• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권9호
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• pp.734-741
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• 2022

전세계적으로 약 4천만 명의 사람들이 인체면역결핍증바이러스(HIV) 감염이 되어 있으며, HIV에 감염된 세포의 수가 치명적인 수준에 다르면 후천성면역결핍증후군을 일으키게 된다. HIV에 감염이 되면 완치 치료가 어려우며 현재 알려진 치료방법으로는 감염, 복제 및 바이러스 방출 억제를 위해 항레트로 바이러스 치료법이 병용되고 있다. 하지만 HIV 바이러스는 지속적인 돌연변이 유발 및 약물에 대한 내성을 갖게 하므로 장기간 약물복용 시 심각한 부작용을 초래한다. 이에 새로운 치료방법과 효능약물에 대한 연구가 필요한 실정이다. 식물유래 천연물은 수많은 생리활성물질들이 보고되어 있으며, 이는 항HIV 효능 지닌 잠재성을 가진 후보 물질이 될 수 있다. 1990년 세계보건기구에서는 플라보노이드, 쿠마린, 탄닌 및 테르펜의 항 HIV 효능을 보고하였으며, 이러한 물질은 SARS-CoV-2와 같은 바이러스 감염을 또한 억제하는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 항 HIV 효능을 나타내는 식물 추출물 및 파이토케미컬에 대한 최신 연구동향(2021-현재)을 검토하였으며, 이를 통해 항HIV 효능을 지닌 새로운 천연물 발굴의 기초자료로 활용될 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

Objective: Hyperstimulation methods are broadly used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with infertility; however, the side effects associated with these therapies, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), have not been well studied. N-glycoproteomes are subproteomes used for the remote sensing of ovarian stimulation in follicular growth. Glycoproteomic variation in human follicular fluid (hFF) has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify the glycoproteomes and N-glycoproteins (N-GPs) in natural and stimulated hFF using label-free nano-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-quad time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Methods: For profiling of the total proteome and glycoproteome, pooled protein samples from natural and stimulated hFF samples were selectively isolated using hydrazide chemistry to obtain the total proteomes and glycoproteomes. N-GPs were validated by the consensus sequence N-X-S/T (92.2% specificity for the N-glycomotif at p<0.05). All data were compared between natural versus hyperstimulated hFF samples. Results: We detected 41 and 44 N-GPs in the natural and stimulated hFF samples, respectively. Importantly, we identified 11 N-GPs with greater than two-fold upregulation in stimulated hFF samples compared to natural hFF samples. We also validated the novel N-GPs thyroxine-binding globulin, vitamin D-binding protein, and complement proteins C3 and C9. Conclusion: We identified and classified N-GPs in hFF to improve our understanding of follicular physiology in patients requiring assisted reproduction. Our results provided important insights into the prevention of hyperstimulation side effects, such as OHSS.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제79권4호
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• pp.257-266
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• 2016

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a common interstitial lung disease; it is a chronic, progressive, and fatal lung disease of unknown etiology. Over the last two decades, knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis has improved markedly and facilitated the identification of potential targets for novel therapies. However, despite the large number of antifibrotic drugs being described in experimental pre-clinical studies, the translation of these findings into clinical practices has not been accomplished yet. NADH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of NADH to $NAD^+$ by various quinones and thereby elevates the intracellular $NAD^+$ levels. In this study, we examined the effect of increase in cellular $NAD^+$ levels on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were treated with intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The mice were orally administered with ${\beta}$-lapachone from 3 days before exposure to bleomycin to 1-3 weeks after exposure to bleomycin. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for analyzing the infiltration of immune cells. In vitro, A549 cells were treated with transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) and ${\beta}$-lapachone to analyze the extracellular matrix (ECM) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Results: ${\beta}$-Lapachone strongly attenuated bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis, characterized by histological staining, infiltrated immune cells in BALF, inflammatory cytokines, fibrotic score, and TGF-${\beta}1$, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin accumulation. In addition, ${\beta}$-lapachone showed a protective role in TGF-${\beta}1$-induced ECM expression and EMT in A549 cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ${\beta}$-lapachone can protect against bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EMT in vitro, by elevating the $NAD^+$/NADH ratio through NQO1 activation.

• 셀메드
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.5.1-5.8
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• 2014

Healthcare-associated infection represents a frequent cause of mortality that increases hospital costs. Due to increasing microbial resistance to antibiotics, it is necessary to search for alternative therapies. Consequently, novel alternatives for the control of resistant microorganisms have been studied. Among them, plant antimicrobial protein presents enormous potential, with flowers being a new source of antimicrobial molecules. In this work, the antimicrobial activity of protein-rich fractions from flower tissues from 18 different species was evaluated against several human pathogenic bacteria. The results showed that protein-rich fractions of 12 species were able to control bacterial development. Due its broad inhibition spectrum and high antibacterial activity, the protein-rich fraction of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was subjected to DEAE-Sepharose chromatography, yielding a retained fraction and a non-retained fraction. The retained fraction inhibits 29.5% of Klebsiella pneumoniae growth, and the non-retained fraction showed 31.5% of growth inhibition against the same bacteria. The protein profile of the chromatography fractions was analyzed by using SDS-PAGE, revealing the presence of two major protein bands in the retained fraction, of 20 and 15 kDa. The results indicate that medicinal plants have the biotechnological potential to increase knowledge about antimicrobial protein structure and action mechanisms, assisting in the rational design of antimicrobial compounds for the development of new antibiotic drugs.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제35권11호
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• pp.3267-3274
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• 2014

In order to investigate the effects of the double replacement of $\small{L}$-Pro, $\small{D}$-Pro, $\small{D}$-Leu or Nleu (the peptoid residue for Leu) in the hydrophobic face (positions 9 and 13) of amphipathic ${\alpha}$-helical non-cell-selective antimicrobial peptide $L_8K_9W_1$ on the structure, cell selectivity and mechanism of action, we synthesized a series of $L_8K_9W_1$ analogs with double replacement of $\small{L}$-Pro, $\small{D}$-Pro, $\small{D}$-Leu or Nleu in the hydrophobic face of $L_8K_9W_1$. In this study, we have confirmed that the double replacement of $\small{L}$-Pro, $\small{D}$-Pro, or Nleu in the hydrophobic face of $L_8K_9W_1$ let to a great increase in the selectivity toward bacterial cells and a complete destruction of ${\alpha}$-helical structure. Interestingly, $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{L}$-Pro, $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{D}$-Pro and $L_8K_9W_1$-Nleu preferentially interacted with negatively charged phospholipids, but unlike $L_8K_9W_1$ and $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{D}$-Leu, they did not disrupt the integrity of lipid bilayers and depolarize the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. These results suggested that the mode of action of $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{L}$-Pro, $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{D}$-Pro and $L_8K_9W_1$-Nleu involves the intracellular target other than the bacterial membrane. In particular, $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{L}$-Pro, $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{D}$-Pro and $L_8K_9W_1$-Nleu had powerful antimicrobial activity (MIC range, 1 to $4{\mu}M$) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA). Taken together, our results suggested that $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{L}$-Pro, $L_8K_9W_1$-$\small{D}$-Pro and $L_8K_9W_1$-Nleu with great cell selectivity may be promising candidates for novel therapeutic agents, complementing conventional antibiotic therapies to combat pathogenic microorganisms.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.116-129
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• 2018

생물체는 스트레스에 대처하기 위한 항상성 유지 기작을 가지고 있으나, 만성적이고 반복적인 스트레스는 카테콜아민과 같은 스트레스 호르몬의 과도한 방출로 인해 인체에 해로운 영향을 미친다. 교감신경계와 암과의 관련성을 분석하는 연구는 스트레스가 암을 악화시킬 수 있다는 오랜 가설을 바탕으로 이루어졌다. 다수의 전임상연구와 역학 연구결과는 교감신경계의 주요 신호전달경로인 ${\beta}$-adrenergic signaling을 조절하는 것이 암의 진행을 억제할 수 있음을 보여주고 있다. 교감신경계의 활성화는 암세포의 oncogene과 DNA repair 유전자 조절, 생존과 사멸 조절, EMT 및 전이 조절, 면역계와 혈관신생 조절, 세포외기질과 간엽세포 조절, 지방세포 조절 등을 통해 암세포와 종양미세환경에 광범위하게 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 오늘날 암의 성장과 관련된 분자적 기전을 차단하는 표적항암치료가 각광받고 있으나, 보상경로의 활성화와 항암제 내성 출현 및 여러 부작용으로 말미암아 임상적 실패를 거듭하면서 암의 생병리를 다방면에서 조절하는 전략이 새로운 치료법으로 대두되고 있다. 본 총설에서는 이러한 암의 전신적 조절인자로서 교감신경계가 암의 형성과 발전에 미치는 영향을 요약하고, 향후 새로운 암 치료전략으로서 ${\beta}$-adrenergic signaling을 조절하는 약물의 임상적 활용가능성에 대해 논의하고자 한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.551-561
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• 2021

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancers, such as papillary and follicular cancers, have a favorable prognosis. However, poorly differentiated thyroid cancers, such as medullary, squamous and anaplastic advanced thyroid cancers, are very aggressive and insensitive to radioiodine treatment. Thus, novel therapies that attenuate metastasis are urgently needed. We found that both PDGFC and PDGFRA are predominantly expressed in thyroid cancers and that the survival rate is significantly lower in patients with high PDGFRA expression. This finding indicates the important role of PDGF/PDGFR signaling in thyroid cancer development. Next, we established a SW579 squamous thyroid cancer cell line with 95.6% PDGFRA gene insertion and deletions (indels) through CRISPR/Cas9. Protein and invasion analysis showed a dramatic loss in EMT marker expression and metastatic ability. Furthermore, xenograft tumors derived from PDGFRA geneedited SW579 cells exhibited a minor decrease in tumor growth. However, distant lung metastasis was completely abolished upon PDGFRA gene editing, implying that PDGFRA could be an effective target to inhibit distant metastasis in advanced thyroid cancers. To translate this finding to the clinic, we used the most relevant multikinase inhibitor, imatinib, to inhibit PDGFRA signaling. The results showed that imatinib significantly suppressed cell growth, induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in SW579 cells. Our developed noninvasive apoptosis detection sensor (NIADS) indicated that imatinib induced cell apoptosis through caspase-3 activation. In conclusion, we believe that developing a specific and selective targeted therapy for PDGFRA would effectively suppress PDGFRA-mediated cancer aggressiveness in advanced thyroid cancers.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.246-256
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• 2024

Purpose: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) presents a major challenge in the treatment of late-stage, solid tumors, with traditional therapies limited by poor drug penetration. We evaluated a novel hyperthermic pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (HPIPAC) system using a human abdominal cavity model for its efficacy against AGS gastric cancer cells. Materials and Methods: A model simulating the human abdominal cavity and AGS gastric cancer cell line cultured dishes were used to assess the efficacy of the HPIPAC system. Cell viability was measured to evaluate the impact of HPIPAC under 6 different conditions: heat alone, PIPAC with paclitaxel (PTX), PTX alone, normal saline (NS) alone, heat with NS, and HPIPAC with PTX. Results: Results showed a significant reduction in cell viability with HPIPAC combined with PTX, indicating enhanced cytotoxic effects. Immediately after treatment, the average cell viability was 66.6%, which decreased to 49.2% after 48 hours and to a further 19.6% after 120 hours of incubation, demonstrating the sustained efficacy of the treatment. In contrast, control groups exhibited a recovery in cell viability; heat alone showed cell viability increasing from 90.8% to 94.4%, PIPAC with PTX from 82.7% to 89.7%, PTX only from 73.3% to 74.8%, NS only from 90.9% to 98.3%, and heat with NS from 74.4% to 84.7%. Conclusions: The HPIPAC system with PTX exhibits a promising approach in the treatment of PC in gastric cancer, significantly reducing cell viability. Despite certain limitations, this study highlights the system's potential to enhance treatment outcomes. Future efforts should focus on refining HPIPAC and validating its effectiveness in clinical settings.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.181-190
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• 2024

소 유방염 관련 대장균(BMEC)은 생산되는 우유의 양과 품질을 변화시키고 도태율을 높임으로써 전 세계 낙농 산업에 심각한 재정적 손실을 초래할 수 있는 주요 원인 물질로 간주된다. 연구자, 수의사, 농부가 가장 효과적인 치료법과 진단 기술을 이해하고 결정하는 것은 젖소 유방염을 극복하는데 중요하다. 특히 무증상 혹은 준임상형 유방염의 경우, 소는 뚜렷한 증상을 보이지 않고, 장기간에 걸쳐 겉보기에 정상적인 우유를 계속 분비하여 원인 병원체인 대장균이 무리 내에서 감염을 퍼뜨릴 수 있다. 유방염 예방을 위해서는, 병원균의 유방 내 침입, 감염 확립, 유방의 염증의 3단계 병인 과정에 대한 이해가 필수적이다. 지금까지 대장균 유방염의 임상적 중증도에 기여하는 독성 인자와 병원성 사이에 명확한 상관관계가 발견되지 않았다. 다제내성 대장균과 새로운 내성 기전의 진화는 유방염 치료에 항생제를 광범위하게 사용하고 있기 때문에 문제시 되고 있는 실정이다. 따라서 BMEC 치료의 효능을 향상시키기 위해서는 대체제 발굴이 중요하다. 지난 30년 동안 소 유방염의 역학 조사를 위해 다양한 유전자형 분석 기술이 사용되었다. 이러한 연구는 BMEC 계통 간의 진화 관련성 뿐 아니라 기원, 전염 경로, 개체군 구조에 대한 이해를 크게 향상시켰다. 따라서 본 리뷰에서는 BMEC의 전반적 개요를 제공하여 병인, 유전적 관계, 발병 기전, 관리 및 질병 통제를 위한 새로운 치료 옵션에 대한 통찰력을 제공하고자 한다.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.31-37
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• 2017

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) 결핍은 요소회로 이상 질환 중 하나로 상염색체 열성으로 유전되며 2q35 염색체에 존재하는 CPS1 유전자 변이로 발생된다. CPS1의 완전한 결핍을 가진 경우 신생아 시기에 빠르게 진행하는 고암모니아혈증으로 발현한다. 신생아 시기의 심한 고암모니아혈증은 즉각적인 치료를 받지 않을 시 심각한 뇌 손상, 혼수, 사망에 이르기에 진단 시 응급 투석과 체계적인 집중 치료가 필요하다. 본 증례는 생후 4일 째 신생아실에서 발열, 경련, 고암모니아혈증이 확인되어 생화학적, 분자유전학적 방법으로 두 개의 새로운 변이 c.1117G>C (p.Ala373 Pro)와 c.1883G>T (p.Gly628Val)가 이형접합체로 발견되고 CPS1 결핍이 진단된 신생아에서 응급 투석 및 집중치료와 함께 궁극적인 치료인 간이식 전 간세포이식술을 생후 1개월에 시행하여 반복적인 고암모니아혈증 발생을 막고 불가역적인 신경손상을 예방하여 현재 생후 6개월까지 단기간 경과관찰 결과 성장과 발달 및 신경학적 예후가 좋음을 보고하는 바이다.