• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.362-364
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• 2000

Opuntia ficus-indca(Op) extract has been claimed to have several therapeutic properties in oriental medicine including anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects. Little is known of its effect on the activation of immune cells such as T cells and macrophages. To evaluate the functional effect of Op extract on immune cells, we examined whether Op extract stimulates the proliferation of T cells and the secretion of cytokines including IL-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in THP-1 cell lines by RT-PCR. Op extract significantly enhanced the proliferation of T cell clone(D10S). Transcription of cytokines including IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha peaked 6 hrs after exposure to Op extract(100g/ml) in the THP-1 cell line and declined and declined thereafter. In an experiment to test the dose dependency of transcription of cytokines, transcription increased at a dose of 10 g/ml and the maximum expression was obtained at 100 g/ml, 6 hrs after exposure to Op extract. These findings suggest that Op extract is a potent stimulant of immune cells including T cells and macrophages, which acts by stimulating T cell proliferation and upregulating cytokines. These phenomena imply that some edible plants may be beneficial to living animals through the activation of immune functions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.3
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• pp.172-179
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• 2011

Background: Statins can regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit MMP production or activation in a variety of types of cells. This study evaluated whether statins would inhibit MMP release from human lung fibroblasts, which play a major role in remodeling processes. Methods: This study, using an in-vitro model (three-dimensional collagen gel contraction system), evaluated the effect of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, TNF-a and interleukin-$1{\beta}$, IL-1b) on the MMP release and MMP activation from human lung fibroblasts. Collagen degradation induced by cytokines and neutrophil elastase (NE) was evaluated by quantifying hydroxyproline. Results: In three-dimensional collagen gel cultures (3D cultures) where cytokines (TNF-a and IL-1b) can induce the production of MMPs by fibroblasts, it was found that simvastatin inhibited MMP release. In 3D cultures, cytokines together with NE induced collagen degradation and can lead to activation of the MMP, which was inhibited by simvastatin. Conclusion: Simvastatin may play a role in regulating human lung fibroblast functions in repair and remodeling processes by inhibiting MMP release and the conversion from the latent to the active form of MMP.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.376-381
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• 2023

Abscopal effect is a form of secondary immune response that occurs in ionizing radiation therapy, resulting in changes in the immune response through activation of immune cells such as macrophages and T lymphocytes. UVB causes DNA damage similar to ionizing radiation and causes similar intracellular reactions, so it is often used as an alternative in research on the effects of ionizing radiation. In a previous study, we found that pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, increased in Jurkat T cells exposed to TGs. In this study, we confirmed the effects of UVB irradiation on T lymphocytes exposed to TGs, similar to the effects of ionizing radiation. As a result, it was shown that the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IFN-γ in Jurkat T cells exposed to TGs increased by UVB irradiation. In addition, it was confirmed that the increase in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by UVB was caused by the activation of iNOS protein. This is very similar to the immune response that occurs when T lymphocytes are exposed to TGs. These results suggest that activation of iNOS protein is involved in the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by UVB irradiation in T lymphocytes exposed to TGs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.189-194
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• 2002

Although the exact mechanism responsible for the pathogenesis of psoriasis is unclear, interferon-${\gamma}$ producing type 1 T cells have been reported to play a significant role. Infiltrating activated type 1 T cells in the lesions are believed to be responsible for stimulating keratinocytes, which produce many cytokines and growth factors. The hyperproliferative epidermis is understood to be the result of either the cytokines produced by the intraepidermal T cells or the reactive phenomenon after keratinocyte damage. The microenvironment in psoriatic lesions deviates toward the type 1 status, because of the increased type 1 cytokines and either the decreased or unchanged type 2 cytokines observed in psoriatic lesions. Therefore, this review focused on a T-cell-mediated immunological basis for the current hypothesis of the psoriasis pathogenesis.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2008

Depression and anxiety disorders are common psychiatric illnesses whose etiology remains partially understood. The etiology of depression and anxiety disorders is multi-factorial, and abnormalities in neurotransmitter, neuroendocrine system, and brain activation have been implicated in those conditions. However, the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorder is certainly not well understood, and some patients with depression or anxiety disorders do not respond to antidepressant therapy. Recently, immunological factors such as cytokines are known to be closely related to central nervous system as well as depression and anxiety disorders. This review highlights recent progress in understanding the function of cytokines in depression and anxiety disorders.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.293-300
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• 2022

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) regulates the immune system, including inflammatory responses, through TLR2-mediated signaling pathways. LTA isolated from Staphylococcus aureus (aLTA) has been shown to induce apoptosis, but the detailed mechanism has not been identified. We found that aLTA induced apoptosis through an autocrine mechanism in the human monocyte-like cell line, THP-1. We observed that the expression level of the anti-apoptosis protein, Bcl2, was suppressed in LTA-treated THP-1 cells. In addition, the cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-γ, which have been shown to induce apoptosis in some cell lines, were involved in THP-1 cell death via the modulation of Bcl2. The suppression of Bcl2 by aLTA was recovered when the negative regulator, SOCS-1, was knocked down. Taken together, these results showed that aLTA induced apoptosis in THP-1 cells through an autocrine mechanism of cytokines and SOCS-1-mediated Bcl2 inhibition.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.181-188
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• 2012

Dioscoreae Rhizome (DR) has been used in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases and is reported to have anti-diabetes and anti-tumor activities. To identify a bioactive traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory activity of a water extract of DR (EDR), we determined the mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and performed a FACS analysis for measuring surface molecules. EDR dose-dependently decreased the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and $PGE_2$, as well as mRNA levels of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as determined by western blot and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as B7-1 and B7-2 was also reduced by EDR. Furthermore, activation of the nuclear transcription factor, NF-${\kappa}B$, but not that of IL-4 and IL-10, in macrophages was inhibited by EDR. These results show that EDR decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory protein level, suggesting that EDR could be a useful immunomodulatory agent for treating immunological diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.402-406
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• 2000

In order to understand the role of AGP on the differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia cells, the AGP expression and its relation to cytokines were investigated during granulocytic or monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. When HL-60 cells were treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) for 5 days, the cells were fully differentiated into granulocytes, and the AGP mRNA and protein levels were continuously increased up to 5 days in a dose- and time- dependent manner. However, in the case of the monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells by tetradeanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), the AGP gene expression was not induced. In addition, $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNAs were also enhanced during granulocytic differentiation. These cytokine transcripts showed a peak level 3 days after the ATRA treatment. It decreased gradually thereafter. However, direct addition of recombinant cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$) and dexamethasone to the HL-60 cell cultures showed no AGP induction. These findings suggest that the AGP and proinflammatory cytokines are expressed in ATRA-treated promyelocytic cells. However, these cytokines do not act as autocrine inducers on AGP expression. This fact implies that the AGP expression during granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells is induced through a signal pathway different from hepatocyte signaling in inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2012

The expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines viz. interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, interferon-${\gamma}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in response to subclinical mastitis in indigenous cattle breed Kankrej (n = 6), Gir (Bos indicus) (n = 12) and crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) (n = 7) were investigated using quantitative real time PCR. Significant correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between total bacterial load and somatic cell count (SCC) in all three breeds of cattle. All the cytokines were observed to be up-regulated compared to cows with healthy quarters, however, level of their expression varied among three breeds of cattle. In Kankrej most cytokines were found to be transcribed to higher levels than in other two breeds; the milk had higher load of bacteria but not so high SCC, implying that Kankrej has a higher inherent resistance against mastitis. The results of present study indicated that mammary glands of crossbred cattle are more sensitive to bacterial infection than indigenous breed of cattle as they elicit immune response at lower bacterial load and result into higher SCC. Research on identification of factors responsible for differentially expressed cytokines profiles and use of cytokines as immunomodulatory tools can pave way for formulating control strategies against bovine mastitis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 1999

New lectins have been isolated and purified from mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus) through physiological saline extraction, ammonium sulfate salt fractionation and column chromatographies. Ion exchanger were eluted by linear salt gradient and then further purified through gel filtration. Thus obtained lectin named as MBL. The gene expressions of 5 cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, $TNF-{\aphpa}$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$) from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with MBL were investigated by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PBMC ($1{\times}106$ cells/ml) isolated from healthy volunteers were stimulated with lectins (4 mg/ml) for various time intervals (1 to 96 hrs). After each of the various stimulated times, total RNA was isolated and assessed for different cytokines mRNA by RT-PCR. The mRNA encoding IL-1, IL-2 were detected continuously from 1 to 20 hrs, and IL-6 was detected up to 24 hrs. But the mRNA encoding $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were detected to 8 hours only and showed short time response compared with other cytokines. The significant expression of all cytokines mRNA were observed at 4 hrs. These results suggested that MBL, as inducer of cytokines could elicit detectable cytokine mRNA from PBMC.