• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2018

A nucleobase adenine is a fundamental component of nucleic acids and adenine nucleotides. Various biological roles of adenine have been discovered. It is not produced from degradation of adenine nucleotides in mammals but produced mainly during polyamine synthesis by dividing cells. Anti-inflammatory roles of adenine have been supported in IgE-mediated allergic reactions, immunological functions of lymphocytes and dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. However adenine effects on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell wall component of Gram negative bacteria, is not examined. Here we investigated anti-inflammatory roles of adenine in LPS-stimulated immune cells, including a macrophage cell line RAW264.7 and bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) and peritoneal cells in mice. In RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, adenine inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 and inflammatory lipid mediators, prostaglandin $E_2$ and leukotriene $B_4$. Adenine impeded signaling pathways eliciting production of these inflammatory mediators. It suppressed $I{\kappa}B$ phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) JNK and ERK. Although adenine raised cellular AMP which could activate AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), the enzyme activity was not enhanced. In BMMCs, adenine inhibited the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-13 and also hindered phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and Akt. In peritoneal cavity, adenine suppressed the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by peritoneal cells in mice. These results show that adenine attenuates the LPS-induced inflammatory reactions.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 1996

The antitumor components of the protoplast fusants of Lentinula edodes and Ganoderma lucidum were examined for immunological activity to elucidate the mechanism of their antitumor activity. They did not show any direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells. But being examined for immunopotentiation activity, they increased the number of colonies in the bone marrow stem cells to 3.0 times. They also increased the activities of the acid phosphatase in activated macrophages to 2.1 times and the secretion of nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 to 2.2 times, respectively. They activated the components of the alternative complement pathway. In humoral immunity. they increased the activities of the alkaline phosphatase in differentiated B cells to 1.6 times and the number of plaque forming cells to 1.8 times, respectively. In cellular immunity, they restored the depressed response of delayed type hypersensitivity in tumor bearing mice to normal level.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.912-922
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• 2011

Cancer-testis (CT) antigens are immunogenic protein antigens with restricted expression in the testes and a wide range of human tumor types, eliciting both humoral and cellular immune responses in cancer patients. They are considered to be ideal targets for vaccine-based immunotherapy, and more than 100 CT antigens, including MAGE, NY-ESO-1, GAGE, BAGE, LAGE, SSX2 and NY-SAR-35 have been identified to date. The CT antigens were identified through various techniques and can be divided in those that are encoded on the X chromosome, the CT-X genes, and those that are not, the non-X-CT genes. CT genes are aberrantly activated and expressed in a proportion of various types of human cancers. The biological role of CT-X in both germ line tissues and tumors remains poorly understood. Cancer vaccine trials based on several CT antigens are currently ongoing. This paper reviews recent advances in and future trends of CT antigens for cancer immunotherapy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.441-451
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• 2015

Recognition of cytosolic DNA initiates a series of innate immune responses by inducing IFN-I production and subsequent triggering JAK1-STAT1 signaling which plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of infection, inflammation and autoimmune diseases through promoting B cell activation and antibody responses. The stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING) has been demonstrated to be a critical hub of type I IFN induction in cytosolic DNA-sensing pathways. However, it still remains unknown whether cytosolic DNA can directly activate the JAK1-STAT1 signaling or not. And the role of STING is also unclear in this response. In the present study, we found that dsDNA directly triggered the JAK1-STAT1 signaling by inducing phosphorylation of the Lyn kinase. Moreover, this response is not dependent on type I IFN receptors. Interestingly, STING could inhibit dsDNA-triggered activation of JAK1-STAT1 signaling by inducing SHP-1 and SHP-2 phosphorylation. In addition, compared with normal B cells, the expression of STING was significantly lower and the phosphorylation level of JAK1 was significantly higher in B cells from MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice, highlighting the close association between STING low-expression and JAK1-STAT1 signaling activation in B cells in autoimmune diseases. Our data provide a molecular insight into the novel role of STING in dsDNA-mediated inflammatory disorders.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.869-883
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• 2019

Interleukin (IL)-15 is an essential immune-modulator with high potential for use in cancer treatment. Natural IL-15 has a low biological potency because of its short half-life and difficulties in mass-production. IL-15Rα, a member of the IL-15 receptor complex, is famous for its high affinity to IL-15 and its ability to lengthen the half-life of IL-15. We have double-transfected IL-15 and its truncated receptor IL-15Rα into CT26 colon cancer cells to target them for intracellular assembly. The secreted IL-15:IL-15Rα complexes were confirmed in ELISA and Co-IP experiments. IL-15:IL-15Rα secreting clones showed a higher anti-tumor effect than IL-15 secreting clones. Furthermore, we also evaluated the vaccine and therapeutic efficacy of the whole cancer-cell vaccine using mitomycin C (MMC)-treated IL-15:IL-15Rα secreting CT26 clones. Three sets of experiments were evaluated; (1) therapeutics, (2) vaccination, and (3) long-term protection. Wild-type CT26-bearing mice treated with a single dose of MMC-inactivated secreted IL-15:IL-15Rα clones prolonged survival compared to the control group. Survival of MMC-inactivated IL-15:IL-15Rα clone-vaccinated mice (without any further adjuvant) exceeded up to 100%. This protection effect even lasted for at least three months after the immunization. Secreted IL-15:IL-15Rα clones challenging trigger anti-tumor response via CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T, and natural killer (NK) cell-dependent cytotoxicity. Our result suggested that cell-based vaccine secreting IL-15:IL-15Rα, may offer the new tools for immunotherapy to treat cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.81-84
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• 2000

Effects of different photoperiod regimens on the cellular and humoral immunity in broiler chickens were studied(Exp 1). Total one hundred ninety two one-day-old commercial broiler chicks(Cobb$\times$Cobb) were raised between constant lighting(CL) and intermittent lighting (1h light: 3h darkness(IL; 1l; 3D) Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion were measured for seven week. Peripheral blood and splenic lymphocyte activities were tested at 3 and 5 wk of age by performing a mitogen cellproliferation assay with a polyclonal T-cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A), and B-cell mitogen, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To investigate the effect of photoperiod on the humoral immunity, chicks were immunized with sheep red blood cell(SRBC) and iinactivated Newcastle disease virus(NDV) vaccine. Total immunoglobulin G(IgG) concentration was also determined. Diurnal change of melatonin was tested in sera. In experiment 2, 0.1ml melatonin were subcutaneously injected from three to five weeks old if immunomodulation effect of lighting regimen was due to the melatonin or not. Injections of melatonin were made at 0700h and the dosage was 10ng (M2), 100ng(M3), 1$\mu\textrm{g}$(M4) per bird daily, respectively. control were quivalent injections of vehicle(M1). Lymphocyte activities were tested and humoral immunities were examined at 5 weeks of age. Blood melatonin concentration was determined at 0h, 1, h, 2h, and 3h posterior to injection at five weeks old. It was higher in CL chicks than IL chickens during the subsequent period of 3 to 5 wk of age. However, weight gain of chicks raised IL were significantly higher at 6 wk of age than CL(P<0.05). Antibody response to NDV was not affected by both photoperiod regimens and melatonin injection, whereas anti-SRMB titer and IgG concentration were enhanced. Lymphocyte activity of chickens raised under IL was sighificantly higher than those of chickens raised under CL. Melatonin injection also increased lymphocyte activity. When peripheral blood lymphocytes were used, proliferation response to LPS and Con A were significantly increased in M2 and respectively. The results of this experiments suggest that IL improved host immune response and melatonin have immunomodulatory roles.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2006

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with early renal injury induced by gentamicin, the most commonly used antibiotics worldwide in the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections. We have identified genes differentially expressed at different duration of gentamicin administration. C57BL/6 female mice were treated daily with gentamicin (20 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200mg/kg) for 7 days and then sacrificed at day 1, 3, and 7 after administration. Standard blood biochemistry and histopathological observation indicative of nephrotoxicity were made. Total RNA was extracted from the kidney for microarray analysis using Affymetrix $GeneChip^{\circledR}$. Five hundred and seventy eight genes were identified as being either up-or down-regulated over 2-fold changes during early renal injury (p<0.05) and were analyzed by hierarchical clustering. The results showed that the genes involved in early immune responses were differentially regulated during early renal injury. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed sample separation according to the degree of renal toxicity. In addition, we identified two potential biomarkers that may predict early renal toxicity. This data may contribute to elucidate of the genetic events during early renal injury and to discover the potential biomarkers for nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.166-171
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• 2013

While high-dose ionizing radiation results in long term cellular cytotoxicity, chronic low-dose (<0.2 Gy) of X- or ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation can be beneficial to living organisms by inducing radiation hormesis, stimulating immune function, and adaptive responses. During chronic low-dose-rate radiation (LDR) exposure, whole body of mice is exposed to radiation, however, it remains unclear if LDR causes changes in gene expression of the whole brain. Therefore, we aim to investigate expressed genes (EGs) and signaling pathways specifically regulated by LDR-irradiation ($^{137}Cs$, a cumulative dose of 1.7 Gy for total 100 days) in the whole brain. Using microarray analysis of whole brain RNA extracts harvested from ICR and AKR/J mice after LDR-irradiation, we discovered that two mice strains displayed distinct gene regulation patterns upon LDR-irradiation. In ICR mice, genes involved in ion transport, transition metal ion transport, and developmental cell growth were turned on while, in AKR/J mice, genes involved in sensory perception, cognition, olfactory transduction, G-protein coupled receptor pathways, inflammatory response, proteolysis, and base excision repair were found to be affected by LDR. We validated LDR-sensitive EGs by qPCR and confirmed specific upregulation of S100a7a, Olfr624, and Gm4868 genes in AKR/J mice whole brain. Therefore, our data provide the first report of genetic changes regulated by LDR in the mouse whole brain, which may affect several aspects of brain function.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.181-190
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• 2014

An entomopathogenic bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), can sporulate along with production of insecticidal Cry toxins. Bt Cry toxins exhibit relatively narrow spectrum to target insects due to their specific interactions with midgut receptors. This study designed several strategies to enhance Bt efficacy in target insect spectrum and insecticidal activity. Four Cry toxins were purified from four different Bt strains and showed relatively narrow target insect spectrum. However, the Cry mixtures significantly expanded their target insect spectra. The additional effect of baculovirus to Cry toxin was tested with recombinant baculoviruses expressing Cry1Ac or Cry1Ca. However, the baculovirus was little effective to expand target insect spectrum. Bacterial culture broth of Xenorhabdus nematophila (Xn) significantly suppressed insect cellular immune response and increased Cry toxicity. The addition of Xn culture broth to Cry mixture significantly enhanced Bt efficacy in target insect spectrum and insecticidal activity.