• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.121-129
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate whether asian yellow sand dust (AS) has promoting effects of allergen-related airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, because the number of patient with allergic asthma and atopy, and with chronic bronchial inflammation and pneumonia have increased steadily in the cities of Korea. The appearance of AS collected was all round and flat, and the diameter was mostly below about 5 ${\mu}m$. When mice were treated with AS suspension by intratracheal instillation combined with ovalalbumin(OVA) sensitization chronically, the level of serum L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), IgE and histamine, and respiratory resistance was increased. Intratracheal instillation of AS and OVA also enhanced infiltration of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), IgE and eotaxin expression, and T helper type 2 cell derived cytokines of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and IL-5 as major contributors to allergy and asthma. These results indicate that AS elevates allergen-related airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice and may play an important role in the aggravation of respiratory diseases in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.73-86
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• 1994

In addition to classic cholinergic and adrenergic pathways, the existence of a third division of autonomic control in the human airways has been proved. It is called a nonadrenergic noncholinergic(NANC) nervous system, and difficult to study in the absence of specific blockers. Neuropeptides are certainly suggested to be transmitters of this NANC nervous system. It is very frustrating to understand the pathophysiologic role of these peptides in the absence of any specific antagonists. However, further studies of neuropeptides might eventually lead to novel forms of treatment for bronchial asthma. Another study of the interaction between different components of the autonomic nervous system, either in ganglionic neurotransmission or by presynaptic modulation of neurotransmitters at the end-organ will elute neural control in airway disease, particularly in asthma. Studies of how autonomic control may be disordered in airway disease should lead to improvements in clinical management. Epithelial damage due to airway inflammation in asthma may induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Axon reflex mechanism is one of possible mechanisms in bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Epithelial damage may expose sensory nerve terminals and C-fiber nrve endings are stimulated by inflammatory mediators. Bi-directional communication between the nerves and mast cells may have important roles in allergic process. The psychological factors and conditioning of allergic reactions is suggested that mast cell activation might be partly regulated by the central nervous system via the peripheral nerves. Studies in animal models, in huamn airways in vitro and in patients with airway disease will uncover the interaction between allergic disease processes and psychologic factors or neural mechainsms.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.196-201
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• 2014

Pyunkang-hwan (Pyunkang-tang) extract (PGT) is a traditional folk medicine for controlling diverse pulmonary diseases including bronchitis, tonsiltis and pneumonitis. We investigated whether PGT significantly affects secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin using in vivo and in vitro experimental models reflecting the hypersecretion and/or hyperproduction of mucus observed in inflammatory pulmonary diseases. For in vivo experiment, effect of PGT was checked on hypersecretion of pulmonary mucin in sulfur dioxide-induced bronchitis in rats. For in vitro experiment, confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with PGT for 30 min and then stimulated with EGF (epidermal growth factor), PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) for 24 h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. The results were as follows: (1) PGT inhibited the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene induced by EGF, PMA or TNF-${\alpha}$ from NCI-H292 cells, respectively; (2) PGT also inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by the same inducers from NCI-H292 cells, respectively; (3) PGT inhibited secretion of mucin in sulfur dioxide-induced bronchitis rat model. This result suggests that PGT can regulate secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.203-208
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• 1990

A possible asymmetry in airway inertance was modeled based on previously reported radiographic visualization data of the airway wall fluctuation in intact dogs. Effects of asymmetric Inertance on mean lung volume during high frequency ventilation (HFV) were evaluated in terms of mean inertive pressure drop across the airways. It was found that a negligible inertlve pressure drop was expected ($<1{\;}cmH_20$) in normal subjects, while a sig- nificant rise in mean alveolar pressure compared to mean mouth pressure by approximately $3{\;}cmH_20$ was resulted for about 40% airway fluctuation representing bronchoconstriction state by Histamine induction. These results demonstrate that asymmetric Inertance could lead patients with airway diseases to a significant lung hyperinflation (LHI), and bronchodilation treatment is recommended prior to applying HFV to prevent those patients from a possible barotrauma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.202-206
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• 2006

Angelicae Dahiricae Radix has been used for controlling inflammatory respiratory diseases in oriental medicine and their components, phellopterin, isoimperatorin and byakangelicol were reported to have various biological effects. In this study, we investigated whether phellopterin, isoimperatorin and byakangelicol affect adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-induced mucin secretion from cultured airway epithelial cells. Confluent primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled using $^3H$-glucosamine for 24 h and chased for 30 min in the presence of varying concentrations of each agent to assess the effects on $^3H$-mucin secretion. The results were as follows: 1) phellopterin significantly inhibited ATP-induced mucin secretion; 2) However, isoimperatorin and byakangelicol did not affect ATP-induced mucin secretion, significantly. This result suggests that phellopterin can regulate 'mucin secretion induced by ATP'-a phenomenon simulating mucus overproduction from inflamed airway epithelial cells-by directly acting on airway mucin-secreting cells. Therefore, phellopterin should further be investigated for the possible use as mucoregulators in the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제82권1호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2019

Background: Efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, in treatment of asthma have been reported. However, its effect on airway remodeling in chronic asthma of the elderly has not been clearly verified. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tiotropium and expression of muscarinic receptors as its related mechanism in an aged mouse model of chronic asthma with airway remodeling. Methods: BALB/c female mice age 6 weeks, 9 and 15 months were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) for three months. Tiotropium bromide was administered during the challenge period. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and pulmonary inflammation were measured. Parameters of airway remodeling, and expression levels of $M_2$ and $M_3$ receptors were examined. Results: Total cell with eosinophils, increased in the OVA groups by age, was decreased significantly after treatment with tiotropium bromide, particularly in the age group of 15 months. AHR and levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were decreased, after tiotropium administration. In old aged group of 9- and 15-months-treated groups, hydroxyproline contents and levels of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin were attenuated. Tiotropium enhanced the expression of $M_2$ but decreased expression of $M_3$ in all aged groups of OVA. Conclusion: Tiotropium bromide had anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling effects in an aged mouse model of chronic asthma. Its effects seemed to be partly mediated by modulating expression $M_3$ and $M_2$ muscarinic receptors. Tiotropium may be a beneficial treatment option for the elderly with airway remodeling of chronic asthma.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.267-273
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• 1993

연구배경 : Airway resistance 측정시 panting 방법은 비정상적인 호흡패턴으로 환자에 따라서는 수행이 어렵고 quiet breathing 방법은 더욱 생리적인 호흡상태하에서 측정이 가능하다. 과거에는 주로 panting을 이용하였으나 최근에는 quiet breathing을 이용하는 추세로 본 연구에서는 panting 및 quiet breathing시에 airway resistance를 측정하여 이를 비교하였다. 방법 : 정상대조군 및 호흡기질환군을 대상으로 유량기량곡선을 측정하고, body plethysmograph를 이용하여 airway resistance를 quiet breathing과 panting시에 각각 측정하였다. 결과: 1) Quiet breathing과 panting시 측정한 airway resistance는 높은 상관관계를 보였다(Raw tot; 0.887, Raw 0.5; 0.921, p<0.05). 2) Panting시 quiet breathing에 비하여 Raw tot는 21.2%. Raw 0.5는 22.1%의 감소율을 보였으며, Inspiratory와 expiratory Resistance의 측정이 가능하였던 경우 Raw insp은 29.3%, Raw exp은 40.6%의 감소율을 보였다. 3) Panting시 airway resistance의 감소율은 호흡기질환군보다 대조군에서 더 컸다. 4) Panting시 specific airway conductance가 유의하게 증가되었으므로 airway resistance의 감소는 thoracic gas volume의 차이와는 관련이 없었다. 5) Panting시 quiet breathing에 비하여 airway resistance가 감소하지 않는 환자는 비교적 airway resistance가 커서 panting을 잘 수행하지 못하는 환자로 추정된다. 결론 : Airway resistance 측정시 환자의 수행능력에 따라 quiet breathing 혹은 panting 방법을 이용할 수 있으나 panting시 quiet breathing보다 결과가 약 20% 감소됨을 고려하여야 하며, 정상군 및 폐질환군에서 panting보다 quiet breathing이 airway resistance를 측정하는 더 좋은 방법으로 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• 제61권12호
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• pp.674-680
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• 2018

Background and Objectives The representative mucin genes in the human airway are MUC5AC and MUC5B, which are regulated by several inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances. Triptolide (TPL), udenafil, betulinic acid, changkil saponin, and glucosteroid are some of the many anti-inflammatory substances that exist. TPL is a diterpenoid compound from the thunder god vine, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of immune inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, nephritis and asthma. However, the effects of TPL on mucin expression of human airway epithelial cells have yet to be reported. Hence, this study investigated the effect of TPL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. Subjects and Method The NCI-H292 cells and the primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells were used to investigate the effects of TPL on LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay, and Western blot. Results TPL significantly decreased the LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA expression and protein production. TPL also significantly decreased the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) phosphorylation. Conclusion These results suggest that TPL down regulates MUC5AC and MUC5B expression via inhibition of NF-kB activation in human airway epithelial cells. This study may provide important information about the biological role of triptolide on mucus-secretion in airway inflammatory diseases and the development of novel therapeutic agents for controlling such diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제72권3호
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• pp.310-317
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• 2012

Background: Airway obstruction and the extent of emphysema are reported to be responsible for reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Corresponding to different phenotypes of a pulmonary disease, different severity in extra pulmonary features may exist. We compared BMDs of subjects with or without airway obstruction and/or emphysema and investigated the relationships among BMD, the severity of airway obstruction, and the extent of emphysema. Methods: Using a university hospital database, we reviewed patients over 40 years old who performed spirometry, computed tomography of chest, and measurement of BMD of the lumbar (L) spine. According to the presence or absence of airway obstruction and/or emphysema, four groups were classified. Results: Among a total of 59 subjects, 33 (56%) had osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteoporosis in subjects with no airway obstruction and no emphysema, those with only emphysema, those with only airway obstruction, and those with both airway obstruction and emphysema were 42%, 57%, 64%, and 73%, respectively (p=0.047 by linear-by-linear association). The mean T-scores of BMD of L1 (p=0.032) and L1-4 spines were different among the four groups (p=0.034). Although the T-score of L1 BMD negatively correlated with the extent of emphysema (r=-0.275, p=0.035) and positively with each of body mass index (BMI) (r=0.520, p<0.001), forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) (r=0.330, p=0.011), $FEV_1$/forced vital capacity (r=0.409, p=0.001), and forced expiratory flow at 25~75% of FVC ($FEF_{25-75%}$) (r=0.438, p=0.0001), respectively, multiple linear regression analysis indicated that BMI (p<0.001) and $FEF_{25-75%}$ were predictive of BMD (p=0.012). Conclusion: Low BMI and airway obstruction were strongly associated with reduced bone density rather than the extent of emphysema.