• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.165-176
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of Kami-hwal-hyeol-tang(KHHT) on the immune responses of synoviocyte cells prepared from the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and also on the collagen-mediated arthritis in mouse model. Several experiments were performed in vitro and in vivo to analyse the immunomodulatory effects of KHHT, and the major findings are summarized below: 1. KHHT did not show the cytotoxicity against mLFCs and hFLSs. 2. KHHT inhibited gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, NOS and GM-CSF in hFLSs. Furthermore, KHHT-treated hFLSs showed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 compared to the control cells. 3. KHHT treatment of hFLSs inhibited the binding activity of NF-kB and AP-1 to their consensus DNA sequences. 4. KHHT treatment(400 ㎍/㎖) of hFLSs significantly inhibited hFLSs proliferations compared to the control cells. 5. KHHT significantly reduced the production of ROS in hFLSs compared to the control cells. The present data show that KHHT plays an important role for the regulation of AP-1 and NF-kB gene expression. Also, it was found that KHHT has anti-arthritis effect. Further studies of KHHT in relation to RA therapeutics may provide important information to develop drugs to treat this disease.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.141-147
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• 2013

Hypoxia has been shown to promote inflammation, including the release of proinflammatory cytokines, but it is poorly investigated how hypoxia directly affects inflammasome signaling pathways. To explore whether hypoxic stress modulates inflammasome activity, we examined the effect of cobalt chloride ($CoCl_2$)-induced hypoxia on caspase-1 activation in primary mixed glial cultures of the neonatal mouse brain. Unexpectedly, hypoxia induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation or $CoCl_2$ treatment failed to activate caspase-1 in microglial BV-2 cells and primary mixed glial cultures. Of particular interest, $CoCl_2$-induced hypoxic condition considerably inhibited NLRP3-dependent caspase-1 activation in mixed glial cells, but not in bone marrow-derived macrophages. $CoCl_2$-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activity was also observed in the isolated brain microglial cells, but $CoCl_2$ did not affect poly dA:dT-triggered AIM2 inflammasome activity in mixed glial cells. Our results collectively demonstrate that $CoCl_2$-induced hypoxia may negatively regulate NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in brain glial cells, but its physiological significance remains to be determined.

• 생약학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.231-237
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• 1996

The antitumor components of the protoplast fusants of Lentinula edodes and Ganoderma lucidum were examined for immunological activity to elucidate the mechanism of their antitumor activity. They did not show any direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells. But being examined for immunopotentiation activity, they increased the number of colonies in the bone marrow stem cells to 3.0 times. They also increased the activities of the acid phosphatase in activated macrophages to 2.1 times and the secretion of nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 to 2.2 times, respectively. They activated the components of the alternative complement pathway. In humoral immunity. they increased the activities of the alkaline phosphatase in differentiated B cells to 1.6 times and the number of plaque forming cells to 1.8 times, respectively. In cellular immunity, they restored the depressed response of delayed type hypersensitivity in tumor bearing mice to normal level.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.264-274
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• 2013

The unrestricted population of $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ regulatory T (Treg) cells, which have been known to control the expression of autoimmune diseases and protective immunity to inflammatory reactions, has led to greater appreciation of functional plasticity. Detecting and/or isolating Ag-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs at the single cell level are required to study their function and plasticity. In this study, we established and compared both MHC class II tetramer and intracellular CD154 staining, in order to detect $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Treg specific for foreign Ag in acute and chronic infections with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Our results revealed that MHC class II tetramer staining showed a lower detection rate of LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+$ T cells because most of MHC class II tetramers were unbound and unstable when combined staining was performed with intracellular cytokines. In contrast, intracellular CD154 staining was revealed to be easier and simple for detecting LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+$ T cells, compared to MHC class II tetramer staining. Subsequently, we employed intracellular CD154 staining to detect LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs using $Foxp3^{GFP}$ knock-in mouse, and found that LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs and polyclonal $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs showed differential expansion in mice infected with LCMV Arms or Cl13 at acute (8 and 13 days pi) and chronic phases (35 days pi). Therefore, our results provide insight into the valuable use of intracellular CD154 staining to detect and characterize foreign Ag-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Treg in various models.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.718-722
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• 2008

Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus (E.S.), which contains 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), is reported to have the ability to scavenge oxygen radicals, thereby protecting rat neuronal cells from oxidative damage. The potential of an E.S. extract, which contains a rich PGG, to protect radiosensitive lymphocytes and intestinal crypt cells from radiation injury induced by a single whole-body irradiation (WBI) in vivo was investigated. Our results demonstrated that in immune cells, E.S. treatment decreased the percent of tail DNA, a parameter of DNA damage, compared with levels in untreated, irradiated controls. Furthermore, apoptosis was significantly decreased in lymphocytes and intestinal crypt cells of E.S.-treated mice compared with irradiated controls. These results suggest that the E.S. extract can strengthen the radioresistance of radiosensitive lymphocytes and crypt cells by preventing apoptosis. Therefore, it was concluded that E.S. extract has the radioprotective effects in vivo through an inhibition of apoptosis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.7.1-7.11
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• 2019

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects mainly salivary and lacrimal glands, but its cause remains largely unknown. Clinical data indicating that SS occurs in a substantial proportion of patients with lupus points to common pathogenic mechanisms underlying the two diseases. To address this idea, we asked whether SS develops in the lupus-prone mouse strain sanroque (SAN). Owing to hyper-activation of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, female SAN mice developed lupus-like symptoms at approximately 20 wk of age but there were no signs of SS at that time. However, symptoms typical of SS were evident at approximately 40 wk of age, as judged by reduced saliva flow rate, sialadenitis, and IgG deposits in the salivary glands. Increases in serum titers of SS-related autoantibodies and numbers of autoantibody-secreting cells in cervical lymph nodes (LNs) preceded the pathologic manifestations of SS and were accompanied by expansion of Tfh cells and their downstream effector cells. Thus, our results suggest that chronic dysregulation of Tfh cells in salivary gland-draining LNs is sufficient to drive the development of SS in lupus-prone mice.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.60-71
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• 2023

Cockroaches can cause allergic sensitization in humans via contact with their feces or frass. Antibiotics can affect concentration of major allergen and total bacteria production in German cockroaches (Blattella germanica). This study examined the ability of antibiotic-treated German cockroaches to induce allergic airway inflammation and the effect of antibiotics on their lipopolysaccharide and Bla g1, 2, and 5 expression levels. Specifically, we measured the ability of German cockroach extract (with or without prior antibiotic exposure) to induce allergic inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells and a mouse model of asthma. Bacterial 16S rRNA and lipopolysaccharide levels were lower in ampicillin-treated cockroaches than in the control group. The Bla g1, Bla g2, and Bla g5 expression in ampicillin-treated cockroaches decreased at both the protein and RNA levels. In human bronchial epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B exposed to the ampicillin-treated extract, expression levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 were lower than that in the control group. The total cell count and eosinophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was also lower in mice exposed to the ampicillin-treated extract than in those exposed to normal cockroach extract. Mouse lung histopathology showed reduced immune cell infiltration and mucus production in the ampicillin group. Our results showed that ampicillin treatment reduced the symbiont bacterial population and major allergen levels in German cockroaches, leading to reduced airway inflammation in mice. These results can facilitate the preparation of protein extracts for immunotherapy or diagnostics applications.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권8호
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• pp.873-878
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• 2017

본 연구는 대식세포 활성화 과정에서 NQO1의 역할을 확인하는 것이다. 대식세포의 활성화 정도는 배양액으로 분비하는 IL-6와 $TNF-{\alpha}$ 양을 측정하여 평가하였다. 먼저 NQO1 WT 생쥐와 NQO1 KO 생쥐에서 각각 분리한 복강대식세포의 활성화 정도를 비교해 보았다. 특이하게도 NQO1 KO 복강대식세포가 NQO1 WT에 비해서 더 높게 활성화되어 있었다. 또한 일반 생쥐의 복강대식세포에 NQO1 억제제(dicumarol)을 처치한 경우에도 강한 활성이 유도됨을 확인하였다. Dicumarol을 처치한 RAW264.7 (대식세포주)에 서도 강한 활성화가 관찰되었다. 이는 NQO1이 대식세포의 활성화 과정을 억제하는 경로와 연관되어 있음을 보여준다. 더욱이 dicumarol을 처치하여 NQO1의 기능을 억제시킨 다양한 대식세포에서 $I{\kappa}B$ 단백질이 유의하게 감소한다는 사실을 확인하였다. 대식세포 활성화 과정을 매개하는 주요 신호분자가 $NF{\kappa}B$이며 이 분자에 대한 억제자가 $I{\kappa}B$라는 사실들을 감안할 때, NQO1의 기능이 $I{\kappa}B$ 단백질변성 억제와 연관되어 있으며 이를 통해 대식세포의 활성화를 차단했을 가능성이 있다. 본 연구는 향 후 대식세포 활성화 과정을 조절하는 NQO1의 역할을 규명하는데 있어서 중요한 기초 결과가 될 것이다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.3.1-3.23
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• 2024

Cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated mouse airway epithelial cells (MAECs)-derived exosomes accelerate the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by upregulating triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1); however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of CSE-treated MAECs-derived exosomes on M1 macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in COPD. In vitro, exosomes were extracted from CSE-treated MAECs, followed by co-culture with macrophages. In vivo, mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) to induce COPD, followed by injection or/and intranasal instillation with oe-TREM-1 lentivirus. Lung function and pathological changes were evaluated. CD68⁺ cell number and the levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β (M1 macrophage marker), and pyroptosis-related proteins (NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain, caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D [GSDMD], and GSDMD-N) were examined. The expression of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), spleen focus forming virus proviral integration oncogene (SPI1), methyltransferase 3 (METTL3), and TREM-1 was detected and the binding relationships among them were verified. MEG3 increased N6-methyladenosine methylation of TREM-1 by recruiting SPI1 to activate METTL3. Overexpression of TREM-1 or METTL3 negated the alleviative effects of MEG3 inhibition on M1 polarization and pyroptosis. In mice exposed to CS, EXO^-CSE further aggravated lung injury, M1 polarization, and pyroptosis, which were reversed by MEG3 inhibition. TREM-1 overexpression negated the palliative effects of MEG3 inhibition on COPD mouse lung injury. Collectively, CSE-treated MAECs-derived exosomal long non-coding RNA MEG3 may expedite M1 macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in COPD via the SPI1/METTL3/TREM-1 axis.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.116-134
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• 2005

Although the parallel prescription of Sopoongsangagambang (SG) administration along with external treatment such as spraying or ointment application on the skin is clinically used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), molecular mechanism underlying its effectiveness is unknown. Thus in the present study, diverse immune responses in terms of chemical mediators related to AD were investigated using an atopic mouse model NC/Nga after SG administration and external treatment (ET), and major findings are summarized as follows. 1. The clinical severities in 16 and 20 week old NC/Nga mice with SG and ET treatment were decreased to 72.2% and 62.3% respectively compared to the control NC/Nga mice with no drug treatment. 2. IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, IgM, IgG1 and IgG2a levels in the serum of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mouse group were significantly decreased compared to the untreated control mice. In contrast, $IFN-{\gamma}$ showed a significant increase in the experimental group compared to the untreated control group. 3. The spleen weight of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice was significantly decreased compared to the untreated control group. 4. The B/T ratio in the lymph node of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice was increased compared to the untreated control group. $CD4^+\;and\;CD8^+$ cell numbers in the lymph node of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice were significantly increased compared to the untreated control group, but $CD69^+\;and\;CD11a^+$ cells were significantly decreased. 5. mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, and CCR3 in the skin tissues of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice were significantly decreased, and expression levels of IL-6, IL-13, $CD69^+/CD3{\varepsilon}^+\;and\;CD19^+/CD44^+$ in the skin tissues of SG and ET treated NC/Mga mice were significantly decreased compared to the untreated control group. $IFN-{\gamma}$ mRNA expression levels were increased compared to the untreated control group. 6. Histological observation of the ear and neck skin tissues showed that the extents of inflammation and infiltrated immune cells in the epidermis and dermis of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice were highly reduced compared to the untreated control group. 7. Lymphokine assay showed a significant decrease in IL-4 levels in SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group, but the levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretion were significantly increased drug treated NC/Nga mice.