Publications by authors named "Hangeun Kim"

The purpose of this study is to evaluate SMB092 as a prophylactic agent for oral pathogens. We examined the physical interaction of SMB092 with a host by identifying the presence of mucus-binding (MuB) protein domains and the capacity of the mucin binding. We determined the role of heat-killed SMB092 in host oral immunity by quantifying the mRNA levels of β-defensins (BDs), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and their cofactors (CD14/CD36) in normal human oral keratinocytes (HOK-16B cells).

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Since atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease, natural remedies, such as Nakai (FG), with anti-inflammatory properties are possible promising therapeutic options. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of FG extracts at different growth stages. Seven compounds were isolated from the FG leaf extracts using open-column chromatography, and they were analyzed using HPLC.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hypoxic responses are linked to various health issues like inflammation and cancer, sparking interest in natural remedies.
  • Recent findings show that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K8 (K8) has anti-inflammatory effects, but its impact on hypoxia-related cellular responses was previously unknown.
  • This study reveals that K8 lysates can significantly suppress HIF1α accumulation and target gene expression under hypoxic conditions, suggesting a unique role in regulating cellular responses to low oxygen levels.
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Multiple studies have confirmed that has beneficial effects in respiratory diseases, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the role of lysates in respiratory diseases is unclear. infects the lungs of mice, recruits immune cells, and induces structural changes in alveoli.

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Defensins and inflammation are innate immune barriers of the body against infectious pathogens. Searching for a compound that can inhibit infectious diseases by affecting human β-defensin (HBD) and proinflammatory cytokines is the new trend in research to control bacterial infection. The aim of this study is to provide a natural compound, Filipendula glaberrima Nakai extract (FGE), which is able to induce the expression of an antimicrobial defensin as well as reduce inflammation.

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Both defensin and inflammation are part of the human innate immune system that responds rapidly to pathogens. The combination of defensins with pro- or anti-inflammatory effects can be a potential research direction for the treatment of infection by pathogens. This study aimed to identify whether MSF (Miracle Synergy material made using ) a probiotic lysate of extracts fermented with K8, activates the expression of human -defensin (HBD2 and HBD3) to protect the host against pathogens and inhibit inflammation caused by , in vitro with Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR and in vivo studies with a mouse model were used to evaluate the effects of MSF.

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Probiotics exert anti-obesity effects in high-fat diet (HFD) obese mice, but there are few studies on anti-obesity using heat-killed probiotics. Here, we investigated the effect of heat-killed K8 (K8HK) on the anti-differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and on anti-obesity in HFD mice. K8HK decreased triglyceride (TG) accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

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inhibits complement activity by secreting a variety of toxins. However, the underlying mechanism of complement component regulation by lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of , has not been elucidated. In this study, we observed that aLTA (LTA of ) increased C3 expression in THP-1 cells.

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We previously showed that K8 and its cell wall components have immunoregulatory effects. In this study, we demonstrate that pre-treatment of K8 lysates reduced LPS-induced TNF-α production in THP-1 cells by down-regulating the early signals of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The down-regulation of signals may be caused by the induction of negative regulators involved in toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated signaling.

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is a species of Gram-positive staphylococcus. It can cause sinusitis, respiratory infections, skin infections, and food poisoning. Recently, it was discovered that infects epithelial cells, but the interaction between and the host is not well known.

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Lipoteichoic acid isolated from Staphylococcus aureus (aLTA) is known to regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through TLR2-mediated signaling pathways. In our previous study, we found that aLTA significantly increased manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in the THP-1 human monocyte-like cell line, but the role of MnSOD in the regulation of cytokine production was not elucidated. In the current study, we found that MnSOD was involved in aLTA-mediated cytokine production.

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Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria, up-regulates inflammatory cytokine production through the toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling pathway, and also contributes to anti-inflammatory responses against immune cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharides. In the current study, we examined the effects of LTAs isolated from Staphylococcus aureus (aLTA) and Lactobacillus plantarum (pLTA) on the aggravation and alleviation of atopic dermatitis (AD). aLTA strongly induced CCL2 production in THP-1 cells.

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The innate immune complement system helps clear invading pathogens by forming membrane attack complexes (MACs) on their surface. Abnormal activation of the complement system may aggravate atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms in AD patients. Here, we investigated the anti-AD effects of LTAs isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum (pLTA) and Staphylococcus aureus (aLTA) by examination of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs).

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Bee venom (BV)-a complex mixture of peptides and toxic proteins including phospholipase A2 and melittin-promotes blood clotting. In this study, we investigated the anti-atopic properties of BV and the mechanism associated with its regulation of the complement system. BV treatment upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of CD55 in THP-1 cells.

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Zizania latifolia is a perennial herb belonging to the family Gramineae that has been used as a health food in Asian countries. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial effect of Z. latifolia, which increased human beta-defensin 2 (hBD2) expression in HaCaT cells.

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Lipoteichoic acid isolated from K8 (pLTA) alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced excessive inflammation through inhibition of TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6. In addition, pLTA increases the survival rate of mice in a septic shock model. In the current study, we have found that pLTA contributes to homeostasis through regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production.

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Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria, is recognized by Toll-like receptor 2, expressed on certain mammalian cell surfaces, initiating signaling cascades that include nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase. There are many structural and functional varieties of LTA, which vary according to the different species of gram-positive bacteria that produce them. In this study, we examined whether LTA isolated from (aLTA) affects the expression of junction proteins in keratinocytes.

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CD55/DAF, one of the regulators of complement activation, is known to limit excess complement activation on the host cell surface by accelerating the decay of C3 convertase. We reported previously that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or virus core protein expression upregulates CD55 expression. CD55 associates with HCV particles, potentially protecting HCV from lysis in circulation.

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Complement component 3 (C3) is one of the proteins associated with complement cascades. C3 plays an essential role in three different pathways-the alternative, classical and lectin pathways. It is well known that cytokines activate complement system and increase complement component C3 production.

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Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented foods have potential as a treatment for immune-related disorders and the use of LAB has been increasing worldwide. In this study, the differential cytokine regulatory effect was examined with three isolates of lactobacilli strains; namely, Lactobacillus plantarum K55-5 isolated from dairy product, and L. sakei K101 and L.

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Lactobacillus acidophilus species are well-known probiotics with the beneficial activity of regulating cholesterol levels. In this study, we showed that L. acidophilus K301 reduced the level of cholesterol through reverse transport in macrophages.

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Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have beneficial effects on intestinal health and skin diseases. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria, is known to induce the production of several cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 and affect the intestinal microflora, anti-aging, sepsis, and cholesterol level. In this study, Weissella cibaria was isolated from Indian dairy products, and we examined its immune-enhancing effects.

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Staphylococcus aureus plays an important role in sepsis, septic shock, pneumonia, and wound infections. Here, we demonstrate that Lactobacillus plantarum extracts inhibited S. aureusinduced cell death of a human epithelial cell line, HT-29.

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Background: Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation from the sun is the primary environmental factor that causes human skin aging. UV irradiation induces the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix degrading enzymes. Among the members of MMP family, MMP-1 is an interstitial collagenase that degrades the collagen triple helix.

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