• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.79-94
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• 2022

COVID-19로 인한 높은 전염성과 호흡기 질환의 심각성 때문에, 전염의 확산을 더 잘 모니터링하고 예방하기 위해 경제적이고 정확한 검사가 필요하다. COVID-19 대유행의 초기 단계에서 SARS-CoV-2의 구조적 및 분자적 특성이 밝혀짐에 따라, 많은 COVID-19 진단 키트 제조업체들은 진단 테스트의 설계, 개발, 검증 및 구현에 적극적으로 투자했다. 현재, SARS-CoV-2에 대한 진단검사로써 신속한 항원, 특정 IgG 및 IgM 항체검사를 위한 면역 혈청학적 검사 그리고 분자 진단 검사가 가장 널리 사용되고 검증된 기술이다. 분자 진단 분석법은 SARS-CoV-2에 감염된 것으로 의심되는 개인에서 바이러스 RNA를 직접 검출하기 위한 gold standard이다. 항체 기반 혈청 검사는 지역사회에서 COVID-19 유병률을 결정하고 면역력을 획득한 개인을 식별하는 데 사용되는 간접 검사이다. 본 논문에서는 시판되고 FDA가 승인한 분자 및 면역학적 진단 측정을 평가하여 성능 특성을 분석하였다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.273-282
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• 2021

Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly, resulting in a pandemic. The virus enters host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2). These enzymes are widely expressed in reproductive organs; hence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could also impact human reproduction. Current evidence suggests that sperm cells may provide an inadequate environment for the virus to penetrate and spread. Oocytes within antral follicles are surrounded by cumulus cells, which rarely express ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Thus, the possibility of transmission of the virus through sexual intercourse and assisted reproductive techniques seems unlikely. Early human embryos express coronavirus entry receptors and proteases, implying that human embryos are potentially vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 in the early stages of development. Data on the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the human endometrium are sparse. Moreover, it remains unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 directly affects the embryo and its implantation. A study of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy showed an increase in preterm delivery. Thus, vertical transmission of the virus from mother to fetus in the third trimester is possible, and further data on human reproduction are required to establish this possibility. Based on analyses of existing data, major organizations in this field have published guidelines on the treatment of infertility. Regarding these guidelines, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, reproductive treatment is crucial for the well-being of society and must be continued under suitable regulations and good standard laboratory practice protocols.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2021

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019), the infection has spread worldwide due to the highly contagious nature of severe acute syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). To manage SARS-CoV-2, the development of diagnostic assays that can quickly and accurately identify the disease in patients is necessary. Currently, nucleic acid-based testing and serology-based testing are two widely used approaches. Of these, nucleic acid-based testing with quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) using nasopharyngeal (NP) and/or oropharyngeal (OP) swabs is considered to be the gold standard. Recently, the use of saliva samples has been considered as an alternative method of sample collection. Compared to the NP and OP swab methods, saliva specimens have several advantages. Saliva specimens are easier to collect. Self-collection of saliva specimens can reduce the risk of infection to healthcare providers and reduce sample collection time and cost. Until recently, the sensitivity and accuracy of the data obtained using saliva specimens for SARS-CoV-2 detection was controversial. However, recent clinical research has found that sensitive and reliable data can be obtained from saliva specimens using RT-qPCR, with approximately 81% to 95% correspondence with the data obtained from NP and OP swabs. These data suggest that self-collected saliva is an alternative option for the diagnosis of COVID-19.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.211-222
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• 2022

After more than two years of efforts to end the corona pandemic, a gradual recovery is starting in countries with high vaccination rates. Easing public health policies for a full-fledged post-corona era, such as lifting the mandatory use of outdoor mask and quarantine measures in entry have been considered in Korea. However, the continuous emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and limitations in vaccine efficacy still remain challenging. Fortunately, T cells and memory T cells, which are key components of adaptive immunity appear to contribute substantially in COVID-19 control. SARS-CoV-2 specific CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells are induced by natural infection or vaccination, and rapid induction and activation of T cells is mainly associated with viral clearance and attenuated clinical severity. In addition, T cell responses induced by recognition of a wide range of epitopes were minimally affected and conserved against the highly infectious subsets of omicron variants. Polyfunctional SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell memory including stem cell-like memory T cells were also developed in COVID-19 convalescent patients, suggesting long lasting protective T cell immunity. Thus, a robust T-cell immune response appears to serve as a reliable and long-term component of host protection in the context of reduced efficacy of humoral immunity and persistent mutations and/or immune escape.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.335-338
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic, triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has not only impacted human health on a global scale but also raised concerns about the vulnerability of a wide array of animals that are in close contact with humans. Particularly, the potential for infection and the subsequent immune response in domestic pets such as dogs and cats remain largely unexplored under natural living conditions. In this study, we have undertaken the task of detecting and tracking the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a small cohort of household pets-specifically, two dogs and two cats. Employing techniques such as the indirect ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization tests, we observed that the neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in these animals were maintained for a duration of up to six months following their initial positive test result. This duration mirrors the antibody response documented in human cases of COVID-19, suggesting a comparable post-infection immune response timeline between humans and these domestic animals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.722-730
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• 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogenic virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with major symptoms including hyper-inflammation and cytokine storm, which consequently impairs the respiratory system and multiple organs, or even cause death. SARS-CoV-2 activates inflammasomes and inflammasome-mediated inflammatory signaling pathways, which are key determinants of hyperinflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 inhibits inflammasome activation to evade the host's antiviral immunity. Therefore, regulating inflammasome initiation has received increasing attention as a preventive measure in COVID-19 patients. Ginseng and its major active constituents, ginsenosides and saponins, improve the immune system and exert anti-inflammatory effects by targeting inflammasome stimulation. Therefore, this review discussed the potential preventive and therapeutic roles of ginseng in COVID-19 based on its regulatory role in inflammasome initiation and the host's antiviral immunity.

• 한국컴퓨터정보학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국컴퓨터정보학회 2021년도 제64차 하계학술대회논문집 29권2호
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• pp.283-284
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• 2021

최근 SARS-CoV-2 백신들의 예방접종이 진행됨에 따라 코로나 19 팬데믹의 종결이 예상되고 있다. 하지만 계속해서 출현 중인 변종 바이러스들은 팬데믹 종결의 위험요소로 남아있다. 본 논문에서는 사전학습된 단백질 BERT와 단백질-단백질 상호작용 모델을 활용한 SARS-CoV-2 스파이크 단백질의 변이 예측 분석 알고리즘을 제안한다. 제안하는 기술은 변이 단백질 서열의 예측과 변이 단백질과 human ACE2 수용체의 친화도에 따른 자연선택으로 이루어진다. 이를 통해 시간이 지나며 나타날 수 있는 변종 바이러스들을 시뮬레이션 할 수 있어 변종 바이러스들의 해결에 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.552-558
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• 2012

사스(Severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS)는 사람의 신종 폐렴인 중증 급성 호흡기 질환으로 신종 코로나바이러스, SARS-CoV에 의해 유발된다. 3CL protease는 SARS-CoV의 복제, 전사 및 단백질 합성을 조절하는 복제효소 복합단백질의 프로세싱에 결정적인 역할을 담당하는 중요한 효소이다. 따라서, 이 효소를 저해함으로써 SARS-CoV의 증식을 억제하고 사스의 증폭 및 확산을 막을 수 있다. SARS-3CL protease의 활성 저해물질의 탐색은 사스의 치료제 개발에 중요한 목표 중의 하나로 인식되고 있으며 이를 위해서는 활성형 SARS-3CL protease의 대량 생산이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 활성형 SARS-3CL protease를 대량 생산하기 위하여 여러 가지 발현 벡터 및 단백질 발현 방법 등을 검토하였다. 그 결과, pET29a/3CLP 발현 벡터를 이용한 무세포 단백질 합성법이 SARS-3CL protease 생산에 최적 조건인 것으로 확인되었다. 또한 발현된 효소를 완전히 정제하여 그 특성을 분석한 결과, 본 효소는 무세포 단백질 합성계에서 전구체로 합성됨과 동시에 자가분해됨으로써 모든 단백질이 활성형인 성숙체 단백질로 전환되어 간단히 활성형 SARS-3CL protease 효소를 생산할 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권10호
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• pp.1335-1343
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• 2022

COVID-19 is an emerging disease that poses a severe threat to global public health. As such, there is an urgent demand for vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Here, we describe a virus-like nanoparticle candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 produced by an E. coli expression system. The fusion protein of a truncated ORF2-encoded protein of aa 439~608 (p170) from hepatitis E virus CCJD-517 and the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 were expressed, purified and characterized. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of p170-RBD were evaluated in vitro and in Kunming mice. Our investigation revealed that p170-RBD self-assembled into approximately 24 nm virus-like particles, which could bind to serum from vaccinated people (p < 0.001) and receptors on cells. Immunization with p170-RBD induced the titer of IgG antibody vaccine increased from 14 days post-immunization and was significantly enhanced after a booster immunization at 28 dpi, ultimately reaching a peak level on 42 dpi with a titer of 4.97 log₁₀. Pseudovirus neutralization tests showed that the candidate vaccine induced a strong neutralizing antibody response in mice. In this research, we demonstrated that p170-RBD possesses strong antigenicity and immunogenicity and could be a potential candidate for use in future SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.252-266
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• 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious pneumonia that has spread throughout the world. It is caused by a novel, single stranded RNA virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Genetic analysis revealed that, phylogenetically, the SARS-CoV-2 is related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-like viruses seen in bats. Because of this, bats are considered as a possible primary reservoir. The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. As of May 27, 2020, more than 5,406,282 confirmed cases, and 343,562 confirmed deaths have been reported worldwide. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs available against COVID-19. Newly developed vaccines are in the first stage of clinical trials, and it may take a few months to a few years for their commercialization. At present, remdesivir and chloroquine are the promising drugs for treating COVID-19 patients. In this review, we summarize the diversity, genetic variations, primary reservoirs, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and future prospects with respect to controlling the spread of COVID-19.