• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.194-198
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• 2018

Inflammation is a biological response caused by overactivation of the immune system and is controlled by immune cells via a variety of cytokines. The overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines enhances abnormal host immunity, resulting in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ might be one way to treat these conditions. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., which is traditionally used as an antipyretic and analgesic in Korea. In primary cell culture assays, 12 compounds were found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) in vitro in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells stimulated with LPS.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.829-835
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• 2014

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused by dysregulation of colon mucosal immunity and mucosal epithelial barrier function. Recent studies have reported that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Lactobacillus plantarum K8 reduces excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokine. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally pretreated with lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 (low dose or high dose) or live Lb. plantarum K8 prior to the induction of colitis using 4% DSS. Disease progression was monitored by assessment of disease activity index (DAI). Histological changes of colonic tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The colon mRNA expressions of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and toll like receptor-2 (TLR-2) were examined by quantitative real-time-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 suppressed colon shortening, edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of DSS-induced crypts. The groups that received lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 exhibited significantly decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in the colon. Interestingly, colonic expression of toll like receptor-2 mRNA in the high-dose lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 group increased significantly. Our study demonstrates the protective effects of oral lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 administration on DSS-induced colitis via the modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators of the mucosal immune system.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.98-105
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• 2009

Background: It has been recently noticed that type 2 diabetes (T2D), one of the most common metabolic diseases, causes a chronic low-grade inflammation and activation of the innate immune system that are closely involved in the pathogenesis of T2D. Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal mushroom, produces a component compound, cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine). Cordycepin has been known to have many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, and anti-infection activities. The molecular mechanisms of cordycepin in T2D are not clear. In the present study, we tested the role of cordycepin on the anti-diabetic effect and anti-inflammatory cascades in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: We confirmed the levels of diabetes regulating genes mRNA and protein of cytokines through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and followed by FACS analysis for the surface molecules. Results: Cordycepin inhibited the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-activated macrophages via suppressing protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. T2D regulating genes such as $11{\beta}$-HSD1 and PPAR${\gamma}$ were decreased as well as expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as ICAM-1 and B7-1/-2 were also decreased with the increment of its concentration. In accordance with suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production lead to inhibition of diabetic regulating genes in activated macrophages. Cordycepin suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in LPS-activated macrophages. Conclusion: Based on these observations, cordycepin suppressed T2D regulating genes through the inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent inflammatory responses and suggesting that cordycepin will provide potential use as an immunomodulatory agent for treating immunological diseases.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.542-549
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• 2008

Cisplatin은 임상적으로 다양한 종류의 종양 치료에 사용되는 중요한 항암제 중의 하나이다. 그러나 cisplatin은 이독성, 신장독성, 골수독성, 위장독성 및 말초신경독성 등의 심각한 부작용으로 인하여 사용이 제한적이다. Cisplatin에 의한 청각장애에서 organ of Corti 외측 유모세포(outer hair cells) 손상이 유발한다. Cisplatin에 의한 세포독성에 대한 연구가 진행 중이지만 pro-inflammatory cytokine과 관련된 청각세포사멸에 대한 연구는 미비하다. 이 연구에서 cisplatin은 청각세포주 HEI-OC1 세포와 렛트 cochlear explant에서 염증성 사이토카인인 $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ 및 IL-6의 유전자 발현과 분비를 현저히 증가시켰다. 이들 염증성 사이토카인은 organ of Corti 청각유모세포에 직접적인 세포독성을 나타내어 외측 및 내측 유모세포와 배열을 파괴하였다. 염증반응에서 중요한 $TNF-{\alpha}$를 cisplatin을 처리한 실험군에서 immunocytochemistry를 통하여 관찰 한 결과 organ of Corti에서의 발현이 현저히 증가됨을 관찰하였다. 염증성 사이토카인에 대한 중화항체를 처리하여 cisplatin에 의한 세포독성이 현저히 감소됨을 HEI-OC1 세포와 청각유모세포에서 확인하였다. 또한 GSH, NAC와 같은 항산화제를 처리하여 세포독성이 현저히 감소됨을 확인하였다. 이상의 결과는 cisplatin에 의한 청각유모세포의 죽음에서 $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ 및 IL-6와 같은 염증성 사이토카인이 병리 생리학적으로 중요한 역할을 하고 있음을 시사한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.71-76
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• 2015

Magnesium sulfate is widely used as a food additive and as an orally administered medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cytotoxicity of magnesium sulfate on AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and gastric mucosa in mice. A trypan blue exclusion assay was used to determine the reduction in viability of AGS cells exposed to magnesium sulfate, and then effects on cell proliferation were quantified. The role of magnesium sulfate-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in AGS cells was also investigated. mRNA expression for IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ was determined by RT-PCR, and secretion of these cytokines was measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemical evaluation of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression was conducted in mouse gastric mucosa. Addition of 3 to 50 mM magnesium sulfate to AGS cells inhibited both cell proliferation and cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Magnesium sulfate had little effect on production of IL-$1{\beta}$ or IL-6 but significantly inhibited production of IL-8. The animal model demonstrated that magnesium sulfate induced production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$. These preliminary data suggest that magnesium sulfate had a direct effect on the stomach and initiates cytotoxicity in moderate concentrations and time periods by inhibiting viability a nd proliferation of AGS cells and by regulating expression and/or release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.605-610
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• 2014

Chronic liver diseases, including cancer, are characterized by inflammation and elevated serum ferritin (SF). However, the causal-relationship remains unclear. This study used primary rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) as a model to investigate effects of physiological SF concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 pM) because HSCs play a central role in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. Physiological concentrations of SF, either horse SF or human serum, induced pro-inflammatory cytokine $IL1{\beta}$, IL6 and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in rat activated HSCs (all p<0.05). By contrast, treatment did not alter activation marker ${\alpha}SMA$ expression. The presence of SF markedly enhanced expression of Grp78 mRNA (p<0.01). Furthermore, transient knock down of Grp78 by endotoxin EGF-SubA abolished SF-induced $IL1{\beta}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in activated HSCs (all p<0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that at physiological concentrations SF functions as a pro-inflammatory mediator in primary rat HSCs. We also provide a molecular basis for the action of SF and identified Grp78-associated ER stress pathways as a novel potential therapeutic target for resolution of fibrosis and possible prevention of liver cancer.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.213-218
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• 2005

Phellinus linteus (PL), one of the immune-regulatory substances, is recognized to play the role in the metabolic process on inflammation and immunity. It has been traditionally used in the oriental medicine to treat inflammatory related disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of PL on the mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes immune function in the ICR male mice. Control mice received vehicle only. The PL treated mice were administered the respective extract by oral gavages for 4 weeks. IgE concentrations in serum and MLN lymphocytes were significantly lower in PL treated mice than in control mice. PL increased the proportion of $CD4^+\;and\;CD8^+$ T cells in MLN lymphocytes. PL significantly decreased Th2 cytokine concentrations and mRNA expression levels in cytokine secretions. Therefore, water extracts of PL modulate inflammatory parameters through regulation of immunoglobulin production resulting from decreased Th2 cytokine secretion and mRNA expression levels and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and mRNA expression in MLN lymphocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.532-537
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• 2012

Avicularin, quercetin-3-${\alpha}$-L-arabinofuranoside, has been reported to possess diverse pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects. However, the underlying mechanism by which avicularin exerts its anti-inflammatory activity has not been clearly demonstrated. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of avicularin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Avicularin significantly inhibited LPS-induced excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and $PGE_2$ and the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2, which are responsible for the production of NO and $PGE_2$, respectively. Avicularin also suppressed LPS-induced overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$. Furthermore, avicularin significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B$, which retains NF-${\kappa}B$ in the cytoplasm, consequently inhibiting the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes by NF-${\kappa}B$ in the nucleus. To understand the underlying signaling mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of avicularin, involvement of multiple kinases was examined. Avicularin significantly attenuated LPS-induced activation of ERK signaling pathway in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, the present study clearly demonstrates that avicularin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of ERK signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.148-156
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• 2013

The $PrP^C$ is expressed in many types of immune cells including monocytes and macrophages, however, its function in immune regulation remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we examined a role for $PrP^C$ in regulation of monocyte function. Specifically, the effect of a soluble form of $PrP^C$ was studied in human monocytes. A recombinant fusion protein of soluble human $PrP^C$ fused with the Fc portion of human IgG1 (designated as soluble $PrP^C$-Fc) bound to the cell surface of monocytes, induced differentiation to macrophage-like cells, and enhanced adherence and phagocytic activity. In addition, soluble $PrP^C$-Fc stimulated monocytes to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6. Both ERK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways were activated in soluble $PrP^C$-treated monocytes, and inhibitors of either pathway abrogated monocyte adherence and cytokine production. Taken together, we conclude that soluble $PrP^C$-Fc enhanced adherence, phagocytosis, and cytokine production of monocytes via activation of the ERK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.206-212
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• 2019

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)는 모낭과 모공 속에 존재하며 세포 찌꺼기, 피지 및 주변 피부 조직의 대사 부산물을 에너지와 영양소로 사용한다. 과도한 피지생성과 모낭의 막힘으로 피지 생성이 증가하면 P. acnes의 증식 및 성장을 유발할 수 있다. 모낭에 있는 P. acnes의 급속한 성장은 염증을 일으킬 수 있는 세포 손상, 신진 대사 부산물을 생성한다. 본 연구는 S. iscoensis Hieron. (S. iscoensis) 추출물이 P. acnes에 의한 염증반응을 조절할 가능성이 있는지 확인하고, 그 신호 전달 기전을 밝히고자 하였다. S. iscoensis 추출물은 마우스 대식세포주인 Raw 264.7에서 P. acne에 의해 유도되는 IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, iNOS와 같은 염증성 사이토카인의 발현을 매우 효과적으로 억제하였다. 이러한, 염증성 사이토카인의 발현 억제는 NF-${\kappa}B$와 NF-AT와 같은 전사 조절 인자의 활성화 저해를 통해 일어남을 확인하였다. 그러나, MAPK 신호 전달 기전과는 상관이 없음을 확인하였다. 이 연구는 S. iscoensis 추출물이 여드름의 치료제로 사용될 가능성이 있음을 최초로 제안한다.