• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권12호
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• pp.1062-1073
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• 2023

우울증은 개인과 사회에 부정적인 영향을 미치는 흔한 정신질환이지만 그 원인은 아직 명확히 밝혀져 있지 않다. 스트레스는 우울증의 주요 위험인자이며, 염증을 유발하여 우울증에 대한 취약성을 증가시키는 것으로 알려져 있다. 수많은 연구는 우울증과 염증의 강한 연관성을 제안하고 있다. 우울증 환자 혈액에서는 IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α 및 IFN-γ와 같은 친염증성 사이토카인이 증가하였으며, IL-4, IL-10 및 TGF-β와 같은 항염증성 사이토카인이 감소하였다. 설치류에 친염증성 사이토카인을 투여하면 우울 유사 행동이 관찰되는 반면, 항염증제를 투여하면 우울 증상이 완화된다. 이러한 연구들은 우울증의 병인에 염증의 중요성을 강조하고 있다. 우울증에서 염증이 활성화되는 기전에 관한 다양한 연구들이 진행되고 있다. 최근 연구에서는 스트레스로 유발되는 무균 염증의 중요성을 밝히고 있다. 병원균의 감염이 없는 상태에서 신체 및 심리적 스트레스로 인해 염증 과정이 활성화되는 것을 무균 염증이라 한다. 스트레스는 무균 염증을 활성화하기 위해 DAMPs (damage-associated molecular patterns)로 알려진 내인성 인자의 방출을 촉진시키며, 방출된 DAMPs는 해당 수용체인 PRRs (pattern recognition receptors)에 결합함으로서 신호전달을 통해 친염증성 사이토카인 생성을 증가시킨다. 본 종설에서 무균 염증의 조절 장애에 대한 전임상 및 임상 증거를 바탕으로 우울증에서 DAMP의 역할을 검토하고자 한다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.77-86
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• 2001

Background: Hepatitis C virus(HCV), a family of Flaviviridae, has a host cell-derived envelope containing a positive-stranded RNA genome, and has been known as the maj or etiological agent for chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There remains a need to dissect a molecular mechanism of pathogenesis for the development of therapeutic and effective preventive measure for HCV. Identification of cellular receptor is of central importance not only to understand the viral pathogenesis, but also to exploit strategies for prevention of HCV. This study was aimed at identifying peptide mimotopes inhibiting the binding of E2 protein of HCV to MOLT-4 cell. Methods: In this study, phage peptide library displaying a random peptides consisting of 7 or 12 random peptides was employed in order to pan against E2 protein. Free HCV particles were separated from the immune complex forms by immunoprecipitation using anti-human IgG antibody, and used for HCV-capture ELISA. To identify the peptides inhibiting E2-binding to MOLT-4 cells, E2 protein was subj ect to bind to MOLT-4 cells under the competition with phage peptides. Results: Several phage peptides were selected for their specific binding to E2 protein, which showed the conserved sequence of SHFWRAP from 3 different peptide sequences. They were also able to recognize the HCV particles in the sera of HCV patients captured by monoclonal antibody against E2 protein. Two of them, showing peptide sequence of HLGPWMSHWFQR and WAPPLERSSLFY respectively, were revealed to inhibit the binding of E2 protein to MOLT-4 cell efficiently in dose dependent mode. However, few membrane-associated receptor candidates were seen using Fasta3 programe for homology search with these peptides. Conclusion: Phage peptides containing HLGPWMSHWFQR and WAPPLERSSLFY respectively, showed the inhibition of E2-binding to MOLT-4 cells. However, they did not reveal any homologues to cellular receptors from GenBank database. In further study, cellular receptor could be identified through the screening of cDNA library from MOLT-4 or hepatocytes using antibodies against these peptide mimotopes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.105-111
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• 2009

Gammaherpesvirus infection of the central nervous system (CNS) has been linked to various neurological diseases, including meningitis, encephalitis, and multiple sclerosis. However, little is known about the interactions between the virus and the CNS in vitro or in vivo. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68 or ${\gamma}HV-68$) is genetically related and biologically similar to human gammaherpesviruses, thereby providing a tractable animal model system in which to study both viral pathogenesis and replication. In the present study, we show the successful infection of cultured neuronal cells, microglia, and astrocytes with MHV-68 to various extents. Upon intracerebroventricular injection of a recombinant virus (MHV-68/LacZ) into 4-5-week-old and 9-10-week-old mice, the 4-5-week-old mice displayed high mortality within 5-7 days, while the majority of the 9-10-week-old mice survived until the end of the experimental period. Until a peak at 3-4 days post-infection, viral DNA replication and gene expression were similar in the brains of both mouse groups, but only the 9-10-week-old mice were able to subdue viral DNA replication and gene expression after 5 days post-infection. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNAs of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin $1{\beta}$, and interleukin 6 were highly induced in the brains of the 4-5-week-old mice, suggesting their possible contributions as neurotoxic factors in the age-dependent control of MHV-68 replication of the CNS.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.73-82
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• 2008

치아우식은 주로 mutans streptococci에 의해 야기되는 감염성 질환으로서 주 원인균에는 streptococcus mutans가 있다. S. mutans가 치아우식을 유발하는 분자 생물학적 기전은 몇 가지 단계를 포함한다. 먼저 S. mutans는 AgI/II와 같은 세포 표면의 섬유성 단백질을 매개로 치면의 타액성 피막에 일차적으로 부착한다. 두번째 단계에서 자당의 존재하에 glucosyltransferase(GTF)는 glucan과 같은 다당체를 합성하게 된다. 마지막으로 이렇게 합성된 glucan은 glucan binding proteins와 상호작용하여 치면세균막을 형성해서 세균의 군집화를 가능하게 한다. 많은 실험과 임상연구에서 S. mutans의 주요 항원(Ag I/II, GTFs, GBPs)들이 치아우식 병리기전에 영향을 준다고 알려져 왔고, 따라서 이런 항원들이 면역계에 작용하여 치아우식을 막는 백신으로 이용 가능하다. 본 실험은 streptococcus mutans GS-5로부터, GTFb, GTFc, GTFd 유전자를 복제하고 염기서열분석을 하였으며, 이중 GTFd가 먼저 재조합 단백질 생산을 위해 발현 벡터에 클로닝 되었으며, 이로부터 단백질이 발현됨을 확인하였다. 이번 실험에서 얻은 순수 GTF 항원은 동물실험을 통해 특정 GTF 활성부위에 대한 항체 생산에 이용될 수 있을 것이다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.437-447
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• 1999

Type I diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results from the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic $\beta$ cells by a progressive $\beta$ cell-specific autoimmune process. The pathogenesis of autoimmune IDDM has been extensively studied for the past two decades using animal models such as the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse and the Bio-Breeding (BB) rat. However, the initial events that trigger the immune responses leading to the selective destruction of the $\beta$ cells are poorly understood. It is thought that $\beta$ cell auto-antigens are involved in the triggering of $\beta$ cell-specific autoimmunity. Among a dozen putative $\beta$ cell autoantigens, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has bee proposed as perhaps the strongest candidate in both humans and the NOD mouse. In the NOD mouse, GAD, as compared with other $\beta$ cell autoantigens, provokes the earliest T cell proliferative response. The suppression of GAD expression in the $\beta$ cells results in the prevention of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. In addition, the major populations of cells infiltrating the iselts during the early stage of insulitis in BB rats and NOD mice are macrophages and dendritic cells. The inactivation of macrophages in NOD mice results in the prevention of T cell mediated autoimmune diabetes. Macrophages are primary contributors to the creation of the immune environment conducive to the development and activation of $\beta$cell-specific Th1-type CD4+ T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells that cause autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are both believed to be important for the destruction of $\beta$ cells. These cells, as final effectors, can kill the insulin-producing $\beta$ cells by the induction of apoptosis. In addition, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells release granzyme and cytolysin (perforin), which are also toxic to $\beta$ cells. In this way, macrophages, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells act synergistically to kill the $\beta$ cells in conjunction with $\beta$ cell autoantigens and MHC class I and II antigens, resulting in the onset of autoimmune type I diabetes.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.571-578
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• 2006

Mitochondrial serine protease로 알려진 human HtrA2 (hHtrA2)는 apoptosis 유도 과정에서 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있을 뿐만 아니라 hHtrA2가 motor neuron degeneration과 관련이 있다는 최근 연구 결과가 있으나, hHtrA2의 생리적 기능은 아직 명확하게 밝혀져 있지 않다. 이와 같이 생체내에서 필수적인 업무를 담당하는 hHtrA2의 기능을 심도 있게 연구하기 위해서는 적절한 동물모델 시스템이 필요하나 이에 대한 연구도 미흡한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 hHtrA2의 기능 분석을 위한 기본적인 실험으로 zebrafish라는 동물모델을 선택하여 hHtrA2의 발현 시스템을 정립하였다. 먼저 zebrafish에 hHtrA2를 발현시키기 위하여 zebrafish에서 일반적으로 사용되는 발현 시스템인 pCS2+ vector에 hHtrA2와 GFP를 cloning하고 plasmid를 HEK293 cell에 transfection한 후, hHtrA2-GFP fusion 단백질의 발현을 immunoblot과 immunofluorescence staining assay로 확인한 바 약 64 kDa의 hHtrA2 단백질의 발현을 확인할 수 있었다. Zebrafish에서 hHtrA2-GFP fusion 단백질의 발현양상은 immunofluorescence microscope으로 확인하였다. hHtrA2-GFP DNA와 mRNA를 zebrafish embyro에 microinjection하여 두 가지 component의 발현을 비교 분석한 결과, DNA는 dot 형태로 mRNA는 몸 전체에 퍼져보이는 형태로 발현 양상의 차이는 있었으나 둘 다 zebrafish embryo에서 잘 발현되는 것을 알 수 있다. 다음 DNA를 주 component로 microinjection하여 zebrafish embryo에서 발현을 확인한 결과 hHtrA2는 72 hpf 까지 발현이 지속되는 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서 정립한 hHtrA2의 zebrafish 발현 조건은 앞으로 zebrafish에서 hHtrA2의 생리적 기능을 심도있고 정확하게 연구하는 데 있어 기본적인 자료로 활용 할 수 있을 것이다.

• 대한화학회지
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.536-542
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• 2007

베체트 병은 여러 장기에서 발생하는 만성 염증성 질환이다. 베체트병에서 염증은 T-helper type 1 (Th1) 림프구에서 분비된 싸이토카인에 의해 유도된다. 베체트병의 발병원인이나 기전에 대해 확실히 밝 혀지지는 않았으나 유전적인 소인이 있는 사람에서 감염 등 환경적인 요인이 면역 반응에 이상을 일으켜 질병의 여러 증상이 발현된다. 주조직복합체(major histocompatibility complex, MHC)와 non-MHC gene 등 다양한 유전자들이 베체트병의 병인으로 관여한다. 이 연구에서는 HLA-B51, IL-18, SLC11A1, TNF-α의 유 전적 다형성이 한국인 베체트병의 감수성에 관여하는지를 확인하였다. 실험 결과, HLA-B51이 베체트병과 가장 연관성이 큰 유전인자로 나타났지만, HLA 분자가 베체트병의 직접접인 병인인지는 확실하지 않다. IL- 18은 베체트병 환자와 대조군 간에 연관성은 없었으나 안구병변을 가지고 있는 환자에서 -137 G/G 유전자 형이 높게 나타났다. SLC11A1 유전자에서 (GT)n의 다형성의 allele 3과 genotype allele 3/ allele 3이 한국 인 베체트병의 방어 효과를 갖는 것으로 추정된다. TNF-α gene의 유전자 다형성은 베체트병 감수성에 있 어서의 연관성을 찾지 못하였다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권19호
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• pp.8351-8359
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• 2014

Background: Recent epidemiological data have implicated human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancers, especially oropharyngeal cancers. Although, HPV has been detected in varied amounts in persons with oral dysplasia, leukoplakias and malignancies, its involvement in oral tongue carcinogenesis remains ambiguous. Materials and Methods: HPV DNA prevalence was assessed by PCR with formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections (n=167) of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients and the physical status of the HPV16 DNA was assessed by qPCR. Immunohistochemistry was conducted for p16 evaluation. Results: We found the HPV prevalence in tongue cancers to be 51.2%, HPV 16 being present in 85.2% of the positive cases. A notable finding was a very poor concordance between HPV 16 DNA and p16 IHC findings (kappa<0.2). Further molecular classification of patients based on HPV16 DNA prevalence and p16 overexpression showed that patients with tumours showing p16 overexpression had increased hazard of death (HR=2.395; p=0.005) and disease recurrence (HR=2.581; p=0.002) irrespective of their HPV 16 DNA status. Conclusions: Our study has brought out several key facets which can potentially redefine our understanding of tongue cancer tumorigenesis. It has emphatically shown p16 overexpression to be a single important prognostic variable in defining a high risk group and depicting a poorer prognosis, thus highlighting the need for its routine assessment in tongue cancers. Another significant finding was a very poor concordance between p16 expression and HPV infection suggesting that p16 expression should possibly not be used as a surrogate marker for HPV infection in tongue cancers. Interestingly, the prognostic significance of p16 overexpression is different from that reported in oropharyngeal cancers. The mechanism of HPV independent p16 over expression in oral tongue cancers is possibly a distinct entity and needs to be further studied.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.280-290
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• 2017

Several lines of evidence suggest that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is known to regulate the ER stress signaling pathway, but its role in neuronal systems in terms of ER stress remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that rotenone-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma cell lines and mouse primary cortical neurons was ameliorated by PTP1B inhibition. Moreover, the increase in the level of ER stress markers ($eIF2{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and PERK phosphorylation) induced by rotenone treatment was obviously suppressed by concomitant PTP1B inhibition. However, the rotenone-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was not affected by PTP1B inhibition, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect of the PTP1B inhibitor is not associated with ROS production. Moreover, we found that MG132-induced toxicity involving proteasome inhibition was also ameliorated by PTP1B inhibition in a human neuroblastoma cell line and mouse primary cortical neurons. Consistently, downregulation of the PTP1B homologue gene in Drosophila mitigated rotenone- and MG132-induced toxicity. Taken together, these findings indicate that PTP1B inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic approach for ER stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.144-150
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• 1996

Although bladder cancers are very common, little is known about their molecular pathogenesis. It is known that p53 alteration is found in about 60% of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, necessiating aggressive therapy and poor outcome. We examined the nuclear expression of p53 protein, using D07 monoclonal antibody in the urine samples from 31 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to investigate the correlation of p53 overexpression with histologic grades and depth of invasion. The positive rate of p53 protein was 27% in superficial bladder tumor, but increased up to 71% in the invasive bladder carcinomas. The overexpression of p53 protein increased according to Mostofi grading system from 18% in grade I, 45% in grade II, and up to 100% in grade III. The p53 expression tended to be higher in the invasive and high grade bladder cancers than in the superficial and low grade ones(p<0.05). These results suggest that immunohistochemical analysis of the urine specimen in the bladder cancer patients could be a useful method of screening for the presence of p53 mutant protein. The mutant p53 protein expression may be an indicator of bladder cancer with more proliferative potential and/or aggressive biologic behavior.