• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.987-994
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• 2021

Our previous studies have reported that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from the larvae of white-spotted flower chafer (Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis) exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. This study explored the anti-inflammatory effects of protaetiamycine 9 (CVLKKAYFLTNLKLRG-NH₂), a novel AMP, derived from P. b. seulensis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Protaetiamycine 9 (25, 50, 75, and 100 ㎍/ml) did not cause cytotoxic effects against RAW264.7 cells. The RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) for 1 hr and then exposed to LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 hr. Protaetiamycine 9 treatments decreased the LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), in a dose-dependent manner. Protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) effectively downregulated the LPS-induced increase in mRNA and the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which are involved in the production of inflammatory mediators. Protaetiamycine 9 also suppressed the production and gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, compared to the presence of LPS alone. Furthermore, protaetiamycine 9 inhibited the degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκB-α) and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In conclusion, these results suggest that protaetiamycine 9 exhibits LPS-mediated inflammatory responses by blocking IκB-α degradation and MAPK phosphorylation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.945-954
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• 2018

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (${\omega}3$-fatty acid) have been found to possess anticancer properties in a variety of cancer cell lines and animal models, but their effects in human tongue squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) remain unclear. This study was designed to examine the effect of ${\omega}3$-fatty acid desaturase (fat-1) gene expression on invasion and tumorigenicity in human tongue SCC cells and the molecular mechanism of its action. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) treatment inhibited in vitro invasion in a dose-dependent manner. In zymography, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) activities were reduced, and MMP-9 and MMP-2 promoter activities were inhibited by the DHA treatment. In addition, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoter reporter activities were inhibited in SCC-4 and SCC-9 cells after the DHA treatment. To investigate the effect of a high level of endogenous ${\omega}3$ fatty acids, a stable SCC-9 cell line expressing the ${\omega}3$-desaturase gene (fSCC-9sc) was generated. The growth rate and colony-forming capacity of fSCC-9sc were remarkably decreased as compared with those of fSCC-9cc. Likewise, the tumor size and volume of fSCC-9sc implanted into nude mice were significantly inhibited, with increases in the cell death index. Furthermore, a transwell chamber invasion assay showed a reduction in cell invasion of the fSCC-9sc lines when compared with that of the fSCC-9cc line. These findings suggested that fat-1 gene expression inhibited tumorigenicity, as well as invasion in human tongue SCC cells. Thus, utilization of ${\omega}3$ fatty acids may represent a promising therapeutic approach for chemoprevention and the treatment of human tongue SCCs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 2009

Poly-$\gamma$-glutamic acid ($\gamma$-PGA) was mixed natural flora of Bacillus subtilis, contaminated from cooked soybeans. Also, it was performed to find out the antiallergic activity by using NC/Nga mice, in vitro. The $\gamma$-PGA (PGA-HM : PGA-high molecular weight), Molecular weight 300 kDa, was decomposed and made PGA-LM (PGA-low molecular weight) which has molecular weight below 30 kDa by sonication. Therefore, it was same result between PGA-HM and PGA-LM, and reported PGA-LM as basic result. We found that PGA-LM contains antiallergic efficacy that inhibit B cells and Th2 cells activation from isolated CD4+T cells in NC/Nga atopic dermatitis model mice, and not show a cytotoxicity in the hFCs. To investigate the effects of these PGA-LM in vitro, isolation of splenic B cell and CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis mice were used. To elucidate the role of PGA-LM in anti-CD40+ interleukin-4 (IL-4)-mediated B-cell activation, showed that the capacity of B cells to expression IL-$1\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA down-regulated, and IL-10 mRNA up-regulation by PGA-LM treatment, but it had no effect on TGF-$\beta$ expression. In addition to CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+ and CD4+CD25+foxp3+, the functions of PGA-LM in the development of the CD4+CD25+foxp3+ and CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+cells, the phenotype and functions of PGA-LM induced CD4+CD25+foxp3+, and CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+cells in CD4+T cells. These results suggested that PGA-LM could change cytokine production and generate CD4+CD25+foxp3+ Tregs in NC/Nga mice, and may be effective for immunotherapy in patients with AD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.861-869
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• 1998

Backgrounds: The injury of a tissue results in the infalmmation, and the imflammed tissue is replaced by the normal parenchymal cells during the process of repair. But, constitutional or repetitive damage of a tissue causes the deposition of collagen resulting in the loss of its function. These lesions are found in the lung of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, complicated fibrosis after diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) and inorganic dust-induced lung fibrosis. The tissue from lungs of patients undergoing episodes of active and/or end-stage pulmonary fibrosis shows the accumulation of inflammatory cells, such as mononuclear cells, neutrophils, mast cells and eosinophils, and fibroblast hyperplasia. In this regard, it appears that the inflammation triggers fibroblast activation and proliferation with enhanced matrix synthesis, stimulated by inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). It has been well known that TGF-$\beta$ enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts and the production of collagen and fibronectin, and inhibit the degradation of collagen. In this regard, It is likely that TGF-$\beta$ undergoes important roles in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Nevertheless, this single cytokine is not the sole regulator of the pulmonary fibrotic response. It is likely that the balance of many cytokines including TGF-$\beta$, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ regulates the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we investigate the interaction of TGF-$\beta$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ and their effect on the proliferation of fibroblasts. Methods: We used a human fibroblast cell line, MRC-5 (ATCC). The culture of MRC-5 was confirmed by immunofluorecent staining. First, we determined the concentration of serum in cuture medium, in which the proliferation of MRC-5 is supressed but the survival of MRC-5 is retained. Second, we measured optical density after staining the cytokine-stimulated cells with 0.5% naphthol blue black in order to detect the effect of cytokines on the proliferation of MRC-5. Result: In the medium containing 0.5% fetal calf serum, the proliferation of MRC-5 increased by 50%, and it was maintained for 6 days. IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 induced the proliferation of MRC-5 by 45%, 160% and 120%, respectively. IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ enhanced TGF-$\beta$-induced proliferation of MRC-5 by 64% and 159%, but IL-6 did not affect the TGF-$\beta$-induced proliferation. And lNF-$\alpha$-induced proliferation of MRC-5 was reduced by IL-1$\beta$ in 50%. TGF-$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ and both induced the proliferation of MRC-5 to 89%, 135% and 222%, respectively. Conclusions: TNF-$\alpha$, TGF-$\beta$ and IL-1$\beta$, in the order of the effectiveness, showed the induction of MRC-5 proliferation of MRC-5. TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$ enhance the TGF-$\beta$-induced proliferation of MRC-5, but IL-6 did not have any effect TNF-$\alpha$-induced proliferation of MRC-5 is diminished by IL-1, and TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ showed a additive effect.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2017

The anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum patens C. Agardh ethanol extract (SPEE) was examined based on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in this study. SPEE treatment was not cytotoxic to macrophages compared to the control. The production of NO was suppressed by SPEE by approximately 28% at $100{\mu}g/ml$, and levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ was suppressed by SPEE treatment. In vivo, croton oil-induced mouse ear edema was attenuated by SPEE and the infiltration of mast cells into the tissue decreased. Based on these results, SPEE inhibits the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, suggesting that SPEE is a potential agent for anti-inflammatory therapies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.823-834
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• 1998

Background: Chronic inhalation of silica induces the lung fiborsis. The alveolar macrophages ingest the inhaled silica; they liberate the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and fibrogenic cytokines, TGF-$\beta$ and PDGF. Cytokines liberated from macrophage have pivotal role in pulmonary fibrosis. There is a complex cytokine network toward fibrosis. However, the exact roles and the interaction among the proinflammatory cytokines and TGF-$\beta$, a fibrogenic cytokine, have not been defined, yet. In this study, we investigated silica induced IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ production and the effect of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ on the production of TGF-$\beta$ from lung macrophages of Balb/C mice. Method: We extracted the lung of Balb/C mice and purified monocytes by Percoll gradient method. Macrphages were stimulated by silica ($SiO_2$) in the various concentration for 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. The supernatants were used for the measurement of protein levels by bioassay, and cells for the levels of mRNA by in situ hybridization. Results: The production of IL-6 was not observed till 4 hours, and reached the peak levels at 8 hours after stimulation of silica. The production of TNF-$\alpha$ increased from 2 hours and reached the peak levels at 4 hours after stimulation of silica. The spontaneous TGF-$\beta$ production reached the peak levels at 24 hours. TNF-$\alpha$ upregulated the silica induced TGF-$\beta$ production. Silica induced TGF-$\beta$ production was blocked by pretreated anti-TNF-$\alpha$ antibody. In situ hybridization revealed the increased positive signals at 4 hours in IL-6, at 4 hours TNF-$\alpha$ and 12 hours in TGF-$\beta$. Conclusion: The results above suggest that silica induced the sequential production of IL-6, 1NF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ from macrophages and TNF-$\alpha$ upregultaes the production of TGF-$\beta$ from silica-induced macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.950-956
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• 2012

Salicornia herbacea L. is an annual herb that grows in salt marshes and salt fields along the seashores. It is also commonly used as a folk remedy in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of Salicorrnia herbacea L. (SH) hot water extract on obesity. Five-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=36) were divided into two groups and provided either a normal fat diet (11.5% fat from kcal) or a high fat diet (40.5% fat from kcal) for 6 weeks to induce obesity. Then, rats were blocked into six groups of six mice each and provided either a diet containing SH (0.5% of diet; g/kg) or a normal diet for another 6 weeks. Final body weights were significantly reduced when rats were fed SH among the high fat diet groups (HNS and HHS). Serum triglyceride concentrations significantly decreased in every group provided SH. HDL-cholesterol concentrations significantly increased in SH-fed groups among the high fat diet groups. Further, atherogenic index significantly decreased when rats were fed SH diet (HHS). There were no differences in LDL-cholesterol between the high fat diet groups, and glucose concentrations decreased when rats were fed SH diet (HNS). These results indicate that dietary intake of Salicornia herbacea L. hot water extract might have beneficial effects on obesity by reducing body weight, fat weights, and improving blood lipid profile.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.999-1006
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• 2020

The suppression of neuroinflammatory responses in microglial cells, well known as the main immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), are considered a key target for improving the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Teleogryllus emma is widely consumed around the world for its broad-spectrum therapeutic effect. In a previous work, we performed transcriptome analysis on T. emma in order to obtain the diversity and activity of its antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are found in a variety of species, from microorganisms to mammals. They have received much attention as candidates oftherapeutic drugs for the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of Teleogryllusine (VKWKRLNNNKVLQKIYFVKI-NH₂) derived from T. emma on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced BV-2 microglia cells. Teleogryllusine significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production without cytotoxicity, and reducing pro-inflammatory enzymes expression such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In addition, Telegryllusine also inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) through down-regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. These results suggest that T. emma-derived Teleogryllusine could be a good source of functional substances that prevent neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 1992

The tegumental ultrastructure of juvenile and adult Echinostoma cinetorchis (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Three-day (juvenile) and 16-day (adult) worms were harvested from rats (Sprague-Dawley) experimentally fed the metacercariae from the laboratory-infected fresh water snail, Hippeutis cantori. The worms were fifed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, processed routinely, and observed by an ISI Korea DS-130 scanning electron microscope. The 3-day old juvenile worms were elongated and ventrally curved, with their ventral sucker near the anterior two-fifths of the body. The head crown was bearing 37∼38 collar spines arranged in a zigzag pattern. The lips of the oral and ventral suckers had 8 and 5 type II sensory papillae respectively, and bewteen the spines, a few type III papillae were observed. Tongue or spade-shape spines were distributed anteriorly to the ventral sucker, whereas peg-like spines were distributed posteriorly and became sparse toward the posterior body. The spines of the dorsal surface were similar to those of the ventral surface. The 16-day old adults were leaf-like, and their oral and ventral suckers were located very closely. Aspinous head crown, oral and ventral suckers had type II and type III sensory papillae, and numerous type I papillae were distributed on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker. Scale-like spines, with broad base and round tip, were distributed densely on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker but they became sparse posteriorly. At the dorsal surface, spines were observed at times only at the anterior body. The results showed that the tegument of E. cinetorchis is similar to that of other echinostomes, but differs in the number and arrangement of collar spines, shape and distribution of tegumenal spines, and type and distribution of sensory papillae.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.371-384
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• 2023

We investigated the occurrence of insect pests on street trees that were planted or naturally grew in a total of six urban and suburban parks (two sites in Iksan, one site in Gimje and three sites in Gwangju) in Honam region, South Korea from May to September, 2022. The six survey sites are divided into three characters, two 'nearby forest (NF)', two 'nearby river (NR)' and two 'nearby downtown (ND)' according to the created location of sites and the results on fauna of insect pests compared with street tree species for each character of survey sites. As results, we could discover 51 species of 49 genera in 27 families belonging to five insect orders from a total of 21 tree species belonging to 13 families in six survey sites. Among the insect taxa, hemipteran pests are most diverse with 22 species of 20 genera in 12 families and it is confirmed that Prunus × yedoensis Matsum. (Rosaceae) is damaged by most diverse 25 insect pests. With regard to character of survey sites, trees in 'nearby river' were affected by most diverse 34 insect pests, even though tree species were few compare to sites of 'nearby forest' and 'nearby downtown. Among the affected area of tree parts, leaf-feeding insect pests are most diverse with 22 species. From the present study, we provided a checklist of insect pests from the street trees and selected six most concerned species. Indeed, it is needed to conduct sustainable surveys and monitoring on occurrence of insect pests from street trees in urban and suburban parks because the species of planted street trees in parks can be extremely diverse with occurrence of unexpected insect pests.