• BMB Reports
• /
• 제41권5호
• /
• pp.345-352
• /
• 2008

The cerebral microvessels possess barrier characteristics which are tightly sealed excluding many toxic substances and protecting neural tissues. The specialized blood-neural barriers as well as the cerebral microvascular barrier are recognized in the retina, inner ear, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid. Microvascular endothelial cells in the brain closely interact with other components such as astrocytes, pericytes, perivascular microglia and neurons to form functional 'neurovascular unit'. Communication between endothelial cells and other surrounding cells enhances the barrier functions, consequently resulting in maintenance and elaboration of proper brain homeostasis. Furthermore, the disruption of the neurovascular unit is closely involved in cerebrovascular disorders. In this review, we focus on the location and function of these various blood-neural barriers, and the importance of the cell-to-cell communication for development and maintenance of the barrier integrity at the neurovascular unit. We also demonstrate the close relation between the alteration of the blood-neural barriers and cerebrovascular disorders.

• 대한한의학회지
• /
• 제26권4호
• /
• pp.143-151
• /
• 2005

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exterior vascular laser irradiation therapy by live blood analysis. Methods: We analysed the changing forms of the live blood sample with a microscope before and after exterior vascular laser irradiation therapy of the blood. Results: Rouleau of red cells, erythrocyte aggregation of red cells, thrombocyte aggregation, uric acid crystals, red crystals, and protoplasts in blood were decreased significantly after exterior vascular laser irradiation therapy. Conclusions: This study suggests that exterior vascular laser irradiation will have positive effects in eliminating various effete matters in blood and will have efficacy in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular system disorders and hyperlipidemia, caused by effete matters, or numbness and arthralgia caused by blood stagnancy and blood circulation disorder.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.11-14
• /
• 2010

Human tumors, including those of the hepatobiliary system, express a number of specific antigens that can be recognized by T cells, and may provide potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Dendritic cells (DCs) are rare leucocytes that are uniquely potent in their ability to capture, process and present antigens to T cells. The ability to culture sufficient numbers of DCs from human bone marrow or blood progenitors has attracted a great deal of interest in their potential utilization in human tumor vaccination. $CD34^+$ peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) were obtained from a patient with a hepatocellular carcinoma. The PBSCs were cultured in the X-VIVO 20 medium supplemented with the Flt-3 Ligand (FL), GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-$\alpha$ for 12 days. The morphology and functions of the cells were examined. The generated cells had the typical morphology of DCs. When the DCs were reinjected into the same patient, an augmentation of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was observed. Concomitantly, an increase in the natural killer (NK) cell activity was also detected in the patient. These results suggest that DCs-based cancer immunotherapy may become an important treatment option for cancer patients in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제16권4호
• /
• pp.243-247
• /
• 2012

Recent studies suggest that immunization with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) results in protective immunity and rejection of established tumors in various human malignancies. The purpose of this study is to determine whether DCs are generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNs) by using cytokines such as F1t-3 ligand (FL), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-4, and TNF-${\alpha}$, and whether cytotoxic T cells activated against the thyroid cancer tissues by the DCs. Peripheral blood was obtained from 2 patients with thyroid cancer. DCs were established from PBMNs by culturing in the presence of FL, GM-CSF, IL-4, and TNF-${\alpha}$ for 14 days. At day 14, the differentiated DCs was analyzed morphologically. The immunophenotypic features of DCs such as CDla, CD83, and CD86 were analyzed by immunofluorelescence microscopy. At day 18, DCs and T cells were incubated with thyroid cancer tissues or normal thyroid tissues for additional 4 days, respectively. DCs generated from the PBMNs showed the typical morphology of DCs. Activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were observed also. DCs and the CTLs were attached to the cancer tissues on scanning electron microscope. The DCs activated the CTLs, which able to specifically attack the thyroid cancer. This study provides morphologic evidence that the coculture of T cells/cancer tissues activated the T cells and differentiated CTLs. The CTLs tightly adhered to cancer tissues and lysed cancer tissues vigorously. Therefore DCs could be used as potential vaccines in the immunotherapy.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
• /
• 제39권6호
• /
• pp.250-255
• /
• 2018

Accurate blood typing is the crucial factor for safe and successful blood transfusion and plays a very important role in organ transplantation and genetic information of forensic medicine. Microfluidic devices have been developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional blood typing methods. In this study, we demonstrate a Lamb wave-based device for simple blood typing in a sample droplet and we propose new indices for quantitative and accurate blood typing. Using Lamb wave-induced acoustic streaming in the droplet, the blood sample and the reagent can be mixed rapidly and red blood cells start to form clumps, which is agglutination. Based on the recorded image and video, the intensity of transmitted light through the sample droplet is evaluated to determine the blood type. Effect of the concentration of suspended red blood cells was evaluated and we found that 10% concentration of suspended red blood cells was suitable to observe the difference between aggregated and non-aggregated samples. Finally, sample with blood type A could be determined using anti-A reagent in our Lamb wave-based device. Our device enables simple and accurate blood typing, which can be applied to resource-limited environments.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.11.1-11.14
• /
• 2023

Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are commonly used to assess in vitro immune responses. However, PBMC isolation is a time-consuming procedure, introduces technical variability, and requires a relatively large volume of blood. By contrast, whole blood assay (WBA) is faster, cheaper, maintains more physiological conditions, and requires less sample volume, laboratory training, and equipment. Objectives: Herein, this study aimed to develop a porcine WBA for in vitro evaluation of immune responses. Methods: Heparinized whole blood (WB) was diluted (non-diluted, 1/2, 1/8, and 1/16) in RPMI-1640 media, followed by phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin. After 24 h, cells were stained for interferon (IFN)-γ secreting T-cells followed by flow cytometry, and the supernatant was analyzed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In addition, diluted WB was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), reference strain KCTC3557 (RS), field isolate (FI), of heat-killed (HK) Streptococcus suis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Results: The frequency of IFN-γ⁺CD3⁺ T-cells and concentration of TNF-α in the supernatant of WB increased with increasing dilution factor and were optimal at 1/8. WB TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-10 cytokine levels increased significantly following stimulation with LPS or poly I:C. Further, FI and RS induced IL-10 production in WB. Additionally, PRRSV strains increased the frequency of IFN-γ⁺ CD4^-CD8⁺ cells, and IFN-γ was non-significantly induced in the supernatant of re-stimulated samples. Conclusions: We propose that the WBA is a rapid, reliable, and simple method to evaluate immune responses and WB should be diluted to trigger immune cells.

• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.12-47
• /
• 2005

First, mice were dosed with 50mg/kg of streptozotocin(STZ) twice every 24 hours to cause high blood-sugar. Then, after three days, mice were injected with 100mg/kg of STZ again. Two different dosages of Saengjihwangeumja-gami were given to the experiment groups: SA group, 15mg/kg/day, and SB group, 90mg/kg/day, in order to determine the effects of Saengjihwangeumja-gami, which has been known to be good for DM(Diabetes Mellitus). By observing weight and blood-sugar level changes, blood tolerance, the numerical value of BUN(Blood Urea Nitrogen) and creatinine in blood, and through light-electronicmicroscopic and immunohistologic investigations of pancreas and kidneys, the following results were obtained: 1. The experiment groups showed a high suppressive effect of weight-loss. 2. The experiment groups' blood-sugar and blood tolerance showed an effective lowering of blood-sugar levels. 3. The experiment groups did not show any noticeable change in the numerical value of BUN and creatinine in blood compared with that of the control groups. 4. The experiment groups showed a higher Insulin positive reaction of pancreatic islets ${/beta}-cell$ than the control groups. 5. The experiment groups showed a higher immuno-reaction against IGF- II than the control groups. 6. Observation of apoptosis of the pancreatic islets showed that the cells of experiment groups were less injured compared with those of the control groups, and fewer apoptag-positive reaction cells were seen in experiment groups than in the control groups. 7. Uunder electron-microscopy, the insulin-containing granules in pancreatic islets ${/beta}-cells$ had increased more in the experiment groups than in the control groups. 8. Under light microscopy, the injury on the inner & outer membrane of the glomerulus and epithelial cells of capillaries and cells among vessels were fewer in the experiment groups than in the control groups. 9. More apoptag-positive reaction cells in the kidney were seen in the control groups than in the experiment groups. 10. PAS-positive reaction substances had increased more in the substrate among the vessels of a glomerulus belonging to the control group than those of the experiment group. 11. Uunder electron-microscopy, the nucleonic membrane, nucleoplasm and mitochondria of proximal and distal renal tubular were more injured in the control groups than in the experiment groups. In conclusion, strong evidence for the efficacy of Saengjihwangeumja-gami in lowering blood-sugar, and in recovery and generation of pancreatic tissues injured by DM was observed. Results suggest Saengjihwangeumja-gami is an effective treatment for DM. Further study of the principles of blood-sugar dropping effects of Saengjihwangeumja-gami are needed, as well as further study of recovery and regeneration of pancreatic tissues injured by DM.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제34권3호
• /
• pp.102-106
• /
• 2009

We exposed ICR mice to low-dose (0.2 Gy) and low-dose-rate (0.7 mGy/h) $\gamma$-radiation ($^{137}Cs$) in the Low-dose-rate Irradiation Facility at the Radiation Health Research Institute to evaluate systemic effects of low-dose radiation. We compared the body and organ weights, number of blood cells (white and red blood cells and platelets), levels of biochemical markers in serum, and frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes between low-dose irradiated and non-irradiated control mice. The ICR mice irradiated with total doses of 0.2 and 2 Gy showed no changes in body and organ weights, number of blood cells (white and red blood cells), or frequency of micronuclei in the polychromatic erythrocytes of peripheral blood. However, the number of platelets (P = 0.002) and the liver weight (P < 0.01) were significantly increased in mice exposed to 0.2 and 2 Gy, respectively. These results suggest that a low-dose-rate of 0.7 mGy/h does not induce systemic damage. This dose promotes hematopoiesis in the bone marrow microenvironment and the proliferation of liver cells. In the future, the molecular biological effects of lower doses and dose rates need to be evaluated.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제9권3호
• /
• pp.102-113
• /
• 2011

C-terminal SRC kinase (CSK) is a ubiquitously expressed, cytosolic enzyme that phosphorylates and inactivates several SRC family protein tyrosine kinases. Recent genomewide association studies have implicated CSK in the regulation of blood pressure. The current study aim is to determine the blood pressure association of the genes regulated by CSK down-regulation. The CSK mRNA expression was downregulated in vascular smooth muscle cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA). CSK mRNA levels fell by 90% in cells that were treated with CSK siRNA; the RNA from these cells was examined by microarray using the Illumina HumanRef-8 v3 platform, which comprises 24,526 reference mRNA probes. On treatment with CSK siRNA, 19 genes were downregulated by more than 2-fold and 13 genes were upregulated by more than 2-fold. Three (CANX, SLC30A7, and HMOX1) of them revealed more than 3 fold differential expression. Interestingly, the HMOX1 SNPs were associated with diastolic blood pressure in the 7551 Koreans using Korea Association REsource data, and the result was supported by the other reports that HMOX1 linked to blood vessel maintenance. Among the remaining 29 differentially expressed genes, seven (SSBP1, CDH2, YWHAE, ME2, PFTK1, G3BP2, and TUFT1) revealed association with both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The CDH2 gene was linked to blood pressures. Conclusively, we identified 32 differentially expressed genes which were regulated by CSK reduction, and two (HOMX1 and CDH2) of them might influence the blood pressure regulation through CSK pathway.

• 한국임상수의학회지
• /
• 제25권2호
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 2008

케타민은 N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) 수용체의 비경쟁적인 길항제로 인의와 수의학에서 전신 마취제로 사용하는 약물이다. 본 연구진은 이전에 케타민이 개 말초혈액 백혈구의 순간산소과소비현상(oxidative burst activity)을 손상시킨다고 보고하였다. 현재 연구에서는 개 말초혈액 탐식세포의 탐식능(phagocytic capacity)에 대한 케타민의 효과를 검토하였다. 탐식능은 유세포 분석기로 분석하였다. 말초혈액 다형핵백혈구(peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells; PMN)와 단구(monocytes)의 탐식능은 케타민의 직접 처리에 의해 감소하였으나 단핵구세포(peripheral blood mononuclear cells; PBMC) 분획에서의 탐식능은 케타민의 직접 처리에 의해 변화가 없었다. 말초혈액 다형핵백혈구와 단구의 탐식능은 케타민을 처리한 단핵구세포 배양상층액에 의해서도 감소하였다. 이상의 결과로부터 케타민은 호중구와 단구와 같은 개 말초혈액 탐식세포의 탐식능에 있어 직접적인 억제효과를 나타내며, 또한 케타민 처리 단핵구세포로부터 생산되는 가용성인자에 의해서도 탐식세포의 탐식능이 억제되는 것으로 사료되었다.