• BMB Reports
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• 제48권9호
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• pp.495-500
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• 2015

Up-regulation of cell adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines contributes to enhanced monocyte adhesiveness and infiltration into the skin, during the pathogenesis of various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of butein, a tetrahydroxychalcone, and its action mechanisms using TNF-α-stimulated keratinocytes. Butein significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced ICAM-I expression and monocyte adhesion in human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Butein also decreased TNF-α-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IP-10 and MCP-1, in HaCaT cells. Butein decreased TNF-α-induced ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner in HaCaT cells. In addition, treatment of HaCaT cells with butein suppressed TNF-α-induced MAPK activation. Furthermore, butein suppressed TNF-α-induced NF-kappaB activation. Overall, our results indicate that butein has immunomodulatory activities by inhibiting expression of proinflammatory mediators in keratinocytes. Therefore, butein may be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(9): 495-500]

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권11호
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• pp.588-593
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• 2020

The accumulation of triglycerides (TGs) in macrophages induces cell death, a risk factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We had previously reported that TG-induced macrophage death is triggered by caspase-1 and -2, therefore we investigated the mechanism underlying this phenomenon. We found that potassium efflux is increased in TG-treated THP-1 macrophages and that the inhibition of potassium efflux blocks TG-induced cell death as well as caspase-1 and -2 activation. Furthermore, reducing ATP concentration (known to induce potassium efflux), restored cell viability and caspase-1 and -2 activity. The activation of pannexin-1 (a channel that releases ATP), was increased after TG treatment in THP-1 macrophages. Inhibition of pannexin-1 activity using its inhibitor, probenecid, recovered cell viability and blocked the activation of caspase-1 and -2 in TG-treated macrophages. These results suggest that TG-induced THP-1 macrophage cell death is induced via pannexin-1 activation, which increases extracellular ATP, leading to an increase in potassium efflux.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권8호
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• pp.405-413
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• 2016

Tau proteins, which stabilize the structure and regulate the dynamics of microtubules, also play important roles in axonal transport and signal transduction. Tau proteins are missorted, aggregated, and found as tau inclusions under many pathological conditions associated with neurodegenerative disorders, which are collectively known as tauopathies. In the adult human brain, tau protein can be expressed in six isoforms due to alternative splicing. The aberrant splicing of tau pre-mRNA has been consistently identified in a variety of tauopathies but is not restricted to these types of disorders as it is also present in patients with non-tau proteinopathies and RNAopathies. Tau mis-splicing results in isoform-specific impairments in normal physiological function and enhanced recruitment of excessive tau isoforms into the pathological process. A variety of factors are involved in the complex set of mechanisms underlying tau mis-splicing, but variation in the cis-element, methylation of the MAPT gene, genetic polymorphisms, the quantity and activity of spliceosomal proteins, and the patency of other RNA-binding proteins, are related to aberrant splicing. Currently, there is a lack of appropriate therapeutic strategies aimed at correcting the tau mis-splicing process in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between tau mis-splicing and neurodegenerative disorders will aid in the development of efficient therapeutic strategies for patients with a tauopathy or other, related neurodegenerative disorders.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권7호
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• pp.376-381
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• 2016

Several lines of evidence have revealed that phosphorylation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) at Thr668 is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Okadaic acid (OA), a protein phosphatase-2A inhibitor, has been used in AD research models to increase tau phosphorylation and induce neuronal death. We previously showed that OA increased levels of APP and induced accumulation of APP in axonal swellings. In this study, we found that in OA-treated neurons, phosphorylation of APP at Thr668 increased and accumulated in axonal swellings by c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and not by Cdk5 or ERK/MAPK. These results suggest that JNK may be one of therapeutic targets for the treatment of AD.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2018

The airway epithelium is the first place, where a defense mechanism is initiated against environmental stimuli. Mucociliary transport (MCT), which is the defense mechanism of the airway and the role of airway epithelium as mechanical barriers are essential in innate immunity. To maintain normal physiologic function, normal oxygenation is critical for the production of energy for optimal cellular functions. Several pathologic conditions are associated with a decrease in oxygen tension in airway epithelium and chronic sinusitis is one of the airway diseases, which is associated with the hypoxic condition, a potent inflammatory stimulant. We have observed the overexpression of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), an essential factor for oxygen homeostasis, in the epithelium of sinus mucosa in sinusitis patients. In a series of previous reports, we have found hypoxia-induced mucus hyperproduction, especially by MUC5AC hyperproduction, disruption of epithelial barrier function by the production of VEGF, and down-regulation of junctional proteins such as ZO-1 and E-cadherin. Furthermore, hypoxia-induced inflammation by HMGB1 translocation into the cytoplasm results in the release of IL-8 through a ROS-dependent mechanism in upper airway epithelium. In this mini-review, we briefly introduce and summarize current progress in the pathogenesis of sinusitis related to hypoxia. The investigation of hypoxia-related pathophysiology in airway epithelium will suggest new insights on airway inflammatory diseases, such as rhinosinusitis for clinical application and drug development.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2000

Using differential display techniques, a new acidic pathogenesis-related (PR) protein-1 cDNA (GMPRla) gene was isolated from a cDNA library of soybean (Glycinemax L.Merr, cultivar Jangyup) hypocotyls infected by Phytophthora sojae f. sp. glycines. The 741 bp of fulllength GMPRla clone contains an open reading frame of 525 nucleotides encoding 174 amino acid residues (pI 4.23) with a putative signal peptide of 27 amino acids in the N-terminus. Predicted molecular weight of the protein is 18,767 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of GMPRla has a high level of identity with PR-1 proteins from Brassica napus, Nicotiana tabacum, and Sambucus nigra. The GMPRla mRNA was more strongly expressed in the incompatible than the compatible interaction. The transcript accumulation was induced in the soybbean hypocotyls by treatment with ethephon or DL-$\beta$-amino-n-butyric acid, but not by wounding. In situ hybridization data showed that GMPRIa mRNAs were usually localized in the vascular bundle of hypocotyl tissues, especially phloem tissue. Differences between compatible and incompatible interactions in the timing of GMPRla mRNA accumulation were remarkable, but the spatial distribution of GMPRla mRNA was similar in both interactions. However, more GMPRla mRNA was accumulated in soybean hypocotyls at 6 and 24 h after inoculation.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.195-206
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• 2005

Spatial and temporal expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) gene and proteins has been recognized as inducible defense response in pepper plants. Gene expression and/or protein accumulation of PR-1, $\beta-1,3-glucanase$ and chitinase was predominantly found in pepper plants during the inoculations by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, Phytophthora capsici and Colletotrichum coccodes. PR-1 and chitinase genes were also induced in pepper plants in response to environmental stresses, such as high salinity and drought. PR-1 and chitinase gene expressions by biotic and abiotic stresses were regulated by their own promoter regions containing several stress-related cis-acting elements. Overexpression of pepper PR-1 or chitinase genes in heterogeneous transgenic plants showed enhanced disease resistance as well as environmental stress tolerances. In this review, we focused on the putative function of pepper PR-1, $\beta-1,3-glucanase$ and chitinase proteins and/or genes at the biochemical, molecular and cytological aspects.

• 한국식물병리학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.278-285
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• 1998

Effects of chitosan on growth of tomato plant, and suppression of Fusaruim wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and late blight casued by Phytophthora infestans, were examined. Both late blight and fusarium wilt were suppressed by spray and irrigation of chitosan, respectively. Inhibition of mycelial growth was not greatly affected by molecular size of chitosan but, concentration dependent effects was observed. Ninty percent of P. infestans and 80% of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici of mycelial growth was inhibited by 1,000 ppm of chitosan (MW 30,000~50,000) when amended in plate media. Induction of defense-related gene expression in plant by chitosan treatments were observed when chitosan treated tobacco and tomato RNA samples were hybridized with several defense-related genes as probes. The results revealed that $\beta$-1,3-glucanase and chitinase genes were strongly induced, while pathogenesis-related protein-1, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, anionic peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase genes were weakly induced by chitosan treatment. These results suggest that chitosan have dual effects on these host-pathogen interactions. Possible roles of chitosan in suppression of tomato diseases by inhibition of mycelial growth and activation of plant defense responses are discussed.

• BMB Reports
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.486-490
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• 2005

Genetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion(I)/deletion(D) polymorphism is one of the genetic factor found to be related with CAD. We investigated the association between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and the presence of CAD. Threehundred and seven patients (187 males and 120 females, aged between 35-80, mean $54.3{\pm}9.8$ years) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were included in the study. ACE I/D polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Of the 307, 176 had CAD. The most frequently observed genotype in all subjects was ID (47.9 %). However, in patients with CAD the frequency of II genotype was lower whereas DD genotype was higher compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The number of D allele carrying subjects were also higher (p < 0.05) in CAD patients. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the ACE D allele is an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.01-2.18, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene (carrying D allele) is an independent risk factor for CAD in the studied Turkish population.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.165-169
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• 2011

Excess free iron generates oxidative stress that may contribute to the pathogenesis of various causes of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we assessed the modification of ferritin induced by $H_2O_2$. When ferritin was incubated with $H_2O_2$, the degradation of ferritin L-chain increased with the $H_2O_2$ concentration whereas ferritin H-chain was remained. Free radical scavengers, azide, thiourea, and N-acetyl-$_L$-cysteine suppressed the $H_2O_2$-mediated ferritin modification. The iron specific chelator, deferoxamine, effectively prevented $H_2O_2$-mediated ferritin degradation in modified ferritin. The release of iron ions from ferritin was increased in $H_2O_2$ concentration-dependent manner. The present results suggest that free radicals may play a role in the modification and iron releasing of ferritin by $H_2O_2$. It is assumed that oxidative damage of ferritin by $H_2O_2$ may induce the increase of iron content in cells and subsequently lead to the deleterious condition.