• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2010

Periodontal disease is a major oral disorder and comprises a group of infections that lead to inflammation of the gingiva and the destruction of periodontal tissues. $PPAR{\gamma}$ plays an important role in the regulation of several metabolic pathways and has recently been implicated in inflammatory response pathways. However, its effects on periodontal inflammation have yet to be clarified. In our current study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of $PPAR{\gamma}$ on periodontal disease. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed high levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and -9 (MMP-9). Moreover, these cells also showed upregulated activities for extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygnase-2. However, cells treated with Ad/$PPAR{\gamma}$ and rosiglitazone in same culture system showed reduced ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2, -9 and COX-2. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of $PPAR{\gamma}$ appear to be mediated via the suppression of the ERK1/2 pathway and consequent inhibition of NF-kB translocation. Our present findings thus suggest that $PPAR{\gamma}$ indeed has a pivotal role in gingival inflammation and may be a putative molecular target for future therapeutic strategies to control chronic periodontal disease.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.369-378
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• 2017

Vascular endotherial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen that stimulates vascular permeability and angiogenesis and has a potential in therapeutic applications. An industrial production method that provides high yield as well as purity is needed. Researches for various factors of mild solubilization with combination of ubiquitin fusion protein to increase solubility were carried out as well as by changing pH and denaturant concentration. Usage of pET28-a bacteral expression vector in BL21 (DE3) host cell was capable of producing approximately 14 g/L VEGF fusion protein in 20L fermentor. A purification process consisting of four chromatography steps including refolding and digestion with UBP1 resulted in mild solublization under the conditions of 2M urea and pH 10.0 due to ubiquitin fusion tag protein that increases in solubility of target protein VEGF. High yield of refolding and dimerization could be obtained between two step Ni-affinity chromatography. Multimeric and misfolded proteins and endotoxin were removed by DEAE anion exchange chromatography. Final monomers were removed from dimers by gel filtration chromatography. Characterization analysis of purified dimeric VEGF was performed using SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC with a purity of 97%.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.547-553
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• 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common brain malignancies and has a very poor prognosis. Recent evidence suggests that the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in GBM and the rare CSC subpopulation that is resistant to chemotherapy may be responsible for the treatment failure and unfavorable prognosis of GBM. A garlic-derived compound, Z-ajoene, has shown a range of biological activities, including anti-proliferative effects on several cancers. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Z-ajoene specifically inhibits the growth of the GBM CSC population. CSC sphere-forming inhibition was achieved at a concentration that did not exhibit a cytotoxic effect in regular cell culture conditions. The specificity of this inhibitory effect on the CSC population was confirmed by detecting CSC cell surface marker CD133 expression and biochemical marker ALDH activity. In addition, stem cell-related mRNA profiling and real-time PCR revealed the differential expression of CSC-specific genes, including Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog, upon treatment with Z-ajoene. A proteomic approach, i.e., reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and Western blot analysis, showed decreased SMAD4, p-AKT, 14.3.3 and FOXO3A expression. The protein interaction map (http://string-db.org/) of the identified molecules suggested that the AKT, ERK/p38 and $TGF{\beta}$ signaling pathways are key mediators of Z-ajoene's action, which affects the transcriptional network that includes FOXO3A. These biological and bioinformatic analyses collectively demonstrate that Z-ajoene is a potential candidate for the treatment of GBM by specifically targeting GBM CSCs. We also show how this systemic approach strengthens the identification of new therapeutic agents that target CSCs.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.79-108
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the effects of music interventions on the psychological and emotional well-being of adolescents with Internet addiction. Electronic databases were searched for combinations of terms related to adolescents, Internet addiction and related disorders, music intervention, and psychological and emotional outcomes. A total of nine studies that were published between 1995 and 2018 were identified and included in the final analysis. Among the included studies, six studies targeted middle school students and included both males and females. For outcome variables, anxiety and self-control were most frequently targeted. The most frequently used genre of music was popular Korean songs. In terms of intervention effects, the studies that used songwriting as a therapeutic technique showed positive results. Only four studies reported a rationale for their interventions and linked interventions to the target goals. This study discusses how music therapy interventions for adolescents with Internet addiction should be designed to effectively address the psychological and emotional issues of this young population.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.97-125
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• 2020

This case study examined the effects of synchronization-based group music therapy for improving peer interaction of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The participants were five children between the ages of 6 and 10 with ASD. A total of eight 30-minute music therapy sessions were conducted two times a week. During sessions, target behaviors (i.e., engagement in joint action, synchronized movements, eye contact, and initiation of social interaction) were observed and analyzed. Also, the PIPPS-P was completed by parents to identify behavioral changes in real-life environments from pretest to posttest. Following the intervention, all of the participants showed increases in synchronized movements with peers and attempts to initiate social interaction. In addition, parents rated their children's play behavior as being improved in their everyday living environment. These results support that synchronous movements between children with ASD, which were facilitated with rhythmic cueing, led to enhanced engagement in joint action. Considering that those movements are the basis for further social skills (e.g., play behavior), this study also indicates that synchronization-based group music therapy could be an effective therapeutic approach for improving the peer interaction of this population.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.618-623
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• 2015

FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) is a small peptide with a single FK506BP domain that is involved in suppression of immune response and reactive oxygen species. FK506BP has emerged as a potential drug target for several inflammatory diseases. Here, we examined the protective effects of directly applied cell permeable FK506BP (PEP-1-FK506BP) on corneal alkali burn injury (CAI). In the cornea, there was a significant decrease in the number of cells expressing pro-inflammation, apoptotic, and angiogenic factors such as TNF-α, COX-2, and VEGF. Both corneal opacity and corneal neovascularization (CNV) were significantly decreased in the PEP-1-FK506BP treated group. Our results showed that PEP-1-FK506BP can significantly inhibit alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation in rats, possibly by accelerating corneal wound healing and by reducing the production of angiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that PEP-1-FK506BP may be a potential therapeutic agent for CAI.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.255-260
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• 2018

Wntless/GPR177 functions as WNT ligand carrier protein and activator of $WNT/{\beta}$-catenin signaling, however, its molecular role in gastric cancer (GC) has remained elusive. We investigated the role of GPR177 in gastric tumorigenesis and provided the therapeutic potential of a clinical development of anti-GPR177 monoclonal antibodies. GPR177 mRNA expression was assessed in GC transcriptome data sets (GSE15459, n = 184; GSE66229, n = 300); protein expression was assessed in independent patient tumor tissues (Yonsei TMA, n = 909). GPR177 expression were associated with unfavorable prognosis [log-rank test, GSE15459 (P = 0.00736), GSE66229 (P = 0.0142), and Yonsei TMA (P = 0.0334)] and identified as an independent risk predictor of clinical outcomes: GSE15459 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.731 (95% confidence interval; CI; 1.103-2.715), P = 0.017], GSE66229 [HR 1.54 (95% CI, 1.10-2.151), P = 0.011], and Yonsei TMA [HR 1.254 (95% CI, 1.049-1.500), P = 0.013]. Either antibody treatment or GPR177 knockdown suppressed proliferation of GC cells and sensitized cells to apoptosis. And also inhibition of GPR177 suppresses in vitro and in vivo tumorogenesis in GC cells and inhibits $WNT/{\beta}$-catenin signaling. Finally, targeting and inhibition of GPR177 with antibody suppressed tumorigenesis in PDX model. Together, these results suggest GPR177 as a novel candidate for prognostic marker as well as a promising target for treatment of GC patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.476-482
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• 2020

In rice agriculture, Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi (olbanggae) is a target for herbicidal intervention as a problem weed although it has also long been used clinically as a traditional medicine for jaundice, fever, and blood flow. E. kuroguwai has been evaluated in many clinical trials, but its molecular biological advantages are still unknown. Here, we investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of E. kuroguwai 80% ethanol extracts by screening NO production in LPS-induced macrophage activation. To find the most effective fractions, we partitioned five sub-fractions using HP20 column chromatography, namely 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Of these, the 60% and 80% sub-fractions were found to significantly inhibit NO production; there were no toxicological effects at any concentration. In addition, the 80% sub-fraction inhibited significantly the iNOS and the mRNA of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK pathways associated with MAPKs signaling. Our results suggest that the 80% E. kuroguwai sub-fraction has the most significant anti-inflammatory effects of inhibiting iNOS and pro-inflammatory mediators and suppressing the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK. Therefore, the 80% sub-fraction of E. kuroguwai extract may be a therapeutic candidate for inflammatory diseases associated with the overexpression of MAPKs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2010

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor involved in neuronal differentiation, plasticity, survival and regeneration. BDNF draws massive attention mainly due to the potential as a therapeutic target in neurological diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. In a primary screening for the natural compounds enhancing BDNF release from cultured rat primary cortical neuron, we found that compounds such as baicalein, tanshinone IIa, cinnamic acid, epiberberine, genistein and wogonin among many others increased BDNF release. All the compounds at $0.1{\mu}M$ of concentration barely showed stimulatory effect on BDNF induction, however, their combination (mixture 1; baicalein, tanshinone IIa and cinnamic acid, mixture 2; epiberberine, genistein and wogonin) showed synergistic increase in BDNF release as well as mRNA and protein expression. The level of BDNF expression was comparable to the maximum BDNF stimulation attainable by a positive control oroxylin A ($20{\mu}M$) without cell toxicity as determined by MTT analysis. Both mixtures synergistically increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), an immediate and essential regulator of BDNF expression. Similar to these results, mixture of these compounds synergistically inhibited the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide treatments in rat primary astrocytes. These results suggest that the combinatorial treatment of natural compounds in lower concentration might be a useful strategy to obtain sufficient BDNF stimulation in neurological disease condition such as depression, while minimizing potential side effects and toxicity of higher concentration of a single compound.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5089-5094
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• 2015

FADS1 (fatty acid desaturase 1) plays a crucial role in fatty acid metabolism, and it was recently reported to be involved in tumorigenesis. However, the role of FADS1 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unknown. In the current study, we investigated the expression and clinical pathologic and prognostic significance of FADS1 in ESCC. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that 58.2% (146/251) of the ESCC tissues had low levels of FADS1 expression, whereas 41.8% (105/251) exhibited high levels of FADS1 expression. In positive cases, FADS1 expression was detected in the cytoplasm of cells. Correlation analyses demonstrated that FADS1 expression was significantly correlated with tumor location (p=0.025) but not with age, gender, histological grade, tumor status, nodal status or TNM staging. Furthermore, patients with tumors expressing high levels of FADS1had a longer disease-free survival time (p<0.001) and overall survival time (p <0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that, along with nodal status, FADS1 expression was an independent and significant predictive factor (p<0.001). In conclusion, our study suggested that FADS1 might be a valuable biomarker and potential therapeutic target for ESCC.