• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.546-552
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• 2022

Epidermal cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a tumor-associated antigen (TAA), which has been considered as a cancer vaccine candidate. The EpCAM protein fused to the fragment crystallizable region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) tagged with KDEL endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (EpCAM-FcK) has been successfully expressed in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) and purified from the plant leaf. In this study, we investigated the ability of the plant-derived EpCAM-FcK (EpCAM-FcK^P) to elicit an immune response in vivo. The animal group injected with the EpCAM-FcK^P showed a higher differentiated germinal center (GC) B cell population (~9%) compared with the animal group injected with the recombinant rhEpCAM-Fc chimera (EpCAM-Fc^M). The animal group injected with EpCAM-FcK^P (~42%) had more differentiated T follicular helper cells (Tfh) than the animal group injected with EpCAM-Fc^M (~7%). This study demonstrated that the plant-derived EpCAM-FcK fusion antigenic protein induced a humoral immune response in mice.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.39-53
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• 2022

Purpose: This study evaluated the systemic and local effects of doxycycline (DOX) and low-intensity laser (LIL) treatment as adjuvants to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats. Methods: The sample consisted of 180 male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar), of which 30 did not receive induction of periodontal disease (negative control [NC] group) and 150 received induction of periodontal disease in the lower first molar. After 7 days, the ligature was removed, and the animals were divided into the following groups: NT (no treatment), SRP (SRP), DOX (SRP and DOX irrigation), LIL (SRP and laser irradiation), and DOX+LIL (SRP, DOX, and LIL). The animals were euthanized at 7, 15, and 30 days; thereafter, biochemical, radiographic, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Results: In the intragroup analysis, lower concentrations of α-1-glycoprotein acid (α-1-Ga) and complement 3 (C3) were observed in the DOX+LIL group than in all other groups at all time points, as well as lower levels of complement 4 (C4) at 15 and 30 days (P<0.001). Less bone loss was observed in the DOX, LIL, and DOX+LIL groups than in the NC and SRP groups at all time points (P<0.001). There was a smaller number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells in the DOX+LIL group than in the other groups at all time points (P<0.001). Positive correlations were observed between the systemic levels of α-1-Ga, C3, and C4 and the number of TRAP-positive cells. Conclusions: The combination of DOX with LIL as SRP adjuvants was effective both systemically and locally for the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권11호
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• pp.700-709
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• 2023

Mucus hyperproduction and hypersecretion are observed often in respiratory diseases. MUC8 is a glycoprotein synthesized by epithelial cells and generally expressed in the respiratory track. However, the physiological mechanism by which extracellular nucleotides induce MUC8 gene expression in human airway epithelial cells is unclear. Here, we show that UTP could induce MUC8 gene expression through P2Y2-PLCβ3-Ca²⁺ activation. Because the full-length cDNA sequence of MUC8 has not been identified, a specific siRNA-MUC8 was designed based on the partial cDNA sequence of MUC8. siRNA-MUC8 significantly increased TNF-α production and decreased IL-1Ra production, suggesting that MUC8 may downregulate UTP/P2Y2-induced airway inflammation. Interestingly, the PDZ peptide of ZO-1 protein strongly abolished UTP-induced TNF-α production and increased IL-1Ra production and MUC8 gene expression. In addition, the PDZ peptide dramatically increased the levels of UTP-induced ZO proteins and TEER (trans-epithelial electrical resistance). These results show that the anti-inflammatory mucin MUC8 may contribute to homeostasis, and the PDZ peptide can be a novel therapeutic candidate for UTP-induced airway inflammation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.770-780
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• 2002

The airway surface liquid (ASL), often referred to as mucus, is a thin layer of fluid covering the luminal surface of the airway. The major function of mucus is to protect the lung through mucociliary clearance against foreign particles and chemicals entering the lung. The mucus is comprised of water, ions, and various kinds of macromolecules some of which possess the protective functions such as anti-microbial, anti-protease, and anti-oxidant activity. Mucus glycoproteins or mucins are mainly responsible for the viscoelastic property of mucus, which is crucial for the effective mucociliary clearance. There are at least eight mucin genes identified in the human airways, which will potentially generate various kinds of mucin molecules. At present, neither the exact structures of mucin proteins nor their regulation are understood although it seems likely that different types of mucins are involved in different functions and might also be associated with certain airway diseases. The fact that mucins are tightly associated with various macromolecules present in ASL seems to suggest that the defensive role of ASL is determined not only by these individual components but rather by a combination of these components. Collectively, mucins in ASL may be compared to aircraft carriers carrying various types of weapons in defense of airborne enemies.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.23-27
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• 2005

The major garlic component, Allicin [diallylthiosulfinate, or (R, S)-diallyldissulfid-S-oxide] is known for its medicinal effects, such as antihypertensive activity, microbicidal activity, and antitumor activity. Allicin and diallyldisulfide, which is a converted form of allicin, inhibited the cholesterol level in hepatocytes, in vivo and in vitro. The metabolism of allicin reportedly occurs in the microsomes of hepatocytes, predominantly with the contribution of cytochrome P-450. However, little is known about how allicin affects the genes involved in the activity of hepatocytes in vivo. In the present study, we used the short-term intravenous injection of allicin to examine the in vivo genetic profile of hepatocytes. Allicin up-regulate ten genes in the hepatocytes. For example, the interferon regulator 1 (IRF-I), the wingless-related MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus) integration site 4 (wnt-4), and the fatty acid binding protein 1. However, allicin down-regulated three genes: namely, glutathione S-transferase mu6, a-2-HS glycoprotein, and the corticosteroid binding globulin of hepatocytes. The up-regulated wnt-4, IRF-1, and mannose binding lectin genes can enhance the growth factors, cytokines, transcription activators and repressors that are involved in the immune defense mechanism. These primary data, which were generated with the aid of the Atlas Plastic Mouse 5 K Microarray, help to explain the mechanism which enables allicin to act as a therapeutic agent, to enhance immunity, and to prevent cancer. The data suggest that these benefits of allicin are partly caused by the up-regulated or down-regulated gene profiles of hepatocytes. To evaluate the genetic profile in more detail, we need to use a more extensive mouse genome array.

• 대한핵의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한핵의학회 2001년도 제40차 춘계학술대회 및 연수교육
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• pp.66-75
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• 2001

Although diverse mechanisms are involved in multidrug resistance for chemotherapeutic drugs, the development of cellular P-glycoprotein(Pgp) and multidrug-resistance associated protein (MRP) are important factors in the chemotherapy failure to cancer. Various detection assays provide information about the presence of drug efflux pumps at the mRNA and protein levels. However these methods do not yield information about dynamic function of Pgp and MRP un vivo. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are available for the detection of Pgp and MRP-mediated transport. $^{99m}Tc$-sestaMIBl and other $^{99m}Tc$-radiopharmaceuticals are substrates for Pgp and MRP, and have been used in clinical studies for tumor imaging, and to visualize blockade of Pgp-mediated transport after modulation of Pgp pump. Colchicine, verapamil and daunorubicin labeled with $^{11}C$ have been evaluated for the quantification of Pgp-mediated transport with PET in vivo and reported to be feasible substrates with which to image Pgp function in tumors. Leukotrienes are specific substrates for MRP and N-$[^{11}C]$acetyl-leukotriene E4 provides an opportunity to study MRP function non-invasively in vivo. Results obtained from recent publications are reviewed to confirm the feasibility of using SPECT and PET to study the functionality of MDR transporters in vivo.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.148-153
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• 1999

Laccase produced by Coriolus hirsutus was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by acetone precipitation, Sephacryl S-2000 HR chromatography, DEAE Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, and Mono Q HR 5/5 chromatography. The purification of laccase was 46.6-fold with an overall yield of 23.7%. Laccase from this fungus was a monomeric glycoprotein with 16% carbohydrate content, and has an isoelectric point of 4.2, and molecular mass of 78 kDa, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme showed significant homology to hoste of laccases from Coriolus versicolor, Pycnoporus cinnabarius, and an unidentified basidiomycete, PM1. The highest rate of 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) oxidation by laccase was reached at 45$^{\circ}C$, and te pH optima of the enzyme varied depending on the substrate in the range of 2.0 to 4.5. The enzyme was stable at 60$^{\circ}C$ for 5 h and lost 80% activity at 80$^{\circ}C$ in 30 min. The enzyme oxidized a variety of usual laccase substrates including lignin-related phenol, and had the highest affinity toward ABTS. Under standard assay conditions, the apparent Km value of the enzyme toward ABTS was 8.1 ${\mu}$M. The enzyme was completely inhibited by L-cysteine and sodium azide, but not by potassium cyanide, SDS, ad thiourea.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.482-488
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• 2016

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of tumor cells, which are characterized by resistance against chemotherapy and environmental stress, and are known to cause tumor relapse after therapy. A number of molecular mechanisms underlie the chemoresistance of CSCs, including high expression levels of drug efflux transporters. We investigated the role of the antioxidant transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in chemoresistance development, using a CSC-enriched colonosphere system. HCT116 colonospheres were more resistant to doxorubicin-induced cell death and expressed higher levels of drug efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) compared to HCT116 monolayers. Notably, levels of NRF2 and expression of its target genes were substantially elevated in colonospheres, and these increases were linked to doxorubicin resistance. When NRF2 expression was silenced in colonospheres, Pgp and BCRP expression was downregulated, and doxorubicin resistance was diminished. Collectively, these results indicate that NRF2 activation contributes to chemoresistance acquisition in CSC-enriched colonospheres through the upregulation of drug efflux transporters.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.719-724
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• 2016

The present study was designed to assess the dynamic patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-6, acute phase protein (${\alpha}1$-acid-glycoprotein, AGP), and an inflammation associated factor (adenosine deaminase; ADA) following experimental caprine coccidiosis. Ten kids aging from 2 to 4 months were infected orally with $5{\times}10^4$ sporulated oocysts and 10 animals served as controls. Blood samples were collected in both groups before infection and at days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 post-infection (PI), and the levels of above-mentioned factors were measured. $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-6, AGP, and ADA activities were significantly higher in infected animals from day 7 PI (P<0.05). In conclusion, the circulatory levels of most systemic inflammatory markers, including pro-inflammatory cytokines ($IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-6), AGP, and ADA increased significantly starting from day 3 to day 7 PI in caprine coccidiosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권7호
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• pp.4049-4052
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• 2013

Resistance to chemotherapy treatment, which may lead to limited efficacy of systemic therapy in breast cancer patients, is multifactorial. Among the mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy treatment, there are those closely related to estrogen receptor ${\alpha}$, P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance-related protein, glutathione S-transferase pi and topoisomerase-II. $ER{\alpha}$ is ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates gene expression and plays a critical role in endocrine signaling. In previous preclinical and clinical studies, positive $ER{\alpha}$ expression in breast cancer cells was correlated with decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy. This article reviews current knowledge on the predictive value of $ER{\alpha}$ with regard to response to chemotherapy. Better understanding of its role may facilitate patient selection of therapeutic regimens and lead to optimal clinical outcomes.