• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.548-561
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• 2015

By combining conventional single cell analysis with flow cytometry and public database searches with bioinformatics tools, we extended the expression profiling of thymic stromal cotransporter (TSCOT), Slc46A2/Ly110, that was shown to be expressed in bipotent precursor and cortical thymic epithelial cells. Genome scale analysis verified TSCOT expression in thymic tissue- and cell type- specific fashion and is also expressed in some other epithelial tissues including skin and lung. Coexpression profiling with genes, Foxn1 and Hoxa3, revealed the role of TSCOT during the organogenesis. TSCOT expression was detected in all thymic epithelial cells (TECs), but not in the $CD31^+$endothelial cell lineage in fetal thymus. In addition, ABC transporter-dependent side population and Sca-$1^+$ fetal TEC populations both contain TSCOT-expressing cells, indicating TEC stem cells express TSCOT. TSCOT expression was identified as early as in differentiating embryonic stem cells. TSCOT expression is not under the control of Foxn1 since TSCOT is present in the thymic rudiment of nude mice. By searching variations in the expression levels, TSCOT is positively associated with Grhl3 and Irf6. Cytokines such as IL1b, IL22 and IL24 are the potential regulators of the TSCOT expression. Surprisingly, we found TSCOT expression in the lung is diminished in lung cancers, suggesting TSCOT may be involved in the suppression of lung tumor development. Based on these results, a model for TEC differentiation from the stem cells was proposed in context of multiple epithelial organ formation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권11호
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• pp.1651-1658
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• 2020

Since Zika virus (ZIKV) was first detected in Uganda in 1947, serious outbreaks have occurred globally in Yap Island, French Polynesia and Brazil. Even though the number of infections and spread of ZIKV have risen sharply, the pathogenesis and replication mechanisms of ZIKV have not been well studied. ZIKV, a recently highlighted Flavivirus, is a mosquito-borne emerging virus causing microcephaly and the Guillain-Barre syndrome in fetuses and adults, respectively. ZIKV polyprotein consists of three structural proteins named C, prM and E and seven nonstructural proteins named NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5 in an 11-kb single-stranded positive sense RNA genome. The function of individual ZIKV genes on the host innate immune response has barely been studied. In this study, we investigated the modulations of the NF-κB promoter activity induced by the MDA5/RIG-I signaling pathway. According to our results, two nonstructural proteins, NS2A and NS4A, dramatically suppressed the NF-κB promoter activity by inhibiting signaling factors involved in the MDA5/RIG-I signaling pathway. Interestingly, NS2A suppressed all components of MDA5/RIG-I signaling pathway, but NS4A inhibited most signaling molecules, except IKKε and IRF3-5D. In addition, both NS2A and NS4A downregulated MDA5-induced NF-κB promoter activity in a dosedependent manner. Taken together, our results suggest that NS2A and NS4A signifcantly antagonize MDA5/RIG-I-mediated NF-κB production, and these proteins seem to be controlled by different mechanisms. This study could help understand the mechanisms of how ZIKV controls innate immune responses and may also assist in the development of ZIKV-specific therapeutics.

• 국제지역연구
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.107-133
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• 2011

WTO 체제하의 국제무역에서, 수출과 경제성장과의 관계는 매우 중요한 요인으로 인식되고 있다. 이와 같은 국제 상황에서, 본 논문은 미국의 50개 주(州)를 대상으로 농산물 수출과 경제성장과의 관계를 분석하였다. 1973년부터 2007년까지의 연간 자료를 이용하여, 수출견인성장 가설에 근거한 선형모형의 추정, 충격반응함수, 분산분해분석, 그랜저 인과성 검증을 각각 하였다. 분석결과에 의하면, 미국의 경제에서 농산물 수출은 자국의 경제성장의 원인이 되었고, 특히 16개 주(州)(하와이, 아이다호, 캔자스, 메릴랜드, 미시건, 미네소타, 뉴져지, 노스 캐롤라이나, 노스 다코다, 오클라호마, 오레곤, 로드 아일랜드, 사우스 다코다, 텍사스, 워싱턴, 위스콘신)에서는 강한 인과성이 또한 31개 주에서는 약한 인과성을 보였다. 이를 통해서 미국의 경제성장에서 농산물 수출이 중요한 의미를 갖고, 일부 해안가나 곡창지대에 위치한 일부 주(州)에서는 농산물 수출이 경제성장에 중요한 변수로 인식되었다. 이를 통해서 한국은 미국과의 농산물 교역에 중요한 자료가 될 것이고, 미국의 농산물 수출을 통한 자국의 경제성장에 도움이 된다는 점이 교역국의 입장에서 중요한 정책적 의미를 내포하고 있다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.827-843
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitochondrial DNA leakage leads to inflammatory responses via endosome activation. This study aims to evaluate whether the perennial grass water extract (Pogonatherum panicum) ameliorate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The major bioactive constituents of P. paniceum (PPW) were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, after which their antioxidant activities were assessed. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, resulting in mitochondrial damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the gene expression and cytokines. RESULTS: Our results showed that PPW extract-treated activated cells significantly decrease reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels by reducing the p2^phox and iNOS expression and lowering cytokine-encoding genes, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PG-E2 and IFN-γ relative to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LPS enhanced the mtDNA leaked into the cytoplasm, increasing the transcription of Tlr9 and signaling both MyD88/Irf7-dependent interferon and MyD88/NF-κb p65-dependent inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression but which was alleviated in the presence of PPW extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that PPW extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by facilitating mtDNA leakage and lowering the Tlr9 expression and signaling activation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.33.1-33.19
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• 2021

IL-1β plays critical roles in the priming and effector phases of immune responses such as the differentiation, commitment, and memory formation of T cells. In this context, several reports have suggested that the IL-1β signal is crucial for CTL-mediated immune responses to viral infections and tumors. However, little is known regarding whether IL-1β acts directly on CD8⁺ T cells and what the molecular mechanisms underlying expression of IL-1 receptors (IL-1Rs) on CD8⁺ T cells and features of IL-1R⁺ CD8⁺ T cells are. Here, we provide evidence that the expression of IL-1R type I (IL-1RI), the functional receptor of IL-1β, is preferentially induced by IL-21 on TCR-stimulated CD8⁺ T cells. Further, IL-1β enhances the effector function of CD8⁺ T cells expressing IL-21-induced IL-1RI by increasing cytokine production and release of cytotoxic granules containing granzyme B. The IL-21-IL-1RI-IL-1β axis is involved in an augmented effector function through regulation of transcription factors BATF, Blimp-1, and IRF4. Moreover, this axis confers a unique effector function to CD8⁺ T cells compared to conventional type 1 cytotoxic T cells differentiated with IL-12. Chemical inhibitor and immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that IL-21 induces a unique pattern of STAT activation with the formation of both STAT1:STAT3 and STAT3:STAT5 heterodimers, which are critical for the induction of IL-1RI on TCR-stimulated CD8⁺ T cells. Taken together, we propose that induction of a novel subset of IL-1RI-expressing CD8⁺ T cells by IL-21 may be beneficial to the protective immune response against viral infections and is therefore important to consider for vaccine design.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권8호
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• pp.1159-1163
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• 2009

ER stress에 관련된 유전자의 기능변화와 전사조절인자 분석하기 위해 ER stress를 유도한 간세포에서 expression microarray로 유전자 발현을 확보한 후 GSECA로 분석하였다. ER stress가 유도되면, ER에 주어지는 과도한 부하를 감소시키는 기능들이 증가하는 반면, ER stress가 더 증가함에 따라 ATP 생성이나 DNA repair, 더 나아가 세포분열의 기능이 감소하는 등 세포가 damage을 받음을 알 수 있었다. ER stress에 관련된 전사조절인자로는 FOX04, AP-1, FOX03, HNF4, IRF-1, GATA 등의 전사조절인자들이 ER stress에 의해 발현이 증가하는 유전자들의 promoter에 공통적으로 존재하였으며, E2F, Nrf-1, Elk-1, YY1, CREB, MTF-1, STAT-1, ATF 등의 전사인자들이 발현이 감소하는 유전자들의 promoter에서 공통적으로 존재하여, 이들의 전사인자들이 ER stress에 의한 유전자의 발현조절에 중요한 역할을 하는 전사조절인자임을 알 수 있었다.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.342-355
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Osteoblasts are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and play important role in bone remodeling. While our previous studies have investigated the cell subtypes and heterogeneity in osteoblasts and BMMSCs separately, cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs in vivo in humans have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular communication between human primary osteoblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods and Results: To investigate the cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs and identify new cell subtypes, we performed a systematic integration analysis with our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) transcriptomes data from BMMSCs and osteoblasts. We successfully identified a novel preosteoblasts subtype which highly expressed ATF3, CCL2, CXCL2 and IRF1. Biological functional annotations of the transcriptomes suggested that the novel preosteoblasts subtype may inhibit osteoblasts differentiation, maintain cells to a less differentiated status and recruit osteoclasts. Ligand-receptor interaction analysis showed strong interaction between mature osteoblasts and BMMSCs. Meanwhile, we found FZD1 was highly expressed in BMMSCs of osteogenic differentiation direction. WIF1 and SFRP4, which were highly expressed in mature osteoblasts were reported to inhibit osteogenic differentiation. We speculated that WIF1 and sFRP4 expressed in mature osteoblasts inhibited the binding of FZD1 to Wnt ligand in BMMSCs, thereby further inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. Conclusions: Our study provided a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of osteogenic cells. At the single cell level, this study provided insights into the cell-to-cell communications between BMMSCs and osteoblasts and mature osteoblasts may mediate negative feedback regulation of osteogenesis process.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.511-518
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• 2012

The mechanisms of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling have been the focus of extensive studies because TLRs are the target of therapeutic intervention on multiple diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory potential of Vigna angularis (azuki bean) on the TLR signaling. The effect of Vigna angularis extract (JSD) on TLR activation was investigated by assessing NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 inducible secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) activity. JSD significantly inhibited SEAP activity induced by poly I:C (TLR3 ligand) and poly I (TLR7 ligand) in a dose-dependent manner at concentration below 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ with no sign of cytotoxicity. Pretreatment of JSD markedly suppressed mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesive molecules such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, RANTES, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 induced by TLR ligands. It also diminished the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ kinase and $I{\kappa}B$, and followed by $I{\kappa}B$-mediated nuclear translocation of p50, p65, and phosphorylation of p38, JNK, and IRF signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results suggest that Vigna angularis has inhibitory activity on TLR-3 and -7 signaling and it can be further developed as a remedy in curing TLR-related multiple diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1213-1227
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• 2023

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a prevalent obstetric condition. This study aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in regulating the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR. An FGR animal model was established in rats, and ODN1668 and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were administered. Changes in gut microbiota structure were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. HTR-8/Svneo cells were treated with ODN1668 and HCQ to evaluate cell growth. Histopathological analysis was performed, and relative factor levels were measured. The results showed that FGR rats exhibited elevated levels of TLR9 and myeloid differentiating primary response gene 88 (MyD88). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TLR9 inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion. TLR9 upregulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS-binding protein (LBP), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α while downregulating IL-10. TLR9 activated the TARF3-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed HCQ reduced inflammation in FGR rats, and the relative cytokine expression followed a similar trend to that observed in vitro. TLR9 stimulated neutrophil activation. HCQ in FGR rats resulted in changes in the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group at the family level and the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Bacteroides at the genus level. TLR9 and associated inflammatory factors were correlated with Bacteroides, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group. FMT from FGR rats interfered with the therapeutic effects of HCQ. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TLR9 regulates the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of FGR and suggesting potential therapeutic interventions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.49-59
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• 2000

연구배경 : 암 발생 및 진행 과정 중 암유전자의 활성화, 종양억제유전자의 불활성화 등이 중요한 역할을 한다고 알려져 있으며, 종양억제유전자의 불활성화는 많은 경우에서 하나의 대립형질의 돌연변이와 다른 대립 형질의 결손에 의한다고 한다. 따라서 암 발생 및 진행에 관여하는 특이 종양 억제유전자를 찾고자 종양 억제유전자 불활성의 특성인 LOH를 분석하는 다양한 연구를 시행하여 왔다. 아직까지 소세포폐암과 관련된 특이 유전자가 확인되지 않았기 때문에 원발성 소세포폐암의 발생과 진행에 병인적 중요성을 갖는 종양억제 유전자를 찾고자 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 연세대학교 의과대학 세브란스병원에서 원발성 소세포폐암으로 진단된 15명의 남자 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 암 조직과 이에 대응하는 정상 조직의 파라핀포매 블록으로부터 DNA를 추출하였으며, 염색체 5번 장완에 위치하는 19개의 현미부수체 표지자들을 이용하여 PCR-LOH 분석을 시행하였다. 결과 : 1) 15예 중에서 LOH가 1개라도 관찰된 경우는 10예로 66.7%이었다 (Fig. 1). 2) LOH가 있는 10예 중 검사를 시행한 모든 표지자들의 결혼이 있는 경우는 2예(SCLC1, SCLC3)로써 13%이었다 (Fig. 1). 3) 경사를 시행한 19개의 표지자들중 5개에서 50% 이상의 LOH 빈도를 확인할 수 있었는데 5q14-15에 위치하는 D5S409와 5q23-31에 위치하는 D5S404와 사이인 18.3 cM 간격에서 57.1%, 5q31.l에 위치한 IRF-1에서 63.6%, 5q31.3-33.3에 위치하는 D5S209에서 54.5%, 5q34-35에 위치하는 D5S400에서 54.5%, 그리고 5q34-qter에 위치하는 D5S429와 5q35.2-35.3에 위치하는 D5S498사이인 5.5cM 간격에서 75%의 빈도로 관찰되었다(Table 1, Fig. 1, Fig. 2). 4) Shifted bands는 15예 중 3예에서 관찰되었는데 SCLC8에서 26.3%, SCLC 6 에서 5.3%, SCLC14 에서 5.3%의 altered loci가 관찰되었다 (Fig. 1, Fig. 2). 5) Shifted bands는 검사한 총 285 loci 중 2.5%인 7 loci에서 관찰되었다 (Fig. 1). 결론 : 염색체 5번의 장완에는 원발성 소세포폐암 일부에서 발생 및 진행에 관여하는 최소 5개의 종양억제유전자좌가 존재할 것으로 생각되며, 향후 특이 유전자를 찾기 위한 추가적인 노력이 있어야 할 것으로 생각된다.