• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.614-628
• /
• 2019

Objective: The inhibitory leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILRBs) play an important role in innate immunity. The present study represents the first description of the cloning and structural and functional analysis of LILRB1 and LILRB3 isolated from two genetically disparate chicken lines. Methods: Chicken LILRB1-3 genes were identified by bioinformatics approach. Expression studies were performed by transfection, quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Signal transduction was analyzed by western blots, immunoprecipitation and flow cytometric. Cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Amino acid homology and phylogenetic analyses showed that the homologies of LILRB1 and LILRB3 in the chicken line 6.3 to those proteins in the chicken line 7.2 ranged between 97%-99%, while homologies between chicken and mammal proteins ranged between 13%-19%, and 13%-69%, respectively. Our findings indicate that LILRB1 and LILRB3 subdivided into two groups based on the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIM) present in the transmembrane domain. Chicken line 6.3 has two ITIM motifs of the sequence LxYxxL and SxYxxV while line 7.2 has two ITIM motifs of the sequences LxYxxL and LxYxxV. These motifs bind to SHP-2 (protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 11) that plays a regulatory role in immune functions. Moreover, our data indicate that LILRB1 and LILRB3 associated with and activated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and ${\beta}2-microglobulin$ and induced the expression of transporters associated with antigen processing, which are essential for MHC class I antigen presentation. This suggests that LILRB1 and LILRB3 are transcriptional regulators, modulating the expression of components in the MHC class I pathway and thereby regulating immune responses. Furthermore, LILRB1 and LILRB3 activated Janus kinase2/tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2/TYK2); signal transducer and activator of transcription1/3 (STAT1/3), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 genes expressed in Macrophage (HD11) cells, which induced Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. Conclusion: These data indicate that LILRB1 and LILRB3 are innate immune receptors associated with SHP-2, MHC class I, ${\beta}2-microglobulin$, and they activate the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway. Thus, our study provides novel insights into the regulation of immunity and immunopathology.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 2021

Uu-ilys, an i-type lysozyme from spoon worm (Urechis unicinctus), is an innate immune factor that plays an important role in the defense against pathogens. It also possesses non-enzymatic antibacterial activity. Thus, there is a possibility to develop an antimicrobial model peptide from Uu-ilys. In this study, we report the design, production, and antibacterial activity of an Uu-ilys analog that exhibits antibacterial activity. The Uu-ilys structure was fragmented according to its secondary structures to predict the regions with antimicrobial activity using antimicrobial peptide (AMP) prediction tools from different AMP databases. A peptide containing the C-terminal fragment was predicted to exert antimicrobial activity. The chosen fragment was designated as an Uu-ilys analog containing the C-terminal fragment, Uu-ilys-CF. To examine the possibility of developing an AMP using the sequence of Uu-ilys-CF, recombinant fusion protein (TrxA-Uu-ilys-CF) was produced in an expression system that was heterologous. The produced fusion protein was cleaved after methionine leaving Uu-ilys-CF free from the fusion protein. This was then isolated through high performance liquid chromatography and reverse phase column, CapCell-Pak C18. The antibacterial activity of Uu-ilys-CF against different microbial strains (four gram-positive, six gram-negative, and one fungal strain) were assessed through the ultrasensitive radial diffusion assay (URDA). Among the bacterial strains tested, Salmonella enterica was the most susceptible. While the fungal strain tested was not susceptible to Uu-ilys-CF, broad spectrum antibacterial activity was observed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.349-355
• /
• 2020

Recently, the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in respiratory specimens has decreased, and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has increased. This study examined the increase in NTM lung disease patients and their age and sex distribution compared to the increase in NTM detection in 132,359 respiratory specimens examined in a Gwangju Secondary Hospital from 2010 to 2019. Furthermore, the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis infection in NTM positive patients was investigated. The positive rates of the mycobacterial culture were 21.9% (1,624/7,403) in 2010 and 17.4% (1,937/11,161) in 2019. The NTM recovery rate increased from 38.0% (617/1,624) in 2010 to 72.4% (1,403/1,937) in 2019. The average diagnosis rate of NTM lung disease in the NTM positive patients was 27.1%. Among them, cases of current pulmonary tuberculosis infection decreased from 44.9% in 2010 to 23.4% in 2019, and cases of previous diagnosis or treatment decreased from 15.8% to 10.7%. Of all NTM lung diseases, 69.0% were in their 60s or older, with more females than males. In the future, according to aging and tuberculosis management policies, NTM detection is expected to increase while MTBC decreases and laboratories must pay close attention to this phenomenon and constantly monitor the test results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.787-797
• /
• 2020

The marine officer plays a pivotal role in the shipping organization as a professional who performs a complex and diverse function. On the sea, unlike land duty, the possibility of turnover increases due to characteristics such as living in isolated spaces, continuous shift work during a set sailing period, high intensity work tension, stress, and social isolation. In this study, the impact of the organization's civic actions on the intention of turnover as a mediator of organizational immersion was divided into three groups of large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and public enterprises to check the differences between each category in a structural manner. Analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between the groups in loyalty and turnover intention when the sub-factors of organizational commitment and organizational citizen behavior of the marine officer, and the size of turnover intention were included. Organization citizen behavior did not directly affect turnover intention, but when indirect effects were included, there was an effect through loyalty, and relationship-oriented organizational citizen behavior negatively affected turnover intention through loyalty. Excluding public enterprises, the non-standardization path coefficients were -0.229±0.117 and -0.319±0.068, respectively, showing a statistically significant effect in large companies and SMEs. These results indicate that in order to lower the employee turnover intention in large corporations and small and medium-sized shipping companies, it is necessary to consider not only organizational citizen behavior but also measures to increase organizational commitment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.166-174
• /
• 2021

Multiple myeloma is a malignant cancer of plasma cells. Despite recent progress with immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors, it remains an incurable disease that requires other strategies to overcome its recurrence and non-response. Based on the high expression levels of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in human multiple myeloma isolated from bone marrow and the murine myeloma cell lines, NS-1 and MOPC-315, we propose PD-L1 molecule as a target of anti-multiple myeloma therapy. We developed a novel anti-PD-L1 antibody containing a murine immunoglobulin G subclass 2a (IgG2a) fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain that can induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The newly developed anti-PD-L1 antibody showed significant antitumor effects against multiple myeloma in mice subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or intravenously inoculated with NS-1 and MOPC-315 cells. The anti-PD-L1 effects on multiple myeloma may be related to a decrease in the immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), but there were no changes in the splenic MDSCs after combined treatment with lenalidomide and the anti-PD-L1 antibody. Interestingly, the newly developed anti-PD-L1 antibody can induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in the myeloma cells, which differs from the existing anti-PD-L1 antibodies. Collectively, we have developed a new anti-PD-L1 antibody that binds to mouse and human PD-L1 and demonstrated the antitumor effects of the antibody in several syngeneic murine myeloma models. Thus, PD-L1 is a promising target to treat multiple myeloma, and the novel anti-PD-L1 antibody may be an effective anti-myeloma drug via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity effects.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.65 no.2
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 2022

We examined the anti-inflammatory properties of Nostoc commune HCW0811 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of HCW0811 on viability of treated cells was assessed by measuring the level of expression of NO, prostaglandin E₂ and pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in HCW0811 treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. HCW0811 was non-toxic to cells and inhibited the production of cytokines in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition its treatment suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner, and concomitantly decreased the protein expressions of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Moreover, the levels of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase family proteins such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38, and nuclear factor kappa B were reduced by HCW0811. These findings suggest that the HCW0811 collected from Daejeon National Cemetery have anti-inflammatory effects, and demonstrated its efficacy in cell-based in vitro assays.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.612-624
• /
• 2022

A novel Gram-positive, motile, non-spore forming aerobic marine bacterium, designated 107-1^T was isolated from tidal mud collected in Gyehwa-do, South Korea. Cells of strain 107-1^T were short rod or coccoid, oxidase negative, catalase positive and grew at 10-40℃ (with optimum growth at 25-30℃). It utilized menaquinones MK-7 and 8 as its respiratory quinones and its major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (37.9%), iso-C_16:0 (14.9%), and iso-C_14:0 (10.8%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a distinct clade containing strain 107-1^T and close species Planococcus ruber CW1^T(98.52% sequence similarity), P. faecalis KCTC 33580^T(97.67%), P. kocurii ATCC 43650T(97.48%), P. donghaensis DSM 22276T(97.47%), and P. halocryophilus DSM 24743T(97.37%). Strain 107-1^T contains one circular chromosome (3,513,248bp in length) with G+C content of 44.6 mol%. Estimated ranges for genome to genome distance, average nucleotide identity, and average amino acid identity comparing strain 107-1^T with close taxa were 20.3-34.8%, 77.9-86.9%, and 73.6-92.8%, respectively. Based on polyphasic analysis, strain 107-1^T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Planococcus.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2019

It is an undeniable that cultural landscape of Korea is centered in Seoul, where all the cultural powers are oriented. From this aspect, a municipal theatre of Daegu (Daegu Municipal Theatre), where is considered an area somewhat isolated from the perspective of culture, has managed to develop theoretical programs serving public purposes through efforts on the diversification of performance programs, development of creative plays, acceptance of open direction, classic, modern and experimental plays, foreign exchange, musicals and non-verbal, development of modern and post-modern history of the region, aggressive exploration of subjects, and characterization of the theater through citizen-participated programs and communication with citizens. With such efforts on diversification of public benefits and communality conforming to its purpose, it has been recognized for its contribution to the recovery of popularity of performance art and plays in Daegu. The Daegu Municipal Theatre, celebrating the 20th anniversary of establishment this year and having Choi Ju-Hwan as its fifth art director, has managed to conduct various experimental attempts to gain popularity and these include the exploration of the region and its historical figures, development and promotion of creative musicals, and promotion of communication between citizens and performance culture and of participation of audiences, in turn having a stabilized operation system. Such changes are seemed to be attributable to the maturity of performance production and roles of senior members. From this aspect, this study aims at investigating the changes in the Daegu Municipal Theatre and 'roles and popularity of national/public theatre companies.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.450-464
• /
• 2023

Pulse oximetry, a non-invasive technique for evaluating blood oxygen saturation, conventionally depends on isolated measurements, rendering it vulnerable to factors like illumination profile, spatial blood flow fluctuations, and skin pigmentation. Previous efforts to address these issues through imaging systems often employed red and near-infrared illuminations with distinct profiles, leading to inconsistent ratios of transmitted light and the potential for errors in calculating spatial oxygen saturation distributions. While an integrating sphere was recently utilized as an illumination source to achieve uniform red and near-infrared illumination profiles on the sample surface, its bulkiness presented practical challenges. In this work, we have enhanced the pulse oximetry imaging system by transitioning illumination from an integrating sphere to a multi-wavelength LED configuration. This adjustment ensures simultaneous emission of red and near-infrared light from the same position, creating a homogeneous illumination profile on the sample surface. This approach guarantees consistent patterns of red and near-infrared illuminations that are spatially uniform. The sustained ratio between transmitted red and near-infrared light across space enables precise calculation of the spatial distribution of oxygen saturation, making our pulse oximetry imaging system more compact and portable without compromising accuracy. Our work significantly contributes to obtaining spatial information on blood oxygen saturation, providing valuable insights into tissue oxygenation in peripheral regions.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.10
• /
• pp.842-850
• /
• 2023

Pyrrolnitrin, pyrrolomycin, and pyoluteorin are functional halogenated phenylpyrrole derivatives (HPDs) derived from microorganisms with diverse antimicrobial activities. Pyrrolnitrin is a secondary metabolite produced from L-tryptophan through four-step reactions in Pseudomonas fluorescens, Burkholderia cepacia, Serratia plymuthica, etc. It is currently used for the treatment of superficial dermatophytic fungal infections, has high antagonistic activities against soil-borne and foliar fungal infections, and has many industrial applications. Since pyrrolnitrin is easily decomposed by light, it is difficult to widely use it outdoors. As an alternative, fludioxonil, a synthetically produced non-systemic surface fungicide that is structurally similar and has excellent light stability, has been commercialized for seed and foliar treatment of plants. However, due to its high toxicity to aquatic organisms and adverse effects in human cell lines, many countries have established maximum residue levels and strictly control its levels. Pyrrolomycin and pyoluteorin, which have antibiotic/antibiofilm activity against Gram-positive bacteria and high anti-oomycete activity against the plant pathogen Pythium ultimum, respectively, were isolated and identified from microorganisms. This review summarizes the biosynthesis and production of natural pyrrolnitrin derived from bacteria and the characteristics of synthetic fludioxonil and other natural phenylpyrrole derivatives among the HPDs. We expect that a plethora of highly effective, novel HPDs that are safe for humans and environments will be developed through the generation of an HPD library by microbial biosynthesis and chemical synthesis.