Publications (13)24.39 Total impact
-
Article: Identification and analysis of expressed genes using a cDNA library from rat thymus during regeneration following cyclophosphamide-induced T cell depletion.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Understanding the mechanisms of thymus regeneration is necessary for designing strategies to enhance host immunity when immune function is suppressed due to T cell depletion. In this study, expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis was performed following generation of a regenerating thymus cDNA library to identify genes expressed in thymus regeneration. A total of 1,000 ESTs were analyzed, of which 770 (77%) matched to known genes, 178 matched to unknown genes (17.8%) and 52 (5.2%) did not match any known sequences. The ESTs matched to known genes were grouped into eight functional categories: gene/protein synthesis (28%), metabolism (24%), cell signaling and communication (17%), cell structure and motility (6%), cell/organism defense and homeostasis (6%), cell division (3%), cell death/apoptosis (2%), and unclassified genes (14%). Based on the data of RT-PCR analysis, the expression of TLP, E2IG2, pincher, Paip2, TGF-β1, 4-1BB and laminin α3 genes was increased during thymus regeneration. These results provide extensive molecular information, for the first time, on thymus regeneration indicating that the regenerating thymus cDNA library may be a useful source for identifying various genes expressed during thymus regeneration.International Journal of Molecular Medicine 01/2013; · 1.98 Impact Factor -
Article: Involvement of curli fimbriae in the biofilm formation of Enterobacter cloacae.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In this study, we examined the biofilm forming ability, the mRNA expression of curli genes and the morphologies of curli fimbriae and biofilms in clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae. The csgBA operon was found in 11 (78.6%) of the 14 isolates. The ability of E. cloacae isolates to form biofilms was significantly correlated with the mRNA expression level of the csgA and csgD genes. The curli protein fimbriae appeared as tangled fibers and the curli-proficient strain formed mature biofilms. Our data suggest that the expression of the curli fimbriae play an important role in biofilm formation in E. cloacae.The Journal of Microbiology 02/2012; 50(1):175-8. · 1.10 Impact Factor -
Article: Curcumin attenuates TNF-α-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and proinflammatory cytokines in human endometriotic stromal cells.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa, has long been used in folk medicine as an antiinflammatory remedy in Asian countries. Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological inflammatory disorder in which immune system deregulation may play a role in its initiation and progression. A number of mediators, including cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1); proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and IL-8; and chemokines such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), play key roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The aim of our study was to explore the effect of curcumin on the expression of these critical molecules in human ectopic endometriotic stromal cells isolated from women with endometriosis. Endometriotic stromal cells treated with curcumin showed marked suppression of TNF-α-induced mRNA expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Curcumin treatment also significantly decreased the TNF-α-induced cell surface and total protein expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment of endometriotic stromal cells with curcumin markedly inhibited TNF-α-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1. Furthermore, curcumin inhibited the activation of transcription factor NF-κB, a key regulator of inflammation, in human endometriotic stromal cells. These findings suggest that curcumin may have potential therapeutic uses in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.Phytotherapy Research 12/2011; 26(7):1037-47. · 2.09 Impact Factor -
Article: Providencia isolates carrying bla (PER-1) and bla (VIM-2) genes: biofilm-forming capacity and biofilm inhibitory concentrations for carbapenem antibiotics.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Providentia carrying bla (PER-1) and bla (VIM-2) were evaluated for the abilities to form biofilm and high biofilm forming capacity was demonstrated in them. Minimum biofilm inhibitory concentrations (MBICs), minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBECs), and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for imipenem and meropenem were also determined. In all tested strains, the MBICs were higher than the MICs for both drugs. Interestingly, the MBICs and the MBEC(50) for meropenem were lower than those for imipenem in the isolates producing high amounts of biofilm, suggesting that meropenem is superior to imipenem in the growth inhibition and eradication of biofilm forming Providentia strains.The Journal of Microbiology 06/2011; 49(3):512-5. · 1.10 Impact Factor -
Article: Chloroform extract of aged black garlic attenuates TNF-α-induced ROS generation, VCAM-1 expression, NF-κB activation and adhesiveness for monocytes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Aged black garlic is a type of fermented garlic (Allium sativum) which has been used in Oriental countries for a long time because of various biological properties of garlic derivatives. The current study explored the potential of the chloroform extract of aged black garlic (CEABG) in attenuating the activities of adhesion molecules in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The study was performed on HUVECs that were pretreated with 30 μg/mL of CEABG before TNF-α treatment. Treatment of HUVECs with CEABG significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. HUVECs treated with CEABG showed markedly suppressed TNF-α-induced mRNA expression of VCAM-1, but little alteration in ICAM-1 and E-selectin mRNA expression. CEABG treatment also significantly decreased the TNF-α-induced cell surface and total protein expression of VCAM-1 without affecting ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression. In addition, treatment of HUVECs with CEABG markedly reduced THP-1 monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs. Furthermore, CEABG significantly inhibited NF-κB transcription factor activation in TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs. The data provide new evidence of the antiinflammatory properties of CEABG that may have a potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis through mechanisms involving the inhibition of VCAM-1 expression and NF-κB activation in vascular endothelial cells.Phytotherapy Research 01/2011; 25(1):92-100. · 2.09 Impact Factor -
Article: Proteomic analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii in biofilm and planktonic growth mode.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recently, multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii have been found to have a high capacity to form biofilm. It is well known that bacterial cells within biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics, UV light, acid exposure, dehydration, and phagocytosis in comparison to their planktonic counterparts, which suggests that the cells in a biofilm have altered metabolic activity. To determine which proteins are up-regulated in A. baumannii biofilm cells, we performed a proteomic analysis. A clinical isolate of A. baumannii 1656-2, which was characterized to have a high biofilm forming ability, was cultivated under biofilm and planktonic conditions. Outer membrane enriched A. baumannii 1656-2 proteins were separated by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and the differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The proteins up-regulated or expressed only in biofilm cells of A. baumannii are categorized as follows: (i) proteins processing environmental information such as the outer membrane receptor protein involved in mostly Fe transport, a sensor histidine kinase/response regulator, and diguanylate cyclase (PAS-GGEDF-EAL domain); (ii) proteins involved in metabolism such as NAD-linked malate dehydrogenase, nucleoside-diphosphate sugar epimerase, putative GalE, ProFAR isomerase, and N-acetylmuramoyl-L: -alanine amidase; (iii) bacterial antibiotic resistance related proteins; and (iv) proteins related to gene repair such as exodeoxyribonuclease III and GidA. This proteomic analysis provides a fundamental platform for further studies to reveal the role of biofilm in the persistence and tolerance of A. baumannii.The Journal of Microbiology 12/2009; 47(6):728-35. · 1.10 Impact Factor -
Article: Inhibition of endothelial cell adhesion by the new anti-inflammatory agent alpha-iso-cubebene.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The current study explored if alpha-iso-cubebene, a novel cubebene sesquiterpene compound purified from Schisandra chinensis, could attenuate the activities of adhesion molecules in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The study was performed on HUVECs that were pretreated with 25 microg/ml of alpha-iso-cubebene before TNF-alpha treatment. Treatment of HUVECs with alpha-iso-cubebene for 6 h significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. HUVECs treated with alpha-iso-cubebene showed markedly suppressed TNF-alpha-induced mRNA expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin, but little alteration in ICAM-1 mRNA expression. alpha-iso-Cubebene treatment also significantly decreased the TNF-alpha-induced cell surface and total protein expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin without affecting ICAM-1 expression. In addition, treatment of HUVECs with alpha-iso-cubebene markedly reduced U937 monocyte adhesion to TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVECs. alpha-iso-Cubebene treatment did not affect translocation of NF-kappaB transcription factor from the cytosol into the nucleus. However, alpha-iso-cubebene significantly inhibited NF-kappaB transcription factor activation in TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVECs. The new anti-inflammatory agent alpha-iso-cubebene attenuates TNF-alpha-stimulated endothelial adhesion to monocytes by inhibiting intracellular ROS production, the activation of redox-sensitive NF-kappaB transcription factor and expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Based on these findings, alpha-iso-cubebene is proposed as an effective new anti-inflammatory agent that may have a potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases.Vascular Pharmacology 07/2009; 51(4):215-24. · 1.99 Impact Factor -
Article: Nerve growth factor stimulates proliferation, adhesion and thymopoietic cytokine expression in mouse thymic epithelial cells in vitro.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Thymic epithelial cells, which constitute a major component of the thymic microenvironment, provide a crucial signal for intrathymic T cell development and selection. Neuroimmune networks in the thymic microenvironment are thought to be involved in the regulation of T cell development. NGF is increasingly recognized as a potent immunomodulator, promoting "cross-talk" between various types of immune system cells. The present study clearly shows that NGF stimulates mouse thymic epithelial cell activities in vitro including cell proliferation, thymocyte adhesion to thymic epithelial cells, and the expression of cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and thymopoietic factors including IL-7, GM-CSF, SDF-1, TARC and TECK. Thus, our data are of considerable clinical importance showing that trophic NGF activity could be used to enhance the thymus regeneration and develop methods to improve host immunity when the immune function is depressed due to thymic involution.Regulatory Peptides 05/2008; 147(1-3):72-81. · 2.11 Impact Factor -
Article: RANKL stimulates proliferation, adhesion and IL-7 expression of thymic epithelial cells.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In many clinical situations which cause thymic involution and thereby result in immune deficiency, T cells are the most often affected, leading to a prolonged deficiency of T cells. Since only the thymic-dependent T cell production pathway secures stable regeneration of fully mature T cells, seeking strategies to enhance thymic regeneration should be a key step in developing therapeutic methods for the treatment of these significant clinical problems. This study clearly shows that receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) stimulates mouse thymic epithelial cell activities including cell proliferation, thymocyte adhesion to thymic epithelial cells, and the expression of cell death regulatory genes favoring cell survival, cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and thymopoietic factors including IL-7. Importantly, RANKL exhibited a significant capability to facilitate thymic regeneration in mice. In addition, this study demonstrates that RANKL acts directly on the thymus to activate thymus regeneration regardless of its potential influences on thymic regeneration through an indirect or systemic effect. In light of this, the present study provides a greater insight into the development of novel therapeutic strategies for effective thymus repopulation using RANKL in the design of therapies for many clinical conditions in which immune reconstitution is required.Experimental and Molecular Medicine 03/2008; 40(1):59-70. · 2.48 Impact Factor -
Article: Expression of nerve growth factor is upregulated in the rat thymic epithelial cells during thymus regeneration following acute thymic involution.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Neuroimmune networks in the thymic microenvironment are thought to be involved in the regulation of T cell development. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is increasingly recognized as a potent immunomodulator, promoting "cross-talk" between various types of immune system cells. The present study describes the expression of NGF during thymus regeneration following acute involution induced by cyclophosphamide in the rat. Immunohistochemical stain demonstrated not only the presence of NGF but also its upregulated expression mainly in the subcapsular, paraseptal, and perivascular epithelial cells, and medullary epithelial cells including Hassall's corpuscles in both the normal and regenerating thymus. Biochemical data obtained using Western blot and RT-PCR supported these results and showed that thymic extracts contain NGF protein and mRNA, at higher levels during thymus regeneration. Thus, our results suggest that NGF expressed in these thymic epithelial cells plays a role in the T lymphopoiesis associated with thymus regeneration during recovery from acute thymic involution.Regulatory Peptides 07/2007; 141(1-3):86-95. · 2.11 Impact Factor -
Article: Multidrug-resistant Providencia isolates carrying blaPER-1, blaVIM-2, and armA.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: During May to July 2004, three strains of Providencia spp. with multidrug-resistance (MDR) were isolated from urinary specimen of three patients hospitalized with a same hospital room. By PCR analysis, all three strains have been found to carry both VIM-2 type metallo-beta-lactamase gene and PER-1 type extendedspectrum beta-lactamase gene. One out of three strains carried additional resistance gene, armA, 16S rRNA methylase gene responsible for high level resistance to aminoglycosides. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification of Providencia spp. simultaneously carrying blaVIM-2, blaPER-1, and armA genes.The Journal of Microbiology 07/2007; 45(3):272-4. · 1.10 Impact Factor -
Article: Upregulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand expression in the thymic subcapsular, paraseptal, perivascular, and medullary epithelial cells during thymus regeneration.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand (RANKL; also termed TRANCE/OPGL/ODF/TNFSF11), a new member of the tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, was identified as a key cytokine involved in the differentiation of the immune system and the regulation of immunity as well as in bone metabolism. In particular, RANKL-deficient mice showed defects in the early differentiation of T lymphocytes, suggesting that RANKL is a novel regulator of early thymocyte development. Here, we describe the expression of RANKL during regeneration following acute involution induced by cyclophosphamide in the rat thymus. The present study demonstrates the presence and upregulated expression of the RANKL in thymic subcapsular, paraseptal, perivascular, and medullary epithelial cells during thymus regeneration. Our results suggest that the RANKL expressed in these thymic epithelial cells plays a role in the development of T cells during thymic regeneration.Histochemie 07/2005; 123(4-5):491-500. · 2.59 Impact Factor -
Article: Upregulation of TrkA neurotrophin receptor expression in the thymic subcapsular, paraseptal, perivascular, and cortical epithelial cells during thymus regeneration.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Neuroimmune networks in the thymic microenvironment are thought to be involved in the regulation of T cell development. Here, we report upon an examination of the expression of the TrkA neurotrophin receptor, the high affinity receptor for nerve growth factor, during regeneration following acute involution induced by cyclophosphamide in the rat thymus. Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry demonstrated enhanced expression of the TrkA receptor in the subcapsular, paraseptal, perivascular, and cortical epithelial cells during thymus regeneration. In addition, various morphological alterations, suggestive of a hyperfunctional and dynamic state, of the subcapsular, paraseptal, and perivascular epithelial cells were also observed. The presence of TrkA protein in extracts from the control and regenerating rat thymus was confirmed by western blot. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis supported these results by demonstrating that thymic extracts contain TrkA mRNA at higher levels during thymus regeneration. Thus, our results suggest that the TrkA receptor located on the thymic subcapsular, paraseptal, perivascular, and cortical epithelial cells could play a role in the development of new T cells to replace T cells damaged during thymus regeneration.Histochemie 02/2003; 119(1):55-68. · 2.59 Impact Factor
Top Journals
Institutions
-
2005–2013
-
Pusan National University
- College of Medicine
Pusan, Busan, South Korea
-
-
2007–2012
-
Kyungpook National University
- Department of Microbiology
Sangju, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
-