• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1023-1030
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• 2013

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), uniquely expressed on gram-positive bacteria, is recognized by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on not only antigen-presenting cells but also activated T cells. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that LTA is acting on T cells. However, little is known about the effect of LTA on T-cell regulation. In the present study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of LTA on $CD4^+$ T cells. Effector $CD4^+$ T cells, induced after co-culture with S. aureus-pulsed dendritic cells, produced high levels of interferon-${\gamma}$, CD25, CD69, and TLRs 2 and 4. When effector $CD4^+$ T cells were treated with LTA, the expressions of the membrane-bound form of transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ and forkhead box P3 increased. Coincidently, the proliferation of effector $CD4^+$ T cells was declined after LTA treatment. When TGF-${\beta}$ signaling was blocked by the TGF-${\beta}$ receptor 1 kinase inhibitor, LTA failed to suppress the proliferation of effector $CD4^+$ T cells. Therefore, the present results suggest that LTA suppresses the activity of effector $CD4^+$ T cells by enhancing TGF-${\beta}$ production.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-27
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Yijungtang(YJT) on atopic dermatitis in an in-vitro and in-vivo experiment using a RBL-2H3 mast cells and a NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse. Methods: In-vitro experiment, IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression were evaluated by a real-time PCR, IL-4, IL-13 production by ELISA and transcription factor as GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, AP-1 and NF-kB by western blotting. In-vivo experiment, clinical skin score we evaluated by, hematology and Serum total IgE and IgG1 of NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, cytokine level, total number of cell, Immunohistochemical staining and Histological features of auxiliary lymph node(ALN), draining lymph node(DLN), peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and dorsal skin tissue in NC/Nga mouse. Results: YJT decreased IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression, IL-4, IL-13 production and prominently decreased the expression of mast cell specific transcription factors including GATA-2, NF-AT2, c-Fos and NF-kB. YJT oral administration reduced the levels of skin severity scores. It also decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-5, IL-13, histamine and IgE in the serum. It elevated IFN-gamma level in the spleenocyte culture supernatant but decreased. $CD3e^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$, $CCR3^+$ in the PBMCs, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, $CD4^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$ in the ALN and $CD4^+$, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ in the dorsal skin. Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of AD-induced NC/Nga mice were much improved by YJT oral administration. Conclusions: The anti-allergic activities of YJT may be mediated by down-regulation of Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-13, through the regulation GATA-2, NF-AT2 and NF-kB transcription factors in mast cells. YJT would be regulate molecular mediators and immune cells which are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mice, and may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.161-168
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• 2008

The effects tea beverages (TBs) prepared from powdered green tea (Gt), oolong tea (Ot), black tea (Bt), or pure tea (Pt) with lemon, orange, grenadine etc on cadmium toxicity in rats were investigated Sensory evaluations of the TBs are better than those of each water extracted teas. Cadmium (50 ppm) was administered to experimental rats fed a basic diet, or a diet with various TBs (15% w/v), for 5 weeks. Although body weight gains, feed intakes, and fecal weights in all Cd-treated groups were lower than those in the normal control group (NC), feed efficiency ratio, urine volumes, liver weights, and kidney weights did not differ significantly between groups. The serum ALT and AST levels in the Cd-treated control group (Cd-Co) were higher than those in the NC animals. Serum ALT and AST levels in all Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets were lower than in animals of the Cd-Co group. Tibia and femur weights in Cd-Co animals were lower than those in NC rats. Tibia and femur weights in Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets were higher than those in Cd-Co animals. There were no between-group differences in tibia lengths; animals in the NC and TB-supplemented diet groups showed femur lengths longer than those of Cd-Co rats. Although the contents of crude ash and cadmium in the femurs of Cd-Co mts was markedly higher than in the femurs of NC animals, the cadmium content in femurs of Cd-Co rats was significantly lower than that in the femurs of NC animals. The changes in mineral levels caused by Cd administration were alleviated by every TB-supplemented diet tested Whereas fecal calcium excretion by Cd-Co animals was significantly higher than that of NC rats, calcium excretion by Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets was significantly lower than that of Cd-Co animals. Fecal cadmium excretion by all Cd-treated rats fed TB-supplemented diets was significantly higher than that of Cd-Co animals. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence that various TBs may regulate cadmium-induced organ toxicity by reducing cadmium accumulation in tissues through the mechanism of increasing the fecal excretion of cadmium.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1429-1435
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• 2002

The absolute stereochemistry of tetrin B (1), an antifungal antibiotic isolated from a soil actinomycete was determined by applying Rychnovsky analysis, the modified Mosher method, and CD exciton chirality to be 4R, 5R, 7S, 9R, 11S, 12R, 13S, 15R, 24S, and 25R.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2003

Background: The protective immunity against tuberculosis (TB) involves both CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. In our previous study, we defined four Mycobacterium tuberculosis derived peptide epitopes specific for HLA-$A^*0201$ restricted CD8+ T cells ($ThyA_{30-38}$, $RpoB_{127-135}$, $85B_{15-23}$, $PstA1_{75-83}$). In this study, we investigated the immune responses induced by these peptide specific CD8+ T cells in latently and chronically infected people with TB. Methods: We characterized these peptide specific CD8+ T cell population present in PBMC of both TB patients and PPD+healthy people using IFN-${\gamma}$elispot assay, intracellular staining and HLA-A2 dimer staining. Results: The frequency of peptide specific CD8+ T cell was in the range of 1 to 25 in $1.7{\times}10^5$ PBMC based on ex vivo IFN-${\gamma}$ elispot assay, demonstrating that these peptide specific CD8+ T cell responses are induced in both TB patients and PPD+ people. Short term cell lines (STCL) specific for these peptides proliferated in vitro and secreted IFN-${\gamma}$ upon antigenic stimulation in PPD+ donors. Lastly, HLA-$A^*0201$ dimer assays indicated that $PstA1_{75-83}$ specific CD8+ T cell population in PPD+ healthy donors is heterogeneous since approximately 25~33% of $PstA1_{75-83}$ specific CD8+ T cell population in PPD+ healthy donors produced IFN-${\gamma}$ upon peptide stimulation. Conclusion: Our results suggest that MHC class I restricted CD8+ T cell mediated immune responses to M. tuberculosis infection are induced in both TB patients and PPD + people; however, the CD8+ T cell population is functionally heterogeneous.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2002

Objectives: Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang are herbal decoctions which have been used as traditional therapeutic agents for asthma. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang on immune Cell & serum OA-specific 19B in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in rat asthma model. Methods: Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA); at day I the sensitized group and Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang groups were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of $Al(OH)_3$ in a total volume of 2ml. At the same time, 1ml of 0.9% saline containing $6{\times}10^9$ B. pertussis bacilli was injected by i.p. for 14 days. After systemic immunization, the rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9% saline aerosol containing 2% (wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BAL fluid was collected from the rats. A day after local immunization, rats were orally administered with each of Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang extract for 14 days. Lymphocyte, CD4+T-cell CD8+ T-cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, change of serum OA-specific IgE level, and CD4+T-cell CD8+T-cell percentage in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated. Results: Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang showed a suppressive effect on the rat asthma model. Maekmoondong-tang decreased total cell, lymphocyte, CD4+T-cell, CD8+T-cell in BALF, and serum OA specific 19B level as compared with the control group, whereas Maekmoondong-tang decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF with statistical nonsignificance as compared with the control group. 1 decreased total cell, CD4+T-cell, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, and serum OA specific IgE level, whereas Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang decreased ymphocyte, and CD8+T-cell in BALF with statistical nonsignificance as compared with the control group. CD4+T-cell and CD8+ T-cell percentage in peripheral blood were not changed significantly in all the experimental groups. Conclusions: This study shows that Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang have a suppressive effect on asthma. Maekmooruiong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang would be useful asthma treatment agents.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2018

Rice is a staple food source in Asian countries. In paddy field, rice plant can take up toxic elements through its roots from contaminated soils, and its leaves and grain can absorb the toxic elements deposited on the soil surface. A totla of 40 soil and polished rice samples were collected around four abandoned metal mines in Korea and analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The average contents of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in rice grain grown on the contaminated soils were 0.247, 0.174, 4.694, 0.804 and 16.78 mg/kg, respectively. These levels are higher than worldwide average concentrations. Assuming the rice consumption of 169 g/day by overall households in Korea, the estimated daily intakes from the rices were found to be 33, 48, and 63% for As, Cd, and Pb, respectively, of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) suggested by the FAO/WHO Joint Food Additive and Contaminants Committee.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2013

Multicentric Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare atypical lymphoproliferative disorder, which is characterized by various systemic manifestations. Some patients with multicentric CD may have concomitant lung parenchymal lesions, for which lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is known to be the most common pathologic finding. Follicular bronchiolitis and LIP are considered to be on the same spectrum of the disease. We describe a case of multicentric CD with pulmonary involvement, which was pathologically proven as follicular bronchiolitis.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2005

Response surface methodology(RSM) was applied to monitor the elimination rate of heavy metals(Pb, Cd) and soluble solids depending on the steaming and roasting conditions of Polygonatum odoratum roots. Experiments of 16 different steaming and roasting conditions based on a central composite design for steaming time($60{\sim}180$ min), roasting temperature($110{\sim}150^{\circ}C$), and roasting time($10{\sim}50$ min) were conducted, thereby predicting the steaming and roasting conditions for the maximal responses; soluble solids($71.47\%$) at 65.24 min, $126.93^{\circ}C$ and 37.58 min; Pb removal rate($18.87\%$) at 71.23 min, $119.81^{\circ}C$ and 24.35 min; Cd removal rate($50,85\%$) at 160.89 min, $126.43^{\circ}C$ and 15.81 min, respectively. The optimum conditions estimated by RSM for the maximized values of soluble solids and heavy metal elimination rates were $165{\sim}180$ min of steaming time, $120{\sim}135^{\circ}C$ of roasting temperature, and $30{\sim}45$ min of roasting time, respectively. These estimated values were in agreement with those measured by real experiments.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.480-486
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• 2008

This paper reports on the monitoring results of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) in oriental mineral medicines. Levels of Pb, Cd and As were determined using the acid digestion method and ICP-MS. Hg levels were determined using the gold amalgamation method and Automatic mercury analyzer (AMA). The results indicated that, in the case of Pb, 25.81% (24 cases) of the samples were over MRL (5 mg/kg). Pb levels in Calamina, Pumex, and Cinnabaris exceeded MRL (5 mg/kg). In the case of Cd, 9.68% (17cases) of the samples were over MRL (0.3 mg/kg). Cd levels in Calamina, Pumex and Cinnabaris were exceeded MRL (0.3 mg/kg). In case of As, 24.73% (23 cases) of samples exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). As levels in Calamina, Lithargyrum, Vermilionum, Cinnabaris and Chalcocitum exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). In the case of Hg, it was shown that the 76.34% (78 cases) of the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). Hg levels in almost all the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). These results led us to recommend that the domestic commercial law to be legislated to ensure the quality estimation and safety of oriental mineral medicines.