• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Zinc finger-containing transcription factors are the largest single family of transcriptional regulators in mammals, which play an essential role in cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and neoplastic transformation. Here we have cloned a novel KRAB-related zinc finger gene, ZNF424, encoding a protein of 555aa. ZNF424 gene consisted of 4 exons and 3 introns, and mapped to chromosome 19p13.3. ZNF424 gene was ubiquitously expressed in human embryo tissues by Northern blot analysis. ZNF424 is conserved across species in evolution. Using a GFP-labeled ZNF424 protein, we demonstrate that ZNF424 localizes mostly in the nucleus. Transcriptional activity assays shows ZNF424 suppresses transcriptional activity of L8G5-luciferase. Overexpression of ZNF424 in HEK-293 cells inhibited the transcriptional activity of NFAT and p21, which may be silenced by siRNA. The results suggest that ZNF424 protein may act as a transcriptional repressor that suppresses NFAT and p21 pathway to mediate cellular functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.458-468
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• 2023

Background: As a complication of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of cognitive dysfunction are still undefined. Recent studies demonstrated that Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has promising neuroprotective properties, but the effect and mechanism in diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) deserve further investigation. Methods: After establishing the T2DM model with a high-fat diet and STZ intraperitoneal injection, Rg1 was given for 8 weeks. The behavior alterations and neuronal lesions were judged using the open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM), as well as HE and Nissl staining. The protein or mRNA changes of NOX2, p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, NFAT1, APP, BACE1, NCSTN, and Ab1-42 were investigated by immunoblot, immunofluorescence or qPCR. Commercial kits were used to evaluate the levels of IP3, DAG, and calcium ion (Ca²⁺) in brain tissues. Results: Rg1 therapy improved memory impairment and neuronal injury, decreased ROS, IP3, and DAG levels to revert Ca²⁺ overload, downregulated the expressions of p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, and NFAT1 nuclear translocation, and alleviated Aβ deposition in T2DM mice. In addition, Rg1 therapy elevated the expression of PSD95 and SYN in T2DM mice, which in turn improved synaptic dysfunction. Conclusions: Rg1 therapy may improve neuronal injury and DACD via mediating PLC-CN-NFAT1 signal pathway to reduce Aβ generation in T2DM mice.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.58-58
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• 1997

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.201.3-202
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• 2001

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.39-66
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Sesamum indicum extracted (SEI) on atopic dermatitis in an in-vitro and in-vivo experiment using a MC/9 murine mast cells and a NC/Nga mouse. Methods In-vitro experiment, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ and GM-CSF mRNA expression were evaluated by Real-time PCR, IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production by ELISA and manifestations of NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-jun, c-fos, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors by western blotting. In-vivo experiment, we measured WBC, Eosinophil, Neutrophil, and serum IL-5, IL-13 in NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4 in the spleenocyte culture supernatant by ELISA, the absolute cell numbers of CD4+, CD8+, +Gr-1+CD11b, B220+CD23+ in the axillary lymph node (ALN), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and dorsal skin tissue, IL-5, IL-13 by Real-time PCR, the distribution of tissue inflammation and cellular infiltration by H&E and toluidine blue. Results SEI decreased IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression, IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production and the expression of transcription factors including NFAT-1, c-jun, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 in MC/9 murine mast cells. SEI orally administration decreased cell number of WBC, Eosinophil, the level of serum IgE, total cell number of ALN and dorsal skin tissue, absolute cell number of CD4+, CD8+, B220+CD23+ in the ALN. SEI orally administration also increased absolute cell number of CD8+/CD3+ and decreased Gr-1+/CD11b+ in PBMCs, decreased CD4+ in dorsal skin tissue, inhibited IL-5, IL-13 mRNA expression. Infiltration levels of inflammatory immune cells, mast cells and thickness of epidermis decreased in dorsal skin tissue. Conclusions SEI can regulate allergic inflammatory response suppressed the gene expression and production of cytokines that mediate allergic reactions, and will be able to be effectively utilized in the treatment of atopic dermatitis future.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-29
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• 2014

Objectives Dictamni Radicis Cortex extracts (DRC) has been known to suppress allergic reaction, however the cellular target of DRC and its mode of action remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Dictamni Radicis Cortex extracts on DNCB induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions of NC/Nga mouse. Methods This study was designed to investigate the effects of DRC extract in the DNP-IgE-induced activation of MC/9 murine mast cell lines in vitro and in the DNCB-induced activation of NC/Nga mouse in vivo. For this investigation, We examined IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ and GM-CSF mRNA expression by Real-time PCR, IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production by ELISA analysis and manifestations of NFAT1, NFAT2, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors by western blotting in vitro. Then, we examined WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil in NC/Nga mouse, IL-5, IL-13 in serum, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4 in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, the absolute cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $^+Gr-1^+CD11b$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, PBMCs and dorsal skin, IL-5, IL-13 in the dorsal skin by Real-time PCR and the distribution of mast cells by H&E and toluidine blue. Results In vitro the mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$, GM-CSF and IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production by ELISA analysis were completely abolished by DRC and the western blot analysis decreased the expression of mast cell-specific transcription factors including NFAT-1, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65. In vivo DRC oral adminstration also decreased the counts of WBC, eosinophils and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-13 and IgE in the serum. DRC oral adminstration elevated IL-4 level in the spleenocyte culture supernatant. DRC oral adminstration decreased total ALN cells, total skin cells, cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, $^+Gr-1^+CD11b$ in the PBMCs and $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ in the dorsal skin. The mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, thickness of epidermis, inflammation immune cells and mast cells were abolished by DRC in the dorsal skin. Conclusions Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of AD-induced NC/Nga mouse were much improved by DRC oral adminstration. These results, therefore, suggest that DRC can regulate molecular mediators and immune cells that are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mouse, and may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.23-39
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• 2014

Objectives PRAL (Prunus armniaca Linne Var) is a herbal formula in Oriental Medicine, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. However, its mechanism of action and the cellular targets have not yet been found enough. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of PRAL on Th2 cytokines expression in MC/9 mast cells. Methods The effect of PRAL was analyzed by ELISA, Real-time PCR, Western blot in MC/9 mast cells. mRNA levels of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ were analyzed with Real-time PCR. Levels of IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results PRAL inhibited GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression in a dose dependent manner. GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5 mRNA expression were inhibited significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group at concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression were inhibited at concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. PRAL also inhibited the IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group in a dose dependent manner. IL-13 production was inhibited at a concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ and MIP-$1{\alpha}$ was inhibited at a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, 400 ${\mu}g/ml$. Western blot analysis of transcription factors involving Th2 cytokines expression revealed prominent decrease of the mast cell specific transcription factors including NFAT-1, c-Jun as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 but not NFAT-2 and c-Fos. Conclusion These results indicate that PRAL has the effect of suppressing Th2 cytokines production in the MC/9 mast cells. These data represent that PRAL potentiates therapeutic activities to the allergic disease by regulating Th2 cytokines in the MC/9 mast cells.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1999.10b
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• pp.299.1-299
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• 1999

No Abstract, See Full Text

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2012

$CheongGiGeoYangTang$ has been used for anti-allergenic purpose. However there was no experimental study about its effect. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the anti-allergenic effect of $CheongGiGeoYangTang$. Methods Modifiability of RBL-2H3 mast cells' IL-4, IL-13 was analyzed by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Also, the suppressive effect of GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors was observed by western blotting. OVA-specific IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 production in ovalbumin allergy model was examined as well. Results It was showed that the RBL-2H3 mast cells treated with $CheongGiGeoYangTang$ extract(CGGYT) was significantly suppressed mRNA expression, production of IL-4 and IL-13, and prominently inhibited the expression of transcription factors including GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 but not c-Jun. The administration of CGGYT was suppressed the amount of OVA-specific IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 in OVA/alum-sensitized mice. Conclusions We considered CGGYT would regulate the allergic inflammation as inhibition of IL-4 and IL-13 production in activated mast cells and Th2 cells.

• 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.