• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.14
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• 2023

Background: Hypothermia is a crucial environmental factor that elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the underlying effect is unclear. Objectives: This study examined the role of cold stress (CS) in cardiac injury and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: In this study, a chronic CS-induced myocardial injury model was used; mice were subjected to chronic CS (4℃) for three hours per day for three weeks. Results: CS could result in myocardial injury by inducing the levels of heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70), enhancing the generation of creatine phosphokinase-isoenzyme (CKMB) and malondialdehyde (MDA), increasing the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) interleukin1b (IL-1β), IL-18, IL-6, and triggering the depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). Multiple signaling pathways were activated by cold exposure, including pyroptosis-associated NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3)-regulated caspase-1-dependent/Gasdermin D (GSDMD), inflammation-related toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), as well as oxidative stressinvolved thioredoxin-1/thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) signaling pathways, which play a pivotal role in myocardial injury resulting from hypothermia. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights into the increased risk of cardiovascular disease at extremely low temperatures.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.161-167
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• 2023

Despite the various medications used in clinics, the efforts to develop more effective treatments for depression continue to increase in the past decades mainly because of the treatment-resistant population, and the testing of several hypotheses- and target-based treatments. Undesirable side effects and unresponsiveness to current medications fuel the drive to solve this top global health problem. In this study, we focused on neuroinflammatory response-mediated depression which represents a cluster of depression etiology both in animal models and humans. Several meta-analyses reported that proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were increased in major depressive disorder patients. Inflammatory mediators implicated in depression include type-I interferon and inflammasome pathways. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammatory cascades underlying the pathophysiology of depression, we introduced hycanthone, an antischistosomal drug, to check whether it can counteract depressive-like behaviors in vivo and normalize the inflammation-induced changes in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment increased proinflammatory cytokine expression in the murine microglial cells as well as the stimulation of type I interferon-related pathways that are directly or indirectly regulated by Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) activation. Hycanthone treatment attenuated those changes possibly by inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway and inflammasome activation. Hycanthone also ameliorated depressive-like behaviors by LPS. Taken together, we suggest that the inhibitory action of hycanthone against the interferon pathway leading to attenuation of depressive-like behaviors can be a novel therapeutic mechanism for treating depression.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.295-313
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• 2023

Objectives : While treatments for cancer are advancing, the development of effective treatments for cancer metastasis, the main cause of cancer patient death, remains insufficient. Recent studies on Dichroae Radix have revealed that its active ingredients have the potential to inhibit cancer metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the cancer metastasis inhibitory effect of Dichroae Radix using network pharmacological analysis. Methods : The active compounds of Dichroae Radix have been identified using Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. The UniProt database was used to collect each of information of all target proteins associated with the active compounds. To find the bio-metabolic processes associated with each target, the DAVID6.8 Gene Functional classifier tool was used. Compound-Target and Target-Pathway networks were analyzed via Cytoscape 3.40. Results : In total, 25 active compounds and their 62 non-redundant targets were selected through the TCMSP database and analysis platform. The target genes underwent gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis. The gene list applied to the gene ontology analysis revealed associations with various biological processes, including signal transduction, chemical synaptic transmission, G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathways, response to xenobiotic stimulus, and response to drugs, among others. A total of eleven genes, including HSP90AB1, CALM1, F2, AR, PAKACA, PTGS2, NOS2, RXRA, ESR1, ESR2, and NCOA1, were found to be associated with biological pathways related to cancer metastasis. Furthermore, nineteen of the active compounds from Dichroae Radix were confirmed to interact with these genes. Conclusions : The results provide valuable insights into the mechanism of action and molecular targets of Dichroae Radix. Notably, Berberine, the main active ingredient of Dichroae Radix, plays a significant role in degrading AR proteins in advanced prostate cancer. Further studies and validations can provide crucial data to advance cancer metastasis prevention and treatment strategies.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.242-248
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• 2016

Thymic atrophy is a complication that results from exposure to many environmental stressors, disease treatments, and microbial challenges. Such acute stress-associated thymic loss can have a dramatic impact on the host's ability to replenish the necessary naïve T cell output to reconstitute the peripheral T cell numbers and repertoire to respond to new antigenic challenges. We have previously reported that treatment with the orexigenic hormone ghrelin results in an increase in the number and proliferation of thymocytes after dexamethasone challenge, suggesting a role for ghrelin in restraint stress-induced thymic involution and cell apoptosis and its potential use as a thymostimulatory agent. In an effort to understand how ghrelin suppresses thymic T cell apoptosis, we have examined the various signaling pathways induced by receptor-specific ghrelin stimulation using a restraint stress mouse model. In this model, stress-induced apoptosis in thymocytes was effectively blocked by ghrelin. Western blot analysis demonstrated that ghrelin prevents the cleavage of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bim, Caspase-3, and PARP. In addition, ghrelin stimulation activates the Akt and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways in a time/dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we also revealed the involvement of the FoxO3a pathway in the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Together, these findings suggest that ghrelin inhibits apoptosis by modulating the stress-induced apoptotic signal pathway in the restraint-induced thymic apoptosis.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.555-563
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• 2018

보리는 높은 비율로 식이섬유를 함유하고 있어, 일반적으로 영양학적으로는 전곡 형태로의 섭취가 추천되고 있지만, 조직감과 소화율을 고려하여 발효물 형태의 소비가 바람직한 것으로 판단되고 있다. 본 연구는 효소당화 후, 효모 및 유산균 발효를 거쳐 조제한 보리발효물로부터 조다당 BF-CP를 분리하고, 대식세포에 대한 면역증강 효과 및 세포 내 신호전달을 규명하여 기능성 소재로의 이용방안을 모색하기 위해 계획되었다. BF-CP 획분의 일반화학적 특성을 분석한 결과 70.7% 글루코스 11.4% 자일로스 및 9.0% 아라비노스를 포함하여 91.1%의 중성당으로 이루어진 중성다당이었다. BF-CP는 RAW 264.7 대식세포주에서 농도의존적으로 IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$와 같은 사이토카인 및 NO의 생산능을 유도하는 등 높은 대식세포 활성능을 나타냈다. 또한 qPCR 분석을 통해, BF-CP 획분을 대식세포주에 처리하였을 때, 처리 농도에 비례하여 IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ 및 iNOS의 mRNA 유전자 발현을 증가시킴을 확인할 수 있었다. 한편 Western blot을 활용한 신호전달 단백질 추적실험에서 BF-CP 획분을 대식세포주에 처리하였을 때, JNK, ERK 및 p38과 같은 MAPK 경로와 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 경로의 관련 단백질을 인산화시킴이 확인되었으며 그 활성은 BF-CP 농도에 의존적이었다. 이상의 결과로부터 보리발효물 유래 다당 BF-CP는 MAPK와 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 경로를 통해 대식세포를 활성화시키며, 이를 통하여 NO, IL-6 및 $TNF-{\alpha}$와 같은 면역활성화 관련 물질의 생산을 높은 비율로 유도시킨다는 것을 최종 확인할 수 있었다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권12호
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• pp.899-906
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• 2014

Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) promotes tumor-persistent inflammation, frequently resulting in cancer. Curcumin is a diphenolic turmeric that inhibits carcinogenesis and induces apoptosis. $PGE_2$ inhibits curcumin-induced apoptosis; however, the underlying inhibitory mechanisms in colon cancer cells remain unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate the survival role of $PGE_2$ and whether addition of exogenous $PGE_2$ affects curcumininduced cell death. HCT-15 cells were treated with curcumin and $PGE_2$, and protein expression levels were investigated via Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels were confirmed using specific dyes. The nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) DNA-binding was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). $PGE_2$ inhibited curcumin-induced apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress and degradation of PARP and lamin B. However, exposure of cells to the EP2 receptor antagonist, AH6809, and the PKA inhibitor, H89, before treatment with $PGE_2$ or curcumin abolished the protective effect of $PGE_2$ and enhanced curcumin-induced cell death. $PGE_2$ activates PKA, which is required for cAMP-mediated transcriptional activation of CREB. $PGE_2$ also activated the Ras/Raf/Erk pathway, and pretreatment with PD98059 abolished the protective effect of $PGE_2$. Furthermore, curcumin treatment greatly reduced phosphorylation of CREB, followed by a concomitant reduction of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50 and p65) subunit activation. $PGE_2$ markedly activated nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EMSA confirmed the DNA-binding activities of $NF-{\kappa}B$ subunits. These results suggest that inhibition of curcumin-induced apoptosis by $PGE_2$ through activation of PKA, Ras, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways may provide a molecular basis for the reversal of curcumin-induced colon carcinoma cell death.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권11호
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• pp.1506-1513
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• 2009

RGS단백질은 G 단백질 신호전달작용에 있어서 신호를 억제하는 조절단백질로서 G 단백질 매개수용체(GPCR)의 활성을 억제하는 것으로 알려졌다. 그렇지만 캐너비노이드 수용체 CB2의 활성에 있어서 RGS 단백질의 조절효과에 관해서는 지금까지 알려져 있지 않다. 그러므로 본 연구에서 우리는 RGS2, 3, 4, 5와 캐너비노이드 수용체 CB2 cDNA를 동시에 HEK293 세포주에 발현시킨 후 각 RGS 단백질의 효과를 조사하였다. CB2 단백질을 발현하는 HEK293 세포주(CB2-HEK293)에서 CB2 효현제인 WIN55,212-2는 폴스콜린으로 유도된 cAMP response element (CRE) 활성을 억제하였다. 이러한 WIN55,212-2의 CRE 억제 활성은 RGS3에 의하여 차단되었지만 RGS2, 4, 및 RGS5에서는 관찰되지 않았다. 뿐만 아니라 RGS3 small interference RNA (siRNA)를 사용하여 내인성 RGS3 단백질의 발현을 저하시키면 WIN55,212-2에 의한 폴스콜린 유도 CRE 억제활성은 더욱 증강되었다. 이상의 결과는 캐너비노이드 수용체 CB2 신호전달작용에 있어서 RGS 단백질의 기능적 역할과 특히 내인성 RGS3의 캐너비노이드 수용체 CB2에 대한 선택적 작용을 나타낸다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.251-256
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• 2011

파이토케미컬의 일종인 EGCG는 녹차의 카테킨 성분으로, 세포 내 신호 경로 조절을 통하여 항산화, 항암효과를 나타내는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 hypoxia 상태인 B16F10 피부암 세포에서 HIF-$1{\alpha}$를 포함한 AMPK의 신호경로를 통하여 EGCG의 apoptosis 유도 효과를 규명하였다. AMPK는 hypoxia, 영양분 결핍, 운동, heat shock 등, 세포 내 ATP의 결핍에 의해서 활성화되며 암세포의 증식을 억제하고 apoptosis를 유도한다. 세포에서 중요한 에너지 센서로서 작용하는 AMPK가 hypoxia 상태의 암세포 내에서는 HIF-$1{\alpha}$의 전사 활성을 유도하는데, HIF-$1{\alpha}$는 hypoxia 상태에서 산소 결핍에 반응하는 첫 번째 전사 조절인자로서 암세포의 생존을 위한 세포내 산소공급과 혈관신생형성을 조절한다. Hypoxia 상태가 아닌 B16F10 세포에서와 hypoxia 상태에서의 B16F10 세포에서 EGCG에 의한 apoptosis 효과를 관찰하였다. 실험 결과, hypoxia 상태에서 EGCG는 더 강한 apoptosis를 유도하며, 혈관신생형성을 조절할 수 있는 HIF-$1{\alpha}$의 전사 활성을 억제시킨다. 이러한 관찰을 통해 EGCG가 hypoxia 상태의 피부암 세포에서 암의 성장과 신생혈관형성을 저해하는 것으로 보인다. 이와 같은 연구는 향후 식품에 첨가된 파이토케미컬을 이용하여 암을 예방하는 연구에서 있어서, 도움이 될 것으로 여겨진다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.105-111
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• 2019

Histone deacetylase (HDAC)-6은 전사조절 및 세포질 내 다양한 단백질들과의 상호작용을 통하여 난소암의 유발에 관여한다. 최근, HDAC-6을 표적으로 하는 특이적 억제제를 활용하여 암세포의 신호전달경로를 차단함으로써 새로운 항암제로서의 개발을 모색하고 있다. 특히, 난소암 치료를 위한 화학요법에서는 생식세포에 미치는 영향이 하나의 중요한 난제가 될 수 있다. 그러나, HDAC-6 억제제가 난소암세포 이외의 생식세포에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구는 아직 미흡한 실정이다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 HDAC-6 억제제의 하나인 tubastatin A (TubA)가 생쥐의 난소 내 미성숙 난자에 미치는 영향을 RNA sequencing 분석을 통하여 검증하였다. 이러한 유전자 집합을 이용한 통계적 분석은 기존의 개별 유전자분석의 한계를 극복하여 대량의 생물학적 정보를 산출함으로써, 세포 내 신호전달경로와 같은 복잡한 생물학적 변화상태를 보다 더 광범위하고 민감하게 파악할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 의미있는 결과의 도출에 도움을 줄 수 있다. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) 결과, 세포주기와 감수분열의 조절 및 진행에 관여하는 gene sets의 발현이 germinal vesicle (GV)과 비교하여 TubA 처리군에서 대부분 감소되었다. 또한, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA)를 통하여 TubA가 난모세포 내 p53 및 pRB의 발현을 증가시키고 CDK4/6 및 cyclin D의 발현을 감소시킬 뿐만 아니라, G2/M 단계의 DNA checkpoint 조절에 관여하는 유전자들의 발현을 증가시킴을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 TubA가 난소 내 미성숙 난자의 DNA 손상과 세포주기 관련 신호전달경로 유전자들의 발현변화를 유도함으로써, 세포주기의 중지와 세포사멸을 초래할 수 있음을 제시한다. 따라서, 특히 생식주기 이전의 난소암을 표적으로 하는 HDAC-6 억제제를 이용한 항암제의 개발에 있어 난소 내 미성숙 난자의 정상적인 성장과 발달을 위한 대안적 고려가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.219-228
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• 2015

Excessive microglial activation and subsequent neuroinflammation lead to synaptic loss and dysfunction as well as neuronal cell death, which are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the regulation of microglial activation has been evaluated as effective therapeutic strategies. Although dieckol (DEK), one of the phlorotannins isolated from marine brown alga Ecklonia cava, has been previously reported to inhibit microglial activation, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated here molecular mechanism of DEK via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt and nicotinamide adenine dinuclelotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-mediated pathways. In addition, the neuroprotective mechanism of DEK was investigated in microglia-mediated neurotoxicity models such as neuron-microglia co-culture and microglial conditioned media system. Our results demonstrated that treatment of anti-oxidant DEK potently suppressed phosphorylation of ERK in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1{\mu}g/ml$)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. In addition, DEK markedly attenuated Akt phosphorylation and increased expression of $gp91^{phox}$, which is the catalytic component of NADPH oxidase complex responsible for microglial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Finally, DEK significantly attenuated neuronal cell death that is induced by treatment of microglial conditioned media containing neurotoxic secretary molecules. These neuroprotective effects of DEK were also confirmed in a neuron-microglia co-culture system using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-transfected B35 neuroblastoma cell line. Taken together, these results suggest that DEK suppresses excessive microglial activation and microglia-mediated neuronal cell death via downregulation of ERK, Akt and NADPH oxidase-mediated pathways.