• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.603-608
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• 1997

Analysis of the 5'-regulatory sequence of the caprine ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin (BLG) gene promoter revealed that two different types of activation were mediated by discrete regions, from -740 to -470 and from -205 to 109, in cultured mammary HC11 cells. Activation mediated by the proximal region was observed regardless of cell growth status. Distal activation, however, was observed only after confluent growth of the cells and was enhanced by the lactogenic hormones. This activation was accompanied by appearance of binding activity of proteins to these regions in the mammary HC11 cells. The binding motifs were broadly distributed over the upstream regulatory sequence. Comparison of the binding regions and mutation analysis suggest that a binding motif homologous to the ${\gamma}$-interferon responsive element (${\gamma}$-IRE) is responsible for transcriptional activation by hormonal induction in the mammary HC11 cells. The multiple ${\gamma}$-IRE homologous motifs seem to play a significant role in enhancing mammary cell-specific activation of the caprine BLG gene.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2006

Nitric oxide(NO) is a labile, uncharged, reactive radical that functions as a sensitive mediator of intercellular communication in diverse tissues. It has been reported that NO is produced by osteoblast and these results may suggest that NO is integrally involved in the regulation of osteoclast formation and osteoclast resorption activity by osteoblastic cells. We examined the effect of cytokines on NO release by mouse bone marrow cell. We also examined the effects of cytokines and sodium nitroprusside(SNP) on the formation of osteoclast-like cell from mouse bone marrow cells in culture. Cytokines stimulated NO production of mouse bone marrow cells, and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a specific inhibitor of NO synthase, suppressed the cytokine-induced NO production. SNP showed dual action in the generation of osteoclasts. The addition of $30{\mu}M$ SNP inhibited the formation of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)(+) multinucleated cell, whereas lower concentration($3{\mu}M$) of SNP enhanced it. Although the precise action of NO remains to be elucidated in detail, the action of NO in osteoclast generation in our studies seems to be associated, at least in part, with bone metabolism and bone pathophysiology.

• BMB Reports
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.106-110
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• 1998

We have employed a DNA-native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (DNA-native-PAGE) assay system to characterize the enzyme activity of the endonuclease secreted by human B lymphoblastic IM9 cells. Experimental results clearly demonstrated that the endonuclease activity of IM9 cell culture medium is distinct from that of DNase I in the DNA-native-PAGE assay system. Immunoprecipitation analysis using anti-DNase I antibody showed that the secreted endonuclease is not recognized by the antibody. The secreted endonuclease was estimated using supercoiled plasmid DNA as a substrate. The pH optimum required for the catalytic activity was determined to be in the range of pH 6.6-7.4. No significant difference in the endonuclease secretion was observed by stimulation of the IM9 cells with interferon-${\gamma}$ or interleukin-$1{\beta}$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.95-99
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• 2006

When the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside (G) Re isolated from ginseng and its metabolites G-Rg1, G-F1, G-Rh1 and protopanaxatriol in mouse ear skin psoriasis stimulated by oxazolone was investigated, G-Re and its metabolites suppressed mouse ear swelling stimulated by oxazolone. Among these agents tested, G-Rh1 most potently suppressed ear swelling as well as mRNA expression of COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines $IL-1{\beta},\;TNF-{\alpha}$ and $interferon-{\gamma}$. These findings suggest that G-Rh1 may improve chronic dermatitis and psoriasis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the hypothesis that a highly pure linear ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. R259 enhances human natural killer (NK) cell activity and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In an eight-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 83 healthy adults with white blood cell counts of $4,000-8,000cells/{\mu}L$ were participated and randomly assigned to take two capsules per day containing either 350 mg ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan or placebo. Six participants withdrew their study consent or were excluded due to NK cell activity levels outside the normal range. NK cell activity and serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ were measured. RESULTS: NK cell activity and the serum levels of IL-10 were significantly higher from baseline to week 8 in the ${\beta}$-glucan group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.048, P = 0.029). Consumption of ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan also significantly increased NK cell activity compared with placebo after adjusting for smoking and stress status (P = 0.009). In particular, the effect of ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants with severe stress than in those experiencing mild stress. However, the administration ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan did not significantly modulate the levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IgG compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION: The results showed that supplementation with bacterial ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan significantly increased NK cell activity without causing any adverse effects. Additionally, the beneficial effect of ${\beta}$-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants experiencing severe stress.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.214-223
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• 2017

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.2014-2021
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• 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) belongs to the genus Betacoronavirus and causes severe morbidity and mortality in humans especially when infected patients have underlying diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previously, we demonstrated that MERS-CoV-encoded ORF8b strongly inhibits MDA5- and RIG-I-mediated induction of the interferon beta (IFN-β) promoter activities. Here, we report that ORF8b seemed to regulate MDA5 or RIG-I differentially as protein levels of MDA5 were significantly down-regulated while those of RIG-I were largely unperturbed. In addition, ORF8b seemed to efficiently suppress phosphorylation of IRF3 at the residues of 386 and 396 in cells transfected with RIG-I while total endogenous levels of IRF3 remained largely unchanged. Furthermore, ORF8b was able to inhibit all forms of RIG-I; full-length, RIG-I-1-734, and RIG-I-1-228, the last of which contains only the CARD domains. Taken together, it is tempting to postulate that ORF8b may interfere with the CARD-CARD interactions between RIG-I and MAVS. Further detailed analysis is required to delineate the mechanisms of how ORF8b inhibits the MDA5/RIG-I receptor signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.203-203
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• 2002

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a beta-herpesvirus with worldwide distribution, exhibits host persistence, a distinguishing characteristic of all herpesviruses. This persistence is dependent upon restricted gene expression in infected cells as well as the ability of productively infected cells to escape from normal cell-mediated anti-viral immunosurveillance. Type I (IFN-α/β) and type II (IFN-γ) interferons are major components of the innate defense system against viral infection. They are potent inducers of MHC class I and II antigens and of antigen processing proteins. Additionally, IFNS mediate direct antiviral effects through induction effector molecules that block viral infection and replications such as 2′, 5-oligoadenylate synthetase (2, 5-OAS). IFNS function through activation of well-defined signal transduction pathways that involve phosphorylation of constituent proteins and ultimate formation of active transcription factors. Recent studies have shown that a number of diverse viruses, including CMV, EBV, HPV mumps and Ebola, are capable of inhibiting IFN-mediated signal transduction through a variety of mechanisms. As an example, CMV infection inhibits the ability of infected cells Is transcribe HLA class I and II antigens as well as the antiviral effector molecules 2, 5-OAS and MxA I. EMSA studies have shown that IFN-α and IFN-γ are unable to induce complete signal transduction in the presence of CMV infection, phenomena that are associated with specific decreases in JAKl and p48. Viral inhibition of IFN signal transduction represents a new mechanistic paradigm for increased viral survival, a paradigm predicting widespread consequences in the case of signal transduction factors common to multiple cytokine pathways.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2004

Background: 1-8D gene is a member of human 1-8 interferon inducible gene family and is shown to be overexpressed in fresh colon cancer tissues. Three peptides 1-6, 3-5 and 3-7 derived from 1-8D gene were shown to have immunogenicity against colon cancer. Methods: To study tumor immunotherapy of these peptides we established an adoptive transfer model. $D^{b-/-}{\times}{\beta}2$ microglobulin (${\beta}2m$) null mice transgenic for a chimeric HLA-A2.1/$D^b-{\beta}2m$ single chain (HHD mice) were immunized with irradiated peptide-loaded RMA-S/HHD/B7.1 transfectants. Spleens were removed after last immunization, and splenocytes were re-stimulated in vitro. Lymphocytes from vaccinated HHD mice were transferred together with IL-2 to the tumor bearing nude mice that were challenged S.C. with the HCT/HHD/B7 colon carcinoma cell line that was found to grow in these mice. Results: Peptide 3-5 was found to be highly effective in CTL activity. Adoptively transferred anti-peptide 3-5 cytolytic T lymphocytes caused significant retardation in tumor growth. Conclusion: This study shows that peptide 3-5 can be the most effective candidate for the vaccine of adoptive immunotherapy against colon cancer.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.477-482
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• 2009

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in the induction of innate immune responses that are essential for host defense against invading microbial pathogens. In general, TLRs have two major downstream signaling pathways, namely MyD88- and TRIF-dependent pathways, leading to the activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the expression of inflammatory mediators. TLR4 dimerization is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways and may be one of the first lines of regulation in activating TLR-mediated signaling pathways. In this paper, the molecular targets of curcumin, 6-shogaol, and cinnamaldehyde in TLR signaling pathways will be discussed. Curcumin, 6-shogaol, and cinnamaldehyde with ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated carbonyl groups inhibit the dimerization of TLR4 induced by lipopolysaccharide, resulting in the downregulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and IRF3. These results suggest that phytochemicals with the structural motif conferring Michael addition inhibit TLR4 dimerization, suggesting a novel mechanism for the anti-inflammatory activity of phytochemicals.