• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.611-618
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• 2016

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) with aberrant expression of microRNA (miRNA) are critical pathogenic regulators in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies have found that overexpression or silencing of miRNA can contribute to the development of miRNA-based therapeutics in arthritis models. In this study, we explored the effects of miR-27a on cell migration and invasion in cultured FLS from RA patients. We found that miR-27a was markedly downregulated in the serum, synovial tissue, and FLS of RA patients. Meanwhile, the expression of follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) was upregulated, which suggests that FSTL1 plays a key role in RA development. The results of a Transwell assay showed that miR-27a inhibited FLS migration and invasion. However, miR-27a inhibition promoted the migration and invasion of FLS. In addition, the down-regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9, and MMP13) and Rho family proteins (Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA) was detected after treatment with miR-27a in RA-FLS by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blot analysis. Then, a luciferase reporter assay validated that miR-27a targeted the 3-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of FSTL1. Moreover, miR-27a caused a significant decrease of FSTL1. In addition, the expression of TLR4 and $NF{\kappa}B$ was inhibited by miR-27a but increased by FSTL1 overexpression. In conclusion, we found that miR-27a inhibited cell migration and invasion of RA-FLS by targeting FSTL1 and restraining the $TLR4/NF{\kappa}B$ pathway.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2007

Efficient gene delivery to specific tissues, such as inflammatory and cancerous tissues, is currently a major concern in disease treatment. The human transferrin receptor (hTR) has been detected in the synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), which raises the possibility that expression of hTR is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To investigate whether the hTR is a useful target for gene transduction into the FLS of RA patients, recombinant adenoviruses with wildtype fiber (AdLac) and transferrin peptide-tagged fiber (Tf-AdLac) were used. The hTR expression level in FLS was notably increased by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Gene transduction to FLS was significantly higher by the hTR-targeted adenovirus than by the AdLac adenovirus, and treatment of the FLS with bFGF resulted in increased gene transduction by Tf-AdLac. Taken together, these data support Tf-AdLac as a new strategy for gene transduction in the treatment of RA patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.510-518
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin is a newly derived glycolipoprotein from the roots of ginseng. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-arthritic efficacy of Gintonin on various proteases and inflammatory mediators that have an important role in arthritis. Methods: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were treated with Gintonin and stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β 1 hour later. The antioxidant effect of Gintonin was measured using MitoSOX and H₂DCFDA experiments. The anti-arthritic efficacy of Gintonin was examined by analyzing the expression levels of inflammatory mediators using RT-PCR, western blot, and ELISA. The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/p65 into the nucleus were also analyzed using western blot, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice model was used. Mice were orally administered with Gintonin (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) every 2 days for 45 days. The body weight, arthritis score, squeaking score, and paw volume were measured as the behavioral parameters. After sacrifice, H&E and safranin-O staining were performed for histological analysis. Results: Gintonin significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory intermediates. Gintonin prevented NF-κB/p65 from moving into the nucleus through the JNK and ERK MAPK phosphorylation in FLS cells. Moreover, Gintonin suppressed the symptoms of arthritis in the CIA mice model. Conclusion: As a result, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Gintonin were demonstrated, and ultimately the anti-arthritic effect was proved. Collectively, Gintonin has a great potential as a therapeutic agent for arthritis treatment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.231-244
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• 2023

Leucine-rich repeat containing 15 (LRRC15) has been identified as a contributing factor for cartilage damage in osteoarthritis; however, its involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the underlying mechanisms have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to explore the function of LRRC15 in RA-associated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) and in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and to dissect the epigenetic mechanisms involved. LRRC15 was overexpressed in the synovial tissues of patients with RA, and LRRC15 overexpression was associated with increased proliferative, migratory, invasive, and angiogenic capacities of RA-FLS and accelerated release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. LRRC15 knockdown significantly inhibited synovial proliferation and reduced bone invasion and destruction in CIA mice. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) transcriptionally represses LRRC15 by binding to core-binding factor subunit beta (CBF-β). Overexpression of RUNX1 significantly inhibited the invasive phenotype of RA-FLS and suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Conversely, the effects of RUNX1 were significantly reversed after overexpression of LRRC15 or inhibition of RUNX1-CBF-β interactions. Therefore, we demonstrated that RUNX1-mediated transcriptional repression of LRRC15 inhibited the development of RA, which may have therapeutic effects for RA patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.242-248
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• 2010

The present study was designed in order to determine whether Lonicerae flos (LF) could mitigate rheumatoid arthritis through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 by regulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). We found that MIF mRNA expression in synoviocytes stimulated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate dose-dependantly decreased by LF extract treatment (0.4 - 1.0 mg/$m{\ell}$). The distribution of MIF, COX-2 and MMP-9 positive reacted cells in LPS induced arthritis of mice were decreased by LF (45 mg/kg/day) treatment for 28 days. These data likely indicate that LF may act as MIF inhibitor and may be possible to develop useful agent for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2000

This study was designed to observe the ultrastructural localization of synoviocytes, which are concerned with the function of phagocytic synovial cells (type A synoviocytes, macrophage-like synoviocytes), in the knee joint of the human for CD14 and CD105 by cryo-immune-electron microscopic technique. The synovium were dissected and fixed for two hours (in 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.1% glutaraldehyde mixture), and were immerged in 2.3 M sucrose and 20% PVP solution. Finally, they were cut with the cryoultramicrotome and labelled with primary antibodies (monoclonal mouse anti-human CD14, monoclonal mouse anti-human CD105 (endoglin) and secondary (donkey anti-mouse IgG) tagged with 6 nm colloidal gold particles. The tissues were observed under transmission electron microscope. This study was resulted as follows. 1. In the synovium of the human knee joint, CD14+ cells were identified. These cells showed phagocytic synovial cell's features. In the phagocytic synoviocyte, the distributions of CD14 were marked in the cytoplasm, around vacuoles, and in cytoplasmic process, but not detected inside of vacuoles. 2. In the synovium of the human knee joint, CD105+ cells were identified. These cells were recognized endothelial cells and phagocytic synovial cells. In the phagocytic synovial cells, the distributions of CD105 (endoglin) were marked in cytoplasic process, around vacuoles, and in cell membrane, but not detected inside of vacuoles. On the basis of above findings, it is obvious that phagocytic synovial cells were marked at CD 14 and CD 105, and might be play the role of activated macrophages or phagocytes in the synovial membrane.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate effect of suppressing the expression of cyclo-oxygenase-type-2 (COX-2) as a consequence of inhibition macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activation by $Sambucus$ $williamsii$ $Hance$ (SWH) pharmacopunctureon rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods : In vitro test, synoviocytes extracted from type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse's knee joint were cultivated After that, each well of synoviocytes was mixed with the extract of SWH at the dosage of $0.4mg/m{\ell}$, $0.6mg/m{\ell}$, $0.8mg/m{\ell}$, and $1.0mg/m{\ell}$ respectively, and cultivated for 24 hours after the addition. Reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used to investigate the expression of MIF, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, COX-2 mRNA. $In$ $vivo$ test, thirty DBA female mice were used, and each ten mice were allocated into three group; normal group, CIA-elicitated group, and group treated with SWH pharmacopuncture on it's the point of $ST_{35}$ after CIA elicitation. It is investigated that change of mice foot thickness, histologic change of sliced synovial joint of mouse, and extent change of MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 in synovial membrane. Results : $In$ $vitro$ test, the expressions of cytokine(MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2) mRNAs related to RA were dose-dependent decreased. In the SWH pharmacopuncture group, foot thickness and histologic change of sliced synovial joint were decreased comparing with CIA-elicitated group's change. In the SWH pharmacopuncture group, the suppression of MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 in synovial membrane was clearly shown comparing with CIA-elicitated group's change. Conclusions : It might be suggested that SWH pharmacopuncture mitigate tissue damage originated from rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the expression of COX-2 as a consequence of inhibition MIF activation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.15-27
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Ulmus davidiana Planch herbal acupuncture(UA) to inhibit nuclear $factor(NF)-{\kappa}B$ activation on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Methods : Using an in vitro test, the synoviocytes picked out from the experimental CIA mice were subcultured. The synoviocyte cells were treated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate(PMA) for 1 hour prior to the addition of indicated concentrations($0.4\;-\;1.0mg/m{\ell}$) of UA, and the cells were further incubated for 24 hours. The in vivo test, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM)-1 production and apoptosis was observed by immunohistochemical staining. Results : The PMA-induced $I{\kappa}B$ kinase(IKK), iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression were dose-dependently decreased in UA treated synoviocytes. Using the in vivo test, the number of eosinophils in mice treated with UA noticeably decreased in the the CIA group(P<0.05 using student t test). In mice treated with UA, there was less cartilage erosion. less bone destruction, mild synovial hyperplasia, mild fibrosis, and mild angiogenesis with less MIP-2 production. By immunohistochemical staining, suppression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS production, inhibition of COX-2 production, inhibition of VCAM-1 production and inducing apoptosis were observed. Conclusions : These results suggest that UA might be applicable to the therapy of RA to suppress $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1241-1244
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• 2006

This study was carried out to know the effect of Geopungjeseup-tang(GPJST) to on Rheumatoid Arthritis by using human fibroblast-like synoviocytes(hFLS). GPJST consists of Coisis Semen, Coccllus Trilobus DC., Lycopi Herba, Arisaematis Rhizoma. The author peformed several experimetal items : that is cytotoxicity of GPJST, mRNA expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, ICAM-1, production of NO. The results were obtained as follows : The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, ICAM-1 were dose-dependently reduced in hFLS. The production of NO was reduced. Talking all these observations into account, GPJST is considered to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore we have to survey continuously in looking for the effective substance and mechanism in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2012

Objective : To investigate effects of herbal preparations formulated(Gihyeolgwanjeolbang-A, CWS-A) on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. Method : Arthritis was induced by injecting CFA subcutaneously into the left knee joint and paw, and the herbal preparations formulated(CWS-A I, 82.3 mg/kg ; CWS-A II, 164.6 mg/kg) was administered orally (i.g.) for 10 consecutive days beginning on day 10 after the injection. External shape, paw edema, inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), and histological observation were assessed. Result : In swelling of the paw, CWS-A I and CWS-A II group in 15 days and 20 days were significantly reduced compared to controls. In serum ALT, CWS-A I and CWS-A II group were significantly reduced compared to controls. In TNF-${\alpha}$, CWS-A I and CWS-A II group were a tendency reduced compared to controls. In HGB, HCT, MCHC of erythrocytes, CWS-A II group was increased compared to controls. In histological observations, CWS-A II group was observed synoviocytes more than control group and was observed proteoglycans in the deep layers. Conclusion : The data suggest that CWS-A significant anti-arthritic effects that may be mediated by suppressing inflammatory parameters.