• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-16
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Kamibojoongikkitang (KBT) on the immune cells in C57BL/6 mice. Methods : KBT (500mg/kg) was administerd p.o. once a day for 7 days. Results : KBT decreased the cell viability of thymocytes in vivo and in vitro system and decreased the cell viability of splenocytes in vivo, but increased the viability of splenocytes in vitro system. In addition, KBT did not affect the population of helper T (Th) cells and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells in thymocytes and decreased the population of T- and B-lymphocytes and the population of Th and Tc cells in splenocytes. Furthermore, KBT did not affect the production of ${\gamma}%-interferon and interleukin-4 in splenocytes. KBT increased the production of nitric oxide in vivo but decreased the production of nitric oxide in vitro system. KBT enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in vivo, but decreased the phagocytic activity in vitro. Conclusion : KBT has an inhibitory action on the specific immune response via decrease of the cell viability of thymocytes and splenocytes and has a potent action on the non-specific immunity via increase of phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4515-4520
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• 2015

GELOX (gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and L-asparaginase) regimen showed an impressive result in our previous study, but the effect of this new regimen is still dissatisfying for some patients, so it is necessary to identify which patients will benefit from this regimen. A total of fifty-one cases with nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma receiving initial GELOX chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. The ki-67 expression detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the specimens ranged from 10% to 90%, with a median value of 70%, so cases higher than the median value (${\geq}70%$) were defined as high ki-67 expression, and the others were designated as low ki-67 expression. The response rate had no statistical difference between low ki-67 expression group and high ki-67 expression group (P=0.291) though the value in the former group was relatively high. After a median follow-up of 18.03 months, the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with low ki-67 expression was significantly higher than those with high ki-67 expression (83.8% vs. 47.9%, P=0.038). In the stage I/II subgroup, 3-year PFS and overall survival (OS) were statistically higher in the patients with low ki-67 expression than those with high ki-67 expression. Multivariate analysis revealed high ki-67 expression was an independent prognostic factor for PFS. These results suggest that low ki-67 expression can predict a good response of GELOX in these patients, and the combination of ki-67 expression and early stage is helpful to identify an excellent prognosis subgroup from patients receiving GELOX in this disease.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Curcumin, a major component of the Curcuma species, contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although it was found to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, the functional role of curcumin as well as its molecular mechanism in anti-inflammatory response, particularly in intestinal cells, has been less investigated. The intestine epithelial barrier is the first barrier and the most important location for the substrate coming from the lumen of the gut. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We administered curcumin treatment in the human intestinal epithelial cell lines, T84 and Caco-2. We examined endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response by thapsigargin, qPCR of XBP1 and BiP, electrophysiology by wild-type cholera toxin in the cells. RESULTS: In this study, we showed that curcumin treatment reduces ER stress and thereby decreases inflammatory response in human intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, curcumin confers protection without damaging the membrane tight junction or actin skeleton change in intestine epithelial cells. Therefore, curcumin treatment protects the gut from bacterial invasion via reduction of ER stress and anti-inflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data demonstrate the important role of curcumin in protecting the intestine by modulating ER stress and inflammatory response post intoxication.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2000

Despite extensive investigation, the mechanisms of immune responses to Candida albicans infection remain poorly understood. Using RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis, this study demonstrates the pattern of IL-6 mRNA expression in thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages and NIH3T3 fibroblasts (NIH3T3) in response to C. albicans. The expression of IL-6 mRNA was detectable in both cell types. However, IL-10 mRNA was only expressed in the macrophages, and IL-4 mRNA was not expressed in neither of the two cell types. Although the phagocytic function of the macrophages was inhibited by Cytochalasin D, these macrophages could still induce the expression of IL-6mRNA. These findings indicated that the phagocytosis of C. albicans is not pivotal in the induction of IL-6 mRNA expression. A Northern blot analysis was used to investigate the dose effects of C. albicans and time-course kinetics of IL-6 mRNA expression at various time points. IL-6 mRNA was expressed in a dose-independent manner, and was detectable as early as 30min after C. albicans stimulation. It was evenly sustained up to 4h. These results can contribute to understanding the mechanism of IL-6 mRNA expression in macrophages and NIH3T3 cells in response to C, albicans.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1975

Despite a number of recent studies on appendix its function appears to remain unknown. The present studies were undertaken in order to extend and confirm the previous studies concerning the role of appendix in immune response. An early hemagglutinin response of mercaptoethanol sensitive antibody(IgM antibody) in rabbit injected intravenously(i.v.) with 200mcg of bovine gamma globulin(BGG) was abolished by lethal whole body irradiation(900 r), but preserved in animals whose appendix and bone marrow were shielded during irradiation. Late formation of mercaptoethanol resistant antibody(IgG antibody) and the development of memory in bone marrow shielded animals were not affected by irradiation of the appendix. Formation of either IgM or IgG antibody to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) injected i.v. as determined by direct plaque forming cell(DPFC) technique in spleen were effectively abolished by appendectomy, thymectomy, or both followed by irradiation. When bone marrow was shielded in combination with autologous appendix reconstitution, DPFC response was about 5 times greater than the sum of two. Lysed appendix cells failed to restore the response. Lethally irradiated rabbits restored with combination of autologous appendix and thymus cells showed DPFC responses which were essentially normal. Three pools of appendix were obtained by manual separation technique and were stimulated with soluble concanavalin A(Con A), phytohemagglutinin-P(PHA) and pokeweed mitogen(PWM). Rabbit appendix cells responded to Con A, PHA and PWM. Cells of thymus dependent area(TDA) of the appendix were relatively enriched in their response to T cell mitogens compared to dome and follicle cells. The PHA/Con A responsive ratio of appenix TDA subpopulation was high, indicating that Con A responsive cells have a wider distribution among appendix. This finding showed that interfollicular area of the appendix is thymus-dependent. The present studies confirmed other evidence that the rabbit appendix cells itself are unable to form antibody and T lymphocytes in appendix TDA may be heterogenous, and that the appendix cells are synergistic with either bone marrow or thymus cells in the early hemagglutinin on splenic antibody response to BGG or SRBC.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

Follicular helper T ($T_{FH}$) cells are recently highlighted as their crucial role for humoral immunity to infection as well as their abnormal control to induce autoimmune disease. During an infection, na$\ddot{i}$ve T cells are differentiating into $T_{FH}$ cells which mediate memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells in germinal center (GC). $T_{FH}$ cells are characterized by their expression of master regulator, Bcl-6, and chemokine receptor, CXCR5, which are essential for the migration of T cells into the B cell follicle. Within the follicle, crosstalk occurs between B cells and $T_{FH}$ cells, leading to class switch recombination and affinity maturation. Various signaling molecules, including cytokines, surface molecules, and transcription factors are involved in $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. IL-6 and IL-21 cytokine-mediated STAT signaling pathways, including STAT1 and STAT3, are crucial for inducing Bcl-6 expression and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. $T_{FH}$ cells express important surface molecules such as ICOS, PD-1, IL-21, BTLA, SAP and CD40L for mediating the interaction between T and B cells. Recently, two types of microRNA (miRNA) were found to be involved in the regulation of $T_{FH}$ cells. The miR-17-92 cluster induces Bcl-6 and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, whereas miR-10a negatively regulates Bcl-6 expression in T cells. In addition, follicular regulatory T ($T_{FR}$) cells are studied as thymus-derived $CXCR5^+PD-1^+Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells that play a significant role in limiting the GC response. Regulation of $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation and the GC reaction via miRNA and $T_{FR}$ cells could be important regulatory mechanisms for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we review recent studies on the various factors that affect $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, and the role of $T_{FH}$ cells in autoimmune diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 2018

Background: The pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes inflammation, oxidative stress, an imbalance of proteases and antiproteases and apoptosis which has been focused on lately. Abnormal apoptotic events have been demonstrated in both epithelial and endothelial cells, as well as in inflammatory cells including neutrophils and lymphocytes in the lungs of COPD patients. An increased propensity of activated T lymphocytes to undergo apoptosis has been observed in the peripheral blood of COPD patients. Therefore, the apoptosis of T lymphocytes without activating them was investigated in this study. Methods: Twelve control subjects, 21 stable COPD patients and 15 exacerbated COPD patients were recruited in the study. The T lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood using magnetically activated cell sorting. Apoptosis of the T lymphocytes was assessed with flow cytometry using Annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin D. Apoptosis of T lymphocytes at 24 hours after the cell culture was measured so that the T lymphocyte apoptosis among the control and the COPD patients could be compared. Results: Stable COPD patients had increased rates of $CD4^+$ T lymphocyte apoptosis at 24 hours after the cell culture, more than the $CD4^+$ T lymphocyte apoptosis which appeared in the control group, while the COPD patients with acute exacerbation had an amplified response of $CD4^+$ T lymphocyte apoptosis as well as of $CD8^+$ T lymphocyte apoptosis at 24 hours after the cell culture. Conclusion: Stable COPD patients have more apoptosis of $CD4^+$ T lymphocytes, which can be associated with the pathophysiology of COPD in stable conditions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2009

Protein kinase D2 (PKD2) is a member of the PKD serine/threonine protein kinase family that has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, survival, protein trafficking and immune response. In the present study, we report a novel interaction between PKD2 and Lck, a member of the Src tyrosine protein kinase family that is predominantly expressed in T cells. This interaction involved the C-terminal kinase domains of both PKD2 and Lck. Moreover, co-expression of Lck enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation of PKD2 and increased its kinase activity. Finally, we report that PKD2 enhanced T cell receptor (TCR)-induced nuclear factor of T cell (NFAT) activity in Jurkat T cells. These results suggested that Lck regulated the activity of PKD2 by tyrosine phosphorylation, which in turn may have modulated the physiological functions of PKD2 during TCR-induced T cell activation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.827-836
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• 2002

The present study was performed to evaluate how cellular and humoral immune responses were perturbed by immunization of mixed periodontal bacterial biofilms. Each group of mice was immunizared with 1) Poqhyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivaliis) grown as a planktonic culture, 2) Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), 3) P. gingivalis grown as a biofilm, or 4) mixed P. gingivalis plus F. nucleatum grown as a biofilm culture, respectively. Immune mouse sera were collected from each mouse. Spleens were harvested to isolate T cells and consequently stimulated with antigen presenting cells and P. gingivalis whole cell antigen to establish P. gingivalis-specific T cell lines. There were no significant differences in the mean anti- gingivalis IgG antibody titers among mouse groups. Immunization of mice with pure P. gingivalis biofilm or mixed P gingivalis plus F. nucleatum biofilm resulted in significant reduction o f antibody avidity and opsonophagocytois function. INF-$\gamma$production by P. gingivalis-specific T cell lines was also substantially recluced in mouse groups immunized with the biofilm. It was concluded that P. gingivalis biofilm perturbs the cellular and humoral immune responses in periodontal disease.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2013

CTLA-4Ig is regarded as an inhibitory agent of the T cell proliferation via blocking the costimulatory signal which is essential for full T cell activation. To improve applicability, we developed the CTLA-4Ig-CTKC in which the c-terminal lysine had been replaced by cysteine through single amino acid change. The single amino acid mutation of c-terminus of CTLA-4Ig was performed by PCR and was checked by in vitro transcription and translation. DNA construct of mutant form was transfected to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by electroporation. The purified proteins were confirmed by Western blot and B7-1 binding assay for their binding ability. The suppressive capacity of CTLA-4Ig-CTKC was evaluated by the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and in the allogeneic pancreatic islet transplantation model. CTLA-4Ig-CTKC maintained binding ability to B7-1 molecule and effectively inhibits T cell proliferation in MLR. In the murine allogeneic pancreatic islet transplantation, short-term treatment of CTLA-4Ig-CTKC prolonged the graft survival over 100 days. CTLA-4Ig-CTKC effectively inhibits immune response both in MLR and in allogeneic islet transplantation model, indicating that single amino acid mutation does not affect the inhibitory function of CTLA-4Ig. CTLA-4Ig-CTKC can be used in vehicle-mediated drug delivery system such as liposome conjugation.