• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.239-247
• /
• 1996

An embryonic stem (ES) cell-based in vitro model system was examined to determine whether a simple differentiation of embryoid bodies (EB) in the suspension medium is useful to dissect early erythropoiesis. Characteristics of the differentiating EBs were monitored for their differentiation potential to generate hematopoietic cell types by general morphology, benzidine staining and two-step colony assays, and expressivity of several erythroid marker genes by the RT-PCR analysis for total cellular RNA prepared from the differentiating EBs. Every ematopoietic lineage cells were generated from the differentiating EBs with reproducible frequencies, similar to the other sophisticated differentiation protocols. Furthermore, the globin gene switching in differentiating ES cells paralleled the sequence of events found in the mouse embryo, and such that their expression was activated by at least 12 hrs later than those of erythroid-specific transcription factors, GATA-1 and Tal-1 The erythropoietic differentiation program initiated reproducibly and efficiently in this simple differentiation system in a suspension culture, such that this system may be useful for dissection of the molecular events of early erythropoiesis.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.17 no.9
• /
• pp.709-713
• /
• 2009

The aim of this study was to develop novel intestinal specific drug delivery systems with pH sensitive swelling and drug release properties. The carboxyl group of ibuprofen was converted to a vinyl ester group by reacting ibuprofen and vinyl acetate as an acylating agent in the presence of catalyst. The glucose-6-acrylate-1, 2, 3, 4-tetraacetate (GATA) monomer was prepared under mild conditions. Cubane-1, 4-dicarboxylic acid (CDA) linked to two 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) group was used as the crosslinking agent (CA). Methacrylic-type polymeric prodrugs were synthesized by the free radical copolymerization of methacrylic acid, vinyl ester derivative of ibuprofen (VIP) and GATA in the presence of cubane cross linking agent. The structure of VIP was characterized and confirmed by FTIR, $^1H$ NMR and $^{13}C$ NMR spectroscopy. The composition of the cross-linked three-dimensional polymers was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. The hydrolysis of drug polymer conjugates was carried out in cel-lophane membrane dialysis bags, and the in vitro release profiles were established separately in enzyme-free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF, pH 1 and SIF, pH 7.4). The detection of a hydrolysis solution by UV spectroscopy at selected intervals showed that the drug can be released by hydrolysis of the ester bond between the drug and polymer backbone at a low rate. Drug release studies showed that increasing the MAA content in the copolymer enhances the rate of hydrolysis in SIP. These results suggest that these polymeric prodrugs can be useful for the release of ibuprofen in controlled release systems.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.348-358
• /
• 2007

Metallothionein, a cysteine-rich stress response protein that is naturally induced by a variety of immunologic stressors, has been shown to suppress autoimmune disorders through mechanisms not yet fully defined. In the present study, we examined the underlying mechanisms by which metallothionein might mediate such regulation of autoimmunity. $Na\ddot{i}ve\;CD4^+$ T cells from metallothionein-deficient mice differentiated to produce significantly less IL-10, $TGF-{\gamma}$, and repressor of GATA, but more $IFN-{\gamma}$ and T-bet, when compared with those from wild-type mice. The levels of IL-4 and GATA-3 production were not different between the two groups of mice. Conversely, treatment with exogenous metallothionein during the priming phase drove $na\ddot{i}ve$ wild-type $CD4^+\;T$ cells to differentiate into cells producing more IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}$, but less $IFN-{\gamma}$ than untreated cells. Metallothionein-primed cells were hyporesponsive to restimulation, and suppressive to T cell proliferation in an IL-10-dependent manner. Lymphocytes from metallothionein-deficient mice displayed significantly elevated levels of AP-1 and JNK activities in response to stimulation compared with those from wild-type controls. Importantly, transgenic mice overexpressing metallothionein exhibited significantly reduced susceptibility to collagen-induced arthritis and enhanced IL-10 level in the serum, relative to their nontransgenic littermates. Taken together, these data suggest that metallothionein is able to promote the generation of IL-10-and $TGF-{\beta}$-producing type 1 regulatory T-like cells by downregulating JNK-dependent AP-1 activity. Thus, metallothionein may play an important role in the regulation of Th1-dependent autoimmune arthritis, and may represent both a potential target for therapeutic manipulation and a critical element in the diagnostic assessment of disease potential.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.12-13
• /
• 2000

A human-specific retroposon SINE-R.C2 has been derived from a human endogenous retrovirus HER V-K 10. It is absent in the genome of nonhuman primates and present within the third intron of the human C2 gene that is located in the class III region of the major histocompatibility complex. In the present study, we determined the regional location of the human C2 gene. The analysis of the Genebridge 4 radiation hybrid mapping panel using PCR amplification located the C2 gene between D6S1422 (10.1 cR) and CHLC.GATA4A03 (21.3) with a lod score of>3.0. This allowed us to localize C2 gene on the human chromosome 6 band p21.31.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.65-79
• /
• 1991

In order to investigate the species composition and the colony density of ants in Mt. Namsan, Seoul, 39 quadrats were installed in 13 vegetations, 443 colonies of ants were collected from June, 1989 to October, 1990. As the result, 4 subfamilies, 23 genera, 28 species was confirmed. Among them, Cerapachys humicola $O_{GATA}$ is new to Korean fauna along with the subfamily Cerapachinae. For the species composition of ant communities in each vegetation, Robinia pseudoacacia vegetation(containing 3 subfamilies, 14 genera, 15 species-53.6% of all colonies collected in Mt. Namsan) and Quercus mongolica vegetation (3 subfamiles, 12 genera, 14 species -50%) showed relatively rich composition, while Platunus orientalis vegetation (3 subfamilies, 3 genera, 3 species) showed the simplest composition. Colony density was the highest in Prunus sargentii vegetation (7.875 colony /$m^2$) and the lowest in Platunus orientalis (1.000 colony/$m^2$). The relative density of Paratrechina flavipes proved to be the highest (RD = 0.422) and that of Cerapachys humicola $O_{GATA}$ Massor aciculatus was the lowest (RD = O. 002 respectively). In the analysis of the similarity of ant communities between each vegetation by S¢rensen's coefficient, Prunus sargentii was very similar to Sorbus alnifolia (0.745) and Pinus densiflora (0.736), but had the lowest similarity to Metasequoia glyptostoboides and Chamaecyparis pisifera vegetation (0.164 respectively). Dominance of ants in each vegetation analyzed by Simpson'formula was found to be high in Platunus orientalis ($\lambda$ = 0.393) and Sorbus alnifolia ($\lambda$ = 0.392) and the lowest in Metasequoia glyptostroboides vegetation($\lambda$= 0.067). The analysis of diversity by reverse Simpson's coefficient revealed that it was high in Metasequoia glyptostroboides ($d_s$ = 14.925), Pinus rigida ($d_s$ = 7.874) and was the lowest in Platunus orientalis vegetation ($d_s$ = 2.545). Evenness calculated by using d. and $d_{max}$(maximal diversity) was high in Metasequoia glyptostroboides ($E_s$ = 0.714) and Chamaecyparis pisifera vegetation ($E_s$ = 0.624). On the contrary, Quercus mongo/ica vegetation had the lowest value of evenness ($E_s$ = 0.182).

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.299-304
• /
• 2009

Interleukin 27 (IL-27) was discovered as a heterodimeric cytokine of the IL-12 family, and is composed of two subunits - Epstein-Barr virus induced gene 3 (EBI3) and p28. It acts as a versatile cytokine in the early regulation of Th1 initiation and in the negative regulation of the Th2 factor GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3). This cytokine is mediated by the IL-27 receptor (WSX-1), which is highly expressed on $CD4^+$ T lymphocytes and NK cells. We previously identified four polymorphisms in the human IL-27p28 gene and suggested that the polymorphism of IL-27p28 is associated with susceptibility to asthma. To determine whether these IL-27p28 SNPs are associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis, the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27p28 SNPs were analyzed between allergic rhinitis patients and healthy controls. Although the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27p28 SNPs in allergic rhinitis patients were not significantly different from those of the control group, there was a suggestive difference (P=0.037) between these groups in total serum IgE levels in the g.2905T>G SNP of the IL-27p28 gene. Our result implies that the g.2905T>G SNP of the IL-27p28 gene might have an affect on IgE production in allergic rhinitis patients.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.178-183
• /
• 2015

Dendritic cells play an important role in determining whether na${\ddot{i}}$ve T cells mature into either Th1 or Th2 cells. We determined whether heat-shock protein X (HspX) purified from Mycobacterium tuberculosis regulates the Th1/Th2 immune response in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine model of asthma. HspX increased interferon-gamma, IL-17A, -12 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ production and T-bet gene expression but reduced IL-13 production and GATA-3 gene expression. HspX also inhibited asthmatic reactions as demonstrated by an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues, airway luminal narrowing, and airway hyper-responsiveness. Furthermore, HspX enhanced OVA-induced decrease of regulatory T cells in the mediastinal lymph nodes. This study provides evidence that HspX plays critical roles in the amelioration of asthmatic inflammation in mice. These findings provide new insights into the immunotherapeutic role of HspX with respect to its effects on a murine model of asthma.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.263-281
• /
• 2014

Transcription factors are essential for the regulation of gene expression in plant. They are binding to either enhancer or promoter region of DNA adjacent to the gene and are related to basal transcription regulation, differential enhancement of transcription, development, response to intercellular signals or environment, and cell cycle control. The mechanism in controlling gene expression of transcription can be understood through the assessment of the complete sequence for the maize genome. It is possible that the maize genome encodes 4,000 or more transcription factors because it has undergone whole duplication in the past. Previously, several transcription factors of maize have been characterized. In this review article, the transcription factors were selected using Pfam database, including many family members in comparison with other family and listed as follows: ABI3/VP1, AP2/EREBP, ARF, ARID, AS2, AUX/IAA, BES1, bHLH, bZIP, C2C2-CO-like, C2C2-Dof, C2C2-GATA, C2C2-YABBY, C2H2, E2F/DP, FHA, GARP-ARR-B, GeBP, GRAS, HMG, HSF, MADS, MYB, MYB-related, NAC, PHD, and WRKY family. For analyzing motifs, each amino acid sequence has been aligned with ClustalW and the conserved sequence was shown by sequence logo. This review article will contribute to further study of molecular biological analysis and breeding using the transcription factor of maize as a strategy for selecting target gene.

• Journal of Breast Cancer
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.463-467
• /
• 2018

Metastasis from primary cancer to the thyroid is uncommon in breast cancer. Here we present a case of lobular breast carcinoma that metastasized to the thyroid. A 54-year-old woman without symptoms was admitted to our institution for staging of the lymph node above the left clavicle. An $^{18}F$-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography scan was performed for staging, and low uptakes were observed in the left supraclavicular and cervical lymph nodes. High uptake was seen in the posterior and lower left lobe of the thyroid. Histologic findings indicated lobular breast carcinoma (positive GATA3, loss of E-cadherin expression) metastatic to the thyroid with a luminal profile. Immunohistochemical analysis was negative for primary thyroid or parathyroid carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient presenting a metastatic invasive lobular carcinoma in the thyroid and lymph nodes without a prior diagnosis of breast cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.309-316
• /
• 2003

연구목적: 스테로이드 계통의 에스트로겐 호르몬은 막 수용체와 결합하고 DNA에 부착되어, 자궁조직에서 발현되는 많은 유전자들의 발현 양상을 조절하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 난소를 제거한 생쥐 모델을 이용하여 에스트로겐에 의해 조절되는 전사 관련 유전자(transcription factor)들을 동정하고, early up-regulation gene으로 확인된 Fos related antigen (Fra1과 Fra2) 유전자의 발현 양상을 RT-PCR과 면역염색방법으로 살펴보았다. 연구재료 및 방법: 난소 절제술을 시행한 생쥐에 에스트로겐을 피하주사하고 2, 4, 6, 12시간 간격으로 자궁조직을 적출하였다. 대조군으로는 sesame oil만을 주사한 후 2시간째에 수획한 자궁조직을 사용하였으며, 시간대별로 채취한 자궁조직(n=4)에서 RT-PCR을 수행하였다. RT-PCR을 통해 early response gene으로 확인된 Fra1과 Fra2에 대한 에스트로겐의 영향을 살펴보기 위해 estrogen receptor antagonist인 ICI 182, 780을 주사하여 유전자 발현 양상의 변화를 살펴보았다. 또한, 자궁조직내에서의 단백질 발현 부위를 관찰하기 위해 면역조직화학염색을 실시하였다. 결 과: 생쥐 자궁조직에서 에스트로겐에 의해 발현 양상의 변화가 확인된 유전자는 early up-regulation genes (CREB2, Fra-1, 2, GATA5), late up-regulation gene (E2F1), no response genes (CREB1, ATF1, GLI3, E2F3), down-regulation genes (GLI2, E2F5, GATA-2, 3, 6) 등으로 구분할 수 있었다. 그 중 early up-regulation genes에 해당하는 Fra1과 Fra2 유전자는 ICI 182, 780에 의해 그 발현이 유의하게 감소되는 것을 확인하였다(p < 0.01). 이들 단백질은 생쥐 자궁조직의 상피세포층, 기질층, 근육층에서 고루 발현되었으며, 특히 근육층에서 강한 염색정도를 관찰할 수 있었다. 결 론: 이상의 결과를 통해 Fra1과 Fra2 유전자의 발현은 에스트로겐에 의해 조절됨을 알 수 있었으며, 이들의 강한 발현이 자궁조직의 근육층에서 관찰되어 이들의 기능에 대한 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.