• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.375-382
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• 2012

Ginsenoside Rp1 (G-Rp1) is a saponin derivate that provides anti-metastatic activities through inhibition of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. In this study, we examined the effects of G-Rp1 on regulatory T cell (Treg) activation. After treatment of splenocytes with G-Rp1, Tregs exhibited upregulation of IL-10 expression, and along with dendritic cells (DCs), these Tregs showed increased cell number compared to other cell populations. The effect of G-Rp1 on Treg number was augmented in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which mimics pathological changes that occur during inflammation. However, depletion of DCs prevented the increase in Treg number in the presence of G-Rp1 and/or LPS. In addition, G-Rp1 promoted the differentiation of the memory types of $CD4^+Foxp3^+CD62L^{low}$ Tregs rather than the generation of new Tregs. In vivo experiments also demonstrated that Tregs and DCs from mice that were fed G-Rp1 for 7 d and then injected with LPS exhibited increased activation compared with those from mice that were injected with LPS alone. Expression of TGF-${\beta}$ and CTLA4 in Tregs was increased, and upregulation of IL-2 and CD80/CD86 expression by DCs affected the suppressive function of Tregs through IL-2 receptors and CTLA4. These data demonstrate that G-Rp1 exerts anti-inflammatory effects by activating Tregs in vitro and in vivo.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

To understand the anti-allergic mechanism of compound K, which is a metabolite of ginsenoside Rb1, a main constituent of the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (family Araliaceae), its inhibitory effect against IgE-antigen complex IAC)-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice and mRNA and protein expressions of allergic cytokines in lAC-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells were investigated. Orally administered ginsenoside Rb1 more potently inhibited PCA reaction when administered at 5 h prior to the lAC treatment than when administered at I h before. However, compound K orally administered 1 h before lAC treatment showed a more potent anti-PCA reaction effect than when treated at 5 h before. Orally administered ginsenoside Rb1 more potently inhibited PCA reaction induced by lAC in mice than intraperitoneally treated one, apart from orally administered its metabolite, compound K, which was more potent than the orally administered one. The compound K, a metabolite of ginsenoside Rb1, inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ and the activation of their transcription factor NF-$\kappa$B and MAPK in lAC-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that orally administered ginsenoside Rb1 may be dependent on its metabolism by intestinal microflora in the intestine and the compound K may improve allergic diseases by the inhibition of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ expresseion.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.296-306
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• 2014

There is growing evidence that crosstalk between mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells and stromal microenvironments, such as bone marrow and secondary lymphoid tissues, promotes tumor progression by enhancing survival and growth as well as drug resistance of MCL cells. Recent advances in the understanding of lymphoma microenvironment have led to the identification of crucial factors involved in the crosstalk and subsequent generation of their targeted agents. In the present study, we evaluated the combinatory effect of blocking antibodies (Ab) targeting CXCR4 and VLA-4, both of which were known to play significant roles in the induction of environment-mediated drug resistance (EMDR) in MCL cell line, Jeko-1. Simultaneous treatment with anti-CXCR4 and anti-VLA-4 Ab not only reduced the migration of Jeko-1 cells into the protective stromal cells, but also enhanced sensitivity of Jeko-1 to a chemotherapeutic agent to a greater degree than with either Ab alone. These combinatorial effects were associated with decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT and NF-${\kappa}B$. Importantly, drug resistance could not be overcome once the adhesion of Jeko-1 to the stromal occurred despite the combined use of Abs, suggesting that the efforts to mitigate migration of MCLs should be attempted as much as possible. Our results provide a basis for a future development of therapeutic strategies targeting both CXCR4 and VLA-4, such as Ab combinations or bispecific antibodies, to improve treatment outcomes of MCL with grave prognosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.251-255
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• 2009

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Today, around 60% of all cases of sepsis are caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main initiator of the cascade of cellular reactions in Gram-negative infections. The core receptors for LPS are toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MD-2 and CD14. Attempts have been made to antagonize the toxic effect of endotoxin using monoclonal antibodies against CD14 and synthetic lipopolysaccharides but there is as yet no effective treatment for septic syndrome. Here, we describe an inhibitory effect of a phosphatidylethanolamine derivative, PE-DTPA (phosphatidylethanolamine diethylenetriaminepentaacetate) on LPS recognition. PE-DTPA bound strongly to CD14 ($K_d$, $9.52{\times}10^{-8}M$). It dose dependently inhibited LPS-mediated activation of human myeloid cells, mouse macrophage cells and human whole blood as measured by the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and nitric oxide, whereas other phospho-lipids including phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine had little effect. PE-DTPA also inhibited transcription dependent on $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation when it was added together with LPS, and it rescued LPS-primed mice from septic death. These results suggest that PE-DTPA is a potent antagonist of LPS, and that it acts by competing for binding to CD14.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1299-1304
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• 2009

We have previously shown that water extract of deer antler (WEDA) inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation from bone marrow macrophages by suppressing c-Fos and NFATc1 expression. Thus, we examined the effect of WEDA in inflammation-induced bone loss in vivo. Here we found that WEDA inhibited osteoblast-supported osteoclast differentiation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, WEDA did not suppress the expression of receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) in response to LPS in osteoblasts. WEDA also inhibited the bone resorptive activity of mature osteoclasts. To examine the effect of WEDA on bone loss, when LPS injected subcutaneously in mice, bone loss was greatly increased, but WEDA treatment inhibited LPS-mediated bone loss. Taken together, we conclude that WEDA inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. Thus WEDA may be useful in the treatment of bone-related disorders.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.396-403
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• 2008

The first ORF of the ARV S1133 S1 segment encodes the nonstructural protein p10, which is responsible for the induction of cell syncytium formation. However, p10-dependent signaling during syncytium formation is fully unknown. Here, we show that dominant negative RhoA, Rho inhibitor C3 exoenzyme, ROCK/Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 inhibit p10-mediated cell fusion. p10 over-expression is concomitant with activation and membrane translocation of RhoA and Rac1, but not cdc42. RhoA and Rac1 downstream events, including JNK phosphorylation and transcription factor AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation, as well as MLC expression and phosphorylation are simultaneously activated by p10. p10 point mutant T13M possessed 20% fusion-inducing ability and four p10 fusion-deficient mutants V15M, V19M, C21S and L32A reduced or lost their ability to activate RhoA and Rac1 signaling. We conclude that p10-mediated syncytium formation proceeds by utilizing RhoA and Rac1-dependent signaling.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.548-553
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• 2019

Ets-1 is a prototype of the ETS protein family. Members of the ETS protein family contain a unique ETS domain. Ets-1 is associated with cancer progression and metastasis in many types of cancer. Many studies have shown a link between elevated expression of Ets-1 in cancer biopsies and poor survival. CCR7 is a chemokine that binds to specific ligand CCL21/CCL19. CCR7 expression is associated with tumor metastasis and infiltration into lymph nodes. The objective of this study was to test whether Ets-1 could regulate CCR7 expression and enhance tumor metastasis. Our data showed that CCR7 expression was downregulated in Ets-1-deficient T cells upon T-cell stimulation. Overexpression of Ets-1 increased CCR7 expression in breast cancer cell lines. In contrast, knockdown of Ets-1 reduced CCR7 expression. Ets-1 could directly bind to CCR7 promoter and mediate CCR7 expression in luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Transactivation activity of Ets-1 was independent of the Pointed domain of Ets-1. Ets-1 could also enhance $NF-{\kappa}B$ and CBP transactivation of CCR7 promoter. Our results also showed that Ets-1 could modulate cancer cell transmigration by altering CCR7 expression in transwell assay and wound healing assay. Taken together, our data suggest that Ets-1 can enhance CCR7 expression and contribute to tumor cell migration.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2019

We investigated whether ${\beta}$-carotene (${\beta}-CA$) or ellagic acid (EA), originating from various fruits and vegetables, has a preventive effect against male infertility induced by exogenous scrotal hyperthermia. ICR adult mice were intraperitoneally treated with 10 mg/kg of ${\beta}-CA$ or EA daily for 13 days consecutively. During this time, mice were subjected to transient scrotal heat stress in a water bath at $43^{\circ}C$ for 20 min on day 7, and their testes and blood were obtained on day 14 for histopathologic and biochemical analyses. Heat stress induced significant testicular weight reduction, germ cell loss and degeneration, as well as abnormal localization of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in spermatogenic and Leydig cells. Heat stress also altered the levels of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, SOD activity, and PHGPx, MnSOD, and $HIF-1{\alpha}$ mRNAs), apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-xL, caspase 3, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNAs), and androgen biosynthesis (serological testosterone concentration and $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA) in testes. These changes were all improved significantly by ${\beta}-CA$ treatment, but only slightly improved by EA treatment. These findings indicate that ${\beta}-CA$, through modulations of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and androgen biosynthesis, is a potent preventive agent against testicular injuries induced by scrotal hyperthermia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.827-837
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• 2019

The present study was conducted with the aim to investigate the ameliorative effects of a new soybean product (cheonggukjang) fermented with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SCGB1 (SFBA) in atopic dermatitis (AD) mouse model. Visual evaluation of AD induction in the mice indicated the remarkable control of SFBA in reducing the pathological severity of AD-like skin lesions reported as the SCORAD score of AD clinical symptoms. The results revealed that SFBA reduced dorsal skin and epidermal thickness to a similar extent with prednisolone. Further analysis revealed the dominance of SFBA in restraining mast cell infiltration in the dermis; immunoglobulin-E expression in serum; and TH2 IL-4 cytokine and itch-related IL-31 cytokine in the mice skin and serum. SFBA also suppressed scratching behaviours in mice induced by compound 48/80. Further histological findings also revealed the alleviation of collagen fiber deposition in dermal skin of the AD mice model. These actions of SFBA were examined to be mediated by its suppression of the phosphorylation activation of key signalling molecules such as $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK responsible for the induction of cytokine production. Thus, SFBA can be considered as a promising functional food for managing clinical, histological and immunological spectra associated with AD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.291-299
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenosides of Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) and its saponin components suppress secretion of inflammasome-mediating cytokines, whereas the nonsaponin fraction (NS) of RGE oppositely stimulates cytokine secretion. Although direct exposure of NS to macrophages in mice induces cytokine production, oral administration of NS has not been studied in inflammasome-related disease in animal models. Methods: Mice were fed RGE or NS for 7 days and then developed peritonitis. Peritoneal cytokines were measured, and peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were collected to assay expression levels of a set of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in response to NS ingestion. In addition, the role of intestinal bacteria in NS-fed mice was assessed. The effect of preexposure to NS in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) on cytokine production was further confirmed. Results: NS ingestion attenuated secretion of peritoneal cytokines resulting from peritonitis. In addition, the isolated PECs from NS-fed mice presented lower TLR transcription levels than PECs from control diet-fed mice. BMDMs treated with NS showed downregulation of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression, which was mediated by the $TLR4-MyD88-NF{\kappa}B$ signal pathway. BMDMs pretreated with NS produced less cytokines in response to TLR4 ligands. Conclusion: NS administration directly inhibits TLR4 expression in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, thereby reducing secretion of cytokines during peritonitis.