• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.886-894
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• 2015

Macrophages are divided into two subpopulations: classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). BCG (Bacilli Calmette-$Gu{\acute{e}}rin$) activates disabled $na{\ddot{i}}ve$ macrophages to M1 macrophages, which act as inflammatory, microbicidal and tumoricidal cells through cell-cell contact and/or the release of soluble factors. Various transcription factors and signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of macrophage activation and polarization. We discovered that BCG-activated macrophages (BAM) expressed a new molecule, and we named it Novel Macrophage Activated Associated Protein 1 (NMAAP1). 1 The current study found that the overexpression of NMAAP1 in macrophages results in M1 polarization with increased expression levels of M1 genes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 12 (IL-12), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), and decreased expression of some M2 genes, such as Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), but not other M2 genes, including arginase-1 (Arg-1), Interleukin (IL-10), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-${\beta}$) and found in inflammatory zone 1 (Fizz1). Moreover, NMAAP1 overexpression in the RAW264.7 cell line increased cytotoxicity against MCA207 tumor cells, which depends on increased inflammatory cytokines rather than cell-cell contact. NMAAP1 also substantially enhanced the phagocytic ability of macrophages, which implies that NMAAP1 promoted macrophage adhesive and clearance activities. Our results indicate that NMAAP1 is an essential molecule that modulates macrophages phenotype and plays an important role in macrophage tumoricidal functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.433-441
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• 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are primarily characterized as dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Ginsenoside-Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-KRGE) is known to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects on neurological disorders. However, effects of Rg3-KRGE in EAE remain unclear. Methods: Here, we investigated whether Rg3-KRGE may improve the symptoms and pathological features of myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein (MOG)_35-55 peptide - induced chronic EAE mice through improving the integrity of the BBB. Results: Rg3-KRGE decreased EAE score and spinal demyelination. Rg3-KRGE inhibited Evan's blue dye leakage in spinal cord, suppressed increases of adhesion molecule platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, extracellular matrix proteins fibronection, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, and prevented decreases of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, claudin-3, and claudin-5 in spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE repressed increases of proinflammatory transcripts cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but enhanced expression levels of anti-inflammatory transcripts arginase-1 and IL-10 in the spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE inhibited the expression of oxidative stress markers (MitoSOX and 4-hydroxynonenal), the enhancement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOX4, and NADPH activity in the spinal cord of chronic EAE mice. Furthermore, apocynin, a NOX inhibitor, mimicked beneficial effects of Rg3-KRGE in chronic EAE mice. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Rg3-KRGE might alleviate behavioral symptoms and pathological features of MS by improving BBB integrity through modulation of NOX2/4 expression.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.228-240
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cocoa consumption is associated with health benefits due to its high content of polyphenols. However, the effects of short-term cocoa consumption remain unclear. We aimed to determine the effects generated by cocoa consumption (for 7 days) in young adults in normoweight and class II obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Before-and-after study was carried out in normoweight (NW) (n = 15) and class II obesity (CIIO) (n = 15) young adults. The NW and CIIO participants consumed 25 and 39 g of cocoa, respectively, per day for 7 days. The effect of cocoa consumption was evaluated on the lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), and inflammation. Oxidative damage was also examined by assessing the biomarkers of oxidative damage in plasma. In addition, recombinant human insulin was incubated with blood obtained from the participants, and the molecular damage to the hormone was analyzed. RESULTS: Cocoa consumption resulted in decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in both groups (P = 0.04), while the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were maintained at the recommended levels. Initially, IR was detected in the CIIO group (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] = 4.78 ± 0.4), which is associated with molecular damage to insulin. Interestingly, intervention with cocoa resulted in improved IR (HOMA = 3.14 ± 0.31) (P = 0.0018) as well as molecular damage to insulin. Finally, cocoa consumption significant decreased the arginase activity (P = 0.0249) in the CIIO group; this is a critical enzymatic activity in the inflammatory process associated with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term consumption of cocoa improves the lipid profile, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and protects against oxidative damage. Results of this study indicate that cocoa consumption can potentially improve IR and restore a healthy redox status.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.52.1-52.13
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• 2023

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been investigated as therapeutic agents for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Stimulation of MSCs with pro-inflammatory cytokines is an approach to enhance their immunomodulatory effects. However, further investigation is required to support their application in immune-mediated disorders and companion animals. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated feline adipose tissue-derived MSCs (fAT-MSCs) in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. Methods: Colitis mice was made by drinking water with 3% DSS and fAT-MSCs were injected intraperitoneally. Colons were collected on day 10. The severity of the disease was evaluated and compared. Raw 264.7 cells were cultured with the conditioned medium to determine the mechanism, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: TNF-α-stimulated fAT-MSCs more improved severity of DSS-induced colitis in disease activity, colon length, histologic score, and inflammatory cytokine. In sectionized colon tissues, the group comprising TNF-α-stimulated fAT-MSCs had higher proportion of CD11b⁺CD206⁺ macrophages than in the other groups. In vitro, TNF-α-stimulation increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) secretion from fAT-MSCs. The conditioned medium from TNF-α-stimulated fAT-MSCs enhanced the expression of interleukin-10 and arginase-1 in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results represent that TNF-α-stimulated fat-mscs ameliorate the inflamed colon more effectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the effectiveness was interlinked with the COX-2/PGE₂ pathway.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.567-572
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• 2014

초롱꽃과에 속하는 도라지는 항염증, 항산화, 항암작용뿐 아니라 간기능 강화에도 작용하여 한방에서 만성염증성 질환의 치료제로 널리 사용되고 있다. 이번 연구에서 마우스 대식세포주인 RAW 246.7 세포와 비장으로부터 분리한 T세포에서 도라지 추출액(CC), 도라지 추출물이 함유된 활맥단 추출액(HWAL, 도라지 82% 함유) 및 맥환추출액(MAEK, 도라지 7% 함유)을 처리하여 대식세포와 T세포의 활성과 관련 있는 유전자의 발현을 통해 면역증진 및 항염증 효과를 real-time RT-PCR 기법을 통해 확인해 보았다. 그 결과, 활성화된 T세포에서 많이 발현되는 c-fos (10배 이상), CD40L 유전자(6배 이상)의 경우, 맥환 추출액 처리군에서 가장 높은 발현이 유도되어 면역활성 효과가 높을 것으로 사료되었다. 도라지 추출액과 활맥단 추출액의 경우도 c-fos 유전자의 발현을 유의적으로 증가시켰지만 미약하였고, CD40L의 경우는 영향을 주지 않았다. 도라지 추출액을 처리한 군에서 면역활성을 유도하는 M1 대식세포에서 많이 발현되는 iNOS 유전자의 발현이 유의하게 증가되었다. 반면에 활맥단 추출액을 처리한 대식세포는 M2 표식인자인 Ym1, arginase1 (ARG1) 유전자의 발현이 유의적으로 상승하였다. 결론적으로 도라지가 다량 포함된 맥환 추출액은 면역활성을 유도하는데 탁월한 효과를 나타내며, 도라지 함유가 적게 포함된 활맥단 추출액은 항염증 작용에 탁월한 효과가 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 2021

목적: 요소회로대사 질환은 선천성 대사이상질환으로, 요소 회로 각 단계의 특정 효소의 결핍에 따라 다양한 질환과 임상적 증상이 나타난다. 본 연구의 목적은 요소회로대사 질환의 다양한 종류에 따른 장기적 임상 경과를 조사하는 것이다. 방법: 부산대학교 어린이병원에 등록된 22명의 요소회로대사 질환 환자들의 임상적 양상과 생화학적, 유전학적 검사 결과들을 포함한 의무기록을 후향적으로 조사하였다. 결과: 본 연구에서 진단된 요소회로대사 질환은, OTCD 10명(45.5%), ASSD 6명(27.3%), CPS1D 3명, HHHS 2명 ARG1D 1명으로 확인되었다. 진단 시 평균연령은 32.7±66.2개월(범위 0.1-228.0개월) 이었다. 요소회로대사 질환 환자 8명(36.4%)에서 성장 장애가 동반되었다. 또한 요소회로대사 질환 환자11명(50%)에서는 신경학적 후유증이 관찰되었다. 분자유전학적 분석 결과 새로운 돌연변이 14개를 포함해 37개의 서로 다른 돌연변이 유형(과오돌연변이 14개, 넌센스 6개, 결실변이 6개, 스플라이싱변이 6개, 결실삽입변이 3개, 삽입변이 1개, 중복변이 1개)이 확인됐다. 진행성 성장 장애와 나쁜 신경학적 결과는 혈장 이소루이신과 루이신 농도와 각각 관련이 있었다. 결론: 단백의 제한과 같은 조치나 과다한 질소를 제거하는 약제의 복용에도 불구하고, 요소회로대사 질환의 예후는 아직까지 만족스럽지 못하다. 가지사슬아미노산의 보충이 요소회로대사 질환 환자들의 성장부전과, 대사성 위기 또는 신경학적 예후에 효과를 보일지에 관해서는 전향적인 추가 연구가 필요하겠다.