• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2011

Objectives : Ulmus davidiana (UD) has been widely used in Korean herbal medicines used for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rhinitis, asthma, and abscess. In this study, To investigated the protective effect of UD on type 1 allergic response, we determined whether UD inhibits early and late allergic response. Methods : The effect of UD was analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 cells. Levels of ${\beta}$ -hexosaminidase, interleukin (IL)-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). mRNA levels of COX-2 and T-helper type 2(Th2) cytokines were analyzed with RT-PCR. Results : We found that UD suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 not only by the PMA plus A23187 stimulation, but also by the IgE-DNP-HSA stimulation at the antigen-antibody binding stage and antibody-receptor binding stage. UD also significantly inhibited COX2 level, along with reduced Th2 cytokine levels, such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3. Conclusions : Our results indicate that UD protects against type 1 allergic response and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and expression of COX2 and Th2 cytokines.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2016

We investigated 23 lactic acid bacteria isolated from Korean breast milk-fed infant in order to select strains which show superior anti-allergic effect. The candidates were cultivated and then we obtained dried powders of tyndallized cells and supernatant concentrate separately. Screening was carried out with down-regulation of interleukin (IL) 4 and up-regulation of IFN-${\gamma}$ in mouse splenocytes. As a result of the screening, we selected Lactobacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 (RH3201) for oral feeding to ovalbumin-sensitized BALB/c mice. Oral administration of RH3201 as dead cell bodies and supernatant concentrate suppressed hyper-production of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels compared to vehicle group. Such anti-allergic effects were achieved by improvement of the balance between cytokines produced from type-1 helper T (Th1) and type-2 helper T (Th2) lymphocytes. Therefore, RH3201 has potential to improve atopic symptoms by immunomodulatory effect.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2018

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin-7-like cytokine that is an important trigger and initiator of many allergic diseases. TSLP promotes a T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine response that can be pathological. A relationship is formed both at the induction phase of the Th2 response through polarization of dendritic cells to drive Th2 cell differentiation and at the effector phase of the response, by promoting the expansion of activated T cells and their secretion of Th2 cytokines and TSLP. In transgenic mice with TSLP overexpression, it has been reported that TSLP leads to the development of mixed cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. In addition, TSLP can play an important role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy and systemic lupus erythematosus-related nephritis. From our knowledge of the role of TSLP in the kidney, further studies including the discovery of new therapies need to be considered based on the relationship between TSLP and glomerulonephritis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Type I diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by the T cell-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing ${\beta}$ cells in the pancreatic islets. The onset of T1D is the consequence of a progressive destruction of islet ${\beta}$ cells mediated by an imbalance between effector $CD4^+$ T helper (Th)1 and regulatory $CD4^+$ Th2 cell function. Since interferon-alpha (IFN-${\alpha}$) has been known to modulate immune function and autoimmunity, we investigated whether administration of adenoviralmediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene would inhibit the diabetic process in NOD mice. The development of diabetes was significantly inhibited by a single injection of adenoviral-mediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene before 8 weeks of age. Next, we examined the hypothesis that Th2-type cytokines are associated with host protection against autoimmune diabetes, whereas Th1-type cytokines are associated with pathogenesis of T1D. The expression of IFN-${\alpha}$ induced increase of serum IL-4 and IL-6 (Th2 cytokines) levels and decrease of serum IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$ (Th1 cytokines) levels. Therefore, overexpression of IFN-${\alpha}$ by adenoviralmediated delivery provides modulation of pathogenic progression and protection of NOD mice from T1D.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2002

A helper T(Th)1-mediated response is known to enhance cell -mediated immunity, while a Th2-mediated response is associated with the humoral immunity that if elevated IgE levels and eosinophilia. Prostaglandin (PG)E$_2$results in the decreased capability of Iymphocytes to produce Thl cytokines, with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been reported to impair the blastogenesis and response of T Iymphocytes. CPF also induces delayed febrile effects, which results from the activation of COX -PGE$_2$pathway. The purpose of this study is to determine the effort of CPF on the in vitro production of Th cytokines and the role of PGE$_2$on the CPF-induced production of Th cytokines. Splenocytes obtained from male BALB/c mice were pretreated with CPF(0.1, 1, 10 and 100$\mu$M) in the presence of absence of indomethacin or PGE$_2$for 12 h and then were incubated with concanavalin (Con) A for 48 h. These results showed that CPF remarkedly reduced the production of splenic interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ in a dose-dependent manner. CPF significantly increased the splenic IL-4 production at low doses (0.1 and 1$\mu$M) but did not affect at high doses (10 and 100 $\mu$M). Indomethacin reduced the CPF-decreased production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in a dose -dependent manner and significantly attenuated the production of IL-4 increased by CPF 0.1 $\mu$M. High dose of CPF significantly reduced the PGE$_2$-decreased production of IL-2 and IFN-γ, while the PGE$_2$- induced production of IL-4 was significantly enhanced by CPF 1 $\mu$M. These findings suggest that CPF nay down-regulate the immune response of Th 1 type by the suppressed production of IL-2 and IFN-γ, with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response. The CPF-decreased production of Thl cytokines may not be mediated by endogenous PGE$_2$. Also, CPF may attenuate the exogenous PGE$_2$-decreased Th 1 immune response in a dose--dependent manner but may affect dose-independently the PGE$_2$-induced Th2 immune response.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.921-930
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• 2010

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common rheumatic childhood disease; its onset is before 16 years of age and it persists for at least 6 weeks. JRA encompasses a heterogeneous group of diseases that is classified according to 3 major presentations: oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, and systemic onset diseases. These presentations may originate from the same or different causes that involve interaction with specific immunogenetic predispositions, and result in heterogeneous clinical manifestations. An arthritic joint exhibits cardinal signs of joint inflammation, such as swelling, pain, heat, and loss of function; any joint can be arthritic, but large joints are more frequently affected. Extra-articular manifestations include high fever, skin rash, serositis, and uveitis. The first 2 types of JRA are regarded as T helper 1 (Th1) cell-mediated inflammatory disorders, mainly based on the abundance of activated Th1 cells in the inflamed synovium and the pathogenetic role of proinflammatory cytokines that are mainly produced by Th1 cell-stimulated monocytes. In contrast, the pathogenesis of systemic onset disease differs from that of other types of JRA in several respects, including the lack of association with human leukocyte antigen type and the absence of autoantibodies or autoreactive T cells. Although the precise mechanism that leads to JRA remains unclear, proinflammatory cytokines are thought to be responsible for at least part of the clinical symptoms in all JRA types. The effectiveness of biologic therapy in blocking the action of these cytokines in JRA patients provides strong evidence that they play a fundamental role in JRA inflammation.

• 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.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate whether the antidiabetic drugs dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors such as evogliptin and sitagliptin affect the membrane DPP4 (mDPP4) enzymatic activity and immune function of T helper1 (Th1) cells in terms of cytokine expression and cell profiles. The mDPP4 enzymatic activity, cytokine expression, and cell profiles, including cell counts, cell viability, DNA synthesis, and apoptosis, were measured in pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-activated CD4+CD26+ H9 Th1 cells with or without the DPP4 inhibitors, evogliptin and sitagliptin. PWM treatment alone strongly stimulated the expression of mDPP4 and cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, IL-13, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in the CD4+CD26+ H9 Th1 cells. Evogliptin or sitagliptin treatment potently inhibited mDPP4 activity in a dose-dependent manner but did not affect either the cytokine profile or cell viability in PWM-activated CD4+CD26+ H9 Th1 cells. These results suggest that, following immune stimulation, Th1 cell signaling pathways for cytokine expression function normally after treatment with evogliptin or sitagliptin, which efficiently inhibit mDPP4 enzymatic activity in Th1 cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2011

In order to get a better understanding of the role of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in type 2 helper T (Th2) cell responses against Trichinella spiralis infection, we analyzed Th2 responses in T. spiralis-infected PAR2 knockout (KO) mice. The levels of the Th2 cell-secreted cytokines, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were markedly reduced in the PAR2 KO mice as compared to the wild type mice following infection with T. spiralis. The serum levels of parasite-specific IgE increased significantly in the wild type mice as the result of T. spiralis infection, but this level was not significantly increased in PAR2 KO mice. The expression level of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-25, and eotaxin gene (the genes were recently known as Th2 response initiators) of mouse intestinal epithelial cells were increased as the result of treatment with T. spiralis excretory-secretory proteins. However, the expression of these chemokine genes was inhibited by protease inhibitor treatments. In conclusion, PAR2 might involve in Th2 responses against T. spiralis infection.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1316-1321
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• 2009

Multiple beneficial properties of Opuntia ficus indica (OPF) are well established. In the present study, we have investigated the immunological role of OPF extract (OPFE) on murine splenocytes. OPFE dose- and time-dependently enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes without cytotoxicity. Our results also showed that the number of $CD4^+$ helper T cells and CD45R/$B220^+$ pan B cells increased markedly, but not $CD8^+$ cytotoxic T cells or $CD11b^+$ granulocytes/macrophages. In addition, OPFE significantly decreased the production levels of T helper (Th) 1 type cytokines, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, although had no significantly differences in those of interleukin (IL)-4, a Th2 type cytokine in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated blastogenic cells. Furthermore, OPFE alone strongly increased IL-4 production and decreased TNF-$\alpha$ production even in the absence of Con A. On the basis of these results, this study suggests that OPFE enhances immunity by regulating the pro- and anti-inflammatory response, indicating that this extract exerts a marked immunomodulatory effect, confirming its usefulness as therapy for immune-related diseases.