• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.419-425
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• 2018

The superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord plays an important role in pain transmission and opioid activity. Several studies have demonstrated that opioids modulate pain transmission, and the activation of ${\mu}$-opioid receptors (MORs) by opioids contributes to analgesic effects in the spinal cord. However, the effect of the activation of MORs on GABAergic interneurons and the contribution to the analgesic effect are much less clear. In this study, using transgenic mice, which allow the identification of GABAergic interneurons, we investigated how the activation of MORs affects the excitability of GABAergic interneurons and synaptic transmission between primary nociceptive afferent and GABAergic interneurons. We found that a selective ${\mu}$-opioid agonist, [$D-Ala^2$, $NMe-Phe^4$, Gly-ol]-enkephanlin (DAMGO), induced an outward current mediated by $K^+$ channels in GABAergic interneurons. In addition, DAMGO reduced the amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of GABAergic interneurons which receive monosynaptic inputs from primary nociceptive C fibers. Taken together, we found that DAMGO reduced the excitability of GABAergic interneurons and synaptic transmission between primary nociceptive C fibers and GABAergic interneurons. These results suggest one possibility that suppression of GABAergic interneurons by DMAGO may reduce the inhibition on secondary GABAergic interneurons, which increase the inhibition of the secondary GABAergic interneurons to excitatory neurons in the spinal dorsal horn. In this circumstance, the sum of excitation of the entire spinal network will control the pain transmission.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권10호
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• pp.884-889
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• 2006

Mutation in the presenilin 2 (PS2mt) is known to be one of factors involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It was recently revealed that an abnormality of lipid metabolism is a phenomenon occurring in AD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between the mutation of PS2 and alterations of the lipid profile within the brain. The results showed there increases in the levels of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride, but a decrease in the level of high density lipoprotein in brain tissues expressing mutant PS2. These findings indicated that PS2mt is involved in the abnormalities of the lipid profile, which could cause or result in the development of AD.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.100-106
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• 2011

Background: Disparities of Minor H antigens can induce graft rejection after MHC-matched transplantation. H60 has been characterized as a dominant antigen expressed on hematopoietic cells and considered to be an ideal model antigen for study on graft-versus-leukemia effect. Methods: Splenocytes from C57BL/6 mice immunized with H60 congenic splenocytes were used for establishment of H60-specific CTL clones. Then the clones were characterized for proliferation capacity and cytotoxicity after stimulation with H60. Clone #14, #15, and #23 were tested for the TCR binding avidity to H60-peptide/$H-2K^b$ and analyzed for TCR sequences. Results: H60-specific CTL clones showed different levels of proliferation capacity and cytotoxic activity to H60-stimulation. Clones #14, #15, and #23 showed high proliferation activity, high cytotoxicity, and low activities on both aspects, respectively, and have TCRs with different binding avidities to H60-peptide/$H-2K^b$ with $t_{1/2}$ values of 4.87, 6.92, and 13.03 minutes, respectively. The TCR usages were $V{\alpha}12D-3-01+J{\alpha}11-01$ and $V{\beta}12-1-01+D{\beta}1-01+J2-7-01$ for clone #14, $V{\alpha}13D-1-02+J{\alpha}34-02$ and $V{\beta}13-1-02+D{\beta}2-01+J{\beta}2-7-01$ for clone #15, and $V{\alpha}16D+J{\alpha}45-01$ and $V{\beta}12-1-01+D{\beta}1-01+J{\beta}2-5-01$ for clone #23. Conclusion: The results will be useful for modeling GVL and generation TCR transgenic mouse.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.169-174
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) plays a crucial role in innocuous cool sensation, acute cold pain and cold-induced hyperalgesia during pathologic conditions. To help understand TRPM8-mediated cold perception in the dental pulp and periodontal tissues, we examined the distribution of TRPM8-immunopositive (+) axons in molar and incisor pulp and periodontal tissues using transgenic mice expressing a genetically encoded axonal tracer in TRPM8+ neurons. In the radicular pulp of the molar teeth, a small number of TRPM8+ axons were observed. TRPM8+ axons branched frequently and extensively in the core of coronal pulp, forming a network in the peripheral pulp. Some TRPM8+ axons ascended between odontoblasts and were observed in the dentinal tubule. TRPM8+ axons were linear-shaped in the radicular pulp, whereas many TRPM8+ axons showed portions shaped like beads connected with thin axonal stands at the peripheral pulp. TRPM8 was densely expressed in the bead portions. In the incisor pulp, TRPM8+ axons were occasionally observed in the core of the coronal pulp and rarely observed at the peripheral pulp. TRPM8+ axons were occasionally observed and showed a linear shape rather than a bead-like appearance in the periodontal ligament and lamina propria of the gingival tissue. These findings, showing differential distribution of TRPM8+ axons between radicular and coronal portions of the molar pulp, between incisor and molar pulp, and between dental pulp and periodontal tissues, may reflect differential cold sensitivity in these regions.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2012

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in adults. Microtubule associated protein tau is abnormally phosphorylated in AD and aggregates as paired helical filaments (PHFs) in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). NFTs are the most common intraneuronal inclusion in the brains of patients with AD and have been implicated in mediating neuronal cell death and cognitive deficit. Aberrant phosphorylation of tau is an early pathological event in AD, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. MAP kinases are a family of Serine/Threonine (Ser/Thr) kinases that involved hyper - phosphorylation of tau in AD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill exercise on phosphorylation of tau level and activation of MAPKs including JNK, ERK, p38-MAPK. To address this, Tg mouse model of AD, Tg-NSE/hTau 23, which expresses human tau 23 in the brain, was chosen. Animals were subjected to treadmill exercise for 12 weeks from 24 months of age. Treadmill exercise in Tg group improved cognitive function compared with Tg-SED group in watermaze test. In addition, treadmill exercised Tg mice significantly reduced the activation of JNK54/46, p38-MAPK and tau (Ser404, Ser202, Thr231), and increased activation of ERK44/42 in cerebral cortex. These results suggest that treadmill exercise may provide a therapeutic potential to alleviate the tau pathology like AD.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.50.1-50.19
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• 2022

Autoreactive B cells are not entirely deleted, but some remain as immunocompetent or anergic B cells. Although the persistence of autoreactive B cells as anergic cells has been shown in transgenic mouse models with the expression of B cell receptor (BCR) reactive to engineered self-antigen, the characterization of naturally occurring anergic B cells is important to identify them and understand their contribution to immune regulation or autoimmune diseases. We report here that a low-level expression of CD138 in the splenic B cells marks naturally arising anergic B cells, not plasma cells. The CD138^int B cells consisted of IgM^lowIgD^high follicular (FO) B cells and transitional 3 B cells in homeostatic conditions. The CD138^int FO B cells showed an anergic gene expression profile shared with that of monoclonal anergic B cells expressing engineered BCRs and the gene expression profile was different from those of plasma cells, age-associated B cells, or germinal center B cells. The anergic state of the CD138^int FO B cells was confirmed by attenuated Ca²⁺ response and failure to upregulate CD69 upon BCR engagement with anti-IgM, anti-IgD, anti-Igκ, or anti-IgG. The BCR repertoire of the CD138^int FO B cells was distinct from that of the CD138^- FO B cells and included some class-switched B cells with low-level somatic mutations. These findings demonstrate the presence of polyclonal anergic B cells in the normal mice that are characterized by low-level expression of CD138, IgM downregulation, reduced Ca²⁺ and CD69 responses upon BCR engagement, and distinct BCR repertoire.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.167-174
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• 2013

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prx 6)는 티올-특이적 항산화 단백질에 속하는 효소로서 산화적 스트레스로부터 세포를 보호할 뿐만 아니라 과산화물의 환원작용을 촉매한다. 본 연구에서는 인간 Prx 6의 promoter를 이용하여 항산화반응을 유발하는 추출물을 효과적으로 스크리닝하는 새로운 형질전환마우스를 개발하는 최종목적을 달성하기 위한 중간단계로서, hPrx 6/Luc 벡터를 개발하고, 이들 벡터의 안정적 발현과 성공적 반응성을 세포주를 이용하여 확인하고자 하였다. 이를 위해, 인간 Prx 6 promoter를 증폭하여 luciferase cDNA와 결합한 hPrx 6/Luc 벡터를 제조하였으며, 제조된 벡터를 제한효소 절단과 염기서열분석을 통해 확인하였다. hPrx 6/Luc 벡터는 NCI-H460 세포에 transfection한 후 인삼(KWG), 홍삼(KRG), 맥문동(LP), 홍문동(RLP)의 4가지 추출물을 처리하여 luciferase activity를 측정하였다. 그 결과, luciferase activity는 4가지 추출물에 의해 효과적으로 증가하였고, 특히 KRG과 LP를 처리한 그룹이 KWG과 RLP를 처리한 그룹보다 높았다. 또한, luciferase activity는 RLP 농도에 의존적으로 증가하였다. hPrx 6/Luc 벡터와 hPrx 6 mRNA반응의 차이를 비교하기 위해, 4가지 추출물을 처리한 후 hPrx 6 mRNA의 양을 RT-PCR로 분석하였다. 그러나, hPrx 6 mRNA의 양은 비록 고농도의 RLP 추출물에서는 약간의 증가가 관찰되었지만, 대조군에 비하여 4가지 추출물에서 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 한편, 4가지 추출물에 의한 superoxide dismutase (SOD) 활성의 변화는 비록 일부 차이는 있었지만 hPrx 6/Luc 벡터와 유사한 반응을 나타내었다. 따라서, 이러한 결과는 hPrx 6/Luc 벡터는 성공적으로 제조되었고, 세포내에서 안정적으로 발현하면서 항상화물질에 민감하고 정량적으로 반응할 수 있음을 제시하고 있다. 더불어, 이러한 세포주에서 확인결과를 바탕으로 형질전환마우스가 개발된다면, 항산화물질을 정량적으로 스크리닝하는 시스템으로 적용가능성이 매우 높음을 보여주고 있다.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2002

In spite the fact that H. pylori infection might be the causative organisms of acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases and the definition as the class I carcinogen by WHO IARC, still debates exist about the relationship between H. pylori and gastric carcinogenesis. Epidemiological and animal studies demonstrated a link between gastric cancer and chronic infection with H, pylori, but the exact mechanism responsible for the development of gastric cancer in H. pylori-infected patients still remain obscure. In order to declare the clear association, definate evidences like that decrement in the incidence of gastric cancer after the eradication of H. pylori in designated area compared to noneradicated region or the blockade of specific mechanism acting on the carcinogenesis by H. pylori infection. The other way is to identify the upregulating oncogenes or downregulating tumor suppressor genes specifically invovled in H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis. For that, we established the animal models using C57BL/6 mice strain. Already gastric carcinogenesis was developed in Mongolian gerbils infected with H. pylori, but there has been no development of gastric cancer in mice model infected with H. pylori after long-term evaluation. Significant changes such as atrophic gastritis were observed in mice model. However, we could observe the development of mucosal carcinoma in the stomach of transgenic mice featuring the loss of TGF-beta sig naling by the expressions of dominant negative forms of type II receptor specifically in the stomach. Moreover, the incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma was significantly increased in group administered with both MNU and H. pylori infection than MNU alone, signifying that H. pylori promoted the gastric carcinogenesis and there might be host susceptibility genes in H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis. Based on the assumption that chronic, uncontrolled inflammation might predispose to carcinogenesis, there have been several evidences showing chronic atrophic gastritis predisposed to gastric carcinogenesis in H. pylori infection. Although definite outcome of chemoprevention was not drawn after the longterm administration of anti-inflammatory drug in H. pylori infection, the actual incidence of atrophic gastritis and molecular evidence of chemoprevention could be obtained. Selective COX-2 inhibitor was effective in decreasing the development of gastric carcinogenesis provoked by H. pylori infection and carcinogen like in chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권12호
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• pp.896-910
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• 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible and potentially fatal virus. So far, most comprehensive analyses encompassing clinical and transcriptional manifestation have concentrated on the lungs. Here, we confirmed evident signs of viral infection in the lungs and spleen of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice, which replicate the phenotype and infection symptoms in hospitalized humans. Seven days post viral detection in organs, infected mice showed decreased vital signs, leading to death. Bronchopneumonia due to infiltration of leukocytes in the lungs and reduction in the spleen lymphocyte region were observed. Transcriptome profiling implicated the meticulous regulation of distress and recovery from cytokine-mediated immunity by distinct immune cell types in a time-dependent manner. In lungs, the chemokine-driven response to viral invasion was highly elevated at 2 days post infection (dpi). In late infection, diseased lungs, post the innate immune process, showed recovery signs. The spleen established an even more immediate line of defense than the lungs, and the cytokine expression profile dropped at 7 dpi. At 5 dpi, spleen samples diverged into two distinct groups with different transcriptome profile and pathophysiology. Inhibition of consecutive host cell viral entry and massive immunoglobulin production and proteolysis inhibition seemed that one group endeavored to survive, while the other group struggled with developmental regeneration against consistent viral intrusion through the replication cycle. Our results may contribute to improved understanding of the longitudinal response to viral infection and development of potential therapeutics for hospitalized patients affected by SARS-CoV-2.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권7호
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• pp.912-917
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• 2008

유전자재조합 hG-CSF의 생리활성을 분석하기 위하여 편상의 암세포로부터 분리되어진 cDNA를 이용하여 hG-CSF 유전자를 분리하여 동물세포(CHO cell lines)를 이용하여 재조합 단백질을 생산하였다. 재조합 단백질의 체내 생리활성을 분석하기 위하여0일과 2일에 피하주사 후 5일에 혈액을 채취하여 백혈구 수를 분석하였다. 투여 전과 비교하여 5일째에 백혈구 수는 현저하게 증가하였다. 또한, pEGFP-mUII-hG-CSF벡터를 소 태아로부터 분리되어진 체세포에 형질전환을 시켜서, EGFP signal을 나타내는 세포를 confocal를 이용하여 분리하여 수립하였다. 따라서, 이러한 결과는 유전자재조합 hG-CSF는 체내에서 강력한 생리활성을 나타내며, 또한 당쇄가 첨가되어지고 이중으로 연결되어진 새로운 돌연변이체를 포함하여 고 활성 재조합체의 생산이 가능할 것으로 보이며, pEGFP-mUII-hG-CSF벡터는 복제 형질전환 가축 생산을 위하여 유용하게 사용되어질 것으로 사료된다.