• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.8-11
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• 2009

There is mounting evidence that autophagy is involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes that have immense relevance in human development, diseases and aging. Immunity and inflammation are not exceptions. Here, the role of autophagy in the control of immune processes particularly that related to cell death and inflammation is discussed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.289-294
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• 2013

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an acute-phase protein induced by injury, infection, or other inflammatory stimuli. LCN2 binds small hydrophobic ligands and interacts with cell surface receptor to regulate diverse cellular processes. The role of LCN2 as a chemokine inducer in the central nervous system (CNS) has been previously reported. Based on the previous participation of LCN2 in neuroinflammation, we investigated the role of LCN2 in formalin-induced nociception and pathological pain. Formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors (licking/biting) and spinal microglial activation were significantly reduced in the second or late phase of the formalin test in Lcn2 knockout mice. Likewise, antibody-mediated neutralization of spinal LCN2 attenuated the mechanical hypersensitivity induced by peripheral nerve injury in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that LCN2 can be therapeutically targeted, presumably for both prevention and reversal of acute inflammatory pain as well as pathological pain.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.177-186
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• 2021

This review aims to propose a model that can reinterpret the abnormal and functional connections between cognitive processes and emotional regulations based on the neurocognitive networks for a comprehensive understanding of pathologic processes and treatment approach of depression and anxiety disorder. Through the processes of rebuilding the network model for depression and anxiety disorder, it was confirmed that depression can be said to be 'over-immersion in self-referencing' due to hyper-activation of default mode network (DMN), and anxiety disorders to be 'disconnection with self-referencing' due to hypo-activation of DMN. The attempts to link up between abnormal activation and pathological function of DMN which is thought to be involved in self-referential processing associated with self-consciousness and projection among neurocognitive networks may be another starting point that can afford to be suggestive in integrated interpretation and therapeutic approach to depression and anxiety disorder.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.424-432
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• 2014

The defining feature of Parkinson's disease is a progressive and selective demise of dopaminergic neurons. A recent report on Parkinson's disease animal model demonstrates that poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) dependent cell death, also named parthanatos, is accountable for selective dopaminergic neuronal loss. Parthanatos is a programmed necrotic cell death, characterized by PARP1 activation, apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) nuclear translocation, and large scale DNA fragmentation. Besides cell death regulation via interaction with AIF, PAR molecule mediates diverse cellular processes including genomic stability, cell division, transcription, epigenetic regulation, and stress granule formation. In this review, we will discuss the roles of PARP1 activation and PAR molecules in the pathological processes of Parkinson's disease. Potential interaction between PAR molecule and Parkinson's disease protein interactome are briefly introduced. Finally, we suggest promising points of therapeutic intervention in the pathological PAR signaling cascade to halt progression in Parkinson's disease.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.861-878
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• 2021

The human genome contains many retroviral elements called human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), resulting from the integration of retroviruses throughout evolution. HERVs once were considered inactive junk because they are not replication-competent, primarily localized in the heterochromatin, and silenced by methylation. But HERVs are now clearly shown to actively regulate gene expression in various physiological and pathological conditions such as developmental processes, immune regulation, cancers, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. Recent studies report that HERVs are activated in patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection. In this review, we describe internal and external factors that influence HERV activities. We also present evidence showing the gene regulatory activity of HERV LTRs (long terminal repeats) in model organisms such as mice, rats, zebrafish, and invertebrate models of worms and flies. Finally, we discuss several molecular and cellular pathways involving various transcription factors and receptors, through which HERVs affect downstream cellular and physiological events such as epigenetic modifications, calcium influx, protein phosphorylation, and cytokine release. Understanding how HERVs participate in various physiological and pathological processes will help develop a strategy to generate effective therapeutic approaches targeting HERVs.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1503-1507
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• 2013

The two major symptoms characterizing Alzheimer's disease are the formation of amyloid-${\beta}$ extracellular deposits in the form of senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that consist of pathological hyperphosphorylated tau protein aggregated into insoluble paired helical filaments (PHFs). Neurons of the central nervous system have appreciable amounts of tau protein, a microtubule-associated protein. To maintain an optimal operation of nerves, the microtubules are stabilized, which is necessary to support cell structure and cellular processes. When the modified tau protein becomes dysfunctional, the cells containing misfolded tau cannot maintain cell structure. One of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is hyperphosphorylated tau protein. This paper shows that the small heat shock protein from humans (Hsp27) reduces hyperphosphorylated tau and prevents hyperphosphorylated tau-induced cell death of the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.260.1-260.1
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• 2002

Green tea contains several antioxidants including polyphenols of the catechin. which have been shown to act in vitro and in vivo as anti-inflammatory. anti-viral and anti-tumor drugs. Prostaglandins (PGs) are a family of intercellular and intracellular messengers derived from arachidonic acid(AA) by phospholipase(PL) and cyclooxygenase(COX). These mediators exert a wide range of effects on processes such as smooth muscle tone. vascular permeability, cellular proliferation. and inflammatory/immune function. (omitted)

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2023

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a major complication of liver transplantation, trauma, and shock. This pathological condition can lead to graft dysfunction and rejection in the field of liver transplantation and clinical hepatic dysfunction with increased mortality. Although the pathological mechanisms of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury are very complex, and several intermediators and cells are involved in this phenomenon, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are the key processes that aggravate hepatic injury. This review summarizes the current understanding of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses and, in that respect, addresses the therapeutic approaches to attenuate hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.425-430
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• 2014

Amyloidogenic proteins often exhibit fibrillar polymorphism through alternative assembly processes, which has been considered to have possible pathological implications. Here, firefly luciferase (LUC) is shown to induce amyloid polymorphism of ${\alpha}$-synuclein, the major constituent of Lewy bodies found in Parkinson's disease, by acting as a novel template. The drastically accelerated fibrillation kinetics of ${\alpha}$-synuclein with LUC required the nucleation center produced by the active enzyme of LUC. Fluorescent dye binding, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy revealed the morphologically distinctive amyloid fibrils of ${\alpha}$-synuclein prepared in the absence or presence of LUC. As the altered morphological characteristics became inherent to the mature fibrils, those properties were inherited to next-generations via nucleation-dependent fibrillation process. The seed control, therefore, would be an effective means to modify amyloid fibrils with different biochemical characteristics. In addition, the LUC-directed amyloid fibrillar polymorphism also suggests that other cellular biomolecules including enzymes in general are able to diversify amyloid fibrils, which could be self-propagated with diversified biological activities, if any, inside cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2013

This study aimed to explore the clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of intraocular cysticercosis due to Taenia solium metacestode infection. Total 8 patients diagnosed with intraocular cysticercosis at the Red Cross Hospital of Yunnan Province, China were examined retrospectively. Patients with clear dioptic media had undergone fundus chromophotography. All patients underwent B ultrasonography of the ocular region (CT) successive scanning of the orbit and cerebral tissues. Parasites were extracted surgically and then examined pathologically. The fundus chromophotography showed a white and condensing scolex package in the vesicle. The B ultrasonic examination showed a vesicle-like echogenic mass in the vitreous chamber, in which the high-level echo spot was the cysticercus scolex. The pathological examinations showed that the vesicle wall exhibited hyaline degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, neuroglial fiber, and glial cell proliferation layers from the inside to the outside. The scolex is round and is composed of the outer tissue (the body wall) and the inner furrow tissue; these tissues migrated together. Primordially differentiated sucking discs were found in one case, but no hooklets were found. The inner scolex tissue was folded like a paper flower. The severity of intraocular disease is closely correlated with the pathophysiological processes of the cysticercus worm. Pathological examination of the intraocular lesions can help to evaluate the course of the disease as well as to provide a scientific basis for effective antiparasitic medication.