• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.518-523
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• 2004

An allergic reaction ensues after antigen binds to mast cell or basophil high affinity IgE receptor, Fc$\varepsilon$RI, resulting in degranulation of various inflammatory mediators that produce various allergic symptoms. In this study, i) we isolated the active component for the inhibition of mast cell degranulation from the extract of leaves of Castanea crenata and identified it as quercetin; ii) we established the total synthesis procedure of quercetin; iii) using quercetin as positive control, we excavated some lead compounds that possess inhibitory activities for mast cell degranulation by screening the chemical libraries of 1,3-oxazolidine derivatives prepared by solid phase combinatorial chemistry. Some of 1,3-oxazolidine compounds possessing acetyl and 3',4'-dichlorophenyl group displayed strong inhibitory activities on Fc$\varepsilon$RI-mediated mast cell degranulation, suggesting that they can be used as lead compounds for the development of anti-allergic agents.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.203-208
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• 2007

Background: Angiogenesis mediated by VEGF constitutes a new target for anti-cancer therapy which has explored through different ways of intervention aiming at the blocking of the tumoral angiogenesis. In the present study, we developed the assays by which efficacies of anti-VEGF inhibitor candidates are evaluated at the various levels. Methods & Results: First, we developed two sandwich ELISAs using coated anti-VEGF Ab and soluble Flt-1 receptor fusion protein (sFlt-1/Fc). As low as 200 pg/ml of hVEGF diluted in human sera was detectable by these assays. In addition, we found that VEGF inhibitors ($2{\mu}g/ml$ of either anti-VEGF Ab or sFlt-1/Fc) completely block 5 ng/ml VEGF in these ELISAs. Subsequently, two bioassays, wound healing and HUVEC tube formation assays, revealed that anti-VEGF Ab $(1{\mu}g/ml)$ & sFlt-1/Fc Ab $(1{\mu}g/ml)$, or SU5416 (VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, $1{\mu}M$) prevents the activity of VEGF $(1{\sim}10ng/ml)$. Finally, secretion of MMP-9 by VEGF-stimulated macrophages was abolished by treatment of anti-VEGF Ab $(1{\mu}g/ml)$ in gelatin zymography. Conclusion: ELISAs together with bioassays developed in this study are appropriate for evaluation of the efficacy of inhibitors of VEGF.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

Objectives Hataedock method is a Korean medical therapy which removes fetal toxin by orally administering herbal decoction to neonates. This study was to observe skin damage and anti-inflammatory effect via regulating IL-4 activity in NC/Nga mice which were induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesion by Dermatophagoides (D.) farinae after applying Douchi Hataedock method. Methods NC/Nga mice with 3 weeks of gestational age were used. Each 10 mice were allocated to the control group (Ctrl), the AD-induced group (AE), and the group which induced AD after administering Douchi extract (GT). After 4 weeks from administering Douchi extract to the mice, the primary AD was induced by applying D. farinae extract 6 times per week for 3 weeks and then the secondary AD was induced by the same method after 1 week from the primary AD induction. To identify the skin damage and anti-inflammatory effect, we observed LxR, IL-4, Fc ${\varepsilon}$ receptor, substance P, and $NF-{\kappa}B$. Results The GT group showed alleviation of skin injury and decrease in capillary angiogenesis. Stratum corneum damage, epithelial cell hyperplasia, lymphocyte infiltration, and capillary distribution relatively decreased in the GT group. LxR-positive reaction in the GT group were increased by 53% than that of the AE group. IL-4 production, $Fc{\varepsilon}$ receptor activity, and substance P-positive reaction in the GT group were decreased by 82%, 42%, and 82% respectively compare to those of the AE group. $NF-{\kappa}B$-positive reaction in the GT group were decreased by 15% compare to that of the AE group. Conclusions Hataedock method with Douchi extract alleviated AD via reducing inflammatory cytokines secreted at the early stage of AD. Thus, Douchi Hataedock method has a beneficial effect for the prevention and treatment of AD.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.349-355
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• 2015

EphA7 has been implicated in the regulation of apoptotic cell death in neural epithelial cells. In this report, we provide evidence that EphA7 interacts with caspase-8 to induce apoptotic cell signaling. First, a pull-down assay using biotinylated ephrinA5-Fc showed that EphA7 co-precipitated with wild type caspase-8 or catalytically inactive caspase-8 mutant. Second, co-transfection of EphA7 with caspase-8 significantly increased the number of cleaved caspase-3 positive apoptotic cells under an experimental condition where transfection of EphA7 or caspase-8 alone did not affect cell viability or apoptosis. EphA4 also had a causative role in inducing apoptotic cell death with caspase-8, whereas EphA8 did not. Third, caspase-8 catalytic activity was essential for the apoptotic signaling cascade, whereas tyrosine kinase activity of the EphA4 receptor was not. Interestingly, we found that kinase-inactive EphA4 was well co-localized at the plasma membrane with catalytically inactive caspase-8, suggesting that an interaction between these mutant proteins was more stable. Finally, we observed that the extracellular region of the EphA7 receptor was critical for interacting with caspase-8, whereas the cytoplasmic region of EphA7 was not. Therefore, we propose that Eph receptors physically associate with a transmembrane protein to form an apoptotic signaling complex and that this unidentified receptor-like protein acts as a biochemical linker between the Eph receptor and caspase-8.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.417-424
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• 2009

Osteoclasts, derived from multipotent myeloid progenitor cells, play homeostatic roles in skeletal modeling and remodeling, but may also destroy bone in pathological conditions such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoclast development depends critically on a differentiation factor, the receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL). In this study, we found that the hexane soluble fraction of the common fig Ficus carica (HF6-FC) is a potent inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). HF6-FC exerts its inhibitory effects by suppression of p38 and NF-${\kappa}B$ but activation of ERK. In addition, HF6-FC significantly decreased the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, the master regulator of osteoclast differentiation. The data indicate that components of HF6-FC may have therapeutic effects on bone-destructive processes such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal bone resorption.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.349-354
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• 2014

Elevation of intracellular calcium ($Ca^{{+}{+}}$) triggers degranulation of mast cells by bypassing receptor activation. Flos Sophora japonica L. has been used as a natural dying source and has been reported to have biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ and IgE crosslinking. In the present investigation, we report the regulatory effect of ethanolic extract of Flos Sophora japonica L. (S.F) on allergic mediators produced by $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ ionophore activation in mast cells. S.F significantly inhibited calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced interleukin (IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production as well as mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, administration of S.F suppressed allergic reactions in a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic dermatitis mouse model. Both oral administration and ear painting using 50 mg/kg of S.F significantly reduced levels of cytokines such as IL-4, TNF, and interferon-${\gamma}$ in ear tissues compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Serum IgE level in the S.F-treated group also decreased compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Weights of spleens and lymph nodes in the S.F-treated groups also decreased compared to the control group. Considering the data, we conclude that S.F mediates its anti-allergic effects not only through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ stimulation but also $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ influx in mast cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.545-552
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• 2018

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a cytosolic non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase. Because SYK mediates key receptor signaling pathways involving the B cell receptor and Fc receptors, SYK is an attractive target for autoimmune disease and cancer treatments. To date, representative oral SYK inhibitors, including fostamatinib (R406 or R788), entospletinib (GS-9973), cerdulatinib (PRT062070), and TAK-659, have been assessed in clinical trials. Here, we report the crystal structures of SYK in complex with two newly developed inhibitors possessing 4-aminopyrido[4,3-D]pyrimidine moieties (SKI-G-618 and SKI-O-85). One SYK inhibitor (SKI-G-618) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against SYK, whereas the other inhibitor (SKI-O-85) exhibited a low inhibitory profile against SYK. Binding mode analysis indicates that a highly potent SYK inhibitor might be developed by modifying and optimizing the functional groups that interact with Leu377, Gly378, and Val385 in the G-loop and the nearby region in SYK. In agreement with our structural analysis, one of our SYK inhibitor (SKI-G-618) shows strong inhibitory activities on the ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release and phosphorylation of SYK/Vav in RBL-2H3 cells. Taken together, our findings have important implications for the design of high affinity SYK inhibitors.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.42.1-42.20
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• 2021

Eosinophils play critical roles in the maintenance of homeostasis in innate and adaptive immunity. Although primarily known for their roles in parasitic infections and the development of Th2 cell responses, eosinophils also play complex roles in other immune responses ranging from anti-inflammation to defense against viral and bacterial infections. However, the contributions of pattern recognition receptors in general, and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) in particular, to eosinophil involvement in these immune responses remain relatively underappreciated. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that NLRC4 deficient mice had a decreased number of eosinophils and impaired Th2 responses after induction of an allergic airway disease model. Our in vitro data, utilizing human eosinophilic EoL-1 cells, suggested that TLR2 induction markedly induced pro-inflammatory responses and inflammasome forming NLRC4 and NLRP3. Moreover, activation by their specific ligands resulted in caspase-1 cleavage and mature IL-1β secretion. Interestingly, Th2 responses such as secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 decreased after transfection of EoL-1 cells with short interfering RNAs targeting human NLRC4. Specific induction of NLRC4 with PAM3CSK4 and flagellin upregulated the expression of IL-5 receptor and expression of Fc epsilon receptors (FcεR1α, FcεR2). Strikingly, activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome also promoted expression of the costimulatory receptor CD80 as well as expression of immunoregulatory receptors PD-L1 and Siglec-8. Concomitant with NLRC4 upregulation, we found an increase in expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, but not MMP-2. Collectively, our results present new potential roles of NLRC4 in mediating a variety of eosinopilic functions.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.797-805
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• 2013

The varying characteristics between Korean's commercial and traditional soy sauces may be initiated by raw materials and fermentation techniques such as the koji and mezu process. We have examined properties of polysaccharides isolated from two different soy sauces which were made by the commercial process (CSP-0) and the traditional Korean process (KTSP-0) as well as their macrophage activities. Two polysaccharides have not effected the RAW 264.7 cells viability. The effects of CSP-0 and KTSP-0 on RAW 264.7 cells were demonstrated by the production of nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The CSP-0 and KTSP-0 significantly augmented NO and ROS productions by RAW 264.7 cells under a dose dependent manner. However, the activity of KTSP-0 was more potent than that of the CSP-0 at $1,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The productions of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA. mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ by KTSP-0 at $1,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ indicated 63 and 71 times higher than negative controls, respectively. Also, the production of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ by KTSP-0 at $1,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ showed 32.1 and 4.5 times higher than those by the CSP-0. To assess phagocytosis activities, the effects of CSP-0 and KTSP-0 on mRNA expression of Fc receptor I and II (FcR I, II) are being determined by RT-PCR products. Only the KTSP-0 showed enhanced expressions of mRNA expression for FcR I in a dose dependent manner, whereas the CSP-0 did not affect either the FcR I or II expressions. The above data lead us to conclude that the macrophage activations of Korean traditional soy sauce polysaccharide are higher than that of the commercial soy sauce polysaccharide.

• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.205-209
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• 1996

To investigate the role of heparin in keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) high affinity binding to the KGF receptor (KGFR), a cell free system was established which utilized a secreted chimeric molecule between the KGFR extracellular domain and the immunoglobulin heavy chain Fc domain (KGFR-HFc). KGFR-HFc was purified from NIH 3T3 cells and demonstrated the binding of $[^3H]-heparin$ as well as heparin Sepharose. Scatchard analysis showed that the dissociation constant for heparin binding to KGFR-HFc was 140 nM. High affinity KGF and aFGF binding to KGFR-HFc remained unchanged after treatment with 0.6 M NaCl, which is the concentration sufficient to release any bound heparin to the KGFR-HFc. These results strongly suggest that although the KGFR interacts with heparin, the presence of heparin is not absolutely required for high affinity binding of either KGF or aFGF to the KGFR.