• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2001

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to cause cervical cancers. Human papillomavirus-like particles (VLP) have been studied as preventive vaccines of cervical cancers. To develop VLP as a therapeutic gene carrier, we studied the method to encapsulate cytokine genes in virus-like particles. HPV type 16 capsid L1 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into T vector. L1 gene was then inserted into baculovirus transfer vector. The clone of baculovirus encoding L1 gene was isolated and used to express L1 protein in Sf 21 insect cells. VLP were purified by CsCl density gradient and ultracentrifugation. VLP were disassembled to capsomer units by treatment of a reducing agent. Given that interleukin-2 (IL-2) genes have been used in anticancer gene therapy and as a molecular adjuvant, IL-2 cytokine plasmids were chosen as a model gene. IL-2 plasmids were incubated with the disassembled capsomer suspension. To reassemble the particles, the mixture of capsomers and cytokine plasmids was dialyzed. The disassembly and reassembly of VLP were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The entrapment of cytokine plasmids in reassembled VLP was tested by the stability of plasmids against DNase I. After treatment of reassembled virus-like particles with DNase I, discrete IL-2 DNA band was observed. Our results indicate that IL-2 cytokine plasmid (3.5 kb size) can be encapsulated in the virus-like particles, suggesting the potential of VLP as a gene delivery system. Moreover, VLP containing the adjuvant cytokine plasmids might function as more effective subunit vaccines.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.202-207
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• 2002

Background: Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness with systemic vasculitis which primarily affects children, We examined the production of leptin in plasma and gene expressions of CXC chemokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Kawasaki disease. Methods: Consecutive 39 samples from 13 patients according to the different clinical stages (acute, subacute, convalescent) of Kawasaki disease were collected. The plasma leptin levels according to clinical stages of Kawasaki disease were examined by ELISA and the expression of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 mRNAs in 39 samples (13 samples of each stage) from 13 cases were examined by RT-PCR. Results: There were not significant changes of plasma leptin levels according to the clinical stages of Kawasaki disease. The mean values of plasma leptin concentrations during each of the stages (n=13, p>0.05, pg/ml) were $335.8{\pm}549.0$ in acute, $358{\pm}347.6$ in subacute, and $443.6{\pm}645.9$ in convalescent stage. The mRNAs of IP-10, Mig, and IL-8 were expressed in 13/13 (100%), 2/13 (15%), 9/13 (69%) during acute stage, 13/13 (100%), 6/13 (46%), 13/13 (100%) during subacute stage, and 13/13 (100%), 4/13 (31%), 10/13 (77%) during the convalescent stage, respectively. In three patients, the production of leptin and expression of IP-10 mRNA were dramatically decreased according to the process of the clinical stages. In five patients with prominent cervical lymphadenopathy, the expression of IL-8 mRNA during the subacute stage was more elevated than the acute and convalescent stages. Conclusion: This data suggests that the production of leptin and the gene expressions of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 seem to have no significant correlation to the clinical stages of Kawasaki disease. However, expression patterns of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 mRNA may be related to the specific clinical manifestations, and the expression of IP-10 may also be correlated to leptin levels with pericardial involvement.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.31-48
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• 2004

Objective : KagamJwagwiEum(KJE) has been used for the purpose of prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma and allergic asthma in Korea. To investigate the biological effect of KJE, the author examined cytotoxicity and inflammatory cytokines secretion with human leukemic mast cell line, HMC-1. Methods: HMC-1 was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187. KJE by itself had no effect on viability of HMC-l. The effects of KJE on the secretion of tumor necrosis $factor-alpha(TNF-{\alpha})$, interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-8 from HMC-1 were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : KJE inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 secretion. But KJE had no effect IL-8 secretion: KJE had immunoregulatory effects on cytokines, increased secretion of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ but did not effect IL-12 secretion when the cells were primed and trigged with $IFN-{\gamma}$ in the peritoneal macrophages of C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that KJE inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 cells and activate macrophages.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.459-465
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• 2004

The use of hemofiltration has been proposed to reduce excessive body fluid and inflammatory mediators produced during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in infants and children. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of hemofiltration in adult cardiac surgery using (CPB). Twenty adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to control group without hemofiltration (n=10) or hemofilter group with hemofiltration during CPB (n=lO). CBC and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer, endothelin-l (ET-1), and cortisol were measured at before the initiation and immediately after the termination of CPB (Pre-CPB and End-CPB, respectively). Clinical data were assessed at postoperative period. In hemofilter group hematocrit was significantly higher (30.04±2.63％ vs 23.30±2.71％, P=0.0014) whereas total leukocyte count was lower than in control group (7.71±1.78×10³/㎣ vs 16.01 ±3.12x10³/㎣, P=0.021) at End-CPB. Increased rate of IL-6 (311.56±97.31％ vs 825.45±102.56％, P=0.012) and D-dimer levels (154.55±89.04％ vs 308.33±157.64％, P=0.026) at End-CPB were significantly less in hemofilter group than in control group. Postoperative blood transfusion in hemofilter group was low compared with that of control group (741.00±38.07 ml vs 1,137.50±169.82 ml, P=0.037). There were no significant differences between two groups in platelet count, ET -1, cortisol, pulmonary index, mechanical ventilation, postoperative blood loss, ICU-stay and hospitalization. Hemofiltration technique applied in the present study provided partly beneficial effect in adult cardiac surgery.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.208-215
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• 2017

Purpose: Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) present on circulating monocytes in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) can lead to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and interleukin-10 (IL-10). We aimed to determine the association of the frequency of circulating TLR2+/ CD14+ monocytes (FTLR2%) with the outcomes of KD, as well as to compare FTLR2% to the usefulness of sIL-10. Methods: The FTLR2% in patients with KD was measured by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-10 (sIL-10) were determined in 31 patients with KD before the initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and in 21 febrile controls by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were classified as having coronary artery lesions (CALs) based on the maximal internal diameters of the proximal right coronary artery and proximal left anterior descending coronary artery one month after the initial diagnosis. Results: We found that FTLR2% greater than 92.62% predicted CALs with 80% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity, whereas FTLR2% more than 94.61% predicted IVIG resistance with 66.7% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. Moreover, sIL-10 more than 15.52 pg/mL predicted CALs and IVIG resistance with 40% and 66.7% sensitivity, respectively, and 73.7% and 76.2% specificity, respectively. Conclusion: We showed that measuring FTLR2% before the initial treatment could be useful in predicting CAL development with better sensitivity than sIL-10 and with results comparable to sIL-10 results for the prediction of IVIG resistance in patients with KD. However, further studies are necessary to validate FTLR2% as a marker of prognosis and severity of KD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.11
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• pp.359-364
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• 2017

Purpose: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been shown to be associated with systemic inflammation in obese adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and its relation to inflammatory markers in obese Thai children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Children with history of endogenous obesity, chronic diseases, drug ingestion, and any acute illness within 2 weeks prior to enrollment were excluded. Their fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, oral glucose tolerance tests, insulin, lipid profiles, and selected inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, were tested. Results: In this study, 58 obese Thai children (female, 20; male, 38) with a mean body mass index z score of $5.1{\pm}2.2$ were enrolled. The prevalence of MetS and prediabetes was 31% and 17.2%, respectively. None of the children had diabetes. FBG levels, 2-hour glucose levels, and lipid profiles were not statistically different between those with and without MetS. However, obese children with MetS had higher insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values. Elevated hs-CRP levels were found in 69% of the cases, although it was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: We described a substantial prevalence of MetS in Thai obese children. Regardless of MetS status, two-thirds of the obese children had elevated hs-CRP level, indicating subtle ongoing inflammatory process. This chronic inflammation feasibly predisposes them to CVD in the future, even in children without MetS.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.17-31
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• 2002

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the hormones and cytokines associated with bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. Method : Twenty-four Female-Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham operated(normal) group, ovariectomized(control)group, ovariectomized and treated with extract Caraganae Sinicae Radix(treated) group. Each group was investigated the changes of body weight at 3,5,7weeks after treatment, and femur weight, femur/body weight, thickness of compact bone of body of femur, area of cancellous bone of distal epiphysis of femur, serum estrogen, serum calcitonin, serum parathormone, serum Tumor Necrosis $Factor-{\alpha}$, serum $lnterleukin-1{\beta}$ at 7weeks after treatment. The results were summerized as follows; 1. The treated group showed significant change in body weight compared with the control group at 5,7weeks after treatment. 2. The treated group revealed significant increases in femur/body weight compared with the control group. 3. The treated group showed a little thicker compact bone of body of femur than the control group. 4. The area of cancellous bone of distal epiphysis of femur in treated group was increased significantly compared with control group. 5. The level of serum estrogen showed no change compared with control group. 6. The level of serum calcitonin showed no change compared with control group. 7. The level of serum parathormone was decreased in treated group significantly compared with control group. 8. The level of serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ was decreased in treated group significantly compared with control group. 9. The level of serum $interleukin-1{\beta}$ showed no change compared with control group. The results indicate that Caraganae Sinicae Radix inhibits bones resorption in ovariectomized rats by it's lowering effects on serum parathormone and $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.47-54
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• 2010

Objective: To derive information on the efficacy of Sam-chul-kun-bi-tang (SKT), by evaluating its anti-inflammatory effect. SKT is a widely-used herbal formula in traditional Korean medicine. In man y studies, plant-derived anti-inflammatory efficacies have been investigated for their potential inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. This study was performed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of SKT extract on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: The production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $(PG)E_2$, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6 were examined in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, in the presence of SKT. RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with LPS 1 ${\mu}g/mL$ and SKT for 18 hrs. The anti-inflammatory activity of SKT was investigated by carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The paw volume was measured at 2 and 4 hrs following carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Results: SKT showed inhibitory effect on $PGE_2$, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. But SKT was not inhibitory effect on NO by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Administration of SKT (1 g/kg) also showed a reduction in carrageenan-induced paw edema on rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that SKT has anti-inflammatory activities in both in vitro and in vivo models.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.149-153
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• 2005

Asthma is an inflammatory airways disease characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airways obstruction, which results from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-4 are important in IgE synthesis and allergic inflammation, therefore genes encoding IL-13 and IL-4 are candidates for predisposition to asthma. In the present study, we screened single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-13 and IL-4 and examined whether they are risk factors for asthma. We resequenced all exons and the promoter region in 12 asthma patients and 12 normal controls, and identified 18 SNPs including 2 novel SNPs. The linkage disequilibrium(LD) pattern was evaluated with 16 common SNPs, and haplotypes were also estimated within the block. Although IL-13 and IL-4 are localized within 27 kb on chromosome 5q31 and share many biological profiles, this region was partitioned into 2 blocks. One SNP and three SNPs were determined as haplotype-taggingSNPs (htSNPs) within IL-13 and IL-4 haplotype-block, respectively. No significant associations were observed between any of the SNPs or haplotypes and development of asthma in small number of Korean subjects. However, the genetic variants of IL-13 and IL-4 would provide valuable strategies for the genotyping studies in large population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1513-1517
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• 2013

This study examined the immunomodulatory activities of apple seed extracts (ASE). The immunomodulatory effects were estimated through nitric oxide production, cytokine induction, protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the phosphylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa $B{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. In the cytotoxicity asay, ASE (31 to $250{\mu}g/mL$) did not induce cytotoxicity; thus, the optimal concentration of ASE was confirmed to be less than $250{\mu}g/mL$. Nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6) production significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the protein expression of iNOS and the phosphorylation of MAPKs and $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ were also increased by ASE treatment. Overall, our results suggest that extracts from apple seeds potentially have immunomodulatory activities on macrophages.