• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2021

Background: Although neuropathic pain is a severe and common pain, its pathophysiology has not been elucidated yet. Studies in recent years have focused on the immune system's role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of immunological mechanisms in neuropathic pain and the effect of pregabalin by measuring immunological marker levels in peripheral blood before and after pregabalin treatment in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients with neuropathic pain. Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with PHN were included in the study. CD4, T follicular cells (Tfh: CD4⁺CXCR5⁺PD1⁺), Th17 (CD4⁺CCR6⁺ and CD4⁺IL17A⁺), regulatory T cells (Treg: CD4⁺ CD25⁺foxp3⁺), Th1 (CD4⁺ CXCR3⁺ and CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺) and Th2 (CD4⁺ IL-4⁺) cell ratios were measured in peripheral blood samples before treatment and after 3 months of treatment. Results: When immunological marker and inflammation parameter levels were compared before and after treatment, the helper T cell ratio (CD3⁺, CD4⁺) was 30.28 ± 12.27% before treatment and 34.93 ± 11.70% after treatment, so there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.028). Th17 was 4.75 ± 5.02% before treatment and 5.80 ± 3.13% after treatment, and there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.036). Conclusions: Immunological mechanisms play an essential role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, immunologically based treatment approach will be the critical point of treatment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.339-347
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• 2005

IL-17 (IL-17A or CTLA-8) is the founding member of a novel family of inflammatory cytokines, and emerging evidence indicates that it plays a central role in inflammation and autoimmunity. IL-17 is made primarily, if not exclusively by T cells, but relatively little is known about how its expression is regulated. In the present study, we examined the requirements and mechanisms for IL-17 expression in primary mouse lymphocytes. Like many cytokines, IL-17 is induced rapidly in primary T cells after stimulation of the T cell receptor (TCR) through CD3 crossinking. Surprisingly, however, the pattern of regulation of IL-17 is different in mice than in humans, because "costimulation" of T cells through CD28 only mildly enhanced IL-17 expression, whereas levels of IL-2 were dramatically enhanced. Similarly, several other costimulatory molecules such as ICOS, 4-1BB and CD40L exerted only very weak enhancing effects on IL-17 production. In agreement with other reports, IL-23 enhanced CD3-induced IL-17 expression. However, IL-17 production can occur autonomously in T cells, as neither dendritic cells nor IL-23 were necessary for promoting short-term production of IL-17. Finally, to begin to characterize the TCR-mediated signaling pathway(s) required for IL-17 production, we showed that IL-17 expression is sensitive to cyclosporin-A and MAPK inhibitors, suggesting the involvement of the calcineurin/NFAT and MAPK signaling pathways.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2023

A 13-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog presented with generalized lymphadenopathy and erythematous cutaneous lesions in the ear pinnae. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the lymph nodes revealed small to intermediate lymphocytes with a "hand mirror" configuration as the predominant cell type. Histopathological analysis of the lymph node showed an infiltrate of CD3-positive small lymphocytes compressing the follicles against the capsule owing to neoplastic cell expansion. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a homogeneous population of CD3+/CD4-/CD5+/CD8-/CD21+/CD34-/CD45- cells in both the peripheral blood and aspirated lymph nodes, which supports the diagnosis of T-zone lymphoma. Laboratory tests revealed lymphocytosis (14,144 cells/µL) in the peripheral blood. However, contrary to expectations, the bone marrow examination revealed no evidence of lymphocytic infiltration. T-zone lymphoma is an indolent lymphoma with a long survival period, and knowledge of its characteristics may affect disease staging and prognosis evaluation. Therefore, peripheral blood count as a sole screening tool for bone marrow metastasis should be used with caution.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.918-924
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• 2015

During T cell activation, mitochondrial content increases to meet the high energy demand of rapid cell proliferation. With this increase, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) also increases and causes the rapid apoptotic death of activated cells, thereby facilitating T cell homeostasis. Nicotinamide (NAM) has previously been shown to enhance mitochondria quality and extend the replicative life span of human fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the effect of NAM on $CD8^+$ T cell activation. NAM treatment attenuated the increase of mitochondrial content and ROS in T cells activated by CD3/CD28 antibodies. This was accompanied by an accelerated and higher-level clonal expansion resulting from attenuated apoptotic death but not increased division of the activated cells. Attenuation of ROS-triggered pro-apoptotic events and upregulation of Bcl-2 expression appeared to be involved. Although cells activated in the presence of NAM exhibited compromised cytokine gene expression, our results suggest a means to augment the size of T cell expansion during activation without consuming their limited replicative potential.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2007

Scutellaria baicalensis is known as a herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. However, effect of Scutellaria baicalensis on lupus pathogenesis that is characterized by overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and abnormalities in regulation, function, and interaction of immune cells remains unclear. We investigated effects of Scutellariae radix methanol extract (SBMeOH) on the production of proinflammatory cytokines and abnormal activation of T cells in vitro in pristane-induced lupus BALB/c mice. These results demonstrated that SBMeOH significantly decreased the LPS-stimulated production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-10 by splenic and peritoneal macrophages and IL-6 and IL-10 by splenocytes from pristane-induced lupus mice. SBMeOH significantly downregulated the Con A-stimulated overproduction of IL-6, IL-10, and $IFN-{\gamma}$ by splenocytes from pristane-induced lupus mice. Also, SBMeOH significantly attenuated the Con A-induced expression of CD4+ T cells and CD69+CD4+ T cells but not CD8+ T cells in pristane-induced lupus mice. Our findings indicate that SBMeOH may ameliorate lupus pathogenic inflammation and autoimmunity via downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine production and abnormal activation of T cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.166-175
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• 2004

Background: Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme capable of synthesizing telomeric repeats, attracts attention for its possible role in determining the replicative capacity of normal somatic cells, transformed cells, and cells of the germline lineage. Differently from normal somatic cells with no telomerase activity, normal lymphocytes has been reported to have telomerase activity comparable to that found in transformed cells during development and activation, which substantiate a role in supporting the capacity of lymphocytes for extensive clonal expansion. Methods: Here, in order to define the telomerase regulation in murine T lymphocytes, telomerase activity in cloned murine $CD8^+$ T cells and naive $CD8^+$ T cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice was examined. Next, the regulatory mechanism of telomerase activity at transcriptional and post- translational levels was investigated by determining the expression level of the TERT protein, a key component for telomerase activity. Results: It was demonstrated that telomerase activity was expressed in an inactivated state as well as in an activated state in the murine $CD8^+$ T lymphocytes by using TRAP assay. The increase of telomerase activity was partially dependent on the net increase of TERT expression. Also, telomerase activity was decreased after treatment with protein kinase inhibitors, indicating that telomerase activation was prevented by inhibition of phosphorylation. Conclusion: Therefore, these results suggest that telomerase activity is constitutively expressed in the murine resting T lymphocytes and controlled by both transcriptional regulation and post- ranslational modifications.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 1998

Cyclosporin A(CsA) is a selective immunosuppressive agent that has been credited with improved survival of solid organ allografts. Lymph node of BALB/C mouse administered CsA immunohistochemically observed to understand immunosuppressive effects of CsA on T lymphocytes, IL-2 receptors, and natural killer NK cells in lymph node. CsA orally administered daily for 10days at the dose 45mg/kg/day/. The lymph node were obtained at day 3, 7, and 14 after CsA administration and embedded with paraffin, and then stained by following ABC method that used monoclonal antibody including L3T4(CD4), Ly2(CD8), IL-2R(CD25), and NK-1.1(CD56). There were little changes of reactive degree and number of helper T lymphocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, IL-2 receptors, and NK cells at day 3 after CsA administration, but they began to decrease at day 7. These decrease were greatest at day 14. The helper T lymphocytes. cytotoxic T lymphocytes, IL-2 receptors, and NK cells distributed in paracortex and medullary sinus. These results indicated that the secretion of IL-2 began to decrease at day 7 after CsA administration and subsequently to suppress T lymphocytes and NK cell as components of cell-mediated immunity.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to analyze inhibitory effects of anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody on melanoma metastasis The 4-1BB (CD137) T cell molecule is a member of the TNF receptor family and its activation by either 4-1BB ligand or antibody induces T cell activation and growth. In the present study, administration of anti-4-1BB mAb induced inhibition of melanoma metastasis. Agonistic anti-4-1BB mAb induced not only CD$8^+$4-1BBT cells but also CD$8^+$IFN-${\gamma}$$^{+}$ T cell population. In the presence of anti-CD3 antibody, lymphocytes produced high levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ and low levels of IL-4 in anti-4-1BB mAb treated group. Exposure of melanoma cells to IFN-${\gamma}$ induced expression of MHC-I molecules. Thus, the increase in number of CD$8^+$T cells and enhanced MHC-I expression on B16F10 cells by augmented IFN-${\gamma}$ production in response to anti-4-1BB mAb may result in suppression of tumor growth and metastasis.s.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.292-311
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• 2017

Purpose: Beyond the limited scope of non-specific polyclonal regulatory T cell (Treg)-based immunotherapy, which depends largely on serendipity, the present study explored a target Treg subset appropriate for the delivery of a novel epitope spreader Pep19 antigen as part of a sophisticated form of immunotherapy with defined antigen specificity that induces immune tolerance. Methods: Human polyclonal $CD4^+CD25^+CD127^{lo-}$ Tregs (127-Tregs) and $na\ddot{i}ve$ $CD4^+CD25^+CD45RA^+$ Tregs (45RA-Tregs) were isolated and were stimulated with target peptide 19 (Pep19)-pulsed dendritic cells in a tolerogenic milieu followed by ex vivo expansion. Low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) and rapamycin were added to selectively exclude the outgrowth of contaminating effector T cells (Teffs). The following parameters were investigated in the expanded antigen-specific Tregs: the distinct expression of the immunosuppressive Treg marker Foxp3, epigenetic stability (demethylation in the Treg-specific demethylated region), the suppression of Teffs, expression of the homing receptors CD62L/CCR7, and CD95L-mediated apoptosis. The expanded Tregs were adoptively transferred into an $NOD/scid/IL-2R{\gamma}^{-/-}$ mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis. Results: Epitope-spreader Pep19 targeting by 45RA-Tregs led to an outstanding in vitro suppressive T cell fate characterized by robust ex vivo expansion, the salient expression of Foxp3, high epigenetic stability, enhanced T cell suppression, modest expression of CD62L/CCR7, and higher resistance to CD95L-mediated apoptosis. After adoptive transfer, the distinct fate of these T cells demonstrated a potent in vivo immunotherapeutic capability, as indicated by the complete elimination of footpad swelling, prolonged survival, minimal histopathological changes, and preferential localization of $CD4^+CD25^+$ Tregs at the articular joints in a mechanistic and orchestrated way. Conclusions: We propose human $na\ddot{i}ve$ $CD4^+CD25^+CD45RA^+$ Tregs and the epitope spreader Pep19 as cellular and molecular targets for a novel antigen-specific Treg-based vaccination against collagen-induced arthritis.

• 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.