• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.167-182
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• 2010

Cervi parvum cornu (Deer Antler) and Carthami tinctorii fructus (Also known as Carthami seed) are widely used for treating osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, We found out that the water extract of Cervi parvum cornu(WECPC), Carthami tinctorii fructus(WECTF) and their combination have effects of suppressing the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. We assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and GAPDHS from bone marrow macrophages(BMMs) by means of RT-PCR. Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, MAPKs and $\beta$-actin in cell lysates were analyzed by means of Western blotting. then we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of WECPC, WECTF and their combination using Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse. WECPC, WECTF and their combination showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. WECPC suppressed degradation of I-${\kappa}B$. WECPC, WECTF and their combination down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. Lastly, in vivo data showed that WECPC, WECTF and their combination rescued the bone erosion by LPS treatment. Thus, these results demonstrate that WECPC, WECTF and their combination can be efficacious remedies for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.65-74
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• 2010

Objectives : Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (ABR) has been used for treating of many symptoms especially osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we determined the effects of water extract of ABR in RANKL (Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor $\kappa$ B Ligand)-induced osteoclast differentiation culture system. Methods : We assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP, OSCAR, $FcR{\gamma}$, DAP12 and GAPDH in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) treated with ABR. The protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, MAPKs and $\beta$-actin in cell lysates treated with ABR were analysed by Western blotting. In addition we determined the effects of water extract of ABR on LPS-induced bone-loss mouse. Results : Water extract of ABR showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. ABR down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. ABR suppressed phosphorylation of JNK, p38 and I-${\kappa}B$. ABR rescued bone erosion by LPS induction in vivo study. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that ABR may be a useful remedy for curing of bone-loss disease such as osteoporosis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제27권12호
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• pp.1238-1244
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• 2004

The suppressive effects of Platycodi Radix (Changkil: CK), the root of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), on the progress of acute carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic fibrosis were investigated in the rat. CK significantly suppressed $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic necrosis and inflammation, as determined by the serum enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ levels, in dose-dependent manners. In addition, the increased hepatic fibrosis after acute $(CCl_4)$ treatment was suppressed by the administration of CK. CK also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic ${\alpha}$ 1(I) procollagen (type I collagen) mRNA and ${\alpha}$ -smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$ -SMA) expressions in the liver of $(CCl_4)$-intoxicated rats and also suppressed the induction of ${\alpha}$ -SMA and type I collagen in cultured hepatic stellate cells, in dose-dependent manners. These results suggest that the suppressive effects of CK against the progress of acute $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic fibrosis possibly involve mechanisms related to its ability to block both hepatic inflammation and the activation of hepatic stellate cells.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.180-188
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• 2009

Plakoglobin (PKG) is a protein linking cadherin adhesion receptors to the actin cytoskeleton and its overexpression has been known to suppress cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in thyroid cancer. We investigated the effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, on the methylation status of the promoter and the expression of the plakoglobin gene in a thyroid carcinoma cell line (ARO) and papillary thyroid carceinoma. In cultures of ARO cell line incubated without 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), five of the fifteen CpG sites in the promoter spanning -225 and -54 were methylated at 4.2 - 12.5%. When the cells were treated with 5-Aza-CdR, all the methylated CpG sites were induced to be demethylated except one. In addition, a new methylation at one CpG site, CpG4, was identified at level of 12.0%. The expression level of PKG decreased approximately 10-fold in the 5-Aza-CdR treated cells compared to untreated cells. Different pattern of promoter methylation and expression of PKG was also observed in the tissue samples. CpG10 and CpG12 sites were methylated at 9.0-27.0% in normal tissues. However, in cancer tissues, CpG5 and CpG10 sites were methylated at 10.0-22.0%. Three of ten normal thyroid tissue samples and one of thirteen papillary carcinoma tumor samples showed increased PKG mRNA expression level. PKG protein expression analyzed by the immunohistochemical staining showed higher expression in the tumor compared with normal.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.167-171
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• 2004

We constructed an oligo-d(T) primed directional cDNA library from the Bombyx mandarina whole larvae. In an effort to isolate genes expressed in the B. mandarina, 227 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated by single-pass sequencing from the cDNA library. Sequence analysis showed that 107 clones (47.1%) were classified into known genes and 120 clones (52.9%) were novel transcripts, which are unknown for their function. Of the 107 known genes, the most abundant gene was found to be actin and followed by serine protease in the expression profile. Among these clones, a serine protease homolog (BmSP) which is a class of proteolytic enzymes isolated. Full-length sequence of the BmSP cDNA clone was 922 bp in length and has an open reading frame of 276 amino acids. The conserved histidine, aspatic acid and serine residues forming the catalytic center as well as cysteine residues contributing to three disulphide bonds also were found in Bmsp gene. mRNA expression analysis revealed a high and specific expression of the gene only in midgut tissue, suggesting that BmSP gene is closely associated with the expression of digestive enzyme.

• 한국패류학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.181-187
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• 2013

In order to investigate environmental stress inducible genes in abalone, we analyzed differentially expressed transcripts from a Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, after exposure to heat-, cold- or hyposalinity-shock by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method. 1,074 unique sequences from SSH libraries were composed to 115 clusters and 986 singletons, the overall redundancy of the library was 16.3%. From the BLAST search, of the 1,316 ESTs, 998 ESTs (75.8%) were identified as known genes, but 318 clones (24.2%) did not match to any previously described genes. From the comparison results of ESTs pattern of three SSH cDNA libraries, the most abundant EST was different in each SSH library: small heat shock protein p26 (sHSP26) in heat-shock, trypsinogen 2 in cold-shock, and actin in hyposalinity SSH cDNA library. Based on sequence similarities, several response-to-stress genes such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) were identified commonly from the abalone SSH libraries. HSP70 gene was induced by environmental stress regardless of temperature-shock or salinity-stress, while the increase of sHSP26 mRNA expression was not detected in cold-shock but in heat-shock condition. These results suggest that the suppression subtractive hybridization method is an efficient way to isolate differentially expressed gene from the invertebrate environmental stress-response transcriptome.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.432-441
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• 2024

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.279-286
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• 2019

본 연구는 말오줌나무 70% 에탄올 추출물의 항산화 효과와 미백 효과를 검증하였다. 말오줌나무 추출물의 전자공여능 측정실험은 $1,000{\mu}g/ml$에서 86.21%의 효과를 나타내었고, ABTS 소거능을 측정한 결과 $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 97.9%의 소거능을 보였다. Tyrosinase 저해활성 측정은 $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 37%의 효과를 보였다. 말오줌나무 추출물의 세포 생존율을 melanoma cell (B16F10)에서 확인하기 위해 MTT assay를 진행하였는데 세포 생존율을 측정한 결과, $100{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 90% 이상의 생존율을 보였다. 말오줌나무 추출물의 MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 및 tyrosinase의 단백질 발현 효과를 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 측정하였으며 양성 대조군으로 ${\beta}-actin$을 사용하였다. 그 결과, MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 및 tyrosinase의 각각 $100{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 34.5%, 45.6%, 58.4%, 79.6%의 단백질 발현 억제 효과를 보였다. MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 및 tyrosinase의 mRNA발현을 RT-PCR로 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 측정하였고, 양성 대조군으로 GAPDH를 사용하였다. 그 결과, 말오줌나무 추출물의 $100{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 각각 85.4%, 67.5%, 85.2%, 67.1%의 mRNA 발현이 감소함을 확인 할 수 있었다. 따라서, 말오줌나무 추출물이 미백 소재로서의 가능성을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.166-178
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• 2003

Objectives : Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in normal and pathophysiological cells as a messenger molecule, neurotransmitter, microbiological agent, or dilator of blood vessels and arteriosclerosis, respectively. This study was undertaken to understand the mechanism of NO production and effect of Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) on NO production in cultured vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). Methods and Results : VSMC was isolated from aorta and cultured. Cultured primary cells were identified as VSMC with anti--smooth muscle actin antibody. A large amount of NO was produced in cultured VSMC treated with $IFN-{\gamma}$ plus TNF in a time- and dose-dependent manner. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was a more efficient stimulator than $IFN-{\gamma}$ in NO production of cultured VSMC. iNOS protein wasdetected within 3 hrs and it increased up to 12 hrs in a time-dependent manner. However, accumulated NO in cytokine-treated VSMC was not detected within 3 hrs. NO production in cytokine-treated VSMC showed the dose- and time-dependent manner, and increased up to 48 hrs. The activated VSMC produced a large amount of NO (about 60 uM). Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) alone did not induceNO production, but it potentiated the effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ on NO production and increased NO production by about 20%. Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) did not affect the transcriptional activity of iNOS gene, but increased the accumulation of iNOS. These results indicate that Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) could modulate the translational level of iNOS. PKC did not modulate NO production, but calcium ionophore A23187 decreased NO production. However, Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) elevated the decreased NO production in A23187-treated VSMC by modulating the stability of iNOS transcripts. Half-life of the synthesized transcripts appeared to have about 6 hrs. PDTC, an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, blocked the accumulation of iNOS mRNA, indicating that $NF-{\kappa}B$ served as an important modulator in the transcriptional regulation of iNOS. As Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) potentiated the effect of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ on NO production but had no additional effect on PDTC-modulated NO production, it is suggested that Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) enhances the $TNF-{\alpha}-mediated$ NO production of VSMC by modulating the iNOS activity and the stability of iNOS transcripts in activated VSMC having the elevated intracellular calcium ion. Conclusions : This study suggests that Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) has a potential capacity for preventing and treating diseases of the circulation system, including arteriosclerosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권8호
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• pp.963-969
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• 2016

Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs)은 세포 내 소기관이나 단백질복합체를 미세소관을 따라 운반하는 모터단백질이다. Kinesin 1은 경쇄단위체(light chain subunit)를 통하여 결합함으로써 세포 내 소기관, 신경소포, 신경전달물질수용체, 신호전달단백질, mRNA 등 다양한 운반체를 운반하는 KIFs의 한 종류이다. Kinesin light chains (KLCs)은 모터기능이 없는 단위체로서 kinesin heavy chains (KHCs) 이량체와 결합하여 kinesin 1을 구성한다. KLCs은 여러 단백질과 결합하지만 아직 결합단백질이 충분히 밝혀지지 않았다. 본 연구에서 KLC1의 tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) 영역과 결합하는 단백질을 분리하기 위하여 효모 two-hybrid 탐색을 수행한 결과 Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome의 원인단백질이며 액틴 세포골격 조절단백질인 WASP/WAVE family의 하나인 WAVE1을 분리하였다. WAVE1은 KLC1의 TPR 영역을 포함한 부위와 결합하지만 KHCs인 KIF5A, KIF5B, KIF5C와는 결합하지 않았다. 또한 KLC1은 WAVE1의 C-말단에 존재하는 verprolin/cofilin/acidic (VCA) 도메인과 결합하였으며, 다른 WAVE isoform인 WAVE2와 WAVE3과도 결합하였다. HEK-293T 세포에 WAVE1과 KLC1을 동시에 발현시켰을 때 두 단백질이 세포 내에서 같은 부위에 존재하며, WAVE1을 면역침강한 결과 KLC1뿐만 아니라 KIF5B가 같이 침강함을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들은 kinesin 1이 WAVE 단백질복합체 혹은 WAVE로 덮여있는 운반체를 운반함을 시사한다.