• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.251-263
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• 2020

Flagellin, a major structural protein of the flagellum found in all motile bacteria, activates the TLR5- or NLRC4 inflammasome-dependent signaling pathway to induce innate immune responses. Flagellin can also serve as a specific antigen for the adaptive immune system and stimulate anti-flagellin antibody responses. Failure to recognize commensal-derived flagellin in TLR5-deficient mice leads to the reduction in anti-flagellin IgA antibodies at steady state and causes microbial dysbiosis and mucosal barrier breach by flagellated bacteria to promote chronic intestinal inflammation. Despite the important role of anti-flagellin antibodies in maintaining the intestinal homeostasis, regulatory mechanisms underlying the flagellin-specific antibody responses are not well understood. In this study, we show that flagellin induces interferon-β (IFN-β) production and subsequently activates type I IFN receptor signaling in a TLR5- and MyD88-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Internalization of TLR5 from the plasma membrane to the acidic environment of endolysosomes was required for the production of IFN-β, but not for other pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, we found that anti-flagellin IgG2c and IgA responses were severely impaired in interferon-alpha receptor 1 (IFNAR1)-deficient mice, suggesting that IFN-β produced by the flagellin stimulation regulates anti-flagellin antibody class switching. Our findings shed a new light on the regulation of flagellin-mediated immune activation and may help find new strategies to promote the intestinal health and develop mucosal vaccines.

• Gut and Liver
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.682-693
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as ulcerative colitis. This dysfunction is caused by increased permeability and the loss of tight junctions in intestinal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether estradiol treatment reduces colonic permeability, tight junction disruption, and inflammation in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colon cancer mouse model. Methods: The effects of $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) were evaluated in ICR male mice 4 weeks after AOM/DSS treatment. Histological damage was scored by hematoxylin and eosin staining and the levels of the colonic mucosal cytokine myeloperoxidase (MPO) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To evaluate the effects of E2 on intestinal permeability, tight junctions, and inflammation, we performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the expression levels of mucin 2 (MUC2) and mucin 4 (MUC4) were measured as target genes for intestinal permeability, whereas zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), occludin (OCLN), and claudin 4 (CLDN4) served as target genes for the tight junctions. Results: The colitis-mediated induced damage score and MPO activity were reduced by E2 treatment (p<0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression levels of intestinal barrier-related molecules (i.e., MUC2, ZO-1, OCLN, and CLDN4) were decreased by AOM/DSS-treatment; furthermore, this inhibition was rescued by E2 supplementation. The mRNA and protein expression of inflammation-related genes (i.e., KLF4, NF-${\kappa}B$, iNOS, and COX-2) was increased by AOM/DSS-treatment and ameliorated by E2. Conclusions: E2 acts through the estrogen receptor ${\beta}$ signaling pathway to elicit anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal barrier by inducing the expression of MUC2 and tight junction molecules and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.341-360
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• 2023

Background : To investigate the effect of Hwanggeumjackyak-tang (HJT) on Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced ulcerative colitis. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into three groups; group 1, normal group(Normal); group 2, DSS-induced colitis and untreated group(UT+DSS); group 3, DSS-induced colitis and HJT 200 mg-treated group(HJT200+DSS). We evaluated cytotoxicity after HJT administration and confirmed the anti-inflammatory effect by histological changes in the intestine and genetic analysis of mucosal cells after HJT administration for each group. In addition, microbiological weapons and metabolites in faeces were examined, and the correlation between gut microbiome and metabolites was also investigated. Result : HJT was not observed to be cytotoxic, even at relatively high concentrations, and was effective in protecting the barrier and preventing intestinal inflammation by suppressing the increase in mucus secretion and the expression of inflammatory factors in mucosal cells. HJT treatment affected the increase in the amount and diversity of the gut microbiome in faeces and the increase in metabolites thought to be involved in alleviating inflammation in the gut. Conclusion : This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of HJT in ulcerative colitis. Further studies should be carried out to confirm our findings.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제29권8호
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• pp.1075-1082
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• 2016

Modern livestock production became highly intensive and large scaled to increase production efficiency. This production environment could add stressors affecting the health and growth of animals. Major stressors can include environment (air quality and temperature), nutrition, and infection. These stressors can reduce growth performance and alter immune systems at systemic and local levels including the gastrointestinal tract. Heat stress increases the permeability, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in the gut. Nutritional stress from fasting, antinutritional compounds, and toxins induces the leakage and destruction of the tight junction proteins in the gut. Fasting is shown to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas deoxynivalenol increases the recruitment of intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokines and the level of lymphocytes in the gut. Pathogenic and viral infections such as Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus can lead to loosening the intestinal epithelial barrier. On the other hand, supplementation of Lactobacillus or Saccharaomyces reduced infectious stress by ETEC. It was noted that major stressors altered the permeability of intestinal barriers and profiles of genes and proteins of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in mucosal system in pigs. However, it is not sufficient to fully explain the mechanism of the gut immune system in pigs under stress conditions. Correlation and interaction of gut and systemic immune system under major stressors should be better defined to overcome aforementioned obstacles.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.863-876
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• 2019

Farm animals such as piglets are often affected by environmental stress, which can disturb the gut ecosystem. Antibiotics were commonly used to prevent diarrhea in weaned piglets, but this was banned by the European Union due to the development of antibiotic resistance. However, the use of probiotics instead of antibiotics may reduce the risk posed by pathogenic microorganisms and reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus casei Zhang on the mechanical barrier and immune function of early-weaned piglets infected using Escherichia coli K88 based on histomorphology and immunology. Fourteen-day-old weaned piglets were divided into a control group and experimental groups that were fed L. casei Zhang and infected with E. coli K88 with or without prefeeding and/or postfeeding of L. casei Zhang. The L. casei Zhang dose used was $10^7CFU/g$ diet. Jejunum segments were obtained before histological, immunohistochemical, and western blot analyses were performed. In addition, the relative mRNA expression of toll receptors and cytokines was measured. Piglets fed L. casei Zhang showed significantly increased jejunum villus height, villus height-crypt depth ratio, muscle thickness, and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. The use of L. casei Zhang effectively reduced intestinal inflammation after infection. We found that L. casei Zhang feeding prevented the jejunum damage induced by E. coli K88, suggesting that it may be a potential alternative to antibiotics for preventing diarrhea in early-weaned piglets.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권9호
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• pp.369-376
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• 2013

A complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors partially contributes to the development of allergic diseases by affecting development during prenatal and early life. To explain the dramatic increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases, the hygiene hypothesis proposed that early exposure to infection prevented allergic diseases. The hygiene hypothesis has changed to the microbial hypothesis, in which exposure to microbes is closely linked to the development of the early immune system and allergic diseases. The intestinal flora may contribute to allergic disease through its substantial effect on mucosal immunity. Based on findings that exposure to microbial flora early in life can change the Th1/Th2 balance, thus favoring a Th1 cell response, probiotics may be beneficial in preventing allergic diseases. However, evidence from clinical and basic research to prove the efficacy of probiotics in preventing allergy is lacking. To date, studies have yielded inconsistent findings on the usefulness of probiotics in allergic diseases. It is difficult to demonstrate an exact effect of probiotics on asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy because of study limitations, such as different first supplementation period, duration, different strains, short follow-up period, and host factors. However, many studies have demonstrated a significant clinical improvement in atopic dermatitis with the use of probiotics. An accurate understanding of the development of human immunity, intestinal barrier function, intestinal microbiota, and systemic immunity is required to comprehend the effects of probiotics on allergic diseases.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.944-954
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• 2017

Objectives: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Jageum-jung extract on Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS-induced) ulcerative colitis in mice. Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced by DSS in Balb/C male mice. Ten mice were assigned to each of four groups: Ctrl (control), UE (ulcerative colitis-induced), PT (treated with pentasaccharide after induction of ulcerative colitis), and JT (treated with Jageum-jung extract after induction of ulcerative colitis). The effects of Jageum-jung extract were measured by restoration of the length of the intestine, degree of mucosal damage as seen with histochemistry, and changes of p-IkB, iNOS, COX-2, and caspase-3 determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: The recovered intestinal length of the JT group was longer than that of the UE group. In the colon mucosa of JT group, hemorrhagic lesions were reduced, and the mucus barrier was recovered. This group also showed inhibited production of inflammatory enzymes (iNOS, COX-2) through regulation of proinflammatory enzyme (NF-kB, p65) activity in the colon. In addition, caspase 3 activation induced apoptosis. By GC/MS analysis, azetidine was identified. Conclusions: This study confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of jageum-jung extract, and suggests the possibility of using Jageum-jung extract to treat ulcerative colitis. Further experiments and research on the mechanism of Jageum-jung effects are needed.

• 한국유가공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국유가공기술과힉회 2007년도 추계학술발표대회
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• pp.49-58
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• 2007

장 질환은 점막 세포의 파괴로부터 진행되어 장 상피세포벽의 기능상실, 비정상적인 장벽 활동을 야기하며, 이는 또 다시 염증반응의 가속화를 야기하는데[1], 여러 연구에도 불구하고 염증성 장질환에 대한 병변은 뚜렷이 밝혀진 바가 없다. 지난 수년간 병리학적 기전에 근거한 염증성 장질환에 대해 여러 연구가 이루어져 왔으며, 현재 만성적인 염증성 장 질환의 경우 여러 종류의 혈중 사이토카인 증가로 인한 과도한 세포 면역반응과 관련이 있을 것으로 추정되고 있다. 이러한 이유로 비정상적인 면역반응을 유도하는 전염증성 사이토카인인 TNF-${\alpha}$와 같은 특정 사이토카인의 발현을 전사단계에서부터 선택적으로 제거하는 방법을 통해 염증성 질환의 예방 및 치료에 접근하고자 하는 시도가 기대를 모으고 있다. 향후 면역반응 조절을 통한 염증성 장 질환 연구는 장 질환 자체의 세부적인 치료법에 대한 발전뿐만 아니라 염증과 관련된 여러 질병들의 병리학적 증상에 대해서도 새로운 접근법을 제시할 수 있을 것이다. Immunex(Enbrel), J&J/Centocor(Remicade)와 같은 사이토카인 억제제-쥐에서 유도된 단일클론 항체-의 경우 여러 연구를 통해 염증성 장질환 환자들의 증상을 완화하는 것으로 밝혀졌으나 면역과 관련된 부작용을 동시에 갖고 있으며, 비용적인 문제와 주사제를 이용해야 하는 치료방법의 제한점을 가지고 있다. 이러한 이유로 환자 모두가 사이토카인 억제 약물을 통한 치료를 받는 것이 현실적으로 어려운 상황이다. 본 연구는 양(羊)의 초유(初乳)에서 생성된 TNF-${\alpha}$ 항체의 TNF-${\alpha}$의 활성을 억제를 통한 염증반응 완화능을 세포단계의 생물검정과 장 염증이 유도된 동물모텔을 통해 검증하였다. 양(羊)의 초유(初乳)에서 생성된 TNF-${\alpha}$ 항체의 사이토카인 발현 억제능을 살펴보기 위하여 세포 생물검정을 수행하였다. 항체는 1 : 10,000 희석배율에서 TNF-${\alpha}$의 활성을 완전히 억제하였으며 동일한 양의 다른 양유(羊乳)를 이용한 실험에서도 억제능의 정도에 일부 차이를 보였으나 대조군에 비하여 모든 실험군에서 TNF-${\alpha}$의 활성이 억제었다. 동물실험 1의 경우 초기 시범 실험을 통해 염증유도 물질인 PAF(Platelet activating factor)와 LPS(Lipopolysaccharides)의 투여량을 설정하였으나, 본 실험 중 과도한 장내 염증반응으로 인해 출혈을 일으키거나 폐사하였으며, 동물실험 2에서는 TNBS(Trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid)를 이용한 대장염 유도를 시도하였으나, 실험군의 50% 정도만이 대장염으로 인한 전형적인 체중 감소와 일반적인 병리학 증세를 보였다. 이상의 결과로 미루어 면역반응을 통해 생성된 양(羊)의 초유(初乳)에 함유된 TNF-${\alpha}$ 항체는 WEHI-13 VAR 세포의 TNF-${\alpha}$ 활성을 유의적으로 억제함을 확인할 수 있었다. 동물실험 1의 경우, 예상되는 TNF-${\alpha}$ 항체의 염증반응 억제 효과보다 유도된 염증반응의 정도가 강하였고, 실험 2의 경우, 대장염 유도에 대한 실험동물간의 민감성 차이를 나타내었다. 향후 항TNF-${\alpha}$ IgA 치료법을 통한 염증 유래 장질환 연구를 위해서 적합한 실험동물 모델의 개발이 필요하며 더 많은 항체 개발과 함께 수반되는 전임상 및 임상실험 역시 이루어져야 할 것으로 사료된다.