• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1183-1186
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• 2012

Objective: To observe the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC7721 cells. Methods: Cells were divided into blank control, IGF-1, IGF-1 + SB203580, and SB203580 groups. SB203580 was used to block the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Changes in the expression of BMP-2, p38 MAPK, and phosphorylated p38, MERK, ERK and JNK were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Results: Protein expression of phosphorylated BMP-2, MERK, ERK, and JNK was significantly up-regulated by IGF-1 compared with the control group ($1.138{\pm}0.065$ vs. $0.606{\pm}0.013$, $0.292{\pm}0.005$ vs. $0.150{\pm}0.081$, $0.378{\pm}0.006$ vs. $0.606{\pm}0.013$, and $0.299{\pm}0.015$ vs. $0.196{\pm}0.017$, respectively; P<0.05). Levels of BMP-2 and phosphorylated MERK and JNK were significantly reduced after blocking of the p38MAPK signaling pathway ($0.494{\pm}0.052$ vs. $0.165{\pm}0.017$, $0.073{\pm}0.07$ vs. $0.150{\pm}0.081$, and $0.018{\pm}0.008$ vs. $0.196{\pm}0.017$, respectively; P<0.05), but such a significant difference was not observed for phosphorylated ERK protein expression ($0.173{\pm}0.07$ vs. $0.150{\pm}0.081$, P>0.05). Conclusion: IGF-1 can up-regulate BMP-2 expression, and p38 MAPK signaling pathway blockage can noticeably reduce the up-regulated expression. We can conclude that the up-regulatory effect of IGF-1 on BMP-2 expression is realized through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.183-193
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• 2020

Recently, as a natural substance has been emphasized interest in research to enhance the immune function. Green lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular vegetable used fresh and it contains various phytochemicals and antioxidant compounds, and has been reported to have various physiological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor and anti-mutagenic. However, only a few studies have investigated on the mechanism of action of immune-enhancing activity of lettuce. Therefore, in this study, the immunomodulatory activities and potential mechanism of action of Green lettuce extracts (GLE) were evaluated in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. GLE significantly increased NO levels by RAW264.7 cells, as well as expressions of immunomodulators such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and MCP-1. Although GLE activated ERK1/2, p38, JNK and NF-κB, GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators was dependent on p38, JNK and NF-κB. In addition, TLR4 inhibition blocked GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators and activation of p38, JNK and NF-κB. Taken together, these results demonstrated that TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathways participated in GLE-induced macrophage activation and GLE could be developed as a potential immunomodulating functional food.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.369-376
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• 2012

Platycodon grandiflorum is a medicinal herb that is used to treat pulmonary and respiratory allergic disorders. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of ethyl acetate extract of Platycodon grandiflorum (PGEA) against inflammation and to discern the molecular mechanism of PGEA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced signal pathways in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. PGEA suppressed the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible NO synthase induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, and inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. Western blot analysis showed that PGEA suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase and $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$ degradation. Inactivation of JNK and p38 was effectively alleviated by PGEA, which subsequently affected the activation of c-Jun and c-Fos, which are the essential components of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription complex. Taken together, the results indicate PGEA suppress the activation of p38, JNK, and AP-1, thereby inhibiting the generation of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which affect the regulation of inflammation. PGEA may be useful for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.389-396
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• 2022

The increased expression of receptors for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) is known as a key player in the progression of vascular remodeling. However, the precise signal pathways regulating RAGE expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the injured vasculatures are unclear. Given the importance of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in cell proliferation, we investigated the importance of MAPK signaling in high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-induced RAGE expression in VSMCs. In HMGB1 (100 ng/ml)-stimulated human VSMCs, the expression of RAGE mRNA and protein was increased in association with an increase in AGE-induced VSMC proliferation. The HMGB1-induced RAGE expression was attenuated in cells pretreated with inhibitors for ERK (PD98059, 10 μM) and p38 MAPK (SB203580, 10 μM) as well as in cells deficient in ERK and p38 MAPK using siRNAs, but not in cells deficient of JNK signaling. In cells stimulated with HMGB1, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK was increased. This increase in ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation was inhibited by p38 MAPK and ERK inhibitors, respectively, but not by JNK inhibitor. Moreover, AGE-induced VSMC proliferation in HMGB1-stimulated cells was attenuated in cells treated with ERK and p38 MAPK inhibitors. Taken together, our results indicate that ERK and p38 MAPK signaling are involved in RAGE expression in HMGB1-stimulated VSMCs. Thus, the ERK/p38 MAPK-RAGE signaling axis in VSMCs was suggested as a potential therapeutic target for vascular remodeling in the injured vasculatures.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.197-207
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• 2006

This experiment focused on MAPK activation in host cell invasion and replication of T. gondii, as well as the expression of CC chemokines, MCP-1 and $MIP-1\alpha$, and enzyme, COX-2/prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ in infected cells via western blot, $[^3H]-uracil$ incorporation assay, ELISA and RT-PCR. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in infected HeLa cells was detected at 1 hr and/or 6 hr postinfection (PI). Tachyzoite proliferation was reduced by p38 or JNK MAPK inhibitors. MCP-1 secretion was enhanced in infected peritoneal macrophages at 6 hr PI. $MIP-1\alpha$ mRNA was increased in macrophages at 18 hr PI. MCP-1 and $MIP-1\alpha$ were reduced after treatment with inhibitors of ERK1/2 and JNK MAPKs. COX-2 mRNA gradually increased in infected RAW 264.7 cells and the secretion of COX-2 peaked at 6 hr PI. The inhibitor of JNK suppressed COX-2 expression. $PGE_2$ from infected RAW 264.7 cells was increased and synthesis was suppressed by PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125. In this study, the activation of p38, JNK and/or ERK1/2 MAPKs occurred during the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii tachyzoites in HeLa cells. Also, increased secretion and expression of MCP-1, $MIP-1\alpha$, COX-2 and $PGE_2$ were detected in infected macrophages, and appeared to occur via MAPK signaling pathways.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권12호
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• pp.594-599
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• 2013

The anti-inflammatory activity of eriodictyol and its mode of action were investigated. Eriodictyol suppressed tumor necrosis factor (mTNF)-${\alpha}$, inducible nitric oxide synthase (miNOS), interleukin (mIL)-6, macrophage inflammatory protein (mMIP)-1, and mMIP-2 cytokine release in LPS-stimulated macrophages. We found that the anti-inflammatory cascade of eriodictyol is mediated through the Toll-like Receptor (TLR)4/CD14, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Jun-N terminal kinase (JNK), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 pathway. Fluorescence quenching and saturation-transfer difference (STD) NMR experiments showed that eriodictyol exhibits good binding affinity to JNK, $8.79{\times}10^5M^{-1}$. Based on a docking study, we propose a model of eriodictyol and JNK binding, in which eriodictyol forms 3 hydrogen bonds with the side chains of Lys55, Met111, and Asp169 in JNK, and in which the hydroxyl groups of the B ring play key roles in binding interactions with JNK. Therefore, eriodictyol may be a potent anti-inflammatory inhibitor of JNK.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.196-202
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• 2011

본 연구는 EGCG의 항 당뇨 활성기전으로 췌장종양 선세포 AR42J의 분화 및 내분비기능 개선에 미치는 영향과 그 세포 신호전달 기전을 확인하였다. 그 결과 첫째, AR42J 세포에 EGCG 처리 시 췌장종양 선세포의 세포증식이 농도 의존적으로 감소되었다. 둘째, 세포사멸 유도가 유의적으로 일어나지 않는 농도인 1uM EGCG를 AR42J 세포에 처리한 결과 ngn 3, ${\alpha}$-amylase, insulin은 EGCG처리 24시간에 mRNA, 단백질 발현증가를 나타내었고 48시간에 유의적 증가를 나타내었다. 셋째, EGCG 처리 시 ERK, JNK MAP Kinase 기전은 인산화 억제를 나타내었고 반면에 p38 기전의 인산화는 48시간에 유의적 증가를 하였다. 넷째, p38기전 저해제인 SB203580을 처리하여 EGCG가 MAP Kinase 기전중의 하나인 p38 기전 인산화 활성의 회복을 나타내어 ngn 3 발현을 위한 전사 신호전달 기전임을 다시 확인하였다. 따라서 녹차 생리활성 성분인 EGCG의 췌장종양 선 세포 AR42J 처리 결과 EGCG는 p38 MAP Kinase 기전 활성을 통해 췌장 선세포의 분화지표인 ngn 3 발현을 증가시키며 췌장내분비 기능 지표인 ${\alpha}$-amylase, insulin 발현증가를 나타내어 세포의 내분비기능 개선에도 영향을 미치는 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2001년도 추계학술대회 및 정기총회
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• pp.104-104
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• 2001

Ras는 세포의 성장과 분화 등 여러 필수적인 세포기능에 없어서는 안될 중요한 역할을 담당하며 Ras가 mutation되면 암 등의 치명적인 결과를 초래한다. Ras 발현은 유방암에서 tumor aggressiveness의 지표로 간주되고 있으며 유방세포의 침습성과 연관이 있다고 알려져 있으므로 ras가 전이과정에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구는 중요한 의미를 갖는다. 본 연구의 선행연구결과, H-ras와 N-ras 모두 transformed phenotype을 나타내지만 H-ras 만이 암전이에 있어서 중요한 침윤성을 유도하는 것을 밝혔다. 이 결과는 MCF10A 세포에서 H-ras와 N-ras에 의한 신호전달경로가 각각 다른 생물학적 전이활성을 나타냄을 시사한다. 세포의 이동성은 침습성에 있어서 결정적인 역할을 하므로, 본 연구에서 H-ras와 N-ras로 형질전환된 MCF10A세포에서 이동성을 시험한 결과, 세포의 이동성이 N-ras가 아닌 H-ras MCF10A 세포에서만 크게 증가된다는 것을 보았다. 이는 침습성을 나타내는 H-ras가 세포의 이동성을 증가시키는데 작용한다는 것을 말한다. H-ras에 의해 유도된 침습성과 이동성에 대한 분자적 기전에 관하여 연구하기 위하여 H-ras MCF10A와 N-ras MCF10A 세포에서 Ras의 downstream effector들, 특히 mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKinases)들인 JNK1, ERK, p38의 활성화를 살펴본 결과 p38 MAPKinase가 H-ras MCF10A 세포에서 현저하게 활성화됨을 보았다. p38 MAPKinase 저해제인 SB203580를 처리하던지 dominant negative p38 (DN p38) transfectant로 p38을 불활성화시켰을 때 세포침습성 및 이동성이 저해되는 결과를 얻었다. SB203580 처리한 H-ras MCF10A 세포에서 전이에 관여하는 효소인 MMP-2 분비가 감소되었다. H-ras에 의해 유도된 침습성과 이동성은 DN JNK1 transfectant에서는 변화가 없었으나 DN MEK transfectants에서는 유의성있게 감소되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합하면, MCF10A 세포의 침윤성과 이동성에는 p38 MAPKinase 활성이 중심적인 역할을 하며, JNK 활성은 영향을 미치지 않고, ERK-1/2 활성은 충분하지는 않으나 필요하다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.207-216
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• 2021

Several studies have previously reported that exposure to stress provokes behavioral changes, including antinociception, in rodents. In the present study, we studied the effect of acute cold-water (4℃) swimming stress (CWSS) on nociception and the possible changes in several signal molecules in male ICR mice. Here, we show that 3 min of CWSS was sufficient to produce antinociception in tail-flick, hot-plate, von-Frey, writhing, and formalin-induced pain models. Significantly, CWSS strongly reduced nociceptive behavior in the first phase, but not in the second phase, of the formalin-induced pain model. We further examined some signal molecules' expressions in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord to delineate the possible molecular mechanism involved in the antinociceptive effect under CWSS. CWSS reduced p-ERK, p-AMPKα1, p-AMPKα2, p-Tyk2, and p-STAT3 expression both in the spinal cord and DRG. However, the phosphorylation of mTOR was activated after CWSS in the spinal cord and DRG. Moreover, p-JNK and p-CREB activation were significantly increased by CWSS in the spinal cord, whereas CWSS alleviated JNK and CREB phosphorylation levels in DRG. Our results suggest that the antinociception induced by CWSS may be mediated by several molecules, such as ERK, JNK, CREB, AMPKα1, AMPKα2, mTOR, Tyk2, and STAT3 located in the spinal cord and DRG.

• BMB Reports
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• 제52권8호
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• pp.502-507
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• 2019

Translation is a costly, but inevitable, cell maintenance process. To reduce unnecessary ATP consumption in cells, a fine-tuning mechanism is needed for both ribosome biogenesis and translation. Previous studies have suggested that the ribosome functions as a hub for many cellular signals such as ribotoxic stress response, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) signaling. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between ribosomes and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation under ribotoxic stress conditions and found that the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) was suppressed by ribosomal protein knockdown but that of p38 was not. In addition, we found that JNK activation is driven by the association of inactive JNK in the 80S monosomes rather than the polysomes. Overall, these data suggest that the activation of JNKs by ribotoxic stress is attributable to 80S monosomes. These 80S monosomes are active ribosomes that are ready to initiate protein translation, rather than polysomes that are already acting ribosomes involved in translation elongation.