• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2006

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease that is characterized by invasive synovial hyperplasia, leading to progressive joint destruction. Recent studies have described that RA is caused by virus, bacteria or outside material. Approximately 2 to 20% of RA cases arc reported to be associated with infected hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the mechanisms underlying virus-induced RA are still unknown. Moreover, few molecular studies have addressed the inflammatory aspects of HCV-associated autoimmune RA. In this study, we aimed to determine whe ther or not another HCV core protein transactivates the IL-8 gene expression, prototypic chemokine, in synovial cell. Methods: To establish the HCV core expressing stable synovial cell line, pCI-neo-core, a plasmid encoding HCV core protein, were transfected to HIG-82 cell line that is an established cell line from rabbit periaricular soft tissue. We examined the morphological changes and cell cycle distribution of HIG-82 cells with expression of HCV core protein by inverted microscopy and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Also, we determined the mRNA levels of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 related to the inflammation by RT-PCR and then analyzed regulation of IL-8 expression by the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. Results: Our study showed no significant differences in morphology and cell cycle between HIG-82 control cell line and HIG-82 expressing HCV core protein. However, expression of HCV core protein induces the IL-8 mRNA expression in HIG-82 core cells via activated NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. Conclusion: These results suggest that HCV core protein can lead to enhanced IL-8 expression. Such a proinflammatory role may contribute to the etiologic pathogenesis in RA patients with HCV infection.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.188-193
• /
• 2011

As a specific and effective therapeutic genetic material against hepatitis C virus (HCV) multiplication, HCV internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-targeting hammerhead ribozyme which activity is allosterically regulated by HCV regulatory protein, NS5B RNA replicase, was constructed. The allosteric ribozyme was composed of sequence of RNA aptamer to HCV NS5B, communication module sequence which can transfer structural transition for inducing ribozyme activity upon binding NS5B to the aptamer, and sequence of ribozyme targeting +382 nucleotide of HCV IRES. With real-time PCR analysis, the ribozyme was found to efficiently inhibit HCV replicon replication in cells. Of note, the allosteric ribozyme was shown to inhibit HCV replicon replication more efficiently than either HCV genome-targeting ribozyme or NS5B aptamer only. This allosteric ribozyme can be used as a lead genetic agent for the specific and effective suppression of HCV replication.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.215-225
• /
• 2002

Objectives: Dental personnels have high chances of exposure to various infections during many dental procedures. This study was performed to investigate the state of infection control in the private dental clinics and prevention state of hepatitis B virus infection among the dental hygiene students in Kwanju city, Korea. Methods: Questionnaires were obtained from 94 dental hygiene students who participated in dental practice in private dental clinics for more than five weeks. Results: 83.9% of dentists and 17.2% of dental hygienists routinely used the mask for treating all patients, 32.3% of dentists and 6.5% of dental hygienists routinely used the rubber gloves. The use of protective eyeware was much lower in each group. Disinfectant was used in 52.7% for sanitization of dental instruments before cleansing. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs were 3.8% and 67.1% respectively, 52.7% of dental hygiene students had history of accidental needle stick. Conclusion: Routine use of personal barrier techniques by dental personnels should be emphasized. Dental hygiene students were not properly immunized against hepatitis B virus and had high incidence of accidental needle stick. It is necessary to establish specific regulations or recommendations for cross infection control in dental practice and to performed scheduled vaccination program for hepatitis B virus for dental hygiene students.

• Korean Journal of Family Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.360-363
• /
• 2018

Background: Acute alcoholic intoxication patients (AAIP) are a common public health problem. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive laboratory analysis for these patients to investigate the co-morbid medical problem. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed laboratory findings of AAIP who were transferred to the emergency department (ED) from January 2017 to June 2017. Results: A total of 160 male patients were enrolled. Sixteen patients (16/160, 10.0%) and three patients (3/160, 1.9%) had macrocytic anemia and microcytic anemia, respectively. A total of 33 patients (33/160, 20.6%) showed thrombocytopenia ($<150{\times}10^9/L$). Twelve patients (12/159, 7.5%) showed low serum albumin level (<3.5 g/dL). Three patients (3/160, 1.9%) had chronic kidney disease stages 3-4 based on estimated glomerular filtration rate. Six patients (6/27, 22.2%) had high hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level (>7.0%). Positive rates of hepatitis B surface antigen and antiHBs antibody (anti-HBs Ab) were 3.5% (5/141) and 49.0% (68/141), respectively. Conclusion: Patients with AAIP who were transferred to ED had various laboratory abnormalities (anemia, thrombocytopenia, high HbA1c). They had low positive rate of anti-HBs Ab. This might be a public health problem, suggesting the need of hepatitis B virus vaccination program for AAIP. Our data suggest the need of further nationwide studies.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.180-182
• /
• 1996

One of the essential functions of virus surface proteins is the recognition of specific receptors on target cell membranes, and cellular receptors play an important role in viral pathogenesis. But the earliest steps of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, such as hepatocyte receptor interaction with the virus, are poorly understood. Previous work has suggested an important role of the preS1 region of HBV envelope protein in mediating viral binding to hepatocytes. Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection appears to be initiated by specific binding of virions to cell membrane structures via one or potentially several viral surface proteins, data showing the identification or isolation of the HBV receptor (s) are not yet available. The receptor-like proteins on the plasma membrane surface of HepG2 cells that bind to PreS1 were separated and identified using affinity chromatography, and the amino-terminal amino acid sequences of the receptor-like proteins were determined.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.144-144
• /
• 2003

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.138-143
• /
• 2003

Of many viral causes of human cancer, few are of greater global importance than the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Over 250 million people worldwide are persistently infected with HBV. A significant minority of these develop severe pathologic consequences, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Earlier epidemiological evidence suggested a link between chronic HBV infection and HCC. Further, the existence of related animal viruses that induce acute and chronic infections of the liver, and eventually HCC, confirms the concept that HBV belongs to one of the few human oncogenic viruses. Although it is clear that chronic HBV infections are major risk factors, relatively little is understood about how the viral factors contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. This review will introduce molecular aspects of the viral infection, and highlight recent findings on the viral contribution to hepatocarcinogenesis.

• The Microorganisms and Industry
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.3-11
• /
• 1987

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a very serious threat to public health in most of the developing countries of the world. It is estimated that around 300 million people worldwide are chronic carriers of this virus and will transmit the disease both vertically and horizontally. Infection by this virus may cause a wide range of clinical manifestations ranging from an asymptomatic infection to liver cirrhosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.9
• /
• pp.823-834
• /
• 2007

Interferon (IFN) alpha has been the first line therapy of chronic hepatitis B in children, but HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 26% of treated children compared to 11% of controls in multinational randomized controlled study. Recently, lamivudine was shown to be a potent inhibitor of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reproduction both in HBeAg positive and in HBeAg negative (the pre-core mutant form) chronic hepatitis in randomized studies worldwide. Lamivudine therapy led to considerable improvement in the seroconversion rate of HBeAg in children with chronic hepatitis B, though long-term therapy resulted in the expansion of lamivudine-resistant mutant viruses. Combination therapy with lamivudine plus alpha-IFN does not seem to improve HBe Ag seroconversion. Above all, the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B is universal HBV vaccination.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2013

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has recently shown to be associated with diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between chronic hepatitis B and diabetes mellitus indicators. We evaluated anthropometry, metabolic syndrome risk factors, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and C-peptide among the normal and HBV subjects. The partial correlation and average comparison analysis were used to assess the independent association between chronic hepatitis B and diabetes mellitus indicators. Average comparisons of normal and HBV subjects were significantly different in fasting glucose (p<0.000), HbA1c (p<0.000), C-peptide (p<0.000), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p<0.000) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (p<0.000). We may suggest that HBV infection is related to diabetes mellitus indicators such as fasting glucose, HbA1c and C-peptide.