• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.321-327
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• 2015

A 50-year-old male visited the outpatient clinic and complained of fever, poor oral intake, and weight loss. A chest X-ray demonstrated streaky and fibrotic lesions in both lungs, and chest CT revealed multifocal peribronchial patchy ground-glass opacities with septated cystic lesions in both lungs. Cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed lymphocyte-dominant leukocytosis, and further analysis of lymphocyte subsets showed a predominance of cytotoxic T cells and few T helper cells. Video-assisted wedge resection of the left upper lobe was performed, and the histologic examination was indicative of a Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was orally administered for 3 weeks; however, the patient complained of cough, and the pneumonia was aggravated in the follow-up chest X-ray and chest CT. Molecular studies demonstrated mutations at codons 55 and 57 of the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene, which is associated with the resistance to TMP-SMX. Clindamycin-primaquine was subsequently administered for 3 weeks replacing the TMP-SMX. A follow-up chest X-ray showed that the pneumonia was resolving, and the cough was also alleviated. A positive result of HIV immunoassay and elevated titer of HCV RNA indicated HIV infection as an underlying condition. This case highlights the importance of careful monitoring of patients with P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) during the course of treatment, and the molecular study of DHPS mutations. Additionally, altering the anti-PCP drug utilized as treatment must be considered when infection with drug-resistant P. jirovecii is suspected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of TMP-SMX-resistant PCP described in Korea.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.243-252
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• 2015

The pregnancy and abortion process involves a complex mechanism with various immune cells present in the implantation sites and several hormones associated with pregnancy, such as leptin, ghrelin and nesfatin-1. However, the mechanism underlying spontaneous abortion by maternal T helper 17 (Th17) present in the implantation sites and nesfatin-1, which is of anorexigenic hormones, is not fully understood so far. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the possible roles of Th17 cells present in the implantation sites and nesfatin-1 expressed in the uterus on spontaneous abortion using the $CBA/j{\times}DBA/2$ mouse model. Th17 transcription factor, ROR-${\gamma}t$ mRNA expression was significantly increased in the abortion sites compared with the implantation sites of abortion model mice on day 14.5 and 19.5 of pregnancy. In addition, the expression levels of IL-17A mRNA were significantly higher in abortion sites than in implantation sites on day 14.5 and 19.5. Moreover, the nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein and mRNA levels were increased in abortion sites compared with levels in implantation sites of both normal pregnant and abortion model mice on day 14.5 of pregnancy. Interestingly, nesfatin-1/NUCB2 serum levels were not changed throughout the whole pregnancy in abortion model mice, but its serum level was dramatically increased on day 14.5, and then rapidly decreased on day 19.5 in normal pregnant mice. In this study, we showed for the first time the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA and protein in implantation sites during pregnancy. The present results suggest that Th17 cells in the uterus may play an important role in the period of implantation and for maintenance of pregnancy. Furthermore, the present results suggest that Th17 cells in implantation sites may be a key regulator for maintenance of pregnancy and provides evidence that activation of these cells may be regulated by nesfatin-1/NUCB2. Further study is needed to elucidate the role of nesfatin-1 expressed in the uterus during pregnancy.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.345-352
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• 2004

아토피 피부염을 설명하는 데는 두 가지 패러다임이 있는데, 첫 번째는 outside-inside paradigm이고 두 번째는 inside-ouside paradigm이다. Outside-inside paradigm에 의하면 아토피 피부염을 치료하기 위한 가장 좋은 방법은 피부 장벽 기능을 회복시키는 것이다. 장벽 기능은 각질층의 특징적인 구조에 의해 유지되는데, 각질층은 층상구조의 inter-cellular lipids와 corneocyte로 구성되어 있다. 아토피 피부염 환자, 층판상 어린선 환자의 각질층 내 층상구조는 hexagonal 구조가 많이 존재하고 있음을 보였으며, 이는 Ceramide 1 타입과 long chain fatty acid의 감소 때문이라고 보여진다. 이러한 이유에서 라멜라구조를 가지며 intercellular long periodicity phase 기능을 복원할 수 있는 보습제는 각질층의 intercellular lipid의 층상구조를 복원시킬 수 있을 것이다. 또한 세라마이드와 유사세라마이드를 함유한 보습제는 손상된 피부장벽, 피부질환, 아토피 피부염을 위한 유용한 치료제로 사용할 수 있다. Inside-outside paradigm에 따르면, 아토피 피부염 등이 보조 T cell, lg E, eosinophil 등을 포함한 면역반응과 관계되는데, 특히 Th1/Th2 imbalance의 복원이 아토피 피부염을 치료하는데 효과적일 것이다. 현재 여러 종류의 면역억제제가 소개되고 있지만, 이들은 고유 면역기능을 감소시킬 우려를 가지고 있다. 따라서, 세라마이드 대사산물인 SPC와 S1P는 면역조절 기능 및 상처치유의 기능을 가짐으로써 향후 관심이 집중될 것이다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.628-635
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• 2022

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the large intestine disease that results in chronic inflammation and ulcers in the colon. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) is known for its pharmacological activities. Persicaria tinctoria (PT) is also used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the attenuating effects of Rg3-RGE with PT on oxazolone (OXA)-induced UC in mice. Methods: A total of six groups of mice including control group, OXA (as model group, 1.5%) group, sulfasalazine (75 mg/kg) group, Rg3-RGE (20 mg/kg) group, PT (300 mg/kg) group, and Rg3-RGE (10 mg/kg) with PT (150 mg/kg) group. Data on the colon length, body weight, disease activity index (DAI), histological changes, nitric oxide (NO) assay, Real-time PCR of inflammatory factors, ELISA of inflammatory factors, Western blot, and flow cytometry analysis were obtained. Results: Overall, the combination treatment of Rg3-RGE and PT significantly improved the colon length and body weight and decreased the DAI in mice compared with the treatment with OXA. Additionally, the histological injury was also reduced by the combination treatment. Moreover, the NO production level and inflammatory mediators and cytokines were significantly downregulated in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the model group. Also, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-𝛋B) were suppressed in the combination treatment group compared with the OXA group. Furthermore, the number of immune cell subtypes of CD4⁺ T-helper cells, CD19⁺ B-cells, and CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) was improved in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the OXA group. Conclusion: Overall, the mixture of Rg3-RGE and PT is an effective therapeutic treatment for UC.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2019

Objectives : A traditional herbal prescription, Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK), has long been used in oriental medicine as an invigorant for age-related diseases, such as amnesia and stroke. However, the beneficial value of KOK for immune responses is largely unknown. Based on the above mentioned effects of KOK, other previous reports, and its use in traditional medicine, we hypothesized that KOK displays beneficial effects against methotrexate (MTX)-induced immune suppression. Methods : We investigated the effects of KOK (0.6 g/kg/day, oral (p.o.)) on deteriorated immunity caused by MTX (2 mg/kg/day, p.o.) in an immune suppression mouse model. MTX was fed to mice once a day for 7 days. After the immune responses of the mice deteriorated by MTX treatment, KOK in water was fed to the mice once a day for 14 days. We then measured the expression levels of various cytokines, such as T helper cell (Th1, Th2) cytokines, and the number of immune cells, such as spleen T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Results : The data showed that MTX decreased Th1 profiles (interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12) and the number of immune cells, and increased Th2 profiles (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), which were normalized significantly by post-administration of KOK. However, there was no significant difference in body-weight gain between MTX- and KOK-treated mice. Conclusion : These results indicate that KOK has immune-enhancing functions and reduces immunotoxicity of MTX, suggesting that supplementation with KOK will improve immune responses clinically and be useful for the prevention of immune-related diseases.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제40권12호
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• pp.1662-1667
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• 2011

안토시아닌(anthocyanins)은 플라보노이드에 속하고 항산화 활성들을 포함한 그들의 다양한 건강 유익성에 대해 알려져 있다. 그들 중 검정콩 껍질에서 분리한 주요 안토시아닌은 glycopyranose를 함유하고 있는 배당체이다. 천식은 호염기성 세포(basophils)와 비만세포(mast cells)를 포함한 다양한 면역세포와 관련된 알레르기 관련 질병이다. 호산구(eosinophils), 호염기성 세포, 비만세포는 탈과립화에 의한 천식-특이적 보조 2(T-helper 2) 사이토카인 분비 그리고 계속해서 일어나는 증폭과 같은 염증을 일으키는 매개체의 증가를 통해 알레르기 천식(allergic asthma)에서 중요한 역할을 한다. 흰쥐 호염기성 백혈병(rat basophilic leukemia) RBL-2H3 세포는 알레르기 반응을 측정하기 위해 가장 일반적으로 사용되는 in vitro 모델이다. 본 연구에서는 검정콩 껍질 안토시아닌이 항원으로 자극한 RBL-2H3 세포에서 탈 과립 그리고 Th2 사이토카인 생산에 미치는 효과를 조사하였다. 세포 탈과립은 ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase의 방출을 검출함으로써 평가하였다. IgE-항원 복합체로 자극한 RBL-2H3 세포내 ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase 방출과 Th2 사이토카인 생산이 무처리군의 그것과 비교하여 더 높았다. 안토시아닌은 RBL-2H3 세포의 IgE-항원 복합체 유도 탈과립을 현저하게 억제시켰고 RBL-2H3 세포내 IgE-항원 복합체-매개체 interleukin(IL)-4, IL-13 그리고 TNF-${\alpha}$ 생산을 저해하였다. 이러한 결과는 검정콩 껍질 유래 안토시아닌이 알레르기 반응(allergic reaction)을 현저히 저해하는 효과가 있음을 보였고, 이들 안토시아닌이 향후 알레르기 천식을 억제하거나 개선하는데 유용한 물질로 사용될 가능성이 있을 것으로 판단되었다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.90-98
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• 1998

연구배경: 외인성 천식은 TH2세포에 의한 매개체의 주요 원인중 하나임이 밝혀지고 있다. 연구자 등은 증상 악화로 내원한 기관지천식 환자와 만성기관지염 환자 사이에 T 림프구 아형의 변화와 싸어토카인 (cytokine)들의 변화에 차이가 있는지 연구하고자 하였다. 방 법: 기관지 천식으로 치료중인 환자 중에서 천식 악화로 내원한 외인성 천식 15예와 만성기관지염 환자 12예, 그리고 정상인 5예를 대상으로 하였다. 환자의 병력과 임상소견, 피부반응검사, 그리고 특이 IgE 측정을 시행하고 단일항체인 CD62L를 이용하여 flow cytometer로 림프구아형을 분석하고 ELISA kit(Quantikine IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$)를 이용하여 IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$을 측정하였다. 결 과: CD4+ T 림프구는 기관지천식환자에서 $40{\pm}7.2%$ 만성기관지염 환자 $43{\pm}19.8%$, 정상인에서 $41{\pm}14%$로 기관지 천식환자와 다른 군간에 의미있는 차이는 없었다(p=0.49, p=0.75). CD62L(L-selectin) 양성 T 림프구의 세포 백분율은 기관지천식환자(n=7) 에서 $24.8{\pm}23.6%$였고, 만성기관지염환자(n=5) $17.0{\pm}16.9%$, 정상인(n=5) $16.7{\pm}16.4%$으로 기관지천식환자와 다른 군간에 의미있는 차이는 없었다(p=0.32, p=0.22). 혈청 IL-4 의 활성도는 기관지천식환자에서 $3.6{\pm}0.9pg/ml$ 만성기관지염 환자 $2.0{\pm}1.2pg/ml$, 정상인에서 $0.7{\pm}1.1pg/ml$로 기관지 천식환자에서 만성기관지염 환자군에 비하여 증가되어 있었으며 (p=0.02) 정상인보다 증가되어 있었다(p=0.006)(Fig. 4). 혈청 INF-$\gamma$의 활성도는 증가되지 않았다. 결 론: 결론적으로 CD62L 양성 T 림프구의 세포 백분율은 기관지천식환자에서 증가되어 있지 않았으며 혈청 IL-4의 활성도는 기관지천식환자에서 증가되어 있었다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.910-916
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• 2002

Endotoxin tolerance reduces the capacity of monocytes to produce proinflammatory cytokines, results in cellular immune paralysis, and down-regulates the production of helper T (Th)1 type cytokines with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response. Prostaglandin (PG)E$_2$ in the immune system also results in macrophage inactivation and the suppression of Th1 activation and the enhancement of Th2 activation. However, the inhibitory effects of PGE$_2$ on the altered polarization of the Th cell and macrophage interleukin (IL)-6 production characterized in part by cellular immune paralysis in a state of endotoxin tolerance is unclear. This study was undertaken, using indomethacin, to investigate the role of endogenous PGE$_2$ on the Th cytokines and macrophage IL-6 production in a state of endotoxin tolerance compared to those with endotoxemia mice, wherein, in this latter case, the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE$_2$ is exhibited. Endotoxemia was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 mg/kg in saline) i.p. once in BALB/c mice, and endotoxin tolerance was induced by pretreatment with LPS (1 mg/kg in saline) injected i.p. daily for two consecutive days and then with LPS 10 mg/kg on day 4. Splenocytes or macrophages were obtained from endotoxemia and endotoxin tolerance models pretreated with indomethacin, and then cytokine production was induced by Con A-stimulated splenocytes for the Th cytokine assays and LPS-stimulated macrophages for the IL-6 assay. Our results showed that endotoxemia led to significantly reduced IL-2 and IL-4 production, to significantly increased IL-6 production, whereas interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ production was not affected. Indomethacin in the case of endotoxemia markedly attenuated $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-6 production and didnt reverse IL-2 and IL-4 production. Endotoxin tolerance resulted in the significantly reduced production of IL-2 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ and the significantly increased production of IL-4 and IL-6. Indomethacin in endotoxin tolerance greatly augmented IL-2 production, significantly decreased IL-4 production, and slightly attenuated IL-6 production. These findings indicate that endogenous PGE$_2$ may mediate the suppressed Th1 type immune response, with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response in a state of endotoxin tolerance, whereas endotoxemia may be regulated differentially. Also, endogenous PGE$_2$ may mediate macrophage IL-6 production in the case of endotoxemia to a greater extent than in the case of endotoxin tolerance.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.11-19
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• 2020

Objective : The genus Glycyrrhiza has been used in food and traditional herbal medicine. Glycyrrhiza new varieties Wongam and Sinwongam have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration and investigated to register on Korean Pharmacopoeia of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam comparing with listed Glycyrrhiza species (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and G. glabra Linne) for evaluations about pharmacological effect of Glycyrrhiza new varieties. Methods : We studied the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam compared with G. uralensis and G. glabra using THP-1 cell in vitro model. The cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for differentiation and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce immune activation. We analyzed and compared the effects Glycyrrhiza new varieties and listed Glycyrrhiza species using nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blot, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. 1) Results : Wongam and Sinwongam showed no cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells. Wongam and Sinwongam, and listed Glycyrrhiza species increased NO production, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression with or without LPS in differentiated THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, Wongam and Sinwongam and listed Glycyrrhiza species upregulated the mRNA expressions of T helper type 1 (Th 1)-associated cytokines in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. Conclusion : These results indicated that Wongam and Sinwongam would have effect of enhancing immune response through the increase of NO and COX-2 expression, and activate Th1-associated cytokines. The findings of this study suggest the wide applicability of Glycyrrhiza new varieties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.160-170
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• 2019

The lactic acid bacteria species Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) has been used extensively for vaccine delivery. Considering to the critical role of dendritic cells in stimulating host immune response, in this study, we constructed a novel CD11c-targeting L. plantarum strain with surface-displayed variable fragments of anti-CD11c, single-chain antibody (scFv-CD11c). The newly designed L. plantarum strain, named 409-aCD11c, could adhere and invade more efficiently to bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) in vitro due to the specific interaction between scFv-CD11c and CD11c located on the surface of BMDCs. After incubation with BMDCs, the 409-aCD11c strain harboring a eukaryotic vector pValac-GFP could lead to more efficient expression of GFP compared with wild-type strains shown by flow cytometry analysis, indicating the enhanced translocation of pValac-GFP from L. plantarum to BMDCs. Similar results were also observed in an in vivo study, which showed that oral administration resulted in efficient expression of GFP in both Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) within 7 days after the last administration. In addition, the CD11c-targeting strain significantly promoted the differentiation and maturation of DCs, the differentiation of $IL-4^+$ and $IL-17A^+$ T helper (Th) cells in MLNs, as well as production of $B220^+$ $IgA^+$ B cells in the PP. In conclusion, this study developed a novel DC-targeting L. plantarum strain which could increase the ability to deliver eukaryotic expression plasmid to host cells, indicating a promising approach for vaccine study.