• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.273-280
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• 2014

The changing patterns of goblet cell hyperplasia, intestinal epithelial cell turnover, and intestinal motility were studied in ICR and C57BL/6 mice infected with Gymnophalloides seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae). Whereas ICR mice retained G. seoi worms until day 7 post-infection (PI), C57BL/6 mice showed a rapid worm expulsion within day 3 PI. Immunosuppression with Depo-Medrol significantly delayed the worm expulsion in C57BL/6 mice. Goblet cell counts were increased in both strains of mice, peaking at day 1 PI in C57BL/6 mice and slowly increasing until day 7 PI in ICR mice. In C57BL/6 mice infected with G. seoi, newly proliferating intestinal epithelial cells were remarkably increased in the crypt, and the increase was the highest at day 1 PI. However, in ICR mice, newly proliferating intestinal epithelial cells increased slowly from day 1 to day 7 PI. Intestinal motility was increased in G. seoi-infected mice, and its chronological pattern was highly correlated with the worm load in both strains of mice. Meanwhile, immunosuppression of C57BL/6 mice abrogated the goblet cell proliferation, reduced the epithelial cell proliferation, and suppressed the intestinal motility. Goblet cell hyperplasia, increased intestinal epithelial cell turnover, and increased intestinal motility should be important mucosal defense mechanisms in G. seoi-infected C57BL/6 mice.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2005

Mast cells and goblet cells have been known to protect the host against parasites. In this study, we examined the response of the mast cells and goblet cells over a period of 6 weeks in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice infected with Echinostoma hortense (E. hortense). In addition, we investigated whether the worm recovery rate of uninfected mice (the control group) or E. hortense-infected mice (the experimental group) was associated with the number of mast cells and goblet cells. The worm recovery rate was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice. The number of goblet cells significantly increased in the experimental group of the C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice compared with the control group of both strains (P<0.005). Worm recovery peaked 3 weeks after the infection of the C57BL/6 mice and at 2 weeks after the infection of the C3H/HeN mice, and it was higher in the duodenum than in the jejunum and ileum. However, the infected site in the intestine had no relation with worm expulsion. In the C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice, the number of goblet cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.005). The number reached a peak 2 weeks after the infection and it even increased in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The increased number of goblet cells was retained 6 weeks after infection. The number of goblet cells was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice (P<0.01). These results indicate that goblet cells are related with the worm expulsion. Furthermore, immunohistostaining of the antral intestinal walls for lectin showed the significant increase of the number of goblet cells in the experimental group (P<0.001). The high infection rate in the duodenum was found during the early infection. An increased infection rate in the jejunum and ileum was found 3 weeks after infection and the infection rate was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, the present study indicates that goblet cells, rather than mast cells, may play critical roles in parasite expulsion.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.75-88
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• 2007

Objective : This study was designed to test the anti-craving effect of Gigaltang(extracts of Oriental medicinal herbs ; Hovenia dulcis and Puerariae flos) in C57BL/6 mice. Anti-craving effect was substituted by alcohol intake amount of C57BL/6 mice. Method : 60 C57BL/6 mice was randomized into vehicle(water) group and Gigaltang group. Only 39(vehicle group(21) and Gigaltang group(18)) was eligible for this study, and 21 C57BL/6 mice was dropped out. The procedure was composed of 5 days of adjustment period and 32 days of alcohol exposure and withdrawal period with limited access paradigm and 10 days of treatment period. Alcohol was offered only for 2 hours a day from 2 to 4PM and water was offered for 22 hours left. Food was offered for 24 hours a day. 1140mg/Kg/day of Gigaltang was administrated to 18 mice of Gigaltang group for 10 days whereas water to 21 mice of vehicle group. The amount of alcohol intake, water intake, food intake, body weight were measured every other day. Result : There weren't significant differences in 2 hours of alcohol intake, 22 hours of water intake, 24 hours of food intake and body weight for ten days between Gigaltang and vehicle group. Conclusion : Anti-craving effect of Gigaltang on C57BL/6 mice wasn't verified. To verify the anti-craving effect, further study with advanced animal model, various dose of Gigaltang and diverse period of drug administration should be taken.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.401-406
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• 2001

These studies were carried out to survey the genetic contamination of six inbred mice (A, BALB/c, C3H, C57BL/6, CBA and KK) produced and supplied from the conventional breeding unit for improving the quality of mice as experimental animal. We examined alleles of five loci (Akp-1, Car-2, Hbb, Es-1 and Trf) by the use of biochemical markers with celluose acetate electrophoresis. As the results of test, BALB/c, A, C3H, C57BL/6, CBA and KK showed standard alleles in Akp-1, Car-2 and Hbb. But Es-1 of A and C57BL/6 and Trf of A, C3H, C57BL/6 and CBA did allelic divergence in loci. These results suggest that the colonies of A, C3H, C57BL/6 and CBA were genetically contaminated. Therefore, we recommend to eliminate the genetically contaminated mice thoroughly, to check on genetic monitoring regularly and to consider a counterpaln for improving the quality control as soon as possible.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.222-226
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• 2003

Purpose: The interaction of the Fas: Fas ligand has been recognized to play an important role in radiation induced apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Fas and Fas ligand mutations, in radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo. Materials and Methods: Mice with a mutation in the Fas ($C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr}$) and its normal control (C57BL/6J) and the Fas ligand ($C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$) and its normal control (C3H/HeJ), were used in this study. Eight-week old male mice were given whole body radiation. After irradiation, the mice were killed at various time intervals, and their spleens collected. Tissue sample was stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the numbers of apoptotic cells scored. The regulating molecules of apoptosis including the p53, Bcl-2, Bax, $Bcl-X_L\;and\;Bcl-X_s$ genes were also analyzed by Western blotting. Results: With 2.5 Gy and 10 Gy of irradiation, the levels of apoptosis were lower in the $C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr}\;and\;C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$ mice than in the control mice (p<0.05). With the expression of apoptosis regulating molecules, the Bax was increased in both the C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ mice in response to radiation; the peak levels of Bax in the C57BL6J and C3H/HeJ were 3 and 3.3-fold higher after 8hr, respectively. However the Bax was not increased in either the $C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr}\;or\;C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$mice. The p53, Bcl-X_L,\;Bcl-X_S$and Bcl-2 showed no significant changes in the $C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr},\;C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$, C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ mice. Conclusion: The levels of radiation-induced apoptosis were lower in the lpr and gld, than the control mice, which seemed to be related to the level of Bax activation due to the radiation in the lpr and gld mice. This result suggests that Fas/Fas L plays an important role in radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.175-183
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• 2004

To evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in $IFN-{\gamma}$ production and apoptosis of splenocytes in genetically different strains of mice with toxoplasmosis, BALB/c (a toxoplasmosis resistant strain) and C57BL/6 (a toxoplasmosis susceptible strain) mice were infected with Toxoplasma gondii cysts orally and subsequently injected intraperitoneally with aminoguanidine, an iNOS inhibitor (AG; 35 mg/kg per mouse daily for 14 days). When BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice were infected with T. gondii without AG treatment, number of brain cysts, NO and IFN-y production by splenocytes, and percentages of apoptotic splenocytes were increased compared to uninfected control mice without AG treatment. AG treatment increased the number of brain cysts, and reduced NO and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production in T. gondii-infected C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, in T. gondii-infected BABL/c mice, the number of brain cysts, and NO and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production of splenocytes was not altered by treatment with AG. However, the percentages of apoptotic splenocytes in T. gondii-infected BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice were not affected by AG treatment. These results suggest that NO modulates $IFN-{\gamma}$ production in T. gondii-infected C57BL/6 mice, and that NO is involved in mediating a protective response in toxoplasmosis susceptible, but not resistant, mice strain during acute infection.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.778-790
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• 2008

This experiment investigated the effect of mixed extracts obtained from Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma on hair growth activity of the normal and spontaneous alopecia areata model of C57BL/6N mice for 16 days. First, we examined morphological regrowth of hair in normal and spontaneous alopecia model of C57BL/6N mice. Second, we examined immunoreactive density of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), c-kit and protein kinase $C-{\alpha}(PKC-{\alpha})$ in skin of normal C57BL/6N mice by immunohistochemical methods. Third, we investigated expression of $TGF-{\beta}$, prolactin and placenta lactogen after topical application of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma to skin by RT-PCR. The results were as follows: Hair growth effect from middle and high concentration of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma was observed in 80% of normal mice in whose hair had been clipped in 15th days. Hair growth effect of all concentrations of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma was observed in 100% of spontaneous alopecia model of C57BL/6N mice in 15th days. Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit and $PKC-{\alpha}$ in skin of all concentrations of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma were strongly stained in epidermis, bulge, secondary hair germ cells and cutaneous trunci m. compare to control group in 10th day. In experimental III group, Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit and $PKC-{\alpha}$ in skin were strongly stained in inner and outer root sheath of skin. The treatment of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma increased the expression of $TGF-{\beta}$, placenta lactogen and prolactin in the skin of normal C57BL/6N mice compared to control group. These experiments suggest that mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma may stimulate the topical hair growth activity and it can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.536-544
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• 2004

To evaluate the antioxidative effect of maengjong-juk (Phyllostachys pubescens) extract coated rice in vivo system, maengjong-juk extract coated rice diets were fed to C57BL/6 mice for 16 weeks. Plasma total antioxidative capacity, hepatic lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, activities of antioxidative enzymes and total glutathione content were measured. Plasma total antioxidative capacity was elevated significantly in maengjong-juk extract diets supplemented group in a dose dependant manner. Hepatic TBARS contents were significantly decreased in maengjong-juk extract diets supplemented group compared to high cholesterol group. Maengjong-juk extract coated rice diets suppressed the protein oxidation significantly in liver. Activities of hepatic antioxidative enzymes such as total SOD, CuㆍZn-SOD, Mn-SOD, GSH-Px and catalase activities of maengjong-juk extract coated rice diets were significantly higher than those of high cholesterol diet. Total hepatic glutathione content was significantly increased by maengjong-juk extract coated rice diets administration. According to this study, numerous antioxidative materials and phytochemicals containing in maengjong-juk extracts appear to protect antioxidative systems in C57BL/6 mice fed bamboo extract coated rice diet. (Korean J Community Nutrition 9(4): 536∼544, 2004)

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.138-146
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• 2023

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite which can infect most warm-blooded animals and humans. Among the different mouse models, C57BL/6 mice are more susceptible to T. gondii infection compared to BALB/c mice, and this increased susceptibility has been attributed to various factors, including T-cell responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most prominent type of antigen-presenting cells and regulate the host immune response, including the response of T-cells. However, differences in the DC responses of these mouse strains to T. gondii infection have yet to be characterized. In this study, we cultured bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. These cells were infected with T. gondii. The activation of the BMDCs was assessed based on the expression of cell surface markers and cytokines. In the BMDCs of both mouse strains, we detected significant increases in the expression of cell surface T-cell co-stimulatory molecules (major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II, CD40, CD80, and CD86) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-1β, and IL-10) from 3 h post-T. gondii infection. The expression of MHC II, CD40, CD80, CD86, IFN-γ, IL-12p40, and IL-1β was significantly higher in the T. gondii-infected BMDCs obtained from the C57BL/6 mice than in those from the BALB/c mice. These findings indicate that differences in the activation status of the BMDCs in the BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice may account for their differential susceptibility to T. gondii.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.17
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• 2023

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are critical immune-response mediators. Although they largely reside in mucosal tissues, the kidney also bears substantial numbers. Nevertheless, kidney ILC biology is poorly understood. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are known to display type-2 and type-1 skewed immune responses, respectively, but it is unclear whether this extends to ILCs. We show here that indeed, BALB/c mice have higher total ILCs in the kidney than C57BL/6 mice. This difference was particularly pronounced for ILC2s. We then showed that three factors contributed to the higher ILC2s in the BALB/c kidney. First, BALB/c mice demonstrated higher numbers of ILC precursors in the bone marrow. Second, transcriptome analysis showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys associated with significantly higher IL-2 responses. Quantitative RT-PCR also showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys expressed higher levels of IL-2 and other cytokines known to promote ILC2 proliferation and/or survival (IL-7, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin). Third, the BALB/c kidney ILC2s may be more sensitive to the environmental signals than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s since they expressed their transcription factor GATA3 and the IL-2, IL-7, and IL-25 receptors at higher levels. Indeed, they also demonstrated greater responsiveness to IL-2 than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s, as shown by their greater STAT5 phosphorylation levels after culture with IL-2. Thus, this study demonstrates previously unknown properties of kidney ILC2s. It also shows the impact of mouse strain background on ILC2 behavior, which should be considered when conducting research on immune diseases with experimental mouse models.