• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제18권4호
• /
• pp.1147-1152
• /
• 2004

To investigate the anti-cancer effects of aqueous extract of Cheonkumwikyung-tang (CKWKT) on the growth of human lung carcinoma cell line A549, we performed various biochemical experiments such as the effects of CKWKT on the cell proliferation and viability, the morphological changes, the effects on expression of apoptosis and cell growth-regulatory gene products. Results obtained are as follow; CKWKT treatment declined the cell viability and proliferation of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The anti-proliferative effect by CKWKT treatment in A549 cells was associated with morphological changes such as membrane shrinking and cell rounding up. CKWKT treatment induced apoptotic cell death of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with inhibition and/or degradation of apoptotic target proteins such poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, β-catenin and phospholipase C-γ1. Western blot analysis revealed that the levels cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 expression were induced by CKWKT treatment in A549 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that CKWKT-induced inhibition of human lung cancer cell proliferation is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several major growth regulatory gene products and CKWKT may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• 한국자원식물학회지
• /
• 제35권6호
• /
• pp.697-703
• /
• 2022

Under the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in immune enhancement is increasing. Although the immune-enhancing activity of plants of the genus Hibiscus has been reported, there is no study on the immune-enhancing activity of H. syriacus. Thus, in this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing activity of Hibiscus syriacus leaves (HSL) in mouse macrophages, RAW264.7 cells, and immunosuppressed mice. HSL increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and activated the phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. The HSL-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors was dependent on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in RAW264.7 cells. In the immunosuppressed mouse model, HSL increased the spleen index, the levels of the cytokines, and the numbers of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes. Taken together, HSL may be considered to have immune-enhancing activity and be expected to be used as a potential immune-enhancing agent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권6호
• /
• pp.823-830
• /
• 2023

Lactococcus lactis is a lactic acid bacterium and used in the dairy food industry. The ameliorating effects of Lactobacillus species on atopic dermatitis (AD) have been extensively studied, but the specific effect of L. lactis strains has not yet been investigated. In this study, the efficacy of L. lactis LB 1022, isolated from natural cheese, was evaluated using RAW 264.7, HMC-1 and HaCaT cell lines and an ovalbumin-sensitized AD mouse model. L. lactis LB 1022 exhibited nitric oxide suppression and anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. Oral administration of L. lactis LB 1022 to AD mice significantly reduced the levels of IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils, and a range of T cell-mediated T helper Th1, Th2, and Th17-type cytokines under interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). In addition, L. lactis LB 1022 treatment increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids. Overall, L. lactis LB 1022 significantly modulated AD-like symptoms by altering metabolites and the immune response, illustrating its potential as candidate for use in functional food supplements to alleviate AD.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국자원식물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
• /
• pp.92-92
• /
• 2022

Under the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in immune enhancement is increasing. Although the immune-enhancing activity of plants of the genus Hibiscus has been reported, there is no study on the immune-enhancing activity of H. syriacus. Thus, in this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing activity of Hibiscus syriacus leaves (HSL) in mouse macrophages, RAW264.7 cells, and immunosuppressed mice. HSL increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and activated the phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. The HSL-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors was dependent on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in RAW264.7 cells. In the immunosuppressed mouse model, HSL increased the spleen index, the levels of the cytokines, and the numbers of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes. Taken together, HSL may be considered to have immune-enhancing activity and be expected to be used as a potential immune-enhancing agent.

• 한국식품저장유통학회지
• /
• 제30권6호
• /
• pp.1082-1094
• /
• 2023

본 연구는 무김치에서 우점균인 Leuconostoc속의 균주 특성을 살펴보고 유용한 균주를 발굴하여 소재화하기 위해 수행되었는데, 이들 Leuconostoc속 4균주의 효소학적 특성, 안전성 평가, 및 면역증강 효과는 양성대조구 LGG와 함께 비교·분석하였다. 효소활성 평가에서 모든 시험균주들은 벤조피렌과 같은 발암성 전구물질 생성과 연관된 β-glucuronidase 효소활성을 갖고 있지 않았고, β-1,4 당쇄결합을 유리시키는 β-glucosidase 효소활성을 나타내어 식품, 세제, 화학 등 여러 산업 분야로의 활용성을 기대할 수 있는 특징을 보유하고 있었다. 또한, 시험균주들에 대한 항생제 내성 평가결과는 8종 항생제들에 대해 MIC 값이 EFSA 기준치 이하로 감수성을 나타내었다. 용혈성 현상 실험 결과, 4종의 시험균주와 양성대조구로 사용된 LGG균은 모두 용혈능이 없는 감마 용혈 현상을 나타내었고, 병원성 미생물 4종에 대한 항균활성 결과에서도 Leu. mesenteroides K2-4 균주가 B. cereus와 Sta. aureus에 대하여 각각 19±0과 20±0 mm의 억제환을 나타내었는데, 이는 양성대조구인 LGG균보다 높은 항균활성을 보였다. 대식세포 RAW cell에 시험균주들을 처리하였을 때 NF-kB/AP-1 전사인자의 활성도는 모든 유산균주가 처리 농도가 낮을수록 농도 의존적으로 증가하였다. 이들 세포들에 의해 염증성매개물질 중 TNF-α와 IL-6의 생성량 역시 시험균주의 처리 농도가 낮을수록 높은 값을 보였는데, 특히 Leu. mesenteroides K2-4 균주는 모든 항목에서 다른 균주들에 비해 뚜렷한 차이를 보였다. 또한, mRNA 수준에서 TNF-α와 IL-6 발현량 역시 통계적 유의수준(p<0.05)으로 높은 활성을 저농도에서 처리하였을 때 유의적(p<0.05)으로 높은 값을 나타내었다. 따라서 이들 균주들이 분비한 사이토카인들은 T세포와 B세포를 자극하여 체내 면역체계를 활성화시켜 면역증강에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. 종합적으로 본 연구에서 사용한 모든 Leuconostoc 균주들은 효소활성과 안전성이 확인되었는데, 그 중 Leu. mesenteroides K2-4균주가 높은 면역활성능을 보여, 향후 면역 기능 개선을 위한 건강기능식품 개발을 위한 후보소재로서 유용하게 이용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• 제47권2호
• /
• pp.66-76
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Oral wound healing requires gingival fibroblasts to respond to local growth factors. Epigenetic silencing through DNA methylation can potentially decrease the responsiveness of gingival fibroblasts to local growth factors. In this study, our aim was to determine whether the inhibition of DNA methylation sensitized gingival fibroblasts to transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$). Methods: Gingival fibroblasts were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza), a clinically approved demethylating agent, before stimulation with TGF-${\beta}1$. Gene expression changes were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. DNA methylation was detected by methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes and PCR amplification. Results: We found that 5-aza enhanced TGF-${\beta}1$-induced interleukin-11 (IL11) expression in gingival fibroblasts 2.37-fold (P=0.008). 5-aza had no significant effects on the expression of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). Consistent with this, 5-aza caused demethylation of the IL11 gene commonly next to a guanosine (CpG) island in gingival fibroblasts. The TGF-${\beta}$ type I receptor kinase inhibitor SB431542 impeded the changes in IL11 expression, indicating that the effects of 5-aza require TGF-${\beta}$ signaling. 5-aza moderately increased the expression of TGF-${\beta}$ type II receptor (1.40-fold; P=0.009), possibly enhancing the responsiveness of fibroblasts to TGF-${\beta}1$. As part of the feedback response, 5-aza increased the expression of the DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) (P=0.005) and DNMT3B (P=0.002), which are enzymes responsible for gene methylation. Conclusions: These in vitro data suggest that the inhibition of DNA methylation by 5-aza supports TGF-${\beta}$-induced IL11 expression in gingival fibroblasts.

• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.771-776
• /
• 2003

The present study was conducted to evaluate the regulation mechanism of nitric oxide(NO) by water-extracted Cyperus rotundus (WCR) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. We investigated the effects of cell proliferation in mouse spleen cell and RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. WCR enhanced mitogenic activity in the dose-response manner in mouse spleen cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. In nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by WCR, WCR alone had an effect on NO synthesis. It was found that the production of NO of RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could be markedly inhibited by WCR. Inhibition of NO production was achieved by reducing inducible nitric oxide syntheses(iNOS) mRNA expression. The expression of IL-I gene by WCR was investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In RT-PCR, IL-1 family(IL-1 α, IL-1β) expressions were induced by WCR. These finding suggested that regulation of NO production by WCR may be, at least in part, associated with the regulation of iNOS mRNA expression and IL-1 family gene expression.

• 한국자원식물학회지
• /
• 제33권3호
• /
• pp.183-193
• /
• 2020

Recently, as a natural substance has been emphasized interest in research to enhance the immune function. Green lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular vegetable used fresh and it contains various phytochemicals and antioxidant compounds, and has been reported to have various physiological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor and anti-mutagenic. However, only a few studies have investigated on the mechanism of action of immune-enhancing activity of lettuce. Therefore, in this study, the immunomodulatory activities and potential mechanism of action of Green lettuce extracts (GLE) were evaluated in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. GLE significantly increased NO levels by RAW264.7 cells, as well as expressions of immunomodulators such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and MCP-1. Although GLE activated ERK1/2, p38, JNK and NF-κB, GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators was dependent on p38, JNK and NF-κB. In addition, TLR4 inhibition blocked GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators and activation of p38, JNK and NF-κB. Taken together, these results demonstrated that TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathways participated in GLE-induced macrophage activation and GLE could be developed as a potential immunomodulating functional food.

• 한국동물위생학회지
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.201-216
• /
• 2019

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is characterized by reproductive failure in sows and respiratory distress in all age pigs. Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) is a disease caused by opportunistic bacterial infection secondary to a weakened immune system by a preceding respiratory infection. In this study, we tried to compare the immune responses in PRRS and PRDC groups to clearly characterize the disease severity. Eighty-five pigs were infected with various Korean field PRRS virus strains. Infected animals were classified into PRRS (n=32) and PRDC (n=53) groups based on lung lesions such as interstitial pneumonia, suppurative pneumonia, and pleuropneumonia. The immune cell population of bronchoalveolar lavage cells (BALc) was evaluated on 14 and 28 days post infection (dpi) and PMBC cytokine expression was measured on 0, 3, 7, 14 dpi to investigate early inflammatory reactions. Pulmonary lesion severity was negatively correlated with alveolar macrophage (AM) in both PRRS and PRDC groups on 14 and 28 dpi. AM in BALc was less populated in PRDC group on 28 dpi compared to PRRS group. AM in BALc was significantly less populated in PRDC group on 28 dpi compared to 14 dpi. In addition, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in BALc was higher populated in PRDC group on 14 dpi and 28 dpi compared to PRRS group. In the case of PBMC cytokine TNF-α, IFN-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, FoxP3, and IL-2, the PRRS group showed higher expression than the PRDC group on 7 dpi, 14 dpi, 7 dpi, 14 dpi, 14 dpi, and 14 dpi, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of IFN-β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, and IL-17, the PRDC group showed higher PBMC cytokine expression at 14 dpi, 7 dpi, 14 dpi, 3 dpi, and 3 dpi, respectively, than the PRRS group. Based on these results, our study could characterize differential immune responses in pigs with PRRS or PRDC.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제13권4호
• /
• pp.441-447
• /
• 2003

Protein kinase C (PKC)가 interleukin-1 beta (IL-1$\beta$)에 의하여 산화질소(NO) 생성과정에 어떤 역할을 하는지를 검토하기 위하여, 혈관평활근세포에서 PKC 활성제인 phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)로 전처리한 후 IL-1$\beta$에 의하여 야기되는 NO생성을 nitrite ($NO_2$)로 정량하고, RT-PCR method를 이용하여 iNOS 발현에 미치는 영향을 검토하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. PMA (20, 200 nM)는 IL-1$\beta$에 의한$NO_2$ 생성을 유의하게 증가시켰다. PMA 200 nM, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate 500 nM로 전처리하여 8, 24시간 노출된 세포에서 IL-1$\beta$에 의한 NO2생성이 현저히 감소되었으나, PKC 비활성제인 4$\alpha$-phorbol-didecanoate 200 nM로 전처리한 경우는 영향을 받지 아니하였다. PMA 농도를 달리하여 24시간 전처리한 경우 IL-1$\beta$에 의한 $NO_2$ 생성의 감소는 PMA의 농도가 20및 200 nM에서 현저하였다. RT-PCR method를 이용하여 iNOS 발현을 검토한바 IL-1$\beta$ 100U/ml에 의한 iNOS발현이 PMA전처리 및 cycloheximide 또는 actinomycin D존재로서 현저히 억제 되었다. 이상의 결과로 미루어 혈관평활근세포에서 PMA 전처리로 야기되는 IL-1$\beta$에 의한 NO 생성의 감소는, PKC 조절저하작용에 의한 iNOS 발현의 억제로 야기되는 것 같다.