• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.18-18
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• 2010

Molecular insights on the role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in potato tuberization are reported in the present study. The PGPRwere isolated from the soil collected from potato fields of Highland Agricultural Research Centre, Pyeongchang, Korea and they were identified to the genus level based on the 16S rRNA sequence analysis. These PGPR were heat-killed, filtered and the filtrates were addedindividually at a concentration of $10^7\;cfu\;mL^{-1}$ in MS (Murashige and Skoog's) medium supplemented with 7% (w/v) sucrose to study their influence on in vitro potato tuberization. Tuber initiation occurred early in untreated control, while tuber growth was pronounced in case of PGPR treatments. The control explants showed tuber formation as a result of sub-apical swelling of stolons while several sessile tubers formed directly in the axils of nodal cuttings in case of PGPR treatments, which is an indication of strong induction for tuberization. Theexplants cultured on MS medium supplemented with bacterial isolate 6 (Bacillus firmus strain 40) showed highest average tuber yield (Ca. 12.56 g per treatment) after 30 days of culture, which was 3 folds increase over the untreated control. A significant increase in lipoxygenase (LOX1) mRNA expression and activity of LOX enzyme were also detected in the tubers induced on PGPR treatments as compared to untreated control. This LOX expression level correlated with increased tuber growth and tuber yield. Further studies focused on the role of bacteria cell wall components, growth regulators and signal molecules released by PGPR are under investigation to elicit clues for PGPR-mediated signal pathway controlling potato tuberization.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.883-892
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• 2018

Probiotics, including Enterococcus faecium, confer a health benefit on the host. An Enterococcus strain was isolated from healthy chicken cecum, identified as E. faecium by 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, and designated as E. faecium L11. To evaluate the potential of E. faecium L11 as a probiotic, the gastrointestinal tolerance, immunomodulatory activity, and lifespan extension properties of the strain were assayed. E. faecium L11 showed >66% and >62% survival in artificial gastric juice (0.3% pepsin, pH 2.5) and simulated small intestinal juice (0.5% bile salt and 0.1% pancreatin), respectively. Heat-killed E. faecium L11 significantly (p < 0.05) increased immune cell proliferation compared with controls, and stimulated the production of cytokines (IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$) by activated macrophages obtained from ICR mice. In addition, E. faecium L11 showed a protective effect against Salmonella Typhimurium infection in Caenorhabditis elegans. In addition, feeding E. faecium L11 significantly (p < 0.05) extended the lifespan of C. elegans compared with the control. Furthermore, genes related to aging and host defense were upregulated in E. faecium L11-fed worms. In conclusion, E. faecium L11, which prolongs the lifespan of C. elegans, may be a potent probiotic supplement for livestock.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2004

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) plays an important role in the disease pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, a disorder of pilosebaceous follicles, seen primarily in the adolescent age group. In the present study, the presence of antibodies against P. acnes (MTCC1951) were detected in acne patient (n=50) and disease free controls (n=25) using dot-ELISA and Western blot assay. The ability of P. acnes to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), obtained from acne patients and healthy subjects, were also analysed. The patients (n=26) who were culture positive for skin swab culture, were found to have a more advanced disease and higher antibody titres (1:4000 to >1:16000) compared to the P. acnes negative patients (n=24) and normal controls (n=25). An analysis of patients' sera by western blot assay recognized a number of antigenic components of P. acnes, rang-ing from 29 to 205 kDa. The major reactive component was an approximately 96 kDa polypeptide, which was recognised in 92％ (24 of 26) of the patients sera. Further, the P. acnes culture supernatant, crude cell lysate and heat killed P. acnes whole cells, obtained from 72-h incubation culture, were observed to be able to induce significant amounts of IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) by the PBMCs in both the healthy subjects and patients, as analysed by cytokine-ELISA. The levels of cytokines were significantly higher in the patients than the healthy subjects. A major 96 kDa polypep-tide reactant was eluted from the gel and was found to cause dose dependent stimulation of the pro-ductions of IL-8 and TNF-${\alpha}$. Thus, the above results suggest that both humoral and pro-inflammatory responses play major roles in the pathogenesis of acne.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2009

It is very important to differentiate of DNA derived from live or dead bacteria within mixed microbial communities in aquatic environments. Ethidium monoazide (EMA) is a DNA intercalating agent and the treatment of EMA with strong visible light cleaves the genomic DNA of bacteria. In dead bacterial cells, EMA intercalates into the genomic DNA, induces the cleavage of DNA, and inhibits the PCR amplification. In this study, we developed the EMA-PCR and EMA real-time PCR to detect the DNA derived from viable Escherichia coli (E.coli) in mixed cultures of live and dead E.coli. The treatment of EMA, $50{\mu}g/mL$, and 650 W visible halogen light exposure for 2 minutes cleaved the genomic DNA derived from heat killed E.coli but did not those of live E.coli. EMA-PCR could detect the DNA from live E.coli in mixed culture samples of live and dead E.coli at various ratio and there was no DNA amplification in only dead E.coli cultures. Similar results were observed in EMA real-time PCR. Further studies are needed to develop various EMA-PCR methods to detect viable waterborne pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori, Giardia lamblia, and so on.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.434-440
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• 2012

It has been suggested that probiotics could be useful for the prevention of symptomatic relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Interleukin (IL)-8 has been well recognized as one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines that could trigger inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics were investigated using a human epithelial cell line (HT-29). Probiotics from infant feces and kimchi were tested for their cytotoxicity and effects on adhesion to epithelial cells. The present results show that seven strains could form 70 % adhesion on HT-29. The probiotics used in this study did not affect HT-29 cell viability. To screen anti-inflammatory lactic acid bacteria, HT-29 cells were pretreated with live and heat-killed probiotics, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ($1{\mu}g/mL$) was then added to stimulate the cells. The cell culture supernatant was then used to measure IL-8 secretion by ELISA, and the cell pellet was used to determine IL-8 and toll-like receptor (TLR-4) mRNA expression levels by RT-PCR. Some probiotics (KJP421, KDK411, SRK414, E4191, KY21, and KY210) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects through the repression of IL-8 secretion from HT-29 cells. In particular, Lactobacillus salivarius E4191, originating from Egyptian infant feces, not only decreased IL-8 mRNA expression, but also decreased TLR-4 expression. These results indicate that Lactobacillus salivarius E4191 may have a protective effect in intestinal epithelial cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.999-1010
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• 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the environment. They are highly toxigenic and carcinogenic. Probiotic bacteria isolated from fermented foods were tested to check their ability to degrade and/or detoxify PAHs. Five probiotic bacteria with distinct morphologies were isolated from a mixture of 26 fermented foods co-cultured with benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) containing Bushnell Haas minimal broth. Among them, B. velezensis (PMC10) significantly reduced the abundance of BaP in the broth. PMC10 completely degraded BaP presented at a lower concentration in broth culture. B. velezensis also showed a clear zone of degradation on a BaP-coated Bushnell Haas agar plate. Gene expression profiling showed significant increases of PAH ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases and 4-hydroxybenzoate 3-monooxygenase genes in B. velezensis in response to BaP treatment. In addtion, both live and heat-killed B. velezensis removed BaP and naphthalene (Nap) from phosphate buffer solution. Live B. velezensis did not show any cytotoxicity to macrophage or human dermal fibroblast cells. Live-cell and cell-free supernatant of B. velezensis showed potential anti-inflammatory effects. Cell-free supernatant and extract of B. velezensis also showed free radical scavenging effects. These results highlight the prospective ability of B. velezensis to biodegrade and remove toxic PAHs from the human body and suggest that the biodegradation of BaP might be regulated by ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase-initiated metabolic pathway.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11.1-11.14
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• 2023

Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are commonly used to assess in vitro immune responses. However, PBMC isolation is a time-consuming procedure, introduces technical variability, and requires a relatively large volume of blood. By contrast, whole blood assay (WBA) is faster, cheaper, maintains more physiological conditions, and requires less sample volume, laboratory training, and equipment. Objectives: Herein, this study aimed to develop a porcine WBA for in vitro evaluation of immune responses. Methods: Heparinized whole blood (WB) was diluted (non-diluted, 1/2, 1/8, and 1/16) in RPMI-1640 media, followed by phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin. After 24 h, cells were stained for interferon (IFN)-γ secreting T-cells followed by flow cytometry, and the supernatant was analyzed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In addition, diluted WB was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), reference strain KCTC3557 (RS), field isolate (FI), of heat-killed (HK) Streptococcus suis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Results: The frequency of IFN-γ⁺CD3⁺ T-cells and concentration of TNF-α in the supernatant of WB increased with increasing dilution factor and were optimal at 1/8. WB TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-10 cytokine levels increased significantly following stimulation with LPS or poly I:C. Further, FI and RS induced IL-10 production in WB. Additionally, PRRSV strains increased the frequency of IFN-γ⁺ CD4^-CD8⁺ cells, and IFN-γ was non-significantly induced in the supernatant of re-stimulated samples. Conclusions: We propose that the WBA is a rapid, reliable, and simple method to evaluate immune responses and WB should be diluted to trigger immune cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2016

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide; therefore there is a need to discover new therapeutic modules with improved efficacy and safety. Immune-(cell) therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of intractable cancers. The effectiveness of certain chemotherapeutics in inducing immunogenic tumor cell death thus promoting cancer eradication has been reported. Ginsenoside Rg3 is a ginseng saponin that has antitumor and immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we treated tumor cells with Rg3 to verify the significance of inducing immunogenic tumor cell death in antitumor therapy, especially in DC-based immunotherapy. Rg3 killed the both immunogenic (B16F10 melanoma cells) and non-immunogenic (LLC: Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells) tumor cells by inducing apoptosis. Surface expression of immunogenic death markers including calreticulin and heat shock proteins and the transcription of relevant genes were increased in the Rg3-dying tumor. Increased calreticulin expression was directly related to the uptake of dying tumor cells by dendritic cells (DCs): the proportion of CRT⁺CD11c⁺cells was increased in the Rg3-treated group. Interestingly, tumor cells dying by immunogenic cell death secreted IFN-γ, an effector molecule for antitumor activity in T cells. Along with the Rg3-induced suppression of pro-angiogenic (TNF-α) and immunosuppressive cytokine (TGF-β) secretion, IFN-γ production from the Rg3-treated tumor cells may also indicate Rg3 as an effective anticancer immunotherapeutic strategy. The data clearly suggests that Rg3-induced immunogenic tumor cell death due its cytotoxic effect and its ability to induce DC function. This indicates that Rg3 may be an effective immunotherapeutic strategy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1361-1368
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• 2018

Inflammation is the most common condition in the human body. Tissue damage triggers inflammation, together with vasodilation and increased blood flow at the inflamed site, resulting in edema. Inflammatory responses are also triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive organism, has been reported to possess immunomodulatory and preventive activities; however, its use may present risks of sepsis and other systemic infections. Heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis (EF-2001) has been reported to induce antitumor activity, but its effects on inflammation are not known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EF-2001 on LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory responses. EF-2001 treatment reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, indicating suppression of inflammatory reactions. EF-2001 showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages. Further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of EF-2001 indicated that EF-2001 reduced the LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. EF-2001 also reduced f the LPS induction of several inflammatory molecules involved in the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, including ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation, in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, EF-2001 inhibited Akt phosphorylation and increased the expression of the inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B$) protein, an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EF-2001 also inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that EF-2001 has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1781-1786
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the cause of microbiological contamination in yogurt and evaluate the effect of physicochemical treatment on the growth inhibition of Hanseniaspora uvarum isolated from yogurt. The yeast strain Hanseniaspora uvarum Y1 was subjected to heat and pH treatments. H. uvarum Y1 was killed at $70^{\circ}C$ and $80^{\circ}C$ after 15 min and survived in a wide pH range from pH 2 to 9. However, it did not survive under pH 1 and over pH 10. In a disk diffusion susceptibility test on H. uvarum Y1, a clear zone (5 mm) of growth inhibition was observed upon treatment with electrolyzed water. The effect of ozone gas on the growth of H. uvarum Y1 was evaluated by viable cell count. Initial cell numbers of $10^2$ and $10^3$ CFU/mL of H. uvarum Y1 were completely killed by treatment for 10 and 30 min, respectively. H. uvarum Y1 was also sterilized by microwave treatment for 1 min. When treated with gamma-irradiation, the rate of killing of H. uvarum Y1 was proportional to the irradiation dose. and complete killing occurred at a dose of 50 kGy.