• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.161-170
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• 2017

Meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S. suis 2) is a great threat to the pig industry and human health. Virulence factors associated with the pathogenesis of meningitis have yet to be clearly defined, even though many potential S. suis 2 virulence factors have been identified. This greatly hinders the progress of S. suis 2 meningitis pathogenesis research. In this study, a co-culture blood-brain barrier (BBB) model was established using primary porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes, and the whole genome library of S. suis 2 was constructed using phage display technology. Finally, a total of 14 potential virulence factors contributing to S. suis 2 adherence to and invasion of the BBB were selected by analyzing the interactions between the phage library and the co-culture model. Twelve of these factors have not been previously reported in meningitis-related research. The data provide valuable insight into the pathogenesis of S. suis 2 meningitis and potential targets for the development of drug therapies.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2012

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family is involved in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix during normal physiological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes such as pathological aging, arthritis, and metastasis. Oxidative conditions generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) (e.g., hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in cells, which subsequently induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). MMP-1, an interstitial collagenase, in turn stimulates an aging phenomenon. In this study, baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyfl avone) was investigated for its in vitro activity against $H_2O_2$-induced damage using a human skin keratinocyte model. Baicalein pretreatment signifi cantly inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced up-regulation of MMP-1 mRNA, MMP-1 protein expression and MMP-1 activity in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, baicalein decreased the transcriptional activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun, both components of the heterodimeric AP-1 transcription factor. Furthermore, baicalein reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), which are upstream of the AP-1 transcription factor. The results of this study suggest that baicalein is involved in the inhibition of oxidative stress-induced expression of MMP-1 via inactivation of the ERK/JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2010

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Gamipalmi-hwan (GPH) on elastase-induced lung cell injury. Materials and Methods: As an in vitro model of emphysema, the current study was performed to investigate potential activity of GPH in regulating injury responses of A549 human type II cell line mediated by elastase treatment. Results: GPH treatment increased the number of A549 cells which was reduced by elastase digestion. Elastin protein level, which was reduced by elastase treatment, was increased by GPH treatment. Labeling intensity with caspase 3 protein in elastase-treated cells was reduced by GPH treatment. Both Erk1/2 and Cdc2 protein levels, which were decreased by elastase treatment, were increased to a level similar to that of the normal cells. mRNA levels encoding IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were increased by elastase and then down-regulated by GPH. Conclusion: The present data suggest that A549 cells are subjected to inflammatory damage by elastase and can be recovered by GPH treatment. Further studies examining the protective activity of GPH in elastase-treated lung tissue would be useful for therapeutic strategies of emphysema treatment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.114-126
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the enhancement of osteogenic potential of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bone substitute coated with Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (ErhBMP-2) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Methods: The cell viability, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts was tested with ErhBMP-2-/EGCG solution. Coated BCP surfaces were also investigated. Standardized, 6-mm diameter defects were created bilaterally on the maxillary sinus of 10 male New Zealand white rabbits. After removal of the bony windows and elevation of sinus membranes, ErhBMP-2-/EGCG-coated BCP was applied on one defect in the test group. BCP was applied on the other defect to form the control group. The animals were sacrificed at 4 or 8 weeks after surgery. Histologic and histometric analyses of the augmented graft and surrounding tissue were performed. Results: The 4-week and 8-week test groups showed more new bone (%) than the corresponding control groups (P<0.05). The 8-week test group showed more new bone (%) than the 4-week test group (P<0.05). Conclusions: ErhBMP-2-/EGCG-coated BCP was effective as a bone graft material, showing enhanced osteogenic potential and minimal side effects in a rabbit sinus augmentation model.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2017

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a secondary messenger in insulin signal transduction. It is produced in vivo from myo-inositol via action of epimerase. In this study, we evaluated antitumor activity of DCI against human breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. In order to determine the inhibitory effects of DCI on growth of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), two different assessment methods were implemented: MTT assay and mouse xenograft assay. MTT assay demonstrated downturn in cell proliferation by DCI treatment (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mM) groups by 18.3% (p < 0.05), 17.2% (p < 0.05), 17.5% (p < 0.05), 18.4% (p < 0.05), and 24.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Also, inhibition of tumor growth was investigated in mouse xenograft model. DCI was administered orally at the dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight to treat nude mouse for 45 consecutive days. On the 45th day, tumor growth of DCI (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) groups was suppressed by 22.1% and 67.6% as mean tumor volumes were $9313.8{\pm}474.1mm^3$ and $3879.1{\pm}1044.1mm^3$, respectively. Furthermore, breast cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype ($CD44^+/C24^-$) was measured using flow cytometry. On the 46th day, CSC ratios of DCI (500 mg/kg) and co-treatment with doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) and DCI (500 mg/kg) group decreased by 24.7% and 53.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Finally, from tumor recurrence assay, delay of 5 days in the co-treatment group compared to doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) alone group was observed. Based on these findings, we propose that DCI holds potential as an anti-cancer drug for treatment of breast cancer.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2018

In vitro anti-obesity effects of anti-cancer (AC) functional kimchi in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were studied. We constructed three experimental groups: Control, standardized kimchi (SK), and AC functional kimchi (A-FK) that included active ingredients and Lactobacillus plantarum. Kimchi extracts did not show any cytotoxicity in pre-adipocytes in the concentration range of 1 - 5 mg/mL. A-FK significantly reduced fat droplet formation and absorbance in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, as shown by Oil red O staining, compared to Control and SK (P < 0.05). SK and A-FK reduced adipo-/lipogenesis related genes such as $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP-1, LPL, and $LXR{\alpha}$ compared to Control (P < 0.05). Especially, A-FK more greatly reduced SREBP-1 and LPL compared to SK (P < 0.05). A-FK up-regulated the ${\beta}$-oxidation related gene CPT-1c and down-regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 compared to Control (P < 0.05). Based on the results, A-FK exhibited anti-obesity effects by inhibiting fat droplet formation and adipo-/lipogenesis related genes by regulating the ${\beta}$-oxidation related gene CPT-1c and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. In previous studies, A-FK kimchi already exhibited a strong anti-cancer effect. These results indicate that A-FK increased anti-obesity activity in this model system due to its functional ingredients and anti-cancer functionality.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.601-605
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• 2006

Purpose: Large skin defect by various causes, should be covered by autologous skin graft. But, the donor site of autologous skin graft is limited and leaves permanent donor scar and contracture. There have been our trial to engineer artificial skin using allogenic dermis (AlloDerm) with basement membrane. Methods: Dermal and epidermal layer were separated by immersing in dipase solution for 30 minutes, and the separated layers were treated with 0.05% trypsin for 10 minutes. And then each layer was cultivated to fibroblasts and keratinocytes on a culture medium. Fibroblasts were first penetrated into basement membrane of allogenic dermis facing down, then allogenic dermis was flipped over to face up and keratinocytes were transplanted to allogenic dermis. Results: Observing artificial skin fabricated in vitro, we found following: 1) The artificial skin opened in air for 5 days formed epidermal layer. In dermal layer, fibroblast was distributed evenly among all. 2) The artificial skin opened in air for 30 days formed thicker and thicker, and it formed basement membrane, spinous and granular layers. PAS stain to confirm existence of basement membrane showed positive reaction. 3) Cytokeratin 10 stain to confirm the formation of epidermal layer showed positive reaction. 4) The formation of thick keratin, lamellar body and desmosome similar to human skin were observed in result of an electron micrograph. Conclusion: As a result of research, the structure seen in normal skin such as rete ridge, is found in reproduced artificial skin. This type of artificial skin can be used as a useful model for investigating skin disease and for clinical application also.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2017

Over the last decade, physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) application has been extended significantly not only to predicting preclinical/human PK but also to evaluating the drug-drug interaction (DDI) liability at the drug discovery or development stage. Herein, we describe a case study to illustrate the use of PBPK approach in predicting human PK as well as DDI using in silico, in vivo and in vitro derived parameters. This case was composed of five steps such as: simulation, verification, understanding of parameter sensitivity, optimization of the parameter and final evaluation. Caffeine and ciprofloxacin were used as tool compounds to demonstrate the "fit for purpose" application of PBPK modeling and simulation for this study. Compared to caffeine, the PBPK modeling for ciprofloxacin was challenging due to several factors including solubility, permeability, clearance and tissue distribution etc. Therefore, intensive parameter sensitivity analysis (PSA) was conducted to optimize the PBPK model for ciprofloxacin. Overall, the increase in $C_{max}$ of caffeine by ciprofloxacin was not significant. However, the increase in AUC was observed and was proportional to the administered dose of ciprofloxacin. The predicted DDI and PK results were comparable to observed clinical data published in the literatures. This approach would be helpful in identifying potential key factors that could lead to significant impact on PBPK modeling and simulation for challenging compounds.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2010

The trophectoderm is one of the earliest cell types to differentiate in the forming placenta. It is an important for the initial implantation and placentation during pregnancy. Trophoblast stem cells (TBSCs) develop from the blastocyst and are maintained by signals emanating from the inner cell mass. However, several limitations including rarity and difficulty in isolation of trophoblast stem cells derived from blastocyst still exist. To establish a model for trophoblast differentiation, we isolated TBSCs from human term placenta ($\geq$38 weeks) and characterized. Cell cycle was analyzed by measuring DNA content by FACS analysis and phenotype of TBSCs was characterized by RT-PCR and FACS analysis. TBSCs have expressed various markers such as self-renewal markers (Nanog, Sox2), three germ layer markers (hNF68, alpha-cardiac actin, hAFP), trophoblast specific markers (CDX-2, CK7, HLA-G), and TERT gene. In FACS analysis, TBSCs isolated from term placenta showed that the majority of cells expressed CD13, CD44, CD90, CD95, CD105, HLA-ABC, cytokeratin 7, and HLA-G. Testing for CD31, CD34, CD45, CD71, vimentin and HLA-DR were negative. TBSCs were shown to decrease the growth rate when cultured in conditioned medium without FGF4/heparin as well as the morphology was changed to a characteristic giant cell with a large cytoplasm and nucleus. In invasion assay, TBSCs isolated from term placenta showed invasion activities in in vivo using nude mice and in vitro Matrigel system. Taken together, these results support that an isolation potential of TBSCs from term placenta as well as a good source for understanding of the infertility mechanism.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.576-583
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• 2018

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are one of the major causes of common cold in humans and are also associated with acute asthma and bronchial illness. Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a molecular chaperone, is an important host factor for the replication of single-strand RNA viruses. In the current study, we examined the effect of the Hsp90 inhibitor pochonin D, in vitro and in vivo, using a murine model of human rhinovirus type 1B (HRV1B) infection. Our data suggested that Hsp90 inhibition significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine production and lung damage caused by HRV1B infection. The viral titer was significantly lowered in HRV1B-infected lungs and in Hela cells upon treatment with pochonin D. Infiltration of innate immune cells including granulocytes and monocytes was also reduced in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) by pochonin D treatment after HRV1B infection. Histological analysis of the lung and respiratory tract showed that pochonin D protected the mice from HRV1B infection. Collectively, our results suggest that the Hsp90 inhibitor, pochonin D, could be an attractive antiviral therapeutic for treating HRV infection.