• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.192-192
• /
• 2003

Pomegranate, a small tree originating in Orient, belongs to Punicaceae family. The seeds contain an oil of which about 80% is rare trans 18 carbon fatty acid (punicic acid), and have highest botanical concentration of a sex steroid, estrone. Pharmacological properties of pomegranate extract have been studied, with anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, ant-viral, and anti-cancer effects. We have examined the estrogenic activity of the pomegranate extracts using MCP-7-ERE cells. MCF-7-ERE cells, stably transfected with pERE-Luc were treated various amount of pomegranate extract and after overnight treatments, luciferase activity were measured. Estradiol(E2) dose dependently induced luciferase activity in this cell and maximal response is obtained at 100pM E2.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.175-184
• /
• 2019

Mast cells are crucial as effector cells in the immediate-type allergic reaction. Lentinus edodes has been the popular edible mushroom in oriental countries and reported to have immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, anti-atherogenic, anti-viral, and anti-allergic activities. However, the roles of L. edodes in mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reaction have not been fully elucidated. In this research, we have demonstrated the effects of the methanol extract of L. edodes (MELE) on mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis-like and anaphylactic reactions. MELE suppressed systemic anaphylaxis-like reaction, plasma histamine levels, and ear swelling response in mice treated with compound 48/80. MELE also suppressed passive systemic and cutaneous anaphylaxis mediated by anti-dinitrophenyl IgE. In accordance with these findings, MELE dose-dependently decreased histamine release from RPMC evoked by compound 48/80 or the antigen-antibody reaction. To clarify the mechanism of degranulation system, intracellular cAMP levels as well as calcium influx in RPMC was evaluated. In compound 48/80-treated RPMC, MELE blocked calcium uptake into the cells. In addition, MELE elevated the intracellular cAMP content and significantly attenuated compound 48/80-induced cAMP reduction in RPMC. Taken together, we propose the clinical use of MELE in mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3061-3063
• /
• 2016

Exploiting the immune system to abolish cancer growth via vaccination is a promising strategy but that is limited by many clinical issues. For DNA vaccines, viral vectors as a delivery system mediate a strong immune response due to their protein structure, which could afflect the cellular uptake of the genetic vector or even induce cytotoxic immune responses against transfected cells. Recently, synthetic DNA delivery systems have been developed and recommended as much easier and simple approaches for DNA delivery compared with viral vectors. These are based on the attraction of the positively charged cationic transfection reagents to negatively charged DNA molecules, which augments the cellular DNA uptake. In fact, there are three major cellular barriers which hinder successful DNA delivery systems: low uptake across the plasma membrane; inadequate release of DNA molecules with limited stability; and lack of nuclear targeting. Recently, a polysaccharide polymer produced by microalgae has been synthesized in a form of polymeric fiber material poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (p-GlcNAc). Due its unique properties, the F2 gel matrix was suggested as an effective delivery system for immune and gene vaccinations.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.10
• /
• pp.655-660
• /
• 2009

The potential anti-metastasis and anti-invasion activities of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) and claudin-3, a tight junction (TJ)-related protein, were evaluated using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in human hepatocarcinoma cells. The results of wound healing and Transwell assays showed that HDAC inhibitors such as trichostatin A and sodium butyrate inhibited cell migration and invasion. HDAC inhibitors markedly induced Egr-1 expression during the early period, after which expression levels decreased. In addition, the down-regulation of snail and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) in HDAC inhibitor- treated cells induced the upregulation of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), E-cadherin and claudin-3. Cells transfected with Egr-1 and claudin-3 siRNA displayed significant blockage of HDAC inhibitor-induced anti-invasive activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that the up-regulation of Egr-1 and claudin-3 are crucial steps in HDAC inhibitor-induced anti-metastasis and anti-invasion.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oligonol, mainly found in lychee fruit, is an antioxidant polyphenolic compound which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The detailed mechanisms by which oligonol may act as an anti-aging molecule have not been determined. MATERIALS/METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the ability of oligonol to modulate sirtuin (SIRT) expression in human lung epithelial (A549) cells. Oligonol was added to A549 cells and reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial superoxide formation, and p21 protein levels were measured. Signaling pathways activated upon oligonol treatment were also determined by western blotting. Furthermore, the anti-aging effect of oligonol was evaluated ex vivo in mouse splenocytes and in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans. RESULTS: Oligonol specifically induced the expression of SIRT1, whose activity is linked to gene expression, metabolic control, and healthy aging. In response to influenza virus infection of A549 cells, oligonol treatment significantly up-regulated SIRT1 expression and down-regulated viral hemagglutinin expression. Oligonol treatment also resulted in the activation of autophagy pathways and the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, oligonol-treated spleen lymphocytes from old mice showed increased cell proliferation, and mRNA levels of SIRT1 in the lungs of old mice were significantly lower than those in the lungs of young mice. Additionally, in vivo lethality assay revealed that oligonol extended the lifespan of C. elegans infected with lethal Vibrio cholerae. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated that oligonol may act as an anti-aging molecule by modulating SIRT1/autophagy/AMPK pathways.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.109-115
• /
• 2001

Background: The role of the interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP), a member of interferon regulatory factor family, in protecting against a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection has not been firmly elucidated. Thus, it was investigated utilizing the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells which do not express ICSBP. Methods: HL-60 cells were stably transfected with plasmid containing cDNA for either ICSBP or DNA binding domain (DBD) and tested for their VSV-susceptibilities. The susceptibility of each transfectant group to a VSV infection was determined by a plaque assay at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-infection in the presence (500 IU/ml) or absence of interferon ${\alpha}$ ($IFN{\alpha}$). Results: In the absence of $IFN{\alpha}$, the three groups showed similar sensitivities to a VSV infection. However, when pre-treated with IFN, the viral titers in both the ICSBP and control clones steadily decreased over 48 h of incubation, indicating the existence of $IFN{\alpha}$-mediated protection against VSV infection. The $IFN{\alpha}$-treated ICSBP clones appeared to be more resistant to infection compared with the control clones, although the difference was not great. On the contrary, the viral titers in the $IFN{\alpha}$-treated DBD clones increased at 24 h then decreased by 48 h. Conclusion: The expression of truncated ICSBP (DBD) does not appear to underlie the impaired protection against a VSV infection in the DBD clones, since even the control clones lacking ICSBP were protected from a VSV infection. This suggests that ICSBP does not play a critical role in the $IFN{\alpha}$- mediated anti-VSV response of HL-60 cells, although it appears to confer some resistance to a VSV infection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.225-231
• /
• 2014

In this study we aim to extensively investigate the anti-influenza virus immune responses in human pharyngeal epithelial cell line (Hep-2) and evaluate the protective role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands in seasonal influenza A H1N1 (sH1N1) infections in vitro. We first investigated the expression of the TLRs and cytokines genes in resting and sH1N1 infected Hep-2 cells. Clear expressions of TLR3, TLR9, interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interferon (IFN)-${\beta}$ were detected in resting Hep-2 cells. After sH1N1 infection, a ten-fold of TLR3 and TLR9 were elicited. Concomitant with the TLRs activation, transcriptional expression of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\beta}$ were significantly induced in sH1N1-infected cells. Pre-treatment of cells with poly I:C (an analog of viral double-stranded RNA) and CpG-ODN (a CpG-motif containing oligodeoxydinucleotide) resulted in a strong reduction of viral and cytokines mRNA expression. The results presented indicated the innate immune response activation in Hep-2 cells and affirm the antiviral role of Poly I:C and CpG-ODN in the protection against seasonal influenza A viruses.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.377-384
• /
• 1999

Alginates are polysaccharides with gel-forming properties composed of 1,4-linked $\beta$-D-mannuronic acid (M), $\alpha$-L-guluronic acid (G), and alternating (MG) blocks. The M-and the MG-blocks, but not the G-blocks, have been known to be the active components of the alginates in experimental models. In this study, we have examined the ability of high M-alginate to activate immune cells. Alginate induced the macrophage anti-viral activity and the lymphocyte blastogenesis, and enhanced cytotoxicity of natural killer cell. In addition, alginates stimulated the macrophages to induce the production of $H_{2}O_{2}$, whereas alginates had no effect on NO production and suppressed the production of TNF-$\alpha$. These findings suggest that high M-alginate may be modulating various elements of the host immune response.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.282-288
• /
• 2003

It is known that HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, which causes AIDS after some latent period, is a dynamic process that can be modeled mathematically. Effects of available anti-viral drugs, which prevent HIV from infecting healthy cells, can also be included in the model. In this paper we illustrate control theory can be applied to a model of HIV infection. In particular, the drug dose is regarded as control input and the goal is to excite an immune response so that the symptom of infected patient should not be developed into AIDS. Finite horizon optimal control is employed to obtain the optimal schedule of drug dose since the model is highly nonlinear and we want maximum performance for enhancing the immune response. From the simulation studies, we found that gradual reduction of drug dose is important for the optimality. We also demonstrate the obtained open-loop optimal control is vulnerable to parameter variation of the model and measurement noise. To overcome this difficulty, we finally present nonlinear receding horizon control to incorporate feedback in the drug treatment.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.1951-1956
• /
• 2003

It is known that HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, which causes AIDS after some latent period, is a dynamic process that can be modeled mathematically. Effects of available anti-viral drugs, which prevent HIV from infecting healthy cells, can also be included in the model. In this paper we illustrate control theory can be applied to a model of HIV infection. In particular, the drug dose is regarded as control input and the goal is to excite an immune response so that the symptom of infected patient should not be developed into AIDS. Finite horizon optimal control is employed to obtain the optimal schedule of drug dose since the model is highly nonlinear and we want maximum performance for enhancing the immune response. From the simulation studies, we find that gradual reduction of drug dose is important for the optimality. We also demonstrate the obtained open-loop optimal control is vulnerable to parameter variation of the model and measurement noise. To overcome this difficulty, we finally present nonlinear receding horizon control to incorporate feedback in the drug treatment.