• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.289-294
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• 2013

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an acute-phase protein induced by injury, infection, or other inflammatory stimuli. LCN2 binds small hydrophobic ligands and interacts with cell surface receptor to regulate diverse cellular processes. The role of LCN2 as a chemokine inducer in the central nervous system (CNS) has been previously reported. Based on the previous participation of LCN2 in neuroinflammation, we investigated the role of LCN2 in formalin-induced nociception and pathological pain. Formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors (licking/biting) and spinal microglial activation were significantly reduced in the second or late phase of the formalin test in Lcn2 knockout mice. Likewise, antibody-mediated neutralization of spinal LCN2 attenuated the mechanical hypersensitivity induced by peripheral nerve injury in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that LCN2 can be therapeutically targeted, presumably for both prevention and reversal of acute inflammatory pain as well as pathological pain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.459-466
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• 2019

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors, or gliptins, are a class of oral hypoglycemic drugs that have been widely used as a second-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. Gliptins, which were introduced for clinical use a decade ago, have been shown to be beneficial against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in animals and humans. Cenicriviroc (CVC), a dual antagonist of C-C chemokine receptor type 2 and 5, is currently under investigation against NASH and fibrosis. It was previously discovered that evogliptin (EVO) reduces hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obese animals but the effectiveness of EVO on NASH remains unexplored. Here, we compared the effectiveness of EVO and CVC against NASH and fibrosis in mice fed a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHF). Biochemical and histological analyses showed that mice fed a HFHF for 20 weeks developed severe hepatic steatosis and inflammation with mild fibrosis. Administration of EVO (0.2% wt/wt) for the last 8 weeks of HFHF feeding significantly reduced hepatic triglyceride accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis as well as restored insulin sensitivity, as evidenced by lowered plasma insulin levels and the improvement in insulin tolerance test curves. Treatment of mice with CVC (0.1% wt/wt) inhibited hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis with similar efficacy to that of EVO, without affecting hepatic steatosis. CVC treatment also reduced plasma insulin concentrations, despite no improvement in insulin tolerance. In conclusion, EVO administration efficiently ameliorated the development of NASH and fibrosis in HFHF-fed mice, corroborating its therapeutic potential.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2022

Bioactive flavonoids have been shown to improve the biological activity of stem cells derived from different sources in tissue regeneration. The goal of this study was to see how naringin, a natural flavonoid discovered in citrus fruits, affected the biological properties of human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs). In this study, we found that naringin increases the migratory ability of HDPSCs. Naringin increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) mRNA and protein expression in HDPSCs. ARP100, a selective MMP-2 inhibitor, and AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, both inhibited the naringin-induced migration of HDPSCs. Furthermore, naringin increased osteogenic differentiation of HDPSCs and the expression of the osteogenic-related marker, alkaline phosphatase in HDPSCs. Taken together, our findings suggest that naringin may be beneficial on dental tissue or bone regeneration by increasing the biological activities of HDPSCs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.176-182
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• 2016

CCR3 is a chemokine receptor that mediates the accumulation of allergic inflammatory cells, including eosinophils and Th2 cells, at inflamed sites. The regulatory sequence of the CCR3 gene, contains two Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) 1 sites and two PU.1 sites, in addition to a functional GATA site for transactivation of the CCR3 gene. In the present study, we examined the effects of the cis-acting elements of RUNX1 and PU.1 on transcription of the gene in EoL-1 eosinophilic cells and Jurkat T cells, both of which expressed functional surface CCR3 and these two transcription factors. Introduction of RUNX1 siRNA or PU.1 siRNA resulted in a modest decrease in CCR3 reporter activity in both cell types, compared with transfection of GATA-1 siRNA. Cotransfection of the two siRNAs led to inhibition in an additive manner. EMSA analysis showed that RUNX1, in particular, bound to its binding motifs. Mutagenesis analysis revealed that all point mutants lacking RUNX1- and PU.1-binding sites exhibited reduced reporter activities. These results suggest that RUNX1 and PU.1 participate in transcriptional regulation of the CCR3 gene.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.245-251
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• 2019

본 연구는 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MQ)이 Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)에 의해 유도된 단구 유주에 미치는 효과를 알아보고자 진행되었다. 단구의 유주(migration) 현상은 신체 방어와 면역반응에 중요한 현상이다. MQ는 아시아권 국가에서 다양한 질병과 통증 치료에 민간요법으로 오랫동안 사용되었던 봉선화(Impatiens balsamina) 잎으로부터 추출한 주요 성분이다. 단구 세포주 THP-1를 이용하여 실험을 진행하였으며, MQ의 세포독성, MCP-1에 의해 유도된 유주 현상에 미치는 영향을 transwell system을 이용하여 확인하였다. MQ 작용기전을 이해하기 위해 cAMP 발현 및 Erk1/2 인산화를 각각 ELISA, Western-blot 기법을 통해 분석하였다. MQ의 단구 세포주 THP-1에 대한 MQ의 세포독성은 $10{\mu}M$ 농도에서 나타나기 시작했으며, $100{\mu}M$ 농도에서 약 50% 가량의 세포독성을 확인했다. 염증성 화학주성 인자 MCP-1에 의해 유도된 단핵구 세포주 THP-1의 유주현상은 MQ 처리 후 농도증가에 비례하여 증가하였으며, $0.1{\mu}M$ 농도의 MQ를 처리했을 때 가장 높은 증가를 보였다. MCP-1 단독 처리 시 감소하는 cAMP 의 배양액 내 발현은 MQ 동시 처리 시 더욱 감소하였고, 유주현상과 마찬가지로 $0.1{\mu}M$ 농도에서 가장 감소하였다. MCP-1의 수용체인 C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) 신호전달 과정에 관여하는 주요 신호전달 단백질인 Erk1/2의 인산화도 $0.1{\mu}M$ MQ 동시 처리 시 증가하였다. 이상의 결과를 통해 MQ가 MCP-1에 의해 유도되는 THP-1 세포주의 유주현상을 증가시키며, 연관된 cAMP 발현을 감소, Erk1/2 인산화는 증가시키는 경향을 확인하였다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.173-181
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• 2019

The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates chemotaxis and effector functions of immune cells. It also serves as the major co-receptor for the entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Recently, CCR5 inhibitors have been developed and used for the treatment or prevention of HIV infections. Additionally, it has been identified that CCR5 controls bone homeostasis by regulating osteoclastogenesis and the communication between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. However, the effects of CCR5 inhibition on bone tissue in elderly patients are unknown. This study aimed to examine the bone phenotype of aged CCR5 knockout (KO) mice. Femoral and tibial bones were isolated from 12-month and 18-month old wild-type (WT) and CCR5 KO mice, and microcomputed tomography and histology analyses were performed. Twelve-month-old CCR5 KO mice exhibited a decreased trabecular bone mass and cortical bone thickness in both femoral and tibial bones compared with age-matched WT mice. Eighteen-month-old mice also showed a decreased trabecular bone mass in femurs compared with control WT mice, but not in tibial bones. Unlike in 12-month-old mice, the cortical margin of femurs and tibias in 18-month-old mice were rough, likely because they were aggravated by the deficiency of CCR5. Overall, our data suggest that the deficiency of CCR5 with aging can cause severe bone loss. When CCR5 inhibitors or CCR5 inactivating technologies are used in elderly patients, a preventive strategy for bone loss should be considered.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.472-482
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• 1994

Cytokines expressed specifically in leukocytes subsets and in activated cells, which are involved in chemotaxis and activation of leukocytes, are recently defined as chemokines. Macrophage inflammatory $protein-1{\alpha}(MIP-1{\alpha})$ and $MIP-1{\beta}$ are members of C-C chemokine subfamily which produces wide immunomodulatory, proinflammatory, and hematopoietic modulatory actions. We have studied their gene expression by using Northern blot analysis in various blood cells such as cytolytic T lymphocyte(CTL), helper T lymphocyte(HTL), macrophage, and B lymphocyte. Resting CTL line CTLL-R8 expressed $MIP-1{\alpha}$ mRNA which was downregulated by ConA stimulation. Both of resting and ConA stimulated HTL line Hut78 and Jurkat did not express $MIP-1{\alpha}$ mRNA. There was detectable $MIP-1{\alpha}$ transcript in HTL hybridoma 2B4.11 which was a little upstimulated by ConA stimulation. B cell line 230, and macrophage cell line RAW264.7 and WR19M.1 showed distinct $MIP-1{\alpha}$ message which were induced after LPS stimulation. Expression pattern of $MIP-1{\beta}$ in all cell lines or cell were almost identical to that of $MIP-1{\alpha}$. Also strategies employed to identify and characterize the biological functions was preceded by receptor cloning to trace the shorcut to the final goal of cytokine research. For the cloning of $MIP-1{\alpha}$ receptor(R), we used synthetic oligonucleotides of transmembrane(T) conserved sequences of already cloned human(h) IL-8-R, and performed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) amplification using murine(m) macrophage cell line mRNA. Among 5RT-PCR products, we isolated a homologous cDNA with hIL-8-R which were shown to be putative mIL-8-R cDNA.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.463-469
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin with increased transepidermal water loss. Both an abnormal inflammatory response and a defective skin barrier are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Protease activated receptor 2 (PAR2) belongs to a family of G-protein coupled receptors and is activated by both trypsin and a specific agonist peptide, SLIGKV-$NH_2$. PAR2 is expressed in suprabasal layers of the epidermis and regulates inflammatory responses and barrier homeostasis. In this study, we show that nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) inhibits the PAR2-mediated signal pathway and plays a role in skin barrier recovery in atopic dermatitis. Specifically, NDGA reduces the mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes by down-regulating inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-8, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 in HaCaT keratinocytes. Also, NDGA decreases the protein expression of involucrin, a differentiation maker of keratinocyte, in both HaCaT keratinocytes and normal human epidermal keratinocytes. We examined NDGA-recovered skin barrier in atopic dermatitis by using an oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis model in hairless mice. Topical application of NDGA produced an increase in transepidermal water loss recovery and a decrease in serum IgE level, without weight loss. Accordingly, we suggest that NDGA acts as a PAR2 antagonist and may be a possible therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

• 한국키틴키토산학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.277-284
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• 2018

본 연구에서는 제주 자생해조류인 감태로부터 제조한 ethyl acetate 분획물의 비만 세포에 대한 항알러지 활성에 관한 연구를 수행하였다. IgE/BSA로 활성화시킨 비만 세포에서 EC-EtoAc는 세포 독성 없이 비만 세포의 탈과립 지표로 사용되는 ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase의 분비 뿐만 아니라 알러지 유발성 케모카인(TARC)과 사이토카인(IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-${\gamma}$ 및 TNF-${\alpha}$)의 mRNA 발현을 억제하였다. 또한, EC-EtoAc는 비만 세포의 표면 리셉터인 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$의 발현 및 IgE와 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$의 결합능을 감소시켰다. 이 모든 결과로부터, 감태 유래 분획물인 EC-EtoAc가 활성화된 비만 세포에서 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$의 발현 및 IgE와 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$의 결합능을 감소시킴으로써 알러지 유발성 매개 인자들의 분비와 발현 등을 감소시켜 항알러지 효능을 가진다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한, 이 연구 결과는 EC-EtoAc가 항알러지 효능을 보이는 천연 소재로서 이용가치가 있다는 것을 제시한다.

• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.628-642
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• 2018

Background/Aims A Subset of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have mild inflammation due to immune activation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines may cause intestinal inflammation. We studied their expression in relation to gut microbiota. Methods Expression of TLRs and cytokines was assessed in 47 IBS patients (Rome III) and 25 controls using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was further performed to confirm the expression of TLR-4 and TLR-5. Results Of 47 patients with IBS, 20 had constipation (IBS-C), 20 diarrhea (IBS-D), and 7 unclassified (IBS-U). The mRNA levels of TLR-4 and TLR-5 were up-regulated in IBS patients than controls (P = 0.013 and P < 0.001, respectively). Expression of TLR-4 and TLR-5 at protein level was 4.2-folds and 6.6-folds higher in IBS-D than controls. The mRNA levels of IL-6 (P = 0.003), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL-11) (P < 0.001) and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR-3) (P < 0.001) were higher among IBS patients than controls. Expression of IL-6 (P = 0.002), CXCL-11 (P < 0.001), and CXCR-3 (P < 0.001) were up-regulated and IL-10 (P = 0.012) was down-regulated in IBS-D patients than controls. Positive correlation was seen between TLR-4 and IL-6 (P = 0.043), CXCR-3, and CXCL-11 (P = 0.047), and IL-6 and CXCR-3 (P = 0.003). Stool frequency per week showed positive correlation with mRNA levels of TLR-4 (P = 0.016) and CXCR-3 (P = 0.005), but inversely correlated with IL-10 (P = 0.002). Copy number of Lactobacillus (P = 0.045) and Bifidobacterium (P = 0.011) showed correlation with IL-10 in IBS-C, while Gram-positive (P = 0.031) and Gram-negative bacteria (P = 0.010) showed correlation with CXCL-11 in IBS-D patients. Conclusions Altered immune activation in response to dysbiotic microbiota may promote intestinal inflammation in a subset of patients with IBS.