• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential cytokine for T cells. However, IL-7 is not produced by T cells themselves such that T cells are dependent on extrinsic IL-7. In fact, in the absence of IL-7, T cell development in the thymus as well as survival of naive T cells in the periphery is severely impaired. Furthermore, modulating IL-7 availability in vivo either by genetic means or other experimental approaches determines the size, composition and function of the T cell pool. Consequently, understanding IL-7 expression is critical for understanding T cell immunity. Until most recently, however, the spatiotemporal expression of in vivo IL-7 has remained obscured. Shortage of such information was partly due to scarce expression of IL-7 itself but mainly due to the lack of adequate reagents to monitor IL-7 expression in vivo. This situation dramatically changed with a recent rush of four independent studies that describe the generation and characterization of IL-7 reporter mice, all utilizing bacterial artificial chromosome transgene technology. The emerging consensus of these studies confirmed thymic stromal cells as the major producers of IL-7 but also identified IL-7 reporter activities in various peripheral tissues including skin, intestine and lymph nodes. Strikingly, developmental and environmental cues actively modulated IL-7 reporter activities in vivo suggesting that IL-7 regulation might be a new mechanism of shaping T cell development and homeostasis. Collectively, the availability of these new tools opens up new venues to assess unanswered questions in IL-7 biology in T cells and beyond.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.413-419
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• 2012

The melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7) protein, also known as interleukin-24 (IL-24), is a novel candidate of tumor suppressor that can induce apoptosis experimentally in a variety of human malignant cells. However, there have been few studies about its role in colorectal cancer. We performed immunohistochemical detection of MDA-7/IL-24 in 399 tissue samples from primary colorectal adenocarcinoma patients using a tissue microarray. Western blotting was then done to confirm the immunohistochemical observations. MDA-7/IL-24 immunoreactivity was observed in 116 (29.1%) of the 399 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases. Analysis of the MDA-7/IL-24 expression by Western blotting confirmed the immunohistochemical results. The tumors with a negative MDA-7/IL-24 expression more frequently showed poor differentiation (P=0004), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001), deep invasion (P=0.008) and high stage (P=0.001). A subset of colorectal adenocarcinoma revealed a decreased expression of MDA-7/IL-24, and this was associated with progressive pathologic features. These findings suggest that loss of MDA-7/IL-24 expression may play a role in tumor growth and progression of colorectal adenocarcinomas.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.21
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• 2024

The cytokine IL-7 plays critical and nonredundant roles in T cell immunity so that the abundance and availability of IL-7 act as key regulatory mechanisms in T cell immunity. Importantly, IL-7 is not produced by T cells themselves but primarily by non-lymphoid lineage stromal cells and epithelial cells that are limited in their numbers. Thus, T cells depend on cell extrinsic IL-7, and the amount of in vivo IL-7 is considered a major factor in maximizing and maintaining the number of T cells in peripheral tissues. Moreover, IL-7 provides metabolic cues and promotes the survival of both naïve and memory T cells. Thus, IL-7 is also essential for the functional fitness of T cells. In this regard, there has been an extensive effort trying to increase the protein abundance of IL-7 in vivo, with the aim to augment T cell immunity and harness T cell functions in anti-tumor responses. Such approaches started under experimental animal models, but they recently culminated into clinical studies, with striking effects in re-establishing T cell immunity in immunocompromised patients, as well as boosting anti-tumor effects. Depending on the design, glycosylation, and the structure of recombinantly engineered IL-7 proteins and their mimetics, recombinant IL-7 molecules have shown dramatic differences in their stability, efficacy, cellular effects, and overall immune functions. The current review is aimed to summarize the past and present efforts in the field that led to clinical trials, and to highlight the therapeutical significance of IL-7 biology as a master regulator of T cell immunity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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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.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.24.1-24.13
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• 2021

Due to the inconsistent fluctuation of blood supply for transfusion, much attention has been paid to the development of artificial blood using other animals. Although mini-pigs are candidate animals, contamination of mini-pig T cells in artificial blood may cause a major safety concern. Therefore, it is important to analyze the cross-reactivity of IL-7, the major survival factor for T lymphocytes, between human, mouse, and mini-pig. Thus, we compared the protein sequences of IL-7 and found that porcine IL-7 was evolutionarily different from human IL-7. We also observed that when porcine T cells were cultured with either human or mouse IL-7, these cells did not increase the survival or proliferation compared to negative controls. These results suggest that porcine T cells do not recognize human or mouse IL-7 as their survival factor.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.214-219
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• 2019

The role of tumor-proximal factors in tumor plasticity during chemoresistance and metastasis following chemotherapy is well studied. However, the role of endothelial cell (EC) derived paracrine factors in tumor plasticity, their effect on chemotherapeutic outcome, and the mechanism by which these paracrine factors modulate the tumor microenvironment are not well understood. In this study, we report a novel mechanism by which endothelial miR-125a and let-7e-mediated regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling can manipulate vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We found that endothelial IL-6 levels were significantly higher in response to cisplatin treatment, whereas levels of IL-6 upon cisplatin exposure remained unchanged in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We additionally found an inverse correlation between IL-6 and miR-125a/let-7e expression levels in cisplatin treated ECs. Interestingly, IL-6, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) genes in the IL-6 pathway are closely regulated by miR-125a and let-7e, which directly target its 3' untranslated region. Functional analyses revealed that endothelial miR-125a and let-7e inhibit IL-6-induced adhesion of monocytes to ECs. Furthermore, conditioned medium from cisplatin treated ECs induced a significantly higher formation of VM in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as compared to that from intact ECs; this effect of cisplatin treatment was abrogated by concurrent overexpression of miR-125a and let-7e. Overall, this study reveals a novel EC-tumor cell crosstalk mediated by the endothelial miR-125a/let-7e-IL-6 signaling axis, which might improve chemosensitivity and provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 2010

Objectives: Gallic acid (GA) is the major component of tannin which could be easily founded in various natural materials such as green tea, red tea, grape juice, and Corni Fructus. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Gallic acid (GA) on production of interleukin (IL) in mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Productions of interleukins were measured by High-throughput Multiplex Bead based Assay with Bio-plex Suspension Array System based on $xMAP^{(R)}$ (multi-analyte profiling beads) technology. Firstly, cell culture supernatant was obtained after treatment with LPS and GA for 24 hour. Then, it was incubated with the antibody-conjugated beads for 30 minutes. And detection antibody was added and incubated for 30 minutes. And Strepavidin-conjugated Phycoerythrin (SAPE) was added. After incubation for 30 minutes, the level of SAPE fluorescence was analyzed on Bio-plex Suspension Array System and concentration of interleukin was determined. Results: The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. GA significantly inhibited the production of IL-3, IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-17 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 25, 50, 100, 200 uM (p<0.05). 2. GA significantly inhibited the production of IL-6 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 50, 100, 200 uM (p<0.05). 3. GA diminished the production of some cytokine such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. 4. GA did not show the inhibitory effect on the production of IL-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-9 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that GA has anti-inflammatory activity related with its inhibitory effects on the production of interleukins such as IL-3, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, and IL-6 in LPS-induced macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.509-518
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was myokine product and role with physical activity and literature review. There is accumulating epidemiological evidence that a physically active life plays an independent role in the protection against type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, dementia and even depression. And myokine has been regarded an important factor of exercise training and brain growth factor for the prevention of Alzheimier's disease. During exercise the release of anti-inflammatory myokine from contracting muscle controled the metabolic response, and IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, and IL-15 controled muscle hypertrophy, myogenesis and angiogenenesis. IL-6 promoted the lipid metabolism through AMPK activation. IL-1Ra, IL-10 and sTNF-R inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$ as the pro-inflammatory cytokine. IL-15 increased the releasing volume from contracting muscle, and promoted the anabolic factor of muscle growth. IL-7 and IL-8 activated the angiogenesis through the more activation of C-X-C receptor signal transmission.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2024

This study was carried out to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of Ishige foliacea (I. foliacea) extract on skin using RAW 264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of I. foliacea extract on RAW 264.7 cells were assessed by cell viability assay, mRNA expressions, and nitric oxide (NO)/prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) productions. The anti-inflammatory effects of I. foliacea extract were elucidated by analysis of IL-1α/IL-1β/IL-6/TNFα gene expressions and PGE₂/NO production. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that I. foliacea extract decreased the gene expression levels of iNOS/COX2/IL-1α/IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, PGE₂/NO production also revealed that I. foliacea extract exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. These results suggest that I. foliacea extract is an anti-inflammatory compound. It could be a potent cosmeceutical material for anti-inflammatory effects. Further studies on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of broadleaf extracts are expected to help identify pharmacological mechanisms related to inflammation in addition to cosmeceuticals.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.65-73
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to prove the effect of Gamikyejakjimo-tang (ji$\bar{a}$w$\grave{e}$igu$\grave{i}$sh$\acute{a}$ozh$\bar{i}$m-t$\bar{a}$ng, GK) on rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : We checked viability and measured production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-${\alpha}$ in RAW 264.7 cell after treat by GK. Then we measured rheumatoid arthritis index score of DBA/1 mice with rheumatoid arthritis induced by CIA after GK oral administration, checked IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-${\alpha}$ and hs-CRP tests in serum. Also we were observed mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in spleen by RT-PCR. Results : GK showed cell viability of 100% or higher in all concentration in RAW 264.7 cells. GK inhibited LPS-induced productions of rheumatoid arthritis mediators cytokine in RAW 264.7cells. GK treated group showed improvement from rheumatoid arthritis at decreased the index score. Also, GK treated group decreased level in serum of IL-1b, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-a and hs-CRP tests by 31%, 35%, 20%, 57% and 58% respectively. Finally, GK treated group showed decrease expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA in spleen by 46%, 51%, 25% and 42% respectively. Conclusions : In this study, in-vitro and in-vivo results observed rheumatoid arthritis factors cytokine of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-${\alpha}$ decrease in RAW 264.7 cells, serum, mRNA expression. Also, GK showed decrease of inflammation figure in hs-CRP tests depending on effect of rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, these results can used as a effective drug of GK for rheumatoid arthritis.