• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2011

Neospora caninum is now recognized as one of the important causes of abortion in cattle worldwide, but there was no report on seroprevalence of antibodies to N. caninum in cattle at Seoul slaughtering center. Serum samples from 610 Korean indigenous cattle (Hanwoo) and 246 Holstein cattle from 452 farms located all over the country, Korea, were tested for N. caninum antibodies using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Seven of 610 (1.1%) Hanwoo and 54 of 246 (22.0%) Holstein cattle were seropositive.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.572-582
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• 2023

Background: Free fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity is considered to play an important role in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. The effect of ginsenosides on palmitic acid-induced pancreatic beta-cells cell death and failure of glucose-stimulated secretion of insulin (GSIS) was evaluated in this study. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for a rat insulin was used to quantify glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Protein expression was examined by western blotting analysis. Nuclear condensation was measured by staining with Hoechst 33342 stain. Apoptotic cell death was assessed by staining with Annexin V. Oil Red O staining was used to measure lipid accumulation. Results: We screened ginsenosides to prevent palmitic acid-induced cell death and impairment of GSIS in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells and identified protopanaxadiol (PPD) as a potential therapeutic agent. The protection effect of PPD was likely due to a reduction in apoptosis and lipid accumulation. PPD attenuated the palmitic acid-induced increase in the levels of B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X/B-cell lymphoma 2, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, PPD prevented palmitic acid-induced impairment of insulin secretion, which was accompanied by an increase in the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, insulin receptor substrate-2, serine-threonine kinase, and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the protective effect of PPD on lipotoxicity and lipid accumulation induced by palmitic acid in pancreatic β-cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.513-520
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• 2023

Cornuside is a secoiridoid glucoside compound extracted from the fruits of Cornus officinalis. Cornuside has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its potential therapeutic effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) have not been completely explored. In this study, we established an in vitro model of DN through treating mesangial cells (MMCs) with glucose. MMCs were then treated with different concentrations of cornuside (0, 5, 10, and 30 μM). Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1β were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of AKT and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-associated genes. We found that cornuside treatment significantly reduced glucose-induced increase in MMC viability and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, cornuside inhibited glucose-induced phosphorylation of AKT and NF-κB inhibitor alpha, decreased the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, and increased the expression of p21. Our study indicates that the anti-inflammatory properties of cornuside in DN are due to AKT and NF-κB inactivation in MMCs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.678-689
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• 2022

HK shiitake mushroom mycelium (HKSMM), containing 14% β-glucan, is a health functional food ingredient approved individually for liver health by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The immune-enhancing efficacy of a 50% aqueous ethanol extract of HKSMM (designated HKSMM50) was studied in Jurkat cells activated with concanavalin A (ConA). Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) was used as a positive control. ConA-activated Jurkat cells were treated with HKSMM50 (0, 25, 50, 100 ㎍ g/ml) or AHCC (100 ㎍ g/ml), and cultured for 3 and 6 hours. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) protein content in the cytosol and the nucleus was measured by Western blotting. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. HKSMM50 lowered NFAT content in the cytosol, but elevated NFAT content in the nucleus. The IL-2 and IFN-γ productions were elevated. Meanwhile, both COX-2 activity and apoptosis were suppressed. The efficacy of the AHCC treatment showed similar to those of HKSMM50 treatments. These results indicate that the HKSMM50 exhibited immune-enhancing effects in ConA-treated Jurkat cells by activation of NFAT protein, and suggest that HKSMM could be used as a health functional food ingredient to improve immune functions in humans.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2013

Objective : Morus alba Linne Root Bark (MRAL) is a medicinal herb in Korean Medicine, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. However, its mechanisms of action and the cellular targets have not yet been found and the study was developed to investigate the allergic suppressive effect of MRAL. The purpose of this study is to investigate the allergic suppressive effects of MRAL on activation of MC/9 mast cells. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of MRAL (50, 100, 200, 400 ${\mu}g/mL$) on MC/9 mast cells measured using EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit (WST reagent). The levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-13 and IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 mRNA expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR respectively. The expression of transcription factors such as GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding activity were measured by western blot and electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results : Our results indicated that MRAL (50 ${\mu}g/mL$, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited PMA/Ionomycin-induced production of IL-5 and IL-13 and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13 mRNA in MC/9 mast cells. Moreover, MRAL (50 ${\mu}g/mL$, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) inhibited PMA/Ionomycin-induced GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos protein expression and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding activity in MC/9 mast cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, we suspect the anti-allergenic activities of MRAL, may be related to the regulation of transcription factors GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 DNA binding assay causing inhibition of Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 in mast cells.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are associated with the invasion and metastasis of malignant tumors composed of cancer cells in an increased state of expression. This study evaluates the inhibitory effect of Carex pumila on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells using gelatin zymography, MMPs enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay. C. pumila was extracted twice with dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$) and methanol (MeOH). Treatment with $CH_2Cl_2$ extract and MeOH extract in PMA-stimulated HT-1080 cells effectively reduced the production of MMP-2 and 9. Also, the combined crude extracts ($CH_2Cl_2$ and MeOH) significantly inhibited the enzymatic activities and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in mRNA and protein levels. The combined crude extracts were partitioned between $CH_2Cl_2$ and water. The organic layer was further fractionated with n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq.MeOH) and the aqueous layer was separated into n-butanol and water, successively. Of the fractions, 85% aq.MeOH fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in gelatin zymography and MMP ELISA kit. Furthermore, 85% aq.MeOH fraction most significantly suppressed cell migration. In RT-PCR and Western blot assay, n-butanol and 85% aq.MeOH fractions exerted the greatest inhibition on mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively. As a result, C. pumila can be used as a good anti-invasive agent source.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.67-74
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• 2015

Objectives : TheHaedokgumhwa-sanwater extract (HDKHS) is used in Korea, Japan and China as a traditional therapeutic agent to cure an infectious disease. But its study is not enough. Therefore, the present study focused on the elucidation of HDKHS to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and to established the possible mechanisms involved in its action on LPS-stimulated immune response in murine macrophages.Methods : Inflammatory status was induced by LPS and measured by increasement of inflammatory mediators. LPS induced secretions of NO and PGE₂in RAW 264.7 cells were measured using griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit respectively. production of IL-6 was examined using ELISA kit and expression of IL-6 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR method. To investigate the effects of HDKHS on inflammatory mediators, such as iNOS, COX-2 and MAPKs, western blot and RT-PCR were performed.Results : HDKHS significantly reduced production of NO and PGE2 which were induced by LPS. Also, activation of IL-6 was reduced both protein and mRNA levels. The expressions of inflammatory mediator include iNOS and COX-2 were decreased by pretreatment with HDKHS. futhermore The result showed HDKHS down-regulate the LPS induced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, one of the MAPK family, which is considered as a main regulator of transmission from pathogens to nucleus of immune cells.Conclusions : Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of HDKHS may stem from the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators via suppression of initiation of inflammatory response by inhibiting MAPKs signaling pathways.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2015

Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is a major pathogen in laboratory mice that usually leads to fatal diseases, such as hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, and respiratory disease. MHV has a high infection rate, and it needs to be detected as soon as possible to prevent its spread to other facilities. However, MHV detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) often gives false positives; thus, it is very important that the results are confirmed as true positives in the early infection stage or distinguished as false positives with more accurate, reliable methods. Under microbiological screening, MHV ELISA-positive mice were found in four GFP-tagging transgenic mice. To verify the detection of the MHV antigen directly, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed, and the mice were determined to be MHV negative. Additional serum antibody-based screening was conducted with three different ELISA kits, and multiplexed fluorometric immunoassay (MFIA) was performed to confirm their accuracy/sensitivity. In brief, the ELISA kit for A59 nucleocapsid protein (MHV-A59N) revealed MHV ELISA positivity, while other ELISA kits (MHV-S lysate and MHV-JHM lysate) demonstrated MHV negativity. In MFIA, only the test for the recombinant A59 nucleocapsid antigen was MHV positive, which was consistent with the ELISA results. These results suggest that the ELISA kit with the recombinant A59 nucleocapsid antigen might induce non-specific MHV ELISA positivity and that confirmation is therefore essential.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2001

This experiment was focused on the characterization of anti- Toxoplasma monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and the effect of mAbs on the parasite invasion of mouse peritoneal macrophages. Twenty eight mAbs including M110, M556, R7A6 and M62l were characterized by Ab titer, immunoglobulin isotyping and western blot pattern. Antibody titer (optical density) of 4 mAbs. Ml 10. M556. R7A6 and M62l. were 0.53,0.67, 0.45 and 0.39 (normal mouse serum; 0.19) with the same IgGl isotypes shown by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot analysis showed that Ml 10. M556. R7A6 and M62l reacted with the 33 kDa (p30),31 kDa (p28),43 kDa and 36 kDa protein. Immuno-gold labelling of mAbs M110, M556, R7A6 and M621 reacted with the surface membrane, dense granules and parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) , rhoptries and cytoplasm of tachyzoite, respectively. For in vitro assay, preincubation of tachyzoties with four mAbs, Ml 10, M556, R7A6 and M62l resulted in the decrease of the number of infected macrophages (p < 0.05) and the suppression of parasite multiplication at 18 h post-infection. Four monoclonal antibodies including Ml 10 (SAGI) were found to have an important role in the inhibition of macrophage invasion and T. gondii multiplication in vitro, and these mAbs may be suitable for vaccine candidates, diagnostic kit and for chemotherapy.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.3_spc
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• pp.463-470
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• 2021

Objective: This experiment was conducted to find out the immunological effects of wheat phytase when long-chain inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) treated with wheat phytase was added to a macrophage cell line, Raw 264.7, when compared to intact long-chain polyP. Methods: Nitric oxide (NO) production of Raw 264.7 cells exposed to P700, a long-chain polyP with an average of 1,150 phosphate residues, treated with or without wheat phytase, was measured by Griess method. Phagocytosis assay of P700 treated with or without phytase in Raw 264.7 cells was investigated using neutral red uptake. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) by Raw 264.7 cells with wheat phytase-treated P700 compared to intact P700 was observed by using Mouse TNF-α enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: P700 treated with wheat phytase effectively increased NO production of Raw 264.7 cells by 172% when compared with intact P700 at 12 h exposure. At 5 mM of P700 concentration, wheat phytase promoted NO production of macrophages most strongly. P700, treated with wheat phytase, stimulated phagocytosis in macrophages at 12 h exposure by about 1.7-fold compared to intact P700. In addition, P700 treated with wheat phytase effectively increased in vitro phagocytic activity of Raw 264.7 cells at a concentration above 5 mM when compared to intact P700. P700 dephosphorylated by wheat phytase increased the release of TNF-α from Raw 264.7 cells by 143% over that from intact P700 after 6 h exposure. At the concentration of 50 μM P700, wheat phytase increased the secretion of cytokine, TNF-α, by 124% over that from intact P700. Conclusion: In animal husbandry, wheat phytase can mitigate the long-chain polyP causing damage by improving the immune capabilities of macrophages in the host. Thus, wheat phytase has potential as an immunological modulator and future feed additive for regulating immune responses caused by inflammation induced by long-chain polyP from bacterial infection.