• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.51.1-51.20
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• 2022

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, is an intracellular protozoan parasite, which is now present in most industrialized countries. About 40% of T. cruzi infected individuals will develop severe, incurable cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or neurological disorders. The molecular mechanisms by which T. cruzi induces cardiopathogenesis remain to be determined. Previous studies showed that increased IL-6 expression in T. cruzi patients was associated with disease severity. IL-6 signaling was suggested to induce pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses, however, the role of this pathway during early infection remains to be elucidated. We reported that T. cruzi can dysregulate the expression of host PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) during early infection. Here, we aim to evaluate the dysregulation of IL-6 signaling and the piRNAs computationally predicted to target IL-6 molecules during early T. cruzi infection of primary human cardiac fibroblasts (PHCF). Using in silico analysis, we predict that piR_004506, piR_001356, and piR_017716 target IL6 and SOCS3 genes, respectively. We validated the piRNAs and target gene expression in T. cruzi challenged PHCF. Secreted IL-6, soluble gp-130, and sIL-6R in condition media were measured using a cytokine array and western blot analysis was used to measure pathway activation. We created a network of piRNAs, target genes, and genes within one degree of biological interaction. Our analysis revealed an inverse relationship between piRNA expression and the target transcripts during early infection, denoting the IL-6 pathway targeting piRNAs can be developed as potential therapeutics to mitigate T. cruzi cardiomyopathies.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.39-49
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular targets and pathways of anti-inflammatory effects of Jakyakgamchotang with corydalis tuber (JC) using network pharmacology. Methods : The compounds in constituent herbal medicines of JC were searched in TCM systems pharmacology (TCMSP). Target gene informations of the components were collected using chemical-target interactions database provided by Pubchem. Afterwards, network analysis between compounds and inflammation-related target genes was performed using cytoscape. Go enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed on inflammation-related targets using DAVID database. Results : 70 active compounds related to inflammation were identified, and 295 target genes related to the anti-inflammatory activity of the compound of JC were identified. In the Go biological process DB and KEGG pathway DB, "inflammatory response", "cellular response to lipopolysaccharide", "positive regulation of interleukin-6 production", and "positive regulation of protein kinase B. signaling", "positive regulation of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade", "positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB signaling", "negative regulation of apoptotic process", and "PI3K-Akt signaling pathway" were found to be mechanisms related to the anti-inflammatory effects related to the target genes of JC. The main compounds predicted to be involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of JC were quercetin, licochalcone B, (+)-catechin, kaempferol, and emodin. Conclusions : This study provides the molecular targets and potential pathways of JC on inflammation. It can be used as a basic data for using JC for various inflammatory disease in traditional korean medicine clinic.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.331-337
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• 2009

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been proposed as a therapeutic target for bronchial asthma as it plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. We developed an in vitro test system measuring transcriptional downregulatory activities on IL-13 as a primary screening method to select drug candidates from natural products. The promoter region of IL-13 (-2,048 to +1) was cloned into the upstream of a luciferase gene in the plasmid pGL4.14 containing the hygromycin resistance gene as a selection marker, generating pGL4.14-IL-13. The EL-4 thymoma and RBL-2H3 mast cells transiently expressing this plasmid highly produced the luciferase activities by responding to PI (PMA and ionomycin) stimulation up to 8-fold and 13-fold compared with the control, respectively, whereas cyclosporin A, a well-known antiasthmatic agent, significantly downregulated the activities. The BF1 clone of RBL-2H3 cells constitutively expressing pGL4.14-IL-13 was established by selecting surviving cells under a constant lethal dose of hygromycin treatment. The feasibility of this system was evaluated by measuring the downregulatory activities of 354 natural products on the IL-13 promoter using the BF1 clone. An extract from Morus bombycis (named TBRC 156) significantly inhibited PI-induced luciferase activities and IL-13 mRNA expression, but not the protein expression. Fisetin (named TBRC 353) inhibited not only PI-induced luciferase activities and mRNA expression, but also the IL-13 protein secretion, whereas myricetin (named TBRC 354) could not suppress the IL-13 expression at all. Our data indicated that this in vitro test system is able to discriminate the effects on IL-13 expression, and furthermore, that it might be suitable as a simple and time-saving primary screening system to select antiasthmatic agents by measuring transcriptional activities of the IL-13 promoter.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.442-448
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• 2015

We evaluated the chondroprotective effects of wogonin by investigating its effects on the gene expression and production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as on production of MMP-3 in the rat knee. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer, and RT-PCR was used to measure interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), and type II collagen. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, the effects of wogonin on IL-$1{\beta}$-induced production and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 were investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of wogonin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, wogonin inhibited the expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4, but increased expression of type II collagen. Furthermore, wogonin inhibited the production and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 in vitro, and inhibited production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that wogonin can regulate the gene expression and production of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.787-801
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• 2001

The molecular mechanisms control the function of PDL(periodonta1 ligament) cells and/or fibroblasts remain unclear. PDLsl7, PDL-specific gene, had previousely　identified the cDNA for a novel protein from cultured　PDL fibroblasts using subtraction hybridization between gingival fibroblasts and　PDL fibroblasts. The purpose　of this study was to determine the regulation by growth factors and cytokines on　PDLsl7 gene expression in　cultured human periodontal ligament cells and observe the immunohistochemical　localization of PDLsl7 protein in various tissues of mouse. Primary PDL fibroblasts isolated by scraping the root of the extracted human mandibular third molars. The cells were incubated with various concentration of human recombinant $IL-1{\beta}$, PDGF-BB and TGF\;${\beta}$ for 48h nd 2 weeks. At each time point total RNA was extracted and the levels of transcription ere assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR assay). polyclonal antiserum raised against PDLsl7 peptides, CLSVSYNRSYQINE and SEAVHETDLHDGC, were made, and stained the tooth, periodontium, developing bone, bone marrow and mid-palatal suture of the mouse. The results were as follows. 1. PDLsl7 mRNA levels were increased in response to PDGF (10ng/ml) and $TGF\;{\beta}$(20ng/ml) after treatment of the $IL-1{\beta}$, PDGF-BB and $TGF{\beta}$for 48 h. 2. PDLsl7 was up-regulated only by $TGF{\beta}$(20 ng/ml) after treatment of the $IL-1{\beta}$, PDGF-BB and $TGF\;{\beta}$ for 2 weeks and unchanged by the other stimulants. 3. PDLsl7 was a novel protein coding the 142 amino acid peptides in the ORF and the nucleotide sequences of the obtained cDNA from RT-PCR was exactly same as the nucleotides of the database. 4. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that PDLsl7 is preferentially expressed in the PDL, differentiating osteoblast-like cells and stromal cells of the bone marrow in the adult mouse. 5. The expression of PDLsl7 protein was barely detectable in gingival fibroblasts, hematopoetic cells of the bone marrow and mature osteocytes of the alveolar bone. These results suggest that PDLsl7 might upregulated by PDGF-BB or $TGF{\beta}$ and acts at the initial stage of differentiation when the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the bone marrow and PDL differentiate into multiple cell types. However, more research needs to be performed to gain a better understanding of the exact function of PDLsl7 during the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal and PDL cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.537-541
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• 2008

백색지방조직(white adipose tissue)은 에너지 저장뿐만 아니라 다양한 adipokines을 분비하는 중요한 내분비 기관이다. 급성기반응 단백질로 알려져 있는 합토글로빈(haptoglobin)도 adipokine의 한 종류로서 지방세포에서 합성되고 분비된다. 그러나 adipokine으로서의 기능과 지방조직에서의 역할은 아직까지 규명되지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 3T3-L1 지방전구세포를 합토글로빈 유전자로 transfection 시켜 합토글로빈을 과발현하는 세포를 만들고 세포증식, 염증관련 인자들의 발현조절 및 단구세포의 유인성을 조사하였다. 그 결과, 합토글로빈은 3T3-L1 세포의 성장에는 별 영향을 미치지 않았으나 IL-6와 COX-2 발현을 저해하고 HO-1 합성을 증가하였다. 또한 THP-1 단구세포를 이용한 invasion assay에서는 합토글로빈이 단구세포의 이동을 저해하였다. 이러한 결과들은 합토글로빈이 지방조직에서 항염증 반응에 관여함을 시사한다. 만성적 염증상태(chronic low-grade inflammatory state)로 인식되고 있는 비만은 염증관련 인자들에 의한 인슐린저항성이 유도되는 바, 합토글로빈은 비만 관련 인슐린저항성을 방지하고 인슐린민감성을 향상시키는 데에도 기여할 것으로 생각된다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.113-122
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• 2018

목적: 국내에서 cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) 환자로 진단된 소아들의 임상 양상을 확인하고자 하였다. 방법: 2000년부터 2015년까지 서울대학교 어린이병원에서 CAPS로 진단받은 9명 소아들의 의무기록을 분석하였다. CAPS의 진단은 처음에는 임상 양상과 병력에 근거하였고 CIAS1 유전자의 돌연변이를 통해 최종 확진하였다. 결과:모든환자는재발하는열및두드러기발진이있었다. 9명의환자중 6명은발진이그리고 4명은발열이출생 1일또는 2일 안에 있었다. 근육통을 보인 환자는 8명이었고, 관절통이 있는 환자는 7명이었다. 이들은 방사선학적 소견 상 골단의 과도한 성장, 골감소증 또는 연골의 과성장과 같은 소견을 보였다. 4명의 환자는 뇌위축, 뇌실 확장 또는 자기공명영상에서 연수막 증대 소견을 보였다. 지적 장애가 1명에서 관찰되었다. 5명의 환자가 결막염, 포도막염, 맥락 망막염, 유두 부종으로 시력에 영향을 받았으며 3명은 진행성 난청을 보였다. 9명 모두에서 초기 C-반응성 단백질과 적혈구 침강속도가 증가되었다. 모든 환자는 CIAS1 유전자의 exon 3에서 돌연변이를 보였다. Anakinra 치료 후 발열과 발진이 사라졌으며 C-반응성 단백질과 적혈구 침강 속도가 호전되었다. 결론: 이 연구는 국내에서 처음으로 CAPS 환자들의 임상 증상을 고찰한 논문으로 향후 새로이 환자들을 진단하는데 유용할 것이다. 또한 환자들의 장기적인 합병증을 예방하기 위해 이른 나이부터 발생하는 반복적인 발열과 발진이 있는 소아에서 조기에 CAPS를 진단하고 치료하는 것이 중요하다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.90.01-90.13
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• 2022

Background: Insulin regulates glucose homeostasis and has important effects on metabolism, cell growth, and differentiation. Depending on the cell type and physiological context, insulin signal has specific pathways and biological outcomes in different tissues and cells. For studying the signal pathway of insulin on glycolipid metabolism in porcine embryonic fibroblast (PEF), we used high-throughput sequencing to monitor gene expression patterns regulated by insulin. Objectives: The goal of our research was to see how insulin affected glucose and lipid metabolism in PEFs. Methods: We cultured the PEFs with the addition of insulin and sampled them at 0, 48, and 72 h for RNA-Seq analysis in triplicate for each time point. Results: At 48 and 72 h, 801 and 1,176 genes were differentially expressed, respectively. Of these, 272 up-regulated genes and 264 down-regulated genes were common to both time points. Gene Ontology analysis was used to annotate the functions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), the biological processes related to lipid metabolism and cell cycle were dominant. And the DEGs were significantly enriched in interleukin-17 signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway, pyruvate metabolism, and others pathways related to lipid metabolism by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Conclusions: These results elucidate the transcriptomic response to insulin in PEF. The genes and pathways involved in the transcriptome mechanisms provide useful information for further research into the complicated molecular processes of insulin in PEF.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.367-376
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• 2022

Objective: The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is a threat to the poultry industry as well as the economy and remains a potential source of pandemic infection in humans. Antiviral genes are considered a potential factor for HPAIV resistance. Therefore, in this study, we investigated gene expression related to cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions by comparing resistant and susceptible Ri chicken lines for avian influenza virus infection. Methods: Ri chickens of resistant (Mx/A; BF2/B21) and susceptible (Mx/G; BF2/B13) lines were selected by genotyping the Mx dynamin like GTPase (Mx) and major histocompatibility complex class I antigen BF2 genes. These chickens were then infected with influenza A virus subtype H5N1, and their lung tissues were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: In total, 972 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed between resistant and susceptible Ri chickens, according to the gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. In particular, DEGs associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions were most abundant. The expression levels of cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18), chemokines (C-C Motif chemokine ligand 4 [CCL4] and CCL17), interferons (IFN-γ), and IFN-stimulated genes (Mx1, CCL19, 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthase-like, and protein kinase R) were higher in H5N1-resistant chickens than in H5N1-susceptible chickens. Conclusion: Resistant chickens show stronger immune responses and antiviral activity (cytokines, chemokines, and IFN-stimulated genes) than those of susceptible chickens against HPAIV infection.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.730-739
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigated the effects of dietary n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio on growth performance, blood indexes, tissue fatty acid composition and the gene expression in finishing pigs. Methods: Seventy-two crossbred ([Duroc×Landrace]×Yorkshire) barrows (68.5±1.8 kg) were fed one of four isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets with n-6:n-3 PUFA ratios of 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, and 8:1. Results: Average daily gain, average daily feed intake and gain-to-feed ratio had quadratic responses but the measurements were increased and then decreased (quadratic, p<0.05). The concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and interleukin 6 were linearly increased (p<0.05) with increasing of dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio, while that of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol tended to decrease (p = 0.062), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol:low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and leptin concentration were linearly decreased (p<0.05). The concentration of serum adiponectin had a quadratic response but the measurement was decreased and then increased (quadratic, p<0.05). The proportion of C18:3n-3 was linearly decreased (p<0.05) in the longissimus thoracis (LT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) as dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio increasing, while the proportion of C18:2n-6 and n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio were linearly increased (p<0.05). In addition, the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and lipoprotein lipase in the LT and SCAT, and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the SCAT had quadratic responses but the measurements were increased and then decreased (quadratic, p<0.05). The expression of HSL in the LT was linearly decreased (p<0.05) with increasing of dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio. Conclusion: Dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio could regulate lipid and fatty acid metabolism in blood and tissue. Reducing dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio (3:1) could appropriately suppress expression of related genes in PPARγ signaling, and result in improved growth performance and n-3 PUFA deposition in muscle and adipose tissue in finishing pigs.