• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.135-143
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• 2010

Background: Cordyceps militarys water extract (CME) has been reported to exert antitumor and immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. However, the therapeutic mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of CME on the antigen presenting function of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Methods: Dendritic cells (DCs) were cultured in the presence of CME, and then allowed to phagocytose microspheres containing ovalbumin (OVA). After washing and fixing the efficacy of OVA, peptide presentation by DCs were evaluated using CD8 and CD4 T cells. Also, we confirmed the protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines through western blot analysis. Results: CME enhanced both MHC class I and class II-restricted presentation of OVA in DCs. In addition, the expression of both MHC class I and II molecules was enhanced, but there was no changes in the phagocytic activity of exogenous OVA. Furthermore, CME induced the protein levels of iNOS, COX-2, proinflammatory cytokines, and nuclear p65 in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by western blot. Conclusion: These results provide an understanding of the mechanism of the immuno-enhancing activity of CME on the induction of MHC-restricted antigen presentation in relation to their actions on APCs.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.462-467
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• 2011

Up-regulation of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-9 contributes to inflammatory processes during the development of various skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. In this study, we examined the effect of a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD) on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MMP-9 expression in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). When Tat-SOD was added to the culture medium of HaCaT cells, it rapidly entered the cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Tat-SOD decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Tat-SOD also inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity. Treatment of HaCaT cells with Tat-SOD significantly inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9, as measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, Tat-SOD suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9. Taken together, our results indicate that Tat-SOD can suppress TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MMP-9 expression via ROS-NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent mechanisms in keratinocytes, and therefore can be used as an immunomodulatory agent against inflammatory skin diseases related to oxidative stress.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.780-786
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• 2003

This study was carried out to know the immunity responses of the Spatholubus suberectus Dunn(hereinafter referred to STSD) to the synovial cells isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Various experiments were performed in vitro to analyse the immunity effects of STSD. Gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2 were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA kit. And also the binding activity of NF-kB and AP-1 were measured by Electromobility shift assay (EMSA) and the production of ROS was measured by flow cytometry. The results were obtained as follows 1. The gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α were reduced significantly. 2. The gene expression of iNOS and COX-2 were reduced. 3. The binding activity of NF-kB and AP-1 were inhibited. 4. The production of ROS in human synovial cells was reduced significantly. Comparison of the results for this study showed that STSD had immunomodulatory effects of suppressing or enhancing. So we expect that STSD should be used as a effective drugs for not only rheumatoid arthritis but also another auto-immune disease. Therefore we have to survey continuously in looking for the effective substance and mechanism in the future.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.298-303
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• 2011

A large number of edible seaweeds are consumed by the coastal peoples of Asia. Some of them are used in traditional remedies in many parts of the world. In this study we investigated effects of supplementation with ethyl acetate extracts of the brown alga Eisenia bicyclis (EBE) on rat macrophage to evaluate the possibilities as immune-modulators. Twelve male SD rats were divided into two groups and the treatments were as follows: A, no Eisenia bicyclis extract (EBE) intake and distilled water ; B, oral supplemented with EBE 200 mg/kg. After 5 weeks of supplementation, rats were sacrificed to assess the effect on peritoneal macrophage functions. We showed no increasing effects on tumoricidal activity, phagocytic activity and NO production in macrophages in EBE supplementation group. However, EBE supplementation suppressed NO-iNOS production and p65 translocation into the nucleus in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Overall, these results suggest that the supplementation of EBE might have an anti-inflammatory effects on NO-iNOS production in macrophages throughout the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.286-291
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• 2011

In this study we investigated effects of supplementation with ethyl acetate extracts of the brown alga Eisenia bicyclis on innate immune cells to evaluate the possibilities as an immunomoulator in exercise stress. Twenty male SD rats were divided into four groups and the treatments were as follows: A, no Eisenia bicyclis extract (EBE) (200 mg/kg) intake and maintained at rest ; B, no EBE intake and undergoing exercise ; C, EBE intake and undergoing exercise ; D, EBE intake and maintained at rest. After 5 weeks of oral supplementation, rats were undergoing intensive swimming exercises for 2 h and sacrificed to assess the effects on peritoneal macrophages, spleen cells and natural killer (NK) cells. We showed increasing effects on nitric oxide-inducible nitric oxide synthase (NO-iNOS) production by macrophages and no effects of NK tumoricidal activity and suppressive effects on spleen cell proliferation in exercise group. However, EBE supplementation suppressed NO-iNOS production by macrophages and increased NK tumoricidal activity and spleen cell proliferative response to mitogen in exercise group. Overall, these results that EBE supplementation has differential effects on innate immune response and could be useful as sports nutrition.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.81-84
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• 2000

Effects of different photoperiod regimens on the cellular and humoral immunity in broiler chickens were studied(Exp 1). Total one hundred ninety two one-day-old commercial broiler chicks(Cobb$\times$Cobb) were raised between constant lighting(CL) and intermittent lighting (1h light: 3h darkness(IL; 1l; 3D) Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion were measured for seven week. Peripheral blood and splenic lymphocyte activities were tested at 3 and 5 wk of age by performing a mitogen cellproliferation assay with a polyclonal T-cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A), and B-cell mitogen, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To investigate the effect of photoperiod on the humoral immunity, chicks were immunized with sheep red blood cell(SRBC) and iinactivated Newcastle disease virus(NDV) vaccine. Total immunoglobulin G(IgG) concentration was also determined. Diurnal change of melatonin was tested in sera. In experiment 2, 0.1ml melatonin were subcutaneously injected from three to five weeks old if immunomodulation effect of lighting regimen was due to the melatonin or not. Injections of melatonin were made at 0700h and the dosage was 10ng (M2), 100ng(M3), 1$\mu\textrm{g}$(M4) per bird daily, respectively. control were quivalent injections of vehicle(M1). Lymphocyte activities were tested and humoral immunities were examined at 5 weeks of age. Blood melatonin concentration was determined at 0h, 1, h, 2h, and 3h posterior to injection at five weeks old. It was higher in CL chicks than IL chickens during the subsequent period of 3 to 5 wk of age. However, weight gain of chicks raised IL were significantly higher at 6 wk of age than CL(P<0.05). Antibody response to NDV was not affected by both photoperiod regimens and melatonin injection, whereas anti-SRMB titer and IgG concentration were enhanced. Lymphocyte activity of chickens raised under IL was sighificantly higher than those of chickens raised under CL. Melatonin injection also increased lymphocyte activity. When peripheral blood lymphocytes were used, proliferation response to LPS and Con A were significantly increased in M2 and respectively. The results of this experiments suggest that IL improved host immune response and melatonin have immunomodulatory roles.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.174-196
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• 1994

In order to investigate the effect of Samulbyulgapchoengpitang(SB) and one herb added(SBA) on anti-tumor and immune response, the author performed this experimental study, Tumor weight(TW), mean survival days(MSD) and body weight(BW) in vivo, natural killer cell activity(NKCA). rosette forming cells(RFC), phagoctic activity in recticuloendomethrial system(PA), delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH), hemoagglutinin titer(HA) and hemolysine(HL) in vitro were measured in mice. 1. MSD was prolonged in both of treated groups(SB and SBA) as compared with control group. 2. TW was decreased in both of treated groups with statistical significance as compared with control group. 3. BW was increased in both of treated groups and just only in SB with statistical significance as compared with control group. 4. DTH was increased in both of treated groups with statistical significance as compared with control group. 5. HA was increased in both of treated groups with statistical significance as compared with control group. 6. HL was increased in both of treated groups with statistical significance as compared with control group. 7. RFC was increased in both of treated groups and just only in SB with statistical significance as compared with control group. 8. NKCA was increased in both of treated groups with statistical significance as compared with control group. 9. PA was increased in both of treated groups with statistical significance as compared with control group. According to the above experimental results, it is suggested that SB and SBA will have anti-tumor substance and enhance the effect of immune response. But we have to consider the longtime prescription of SBA because there have been no experiments in its side effect or accumulation in body.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 2012

To develop a new starter culture for Mozzarella cheese, the immunomodulatory action of Streptococcus macedonicus LC743 in male C57BL/6 mice was studied. Mice were fed for 7 wk with feed containing 1% Mozzarella cheese made with three kinds of starter cultures from S. macedonicus LC743 (G3), FD-DVS TCC-3 (G2) and S. macedonicus LC743 : FD-DVS TCC-3(1:1) (G4) and control (feed only, G1), respectively. No significant differences in body weight gain were observed among the various groups of mice. The spleen index and thymus index were observed and no significant differences were found among the groups. The production of TNF-${\alpha}$ of S. macedonicus LC743 group significantly increased compared to the control group. The production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was significantly enhanced by the feeding of S. macedonicus LC743 group compared to the control group. In regards to the white blood cell counts, the neutrophil percentages were significantly higher in the G1 group compared to other groups. The lymphocyte percentages were significantly higher in G2, G3 and G4 groups in comparison to the control group. The results of this study may suggest that the supplementation of S. macedonicus LC743 can increase the cytokine production activity by the activated macrophages in mice. Based on the result of this study, it could be concluded that S. macedonicus LC743 could stimulate the immune functions of mice.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.507-514
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• 2004

Gamma irradiation ($\gamma$-IR) is reported to have diverse effects on immune cell apoptosis, survival and differentiation. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effect of a low dose $\gamma$-IR (5~10 Gy) was investigated, focusing on the role of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the induction of the B cell differentiation molecule, CD23/FceRII. In the human B cell line Ramos, $\gamma$-IR not only induced CD23 expression, but also augmented the IL-4-induced surface CD23 levels. While $\gamma$-IR did not cause STAT6 activation in these cells, it did induce both DNA binding and the transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the $I{\kappa}B$ degradation-dependent manner. It was subsequently found that different NF-${\kappa}B$ regulating signals modulated the $\gamma$-IR-or IL-4-induced CD23 expression. Inhibitors of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, such as PDTC and MG132, suppressed the $\gamma$-IR-mediated CD23 expression. In contrast, Ras, which potentiates $\gamma$-IR-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in these cells, further augmented the $\gamma$-IR- or IL-4-induced CD23 levels, The induction of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and the subsequent up-regulation of CD23 expression by $\gamma$-IR were also observed in monocytic cells. These results suggest that $\gamma$-IR, at specific dosages, can modulate immune cell differentiation through the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, and this potentially affects the immune inflammatory response that is mediated by cytokines.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.395-401
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• 2021

Extended inflammation and cytokine production pathogenically contribute to a number of inflammatory disorders. Formosanin C (FC) is the major diosgenin saponin found in herb Paris formosana Hayata (Liliaceae), which has been shown to exert anti-cancer and immunomodulatory functions. In this study, we aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of FC and the underlying molecular mechanism. RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pretreated with FC prior to being stimulated with LPS. Thereafter, the macrophages were subjected to analysis of the expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6, as well as two relevant enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The analysis revealed that FC administration blunted LPS-induced production of NO and PGE in a dose-dependent manner, while the expression of iNOS and COX-2 at both mRNA and protein levels was inhibited in LPS-stimulated macrophages pre-treated with FC. Moreover, LPS stimulation upregulated mRNA expression and medium release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas this effect was blocked upon FC pre-administration. Mechanistic studies showed that inhibitory effects of FC on LPS-induced inflammation were associated with a downregulation of IκB kinase, IκB, and p65/NF-κB pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that FC possesses an inflammation-suppressing activity, thus being a potential agent for the treatment of inflammation-associated disorders.