• Molecules and Cells
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.100031.1-100031.13
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• 2024

It is now well-accepted that obesity-induced inflammation plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. A key source of the inflammation is the murine epididymal and human visceral adipose tissue. The current paradigm is that obesity activates multiple proinflammatory immune cell types in adipose tissue, including adipose-tissue macrophages (ATMs), T Helper 1 (Th1) T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, while concomitantly suppressing anti-inflammatory immune cells such as T Helper 2 (Th2) T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). A key feature of the current paradigm is that obesity induces the anti-inflammatory M2 ATMs in lean adipose tissue to polarize into proinflammatory M1 ATMs. However, recent single-cell transcriptomics studies suggest that the story is much more complex. Here we describe the single-cell genomics technologies that have been developed recently and the emerging results from studies using these technologies. While further studies are needed, it is clear that ATMs are highly heterogeneous. Moreover, while a variety of ATM clusters with quite distinct features have been found to be expanded by obesity, none truly resemble classical M1 ATMs. It is likely that single-cell transcriptomics technology will further revolutionize the field, thereby promoting our understanding of ATMs, adipose-tissue inflammation, and insulin resistance and accelerating the development of therapies for type 2 diabetes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.649-654
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• 2009

The immune system is comprised of cells and molecules whose collective and coordinated response to the introduction of foreign substance is referred to as the immune response. Defense against microbes is mediated by the early reaction (innate immunity) and the late response (adaptive immunity). Innate immunity consists of the epithelial barrier, phagocytes, complement and natural killer cells. Adaptive immunity, a more complex defense reaction, consists of activation of later-developed lymphocytes that, when stimulated by exposure to infectious agents, increase in magnitude and defensive capabilities with each successive exposure. In this review we discuss recent advances in important primary immune deficiency disorders of innate immunity (chronic granulomatous disease, leukocyte adhesion deficiency) and adaptive immunity (severe combined immune deficiency, Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome).

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.101-101
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• 2007

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.477-487
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• 1998

To clarify the activating effects of Scolopendrae corpus on immunological function, its effect on primary and secondary antibodies production in mice of various ages was investigated. Scolopendrae corpus increased the number of both antibody producing cells(anti-IgM and anti-IgG producing plaque forming cells, PFC) and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage. Futhermore, these phenomena were significantly increased with aging in mice. Scolopendrae corpus also increased natural killer cell activity concerning to cancer immunology. These results suggest that Scolopendrae corpus markedly increases the reduced activity in the elderly and activates the immune response in senescence mice.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.198-205
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• 2017

Background: There are a million ragpickers in India who gather and trade recyclable municipal solid wastes materials for a living. The objective of this study was to examine whether their occupation adversely affects their immunity. Methods: Seventy-four women ragpickers (median age, 30 years) and 65 age-matched control housemaids were enrolled. Flow cytometry was used to measure leukocyte subsets, and leukocyte expressions of $Fc{\gamma}$ receptor I (CD64), $Fc{\gamma}RIII$ (CD16), complement receptor 1 (CD35) and CR3 (CD11b/CD18), and CD14. Serum total immunoglobulin-E was estimated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the controls, ragpickers had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher levels of CD8-T-cytotoxic, CD16+CD56+natural killer, and CD4+CD45RO+memory T-cells, but depleted levels of CD19+B-cells. The percentage of CD4+T-helper-cells was lower than the control group (p < 0.0001), but their absolute number was relatively unchanged (p = 0.42) due to 11% higher lymphocyte counts in ragpickers. In ragpickers, the percentages of CD14+CD16+intermediate and CD14dim CD16+nonclassical monocyte subsets were elevated with a decline in CD14+CD16-classical monocytes. The expressions of CD64, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 on both monocytes and neutrophils, and CD14 on monocytes were significantly higher in ragpickers. In addition, ragpickers had 2.7-times more serum immunoglobulin-E than the controls (p < 0.0001). After controlling potential confounders, the profession of ragpicking was positively associated with the changes. Conclusion: Ragpicking is associated with alterations in both innate (neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer cell numbers and expression of complement and $Fc{\gamma}$ receptors) and adaptive immunity (numbers of circulating B cells, helper, cytotoxic, and memory T cells).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.710-718
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• 2006

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Chihyo-san (CHS) administration on asthma induced by Alum/OVA treatment in the mice. In CHS-treated animal group, lung weight, which was increased after asthma induction, was significantly decreased, and total number of cells in the lung, peripheral lymph node (PLN) and spleen tissue was significantly decreased in CHS-treated group compared to the asthma control group. The number of immune cells including natural killer (NK) cells in asthmatic animals was largely regulated by CHS treatment, showing a similar pattern as that of CsA-treated positive control group. Levels of mRNAs encoding inflammatory cytokines IL-5, IL-13, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and eotaxin were determined by RT-PCR in the lung tissue and showed decreases in CHS-treated group to the similar levels of CsA-treated control group, Histamine level in the serum was significantly lower in CHS-treated group than asthma-induced control group. Both haematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining results showed decreased number of inflammatory cells, reduced immune cell infiltration, and normalized epithelial cell layering in the bronchial tissue of CHS-treated mouse group. Thus, the present findings suggest that CHS may be useful for protecting bronchial tissues from consistent inflammatory damages that occur in asthma patients.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2002

In the course of searching immunomodulators from natural sources, the protein-bound polysaccharide, CM-Ala, has been isolated from the water extract of Chelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae). The immunostimulatory characteristics have been investigated in several experiments such as generation of activated killer (AK) cells, proliferation of splenocytes, activation of macrophages and granulocyte macrophage-colony forming cell (GM-CFC) assay. Of the fractions obtained using Sephacryl S200 column chromatography, CM-Ala was the most effective fraction that augmented the cytotoxicity against Yac-1 tumor cells from 0.88% to 34.18% by culturing with splenocytes for 5 days. CM-Ala also enhanced nitric oxide production by two fold in peritoneal macrophages and exhibited antitumor activity. It showed mitogenic activity on both spleen cells and bone marrow cells. CM-Ala induced proliferation of splenocytes by 84 fold and increased GM-CFC numbers by 1.48 fold over than the non-treated. On the contrary, CM-Ala had cytotoxic activity to a diverse group of tumor cells. From the above results, we proposed that CM-Ala has a possibility of an effective antitumor immunostimulator.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.405-409
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• 2005

Cellular components of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (heat-killed whole cells, cytoplasm, and cell walls) were tested for their in vivo immunopotentiating activities. Peritoneal macrophages from mice injected intraperitoneally with cell-wall fractions exhibited significantly greater phagocytic activity than groups injected with whole cells or cytoplasm fraction. Cytotoxicity of natural-killer cells was highest in cytoplasm fractions. Production of cytokines (IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12) in spleen cells was significantly higher when cellular components were injected intraperitoneally, and tended to be higher in whole-cell and cytoplasm groups than in cell-wall group. These results demonstrate lactic acid bacteria whole cells and their cytoplasm and cell-wall tractions have immunopotentiating activities.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.418-424
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• 2023

Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in combating infections and tumors. However, their therapeutic application in solid tumors is hindered by challenges, such as limited lifespan, tumor penetration, and delivery precision. Our research introduces a novel ultrasonic actuation technique to navigate NK cells more effectively in the vascular system, particularly at vessel bifurcations where targeted delivery is most problematic. We use a hemispherical ultrasonic transducer array that generates phase-modulated traveling waves, focusing on an ultrasound beam to steer NK cells using blood-flow dynamics and a focused acoustic field. This method enables the precise obstruction of non-target vessels and efficiently directs NK cells toward the tumor site. The simulation results offer insights into the behavior of NK cells under various conditions of cell size, radiation pressure, and fluid velocity, which inform the optimization of their trajectories and increase targeting efficiency. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of this ultrasonic approach for enhancing NK cell targeting, suggesting a potential leap forward in solid tumor immunotherapy. This study represents a significant step in NK cell therapeutic strategies, offering a viable solution to the existing limitations and promising enhancement of the efficacy of cancer treatments.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.883-898
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Probiotics have been suggested as potent modulators of age-related disorders in immunological functions, yet little is known about sex-dependent effects of probiotic supplements. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sex-dependent effects of probiotics on profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, healthy elderly individuals ≥ 65 yrs old were administered probiotic capsules (or placebo) for 12 wk. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. Peripheral immune cells were profiled using flow cytometry for lymphocytes (natural killer, B, CD4⁺ T, and CD8⁺ T cells), dendritic cells, monocytes, and their subpopulations. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, phylum Firmicutes was significantly reduced in the probiotic group in women, but not in men. At the genus level, sex-specific responses included reductions in the relative abundances of pro-inflammatory gut microbes, including Catabacter and unclassified_Coriobacteriales, and Burkholderia and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, in men and women, respectively. Peripheral immune cell profiling analysis revealed that in men, probiotics significantly reduced the proportions of dendritic cells and CD14⁺ CD16^- monocytes; however, these effects were not observed in women. In contrast, the proportion of total CD4⁺ T cells was significantly reduced in women in the probiotic group. Additionally, serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein levels showed a decreasing tendency that were positively associated with changes in gut bacteria, including Catabacter (ρ = 0.678, P < 0.05) and Burkholderia (ρ = 0.673, P < 0.05) in men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that probiotic supplementation may reduce the incidence of inflammation-related diseases by regulating the profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy elders in a sex-specific manner.