• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2008

CD29 $({\beta}1-integrins)$ is one of major adhesion molecules involved in regulating cell adhesion, migration and morphological changes. In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of CD29 in monocytic functions using monocytic cell line U937 cells. CD29 was found to be one of highly expressed membrane proteins in U937 cells, according to flow cytometric analysis. The activation of CD29 by agonistic antibody MEM101A and extracellular matrix protein (ECM) fibronectin strongly induced cell-cell and cell-fibronectin adhesions. However, blocking antibodies to CD98 and CD147 showed different inhibitory features in these two adhesion events. Furthermore, U0126, an ERK inhibitor, only blocked cell-cell adhesion but not cell-fibronectin adhesion, indicating that cell-cell or cell-fibronectin adhesion events may be regulated by different molecular mechanisms. Meanwhile, CD29 activation also enhanced ROS generation but not phagocytic ability, and similarly radical scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine strongly blocked CD29-mediated cell-cell adhesion, implying that ROS may play a critical role in up-regulating cell-cell adhesion. Therefore, our data suggest that the activation of CD29 may be critically involved in regulating monocytic cell-mediated cell-cell adhesion and ROS generation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1999

As a preliminary study for the explanation of pathobiology of Neodiplostomum seoulense infection. a 54 kDa protease was purified from the crude extract of adult worms by sequential chromatographic methods. The crude extract was subjected to DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column, and protein was eluted using 25 mM Tris-HC1 (pH 7.4) containing 0.05. 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 M NaC1 in stepwise elution. The 0.2 M NaCl fraction was further purified by Q-Sepharose chromatography and protein was eluted using 20 mM sodium acetate (pH 6.4) containing 0.05, 0.1. 0.2 and 0.3 M NaCl, respectively. The 0.1M NaCl fraction showed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE carried out on a 7.5-15% gradient gel. The proteolytic activities of the purified enzyme were specifically inhibited by L-trans-epoxy-succinylleucylamide (4-guanidino) butane (E-64) and iodoacetic acid. The enzyme, cysteine protease. showed the maximum proteolytic activity at pH 6.0 in 0.1 M buffer, and degraded extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and fibronectin with different activities. It is suggested that the cysteine protease may playa role in the nutrient uptake of N. seoulense from the host intestine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.609-624
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to get a comprehensive understanding of how genes in chicken shell gland modulate eggshell strength at the early stage of active calcification. Four 32-week old of purebred Xianju hens with consistent high or low shell breakage strength were grouped into two pairs. Using Affymetrix Chicken Array, a whole-transcriptome analysis was performed on hen's shell gland at 9 h post oviposition. Gene ontology enrichment analysis for differentially expressed (DE) transcripts was performed using the web-based GOEAST, and the validation of DE-transcripts was tested by qRT-PCR. 1,195 DE-transcripts, corresponding to 941 unique genes were identified in hens with strong eggshell compared to weak shell hens. According to gene ontology annotations, there are 77 DE-transcripts encoding ion transporters and secreted extracellular matrix proteins, and at least 26 DE-transcripts related to carbohydrate metabolism or post-translation glycosylation modification; furthermore, there are 88 signaling DE-transcripts. GO term enrichment analysis suggests that some DE-transcripts mediate reproductive hormones or neurotransmitters to affect eggshell quality through a complex suite of biophysical processes. These results reveal some candidate genes involved with eggshell strength at the early stage of active calcification which may facilitate our understanding of regulating mechanisms of eggshell quality.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2015

Tissue engineering is an emerging, innovative technology to improve or replace the biological functions of damaged tissues and organs. Scaffolds are important materials for tissue engineering as they support cell attachment, migration, and differentiation. Marine sponges naturally contain scaffolds formed by extracellular matrix proteins (collagen and sponging) and strengthened by a siliceous or calcium carbonate skeleton. Coral skeletons are also derived naturally formed by essential calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite, and are similar to human bone. In addition, collagen extracted from jellyfish is a biosafe alternative to bovine and porcine collagen and gained attention as a potential source for tissue engineering. Moreover, cuttlefish bone is an excellent calcium source and can be used to generate bio-synthetic calcium phosphate. It has become a natural candidate for biomimetic scaffolds. This review describes the use of natural products derived from marine invertebrates for applications in bone tissue engineering based on studies from 2008 to 2014.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1175-1182
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• 2021

We investigated the effect of bovine lactoferricin (Lfcin-B), a peptide derived from bovine lactoferrin, on activation of intestinal epithelial cells in IEC-6 intestinal cell, and protection against in vivo rotavirus (RV) infection. Treatment with Lfcin-B significantly enhanced the growth of IEC-6 cells and increased their capacity for attachment and spreading in culture plates. Also, Lfcin-B synergistically augmented the binding of IEC-6 cells to laminin, a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the analysis of the intracellular mechanism related to Lfcin-B-induced activation of IEC-6 cells, this peptide upregulated tyrosine-dependent phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, which are intracellular proteins associated with cell adhesion, spreading, and signal transduction during cell activation. An experiment using synthetic peptides with various sequences of amino acids revealed that a sequence of 9 amino acids (FKCRRWQWR) corresponding to 17-25 of the N-terminus of Lfcin-B is responsible for the epithelial cell activation. In an in vivo experiment, treatment with Lfcin-B one day before RV infection effectively prevented RV-induced diarrhea and significantly reduced RV titers in the bowels of infected mice. These results suggest that Lfcin-B plays meaningful roles in the maintenance and repair of intestinal mucosal tissues, as well as in protecting against intestinal infection by RV. Collectively, Lfcin-B is a promising candidate with potential applications in drugs or functional foods beneficial for intestinal health and mucosal immunity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2022

In this study, extracts of Boswellia serrata gum resin, Curcuma longa rhizome, and Terminalia chebula fruit were combined in different ratios, and their anti-osteoarthritis effects were compared to determine which combination had the best synergistic effect. B. serrata, C. longa, and T. chebula extracts in a 2:1:2 ratio exhibited higher antioxidative activity in scavenging DPPH radicals than did the individual extracts alone or the other extract combinations. Additionally, the 2:1:2 combination significantly improved the levels of enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant-related proteins. Moreover, this same combination ratio decreased the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 and MMP13 in interleukin-1β-stimulated human articular chondrocytes (HCHs) and increased those of aggrecan and collagen type II alpha 1 chain (COL2A1). Analysis of the underlying mechanisms revealed that the 2:1:2 combination significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Therefore, the 2:1:2 combination of these three plant extracts has the best potential for use as an effective dietary supplement for improving joint health compared with the individual extracts and their other combination ratios.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.374-384
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• 2023

Fibrosis is a pathological condition that is characterized by an abnormal buildup of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagen, in tissues. This condition affects various organs of the body, including the liver and kidney. Early diagnosis and treatment of fibrosis are crucial, as it is a progressive and irreversible process in both organs. While there are certain similarities in the fibrosis process between the liver and kidney, there are also significant differences that must be identified to determine molecular diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA molecules that do not code for proteins, are increasingly recognized as playing significant roles in gene expression regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that specific lncRNAs are involved in fibrosis development and progression by modulating signaling pathways, such as the TGF-β/Smad pathway and the β-catenin pathway. Thus, identifying the precise lncRNAs involved in fibrosis could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for fibrotic diseases. In this review, we summarize lncRNAs related to fibrosis in the liver and kidney, and propose their potential as therapeutic targets based on their functions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.9
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• pp.424-429
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• 2024

Collagen type III, a member of the fibrillar collagen group, is a major component of the extracellular matrix in various internal organs, the vascular systems, and skin. It is essential to maintain the structural integrity and functionality of these tissues, and plays a significant role in wound healing, often found alongside collagen type I. Despite being the second most abundant collagen in human tissues after type I, its biological functions on various skin properties have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we have isolated and developed an effective recombinant protein derived from human collagen type III alpha 1 chain (hCOL3A1). Our findings demonstrate that the recombinant proteins hCOL3A1-THR-M1 and M4 stimulate cell proliferation and collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and enhance wound healing. Notably, hCOL3A1-THR-M1 (referred to as HUCOLLATIN3) specifically penetrates both the epidermal and dermal layers in a full-thickness skin model. These results collectively indicate that hCOL3A1-THR-M1 holds promise as a potential biomaterial to prevent skin aging.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.402-417
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• 2023

Objective: Liver fibrosis is a highly conserved wound-healing response and the final common pathway of chronic inflammatory injury. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-fibrotic effect of the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract (RW) and silymarin in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis model. Methods: The liver fibrosis mouse model was established through the intraperitoneal injection of TAA (1 week 100 mg/kg, 2-3 weeks 200 mg/kg, 4-8 weeks 400 mg/kg) three times per week for eight weeks. Animal experiments were conducted in five groups; Normal, Control (TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice), Sily (silymarin 50 mg/kg), RSL (RW 50 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg), and RSH (RW 100 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses were measured in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ammonia levels. Liver inflammatory cytokines and fibrous biomarkers were measured by Western blot analysis, and liver histopathology was evaluated through tissue staining. Results: A significant decrease in the liver function markers AST and ALT and a reduction in ammonia and total bilirubin were observed in the group treated with RSL and RSH. Measurement of reactive oxygen species and MDA revealed a significant decrease in the RSL and RSH administration group compared to the TAA induction group. The expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins, such as transforming growth factor β1, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type I alpha 1, was likewise significantly decreased. All drug-administered groups had increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 but a decreasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1. RSL and RSH exerted a significant upregulation of NADPH oxidase 2, p22^phox, and p47^phox, which are oxidative stress-related factors. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin-1β were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation. Conclusions: The administration of RW and silymarin suppressed the NADPH oxidase factor protein level and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation-related enzymes. These results suggest that the combined administration of RW and silymarin improves acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2010

Integrins are transmembrane receptor proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion. The deregulation of cell-ECM adhesion and the abnormal expression of beta1 (${\beta}1$) integrins (ITGB1s) are involved in tumor development and metastasis. In the liver, the expression of integrins and ECM proteins can be a cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. We performed direct DNA sequencing of 24 individuals, and identified 23 sequence variants of ITGB1 polymorphisms. Among these 23 variants, 7 common variants were selected based on frequencies and linkage disequilibrium, and then genotyped in a larger-scale group of subjects (n=1,103). The genetic associations of ITGB1 polymorphisms with the clearance of HBV and HCC outcome of HBV patients were analyzed using logistic regression models and Cox relative hazard models. Although there was no significant association observed between the polymorphisms and the HCC outcome of HBV patients, the second most common haplotype (ITGB1 haplotype-2 [C-C-C-C-T-C-T]) was putatively associated with HBV clearance (OR=0.75, p=0.008 and $P^{corr}=0.05$). The minor allele frequency (MAF) of ITGB1 haplotype -2 of the spontaneously recovered (SR) group was significantly higher than that of the chronic carrier group (CC) (freq. = 0.248 vs. 0.199). The information derived from this study could be valuable for understanding the genetic factors involved in the clearance of HBV.