• 해양환경안전학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.737-743
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• 2021

본 논문에서는 해양산업시설 현황과 규제법규 체계, 그리고 이들 시설의 위험유해물질 배출실태 등을 분석하고, 이에 따른 규제체계의 개선방향을 제시하였다. 분석결과 2020년말 현재, 해양환경관리법의 적용을 받는 해양산업시설은 약 1천1백여개소에 이르는 것으로 파악되고 있다. 이들 해양산업시설로부터 배출되어 해양유입 가능성이 높은 위험유해물질은 190여종으로 추정되며, 이중 해양유입의 가능성이 가장 높은 물질은 수계로 배출되는 것으로 파악된 20여종으로 추정된다. 그러나 관련 법규정의 미비로 인하여, 배출되는 물질이 예외적 배출물질에 해당하는지 여부를 명확히 판단하기가 어려워, 현장에서의 효과적인 규제집행에 어려움을 겪고 있는 실정이다. 이에 해양환경관리법의 예외적 배출기준과 해당 물질의 종류에 대해 명확히 규정해야 하며, 예외적 배출물질을 무엇으로 할 것인지를 결정할 선정체계와 물질의 위해성 평가체계, 그리고 관련 위험유해물질의 배출정보수집 및 모니터링체계를 명확히 해야 한다.

• 국제지역연구
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.3-23
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• 2016

본 연구는 미국의 비전통적 통화정책인 양적완화가 수출 위주의 성장전략을 채택하고 있는 한국, 일본, 중국 등 아시아 3국의 실물경제와 금융시장에 미치는 영향을 경제이론에 근거한 SVAR모형을 통해 실증분석 하였다. 추정결과 한국과 일본, 중국의 대(對) 달러 실질실효환율 상승 충격이 실물경제인 경상수지와 산업생산지수에 부정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 한국과 일본, 중국의 자국통화 강세가 수출품의 가격경쟁력을 하락시켜 실물경제에 부정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있음을 확인하는 결과라 할 수 있다. 다음으로 대(對) 달러 실질실효환율 상승 충격은 한국과 일본의 국채 금리를 하락시킨 반면 중국의 국채 금리는 상승시키는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 한국과 일본의 경우 대외개방도가 높은 선진화된 금융시장을 통해 환차익을 고려한 외국인 투자 자금을 유입시킴에 따라 국채 금리가 하락하는 경로를 따르는 반면 중국의 금융시장은 대외개방에 대한 규제가 아직 강력한 만큼 대외적인 영향보다는 대내적인 정책에 더 큰 영향을 받기 때문인 것으로 생각된다. 마지막으로 한국은 환율 충격에 대한 각 변수 반응이 일본과 중국에 비해 크게 나타났으며 이는 경제규모 및 통화에 대한 국제적 지위 등을 고려할 때, 한국이 두 국가에 비해 외부 충격에 상대적으로 취약함을 나타내는 결과로 보여진다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.448-459
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• 2019

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway is a promising target for gastric cancer (GC) treatment; however the efficacy of PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors in GC has not yet been maximized. Additionally, the effect of autophagy regulation by PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors has not been clearly elucidated in GC treatment. We aimed to show that our newly developed PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, CMG002, when combined with an autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine (CQ), potently induces effective cancer cell death in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) cells, where both the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and autophagy pathways play important roles in disease pathogenesis. EBV- and mock-infected AGS and NUGC3 GC cell lines were treated with CMG002 +/- CQ. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway mediators, cellular apoptosis and autophagy markers were confirmed by Western blot assay. Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. CMG002 effectively blocked the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by markedly decreasing phosphorylation of AKT and its downstream mediator S6. CMG002 induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and enhanced apoptotic cell death in AGS and NUGC3 cells, particularly EBV-infected cells compared with mock-infected cells, as confirmed by flow cytometric analyses and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assays. The combination of CMG002 plus CQ synergistically increased apoptotic cell death in EBV-infected GC cell lines when compared with CMG002 alone (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that the new PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, CMG002, when used in combination with the autophagy inhibitor, CQ, provides enhanced therapeutic efficacy against EBVaGC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.614-628
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• 2019

Objective: The inhibitory leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILRBs) play an important role in innate immunity. The present study represents the first description of the cloning and structural and functional analysis of LILRB1 and LILRB3 isolated from two genetically disparate chicken lines. Methods: Chicken LILRB1-3 genes were identified by bioinformatics approach. Expression studies were performed by transfection, quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Signal transduction was analyzed by western blots, immunoprecipitation and flow cytometric. Cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Amino acid homology and phylogenetic analyses showed that the homologies of LILRB1 and LILRB3 in the chicken line 6.3 to those proteins in the chicken line 7.2 ranged between 97%-99%, while homologies between chicken and mammal proteins ranged between 13%-19%, and 13%-69%, respectively. Our findings indicate that LILRB1 and LILRB3 subdivided into two groups based on the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIM) present in the transmembrane domain. Chicken line 6.3 has two ITIM motifs of the sequence LxYxxL and SxYxxV while line 7.2 has two ITIM motifs of the sequences LxYxxL and LxYxxV. These motifs bind to SHP-2 (protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 11) that plays a regulatory role in immune functions. Moreover, our data indicate that LILRB1 and LILRB3 associated with and activated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and ${\beta}2-microglobulin$ and induced the expression of transporters associated with antigen processing, which are essential for MHC class I antigen presentation. This suggests that LILRB1 and LILRB3 are transcriptional regulators, modulating the expression of components in the MHC class I pathway and thereby regulating immune responses. Furthermore, LILRB1 and LILRB3 activated Janus kinase2/tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2/TYK2); signal transducer and activator of transcription1/3 (STAT1/3), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 genes expressed in Macrophage (HD11) cells, which induced Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. Conclusion: These data indicate that LILRB1 and LILRB3 are innate immune receptors associated with SHP-2, MHC class I, ${\beta}2-microglobulin$, and they activate the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway. Thus, our study provides novel insights into the regulation of immunity and immunopathology.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.59-68
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• 2021

Arterial thrombosis and its associated diseases are considered to constitute a major healthcare problem. Arterial thrombosis, defined as blood clot formation in an artery that interrupts blood circulation, is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is one of many important factors that aggravates the pathophysiological process of arterial thrombosis. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (Ref-1) has a multifunctional role in cells that includes the regulation of oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory function. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression on arterial thrombosis induced by 60% FeCl3 solution in rats. Blood flow was measured to detect the time to occlusion, thrombus formation was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the expression of tissue factor and other proteins was detected by Western blot. FeCl3 aggravated thrombus formation in carotid arteries and reduced the time to artery occlusion. Ref-1 significantly delayed arterial obstruction via the inhibition of thrombus formation, especially by downregulating tissue factor expression through the Akt-GSK3β-NF-κB signaling pathway. Ref1 also reduced the expression of vascular inflammation markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and reduced the level of ROS that contributed to thrombus formation. The results showed that adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression reduced thrombus formation in the rat carotid artery. In summary, Ref-1 overexpression had anti-thrombotic effects in a carotid artery thrombosis model and could be a target for the treatment of arterial thrombosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.541-556
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• 2022

Myocardial fibrosis is a key link in the occurrence and development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Its etiology is complex, and the effect of drugs is not good. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is an important cause of myocardial fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gaseous signal molecule sulfur dioxide (SO₂) on diabetic myocardial fibrosis and its internal regulatory mechanism. Masson and TUNEL staining, Western-blot, transmission electron microscopy, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry were used in the study, and the interstitial collagen deposition, autophagy, apoptosis, and changes in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways were evaluated from in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results showed that diabetic myocardial fibrosis was accompanied by cardiomyocyte apoptosis and down-regulation of endogenous SO₂-producing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AAT)_1/2. However, exogenous SO₂ donors could up-regulate AAT_1/2, reduce apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by diabetic rats or high glucose, inhibit phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT protein, up-regulate autophagy, and reduce interstitial collagen deposition. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the gaseous signal molecule SO₂ can inhibit the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote cytoprotective autophagy and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis to improve myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats. The results of this study are expected to provide new targets and intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.397-405
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• 2023

항산화제로서 산화적 손상의 방지에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려진 glutathione (GSH)의 면역 조절에 대한 연구는 현재까지 제대로 이루어지지 않았다. 본 연구에서 우리는 환원형 GSH인 luthione^®이 RAW 264.7 세포에서 면역 강화 효과가 있는지를 조사하였다. 유세포 분석 및 면역 형광 실험의 결과에 의하면, luthione은 대조군 세포에 비해 대식세포의 대표적인 기능인 식세포 활성을 luthione 처리 농도 의적으로 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, cytokine array의 결과에 의하면, IL-5, IL-1β와 IL-27의 발현이 luthione이 처리된 세포에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 아울러 luthione에 의한 TNF-α 및 IL-1β의 생성 증가는 그들의 단백질 발현 증가를 통해 이루어졌으며, NO 및 PGE₂와 같은 면역 매개체 유리의 증가는 iNOS 및 COX-2의 발현 증가와 관련이 있었으며, 이는 M1 대식세포 분화 마커인 CD86 발현의 증가와 연관성이 있었다. 그리고 heatmap 분석을 통하여 SOCS1/3 매개 STAT/JAK 신호 전달 경로가 luthione에 의한 면역 조절 증가에 관여함을 확인하였다. 결론적으로, 우리의 결과는 luthione이 M1 macrophage polarization의 분자 조절자로 작용하여 면역 능력을 향상시킬 수 있음을 시사한다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.457-470
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of kinesin superfamily member 15 (KIF15) in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis (NPC) and explore its underlying mechanisms. We employed various assays, including the CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, the Transwell and scratch assay, Western blotting, and nude mice transplantation tumor, to investigate the impact of KIF15 on NPC. Our findings demonstrate that KIF15 plays a critical role in the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. Furthermore, we discovered that silencing KIF15 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis, and that KIF15's effect on NPC cell growth is mediated through the PI3K/AKT and P53 signaling pathways. Additionally, we showed that KIF15 promotes nasopharyngeal cancer cell growth in vivo. Our study sheds light on the significance of KIF15 in NPC by revealing that KIF15 knockdown inhibits NPC cell growth through the regulation of AKT-related signaling pathways. These findings suggest that KIF15 represents a promising therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of NPC.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.509-521
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• 2024

Objective: It was shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in milk protein synthesis. However, the post-transcriptional regulation of casein expression by exogenous miRNA (xeno-miRNAs) in ruminants remains unclear. This study explores the regulatory roles of alfalfa xeno-miR162 on casein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs). Methods: The effects of alfalfa xenomiR-162 and G protein subunit gamma 11 (GNG11) on proliferation and milk protein metabolism of bMECs were detected by 5-Ethynyl-2'-Deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, flow cytometry, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between GNG11 and xenomiR-162. Results: Results showed that over-expression of xenomiR-162 inhibited cell proliferation but promoted apoptosis, which also up-regulated the expression of several casein coding genes, including CSN1S1, CSN1S2, and CSN3, while decreasing the expression of CSN2. Furthermore, the targeting relationship between GNG11 and xenomiR-162 was determined, and it was confirmed that GNG11 silencing also inhibited cell proliferation but promoted apoptosis and reduced the expression of casein coding genes and genes related to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Conclusion: Alfalfa xenomiR-162 appears to regulate bMECs proliferation and milk protein synthesis via GNG11 in the mTOR pathway, suggesting that this xeno-miRNA could be harnessed to modulate CSN3 expression in dairy cows, and increase κ-casein contents in milk.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.40.1-40.15
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• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.