• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.333-340
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• 2020

Macrophages are the cells of the first-line defense system, which protect the body from foreign invaders such as bacteria. However, Gram-negative bacteria have always been the major challenge for macrophages due to the presence of lipopolysaccharides on their outer cell membrane. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of phloretin, a flavonoid commonly found in apple, on the protection of macrophages from Escherichia coli infection. RAW 264.7 cells infected with standard E. coli, or virulent E. coli K1 strain were treated with phloretin in a dose-dependent manner to examine its efficacy in protection of macrophages. Our results revealed that phloretin treatment reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) and generation of reactive oxygen species along with reducing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines induced by the E. coli and E. coli K1 strains in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, treatment of phloretin downregulated the expression of E. coli-induced major inflammatory markers i.e. cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, the TLR4-mediated NF-κB pathway was activated in E. coli-infected macrophages but was potentially downregulated by phloretin at the transcriptional and translational levels. Collectively, our data suggest that phloretin treatment protects macrophages from infection of virulent E. coli K1 strain by downregulating the TLR4-mediated signaling pathway and inhibiting NO and cytokine production, eventually protecting macrophages from E. coli-induced inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.704-712
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• 2019

Although nanometric dead Lactobacillus plantarum has emerged as a potentially important modulator of immune responses, its underlying mechanism of action has not been fully understood. This study aimed to identify the detailed biochemical mechanism of immune modulation by micronized and heat-treated L. plantarum LM1004 (MHT-LM1004, <$1{\mu}m$ in size). MHT-LM1004 was prepared from L. plantarum LM1004 via culture in a specifically designed membrane bioreactor and heat treatment. MHT-LM1004 was shown to effectively induce the secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 and the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). MHT-LM1004 enhanced the expression of TLR-2, phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK), and nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in a dose-dependent manner. Oral administration of MHT-LM1004 ($4{\times}10^9$ or $4{\times}10^{11}cells/kg$ mouse body weight) increased the splenocyte proliferation and serum cytokine levels. These results suggested that MHT-LM1004 effectively enhances early innate immunity by activating macrophages via the TLR-2/MAPK/$NF-{\kappa}B$ signalling pathway and that this pathway is one of the major routes in immune modulation by the Lactobacillus species.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.56-64
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• 2017

We have previously reported that NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective inhibitor, inhibited replicative cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts and skin aging in hairless mice. In contrast, celecoxib, another COX-2-selective inhibitor, and aspirin, a non-selective COX inhibitor, accelerated the senescence and aging. To figure out causal factors for the senescence-modulating effect of the inhibitors, we here performed cDNA microarray experiment and subsequent Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. The data showed that several senescence-related gene sets were regulated by the inhibitor treatment. NS-398 up-regulated gene sets involved in the tumor necrosis factor ${\beta}$ receptor pathway and the fructose and mannose metabolism, whereas it down-regulated a gene set involved in protein secretion. Celecoxib up-regulated gene sets involved in G2M checkpoint and E2F targets. Aspirin up-regulated the gene set involved in protein secretion, and down-regulated gene sets involved in RNA transcription. These results suggest that COX inhibitors modulate cellular senescence by different mechanisms and will provide useful information to understand senescence-modulating mechanisms of COX inhibitors.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.169-173
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• 2007

Luteolin is a major flavonoid of Lonicera japonica and has anti-inflammatory effect. The activation of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-2 and -4 by trypsin appears to play a role in inflammation, In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of luteolin on activation of trypsin-induced human leukemic mast cells (HMC-1). HMC-1 cells were stimulated with trypsin, PAR-2 and PAR-4 agonist, in the presence or absence of luteolin. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of tryptase and phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were assessed by Westem blot analysis. Moreover, trypsin activity was measured by the substrate Bz-DL-Arg-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA). TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and Tryptase expression in trypsin-stimulated HMC-1 cells were markedly inhibited by pretreatment of luteolin. Furthermore, the pretreatment of luteolin resulted in the reduction of ERK phosphorylation and trypsin activity. These results suggest that luteolin might has the inhibitory effects on the PAR-2 and -4-dependent inflammation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.51-59
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• 2021

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the destruction of the bone supporting the tooth and connective tissues surrounding it. Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) induce overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) involved in periodontal disease's inflammatory destruction. Osteoclasts take part in physiological bone remodeling, but they are also involved in bone destruction in many kinds of bone diseases, including osteoporosis and periodontal disease. This study examined the effect of baicalin on proteolytic enzymes' production and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in PDLFs and RAW 264.7 cells under the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory conditions. Baicalin inhibited the expression of the protein, MMP-1 and MMP-2, without affecting PDLFs' cell viability, suggesting its possibility because of the inhibition of phosphorylation activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase's p38, and the signal transduction process of nuclear factor κB (NFκB)-related protein. Also, baicalin reduced the expression of MMP-8 and MMP-9 in RAW 264.7 cells. This reduction is thought to be due to the inhibition of the signal transduction process of NFκB-related proteins affected by inhibiting p65RelA phosphorylation. Also, baicalin inhibited the secretion of nitric oxide and interleukin-6 induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that baicalin inhibits connective tissue destruction in periodontal disease. The inhibition of periodontal tissue destruction may be a therapeutic strategy for treating inflammatory periodontal-diseased patients.

• 생약학회지
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.64-69
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• 2022

When blood vessels are damaged, a rapid hemostatic response should occur in order to lower blood loss and keep normal circulation, and platelet activation and aggregation are essential. Nevertheless, abnormal or excessive platelet aggregation can be a reason of cardiovascular diseases including thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Therefore, the screening for a substance which can regulate platelet activation and suppress aggregation reaction is very important for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Artemether is a methyl ether derivative of artemisinin, which is isolated from the antimalarial plant Artemisia annua, but research on platelet aggregation or its mechanisms is still insufficient. This study identified the effects of artemether on U46619-induced human platelet aggregation and their granule secretion (ATP and serotonin release). In addition, the effects of artemether on the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt or MAPK, which are related to signal transduction in platelet aggregation, were studied. As the results, artemether significantly lowered PI3K/Akt and MAPK phosphorylation, which inhibited platelet aggregation through granule secretion (ATP and serotonin release) dose-dependently. Therefore, we suggest that artemether is an antiplatelet substance that regulates PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway and is of value as a therapeutic and preventive agent for platelet-derived cardiovascular diseases.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2022

Two 2H-1-benzopyran derivatives, methyl 8-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-5-carboxylate (1) and methyl 8-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carboxylate (2), including a new compound (1) were isolated from the twigs of Chaenomeles sinensis. Their chemical structures were characterized based on analysis of NMR data including ¹H and ¹³C, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC and HRMS data. The isolated compounds (1 and 2) were assessed for their anti-neuroinflammatory activity by measuring inhibition levels of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 cells and for their neurotrophic activity by the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) in C6 cells. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited powerful anti-neuroinflammatory effects with IC₅₀ values of 17.14 and 19.30 μM, respectively, without cell toxicity, and also showed moderate effects on the stimulation of NGF secretion levels with 113.15 ± 3.54 and 130.20 ± 8.03%, respectively. The biosynthetic pathway of 1 and 2 was proposed that they would be derived from a protocatechuic acid and an isoprenyl unit.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.306-313
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• 2024

Given the diversity of vegetables utilized in food fermentation and various lactic acid bacteria (LAB) populations in these materials, comprehensive studies on LAB from vegetable foods, including kimchi, are imperative. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the obesity-related inflammation response of three metabolites-phenyllactic acid (PLA), indole-3-lactic acid (ILA), and leucic acid (LA)-produced by LAB (Companilactobacillus allii WiKim39 and Lactococcus lactis WiKim0124) isolated from kimchi. Their effects on tumor necrosis factor-α-induced changes in adipokines and inflammatory response in adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells were examined. The study results showed that PLA, ILA, and LA, particularly PLA, effectively reduced lipid accumulation and triglyceride, glycerol, free fatty acid, and adiponectin levels. Furthermore, the identified metabolites were found to modulate the expression of signaling proteins involved in adipogenesis and inflammation. Specifically, these metabolites were associated with enriched expression in the chemokine signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, which are critical pathways involved in regulating immune responses and inflammation. PLA, ILA, and LA also suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and several inflammatory markers, with the PLA-treated group exhibiting the lowest levels. These results suggest that PLA, ILA, and LA are potential therapeutic agents for treating obesity and inflammation by regulating adipokine secretion and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권10호
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• pp.516-521
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• 2017

$CLB_{2.0}$, a constituent of PM, induces secretion of multiple cytokines and chemokines that regulate airway inflammation. Specifically, IL-6 upregulates $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC and MUC1 expression. Interestingly, of the tight junction proteins examined, claudin-1 expression was inhibited by $CLB_{2.0}$. While the overexpression of claudin-1 decreased $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC expression, it increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory mucin, MUC1. $CLB_{2.0}$-induced IL-6 secretion was mediated by ROS. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine inhibited $CLB_{2.0}$-induced IL-6 secretion, thereby decreasing the $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC expression, whereas $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC1 expression increased. $CLB_{2.0}$ activated the ERK1/2 MAPK via a ROS-dependent pathway. ERK1/2 downregulated the claudin-1 and MUC1 expressions, whereas it dramatically increased $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC expression. These findings suggest that $CLB_{2.0}$-induced ERK1/2 activation acts as a switch for regulating inflammatory conditions though a ROS-dependent pathway. Our data also suggest that secreted IL-6 regulates $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC and MUC1 expression via ROS-mediated downregulation of claudin-1 expression to maintain mucus homeostasis in the airway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제30권12호
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• pp.1784-1795
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• 2017

Objective: The study examined the effect of intravenous administration of bacterial endotoxin-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -on the nocturnal secretion of melatonin and on the expression of enzymes of the melatonin biosynthetic pathway in the pineal gland of ewes, taking into account two different photoperiodic conditions: short-night (SN; n = 12) and long-night (LN; n = 12). Methods: In both experiments, animals (n = 12) were randomly divided into two groups: control (n = 6) and LPS-treated (n = 6) one. Two hours after sunset, animals received an injection of LPS or saline. Blood samples were collected starting one hour after sunset and continuing for 3 hours after the treatment. The ewes were euthanized 3 hours after LPS/saline treatment. The concentration of hormones in plasma was assayed by radioimmunoassay. In the pineal gland, the content of serotonin and its metabolite was determined by HPLC; whereas the expression of examined genes and protein was assayed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western Blot, respectively. Results: Endotoxin administration lowered (p<0.05) levels of circulating melatonin in animals from LN photoperiod only during the first hour after treatment, while in ewes from SN photoperiod only in the third hour after the injection. Inflammation more substantially suppressed biosynthesis of melatonin in ewes from SN photoperiod, which were also characterised by lower (p<0.05) cortisol concentrations after LPS treatment compared with animals from LN photoperiod. In the pineal gland of ewes subjected to SN photoperiod, LPS reduced (p<0.05) serotonin content and the expression of melatonin biosynthetic pathway enzymes, such as tryptophan hydroxylase and arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase. Pineal activity may be disturbed by circulating LPS and proinflammatory cytokines because the expression of mRNAs encoding their corresponding receptors was determined in this gland. Conclusion: The present study showed that peripheral inflammation reduces the secretion of melatonin, but this effect may be influenced by the photoperiod.