• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

Iron binding lactoferrin (Lf) is involved in the control of cell cycle progression. However, the molecular basis underlying the effects of Lf on cell cycle control, as well as its target genes, remains incompletely understood. In this study, we have demonstrated that a relatively low level of ironsaturated Lf, Lf($Fe^{3+}$), can stimulate S phase cell cycle entry, and requires Akt activation in MCF-7 cells. Lf($Fe^{3+}$) immediately induced Akt phosphorylation at Ser473, which subsequently induced the phosphorylation of two G1-checkpoint Cdk inhibitors, $p21^{Cip/WAF1}$ and $p27^{kip1}$. The Lf($Fe^{3+}$)-induced phosphorylation of Cdk inhibitors impaired their nuclear import behavior, thereby inducing cell cycle progression. However, the treatment of cells with a PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, almost completely blocked Lf($Fe^{3+}$)-stimulated cell cycle progression. LY294002 treatment abrogated Lf($Fe^{3+}$)-induced Akt activation, and prevented the cytoplasmic localization of $p27^{kip1}$. Higher levels of $p21^{Cip/WAF1}$ were also detected in the cytoplasmic sub-cellular compartment as a measure of cellular response to Lf($Fe^{3+}$). Consequently, the degree of phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein was enhanced in response to Lf($Fe^{3+}$). Therefore, we conclude that Lf($Fe^{3+}$), as a potential antagonist of Cdk inhibitors, can facilitate the functions of E2F during progression to S phase via the Akt signaling pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.585-591
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• 2014

The ${\beta}_2$ adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is a G protein-coupled transmembrane receptor expressed in the human respiratory tract and widely recognized as a pharmacological target for treatments of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Although a number of ADRB2 agonists have been developed for use in asthma therapy, indacaterol is the only ultra-long-acting inhaled ${\beta}_2$-agonist (LABA) approved by the FDA for relieving the symptoms in COPD patients. The precise molecular mechanism underlying the pharmacological effect of indacaterol, however, remains unclear. Here, we show that ${\beta}$-arrestin-2 mediates the internalization of ADRB2 following indacaterol treatment. Moreover, we demonstrate that indacaterol significantly inhibits tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by reducing levels of both phosphorylated-IKK and -$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, thereby decreasing NF-${\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and the expression of MMP-9, an NF-${\kappa}B$ target gene. Subsequently, we show that indacaterol significantly inhibits TNF-${\alpha}$/NF-${\kappa}B$-induced cell invasiveness and migration in a human cancer cell line. In conclusion, we propose that indacaterol may inhibit NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in a ${\beta}$-arrestin2-dependent manner, preventing further lung damage and improving lung function in COPD patients.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2008

In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects by kaempferol-3-O-${\beta}$-D-sophoroside (KS) isolated from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin ($PGE_2$) production by RAW 264.7 cell line compared with kaempferol. KS significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ production. Consistent with these observations, KS reduced the LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the release and the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also reduced by KS. Moreover, KS attenuated the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF{-\kappa}B$), a transcription factor necessary for pro-inflammatory mediators, iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 expression. These results suggest that the down regulation of iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 expression by KS are achieved by the downregulation of $NF{-\kappa}B$ activity, and that is also responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2008

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of salidroside (SAL) isolated from the MeOH extract of Acer tegmentosum Maxim heartwood in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. SAL pretreatment significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) productions in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses revealed that SAL inhibited the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, SAL reduced the release and the mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, nuclear factorkappa B ($NF{-\kappa}B$) luciferase reporter assay was performed to know the involvement of SAL in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, we confirmed that LPS-induced transcription activity of $NF{-\kappa}B$ was inhibited by SAL. Taken together, our data indicate that anti-inflammatory property of salidroside might be the result from the inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 expressions via the down-regulation of $NF{-\kappa}B$ activity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

The plant Dendropanax morbifera Léveille is effective folk medicines for the treatment of several conditions, such as infectious diseases, skin diseases, and other illnesses. Although the inhibitory effects of D. morbifera on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have been shown in our previous study, its effects in vivo remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of the extracts from D. morbifera (EDM) on neointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery and explore the underlying mechanisms. We observed that the ratio of intima to media thickness (I/M) was significantly decreased in the EDM-treated groups by ~80% compared to that of the control. The expression of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was decreased by ~70% in the EDM-treated groups compared to that of the control. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 significantly reduced in the neointimal layer of the EDM-treated groups. Moreover, the decreased levels of contractile phenotypic markers of VSMCs, such as α-smooth muscle actin, myocardin, and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, were successfully restored by EDM treatment. Furthermore, the levels of synthetic phenotypic markers, cellular retinal binding protein 1 and connexin 43 were also restored to normal levels. These results suggest that EDM inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury in rats via phenotypic modulation of VSMCs. Therefore, EDM may be a potential drug candidate for the prevention of restenosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1659-1665
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• 2005

Gamipaidok-san(GPDS) is the Hyungbangpaidok-san prescription fortified with the additional ingredients known to be effective for dermatitis. So it has been used for atopic dermatitis in the clinic work actually. In this study, we investigated the effects of GPDS on in vitro and in vivo anti-allergic effect on RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia Cells and on IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of GPDS in RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. GPDS potently inhibited $\beta$-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 and the IgE-mediated PCA reaction in mice. GPDS inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production in a dose-dependent manner Furthermore, It also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in RAW 264.7 cells, and the activation of the transcription factor, NF-kB, in nuclear fraction. The antiallergic action of GPDS may originate from anti-inflammatory activities, and can improve the inflammation caused by allergies.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.210-217
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• 2018

Neuroinflammation is an immune response within the central nervous system against various proinflammatory stimuli. Abnormal activation of this response contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington disease. Therefore, pharmacologic modulation of abnormal neuroinflammation is thought to be a promising approach to amelioration of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we evaluated the synthetic flavone derivative 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone, investigating its anti-neuroinflammatory activity in BV2 microglial cells and in a mouse model. In BV2 microglial cells, 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone successfully inhibited production of chemokines such as nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, and interleukin 6 in BV2 microglia. It also inhibited phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ activation. This indicates that the anti-inflammatory activities of 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone might be related to suppression of the proinflammatory MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways. Similar anti-neuroinflammatory activities of the compound were observed in the mouse model. These findings suggest that 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of microglia-related neuroinflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 1996

Since sequencing of randomly selected cDNA clones has been known to be a powerful approach to obtain information on gene expression pattern in specific cells or tissues, we have analyzed a 3'-directed cDNA library of vegetative mycelia of A. nidulans by single-pass sequencing of hundreds of randomly selected clones. Sequencing of 292 cDNA clones yielded 209 gene signatures (GSs) probably representing highly or lesser expressed genes in the vegetative mycelia. Among the 209 GSs, 25 (79 cDNA clones) appeared more than once and 184 only once. One GS appeared at a highest frequency of 6 times, 2 GSs5 times, 4 GSs 4 times, a GSs 3 times and 16 GSs twice. About 6.6% GSs comprizing of 13 GSs showed alternative polyadenylation. Among 23 redundant GSs, three were common in both mycelia and sexual organs, and 22 were probably mycelia-specific. Out of 209 GSs, 36 were identified in GenBank showing of 70% or greater similaritis. Only six GSs were for A. nidulans genes, and 13 GSs were of DNA or genes encoding cytoplasmic or organellar proteins. This pattern is similar to those in the human HepG2 cell line and in human colonic mucosa, although very few genes for nuclear proteins and for protein synthesis were in A. nidulans.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 1998

The apoptosis-inducing activity of ursolic acid (UA) was examined in mouse F9 teratocarcinoma cells on the bases of biochemical and morphological characteeristics. UA, pentacyclic trierpene acid, exhibits antitumor activities including inhibition of skin tumorigenesis, induction of tumor cell differentiation and antitumor promotion. Treatment with UA showed that the decrease of cell viability was dose-dependent. UA also induced genomic DNA fragmetation, a hallmark of apoptosis, indicating that the mechanism of UA-induced F9 cell death was through apoptosis. When the morphology of the F9 cells was examined by electron microscopy, the cells treated with UA showed the charcteristic morphological features of apoptosis such as chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. DNA fragmentations by UA were inhibired by cycloheximide, which suggest that de novo protein synthesis was required for DNA fragmentation by UA. Inaddition, the expression of c-jun was increased, but those of c-myc and laminin B1 were decreased during apoptosis induced by UA in F9 cells. These results suggest that UA causes an apoptosis in F9 cells. Further, the increased expression of c-jun may be involved in the UA-induced apoptosis of f9 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.87-91
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• 2007

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a pleomorphic disease entity characterized by local or disseminated atypical Langerhans cells (LCs) found most commonly in bone, lungs, mucocutaneous structures and endocrine organs. Among different sites, unifocal disease confined to a lymph node (LN) is rare. We report a case of LCH confined to a LN in a 38-year-old male who presented with a 2 cm-sized cervical mass. The fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears of cervical LN showed high cellularity having isolated LCs with contorted nuclei and nuclear grooves mixed in multinucleated giant cells, small lymphocytes and eosinophils. Charcot-Leyden crystals were also seen, as were a few dendritic-like cells and intranuclear inclusions. Confirmation of LCH was made by histopathologic studies, positive reactions for S-100 protein and CD1a immunohistochemical staining and by the demonstration of Birbeck granules on electron microscopy. The differentials to be considered include dermatopathic lymphadenitis, sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, Hodgkin's lymphoma and malignant histiocytosis. The characteristic cytomorphologic pattern of LCH in a LN FNA smear plays an important role in suggesting the diagnosis of LCH.