• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.352-357
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• 2013

Atherosclerosis, which manifests as acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and peripheral arterial diseases, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall. Prunella vulgaris, a perennial herb with a worldwide distribution, has been used as a traditional medicine in inflammatory disease. Here, we investigated the effects of P. vulgaris ethanol extract on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). We found that P. vulgaris ethanol extract inhibited adhesion of monocyte/macrophage-like THP-1 cells to activated HASMCs. It also decreased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and ROS, No production in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HASMCs and reduced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Furthermore, P. vulgaris extract suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results demonstrate that P. vulgaris possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can regulate TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of adhesion molecules by inhibiting the p38 MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.308-316
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• 2010

Odontoblasts are anchorage dependent cells adhering to a substrate via cell adhesive molecules. Receptor ligands such as integrins bind to these proteins and are known to function as signal transduction molecules in a series of critical recognition events of cell-substratum. The aim of this study is to examine the interaction of odontoblast (MDPC-23 cell) with type I Col and the effect of TGF-${\beta}1$ and TNF-$\alpha$ on the expression of cell adhesion molecules. In this study, MDPC-23 cells adhered to type I Col dose-dependently. Immunofluorescence data demonstrated that integrin ${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$ and CD44 were expressed on cell surface, and FAK and paxillin were localized in focal adhesion plaques in MDPC-23 cells adhesion to Col. Cytokine TGF-${\beta}1$ increased the adhesion of MDPC-23 cells to Col and the expression level of integrin ${\alpha}1$, 4{\alpha}2$ and chondroitin sulfate on MDPC-23 cells. RT-PCR data demonstrated that cytokine TGF-${\beta}1$ increased the amount of integrin ${\alpha}1$ mRNA in MDPC-23 cells. Therefore, MDPC-23 cells adhere to collagen type I Col and expressed a complex pattern of integrins and proteoglycans, including ${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$, chondroitin sulfate and CD44 detected by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assay. TGF-${\beta}1$ treatment enhanced the expression of adhesion molecules such as integrin ${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$ and chondroitin sulfate.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.381-388
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• 2011

We compared the effects of genistein and daidzein on the expression of chemokines, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$-stimulated human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). TNF-${\alpha}$ exposure significantly increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-l, vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Genistein significantly decreased MCP-l and VCAM-l production in a dose-dependent manner, whereas CAM expression was not significantly lowered by genistein treatment. However, daidzein slightly decreased MCP-l production. The effects of genistein and daidzein on MCP-l secretion coincided with mRNA expression. Pre-treatment with either genistein or daidzein elevated eNOS expression and nitric oxide production disturbed by TNF-${\alpha}$ exposure. A low concentration of isoflavones significantly inhibited nuclear factor (NF)${\kappa}$B activation, whereas a high dose slightly ameliorated these inhibitive effects. These results suggest that genistein had a stronger effect on MCP-l and eNOS expression than that of daidzein. Additionally, NF${\kappa}$B transactivation might be partially related to the down-regulation of these mRNAs in TNF-${\alpha}$-stimulated HUVECs.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.725-730
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• 2005

In the development of biomaterials as a substitute of hard tissues, the biocompatibility and osteoconductivity of the biomaterial are considered to be one of the most significant considerations. These biological properties of a material can be greatly improved by the modification of the surface properties by the depositing calcium phosphate thin films on the material since calcium phosphate films possess similar chemical compositions to hard tissues. The success of a material as a biomaterial will be determined by the interaction of the surface of the material with the adhesion molecules which induce cellular adhesion and biological responses of the adherent cells. Depending on the adsorption mechanisms and adsorbed conformation of the adhesion molecules on the surface of the biomaterial, cellular responses, such as adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells, can be promoted or restricted. It has been reported that materials of which surfaces were modified with thin films of calcium phosphate appeared to be more osteoconductive. Rapid formations of bone nodule in addition to higher differentiations of osteoblast have been observed on the calcium phosphate thin films.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.772-781
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• 2011

Branched N-glycans are produced by a series of glycosyltransferases including N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases and fucosyltransferases and their corresponding genes. Glycans on specific glycoproteins, which are attached via the action of glycosyltransferases, play key roles in cell adhesion and signaling. Examples of this are adhesion molecules or signaling molecules such as integrin and E-cadherin, as well as membrane receptors such as the EGF and TGF-${\beta}$ receptors. These molecules also play pivotal roles in the underlying mechanism of a variety of disease such as cancer metastasis, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Alterations in the structures of branched N-glycans are also hall marks and are useful for cancer biomarkers and therapeutics against cancer. This mini-review describes some of our recent studies on a functional glycomics approach to the study of branched N-glycans produced by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases III, IV, V and IX (Vb) (GnT-III, GnT-IV, V and IX (Vb)) and fucosyltransferase 8 (Fut8) and their pathophysiological significance, with emphasis on the importance of a systems glycobiology approach as a future perspective for glycobiology.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.469-474
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• 2002

The inner shell of the chestnut (Castanea crenata S. et Z., Fagaceae) has been used as an anti-wrinkle/skin firming agent in East Asia, and preliminary experiments have found that a 70% ethanol extract from this plant material can prevent cell detachment of skin fibroblasts from culture plates. In order to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, its effects on the expression of adhesion molecules, such as fibronectin and vitronectin, were investigated using the mouse skin fibroblast cell line, NIH/3T3. Using fixed-cell ELISA, Western blotting and immunofluorescence cell staining, it was clearly demonstrated that the chestnut inner shell extract enhanced the expression of the cell-associated fibronectin and vitronectin. Scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin), isolated from the extract, also possessed similar properties. These findings suggest that the enhanced expression of the adhesion molecules may be one of the molecular mechanisms for how the chestnut inner shell extract preventing cell detachment and may be also responsible for its anti-wrinkle/skin firming effect.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.130.3-131
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• 2003

Inflammation is a frequent radiation-induced following therapeutic irradiation. Since the upregulation of adhesion molecules on endothelial cell surface has been known to be associated with inflammation, interfering with the expression of adhesion molecules is an important therapeutic target. We examined the effect if allicin, a major component of garlic, on the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-l (ICAM-1) by gamma-irradiation and the mechanisms of its effect in gamma-irradiated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). (omitted)

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2437-2444
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• 2012

Tumor metastasis remains the principal cause of treatment failure and poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. It is a multistage process which includes proteolysis, motility and migration of cells, proliferation in a new site, and neoangiogenesis. A crucial step in the process of intra- and extra-vasation is the activation of proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this stage, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are necessary. Micrometastases need the presence of growth factor and vascular growth factor so that they can form macrometastasis. In addition, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) play important roles in the progression of colorectal cancer and metastatic migration. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of how these molecules contribute will aid in the identification of diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic targets for patients with colorectal metastasis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 2009

Cell-cell adhesion managed by various adhesion molecules is known to be one of pathophysiological phenomena found in numerous immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and allergic diseases. In this study, we examined the regulatory role of ginsenosides (G)- Rh1, reported to display anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, on CD29-mediated cell adhesion. G-Rh1 significantly suppressed U937 cell-cell adhesion mediated by CD29 but not CD43. It also blocked U937 cell-fibronectin adhesion, mediated by activated CD29, up to 30%. In agreement, this compound also significantly decreased the surface level of CD29 but not CD43 as well as other costimulatory molecules such as CD69, CD80, and CD86. Therefore, these results suggest that G-Rh1 may have inhibitory function on CD29-mediated cell adhesion events, probably contributing to its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.244-251
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• 2003

Plant nutrients are believed to provide protection against various diseases including inflammation. Since interactions of the cell adhesion molecules are known to play important roles in mediating inflammation, inhibiting adhesion protein upregulation is a possible therapeutic target. In this study, the interacellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was induced in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) after stimulation with $TNF-{\alpha}$. In addition, alginate, ascorbic acid and allicin were demonstrated to inhibit the $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced expression of ICAM-1 on the HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. These compounds also inhibited the production of NO and $H_2O_2$ induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$, which suggests that the inhibition of ICAM-1 expression by the three compounds may be due to the modulated production of the reactive oxygen/nitrogen components. Overall, these results indicate that these dietary components have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders associated with an increase in endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules.