• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2011

Arthritis is a common disease in aged people, and is clinically divided into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Although common symptoms such as pain are present, the underlying pathological mechanisms are slightly different. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to compare joint damage induced by RA and OA by analyzing the major morphological and molecular differences, and to propose a suitable therapeutic intervention based on the pathophysiological conditions of bones and joints. For the RA animal model, 8-week-old DBA1/J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Normal C57BL/6 mice (over 2 years of age) were used for OA. The clinical arthritis score was calculated using a subjective scoring system, and paw thicknesses were measured using calipers. The serum TNF ${\alpha}$ level was analyzed using an ELISA kit. Micro-CT was used to identify pathological characteristics and morphological changes. In collagen-induced RA mice, there were increased ankle joint volumes and clinical scores (p<0.01). The concentration of TNF ${\alpha}$ was significantly increased from 3 to 7 weeks after immunization. Micro-CT images showed trabecular bone destruction, pannus formation, and subchondral region destruction in RA mice. OA among aged mice showed narrowed joint spaces and breakdown of articular cartilage. This study suggests that a careful therapeutic intervention between RA and OA is required, and it should be based on morphological alteration of bone and joint.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2011

The fruit of Actinidia arguta (AA) has been used mainly for the treatment of skin diseases, diuresis, diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis in Korean traditional medicine. It is known that AA (hardy kiwi) fruit extract has an effect on 2-chloro-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Mode of action for it is associated with the modulation of biphasic Th1/Th2 cytokines. Furthermore, DA9102 containing AA is a herbal medicine currently under phase II clinical trial for atopic dermatitis in Korea. However, no active principles of AA on the decrease of Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-10 have been identified. In this study, bioactivity-guided fractionation of an alcohol extract from the dried fruits of AA using ELISA assay for IL-4 production led to the isolation of $\alpha$-linolenic acid (I), linoleic acid (II), ethyl linolenate (III), ethyl linoleate (IV) and ethyl stearate (V) as the major active components. These compounds showed the down-regulatory effects of IL-4 production in A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells without cytotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to develop a UPLC method for simultaneous analysis of 8 phenolic compounds including gallic aicd (1), protocatechuic acid (2), methyl gallate (3), ellagic acid (4), kaempferol-3-arabinofranosyl-7-rhamnoside (5), kaempferitrin (6), afzelin (7) and kaempferol-7-rhamnoside (8) isolated from Geranium thunbergii which has been traditionally used as anti-diarrheal agent. The UPLC method was optimized and validated using Halo C18 column ($4.6{\times}100mm$, $2.7{\mu}m$) consisting of MeOH and 0.1% formic acid at 260 nm in 25 minutes. In quantitative analysis of 8 compounds in MeOH extract of G. thunbergii, contents of 4-6 were 12.39, 20.52 and 21.45 mg/g, respectively. These compounds were measured as major phenolic compounds in G. thunbergii and can be useful as marker compounds for its quality control. These results suggest that the UPLC method can be contributed as basic data for quality evaluation of herbal preparations.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2020

Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CM) has been used to treat certain medical conditions such as hemorrhage, hepatitis, and hypertension. Cirsimaritin was previously found as the major flavonoid in CM and is said to contribute to its pharmacological effects. There are currently no reports detailing the qualitative and quantitative detection of phytochemical indicators in the aerial parts of CM. Therefore, we developed a method to rapidly identify and quantify cirsimaritin in CM using HPLC/UV, and we optimized and validated this analytical method. The results showed good linearity in the concentration range tested (0.25-0.015 mg/mL, r² ≥ 0.9999), accuracy (93.9-111.3%), and precision (RSD ≤ 0.59%). The developed method can therefore be used for the rapid evaluation of cirsimaritin in CM.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.782-788
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• 2008

The aim of this work is to show differences in the pattern of glycoconjugate composition in the intestines of four teleostean species (Sebastes schlegeli, Halichoeres poecilopterus, Bryzoichthys lysimus, and Takifugu pardalis). We compared four regions of all species studied. The specimens were processed and stained with nine kinds of biotinylated lectins (DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL- I , RCA- I , sWGA, UEA- I , LCA and Con A). Except for Sebastes schlegeli, no differences between regions were observed. The intestinal epithelium of Halichoeres poecilopterus possessed D-glucose/mannose residues in all regions. ${\beta}$-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine was distinctive along the intestines, although the pattern of diversity was different in Sebastes schlegeli, Bryzoichthys lysimus, and Takifugu pardalis. Additionally, the occurrence of Galactose-${\beta}$-1,3-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and ${\alpha}$-D-galactose were confirmed in the proximal, middle, and distal intestine of Sebastes schlegeli, while rectal intestine lacked these sugar residues. Along with ${\beta}$-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, ${\beta}$-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucose/mannose were also determined in Bryzoichthys lysimus. Galactose-${\beta}$-1,3-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, D-galactose, and D-glucose/mannose were also present in Takifugu pardalis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.360-366
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• 2006

Up to 35% of the rice genome consists of various kinds of transposons, and CACTA and MITE are two of the major class 2 DNA transposons in the genome. We have employed the consensus sequences of Rim2/Hipa CACTA, Stowaway MITE Pangrangja, and Tourist MITE Ditto for transposon display (TD) analysis to locate them on a genetic map, with 58 SSR markers used to anchor them. The TD analysis produced a high profile of the polymorphisms between the parental lines, Oryza sativa var. Gihobyeo/O. sativa var. Milyang, in intraspecific $F_{15}$ RIL lines, locating 368 markers of Rim2/Hipa CACTA, 78 markers of Tourist MITE Ditto, and 22 markers of Stowaway MITE Pangrangja. In the segregation analysis, non-parental segregating bands and segregation distortion bands were observed. The recombinant genetic map spans 3023.9 cM, with 5.7 cM the average distance between markers. The TD markers were distributed unequally on the chromosomes because many TD markers were located in pericentric chromosomal regions except in the cases of chromosomes 2, 3, 6 and 9. Although the number of transposon markers was not sufficient to include all rice class 2 transposons, the current map of CACTA and MITE transposons should provide new insight into the genome organization of rice since no previous DNA transposon map is available.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.402-408
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• 2015

Protein O-GlcNAcylation, dictated by cellular UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) levels, plays a crucial role in posttranslational modifications. The enzyme GlcNAc kinase (NAGK, E.C. 2.7.1.59) catalyzes the formation of GlcNAc-6-phosphate, which is a major substrate for the biosynthesis of UDP-GlcNAc. Recent studies have revealed the expression of NAGK in different types of cells especially in neuronal dendrites. Here, by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunonucleochemistry (INC) of cultured rat hippocampal neurons, HEK293T and GT1-7 cells, we have showed that NAGK immuno-reactive punctae being present in the nucleoplasm colocalized with small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-associated protein N (snRNPN) and p54NRB, which are speckle and paraspeckle markers, respectively. Furthermore, NAGK IR cluster was also found to be colocalized with GTF2H5 (general transcription factor IIH, polypeptide 5) immuno reactive punctae. In addition, relative localization to the ring of nuclear lamin matrix and to GlcNAc, which is highly enriched in nuclear pore complexes, showed that NAGK surrounds the nucleus at the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear outer membrane. By in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) we confirmed the colocalization of NAGK with snRNPN in the nucleus and in dendrites, while we also verified the interactions of NAGK with p54NRB, and with GTF2H5 in the nucleus. These associations between NAGK with speckle, paraspeckle and general transcription factor suggest its regulatory roles in gene expression.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.99-114
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• 2013

Phylogeographic and feeding ecological studies of seven terrestrial mustelid species (Carnivora, Mustelidae), the Japanese marten Martes melampus, the sable Martes zibellina, the Japanese badger Meles anakuma, the ermine or the stoat Mustela erminea, the Japanese weasel Mustela itatsi, the least weasel Mustela nivalis, and the Siberian weasel Mustela sibirica, representing four biogeographic patterns in the Japanese archipelagos (Hokkaido, Honshu-Shikoku-Kyushu, Tsushima, and Hokkaido-Honshu), were reviewed in order to clarify causes for the faunal assemblage processes of those mustelid species in Japan. Here, three main constraints were extracted as important factors on the mustelid assemblage. First, fundamental evolutionary differences maintained by niche conservatism in each ecologically diversified lineage ("evolutionary constraint") would enable the species to co-occur without any major problem (coexistence among Martes, Meles, and Mustela species). Second, "ecological constraints" would force two closely related species to be allopatric by competitive exclusion (Mu. itatsi and Mu. sibirica) or to be sympatric by resource partitions (Mu. erminea and Mu. nivalis). Third and most importantly, "geological constraints" would allow specific species to be embraced by a particular geographic region, primarily deciding which species co-occurs. The allopatric distribution of two Martes species in Japan would have been established by the strong effect of the geological separation in Tsugaru Strait. Elucidating both phylogeny and ecology of co-existing species in a community assemblage is important to know which species possess distinct lineage and which ecological traits are adapted to local environments, fulfilling the requirement of the field of conservation biology that endemism and adaptation should both be considered. The Japanese archipelagos would, therefore, provide valuable insight into the conservation for small carnivoran species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.301-304
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• 2018

Rodents are important reservoirs of diseases affecting people and livestock, and are major sources of parasite contamination of agricultural products. We surveyed the infection status of intestinal helminths in 2 species of field mice, Apodemus agrarius and A. peninsulae, captured in the agricultural fields of Gangwon-do and Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. Total 83 mice (57 A. agrarius and 26 A. peninsulae) were collected in 2 surveyed areas, and the intestines of each mouse were opened with scissors, and then intestinal contents were examined with microscope. Total 6 species of intestinal helminth were detected in 61 (73.5%) out of 83 mice examined. Four species of nematode, i.e., Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Heterakis spp. and ascarid, were found in 40 (48.2%), 14 (16.9%), 11 (13.3%) and 13 (15.7%) mice respectively. One species of cestode, Hymenolepis diminuta and 1 unidentified egg were also detected in the intestines of 14 (16.9%) and 1 (1.2%) mice, respectively. Conclusively, this study identified 5 helminth species in the gastrointestinal tracts of wild rodents captured in some areas in central and northern Korea, and N. brasiliensis was the most prevalent (dominant) species rather than zoonotic ones.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2007

Efficient gene delivery to specific tissues, such as inflammatory and cancerous tissues, is currently a major concern in disease treatment. The human transferrin receptor (hTR) has been detected in the synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), which raises the possibility that expression of hTR is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To investigate whether the hTR is a useful target for gene transduction into the FLS of RA patients, recombinant adenoviruses with wildtype fiber (AdLac) and transferrin peptide-tagged fiber (Tf-AdLac) were used. The hTR expression level in FLS was notably increased by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Gene transduction to FLS was significantly higher by the hTR-targeted adenovirus than by the AdLac adenovirus, and treatment of the FLS with bFGF resulted in increased gene transduction by Tf-AdLac. Taken together, these data support Tf-AdLac as a new strategy for gene transduction in the treatment of RA patients.