Although macrophages
undergo dynamic cellular responses in diverse
extracellular environments, macrophage research has mostly relied
on conventional culture methodologies such as two-dimensional and
suspension cultures. In contrast, recent efforts have revealed evidence
of the characteristic cellular behaviors of macrophages in actual
tissues using a three-dimensional (3D) culture matrix. In this work,
we exploited a poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel as a macrophage
culture matrix and observed cellular behaviors in 3D by manipulating
the matrix properties. In the 3D microenvironment, macrophage-like
RAW264.7 cells proliferated and formed spherical clusters by degrading
the surrounding hydrogel network. Interestingly, we observed the significant
upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (i.e., MMP9 and MMP14)
as well as M1 polarization markers (i.e., iNOS, COX2, TNF-α)
in 3D, whereas M2 polarization markers (i.e., CD206, Arg1, TGF-β)
were downregulated. Specifically, the expressions of both M1 and M2
markers were simultaneously increased in a stiff matrix compared to
those of a soft matrix. In addition, matrix degradability significantly
influenced the TNF-α secretion of encapsulated RAW264.7 cells.
The MMP sensitivity of the hydrogel decreased TNF-α expression
in a soft matrix, whereas it upregulated TNF-α in a stiff matrix
compared to those of MMP-insensitive hydrogel. These findings suggest
that the highly tunable poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels can dictate
macrophage behavior by altering the surrounding 3D microenvironment.
Protein phosphorylation by kinase is an important mechanism for adapting to drought stress conditions. Here, we isolated the CaDIMK1 (Capsicum annuum drought-induced MAP kinase 1) from dehydrated pepper leaf tissue and functionally characterized it. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the CaDIMK1 protein was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. CaDIMK1-silenced pepper plants exhibited drought-susceptible phenotypes that were characterized by increased transpiration rates, low leaf temperatures, and decreased stomatal closure. In contrast, CaDIMK1-overexpressing (OX) transgenic Arabidopsis plants were hypersensitive to abscisic acid (ABA) from germination to adult growth stages. Furthermore, the CaDIMK1-OX plants were tolerant to drought stress. The transcript levels of several stress-related genes were high in CaDIMK1-OX plants than in wild-type plants. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CaDIMK1 acts as a positive modulator of drought tolerance and ABA signal transduction in pepper plants.
β-Thujaplicin, one of the major constituents in Chamaecyparis obtusa, has been demonstrated to exert different health beneficial efficacy, but the role of β-thujaplicin in regulating mammary tumorigenesis has not been investigated. In this study, we found that β-thujaplicin significantly suppressed the proliferation through arresting the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase as well as inhibited the expression of cell cycle-related proteins, cyclin D1, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) in MCF-7 and T47D luminal subtype breast cancer cells. In addition, estrogen receptor α (ER-α) was down-regulated by β-thujaplicin via enhanced proteolysis by ubiquitination, which led to cell growth inhibition. These results suggest that β-thujaplicin may be considered as a potent agent regulating the hormone sensitive mammary tumorigenesis.
Background
The beauty industry, one of the face‐to‐face the essential industries in the COVID‐19 pandemic, has been hit hard.
Aims
We present the current state of the beauty ecosystem in the corona pandemic and the future direction of the beauty industry after COVID‐19.
Methods
This review paper is a literature review, and a descriptive review approach was used in this study. A total of 100 to 150 references were selected using representative journal search sites such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopers, Research Gate, and RISS, and a total of 24 papers were finally selected as of 2017‐2022 using PRISMA flow diagram.
Results
In Korea, the beauty industry, which is essential to face‐to‐face due to COVID‐19, was hit hard. The contraction of consumer sentiment led to a drop in sales. The online market has become more active as offline activities have declined sharply. Even during the COVID‐19 era, the Republic of Korea is an IT powerhouse. With the widespread use of K‐drama and K‐pop, the interest in Korean beauty and fashion has increased rapidly throughout the world. Therefore, K‐Makeup, hair, skincare, and nailcare are all the rage through YouTube. Predict new changes in the Korean beauty industry market, which is the center of K‐beauty and K‐cosmetics. As a leader in the beauty industry, the Republic of Korea will present the sustainability of the beauty ecosystem and the direction of its development.
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