Ionizing Radiation Promotes Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Epithelial Cells by TGF-β-producing M2 Macrophages.

Background/aim: Ionizing radiation induces pulmonary fibrosis, which is a common dose-limiting complication in patients receiving radiotherapy. Fibrosis occurs through the accumulation of large amounts of ECM components, synthesized by myofibroblasts in damaged lung tissue. Epithelial cells serve as one of the cellular sources of myofibroblasts via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process.

Protective effects of a standardized extract (HemoHIM) using indomethacin- and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric mucosal injury models.

HemoHIM is a medicinal herbal preparation of Nakai (Apiaceae), Makino (Umbelliferae), and Miyabe (Paeoniaceae) developed for immune regulation. HemoHIM has been investigated for its ability to enhance tissue self-renewal and stimulate immune systems. To date, studies on the protective effects of HemoHIM against gastritis and gastric ulcers have not been conducted.

Herbal preparation (HemoHIM) enhanced functional maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells mediated toll-like receptor 4.

Background: HemoHIM, which is an herbal preparation of three edible herbs (Angelicam gigas Nakai, Cnidium offinale Makino, and Peaonia japonica Miyabe), is known to have various biological and immunological activities, but the modulatory effects of this preparation on dendritic cells (DCs)-mediated immune responses have not been examined previously. DCs are a unique group of white blood cells that initiate primary immune responses by capturing, processing, and presenting antigens to T cells.

Results: In the present study, we investigated the effect of HemoHIM on the functional and phenotypic maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) both in vitro and in vivo.

Ionizing Radiation Induces Altered Neuronal Differentiation by mGluR1 through PI3K-STAT3 Signaling in C17.2 Mouse Neural Stem-Like Cells.

Most studies of IR effects on neural cells and tissues in the brain are still focused on loss of neural stem cells. On the other hand, the effects of IR on neuronal differentiation and its implication in IR-induced brain damage are not well defined. To investigate the effects of IR on C17.

Ionizing radiation induces neuronal differentiation of Neuro-2a cells via PI3-kinase and p53-dependent pathways.

Purpose: The influence of ionizing radiation (IR) on neuronal differentiation is not well defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of IR on the differentiation of Neuro-2a mouse neuroblastoma cells and the involvement of tumor protein 53 (p53) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) during this process.

Materials And Methods: The mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells were exposed to (137)Cs γ-rays at 4, 8 or 16 Gy.

Cranial irradiation regulates CREB-BDNF signaling and variant BDNF transcript levels in the mouse hippocampus.

The brain can be exposed to ionizing radiation in various ways, and such irradiation can trigger adverse effects, particularly on learning and memory. However, the precise mechanisms of cognitive impairments induced by cranial irradiation remain unknown. In the hippocampus, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays roles in neurogenesis, neuronal survival, neuronal differentiation, and synaptic plasticity.

Hippocampal dysfunction during the chronic phase following a single exposure to cranial irradiation.

Ionizing radiation can significantly affect brain functioning in adults. The present study assessed depression-like behaviors in adult C57BL/6 mice using the tail suspension test (TST) at 30 and 90days following a single cranial exposure to γ-rays (0, 1, or 10Gy) to evaluate hippocampus-related behavioral dysfunction during the chronic phase following cranial irradiation. Additionally, hippocampal neurogenesis, inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were analyzed.

Metabolic changes in serum steroids induced by total-body irradiation of female C57B/6 mice.

The short- and long-term effects of a single exposure to gamma radiation on steroid metabolism were investigated in mice. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to generate quantitative profiles of serum steroid levels in mice that had undergone total-body irradiation (TBI) at doses of 0Gy, 1Gy, and 4Gy. Following TBI, serum samples were collected at the pre-dose time point and 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after TBI.

Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on radiation-induced bone loss in C3H/HeN mice.

This study investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on radiation-induced bone loss in C3H/HeN mice. C3H/HeN mice were divided into sham and irradiation (3 Gy, gamma-ray) groups. The irradiated mice were treated for 12 wk with vehicle, KRG (per os, p.

Preventative effect of an herbal preparation (HemoHIM) on development of airway inflammation in mice via modulation of Th1/2 cells differentiation.

HemoHIM, an herbal preparation of three edible herbs (Angelica gigas Nakai, Cnidium officinale Makino, Paeonia japonica Miyabe) is known to increase the Th1 immune response as well as reduce the allergic response in human mast cells. Here, our goal was to determine whether or not HemoHIM could induce Th1 cell differentiation as well as inhibit the development of airway inflammation. To study Th1/Th2 cell differentiation, naive CD4(+) T cells isolated from C57BL/6 mouse spleens were cultured with or without HemoHIM.

Protective effects of HemoHIM on immune and hematopoietic systems against γ-irradiation.

We examined the effect of HemoHIM on the protective efficacy of hematopoietic stem cells and on the recovery of immune cells against sublethal doses of ionizing radiation. Two-month-old mice were exposed to γ-rays at a dose of 8, 6.5, or 5 Gy for a30-day survival study, endogenous spleen colony formation, or other experiments, respectively.

Establishment of a murine model for radiation-induced bone loss using micro-computed tomography in adult C3H/HeN mice.

Bone changes are common sequela of radiation therapy for cancer. The purpose of this study was to establish an experimental model of radiation-induced bone loss in adult mice using micro-computed tomography (µCT). The extent of changes following 2 Gy gamma irradiation (2 Gy/min) was studied at 4, 8, 12 or 16 weeks after exposure.

Prolonged expression of senescence markers in mice exposed to gamma-irradiation.

Although ionizing radiation is known to induce cellular senescence in vitro and in vivo, its long-term in vivo effects are not well defined. In this study, we examined the prolonged expression of senescence markers in mice irradiated with single or fractionated doses. C57BL/6 female mice were exposed to 5 Gy of γ-rays in single or 5, 10, 25 fractions.

Fractionated irradiations lead to chronic allergic airway inflammation through increasing the influx of macrophages.

Objective: In our previous study, repeated irradiations showed persistent depression of immune response, especially Th1-related immune response. Here, we hypothesized and determined that irradiation may exacerbate development of allergic airway inflammation.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were irradiated repeatedly at 1 Gy or 0.

Screening of anti-obesity agent from herbal mixtures.

Globally, one in three of the World's adults are overweight and one in 10 is obese. By 2015, World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the number of chubby adults will balloon to 2.3 billion--Equal to the combined populations of China, Europe and the United States.

The biological response of spermidine induced by ionization radiation.

Globally, there are concerns over the risks associated with radiation exposure, so it is important to understand the biological effects of radiation exposure. Driven by the need to detect the presence of radiation exposure, biomarkers to monitor potential exposure after radiological accidents can be developed and would be extremely valuable for biological response. In this study, the behavior of spermidine as a biomarker was investigated in a C57BL/6 mouse model exposed to an acute whole-body sublethal dose of 6 Gy.

Label free inhibitor screening of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B viral protein using RNA oligonucleotide.

Globally, over 170 million people (ca. 3% of the World's population) are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause serious liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, evolving into subsequent health problems. Driven by the need to detect the presence of HCV, as an essential factor in diagnostic medicine, the monitoring of viral protein has been of great interest in developing simple and reliable HCV detection methods.

Quantitative and sensitive detection of SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid protein using quantum dots-conjugated RNA aptamer on chip.

Globally, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a newly emerging virus that causes SARS with high mortality rate in infected people. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is an important antigen for the early diagnosis of SARS and the detection of diseases. Here, a new quantum dots (QDs)-conjugated RNA aptamer with high sensitivity and rapidity is proposed for the detection of SARS-CoV N protein using an on chip system.

Evaluation of the antiosteoporotic potential of Cimicifuga heracleifolia in female mice.

Cimicifugae rhizoma might be protective against osteoporosis. This study investigated the effects of Cimicifuga heracleifolia (CH), an Asian species of Cimicifugae rhizome, on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. The C3H/HeN mice were divided into sham and OVX groups.

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral protein NS5B.

In this study, we elucidated a small molecule inhibitor on viral protein NS5B identified through a high-throughput screening strategy using optical nanoparticle-based RNA oligonucleotide. We have previously shown that quantum dots (QDs)-RNA oligonucleotide can specifically recognize the HCV viral proteins. We have also demonstrated that conjugated QDs-RNA oligonucleotide can specifically and sensitively interact with designed biochips [1,2].