• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2024

Objectives : This paper focuses on recent research related to the relationship between 'Pizhuweiwei(脾主爲衛)' and intestinal flora, and suggests Korean Medical treatment methods that can treat and prevent diseases related to Spleen Deficiency(脾虛) such as ulcerative colitis, atrophic gastritis, diabetes, and obesity that is prevalent today. Methods : This study summarizes recent research results based on various literature on the relationship between the spleen and intestinal flora. Results : Polysaccharides contained in Jianpi herbs(健脾藥) have the effect of increasing beneficial bacteria and maintaining the diversity of intestinal microorganisms to improve intestinal function, managing intestinal metabolites to improve the body's immune function, and regulating the intestinal immune defense system. Therefore, based on the theory of 'Pizhuweiwei(脾主爲衛)', if the symptoms are treated through the spleen with Spleen-strengthening herbal medicinals, it could provide a substantial starting point for improving immunity. Conclusions : Polysaccharides contained in Jianpi herbs(健脾藥) could be considered as potential probiotics based on research findings which show that polysaccharides can regulate the intestinal flora and strengthen weak spleen, playing an important role.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1855-1866
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• 2017

The synergistic activation mediator (SAM) system can robustly activate endogenous gene expression by a single-guide RNA. This transcriptional modulation has been shown to enhance gene promoter activity and leads to epigenetic changes. Human $interferon-{\gamma}$ is a common natural glycoprotein involved in antiviral effects and inhibition of cancer cell growth. Large quantities of high-purity $interferon-{\gamma}$ are important for medical research and clinical therapy. To investigate the possibility of employing the SAM system to enhance endogenous human $interferon-{\gamma}$ with normal function in innate immunity, we designed 10 single-guide RNAs that target 200 bp upstream of the transcription start sites of the $interferon-{\gamma}$ genome, which could significantly activate the $interferon-{\gamma}$ promoter reporter. We confirmed that the system can effectively and highly activate $interferon-{\gamma}$ expression in several humanized cell lines. Moreover, we found that the $interferon-{\gamma}$ induced by the SAM system could inhibit tumorigenesis. Taken together, our results reveal that the SAM system can modulate epigenetic traits of non-immune cells through activating $interferon-{\gamma}$ expression and triggering JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Thus, this strategy could offer a novel approach to inhibit tumorigenesis without using exogenous $interferon-{\gamma}$.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

The primary cause of periodontitis is plaque-associated anaerobic gram-negative bacteria. As shown in the patients with defects in the number or function of neutrophils, innate immunity plays an important role in resistance to bacterial infection and periodontitis. Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) is one of the key receptors that recognize the molecular patterns of microbes and initiate innate immune response. To understand the role of TLR4 in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, we investigated whether Asp299Gly of TLR4 mutation is associated with periodontitis in Korean population. Subjects for this study included 90 healthy subjects and 98 periodontitis patients. The Asp299Gly mutation was screened by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism(RFLP) of genomic DNA from blood cells using a primer that creates a NcoI restriction site only in the mutant allele. The Asp299Gly mutation was not found in all subjects tested. Our results suggest that the Asp299Gly mutation of TLR4 is very rare in a Korean population. Further mutation screening may be required to determine the role of TLR4 in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.50-58
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• 2006

Background and Objectives : Although the incidence of allergic rhinitis has increased specific therapeutics with a certain medicine is not well developed yet. In therapeutics of allergic rhinitis, limited medicines just have been used in the clinin. Sochungyong-tang has been a widespread medicine for allergic rhinitis. However, okbyeongpung-san has been taken for raising immunity. In medical treatment of allergic rhinitis, raising immunity is a necessary part of the process. In this reason, this study aimed to find out therapeutic effects of combination of sochungyoung-tang and okbyeongpung-san extract on allergic rhinintis of nasal tissue in rats. Materials and Methods : The Sprague-Dawley male rats, about 200g of body weight, were divided into three groups: the normal group, the control groups, and the sample groups. With the Levine and Vaz method, the allergic reaction was induced with ovalbumin as antigen in the intraperitoneal route. Rats of the sample groups were treated with 2cc of sochungyoung-tang plus okbyeongpung-san extract once a day for 28days. I observed historical changes in nasal tissue. I also found changes in the segment of lympocyte and neutrophil of Leukocyte and erythrocyte. I used the statistical methods of post Hoc test(p<0.05) Results : The increase of the goblet cell and mucous secretion in the sample groups was rare when compared to the control groups. Effects of sochungyoung-tang plus okbyeongpung-san extract on the liver function were also studied in rats. Treatment of sochungyoung-tang plus okbyeongpung-san extract did not affect GOT and GPT. The number of lymphocyte was decreased, while the number of erythrocyte was increased in sample groups. Conclusion : This study shows that sochungyoung-tang plus okbyeongpung-san plus okbyeongpung-san extract has considerable effects on allergic rhinitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.100-112
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• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the immunological effect of Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture on the cellular immune response in mice with LPS induced arthritis. Methods : All the BALB/C mice used in this study were bred and maintaned in our pathogen-free mouse colony and were 6wk of age at the start of the experiment. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injeciton of 300${\mu}g$/kg LPS in mice knee joint. Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture was injected into Yangnungchon(Gb34) of mice 2daily for 14days. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out to assess CD4+, CD8+, CD11b, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2R and CD106 expression in common iliac lymph nodes and synovial menbrane after stimulation with Ramulus Cinnamomum. Electron microscopy was carried out to assess change of synovial membrane. Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture stimulation group was compared to control group and non stimutated with aqua-acupuncture. Resutts : At day 14 post arthritis onset, Immunohistological studies using monoclonal antibodies showed that Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture goup had decreased expression of CD4+, CD8+, CD11b, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2R and CD106 at common illiac lymph nodes and synovial membrane compared with control group. Conclusions : Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture stimulation inhibited the development of cellular immunity to LPS-induced arthritis in mice. Thus, aqua-acupuncture stimulation may have preventive effects on autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases. The effects of AA on immune function and disease activity in patients with RA warrant further investigation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.177-188
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the immunohistological effect of Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture in treating the arthritis, performed several experimental items : those are paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$. Methods : All the male Sprague Dawley rats used in this study were bred and maintaned in our pathogen-free rat colony and were 8 weeks of age at the start of to experiment. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injection of $50{\mu}g/{\mu}{\ell}$ adjuvant(mineral oil mixed Mycobacterium butyricum). Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture was injected into ST36(足三里) of rats daily for 21 days. Immunohistological analysis was carried out to assess paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$ expression in synovial membrane and sera Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture injected. Results : Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture group showed a decrease with statistical significance, in paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$ in synovial membrane and sera compared with control group. Conclusion : Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture stimulation inhibited the development of immunity to adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Thus, Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture may have preventive effects on autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases as arthritis. The effect of Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture on the immune function and the disease activity in patients with arthritis warrants further investigation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.321-329
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• 2009

Rapid production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the regulation of innate immunity in plants. A potato calcium-dependent protein kinase (StCDPK5) activates an NADPH oxidase StRBOHA to D by direct phosphorylation of N-terminal regions, and heterologous expression of StCDPK5 and StRBOHs in Nicotiana benthamiana results in oxidative burst. The transgenic potato plants that carry a constitutively active StCDPK5 driven by a pathogen-inducible promoter of the potato showed high resistance to late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans accompanied by HR-like cell death and $H_2O_2$ accumulation in the attacked cells. In contrast, these plants showed high susceptibility to early blight necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria solani, suggesting that oxidative burst confers high resistance to biotrophic pathogen, but high susceptibility to necrotrophic pathogen. NO and ROS synergistically function in defense responses. Two MAPK cascades, MEK2-SIPK and cytokinesis-related MEK1-NTF6, are involved in the induction of NbRBOHB gene in N. benthamiana. On the other hand, NO burst is regulated by the MEK2-SIPK cascade. Conditional activation of SIPK in potato plants induces oxidative and NO bursts, and confers resistance to both biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens, indicating the plants may have obtained during evolution the signaling pathway which regulates both NO and ROS production to adapt to wide-spectrum pathogens.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2020

Ralstonia solanacearum (Rso) is a causal agent of bacterial wilt in Solanaceae crops worldwide including Republic of Korea. Rso virulence predominantly relies on type III secreted effectors (T3Es). However, only a handful of Rso T3Es have been characterized. In this study, we investigated subcellular localization of and manipulation of plant immunity by 8 Rso T3Es predicted to harbor a nuclear localization signal (NLS). While 2 of these T3Es elicited cell death in both Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum, only one was dependent on suppressor of G2 allele of skp1 (SGT1), a molecular chaperone of nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat immune receptors. We also identified T3Es that differentially regulate flg22-induced reactive oxygen species production and gene expression. Interestingly, several of the NLS-containing T3Es translationally fused with yellow fluorescent protein accumulated in subcellular compartments other than the cell nucleus. Our findings bring new clues to decipher Rso T3E function in planta.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.547-555
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• 1997

This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of the elderly from low income areas and its relationship with the indices of immunity. Ninety nine(male : 28, female : 71) healthy, subjects aged over 65 years staying in homes in Seoul were assessed with regard to their dietary intake and biochemical measurements. Their mean daily energy intakes were 1256kcal and 109kcal for males and females respectively. Mean serum IgG were 2356mg/dl in men and 2161mg/dl for women, higher than the normal range. Mean serum $C_3$ were 120.9mg/dl and 130.6mg/dl for males and females respectively and mean $C_4$ were 30.6mg/dl and 31.9mg/dl. The mean $C_3$ and $C_4$ were within the normal range and the proportion of subjects whose $C_3$ and $C_4$ were at a higher level than the upper limit were 15.4$\%$ and 16.3$\%$ respectively. Complement $C_3$ showed significant correlation with serum albumin(p〈0.01), serum cholesterol(p〈0.00l, serum TG(p〈0.05), LDL-C(p$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$$\ll$q0.001), VLDL-C(p$\ll$0.05), serum copper(p$\ll$0.05) and serum Ca(p$\ll$0.01). (Korean J Community Nutrition 2(4) : 547-555, 1997)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.420-438
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• 1998

Herba Xanthii(HX), Radix Xantluii(RX) and Fructus Xanthii(FX) is one of the oriental medicine that has been used for the treatment of such infectious diseases and tumors. However, the mechanism of the drug is not investigated much. This study was done to know the effects of HX, RX and FX extract on the such innate immunities as phagocytic function and reactive radical formtions from phagocytes and the such acquired immunities as humoral and cell-mediated immunities. The followings are the results obtained from this study: 1. HX2 and FX1 groups increases the in vivo phagocytic activity of mononuclear phagocytes. 2. HXB, RXB, RXC, FXB and FXC groups increase the in vitro phagocytic activities. 3. RXB group stimulated the macrophages to produce nitric oxide in the presence of $interferon-{\gamma}$ $(IFN-{\gamma})$. 4. HX and RX whole groups increased the luminol-amplified reactive oxygen intermediate production in vivo. 5. HX whole and RX1, FX2 groups increased the lucigenin-amplified reactive oxygen intennediate production in vivo. 6. HXC group only increased the luminol-amplified reactive oxygen intermediate production in vitro. 7. HXB, FXB and FXC groups increased the lucigenin-amplified reactive oxygen intermediate production in vitro. 8. HX2, RX1 and FX whole groups increased the hemolysin formations from B cells. 9. HX, RX and FX whole groups significantly increased the rosette forming cells from the spleen. 10. HX, RX and FX whole groups significantly decreased the delayed-type hypersensitivity measured by footpad swelling. The above results demonstrate that HX, RX and FX has enhancing effects on innate immunity selectively and decreasing effects on delayed-type hypersensitivity of cell-mediated immunity according to medicinal part and diluted condition. This immunomodulating effects of HX, RX and FX might be responsible for the treatment of immune-mediated disorders.