• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.4 s.139
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• pp.293-299
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• 2004

The current investigation was carried out to find out the anticancer activity of the methanol extract from Buplerum falcatum against cancered ICR mouse and cancer cell lines such as J774A.1 and L1210 cells. Extract of Buplerum falcatum displayed the considerable augmentation(134%) of the survival of ICR mouse bearing Sarcoma 180 cancer. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of methanol extract of Buplerum falcatum against J774A.1 cells and L1210 cells were found to show $IC_{50}$ values of $57.3\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $54.6\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In contrast to such cytotoxicity against cancer cells, the extract exerted only meagre toxicity against normal lymphocytes. The increased generation of $O_2^-$ and the considerably increased activities of super-oxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx) of both J774A.1 cells and L1210 cells in the presence of Buplerum falcatum extract implied that the observed cytotoxicities may have resulted from the detrimental effect of reactive oxygen species(ROS) evoked by Buplerum falcatum extract on the cancer cells.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2009

Cadmium intoxication has been associated with the dysregulation of iron homeostasis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of cadmium on the expression of ferroportin 1 (FPN1), an important iron transporter protein that is involved in iron release from macrophages. When we incubated cadmium with J774 mouse macrophage cells, FPN1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the cadmium-induced FPN1 mRNA expression was associated with increased levels of FPN1 protein. On the other hand, cadmium-mediated FPN1 mRNA induction in J774 cells was completely blocked when cells were co-treated with a transcription inhibitor, acitomycin D. Also, cadmium directly stimulated the activity of the FPN1-promoter driven luciferase reporter, suggesting that the cadmium up-regulates FPN1 gene expression in a transcription-dependent manner. Finally, cadmium exposure to J774 macrophages increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by ${\sim}2$-fold, compared to untreated controls. When J774 cells were co-treated with antioxidant N-acetylcystein, the cadmium-induced FPN1 mRNA induction was significantly attenuated. In summary, the results of this study clearly demonstrated that cadmium increased FPN1 expression in macrophages through a mechanism that involves ROS production, and suggests another important interaction between iron and cadmium metabolism.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.585-593
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• 1999

The water and methanol extracts of Artemisia argyi showed significant cytotoxicities against J774A.1 cells but not so much against normal leukocytes. The cytotoxicities were found to be dependent on the extract concentration and the incubation time. The concentration of water and methanol extracts inhibiting 50% of cell proliferation ($IC_{50}$) were estimated to be 44.2 mg/ml and 71.6 mg/ml, respectively. In the presence of Artemisia argyi water extract, total superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD and MnSOD) activities of media, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions of J774A.1 cells increased in accordance with cytotoxicity. MnSOD was found to be the main component of enhanced total SOD activities, particulary in the mitochondrial fraction. In contrast to SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were not found in any instance of the current investigation. In addition, substantial amount of $O_2^-$ appeared to be generated in the mitochondrial fraction under the influence of Artemisia argyi. All data put together, it is postulated that Artemisia argyi extracts seem to stimulate $O_2^-$ generation in mitochondria of J774A.1 cells with concomitant increases of SODs. Since $H_2O_2$, the reaction product of SOD on $O_2^-$, is known to be readily converted to very toxic $OH{\cdot}$ in the absence of catalase and/or GPx cooperation, toxicity derived from ROS such as $O_2^-$, $H_2O_2$, and $OH{\cdot}$ may be the main cause of necrosis and/or apoptosis of J774A.1 cells.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.606-618
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• 2000

Dental pulp infection is most commonly caused by extensive dental caries, and some bacterial species invade root canals; bacterial components and products are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of periapical periodontitis. A principle driving force behind pulpal disease response appears to lie in the host immune system's to bacteria and their products. We examined the production of interleukin $1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) from human peripheral mononuclear cells, lymphocytes and monocytes stimulated by heat-killed Acitnobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 29523), Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277) and Prevotella intermedia (ATCC 25611), and also by their sonicated bacterial extracts (SBE), respectively. The effects of three strains of heat-killed bacteria and their SBEs on the morphology of cultured blood cell lines HL-60 (KCLB 10240) and J774A.1 (KCLB 40067) were observed under the inverted microscope. Ultrastructural changes of J774A.1 exposed to heat-killed P. intermedia and its SBE were investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was reduced in human peripheral mononuclear cells after stimulation by sonic bacterial extracts of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia. Heat-killed and sonic extract of P. gingivalis inhibited the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peripheral mononuclear cells. Production of TNF-${\alpha}$ was inhibited in peripheral monocytes after stimulation by sonic extracts of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia. HL-60 and J 774A.1 cells showed granular degeneration after treatment with heat-killed and sonic extracts of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia Chromatin margination and shrinkage were observed in 774A.1 treated with heat-killed P. intermedia. Cell wall structure and organelles were destroyed and vacuoles were formed in cytoplasm in J774A.1 treated with P. intermedia sonic extract. These results suggest that A actinomycetemcomitans, P gingivalis and P intermedia may have an important role in the formation and progression of pulpal diseases via both modulation of production of IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ from blood mononuclear cells and cytopathic effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.317-321
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• 2008

Macrophages play a key role in iron metabolism by recycling iron through erythrophagocytosis. Ferroportin-l (FPN1) is a transporter protein that is known to mediate iron export from macrophages. Since divalent metals often interact with iron metabolism, we examined if divalent metals could regulate the expression of FPN1 in macrophages. J774 macrophage cells were treated with copper, manganese, zinc, or cobalt at 10, 50, or $100\;{\mu}M$ for 16 to 24 h. Then, FPN1 mRNA and protein levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. In addition, effects of divalent metals on FPN1 promoter activity were examined by luciferase reporter assays. Results showed that copper significantly increased FPN1 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. The copper-induced expression of FPN1 mRNA was associated with a corresponding increase in FPN1 protein levels. Also, copper directly stimulated the activity of FPN1 promoter-driven reporter construct. In contrast, manganese and zinc had no effect on the FPN1 gene expression in J774 cells. Interestingly, cobalt treatment in J774 cells decreased FPN1 protein levels without affecting FPN1 mRNA levels. In conclusion, our study results demonstrate that divalent metals differentially regulate FPN1 expression in macrophages and indicate a potential interaction of divalent metals with the FPN1-mediated iron export in macrophages.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.675-682
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• 2022

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) was reported to play an anti-inflammatory role, however, previous studies largely focused on the effects of KRG on priming step, the inflammation-preparing step, and the anti-inflammatory effect of KRG on triggering, the inflammation-activating step has been poorly understood. This study demonstrated anti-inflammatory role of KRG in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome activation in macrophages during triggering of inflammatory responses. Methods: Caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 macrophages were established by priming with Pam3CSK4 and triggering with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability and pyroptosis were examined by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Nitric oxide (NO)-inhibitory effect of KRG was assessed using a NO production assay. Expression and proteolytic cleavage of proteins were examined by Western blotting analysis. In vivo anti-inflammatory action of KRG was evaluated with the LPS-injected sepsis model in mice. Results: KRG reduced LPS-stimulated NO production in J774A.1 cells and suppressed pyroptosis and IL-1β secretion in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that KRG suppressed the direct interaction between LPS and caspase-11 and inhibited proteolytic processing of both caspase-11 and gasdermin D in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. Furthermore, KRG significantly ameliorated LPS-mediated lethal septic shock in mice. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a novel mechanism of KRG-mediated anti-inflammatory action that operates through targeting the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome at triggering step of macrophage-mediated inflammatory response.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.721-728
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• 2008

Hepcidin is a peptide hormone produced by the liver, of which secretion is closely related to iron status in the body. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism(s) by which this peptide regulates body iron homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hepcidin treatment within the physiological concentration range on the expressions of two different iron transporter proteins-ferroportin (FPN) and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). Differentiated Caco-2 intestinal cells and macrophage J774 cells were treated with either synthetic hepcidin or hepcidin-rich fraction separated from human urine at the concentration of 10 nM and 100 nM for 24 hours. Results show that hepcidin treatment in differentiated Caco-2 cells or in J774 cells did not change the level of either FPN mRNA or DMT1 mRNA. On the other hand, hepcidin treatment at the dose of 100 nM significantly decreased the FPN protein levels and DMT1 protein levels in differentiated Caco-2 cells. Similarly, urinary hepcidin treatment (10 nM & 100 nM) also significantly decreased the levels of FPN and DMT1 proteins in J774 macrophage cells. These results showed that hepcidin might play an important role in the regulation of iron homeostasis by lowering the protein levels of iron transporter FPN and DMT1 both in enterocytes and in macrophage cells.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2000

Staphylococcus aureus infections are often life-threatening. Relatively little is known about the host response to these infections, in particular, the implication of apoptosis induced by this microorganism. In this study, we have shown that S. aureus was cytotoxic to J774A.1 cell, a murine macrophage cell line. The cell death mediated by S. aureus occurred through apoptosis, as shown by increase in the proportion of fragmented host cell DNA. Although phagocytosis and NO production had important role in the induction of apoptosis, the contact between bacteria and host cells was not essential for this pathway. A certain bacterial product could also induce typical caspase-dependent apoptosis of J774A.1 cell. It is expected that new interpretation may be possible to host-parasite relationship based on these results.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.843-848
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• 2020

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside-Rp1 (G-Rp1) on the ionizing radiation (IR)-induced response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and its effects on the malignancy of tumor cells. G-Rp1 inhibited the activation of IR-induced DNA damage-related signaling molecules and thereby interfered with the IR-increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL)-1β. The inhibitory effect of G-Rp1 increased the survival rate of mice inoculated with CT26 colon cancer cells by suppressing the phenotypic variation of tumor cells induced by conditioned medium obtained from IR- and LPS-treated J774A.1 macrophages.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.434-441
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• 2009

Ferroportin-1 (FPN) is a transporter protein that is known to mediate iron export from macrophages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of copper on the regulation of FPN gene expression in J774 mouse macrophage cells. J774 cells were treated with various concentrations of $CuSO_4$ and RT-PCR analyses were performed to measure the steady-state levels of mRNAs for FPN and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1, an iron importer). Copper treatment significantly increased FPN mRNAs in a dose-dependent manner, but didn't change the levels of DMT1 mRNA. Experiments with transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D (0.5 ${\mu}g$/mL) revealed that copper treatment did not affect the half-life of FPN mRNAs in J774 cells. On the other hand, results from luciferase reporter assays showed that copper directly stimulated the promoter activity of FPN. In summary, our data showed copper induced FPN mRNA of macrophages via a transcriptional rather than post-transcriptional mechanisms.