• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.136-145
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• 2010

Natural killer T (NKT) cell is a special type of T lymphocytes that has both receptor of natural killer (NK) cell (NK1.1, CD161c) and T cell (TCR) and express a conserved or invariant T cell receptor called $V{\alpha}14J{\alpha}18$ in mice or Va24 in humans. Invariant NKT (iNKT) cell recognizes lipid antigen presented by CD1d molecules. Marine-sponge-derived glycolipid, ${\alpha}-galactosylceremide$ (${\alpha}-GalCer$), binds CD1d at the cell surface of antigen-presenting cells and is presented to iNKT cells. Within hours, iNKT cells become activated and start to secrete Interleukin-4 and $interferon-{\gamma}$. NKT cell prevents autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, systemic lupus erythematous, inflammatory colitis, and Graves' thyroiditis, by activation with ${\alpha}-GalCer$. In addition, NKT cell is associated with infectious diseases by mycobacteria, leshmania, and virus. Moreover NKT cell is associated with asthma, especially CD4+ iNKT cells. In this review, I will discuss the characteristics of NKT cell and the association with inflammatory diseases, especially asthma.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.293-296
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• 2015

A new L-isoascorbic acid derivative epi-leptosphaerin (1) and two known compounds leptosphaerin (2), and verongamine (3) were isolated from sponges of the orders Verongida and Thorectidae. Compounds 1 and 2 are most likely of sponge-associated fungal origin. In the present study, isolated compounds were investigated for their inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), which is considered a promising target for the management of pain, inflammation, and comorbidities associated with diabetes. Compound 3, verongamine, displayed weak inhibitory activity against sEH with an $IC_{50}$ value $51.5{\pm}1.0{\mu}M$.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2015

The bacterial community structures of two marine sponges, Cinachyrella sp. and Plakortis sp., collected from Chuuk in the South Pacific in February 2012 were analyzed by PCR-DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) fingerprinting. After isolation of the total genomic DNAs from the sponges, the V3 regions of the 16S rRNA genes were amplified and subjected to DGGE profiling. The two species of sponges displayed different DGGE band patterns. The sequences derived from the DGGE bands revealed 85-100% similarities to known bacterial species in the public database. The bacterial community of Cinachyrella sp. was composed of 6 classes: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Proteobacteria (Alpha-, Gamma-, Delta-). The bacterial community of Plakortis sp. included 7 classes: Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, and Proteobacteria (Alpha-, Gamma-, Delta-). Though Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria were commonly found in both sponges, the predominant bacterial communities differed between the two. Namely, the predominant bacterial groups in Cinachyrella sp. and Plakortis sp. were Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi, respectively. The sponge-associated bacteria are sponge host-specific, as each of the tested sponges from the same geographical location had different predominant bacterial diversity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.445-452
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• 2004

We investigated the cytotoxic effects of seven furanoterpenoids 〔sarcotin A, epi-sarcotin A, ircinin-1, epi-sarcotrine B, sarcotin I, (8E, l3Z, 20Z)-strobilinin/(7E,l3Z, 20Z)-felixinin and (7E,12E,18R,20Z)-variabilin〕 isolated from the sponge Sarcotragus sp. (the order Dictyoceratida) on the growth of A549 human lung carcinoma cells. MTT data revealed that sarcotin A and (7E,12E,18R,20Z)-variabilin exhibited higher potencies on the anti-proliferative activities than the other compounds in A549 cells. The growth inhibition by treatment with compounds (especially epi-sarcotin A, ircinin-1 and epi-sarcotrine B) were associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death through the concentration-dependent increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in a p53-dependent or independent pathway Additionally, epi-sarcotin A and ircinin-1 strongly inhibited the levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression without alteration of COX-1. Taken together, the results suggest that the furanoterpenoids from the marine sponge have strong potentials as candidates for anti-cancer drugs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.89-94
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• 1998

Marine sponges are recognized as a plentiful source of diverse biologically active secondary metabolites. Recently, we have initiated a research to discover antitumor constituents from the marine sponges collected from Korean Waters. Marine sponges collected from the South Sea of Korea were screened for several biological activities including such as brine shrimp lethality and cytotoxicity. Significant brine shrimp lethality was detected in the crude extract of a two-sponge association of Poecillastra sp. and Jaspis sp. A cross-section of this sample showed two layers of morphologically distinct sponges. The thin and dirty yellow outer layer was identified as Poecillastra sp. (Pachastrellidae), the surface of which was very rough. The light-grey inner layer was identified as Jaspis sp. (Jaspidae), the surface of which was smooth. This two-sponge association appears to be consistent as these sponges were always found in associated form regardless of collection site or collection period. Investigation of the bioactive constituents monitored by brine shrimp lethality assay led to the isolation of pectenotoxin II (PTX2) and psammaplin A as causative compounds for the brine shrimp lethality. $^1$H- and $\^$13/C-nmr signals of PTX2 was fully assigned utilizing TOCSY, HETCOR, Long-range HETCOR, and Homonuclear J-resolved 2D experiments. PTX2 displayed very potent and selective cytotoxicities in the 60 cell line panel antitumor assay at the NCI. PTX2 has progressed to acute toxicity determination and in vivo antitumor assay at the NCI (Table 1). However, significant in vitro antitumor activity of PTX2 can not be affirmed in the in vivo assay.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.41-45
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• 2016

Chemical investigation of a marine-derived fungus, Penicillium sp. 108YD020, resulted in the discovery of six bile acid derivatives, glycocholic acid (1), glycocholic acid methyl ester (2), cholic acid (3), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (4), glycodeoxycholic acid methyl ester (5), and cholic acid methyl ester (6). The structures of six bile acid derivatives 1-6 were determined by the detailed analysis of 1D, 2D NMR and LC-MS data, along with chemical methods and literature data analysis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 1999

Psammaplin A, a natural bromotyrosine derivative from an associated form of two sponges (Poecillastra sp. and jaspis sp.) was found to possess the antimicrobial effect on the Gram-positive bacteria, especially on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The minimal inhibitory concentration of psammaplin A against twenty one MRSAs ranged from 0.781 to 6.25 ${\mu}g/ml$, which that of ciprofloxacin was 0.391~3.125${\mu}g/ml$. Psammaplin A could not bind to penicillin binding protein, but inhibited the DNA synthesis and the DNA gyrase activity with the respective 50% (DNA synthesis) and 100% (DNA gyrase) inhibitory concentration 2.83 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. These results indicate that psammaplin A has a considerable antibacterial activity, although restricted to a somewhat narrow range of bacteria, probably by inhibiting DNA gyrase.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.79-91
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• 2018

Three new genera and species of siphonostomatoid copepods are described as associates of sponges from shallow water of Samar Island in the Philippines: Samarus filipes n. gen., n. sp., Paurocheres dentatus n. gen., n. sp., and Platymyzon umbonatum n. gen., n. sp. A new family Samarusidae is proposed to accommodate Samarus n. gen. which has rudimentary legs 1-5 represented only by filiform setae. Paurocheres n. gen. is characterized by 2-segmented endopod of leg 4 and reduced setation of legs, and Platymyzon n. gen. by missing of mandibular gnathobase.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.32-50
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• 2000

A descriptive exploratory design was used in this study to evaluate the effects of sponge bathing on physiological(heart rate, heart period, vagal tone, oxygen saturation, respiration) and behavioral responses in newly born 40 preterm infants from intensive care unit of S University Hospital in Seoul. Data has been collected from October, 1997 to March, 1999. The infants were between 27-33 weeks gestational age at birth, and were free of congenital defects. The subjects entered the protocol when they were medically stable (determined by initiation of feeding and discontinuation of all respiratory support) but still receiving neonatal intensive care. The infants' physiologic parameters were recorded a 10 - minute before, during, and after bathing. Continuous heart rate data were recorded on a notebook computer from the infant's EKG monitor. The data were digitized off-line on software(developed by Lee and Chang in Wavelet program) which detected the peak of the R wave for each heart beat and quantified sequential R-R intervals in msec(i.e. heart periods). Heart period data were edited to remove movement artifact. Heart period data were quantified as : 1) mean heart period; 2) vagal tone. Vagal tone was quantitfied with a noninvasive measure developed by Porges(1985) in Mxedit software. To determine behavioral status, tools were developed by Scafidi et al(1990) were used. Collected data were analyzed with the SPSS program using paried t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The result were as follow. 1. The results of the ANOVAs indicated that vagal tone were signifcantly lower during bathing than baseline and post-bathing. There were significant differences in heart period and heart rate levels across the bathing. But the mean oxygen saturations and respirations were no differences. Also, there were no significant differences on behavioral sign, motor activity, behavioral distress, weight changes, morbidity, and hospitalization period. 2. To evaluate the relation between vagal tone and subsequent parameters, the two groups (the high group had 19 subjects and low group had 21subjects) were divided by the mean baseline vagal tone. Vagal tone measured prior to bathing were significantly associated with respiration before bathing, vagal tone during bathing, and the magnitude of change in both vagal tone. But, other subsequent reactivities were no differences in two groups. 3. Correlations were also calculated between vagal tone and the subsequent physiological reactivities from baseline through after- bathing. Correlations were significant between baseline vagal tone and baseline heart rate, between baseline vagal tone and baseline heart period, between baseline vagal tone and oxygen saturation after bathing. In summary, the bathing in this study showed a stressful stimulus on premature infants through there was significance in the physiological parameters. In addition, our study represents the documentation that vagal tone reactivity in response to clearly defined external stimulation provides an index of infant's status.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 1997

Pectenotoxin 2 (PTX2), isolated from marine sponges, was examined for its hepatotoxic potential using male ICR mice. PTX2 $(20\;or\;100\;{\mu}g/kg/day,\;ip)$ was administered to mice repeatedly for one or two week. Histopathological examination revealed an increase in granularity in the liver from the mice treated with PTX2. PTX2 did not alter the parameters for hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity such as sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Cytochrome P-450, cytochrome $b_5$, or NADPH cytochrome c reductase was net changed by repeated administration of PTX2. Hepatic microsomal activity of p-nitroanisole O-demethylase, but not aminopyrine N-demethylase, was slightly depressed by PTX2 administerd repeatedly $(100\;{\mu}g/kg/day,\;ip)$ fur 2 weeks. The toxicity of PTX2 $(200\;{\mu}g/kg/day,\;ip)$ was determined in mice pretreated with a metabolic inducer or inhibitor such as phenobarbital, 3-methyl-cholanthrene, $CoCl_2$, or SKF 525-A. Significant alterations in lethality and hepatotoxicity of PTX2 were observed in mice pretreated with a metabolic modulator. The results suggest that liver seems to be the target organ for PTX2 toxicity and also that induction of the PTX2 toxicity may be associated with hepatic drug metabolizing activity.