• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.84-95
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• 2003

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Kamisopunghwalhyeol-tang (Jiaweishujenghuoxie-tang; Kami-SPHHT) on the immunity responses of the Synoviocytes isolated from the patients on rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Cells were stimulated by $Interleukin-1{\beta}$ and Tumor Necrosis $Factor-{\alpha}$ in the presence or absence of Kami-SPHHT, and then induced cytokine mRNA levels were determined by RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Results : Levels of $IL-1{\beta},{\;}IL-6,{\;}TNF-{\alpha}$, COX-2, and NOS II mRNA expressions significantly decreased in Kami-SPHHT treated cells compared to non-treated control cells. Also, DNA-binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-l decreased in Kami- SPHHT treated hFLSs. Conclusion : These results suggest that Kami-SPHHT may be involved in anti-inflammatory reactions by inducing cytokine gene expression in synoviocytes, and further in vivo examination on its efficacy can provide potential application for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4671-4676
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• 2014

Background: MicroRNA-200a (miR-200a) has been reported to regulate tumour progression in several tumours but little is known about its role in neuroblastoma. Our aim was to investigate the potential role and mechanism of miR-200a in neuroblastomas. Materials and Methods: Expression levels of miR-200a in tissues were determined using RT-PCR. The effect of miR-200a and shAP-$2{\gamma}$ on cell viability was evaluated using MTS assays, and target protein expression was determined using Western blotting and RT-PCR. Luciferase reporter plasmids were constructed to confirm direct targeting. Results were reported as mean${\pm}$S.E.M and differences were tested for significance using the 2-tailed Students t-test. Results: We determined that miR-200a expression was significantly lower in neuroblastoma tumors than the adjacent non-cancer tissue. Over-expression of miR-200 are reduced cell viability in neuroblastoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in mouse xenografts. We identified AP-$2{\gamma}$ as a novel target for miR-200a in neuroblastoma cells. Thus miR-200a targets the 3'UTR of AP-$2{\gamma}$ and inhibits its mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, our result showed that shRNA knockdown of AP-$2{\gamma}$ in neuroblastoma cells results in significant inhibit of cell proliferation and tumor growth in vitro, supporting an oncogenic role of AP-$2{\gamma}$ in neuroblastoma. Conclusions: Our study revealed that miR-200a is a candidate tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma, through direct targeting of AP-$2{\gamma}$. These findings re-enforce the proposal of AP-$2{\gamma}$ as a therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.542-549
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• 2010

In the present study, overexpression, purification, and characterization of Aeropyrum pernix K1 chaperonin B in E. coli were investigated. The chaperonin $\beta$-subunit gene (ApCpnB, 1,665 bp ORF) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon A. pernix K1 was amplified by PCR and subcloned into vector pET21a. The constructed pET21a-ApCpnB (6.9 kb) was transformed into E. coli BL21 Codonplus (DE3). The transformant cell successfully expressed ApCpnB, and the expression of ApCpnB (61.2 kDa) was identified through analysis of the fractions by SDS-PAGE (14% gel). The recombinant ApCpnB was purified to higher than 94% by using heat-shock treatment at $90^{\circ}C$ for 20 min and fast protein liquid chromatography on a HiTrap Q column step. The purified ApCpnB showed ATPase activity and its activity was dependent on temperature. In the presence of ATP, ApCpnB effectively protected citrate synthase (CS) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from thermal aggregation and inactivation at $43^{\circ}$ and $50^{\circ}$, respectively. Specifically, the activity of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) at $85^{\circ}$ was greatly stabilized by the addition of ApCpnB and ATP. Coexpression of pro-carboxypeptidase B (pro-CPB) and ApCpnB in E. coli BL21 Codonplus (DE3) had a marked effect on the yield of pro-CPB as a soluble and active form, speculating that ApCpnB facilitates the correct folding of pro-CPB. These results suggest that ApCpnB has both foldase and holdase activities and can be used as a powerful molecular machinery for the production of recombinant proteins as soluble and active forms in E. coli.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1994.10a
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• pp.162.2-162
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• 1994

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.690-699
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• 2022

Background: Few studies reported the therapeutic effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in lung inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular in cadmium-induced lung injury have been poorly understood, directly linked to chronic lung diseases (CLDs): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer etc. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate the therapeutic activities of water extract of KRG (KRG-WE) in mouse cadmium-induced lung injury model. Method: The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying mechanisms of KRG-WE were evaluated in vitro under cadmium-stimulated lung epithelial cells (A549) and HEK293T cell line and in vivo in cadmium-induced lung injury mouse model using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), luciferase assay, immunoblotting, and FACS. Results: KRG-WE strongly ameliorated the symptoms of CdSO4-induced lung injury in mice according to total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and severity scores as well as cytokine levels. KRG-WE significantly suppressed the upregulation of inflammatory signaling comprising mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and their upstream enzymes. In in vitro study, KRG-WE suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and IL-8 while promoting recovery in CdSO₄-treated A549 cells. Similarly, KRG-WE reduced phosphorylation of MAPK and c-Jun/c-Fos in cadmium-exposed A549 cells. Conclusion: KRG-WE was found to attenuate symptoms of cadmium-induced lung injury and reduce the expression of inflammatory genes by suppression of MAPK/AP-1-mediated pathway.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2015

A monoclonal antibody AP64 IgM binds to human acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) cell line HL60 and also cross-reacts with the homologous antigen in a rat ANLL cell. This antibody mediated by complement, has leukemia a suppression effect. In this study, we generated a recombinant single-chain variable domain fragment (ScFv) which were derived from $V_H$ and $V_L$ cDNA of AP64 IgM-secreting hybridoma by RT-PCR. The two variable regions were joined with a single 15 amino acid linker $(G_4S)_3$. This recombinant ScFv was expressed as a single polypeptide chain from Escherichia coli BMH 71-18. The recombinant ScFv was purified by applying the periplasmic extract to $Ni^+$-NTA-agarose affinity column and detected with westernblot. The purified recombinant ScFv recognized a surface antigen (about 30 kDa) of HL60 cell line which is the same antigen detected by parental AP64 IgM. But the affinity of ScFv for a surface antigen of HL60 was lower than that of the parental AP64 IgM, which needs to be further improved. Overall, the recombinant ScFv specific to HL60 might be a useful bioreagent for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.262-267
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• 2001

A cDNA coding alkaline phosphatase (AP) homologue was isolated from a cDNA library of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by colony hybridization. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned cDNA appeared to lack the N-terminal coding region. The genomic DNA encoding alkaline phosphatase homologue was isolated from S. pombe chromosomal DNA using PCR. The amplified DNA fragment was ligated into plasmid pRS315 to generate the recombinant plasmid pSW20. The DNA insert was subcloned as two smaller fragments for nucleotide sequencing. The sequence contains 2,789 by and encodes a protein of 532 amino acids with a molecular mass of 58,666 daltons. The S. pombe cells containing plasmid pSW20 showed much higher AP activity compared with the yeast cells with vector only This indicates that the cloned AP gene apparently encodes AP The predicted amino acid sequence of the S. pombe AP shares homology with those of other known APs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2019

Aster Yomena (AY) has been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoarthritis. However, protective effect of AY on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been reported. The present study examined the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of AY on cerulein-induced AP. AP was induced in mice by intraperitoneally injecting cerulein ($50{\mu}g/kg$) hourly for 6 times. 70% ethanol extract of AY (0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 g/kg) was orally administered for 1 week before acute pancreatitis induction. The mouse was killed at 6 hours after the final cerulein injection. The pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for histological examination and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Blood samples were taken to determine serum amylase and lipase activity. In addition real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was also performed to investigate mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$. $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6. Administration of AY significantly ameliorated pancreatic weight to body weight ratio, histological damages and MPO activity during AP. In addition, AY inhibited the serum amylase and lipase activity during AP. Also, mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were inhibited by AY against AP. Our results revealed that pre-treatment of AY reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP. Therefore, AY may have a protective effect drug against AP.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.255-268
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• 2004

The purpose of the research is to compare the distribution of Black-pigmented Bacteroides between Chronic Periodontitis and Aggressive Periodontitis. P. gingivalis, P. intermedia and P. nigrescens were examined in order to evaluate their distribution in patients with Chronic Periodontitis(CP) and Aggressive Periodontitis(AP). PCR and dot-blots hybridization of 16s rRNA gene were used to compare bacterial distribution of two groups - CP group and AP group, which were divided into two subgroups. Subgingival plaque taken from the diseased sites(pocket $depth{\geq}6$ mm) and healthy sites(pocket $depth{\leq}3$ mm) were grouped into the experimental group and the control group. The result are as follows ; 1. The distribution of P. gingivalis was 98.33% for chronic Periodotitis(CP), 94.17% for Aggressive Periodontitis(AP), the distribution of P. intermedia was 77.50% for CP, 64.17% for AP, and the distribution of P. nigrescens was 35.00%, 29.17%. In all 3 types of bacteria, CP group showed higher distribution compared to AP group, but only P. intermedia showed statistically significant difference. 2. In the case of CP, every type of bacteria showed higher distribution in the experimental group with statistically significant difference. 3. In the case of AP, every type of bacteria also showed higher distribution in the experimental group, but P. gingivalis and p..intermedia showed the result with statistically significant difference, and the other did not 4. In 3 all bacteria type, N-AP showed higher distribution than N-CP without statistically significant difference These results suggest that the comparison of the distribution of Bacteroides between Chronic Periodontitis and Aggressive Periodontitis has no statistically significant difference, except P. intermedia.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.358-363
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• 2013

In this paper, we firstly reported a C-type lectin cDNA clone of 1029 bps from the larvae of A. Pernyi (Ap-CTL) using PCR and RACE techniques. The full-length cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding 308 amino acid residues which has two different carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) arranged in tandem. To investigate the biological activities in the innate immunity, recombinant Ap-CTL was expressed in E. coli with a 6-histidine at the amino-terminus (Ap-rCTL). Besides acted as a broad-spectrum recognition protein binding to a wide range of PAMPs and microorganisms, Ap-rCTL also had the ability to recognize and trigger the agglutination of bacteria and fungi. In the proPO activation assay, Ap-rCTL specifically restored the PO activity of hemolymph blocked by anti-Ap-rCTL antibody in the presence of different PAMPs or microorganisms. In summary, Ap-rCTL plays an important role in insect innate immunity as an pattern recognition protein.