PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C-K Kim

Publications and source records attributed to C-K Kim.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Dexamethasone protects primary cultured hepatocytes from death receptor-mediated apoptosis by upregulation of cFLIP.

Dexamethasone (DEX) pretreatment protected hepatocytes from TNF-alpha plus actinomycin D (ActD)-induced apoptosis by suppressing caspase-8 activation and the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. DEX treatment upregulated cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (cFLIP) expression, but did not alter the protein levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, and cIAP as well as Akt activation. The increased cFLIP mRNA level by DEX was inhibited by ActD, indicating that DEX upregulates cFLIP expression at the transcriptional step. DEX also inhibited Jo2-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis by blocking the formation of the death-inducing signaling complex and caspase-8 activation. Specific downregulation of cFLIP expression using siRNA reversed the antiapoptotic effect of DEX by increasing caspase-8 activation. Moreover, DEX administration into mice increased cFLIP expression in the liver and prevented Jo2-induced hepatic injury by inhibiting caspase-8 and -3 activities. Our results indicate that DEX exerts a protective role in death receptor-induced in vitro and in vivo hepatocyte apoptosis by upregulating cFLIP expression.

Animals↗

The infrabony defect and its determinants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the defect width of infrabony defects in a cross-sectional study and to evaluate whether the defect width is a function of defect depth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Complete sets of intra-oral radiographs of patients with severe periodontitis, which exhibited at least one infrabony defect, were digitised and evaluated. The following parameters were measured: depth and width of the infrabony defect, defect angle, and width of the interdental spaces. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (26 women), ranging from 21 to 73 yr of age (48.5 +/- 13.4 yr), contributed a total of 1272 teeth with 135 infrabony defects (10.6%). Seventeen infrabony defects were located at sites without a neighboring tooth. Infrabony defects were statistically more prevalent in the mandible (n = 82) than in the maxilla (p = 0.013), and more prevalent at mesial sites (n = 92) than at distal sites (p < 0.001). At infrabony defects, the width of interdental spaces at the most coronal extension of the alveolar crest could be measured only at sites with neigboring teeth 2.67 +/- 0.78 mm (range: 1.19-5.70 mm). Analysis failed to reveal a statistically significant difference between defect width at sites with (2.64 +/- 0.82 mm) and sites without (2.76 +/- 0.70 mm) a neighboring tooth. Multilevel regression analysis revealed narrow defect angles to be related to deep infrabony defects, whereas width of the interdental space and distal location were related to wide defects. CONCLUSION: Defect angle depended on defect depth and defect width was not different at sites with or without a neighboring tooth. Even in severe periodontitis, infrabony defects are found only at a minority of teeth.

Adult↗

Multicomponent phenol hydroxylase-catalysed formation of hydroxyindoles and dyestuffs from indole and its derivatives.

AIMS: To establish multicomponent phenol hydroxylases (mPHs) as novel biocatalysts for producing dyestuffs and hydroxyindoles such as 7-hydroxyindole (7-HI) from indole and its derivatives. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have isolated Pseudomonas sp. KL33, which possesses a phenol degradation pathway similar to that found in Pseudomonas sp. CF600. Pseudomonas sp. KL28 is a strain that can grow on n-alkylphenols as a carbon and energy source. Escherichia coli strains expressing mPH from strain KL28 (mPH(KL28)) and strain KL33 (mPH(KL33)) catalysed the formation of indigo and 7-HI, respectively, from indole. In addition, both mPHs catalysed the production of dyestuffs and hydroxyindoles from indole derivatives. The mPH(KL28) has proved to be one of the most versatile biocatalysts that can accommodate a wide range of indole derivatives for catalysing the formation of dyestuffs. CONCLUSIONS: The present work provides a new approach in producing various dyestuffs and hydroxyindoles from indole and its derivatives by mPHs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results indicate that mPHs may serve as potential agents for organic syntheses as well as bioremediation.

Biotransformation↗

Distribution and coassociations of trace elements in soft tissue and byssus of Mytilus galloprovincialis relative to the surrounding seawater and suspended matter of the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti and Zn were analyzed by AAS, ICP MS and AFS in soft tissues and byssal threads of Mytilus galloprovincialis from Masan Bay and Ulsan Bay, Korea. Spatial variations in metal concentrations were found. The levels of Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Co and Mn were very high in the mussels from Ulsan Bay (Sts. U1, U2) and comparable with elevated concentrations of these elements in Mytilus sp. reported to date for other geographical areas. Seasonal differences in some metal concentrations were also observed. These variations may be caused by factors such as: a large difference in seawater temperature, food supply for the mussel population and/or freshwater runoff of particulate metal to the coastal water and weight changes brought about by gonadal development and the release of sexual products. Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Fe and Mn were more enriched in byssal threads than in the soft tissues, hence the byssus seems to be more sensitive in reflecting the availabilities of trace metals in the ambient waters. Concentrations of trace metals varied with respect to the size of mussels and season, depending on many factors like sexual development, and seawater temperature, etc. The levels of some trace metals in seawater, especially in suspended matter were correlated significantly with those in soft tissues and byssal threads. There were spatial variations in metal concentrations in the soft tissue and byssus attributed to different sources of trace elements located near the sampling sites. There were significant relationships between concentrations of some metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in mussel soft tissues and byssal threads and suspended matter. This suggests that M. galloprovincialis can be used as a sensitive biomonitor for the availabilities of trace elements in the coastal waters off Korea.

Animals↗

Ex vivo purging of leukemia cells using tumor-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of tumor-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand TRAIL to eradicate leukemia cell lines, while sparing normal hematopoietic stem cells. Human Jurkat and Molt-4 cell lines were used to optimize the purging process in umbilical cord blood (UCB) mononuclear cells. The Jurkat cell line was TRAIL sensitive and TRAIL-resistant Molt-4 cell line became sensitive after being treated with TRAIL and a low dose of doxorubicin (0.1 micro M), but UCB mononuclear cells remained resistant. DR4 expression was increased when Jurkat cells were treated with TRAIL, and DR5 expression increased after exposing Molt-4 cells to TRAIL plus a low dose of doxorubicin for 24 h. The expression of DR4 and DR5 in UCB mononuclear cells was unchanged after treatment with TRAIL, a low-dose doxorubicin, or TRAIL plus a low dose of doxorubicin. In TRAIL-sensitive Jurkat cells, caspases 8, 9, 3, and 7 were activated by TRAIL treatment and activation of caspases was augmented by TRAIL plus a low dose of doxorubicin than TRAIL or a low dose of doxorubicin alone in Molt-4 cells. Experiments involving mixture of UCB mononuclear cells and Jurkat or Molt-4 cells showed a marked eradication of leukemia cells and the limiting dilution assay demonstrated an eradication rate of more than 4 logs after 24 h incubation with 100 ng/ml of TRAIL in Jurkat cells. In the case of Molt-4 cells, the eradication rate was about 3 logs when TRAIL was used in combination with a low dose of doxorubicin. No significant decrease in the number of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit) (CFU-GM) colonies was detected when UCB mononuclear cells were treated with TRAIL in combination with a low dose of doxorubicin. These results suggest that TRAIL offers the possibility of being used as an ex vivo purging agent for autologous transplantation in hematologic malignancies.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins↗

Production of dyestuffs from indole derivatives by naphthalene dioxygenase and toluene dioxygenase.

AIMS: To isolate and characterize the phorate [O,O-diethyl-S-(ethylthio)methyl phosphoradiothioate] degrading bacteria from agricultural soil, and their assessment for multifarious biological activities of environmental and agronomic significance. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics, the selected isolates PS-1, PS-2 and PS-3 were presumptively identified as Rhizobium, Pseudomonas and Proteus species, respectively. The HPLC analysis of phorate in bioaugmented soil revealed its complete disappearance within 40 days. The degradation isotherms of the isolates PS-1, PS-2 and PS-3 suggested time-dependent disappearance of phorate following the first-order rate kinetics at the corresponding rate constants of 0.04, 0.05 and 0.04 d-1. Besides, the isolates concurrently exhibited substantial phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production, as well as limited biocontrol activity against fungal phytopathogens. CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The data revealed the potential of isolates for collateral plant growth promotion, biocontrol and bioremediation. The selected strains may serve as an important bioresource for development of effective super-bioinoculants.

Coloring Agents↗

Protective effects of green tea extracts (polyphenon E and EGCG) on human cervical lesions.

We investigated clinical efficacy of green tea extracts (polyphenon E; poly E and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG]) delivered in a form of ointment or capsule in patients with human papilloma virus (HPV) infected cervical lesions. Fifty-one patients with cervical lesions (chronic cervicitis, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia) were divided into four groups, as compared with 39 untreated patients as a control. Poly E ointment was applied locally to 27 patients twice a week. For oral delivery, a 200 mg of poly E or EGCG capsule was taken orally every day for eight to 12 weeks. In the study, 20 out of 27 patients (74%) under poly E ointment therapy showed a response. Six out of eight patients under poly E ointment plus poly E capsule therapy (75%) showed a response, and three out of six patients (50%) under poly E capsule therapy showed a response. Six out of 10 patients (60%) under EGCG capsule therapy showed a response. Overall, a 69% response rate (35/51) was noted for treatment with green tea extracts, as compared with a 10% response rate (4/39) in untreated controls (P<0.05). Thus, the data collected here demonstrated that green tea extracts in a form of ointment and capsule are effective for treating cervical lesions, suggesting that green tea extracts can be a potential therapy regimen for patients with HPV infected cervical lesions.

Administration, Oral↗

Distinctive cell cycle regulatory protein profiles by adenovirus delivery of p53 in human papillomavirus-associated cancer cells.

In this study, microarray analyses were performed to determine the time course of gene expression profiles in SiHa cells after infection with an adenovirus-expressing p53 (Adp53). We then investigated the consequences of Adp53 gene transfer on the expression level of six genes associated with cell cycle control and on apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in SiHa cells and compared these results with those from CaSki and HeLa cells. Gene expression profiling of the p53-targeted genes in SiHa cells revealed that p21, p53, and mdm2 protein expression was significantly upregulated at 24 and 48 h. Western blot results revealed that p21 and p53 expression levels had significantly increased after Adp53 infection. Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 levels were decreased 48 h after treatment in SiHa and CaSki cells. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen levels were unchanged after Adp53 infection. Only SiHa cells exhibited significant cell death. Cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase was induced in the SiHa and HeLa cells but was not induced at the G2/M and S phases in the CaSki cells. These data support the notion that the understanding of p53-dependent apoptosis and cell growth arrest could be applicable to advanced strategies in the development of preferential tumor cell-specific delivery.

Adenoviridae↗