• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.177-184
• /
• 2020

Objectives : Postpartum depression is known to occur in 10-15% of mothers. The concentration of cytokine varies depending on stress, depression, pregnancy and general medical conditions. We hypothesized that the concentration of cytokines may be related to reproduction and childbirth, and that women with postpartum depression would show alterations in cytokines levels. Methods : A total of 104 pregnant women were selected as subjects, and 60 non-pregnant women were selected as normal controls. Symptoms of depression were evaluated in the pregnant study subjects using the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The pregnant subjects were divided into three groups perinatal non-depression controls (n=61), postpartum depression-recovery (n=18), and postpartum depression (n=25). Results : The plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1 was higher in the pregnant group than in non-pregnant controls (TGF-β1 ; p<0.01, IGF-1 ; p=0.026). At 24 weeks of pregnancy and 6 weeks of delivery, there were no significant differences in the plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1, β-NGF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α between the three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in all three groups during the course of depression in pregnant women. Conclusions : This study found significant difference in plasma cytokines concentrations between non-pregnant controls and perinatal non-depression controls.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.9
• /
• pp.512-517
• /
• 2014

In this study, we showed that Mycobacterium abscessus MAB2560 induces the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which are representative antigen-presenting cells (APCs). M. abscessus MAB2560 stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12p70] and reduce the endocytic capacity and maturation of DCs. Using $TLR4^{-/-}$ DCs, we found that MAB2560 mediated DC maturation via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). MAB2560 also activated the MAPK signaling pathway, which was essential for DC maturation. Furthermore, MAB2560-treated DCs induced the transformation of $na\ddot{i}ve$ T cells to polarized $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T cells, which would be crucial for Th1 polarization of the immune response. Taken together, our results indicate that MAB2560 could potentially regulate the host immune response to M. abscessus and may have critical implications for the manipulation of DC functions for developing DC-based immunotherapy.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.790-798
• /
• 2020

Background: Beneficial effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Methods: We examined whether pretreatment (daily from 2 hours before PCOS induction) with KRG extract in water (KRGE; 75 and 150 mg/kg/day, p.o.) could exert a favorable effect in a dehydroepian-drosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE significantly inhibited the elevation of body and ovary weights, the increase in number and size of ovarian cysts, and the elevation of serum testosterone and estradiol levels induced by DHEA. Pretreatment with KRGE also inhibited macrophage infiltration and enhanced mRNA expression levels of chemokines [interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in ovaries induced by DHEA. It also prevented the reduction in mRNA expression of growth factors (epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta (EGF, TGF-β)) related to inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell pathway and stimulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 pathway. Interestingly, KRGE or representative ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3(s)) inhibited the activity of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS, cytosolic p-IκB, and nuclear p-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, whereas they increased nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: These results provide that KRGE could prevent DHEA-induced PCOS via antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, KRGE may be used in preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS-like symptoms.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.161-168
• /
• 2007

Salicornia herbacea L. (Chenopodiaceae: S. herbacea) is a salt marsh plant, which has long been prescribed in traditional medicines for the treatment of intestinal ailments, nephropathy, and hepatitis in Oriental countries. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of this herb, we conducted an anti-oxidative activity, the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production, and the suppression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, with the solvent-extracts of S. herbacea. We found that both ethyl acetate and n-butanol tractions showed potent anti-oxidative effects in comparison to other fractions using xanthine oxidase assay with $IC_{50}$ values of $66.0{\pm}0.5\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $82.5{\pm}3.8\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, both ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed more electron donating activity (EDA) than other tractions, according to DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-lpicrylhydrazyl radical) assay. The EDA of ethyl acetate fraction ($IC_{50}$ values of $117.5{\pm}3.8\;{\mu}g/ml$) is more significant than that of n-butanol fraction ($IC_{50}$ values of $375.0{\pm}12.5\;{\mu}g/ml$). Among potential anti-oxidative tractions, ethyl acetate traction dose-dependently suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $0.1\;{\mu}g/ml$)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cell, while n-butanol did not. As expected, ethyl acetate fraction suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 cell stimulated by $0.1\;{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS. Moreover, the ethyl acetate traction suppressed the expression of interleukin-1 $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mRNA in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that S. herbacea may have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities by modulating radical-induced toxicity and various pro-inflammatory responses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.138-148
• /
• 2018

Objective: Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), common contaminants in the feed of farm animals, cause immune function impairment and organ inflammation. Consequently, the main objective of this study was to elucidate DON and ZEN effects on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune related genes in the kidneys of piglets. Methods: Fifteen 6-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments for 4 weeks: control diet, and diets contaminated with either 8 mg DON/kg feed or 0.8 mg ZEN/kg feed. Kidney samples were collected after treatment, and RNA-seq was used to investigate the effects on immune-related genes and gene networks. Results: A total of 186 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened (120 upregulated and 66 downregulated). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the immune response, and cellular and metabolic processes were significantly controlled by these DEGs. The inflammatory stimulation might be an effect of the following enriched Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis found related to immune and disease responses: cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and chemical carcinogenesis. The effects of DON and ZEN on genome-wide expression were assessed, and it was found that the DEGs associated with inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10 receptor, beta, chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand 9, CXCL10, chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 4), proliferation (insulin like growth factor binding protein 4, IgG heavy chain, receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, cytochrome P450 1A1, ATP-binding cassette sub-family 8), and other immune response networks (lysozyme, complement component 4 binding protein alpha, oligoadenylate synthetase 2, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-9, ${\alpha}$-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, Ig lambda chain c region, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4, carboxylesterase 1), were suppressed by DON and ZEN. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that high concentrations of DON and ZEN suppress the inflammatory response in kidneys, leading to potential effects on immune homeostasis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.82 no.2
• /
• pp.133-142
• /
• 2019

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis involves irreversible alveolar destruction. Although alveolar epithelial type II cells are key functional participants within the lung parenchyma, how epithelial cells are affected upon bleomycin (BLM) exposure remains unknown. In this study, we determined whether BLM could induce cell cycle arrest via regulation of Schlafen (SLFN) family genes, a group of cell cycle regulators known to mediate growth-inhibitory responses and apoptosis in alveolar epithelial type II cells. Methods: Mouse AE II cell line MLE-12 were exposed to $1-10{\mu}g/mL$ BLM and $0.01-100{\mu}M$ baicalein (Bai), a G1/G2 cell cycle inhibitor, for 24 hours. Cell viability and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by MTT and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Apoptosis-related gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cellular morphology was determined after DAPI and Hoechst 33258 staining. To verify cell cycle arrest, propidium iodide (PI) staining was performed for MLE-12 after exposure to BLM. Results: BLM decreased the proliferation of MLE-12 cells. However, it significantly increased expression levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, and transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$. Based on Hoechst 33258 staining, BLM induced condensation of nuclear and fragmentation. Based on DAPI and PI staining, BLM significantly increased the size of nuclei and induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Results of qRT-PCR analysis revealed that BLM increased mRNA levels of BAX but decreased those of Bcl2. In addition, BLM/Bai increased mRNA levels of p53, p21, SLFN1, 2, 4 of Schlafen family. Conclusion: BLM exposure affects pulmonary epithelial type II cells, resulting in decreased proliferation possibly through apoptotic and cell cycle arrest associated signaling.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.289-294
• /
• 2019

The present study evaluated the role of AHNAK in Bartonella henselae infection. Mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with $2{\times}10^8$ colony-forming units of B. henselae Houston-1 on day 0 and subsequently on day 10. Blood and tissue samples of the mice were collected 8 days after the final B. henselae injection. B. henselae infection in the liver of Ahnak-knockout and wild-type mice was confirmed by performing polymerase chain reaction, with Bartonella adhesion A as a marker. The proportion of B. henselae-infected cells increased in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice. Granulomatous lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels, and liver enzyme levels were also higher in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice than in the liver of the wild-type mice, indicating that Ahnak deletion accelerated B. henselae infection. The proportion of CD4+interferon-${\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}^+$) and $CD4^+$ interleukin $(IL)-4^+$ cells was significantly lower in the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-knockout mice than in the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice. In vitro stimulation with B. henselae significantly increased $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice, but did not increase $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-KO mice. In contrast, $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ secretion was significantly elevated in the splenocytes obtained from both B. henselae-infected wild-type and Ahnak-knockout mice. These results indicate that Ahnak deletion promotes B. henselae infection. Impaired $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 secretion in the Ahnak-knockout mice suggests the impairment of Th1 and Th2 immunity in these mice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.433-441
• /
• 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are primarily characterized as dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Ginsenoside-Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-KRGE) is known to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects on neurological disorders. However, effects of Rg3-KRGE in EAE remain unclear. Methods: Here, we investigated whether Rg3-KRGE may improve the symptoms and pathological features of myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein (MOG)_35-55 peptide - induced chronic EAE mice through improving the integrity of the BBB. Results: Rg3-KRGE decreased EAE score and spinal demyelination. Rg3-KRGE inhibited Evan's blue dye leakage in spinal cord, suppressed increases of adhesion molecule platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, extracellular matrix proteins fibronection, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, and prevented decreases of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, claudin-3, and claudin-5 in spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE repressed increases of proinflammatory transcripts cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but enhanced expression levels of anti-inflammatory transcripts arginase-1 and IL-10 in the spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE inhibited the expression of oxidative stress markers (MitoSOX and 4-hydroxynonenal), the enhancement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOX4, and NADPH activity in the spinal cord of chronic EAE mice. Furthermore, apocynin, a NOX inhibitor, mimicked beneficial effects of Rg3-KRGE in chronic EAE mice. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Rg3-KRGE might alleviate behavioral symptoms and pathological features of MS by improving BBB integrity through modulation of NOX2/4 expression.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.463-472
• /
• 2002

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of the principal osteoclast-activating cytokines, namely, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ from immune cells. Although rnonocytes/macrophages are the main producers of these cytokines, recent evidence has indicated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have the ability to release IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to be an effective medicament in root canal infections, reducing the microbial titre within the canal. It has been proposed that the therapeutic effect of Ca(OH)$_2$ may also be the result of direct inactivation of LPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment of Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS with calcium hydroxide alters its biological action as measured by human PMN secretion of IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$, and it was compared with Escherichia coli LPS. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted using the hot-phenol water extraction method and purified. Purchased E. coli LPS was also purified. 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of each LPS in pyrogen free water were incubated with 25mg/ml Ca(OH)$_2$ at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The supernatants were subjected to ultrafiltration, and the isolates were lyophilized and weighed. PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by centrifugation layered over Lymphoprep. The cells were resuspended (4$\times$10$^6$ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 followed by treatment with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The supernatants of cells were collected and the levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL=1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were as follows ; 1. The levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ from PMN treated with each LPS were significantly higher than those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p<0.05). 2. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with each untreated LPS (p<0.05), while they were not significantly different from those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p>0.05) 3. The levels of secretion for all three cytokines were affected in a dose-dependent manner in PMN stimulated with each LPS (p<0.05), but not in PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS (p>0.05). 4. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with p. endodontalis LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with E coli LPS (p<0.05).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
• /
• 2002.05a
• /
• pp.17-22
• /
• 2002

지구상에는 수천종의 버섯류가 자생하고 있어 유전자원으로서의 중요성이 지대할 뿐만 아니라 기능성 식품소재 및 각종 약리 활성을 나타내는 신약개발 소재로도 크게 주목을 받고 있다. 이들 버섯은 균사체의 영양대사로 얻어지는 대사산물이 축적된 자실체의 형태로 나타나는데, 최근에 와서 자실체 및 균사체의 추출물이나 균사체 배양물이 체질개선이나 각종 병의 예방과 치료에 효과가 있는 것으로 밝혀져 건강식품이나 의약품으로서의 용도가 크게 증가하고 있는 실정이다. 특히, 담자균이 생산하는 특정 구조를 갖는 다당류는 오래전부터 종래의 화학요법제와는 달리 숙주내의 면역 기능을 부활하여 소위 면역요법제로서의 항암효과를 나타냄이 알려져왔었다. 현재까지 제약 및 의학적인 방법이 질병의 주된 치료방법으로 이용되어 왔지만 최근에 특정식품의 섭취가 만성질환의 발생을 억제 또는 지연시킨다는 연구 보고가 나오면서부터 만성질환의 치료방법으로서 식이요법을 중요하게 생각하게 되었다. 따라서 새로운 식품소재 및 가공식품의 개발을 통한 성인병 등의 각종 질병예방이 국민보건문제 해결에 필수적이다. 현재 일본 등에서는 표고버섯, 구름버섯 및 치마버섯 유래의 다당체 또는 단백다당체인 lentinan, krestin 또는 PS-K, schizophyllan 및 PSP 등이 실용화되어 높은 가격에 판매되고 있다. 국내에서도 야생 구름버섯 자실체로부터 추출한 단백 다당체인 Copolang(광동제약)이 개발되어 PS-K와 유사하게 암의 치료에 병행 사용되고 있고, 또 강력한 항암활성이 보고된 상황버섯의 균사체 추출물인 단백 다당체가 Mesima-Ex FK(한국신약)라는 상품명으로 암의 치료에 병행 사용되고 있는 것으로 알려지고 있다. 담자균류와 아울러 미생물 유래 다당체는 그 구조와 특성에 있어서 매우 다양함을 지니고 있다. 이러한 미생물 유래 다당류의 공업적 생산과 이용에 대한 연구로서는 Leuconostoc mesenteroides가 생산하는 dextran이 혈장증량제로 개발된 이래 Xanthomonas campestris가 생산하는 pullulan, Zoogloea rgmigera가 생산하는zooglan둥이 대표적인 예로 보고되고 있다. 한편, 미생물 유래 다당류는 구성당, 분자량, 화학적 구조 등과 같은 특성의 차이에 의해 많은 종류가 존재하고 있으며, 다양한 물성 및 유화제, 응고제, gel 형성제, 필름 형성제, 흡착제, 안정제, 접착제 등과 같은 용도로 광범위하게 이용되고 있다. 또한 근래에 들어서는 미생물 유래 다당체가 지니는 항암활성이 확인되어 새로운 의약품으로서의 개발 가능성이 기대된다. 그 밖에도 기존에 알려져 있는 식물 및 해조류 유래의 다당체와는 달리, 발효조를 이용한 연속배양에 의해 공업적 대량 생산이 가능하며, 더욱이 생산된 다당체의 분리 및 회수가 용이하다는 이점을 지니고 있다. 최근에 들어서는 유전공학적 기법을이용한 고생산성 변이균주 및 새로운 기능을 지닌 다당체의 개발에 관한 연구가 보고되고 있는 등 고부가가치를 지닌 새로운 바이오 소재로서의 기능 및 용도 개발에 관한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 이러한 항암 활성을 나타내는 여러 가지 담자균류중 Agaricus blazei로부터 생산되는 다당체는 고형암 이외에 S형 결장암, 난소암, 유방암, 폐암, 간암 등에 효과가 입증되었고, 천연물질에 의한 암 면역요법으로 각광을 받고 있으며, 항암 및 항virus의 완치율과 저지율에서 현재 여러가지 약효가 있는 버섯중에서도 탁원한 효과가 있는 것으로 증명되고 있다. 이들 다당체는 사이토카인을 생산시켜서 T임파구와 B임파구의 항원 특이적인 면역반응을 활성화시키고, 세포장해성 T세포와 활성화 대식세포의 세포장해 기능을 충진시켜서 암세포를 파괴시킨다. 또한 콜로니 자극인자인 사이토카인을 생산시켜서 면역담당세포의 신생을 촉진시키기도 하며, 암의 화학요법과 방사선 요법으로 저하된 백혈구를 회복시키는 역할을 한다. 따라서 최근의 연구동향은 생산된 다당체의 항암활성을 향상시키고자 하여 배양기간중에 interleukin을 의도적으로 첨가하는 경향이 있다. 이러한 항암 활성을 나타내는 담자균체 유래 다당체는 버섯의 기원에 따라 그 형태에 약간의 차이를 나타내기는 하나 그 기본 형태는 ${\beta}-(1,6)-glucosyl$ 분지를 가진 ${\beta}-(1,3)-glucan$이며, 평균 분자량은 50 ${\sim}$ 200만 정도이다. Agaricus blazei의 원산지인 브라질의 피에다데(Piedade) 지방의 환경조건(산지의 습도는 80%, 낮 기온 $35^{\circ)C$, 밤 기온 $20{\sim}25^{\circ}C$로 대단히 높으며, 정기적으로 열대지방 특유의 소나기가 내리는 지역)에서 볼 수 있듯이 Agaricus blazei의 성장 환경은 매우 까다로운 편이며, 날것으로는 보관이 잘 안되기 때문에 그 재배에 큰 어려움이 있다. 또한, 고체배양에 의해 생산된 버섯 자실체로부터 유기용매 및 열수추출 방법으로 다당체를 생산하는 방법은 균일한 형태의 버섯 자실체를 공급받기가 어렵기 때문에 다당체의 생산 수율이 낮고, 많은 노동력이 요구되는 어려움이 있다. 그러나 액체배양에 의한 다당체 생산의 경우는 고체배양에 의한 다당체 생산에 비해 일정한 조건하에서 배양이 가능하다는 장점이 있으며, 항상 균일한 균사체 및 배양액을 얻을 수 있다. 따라서 원하는 유용물질을 쉽게 획득할 수 있는 장점이 있다.