• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.315-320
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• 2005

Objective : Toll like receptor(TLR) is known to be involved in innate immunity. Many microbial antigens stimulate TLR, and as a result of intracellular signal transduction, they activate nuclear factor-kB which produces diverse inflammtory cytokines. Until now, many research topics in Kawasaki disease focused on cytokine increasement. In this study, we aim to reveal TLR increasement which might be associated with initiation of inflammatory response. Methods : We obtained the peripheral blood of ten patients who were diagnosed with Kawasaki disease in Yonsei University College of Medicine from March 2003 to August 2003, as well as those of a febrile control group and the same number of a normal control group. Flow cytometry was done in all samples for quantification of TLR-2 expression in CD14 positive monocyte. And we also extracted total RNA of periphral monocyte and quantificated expression of TLR-2 mRNA by RT-PCR. Results : The expression of TLR-2 in Kawasaki disease increased significantly compared with the normal control group but not when compared with the febrile control group. And the expression decreased slightly in the subacute phase of Kawasaki disease compared with the acute phase, but this was statistically insignificant. mRNA expression of TLR-2 in peripheral blood monocyte also increased in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease. Conclusion : Expression of TLR-2 in Kawasaki disease increased when compared with the normal control group, which means that innate immunity is associated with the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 1992

Paragonimus westermani is a common fluke in Uorea. The present study aimed to observe the cell mediated immune response in experimental paragonimiasis of mice. The mouse (BALB/c) was orally inoculated with 40 metacercariae of P. westermani from Cambaroides similis. During the infection (1, 2, 4, 6 weeks) of mouse, blastogenic response of splenic Iymphocytes to P. westermani adult antigen, metacercaria antigen, and PHA were observed. Sera from infected and noninfected mice added to normal mouse splenic Lymphocytes with or without PHA. The blastogenic response of splenic Lymphocytes to PHA was reduced after 1 week of infection. However after 6 weeks of infection, the response was restored to the control level. The blastogenic response of splenic Iymphocytes to P. westermani adult or metacercaria antigen increased significantly on 1 week after infection, and maintained up to 6 weeks after infection. The response of non-infected mice was suppressed by addition of the infected mouse serum. The present results suggested that cellular immunity was involved in P. westermani infected mice and that P. westermani anti.serum inhibited proliferation of T Iymphocytes.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2012

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that affects multiple sites of the body. Often it involves the oral mucosa, but also involve other sites such as skin, genitals, scalp and nails. There is no clear cause of oral lichen planus (OLP), current data suggest that OLP is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder which may have an altered self-peptide triggering apoptosis of oral epithelial cells. Usually OLP appears in middle-aged women which tends to be chronic with periods of exacerbation and remission. There are many theories those causes the OLP such as psychological and environmental factors, genetic tendency, drugs and more. 60-70% of lichen planus is accompanied by oral lesions, and more than half of its cases are not able to defined by their skin. In this study, among all the possibility(possible) theories, we tried to evaluate the influence of emotional stress in exacerbating OLP. There were thirty patients with a clinical or histological diagnosis of OLP and other thirty subjects who did not show any signs of systemic disorders include OLP. They were evaluated by using modified Holmes and Rahe's Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS). As a result, a significantly higher level of stress was found in the OLP patients than the control group. Therefore it could be concluded that psychological stressors play an important role in the exacerbating OLP.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2009

Lichen planus is a relatively common chronic inflammatory disease involving the skin and mucous membranes showing small flat polygonal papules. The accurate etiology is unknown but it's suggested that cell-mediated immune response to an induced antigenic changes in skin or mucosa. Oral lichen planus was regarded as an benign lesion but oral lichen planus was classified as premalignant lesion by WHO criteria. It was not known that progress of malignat transmmission in the the patient with oral lichen planus, and chronic inflammatory disease including oral lichen planus showed malignacy in oral cancer unrelated common risk factors(Ex: tabacco, alcohol). Although malignant development in the patient with oral liche planus was various greatly in the literature, from 0.5% upward to 5%. It has been reported that a specific clinical type of oral lichen planus, hyperkeratotic or erosive had a higher chance of transformation into an squamous carcinoma. Clinician has to follow-up check of at least one or two visit per year to detect of malignancy of oral lichen planus and improved prognosis with squamous cell carcinoma. At this case with the middle aged women with squamous cell carcinoma developed from oral lichen planus of more than a decade of persisting, we try to discuss the malignacy of oral lichen planus and cosideration with follow-up.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1281-1293
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• 2019

The rhizosphere is the active zone where plant roots communicate with the soil microbiome, each responding to the other's signals. The soil microbiome within the rhizosphere that is beneficial to plant growth and productivity is known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR take part in many pivotal plant processes, including plant growth, development, immunity, and productivity, by influencing acquisition and utilization of nutrient molecules, regulation of phytohormone biosynthesis, signaling, and response, and resistance to biotic- and abiotic-stresses. PGPR also produce secondary compounds and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that elicit plant growth. Moreover, plant roots exude attractants that cause PGPR to aggregate in the rhizosphere zone for colonization, improving soil properties and protecting plants against pathogenic factors. The interactions between PGPR and plant roots in rhizosphere are essential and interdependent. Many studies have reported that PGPR function in multiple ways under the same or diverse conditions, directly and indirectly. This review focuses on the roles and strategies of PGPR in enhancing nutrient acquisition by nutrient fixation/solubilization/mineralization, inducing plant growth regulators/phytohormones, and promoting growth and development of root and shoot by affecting cell division, elongation, and differentiation. We also summarize the current knowledge of the effects of PGPR and the soil microbiota on plants.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.485-496
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• 2002

Background : The NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription factors control various biological processes including the immune response, acute phase reaction and cell cycle regulation. NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes are retained in the cytoplasm in the basal state and various stimuli cause a translocation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes into the nucleus where they bind to the ${\kappa}B$ elements and regulate the transcription of the target genes. Recent reports also suggest that NF-${\kappa}B$ proteins are involved in oncogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. High expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ expression was reported in many cancer cell lines and tissues. The constitutive activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was also reported in several cancer cell lines supporting its role in cancer development and survival. The anti-apoptotic action of NF-${\kappa}B$ is important for cancer survival. NF-${\kappa}B$ also controls the expression of several proteins that are important for cellular adhesion (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) suggesting a role in cancer metastasis. In lung cancer, high expression levels of the NF-${\kappa}B$ subunit p50 and c-Rel were reported. In fact, high expression does not mean a high activity, and the activation pattern of NF-${\kappa}B$ in lung cancer has not been reported. Materials and Methods : In this study, the NF-${\kappa}B$ nuclear binding activity in the basal and TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulated states were exmined in various lung cancer cell lines and compared with the normal bronchial epithelial cell line. Twelve lung cancer cell lines including the non-small cell and small cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, NCI-H358, NCI-H441, NCI-H552, NCI-H2009, NCI-H460, NCI-H1229, NCI-H1703, NCI-H157, NCI-H187, NCI-H417, NCI-H526) and BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cell line were used. To evaluate the NF-${\kappa}B$ expression and DNA binding activity, western blot analysis and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay with the nuclear protein extracts. Results : The basal expressions of the p65 and p50 subunits were observed in the BEAS-2B cell line and all lung cancer cell lines except for NCI-H358 and NCI-H460. The expression levels of p65 and p50 were increased 30 minutes after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ in BEAS-2B and in 10 lung cancer cell lines. In the NCI-H358 and NCI-H460 cell lines, p65 expression was not observed in the basal and stimulated states and the two p50 related protein levels were higher after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ These new proteins were smaller than p50 and are thought to be variants of p50. In the basal state, NF-${\kappa}B$ was nearly activated in the BEAS-2B and all lung cancer cell lines. The DNA binding activity of the NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes was markedly higher after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ In the BEAS-2B and all lung cancer cell line except for NCI-H358 and NCI-H460, the activated NF-${\kappa}B$ complex was a p65/p50 heterodimer. In the NCI-H358 and NCI-H460 lung cancer cell lines, the NF-${\kappa}B$ complex was variant of a p50/p50 homodimer. Conclusion : The NF-${\kappa}B$ activation pattern in the lung cancer cell lines and the normal bronchial epithelial cell lines was similar except for the activation of a variant of the p50/p50 homodimer in some lung cancer cell linse.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2007

Purpose: This study evaluated the pretreatment expression patterns of MDM2, p53, and pRb proteins to determine if the expression patterns could predict the outcome of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and aid in the decisions for the selection of treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients that were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy for stage $I{\sim}IVa$ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were selected for this study. Radiotherapy was administered with daily $1.8{\sim}2\;Gy$ fractions up to a median dose of 54 Gy for primary tumors, and with four cycles of cisplatin/5-fluorouracil chemotherapy that was administered every 4 weeks, the first two cycles of which were administered concurrently with radiotherapy. Expression of MDM2, p53, and pRb was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis using pretreatment biopsy specimens. Results: MDM2, p53, and pRb were detected with high immunoreactivity in 19.6%, 27.5%, and 66.7% of the patients, respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between expression of these factors and clinical outcome. By the use of multivariate analysis with nine covariates-age, tumor location, tumor length, stage, pathological response, clinical response, MDM2 expression, p53 expression, and pRb expression, only pathological response and stage were significant factors for cause-specific survival. Conclusion: Expression of MDM2, p53, and pRb was not found to be clinically significant for predicting outcomes after CCRT in this study. Further studies with a larger patient population and longer follow-up periods are needed to re-evaluate the expression pattern and to identify new predictors for CCRT response.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.729-741
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• 1997

Background : We have recently reported that airway epithelial cells can produce RANTES and IL-8 in response to the stimulation of tubercle bacilli suggesting a certain role of airway epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis. The pathogenesis of tuberculosis is determined by several factors including phagocytosis, immunological response of host, and virulence of tubercle bacilli. Interestingly, there have been reports suggesting that difference in immunological response of host according to the virulence of tubercle bacilli may be related with the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. We, therefore, studied the expressions and productions of RANTES and IL-8 in airway epithelial cells in response to tubercle bacilli(H37Rv, virulent strain and H37Ra, avirulent strain), in order to elucidate the possible pathophysiology of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from normal volunteers. Peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) were stimulated with LPS($10{\mu}g/ml$), H37Rv, or H37Ra($5{\times}10^5$ bacilli/well) along with normal control for 24 hours. A549 cells were stimulated with supernatants of cultured PBM for 24 hours. ELISA kit was used for the measurement of $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production in supernatants of cultured PBM and for the measurement of RANTES and IL-8 in supernatants of cultured A549 cells. Northern blot analysis was used for the measurement of RANTES and IL-8 mRNA expression in cultured A549 cells. Results : $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ productions were increased in cultured PBM stimulated with LPS or tubercle bacilli(H37Rv or H37Ra) compared with the control. There was, however, no difference in $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production between cultured PBM stimulated with H37Rv and H37Ra. RANTES and IL-8 expressions and productions were also increased in cultured A549 cells stimulated with LPS or tubercle bacilli compared with the control. RANTES and IL-8 mRNA expressions were significantly increased in cultured A549 cells stimulated with H37Ra-conditioned media(CM) compared with A549 cells stimulated with H37Rv-CM (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in RANTES and IL-8 productions between A549 cells stimulated with H37Rv-CM and H37Ra-CM. Conclusion : Airway epithelial cells can produce the potent chemokines such as RANTES and IL-8, in response to the stimulation of tubercle bacilli. These results suggest that airway epithelial cells may play a certain role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, the role of airway epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis according to the virulence of tubercle bacilli was not clear in this study.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

Oral lichen planus(OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with cell-mediated immune responses, but the exact cause is unknown. The treatment aim of OLP is not complete cure but to alleviate symptoms. In this study, two kinds of corticosteroid gargling solutions used for comparing the effects. From 2002 to 2010, 180 patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus and received topical steroid therapy in the Pusan National University Dental Hospital. Each of two types of solution contained dexamethasone (dexamethasone disodium phosphate) and prednisolone ($solondo^{(R)}$). A period of relief of symptoms and recurrence was recorded. The group using solution containing dexamethasone(dexa gargle) was prescribed to 33 patients(25 female, 8 male) and another group containing prednisolone (solon gargle) included 147 patients (114 female, 33 male). The effect of dexa gargle seemed faster than the solon gargle. There was no significant difference for recurrent rate between the groups using dexa and solon gargle.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1217-1224
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• 2007

Purpose : Due to its high potency against leukemic blasts, our institution has opted for the use of dexamethasone during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remission induction, but in our most recent treatment protocol, CMCPL-2005, we shortened the length of steroid treatment from 4 to 3 weeks. We compared both the rates of remission induction and significant complications observed during induction with CMCPL-2005, with those noted for our previous protocol, CMCPL-2001. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients diagnosed with ALL from January, 2001 to December, 2006 at the Department of Pediatrics, St. Mary's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea. Data concerning age, sex, WBC count at diagnosis, immunophenotype, cytogenetic traits, and risk group were collected for each patient. Results of remission induction treatment were compared between the two patient groups. Infection and other major complications resulting from treatment were investigated according to NCI toxicity criteria. Results : A total of 141 and 88 patients received remission induction under CMCPL-2001 and CMCPL-2005 respectively. In the CMCPL-2001 group, 136 (96%) achieved complete remission while 82 (93%) achieved CR in the CMCPL-2005 group. Patients in the CMCPL-2005 group were more likely to undergo remission induction without experiencing major complications. However, with regards to steroid related toxicities such as infection, no significant differences were noted. Conclusion : We shortened the length of steroid administration from four to three weeks, yet found the remission induction rate to be comparable to that of our previous regimen. However, rates of steroid related toxicities such as infectious complications remain unchanged despite shortened exposure to dexamethasone.