• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.249-254
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• 2014

Allergic asthma is a chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease characterized by reversible airway obstruction, hyperresponsiveness and eosinophils infiltration. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling are closely associated with asthma and have emerged as a novel therapeutic target in allergic disease. The functions of TLR3 and TLR4 in allergic airway inflammation have been studied; however, the precise role of TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-${\beta}$ (TRIF), the adaptor molecule for both TLR3 and TLR4, is not yet fully understood. To investigate this, we developed a mouse model of OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation and compared the severity of allergic airway inflammation in WT and $TRIF^-/^-$ mice. Histopathological assessment revealed that the severity of inflammation in airway inflammation in TRIF-deficient mice was comparable to that in WT mice. The total number of cells recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid did not differ between WT and TRIF-deficient mice. Moreover, TRIF deficiency did not affect Th1 and Th2 cytokine production in lung tissue nor the level of serum OVA-specific IgE, $IgG_1$ and $IgG_{2c}$. These findings suggest that TRIF-mediated signaling may not be critical for the development of allergic airway inflammation.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.267-272
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• 2012

This study evaluated the change in anti-allergy activity of ${\beta}-glucan$ by electron beam irradiation. ${\beta}-Glucan$ was irradiated at dose of 50 kGy and then orally pre-treated with electron beam irradiated and non irradiated ${\beta}-Glucan$ for 7 days. After pre-treatment, allergy was induced by injection of ovalbumin (OVA). Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-specific IgE levels in the allergic mice was significantly increased but the mice pre-treated 50 kGy electron beam irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ was significantly decreased the levels of total IgE and OVA-specific IgE, respectively. Moreover, cytokine production (interleukin-4) was also decreased in the 50 kGy electron beam irradiated ${\beta}-Glucan$ pre-treated mice. These results indicate that pre-treatment of 50 kGy electron beam irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ may elevate the anti-allergy activity. Therefore, electron beam-irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ could be used for nutraceutical foods in food industry.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.289-296
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• 2002

A broiler experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris) on the growth performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in broiler chickens. One thousand hatched broiler chickens(Ross$^{(R)}$) were assigned to 6 treatments: control (basal diet), CTC; chlorotetracycline 100ppm, YC-SC; yeast culture(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 0.3%, YC-PP; yeast culture(Pichia pastoris) 0.3%, RPPC-0.1; refined Pichia pastoris culture 0.1%, RPPC-0.3; refined Pichia pastoris culture 0.3%. There were no significant differences in growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and mortality among the treatments. However, chickens fed diets with yeast cultures showed numerically higher weight gain than those fed the control diets. Supplementation of yeast cultures and CTC improved feed efficiency and decreased mortality compared to control. Nutrient digestibilities were not affected by the dietary treatments. Total number of Lactobacilli in small intestine was higher while that of Cl. perfringens was lower with yeast culture treatments than control. Small intestine E. coli population of RPPC-0.3 treatment was significantly lower than that of the control. The serum IgG concentration tended to be higher in broilers fed yeast cultures than those fed the control and CTC diet. In conclusion, the supplementation of yeast culture products showed, although not significant but, numerical advantages in productivity and profile of microbial flora and serum IgG compared to the control and CTC supplementation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.767-776
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• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary herbal product(Miracle$^{\circledR}$) supplementation on the performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microflora and blood parameters in pigs. Forty eight cross bred(Y${\times}$L${\times}$D) weanling pigs (average initial body weight 7.84kg${\pm}$0.17, 28 d old) were used in 35 d feeding trial. Pigs were allotted to 16 raised floor cages(W 35.5cm${\times}$L45cm${\times}$H 55cm). Each treatment had four replications of 3 pigs each. Treatments were: control (T1), CTC 100ppm (T2), Miracle$^{\circledR}$ 0.15% (T3) and CTC 100ppm + Miracle$^{\circledR}$ 0.15% (T4). The herbal product supplementation(T3) tended to improve the weight gain, feed intake, feed/gain but there were no significant differences among treatments. Nutrient digestibility was significantly(P〈0.05) affected by dietary treatments. The pigs fed T3 diet showed the lowest digestibility of DM, crude protein, NFE, P, and amino acids among treatments. Serum cholesterol level of pigs fed T3 diet was lowest and significantly(P〈0.05) lower than those fed antibiotic supplemented diet(T2). Triglyceride and HDL level of the pigs fed T3 diet were also lower than those of others but the differences were not significant. The level of serum IgG was significantly(P〈0.05) different among treatments. The level of serum IgG was highest in T4, followed by T1, T2 and T3. Serum AST(Aspartate aminotransferase) level of the control(T1) was lower than other treatments. Levels of serum total protein, albumin and ALT(Alanine aminotransferase) were not significantly different among treatments. The colony forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus, Cl. perfringens and E.coli in feces were not significantly different among treatments but those of Cl. perfringens of T2 (CTC 100ppm) showed the lowest count at both 3rd and 5th wk. It is concluded that herbal product Miracle$^{\circledR}$ does not significantly affect growth performance of weanling pigs but it influenced the digestibility, serum IgG, cholesterol and AST level. The combination of the herbal product Miracle$^{\circledR}$ with antibiotic(CTC) showed no synergistic effects.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2008

Allergic asthma is a worldwide public health problem and a major socioeconomic burden disease. It is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by airway eosinophilia and goblet cell hyperplasia with mucus hypersecretion. Mouse models have proven as a valuable tool for studying human asthma. In the present report we describe a comparison of mouse asthma models. The experiments were designed as follows: Group I was injected with ovalbumin (OVA, i.p.) on day 1 and challenged with 1% OVA (aerosol exposure) on days $14{\sim}21$. Group II was injected on day 1, 14 and aerosol-immunized on days $14{\sim}21$. Group III was injected on day 1, 14 and immunized by 1% OVA aerosol on days $18{\sim}21$. We assessed asthma induction by determining the total number of white blood cells (WBC) and eosinophils as well as by measuring cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In addition, we evaluated the histopathological changes of the lungs and determined the concentration of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum. Total WBC, eosinophils, Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13) and IgE were significantly increased in group I relative to the other groups. Moreover, histopathological studies show that group I mice show an increase in the infiltration of inflammatory cell-in peribronchial and perivascular areas as well as an overall increase in the number of mucus-containing goblet cells relative to other groups. These data suggest that group I can be a useful model for the study of human asthma pathobiology and the evaluation of existing and novel therapeutic agents.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.730-741
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• 2008

Objective : To examine the efficacy of CY, the improvement of atopy dermatitis(AD)-like lesions on the rostral back of the NC/Nga mice, which took CY orally and were treated with a chemical substance called DNFB, the inhibition of ear swelling, and the inhibition of inflammatory response of the ear tissue of the mice were observed and compared, and the inhibition of the serum IgE count and the IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ count produced by CD4+ T cells of the lymph node were observed and compared. Materials and Methods : For measurement of ear thicknesses, 0.15% DNFB $25{\mu}l$ mixed with acetone/olive oil(3:1) was applied to the right ear and dorsal skin of the NC/Nga mice 5 times at an interval of 7 days. Ear thickness was measured every day over a five-week period after the first application of DNFB. The total serum IgE count was measured with ELISA by taking blood samples 24 hours after the fifth application of DNFB. To measure the IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ count, the lymph node was cut off, and the CD4+ T cells were purified and stimulated to activate the T cells, and then the IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ count was measured with ELISA. Results : Continuous oral administration of CY improved the AD-like skin lesions on the rostral back and inhibited the ear swelling in NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB and inhibited the inflammatory response in the NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB NC/Nga mice. Continuous oral administration of CY did not significantly inhibit the serum IgE count and failed to significantly reduce the IL-4 count generated after TCR stimulation in the CD4+ T cells of the NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB. Continuous oral administration of CY significantly reduced the IFN-${\gamma}$ count generated after TCR stimulation in the CD4+ T cells of the NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.696-706
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to characterize serum immunoglobulins and lymphocytes subpopulations in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Holstein calves in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge from Escherichia coli. Fourteen calves received subcutaneous injections of E. coli LPS at 10 weeks of age, and six calves were injected with saline as a control. The concentrations of total serum IgG and the relative amount of LPS-specific IgG in calves challenged with LPS were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to control animals and LPS challenge significantly increased (p<0.05) the percentage of $CD5^+$ and $CD21^+$ T cells in PBMCs. Meanwhile, LPS challenge significantly increased (p<0.05, p<0.01) the percentage of $CD8^+$ and $CD25^+$ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at 7 and 14 Day-post LPS challenge (DPLC), respectively. The composition of $CD4^+CD25^+$ T cells and $CD8^+CD25^+$ T cells from calves challenged with LPS was also higher (p<0.05 and p = 0.562, respectively) than those of control calves at 14 DPLC. In conclusion, LPS challenge not only induces production of IgG with expression of B-cell immune response related cell surface molecules, but also stimulates activation of T-lymphocytes in PBMC. Our results suggest that LPS challenge in calves is a good model to elucidate cellular immune response against Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.84-95
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• 2014

Objective : Ephedra sinica (ES) has has been used as remedy of allergic diseases for a long time in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-allergic effects of ES on experimental allergic asthma mouse model using ovalbumin (OVA). Methods : BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with 100 ug of OVA and 1 mg of aluminum potassium sulfate of 0.2 ml phosphate-buffered saline(PBS) intraperitoneally on day 1 and 15. mice were challenged on 3 consecutive days with 5% OVA and AHR was assessed 24 h after the last challenge. we examined the lung histology, airway hyper sensitivity, total inflammatory cell count in bronchoaveloar lavage fluid(BALF), Th2-associated cytokines production and IgE production. Results : ES potently inhibited the lung damage and the development of Penh. ES also reduced the number of BAL cells during OVA-induced allergic asthma. Furthermore, ES inhibited cytokines production such as IL-4, IL-13 productions, and IgE level of serum. Conclusion : These results suggest that ES may inhibit the production of IL-4, IL-13, IgE and infiltration of inflammatory cell and be beneficial oriental medicine for allergic asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.592-597
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• 2010

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency disease which is characterized by high serum IgE levels, eczema, and recurrent infections. Herein we present the case of a patient with HIES associated with STAT3 gene ($stat3$) mutation. A 16 year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to hemoptysis caused by pneumonia with bronchiectasis. She had a history of recurrent skin and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$) and $Pseudomonas$ $aeruginosa$. On physical examination, a broad round shaped nose, oral thrush, and chronic eczematous skin rash over her whole body were found. Laboratory data showed an elevated eosinophil count ($750/{\mu}L$) and total IgE level (5,001 U/mL). The patient's National Institutes of Health (NIH) score for HIES was 44. Direct sequencing of the STAT3 gene revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a missense mutation in the DNA binding domain of the STAT3 protein (c.1144C>T, p. Arg382Trp). HIES should be suspected in patients with recurrent infections and can be confirmed by clinical scoring and genetic analysis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.299-304
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• 2009

Interleukin 27 (IL-27) was discovered as a heterodimeric cytokine of the IL-12 family, and is composed of two subunits - Epstein-Barr virus induced gene 3 (EBI3) and p28. It acts as a versatile cytokine in the early regulation of Th1 initiation and in the negative regulation of the Th2 factor GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3). This cytokine is mediated by the IL-27 receptor (WSX-1), which is highly expressed on $CD4^+$ T lymphocytes and NK cells. We previously identified four polymorphisms in the human IL-27p28 gene and suggested that the polymorphism of IL-27p28 is associated with susceptibility to asthma. To determine whether these IL-27p28 SNPs are associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis, the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27p28 SNPs were analyzed between allergic rhinitis patients and healthy controls. Although the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27p28 SNPs in allergic rhinitis patients were not significantly different from those of the control group, there was a suggestive difference (P=0.037) between these groups in total serum IgE levels in the g.2905T>G SNP of the IL-27p28 gene. Our result implies that the g.2905T>G SNP of the IL-27p28 gene might have an affect on IgE production in allergic rhinitis patients.