• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.15.1-15.11
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• 2020

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of horse oil in 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated BALB/c mice. After the application of DNCB, the mice showed atopic dermatitis symptoms, including severe erythema, hemorrhage, and erosion, whereas those symptoms were alleviated by treatment with horse oil. To explain the anti-dermatitis effect of horse oil, the gene expression levels in the healing process in dorsal skin were observed using a cDNA microarray. The cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of 30 genes related to the inflammation, including Ccr1, Ccr2, Ccl20, Anxa1, and Hc genes, were up-regulated (higher than 2.0-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. In contrast, the gene expression levels of 28 genes related to inflammation, including chemokine genes Ccl5, Ccl7, Ccl8, Cxcl10, and Cxcl13 genes, were down-regulated (lower than 0.5-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. Overall, the results show that horse oil restores the expression levels of genes related to inflammation that were perturbed by DNCB treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권9호
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• pp.1453-1459
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• 2019

Zeaxanthin is an important pigment in the photo-protection mechanism of microalgae. However, zeaxanthin epoxidase, an enzyme involved in the accumulation and conversion of zeaxanthin, has not been extensively studied in microalgae. In this work, we report the expression pattern of zeaxanthin epoxidase in Dunaliella tertiolecta (DtZEP) at different light and diverse salinity conditions. To confirm the responsiveness to light conditions, the ZEP expression pattern was investigated in photoperiodic (16 h of light and 8 h of dark) and continuous (24 h of light and 0 h of dark) light conditions. mRNA expression levels in photoperiodic conditions fluctuated along with the light/dark cycle, whereas those in continuous light remained unchanged. In varying salinity conditions, the highest mRNA and protein levels were detected in cells cultured in 1.5 M NaCl, and ZEP expression levels in cells shifted from 0.6 M NaCl to 1.5 M NaCl increased gradually. These results show that mRNA expression of DtZEP responds rapidly to the light/dark cycle or increased salinity, whereas changes in protein synthesis do not occur within a short period. Taken together, we show that DtZEP gene expression responds rapidly to light irradiation and hyperosmotic stress. In addition, ZEP expression patterns in light or salinity conditions are similar to those of higher plants, even though the habitat of D. tertiolecta is different.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.5-11
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• 2018

Recent findings indicate that Type 2 taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed outside the gustatory system, including in the gastrointestinal tracts and the exocrine glands, such as the submandibular (SM), parotid (P), lacrimal (L) glands and pancreas (PC). Specifically, T2Rs are found in some of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells, and these cells secreted peptide hormones in response to stimulation by bitter-tasting compounds. The results show that T2Rs may have significant physiological roles besides bitter taste reception. The functions of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands remain poorly understood. An expression levels analysis of T2Rs will help to determine those functions in the exocrine glands. The expression levels of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands were discovered via the qPCR. C57BL/6J mice of 42~60-day-old were used. Messenger RNAs were extracted from S, P, L and PC. Cloned DNAs were synthesized by reverse transcription. Quantitative PCRs were performed using the SYBR Green method. The expression levels of the T2Rs were calculated as relative expression levels to that of the GAPDH. The statistical significance among the observed exocrine glands was tested using the variance analysis (ANOVA test). Tas2r108, out of murine 35 T2Rs, was the most highly expressed in every observed exocrine gland. This finding was similar to previous results from tongue papillae, but the expression levels were lower than those of the tongue papillae. Tas2r137 of SM, P, L and PC were expressed a little lower than that of tongue papillae. The T2Rs in the exocrine glands may play slightly different roles from those in the tongue. We suggest that physiological studies such as a patch clamp and functional $Ca^{2+}$ imaging of acinar cells are necessary for understanding the Tas2r108 functions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제71권1호
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• pp.155-165
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• 2020

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by mutation in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene, leading to loss of function in the encoded protein ATM. Because ATM functions to reduce oxidative stress by up-regulating antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress is a prevalent A-T phenotype and a mediator of the inflammation that drives A-T pathology. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) were higher in A-T cells than in normal cells. ROS are related to mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) to induce IL-8 expression. Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA), a naturally occurring thiol compound, shows an antioxidant effect in various cells. This study is aimed to determine if α-LA confers protection against NF-κB activation, IL-8 expression, and mitochondrial dysfunction in A-T cells which are exposed to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. A-T fibroblasts were treated with or without α-LA. The levels of intracellular and mitochondrial ROS, mRNA and protein levels of IL-8, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP levels, and DNA binding activity of NF-κB were determined. As a result, IL-1β increased NF-κB activation, IL-8 expression, intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels, but decreased MMP and ATP level in A-T cells. Pretreatment of A-T cells with α-LA inhibited IL-1β-induced activation of NF-κB, IL-8 expression, and mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing ROS levels. In conclusion, supplementation with α-LA may be beneficial for reducing the oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and IL-8 production associated with A-T.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.1681-1685
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• 2013

Background: Head and neck SCC is a common cancer related to various factors. IL-10, a pleiotropic cytokine produced by macrophages, T-helper-2 cells, and B lymphocytes, is thought to play a potential pathogenetic or therapeutic role in a number of human conditions, such as inflammation, autoimmunity and cancer. The present study was designed to evaluate the relation between tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of IL-10 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and their correlation with clinicopathologic features. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 30 patients with HNSCCs and 24 healthy volunteers. IHC analysis was used to examine the tissue expression and ELISA was employed to measure serum and salivary levels. Results: Our study showed tissue expression of IL-10 to be significantily higher in patients (P: 0.001), but there was no relation between tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of the marker (P>0.05). Also except for a positive correlation between tissue expression of IL-10 and stage (P: 0.044), there was no relation between this marker and clinicopathologic features. There was no correlation between serum and salivary levels in either patients or controls. Conclusions: It seems there is no correlation between level of IL-10 in serum and saliva and this marker in saliva and serum does not reflect tissue expression.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.69-76
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced erythropoietin (EPO) and EPO-receptor expression in human Hep3B cells and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats during hypoxia. Expression levels of EPO, EPO-R mRNA, Janus kinase-2 (JAK-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and HIF-2 in response to GABA treatment were evaluated in cell lines. SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8 rats each, and GABA was orally administered; the groups were the normal control (NC), hypoxia-exposed (G0), as well as the GABA 1 mg/100 g body weight (BW) GABA treated group (G1), 5 mg/100 g BW GABA treated group (G5), and 10 mg/100 g BW GABA treated group (G10) with hypoxia. We analyzed EPO levels and red blood cell counts in rat blood and EPO gene expression in kidney tissue. EPO and VEGF mRNA levels in Hep3B cells exposed to hypoxia were significantly increased and further increased after GABA treatment. However, the expression of EPO-R and JAK-2 mRNAs were not affected by GABA, but hypoxia-induced HIF-1 and HIF-2 mRNA expression was inhibited by GABA. In the kidney tissue of rats exposed to hypoxia, the expression level of EPO mRNA was greatly increased, but levels in the GABA treatment groups significantly decreased. EPO levels in the serum showed the same significant trend, but the red blood cell counts were not significantly different. These findings demonstrate that HIF-1 and HIF-2 activation increase EPO expression in Hep3B cells exposed to hypoxia. However HIF decreased by GABA addition and VEGF increased significantly.

• Journal of Web Engineering
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.1044-1057
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• 2022

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes gastric diseases by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interleukin (IL)-8 expression in gastric epithelial cells. ROS and inflammatory responses are regulated by the activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of Nrf2 target genes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We previously demonstrated that Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) decreases H. pylori-induced increases in ROS and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in gastric epithelial cells. We determined whether RGE suppresses the expression of IL-8 via Nrf2 activation and the expression of SOD and HO-1 in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial AGS cells. H. pylori-infected cells were treated with RGE with or without ML385, an Nrf2 inhibitor, or zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a HO-1 inhibitor. Levels of ROS and IL-8 expression; abundance of Keap1, HO-1, and SOD; levels of total, nuclear, and phosphorylated Nrf2; indices of mitochondrial dysfunction (reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level); and SOD activity were determined. As a result, RGE disturbed Nrf2-Keap1 interactions and increased nuclear Nrf2 levels in uninfected cells. H. pylori infection decreased the protein levels of SOD-1 and HO-1, as well as SOD activity, which was reversed by RGE treatment. RGE reduced H. pylori-induced increases in ROS and IL-8 levels as well as mitochondrial dysfunction. ML385 or ZnPP reversed the inhibitory effect of RGE on the alterations caused by H. pylori. In conclusion, RGE suppressed IL-8 expression and mitochondrial dysfunction via Nrf2 activation, induction of SOD-1 and HO-1, and reduction of ROS in H. pylori-infected cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권8호
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• pp.1000-1006
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• 2010

Phosducin (PDC) is a photoreceptor cell-specific protein that is phosphorylated by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase. PDC and PDC-like proteins (PDCL, PDCL2, and PDCL3) are members of a conserved family of small thioredoxin-like proteins that modulate the ${\beta}$- and ${\gamma}$-subunits of G-proteins. In mammals, Pdc, Pdcl, and Pdcl3 genes show ubiquitous expression; however, Pdcl2 gene expression is limited to the testis and ovary. The aim of the present study was to examine the expression patterns of chicken Pdcl2 (cPdcl2) during testicular and ovarian development. Protein sequence comparisons performed using the CLUSTAL X program revealed that the amino acid sequences and potential phosphorylation sites of cPDCL2 and mammalian PDCL2 proteins were highly conserved. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that cPdcl2 was differentially expressed in the testis and ovary. Specifically, cPdcl2 expression was detected at low levels in the ovary at all time points. In the testis, cPdcl2 expression was detected at low levels until 5 weeks of age. At 8 weeks of age, however, cPdcl2 showed increased expression levels in the testis. Using in situ hybridization, we detected high levels of cPdcl2 expression in the testis, particularly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids. In summary, our data describe expression patterns of germ cell-specific Pdcl2 during testicular and ovarian development in chickens.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.79-84
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• 2003

We have previously reported that expression of the somatostatin receptor subtypes, sst1-5, is differentially regulated by growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) and forskolin (FSK), in vitro. GHRH binds to membrane receptors selectively located on pituitary somatotropes, activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) and increases sst1 and sst2 and decreases sst5 mRNA levels, without significantly altering the expression of sst3 and sst4. In contrast FSK directly activates AC in all pituitary cell types and increases sst1 and sst2 mRNA levels and decreases sst3, sst4 and sst5 expression. Two explanations could account for these differential effects: 1) GHRH inhibits sst3 and sst4 expression in somatotropes, but this inhibitory effect is masked by expression of these receptors in unresponsive pituitary cell types, and 2) FSK inhibits sst3 and sst4 expression levels in pituitary cell types other than somatotropes. To differentiate between these two possibilities, somatotropes were sequentially labeled with monkey anti-rat GH antiserum, biotinylated goat anti-human IgG, and streptavidin-PE and subsequently purified by fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS). The resultant cell population consisted of 95% somatotropes, as determined by GH immunohistochemistry using a primary GH antiserum different from that used for FACS sorting. Purified somatotropes were cultured for 3 days and treated for 4 h with vehicle, GHRH (10 nM) or FSK ($10{\mu}M$). Total RNA was isolated by column extraction and specific receptor mRNA levels were determined by semi-quantitative multiplex RT-PCR. Under basal conditions, the relative expression levels of the various somatostatin receptor subtypes were sst2＞sst5＞sst3=sst1＞ sst4. GHRH treatment increased sst1 and sst2 mRNA levels and decreased sst3, sst4 and sst5 mRNA levels in purified somatotropes, comparable to the effects of FSK on purified somatotropes and mixed pituitary cell cultures. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GHRH acutely modulates the expression of all somatostatin receptor subtypes within GH-producing cells and its actions are likely mediated by activation of AC.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.25-39
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Lonicera Japonica Thunberg (LJT) on the inflammatory factor expression associated with atherosclerosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: After treatment with LJT in HUVEC which is treated with TNF-α, we measured the expression levels of biomarkers (MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, KLF2, and eNOS), mRNA (CCL2, ICAM1, VCAM1, KLF2, and NOS3), and the proteins (MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, KLF2, eNOS, ERK, JNK, and p38). Results: 1. Compared to the control, LJT significantly reduced MCP-1 and VCAM-1 levels at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 ㎍/ml and ICAM-1 expression at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml compared to the control. It increased KLF2 levels at all three concentrations, but not significantly, while eNOS expression was significantly increased at 400 ㎍/ml. 2. LJT was seen to significantly reduce the expression of CCL2, ICAM1, and VCAM1 mRNA at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 ㎍/ml compared to the control. In contrast, significantly increased KLF2 and NOS3 mRNA levels were observed at 400 ㎍/ml and at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml, respectively. 3. Compared to the control, LJT significantly reduced the protein expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml and of ICAM-1 at 400 ㎍/ml. In addition, it increased both KLF2 and eNOS protein levels at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml. Although LJT did not have an effect on ERK expression in comparison with the control, it significantly reduced JNK levels at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml and p38 levels at 400 ㎍/ml. Conclusions: These results suggest that LJT has an effect on the inhibition of inflammatory factor expression associated with atherosclerosis in HUVECs which could contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.