• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains imperative if we are to successfully improve the quality of life and life span of patients with the disease. A whole plethora of mechanisms are associated with the development and progression of PH. Such complexity makes it difficult to isolate one particular pathway to target clinically. Changes in intracellular free calcium concentration, the most common intracellular second messenger, can have significant impact in defining the pathogenic mechanisms leading to its development and persistence. Signaling pathways leading to the elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_{cyt}$ contribute to pulmonary vasoconstriction, excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells and ultimately pulmonary vascular remodeling. This current review serves to summarize the some of the most recent advances in the regulation of calcium during pulmonary hypertension.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.308-313
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• 2006

Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF-1) is a CXC chemokine that selectively activates the CXCR4 chemokine receptor. Fibronectin is an intracellular matrix component that binds integrin and mediates cell-matrix adhesion. Activation of the integrin receptor can occur in two ways: by ligand binding (outside-in signaling), and in response to intracellular events (inside-out signaling). In the current study we showed that SDF-$1{\alpha}$ inhibited adhesion of T lymphocyte Jurkat cells resulting from binding high concentrations of fibronectin as well as that of THP-1 monocytes. The effect of SDF-$1{\alpha}$ on fibronectin-mediated adhesion was partly reversed by the CXCR4 receptor antagonist T140. Our results suggest that an SDF-1/CXCR4 signal pathway modulates fibronectin-mediated lymphocytes adhesion.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.83-94
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• 2021

The global obesity epidemic and the growing elderly population largely contribute to the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance acts as a critical link between the present obesity pandemic and type 2 diabetes. Naturally occurring reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate intracellular signaling and are kept in balance by the antioxidant system. However, the imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant capacity causes ROS accumulation and induces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress interrupts insulin-mediated intracellular signaling pathways, as supported by studies involving genetic modification of antioxidant enzymes in experimental rodents. In addition, a close association between oxidative stress and insulin resistance has been reported in numerous human studies. However, the controversial results with the use of antioxidants in type 2 diabetes raise the question of whether oxidative stress plays a critical role in insulin resistance. In this review article, we discuss the relevance of oxidative stress to insulin resistance based on genetically modified animal models and human trials.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.616-623
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• 2017

Ginsenoside Rg3, a saponin extracted from ginseng, has various pharmacological and biological activities; however, its effects against Brucella infection are still unclear. Herein, the inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rg3 against intracellular parasitic Brucella infection were evaluated through bacterial infection, adherence assays, and LAMP-1 colocalization, as well as immunoblotting and FACS for detecting MAPK signaling proteins and F-actin polymerization, respectively. The internalization, intracellular growth, and adherence of Brucella abortus in Rg3-treated RAW 264.7 cells were significantly decreased compared with the Rg3-untreated control. Furthermore, an apparent reduction of F-actin content and intensity of F-actin fluorescence in Rg3-treated cells was observed compared with B. abortus-infected cells without treatment by flow cytometry analysis and confocal microscopy, respectively. In addition, treating cells with Rg3 decreased the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling proteins such as ERK 1/2 and p38 compared with untreated cells. Moreover, the colocalization of B. abortus-containing phagosomes with LAMP-1 was markedly increased in Rg3-treated cells. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits B. abortus infection in mammalian cells and can be used as an alternative approach in the treatment of brucellosis.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09b
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• pp.73-86
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• 2003

Endothelins secreted from keratinocytes are intrinsic madiators for human melanocytes in UVB-induced pigmentation. Antimelanogenic ingredient, 1,2-Ο-diferulylglycerol(SM709) isolated from bamboo extract inhibited the melanin synthesis of Bl6F10 melanoma cells by 62%. To understand the cellular mechanism of antimelanogenic activity of SM709 in human melanocytes, the effects of SM709 on the ET-l-induced $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization were investigated. ET-l receptors in human melanocytes were characterized by using specific antagonist and found that ET-l increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ by activating ET-B receptor. SM709 completely blocked the ET-l-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase and its inhibitory effect showed dose- and time- dependent manners. To investigate the role of SM709 on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ store, when the $Ca^{2+}$ store was partially depleted by thapsigargin; a specific inhibitor of ER-type $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, caffeine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization did not changed in the presence or absence of SM709, suggesting that SM709 has no effect on the $Ca^{2+}$ store. It is known that LPA receptor and P$_2$ receptor are linked to InsP$_3$ second messenger system. When these receptors in melanocytes were activated by LPA and ATP, the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling was observed even in the presence of SM709. From the above results, it can be suggested that SM709 has an antimelanogenic activity by antagonizing the ET-B receptor, resulting in subsequent intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling, in UV induced pigmentation.nduced pigmentation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.361-370
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• 2004

The discovery of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins and their role to link cell surface receptors to the intracellular signaling cascades is a key step to understanding insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) action. Moreover, IRS-proteins coordinate signals from the insulin and IGF receptor tyrosine kinases with those generated by proinflammatory cytokines and nutrients. The IRS2-branch of the insulin/IGF signaling cascade has an important role in both peripheral insulin response and pancreatic $\beta$-cell growth and function. Dysregulation of IRS2 signaling in mice causes the failure of compensatory hyperinsulinemia during peripheral insulin resistance. IRS protein signaling is down regulated by serine phosphorylation or protea-some-mediated degradation, which might be an important mechanism of insulin resistance during acute injury and infection, or chronic stress associated with aging or obesity. Under-standing the regulation and signaling by IRS1 and IRS2 in cell growth, metabolism and survival will reveal new strategies to prevent or cure diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.195-208
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• 2005

Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and associated with a high risk of atherosclerosis, and liver, kidney, nerve and tissue damage. Defective insulin secretion in pancreas and/or insulin resistance in peripheral tissues is a central component of diabetes. It is well established that, regardless of the degree of muscle insulin resistance, glucose levels in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals are determined by the rate of hepatic glucose production. Moreover recently studies using liver-specific insulin receptor knockout mice show the paramount role of the liver in insulin resistance and diabetes. Insulin exerts a multifaceted and highly integrated series of actions via its intracellular signaling systems. The first major section of this review defines the major insulin-mediated signaling pathways including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen activated protein kinases. The second major section of the review presents a summary and evaluation of methods for determination of the role and function of signaling pathways, including methods for determination of kinase phosphorylation, the use of pharmacological inhibitors of kinase and dominant-negative kinase constructs, and the application of new RNA interference methods.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.656-663
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• 2010

Amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is critically involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is cleaved by gamma/epsilon-secretase activity and results in the generation of different lengths of the APP Intracellular C-terminal Domain (AICD). In spite of its small size and short half-life, AICD has become the focus of studies on AD pathogenesis. Recently, it was demonstrated that AICD binds to different intracellular binding partners ('adaptor protein'), which regulate its stability and cellular localization. In terms of choice of adaptor protein, phosphorylation seems to play an important role. AICD and its various adaptor proteins are thought to take part in various cellular events, including regulation of gene transcription, apoptosis, calcium signaling, growth factor, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway activation, as well as the production, trafficking, and processing of APP, and the modulation of cytoskeletal dynamics. This review discusses the possible roles of AICD in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including AD.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.424-427
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• 2011

The nucleotide-oligomerization domain (NOD) proteins are members of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, which are intracellular and cytoplasmic receptors. We analyzed the role of NODs for cytokine production by macrophages infected with intracellular pathogen M. leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ was inhibited in the presence of cytochalasin D, an agent blocking phagocytosis, suggesting that intracellular signaling was, partially, required for macrophage activation to M. leprae infection. Next, we investigated the role of NOD1 and NOD2 proteins on NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and cytokine expression. Treatment with M. leprae significantly increased NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in NOD1- and NOD2-transfected cells. Interestingly, their activation and expression were inhibited by cytochalasin D, suggesting that stimulation of NOD proteins may be associated with the enhancement of cytokine production in host to M. leprae.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2015

Although the effects of the rice bran have recently been investigated, there is no information regarding platelet physiology available. However, it is well known that fermented natural plants have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate whether fermented rice bran extract (FRBE) with several plants (Artemisia princeps, Angelica Gigantis Radix, Cnidium officinale, and Camellia sinensis) affected agonist-induced platelet aggregation, and if so, what the underlying mechanism of its activity was. We performed several experiments, including in vitro platelet aggregation, intracellular calcium concentration and adenosine triphosphate release. In addition, the activation of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}b{\beta}3$ was determined using fibrinogen binding. Thrombus formation was also evaluated in vivo using an arterio-venous shunt model. The FRBE inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. FRBE significantly and dose dependently attenuated thrombus formation using rat arterio-venous shunt. FRBE suppressed the intracellular calcium mobilization in collagen-stimulated platelets. We also found that FRBE inhibited extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase 1/2, p38-mitogen-activated protein kinases and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation. These results suggested that FRBE inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, which was mediated by modulation of downstream signaling molecules. In conclusion, FRBE could be developed as a functional food against aberrant platelet activation-related cardiovascular diseases.