• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2023

Objectives: Since stroke is a serious health issue, novel therapeutic strategies are required. In a mouse model of ischemic stroke, this study analyzed the potential of electroacupuncture (EA) and tenuigenin (TE) to improve the efficacy of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) transplantation. Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with reperfusion was used to generate ischemic stroke. Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, MCAO-operated, MCAO-EA, MCAO-TE, or MCAO + EA + TE. Subsequently, hMSCs were transplanted into the ischemic region and EA, TE, or the combination was administered. Behavior assessments and immunohistochemistry were conducted to evaluate motor and cognitive recovery and hMSCs survival, migration, and differentiation. Results: The combined treatment of EA and TE exhibited enhanced hMSCs survival, migration and differentiation into neural cell lineages while suppressing astrocyte formation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated increased neurogenesis through hMSCs transplantation in the ischemic brain. Immediate behavioral improvements were not significantly different between groups, but there was a gradual recovery in motor and cognitive function over time. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of EA and TE co-treatment as a therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke, opening avenues for further research to optimize treatment protocols and elucidate underlying mechanisms.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.145-151
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• 2006

Leukotactin-l (Lkn-l )/CCL15 has been known as a potent chemoattractant of leukocytes. However, the precise function of Lkn-l in human neutrophils has not been explained well. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of Lkn-1 in chemotactic activity of human neutrophils. Both CCR1 and CCR3 mRNA expressions are strongly expressed in human neutrophils but CCR2 protein expression was uniquely detected on the cell surface. Lkn-l binding to CCR1 and CCR3 induced chemotactic activity of neutrophils. Chemotactic index of Lkn-l was comparable to that of IL-8. $MIP-1{\alpha}/CCL3$ binding to CCR1 and CCR5 has no effect on neutrophil migration. Cell migration, in response to Lkn-l, was blocked by pertussis toxin (Ptx), a $G_o/G_i$ protein inhibitor, and U73122, a phospholipase C(PLC) inhibitor but not by protein kinase C inhibitor such as rottlerin, and Ro-31-8425. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Lkn-l transduces the chemotaxis signal through $G_o/G_i$ protein and PLC. This finding provides the molecular mechanism by which Lkn-l may contribute to neutrophil movement into the site of inflammation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate anti-cancer effects of Danggui Liuhuang Decoction extract bioconverted by protease liquid coenzyme of Aspergillus kawachii (DLD-BE), compared to a non-bioconverted DLD extract (DLD-E) and determine the underlying mechanisms. Methods: DLD-E and DLD-BE were evaluated for their ability to modulate these signaling pathways and suppress the proliferation of human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, HCT-116, LoVo, and HT-29. The anti-cancer effects of DLD-E and DLD-BE were measured by using proliferation and migration assays, cell cycle analysis, Western blots, and real-time PCR. Results: In this study, treatment with DLD-E and DLD-BE at concentrations of 25-100 ㎍/mL inhibited proliferation and migration in human CRC cells. DLD-BE induced apoptotic cell death and decreased COX-2 expression in HT-29 cells. The mechanisms of action included modulation of the AKT and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase signaling cascades along with inhibition of COX-2 expression. The results demonstrate novel anti-cancer mechanisms of DLD-BE against the growth of human CRC cells. Thus, we propose that DLD-BE can be developed as a more potent supplement to inhibit colorectal tumor growth and intestinal inflammation than DLD-E.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.25-32
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• 2019

Objectives : Gardeniae Fructus extract is used as a component of various cosmetics. However, the effect of the extract on the motility of keratinocytes has not been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of Gardeniae Fructus (GFET) or ethyl acetate extract of Gardeniae Fructus (GFEA) on oxidation and motility of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : Antioxidant activity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts were determined by the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. To investigate the cytotoxicity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was performed. The mRNA expression levels of tight junction related genes were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Cell migration assay was employed to determine the activity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts on motility of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Results : GFET and GFEA showed strong antioxidant activity. GFEA showed stronger cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells than GFET until $2.0mg/m{\ell}$ concentration. Cell migration assay demonstrated that GFET and GFEA decreased the motility of HaCaT cells. In addition, the mRNA expression level of claudin 8 among tight junction genes was significantly reduced by GFET or GFEA treatment. Conclusions : We investigated the physiological activities of the extracts of Gardeniae Fructus extracts on human keratinocytes by two different extraction methods. In addition, the mRNA expression level of claudin 8 among tight junction genes was significantly reduced by either GFET or GFEA treatment. This study provides basic information on the application of Gardeniae Fructus extract to cosmetics component.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.39-77
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• 2000

The paper examines non-agricultural occupations of Korean immigrants in the Russian Far East from 1860s to 1930s. First of all, theoretical perspectives regarding immigrants\` job selection and positions in the labor market such as cultural theory, segmented labor market theory, human capital theory, and ethnic enclave theory were reviewed and then how these theories can be applied to various jobs of Korean immigrants including mining, fishing, small business, service, and miscellaneous jobs was studied. Next. this article points out that those theories cannot explain both supply and demand sides of migration simultaneously, suggesting the need to integrate two sides of migration. In order to fill out this gap in the literature, this paper suggests the integrative approach which combines supply side and demand side of migration. According to this model, several factors in the non-agricultural jabs which were affecting Korean immigration in the Russian Far East. were identified and discussed in relation with existing theoretical perspectives. Finally this paper concludes that, in order to understand Koran migration in the Russian Far East properly, we have to take into consideration simultaneously both supply-sided factors of immigration including farming-oriented characteristics of Koreans, Korean socio-economic problems preceding immigration, and self-dependent tendencies of Korean immigrants and demand-side factor like the Russian migration policy to the immigrants and various regional situations in the Russian Far East.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 2017

Baicalein, a natural flavonoid obtained from the rhizome of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to have anticancer activities in several human cancer cell lines. However, its antimetastatic effects and associated mechanisms in melanoma cells have not been extensively studied. The current study examined the effects of baicalein on cell motility and anti-invasive activity using mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. Within the noncytotoxic concentration range, baicalein significantly inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of B16F10 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Baicalein also reduced the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9; however, the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 were concomitantly increased. The inhibitory effects of baicalein on cell motility and invasiveness were found to be associated with its tightening of tight junction (TJ), which was demonstrated by an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance and downregulation of the claudin family of proteins. Additionally, treatment with baicalein markedly reduced the expression levels of lipopolysaccharide-induced phosphorylated Akt and the invasive activity in B16F10 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that baicalein inhibits B16F10 melanoma cell migration and invasion by reducing the expression of MMPs and tightening TJ through the suppression of claudin expression, possibly in association with a suppression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.132-137
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• 2017

Elevated glucose levels in cancer cells can be attributed to increased levels of glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins. Glut1 expression is increased in human malignant cells. To investigate alternative roles of Glut1 in breast cancer, we silenced Glut1 in triple-negative breast-cancer cell lines using a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) system. Glut1 silencing was verified by Western blotting and qRT-PCR. Knockdown of Glut1 resulted in decreased cell proliferation, glucose uptake, migration, and invasion through modulation of the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway and integrin ${\beta}1$/Src/FAK signaling pathways. These results suggest that Glut1 not only plays a role as a glucose transporter, but also acts as a regulator of signaling cascades in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.48.2-48.2
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• 2008

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.98.1-98.1
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• 2008

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.729-764
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to look into current situations of urban-to-rural migrants' community participation and its relationship with rural life satisfaction. This topic is important because one of the main barriers to migration decision is job availability, especially in rural areas. Besides, rural areas need more human resources to support aging communities, as rural population is constantly decreasing. For this study, we used the methods of survey and in-depth interview with structured questionnaire. We met 121 respondents who were in community participation activities by the snowball sampling method in 10 counties nationwide. As a result, we identified community participation activities could contribute to urban-to-rural migrants' stable settlement and improving their satisfaction with rural lives.