• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.97-106
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• 2013

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is responsible for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV core protein plays not only a structural role in the virion morphogenesis by encapsidating a virus RNA genome but also a non-structural role in HCV-induced pathogenesis by blocking innate immunity. Especially, it has been shown to regulate JAK-STAT signaling pathway through its direct interaction with Janus kinase (JAK) via its proline-rich JAK-binding motif ($^{79}{\underline{P}}GY{\underline{P}}WP^{84}$). However, little is known about the physiological significance of this HCV core-JAK association in the context of the virus life cycle. In order to gain an insight, a mutant HCV genome (J6/JFH1-79A82A) was constructed to express the mutant core with a defective JAK-binding motif ($^{79}{\underline{A}}GY{\underline{A}}WP^{84}$) using an HCV genotype 2a infectious clone (J6/JFH1). When this mutant HCV genome was introduced into hepatocarcinoma cells, it was found to be severely impaired in its ability to produce infectious viruses in spite of its robust RNA genome replication. Taken together, all these results suggest an essential requirement of HCV core-JAK protein interaction for efficient production of infectious viruses and the potential of using core-JAK blockers as a new anti-HCV therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.58-60
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• 2019

Herein, we report a case of lung transplantation in a patient with profound preoperative hypercapnia, focusing on the cardiopulmonary bypass strategy used for brain perfusion during the operation. We applied the pH-stat method for acid-base regulation, and thereby achieved the desired outcome without any neurologic deficit.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Objectives This study investigated the effects of Hataedock treatment with Douchi on induction of allergic rhinitis in obese induced NC/Nga mice. Methods NC/Nga mice were divided into control group (Ctrl), allergic rhinitis induced obese mice group (ARE), and allergic rhinitis induced obese mice group with Douchi Hataedock treatment (FGT). The 3-week-old mice of the FGT group were given one 10 mg/kg dose of Douchi Hataedock extract and sensitized with allergic antigens at weeks 4, 5, and 6. After 1 week of final sensitization, allergic rhinitis was induced primarily in mice nasal cavities for five days. After one week of the completion with the first induction, the second induction was introduced by the same method. After 1 week, few samples of the nasal mucosal tissues of each group were prepared. The factor of Th2 differentiation and inflammation control such that IL-4, STAT6, CD40, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, p-IkB, iNOS and COX-2 were observed by immunohistochemistry. Also, the difference in nasal mucosal injury was observed by histochemical method (PAS staining). Results The FGT group showed that reduced IL-4 production, STAT6 expression and CD40 expression by regulating excessive Th2 differentiation. Also, production of substance P and MMP-9 and activity of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ in mast cells were decreased. Inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 activity was induced by inhibition of p-IkB, and the production of inflammatory enzymes iNOS and COX-2 were decreased. In addition, the damage of intramural respiratory epithelium was low and excessive mucin secretion in goblet cells was low. Conclusions This study confirmed the possibility of controlling the allergic rhinitis in obese children who are expected to have an overactive inflammation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제29권11호
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• pp.1664-1674
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• 2016

This research analyzed the effect of ${\beta}$-glucan that is expected to alleviate the production of the inflammatory mediator in macrophagocytes, which are processed by the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia. The incubated layer was used for a nitric oxide (NO) analysis. The DNA-binding activation of the small unit of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based kit. In the RAW264.7 cells that were vitalized by Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS, the ${\beta}$-glucan inhibited both the combatant and rendering phases of the inducible NO synthase (iNOS)-derived NO. ${\beta}$-Glucan increased the expression of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the cells that were stimulated by E. coli LPS, and the HO-1 activation was inhibited by the tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP). This shows that the NO production induced by LPS is related to the inhibition effect of ${\beta}$-glucan. The phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and the p38 induced by the LPS were not influenced by the ${\beta}$-glucan, and the inhibitory ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) decomposition was not influenced either. Instead, ${\beta}$-glucan remarkably inhibited the phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) that was induced by the E. coli LPS. Overall, the ${\beta}$-glucan inhibited the production of NO in macrophagocytes that was vitalized by the E. coli LPS through the HO-1 induction and the STAT1 pathways inhibition in this research. As the host immune response control by ${\beta}$-glucan weakens the progress of the inflammatory disease, ${\beta}$-glucan can be used as an effective immunomodulator.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.207-216
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• 2021

Several studies have previously reported that exposure to stress provokes behavioral changes, including antinociception, in rodents. In the present study, we studied the effect of acute cold-water (4℃) swimming stress (CWSS) on nociception and the possible changes in several signal molecules in male ICR mice. Here, we show that 3 min of CWSS was sufficient to produce antinociception in tail-flick, hot-plate, von-Frey, writhing, and formalin-induced pain models. Significantly, CWSS strongly reduced nociceptive behavior in the first phase, but not in the second phase, of the formalin-induced pain model. We further examined some signal molecules' expressions in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord to delineate the possible molecular mechanism involved in the antinociceptive effect under CWSS. CWSS reduced p-ERK, p-AMPKα1, p-AMPKα2, p-Tyk2, and p-STAT3 expression both in the spinal cord and DRG. However, the phosphorylation of mTOR was activated after CWSS in the spinal cord and DRG. Moreover, p-JNK and p-CREB activation were significantly increased by CWSS in the spinal cord, whereas CWSS alleviated JNK and CREB phosphorylation levels in DRG. Our results suggest that the antinociception induced by CWSS may be mediated by several molecules, such as ERK, JNK, CREB, AMPKα1, AMPKα2, mTOR, Tyk2, and STAT3 located in the spinal cord and DRG.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.7-13
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• 2013

Objectives: Whether the ultra-highly-diluted remedies used in homeopathy can effectively bring about modulations of gene expressions through acetylation/deacetylation of histones has not been explored. Therefore, in this study, we pointedly checked if the homeopathically-diluted anti-cancer remedy Condurango 30C (ethanolic extract of Gonolobus condurango diluted $10^{-60}$ times) was capable of arresting the cell cycles in cervical cancer cells HeLa by triggering an epigenetic modification through modulation of the activity of the key enzyme histone deacetylase 2 vis-a-vis the succussed alcohol (placebo) control. Methods: We checked the activity of different signal proteins (like $p21^{WAF}$, p53, Akt, STAT3) related to deacetylation, cell growth and differentiation by western blotting and analyzed cell-cycle arrest, if any, by fluorescence activated cell sorting. After viability assays had been performed with Condurango 30C and with a placebo, the activities of histone de-acetylase (HDAC) enzymes 1 and 2 were measured colorimetrically. Results: While Condurango 30C induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells in vitro and reduced HDAC2 activity quite strikingly, it apparently did not alter the HDAC1 enzyme; the placebo had no or negligible cytotoxicity against HeLa cells and could not alter either the HDAC 1 or 2 activity. Data on $p21^{WAF}$, p53, Akt, and STAT3 activities and a cell-cycle analysis revealed a reduction in DNA synthesis and G1-phase cell-cycle arrest when Condurango 30C was used at a 2% dose. Conclusion: Condurango 30C appeared to trigger key epigenetic events of gene modulation in effectively combating cancer cells, which the placebo was unable to do.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.507-511
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• 1995

토양으로부터 분리된 Bacillus sp.A1 균주는 가수분해활성보다는 전이활성이 훨씬 높은 ${\beta}-galactosidase$를 생산하기 때문에 산업적 응용 가능성이 있으나, glucose에 의한 catabolite repression을 보일 뿐만 아니라 lactose를 inducer로 요구한다는 결정적인 단점이 있어 갈락토올리고당의 제조에 직접 사용하기에는 적합하지 않았다. 따라서 galactose 전이효소의 생산성 제고를 꾀하기 위하여 N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine를 이용한 3단계 변이를 시도하여 A4442변이주를 선발하였다. 이 변이주의 효소생산 능력은 괄목할 만큼 향상하였으며(약 20배 내외) catabolite repression과 lactose 요구성이 상당히 해제되었음을 확인하였다. 아울러 갈락토스가 새로운 inducer로 작용하는 것도 관찰하였다. 변이주를 이용한 발효시에 당의 농도와 배양액의 pH는 상호연관되어 효소의 생산에 영향을 끼쳤다. pH stat 기법을 이용하여 배양중 당의 농도를 0.5% 이하로 조절할 때 pH는 $6.5{\sim}7.5$ 범위내로 유지되었으며 효소활성은 $44\;unit/m{\ell}-broth$로 높게 나타났다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.39.18-39.18
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• 2021

Background: Interferon lambda receptor 1 (IFNLR1) is a type II cytokine receptor that clings to interleukins IL-28A, IL29B, and IL-29 referred to as type III IFNs (IFN-λs). IFN-λs act through the JAK-STAT signaling pathway to exert antiviral effects related to preventing and curing an infection. Although the immune function of IFN-λs in virus invasion has been described, the molecular mechanism of IFNLR1 in that process is unclear. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of IFNLR1 in the pathogenesis and treatment of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Methods: The effects of IFNLR1 on the proliferation of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) during PRRSV infection were investigated using interference and overexpression methods. Results: In this study, the expressions of the IFNLR1 gene in the liver, large intestine, small intestine, kidney, and lung tissues of Dapulian pigs were significantly higher than those in Landrace pigs. It was determined that porcine IFNLR1 overexpression suppresses PRRSV replication. The qRT-PCR results revealed that overexpression of IFNLR1 upregulated antiviral and IFN-stimulated genes. IFNLR1 overexpression inhibits the proliferation of PAMs and upregulation of p-STAT1. By contrast, knockdown of IFNLR1 expression promotes PAMs proliferation. The G0/G1 phase proportion in IFNLR1-overexpressing cells increased, and the opposite change was observed in IFNLR1-underexpressing cells. After inhibition of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, the G2/M phase proportion in the IFNLR1-overexpressing cells showed a significant increasing trend. In conclusion, overexpression of IFNLR1 induces activation of the JAK/STAT pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of PAMs infected with PRRSV. Conclusion: Expression of the IFNLR1 gene has an important regulatory role in PRRSV-infected PAMs, indicating it has potential as a molecular target in developing a new strategy for the treatment of PRRSV.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2014

One of the major challenges in metabolic engineering for enhanced synthesis of value-added chemicals is to design and develop new strains that can be translated into well-controlled fermentation processes using bioreactors. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of various fed-batch strategies in the performance of metabolically engineered Pseudomonas putida strains, ${\Delta}gcd$ and ${\Delta}gcd-pgl$, for improving production of medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) using glucose as the only carbon source. First we developed a fed-batch process that comprised an initial phase of biomass accumulation based on an exponential feeding carbon-limited strategy. For the mcl-PHA accumulation stage, three induction techniques were tested under nitrogen limitation. The substrate-pulse feeding was more efficient than the constant-feeding approach to promote the accumulation of the desirable product. Nonetheless, the most efficient approach for maximum PHA synthesis was the application of a dissolved-oxygen-stat feeding strategy (DO-stat), where P. putida ${\Delta}gcd$ mutant strain showed a final PHA content and specific PHA productivity of 67% and $0.83g{\cdot}l^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$, respectively. To our knowledge, this mcl-PHA titer is the highest value that has been ever reported using glucose as the sole carbon and energy source. Our results also highlighted the effect of different fed-batch strategies upon the extent of realization of the intended metabolic modification of the mutant strains.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권10호
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• pp.1488-1498
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• 2023

Objective: α_S1-Casein is more closely associated with milk allergic reaction than other milk protein components. microRNA (miRNA) is a class of small non-coding RNAs that modulate multiple biological progresses by the target gene. However, the post-transcriptional regulation of α_S1-casein expression by miRNA in ruminants remains unclear. This study aims to explore the regulatory roles of miR-380-3p on α_S1-casein synthesis in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC). Methods: α_S1-Casein gene and miR-380-3p expression was measured in dairy goat mammary gland by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). miR-380-3p overexpression and knockdown were performed by miR-380-3p mimic or inhibitor in GMEC. The effect of miR-380-3p on α_S1-casein synthesis was detected by qRT-PCR, western blot, luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in GMEC. Results: Compared with middle-lactation period, α_S1-casein gene expression is increased, while miR-380-3p expression is decreased during peak-lactation of dairy goats. miR-380-3p reduces α_S1-casein abundance by targeting the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of α_S1-casein mRNA in GMEC. miR-380-3p enhances β-casein expression and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a (STAT5a) activity. Moreover, miR-380-3p promotes β-casein abundance through target gene α_S1-casein, and activates β-casein transcription by enhancing the binding of STAT5 to β-casein gene promoter region. Conclusion: miR-380-3p decreases α_S1-casein expression and increases β-casein expression by targeting α_S1-casein in GMEC, which supplies a novel strategy for reducing milk allergic potential and building up milk quality in ruminants.