• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.175-182
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• 1994

색비름(Amaranthus tricolor L.) 유식물에 인공산성비 pH 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 및 수도물(pH 6.5)을 엽면처리하여 생장, 색소 및 엽표면의 형태에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. pH 3.0 이하에서는 지상부 및 근부가 다같이 생장이 심하게 억제되었으며 잎에는 괴사반점이 나타났다. 색소의 흡광 spectrum은 7개의 peak가 나타났는데 Early splendor는 473nm과 535nm에 peak가 없었고, Tricolor는 476nm 및 546nm에 peak가 보이지 않았다. 강산성비는 식물색소 발현에 관여하였고 엽록소는 pH가 낮을수록 증가하였다. 주사현미경에 의한 엽표면 관찰에서는 pH 5에서도 이상이 관찰되기 시작하고 pH 4 이하에서는 괴사가 급격히 진행되고 있었다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.284-290
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• 2012

Innate immune cells sense and respond to the cytoplasmic infection of bacterial pathogens through NLRP3, NLRC4 or AIM2 inflammasome depending on the unique molecular pattern of invading pathogens. The infection of flagellin- or type III secretion system (T3SS)-containing Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) triggers NLRC4-dependent caspase-1 activation leading to the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1-beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) and IL-18. Previous studies have shown that apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) is also required for Salmonella-induced caspase-1 activation, but it is still unclear how ASC contributes to the activation of NLRC4 inflammasome in response to S. typhimurium infection. In this study, we demonstrate that S. typhimurium triggers the formation of ASC oligomer in a potassium depletion-independent manner as determined by in vitro crosslinking and in situ fluorescence imaging. Remarkably, inhibition of potassium efflux failed to block Salmonella-promoted caspase-1 activation and macrophage cell death. These results collectively suggest that ASC is substantially oligomerized to facilitate the activation of caspase-1 in response to S. typhimurium infection. Contrary to NLRP3 inflammasome, intracellular potassium depletion is not critical for NLRC4 inflammasome signaling by S. typhimurium.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.271-276
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• 2015

Crab apple cultivars, 'Maypole', 'Tuscan', and 'Manchurian', were evaluated as potential pollinizers of major apple cultivars, 'Fuji', 'Hongro', and 'Tsugaru', cultivated in high-density apple orchard systems. Numerous cultivar characteristics, including blooming time, pollen germination, fruit set, disease and pest resistance, and self-incompatibility, were examined. The blooming times of both 'Maypole' and 'Tuscan' ranged from April 19 to May 5, which was 2-4 days earlier than those of the major commercial apple cultivars. PCR analysis did not reveal the presence of any of the S-alleles (S1, S3, S7, or S9) identified in major commercial apple cultivars. In addition, the percentage of the fruit set was high after trees were artificially fertilized with crab apple pollen. Artificially cross-pollinated fruits were of similar or higher quality than open-pollinated fruits. They also demonstrated resistance to apple blotch, sooty blotch, and fly speck. The results indicate that the two crab apples, 'Maypole' and 'Tuscan' would be potential candidates for pollinizers of major apple cultivars in Korea. Use of the pollen of these crap apples in commercial production will improve fruit quality and promote sustainable and robust fruit production.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.410-418
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• 2021

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis through cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and flagellin as pathogen-related molecular patterns (PAMPs), which, in combination with the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of host cells promotes the expression and secretion of inflammation-causing cytokines and activates innate immune responses such as inflammasomes. To identify useful compounds against H. pylori-associated gastric disorders, the effect of chalcone derivatives to activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was examined in an H. pylori-infected human monocytic THP-1 cell line in this study. Among the five synthetic structurally-related chalcone derivatives examined, 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone (8) and 2'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (12) strongly blocked the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. At 10 μM, these compounds inhibited the production of active IL-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) oligomerization, but did not affect the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1. The interruption of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by these compounds was found to be mediated via the inhibition of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4)/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway. These compounds also inhibited caspase-4 production associated with non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results show for the first time that certain chalcones could interrupt the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. Therefore, these chalcones may be helpful in alleviating H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders including chronic gastritis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.794-802
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• 2021

In this study we investigated the role and mechanism of cardamonin on IL-1β induced injury in OA. CHON-001 cells were treated with cardamonin and IL-1β and transfected with silencing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (siNrf2). Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometer assay was utilized for cell apoptosis assessment. IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and Nrf2 mRNA expression was tested by qRT-PCR. Western blot was employed to evaluate MMP-3, MMP-13, Collagen II, Nrf2, NQO-1, NLRP3, Caspase 1 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain (ASC) protein levels. In CHON-001 cells, IL-1β suppressed cell viability and Collagen II level while promoting cell apoptosis and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α), MMPs (MMP-3, MMP-13), NQO-1, and NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, Caspase 1 and ASC), with no significant influence on Nrf2. Cardamonin reversed the effect of IL-1β on cell viability, cell apoptosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, Collagen II, and NLRP3 inflammasome levels. In addition, cardamonin advanced Nrf2 and NQO-1 expression of CHON-001 cells. SiNrf2 reversed the function of cardamonin on IL-1β-induced cell apoptosis and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, Nrf2, NQO-1, and NLRP3 inflammasome in chondrocytes. Taken together Cardamonin inhibited IL-1β induced injury by inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome via activating Nrf2/NQO1 signaling pathway in chondrocyte.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.494-500
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• 2022

Background Seroma formation is the most common donor site complication following autologous breast reconstruction, along with hematoma. Seroma may lead to patient discomfort and may prolong hospital stay or delay adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to compare seroma rates between the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG), and superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) donor sites. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study consisting of chart review of all patients who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction from April 2018 to June 2020. The primary outcome studied was frequency of seroma formation at the different donor sites. The secondary outcome evaluated potential prognostic properties associated with seroma formation. Third, the number of donor site seroma evacuations was compared between the three donor sites. Results Overall, 242 breast reconstructions were performed in 189 patients. Demographic data were found statistically comparable between the three flap cohorts, except for body mass index (BMI). Frequency of seroma formation was highest at the SGAP donor site (75.0%), followed by the TMG (65.0%), and DIEP (28.6%) donor sites. No association was found between seroma formation and BMI, age at surgery, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or DIEP laterality. The mean number of seroma evacuations was significantly higher in the SGAP and the TMG group compared with the DIEP group. Conclusion This study provides a single center's experience regarding seroma formation at the donor site after microsurgical breast reconstruction. The observed rate of donor site seroma formation was comparably high, especially in the TMG and SGAP group, necessitating an adaption of the surgical protocol.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Inflammation is a protective mechanism against pathogens, but if maintained continuously, it destroys tissue structures. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacterium often found in severe periodontitis. A. actinomycetemcomitans invades epithelial cells and triggers inflammatory response in the immune cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of water-soluble rosehip extract on A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced inflammatory responses. A human monocytic cell line (THP-1) was differentiated to macrophages by phorbol 12-mystristate 13-acetate treatment. The cytotoxic effect of extract was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The effects of extract on bacterial growth were examined by measuring the optical densities using a spectrophotometer. THP-1-derived macrophages were infected A. actinomycetemcomitans after extract treatment, and culture supernatants were analyzed for cytokine production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protein expression was measured by western blotting. Extract was not toxic to THP-1-derived macrophages. A. actinomycetemcomitans growth was inhibited by 1% extract. The extract suppressed A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-8 production. It also decreased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) phosphorylation. Moreover, the extract inhibited the expression of inflammasome components, including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3, Absent in Melanoma 2, and apoptosis associated speck-like protein containing a CARD. And cysteine-aspartic proteases-1 and IL-1β expression were decreased by the extract. In summary, extract suppressed A. actinomycetemcomitans growth and decreased inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting activation of MAP kinase, NF-κB, and inflammasome signaling. Rosehip extract could be effective in the treatment of periodontal inflammation induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans infection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.165-174
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• 2022

As the mechanism underlying glucose metabolism regulation by oxymatrine is unclear, this study investigated the effects of oxymatrine on pyroptosis in INS-1 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to examine cell pyroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Cell pyroptosis was also investigated via transmission electron microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Protein levels were detected using western blotting and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The caspase-1 activity and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 protein (Nrf2) were also assessed. In the high glucose and high fat-treated INS-1 cells (HG + PA), the caspase-1 activity and LDH content, as well as Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, Gsdmd-N, caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels were increased. Moreover, P65 protein levels increased in the nucleus but decreased in the cytoplasm. Oxymatrine attenuated these effects and suppressed high glucose and high fat-induced ROS production. The increased levels of nuclear Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the HG + PA cells were further elevated after oxymatrine treatment, whereas cytoplasmic Nrf2 and Keleh-like ECH-associated protein levels decreased. Additionally, the elevated transcriptional activity of p65 in HG + PA cells was reduced by oxymatrine, whereas that of Nrf2 increased. The results indicate that the inhibition of pyroptosis in INS-1 cells by oxymatrine, a key factor in its glucose metabolism regulation, involves the suppression of the NF-κB pathway and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.39.1-39.13
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• 2020

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration in the exocrine glands. In SS, type I IFN has a pathogenic role, and recently, inflammasome activation has been observed in both immune and non-immune cells. However, the relationship between type I IFN and inflammasome-associated pyroptosis in SS has not been studied. We measured IL-18, caspase-1, and IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) in saliva and serum, and compared whether the expression levels of inflammasome and pyroptosis components, including absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and gasdermin E (GSDME), in minor salivary gland (MSG) are related to the expression levels of type I IFN signature genes. Expression of type I IFN signature genes was correlated with mRNA levels of caspase-1 and GSDMD in MSG. In confocal analysis, the expression of caspase-1 and GSDMD was higher in salivary gland epithelial cells (SGECs) from SS patients. In the type I IFN-treated human salivary gland epithelial cell line, the expression of caspase-1 and GSDMD was increased, and pyroptosis was accelerated in a caspase-dependent manner upon inflammasome activation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that type I IFN may contribute to inflammasome-associated pyroptosis of the SGECs of SS patients, suggesting another pathogenic role of type I IFN in SS in terms of target tissue -SGECs destruction.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권11호
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• pp.887-896
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• 2023

염증반응(inflammation)은 발병, 진행, 악성 전이를 포함한 암의 진행과정(tumorigenesis)에서 중요한 역할을 수행하기 때문에 암 치료를 위한 전략으로 고려되고 있다. 감태(Ecklonia cava) 열수추출물(AEC)의 항암활성 동안 나타나는 항염증 반응을 연구하기 위하여, 비만세포(mast cells)의 분포, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)단백질, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)단백질, nuclear factor (NF)-κB단백질, inflammasome 구성 단백질, inflammatory cytokines 발현의 변화는 AEC를 5주간 경구투여한 CT26 대장암을 내포하는 BALB/cKorl syngeneic 마우스에서 분석하였다. AEC를 처리한 후, 고형암의 무게와 조직 절편의 괴사 부위가 vehicle처리그룹에 비하여 감소하였다. 비만세포의 수는 vehicle처리그룹에 비하여 AEC처리그룹에서 증가했지만 COX-2와 iNOS의 발현은 AEC처리그룹에서 감소하였다. 또한, NF-κB, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC)과 Caspase-1 (Cas-1)단백질의 발현도 유사한 감소가 관찰되었다. 더불어, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α)와 interleukin-6 (IL-6)의 mRNA 발현이 vehicle처리그룹에 비하여 AEC처리그룹에서 감소하였다. 이러한 결과는 AEC가 CT26 고형암을 내포하는 BALB/cKorl syngeneic 마우스에서 항암활성은 염증반응과 밀접한 관련이 있음을 제시하고 있다.