• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제45권1호
• /
• pp.11-30
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) on lung injury and muscle loss in a COPD mouse model. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were challenged with cigarette smoke extract and lipopolysaccharide, and then treated with two concentrations of SHT (250 and 500 mg/kg). After sacrifice, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lung tissue was analyzed by cytospin, ELISA, real-time PCR, flow cytometry analysis, and H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. The grip strength of COPD mice was measured using a grip strength meter. The running time of COPD mice was measured by a treadmill test. Muscle tissue of the quadriceps was stained with H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: SHT significantly inhibited the increase in neutrophil numbers in BALF and significantly decreased immune cell activity in BALF and lung tissue. It also significantly inhibited the increase in TNF-α, IL-17, and MIP2 in BALF. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-17, MIP2, and TRPV1 in lung tissue showed a significant decrease compared with the control group. Lung tissue damage was significantly reduced in the histological analysis. The grip strength and running time of the COPD mice showed a significant decrease compared with the control group. In histological staining, SHT was found to reduce the damage to muscle tissue. Conclusions: This study indicates that SHT can be used as a therapeutic agent for COPD patients by inhibiting lung injury and muscle loss.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제48권3호
• /
• pp.298-309
• /
• 2024

Background: 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2(GRh2), an effective natural histone deacetylase inhibitor, can inhibit acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell proliferation. Lactate regulated histone lactylation, which has different temporal dynamics from acetylation. However, whether the high level of lactylation modification that we first detected in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is associated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistance has not been reported. Furthermore, Whether GRh2 can regulate lactylation modification in ATRA-resistant APL remains unknown. Methods: Lactylation and METTL3 expression levels in ATRA-sensitive and ATRA-resistant APL cells were detected by Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR and CO-IP. Flow cytometry (FCM) and APL xenograft mouse models were used to determine the effect of METTL3 and GRh2 on ATRA-resistance. Results: Histone lactylation and METTL3 expression levels were considerably upregulated in ATRA-resistant APL cells. METTL3 was regulated by histone lactylation and direct lactylation modification. Overexpression of METTL3 promoted ATRA-resistance. GRh2 ameliorated ATRA-resistance by downregulated lactylation level and directly inhibiting METTL3. Conclusions: This study suggests that lactylation-modified METTL3 could provide a promising strategy for ameliorating ATRA-resistance in APL, and GRh2 could act as a potential lactylation-modified METTL3 inhibitor to ameliorate ATRA-resistance in APL.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제21권4호
• /
• pp.25.1-25.16
• /
• 2021

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease whose development is shaped by a variety of environmental and genetic factors. While several recent studies suggest that microbial dysbiosis in the gut may promote asthma, little is known about the relationship between the recently discovered lung microbiome and asthma. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have also been shown recently to participate in asthma. To investigate the relationship between the lung microbiome, ILCs, and asthma, we recruited 23 healthy controls (HC), 42 patients with non-severe asthma, and 32 patients with severe asthma. Flow cytometry analysis showed severe asthma associated with fewer natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR)⁺ILC3s in the lung. Similar changes in other ILC subsets, macrophages, and monocytes were not observed. The asthma patients did not differ from the HC in terms of the alpha and beta-diversity of the lung and gut microbiomes. However, lung function correlated positively with both NCR⁺ILC3 frequencies and microbial diversity in the lung. Sputum NCR⁺ILC3 frequencies correlated positively with lung microbiome diversity in the HC, but this relationship was inversed in severe asthma. Together, these data suggest that airway NCR⁺ILC3s may contribute to a healthy commensal diversity and normal lung function.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제21권6호
• /
• pp.43.1-43.14
• /
• 2021

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), which express IL-22 and IL-17A, has been introduced as one of pathologic cells in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Dyslipidaemia should be managed in axSpA patients to reduce cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidaemia promotes inflammation. This study aimed to reveal the role of circulating ILC3 in axSpA and the impact of dyslipidaemia on axSpA pathogenesis. AxSpA patients with or without dyslipidaemia and healthy control were recruited. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and flow cytometry analysis of circulating ILC3 and CD4⁺ T cells was performed. The correlation between Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and circulating immune cells was evaluated. The effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL-C) on immune cell differentiation was confirmed. AxSpA human monocytes were cultured with with oxLDL-C, IL-22, or oxLDL-C plus IL-22 to evaluate osteoclastogenesis using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and real-time quantitative PCR of osteoclast-related gene expression. Total of 34 axSpA patients (13 with dyslipidaemia and 21 without) were included in the analysis. Circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 and Th17 were significantly elevated in axSpA patients with dyslipidaemia (p=0.001 and p=0.034, respectively), and circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 significantly correlated with ASDAS-CRP (Rho=0.4198 and p=0.0367). Stimulation with oxLDL-C significantly increased IL-22⁺ ILC3, NKp44^- ILC3, and Th17 cells, and these were reversed by CD36 blocking agent. IL-22 and oxLDL-C increased TRAP⁺ cells and osteoclast-related gene expression. This study suggested potential role of circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 as biomarker in axSpA. Furthermore, dyslipidaemia augmented IL-22⁺ ILC3 differentiation, and oxLDL-C and IL-22 markedly increased osteoclastogenesis of axSpA.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제20권5호
• /
• pp.40.1-40.15
• /
• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제20권6호
• /
• pp.48.1-48.11
• /
• 2020

Hyperprogressive disease (HPD) is a distinct pattern of progression characterized by acceleration of tumor growth after treatment with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Abs. However, the immunological characteristics have not been fully elucidated in patients with HPD. We prospectively recruited patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Abs between April 2015 and April 2018, and collected peripheral blood before treatment and 7-days post-treatment. HPD was defined as ≥2-fold increase in both tumor growth kinetics and tumor growth rate between pre-treatment and post-treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by multi-color flow cytometry to phenotype the immune cells. Of 115 patients, 19 (16.5%) developed HPD, 52 experienced durable clinical benefit (DCB; partial response or stable disease ≥6 months), and 44 experienced non-hyperprogressive progression (NHPD). Patients with HPD had significantly lower progression-free survival (p<0.001) and overall survival (p<0.001). When peripheral blood immune cells were examined, the pre-treatment frequency of CD39⁺ cells among CD8⁺ T cells was significantly higher in patients with HPD compared to those with NHPD, although it showed borderline significance to predict HPD. Other parameters regarding regulatory T cells or myeloid derived suppressor cells did not significantly differ among patient groups. Our findings suggest high pre-treatment frequency of CD39⁺CD8⁺ T cells might be a characteristic of HPD. Further investigations in a larger cohort are needed to confirm our results and better delineate the immune landscape of HPD.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• 제50권
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2023

이번 연구에서 인삼의 약 배양을 통한 배 형성과 식물체의 재분화가 확인되었다. 인삼의 약 배양에서 캘러스 유도에 적합한 기본 배지는 MS 배지였고 sucrose 농도는 3%였으며, 배 형성에 적합한 호르몬 농도는 2,4-D 1.0 mg/L 또는 3.0 mg/L이었다. 저온 전처리에 의한 인삼 약 배양의 캘러스 유도와 배 형성의 효율성 차이는 확인할 수 없었다. 인삼의 품종별 약 배양의 효율성을 검정한 결과, 청선 품종의 배 형성률이 가장 우수하였으며 선운 품종은 배 형성이 관찰되지 않았다. 약 배양으로 유도된 캘러스의 배수성을 검정한 결과, 반수체 캘러스가 확인되었지만 이 캘러스에서 배는 형성되지 않았다. 약 배양 유래의 배를 발아배지에 치상하였을 때 정상적으로 식물체가 재분화 하였으며, 이 식물체의 배수성을 검정한 결과, 모두 2배체로 확인되었다. 추후 DNA 마커를 이용한 약 배양 유래 식물체의 동형접합성의 확인이 필요하다고 판단된다. 인삼 약 배양을 통하여 동형접합성 식물체를 생산할 수 있다면 인삼 육종 효율성을 증진시키는데 크게 기여할 수 있을 것이다.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제34권2호
• /
• pp.94-104
• /
• 2024

β-lapachone은 다양한 유형의 질병을 치료하기 위해 남미 및 중미 지역의 전통 의학에서 널리 사용되어 온 Tabebuia vellanedae의 껍질에서 분리된 천연 퀴논 화합물의 일종이다. β-lapachone은 여러 유형의 암세포에서 강력한 항암 활성을 갖는 것으로 보고되었지만, 간세포암종 세포의 증식에 대한 효과는 아직 불분명하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 β-lapachone 인간 간세포암종 Hep3B 세포의 증식에 미치는 영향을 조사하였으며, 본 연구의 결과에 의하면, β-lapachone 처리에 의한 Hep3B 세포의 세포생존율 감소는 세포사멸 유도와 밀접한 관련이 있었다. 또한, β-lapachone이 처리된 Hep3B 세포에서는 항세포사멸 인자인 Bcl-2의 발현이 감소한 반면, 세포사멸 유도 인자인 Bax의 발현은 증가하였으며, 이는 caspase cascade의 활성 증가와 연관성이 있었다. 그러나 pan-caspase 억제제가 존재하는 경우 β-lapachone에 의해 유발된 세포사멸은 약화되었으며, 이는 β-lapachone에 의한 세포사멸 유도가 caspase 의존적인 현상임을 의미한다. 아울러, β-lapachone의 처리는 ERK 경로를 활성화시키면서 PI3K/Akt 경로의 활성을 억제하였으며, β-lapachone 유도 세포사멸에 ERK 억제제의 효과는 미미했지만, PI3K 억제제는 β-lapachone에 의해 유도된 세포사멸을 유의하게 증가시켰다. 비록 생체 내 동물 모델에서의 확인이 필요하지만, 본 연구의 결과는 간세포암종 세포에서 β-lapa-chone의 항암 활성을 이해하는 데 유용한 자료로 활용될 것이다.

• 한방비만학회지
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Ephedrae herba (EH) and Coicis semen (CS) has been frequently prescribed for the treatment of obesity. However, effects of combinational extracts of these two herbs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of EH and CS on lipid accumulation and glucose absorption in free fatty acids (FFAs) or palmitic acid (PA)-treated HepG2 cells. Methods: Five samples of EH and CS were extracted by combination ratios (S1=0:100, S2=25:75, S3=50:50, S4=75:25, S5=100:0). Oil Red O staining was used to measure lipid accumulation in FFAs-induced steatosis cells. Intracellular triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were measured in FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. In PA-treated cells, intracellular 2-NBDG was detected using a fluorescence microplate reader and flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of key metabolism-related factors of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, expression of key lipid synthesis-related factors carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 alpha (CPT1α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) were confirmed by western blot. Results: Treatment of EH-CS combination in the FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells significantly reduced lipid accumulation. As the relative ratio of Ephedrae herba increased, the lipid-lowering effects of the combination were increased. However, S1 and S5 of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen did not significantly reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol induced by FFAs. However, the combination of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen restored glucose absorption in PA-induced HepG2 cells. Major makers of SREBP1, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and CPT1α expression tended to decrease with EH ratio. Conclusions: The EH-CS combination has advantages over sole EH and CS extracts in improving lipid and glucose metabolism in liver steatosis models.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
• /
• 제15권3호
• /
• pp.247-257
• /
• 2022

Background and Objectives: Although human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) can be efficiently differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs), the heterogeneity of the hiPSC-CMs hampers their applications in research and regenerative medicine. Retinoic acid (RA)-mediated signaling pathway has been proved indispensable in cardiac development and differentiation of hiPSC toward atrial CMs. This study was aimed to test whether RA signaling pathway can be manipulated to direct the differentiation into sinoatrial node (SAN) CMs. Methods and Results: Using the well-characterized GiWi protocol that cardiomyocytes are generated from hiPSC via temporal modulation of Wnt signaling pathway by small molecules, RA signaling pathway was manipulated during the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs on day 5 post-differentiation, a crucial time point equivalent to the transition from cardiac mesoderm to cardiac progenitor cells in cardiac development. The resultant CMs were characterized at mRNA, protein and electrophysiology levels by a combination of qPCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and whole-cell patch clamp. The results showed that activation of the RA signaling pathway biased the differentiation of atrial CMs, whereas inhibition of the signaling pathway biased the differentiation of sinoatrial node-like cells (SANLCs). Conclusions: Our study not only provides a novel and simple strategy to enrich SANLCs but also improves our understanding of the importance of RA signaling in the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs.