• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 1999

Transient transfection assay has been done to evaluate whether the c-jun activation would be prerequisite to the induction of permissiveness against human cytomegalovirus using in vitro cell model in which U937 has been induced to express CD11b and CD14 to become potential monocyte/macrophage cells by TPA treatment. U937 cells were treated with $10\;{\mu}M$, $50\;{\mu}M$ or $100\;{\mu}M$ of TPA. The cell morphology change was observed and the expression of the CD11b and CD14 was confirmed by FACS. Differentiated cells were transfected with pJLuc reporter vector which contained the wild type murine c-jun promoter spanning the SP1, CTF, ATF/CREB and MEF-2 binding sites upstream of the firefly luciferase gene. After 48 hrs of transfection, the cells were infected with HCMV Towne strain and the luciferase activity was assessed at 1 hand 4 h pi. The transfection assay showed no activation of the c-jun promoter at 1 h pi, instead, it showed 2 times increase of the its activity at 4 h pi. There was no difference of the c-jun promoter activation between TPA treated and untreated U937 cells, implying that c-jun activation might not be prerequisite for allowing cells to be premissive to HCMV, although HCMV infection itself could activate c-jun promoter.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.98-104
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• 2011

To evaluate the physioactivity of Salicornia herbacea L. (SH), which are obtained from Sunchon bay as wild plants, an SH extract was prepared by freeze drying to obtain SH, and by cold drying to obtain SH. For the evaluation of their bioactivities, cell viability and antioxidative effect were measured. The XTT assay was adopted to measure cell viability after C6 glioma cells were treated with various concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) for 8 hours. The DPPH-radical scavenging activity was also measured for the antioxidative effect. In this study, the $XTT_{50}$ value of $H_2O_2$ was determined at $30{\mu}M$ which was highly toxic based on the cytotoxic criteria by Borenfreund and Puerner. The protective effect of SH extract significantly increased cell viability compared with $H_2O_2$-treated group. Its antioxidative effect showed a significant DPPH-radical scavenging activity at concentrations of $1-100{\mu}g/mL$, while SH extract showed highly a DPPH-radical scavenging activity at only $100{\mu}g/mL$. From these results, $H_2O_2$ was highly toxic in cultured C6 glioma cells, and SH extract was effective in the prevention of cell damage by its antioxidative effect.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Salvia plebeia R. Br. ethanolic extract with different aspects (stem/leaf and whole plant) on differentiation and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The morphological changes and the degrees of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were measured by Oil Red O staining and intra-cellular triglyceride (TG) assay. The mRNA expressions of special peroxisome proliferation activated receptor- genes (PPAR), CCAAT/ enhancer-binding protein (C/$EBP{\alpha}$), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The 50% ethanolic extracts ($100{\mu}g/mL$) of stem and leaf (SALE) and 30% ethanolic extracts (100 g/mL) of whole plant (SAE) from Salvia plebeia R. Br. were significantly attenuated lipid accumulation during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Ethyl acetate-soluble fractions ($50{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited lipid droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, SALE induced down-regulation of specific adipogenic transcriptional factors (C/$EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$) and target genes (FAS and LPL) during adipogenesis. Salvia plebeia R. Br. may be used as a safe and efficient natural substance to manage obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.580-585
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• 2004

BJYGC is often clinically used as a treatment of allergic rhinitis. This study was aimed to find out the effect BJYGC would have on the helper T cell, and how it can promote the subsets of helper T cells to regain their balance that they lost due to immunological diseases. Splenocytes were prepared from BALB/c mice was cultured without stimulation in the presence of BJYGC for 48 hr. The viability of CD4 T cells from Balb/c mouse were measured at various concentrations of BJYGC using the MTS assay. It was somewhat increased up to concentration of 400 ㎍/ml, but did not show any significant difference. Proliferation was measured using the MTS assay, CD4 Th cells were stimulated with anti-CD3/28 in the presence of BJYGC for 48 hr. As evidence for rapid T cell activation, CD25 expression by flow cytometry was evaluated at 10, 50, 100 and 200 ㎍/㎖ of BJYGC. Th cell differentiation experiments were performed to examine whether BJYGC can affect the Th polarization process. CD4 T cells were activated in culture under neutral, Th1-polarized or Th2-polarized conditions in the presence of BJYGC at 10, 100 and 200 ㎍/㎖. Cytokine production was measured by ELISA. This experiment proved that BJYGC could inhibit the secretion of both IL-4 and IFN-γ in neutral condition and polarized condition, too. Considering that BJYGC shows an excellent effect on treating allergies, the author can conclude that its pharmacological action may be associated with decreased IL-4 and, it may also regulate IFN-γ depending the host's need. Also, it was discovered that Th1 cell was pathologic in chronic inflammatory tissue specific diseases, such as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, RA, and uveitis. We are counting on the BJYGC to be able to control the tendency of Th1 cell predominancy in an immune reaction.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.453-458
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• 2016

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) were operated with pig wastes and PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells) MEA (Membrane and Electrode Assembly). Performance of hydrocarbon membrane was compared with that of perfluoro membrane at MFC condition. Sulfonated-Poly(Arylene Ether Sulfone) was used as hydrocarbon membrane and Gore membrane was used as perfluoro membrane. OCV of sPAES MEA was 50mV higher than that of Gore MEA and power density of sPAES MEA was similar that of Gore MEA. Reinforcement of sPAES membrane stabilized the performance of MEA in MFC. The highest performance was obtained at temperature of $45^{\circ}C$ and with culture solution circulation rate of 50 ml/min. The highest power density was $1,100mW/m^2$ at optimum condition in MFC using pig waste.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.306-315
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• 1996

This study was performed to develop the biological treatment technology of wastewater polluted with heavy metals. The lead-tolerant microorganism, Pseudomonas aeruginosa which possessed the ability to accumulate lead, was isolated from the industrial wastewater polluted with various heavy metals. The characteristics of lead accumulation in the cells and the recovery of the lead there from were investigated. Removal rate of lead from the solution containing 100mg/l of lead by the lead-tolerant microorganism was more than 97% at 48 hours after inoculation with the microorganism. A large number of the electron-dense granules were found mainly on the cell wall and cell membrane fractions, when determined by transmission electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the electron-dense granules were lead complex with the substances binding heavy metals. The lead accumulated into cells was not desorbed by distilled water, but more than 87% of the lead accumulated was desorbed by 0.1M-EDTA. The residues of the cells after combustion at $550^{\circ}C$ amounted to about 30% of the dry weight of the cells. EDS analysis showed that the residues were relatively pure lead compounds containing more than 86% of lead.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

Objectives : Previously we reported that the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae) increased sperm count and motility. also induced spermatogenesis via cAMP-responsive element modulator(CREM) activation in rat testes. In this study, for the first step of spermatogenesis in germ cell lines, the antioxidant activity of Panax ginseng were examined in mouse GC-1 spermatogonia cells. Methods : The extract was studied on diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, GC-1 cell viability by a modified MIT assay. H202-induced cytotoxicity by MIT assay and lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. respectively. Results: The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical with the IC50 being 0.631 mg/mi. The extract at concentrations of 5, and 10, 50, 100, 250 ${\mu}$g/mi increased GC-1 cell viability significantly(p < 0.05, and p < O.O1). Hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity (73.8%, p < O.O1) was blocked by the extract at concentrations of 50, and 100, 250, 500 ${\mu}$g/ml significantly (p < 0.05, and p < O.O1). The extract at concentrations of 10. and 50 ${\mu}$g/ml decreased the MDA formation on hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation. Conclusions : In conclusion, the extract of Panax ginseng has potent antioxidant activity and increases the survival rate of GC-1 spg cells against $H_20_2$-induced cytotoxicity.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2008

Recent studies suggest that activated microglial cells play an essential role in the inflammatory responses and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective mechanisms of Asiasarum sieboldi (AS) on LPS-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells. The effects of AS on gene expression profiles in activated BV-2 microglial cells were evaluated using microarray analysis. BV-2 microglial cells were cultured in a 100 mm dish ($1{\times}10^7$/mL) for 24 h and then pretreated with 1 ${\mu}g$/mL AS or left untreated for 30 min. Next, 1 ${\mu}g$/mL LPS was added to the samples and the cells were reincubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 30 min and 1 hr. The gene expression profiles of the BV-2 microglial cells varied depending on the AS. The microarray analysis revealed that MAPK signaling pathway-related genes were downregulated in AS-treated BV-2 microglial cells. AS can affect the neuroinflammatory-related pathway such as MAPK signaling pathway in activated BV-2 microglial cells.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

Microglial cells constitute the first line of defense against infection and injury in the brain. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective mechanisms of Agrimonia pilosa (AP) on LPS-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells. The effects of AP on gene expression profiles in activated BV-2 microglial cells were evaluated using microarray analysis. BV-2 microglial cells were cultured in a 100 mm dish ($1{\times}10^7/mL$) for 24 hr and then pretreated with 1 g/mL AP or left untreated for 30 min. Next, 1 g/mL LPS was added to the samples and the cells were reincubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, 3 hr and 6 hr. The gene expression profiles of the BV-2 microglial cells varied depending on the AP. The microarray analysis revealed that MAPK signaling pathway-related genes were down-regulated and IL10 gene was up-regulated in AP-treated BV-2 microglial cells. AP can affect the inflammatory response and MAPK pathway in BV-2 microglial cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.291-303
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• 1997

Periodontal ligament cells may have a role in the regulation of hard and soft periodontal tissues, but their specific function has not yet to be determined. To evaluate further their role in periodontal regeneration, they were examined for osteoblast-like behavior. Periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts were primarily cultured from extracted premolar with non-periodontal diseases. Cells were cultured with DMEM at $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$, 100% humidity incubator, and as a measure of cell characterization, it was examined that the morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and immunocytochemistry for osteonectin, osteocalcin, and collagen type I. Healthy periodontal ligament cells has more osteoblastic-like cell property in alkaline phosphatase activity. and collagen synthesis than gingival fibroblast. Immunocytochemistry localization explained that calcitonin were expressed in periodontal ligament cells only, and osteonectin and type I collagen were produced in both cells simultaneously. This results indicate that the growth characteristics of periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts exhibit some differences in proliferative rates and biochemical synthesis. The differences may help to calrify the role such cells play in the regenearation of periodontal tissues.