• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.71-83
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• 2012

T cell activation and function require physical contact with antigen presenting cells at a specialized junctional structure known as the immunological synapse. Once formed, the immunological synapse leads to sustained T cell receptor-mediated signalling and stabilized adhesion. High resolution microscopy indeed had a great impact in understanding the function and dynamic structure of immunological synapse. Trends of recent research are now moving towards understanding the mechanical part of immune system, expanding our knowledge in mechanosensitivity, force generation, and biophysics of cell-cell interaction. Actin cytoskeleton plays inevitable role in adaptive immune system, allowing it to bear dynamic and precise characteristics at the same time. The regulation of mechanical engine seems very complicated and overlapping, but it enables cells to be very sensitive to external signals such as surface rigidity. In this review, we focus on actin regulators and how immune cells regulate dynamic actin rearrangement process to drive the formation of immunological synapse.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.437-444
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• 2017

Different types of eukaryotic cells may adopt seemingly distinct modes of directional cell migration. However, several core aspects are regarded common whether the movement is either ameoboidal or mesenchymal. The region of cells facing the attractive signal is often termed leading edge where lamellipodial structures dominates and the other end of the cell called rear end is often mediating cytoskeletal F-actin contraction involving Myosin-II. Dynamic remodeling of cell-to-matrix adhesion involving integrin is also evident in many types of migrating cells. All these three aspects of cell migration are significantly affected by signaling networks of TorC2, TorC1, and PP2A/B56. Here we review the current views of the mechanistic understanding of these regulatory signaling networks and how these networks affect eukaryotic cell migration.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.176-181
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• 2003

Background: The molecular basis of follicular dendritic cells (FDC)-germinal center (GC) B cell interaction is largely unknown, although this cellular interaction is thought to be important for the whole process of GC B cell differentiation. Methods: Using FDC-like cells, HK, and highly purified GC B cells, we attempted to identify the molecules that play critical roles in the interactions between FDC and B cells. GC B cells were co-cultured with HK cells and soluble CD154 in the presence or absence of various function-blocking monoclonal antibodies to examine their effect on GC B cell binding to HK cells and B cell proliferation. Results: Anti-CD11a and anti-CD54 antibodies inhibited GC B cell binding to HK cells while anti-CD49d and anti-CD106 antibodies did not. GC B cell proliferation was not impaired by the disruption of GC B cell-HK cell adherence. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CD11a/CD18-CD54 interactions play an important roles in the initial binding of GC B cells to FDC and diffusible growth factors from FDC may be responsible the massive proliferation of GC B cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.553-560
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• 2017

Fermented garlic extract (FGE) is a well-known functional food containing cycloalliin. Here we tested if FGE has an effect on the vascular system. We found that FGE had an effect on monocytic adhesion to endothelial cells, which occurs at the initial step of processes of inflammation. From dose-dependent experiments, 0.1 to $1{\mu}g/ml$ of FGE appeared to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-enhanced heterotypic cell adhesion between THP-1 and BAECs. This result indicates that FGE blocks vascular inflammation. Then we found that FGE activates eNOS and Akt in BAECs. The phosphorylation of eNOS was maximally elevated 10 min after FGE treatment. Parallely, the phosphorylation of Akt was also maximally increased 10 min after FGE treatment. Consistently, it was found that FGE enhanced the production of nitric oxide. We then examined whether NO mediates THP-1 cell adhesion to BAECs. Both Akt and eNOS inhibitors appeared to reverse an inhibitory effect of FGE. These findings indicate that FGE inhibits LPS-enhanced heterotypic cell adhesion via Akt and eNOS. In conclusion, FGE plays an important role in prevention of inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.20-31
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• 2019

Objectives: The seeds from Arctium lappa have been considered for its various pharmacological properties, which include anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-viral activities. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol extract from the seeds of Arctium lappa L (EAL) on cytokine-induced vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Results: Pretreatment with EAL significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$)-induced cell adhesion molecules expression such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and endothelial-selectin (E-selectin) in a dose-dependent manner. Cell adhesion assay showed that pretreatment with EAL suppressed HUVEC-monocyte adhesion by $TNF-{\alpha}$ over $1{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. We investigated the involvement of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced vascular inflammation. $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 nuclear expression was induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$, however, pretreatment with EAL was attenuated that nuclear translocation. In cytoplasm, EAL was also attenuated $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced decrease of inhibitor of ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) expression. Moreover, EAL significantly decreased $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that seeds of Arctium lappa L could be a therapeutic herb for prevention of cardiovascular diseases throughout the inhibition of vascular endothelial inflammation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Objectives : Ojeoksan, originally recorded in an ancient Korean medicinal book named "Donguibogam" and has been used for the treatment of circulation disorder of blood which was called blood accumulation (血積) in Korean medicine. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effect of OJS on vascular inflammation in HUVECs. Methods : We evaluated the effect of OJS on the expression of cell adhesion molecules and protective role in HUVEC stimulated by TNF-${\alpha}$ by using Western blot. Results : Pretreatment with OJS decreased the adhesion of HL-60 cells to TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HUVEC. OJS suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression level of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), and endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin). Moreover, OJS significantly decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS); and inhibited the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ in the cytoplasm compared to the experimental group. Pretreatment with OJS inhibited the trans-location of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 to the nucleus. OJS also inhibited phosphorylation of MAPKs compared to the experimental group. OJS significantly increased the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Conclusions : Ojeoksan has a protective effect on vascular inflammation, and might be a potential therapeutic agent for early atherosclerosis.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.412-417
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• 2015

A critical element in tissue engineering approaches is a control of the mechanical properties of polymer scaffolds to regulate cell phenotype, which may lead to clinically successful tissue regeneration. In this study, we hypothesized that gel stiffness could be a key factor to manipulate adhesion and proliferation of different types of cells. RGD-modified alginate gels with various mechanical properties were prepared and used as a substrate for MC3T3-E1 and H9C2 cells. Adhesion and growth rate of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro were increased in parallel with an increase of gel stiffness. In contrast, those of H9C2 cells were decreased. This approach to control the mechanical properties of polymer scaffolds depending on the cell types may find useful applications in the tissue engineering.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2015

In this study, interfacial characteristics between SOFC and Ag paste as current collector was estimated in the high temperature environment. The Ag paste was used to connect the unit cell of SOFC strongly with interconnector and provide the electrical conductivity between them. To confirm electrical conductivity, Ag paste was treated in the furnace at $800^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours. The sheet resistance of Ag paste was measured to compare the resistance values before and after the heat treatment. Also, the four-point bending test was performed to measure the interfacial adhesion. The unit cell of SOFC and $SiO_2$ wafer were diced and then attached by Ag paste. The $SiO_2$ wafer had the center notch to initiate a crack from the tip of the notch. The modified stereomicroscope combined with the CCD camera and system for measuring the length was used to observe the fracture behavior. To compare the characteristics before heat treatment and after heat treatment, the specimen was exposed in the furnace at $800^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours and then the interfacial adhesion was evaluated. Finally, the interfacial adhesion energy quantitatively increases $1.78{\pm}0.07J/m^2$ to $4.9{\pm}0.87J/m^2$ between the cathode and Ag paste and also increase $2.9{\pm}0.47J/m^2$ to $5.12{\pm}1.01J/m^2$ between the anode and Ag paste through the high temperature. Therefore, it is expected that Ag paste as current collector was appropriate for improving the structural stability in the stacked SOFC system if the electrical conductivity was more increased.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2010

Integrins are transmembrane receptor proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion. The deregulation of cell-ECM adhesion and the abnormal expression of beta1 (${\beta}1$) integrins (ITGB1s) are involved in tumor development and metastasis. In the liver, the expression of integrins and ECM proteins can be a cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. We performed direct DNA sequencing of 24 individuals, and identified 23 sequence variants of ITGB1 polymorphisms. Among these 23 variants, 7 common variants were selected based on frequencies and linkage disequilibrium, and then genotyped in a larger-scale group of subjects (n=1,103). The genetic associations of ITGB1 polymorphisms with the clearance of HBV and HCC outcome of HBV patients were analyzed using logistic regression models and Cox relative hazard models. Although there was no significant association observed between the polymorphisms and the HCC outcome of HBV patients, the second most common haplotype (ITGB1 haplotype-2 [C-C-C-C-T-C-T]) was putatively associated with HBV clearance (OR=0.75, p=0.008 and $P^{corr}=0.05$). The minor allele frequency (MAF) of ITGB1 haplotype -2 of the spontaneously recovered (SR) group was significantly higher than that of the chronic carrier group (CC) (freq. = 0.248 vs. 0.199). The information derived from this study could be valuable for understanding the genetic factors involved in the clearance of HBV.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.869-876
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• 2000

In order to improve the cell-compatability of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (75 : 25 by mole ratio of lactide to glycolide, PLGA) surfaces, the physicochemical treatments have been demonstrated. Chemical treatments were 70% perchloric acid. 50% sulfuric acid and 0.5 N sodium hydroxide solution and physical methods were corona and plasma treatment. The water contact angle of surface treated PLGA decreased from 73$^{\circ}$ to 50~60$^{\circ}$, i.e., increased hydrophilicity, due to the introduction of oxygen-containing functional group onto PLGA backbone by the measurement of an electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. It could be observed that the adhesion and growth of fibroblast cell on physicochemically treated PLGA surfaces, especially perchloric acid treated PLGA surface, were more active than on the controt. In conclusion, it seems that surface wettability as hydrophilicity of PLGA plays an important role in cell adhesion, spreading and growth.