• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.284-294
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• 2018

Purpose: Epithelial barrier dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of periodontitis and oral lichen planus. Estrogens have been shown to enhance the physical barrier function of intestinal and esophageal epithelia, and we aimed to investigate the effect of estradiol (E2) on the regulation of physical barrier and tight junction (TJ) proteins in human oral epithelial cell monolayers. Methods: HOK-16B cell monolayers cultured on transwells were treated with E2, an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist (ICI 182,780), tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$), or dexamethasone (Dexa), and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) was then measured. Cell proliferation was measured by the cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay. The levels of TJ proteins and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ were examined by confocal microscopy. Results: E2 treatment increased the TER and the levels of junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-A and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting cell proliferation during barrier formation. Treatment of the tight-junctioned cell monolayers with $TNF{\alpha}$ induced decreases in the TER and the levels of ZO-1 and nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. These $TNF{\alpha}-induced$ changes were inhibited by E2, and this effect was completely reversed by co-treatment with ICI 182,780. Furthermore, E2 and Dexa presented an additive effect on the epithelial barrier function. Conclusions: E2 reinforces the physical barrier of oral epithelial cells through the nuclear ER-dependent upregulation of TJ proteins. The protective effect of E2 on the $TNF{\alpha}-induced$ impairment of the epithelial barrier and its additive effect with Dexa suggest its potential use to treat oral inflammatory diseases involving epithelial barrier dysfunction.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제64권3호
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• pp.500-514
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• 2022

The blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) forms a unique microenvironment that is crucial for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the epididymis. To characterize the function of tight junctions (TJs), which are constitutive components of the BEB, we determined the expression and localization of TJ proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, 2, and 3, occludin, and claudin3 (Cldn3) during postnatal development in the goat epididymis. To assess the expression patterns of TJ proteins in immature (3 months of age) and mature (14 months of age) goat epididymides, two different experimental methods were used including immunofluorescence labeling and western blotting. We show that, ZO-1, 2, and 3, and occludin, were strictly expressed and localized to the TJs of the goat epididymis, whereas Cldn3 was present in basolateral membranes as well as TJs. All TJ proteins examined were more highly expressed in the immature epididymis compared to levels in mature tissue. In conclusion, our study indicates that at least five TJ proteins, namely ZO-1, ZO-2, ZO-3, occludin, and Cldn3, are present in TJs, and the expression strength and pattern of TJ proteins tend to be age dependent in the goat epididymis. Together, these data suggest that the distinct expression patterns of TJ proteins are essential for regulating components of the luminal contents in the epididymal epithelium and for forming adequate luminal conditions that are necessary for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the goat epididymis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권12호
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• pp.1583-1588
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains used as starters for kimchi fermentation, namely Lactococcus lactis WiKim0124, Companilactobacillus allii WiKim39, Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim0121Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim33, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim32, on the intestinal epithelial tight junctions (TJs). These LAB strains were not cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells at 500 ㎍/ml concentration. In addition, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decreased Caco-2 viability, but the LAB strains protected the cells against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity. We also found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promoted Caco-2 proliferation; however, no specific changes were observed upon treatment with LAB strains and LPS. Our evaluation of the permeability in the Caco-2 monolayer model confirmed its increase by both LPS and H₂O₂. The LAB strains inhibited the increase in permeability by protecting TJs, which we evaluated by measuring TJ proteins such as zonula occludens-1 and occludin, and analyzing them by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Our findings show that LAB strains used for kimchi fermentation can suppress the increase in intestinal permeability due to LPS and H₂O₂ by protecting TJs. Therefore, these results suggest the possibility of enhancing the functionality of kimchi through its fermentation using functional LAB strains.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권8호
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• pp.1446-1451
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• 2016

Clostridium difficile toxin A causes acute gut inflammation in animals and humans. It is known to downregulate the tight junctions between colonic epithelial cells, allowing luminal contents to access body tissues and trigger acute immune responses. However, it is not yet known whether this loss of the barrier function is a critical factor in the progression of toxin A-induced pseudomembranous colitis. We previously showed that NADH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) KO (knockout) mice spontaneously display weak gut inflammation and a marked loss of colonic epithelial tight junctions. Moreover, NQO1 KO mice exhibited highly increased inflammatory responses compared with NQO1 WT (wild-type) control mice when subjected to DSS-induced experimental colitis. Here, we tested whether toxin A could also trigger more severe inflammatory responses in NQO1 KO mice compared with NQO1 WT mice. Indeed, our results show that C. difficile toxin A-mediated enteritis is significantly enhanced in NQO1 KO mice compared with NQO1 WT mice. The levels of fluid secretion, villus disruption, and epithelial cell apoptosis were also higher in toxin A-treated NQO1 KO mice compared with WT mice. The previous and present results collectively show that NQO1 is involved in the formation of tight junctions in the small intestine, and that defects in NQO1 enhance C. difficile toxin A-induced acute inflammatory responses, presumably via the loss of epithelial cell tight junctions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권10호
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• pp.1820-1826
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• 2017

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria, is recognized by Toll-like receptor 2, expressed on certain mammalian cell surfaces, initiating signaling cascades that include nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinase. There are many structural and functional varieties of LTA, which vary according to the different species of gram-positive bacteria that produce them. In this study, we examined whether LTA isolated from Staphylococcus aureus (aLTA) affects the expression of junction proteins in keratinocytes. In HaCaT cells, tight junction-related gene expression was not affected by aLTA, whereas adherens junction-related gene expression was modified. High doses of aLTA induced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2, which in turn induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HaCaT cells. When cells were given a low dose of aLTA, however, NF-${\kappa}B$ was activated and the total cell population increased. Taken together, our study suggests that LTA from S. aureus infections in the skin may contribute both to the outbreak of EMT-mediated carcinogenesis and to the genesis of wound healing in a dose-dependent manner.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.157-164
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• 2013

Although stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, preventive or therapeutic options are still limited. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathophysiological characteristics of this life-threatening disease is urgently needed. The incidence and prevalence of ischemic stroke are increased by exposure to certain types of xenobiotics, including heavy metals, suggesting the possible toxicological contribution of these compounds to the onset or aggravation of stroke. Among the potential targets, we have focused on alterations to cerebral endothelial cells (CECs), which play important roles in maintaining the functional integrity of brain tissue.

• 한국정보통신학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국해양정보통신학회 1999년도 춘계종합학술대회
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• pp.330-334
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• 1999

This paper presents a new transient voltage blocking device (TBD) for commucation facilities with low power and high frequency bandwidth. Conventional protection devices have some problems such as low frequency bandwidth, low energy capacity and high remnant voltage. In order to improve these limitations, the new TBD, which consists of a gas tube, avalanche diodes and junction type field effect transistors (JFETs), was designed and fabricated JFETs were used as an active non-linear element and a high speed switching diode with low capacitance limits high current. Therefore the avalanche diodes with low energy capacity are protected from the high current, and the TBD has a very small input capacitance. From the performance test using surge generator, which can produce 1.2/50${\mu}\textrm{s}$ 4.2 k$V_{max}$, 8/20${\mu}\textrm{s}$ 2.1 kA$\sub$max/, it is confirmed that the proposed TBD has an excellent protection performance in tight clamping voltage and limiting current characteristics.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.64-68
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• 1984

Undifferentiated leiomyosarcomas were encountered in two dogs, and an ultrastructural study was carried out. The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1. The nuclei of mosts tumor cells showed bilobate appearance. 2. Most cells of the tumors had not a distinct basement membrane. 3. Most cells of the tumors had a degenerative rough endoplasmic reticulum. 4. Intercellular matrix contained some amounts of collagen. 5. Attachment areas between tumor cells were not apparent, but a few tight junction were clearly seen. 6. Myofibrils were present in bipolor end area.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.159-167
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• 1999

This paper presents a new transient voltage blocking device(TOBD)which low power and high frequency bandwidth to protect info-communication facilities from transient voltages. Conventional protection devices have some problems such as low frequency bandwidth low ener-gy capacity and high remnant voltage. in order to improve these limitations a hybrid type TOBD which consists of a gas tube avalanche diodes and junction type field effect transistor (JFETs) is developed. The TOBD differs from the conventional protection devices in configuration and JFETs are used as an active non-linear element and a high speed switching diode with low capacitance limited high current. Therefore the avalanche diode with low energy capacity are protected from the high current and the TOBD has a very small input capacitance. From the performance test using combination surge generator which can produce $1.2/50{\mu}m$ 4.2 kV/max, $8/20{\mu}m$ 2.1 kAmax it is confirmed that the proposed TOBD has an excellent protection per-formance in tight clamping voltage and limiting current characteristics.