• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.126-135
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• 2001

Quinacrine (QU), a phospholipase-A2 (PLA-2) inhibitor has been used clinically as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant. To understand the mechanisms leading to its chemotherapeutic effect, we have investigated QU-induced apoptotic signaling pathways in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells. In this study, we found that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling. The release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c was QU concentration- and time-dependent, and preceded activation of caspase-9 and -3. Flow cytometric FACScan analysis using fluorescence intensities of $DiOC_6$/ demonstrated that QU-induced cytochrome c release was independent of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), since the concentrations of QU that induced cytochrome c release did not alter mitochondrial membrane potential (${\blacktriangle}{\Psi}_m$). Moreover, kinetic analysis of caspase activities showed that cytochrome c release led to the activation of caspase-9 and downstream death effector caspase-3, Caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO) partially blocked QU-induced apoptosis, suggesting the importance of caspase-3 in this apoptotic signaling mechanism. Supplementation with arachidonic acid (AA) sustained caspase-3 activation induced by QU. Using inhibitors against cellular arachidonate metabolism of lipooxygenase (Nordihydroxyguaiaretic Acid, NDGA) and cyclooxygenase (5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid, ETYA) demonstrated that QU-induced apoptotic signaling may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. Interestingly, NDCA attenuated QU-induced cytochrome c release, caspase activity as well as apoptotic cell death. The blockade of cytochrome c release by NDCA was much more effective than that attained with cyclosporin A (CsA), a MPT inhibitor. ETYA was not effective in blocking cytochrome c release, except under very high concentrations. Caspase inhibitor z-VAD blocked the release of cytochrome c suggesting that this signaling event is caspase dependent, and caspase-8 activation may be upstream of the mitochondrial events. In summary, we report that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling cascade, which may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. This apoptotic mechanism induced by QU may contribute to its known chemotherapeutic effects.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제26권9호
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• pp.558-568
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• 2023

Vibrio vulnificus is an aquatic bacterium causing septicemia and wound infection in humans. To understand this pathogen at the genomic level, it was performed whole genome sequencing of a cefoxitin-resistant strain, V. vulnificus 1908-10 possessing virulence-related genes (vvhA, viuB, and vcgC) isolated from Gadeok island coastal seawater in South Korea. The genome of V. vulnificus 1908-10 consisted of two circular contigs and no plasmid. The total genome size was estimated to be 5,018,425 bp with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 46.9%. We found 119 tRNA and 34 rRNA genes respectively in the genome, along with 4,352 predicted protein sequences. Virulence factor (VF) analysis further revealed that V. vulnificus 1908-10 possess various virulence genes in classes of adherence, antiphagocytosis, chemotaxis and motility, iron uptake, quorum sensing, secretion system, and toxin. In the comparison of the presence/absence of virulence genes, V. vulnificus 1908-10 had fur, hlyU, luxS, ompU, pilA, pilF, rtxA, rtxC, and vvhA. Of the 30 V. vulnificus comparative strains, 80% of the C-genotype strains have all of these genes, whereas 40% of the E-genotype strains have all of them. In particular, pilA were identified in 80% of the C-type strains and 40% of the E-type strains, showing more difference than other genes. Therefore, V. vulnificus 1908-10 had similar VF characteristics to those of type C strains. Multifunctional-autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxin of V. vulnificus 1908-10 contained 8 A-type repeats (GXXGXXXXXG), 25 B.1-type repeats (TXVGXGXX), 18 B2-type repeats (GGXGXDXXX), and 7 C-type repeats (GGXGXDXXX). The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) showed that the RtxA protein of V. vulnificus 1908-10 had the effector domain in the order of cross-liking domain (ACD)-C58_PaToxP-like domain- α/β hydrolase-C58_PaToxP-like domain.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.115-124
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• 2010

목 적: 임신 전 $CD3^-/CD56^+/CD16^+$ 말초혈액 자연살해세포 (pbNK cell)의 분획과 세포용해 활성도를 정상군과 습관성 유산의 기왕력을 가진 환자군으로 나누어 비교, 분석하고 습관성 유산의 위험도를 제시할 수 있는 각각의 cut-off value를 설정하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 전향적 연구로서 습관성 유산의 기왕력이 있는 여성을 환자군 (n=35)으로 하였으며, 대조군으로 불임이나 습관성 유산의 기왕력이 없으며 정상아의 출산 경험이 있는 여성을 대조군 (n=15)으로 설정하였다. 유세포분석기를 이용하여 pbNK cell 분획 및 세포용해 활성도를 측정 후 그 결과를 비교 분석하였다. 결 과: pbNK cells의 분획은 습관성 유산 환자군에서 대조군에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높은 결과를 보였다($14.2{\pm}5.2$ vs. $9.4{\pm}3.7%$, p=0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8~7.8). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) 곡선을 이용하여 pbNK cell의 분획에 대한 cut-off values을 12.1%로 정하였을 때 습관성 유산의 위험도는 8.4배 증가하였다. pbNK cell의 K562 세포용해 활성도를 3가지 다른 Effector to Target (E:T) 비율 (50:1, 25:1, 12.5:1)을 사용하여 측정한 결과 각각의 경우에 있어 습관성 유산 환자군에서 대조군에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 증가된 결과를 보였다 ($48.3{\pm}19.0$ vs. $31.3{\pm}11.9%$ in 50:1 ratio, p=0.002; $37.0{\pm}18.1$ vs. $20.2{\pm}9.2%$ in 25:1 ratio, p<0.001; $23.5{\pm}12.7$ vs. $12.4{\pm}7.3%$ in 12.5:1 ratio, p=0.001). ROC 곡선을 이용하여 각각 E:T 비율에서 세포용해 활성도의 cut-off values (43.1% in 50:1, 26.9% in 25:1, and 17.4% in 12.5:1)을 설정하여 분석한 결과 습관성 유산의 위험도는 각각 10.0배, 11.4배, 그리고 15.0배 증가된 결과를 보였다. 결 론: 원인이 분명하지 않은 습관성 유산 환자에서 pbNK cell의 분획과 세포용해 활성도를 측정하는 것은 면역학적 원인, 특히 동종면역 요인에 의한 습관성 유산의 유용한 진단 지표로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. 향후 동종 면역반응에 의한 습관성 유산 환자에서 면역학적 원인의 치료 전, 후 pbNK cell의 분획과 세포용해 활성도를 측정, 비교하여 그 효과를 증명하는 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.287-293
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• 2008

In a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified the microtubule-destabilizing protein SCG10 as a potential effector protein of $BRI_3$. The association was verified using GST pull-down, Co-IP, and their perinuclear co-localization. The analysis of in vitro microtubule polymerization/depolymerization showed that the binding of $BRI_3$ to SCG10 effectively blocked the ability of SCG10 to induce microtubule disassembly, as determined by turbidimetric assays. In intact PC12 cells, $BRI_3$ exhibited the ability to stabilize the microtubule network and attenuate the microtubule-destabilizing activity of SCG10. Furthermore, co-expression of $BRI_3$ with SCG10 attenuated SCG10-mediated PC12 cell neurite outgrowth induced by NGF. These results identify a novel connection between a neuron-specific BRI protein and the cytoskeletal network, suggesting possible roles of BRI3 in the process of neuronal differentiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.6115-6120
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• 2013

Introduction: Some non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor cells are insensitive to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) -based therapy. This study was conducted to examine the effect of embelin on the sensitivity of the A549 NSCLC cell line to TRAIL receptor2 (TRAILR2) monoclonal antibodies and to investigate the potential mechanisms. Materials and Methods: A549 cells were treated with embelin, TRAILR2 mAb or a combination of both. Cell viability was measured using ATPlite assay and apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry with AnnexinV-FITC and propidium iodide staining, with the expression levels of proteins analyzed by Western blotting. Results: The cell survival rate of separate treatments with 100 ng/ml TRAILR2 antibody or 25 uM embelin were $81.5{\pm}1.57%$ and $61.7{\pm}2.84%$, respectively. Their combined use markedly decreased cell viability in A549 cells to $28.1{\pm}1.97%$ (P<0.05). The general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK could inhibit the embelin-enhanced sensitivity of A549 cells to TRAILR2 mAb ($75.97{\pm}3.17%$)(P<0.05). Both flow cytometry and cell morphological analysis showed that embelin was able to increase TRAIL-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Combined treatment with embelin and TRAILR2 mAb augmented the activation of initiator caspases and effector caspase. In addition, A549 cells showed increasing levels of TRAILR2 protein and decreasing levels of Bcl-2, survivin and c-FLIP following the treatment with embelin+TRAILR2 mAb. Conclusions: Embelin could enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. The synergistic effect of the combination treatment might be due to modulation of multiple components in the TRAIL receptor-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway, including TRAILR2, XIAP, survivin, Bcl-2 and c-FLIP.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.245-248
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• 2014

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae는 참다래 속(genus Actinidia) 식물에 궤양병을 일으키는 원인세균이다. 7개의 필수 유전자와 11개의 타입 III 효과기 유전자에 대한 다중염기서열 분석을 통해 전 세계 여러 곳에서 분리된 병원성 균주들은 세 그룹으로 나눌 수 있었고 각각 Psa1-Psa3 그룹으로 명명되었다. 본 연구에서는 3개의 Psa1, 3개의 Psa2 및 우리나라와 이탈리아에서 분리된 3개씩의 Psa3 균주 등 총 12 균주를 대상으로 그룹별 표현형을 비교하였다. 그 결과 모든 그룹의 균주가 $22^{\circ}C$ 이하에서 최대의 성장을 보였으며, Psa3 균주들은 $30^{\circ}C$ 이상의 온도에서 성장이 정지되었다. 또한 우리나라의 Psa3 균주의 지연기가 이탈리아 Psa3 균주 보다 긴 특징을 보였다. API 20NE 시험에서 Psa2 균주는 potassium gluconate, capric acid 및 trisodium citrate를 이용하지 못하는 점에서 Psa1과 Psa3 균주와 구별되었다. 다른 그룹과 달리 우리나라 Psa3 균주는 esculin을 가수분해할 수 있었다. API ZYM 시험에서는 Psa3에 속하는 균주들에서만 ${\beta}$-glucosidase 활성이 있는 것으로 나타났다. Psa 그룹에 따라 ampicillin, novobiocin 및 oleandomycin 등의 항생물질에 대한 민감성 양상이 서로 달랐다.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.211-218
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• 2001

병원성 내장리슈만편모충(Leishmania donovani)에서 추출한 GP63 또는 LPG 항원을 liposome으로 캡슐화하고 보강제로서 BCG를 조합하여 DBA-2N 마우스에 면역접종을 한 후, 내장리슈만편모충의 병원성 amastigote를 접종하여 이들 물질의 방어면역 효과를 관찰하였다. 그 결과 GP63 과 LPG, 그리고 BCG를 모두 첨가하여 접종한 마우스의 간 조직에서 유의성 있는 내장리슈만편모충의 감소가 관찰되었으나 감소율은 27.4%에 불과하였다. 실험적 피부리슈만편모충증에 대하여 성공적인 방어면역성을 나타낸 GP63이 내장리슈만편모충 감염에 대하여 방어면역성을 상실한 원인을 분석하기 위한 실험에서 C3H 마우스에 GP63-GST 단백질과 BCG를 혼합하여 면역접종하고 내장리슈만편모충의 병원성 amastigote로 접종한 후, 혈청 내 특이항체와 비장세포에서의 감마인터페론 및 IL-5의 생산을 관찰하였다. 그 결과 GP63-GST와 BCG를 혼합하여 면역 접종한 마우스의 간 조직에서도 유의성 있는 amastigote의 감소는 관찰되지 않았다. 한편 이들 마우스의 비장세포에서는 BCG 만을 접종한 군에 비해 10배 이상의 감마인터페론과 3배의 IL-5가 생산되었다. 이와 같은 사실은 GP63-GST 단백질과 BCG를 혼합하여 접종한 마우스에서 Th1 및 Th2 타입 면역반응이 모두 활성화되었음을 시사하며, Th1 뿐만 아니라 Th2 타입 면역 반응도 함께 활성화된 것이 실험적 내장리슈만편모충 감염에 대한 방어면역에 실패한 원인 중의 하나일 것으로 사료되었다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.79-94
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• 2011

Background: Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are currently being evaluated as a novel strategy for tumor vaccination and immunotherapy. However, inducing long-term regression in established tumor-implanted mice is difficult. Here, we show that deoxypohophyllotoxin (DPT) induces maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived DCs via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 activation of MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Methods: The phenotypic and functional maturation of DPT-treated DCs was assessed by flow cytometric analysis and cytokine production, respectively. DPT-treated DCs was also used for mixed leukocyte reaction to evaluate T cell-priming capacity and for tumor regression against melanoma. Results: DPT promoted the activation of $CD8^+$ T cells and the Th1 immune response by inducing IL-12 production in DCs. In a B16F10 melanoma-implanted mouse model, we demonstrated that DPT-treated DCs (DPT-DCs) enhance immune priming and regression of an established tumor in vivo. Furthermore, migration of DPT-DCs to the draining lymph nodes was induced via CCR7 upregulation. Mice that received DPT-DCs displayed enhanced antitumor therapeutic efficacy, which was associated with increased IFN-${\gamma}$ production and induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that the adjuvant effect of DPT in DC vaccination is associated with the polarization of T effector cells toward a Th1 phenotype and provides a potential therapeutic antitumor immunity.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.1511-1516
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• 2007

호염기구와 비만세포는 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$을 매개로 한 알러지 반응에 있어 효과세포로서 중요한 역할을 담당한다. 인간 유래 호염기구성 세포주 KU812F 세포의 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI\;{\alpha}$ chain 발현에 있어 지리 오갈피의 저해 효과에 대해 연구하였다. 지리 오갈피의 뿌리 및 줄기를 에탄올로 추출하여, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI\;{\alpha}$ chain 저해 활성 실험에 이용하였다. 세포 표면의 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI\;{\alpha}$ chain 발현량을 flow cytometry로 분석한 결과, 지리 오갈피 뿌리 및 줄기 추출물에서 세포표면의 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ 발현을 억제하는 효과를 나타냈다. 또한 지리 오갈피 뿌리 및 줄기 추출물은 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI\;{\alpha}$ chain mRNA 발현을 감소시켰으며, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$을 매개로 한 히스타민 유리를 감소시켰다. 이러한 결과는 지리 오갈피의 뿌리 및 줄기 추출물이 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI\;{\alpha}$ chain 발현의 저하 조절 및 히스타민과 같은 염증매개인자의 분비를 저하시킴으로서 항 알러지 활성을 갖는데 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 판단된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.167-174
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• 2012

Natural killer (NK) cells provide one of the initial barriers of cellular host defense against pathogens, in particular intracellular pathogens. Because bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), lymphoid protenitors, can give rise to NK cells, NK ontogeny has been considered to be exclusively lymphoid. Here, we show that porcine c-$kit^+$ bone marrow cells (c-$kit^+$ BM cells) develop into NK cells in vitro in the presence of various cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, stem cell factor (SCF), and fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (FLT3L)]. Adding hydrocortisone (HDC) and stromal cells greatly increases the frequency of c-$kit^+$ BM cells that give rise to $CD2^+CD8^+$ NK cells. Also, intracellular levels of perforin, granzyme B, and NKG2D were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis. It was found that of perforin, granzyme B, and NKG2D levels significantly were increased in cytokine-stimulated c-$kit^+$ BM cells than those of controls. And, we compared the ability of the cytotoxicity of $CD2^+CD8^+$ NK cells differentiated by cytokines from c-$kit^+$ BM cells against K562 target cells for 28 days. Cytokines-induced NK cells as effector cells were incubated with K562 cells as target in a ratio of 100 : 1 for 4 h once a week. In results, $CD2^+CD8^+$ NK cells induced by cytokines and stromal cells showed a significantly increased cytotoxicity 21 days later. Whereas, our results indicated that c-$kit^+$ BM cells not pretreated with cytokines have lower levels of cytotoxicity. Taken together, this study suggests that cytokines-induced NK cells from porcine c-$kit^+$ BM cells may be used as adoptive transfer therapy if the known obstacles to xenografting (e.g. immune and non-immune problems) were overcome in the future.