• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2006

Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM) is a herb widely used in medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases. In this study, using mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have examined whether CM affects nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6 induced interferon $(IFN)-\gamma$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CM inhibits $IFN-\gamma$ and LPS-induced NO in dose dependent manner. We also found that CM inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine, $TNF-\alpha$ and IL-6. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was reduced by CM. These finding means that CM can be used in controlling macrophages-mediated inflammatory disease.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.464-468
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• 1999

In order to find less toxic antiviral agents from basidiomycetes, EA, the water soluble substance, was isolated from the carpophores of Elfvingia applanata (Pers.) Karst. Anti-encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus activity of EA was examined in Vero cells by plaque reduction assay in vitro. And the combined antiviral effects of EA with interferon (IFN) alpha and gamma were examined on the multiplication of EMC virus. EA exhibited a concentration-dependent reduction in the plaque formation of EMC virus with 50% effective concentration ($EC_{50}$) of 2.12 mg/ml. The results of combination assay were evaluated by the combination index (CI) that was analysed by the multiple drug effect analysis. The combination of EA with IFN alpha showed potent synergism with CI values of 0.40~0.60 for 50%, 70% and 90% effective levels, but that with IFN gamma showed antagonism with CI values of 2.16~2.83.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.469-473
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• 1999

EA, the water soluble substance, was prepared from the carpophores of Elfvingia applanata (Pers). Karst. Anti-influenza A virus (anti-Flu A) activity of EA was examined of Vero cells by plaque reduction assay in vitro. And the combined antiviral effects fo EA with interferon (IFN) alpha and gamma were examined on the multiplication of Flu A with 50% effective concentration ($EC_50$) of 1.50 mg/ml. The results of combination assay were evaluated by the combination index (CI) that was analysed by the multiple drug effect analysis. The combination of EA with IFN alpha on Flu A showed more potent synergism with CI values of 0.50~0.52 of 50%, 70%, 90% effective levels than that with IFN gamma with CI values of 0.82~0.99.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2005

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a copper protein with important functions in iron homeostasis and in inflammation. Cp mRNA expression is induced by interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ in U937 monocytic cells, but synthesis of Cp protein is halted after about 12 h by transcript-specific translational silencing. The silencing mechanism requires binding of a 4-component cytosolic inhibitor complex, IFN-gamma-activated inhibitor of translation (GAIT), to a defined structural element (GAIT element) in the Cp 3'-UTR. Translational silencing of Cp mRNA requires the essential proteins of mRNA circularization, suggesting that the translational inhibition requires end-to-end mRNA closure. These studies describe a new mechanism of translational control, and may shed light on the role that macrophage-derived Cp plays at the intersection of iron homeostasis and inflammation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 2003

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which Chelidonium majus (CM) regulates nitric oxide (NO) production. Methods : Using mouse peritoneal macrophages, the mechanism by which CM regulates NO or tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ production was examined. NO release was measured by the Griess method. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was measured by the ELISA method. The protein extracts were prepared and samples were analyzed for the inducible NOS(iNOS) expression and nuclear factor kappa $B(NF-{\kappa}B)$ activation by Western blotting. Results : When CM was used in combination with recombinant $interferon-{\gamma}{\;}(rIFN-{\gamma})$, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production. CM had an effect on NO production by itself. The expression of the iNOS gene was increased in $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus CM-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. The $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation was increased in rIFN-{\gamma} plus CM-induced peritoneal macrophages. The increased production of NO from $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus CM-stimulated peritoneal rnacrophages was decreased by the treatment with $N^{G}-monomethyl-{_L}-arginine{\;}(N^{G}MMA){\;}N^{\alpha}-Tosyl-Phe$ chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) , and was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with PDTC. Furthermore, treatment with CM alone or rIFN-{\gamma} plus CM in peritoneal macrophages caused a significant increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. PDTC decreased CM-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ production significantly. After CM treatment in HT-29 or AGS cells, cell viability decreased. Conclusions : These findings demonstrate that CM increases the production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}{\;}by{\;}rIFN-{\gamma}-primed$ macrophages and suggest that NF-B plays a critical role in mediating these effects of CM.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.127-131
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• 2014

While searching for lactic acid bacteria that can restore aging-impaired immune responses, we isolated the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/NF-${\kappa}B$-activating strain Lactobacillus plantarum HY7712 from kimchi and investigated its immunomodulating effect in whole-body ${\gamma}$-irradiated mice. Exposure to HY7712 strongly activated NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling in RAW264.7 cells, but inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Moreover, HY7712 protected against the downregulation of interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ and upregulation of interleukin (IL)-13 caused by ${\gamma}$-irradiation in mice. In mice, ${\gamma}$-irradiation impaired NK-cell activity against YAC-1 tumor cells, but following HY7712 exposure, the activity of NK cells was restored to 91.5% of the level measured in control mice (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that HY7712 activates the TLR2/NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway and protects against the impairment of NK-cell activity caused by ${\gamma}$-irradiation or aging.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2011

Background: NADPH oxidase (NOX) modulates cell proliferation, differentiation and immune response through generation of reactive oxygen species. Particularly, NOX2 is recently reported to be important for regulating Treg cell differentiation of CD4+ T cells. Methods: We employed ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in wild-type and NOX2-deficient mice and analyzed tissue histopathology and cytokine profiles. Results: We investigated whether NOX2-deficiency affects T cell-mediated airway inflammation. Ovalbumin injection which activates T cell-mediated allergic response increased airway inflammation in wild-type mice, as evidenced by increased immune cell infiltration, allergic cytokine expression, and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung. Interestingly, NOX2 knockout (KO) mice were more susceptible to allergen-induced lung inflammation compared to wild-type mice. Immune cells including neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils were drastically infiltrated into the lung of NOX2 KO mice and mucus secretion was substantially increased in deficiency of NOX2. Furthermore, inflammatory allergic cytokines and eotaxin were significantly elevated in NOX2 KO mice, in accordance with enhanced generation of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17 and interferon-${\gamma}$ by CD4+ T cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that NOX2 deficiency favorably produces inflammatory cytokines by T cells and thus increases the susceptibility to severe airway inflammation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.205-218
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of anti-cancer and changes In immune response of Lonicerge Flos Herbal-acupuncture. Methods Experimental studies were evaluated through the anti-cancer and immune response activities such as, cell viability, BNA fragmentation, Apoptosis, survival time, pulmonary colonization, and productivity of interleukins & $interferon-{\gamma}$. In order to study the effects of anti-cancer and changes in immune response of Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture, the groups were divided into five groups ; Normal group(non treated group), Control A group(0.2ml Normal saline for oral administration), Control B group(administration of intramuscular injection with 0.2ml Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture solution), Acupuncture group(AT, administration of acupuncture at Chungbu(L1)), and Herbal-Acupuncture group(HAT, administration of Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture at Chungbu(L1)). Results : 1. Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture(>300mg/ml) could lead cancer cell to cell death. 2. Lonicerae Flos Herbal - acupuncture (40mg/ml) caused DNA cleavage. 3. Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture(400mg/ml) caused apoptosis in the cancer cell line. 4. In mouse survival time, all of experimental groups didn't show any significant compared to the control group. 5. In pulmonary colonization assay, Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture group was less than Control A group at 7 days after induction of cancer. 6. In comparison Control A group, there was significant decrease of Interleukin-2 level in Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture group. 7. In comparison Control group, there was decrease of Interleukin-4 level in the Acupuncture group. 8. In comparison Control group, there was decrease of Interleukin-10 level in the Acupuncture group. 9. In comparison Control group, there was significant increase of Interleukin-12 level in Acupuncture group and Lonicerae Flos Herbal-acupuncture group. 10. In comparison Control group, there was significant increase of $Interferon-{\gamma}$ level in Acupuncture group. Conclusion : According to above mentioned results, Lonicerae Flos Herbal- acupuncture is expected to be effective for anticancer and improvement in immune response.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.214-223
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• 2017

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.225-229
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• 2016

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a chronic infectious agent known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is transmitted in airborne particles, called droplet nuclei which was generated by cough, sneeze, shout, or sing of persons who have TB disease. Most infections of TB do not have symptoms, well known as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). However, about 10% of LTBI progress to active disease a one or two years after infection. To investigate the LTBI rate of college students who were in contacted with TB patients, we performed chest X-ray, tuberculin skin test (TST) and Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) to 74 college students. At a results, 65 students were showed negative and 9 students positive results at chest X-ray and 1st TST test. When confirmed the 65 students who were showed negative by 2st TST, the results showed correctly. But, 9 students who were showed positive results on chest X-ray and 1st TST by IGRA, the only 3 students (4.05%) showed positive results. In conclusion, the LTBI rate in this study showed 4.05% (3/74) and we suggest to investigate other students LTBI rate for decreasing tuberculosis.