• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.227-232
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• 2002

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by diverse clinical manifestations and autoantibody production, which is known to be strongly influenced by genetic factors. Previous studies have revealed the associations of SLE with HLA class II alleles and antiphospholipid antibody system (anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) and anti-${\beta}_2$ glycoprotein I antibody (anti-${\beta}_2$ GPI)). Therefore, we studied the associations of HLA class II alleles with SLE and antiphospholipid antibody system. Methods: The genotyping for HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 alleles were performed in 61 SLE patients and 100 controls by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe method. ELISA tests for aCL and anti-${\beta}_2$ GPI were performed in 39 of the 61 SLE patients. The results were evaluated statistically by Chi-square test. Results: The frequencies of the HLA-$DRB1^*15$ and $DQB1^*06$ in SLE patients were significantly higher than those in controls. HLA-$DRB1^*12$ was significantly lower in SLE patients than controls. Nine of 39 patients were positive for aCL (IgG) and three were positive for aCL (IgM). One of 39 patients were positive for anti-${\beta}_2$ GPI (IgG) and none of them positive for anti-${\beta}_2$ GPI (IgM). Association of aCL with HLA class II alleles was not observed in our study. Conclusion: According to our results, it was found that HLA-$DRB1^*15$ and $DQB1^*06$ were associated with genetic susceptiblility and $DRB1^*12$ was associated with resistance to SLE in Korean population. No Association of aCL with HLA class II alleles was observed and the positive rate for anti-${\beta}_2$ GPI was very low.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.406-414
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• 2014

PURPOSE. The objective of this study was to investigate the biologic effects of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) with different concentrations on cell viability and the genetic expression of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) to zirconia surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Immortalized human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were cultured (1) without EMD, (2) with EMD $25{\mu}g/mL$, and (3) with EMD $100{\mu}g/mL$ on zirconia discs. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cell proliferation activity and SEM was carried out to examine the cellular morphology and attachment. The mRNA expression of collagen type I, osteopontin, fibronectin, and TGF-${\beta}1$ was evaluated with the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS. From MTT assay, HGF showed more proliferation in EMD $25{\mu}g/mL$ group than control and EMD $100{\mu}g/mL$ group (P<.05). HGFs showed more flattened cellular morphology on the experimental groups than on the control group after 4h culture and more cellular attachments were observed on EMD $25{\mu}g/mL$ group and EMD $100{\mu}g/mL$ group after 24h culture. After 48h of culture, cellular attachment was similar in all groups. The mRNA expression of type I collagen increased in a concentration dependent manner. The genetic expression of osteopontin, fibronectin, and TGF-${\beta}1$ was increased at EMD $100{\mu}g/mL$. However, the mRNA expression of proteins associated with cellular attachment was decreased at EMD $25{\mu}g/mL$. CONCLUSION. Through this short term culture of HGF on zirconium discs, we conclude that EMD affects the proliferation, attachment, and cell morphology of HGF cells. Also, EMD stimulates production of extracellular matrix collagen, osteopontin, and TGF-${\beta}1$ in high concentration levels. CLINICAL RELEVANCE. With the use of EMD, protective barrier between attached gingiva and transmucosal zirconia abutment may be enhanced leading to final esthetic results with implants.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.69-81
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• 2013

Objectives In this study, effects of Macmundongtang (MMT) on ATP or TNF-${\alpha}$ or PMA or EGF induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells and the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances of rats were investigated. Materials and Methods Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30min in the presence of MMT and treated with ATP ($200{\mu}M$) or PMA (10 ng/ml) or EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.2 nM) for 24hrs, to assess the effect of MMT both on ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and on gene expression by the same inducers using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At the same time, hypersecretion of airway mucus was induced by exposure of rats to SO2 during 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered MMT during 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats was assesed using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with PAS-alcian blue. Possible cytotoxicity of MMT was assessed by investigating the potential damage of kidney and liver functions by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN concentration of rats and the body weight gain during experiment, after administering MMT orally. Results (1) MMT did not only inhibit but also increased MUC5AC mucin productions and expression levels of MUC5AC gene from NCI-H292 cells. (2) MMT did not decrease the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of trachea of rats. (3) MMT did not show renal and hepatic toxicities and did not affect body weight gain of rats during experiment. Conclusions The result from the present study suggests that MMT might normalize the production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in various respiratory diseases accompanied by yin-deficiency, without in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2006

Because shipyard workers are involved with various manufacturing process in shipyard industry, and they are exposed to many kinds of hazardous materials. Especially, painting workers were exposed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). This study was conducted to assess the exposure status of PAH based on job-exposure matrix. We investigated the effect of genetic polymorphism of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes involved in PAH metabolism on levels of urinary metabolite. A total of 93 shipbuilding workers were recruited in this study. Questionnaire variables were age, sex, use of personal protective equipment, smoking, drinking, and work duration. The urinary metabolite was collected in the afternoon and corrected by urinary creatinine concentration. The genotypes of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and UGT1A6 were investigated by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. Urinary 1-OHP levels were significantly higher in direct exposured group (spray and touch-up) than indirect exposed group. Urinary 1-OHP, concentration of the high exposure with wild type of UGT1A6 was significantlyhigher than that of the high exposure with other UGT1A6 genotype. In multiple regression analysis of urinary 1-OHP, the regression coefficient of job grade was statistically significant (p<0.05) and UGT1A6 was not significant but a trend (p<0.1). The grade of exposure affected urinary PAH concentration was statistically significant. But genetic polymorphism of xenobiotics metabolism enzymes was not statistically significant. Further investigation of genetic polymorphism with large sample size is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

Purpose: To determine whether upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription and translation is related to radicular pain in a model of lumbar disc herniation. Also, to investigate the temporal changes of mRNA expression of iNOS and the identity of iNOS and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1 channel expression cells in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a model of lumbar disc herniation. Methods: A lumbar disc herniated rat model was developed by implantation of the autologous nucleus pulposus, harvested from the coccygeal vertebra of each tail, on the left L5 nerve root just proximal to the DRG. Rats were tested for mechanical allodynia of the plantar surface of both hind paws 2 days before surgery and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days postoperatively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to follow iNOS mRNA expression. To stain iNOS and TRPV1 in DRG, an immunohistochemical study was done 10 days after surgery. Results: A significant drop in mechanical withdrawal threshold on the ipsilateral and contralateral hind paws was observed 1 day after surgery and was prolonged to 30 days in rats with lumbar disc herniation. The expression of mRNA for iNOS peaked at postoperative day 10 on both sides of the DRG. iNOS-positive sensory neurons in the DRG varied in size from large to small diameter cells. A majority of small and intermediate sensory neurons were TRPV1-positive cells. Double immunofluorescence staining for TRPV1 and iNOS revealed that most intermediate TRPV1-positive sensory neurons co-localized with iNOS-positive neurons. Conclusion: Nucleus pulposus-induced mechanical allodynia can be generated without mechanical compression. This pain is related to temporal changes in expression of iNOS mRNA in the DRG. Co-localization of TRPV1 and iNOS in intermediate neurons of the DRG is correlated with pain modality and intensity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1037-1047
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• 2016

HOX transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved in many different species and are involved in important cellular processes such as morphogenesis, differentiation, and proliferation. They have also recently been implicated in carcinogenesis, but their precise role in cancer, especially in cervical cancer (CC), remains unclear. In this work, using microarray assays followed by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we found that the expression of 25 HOX genes was downregulated in CC derived cell lines compared with non-tumorigenic keratinocytes. In particular, the expression of HOXA9 was observed as down-modulated in CC-derived cell lines. The expression of HOXA9 has not been previously reported in CC, or in normal keratinocytes of the cervix. We found that normal CC from women without cervical lesions express HOXA9; in contrast, CC cell lines and samples of biopsies from women with CC showed significantly diminished HOXA9 expression. Furthermore, we found that methylation at the first exon of HOXA9 could play an important role in modulating the expression of this gene. Exogenous restoration of HOXA9 expression in CC cell lines decreased cell proliferation and migration, and induced an epithelial-like phenotype. Interestingly, the silencing of human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncogenes induced expression of HOXA9. In conclusion, controlling HOXA9 expression appears to be a necessary step during CC development. Further studies are needed to delineate the role of HOXA9 during malignant progression and to afford more insights into the relationship between downmodulation of HOXA9 and viral HPV oncoprotein expression during cercical cancer development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4017-4023
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• 2012

Background and Aim: Polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are known to be associated with predisposition for certain cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lifestyle factors, family history and genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR C677T and A1298C on rectal cancer risk and possible interactions with lifestyle factors in Northeast Thailand. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted during 2002-2006 with recruitment of 112 rectal cancer cases and 242 non-rectal cancer patient controls. Information was collected using a structured-questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained for assay of MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. Associations between lifestyle factors, family history and genetic polymorphisms v.s. rectal cancer risk were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Subjects with frequent and occasional constipation had a higher risk ($OR_{adj.}$=14.64; 95%CI=4.28-50.04 and $OR_{adj.}$=2.15; 95%CI=1.14-4.06), along with those who reported ever having hemorrhoids ($OR_{adj.}$=2.82; 95%CI=1.36-5.84) or a family history of cancer ($OR_{adj.}$=1.90; 95%CI=1.06-3.39). Consumption of a high level of pork was also associated with risk ($OR_{adj.}$=1.82; 95%CI=1.05-3.15). Interactions were not observed between MTHFR and other risk factors. Conclusions: This study suggested that the risk factors for rectal cancer in the Thai population are bowel habits, having had hemorrhoids, a family history of cancer and pork consumption.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7169-7174
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• 2014

Background: NPAS2 is a product of the circadian clock gene. It acts as a putative tumor suppressor by playing an important role in DNA damage responses, cell cycle control and apoptosis. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) appears to be an apoptosis related disorder and alteration in the NPAS2 gene might therefore be directly involved in the etiology of CLL. Here, the Ala394Thr polymorphism (rs2305160:G>A) in the NPAS2 gene was genotyped and melatonin concentrations were measured in a total of seventy-four individuals, including thirty-seven CLL cases and an equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls in order to examine the effect of NPAS2 polymorphism and melatonin concentrations on CLL risk in a Pakistani population. Materials and Methods: Genotyping of rs2305160:G>A polymorphism at NPAS2 locus was carried out by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Melatonin concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results: Our results demonstrated no association of the variant Thr genotypes (Ala/Thr and Thr/Thr) with risk of CLL. Similarly, no association of rs2305160 with CLL was observed in either females or males after stratification of study population on a gender basis. Moreover, when the subjects with CLL were further stratified into shift-workers and non-shift-workers, no association of rs2305160 with CLL was seen in either case. However, significantly low serum melatonin levels were observed in CLL patients as compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05). Also, lower melatonin levels were seen in shift-workers as compared to non-shift-workers (p<0.05). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the melatonin levels across NPAS2 genotypes in all subjects, subjects with CLL who were either shift workers or non-shift-workers. General Linear Model (GLM) univariate analysis revealed no significant association (p>0.05) of the rs2305160 polymorphism of the NPAS2 gene with melatonin levels in any of the groups. Conclusions: While low melatonin levels and shift-work can be considered as one of the risk factors for CLL, the NPAS2 rs2305160 polymorphism does not appear to have any association with risk of CLL in our Pakistani population.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2014

Despite its rare occurrence, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for neonatal herpes simplex virus infection are mandatory due to its high morbidity and mortality. In Korea, there has been no epidemiologic data on neonatal herpes simplex virus infection, and even case reports are rare. We observed a 16-day-old neonate who presented with fever and seizures. We diagnosed her with meningoencephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 based on the polymerase chain reaction test, and treated her with intravenous acyclovir and anticonvulsants. The seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 sharply increases in women in their 30s, and the average age for childbirth has increased to older than 30 years of age in Korea; we therefore expect that the incidence of neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 infection will rise in Korea, and more attention should be directed to neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 infection. We report this newborn patient's case along with a literature review.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.1126-1131
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• 2010

The antiobesity effect of soymilks fermented with Bacillus subtilis KC-3 (KCCM 42923) from cheonggukjang was compared with other sources of B. subtilis KCCM 11316 and B. subtilis MYCO. The antiobesity effect was investigated by measuring the release of leptin, Oil red O staining, glycerol secretions and adipogenic transcription factor by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Fermented soymilk with B. subtilis KC-3 (F-KC) led to decrease levels of leptin secretion and increase levels of glycerol secretion in the cells. In addition, F-KC reduced contents of Oil red O dye in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Also, mRNA expression levels of both SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1-c) and PPAR-$\gamma$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\gamma$), which are adipogenic transcription factor, in cells treated with F-KC were markedly down regulated. These results demonstrate that the Bacillus subtillis fermented soymilk (F-KC) decreased lipid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by inhibiting lipogenesis. All B. subtilis fermented soymilks had shown antiobesity activities, however, F-KC exhibited the strongest antiobesity effect in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study suggests that especially F-KC increased the potential of antiobesity effects.