• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.383-392
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• 2009

Xanthii fructus which is well known as "Chang-ihjah" in Korea is the dried fruit of Xanthium strumarium L. (or Xanthium sibiricum PATR. Ex WIDD., Asteraceae. XS). Water extract of this fruit has been used for treatment of various inflammatory diseases such as tympanitis, allergic rhinitis, or ozena as alternative therapy material usually by oral administration in far Eastern countries including Korea. In this study, the effect of XS extract (XS-E) or XS-30% acetone fraction layer (XS-30% AFL) on the differentiation of $CD4^+$ T cells isolated from NC/Nga mouse and the production of IL-17 was investigated. The experimental results showed that $100\;{\mu}g$/mL of XS-E could decrease the production of IL-17 by $CD4^+$ Th17 cells by 2 fold and only $20\;{\mu}g$/mL of XS-30% AFL could inhibit 3.5 fold. The amount of IL-17A and IL-22 mRNA determined by real-time PCR was decreased remarkably when XS-E or XS-30% AFL was treated on $CD4^+$ Th17 cells(p<0.01, p<0.001). The amount of IL-17A protein determined by ELISA was also decreased remarkably(p<0.05, p<0.001). To study the effect of XS-E or XS-30% AFL on the proliferation of Th17 cells, $CD4^+$ T cells of a NC/Nga mouse was firstly differentiated by rIL-6/TGF-$\beta$ and then stimulated by rIL-23. The control group of Th17 cells were doubled every each day, while those of XS-E or XS-30% AFL treated group were shown to be delayed remarkably by these extracts. In conclusion, XS can inhibit the differentiation of Th17 cells of NC/Nga mouse and the production of IL-17 successfully, which may be a beneficial result for the treatment of atopic skin dermatitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.353-366
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to use a mouse model to evaluate the effects of Gwaruhaengryeon-hwan (GHH) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and particulate matter induced lung injury. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in two ways (in vitro, in vivo). In vitro RAW 264.7 cells (mouse macrophage) were used and analyzed by flow cytometry, ELISA. In vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke solution (CSS), or coal, fly ash, diesel exhaust particle (CFD) challenged mice were used and its BALF was analyzed by ELISA, lung tissue by real-time PCR. Results: In vitro, GHH maintained an 80-100% rate of viability. So cytotoxicity was not shown. In the ELISA analysis with RAW 264.7 cells, GHH significantly decreased NO over $30{\mu}g/ml$. In the ELISA analysis, GHH significantly decreased $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 over $300{\mu}g/ml$. In the COPD model, the GHH 200 mg/kg dosage group, the application of GHH significantly decreased the increasing of neutrophils, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-17A, MIP2, CXCL-1 in BALF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA expression in lung tissue and histological lung injury. In the CFD induced lung injury model, the GHH 200 mg/kg dosage group, the application of GHH significantly decreased the increase of neutrophils, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-17A, MIP2, CXCL-1 in BALF, MUC5AC, $TGF-{\beta}$ mRNA expression in lung tissue and histological lung injury. Conclusion: This study suggests the usability of GHH for COPD patients by controlling lung tissue injury.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.765-785
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• 1999

Bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 (BMP-2/4) are members of Transforming Growth $Factor-{\beta}\;(TGF-{\beta})$ superfamily and they may differentiate the osteoprogenitor cell and induce formation of cartilage and bone in vivo. This study was performed to investigate the effects of bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 on the characteristics of rat periodontal ligament cells(RPDL) and rat calvaria cells(RCV). In the control group, the cells were cultured alone with Dulbeco's Modified Eagle's Medium contained with 20% fetal bovine serum, $100{\mu}/ml$ penicillin, $100{\mu}/ml$ streptomycin. In the experimental groups, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 (25ng, 100ng, 250ng/ml) were added into the above culture condition. And then each group was characterized by examing the cell proliferation at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7th day, the amount of total protein synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity at 2, 5, 7th day. And also, the calcified nodule was examed. The results were as follows ; 1 . Both RCV and RPDL cells in both control and experimental groups proliferated during the entire experimental period, but there is no stastically significant difference according to the BMP-2/4 concentration. 2 . Amount of total protein synthesis of both cells in both groups was steadily increased until 5th day, but all experimental groups were significantly different from the control group at 7th day. 3. Alkaline phosphatase activity of both cells in both groups was increased during the entire experiment period. In RCV cells, the experimental group treated with 100ng/ml and 250ng/ml BMP-2/4 were significantly different from the control group at 7th day. In RPDL cells, the experimental group treated with 100ng/ml and 250ng/ml BMP-2/4 were significantly different from the control group at 5th day, and all experimental groups were significantly different from the control group at 7th day. 4. In the both of the cultured Rat Periodontal ligament and calvaria cell treated with BMP-2/4 to compared with control group, it revealed more rapid cell polarization, cell aggregation and hyperchromatic stained on HE agent, and even though only 1 day treated with BMP-2/4 both RPDL and RCV showed more rapid cell reaction than control group. More sensivitve cell reaction of RCV were observed than RPDL in this experiment. From the above results, we could conclude that BMP-2/4 influenced the induction, proliferation and differentiation of bone forming cells

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.871-886
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• 2008

Objective : Gypsum fibrosum has been traditionally used in treatment of febrile diseases and recently been shown to have anti-inflammatory effect. Chronic renal failure has a serious clinical symptoms including proteinuria, azotemia, anemia, and hyperlipidemia and has characteristic histopathological changes, glomerular hypertrophy, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and crescentic sclerosis, We investigated the effects of gypsum fibrosum on renal functional and histopathological disorder in chronic renal failure rat model induced 5/6 nephrectomy. Methods : Using Sprague-Dawley rats, CRF was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. The rats were divided into 3 groups, normal, conrol, and gypsum administered orally with gypsum fibrosum 500mg/kg/day. Body weight, 24 hr proteinuria, hematologic analysis, and histological morphologic changes were followed up after 8 weeks. The glomerular macrophage/monocyte infiltration, $TGF-{\beta}_1$, type IV collagen, and angiotensin II type1 receptor($AT_1$) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Resuls : In the CRF control group, functional parameters and histopathologic changes clearly indicated the development of CRF. 24 hr proteinuria significantly increased in the CRF control group over the normal group, and serum creatinine level was lower in the gypsum group than in the control group, LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the gypsum group than in the control group. Morphological investigations showed a variety of characteristic features of CRF, glomerular hypertrophy, increasing cellular density of glomerulus, deposition of extra-cellular matrix, fibrotic change, and glomerular sclerosis in the control group, but in the gypsum group, these features diminished significantly. In observation of renal type IV collagen and $AT_1$ expression, positive area significantly increased in the control group over the normal group, and it significantly decreased in the gypsum group compared to the control group. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that gypsum fibrosum inhibits $AT_1$ and type IV collagen expression in renal tissues and attenuates progression of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in chronic renal failure rats, which lead to amelioration of renal function. From these results, we suggest that gypsum fibrosum may have renoprotective effects and could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic renal failure.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2012

Fascioliasis is one of the public health problems in the world. Cysteine proteinases (CP) released by $Fasciola$ $gigantica$ play a key role in parasite feeding, migration through host tissues, and in immune evasion. There has been some evidence from several parasite systems that proteinases might have potential as protective antigens against parasitic infections. Cysteine proteinases were purified and tested in vaccine trials of sheep infected with the liver fluke. Multiple doses (2 mg of CP in Freund's adjuvant followed by 3 booster doses 1 mg each at 4 week intervals) were injected intramuscularly into sheep 1 week prior to infect orally with 300 $F.$ $gigantica$ metacercariae. All the sheep were humanely slaughtered 12 weeks after the first immunization. Changes in the worm burden, ova count, and humoral and cellular responses were evaluated. Significant reduction was observed in the worm burden (56.9%), bile egg count (70.7%), and fecel egg count (75.2%). Immunization with CP was also found to be associated with increases of total IgG, $IgG_1$, and $IgG_2$ ($P$<0.05). Data showed that the serum cytokine levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$, revealed significant decreases ($P$<0.05). However, the anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$, and IL-6, showed significant increases ($P$<0.05). In conclusion, it has been found that CP released by $F.$ $gigantica$ are highly important candidates for a vaccine antigen because of their role in the fluke biology and host-parasite relationships.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2007

Autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the joints and then results in their progressive destruction. Effector Th cells have been classified as Th1 and Th2 subsets based on their cytokine expression profiles and immune regulatory function. Another subset of T cells termed Th17 was recendy discovered and known to selectively produce IL-17. Also, Th17 was shown to be generated by TGF${\beta}$ and IL-6 and maintained by IL-23. IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine that is considered to involve the development of various inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as RA, asthma, lupus, and allograft rejection. IL-17 is present in the sera, synovial fluids and synovial biopsies of most RA patient. IL-17 activates RA synovial fibroblasts to synthesize IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF via PI3K/Akt and NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent pathway. IL-17 increases IL-6 production, collagen destruction and collagen synthesis. In addition, it not only causes bone resorption but also increases osteoclastogenesis and fetal cartilage destruction. Inhibition of the IL-17 production may contribute a novel therapeutic approach along with potent anti-inflammatory effect and with less immunosuppressive effect on host defenses.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2015

The follistatin (FST) gene encodes a monomeric glycoprotein that plays a role in binding and inhibiting the functions of members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ superfamily. Thus, FST facilitates a wide variety of functions, ranging from muscle growth, to inflammation and immunity. In this study, we sought to characterize an FST counterpart, RbFST, which was identified from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. The RbFST cDNA sequence (2,419 bp) contains a 933-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a putative amino acid sequence for RbFST (35 kDa). The putative amino acid sequence contains a Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor domain (51-98 residues) and an EF-hand, calcium-binding domain (191-226 residues). Additionally, this sequence shares a high identity (98.7%) with the Siniperca chuatsi FST sequence, with which it also has the closest evolutionary relationship according to a phylogenetic study. Omnipresent distribution of RbFST transcripts were detected in the gill, liver, spleen, head kidney, kidney, skin, muscle, heart, brain, and intestine of healthy animals, with significantly higher expression levels in the heart, followed by the liver tissue. Under pathogenic stress caused by two bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda, RbFST transcription was found to be significantly up-regulated. Altogether, our findings suggest the putative role of RbFST in immune related responses against pathogenic infections, further prefiguring its significance in rock bream physiology.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.47-58
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• 2006

Purpose: The study to pulsed ultrasound effects of diabetes mellitus fracture model in rat. Methods: We used 36 Sprague-Dawely rats which were divided into 3 groups; the animals were divided into group of 4 rats each 4th, 14th and 28th days. All animal was induced diabetes mellitus model to used streptozotocin with 45 mg/kg. Pulsed wave were divided into $50\;mW/cm^2$ and $100\;mW/cm^2$. Results: T-ALP value was significantly change from group II, III on 14th, 28th days (p<0.05). Especially T-ALP value to between groups was significantly change from group II on 14th days (p<0.05). Osteocalcin value was significantly change from group II on 28th days(p<0.05). At fracture site, osteoblast, osteoclast expression was observed from 4th days after treatment and it reached its maximum intensity at 28th days. At fracture site, $TGF-{\beta}_1$ expression was observed from 4th days after treatment and it reached maximum intensity at 14th days. Conclusion: According to this study, diabetes mellitus fracture model to the more effective is divided into $50m\;W/cm^2$ pulsed ultrasound.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2013

Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation induces the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are responsible for the degradation or synthesis inhibition of collagenous extracellular matrix in connective tissues, causing skin photoaging. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of MMP-1 expression of yam extract in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)-stimulated human dermal fibroblast neonatal (HDFn) cell and preventive effect of UVB-induced damage in hairless mice skin. The synthesis of procollagen and the release of MMP-1 in HDFn cells were measured by EIA kit and MMP-1 assay kit, respectively. UVB radiation was applied to the backs of the mice three times a week for 8 weeks. Mice were randomly divided into three groups, and were topical application with the Dioscorea batatas (DB, 6%) or vehicle. Reduction of TNF-${\alpha}$-induced procollagen synthesis was increased by DB (50 ug/ml), which was higher than positive control group (TGF-${\beta}$). Also, pre-treatment of HDFn cells with DB inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced release of MMP-1. In vivo study, we found that preventive effect of DB against UV-induced epidermal thickness. DB suppressed the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 induced by UVB irradiation. Our results show that DB have preventive effect of UV-induced skin damage in hairless mice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.245-252
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• 2014

Human METCAM/MUC18, a cell adhesion molecule (CAM) in the immunoglobulin-like gene super family, plays a dual role in the progression of several epithelium cancers; however, its role in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. To initiate the study we determined human METCAM/MUC18 expression in tissue samples of normal nasopharynx (NP), NPCs, and metastatic lesions, and in two established NPC cell lines. Immunoblotting analysis was used for the determination in lysates of frozen tissues, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 7 normal nasopharynx specimens, 94 NPC tissue specimens, and 3 metastatic lesions. Human METCAM/MUC18 was expressed in 100% of the normal NP, not expressed in 73% of NPC specimens (or expressed at very low levels in only about 27% of NPC specimens), and expressed again in all of the metastatic lesions. The level of human METCAM/MUC18 expression in NPC tissues was about one fifth of that in the normal NP and metastatic lesions. The low level of human METCAM/MUC18 expression in NPC specimens was confirmed by a weak signal of RT-PCR amplification of the mRNA. Low expression levels of human METCAM/MUC18 in NPC tissues were also reflected in the seven established NPC cell lines. These findings provided the first evidence that diminished expression of human METCAM/MUC18 is an indicator for the emergence of NPC, but increased expression then occurs with metastatic progression, suggesting that huMETCAM/MUC18, perhaps similar to TGF-${\beta}$, may be a tumor suppressor, but a metastasis promoter for NPC.