• BMB Reports
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.556-559
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• 2006

The Bcl-2 family of proteins regulates mitochondrial functions during cell death by modulating the efflux of death-promoting proteins such as cytochrome c and endonuclease G. Upon the binding of death ligands to their receptors, caspase-8 cleaves Bid, a BH3-only protein, into tBid that causes the mitochondrial damages resulting in the release of cytochrome c and endonuclease G. Also, another BH3-only protein, hNoxa, has been shown to induce the efflux of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. Whether the efflux proteins from the mitochondria in response to tBid or hNoxa are the same or different, however, has not been addressed. We have demonstrated that endonuclease G activities are not detectable among the proteins released from isolated mitochondria by hNoxa but are detectable in that by tBid. These results suggest that the efflux of proteins from the mitochondria are differentially modulated by tBid and hNoxa.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.62-66
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• 2016

Amygdalin, D-mandelonitrile-${\beta}$-D-glucoside-6-${\beta}$-glucoside, belongs to aromatic cyanogenic glycoside group derived from rosaceous plant seed. Mounting evidence has supported the anti-cancer effects of amygdalin. However, whether amygdalin indeed acts as an anti-tumor agent against breast cancer cells is not clear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of amygdalin on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells. Here, we show that amygdalin exerted cytotoxic activities on estrogen receptors (ER)-positive MCF7 cells, and MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Amygdalin induced apoptosis of Hs578T TNBC cells. Amygdalin downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), upregulated Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), activated of caspase-3 and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Amygdalin activated a pro-apoptotic signaling molecule p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK) in Hs578T cells. Treatment of amygdalin significantly inhibited the adhesion of Hs578T cells, in which integrin ${\alpha}5$ may be involved. Taken together, this study demonstrates that amygdalin induces apoptosis and inhibits adhesion of breast cancer cells. The results suggest a potential application of amygdalin as a chemopreventive agent to prevent or alleviate progression of breast cancer, especially TNBC.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.198-205
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• 2017

Background: There are a million ragpickers in India who gather and trade recyclable municipal solid wastes materials for a living. The objective of this study was to examine whether their occupation adversely affects their immunity. Methods: Seventy-four women ragpickers (median age, 30 years) and 65 age-matched control housemaids were enrolled. Flow cytometry was used to measure leukocyte subsets, and leukocyte expressions of $Fc{\gamma}$ receptor I (CD64), $Fc{\gamma}RIII$ (CD16), complement receptor 1 (CD35) and CR3 (CD11b/CD18), and CD14. Serum total immunoglobulin-E was estimated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the controls, ragpickers had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher levels of CD8-T-cytotoxic, CD16+CD56+natural killer, and CD4+CD45RO+memory T-cells, but depleted levels of CD19+B-cells. The percentage of CD4+T-helper-cells was lower than the control group (p < 0.0001), but their absolute number was relatively unchanged (p = 0.42) due to 11% higher lymphocyte counts in ragpickers. In ragpickers, the percentages of CD14+CD16+intermediate and CD14dim CD16+nonclassical monocyte subsets were elevated with a decline in CD14+CD16-classical monocytes. The expressions of CD64, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 on both monocytes and neutrophils, and CD14 on monocytes were significantly higher in ragpickers. In addition, ragpickers had 2.7-times more serum immunoglobulin-E than the controls (p < 0.0001). After controlling potential confounders, the profession of ragpicking was positively associated with the changes. Conclusion: Ragpicking is associated with alterations in both innate (neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer cell numbers and expression of complement and $Fc{\gamma}$ receptors) and adaptive immunity (numbers of circulating B cells, helper, cytotoxic, and memory T cells).

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.187-200
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• 2014

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are the most common cause of genital ulceration in humans worldwide. Typically, HSV-1 and 2 infections via mucosal route result in a lifelong latent infection after peripheral replication in mucosal tissues, thereby providing potential transmission to neighbor hosts in response to reactivation. To break the transmission cycle, immunoprophylactics and therapeutic strategies must be focused on prevention of infection or reduction of infectivity at mucosal sites. Currently, our understanding of the immune responses against mucosal infection of HSV remains intricate and involves a balance between innate signaling pathways and the adaptive immune responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated that HSV mucosal infection induces type I interferons (IFN) via recognition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activates multiple immune cell populations, including NK cells, conventional dendritic cells (DCs), and plasmacytoid DCs. This innate immune response is required not only for the early control of viral replication at mucosal sites, but also for establishing adaptive immune responses against HSV antigens. Although the contribution of humoral immune response is controversial, $CD4^+$ Th1 T cells producing IFN-${\gamma}$ are believed to play an important role in eradicating virus from the hosts. In addition, the recent experimental successes of immunoprophylactic and therapeutic compounds that enhance resistance and/or reduce viral burden at mucosal sites have accumulated. This review focuses on attempts to modulate innate and adaptive immunity against HSV mucosal infection for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. Notably, cells involved in innate immune regulations appear to shape adaptive immune responses. Thus, we summarized the current evidence of various immune mediators in response to mucosal HSV infection, focusing on the importance of innate immune responses.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 한국식물학회 1998년도 The 12th Symposium on Plant Biotechnology Vol.12
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• pp.10-18
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• 1998

For improvement of plants in disease resistance, it is most important to elucidate the mechanism to perceive and respond to the signal molecules of invaders. A model system with pea and its pathogen, Mycosphaerella pinodes, showed that the fungal elicitor induced defense responses in all plant species tested but that the suppressor of the fungus blocked or delayed the expression of defense responses and induced accessibility only in the host plant. In the world, many researchers believe that the pathogens` signals are recognized only on the receptors in the plasma membranes. Though we found that the ATPase and polyphosphoinositide metabolism in isolated plasma membranes responded to these fungal signals, we failed to detect specific actions of the suppressor in vitro on these plasma membrane functions. Recently, we found that ATPase (NTPases) and superoxide generating system in isolated cell wall were regulated by these fungal signals even in vitro, especially, by the suppressor in a strictly species-specific manner and also that the cell wall alone prepared an original defense system. The effects of both fungal signals on the isolated cell wall functions in vitro coincide perfectly with those on defense responses in vivo. In this treatise, we discuss the key role of the cell wall, which is plant-specific and the most exterior organelle, in determining host-parasite specificity and molecular target for improvement of plants.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.635-648
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• 1998

The clinical use of fluoride with a well known osteogenic action in osteoporotic patients is rational, because this condition is characterized by impaired bone formation. However, its anabolic effect has not been demonstrated well in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium fluoride on the physiological role of osteoblastic cell. Osteoblastic cells were isolated from fetal rat calvaria. The results were as follows : 1. Mineralized nodules were shown in osteoblastic cell cultures, which had been maintained in the presence of ascorbic acid and ${\beta}-glycerophosphate$ up to 21 days. When cultures were treated with pulses of 48 hr duration before apparent mineralization was occurring, 2-fold increased in their number was detected. 2. Alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblastic cells was inhibited by sodium fluoride in dose dependent manner. 3. The effect of sodium fluoride on the osteoblastic cell proliferation was measured by the incorporation of $[^3H]$-thymidine into DNA. As a result, sodium fluoride at $1{\sim}100{\mu}M$ increased the $[^3H]$-thymidine incorporation into DNA in a dose dependent manner. 4. The signaling mechanism activated by sodium fluoride dose-dependently enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation of the adaptor molecule $Shc^{p66}$ and their association with Grb2, one of earlier events in a MAP kinase activation pathway cascade used by a significant subset of G protein-coupled receptors. 5. The phosphorylation of CREB(cAMP response element binding protein)was inhibited by the sodium fluoride in MC3T3E1 cells. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that the mitogenic effect of the sodium fluoride in MC3T3E1 cell was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner and suggested "an important role for the interaction between She and Grb2" in controlling the proliferation of osteoblasts.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.61-69
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• 2001

Background: To determine the molecular structure of type II collagen-specific T-cell receptors associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We generated CII-specific T-cell lines of 8 RA patients by prolonged in vitro culture with bovine CII (bCII) and the immunogenic peptide (256-270) of human CII. The proliferation response towards CII stimulation was measured from the uptake of 3H-thymidine. Changes in the secretion of Th 1 and Th2 cytokines in the culture supernatent were measured by ELISA. The TCR clonotypes of these T-cells were examined by RT-PCR/SSCP analyses of all 22 $V_{\beta}$ chains. Results: T-cells from patients' tissue exhibited strong proliferation index upon CII stimulation, which was maintained up to 6 months in the culture. The secretion of INF-$\gamma$from these T-cells increased along with the duration of culture time, while the amount of IL-4 production did not show significant changes. The SSCP band patterns of patients' T-cells appear as discrete bands unlike the smeary streak produced from normal samples. Some SSCP bands, each representing selected expansion of a TCR containing certain subtype of $V_{\beta}$ peptides, appeared to be identical in more than one patients. Among these, the expansion of SSCP band representing the $V_{\beta}$ 14 CDR3 region persisted after switching the antigen to the immunogenic human peptide (256-270). Conclusion: CII-reactive T-cells expressing distinct CDR3 motifs are selectively expanded in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of RA patients, and their persistent proliferation upon CII stimulation, as well as the production Th 1-type cytokines, may play pivotal roles in RA pathogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.13-21
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• 2019

[Purpose] Chronic stress is a precipitating factor for depression, whereas exercise is beneficial for both the mood and cognitive process. The current study demonstrates the anti-depressive effects of regular exercise and the mechanisms linked to hippocampal neurogenesis. [Methods] Mice were subjected to 14 consecutive days of restraint, followed by 3 weeks of treadmill running, and were then subjected to behavioral tests that included the forced swimming and Y-maze tests. Protein levels were assessed using western blot analysis and newborn cells were detected using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). [Results] Three weeks of treadmill running ameliorated the behavioral depression caused by 14 days of continuous restraint stress. The exercise regimen enhanced BrdU-labeled cells and class III β-tubulin levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, as well as those of thioredoxin-1 (TRX-1) and synaptosomal β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-AR) under stress. In vitro experiments involving treatment with recombinant human TRX-1 (rhTRX-1) augmented the levels of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), nuclear β-catenin, and proliferating cell nuclear antigens, which were previously inhibited by U0216 and FH535 (inhibitors of ERK1/2 and β-catenin/T cell factor-mediated transcription, respectively). The hippocampal neurogenesis elicited by a 7-day exercise regimen was abolished by a selective inhibitor of β2-AR, butoxamine. [Conclusion] These results suggest that TRX-1-mediated hippocampal neurogenesis by β2-AR function is a potential mechanism underlying the psychotropic effect of exercise.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.444-455
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adipocytes undergo angiogenesis to receive nutrients and oxygen needed for adipocyte' growth and differentiation. No study relating quercetin with angiogenesis in adipocytes exists. Therefore, this study investigated the role of quercetin on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, acting through matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MATERIALS/METHODS: After proliferating preadipocytes into adipocytes, various quercetin concentrations were added to adipocytes, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity was investigated as an indicator of fat accumulation. The mRNA expressions of transcription factors related to adipocyte differentiation, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs), peroxisomal proliferatoractivated receptors (PPAR)-γ, and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), were investigated. The mRNA expressions of proteins related to angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-α, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9, were investigated. Enzyme activities and concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also measured. RESULTS: Quercetin treatment suppressed fat accumulation and the expressions of adipocyte differentiation-related genes (C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, PPAR-γ, and aP2) in a concentration-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells. Quercetin treatments reduced the mRNA expressions of VEGF-α, VEGFR-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in 3T3-L1 cells. The activities and concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also decreased significantly as the concentration of quercetin increased. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that quercetin inhibits adipose tissue differentiation and fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells, which could occur through inhibition of the angiogenesis process related to MMPs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.88-99
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of acupuncture for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods: Based on domestic and international papers reported until October 2020, experimental papers on "chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy", "mechanism", and "acupuncture" were set up to identify the mechanisms of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. A total of seven papers were selected and searched: one pilot paper for people and six experimental papers for rats. Results: In the pilot paper studied by Bao, T., the effect of EA was demonstrated but no significant results were produced for the mechanism. Moon et al. derived the association between EA and plasma 𝛽-endorphin in rat experimental studies on oxalilatin-induced cold hypersensitivity. Meng et al. found relevance to 𝜇, 𝛿, and 𝛿 opioid through EA stimulation in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. Lee et al. studied the relationship between EA and muscarin and 5-HT in rat experiments on oxaliplatin-induced coldness, associated with 5-HT and EA, especially with 5-HT3 receptors. Choi et al. revealed the association of adrenaline and opioid acting on 𝛼2- and 𝛽 adrenaline receptors with EA in rat experiments on paclitaxel-induced neuralgia. In rat experiments on oxaliplatin-induced neuralgia reported by Lee, 𝛽-endorphin and encephalin were studied to be mediated by EA. Zhang, T. et al. revealed in the paclitaxel induced rat experiment that EA activates 5-HT. Conclusion: It is inferred that peripheral neuropathy caused by anticancer drugs can be reduced by activating the action of 5-HT, 𝛽-endorphin, and encephalin through the descending inhibitory pathways. cell differentiation, herbal medicine, Pongamia, stem cells