• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.188-197
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• 2010

Background: Lichen-derived glucans have been known to stimulate the functions of immune cells. However, immunostimulatory activity of glucan obtained from edible lichen, Umbilicaria esculenta, has not been reported. Thus we evaluated the phenotype and functional maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) following treatment of extracted glucan (PUE). Methods: The phenotypic and functional maturation of PUE-treated DCs was assessed by flow cytometric analysis and cytokine production, respectively. PUE-treated DCs was also used for mixed leukocyte reaction to evaluate T cell-priming capacity. Finally we detected the activation of MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ by immunoblot. Results: Phenotypic maturation of DCs was shown by the elevated expressions of CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC class I/II molecules. Functional activation of DCs was proved by increased cytokine production of IL-12, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\alpha}/{\beta}$, decreased endocytosis, and enhanced proliferation of allogenic T cells. Polymyxin B, specific inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), did not affect PUE activity, which suggested that PUE was free of LPS contamination. As a mechanism of action, PUE increased phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPKs, and enhanced nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p50/p65 in DCs. Conclusion: These results indicate that PUE induced DC maturation via MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.14-25
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate inhibitory effect on the maturation of dendritic cells from aqueous extract from Nardostachys Jatamansi(NJ). Methods: I examined the phenotypic maturation(class II MHC, CD40, CD86), expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine(TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-12) and endocytosis of FITC-Dextran in the LPS-induced bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDCs) of mice. Furthermore, the Western-blot analysis reveals the mechanism of inhibitory effect. Results: 1. The NJ extract inhibited the phenotypic maturation of BMDCs in a dose-dependent manner. 2. The NJ extract inhibited the LPS induced cytokine production of BMDCs in a dose-dependent manner. 3. The NJ extract enhanced the endocytosis of Dex-FITC in LPS treated DC. 4. The NJ extract inhibited the activation of JNK and p38 phosphorylation, but not ERK phosphorylation of MAPK family and doesn't inhibit Ik-Ba degradation in LPS-stimulated BMDCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that NJ extract is able to attenuate the inflammation and maturation in BMDCs and may inhibit proliferation of T cells. In conclusion, this experiment suggests that NJ extract may be useful in hypersensitivity disease including autoimmune disease.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.34-41
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• 2016

학명이 Aronia melanocarpa인 블랙초크베리는 항산화, 항염증, 항암 효능이 뛰어난 것으로 보고되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 블랙초크베리에 대한 collagenase inhibition effects와 산화적 스트레스에 유도된 matrix metalloproteinase(MMP), MAPkinase 그리고 AP-1의 발현 그리고/또는 인산화와 같은 분자생물학적 메카니즘을 조사하였다. Collagenase inhibition 효과는 블랙초크베리 에틸아세테이트 분획물(AE)이 500 μg/ml의 농도에서 77.2% 이상의 저해효능을 나타내었고 이는 대조군인 Epigallocatechin gallate의 결과(500 μg/ml에서 83.9%)와 비교해서 유의할 만한 결과였다. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay는 AE에서 가장 농도의존적으로 ROS 생성이 감소되었고, 75 μg/ml의 농도에서 약 70%로 가장 낮은 활성산소가 생성되었다. MTT assay 결과, H₂O₂에 유도된 CCRF 세포에 AE를 처치하였을 때 농도의존적으로 세포 생존율이 증가하였다. 그리고 특히, AE는 H₂O₂에 유도된 CCRF 세포에서의 MMPs (MMP-1, -3 그리고 -9), MAPK (ERK, JNK 그리고 p38) 그리고 AP-1 (c-Fos와 c-Jun)의 발현과 인산화를 억제하였고, pro-collagen type I의 발현은 증가시켰다. 따라서 블랙초크베리 에틸아세테이트 분획물은 주름억제 및 콜라겐 생성의 효능이 있으며 기능성 식품 및 화장품 소재 개발 산업에서의 응용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.743-748
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• 2016

Background: $K^-Ras$ activation is an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis and associated mutations have been reported in about 40% of colorectal cancer patients. These mutations have always been responsible for enhancing malignancy and silencing them is associated with attenuation of tumorigenicity. Among downstream effectors are the RAF/MEK/ERK and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. PI3K/Akt signaling leads to reduction of apoptosis, stimulated cell growth and enhanced proliferation. Ellagic acid (EA), a naturally occurring antioxidant, has recently emerged as a promising anti-cancer agent. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of cellular genetic makeup of two colon cancer cell lines with different genetic backgrounds, HCT-116 ($K^-Ras^-/p53^+$) and Caco-2 ($K^-Ras^+/p53^-$), on response to potential anti-tumour effects of EA. In addition, the influence of $K^-Ras$ silencing in HCT-116 cells was investigated. Materials and Methods: Cellular proliferation, morphology and cell cycle analysis were carried out in addition to Western blotting for detecting total Akt and p-Akt (at Thr308 and Ser473) in the presence and absence of different concentrations of EA. Cell proliferation was also assessed in cells transfected with different concentrations of $K^-Ras$ siRNA or incubated with ellagic acid following transfection. Results: The results of the present study revealed that EA exerts anti-proliferative and dose-dependent pro-apoptotic effects. Cytostatic and cytotoxic effects were also observed. p-Akt (at Thr308 and Ser473) was downregulated. Moreover, EA treatment was found to (i) reduce $K^-Ras$ protein expression; (ii) in cells transfected with siRNA and co-treated with EA, pronounced anti-proliferative effects as well as depletion of p-Akt (at Thr308) were detected. Conclusions: Cellular genetic makeup ($K^-Ras^-/p53^-$) was not likely to impose limitations on targeting EA in treatment of colon cancer. EA had a multi-disciplinary pro-apoptotic anti-proliferative approach, having inhibited Akt phosphorylation, induced cell cycle arrest and showed an anti-proliferative potential in HCT-116 cells (expressing mutant $K^-Ras$).