• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.2487-2495
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• 2018

Inspired by the specific amino acid sequence Asn-Pro-Ala (NPA) of water channel aquaporins (AQPs), we fabricated polyamide (PA) nanofiltration (NF) membranes by introducing reduced glutathione (GSH) in interfacial polymerization (IP) method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), zeta potential and static water contact angle measurement were employed to characterize the chemical composition, morphology, electronegativity and hydrophilicity of the NF membranes. The water flux of GSH/PIP-TMC NF membrane reached $32.00L\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$ at 0.2 MPa, which was approximately twice than that of pristine PIP-TMC NF membrane when the ratio of GHS to piperazidine (PIP) was 40% during IP process. More water channels were built as GSH was embedded into PA layer. The fabricated NF membranes also took on potent rejection for dyes and $Na_2SO_4$. This study presents a simple and facile method to simulate water channels-based biological materials which may find potential application in water treatment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.543-550
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate induction of cytokine expression in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) by whole cell and the components of T. forsythia. Material and Methods: After HGFs were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), membrane protein isolated from T. forsythia or culture media of T. forsythia, the induction of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and IL-8 was examined with real-time PCR and ELISA. Their induction ability of cytokines was compared with whole bacteria. Result: The expression of IL-6 and IL-8 was significantly induced in HGFs by whole bacteria and membrane protein. The expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ was induced by membrane protein of T. forsythia, not by whole bacteria. LPS and condition media of T. forsythia slightly activated HGFs. Conclusion: The membrane protein of T. forsythia could be one of virulence factors.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-34
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• 2021

Water supplies are decreasing in comparison to increasing clean water demands. Using nanofiltration is one of the most effective and economical methods to meet the need for clean water. Common methods for desalination are reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. However, pristine membranes lack the essential features which are, stability, economic efficiency, antibacterial and antifouling performances. To enhance the properties of the pristine membranes, graphene oxide (GO) is a promising and widely researched material for thin film composites (TFC) membrane due to their characteristics that help improve the hydrophilicity and anti-fouling properties. Modification of the membrane can be done on different layers. The thin film composite membranes are composed of three different layers, the top filtering active thin polyamide (PA) layer, supporting porous layer, and supporting fabric. Forward osmosis (FO) process is yet another energy efficient desalination process, but its efficiency is affected due to biofouling. Incorporation of GO enhance antibacterial properties leading to reduction of biofilm formation on the membrane surface. Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is an excellent process to generate clean energy from sea water and the biofouling of membrane is reduced by introduction of GO into the active layer of the TFC membrane. Different modifications on the membranes are being researched, each modification with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this review, modifications of nanofiltration membranes and their composites, characterization, and performances are discussed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.101-115
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• 2019

The pathogenesis of cerebral malaria is biologically complex and involves multi-factorial mechanisms such as microvascular congestion, immunopathology by the pro-inflammatory cytokine and endothelial dysfunction. Recent data have suggested that a pleiotropic T-cell immunomodulatory protein (TIP) could effectively mediate inflammatory cytokines of mammalian immune response against acute graft-versus-host disease in animal models. In this study, we identified a conserved homologue of TIP in Plasmodium berghei (PbTIP) as a membrane protein in Plasmodium asexual stage. Compared with PBS control group, the pathology of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in rPbTIP intravenous injection (i.v.) group was alleviated by the downregulation of pro-inflammatory responses, and rPbTIP i.v. group elicited an expansion of regulatory T-cell response. Therefore, rPbTIP i.v. group displayed less severe brain pathology and feverish mice in rPbTIP i.v. group died from ECM. This study suggested that PbTIP may be a novel promising target to alleviate the severity of ECM.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2024

The development of in vitro models is essential in modern science due to the need for experiments using human material and the reduction in the number of laboratory animals. The complexity of the interactions that occur in living organisms requires improvements in the monolayer cultures. In the work presented here, neuroepithelial stem (NES) cells were differentiated into peripheral-like neurons (PLN) and the phenotype of the cells was confirmed at the genetic and protein levels. Then RNA-seq method was used to investigate how stimulation with pro-inflammatory factors such as LPS and IFN𝛾 affects the expression of genes involved in the immune response in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS). HFLS were then cultured on semi-permeable membrane inserts, and after 24 hours of pro-inflammatory stimulation, the levels of cytokines secretion into the medium were checked. Inserts with stimulated HFLS were introduced into the PLN culture, and by measuring secreted ATP, an increase in cell activity was found in the system. The method used mimics the condition that occurs in the joint during inflammation, as observed in the development of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, the system used can be easily modified to simulate the interaction of peripheral neurons with other cell types.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2017

The hydrolysis of proteins constitutes an invaluable tool, granting access to a variety of peptide fragments with potentially interesting biological properties. Therefore, a hemoglobin (Hb) hydrolysate of Crocodylus siamensis was generated by digestion under acidic conditions. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the Hb hydrolysate were assessed in comparison with intact Hb. A disc diffusion assay revealed that the Hb hydrolysate exhibited antibacterial activity against eight strains of gram-positive bacteria and showed a higher efficacy than intact Hb. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of intact Hb and its hydrolysate was evaluated using ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The Hb hydrolysate exhibited free radical scavenging rates of 6-32%, whereas intact Hb showed a slightly higher activity. In addition, non-toxicity to human erythrocytes was observed after treatment with quantities of Hb hydrolysate up to $10{\mu}g$. Moreover, active fragmented Hb (P3) was obtained after purifying the Hb hydrolysate by reversed-phase HPLC. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the induction of bacterial cell membrane abnormalities after exposure to P3. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities play crucial roles for supporting the wound healing activity. Consequently, an in vivo mice excisional skin wound healing assay was carried out to investigate the effects of intact Hb treatment on wound healing in more detail. The results clearly demonstrate that intact Hb is capable of promoting 75% wound closure within 6 days. These findings imply that intact Hb of C. siamensis and its acid hydrolysate may serve as valuable precursors for food supplementary products benefitting human health.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 2017

Objectives : Polygoni Multiflori Ramulus has been widely used as a traditional medicinal herb for the treatment of insomnia, limb pain and itch. The extract of Polygoni Multiflori Ramulus (PMRE) is known to have a modulatory effect of many inflammatory responses. This study was performed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of PMRE against arachidonic acid (AA) + iron-induced oxidative stress on HepG2 cell and carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury on mice. Methods : The effects of PMRE on cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. And flow cytometric analysis was performed to estimate the effects on mitochondrial function. To investigate its underlying mechanism, apoptosis-related proteins were analysed by using immunoblot analysis. In addition, ICR mouse were administrated (po) with the PMRE (30, 100 mg/kg) for 3 days and then, injected (ip) with $CCl_4$ (0.5 ml/kg body weight) to induce acute liver damage. The level of pro-caspase-3 was measured. Results : Treatment of PMRE increased relative cell viability, prevented a cleavage of poly (ADP ribose) polymerase and pro-caspase-3, and also reduced mitochondrial membrane permeability against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress. In addition, PMRE treatment decreased liver injury induced by $CCl_4$, as evidenced by increases in pro-caspase-3 level. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that PMRE has an ability to anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective effect against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress and $CCl_4$-induced liver injury.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2015

Salinity gradient power (SGP) systems have strong potential to generate sustainable clean electricity for 24 hours. Here, we introduce a solid-salt pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) system using crystal salt powders rather than seawater. Solid salts have advantages such as a small storage volume, controllable solubility, high Gibbs dissolution energy, and a single type of water intake, low pretreatment costs. The power densities with 3 M draw solutions were $11W/m^2$ with exothermic energy and $8.9W/m^2$ without at 35 bar using a HTI FO membrane (water permeability $A=0.375L\;m^{-2}h^{-1}bar^{-1}$). These empirical power densities are ~13% of the theoretical value.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2007

Although sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, possesses anti-cancer properties against several cancer cell lines, the molecular mechanisms by which it inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis have not been clearly understood. In order to further explore the critical events leading to apoptosis in sanguinarine-treated MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells, the following effects of sanguinarine on components of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway were examined: generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alteration of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the expression changes of Bcl-2 family proteins. We show that sanguinarine-induced apoptosis is accompanied by the generation of intracellular ROS and disruption of MMP as well as an increase in pro-apoptotic Bax expression and a decrease of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression. The quenching of ROS generation with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, the ROS scavenger, protected the sanguinarine-elicited ROS generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins, and apoptosis. Based on these results, we propose that the cellular ROS generation plays a pivotal role in the initiation of sanguinarine-triggered apoptotic death.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.103-115
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• 2008

Hemodynamic shear stress, the dragging force generated by blood flow, is known as an anti-atherogenic factor. We tested whether lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KRS) will be utilized as an agent controlling shear-sensing systems. KRS was previously known to be secreted as a pro-inflammatory agent. Here we found that KRS inhibited various shear-stimulated signaling pathways. We further found that KRS binds to detergent-resistant membrane (DRM), indicating that KRS binding molecules exist in DRM, specialized regions of the plasma membrane. DRM plays important roles in a variety of cellular processes and consists of gangliosides, signaling molecules and cytoskeletons. We then determined that KRS was colocalized with integrins ${\alpha}4$, ${\alpha}5$ and $av{\beta}3$. In addition, KRS was shown to be associated with sialic acid, existing at the end of gangliosides. Interestingly, the adherent effect of KRS was inhibited by pretreatment with sialic acid. Moreover, treatment of endothelial cells with neuraminidase appeared to inhibit both the KRS adhesion to endothelial cells and shear-stimulated signaling. In conclusion, KRS is likely to be utilized as a vascular regulator.