• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.943-947
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• 2002

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Bojunglkgi-tang water extract (BE) on the specific immune response in BALB/c mice. When BE (500mg/kg) was administerd p.o. once a day for 7 days to BALB/c mice, the cell viability of splenocytes was increased and DNA fragmentation of splenocytes was decreased. But, BE did not affect the cell viability and DNA fragmentation of thymocytes. Also, BE increased the population of Thy1/sup +/ cells and TH cells in splenocytes. In addition, BE increased the production of γ -interferon from splenocytes. These results suggest that BE enhances the specific immune response via activation of TH1 cells in splenocytes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.336-344
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• 2004

Background : Immunotherapy for cancer has not been successful because of several obstacles in tumor and its environment. Inappropriate secretions of cytokines and growth factors by tumors cause substantial changes in the immune responses against tumors, affording the tumors some degree of protection from immune attack. Uteroglobin (UG, Clara cell secretory protein) has been known to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities. However, in lung cancer cells, UG expression is decreased. This study investigated the role of UG in the immunomodulation of lung cancer. Methods : The UG protein was overexpressed by Adenovirus(Ad)-UG transduction in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. The concentration of Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from whole blood were prepared with Ficoll. PBMC were cultured in RPMI 1640, supernatant of A549, or A549 with UG or NS-398. Concentration of Th 1 type and Th 2 type cytokines from PBMC were measured by ELISA. Results : UG suppressed $PGE_2$, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) product. Both Th1 type such as Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) and Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and Th2 type cytokines such as IL-10 and Tumor growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) were increased when PBMC were cultured with supernatant of non small lung cancer cells. UG and COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398 induced normal immune response of PBMC. Although Th 1 type cytokines were increased, Th 2 type cytokines were reduced by UG. Conclusion : UG suppressed PGE2, COX-2 product. Supernatant of NSCLC induced imbalance of immune response of PBMC. However, UG reversed this imbalance. These results suggest that UG may be used in the development of immunotherapy for lung cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.1079-1083
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• 2015

Activating macrophage cells play an important role in the host immune defense system. In this paper, immuno-modulatory activities of polysaccharides separated from Jubak (JPS) in macrophage cells were investigated. Immuno-modulatory activities were estimated based on cell proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production, degree of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ phosphorylation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. JPS (62.5 to $250{\mu}g/mL$) did not induce a cytotoxic event. Additionally, NO and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6) production significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-${\kappa}B$ increased upon JPS treatment. Therefore, our results suggest that polysaccharides separated from Jubak can induce macrophage activation through MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling and induction of Th1 polarization.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.548-556
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• 2006

This study was to evaluate the effect of Samjayangchin-tang (STYCT) on mouse Th1 and Th2 cells' differentiation and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic inflammation. The proliferation of mouse CD4 T cells and the secretion of Th1/Th2 cytokines under the influence of STYCT extract were measured as well as the amount of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells and the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 secretion in Raw264.7 cells. BALB/c mice were orally administered with STYCT extract and simultaneously inoculated with OVA to induce allergic reaction and measure the level of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE and the production of IFN- g, IL-4, IL-5 by the spleen cells. When mouse CD4 T cell were stimulated with anti-CO3 and anti-CD28 for 48 hours in various concentrations of STYCT extract, it decreased proliferation of CD4 cells. CD4 T cells under Th1/Th2 polarizing conditions for 3 days with STYCT resulted in mild decrease of IFN- g in Th1 cells and significant decrease of IL-4 in Th2 cells. STYCT extract had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on antigen-induced release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells. Treatment of STYCT extract on LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells showed dose-dependent decrease in IL-6 production. Oral administration of STYCT extract on OVA-induced allergic mice showed an inhibitory effect on the levels of total serum IgE and OVA-specific IgE by 53% and 44%, respectively. Culture of spleen cells with OVA resulted in significant increase of IFN- g by 54% and significant decrease of IL-4 and IL-5 by 42%, and 29%, respectively. The results show that STYCT does not strongly induce mouse T cells to transform into Th1 or Th2 but it has an anti-allergic effect in vitro, and that it also corrects the unbalance between the reactions of Th cells in allergic diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.580-585
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• 2004

BJYGC is often clinically used as a treatment of allergic rhinitis. This study was aimed to find out the effect BJYGC would have on the helper T cell, and how it can promote the subsets of helper T cells to regain their balance that they lost due to immunological diseases. Splenocytes were prepared from BALB/c mice was cultured without stimulation in the presence of BJYGC for 48 hr. The viability of CD4 T cells from Balb/c mouse were measured at various concentrations of BJYGC using the MTS assay. It was somewhat increased up to concentration of 400 ㎍/ml, but did not show any significant difference. Proliferation was measured using the MTS assay, CD4 Th cells were stimulated with anti-CD3/28 in the presence of BJYGC for 48 hr. As evidence for rapid T cell activation, CD25 expression by flow cytometry was evaluated at 10, 50, 100 and 200 ㎍/㎖ of BJYGC. Th cell differentiation experiments were performed to examine whether BJYGC can affect the Th polarization process. CD4 T cells were activated in culture under neutral, Th1-polarized or Th2-polarized conditions in the presence of BJYGC at 10, 100 and 200 ㎍/㎖. Cytokine production was measured by ELISA. This experiment proved that BJYGC could inhibit the secretion of both IL-4 and IFN-γ in neutral condition and polarized condition, too. Considering that BJYGC shows an excellent effect on treating allergies, the author can conclude that its pharmacological action may be associated with decreased IL-4 and, it may also regulate IFN-γ depending the host's need. Also, it was discovered that Th1 cell was pathologic in chronic inflammatory tissue specific diseases, such as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, RA, and uveitis. We are counting on the BJYGC to be able to control the tendency of Th1 cell predominancy in an immune reaction.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2014

In order to determine the functional benefits of Cordyceps militaris in the immune system, we examined the immunomodulatory activities of C. militaris using an immunocompromised C57BL/6 mice, mouse spleen cells, RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and A549 lung carcinoma cells. Mice were injected intraperitioneally with an immunosuppressive drug, cyclophosphamide, and then administered orally with 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg of 50% ethanol extract of C. militaris (CME 30, CME 100 and CME 300) for 14 days. CME increased splenocyte proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity compared to 3% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-treated control mice. CME also increased the production of Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in spleen cells isolated from CME-injected mice and in vitro, which suggested the enhanced cellular immunity in response to CME. CME also increased splenocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, and IL-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production compared to 1 ${\mu}M$ methotrexate-treated spleen cells in vitro. We examined whether C. militaris regulates the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. CME inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in a dose dependent manner, while COX-2 expression was remained unchanged. In addition, CME also has free radical scavenging activity, indicating its antioxidant activity. These results indicate that C. militaris enhances immune activity by promoting immune cell proliferation and cytokine production.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.411-416
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• 2009

Chitosan is derived from chitin by a process of controlled deacetylation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chitosan on the production of cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-$\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in mice. The culture supernatants of splenocytes exposed with chitosan alone or chitosan plus cell stimulants, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concanavalin A (Con A), and phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) were harvested to assay IL-2, IFN-$\gamma$, IL-4, and IL-10 production. IL-2, IFN-$\gamma$, and IL-4 from splenocytes exposed to chitosan showed a greater increase compared to the PBS control group. IL-2 and IFN-$\gamma$ levels in the culture supernatants from splenocytes exposed to LPS+chitosan were higher than those of the groups exposed to LPS alone. IL-4 and IL-10 levels in the culture supernatants from splenocytes exposed to LPS+chitosan were lower than those of the groups exposed to LPS only. These findings demonstrate that chitosan upregulates the immune responses by Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-$\gamma$) and downregulates those by Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) in LPS-associated immunity. These results show the potential of its usefulness for balancing the Th1/Th2 immune response, if more research results were accumulated.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2005

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin $(IL-1)-{\beta}$, play a key role in causing inflammatory diseases, which are rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and sepsis. Accumulating evidences suggest that low level laser irradiation (LLLI) may have an anti-inflammatory action. However, there are few data regarding down regulation of Th1 immune response by using the diod typed laser emitting device for human patients. As a fundamental step in order to address this issue, we investigated immunological impact of the low level laser irradiation (10 mw laser diode with a wavelength of 630 nm) on expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in murine immunocytes (splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages) in vitro. The LLLI on lipopolysaccharide (LPS 100 ng/ml)-stimulated murine splenocytes and macrophages, clearly down regulated mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-12 in dose-dependent manner. In addition, LLLI significantly inhibits the NO production in the LPS-stimulated murine macrophages. This data suggests that LLLI (wavelength of 630 nm) may exert an anti-inflammatory action via modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine and NO production pathway.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2006

Objective : Based on the Th1/Th2 inbalance hypothesis, we aimed to evaluate the effects of NaesowhajungtongGamibang on serum $interferon{\gamma}$, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, of 19 patients with atopic dermatitis. Materials & Methods: The subjects are consisted of 19 patients with atopic dermatitis, and had been treated with NaesowhajungtongGamibang decoction for 45 days. Serum $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-5 level were checked before and 45 days after treatments. Results: The serum $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-5, level in patients with atopic dermatitis were slightly decreased compared with normal control group, but had no statistical significance. The serum IL-4, level in patients with atopic dermatitis was slightly increased compared with normal control group, but had no statistical significance. After treatment with NaesowhajungtongGamibang for 45 days, serum $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-5, level were increased, but had no statistical significance. After treatment with NaesowhajungtongGamibang for 45 days, serum IL-4 level were decreased, but had no statistical significance. Conclusion: This study shows that NaesowhajungtongGamibang decoction had effects were not correspond with Th1/Th2 inbalance hypothesis. Therefore study for other mechanism of NaesowhajungtongGamibang on atopic dermatitis is required.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2005

Background: IL-18 was originally cloned as a IFN-${\gamma}$ inducing factor in primed T cells. In synergy with IL-12, IL-18 has been shown to induce strikingly high levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ production by T cells and to enhance Th1 development. Also this cytokine exerts induction of Th2 development through IL-4 induction. Methods: Resting $CD4^+$ T cells were sorted by negative selection and activated by anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 Ab. Expression of IL-12 binding sites, IL-18 binding sites, IL-18R ${\alpha}$, and GATA-3 mRNA were analysed by FACS and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: Resting $CD4^+$ T cells expressed IL-18R ${\alpha}$ chain but not IL-18 binding sites, suggesting a lack of IL-18R ${\beta}$ expression. IL-18R ${\alpha}$ was maintained on the Th1 and Th2 committed cells. IL-18 binding sites were induced on the Th1 but not Th2 cells. Exposure of these cells to IL-18 led to up-regulation of GATA-3 mRNA expression only in Th2 committed cells. To elucidate the relationship between IL-18R ${\alpha}$ expression and GATA-3 induction by IL-18, Th1 and Th2 committed cells were further cultured in medium with or without IL-12 for 2 days. IL-12 binding sites were maintained on the Th1 and Th2 cells regardless of IL-12 treatment, but IL-18R a expression was rapidly down-regulated on the IL12-untreated Th2 cells which did not induce GATA-3 mRNA expression followed by IL-18 stimulation. Conclusion: IL-12 supports expression of IL-18R ${\alpha}$ and GATA-3 mRNA expression was induced by IL-18 through IL-18R ${\alpha}$ without expression of IL-18 binding site in Th2 cells.