• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.291-297
• /
• 2022

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of progressive blindness that is primarily due to dysfunction and the loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The accumulation of N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E), a by-product of the visual cycle, causes RPE and photoreceptor degeneration that impairs vision. Genes associated with dry AMD have been identified using a blue light model of A2E accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium and transcriptomic studies of retinal tissue from patients with AMD. However, dry macular degeneration progresses slowly, and current approaches cannot reveal changes in gene transcription according to stages of AMD progression. Thus, they are limited in terms of identifying genes responsible for pathogenesis. Here, we created a model of long-term exposure to identify temporally-dependent changes in gene expression induced in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) exposed to blue light and a non-cytotoxic dose of A2E for 120 days. We identified stage-specific genes at 40, 100, and 120 days, respectively. The expression of genes corresponding to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the early stage, glycolysis and angiogenesis during the middle stage, and apoptosis and inflammation pathways during the late stage was significantly altered by A2E and blue light. Changes in the expression of genes at the late stages of the EMT were similar to those found in human eyes with late-stage AMD. Our results provide further insight into the pathogenesis of dry AMD induced by blue light and a novel model in vitro with which relevant genes can be identified in the future.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.43 no.7
• /
• pp.632-644
• /
• 2020

The molecular mechanism underlying autophagy impairment in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is not yet clear. Based on the causative role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) in RPE necrosis, this study examined whether PARP1 is involved in the autophagy impairment observed during dry AMD pathogenesis. We found that autophagy was downregulated following H₂O₂-induced PARP1 activation in ARPE-19 cells and olaparib, PARP1 inhibitor, preserved the autophagy process upon H₂O₂ exposure in ARPE-19 cells. These findings imply that PARP1 participates in the autophagy impairment upon oxidative stress in ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, PARP1 inhibited autolysosome formation but did not affect autophagosome formation in H₂O₂-exposed ARPE-19 cells, demonstrating that PARP1 is responsible for impairment of late-stage autophagy in particular. Because PARP1 consumes NAD⁺ while exerting its catalytic activity, we investigated whether PARP1 impedes autophagy mediated by sirtuin1 (SIRT1), which uses NAD⁺ as its cofactor. A NAD⁺ precursor restored autophagy and protected mitochondria in ARPE-19 cells by preserving SIRT1 activity upon H₂O₂. Moreover, olaparib failed to restore autophagy in SIRT1-depleted ARPE-19 cells, indicating that PARP1 inhibits autophagy through SIRT1 inhibition. Next, we further examined whether PARP1-induced autophagy impairment occurs in the retinas of dry AMD model mice. Histological analyses revealed that olaparib treatment protected mouse retinas against sodium iodate (SI) insult, but not in retinas cotreated with SI and wortmannin, an autophagy inhibitor. Collectively, our data demonstrate that PARP1-dependent inhibition of SIRT1 activity impedes autophagic survival of RPE cells, leading to retinal degeneration during dry AMD pathogenesis.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.142-152
• /
• 2014

In this study, generic characteristics of the acid mine drainage (AMD), removal efficiency of iron, aluminium and manganese by chemical treatment, electrolysis and hybrid process using electrolysis after neutralization were evaluated. The pH of AMD was inversely proportional to the rainfall. In dry-season, the average pH of AMD was ranged from 4.5 to 5.5, showing slight variation. However, the pH of AMD was gradually decreased along with rainfall and dropped to 3.02 in September showing the greatest rainfall. Removal efficiency of heavy metals by chemical treatments using three different neutralizing agents or by electrolysis was low. However, a hybrid process performed with electrolysis after addition of neutralization shows higher removal capacity for heavy metal ions than neutralization-alone and electrolysisalone process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.38-47
• /
• 1995

This study was carried out in order to provide basic information on neutralization processes of acid mine drainage (AMD) from the abandoned Donghae coal mine in the Samchuk coalfield. The contents of potentially toxic elements in stream water increase and the level of pH decreases during dry season. Hydrated lime is turned out to be the best neutralizer of the acid mine water from a technical and economic viewpoint. From the results of equilibrium calculation, Fe and Al could be precipitated as FeOOH, and Al(OH)$_3$, respectively, in the neutralization process. The sites of holding basins necessary to equalize quantity and quality of AMD are recommended by GIS analysis, and the capacities of holding basins are determined by hydrological calculation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2023

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant visual disease that induces impaired vision and irreversible blindness in the elderly. However, the effects of ginseng berry extract (GBE) on the retina have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of GBE on blue light (BL)-induced retinal damage and elucidate its underlying mechanisms in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells) and Balb/c retina. Methods: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of GBE on retinal damage in vitro, we performed cell viability assay, pre-and post-treatment of sample, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and western immunoblotting using A2E-laden ARPE-19 cells with BL exposure. In addition, Balb/c mice were irradiated with BL to induce retinal degeneration and orally administrated with GBE (50, 100, 200 mg/kg). Using the harvested retina, we performed histological analysis (thickness of retinal layers), qRT-PCR, and western immunoblotting to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of GBE against retinal damage in vivo. Results: GBE significantly inhibited BL-induced cell damage in ARPE-19 cells by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, regulating NF-kB translocation, caspase 3 activation, PARP cleavage, expressions of apoptosis-related factors (BAX/BCL-2, LC3-II, and p62), and ROS production. Furthermore, GBE prevented BL-induced retinal degeneration by restoring the thickness of retinal layers and suppressed inflammation and apoptosis via regulation of NF-kB and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP, and expressions of apoptosis-related factors in vivo. Conclusions: GBE could be a potential agent to prevent dry AMD and progression to wet AMD.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.499-508
• /
• 1998

The Imgok Creek is located in the Gangreung coal field, which has been known that sulfides are more abundant than other coal fields in Korea, and it has been severly contaminated by acid mine drainage (AMD) discharging from the abandoned coal mines, such as the Youngdong, the Dongduk and the Waryong coal mines. The purposes of this study are to synthetically assess the contamination of natural water, stream sediment and cultivated soils, and to provide the basic data for AMD treatment. Geochemical samples were collected in December, 1996 (dry season) and April, 1997 (after three day's rainfall). TDS of the Youngdong mine water was remarkably higher than those of other mine waters. In the Imgok Creek, concentrations of most elements, except Fe decreased with distance by dilution caused by the inflow of uncontaminated tributaries. From the results of NAMDI and $I_{geo}$ calculation, the Youngdong coal mine was the main contamination source of the study area. Groundwater pollution was not yet confirmed in this study and the paddy and farm land soils were also not yet contaminated by mining activity based on the pollution index ranging from 0.27 to 0.47.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.7 no.12
• /
• pp.1070-1076
• /
• 1997

DLC(diamond-like carbon)박막을 RF PCVD법으로 증착하여 일반적인 증착특성과 마찰.마모특성사이의 관계를 알아보기 위해, 증착속도, 박막경도, 내무압축응력 및 박막내의 수소량 측정을 통해 일반적인 증착특성을 조사하였다. 그리고 증착된 박막의 C-H 결합구조와 물질특성 분성을 위해 각각 FTIR 및 Raman분광분석을 행하였다. 박막의 마찰계수와 내마모특성은 Pin-on-disk형 마찰시험기를 이용하여 상기의 증착조건과의 상관관계를 조사하였다. DC self-bais, 즉 충돌에너지가 커지면 박막의 증착속도와 경도는 대체로 증가하고, 박막내의 압축응력은 최대값을 가지다가 다시 감소됨을 알 수 있언ㅆ다. 또한 박막내의 수소량은 급격히 감소하다가 포화됨을 알 수 있었다. 얻어진 박막의 마찰계수는 최소 0.08로 분위기가 dry일 때 더 작으며 내마모성은 이온의 충돌에너지와 밀접한 관계를 가지며 모재인 Si-wafer보다 훨씬 큼을 알수 있었다.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.385-392
• /
• 2016

Seasonal variability in the algal community structure of intertidal zones was examined at six study sites in Marine National Parks, on the western and southern coasts of Korea from March to November 2015. A total of 193 species of algae, comprising 27 green, 40 brown and 126 red algae, were identified. Algal biomass averaged 101.50 g dry wt./m² with a maximal at Tonggae (168.12 g dry wt./m²) and minimum at Haseom (54.49 g dry wt./m²). The dominant seaweeds by biomass were Sargassum thunbergii at five sites (Tonggae, Haseom, Namdongri, Ando amd Sinjeonri), and S. fusiforme at Soando. Community indices measured as follows: dominance index (DI), 0.31–0.69; richness index (R), 7.30–11.43; evenness index (J'), 0.33–0.49; and diversity index (H'), 1.15–1.86. As evaluated using community indices and environmental states, the EEI (Ecological Evaluation Index) of the Marine National Park was “normal”. The present results indicate that seaweed community structures and indices could be used to evaluate the environmental status of coastal ecosystems.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2010

Sex and its tropic hormones influence the lacrimal system, corneal anatomy and disease, aqueous humor dynamics and glaucoma, crystalline lens and cataract, and retinal disease. Dry eye occurs especially frequently during pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and after menopause, during which androgen levels decrease. Androgen control development, differentiation, and lipid production of sebaceous glands throughout the body, and androgen deficiency also leads to meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye. On the other hand, estrogen causes a reduction in size, activity, and lipid production of sebaceous glands. Sex and its tropic hormones also influence the corneal anatomy and disease, and corneal thickening occurred on the second day of the menstrual cycle and around the time of ovulation and appeared to be related to estrogen levels. Fuchs' dystrophy is more commonly seen in postmenopausal women than men and may be linked to hormonal changes that occur with aging. In addition, overexpression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the conjunctiva of vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients. Serum progesterone levels also may be associated with intraocular pressure especially in pregnant women, and for the women. For women with cataracts, hormone levels were typical of menopause, and there was a significant negative correlation between estradiol and follicular stimulating hormone levels. In addition, serum testosterone levels are associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy. Although the role of sex hormones on the eye is largely unknown, and the results should be interpreted with caution until replicated, the functions of sex hormones in ocular disease remains to be investigated, because they may be involved in structure and function of the ocular components, which are important in the pathogenesis of ocular disease.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.213-220
• /
• 1995

Geochemistry of stream water and sediment collected in the vicinity of the Donghae coal mine in the Samchuk coalfied were investigated in order to evaluate the environmental impacts of acid mine drainage. The pH of stream water ranges from 2.85(at 2 km away from the mine) to 7.92(at uncontaminated tributary). The main cation and anion species in the upper stream are $Ca^{2+}$ and $SO_{4}{^2-}$, respectively. The level of pH and the amount of $HCO^{3-}$ in stream water increase to the downstream and where uncontaminated small tributaries are joining, and in the area covered with limestone. From the results of thermodynamic calculation, the main forms of iron in stream water are estimated as $Fe^{2+}$ and $FeSO_{4}{^0}$, and most of them could be precipitated as FeO(OH) with increase of pH. The white precipitates in stream sediments particularly found around the coal mine are proved to be $Al(OH)_3$ by XRD and XRF analysis. As a result of investigation for seasonal variation of AMD, the level of pH decreased and conductivity increased in dry season.