• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.199-203
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• 2006

Background: Eckol purified from Ecklonia cava, a brown alga has been known to have cytoprotective effects on some cell lines against oxidants and ionizing radiation. However, there is no study about the effects of eckol on immune cells. Methods: Bone marrow (BM)-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were used to demonstrate the immunomodulatory effects of eckol on DCs, such as viability, the expression of surface markers, allogeneic stimulating capacity using MTI, flow cytometric, $^3H$-thymidine incorporation assay. Results: Eckol did protect DCs against cytokine withdrawal-induced apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner based on MTT assay. And also, it increased the expression of MHC class II and CD86 (B7.2) molecules, maturation markers, on the surface of viable DCs gated in FACS analysis. Furthermore, eckol-treated DCs stimulated the proliferation of allogeneic $CD4^+$ T lymphocytes compared to imDCs in $^3H$-thymidine incorporation assay. $CD4^+$ T lymphocytes activated with eckol-treated DCs produced the larger amount of IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 than those cells with imDCs. Conclusion: Taken together, we demonstrate in this study that eckol, a pure compound of Ecklonia cava, may modulate the immune responses through the phenotypic and functional changes of DCs.

• 약학회지
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.37-42
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• 2013

In this present study, we determined the immunoregulatory activity of ginsenoside Rd extract from Panax ginseng. To determine the activity, we tested Rd against $CD4^+$ Th cells in a murine model of type 1 diabetes, which involves Th1-dominant immunity. The type 1 diabetes was caused by streptozotocin (STZ) and the severity of the diabetes was evaluated by measuring the degree of hyperglycemia, a major symptom of diabetes. The data resulting from experiments showed that ginsenoside Rd induced a greater level of Th1 type cytokines [IFN-${\gamma}$ & IL-2] than Th2 type [IL-4 & IL-10] (P<0.05), which was determined by cytokine profile analysis. In the animal model of diabetes, the depletion of $CD4^+$ Th cells by a treatment of anti-CD4 mAb resulted in considerably lower values of blood-glucose levels than those of the mAb-untreated mice, which indicates that the Th1 immune response from $CD4^+$ Th cells are responsible for diabetes. Based on these observations, the effect of Rd on diabetes was examined in the same animal model. Results showed that Rd-treated mice groups had increased levels of blood glucose compared to Rd-untreated mice groups that were used as a negative control (P<0.05). In other words, Rd aggravated the diabetes via the Th1 immune response. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rd had an immunoregulatory activity of Th1-dominant immunity.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.39-48
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• 2009

Objectives : To clarify the possible effect of JS (Juglans sinensis), PCF (Psoralea corylifolia L.), and J+P(JS+PCF), we examined their influence on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in the asthmatic murine model. Methods : All mice were immunized on two different days (21 days and 7 days before inhalational exposure) by intraperitonial injections of 0.2 ml alum-precipitated Ag containing 100 ${\mu}$g of OVA bound to 4 mg of aluminum hydroxide in PBS. Seven days after the second sensitization, mice were exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin for 30 minutes/day on 3 days/week for 8 weeks (at a flow rate of 250 L/min, 2.5% ovalbumin in normal saline) and, JS, PCF and J+P (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) were orally administered 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Results : The suppressive effects of JS, PCF, and J+P were demonstrated by the accumulation of eosinophils into airways, with the reduction of eosinophils and lung leukocytes. These were correlated with the marked reduction of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 levels in the BALF and serum. OVA-specific IgE levels were also decreased in serum and BAL from these mice. And also JS, PCF, and J+P decreased eosinophilic CCR3 and CD11b expression in lung tissue. Conclusions : These results indicate that JS, PCF, and J+P have deep inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in the asthmatic murine model. The suppression of IL-5, IgE, and eosinophilils and the increase of IFN-${\gamma}$ production in BALF seem to contribute to these effects. Specially, esosinophils and TNF-a in J+P combination group were significantly reduced in BALF and lung tissue. Hence, the results indicated that JS, PCF, and J+P could act as an immuno-modulator which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic property by modulating the imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.36-50
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• 2013

Objectives : To clarify the possible effect of Lycium chinese Mill (LC)., Morus alba L (MA)., and Lycium chinese Mill. +Morus alba L. (LC+MA), we have examined their influence on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in the asthmatic murine model. Methods : Female Balb/c mice (5weeks) were immunized on two different days (21 days and 7 days before inhalational exposure) by intraperitonial injections of 0.2ml alum-precipitated Ag containing $100{\mu}g$ of OVA bound to 4 mg of aluminum hydroxide in PBS. Seven days after the second sensitization, mice were exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin for 30 minutes/day on 3 days/week for 8 weeks (at a flow rate of 250 L/min, 2.5% ovalbumin in normal saline) and, LC, MA, and LC+MA (500 mg/kg) were orally administered 3 times per a week for 8 weeks. Results : The suppressive effect of LC, MA, and LC+MA were demonstrated by the accumulation of eosinophills into airways, with the reduction of eosinophil, total lung leukocytes numbers. These were correlated with the marked reduction of IL-5, IL-13 and IL-4 levels in the BALF and serum. OVA-specific IgE levels were also decreased in serum and BAL from these mice. LC, MA, and LC+MA decreased eosinophil CCR3 expression and CD11b expression in lung cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that LC, MA, and LC+MA have high inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in the asthmatic murine model. The suppression of IL-5, IgE, eosinophil CCR3 expression and CD11b expression, and the increase of IFN-${\gamma}$ production in BALF seem to contribute to this effect. Hence, the results indicated that LC, MA, and LC+MA could act as a immuno-modulator which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic property by modulating the imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.383-390
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• 2012

Ginseng has been used as an herbal medicine, widely used in Asian countries, for long time. Recently, beneficial effects for immune functions of Korean red ginseng (KRG) have been reported in adults. This study was performed to investigate the effects of ginseng on immune functions in children after cessation of chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation for advanced cancer. Thirty patients, who were diagnosed and treated for leukemia and solid cancer at the department of pediatrics and adolescence of the Yeungnam University Hospital from June 2004 to June 2009, were enrolled for the study. The study group consisted of 19 patients who received KRG extract (60 mg/kg/d) for 1 yr and 11 patients who did not receive KRG extract were the control group. Blood samples were collected every 6 mo. Immune assays included circulating lymphocyte subpopulation, serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma), and total concentrations of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM subclasses. Age at diagnosis ranged from 2 mo to 15 yr (median 5 yr). Nine patients received stem cell transplantation. The cytokines of the KRG treated group were decreasing more rapidly than that of the control group. Lymphocyte subpopulations (T cell, B cell, NK cell, T4, T8, and T4/T8 ratio) and serum immunoglobulin subclasses (IgG, IgA, and IgM) did not show significant differences between the study and the control groups. This study suggests that KRG extract might have a stabilizing effect on the inflammatory cytokines in children with cancer after chemotherapy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.115-123
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• 2011

Toxoplasma gondii Korean isolate (KI-1) tachyzoites were inoculated intraduodenally to BALB/c mice using a silicon tube, and the course of infection and immune responses of mice were studied. Whereas control mice, that were infected intraperitoneally, died within day 7 post-infection (PI), the intraduodenally infected mice survived until day 9 PI (infection with $1{\times}10^5$ tachyzoites) or day 11 PI (with $1{\times}10^6$ tachyzoites). Based on histopathologic (Giemsa stain) and PCR (B1 gene) studies, it was suggested that tachyzoites, after entering the small intestine, invaded into endothelial cells, divided there, and propagated to other organs. PCR appeared to be more sensitive than histopathology to detect infected organs and tissues. The organisms spread over multiple organs by day 6 PI. However, proliferative responses of splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells in response to con A or Toxoplasma lysate antigen decreased significantly, suggesting immunosuppression. Splenic $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T-Iymphocytes showed decreases in number until day 9 PI, whereas IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-10 decreased slightly at day 6 PI and returned to normal levels by day 9 PI. No TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected throughout the experimental period. The results showed that intraduodenal infection with KI-1 tachyzoites was successful but did not elicit significant mucosal immunity in mice and allowed dissemination of T. gondii organisms to systemic organs. The immunosuppression of mice included reduced lymphoproliferative responses to splenocytes and MLN cells to mitogen and low production of cytokines, such as IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-10, in response to T. gondii infection.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-27
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Yijungtang(YJT) on atopic dermatitis in an in-vitro and in-vivo experiment using a RBL-2H3 mast cells and a NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse. Methods: In-vitro experiment, IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression were evaluated by a real-time PCR, IL-4, IL-13 production by ELISA and transcription factor as GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, AP-1 and NF-kB by western blotting. In-vivo experiment, clinical skin score we evaluated by, hematology and Serum total IgE and IgG1 of NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, cytokine level, total number of cell, Immunohistochemical staining and Histological features of auxiliary lymph node(ALN), draining lymph node(DLN), peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and dorsal skin tissue in NC/Nga mouse. Results: YJT decreased IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression, IL-4, IL-13 production and prominently decreased the expression of mast cell specific transcription factors including GATA-2, NF-AT2, c-Fos and NF-kB. YJT oral administration reduced the levels of skin severity scores. It also decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-5, IL-13, histamine and IgE in the serum. It elevated IFN-gamma level in the spleenocyte culture supernatant but decreased. $CD3e^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$, $CCR3^+$ in the PBMCs, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, $CD4^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$ in the ALN and $CD4^+$, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ in the dorsal skin. Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of AD-induced NC/Nga mice were much improved by YJT oral administration. Conclusions: The anti-allergic activities of YJT may be mediated by down-regulation of Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-13, through the regulation GATA-2, NF-AT2 and NF-kB transcription factors in mast cells. YJT would be regulate molecular mediators and immune cells which are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mice, and may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.662-670
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• 2006

It is well documented that an extract of European mistletoe has a variety of biological effects, such as the stimulation of cytokine production from immune cells, and additional immunoadjuvant activities. While the European mistletoe has been studied intensively, we know less about Korean mistletoe as a therapeutic plant, especially as a possible immunomodulating drug. This study will investigated the effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) on murine splenocytes to investigate whether VCA acts as an immunomodulator, which could lead to improved immune responses in these cells. The results showed that VCA inhibited cell proliferation at higher concentrations (at 1-8 ng/ml) and enhanced cell proliferation at lower concentrations (at 4-32 pg/ml). Further studies were carried out to determine if the pro-proliferative or anti-proliferative activity exhibited by VCA was correlated with cytokine secretion. Consequently, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ secretion was decreased in concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated murine splenocytes by VCA (4-64 ng/ml), but there was no change in IL-4 levels. This suggests that VCA has the ability to modulate murine splenocyte proliferation and can possibly act on the balance of Th1/Th2 cellular immune responses.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.349-354
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• 2014

세포내 $Ca^{{+}{+}}$의 증가는 비만세포에서 수용체 활성을 거치지 않고 탈과립을 유도한다. 괴화는 천연 염색 재료로 사용되고 있으며, 또한 항염증 작용과 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$와 IgE 가교에 의한 항알레르기 효능도 보고되었다. 이번 연구에서 비만세포에서 $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ 유입에 의해 생산되는 알레르기 매개물에 대한 괴화 추출물의 조절 기능을 보고한다. 괴화 추출물은 A23187에 의해 유도되는 IL-4와 TNF-${\alpha}$의 생산과 탈과립을 저해하였다. 또한 괴화 추출물은 DNFB로 유도한 알레르기 피부염의 동물 모델에서 알레르기 반응을 억제하였다. 괴화추출물 50 mg/kg을 경구투여 또는 도말을 한 경우, DNFB를 단독으로 처리한 군보다 IL-4, TNF 그리고 IFN-${\gamma}$와 같은 염증성 사이토카인의 생산량이 감소하였다. 또한 괴화 추출물을 처리한 경우 혈청 내 IgE의 함량이 DNFB를 단독으로 처리한 군보다 감소하였다. 괴화 추출물을 처리한 군에서의 비장과 림프절의 무게도 DNFB를 단독으로 처리한 군보다 감소하였다. 이러한 결과를 토대로 괴화는 비만세포에서 $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ 자극뿐만 아니라 $Ca^{{+}{+}}$의 유입에 의한 항알레르기 효능이 있다는 것을 보고한다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.171-175
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• 2008

In the recently, increased concern has been focused on the pharmacology and clinical utility of herbal extracts and derivatives as a drug or adjunct to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Here we investigated the effect of the water extract of Loranthi Ramulus (LR) in production of inflammatory mediators and expression of toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, CD14 from peritoneal macrophage. We assayed the effect of LR water extract in cell proliferation in vitro and Th1/Th2 cytokine level in vivo. In peritoneal macrophages, water extract of LR water extract increased the production of Nitric oxide (NO) and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Also, LR water extract increased Con A-induced cell proliferation and IgG1, IgG2a level in serum. However, i.p. injection of water extract of LR water extract did not affect the level of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 in serum of mice. These studies indicate that LR water extract induces macrophage activation and suggest the possible use of LR water extract in macrophage-based immunotherapies.