• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.231-240
• /
• 1996

Human blood clotting (coagulation) factor 9 cDNA which codes for 461 amino acid has been cloned by screening human fetal liver cDNA library using PCR. This 1.4 kb cDNA spanning from the ATG initiation codon to the TAA termination codon was cloned into bacterial .expression vector pGEX-2T, generating pGEX-F9 plasmid. The plasmid pGEX-F9 expresses about 73 kDa GST (Glutathione S-transferase)-Factor 9 fusion protein when introduced into E. coli. Western blot analysis using polyclonal antibody raised against human factor 9 confirmed this fusion protein contains factor 9 protein. The level of GST-factor 9 expression was about 20% of total protein and the purification of fusion protein was efficiently achieved by using GST agarose bead based on one step purification protocol.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.10
• /
• pp.706-713
• /
• 2017

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells that are derived from hematopoietic precursor cells and require macrophage-colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) for their survival, proliferation, differentiation, and activation. The binding of RANKL to its receptor RANK triggers osteoclast precursors to differentiate into osteoclasts. This process depends on RANKL-RANK signaling, which is temporally regulated by various adaptor proteins and kinases. Here we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms that regulate RANK signaling during osteoclastogenesis. In the early stage, RANK signaling is mediated by recruiting adaptor molecules such as tumor necrosis factor receptorassociated factor 6 (TRAF6), which leads to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and the transcription factors nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Activated NF-${\kappa}B$ induces the nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), which is the key osteoclastogenesis regulator. In the intermediate stage of signaling, the co-stimulatory signal induces $Ca^{2+}$ oscillation via activated phospholipase $C{\gamma}2$ ($PLC{\gamma}2$) together with c-Fos/AP-1, wherein $Ca^{2+}$ signaling facilitates the robust production of NFATc1. In the late stage of osteoclastogenesis, NFATc1 translocates into the nucleus where it induces numerous osteoclast-specific target genes that are responsible for cell fusion and function.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.214-223
• /
• 2017

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.679-688
• /
• 2018

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders that share behavioral features, the results of numerous studies have suggested that the underlying causes of ASDs are multifactorial. Behavioral and/or neurobiological analyses of ASDs have been performed extensively using a valid model of prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). Abnormal synapse formation resulting from altered neurite outgrowth in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) during embryonic brain development has been observed in both the VPA model and ASD subjects. Although several mechanisms have been suggested, the actual mechanism underlying enhanced neurite outgrowth remains unclear. In this study, we found that VPA enhanced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), particularly mature BDNF (mBDNF), through dual mechanisms. VPA increased the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF by suppressing the nuclear expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), which is a transcriptional repressor of BDNF. In addition, VPA promoted the expression and activity of the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which induces BDNF maturation through proteolytic cleavage. Trichostatin A and sodium butyrate also enhanced tPA activity, but tPA activity was not induced by valpromide, which is a VPA analog that does not induce histone acetylation, indicating that histone acetylation activity was required for tPA regulation. VPA-mediated regulation of BDNF, MeCP2, and tPA was not observed in astrocytes or neurons. Therefore, these results suggested that VPA-induced mBDNF upregulation was associated with the dysregulation of MeCP2 and tPA in developing cortical NPCs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.257-263
• /
• 2014

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell specific mitogen, has been implicated as a critical factor influencing tumor related angiogenesis. The aim of present study was to evaluate the relationship between VEGF +936C>T and +405C>G polymorphisms of VEGF with risk of breast cancer in Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: We screened DNA samples of 192 sporadic breast cancer patients and 192 unrelated healthy, gender and age matched control individuals for VEGF +936C>T and +405C>G polymorphisms using the PCR-RFLP method. Results: For the VEGF +405C>G polymorphism, we observed significantly increased frequency of GG genotype in cases as compared to controls and strong association of +405GG genotype was observed with three fold risk for breast cancer (OR=3.07; 95%CI 1.41-6.65; p=0.003). For the +936C>T polymorphism, significant associations of CT and combined CT+TT genotypes were observed with elevated risk of breast cancer (p=0.021; 0.023). The combined genotype combinations of GG-CC and GG-CT of +405C>G and +936C>T polymorphisms were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of breast cancer (p=0.04; 0.0064). Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicated significant associations of VEGF +936C>T and +405C>G polymorphisms with increased breast cancer risk in patients from Punjab, North India.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.19 no.3 s.31
• /
• pp.22-33
• /
• 2006

Objective : Angiogenesis induced by hypoxia and inflammation are an essential process of solid tumors and psoriasis. We researched the HIF-1 ${\alpha}$ (hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha), VEGF(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), survival related PI3K-Akt, and inflammation related COX-2 protein expressions to get the information of the mechanism and effects of Rehmannia glutinosa in HepG2 and HaCaT cell lines. Method : To investigate the roles of the Rehmannia glutinosa extract, we performed MTS assay and western blots using HaCaT cells and HepG2 cells. HaCaT cells and HepG2 cells were treated with $50{\mu}g/ml$ and $100{\mu}g/ml$ Rehmannia glutinosa extracts. After 4hrs, HaCaT cells were treated with IGF-II protein for 24hrs and HepG2 cells were treated with $CoCl_2$. Results : 1. We could ohserve that the reduction of the protein level of HIT-1 ${\alpha}$ induced by IGF-II in HaCaT cells. 2. We Could ohserve that the decreased PI3K-Akt and COX-2 expression level by Rehmannia glutinosa extracts treated in HaCaT cells independently ith ERK1/2. 3. We could observe that the reduction of the protein level of HIF-1 ${\alpha}$ induced by $CoCl_2$ in HepG2 cells. Conclusion : These results suggest that Rehmannia glutinosa extracts contributes to the anti-survival pathway and anti-inflammatory activities. Also, we could assume that Rehmannia glutinosa act as anti-inflanmmatory or anti-hypoxia agents via reduction of COX-2 and HIF-1 ${\alpha}$.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.245-253
• /
• 2011

Objectives In the current study, we quantitatively estimated changes in appetite and eating behavior of bipolar disorder patients during the pharmacotherapy. We also investigated their contribution to the weight gain and their association with specific food-craving characteristics of the patients. Methods Subjects included forty-one bipolar disorder patients and fifty-six controls. Currently sustained natures of food craving were assessed using the General-Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (G-FCQ-T) and changes in appetite and eating behavior were measured using the Drug-Related Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DR-EBQ). Results Compared to the control group, the patients' group showed significantly higher body mass index (t=2.028, p=0.045). The patients' group had significantly higher 'Preoccupation with food' factor score of G-FCQ-T (p=0.016) than that of the control group. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that only 'preoccupation with food' factor independently predicted psychotropic medication-induced appetite change. Conclusions Appetite change while receiving psychotropic medication seems to be related to the weight-gain and associated with craving natures of 'preoccupation with food' in bipolar disorder. Appetite and/or eating behavioral changes measured by G-FCQ-T and DR-EBQ could be regarded as an important mediating factor in future studies exploring biological mechanisms of weight gain related with pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.139-142
• /
• 2003

Traditionally, the thickness of fire protection materials of structural elements such as beam and column have been decided by fire test using the predominant steel section of $H-300{\times}300{\times}10{\times}15$ for column and $H-400{\times}200{\times}8{\times}13$ for beam in Korea. But this way of determination of fire protection thickness yields very unduly results. Because the temperature-increment rate of structural steel elements depends mainly on magnitude of their cross-areas. In general, the thicker size of cross-areas for structural elements, the lower temperature shows up. It had already proved that the fire protection thickness only depends on the size of cross-areas and the fire protection method for three-fide or four-side exposed conditions in European countries, the United State of America and so on. To demonstrate there would be differences among various cross-areas for structural elements, we conducted several fire tests with full-scale specimens of beams and columns. For the determination of critical temperature for steel section when the fire resistant performance is needed to be decided, we conducted with a loaded fire test for beam and column, respectively. The small column in 1.0 meter length and beam in 1.5 meter length were used in order to deprive the rational fire protection thickness of structural elements such as beam and column, respectively. After test, we could obtain there were significant temperature lass between higher cross-areas and lower cross-areas. The critical temperature of steel as a criterion is used 538$^{\circ}C$ for column and 593$^{\circ}C$ for beam which is from ASTM E 119 because we don't make provisions as critical temperature by elements. We could consider that the best way of determination of fire protection thickness is using the following multi-regression equation which was deprived from several fire tests using the concept of section factor, FR(column) = 0.17 +5191.49t A/Hp + 40.77t, FR(beam) = 0.25 +6899.31t A/Hp + 32.60t(where, FR means fire resistant time, t means thickness, A means cross-area and Hp means heated parameter).

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.403-410
• /
• 1998

The Tcf-1 (T cell specific factor-1) is a transcription factor uniquely expressed in T-lineage cells. Its expression is developmentally regulated, which is high in the specific stage of immature thymocytes, but is much lower in mature T cells. We cloned the Tcf-1 gene by subtractive hybridization and found it to be highly expressed in the thymus compared to the mRNA level in the spleen as expected. Since apoptosis occurs enormously in the thymus, we were interested in whether Tcf-1 gene expression could be regulated by such a high level of apoptotic assault. By using T cell hybridoma 70.7 cells, we induced apoptosis by incubating cells with anti-CD3 antibody in vitro. After apoptosis induction, Tcf-1 mRNA level was found to be significantly reduced compared to normal cells. Since Tcf-1 is a transcription factor for the CD3-e gene, we tested how CD3-e expression is regulated in apoptotic cells. The surface level of CD3-e protein is also down-regulated after apoptosis induction. Such a down-modulation of CD3-e protein would reduce the TCR/CD3 complex on the cell surface, which would be an important regulator for T cell apoptosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.38 no.8
• /
• pp.649-655
• /
• 2005

Nutrigenomics refers to research that investigates the interaction between nutrition and the human genome. Caffeine in tea and coffee is widely and routinely consumed by people. This study was performed to confirm the effect of caffeine treatment on the gene expression and cytokine profiling in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells using microarray and protein array methodology. Treatment of caffeine in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells increased expression of several genes related with obesity including adipocyte C1Q and collagen domain containing (ACDC), Adipsin (ADN), uncoupling protein 3(UCP3), while glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which is known as lipid storage enzyme, was decreased by caffeine treatment. Furthermore, cytokines, such as interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-12(IL-12), interleukin-13 (IL-13), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were decreased in caffeine treated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. These results provided interesting information about the genes related with caffeine and cytokine expression profiling in obesity.