Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of pvmdr-1 in Plasmodium vivax isolated from military personnel of Republic of Korea in 2016 and 2017.

Background: Malaria chemoprophylaxis using chloroquine (CQ) and primaquine (PQ) has been administered to resident soldiers in the 3rd Army of Republic of Korea (ROK) to prevent malaria infection since the year 1997. Due to mass chemoprophylaxis against malaria, concern exists about the occurrence of chloroquine resistance (CQR). This study aimed to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Plasmodium vivax multi-drug resistance protein-1 (pvmdr-1) gene to monitor the risk of CQR.

Investigation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency prevalence in a Plasmodium vivax-endemic area in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most prevalent inborn disorder. This X-chromosome-linked recessive disease affects more than 400 million people globally, and is associated with haemolytic anaemia after medication with the anti-latent malaria drug, primaquine. To prevent malaria, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army administers malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Salinomycin Induces Reactive Oxygen Species and Apoptosis in Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells as Mediated with Regulation of Autophagy.

Background/aim: Chemotherapy is a critical option for cancer treatment. However, consistent exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs promotes chemoresistance in cancer cells through diverse mechanisms. Accordingly, we investigated whether salinomycin, a monocarboxylic ionophore, could induce apoptosis in aggressive breast cancer cells or not, as well as its underlying mechanism.

Platelet-activating Factor Mediates Endotoxin Tolerance by Regulating Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-dependent Expression of the Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) mediates immune tolerance, and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) negatively regulates the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway. We determined previously that platelet-activating factor (PAF) protects mice against LPS-induced endotoxic shock, but its detailed mechanism of action was unknown. We performed survival experiments in and mice using an LPS-induced endotoxemia model and rated organ injury (neutrophil infiltration and liver function).

Salinomycin simultaneously induces apoptosis and autophagy through generation of reactive oxygen species in osteosarcoma U2OS cells.

Salinomycin, a polyether antibiotic, acts as a highly selective potassium ionophore. It was reported to anticancer activity on various cancer cell lines. In this study, salinomycin was examined on apoptosis and autophagy through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in osteosarcoma U2OS cells.

Enhancement of paclitaxel-induced breast cancer cell death via the glycogen synthase kinase-3β-mediated B-cell lymphoma 2 regulation.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is known to mediate cancer cell death. Here, we show that B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), an anti-apoptotic protein, is regulated by GSK-3β and that GSK-3β-mediated regulation of Bcl-2 is crucial for mitochondrial-dependent cell death in paclitaxel-stimulated cells. We demonstrate that MCF7 GSK-3β siRNA cells are more sensitive to cell death than MCF7 GFP control cells and that in the absence of GSK-3β, Bcl-2 levels are reduced, a result enhanced by paclitaxel.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK-3β) Inhibition Enhances Dendritic Cell-based Cancer Vaccine Potency via Suppression of Interferon-γ-induced Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Expression.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) functions as a crucial mediator of tumor-mediated immune tolerance by causing T-cell suppression via tryptophan starvation in a tumor environment. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is also involved in immune and anti-tumor responses. However, the relativity of these proteins has not been as well defined.

Resveratrol regulates naïve CD 8+ T-cell proliferation by upregulating IFN-γ-induced tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase expression.

We found that resveratrol enhances interferon (IFN)-γ-induced tryptophanyl-tRNA-synthetase (TTS) expression in bone marrow- derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Resveratrol-induced TTS expression is associated with glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity. In addition, we found that resveratrol regulates naïve CD8+ T-cell polarization by modulating GSK-3β activity in IFN-γ-stimulated BMDCs, and that resveratol induces upregulation of TTS in CD8+ T-cells in the in vivo tumor environment.

Ellagic acid modulates LPS-induced maturation of dendritic cells through the regulation of JNK activity.

Ellagic acid (EA) is a well- known phytochemical that modulates various cellular processes. It is present in a variety of foods, including grapes, strawberries, and nuts. However, the influence of EA on immunological responses is not well defined.

Mycobacterium abscessus MAB2560 induces maturation of dendritic cells via Toll-like receptor 4 and drives Th1 immune response.

In this study, we showed that Mycobacterium abscessus MAB2560 induces the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which are representative antigen-presenting cells (APCs). M. abscessus MAB2560 stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, and IL-12p70] and reduce the endocytic capacity and maturation of DCs.

The Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis protein MAP1305 modulates dendritic cell-mediated T cell proliferation through Toll-like receptor-4.

In this study, we show that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis MAP1305 induces the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), a representative antigen presenting cell (APC). MAP1305 protein induces DC maturation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β) through Toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling by directly binding with TLR4.

Rhamnogalacturonan II is a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist that inhibits tumor growth by activating dendritic cell-mediated CD8+ T cells.

We evaluated the effectiveness of rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) vaccination on the induction of antitumor immunity in a mouse lymphoma model using EG7-lymphoma cells expressing ovalbumin (OVA). BMDCs treated with RG-II had an activated phenotype. RG-II induced interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production during dendritic cell (DC) maturation.

Resveratrol suppresses tumor progression via the regulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

This study showed the potential of resveratrol to inhibit the expression and activity of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The mechanism of suppression was associated with the activity of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) and protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ). In addition, resveratrol-mediated IDO suppression in IFN-γ-stimulated BMDCs appears to play a pivotal role in anti-tumor activity through the regulation of CD8(+) T cell polarization and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity.

Sulforaphane inhibits the Th2 immune response in ovalbumin-induced asthma.

Sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane), belonging to a family of natural compounds that are abundant in broccoli, has received significant therapeutic interest in recent years. However, the molecular basis of its effects remains to be elucidated. In this study, we attempt to determine whether sulforaphane regulates the inflammatory response in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model.

An essential regulatory role of downstream of kinase-1 in the ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma.

The downstream of kinase (DOK)-1 is involved in the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) pathway in mast cells, but the role of DOK-1 in the pathogenesis of asthma has not been defined. In this study, we have demonstrated a novel regulatory role of DOK-1 in airway inflammation and physiologic responses in a murine model of asthma using lentiviral vector containing DOK-1 cDNA or DOK-1-specific ShRNA. The OVA-induced inflammatory cells, airway hyperresponsiveness, Th2 cytokine expression, and mucus response were significantly reduced in DOK-1 overexpressing mice compared to OVA-challenged control mice.

Protein kinase C δ (PKCδ)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling cascade regulates glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibition-mediated interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) modulates a wide array of cellular processes, including embryonic development, cell differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. Recently, it was reported that a GSK-3 inhibitor attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock and regulates the mortality of endotoxemic mice. However, the detailed mechanism of reduced mortality via GSK-3 inhibition is not well defined.

RG-II from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer suppresses asthmatic reaction.

In asthma, T helper 2 (T(H)2)-type cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 are produced by activated CD4(+) T cells. Dendritic cells played an important role in determining the fate of naive T cells into either T(H)1 or T(H)2 cells. We determined whether RG-II regulates the T(H)1/T(H)2 immune response by using an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma.

The Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis fibronectin attachment protein, a toll-like receptor 4 agonist, enhances dendritic cell-based cancer vaccine potency.

In this study, we showed the direct interaction between Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis fibronectin attachment protein (FAP) and toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) via co-localization and binding by using confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation assays. FAP triggered the expression of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in a TLR4-dependent manner.

One Year Follow-up Result of Doppler-guided Hemorrhoidal Artery Ligation and Recto-Anal Repair in 97 Consecutive Patients.

Purpose: Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation and recto-anal repair (DG-HAL & RAR) is known for low recurrence, high patient satisfaction, and less postoperative pain. The purpose of this study is to analyze the 1-year follow-up results in patients who underwent a DG-HAL & RAR and to establish the benefits of the procedure.

Methods: Among the hemorrhoid patients who were admitted to our hospital from March 2008 to May 2010 and who underwent a DG-HAL & RAR, 97 patients who were followed up for a year were investigated.

Mycobacterium tuberculosislpdC, Rv0462, induces dendritic cell maturation and Th1 polarization.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological factor of pulmonary tuberculosis, causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Activation of host immune responses for containment of mycobacterial infections involves participation of innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we demonstrated that the gene encoding lipoamide dehydrogenase C (lpdC) from M.

Venlafaxine inhibits the development and differentiation of dendritic cells through the regulation of P-glycoprotein.

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells that have the ability to detect infectious materials; antigens to T lymphocytes, and serve as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunities. DC express the ATP-binding cassette transporters P-glycoprotein (P-gp). P-gp is a 170-kDa transmembrane protein encoded by the mdr-1 gene, a member of highly conserved superfamily of ATP-binding cassette transport proteins.

Daxx mediates activation-induced cell death in microglia by triggering MST1 signalling.

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the mammalian central nervous system, migrate to sites of tissue damage or infection and become activated. Although the persistent secretion of inflammatory mediators by the activated cells contributes to the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, most activated microglia eventually undergo apoptosis through the process of activation-induced cell death (AICD). The molecular mechanism of AICD, however, has remained unclear.

GSK-3β-induced ASK1 stabilization is crucial in LPS-induced endotoxin shock.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), a multifunctional kinase, is a regulator of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated septic shock. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is also required for LPS-induced activation of p38, which is a crucial determinant for the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in endotoxemia. Here, we show that attenuation of endotoxemia induced by GSK-3 inhibition is caused by the ASK1 reduction-mediated inhibition of p38, a representative downstream kinase of ASK1.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin Induces a Th1 Response and Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of a Dendritic Cell-based Vaccine.

Background: Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are currently being evaluated as a novel strategy for tumor vaccination and immunotherapy. However, inducing long-term regression in established tumor-implanted mice is difficult. Here, we show that deoxypohophyllotoxin (DPT) induces maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived DCs via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 activation of MAPK and NF-κB.

Enhanced efficacy of therapeutic cancer vaccines produced by co-treatment with Mycobacterium tuberculosis heparin-binding hemagglutinin, a novel TLR4 agonist.

Effective activation of dendritic cells (DCs) toward T helper (Th)-1 cell polarization would improve DC-based antitumor immunotherapy, helping promote the development of immunotherapeutic vaccines based on T-cell immunity. To achieve this goal, it is essential to develop effective immune adjuvants that can induce powerful Th1 cell immune responses. The pathogenic organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis includes certain constitutes, such as heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA), that possess a strong immunostimulatory potential.