• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to develop a reliable mice model demonstrating similar immunologic phenomena as human atopic dermatitis characterized with predominance of type-2 immune response. BALB/C mice and NC/Nga mice were sensitized twice with $100{\mu}l$ of 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or vehicle (acetone : olive oil=4:1 mixture) in a week and challenged twice with $100{\mu}l$ of 0.2% DNCB or the vehicle at the following week. Mice were sacrificed at 19 days following the second DNCB or vehicle challenge for NC/Nga mice and at 28 days following the second DNCB or vehicle challenge for BALB/c mice. Upregulation of plasma 1gE, a hallmark of atopic dermatitis occurrence, was evident in the plasma obtained 4 day after the second DNCB challenge from BALB/c mice (approximately 4-fold) and NC/Nga mice (approximately 6-fold) treated with DNCB in comparison with that of the vehicle treated-control mice, and remain higher $3{\sim}4$ week after the second challenge. Ratio of plasma IgG1 versus IgG2a concentration was significantly higher in the mice treated with DNCB than the control mice, which also implies the skewed type-2 reactivity in vivo. Ratio of interleukin-4 versus interferon gamma produced in the splenic T cell culture supernatants was approximately 3-fold higher in the both strains of mice treated with DNCB than their control mice, respectively. The DNCB-treated mice demonstrated atopic dermatitis-like skin legions characterized with erythma, scaling, and hemorrhage, which was not observed with the control mice. Scratching on face or dorsal area was significantly more frequent (approximately 25-fold) in the DNCB-treated mice than the control at next day of the second DNCB challenge, and scratching frequency remains higher (approximately 4-fold) in the mice treated with DNCB than the control at 14 day following the second DNCB challenge. Overall, the mice model developed through sensitization and challenge with DNCB may be useful for research on atopic dermatitis and development of treatment materials for atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2007

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an model animal for studing the neurological disease such as stroke and epilepsy because of the congenital incompleteries in Willis circle, as well as the investigation of water metabolism because of the long time-survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition, compared with other species animal. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expressed at the surface of principal cells in collecting duct results from an equilibrium between the AQP2 in intracellular vesicles and the AQP2 on the plasma membrane. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), which is expressed in cell in a wide range of organ, is also present in the collecting duct principal cells where this is abundant in the basolateral plasma membranes and represent potential exit pathways from the cell for water entering via AQP2. In this research, we divide 3 groups of which each group include the 5 animals. In the study of 7 or 14 days water restricted condition, we investigated the AQP2 and AQP4 by using a quantitative immunohistochemistry in the kidney. The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings. AQP2 is abundant in the apical plasma membrane and apical vesicles in the collecting duct principal cell and at rare abundance in connecting tubules. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, expression of AQP2 was continuosly increased in the cortical collecting duct and inner medullary collecting duct. This increase was both the apical region and cytoplasm. AQP4 is mainly expressed in the inner medulla, although some expression is also noted in the more proximal segment. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, AQP4 was also increased in the inner medullary collecting duct. Immunoactivity was increased in entire inner medullary collecting duct and newly detected in cytoplasm of principal cell. These findings suggest that increased levels of AQP2 and AQP4 in the cortical and inner medulalry collecting duct may play a important role for maintain fluid balance in the water-deprived kidney.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.184-192
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• 2014

${\beta}$-lapachone is a naturally occurring quinone that selectively induces apoptotic cell death in a variety of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo; however, its mechanism of action needs to be further elaborated. In this study, we investigated the effects of ${\beta}$-lapachone on the induction of apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma AGS cells. ${\beta}$-lapachone significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, and some typical apoptotic characteristics such as chromatin condensation and an increase in the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed in ${\beta}$-lapachone-treated AGS cells. Treatment with ${\beta}$-lapachone caused mitochondrial transmembrane potential dissipation, stimulated the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as indicated by caspase-9 activation, cytochrome c release, Bcl-2 downregulation and Bax upregulation, as well as death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway, as indicated by activation of caspase-8 and truncation of Bid. This process was accompanied by activation of caspase-3 and concomitant with cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The general caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, significantly abolished ${\beta}$-lapachone-induced cell death and inhibited growth. Further analysis demonstrated that the induction of apoptosis by ${\beta}$-lapachone was accompanied by inactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. The PI3K inhibitor LY29004 significantly increased ${\beta}$-lapachone-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition. Taken together, these findings indicate that the apoptotic activity of ${\beta}$-lapachone is probably regulated by a caspase-dependent cascade through activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways, and that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling may contribute to ${\beta}$-lapachone-mediated AGS cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.487-493
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• 2018

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), a cell surface receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA), is involved in aggressive cancer phenotypes. Herein, we investigated the role of the CD44 standard isoform (CD44s) in hypoxia-inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ ($HIF-1{\alpha}$) regulation using MCF7 overexpressing CD44s (pCD44s-MCF7). When pCD44s-MCF7 was incubated under hypoxia, levels of $HIF-1{\alpha}$, vascular endothelial growth factor, and the $HIF-1{\alpha}$ response element-derived luciferase activity were significantly increased compared to those in the control MCF7. Incubation of pCD44s-MCF7 cells with HA further increased $HIF-1{\alpha}$ accumulation, and the silencing of CD44s attenuated $HIF-1{\alpha}$ elevation, which verifies the role of CD44s in $HIF-1{\alpha}$ regulation. In addition, the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was higher in hypoxic pCD44s-MCF7 cells, and $HIF-1{\alpha}$ accumulation was diminished by the pharmacological inhibitors of ERK. CD44s-mediated $HIF-1{\alpha}$ augmentation resulted in two functional outcomes. First, pCD44s-MCF7 cells showed facilitated cell motility under hypoxia via the upregulation of proteins associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, such as SNAIL1 and ZEB1. Second, pCD44s-MCF7 cells exhibited higher levels of glycolytic proteins, such as glucose transporter-1, and produced higher levels of lactate under hypoxa. As a consequence of the enhanced glycolytic adaptation to hypoxia, pCD44s-MCF7 cells exhibited a higher rate of cell survival under hypoxia than that of the control MCF7, and glucose deprivation abolished these differential responses of the two cell lines. Taken together, these results suggest that CD44s activates hypoxia-inducible $HIF-1{\alpha}$ signaling via ERK pathway, and the $CD44s-ERK-HIF-1{\alpha}$ pathway is involved in facilitated cancer cell viability and motility under hypoxic conditions.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.508-514
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• 2013

2Department of Marine Molecular Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University Recently, we reported that diarylheptanoid hirsutenone (HST) effectively inactivated T lymphocytes. However, it has not been evaluated whether HST is involved in calcineurin or calmodulin inactivation. In the present study, cells were treated with T-cell inhibitors with or without HST. Our results revealed that HST successfully inhibited expression of T-helper type I (Th1) and Th2 cytokines. Co-treatment with HST and nuclear factor-activated T cell (NFAT) activation inhibitor III (INCA-6) showed a more sensitive effect than that with other inhibitors, suggesting that HST contributes to inhibition of dephosphorylation of NFAT in the cytosol. HST up-regulated cell cycle arrest genes and inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. These effects were confirmed in an NFAT electrophoretic-mobility shift assay via successful inhibition of NFAT translocation and in the histological recovery in a 2,4-dinitrochloro benzene-induced in vivo model. Taken together, HST was shown to effectively inhibit T-cell activation via inhibition of cytosolic NFAT dephosphorylation, similar to INCA-6.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1641-1651
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) is a recently identified member of the TNF ligand family that can initiate apoptosis through the activation of their death receptors. TRAIL has been paid attention as a potential anti-cancer drug, because it selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells in vitro and in vivo but not in most normal cells. However, recent studies have shown that some cancer cells including malignant renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, are resistant to the apoptotic effects of TRAIL. Therefore, single treatment with TRAIL may not be sufficient for the treatment of various malignant tumor cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of TRAIL resistance and identification of sensitizers capable of overcoming TRAIL resistance in cancer cells is needed for the establishment of more effective TRAIL-based cancer therapies. Chemotherapeutic drugs induce apoptosis and the upregulation of death receptors or activation of intracellular signaling pathways of TRAIL. Numerous chemotherapeutic drugs have been shown to sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. In this study, we summarize biological agents and drugs that sensitize tumors to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and discuss the potential molecular basis for their sensitization.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.92-97
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• 2014

Cordycepin, an active component originally isolated from the traditional medicine Cordyceps militaris, is a derivative of the nucleoside adenosine, which has been shown to possess a number of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, immunological stimulation, and antitumor effects. This study was conducted on cultured human prostate carcinoma LNCap cells to elucidate the possible mechanisms by which cordycepin exerts its anticancer activity, which, until now, has remained poorly understood. Cordycepin treatment of LNCap cells resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and the induction of apoptotic cell death as detected by an MTT assay, cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and annexin V-FITC staining. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that cordycepin resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and cyclin A expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the incubation of cells with cordycepin caused a striking induction in the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21Waf1/Cip1 without affecting the expression of the tumor suppressor p53. It also resulted in a significant increase in the binding of CDK2 and CDC2 to p21. These findings suggest that cordycepin-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells is mediated through p53-independent upregulation of the CDK inhibitor p21.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.1037-1047
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• 2017

Objective: Despite an increasing number of investigations into the pathophysiology of necrotic enteritis (NE) disease, etiology of NE-associated diseases, and gene expression profiling of NE-affected tissues, the microRNA (miRNA) profiles of NE-affected poultry have been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to induce NE disease in the genetically disparate Fayoumi chicken lines, and to perform non-coding RNA sequencing in the intestinal mucosal layer. Methods: NE disease was induced in the Fayoumi chicken lines (M5.1 and M15.2), and non-coding RNA sequencing was performed in the intestinal mucosal layer of both NE-affected and uninfected chickens to examine the differential expression of miRNAs. Next, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR) was performed to further examine four miRNAs that showed the highest fold differences. Finally, bioinformatics analyses were performed to examine the four miRNAs target genes involvement in the signaling pathways, and to examine their interaction. Results: According to non-coding RNA sequencing, total 50 upregulated miRNAs and 26 downregulated miRNAs were detected in the NE-induced M5.1 chickens. While 32 upregulated miRNAs and 11 downregulated miRNAs were detected in the NE-induced M15.2 chickens. Results of real-time qPCR analysis on the four miRNAs (gga-miR-9-5p, gga-miR-20b-5p, ggamiR-196-5p, and gga-let-7d) were mostly correlated with the results of RNAseq. Overall, ggamiR-20b-5p was significantly downregulated in the NE-induced M5.1 chickens and this was associated with the upregulation of its top-ranking target gene, mitogen-activated protein kinase, kinase 2. Further bioinformatics analyses revealed that 45 of the gene targets of gga-miR-20b-5p were involved in signal transduction and immune system-related pathways, and 35 of these targets were predicted to interact with each other. Conclusion: Our study is a novel report of miRNA expression in Fayoumi chickens, and could be very useful in understanding the role of differentially expressed miRNAs in a NE disease model.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.423-430
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• 2016

Background: The induction of cellular defensive genes such as phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes is a highly effective strategy for protection against carcinogenesis as well as slowing cancer development. Transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) is responsible for activation of phase II enzymes induced by natural chemopreventive compounds. Methods: Red ginseng oil (RGO) was extracted using a supercritical $CO_2$ extraction system and chemical profile of RGO was investigated by GC/MS. Effects of RGO on regulation of the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway were determined by ARE-luciferase assay, western blotting, and confocal microscopy. Results: The predominant components of RGO were 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (31.48%), bicyclo[10.1.0] tridec-1-ene (22.54%), and 22,23-dihydrostigmasterol (16.90%). RGO treatment significantly increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 as well as ARE reporter gene activity, leading to upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. Phosphorylation of the upstream kinases such as apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)1, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MKK)4/7, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK were enhanced by treatment with RGO. In addition, RGO-mediated Nrf2 expression and nuclear translocation was attenuated by JNK inhibitor SP600125 and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190. Conclusion: RGO could be used as a potential chemopreventive agent, possibly by induction of Nrf2/ARE-mediated phase II enzymes via ASK1-MKK4/7-JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.64-69
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• 2007

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of fisetin on the apoptosis and DNA single strand breaks in ultraviolet light B (UVB)-exposed NIH3T3 cells. Exposure of cells to UVB light $(200J/m^2)$ and post-incubation in growth medium for 48 hr resulted in about 50% of cells with apoptotic nuclear fragmentation. Addition of various concentrations of fisetin in the postincubation medium, however, significantly reduced the apoptotic nuclear fragmentation as compared with the values expected when the effects are additive and independent. DNA single strand breaks induced by UVB exposure were also significantly decreased by postincubation with fisetin. By Western blot analysis, fisetin post-incubation was shown to attenuate the p53 upregulation upon UVB exposure. Furthermore, the decrease of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) level upon UVB exposure was alleviated by fisetin postincubation. These results suggest that fisetin decrease the apoptosis and increae DNA repair in a possible association with alteration of p53 and PCNA levels in UVB-exposed cells.