• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.432-437
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• 2016

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a cytokine that plays a key regulatory role in the immune system. Recombinant human IL-11 (rhIL-11) exerts a preventative effect against apoptotic cell death and inhibits preadipocyte differentiation. IL-11 also is used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce platelets in order to prevent low platelets that may be caused by chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the high production cost of IL-11 associated. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of transgenic plants for the cost-effective production of rhIL-11. Production of rhIL-11 proteins in whole-plant expression system will be more economical when compared to the current E. coli based expression system. The human rhIL-11 gene was codon optimized to maximize plant host system expression. IL-11 expression vector under the control of a constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV 35S) promoter was introduced into tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The 5'-leader sequence (called ${\Omega}$) of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as a translational enhancer was added to construct. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing various levels of rhIL-11 protein were generated. Western blotting of the stably transformed lines demonstrated accumulation of the appropriately sized rhIL-11 protein in leaves. This research demonstrated the efficacy of using tobacco as an expression system for the production of rhIL-11.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2093-2097
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• 2016

Background: HCV is a major global health problem. IL-27 is a member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family with a broad range of anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies highlighted the effect of a SNP in the IL-27 promoter region on modulating the progression of infectious diseases and individual responses to therapy. Aim of the work: The present study investigated the potential role of (-964 A/G) SNP in the promoter region of IL-27p28 gene (alleles rs153109) on the outcome of HCV infection among genotype 4a infected patients. Materials and Methods: HCV genotyping confirmed that all of the HCV-infected patients had genotype 4a infection. Genomic DNA was extracted from 111 patients with chronic HCV infection, 42 spontaneous resolvers (SR) and 16 healthy controls. IL- 27p28.rs153109 genotyping was assessed using PCR-RFLP then confirmed by DNA sequencing. Results: The frequency of IL-27-p28.rs153109AA, AG, and GG genotypes among chronically infected subjects were 74.8 %, 25.2%, and 0% while among the SR, they were 57.1%, 35.7%, and 7.14%, respectively. Our data show the unique presence of G/G genotype in the SR group (3 patients; 7.14%). Moreover, the "G" allele frequencies among chronic and resolved subjects were 12.6% and 25.0%, respectively (p=0.0136). Importantly, subjects with the GG genotype were more likely to clear their HCV infection than those with the AA genotype (p=0.0118). Conclusions: HCV genotype 4a subjects with the IL-27-p28.rs153109 A/G and G/G genotype were more likely to clear their HCV infection. Therefore, we propose IL- 27p28.rs153109SNPas a genetic biomarker for predicting HCV infection outcome.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.290-299
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Spirulina is a known a functional food related to lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity. Circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level is associated with inflammation markers. Single nucleotide polymorphism in the MCP-1 promoter region -2518 have been identified and shown to affect gene transcription. Gene variation may also impact functional food supplementary effects. The current study investigated the interaction of MCP-1 -2518 polymorphism with spirulina supplements on anti-inflammatory capacity in Korean elderly. SUBJECTS/METHODS: After genotyping, healthy elderly subjects (n = 78) were included in a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled study. Baseline characteristic, body composition, and dietary intake were measured twice (baseline vs. week 16). For 16 weeks, subjects consumed 8 g either spirulina or placebo daily. Plasma MCP-1, interleukin (IL) -2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, complement (C) 3, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and Ig A concentrations and lymphocyte proliferation rate (LPR) were analyzed as inflammatory markers. RESULTS: In the placebo group with A/A genotype, MCP-1 level was significantly increased, but the spirulina group with A/A genotype was unchanged. IL-2 was significantly increased only in subjects with spirulina supplementation. TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly reduced in subjects with the G carrier. C3 was significantly increased in the placebo group, particularly when A/A increased more than G, but not when spirulina was ingested. LPR was significantly different only in subjects with A/A genotype; there was a significant increase in phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide induced LPR in the spirulina group. CONCLUSION: In healthy Korean elderly, spirulina supplementation may influence different inflammatory markers by the MCP-1 genotype. These results may be useful for customized dietary guidelines to improve immune function in Koreans.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.758-763
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• 2009

Cancer-associated antigen (CAGE) induces the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) by activating Akt, which in turn interacts with inhibitory kappa kinase $\beta$ ($I{\kappa}K{\beta}$) to activate nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$). Akt and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) are necessary for CAGE-mediated induction of the AP-1 subunit JunB, whereas extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) is necessary for the induction of fos-related antigen-1 (Fra-1). Induction of MMP-2 by CAGE requires activator of protein-1 (AP-1) to be bound. Specific binding of JunB to MMP-2 promoter sequences was shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

Helicobacter pylori is the definitive carcinogen for stomach cancer and is known to induce proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and interleukin-1(IL-1) in the stomach. Based on our findings that TNF-$\alpha$ is an endogenous tumor promoter, we identified the TNF-$\alpha$ inducing protein (Tip$\alpha$) gene family, and confirmed Tip$\alpha$ and HP-MP1 as new carcinogenic proteins of H. pylori. Tip$\alpha$ protein is unique to H. pylori, and this paper shows the strong tumor promoting activity of Tip$\alpha$ gene family, in cooperation with Ras protein and its mechanisms of action in relation to NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and discusses the carcinogenic role of Tip$\alpha$ in stomach cancer. Our recent finding showing that penicillin-binding proteins of other bacteria are weak homologues of Tip$\alpha$ is also discussed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-313
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• 2008

The insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) has been investigated as a candidate gene for growth promoting effects in beef cattle and a modulator of IGF bioactivity. Previously, we have reported twenty two sequence variants discovered in Korean native cattle (Hanwoo). In this study, we examined the association between gene-specific polymorphisms of IGFBP3 and cold carcass weight (CW) and marbling score (MS) among Korean native cattle. Among twenty two polymorphisms, four common polymorphic sites (-854G>C, -100G>A, +421G>T and +3863C>A) were genotyped in our beef cattle (n = 437). Statistical analysis revealed that one common polymorphism in the promoter region (-854G>C) showed putative associations with MS (p = 0.03). IGFBP3 variation/haplotype information analyzed in this study will provide valuable information into strategies for the production of a commercial line of beef cattle.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1348-1354
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• 2008

mi transcription factor (MITF) is important in regulating the differentiation of mast cells. In particular, MITF regulates the transcription of the mouse mast cell-specific serine protease (mMCP)-6 gene, which is generally expressed by the connective tissue-type of mast cells. In this study, we investigated alternative isoforms of MITF that regulate transcription of the mMCP-6 gene in bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells in mice. The expression of MITF isoforms was examined by RT-PCR. We observed that MITF-A, -E, -H and -Mc were expressed by mucosal-type mast cells cultured in the presence of IL-3, whereas the connective tissue-type mast cells cultured in the presence of stem cell factor (SCF) expressed MITF-A. Overexpression of MITF isoforms increased luciferase activity through the mMCP-6 promoter in NIH-3T3 cells and elevated the level of mMCP-6 expression in the MC/9 mast cell line. Moreover, mMCP-6 expression in mast cells was significantly inhibited by the depletion of MITF. The transcriptional activity and DNA binding of MITF-A was comparable to that of MITF isoforms, including MITF-E, -H, and -Mc. Our results therefore suggest that MITF-A may be an important isoform of MITF in regulating the transcription of mMCP-6 in mouse connective tissue mast cells.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.308-314
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• 2011

Efficient transformation and regeneration methods are a priority for successful application of genetic engineering to vegetative propagated plants such as grape. In this study, methods for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and plant regeneration of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) were evaluated. Tamnara, Heukgoosul, Heukbosek, Rizamat were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium strains, LBA4404 containing the vector pBI121 carrying with CaMV 35S promoter, GUS gene as reporter gene and resistance to kanamycin as selective agent. Seven percent of the maximum regeneration frequency was obtained from co-cultivated with explants from Rizamat with LBA4404 strain on selection medium with kanamycin. The addition of acetosyringone, 200 ${\mu}m$ in virulence induction step was a key factor for successful GUS reporter gene expression in grapevine transformation. Transgenic plants showed resistance to kanamycin and the GUS positive response in leaf ($T_0$) stem ($T_0$) and petiole ($T_0$).

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1103-1110
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Several epidemiological studies have validated the association of interleukin gene polymorphisms with acute pancreatitis (AP) in different populations. However, there have been few studies in Asian ethnic groups. We aimed to investigate the relationships between inflammatory cytokine polymorphisms and AP as pilot research in a Korean ethnic group. Methods: Patients who had been diagnosed with AP were prospectively enrolled. DNA was extracted from whole blood, and DNA sequencing was subsequently performed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin $1{\beta}$ (IL1B), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN), and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNFA) genes of patients with AP were compared to those of normal controls. Results: Between January 2011 and January 2013, a total of 65 subjects were enrolled (40 patients with AP vs. 25 healthy controls). One intronic SNP (IL1RN -1129T>C, rs4251961) was significantly associated with the risk of AP (odds ratio, 0.304; 95% confidence interval, 0.095 to 0.967; p = 0.043). However, in our study, AP was not found to be associated with polymorphisms in the promoter regions of inflammatory cytokine genes, including IL1B (-118C>T, c47+242C>T, +3954C/T, and -598T>C) and TNFA (-1211T>C, -1043C>A, -1037C>T, -488G>A, and -418G>A). Conclusions: IL1RN -1129T>C (rs4251961) genotypes might be associated with a significant increase of AP risk in a Korean ethnic group.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.105-119
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• 2006

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Sesami Semen on the itching and anti-allergic inflammation mechanism related with cytokine, chemokine, histamine, $\beta$-hexosaminidase, NF-$\kappa$B, and free radical, and it was concluded as follows : 1. Sesami Semen did not show any cytotoxicity at the range of con-centration (1-250 ${\mu}g/m\ell$) on the human fibroblast cell (hFCs). 2. Sesami Semen reduced the gene expressions of IL-8, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 mRNA comparing with control. 3. Sesami Semen reduced the levels of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 within THP-1 cell depending on the concentration, and especially significantly reduced the the levels of IL-6, MCP-1 at all the concentration. 4. Sesami Semen significantly decreased the histamine secretion on HMC-1 at all the concentration. 5. Sesami Semen decreased the $\beta$-Hexosaminidase secretion 6.2% at 10 ${\mu}g$/ml conc., 58.3% at 100 ${\mu}g$/ml conc. and 63.2% at 200 ${\mu}g$/ml conc., respectively. And IC50 (${\mu}g$/ml) was 158.25 ${\mu}g$/ml. 6. Sesami Semen significantly suppressed the activity of NF-$\kappa$B promoter depending on the concentration. 7. Sesami Semen decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DPPH generation depending on the concentration. As judged with above results, the effects of Sesami Semen on the anti-allergic inflamation would be recognized, and it could be applied on the medicinal sources for prevention or treatment of several allergy disease. And more studies are needed furthermore with the seperation of effective materials.