• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.67-72
• /
• 2014

The herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), and therefore it is also known as TNFRSF14 or CD270 (1,2). In recent years, we have focused on understanding HVEM function in the mucosa of the intestine, particularly on the role of HVEM in colitis pathogenesis, host defense and regulation of the microbiota (2-4). HVEM is an unusual TNF receptor because of its high expression levels in the gut epithelium, its capacity to bind ligands that are not members of the TNF super family, including immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily members BTLA and CD160, and its bi-directional functionality, acting as a signaling receptor or as a ligand for the receptor BTLA. Clinically, Hvem recently was reported as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) risk gene as a result of genome wide association studies (5,6). This suggests HVEM could have a regulatory role influencing the regulation of epithelial barrier, host defense and the microbiota. Consistent with this, using mouse models, we have revealed how HVEM is involved in colitis pathogenesis, mucosal host defense and epithelial immunity (3,7). Although further studies are needed, our results provide the fundamental basis for understanding why Hvem is an IBD risk gene, and they confirm that HVEM is a mucosal gatekeeper with multiple regulatory functions in the mucosa.

• 셀메드
• /
• 제10권3호
• /
• pp.24.1-24.6
• /
• 2020

Kushta Jast (KJ) is a unique herbo-mineral preparation of the Unani System of Medicine (USM) which is prepared by taklis (calcination) and prescribed by the practitioners of USM for the treatment of various ailments, including the respiratory ailments. It is used as muqawwi (tonic) to boost the immunity (Muqawwi-i-badan), and can increase the phagocyte activity of the immune cells, thereby, promoting the growth and spread of lymphocytes and increasing circulating antibodies to neutralize a harmful pathogen and reduce humma or body fever (Dafi'-i-humma). Incidentally, the principal mineral component of KJ, zinc, has been widely acknowledged for its beneficial influence on the immune function, and decrease the risk of developing serious respiratory illnesses. In this manuscript, we provide a glimpse of the literature on KJ and postulate its potential beneficial effects in respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제39권9호
• /
• pp.680-686
• /
• 2016

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial inner membrane proteins that function to dissipate proton motive force and mitochondrial membrane potential. One UCP has been identified in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), namely UCP-4. In this study, we examined its expression and localization using a GFP marker in C. elegans. ucp-4 was expressed throughout the body from early embryo to aged adult and UCP-4 was localized in the mitochondria. It is known that increased mitochondrial membrane protential leads to a reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, which is associated with age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases in humans. A ucp-4 mutant showed increased mitochondrial membrane protential in association with increased neuronal defects during aging, and the neurons of ucp-4 overexpressing animals showed decreased neuronal defects during aging. These results suggest that UCP-4 may be involved in neuroprotection during aging via relieving mitochondrial membrane protential. We also investigated the relationship between UCP-4 and innate immunity because increased ROS can affect innate immunity. ucp-4 mutant displayed increased resistance to the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus compared to wild type. The enhanced immunity in the ucp-4 mutant could be related to increased mitochondrial membrane protential, presumably followed by increased ROS. In summary, UCP-4 might have an important role in neuronal aging and innate immune responses through mediating mitochondrial membrane protential.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제14권6호
• /
• pp.265-276
• /
• 2014

The interactions between B7 molecules and CD28-family receptors are crucial in the regulation of adaptive cellular immunity. In cancer, the aberrant expression of co-inhibitory B7 molecules has been attributed to reduced anti-tumor immunity and cancer immune evasion, prompting the development of cancer therapeutics that can restore T cell function. Murine tumor models have provided significant support for the targeting of multiple immune checkpoints involving CTLA-4, PD-1, ICOS, B7-H3 and B7-H4 during tumor growth, and clinical studies investigating the therapeutic effects of CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockade have shown exceptionally promising results in patients with advanced melanoma and other cancers. The expression pattern of co-inhibitory B7 ligands in the tumor microenvironment has also been largely correlated with poor patient prognosis, and recent evidence suggests that the presence of several B7 molecules may predict the responsiveness of immunotherapies that rely on pre-existing tumor-associated immune responses. While monotherapies blocking T cell co-inhibition have beneficial effects in reducing tumor burden, combinatorial immunotherapy targeting multiple immune checkpoints involved in various stages of the anti-tumor response has led to the most substantial impact on tumor reduction. In this review, we will examine the contributions of B7- and CD28-family members in the context of cancer development, and discuss the implications of current human findings in cancer immunotherapy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• 제31권7호
• /
• pp.1174-1182
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional status and the immunocompetence of elderly women residing in urban and rural areas. Dietary food records and anthropometric measurements were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune function of subjects was assessed by total and differential white blood cell(WBC) counts. Total B and T Lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flow-cytometer. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. Elderly women in rural area showed a relatively lower dietary intake of total energy, protein, and iron than did urban elderly women. Total WBC, neutrophil counts, eosinophil counts, and the percentage of neutrophils among total leukocytes were significantly higher in urban elderly women than in rural women. Although the numbers of lymphocytes were not significantly different, the percentage of Lymphocytes among total leukocytes as greater in rural elderly women than in urban. Both groups did not show any significant differences in numbers of T cell subsets and NK cells. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M levels were not significantly different between the two groups, but the numbers of subjects placed under the deficient range of immunoglobulins were greater in rural than in urban elderly women. from the present study, it could be suggested that poor nutritional intake may selectively affect the number of immune cells, thereby influencing the immunocompetence of elderly women. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) 1174-1182, 1998)

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제44권9호
• /
• pp.670-679
• /
• 2021

Vesicle-associated membrane proteins 721 and 722 (VAMP721/722) are secretory vesicle-localized arginine-conserved soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (R-SNAREs) to drive exocytosis in plants. They are involved in diverse physiological processes in plants by interacting with distinct plasma membrane (PM) syntaxins. Here, we show that synaptotagmin 5 (SYT5) is involved in plant defense against Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst) DC3000 by regulating SYP132-VAMP721/722 interactions. Calcium-dependent stimulation of in vitro SYP132-VAMP722 interaction by SYT5 and reduced in vivo SYP132-VAMP721/722 interaction in syt5 plants suggest that SYT5 regulates the interaction between SYP132 and VAMP721/722. We interestingly found that disease resistance to Pst DC3000 bacterium but not to Erysiphe pisi fungus is compromised in syt5 plants. Since SYP132 plays an immune function to bacteria, elevated growth of surface-inoculated Pst DC3000 in VAMP721/722-deficient plants suggests that SYT5 contributes to plant immunity to Pst DC3000 by promoting the SYP132-VAMP721/722 immune secretory pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제19권5호
• /
• pp.713-719
• /
• 2006

The effect of dietary iodine and selenium supplementation, alone or in combination, on peripheral blood lymphocyte function was determined in laying hens. Eight-hundred-and-sixty-four New-Loman laying hens were randomly allotted into 12 dietary treatments with different inclusion levels of iodine (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg), selenium (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg) or their combinations for 24 weeks. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation index, concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation index, peroxide enzyme activity and phagocytosis to neutral red particles were tested. There were significant differences in LPS stimulation index, ConA stimulation index, peroxide enzyme activity and phagocytosis to neutral red particles in different iodine or selenium supplementation levels (p<0.05). The highest iodine and selenium supplementation both resulted in highest LPS-/ConA-stimulation indices (p<0.05). However, when iodine was lower than 0.2 mg/kg, the additional effect of different levels of selenium did not always result in significant differences in these indices. The results indicated that iodine and selenium may affect immunity in laying hens and, when the iodine level in the laying hen is lower than 0.2 mg/kg, a selenium allowance higher than 0.1 mg/kg may be necessary to improve immunity.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제51권2호
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2018

The airway epithelium is the first place, where a defense mechanism is initiated against environmental stimuli. Mucociliary transport (MCT), which is the defense mechanism of the airway and the role of airway epithelium as mechanical barriers are essential in innate immunity. To maintain normal physiologic function, normal oxygenation is critical for the production of energy for optimal cellular functions. Several pathologic conditions are associated with a decrease in oxygen tension in airway epithelium and chronic sinusitis is one of the airway diseases, which is associated with the hypoxic condition, a potent inflammatory stimulant. We have observed the overexpression of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), an essential factor for oxygen homeostasis, in the epithelium of sinus mucosa in sinusitis patients. In a series of previous reports, we have found hypoxia-induced mucus hyperproduction, especially by MUC5AC hyperproduction, disruption of epithelial barrier function by the production of VEGF, and down-regulation of junctional proteins such as ZO-1 and E-cadherin. Furthermore, hypoxia-induced inflammation by HMGB1 translocation into the cytoplasm results in the release of IL-8 through a ROS-dependent mechanism in upper airway epithelium. In this mini-review, we briefly introduce and summarize current progress in the pathogenesis of sinusitis related to hypoxia. The investigation of hypoxia-related pathophysiology in airway epithelium will suggest new insights on airway inflammatory diseases, such as rhinosinusitis for clinical application and drug development.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how norepinephrine affects immunity in patients over age 65. Methods: We enrolled 25 male and female subjects age 65 or older. A low frequency electroacupuncture (EA) device was used to stimulate acupoint Hogu (L14). The 2 Hz frequency EA was applied to the acupoint for 20 minutes. Leukocyte subtypes-including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophil-were then measured. The immunoglobulins IgG and IgM were also quantified. The data were finally analyzed using Wilcoxon singed-rank test and regression test as part of the SPSS WIN v. 10.1 program. Results: As norepinephrine levels decreased after EA stimulation, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte levels increased, and eosinophil and neutrophils levels decreased. Neutrophil and monocyte levels did not change to a statistically significant degree, but eosinophil levels showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05). Immunoglobulin IgG showed a statistically significant increase (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that norepinephrine does affect immunity in persons over the age of 65. This indicates that there is an interaction between the nervous system and the immune system, and interaction that plays a crucial roles in the body's immune resistance and homeostasis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제22권1호
• /
• pp.32-42
• /
• 1998

(Backgrounds) This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of red ginseng ex rant as adjuvant therapeutic agent improving immune function in immune compromizing gas-trointestinal carcinoma patient. (Material and Methods) We were treated 72 patients with two groups after we were undertaken the curative resection for gastrointestinal carcinoma; 1) only chemotherapy and immunotherapy (control group) 2) chemotherapy and immunotherapy with 4500 mg (15 tablets) red ginseng for 6 months (study group). For investigating the immunologic alternations alongside the numerical changes in peripheral blood Iymphocyte and their subsets in the gastrolntestinal carcinoma patients, Iymphocyte surface markers were determined by monoclonal antibodies on the preoperative day, postoperative 1 months, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months in 40 controls and 32 red ginseng groups In gastrointestinal carcinoma patients which was recruited at Korea diversity Hospital from March, 1995 to January, 1997. The patient was measured and compared in both groups with the body weight, total protein and albumin, blood hematocrit and hemoglobin, total leukocyte, lymphocyte and lymphocyte subsets count in peripheral blood through planed schedules. (Couclusion) This data suggests that red ginseng may be useful as a adjuvant therapeutic agent for improving the immune function after curative operation for immune compromizing gastrointestinal carcinoma patients. Key words : Ginseng, Immunity, Gastrointestlnal carcinoma patients.