• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.671-677
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• 2018

In the present study, we investigated whether tussilagone, a natural product derived from Tussilago farfara, significantly affects the production and gene expression of airway MUC5AC mucin. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with tussilagone for 30 min and then stimulated with EGF (epidermal growth factor) or PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. Production of MUC5AC mucin protein was measured by ELISA. To elucidate the action mechanism of tussilagone, effect of tussilagone on PMA-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway was investigated by western blot analysis. Tussilagone significantly inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin protein and down-regulated the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene, induced by EGF or PMA. Tussilagone inhibited PMA-induced activation (phosphorylation) of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK), and thus phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory kappa Ba ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$). Tussilagone inhibited PMA-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC protein production in NCI-H292 cells. These results suggest that tussilagone can regulate the production and gene expression of mucin by acting on airway epithelial cells through regulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.292-300
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• 2019

Immunometabolism, defined as the interaction of metabolic pathways with the immune system, influences the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Metformin and carbon monoxide (CO) are two pharmacological agents known to ameliorate metabolic disorders. There are notable similarities and differences in the reported effects of metformin and CO on immunometabolism. Metformin, an anti-diabetes drug, has positive effects on metabolism and can exert anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects via adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms. CO, an endogenous product of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), can exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects at low concentration. CO can confer cytoprotection in metabolic disorders and cancer via selective activation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) pathway. Both metformin and CO can induce mitochondrial stress to produce a mild elevation of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) by distinct mechanisms. Metformin inhibits complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), while CO inhibits ETC complex IV. Both metformin and CO can differentially induce several protein factors, including fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and sestrin2 (SESN2), which maintain metabolic homeostasis; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of the antioxidant response; and REDD1, which exhibits an anticancer effect. However, metformin and CO regulate these effects via different pathways. Metformin stimulates p53- and AMPK-dependent pathways whereas CO can selectively trigger the PERK-dependent signaling pathway. Although further studies are needed to identify the mechanistic differences between metformin and CO, pharmacological application of these agents may represent useful strategies to ameliorate metabolic diseases associated with altered immunometabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.259-268
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the synergic effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bisphosphonate-treated osteoblasts. Materials and Methods: Human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) were cultured with $100{\mu}M$ alendronate. Low-level Ga-Al-As laser alone or with 100 ng/mL rhBMP-2 was then applied. Cell viability was measured with MTT assay. The expression levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were analyzed for osteoblastic activity inducing osteoclastic activity. Collagen type and transforming growth factor beta-1 were also evaluated for bone matrix formation. Results: The results showed that rhBMP-2 and LLLT had a synergic effect on alendronate-treated osteoblasts for enhancing osteoblastic activity and bone matrix formation. Between rhBMP-2 and LLLT, rhBMP-2 exhibited a greater effect, but did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: rhBMP-2 and LLLT have synergic effects on bisphosphonate-treated osteoblasts through enhancement of osteoblastic activity and bone formation activity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.587-601
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: UV radiation is a major factor contributing to DNA damage in skin cells, including stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, leading to the depletion of these crucial cells. This study examined whether a mixture of Indian gooseberry and barley sprout (IB) could inhibit UVB irradiation and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced photoaging and oxidative stress in the skin using HaCaT, Hs27, and B16F10 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The moisturizing-related factors, the collagen synthesis-related c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Fos/c-Jun/matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) pathway, and the melanogenesis-related cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-responsive binding protein (CREB)/melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF)/tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)/tyrosinase activation pathways were analyzed in vitro by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The IB complex increased the hyaluronic acid and sphingomyelin levels and the collagenase inhibitory activity, enhanced hydration-related factors, including collagen, hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS), elastin, long chain base subunit 1 (LCB1) (serine palmitoyltransferase; SPT), and delta 4-desaturase sphingolipid 1 (DEGS1), modulated the inflammatory cytokines levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and the NF-κB/MMPs/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, and inhibited wrinkle formation by down-regulation of the JNK/c-Fos/c-Jun/MMP pathway and up-regulation of the transforming growth factor-𝛽 receptor I (TGF𝛽R1)/small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad3)/procollagen type I pathway in UVB-irradiated Hs27 cells. Moreover, the IB complex prevented melanin production by down-regulating the PKA/CREB/MITF/TRP-1/TRP-2 pathway in IBMX-induced B16F10 cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the IB complex has the potential to serve as a safeguard, shielding the skin from UVB radiation-induced photo-damage.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 1994

Recent evidence indicates that glial cells have a wide range of funtions which are critical for maintaining a balanced homeostatic environment in the central nervous system(CNS) peripheral nervous system(PNS). Morever, astrocytes are known to participate in the tissue repair and neuroimmunologic events within the CNS through many kinds of growth factors and cytokines. We investigated the effect of $TGF\;{\beta}_1$, on the growth and biochemical changes of rat glial cells in culture. The proliferative effect was determined by $^3H-thymidine$ uptake and the double immunostain with anti-cell-specific marker and anti-Bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) antibody. To check the effect of biochemical changes we compared the amounts of glial fibrillar acidic protein(GFAP) and the activity of glutamine synthetase(GS) in astrocyte. And the amounts of myelin basic protein and the activity of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphohydrolase(CNPase) were measured in oligodendrocyte and the amounts of peripheral myelin in Schwann cell. When $TGF\;{\beta}_1$, was treated for 2 days with cultured glial cell, $TGF\;{\beta}_1$, decreased the $^3H-thymidine$ uptake and proliferation index of double immunostain of astrocytes, which indicates the inhibition of astroglial DNA synthesis, but stimulated the growth of Schwann cell. Also, $TGF\;{\beta}_1$, decrease the GS activity and increased the amounts of GFAP in astrocyte. In the case of Schwann cells the amounts of peripheral myelin was increased when treated with $TGF\;{\beta}_1$. However, $TGF\;{\beta}_1$, didn't show any effect on the proliferation and biochemical changes in oligodendrocyte. These results suggest that $TGF\;{\beta}_1$, might have a critical action in the regulation of proliferation and biochemical changes in glial cells, especially astrocyte.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.550-558
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• 2023

Hair loss is a common condition that can have a negative impact on an individual's quality of life. The severe side effects and the low efficacy of current hair loss medications create unmet needs in the field of hair loss treatment. Hyaluronan and Proteoglycan Link Protein 1 (HAPLN1), one of the components of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to play a role in maintaining its integrity. HAPLN1 was examined for its ability to impact hair growth with less side effects than existing hair loss treatments. HAPLN1 was predominantly expressed in the anagen phase in three stages of the hair growth cycle in mice and promotes the proliferation of human hair matrix cells. Also, recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) was shown to selectively increase the levels of transforming growth factor-β receptor II in human hair matrix cells. Furthermore, we observed concomitant activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway following treatment with rhHAPLN1. Our results indicate that rhHAPLN1 elicits its cell proliferation effect via the TGF-β2-induced ERK1/2 pathway. The prompt entering of the hair follicles into the anagen phase was observed in the rhHAPLN1-treated group, compared to the vehicle-treated group. Insights into the mechanism underlying such hair growth effects of HAPLN1 will provide a novel potential strategy for treating hair loss with much lower side effects than the current treatments.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Gardeniae Fructus Water Extract (GF) on the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cell treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Gradeniae Fructus was extracted with distilled water (2,000 ml) for 2 hours. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity of GF, 3 - (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) - 2,5 - diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed. To investigate antiinflammatory effects, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was measured with No assay, calcium (Ca) was measured with Fluo-4 Ca assay, and cytokine was measured by Bio-Plex cytokine assay in RAW 264.7 cell. And when p-value is below 0.05, it is judged to have the significant difference statistically. Results: 1. GF did not show any cytotoxicity. 2. GF suppressed the production of NO and Ca at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$. 3. GF suppressed the production of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-10, IL-12p40, macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-$1{\beta}$ and keratinocyte chemoattractant(KC) at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$. 4. GF suppressed the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and monocyte cheomattractant protein (MCP)-1 at the concentration of 25, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$. 5. GF suppressed the production of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) at the concentration of 25 and $50{\mu}g/ml$. 6. GF suppressed the production of MIP-2 at the concentration of 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ at the concentration of 50 and $200{\mu}g/ml$. Conclusions: These results suggest that GF has anti-inflammatory effect and immuno-modulating activity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.650-657
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• 2018

Objective: The study investigated the biological functions and mechanisms for controlling cashmere growth of Liaoning cashmere goat by ovarian carcinoma immunoreactive antigen-like protein 2 (OCIAD2) and decorin (DCN) genes. Methods: cDNA library of Liaoning cashmere goat was constructed in early stages. OCIAD2 and DCN genes related to cashmere growth were identified by homology analysis comparison. The expression location of OCIAD2 and DCN genes in primary and secondary hair follicles (SF) was performed using in situ hybridization. The expression of OCIAD2 and DCN genes in primary and SF was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: In situ hybridization revealed that OCIAD2 and DCN were expressed in the inner root sheath of Liaoning cashmere goat hair follicles. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that these genes were highly expressed in SF during anagen, while these genes were highly expressed in primary hair follicle in catagen phase. Melatonin (MT) inhibited the expression of OCIAD2 and promoted the expression of DCN. Insulin-like growth factors-1 (IGF-1) inhibited the expression of OCIAD2 and DCN, while fibroblast growth factors 5 (FGF5) promoted the expression of these genes. MT and IGF-1 promoted OCIAD2 synergistically, while MT and FGF5 inhibited the genes simultaneously. MT+IGF-1/MT+FGF5 inhibited DCN gene. RNAi technology showed that OCIAD2 expression was promoted, while that of DCN was inhibited. Conclusion: Activation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway up-regulated OCIAD2 expression and stimulated SF to control cell proliferation. DCN gene affected hair follicle morphogenesis and periodic changes by promoting transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) and BMP signaling pathways. OCIAD2 and DCN genes have opposite effects on $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling pathway and inhibit each other to affect the hair growth.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.677-684
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• 2002

We have investigated the expression patterns of candidates for growth stage specifically expressed genes. The expression patterns of the EPV20, aldolase A, Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) and Adipocyte Differentiation Related Protein (ADRP) were examined by semiquantitative RT-PCR and northern blot analysis in skeletal muscle tissues of Hanwoo, especially in the longissimus dorsi at various growth stages. The EPV20 mRNA was expressed in longissimus dorsi tissue of Hanwoo, but there was no difference of expression levels during growth stages. Though the aldolase A gene was reported to be muscle-specific and regulated at developmental stages, the expression levels of aldolase A mRNA in the longissimus dorsi tissues showed little differences at various growth stages. The expression levels of TCTP which was reported as growth-related protein regulated at translation step were gradually increased during growth of Hanwoo. The expression levels of ADRP mRNA were rapidly increased at 24-month-old longissimus dorsi tissue of Hanwoo, and decreased at 30-month-old. Our data suggest that the ADRP gene show as growth-stage dependent expression and is related to fat deposition within muscular tissue.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.197-203
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• 2001

A fusion protein, consisting of human epidermal growth factor as a recognition domain and human angiogenin as a toxin domain, can be used as a targeted therapeutic against breast cancer cells among others. The fusion protein was expressed as inclusion body in recombinant E. coli, and when the conventional, solution-phase refolding process was used the refolding yield was very low due to severe aggregation, probably due to the opposite surface charge due to vastly different pI values of each domain. Solid-phase refolding process exploiting ionic interactions between the solid matrix and the protein was tried, but the ionic binding yield was very low regardless of the resins and pH conditions used. To provide higher affinity toward the solid matrix, six lysine residues were tagged to the N -terminus of the hEGF domain When the cation exchange resins such as heparin- or CM-Sepharose were used as the matrix, the adsorption capacity increased 2.5-3 times and the subsequent refolding yield increased nearly IS times compared to the conventional process.