A Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitor Targeting the IL-6 Receptor β Subunit, Glycoprotein 130

Hong, Soon-Sun,Choi, Jung Ho,Lee, Sung Yoon,Park, Yeon-Hwa,Park, Kyung-Yeon,Lee, Joo Young,Kim, Juyoung,Gajulapati, Veeraswamy,Goo, Ja-Il,Singh, Sarbjit,Lee, Kyeong,Kim, Young-Kook,Im, So Hee,Ahn, Sun The American Association of Immunologists, Inc. 2015 JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY Vol.195 No.1

<P>IL-6 is a major causative factor of inflammatory disease. Although IL-6 and its signaling pathways are promising targets, orally available small-molecule drugs specific for IL-6 have not been developed. To discover IL-6 antagonists, we screened our in-house chemical library and identified-LMT-28, a novel synthetic compound, as a candidate IL-6 blocker. The activity, mechanism of action, and direct molecular target of LMT-28 were investigated. A reporter gene assay showed that LMT-28 suppressed activation of STAT3 induced by IL-6, but not activation induced by leukemia inhibitory factor. In addition, LMT-28 downregulated IL-6-stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3, gp130, and JAK2 protein and substantially inhibited IL-6-dependent TF-1 cell proliferation. LMT-28 antagonized IL-6-induced TNF-alpha production in vivo. In pathologic models, oral administration of LMT-28 alleviated collagen-induced arthritis and acute pancreatitis in mice. Based on the observation of upstream IL-6 signal inhibition by LMT-28, we hypothesized IL-6, IL-6R alpha, or gp130 to be putative molecular targets. We subsequently demonstrated direct interaction of LMT-28 with gp130 and specific reduction of IL-6/IL-6R alpha complex binding to gp130 in the presence of LMT-28, which was measured by surface plasmon resonance analysis. Taken together, our data suggest that LMT-28 is a novel synthetic IL-6 inhibitor that functions through direct binding to gp130.</P>

Impact of interleukin-21 in the pathogenesis of primary Sjogren's syndrome: increased serum levels of interleukin-21 and its expression in the labial salivary glands

Kang, Kwi Young,Kim, Hyun-Ok,Kwok, Seung-Ki,Ju, Ji Hyeon,Park, Kyung-Su,Sun, Dong-Il,Jhun, Joo Yeon,Oh, Hye Jwa,Park, Sung-Hwan,Kim, Ho-Youn BioMed Central 2011 ARTHRITIS RESEARCH AND THERAPY Vol.13 No.5

<P><B>Introduction</B></P><P>Interleukin (IL)-21 is a cytokine that controls the functional activity of effector T helper cells and the differentiation of Th17 cells, and promotes B-cell differentiation. To test whether IL-21 participates in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), serum IL-21 level was measured and IL-21 expression in the labial salivary glands (LSG) was examined.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Serum IL-21 levels in 40 primary SS, 40 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 38 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 20 healthy controls were measured. Serum IL-21 levels of SS patients were assessed for correlations with laboratory data, including anti-nuclear antibody, anti-Ro/La antibodies, globulin, immunoglobulin (Ig) class, and IgG subclass. LSGs from 16 primary SS and 4 controls with sicca symptoms were evaluated for IL-21 and IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) expression by immunohistochemistry. Confocal microscopy was performed to further characterize the IL-21 positive cells.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Primary SS patients had significantly higher serum IL-21 levels than controls, and these increments correlated positively with levels of IgG, IgG1. Serum IgG1 levels correlated with anti-Ro antibody titers. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that lymphocytic foci and the periductal area of the LSGs from SS patients expressed high levels of IL-21 and lower levels of IL-21R, whereas the control LSGs showed minimal expression of both antigens. The more the lymphocyte infiltrated, IL-21expression in LSGs showed a tendency to increase. Confocal microscopic analyses revealed that IL-21 expressing infiltrating lymphocytes in the LSGs of SS patients also expressed CXCR5.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Primary SS is associated with high serum IL-21 levels that correlate positively with serum IgG, especially IgG1, levels. The expression of IL-21 is increased as more lymphocytes infiltrated in LSGs. These observations suggest that IL-21 may play an important role in primary SS pathogenesis.</P>

도시공원 범죄예방을 위한 CPTED 인증평가기준 정립에 관한 연구

김강일(Kang Il Kim),조준택(Joon Tag Cho),박현호(Hyeon Ho Park) 한국셉테드학회 2018 한국셉테드학회지 Vol.9 No.1

도시지역에서의 공원이란 시민들의 건강과 휴양 그리고 정서생활에 도움을 주고 녹지를 확보하여 환경에 도움을 주는 공간이다. 하지만 누구에게나 개방되어 있는 도시 공원의 특성상 공간의 안전을 위협하는 소수의 위협들은 다수의 이용자인 시민들에게 불편함을 주거나 위협을 초래하는 경우가 발생한다. 이와 관련하여 각종 선행 연구들은 공원에서 범죄가 빈번하게 발생하고, 시민들의 휴식공간이라는 공원의 제 기능을 다 하지 못하고 있다는 문제를 지적하고 있다. 특히 최근 많은 관심을 받고 있는 사회적 약자를 대상으로 한 범죄에 대응하기 위한 도시공원의 설계 관리가 중요함을 일관되게 강조하고 있다. 이에 이 연구에서는 CPTED의 기본이론을 토대로 도시공원의 범죄예방과 관련된 선행 연구를 분석하여 도시공원에 적합한 CPTED 요소를 추출하고 도시공원의 방범환경 인증평가 체크리스트를 개발하였다. 이러한 체크리스트를 바탕으로 크기별, 종류별 공원 5곳을 선정하여 실제 현장 조사를 실시하고 안전요소를 분석하여 최종 체크리스트를 도출하였다. 이 체크리스트의 최종평가분야는 관리운영, 감시, 접근통제, 영역성, 활동성 지원 CPTED요소를 기반으로 하고 이에 더하여 안내표지, 방범 및 안전시설, 가점항목으로 설정하였으며 각각의 세부평가항목으로 구성하였다. 이 연구에서 개발한 체크리스트의 평가기준은 모든 공원에 대한 범죄예방 인증평가를 수행할 수 있도록 하는 범용 체크리스트로 이러한 평가기준은 다양한 규모와 형태를 가진 공원들의 특성을 고려하여 평가와 인정의 기본원칙에 의거하여 다양한 형태로 변형되어 활용할 수 있도록 하였다. 이와 관련하여 범죄위험을 예방하는데 있어 중요한 분야의 핵심 항목들에 대해서는 높게 배점하고 정성적인 평가에 의해 배점을 차등적으로 주도록 하였다. 또한 신규 공원뿐만 아니라 기존에 있던 공원들도 적극적 개선을 통해 인정을 받게 하고자 하는 취지로 만들어 전체적인 공원 안전개선을 위한 기반이 되도록 하였다. 본 체크리스트는 경찰청이 범죄예방진단팀(CPO)을 통해 시행 중인 도시공원의 범죄예방우수시설 인증사업에 활용하고 있다. Urban public parks are supposed to be the places for citizens’ rest, healing and public health. However, as public parks are usually open for 24 hours almost every day they are often exposed to criminal attacks within the realm of the space. The crime problem therefore threatens the public safety and security. Previous studies on public parks and crime safety continuously indicate that urban parks are vulnerable to crime and disorder and became the cause of fear of crime due to poor environmental design and planning in terms of CPTED. In this context the researchers have developed a checklist for accreditation/certification of urban public parks for crime prevention by analyzing the examples applying the CPTED principles in public parks and reflecting the field survey results in South Korea. In regard to the item and point, the crucial points for public parks rated highly and the grading was differentiated by qualitative evaluation. In addition, basic principles for certification of Secure/Safe Public Parks Awards were suggested, including operating a rating system to certify public parks so as to promote efforts for improvement, not awarding the certification to parks if any relevant regulations are violated, applying the evaluation items or points in accordance with the local context. The assessment checklist can be revised and used in various ways according to the regional circumstances and can contribute to the security and safety of public parks. The Police Crime Prevention Officers (CPO) are to utilize this checklist for the Secure Public Parks Certification Awards program in order to enhance the level of security for public parks in major cities in South Korea.

Positive and negative roles of interleukin-6 in bone metabolism , inflammation and cell differentiation : application in oriental medical research

Lee, Dong Kyu,Kang, Dong Hwi,Kim, Dong Il,Lee, Tae Kyun,Park, Young Guk,Kim, Cheorl Ho 대한한의학회 부인과학회 2000 大韓韓方婦人科學會誌 Vol.13 No.2

Interleukin 6 (IL-6)은 여러종류의 세포에서 분화 및 주화인자로 작용하는 사이토카인이다. 사람 IL-6의 분자구조는 21에서 28 kDa의 분자량을 갖는 하나의 폴리펩타이드 단백질로서 N-형과 O-형당부가반응과 세린잔기에 인산화를 수반하여 수식되어 있다. 이 사이토카인은 수성의 28-아미노산 자기로 구성된 시그날배열을 가진 212 아미노산의 전구체 단백질로서 생합성된다. IL-6와 가장 밀접한 분자구조를 갖는 물질로는 granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)가 있으며 사람 IL-6의 유전자는 염색체 7p21에 암호화되어 있다. IL-6는 IL-6수용체 (80 kDa subunit, IL-6Ra)의 a-사슬의 세포의 영역과 상호작용을 거쳐 세포표면에 결합하게 되며 이렇게 생성된 결합체는 gp130수용체와 상호작용하며, 이때 gp130 subunit는 JAK/STAT signaling cascade의 계속적인 활성화능력을 보유하도록 리간드-의존적인 2량화 형성이 유도된다. IL-6Ra의 세포내 영역도메인은 신호전달반응에 아무런 역할을 하지 않으며 IL-6Ra의 세포막통과와 세포질도메인이 결여된 수용성 IL-6수용체도 마찬가지로 IL-6와 반웅하며 상승제로서 가능을 하게 된다. 이러한 광범위한 발현과 효과 때문에 IL-6생성의 생체내에서의 부적절한 발현과 조절은 중요한 생리적인 변화를 야기시킨다. 본 총설에서는 생리적이고 병태생리적인 조건에서의 IL-6의 역할과 기능을 검토하였으며 한의학에서의 면역, 천식, 골대사, 당뇨, 암, 순환기계질환, 신경계질환의 약물개발과 기전해석의 수단으로서 검토하였다. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that functions as a trophic and differentiating factor in cells of many types. Human IL-6 is a single-chain protein with a molecular mass ranging from 21 to 28 kDa. IL-6 is modified by N- and O-glycosylations, as well as by phosphorylation on serine residues. The cytokine is synthesized as a precursor protein of 212 amino acids with a hydrophobic 28-residue signal sequence. Its closest homolog is granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The gene for human IL-6 is located on chromosome 7p21. IL-6 binds to the cell surface via an interaction with the extracellular region of the a-chain of the IL-6 receptor (80 kDa subunit, IL-6Ra). This complex then associates with the gp130 receptor. The gpl30 subunit undergoes ligand-dependent dimerization with subsequent activation of the JAK/STAT signaling cascade. The intracellular domain of IL-6Ra does not play a role in signal transduction. The soluble IL-6 receptor, which lacks the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain of IL-6Ra, is also responsive to IL-6 and acts as an agonist. Because of its wide-ranging expression and effects, the inappropriate expression and modulation of IL-6 production has important physiological consequences. Presently, it was examined that role of IL-6 under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and its feasibility as a drug discovery target are meaningful in fields of oriental medical research.

Heme oxygenase-1 induced by desoxo-narchinol-A attenuated the severity of acute pancreatitis via blockade of neutrophil infiltration

Bae, Gi-Sang,Kim, Dong-Goo,Jo, Il-Joo,Choi, Sun-Bok,Kim, Myoung-Jin,Shin, Joon Yeon,Kim, Dong-Uk,Song, Ho-Joon,Joo, Myungsoo,Park, Sung-Joo ELSEVIER 2019 INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY Vol.69 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has an anti-inflammatory action in acute pancreatitis (AP). However, its mechanism of action and natural compounds/drugs to induce HO-1 in pancreas are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of HO-1 during AP using desoxo-narchinol-A (DN), the natural compound inducing HO-1 in the pancreas. Female C57/BL6 Mice were intraperitoneally injected with supramaximal concentrations of cerulein (50 μg/kg) hourly for 6 h to induce AP. DMSO or DN was administered intraperitoneally, then mice were sacrificed 6 h after the final cerulein injection. Administration of DN increased pancreatic HO-1 expression through activation of activating protein-1, mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases. Furthermore, DN treatment reduced the pancreatic weight-to-body weight ratio as well as production of digestive enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Inhibition of HO-1 by tin protoporphyrin IX abolished the protective effects of DN on pancreatic damage. Additionally, DN treatment inhibited neutrophil infiltration into the pancreas via regulation of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) by HO-1. Our results suggest that DN is an effective inducer of HO-1 in the pancreas, and that HO-1 regulates neutrophil infiltration in AP via CXCL2 inhibition.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Desoxo-narchinol-A (DN) is a natural compound of HO-1 inducer in pancreas. </LI> <LI> Mechanism of DN-induced HO-1 is mediated by MAPK/Activator Protein-1/HO-1 signaling. </LI> <LI> DN-induced HO-1 blocks neutrophil infiltration into pancreas via inhibition of CXCL2. </LI> <LI> DN inhibits cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) and AP-associated lung injury. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

The Correlation of Serum IL-12B Expression With Disease Activity in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Lee, Hye Won,Chung, Sook Hee,Moon, Chang Mo,Che, Xiumei,Kim, Seung Won,Park, Soo Jung,Hong, Sung Pil,Kim, Tae Il,Kim, Won Ho,Cheon, Jae Hee Williams & Wilkins Co 2016 Medicine Vol.95 No.23

<▼1><P>Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Genetic variants in <I>IL12B</I>, encoding the p40 subunit common in interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23, were identified as the susceptibility loci for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to identify the correlation of serum IL-12B expression with disease activity in patients with IBD and evaluate the possibility of IL-12B as a biomarker for assessing inflammatory status in IBD.</P><P>A total of 102 patients with IBD, including 38, 32, and 32 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and intestinal Behçet's disease (intestinal BD), respectively, were included. The clinical and laboratory data from the patients were collected at the time of serum IL-12B measurement. Serum IL-12B levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</P><P>The median IL-12B levels in patients with CD, UC, and intestinal BD were significantly higher than those in controls (1.87, 2.74, and 2.73 pg/mL, respectively, vs. 1.42 pg/mL, all <I>P</I> <0.05). IL-12B concentrations were associated with disease activity in patients with UC and intestinal BD but not in those with CD. IL-12B levels were increased with increasing disease activity in patients with UC (<I>P</I> <0.001). Likewise, patients with active intestinal BD had higher IL-12B levels than those without active disease (<I>P</I> = 0.008). IL-12B levels were correlated with the endoscopic disease activity of UC (<I>P</I> = 0.002) and intestinal BD (<I>P</I> = 0.001) but not that of CD.</P><P>Serum IL-12B levels were significantly correlated with clinical and endoscopic disease activity in patients with UC and intestinal BD, suggesting its potential use as a biomarker for assessing disease activity in these patients.</P></▼2>

Early Phase of UVB - induced GM - CSF Upregulation in Epithelial Cell Line is not Totally Dependent on IL - 1α

Park, Kyoung Chan,Kim, Kyu Han,Ahn, Jong Seong,Chung, Jin Ho,Youn, Jai Il,Whang, Ji Hwan,Youn, Sang Woong,Kim, Young Gull,Koh, Woo Seok,Jung, Hyun Chae 대한피부과학회 1997 Annals of Dermatology Vol.9 No.4

Backgrounds : It was demonstrated that ultraviolet(UV) B light induces the release of IL-la in cultured human epithelial cell line and augmentation of GM-CSF production by UVB is reported to be mediated by IL-1α in the murine keratinocyte cell line Pam 212. Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of UVB on kinetic profile of IL-1 and GM-CSF mRNA expression and to see whether synthesis of GM-CSF by UVB can be completely inhibited by blocking IL-1α mediated pathway. Method : We used a competitive RT-PCR for measuring cytokine gene expression in epithelial cell line after UV radiation. Results : The IL-1α mRNA increased as early as 1h after UV irradiation, and then decreased at 3h after the irradiation. Thereafter, the response of IL-1α mRNA was upregulated with a second peak at 6h after the UV irradiation. However, mRNA for GM-CSF increased at 1h after UV light exposure and anti-IL-1α antibodies could only partially inhibit UV-augmented GMCSF production. Conclusion : UVB induced GM-CSF production seemed to be mainly mediated by UVB induced IL-1α but these results suggest that UVB may also induce GM-CSF production through an IL-1α independent pathway.

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor–related protein co-stimulation facilitates tumor regression by inducing IL-9–producing helper T cells

Kim, Il-Kyu,Kim, Byung-Seok,Koh, Choong-Hyun,Seok, Jae-Won,Park, Jun-Seok,Shin, Kwang-Soo,Bae, Eun-Ah,Lee, Ga-Eun,Jeon, Hyewon,Cho, Jaebeom,Jung, Yujin,Han, Daehee,Kwon, Byoung S,Lee, Ho-Young,Chung, Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan P 2015 Nature medicine Vol.21 No.9

<P>T cell stimulation via glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-related protein (GITR) elicits antitumor activity in various tumor models; however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we demonstrate a crucial role for interleukin (IL)-9 in antitumor immunity generated by the GITR agonistic antibody DTA-1. IL-4 receptor knockout (Il4ra(-/-)) mice, which have reduced expression of IL-9, were resistant to tumor growth inhibition by DTA-1. Notably, neutralization of IL-9 considerably impaired tumor rejection induced by DTA-1. In particular, DTA-1-induced IL-9 promoted tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses by enhancing the function of dendritic cells in vivo. Furthermore, GITR signaling enhanced the differentiation of IL-9-producing CD4(+) T-helper (T(H)9) cells in a TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)- and NF-kappa B-dependent manner and inhibited the generation of induced regulatory T cells in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that GITR co-stimulation mediates antitumor immunity by promoting T(H)9 cell differentiation and enhancing CTL responses and thus provide a mechanism of action for GITR agonist-mediated cancer immunotherapies.</P>

Chronological changes in inflammatory cytokines immunoreactivities in the mouse hippocampus after systemic administration of high dosage of tetanus toxin.

Yan, Bing Chun,Park, Joon Ha,Kim, In Hye,Shin, Bich Na,Ahn, Ji Hyeon,Yoo, Ki-Yeon,Lee, Deuk-Sik,Kim, Myong Jo,Kang, Il-Jun,Won, Moo-Ho Springer-Verlag 2012 Experimental brain research Vol.223 No.2

<P>Tetanus toxin (TeT) is an exotoxin and has a capacity for neuronal binding and internalization. In the present study, we compared changes in the immunoreactivities and protein levels of interleukin (IL-) 2 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine and IL-4 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine in the hippocampus proper (HP) and dentate gyrus (DG) after systemic treatment of 10 or 100?ng/kg TeT into mice. In this study, we could not find any neuronal damage or loss in any subregions of the hippocampus after TeT treatment. In the control groups, strong IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in the stratum pyramidal (SP) of the HP and in the granule cell layer (GCL) of the DG. At 6?h post-treatment, IL-2 immunoreactivity was hardly detected in the SP and GCL; however, strong IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in the stratum oriens of the HP in both the groups. Thereafter, intermediate IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in the SP and GCL. On the other hand, intermediate IL-4 immunoreactivity was detected in the SP and GCL of the control groups. At 6?h post-treatment, IL-4 immunoreactivity in the SP and GCL was apparently increased. Thereafter, IL-4 immunoreactivity was lower than that at 6?h post-treatment. In brief, IL-2 and 4 immunoreactivities were easily detected in SP and GCL in the controls and dramatically decreased and increased at 6?h post-treatment, respectively.</P>

Up-regulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Korean Red Ginseng Water Extract as a Cytoprotective Effect in Human Endothelial Cells

Hana Yang,Seung Eun Lee,Seong Il Jeong,Cheung-Seog Park,Young-Ho Jin,Yong Seek Park 고려인삼학회 2011 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.35 No.3

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is used worldwide as a popular traditional herbal medicine. KRG has shown beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension. Up-regulation of a cytoprotective protein, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, is considered to augment the cellular defense against various agents that may induce cytotoxic injury. In the present study, we demonstrate that KRG water extract induces HO-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and possible involvement of the anti-oxidant transcription factor nuclear factor-eythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). KRG-induced HO-1 expression was examined by western blots, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence staining. Specific silencing of Nrf2 genes with Nrf2-siRNA in HUVECs abolished HO-1 expression. In addition, the HO inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin blunted the preventive effect of KRG on H₂O₂-induced cell death, as demonstrated by terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Taken together, these results suggest that KRG may exert a vasculoprotective effect through Nrf2-mediated HO-1 induction in human endothelial cell by inhibition of cell death.