• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.41-47
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• 2022

Objectives : Terminalia chebula (TC) has been used as a traditional remedy to treat gastrointestinal infectious and inflammatory diseases. However, its protective effects and mechanisms against skin inflammation have not been well-elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of the TC water extract and also to suggest a putative mechanism of TC against skin injury on human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Methods : HaCaT cells were pre-treated with TC for 1 h and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (10 ng/mL each) to induce skin inflammation and injury. After 24 h, the cells were harvested to evaluate the expression of Th2 chemokines, such as C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5, also known as RANTES), C-C chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17, also known as TARC) and C-C chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22, also known as MDC). To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of TC, we also assessed the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathways in HaCaT cells. Results : Treatment of TC decreased the mRNA levels of RANTES, TARC and MDC with a concentration dependent manner against co-stimulation of TNF-α and IFN-γ. In addition, TC significantly reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ induced phosphorylation of STAT1. Conclusions : In summary, we propose that TC may be a promising candidate for anti-inflammatory skin protector through the inhibition of chemokines via STAT1 deactivation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5825-5831
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• 2013

Background/Objectives: Maintenance of cellular function in culture is vital for transfer and development following adoptive immunotherapy. Dual properties of IL-21 in activating T cells and reducing activation induced cell death led us to explore the mechanism of action of IL-21 enhanced proliferation and cytotoxic potential of CIK cells. Method: CIK cells cultured from PBMCs of healthy subjects were stimulated with IL-21 and cellular viability and cytotoxicity to K562 cells were measured. To elucidate the mechanism of action of IL-21, mRNA expression of cytotoxic factors was assessed by RT-PCR and protein expression of significantly important cytotoxic factors and cytokine secretion were determined through flow cytometry and ELISA. Western blotting was performed to check the involvement of the JAK/STAT pathway following stimulation. Results: We found that IL-21 did not enhance in vitro proliferation of CIK cells, but did increase the number of cells expressing the CD3+/CD56+ phenotype. Cytotoxic potential was increased with corresponding increase in perforin ($0.9831{\pm}0.1265$ to $0.7592{\pm}0.1457$), granzyme B ($0.4084{\pm}0.1589$ to $0.7319{\pm}0.1639$) and FasL ($0.4015{\pm}0.2842$ to $0.7381{\pm}0.2568$). Interferon gamma and TNF-alpha were noted to increase ($25.8{\pm}6.1ng/L$ to $56.0{\pm}2.3ng/L$; and $5.64{\pm}0.61{\mu}g/L$ to $15.14{\pm}0.93{\mu}g/L$, respectively) while no significant differences were observed in the expression of granzyme A, TNF-alpha and NKG2D, and NKG2D. We further affirmed that IL-21 signals through the STAT-3 and STAT-5b signaling pathway in the CIK cell pool. Conclusion: IL-21 enhances cytotoxic potential of CIK cells through increasing expression of perforin, granzyme B, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. The effect is brought about by the activation of STAT-3 and STAT-5b proteins.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2019

Objectives: It is reported that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to cancer progression by promoting tumor growth and metastasis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different fractions of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (AT) on the polarization of macrophages into the M2 phenotype, a major phenotype of TAMs. Methods: We isolated hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions from crude ethanol extract of AT. The cytotoxicity of AT in RAW264.7 cells was examined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were polarized into the M2 phenotype by treatment with interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. The expression of M2 macrophage marker genes was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The phosphorylation level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) was investigated by western blot analysis. The migration of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells was examined by transwell migration assay using conditioned media (CM) collected from RAW264.7 cells as a chemoattractant. Results: Among various fractions of AT, the ethyl acetate fraction of AT (EAT) showed the most significant suppressive effect on the mRNA expression of M2 macrophage markers, including arginase-1, interleukin (IL)-10 and mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC-1), up-regulated by treatment of IL-4 and IL-13. In addition, EAT suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT6, a critical regulator of IL-4 and IL-13-induced M2 macrophage polarization. Finally, the increased migration of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells by CM from M2-polarized RAW264.7 cells was reduced by CM from RAW264.7 cells co-treated with EAT and M2 polarization inducers. Conclusion: We demonstrated that EAT attenuated cancer cell migration through suppression of macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. Additional preclinical or clinical researches are needed to evaluate its regulatory effects on macrophage polarization and anti-cancer activities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.937-943
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• 2014

Polymorphisms in miRNA binding sites have been shown to affect miRNA binding to target genes, resulting in differential mRNA and protein expression and susceptibility to common diseases. Our purpose was to predict SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) within miRNA binding sites of inflammatory genes in relation to gastric cancer. A complete list of SNPs in the 3'UTR regions of all inflammatory genes associated with gastric cancer was obtained from Pubmed. miRNA target prediction databases (MirSNP, Targetscan Human 6.2, PolymiRTS 3.0, miRNASNP 2.0, and Patrocles) were used to predict miRNA target sites. There were 99 SNPs with MAF>0.05 within the miRNA binding sites of 41 genes among 72 inflammation-related genes associated with gastric cancer. NF-${\kappa}B$ and JAK-STAT are the two most important signaling pathways. 47 SNPs of 25 genes with 95 miRNAs were predicted. CCL2 and IL1F5 were found to be the shared target genes of hsa-miRNA-624-3p. Bioinformatic methods could identify a set of SNPs within miRNA binding sites of inflammatory genes, and provide data and direction for subsequent functional verification research.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

The tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Brei (TPT) used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of cough, sputum, vomiting, and insomnia, possesses antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Although recent studies have reported the anticancer effects of TPT in several cancer cells, it is still unclear whether TPT regulates tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) characterized by the immunosuppressive M2 macrophage phenotype. Our results showed that the ethanol extract of TPT (ETPT) suppressed the migration of RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells and THP-1 human monocytes differentiated into macrophages towards the conditioned media (CM) collected from lung cancer cells, suggesting that ETPT would attenuate the recruitment of macrophages into tumors. In addition, ETPT suppressed the interleukin (IL)-4 or IL-6-induced M2 macrophage polarization in RAW264.7 cells. ETPT treatment not only downregulated the mRNA expression of M2 macrophage markers including arginase-1, mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC-1), and IL-10, but also inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT6, general regulators of M2 macrophage polarization. Finally, the transwell assay results showed that the CM from M2-polarized RAW264.7 cells increased the migration of mouse lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells, while those from RAW264.7 cells co-treated with ETPT and IL-6 significantly reduced the migration of LLC cells. Taken together, our observations clearly demonstrate that ETPT suppressed the cancer cell migration by regulating macrophage recruitment and M2 macrophage polarization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1226-1234
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• 2012

3,4,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene (piceatannol) is a derivative of resveratrol with a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-cancer activities. We assessed the mechanisms by which piceatannol inhibits inflammatory responses using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated Raw264.7 murine macrophages. Piceatannol (0~10 ${\mu}mol/L$) decreased LPS-induced release of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, and inhibited LPS-induced protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-${\kappa}B$), activator protein (AP)-1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are crucial steps during an inflammatory response. Piceatannol prevented LPS-induced degradation of inhibitor of ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B$), translocation of p65 to the nucleus, and phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). Additionally, piceatannol inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and IL-6-induced translocation of STAT3 to the nucleus. Furthermore, piceatannol increased the protein and mRNA levels of hemeoxygenase (HO)-1, the rate-limiting enzyme of heme catabolism that plays a critical role in mediating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Piceatannol further induced antioxidant response elements (ARE)-driven luciferase activity in Raw264.7 cells transfected with an ARE-luciferase reporter construct containing the enhancer 2 and minimal promoter region of HO-1. These results suggest that piceatannol exerts anti-inflammatory effects via the down-regulation of iNOS expression and up-regulation of HO-1 expression.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2011

Purpose: Curcumin is known to exert numerous biological effects including anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Prevotella intermedia, a major cause of inflammatory periodontal disease, and sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: LPS was prepared from lyophilized P. intermedia ATCC 25611 cells by the standard hot phenol-water method. Culture supernatants were collected and assayed for IL-6. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect IL-6 mRNA expression. $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation, nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ subunits, and STAT1 phosphorylation were characterized via immunoblotting. DNA-binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ was also analyzed. Results: Curcumin strongly suppressed the production of IL-6 at both gene transcription and translation levels in P. intermedia LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Curcumin did not inhibit the degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ induced by P. intermedia LPS. Curcumin blocked NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling through the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p50 subunit. Curcumin also attenuated DNA binding activity of p50 and p65 subunits and suppressed STAT1 phosphorylation. Conclusions: Although further study is required to explore the detailed mechanism of action, curcumin may contribute to blockade of the host-destructive processes mediated by IL-6 and appears to have potential therapeutic values in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.177-184
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• 2021

The root bark of Morus alba L. (MA) used in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of pulmonary diseases exerts various pharmacological activities including anticancer effects. In the current study, we investigated the effects of MA on the migration and invasion of colorectal carcinoma cells. Results from a transwell assay showed that the methylene chloride extract of MA (MEMA) suppressed the migration and invasion of HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. MEMA reduced both mRNA and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, but did not suppress the expression of MMP-2 in HCT116 cells. As a molecular mechanism, MEMA inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including ERK, JNK and p38, in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, MEMA dephosphorylated both Src and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in HCT116 cells. Taken together, we demonstrate that MEMA suppressed the migration and invasion capacity of HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells by downregulation of MMP-9 and inactivation of both MAPKs and Src/STAT3 signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.323-328
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• 2017

Angiogenesis is a process including members of the angiogenic factors. In particular, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is considered the most potent angiogenic factor because it promotes cell proliferation and tube formation. A recent study reported that fucoidan derived from marine plant potentiated FGF-2 induced tube formation in human endothelial cells. On the other hand, the molecular mechanisms involved in the angiogenic activity of fucoidan and FGF2 are unknown. In this study, a fucoidan treatment promoted angiogenesis induced by FGF2. The effects of fucoidan on FGF2-induced angiogenesis were confirmed by a proliferation assay using a CellTiter96 Aqueous One solution after a treatment with fucoidan and FGF2. The tube formation and wound healing assay for the angiogenic activity were also confirmed. Reverse transcription PCR showed a change in the mRNA of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), matrix metallopeptidase9 (MMP9), and the signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (STAT3). In summary, the Fucoidan/FGF2 treatment induced an increase in cell proliferation, improved the tube formation and wound healing activity, and altered the STAT3, VEGF-A, ICAM-1, and MMP9 mRNA expression levels. Further research will be needed to provide a scientific explanation in terms of cell-signaling and confirm the present findings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.41-51
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• 2008

Objectives : This study is to evaluate Effect of Inhibition Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor(MIF) activation by Hominis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture(HPA) on Rheumatic Arthritis(RA). Hominis Placenta is the placenta of healthy human, which is vital-strengthening medical stuff. In recent years, Hominis Placenta applied to chronic diseases because it makes us more resistance to diseases. Therefore it is supposed that HPA is effective on RA, a kind of autoimmune disease. When RA is induced, MIF is activated, too. MIF affects the process of inflammatory disease including RA. Methods : In order to investigate the effect of Hominis Placenta extraction on MIF(early RA inducing cytokine) and MMP(Matrix Metallo Proteinase)-9 mRNA expression by means of Reverse Transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR). In this study, we investigated the effect of Hominis Placenta extraction on MIF(early RA inducing cytokine) and MMP-9 mRNA expression by means of RT-PCR. Besides we investigated changing of MIF in synovial membrane and, Interleukin-6 receptor(IL-6R)-$\alpha$(pro-inflammatory cytokine), Signal transducers and activators of transcription(STAT)-3, MMP-9 after treating mouse, which is artificially attacked with RA, with HPA on its $ST_{35}$, LE201 in vivo. Results : 1. As a result of treating Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated Raw246.7cell with HPA, MIF(RA related cytokine) and MMP-9 mRNA expression is reduced in vitro. And this reaction is concentration-dependatant. 2. In synovial membrane of the mice treated with HPA, inhibition of MIF, IL-6R-$\alpha$, STAT3 & MMP-9 activation is observed in vivo. Conclusions : From the above results, it might be suggested that HPA mitigate tissue damage originated from RA, because it intercepts the early process of by inhibition MIF activity.