• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2000

Gene therapy is a method for the treatment of diseases with introducing the gene-engineered materials into a patient with gene-deficiency disease (e.g. cystic fibrosis) or cancer to produce a therapeutic protein in a patient's cells. Successful gene therapy requires establishing both gene expression systems and delivery systems. Viral and non-viral vectors have been used for gene delivery. Viral vectors have a high transfection efficiency, but are limited in relations to issues of safety, toxicity and immunogenecity. Non-viral vectors are easy to prepare and relatively safe. However, non-viral vectors have a low transfection efficiency. Cationic liposomes are the most available among non-viral vectors. Cationic liposomes have been used to transfect cells both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Besides, several formulations containing cationic lipid are being used in clinical trials in cases of cystic fibrosis or cancer. A crucial subject to the further development of gene delivery vectors will be a long-term gene expression with following characteristics; protecting and deliverying DNA efficiently, non-toxic and non-immunogenic, and easy to produce in large scale.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.1 s.25
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• pp.45-50
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• 1989

The purpose of this study was to select the manageable diseases which are prevalent in Korea for periodic health examinations and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of periodic health examination in detecting these diseases. The data was derived from reimbursement data of the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation over a two year period (April 15, 1986 to April 14,1988) and interviews with Yonsei Medical School professors. This study demonstrated that: 1. The manageable diseases which were selected for periodic health examinations are pulmonary tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, syphilis groups, essential hypertension, renal disease groups, and iron deficiency anemia. 2. The sensitivity of the health screening for each disease was as follows: pulmonary tuberculosis 51.5%, viral hepatitis 60.3%, diabetes mellitus 64.7%, syphilis groups 63.3%, essential hypertension 49.9%, renal disease groups 44.0%, and iron deficiency anemia 80.9%. We conclude that peiodic health esaminations should focus on the manageable diseases that we have defined. The number of items in periodic health screening tests and hospital quality control should be increased for the diseases with a demonstrated low sensitivity.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.51-65
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• 1968

The site of the synthesis of Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV) in the actinomycin-treated and infecter PS Y15 cells(a porcine kidney stable cell line) was observed by the immunofluorescent antibody technique, acridine orange staining, and the autoradiographic analysis. In the parallel studies by immunofluorescent technique and acridine orange staining it the infected cells, Viral protein(as an antigen) and viral RNA were detected at the same site of cytoplasm. In the autoradiographic analysis, the cytoplasmic labeling of $^3H$-uridine was due to the synthesis of JEV-RNA, while the nucleolus and nucleus were not involved. In the autoradiographic studies on the secton of infected cells, the $^3H$-uridine was frequently incorporated around the cytoplasmic vacuoles. This localization of labeling agreed with the site of acridine orange positive granules. The results suggest that the syntheses of the viral RNA and viral protein occurred in the similar site of cytoplasm of the infected cells, and also the virus particles seem to be assembled in the sites of the viral RNA and protein syntheses.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2002

Field trials evaluating selected commercially available mosquito traps variously baited with light, carbon dioxide, and/or octenol were conducted from 18-27 September 2000 in a malarious area near Paekyeon-ri (Tongil-Chon) and Camp Greaves in Paju County, Kyonggi Province, Republic of Korea. The host-seeking activity for common mosquito species, including the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles. was determined using hourly aspirator collections from a human and propane lantern-baited Shannon trap doting hours when temperatures exceeded $15^{\circ}C$. The total number of mosquitoes and number of each species captured during the test was compared using a block design. Significant differences were observed for the total number of mosquitoes collected, such that, the Mosquito MagnetTM with octenol > Shannon trap > ABC light trap with light and dry ice > Miniature Black Light trap (manufactured by John W. Hock) $\geq$ New Jersey Trap > ABC light trap with light only. Significant differences in numbers collected among trapes were noted for several species including: Aedes vexans (Meigen), Anopheles lesteri Baisas and Hu. An. sinensis Weidemann, An. sineroides Yamada, An. yatsushiroensis Miyazaki. Culex pipiens pallets Coquillett L., Cx. orientalis Edwards and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Host-seeking activity for most common species showed a similar bimodal pattern. Results from these field trap evaluations can significantly enhance current vector and disease surveillance efforts especially for the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, Cx. tritaeniorhunchus.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.93-95
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• 2003

Vector-borne diseases have been the most important worldwide health problem for many years and still represent a constant and serious risk to a large part of the world’s population. GIS and RS is used to evaluate and model the relationships between environmental factors/indicators and the incidences of viral diseases. The aim of the study is to identify the risk factors in Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever DHF) from the highest prevalence area and lowest prevalence area in Sukhothai province, Thailand using statistical, spatial and GIS Modeling. Results obtained in the study of the Dengue show that it is now possible to identify and localize precisely environmental indicators and factors of viral diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.4
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• pp.325-335
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• 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with abnormal inflammatory response and airflow limitation. Acute exacerbation involves increased inflammatory burden leading to worsening respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea and sputum production. Some COPD patients have frequent exacerbations (two or more exacerbations per year). A substantial proportion of COPD patients may remain stable without exacerbation. Bacterial and viral infections are the most common causative factors that breach airway stability and lead to exacerbation. The increasing prevalence of exacerbation is associated with deteriorating lung function, hospitalization, and risk of death. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of airway inflammation in COPD and discuss how bacterial or viral infection, temperature, air pollution, eosinophilic inflammation, and concomitant chronic diseases increase airway inflammation and the risk of exacerbation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2011

Background: Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and induces inflammation. In this study we attempted to ascertain if there are endogenous host molecules controlling the production of cytokines and chemokines. Two candidates, ribosomal protein L19 and L22, were analyzed to determine if they influence cytokine production followed by TLR3 activation. In this study we report that L19 acts upon production of IP-10 or IL-8 differently in glioblastoma cells. Methods: L19 or L22 was transfected into HEK293-TLR3, A549 or A172 cells. After treatment with several inhibitors of NF-${\kappa}B$, PI3K, p38 or ERK, production of IL-8 or IP-10 was measured by ELISA. siRNA was introduced to suppress expression of L19. After Vesicular stomatitis virus infection, viral multiplication was measured by western blot. Results: L19 increased ERK activation to produce IL-8. In A172 cells, in which TLR3 is expressed at endosomes, L19 inhibited interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and IP-10 production to facilitate viral multiplication, whereas L19 inhibited viral multiplication in A549 cells bearing TLR3 on their cell membrane. Conclusion: Our results suggest that L19 regulates TLR3 signaling, which is cell type specific and may be involved in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.33.1-33.15
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• 2020

Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) causes bovine ephemeral fever, which can produce considerable economic damage to the cattle industry. However, there is limited experimental evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms of BEFV. Annexin A2 (AnxA2) is a calcium and lipid-conjugated protein that binds phospholipids and the cytoskeleton in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner, and it participates in various cellular functions, including vesicular trafficking, organization of membrane domains, and virus proliferation. The role of the AnxA2 gene during virus infection has not yet been reported. In this study, we observed that AnxA2 gene expression was up-regulated in BHK-21 cells infected with the virus. Additionally, overexpression of the AnxA2 gene promoted the release of mature virus particles, whereas BEFV replication was remarkably inhibited after reducing AnxA2 gene expression by using the small interfering RNA (siRNA). For viral proteins, overexpression of the Matrix (M) gene promotes the release of mature virus particles. Moreover, the AnxA2 protein interaction with the M protein of BEFV was confirmed by GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Experimental results indicate that the C-terminal domain (268-334 aa) of AxnA2 contributes to this interaction. An additional mechanistic study showed that AnxA2 protein interacts with M protein and mediates the localization of the M protein at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, the absence of the AnxA2-V domain could attenuate the effect of AnxA2 on BEFV replication. These findings can contribute to elucidating the regulation of BEFV replication and may have implications for antiviral strategy development.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2013

Since a large number of Akabane and bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) infection occurred in the southern part of Korea in 2010, recent information about seroprevalence of Akabane virus (AKAV) and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) has been required for preventing both diseases. In this study, serological assay against AKAV and BEFV using virus neutralization assay was conducted using 1,743 bovine sera collected from Namwon, Miryang, Yeongju and Uljin which located in Southern part of Korea from March to May in 2012. The overall seropositive rates for AKAV and BEFV were found to be 49.8% and 1.2%, respectively. The regional distribution of seroprevalence for AKAV ranged from 18.1% to 63.7%. Seroprevalences of AKAV were 63.7% in Miryang, 62.3% in Uljin, 50.7% in Namwon, and 18.1% in Yeongju. The seropositive rates for AKAV in southern part of Korea were higher than the annual average at the national level. On the other hand, seropositive rates of BEFV in four regions were from 0.3 to 3.1%. In detail, regional seroprevalences were 3.1% in Miryang, 2.0% in Uljin, and 1.7% in Yeongju, and 0.3% in Namwon. Even only one year after massive outbreaks, overall seropositive rates were very low, similar to the annual average at the nation level. This result indicates that many number of cattle infected with BEFV may be replaced by new born calf or cattle in farm may not be immunized with vaccines. To prevent another epidemic, a national wide warning should be issued and more aggressive control measure must be implied. Recent global warming phenomenon could lead to more vigorous activity of haematophagous vectors and it is possible that arboviral diseases such as AKAV and BEFV are increased. Therefore, continuous sero-monitoring and extensive vaccination combined with control of haematophagous vectors are important to effectively prevent and control diseases caused by AKAV and BEFV.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.688-695
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• 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has become a global health concern. Various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed and are being used for vaccination worldwide. However, no therapeutic agents against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been developed so far; therefore, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed. In the present study, we evaluated several hepatitis C virus direct-acting antivirals as potential candidates for drug repurposing against COVID-19. Theses include asunaprevir (a protease inhibitor), daclatasvir (an NS5A inhibitor), and sofosbuvir (an RNA polymerase inhibitor). We found that asunaprevir, but not sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, markedly inhibited SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effects in Vero E6 cells. Both RNA and protein levels of SARS-CoV-2 were significantly decreased by treatment with asunaprevir. Moreover, asunaprevir profoundly decreased virion release from SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. A pseudoparticle entry assay revealed that asunaprevir blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection at the binding step of the viral life cycle. Furthermore, asunaprevir inhibited SARS-CoV-2 propagation in human lung Calu-3 cells. Collectively, we found that asunaprevir displays broad-spectrum antiviral activity and therefore might be worth developing as a new drug repurposing candidate for COVID-19.