• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

In our study, the several cytokines were determined in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Adamantiades-Behcets patients. Adamantiades-Behcets disease (ABD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder and might involve immune dysfunction. High levels of $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1\beta$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ indicate the activation of inflammatory reactions and immune system in ABD. Gami-Phedoc-San (GPS) is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been used in Korea for the treatment of ABD. GPS (1 mg/ ml) significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, $TNF-\alpha\;and\;IL-1\beta$, compared to absence of GPS (by $50.5{\pm}1.9%$ inhibition for $TNF-\alpha$ and $106.9{\pm}16.8%$ for $IL-1\beta$). GPS also inhibited the production of $IFN-\gamma$, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by $78.4{\pm}2.8%$. The inhibitory effects of GPS on cytokine secretion showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1 mg/ml GPS had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of ABD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that GPS treatment for ABD patients might have pharmacological activity of immune and inflammatory responses through the cytokine modulation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.474-480
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to define whether Asterina pectinifera Lectin (APL) is effective on the cytokine production. Isolated mRNA from hPBMC (human peripheral blood mononuclear cells) stimulated with APL for various reaction times (1 to 96 hours) was detected by RT-PCR. The intensity of band for IL-1 and $IFN{\gamma}$ mRNA was markedly increased at l hour, and IL-2 mRNA was strongly expressed at 4 hours. The mRNA band of APL-induced IL-2 and $IFN{\gamma}$ was weaker than that of IL-1, IL-6 and $TNF{\alpha}$. The mRNA expression of 4 cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, $IFN{\gamma}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$) was detected up to 48 hours, and that of IL-6 was detected until 72 hours. ELISA was used to look protein secretion of the cytokine gene with IL-1, IL-2 and TNF$\alpha$expressed strongly in RT-PCR. The highest protein secretion was at 4 hours with IL-1, at 8 hours with IL-2 and at 4 hours with $TNF{\alpha}$. These results suggest that APL can induce the production of some cytokines and the immune response from PBMC was done within the first few hours of stimulation with APL.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2011

Background: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) appear to play an important role in the control and prevention of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The pp65 antigen is a structural protein, which has been defined as a potential target for effective immunity against HCMV infection. Incorporation of an 11 amino acid region of the HIV TAT protein transduction domain (Tat) into protein facilitates rapid, efficient entry into cells. Methods: To establish a strategy for the generation of HCMV-specific CTLs in vitro, recombinant truncated N- and C-terminal pp65 protein (pp65 N&C) and N- and C-terminal pp65 protein fused with Tat (Tat/pp65 N&C) was produced in E.coli system. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with pp65 N&C or Tat/pp65 N&C protein and immune responses induced was examined using IFN-${\gamma}$ ELISPOT assay, cytotoxicity assay and tetramer staining. Results: DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65N&C protein could induce higher T-cell responses in vitro compared with pp65N&C. Moreover, the DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C could stimulate both of $CD8^+$ and $CD4^+$ T-cell responses. The T cells induced by DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C showed higher cytotoxicity than that of pp65-pulsed DCs against autologous lymphoblastoid B-cell line (LCL) expressing the HCMV-pp65 antigen. Conclusion: Our results suggest that DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C protein effectively induced pp65-specific CTL in vitro. Tat fusion recombinant protein may be useful for the development of adoptive T-cell immunotherapy and DC-based vaccines.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2004

Objectives and methods : To study on the anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immune response improvement effects of Herbal-acupuncture with Sinomenii acuti Lignum infusion solution(SAL-HAS), we injected Sinomenii acuti Lignum infusion solution into Joksamni$(ST_{36})$ of C57BL/6 mouse which is corresponding to human Joksamni(ST36). We observed its effect on the number of $CD25^+/CD4^+,\;CD8^+/CD3e^+,\;CD69^+/B220^+,\;NK1.1^+/CD3e^+$ cells in mouse PBMCs(peripheral blood mononuclear cells), the number of the pulmonary colony, and the effect on MST(mean survival time) and ILS(increase in MST over control) of C57BL/6 mice implanted intravenously with B16-F10 melanoma. Results and Conclusions : 1. The spleen cells proliferation of the sample groups treated with SAL-HAS extract has increased significantly compared with that of the control group. 2. The percentage of the $CD25^+/CD4^+,\;CD8^+/CD3e^+,\;CD69^+/B220^+,\;NK1.1^+/CD3e^+$ cells in C57BL/6 mouse PBMCs of the sample groups treated with SAL-HAS has increased compared with that of the control group. 3. The pulmonary colony number of the sample groups SAL-HAS has decreased significantly compared with that of the control group. 4. MST and ILS of the sample groups SAL-HAS have increased significantly compared with those of the control group.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.4 s.147
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• pp.221-228
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• 2006

A lectin was purified from Serrognathus platymelus castanicolor larvae and named as SPL. The purification was carried out by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE Sephadex A-50 and gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The purity of the protein was verified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the purified lectin agglutinated erythrocytes of rabbit and human A, B, O, AB. SPL was tested it's ability to enhance the expressions of cytokines, $IL-1\alpha$, IL-2, IL-6, $TNF\alpha$ and $IFN\gamma$ by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from healthy donors. mRNA analyses were performed by RT-PCR at the moment of 1, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after stimulation of PBMC with purified SPL. The patterns of IL-2 band were slightly expressed from 24 h and the strongest band was appeared at 96 h. The expressions of $IL-1\alpha$ and IL-6 mRNA were strong from 1 to 8 h and those of $TNF\alpha$ were from 48 to 96 h. The mRNA encoding $IFN\gamma$ were not detected. The addition of SPL for macrophage cultures induced production of nitric oxide (NO) by cells in a dose-dependent manner. NO release was partially inhibited by $TNF\alpha$ antibodies. These results suggest that SPL has the ability to enhance cytokine expressions in PBMC and to induce the NO release by TNFa in macrophage cultures from PBMC cultures.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of four calcium silicate-based endodontic cements at different storage times after mixing. Materials and Methods: Capillary tubes were filled with Biodentine (Septodont), Calcium Enriched Mixture (CEM cement, BioniqueDent), Tech Biosealer Endo (Tech Biosealer) and ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental). Empty tubes and tubes containing Dycal were used as negative and positive control groups respectively. Filled capillary tubes were kept in 0.2 mL microtubes and incubated at $37^{\circ}C$. Each material was divided into 3 groups for testing at intervals of 24 hr, 7 day and 28 day after mixing. Human monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cocultered with 24 hr, 7 day and 28 day samples of different materials for 24 and 48 hr. Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay. Results: In all groups, the viability of monocytes significantly improved with increasing storage time regardless of the incubation time (p < 0.001). After 24 hr of incubation, there was no significant difference between the materials regarding monocyte viability. However, at 48 hr of incubation, ProRoot MTA and Biodentine were less cytotoxic than CEM cement and Biosealer (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Biodentine and ProRoot MTA had similar biocompatibility. Mixing ProRoot MTA with PBS in place of distilled water had no effect on its biocompatibility. Biosealer and CEM cement after 48 hr of incubation were significantly more cytotoxic to on monocyte cells compared to ProRoot MTA and Biodentine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.40-50
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• 2000

Objectives : The progression of renal disease can be identified as a glomerulosclerosis by histological examination, and the basic mechanism of glomerulosclerosis is mesangial cell proliferation and mesangial matrix accumulation. ICAM-1, ${\beta}1-integrin$ and MHC-class II are known to attribute to the progression of glomerulosclerosis. They mediate cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions and are expressed in response to injury and inflammation. Up to now, there have been few satisfactory regimens to treat glomerular diseases except minimal change nephrotic syndrome, which can be improved by steroid therapy. Studies were performed in order to investigate whether Jinmu-tang has suppressive effects on some factors associated with the progression of glomerular disease, mesangial cell proliferation, fibronectin synthesis, ICAM-1, ${\beta}1-integrin$ and MHC-class II expression. Methods : Studies were performed with the method of surface enzyme immunoassays or flow cytometry after addition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) supernatants treated with Jinmu-tang, using the cultured human mesangial cells. Results : 1. The suppressive effect of Jinmu-tang on mesangial cell proliferation was higher than that of hydrocortisone. 2. Jinmu-tang has some suppressive effects on fibronectin synthesis, ICAM-1, expression, ${\beta}1-integrin$ expression and MHC-class II expression of mesangial cells, but was lower than hydrocortisone. Conclusions : Jinmu-tang generally shows some immunosuppressive effects. We carefully suggest that the above prescription may be applied to prevent the progression of renal disease or can be used as an adjuvant of or a substitute for steroid therapy.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.105-137
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Gupoongjeseuptang (GPJST) on atopic dermatitis by in vivo experiment using NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, which has histological and clinical similarities to the atopic dermatitis of human. Methods : To investigate the effect of GPJST on atopic dermatifis, we evaluated atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by clinical skin index and analyzed immunological parameters in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), splenocytes, draining lymph node (DLN) and performed skin histology in ears and dorsal skin of atopic dermatitis-like skin NC/Nga mouse in vivo. Results : In vivo, clinical skin severity score were significantly lower in GPJST group than control group. IgE, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG1, IgM, IgG2a and IgG2b levels in serum decreased remarkably in GPJST group than control group. Also, total absolute number of $CD3^+CD69^+$, and $CCR3^+$ cells recovered as normal in PBMCs and $CD3^+$, $CD3^+CD69^+$ decreased significantly compared with control group in isolated DLN from NC/Nga mouse and total absolute number of $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$, $CCR3^+CD3^+$ in dorsal skin of NC/Nga mouse decreased by GPJST. We analyzed ear and neck-back skin after biopsy and dyeing by hematoxyline/eosin (H&E) and toluidine staining (mast cells marker) and obtained results that GPJST are very effective to histological symptoms (dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis and inflammatory cell (CD4, $CCR3^+$) infiltration). Conclusions : This study demonstrates immunological activity of GPJST on atopic dermatitis-like model mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2019

Ceramide metabolism is known to be an essential etiology for various diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease. Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which is a main ceramide metabolism pathway in mammalian cells. In this article, we developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine GCS activity using synthetic non-natural sphingolipid C8-ceramide as a substrate. The reaction products, C8-GlcCer for GCS, could be separated on a C18 column by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantification was conducted using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to monitor the precursor-to-product ion transitions of m/z $588.6{\rightarrow}264.4$ for C8-GlcCer at positive ionization mode. The calibration curve was established over the range of 0.625-160 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient was larger than 0.999. This method was successfully applied to detect GCS in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2 cells) and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We also evaluated the inhibition degree of a known GCS inhibitor 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP) on GCS enzymatic activity and proved that this method could be successfully applied to GCS inhibitor screening of preventive and therapeutic drugs for ceramide metabolism diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.235-241
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• 2014

Purpose: Regulatory T cells (Tregs), expressing CD4 and CD25 as well as Foxp3, are known to play a pivotal role in immunoregulatory function in autoimmune diseases, cancers, and graft rejection. Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered the major antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for initiating these T-cell immune responses, of which $CD103^+$ DCs are derived from precursor human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of these PBMC-derived $CD103^+$ DCs to promote the differentiation of antigen-specific Tregs. Methods: Monocyte-derived DCs were induced from $CD14^+$ monocytes from the PBMCs of 10 healthy subjects. Once the $CD103^+$ DCs were purified, the cell population was enriched by adding retinoic acid (RA). Peptide numbers 14 and 19 of Porphyromonas gingivalis heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) were synthesized to pulse $CD103^+$ DCs as a tool for presenting the peptide antigens to stimulate $CD3^+$ T cells that were isolated from human PBMC. Exogenous interleukin 2 was added as a coculture supplement. The antigen-specific T-cell lines established were phenotypically identified for their expression of CD4, CD25, or Foxp3. Results: When PBMCs were used as APCs, they demonstrated only a marginal capacity to stimulate peptide-specific Tregs, whereas $CD103^+$ DCs showed a potent antigen presenting capability to promote the peptide-specific Tregs, especially for peptide 14. RA enhanced the conversion of $CD103^+$ DCs, which paralleled the antigen-specific Treg-stimulating effect, though the differences failed to reach statistical significance. Conclusions: We demonstrated that $CD103^+$ DCs can promote antigen-specific Tregs from naive T cells, when used as APCs for an epitope peptide from P. gingivalis HSP60. RA was an effective reagent that induces mature DCs with the typical phenotypic expression of CD103 that demonstrated the functional capability to promote antigen-specific Tregs.