12(S)-Hydroxyheptadeca-5Z,8E,10E-trienoic acid suppresses UV-induced IL-6 synthesis in keratinocytes, exerting an anti-inflammatory activity.

12(S)-Hydroxyheptadeca-5Z,8E,10E-trienoic acid (12- HHT) is an enzymatic product of prostaglandin H(2) (PGH(2)) derived from cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism. Despite the high level of 12-HHT present in tissues and bodily fluids, its precise function remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that 12-HHT treatment in HaCaT cells remarkably down-regulated the ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced synthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine associated with cutaneous inflammation.

Low-dose UVB irradiation stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression via a BLT2-linked pathway in HaCaT cells.

Skin exposure to low-dose ultraviolet B (UVB) light up-regulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), thus contributing to premature skin aging (photo-aging). Although cyclooxygenase-2 (COX- 2) and its product, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE((2))), have been associated with UVB-induced signaling to MMP expression, very little are known about the roles of lipoxygenases and their products, especially leukotriene B((4)) (LTB((4))) and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), in MMP-1 expression in skin keratinocytes. In the present study, we demonstrate that BLT2, a cell surface receptor for LTB((4)) and 12(S)-HETE, plays a critical role in UVB-mediated MMP-1 upregulation in human HaCaT keratinocytes.

Proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta stimulates IL-8 synthesis in mast cells via a leukotriene B4 receptor 2-linked pathway, contributing to angiogenesis.

Recent studies have suggested that mast cells have critical roles in angiogenesis. However, the detailed mechanism by which mast cells contribute to angiogenesis is not yet clearly understood, especially in response to proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we showed that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta induces the synthesis of IL-8, a potent angiogenic factor, in human mast cells via the leukotriene B(4) receptor (BLT)2.

UVB radiation induces apoptosis in keratinocytes by activating a pathway linked to "BLT2-reactive oxygen species".

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in UVB-induced apoptosis has been established, but the molecular mechanisms of their production in response to UVB irradiation in keratinocytes are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that levels of BLT2, a low-affinity leukotriene B(4) receptor, and its ligands (LTB(4) and 12(S)-HETE) are greatly increased by UVB irradiation and are responsible for the UVB-induced ROS generation in human keratinocytes. Blockade of BLT2 with a BLT2-specific antagonist, LY255283, or with siBLT2 attenuated ROS production and apoptotic cell death detected by a number of criteria.

Antibacterial and anti-atrophic effects of a highly soluble, acid stable UDCA formula in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis.

Helicobacter pylori is one of the main causes of atrophic gastritis and gastric carcinogenesis. Gastritis can also occur in the absence of H. pylori as a result of bile reflux suggesting the eradication of H.

Analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotype linkage of the human ABCB1 (MDR1) gene in Korean.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MDR1 gene that are responsible for drug efflux can cause toxicity. Therefore, this study determined the SNPs of the Korean MDR1 gene, and analyzed the haplotypes and a linkage disequilibrium (LD) of the SNPs determined. The frequency of 9 SNPs from the MDR1 gene was determined by PCR-RFLP analyses of 100 to 500 healthy individuals.

Inhibition of receptor internalization attenuates the TNFalpha-induced ROS generation in non-phagocytic cells.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important regulatory molecules implicated in the signaling cascade triggered by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, although the events through which TNFalpha induces ROS generation are not well characterized. Here, we report that TNFalpha-induced ROS production was blocked by pretreatment with internalization inhibitor monodansyl cadaverine (MDC). Similarly, a transient expression of a GTP-binding and hydrolysis-defective dynamin mutant (dynamin(K44A)) that had been shown to be defective in internalization significantly attenuated the TNFalpha-induced intracellular ROS production.