• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.431-438
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• 2015

In Trichinella spiralis infection, type 2 helper T (Th2) cell-related and regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cell-related immune responses are the most important immune events. In order to clarify which Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are closely associated with these responses, we analyzed the expression of mouse TLR genes in the small intestine and muscle tissue during T. spiralis infection. In addition, the expression of several chemokine- and cytokine-encoding genes, which are related to Th2 and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, were analyzed in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/TIR-associated proteins (TIRAP) and Toll receptor-associated activator of interferons (TRIF) adapter protein deficient and wild type (WT) mice. The results showed significantly increased TLR4 and TLR9 gene expression in the small intestine after 2 weeks of T. spiralis infection. In the muscle, TLR1, TLR2, TLR5, and TLR9 gene expression significantly increased after 4 weeks of infection. Only the expression of the TLR4 and TLR9 genes was significantly elevated in WT MEF cells after treatment with excretory-secretory (ES) proteins. Gene expression for Th2 chemokine genes were highly enhanced by ES proteins in WT MEF cells, while this elevation was slightly reduced in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells, and quite substantially decreased in $TRIF^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In contrast, IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}$ expression levels were not elevated in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In conclusion, we suggest that TLR4 and TLR9 might be closely linked to Th2 cell and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, although additional data are needed to convincingly prove this observation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권12호
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• pp.869-883
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• 2019

Interleukin (IL)-15 is an essential immune-modulator with high potential for use in cancer treatment. Natural IL-15 has a low biological potency because of its short half-life and difficulties in mass-production. IL-15Rα, a member of the IL-15 receptor complex, is famous for its high affinity to IL-15 and its ability to lengthen the half-life of IL-15. We have double-transfected IL-15 and its truncated receptor IL-15Rα into CT26 colon cancer cells to target them for intracellular assembly. The secreted IL-15:IL-15Rα complexes were confirmed in ELISA and Co-IP experiments. IL-15:IL-15Rα secreting clones showed a higher anti-tumor effect than IL-15 secreting clones. Furthermore, we also evaluated the vaccine and therapeutic efficacy of the whole cancer-cell vaccine using mitomycin C (MMC)-treated IL-15:IL-15Rα secreting CT26 clones. Three sets of experiments were evaluated; (1) therapeutics, (2) vaccination, and (3) long-term protection. Wild-type CT26-bearing mice treated with a single dose of MMC-inactivated secreted IL-15:IL-15Rα clones prolonged survival compared to the control group. Survival of MMC-inactivated IL-15:IL-15Rα clone-vaccinated mice (without any further adjuvant) exceeded up to 100%. This protection effect even lasted for at least three months after the immunization. Secreted IL-15:IL-15Rα clones challenging trigger anti-tumor response via CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T, and natural killer (NK) cell-dependent cytotoxicity. Our result suggested that cell-based vaccine secreting IL-15:IL-15Rα, may offer the new tools for immunotherapy to treat cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.593-602
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• 2020

Background: Heat stress orchestrates neurodegenerative disorders and results in the formation of reactive oxygen species that leads to cell death. Although the immunomodulatory effects of ginseng are well studied, the mechanism by which ginseng alleviates heat stress in the brain remains elusive. Methods: Rats were exposed to intermittent heat stress for 6 months, and brain samples were examined to elucidate survival and antiinflammatory effect after Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatment. Results: Intermittent long-term heat stress (ILTHS) upregulated the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, increasing infiltration of inflammatory cells (hematoxylin and eosin staining) and the level of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6], leading to cell death (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay) and elevated markers of oxidative stress damage (myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde), resulting in the downregulation of antiapoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bcl-x_L) and expression of estrogen receptor beta and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, key factors in regulating neuronal cell survival. In contrast, KRG mitigated ILTHS-induced release of proinflammatory mediators, upregulated the mRNA level of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10, and increased myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels. In addition, KRG significantly decreased the expression of the proapoptotic marker (Bax), did not affect caspase-3 expression, but increased the expression of antiapoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bcl-x_L). Furthermore, KRG significantly activated the expression of both estrogen receptor beta and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Conclusion: ILTHS induced oxidative stress responses and inflammatory molecules, which can lead to impaired neurogenesis and ultimately neuronal death, whereas, KRG, being the antioxidant, inhibited neuronal damage and increased cell viability.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.66-73
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• 2009

Tumor angiogenesis is a process leading to formation of blood vessels within tumors and is crucial for maintaining a supply of oxygen and nutrients to support tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis including induction of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, survival and capillary tube formation. VEGF binds to two distinct receptors on endothelial cells. VEGFR-2 is considered to be the dominant signaling receptor for endothelial cell permeability, proliferation, and differentiation. Bevacizumab(Avastin, Genetech, USA) is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor. It is used in the treatment of cancer, where it inhibits tumor growth by blocking the formation of new blood vessels. The goal of this study is to identify the anti-tumor effect of Bevacizumab(Avastin) for oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Human squamous cell carcinoma cell line(HN4) was used in this study. We examined the sensitivity of HN4 cell line to Bevacizumab(Avastin) by using in vitro proliferation assays. The results were as follows. 1. In the result of MTT assay according to concentration of Bevacizumab(Avastin), antiproliferative effect for oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines was observed. 2. The growth curve of cell line showed the gradual growth inhibition of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines after exposure of Bevacizumab(Avastin). 3. In the apoptotic index, groups inoculated Bevacizumab(Avastin) were higher than control groups. 4. In condition of serum starvation, VEGFR-2 did not show any detectable autophosphorylation, whereas the addition of VEGF activated the receptor. Suppression of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and phosphorylated MAPK was observed following treatment with Bevacizumab(Avastin) in a dose-dependent manner. 5. In TEM view, dispersed nuclear membrane, scattered many cytoplasmic vacuoles and localized chromosomal margination after Bevacizumab(Avastin) treatment were observed. These findings suggest that Bevacizumab(Avastin) has the potential to inhibit MAPK pathway in proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines via inhibition of VEGF-dependent tumor growth.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제1권5호
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• pp.485-493
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• 1997

We investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ and cholinergic receptor agonists on $Ca^{2+}$ current in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons using whole-cell patch clamp methods. The application of acetylcholine, carbachol, and oxotremorine ($50\;{\mu}M\;each$) produced a rapid and reversible reduction of the $Ca^{2+}$ current by $17{\pm}6%,\;19{\pm}3%,\;and\;18{\pm}4%$, respectively. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, blocked carbachol- induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition to $3{\pm}1%$. Norepinephrine ($50\;{\mu}M$) reduced $Ca^{2+}$ current by $18{\pm}2%$, while clonidine ($50\;{\mu}M$), an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor agonist, inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ current by only $4{\pm}1%$. Yohimbine, an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, did not block the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current, whereas prazosin, an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, attenuated the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current to $6{\pm}1%$. This pharmacology contrasts with ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat sympathetic neurons, which is sensitive to clonidine and blocked by yohimbine. Our data suggest that the modulation of voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel by norepinephrine is mediated via an α1-adrenergic receptor. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml) for 16 h greatly reduced norepinephrine- and carbachol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition from $17{\pm}3%\;and\;18{\pm}3%\;to\;2{\pm}1%\;and\;2{\pm}1%$, respectively. These results demonstrate that norepinephrine, through an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor, and carbachol, through a muscarinic receptor, inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ currents in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons via pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.97-102
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• 1996

To investigate whether human $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor devoid of the C-terminal two transmembrane helices retain its ligand binding activity and specificity, 5'780-bp DNA fragment of the receptor gene which encodes amino acid 1-260 of human $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor was subcloned into the bacterial fusion protein expression vector and expressed as a form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein in E. coli DH5$\alpha$. The receptor fusion protein was expressed as a membrane bound form which was verified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The fusion protein expressed in this study specifically bound $\beta$-adrenergic receptor ligand [$^3$H] Dihydroalprenolol. In saturation ligand binding assay, the $K_{d}$ value was 7.6 nM which was similar to that of intact $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor in normal animal tissue ( $K_{d}$=1~2 nM) and the $B_{max}$ value was 266 fmol/mg membrane protein. In competition binding assay, the order of binding affinity of various adrenergic receptor agonists to the fusion protein was isoproterenol》epinephrine norepinephrine, which was similar to that of intact receptor in normal animal tissue. These results suggest that N-terminal five transmembrane helices of the $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor be sufficient to determine the ligand binding activity and specificity, irrespective of the presence or absence of the C-terminal two transmembrane helices.s.s.s.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.75-83
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• 2008

Purpose: Currently lung cancer ranks second in cancer for incidence rate and is a disease that ranks first for a death rate by cancerous growth because it is already advanced at the time of diagnosis. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the factors that affect the effectiveness of and rash occurrence by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (EGFR TKI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 100 patients, who took EGFR TKI (erlotinib, gefitinib) among patients who were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in a Hospital in Korea between May 2005 and February 2008, was conducted. The drug effectiveness was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumor. Results: EGFR mutation was the only factor associated with drug response (complete response and partial response). When stable disease was added to drug response as the evaluation parameter, ECOG and rash as well as EGFR mutation were found to be important factors. Survival, however, was not affected by EGFR mutation. The factors influenced on survival were older age (${\geq}65$), low ECOG ($1{\sim}2$), adenocarcinoma and rash. In the case of rash, group with EGFR mutation or low ECOG showed significantly higher chance of occurrence. There was no significant difference in rash occurrence between gefitinib and erlotinib groups. Conclusions: Based on the results, EGFR mutation positive and low ECOG ($1{\sim}2$) were significantly important factors for both effectiveness of EGFR TKI and rash occurrence. Also, rash itself was found to be an independently significant factor for the disease control and survival. Therefore, while administering EGFR TKI, patients who have the factors associated with rash occurrence should be closely monitored for effective and safe drug therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.301-307
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• 1995

To explore electrophysiological properties of the ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptors artificially expressed in the mammalian cell, effect of an opioid agonist DPDPE $(1\;{\mu}M)$ on the voltage-sensitive outward currents was examined in the HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cells transfected with ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptor cDNA cloned from NG-108-15 $(neuroblastoma\;{\times}\;glioma\;hybrid)$ cDNA library. Also studied were effects of 8-bromo-cyclic AMP and naloxone on DPDPE-induced changes in the voltage sensitive outward current. The voltage sensitive outward currents were recorded using perforated patch technique at room temperature. In the non-transformed HEK293 cells, DPDPE did not alter voltage sensitive outward current, indicating that no native ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptor had been developed. However, $(1\;{\mu}M)$ DPDPE remarkably increased the voltage sensitive outward current in the transformed HEK293 cells. The increment in voltage sensitive outward current peaked in $7{\sim}10\;minutes$ after DPDPE application, and the maximum DPDPE-activated outward current $(313.1{\pm}12.3\;pA)$ was recorded when the membrane potential was depolarized to +70mv. Following pretreatment of the transformed HEK293 cells with 1 mM 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, DPDPE failed to increase the voltage sensitive outward currents. On the other hand, naloxone completely abolished DPDPE-activated voltage sensitive outward current in the transformed HEK293 cells. The results of present study suggest that in the transformed HEK293 cells an activation of the ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptors by an opioid agonist DPDPE increases the voltage-sensitive potassium current as a result of decrement in cyclic AMP level.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.319-326
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• 2009

Extracellular ATP elicits diverse physiological effects by binding to the G-protein-coupled P2Y receptors on the plasma membrane. In addition to the short-term effects of extracellular nucleotides on cell functions, there is evidence that such purinergic signalling can have long-term effects on cell proliferation, differentiation and death. The 3T3-L1 cell line derived from mouse embryo is a well-established and commonly utilized in vitro model for adipocytes differentiation and function. However, the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes are still unknown in the preadipocyte. In this study, we identified the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes in preadipocyte using $Ca^{2+}$ imaging and realtime PCR. ATP increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in a concentration-dependent manner. ATP increased $Ca^{2+}$ in absence and/or presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Suramin, non-selective P2Y blocker, largely blocked the ATP-induced $Ca^{2+}$ response. U73122, a PLC inhibitor, completely inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in 3T3-L1 cells. The mRNA expression by realtime PCR of P2Y subtypes was $P2Y_2:P2Y_5:P2Y_6=1.0:12.5:0.3$. In conclusion, we showed that $P2Y_5$ receptor is a dominant purinergic receptor in preadipocytes, and multiple P2Y receptors could involve in differentiation and migration via regulating of intracellular calcium concentration.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.205-211
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• 2004

Concern that some chemicals in our environment may affect human health by disrupt-ing normal endocrine function has prompted a research on interactions of environmental contaminants with steroid hormone receptor. Toxaphene and chlordane are among the 12 persistent organic pollutants identified by the United Nations Environment Programme as requiring urgent attention. We compared the estrogenic activity of two organochlorine pesticides, toxaphene and chlordane, at estrogen receptor a (ER$\alpha$) and estrogen receptor $\beta$ (ER$\beta$). Human hepatoma cells (HepG2) were transiently transfected with rat ER$\alpha$ or ER$\beta$ plus an estrogen-responsive complement C3-luciferase (C3-Luc) reporter gene. After transfection, cells were treated with various concentrations of toxaphene and chlordane to investigate agonism or antagonism of these chemicals. Both toxaphene and chlordane were potent agonists in HepG2 cells for ER$\alpha$. In contrast, these chemicals had a minimal agonist activity with ER$\beta$ and almost abolished 17$\beta$-estradiol-induced ER$\beta$-mediated activity. Therefore, toxaphene and chlordane behaved as an ER$\alpha$ agonist and an ER$\beta$ antagonist with estrogen-responsive reporter plasmid C3-Luc, and exposure to these organochlorine pesticides could have a crictical effect on normal endocrine function.