• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 1999

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is known to act as a signal transducer that connects TNFR2 to its downstream effector functions such as proliferation of thymocytes, regulation of gene expression, and cell death. TRAF2 consists of largely two domains, the N-terminal half that contains a signal-emanating region and the C-terminal half that is responsible for binding to the intracellular region of TNFR2. In this study, we examined the possible roles of TRAF2 in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene expression and cell death. A truncated mutant of TRAF2 ( 2-263) that contains only a C-terminal half was generated, and transiently transfected to the A549 cell, a human lung cancer cell line, and L929 cell, a murine TNF-sensitive cell line. GM-CSF mRNA was induced in untransfected A540 cells both in dose- and time-dependent manner upon the exposure of TNF. However, neither the full length TRAF2 nor the mutant altered GM-CSF mRNA production regardless of the presence or absence of TNF. Furthermore, neither TRAF2 versions significantly changed the cytotoxic effect of TNF on L929 cells. These data suggest that TRAF2 may not be involved in the signal transduction pathway for GM-CSF gene induction and cell death mediated by TNF.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2018

Laboratory animal models have been developed to investigate preventive or therapeutic effect of medicinal products, or occurrence or progression mechanism of atopic dermatitis (AD), a pruritic and persistent inflammatory skin disease. The murine model with immunologic phenomena resembling human AD was introduced, which demonstrated skewedness toward predominance of type-2 helper T cell reactivity and pathophysiological changes similar as human AD following 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) sensitization and challenge. Molecular mechanism on the DNCB-mediated AD was further evaluated. Skin tissues were collected from mice treated with DNCB, and each tissue was equally divided into two sections; one for protein and the other for mRNA analysis. Expression of filaggrin, an important protein for keratinocyte integrity, was evaluated through SDS-PAGE. Level of mRNA expression for cytokines was determined through semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Expression of filaggrin protein was significantly enhanced in the mice treated with DNCB compared with the vehicle (acetone : olive oil = 4 : 1 mixture) treatment group or the normal group without any treatment. Level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-18 mRNA expression, cytokines involved in activity of type-1 helper T ($T_H1$) cell, was significantly downregulated in the AD group compared with other control groups. These results suggest that suppression of $T_H1$ cell-mediated immune response could be reflected into the skin tissue of mice treated with DNCB for AD induction, and disturbance of keratinocyte integrity might evoke a compensatory mechanism.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1397-1401
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• 2014

Aim: To investigate the mechanisms of induction of apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells by esophageal cancer-related gene 2 (ECRG2) in combination with cisplatin (DDP). Methods: Hoechest staining was performed to analyze the effects of single ECRG2 and ECRG2 in combination with DDP on apoptosis of EC9706 cells. The expression levels of p53 and bcl-2 mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results: The number of apoptotic cells after the treatment with ECRG2 in combination with DDP for 24 hours was more than that after the treatment with single ECRG2. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression levels of bcl-2 mRNA and protein were both down-regulated, while p53 mRNA and protein were both up-regulated in the cells treated with ECRG2 in combination with DDP compared with those given ECRG2 alone. Conclusion: ECRG2 in combination with DDP can enhance the apoptosis of EC9706 cells, possibly by down-regulating bcl-2 expression and up-regulating p53.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.45-62
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• 2003

Objective : To examine the effects of Beevenom on the cell proliferation of human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, we performed various experiments such as does-dependent effect of Beevenom on cell proliferation and viability, morphological changes, and alterations of apoptosis/cell cycle-regulatory gene products. Methods : Beevenom induced cell viability and proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The anti-proliferative effect by Beevenom treatment in MCF-7 cells was associated with morphological changes such as membrance shrinking and cell rounding up. Results : Beevenom induced apoptotic cell death in a concentration-dependent manager, which was associated with degradation of ${\beta}$-catenin, an apoptotic target protein. Beevenom induced the Bax expressions, a pro-apoptotic gene, both in protein and mRNA levels, however, the levels of Bcl-$X_{S/L}$ expression, an anti-apoptotic gene, were down-regulated in Beevenom-treated cells. Western blot analysis and RT-PCT data revealed that the levels of cyclin of B1 protein and cyclin E mRNA were reduced by Beevenom treatment in MCF-7 cells, respectively, where as the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21 mRNA were markedly increased in a concentration-dependent fashion. Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that Beevenom induced inhibition of human breast cancer cell proliferation is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death and Beevenom may have therapeutic potential in human breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2012

Objectives : The gnarl of Pinus densiflora, called Songjeol in Korea, has been used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases such as arthralgia, myalgia and bruise. However, the molecular actions and mechanisms have not been clearly investigated. The aim of this study was to clarify the anti-inflammatory activity of Pinus densiflora gnarl pharmacopuncture (PDGP) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Methods : Cytotoxicity was assessed by XTT assay. The amount of nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by nitrite assay. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation was measured using the fluorescence microscopy. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and redox factor-1 (Ref-1) protein expressions were detected by Western blotting. Results : PDGP inhibited NO production and ROS generation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. At the mRNA level, PDGP suppressed IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and COX-2 expression. On the other hand, PDGP induced HO-1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, PDGP suppressed iNOS and Ref-1 protein expression. Conclusions : This result suggests that PDGP can act as a suppressor agent on NO and iNOS through induction of HO-1, and play an useful role in blocking inflammatory responses.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2021

This study investigated the anticancer activity of methanol extract from Platycarya strobilacea leaf in AGS human gastric cancer cells. We determined the cell viability effect of P. strobilacea using MTS assay. Apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest were confirmed by fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide staining using cellometer K2. The mRNA expression levels of the Bcl-2 family were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The cell viability was decreased in a dose-dependent manner treated with different concentrations of P. strobilacea. Total, early, and late apoptotic cells were dramatically increased, and the cell cycle was arrested at the sub-G1 phase. The mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were reduced, whereas pro-apoptotic factors, Bax and Bak, were increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that P. strobilacea leaf extract induced significant apoptotic activity through an intrinsic mitochondria pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 1998

To evaluate the possibility that the ginseng saponins could be developed as an anti-arteriosclerotic agent, we examined the inhibitory effects of ginseng saponins (total saponin[TS], panaxatriol[PT], panaxadiol[PD]) on the expression of c-fos mRNA and the proliferation of cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by angiotensin II (Ang II). TS and PT (1.0 mg/ml) suppressed c-fos mRNA induction in VSMCs stimulated by $10^{-5}$ M Ang II. The order of inhibitory potency was PT>TS. Ginseng saponins ($0.01{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml) inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs stimulated by Ang II in a concentration dependent manner, the inhibitory potency was TS＞PT＞PD at $0.1{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml. These results suggest that ginseng saponins may suppress Ang II-stimulated proliferation of aortic VSMCs which can be seen in atherosclerosis, hypertension and restenosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.150-155
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• 2013

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the adequate concentration and to evaluate the osteogenic potential of simvastatin in human maxillary sinus membrane-derived stem cells (hSMSC). Materials and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human maxillary sinus membrane were treated with various concentrations of simvastatin. The adequate concentration of simvastatin for osteogenic induction was determined using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2). The efficacy of osteogenic differentiation of simavastatin was verified using osteocalcin mRNA, and the mineralization efficacy of hSMSCs and simvastatin treatment was compared with alkaline phosphatase and von Kossa staining. Results: Expression of BMP-2 mRNA and protein was observed after three days and was dependent on the concentration of simvastatin. Expression of osteocalcin mRNA was observed after three days in the $1.0{\mu}M$ simvastatin-treated group. Mineralization was observed after three days in the simvastatin-treated group. Conclusion: These results suggest that simvastatin induces the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human maxillary sinus membrane mucosa.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

The objective of the present study was to investigate the expression of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and 70 (HSP70) mRNA as cellular stress responses, the levels of plasma cortisol with glucose as neuro-endocrine stress responses during water temperature rising in freshwater adapted black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli. A cDNA fragment of 891 (HSP90) and 465 (HSP70) bp was cloned from black porgy testis by Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers designed from the conserved regions of other teleost. The PCR product of HSP90 showed very high homology to red seabream (99%), rainbow trout (95%), Atlantic salmon (94%), zebrafish (94%) HSP90, HSP70 of black porgy was also highly similar to those of rainbow trout (96%), silver seabream (95%), zebrafish (95%) HSP70. Water temperature rising ($20{\sim}30^{\circ}C$) induced elevation of HSP90 mRNA in black porgy gonad, liver, brain, intestine and kidney, whereas it resulted in an induction of the HSP70 mRNA expression in gonad only. Plasma cortisol levels increased significantly at $30^{\circ}C$ in the fish compared to those at $20^{\circ}C$. Glucose levels of the fish showed a tendency of co-increase with cortisol during water temperature rising. These results suggest that increased HSP90 mRNA in liver with plasma cortisol following heat shock may be related to increasing glucose for homeostasis in this species.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.54.1-54.13
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• 2021

Background: Hypoxia causes oxidative stress and affects cardiovascular function and the programming of cardiovascular disease. Melatonin promotes antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlation between melatonin and hypoxia induction in cardiomyocytes differentiation. Methods: Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were induced to myocardial differentiation. To demonstrate the influence of melatonin under hypoxia, mESC was pretreated with melatonin and then cultured in hypoxic condition. The cardiac beating ratio of the mESC-derived cardiomyocytes, mRNA and protein expression levels were investigated. Results: Under hypoxic condition, the mRNA expression of cardiac-lineage markers (Brachyury, Tbx20, and cTn1) and melatonin receptor (Mtnr1a) was reduced. The mRNA expression of cTn1 and the beating ratio of mESCs increased when melatonin was treated simultaneously with hypoxia, compared to when only exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α protein decreased with melatonin treatment under hypoxia, and Mtnr1a mRNA expression increased. When the cells were exposed to hypoxia with melatonin treatment, the protein expressions of phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and Bcl-2-associated X proteins (Bax) decreased, however, the levels of phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins, and antioxidant enzymes including Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase were increased. Competitive melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole blocked the melatonin-induced effects. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hypoxia inhibits cardiomyocytes differentiation and melatonin partially mitigates the adverse effect of hypoxia in myocardial differentiation by regulating apoptosis and oxidative stress through the p-AKT and PI3K pathway.