• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.514-523
• /
• 2019

We investigated the gene expression patterns and the mechanisms of action of the apoptotic response by microarray analysis of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells treated with ginsenoside Rb1, a saponin of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Genes related to apoptosis, the G2/M transition of the mitotic cell cycle, cell division, mitotic nuclear division, and intracellular protein transport were 2-fold up-regulated in HaCaT cells treated with the ginsenoside Rb1, whereas genes related to DNA repair, regeneration fission, and extracellular matrix organization were 2-fold down-regulated. Apoptosis signaling may be mediated by FAS and PLA2G4A, and pathway analysis indicated that STAT3 might be an upstream regulator of these genes. The activity of FAS and PLA2G4A was verified by qPCR, which showed that FAS was increased about 2-fold in HaCaT cells treated with $10{\mu}g/ml$ of ginsenoside Rb1 for 24 hr, PLA2G4A was increased about twice after 6 hours, and gene expression was increased more than 2-fold after 24 hr. Knockdown of STAT3 with siRNA decreased FAS expression and increased PLA2G4A expression but only FAS was passed from the upstream regulator STAT3. These results indicate that STAT3, which is an upstream regulator, induces apoptosis via FAS during treatment with ginsenoside Rb1.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.103-108
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate anti-oxidative effects of Taraxaci Herba (TH) and protective effects on Human HaCaT keratinocyte. Methods : Anti-oxidative effects were measured by estimating the amount of total phenolics and flavonoids. In addition, DPPH free radical scavenging activities were estimated. Protective effects of TH on HaCaT keratinocytes against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide were also measured. Results : In our results, treatment with TH did not show cytotoxicity on HaCaT keratinocyte beneath the concentration of 200 $\mu$g/ml. 42.64$\pm$1.90 $\mu$g/ml of total phenolics and 28.09$\pm$1.84 $\mu$g/ml of flavonoids was detected from TH ethanol extract. In addition, DPPH free radical scavenging activities of TH were elevated in dose-dependent manner. In addition, The value of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC$_{50}$) was 165.5 $\mu$g/ml. Finally, TH showed protective effect against cell death of HaCaT cell induced by hydrogen peroxide significantly. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that TH may have anti-oxidantic action in human skin and also suggest the possibility as cosmetic material.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.34.1-34.20
• /
• 2024

NK cells are specialized immune effector cells crucial for triggering immune responses against aberrant cells. Although recent advancements have concentrated on creating or releasing T-cell responses specific to tumor Ags, the clinical advantages of this approach have been limited to certain groups of patients and tumor types. This emphasizes the need for alternative strategies. One pioneering approach involves broadening and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses by targeting innate immunity. Consequently, the advent of bi-, tri-, and multi-specific Abs has facilitated the advancement of targeted cancer immunotherapies by redirecting immune effector cells to eradicate tumor cells. These Abs enable the simultaneous binding of surface Ags on tumor cells and the activation of receptors on innate immune cells, such as NK cells, with the ability to facilitate Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity to enhance their immunotherapeutic effectiveness in patients with solid tumors. Here, we review the recent advances in NK cell engagers (NKCEs) focusing on NK cellactivating receptors CD16A and NKp46. In addition, we provide an overview of the ongoing clinical trials investigating the safety, efficacy, and potential of NKCEs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.37.1-37.17
• /
• 2024

Systemic sclerosis (SS) is an autoimmune disease and pathological mechanisms of SS are unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of T cells in the progression of SS using SKG mice and humanized mice. SKG mice have a spontaneous point mutation in ZAP70. We induced scleroderma in SKG mice and a humanized SS mouse model to assess whether T cell-mediated immune responses induce SS. As a result, we found increased dermal thickness, fibrosis, and lymphocyte infiltration in skin tissue in SKG SS mice compared to BALB/c mice (control). Also, blood cytokine level, including IL-4- and IFN-α which are produced by CD4⁺ T cells via STIM1/STING/STAT6/IRF3 signaling pathways, were increased in SKG mice. Interestingly, skin fibrosis was reduced by inhibiting STING pathway in skin fibroblast. Next, we demonstrated the pathophysiological role of IL-4 and IFN-α in skin fibrosis using a humanized SS mouse model and found increased IL-4- and IFN-α-producing CD4⁺ T cells and fibrosis. In this study, we found that STING-induced production of IL-4- and type I IFN by CD4⁺ T cells is a key factor in mouse model and humanized mouse model of SS. Our findings suggest that the STING/STAT6/IRF3 signaling pathways are potential therapeutic targets in SS.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.757-761
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine optimum conditions for the cultivation of Tetraselmis suecica (T. suecica) under illumination of four different types of LEDs (i.e., blue, red, white, and mixed). Initial cell concentration was $4{\times}10^4$ cells/mL and temperature of reactor was maintained between 21-$24^{\circ}C$. Specific growth rates were 0.72 $day^{-1}$(white), 0.58 $day^{-1}$(red), 0.49 $day^{-1}$(mixed), and 0.49 $day^{-1}$(blue). Thus, white LEDs was used for the cultivation of T. suecica. Tests with white LEDs under different light intensity, which was conducted to determine optimum light intensity of white LEDs, showed that 9,000 lux of illumination resulted in fastest cell growth and greatest cell concentrations. To avoid shadow effects by dense cell populations, aeration was performed. Cell concentration increased 3.8 times when aeration was used.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.78-85
• /
• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the effect of extract mixture(IPGE) drink from Inonotus Obliquus, Phellinus Linteus and Ganoderma Lucidum on hematopoietic stem cells and lymphocyte subset[lymphocyte, $CD4^+T$ cell, $CD8^+T$ cell, Natural Killer(NK) cells] of blood in 37 participants who were healthy and about $40{\sim}70$ years old. They were divided into two groups; extract mixture drink administration group(n=27) and placebo administration group(n=12). They were given the test drink daily for 4 weeks. Blood was obtained from the subjects every two week in the beginning of administration day to evaluate the $CD34^+$ hematopoietic stem cells and immune cells. As results, $CD34^+$ hematopoietic stem cells were significantly increased after taking IPGE drink for 4 weeks compared to that before taking the drink (p<0.001). There was no significant changes in number of lymphocytes, $CD4^+T$ cells, $CD8^+T$ cells, NK cells and in the ratio of $CD4^+/CD8^+$ cell after taking the test drink. From these results, it was suggested that IPGE have a good health effect by promoting the proliferation of the hematopoietic stem cells.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.76-89
• /
• 2001

OMH which is known for its properties of recruiting vitality, is composed of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and Sesamum indicum DC.. This formula is known to possess the properties of recruiting vitality, blackening white hair and expanding life span. 16-week-old SD-Rats were treated with OMH for 16 days. After 24 hours, the rats were treated with MTX(Mthotrexate is oral administrated for 4 days(1mg/kg/day), in order to lower immunity. Then, These rats were classified in to groups, the N-16 group(not specially tested), the Control group(MTX), the OMH-L group(2.5% OMH+MTX)&the OMH-H group(10% OMH+MTX) and 6 rats were assigned to each group. After 18 hours from MTX treatment the organ index of the rats from each group Thymus and Spleen were measured. The percentage of CD+4, CD8+ T cell were measured and compared by flow cytometer. 1) Rats from the OHM-L&OMH-H group showed higher organ indexes of the Thymus and Spleen compared to the rats from the Control Group. This proves that OMH possesses the properties to mitigate degenerations of immunity($F_{thymus}=20.162,\;F_{spleen}=5.882$, ANDVA, p<0.05). 2) The rats from the two OMH groups showed higher rates of CD4+ T cell counts compared to the control group(F=26.906, ANOVA, p<0.05). CD8+ T cell showed lower rates compared to the Control group, but showed no differences within the two OMH groups(F=1.254, ANOYA, p>0.05). CD4+/CD8+ showed higher rates in the two OMH groups compared to the control group which can be thought as a proof that OMH prevents depression of immune response(F=10.554, ANOVA, p<0.05). In this test 16 week-old rats were used, which can be considered as the middle and prime age of the human being. These rats were treated with OMH which ended up showing properties of mitigating degeneration of immune responses and maintaining T-cell rates within the blood. It was possible to study that OMH possesses the properties to increase immune responses.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.616-623
• /
• 1994

Objectives: Careful evaluation about mediastinal involvement is important in the management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Invasive staging procedure such as mediastinoscopy is advocated because of the unreliability of noninvasive staging methods such as CT, MRI. We compared differences between pre- and postoperative staging in non-small cell lung cancer without lymphadenopathy on CT scan and investigated the methods for more accurate preoperative staging. Methods & Results: 1) Records of a total of 41 patients with preoperative $T_{1-3}N_0M_0$ non-small cell lung cancer were reviewed and the histologic types of tumors were squamous cell carcinoma in 32 cases, adenocarcinoma in 6 cases and large cell carcinoma in 3 cases. Twenty-four cases were central lesions and seventeen cases were peripheral lesions. 2) Among the 32 cases with preoperative $T_2$, 2 cases were identified postoperatively as $T_3$ with invasion of chest wall and among 6 cases with preoperative $T_3$, 1 case was identified postoperatively as $T_4$ with invasion of aorta and pulmonary arteries. 3) After the operation of 35 cases with $T_{1-2}$, 5 cases were $N_1$ and 3 cases were $N_2$ postoperatively. After the operation of 6 cases with $T_3$, 2 cases were $N_1$ and 3 cases were $N_2$ postoperatively. Preoperative $T_3$ showed more intrathoracic lymph node metastases and higher $N_2/N_1$ involvement ratio than preoperative $T_{1-2}$. 4) Complete surgical resections were done in 34 out of 41 cases. Incomplete resection were done in all postoperative $N_2$ tumors. Conclusion: Invasive staging procedures such as mediastinoscopy should be considered in the case of preoperative $T_3$ non-small cell lung cancer even though mediastinal lymphadenopathy is not recognized on the CT scan of the chest.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.1422-1429
• /
• 2016

Kombucha is a slightly sour beverage fermented by symbiotic micro-organisms, including bacteria and yeasts. In this study, we examined the biological activities of citrus Kombucha (CK) produced by addition of citrus extract to original Kombucha (K). After fermentation for 10 days, radical scavenging activity examined by ABTS and DPPH assays increased by approximately 20% compared to that of K. Moreover, content of total phenolic compounds significantly increased by 60% compared to that of K. Cell proliferation assays utilizing MTT showed that CK treatment significantly inhibited growth of bladder cancer cells, T-24 and 5637, in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 4 and 7 mg/mL, respectively. Annexin V staining showed that CK treatment led to apoptosis of cells in a dose-dependent manner. T-24 cells were more sensitive to CK treatment than 5637 cells, as 8 mg/mL of CK resulted in 97% apoptosis of T-24 cells. Western blotting showed that CK treatment led to up-regulation of apoptotic proteins, including caspases-3, -8, -9, and PARP, in bladder cells not in K-treated cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CK may be developed as a functional beverage.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2011

Skin is a physical barrier against diverse injury and damages. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes detrimental skin injuries such as inflammation and cell death. The value of natural pigments could be applied to many usages including cosmetics. This study was conducted to examine the protective effect of natural pigments extracted from mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, pehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice against UV-induced cell death in HaCaT cells, human keratinocyte cell lines. In the present study, the exposure of 50 mJ/$cm^2$ UV-B for 24 hr induced cell death in HaCaT cells, which was prevented by the pretreatment of extracts of mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, rehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice. In addition, the exposure of 50 mJ/$cm^2$ UV-B for 24 hr also increased lipid peroxide (LPO) formation, compared to control in HaCaT cells, which was prevented by the pretreatment of extracts of mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, rehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice. In conclusion, the extracts of mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, rehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice prevented the UV-B-induced cell apoptosis via the inhibition of oxidative stress in HaCaT cells.