• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.138-146
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• 2023

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite which can infect most warm-blooded animals and humans. Among the different mouse models, C57BL/6 mice are more susceptible to T. gondii infection compared to BALB/c mice, and this increased susceptibility has been attributed to various factors, including T-cell responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most prominent type of antigen-presenting cells and regulate the host immune response, including the response of T-cells. However, differences in the DC responses of these mouse strains to T. gondii infection have yet to be characterized. In this study, we cultured bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. These cells were infected with T. gondii. The activation of the BMDCs was assessed based on the expression of cell surface markers and cytokines. In the BMDCs of both mouse strains, we detected significant increases in the expression of cell surface T-cell co-stimulatory molecules (major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II, CD40, CD80, and CD86) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-1β, and IL-10) from 3 h post-T. gondii infection. The expression of MHC II, CD40, CD80, CD86, IFN-γ, IL-12p40, and IL-1β was significantly higher in the T. gondii-infected BMDCs obtained from the C57BL/6 mice than in those from the BALB/c mice. These findings indicate that differences in the activation status of the BMDCs in the BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice may account for their differential susceptibility to T. gondii.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.209-218
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• 2023

In induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), pluripotency is induced artificially by introducing the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. When a transgene is introduced using a viral vector, the transgene may be integrated into the host genome and cause a mutation and cancer. No integration occurs when an episomal vector is used, but this method has a limitation in that remnants of the virus or vector remain in the cell, which limits the use of such iPSCs in therapeutic applications. Chemical reprogramming, which relies on treatment with small-molecule compounds to induce pluripotency, can overcome this problem. In this method, reprogramming is induced according to the gene expression pattern of extra-embryonic endoderm (XEN) cells, which are used as an intermediate stage in pluripotency induction. Therefore, iPSCs can be induced only from established XEN cells. We induced XEN cells using small molecules that modulate a signaling pathway and affect epigenetic modifications, and devised a culture method which can produce homogeneous XEN cells. At least 4 passages were required to establish morphologically homogeneous chemically induced XEN (CiXEN) cells, whose properties were similar to those of XEN cells, as revealed through cellular and molecular characterization. Chemically iPSCs derived from CiXEN cells showed characteristics similar to those of mouse embryonic stem cells. Our results show that the homogeneity of CiXEN cells is critical for the efficient induction of pluripotency by chemicals.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.42.1-42.21
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• 2023

When the lungs are infected with bacteria, alveolar macrophages (AMs) are recruited to the site and play a crucial role in protecting the host by reducing excessive lung inflammation. However, the regulatory mechanisms that trigger the recruitment of AMs to lung alveoli during an infection are still not fully understood. In this study, we identified a critical role for NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the recruitment of AMs during Staphylococcus aureus lung infection. We found that NOX4 knockout (KO) mice showed decreased recruitment of AMs and increased lung neutrophils and injury in response to S. aureus infection compared to wildtype (WT) mice. Interestingly, the burden of S. aureus in the lungs was not different between NOX4 KO and WT mice. Furthermore, we observed that depletion of AMs in WT mice during S. aureus infection increased the number of neutrophils and lung injury to a similar level as that observed in NOX4 KO mice. Additionally, we found that expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) in NOX4 KO mice-derived lung endothelial cells was lower than that in WT mice-derived endothelial cells. Therefore, we conclude that NOX4 plays a crucial role in inducing the recruitment of AMs by controlling ICAM1 expression in lung endothelial cells, which is responsible for resolving lung inflammation during acute S. aureus infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.579-589
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• 1996

연구배경 : 패혈증에서 백혈구의 활성화는 미생물 및 숙주 독성 물질의 청소에 중요한 역활을 하며 한편으로 활성화된 호중구와 그의 특성 물질은 조직 손상파 장기의 기증 부전을 초래한다. 백혈구의 CD11/18 유착 분자는 감염 및 염증 부위로 호중구 이동의 첫 단계인 호중구-내피 세포 유착을 조절한다. 패혈증 치료 전락으로 호중구 억제 효과의 가능성을 알아보기 위해 rat 에서 Escherichia coli 폐렴을 유발하여 CD11b에 대한 단클론 항체(MAb 1B6)의 효과를 평가하였다. 방법 : 1 mg/kg CD11b에 대한 단클론 항체와 1 mg/kg BSA출 폐렴 유발 6 시간전, 유발시 및 유발 6 시간후 무작위적으로 피하 투여하였다. 폐렴 유발후 무작위적으로 24, 60 및 90%의 산소를 투여하였으며 폐렴 유발후 4시간 및 3일간 하루에 한번씩 100 mg/kg의 ceftriaxone을 투여하였다. 말초 및 폐포 호중구와 폐 손상의 지표인 D(A-a)O2, W/D LW ratio 및 폐포 세척액 단백 농도를 12시간과 96시간까지 생존한 동물에서 측정하였다. 결과 : CD11b에 대한 단클론 항체는 말초 및 폐포 호중구를 감소시켰으며 96시간 보다 12시간에 더욱 감소시켰다. 폐손상 지표는 단클론 항체 투여군과 대조군을 비교시 차이를 보이지 앉았으나 생존 동물 수의 부족으로 통계학적 평가의 의미가 없었다. 조기(6 시간) 사망률은 항체 투여군 51%로 대조군 31%보다 의미(P=0.02) 있게 증가하였으나 후기 사망률(12 시간에서 72 시간)은 항체 투여군 44% 대조군 36%로 의미(P=0.089) 있는 차이가 없었다. 결론 : CD11b/18 유착 분자는 감염 및 염증 부위로 호중구의 이동을 조절하는 것으로 알려져 있다. CD11b에 대한 단클론 항체는 rat의 폐인성 패혈증에서 폐포 호중구를 감소시키고 조기 사망률을 증가시켰다. 따라서 CD11b에 대한 단클론 항체가 rat의 폐인성 패혈증의 초기에 호중구의 폐포내 이동을 억제시켜 숙주의 방어 기전에 장애를 초래하여 조기 사망률을 증가시키는 것으로 사료된다.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.39-47
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• 2015

방선균이 생산하는 이차대사산물은 자기조절인자(${\gamma}$-butyrolactone autoregulator)라고 불리는 저분자의 신호전달물질과 이에 특이적으로 결합하는 autoregulator receptor protein의 상호작용에 의해 조절되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러므로 non-host에 autoregulator receptor 혹은 pleiotropic regulator의 발현은 이차대사산물 혹은 새로운 대사화합물의 효율적인 생산을 유도할 것으로 기대된다. 희소방선균 Saccharopolyspora erythreae으로부터 receptor (seaR) 유전자의 기능을 연구하기 위해 다른 속의 균주인 Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)로 seaR 유전자를 삽입하여 형질전환하였다. S. coelicolor A3(2)의 형질전환은 oriT, attP, $ermEp^*$과 seaR gene 단편을 가지고 있는 ${\Phi}C31$ 유래의 integration vector인 pEV615 (6.6 kb)를 이용하여 Escherichia coli ET12567/pUZ8002를 DNA 공여체로 이용한 접합전달법을 사용하여 확립하였다. seaR 유전자의 삽입 유무는 PCR방법으로 확인하였고, seaR 유전자의 전사 발현은 RT-PCR방법으로 확인하였다. S. coelicolor A3(2)의 경우 표현형 microarray 실험을 통하여 seaR 유전자의 발현에 따른 표현형의 변화를 확인하였다. 특히, 표현형 microarray 실험에 나타난 tetracycline 항생제 기질에 대하여 wild type이 transformant에 비해 빠르게 성장하는 것은 항균제 감수성 검사와 일치하였다. 이는 tetracycline 생합성 유전자 및 내성 유전자의 발현 억제에 따른 변화라고 예상할 수 있으며 이를 위하여 tetracycline 생합성 관련 유전자 및 내성 유전자의 발현 패턴 분석등과 같은 분자 수준에서의 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.299-306
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• 2017

The transcriptional activator AphB has been implicated in acid resistance and pathogenesis in the food borne pathogens Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae. To date, the full-length AphB crystal structure of V. cholerae has been determined and characterized by a tetrameric assembly of AphB consisting of a DNA binding domain and a regulatory domain (RD). Although acidic pH and low oxygen tension might be involved in the activation of AphB, it remains unknown which ligand or stimulus activates AphB at the molecular level. In this study, we determine the crystal structure of the AphB RD from V. vulnificus under aerobic conditions without modification at the conserved cysteine residue of the RD, even in the presence of the oxidizing agent cumene hydroperoxide. A cysteine to serine amino acid residue mutant RD protein further confirmed that the cysteine residue is not involved in sensing oxidative stress in vitro. Interestingly, an unidentified small molecule was observed in the inter-subdomain cavity in the RD when the crystal was incubated with cumene hydroperoxide molecules, suggesting a new ligand-binding site. In addition, we confirmed the role of AphB in acid tolerance by observing an aphB-dependent increase in cadC transcript level when V. vulnificus was exposed to acidic pH. Our study contributes to the understanding of the AphB molecular mechanism in the process of recognizing the host environment.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.155-161
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• 2001

Background and Objectives: Nitric oxide (NO) is generated in mammalian tissue by the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline. This reaction is catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). NO is an important bioactive agent and a signalling molecule that mediates a variety of biologic actions such as vasodilation, neurotransmission, host defense, and iron metabolism but increased NO production may also contribute to the pathogenesis of a various of disorders, including cancer. Before now, the role of NO in thyroid gland is still investigated and it was supposed that NO mediate the angiogenesis in tumor growth. Others journal and works identified the expression of iNOS that involve by neutrophil and eNOS that involve in part in the vascular remodeling and to understand the role of NO in human thyroid gland. But authors revealed only eNOS in thyroid neoplasm. iNOS was identifed by inflammation in fault. Materials and Methods: Western blot analysis was performed, using a polyclonal antibody against eNOS (Rabbit polyclonal IgG). Using the same antibody, the distribution of eNOS was examined in 15 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples by immunohistochemistry. By NADPH consumption rate, NOS activity was estimated at nodular hyperplasia. Results: Western blot analysis exhibited that eNOS was significantly elevated in thyroid papillary carcinoma, compared to that in nodular hyperplasia and normal tissue. Immunohistochemistry showed that the immunoreacitivity was present more significantly in thyroid follicular epithelial cell layer than vascular endothelial cell. NOS activity increased in nodular hyperplasia. Conclusions: Thyroid papillary cancer without neutrophil invasion expressed only eNOS. The endothelial localization of eNOS may play an important role in pathogenensis of human thyroid nodular hyperplasia and the follicular localization of thyroid papillary carcinomas.

• 대한화학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.117-122
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• 1997

전편[Bull. Korean Chem. Soc. 1995, 16, 1015]에 기초하여 중성과 다중 전하를 가진 $C_{60}$이온에 대하여 상대적 안정도, 이온화 에너지 및 화학 반응성을 연구하였다. $C_{60}^{1-}$이 가장 안정하며, 이온화 에너지는 15.31 eV($C_{60}^{2+}$)로부터 -13.01 eV($C_{60}^{6-}$)까지 값을 갖는다. 또한 전하와 이온화 에너지의 상관 관계에서 직선관계가 나타났으며, 전하당 평균 이온화 에너지는 3.15 eV(계산값)와 3.22 eV(상관관계값) 이었다. 양의 전하를 띤 $C_{60}$ 이온의 전하-이동 및 전자-이동 반응은 게스트 분자의 이온화 에너지가 호스트 $C_{60}^{n+}$의 전자 친화도보다 더 낮을 때 일어남을 알 수 있었다. 이때, 이온화 에너지와 전자친화도의 에너지 차이(${\Delta}_{IP-EA}$)가 클 때는 전하-조절 효과에 의하여 전하-이동 반응이 일어나며, 그 에너지 차이가 작을 때는 프론티어-조절 효과에 의하여 전자-이동 반응에 의하여 일어남을 확인하였다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.302-309
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• 2003

Background: CTLA4 (CD152), which is expressed on the surface of T cells following activation, has a much higher affinity for B7 molecules comparing to CD28, and is a negative regulator of T cell activation. In contrast to stimulating and agonistic capabilities of monoclonal antibodies specific to CTLA-4, CTLA4Ig fusion protein appears to act as CD28 antagonist and inhibits in vitro and in vivo T cell priming in variety of immunological conditions. We've set out to confirm whether inhibition of the CD28-B7 costimulatory response using a soluble form of human CTLA4Ig fusion protein would lead to persistent inhibition of alloreactive T cell activation. Methods: We have used CHO-$dhfr^-$ cell-line to produce CTLA4Ig fusion protein. After serum free culture of transfected cell line we purified this recombinant molecule by using protein A column. To confirm characterization of fusion protein, we carried out a series of Western blot, SDS-PAGE and silver staining analyses. We have also investigated the efficacy of CTLA4Ig in vitro such as mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) & cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and in vivo such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), graft versus host disease (GVHD) and skin-graft whether this fusion protein could inhibit alloreactive T cell activation and lead to immunosuppression of activated T cell. Results: In vitro assay, CTLA4Ig fusion protein inhibited immune response in T cell-specific manner: 1) Human CTLA4Ig inhibited allogeneic stimulation in murine MLR; 2) CTLA4Ig prevented the specific killing activity of CTL. In vivo assay, human CTLA4Ig revealed the capacities to induce alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in mouse model: 1) GVHD was efficiently blocked by dose-dependent manner; 2) Clinical score of EAE was significantly decreased compared to nomal control; 3) The time of skin-graft rejection was not different between CTLA4Ig treated and control group. Conclusion: Human CTLA4Ig suppress the T cell-mediated immune response and efficiently inhibit the EAE, GVHD in mouse model. The mechanism of T cell suppression by human CTLA4Ig fusion protein may be originated from the suppression of activity of cytotoxic T cell. Human CTLA4Ig could not suppress the rejection in mouse skin-graft, this finding suggests that other mechanism except the suppression of cytotoxic T cell may exist on the suppression of graft rejection.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.181-189
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• 2001

Cytokines are hormone-like proteins which mediate and regulast inflammatory and immune responses. Transforming growth factor -$\beta$1(TGF-$\beta$) plays an important role in the control of the immune response and wound healing, and in the development o various tissues and organs, Nitric oxide(NO) is major messenger molecule regulating immune function and blood vessel dilation and serving as a neurotransmitter in the brain and peripheral nervous system. Also, NO is to be a potent mutagen that cause mutation in the p53 tumor suppressor gene in early phases of human gastric carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Helicobacter phlori lystes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and Staphylococcus enterotoxin B(SEB) on production of TGF-$\beta$1 and NO by human fibroblasts. Primary cultured human fibroblasts were incubated with H. pylori lysates(Hp), LPs, SEB, Hp+LPS, Hp+SEB, Hp+LPS+SEB. Cultured supernatants that were collected at 24, 48 and 72 hr were assessed for TGF-$\beta$1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and NO production by quantification of nitrite ion. TGF-$\beta$1 production in fibroblasts exposed with Hp, LPS or SEB for 48 hrs was enhanced, but for 72 hrs inhibited. Its production by doble exposure such as Hp+LPS, Hp+SEB, Hp+LPS+SEB was lowered in comparison with single exposure of Hp in cases of 24 and 48 hrs incubation, but for 72 hrs decreased in Hp vaculoating toxin(+), increased in Hp vacuolating toxin(-). No production in fibroblasts increaed at all doses of LPS. But its production by exposure of SEB increased or decreased according to dose and incubation time. Also, NO production by Hp vacuolating toxin(+) increased at all doses, but its production by Hp vacuolating toxin(-) decreased. Its production by doble exposure such as Hp+LPS, Hp+SEB, Hp+LPS+SEB decreased in comparison with single exposure Hp Therefore, quantities pf TGB-$\beta$1 and NO released by human fibroblasts shows differences according to kinds of stimulants. Also, in care stimulated with same kinds of stimulants, its productions exhibit quantitative differences according to exposure times. These results suggest that the decreased of TGF-$\beta$1 in fibroblasts by mixed exposure with Hp producing vacuolating toxin and bacterial toxins such as LPS and SEB may effect negatively in healing of host tissue and increased of NO by infection oh H. pylori may related to the increased susceptibility for human gastric carcinogenesis.