• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2003

Background: The protective immunity against tuberculosis (TB) involves both CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. In our previous study, we defined four Mycobacterium tuberculosis derived peptide epitopes specific for HLA-$A^*0201$ restricted CD8+ T cells ($ThyA_{30-38}$, $RpoB_{127-135}$, $85B_{15-23}$, $PstA1_{75-83}$). In this study, we investigated the immune responses induced by these peptide specific CD8+ T cells in latently and chronically infected people with TB. Methods: We characterized these peptide specific CD8+ T cell population present in PBMC of both TB patients and PPD+healthy people using IFN-${\gamma}$elispot assay, intracellular staining and HLA-A2 dimer staining. Results: The frequency of peptide specific CD8+ T cell was in the range of 1 to 25 in $1.7{\times}10^5$ PBMC based on ex vivo IFN-${\gamma}$ elispot assay, demonstrating that these peptide specific CD8+ T cell responses are induced in both TB patients and PPD+ people. Short term cell lines (STCL) specific for these peptides proliferated in vitro and secreted IFN-${\gamma}$ upon antigenic stimulation in PPD+ donors. Lastly, HLA-$A^*0201$ dimer assays indicated that $PstA1_{75-83}$ specific CD8+ T cell population in PPD+ healthy donors is heterogeneous since approximately 25~33% of $PstA1_{75-83}$ specific CD8+ T cell population in PPD+ healthy donors produced IFN-${\gamma}$ upon peptide stimulation. Conclusion: Our results suggest that MHC class I restricted CD8+ T cell mediated immune responses to M. tuberculosis infection are induced in both TB patients and PPD + people; however, the CD8+ T cell population is functionally heterogeneous.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.235-241
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• 2014

Purpose: Regulatory T cells (Tregs), expressing CD4 and CD25 as well as Foxp3, are known to play a pivotal role in immunoregulatory function in autoimmune diseases, cancers, and graft rejection. Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered the major antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for initiating these T-cell immune responses, of which $CD103^+$ DCs are derived from precursor human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of these PBMC-derived $CD103^+$ DCs to promote the differentiation of antigen-specific Tregs. Methods: Monocyte-derived DCs were induced from $CD14^+$ monocytes from the PBMCs of 10 healthy subjects. Once the $CD103^+$ DCs were purified, the cell population was enriched by adding retinoic acid (RA). Peptide numbers 14 and 19 of Porphyromonas gingivalis heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) were synthesized to pulse $CD103^+$ DCs as a tool for presenting the peptide antigens to stimulate $CD3^+$ T cells that were isolated from human PBMC. Exogenous interleukin 2 was added as a coculture supplement. The antigen-specific T-cell lines established were phenotypically identified for their expression of CD4, CD25, or Foxp3. Results: When PBMCs were used as APCs, they demonstrated only a marginal capacity to stimulate peptide-specific Tregs, whereas $CD103^+$ DCs showed a potent antigen presenting capability to promote the peptide-specific Tregs, especially for peptide 14. RA enhanced the conversion of $CD103^+$ DCs, which paralleled the antigen-specific Treg-stimulating effect, though the differences failed to reach statistical significance. Conclusions: We demonstrated that $CD103^+$ DCs can promote antigen-specific Tregs from naive T cells, when used as APCs for an epitope peptide from P. gingivalis HSP60. RA was an effective reagent that induces mature DCs with the typical phenotypic expression of CD103 that demonstrated the functional capability to promote antigen-specific Tregs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.829-836
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• 2003

Seogakjihwang-tang (SJT) was widely used to treat patients suffering from cerebral infarction. But scientific investigation has been carried out very little. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of SJT on the production of various cytokines in the patients with cerebral infarction (CI). We investigated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-1 in the sera of 27 patients with cerebral infarction under consciousness disorders and 10 normal controls using an originally devised sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that plasma levels of IL-4 were slightly elevated in patients with cerebral infarction, whereas plasma levels of IL-10 (P<0.001) and TGF-1 were reduced. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the patient with CI were cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The amount of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-1, in culture supernatant, was significantly increased in the LPS or PHA treated cells compared to unstimulated cells (P<0.05), We also show that increased cytokines IL-4, and IL-10 level was significantly inhibited by SJT in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition rate of IL-4 and IL-10 production by SJT was 45.63.3% and 614.7% for LPS-stimulated cell and 27.31.2% and 83.62% for PHA-stimulated cells, respectively (P<0.05). On the other hand, SJT significantly increased the LPS or PHA-induced TGF-1 production (P<0.05). These data suggest that SJT has a regulatory effect on the cytokines production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of CI.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2012

Fucoidan has been shown to enhance immune function. The objective of this study was to examine the in vitro effect of fucoidan on the chamotactic activity of canine peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). The chemotactic activity of PMNs was evaluated by method of a modified Boyden chamber assay. The amount of interleukin (IL)-8 in the culture supernatants from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with fucoidan was determined by means of ELISA. Fucoidan itself could not have chemoattract effects for PMNs. However, the chemotaxis of PMNs was remarkably enhanced by culture supernatant from PBMCs treated with fucoidan. Similarly, it was also increased by recombinant canine (rc) IL-8. These chemotactic activities of PMNs were inhibited by addition of anti-rcIL-8 polyclonal antibody (pAb). The amount of IL-8 in the culture supernatant from PBMCs was shown to increase upon treatment of fucoidan as compared with that of untreated PBMCs culture supernatant. These results suggest that fucoidan upregulates the chemotaxis of PMNs, which is mainly mediated by IL-8 released from fucoidanstimulated PBMCs.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.2 s.141
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• pp.129-135
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• 2005

Lectins from Allomyrina dichotoma (ADL) and Bombyx mori (BML) were partially purified by physiological saline extraction, ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion exchange column chromatography on DEAE Sephadex A-50 and gel filtration column chromatography on Sephadex G-200. An assay for cytokine expression was carried out by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). mRNA isolated from PBMC(human peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were stimulated with ADL(O.D.=0.2) and BML(O.D.=0.1) for various times(1,4,8,24,48 and 72 h) and various cytokine mRNA assessed by RT-PCR were shown as follows: The patterns of bands for IL-1 mRNA of BML were very similar with those from ADL and these bands were decreased along the increasing reaction times after showing a strong band at 1 h. However mRNA expressions for IL-2, IL-6, $IFN{\gamma}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ showed different patterns between ADL and BML. With the effect of ADL, the expression of IL-2 and IL-6 mRNA were continuously detected until 72 h with the strongest band of IL-2 mRNA at 24 h. The strong bands of $IFN{\gamma}$ mRNA were observed from 4 to 8 h but the strongest one of $TNF{\alpha}$ was just observed at 1 h. Meanwhile with BML, the bands for IL-2 and $IFN{\gamma}$ were increased along the increasing reaction times until 72 h. The strongest bands were showed from 4 to 8 h with IL-6 and at 8 h with $TNF[\alpha}$. To verify quantitatively ELISA was used for assay of protein secretions of the cytokine gene with IL-2 and $IFN{\gamma}$ expressed markedly different in RT-PCR. The highest cytokine secretion for IL-2 was demonstrated at 48 h. The production of $IFN{\gamma}$ was markedly increased at 24 h and secreted highest at 72 h. These result suggest that ADL and BML, as inducers of cytokines, can elicit detectable cytokine mRNA from PBMC within the first few hours of stimulation and maintain the production of cytokines for a few days by the methods of RT-PCR and ELISA.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.311-314
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• 2010

Bartonella henselae is the causative agent of cat scratch disease. Although cats are the main zoonotic reservoirs of Bartonella spp., unusual cases of cat scratch disease caused by a domestic dog scratch have been recently reported. For the in vivo B. henselae infection, eight dogs were inoculated intradermally with $2{\times}10^8CFU$ of B. henselae Houston-1 suspended in 1 ml of phosphate buffered saline on day 0 and subsequent injections of the same amount given intradermally on days 21, 28, 36, 58 and 64. After in vivo canine B. henselae infection was confirmed by nested PCR, the IFN-$\gamma$ levels of the culture supernatant of PBMC stimulated with B. henselae was significantly higher in the B. henselae-PCR positive group than the B. henselae-PCR negative group. Our results showed that the canine immune responses against B. henselae were different from those of cats. Th1 activation by B. henselae stimulation was characterized in dog peripheral blood mononuclear cells, whereas Th2 activation was reported in B. henselae-infected cats.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.87-116
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine of the effect of Kami-chungsimyeunjatang(KCSYJT) medicine on the atopy eruption control. Methods : The expression of IgE, IL-4, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG2b, IgM, IgG2a and IgG1 level in serum, and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production by KCSYJT were analyzed. CD3e+/CD69+, CD4+/CD25+, B220+/IgE+ and B220+/CD23+ positive cells by flow cytometry in splenocytes were assayed and the revelation of CD3e+/CD69+, CD4+/CD8+ and CD4+/CD25+ marker in PBMC, spleen and DLN were observed. The outturn of IL-4, eotaxin 2, CCR3, TARC mRNA in splenocytes werw observed. We also analyzed NC/Nga mice's ear, DLN and neck-back skin after biopy and dye by H&E, and toluidine staining (mast cells marker) method, measured about epidermis and dermis part in comparison with control group. Results : NC/Nga mice suffered from dermatitis very similar to human AD with IgE hyperproduction. Specially, result that measure IgE content in serum on 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks decreased remarkably than control group. After experiment end, result that observe revelation CD3e+/CD69+, CD4+/CD8+ and CD4+/CD25+ marker in PBMC, spleen and DLN establishment observed recover as normal with political background. And decreased than result control group which measure IL-4, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG2b, IgM, IgG2a, IgG1 level in serum, and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production secreted in Th1 cell displayed increase by KCSYJT medicines. Ear thickness decrease than control group in result that observe effect that get in ear of a NC/Nga mouse. Course inflammation immunocyte etc.. permeated of result that effect that KCSYJT medicines get to NC/Nga mouse's skin establishment analyzes ear, DLN and neck-back skin after biopy, and dye by H&E, and toluidine staining (mast cells marker) method decreased about epidermis. and inflammation of dermis part remarkably than control group. Immunohistochemical examination of the skin lesion showed decrease by KCSYJT medicines on numbers of mast cells (CCR3) and CD4+ T cells containing IL-4 necessary for IgE. Conclusions : Th1 cell and Th2 cell was observed to be shift by secretion amount of IL-4 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ by KCSYJT medicines. Therefore, the KCSYJT medicine turned out to be useful in allergy autoimmune disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.399-405
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• 1997

Progesterone is necessary for successful pregnancy and had immunosuppressive properties. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from many women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion responded to trophoblast extract in vitro by prolifertion and releasing soluble, heat-labile factors that are toxic to mouse embryos (embryotoxic factors). Accumulating evidence suggests that T Helper (Th)-1 type immunity to trophoblast is correlated with embryotoxic factor production and is associated with pregnancy loss, while Th2-type immunity is associated with successful gestation. The objective of this study was to determine whether progesterone can inhibit Th1-type cytokine secretion (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) by trophoblast-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 nonpregnant women (age 25-35) with unexplained recurrent abortion (median 5, range 3 to 15)who otherwise produce embryotoxic factors in response to trophoblast. We also determined whether progesterone affected Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) in this system in vitro and if IL-10 (1,500 pg/mL) could inhibit Th1-type immunity to trophoblast. IFN-${\gamma}$ was detected in 17 of 23 (74%) trophoblast stimulated PBMC culture supernatants ($77.94{\pm}23.79$ pg/mL) containing embryotoxic activity. TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected in 19 (83%) of these same supernatants ($703.15{\pm}131.36$ pg/mL). In contrast, none of the supernatants contained detectable levels of IL-4 or IL-10. Progesterone ($10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}$, $10^{-9}$M) inhibited Th1-type immunity in a dose dependent manner, but had no effect on Th2-type cytokine secretion. The inhibitory effects of progesterone were abrogated with RU486, but did not affect Th2-type cytokine secretion in trophoblast-activated cell cultures. IL-10, like progesterone also inhibited Th1-type cytokine secretion but had no effect on Th2-type cytokines. These data suggest that therapies designed to suppress Th1-type cytokine secretion in women with recurrent abortion who have evidence of Th1-type immunity to trophoblast may be efficacious in preventing pregnancy loss and should be tested in appropriately designed clinical trials.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.433-441
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• 2000

Objective : To analyze the effects of Yukmijihwang-tang, Taeksa-tang, Silbi-um on mesangial cell proliferation, fibronectin synthesis and MHC-class II expression. Methods : Laboratory studies were performed with the method of surface enzyme immunoassays or flow cytometry after addition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) supernatants treated with medications using the cultured human mesangial cells. Results : 1. Silbi-um produces more suppressive effect than control group and hydrocortisone group on the mesangial cell proliferation. In Yukmijihwang-tang, Taeksa-tang and Silbi-um, mesangial cell proliferation significantly decreased than in hydrocortisone group 2. In the 'without fetal bovine serum' study, Yukmijihwang-tang take more suppressive effect than Control group on the fibronectin synthesis. In the 'with fetal bovine serum' study, Yukmijihwang-tang, Taeksa-tang, Silbi-um all have suppressive effect, but it hasn' t any statistical significance. 3. Yukmijihwang-tang, Taeksa-tang, Silbi-um all have a suppressive effect on the MHC-class II expression. Conclusions : Herb medicine generally show a suppressive effect on the suppression of the mesangial cell proliferation, fibronectin synthesis and MHC-class II expression.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

In our study, the several cytokines were determined in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Adamantiades-Behcets patients. Adamantiades-Behcets disease (ABD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder and might involve immune dysfunction. High levels of $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1\beta$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ indicate the activation of inflammatory reactions and immune system in ABD. Gami-Phedoc-San (GPS) is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been used in Korea for the treatment of ABD. GPS (1 mg/ ml) significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, $TNF-\alpha\;and\;IL-1\beta$, compared to absence of GPS (by $50.5{\pm}1.9%$ inhibition for $TNF-\alpha$ and $106.9{\pm}16.8%$ for $IL-1\beta$). GPS also inhibited the production of $IFN-\gamma$, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by $78.4{\pm}2.8%$. The inhibitory effects of GPS on cytokine secretion showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1 mg/ml GPS had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of ABD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that GPS treatment for ABD patients might have pharmacological activity of immune and inflammatory responses through the cytokine modulation.