid, and vanilic acid. To evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities in an in vitro model, nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells after the treatment of these cells with each compound. Among the various chemicals, hesperetin and naringenin showed the highest inhibition of NO production in the LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Hesperetin was chosen for further study because of its strong anti-inflammatory activity and because the mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory properties still remain unclear. Our results showed that hesperetin dramatically inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner as compared with in an LPS-only treated group, without affecting cell viability. In addition, hesperetin reduced the protein expression of the pro-inflammatory gene inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it did not affect cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Furthermore, hesperetin inhibited phosphorylation of p38 mitogen- activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, whereas it did not affect phosphorylation of c-jun N- terminal kinase (JNK). The results indicated that hesperetin regulated the LPS-induced inflammatory response by suppressing p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 signaling. Overall, our results may help to understand the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity mediated by hesperetin.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.203-216
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Epidemiological investigations have shown positive correlations between increased diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in ambient air and adverse health outcomes. DEP are the major constituent of particulate atmospheric pollution and have been shown to induce proinflammatory responses both in the lung and systemically. Here, we report the effects of DEP exposure on the properties of human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), including stemness, regeneration, and immunomodulation. Methods and Results: Non-apoptotic concentrations of DEP (10 ㎍/ml) inhibited the migration and osteogenic differentiation capacity of WJ-MSCs. Gene expression profiling showed that DEP increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of pro-inflammatory and metabolic-process-related genes including cFos. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP showed impaired suppression of T cell proliferation that was reversed by inhibition of ROS or knockdown of cFos. ERK inhibition assay revealed that DEP-induced ROS regulated cFos through activation of ERK but not NF-κB signaling. Overall, low concentrations of DEP (10 ㎍/ml) significantly suppressed the stemness and immunomodulatory properties of WJ-MSCs through ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP impaired the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in experimental colitis mice, but was partly reversed by inhibition of ROS. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate that exposure to DEP enhances the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune responses through a mechanism involving the ROS/ERK/cFos pathway in WJ-MSCs, and that DEP-induced ROS damage impairs the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in colitis. Our results suggest that modulation of ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways in WJ-MSCs might be a novel therapeutic strategy for DEP-induced diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2005

Background: p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling are thought to have critical role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immune response but the molecular mechanism underlying the induction of these signaling are not clear. Methods: Specific inhibitors for p38, SB203580, and for ERK, PD98059 were used. Cells were stimulated by LPS with or without specific MAPK inhibitors. Results: LPS activated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), subsequent NO productions, and pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expressions (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12). Treatment of both SB203580 and PD98059 decreased LPS-induced NO productions. Concomitant decreases in the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein were detected. SB203580 and PD98059 decreased LPS-induced gene expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. SB203580 increased LPS-induced expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-12, and reactive oxygen species production, but PD98059 had no effect. Conclusion: These results indicate that both p38 and ERK pathways are involved in LPS-stimulated NO synthesis, and expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. p38 signaling pathways are involved in LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-12, and reactive oxygen species plays an important role in these signaling in macrophage.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.312-318
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• 2017

Aloe-emodin (AE) is the major bioactive component in aloe and known to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities. However, it has not been elucidated whether its anti-inflammatory potency can contribute to the elimination of obesity. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of AE on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with AE ($0-20{\mu}M$) for one hour, followed by LPS treatment for 30 min and then, adipokine mRNA expression levels were measured. Next, TLR4-related molecules were measured in LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. AE significantly decreased the mRNA expression of the tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, AE suppressed TLR4 mRNA expression. Further study showed that AE could suppress the nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and phosphorylation of extracellular receptor-activated kinase (pERK). The results of this study suggest that AE directly inhibits $TLR4/NF-{\kappa}B/ERK$ signaling pathways and decreases the inflammatory response in adipocytes.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2008

Betulinic acid, a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid, is found in abundance in the outer bark of white birch (Betula alba). In this study, we investigated if betulinic acid affects cytokine expression from activated macrophage cells. ELISA result showed that stimulation of HL-60 cells with proinflammatory cytokine such as $TNF-{\alpha}$ resulted in MCP-1 release into culture medium. In addition, transcriptional upregulation of MCP-1 in response to $TNF-{\alpha}$ was observed by RT-PCR analysis. However, incubation of HL-60 cells with betulinic acid prior to $TNF-{\alpha}$ treatment abrogated MCP-1 expression in transcription and translational level. Consistent with a number of studies which reported requirement of ERK activation for $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression, Western blot analysis showed that $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ ERK activation was suppressed by pretreatment of HL-60 cells with betulinic acid. Taken together, our data indicate that betulinic acid exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ ERK activation which is required for the subsequent MCP-1 release.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.370-375
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• 2016

Ras oncoproteins are small molecular weight GTPases known for their involvement in oncogenesis, which operate in a complex signaling network with multiple effectors. Approximately 25% of human tumors possess mutations in a member of this family. The Raf1/MEK/Erk1/2 pathway is one of the most intensively studied signaling mechanisms. Different levels of regulation account for the inactivation of MAP kinases by MAPK phosphatases in a cell type- and stimuli-dependent manner. In the present study, using three inducible Ras-expressing NIH/3T3 cell lines, we demonstrated that MKP3 upregulation requires the activation of the Erk1/2 pathway, which correlates with the shutdown of this pathway. We also demonstrated, by applying pharmacological inhibitors and effector mutants of Ras, that induction of MKP3 at the protein level is positively regulated by the oncogenic Ras/Raf/MEK/Erk1/2 signaling pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.523-528
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• 2016

Urotensin II (UII) is a potent vasoactive peptide and mitogenic agent to induce proliferation of various cells including vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In this study, we examined the effects of a novel UII receptor (UT) antagonist, KR-36676, on vasoconstriction of aorta and proliferation of aortic SMCs. In rat aorta, UII-induced vasoconstriction was significantly inhibited by KR-36676 in a concentration-dependent manner. In primary human aortic SMCs (hAoSMCs), UII-induced cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by KR-36676 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, KR-36676 decreased UII-induced phosphorylation of ERK, and UII-induced cell proliferation was also significantly inhibited by a known ERK inhibitor U0126. In mouse carotid ligation model, intimal thickening of carotid artery was dramatically suppressed by oral treatment with KR-36676 (30 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks compared to vehicle-treated group. From these results, it is indicated that KR-36676 suppress UII-induced proliferation of VSMCs at least partially through inhibition of ERK activation, and that it also attenuates UII-induced vasoconstriction and vascular neointima formation. Our study suggest that KR-36676 may be an attractive candidate for the pharmacological management of vascular dysfunction.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.59-75
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the inhibitory effect of Polygonum multiflorum(PM) on melanin synthesis in B16F10. Methods: The Inhibitory effects of Polygonum multiflorum(PM) on melanin synthesis were determined by in-vitro assay. To elucidate inhibitory effects of Polygonum multiflorum on melanin synthesis, we determined the melanin release and melanin production in B16F10. And to investigate the action mechanism, we assessed the gene expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, MMP-2, PKA, PKC, ERK-1 ERK-2, AKT-1, MITF in B16F10. Results: 1. PM inhibited melanin-release, melanin production in B16F10. 2. PM inhibited tyrosinase activity in vitro and in B16F10. 3. PM suppressed the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 in B16F10. 4. PM suppressed the expression of PKA in B16F10. 5. PM suppressed the expression of ERK-1, ERK-2, AKT-1 in B16F10. 6. PM suppressed the expression of MITF in B16F10. Conclusion: From these results, it may be concluded that PM possesses the antimelanogenetic effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.75-85
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• 2004

목적 : 黃芩(황금)과 黃芩(황금)의 주요 flavonoid 성분인 baicalein이 신장세뇨관 상피세포에서 산화제에 의한 apoptosis에 미치는 효과를 살펴보고자 한다. 방법 : 신장세뇨관 상피세포주인 opossum kidney (OK) 세포를 유기산화제인 t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP)에 노출시켜 apoptosis를 일으킨 후 관련된 변화를 관찰하였다. 결과 : tBHP는 농도에 의존하여 apoptosis를 유발시켰는데, 이러한 효과는 黃芩(황금)과 baicalein에 의해 농도 의존적으로 방지 되었다. tBHP에 의한 OK 세포사는 항산화제인 Trolox와 N-acetylcysteine에 의해 방지 되었다. tBHP는 mitogen-activated protein kinase의 subfamily인 extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)를 활성화시켰다. ERK 억제제인 PD98059와 U0126은 tBHP에 의한 세포 사망을 방지하였다. tBHP에 의한 ERK 활성화는 U0126에 의해 억제되었으나 黃芩(황금)과 baicalein에 의해서는 영향을 받지 않았다. 철착염제인 deferoxamine은 tBHP에 의한 세포 사망과 ERK 활성화를 방지하였다. tBHP에 의한 세포 사망은 casopase 억제제인 BOD-U-FMK와 zDEVD-FMK에 의해 방지되었다. 결론 : 黃芩(황금)은 산화제에 의한 세포 사망을 방지하는데, 이는 kinase 억제, 항산화제 역할 및 철착염제의 작용에 기인하지 않았다. 黃芩(황금)의 이러한 효과는 산화제에 의관 신부전 예방 및 치료제로 개발하는데 이용될 수 있는 가능성을 보였다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.49-58
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• 2011

목적 : 본 연구는 감초의 염증에 대한 효과를 연구하였다. 감초의 에탄올 그리고 물로 추출한 두 가지의 약침액을 이용하여 쥐의 대식세포에서 유래한 RAW264.7 세포에 대한 염증 억제효과를 확인하였다. 방법 : Inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)를 포함한 염증성 단백질의 발현과 extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) 그리고 phosphorylated ERK1/2 의 발현을 Western blot 으로 확인하였고, PGE2의 발현은 ELISA 로 확인하였다. 결과 : RAW264.7 세포에 감초의 물 혹은 에탄올 추출 약침액을 투여한 결과 투여된 농도에 따라 LPS로 유도된 NO의 생성이 억제되었으며 iNOS, COX-2, 그리고 인산화 ERK1/2 의 발현도 감소되었다. 결론 : 본 실험 결과, 적작약의 물 그리고 에탄올 추출 약침액에 대하여 항염증성 효과가 있음을 확인하였다.