• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Pediatric nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema. Most childhood NS cases are idiopathic (with an unknown etiology). Traditional therapeutic approaches based on immunosuppressive agents largely support the key role of the immune system in idiopathic NS (INS), especially in the steroid-sensitive form. Although most previous studies have suggested the main role of T cell dysfunction and/or the abnormal secretion of certain glomerular permeability factors, recent studies have emphasized the role of B cells since the therapeutic efficacy of B cell depletion therapy in inducing and/or maintaining prolonged remission in patients with INS was confirmed. Furthermore, several studies have detected circulating autoantibodies that target podocyte proteins in a subset of patients with INS, suggesting an autoimmune-mediated etiology of INS. Accordingly, a new therapeutic modality using B cell-depleting drugs has been attempted, with significant effects in a subset of patients with INS. Currently, INS is considered an immune-mediated disorder caused by a complex interplay between T cells, B cells, soluble factors, and podocytes, which may vary among patients. More in-depth investigations of the pathogenic pathways of INS are required for an effective personalized therapeutic approach and to define precise targets for therapeutic intervention.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.293-299
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• 2011

PEGylation, the attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to proteins, is currently main technology for improving efficacy of protein drugs. This technology can prolong the plasma half-life, augment the in vivo stability, and diminish the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins. Therefore, PEGylated proteins have the enhanced therapeutic efficacy and the reduced undesirable effects versus their native therapeutics. Since the first PEGylated protein product appeared on the market in the early 1990s, currently ten PEGylated protein products have been launched. These marketed drug products have proved the applicability and safety of the PEGylation technology. This review presents overview of PEGylation technology and addresses characteristics of PEGylation methods applied for the development of several protein drugs.

• 한국수의병리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수의병리학회 2003년도 추계학술대회초록집
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• pp.45-45
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• 2003

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is known to cause liver injury characterized by centrilobular necrosis. The toxicity is thought to be exerted via cytochrome P-450-mediated metabolism of $CCl_4$ to trichloromethyl and trichloro-methylperoxy radicals, which initiates lipid peroxidation, leading to hepatocellular membrane damage [l, 2]. Our study demonstrates a therapeutic efficacy of YCY, extract of a cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, on liver injuries induced by $CCl_4$. (omitted)

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.61-79
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• 1975

The recent knowledge about the effects and the biological roles of prostaglandins(PGs) in the female reproductive system were reviewed on the following view points in detail and the authors also argued on the efficacy and reliability for the induction of labour and therapeutic abortions in midtrimester pregnancy. 1. The actions of PGs on the myometrium in vivo and in vitro and the effects of ovarian hormones on the actions of PGs. 2. The actions of PGs on the fallopian tube. 3. The role of PGs in the initiation of menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea. 4. The biological action of PGs on the mechanism of labour and parturition. 5. The efficacy and reliability of PGs for therapeutic abortion in the first and midtrimester pregnancy. 6. The biological role of PGs in the activity and life-span of corpus luteum.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.20
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• 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapeutic agents, are now approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of various types of cancer. However, the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs varies among patients and cancer types. Moreover, most patients do not develop durable antitumor responses after ICI therapy due to an ephemeral reversal of T-cell dysfunction. As co-stimulatory receptors play key roles in regulating the effector functions of T cells, activating co-stimulatory pathways may improve checkpoint inhibition efficacy, and lead to durable antitumor responses. Here, we review recent advances in our understating of co-stimulatory receptors in cancers, providing the necessary groundwork for the rational design of cancer immunotherapy.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.438-447
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• 2023

Recently, ex-vivo gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by introducing functional genes in vitro. Here, we explored the need of using selection markers to increase the gene delivery efficiency and evaluated the potential risks associated with their use in the manufacturing process. We used MSCs/CD that carry the cytosine deaminase gene (CD) as a therapeutic gene and a puromycin resistance gene (PuroR) as a selection marker. We evaluated the correlation between the therapeutic efficacy and the purity of therapeutic MSCs/CD by examining their anti-cancer effect on co-cultured U87/GFP cells. To simulate in vivo horizontal transfer of the PuroR gene in vivo, we generated a puromycin-resistant E. coli (E. coli/PuroR) by introducing the PuroR gene and assessed its responsiveness to various antibiotics. We found that the anti-cancer effect of MSCs/CD was directly proportional to their purity, suggesting the crucial role of the PuroR gene in eliminating impure unmodified MSCs and enhancing the purity of MSCs/CD during the manufacturing process. Additionally, we found that clinically available antibiotics were effective in inhibiting the growth of hypothetical microorganism, E. coli/PuroR. In summary, our study highlights the potential benefits of using the PuroR gene as a selection marker to enhance the purity and efficacy of therapeutic cells in MSC-based gene therapy. Furthermore, our study suggests that the potential risk of horizontal transfer of antibiotics resistance genes in vivo can be effectively managed by clinically available antibiotics.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.105-112
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• 2018

Blastocystis is an enteric Straminopile in tropical, subtropical and developing countries. Metronidazole has been a chemotheraputic for blastocystosis. Failures in its regimens were reported and necessitate new studies searching for alternative therapeutic agents. Aim of current study is to investigate potential effects of Atorvastatin (AVA) compared to the conventional chemotherapeutic MTZ in experimentally Blastocystis-infected mice. Anti-Blastocystis efficacy of AVA was evaluated parasitologically, histopathologically and by transmission electron microscopy using MTZ (10 mg/kg) as a control. Therapeutic efficacy of AVA were apparently dose-dependent. Regimens of AVA (20 and 40 mg/kg) proved effective against Blastocystis infections with highreduction in Blastocystis shedding (93.4-97.9%) compared to MTZ (79.3%). The highest reductions (98.1% and 99.4%)were recorded in groups of combination treatments AVA 20-40 mg/kg and MTZ 10 mg/kg. Blastocystis was nearly eradicated by the 20th day post infection. Genotype analysis revealed that genotype I was most susceptible, genotype III was less. Histopathologic and ultrastructural studies revealed apoptotic changes in Blastocystis and significant improvement of intestinal histopathological changes more remarkable in combinational therapy groups. Thus, the present study offers AVA as a potential candidate for Blastocystis therapy combined with MTZ.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this report was to provide the information of activity and safety of galgeun-tang by analyzing domestic/international papers and theses about galgeun-tang. Methods : Domestic/international papers and theses related to galgeun-tang were reviewed and analyzed. These papers were then classified by efficacy, or clinical trials. Results : The basic pharmacological experiment showed antipyretic, analgesic and anti-virus and anti-oxidant efficacy of galgeun-tang. In the case report of galgeun-tang, it showed therapeutic effect for patient with chronic rhinitis. But administration of galgeun-tang induced pruritic eruption in the two case report as a side effects of galgeun-tang. Conclutions : galgeun-tang showed tantipyretic, analgesic and anti-virus and anti-oxidant efficacy in the basic pharmacological experiment. Also, galgeun-tang showed therapeutic effect for patient with chronic rhinitis. But it was reported that galgeun-tang induced pruritic eruption in two case report, so physicians should be aware of the potential side effects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

The poor outcome of advanced ovarian cancer under conventional therapy necessitates new strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy. β-glucosidase (encoded by GBA) is a lysosomal enzyme and is involved in sphingolipids metabolism. Recent studies revealed that β-glucosidase plays a role in cancer development and chemoresistance. In this work, we systematically evaluated the expression and role of GBA in ovarian cancer. Our work demonstrates that inhibition of β-glucosidase has therapeutic potential for ovarian cancer. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses of patient samples demonstrated that GBA mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in ovarian cancer compared to normal tissues. Functional studies using gainof-function and loss-of-function approaches demonstrated that GBA overexpression did not affect growth and migration but alleviated cisplatin's efficacy in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, GBA depletion resulted in growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and enhancement of cisplatin's efficacy. Of note, we found that GBA inhibition specifically decreased receptor tyrosine kinase AXL level, leading to the suppression of AXL-mediated signaling pathways. Our data suggest that GBA represents a promising target to inhibit AXL signaling and overcome cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권9호
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• pp.488-495
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• 2023

Mitochondrial transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA, as well as several metabolic and neurological disorders. Animal studies have shown that mitochondrial transplantation can improve cellular energy metabolism, restore mitochondrial function, and prevent cell death. However, challenges need to be addressed, such as the delivery of functional mitochondria to the correct cells in the body, and the long-term stability and function of the transplanted mitochondria. Researchers are exploring new methods for mitochondrial transplantation, including the use of nanoparticles or CRISPR gene editing. Mechanisms underlying the integration and function of transplanted mitochondria are complex and not fully understood, but research has revealed some key factors that play a role. While the safety and efficacy of mitochondrial transplantation have been investigated in animal models and human trials, more research is needed to optimize delivery methods and evaluate long-term safety and efficacy. Clinical trials using mitochondrial transplantation have shown mixed results, highlighting the need for further research in this area. In conclusion, although mitochondrial transplantation holds significant potential for the treatment of various diseases, more work is needed to overcome challenges and evaluate its safety and efficacy in human trials.