• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 2000

Chungpesagan-Tang (CST), a Korean traditional prescription composed of oriental medical herbs, has been used successfully to improve human health and regimen. This study was designed to examine the inhibitory effects of CST against in vitro ischemia/reperfusion-induced inflammatory response. We have characterized the production of prostaglandin $E_2$ and arachidonic acid during ischemia/reperfusion in the human neuroblastoma SK-N-MC and human monocytic macrophage U937 cells and the inhibitory effect of CST on these inflammation-related substance formation has been found out in this study. This result suggested that CST used in this experiment reinforced antiinflammatory potentials and protected cells against ischemia/reperfusion-induced inflammatory resopnse.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 2005

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a copper protein with important functions in iron homeostasis and in inflammation. Cp mRNA expression is induced by interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ in U937 monocytic cells, but synthesis of Cp protein is halted after about 12 h by transcript-specific translational silencing. The silencing mechanism requires binding of a 4-component cytosolic inhibitor complex, IFN-gamma-activated inhibitor of translation (GAIT), to a defined structural element (GAIT element) in the Cp 3'-UTR. Translational silencing of Cp mRNA requires the essential proteins of mRNA circularization, suggesting that the translational inhibition requires end-to-end mRNA closure. These studies describe a new mechanism of translational control, and may shed light on the role that macrophage-derived Cp plays at the intersection of iron homeostasis and inflammation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.484-490
• /
• 2001

Mylabris phalerata(MP) is an insect that has been used for the treatment of cancer in oriental medicine. To evaluate the anticancer activity of Mylabris phalerata, We measured the cytotoxicity of Mylabris phalerata solvent fractions such as MC, EA, BuOH and residual layers on U937, human monocytic leukemia cells. Of those fractions BuOH layer of Mylabris phalerata was the most effective with ID$_{50}$ of 140$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. It effectively caused DNA fragmentation from the concentration of 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, showed apoptotic nucleus by tenets assay and expressed apototic portion stained by Annexin-V. It also induced the activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of the substrate poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). These results suggest BuOH layer of Mylabris phalerata exerts anticancer activity by induction of apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 protease.e.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2016

A recent study reported that Pleurotus ostreatus has the potential to be used as a ${\beta}-glucan-based$ cream for supportive complementary therapy of atopic dermatitis. KH054 is a new herbal prescription consisting of P. ostreatus and Panax ginseng. The effects of atopic dermatitis-induced materials on the expression of cytokine genes in human monocytes (THP-1, EoL- 1) have been examined. Some reports demonstrated that P. ginseng augments the activity of natural killer cells, which plays an important role in innate immunity against infection and tumor development. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 have important roles in mediating the infiltration of various cells into the skin of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The present study investigated whether KH054 on induced IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretion by house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronissinus) in THP-1 (human acute monocytic leukemia) and EoL-1(Human eosinophilic leukemia) cell. D. pteronissinus functions in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis and asthma. The inhibitory effect of KH054 on the induction of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretion by D. pteronissinus extract in THP-1 and EoL-1 cells was examined. KH054 potently suppressed the elevated production of IL-6 and IL-8 induced by D. pteronissinus treatment in THP-1 and EoL-1 cells. Based on the present results, KH054 may be useful for developing functional foods to treat atopic dermatitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.12-26
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) on PMA-differentiated human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells. Methods: Cells were treated with various concentrations of RVS decoction (0-300㎍/ml) for 24, 48, and 72h. Cell viability was evaluated by MTS/PMS assay. The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and proteins were measured using RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results: RVS suppressed expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA. It also down-regulated iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression. RVS inhibited NF-𝜅B p65 activity and the phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK (ERK and p38 MAPK). Instead, the phosphorylation of JNK is increased at a very low concentration but decreased at higher concentrations. Conclusion: RVS is regarded to inhibit the expression of MMP and TIMP as well as iNOS and COX-2 gene expression via directly inhibiting the activation of NF-𝜅B and phosphorylation of MAPK pathway in THP-1 cells. This suggests RVS have potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2016

Bone matrix is properly maintained by osteoclasts and osteoblasts. In the tumor microenvironment, osteoclasts are increasingly differentiated by the various ligands and cytokines secreted from the metastasized cancer cells at the bone metastasis niche. The activated osteoclasts generate osteolytic lesions. For this reason, studies focusing on the differentiation of osteoclasts are important to reduce bone destruction by tumor metastasis. The N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) has been known to contribute to the suppression of tumor growth and metastasis, but the precise role of NDRG2 in osteoclast differentiation induced by cancer cells has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that NDRG2 expression in breast cancer cells has an inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation. RAW 264.7 cells, which are monocytic preosteoclast cells, treated with the conditioned media (CM) of murine breast cancer cells (4T1) expressing NDRG2 are less differentiated into the multinucleated osteoclast-like cells than those treated with the CM of 4T1-WT or 4T1-mock cells. Interestingly, 4T1 cells stably expressing NDRG2 showed a decreased mRNA and protein level of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), which is known to enhance osteoclast maturation. Osteoclast differentiation was also reduced by ICAM1 knockdown in 4T1 cells. In addition, blocking the interaction between soluble ICAM1 and ICAM1 receptors significantly decreased osteoclastogenesis of RAW 264.7 cells in the tumor environment. Collectively, these results suggest that the reduction of ICAM1 expression by NDRG2 in breast cancer cells decreases osteoclast differentiation, and demonstrate that excessive bone resorption could be inhibited via ICAM1 down-regulation by NDRG2 expression.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.271-278
• /
• 2024

Redox factor (Ref)-1, a ubiquitously expressed protein, acts as a modulator of redox-sensitive tran- scription factors and as an endonuclease in the repair pathway of damaged DNA. However, the function of Ref-1 in the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages has not been defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of Ref-1 on the monocyte differentiation process using the human monocytic cell line THP-1. The differentiation agent PMA increased cell adhesion over time and showed a sig- nificant increase in phagocytic function but decreased the intracellular amount of Ref-1. Ref-1 inhibitor E3330 and Ref-1 knockdown using the siRNA technique reduced cell adhesion and the expression of differentiation markers, such as CD14, ICAM-1, and CD11b, by PMA stimulation. This means that the role of Ref-1 is absolutely necessary in the initial process of differentiating THP-1 cells stimulated by PMA. Next, the distribution of Ref-1 was examined in the cytoplasm and nucleus of THP-1 cells stimulated with PMA. Surprisingly, PMA stimulation resulted in the rapid translocation of Ref-1 to the nucleus. To prove that movement of Ref-1 to the nucleus is required for monocyte differentiation, a Ref-1 vector with the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) deleted was used. As a result, overexpression of ∆NLS Ref-1, which restricted movement to the nucleus, suppressed the expression of differentiation markers and notably reduced phagocytic function in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that the differentiation of monocytic THP-1 cells requires Ref-1 nuclear translocation during the initial process of biochemical events following stimulation from PMA.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.7
• /
• pp.871-877
• /
• 2009

We investigated the effects of sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the cell cycle progression in human monocytic leukemia U937 cells. Exposure of U937 cells to sodium butyrate resulted in growth inhibition, G1 arrest of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. The increase in G1 arrest was associated with the down-regulation in cyclin D1, E, A, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 4 and 6 expression, and up-regulation of Cdk inhibitors such as p21 and p27. Sodium butyrate treatment also inhibited the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and p130, however, the levels of transcription factors E2F-1 and E2F-4 were not markedly modulated. Furthermore, the down-regulation of phosphorylation of pRB and p130 by this compound was associated with enhanced binding of pRB and E2F-1, as well as p130 and E2F-4, respectively. Overall, the present results demonstrate a combined mechanism involving the inhibition of pRBjp130 phosphorylation and induction of Cdk inhibitors as targets for sodium butyrate that may explain some of its anti-cancer effects in U937 cells.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.135-148
• /
• 2006

Sophorae Radix (SFR) is known as a therapeutic drug that has been used in Oriental traditional medicine for the treatment of skin and mucosal ulcers, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diarrhea, inflammation and arrhythmia. In the present study, we examined the effects of the aqueous extract of SFR on anti-inflammation, anti-allergic and anti-oxidant effect in various cell lines; they include mouse lung fibroblast cells (hFCs), human mast cells (HMC-1), human monocytic cells (THP-1), and RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with SFR extract at a concentration of 250 ${\mu}g$/ml for 24h showed no significant decrease in the survival rate of the hFCs. SFR decreased the mRNA expression of IL-8, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-6 in HMC-1 cells. SFR extract treatment significantly inhi-bited the protein expression of IL-6 and, IL-8 induced by mite in THP-1 cells and it also did MCP-1 expression. We examined the alternation of histamine release in HMC-1 cells for investigating anti-allergic effect of SFR. Histamine secretion decreased after the treatment with SFR. In addition, SFR extract treatment at a concentration of 10 ${\mu}g$/ml, 100 ${\mu}g$ /ml, and 200 ${\mu}g$/ml lowered the $\beta$-hexosaminidase to 10.3%, 21.7%, and 50.8%, respectively. IC50 of SFR extract in RBL-2H3 cells was 196.85 ${\mu}g$/ml. Both activity of NF-$\kappa$B promoter in RBL-2H3 cells significantly diminished after the dose-dependent treatment of SFR. Therefore, our results indicate that SFR has anti-inflammatory and it may be useful for treating allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.119-124
• /
• 2010

Purpose: In addition to regulating body weight, leptin is also recognized for its role in the regulation of immune function and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leptin on Prevotella (P.) intermedia lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ production in differentiated THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line. Methods: LPS from P. intermedia ATCC 25611 was prepared by the standard hot phenol-water method. THP-1 cells were incubated in the medium supplemented with phorbol myristate acetate to induce differentiation into macrophage-like cells. The amount of TNF-$\alpha$ and interleukin-8 secreted into the culture medium was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNF-$\alpha$ and Ob-R mRNA expression levels were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: Leptin enhanced P. intermedia LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ production in a dose-dependent manner. Leptin modulated P. intermedia LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ expression predominantly at the transcriptional level. Effect of leptin on P. intermedia LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ production was not mediated by the leptin receptor. Conclusions: The ability of leptin to enhance P. intermedia LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ production may be important in the establishment of chronic lesion accompanied by osseous tissue destruction observed in inflammatory periodontal disease.