• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.27.1-27.14
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• 2024

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is formed by several immune cells. Notably, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are existed in the TME that induce angiogenesis, metastasis, and proliferation of cancer cells. Recently, a point-mutated variant of IL-32θ was discovered in breast cancer tissues, which suppressed migration and proliferation through intracellular pathways. Although the relationship between cancer and IL-32 has been previously studied, the effects of IL-32θ on TAMs remain elusive. Recombinant human IL-32θ (rhIL-32θ) was generated using an Escherichia coli expression system. To induce M0 macrophage polarization, THP-1 cells were stimulated with PMA. After PMA treatment, the cells were cultured with IL-4 and IL-13, or rhIL-32θ. The mRNA level of M1 macrophage markers (IL-1β, TNFα, inducible nitric oxide synthase) were increased by rhIL-32θ in M0 macrophages. On the other hand, the M2 macrophage markers (CCL17, CCL22, TGFβ, CD206) were decreased by rhIL-32θ in M2 macrophages. rhIL-32θ induced nuclear translocation of the NF-κB via regulation of the MAPK (p38) pathway. In conclusion, point-mutated rhIL-32θ induced the polarization to M1-like macrophages through the MAPK (p38) and NF-κB (p65/p50) pathways.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.29-33
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• 2015

The brain maintains homeostasis and normal microenvironment through dynamic interactions of neurons and neuroglial cells to perform the proper information processing and normal cognitive functions. Recent post-mortem investigations and animal model studies demonstrated that the various brain areas such as cerebral cortex, hippocampus and amygdala have abnormalities in neuroglial numbers and functions in subjects with mental illnesses including schizophrenia, dementia and mood disorders like major depression and bipolar disorder. These findings highlight the putative role and involvement of neuroglial cells in mental disorders. Herein I discuss the physiological roles of neuroglial cells such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia in maintaining normal brain functions and their abnormalities in relation to mental disorders. Finally, all these findings could serve as a useful starting point for potential therapeutic concept and drug development to cure unnatural behaviors and abnormal cognitive functions observed in mental disorders.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.313-318
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• 2015

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate the extracellular microenvironment. Despite the significant role that MMP activity plays in cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, migration, and differentiation, analyses of MMPs in vitro and in vivo have relied upon their abundance using conventional immunoassays, rather than their enzymatic activities. To resolve this issue, diverse nanoprobes have emerged and proven useful as effective activity-based detection tools. Here, we review the recent advances in luminescent nanoprobes and their applications in in vitro diagnosis and in vivo imaging of MMP activity. Nanoprobes with the purpose of sensing MMP activity consist of recognition and detection units, which include MMP-specific substrates and luminescent (fluorescent or bioluminescent) nanoparticles, respectively. With further research into improvement of the optical performance, it is anticipated that luminescent nanoprobes will have great potential for the study of the functional roles of proteases in cancer biology and nanomedicine. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(6): 313-318]

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06d
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• pp.648-653
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• 2001

This study represents the numerical analysis of natural convection of a microenvironments with a air permeability in the clothing air-layer. The clothing air layer of shoulder and arm was used for numerical analysis model. As a numerical analysis method, we adopted a finite volume method for two-dimensional laminar flow, and analyzed the flow and thermal characteristics of velocity, temperature and concentration in the air layer between body and clothing. As a temperature boundary conditions, we considered that a body skin has a high temperature with $34^{\circ}C$ the environmental temperatures are $5,\;15\;and\;25^{\circ}C$ for various permeability coefficients. The distributions of concentration, temperature and velocity were showed that two large cells were. formed at horizontal and vertical air layer, respectively. As the temperature difference between body skin and environment decrease, the heat transfer was decreased rapidly.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.229-237
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• 1998

The ventilation efficiency of clothing was investigated by a trace gas method using a manikin wearing an impermeable overall under an isothermal condition, where the ventilation occurred only through the openings by diffusion. The ventilation patterns were different for each part of the body. The ventilation efficiency in the clothing microenvironment of the arm and the leg greatly depended on the distance from each opening when the wrist- or the ankle-opening was opened. When both side of wrist- or ankle-openings were opened to provide the opening area double respectively, the ventilation efficiency did not correspondingly increase twice, as compared one side opened. Even though it as certainly affected by the opening area, the ventilation efficiency was more significantly influenced by the position of openings.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2008

Human follicular fluid (HFF) is the in vivo microenvironment for oocyte maturation and includes a variety of proteins that could be involved in oocyte development and fertilization. We therefore used a proteomic approach to identify new HFF proteins. HFF from mature human follicles was obtained from five women following oocyte collection for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Ethanol-precipitated HFF run on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) produced approximately 250 Coomassie brilliant blue-stained spots, 64 of which were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDIMS). In this study, several proteins including complement factor H, inter-${\alpha}$ (globulin) inhibitor H4, inter-${\alpha}$-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 precursor, human zinc-${\alpha}$-2-glycoprotein chain B, PRO2619, PRO02044, and complex-forming glycoprotein HC were new proteins that have not been previously reported in HFF using proteomic methods. Additionally, we identified alloalbumin venezia for the first time from trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitated HFF. These HFF proteins could serve as new biomarkers for important human reproductive processes.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.2.2-2.2
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• 2011

The central strategy in tissue engineering involves a biomaterial scaffold as a delivery carrier of cells and a depot to deliver bioactive molecules. The ability of scaffolds to control cellular response to direct particular repair and regeneration processes is essential to obtain functional tissue engineering constructs. Therefore, many efforts have been made to understand local interactions of cells with their extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment and exploit these interactions for designing an ideal scaffold mimicking the chemical, physiological, and structural features of native ECM. ECM is composed of a number of biomacromolecules including proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans, which are assembled together to form complex 3-dimensional network. Electrospinning is a process to generate highly porous 3-dimensional fibrous structure with nano to micro scaled-diameter, which can closely mimic the structure of ECM. In this presentation, our approaches to develop biomimetic electrospun fibers for modulation of cell function will be discussed.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.9
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• pp.483-487
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• 2014

Transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5), as a membrane glycoprotein with 4 transmembrane domains, is similar to the tetraspanins in terms of membrane topology and plays important roles in tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. Especially, TM4SF5 appears to form a massive protein-protein complex consisting of diverse membrane proteins and/or receptors in addition to cytosolic signaling molecules to regulate their signaling activities during the pathological processes. TM4SF5 is shown to interact with integrins ${\alpha}2$, ${\alpha}5$, and ${\beta}1$, EGFR, IL6R, CD151, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and c-Src. This review focuses on the significance of the interactions with regards to TM4SF5-positive tumorigenesis and metastasis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.420-431
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• 2016

The complement system comprises a set of essential molecules that bridge the innate and adaptive immune responses. Research has focused on how the complement system's destructive mechanism could potentially be harnessed for cancer treatment. However, cancer subverts the complement system to avoid immunosurveillance. In addition, a complement-triggered biological mechanism that contributes to cancer growth has been identified. Thus, drugs should be designed to homeostatically maintain a normal concentration of complement. This review explores three types of complement-related anti-cancer drugs: therapeutic antibodies, complement inhibitory drugs, and anti-complement regulatory drugs.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.293.3-294
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• 2002

In the brain, glial cells serve in the role to sequester metal from the neural microenvironment and therefore play an important role as a cellular deposition site. The central nervous system is highly vulnerable to oxidative stress, and free iron can stimulate oxidative stress by the Fenton reaction. Aluminum may upregulates the transferrin-independent iron uptake system and stimulate oxidative stress. Nramp2. also known as DMT 1. is a 12-transmembrane(TM) domain protein responsible for dietary iron uptake as well as metal ions such as iron. lead, mangamese. zinc. copper, and cobait. (omitted)