• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.673-679
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• 2017

Microtubules are long rods in the cytoplasm of cells that plays a role in cell motility and intracellular transport. Microtubule-based transport by motor proteins is essential in intracellular transport. Kinesin 1 is a molecular motor protein that mediates the intracellular transport of various membranous vesicles, mRNAs, and proteins along microtubules. It is comprised of two heavy chains (KHCs, also called KIF5s) and two light chains (KLCs). KIF5s bear a motor domain in their amino (N)-terminal regions and interact with various cargoes through the cargo-binding domain in their carboxyl (C)-terminal regions. To identify proteins interacting with KIF5B, yeast two-hybrid screening was performed, and a specific interaction with the cytoplasmic linker protein 170 (CLIP-170), a plus end microtubule-binding protein, was found. The coiled-coil domain of CLIP-170 is essential for interactions with KIF5B in the yeast two-hybrid assay. CLIP-170 bound to the cargo-binding domain of KIF5B. Also, other KIF5s, KIF5A and KIF5C, interacted with CLIP-170 in the yeast two-hybrid assay. In addition, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-downs showed that KIF5s specifically interacted with CLIP-170. An antibody to KIF5B specifically co-immunoprecipitated CLIP-170 associated with KIF5B from mouse brain extracts. These results suggest that kinesin 1 motor protein may transport CLIP-170 in cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1360-1367
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• 2009

Liver fibrosis is a process of healing and scarring in response to chronic liver injury. Following injury, an acute inflammation response takes place resulting in moderate cell necrosis and extracellular matrix damage. To develop a novel therapeutic approach in hepatic fibrogenesis, we examined the simultaneous suppression of the transcription factors NF-$\kappa$B and Sp1, which regulate acute inflammation and continuous deposition of extracellular matrix in liver fibrosis. We employed chimeric decoy oligodeoxynucleotide containing the consensus sequences of both NF-$\kappa$B and Sp1 binding sites, to suppress these transcription factors simultaneously. Treatment of chimeric decoy oligodeoxynucleotide reduced the activity of hepatic stellate cells in vitro, and decreased the expression of fibrotic and proinflammatory gene responses in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. These results suggest that chimeric decoy oligodeoxynucleotide strategy can be a potential therapeutic application to prevent liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.436-441
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• 2019

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as sacred lotus, has mainly been used as a food throughout the Asian countries. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extracts from leaf (NL), seed (NS), and seedpod (NSP) of Nelumbo nucifera and investigated their anti-inflammatory activities in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of NL, NS, and NSP, nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. NL, NS, and NSP significantly reduced NO production in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viabilities. NL, NS, and NSP dramatically decreased the protein expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2. NL, NS, and NSP also suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 indicating they have their anti-inflammatory activities via regulating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathways. In addition, we analyzed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the treatment of NL, NS, and NSP. All extracts reduced ROS production in a dose-dependent manner. And also, they increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression and the nuclear translocation of nuclear respiratory factor 2 (Nrf2). In conclusion, our results suggest that Nelumbo nucifera has its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate cytotoxicity of several herbicides (Bentazone, Butachlor. Paraquat and Ethalfluralin) in cultured mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Tetrazolium (MTT), neutral red (NR) and sulforhodamine protein B (SRB) of the colorimetric assays were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity on cell organelles. 2 x 10$^4$cell/$m\ell$ of NIH 3T3 fibroblast in each well of 24 multidish were cultured. After 24 hours, the cells were treated with solution (1, 25, 50 or 100 $\mu$M) of each herbicide. After the NIH 3T3 fibroblasts of all groups were cultured in the same condition for 48 hours, MTT, NR and SRB assays were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity. The light microscopic study was carried out to examine morphological changes of cultured NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The MTT$_{50}$ of Bentazone, Butachlor, Paraquat and Ethalfluralin were 1560.97 $\mu$M, 56.15 $\mu$M, 3138.81 $\mu$M and 1301.82 $\mu$M, respectively. The NR$_{50}$ of Bentazone, Butachlor. Paraquat and Ethalfluralin were 1763.93 $\mu$M, 45.98 $\mu$M, 1030.85 $\mu$M and 1808.29 $\mu$M, respectively. The SRB$_{50}$ of Bentazone, Butachlor. Paraquat and Ethalfluralin were 1913.38 $\mu$M, 65.30 $\mu$M, 1860.73 $\mu$M and 1086.93 $\mu$M, respectively. The morphological changes of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts showed severe degeneration in Butachlor 50 $\mu$M and 100 $\mu$M concentrations. These results indicate that Butachlor has high cytotoxicity, Bentazone, Paraquat and Ethalfluralin very weak cytotoxicity against NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.lasts.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1142-1147
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the effects of the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor on melanogenesis in a mouse melanocyte cell line, B16/F10 cells. Our results show that the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor significantly inhibits melanin synthesis in concentration-dependent manner. In addition, it was also found to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. While the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor have no direct inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity in cell free assay system using mushroom tyrosinase. Moreover, the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor effectively suppressed the ${\alpha}-MSH-stimulated$ melanin formation, tyrosinase activity and dendrite outgrowth. These results suggest that the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor is a potent depigmetation agent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1517-1526
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• 2016

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented foods have potential as a treatment for immune-related disorders and the use of LAB has been increasing worldwide. In this study, the differential cytokine regulatory effect was examined with three isolates of lactobacilli strains; namely, Lactobacillus plantarum K55-5 isolated from dairy product, and L. sakei K101 and L. plantarum K8 previously isolated from kimchi (a Korean traditional fermented vegetable). Production of cytokines such as IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α was significantly increased in L. sakei K101- and L. plantarum K55-5-treated splenocytes as compared with controls. The oral administration of L. sakei K101 and L. plantarum K55-5 increased cytokine production in the immunosuppressed mouse splenocytes and blood. NK cell cytotoxic activity was also increased in L. sakei K101- and L. plantarum K55-5-fed mice. On the other hand, L. plantarum K8 did not affect cytokine induction in all the experiments performed in this study. The cytokine-inducing effect of L. plantarum K55-5 was significantly increased by lysates of heat-killed bacteria as compared with live, heat-killed, or supernatant of cell lysates. TNF-α production by lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) isolated from the three isolates of lactobacilli was compared, and it was found that K55-5 LTA had a highest cytokine-inducing ability, which was mediated by TLR2-mediated NF-κB and ERK activation. Taken together, our study suggests that L. plantarum K55-5 and L. sakei K101 can be used for the treatment of immunosuppressed disorders.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2003

DNA methylation at CpG sites, which is a epigenetic modification, is associated with gene expression without change of DNA sequences. During early mouse embryogenesis, dynamic changes of DNA methylation occur. In this study, DNA methylation patterns of porcine embryos produced in vivo and in vitro were examined at various developmental stages by the immunocytochemical staining method. Interestingly, active demethylation was not observed on the paternal pronucleus of porcine zygotes. However, differences were detected in the passive demethylation process between in vivo and in vitro embryos. There was no change in the DNA methylation state until the blastocyst stage of in vivo embryos, whereas partial demethylation was observed in several blastomeres from a 4 cell stage to a morula stage of in vitro embryos. The whole genome of inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cells in porcine blastocysts were evenly methylated without de novo methylation. Our findings demonstrate that genome-wide demethylation does not occur in pig embryos during preimplantation development unlike murine and bovine embryos. It indicates that the machinery regulating epigenetic reprogramming may be different between species.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1051-1058
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• 2014

Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) plays an important role in bacterial infection and inflammation. We examined the effect of the bacterial cell wall components lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Lactobacillus plantarum (pLTA) and Staphylococcus aureus (aLTA) on PAFR expression in THP-1, a monocyte-like cell line. LPS and aLTA, but not pLTA, significantly increased PAFR expression, whereas priming with pLTA inhibited LPS-mediated or aLTA-mediated PAFR expression. Expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4, and CD14 increased with LPS and aLTA treatments, but was inhibited by pLTA pretreatment. Neutralizing antibodies against TLR2, TLR4, and CD14 showed that these receptors were important in LPS-mediated or aLTA-mediated PAFR expression. PAFR expression is mainly regulated by the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. Blocking PAF binding to PAFR using a PAFR inhibitor indicated that LPS-mediated or aLTA-mediated PAF expression affected TNF-${\alpha}$ production. In the mouse small intestine, pLTA inhibited PAFR, TLR2, and TLR4 expression that was induced by heat-labile toxin. Our data suggested that pLTA has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of PAFR that was induced by pathogenic ligands.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.65-83
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• 2011

Various related factors and tissue changes in vitro and in vivo were observed to investigate the efficacy of HYBH on atopic dermatitis. The results are described below. HYBH improved the atopic dermatitis symptoms by naked eye examination, and significantly decreased dermatitis clinical index at 14 weeks. HYBH significantly decreased CD4+/CD45+, CD4+, CD8+, CD3+/CD69+ immune cell ratios in PBMC by 28%, 16%, 30%, 26% and 22% respectively. HYBH significantly decreased CD11b+/Gr-1+, CD3 immune cell ratios in dorsal skin by 35.3% and 67.5% respectively. HYBH significantly decreased the expression of IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in spleen by 23% and 15% respectively. HYBH significantly decreased the production rate of IL-5, IL-13 and histamine in serum by 17%, 23%, and 8.8% respectively and increased IL-17 production by 17%. HYBH significantly decreased immunoglubulins IgG1 and IgE production in serum. The results above indicated that treatment of HYBH improved atopic dermatitis symptoms by anti-oxidant activity and immune modulation activity as a clinical evidence. Also, different fermentation conditions using various microbial strains should be accumulated as the clinical evidence for broad application in the future.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.505-512
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• 2017

Toxoplasma gondii cathepsin C proteases (TgCPC1, 2, and 3) are important for the growth and survival of T. gondii. In the present study, B-cell and T-cell epitopes of TgCPC1 were predicted using DNAstar and the Immune Epitope Database. A TgCPC1 DNA vaccine was constructed, and its ability to induce protective immune responses against toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice was evaluated in the presence or absence of the adjuvant ${\alpha}-GalCer$. As results, TgCPC1 DNA vaccine with or without adjuvant ${\alpha}-GalCer$ showed higher levels of IgG and IgG2a in the serum, as well as IL-2 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ in the spleen compared to controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and ${\alpha}-GalCer$). Upon challenge infection with tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH), $pCPC1/{\alpha}-GalCer$ immunized mice showed the longest survival among all the groups. Mice vaccinated with DNA vaccine without adjuvant (pCPC1) showed better protective immunity compared to other controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and ${\alpha}-GalCer$). These results indicate that a DNA vaccine encoding TgCPC1 is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.