• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.463-470
• /
• 2021

Background: Although neuropathic pain is a severe and common pain, its pathophysiology has not been elucidated yet. Studies in recent years have focused on the immune system's role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of immunological mechanisms in neuropathic pain and the effect of pregabalin by measuring immunological marker levels in peripheral blood before and after pregabalin treatment in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients with neuropathic pain. Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with PHN were included in the study. CD4, T follicular cells (Tfh: CD4⁺CXCR5⁺PD1⁺), Th17 (CD4⁺CCR6⁺ and CD4⁺IL17A⁺), regulatory T cells (Treg: CD4⁺ CD25⁺foxp3⁺), Th1 (CD4⁺ CXCR3⁺ and CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺) and Th2 (CD4⁺ IL-4⁺) cell ratios were measured in peripheral blood samples before treatment and after 3 months of treatment. Results: When immunological marker and inflammation parameter levels were compared before and after treatment, the helper T cell ratio (CD3⁺, CD4⁺) was 30.28 ± 12.27% before treatment and 34.93 ± 11.70% after treatment, so there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.028). Th17 was 4.75 ± 5.02% before treatment and 5.80 ± 3.13% after treatment, and there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.036). Conclusions: Immunological mechanisms play an essential role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, immunologically based treatment approach will be the critical point of treatment.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.25-29
• /
• 2013

Ribavirin is an antiviral drug used in combination with pegylated interferon-${\alpha}$ (IFN-${\alpha}$) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recently, ribavirin was reported to inhibit the suppressive activity of regulatory T (Treg) cells. In the present study, we re-evaluated the effect of ribavirin on $CD4^+$ $CD4^+$ $CD25^+$ Treg cells from normal donors. First, we examined the expression of CTLA-4 and CD39, which are known to play a role in the suppressive function of Treg cells. We found that ribavirin treatment did not modulate the expression of CTLA-4 and CD39 in Treg cells. We also studied the effect of ribavirin on Treg cells in the presence of IFN-${\alpha}$; however, the expression of CTLA-4 and CD39 in Treg cells was not changed by ribavirin in the presence of IFN-${\alpha}$. Next, we directly evaluated the effect of ribavirin on the suppressive activity of Treg cells in the standard Treg suppression assay, by co-culturing CFSE-labeled non-Treg $CD4^+$ T cells with purified Treg cells. We found that ribavirin did not attenuate the suppressive activity of Treg cells. Taken together, while ribavirin reversed Treg cell-mediated suppression of effector T cells in the previous study, we herein demonstrate that ribavirin does not impair the suppressive activity of Treg cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.124-132
• /
• 2007

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been investigated intensively for some decades. These cells regulate the immune system, prevent overactivated immune responses and can be used therapeutically. For rheumatoid arthritis (RA), understanding the functions and status of Tregs is an important step for understanding immune regulation in this autoimmune disease. Methods: We investigated the percentages, phenotypes and suppressive functions of $CD4^+CD25^+$ Tregs in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with RA. Results: The percentages were higher in the patients (n=12) than in healthy controls (n=10), and the cells expressed the $CD45RB^{low}$, CTLA-4 and CCR7 phenotypes. We also investigated the expression of Foxp3 and secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 induced $CD4^+CD25^+$ Tcells by anti-CD3 antibody treatment. A suppressive function of the patients' cells was shown through coculture with $CD4^+CD25^-$ T cells in vitro. Conclusion: We suggest that, despite their increased numbers and suppressive function, they manage the ongoing inflammation ineffectively. It might be possible to apply IL-10 to induce the proliferation of IL-10-producing Tregs as therapy for RA.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.16-21
• /
• 2024

Haepyoijin-tang and its main components have been used for phlegm, cough and dyspnea. Using a respiratory inflammation model, we intend to reveal the anti-inflammatory effect and pharmacological mechanism of Haepyoijin-tang. We induced the respiratory inflammation model by Aspergillus oryzae protease and ovalbumin administration. Female Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were classified into four groups as follows: saline control group, aspergillus oryzae protease and ovalbumin induced respiratory inflammation group (vehicle), inflammation with Haepyoijin-tang (200 mg/kg) administration group, inflammation with dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) administration group (n=7). To identify the anti-inflammatory effects of Haepyoijin-tang water extracts, we measured the inflammatory cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total live lung cell number. In addition, we checked eosinophil ratio and number in BALF. And Interleukin (IL)-5 level was also measured in lung cell culture supernatant. To confirm the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects, we analyzed the activated helper T cell (CD4⁺CD25⁺ cell) and Th2 cell (CD4⁺GATA3⁺ cell) ratio and number in lung by using flow cytometry. Finally, we attempted to confirm the immune mechanism by measuring the ratio and number of regulatory T cells (CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ cell). Haepyoijin-tang extracts treatment diminished inflammatory cell, especially, eosinophil number in BALF and total live lung cell number. Moreover, IL-5 level was reduced in Haepyoijin-tang treated group. Surprisingly, Haepyoijin-tang extracts administration not only decreased the activated helper T cell but also Th2 cell population in lung. Additionally, regulatory T cell population was increased in Haepyoijin-tang administration group. Our findings proved that Haepyoijin-tang extract have anti-inflammatory efficacy by suppressing Th2 cell activation and promoting regulatory T cell population.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.167-183
• /
• 2008

KCSYJT medicines controlled $CD4^+/IFN-\gamma$, and $CD4^+/CD25^+/foxp3^+$ revelation that an experiment that motive allergy immune reponse because an in vitro experiment stimulates T cells of a NC/Nga mouse same time by anti-CD40/rmIL-4, and interleukin-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and TGF-$\beta$ mRNA outturn that bear in T and B cells decreased remarkably by KCSYJT medicines. Intracellular staining of splenocytes anti-CD40/rmIL-4 plus rmIL-4 stimulated as described in a, assessed after 24 h, KCSYJT exerts a mainly immunosuppressive effect that acts at least partially through suppression of the transcription factor GATA3 expression in $CD4^+$ T cells. We found that skin lesions, which were clinically and histologically very similar to human AD, mite antigen-induced dermatitis on the face, neck, ears and dorsal skin of inbred NC/Nga mice. Result that Th1 cell and Th2 cell observe to be shifted by cytokine expression with GATA3 regulation by KCSYJT medicines could know that KCSYJT medicines can use usefully in allergy autoimmnune diease.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.310-318
• /
• 2012

We conducted a screening and checked the cultivation methods of lactic acid bacteria, which have anti-atopic dermatitis functions, by determining the lactic acid bacteria's immune enhancement by FACS, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The increase of Tcell CD4+/CD25+/foxp3+ was bigger in Lactobacillus plantarum than Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (Lc. lactis) and the antimicrobacterial activity against S. aureus was the opposite. The antimicrobial activity of Lb. plantarum culture with medium containing Lc. lactis culture broth was not enhanced, but the antimicrobial activity of Lc. lactis cultured in a medium containing Lb. plantarum culture broth was enhanced. As the optimal method caltivation of Lc. lactis in a medium containing 10% of heat-killed Lb. plantarum culture broth was chosen. By this method, the antibacterial activity of the pure Lc. lactis culture increased sharply at the end of the log phase, while a restraint effect on the growth of S. aureus increased 1.29 times.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.5909-5913
• /
• 2012

Aims: We aimed to analyze the phenotype of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and non-tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (NILs) in HCC and non-tumor tissues, and evaluate relationships between changes in these cells and the prognosis of HCC. Methods: Lymphocytes were isolated from HCC and corresponding non-tumor tissues and tested by flow cytometry. For comparison, clinical parameters were analyzed. Results: Compared with the non-tumor tissue, tumor tissue had a lower intensity of NK, NKT andCD8+T cell infiltration. TILs had higher intensity of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cell (Treg cells) infiltration compared with that in NILs. The prevalence of Treg cells was associated with fewer CD8 + T lymphocytes in the HCC immune microenvironment. The frequencies of NK cells and CD8+T cells in TILs of HCC patients with metastasis less than 12 months were lower than those without metastasis. However, the frequency of Treg cells was higher than those without metastasis. Conclusion: These results suggest that the frequencies of CD8+T, NK and NKT cells as well as Treg cells in the tumor tissue of HCC are significantly associated with patient survival, and could be applied as predictive indicators for HCC prognosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.215-222
• /
• 2024

An adult female dog was presented for evaluation of rapid growth of mammary gland masses. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and diagnostic imaging results were unremarkable. Fine needle aspirates of the mammary masses indicated mammary carcinoma characterized by large globoid cells with finely granular eosinophilic globules or Melamed-Wolinska-like bodies. A regional mastectomy was performed on the masses. Subsequent histopathologic examination of the surgically resected masses resulted in a diagnosis of mammary comedocarcinoma with nodal metastasis and distinct perivascular immune infiltrates, which were subject to immunohistochemical and flow cytometric immunophenotyping. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed the infiltration of CD3⁺ T and PAX5⁺ B lymphocytes. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated tumor-infiltrating CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ regulatory T, CD8⁺ T, CD11b⁺ myeloid, and CD21⁺ B cells. Of note, paired flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood and tumor tissues showed a preferential tumor infiltration of regulatory T and B cells. Approximately two months after the mastectomy, the tumor reoccurred at the surgery site. The dog died due to deteriorating conditions. We report a rare case of canine mammary comedocarcinoma, providing clinical, clinicopathologic, histologic, and immunophenotypic characteristics. Our case is valuable in providing a rationale for basic research that maps the immune landscape of mammary comedocarcinoma to identify key immune subsets for cancer progression.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.7
• /
• pp.810-818
• /
• 2015

We analyzed whether lactic acid bacteria could control the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in activated mast cells and whether these bacteria could inhibit the activity of transcription factors such as GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, and NF-κB p65. We previously described a technique for identification of lactic acid bacteria with anti-atopy functionality by confirming increased expression of CD4+/CD25+/foxp3+ in T cells. We also confirmed that a double-culture method increased the antibacterial activity of these lactic acid bacteria against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In the present study, we characterized the effect of lactic acid bacteria cultured by this double-culture method on inhibition of allergic inflammatory reactions of RBL-2H3 mast cells, a cellular model of atopic dermatitis. The strongest anti-allergic effects of the lactic acid bacteria were seen in the following order: Lactococcus lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lactobacillus plantarum culture supernatant > Lc. lactis > Lc. lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant > Lb. plantarum. Thus, Lc. lactis cultured in medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant had the strongest inhibitory effect on the differentiation of mast cells during allergic reactions, which may be mediated through the selective regulation of expression of relevant genes.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 2024

An adult castrated male dog was presented with persistent hematochezia. Digital rectal examination and endoscopy found multiple colorectal masses. Complete blood count and serum biochemical results were within the reference interval. Fine needle aspirate of the masses indicated a diagnosis of inflamed polyps with a primary differential of malignancy. Histopathologic examination using endoscopy-guided incisional biopsy of the masses revealed an inflamed neoplasm with ossification. A colectomy was performed to remove the tumor. Subsequent histopathologic examination of the surgically resected masses resulted in a diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma in situ (CiS) with immune infiltrates, which were subject to immunohistochemical and flow cytometric immunophenotyping. The immunohistochemistry confirmed intraepithelial CD3⁺ T cells within CiS. The flow cytometric analysis indicated tumor-infiltrating CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T, and CD11b⁺ myeloid subsets. The flow cytometric analysis of circulating and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes demonstrated a preferential expansion of CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells within CiS. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report to show clinical evidence emphasizing the immunogenicity and immune-suppressive environment of canine colorectal CiS. Our case will be valuable in providing a rationale for basic research that dissects the immune environment for canine colorectal cancers for the future development of cancer immunotherapy.