Ewha Womans University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Jihee Lee Kang's research lab specializes in pulmonary toxicology and molecular inflammation, focusing on the mechanisms of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by environmental and nanomaterial exposures. The lab investigates key signaling pathways involving protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in lung immune responses. A central theme is understanding how nanoparticles—particularly ultrafine titanium dioxide and silica—induce oxidative stress, activate inflammatory cascades, and promote neutrophilic inflammation in the lungs. The lab also explores therapeutic interventions, such as PTK inhibitors and inhaled nitric oxide, to modulate these pathways and mitigate lung injury.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Previously, we reported that Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 (BNR17), a probiotic strain isolated from human breast milk, inhibited increases in body weight and adipocyte tissue weight in high-sucrose diet-fed Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and reduced glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mice. In the current study, we conducted further experiments to extend these observations and elucidate the mechanism involved. C57BL/6J mice received a normal diet, high-sucrose diet or high-sucrose diet containing L. gass
Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors have been proposed to reduce lung injury and lethal toxicity. The mechanisms responsible for the effects of PTK inhibitors remain obscure. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether genistein, a specific inhibitor of PTK, inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation during acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and, if so, to enumerate the effects of inhibition of NF-kappaB activation on LPS-induced proinflammatory ge
Mer signaling participates in a novel inhibitory pathway in TLR activation. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of Mer signaling in the down-regulation of TLR4 activation-driven immune responses in mice, i.t.-treated with LPS, using the specific Mer-blocking antibody. At 4 h and 24 h after LPS treatment, expression of Mer protein in alveolar macrophages and lung tissue decreased, sMer in BALF increased significantly, and Mer activation increased. Pretreatment with anti-Mer a
Ultrafine or fine titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) particles are widely used in the production of white pigments, for sunscreens, and in cleanup techniques. However, currently knowledge is deficient concerning cellular responses to these particles. The study evaluated and compared the biological activity of ultrafine and fine TiO(2) particles in RAW 264.7 macrophages according to an oxidative stress paradigm. In vitro exposure of macrophages to ultrafine or fine TiO(2) in the range of 0.5-200 microg/ml
The effect of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) on inflammatory process in acute lung injury (ALI) is unclear. The aims of this study were to 1) examine whether inhaled NO affects the biochemical lung injury parameters and cellular inflammatory responses and 2) determine the effect of inhaled NO on the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Compared with saline controls, rabbits treated intravenously with LPS showed increases in total protein and lacta
Nanoparticles are widely used in nanomedicines, including for targeted delivery of pharmacological, therapeutic, and diagnostic agents. Since nanoparticles might translocate across cellular barriers from the circulation into targeted organs, it is important to obtain information concerning the pathophysiologic effects of these particles through systemic migration. In the present study, acute pulmonary responses were examined after intraperitoneal (ip) administration of ultrafine titanium dioxide
Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the signaling pathways induced by silica. In the present study, we investigated whether Src family TKs play a role in crystalline silica-induced NF-kappaB activation and whether NF-kappaB activation requires Src TK-dependent MAPK activity in RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse peritoneal macrophage cell line. Selective Src TK inhibitors, damnacanthal or PP1, inhibited silica-induce
Involvement of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation has been demonstrated. Studies investigated the role of PTK and the underlying mechanisms by which PTK play a role in LPS induction of pathways leading to NF-kappaB activation in macrophages. Inhibitors of PTK-genistein, herbimycin A, or AG126-blocked LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation. Genistein also blocked pervanadate-induced NF-kappaB activation. Furthermore, Src TK s
This study determined the time course for inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury following a single dose of genistein. In addition, the study investigated whether a multiple dosing schedule with genistein retained the inhibitory effects on acute lung injury, nuclear factor-kappaB activation, and production of nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent inflammatory agents, such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 and nitric oxide.Prospective, randomized, laboratory study.Experimental laborator
The signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) transcription factor promotes activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) pathway in macrophages. Little is known about the effect of proximal signal transduction leading to PPARγ activation for the resolution of acute inflammation. Here, we studied the role of STAT6 signaling in PPARγ activation and the resolution of acute sterile inflammation in a murine model of zymosan-induced peritonitis. First, we
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) promotes an anti-inflammatory process by inducing the development of M2 macrophages. We investigated whether modulating STAT6 activity in macrophages using AS1517499, the specific STAT6 inhibitor, affects the restoration of homeostasis after an inflammatory insult by regulating PPARγ expression and activity. Administration of AS1517499 suppressed the enhanced STAT6 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation observed in peritoneal macropha
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