• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.664-670
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• 2014

In the present study, we investigate the role of V. vulnificus in promoting the inflammation of mouse ileal ephitelium and its related signaling pathways. ICR mice were infected orally with V. vulnificus ($1{\times}10^9CFU$) for 16 h as a representative model of food-borne infection. To find the major portal of entry of V. vulnificus in mouse intestine, we have measured the levels of bacterial colonization in small intestine, colon, spleen, and liver. V. vulnificus appeared to colonize in intestine and colon in the order of ileum >> jejunum> colon, but lack in the duodenum, spleen, and liver. V. vulnificus in ileum caused severe necrotizing enteritis and showed shortened villi heights accompanied by an expanded width and inflammation, compared with the control mice. V. vulnificus induced ileal epithelium inflammation by activating phosphorylation of PKC and membrane translocation of $PKC{\alpha}$. V. vulnificus induced the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK, but did not affect p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Notably, V. vulnificus stimulated the I-${\kappa}B$-dependent phosphorylation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in mouse ileal epithelium. Finally, the ileal infection of V. vulnificus resulted in a significant increase in expression of proinflammatory cytokines and Toll-like receptors, respectively, compared to the control. Collectively, our results indicate that V. vulnificus induces ileal epithelium inflammation by increasing NF-${\kappa}B$ phosphorylation via activation of PKC, ERK, and JNK, which is critical for host defense mechanism in food-borne infection by V. vulnificus.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.82-86
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• 2010

Jumping translocations (JT) are chromosomal rearrangements involving one donor chromosome and several recipient chromosomes. While JTs are frequently observed as acquired chromosomal abnormalities in hematologic malignancies, constitutional JTs are only rarely reported. We report two cases of constitutional JT in chorionic villi derived from the products of conception. The karyotype of the first case was 46,XY,add(18)(p11.1)[61]/45,XY,der(18;21)(q10;q10)[32]/46,XY,-18,+mar[16]/46,XY,i(18)(q10)[9]/45,XY,der(15;18)(q10;q10)[6]/46,XY,+1,dic(1;18)(p22;p11.1)[2]/45,XY,der(13;18)(q10;q10)[1]/46,XY[32]. The donor was a chromosome 18. The recipient chromosomes were chromosomes 1, 13, 15, 18 and 21. In the second case, the karyotype was 46,XY,der(22)t(9;22)(q12;q13)[22]/46,XY,der(22)t(1;22)(q21;q13)[13]/46,XY,add(22)(q13)[5]/46 XY[23]. The donor was a chromosome 22 and recipients were chromosomes 1 and 9. Both cases were de novo. The breakpoints of chromosomes were mostly in centromeric regions, pericentromeric regions, or telomeric regions. Normal cell lines were observed in both cases. This report supports the prior findings that the unstable nature of JT, resulting in chromosomal imbalance, most likely contributed to these early miscarriages.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2007

Purpose : Menkes disease is an X-linked recessively inherited disorder caused by the mutation of the ATP7A gene encoding copper-transporting P-type AT Pase. The phenotypic features are progressive neurological degeneration, mental retardation, loose skin, and vascular complications. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for the prognosis of Menkes disease. Here, we describe nov el mutations of the ATP7A gene and prenatal diagnosis by mutation analysis. Methods : Five unrelated Korean Menkes patients were included in this study. They presented with depigmented wool-like hair, progressive neurologic deterioration, and hypotonia in infancy. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels w ere decreased. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed tortuous intracranial vessels. Mutation analysis has been carried out using cDNA from cultured skin fibroblasts or genomic DNA from peripheral leukocytes. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in two cases using chorionic villi samples or amniocytes. Results : Four novel mutations have been identified from four different families; c.3511+1G>A (p.E1099_N1171delinsMfsX 18), c.4005+5 G>A (p.V1268_R1335del), c.1870_2172del (p.S624_Q724del), and c.3352 G>A (p.G1118S). T he remaining one was previously reported (c.1933 C>T (p.V 1268_R1335del)). On prenatal DNA analysis, one w as diagnosed as normal, while the other turned out to be a female heterozygote with p.S624_Q724del mutation of the ATP7A gene. Conclusion : We identified 4 novel mutations of the ATP7A gene. Prenatal diagnosis in families at risk is critical in order to choose preventiv e options including an early treatment with copper-histidine therapy or therapeutic termination. Most mutations of the ATP7A gene were frame-shift mutations and prenatal diagnosis has been successfully carried out.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 2009

Objectives: Members of the immortalization-upregulated protein (IMUP) family are nuclear proteins implicated in SV40-mediated immortalization and cellular proliferation, but the mechanisms by which their expression is regulated are still unknown in placenta. To investigate to expression and functions of IMUPs in placenta, we conducted to compare IMUPs expression in normal and preeclamptic placenta tissues and analyzed the function of IMUP-2 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells after IMUP-2 gene transfection. Methods: The expression of IMUPs was analyzed in placental tissues from the following groups of patients (none underwent labor): 1) term normal placenta (n=15); 2) term with preeclamptic placeneta (n=15); and 3) pre-term with preeclamptic placenta (n=11) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, RNA in situ hybiridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. In order to evaluate the function of IMUP-2 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells, IMUP-2 plasmids were transfected into HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells for 24 hours. Results: We observed that IMUPs are mainly expressed in the syncytiotrophoblasts and syncytial knot of placental villi. The expression of IMUP-1 was not differences between normal and preeclamptic placenta tissues. However, IMUP-2 expression was significantly higher in preterm preeclamptic placenta tissues than in normal placenta tissues without labor (p<0.001). Furthermore, we confirmed overexpression of IMUP-2 induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells through up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins. Conclusions: These results suggest that the expression of IMUP-2 is involved in placental development as well as increased IMUP-2 expression is associated with preeclampsia through the inducing of trophoblast apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.311-323
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Bacillus subtilis-based probiotics and oregano essential oil on the production performance, egg quality, and intestinal morphology of late-phase laying hens (69-weeks). A total of 150 laying hens of 69-week-old were randomly allotted into 6 treatment groups with 5 replicates of 5 birds in each replicate. Laying hens were divided into high (H) and average (A) egg production groups prior to the trial. The hens in each group were supplemented with Bacillus subtilis, or oregano essential oil: CON, a basal diet; BS, basal diet plus 3 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed Bacillus subtilis; OEO, basal diet plus 0.3 g/kg feed oregano essential oil. Egg performance, blood characteristics, egg quality, and intestinal morphology of the late-phase laying hens were evaluated. Both BS and OEO significantly enhanced (P<0.05) egg production compared to CON in high egg production. The blood characteristics indicated no significant differences based on the egg production and the supplementation of BS and OEO in the late-phase laying hens. The eggshell strength was significantly improved (P<0.05) in both OEO compared to both CON. A significantly decreased (P<0.05) the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) in the ileum compared to H, and in the treatment groups supplemented with BS and OEO, VH/CD showed a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to both CON. These results suggest that the supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and oregano essential oil in the diet of late-phase laying hens could serve as a potential strategy to enhance egg production, egg quality, and gut health.