• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.271-280
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• 2010

Vibrio alginolyticus, a Gram-negative marine bacterium, is one of the causative agents of fish vibriosis. Its virulence factors and pathogenesis mechanism are barely known, except for some extracellular products (ECPs) that are known to be regulated by quorum sensing system. Therefore, the present study used a microarray to analyze the transcription profiles of the wild-type V. alginolyticus and a deletion mutant of luxO, the pivotal regulator in Vibrio quorum sensing systems, which resulted in the identification of a putative virulence factor, MviN. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR confirmed that the transcription of mviN was upregulated in the luxO mutant when compared with wild-type, and down regulated in a luxO-con complemented strain. Furthermore, Western blotting indicated that MviN was greatly induced during the late-exponential and stationary phases of growth, indicating that the expression of MviN was cell-density dependent and quorum sensing regulated in V. alginolyticus. Meanwhile, the mviN null mutant displayed a much slower growth rate than the wild type, signifying the essential role of MviN in V. alginolyticus. Western blotting also revealed that MviN was present as an extracellular protein in V. alginolyticus. When epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells were treated with the ECPs of the mviN mutant, no cytotoxicity was observed, whereas EPC cells treated with the wild type exhibited pathological changes, which increased with the ECPs concentration and treatment time. Therefore, the results demonstrated that MviN is a LuxO-regulated ECPs component and involved in the pathogenicity of V. alginolyticus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.724-729
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• 2023

In this experiment, we aimed to investigate the role of copper in regulating the biosynthesis of a myokine called apelin in mammalian skeletal muscle cells. Our approach involved culturing skeletal muscle cells and subjecting them to treatments with copper sulfate or a copper chelator known as bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCS). We employed standard techniques, such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, to assess the synthesis of apelin at different stages, including transcription, translation, and post-translational modifications. Our findings demonstrated that copper had an inhibitory effect on apelin biosynthesis at all three stages: transcription, translation, and post-translation. However, when we treated the cells with BCS, the biosynthesis of apelin was restored to its original state. This finding suggests that copper is required for the synthesis of apelin in mammalian skeletal muscle cells. This study represents the first documented evidence of the inorganic copper-dependent regulation of apelin biosynthesis, shedding light on potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia induced by copper imbalances.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2004

Serotonin receptor binds to serotonin (5-HT) and activates effector proteins such as adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase or ion channel through G protein on the cell membrane, resulting in various physiological responses like diuresis, memory and development. To examine the comparative expression of the 5-HT$\_$7/ receptor of Aedes aegypti, the Aedes 5-HT$\_$7/ receptor gene was transfected into Drosophila Schneider2 (S2) cells and mammalian Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-Kl cells. The expression of the Aedes 5-HT$\_$7/ receptor gene in selected cell lines, Tr-CHO and Tr-S2, was confirmed with reverse transcription-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Compared with the induced intracellular cAMP level of Tr-S2 cell line to 5-HT, the induced cAMP in the Tr-CHO cell line was over 9 times higher and was dose-dependent. These results suggest that the functionality of Aedes 5-HT$\_$7/ receptor is much more effective in mammalian CHO-K 1 cells and that the Tr-CHO cell line expressing Aedes 5-HT$\_$7/ receptor can be used for synthetic agonist or antagonist candidate screening.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.484-490
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• 1997

In an attempt to investigate the effects of white ginseng on the proliferation and the nitric oxide(NO) secretion of mouse peritoneal macrophages, which are the first mai or defense phagocytes in the immune system, the studies have been carried out. In the macrophage proliferation assay using the $^3$H-thymidine incorporation, the total saponin or Ginsenoside Rb$_2$ were added to the medium at the concentration of 0 to 256$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$. DNA synthesis of the macrophage was increased at 64$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ of total saponin and either 16$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ or 64$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ of Ginsenoside Rb$_2$, respectively. Also, the effect o(white ginseng on the nitric oxide secretion of the macrophages was investigated. The addition of either total saponin or Ginsenoside Rb$_2$ at the concentration of 20$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ significantly increased the secretion of NO from the macrophages. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene expression which is responsible for the synthesis of the nitric oxide has been studied using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In RT-PCR, the $\beta$-actin and nos gene expression have been analyzed. 20$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ of either total saponin or Ginsenoside Rb$_2$ increased nos gene expression of the macrophages.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.233-236
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• 2019

Citrus vein enation virus (CVEV), which was regulated as a quarantine virus in Korea, was firstly found on Jeju Island in 2017. In February 2018, a survey was carried out to determine the distribution of CVEV in the main commercial areas growing Citrus spp. and Poncirus trifoliata. The survey was performed at 203 groves in the southern Korean Peninsula and Jeju Island. CVEV infection was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction detection and sequencing. The coat protein (CP) gene sequences obtained from the CVEV-infected samples showed high similarities (more than 98%) to the previously reported CVEV CP sequences. In summary, CVEV was detected in 136 groves (67%), in which 85.4% of Citrus junos and 77.8% of Citrus unshiu were infected by CVEV. In Jeju Island, the infection rate of CVEV was relatively higher (90.6%). Our result revealed that CVEV has spread widely in Citrus and Poncirus in Korea. Based on the result, the Korean quarantine agency decide to exclude CVEV from quarantine in Korea.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2017

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activities and cell viability of Amelanchier asiatica (A. asiatica) 70% ethanol extracts against RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell toxicity test on macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) was performed by 3-[4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay and results showed 96% cell viability at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. Anti-inflammatory activity was examined via the inhibitory tests on the production of LPS induced NO in RAW 264.7 cells by Griess assay. The result showed that the extract inhibited NO production in concentration dependent manner. The iNOS and COX-2 protein expression inhibitory effects were confirmed by western blot and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). From the former they were decreased by 84.3%, 56.2% at $500{\mu}g/mL$ concentration, respectively, and from the latter decreased by 89.8%, 84.9% at $500{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In conclusion, this study showed the anti-inflammatory effects of A. asiatica extracts. Thus, this could be applied to an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Cheunggihwadamhwan (CGHDH) extract on lowering lipid, antioxidation and production of proinflammatory cytokines in rats fed on high fat diet. Methods 40 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on high fat diet for 8 weeks and 32 rats (above 400 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (8 mice in each group) : control group, 100 mg/Kg CGHDH group, 200 mg/Kg CGHDH group, 300 mg/Kg CGHDH group. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline(100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And We fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of Cheunggihwadamhwan extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid in plasma and liver, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidative activity and gene expression. The gene expression level was investigated by the way of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results 1. Concentration of plasma FFA, plasma TG, plasma total cholesterol and plasma LDL-cholesterol showed a significant decrement in Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. However, concentration of plasma HDL-cholesterol showed a significant increment in 200, 300 mg/kg Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. 2. Concentration of liver total cholesterol and liver TG showed a significant decrement in Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. 3. Concentration of plasma TBARS showed a significant decrement in all Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. Concentration of liver TBARS showed a significant decrement in 200, 300 mg/kg Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. Concentration of liver GSH-Px, SOD and CAT showed a tendency to decrease in all Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. 4. Concentration of plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, plasma IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and NO, showed a tendency to decrease in all Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. Concentration of plasma IL-10 showed a tendency to increase in all Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. 5. In the analysis of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the gene expression of Apo-B and Apo-E in the Cheunggihwadamhwan groups showed a low expression than that of control group. The ratio of Apo-B expression per $\beta$-actin expression in the showed a significant decrement in all Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. The ratio of Apo-E expression per $\beta$-actin expression in the showed a significant decrement in 300 mg/kg Cheunggihwadamhwan groups. Conclusions According to this study, the extract of Cheunggihwadamhwan showed a positive effect of lowering lipid, antioxidation and a control of producing proinflammatory cytokines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7825-7829
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• 2014

Objective: To investigate the effect of high expression of XAF1 in vivo or in vitro on lung cancer cell growth and apoptosis. Methods: 1. The A549 human lung cancer cell line was transfected with Ad5/F35 - XAF1, or Ad5/F35 - Null at the same multiplicity of infection (MOI); (hereinafter referred to as transient transfected cell strain); XAF1 gene mRNA and protein expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. 2. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis before and after infection of Ad5/F35 - XAF1 with Western blotting for apoptosis related proteins, caspase 3, caspase - 8 and PARP. 3. After the XAF1 gene was transfected into lung cancer A549 cells by lentiviral vectors, and selected by screening with Blasticidin, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were applied to detect mRNA and protein expression, to establish a line with a stable high expression of XAF1 (hereinafter referred to as stable expression cell strain). Twenty nude mice were randomly divided into groups A and B, 10 in each group: A549/XAF1 stable expression cell strain was subcutaneously injected in group A, and A549/Ctrl stable cell line stable expression cell strain in group B (control group), to observe transplanted tumor growth in nude mice. Results: The mRNA and protein expression of XAF1 in A549 cells transfected by Ad5/F35 - XAF1 was significantly higher than in the control group. XAF1 mediated by adenovirus vector demonstrated a dose dependent inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. This was accompanied by cleavage of caspase -3, -8, -9 and PARP, suggesting activation of intrinsic or extrinsic apoptotic pathways. A cell strain of lung cancer highly expressing XAF1 was established, and this demonstrated delayed tumor growth after transplantation in vivo. Conclusion: Adenovirus mediated XAF1 gene expression could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells in vitro; highly stable expression of XAF1 could also significantly inhibit the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mouse, with no obvious adverse reactions observed. Therefore, the XAF1 gene could become a new target for lung cancer treatment.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.137-146
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• 2012

This study investigated whether ferulic acid modulates the heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and HO-2 expression in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced brain injury. Rats (Sprague-Dawley, male) were treated with vehicle or ferulic acid (100 mg/kg, i.v.) before MCAO, and cerebral cortex tissues were collected 24 h after MCAO. This study clearly confirmed the protective effects of ferulic acid during MCAO-induced damage using hematoxylin and eosin staining. MCAO induces nuclear chromatin condensations and necrotic changes with scalloped shrunken form. However, ferulic acid prevented MCAO-induced histopathological changes. HO-1 and HO-2 expression levels were measured using reverse-transcription PCR and Western blot analyses. HO-1 levels were decreased in vehicle-treated animals after MCAO, whereas this decrease in HO-1 levels was attenuated by ferulic acid treatment. However, the level of HO-2 was consistently maintained in the cerebral cortex of vehicle- and ferulic acid-treated animals after MCAO. These results demonstrated that ferulic acid regulates HO-1 expression in ischemic brain injury, while ferulic acid do not modulate HO-2 expression in MACO. In conclusion, these findings suggest that ferulic acid exerts a neuroprotective effect by preventing the MCAO-induced decrease of HO-1 expression.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.328-334
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• 2019

Background: Although the frequency of respiratory viral infection in patients with pulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is not uncommon, clinical significance of the condition remains to be further elucidated. The purpose of this study was to compare characteristics and outcomes of patients with pulmonary ARDS infected with influenza and other respiratory viruses. Methods: Clinical data of patients with pulmonary ARDS infected with respiratory viruses January 2014-June 2018 were reviewed. Respiratory viral infection was identified by multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Among 126 patients who underwent multiplex RT-PCR, respiratory viral infection was identified in 46% (58/126): 28 patients with influenza and 30 patients with other respiratory viruses. There was no significant difference in baseline and clinical characteristics between patients with influenza and those with other respiratory viruses. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was more frequent in patients with influenza than in those with other respiratory viruses (32.1% vs 3.3%, p=0.006). Co-bacterial pathogens were more frequently isolated from respiratory samples of patients with pulmonary ARDS infected with influenza virus than those with other respiratory viruses. (53.6% vs 26.7%, p=0.036). There were no significant differences regarding clinical outcomes. In multivariate analysis, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II was associated with 30-mortality (odds ratio, 1.158; 95% confidence interval, 1.022-1.312; p=0.022). Conclusion: Respiratory viral infection was not uncommon in patients with pulmonary ARDS. Influenza virus was most commonly identified and was associated with more co-bacterial infection and ECMO therapy.