• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2018

An isoform of NADPH oxidase (NOX), NOX2 is a superoxide-generating enzyme involved in diverse pathophysiological events. Although its potential as a therapeutic target has been validated, there is no clinically available inhibitor. Herein, NOX2-inhibitory activity was screened with the constituents isolated from Schisandra chinensis, which has been reported to have antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging effects. Among the partitions prepared from crude methanolic extract, a chloroform-soluble partition showed the highest NOX2-inhibitory activity in PLB-985 cell-based NOX2 assay. A total of twenty nine compounds (1 - 29) were identified from the chloroform fraction, including two first isolated compounds; dimethyl-malate (25) and 2-(2-hydroxyacetyl) furan (27) from this plants. Of these constituents, two compounds (gomisin T, and pregomisin) exhibited an NOX2-inhibitory effect with the $IC_{50}$ of $9.4{\pm}3.6$, and $62.9{\pm}11.3{\mu}M$, respectively. They are confirmed not to be nonspecific superoxide scavengers in a counter assay using a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. These findings suggest the potential application of gomisin T (6) and other constituents of S. chinensis to inhibit NOX2.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.42.1-42.21
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• 2023

When the lungs are infected with bacteria, alveolar macrophages (AMs) are recruited to the site and play a crucial role in protecting the host by reducing excessive lung inflammation. However, the regulatory mechanisms that trigger the recruitment of AMs to lung alveoli during an infection are still not fully understood. In this study, we identified a critical role for NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the recruitment of AMs during Staphylococcus aureus lung infection. We found that NOX4 knockout (KO) mice showed decreased recruitment of AMs and increased lung neutrophils and injury in response to S. aureus infection compared to wildtype (WT) mice. Interestingly, the burden of S. aureus in the lungs was not different between NOX4 KO and WT mice. Furthermore, we observed that depletion of AMs in WT mice during S. aureus infection increased the number of neutrophils and lung injury to a similar level as that observed in NOX4 KO mice. Additionally, we found that expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) in NOX4 KO mice-derived lung endothelial cells was lower than that in WT mice-derived endothelial cells. Therefore, we conclude that NOX4 plays a crucial role in inducing the recruitment of AMs by controlling ICAM1 expression in lung endothelial cells, which is responsible for resolving lung inflammation during acute S. aureus infection.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.863-878
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• 2006

Porphyromonas gingivalis는 치주질환을 야기하는 독성세균으로서, 구강상피세포에 p. gingivalis가 감염되었을 때, 세포형태에 변화를 초래함으로 인해 방어기작이 작동하게 된다. 치주질환과 관련되어 생성된 활성 산소종의 소거에 관여하는 항산화성분은 p. gingivalis 이 감염된 구강상피세포에서 그 분포와 발현수준이 달라지리라 예상된다. 따라서 이번 연구에서는 구강상피세포(KB 세포)에 p. gingivalis가 감염되었을 때 야기되는 활성산소종과 이를 소거하는 역할을 하는 항산화단백들의 역할들을 규명하고자 하였다. 활성산소종 형성을 조절하는 NADPH oxidase 중 NOX4와 Rac1 전사체는 구강상피세포에서 p. gingivalis세균에 의해 증가하였으며 $gp91^{phox}$, Rac2, $p47^{phox}$와 $p67^{phox}$는 세균에 의한 변화가 관찰되지 않았다. 반면에 $p40^{phox}$ 전사체는 감소하는 경향을 보였다. NOX1 전사체는 p. gingivalis 처리 30분 후 감소하였다가 60분 후에는 다시 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 같은 시간에 NOX 활성화 단백인 NOXA1은 감소하고, NOX 구성단백질인 NOXO1은 증가하는 경향을 보였다. p. gingivalis가 감염된 구강상피세포를 방어하는 항산화단백 발현수준을 평가한 결과, SOD1, 2, 3 모두 p. gingivalis 처리시간에 따라 증가하는 양상을 보였다. GPx 발현 양상도 SOD와 유사하게 나타났다. $H_2O_2$를 소거하는 Prx는 감염된 KB 세포에서 Prx4와 Prx5가 4-6배 증가하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 반면 endocytosis 과정 중 $H_2O_2$ 생산은 변화되지 않았다. 이번 연구의 결과, p. gingivalis의 감염은 KB 세포의 NOX4와 Rac1의 NADPH oxidase 발현을 증가시켰으며, NOX1은 NOXA1과 NOXO1의 조절에 의해 영향을 받음을 알 수 있었다. 또한 항산화기작으로는 SOD, GPx, Prx가 증가하였는데, 이것은 Prx4와 Prx5가 중요한 역할을 할 것을 시사하였다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.49.1-49.15
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• 2024

Importance: Endochondral ossification plays an important role in skeletal development. Recent studies have suggested a link between increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and skeletal disorders. Moreover, previous studies have revealed that increasing the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and osteopontin (OPN) while inhibiting NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) can enhance bone growth. This investigation provides further evidence by showing a direct link between NOX4 and MPO, OPN in bone function. Objective: This study investigates NOX4, an enzyme producing hydrogen peroxide, in endochondral ossification and bone remodeling. NOX4's role in osteoblast formation and osteogenic signaling pathways is explored. Methods: Using NOX4-deficient (NOX4^-/-) and ovariectomized (OVX) mice, we identify NOX4's potential mediators in bone maturation. Results: NOX4^-/- mice displayed significant differences in bone mass and structure. Compared to the normal Control and OVX groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed NOX4^-/- mice had the highest trabecular bone volume, while OVX had the lowest. Proteomic analysis revealed significantly elevated MPO and OPN levels in bone marrow-derived cells in NOX4^-/- mice. Immunohistochemistry confirmed increased MPO, OPN, and collagen II (COLII) near the epiphyseal plate. Collagen and chondrogenesis analysis supported enhanced bone development in NOX4^-/- mice. Conclusions and Relevance: Our results emphasize NOX4's significance in bone morphology, mesenchymal stem cell proteomics, immunohistochemistry, collagen levels, and chondrogenesis. NOX4 deficiency enhances bone development and endochondral ossification, potentially through increased MPO, OPN, and COLII expression. These findings suggest therapeutic implications for skeletal disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.499-507
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• 2024

Specific sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays is one of the mechanisms responsible for widespread skin damage. This study tested whether 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene (THB), a compound abundant in marine products, might inhibit UVB radiationinduced NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in both human HaCaT keratinocytes and mouse dorsal skin and explore its cytoprotective mechanism. The mechanism of action was determined using western blotting, immunocytochemistry, NADP⁺/NADPH assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, and cell viability assay. THB attenuated UVB-induced NOX4 expression both in vitro and in vivo, and suppressed UVB-induced ROS generation via NADP⁺ production, resulting in increased cell viability with decreased apoptosis. THB also reduced the expression of UVB-induced phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). THB suppressed UVB-induced NOX4 expression and ROS generation by inhibiting AMPK and JNK signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting cellular damage. These results showed that THB could be developed as a UV protectant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), at appropriate concentrations, mediate various normal cellular functions, including defense against pathogens, signal transduction, cellular growth, and gene expression. A recent study demonstrated that ROS and ROS-generating NADPH oxidase (Nox) are important in self-renewal and neuronal differentiation of subventricular zone (SVZ) neural stem cells in adult mouse brains. In this study, we found that endogenous ROS were detected in SVZ neural stem cells cultured from postnatal mouse brains. Nox4 was predominantly expressed in cultured cells, while the levels of the Nox1 and Nox2 transcripts were very low. In addition, the Nox4 gene was highly upregulated (by up to 10-fold) during neuronal differentiation. Immunocytochemical analysis detected the Nox4 protein mainly in neurons positive for the neuronal specific tubulin Tuj1. After differentiation, endogenous ROS were detected exclusively in neuron-like cells with processes. In addition, perturbation of the cellular redox state with N-acetyl cysteine, a ROS scavenger, during neuronal differentiation greatly inhibited neurogenesis. Lastly, knockdown of Nox4 using short hairpin RNA decreased neurogenesis. These findings suggest that Nox4 may be a major ROS-generating enzyme in postnatal SVZ neural stem cells, and Nox4-mediated ROS generation may be important in their neuronal differentiation.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.345-354
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• 2022

NADPH oxidase (Nox) complexes are known to play essential roles in differentiation and proliferation of many filamentous fungi. However, the functions of Noxs have not been elucidated in Colletotrichum species. Therefore, we set out to characterize the roles of Nox enzymes and their regulators in Colletotrichum scovillei, which causes serious anthracnose disease on pepper fruits in temperate and subtropical and temperate region. In this study, we generated targeted deletion mutants for CsNox1, CsNox2, CsNoxR, and CsNoxD via homologous recombination. All deletion mutants were normal in mycelial growth, conidiation, conidial germination, and appressorium formation, suggesting that CsNox1, CsNox2, CsNoxR, and CsNoxD are not involved in those developmental processes. Notably, conidia of 𝜟Csnox2 and 𝜟Csnoxr, other than 𝜟Csnox1 and 𝜟Csnoxd, failed to cause anthracnose on intact pepper fruits. However, they still caused normal disease on wounded pepper fruits, suggesting that Csnox2 and CsnoxR are essential for penetration-related morphogenesis in C. scovillei. Further observation proved that 𝜟Csnox2 and 𝜟Csnoxr were unable to form penetration peg, while they fully developed appressoria, revealing that defect of anthracnose development by 𝜟Csnox2 and 𝜟Csnoxr resulted from failure in penetration peg formation. Our results suggest that CsNox2 and CsNoxR are critical for appressorium-mediated penetration in C. scovillei-pepper fruit pathosystem, which provides insight into understanding roles of Nox genes in anthracnose disease development.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.270-280
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• 2024

Trichomoniasis is caused by a sexually transmitted flagellate protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. T. vaginalis-derived secretory products (TvSP) contain lipid mediators such as leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and various cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) which included LTC₄, LTD₄, and LTE₄. However, the signaling mechanisms by which T. vaginalis-induced CysLTs stimulate interleukin (IL)-8 production in human mast cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated these mechanisms in human mast cells (HMC-1). Stimulation with TvSP resulted in increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation compared to unstimulated cells. Pre-treatment with NOX2 inhibitors such as diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) or apocynin significantly reduced ROS production in TvSP-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Additionally, TvSP stimulation increased NOX2 protein expression and the translocation of p47^phox from the cytosol to the membrane. Pretreatment of HMC-1 cells with PI3K or PKC inhibitors reduced TvSP-induced p47^phox translocation and ROS generation. Furthermore, NOX2 inhibitors or NOX2 siRNA prevented CREB phosphorylation and IL-8 gene expression or protein secretion induced by TvSP. Pretreatment with a CysLTR antagonist significantly inhibited TvSP-induced ROS production, CREB phosphorylation, and IL-8 production. These results indicate that CysLT-mediated activation of NOX2 plays a crucial role in ROS-dependent IL-8 production in human mast cells stimulated by T. vaginalis-secreted CysLTs. These findings enhance our understanding of the inflammatory response in trichomoniasis and may inform the development of targeted therapies to mitigate this response.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2011

Background: NADPH oxidase (NOX) modulates cell proliferation, differentiation and immune response through generation of reactive oxygen species. Particularly, NOX2 is recently reported to be important for regulating Treg cell differentiation of CD4+ T cells. Methods: We employed ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in wild-type and NOX2-deficient mice and analyzed tissue histopathology and cytokine profiles. Results: We investigated whether NOX2-deficiency affects T cell-mediated airway inflammation. Ovalbumin injection which activates T cell-mediated allergic response increased airway inflammation in wild-type mice, as evidenced by increased immune cell infiltration, allergic cytokine expression, and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung. Interestingly, NOX2 knockout (KO) mice were more susceptible to allergen-induced lung inflammation compared to wild-type mice. Immune cells including neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils were drastically infiltrated into the lung of NOX2 KO mice and mucus secretion was substantially increased in deficiency of NOX2. Furthermore, inflammatory allergic cytokines and eotaxin were significantly elevated in NOX2 KO mice, in accordance with enhanced generation of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17 and interferon-${\gamma}$ by CD4+ T cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that NOX2 deficiency favorably produces inflammatory cytokines by T cells and thus increases the susceptibility to severe airway inflammation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.433-441
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• 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are primarily characterized as dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Ginsenoside-Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-KRGE) is known to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects on neurological disorders. However, effects of Rg3-KRGE in EAE remain unclear. Methods: Here, we investigated whether Rg3-KRGE may improve the symptoms and pathological features of myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein (MOG)_35-55 peptide - induced chronic EAE mice through improving the integrity of the BBB. Results: Rg3-KRGE decreased EAE score and spinal demyelination. Rg3-KRGE inhibited Evan's blue dye leakage in spinal cord, suppressed increases of adhesion molecule platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, extracellular matrix proteins fibronection, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, and prevented decreases of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, claudin-3, and claudin-5 in spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE repressed increases of proinflammatory transcripts cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but enhanced expression levels of anti-inflammatory transcripts arginase-1 and IL-10 in the spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE inhibited the expression of oxidative stress markers (MitoSOX and 4-hydroxynonenal), the enhancement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOX4, and NADPH activity in the spinal cord of chronic EAE mice. Furthermore, apocynin, a NOX inhibitor, mimicked beneficial effects of Rg3-KRGE in chronic EAE mice. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Rg3-KRGE might alleviate behavioral symptoms and pathological features of MS by improving BBB integrity through modulation of NOX2/4 expression.