• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.39-54
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the water extract of Omisodokeum (OMSDE) on peritoneal macrophages, Methods: To verify the anti-inflammatory mechanism of OMSDE, the activation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ and the phosphorylation of MAPK were examined. Results: The extract of OMSDE suppressed the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-12 in the macrophages. OMSDE inhibited the degradation of inhibitory ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ $(I{\kappa}B-{\alpha})$ and it suppressed the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) but didn't inhibit c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, indicating that OMSDE may inhibit the pro-inflammatory cytokine production process by inhibiting the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and ERK 1/2. Furthermore, OMSDE inhibited the production of interferon $(IFN)-{\beta}$ but didn't inhibit of $IFN-{\alpha}$ in the LPS-stimulated macrophages through the down-regulation of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and IRF-7. The Oral administration of OMSDE inhibited LPS-induced endotoxin shock and the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in serum but didn't inhibit of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6. Conclusion: These results suggest that OMSDE may be effective in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2013

Bamboo leaves (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex J. Houz (Poacea)) have a long history of food and medical applications in Asia, including Japan and Korea. They have been used as a traditional medicine for centuries. We investigated the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of a bamboo leaf extract (BLE) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced monocyte adhesion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Exposure of HUVECs to BLE did not inhibit cell viability or cause morphological changes at concentrations ranging from 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ to 1 mg/ml. Treatment with 0.1 mg/ml BLE caused 63% inhibition of monocyte adhesion in TNF-${\alpha}$-activated HUVECs, which was associated with 38.4% suppression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. Furthermore, TNF-${\alpha}$-induced reactive oxygen species generation was decreased to 47.9% in BLE treated TNF-${\alpha}$-activated HUVECs. BLE (0.05 mg/ml) also caused about 50% inhibition of interleukin-6 secretion from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocyte. The results indicate that BLE may be clinically useful as an anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant for human cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.164-172
• /
• 2010

Background: We tested the hypothesis that dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is associated with a $T_H1$-skewed immune response as opposed to dengue fever (DF). Methods: We estimated intracellular (in T-cells) and serum levels of designate $T_H1/T_H2$ cytokines [interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$] and macrophage inflammatory protein-$1{\alpha}$ (MIP-$1{\alpha}$) at admission, 48h, and day 5 in 20 adults with dengue (DF=10, DHF=10) and 10 dengue-naive healthy controls. Results: At admission, intracellular IFN-${\gamma}$/IL-4 ratio in CD4+ T-cells and proportion of MIP-$1{\alpha}$-positive CD8+ T-cells were significantly higher in patients with DHF [7.21 (5.36~10.81) vs. 3.04 (1.75~4.02); p=0.011 and 6.2% (3.2~8.2%) vs. 2.4% (2.0~3.6%); p=0.023]. The latter showed a significant positive correlation with IFN-${\gamma}$/IL-4 ratio in CD4+ T-cells (Spearman's rho=0.64; p=0.003), percentage-change in haematocrit (rho=0.47; p=0.048), and serum alanine amino-transferase level (rho=0.61; p=0.009). Conclusion: We conclude that DHF is associated with a $T_H1$-skewed immune response. Further, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ in CD8+ T-cells is an important immunologic correlate of disease severity in dengue.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.286-291
• /
• 2014

Inoculation of mice with the murine NFSA cell line caused the formation of large tumors with necrotic tumor cores. FACS analysis revealed accumulations of $CD11b^+$ cells in the tumors. Microarray analysis indicated that the NFSA cells expressed a high level of the pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-18 (il-18), which is known to play a critical role in macrophages. However, little is known about the physiological function of IL-18-stimulated macrophages. Here, we provide direct evidence that IL-18 enhances the phagocytosis of RAW264 cells and peritoneal macrophages, accompanied by the increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (tnf-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (il-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2). IL-18-stimulated RAW264 cells showed an enhanced cytotoxicity to endothelial F-2 cells via direct cell-to-cell interaction and the secretion of soluble mediators. Taken together, our results demonstrate that tumor-derived IL-18 plays an important role in the phagocytosis of macrophages and that IL-18-stimulated macrophages may damage tumor endothelial cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.623-628
• /
• 2002

The Th1 vs. Th2 balance is critical for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Therefore, the genes that are selectively-regulated by the Th1 and Th2 cytokines are likely to play an important role in the Th1 and Th2 immune responses. In order to search for and identify the novel target genes that are differentially regulated by the Th1/Th2 cytokines, the human PBMC mRNAs differentially expressed upon the stimulation with IL-4 or IL-12, were screened by employing the differential display-polymerase chain reaction. Among a number of clones selected, DC21 was identified as a novel target gene that is regulated by IL-4 and IL-12. The DC21 gene expression was up-regulated either by IL-4 or IL-12, yet counter-regulated by co-treatment with IL-4 and IL-12. DC21 is a dendritic cell protein with an unknown function. The sequence analysis and conserved-domain search revealed that it has two AU-rich motifs in the 3'UTR, which is a target site for the regulation of mRNA stability by cytokines, and that it belongs to the N-acetyltransferase family. The induction of DC21 by IL-12 peaked around 8-12 h, and lasted until 24 h. LY294002 and SB203580 significantly suppressed the IL-12-induced DC21 gene expression, which implies that PI3K and p38/JNK are involved in the IL-12 signal transduction pathway that leads to the DC21 expression. Furthermore, tissue blot data indicated that DC21 is highly expressed in tissues with specialized-resident macrophages, such as the lung, liver, kidney, and placenta. Together, these data suggest a possible role for DC21 in the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells regulated by IL-4 and IL-12.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.144-149
• /
• 2006

The immediate-type allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of immediate-type allergic diseases is a very important subject in human health. In this study, we investigated the effect of Rubus coreanus Miq.(Rosaceae) unripe fruits (RCF) on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction and inflammatory cytokine secretion. RCF inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic reactions in mice. RCF attenuated immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated local allergic reactions. In addition, RCF dependently reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells local allergic reactions. In addition, RCF dependently reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80 or IgE. Furthermore, RCF decreased the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in human mast cells. Our findings provide evidence that RCF inhibits mast cell-derived immediate-type allergic reactions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.665-671
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Vigna angularis ethanol extract (VA-E) on papain induced arthritis in C57BL/10 mice. The C57BL/10 mice were injected with papain and oral administration of Vigna angularis ethanol extract (VA-E) at different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) once a day for 42 days and compared with untreated mice. Histological examination and the measurement of inflammatory cytokine release were performed. The results showed that comparing with untreated mice, the treatment with Vigna angularis ethanol extract (VA-E) decreased the pathological changes of knee joint tissue. The level of inflammatory cytokine secreted from the tissues, such as IL-$1{\beta}$ (interleukin-$1{\beta}$), IL-6 (interleukin-6), TNF-${\alpha}$ (Tumor Necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$), were decreased. These results were confirmed by the quantification of cartilage volume using micro CT scanning. Consequently, Vigna angularis ethanol extract (VA-E) has a therapeutic potential in inflammatory joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 2007

Purpose : To evaluate the chemokine expression in children with a non-productive cough. Materials and Methods : Six children with a non-productive cough who visited Yeungnam University Hospital were evaluated for the mRNA expression of interferon-${\gamma}$-inducible protein 10(IP-10), macrophage cationic protein 1 and 3 (MCP-1, 3), interleukin (IL)-8, regulated upon activation in normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES), eotaxin and growth-related oncogene-${\alpha}$ (Gro-${\alpha}$) using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results : The chemokines IP-10 and MCP-3 were expressed in all samples. The chemokine RANTES was expressed in five cases, and IL-8 was expressed in three among them. However, eotaxin, Gro-${\alpha}$ and MCP-1 were not expressed at all. The expression of chemokine MCP-3, RANTES and IL-8 were suppressed after the resolution of coughing in just one available case. Conclusion : The chemokines MCP-3, RANTES and IL-8 may contribute to airway inflammation in children with a non-productive cough, whereas IP-10 is of secondary importance in this condition.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.251-258
• /
• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several pharmacological properties of red rice extract have been reported including anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, and reduced cancer cell invasion. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of red rice extract on the production of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Raw 264.7 macrophages. MATERIALS/METHODS: Pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6 were determined by ELISA and cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was evaluated using western blot analysis. In addition, the signaling pathway controlling the inflammatory cascade such as nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), activator proteins-1 (AP-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was determined. RESULTS: Our results showed that red rice polar extract fraction (RR-P), but not non-polar extract fraction, inhibited interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and nitric oxide production in LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells. RR-P also reduced the expression of inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, activation of AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor in the nucleus was abrogated by RR-P. RR-P inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signaling-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK signaling responsible for the expression of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Based on chemical analysis, high amounts of proanthocyanidin and catechins were detected in the RR-P fraction. However, only proanthocyanidin reduced $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-1 activation in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of RR-P may stem from the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators via suppression of the AP-1, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and MAPKs pathways.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.241-246
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Aloe-emodin (AE), an ingredient of aloe, is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of its inflammatory modulatory activity in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of AE using $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated macrophages. Methods: RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with AE (0~20 mM) for 1 h, followed by treatment with $Pam_3CSK_4$ for 1 h. After incubation, mRNA expression levels of cytokines were measured. The effect of AE on TLR2-related molecules was also investigated in $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Results: AE attenuated $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Two concentrations of AE ($10{\mu}M$ and $20{\mu}M$) effectively reduced mRNA expression of TLR2 by 41.18% and 54.43%, respectively, compared to that in control cells (p < 0.05). AE also decreased nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. Phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK were markedly reduced by $20{\mu}M$ AE. In particular, AE decreased phosphorylation of ERK in a dose-dependent manner in $Pam_3CSK_4$-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion: Our data indicate that AE exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing TLR2-mediated activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages.