• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.326-331
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• 2008

To search for immunoactive natural products exerting anti-inflammatory activity, we have evaluated the effects on the water extracts of Artemisia princeps Pampanini (APP) on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Our data indicate that this extract is a potent inhibitor of NO production and it also significantly decreased PGE2 and TNF-$\alpha$ production. Consistent with these results, the protein and mRNA expression level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was inhibited by water extracts of APP in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that APP may exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects possibly by suppressing the inducible NO synthase and COX-2 expressions.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.324-328
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• 2007

To search for immunoactive natural products exerting anti-inflammatory activity, we have evaluated the effects of the ethanol extracts of Rubus coreanus Miq. (ERC) on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$, and $Interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Our data indicate that this extract is a potent inhibitor of NO production and it also significantly decreased $IFN-{\gamma}\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ production. Consistent with these results, the protein level of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was inhibited by ethanol extracts of ERC in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that ERC may exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects possibly by suppressing the inducible NO synthase and COX-2 expressions.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

Objectives : Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF ${\alpha}$) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was designed to investigate the relation between TNF-${\alpha}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population. Methods : This study was carried out on 103 rheumatoid arthritis patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 208 healthy control subjects. Blood samples from all subjects were obtained for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerse chain reaction(PCR). PCR products were visualized by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. We investigated the genotyping of TNF-${\alpha}$ by using Pyrosequencing. Results: The genotypes of TNF-${\alpha}$ gene were GG, AG and AA. While the distribution of TNF-${\alpha}$ polymorphism in control subjects was 92.31%, 7.21%, 0.48% respectively, in rheumatoid arthritis patients was 93.20%, 6.80%, 0.00%(GG, AG, AA). There was no statistical significant allelic frequency difference between control and rheumatoid arthritis groups. Conclusions : We concluded that there was no significant association between TNF-${\alpha}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients and further studies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1353-1365
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• 1997

Background : Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) has been considered as an important candidate for cancer gene therapy based on its potent anti-tumor activity. However, since the efficiency of current techniques of gene transfer is not satisfactory, the majority of current protocols is aiming the in vitro gene transfer to cancer cells and re-introducing genetically modified cancer cells to host. In the previous study, it was shown that TNF-sensitive cancer cells transfected with TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA would become highly resistant to TNF, and the probability was shown that the acquired resistance to TNF might be associated with synthesis of some protective protein. Understanding the mechanisms of TNF -resistance in TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA transfected cancer cells would be. an important step for improving the efficacy of cancer gene therapy as well as for better understandings of tumor biology. This study was designed to evaluate the role of MnSOD, an antioxidant enzyme, in the acquired resistance to TNF of TNF-$\alpha$ cDN A transfected cancer cells. Method : We transfected TNF-$\alpha$ c-DNA to WEHI164(murine fibrosarcoma cell line), NCI-H2058(human mesothelioma cell line), A549(human non-small cell lung cancer cell line), ME180(human cervix cancer cell line) cells using retroviral vector(pLT12SN(TNF)) and confirm the expression of TNF with PCR, ELISA, MIT assay. Then we determined the TNF resistance of TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA transfected cells(WEHI164-TNF, NCIH2058-TNF, A549-TNF, ME180-TNF) and the changes of MnSOD mRNA expressions with Northern blot analysis. Results : The MnSOD mRNA expressions of parental cells and genetically modified cells of WEHI164 and ME180 cells(both are naturally TNF sensitive) were not significantly different The MnSOD mRNA expressions of genetically modified cells of NCI-H2058 and A549(both are naturally TNF resistant) were higher than those of the parental cells, while those of parental cells with exogenous TNF were also elevated. Conclusion : The acquired resistance to TNF after TNF-$\alpha$ cDNA transfection may not be associated with the change in the MnSOD expression, but the difference in natural TNF sensitivity of each cell may be associated with the level of the MnSOD expression.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1093-1099
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• 2006

Purpose : Homocysteine is a strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The deleterious effects of homocysteine included endothelial dysfunction, arterial intimal-medial thickening, wall stiffness and procoagulant activity. However, the precise mechanism responsible for homocysteine release in children with coronary artery disease is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum homocysteine and tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels and identify whether these levels had any association with the development of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods : Serum homocysteine and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels were measured in 24 KD patients(group 1, eight patients with normal coronary artery; group 2, 16 patients with coronary artery lesions) and 21 controls(group 3, 10 afebrile controls; group 4, 11 febrile controls). Blood samples were drawn from each study group before and after intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) therapy and in the convalescent stage. Results : The homocysteine levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 3, and in group 2 than in group 3 and 4. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group 2 than group 3 and 4. Serum homocysteine and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels were highest in group 2 before IVIG therapy. In the acute KD patients, serum homocysteine levels correlated significantly with $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels. Conclusion : The increased serum homocysteine levels in the acute stage increase the susceptibility to coronary arterial lesions in KD. $TNF-{\alpha}$ may also play an important role in the formation of coronary arterial lesions in KD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 1998

Capsular polysaccharides (CPs) from Streeptococcus pneumoniae were examined for the ability to induce secretory responses in a pure population of peritoneal macrophages. The highly purified CPs were able to affect the macrophage, ie, secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) and nitrite. As after stimulation with CPs, secretion of TNF-u induced by these CPs reached its maximum within the first few hours of the interaction, while secretion of nitrite was increased with time. In addition, production of TNF-$\alpha$ and nitrite was increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of indomethacin, CP-stimulated TNF-$\alpha$ production was not altered. In contrast, LPS with indomethacin stimulated 24.5% more TNF-$\alpha$ than LPS alone, suggesting that the intracellular signaling processes for TNF production are differentially stimulated by CP and LPS. The results demonstrate that CPs are potent inducer of macrophage secretory activities.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.73-79
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• 2007

Objectives : Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}{\cdot}$(TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was designed to investigate the relation between TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population. Methods : This study was carried out on 103 rheumatoid arthritis patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 208 healthy control subjects. Blood samples from all subjects were obtained for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerse chain reaction(PCR). PCR products were visualized by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. We investigated the genotyping of TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ by using Pyrosequencing. Results : The genotypes of TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ gene were GG, AG and AA. While the distribution of TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ polymorphism in control subjects was 92.31%, 7.21%, 0.48% respectively, in rheumatoid arthritis patients was 93.20%, 6.80%, 0.00%(GG, AG. AA). There was no statistical significant allelic frequency difference between control and rheumatoid arthritis groups. Conclusion : We concluded that there was no significant association between TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients and further studies.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.573-581
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• 2005

Flavonoids, a group of low molecular weight phenylbenzopyrones, have various pharmacological properties including antioxidant activity, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects. In the present study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/phytohemagglutinin (PMA/PHA) were used as stimulants for RAW 264.7 macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (hPBMC), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-2 productions were measured. In addition, flavonoids were examined for their effects on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results showed that all compounds were not strongly cytotoxic at the tested concentrations on hPBMC and RAW 264.7 macrophages. On immunomodulatory properties, catechin, epigallocatechin (EGC), naringenin, and fisetin repressed NO production and TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion. Furthermore, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin (EC), luteolin, chrysin, quercetin, and galangin increased IL-2 secretion while EGC, apigenin, and fisetin inhibited the secretion. These results indicated that flavonoids have the capacity to modulate the immune response and have a potential anti-inflammatory activity. There was no obvious structure-activity relationship regard to the chemical composition of the flavonoids and their cell biological effects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2011

Vascular inflammation process has been suggested to be an important risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Recently we reported that induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$) selectively inhibits vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) but not intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In this study, we investigated whether genipin inhibits expression of cellular adhesion molecules, which is relevant to inflammation. Pretreatment with genipin reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and expression of VCAM-1, but not ICAM-1 in TNF-${\alpha}$-activated HUVEC. Genipin dose- and time-dependently increased PPAR-${\gamma}$ expression and inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced phosphorylation of Akt and PKC with different degrees. Finally, genipin prevented TNF-${\alpha}$-induced adhesion of U937 monocytic cells to HUVEC. Taken together, these results indicate that upregualtion of PPAR-${\gamma}$ by genipin selectively inhibits TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of VCAM-1, in which regulation of Akt and/or PKC play a key role. We concluded that genipin can be used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.101-110
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• 2015

Purpose: Sclerostin, an inhibitor of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling, exerts negative effects on bone formation and contributes to periodontitis-induced alveolar bone loss. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum sclerostin levels are increased in diabetic patients and that sclerostin expression in alveolar bone is enhanced in a diabetic periodontitis model. However, the molecular mechanism of how sclerostin expression is enhanced in diabetic patients remains elusive. Therefore, in this study, the effect of hyperglycemia on the expression of sclerostin in osteoblast lineage cells was examined. Methods: C2C12 and MLO-Y4 cells were used in this study. In order to examine the effect of hyperglycemia, the glucose concentration in the culture medium was adjusted to a range of levels between 40 and 100 mM. Gene expression levels were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. Top-Flash reporter was used to examine the transcriptional activity of the ${\beta}$-catenin/lymphoid enhanced factor/T-cell factor complex. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) protein levels were examined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of reactive oxygen species on sclerostin expression was examined by treating cells with 1 mM $H_2O_2$ or 20 mM N-acetylcysteine. Results: The high glucose treatment increased the mRNA and protein levels of sclerostin. High glucose suppressed Wnt3a-induced Top-Flash reporter activity and the expression levels of osteoblast marker genes. High glucose increased reactive oxygen species production and $TNF{\alpha}$ expression levels. Treatment of cells with $H_2O_2$ also enhanced the expression levels of $TNF{\alpha}$ and sclerostin. In addition, N-acetylcysteine treatment or knockdown of $TNF{\alpha}$ attenuated high glucose-induced sclerostin expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that hyperglycemia increases sclerostin expression via the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and $TNF{\alpha}$.