• BMB Reports
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.314-319
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• 2023

Sepsis is a life-threatening multi-organ dysfunction with high mortality caused by the body's improper response to microbial infection. No new effective therapy has emerged that can adequately treat patients with sepsis. We previously demonstrated that interferon-β (IFN-β) protects against sepsis via sirtuin 1-(SIRT1)-mediated immunosuppression. Another study also reported its significant protective effect against acute respiratory distress syndrome, a complication of severe sepsis, in human patients. However, the IFN-β effect cannot solely be explained by SIRT1-mediated immunosuppression, since sepsis induces immunosuppression in patients. Here, we show that IFN-β, in combination with nicotinamide riboside (NR), alleviates sepsis by blocking endothelial damage via SIRT1 activation. IFN-β plus NR protected against cecal ligation puncture-(CLP)-induced sepsis in wild-type mice, but not in endothelial cell-specific Sirt1 knockout (EC-Sirt1 KO) mice. IFN-β upregulated SIRT1 protein expression in endothelial cells in a protein synthesis-independent manner. IFN-β plus NR reduced the CLP-induced increase in in vivo endothelial permeability in wild-type, but not EC-Sirt1 KO mice. IFN-β plus NR suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of heparinase 1, but the effect was abolished by Sirt1 knockdown in endothelial cells. Our results suggest that IFN-β plus NR protects against endothelial damage during sepsis via activation of the SIRT1/heparinase 1 pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.256-261
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• 2024

In the context of aging, the susceptibility to infectious diseases increases, leading to heightened morbidity and mortality. This phenomenon, termed immunosenescence, is characterized by dysregulation in the aging immune system, including abnormal alterations in lymphocyte composition, elevated basal inflammation, and the accumulation of senescent T cells. Such changes contribute to increased autoimmune diseases, enhanced infection severity, and reduced responsiveness to vaccines. Utilizing aging animal models becomes imperative for a comprehensive understanding of immunosenescence, given the complexity of aging as a physiological process in living organisms. Our investigation focuses on Cisd2, a causative gene for Wolfram syndrome, to elucidate on immunosenescence. Cisd2 knockout (KO) mice, serving as a model for premature aging, exhibit a shortened lifespan with early onset of aging-related features, such as decreased bone density, hair loss, depigmentation, and optic nerve degeneration. Intriguingly, we found that the Cisd2 KO mice present a higher number of neutrophils in the blood; however, isolated neutrophils from these mice display functional defects. Through mass spectrometry analysis, we identified an interaction between Cisd2 and Calnexin, a protein known for its role in protein quality control. Beyond this function, Calnexin also regulates calcium homeostasis through interaction with sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase (SERCA). Our study proposes that Cisd2 modulates calcium homeostasis via its interaction with Calnexin and SERCA, consequently influencing neutrophil functions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.51.1-51.17
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• 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe pulmonary disease in infants, young children, and the elderly. Formalin inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) vaccine trials failed due to vaccine enhanced respiratory disease, but the underlying immune mechanisms remain not fully understood. In this study, we have used wild type C57BL/6 and CD4 knockout (CD4KO) mouse models to better understand the roles of the CD4 T cells and cellular mechanisms responsible for enhanced respiratory disease after FI-RSV vaccination and RSV infection. Less eosinophil infiltration and lower pro-inflammatory cytokine production were observed in FI-RSV vaccinated CD4KO mice after RSV infection compared to FI-RSV vaccinated C57BL/6 mice. NK cells and cytokine-producing CD8 T cells were recruited at high levels in the airways of CD4KO mice, correlating with reduced respiratory disease. Depletion studies provided evidence that virus control was primarily mediated by NK cells whereas CD8 T cells contributed to IFN-γ production and less eosinophilic lung inflammation. This study demonstrated the differential roles of effector CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as NK cells, in networking with other inflammatory infiltrates in RSV disease in immune competent and CD4-deficient condition.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.555-560
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• 2010

이 연구는 Hsp70.1 유전자가 결핍된 생쥐를 이용하여 운동전처치에 따른 신장허혈재관류손상에서 혈청 크레아틴, 신장에서 CuSOD와 MnSOD의 발현변화를 관찰하는데 그 목적을 두고 있다. 실험동물은 c57/BL6 계 수컷(wild type: WT)과 Hsp70.1 knockout (KO) 생쥐를 정상대조군(n=8), 운동군(n=8), 허혈운동군(n=8) 및 허혈군(n=8)의 4군으로 분류하여 이용하였다. 실험종료 후 마취를 한 후 혈청 creatinine을 분석하기 위해서 신장에서 혈액을 추출하였고, 신장을 적출하여 western blot 으로 eCuSOD와 MnSOD 발현변화를 비교하였다. KO 허혈군에서의 CuSOD, MnSOD는 다른 군에 비해 유의하게 낮게(p<0.001, p<0.05) 발현하였으며, creatinine은 높은(p<0.001)농도로 나타났다. 반면 WT에서는 유의한 변화가 나타나지 않았다. 흥미롭게도 KO허혈운동군에서의 CuSOD, MnSOD는 허혈군보다 뚜렷하게 증가하였으며, creatinine은 허혈군에 비해 현저히 감소(p<0.01)하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합하면 Hsp70은 신장허혈재관류손상에 직접적인 관련이 있음을 추정할 수 있다. 따라서 운동전 처치는 허혈성신장기능저하에 예방할 수 있다고 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권8호
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• pp.1173-1176
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• 2008

본 연구에서는 ALDH2 knockout 마우스를 이용하여 에탄올을 경구 투여한 후 간조직 및 뇌조직, 그리고 폐조직에서의 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) 농도를 측정하여 각 장기에서의 산화적 유전자 손상정도를 평가하고 ALDH2 효소활성과의 관련성을 파악하였다. 간조직의 8-OHdG 농도는 에탄올 투여에 의해서도 유의하게 증가하지만 ALDH2 효소의 결핍이 더욱 큰 영향을 주는 것으로 확인되었다. 또한, 뇌조직과 폐조직의 8-OHdG 농도도 에탄올에 의해 모두 유의하게 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며 폐조직에서의 8-OHdG 농도는 ALDH2 효소의 활성에 따라 유의하게 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구에서 에탄올의 반복적인 투여는 간조직 뿐 아니라 뇌조직과 폐조직에서도 산화적 유전자 손상을 유발하는 것으로 확인되었으며, 적어도 에탄올에 의한 간조직과 폐조직에서의 산화적 유전자 손상은 ALDH2 활성이 결핍된 경우에 더욱 커지는 것으로 조사되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 ALDH2 효소가 결핍된 사람에서 각종 암발생 위험도가 크게 나타나는 이유를 규명하는데 매우 중요한 근거자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.531-536
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• 2016

본 연구는 최근 연구자 등이 보고한 NQO1 knockout (결핍) 생쥐의 점막기능 감소 및 장염유발 현상을 인간 대장상피세포에서 재확인하는 것이다. 이를 위해, 사람 대장상피세포주인 HT29 세포에 NQO1 억제제인 dicumarol을 처치한 다음 밀착연접 조절인자의 변화를 평가하였다. HT29 세포에 10 μM dicumarol을 처치하여 NQO1을 억제하면 인간 대장상피세포의 밀착연접이 유의하게 줄고 구성인자들(ZO1, occludin)의 단백질 양도 감소함을 확인하였다. 생쥐 대장 내강에 dicumarol (10 μM)을 직접 처치한 결과 점막 투과율이 현저하게 증가함도 확인하였다(장벽기능 감소). 이는 인간 대장상피세포의 밀착연접 형성과정이 NQO1에 의존적임을 보여준다. 그러나 dicumarol 처치는 ZO1과 occludin의 전사량을 억제하지 않았다. NOQ1 결핍 생쥐에서 ZO1과 occludin의 전사량이 크게 감소한다는 이전 보고를 감안하면, NQO1에 의한 밀착연접 단백질의 양적 조절 과정이 전사를 포함하는 다양한 경로와 연관되어 있음을 시사한다. 즉, NQO1에 의한 ZO1과 occludin 조절 과정에 프로테오좀 의존-단백질 변성과 같은 단백질 파괴 경로가 이용될 수 있다고 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권9호
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• pp.1232-1238
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• 2009

신경전달물질의 분비는 시냅스전 신경말단의 active zone에 있는 다양한 단백질들에 의해 조절된다. 도파민은 정신분열병, 약물중독과 같은 여러 가지 행동, 정신질환의 병태생리와 연관된 필수적인 신경전달물질이다. 저자들은 본 연구에서 신경 전달물질 분비와 관련된 주요 유전자가 결여 된 knockout (KO) 생쥐의 시냅토좀(synaptosome) 도파민 분비를 측정하였다. 시냅토좀 도파민 흡수와 분비는 [$^3H$]-도파민과 관류실험을 이용하여 시행, 측정하였다. 17 KO 생쥐 가운데 3 종류의 생쥐에서 그들의 littermate 대조군과 비교하였을 때 변화된 도파민 분비를 보였다. $Rim1{\alpha}$ KO에서 세포막 탈분극에 의한 [$^3H$]-도파민은 유의하게 감소되었으며, 또한 $Rim1{\alpha}$의 도파민 신경에서의 조건 KO에서는 생리적 완충용액에 의한 기본적인 도파민 분비 및 세포막 탈분극에 의한 도파민 분비 모두가 유의하게 감소되어 있었다. neurexin3의 도파민 신경에서의 조건 KO에서는 세포막 탈분극에 의한 도파민 분비의 증가를 보였다. 이 데이터들은 도파민 분비와 글루타메이트, GABA와 같은 전통적 신경전달물질 분비의 유사성과 차별성을 설명한다. 결론적으로, $Rim1{\alpha}$와 neurexin3는 시냅스전 도파민 분비의 중요한 조절자이며 신경계 질환과 연관될 가능성이 있다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.123-132
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• 2017

Insulin signaling is coordinated by insulin receptor substrates (IRSs). Many insulin responses, especially for blood glucose metabolism, are mediated primarily through Irs-1 and Irs-2. Irs-1 knockout mice show growth retardation and insulin signaling defects, which can be compensated by other IRSs in vivo; however, the underlying mechanism is not clear. Here, we presented an Irs-1 truncated mutated mouse ($Irs-1^{-/-}$) with growth retardation and subcutaneous adipocyte atrophy. $Irs-1^{-/-}$ mice exhibited mild insulin resistance, as demonstrated by the insulin tolerance test. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity and phosphorylated Protein Kinase B (PKB/AKT) expression were elevated in liver, skeletal muscle, and subcutaneous adipocytes in Irs-1 deficiency. In addition, the expression of IRS-2 and its phosphorylated version were clearly elevated in liver and skeletal muscle. With miRNA microarray analysis, we found miR-33 was down-regulated in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) of $Irs-1^{-/-}$ mice, while its target gene Irs-2 was up-regulated in vitro studies. In addition, miR-33 was down-regulated in the presence of Irs-1 and which was up-regulated in fasting status. What's more, miR-33 restored its expression in re-feeding status. Meanwhile, miR-33 levels decreased and Irs-2 levels increased in liver, skeletal muscle, and subcutaneous adipocytes of $Irs-1^{-/-}$ mice. In primary cultured liver cells transfected with an miR-33 inhibitor, the expression of IRS-2, PI3K, and phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT) increased while the opposite results were observed in the presence of an miR-33 mimic. Therefore, decreased miR-33 levels can up-regulate IRS-2 expression, which appears to compensate for the defects of the insulin signaling pathway in Irs-1 deficient mice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.561-571
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is capable of regulating lipid and glucose metabolism through its action on adipocytes. However, the beneficial role of GRb1-induced up-regulation of adiponectin in liver steatosis remains unelucidated. Thus, we tested whether GRb1 ameliorates liver steatosis and insulin resistance by promoting the expression of adiponectin. Methods: 3T3-L1 adipocytes and hepatocytes were used to investigate GRb1's action on adiponectin expression and triglyceride (TG) accumulation. Wild type (WT) mice and adiponectin knockout (KO) mice fed high fat diet were treated with GRb1 for 2 weeks. Hepatic fat accumulation and function as well as insulin sensitivity was measured. The activation of AMPK was also detected in the liver and hepatocytes. Results: GRb1 reversed the reduction of adiponectin secretion in adipocytes. The conditioned medium (CM) from adipocytes treated with GRb1 reduced TG accumulation in hepatocytes, which was partly attenuated by the adiponectin antibody. In the KO mice, the GRb1-induced significant decrease of TG content, ALT and AST was blocked by the deletion of adiponectin. The elevations of GRb1-induced insulin sensitivity indicated by OGTT, ITT and HOMA-IR were also weakened in the KO mice. The CM treatment significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK in hepatocytes, but not GRb1 treatment. Likewise, the phosphorylation of AMPK in liver of the WT mice was increased by GRb1, but not in the KO mice. Conclusions: The up-regulation of adiponectin by GRb1 contributes to the amelioration of liver steatosis and insulin resistance, which further elucidates a new mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of GRb1 on obesity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.40.1-40.15
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• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.