• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권8호
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• pp.1222-1226
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• 2020

Lactobacillus reuteri NK33 (NK33) and Bifidobacterium adolescentis NK98 (NK98) alleviate immobilization stress-induced depression. To understand the gut microbiota-mediated mechanisms of NK33 and NK98 against depression, we examined their effects on Escherichia coli K1 (K1)-induced depression and gut dysbiosis in mice. NK33, NK98, and their mixtures (1:1, 4:1, and 9:1) mitigated K1-induced depression and colitis. NK33 and NK98 additively or synergistically increased BDNF⁺/NeuN⁺ cell population and suppressed NF-κB action in the hippocampus. They alleviated gut dysbiosis by reducing the Proteobacteria population and increasing the Clostridia population. These results suggest that NK33 and NK98 may alleviate depression and colitis by ameliorating gut dysbiosis.

• 한국유기농업학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.553-563
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• 2011

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of nattokinase (NK) additives on milk production and composition, and blood metabolites in dairy cows. The two kinds of nattokinase with high fibrinolytic activity were produced by two strains of bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefacines (NK1) and Bacillus subtilis (NK2). Total fifteen Holstein cows (average $1.83{\pm}0.37$ parity; average milk yield $23.2{\pm}3.2$ kg/d) were randomly assigned to three treatments (5 animals per treatment). Cows were fed TMR supplemented with 0g, 100g and 100g for control, NK1 and NK2 treatment, respectively for 4 weeks. Milk yield was significantly higher (p<0.05) for NK1 (22.89 kg/d) than for control (21.07 kg/d) and NK2 (21.36 kg/d). Somatic cell counts in NK treatments were significantly lower than that in control group (58,000 vs. 21,000 and 35,000 cells/ml, control vs. NK1 and NK2). Serum ALT levels in all treatment were similar to the range of 32.00~35.83 IU/L, but AST levels in NK1 (85.67 IU/L) was significantly decreased compared with those in control and NK2 (121.67 and 117.67 IU/L respectively). Serum T-CHO levels in NK1 (145.33 mg/dl) was significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with that in control (179.00 mg/dl) and NK2 (176.17 mg/dl). This finding showed that NK1 additives could possibly have a positive effect in lactation performance of mid-lactation dairy cows by increasing milk yield, reducing somatic cell count, improving liver function and decreasing cholesterol in blood.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.397-404
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• 2022

Natural killer (NK) cell activity is more attenuated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients than normal. Hypoxic-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is highly expressed in tumors to maintain their metabolism in a hypoxic environment. The expression of HIF-1α in cancers can lead to cell growth, proliferation, invasion/metastasis and immune escape. Although apigenin, a flavonoid, is known to have various biological activities, it has not been demonstrated in NK cell immune activity in HCC cells. In this study, NK-92 cells were directly cocultured with HCC SK-Hep1 cells for 24 h to evaluate NK cell activity in HCC cells or HCC cells expressing HIF-1α by apigenin. NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells expressing HIF-1α was significantly increased, and NK cell-activating receptors, NKG2D, NKp30 and NKp44 were highly expressed. The activating effect of apigenin on NK cells substantially induced apoptosis in HCC cells expressing HIF-1α through high expression of CD95L on the surface of NK-92 cells. Moreover, apigenin excellently inhibited the level of TGF-β1 in a coculture of NK cells and HCC cells. In conclusion, apigenin seems to be a good compound that increases NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells by controlling HIF-1α expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in innate immune system and tumor surveillance. NK cells are derived from $CD34^+$hematopoietic stem cells and undergo differentiation via precursor NK cells in bone marrow (BM) through sequential acquisition of functional surface receptors. During differentiation of NK cells, many factors are involved including cytokines, membrane factors and transcription factors as well as microenvironment of BM. NK cells express their own repertoire of receptors including activating and inhibitory receptors that bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or class I-related molecules. The balance between activating and inhibitory receptors determines the function of NK cells to kill targets. Binding of NK cell inhibitory receptors to their MHC class I-ligand renders the target cells to be protected from NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Thus, NK cells are able to discriminate self from non-self through MHC class I-binding inhibitory receptor. Using intrinsic properties of NK cells, NK cells are emerging to apply as therapeutic agents against many types of cancers. Recently, NK cell alloactivity has also been exploited in killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor mismatched haploidentical stem cell transplantation to reduce the rate of relapse and graft versus host disease. In this review, we discuss the basic mechanisms of NK cell differentiation, diversity of NK cell receptors, and clinical applications of NK cells for anti-cancer immunotherapy.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.69-77
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• 2022

가축에서 항생제의 남용은 항생제 내성균의 발생을 유도하므로 가축과 사람의 건강을 위협할 수 있다. 이에 따라 항생제를 대체할 수 있는 물질 중 하나로 항균펩타이드(antimicrobial peptides)가 연구되고 있다. 항균펩타이드는 12-50개의 아미노산으로 구성된 펩타이드로 숙주에 감염된 다양한 박테리아를 사멸시키고 면역작용을 조절하는 등 선천성 면역에 중요한 물질이다. 본 연구에서는 닭과 돼지의 NK-2를 조합하여 cpNK라는 chimeric 펩타이드를 합성하였으며 이것의 항균효과를 검증하였다. 그 결과, cpNK는 그람음성균인 E. coli와 Salmonella spp. 그리고 그람 양성균인 L. monocytogenes과 S. aureus를 사멸시켰으며, cpNK는 그람음성균에서 더 강력한 살균효과를 보였다. 특히, cpNK는 메티실린 내성 황색포도상구균 (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA)에 대해서도 항균효과를 보여주었다. 또한, 27aa인 cpNK의 크기를 줄인 21aa의 cpNK-a1과 13aa의 cpNK-a2를 합성하여 마찬가지로 항균효과를 측정한 결과, cpNK보다는 약한 항균효과를 보였지만 여러 병원균의 생존율을 감소시켰다. 따라서 본 연구를 통해 우수한 항균효과를 갖는 cpNK와 cpNK로부터 유도된 펩타이드들을 항생제 대체제로 사용할 수 있는 가능성을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 약학회지
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.139-146
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• 1997

In the present study, capsaicin-induced desensitization of peripheral sensory nerves were investigated by using guinea pig bronchi, in which these nerves are stimulated with cap saicin to produce a contractile response via the release of sensory neuropeptides such as substance P and neurokinin A. The contractile response to capsaicin was inhibited by the combination of CP96345 and SR 48968 suggesting that the excitatory effect of capsaicin is mediated via both the tachykinin NK-1 and NK-2 receptor. Capsaicin produced in vitro-desensitization in dose-dependent manner, but after this in vitro-desensitization the response to NK-1 and NK-2 receptor agonist did not change. Systemic administration (s.c.) of capsaicin also desensitized significantly bronchial tissues but could not produce any change in the contractile response to the selective agonists of NK-1 and NK-2 receptor. Therefore, the present results suggest that functional desensitization to capsaicin-induced contractile response in guinea pig bronchi does not involve NK-1 and NK-2 receptor, while excitatory effect of capsaicin is mediated via both NK-1 and NK-2 receptor. In conclusion, it is suggested that capsaicin- induced excitation and desensitization involves somewhat different pathways.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.247-251
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• 2005

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are CD3 (-) CD14 (-) CD56 (+) lymphocytes. They play an important role in the body's innate immune response. They can induce spontaneous killing of cancer cells or virus-infected cells via the Fas/Fas ligand or the granzyme/perforin systems. The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is an important regulator for the body's stress response. It promotes proliferation and migration of various cancer cells through the CRH type 1 receptor under stress, and also inhibits NK or T cell activity. However, the relationship of CRH and NK cell migration to the target has not been confirmed. Herein, we study the effect of CRH on NK cell migration. Methods: We used the human NK cell line, NK-92MI, and tested the expression of CRH receptor type 1 on NK-92MI by RT-PCR. This was to examine the effect of CRH on tumor and NK cell migration, thus NK cells (NK-92MI) were incubated with or without CRH and then each CRH treated cell's migration ability compared to that of the CRH untreated group. Results: We confirmed that CRH receptor type 1 is expressed in NK-92MI. CRH can decrease NK cell migration in a time-/dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These data suggest CRH can inhibit NK cell migration to target cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.278-282
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• 2009

본 논문은 홍삼 산성 다당류 (RGAP)의 생체외 쥣과 NK 세포 활성 향상에 대한 내용으로 주요 내용은 다음과 같다. RGAP는 Yac-1 종양 세포에서 NK 세포 활성을 향상시켰다. 비장 세포에 16시간 동안 RGAP 10 및 $100{\mu}g$/ml을 처리한 결과, NK 활성이 239와 250% 증가 하였다. 인터페론 (IFN)-$\gamma$ 생성은 17-125% 증가하였고, 종양 괴사 인자 (TNF)-${\alpha}$ 생성도 15-100% 증가 하였다. NK 세포의 세포 독성 증가는 NK 세포가 생성하는 이 두 시토카인 증가가 원인이다. 따라서 RGAP는 NK 세포에 미치는 면역증진 효과가 있다는 내용이다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권7호
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• pp.864-874
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• 2023

Natural killer (NK) cell dysfunctions against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a hypoxic environment. Many solid tumors are present in a hypoxic condition, which changes the effector function of various immune cells. The transcription of hypoxic-inducible factors (HIFs) in cancer cells make it possible to adapt to their hypoxic environment and to escape the immune surveillance of NK cells. Recently, the correlation between the transcription of HIF-1α and pro-inflammatory cytokines has been reported. Interleukin (IL)-6 is higher in cancers with a highly invasive ability, and is closely related to the metastasis of cancers. This study showed that the expression of HIF-1α in HCC cells was associated with the presence of IL-6 in the environment of HCC-NK cells. Blocking of IL-6 by antibody in the HCC-NK interaction changed the production of several cytokines including TGF-β, IL-1, IL-18 and IL-21. Interestingly, in a co-culture of HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells and NK cells, blocking of IL-6 increased the production of IL-21 in their supernatants. In addition, the absence of IL-6 significantly enhanced the cytotoxic ability and the expression of the activating receptors (NKG2D, NKp44, and NKG2C) in NK cells to HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells. These effects might be made by the decreased expression of HIF-1α in HCC cells through the inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3. In conclusion, the absence of IL-6 in the interaction of HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells and NK cells could enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells to HCC cells.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.488-492
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• 2012

전통방식으로 숙성되고 있는 한식간장의 표면으로부터 분리된 바위꽃과 메밀꽃이라 불리는 미생물을 18S rDNA ITS1과 ITS4 지역의 염기서열를 분석한 결과, 각각 Cladosporium 종들과 S. halophilus의 염기서열과 높은 상동성을 보였다. 이에 따라 바위꽃 미생물은 Cladosporium sp. NK1로, 메밀꽃 미생물은 S. halophilus NK2로 명명하였다. YPD 액체 배지를 이용한 최적 생장 pH와 온도에 있어서 Cladosporium sp. NK1은 각각 pH 6과 22-$27^{\circ}C$였고, S. halophilus NK2는 각각 pH 5-7과 $22^{\circ}C$였다. Cladosporium sp. NK1는 NaCl를 첨가하지 않은 YPD 액체배지에서 가장 잘 생장하였으나, protease 및 amylase 효소활성에 있어서는 각각 10%와 15% NaCl이 첨가된 YPD 배양액 시료에서 가장 높았다. S. halophilus NK2는 10% NaCl이 첨가된 YPD 액체배지까지 매우 잘 생장하였으며, protease 활성은 10% NaCl이 첨가된 YPD 배양액 시료에서, amylase 활성은 5% NaCl이 첨가된 배양액 시료에서 가장 높았다. Cladosporium sp. NK1과 S. halophilus NK2의 lipase 활성은 보이지 않았다. 간장의 관능평가 결과 Cladosporium sp. NK1 균주는 간장의 맛에서, S. halophilus NK2는 향미에서 유의적 차이를 보였다.