• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.324-328
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• 2007

To search for immunoactive natural products exerting anti-inflammatory activity, we have evaluated the effects of the ethanol extracts of Rubus coreanus Miq. (ERC) on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$, and $Interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Our data indicate that this extract is a potent inhibitor of NO production and it also significantly decreased $IFN-{\gamma}\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ production. Consistent with these results, the protein level of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was inhibited by ethanol extracts of ERC in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that ERC may exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects possibly by suppressing the inducible NO synthase and COX-2 expressions.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.365-375
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• 1995

The anemia-inducing strain of Friend virus (FVA) is a murine retrovirus which stimulates the proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells. The progenitor cells synthesized by FVA-stimulation are unable to proceed with differentiation and accumulate in the spleen resulting in splenomegaly in infected mice. Using FVA-inoculated mice as a model, we have investigated the antiretroviral effects of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC) and recombinant $interferon-{\alpha}-A\;(rIFN-{\alpha}-A)$ on FVA infection. The extent of the infection was determined by measuring the weights of the spleens. Daily intraperitoneal injection of ddC (100 mg/kg body weight), $rIFN-{\alpha}-A$ (10 KU/mose) and the combination of both drugs to FVA inoculated mice for 18 days resulted in suppression of the growth of spleens by 15.1%, 52.7% and 61.6%, respectively. When ddC was dissolved in drinking water (0.1 mg/ml) and administered to a group of FVA inoculated mice ad libitum, and $rIFN-{\alpha}-A$ (10 KU/mouse) was intraperitoneally injected daily to another group of ddC (0.1 mg/ml) drinking mice for 18days, the growth of spleens was suppressed by 38.4% and 83.2%, respectively. These results indicate that administration of ddC via drinking water is more effective in suppressing FVA infection than the daily injection of ddC, and that the combined effects ddC and $rIFN-{\alpha}-A$ are not synergistic but additive. In order to determine whether ddC treatment alters the characteristic of the progenitor cells with respect to $Ca^{++}$ uptake, $Ca^{++}$ uptake in erythroid cells and the effect of cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) on the $Ca^{++}$ uptake were studied. $Ca^{++}$ uptake in the erythroid progenitor cells was about 20-fold greater than in mouse erythrocytes and the inhibition of $Ca^{++}$ uptake by CHA was the greatest in the progenitor cells from FVA infected mice which were treated with ddC. The inhibition was obviated by theophylline. Results of CHA binding studies showed that the erythroid progenitor cells contain both high and low affinity CHA binding sites, whereas mose erythrocytes contain only the low affinity CHA binding sites.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.427-430
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• 2011

A 6-month-old intact female, domestic short hair cat was presented with dyspnea and anorexia for 2 days. Physical examination revealed muffled heart sound with labored breaths. Hyperproteinemia and hyperglobulinemia with polyclonal gammapathy was revealed. Pleural effusion was non-septic exudates, it also had hyperglobulinemia with decreased albumin: globuline ration. In addition, effusion RT-PCR for feline coronavirus was positive in this cat. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was strongly suspected and aggressive treatments with human interferon-alpha, pentoxifylline, and glucocorticoids were initiated. The cat remained healthy without recurrence of pleural effusion during 5 months follow-up periods. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case report describing successful management of FIP with human interferon-alpha and pentoxifylline in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.27 no.2 s.89
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• pp.175-179
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• 1999

In order to find less toxic antiviral agents from Basidiomycetes, EA, the water soluble substance, was prepared from the carpophores of Elfvingia applanata (Pers.) Karst. Antiviral activity of EA against vesicular stomatitis virus [New Jersey serotype, VSV(NJ)] was examined in Vero cells using plaque reduction assay in vitro. And the combined antiviral effects of EA with interferon (IFN) alpha and gamma were examined on the multiplication of VSV(NJ). EA caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the plaque formation of VSV(NJ) with 50% effective concentration $(EC_{50})$ of 2.10 mg/ml. The results of combination assay were evaluated by the combination index (CI) that was analysed by the multiple drug effect analysis. The combination of EA with IFN alpha showed more potent effect with CI values of $0.87{\sim}1.59$ for 50%, 70% and 90% effective levels than that with INF gamma with CI values of $1.05{\sim}2.03$.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.78-82
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• 2012

Purpose: Interferon-${\alpha}2b$ using immunotherapy of malignant melanoma is known to increase the microscopic enemies that remain after surgical resection of the tumor to prevent recurrence, disease-free survival and overall survival. Authors in patients with malignant melanoma after surgical resection and high-dose interferon-${\alpha}$ immunotherapy treated group of disease-free survival and overall survival compared with the results of the treatment of immune therapy to a preliminary report. Materials and Methods: From February 2010 to October 2012 at our institution between being diagnosed with malignant melanoma after surgical immunotherapy treated patients were analyzed. Patients was evaluated using the stage AJCC stage IIA 3 cases, IIB 1 cases, IV 1 were as follows. Follow-up period of at least 7 months, and a maximum of 32 months. As maintenance therapy after the first induction therapy group underwent immunotherapy interferon-${\alpha}$ of body-surface area per 200,000 IU five times in a week for 4 weeks sedentary and body surface area a total of 48 weeks per week to 100,000 IU three times subcutaneously. These patients for local recurrence and metastases, and distant metastasis were investigated disease-free survival was investigated. Results: Interferon-evaluation through follow-up chest computed tomography (CT) and positron emission computed tomography (PET CT) in patients who underwent the ${\alpha}$ immunotherapy results above both local recurrence and metastases without evidence of distant metastases. Conclusion: The high-dose ${\alpha}2b$ immunotherapy performed in patients to prevent the local recurrence of the tumor and metastasis to the current or future ultimate survival and disease-free survival improvement achieved is additional study and follow-up will be needed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.176-182
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• 2011

The study objective was to prepare biodegradable branched dextran microspheres encapsulated with His-tagged interferon-alpha (BDM-hIFN-${\alpha}$) and evaluate its activity in vitro and in vivo. The glycidyl methacrylate derivatized dextrans (Dex-GMA) as precursor was primarily synthesized by substituting hydroxyl groups of either the branched or linear type of dextran with GMA. Dex-GMA microspheres loaded with hIFN-${\alpha}$ was then prepared by the water-in-water emulsion technique. In vitro release and Western blotting experiments demonstrated the retained activity of hIFN-${\alpha}$ released from branched dextran microspheres at 24 h by inducing phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator transcription-1 (STAT-1), a down-stream effector of IFN-${\alpha}$, in HepG2 cells. Animal data further revealed a peak of plasma levels of IFN-${\alpha}$ in rats injected intravenously with BDM-hIFN-${\alpha}$ at 10 min post-injection, but a sharp decline at 2 h. High plasma levels of neopterin, a plasma protein induced by IFN-${\alpha}$, were also detected in rats injected with BDM-hIFN-${\alpha}$ at 10 min post-injection. Notably, plasma levels of neopterin remained high at 4 h, but largely declined thereafter.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2008

Purpose: Interferon is a widely used treatment for chronic hepatitis B in children. However, additional treatment options are needed because more than 50% of hepatitis B patients are unresponsive to interferon. Although lamivudine is widely used to treat hepatitis B, there are few studies on the effect of lamivudine in hepatitis B patients unresponsive to interferon. Methods: Eight interferon unresponsive patients (6 males and 2 females) were treated with lamivudine (3 mg/kg/day, maximum 100 mg/day) from 6~12 months after interferon treatment was discontinued among 33 children with chronic hepatitis B. They were treated with interferon (interferon ${\alpha}$-2b, 10 MU/$m^2$ or pegylated interferon $1.5{\mu}g/kg$) for 6 months from January 2000 to December 2007 at the Pusan National University Hospital. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The age at treatment with interferon and lamivudine was 4.9${\pm}$3.1 and 6.1${\pm}$3.2 years, respectively. The serum ALT level before treatment with interferon was 148.1${\pm}$105.8 IU/L and the log HBV-DNA PCR mean value was 6.95${\pm}$0.70 copies/mL. The serum ALT level after treatment with interferon was 143.1${\pm}$90.4 IU/L and the log HBV-DNA mean PCR value was 6.46${\pm}$2.08. HBeAg negativization occurred in 2 patients. For all patients, normalization of the serum ALT levels and HBeAg seroconversion (except 2 patients with HBeAg negativization) occurred at 7.4${\pm}$2.1 and 7.9${\pm}$2.1 months respectively after lamivudine treatment. The HBV-DNA PCR became negative in 7 patients (87.5%) at 2.4${\pm}$2.8 months. Complete response was achieved in 7 patients and no recurrence was observed in 2 patients for 3 years after the completion of treatment. Five patients are still under treatment for a mean treatment duration of 24.4${\pm}$9.1 months. In one patient, viral breakthrough occurred and the treatment was stopped. Conclusion: The number of patients was small, however, lamivudine treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B who were unresponsive to interferon was highly effective.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2 s.32
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• pp.227-236
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• 1996

The effect of Ligustrum Lucidum(LL) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide by murine peritoneal macrophages were investigated. Stimulation of the cells with LL in the presence or absence of interferon-r(IFN-r) resulted in the increased accumulation of nitrite in the medium. To further examine the mechanism of LL induced. NO Synthesis, we evaluated the secretion of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ by LL in murine macrophages. Treatment of LL increased the secretion of bioactive $TNF-{\alpha}$ in cultured medium. In addition, LL induced NO production was decreased by the treatment of anti-murine $TNF-{\alpha}$. neutralizing antibodies, indicating that LL induced superoxide production was decreased by the treatment of anti-murine $TNF-{\alpha}$ neutralizing antibodies. These data suggested that LL induced superoxide production was related to $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion. In conclusion, our results indicates that LL may enhance innate immune response and be applied as a immunoregulating drug improving phagocytosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2008

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known as the causative agent of blood transmitted hepatitis. Two viral proteins, E2 and NS5A, are known to exert interferon resistance of HCV via PKR pathway. Here, we report a third protein, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) of HCV, induced interferon resistance inhibiting p56 pathway. p56 was shown to interact with p48 subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3). This interaction inhibited formation of ternary complex in translation initiation. Using dual reporter assay system, we observed that the translation decreased when interferon alpha was added to the culture. But, in the presence of HCV NS5B, the translation partly recovered. NS5B and p48 subunit of eIF3 were shown to interact. This interaction seems to inhibit the interaction between p48 and p56. This is the first report that a virus exerts interferon resistance via p56 pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Type I diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by the T cell-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing ${\beta}$ cells in the pancreatic islets. The onset of T1D is the consequence of a progressive destruction of islet ${\beta}$ cells mediated by an imbalance between effector $CD4^+$ T helper (Th)1 and regulatory $CD4^+$ Th2 cell function. Since interferon-alpha (IFN-${\alpha}$) has been known to modulate immune function and autoimmunity, we investigated whether administration of adenoviralmediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene would inhibit the diabetic process in NOD mice. The development of diabetes was significantly inhibited by a single injection of adenoviral-mediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene before 8 weeks of age. Next, we examined the hypothesis that Th2-type cytokines are associated with host protection against autoimmune diabetes, whereas Th1-type cytokines are associated with pathogenesis of T1D. The expression of IFN-${\alpha}$ induced increase of serum IL-4 and IL-6 (Th2 cytokines) levels and decrease of serum IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$ (Th1 cytokines) levels. Therefore, overexpression of IFN-${\alpha}$ by adenoviralmediated delivery provides modulation of pathogenic progression and protection of NOD mice from T1D.