• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.325-332
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• 2016

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin, is reported to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in vascular cells. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by specialized brain endothelial cells that are interconnected by tight junctions, strictly regulates paracellular permeability to maintain an optimal extracellular environment for brain homeostasis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of resveratrol and the role of AMPK in BBB dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exposure of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) to LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) for 4 to 24 hours week dramatically increased the permeability of the BBB in parallel with lowered expression levels of occluding and claudin-5, which are essential to maintain tight junctions in HBMECs. In addition, LPS significantly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) productions. All effects induced by LPS in HBVMCs were reversed by adenoviral overexpression of superoxide dismutase, inhibition of NAD(P) H oxidase by apocynin or gain-function of AMPK by adenoviral overexpression of constitutively active mutant (AMPK-CA) or by resveratrol. Finally, upregulation of AMPK by either AMPK-CA or resveratrol abolished the levels of LPS-enhanced NAD(P)H oxidase subunits protein expressions. We conclude that AMPK activation by resveratrol improves the integrity of the BBB disrupted by LPS through suppressing the induction of NAD(P)H oxidase-derived ROS in HBMECs.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2021

Objectives : Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins and is known to have anti-inflammatory activity and anti-aging function of the skin, but there is no study on its effect on the skin barrier. This study aim to investigate the positive effect on the skin barrier by confirming the effect of water extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (WEHS) on the tight junction-related gene expression. Methods : The antioxidant efficacy of WEHS was investigated through ABTS and DPPH assays, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium was performed to examine the effect on cell viability. quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis were performed to confirm the effect of WEHS on the expression of tight junction-related genes, and immunofluorescence microscopy was used to confirm the movement of Claudin 1 protein into tight junctions. Results : WEHS showed strong antioxidant activity and induced an increase in both mRNA and protein expression levels of Claudin 1 among tight junction-related genes. The strong localization of Claudine 1 protein increased by WEHS to the tight junction was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Conclusions : Hibiscus was confirmed through this study to show antioxidant activity and the function of promoting the expression of the tight junction Claudin 1 gene, suggesting that Hibiscus can be used as a material for the prevention and treatment of skin moisturizing and atopy, which have an important influence on tight junction.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2020

심리적 스트레스는 피부의 생리적 상태에 영향을 미치고 다양한 피부 질환을 일으킬 수 있다. 스트레스 호르몬인 코티솔은 섬유질, 케라틴세포, 멜라노사이트와 같은 다양한 피부세포에 의해 분비된다. 밀착연접(tight junction, TJ) 은 포유류 피부의 과립증에서 장벽을 형성하는 세포 접합부위이다. TJ은 다른 피부 장벽기능에도 영향을 미칠 수 있으며 화학, 미생물 또는 면역학적 피부장벽에게 영향을 받는다. 스트레스로 인한 피부 장벽 손상에 관한 보고는 있지만 사람피부에서 코티솔이 TJ을 조절한다는 보고는 없다. 스트레스 호르몬 코티솔이 TJ을 조절하는 기능을 확인하기 위해 각질형성세포에 코티솔을 처리하였다. 코티솔은 TJ 구성 성분의 유전자 발현과 구조를 조절하여 피부 장벽 기능을 손상시켰다. 또한 코티솔은 인공피부 모델에서 과립층 형성을 억제하였다. 이러한 실험결과를 통해 스트레스 호르몬 코티솔이 TJ를 조절함으로써 피부 장벽 기능에 손상을 일으키는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.165-173
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• 2021

본 연구에서는 UPM에 의해 유발되는 NCI-H441 세포 내 ROS 생성과 그에 따른 tight junction 단백질(N-cadherin, fibronectin, occluding, ZO-1, 및 claudin-4 등)의 발현 억제를 확인하였고 ECL의 전처리로 인하여 해당 ROS 생성 및 tight junction 단백질 발현 억제 현상이 완화되는 보호효과를 확인하였다. 그 결과, 폐 세포에서 UPM에 의해 유발된 산화 스트레스 및 tight junction 단백질의 발현 감소가 ECL을 선 처리함으로써 억제되어 결과적으로 산화 스트레스와 같은 미세먼지에 의한 폐 손상으로부터 보호 효과를 나타내고 tight junction 수준의 유지를 확인하였다. 이러한 결과를 통해 ECL 추출물은 폐와 기관지의 보호효과를 나타내며 폐 관련 질병의 예방효과가 있는 기능성 천연 물질로써 활용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.50-56
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• 2018

Background: Saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJ) are the most abundant and main active components of P. japonicus, which replaces ginseng roots in treatment for many kinds of diseases in the minority ethnic group in China. Our previous studies have demonstrated that SPJ has the effects of anti-inflammation through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathways. The present study was designed to investigate whether SPJ can modulate intestinal tight junction barrier in aging rats and further to explore the potential mechanism. Methods: Aging rats had been treated with different doses (10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 60 mg/kg) of SPJ for 6 mo since they were 18 mo old. After the rats were euthanized, the colonic samples were harvested. Levels of tight junctions (claudin-1 and occludin) were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were examined by Western blot. NF-${\kappa}B$ and phosphorylation of MAPK signaling pathways were also determined by Western blot. Results: We found that SPJ increased the expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin in the colon of aging rats. Treatment with SPJ decreased the levels of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, reduced the phosphorylation of three MAPK isoforms, and inhibited the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the colon of aging rats. Conclusion: The studies demonstrated that SPJ modulates the damage of intestinal epithelial tight junction in aging rats, inhibits inflammation, and downregulates the phosphorylation of the MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2018

Listeria monocytogenes can asymptomatically inhabit the human intestine as a commensal bacterium. However, the mechanism by which L. monocytogenes is able to inhabit the intestine without pathogenic symptoms remains unclear. We compared the invasion efficiency of L. monocytogenes strains with the 268- and 385-bp-long actA gene. Clinical strains SMFM-CI-3 and SMFM-CI-6 with 268-bp actA isolated from patients with listeriosis, and strains SMFM-SI-1 and SMFM-SI-2 with the 385-bp gene isolated from carcasses, were used for inoculum preparation. The invasion efficiency of these strains was evaluated using Caco-2 cells (intestinal epithelial cell line), prepared as normal and healthy cells with tightened tight junctions and senescent cells with loose tight junctions that were loosened by adriamycin treatment. The invasion efficiency of L. monocytogenes strains with the 268-bp-long actA gene was 1.1-2.6-times lower than that of the strains with the 385-bp-long gene in normal and healthy cells. However, the invasion efficiency of both types of strains did not differ in senescent cells. Thus, L. monocytogenes strains with the 268-bp-long actA gene can inhabit the intestine asymptomatically as a commensal bacterium, but they may invade the intestinal epithelial cells and cause listeriosis in senescent cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권12호
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• pp.1784-1791
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• 2010

본 연구에서는 AGS 인체 위암세포에서 톳 에탄올 추출물(EHF)의 항침윤성과 tight junctions (TJs)의 tightening과의 관계를 조사하였다. EHF에 의한 AGS 위암세포의 증식억제와 연관된 세포이동성 및 침윤성의 감소는 transepithelial electrical resistance의 증가와 연계된 Js의 tightness 증가와 연관성이 있었다. EHF는 matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 및 -9의 활성을 억제하였으며, 이는 MMPs의 mRNA 및 단백질 발현 감소에 의한 것이었으나 tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 및 -2의 mRNA 발현은 증가시켰다. 또한 EHF는 TJs의 주요 조절인자인 claudin family 단백질들(claudin-1, -3 및 -4)의 발현을 감소시켰으며, insulin like growth factor-1 receptor 단백질은 감소된 반면 thrombospondin-1 및 E-cadherin의 발현은 증가되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 톳 추출물이 암의 전이를 효과적으로 억제하는 효능이 있음을 보여주는 결과이다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제64권3호
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• pp.500-514
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• 2022

The blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) forms a unique microenvironment that is crucial for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the epididymis. To characterize the function of tight junctions (TJs), which are constitutive components of the BEB, we determined the expression and localization of TJ proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, 2, and 3, occludin, and claudin3 (Cldn3) during postnatal development in the goat epididymis. To assess the expression patterns of TJ proteins in immature (3 months of age) and mature (14 months of age) goat epididymides, two different experimental methods were used including immunofluorescence labeling and western blotting. We show that, ZO-1, 2, and 3, and occludin, were strictly expressed and localized to the TJs of the goat epididymis, whereas Cldn3 was present in basolateral membranes as well as TJs. All TJ proteins examined were more highly expressed in the immature epididymis compared to levels in mature tissue. In conclusion, our study indicates that at least five TJ proteins, namely ZO-1, ZO-2, ZO-3, occludin, and Cldn3, are present in TJs, and the expression strength and pattern of TJ proteins tend to be age dependent in the goat epididymis. Together, these data suggest that the distinct expression patterns of TJ proteins are essential for regulating components of the luminal contents in the epididymal epithelium and for forming adequate luminal conditions that are necessary for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the goat epididymis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권12호
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• pp.1583-1588
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains used as starters for kimchi fermentation, namely Lactococcus lactis WiKim0124, Companilactobacillus allii WiKim39, Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim0121Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim33, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim32, on the intestinal epithelial tight junctions (TJs). These LAB strains were not cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells at 500 ㎍/ml concentration. In addition, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decreased Caco-2 viability, but the LAB strains protected the cells against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity. We also found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promoted Caco-2 proliferation; however, no specific changes were observed upon treatment with LAB strains and LPS. Our evaluation of the permeability in the Caco-2 monolayer model confirmed its increase by both LPS and H₂O₂. The LAB strains inhibited the increase in permeability by protecting TJs, which we evaluated by measuring TJ proteins such as zonula occludens-1 and occludin, and analyzing them by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Our findings show that LAB strains used for kimchi fermentation can suppress the increase in intestinal permeability due to LPS and H₂O₂ by protecting TJs. Therefore, these results suggest the possibility of enhancing the functionality of kimchi through its fermentation using functional LAB strains.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Objective The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of Galgeunhwanggeumhwangryeon-tang (PSCG) extract on skin moisturizing, antibacterial, and tight junction recovery in atopic dermatitis-induced mice. Methods In this study, we used 4-week-old NC/Nga mice divided into four groups: control (Ctrl), lipid barrier elimination (LBE), dexamethasone (Dx) after lipid barrier elimination (DEX), and PSCG after lipid barrier elimination (PSC). Ten rats were assigned to each treatment group. Three days after drug administration following lipid barrier elimination, ceramide kinase, caspase 14, sodium hydrogen antiporter (NHE), cathelicidin, claudin, and toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 were observed to confirm the restoration of skin moisturizer production, antimicrobial barriers, and tight junctions in the skin barrier. Results Ceramide kinase and caspase 14 positive reaction were significantly higher in PSC than in LBE and DEX. Both NHE and cathelicidin showed higher positive reactions in PSC than in LBE and DEX. Claudin, and TLR-2 showed higher levels of positive staining in the PSC group than in the LBE and DEX groups. Conclusion It was confirmed that the PSCG extract can have the potential to restore the damaged skin barrier in atopic dermatitis.