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>

Ahnak-knockout mice show susceptibility to Bartonella henselae infection because of CD4+ T cell inactivation and decreased cytokine secretion

( Eun Wha Choi ),( Hee Woo Lee ),( Jun Sik Lee ),( Il Yong Kim ),( Jae Hoon Shin ),( Je Kyung Se ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2019 BMB Reports Vol.52 No.4

The present study evaluated the role of AHNAK in Bartonella henselae infection. Mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 2 × 10⁸ colony-forming units of B. henselae Houston-1 on day 0 and subsequently on day 10. Blood and tissue samples of the mice were collected 8 days after the final B. henselae injection. B. henselae infection in the liver of Ahnak-knockout and wild-type mice was confirmed by performing polymerase chain reaction, with Bartonella adhesion A as a marker. The proportion of B. henselaeinfected cells increased in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice. Granulomatous lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels, and liver enzyme levels were also higher in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice than in the liver of the wild-type mice, indicating that Ahnak deletion accelerated B. henselae infection. The proportion of CD4+interferon-y(IFN-y)⁺ and CD4⁺interleukin (IL)-4⁺ cells was significantly lower in the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-knockout mice than in the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice. In vitro stimulation with B. henselae significantly increased IFN-y and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice, but did not increase IFN-y and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-KO mice. In contrast, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES, and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion was significantly elevated in the splenocytes obtained from both B. henselae-infected wild-type and Ahnak-knockout mice. These results indicate that Ahnak deletion promotes B. henselae infection. Impaired IFN-y and IL-4 secretion in the Ahnak-knockout mice suggests the impairment of Th1 and Th2 immunity in these mice. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(4): 289-294]

Free Paper Session : Upper Gastrointestinal Tract 1 ; Prevalence And Risk Factors For Atrophic Gastritis And Intestinal Metaplasia

( Na Young Kim ),( Dong Ho Lee ),( Joo Sung Kim ),( Hyun Chae Jung ),( In Sung Song ),( Kyung Phil Kang ),( Jung Hoon Lee ),( Jae Il Chung ),( Hyun Cheul Choi ),( Taek Man Nam ),( Sang Hyup Lee ),( Yo 대한소화기학회 2007 SIDDS Vol.9 No.-

Background/Aims: The prevalence of gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is high in Korea. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence rate of atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) and their risk factors in the aspect of Hp virulence factors, environmental and host factors in normal population. Methods: The subjects consisted of 389, 135 H. pylori-negative and 254 H. pylori-positive. AG and IM were scored histologically by the Sydney classification in the antrum and body, respectively. Prevalence rate and bacterial factors such as cagA, vacA m1, m2, and oipA; environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking; host factors such as genetic polymorphisms for IL-IB-511, IL-IRN, TNF-A, IL-10-592, IL-10-819, IL-10-1082, IL-8-251, IL-6-572, GSTP1, and p53 codon 72 were evaluated. Risk factors were calculated by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence rate of AG increased from 25%, 0% in the age of 20s, 45% and 22% in the 40s and 50% and 35% in the over 70s in the antrum and body, respectively (p<0.001). In case of IM it increased from 11.1% and 6.4% in the 30s up to 43% and 43% in over 70s in the antrum and body, respectively, (p<0.001). The positive rates of AG and IM were significantly higher in the Hp-positive than in the Hp-negative subjects. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for AG were Hp infection, age ≥60, cagA and vacA m1 positive. In case of IM the risk factors were Hp infection, age ≥60, smoking, spicy food, occupation (unemployed or non professional vs. professional), IL6-572 G carrier over C/C and IL10-592 C/A vs. A/A. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of AG and IM increased proportional to age. The most risk factor for AG and IM was Hp infection. Bacterial factors were important for AG but environmental and host factors were rather important in case of IM.

P179 : Activin suppresses LPS-induced Toll-like receptors, cytokines, and nitric oxide expression by inhibiting activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways in normal human melanocytes

( Young Il Kim ),( Seung Won Park ),( Jeong Hwee Choi ),( Myong Il Bae ),( Min Kyung Shin ),( Mu Hyoung Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2013 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.65 No.2

Background: Activins are dimeric growth and differentiation factors which belong to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Objectives: To know the mechanism how activin regulates transcription of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokines, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human melanocytes, and the involvement of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Methods: Normal human melanocytes were pretreated with activin A before exposure to LPS. Total RNAs were purified and real-time PCR was performed. Also we conducted immunoblot analysis to know the expression levels of proteins. Results: LPS increased mRNA expressions of TLRs (1-10) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α), and enhanced mRNA and protein expression of iNOS. Activin inhibited LPS-induced mRNA expressions of TLRs and cytokines, and decreased mRNA and protein expression of LPS-induced iNOS. Also activin suppressed NF-κB p65 activation and blocked IκBα degradation in LPS-stimulated melanocytes, and reduced LPS-induced p38 MAPK and MEK/ERK activations. Conclusion: Activin inhibited expression of genes of TLRs, cytokines, and iNOS in LPS-activated normal human melanocytes. Moreover, anti-inflammatory effect of activin was mediated through suppressing activation of NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways in LPS-activated normal human melanocytes, resulting in reduced expression of TLRs, cytokines, and nitric oxide.

중증근무력증 환자의 말초 혈액내 T 림프구 분획의 변화

최철희,최인홍,김우경,선우일남,최철희 대한신경과학회 1998 대한신경과학회지 Vol.16 No.1

Optimizing DC Vaccination by Combination With Oncolytic Adenovirus Coexpressing IL-12 and GM-CSF

Zhang, Song-Nan,Choi, Il-Kyu,Huang, Jing-Hua,Yoo, Ji-Young,Choi, Kyung-Ju,Yun, Chae-Ok Nature Publishing Group 2011 MOLECULAR THERAPY Vol.19 No.8

<P>Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. However, clinical trials have indicated that immunosuppressive microenvironments induced by tumors profoundly suppress antitumor immunity and inhibit vaccine efficacy, resulting in insufficient reduction of tumor burdens. To overcome these obstacles and enhance the efficiency of DC vaccination, we generated interleukin (IL)-12- and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-coexpressing oncolytic adenovirus (Ad-ΔB7/IL12/GMCSF) as suitable therapeutic adjuvant to eliminate immune suppression and promote DC function. By treating tumors with Ad-ΔB7/IL12/GMCSF prior to DC vaccination, DCs elicited greater antitumor effects than in response to either treatment alone. DC migration to draining lymph nodes (DLNs) dramatically increased in mice treated with the combination therapy. This result was associated with upregulation of CC-chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21<SUP>+</SUP>) lymphatics in tumors treated with Ad-ΔB7/IL12/GMCSF. Moreover, the proportion of CD4<SUP>+</SUP>CD25<SUP>+</SUP> T-cells and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was decreased in mice treated with the combination therapy. Furthermore, combination therapy using immature DCs also showed effective antitumor effects when combined with Ad-ΔB7/IL12/GMCSF. The combination therapy had a remarkable therapeutic efficacy on large tumors. Taken together, oncolytic adenovirus coexpressing IL-12 and GM-CSF in combination with DC vaccination has synergistic antitumor effects and can act as a potent adjuvant for promoting and optimizing DC vaccination.</P>

Association of Increased Pulmonary Interleukin-6 with the Priming Effect of Intra-Amniotic Lipopolysaccharide on Hyperoxic Lung Injury in a Rat Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Kim, Do-Hyun,Choi, Chang Won,Kim, Ee-Kyung,Kim, Han-Suk,Kim, Beyong Il,Choi, Jung-Hwan,Lee, Myong Jin,Yang, Eun Gyeong S. Karger AG 2010 NEONATOLOGY Vol.98 No.1

<P><I>Background:</I> The authors previously demonstrated the priming effect of intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on hyperoxic lung injury in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). <I>Objectives:</I> To investigate the mechanism underlying this priming effect by determining biochemical profiles in a rat model of BPD. <I>Methods:</I> The rat model involved intra-amniotic LPS administration and postnatal hyperoxia (85%). The mRNA expressions of <I>interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF),</I> and <I>transforming growth factor </I>β<SUB><I>1</I></SUB><I> (TGF-</I>β<SUB><I>1</I></SUB><I>),</I> as well as the protein levels of IL-6, VEGF, and protein carbonyl in lung tissue were compared between the LPS plus hyperoxia, the LPS only, the hyperoxia only, and the control groups. <I>Results:</I> Morphometric analysis of lung tissues demonstrated that alveolarization was significantly inhibited only in the LPS plus hyperoxia group. IL-6 protein levels and its mRNA expression in the lungs were significantly increased only in the LPS plus hyperoxia group. Neither LPS nor hyperoxia increased IL-6 in the lungs independently. <I>bFGF</I> mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the LPS-treated groups. VEGF protein levels were significantly reduced by hyperoxia, whereas protein carbonyl levels were increased by intra-amniotic LPS or hyperoxia. No additional significant change to VEGF or protein carbonyl levels was produced by intra-amniotic LPS or hyperoxia. There were no significant differences in the mRNA expressions of <I>VEGF, VEGFR-2,</I> and <I>TGF-</I>β<SUB><I>1</I></SUB>. <I>Conclusions:</I> The priming effect of intra-amniotic LPS on hyperoxic lung injury may be associated with IL-6 elevation in the lungs.</P><P>Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

<i>In vivo</i> genotoxicity evaluation of lung cells from Fischer 344 rats following 28 days of inhalation exposure to MWCNTs, plus 28 days and 90 days post-exposure

Kim, Jin Sik,Sung, Jae Hyuck,Choi, Byung Gil,Ryu, Hyeon Yeol,Song, Kyung Seuk,Shin, Jae Hoon,Lee, Jong Seong,Hwang, Joo Hwan,Lee, Ji Hyun,Lee, Gun Ho,Jeon, Kisoo,Ahn, Kang Ho,Yu, Il Je Informa Healthcare 2014 INHALATION TOXICOLOGY Vol. No.

<P>Despite their useful physico-chemical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) continue to cause concern over occupational and human health due to their structural similarity to asbestos. Thus, to evaluate the toxic and genotoxic effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on lung cells <I>in vivo</I>, eight-week-old rats were divided into four groups (each group = 25 animals), a fresh air control (0 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), low (0.17 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), middle (0.49 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), and high (0.96 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>) dose group, and exposed to MWCNTs <I>via</I> nose-only inhalation 6 h per day, 5 days per week for 28 days. The count median length and geometric standard deviation for the MWCNTs determined by TEM were 330.18 and 1.72 nm, respectively, and the MWCNT diameters ranged from 10 to 15 nm. Lung cells were isolated from five male and five female rats in each group on day 0, day 28 (only from males) and day 90 following the 28-day exposure. The total number of animals used was 15 male and 10 female rats for each concentration group. To determine the genotoxicity of the MWCNTs, a single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) was conducted on the rat lung cells. As a result of the exposure, the olive tail moments were found to be significantly higher (<I>p</I> < 0.05) in the male and female rats from all the exposed groups when compared with the fresh air control. In addition, the high-dose exposed male and middle and high-dose exposed female rats retained DNA damage, even 90 days post-exposure (<I>p</I> < 0.05). To investigate the mode of genotoxicity, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, TGF- β, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ) were also measured. For the male rats, the H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> levels were significantly higher in the middle (0 days post-exposure) and high- (0 days and 28 days post-exposure) dose groups (<I>p</I> < 0.05). Conversely, the female rats showed no changes in the H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> levels. The inflammatory cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid did not show any statistically significant difference. Interestingly, the short-length MWCNTs deposited in the lung cells were persistent at 90 days post-exposure. Thus, exposing lung cells to MWCNTs with a short tube length may induce genotoxicity.</P>

Therapeutic and Tumor-specific Immunity Induced by Combination of Dendritic Cells and Oncolytic Adenovirus Expressing IL-12 and 4-1BBL

Huang, Jing-Hua,Zhang, Song-Nan,Choi, Kyung-Ju,Choi, Il-Kyu,Kim, Joo-Hang,Lee, Mingul,Kim, Hoguen,Yun, Chae-Ok Nature Publishing Group 2010 MOLECULAR THERAPY Vol.18 No.2

<P>Recently, gene-based cytokine treatment has been actively pursued as a new promising approach in treating cancer. In an effort to augment the efficiency of antitumor effect by cytokine-mediated immunotherapy, we selected both interleukin (IL)-12 and 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) as suitable cytokines to fully activate the type-1 immune response. Coexpression of IL-12 and 4-1BBL mediated by oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) greatly enhanced the antitumor effect. Further, synergistic enhancement in interferon (IFN)-γ levels were seen in mice treated with oncolytic Ad expressing both IL-12 and 4-1BBL. Next, to improve the overall antitumor immune response, we coadministered IL-12- and 4-1BBL-coexpressing oncolytic Ad with dendritic cells (DCs). Combination treatment of IL-12- and 4-1BBL-coexpressing oncolytic Ad and DCs elicited greater antitumor and antimetastatic effects than either treatment alone. Moreover, enhanced type-1 antitumor immune response and higher migratory abilities of DCs in tumors were also observed in the combination arms. The nature of the enhanced antitumor immune response seems to be mediated through the enhanced cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and IFN-γ-releasing immune cells. Taken together, these data highlight the potential therapeutic benefit of combining IL-12- and 4-1BBL-coexpressing oncolytic Ad with DCs and warrants further evaluation in the clinic.</P>

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3‐mediated CD133 up‐regulation contributes to promotion of hepatocellular carcinoma

Won, Cheolhee,Kim, Byung‐,Hak,Yi, Eun Hee,Choi, Kyung‐,Ju,Kim, Eun‐,Kyung,Jeong, Jong‐,Min,Lee, Jae‐,Ho,Jang, Ja‐,June,Yoon, Jung‐,Hwan,Jeong, Won‐,Il,P John Wiley and Sons Inc. 2015 Hepatology Vol.62 No.4

<P>Enhanced expression of the cancer stem cell (CSC) marker, CD133, is closely associated with a higher rate of tumor formation and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Despite its clinical significance, the molecular mechanism underlying the deregulation of CD133 during tumor progression remains to be clarified. Here, we report on a novel mechanism by which interleukin‐6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL‐6/STAT3) signaling up‐regulates expression of CD133 and promotes HCC progression. STAT3 activated by IL‐6 rapidly bound to CD133 promoter and increased protein levels of CD133 in HCC cells. Reversely, in hypoxic conditions, RNA interference silencing of STAT3 resulted in decrease of CD133 levels, even in the presence of IL‐6, with a concomitant decrease of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1α) expression. Active STAT3 interacted with nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) p65 subunit to positively regulate the transcription of HIF‐1α providing a mechanistic explanation on how those three oncogenes work together to increase the activity of CD133 in a hypoxic liver microenvironment. Activation of STAT3 and its consequent induction of HIF‐1α and CD133 expression were not observed in Toll‐like receptor 4/IL‐6 double‐knockout mice. Long‐term silencing of CD133 by a lentiviral‐based approach inhibited cancer cell‐cycle progression and suppressed <I>in vivo</I> tumorigenicity by down‐regulating expression of cytokinesis‐related genes, such as TACC1, ACF7, and CKAP5. We also found that sorafenib and STAT3 inhibitor nifuroxazide inhibit HCC xenograft formation by blocking activation of STAT3 and expression of CD133 and HIF‐1α proteins. <I>Conclusion</I>: IL‐6/STAT3 signaling induces expression of CD133 through functional cooperation with NF‐κB and HIF‐1α during liver carcinogenesis. Targeting STAT3‐mediated CD133 up‐regulation may represent a novel, effective treatment by eradicating the liver tumor microenvironment. (H<SMALL>EPATOLOGY</SMALL> 2015;62:1160‐1173)</P>