• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.230-236
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• 2005

Formaldehyde is a common environmental contaminant found in tobacco smoke, paint, garments, diesel and exhaust, and medical and industrial products. Formaldehyde has been considered to be potentially carcinogenic, making it a subject of major environmental concern. However, only a little information on the mechanism of immunological sensitization and asthma by this compound has been known. So, we performed with Jurkat cell line, a human T lymphocyte, to assess the induction of DNA damage and to identify the DEGs related to immune response or toxicity by formaldehyde. In this study, we investigated the induction of DNA single strand breaks by formaldehyde using single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay). And we compared gene expression between control and formaldehyde treatment to identify genes that are specifically or predominantly expressed by employing annealing control primer (ACP)-based $GeneFishing^{TM}$ method. The cytotoxicity ($IC_{30}$) of formaldehyde was determined above the 0.65 mM in Jurkat cell in 48 h treatment. Based on the $IC_{30}$ value from cytotoxicity test, we performed the comet assay in this concentration. From these results, 0.65 mM of formaldehyde was not revealed significant DNA damages in the absence of S-9 metabolic activation system. And the one differentially expressed gene (DEG) of formaldehyde was identified to zinc finger protein 292 using $GeneFishing^{TM}$ method. Through further investigation, we will identify more meaningful and useful DEGs on formaldehyde, and then can get the information on the associated mechanism and pathway with immune response or other toxicity by formaldehyde exposure.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.946-953
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• 2002

Bisphenol A [2, 2 bis (4-hydoxyphenyl) propane; BPA] is a widely used endocrine disruptors and has estrogenic: activities. Although interests on biological effect of BPA are rising, evidences of its effect on immune system are lacking. We investigated that the effect of BPA on immune parameters to postulate the mechanism, and BPA interruptions between neuroendocrine and immune system. BPA was administrated to mice by p.o. (as a drinking water) dose on 0.015, 1.5 and 30 mg/ml for 4 weeks. The BPA treatment did not result in any change in body weight, spleen weight and distribution of lymphocyte subpopulation collected from spleen. BPA induced prolactin production in spleen, and exposure of SPA increased the activity of splenocyte proliferation in response to Con A (p<0.001). The production of a strong Th-1 type cytokine ($IFN-{\gamma}$) was induced while Th-2 type (IL-4) was suppressed by SPA treatment. These were consistent with RT-PCR results of transcription factor GATA-3 and IRF-1. These findings suggested that stimulation of prolactin production by estrogenic effects of SPA would affect cytokine profiles, and lead to imbalanced cellular immune response. In addition, we could speculate that prolactin and cytokine is important mediator involved in network between neuroendocrine and immune system by BPA.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.10-17
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• 2011

Objective: To evaluate the immune-stimulatory potential of extracts of Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold (BK) on specific cellular and humoral immune responses in ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized mice. Material and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitoneally with OVA/alum ($100{\mu}g/200{\mu}g$) on days 1, 8, and 15. BK (100, 300 or 1000 mg/kg) was given to mice orally for 21 days (from day 1 to day 21). At day 22, OVA-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and OVA-specific and total antibodies were measured in plasma. Further, the effects of BK on expression of cytokine mRNA in OVA-immunized mice splenocytes were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis. Results: BK significantly enhanced OVA-, LPS-, and Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation in OVA-immunized mice (p<0.01). BK also significantly enhanced total IgM and OVA-specific IgG1 levels in plasma compared with the OVA control group. Moreover, BK up-regulated significantly the expression of mRNA level of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in splenocytes. Conclusions: BK has immune-stimulating activity in an OVA-immunized mouse model system, enhancing the Th1 immune response. BK showed no cytotoxicity in this system, suggesting that BK may be a safe and effective adjuvant in humans.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.247-254
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• 2007

Improvement in the pharmacokinetic properties of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is a prerequisite for the therapeutic application of RNA interference technology. When injected into mice as unmodified siRNAs complexed to DOTAP/Chol-based cationic liposomes, all 12 tested siRNA duplexes caused a strong induction of cytokines including interferon ${\alpha}$, indicating that the immune activation by siRNA duplexes is independent of sequence context. When modified by various combinations of 2'-OMe, 2'-F, and phosphorothioate substitutions, introduction of as little as three 2'-OMe substitutions into the sense strand was sufficient to suppress immune activation by siRNA duplexes, whereas the same modifications were much less efficient at inhibiting the immune response of single stranded siRNAs. It is unlikely that Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling is involved in immune stimulation by siRNA/liposome complexes since potent immune activation by ds siRNAs was induced in TLR3 knockout mice. Together, our results indicate that chemical modification of siRNA provides an effective means to avoid unwanted immune activation by therapeutic siRNAs. This improvement in the in vivo properties of siRNAs should greatly facilitate successful development of siRNA therapeutics.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 1981

Recent studies have demonstrated that histamine could have a modulatory influence on the immune response in vitro and in vivo. However, the effect of histamine on immune response in mice has not been extensivley analyzed. In the present study the regulatory effects of cimetidine, a histamine-2-receptor antagonist(H2 blocker) and histamine on the immune response to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) were evaluated in mice. Mice pretreated with daily intraperitoneal injection of varying concentrations of cimetidine for 14 days were immunized intraperitoneally with various concentrations of SRBC($10^6,\;10^7,\;and\;10^8$ cells) and challenged 4 days post immunization. The cellular immune response was determined by measuring the footpad swelling reaction. Footpad swelling reaction of each mouse was measured at 3hr(Arthus) reaction) and 24 or 48 hr(delayed reactions) after challenge. The humoral immune response was determined by measuring hemagglutinins to SRBC. Histamine in varying concentrations($10^{-1},\;10^{-3}\;and\;10^{-5}M$(was added in SRBC suspension at the time of antigen challenge into footpad, and 24-hr delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH) was measured. Cimetidine in varying concentrations(10, 50, 250, 1250 and 6250${\mu}g$) enhanced 24-hr DTH and this enhancement of DTH was more pronounced at 250${\mu}g$ of cimetidine. However, there were no significant differences between the cimetidine-pretreated groups and controls in Arthus reaction and hemagglutinin titers. Histamine suppressed the DTH in the dose-dependent fashion. This suppression was more pronounced at lower concentration of immunizing antigen($10^7\;and\;10^6$ SRBC). However, histamine did not diminish the DTH at higher concentration of antigen($10^8$ SRBC). These results present the evidences which strongly suggest that cimetidine enhances the cell-mediated immune response but not significantlly influences the humoral immune response and that exogenous and endogenous histamine is involved in the modulation of cellular immune response as well as immediate hypersensitivity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.169-171
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• 1984

An expeliment was carried out to measure the cellular immune response in guinea pigs by sensitizing the animals with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB). The guinea pigs could be sensitized with one application of DNCB. The sensitizing and challenge dose was standardized. The histological response was characteristic of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.118-125
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• 2012

CD40-CD40L-mediated help from CD4 T cells is essential to induce primary CD8 T cell responses specific to the non-inflammatory cell-based antigen H60. In this study, using H60 as a model antigen, we generated recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVVs) expressing the H60 CD8 epitope and investigated whether CD4 help was required to activate the CD8 T cell response specific to the virally expressed H60. The immune response after infection with rVVs expressing H60 was similar to that after immunization with H60 congenic splenocytes, with a peak frequency of H60-specific CD8 T cells detected in the blood on day 10 post-infection. A CD8 T cell response specific for virally derived H60 was not induced in CD4-depleted mice, but was in CD40-deficient mice. These results provide insights into the characterization of the CD8 T cell response specifically for antigens originating from cellular sources compared to viral sources.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.305-310
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• 2016

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in the innate immune response against pathogens. Each TLR recognizes specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns, after which they activate the adaptor protein MyD88 or TRIF-assembled signaling complex to produce immune mediators, including inflammatory cytokines and type I IFNs. Although the activation of TLR is important for host defense, its uncontrolled activation can damage the host. During the past decade, numerous studies have demonstrated that GSK3β is a key regulator of inflammatory cytokine production in MyD88-mediated TLR signaling via TLR2 and TLR4. Recently, GSK3β has also been implicated in the TRIF-dependent signaling pathway via TLR3. In this review, we describe current advances on the regulatory role of GSK3β in immune responses associated with various TLRs. A better understanding of the role of GSK3β in TLR signaling might lead to more effective anti-inflammatory interventions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 2000

In recent years a great deal of information has accumulated for livestock on vitamin. function, metabolism and supplemental needs. The role of the antioxidant "vitamins" (carotenoids, vitamin E and vitamin C) in immunity and health of livestock has been a fruitful area of research. These nutrients play important roles in animal health by inactivating harmful free radicals produced through normal cellular activity and from various stressors. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that these antioxidant vitamins generally enhance different aspects of cellular and noncellular immunity. A compromised immune system will result in reduced animal production efficiency through increased susceptibility to diseases, thereby leading to increased animal morbidity and mortality. Vitamin E has been shown to increase performance of feedlot cattle and to increase immune response for ruminant health, including being beneficial for mastitis control. Vitamin E given to finishing cattle at higher than National Research Council (NRC) requirements dramatically maintained the red color (oxymyoglobin) compared with the oxidized metmyoglobin of beef. Under commercial livestock and poultry production conditions, vitamin allowances higher than NRC requirements may be needed to allow optimum performance. Generally, the optimum vitamin supplementation level is the quantity that achieves the best growth rate, feed utilization, health (including immune competency), and provides adequate body reserves.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Invading pathogens are recognized by diverse germline-encoded pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) which are distributed in three different cellular compartments: extracellular, membrane, and cytoplasmic. In mammals, the major extracellular PRRs such as complements may first encounter the invading pathogens and opsonize them for clearance by phagocytosis which is mediated by membrane-associated phagocytic receptors including complement receptors. The major membrane-associated PRRs, Toll-like receptors, recognize diverse pathogens and generate inflammatory signals to coordinate innate immune responses and shape adaptive immune responses. Furthemore, certain membrane-associated PRRs such as Dectin-1 can mediate phagocytosis and also induce inflammatory response. When these more forefront detection systems are avoided by the pathogens, cytoplasmic PRRs may play major roles. Cytoplasmic caspase-recruiting domain (CARD) helicases such as retinoic acid-inducible protein I (RIG-I)/melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), mediate antiviral immunity by inducing the production of type I interferons. Certain members of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors such as NALP3 present in the cytosol form inflammasomes to induce inflammatory responses upon ligand recognition. Thus, diverse families of PRRs coordinately mediate immune responses against diverse types of pathogens.