• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.57-63
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• 2014

Objectives: We established a Wistar rat model of asthma caused by toluene diisocyanate (TDI) exposure, and investigated the relationship between TDI exposure concentrations and respiratory hypersensitivity, airway inflammation, and cytokine secretions in animals, to better understand the mechanism of TDI induced occupational asthma. Methods: Wistar rats were exposed to two different concentrations of TDI vapor four hours a day for five consecutive days. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed, and differential leucocytes from the BAL fluid were analyzed. Lung histopathological examination was carried out to investigate the inflammatory status in the airways. Production of cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 productions in the BAL fluid in vivo was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: The TDI-exposed rats exhibited greater airway hypersensitivity symptoms than the control rats. The BAL differential cell count and lung histopathological examination demonstrated that inflammation reactions were present in both the central and peripheral airways, characterized with marked infiltration of eosinophils in the TDI-exposed rats. The cytokine assay showed that IL-4 and IL-5 were predominantly produced in the BAL fluid in vivo. Conclusions: These findings imply that TDI exposure concentrations may greatly affect the occurrence and extent of inflammatory events and that Th2 type cytokines may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of TDI-induced occupational respiratory hypersensitivity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제84권1호
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• pp.55-66
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• 2021

Background: Particulate matter 10 (PM₁₀; airborne particles <10 ㎛) inhalation has been demonstrated to induce airway and lung diseases. In this study, we investigate the effects of PM₁₀ inhalation on RNA expression in lung tissues using a murine model. Methods: Female BALB/c mice were affected with PM₁₀, ovalbumin (OVA), or both OVA and PM₁₀. PM₁₀ was administered intranasally while OVA was both intraperitoneally injected and intranasally administered. Treatments occurred 4 times over a 2-week period. Two days after the final challenges, mice were sacrificed. Full RNA sequencing using lung homogenates was conducted. Results: While PM₁₀ did not induce cell proliferation in bronchoalveolar fluid or lead to airway hyper-responsiveness, it did cause airway inflammation and lung fibrosis. Levels of interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β in lung homogenates were significantly elevated in the PM₁₀-treated group, compared to the control group. The PM₁₀ group also showed increased RNA expression of Rn45a, Snord22, Atp6v0c-ps2, Snora28, Snord15b, Snora70, and Mmp12. Generally, genes associated with RNA splicing, DNA repair, the inflammatory response, the immune response, cell death, and apoptotic processes were highly expressed in the PM₁₀-treated group. The OVA/PM₁₀ treatment did not produce greater effects than OVA alone. However, the OVA/PM₁₀-treated group did show increased RNA expression of Clca1, Snord22, Retnla, Prg2, Tff2, Atp6v0c-ps2, and Fcgbp when compared to the control groups. These genes are associated with RNA splicing, DNA repair, the inflammatory response, and the immune response. Conclusion: Inhalation of PM₁₀ extensively altered RNA expression while also inducing cellular inflammation, fibrosis, and increased inflammatory cytokines in this murine mouse model.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.201-210
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• 2016

Allergic inflammation requires the orchestration of altered gene expression in the target tissue and in the infiltrating immune cells. The transcription factor STAT6 is critical in activating cytokine gene expression and cytokine signaling both in the immune cells and in target tissue cells including airway epithelia, keratinocytes and esophageal epithelial cells. STAT6 is activated by the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 to mediate the pathogenesis of allergic disorders such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). In this review, we summarize the role of STAT6 in allergic diseases, its interaction with the co-factor PARP14 and the molecular mechanisms by which STAT6 and PARP14 regulate gene transcription.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.62-67
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• 2014

This study was designed to find some potential natural products and/or constituents inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine generation in lung inflammation, since cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are pivotal for provoking airway inflammation. In our preliminary screening procedure, the 70% ethanol extract of the leaves of Perilla frutescens (PFE) was found to clearly inhibit TNF-${\alpha}$ production in the lung at 100 mg/kg, after intranasal lipopolysaccharide treatment of mice. Based on this result, ten constituents including phenylpropanoids (allyltetramethoxybenzene, caffeic acid, dillapiole, elemicin, myristicin, nothoapiole, rosmarinic acid methyl ester, rosmarinic acid) and monoterpenes (perilla aldehyde and perilla ketone) were successfully isolated from the extract. Among them, elemicin and myristicin were found for the first time to concentration-dependently inhibit IL-$1{\beta}$-treated IL-6 production from lung alveolar epithelial cells (A549) at concentrations of $10-100{\mu}M$. These findings suggest that the phenylpropanoids including elemicin and myristicin have the potential to be new inhibitory agents against lung inflammation and they may contribute, at least in part, to the inhibitory activity of PFE on the lung inflammatory response.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.343-352
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• 2008

프랑킨센스는 감람나무 종에서 얻어지는 gum resin으로, 성분은 5-9% 방향정 에센셜 오일, 알코올-용해성인 65-85% resin과 수용성인 gum 잔여물로 구성된 복합물이다. 프랑킨센스의 알코올 용해성인 resin 성분들의 항염증 작용은 잘 알려져 있으나, 방향성 에센셜 오일 성분이 알러지성 천식에 작용을 하는지의 여부는 보고되지 않았다. 실험은 프랑킨센스 에센설 오일(BSEO)이 ovalbumin(OVA)으로 유발된 알러지성 천식 생쥐 모델에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 수행하였다. BALB/c 생쥐는 OVA로 복강감작 후 OVA 기도 투여로 면역반응을 유발시켰다. 실험그룹은 0.3% BSEO를 8주간 흡입시켰다. OVA로 감작, 유발시킨 BALB/c 생쥐에서 기도내 호산구 침윤증가, 점액분비 증가와 기도과민성이 나타났다. 이에 비하여, BSEO 처치군에서 BALF내 호산구수, 술잔세포의 과증식, 기도과민성이 감소되었다. BALF내 사이토카인 분석 결과, BSEO는 Th1 사이토카인인 IFN-$\gamma$를 증가시켰으며 Th2 사이토카인인 IL-4, IL-5와 IL-13을 감소시켰다. 또한, OVA-specific IgE와 eoxtain 분비를 억제시켰다. BSEO 흡입 군에서 종격동 림프절의 $CD4^+$, $CD3^+/CCR3^+$, 및 $B220^+/CD23^+$ 세포들 또한 감소되었다. 이상의 결과에서 BSEO는 Th1/Th2 관여 면역조절인자로 판단되며, BSEO 흡입으로 간단하고 경제적인 방법으로 알러지성 기도 염증 치료가 가능할 것으로 사료되었다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.589-597
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• 2015

It has been reported that overexpression of MUC5AC induced by excessive inflammation leads to airway obstruction in respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. 15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects, but the role of 15-HETE in respiratory inflammation has not been determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 15-HETE on MUC5AC expression and related pathways. In this study, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) was used to stimulate NCI-H292 bronchial epithelial cells in order to examine the effects of 15-HETE. 15-HETE inhibited PMA-induced expression of MUC5AC mRNA and secretion of MUC5AC protein. Moreover, 15-HETE regulated matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In addition, 15-HETE decreased the nuclear translocation of specificity protein-1 (Sp-1) transcription factor and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, 15-HETE enhanced the transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) as a PPARγ agonist. This activity reduced the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PΚB/Akt) by increasing the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). In conclusion, 15-HETE regulated MUC5AC expression via modulating MMP-9, MEK/ERK/Sp-1, and PPARγ/PTEN/Akt signaling pathways in PMA-treated respiratory epithelial cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제62권3호
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• pp.365-377
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• 2024

Exposure to storage mite (SM) and house dust mite (HDM) allergens is a risk factor for sensitization and asthma development; however, the related immune responses and their pathology have not been fully investigated. The HDMs Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and SM Tyrophagus putrescentiae are potent allergens that induce asthma. Most SM-related studies have focused on the allergic reactions of individuals by measuring their immunoglobulin (Ig)E expression. Considering the limited research on this topic, the present study aims to investigate the differences in the immune responses induced by HDMs and SMs and histologically analyze lung tissues in a mouse asthma model to understand the differential effects of HDM and SM. The results revealed that all mite species induced airway inflammation. Mice challenged with T. putrescentiae had the highest airway resistance and total cell, eosinophil, and neutrophil counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The SM-sensitized groups showed more severe lesions and mucus hypersecretions than the HDM-sensitized groups. Although the degree of HDM and SM exposure was the same, the damage to the respiratory lung tissue was more severe in SM-exposed mice, which resulted in excessive mucin secretion and increased fibrosis. Furthermore, these findings suggest that SM sensitization induces a more significant hypersensitivity response in mucosal immunity than HDM sensitization in asthma models.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.481-491
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• 2018

Allergic asthma is one of the most enduring diseases of the airway. The T-helper cells and regulatory T-cells are critically involved in inflammatory responses, mucus hypersecretion, airway remodelling and in airway hyper-responsiveness. Cigarette smoke (CS) has been found to aggravate inflammatory responses in asthma. Though currently employed drugs are effective, associated side effects demand identification and development of novel drugs with negligible or no adverse effects. Rutin, plant-derived flavonoid has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the ability of rutin to modulate T-cells and inhibit inflammation in experimentally-induced asthma in cigarette smoke exposed mice. Separate groups of neonatal mice were exposed to CS for 10 days from post-natal days 2 to 11. After 2 weeks, the mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Treatment group were given rutin (37.5 or 75 mg/kg body weight) during OVA sensitization and challenge. Rutin treatment was found to significantly inhibit cellular infiltration in the airways and Th2 and Th17 cytokine levels as well. Flow cytometry revealed effectively raised $CD4^+CD25^+Fox3^+$ Treg cells and supressed Th17 cell population on rutin treatment. Airway hyper-responsiveness observed following CS and OVA challenge were inhibited by rutin. $NF-{\kappa}B$ and iNOS, chief regulators of inflammatory responses robustly activated by CS and OVA were down-regulated by rutin. Rutin also inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9, thereby aiding in prevention of airway remodelling in asthma thereby revealing to be a potent candidate in asthma therapy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.196-204
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• 2001

기관지 천식은 가역적인 기도수축과 기도과민성 및 기도 염증을 특정으로 하는 만성염증성 질환으로 이중 호산구는 기관지천식의 병태생리 기전 중에서 기관지점막 상피세포의 손상을 초래하여 궁국적으로 기도과민성을 초래하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 또한 천식환자의 혈액, 기관지 폐포세척액 및 기관지 점막내의 호산구 증가는 기관지 폐쇄정도 및 기도과민성과 연관성이 있다고 보고되고 있으며, 활성화된 호산구 수와 혈중 ECP는 유의한 상관관계를 보인다고 보고하고 있고, 기관지천식의 경과 판정에 유용한 지표로 제시되었으나, 정확한 임상적 유용성이 확립된 바는 없다. 이에 혈중 ECP 농도를 측정하여, 즉시형의 가역적인 기도확장반응과 기도과민성($PC_{20}$)과의 관계를 알아보고 말초혈액 호산구수와 비교하여 혈중 ECP의 유용성을 평가하고자 하였다. 기관지천식으로 진단되었던 환자 중 일초간 호기량의 에측치($FEV_1$ % p)가 80% 이하이었던 중등증 및 중증 천식환자 71명을 대상으로 하여, 말초혈액을 채취하여 호산구수와 총 IgE농도, ECP를 측정하였고, 기관지확장제에 대한 반응과 메타콜린 기관지 유발검사를 시행하였다. 기관지확장제에 대한 반응군과 비반응군간에 나이, 성별에 통계적 차이는 없었으며, 총 IgE, $FEV_1$/FVC(%), $FEV_1$(% to predictive value) 등에도 통계적 차이는 없었으며 호산구수도 두 군간의 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 하지만 ECP농도는 통계적으로 반응군에서 유의하게 반응군에서 높았으며 $PC_{20}$은 반응군에서 의미있게 낮았다. 그리고 기관지 확장제의 반응 정도와 혈중 ECP농도 및 기도과민성과의 관계에서 혈중 ECP 농도는 순 상관관계를 보였고 기도과민성($PC_{20}$)과는 역 상관관계를 보였다. 또한 혈중 ECP농도와 기도과민성과도 통계적으로 의미 있는 상관관계를 보였다. 이상의 결과로 혈중 ECP농도는 중등증 및 중증 기관지천식환자에서 급성 기도수축 정도와 기도과민성을 잘 반영하며, 천식의 치료와 임상경과 및 예후에 의미있는 지표로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 생각되며, 기관지 확장제의 반응성은 기관지의 염증과 연관될 것으로 생각된다. 또한 추후로 환자의 임상상과 천식의 정도 및 약물치료에 따른 ECP의 변화에 대한 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.922-931
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• 2000

배경 및 목적 : 기관지천식의 중요한 특징적인 병인인 기도의 만성염증 상태와 증상의 변화를 판단하는 객관적인 지표로서 여러 가지 방법이 시도되고 있는데 최근에는 비침습적이고 비교적 간단한 유도객담 검사로 침습적인 기관지 조직 검사나 기관지폐포세척술을 대신하려는 경향이 있다. 저자들은 기관지천식 환자의 유도객담에서 호산구, eosinophil cationic protein(ECP), interleukin(IL)-3, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF), 그리고, nitric oxide(NO)의 유도체를 측정하고, 객담내 NO 및 호산구와 관계가 있다고 알려진 cytokine들의 농도가 증상 및 기도의 염증상태를 반영하는 지표로서 이용될 수 있는지를 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 기관지천식 환자 30명을 대상으로 2주간 경구용 프레드니솔론 30mg을 투여하고, 약제 투여 전후로 1초간 노력성 호기량($FEV_1$과 혈중 총 호산구수, 그리고 유도객담 검사를 시행하여 객담내 호산구 비율과 ECP, IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF, 그리고, NO 유도체를 측정하였다. 결과 : 대상환자중 남자는 13a여(43.3%), 여자는 17명(56.7%)이었고 연령분포는 19세부터 64세까지였으며 평균연령은 41.8세였다. 30명중 2명은 두 번째 검사시 객담이 채취되지 않았고, 3명은 두 번째 방문을 하지 않았다. 프레드니솔론 투여후 평균 1초당 노력성 호기량(% of predicted value)은 78.1$\pm$27.2%에서 90.3$\pm$18.3%로 개선되었고(P<0.001), 유도객담내 평균 호산구비율은 56.1$\pm$27.2%에서 29.6$\pm$21.3%로 (P<0.001), 객담내 평균 ECP 농도는 $134.5\pm68.1{\mu}\;g/L$에서 $41.5\pm42.4\;{\mu}g/L$로 유의하게 감소하였고(P<0.001), 평균 혈중 총 호산구수는 425.7$\pm$265.9에서 287.7$\pm$294.7로 감소하는 경향을 보였지만 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 유도객담내 NO 유도체의 평균 농도는 프레드니솔론 투여 전호로 유의한 차이가 없었으며($70.4\pm44.6\;{\mu}mol/L$ vs $91.5\pm48.3\;{\mu}mol/L$) 평균 eotaxin 농도는 27.7$\pm$12.8 pg/ml에서 21.7$\pm$8.7 pg/ml로 감소하는 경향을 보였다. IL-3, IL-5, CSF는 대부분의 경우에서 측정되지 않았다. 치료전의 1초당 노력성 호기량과 객담내 ECP의 농도 사이에 의미있는 역상관관계가 있었고(r=0.369, P<0.05). 결론 : 유도객담내에서 측정 가능한 여러 인자중 eotaxin 및 ECP가 치료에 따른 기도염증 상태의 변화를 반영하는 지표로 이용될수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 그 외 유도객담내 호산구비율 측정도 치료에 따른 증상이나 염증의 변화를 손쉽게 관찰할수 있는 간단한 방법으로 생각되지만 유도객담에서 Griess reagent를 이용한 NO 유도체의 측정은 기관지천식의 증상이나 염증상태의 변화를 반영하는 지표로서 유용하지 않을 것으로 생각된다.