• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 1999

Mammalian gastric smooth muscles generate spontaneous rhythmic contractions which are associated with slow oscillatory potentials (slow waves) and spike potentials. Spike potentials are blocked by organic $Ca^{2+}-antagonists,$ indicating that these result from the activation of L-type $Ca^{2+}-channel.$ However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the generation of slow wave remain unclear. Slow waves are insensitive to $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ but are blocked by metabolic inhibitors or low temperature. Recently it has been suggested that Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) serve as pacemaker cells and a slow wave reflects the coordinated behavior of both ICC and smooth muscle cells. Small segments of circular smooth muscle isolated from antrum of the guinea-pig stomach generated two types of electrical events; irregular small amplitude (1 to 7 mV) of transient depolarization and larger amplitude (20 to 30 mV) of slow depolarization (regenerative potential). Transient depolarization occurred irregularly and membrane depolarization increased their frequency. Regenerative potentials were generated rhythmically and appeared to result from summed transient depolarizations. Spike potentials, sensitive to nifedipine, were generated on the peaks of regenerative potentials. Depolarization of the membrane evoked regenerative potentials with long latencies (1 to 2 s). These potentials had long partial refractory periods (15 to 20 s). They were inhibited by low concentrations of caffeine, perhaps reflecting either depletion of $Ca^{2+}$ from SR or inhibition of InsP3 receptors, by buffering $Ca^{2+}$ to low levels with BAPTA or by depleting $Ca^{2+}$ from SR with CPA. They persisted in the presence of $Ca^{2+}-sensitive$ $Cl^--channel$ blockers, niflumic acid and DIDS or $Co^{2+},$ a non selective $Ca^{2+}-channel$ blocker. These results suggest that spontaneous activity of gastric smooth muscle results from $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR, followed by activation of $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ ion channels other than $Cl^-$ channels, with the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from SR being triggered by membrane depolarization.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.352-367
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• 1998

Intracellular pH (pHi) plays an important role in the regulation of cellular processes by influencing the acitivity of various enzymes in cells. Therefore, almost every type of mammalian cell possesses an ability to regulate its pHi. One of the most prominent mechanisms in the regulation of pHi is $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger. This exchanger has been known to be activated when cells are stimulated by the binding of agonist to the muscarinic receptors. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare the rates of $H^+$ extrusion through $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger before and during muscarinic stimulation and to investigate the possible existence of $HCO_3^-$ transporter which is responsible for the continuous supply of $HCO_3^-$ ion to saliva. Acinar cells were isolated from the rat mandibular salivary glands and loaded with pH-sensitive fluoroprobe, 2', 7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein(BCECF), for 30min at room temperature. Cells were attached onto the coverglass in the perfusion chamber and the changes in pHi were measured on the iverted microscope using spectrofluorometer. 1. By switching the perfusate from $HCO_3^-$-free to $HCO_3^-$-buffered solution, pHi decreased by $0.39{\pm}0.02$ pH units followed by a slow increase at an initial rate of $0.04{\pm}0.007$ pH units/min. The rate of pHi increase was reduced to $0.01{\pm}0.002$ pH units/min by the simultaneous addition of 1 mM amiloride and $100{\mu}M$ DIDS. 2. An addition and removal of $NH_4^+$ caused a decrease in pHi which was followed by an increase in pHi. The increase of pHi was almost completely blocked by 1mM amiloride in $HCO_3^-$-free perfusate which implied that the pHi increase was entired dependent on the activation of $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger in $HCO_3^-$-free condition. 3. An addition of $10{\mu}M$ carbachol increased the initial rate of pHi recovery from $0.16{\pm}0.01$ pH units/min to $0.28{\pm}0.03pH$ units/min. 4. The initial rate of pHi decrease induced by 1mM amiloride was also increased by the exposure of the acinar cells to $10{\mu}M$ carbachol ($0.06{\pm}0.008pH$ unit/min) compared with that obtained before carbachol stimulation ($0.03{\pm}0.004pH$ unit/min). 5. The intracellular buffering capacity ${\beta}1$ was $14.31{\pm}1.82$ at pHi 7.2-7.4 and ${\beta}1$ increased as pHi decreased. 6. The rate of $H^+$ extrusion through $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger was greatly enhanced by the stimulation of the cells with $10{\mu}M$ carbachol and there was an alkaline shift in the activity of the exchanger. 7. An intrusion mechanism of $HCO_3^-$ was identified in rat mandibular salivary acinar cells. Taken all together, I observed 3-fold increase in $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger by the stimulation of the acinar cells with $10{\mu}M$ carbachol at pH 7.25. In addition, I have found an additional mechanism for the regulation of pHi which transported $HCO_3^-$ into the cells.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 1990

The one event on signalling mechanism is the cleavage by adenyl cyclase of ATP into second messenger, cyclic AMP. The other transfer system of inositol metabolism. it is widely recognized that hydrolysis of the minor membrane lipid phosphoinositide bisphosphate($PIP_2$) initiated by occupation of certain receptors and catalyzed by phospholipase C, lead to toe generation of the two intracellular messengers, inositol triphosphate($IP_3$) and diacylglycerol(DG). $IP_3$ is converted to inositol tetrakisphosphate($IP_4$) by $IP_3$ kinase. In the present study, it is that purification of calmodulin is used by phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. it's molecular weigh, 17.000 in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In order to observe the affinity between calmodulin (CaM)-Affigel 15 and $IP_3$ kinase, and isolated $IP_3$ kinase, was applied in CaM-Affigel with $Ca^{2+}$ equilibirum buffer and EGTA equilibirum buffer. We compared with binding and elution effect of $IP_3$ kinase in several condition of buffer. In affinity of binding. $Ca^{2+}$ equilibrium buffer was in the most proper condition. and elution, CaM/$Ca^{2+}$ buffer(CE1 10.36, CE2 12. 76pM/min/mg of protein) was effected much more than EGTA buffer(E2 1.48, E3 2.43pM/min/mg of protein), but CaM/$Ca^{2+}$ stimulate the activity of $IP_3$ kinase. And then, several detergents such as sodium deoxycholate, tween 20. cholic acid, polyethylene glycol, chaps were applied. The 0.2% chaps buffer(E2 23.19, E3 8.05pM/min/mg of protein) was the most effective in elution of $IP_3$ kinase.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2021

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major reason for stopping or changing anticancer therapy. Among the proposed pathomechanisms underlying CIPN, proinflammatory processes have attracted increasing attention. Here we assessed the role of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) signaling in cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: CIPN was induced by intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin 2 mg/kg for 4 consecutive days using adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. PGD2 receptor DP1 and/or DP2 antagonists were administered intrathecally and the paw withdrawal thresholds were measured using von Frey filaments. Spinal expression of DP1, DP2, hematopoietic PGD synthase (H-PGDS), and lipocalin PGD synthase (L-PGDS) proteins were analyzed by western blotting. Results: The DP1 and DP2 antagonist AMG 853 and the selective DP2 antagonist CAY10471, but not the DP1 antagonist MK0524, significantly increased the paw withdrawal threshold compared to vehicle controls (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively). Western blotting analyses revealed comparable protein expression levels in DP1 and DP2 in the spinal cord. In the CIPN group the protein expression level of L-PGDS, but not of H-PGDS, was significantly increased compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings presented here indicate that enhanced PGD2 signaling, via upregulation of L-PGDS in the spinal cord, contributes to mechanical allodynia via DP2 receptors in a cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain model in rats, and that a blockade of DP2 receptor activation may present a novel therapeutic target for managing CIPN.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), responding to noxious cold (${\leq}17^{\circ}C$) and pungent compounds, is implicated in nociception, but little is known about the coexpression of TRPA1 and other channels or receptors involved in the nociception in craniofacial regions. To address this issue, we characterized the TRPA1-immunopositive (+) neurons in the rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) and investigated their colocalization with other proteins known to be expressed in nociceptive neurons, such as transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV1) and $P2X_3$ receptor, using light microscopic immunofluorescence labeling method with TRPA1 and TRPV1 or $P2X_3$ antisera. The majority of TRPA1+ neurons costained for TRPV1 (TRPV1+/TRPA1+; 58.8%, 328/558) and 41.2% only expressed TRPA1 but not TRPV1. The TRPV1+/TRPA1+ neurons were small and medium sized. In addition, we investigated the colocalization of TRPA1 with $P2X_3$, a nonselective cation channel activated by ATP that may be released in the extracellular space as a result of tissue damage and inflammation. Among all TRPA1+ TG neurons, 26.1% (310/1186) costained for $P2X_3$, whereas 73.9% (876/1186) of TRPA1+ neurons did not coexpress $P2X_3$. $P2X_3$+/TRPA1+ neurons were predominantly small and medium sized. These results suggest that TRPA1+ neurons coexpressing TRPV1 or $P2X_3$ are involved in specific roles in the transmission and processing of orofacial nociceptive information by noxious cold, heat, and inflammation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.583-590
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin, isolated from ginseng, acts as a ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand and elicits the [Ca²⁺]_i transient through six LPA receptor subtypes (LPARSs). However, the long-term effects of gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on the gene expression of six LPARSs remain unknown. We examined changes in the gene expression of six LPA receptors in the mouse whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, small intestine, colon, and testis after long-term oral GEF administration. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: control vehicle and GEF (100 mg/kg, p.o.). After 21-day saline or GEF treatment, total RNA was extracted from nine mouse organs. Quantitative-real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to quantify changes in the gene and protein expression of the six LPARSs, respectively. Results: qRT-PCR analysis before GEF treatment revealed that the LPA6 RS was predominant in all organs except the small intestine. The LPA2 RS was most abundant in the small intestine. Long-term GEF administration differentially regulated the six LPARSs. Upon GEF treatment, the LPA6 RS significantly increased in the liver, small intestine, colon, and testis but decreased in the whole brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Western blot analysis of the LPA6 RS confirmed the differential effects of GEF on LPA6 receptor protein levels in the whole brain, liver, small intestine, and testis. Conclusion: The LPA6 receptor was predominantly expressed in all nine organs examined; long-term oral GEF administration differentially regulated LPA3, LPA4, and LPA6 receptors in the whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, and testis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2003

Objectives: To investigate the role of TGF (Transforming growth factor-$\beta$) involved in the paracrinic communication during decidualization between UEC (uterine epithelial cells) and USC (uterine stromal cells), we have employed a co-culture system composed of human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in defined hormonal conditions. Design: In the co-culture, endometrial epithelial cells cultured in the matrigel-coated cell culture insert are seeded on top of the endometrial stromal cells cultured within a collagen gel. The co-culture was maintained for 48 hours under the following hormonal conditions: progesterone dominant condition (100 nM P4 and 1 nM E2) or estrogen-dominant condition (100 nM E2 and 1 nM P4). 10 ng/ ml HGF and/or 10 ng/ml TGF-$\beta$1 are added. Methods: RT-PCR is utilized to detect mRNAs quantitatively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical staining are utilized to detect proteins in the tissue. Results: Prolactin mRNA is expressed in the co-cultured stromal cells under the progesterone dominant condition. TGF-$\beta$1 and its receptors are expressed in both the co-cultured epithelial and stromal cells irrespective of the steroid present, which is in contrast with no or negligible expression of TGF-$\beta$1 or its receptor in cells separately cultured. Both estrogen and progesterone significantly elevate the concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the conditioned medium of the co-culture with the value of 4, 325 pg/ml in E2-dominant and 2, 000 pg/ml in P4-dominant condition compare to 150 pg/ml in no hormone. In separately cultured stromal cells, administration of HGF induces the expression of TGF receptor 1 in both hormonal conditions, but induction of TGF receptor 2 is only manifest in the P4-dominant condition. Administration of TGF-$\beta$ and HGF directly induce the decidualization marker prolactin mRNA in separately cultured stromal cells. Conclusion: It is likely that steroid hormones induces prolactin mRNA indirectly by promoting the cell to cell communication between the stromal and the epithelial cells. TGF-$\beta$ and HGF are two possible paracrine mediators in the human endometrial decidualization.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.197-206
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• 1990

Various conditions of cultures were performed to investigate the role of tight junctions formed between adjacent MDCK cells on the entry of Toxoplasma. When MDCK cells were cocultured with excess number of Toxoplasma at the seeding density of 1×105, 3×105, and 5×105 cells/ml for 4 days, the number of intracellular parasites decreased rapidly as the host cells reached saturation density, i.e., the formation of tight junctions. When the concentration of calcium in the media (1.8 mM in general) was shifted to $5{\mu}M$ that resulted in the elimination of tight junction, the penetration of Toxoplasma increased about 2-fold(p<0.05) in the saturated culture, while that of non-saturated culture decreased by half. Trypsin-EDTA which was treated to conquer the tight junctions of saturated culture favored the entry of Toxoplasma about 2.5-fold(P<0.05) compared to the non-treated, while that of non- saturated culture decreased to about one fifth. It was suggested that the tight junctions of epithelial cells play a role as a barrier for the entry of Toxoplasma and Toxoplasma penetrate into hoot cells through membrane structure-specific, i.e., certain kind of receptors present on the basolateral rather than apical surface of MDCK cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.942-948
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• 2021

Canine influenza virus (CIV) induces acute respiratory disease in dogs. In this study, we aimed to determine the signaling pathways leading to the induction of IFN-β in a canine respiratory epithelial cell line (KU-CBE) infected with the H3N2 subtype of CIV. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specific to pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and transcription factors were used to block the IFN-β induction signals in H3N2 CIV-infected KU-CBE cells. Among the PRRs, only the TLR3 and RIG-I expression levels significantly (p < 0.001) increased in CIV-infected cells. Following transfection with siRNA specific to TLR3 (siTLR3) or RIG-I (siRIG-I), the mRNA expression levels of IFN-β significantly (p < 0.001) decreased, and the protein expression of IFN-β also decreased in infected cells. In addition, co-transfection with both siTLR3 and siRIG-I significantly reduced IRF3 (p < 0.001) and IFN-β (p < 0.001) mRNA levels. Moreover, the protein concentration of IFN-β was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in cells co-transfected with both siTLR3 and siRIG-I than in cells transfected with either siTLR3 or siRIG-I alone. Also, the antiviral protein MX1 was only expressed in KU-CBE cells infected with CIV or treated with IFN-β or IFN-α. Thus, we speculate that IFN-β further induces MX1 expression, which might suppress CIV replication. Taken together, these data indicate that TLR3 and RIG-I synergistically induce IFN-β expression via the activation of IRF3, and the produced IFN-β further induces the production of MX1, which would suppress CIV replication in CIV-infected cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

The ${\beta}2$ integrins are cell surface transmembrane proteins regulating leukocyte functions, such as adhesion and migration. Two members of ${\beta}2$ integrin, ${\alpha}M{\beta}2$ and ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$, share the leukocyte distribution profile and integrin ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$ is involved in antigen presentation in dendritic cells and transendothelial migration of monocytes and macrophages to atherosclerotic lesions. ${\underline{R}}eceptor$ for ${\underline{a}}dvanced$ ${\underline{g}}lycation$ ${\underline{e}}nd$ ${\underline{p}}roducts$ (RAGE), a member of cell adhesion molecules, plays an important role in chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Although RAGE and ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$ play an important role in inflammatory response and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the nature of their interaction and structure involved in the binding remain poorly defined. In this study, using I-domain as a ligand binding motif of ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$, we characterize the binding nature and the interacting moieties of ${\alpha}X$ I-domain and RAGE. Their binding requires divalent cations ($Mg^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$) and shows an affinity on the sub-micro molar level: the dissociation constant of ${\alpha}X$ I-domains binding to RAGE being $0.49{\mu}M$. Furthermore, the ${\alpha}X$ I-domains recognize the V-domain, but not the C1 and C2-domains of RAGE. The acidic amino acid substitutions on the ligand binding site of ${\alpha}X$ I-domain significantly reduce the I-domain binding activity to soluble RAGE and the alanine substitutions of basic amino acids on the flat surface of the V-domain prevent the V-domain binding to ${\alpha}X$ I-domain. In conclusion, the main mechanism of ${\alpha}X$ I-domain binding to RAGE is a charge interaction, in which the acidic moieties of ${\alpha}X$ I-domains, including E244, and D249, recognize the basic residues on the RAGE V-domain encompassing K39, K43, K44, R104, and K107.