• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.230-237
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West. Methods: A genetically engineered $Apc^{Min/+}$ mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis. Results: After oral ginseng administration (10-20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.685-699
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has long been known as a medicinal herb effective in various diseases, including bronchitis and asthma, but is still more widely used for food. Fermentation methods are being applied to increase the pharmacological composition of PG extracts and commercialize them with high added value. This study examines the hydrolyzed and fermented PG extract (HFPGE) fermented with Lactobacillus casei in RAW 264.7 cells, and investigates the effect of amplifying the immune and the probable molecular mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: HFPGE's total phenolic, flavonoid, saponin, and platycodin D contents were analyzed by colorimetric analysis or high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay. Phagocytic activity was analyzed by a phagocytosis assay kit, nitric oxide (NO) production by a Griess reagent system, and cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytokines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, whereas MAPK and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation were analyzed by Western blots. RESULTS: Compared to PGE, HFPGE was determined to contain 13.76 times and 6.69 times higher contents of crude saponin and platycodin D, respectively. HFPGE promoted cell proliferation and phagocytosis in RAW 264.7 cells and regulated the NO production and iNOS expression. Treatment with HFPGE also resulted in increased production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand10, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and the mRNA expressions of these cytokines. HFPGE also resulted in significantly increasing the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results imply that fermentation and hydrolysis result in the extraction of more active ingredients of PG. Furthermore, we determined that HFPGE exerts immunostimulatory activity via the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 2001

Objective: Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factors known to be secreted in murine and human reproductive tract. The development of human, bovine and murine embryos could be promoted by addition of GM-CSF in culture medium. However, the pregnancy and implantation rate of embryos cultured in GM-CSF have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of GM-CSF in embryo development, pregnancy and implantation rate. Methods: A total of 191 IVF cycles were divided into control and GM-CSF supplement group (control=96, GM-CSF=95). The embryos were cultured for three day with or without 2 ng/ml of recombinant human GM-CSF. The quality of embryo, developmental velocity, pregnancy and implantation rates were compared. Results: There was no difference in age, number of gonadotropin ampules used, number of oocytes and fertilization. The number of ICSI cycle was higher in GM-CSF group. In GM-CSF group, G-1 grade embryos were the highest in proportion (56.4%), while G-2 grade embryos were highest (44.3%) in control group. The developmental velocity of embryos were not different between GM-CSF and control group. The pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly higher in GM-CSF group than control (47.4% vs. 33.3%, 17.0% vs. 11.1% respectively). Conclusion: By adding GM-CSF in culture medium, the quality of embryo, pregnancy and implantation rate could be improved.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.706-713
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• 2017

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells that are derived from hematopoietic precursor cells and require macrophage-colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) for their survival, proliferation, differentiation, and activation. The binding of RANKL to its receptor RANK triggers osteoclast precursors to differentiate into osteoclasts. This process depends on RANKL-RANK signaling, which is temporally regulated by various adaptor proteins and kinases. Here we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms that regulate RANK signaling during osteoclastogenesis. In the early stage, RANK signaling is mediated by recruiting adaptor molecules such as tumor necrosis factor receptorassociated factor 6 (TRAF6), which leads to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and the transcription factors nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Activated NF-${\kappa}B$ induces the nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), which is the key osteoclastogenesis regulator. In the intermediate stage of signaling, the co-stimulatory signal induces $Ca^{2+}$ oscillation via activated phospholipase $C{\gamma}2$ ($PLC{\gamma}2$) together with c-Fos/AP-1, wherein $Ca^{2+}$ signaling facilitates the robust production of NFATc1. In the late stage of osteoclastogenesis, NFATc1 translocates into the nucleus where it induces numerous osteoclast-specific target genes that are responsible for cell fusion and function.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2003

The human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) gene was introduced into tobacco plants. The cell suspension culture was established from leaf-derived calli of the transgenic tobacco plants in order to express and secrete a biologically active hGM -CSF. The recombinant hGM-CSF from the transgenic plant cell culture (prhGM-CSF) was identified as a yield of about 180 ${\mu}$g/L in the culture filtrate, as determined by ELISA. The addition of 0.5 g/L polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to the plant cell culture medium both stabilized the secreted prhGM-CSF and increased the level of production approximately 1.5-fold to 270 ${\mu}$g/L. The biological activity of the prhGM-CSF was confirmed by measuring the proliferation of the hGM-CSF-dependent cell line, TF-1. Interestingly, the specific activity of the prhGM-CSF was estimated to be approximately 2.7 times higher than that of a commercially available preparation from E. coli.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.329-333
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• 2003

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) is a glycoprotein that stimulates the production of granulocytes, macrophages and white blood cells. hGM-CSF secreted by transgenic Nicotiana tabacum suspension cells was unstable in the culture medium and rapidly degraded by extracellular preteases. In order to reduce extracellular pretense activity, culture temperature was lowered. Then, the production of hGM-CSF by transgenic plant suspension cell cultures could be enhanced by reduced degradation of hGM-CSF at low temperature.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.341-345
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• 2003

Effect of immobilization on the production of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) by Nicotiana tabacum cells was investigated using polyurethane foam as immobilization matrices. The cell activity and the hGM-CSF production were maintained for 16 days in spite of 3 times of media exchange. Under the same conditions of temperature and agitation rate, maximum concentrations of hGM-CSF in a 500-mL spinner flask and 100-mL Erleuneyer flasks were 17.3 ${\mu}g/L$ and 9.8 ${\mu}g/L$, respectively. Consequently high hGM-CSF production could be possible in spinner flask when the rate and amount of media exchange were optimized.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2002.12a
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• pp.48-60
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• 2002

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine that stimulates the production of granulocytes, macrophages, and white blood cells. The effects of osmotic pressure on secretion of human GM-CSF into the culture medium were investigated in suspension cultures of transgenic tobacco cells. An increase in osmotic pressure caused by the addition of mannitol decreased the cell size index, with the effect being more pronounced when cells were measured wet rather than dry. Increased osmotic pressure enhanced the secretion of hGM-CSF. At 90 g/L mannitol, the maximum concentration tested, hGM-CSF was present in the culture medium at 980 ug/L. As the concentration of mannitol increased, the total amount of protein secreted also increased, but was disproportionately enriched in GM-CSF NaCl, another osmoticum, had very similar effects on cell growth and hGM-CSF production, but did not cause enrichment for hGM-CSF Additionally, protein-stabilizing polymer was added to culture broth to enhance stability of secreted recombinant protein. Finally, above two method were applied together to maximize the productivity.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.284-287
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• 2003

Effects of ultrasound on cell growth and the production of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) were investigated using transgenic Nicotiana tabacum cell suspension cultures. The culture suffered a slight growth depression immediately after the sonication, but gradually recovered to normal growth within 2 days. When the cells were exposed to ultrasound, the level of secreted hGM-CSF was 2.14 times higher than that in normal condition. From the beginning to 6 days of culture, production of secreted hGM-CSF was higher than that of control and then decreased. At the end of culture, however, hGM-CSF was considerably increased up to 36.7%. In the case of intracellular hGM-CSF, the level was slightly higher than that obtained in normal condition. Total hGM-CSF production was 31.5% higher than that of control culture after 6 days. The highest amount of hGM-CSF was $34.9\;{\mu}g/L$.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.289-292
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• 2003

Effects of immobilization on the production of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) by Nicotiana tabacum cells were investigated using alginate and polyurethane foam as immobilization matrices. Encapsulation of the cells in alginate decreased protein production by 50% compared with that of suspension culture. Maximum hGM-CSF concentration was obtained by the cells immobilizaed in polyurethane foam. High hGM-CSF production could be possible when polyurethane foam was used because of high specific production and easy immobilization for cell recycling process with high cell density.