• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 1999

Shoot tips with 2 leaf primordia were cultured to induce shoot primordia in MS liquid medium supplemented with several concentrations of BA and hIAA under the conditions of 10,000 lux illuminations for 24 h and of vertical shaking of 2 rpm in carrot. Two F$_1$ hybrids and two male sterility lines were used. Shoot primordia were only induced in the medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L of BA and 0.2 mg/L of NAA. Genotypic specificity and seasonal effect of donor parents on shoot primordia induction were not observed and average 15-20% of the planted dornes developed to shoot primordia. The induced shoot primordia were successfully propagated by subculture in the same medium. However, they were grown into three different types during multiplication, that is, the type with multiple small shoots on the surface, the type of without any shoot, and the type of callus. Shoot primordia clusters with small shoots on the surface differentiated multiple shoots successfully in 1/2 MS solid medium supplemented with 0.2 to 1.0 mg/L of IAA and 0.2 to 1.0 mg/L of kinetin. New shoot primordia with small shoots were well formed when pieces bigger than 2 mm in diameter of the out layer of the shoot primordia cluster with small shoots were subcultured. No differences of multiplication and shooting ability and chromosomal variation of shoot primordia were observed until the 13th sub-culture.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2007

Compound K (CK) is a final metabolite of panaxadiol ginsenosides. Although panax ginseng is known to have anti-diabetic activity, the active ingredient is not yet fully identified. Therefore, it would be interesting to know whether and how CK has an anti-diabetic activity. First, insulin secretion-stimulating activity of CK was examined using RIN-m5F cell line and primary cultured islets. CK enhanced the insulin secretion in a concentration dependent manner. This effect, however, was almost completely abolished in the presence of diazoxide, $K^+$ channel opener, indicating that the insulin secretion-stimulating activity of CK is presumably due to blockade of ATP sensitive $K^+$ channel. In addition, effects of CK on gene expressions of hepatic enzymes (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase[PEPCK], glucose-6-phos-phatase[G6Pase]) and on adipocyte differentiation in H4IIE and 3T3-Ll cells, respectively, were examined. CK suppressed the induction of PEPCK and G6Pase mRNA expressions under the dexamethasone/cAMP stimulation condition. CK also reduced the $PPAR-{\gamma}$ mRNA expression and triglyceride accumulation in a dose dependent manner as compared to the control. The present study suggests that CK deserves to examine whether it shows an anti-diabetic activity in animal and human studies.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.79-94
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• 2011

Background: Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are currently being evaluated as a novel strategy for tumor vaccination and immunotherapy. However, inducing long-term regression in established tumor-implanted mice is difficult. Here, we show that deoxypohophyllotoxin (DPT) induces maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived DCs via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 activation of MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Methods: The phenotypic and functional maturation of DPT-treated DCs was assessed by flow cytometric analysis and cytokine production, respectively. DPT-treated DCs was also used for mixed leukocyte reaction to evaluate T cell-priming capacity and for tumor regression against melanoma. Results: DPT promoted the activation of $CD8^+$ T cells and the Th1 immune response by inducing IL-12 production in DCs. In a B16F10 melanoma-implanted mouse model, we demonstrated that DPT-treated DCs (DPT-DCs) enhance immune priming and regression of an established tumor in vivo. Furthermore, migration of DPT-DCs to the draining lymph nodes was induced via CCR7 upregulation. Mice that received DPT-DCs displayed enhanced antitumor therapeutic efficacy, which was associated with increased IFN-${\gamma}$ production and induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that the adjuvant effect of DPT in DC vaccination is associated with the polarization of T effector cells toward a Th1 phenotype and provides a potential therapeutic antitumor immunity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2014

Objectives : I investigated whether Bee Venom can synergistically strengthen the cytotoxic effects of NK-92 cells, enhancing the inhibition of the growth of Lung Cancer Cells including A549 and NCI-H460 through induction of death receptor dependent extrinsic apoptosis and NO generation in the Nitro-oxide pathway. Methods : Bee Venom inhibited cell proliferation of A549 or NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells as well as NK-92 Cells. Moreover, when they were co-punctured with NK cells and concomitantly treated by 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, more influence was exerted on inhibition of proliferation of A549 or NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells than BV or NK cell co-culture alone. Results : The expression of Fas, TNFR2, DR3, DR6 in A549 Lung Cancer Cells was significantly increased by co-culture of NK-92 cells and treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, compared to co-culture of NK-92 cells alone, whereas the expression of Fas, TNFR2, DR6 in NCI-H460 Lung Cancer Cells was significantly increased by co-culture of NK-92 cells, representing no synergistic effects in the co-culture of NK-92 cell and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom. Coincidently, caspase-8, a expression of pro-apoptotic proteins in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway demonstrated same results as the above. Meanwhile, In NO generation, there is little change of NO generation in co-culture of NK-92 cells with A549 cells as well as the co-culture of NK-92 cell with them and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, whereas increase of NO generation was shown in co-culture of NK-92 cells with NCI-H460 cells as well as the co-culture of NK-92 cell with them and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, although synergistic effects by Bee Venom was not found. Conclusions : These present data provide that Bee Venom could be useful candidate compounds to enhance lung cancer growth inhibiting ability of NK-92 cells through DR expression and the related apoptosis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.265-286
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• 1997

Bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs) are a group of transforming growth factor beta(TGF-${\beta}$)-related factors and multifunctional proteins, especially the only known biologic factors capable of inducing endochondral bone formation at an extraskeletal site. This study was performed to investigate the effect of the partially purified porcine BMP(pBMP) at an ectopic site. PBMP was partially purified from porcine bone matrix and its activity was monitored by an in vivo bioassay. The purification method utilized extraction of the bone-inducing activity with 4M guanidine, followed by chromatography on heparin-Sepharose. Active fractions were assayed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. And the fractions were reconstituted with inactive insoluble collagenous bone matrix from rats, acid soluble type I collagen from rat tail and chondroitin-6-sulfate sodium salt and implanted into the pectroralis muscle pouches of Sprague-Dawley rats. And the carrier complex was implanted on the opposite side as control. The rats were sacrificed at the day of 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 11th, 14th and 21st after implantation and examined histologically, radiologically and biochemically. And alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content were used as indices of bone formation. The results were as follows ; 1. Active fractions were localized in a zone between 31 and 40 KDa on SDS-PAGE. 2. The implanted 3.0mg of the partially purified pBMP induced cartilage and bone in the muscle tissue of rats through an endochondral ossification process. 3. Inactive insoluble bone matrix, type I collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate have functioned as carriers for pBMP, but revealed some foreign body reactions. 4. Soft X-ray didn't reveal significant change between the experimental and the control group. 5. The alkaline phosphatase activities in the experimental group of 5th, 7th, 11th, 14th and 21st were increased significantly compared with control (p<0.01) with the peak in the group of 11th day. 6. With time, the calcium content of the experimental group increased. And the calcium contents in the experimental group of 11th, 14th and 21st were increased significantly compared with control (p<0.01).

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.183-190
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• 2017

Ficus carica L. (common fig), one of the first plants cultivated by humans, originated in the Mediterranean basin and currently grows worldwide, including southwest Asia and South Korea. It has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases as well as hemorrhoids and skin infections. Its pharmacological properties have recently been studied in detail, but research on the anti-cancer effect of its latex has been only been studied on a limited basis on several cell lines, such prostate cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of the latex of Ficus carica L.and its underlying mechanism in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. (See Ed. note above) We confirmed through SDS-PAGE analysis and gelatinolytic activity analysis that the latex of Ficus carica contains cysteine protease ficin. Our data showed that the latex inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the latex treatment markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells as determined by FACS analysis, elevated expression level of cleaved caspase-9, -3 and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and. increased the expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic factor) while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic factor). Taken together, these results suggested that latex containing the ficin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by caspase and the Bcl-2 family signaling pathway in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. These findings point to the potential of latex of Ficus carica to provide a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 2001

The effect of salinity stress of Brassica olearacea and Capsicum annuum were studied at various levels of salinity conditions(Na-gluconate, K-gluconate, NaCl, KCl). The effects of salinity stress were measured by seedling growth rates and secondary metabolites contents of the stressed plants. Each seedling studied on the response of different salinity stress. Seedling growth of Capsicum annuum was inhibited up to 200 mM salt tolerance and Brassica olearacea was inhibited up to 400 mM salt tolerance. The produced anthocyanin was separated to high value from 200 mM NaCl in case of Brassica olearana and 50 mM K-gluconate in case of Capsicum annuum. The BADH activity was very high in Brassica olearacea seedlings treated with 200 mM NaCl and in Capsicum annuum seedlings treated with 100 mM K-gluconate. The BADH activities were increased during the early culture days, it induced betaine synthesis. The salinity stress promoted BADH activiy, subsequently endogenous betaine contents were increased, and it seemed to be secure seedling from salinity stress. The salinity concentration of 200 mM was effective on the inhibition of seed germination and on the increase of proline accumulation in tissue. The inhibition of seedling growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites in seedling were caused osmotic hypersensitivity against salinity stress.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Curcumin has diverse anticancer activities that lead to tumor growth inhibition of cancer cells and induction of apoptosis. Curcumin is involved in the regulation of multiple genes via transcription factors including NF-${\kappa}B$, STATs, AP1, and SP. Notch signaling plays critical roles in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and thereby may contribute to the development of various cancers involving breast cancer. This study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on Notch1 gene expression and to explore the underlying mechanism. Here, we found that curcumin decreased the levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, along with the downregulation of Sp family genes (Sp1, Sp2, Sp3, and Sp4). The repressive effect of curcumin on Notch1 gene transcription was confirmed by performing Notch1 promoter-driven reporter assay and three Sp-binding sites were identified on Notch1 promoter that may act as curcumin-respose elements. Moreover, treatment with mitramycin A, a specific Sp inhibitor, decreased the levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in human breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results indicate that Notch1 gene expression is downregulated by curcumin, at least in part, through the suppression of Sp family, which may lead to apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.17 no.1 s.34
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• pp.23-28
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• 1978

The study has been carried to confirm the pathotypes of Kresek inducing isolates of X. oryzae, and its reaction to the test plants when they were inoculated by the use of various methods. Induction of Kresek symptom by 23 isolates which randomly samplified from 123 Kresek areas through the country also were examined. The specificity of Pathotypes I, II, V in causing Kresek and the potenciality of infected rice straw is a first inoculum for Kresek epidemics in nature were tested. Fifteen out of 23 isolates from kresek area belonged to pathotype group I, while the rest of 8 isolates 5 howed group II reaction, and the most of isolates were originated from infected rice plant of Milyang #23. All of five pathotype groups were abled to produce 'Kresek' symptom although they showed some differences in each group of pathotype. The varieties Milyang #21, 22 and 23 were attacked by all isolates of group I, II and V while the Gogyoku group varieties including Yushin produced kresek symptom only by pathotype group II. Infected and dried straw maintained the pathogens during the winter period, and these straw acted as a first inoculum of Kresek disease when the straw were cutted and used as a manure just before transplanting of rice seedling.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.119-122
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• 2010

Interleukin-1${\beta}$ $(IL-1{\beta})$ is one of the key proinflammatory cytokines and it plays an important role for the antimycobacterial host defense mechanisms. In this study, we examined Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-stimulated induction of IL-1${\beta}$ and evaluated the associated signal transduction pathways. In PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, MTB infection increased mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of IL-1${\beta}$ mRNA began to be induced at 1.5 h after infection, and induced expression of IL-1${\beta}$ was retained for 48 h after MTB infection. The increase in expression of IL-1${\beta}$ caused by MTB was reduced in cells treated with Ro-31-8425 (an inhibitor of PK$C{\alpha}$, ${\beta}I$, ${\beta}II$, ${\gamma}$, ${\varepsilon}$) or PD98059 (an inhibitor of MEK1), meanwhile, pre-treatment with $G\ddot{o}6976$ (an inhibitor of $Ca^{2+}$ dependent PK$C{\alpha}$ and PK$C{\beta}I$) or Rottlerin (an inhibitor of PK$C{\delta}$) has no effect on MTB-induced expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA. These results show that the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA caused by MTB may be mediated via MEK1 and PKC isoforms including PK$C{\beta}II$, $PKC{\gamma}$, or $PKC{\varepsilon}$. Further studies are required to determine whether other PKC isoforms $(PKC {\eta},\;{\theta},\;{\varepsilon},\;and\;{\lambda}/{\iota})$, except $PKC{\delta}$, $PKC{\alpha}$, and $PKC{\beta}I$, are also involved in $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA expression after mycobacterial infection.