• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.256-261
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• 2015

This study was conducted to assess the influence of hazard pattern in the surface structure of pollen grains of Campsis grandiflora, and cytotoxicity of different part extracts and nectar on RAW264.7 macrophages. The pollen grains were medium sized ($21.8{\mu}m$) with tricolpate aperture type. In equatorial view, the pollens were prolate (P/E=1.8) and the exine pattern was smooth and reticulate. This result contradict with the rumor of having a hook-shaped protuberance that can damage the cornea because we couldn't observed any protuberance on the surface of the outer wall. Furthermore, we investigated the 70% MeOH extracts (flower, leaf, stem) and nectar of C. grandiflora for their cell viability in temporal basis via MTT analysis on RAW264.7 macrophage cells. There was no significant difference in the cytotoxicity among the MeOH extracts and nectar of C. grandiflora after 24 h. However, nectar showed the dosedependent cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 macrophage cells after 48 h.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.992-998
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• 2018

Cancer cells grow in an environment composed of various components that supports tumor growth. Major cell types in the tumor microenvironment are fibroblast, endothelial cells and immune cells. All of these cells communicate with cancer cells. Among infiltrating immune cells as an abundant component of solid tumors, macrophages are a major component of the tumor microenvironment and orchestrates various aspects of immunity. The complex balance between pro-tumoral and anti-tumoral effects of immune cell infiltration can create a chronic inflammatory microenvironment essential for tumor growth and progression. Macrophages express different functional programs in response to microenvironmental signals, defined as M1 and M2 polarization. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) secret many cytokines, chemokines and proteases, which also promote tumor angiogenesis, growth, metastasis and immunosuppression. TAM have multifaceted roles in the development of many tumor types. TAM also interact with cancer stem cells. This interaction leads to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. TAM obtain various immunosuppressive functions to maintain the tumor microenvironment. TAM are characterized by their heterogeneity and plasticity, as they can be functionally reprogrammed to polarized phenotypes by exposure to cancer-related factors, stromal factors, infections, or even drug interventions. Because TAMs produce tumor-specific chemokines by the stimulation of stromal factors, chemokines might serve as biomarkers that reflect disease activity. The evidence has shown that cancer tissues with high infiltration of TAM are associated with poor patient prognosis and resistance to therapies. Targeting of TAM in tumors is considered a promising therapeutic strategy for anti-cancer treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.733-737
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• 2018

Cucurbitacin-I, a natural triterpenoid derived from Cucurbitaceae family plants, exhibits a number of potentially useful pharmacological and biological activities. Indeed, the previous study demonstrated that cucurbitacin-I reduced the proliferation of colon cancer cells by enhancing apoptosis and causing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. CD44, a type I transmembrane protein with the function of adhering to cells, mediates between the extracellular matrix and other cells through hyaluronic acid. Recent studies have demonstrated that an overexpression of the CD44 membrane receptor results in tumor initiation and growth, specific behaviors of cancer stem cells, the development of drug resistance, and metastasis. The aim was to examine the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression human ovarian cancer cells because the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression has not been reported. The expressions of CD44 mRNA and protein were detected using a quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and a Western blot analysis, respectively. Treatment with cucurbitacin-I inhibited the expression of CD44 mRNA and protein. A subsequent analysis revealed that cucurbitacin-I blocked the phosphorylation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), which are key regulators of CD44 expression. Taken together, the data demonstrate that cucurbitacin-I regulates the AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, leading to decreased CD44 expression.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.531-534
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• 2010

Purpose: Lipobean$^{(R)}$s, widely used in lipodissolving techniques, contain phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate as its main substances. They have been approved only as medication for liver disease by the FDA. However, they have been used under various clinical settings without exact knowledge of its action mechanism. The authors designed an in vitro study to analyze the effects of different concentrations of phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate on adipocytes and other types of cells. Methods: Human adipose-derived stem cell were cultured and induced to differentiate into adipocytes. Fibroblasts extracted from human inferior turbinate tissue, and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast lines were cultured. Phosphatidylcholine solution dissolved with ethanol was applied to the culture medium at differing concentrations (1, 4, 7, 10 mg/mL). The sodium deoxycholate solution dissolved in DMSO applied to the medium at differing concentrations (0.07, 0.1. 0.4. 0.7 mg/mL). Cells were dispersed at a concentration of $5{\times}10^3$ cells/well in 24 well plates, and surviving cells were calculated 1 day after the application using a CCK-8 kit. Results: The number of surviving cells of adipocytes, fibroblasts and osteoblasts decreased as the concentration of sodium deoxycholate increased. However, all types of cells that had been processed in a phosphatidylcholine showed a cell survival rate of over 70% at all concentrations. Conclusion: This study shows that sodium deoxycholate is the more major factor in destroying adipocytes, and it is also toxic to the other cells. Therefore, we conclude that care must be taken when using Lipobean$^{(R)}$s as a method of reducing adipose tissue, for its toxicity may destroy other nontarget cells existing in the subcutaneous tissue layer.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1-11
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• 2006

Grafted tissues were investigated using various microscopic techniques. Pinus thunbergii was used as stock and scion and autografted by cleft graft method. Histochemically, grafting processes can be proceeded by four stages: 1) formation of necrotic layer, 2) proliferation of callus, 3) development of neo-cambium from callus, and 4) restoration of new vascular xylem. Necrotic la yer composed of pectin and lignin was gradually degraded during grafting process and disappeared when new union was formed between stock and scion. A large number of starch and lipid bodies in the cytoplasm were also gradually degraded during grafting process and disappeared at the grafting interface. Nucleus and plasmodesmata were not changed. Bubble-like callus was generated from all living parenchyma cells and from the callus. The tracheary elements differentiated from the callus had either reticulate or pit-like thickenings in the secondary walls with bordered pits. Secondary cell wall thickening occurred toward filing to the void parts between reticulated secondary wall. Tracheids formed in the secondary xylem were short with irregular wall thickness. New secondary xylem cells with swirled shapes, which developed in graft union were oriented horizontally and obliquely to axis of the stem.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2009

Purpose: STAT3 is an oncogene that regulates critical cellular processes, and its constitutive activation has been demonstrated to correlate with biological and clinical features in many types of human malignancy. Materials and Methods: In this study, STAT3 activation was assessed in variable benign and malignant chondroid tumors in bone by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody specific for $tyrosine^{705}$-phosphorylated STAT3 ($pSTAT3^{tyr705}$). Results: Among conventional chondrosarcomas (n=17), three cases(50%) of grade III chondrosarcomas were pSTAT3-positive. All grade I and II chondrosarcomas were pSTAT3-negative. This pSTAT3 positivity according to the histologic grade was statistically significant (p=0.0432). Two cases(50%) of clear cell chondrosarcomas were pSTAT3-positive. Six cases (50%) among 12 benign chondroid tumors(6 enchondromas, 3 chondroblastomas, and 3 chondromyxoid fibromas) were also $pSTAT3^{tyr705}$-positive. Conclusion: In conclusion, STAT3 activation is associated with higher tumor grade in conventional chondrosarcomas. Our results suggest that STAT3 is activated in a subset of benign and malignant chondroid tumors, and may support the extension of the cancer stem cell hypothesis to include tumors of cartilaginous lineage.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2008

The methanol extract of stem barks of Careya arborea Roxb. (MECA) (Family- Myrtaceae) was evaluated for antitumor activity and antioxidant status against Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. After 24 h of tumor inoculation the MECA was administered at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/mice/day for 14 days. After the last dose and 18 h fasting mice were sacrificed. The effect of MECA on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts, hematological profiles, serum and liver biochemical parameters were estimated. The MECA showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease in ascites volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and prolonged the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profiles reverted to more or less normal levels in extract treated mice. The MECA also produced protective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increase the protein and uric acid levels. MECA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation, while significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of glutathione content, vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase and catalase CAT. The results indicate that MECA exhibited significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in EAC bearing mice.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.449-456
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• 1992

Expermient were conducted to determine the effect of phosphorus stress on bacteroid content and energy status of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) nodules. Plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum MN 110 were grown with P-stressed (0.05 mM-P) and control (1 mM-P) treatment in the greenhouse. Phosphorus stress decreased nodule mass per plant and nodule mass to whole plant mass ratio. Phosphorus concentration in leaf, stem and root tissues were reduced by 75% but in nodule tissue was reduced only by 40% under phosphorus stress during 3 week experimental period. The bacteroid content per unit nodule mass and the distribution of total nitrogen and total phosphorus among the bacteroid and plant cell fractions of nodule were not affected significantly by phosphorus stress. Regardless of phosphorus treatment, 22% of the nitrogen and 27% of the phosphorus in whole nodules were associated with the bacteroid fraction. The ATP and total adenylate concentrations in and energy charge of whole nodule were decreased 77%, 46% and 37%, respectively, by phosphorus stress. The ATP concentration in and energy charge of the host plant cell fraction of nodules were decreased 86% and 59%, respectively, but these parametres in bacteroid in nodules were not affected by phosphorus stress. These results indicated that nodule is a strong phosphorus sink and that nodule growth and development are regulated to maintain a high phosphorus and energy content in bacteroid even when the host plant is subjected to phosphorus deficiency.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2020

One of the omega-3 essential fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is a significant constituent of the cell membrane and the precursor of several potent lipid mediators. These mediators are considered to be important in preventing or treating several diseases. Resolvin D5, an oxidized lipid mediator derived from DHA, has been known to exert anti-inflammatory effects. However, the detailed mechanism underlying these effects has not yet been elucidated in human monocytic THP-1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of resolvin D5 on inflammation-related signaling pathways, including the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. Resolvin D5 downregulated the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5). Additionally, these inhibitory effects were found to be modulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated THP-1 cells. Resolvin D5 inhibited the LPS-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK and translocation of p65 and p50 into the nucleus, resulting in the inhibition of IL-6 and CCL5 production. These results revealed that resolvin D5 exerts anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-treated THP-1 cells by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK and nuclear translocation of NF-κB.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.69-73
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• 2005

The hematopoietic growth factor erythropoietin (EPO) is required for the maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation of the stem cells that produce erythrocytes. To analyse the biological activity of the recombinant human EPO (rec-hEPO), we have cloned the EPO cDNA and genomic DNA and produced rec-hEPO in the CHO cell lines. The growth and differentiation of EPO-dependent human leukemic cell line (F36E) were used to measure cytokine dependency and in vitro bioactivity of rec-hEPO. MIT assay values were increased by survival of F36E cells at 24h or 72h. The hematocrit and RBC values were increased by subcutaneous injection of 20 IU (in mice) and 100IU(in rats) rec-hEPO. Hematocrit values remarkably increased at $13.2\%$ (in mice) and $12.2\%$ (in rats). The pharmacokinetic behavior with injection of 6 IU of rec-hEPO remained detectable after 24 h in all mice tested. The highest peat appeared at 2h after injection. The long half-life of rec-hEPO is likely to confer clinical advantages by allowing less frequent dosing in patients treated for anemia. These data demonstratethat ree-hEPO produced in this study has a potent activity in vivo and in vitro. The results also suggest that biological activity of ree-hEPO could be remarkably enhanced by genetic engineering that affects the potential activity, including mutants with added oligosaccharide chain and designed to produce EPO-EPO fusion protein.