• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.163-168
• /
• 2009

To understand cytotoxic activity of Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae), which has been used as a traditional oriental medicine, the mechanism underlying cytotoxic effect of its extract on human acute Jurkat T cells was investigated. The methanol extract of roots (3 kg) of R. codifolia was evaporated, dissolved in water, and then extracted by dichloromethane. The substances in the chloroform extract showing the most cytotoxic activity were further purified by a series of preparative HPLC. The extracted active substance (65 mg) was designated as CCH1. When Jurkat T cells were treated with CCH1 at concentration ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 ${\mu}g$/ml, apoptotic phenomena of cells companying several subsequent biochemical reactions such as mitochondria cytochrome c release, activation of casapase-8, -9, and caspase- 3, degradation of PARP and DNA fragmentation occurred via mitochondria-dependent pathway. However, abrogation of apoptosis was observed in an ectopic expression of Bcl-xL, which is a suppressor for mitochondrial cytochrome c release. These results demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of CCH1 against Jurkat T cells is attributable to apoptosis mediated by mitochodria-dependent death-signaling regulated by Bcl-xL. In addition, the CCH1 is more potent to leukemia Jurkat T cell than to human peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMC).

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.325-332
• /
• 2018

The mechanism of the previously reported antidiabetic effect of Basella alba is unknown. This study investigated the role of B. alba aqueous leaf extract in the modulation of inflammatory cytokines and islet morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar rats, between 8 and 10 weeks old, were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) and administered the following treatments: Healthy control (H-c) and Diabetic control (D-c) animals received normal saline 0.5 mL/100 g body weight daily, while Healthy Treatment (H-Ba) and Diabetic Treatment (D-Ba) rats received the plant extract 200 mg/kg body weight daily. All treatments were administered by oral gavage. Diabetes was induced in D-c and D-Ba rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body). The body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were recorded every week for 4 weeks, after which the rats were euthanized and samples collected for further analysis. After the experiment, FBS level was significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) in rats in the D-Ba group, but increased (p < 0.001) in rats in the D-c group. The absolute (H-c and H-Ba vs D-c, p < 0.05) and relative (D-Ba vs H-c, p < 0.05; D-Ba vs H-Ba, p < 0.005) weights of the pancreases were significantly higher after the experiment. The rats in the D-c group had significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (p < 0.001 vs H-c; p < 0.05 vs H-Ba and D-Ba) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (p < 0.0001), but lower levels of interleukin-10 (p < 0.05) in comparison with the other groups. Histopathological examination revealed severe interstitial congestion, reduced islet area (p < 0.0001), and increased islet cell density in the D-c group compared with those in the D-Ba group. From these findings, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of B. alba stimulates the recovery of beta-islet morphology in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats by modulating the peripheral production of inflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.235-241
• /
• 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
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.590-598
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of Mahaenggamseok-tang-gagambang (MGTG) on airway hyper- responsiveness (AHR), immune cells, cytokines and lung tissue in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. C578L/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (3times a week) for asthma sensitization and challenge. Two experimental groups were treated with different concentrations of MGTG (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) extract and cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg) for the later 8 weeks. Enhanced pause (Penh) levels were measured by whole body plethysmography. Immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometer in peripheral blood monocyte cell (PBMC) and lung cells. The IL-1b, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$, OVA-lgE, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-${\alpha}$ were analyzed by ELISA kit in serum and splenocyte+a-cCDS/a-CD28. Enhanced pause (Penh) levels of the MGTG groups (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) were decreased significantly compared with that of control group. The numbers of MGTG groups (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) on lung total cells were decreased significantly compared with that of control group. The numbers of MGTG groups (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) on $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $B220^+/CD22^+$, $B220^+/CD23^+$, $B220^+/lgE^+$, $CCR3^+$ cells were decreased significantly compared with that of control group. The number of MGTG group (400 mg/kg) on $CD3^+/CD49b^+$ cells was decreased significantly compared with that of control group. The level of MGTG groups (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) on IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$, OVA-lgE were decreased significantly compared with that of control group. The level of MGTG group (400 mg/kg) on IL-1b, IL-1S, OVA-lgE were decreased significantly compared with that of control group. These results demonstrate that MGTG could be a desirable alternative therapy for allergic asthma by inhibiting the expression of immune cells, the activation of inflammatory mediator.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.177-188
• /
• 2001

Mastitis is one of the most significant cause of economic loss to the dairy industry. Especially, Staphylococcus aureus is a major contagious mastitis-causing pathogen in dairy cattle. Because of its high transmission rate and resistance to antibiotic therapy, staphylococcal mastitis presents a constant threat to the dairy industry. Staphylococcal enterotoxin C(SEC) produced by S aureus has been known as one of superantigens which are able to stimulate a large proportion of T lymphocytes independently of their antigenic specificity. In this experiment, we have conducted preliminary studies with mice and lactating cows to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the experimental vaccine consists of SEC mutant antigen on controlling the bovine mastitis associated with S aureus infections. The average value of somatic cell counts in quarter milk, isolation rate of S aureus were consistently decreased in SEC-SER vaccinated groups, whereas antibody titers were highly increased in SEC-SER vaccinated groups. Peripheral blood were also collected from the lactating cows to determine the proportion of leukocyte subpopulation associated with humoral immunity(HI) and cell mediated immunity(CMI). Proportion of leukocyte subpopulation expressing $BoCD2^+$(total T lymphocyte), $BoCD4^+$(T helper cell), $BoCD8^+$(T cytotoxic/suppressor cell) and NonT/NonB lymphocyte which are involved in CMI in SEC-SER vaccinated groups were decreased for the initial stage after first vaccination and then increased from ten weeks after first vaccination maintaining elevated level till 14 weeks after vaccination. In contrast, proportion of monocyte, MHC class II and B lymphocyte which are associated with the production of primary immune response in SEC-SER vaccinated groups were increased for the initial period and then decreased from ten weeks after first vaccination. We present evidence that vaccination of SEC-SER mutant antigen in lactating cows induced a significant proliferation of bovine T lymphocytes. These results suggest that SEC-SER mutant antigen used in this experiment might be one of potential immunogen in developing innovative vaccine against bovine IMI associated with S aureus. Additional challenge trials should be carried out to evaluate substantial protection against S aureus under the commercial farm conditions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.29-37
• /
• 2015

Background: Panax ginseng (i.e., ginseng) root is extensively used in traditional oriental medicine. It is a modern pharmaceutical reagent for preventing various human diseases such as cancer. Ginsenosidesd-the major active components of ginsengd-exhibit immunomodulatory effects. However, the mechanism and function underlying such effects are not fully elucidated, especially in human monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs). Methods: We investigated the immunomodulatory effect of ginsenosides from Panax ginseng root on $CD14^+$ monocytes purified from human adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and on their differentiation into DCs that affect $CD4^+$ T cell activity. Results: After treatment with ginsenoside fractions, monocyte levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 increased through phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). After treatment with ginsenoside fractions, TNF-${\alpha}$ production and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK decreased in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-sensitized monocytes.We confirmed that DCs derived from $CD14^+$ monocytes in the presence of ginsenoside fractions (Gin-DCs) contained decreased levels of the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. The expression of these costimulatory molecules decreased in LPS-treated DCs exposed to ginsenoside fractions, compared to their expression in LPS-treated DCs in the absence of ginsenoside fractions. Furthermore, LPS-treated Gin-DCs could not induce proliferation and interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) production by $CD4^+$ T cells with the coculture of Gin-DCs with $CD4^+$ T cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that ginsenoside fractions from the ginseng root suppress cytokine production and maturation of LPS-treated DCs and downregulate $CD4^+$ T cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 1999

Background: Ineffective cell-mediated immune response in human tuberculosis is associated with a depressed Thl cytokine response and reduced production of IFN-$\gamma$. Most persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis are healthy tuberculin reactors with protective immunity, but a minority with ineffective immunity develop extensive pulmonary tuberculosis. The cell-mediated immune response is an important aspect of host resistance to mycobacterial infection and is believed to be tightly regulated by a balance between Th1 cytokines including IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-18, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and Th2 counterparts such as IL-4, monocyte chemoattractant protein-l (MCP-l). Methods: Proliferation and mRNA expression of IFN-$\gamma$, RANTES and MCP-l by RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to in vitro stimulation with mycobacterial antigens were compared in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with cured and treatment failure and in tuberculin-positive and tuberculin-negative healthy subjects. Results: Defective proliferative responsiveness to aqueous TSP antigen was involved with treatment failure tuberculosis patients. Aqueous TSP antigen-induced IFN-$\gamma$ and RANTES mRNA expression was decreased in treatment failure tuberculosis patients compared with healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (23.1 % versus 90.0% for IFN-$\gamma$ and 46.2% versus 70.0% versus 46.2% for RANTES). The frequency of MCP-l mRNA expression to aqueous TSP antigen in treatment failure tuberculosis patients was greater than in healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (76.9% versus 40.0%). Conclusion: The increasing expression of MCP-1 mRNA in response to aqueous TSP antigen might be predicted to favor Th1 responses and restricted Th1 responses in treatment failure of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.229-236
• /
• 1996

Purpose : To evaluate the changes of differential counts and lymphocyte subsets in cancer patients' leukocyte before and after radiotherapy. Materials and Methods : From Dec. 1994 to Mar 1995, the changes of leukocyte and its subsets in 16 patients who received radiotherapy in the Dept. of Radiation Oncology of Dong-A University Hospital were investigated. Radiation was delivered from 2700 cGy to 6660 cGy with median dose of 5400 cGy. The results of pre- and Post-radiotherapy were analyzed by paired T-test. The results of patients Who received < 50 Gy and $\geq$ 50 Gy were analyzed by Wilcoxon test. Results : Before and after radiotherapy, there was not any significant differences in the counts of leukocyte, granulocyte and monocyte. A remarkable decrease was noted in lymphocyte counts after radiotherapy(p=0.015). T cells, B cells and natural killer cells were also decreased in number after radiotherapy but it was not significant statistically. 1 helper cells and T suppressor cells were also decreased in number(p>0.05). The ratio of T helper/suppressor cell was decreased from 1.52 to 1, 11 and it was significant statistically(p=0.016). The portion of T suppressor cell among all T cells was increased after radiotherapy (p=0.0195). No significant difference was observed in the analysis of leukocyte and its subsets between patients who received < 50 Gy and $\geq$ 50 Gy, Conclusion : Radiotherapy caused remarkable decrease in lymphocyte count and its subsets. Among all lymphocyte subsets, T helper cell might be the most vulnerable to radiation, considering decreased ratio of T helper/suppressor cell count after radiotherapy.