• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.269-288
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• 1996

Coicis Semen is one of the oriental medicine that has been used for the treatment of the diseases such as pulmonary abscess, periappendicular abscess and wart since ancient times. However, the mechanism of the action of the drug is not well studied. This study was done to investigate the effects of Coicis Semen on the host defence mechanism. Effects of Coicis Semen on the immune responses were analysed by measuring the contact hypersensitivity, hemagglutinin, hemolysin and rosette formation, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen intermidiates production. As the results, water extract of Coicis Semen administration enhanced the antibodies (hemagglutinin and hemolysin) formation and the appearance of rosette forming cells of the spleen. Also Coicis Semen increased the allogeneic immune response in the mouse, showed cytotoxic activity against human leukemia cell line(K562) and decreased the contact hypersensitivity against dinitroflurobenzene. Also administration of Coicis Senlen slightly increased NK cell activity and enhanced the production of such reactive oxygen intermediates as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from the macrophages in vivo and in vitro. The above results demonstrate that Coicis Semen has enhancing effects on cellular and humoral immune responses against disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2012

The association of verotoxic E. coli and Acinetobacter spp. with various antibiotic-resistant, diarrhogenic, and nosocomial infections has been a cause for concern worldwide. E. coli and A. haemolyticus isolated on a number of selective media were screened for virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and transformation of resistance genes. Out of 69 E. coli isolates obtained, 25 (35.23%), 14 (20.30%), and 28 (40.58%) were positive for Vtx1&2, Vtx1, and Vtx2, respectively, 49 (71.015%) for extendedspectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), 34 (49.28%) for serum resistance, 57 (82.61%) for cell surface hydrophobicity, 48 (69.57%) for gelatinase production, and 37 (53.62%) for hemolysin production. For the 14 A. haemolyticus isolates, only 2 (14.29%) in each case from all the samples investigated were positive for Vtx1, Vtx2 and Vtx1&2 respectively, 8 (57.14%) for ESBLs, 7 (50.00%) for serum resistance, 11 (78.57%) for cell surface hydrophobicity, 4 (28.57%) for gelatinase production, and 8 (57.14%) for hemolysin production. Although transformation occurred among the E. coli and Acinetobacter isolates (transformation frequency: $13.3{\times}10^{-7}-53.4^{-7}$), there was poor curing of the plasmid genes, a confirmation of the presence of stable antibiotic-resistant genes (DNA concentration between 42.7 and 123.8 ${\mu}g$) and intragenetic transfer of multidrug-resistant genes among the isolates. The isolates were potentially virulent and contained potentially transferable antibiotic resistance genes. Detection of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes, and transformation among these isolates is a very significant outcome that will influence approaches to proactive preventive and control measures and future investigations. However, continued surveillance for drug resistance among these bacteria and further investigation of the mechanism of action of their virulence factors are a necessity.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.3.1-3.10
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• 2018

Background: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the most common causes of seafood-borne illnesses in Korea, either directly or indirectly, by consuming infected seafood. Many studies have demonstrated the antibiotic susceptibility profile of V. parahaemolyticus. This strain has developed multiple antibiotic resistance, which has raised serious public health and economic concerns. This article reviews the food-borne outbreaks, distributions, virulence, and antibiotic resistance profiles of V. parahaemolyticus in Korea during 2003-2016. Main body: V. parahaemolyticus infections appeared to be seasonally dependent, because 69.7% of patient infections occurred in both August and September during 2003-2016. In addition, the occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus in marine environments varies seasonally but is particularly high in July, August, and September. V. parahaemolyticus isolated from aquaculture sources on the Korean coast varied in association with virulence genes, some did not possess either the tdh (thermostable direct hemolysin) or trh (tdh-related hemolysin) genes, and a few were positive for only the trh gene or both genes. The high percentage of ampicillin resistance against V. parahaemolyticus in the aquatic environment suggests that ampicillin cannot be used to effectively treat infections caused by this organism. Short conclusion: This study shows that the observed high percentage of multiple antibiotic resistance to V. parahaemolyticus is due to conventionally used antibiotics. Therefore, monitoring the antimicrobial resistance patterns at a national level and other solutions are needed to control aquaculture infections, ensure seafood safety, and avoid threats to public health caused by massive misuse of antibiotics.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1002-1007
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• 2003

In order to investigate the effect of Sojagangki-tang on imuno-activity. the author performaed this experimental study. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and rosette forming cells (RFC) for cell-mediated immune response, hemagglutinin (HA) titers, hemolysin (HL) titers for humoral immune response, Carbon clearance for phagocytic function of MPS (mononuclear phagocyte system) were measured in ICR mice. The results were summurized as follows: Delayed tape hypersensitivity was increased with statistical significance in the administrated solid extract of Sojagangki-tang treated group as compared with the control group. Hemagglutinin titers were increased with statistical significance in the administrated solid extract of Sojagangki-tang treated group as compared with the control group. Hemolysin titers were increased with statistical significance in the administrated solid extract of Sojagangki-tang treated group as compared with the control group. Number of RFC was increased with statistical significance in the administrated solid extract of Sojagangki-tang treated group as compared with the control group. Carbon clearance was increased with statistical significance in the administrated solid extract of Sojagangki-tang treated group as compared with the control group. Through in vivo experimental study in ICR mice Sojagangki-tang enhences the cell-mediated immmune response, the humoral immune respose. According to the above results, I think that Sojagangki-tang could be used for allergy asthma and lung damage patients.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11.1-11.20
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• 2022

Vibrio harveyi belongs to the Vibrio genus that causes vibriosis in marine and aquatic fish species through double-stranded DNA virus replication. In humans, around 12 Vibrio species can cause gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal illness). A large amount of virus particles can be found in the cytoplasm of infected cells, which may cause death. Despite these devastating complications, there is still no cure or vaccine for the virus. As a result, we used an immunoinformatics approach to develop a multi-epitope vaccine against most pathogenic hemolysin gene of V. harveyi. The immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes were identified using the hemolysin protein. We developed a vaccine employing three possible epitopes: cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, helper T-lymphocytes, and linear B-lymphocyte epitopes, after thorough testing. The vaccine was developed to be antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergenic, as well as having a better solubility. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed significant structural stiffness and binding stability. In addition, the immunological simulation generated by computer revealed that the vaccination might elicit immune reactions in the actual life after injection. Finally, using Escherichia coli K12 as a model, codon optimization yielded ideal GC content and a higher codon adaptation index value, which was then included in the cloning vector pET2+ (a). Altogether, our experiment implies that the proposed peptide vaccine might be a good option for vibriosis prophylaxis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 1986

Digitonin is a strong hemolysin and glycyrrhizin has protective activity against the deterring effect of other hemolytic saponins. The interaction of these saponins with liposomes was studied as a function of cholesterol in membrane. In the case of multilamellar vesicles, which act as ideal osmometers, digitonin distrupted the barrier function of liposomes composed of phosphatidyl choline, dicetyl phosphate and cholesterol, however, did not influence on cholesterol-lacking liposomes. Glycyrrhizin had similar effect on liposomes irrespective of cholesterol in membrane. In the test with large unilamellar vesicles, digitonin increased the lysis with increasing cholesterol content in membrane, but glycyrrhizin showed no detectable change in cholesterol-containing liposomes. These results suggest that incorporation of cholesterol into liposomes increases the susceptibility to digitonin, resulting in lysis of liposomes, and that the inhibitory effect of glycyrrhizin against other hemolytic saponins in cholesterol-independent.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 1986

Experiments were performed on mice to investigate the effect of Panax ginseng petroleum ether fraction on the immunotoxicity of lead acetate. Lead acetate was administered in the drinking water and ginseng p-ether fraction was injected intraperitoneally, Mice were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cell. Humoral immune responses were evaluated by antibody production and Arthus reaction. Pathotoxicological influences were measured by serum protein, alkaline phosphatase and total cholesterol. The weight of liver, spleen and thymus were measured. Lead acetate exposure significantly decreased hemagglutination titer, hemolysin titer, Arthus reaction, spleen and thymus weight. Ginseng p-ether fraction administration significantly restored or potentiated reduced humoral immune response, spleen and thymus weight. Reduced serum A/G ratio, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase activity were restored or increased by ginseng p-ether fraction administration.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.132-136
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• 2004

Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of the multifaceted host-pathogen interaction is critical in the development of improved treatment and prevention, as well as elucidating how certain bacteria can circumvent host defenses, multiply in the host, and cause such extensive damage. Disease caused by infection with V. vulnificus is remarkable for the invasive nature of the infection, ensuing severe tissue damage, and rapidly fulminating course. The characterization of somatic as well as secreted products of V. vulnificus has yielded a large list of putative virulence attributes, whose known functions are easily imagined to explain the pathology of disease. These putative virulence factors include a carbohydrate capsule, lipopolysaccharide, a cytolysin/hemolysin, elastolytic metalloprotease, iron sequestering systems, lipase, and pili. However, only few among the putative virulence factors has been confirmed to be essential for virulence by the use of molecular Koch's postulates. This presentation describes molecular biological characterization of the virulence factors contributing to survival as well as to toxigenesis of V. vulnificus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.302-309
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• 2001

Colony blot hybridization using a VVHP DNA probe derived from the sequence of the hemolysin gene, vvhA, was specific in identifying all V. vulnificus strains, thereby, eliminating the need for any additional phenotypic identification. The colony blot hybridization procedure revealed a sensitivity and broad applicability sufficient for the direct enumeration of V. vulnificus in various natural samples, without the use of enrichment or culturing on selective medis. V. vulnificus was detected in all natural samples collected during August and May at concentrations ranging from $2.1{\times}10^1\;to\;4.0{\times}10^3$ organisms per ml. However, during November and February, when the mean temperatures of the seawater were $12^{\circ}C$ and $5^{\circ}C$, respectively, V. vulnificus was not detected in any natural samples.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2005

The effects of Chelidonii Herba on the cell mediate and humoral immune responses were investigated in ICR mice. ICR mice received intraperitoneal injection of methanol extracts (ether fraction, buthanol fraction, water fraction) for 5 days before sensitization. The change of body weight (%), the organ weight ratio (%), the numbers of RBC and WBC, the ear swelling by dinitrofluorobenzene, the titers of hemagglutination (HA) and hemolysin (HY) to SRBC were determined. The results were as follows; 1. The change of body weight (%) showed a tendency of increasing generally. 2. The weight of spleen (%) revealed decreasing but that of thymus revealed increasing. 3. Ear swelling was maxium at 48 hours after challenge and was significantly decreased in the groups treated with Ether, Buthanol and Water. 4. The numbers of RBC and WBC were decreased generally. 5. HA and HY titers were decreased significantly.