• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.455-461
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• 1996

A serine proteinase was purified from Acanthamoeba culbertsoni by 41~80% ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 108.0 kDa by gel filtration chromatography and 54.0 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Therefore, the purified enzyme seemed to be a dimer. Isoelectric point was 4.5. The enzyme activity was highly inhibited by the serine proteinase inhibitors diisopropyl fluorophosphate (OFP) and phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride (PMSF). It had a narrow pH optimum of 6.5~7.5 with a maximum at pH 7.0. These data suggested that the purified enzyme was a neutral serine proteinase. Optimal temperature was $37^{\circ}C$. It was stable for at least 16 h at $4^{\circ}C$ and $37^{\circ}C$, but it was rapidly inactivated at $65^{\circ}C$ The activity of the purified enzyme was not influenced significantly by $Mg^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$ or $Ca^{2+}$. However, the enzyme activity was highly inhibited by $Hg^{2+}$ The enzyme degraded type I collagen and fibronectin, but not BSA, hemoglobin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A or immunoglobulin G.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.392-397
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• 2023

In this study, recombinant Fc-fused Prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) proteins were produced in transgenic plants. PAP was fused to immunoglobulin (Ig) A and M Fc domain (PAP-IgA Fc and PAP-IgM Fc), which were tagged to the ER retention sequence KDEL to generate PAP-IgA FcK and PAP-IgM FcK. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was performed to produce transgenic tobacco plants expressing four recombinant proteins. Genomic PCR and RT-PCR analyses confirmed the transgene insertion and mRNA transcription of PAP-IgA Fc, PAP-IgM Fc, PAP-IgA FcK, and PAP-IgM FcK in tobacco plant leaves. Western blot confirmed the expression of PAP-IgA Fc, PAP-IgM Fc, PAP-IgA FcK, and PAP-IgM FcK proteins. SEC-HPLC and Bio-TEM analyses were performed to confirm the size and shape of the plant-derived recombinant PAP-Fc fusion proteins. In mice experiments, the plant-derived IgA and IgM Fc fused proteins induced production of total IgGs including IgG1 against PAP. This result suggests that IgA and IgM Fc fusion can be applied to produce recombinant PAP proteins as a prostate cancer vaccine in plant expression system.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2008

Objectives : Socheongryong-Tang(小靑龍湯, SCRT), a herbal remedy, has been widely used to treat respiratory disease such as cough and asthma in Oriental countries. Recent years SCRT was known as anti-allergic agent. However, its therapeutic mechanisms including immunoglobuline such as IgE, IgG1, IgG2a productions are unclear. Methods : We investigated the effects of SCRT on levels of antigen specific total antibody, IgE, IgG1, IgG2a using ELISA method in serum from allergen-induced asthma mice. Results : SCRT decreased level of antigen specific IgE significantly. And SCRT treated mice showed downward tendency of IgG1, a Th1 relative antibody, level. But, SCRT did not affect levels of antigen specific total antibody and IgG2a, a Th1 relative antibody. Conclusions : we demonstrated the strong possibility of SCRT as a complementary or alternative drug to western drug also demonstrated that regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance may be one of mechanism contributed to treatment for respiratory disease by SCRT.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1056-1069
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Grifola frondosa, commonly referred to as the maitake mushroom, has been studied extensively to explore its potential health benefits. However, its anti-inflammatory effects in skin disorders have not been sufficiently elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory role of the ethanol extract of G. frondosa in atopic dermatitis (AD) using in vivo and in vitro models. MATERIALS/METHODS: We investigated its impact on skin and spleen inflammatory responses in Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE)/1-chloro-2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in a mouse model. Additionally, we determined the immunosuppressive response and mechanism of G. frondosa by inducing atopic-like immune reactions in keratinocytes through tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ stimulation. RESULTS: Our study revealed that G. frondosa ameliorates clinical symptoms in an AD-like mouse model. These effects contributed to the suppression of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th22 immune responses in the skin and spleen, leading to protection against cutaneous inflammation. Furthermore, G. frondosa inhibited the production of antibodies immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG2a in the serum of AD mice. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of G. frondosa on inflammatory cytokines in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated AD-like keratinocytes was associated with the suppression of MAPK (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase) pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of G. frondosa as a novel therapeutic agent for AD treatment and prevention.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.4
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• pp.179-183
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• 2014

Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related disease is a recently recognized systemic fibroinflammatory condition characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate rich in IgG4-positive plasma cells with elevated circulating levels of IgG4. The disease can either be localized to one or two organs, or present as diffuse multi-organ disease. Furthermore, lesions in different organs can present simultaneously or metachronously. In the pulmonary manefestations, lesions associated with IgG4-related disease have been described in the lung parenchyma, airways and pleura, as well as the mediastinum. We report a case of IgG4-related disease presenting as massive pleural effusion and thrombophlebitis.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.976-985
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• 2022

Objective: To compare the clinical and radiological features of various etiologies of chronic diffuse lacrimal gland enlargement. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 91 consecutive patients who underwent surgical biopsy for chronic diffuse lacrimal gland enlargement and were diagnosed with non-specific dacryoadenitis (DA) (n = 42), immunoglobulin G4-related dacryoadenitis (IgG4-RD) (n = 33), and lymphoma (n = 16). Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, and CT imaging findings (n = 73) and MRI (n = 43) were collected. The following radiologic features of lacrimal gland enlargement were evaluated: size, unilaterality, wedge sign, angle with the orbital wall, heterogeneity, signal intensity, degree of enhancement, patterns of dynamic contrast-enhanced, and apparent diffusion coefficient value. Radiological features outside the lacrimal glands, such as extra-lacrimal orbital involvement and extra-orbital head and neck involvement, were also evaluated. The clinical and radiological findings were compared among the three diseases. Results: Compared to the DA and IgG4-RD groups, the lymphoma group was significantly older (mean 59.9 vs. 46.0 and 49.4 years, respectively; p = 0.001) and had a higher frequency of unilateral involvement (62.5% vs. 31.0% and 15.2%, respectively; p = 0.004). Compared to the IgG4-RD and lymphoma groups, the DA group had significantly smaller lacrimal glands (2.3 vs. 2.8 and 3.3 cm, respectively; p < 0.001) and a lower proportion of cases with a wedge sign (54.8% vs. 84.8% and 87.5%, respectively; p = 0.005). The IgG4-RD group showed more frequent involvement of the extra-orbital head and neck structures, including the infraorbital nerve (36.4%), paranasal sinus (72.7%), and salivary gland (58.6%) compared to the DA and lymphoma groups (4.8%-28.6%) (all p < 0.005). Conclusion: Patient age, unilaterality, lacrimal gland size, wedge sign, and extra-orbital head and neck involvement differed significantly different between lymphoma, DA, and IgG4-RD. Our results will be useful for the differential diagnosis and proper management of chronic lacrimal gland enlargement.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.337-340
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• 1996

The role of endogenous somatostatin on lactation in rats was examined by passive immuno-neutralization of Wistar rats. In one study, the rats were given either immunoglobulin raised in sheep against somatostatin, or non-specific sheep immunoglobulins by daily s.c. injection from parturition through the first two weeks of lactation. The growth of the pups was recorded by weighting every second day, and the milk yield calculated from the pup weight and weight gain. Immunoneutralization of maternal somatostatin during pregnancy had a slight effect (p < 0.05) on the mean birth weight of the pups but no subsequent effect on postnatal growth rate of the pups or milk yield ($25.32{\pm}0.88g/day$) compared with young control rats given normal sheep serum ($25.55{\pm}1.04g/day$). Similarly, passive immunization against somatostatin during lactation ($21.96{\pm}1.57g/day$) also did not affect milk yields compared with controls ($24.85{\pm}1.03g/day$). These data do not support a significant role for endogenous somatostatin in regulating milk production in lactating rats.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 2017

C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a recently defined pathological entity characterized by C3 accumulation with absent or scant immunoglobulin deposition, leading to variable glomerular inflammation. The clinical presentation of patients with C3G is highly variable, as they may present with symptoms ranging from microscopic or mild proteinuria to full-blown nephrotic syndrome, with or without renal impairment. However, there is no consensus recommendation for specific treatment in children with C3G. Recently, new therapies have been suggested to target complement pathways, owing to an improvement in the understanding of the pathogenesis of C3G. C3G complement blockade with eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeted against complement C5, inhibits activation of the alternative complement pathway. We could not use eculizumab owing to its high price; thus, we administered oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). MMF was replaced with cyclosporine because proteinuria persisted, with a consistently low serum C3 level; we tapered off the prednisolone because of a Cushingoid appearance and amenorrhea. Thereafter, proteinuria improved, and the serum C3 level returned to normal. Thus, we report the effectiveness of cyclosporine in a patient with C3G and an inadequate response to prednisolone and MMF, who was detected via school urinary screening.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.509-514
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• 2019

We investigated the beneficial effects of Ecklonia cava by-product (ECB), a residual product obtained after polyphenol extraction from Ecklonia cava, on normal rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following three groups: Control group (NC), received basal diet; ECB 0.1 group, received basal diet supplemented with 0.1% ECB for 21 days; ECB 0.5 group, received basal diet supplemented with 0.5% ECB for 21 days. The productivity, serum immunoglobulin level, expression levels of muscle-related genes, and cecal microflora were measured in all the treatment groups to evaluate the potential use of ECB as a feed additive. The ECB 0.1 group exhibited enhanced expression of Myod, Myog, and Igf1 genes, which increased the body weight of rats. Additionally, treatment with ECB increased the cecal Lactobacillus spp. counts and the serum immunoglobulin G levels in rats. Thus, ECB can effectively increase body weight and can be a potential feed additive for improving growth.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.127-135
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• 2017

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile, systemic vasculitis as a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) and aspirin are the standard initial therapy in the treatment of acute KD. The purpose of this study was to investigate drug utilization in children with KD, and to compare "IVIG + high-dose aspirin" and "IVIG + moderate-dose aspirin" in preventing cardiac complications. Methods: We analyzed pediatric patient sample data compiled by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2010 to 2015. We identified patients with KD using the KCD-6 code of M30.3. We excluded patients in chronic phase or ${\geq}1$0 years. We also excluded patients who were diagnosed KD in November or December. Drug utilization pattern were assessed in acute KD patients and 30-day and 60-day cardiac complications were investigated between "IVIG + high-dose aspirin" group and "IVIG + moderate-dose aspirin" group. Results: In acute phase, IVIG was administered to 95.8% patients, and 57.1% patients were prescribed moderate-dose aspirin and 25% patients were with high-dose aspirin. Steroid use was rapidly increased from 4.0% in 2010 to 11.3% in 2015. Both 30-day and 60-day cardiac complications occurred less in "IVIG + high-dose aspirin" group compared to "IVIG + moderate-dose aspirin" group, but not statistically significant (0.9% vs 1.8%, p=0.252 for 30-day complication rate; 1.5% vs 2.7%. p=0.073 for 60-day complication rate). Conclusion: We were not able to demonstrate which aspirin therapy is superior for preventing cardiac complications in acute KD patients and further research is warranted.