CXCL11 reprograms M2-biased macrophage polarization to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Background: In understanding the pathophysiology of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), macrophage plasticity has been implicated with a crucial role in the fibrogenic process. Growing evidence indicates that accumulation of M2 macrophages correlates with the progression of PF, suggesting that targeted modulation of molecules that influence M2 macrophage polarization could be a promising therapeutic approach for PF. Here, we demonstrated a decisive role of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL11) in driving M1 macrophage polarization to alleviate PF in the bleomycin-induced murine model.

, a traditional Korean fermented food, protects through suppressed inflammatory pathways and histological structure disruption in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice.

The mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory diseases remain unclear. Therefore, researchers have explored the mechanisms underlying colitis using diverse materials. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in fermented products and bioconversion materials, their potential efficacy is being actively studied.

Protocol for differentiation of functional macrophages from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived macrophages provide a valuable tool for disease modeling and drug discovery. Here, we present a protocol to generate functional macrophages from hiPSCs using a feeder-free hematopoietic differentiation technique. We describe steps for preparing hiPSCs, mesodermal differentiation, hematopoietic commitment, and macrophage differentiation and expansion.

Successful Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Approach Treatment of Sphenoid Sinus Organized Hematoma Causing Visual Deficit: A Case Report.

: Organized hematoma in the sphenoid sinus is rare, but serious complications, such as visual deficits, can occur. Three such case reports have been published previously in the literature; however, none have achieved complete recovery of the vision. : A 69-year-old male patient was referred to the ear, nose, and throat department with an expansile soft tissue mass filling the right sphenoid sinus and blurry vision in his right eye.

Protective Effect of Long-Term Fermented Soybeans with Abundant on Glucose and Bone Metabolism and Memory Function in Ovariectomized Rats: Modulation of the Gut Microbiota.

We investigated the effects of different types of long-term fermented soybeans (traditionally made doenjang; TMD) on glucose and bone metabolism and memory function in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rats were categorized into six groups: Control, cooked unfermented soybeans (CSB), and four TMDs based on () and biogenic amine contents analyzed previously: high (HS) and high biogenic amines (HA; HSHA), low (LS) and HA (LSHA), HS and low biogenic amines (LA; HSLA), and LS and LA (LSLA). The rats in the CSB and TMD groups fed orally had a 4% high-fat diet for 12 weeks.

Comparison of the laxative effects of Korean containing different microbiota on loperamide-induced constipation in ICR mice.

The prevalence of constipation, one of the common gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, has been gradually increasing. , a traditional Korean fermented paste, has various microbiota and exerts diverse health beneficial effects. However, the ameliorative effect of on constipation is unexplored.

Evaluation of Body Changes and the Anti-Obesity Effect after Consumption of Korean Fermented Food, Cheonggukjang: Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Cheonggukjang is a traditional Korean fermented soybean food with potential health benefits. For this reason, Cheonggukjang is consumed in the form of pills in addition to being used as a food ingredient. There are few clinical studies that have evaluated changes in various health indicators through blood and stool tests before and after consumption of Cheonggukjang.

Ameliorates Hepatic Inflammation by Improving Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Abnormal fat accumulation with gut microbiota dysbiosis results in hepatic inflammation by upregulating the release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory cytokine. , a traditional fermented condiment, has beneficial effects, such as anti-colonic inflammatory effects. However, has been controversial because of its high salt content (the Korean Paradox).

Inverse association of daily fermented soybean paste ("Jang") intake with metabolic syndrome risk, especially body fat and hypertension, in men of a large hospital-based cohort.

Introduction: Jang is a fermented soybean paste containing salt and is traditionally used as a substitute for salt to enhance the flavor of foods in Korea. It has been speculated that regular consumption of Jang may lower the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). We hypothesized that Jang intake was associated with the risk of MetS and its components after adjusting for potential confounders, including sodium intake.

Improvement of Estrogen Deficiency Symptoms by the Intake of Long-Term Fermented Soybeans (Doenjang) Rich in Species through Modulating Gut Microbiota in Estrogen-Deficient Rats.

Traditionally made doenjang (TMD) produced by the long-term fermentation of soybeans with salt may improve symptoms of estrogen deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effects of four TMD types, containing low and high amounts of species and biogenic amines (HBHA, HBLA, LBHA, and LBLA), on energy, glucose, and lipid metabolism, by altering the gut microbiota in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Their mechanisms were also examined.

Protective effect of traditional Korean fermented soybean foods () on a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model.

: The cause of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unknown, and the use of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs with certain side effects is currently replacing treatment. Therefore, it is important to find new healthy foods or ingredients that exhibit potential protective and anti-inflammatory effects on UC. This study investigated the potential protective effect of on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Traditional and Commercial Kochujang in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Kochujang shows anti-obesity effects in cell and animal models. Kochujang is traditionally prepared via slow fermentation or commercially using . We analyze the anti-obesity effects of two types of Kochujang in overweight and obese adults.

Alleviation of Metabolic Disturbance by Substituting Kanjang High in for Salt through Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Estrogen-Deficient Rats.

A high salt intake may exacerbate menopausal symptoms and substituting for different types of traditionally made kanjang (TMK; soy sauce) may prevent it. This study examined whether substituting salt with lyophilized TMK containing low and high and biogenic amines in a high-fat diet might modulate the menopausal symptoms and the energy, glucose, and lipid metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. They were categorized into salt (Control), TMK with high and low biogenic amines (HBLB), TMK with high and high biogenic amines (HBHB), TMK with low and low biogenic amines (LBLB), and TMK with low and high biogenic amines (LBHB).

Protective Effects of Fermented Soybeans () on Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-Induced Colitis in a Mouse Model.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease, and the incidence of IBD is increasing every year owing to changes in dietary structure. Although the exact pathogenesis of IBD is still unclear, recent evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis is closely associated with IBD pathogenesis. is a traditional Korean fermented soybean paste produced using traditional and industrial methods, and contains probiotics, which affect the gut microbiota composition.

Biosorption of arsenite (As[III]) using SRCM 501804 isolated from Korean turbid rice wine.

The potentiality of SRCM 501804 to remove arsenite (As[III]) in an aqueous solution was investigated in this study. The SRCM 501804 was isolated from Korean turbid rice wine (). The SRCM 501804 was characterized by phylogenetic analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, visual minerals technologies (MINTEQ) model, and point of zero charge (pH).

Bacterial Community and Anti-Cerebrovascular Disease-Related Species Isolated from Traditionally Made Kochujang from Different Provinces of Korea.

Traditionally made Kochujang (TMK) is a long-term fermented soybean and rice mixture with red pepper and salts. The ambient bacteria in rice straw and nutrient components of Kochujang influence the bacteria community. We aimed to investigate the bacterial composition and quality of TMK from different provinces of Korea: Chungcheung (CC), Jeolla (JL), Kyungsang (KS), and GeongGee plus Kangwon (GK) provinces, and Jeju island (JJ).

Bacterial Distribution, Biogenic Amine Contents, and Functionalities of Traditionally Made Doenjang, a Long-Term Fermented Soybean Food, from Different Areas of Korea.

Since doenjang quality depends on the bacterial composition, which ambient bacteria in the environment and production conditions influence, a complete understanding of the bacteria community in traditionally madetraditionally made doenjang (TMD) from different regions is needed. We aimed to investigate the bacteria composition and quality of TMD in the following areas: Chonbuk (CB), Chonnam (CN), Kyungsang (KS), Kangwon (KW), Chungchung (CC) provinces, and Jeju island (JJ) of Korea. Twenty-nine TMD samples from different regions were used to assess biogenic amine contents, bacteria composition using next-generation methods, and metabolic functions of the bacteria using Picrust2.

BMP4 and perivascular cells promote hematopoietic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in a differentiation stage-specific manner.

The efficient and reproducible derivation and maturation of multipotent hematopoietic progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) requires the recapitulation of appropriate developmental stages and the microenvironment. Here, using serum-, xeno-, and feeder-free stepwise hematopoietic induction protocols, we showed that short-term and high-concentration treatment of hPSCs with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) strongly promoted early mesoderm induction followed by increased hematopoietic commitment. This method reduced variations in hematopoietic differentiation among hPSC lines maintained under chemically defined Essential 8 medium compared to those maintained under less-defined mTeSR medium.

CD1d is a novel cell-surface marker for human monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells with T cell suppression activity in peripheral blood after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that regulate immune responses in cancer and various pathological conditions. However, the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of human MDSCs represents a major hurdle for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting or regulating MDSCs in tumor progression, inflammation, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We previously shown that circulating HLA-DRCD14 monocytic MDSCs are a major contributor to clinical outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).