• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.33.1-33.19
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• 2021

IL-1β plays critical roles in the priming and effector phases of immune responses such as the differentiation, commitment, and memory formation of T cells. In this context, several reports have suggested that the IL-1β signal is crucial for CTL-mediated immune responses to viral infections and tumors. However, little is known regarding whether IL-1β acts directly on CD8⁺ T cells and what the molecular mechanisms underlying expression of IL-1 receptors (IL-1Rs) on CD8⁺ T cells and features of IL-1R⁺ CD8⁺ T cells are. Here, we provide evidence that the expression of IL-1R type I (IL-1RI), the functional receptor of IL-1β, is preferentially induced by IL-21 on TCR-stimulated CD8⁺ T cells. Further, IL-1β enhances the effector function of CD8⁺ T cells expressing IL-21-induced IL-1RI by increasing cytokine production and release of cytotoxic granules containing granzyme B. The IL-21-IL-1RI-IL-1β axis is involved in an augmented effector function through regulation of transcription factors BATF, Blimp-1, and IRF4. Moreover, this axis confers a unique effector function to CD8⁺ T cells compared to conventional type 1 cytotoxic T cells differentiated with IL-12. Chemical inhibitor and immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that IL-21 induces a unique pattern of STAT activation with the formation of both STAT1:STAT3 and STAT3:STAT5 heterodimers, which are critical for the induction of IL-1RI on TCR-stimulated CD8⁺ T cells. Taken together, we propose that induction of a novel subset of IL-1RI-expressing CD8⁺ T cells by IL-21 may be beneficial to the protective immune response against viral infections and is therefore important to consider for vaccine design.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.394-402
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• 2008

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease commonly characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells into skin lesions. Keratinocytes produce many chemokines that are involved in the pathogenesis of skin disorders. In particular, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and thymus and activationregulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) are Th2-type cytokines. Serum MDC and TARC levels are increased in AD patients. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of action of the active fraction from Prunus yedoensis bark. We evaluated their inhibitory effects on the AD-like inflammatory markers (MDC and TARC) and JAK-STAT pathway (STAT1) in HaCaT keratinocytes. The EtOAc fraction of the crude extract (80% EtOH) and the E5 sub-fraction potently inhibited the induction of MDC and TARC mRNA and protein at 50 ${\mu}g$/mL in HaCaT cells. In addition, the E5 sub-fraction inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1 protein associated with IFN-$\gamma$ signaling transduction in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, P. yedoensis may have antiatopic activity by suppressing the inflammatory chemokines (MDC and TARC).

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.269-273
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• 2012

A confirmatory serological test, the standard tube agglutination test (STAT) is evaluated for the diagnostic efficiency in brucellosis Korea. A total of 345 bovine samples were collected from regional veterinary branch under national brucellosis monitoring program from January 2010 to June 2012 in Korea. These samples were diagnosed as suspected serum and brucellosis positive by the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and the STAT, respectively. The STAT was compared and evaluated with three serological test such as the indirect-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA), competitive-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA) and fluorescence polarisation assay (FPA) prescribed for international trade by OIE. Among the 345 bovine serum samples, 302 (87.5%) were diagnosed as positive in the STAT, while 215 (62.3%), 223 (64.6%) and 194 (56.2%) serum samples were diagnosed as positive for brucellosis in the I-ELISA, C-ELISA and FPA, respectively. The STAT showed quite high positive results as compared with three prescribed tests of OIE. FPA, I-ELISA and C-ELISA have shown 60.6%, 64.9% and 67.2% correlation, respectively as compared to the STAT. However correlations of three prescribed tests ranged high 84.1~97.7%. Especially, correlation between I-ELISA and C-ELISA is quite high, 97.7%. These results suggest that the STAT has shown many false-positive reactions. Therefore, additional serological test, such as ELISAs and FPA, would be necessary to adopt as a confirmatory test in the national surveillance program of bovine brucellosis in Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Objectives : We investigated the synergistic effects of bee venom (BV) and natural killer (NK) cells on B16F10 melanoma cell apoptosis mediated by IL-4. Methods : We performed a cell viability assay to determine whether BV can enhance the inhibitory effect of NK-92MI cells on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells, and western blot analysis to detect changes in the expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and other apoptosis-related proteins. EMSA was performed to observe the activity of STAT6. To confirm that the inhibitory effect of BV and NK cells was mediated by IL-4, the above tests were repeated after IL-4 silencing by siRNA (50 nM). Results : B16F10 melanoma cells co-cultured with NK-92MI cells and simultaneously treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) showed a higher degree of proliferation inhibition than when treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) alone or co-cultured with NK-92MI cells alone. Expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and that of other pro-apoptotic proteins was also enhanced after co-culture with NK-92MI cells and simultaneous treatment with BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$). Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased, and the activity of STAT6, as well as the expression of STAT6 and p-STAT6 were enhanced. IL-4 silencing siRNA (50 nM) in B16F10 cells, the effects of BV treatment and NK-92MI co-culture were reversed. Conclusion : These results suggest that BV could be an effective alternative therapy for malignant melanoma by enhancing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of NK cells through an IL-4-mediated pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.238-244
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• 2015

Macrophage-derived chemokine, C-C motif chemokine 22 (MDC/CCL22), is one of the inflammatory chemokines that controls the movement of monocytes, monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. Serum and skin MDC/CCL22 levels are elevated in atopic dermatitis, which suggests that the chemokines produced from keratinocytes are responsible for attracting inflammatory lymphocytes to the skin. A major signaling pathway in the interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$)-stimulated inflammation response involves the signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1). In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of dieckol and its possible action mechanisms in the category of skin inflammation including atopic dermatitis. Dieckol inhibited MDC/CCL22 production induced by IFN-${\gamma}$ (10 ng/mL) in a dose dependent manner. Dieckol (5 and $10{\mu}M$) suppressed the phosphorylation and the nuclear translocation of STAT1. These results suggest that dieckol exhibits anti-inflammatory effect via the down-regulation of STAT1 activation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.464-473
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• 2018

Cripto is a small glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored signaling protein that can detach from the anchored membrane and stimulate proliferation, migration, differentiation, vascularization, and angiogenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that Cripto positively affected proliferation and survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) without affecting multipotency. Cripto also increased expression of phosphorylated janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), c-Myc, and cyclin D1. Notably, treatment with an anti-GRP78 antibody blocked these effects. In addition, pretreatment with STAT3 short interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited the increase in p-JAK2, c-Myc, cyclin D1, and BCL3 levels caused by Cripto and attenuated the pro-survival action of Cripto on MSCs. We also found that incubation with Cripto protected MSCs from apoptosis caused by hypoxia or $H_2O_2$ exposure, and the level of caspase-3 decreased by the Cripto-induced expression of B-cell lymphoma 3-encoded protein (BCL3). These effects were sensitive to down-regulation of BCL3 expression by BCL3 siRNA. Finally, we showed that Cripto enhanced expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In summary, our results demonstrated that Cripto activated a novel biochemical cascade that potentiated MSC proliferation and survival. This cascade relied on phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 and was regulated by GRP78. Our findings may facilitate clinical applications of MSCs, as these cells may benefit from positive effects of Cripto on their survival and biological properties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.350-356
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• 2017

We previously reported that the CopA3 peptide (LLCIALRKK, ${\small{D}}-form$) originally isolated from the Korean dung beetle has antimicrobial and immunosuppressive effects. However, the high cost of producing the synthetic peptide, especially the ${\small{D}}-form$, has limited the development of CopA3 for therapeutic purposes. Here, we investigated whether the CopA3 deletion derivative, CopA5, which is composed of only five amino acids (LLCIA) and has the ${\small{L}}-form$ structure, could inhibit the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of macrophages. Peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) were isolated from mice and exposed to LPS in the presence or absence of CopA5, and biomarkers of macrophage activation were measured. Our results revealed that LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ secretion, and phagocytic activity of PEM were significantly inhibited by CopA5 treatment. Similar to CopA3, the structurally modified CopA5 peptide had no cell toxicity (as assessed by measurement of cell viability loss and apoptosis) in PEM. Moreover, the LPS-induced upregulation of the activating phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) was markedly inhibited by CopA5 treatment. These results suggest that, similar to CopA3, CopA5 inhibits macrophage activation by inhibiting STAT1 phosphorylation and blocking the release of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$. CopA5 may therefore prove therapeutically useful in the realm of immune suppression.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.311-320
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• 1999

연구 배경 : 최근 전세계적으로 결핵이 증가하며 새로운 문제로 대두되고 있으며, 특히 결핵의 유병률이 높은 우리나라의 경우에는 민감도가 높으며 간편한 검사방법 이 필요하다. M. tuberculosis 항원을 사용한 rapid membrane based assay 검사 방법으로 최근에 폐결핵 환자의 결핵항원 특이 항체를 검출한다고 알려진 상용화된 2 가지 kit를 이용하여 폐결핵의 혈청학적 진단 가능성을 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 1998년 3월부터 9월까지 충남대학교 병원에서 입원 치료를 받은 호흡기 환자 총 45예를 대상으로 하였다. 객담 도말 양성의 활동성 폐결핵 22예와 비활동성 폐결핵 14예 그리고 대조군으로 비결핵성 호흡기 질환 9예를 대상으로 하여 STAT-PAK ULTRA FAST$^{(R)}$ 및 ICT tuberculosis$^{(R)}$ 검사를 실시하여 결핵 혈청 검사의 유용성을 알아보고 자하였다. 결과: STAT-PAK ULTRA FAST$^{(R)}$의 경우에는 폐결핵과 비활동성 폐결핵의 비교에서 민감도는 77.3%, 28.6%, 양성 63.0%, 음성 예측도는 44.4%, 위양성률은 71.4%, 위음성률은 22.7% 이었고, 활동성 폐결핵과 비결핵성 호흡기 질환의 비교에서는 민감도는 77.3%, 특이도는 33.3%, 양성 예측도는 73.9%, 음성 에측도는 37.5%, 위양성률은 66.7%, 위음성률은 22.7% 이었다. ICT tuberculosis$^{(R)}$의 경우에는 활동성 폐결핵과 비활동성 폐결핵의 비교에서는 민감도는 54.5%. 특이도는 57%, 양성 예측도는 66.7%, 음성 예측도는 44.4%, 위양성률은 42.9%, 위음성률은 45.4 %이었고, 활동성 폐결핵과 비결핵성 호흡기 질환에서는 민감도는 54.5%, 특이도는 100%, 양성 예측도는 100%, 음성 예측도는 47.4%. 위양성률은 0%, 위음성률은 45.4%이었다. 폐결핵의 중증정도(extent) 와 양성율은 상기 2가지 kit에서 큰 차이가 없었다. 결론: 따라서 상기 2가지의 kit는 항체 반응이 다양하여 임상적으로 폐결핵의 진단에 이용하는 것에는 문제가 있다고 생각되며, 일단 양성반응을 보인 환자의 경우, 항결핵제 투여에 따른 추적 검사에서 항체가의 변화가 있는지에 대한 연구가 필요하리라 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.592-597
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• 2010

고 IgE 증후군은 만성 습진성 피부병변, 반복적인 호흡기 감염과 고 IgE 혈증이 특징인 드문 면역결핍질환이다. 환아는 객혈을 주소로 내원한 16세 여아로, 과거력상 신생아시기서부터 시작된 반복적인 피부발진, 잦은 상기도 감염 및 폐렴으로 외부병원에서 지속적인 치료를 받은 바 있었다. 가족력 상에는 특별한 이상이 없었다. 신체검진상 전신의 만성 습진성 피부병변, 크고 뭉특한 코, 아구창 등을 관찰할 수 있었고, 청진상의 양폐야의 부잡음 및 우측 하엽의 호흡음이 감소되었다. 전신 흉부방사선 촬영상 양측 폐야의 기관지확장성 변화를 동반한 우하엽의 흉수 및 경화가 관찰되었으며, 말초혈액검사상 호산구수치($750/{\mu}L$) 및 면역글로불린 E 수치(5,001 U/mL)가 증가되었다. 환아는 임상적으로 고 IgE 증후군이 의심되었으며, 유전자 검사를 통해 확진하였다(Arg382Trp). 최근의 연구에 따르면, 고 IgE 증후군의 주된 원인으로 STAT3 유전자의 이상이 알려져 있으며, 이를 유발하는 여러 돌연변이가 보고되어 있다. 저자들은 STAT3 유전자의 돌연변이 중 잘 알려진 Arg382Trp 돌연변이를 우리나라에서 최초로 유전자 검사를 통해 본 환아에게서 확진하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다. 고 IgE 증후군은 만성 습진성 피부병변, 반복적인 호흡기 감염 등 특징적인 병력이 있는 환자에서 고 IgE 혈증이 동반될 때 임상적으로 의심할 수 있으며, 유전학 검사로 확진이 가능하다.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Objectives: Artemisinin and its derivatives extracted from Artemisia annua, a Chinese herbal medicine, have variable biological effects due to structural differences. Up to date, the anti-obesity effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects of DHA on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methods: Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay were used to measure lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) content in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Cell count analysis was used to determine the cytotoxicity of 3T3-L1 cells. Western blot and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to analyze the expression of protein and mRNA in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Results: DHA at 5 μM markedly inhibited lipid accumulation and reduced TG content in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells with no cytotoxicity. Furthermore, DHA at 5 μM inhibited the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and perilipin A as well as the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, while DHA at 5 μM had no effect on the mRNA expression of adiponectin, it strongly suppressed that of leptin in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. However, DHA at 5 μM had no lipolytic effect on differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, as assessed by no enhancement of glycerol release. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that DHA at 5 μM has a strong anti-adipogenic effect on differentiating 3T3-L1 cells through the reduced expression and phosphorylation of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, FAS, perilipin A, and STAT-3.