This study was conducted to investigate the effect of waterlogging stress on the physiological response and growth characteristics of the five Italian ryegrass varieties. For all varieties, the germination rate of seed decreased by 10-15% as the waterlogging period increased, but the waterlogging stress treatment after the early seedling stage increased the growth of shoot and root length. Photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fm) according to waterlogging stress treatment decreased in all vareity, and Florida 80 showed the least decrease with 1.5%. Waterlogging stress treatment was found to reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (malondialdehyde, MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that other mechanisms may be involved in the defense mechanism of Italian ryegrass against waterlogging stress, such as promoting root growth to escape from waterlogging stress, in addition to the antioxidant enzyme system.

Inflammation is a protective mechanism against pathogens, but if maintained continuously, it destroys tissue structures. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacterium often found in severe periodontitis. A. actinomycetemcomitans invades epithelial cells and triggers inflammatory response in the immune cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of water-soluble rosehip extract on A. actinomycetemcomitansinduced inflammatory responses. A human monocytic cell line (THP-1) was differentiated to macrophages by phorbol 12-mystristate 13-acetate treatment. The cytotoxic effect of extract was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The effects of extract on bacterial growth were examined by measuring the optical densities using a spectrophotometer. THP-1-derived macrophages were infected A. actinomycetemcomitans after extract treatment, and culture supernatants were analyzed for cytokine production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protein expression was measured by western blotting. Extract was not toxic to THP-1- derived macrophages. A. actinomycetemcomitans growth was inhibited by 1% extract. The extract suppressed A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-8 production. It also decreased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) phosphorylation. Moreover, the extract inhibited the expression of inflammasome components, including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3, Absent in Melanoma 2, and apoptosis associated speck-like protein containing a CARD. And cysteine-aspartic proteases-1 and IL-1β expression were decreased by the extract. In summary, extract suppressed A. actinomycetemcomitans growth and decreased inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting activation of MAP kinase, NF-κB, and inflammasome signaling. Rosehip extract could be effective in the treatment of periodontal inflammation induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans infection.

Agarum clathratum (A. clathratum) is a marine brown algal species that belongs to the Costariaceae family and has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of A. clathratum and the molecular mechanisms involved have not been determined so far. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of A. clathratum extracts in THP-1 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis. The THP-1 cells were differentiated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and treated with A. clathratum before LPS stimulation. Cell viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion assay. The expression of pro-inflammatory response-associated molecules was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. A. clathratum treatment inhibited the expression of interleukin-1β in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages without causing any cytotoxicity. The anti-inflammatory effect of A. clathratum resulted in a significant repression of the JNK/c-Jun signaling axis, a key regulator in inflammation responses. This study highlights the possible role of A. clathratum in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines via suppression of the JNK/c-Jun signaling axis and suggests that A. clathratum could serve as a marine-derived anti-inflammatory agent in periodontitis.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are secondary metabolites produced by anaerobic fermentation of dietary fibers in the intestine. Intestinal SCFAs exert various beneficial effects on intestinal homeostasis, including energy metabolism, autophagy, cell proliferation, immune reaction, and inflammation, whereas contradictory roles of SCFAs in the oral cavity have been reported. Herein, we found that low and high concentrations of SCFAs induce differential regulation of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, respectively, in gingival fibroblast cells. Additionally, cell viability was found to be differentially regulated in response to low and high concentrations of SCFAs. These findings demonstrate that the physiological functions of SCFAs in various cellular responses are more likely dependent on their local concentration.

목적 : 마이봄샘기능저하증(meibomian gland dysfunction, MGD)을 수반하는 염증성 건성안의 감별진단에 대한 ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트의 유용성을 평가하였다. 방법 : 건성안 이외의 안질환이 없는 20~30대 중 OSDI 설문 검사에 따른 건성안 총 118안을 대상하였고, 결막낭 메니스커스로부터 소량의 눈물을 채취하여 TNF-α, IL-6 및 MMP-9 검사를 하였다. 각막염색과 결막충혈 이 모두 Grade 1 이상인 경우는 염증성 건성안으로, 마이봄샘폐쇄와 마이봄샘구멍막힘이 모두 grade 1 이상인 경우는 MGD 관련 건성안으로 평가하였다. 염증성 건성안 및 MGD와 TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9과의 상관성은 카 이제곱검정(Chi-square test)으로 분석하였고, ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트의 염증성 건성안과 MGD를 수반하는 염증성 건성안 감별능력은 ROC 커브를 이용하여 민감도, 특이도 및 AUC(Area under the curve)를 구하고 정확도를 평가하였다. 결과 : 염증성 건성안은 TNF-α와 IL-6와 유의한 상관성을 보였고(p＜.050), ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사 키트는 MMP-9 검사키트와 80.20%의 높은 일치도를 나타냈으나(p＜.050), 염증성 건성안 감별에 대한 민감도, 특이도, 정확도는 MMP-9 검사키트보다 낮았다. MGD는 MMP-9 검사와 상관성을 보이지 않았고, TNF-α와 IL-6 검사와는 유의한 상관성을 보였으며, MGD 감별에 대한 민감도, 특이도, 정확도는 각각 85.50%, 34.70%, 0.601, 85.50%, 32.70%, 0.591로 나타났다. MGD 수반한 염증성 건성안 감별에 대한 ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트의 민감도, 특이도 및 정확도는 100.00%, 34.10%, 0.670로 MMP-9 검사키트보다 더 높았다. 결론 : MGD 진단에는 TNF-α, IL-6 검사가 유용하며, ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트는 MGD를 수반한 염증성 건성안 평가에 유용할 것으로 사료된다.

The occurrence of allergic disease has increased harmfully in the last few decades. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic inflammation disorder characterized by itchy, red, swollen, cracked skin. Although the pathogenesis of AD is not fully understood, it is assumed that deregulation of T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) immune responses, a predominance of allergen-specific IgE, and interrupted epidermal barrier function are keys to the pathogenic mechanism. Activated T helper 2 (Th2) immune function is hallmark of various allergic diseases. Oxidative stress implicated in cutaneous damage in various inflammatory skin diseases. We investigated the effect of fermented soybean (SCGB1) on the improvement of AD. Soybean fermentation was carried out using B. amyloliquefaciense SCGB1 (KCCM11964P), which is known to produce of natural antibiotics. And then, we experiment of SCGB1 and soybean powder (NC) in DNCB-induced AD model. Mice were respectively oral administration of variety dose for 14 days. As a results, it was confirmed that serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) expression was dose-dependently decreased in SCGB1 and NC compared to negative control, and it was reduced the skin pruritus inducing factor that Interleukin-31 (IL-31) mRNA level. In addition, the inflammatory cells were infiltration in skin for histological analysis. As a result, it reduced that epidermal hyperplasia, cancellation and aveolarization compared to negative control. These results suggest that SCGB1 may be effective for prevention and treatment of AD.

This article treats the quotation of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in Collected Writings of Korean Linguistics [Chosŏnŏhak Jŏnsŏ / Joseoneohak Jeonseo]. The citation of a political leader in a scholarly paper shows the powerful interference of political ideology on academic research. However, it is possible for scholars to judge what quotation they collect. Therefore, the influence of political ideology on the North Korean language academia can be measured by the status that Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il's quotations are used. Political ideological colors are most evident in communism and class-struggle quotations. However, in some quotations, radical phrases are omitted. There are many quotations about nationalism in Chosŏnŏhak Jŏnsŏ. Quite a few of them have some similarities to the discussion in South Korean academic circles. However, sometimes it is possible to conflict with the North academic circles, because a strong nationalism tendency is avoided in the South academic circles. In the quotations about language policy, it was noticeable that the contents were different from each other. The northern scholar usually coped with avoiding or ignoring such conflicts because it is difficult to dare criticize any one quotation. In addition, I have looked at quotations that are close to common sense. The reason why those quotations exist in the scholarship can be seen as the fact that the quotation is just a perfunctory expression. And that nearly half of the quotations are extracted from just four kinds of source articles.

이 연구의 목적은 신체활동이 마이오카인 발현에 미치는 영향을 보고자 문헌고찰을 하였다. 신체적인 활동은 제2형 당뇨, 심혈관질환, 대장암, 치매 및 우울증과 같은 질환을 예방하는 역할을 하고 있다. 그리고 마이오카인(myokine)은 운동 훈련에 의해 분비되는 호르몬으로 뇌성장이나 알츠하이머 같은 질환예방에 도움을 준다. 운동수행과정에서 수축하는 근육으로부터 분비되는 항염증 마이오카인의 생성과 대사조절에 필요한 분비 활성화가 건강증진에 중요한 요인으로 보고 있다. 인체 골격근에서 분비되는 마이오카인 가운데 IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-15 등은 근육비대(hypertrophy)와 세포(myogenesis) 및 혈관생성(angiogenesis) 등의 조절에 관여한다. IL-6는 AMPK 활성화로 인한 대사중 지방 산화를 촉진시키는 작용을 하고, IL-1Ra, IL-10 과 sTNF-R 는 염증성 싸이토카인 TNF-α의 분비를 억제한다. IL-15는 저항운동시 근수축을 통한 발현량이 증가하어 근육 성장의 중요 합성요인으로 작용한다. 한편 IL-7 및 IL-8도 신호 전달 수용체 C-X-C를 통해 혈관신생을 촉진시킨다.

서평

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase protein with pro-inflammatory cytokine-like properties. Recent studies have revealed that SAA promotes γδT cell to produce IL-17 and T helper 17 (Th17) cells differentiation and function. In this study, we established the hepatic SAA1 overexpressed transgenic mice (TG). In this mouse, IL-17 was significantly increased in conditional state by γδT cell. We revealed that SAA1 mediated IL-17 producing from γδT cell is dependent on TLR2. Moreover we immunized SAA1 TG mice with Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA), which is well-known inducer of Th1 response and IFN-γ. We observed increased IL-17 secretion with increased Th17 cells and decreased IFN-γ, which is contrast to wild type mice (WT). In addition, we showed that locally increased transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) followed by Th17 cells polarization might involve in Th17 cell maintenance by suppressing the expression of T-bet, a key transcription factor for the differentiation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells. These data demonstrate that SAA1 represent potent endogenous protein that drives IL-17 induced inflammation by γδT cell partially through TLR2 and by Th17 cell. Also these increased IL-17 response maintained by TGF-β Smad2/3 signaling. Therefore we could say that SAA is central player in IL-17 related inflammatory response.

The aim of the present study was to develop an animal model for evaluation of temporomandibular (TMJ) nociception under TMJ inflammation. We also investigated the participation of IL-1β in inflammation-induced TMJ nociception. Experiments were carried out using male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intra-articular injection of 3% formalin was administered to evaluate hyperalgesia 3 days after CFA injection. Intra-articular injection of 3% formalin did not produce nociceptive behavior in normal rats. Although intra-articular injection of 3 doses of CFA produced TMJ inflammation, only 1:3 diluted CFA produced hyperalgesia when formalin was injected intra-articularly 3 days after CFA injection. Co-administration of IL-1 receptor inhibitor with formalin into the TMJ cavity 3 days after CFA injection was performed. Co-administration of IL-1 receptor inhibitor significantly inhibited formalin-induced hyperalgesia in rats with CFA-induced TMJ inflammation. These results suggested that intra-articular injection of formalin produced hyperalgesia under chronic TMJ inflammation. Moreover, IL-1β plays an important role in TMJ hyperalgesia under chronic inflammation and blockade of IL-1β is a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory TMJ pain.

Xenotransplantation involves multiple steps of immune rejection. The present study was designed to produce nuclear transfer embryos, prior to the production of transgenic pigs, using fibroblasts carrying transgenes human complement regulatory protein hCD59 and interleukin-18 binding protein (hIL-18BP) to reduce hyperacute rejection (HAR) and cellular rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. In addition to the hCD59-mediated reduction of HAR, hIL-18BP may prevent cellular rejection by inhibiting the activation of natural killer cells, activated T-cell proliferation, and induction of IFN-γ. Transgene construct including hCD59 and ILI-18BP was introduced into miniature pig fetal fibroblasts. After antibiotic selection of double transgenic fibroblasts, integration of the transgene was screened by PCR, and the transgene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR. Treatment of human serum did not affect the survival of double-transgenic fibroblasts, whereas the treatment significantly reduced the survival of non-transgenic fibroblasts (p<0.01), suggesting alleviation of HAR. Among 337 reconstituted oocytes produced by nuclear transfer using the double transgenic fibroblasts, 28 (15.3%) developed to the blastocyst stage. Analysis of individual embryos indicated that 53.6% (15/28) of embryos contained the transgene. The result of the present study demonstrates the resistance of hCD59 and IL-18BP double-transgenic fibroblasts against HAR, and the usefulness of the transgenic approach may be predicted by RT-PCR and cytolytic assessment prior to actual production of transgenic pigs. Further study on the transfer of these embryos to surrogates may produce transgenic clone miniature pigs expressing hCD59 and hIL-18BP for xenotransplantation.

Previous reports revealed that DMfree (green tea extract) inhibited expression of the IL-6 gene in Mycobacterium lepraeinfected MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells). This study aimed to measure IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2 production in M. leprae-infected MSCs using ELISA. To confirm the effect of DMfree on IL-6 and signal transduction, a western blotting test was performed. DMfree inhibited the expression of IL-6 in the MSCs and the heterodimer of STAT3, which also affects the expression of multiple genes. Though DMfree pre-treatment of control MSCs produced a baseline level of IL-6, it significantly inhibited the production of IL-6 in M. leprae-infected MSCs. There was no significant difference in IL-6 production between 1 and 7 day treatment groups. M. leprae-infected MSCs produced more IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2, but DMfree could not inhibit their production at a physiological concentration. This is different from other reports that used higher concentration of EGCG treatment, resulting in significant inhibition of the cytokines. The inhibition appears to be related to the concentration of EGCG. These results indicate that DMfree can alleviate inflammation involving IL-6.