• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.288-296
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• 2005

Cytokines interleukin (IL) 12 and 23 play critical roles in linking innate and adaptive immune responses. They are members of heterodimeric cytokines, sharing a subunit p40. Although IL12/23 p40 is mainly induced in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) after stimulation with microbial Toll-like receptor ligands, methods to monitor the cells that produce IL12/23 p40 in vivo are limited. Recently, the mouse model to track p40-expressing cells with fluorescent reporter, yellow fluorescent protein, has been developed. Macrophages and DCs from these mice faithfully reported p40 induction using the fluorescent marker. Here we took advantage of these reporter mice to screen bio-compounds for p40-inducing activity. After screening hundreds of compounds, we found several extracts inducing IL12/23 p40 gene expression. Treatment of DCs with these extracts induced the expression of MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules, which implies that these might be useful as adjuvants. Next, the in vivo target immune cells of candidate compounds were examined. The reporter system can be useful to identify cells producing IL12 or IL23 in vivo as well as in vitro. Thus, our cytokine reporter system proved to be a valuable reagent for screening for immunostimulatory molecules and identification of target cells in vivo.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.471-479
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• 2023

Disulfiram (DSF), a medication for alcoholism, has recently been used as a repurposing drug owing to its anticancer effects. Despite the crucial role of dendritic cells (DCs) in immune homeostasis and cancer therapy, the effects of DSF on the survival and function of DCs have not yet been studied. Therefore, we treated bone marrow-derived DCs with DSF and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and performed various analyses. DCs are resistant to DSF and less cytotoxic than bone marrow cells and spleen cells. The viability and metabolic activity of DCs hardly decreased after treatment with DSF in the absence or presence of LPS. DSF did not alter the expression of surface markers (MHC II, CD86, CD40, and CD54), antigen uptake capability, or the antigen-presenting ability of LPS-treated DCs. DSF decreased the production of interleukin (IL)-12/23 (p40), but not IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor-α, in LPS-treated DCs. We considered the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as a factor to make DCs resistant to DSF-induced cytotoxicity. The resistance of DCs to DSF decreased when GM-CSF was not given or its signaling was inhibited. Also, GM-CSF upregulated the expression of a transcription factor XBP-1 which is essential for DCs' survival. This study demonstrated for the first time that DSF did not alter the function of DCs, had low cytotoxicity, and induced differential cytokine production.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.83-87
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• 2015

Omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is an essential fatty acid necessary for human health, and it protects against cardiovascular disease, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of omega-3-rich harp seal oil (HSO) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin-(IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) in peritoneal macrophages of mice. The culture supernatants of murine macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), HSO, or HSO+LPS were harvested to assay IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) cytokines and NO. TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) levels, except IL-6, were lower in the culture supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to LPS plus HSO than those of the groups exposed to LPS alone. These observations demonstrate that omega-3-rich harp seal oil downregulates the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40). These results suggest that HSO could be potentially used as a preventive agent or as an adjunct in anti-inflammatory therapy, if more research results were accumulated.

• 생태와환경
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.420-429
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• 2023

This study was designed to examine the immune response in Korean rockfish during water temperature fluctuation and to elucidate the factors contributing to streptococcal pathogenesis in cultured Korean rockfish, S. schlegeli. We investigated cumulative mortality against Streptococcus iniae (FP5228 strain) infection in the exposed Korean rockfish (39.7±5.8 g) to environmentally relevant temperature (Control, 23℃; High temperature, 28℃ and 23℃ and 28℃ with 12 hours interval exchange, 23↔28℃) for 48 hours. Also, the expression of the mRNA related to the immune response genes (heat shock protein 70, interleukin1β, lysozyme g-type and thioredoxin-like 1) were measured in spleen and head kidney by real-time PCR analysis in the exposed fish to thermal stress. In this study, the combined stress with bacterial challenge in fishes exposed to thermal stress lowered the survival rate than that of control (23℃). The cumulative mortality in the group of control, 28℃ and 23↔28℃ was 24%, 24% and 40% (P<0.05), respectively. Also, thermal stress modulated the mRNA level of immune related genes; heat shock protein 70, interleukin-1β, lysozyme g-type and thioredoxin-like 1 in Korean rockfish. The present study indicates that a high and sudden water temperature change affect immune responses and reduce the disease resistance in Korean rockfish.

• 대한피부과학회지
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• 제56권9호
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• pp.548-551
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• 2018

Biologics are the most advanced treatment for psoriasis. Ustekinumab, one of the biologics for psoriasis, is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the p40 subunit of interleukin-12 and interleukin-23. A 41-year-old woman with a 17-year history of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis presented with worsening lesions. The patient had previously been treated with a number of topical and systemic medications and narrow band ultraviolet B. However, none of the treatments consistently controlled her disease. Thus, treatment with ustekinumab 45 mg via subcutaneous injection was initiated. Approximately 7 days after the first treatment, she experienced a flare with generalized pustules in her whole body. The condition was controlled with systemic steroid treatment. The patient was subsequently treated with adalimumab, and improvement in her plaque and pustular lesions was noted. Herein, we report a case of psoriasis that flared up after ustekinumab therapy, which was accompanied by a morphological change from plaque to pustular lesions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.198-206
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• 2007

Hydroquinone is a toxic compound and a major benzene metabolite. We report that it strongly inhibits the activation of macrophages and associated cells. Thus, it suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-23], secretion of toxic molecules [nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and the activation and expression of CD29 as judged by cell-cell adhesion and surface staining experiments. The inhibition was due to the induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in LPS-activated macrophages, since blocking HO-1 activity with ZnPP, an HO-1 specific inhibitor, abolished hydroquinone's NO inhibitory activity. In addition, hydroquinone and inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway had very similar inhibitory effects on LPS-induced and CD29-mediated macrophage responses, including the phoshorylation of Akt. Therefore, our data suggest that hydroquinone inhibits macrophage-mediated immune responses by modulating intracellular signaling and protective mechanisms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.22-29
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• 1996

연구배경: 속립성 결핵환자에서 말초혈액의 변화는 골수생검상 결핵성 병변을 보인 군에서 더 많은 것으로 알려져 있고, 폐결핵보다 속립성 결핵에서 세포성 면역의 변화가 심한 것으로 연구되어지고 있다. 방법: 대상은 1990년에서 1994년 사이에 원주의과 대학부속 원주기독병원에 내원하여 속립성 결핵으로 진단받고 골수생검을 시행받은 환자 40예 였다. 이들을 골수생검상 결핵성 병변을 보인 양성군과 보이지 않은 음성군으로 나누어 임상상, 말초 혈액의 혈청 ADA, 수용성 인터루킨 2 수용체, 임파구 아형 분류를 시행하여 비교하였다. 결과: 1) 대상 환자의 평균연령은 39세로, 남녀는 23:17예 이었다. 2) 동반된 폐외 결핵으로는 결핵성 뇌막염이 9예, 결핵성 관절염이 6예, 결핵성 흉막염이 2예 있었다. 3) 골수검사상 60%(24/40)가 결핵성 병변을 보였다. 4) 말초혈액검사상 빈혈은 60%(24/40)가 있었으며 골수생검 양성군에서 11예 음성군에서 13예였고, 백혈구감소증은 12%(5/40)로 양성군에서 4예 음성군에서 1예였고, 혈소판 감소증은 10%(4/40)로 양성군이 3예 였다. 5) 혈청 ADA는 평균 83 U/L로 양성군에서 90 U/L, 음성군에서 70.6 U/L 이었다(p=0.23). 6) 혈청 가용성 interleukin 2 수용체 활성도는 평균 4,643 pmol/L 였으며 양성군에서 $6,840{\pm}7,446\;pmol/L$(n=10), 음성군 $1897{\pm}1663\;pmol/L$(n=8)으로 양성군에서 더 높았다(p=0.06). 7) 혈청내 T 임파구 아형분류에서 총 T 임파구는 평균 64%으로 양성군에서 $62{\pm}19%$(n=18), 음성군에서 $73{\pm}10%$ 였고(n=7)(p=0.2), $T_4/T_8$ ratio는 평균 $1.16{\pm}0.5$으로 양성군에서 $1.14{\pm}0.5$, 음성군에서 $1.18{\pm}0.5$였다(p=0.8). 8) 일부 환자(9예)에서 BAL의 T 임파구 아형분류을 시행하였으며 $T_4/T_8$ ratio는 $1.97{\pm}1.2$으로, 말초혈액소견과 비교하여 더 증가되어 있었다. 결론: 이상의 결과로 속립성 결핵의 골수생검 양성률은 60% 였으며, 골수생검상 결핵성 병변을 보인 군에서 말초혈액내 변화와 세포성 면역의 변화가 더 심한 경향을 보였다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.90-98
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• 1998

연구배경: 외인성 천식은 TH2세포에 의한 매개체의 주요 원인중 하나임이 밝혀지고 있다. 연구자 등은 증상 악화로 내원한 기관지천식 환자와 만성기관지염 환자 사이에 T 림프구 아형의 변화와 싸어토카인 (cytokine)들의 변화에 차이가 있는지 연구하고자 하였다. 방 법: 기관지 천식으로 치료중인 환자 중에서 천식 악화로 내원한 외인성 천식 15예와 만성기관지염 환자 12예, 그리고 정상인 5예를 대상으로 하였다. 환자의 병력과 임상소견, 피부반응검사, 그리고 특이 IgE 측정을 시행하고 단일항체인 CD62L를 이용하여 flow cytometer로 림프구아형을 분석하고 ELISA kit(Quantikine IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$)를 이용하여 IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$을 측정하였다. 결 과: CD4+ T 림프구는 기관지천식환자에서 $40{\pm}7.2%$ 만성기관지염 환자 $43{\pm}19.8%$, 정상인에서 $41{\pm}14%$로 기관지 천식환자와 다른 군간에 의미있는 차이는 없었다(p=0.49, p=0.75). CD62L(L-selectin) 양성 T 림프구의 세포 백분율은 기관지천식환자(n=7) 에서 $24.8{\pm}23.6%$였고, 만성기관지염환자(n=5) $17.0{\pm}16.9%$, 정상인(n=5) $16.7{\pm}16.4%$으로 기관지천식환자와 다른 군간에 의미있는 차이는 없었다(p=0.32, p=0.22). 혈청 IL-4 의 활성도는 기관지천식환자에서 $3.6{\pm}0.9pg/ml$ 만성기관지염 환자 $2.0{\pm}1.2pg/ml$, 정상인에서 $0.7{\pm}1.1pg/ml$로 기관지 천식환자에서 만성기관지염 환자군에 비하여 증가되어 있었으며 (p=0.02) 정상인보다 증가되어 있었다(p=0.006)(Fig. 4). 혈청 INF-$\gamma$의 활성도는 증가되지 않았다. 결 론: 결론적으로 CD62L 양성 T 림프구의 세포 백분율은 기관지천식환자에서 증가되어 있지 않았으며 혈청 IL-4의 활성도는 기관지천식환자에서 증가되어 있었다.

• Mycobiology
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.236-243
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• 2012

Pleurotus nebrodensis is an edible and commercially available mushroom in Korea. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the anticancer and immunopotentiating activities of crude polysaccharides, extracted in methanol, neutral saline, and hot water (hereafter referred to as Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW, respectively) from the fruiting bodies of P. nebrodensis. ${\beta}$-Glucan and protein contents in Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW extracts of P. nebrodensis ranged from 23.79~36.63 g/100 g and 4.45~6.12 g/100 g, respectively. Crude polysaccharides were not cytotoxic against sarcoma 180, HT-29, NIH3T3, and RAW 264.7 cell lines at a range of $10{\sim}2,000{\mu}g/mL$. Intraperitoneal injection with crude polysaccharides resulted in a life prolongation effect of 11.76~27.06% in mice previously inoculated with sarcoma 180. Treatment with Fr. NaCl resulted in an increase in the numbers of spleen cells by 1.49 fold at the concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$, compared with control. Fr. HW improved the immuno-potentiating activity of B lymphocytes through an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity by 1.65 fold, compared with control at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Maximum production of nitric oxide ($14.3{\mu}M$) was recorded in the Fr. NaCl fraction at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significantly higher, compared to control, and IL-6 production was highest, in contrast to TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and positive control, concanavalin at the tested concentration of the various fractions. Results of the current study suggest that polysaccharides extracted from P. nebrodensis have a strong anticancer effect and may be useful as an ingredient of biopharmaceutical products for treatment of cancer.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권52호
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• pp.336.1-336.12
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• 2018

Background: We aimed to investigate mucosal immunity related to forkhead box P3 ($FOXP3^+$) regulatory T (Treg) cells, T helper 17 (Th17) cells and cytokines in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Mucosal tissues from terminal ileum and colon and serum samples were collected from twelve children with IBD and seven control children. Immunohistochemical staining was done using anti-human FOXP3 and anti-$ROR{\gamma}t$ antibodies. Serum levels of cytokines were analyzed using a multiplex assay covering interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A/F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$, soluble CD40L, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. Results: $FOXP3^+$ Treg cells in the lamina propria (LP) of terminal ileum of patients with Crohn's disease were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in the healthy controls. $ROR{\gamma}t^+$ T cells of terminal ileum tended to be higher in Crohn's disease than those in the control. In the multiplex assay, serum concentrations (pg/mL) of IL-4 ($9.6{\pm}1.5$ vs. $12.7{\pm}3.0$), IL-21 ($14.9{\pm}1.5$ vs. $26.4{\pm}9.1$), IL-33 ($14.3{\pm}0.9$ vs. $19.1{\pm}5.3$), and $IFN-{\gamma}$ ($15.2{\pm}5.9$ vs. $50.2{\pm}42.4$) were significantly lower in Crohn's disease than those in the control group. However, serum concentration of IL-6 ($119.1{\pm}79.6$ vs. $52.9{\pm}39.1$) was higher in Crohn's disease than that in the control. Serum concentrations of IL-17A ($64.2{\pm}17.2$ vs. $28.3{\pm}10.0$) and IL-22 ($37.5{\pm}8.8$ vs. $27.2{\pm}3.7$) were significantly higher in ulcerative colitis than those in Crohn's disease. Conclusion: Mucosal immunity analysis showed increased $FOXP3^+$ T reg cells in the LP with Crohn's disease while Th17 cell polarizing and signature cytokines were decreased in the serum samples of Crohn's disease but increased in ulcerative colitis.