• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.249-255
• /
• 2015

Wnk kinase maintains cell volume, regulating various transporters such as sodium-chloride cotransporter, potassium-chloride cotransporter, and sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) through the phosphorylation of oxidative stress responsive kinase 1 (OSR1) and STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK). However, the activating mechanism of Wnk kinase in specific tissues and specific conditions is broadly unclear. In the present study, we used a human salivary gland (HSG) cell line as a model and showed that $Ca^{2+}$ may have a role in regulating Wnk kinase in the HSG cell line. Through this study, we found that the HSG cell line expressed molecules participating in the WNK-OSR1-NKCC pathway, such as Wnk1, Wnk4, OSR1, SPAK, and NKCC1. The HSG cell line showed an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) increase in response to hypotonic stimulation, and the response was synchronized with the phosphorylation of OSR1. Interestingly, when we inhibited the hypotonically induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase with nonspecific $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers such as 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, gadolinium, and lanthanum, the phosphorylated OSR1 level was also diminished. Moreover, a cyclopiazonic acid-induced passive $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ elevation was evoked by the phosphorylation of OSR1, and the amount of phosphorylated OSR1 decreased when the cells were treated with BAPTA, a $Ca^{2+}$ chelator. Finally, through that process, NKCC1 activity also decreased to maintain the cell volume in the HSG cell line. These results indicate that $Ca^{2+}$ may regulate the WNK-OSR1 pathway and NKCC1 activity in the HSG cell line. This is the first demonstration that indicates upstream $Ca^{2+}$ regulation of the WNK-OSR1 pathway in intact cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2015

It has been shown that the extracts including eupatilin and quercetin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside had mucoprotective effects on the esophagus and stomach through their antioxidant activities. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of these flavonoid compounds in an animal model of inflammatory bowel disease induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Experimental colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Extracts including eupatilin or quercetin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside were orally administered to animals 48, 24, and 1 h prior to the induction of colitis and then again 24 h later. The animals were sacrificed 48 h after by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid treatment and the macroscopic appearance of the colonic lesions was scored in a blinded manner on a scale of 1 to 10. The inflammatory response to colitis induction was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide production, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ expression, total glutathione levels, and malondialdehyde concentrations in the colon. The results indicated that extracts including eupatilin and extracts including quercetin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside dose-dependently improved the morphology of the lesions induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and reduced the ulcer index accordingly. In addition, rats receiving extracts including eupatilin and extracts including quercetin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside showed significantly decreased levels of mucosal myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide production, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ expression, and malondialdehyde levels, and increased total glutathione levels. Extracts including eupatilin and extracts including quercetin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside ameliorated the inflammatory response and colonic injury in acute colitis by decreasing oxidative stress and neutrophil activation. Extracts including eupatilin and extracts including quercetin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside may inhibit acute colitis.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• 제35권12호
• /
• pp.1967-1976
• /
• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiota of broiler chickens reared in the presence of different shades of light-emitting diode (LED) lights, correlating this information with biochemical and molecular evidence that allowed drawing conclusions on the state of health of the animals. Methods: Overall, the metagenomic approach on fecal samples was associated with evaluations on enzymes involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress: glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase and catalase; while the inflammatory aspect was studied through the dosage of a proinflammatory cytokine, the interleukin 6 (IL-6), and the evaluation of the matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9). Specifically, analysis was performed on distinct groups of chickens respectively raised in the presence of neutral (K = 3,300 to 3,700), cool (K = 5,500 to 6,000), and warm (K = 3,000 to 2,500) LED lightings, and a direct comparison was performed with animals reared with traditional neon lights. Results: The metagenomic analysis highlighted the presence of two most abundant bacterial phyla, the Firmicutes and the Bacteroidetes, with the latter characterized by a greater relative abundance (p<0.05) in the group of animals reared with Neutral LED light. The analysis on the enzymes involved in the antioxidant response showed an effect of the LED light, regardless of the applied shade, of reducing the expression of GPX (p<0.01), although this parameter is not correlated to an effective reduction in the tissue amount of the enzyme. Regarding the inflammatory state, no differences associated with IL-6 and MMP-9 were found; however, is noteworthy the significant reduction of MMP-2 activity in tissue samples obtained from animals subjected to illumination with neutral LED light. Conclusion: This evidence, combined with the metagenomic findings, supports a potential positive effect of neutral LED lighting on animal welfare, although these considerations must be reflected in more targeted biochemical evaluations.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제33권4호
• /
• pp.349-356
• /
• 2023

만성 염증성 관절염 질환인 통풍은 고요산혈증을 특징으로 하며 NLRP3 inflammasome의 활성화에 따른 IL-1β와 같은 염증성 cytokine 방출과 연관된 MSU에 대한 염증 반응에 의해 유발될 수 있다. 마늘에 함유된 황 함유 화합물은 다양한 질병에 대한 잠재적인 유익한 약리학적 효능을 가지지만, NLRP3 inflammasome 활성화와 연관된 통풍 억제에 대한 효능은 현재까지 입증되지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 대표적인 마늘 유래 황화합물인 DADS와 DATS가 MSU에 의한 NLRP3 inflammasome 활성을 억제할 수 있는지를 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면, 비세포 독성 조건에서 DADS와 DATS는 LPS가 전처리된 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 MSU에 대한 반응으로 증가된 NO의 생성과 IL-1β 유리를 유의적으로 차단하였다. DADS와 DATS는 또한 증가된 NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 p20 및 IL-1β의 발현을 감소시켰으며, 이는 MSU로 유도된 LRP3 inflammasome 활성화가 DADS와 DATS에 의해 억제되었음을 의미한다. 아울러, DADS와 DATS는 NLRP3 inflammasome 활성화에 상위 신호로 작용하는 산화적 스트레스를 차단했으며 ROS 생성을 제거한다는 사실에서 입증되었다. 결론적으로, 본 연구의 결과는 DADS와 DATS가 ROS/NLRP3 경로를 억제하여 inflammasome 활성화를 차단함으로서 NLRP3 의존성 통풍성 관절염 치료를 위한 잠재력이 우수함을 의미한다.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
• /
• 제33권3호
• /
• pp.95-118
• /
• 2020

목 적: 이 생체 내 연구의 목적은 인도메타신과 비교했을 때 쥐의 원발성 월경통에 대한 계지 복령환 열수 추출물의 진통 및 개선 효과를 관찰하는 것이다. 방 법: 랫트 PD 모델을 만들기 위해, Estradiol benzoate를 10일간 투여한 다음 마지막 10회 estradiol benzoate 투여 1시간 후 1 U/kg의 oxytocin을 투여하였다. 계지복령환 열수 추출물을 500, 250 및 125 mg/kg 용량으로 매일 1회씩 10일간 투여하였다. 이후 체중 및 실험 기간 동안의 체중 증가량, 자궁 중량 및 육안부검 소견, 진통 활성을 나타내는 abdominal writhing test, 자궁 조직 내 지질 과산화(Malondialdehyde, MDA 함량) 및 항산화 방어 시스템 - glutathione (GSH) 함량, superoxide dismutase (SOD) 및 catalase (CAT) 활성, Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) 및 cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA의 발현, 자궁의 조직병리학적 변화, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α 및 inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)로 나타나는 면역조직 화학적 변화를 관찰하였다. 계지복령환 열수 추출물의 결과는 인도메타신 투여 쥐의 결과와 비교하였다. 결 과: Estradiol benzoate 및 oxytocin 투여 결과, 현저한 체중 및 증체량, 자궁 GSH 함량, SOD와 CAT 활성의 감소와 abdominal writhing 반응, 자궁 지질 과산화(MDA 함량), 자궁 중량, NF-κB 및 COX-2 mRNA 발현의 증가가 TNF-α 및 iNOS 면역반응세포와 염증세포 침윤 증가, 자궁의 충혈 및 확대와 함께 관찰되었다. 이는 전형적인 염증 및 산화 스트레스성 원발성 월경통이 잘 유도되었음을 의미한다. 한편 이러한 소견은 계지복령환 열수 추출물의 투여에 의해 용량의존적으로 현저히 억제되었으며, 인도메타신의 억제 효과보다는 낮았다. 결 론: 이 연구에서 얻은 결과는 계지복령환 열수 추출물이 estradiol benzoate 및 oxytocin으로 유도된 원발성 월경통에 용량-의존적으로 유리한 진통 및 개선 활성을 가짐을 시사한다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제60권3호
• /
• pp.314-320
• /
• 2006

연구배경: 항암화학요법은 수술이 불가능한 진행성 비소세포폐암환자에서 주요한 치료 방법이지만 전신 부작용 때문에 모든 환자들에게 권할 수 있는 치료법이 되지 못한다. 만약 항암화학요법에 대한 반응 정도를 예측할 수 있다면 치료계획 수립에 도움이 될 수 있을 것이다. Heme oxygenase(HO)는 헴을 산화 분해하는 효소로 세포를 보호하고 세포자멸사를 억제하는 작용이 있음이 알려져 있다. 이에 저자들은 조직 내 HO-1의 발현이 증가되어 있는 경우는 cisplatin을 포함하는 항암화학요법에 저항성을 보일 것으로 가정하였고, 비소세포폐암조직에서 면역조직화학 염색을 이용하여 HO-1의 발현여부를 평가하고 항암화학요법에 대한 치료반응과의 연관성을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 1997년 7월에서 2004년 7월까지 동아대학병원에 내원하여 진행성 비소세포폐암으로 진단받은 환자 중 cisplatin을 포함한 항암화학요법을 2회 이상 시행 받고 치료에 대한 반응을 평가할 수 있는 59명의 환자를 대상으로 후향적 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 환자들을 cisplatin을 포함하는 항암화학요법에 대한 치료 반응 정도 및 다른 임상 특성에 따라 분류하여 조직 내 HO-1의 발현 정도와의 연관성을 알아보았다. 결 과: 총 59명의 폐암조직에서 HO-1의 발현을 조사한 결과 43명(72.8%)에서 양성을 보였다. 조직형, 병기, 종양의 크기와 HO-1 발현은 통계적으로 유의한 연관성이 없었으며, HO-1의 치료 전 발현도 cisplatin을 포함하는 항암화학요법에 대한 치료효과와의 연관성도 없었다. 결 론: 결론적으로 본 연구에서는 진행성비소세포폐암환자의 치료 전 폐암조직에서 HO-1의 발현여부가 cisplatin을 근간으로 하는 항암화학치료의 반응을 예측하는 인자로서의 통계학적 의미는 찾을 수 없었으며 이를 검정하기위한 전향적 연구가 필요하리라 생각된다.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회지
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.142-148
• /
• 2002

Although ionizing radiation (IR) has been used to treat the various human cancers, IR is cytotoxic not only to cancer cells but to the adjacent normal tissue. Since normal tissue complications are the limiting factor of cancer radiotherapy, one of the major concerns of IR therapy is to maximize the cancer cell killing and to minimize the toxic side effects on the adjacent normal tissue. As an attempt to develop a method to monitor the degree of radiation exposure to normal tissues during radiotherapy, we investigated the transcriptional responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) following IR using cDNA microarray chip containing 1,221 (1.2 K) known genes. Since conventional radiotherapy is delivered at about 24 h intervals at 180 to 300 cGy/day, we analyzed the transcriptional responses ex-vivo irradiated human PBL at 200 cGy for 24 h-period. We observed and report on 1) a group of genes transiently induced early after IR at 2 h, 2) of genes induced after IR at 6 h, 3) of genes induced after IR at 24 h and on 4) a group of genes whose expression patters were not changed after IR. Since Biological consequences of IR involve generation of various reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thus oxidative stress induced by the ROS is known to damage normal tissues during radiotherapy, we further tested the temporal expression profiles of genes involved in ROS modulation by RT-PCR. Specific changes of 6 antioxidant genes were identified in irradiated PBL among 9 genes tested. Our results suggest the potential of monitoring post-radiotherapy changes in temporal expression profiles of a specific set of genes as a measure of radiation effects on normal tissues. This type of approach should yield more useful information when validated in in vivo irradiated PBL from the cancer patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제14권6호
• /
• pp.1239-1248
• /
• 2004

The methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha has been extensively studied as a model organism for methanol metabolism and peroxisome biogenesis. Recently, this yeast has also attracted attention as a promising host organism for recombinant protein production. Here, we describe the fabrication and evaluation of a DNA chip spotted with 382 open reading frames (ORFs) of H. polymorpha. Each ORF was PCR-amplified using gene-specific primer sets, of which the forward primers had 5'-aminolink. The PCR products were printed in duplicate onto the aldehyde-coated slide glasses to link only the coding strands to the surface of the slide via covalent coupling between amine and aldehyde groups. With the partial genome DNA chip, we compared efficiency of direct and indirect cDNA target labeling methods, and found that the indirect method, using fluorescent-labeled dendrimers, generated a higher hybridization signal-to-noise ratio than the direct method, using cDNA targets labeled by incorporation of fluorescence-labeled nucIeotides during reverse transcription. In addition, to assess the quality of this DNA chip, we analyzed the expression profiles of H. polymorpha cells grown on different carbon sources, such as glucose and methanol, and also those of cells treated with the superoxide­generating drug, menadione. The profiles obtained showed a high-level induction of a set of ORFs involved in methanol metabolism and oxidative stress response in the presence of methanol and menadione, respectively. The results demonstrate the sensitivity and reliability of our arrays to analyze global gene expression changes of H. polymorpha under defined environmental conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제20권3호
• /
• pp.315-324
• /
• 2016

Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) have various voltage-dependent $K^+$ channels (VDKCs) that can induce apoptosis. Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) modulates VDKCs and induces oxidative stress, which is the main contributor to cardiac injury and cardiac remodeling. We investigated whether $H_2O_2$ could modulate VDKCs in HCFs and induce cell injury through this process. In whole-cell mode patch-clamp recordings, application of $H_2O_2$ stimulated $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ ($K_{Ca}$) currents but not delayed rectifier $K^+$ or transient outward $K^+$ currents, all of which are VDKCs. $H_2O_2-stimulated$ $K_{Ca}$ currents were blocked by iberiotoxin (IbTX, a large conductance $K_{Ca}$ blocker). The $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on large-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($BK_{Ca}$) currents was also blocked by KT5823 (a protein kinase G inhibitor) and 1 H-[1, 2, 4] oxadiazolo-[4, 3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor). In addition, 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) stimulated $BK_{Ca}$ currents. In contrast, KT5720 and H-89 (protein kinase A inhibitors) did not block the $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on $BK_{Ca}$ currents. Using RT-PCR and western blot analysis, three subtypes of $K_{Ca}$ channels were detected in HCFs: $BK_{Ca}$ channels, small-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($SK_{Ca}$) channels, and intermediate-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($IK_{Ca}$) channels. In the annexin V/propidium iodide assay, apoptotic changes in HCFs increased in response to $H_2O_2$, but IbTX decreased $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that among the VDKCs of HCFs, $H_2O_2$ only enhances $BK_{Ca}$ currents through the protein kinase G pathway but not the protein kinase A pathway, and is involved in cell injury through $BK_{Ca}$ channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제21권5호
• /
• pp.531-546
• /
• 2017

Activation of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) in articular chondrocytes increases the catabolic compartment and leads to matrix degradation during the development of osteoarthritis. In this study, we determined the proteomic and genomic alterations in human chondrocytes during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and consequences of TLR-4 activation. Human chondrocytes were cultured with LPS for 12, 24, and 36 h to induce TLR-4 activation. The TLR-4-induced inflammatory response was confirmed by real-time PCR analysis of increased interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) expression levels. In TLR-4-activated chondrocytes, proteomic changes were determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectroscopy analysis, and genomic changes were determined by microarray and gene ontology analyses. Proteomics analysis identified 26 proteins with significantly altered expression levels; these proteins were related to the cytoskeleton and oxidative stress responses. Gene ontology analysis indicated that LPS treatment altered specific functional pathways including 'chemotaxis', 'hematopoietic organ development', 'positive regulation of cell proliferation', and 'regulation of cytokine biosynthetic process'. Nine of the 26 identified proteins displayed the same increased expression patterns in both proteomics and genomics analyses. Western blot analysis confirmed the LPS-induced increases in expression levels of lamin A/C and annexins 4/5/6. In conclusion, this study identified the time-dependent genomic, proteomic, and functional pathway alterations that occur in chondrocytes during LPS-induced TLR-4 activation. These results provide valuable new insights into the underlying mechanisms that control the development and progression of osteoarthritis.