• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.326-332
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• 2012

Mast cells play pivotal pathologic roles in allergic disease involving T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. Fisetin has been known as an anti-allergic agent having inhibitory effects on the IL-4 and IL-13 gene expressions in inflammatory immune cells. However, its molecular mechanisms for suppressive effects of fisetin on IL-4 and IL-13 in activated mast cells have been incompletely elucidated. In this study we found that fisetin significantly inhibited the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (PI)-induced production of IL-4 and IL-13 in mast cells. The levels of mRNA were dramatically decreased by fisetin, indicating the suppression might be regulated at the transcriptional levels. Western blot analysis of the nuclear expression of various transcription factors involved in the promoter activation indicated that suppression of c-Fos was prominent together with significant down-regulation of nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NF-AT) and NF-${\kappa}B$, but not c-Jun. Furthermore, the nuclear expression of GATA binding protein 2 (GATA-2) transcription factor was significantly down-regulated by fisetin. Taken together, our study indicated fisetin has suppressive effects on IL-4 and IL-13 gene expression through the regulation of selective transcription factors.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.252-256
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• 1995

Corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF)를 분비하는 배양세포주는 CRF의 세포내 조절을 연구하는데 있어 훌륭한 체계가 된다. BE(2)-M17 및 BE(2)-C 세포주는 CRF를 생산하고 분비하며 forskolin 처치에 반응하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 저자들은 이들 세포주에 phorbol 에스테르, 즉 phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(TPA) 0.8, 4, 10, 20 nM, 및 nitric oxide(NO)의 신호전달 경로의 자극제(1-${\mu}M$ nitroprusside)와 차단제($1{\mu}M$ nitroprusside+$300{\mu}M$ $N^G$-methyl-D-arginine), 그리고 interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ (IL $1{\alpha}$ ; 4, 20, 100, 500 pM)를 처치하여 CRF를 의미있게 증가시켰으나 세포외 분비는 C 세포에서만 변화되었다. NOS계의 자극제와 차단제는 C 세포의 forskolin 효과를 의미있게 변화시켰다. IL$1{\alpha}$는 두 세포주에 대한 영향이 없었다. 상기 제제들에 대한 이들 세포의 반응이 중추신경계 CRF 신경들과 관련하여 논의되었다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2018

Viticis fructus (fruits of Vitex rotundifolia) is the dried fruit from Vitex rotundifolia; is a traditional medicine for treating inflammation, migraines, chronic bronchitis, headaches, eye pain, and gastrointestinal infections; and demonstrates various bioactivities, including anti-allergic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects, which are partly due to its phenolic compound content. This study examines the inhibitory effects of viticis fructus (fruits of Vitex rotundifolia) on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression using gelatin zymography and RT-PCR in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced HT-1080 fibro-sarcoma cells. Fruits of Vitex rotundifolia were extracted twice using dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$) and methanol (MeOH). The combined crude extracts ($CH_2Cl_2$ and MeOH) significantly inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in gelatin zymography. The combined extracts were fractionated into n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH), n-butanol, and water, successively according to polarity. Among all solvent-partitioned fractions, 85% aq. MeOH fractions showed the strongest inhibition on the activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in gelatin zymography. In PMA-stimulated HT-1080 cells, the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA were also greatly inhibited by the 85% aq. MeOH fraction. These results suggest that viticis fructus can be used as an excellent source for anti-invasive agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.180-186
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• 2008

In this study, we examined the effects of the fermented soybeans by Bacillus subtilis (FSB) and the novel three-step fermented soybeans (TFS) on the expression and activity of COX-2 in human leukemic U937 cell model. Treatment of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) significantly induced pro-inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 expression and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ production, whereas the levels of COX-1 remained unchanged. However, pre-treatment with FSB and TFS significantly attenuated the PMA-induced COX-2 protein as well as mRNA, which was associated with inhibition of $PGE_2$ production. Moreover, TFS exerts a much better inhibitory activity than FSB against PMA-induced activation of COX-2 and production of $PGE_2$ in U937 cells. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of FSB and TFS.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1000-1006
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• 2015

α-Asarone is the main component of Acorus gramineus, which is a widely used oriental traditional medicine. A. gramineus is known to have a variety of medicinal effects, such as anti-gastric ulcer, antiallergy and antioxidant activity. It is also known to inhibit the release of histamine. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. In this study, the effects of α-asarone on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and its antioxidant effect in a cell-free system were examined in HT1080 cells. In an MTT assay, the effect of α-asarone on cell viability showed no cytotoxicity below 16 μM. In an antioxidant assay, α-asarone increased reducing power in a dose-dependent manner but not the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. In addition, α-asarone exhibited the protective effect against DNA oxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals produced by the Fenton reaction. Furthermore, in a gelatin disk assay, α-asarone enhanced collagenase activity. It also increased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in a gelatin zymography. On the other hand, the activity of MMP-9 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate (PMS) but not that of MMP-2 was increased in the presence of α-asarone. These findings suggest that α-asarone could be a candidate for the prevention and treatment of pathological diseases related to oxidative stress and MMPs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.638-647
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• 1998

Protein Kinase C (PKC) activators, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), bryostatin, and dioctanoyl glycerol (DiC8), induce translocation of PKC isozymes from cytoplasm to plasma membrane or into nucleus. The activated PKC negatively modulates growth of human breast cancer cells. Antiproliferative effect and translocation of PKC were investigated in MCF-7 cells. The translocation of activated PKC isozymes by PMA, bryostatin and DiC8 was occurred at the various different regions in MCF-7 cell. PKC $\alpha$ and $\beta$ could be translocated to the nucleus or the nuclear mem-brane, and PKC $\delta$and $\varepsilon$ to cell membrane by PMA while DiC8 and bryostatin induced the translocation of PKC $\alpha$ and $\beta$ to the nucleus or plasma membrane, respectively. In the antiproliferative effect of PKC activators, PMA ($IC_{50}$/ values of 1.2$\pm$0.3nM) and DiC8 ($IC_{50}$/ values of 5.0$\pm$1.1$\mu$M) inhibited the cell growth. Bryostatin also inhibited the cell growth but to a much less degree than one obser-ved with PMA : 16% growth reduction by 100nM bryostatin. However, PMA treated with bryostatin induced gro-wth inhibition, but PMA with DiC8 at 10$\mu$M was not effective. These results suggest that each PKC isozyme is tran-slocated to various specific sites, and that especially, PKC $\alpha$ isozyme plays an important role in control of antiprolife-raive function of cell growth.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.417-424
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• 1996

The present study was done to examine the involvement of protein kinase C and protein tyrosine kinase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in C5a-stimulated neutrophils. Although protein kinase C inhibitors, staurosporine and H-7 inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release in C5a-stimulated neutrophils, they did not affect $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane and elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ C5a-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release and $Ca^{2+}$ influx were inhibited by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate. ADP-evoked elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was inhibited by genistein and methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate but was not affectd by staurosporine and H-7. Genistein and methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate reduced the store-regulated $Ca^{2+}$ influx in thapsigargin-treated neutrophils, while the effect of staurosporine and H-7 was not detected. When neutrophils were preincubated wih phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, the stimulatory effect of C5a on the elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was reduced. These results suggest that protein tyrosine kinase may be involved in control of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release and $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane in C5a-activated neutrophils.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 1991

In the isolated rabbit mesenteric artery denuded of endothelium, we characterized the identity of the A23187-induced endothelium-dependent relaxing factor (EDRF) released from the endothelium of rabbit aorta, which is distinct from that of acetylcholine-induced relaxing factor. In the normal physiological salt solution (PSS), the dose-response curves to A23187 and acetylcholine were overlapped together. Their effects were also inhibited by methylene blue. Upon application of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase into the bath, the phenylephrine-induced precontraction was transiently increased followed by the sustained relaxation. During the burst of hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction, the $Ca^{++}$ ionophore, A23187 but not acetylcholine was able to cause an immediate relaxation. However, A23187-induced relaxation was not manifested when precontracted by 50 mM $K^+-PSS$. Nevertheless, in the presence of superoxide dismutase, A23187 could produce an immediate relaxation without accompanying the transient contraction as acetylcholine did during the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction. On the other hand, acetylcholine-induced relaxation was more sensitively inhibited by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) than A23187-induced relaxation. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was not affected by PMA. Based on these results it is suggested that both A23187 and acetylcholine cause the methylene blue-inhibitable endothelium-dependent relaxation, and in addition, A23187 may release a stable EDRF which is resistant to superoxide anion and PMA.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.299-313
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• 2003

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the development of cardiac injury following scald burn. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced a scald burn a 15% total body surface area. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 2 mg/kg) and bisindolylmaleimide (BIS, 0.05 mg/kg) were immediately administered i.p. after burn injury. 5 h and 24 h later, heart was removed and examined biochemical assay, ultrastructural changes and stereological analysis. The activity of serum aspartate aminotransferase was significantly increased at 5h (p<0.01) and 5h+BIS (p<0.001) after burn compared with that of control. The activity of serum creatinine was significantly decreased in PMA-treated groups after burn compared with postburn 5 h. PMA caused a decrease in MPO activity and induced wavy fibers in cardiac myocytes at postburn 5 and 24h. BIS induced contraction band, separation of intercalated disk and abnormal mitochondria in cardiac myocytes at postburn 5 and 24h. In stereological analysis, treatment of rats with PMA increased volume density of myofibril and mitochondria compared with postburn 5 and 24h. Our data suggest that the activation of PKC in scald burned heart decreases inflammation and protects the myocardium.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.415-421
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• 2008

Pro-inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin $E_2$ (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO), and cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2), play pivotal roles in normal as well as transformed cells. Previous studies have shown that Euphorbiae humifusae Wind exhibits anti-proliferative and antioxidant activities. However, the it's anti-inflammatory properties are unclear. In this study, we examine the effects of water extract of E. humifusae (WEEH) on the expression of COX-2 and the production of $PGE_2$ in human lymphatic U937 cells. Treatment of phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) significantly induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production in U937 cells. However, pretreatment WEEH markedly inhibited the PMA-induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, WEEH prevented the elevated early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) expression and nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF{-\kappa}B\; p65$) nuclear translocation stimulated by PMA treatment. Taken together, the present data indicate that WEEH exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes through the $NF{-\kappa}B$ and Egr-1 signaling pathway.