• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 1994

Background: The cell mediated immunity has an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. sIL-2R has been known as a sensitive marker of T lymphocyte activation Elevated serum levels of sIL-2R have been found in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, organ transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and various granulomatous diseases. Elevated levels of sIL-2R have been also found in the serum and pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculosis. To evaluate the diagnostic value of sIL-2R in the differentiation of tuberculous pleurisy and nontuberculous pleurisy. We measured the level of sIL-2R in the sera and pleural fluids of 12 patients with tuberculous pleurisy and 32 patients with nontuberculous pleurisy. Method: Samples of pleural fluid and serum were centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 min to remove cell pellets. Soluble IL-2R was measured with a sandwitch enzyme immunoassay using the Cellfree(r) Interleukin-2 Receptor Test kit(T-cell science,Inc. Cambridge, MA). Results: The results obtained were as follows: 1) The sIL-2R level in pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with nontuberculous pleurisy(P<0.005). 2) When the sIL-2R level above 5,000 u/ml in pleural fluid was used as the cut-off value to diagnose tuberculous pleurisy, it had a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 90.9%. 3) The sIL-2R level in the sera of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with bacterial pleural effusions and normal control group(P<0.05) and there was no difference of levels compared with malignant pleural effusions and transudative pleural effusions(P>0.05). 4) In patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the mean concentration of sIL-2R in pleural fluid was higher than that in serum(P<0.005). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the measurement of elevated levels of pleural fluid sIL-2R in tuberculous pleurisy may be useful in the differential diagnosis between patients with tuberculous pleurisy and nontuberculous pleurisy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 1997

It is becoming increasingly clear that the inflammatory reaction can be ascribed to a complex array of mediators generated and released from activated phagocytes. In this study, the effect of PAF on interleukin-1(IL-1) activity by rat alveolar macrophages(AM) was examined using thymocyte proliferation assay in the supernate of sample obtained after 24 hr culture. When AM were cultured with PAF alone, no change in IL-1 activity was observed. However, the combined addition of PAF and muramyl dipeptide(MDP) or lipopolysaccharide(LPS) to AM cultures markedly enhanced IL-1 activity by 2-3 fold compared with AM cultures with the stimulant alone in a concentration dependent fashion. The peack effect was found at $10^{-8}$ M PAF with MDP and $10^{-14}$ M PAF with LPS. the effect of PAF was also tested in silica, toxic respirable dust, -added AM cultures as well as in the cultures containing bacterial compounds. Although silica did not stimulate the IL-1 activity, PAF could enhance IL-1 activity by 2 fold above the value of the silica-treated AM cultures with the peak response at $10^{-12}$ M PAF. Optimal enhancement of IL-1 activity occured when MDP and PAF were present together at the initiation of the 24 hr AM cultures. Additionaly, the biologically inactive precursor/metabolite of PAF, lyso-PAF failed to induce enhancement of IL-1 activity. When the specific, but structurally different PAF receptor antagonists, BN 52021($10^{-5}$ M) and CV 3988($10^{-5}$ M) was treated 15 min before addition of PAF($10^{-8}$ M) and MDP$(10\;{\mu}g/ml)$ to the AM cultures, it markedly inhibited the enhancement of IL-1 activity induced by PAF. The effects of these PAF antagonists were also observed in LPS$(10\;{\mu}g/ml)$-stimulated cells. Collectively, these data suggest that PAF enhances IL-1 activity by interaction with a specific receptor.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.99-103
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• 2010

Background: Glycogen synthase kinase $3{\beta}$ ($GSK3{\beta}$) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase that is regulated by serine phosphorylation at 9. Recent studies have reported the beneficial effects of a number of the pharmacological $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitors in rodent models of septic shock. Since most of the $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitors are targeted at the ATP-binding site, which is highly conserved among diverse protein kinases, the development of novel non-ATP competitive $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitors is needed. Methods: Based on the unique phosphorylation motif of $GSK3{\beta}$, we designed and generated a novel class of $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitor (GSK3i) peptides. In addition, we investigated the effects of a GSK3i peptide on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine production and septic shock. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSK3i peptide and monitored over a 7-day period for survival. Results: We first demonstrate its effects on LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine production including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12p40. LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-12p40 production in macrophages was suppressed when macrophages were treated with the GSKi peptide. Administration of the GSK3i peptide potently suppressed LPS-mediated endotoxin shock. Conclusion: Collectively, we present a rational strategy for the development of a therapeutic GSK3i peptide. This peptide may serve as a novel template for the design of non-ATP competitive GSK3 inhibitors.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.969-976
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• 2006

Novel chalcones were found as potent inhibitors of interleukin-5 (II-5). 1-(6-Benzyloxy-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propenone (2a, 78.8% inhibition at $50\;{\mu}M,\;IC_{50}=25.3\;{\mu}M$) was initially identified as a potent inhibitor of IL-5. This activity is comparable to that of budesonide or sophoricoside (1a). The benzyloxy group appears to be critical for the enhancement of the IL-5 inhibitory activity. To identify the role of this hydrophobic moiety, cyclohexyloxy (2d), cyclohexylmethoxy (2c), cyclohexylethoxy (2e), cyclohexylpropoxy (2f), 2-methylpropoxy (2g), 3-methylbutoxy (2h), 4-methylpentoxy (2i), and 2-ethylbutoxy (2j) analogs were prepared and tested for their effects on IL-5 bioactivity. Compounds 2c ($IC_{50}=12.6\;{\mu}M$), 2d ($IC_{50}=12.2\;{\mu}M$), and 2i ($IC_{50}=12.3\;{\mu}M$) exhibited the most potent activity. Considering the cLog P values of 2, the alkoxy group contributes to the cell permeability of 2 for the enhancement of activity, rather than playing a role in ligand motif binding to the receptor. The optimum alkoxy group in ring A of 2 should be one that provides the cLog P of 2 in the range of 4.22 to 4.67.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Peucedani Radix herbal acupuncture(PR-HA) at St36(joksamni) on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week) C57BL/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (3times a week). One of the two experimental groups was just treated with needle-prick on St36 and the other group was treated with 1% concentrations of PR-HAS at St36, for the later 8 weeks (3times /week). Results : 1. The weight and total cells of lung of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 2. Total Leukocytes and Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 3. Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA in Photomicrographs decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 4. According to Histological analysis of lung sections, it decreased significantly adhension of collagen in PR-HA than those of control group 5. The concentration of IgE, IL-4, IL-5, in BALF and IL-4, IL-5, Il-13 in serum of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 6. The number of Gr-1+/CD11b+, CD11b+, CD3-/CCR3+, CD4+, CD3e+/CD69+ , CD23+B220+ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 7. The cytokine's manifestation of mRNA of the mice group treated with PR-HA with RT-PCR decreased significantly compared with that of control group. Conclusion : We conclude that PR-HA is effective on OVA-induced asthma of C57BL/6 mouse.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.31-48
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• 2004

Objective : KagamJwagwiEum(KJE) has been used for the purpose of prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma and allergic asthma in Korea. To investigate the biological effect of KJE, the author examined cytotoxicity and inflammatory cytokines secretion with human leukemic mast cell line, HMC-1. Methods: HMC-1 was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187. KJE by itself had no effect on viability of HMC-l. The effects of KJE on the secretion of tumor necrosis $factor-alpha(TNF-{\alpha})$, interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-8 from HMC-1 were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : KJE inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 secretion. But KJE had no effect IL-8 secretion: KJE had immunoregulatory effects on cytokines, increased secretion of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ but did not effect IL-12 secretion when the cells were primed and trigged with $IFN-{\gamma}$ in the peritoneal macrophages of C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that KJE inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 cells and activate macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.149-154
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• 2003

The immunomodulatory activity of PJ-P, a polysaccharide fraction extracted from Paeonia japonica, were reported in our previous paper. In the present study, we investigated that PJ-P inhibited cancer growth through activation of macrophages. The activities of peritoneal macrophage to induce tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin-1 (IL-1)$\beta$, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) as well as to ingest fluorescence-latex microbeads were enhanced by treatment of PJ-P. Direct cytocidal activity of PJ-P against cancer cells was not shown. However, in vitro, peritoneal macrophages treated with PJ-P had an activity to kill cancer cells. Furthermore, PJ-P significantly prolonged the survival of mice implanted intraperitoneally with B16F0 mel-anoma cells. These results suggest that PJ-P could be a useful immunomodulator and assistant of anti-tumor agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2005

GyeongshinhaeGihwan T1 (GGT1) is a newly developed oriental medicine to help weight control. We investigated nitric oxide production and cytokine secretion in mouse peritoneal macrophages. According to recent reports, macrophages are participated in fat accumulation and closely related with obesity. In this study, using mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have examined whether GGT1 affects the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interleukin (IL)-12 by the stimulation of interferon-${\gamma}$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). GGT1 inhibits LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner. The decrease in NO synthesis was reflected as a decreased amount of inducible NO synthese protein. We also found that GGT1 inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-12 production. In mouse embryo preadipocyte 3T3-L1, GGT1 reduced the viability in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that GGT1 may have potential effects in preventing and controlling adipogenesis and obesity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.5
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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.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.43-56
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• 2004

Objectives : In order to investigate effects and immune improvement of distilled red-ginseng herbal Acupuncture, expression of Cox-1, Cox-2, and mRNA of Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed in A549 cell in vivo. Survival time and expression of cytokine mRNA were measured for the mice with Sarcoma-180 induced abdominal cancer. Methods : Balb/c mouse was treated with distilled red-ginseng Herbal Acupuncture at Wisu($BL_{21}$) and Chung- wan($CV_{12}$) to investigate anti-cancer effects and immune response. Results : 1. For expression of mRNA of Cox-1 using RT-PCR, the control group and the experiment groups didn't show significant differences. For Cox-2, both experiment groups and the normal group showed significant differences. 2. For expression of mRNA of Bcl-2 using RT-PCR, experiment groups showed slight decrease compared to the control group. For Bax, no significant changes were shown between the control group and experiment groups. 3. For survival time, all of experiment groups showed 11.1% increase compared to the control group. 4. For IL-2 and IL-4 productivity using Flow cytometry, all of experiment groups didn't show any significance. 5. For IL-2 productivity using ELISA, all of experiment groups didn't show any significance. 6. For expression of cytokine mRNA using RT-PCR, significant increase of IL.-2 and IL-4 were witnessed in the experiment group II compared to the control group. Significant increase of IL-10 was shown in all off experiment groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : According to the results, we can expect that distilled red-ginseng Herbal Acupuncture may be further effccts in anti-cancer and immune improvement if increasing concentration.