• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.234-237
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• 2015

Aptamers, composed of single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that interact with target molecules through a specific three-dimensional structure, are selected from pools of combinatorial oligonucleotide libraries. With their high specificity and affinity for target proteins, ease of synthesis and modification, and low immunogenicity and toxicity, aptamers are considered to be attractive molecules for development as anticancer therapeutics. Two aptamers - one targeting nucleolin and a second targeting CXCL12 - are currently undergoing clinical trials for treating cancer patients, and many more are under study. In this mini-review, we present the current clinical status of aptamers and aptamer-based cancer therapeutics. We also discuss advantages, limitations, and prospects for aptamers as cancer therapeutics. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(4): 234-237]

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2010

Korean mistletoe has a variety of biological effects, such as immunoadjuvant activities. This study investigates the effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) on human T lymphocytes to determine whether VCA acts as an immunomodulator. Purified human T-lymphocytes were cultured with VCA and RNA from each point was analyzed using Affymetrix human genome chips containing 22,500 probe sets which represents more than 18,000 transcripts derived from 14,500 human genes. As a result, there was a striking upregulation of genes coding for chemokines. Seventeen genes out of 50 coding for proteins with chemokine activity were upregulated including CXCL9 and IL-8 which are related to the treatment of cancer. In addition, 28 cytokine genes were upregulated including IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-$\gamma$, and TNF-$\alpha$. Taken together, the data suggest that Korean mistletoe lectin, in parallel with European mistletoe, has an ability to modulate human T cell function.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2019

Cellular senescence, a process of cell proliferation arrest in response to various stressors, has been considered to be important factor in age-related disease. Identification of senescent cells in tissues is limited and the role of senescent cells is poorly understood. Recently however, several studies showed the characterization of senescent cells in various pathologic conditions and the role of senescent cells in disease progression is becoming important. Senescent cells are growth-arrested cells, however, the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of senescent cells could modify the tissues' microenvironment. Here, we discuss the progress and understanding of the role of senescent cells in tissues of pathologic conditions and discuss the development of new therapeutic paradigms, such as senescent cells-targeted therapy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.25
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread over the world causing a pandemic which is still ongoing since its emergence in late 2019. A great amount of effort has been devoted to understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 with the hope of developing better therapeutic strategies. Transcriptome analysis using technologies such as RNA sequencing became a commonly used approach in study of host immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. Although substantial amount of information can be gathered from transcriptome analysis, different analysis tools used in these studies may lead to conclusions that differ dramatically from each other. Here, we re-analyzed four RNA-sequencing datasets of COVID-19 samples including human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasopharyngeal swabs, lung biopsy and hACE2 transgenic mice using the same standardized method. The results showed that common features of COVID-19 include upregulation of chemokines including CCL2, CXCL1, and CXCL10, inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and alarmin S100A8/S100A9, which are associated with dysregulated innate immunity marked by abundant neutrophil and mast cell accumulation. Downregulation of chemokine receptor genes that are associated with impaired adaptive immunity such as lymphopenia is another common feather of COVID-19 observed. In addition, a few interferon-stimulated genes but no type I IFN genes were identified to be enriched in COVID-19 samples compared to their respective control in these datasets. These features are in line with results from single-cell RNA sequencing studies in the field. Therefore, our re-analysis of the RNA-seq datasets revealed common features of dysregulated immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and shed light to the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.353-366
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to use a mouse model to evaluate the effects of Gwaruhaengryeon-hwan (GHH) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and particulate matter induced lung injury. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in two ways (in vitro, in vivo). In vitro RAW 264.7 cells (mouse macrophage) were used and analyzed by flow cytometry, ELISA. In vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke solution (CSS), or coal, fly ash, diesel exhaust particle (CFD) challenged mice were used and its BALF was analyzed by ELISA, lung tissue by real-time PCR. Results: In vitro, GHH maintained an 80-100% rate of viability. So cytotoxicity was not shown. In the ELISA analysis with RAW 264.7 cells, GHH significantly decreased NO over $30{\mu}g/ml$. In the ELISA analysis, GHH significantly decreased $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 over $300{\mu}g/ml$. In the COPD model, the GHH 200 mg/kg dosage group, the application of GHH significantly decreased the increasing of neutrophils, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-17A, MIP2, CXCL-1 in BALF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA expression in lung tissue and histological lung injury. In the CFD induced lung injury model, the GHH 200 mg/kg dosage group, the application of GHH significantly decreased the increase of neutrophils, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-17A, MIP2, CXCL-1 in BALF, MUC5AC, $TGF-{\beta}$ mRNA expression in lung tissue and histological lung injury. Conclusion: This study suggests the usability of GHH for COPD patients by controlling lung tissue injury.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1340-1350
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• 2022

Objective: Luxi Black Head sheep (LBH) is the first crossbreed specialized for meat production and was developed by crossbreeding Black Head Dorper sheep (DP) and Small Tailed Han sheep (STH) in the farming areas of northern China. Research on the genomic variations and selection signatures of LBH caused by continuous artificial selection is of great significance for identifying the genetic mechanisms of important traits of sheep and for the continuous breeding of LBH. Methods: We explored the genetic relationships of LBH, DP, and several Mongolian sheep breeds by constructing phylogenetic tree, principal component analysis and linkage disequilibrium analysis. In addition, we analysed 29 whole genomes of sheep. The genome-wide selection signatures have been scanned with four methods: heterozygosity (H_P), fixation index (F_ST), cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) and the nucleotide diversity (𝜃_π) ratio. Results: The genetic relationships analysis showed that LBH appeared to be an independent cluster closer to DP. The candidate signatures of positive selection in sheep genome revealed candidate genes for developmental process (HoxA gene cluster, BCL2L11, TSHR), immunity (CXCL6, CXCL1, SKAP2, PTK6, MST1R), growth (PDGFD, FGF18, SRF, SOCS2), and reproduction (BCAS3, TRIM24, ASTL, FNDC3A). Moreover, two signalling pathways closely related to reproduction, the thyroid hormone signalling pathway and the oxytocin signalling pathway, were detected. Conclusion: The selective sweep analysis of LBH genome revealed candidate genes and signalling pathways associated with developmental process, immunity, growth, and reproduction. Our findings provide a valuable resource for sheep breeding and insight into the mechanisms of artificial selection.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.502-507
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• 2016

To examine the effect of TBMS1on breast cancer metastasis, and investigate the potential mechanism by which Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS1) inhibits the CXCR4 expression in breast cancer cells. The expression of CXCR4 in breast cancer cell lines was determined by immunoblotting and real-time PCR. The effect of TBMS1 on NF-κB binding activity was evaluated by EMSA assay and ChIP analysis. Cell proliferation and invasion were analyzed by MTT assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The effect of TBMS1 on breast cancer metastasis was further evaluated in a metastasis model of nude mice. TBMS1 suppressed the expression of CXCR4 through inhibition of NF-κB binding activity. TBMS1 inhibited CXCL12-induced invasion in breast cancer cells, while ectopic expression of CXCR4 abolished the inhibitive activity of TBMS1. TBMS1 suppressed breast cancer metastasis in the metastatic model of nude mice. TBMS1 suppressed the CXCR4-mediated metastasis of breast cancer by inhibiting NF-κB binding activity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2014

Panax ginseng is a medicinal herb that is used worldwide. Its medicinal effects are primarily attributable to ginsenosides located in the root, leaf, seed, and flower. The flower buds of Panax ginseng (FBPG) are rich in various bioactive ginsenosides, which exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of 18 ginsenosides isolated from steamed FBPG on the transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-stimulated target genes in liver-derived cell lines. Noticeably, the ginsenosides $Rk_3$ and $Rs_4$ exerted the strongest activity, inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ in a dose-dependent manner. SF and $Rg_6$ also showed moderately inhibitory effects. Furthermore, these four compounds inhibited the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of IL8, CXCL1, iNOS, and ICAM1 genes. Consequently, ginsenosides purified from steamed FBPG have therapeutic potential in TNF-${\alpha}$-mediated diseases such as chronic hepatic inflammation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.9
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• 2021

Lip and oral cavity cancer, which can occur in any part of the mouth, is the 11th most common type of cancer worldwide. The major obstacles to patients' survival are the poor prognosis, lack of specific biomarkers, and expensive therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to identify the main genes and pathways associated with lip and oral cavity carcinoma using network analysis and to analyze its molecular mechanism and prognostic significance further. In this study, 472 genes causing lip and oral cavity carcinoma were retrieved from the DisGeNET database. A protein-protein interaction network was developed for network analysis using the STRING database. VEGFA, IL6, MAPK3, INS, TNF, MAPK8, MMP9, CXCL8, EGF, and PTGS2 were recognized as network hub genes using the maximum clique centrality algorithm available in cytoHubba, and nine potential drug candidates (ranibizumab, siltuximab, sulindac, pomalidomide, dexrazoxane, endostatin, pamidronic acid, cetuximab, and apricoxib) for lip and oral cavity cancer were identified from the DGIdb database. Gene enrichment analysis was also performed to identify the gene ontology categorization of cellular components, biological processes, molecular functions, and biological pathways. The genes identified in this study could furnish a new understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and provide more reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of lip and oral cavity cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.126-135
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• 2018

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and irreversible airflow. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GHX02 in a COPD-induced mouse model. Methods: The COPD mouse model was established by exposure to cigarette smoke extract and lipopolysaccharide which were administered by intratracheal injection three times with a 7 day interval. GHX02 (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) and all other drugs were orally administrated for 14 days from Day 7 to Day 21. Results: GHX02 significantly decreased the neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the number of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD69^+$, and $CD11b^+/GR1^+$ cells in BALF and lung cells. GHX02 also suppressed the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-17A, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP2), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL-1) in BALF and ameliorated the lung pathological changes. Conclusions: Thus, GHX02 effectively inhibited airway inflammation by inhibiting migration of inflammatory cells and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, GHX02 may be a promising therapeutic agent for COPD.