• 한국어병학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.337-348
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 넙치의 해독 과정에서 amprolium hydrochloride의 영향을 평가하기 위해 수행되었다. 이전 연구에서 보고된 amprolium의 LD₅₀ 값을 이용하여 두 가지 실험을 진행하였다. 첫 번째는 30마리의 넙치를 5개의 대조군 및 실험군으로 나누었고 4, 8, 16, 32 mg/kg 용량의 amprolium을 근육 내 주사 투여하였다. 주사 후 8, 24, 48 시간에 간과 신장을 적출하여 약물 대사 효소와 전염증성 사이토카인 유전자의 발현을 분석하였다. 32 mg/kg 용량의 실험군에서 IL-1β mRNA의 높은 발현을 확인하였고, CYP1A는 이와 반대의 결과를 보였으며, 간에서 UGT와 GST mRNA의 발현은 유의하게 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 신장에서 amprolium 주사 투여 후 약물 대사 효소와 사이토카인 유전자의 억제가 관찰되었다. 또 다른 실험에서는 4, 8, 16, 32 mg/kg과 60, 80, 100, 120 mg/kg의 용량을 설정하여 근육 내 주사 투여하였다. 주사를 완료하고 6일 후 간을 적출하여 유전자의 발현을 확인하였다. IL-1β의 발현은 4 mg/kg 용량 실험군에서 유의적으로 매우 높은 발현을 보였다. GST의 mRNA 발현 또한 4 mg/kg 용량 실험군에서 높은 발현을 보였다. 결론적으로 우리의 결과는 amprolium이 가축 산업의 가장 안전한 합성 항콕시듐 약물 중 하나로 간주되지만 넙치의 간접 또는 직접적인 물리적 또는 생물학적 독성을 유발하는 것으로 판단된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.45.1-45.22
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• 2023

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) involves persistent inflammation and fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential in ILD therapeutics but obtaining an adequate quantity of cells for drug application is difficult. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's MSCs (DW-MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells sustain a high proliferative capacity following long-term culture and expansion. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of DW-MSCs in experimental mouse models of ILD. DW-MSCs were expanded up to 12 passages for in vivo application in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and collagen-induced connective tissue disease-ILD mouse models. We assessed lung inflammation and fibrosis, lung tissue immune cells, fibrosis-related gene/protein expression, apoptosis and mitochondrial function of alveolar epithelial cells, and mitochondrial transfer ability. Intravenous administration of DWMSCs consistently improved lung fibrosis and reduced inflammatory and fibrotic markers expression in both models across various disease stages. The therapeutic effect of DW-MSCs was comparable to that following daily oral administration of nintedanib or pirfenidone. Mechanistically, DW-MSCs exhibited immunomodulatory effects by reducing the number of B cells during the early phase and increasing the ratio of Tregs to Th17 cells during the late phase of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, DW-MSCs exhibited anti-apoptotic effects, increased cell viability, and improved mitochondrial respiration in alveolar epithelial cells by transferring their mitochondria to alveolar epithelial cells. Our findings indicate the strong potential of DW-MSCs in the treatment of ILD owing to their high efficacy and immunomodulatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권12호
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• pp.663-668
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• 2023

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker and risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanism through which CRP induces myocardial damage remains unclear. This study aimed to determine how CRP damages cardiomyocytes via the change of mitochondrial dynamics and whether survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein, exerts a cardioprotective effect in this process. We treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes with CRP and found increased intracellular ROS production and shortened mitochondrial length. CRP treatment phosphorylated ERK1/2 and promoted increased expression, phosphorylation, and translocation of DRP1, a mitochondrial fission-related protein, from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. The expression of mitophagy proteins PINK1 and PARK2 was also increased by CRP. YAP, a transcriptional regulator of PINK1 and PARK2, was also increased by CRP. Knockdown of YAP prevented CRP-induced increases in DRP1, PINK1, and PARK2. Furthermore, CRP-induced changes in the expression of DRP1 and increases in YAP, PINK1, and PARK2 were inhibited by ERK1/2 inhibition, suggesting that ERK1/2 signaling is involved in CRP-induced mitochondrial fission. We treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes with a recombinant TAT-survivin protein before CRP treatment, which reduced CRP-induced ROS accumulation and reduced mitochondrial fission. CRP-induced activation of ERK1/2 and increases in the expression and activity of YAP and its downstream mitochondrial proteins were inhibited by TAT-survivin. This study shows that mitochondrial fission occurs during CRP-induced cardiomyocyte damage and that the ERK1/2-YAP axis is involved in this process, and identifies that survivin alters these mechanisms to prevent CRP-induced mitochondrial damage.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.33-42
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• 2024

Objectives : The sigma-1 receptor is implicated in stress, depression, psychostimulant sensitization, and addiction vulnerability. Prior studies have indicated that ethanol exposure modulates sigma-1 receptor activity within the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA). Here, we explore the sub-mechanisms underlying sigma-1 receptor activity induced by HT7 (Shinmun) stimulation in behavioral alterations following acute ethanol (ETOH) administration. Methods : Male Wistar rats were investigated for pro- and anti-inflammatory markers after injection of ETOH (1 g/kg) using cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)s. After confirming that HT7 stimulation changed the total distance traveled in the open field test (OFT), protein changes in the Ventral tegmental area (VTA) were measured by Western blotting. The expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) after administration of a sigma-1 receptor antagonist (dihydrobromide 1047; BD1047, 10 mg/kg i.p.) and Shenmen (HT7) stimulation was compared. Results : As a result, acute ETOH administration increased proinflammatory marker levels (TNF-𝛼 and IL-6). HT7 stimulation restored the total distance response after acute ethanol administration. In addition, in the VTA, the levels of a microglial marker (iNOS), sigma-1 receptor and protein kinase C, which are predicted to be involved in up- and downregulation, were restored by HT7 stimulation. In particular, HT7 stimulation modulates iNOS expression through effects similar to BD treatment. This study suggests that the stimulatory effect of HT7 may be driven by microglial activation. Conclusions : Microglial activity is regulated by sigma-1 receptor, and sigma-1 receptor activity is regulated by HT7 stimulation. Significantly, we demonstrate that HT7 stimulation ameliorates behavioral alterations induced by acute ETOH administration through microglial activation within the VTA.

• 한국식품저장유통학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.502-513
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 영지버섯 균사체 발효 꾸지뽕 잔가지 추출물의 지방세포 분화 억제 및 염증 억제 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 세포독성을 확인한 결과, 최대 1,000 ㎍/mL 농도까지 세포에 처리하여도 세포 생존율이 감소하지 않음을 확인되었다. 분화과정 동안 발효 꾸지뽕 잔가지 추출물을 처리하였을 때, 세포 내 지방 축적이 감소되었다. 분화과정에 관여하는 대표적인 adipokine인 leptin과 adiponectin의 생성량을 확인한 결과, 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물에 의해 adiponectin의 생성 증가와 leptin의 생성 감소를 확인하였다. 지방세포 분화 관련 유전자의 발현은 분화 유도인자만 처리한 군에 비해 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물이 함께 처리된 군에서 추출물의 농도가 높아질수록 지방분화 전사인자인 PPARγ와 C/EBPα의 발현량이 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 분화된 3T3-L1 세포에서 LPS에 의해 분비되는 염증성 사이토카인(TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1)의 생성량 변화를 측정한 결과, LPS 처리로 증가된 염증성 사이토카인의 생성을 억제하였으며 염증 관련 유전자인 iNOS, COX-2의 발현도 감소되었다. 또한, 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물과 발효되지 않은 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물을 비교하였을 때, 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물이 지방세포 분화 및 염증 억제 효과에서 더 높은 활성을 보였으며, 이들 결과를 종합적으로 볼 때, 영지버섯 균사체를 이용한 발효가 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지의 활성 증가에 기여하는 것으로 보인다. 따라서 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물은 항비만, 항염증 소재로서 비만뿐만 아니라 대사성 질환 개선을 위한 기능성 소재로서 활용이 가능할 것으로 판단되며, 향후 발효 꾸지뽕나무 추출물의 명확한 항비만, 항염증 효능을 확인하기 위해서는 유용 물질 분리 및 작용기전 등 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.481-492
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and imaging characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in hospitalized immunocompromised patients in comparison with immunocompetent patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed consecutive adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who received at least one dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine at two academic medical centers between June 2021 and December 2022. Immunocompromised patients (with active solid organ cancer, active hematologic cancer, active immune-mediated inflammatory disease, status post solid organ transplantation, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome) were compared with immunocompetent patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of immune status on severe clinical outcomes (in-hospital death, mechanical ventilation, or intensive care unit admission), severe radiologic pneumonia (≥ 25% of lung involvement), and typical CT pneumonia. Results: Of 2218 patients (mean age, 69.5 ± 16.1 years), 274 (12.4%), and 1944 (87.6%) were immunocompromised an immunocompetent, respectively. Patients with active solid organ cancer and patients status post solid organ transplantation had significantly higher risks for severe clinical outcomes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.58 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.01-2.47], P = 0.042; and 3.12 [95% CI, 1.47-6.60], P = 0.003, respectively). Patient status post solid organ transplantation and patients with active hematologic cancer were associated with increased risks for severe pneumonia based on chest radiographs (2.96 [95% CI, 1.54-5.67], P = 0.001; and 2.87 [95% CI, 1.50-5.49], P = 0.001, respectively) and for typical CT pneumonia (9.03 [95% CI, 2.49-32.66], P < 0.001; and 4.18 [95% CI, 1.70-10.25], P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 breakthrough infection showed an increased risk of severe clinical outcome, severe pneumonia based on chest radiographs, and typical CT pneumonia. In particular, patients status post solid organ transplantation was specifically found to be associated with a higher risk of all three outcomes than hospitalized immunocompetent patients.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.40.1-40.15
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• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.326-341
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that leads to the progressive destruction of articular cartilage. Current clinical therapeutic strategies are moderately effective at relieving OA-associated pain but cannot induce chondrocyte differentiation or achieve cartilage regeneration. We investigated the ability of wedelolactone, a biologically active natural product that occurs in Eclipta alba (false daisy), to promote chondrogenic differentiation. Methods and Results: Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and immunofluorescence staining assays were used to evaluate the effects of wedelolactone on the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). RNA sequencing, microRNA (miRNA) sequencing, and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation analyses were performed to explore the mechanism by which wedelolactone promotes the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. We found that wedelolactone facilitates the chondrogenic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs and rat bone-marrow MSCs. Moreover, the forkhead box O (FOXO) signaling pathway was upregulated by wedelolactone during chondrogenic differentiation, and a FOXO1 inhibitor attenuated the effect of wedelolactone on chondrocyte differentiation. We determined that wedelolactone reduces enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-mediated histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation of the promoter region of FOXO1 to upregulate its transcription. Additionally, we found that wedelolactone represses miR-1271-5p expression, and that miR-1271-5p post-transcriptionally suppresses the expression of FOXO1 that is dependent on the binding of miR-1271-5p to the FOXO1 3'-untranscribed region. Conclusions: These results indicate that wedelolactone suppresses the activity of EZH2 to facilitate the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs by activating the FOXO1 signaling pathway. Wedelolactone may therefore improve cartilage regeneration in diseases characterized by inflammatory tissue destruction, such as OA.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.131-141
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• 2024

Objective: This experiment aimed to explore the protective action of dietary supplementation with isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) from Macleaya cordata on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in broilers. Methods: Total 216 healthy broilers were selected in a 21-d trial and assigned randomly to the following 3 treatments: control (CON) group, LPS group, and LPS+IA group. The CON and LPS groups were provided with a basal diet, whereas the LPS+IA group received the basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA. Broilers in LPS and LPS+IA groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg body weight) at 17, 19, and 21 days of age, while those in CON group were injected with equivalent amount of saline solution. Results: Results showed LPS injection caused systemic and liver inflammation in broilers, inhibited immune function, and ultimately lead to liver injury. By contrast, supplementation of IA ameliorated LPS-induced adverse change in serum parameters, boosted immunity in LPS+IA group. Furthermore, IA suppressed the elevation of hepatic inflammatory cytokines and caspases levels induced by LPS, as well as the expressions of genes related to the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA could enhance immune function of body and inhibit liver damage via inactivating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in broilers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.211-227
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• 2024

본 연구에서는 해조류 섭취와 염증과 관련된 유전자의 변이 및 다유전자 위험 점수 간의 상호작용이 염증에 미치는 영향을 확인하였다. 남성과 여성 모두 PRS가 높은 그룹에서 염증 발생 위험은 증가하였다. 본 연구에서는 해조류의 섭취가 염증과 직접적인 관련이 있는 것으로 밝혀지지 않았지만, 해조류 섭취와 다유전자 위험 점수 변이 사이에선 통계적으로 유의한 결과를 보였다. 특히, 낮은 해조류의 섭취는 높은 다유전자 위험 점수를 가진 여성에서 고염증 발생 위험이 높았다. 따라서 본 연구결과는 한국인에게서 작용하는 염증 및 염증질환에 대한 유전자 소인을 파악할 수 있고 면역 체계의 균형 및 건강 유지에 새로운 중재방안을 제시할 수 있음을 기대한다.