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Im HJ, Hwang SJ, Lee JS, Lee SB, Kang JY, Son CG. Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Amomum xanthioides Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a High-Fat Diet Mouse Model. Nutrients 2020; 12:E2433. [PMID: 32823613 PMCID: PMC7468949 DOI: 10.3390/nu12082433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to be 25% and has continued to increase; however, no drugs have yet been approved for NAFLD treatments. The ethyl acetate fraction of Amomum xanthioides (EFAX) was previously reported to have an anti-hepatic fibrosis effect, but its effects on steatosis or steatohepatitis remain unclear. This study investigated the anti-fatty liver of EFAX using a high-fat diet mouse model. High-fat diet intake for 8 weeks induced hepatic steatosis with mild inflammation and oxidative damage and increased the adipose tissue weight along with the development of dyslipidemia. EFAX treatment significantly ameliorated the steatohepatic changes, the increased weight of adipose tissues, and the altered serum lipid profiles. These observed effects were possibly due to the lipolysis-dominant activity of EFAX on multiple hepatic proteins including sterol regulatory element-binding protein (mSREBP)-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α, AMP-activated protein kinase, and diglyceride acyltransferases (DGATs). Taken together, these results show that EFAX might be a potential therapeutic agent for regulating a wide spectrum of NAFLDs from steatosis to fibrosis via multiple actions on lipid metabolism-related proteins. Further studies investigating clear mechanisms and their active compounds are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chang-Gue Son
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University Daedukdae-ro 176 bun-gil 75, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35353, Korea; (H.-J.I.); (S.-J.H.); (J.-S.L.); (S.-B.L.); (J.-Y.K.)
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Son MJ, Im HJ, Ku B, Lee JH, Jung SY, Kim YE, Lee SB, Kim JY, Son CG. An Herbal Drug, Gongjin-dan, Ameliorates Acute Fatigue Caused by Short-Term Sleep-Deprivation: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Clinical Trial. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:479. [PMID: 29867485 PMCID: PMC5958722 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction:Gongjin-dan (GJD) is an herbal drug commonly used in Korea and China to combat fatigue, but there are only few clinical studies on its effectiveness and experimental studies on its mechanism of action, and no randomized controlled trial of GJD on the efficacy and mechanism of action has been reported. Here, we performed an exploratory study to evaluate both questions regarding GJD use in humans. Methods: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial was conducted in the Republic of Korea. Healthy male participants were recruited and randomly allocated to groups receiving GJD-placebo or placebo-GJD in sequence. Fatigue was artificially induced by sleep deprivation for 2 nights. The primary outcome was a change in serum cortisol level; levels of biomarkers for stress hormones as well as oxidative stress and immunologic factors were also assessed, and questionnaires on fatigue and sleep quality were conducted. Results: Twelve and 11 participants were assigned to the GJD-placebo and placebo-GJD groups, respectively. Of all 23 participants, depending on crossover design, we analyzed a total of 20 participants for GJD, and 21 for placebo. An increase in serum cortisol appeared to be attenuated by GJD administration (p = 0.25), but the effect was not statistically significant; a similar pattern was observed in salivary cortisol levels (p = 0.14). Overall, GJD showed a tendency to reduce fatigue according to the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI, p = 0.07) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS, p = 0.13) questionnaires. BFI and FSS scores in the first stage (before the crossover), however, were significantly improved (BFI, p = 0.02; FSS, p = 0.05) after GJD treatment (relative to placebo). GJD also seemed to improve sleep quality as assessed by the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (p = 0.06), with a significant improvement specifically in the condition "Getting To Sleep" (p = 0.02). Five participants experienced minor adverse events, but no adverse events were specific to the GJD administration period. Conclusions: This trial produced the first clinical evidence that GJD might have anti-fatigue properties, especially under sleep deprivation; however, the investigation of cortisol-mediated mechanisms requires further larger-scale studies in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform KCT0001681 (http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=KCT0001681).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Ju Son
- Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hwi-Jin Im
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Boncho Ku
- KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jun-Hwan Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.,Korean Medicine Life Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - So Young Jung
- Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Young-Eun Kim
- Mibyeong Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sung Bae Lee
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jun Young Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Chang-Gue Son
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea
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Son MJ, Im HJ, Kim YE, Ku B, Lee JH, Son CG. Evaluation of the anti-fatigue effects of a traditional herbal drug, Gongjin-dan, under insufficient sleep conditions: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2016; 17:418. [PMID: 27550184 PMCID: PMC4994160 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-016-1542-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many herbal medicines are traditionally used as anti-fatigue agents in east Asian countries; however, there is a dearth of clinical evidence supporting the anti-fatigue effects of such medicines and their mechanisms. This study is a feasibility trial to assess the clinical efficacy of Gongjin-dan (GJD) and verify its mechanisms by exploring fatigue outcomes, including endocrine and immunological biomarkers in humans. Methods/Design To investigate the anti-fatigue effects of GJD and the mechanism underlying these effects, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial was designed. Participants (24 healthy male volunteers) will be hospitalised for 4 days (3 nights), during which acute fatigue and stress conditions will be induced by sleep deprivation, and GJD or a placebo will be administered (twice daily). The primary outcome will be changes in serum cortisol levels, measured in the morning, as an objective biomarker of sleep deprivation-induced fatigue and stress. The secondary outcomes will include: the Fatigue Severity Scale; the Brief Fatigue Inventory, and the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire scores; levels of salivary cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, oxidative stress-related biomarkers, homocysteine, and immunological factors; and heart rate variability. After a washout period of more than 4 weeks, a second treatment phase will commence in which participants who were previously administered the placebo will receive the drug and vice versa, following the same treatment regime as in the first phase. Discussion This study protocol provides a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of fatigue and the effects of GJD on fatigue in terms of endocrine and immunological mechanisms by validating the study design and determining feasibility. Findings from this trial will help researchers to design a pilot or definitive clinical trial of traditional herbal medicine for chronic fatigue. Trial registration Korean National Clinical Trial Registry CRIS; KCT0001681, registered on 29 October 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Ju Son
- Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwi-Jin Im
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 34929, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Eun Kim
- Mibyeong Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Boncho Ku
- KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hwan Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea. .,Korean Medicine Life Science, University of Science & Technology, Campus of Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang-Gue Son
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 34929, Republic of Korea.
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Lee SB, Kim HG, Kim HS, Lee JS, Im HJ, Kim WY, Son CG. Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Amomum xanthioides Exerts Antihepatofibrotic Actions via the Regulation of Fibrogenic Cytokines in a Dimethylnitrosamine-Induced Rat Model. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2016; 2016:6014380. [PMID: 27594891 PMCID: PMC4995331 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6014380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Amomum xanthioides has been traditionally used to treat diverse digestive system disorders in the Asian countries. We investigated antihepatofibrotic effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Amomum xanthioides (EFAX). Liver fibrosis is induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) injection (intraperitoneally, 10 mg/kg of DMN for 4 weeks to Sprague-Dawley rats). EFAX (25 or 50 mg/kg), silymarin (50 mg/kg), or distilled water was orally administered every day. The DMN injection drastically altered body and organ mass, serum biochemistry, and platelet count, while EFAX treatment significantly attenuated this alteration. Severe liver fibrosis is determined by trichrome staining and measurement of hydroxyproline contents. EFAX treatment significantly attenuated these symptoms as well as the increase in oxidative by-products of lipid and protein metabolism in liver tissues. DMN induced a dramatic activation of hepatic stellate cells and increases in the levels of protein and gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), platelet derived growth factor-beta (PDGF-β), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Immunohistochemical analyses revealed increases in the levels of protein and gene expression of α-smooth muscle actin. These alterations were significantly normalized by EFAX treatment. Our findings demonstrate the potent antihepatofibrotic properties of EFAX via modulation of fibrogenic cytokines, especially TGF-β in the liver fibrosis rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Bae Lee
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, 176-9 Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-724, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong-Geug Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, 176-9 Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-724, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Seon Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, 176-9 Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-724, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Seok Lee
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, 176-9 Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-724, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwi-Jin Im
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, 176-9 Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-724, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Yong Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, 176-9 Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-724, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Gue Son
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, 176-9 Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-724, Republic of Korea
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Im HJ, Kim HG, Lee JS, Kim HS, Cho JH, Jo IJ, Park SJ, Son CG. A Preclinical Model of Chronic Alcohol Consumption Reveals Increased Metastatic Seeding of Colon Cancer Cells in the Liver. Cancer Res 2016; 76:1698-704. [PMID: 26857263 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-2114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Liver metastasis is the main cause of death from colorectal cancer. Alcohol consumption impacts liver function and is suggested to be an independent risk factor for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, but no experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis has been demonstrated to date. In this study, we investigated the effect of alcohol intake on liver metastasis. We examined colon cancer cell spread from the spleen in mice provided with water (control group), alcohol for 4 weeks before tumor injection (prealcohol), alcohol for 3 weeks after tumor injection (postalcohol), or alcohol throughout the 7-week study (alcohol). Alcohol intake significantly increased hepatic metastatic burden in the prealcohol (2.4-fold, P < 0.001), postalcohol (2.0-fold, P < 0.01), and alcohol groups (2.2-fold, P < 0.001). A fluorescence-based metastasis tracking assay also confirmed an alcohol-induced increase in the abundance of tumor cells in the liver (2.5-fold, P < 0.001). Investigation of the host microenvironment revealed an alcohol-induced inflammatory response marked by elevated TNFα, IL1β, IL6, and IFNγ protein levels, as well as increased expression of intercellular molecule-1 (ICAM1) in hepatic tissues after 4 weeks of alcohol consumption. Moreover, the peripheral blood of mice provided with alcohol for 4 weeks exhibited reduced natural killer and CD8(+) T-cell counts. Collectively, our findings suggest that chronic alcohol consumption accelerates liver metastasis of colorectal cancer cells through alterations to the liver microenvironment and inactivation of immune surveillance. Cancer Res; 76(7); 1698-704. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwi-Jin Im
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical Collage of Daejeon University, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong-Geug Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical Collage of Daejeon University, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Seok Lee
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical Collage of Daejeon University, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Seon Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical Collage of Daejeon University, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyo Cho
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical Collage of Daejeon University, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Joo Jo
- Department of Herbology, School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Sung-Joo Park
- Department of Herbology, School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Chang-Gue Son
- Liver and Immunology Research Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Oriental Medical Collage of Daejeon University, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Kim WY, Kim HG, Lee HW, Lee JS, Im HJ, Kim HS, Lee SB, Son CG. A Herbal Formula, Atofreellage, Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in an NC/Nga Mouse Model. Molecules 2015; 21:E35. [PMID: 26712731 PMCID: PMC6273903 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effect of Atofreellage (AF), a herbal formula composed of 10 medicinal plants. AD was induced on the dorsal skin areas of NC/Nga mice (male, seven weeks old) by daily application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for five weeks. After three weeks of DNCB application, 200 μL of AF (0, 25, 50 or 100 mg/mL) was applied to the skin lesions. Histological findings, blood cell populations, serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inflammatory signaling in the skin tissue, and T-helper cell type 2 (Th2)-related cytokines in splenocytes were analyzed. Histopathological findings showed AF treatment notably attenuated the thickness of dorsal skin, and eosinophil infiltration. AF treatment (especially 100 mg/mL) also demonstrably ameliorated the blood cell population abnormalities, as the notable elevation of serum concentrations of IgE, histamine, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were remarkably normalized by AF treatment. Western blot analysis evidenced the apparent normalization of inflammatory signals (ERK, p38 MAP kinase, JNK, and NF-κB) in the skin tissue. Additionally, AF treatment notably attenuated the activation of Th2-dominant cytokines (IL-13, IL-4, and IL-5) in Con A-treated splenocytes in an ex vivo assay. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence for the clinical relevance of Atofreellage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Yong Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research-Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon 34929, Korea.
| | - Hyeong-Geug Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research-Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon 34929, Korea.
| | - Hye-Won Lee
- TKM-Based Herbal Drug Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Korea.
| | - Jin-Seok Lee
- Liver and Immunology Research-Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon 34929, Korea.
| | - Hwi-Jin Im
- Liver and Immunology Research-Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon 34929, Korea.
| | - Hyo-Seon Kim
- Liver and Immunology Research-Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon 34929, Korea.
| | - Sung-Bae Lee
- Liver and Immunology Research-Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon 34929, Korea.
| | - Chang-Gue Son
- Liver and Immunology Research-Center, Daejeon Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 176-9, Daeheung-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon 34929, Korea.
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Han JM, Lee JS, Kim HG, Seol IC, Im HJ, Cho JH, Son CG. Synergistic effects of Artemisia iwayomogi and Curcuma longa radix on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in a mouse model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2015; 173:217-224. [PMID: 26212022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
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Im HJ, Kim YJ, Kim HG, Kim HS, Son CG. Kouksundo, a traditional Korean mind–body practice, regulates oxidative stress profiles and stress hormones. Physiol Behav 2015; 141:9-16. [PMID: 25555367 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Park HJ, Park M, Han M, Nam BH, Koh KN, Im HJ, Lee JW, Chung NG, Cho B, Kim HK, Yoo KH, Koo HH, Kang HJ, Shin HY, Ahn HS, Lim YT, Kook H, Lyu CJ, Hah JO, Park JE, Lim YJ, Seo JJ. Efficacy and safety of micafungin for the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infection during neutropenia in children and adolescents undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic SCT. Bone Marrow Transplant 2014; 49:1212-6. [PMID: 25000455 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2014.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of micafungin for the prevention of invasive fungal infection (IFI) during the neutropenic phase of allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (allo-HSCT) in children and adolescents. This was a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study. Micafungin was administered i.v. at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day (max 50 mg) from the beginning of conditioning until neutrophil engraftment. Treatment success was defined as the absence of proven, probable, possible or suspected IFI through to 4 weeks after therapy. From April 2010 to December 2011, 155 patients were enrolled from 11 institutions in Korea, and 147 patients were analyzed. Of the 147 patients, 121 (82.3%) completed the protocol without premature interruption. Of the 132 patients in whom micafungin efficacy could be evaluated, treatment success was achieved in 119 patients (90.2%). There was no proven fungal infection in any patient. The number of patients with probable, possible and suspected IFI was two, two and nine, respectively. Thirty-five patients (23.8%) experienced 109 adverse events (AEs) possibly related to micafungin. No patients experienced grade IV AEs. Two patients (1.4%) discontinued micafungin administration due to adverse effects. None of the deaths were related to the study drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Park
- Center for Pediatric Oncology, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, Republic of Korea
| | - M Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - M Han
- Clinical Research Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, Republic of Korea
| | - B H Nam
- Clinical Research Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, Republic of Korea
| | - K N Koh
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H J Im
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - J W Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - N-G Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - B Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H-K Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - K H Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H H Koo
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H J Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H Y Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H S Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Y T Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - H Kook
- Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - C J Lyu
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - J O Hah
- Department of Pediatrics, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - J E Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Y J Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejon, Republic of Korea
| | - J J Seo
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Park JA, Koh KN, Choi ES, Jang S, Kwon SW, Park CJ, Seo JJ, Im HJ. Successful rescue of early graft failure in pediatric patients using T-cell-depleted haploidentical hematopoietic SCT. Bone Marrow Transplant 2013; 49:270-5. [PMID: 24141651 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2013.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Graft failure (GF) is a significant complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and is associated with a high mortality rate. We performed re-transplantation using haploidentical-related donors to rescue children with early GF. Between 2008 and 2013, 10 patients received re-transplantation from haploidentical family donors. The median age at HCT was 13.5 years and the median time between transplantations was 52.5 days. Conditioning regimen with fludarabine and CY was used in seven patients, and TBI was added in three patients. All 10 patients received T-cell-depleted grafts using CD3 or CD3/CD19 MoAb. The median numbers of CD34(+) and CD3(+) cells were 5.52 × 10(6)/kg and 1.08 × 10(6)/kg, respectively. For GVHD prophylaxis, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus or MMF and CYA were used. All 10 patients achieved a sustained neutrophil engraftment and maintained a complete donor chimerism at the time of analysis (median 23 months, range 6-62 months). Nine of 10 patients were alive, and one patient with moyamoya disease with AML died of encephalopathy 7 months post transplant. This study suggests that fludarabine- and CY-based conditioning with T-cell-depleted haploidentical HCT is a feasible option to rescue pediatric patients with primary GF.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - K N Koh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - E S Choi
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - S Jang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - S W Kwon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - C-J Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - J J Seo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - H J Im
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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11
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Ellman MB, Yan D, Ahmadinia K, Chen D, An HS, Im HJ. Fibroblast growth factor control of cartilage homeostasis. J Cell Biochem 2013; 114:735-42. [PMID: 23060229 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are similar diseases involving the breakdown of cartilage tissue, and a better understanding of the underlying biochemical processes involved in cartilage degeneration may allow for the development of novel biologic therapies aimed at slowing the disease process. Three members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, FGF-2, FGF-18, and FGF-8, have been implicated as contributing factors in cartilage homeostasis. The role of FGF-2 is controversial in both articular and intervertebral disc (IVD) cartilage as it has been associated with species- and age-dependent anabolic or catabolic events. Recent evidence suggests that FGF-2 selectively activates FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) to exert catabolic effects in human articular chondrocytes and IVD tissue via upregulation of matrix-degrading enzyme production, inhibition of extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and proteoglycan synthesis, and clustering of cells characteristic of arthritic states. FGF-18, on the other hand, most likely exerts anabolic effects in human articular chondrocytes by activating the FGFR3 pathway, inducing ECM formation and chondrogenic cell differentiation, and inhibiting cell proliferation. These changes result in dispersed chondrocytes or disc cells surrounded by abundant matrix. The role of FGF-8 has recently been identified as a catabolic mediator in rat and rabbit articular cartilage, but its precise biological impact on human adult articular cartilage or IVD tissue remains unknown. The available evidence reveals the promise of FGF-2/FGFR1 antagonists, FGF-18/FGFR3 agonists, and FGF-8 antagonists (i.e., anti-FGF-8 antibody) as potential therapies to prevent cartilage degeneration and/or promote cartilage regeneration and repair in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Ellman
- Department of Biochemistry, Section of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
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12
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Kim DW, Im HJ, Oh J. Selective injury of the globus pallidus and hippocampus in methamphetamine-induced encephalopathy. Clin Neuroradiol 2011; 23:51-3. [PMID: 22113403 DOI: 10.1007/s00062-011-0115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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13
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Lee SH, Yoo KH, Sung KW, Koo HH, Kwon YJ, Kwon MM, Park HJ, Park BK, Kim YY, Park JA, Im HJ, Seo JJ, Kang HJ, Shin HY, Ahn HS. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence, risk factors, and outcome. Bone Marrow Transplant 2009; 45:1287-93. [PMID: 20010866 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2009.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Four hundred and sixty-seven hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) (217 autologous and 250 allogeneic HSCT) were performed in 374 children at four pediatric HSCT centers in Korea from January 2005 to December 2007. Among 467 transplants, veno-occlusive disease (VOD) developed in 72 transplants (15.4%) at a median of 10 days after HSCT. Multivariate analysis showed that BU or TBI-containing regimen (P=0.002), VOD prophylaxis without lipo-prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) (P=0.012), number of previous HSCT (P=0.014), and pretransplant serum ferritin (P=0.018) were independent risk factors for developing VOD. Mean serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in HSCT with VOD (2109.6+/-2842.5 ng/ml) than in HSCT without VOD (1315.9+/-1094.4 ng/ml) (P<0.001). The relative risk of death within 100 days of HSCT in transplants with VOD compared with transplants without VOD was 3.39 (confidence interval: 1.78-6.45). Our results suggest that lipo-PGE1 might have a protective effect against the development of VOD, and pretransplant serum ferritin could act as a risk factor for VOD. A larger prospective study is needed to confirm a possible role of lipo-PGE1 and iron chelation therapy in reducing the incidence of VOD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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14
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Chung HJ, Park CJ, Lim JH, Jang S, Chi HS, Im HJ, Seo JJ. Establishment of a reference interval for natural killer cell activity through flow cytometry and its clinical application in the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Int J Lab Hematol 2009; 32:239-47. [PMID: 19614711 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553x.2009.01177.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the Histiocyte Society revised the diagnostic criteria for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) to include low or absent natural killer (NK) cell activity, according to local laboratory reference. The aim of this study was to establish reference interval for functional NK-cell activity in 63 healthy Korean individuals using a flow-cytometric assay. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as effector cells and Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled K562 cells as target cells. NK-cell activity was calculated using the following equation: NK-cell activity (%) = (test lysis - spontaneous lysis) x 100/(maximum lysis - spontaneous lysis). NK-cell activity was analyzed in 13 known HLH patients and 16 suspected non-HLH patients using a flow-cytometric assay. The mean (+/-SD) cytotoxicity of PBMCs from healthy individuals was 20.9 +/- 5.3% and the reference interval was 11.8-31.9%. The mean NK-cell activity of HLH patients (8.3 +/- 8.9%) was significantly lower (P = 0.001) than that of non-HLH patients (20.1 +/- 7.8%). The sequential changes in NK-cell activity in the HLH group corresponded to clinical and laboratory findings following treatment. We successfully developed a functional NK-cell activity test for use in the clinical laboratory and obtained a reference interval of NK-cell activity from healthy donors. This assay, and associated reference interval, was used to analyze 30 clinically relevant specimens and the results were shown to be well correlated.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Chung
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
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15
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Miyazaki H, Ito T, Im HJ, Yagi S, Kato M, Soda K, Kimura S. Direct observation of momentum-dependent exchange interaction in a heisenberg ferromagnet. Phys Rev Lett 2009; 102:227203. [PMID: 19658899 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.227203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2008] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We measured the temperature-dependent three-dimensional angle-resolved photoemission spectra of EuO (100) thin film, a typical Heisenberg ferromagnetic semiconductor, to investigate the essential origin of the ferromagnetic transition. We observed sizable energy dispersion and large binding-energy shift of the Eu 4f state below the Curie temperature only near the Gamma and X points, despite the expected Heisenberg-type local magnetism. The band dispersion and temperature dependence of the Eu 4f state indicates that the indirect exchange and superexchange interactions have strong momentum dependence. The observed temperature-dependent energy shift of the 4f state is the essential origin of the magnetism of EuO.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Miyazaki
- UVSOR Facility, Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan.
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Im HJ, Ito T, Kim HD, Kimura S, Lee KE, Hong JB, Kwon YS, Yasui A, Yamagami H. Direct observation of dispersive Kondo resonance peaks in a heavy-fermion system. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 100:176402. [PMID: 18518313 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.176402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Ce 4d-4f resonant angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy was carried out to study the electronic structure of strongly correlated Ce 4f electrons in a quasi-two-dimensional nonmagnetic heavy-fermion system CeCoGe1.2Si0.8. For the first time, dispersive coherent peaks of an f state crossing the Fermi level, the so-called Kondo resonance, are directly observed together with the hybridized conduction band. Moreover, the experimental band dispersion is quantitatively in good agreement with a simple hybridization-band picture based on the periodic Anderson model. The obtained physical quantities, i.e., coherent temperature, Kondo temperature, and mass enhancement, are comparable to the results of thermodynamic measurements. These results manifest an itinerant nature of Ce 4f electrons in heavy-fermion systems and clarify their microscopic hybridization mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Im
- Department of Physics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Korea
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17
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Sichelschmidt J, Voevodin V, Im HJ, Kimura S, Rosner H, Leithe-Jasper A, Schnelle W, Burkhardt U, Mydosh JA, Grin Y, Steglich F. Optical pseudogap from iron states in filled skutterudites AFe4Sb12 (A=Yb, Ca, Ba). Phys Rev Lett 2006; 96:037406. [PMID: 16486770 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.96.037406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2005] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Optical investigations are presented of the filled skutterudites AFe4Sb12 with divalent cations A=Yb, Ca, Ba. For each of these compounds a very similar pseudogap structure in the optical conductivity develops in the far-infrared spectral region at temperatures below 90 K. Highly accurate local-density approximation electronic band structure calculations can consistently explain the origin of the pseudogap structure generated largely by transition metal 3d states. In particular, a 4f-conduction electron hybridization or strong correlations can be ruled out as origin for the pseudogap.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sichelschmidt
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Nöthnitzer Strasse 40, 01187 Dresden, Germany
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Im HJ, Ding Y, Pelz JP, Heying B, Speck JS. Characterization of individual threading dislocations in GaN using ballistic electron emission microscopy. Phys Rev Lett 2001; 87:106802. [PMID: 11531495 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.87.106802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2001] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Threading dislocations (TDs) of molecular beam epitaxy grown GaN film were studied with ultrahigh vacuum ballistic electron emission microscopy in order to quantify any fixed negative charge at identifiable TDs, with approximately 3 nm spatial and approximately 10 meV local barrier resolution. In contrast to several prior studies, we find no indication of fixed negative dislocation charge at specific TD structures, with a conservative upper limit of approximately 0.25 e(-) per c-axis unit cell. We do observe evidence of positive surface charge at TDs and at GaN step edges, which may be due to local piezoelectric fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Im
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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Abstract
delta-Opioid receptor (DOR) promoter exhibited a cell-type-specific expression pattern. Protein-DNA interactions in this promoter were identified by dimethyl sulfate in vivo footprinting analysis of NG108-15 cells, expressing endogenous DOR. Complete protection of the putative Sp1 cis-element and partial protection of the sequence defined as X-NotI in the basal promoter were observed only in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. No protection was detected in Neuro2A cells that do not express DOR. In vivo formaldehyde cross-linking confirmed Sp1 factor binding to its cis-acting element during the G0/G1 phase. The functional significance of these Sp1 and X-NotI sites was evaluated by transient transfection analysis. Northern blot analysis and nuclear run-off assays revealed maximum DOR mRNA level and transcription rate, respectively, during the G0/G1 phase of NG108-15 cells. In summary, the protein-DNA interactions at the Sp1 and X-NotI sites are necessary for cell cycle-dependent and cell-type-specific up-regulated DOR gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Smirnov
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
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Im HJ, Smirnov D, Yuhi T, Raghavan S, Olsson JE, Muscat GE, Koopman P, Loh HH. Transcriptional modulation of mouse mu-opioid receptor distal promoter activity by Sox18. Mol Pharmacol 2001; 59:1486-96. [PMID: 11353810 DOI: 10.1124/mol.59.6.1486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we reported the presence of dual promoters, referred to as distal (DP) and proximal, with a negative regulatory element between them in the mouse mu-opioid receptor (mor) gene. Here we have identified a positive regulatory element influencing mor DP transcription, which contains multiple consensus binding motifs for Sox factors (sex-determining Sry-like high mobility group box-containing genes). In gel supershift assays, the Sox family member Sox18 bound directly to the multiple Sox consensus binding motifs of the mor DP enhancer. Overexpression of Sox18 cDNA increased luciferase activity regulated by the mor DP, and did so in a Sox18 concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, overexpression of another Sox member, Sox5, triggered no such trans-activation of mor DP-driven luciferase activity or DNA-protein binding activity. These results suggest that Sox18 directly and specifically stimulates mor gene expression, by trans-activating the mor DP enhancer.
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MESH Headings
- 5' Untranslated Regions/genetics
- Amino Acid Motifs
- Animals
- Binding Sites
- CHO Cells
- Consensus Sequence/genetics
- Cricetinae
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic/genetics
- Gene Targeting
- Genes, Reporter
- HeLa Cells
- High Mobility Group Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- High Mobility Group Proteins/genetics
- High Mobility Group Proteins/physiology
- Humans
- Mice
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/pharmacology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/genetics
- SOXF Transcription Factors
- Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/physiology
- Transcription, Genetic/genetics
- Transcriptional Activation/genetics
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Im
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Minnesota Medical School, 6-120 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that cytokines regulate opioid and opioid receptor gene expression in neuronal and immune cells. The gene sequence analysis of opioid receptors revealed that mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptor promoter regions contain potential cytokine response elements (NF-IL6 binding sites). It was postulated that the response elements present in opioid receptor promoter regions may have a role in the cytokine effects on opioid receptor gene expression through cis-trans interaction. The present study investigated whether cytokines have an effect on opioid receptor gene expression by cytokine-induced transcription factor, NF-IL6, using a number of immune cell lines which respond to cytokines. Further investigation was made to determine whether the potential cytokine response element DNA sequences on opioid receptor promoter region have functional significance which may be affected by the DNA context of the opioid receptor promoter in immune cell lines. Tandem repeats of conserved cytokine response elements of IL-6 gene fused to a heteropromoter SV40 were utilized as a positive control and expressed 2-fold increased promoter activity after cytokine stimulation. Transient transfection studies in time courses (24-72 h) and different dose treatments (100-500 U/ml for IL-6 and 50-200 U/ml for IL-1 alpha+beta) were also carried out to investigate the possibility that the upregulated gene expression may be transient or cytokine-dose-dependent. Our data demonstrated that there was no significant cytokine-stimulated opioid receptor gene expression in immune cells tested. In addition, the cytokine response elements (NF-IL6 binding sites) in opioid receptor genes are not functional. These results contradict the previous reports in which cytokines modulated the expression of opioid and opioid receptors in neuronal and immune cells. The possible reasons regarding the different results were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Im
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Abstract
Wilms tumor gene (WT1) expression occurs in various malignancies including adult leukemia. WT1 expression was studied in children with acute leukemia according to morphological types and immunophenotypes. RT-PCR was used to examine relative level of WT1 transcripts from the peripheral blood of 15 children diagnosed with acute leukemia: 12 acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) and 3 acute myelogenous leukemias (AMLs); 8 ALLs newly diagnosed, 2 ALLs in first marrow relapse, 2 ALLs in remission over 2 years, 2 AMLs newly diagnosed, and 1 AML in second marrow relapse. Six healthy adult volunteers were studied for controls. WT1 was detectable in 7 out of 10 ALLs and all 3 AMLs, but not in 2 ALLs in remission and the controls. The expression levels were higher for AMLs than for ALLs. According to the types of ALL, WT1 was detectable in 2 out of 2 non-T group II, 4 out of 6 non-T group III, but not in one CD20+ non-T group IV, while one T-ALL showed a relatively high level. WT1 expression was detectable more frequently in ALL-L2 than in ALL-L1 and with higher levels for ALL-L2. WT1 expression was frequently noted in children with acute leukemia. The results suggest that WT1 transcripts may prove to be a significant tumor marker, possibly as an MRD monitor in evaluating remission status and early relapse, and may also prove to be useful in predicting outcomes in acute leukemia in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Im
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
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Choe CY, Im HJ, Ko JL, Loh HH. Mouse mu opioid receptor gene expression. A 34-base pair cis-acting element inhibits transcription of the mu opioid receptor gene from the distal promoter. J Biol Chem 1998; 273:34926-32. [PMID: 9857022 PMCID: PMC3001105 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.52.34926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5'-flanking region of the mouse mu opioid receptor (MOR) gene has two promoters, referred to as distal and proximal, and the activities of each in the brain are quite different from each other. The 5'-distal promoter regulatory sequences (5'-DPRS), positioned between these two promoters, have strong inhibitory effects on the reporter gene expression driven by the MOR distal promoter. In our studies, detailed 3' deletion mapping of the 5'-DPRS narrowed down the negative cis-acting element to a 34-base pair (bp) segment (position -721 to -687). This 34-bp cis-acting element functions in both neuronal (NMB) and non-neuronal (CHO and RAW264.7) cultured cells. S1 nuclease protection assays indicated that this 34-bp cis-acting element suppresses distal promoter activity at the transcriptional level. Linker scanning mutagenesis demonstrated that nucleotides around position -721 and -689 in the 34-bp cis-acting element are essential for the regulation of distal promoter activity. Operational characterization of the 34-bp cis-acting element in the homologous MOR distal promoter and the heterologous SV40 promoter showed that its effects are position- and promoter-dependent while being orientation-independent in both promoters. Collectively, these data suggested that this 34-bp segment is a conditional transcriptional cis-acting element that blocks mouse MOR gene expression from the distal promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- C y Choe
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
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Su P, Harvey M, Im HJ, Dunn NW. Isolation, cloning and characterisation of the abiI gene from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis M138 encoding abortive phage infection. J Biotechnol 1997; 54:95-104. [PMID: 9195753 PMCID: PMC3442939 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1656(97)01692-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Plasmid pND852 (56 kb) encodes nisin resistance and was isolated from Lactococcus lactis ssp lactis (L. lactis) M138 by conjugation to L. lactis LM0230. It conferred strong resistance to the isometric-headed phage phi 712 and partial resistance to the prolate-headed phage phi c2. A 2.6 kb HpaII fragment encoding phage resistance was cloned into the streptococcal/Bacillus hybrid vector pGB301 to generate pND817. The mechanism of phage resistance encoded by pND817 involved abortive infection and this was illustrated by a reduction in burst size from 166 to 6 at 30 degrees C and from 160 to 90 at 37 degrees C. Partial resistance was therefore retained at 37 degrees C. DNA sequencing revealed that the abortive infection was encoded by a single open reading frame (ORF), designated abiI, encoding a 332 amino acid protein. Neither abiI nor the predicted product showed significant homology to any existing sequence in the GenBank database. Frame shift mutation at the unique EcoRI site within the ORF resulted in loss of the Abi+ phenotype, confirming that the ORF is responsible for the encoded phage resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Su
- Department of Biotechnology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Lee KJ, Nam JJ, Bae KJ, Lee EJ, Im HJ, Chun HS, Hwang IS. [The trends and issues of Korean nursing education through a historical perspective]. Taehan Kanho 1991; 30:83-98. [PMID: 1779598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Im HJ. [Nurses and overseas employment: I did work this way in Middle East]. Taehan Kanho 1978; 17:20-2, 11. [PMID: 248582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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