• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.242-247
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• 2002

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) is known to play an important role in various conditions such as inflammation, autoimmunity, apoptosis, insulin resistance and sleep induction. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been known to affect the transcriptional activities of TNF-$\alpha$: -1,031T/C, -863C/A, -857C/T, -308G/A and -238G/A. Methods: We have investigated 5 SNPs of the promoter region of TNF-$\alpha$ gene, the distribution of 5-locus TNF-$\alpha$ haplotypes, and their haplotypic associations with previously typed HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci in 107 healthy unrelated Koreans. TNF-$\alpha$ SNPs were typed using PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. Results: The allele frequencies of -1,031C, -863A, -857T, -308A, and-238A, which are known as the high-producer-type, were 19.3%, 15.9%, 14.0%, 5.9%, and 2.9%, respectively. The frequency of -308A allele, known to be associated with autoimmune diseases, was 5.9% in Koreans which was lower than Caucasians (14~17%) and somewhat higher than Japanese (1.7%). Five most common TNF-$\alpha$ haplotypes (-1,031/-863/-857/-308/-238) comprised over 95% of total haplotypes: TCCGG (58.4%), CACGG (14.8%), TCTGG (13.7%), TCCAG (5.3%), and CCCGA (3.1%). Strong positive associations (P<0.001) were observed between TCCGG and B62; between CACGG and B51, $DRB1^*0901$; between TCTGG and B35, B54, B59, $DRB1^*1201$; and between TCCAG and A33, B58, $DRB1^*0301$, $DRB1^*1302$. Five most common extended haplotypes (>3%) comprised around 16% of total haplotypes: A33-B58-TCCAG-$DRB1^*1302$, A24-B52-TCCGG-$DRB1^*1502$, A33-B44-TCCGG-$DRB1^*1302$, A24-B7-TCCGG-$DRB1^*0101$, and A11-B62-TCCGG-$DRB1^*0406$. The distribution of extended HLA and TNF-$\alpha$ haplotypes showed that most of HLA haplotypes were almost exclusively associated with particular TNF-$\alpha$ haplotypes. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study would be useful as basic data for anthropologic studies and disease association studies in Koreans.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 1999

Background : The pathogenesis of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) is not clear, but it has been known that the immune mechanisms play an important role. Authors performed this study to establish an animal model of experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) by immunizing the myelin components of peripheral nerves and to understand the electrophysiological and histopathological features as well as the ${CD_5}^+$ B-lymphocyte changes in peripheral bloods in the EAN models. Methods : Lewis rats weighing 150-200 gm were injected subcutaneously in soles two times with total myelin, P0, P1, or P2 proteins purified from the bovine cauda eguina. The EAN induction was assessed by evaluating clinical manifestations. The electrophysiological and histopathological features were studied as routine methods. The ${CD_5}^+$ Blymphocytes were double stained using monoclonal FITC conjugated anti-rat CD45RA and R-PE conjugated anti-rat ${CD_5}^+$ antibodies and calculated using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Results : The EAN animal models were established. In two out of five, in one out of two, in none out of three, and in none out of one Lewis rats injected with purified total myelin, P0, P1, P2 proteins respectively, They showed slow spontaneous motor activity and weak resistance against pulling back by tails. The typical electrophysiological and histologic findings in total protein and P0 induced EAN animal models were the decreased conduction velocity, the decreased compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude and the dispersion phenomenon. The perivascular infiltrates of lymphocytes with focal demyelinating process were found in light microscopy. The ${CD_5}^+$ B-lymphocyte expression in three EANs were 2.38%, 3.50% 2.50%, which were not significantly increased, compared with those in normal controls. Conclusion : The EAN animal models were successfully established by injecting the total myelin and P0 myelin and they showed electrophysiological and histological features typical of demyelinating process. However they did not show an increased expression of ${CD_5}^+$ B-lymphocyte in peripheral bloods which could be indirect evidence of humoral autoimmunity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.437-447
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• 1999

Type I diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results from the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic $\beta$ cells by a progressive $\beta$ cell-specific autoimmune process. The pathogenesis of autoimmune IDDM has been extensively studied for the past two decades using animal models such as the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse and the Bio-Breeding (BB) rat. However, the initial events that trigger the immune responses leading to the selective destruction of the $\beta$ cells are poorly understood. It is thought that $\beta$ cell auto-antigens are involved in the triggering of $\beta$ cell-specific autoimmunity. Among a dozen putative $\beta$ cell autoantigens, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has bee proposed as perhaps the strongest candidate in both humans and the NOD mouse. In the NOD mouse, GAD, as compared with other $\beta$ cell autoantigens, provokes the earliest T cell proliferative response. The suppression of GAD expression in the $\beta$ cells results in the prevention of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. In addition, the major populations of cells infiltrating the iselts during the early stage of insulitis in BB rats and NOD mice are macrophages and dendritic cells. The inactivation of macrophages in NOD mice results in the prevention of T cell mediated autoimmune diabetes. Macrophages are primary contributors to the creation of the immune environment conducive to the development and activation of $\beta$cell-specific Th1-type CD4+ T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells that cause autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are both believed to be important for the destruction of $\beta$ cells. These cells, as final effectors, can kill the insulin-producing $\beta$ cells by the induction of apoptosis. In addition, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells release granzyme and cytolysin (perforin), which are also toxic to $\beta$ cells. In this way, macrophages, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells act synergistically to kill the $\beta$ cells in conjunction with $\beta$ cell autoantigens and MHC class I and II antigens, resulting in the onset of autoimmune type I diabetes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.347-354
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• 2013

Innate immunity is the ability to differentiate infectious agents from self. The innate immune system is comprised of a complicated network of recognition and effector molecules that act together to protect the host in the early stage of an infectious challenge. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL or mannose-binding protein, MBP) belongs to the family of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent lectins (C-type lectin with a collagen-like domain), which are considered an important component of innate immunity. While it is associated with increased risk and severity of infections and autoimmunity, the most frequent immuno-deficiency syndrome was reported to be low MBL level in blood. Deficiency of human MBL is caused by mutations in the coding region of the MBL gene. Rat homologue gene of human MBL gene was used to study functions of wild type and mutant MBL proteins. Although extensive studies have yielded the structural information of MBL, the functions of MBL, especially mutant MBL, still require investigation. We previously reported the cloning of rat wild-type MBL gene and the production of a truncated form of MBL protein and its antibody. Here, we present the cloning of mutant MBL cDNA in collagen-like domain (R40C, G42D, and G45E) using site-directed mutagenesis and differential behaviors of wild type and mutant MBL in cells. The major difference between wild type and mutant MBL was that while wild type MBL was secreted, mutant MBL was inhibited for secretion, retained in endoplasmic reticulum, and still functioned as a lectin.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2005

Objective : Dear antler (Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe) used for traditional immunosuppressive and immuno-activating action. The effect of deer antler herbal-acupuncture(DAH) solution, prepared by water extract method, on cathepsin activities in bone tissues (cartilage and synovial) cells from mouse rheumatoid arthritis (RA) model was studied. The cysteine endoprotease cathepsin mediates degradation of the MHC class II invariant chain (Ii) in human and mouse antigen-presenting cells. The studies described here examine the functional significance of cathepsin inhibition on autoantigen presentation and organ-specific autoimmune diseases in a murine model for RA. Methods : An animal model for RA in BALB/c mice thymectomized 3 days after birth (3d-Tx) was constructed All 3d-Tx BALB/c mice developed autoimmune lesions in the bone tissue cells, starting at 3 weeks of age, and the disease mediated by CD4+ T cells was chronic and progressive. Significant inhibitory effects of DAH solution on cathepsin S and L were observed in each organ in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we confirmed that cathepsin S and L activity in each organ were clearly inhibited by DAB solution. When we examined the inhibitory effects of DAH solution against autoantigen-specific T cell responses in vitro, in regional lymph node cells, but not in spleens, from model mice, a significant inhibitory effect of DAB solution was observed in a dose-dependent manner. DAH solution do not block T cell proliferation to Con A, indicated that the dose of DAB solution 10 to $20\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ was sufficient to inactivate the autoantigen-specific T cell responses in vitro. In vivo therapeutic effects of DAB solution were examined in a murine model for RA, autoantigen-specific (C-II-specific) T cell response were significantly inhibited in LNCs from DAH solution-treated mice. Results : Iinhibition of cathepsin S and L in vivo alters autoantigen presentation and development of organ-specific autoimmunity in RA model. Conclusion : These data identify selective inhibition of cysteine protease cathepsin S and L as a potential therapeutic strategy for autoimmune disease process such RA. Thus, DAH solution will served as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents for treatment of human RA.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

Objective : Sinapis alba L. (SA) is a korean traditional herbal medicine that is usually used to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases, such as respiratory infection and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the effects of SA supplementation in vitro on serum antibody levels, splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage immune responses have not yet been determined. In this study, we examined the effect of SA on the production of Th1/Th2 cytokines. Methods : Splenocytes were isolated from naive C57BL/6 mice. Cells were enriched for CD4+ cell populations by first staining the cells with anti-CD4 (BD PharMingen, Calif, USA). CD4+ T cells were selected on a (CS) column, and the flow-through was collected as CD4+ T cells. Isolated cells were activated by overnight incubation on 24-well plates coated with $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD3, $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD28 and with SA ($100{\mu}g/mL$). Primary macrophages were collected from the peritoneal cavities of mice (8-week-old female C57BL/6). The peritoneal macrophages were washed and plated with RPMI-1640 overnight for the experiments. After 48-hours cultures, samples were centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the supernatants were stored at $-80^{\circ}C$. Mouse IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were quantified using ELISA kits (BioSource International, Camarillo, Calif, USA) according to the manufacturer's protocols. Results : SA at 100ug/ml decreased the generation of Th1 cytokine (IFN-$\gamma$) by 0.5-fold. However, SA has no effect on Th2 (IL-4) production. Conclusions : These results suggest that SA may play an important role in the control of T-cell-mediated autoimmunity by down-regulation of Th1 cytokine (especially IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$). These data may contribute to the design of new immunomodulating treatments for a group of autoimmune diseases.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 1997

Although normal thyroid epithelial cells do not constitutively express HLA-DR antigen, their expression in wide spread within thyroid glands obtained from the human with autoimmune thyroid disease and with many neoplastic thyroids. We have, therefore, studied immunohistochemically with regard to the expression of HLA-DR antigen of thyroidectomy specimens from 50 patients of various thyroid diseases with use of paraffin-embedded tissue. One or two sections from each case were stained with commercially available mouse monoclonal antibody for class II HLA-DR antigen(HLA-DR/Alpha, DAKO) and examined by semiquantitative counting system for thyrocytes, neoplastic thyrocytes and other cells expressing HLA-DR antigen. All patients with lymphocytic thyroiditis(2/2) and diffuse hyperplasia(Graves' disease)(5/5), most patients with Hashimoto's disease(9/ll) expressed HLA-DR antigens in thyrocyte with abundant HLA-DR expressing lymphocytic infiltrates with lymph follicle formation in its vicinity or adjacent to the lesion. Most patients with papillary carcinoma(9/1l) had HLA-DR antigen detected in malignant thyrocytes ; while follicular carcinoma(0/3) and follicular adenoma(0/5) did not have detactable HLA-DR immunoreactivity. Adenomatous goiter(3/7) had HLA-DR antigen detected focally in lesser than half cases. Conversely, in four papillary carcinomas and three adenomatous goiters, HLA-DR expression of thyrocytes was found in the absence of HLA-DR expressing lymphoid infiltrates. In such cases therefore other factors more than thyroid autoimmunity must be causative for HLA-DR immunoreactivity. The results of this study indicate as follows. 1) The expression of HLA-DR on thyrocytes involved in autoimmune reactions appeared to be secondary to cytokine release from associated lymphocytic infiltrates. 2) Thyrocytes in thyroid lesions with equal degrees of lymphocytic infiltration without HLA­DR expression exhibited no HLA-DR immunoreactivity. 3) In neoplastic thyrocytes, most papillary carcinoma(9/11) exhibited detactable HLA-DR expression, while follicular carcinoma/adenoma(0/3/0/5) exhibited no detactable HLA-DR immunoreactivity which suggest the existence of divergent mechanisms inducing and modulating HLA-DR expression of different types of neoplastic thyrocytes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2008

Mast cells containing a variety of mediators in their cytoplasmic granules are widely distributed in connective tissues and mucosal surfaces of skin, airways, and guts. Within these tissues, mast cells are involved in the pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation, self-defense, tissue-remodeling, and autoimmunity. In order to understand the functional roles of master cells in the uterus, we histologically examined the distribution and density of uterine mast cells in the different aged mice. Until 6 weeks mast cells were sparsely detected in the uterus. But at 7 weeks after birth, when estrous cycle begins, the number of mast cells within uterine tissues increased dramatically and the increment of mast cell density continued up to 32 weeks-age. After then, uterine glandular tissue degenerated gradually and density of uterine mast cell decreased. Uterine mast cells were mainly found in the myometrium and they were closely associated with smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and collagens, which contents were changed according to the uterine development in the myometrium. These results suggest that uterine mast cells could be involved in myometrial contractions mediated by smooth muscle cells and tissue reconstitution or remodeling during estrous cycle and parturition including the various immunological functions.