• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.353-361
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• 2022

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa and tissue remodeling, which can include basal/progenitor cell hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous cell metaplasia, loss or dysfunction of ciliated cells, and increased matrix deposition. Repeated injuries can stimulate airway epithelial cells to produce inflammatory mediators that activate epithelial cells, immune cells, or the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit. This persistent inflammation can consequently induce aberrant tissue remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms driving disease within the different molecular CRS subtypes remain inadequately characterized. Numerous secreted and cell surface proteins relevant to airway inflammation and remodeling are initially synthesized as inactive precursor proteins, including growth/differentiation factors and their associated receptors, enzymes, adhesion molecules, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. Therefore, these precursor proteins require post-translational cleavage by proprotein convertases (PCs) to become fully functional. In this review, we summarize the roles of PCs in CRS-associated tissue remodeling and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting PCs for CRS treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2018

The airway epithelium is the first place, where a defense mechanism is initiated against environmental stimuli. Mucociliary transport (MCT), which is the defense mechanism of the airway and the role of airway epithelium as mechanical barriers are essential in innate immunity. To maintain normal physiologic function, normal oxygenation is critical for the production of energy for optimal cellular functions. Several pathologic conditions are associated with a decrease in oxygen tension in airway epithelium and chronic sinusitis is one of the airway diseases, which is associated with the hypoxic condition, a potent inflammatory stimulant. We have observed the overexpression of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), an essential factor for oxygen homeostasis, in the epithelium of sinus mucosa in sinusitis patients. In a series of previous reports, we have found hypoxia-induced mucus hyperproduction, especially by MUC5AC hyperproduction, disruption of epithelial barrier function by the production of VEGF, and down-regulation of junctional proteins such as ZO-1 and E-cadherin. Furthermore, hypoxia-induced inflammation by HMGB1 translocation into the cytoplasm results in the release of IL-8 through a ROS-dependent mechanism in upper airway epithelium. In this mini-review, we briefly introduce and summarize current progress in the pathogenesis of sinusitis related to hypoxia. The investigation of hypoxia-related pathophysiology in airway epithelium will suggest new insights on airway inflammatory diseases, such as rhinosinusitis for clinical application and drug development.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Background: Hyperactivated airway mucosa cells overproduce mucin and cause severe breathing complications. Here, we aimed to identify the effects of saponins derived from Panax ginseng on inflammation and mucin overproduction. Methods: NCI-H292 cells were pre-incubated with 16 saponins derived from P. ginseng, and mucin overproduction was induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mucin protein MUC5AC was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, we performed a transcriptome analysis of PMA-treated NCI-H292 cells in the absence or presence of Rg5, and differential gene expression was confirmed using qPCR. Phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, and the abundance of lipid droplets, were measured by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 effectively reduced MUC5AC secretion and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels. A systematic functional network analysis revealed that Rg5 upregulated cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism, resulting in the production of lipid droplets to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory responses. Rg5 induced the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased cellular ROS levels, and N-acetyl-ⳑ-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor, reduced MUC5AC secretion via Rg5. Furthermore, Rg5 hampered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 proteins, affecting the NF-kB signaling pathway and pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Rg5 alleviated inflammatory responses by reducing mucin secretion and promoting lipid droplet-mediated ROS clearance. Therefore, Rg5 may have potential as a therapeutic agent to alleviate respiratory disorders caused by hyperactivation of mucosa cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.508-513
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• 2000

Aspergillus에 의한 기관-기관지염은 침습성 폐 국 균증의 한 분류로써 드문 질환이다. 저자들은 aspergillus에 의한 기관-기관지염증 aspergillus 기관-기관지염을 경험하고 성공적으로 치료하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• 대한기관식도과학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.182-187
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• 1998

Platelet activating factor (PAP) has been known as implicating as one of potent inflammatory mediators and reported 0 be involved in inflammation and allergy. PAF induces ciliary dysfunction and epithelial damage of human paranasal sinus mucosa in vitro. However, several recent papers have reported that PAF may not readily damage the airway epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural evidence to elucidate the pathogenesis of epithelial damage induced by PAF. Sixteen $\mu\textrm{g}$ g of PAF was applied into the maxillary sinuses of 6 rabbits. Rabbits were divided into 2 subgroups along with time interval at 1st and 3rd experimental day, and sinus mucosae were taken for the histopathologic study using electron microscopy. At 1st day, epithelial cells showed no ultrastructural change. Ultrastructures of the cilia were well preserved. Subepithelial space showed no evidence of the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Intravascular platelet aggregation and swelling of endothelial cells were evident. At 3rd day, epithelial cells showed vacuolar degeneration. Fusion of cilia forming giant cilia and focal loss of cilia were evident. Eosinophils were infiltrated in subepithelial and intraepithelial space. Swelling of endothelial cells, and migration of inflammatory cells into the connective tissue were evident. This study implies that epithelial damage induced by PAF may be secondary to the cytotoxicity of mobilized eosinophils rather than direct cytotoxicity of PAF.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2012

The nasal cavity encounters various irritants during inhalation such as dust and pathogens. To detect and remove these irritants, it has been postulated that the nasal mucosa epithelium has a specialized sensing system. The oral cavity, on the other hand, is known to have bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) that can detect harmful substances to prevent ingestion. Recently, solitary chemosensory cells expressing T2R subtypes have been found in the respiratory epithelium of rodents. In addition, T2Rs have been identified in the human airway epithelia. However, it is not clear which T2Rs are expressed in the human nasal mucosa epithelium and whether they mediate the removal of foreign materials through increased cilia movement. In our current study, we show that human T2R receptors indeed function also in the nasal mucosa epithelium. Our RT-PCR data indicate that the T2R subtypes (T2R3, T2R4, T2R5, T2R10, T2R13, T2R14, T2R39, T2R43, T2R44, T2R 45, T2R46, T2R47, T2R48, T2R49, and T2R50) are expressed in human nasal mucosa. Furthermore, we have found that T2R receptor activators such as bitter chemicals augments the ciliary beating frequency. Our results thus demonstrate that T2Rs are likely to function in the cleanup of inhaled dust and pathogens by increasing ciliary movement. This would suggest that T2Rs are feasible molecular targets for the development of novel treatment strategies for nasal infection and inflammation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.695-705
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenosides have beneficial effects on several airway inflammatory disorders primarily through glucocorticosteroid-like anti-inflammatory activity. Among inflammatory cells, eosinophils play a major pathogenic role in conferring a risk of severe refractory diseases including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, the role of ginsenosides in reducing eosinophilic inflammation and CRS pathogenesis is unexplored. Methods: We investigated the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanism of ginsenoside F1 (G-F1) in comparison with those of dexamethasone, a representative glucocorticosteroid, in a murine model of CRS. The effects of G-F1 or dexamethasone on sinonasal abnormalities and infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells were evaluated by histological analyses. The changes in inflammatory cytokine levels in sinonasal tissues, macrophages, and NK cells were assessed by qPCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Results: We found that G-F1 significantly attenuated eosinophilic inflammation, mast cell infiltration, epithelial hyperplasia, and mucosal thickening in the sinonasal mucosa of CRS mice. Moreover, G-F1 reduced the expression of IL-4 and IL-13, as well as hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase required for prostaglandin D2 production. This therapeutic efficacy was associated with increased NK cell function, without suppression of macrophage inflammatory responses. In comparison, dexamethasone potently suppressed macrophage activation. NK cell depletion nullified the therapeutic effects of G-F1, but not dexamethasone, in CRS mice, supporting a causal link between G-F1 and NK cell activity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that potentiating NK cell activity, for example with G-F1, is a promising strategy for resolving eosinophilic inflammation in CRS.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.74-91
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• 2015

Background and Objective : Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease at the mucosa and is associated with excess production of Th2 cytokine and eosinophil accumulation in lung.Gamchomahwang-tangextract(GME) is one of the well known prescription used in oriental medicine for treating asthma. This study was designed to compare the anti-asthmatic effect of GME according to the ratio of 2 compounds.Methods : To examine the effects of GME on asthma, mice were sensitized with 100 ㎍ of OVA and 1 ㎎ of aluminum potassium sulfate(Alum; Sigma) intraperitoneally on day 1 and 15. From day 22, mice were challenged on 3 consecutive days with 5% OVA. The anti-asthmatic effects of GME were evaluated by enhanced pause(Penh), bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), inflammatory cytokine production and genes expression, serum IgE production. and histological change in lung tissue. GMEⅠ consists of ES and GU in the proportion 2:1(300 ㎎/㎏ group), GMEⅡ consist of ES and GU in the proprtion 4:1(300 ㎎/㎏ group).Results : GMEⅠ,Ⅱ generally inhibited lung inflammation, inflammatory cells infiltration and cytokine production and gene expression such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF and serum IgE level. GMEⅡ significantly reduced the cytokine production and gene expression such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF and GMEⅠ decreased cytokine production of IL-4, IL-13 in BALF and gene expression of IL-4, IL-5 in Lung. GMEⅡ potently inhibited the development of Penh and also reduced the number of eosinophil during OVA-induced AHR(airway hyper-reactivity). Overall the results show that GMEⅡ has more effect on inhibiting production, gene expression of cytokine, serum IgE level and development of Penh than GMEⅠ. Consequently, GMEⅡ might be more effective than GMEⅠ at inhibiting allergic asthma on the OVA-induced mice model.Conclusion : These results indicate that GME has a deep inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in mice model of asthma and that suppression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 expression and decrease of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 production in BALF might contribute this effect. Hence, the results indicate that GME might be useful herbal medicine of allergic asthma. As a result, GMEⅡ mght be superior to GMEⅠ in the aspect of anti-asthmatic effect on the OVA-induced mice model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.697-704
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• 1998

연구배경: 천식은 기관지에 호산구의 침착을 동반한 염증을 특징으로 한다. 말초 혈액에 존재하던 호산구가 천식 반응시 기관지 조직 내로 침착되는 과정에는 여러 종류의 호산구 화학 주성인자들이 관여한다. Chemokines은 염증 부위에 백혈구를 동원시키는 중요한 화학 주성 물질 중의 하나이다. 호산구 화학 주성에 관여하는 chemokines으로는 RANTES, MCP-3 등이 있지만 호산구뿐 아니라 다른 종류의 세포에도 작용한다. 최근에 호산구에만 특이적으로 작용하여 조직에 호산구의 침착을 유도하는 새로운 chemokine인 eotaxin이 cloning되었으며 호산구가 혈중에 증가되거나 조직에 침착하는 여러 알러지 질환의 중요한 매개불질로 연구되고 있다. 최근 연구에 의하면 사람에서의 eotaxin은 호산구의 강력한 화학 주성 물질로 조직내의 호산구 침착의 주요 원인이며 천식에서 중요한 매개물질일 것으로 추측된다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 천식 환자의 기관지 조직에서 eotaxin mRNA의 발현을 조사하고 기관지 조직 내 호산구의 침착과의 관계를 조사하였다. 연구방법: 최근 수개월간 특별한 치료없이 폐기능의 저하와 천식 증상을 갖고 있었던 천식 환자 4예(A 군), 흡입용 혹은 경구용 스테로이드 사용을 유지하면서 정상 범위의 폐기능을 유지하고 증상이 없었던 천식 환자 3예(B 군), 정상 대조군 2예(C 군), 최근 3개월 이상 어떤 천식 치료제를 사용하지 않고도 정상 범위의 폐기능을 유지하고 증상이 없었던 천식 환자 2예(D군), 천식의 악화로 입원하여 기관지 확장제와 경구용 혹은 정맥용 스테로이드를 10일 이내 사용하여 증상은 호전되었으나 폐기능의 저하를 보였던 2예(E 군)를 대상으로 하였다. 모든 대상 환자는 기관지 내시경을 이용하여 기관지 조직 검사를 시행했다. 조직에서 분리된 RNA로 부터 semi-quantitative RT-PCR를 시행하였다. 양성 대조군인 GAPDH mRNA에 대한 eotaxin mRNA의 비(ratio)를 densitometer를 이용하여 정량화하여 eotaxin mRNA의 발현을 간접적으로 측정하였다. Eotaxin mRNA의 발현과 기관지 조직내의 호산구 침착 정도의 상호 관계를 관찰하였다. 결 과: Eotaxin mRNA의 발현은 최근 수개월간 특별한 치료 없이 폐기능의 저하와 천식 증상을 갖고 있었던 현증 천식 환자 4예(A 군), 최근 수개월간 천식 치료를 받지 않았지만 천식 증상이 없었던 2예 중 1예(D군), 천식이 악화되어 경구 혹은 정맥 스테로이드를 10일간 사용하였던 2예(E 군)에서 나타났다. Densitometer로 eotaxin mRNA의 발현을 측정한 결과 A군은 4예 모두에서 높았으며 D, E 군은 상대적으로 낮았다. Submucosa 내의 호산구 침착과 eotaxin mRNA의 발현은 상관 관계가 있었다 결 론: 천식환자 기도에서 eotaxin의 발현은 증가되며 호산구의 기도내 침착을 유도하는 화학 주성 물질로 생각된다. 따라서 기도내 eotaxin mRNA의 발현은 천식의 발병의 중요한 요인으로 사료된다.

• 대한기관식도과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기관식도과학회 1977년도 제11차 학술대회연제 순서 및 초록
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• pp.7.1-7
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• 1977

후두실의 탈출은 Bryce 및 Cranston에 의하면 후두실 점막이 염증성 비후 또는 부종으로 인해 후두강내에 탈출된 것이라고 했다. 환자는 53세의 여자로서 1977년 3월 11일 호흡곤란과 사성의 주소를 갖고 본원에 입원하였다. 입원당시 후두소견은 가성대 하부에 표면이 평활하고 둥근 연홍색의 종물이 양측으로부터 돌출되어 기도를 거의 폐쇄하고 있었으며, 종물에는 궤양은 없었으며 주위 조직에 침윤된 소견은 볼 수 없었다. 경부에는 임파선비대를 촉진할 수 없었다. 호흡곤란이 심하여 기관절개술을 실시한 후에 직달후두경하에 조직검사를 하였으며, 검사결과는 만성염증으로 판정되었다. 1977년 4월 2일 전신마취하에 후두절개술을 시행하여 후두강을 관찰한 결과, 후두실의 앞에서 뒤까지 전역에 걸쳐 기시된 표면이 평활한 판상의 연홍색 종물이 양쪽에서 상대적으로 후두강내로 자라나와 중앙부에서는 거의 서로 맞닿아 있었다. 제거된 종물의 조직검사 결과도 술전과 같이 염증성비후로 나타났다. 수술후 경과는 양호하여 현재 호흡곤란은 완전히 소실되었고 음성은 경도의 사성을 호소할 뿐이고 후두강내에는 종물의 재발 증후는 없었다. 본증은 임상증상, 수술시의 후두강 소견 및 조직소견으로 보아 "후두실 탈출증"이라고 진단되었다. 이 후두실 탈출증은 문헌상 희소한 것으로서 일증례를 문헌적 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.