• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.548-553
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• 2003

Purpose : Matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9 is known to breakdown the blood-brain barrier by degrading the extracellular matrix of the subendothelial basement membrane in meningitis. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-1, a known inhibitor of MMP-9, has been postulated to inhibit the proteolytic activity of MMP-9 by bindng to MMP-9, but their interaction has not been fully understood yet. So far, there have been some reports on the relationship of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in bacterial meningitis, but few reports in viral meningitis. Furthermore, there has been no report on this in Korea. We investigated the concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with viral meningitis and control subjects, and evaluated their relationship with other clinical parameters of meningitis. Methods : CSF and blood were obtained from 25 subjects with viral meningitis and 14 control subjects. After centrifugation, supernatants were stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ and we assayed concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 by the sandwich ELISA method. Results : Concentrations of CSF MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly elevated in patients with viral meningitis, when compared with those in control subjects. Their serum levels showed no differences between the two groups. MMP-9 levels were closely correlated with TIMP-1 levels in the CSF($r_s=0.42$, P<0.05). CSF MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were significantly higher in patients with viral meningitis than those in the control subjects(P<0.05). Both CSF MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels positively correlated with CSF total leukocyte counts($r_s=0.43$, P<0.05, $r_s=0.48$, P<0.05). TIMP-1 levels positively correlated with total protein concentrations in the CSF($r_s=0.43$, P<0.05). Conclusion : MMP-9 and TIMP-1 may play an important role in the breakdown and maintenance of BBB in viral meningitis, respectively.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.4 s.48
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• pp.439-444
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• 2004

UV irradiation produces free radicals and related reactive oxygen species (ROS), and these are injury to all most of organisms of skin cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, free radicals and ROS stimulate the overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that can degrade most components of ECM such as collagen. Since collagen constitutes almost of skin connective tissue, their disarrangement causes wrinkle formation and droop of skin. Therefore, scavenging activity on free radicals, ROS and suppression of MMP-1 is expected to prevent skin photoaging. In this study, to investigate the relationship between photoaging and Draconis sanguis, we examined the effects of antioxidant, in vitro MMP inhibition and expression of UVA-induced MMP-1 in human dermal fibroblasts. Draconis sanguis was found to show scavenging activities of radicals and ROS with the $IC_{50}$ values of $183{\;}{\mu}g/mL$ against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and $30{\;}{\mu}g/mL$ against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. Draconis sunguis inhibited the activities of MMP-1 in a does-dependent manner and the $IC_{50}$ value calculated from semi-log plots was $200{\;}{\mu}g/mL$. Also, UVA induced MMP expression was reduced $74\%$ by treatment with Draconis sanguis, and MMP-1 mRNA expression was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore Draconis sanguis was able to significantly inhibit MMP expression in protein and mRNA level. All these results suggested that Draconis sanguis may act as an anti-photoaging agent by antioxidation and reducing UVA-induced MMP-1 production.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.26 no.2 s.85
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• pp.246-255
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• 1998

Ganoderan (GAN), an immunomodulating ${\beta}-glucan$ of G. lucidum, induces potent antitumor immunity in tumor-bearing mice. This study was set up to elucidate the ability of macrophage activation of GANs. GAN-treated Raw 264.7 macrophages showed enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO). The ability of GANs to produce NO was based on differences in chemical composition of GANs obtained from the mycelium on various carbon sources and mycelial fractionation. The highest NO production was observed in CW-AS-WS polysaccharide which was extracted from the mycelial wall. GAN-treated Raw 264.7 cells gave a 2-to 5-fold (24 hr) formation of NO levels compared with those treated with medium only. Partial removal of the protein in the extracellular GAN by TCA treatment did appreciably reduce its capacity to secrete NO. The mixture effect of GAN and LPS increased the nitric oxide secretion from RAW 264.7. The cell proliferation of GAN-treated Raw 264.7 cell tines inhibited as compared with its control. Of the culture supernatant of macrophage activated by GAN, the percentage of cytotoxicity against mouse leukemia L1210 cells was slightly dependent on the amount of NO in the culture supernatants of the activated-macrophages. These results indicate that the ${\beta}-glucan-related$ polysaccharides of the higher fungus activate macrophage and release nitric oxide. It also suggests that murine macrophages possess certain receptors for ${\beta}-anomeric$ glucans and play a critical role of ${\beta}-glucan-related$ tumor killing mechanism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1314-1320
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• 2009

Histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) is a new promising candidate as an antineoplastic agent for the treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies. In order to evaluate cell death and to elucidate the related mechanism(s) in NSCLC cells after HDACI, sodium butyrate (SB), a representative HDACI, was used to treat H460 cells for 48 hrs. SB exposure resulted in a significant reduction of cell viability at concentrations below 7.5 mM, and about 50% of cell death occurred at 20 mM. The types of cell death induced by SB were both apoptosis and necrosis, evaluated by Annexin-V staining combined with propidium iodide. SB treatment significantly evoked G2/M cell cycle arrest and subsequently induced cell death with caspase-dependent manner. While ERK protein content was not altered after SB, phosphorylated forms of ERK were markedly reduced. Taken together, SB is significantly able to induce cell death in NSCLC cell line H460, and it is suggested that the reduction of ERK phosphorylation might be closely involved in the cancer cell death mechanism initiated by HDACI.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.223-235
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• 1993

Background: Superoxide anion which was produced by macrophage and neutrophil has a defensive role to kill invasive microorganisms and also an injurious role to produce self lung damage. Production of oxygen free radicals including superoxide is a main mechanism of acute lung injury caused by bacterial endotoxin. Endotoxin is known to activate alveolar macrophage to produce increased oxygen free radicals after the stimulation with various biological materials (priming effect). Calcium is a very important intracellular messenger in that cellular process of superoxide production. Method: This experiment was performed to elucidate the effects of endotoxin and calcium on superoxide production by phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated alveolar macrophage and the effect of verapamil on priming effect of endotoxin. Results: 1) Preincubation of macrophages with endotoxin (E. coli 055-B5) primed the cells to respond with increased superoxide production after the stimulation with PMA. Priming with endotoxin ($10^{-1}$ug/ml) produced a maximal enhancement of superoxide production (43%). 2) Verapamil could inhibit the superoxide production by PMA stimulated macrophage regardless of the presence of extracellular calcium. This means that the inhibitory effect of verapamil is caused by a mechanism independent of blocking calcium influx. 3) Verapamil could inhibit the priming effect of endotoxin on alveolar macrophage (from 30% increment to 13% increment) and could inhibit the superoxide production by PMA-stimulated macrophage preincubated with endotoxin. Conclusion: We concluded that verapamil could inhibit the superoxide production by PMA-stimulated rat alveolar macrophage and also inhibit the priming effect of endotoxin on alveolar macrophage. These inhibitory effects of verapamil could be one of the mechanisms of verapamil effects on endotoxin induced lung injury.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2016

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal lung disease characterized by the accumulation of excessive fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the extracellular matrix. The transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to be a possible source of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts in IPF lungs. We have previously reported that apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) has anti-fibrotic activity in experimental lung fibrosis. In this study, we determine whether ApoA1 modulates TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EMT in experimental lung fibrosis and clarify its mechanism of action. Methods: The A549 alveolar epithelial cell line was treated with TGF-${\beta}1$ with or without ApoA1. Morphological changes and expression of EMT-related markers, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin were evaluated. Expressions of Smad and non-Smad mediators and TGF-${\beta}1$ receptor type 1 ($T{\beta}RI$) and type 2 ($T{\beta}RII$) were measured. The silica-induced lung fibrosis model was established using ApoA1 overexpressing transgenic mice. Results: TGF-${\beta}1$-treated A549 cells were changed to the mesenchymal morphology with less E-cadherin and more N-cadherin expression. The addition of ApoA1 inhibited the TGF-${\beta}1$-induced change of the EMT phenotype. ApoA1 inhibited the TGF-${\beta}1$-induced increase in the phosphorylation of Smad2 and 3 as well as that of ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediators. In addition, ApoA1 reduced the TGF-${\beta}1$-induced increase in $T{\beta}RI$ and $T{\beta}RII$ expression. In a mouse model of silica-induced lung fibrosis, ApoA1 overexpression reduced the silica-mediated effects, which were increased N-cadherin and decreased E-cadherin expression in the alveolar epithelium. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that ApoA1 inhibits TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EMT in experimental lung fibrosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.339-345
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• 2013

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a family of central signaling molecules that respond to numerous stimuli and are known to participate in processes of cell survival and death. However, it is not clear on data for cell-type specific activation of MAPKs in the progression of gastric ulcer. In the present study, we assessed how MAPKs localized at various cell types during the progression of gastric ulcer induced by ibuprofen. Gastric ulcer was induced by the repeated treatment of 200 mg/kg ibuprofen with 8 hrs interval in a day. Animals were sacrificed at 24 hrs, 48 hrs, and 72 hrs after oral treatment of ibuprofen and gastric tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical and immunoblotting evaluation. Immunoreactivity of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) was mainly expressed at the proliferating zone of gastric mucosa in control rats. But, these signals for p-ERK were highly shifted from cells of proliferating zone to parietal cells of the basal regions 24 hrs after treatment of ibuprofen. p-ERK signal was strongly expressed in epithelial cells adjacent to ulcer margin and new capillary and infiltrated inflammatory cells within granulation tissue of the ulcer base above 48 hrs after treatment of ibuprofen. While, phospho-c-Jun $NH_2$ terminal kinase (p-JNK) was mainly localized to the nuclei of the surface epithelial cells and the glandular epithelial cells in early gastric injury. Also, p-JNK was often observed as a scattered pattern in different regions of gastric mucosa with early gastric injury. Gradually, signal of p-JNK was strongly stained in infiltrated inflammatory cells and fibroblasts within severe ulcer base. Phospho-p38 (p-p38) MAPK was observed as scattered pattern within connective tissues of gastric mucosa. Especially, p-p38 MAPK showed strong signal in infiltrated macrophages within ulcer base. These results show that each MAPK has a specific role in various cell types during the progression of gastric ulcer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.9 s.266
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• pp.659-667
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• 2006

Background: Experimental studies of vascular remodeling in the pulmonary arteries have been performed actively. These models required a persistent vascular insult for intimal injury induced by chronic hypoxia, monocrotaline intoxication or chronic air embolism and characterized medial hypertrophy and neointimal formation by active synthesis of the extracellular matrix protein. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of pulmonary vascular remodeling after obstruction of the pulmonary vein. Material and Method: Obstruction of the right pulmonary vein with a metal clip was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats $(352{\pm}18g,\;n=10)$ to cause pulmonary vascular disease. Fifteen days later, experimental studies were done and finally the both lungs and hearts were extirpated for experimental measurement. Pulmonary arterial pressure, weight ratio of right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) and ventricular septum (S) (RV/LV +S weight ratio), and pulmonary artery morphology (percent wall thickness, %WT) were evaluated and compared with normal control groups. Result: Pulmonary hypertension $(38{\pm}12mmHg\;vs\;13{\pm}4mmHg;\;p<0.05)$ and right ventricular hypertrophy (right ventricular/left ventricular and septal weight ratio, $0.52{\pm}0.07\;vs\;0.35{\pm}0.04;\;p<0.05$) with hypertrophy of the muscular layer of the pulmonary arterial wall (percent wall thickness, $22.4{\pm}6.7%\;vs\;6.7{\pm}3.4%;\;p<0.05$) were developed by 15 days after obstruction of the pulmonary vein. Conclusion: Obstruction of the pulmonary vein developed elevation of pulmonary blood pressure and medial hypertrophy of the pulmonary artery. These results are a part of the characteristic vascular remodeling. Theses results demonstrate that obstruction of the pulmonary vein can develope not only high pulmoanry blood flow of contralateral lung but also intima injury inducing vascular remodeling.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2003

Laccase produced by Pycnoporus cinnabarinus SCH-3 isolated from Korea was partially purified using ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography, The laccase was produced as the predominant extracellular phenoloxidase during primary metabolism. Neither lignin peroxidase nor manganese-dependent peroxidase were detected in the culture fluid. In order to examine the effect of inducers in laccase production, 2,5-xylidine was added in the culture of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus SCH-3. Addition of 2,5-xylidine enhanced 25-fold laccase production. Purified laccase was a single polypeptide having a molecular mass of approximately 66 kDa, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and carbohydrate content of 9%. $K_{m}\;and\;V_{max}$ values for laccase with ABTS [2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline 6-sulfonic acid)] as a substrate (Lineweaver-Burk plot) was determined to be $44.4{\mu}M\;and\;56.0{\mu}mole$, respectively. The optimal pH for laccase activity was found to be 3.0. The enzyme was very stable for 1 hour at $60{\circ}C$. Half-life ($t_{1/2}$) of the enzyme was about 10 min at $80{\circ}C$. Spectroscopic analysis of purified enzyme indicated that the enzyme was typical of copper-containing protein. Substrate specificity and inhibitor studies for laccase also indicated to be a typical fungal laccase. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the P. cinnabarinus SCH-3 laccase showed 94% of homology to the N-terminal sequences of laccases from P. cinnabarinus PB and P. coccineus.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2000

Members of the glycoprotein family, which includes CG, LH, FSH and TSH, comprise two noncovalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits. Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), known as PMSG, has a number of interesting and unique characteristics since it appears to be a single molecule that possesses both LH- and FSH-like activities in other species than the horse. This dual activity of eCG in heterologous species is of fundamental interest to the study of the structure-function relationships of gonadotropins and their receptors. CG and LH $\beta$ genes are different in primates. In horse, however, a single gene encodes both eCG and eLH $\beta$ -subunits. The subunit mRNA levels seem to be independently regulated and their imbalance may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$ - and $\beta$-subunits in the placenta and pituitary. The dual activities of eCG could be separated by removal of the N-linked oligosaccharide on the $\alpha$-subunit Asn 56 or CTP-associated O-linked oligosaccharides. The tethered-eCG was efficiently secreted and showed similar LH-like activity to the dimeric eCG. Interestingly, the FSH-like activity of the tethered-eCG was increased markedly in comparison with the native and wild type eCG. These results also suggest that this molecular can implay particular models of FSH-like activity not LH-like activity in the eCG/indicate that the constructs of tethered molecule will be useful in the study of mutants that affect subunit association and/or secretion. A single-chain analog can also be constructed to include additional hormone-specific bioactive generating potentially efficacious compounds that have only FSH-like activity. The LH/CG receptor (LH/CGR), a membrane glycoprotein that is present on testicular Leydig cells and ovarian theca, granulosa, luteal, and interstitial cells, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gonadal development and function in males as well as in nonpregnant and pregnant females. The LH/CGR is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors and its structure is predicted to of a large extracellular domain connected to a bundle of seven membrane-spanning a-helices. The LH/CGR phosphorylation can be induced with a phorbol ester, but not with a calcium ionophore. The truncated form of LHR also was down-regulated normally in response to hCG stimulation. In contrast, the cell lines expressing LHR-t631 or LHR-628, the two phosphorylation-negative receptor mutant, showed a delay in the early phase of hCG-induced desensitization, a complete loss of PMA-induced desensitization, and an increase in the rate of hCG-induced receptor down-regulation. These results clearly show that residues 632~653 in the C-terminal tail of the LHR are involved in PMA-induced desensitization, hCG-induced desensitization, and hCG-induced down-regulation. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty. Cells expressing LHR-D556Y bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agoinst-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17- fold, respectively. We conclude that the state of activation of the LHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing LHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. This statement is supported by the finding that hCG responsiveness is restored when the cells are lysed and signal transduction is measured in a subcellular fraction (membranes) that cannot internalize the bound hormone.