• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.18.1-18.11
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• 2023

Immunologists have activated T cells in vitro using various stimulation methods, including phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin and αCD3/αCD28 agonistic antibodies. PMA stimulates protein kinase C, activating nuclear factor-κB, and ionomycin increases intracellular calcium levels, resulting in activation of nuclear factor of activated T cell. In contrast, αCD3/αCD28 agonistic antibodies activate T cells through ZAP-70, which phosphorylates linker for activation of T cell and SH2-domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kD. However, despite the use of these two different in vitro T cell activation methods for decades, the differential effects of chemical-based and antibody-based activation of primary human T cells have not yet been comprehensively described. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies to analyze gene expression unbiasedly at the single-cell level, we compared the transcriptomic profiles of the non-physiological and physiological activation methods on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived T cells from four independent donors. Remarkable transcriptomic differences in the expression of cytokines and their respective receptors were identified. We also identified activated CD4 T cell subsets (CD55⁺) enriched specifically by PMA/ionomycin activation. We believe this activated human T cell transcriptome atlas derived from two different activation methods will enhance our understanding, highlight the optimal use of these two in vitro T cell activation assays, and be applied as a reference standard when analyzing activated specific disease-originated T cells through scRNA-seq.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1357-1368
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-inflammation effect of the cheonggukjang (a soybean paste fermented for only a few days) in diet induced obesity mice. Weight gain was significantly decreased in the mice fed cheonggukjang compared High Fat Diets (HFD). The HFD plus cheonggukjang (CGJ) were also effective in improving the lipid metabolism. The levels of plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, ALT, AST, leptin, glucose, and insulin were significantly lower in CGJ than HFD group (p<0.05). The adiponectin level of CGJ group was significantly increased compared to the HFD group (p<0.05). In the CGJ group, the mRNA expression of adipogenic genes in the liver and adipose tissues, which are transcription factors crucial for adipogenesis, were significantly suppressed (p<0.05). The number of $CD11b^+F4/80^+$ T cells, $Gr-1^{int}CD11b^{high}$ cells, and $Gr-1^{int}CD11b^{high}$ cells were significantly higher in HFD group than CGJ group (p<0.05). The size of adipocyte was significantly reduced in CGJ group compared to HFD group. In addition, the contents of liver lipid droplets were significantly downregulated in the CGJ mice than HFD mice (p<0.05). Collectively, these data suggest the novel function of cheonggukjang in modulating adipogenesis through an immune function-alteration involving downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors and macrophage activation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2024

Objectives: Patients with cancer eventually fail to respond to therapy when malignant cells develop effective ways to evade immunosurveillance. Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, aim to cure the disease or prolong the patient's life. However, the toxicity and side effects of conventional treatments limit their efficacy. Herbal medicine is a typical complementary and integrative form of medicine for cancer treatment in Asia. This protocol evaluates the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving the immune function of patients with cancer. Methods: The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korean databases including Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). Additionally, prospective randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on immune function in patients with cancer will be included in this review. All outcomes related to the immune function of patients with cancer (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 (B cells), dendritic cells (CD11), CD56 (NK cells), and macrophages) will be included in this review. Results: This review is expected to provide data on the effectiveness of herbal medicines on improving immune functions in patients with cancers. Conclusion: This systematic review will help patients and clinicians establish new management options for cancer treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.23-35
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Asthma-depression and Immunoregulation with PR-HAS(Herbal-acupuncture with Platycodi Radix infusion solution) infection at Joksamni(St36) on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week). The experimental group(OVA-PR-HA) was treated with concentrations(1%) of PR-HAS at Joksamni(St36) for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). The second experimental group(OVA-Needle prick) was treated with Needle-Prick at Joksamni(St36) for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). Results : 1. The weight and total cells in the mice lung treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 2. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased remarkably compared with those of control group. 3. The sticking of collagen on histological analysis of lung sections, the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 4. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IgE in BALF, and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in serum of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 5. The number of Gr-1+/CD11b+ and CD11b+ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 6. The numbers of CCR3+ cells, CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells in the lungs, and CD3e+/CD69+ in the lungs of the mice group treated with PA-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 7. The mRNA expression of ${\beta}$-actin, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the mice group treated with PR-HA with RT-PCR decreased significantly compared with those of control group. Conclusions : These result suggests that Platycodi Radix Herbal-acupuncture at Joksamni(St36) in C57BL/6mice may be an effictive part to OVA-induced asthma in C57BL/6 mice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.119-135
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the Asthma-suppressive and Immune-regulatory effect of AF-HA(Aristolochiae Fructus Herbal-acupuncture) at Joksamni(St36) in OVA(ovalbumin) induced asthma mouse model. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week). The mice in the OVA-AF-HA group were treated with AF-HA at St36 for the later 8weeks(3times/week). The mice in the OVA-Needle-prick group were treated with single prick with an injection needle at St36 for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). Results : 1. The lung weight and the total cells in lung of the mice treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 2. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased remarkably compared with those of the OVA-control group. 3. The collagen accumulation in lung of OVA-AF-HA group decreased significantly compared with that of the OVA-control group, 4. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IgE in BALF, and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in serum of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 5. The numbers of $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+\;and\;CD11b^+$ cells in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 6. The numbers of $CCR3^+,\;CD4^+,\;CD8^+\;and \;CD3e^+/CD69^+$ cells in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at 5136 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 7. The mRNA expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL13 in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Aristolochiae Fructus Herbal-acupuncture at Joksamni(St36) may be an effictive therapeutic method to treat asthma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2018

Background: Korean ginseng has been widely evaluated to treat human diseases; however, most studies on Korean ginseng have focused on its root. In this study, polysaccharides [acidic-polysaccharide-linked glycopeptide (APGP) extracted with 90% ethanol and hot water] were prepared from Korean ginseng berries, and their effect on immunosenescence was explored. Methods: The effect of APGP on thymic involution was evaluated by measuring the size of thymi dissected from aged mice. The effect of APGP on populations of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, age-correlated CD11c-positive B cells, and several subtypes of T cells [CD4-positive, CD8-positive, and regulatory (Treg) T cells] in the thymi and spleens of aged mice was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Profiles of APGP components were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results: APGP suppressed thymic involution by increasing the weight and areas of thymi in aged mice. APGP increased the population of NK cells, but showed no effect on the population of dendritic cells in the thymi and spleens of aged mice. APGP decreased the population of age-correlated CD11c-positive B cells in the spleens of aged mice. APGP showed no effect on the populations of CD4- and CD8-positive T cells in the thymi of aged mice, whereas it increased the population of Treg cells in the spleens of aged mice. APGP further decreased the reduced serum levels of IL-2 in aged mice, but serum levels of IL-6 were not statistically changed by APGP in aged mice. Finally, HPLC analysis showed that APGP had one major peak at 15 min (a main type of polysaccharide) and a long tail up to 35 min (a mixture of a variety of types of polysaccharides). Conclusion: These results suggested that APGP exerted an anti-immunosenescent effect by suppressing thymic involution and modulating several types of immune cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2022

Oxysterols are known to be involved in the physiopathology of atherosclerosis. Since 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) is found in large amounts in oxysterols and in atherosclerotic plaque, the study on how 7-KC may affect monocyte differentiation induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) in the monocytic cell line, THP-1, is essential. 7-KC induced a dose-dependent reduction in cell proliferation without inducing cytotoxicity, and the substantial staining of Nile red demonstrates the increased absorption of intracellular lipids. Although 7-KC itself did not increase cell adhesion, it markedly decreased the adhesion of cells treated with PMA. Furthermore, by observing the effect of 7-KC on phagocytosis using fluorescent-labeled latex beads, 7-KC's ability to abolish phagocytosis in PMA-stimulated macrophages was illustrated. The effect of 7-KC on the expression of selected protein markers on the process of differentiation induced by PMA in THP-1 cells was also examined. 7-KC inhibited expression of ICAM-1, CD11a, SR-A1, and SR-B2 (CD36) in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. Conversely, 7-KC drastically increased the expression of SR-D1 (CD68)in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that 7-KC modulates monocyte differentiation and activation via the intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.234-239
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• 2003

3-weeks old Commelina was transferred to and grown in Hoagland solution (($\pm 100 \mu M \;Cd^{2+}, 100 \mu M \;Cd^{2+}+10 \mu M\;IAA,100 \mu M\; Cd^{2+}+100 \mu M \; IAA,100 \mu M \; Cd^{2+} +1 \mu M \; IAA)$) for three weeks and then a number of physiological activities was investigated. In the control the length of stem was increased to 7 cm after 3 weeks, but in the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$, 2.0 cm was grown. In cases of IAA with $Cd^{2+}$, the growth of the plants was increased to 3.7 cm, 5.0 cm and 3.3 cm in 100 $\mu$M, 10 $\mu$M and 1 mM IAA respectively, Cadmium stimulated stomatal opening. The stomata, treated with $Cd^{2+}$ opened to n degree of about 6.1 $\mu\textrm{m}$, but the stomata, treated with no cadmium opened to 4.5 $\mu\textrm{m}$. In the treatment of various concentation of IAA with cadmium the stomata opend to about 1 $\mu\textrm{m}$ more than that of cadmium alone. Cadmium reduced total chlorophyll content up to 13% for 3 weeks. In the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ IAA (10 $\mu$M and 100 $\mu$M) the clear change of total chlorophyll content was not observed, but in the addition of 1 mM IAA to $Cd^{2+}$ reduced the total chlorophyll content to about 9%. $Cd^{2+}$ reduced to 9% and 11% of Fv/Fm after two and three weeks respectively. In cases of IAA with $Cd^{2+}$, there were no clear changes of Fv/Fm. Cadmium reduced water potential to 67% after 3 weeks incubation, but in cases of IAA with $Cd^{2+}$, water potential was not clearly changed. Therefore, it could be concluded that the treatment of IAA showed clear alleviation of $Cd^{2+}$-induced several physiological toxicities.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.104-112
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• 2012

Silica is one of the most abundant compounds found in nature. Immoderate exposure to crystalline silica has been linked to pulmonary disease and crystalline silica has been classified as a Group I carcinogen. Ultrafine (diameter <100 nm) silica particles may have different toxicological properties compared to larger particles. We evaluated the effect of ultrafine silica nanoparticles on mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) and murine dendritic cell line, DC2.4. The exposure of dendritic cells (DCs) to ultrafine silica nanoparticles showed a decrease in cell viability and an induction of cell death in size- and concentration-dependent manners. In addition, in order to examine the phenotypic changes of DCs following co-culture with silica nanoparticles, we added each sized-silica nanoparticle along with GM-CSF and IL-4 during and after DC differentiation. Expression of CD11c, a typical DC marker, and multiple surface molecules such as CD54, CD80, CD86, MHC class II, was changed by silica nanoparticles in a size-dependent manner. We also found that silica nanoparticles affect inflammatory response in DCs in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we found that p38 and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation may be critical for the inflammatory response by silica nanoparticles. Our data demonstrate that ultrafine silica nanoparticles have cytotoxic effects on dendritic cells and immune modulation effects in vitro and in vivo.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.446-451
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• 2005

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Mominis Placenta herbal acupuncture solution(HP-HAS) on immune cells and cytokines in murine asthma model. In vivo C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA for 12 weeks. The experimental group was treated with Hominis Placenta herbal acupuncture solution(HP-HAS) at P'yesu(BL13) for the later 8 weeks(3 times a week) and analyzed by ELISA, flow cytometer. The results were obtained as follows Eosinophils in BALF(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) of HP-HAS group decreased significantly compared with that of control group. IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE in BALF of HP-HAS group decreased significantly compared with that of control group. Number of $CD3e^-/CCR3^+$, $CD69^+/CD3e^+$, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells in the HP-HAS group decreased compared with that of control group.