• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.191-197
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• 2019

This study aims to evaluate the effects of the root bark of Morus alba (RMA) on the regulation of the Hippo-YAP pathway. Hippo-YAP signaling is a critical regulator in controlling organ size and tissue homeostasis. Hippo, the serine/threonine kinase phosphorylate the LATS. Phosphorylated LATS then phosphorylates and inactivates the YAP and TAZ, which are two closely related transcriptional co-activator. Here we report RMA activates the Hippo signaling, thereby inhibits the YAP/TAZ activity. First, we examine the cytotoxic effects of RMA by MTT assay. RMA was cytotoxic at concentrations higher than $50{\mu}g/ml$ in HEK293A cells. The reporter gene assay was performed to measure the activity of TEAD, a key transcription factor that controls cell growth and proliferation. RMA significantly suppressed the luciferase activity. By phos-taq gel shift assay, and western blotting, we showed that RMA enhanced the phosphorylation of YAP in wild type cells, but not in LATS1/2 knock out cells, which means RMA activates classical Hippo pathway. RMA induced the cytoplasmic sequestration of YAP. RMA also suppressed the mRNA expression of CTGF and CYR61; the two major YAP dependent genes. Taken together, RMA is considered to be a good candidate for proliferative disease such as cancer, by facilitating cell death through activating the Hippo signaling pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.690-699
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• 2022

Background: Few studies reported the therapeutic effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in lung inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular in cadmium-induced lung injury have been poorly understood, directly linked to chronic lung diseases (CLDs): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer etc. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate the therapeutic activities of water extract of KRG (KRG-WE) in mouse cadmium-induced lung injury model. Method: The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying mechanisms of KRG-WE were evaluated in vitro under cadmium-stimulated lung epithelial cells (A549) and HEK293T cell line and in vivo in cadmium-induced lung injury mouse model using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), luciferase assay, immunoblotting, and FACS. Results: KRG-WE strongly ameliorated the symptoms of CdSO4-induced lung injury in mice according to total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and severity scores as well as cytokine levels. KRG-WE significantly suppressed the upregulation of inflammatory signaling comprising mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and their upstream enzymes. In in vitro study, KRG-WE suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and IL-8 while promoting recovery in CdSO₄-treated A549 cells. Similarly, KRG-WE reduced phosphorylation of MAPK and c-Jun/c-Fos in cadmium-exposed A549 cells. Conclusion: KRG-WE was found to attenuate symptoms of cadmium-induced lung injury and reduce the expression of inflammatory genes by suppression of MAPK/AP-1-mediated pathway.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.552-559
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• 2009

홍경천은 높은 약리작용에도 불구하고 특수한 배양 조건 및 낮은 번식율로 인해 홍경천 활성 성분의 대량생산이 불가능한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 환경에 구애받지 않고 대량생산 및 품질유지가 가능한 식물조직배양 공정을 통해 홍경천 조직으로부터 유도된 callus를 대상으로 초음파 추출공정을 적용하여 활성성분의 용출을 극대화 및 독성저감을 가능하게 하고 callus에 대한 항암활성을 탐색하여 홍경천 callus의 기능성 식품 소재로서 가치를 발견하고자 하였다. 인간 정상 세포인 HEK293과 HEL299에 대한 세포독성을 측정한 결과, 홍경천과 callus의 독성이 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았으며, 홍경천 callus 초음파 추출물이 전체적으로 낮은 독성을 나타내는 것으로 미루어 보아 초음파 공정을 통한 세포독성 저감효과를 확인할 수 있었으며, 조직배양 공정을 통해 홍경천의 독성 저감이 이루어지지 않은 것을 미루어 볼 때 callus가 홍경천과 같거나 비슷한 정도의 활성 성분을 함유하고 있을 것이라 사료된다. 홍경천 및 callus의 소화기, 호흡기 계통의 암세포 생육억제 활성 및 selectivity를 측정한 결과, 특히 간암 세포(HEP3B)에 대해 홍경천 및 callus 추출물의 고농도 첨가 시 암세포 저해 활성이 급격히 증가하는 것을 확인할 수 있었으며, callus 초음파 추출물은 최고농도 1.0 mg/mL에서 73.19%의 암세포 생육저해 활성과 최고 5.94의 selectivity를 나타내었다. 전체적인 항암활성 측정 결과, callus 추출물에서 높은 항암활성을 나타냈으며 특히 위암 및 간암에 대한 탁월한 항암효과가 확인됨에 따라 앞으로 홍경천 및 홍경천 callus의 소화기계 암 또는 특정 암에 대한 항암활성 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다. 암의 예방 및 억제에 중요한 기전으로 작용할 수 있는 항산화 활성 평가를 위해 DPPH radical 소거능을 측정한 결과, 초음파 공정을 통한 callus 추출물에서 홍경천의 높은 항산화 작용을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 인간 면역세포 생존율의 측정을 통해 홍경천 및 callus 추출물에 의해 면역세포가 자극을 받는 것을 확인 할 수 있었으며 대식세포의 NO-생성량이 증가하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과를 통해 면역계 세포들의 면역체계의 항상성 유지 및 antibody와 cytokine과 같은 면역물질 생성을 통한 암세포 억제 및 제거작용이 가능할 것이라 사료된다. 홍경천 조직으로부터 유도된 callus에 초음파 추출 공정을 적용할 시 세포독성 저감과 활성 성분 용출량의 극대화에 기인한 항암 및 암 발생과 억제 기작에 영향을 주는 항산화 및 면역증강 활성의 증가를 확인함에 따라 홍경천 callus가 기능성 항암 소재로서의 가치가 매우 높다고 사료된다. 하지만 이와 같은 홍경천 callus의 항암 소재로서 활용을 위해서는 활성성분의 용출을 극대화 할 수 있는 추출 공정의 확립과 홍경천 본래의 독성은 줄이고 암세포에 선택적인 활성을 나타낼 수 있는 활성 성분의 규명 및 정상세포 독성을 배제할 수 있는 추출물 농도의 최적화에 대한 연구가 이루어져야 하겠다.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.210-216
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• 2009

This study was performed to compare the effects of immuno-modulating activities of Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor. fractionized by consecutive solvent separation. The Cytotoxicity of all fractionized extracts on human kidney cell (HEK293) was lower than crude extracts. Generally, the butanol and chloroform extracts showed less cytotoxicity on about 10.07% and 9.67% than the crude extracts. For human immune B and T cell growth, chloroform fraction showed the highest cell growth compared to the control. The secretion of cytokines (IL-6, $TNF-\alpha$) on human B and T cells were increased by adding chloroform extracts. Also, NK cell growth was significantly improved up to nearly 30% by adding the supernatant of B cell medium grown with the chloroform fraction. It was also found that chloroform fraction could yield higher nitric oxide production from macrophage than untreated control cells. Differentiation of HL-60 cells was increased up to 131.9% after treatment with chloroform fraction extracts, compared to the control. These results indicate that the chloroform fraction of R. sachalinensis have high immune activation activity than others fractions and the crude extracts, implying that this chloroform fractions could be used a new functional material.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.186-190
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• 2003

Purpose: The balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is crucial for homeostatic maintenance in a cell population. Decreased apoptosis or uncontrolled proliferation can lead to cancer. The Fas receptor signal through a cytoplasmic death domain is very important in the apoptotic pathway. To identify the effect of the death domain of the Fas gene in the development and/or progression of gastric cancer, we examined the apoptotic potential of five known Fas mutants detected in gastric cancers. Materials and Methods: A wild-type Fas gene was cloned with cDNA from normal liver tissue and full length Fas was sequenced. Mutants of the gene were generated with sitedirected mutagenesis by using the wild-type gene and specific primers. Wild- and mutant-type genes were transfected to HEK293 cells. Forty-eight hours after transfection the cells were stained with DAPI and cell death was counted under fluorescent microscopy. Results: In wild-type Fas-transfected cells, the percentage of apoptotic cells was $85.9\pm3.6\%$, and significant cell death and classic morphologic signs of apoptosis were observed. However, the percentages of apoptotic cells transfected with N239D, E240G, D244V, and R263H of tumor-derived mutant Fas were $29.5\pm2.08\%,\;28.5\pm3.34\%,\;25.225\pm2.06\%,\;and\;36.625\pm4.49\%$, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that inactivation of Fas caused by mutations in the death domain of the Fas gene may be one of the possible escape mechanisms against Fas-mediated apoptosis and that inactivating mutation of the Fas may contribute to the development or progression of gastric cancers.

• BMB Reports
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.139-145
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• 2008

We cloned and pharmacologically characterized the guinea pig cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) 2 receptor (gpCysLT2). gpCysLT2 consists of 317 amino acids with 75.3%, 75.2%, 73.3% identity to those of humans, mice and rats, respectively. The gpCysLT2 gene is highly expressed in the lung, moderately in eosinophils, skin, spleen, stomach, colon, and modestly in the small intestine. CysLTs accelerated the proliferation of gpCysLT2-expressing HEK293. Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) enhanced the cell proliferation higher than Bay-u9773, a CysLT2 selective partial agonist and a nonselective antagonist for CysLT receptors. Bay-u9773 did not antagonize the cell proliferation by LTC4 and LTD4. Despite the equipotency of the mitogenic effect among these chemicals, calcium mobilization (CM) levels were variable (LTC4 > LTD4 >> Bay-u9773), and Bay-u9773 antagonized the CM by LTC4. Moreover, the Gi/o inhibitor pertussis toxin perfectly inhibited agonist-induced cell proliferation. These results reveal that cell proliferation via CysLT2 signaling was mediated by Gi/o signaling but independent of calcium mobilization.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.39-44
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• 2015

Tolfenamic acid (TA) is a traditional non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and has been broadly used for the treatment of migraines. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) is a sequence-specific transcription factor and plays a key role in the development and progression of inflammation and cancer. We performed the current study to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which TA suppresses inflammation focusing on NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulated human normal and cancer cell lines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophages. Different types of human cells (HCT116, HT-29 and HEK293) and mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) were pre-treated with different concentrations of TA and then exposed to inflammatory stimuli such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and LPS. Transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$, $l{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$-degradation, p65 translocation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activations were measured using luciferase assay and Western blots. Pre-treatment of TA repressed TNF-${\alpha}$- or LPS-stimulated NF-${\kappa}B$ transactivation in a dose-dependent manner. TA treatment reduced degradation of $l{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ and subsequent translocation of p65 into nucleus. TA significantly down-regulated the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). However, TA had no effect on NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling and JNK phosphorylation in HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells. TA possesses anti-inflammatory activities through suppression of JNK/NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in different types of cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.26-30
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• 2007

Background: Mycobacterial antigens released as PIM, LM, LAM, lipoproteins and other cellular factors may contribute to macrophage and dendritic cell activation through pattern recognition receptors such as TLRs. In this study, we assessed cytokine production and ERK activation with stimulation of several major mycobacterial antigens. Methods: Purified mycobacterial antigens (10, 22, 30, 38kDa) and recombinant antigens (6, 16, 19, 38kDa, Ag85A antigen) were studied. The production of cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-12, IL-6) was measured by ELISA. The ERK activation was detected by western blotting. The expression of TLR2 or TLR4 was measured by flow cytometry. Results: Among purified antigens only 30kDa antigen induced production of IL-6 or TNF-${\alpha}$ in THP-1 macrophage cells. When THP-1 macrophage cells were treated with 30kDa antigen, phosphorylation of ERK was detected. ERK activation also occurred in TLR2 transfectant HEK293 cells with 30kDa antigen stimulation. Conclusion: 30kDa antigen is one of the major mycobacterial antigens inducing cytokine production and MAP kinases phosphorylation in macrophages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.413-418
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• 2016

Myostatin (MSTN) is a secreted growth factor expressed in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue that negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Gene knockout of MSTN can result in increasing muscle mass in sheep. The objectives were to investigate whether myostatin gene can be edited in sheep by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) in tandem with single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs). We designed a pair of TALENs to target a highly conserved sequence in the coding region of the sheep MSTN gene. The activity of the TALENs was verified by using luciferase single-strand annealing reporter assay in HEK 293T cell line. Co-transfection of TALENs and ssODNs oligonucleotides induced precise gene editing of myostatin gene in sheep primary fibroblasts. MSTN gene-edited cells were successfully used as nuclear donors for generating cloned embryos. TALENs combined with ssDNA oligonucleotides provide a useful approach for precise gene modification in livestock animals.