• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.603-609
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• 2016

Brucellosis affects a wide range of host species, including humans and many livestock animals. Chronic infections of the disease make antibiotic treatment costly, and the current vaccine used in livestock has not been approved for human use. This study investigated the possible use of the Brucella abortus outer membrane protein A (OmpA) as a candidate subunit vaccine in an infected mouse model. The ompA gene was cloned and overexpressed, and the recombinant OmpA (rOmpA) protein fused to maltose binding protein (MBP) was purified in Escherichia coli. Immunogenicity was verified through western blotting, and mice were immunized and challenged to evaluate its protective effect. Mice treated with rOmpA exhibited induced humoral and host cell-mediated responses, with a significant increase in immunoglobulin G (IgG1 and IgG2a) and cytokine levels, especially TNF-α and IL-12, compared with the control groups treated with either MBP or PBS. In conclusion, rOmpA should be highly considered as a future subunit vaccine for brucellosis, and further studies regarding rOmpA and its protective ability are suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2008

We report on the ferromagnetic characteristics of $Zn_{1-x}Mn_xO$ films (x = 0.3) prepared by sol-gel method on the silicon and (0001) ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ substrates at the annealing temperature of 700$^{\circ}C$. Magnetic measurements show that Curie temperature ($T_C$) and the coercive field ($H_C$) for the film on the silicon are about 32 K and about 275 Oe, while those for that on the sapphire are about 32 K and 425 Oe, respectively. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements suggest that ferromagnetic precipitates originated by manganese oxide compound formed at the interfaces of the both substrates may be responsible for the observed ferromagnetic behavior of the films. Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the powders up to the concentration of x=0.15 supports the result.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe the reduction of lipid accumulation by treatment with Akkermansia muciniphila extract on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: After treating pasteurized Akk. muciniphila strains in HT-29 colorectal cancer cell, the relative expression of interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-1β mRNA was analyzed by real time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. 27 strains of Akk. muciniphila which have anti-inflammatory effects were selected. 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were treated with Akk. muciniphila for 24 hr and then measured the toxicity using water soluble tetrazolium salt assay. The cells were incubated for 4 days and then differentiated into adipocytes using the medium including adipogenic reagents for 10 days. The Akk. muciniphila was treated when the medium was exchanged for differentiation medium at 4^th day and insulin medium at 6^th day. To observe the lipid accumulation, the cells were stained with Oil red O dye and were measured using a spectrophotometer. Results: In the cytotoxicity test, the cell viability of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes was significantly increased compared to the control group which untreated with Akk. muciniphila, and there was no cytotoxicity of Akk. muciniphila at 1×10⁷ CFU/mL. The results on Oil red O staining and absorbance measurements were showed a significant decrease in lipid accumulation in the group which was treated with Akk. muciniphila compared to the control group. Conclusions: In our results, Akk. muciniphila has the inhibitory effect of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This suggests that Akk. muciniphila could be help to improve obesity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.627-637
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• 2023

Background: Damage to the healthy intestinal epithelial layer and regulation of the intestinal immune system, closely interrelated, are considered pivotal parts of the curative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plant-based diets and phytochemicals can support the immune microenvironment in the intestinal epithelial barrier for a balanced immune system by improving the intestinal microecological balance and may have therapeutic potential in colitis. However, there have been only a few reports on the therapeutic potential of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) and the underlying mechanism in colitis. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of PENs from Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GENs), in a mouse model of IBD, with a focus on the intestinal immune microenvironment. Method: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of GENs on acute colitis, we treated GENs in Caco2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and analyzed the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we further examined bacterial DNA from feces and determined the alteration of gut microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis mice after administration of GENs through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Result: GENs with low toxicity showed a long-lasting intestinal retention effect for 48 h, which could lead to effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 production through inhibition of NF-κB in DSS-induced colitis. As a result, it showed longer colon length and suppressed thickening of the colon wall in the mice treated with GENs. Due to the amelioration of the progression of DSS-induced colitis with GENs treatment, the prolonged survival rate was observed for 17 days compared to 9 days in the PBS-treated group. In the gut microbiota analysis, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota was decreased, which means GENs have therapeutic effectiveness against IBD. Ingesting GENs would be expected to slow colitis progression, strengthen the gut microbiota, and maintain gut homeostasis by preventing bacterial dysbiosis. Conclusion: GENs have a therapeutic effect on colitis through modulation of the intestinal microbiota and immune microenvironment. GENs not only ameliorate the inflammation in the damaged intestine by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines but also help balance the microbiota on the intestinal barrier and thereby improve the digestive system.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.322-336
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• 2021

Objective: Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity. Pelvic soreness and infertility are the usual association. Due to the poor effectiveness of the hormone therapy and the high incidence of recurrence following surgical excision, there is no single effective option for management of endometriosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells studied for their broad immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties; however, their efficiency in endometriosis cases is still a controversial issue. Our study aim was to evaluate whether adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) could help with endometriosis through their studied anti-inflammatory role. Methods: Female Wistar rats weighting 180 to 250 g were randomly divided into two groups: group 1, endometriosis group; established by transplanting autologous uterine tissue into rats' peritoneal cavities and group 2, stem cell treated group; treated with AD-MSCs on the 5th day after induction of endometriosis. The proliferative activity of the endometriosis lesions was evaluated through Ki67 staining. Quantitative estimation of interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth factor β expression, as well as immunohistochemical detection of CD68 positive macrophages, were used to assess the inflammatory status. Results: The size and proliferative activity of endometriosis lesions were significantly reduced in the stem cell treated group. Stem cells efficiently mitigated endometriosis associated chronic inflammatory reactions estimated through reduction of CD68 positive macrophages and the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy can be considered a novel remedy in endometriosis possibly through its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.554-563
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• 2006

Background: PM is known to induce various pulmonary diseases, including asthma, cancer, fibrosis and chronic bronchitis. Despite the epidemiological evidence the pathogenesis of PM-related pulmonary diseases is unclear. Methods: This study examined the effects of PM exposure on the secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ in the cultured alveolar macrophages. The cultured primary alveolar macrophages were treated with the medium, PM ($5{\sim}20{\mu}g/cm^2$), LPS (5ng/ml), and PM with LPS for 24h and 48h respectively. ELISA was used to assay the secreted $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-{\beta}$ in the culture medium. Western blotting was used to identify and determine the level of proteins isolated from the culture cells. The cells cultured in the $Lab-Tek^{(R)}$ chamber slides were stained with immunocytochemical stains. Results: PM induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion in the culturing alveolar macrophages, collected from the SPF and inflammatory rats. However, the effects were only dose-dependent in the inflammatory macrophages. When the cells were co-treated with PM and LPS, there was a significant synergistic effect compared with the LPS in the both cell types. Conclusion: PM might be play an important role in the induction and/or potentiation of various lung diseases by oversecretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.490-496
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• 2020

Consumption of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals may help treat or prevent inflammation-related illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This study evaluated the effect of Croton hirtus L'Hér extract (CHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling cascades. CHE significantly suppressed LPS-induced NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in RAW264.7 macrophages, although cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression was not affected. CHE also suppressed LPS-induced IκB kinase (IKK), IκB, and p65 phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays of cytosol and nuclear p65 and the catalytic subunit of NF-κB showed that CHE suppressed LPS-induced p65 translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. CHE also suppressed LPS-induced Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that CHE prevents NO-mediated inflammation by suppressing NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains as probiotics. Two strains were isolated from healthy chicken cecum and their acid and bile tolerance, residual organic acids, antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, and immunomodulation activity were measured. Identification of the isolated strains was performed using the API 50CHL system and phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequencing. The isolates were determined to be Lactobacillus sakei strains. The acid tolerance of strains L2 and L8 was high enough that 75% of the inoculum survived in pH 2 for 2 h. The bile tolerance of both strains was observed at a 1% Oxgall concentration in MRS broth. The production of organic acids (lactic acid and acetic acid) and pH changes during growth were monitored and the maximum concentrations were obtained after 48 h of incubation. Culture supernatants of the two LAB strains showed strong antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. The heat-killed LAB cells also induced high levels of immune cell proliferation compared with the control, and stimulated IL-6 and TNF-α production in mouse macrophages. Therefore, L. sakei strains L2 and L8 can be considered suitable probiotic bacteria.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.529-541
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• 2003

Yukmijihwang-tang has been widely used as an and-aging herbal medicine for hundred years in Asian countries. Numerous studies show that Yukmijihwangtang has anti-oxidative effect both in vivo and in vitro. It has been reported that Moutan Cortex Radicis extract (MCR) was the most effective herb in Yukmijihwang-tang on undifferentiated PC12 cells upon oxidative-stressed with hydrogen peroxide. The purpose of this study is to; 1) evaluate the recovery of neuronal damage by assessing the anti-oxidant effect of MCR on PC12 cells differentiated with nerve growth factor (NGF), 2) identify candidate genes responsible for anti-oxidative effect on differentiated PC12 cells by oligonucleotide chip microarray. PC12 cells, which were differentiated by treating with NGF, were treated without or with hydrogen peroxide in the presence or absence of various concentration of MCR. Cell survival was determined by using MTS assay. Measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using the H2DCFDA assay The viability of cells treated with MCR was significantly recovered from stressed PC12 cell. In addition, wide rage of concentrations of MCR shows dose-dependent inhibitory effect on ROS production in oxidative-stressed cells. Total RNAs of cells without treatment(Control group), only treated with H₂O₂ (stressed group) and treated with both H₂O₂ and of MCR (MCR group) were isolated, and cDNAs was synthesized using oligoT7(dT) primer. The fragmented cRNAs, synthesized from cDNAs, were applied to Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Neurobiology U34 Array. mRNA of Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta subunit(CaMKII), neuron glucose transporter (GLUT3) and myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein(MOG) were downregulated in Stressed group comparing to Control group. P2X2-5 receptor (P2X2R-5), P2X2-4 receptor (P2X2R-4), c-fos, 25 kDa synaptosomal attachment protein(SNAP-25a) and GLUT3 were downregulated, whereas A2 adenosine receptor (A2AR), cathechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), EST223333, heme oxygenase (HO), VGF, UI-R-CO-ja-a-07-0-Ul.s1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were upregulated in MCA group comparing to Control group. Expression of Putative potassium channel subunit protein (ACK4), P2X2A-5, P2X2A-4, Interferon-gamma inducing factor isoform alpha precursor (IL-18α), EST199031, P2XR, P2X2 purinoceptor isoform e (P2X2R-e), Precursor interleukin 18 (IL-18) were downregulated, whereas MOO, EST223333, GLUT-1, MIF, Neuronatin alpha, UI-R-C0-ja-a-07-0-Ul.s1, A2. adenosine receptor, COMT, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), HO, VGF, A rat novel protein which is expressed with nerve injury (E12625) were upregulated in MCR group comparing to Stressed group. The results suggest that decreased viability and AOS production of PC12 cell by H₂O₂ may be, at lease, mediated by impaired glucose transporter expression. It is implicated that the MCR treatment protect PC12 cell from oxidative stress via following mechanisms; improving glucose transport into the cell, enhancing expression of anti-oxidative genes and protecting from dopamine cytotoxicity by increment of COMT and MIF expression. The list of differentially expressed genes may implicate further insight on the action and mechanism behind the anti-oxidative effects of herbal extract Moutan Cortex Radicis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2024

The intracellular parasite Babesia microti is among the most significant species causing human babesiosis and is an emerging threat to human health worldwide. Unravelling the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of babesiosis is crucial in developing new diagnostic and preventive methods. This study assessed how priming with B. microti surface antigen 1 (BHSA 1) and seroreactive antigen 5-1-1 (BHSA 5-1-1) mediate protection against B. microti infection. The results showed that 500 ㎍/ml rBMSA1 and rBMSA5-1-1 partially inhibited the invasion of B. microti in vitro by 42.0±3.0%, and 48.0±2.1%, respectively. Blood smears revealed that peak infection at 7 days post-infection (dpi) was 19.6%, 24.7%, and 46.7% in the rBMSA1, rBmSA5-1-1, compared to the control groups (healthy mice infected with B. microti only), respectively. Routine blood tests showed higher white blood cell, red blood cell counts, and haemoglobin levels in the 2 groups (BMSA1 and BMSA5 5-1-1) than in the infection control group at 0-28 dpi. Moreover, the 2 groups had higher serum interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-17A levels, and lower IL-10 levels than the infection control group throughout the study. These 2 potential vaccine candidate proteins partially inhibit in vitro and in vivo B. microti infection and enhance host immunological response against B. microti infection.