• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2003

Background: Fibroblast functions both as a structural element and as a vital immunoregulatory cell. Fibroblasts regulate inflammation through governing of chemokine expression. In order to elucidate the mechanisms by which the expressions of chemokines were regulated, the co-stimulatory effects of Th1 and proinflammatory cytokines were compared using nasal mucosal fibroblasts. Methods: Human nasal mucosa was obtained from surgery for septal deviation and the growth of fibroblasts was established. Fibroblasts from 4th to 6th passage were stimulated with various combinations of cytokines. To inhibit selected signaling pathways, fibroblasts were pretreated with cyclosporin A, wortmannin, staurosporine, and dexamethasone prior to the stimulation with cytokines. The supernatants were collected and chemokines were detected with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}$-induced production of RANTES was inhibited by all inhibitors used. MCP-1 was produced constitutively and $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced or $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}$-induced production of MCP-1 was not inhibited by cyclosporin A or wortmannin, but by stauroporine or dexamethasone. All inhibitors used in this experiment inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}$-induced or $IL-1{\beta}/IFN-{\gamma}$-induced production of MCP-2 in nasal mucosal fibroblasts. Although staurosporine or dexamethasone showed strong inhibitory effects, cyclosporin A or wortmannin did not inhibit the production of MCP-3 by $IL-1{\beta}/IFN-{\gamma}$ treatment. Conclusion: Chemokines were strongly induced by stimulation of cytokines in combination and showed different pattern of inhibition by the inhibitors. Therefore, it was assumed that cytokines acted on multiple pathways or on unknown pathways which converged to gene-specific transcription factors.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.603-608
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• 2014

Pleurotus ostreatus have been used as a traditional remedy and food source. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation effects have been previously reported. The production of cytokines (IL-$2{\beta}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$) secreted by LPS- and non LPS-stimulated macrophages, were detected by ELISA assay using a cytokine kit. Mouse splenocytes proliferation increased with Pleurotus ostreatus water extracts supplement at 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ after a 48hr pre-treatment with the mitogen (ConA or LPS). The cytokine production (IL-$2{\beta}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), measured by a cytokine ELISA kit, increased on water extracts supplementation. This in vitro study suggested that supplementation with Pleurotus ostreatus water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing cytokine production.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.510-514
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• 2017

Plantago asiatica L., observed frequently in East Asia, is a known herb used in traditional medical remedies several studies report that P. asiatica L has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. To determine the production of cytokines (IL-2, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and non-LPS-stimulated macrophages, an ELISA assay was conducted using cytokine kits. Mice splenocytes were cultured for 48 h with various concentrations of P. asiatica L. (5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and $1,000{\mu}g/mL$) or with mitogens (ConA or LPS). P. asiatica L. increased the proliferation of mice splenocytes, especially under the condition of its concentration ranging from 250 to $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, Plantago asiatica L. notably induced cytokine production of (IL-2, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) at its concentration of $250{\sim}500{\mu}g/mL$. These results suggest that supplementation with P. asiatica L. water extracts may play a potential role in enhancing immune function by mediating splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production through its anti-inflammatory activit.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.155-164
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• 2005

Objective : Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes, which is essential in host defense to the sites of infection. The thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) is a CC chemokine which potentially plays a role via a paracrine mechanism in the development of allergic respiratory diseases. Methods : The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Pinelliae Rhizoma Herbal Acupuncture Solution (PHS) on the secretion of TARC of human bronchial epithelial cell. Methods : Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the secretion of TARC. The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay. Results : PHS significantly inhibited the secretion of TARC with a dose-dependant manner. The effective dosage did not have the cytotoxicity on human bronchial epithelial cell by MTT assay. Conclusion : Results of our study imply that PHS would play an important role in modulation of TARC in Human bronchial epithelial cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.294-308
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• 2002

Background : The cell-mediated immune response plays an important role in tuberculosis. After being activated by mycobacterial antigens, T lymphocytes express a high affinity receptor (IL-2R) for interleukin-2 (IL-2) on their own surface and release a soluble fraction of the IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) from the cell membrane into the circulation. Neopterin is a metabolite of guanosine-triphosphate, which is produced by stimulated macrophages under the influence of IFN-$\gamma$ with a T lymphocyte origin. Therefore, the utility of sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and the neopterin levels as immunologic indices of the cell-mediated immune response and severity of disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was assessed. Methods : The serum sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 39 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 6 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis prior to treatment and 10 healthy subjects. The serum and pleural sIL-2R, neopterin and ADA levels were measured in 22 patients with tuberculous pleurisy. The patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were divided into a mild, moderate and severe group according to the severity by ATS guidelines. To compare the results from these patients with those of the pretreatment levels, the sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 36 of the 39 patients(1 patient, expired; 2 patients were referred to a sanitarium) with pulmonary tuberculosis after 2 months of treatment. Results : 1) the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were elevated in patients with tuberculosis when compared to those of healthy subjects (p>0.05). The neopterin concentration in the serum was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis($2967{\pm}2132.8$ pg/ml) than in healthy controls($4949{\pm}1242.1$ pg/ml)(p<0.05). 2) In the pulmonary tuberculosis group, the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were higher in patients with severe disease than those in patients with mild and moderate disease. However, the neopterin levels declined as the pulmonary tuberculosis became more severe (p<0.01). 3) The mean serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels declined from $1071{\pm}1139.4$ U/ml to $1023{\pm}1920.9$ U/ml(p>0.05), $41{\pm}52.8$ pg/ml to $22{\pm}23.9$ gm/ml(p<0.05), respectively, after 2 month of treatment. The mean serum neopterin levels increased from $3158{\pm}2272.6$ pg/ml to $3737{\pm}2307.5$ pg/ml(p>0.05) after a 2 month of treatment. These findings were remarkable in the severe group of pulmonary tuberculosis with a clinical correlation. 4) In the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the serum sIL-2R and ADA were significantly higher than those in the pleural fluid, However, the neopterin levels in the sera and pleural effusion were similar. Conclusion : On the basis of this study, sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin measurements may not only provide an insight into the present state of the cell-mediated immune response, but also serve as parameters monitoring of the prognosis of the disease, particularly in patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, an assay of the pleural sIL-2R levels might signal a stimulated local immunity including T cell activation in the tuberculous pleural effusion.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2009

This study examined the association of cytokine gene polymorph isms with intrahepatic bile duct wall fibrosis in human clonorchiasis. A total of 240 residents in Heilongjiang, China underwent ultrasonography, blood sampling, and stool examination. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites for $IFN-{\gamma}$ (+874 T/A), IL-10 (-1,082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (-308 G/A), and $TGF-{\beta}1$ (codon 10 T/C, codon 25 G/C) genes were observed with the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. No significant correlation was observed between individual cytokine gene polymorphisms and intrahepatic duct dilatation (IHDD). Among individuals with clonorchiasis of moderate intensity, the incidence of IHDD was high in those with $IFN-{\gamma}$ intermediate-producing genotype, +874AT (80.0%, P=0.177), and in those with $TNF-{\alpha}$ low-producing genotype, -308GG (63.0%, P=0.148). According to the combination of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ genotypes, the risks for IHDD could be stratified into high (intermediate-producing $IFN-{\gamma}$ and low producing $TNF-{\alpha}$), moderate, and low (low-producing $IFN-{\gamma}$ and high producing $TNF-{\alpha}$) risk groups. The incidence of IHDD was significantly different among these groups (P=0.022): 88.9% (odds ratio, OR=24.0) in high, 56.5% (OR=3.9) in moderate, and 25.0% (OR=1) in low risk groups. SNP of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ genes may contribute to the modulation of fibrosis in the intrahepatic bile duct wall in clonorchiasis patients.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.2 s.141
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• pp.129-135
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• 2005

Lectins from Allomyrina dichotoma (ADL) and Bombyx mori (BML) were partially purified by physiological saline extraction, ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion exchange column chromatography on DEAE Sephadex A-50 and gel filtration column chromatography on Sephadex G-200. An assay for cytokine expression was carried out by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). mRNA isolated from PBMC(human peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were stimulated with ADL(O.D.=0.2) and BML(O.D.=0.1) for various times(1,4,8,24,48 and 72 h) and various cytokine mRNA assessed by RT-PCR were shown as follows: The patterns of bands for IL-1 mRNA of BML were very similar with those from ADL and these bands were decreased along the increasing reaction times after showing a strong band at 1 h. However mRNA expressions for IL-2, IL-6, $IFN{\gamma}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ showed different patterns between ADL and BML. With the effect of ADL, the expression of IL-2 and IL-6 mRNA were continuously detected until 72 h with the strongest band of IL-2 mRNA at 24 h. The strong bands of $IFN{\gamma}$ mRNA were observed from 4 to 8 h but the strongest one of $TNF{\alpha}$ was just observed at 1 h. Meanwhile with BML, the bands for IL-2 and $IFN{\gamma}$ were increased along the increasing reaction times until 72 h. The strongest bands were showed from 4 to 8 h with IL-6 and at 8 h with $TNF[\alpha}$. To verify quantitatively ELISA was used for assay of protein secretions of the cytokine gene with IL-2 and $IFN{\gamma}$ expressed markedly different in RT-PCR. The highest cytokine secretion for IL-2 was demonstrated at 48 h. The production of $IFN{\gamma}$ was markedly increased at 24 h and secreted highest at 72 h. These result suggest that ADL and BML, as inducers of cytokines, can elicit detectable cytokine mRNA from PBMC within the first few hours of stimulation and maintain the production of cytokines for a few days by the methods of RT-PCR and ELISA.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2006

We investigated the effect of fresh Rehmanniae radix methanol extracts (RGMeOH) on the in vitro production of cytokines by splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Peritoneal macrophages and splenocytes were incubated with various concentrations of RGMeOH in the presence of $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ of concanavalin A (Con A) for cytokine assay, These results showed that RGMeOH remarkably attenuated LPS-increased production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ but not IL-6 by peritoneal macrophages and enhanced LPS-stimulated production of IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner RGMeOH significantly augmented the LPS- or Con A-stimulated production of IL-2 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ by splenocytes. These findings suggest that RGMeOH may attenuate inflammatory responses through down-regulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and up-regulation of IL-10, and that RGMeOH may up-regulate cell-mediated immune responses through increase in IL-2 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2010

Acorns have been used as a traditional remed as well as food source. However, few studies on their immunomodulating effects have been reported. In this study, the combined immunomodulative effect of a water extract of acorns was tested on seven to eight weeks old mice(balb/c). The mice were fed ad libitum on a chow diet, and a water extract of the plant mixture was orally administered every other day for four weeks at two different concentrations(50 and 500 mg/kg B.W.). The production of cytokine(IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-$\gamma$), secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS or not, detected by ELISA assay using cytokine kit. After 48 h of incubation with mitogen(ConA or LPS) ex vivo study showed that cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-$\gamma$) was detected in both of the 50 and 500 mg/kg B.W. supplementation groups with LPS stimulation. The results of this study may suggest that supplementation with acorn water extract increase immune function by regulating cytokine production capacity by activated macrophages.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.92-96
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• 2005

In order to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on cell mediated immune reaction in vitro we examined the allogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), splenocytes proliferation (SP) to T cell mitogens and IFN-${\gamma}\;production$. Splenocytes of Balb/c mice ($1.5{\times}10^5$ cells/well) were co-cultured with different numbers of mitomycin C-treated mature dentritic cells (DCs) in presence of BPA (25, 50, 100 ${\mu}M$) and $[^{3}H]$thymidine incorporation (cpm) was measured by scintilation counting. Splenocytes ($2{\times}10^6$ cells/well) were cultured with mitogens, Con A ($2\;{\mu}g/ml$), PHA ($5\;{\mu}g/ml$) and IL-2 ($0.1\;{\mu}g/ml$), or PMA ($5\;{\mu}g/ml$) and INO ($1\;{\mu}g/ml$) in presence of BPA (1, 10, 25, 50, 100 ${\mu}M$) and SP was assessed by MTT assay. $IFN-{\gamma}$ levels in culture supernant were determined by ELISA. At low concentration, BPA slightly increased MLR, SP and $IFN-{\gamma}$ levels, but at higher concentration it showed significant inhibitory effects on these immunological parameters. These results indicate that BPA is able to alternate cell-mediated immune reaction.