• Macromolecular Research
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.276-284
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• 2000

A wettability chemogradient on poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) films was prepared by treating the films in air with corona from a knife-type electrode whose power increases gradually along the sample length. The PLGA surfaces oxidized gradually with the increasing corona power, and the wettability chemogradient was created on the surfaces as evidenced by the measurement of water contact angles and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. The wettability chemogradient PLGA surfaces were used to investigate the interaction of four different types of cells such as hepatoma (Hep G2), osteoblast (MG 63), bovine aortic endothelial (CPAE), and fibroblast (NIH/3T3) cells in terms of the surface hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of PLGA. The cells adhered and grown on the chemogradient surface along the sample length were counted and observed by scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the cells were adhered, spread, and grown more onto the positions with moderate hydrophilicity of the wettability chemogradient PLGA surface than the more hydrophobic or hydrophillic positions, regardless of the cell types used. The maximum adhesion and growth of the cells appeared at around water contact angles of 53～55°. This result seems closely related with the serum protein adsorption on the surface; the serum proteins were also adsorbed more onto the positions with moderate hydrophilicity of the wettability chemogradient surface. It seems that the wettability plays important roles for cell adhesion, spreading and growth on the PLGA surface. The surface modification technique used in this study may be applicable tothe area of tissue engineering for the improvement of tissue compatibility of films- or scaffold-type substrates.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2009

Recombinant interferon alpha-2a is an active formula for the treatment of various cancer cells like malignant melanoma and a variety of virus infection diseases like acute or chronic hepatitis. The bioassay system based on the measurement of virus inhibitory activity by interferon has been used for interferon analysis with low repeatability. Here, we developed the HPLC assay to measure reproducibly interferon alpha-2a protein content which is replaceable to the reported bioassay. This method separated interferon alpha-2a from its oxidized forms and human serum albumin used as excipients. The regression coefficient using interferon alpha-2a EP CRS is more than 0.9 in the range from 5 ${\mu}g/ml$ to 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. The recovery result in the range from 15 ${\mu}g/ml$ to 60 ${\mu}g/ml$ is $97{\sim}104%$ and the precision is $0.2{\sim}1.7%$. The interferon alpha contents of 5 products are about 30 ${\mu}g/ml$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2016

Cryptotanshinone (CPT) is a natural compound isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In the present study, the regulatory effect and potential mechanisms of CPT on tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) induced lectin-like receptor for oxidized low density lipoprotein (LOX-1) were investigated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and the effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ on LOX-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively. The formation of intracellular ROS was determined with fluorescence probe $CM-DCFH_2-DA$. The endothelial ox-LDL uptake was evaluated with DiI-ox-LDL. The effect of CPT on LOX-1 expression was also evaluated with SD rats. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner in endothelial cells. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced ROS formation, phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK, and LOX-1 expression, which were suppressed by rotenone, DPI, NAC, and CPT. $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor BAY11-7082 and ERK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression. CPT and NAC suppressed $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression and phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK in rat aorta. These data suggested that $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression via ROS activated $NF-{\kappa}B/ERK$ pathway, which could be inhibited by CPT. This study provides new insights for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of CPT.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.812-821
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• 2007

The ecosystems of certain abandoned mines contain arsenic-resistant bacteria capable of performing detoxification when an ars gene is present in the bacterial genome. The ars gene has already been isolated from Pseudomonas putida and identified as a member of the membrane transport regulatory deoxyribonucleic acid family. The arsenite-oxidizing bacterial strains isolated in the present study were found to grow in the presence of 66.7 mM sodium arsenate($V;\;Na_2HAsO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$), yet experienced inhibited growth when the sodium arsenite($III;\;NaAsO_2$) concentration was higher than 26 mM. Batch experiment results showed that Pseudomonas putida strain OS-5 completely oxidized 1 mM of As(III) to As(V) within 35 h. An arsB gene encoding a membrane transport regulatory protein was observed in arsenite-oxidizing Pseudomonas putida strain OS-5, whereas arsB, arsH, and arrA were detected in strain OS-19, arsD and arsB were isolated from strain RW-18, and arsR, arsD, and arsB were found in E. coli strain OS-80. The leader gene of arsR, -arsD, was observed in a weak acid position. Thus, for bacteria exposed to weak acidity, the ars system may cause changes to the ecosystems of As-contaminated mines. Accordingly, the present results suggest that arsR, arsD, arsAB, arsA, arsB, arsC, arsH, arrA, arrB, aoxA, aoxB, aoxC, aoxD, aroA, and aroB may be useful for arsenite-oxidizing bacteria in abandoned arsenic-contaminated mines.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.156-161
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• 2009

The human cytochrome P450 4A11 is the major monooxygenase to oxidize the fatty acids and arachidonic acid. The production of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by P450 4A11 has been implicated in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure. Oxidation reaction by P450 4A11 requires its reduction partners, NADPH-P450 reductase (NPR). We report the functional expression in Escherichia coli of bicistronic constructs consisting of P450 4A11 encoded by the first cistron and the electron donor protein, NPR by the second. Typical P450 expression levels of wild type and several N-terminal modified mutants was observed in culture media and prepared membrane fractions. The expression of functional NPR in the constructed P450 4A11: NPR bicistronic system was clearly verified by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium. Membrane preparation containing P450 4A11 and NPR efficiently oxidized lauric acid mainly to $\omega$-hydroxylauric acid. Bicistronic coexpression of P450 4A11 and NPR in E. coli cells can be extended toward identification of novel drug metabolites or therapeutic agents involved in P450 4A11 dependent signal pathways.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 2016

Apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo-B100) is a major component of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Apo B-100 protein has 4,536 amino acid sequence and these amino acids are classified into peptide groups A to G with subsequent 20 amino acids (P1-P302). The peptide groups were act as immunoglobulin (Ig) antigens which oxidized via malondialdehyde (MDA). The mimetic peptide P1 (EEEMLENVSLVCPKDAT RFK) out of D-group peptides carrying the highest value of IgG antigens were selected for structural studies that may provide antigen specificity. Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra were measured for peptide secondary structure in the range of 190-250 nm. Experimental results show that P1 exhibit partial of ${\beta}-sheet$ and random coil structure. Homonuclear (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY) 2D-NMR experiments were carried out for NMR signal assignments and structure determination for P1. On the basis of these completely assigned NMR spectra and distance data, distance geometry (DG) and Molecular dynamics (MD) were carried out to determine the structures of P1. The proposed structure was selected by comparisons between experimental NOE spectra and back calculated 2D NOE results from determined structure showing acceptable agreement. The total Root-Mean-Square-Deviation (RMSD) value of P1 obtained upon superposition of all atoms was in the range $0.33{\AA}$. The solution state P1 has mixed structure of ${\beta}-sheet$ (Glu[1] to Cys[12]) and random coil (Pro[13] to Lys[20]). These NMR results are well consistent with secondary structure from experimental results of circular dichroism. Structural studies based on NMR may contribute to the studies of atherosclerosis and observed conformational characteristics of apo B-100 in LDL using monoclonal antibodies.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.134-137
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• 2008

Atherosclerosis is characterized by a chronic inflammatory disease, and chemokines play an important role in both initiation and progression of atherosclerosis development. Leukotactin-1 (Lkn-1/CCLl5), a new member of the human CC chemokine family, is a potent chemoattractant for leukocytes. Our previous study has demonstrated that Lkn-1/CCL15 plays a role in the initiation of atherosclerosis, however, little is currently known whether Lkn-1/CCL15 is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions playa crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis by altering the vulnerability of plaque rupture. In the present study, we examined whether Lkn-1/CCLl5 modulates MMP-9 release, which is a prevalent form expressed by activated macrophages and foam cells. Human THP-1 monocytic cells and/or human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) were treated with phorbol myristate acetate to induce their differentiation into macrophages. Foam cells were prepared by the treatment of THP-1 macrophages with human oxidized LDL. The macrophages and foam cells were treated with Lkn-1/CCL15, and the levels of MMP-9 release were measured by Gelatin Zymography. Lkn-1/CCL15 significantly enhanced the levels of MMP-9 protein secretion from THP-1 monocytic cells-derived macrophages, human PBMC-derived macrophages, as well as macrophage-derived foam cell in a dose dependent manner. Our data suggest that the action of Lkn-1/CCL15 on macrophages and foam cells to release MMP-9 may contribute to plaque destabilization in the progression of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.136-142
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• 2020

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100), the main protein component that makes up LDL (Low density lipoprotein), consists of 4,536 amino acids and serves to combine with the LDL receptor. The oxidized LDL peptides by malondialdehyde (MDA) or acetylation in vivo were act as immunoglobulin (Ig) antigens and peptide groups were classified into 7 peptide groups with subsequent 20 amino acids (P1-P302). The biomimetic peptide P99 (KGTYG LSCQR DPNTG RLNGE) out of B-group peptides carrying the highest value of IgM antigens were selected for structural studies that may provide antigen specificity. Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra were measured for peptide secondary structure in the range of 190-260 nm. Experimental results show that P99 has pseudo α-helice and random coil structure. Homonuclear (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY) 2D-NMR experiments were carried out for NMR signal assignments and structure determination for P99. On the basis of these completely assigned NMR spectra and proton distance information, distance geometry (DG) and molecular dynamic (MD) were carried out to determine the structures of P99. The proposed structure was selected by comparisons between experimental NOE spectra and back-calculated 2D NOE results from determined structure showing acceptable agreement. The total Root-Mean-Square-Deviation (RMSD) value of P99 obtained upon superposition of all atoms were in the set range. The solution state P99 has mixed structure of pseudo α-helix and β-turn(Gln[9] to Thr[13]). These NMR results are well consistent with secondary structure from experimental results of circular dichroism. Structural studies based on NMR may contribute to the prevent oxidation studies of atherosclerosis and observed conformational characteristics of apo B-100 in LDL using monoclonal antibodies.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.58-63
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• 2021

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100), the main protein component that makes up LDL (Low density lipoprotein), consists of 4,536 amino acids and serves to combine with the LDL receptor. The oxidized LDL peptides by malondialdehyde (MDA) or acetylation in vivo act as immunoglobulin (Ig) antigens and peptide groups were classified into 7 peptide groups with subsequent 20 amino acids (P1-P302). The biomimetic peptide P143 (IALDD AKINF NEKLS QLQTY) out of C-group peptides carrying the highest value of IgG antigens were selected for structural studies that may provide antigen specificity. Experimental results show that P143 has β-sheet in Ile[1]-Asn[9] and α-helice in Gln[16]-Tyr[20] structure. Homonuclear 2D-NMR (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY) experiments were carried out for NMR signal assignments and structure determination for P143. On the basis of these completely assigned NMR spectra and proton distance information, distance geometry (DG) and molecular dynamic (MD) were carried out to determine the structures of P143. The proposed structure was selected by comparisons between experimental NOE spectra and back-calculated 2D NOE results from determined structure showing acceptable agreement. The total Root-Mean-Square-Deviation (RMSD) value of P143 obtained upon superposition of all atoms were in the set range. The solution state P143 has a mixed structure of pseudo α-helix and β-turn(Phe[10] to Glu[12]). These results are well consistent with calculated structure from experimental data of NOE spectra. Structural studies based on NMR may contribute to the prevent oxidation studies of atherosclerosis and observed conformational characteristics of apo B-100 in LDL using monoclonal antibodies.