• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.3 s.134
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• pp.210-217
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• 2003

Korean mistletoe (Viscum album) extract has been found to posses immunostimulatory activity. In this study, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C (non-lectin components), was used to know whether this extract might activate mouse splenic macrophages to produce tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha}$) and might play a role in anticancer. To know the effect of M11C on the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, the splenic macrophages were treated by the M11C, and then collected the supernatant (M11C stimulated splenic macrophage-conditioned media; MSCM). MSCM was analyzed for the $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion by means of ELISA and immunoblotting, and mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. The S-180 murine sarcoma model was established to know the effect of M11C on the inhibition of tumor growth. M11C had the effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ production from splenic macrophages performed by ELISA technique. This ELISA data was reconfirmed by immunoblotting assay. The effects of M11C on the expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA from the macrophages was also shown. M11C also had the inhibitory effect of S-180 tumor growth. These data suggest that Korean mistletoe extract M11C may be used for an immunomodulator.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.270-286
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• 2019

Purpose: Despite the well-known anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D in periodontal health, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, the effect of vitamin D on strengthening E-cadherin junctions (ECJs) was explored in human gingival keratinocytes (HGKs). ECJs are the major type of intercellular junction within the junctional epithelium, where loose intercellular junctions develop and microbial invasion primarily occurs. Methods: HOK-16B cells, an immortalized normal human gingival cell line, were used for the study. To mimic the inflammatory environment, cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the culture medium were assessed by an MMP antibody microarray and gelatin zymography. The expression of various molecules was investigated using western blotting. The extent of ECJ development was evaluated by comparing the average relative extent of the ECJs around the periphery of each cell after immunocytochemical E-cadherin staining. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression was examined via immunohistochemical analysis. Results: $TNF-{\alpha}$ downregulated the development of the ECJs of the HGKs. Dissociation of the ECJs by $TNF-{\alpha}$ was accompanied by the upregulation of MMP-9 production and suppressed by a specific MMP-9 inhibitor, Bay 11-7082. Exogenous MMP-9 decreased the development of ECJs. Vitamin D reduced the production of MMP-9 and attenuated the breakdown of ECJs in the HGKs treated with $TNF-{\alpha}$. In addition, vitamin D downregulated $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling in the HGKs. VDR was expressed in the gingival epithelium, including the junctional epithelium. Conclusions: These results suggest that vitamin D may avert $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced downregulation of the development of ECJs in HGKs by decreasing the production of MMP-9, which was upregulated by $TNF-{\alpha}$. Vitamin D may reinforce ECJs by downregulating $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling, which is upregulated by $TNF-{\alpha}$. Strengthening the epithelial barrier may be a way for vitamin D to protect the periodontium from bacterial invasion.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2004

Objective: This study was to examine the in vitro neural cell differentiation patterns of human embryonic stem (hES) cells following treatment of various neurotrophic factors [basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), retinoic acid (RA), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-$\alpha$], particulary in dopaminergic neuron formation. Methods: The hES cells were induced to differentiate by bFGF and RA. Group I) In bFGF induction method, embryoid bodies (EBs, for 4 days) derived from hES were plated onto gelatin dish, selected for 8 days in ITSFn medium and expanded at the presence of bFGF (10 ng/ml) for another 6 days followed by a final differentiation in N2 medium for 7, 14 and 21 days. Group II) For RA induction, EBs were exposed of RA ($10^{-6}M$) for 4 days and allowed to differentiate in N2 medium for 7, 14 and 21 days. Group III) To examine the effects of additional neurotrophic factors, bFGF or RA induced cells were exposed to either BDNF (10 ng/ml) or TGF-$\alpha$ (10 ng/ml) during the 21 days of final differentiation. Neuron differentiation and dopamine secretion were examined by indirect immunocytochemistry and HPLC, respectively. Results: The bFGF or RA treated hES cells were resulted in similar neural cell differentiation patterns at the terminal differentiation stage, specifically, 75% neurons and 11% glial cells. Additionally, treatment of hES cells with BDNF or TGF-$\alpha$ during the terminal differentiation stage led to significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression of a dopaminergic neuron marker, compared to control (p<0.05). In contrast, no effect was observed on the rate of mature neuron (NF-200) or glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive neurons. Immunocytochemistry and HPLC analyses revealed the higher levels of TH expression (20.3%) and dopamine secretion (265.5 $\pm$ 62.8 pmol/mg) in bFGF and TGF-sequentially treated hES cells than those in $\alpha$ RA or BDNF treated hES cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that the generation of dopamine secretory neurons from in vitro differentiated hES cells can be improved by TGF-$\alpha$ addition in the bFGF induction protocol.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8579-8587
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• 2016

Background: The molecular mechanisms linking breast cancer progression and inflammation still remain obscure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association of angiopoeitin like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and its regulatory factor, hypoxia inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), with the inflammatory markers nuclear factor kappa B/p65 (NF-${\kappa}B$/P65) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) in order to evaluate their role in inflammation associated breast cancer progression. Materials and Methods: Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) mRNA expressions were evaluated using quantitative real time PCR and its protein expression by immunohistochemistry. DNA binding activity of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 was evaluated by transcription factor binding immunoassay. Serum levels of ANGPTL4, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ were immunoassayed. Tumor clinico-pathological features were investigated. Results: ANGPTL4 mRNA expressions and serum levels were significantly higher in high grade breast carcinoma ($1.47{\pm}0.31$ and $184.98{\pm}18.18$, respectively) compared to low grade carcinoma ($1.21{\pm}0.32$ and $171.76{\pm}7.58$, respectively) and controls ($0.70{\pm}0.02$ and $65.34{\pm}6.41$, respectively), (p<0.05). Also, ANGPTL4 high/moderate protein expression was positively correlated with tumor clinico-pathological features. In addition, serum levels of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ as well as NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 DNA binding activity were significantly higher in high grade breast carcinoma ($148.54{\pm}14.20$, $0.79{\pm}0.03$ and $247.13{\pm}44.35$ respectively) than their values in low grade carcinoma ( $139.14{\pm}5.83$, $0.34{\pm}0.02$ and $184.23{\pm}37.75$, respectively) and controls ($33.95{\pm}3.11$, $0.11{\pm}0.02$ and $7.83{\pm}0.92$, respectively), (p<0.001). Conclusion: ANGPTL4 high serum levels and tissue expressions in advanced grade breast cancer, in addition to its positive correlation with tumor clinico-pathological features and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ could highlight its role as one of the signaling factors involved in breast cancer progression. Moreover, novel correlations were found between ANGPTL4 and the inflammatory markers, IL-$1{\beta}$ and NF-${\kappa}B$/p65, in breast cancer, which may emphasize the utility of these markers as potential tools for understanding interactions for axes of carcinogenesis and inflammation contributed for cancer progression. It is thus hoped that the findings reported here would assist in the development of new breast cancer management strategies that would promote patients' quality of life and ultimately improve clinical outcomes. However, large-scale studies are needed to verify these results.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1167-1177
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• 1998

Background : Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the diseases characterized granuloma formation which was controlled by cellular immune reactions. In the process of granulomatous changes, activated alveolar macrophages and T lymphocytes secrete many cytokines including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-$\alpha$), interferon-gamma(IFN-$\gamma$) which mediate inflammatory reactions. Intercelluar adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) also known to major role player in inflammatory processes, and increased cellular expressions when endothelial cell was stimulated by IL-1, TNF and IFN. Method : To evaluate relationships among cellular immune reactions and clinical stages, pulmonary tuberculosis patients were classified into three groups according to their clinical stages including minimal, moderate and far advanced tuberculosis. TNF-$\alpha$ IFN-$\gamma$, sICAM-1 (soluble form of ICAM-1) were measured at the time of diagnosis and after 6-months anti-tuberculosis medications by radioimmuno assay or enzyme linked immunosolvent assay. Result : TNF-$\alpha$, IFN-$\gamma$, sICAM-1 were significantly increased in moderate and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis patients but no meaningful changes in minimal staged patients. 6-months anti-tuberculosis medications reduced serum sICAM-1 levels significantly, related to clinical improvement but no significant changes were found in the serum levels of TNF-$\alpha$ and IFN-$\gamma$. In the point of correlations. positive ones revealed between TNF-$\alpha$ and sICAM-1, also between IFN-$\gamma$ and sICAM-1 but no correlation between TNF-$\alpha$ and IFN-$\gamma$. Conclusion : Measurement of serum sICAM-1 could be useful parameter to evaluate the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis and to monitor disease activities during anti-tuberculosis medications.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.12a
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• pp.151-152
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• 2003

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.34-44
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• 2009

Background : Currently, as a method of standardization of prescription, questionnaire for Buzhongyiqi-Tang[補中益氣湯] was developed, and which is a Objectives : The purpose of this thesis is to testify whether differentiation of Lao Juan Shang[勞倦傷] etiology is relative to mobility of gastric smooth muscle. Methods : The subjects(20 to 65 years old; 14 males, 46 females) were isolated from drinking alcohols for 24 hours before the experiment, and fasted for 8 hours, and measured for electrogastrography(EGG) and they filled out Questionnaire for Buzhongyiqi-Tang. Results : 1. Six factors from the factor analysis of Questionnaire for Buzhongyiqi -Tang were named and classified as Spleen-Qi deficiency syndrome factor [脾虛] (factor 1), Lung-Qi deficiency syndrome factor [肺虛] (factor 2), Working factor [習慣] (factor 3), Yin-Fire factor [陰火] (factor 4), Jung-Qi deficiency syndrome factor [中氣虛] (factor 5), and Stomach-Qi deficiency syndrome factor [胃虛] (factor 6). 2. As for the reliability of Questionnaire for Buzhongyiqi-Tang, we used Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.772 for the mean of the item-total. 3. Lung-Qi deficiency syndrome factor(factor2) had significant correlation with Bradygastria Time (r=-0.312, p<0.05). 4. Working factor(factor3) had significant correlation with Bradygastria Time (r=-0.329, p<0.05). 5. Yin-Fire factor(factor4) had significant correlation with Power Ratio (r=-0.328, p<0.05). Conclusions : It is shown that Bradygastria Time and Power Ratio tended to decrease against postprandial DP increased and postprandial frequency decreased in normal case.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.312-319
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• 2004

The porous SiO$_2$-B$_2$O$_3$ membrane was prepared from Si(OC$_2$$H_5$)$_4$-($CH_3$O)$_3$B-C$_2$$H_5$OH-$H_2O$ system by sol-gel method. In order to investigate the characteristics of this membrane, we examined that using BET, IR spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer, SEM and TEM. At $700^{\circ}C$, the surface area of SiO$_2$-B$_2$O$_3$ membrane was 354.398 $m^2$/, the median pore diameter was 0.0048 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, and the particle size of SiO$_2$-B$_2$O$_3$ membrane was 7 nm. The separation properties of the gas mixture ($H_2$/$N_2$) through the SiO$_2$-B$_2$O$_3$ membrane was studied as a function of pressure. The real separation factor($\alpha$) of SiO$_2$-B$_2$O$_3$ membrane for $H_2$/$N_2$ gas mixture was 4.68 at 155.15 cmHg and $25^{\circ}C$. The real separation factor($\alpha$), head separation factor($\beta$) and tail separation factor((equation omitted)) were increased as the pressure of permeation cell increased.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.338-343
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• 2009

The Wnt/$\beta$-catenin signaling pathway alters adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting adipogenic gene expression. $\beta$-catenin plays a central role in the Wnt/$\beta$-catenin signaling pathway. In this study, we revealed that tumour necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), a potential negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation, inhibits porcine adipogenesis through activation of the Wnt/$\beta$-catenin signaling pathway. Under the optimal concentration of TNF-$\alpha$, the intracellular $\beta$-catenin protein was stabilized. Thus, the intracellular lipid accumulation of porcine preadipocyte was suppressed and the expression of important adipocyte marker genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\gamma$ (PPAR$\gamma$) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-$\alpha$ (C/EBP$\alpha$), were inhibited. However, a loss of $\beta$-catenin in porcine preadipocytes enhanced the adipogenic differentiation and attenuated TNF-$\alpha$ induced anti-adipogenesis. Taken together, this study indicated that TNF-$\alpha$ inhibits adipogenesis through stabilization of $\beta$-catenin protein in porcine preadipocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 1998

Limit dextrin of Korean beer(3 brands) and Japanese beer(21 brands) were separated by ethanol fractionation. Limit dextrin of Korean and Japanese beer was estimated to be 1.1%. 1H-NMR analysis revealed that the limit dextrin showed both signal of $\alpha$-1, 4- and $\alpha$-1, 6- glucosidic linkage with its estimation ratio of average 5.5:1. Limit dextrin was hydrolyzed to glucose with the yield of 57.22% by Aspergillus awamori $\alpha$-glucosidase(24.7 unit) plus human salivay $\alpha$-amylase(2.4 unit) in 100${mu}ell$ of 0.043M acetate buffer at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 5 hour. Among them, limit dextrin of Korean beer showed the highest hydrolysis rate of 76%. Small size sugars (64.8%) removed by ethanol fractionation and limit dextrin(21.4%) hydrolyzed by amylases that is digestable sugar. Non hydrolyzed limit dextrin(13.8%) by the amylases which can be a growth factor of Bifidobacterium in human intestine.