• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2008

SunBangHwalMyungEum (SBH) has the effects of subduing swelling, resolving masses and alleviating pain in traditional oriental medicine. Recent studies showed that SunBangHwalMyungEum produced anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immuno-modulatory effects. However there is lack of studies regarding the effects of SBH on the immunological activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of SBH on the regulatory mechanism of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264.7 cells. Methods : After the treatment of SBH, cell viability was measured by MTT assay, NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. Results : Results provided evidence that SBH inhibited the production of NO, iNOS, $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($(IL-1{\beta})$), IL-6, and the activation of phospholylation of inhibitor ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in Raw 264.7 cells activated with lipopolysaccharide. Conclusions : These findings suggest that SBH can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2006

The present study was undertaken to determine the possible cellular mechanism of action of angiopoietin-2 in bone metabolism. The effects on the osteoblasts were determined by measuring 1) cell viability, 2) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, 3) gelatinase activity, and 4) nitric oxide production. The effects on the osteoclasts were investigated by measuring 1) tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)(+) multinucleated cells (MNCs) formation, and 2) resorption areas after culturing osteoclast precursors. Angiopoietin-2 treatment showed a significant increase in both the viability and ALP activity of osteoblasts. Angiopoietin-2 increased the activity of gelatinase and nitric oxide production. In addition, angiopoietin-2 decreased the osteoclast generation induced by macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL), and inhibited osteoclastic activity in (M-CSF)-dependent bone marrow macrophage (MDBM) cell cultures. Taken these results, angiopoietin-2 may be a regulatory protein within the bone marrow microenvironment.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.213-219
• /
• 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs that play important roles in normal hematopoiesis, including erythropoiesis. Although studies have identified several miRNAs that regulate erythroid commitment and differentiation, we do not understand the mechanism by which the crucial erythroid transcription factors, GATA-1and NF-E2 directly regulate and control differentiation via miRNA pathways. In this study, we identified miR-199b-5p as a key regulator of human erythropoiesis, and its expression was up-regulated during the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. Furthermore, the increase of miR-199b-5p in erythroid cells occurred in a GATA-1- and NF-E2-dependent manner during erythrocyte maturation. Both GATA-1 and NF-E2 bound upstream of the miR-199b gene locus and activated its transcription. Forced expression of miRNA-199b-5p in K562 cells affected erythroid cell proliferation and maturation. Moreover, we identified c-Kit as a direct target of miR-199b-5p in erythroid cells. Taken together, our results establish a functional link among the erythroid transcription factors GATA-1/NF-E2, miR-199b-5p and c-Kit, and provide new insights into the coupling of transcription and post-transcription regulation in erythroid differentiation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2009

In this paper, to elucidate the further mechanisms of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced growth arrest, we investigated the effect of MNNG on cell cycle and proliferation in U937 cells, a p53-null human myeloid leukemia cell line. It was found that MNNG causes an arrest at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induces apoptosis, which is closely correlated to inhibition of cyclin B1 and cyelin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2-associated kinase activities. MNNG treatment in. creased protein and mRNA levels of the Cdk inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1), and activated the reporter construct of a p21 promoter. By using p21 promoter deletion constructs, the MNNG-responsive element was mapped to a region between 113 and 61 relative to the transcription start site. These data indicate that in U937 cells MNNG can circumvent the loss of wild-type p53 function and induce critical downstream regulatory events leading to transcriptional activation of p21. Present results indicate that the p53-independent up-regulation of p21 by MNNG is likely responsible for the inhibition of cyclin/Cdk complex kinase activity rather than the down-regulation of cyclins and Cdks expression. These novel phenomena have not been previously described and provide important new insights into the possible biological effects of MNNG.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.447-454
• /
• 2018

Background: Korean ginseng has been widely evaluated to treat human diseases; however, most studies on Korean ginseng have focused on its root. In this study, polysaccharides [acidic-polysaccharide-linked glycopeptide (APGP) extracted with 90% ethanol and hot water] were prepared from Korean ginseng berries, and their effect on immunosenescence was explored. Methods: The effect of APGP on thymic involution was evaluated by measuring the size of thymi dissected from aged mice. The effect of APGP on populations of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, age-correlated CD11c-positive B cells, and several subtypes of T cells [CD4-positive, CD8-positive, and regulatory (Treg) T cells] in the thymi and spleens of aged mice was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Profiles of APGP components were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results: APGP suppressed thymic involution by increasing the weight and areas of thymi in aged mice. APGP increased the population of NK cells, but showed no effect on the population of dendritic cells in the thymi and spleens of aged mice. APGP decreased the population of age-correlated CD11c-positive B cells in the spleens of aged mice. APGP showed no effect on the populations of CD4- and CD8-positive T cells in the thymi of aged mice, whereas it increased the population of Treg cells in the spleens of aged mice. APGP further decreased the reduced serum levels of IL-2 in aged mice, but serum levels of IL-6 were not statistically changed by APGP in aged mice. Finally, HPLC analysis showed that APGP had one major peak at 15 min (a main type of polysaccharide) and a long tail up to 35 min (a mixture of a variety of types of polysaccharides). Conclusion: These results suggested that APGP exerted an anti-immunosenescent effect by suppressing thymic involution and modulating several types of immune cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.215-224
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by typically distributed eczematous skin lesion with pruritus, lichenification and dry skin. In this study, we performed to assess the therapeutic effects of co-treatment of Chenilyeomgamibang (CGB) and Chenggihaedok-san (CHS, C&C) on the TNCB(trinitrochlorobenzene)-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice, characterized by the onset of atopic dermatitis along with an increase the number of inflammatory cells and dysregulation of Th2 cytokines. Methods : Defined amount of CGB was sprayed on mice skin and CHS was simultaneously orally administrated to TNCB treated NC/Nga mice for 5 weeks. The immune cell types were caracterized by flow cytometry using each specific antibody. The amount of Th2 cytokines in serum and splenocytes culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. Results : Administration of C&C significantly reduced clinical dermatitis severity including pruritus, edema, eczematous and erythema. Histological findings indicated that the thickening of epidermis/dermis and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells were dramatically reduced. Flow cytometry analysis showed that infiltrated immune cell numbers of CCR3+, B220+/IgE+, Gr-1+/CD11b+, and CD117+ were significantly reduced in C&C-treated dorsal skin lesion. Furthermore, T cell composition rate in PBMC was also dramatically decreased by the treatment. C&C greatly down-regulated production of Th2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the serum. The down- regulatory effects of C&C on these Th2 cytokines production were also detected in CD3/ CD28 activated splenocytes. Conclusions : These results indicated that C&C is a plausible therapeutic agent for treatment of atopic dermatitis through regulating the Th2 skewed immune system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.1177-1182
• /
• 2012

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in carcinogenesis and displays variable expression profiles during cancer progression. Studies of dietary phytochemicals on cancer signalling pathway regulation have been conducted to search for potent signalling regulatory agents. The present study was designed to evaluate any suppressive effect of maslinic acid on PKC expression in human B-lymphoblastoid cells (Raji cells), and to identify the PKC isoforms expressed. Effects of maslinic acid on PKC activity were determined using a PepTag$^{(R)}$ assay for non-radioactive detection of PKC. The highest expression in Raji cells was obtained at 20 nM PMA induced for 6 hours. Suppressive effects of maslinic acid were compared with those of four PKC inhibitors (H-7, rottlerin, sphingosine, staurosporine) and two triterpenes (oleanolic acid and ursolic acid). The $IC_{50}$ values achieved for maslinic acid, staurosporine, H-7, sphingosine, rottlerin, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid were 11.52, 0.011, 0.767, 2.45, 5.46, 27.93 and $39.29\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Four PKC isoforms, PKC ${\beta}I$, ${\beta}II$, ${\delta}$, and ${\zeta}$, were identified in Raji cells via western blotting. Maslinic acid suppressed the expression of PKC ${\beta}I$, ${\delta}$, and ${\zeta}$ in a concentration-dependent manner. These preliminary results suggest promising suppressive effects of maslinic acid on PKC activity in Raji cells. Maslinic acid could be a potent cancer chemopreventive agent that may be involved in regulating many downstream signalling pathways that are activated through PKC receptors.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.131-135
• /
• 2009

The sublingual locus has recently received great attention as a delivery site for various immunotherapies, including those that induce allergen-specific tolerance, and for vaccines that generate protective immunity. To further understand the immune functions of the human sublingual mucosa, we characterized the distribution of various immunocytes therein by immunohistochemistry. We identified professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), including Langerhans cells (LCs) and macrophages. $CD1a^+$ and $langerin^+$ LCs were further found to be distributed in the basal and supra-basal layers of the epithelium, and macrophages were identified in the lamina propria. HLA-$DR^+$ cells were observed in both the epithelium and the lamina propria, which mirrors the tissue distribution of LCs and macrophages within these tissues. $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, and $CD8^+$ T cells were found to be distributed along the basal layer of the epithelium and also in the lamina propria. Although B cells, plasma cells, and $Foxp3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were only occasionally observed in the human sublingual mucosa in the absence of inflammation, they did show enrichment at inflammatory sites. Hence, we have further elucidated the immune cell component distribution in human sublingual mucosa.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.138-148
• /
• 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNA molecules best known for their function in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Immunologically, miRNA regulates the differentiation and function of immune cells and its malfunction contributes to the development of various autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Over the last decade, accumulating researches provide evidence for the connection between dysregulated miRNA network and autoimmunity. Interruption of miRNA biogenesis machinery contributes to the abnormal T and B cell development and particularly a reduced suppressive function of regulatory T cells, leading to systemic autoimmune diseases. Additionally, multiple factors under autoimmune conditions interfere with miRNA generation via key miRNA processing enzymes, thus further skewing the miRNA expression profile. Indeed, several independent miRNA profiling studies reported significant differences between SLE patients and healthy controls. Despite the lack of a consistent expression pattern on individual dysregulated miRNAs in SLE among these studies, the aberrant expression of distinct groups of miRNAs causes overlapping functional outcomes including perturbed type I interferon signalling cascade, DNA hypomethylation and hyperactivation of T and B cells. The impact of specific miRNA-mediated regulation on function of major immune cells in lupus is also discussed. Although research on the clinical application of miRNAs is still immature, through an integrated approach with advances in next generation sequencing, novel tools in bioinformatics database analysis and new in vitro and in vivo models for functional evaluation, the diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of miRNAs may bring to fruition in the future.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 2015

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a major component of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. Its effects on living organisms are different from those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in Gram-negative bacteria. LTA contributes to immune regulatory effects including anti-aging. In this study, we showed that LTA isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum (pLTA) inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. pLTA reduced the cellular activity of tyrosinase and the expression of tyrosinase family members in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of microphthalmia- associated transcription factor (MITF), a key factor in the synthesis of melanin, was also decreased by pLTA. Further, we showed that pLTA activated melanogenesis signaling, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinse (PI3K)/AKT. In addition, the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) and HuR, which are important RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), was reduced. pLTA likely degrades MITF via regulation of melanogenic signaling and RNA stability of melanogenic proteins, resulting in the reduction of melanin. Thus, our data suggest that pLTA has therapeutic potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders and can also be used as a cosmetic whitening agent.