• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.163-169
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• 2011

Corticosterone is known to modulate GABAergic synaptic transmission in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. However, the underlying receptor mechanisms are largely unknown. In the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA), the sympathoinhibitory center that project GABAergic neurons onto the PVN, we examined the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) of GABAergic neurons using intact GAD65-eGFP transgenic mice, and the effects of corticosterone on the burst firing using adrenalectomized transgenic mice. GR or MR immunoreactivity was detected from the subpopulations of GABAergic neurons in the AHA. The AHA GABAergic neurons expressed mRNA of GR (42%), MR (38%) or both (8%). In addition, in brain slices incubated with corticosterone together with RU486 (MR-dominant group), the proportion of neurons showing a burst firing pattern was significantly higher than those in the slices incubated with vehicle, corticosterone, or corticosterone with spironolactone (GR-dominant group; 64 vs. 11~14%, p<0.01 by $x^2$-test). Taken together, the results show that the corticosteroid receptors are expressed on the GABAergic neurons in the AHA, and can mediate the corticosteroid-induced plasticity in the firing pattern of these neurons. This study newly provides the experimental evidence for the direct glucocorticoid modulation of GABAergic neurons in the AHA in the vicinity of the PVN.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.299-307
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• 2015

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is normally related to multiorgan dysfunction and local complications. Studies have found that local pancreatic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was significantly upregulated in drug-induced SAP. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of angiotensin II receptors inhibitor valsartan on dual role of RAS in SAP in a rat model and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. 3.8% sodium taurocholate (1 ml/kg) was injected to the pancreatic capsule in order for pancreatitis induction. Rats in the sham group were injected with normal saline in identical locations. We also investigated the regulation of experimentally induced SAP on local RAS expression in the pancreas through determination of the activities of serum amylase, lipase and myeloperoxidase, histological and biochemical analysis, radioimmunoassay, fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. The results indicated that valsartan could effectively suppress the local RAS to protect against experimental acute pancreatitis through inhibition of microcirculation disturbances and inflammation. The results suggest that pancreatic RAS plays a critical role in the regulation of pancreatic functions and demonstrates application potential as AT1 receptor antagonists. Moreover, other RAS inhibitors could be a new therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.896-901
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• 2006

Zingiberis rhizoma(ZB) has been used to treat a various condition and disease in traditional oriental medicine. The present study was conducted to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of aqueous-extracted ZB(ZBE) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced immune suppression in mouse spleen cells. In spleen cell proliferation assay, ZBE enhanced mitogenic activity in mouse spleen cells. In RT-PCR, ZBE induced IL-2, IFNr and IL-6 cytokine gene expression in mouse spleen cells. In spite of MTX treatment, IL-2, IFNr and IL-6 gene expressions sustained in MTX treated spleen cells. CD45R/B220, pan B marker was slightly increased in ZBE treated mouse spleen cells. IL-6, B cell tropical cytokine, production was induced by ZBE-treated mouse spleen cells and IL-6 production was sustained on MTX-ZBE co-cultured cells. ZBE administration enhanced suNival of S-180 bearing mouse. These data indicate that ZBE has a protective effect of immune suppression caused by MTX, and ZBE may be enhance cellular and humoral function by regulate cytokine gene expression as well as the mitogenic effect on spleen cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.280-285
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• 2012

The developing embryo naturally experiences relatively low oxygen conditions in vivo. Under in vitro hypoxia, mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) lose their self-renewal activity and display an early differentiated morphology mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$). Previously, we demonstrated that histone deacetylase (HDAC) is activated by hypoxia and increases the protein stability and transcriptional activity of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in many human cancer cells. Furthermore HDAC1 and 3 mediate the differentiation of mECSs and hematopoietic stem cells. However, the role of HDACs and their inhibitors in hypoxia-induced early differentiation of mESCs remains largely unknown. Here, we examined the effects of several histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) on the self-renewal properties of mESCs under hypoxia. Inhibition of HDAC under hypoxia effectively decreased the HIF-$1{\alpha}$ protein levels and substantially improved the expression of the LIF-specific receptor (LIFR) and phosphorylated-STAT3 in mESCs. In particular, valproic acid (VPA), a pan HDACI, showed dramatic changes in HIF-$1{\alpha}$ protein levels and LIFR protein expression levels compared to other HDACIs, including sodium butyrate (SB), trichostatin A (TSA), and apicidin (AP). Importantly, our RT-PCR data and alkaline phosphatase assays indicate that VPA helps to maintain the self-renewal activity of mESCs under hypoxia. Taken together, these results suggest that VPA may block the early differentiation of mESCs under hypoxia via the destabilization of HIF-$1{\alpha}$.

• Genes and Genomics
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• 제40권12호
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• pp.1259-1267
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• 2018

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is an important subtropical fruit crop with high commercial value due to its high nutritional values and favorable tastes. However, irregular bearing attributed to unstable flowering is a major ongoing problem for litchi producers. Previous studies indicate that low-temperature is a key factor in litchi floral induction. In order to reveal the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the reproductive process in litchi, we had analyzed the transcriptome of buds before and after low-temperature induction using RNA-seq technology. A key flower bud differentiation associated gene, a homologue of FLORICAULA/LEAFY, was identified and named LcLFY (GenBank Accession No. KF008435). The cDNA sequence of LcLFY encodes a putative protein of 388 amino acids. To gain insight into the role of LcLFY, the temporal expression level of this gene was measured by real-time RT-PCR. LcLFY was highly expressed in flower buds and its expression correlated with the floral developmental stage. Heterologous expression of LcLFY in transgenic tobacco plants induced precocious flowering. Meantime, we investigated the sub-cellular localization of LcLFY. The LcLFY-Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein was found in the nucleus. The results suggest that LcLFY plays a pivotal role as a transcription factor in controlling the transition to flowering and in the development of floral organs in litchi.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제37권10호
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• pp.1343-1356
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• 2008

18개교 일반 중 고등학교와 1개교 특수학교에서 수거한 식재료 및 조리식품은 비전처리 채소가 38종, 전처리 채소가 13종, 육류 9종, 어패류(냉동 혹은 조미 포함) 3종, 건어물 7종, 반가공 혹은 가공 식재료 20종이었다. 수거한 식재료 중 전처리 야채(8종)에서 대장균군이 $3.4{\sim}4.3\;log\;CFU/g$ 수준으로 검출되었으며, 육류(4종)에서는 대장균군이 $2.2{\sim}4.3\;log\;CFU/g$ 수준으로 검출되었다. 조리식품인 생채와 샐러드에서 "학교급식 위생관리 지침"에서 제시한 대장균 검출 기준치(g당 1,000 CFU이하)를 넘어선 수준의 $2.3{\sim}55\;log\;CFU/g$ 수준의 대장균군이 검출되었고, 가열처리를 거친 조리식품에서도 $1.0{\sim}3.5\;log\;CFU/g$수준으로 대장균군이 검출되었다. 수거한 식재료와 조리식품 중 16종의 식품에서 대장균이 검출되어 식품의약품안전청(8)에서 고시한 "신선편이식품 및 즉석식품의 미생물적 품질기준(대장균, 음성)"에 부적합하였다. 병원성 식중독 세균 중에서 B. cereus는 16종의 비전처리 채소, 2종의 전처리 채소, 3종의 가공식재료, 3종의 비가열조리 식품, 8종의 가열조리식품에서 검출되었으며, 정량검사를 실시한 결과, 당근 $3.6\;log\;CFU/g$, 무우 $2.9\;log\;CFU/g$, 부추 $2.5\;log\;CFU/g$, 건새우 쥐어채볶음 2.3 log CFU/g 수준으로 검출되었다. 용혈성 대장균인 E. coli O157:H7은 가공식품인 탕수육용 냉동돼지고기(k교)에서 검출되었고, API kit를 이용하여 생화학적 방법으로 확인 동정되었다. C. jejuni 는 i교에 공급된 비전처리 채소인 무와 r교의 전처리 채소인 채썬 양배추, f교의 오이채, 당근채에서 검출되었다. V. parahaemolyticus는 g교의 비전처리 채소류인 당근, 피망, 양배추, 깻잎과 전처리 채소인 깐 적양배추, 오이채, 깐 양상추에서 검출되었으며 조리된 식품인 비빔채 소국수에서 검출되었고, e교와 f교에 공급된 전처리 채소인 오이채와 e교에 공급된 가공식품인 냉동 미트볼에서 검출되었다. 이는 식품의약품안전청에서 제시한 '즉석섭취식품', '즉석조리식품', '신선편이식품'에서의 V. parahaemolyticus는 '음성' 검출기준에 적합치 않은 것으로 나타났다. Salmonella spp.는 r교에 공급된 냉동 닭고기에서 1건이 검출되었고 API kit 및 Salmonella 항혈청에 대한 응집반응을 통해 확인 동정하였다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제58권2호
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• pp.129-134
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• 2005

배 경 : 에탐부톨의 내성여부는 결핵 환자 처방 결정에 있어서 중요 변수의 하나가 된다. 에탐부톨 내성의 상당부분이 embB 유전자의 돌연변이와 관계가 있으므로 역교잡반응법으로 이 유전자의 돌연변이를 신속하게 검출하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 에탐부톨 내성에 관련된 embB 유전자의 306번, 406번, 497번 아미노산의 정상적인 염기서열과 돌연변이 염기서열에 대한 probe를 합성하였고, 약제감수성검사에서 에탐부톨 내성균으로 나타난 149균과 전약제 감수성으로 나타난 50개균을 대상으로 조사하였다. 결 과 : 149개의 에탐부톨 내성균 중에서 embB 유전자 전체에서 돌연변이가 나타난 균은 100균주(67.1%)였으며, 그 중 embB 유전자 중 306번 돌연변이를 가진 균주가 75주(50.3%), 406번 돌연변이를 가진 균주가 16주(10.7%), 497번 돌연변이가 있는 균주가 13주(8.7%)였다. 이 중 4균주는 306번과 406번 돌연변이를 동시에 가지고 있었다. 406번 돌연변이 하나만 가지고 있는 균은 12균주(8.1%)로 이는 다른 조사에서 볼 수 없었던 비교적 높은 수치이었다. 한편 에탐부톨 및 11가지 항결핵약제에서 감수성인 50개균에서는 embB 유전자의 돌연변이를 발견하지 못하였다. 결 론 : 역교잡반응법으로 에탐부톨 내성에 관련되어 있는 것으로 알려진 embB 유전자 돌연변이를 찾는 것이 가능하였으며, 에탐부톨 내성기전 및 관련 유전자가 더 발견되어 민감도가 향상된다면 신속한 에탐부톨내성균 검출이 가능할 것으로 본다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.2251-2256
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• 2015

To study effects of cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-$1{\beta}$-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) inhibition by RNA interference (RNAi) on sensitivity of U2OS cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, plasmid pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was constructed and then transfected into U2OS cells. A stable transfection cell clone U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was screened from the c-FLIP-siRNA transfected cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to measure the expression of c-FLIP at the levels of mRNA and protein. The results indicated that the expression of c-FLIP was significantly suppressed by the c-FLIP-siRNA in the cloned U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA as compared with the control cells of U2OS/pSUPER. The cloned cell line of U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was further examined for TRAILinduced cell death and apoptosis in the presence of a pan-antagonist of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) AT406, with or without 4 hrs pretreatment with rocaglamide, an inhibitor of c-FLIP biosynthesis, for 24 hrs. Cell death effects and apoptosis were measured by the methods of MTT assay with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and flow cytometry, respectively. The results indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death in U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was increased compared with control cells U2OS/pSUPER in the presence or absence of AT406. Flow cytometry indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death effects proceeded through cell apoptosis pathway. However, in the presence of rocaglamide, cell death or apoptotic effects of TRAIL were similar and profound in both cell lines, suggesting that the mechanism of action for both c-FLIP-siRNA and rocaglamide was identical. We conclude that the inhibition of c-FLIP by either c-FLIP-siRNA or rocaglamide can enhance the sensitivity of U2OS to TRAIL-induced apopotosis, suggesting that inhibition of c-FLIP is a good target for anti-cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.437-442
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• 2015

Aim: To establish a pancreatic cancer stem cell model using human pancreatic cancer cells in nude mice to provide a platform for pancreatic cancer stem cell research. Materials and Methods: To establish pancreatic cancer xenografts using human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990, nude mice were randomly divided into control and gemcitabine groups. When the tumor grew to a volume of $125mm^3$, they treated with gemcitabine at a dose of 50mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection of 0.2ml in the gemcitabine group, while the mice in control group were treated with the same volume of normal saline. Gemcitabine was given 2 times a week for 3 times. When the model was established, the proliferation of pancreatic cancer stem cells was observed by clone formation assay, and the protein and/or mRNA expression of pancreatic stem cell surface markers including CD24, CD44, CD133, ALDH, transcription factors containing Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog and Gli, the key nuclear transcription factor in Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway was detected by Western blot and/or RT-PCR to verify the reliability of this model. Results: This model is feasible and safe. During the establishment, no mice died and the weight of nude mice maintained above 16.5g. The clone forming ability in gemcitabine group was stronger than that of the control group (p<0.01). In gemcitabine group, the protein expression of pancreatic cancer stem cell surface markers including CD44, and ALDH was up-regulated, the protein and mRNA expression of nuclear transcription factor including Oct-4, Sox-2 and Nanog was also significantly increased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein expression of key nuclear transcription factor in Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway, Gli-1, was significantly enhanced (p<0.01). Conclusions: The pancreatic cancer stem cell model was successfully established using human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 in nude mice. Gemcitabine could enrich pancreatic cancer stem cells, simultaneously accompanied by the activation of Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권12호
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• pp.873-880
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• 2014

In our previous study, miRNA-183, a miRNA in the miR-96-182-183 cluster, was significantly over-expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, we explored the oncogenic roles of miR-183 in ESCC by gain and loss of function analysis in an esophageal cancer cell line (EC9706). Genome-wide mRNA micro-array was applied to determine the genes that were regulated directly or indirectly by miR-183. 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot were conducted to verify the target gene of miR-183. Cell culture results showed that miR-183 inhibited apoptosis (p < 0.05), enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05), and accelerated G1/S transition (p < 0.05). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of miR-183 on apoptosis was rescued when miR-183 was suppressed via miR-183 inhibitor (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), which was predicted as the target gene of miR-183 by microarray profiling and bioinformatics predictions, decreased when miR-183 was over-expressed. The 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-183 directly regulated PDCD4 by binding to sequences in the 3'UTR of PDCD4. Pearson correlation analysis further confirmed the significant negative correlation between miR-183 and PDCD4 in both cell lines and in ESCC patients. Our data suggest that miR-183 might play an oncogenic role in ESCC by regulating PDCD4 expression.