• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.83-87
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• 2015

Omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is an essential fatty acid necessary for human health, and it protects against cardiovascular disease, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of omega-3-rich harp seal oil (HSO) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin-(IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) in peritoneal macrophages of mice. The culture supernatants of murine macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), HSO, or HSO+LPS were harvested to assay IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) cytokines and NO. TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) levels, except IL-6, were lower in the culture supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to LPS plus HSO than those of the groups exposed to LPS alone. These observations demonstrate that omega-3-rich harp seal oil downregulates the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40). These results suggest that HSO could be potentially used as a preventive agent or as an adjunct in anti-inflammatory therapy, if more research results were accumulated.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.288-296
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• 2005

Cytokines interleukin (IL) 12 and 23 play critical roles in linking innate and adaptive immune responses. They are members of heterodimeric cytokines, sharing a subunit p40. Although IL12/23 p40 is mainly induced in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) after stimulation with microbial Toll-like receptor ligands, methods to monitor the cells that produce IL12/23 p40 in vivo are limited. Recently, the mouse model to track p40-expressing cells with fluorescent reporter, yellow fluorescent protein, has been developed. Macrophages and DCs from these mice faithfully reported p40 induction using the fluorescent marker. Here we took advantage of these reporter mice to screen bio-compounds for p40-inducing activity. After screening hundreds of compounds, we found several extracts inducing IL12/23 p40 gene expression. Treatment of DCs with these extracts induced the expression of MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules, which implies that these might be useful as adjuvants. Next, the in vivo target immune cells of candidate compounds were examined. The reporter system can be useful to identify cells producing IL12 or IL23 in vivo as well as in vitro. Thus, our cytokine reporter system proved to be a valuable reagent for screening for immunostimulatory molecules and identification of target cells in vivo.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.471-479
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• 2023

Disulfiram (DSF), a medication for alcoholism, has recently been used as a repurposing drug owing to its anticancer effects. Despite the crucial role of dendritic cells (DCs) in immune homeostasis and cancer therapy, the effects of DSF on the survival and function of DCs have not yet been studied. Therefore, we treated bone marrow-derived DCs with DSF and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and performed various analyses. DCs are resistant to DSF and less cytotoxic than bone marrow cells and spleen cells. The viability and metabolic activity of DCs hardly decreased after treatment with DSF in the absence or presence of LPS. DSF did not alter the expression of surface markers (MHC II, CD86, CD40, and CD54), antigen uptake capability, or the antigen-presenting ability of LPS-treated DCs. DSF decreased the production of interleukin (IL)-12/23 (p40), but not IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor-α, in LPS-treated DCs. We considered the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as a factor to make DCs resistant to DSF-induced cytotoxicity. The resistance of DCs to DSF decreased when GM-CSF was not given or its signaling was inhibited. Also, GM-CSF upregulated the expression of a transcription factor XBP-1 which is essential for DCs' survival. This study demonstrated for the first time that DSF did not alter the function of DCs, had low cytotoxicity, and induced differential cytokine production.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.84-89
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• 2015

We investigated the question of whether 7-oxygenated cholesterol derivatives could affect inflammatory and/or immune responses in atherosclerosis by examining their effects on expression of IL-23 in monocytic cells. $7{\alpha}$-Hydroxycholesterol ($7{\alpha}OHChol$) induced transcription of the TLR6 gene and elevated the level of cell surface TLR6 protein in THP-1 monocytic cells. Addition of an agonist of TLR6, FSL-1, to TLR6-expressing cells by treatment with $7{\alpha}OHChol$ resulted in enhanced production of IL-23 and transcription of genes encoding the IL-23 subunit ${\alpha}$ (p19) and the IL-12 subunit ${\beta}$ (p40). However, treatment with 7-ketocholesterol (7K) and $7{\beta}$-hydroxycholesterol ($7{\beta}OHChol$) did not affect TLR6 expression, and addition of FSL-1 to cells treated with either 7K or $7{\beta}OHChol$ did not influence transcription of the genes. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK, Akt, or PI3K resulted in attenuated transcription of TLR6 induced by $7{\alpha}OHChol$ as well as secretion of IL-23 enhanced by $7{\alpha}OHChol$ plus FSL-1. Inhibition of p38 MAPK or JNK resulted in attenuated secretion of IL-23. These results indicate that a certain type of 7-oxygenated cholesterol like $7{\alpha}OHChol$ can elicit TLR6-mediated expression of IL-23 by monocytic cells via PI3K/Akt and MAPKs pathways.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.198-206
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• 2007

Hydroquinone is a toxic compound and a major benzene metabolite. We report that it strongly inhibits the activation of macrophages and associated cells. Thus, it suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-23], secretion of toxic molecules [nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and the activation and expression of CD29 as judged by cell-cell adhesion and surface staining experiments. The inhibition was due to the induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in LPS-activated macrophages, since blocking HO-1 activity with ZnPP, an HO-1 specific inhibitor, abolished hydroquinone's NO inhibitory activity. In addition, hydroquinone and inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway had very similar inhibitory effects on LPS-induced and CD29-mediated macrophage responses, including the phoshorylation of Akt. Therefore, our data suggest that hydroquinone inhibits macrophage-mediated immune responses by modulating intracellular signaling and protective mechanisms.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권52호
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• pp.336.1-336.12
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• 2018

Background: We aimed to investigate mucosal immunity related to forkhead box P3 ($FOXP3^+$) regulatory T (Treg) cells, T helper 17 (Th17) cells and cytokines in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Mucosal tissues from terminal ileum and colon and serum samples were collected from twelve children with IBD and seven control children. Immunohistochemical staining was done using anti-human FOXP3 and anti-$ROR{\gamma}t$ antibodies. Serum levels of cytokines were analyzed using a multiplex assay covering interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A/F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$, soluble CD40L, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. Results: $FOXP3^+$ Treg cells in the lamina propria (LP) of terminal ileum of patients with Crohn's disease were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in the healthy controls. $ROR{\gamma}t^+$ T cells of terminal ileum tended to be higher in Crohn's disease than those in the control. In the multiplex assay, serum concentrations (pg/mL) of IL-4 ($9.6{\pm}1.5$ vs. $12.7{\pm}3.0$), IL-21 ($14.9{\pm}1.5$ vs. $26.4{\pm}9.1$), IL-33 ($14.3{\pm}0.9$ vs. $19.1{\pm}5.3$), and $IFN-{\gamma}$ ($15.2{\pm}5.9$ vs. $50.2{\pm}42.4$) were significantly lower in Crohn's disease than those in the control group. However, serum concentration of IL-6 ($119.1{\pm}79.6$ vs. $52.9{\pm}39.1$) was higher in Crohn's disease than that in the control. Serum concentrations of IL-17A ($64.2{\pm}17.2$ vs. $28.3{\pm}10.0$) and IL-22 ($37.5{\pm}8.8$ vs. $27.2{\pm}3.7$) were significantly higher in ulcerative colitis than those in Crohn's disease. Conclusion: Mucosal immunity analysis showed increased $FOXP3^+$ T reg cells in the LP with Crohn's disease while Th17 cell polarizing and signature cytokines were decreased in the serum samples of Crohn's disease but increased in ulcerative colitis.

• 약학회지
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.321-327
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• 2009

Licochalcone A is a chalcone isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflate. In this study, we examined the effects of licochalonce A on the production of cytokines in LPS-activated macrophages. Licochalcone A inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$. The reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines is related to the differences in the mRNA expression of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$. Moreover, licochalcone A inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-12p40, IL-18, and IL-23p19. To investigate its mechanism, we performed gel shift assay. Licochalcone A reduced nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that licochalcone A has anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated macrophages and its mechanism could be through the down-regulation of binding to the ${\kappa}B$ site.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.335-340
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• 2012

The data used came from two trials undertaken under the same climatic conditions (spring-summer). In both trials pluriparious buffaloes were utilized similar in weight, body condition score, and milk production from the previous year. From the first trial the data used was from the sub-period 23-88 DIM provided by seven animals fed ad libitum with diet A (6.69 MJ/kg DM; 158.30 g/kg of crude protein) with a forage/concentrate ratio of 48/52. From the second trial the data used was from the sub-period 33-90 DIM provided by seven animals fed ad libitum with diet B (6.63 MJ/kg DM; 179.50 g/kg of crude protein) and by seven animals fed ad libitum with diet C (5.99 MJ/kg DM; 155.40 g/kg of crude protein), each of the diets had the same forage/concentrate ratio (53/47). A significant difference was found in milk production between group B and C (13.08 vs. 11.56 kg/d, p<0.05), an intermediate production (12.10 kg/d) was noted in group A. A significant difference was found between fat (76.58 vs. 69.24 g/kg, p<0.05), protein (46.14 vs. 43.16 g/kg, p<0.05) and casein (39.94 vs. 34.98 g/kg, p<0.05) of the milk of group B with respect to group A. The milk of group C gave fat values (71.80 g/kg), protein (45.52 g/kg) and casein (39.06 g/kg) statistically equal to those of group B. The milk of groups B and C, in respect to the milk of group A, gave values of $K_{20}$ (1.77, 1.82 vs. 3.68 min, p<0.05), statistically lower and values of $A_{30}$ (48.28, 47.27 vs. 40.64 mm, p<0.05) statistically higher. Two simple linear regressions were calculated where the independent variable (x) was the daily standardized milk production, the dependent variable (y) or the daily intake of net energy or crude protein. Equation 1) NE (MJ/d) = 74.4049+2.8308${\times}$kg of normalized milk; equation 2) CP (kg/d) = 1.4507+0.1085${\times}$kg of normalized milk, both the equations were significant (p<0.05) with determination coefficients of 0.58 and 0.50 respectively. For a production of normalized milk that varies from 9 to 13 kg, the respective energy-protein concentrations fluctuate from 6.09 to 6.78 MJ/kg DM and from 148.00 to 174.46 g/kg DM.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.26-35
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• 2006

전염증성 사이토카인의 분비를 조절하는 전사인자인 NF-${\kappa}B$는 염증성 장질환 환자의 대장 점막에서 발현이 증가되어 있다고 보고하고 있으며 이를 억제하여 대장의 염증을 억제하려는 연구가 진행 중이다. 루테올린은 다양한 한약제에 포함되어 있는 플라보노이드 중 하나로 항염증 및 항산화작용이 있다고 알려져 있으며 LPS 자극된 대식세포에서 TNF-${\alpha}$ 분비의 억제 뿐만 아니라 전사인자인 NF-kB의 발현을 억제하여 항염증작용을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 DSS을 이용한 염증성 장질환 모델에서 루테올린의 장염의 치료효과를 보고자 하였다. C57BL/6 NF-${\kappa}B^{EGFP}$ 쥐에게 2.5% DSS를 투여하여 장염을 유발하였으며 치료군(n=6)에서는 매일 루테올린(1 mg/kg, vol 0.1 ml)을 비위관을 통해 경구투여 하였으며, 비치료군(n=6)에서는 매일 같은 양의 vehicle(vol 0.1 ml)를 투여하여 정상대조군(n=6)과 비교하였다. 실험 기간 동안 질병활성도를 기록하였으며, 투약 6일 후 모든 쥐를 희생하여 대장을 분리하여 길이를 측정하고, 조직검사를 시행하였다. 또한 대장점막조직을 배양하여 m IL-12 p40의 분비를 측정하였고, 공초점 형광현미경하에서 EGFP 발현의 정도를 관찰하였다. 질병의 활성도의 관찰에서 치료군에서 2.7점, 비치료군에서 2.5점으로 양군 사이에 유의한 차이가 없어 루테올린에 대한 장염예방효과는 없었다. 또한 치료군과 비치료군에서 대장점막의 m IL-12 p40의 분비 각각 $535.2{\pm}198.2pg/ml$, $412.5{\pm}48.2pg/ml$ 로 양군 사이의 차이는 없었다. 흥미롭게도 EGFP 발현은 치료군에서 오히려 높게 나타났으며, 공초점 형광현미경관찰에서 대부분의 고유근층하 대식세포에서 증가되어 있음을 알 수 있었다. 이상의 결과로 루테올린의 경구 투여는 DSS 유발 염증성 장질환 모델에서 대장 점막 염증을 억제하는 대체 요법으로써의 치료효과는 관찰할 수 없었으며, 향후 항염증작용이 있다고 알려져있는 플라보노이드 물질의 개발에 신중함이 있어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.22-29
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• 1996

연구배경: 속립성 결핵환자에서 말초혈액의 변화는 골수생검상 결핵성 병변을 보인 군에서 더 많은 것으로 알려져 있고, 폐결핵보다 속립성 결핵에서 세포성 면역의 변화가 심한 것으로 연구되어지고 있다. 방법: 대상은 1990년에서 1994년 사이에 원주의과 대학부속 원주기독병원에 내원하여 속립성 결핵으로 진단받고 골수생검을 시행받은 환자 40예 였다. 이들을 골수생검상 결핵성 병변을 보인 양성군과 보이지 않은 음성군으로 나누어 임상상, 말초 혈액의 혈청 ADA, 수용성 인터루킨 2 수용체, 임파구 아형 분류를 시행하여 비교하였다. 결과: 1) 대상 환자의 평균연령은 39세로, 남녀는 23:17예 이었다. 2) 동반된 폐외 결핵으로는 결핵성 뇌막염이 9예, 결핵성 관절염이 6예, 결핵성 흉막염이 2예 있었다. 3) 골수검사상 60%(24/40)가 결핵성 병변을 보였다. 4) 말초혈액검사상 빈혈은 60%(24/40)가 있었으며 골수생검 양성군에서 11예 음성군에서 13예였고, 백혈구감소증은 12%(5/40)로 양성군에서 4예 음성군에서 1예였고, 혈소판 감소증은 10%(4/40)로 양성군이 3예 였다. 5) 혈청 ADA는 평균 83 U/L로 양성군에서 90 U/L, 음성군에서 70.6 U/L 이었다(p=0.23). 6) 혈청 가용성 interleukin 2 수용체 활성도는 평균 4,643 pmol/L 였으며 양성군에서 $6,840{\pm}7,446\;pmol/L$(n=10), 음성군 $1897{\pm}1663\;pmol/L$(n=8)으로 양성군에서 더 높았다(p=0.06). 7) 혈청내 T 임파구 아형분류에서 총 T 임파구는 평균 64%으로 양성군에서 $62{\pm}19%$(n=18), 음성군에서 $73{\pm}10%$ 였고(n=7)(p=0.2), $T_4/T_8$ ratio는 평균 $1.16{\pm}0.5$으로 양성군에서 $1.14{\pm}0.5$, 음성군에서 $1.18{\pm}0.5$였다(p=0.8). 8) 일부 환자(9예)에서 BAL의 T 임파구 아형분류을 시행하였으며 $T_4/T_8$ ratio는 $1.97{\pm}1.2$으로, 말초혈액소견과 비교하여 더 증가되어 있었다. 결론: 이상의 결과로 속립성 결핵의 골수생검 양성률은 60% 였으며, 골수생검상 결핵성 병변을 보인 군에서 말초혈액내 변화와 세포성 면역의 변화가 더 심한 경향을 보였다.