• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.139-144
• /
• 2011

The present study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of larval Anisakis simplex infection among the residents health-examined in 3 hospitals in southern parts of Korea. A total of 498 serum samples (1 serum per person) were collected in 3 hospitals in Susan Metropolitan city, Masan city, and Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do (Province) and were examined by IgE-ELISA and IgE-western blotting with larval A. simplex crude extract and excretory-secretory products (ESP). The prevalence of antibody positivity was 5.0% and 6.6% with ELISA against crude extracts and ESP, respectively. It was also revealed that infection occurred throughout all age groups and higher in females than in males. A specific protein band of 130 kDa was detected from 10 patients with western blot analysis against crude extract and ESP among those who showed positive results by ELISA. Our study showed for the first time the seroprevalence of anisakiasis in Korea. The allergen of 130 kDa can be a candidate for serologic diagnosis of anisakiasis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.341-348
• /
• 1992

Because no reference on trombiculid mites (Acarina: Trombiculidae) in Cheju Island where tsutsugamushi disease is highly endemic had been available, studies on trombiculid mites in Cheju Island were implemented during the period of August 1991-Apil 1992, and the results obtained are summarized as follows: (1) The species and numbers of the field rodents collected were 143 Apodemus agrarius chejuensis (92.3%), 11 Crocidura lasiura (7. l%) and 1 Micromys minutus (0.6%) From total 12,075 chiggers harvested, 9 species of 4 genera in Trombiculidae were identified. (2) The predominant species through all seasons was 1. setum (43.3%), followed by 1. orientale (27.4%) and 1. scutellare (26.6%). However, in autumn when the most cases of tsutsugamushi disease occur, 1. scutellere was prominently predominant, having 79.8% of the collected chiggers. (3) Among 1,1421. scutellare examined for Rickettsia tsutsugpmushi by means of IFA test, 6 individuals were found positive showing 0.5% of infection rate. This is the first finding that 1. scutellere is the second vector species of tsutsugamushi disease in Korea. (4) Antibody positive rate of A. agrarius chejuensis sera were 31.2% (44/139), and 1 M. minutes serum was also found positive. The seropositive rates by season were not so significantly different. Key words: Tsutsugamushi disease, epidemiology, vector species, Cheju Island, Korea.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.41-52
• /
• 2011

In the present study, embryoid bodies (EBs) obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were induced to differentiate into germ lineage cells by treatment with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and retinoic acid (RA). The results were compared to the results for embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and multipotent spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs) and quantified using immunocytochemical analysis of germ cell-specific markers (integrin-${\alpha}6$, GFR-${\alpha}1$, CD90/Thy1), fluorescence activating cell sorting (FACS), and real time-RT-PCR. We show that the highest levels of germ cell marker-expressing cells were obtained from groups treated with 10 ng/$m{\ell}$ BMP4 or 0.01 ${\mu}M$ RA. In the BMP4-treated group, GFR-${\alpha}1$ and CD90/Thy-1 were highly expressed in the EBs of iPSCs and ESCs compared to EBs of mSSCs. The expression of Nanog was much lower in iPSCs compared to ESCs and mSSCs. In the RA treated group, the level of GFR-${\alpha}1$ and CD90/Thy-1 expression in the EBs of mSSCs Induced pluripotent stem cells, Mouse embryonic stem cells, Multipotent spermatogonial stem cells, Germ cell lineage, Differentiation potential. was much higher than the levels found in the EBs of iPSCs and similar to the levels found in the EBs of ESCs. FACS analysis using integrin-${\alpha}6$, GFR-${\alpha}1$, CD90/Thy1 and immunocytochemistry using GFR-${\alpha}1$ antibody showed similar gene expression results. Therefore our results show that iPSC has the potential to differentiate into germ cells and suggest that a protocol optimizing germ cell induction from iPSC should be developed because of their potential usefulness in clinical applications requiring patient-specific cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.257-264
• /
• 2019

Mastoparan V1 was used as adjuvant of formalin-inactivated Salmonella Gallinarum whole cells vaccine against fowl typhoid in a chicken model. The 75 brown nick chickens were equally divided into 5 groups, and all chickens of each group were immunized at 6 weeks of age (0 WPPI; weeks prime post immunization), and at 9 weeks of age (3 WPPI) (except group B). Group A chickens were intramuscularly (IM) inoculated with 500 uL of sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and group B chickens were subcutaneously immunized with 0.2 ml containing 5×10⁷ viable vaccine strain/bird. The chickens in groups C~E were IM inoculated with approximately 3×10⁹ cells/0.5 mL of formalin-inactivated the S. Gallinarum whole cells, approximately 3×10⁹ cells/0.5 mL of formalin-inactivated the S. Gallinarum whole cells with mastoparan V1 as adjuvant, and 0.5 mL of PBS, respectively. S. Gallinarum outer membrane proteins-specific serum IgG titers were considerably higher in groups B~D than in groups A and E. However, the levels of IFN-γ in groups B and D only than in groups A and E were significantly higher. Following oral challenge with virulent wild-type S. Gallinarum, no chicken in groups A (no challenge group) and B was dead, and only 30% of chickens in group D was dead. However, 70% of chickens in group C and all chickens in group E were dead after oral challenge. The results of this study demonstrated that IM immunization with approximately 3×10⁹ of the formalin-inactivated S. Gallinarum whole cells containing mastoparan V1 induced robust antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in chickens. The whole cells also conferred protection against infection with wild-type S. Gallinarum.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2005

Objective: We have evaluated UDHA into the joint for its effectiveness on immune responses to CII in the rat CIA. In an attempt to gain further insight into the mode of action of UDHA, we also investigated the effects of UDHA on the incidence and development of arthritis in rat CIA with 2 different regimens: (1) started prior to a primary immunization, (2) started on the day of a primary immunization. Methods : Male rats were immunized with an emulsion of $200\;{\mu}g/100g$ of CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The rats were then given intraperitoneal(i.p) stimulation of Ulmus davidiana Planch herbal acupuncture(UDHA) or saline during the experiment. Lymph node cells were obtained from rats 14 days after immunization and cultured in vitro with CII. When compared with rats treated with saline as control, UDHA at doses of more than $20\;{\mu}g/100\;g$ rat once a day for 7 days inhibited the ability of inguinal lymph node cells to produce T cell cytokines interleukin-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$. When rats were injected intraperitoneally with SRBC, hemaglutination titers in UD-treated and control rats did not differ significantly when low doses of UD was given to rats. However, i.p injection of UD at doses of more than $10\;{\mu}g/100\;g/day$ for 7 days slightly suppressed antibody production. Results : The present results show that treatment with UDHA can inhibit the onset and development of arthritis and the immune responses to collagen. Conclusion: Therapeutic i.p injection with UD affect the clinical course of the disease and the immune responses to CII.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.33-46
• /
• 2021

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Sogyunghwalhyel-tang-gamibang (SGHHTGB) in cell and animal models and also to suggest one of putative mechanisms underlying its anti-arthritic effects. Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to measure the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in culture medium and blood serum and nitric oxide (NO) was assayed by Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed by Western blot method. Results In a cell model using RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the drug, at its non-cytotoxic concentrations, inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In addition, it suppressed the expression of the inflammatory enzyme iNOS and COX-2, and reduced the synthesis of the enzyme product NO (as stable nitrite) and PGE2 in activated macrophages. Meanwhile, in an animal model using rheumatic arthritis (RA) mice induced with injection of type II collagen antibody (CAb) and LPS, the drug improved clinical symptom of arthritis and reduced paw thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration. In blood of RA mice, the drug reduced serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, nitrite, and PGE2, all inflammatory mediators produced by activated macrophages. Conclusions SGHHTGB may ameliorate CAb and LPS-induced RA in mice, presumably by inactivating macrophages that are capable of initiating joint inflammation by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and expressing inflammatory enzymes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.159-167
• /
• 1987

To analyse the antigen specificity of patients sera from 24 confirmed neurocysticercosis and a monoclonal antibody, SDS-PAGE using 10~15% linear gradient gel and EITB were done. Cystic fluid, saline extracts of scolex and of whole worm of C. cellulosae, saline extracts of sparganum, hydatid cyst fluid, saline extracts of Fasciola, Clonorchis and Paragonimus were used as antigen. Of protein bands in cystic fluid of C. cellulosae, patient sera reacted frequently to bands of 152, 94, 64, 48, 24, 15, 10 and 7kDa proteins. To saline extracts of scolex and whole worm of C. cellulosae, patients sera reacted frequently to 94, 64, 52, 39, 34, 15 and 10kDa bands. Two bands in sparganum extract (130 and 64kDa) and two bands in hydatid cyst fluid (52 and 27kDa) were cross-reacting bands with sera from cysticercosis patients. Saline extracts of Fasciola, ClonorchiJ and Paragonimus did 'not exhibit cross-reacting bands. Monoclonal antibody to cystic fluid of C. cellulosae was found to react with low molecular weight proteins of 15, 10 and 7kDa.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.756-766
• /
• 2005

The signaling mechanism underlying aburatubolactam C-induced FasL upregulation was investigated in human Jurkat T cells. After treatment with aburatubolactam C, the src-family PTKs $p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$, and MAP kinases ERK2 and JNK1, were activated prior to FasL upregulation; Both $p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$ were directly activated 2.4- and 2.2-fold, respectively, in vitro by aburatubolactam C. The aburatubolactam C-induced cellular changes, including the activation of ERK2 and INK1, and FasL upregulation, were completely prevented by the PTK inhibitor genistein. The activation of protein kinase C (PKC$\delta,\;\epsilon\;and\;\mu$ was also induced following aburatubolactam C treatment. Although the activation of $p56^{lck}$ and tyrosine phosphorylation of the cellular proteins were not blocked by the PKC inhibitor GFl09203X, the activation of ERK2 was completely abrogated, along with a detectably enhanced JNK1 activation; FasL upregulation, and apoptosis. However, the FasL upregulation and apoptosis were significantly inhibited by the PKC activator PMA, with a remarkable increase in the ERK2 activation. The cytotoxic effect of aburatubolactam C was reduced in the presence of the anti-Fas neutralizing antibody ZB-4. Although ectopic expression of Bcl-2 failed to completely block the cytotoxicity of aburatubolactam C, it was clearly suppressed. The c-Fos mRNA expression was upregulated in a biphasic manner, where the second phasic expression overlapped with the FasL upregulation. Accordingly, these results demonstrate that aburatubolactam C-induced apoptosis is exerted, at least in part, by FasL upregulation dictated by activation of the PTK ($p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$) /JNKI pathway, which is negatively affected by the concurrent activation of the PKC/ERK2 pathway proximal to PTK activation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.986-992
• /
• 2009

Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical mediators of the innate immune system to defend viral infection. Interferon regulatory factor (IRF) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) play critical roles in type I IFN production in response to viral infection. Luteolin is natural polyphenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and anti-carcinogenic effects. However, the mechanism of action and impact of luteolin on innate immunity is still unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of luteolin on the lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. Luteolin inhibited Type I IFNs expression of mRNA and increased interleukin(IL)-10 expression of mRNA. Next, we examined the protective effects of IL-10 using IL-10 neutralizing antibody (IL-10NA). Blockade of IL-10 action didn't cause a significant reduction of Type I IFNs than LPS-induced luteolin pretreatment. Pretreatment of luteolin inhibited the level of IRF-1, and IRF-7 mRNA and the nuclear translocation of IRF-3. Also, luteolin reduced the activation of STAT - 1, 3. Theses results suggest that luteolin inhibits LPS-induced the production of Type I IFNS by both IRFs and STATs not IL-10 and may be a beneficial drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2014

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from abnormal cellular process lead to various human diseases such as inflammation, ischemia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG), a RING-FINGER protein, has anti-apoptotic activity and anti-oxidant activity. In this study, we investigate whether Tat-SAG, fused with a Tat domain, could protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) and dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis showed that, unlike SAG, Tat-SAG transduced efficiently into SH-SY5Y cells and into the brain, respectively. Tat-SAG remarkably suppressed ROS generation, DNA damage, and the progression of apoptosis, caused by $MPP^+$ in SH-SY5Y cells. Also, immunohistochemical data using a tyrosine hydroxylase antibody and cresyl violet staining demonstrated that Tat-SAG obviously protected DA neurons in the SN against MPTP toxicity in a PD mouse model. Tat-SAG-treated mice showed significant enhanced motor activities, compared to SAG- or Tat-treated mice. Therefore, our results suggest that Tat-SAG has potential as a therapeutic agent against ROS-related diseases such as PD.