• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.583-589
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• 2002

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 is a cytoplasmic-transcription factor that is phosphorylated by Janus kinases (Jak) in response to interferon $\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$). The phosphorylated STAT1 translocates to the nucleus, where it turns on specific sets of IFN-$\gamma$-inducible genes, such as the interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1. We show here that gamma irradiation reduces the IFN-$\gamma$ mRNA expression. The inhibition of the STAT1 phosphorylation and the IRF-1 expression by gamma irradiation was also observed. In contrast, the mRNA levels of IL-5 and transcription factor GATA-3 were slightly induced by gamma irradiation when compared to the non-irradiated sample. Furthermore, we detected the inhibition of cell-mediated immunity by gamma irradiation in the allogenic-mixed lymphocytes' reaction (MLR). These results postulate that gamma irradiation induces the polarized-Th2 response and interferes with STAT1 signals, thereby causing the immunosuppression of the Th1 response.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.662-670
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• 2006

It is well documented that an extract of European mistletoe has a variety of biological effects, such as the stimulation of cytokine production from immune cells, and additional immunoadjuvant activities. While the European mistletoe has been studied intensively, we know less about Korean mistletoe as a therapeutic plant, especially as a possible immunomodulating drug. This study will investigated the effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) on murine splenocytes to investigate whether VCA acts as an immunomodulator, which could lead to improved immune responses in these cells. The results showed that VCA inhibited cell proliferation at higher concentrations (at 1-8 ng/ml) and enhanced cell proliferation at lower concentrations (at 4-32 pg/ml). Further studies were carried out to determine if the pro-proliferative or anti-proliferative activity exhibited by VCA was correlated with cytokine secretion. Consequently, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ secretion was decreased in concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated murine splenocytes by VCA (4-64 ng/ml), but there was no change in IL-4 levels. This suggests that VCA has the ability to modulate murine splenocyte proliferation and can possibly act on the balance of Th1/Th2 cellular immune responses.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2012

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG(ATCC 53103) is one of the best researched probiotic strains in the world. Studies in children have shown that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG effectively prevents early atopic disease in patients with high risk. The active molecules associated with the immunostimulatory sequence and anti-allergy effects of L. rhamnosus GG have not yet been identified. Unmethylated CpG motifs in bacterial DNA have a mitogenic effect in mouse immune cells, CpG-containing ISS oligodeoxynucleotides are potent Th1 adjuvants, effective in both preventing and reversing Th2-biased immune deviation in allergy models. The genomic DNA of L. rhamnosus GG is a potent inducer of murine B cell and dendritic cell immunoactivation. In L. rhamnosus GG genomic DNA, ID35 shows high activity in ISS assays in both mice and humans. The effects of ID35 result from a unique TTTCGTT motif located at its 5'-end, and its effects are comparable with murine prototype CpG 1826. L. rhamnosus GG is known to secrete proteinaceous pili encoded by the spaCBA gene cluster. The presence of pili structures may be essential for its adhesion to human intestinal mucus, explaining the prolonged duration of intestinal residence of this bacterium, compared to that of non-piliated lactobacilli.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.206-215
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• 2023

This study was performed to investigate immune changes by comparing the proportion and function of immune cells in the blood under high-temperature period and convalescence temperature period in Holstein dairy cows. The experiment was conducted using Holstein dairy cows of five animals per group (60 ± 20 months old, 175 ± 78 non-day) from the National Institute of Animal Science at high-temperature period (THI: 76 ± 1.2) and convalescence temperature period (THI: 66 ± 1.3). Complete blood count results showed no change in the number of immune cells between groups. In the analysis using Flow Cytometry of PBMCs, no significant differences were observed among B cells, Helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and γδ T cells between groups. However, there was an increase in Th17 cells producing IL-17a, while Th1 cells decreased during the convalescence temperature period. The results of gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR in PBMCs revealed an increase in IL-10 during the convalescence temperature period, while a decrease in HSP70 and HSP90 was observed. In conclusion, the increased expression of IL-10 and the decrease in HSP expression suggest the possibility of a weak recovery from heat stress. However, the lack of observed changes in B cells, T cells, and other immune cells indicates incomplete recovery from heat stress during the convalescence temperature period.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.307-314
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• 1998

The author has undertaken this study for demonstrating the relationship between keratinization and proliferation as well as remodeling of epidermis. Healthy ICR strain male mice, weighing about $20\sim25gm$, were used as experimental animals. Under the general anesthesia with ether the skins of experimental animals were subjected to a dorsal, transverse, full-thickness incision with 0.5cm in length, and removed them on 3rd day, 7th day and 2nd week after operation Specimens were prepared for electron microscopic study. The results obtained were as follows: The epidermis of 3rd day group is made up of $7\sim8$ keratinocytes. The new epidermal cells are grown beneath the necrotic tissue. Keratohyaline granules (KHGs) are visible in some granular cells. Various sited-KHGs are seen in granular layer cell, and in spinous cell ribosomes, tonofilaments and lamellar granules are seen. The epidermis of 7th day group is made up of $7\sim8$ keratinocytes. Numerous KHGs are seen in granular layer cells. KHGs are located in granular layer cells as well as spinous layer cells. The epidermis of End week group is composed of one-layered basal cell and $1\sim2$ layered superficial cells. Various sized-KHGs are observed in granular layer cells. The results of the present study suggest that as the epidermis should be keratinized during proliferation and remodeling process, so keratinization of the epidermis would play a major role of wound healing process.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.157-171
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• 1998

In order to study the effect of direct moxibustion on depressed immune response and thyroid hormone in rats exposed to cold stress, Sprague-Dawley male rats were put in the horizontal refrigerator by $-10^{\circ}C$ for 14 days and thereafter $-18^{\circ}C$ for 11 days(control group). Sample I group was treated by daily direct moxibustion to bilateral Shinsu(BL23) from the 22nd day to the 25th day for 4 days under the same condition with the control group. Sample II group was treated by daily direct moxibustion to bilateral non-acupoints near the root of the tail from the 22nd day to the 25th day for 4 days under the same condition with the control group. And RBC, WBC, CD4+ T cell count, T3, T4 and TSH were measured. The results were as follows; 1. RBC increased with statistical significance in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group. 2. WBC increased with statistical significance in the sample I group, but there was not any significance in the sample II group compared with the control group. 3. Lymphocyte increased with statistical significance both in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group. 4. CD4+ T cell count increased with statistical significance both in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group. 5. T3, T4 and TSH increased respectively with statistical significance in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5945-5950
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• 2014

Objectives: To retrospectively review the safety and clinical efficacy of bevacizumab concomitant with chemotherapy in Chinese patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSNSCLC). Methods: Clinical data for 79 patients with NSNSCLC who received bevacizumab concomitant with chemotherapy in Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 28th 2009 to May 5th 2013 were retrospectively reviewed to analyze the clinical efficacy including disease control rate (DCR), overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score and the safety. Results: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score was 0-2. By the final cutoff date (June 9, 2013), 54 (68.4%) patients had disease progression and 37 (46.8%) died. The ORR was 32.9% and the DCR was 83.5%. The ORR of the first-, second-, and third- or later-line treatments were 51.4%, 25.0% and 12.5%, while the DCR were 94.3%, 80.0% and 70.8%, respectively. The median OS (mOS) and PFS (mPFS) were 13.5 and 5.83 months, respectively. The mOS of patients with the first-, second-, and third- or later- line treatments were 16.2, 10.9 and 8.30 months, while the mPFS were 7.27, 5.90 and 5.17 months, respectively. Chemotherapy-related adverse events included myelosuppression, vomiting, hepatic dysfunction and renal dysfunction, while the common serious bevacizumab-related adverse events were thromboembolic problems, gastrointestinal perforation and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, which could be well managed. Conclusions: Bevacizumab concomitant with chemotherapy is effective and the related toxicity can be well tolerated in Chinese patients with NSNSCLC.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2001

Background: To determine the molecular structure of type II collagen-specific T-cell receptors associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We generated CII-specific T-cell lines of 8 RA patients by prolonged in vitro culture with bovine CII (bCII) and the immunogenic peptide (256-270) of human CII. The proliferation response towards CII stimulation was measured from the uptake of 3H-thymidine. Changes in the secretion of Th 1 and Th2 cytokines in the culture supernatent were measured by ELISA. The TCR clonotypes of these T-cells were examined by RT-PCR/SSCP analyses of all 22 $V_{\beta}$ chains. Results: T-cells from patients' tissue exhibited strong proliferation index upon CII stimulation, which was maintained up to 6 months in the culture. The secretion of INF-$\gamma$from these T-cells increased along with the duration of culture time, while the amount of IL-4 production did not show significant changes. The SSCP band patterns of patients' T-cells appear as discrete bands unlike the smeary streak produced from normal samples. Some SSCP bands, each representing selected expansion of a TCR containing certain subtype of $V_{\beta}$ peptides, appeared to be identical in more than one patients. Among these, the expansion of SSCP band representing the $V_{\beta}$ 14 CDR3 region persisted after switching the antigen to the immunogenic human peptide (256-270). Conclusion: CII-reactive T-cells expressing distinct CDR3 motifs are selectively expanded in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of RA patients, and their persistent proliferation upon CII stimulation, as well as the production Th 1-type cytokines, may play pivotal roles in RA pathogenesis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2010

Purpose : To investigate the effects of the lavender, lemon and eucalyptus oil mixture on the atopy dermatitis skin lesions induced on NC/Nga Mice by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Material and Method : For this purpose, we fabricated the oil mixture blending three essential oils (lavender, lemon, eucalyptus : ELL) with one carrier oil (jojoba) and apply it on the atopic dermatitis skin lesions of NC/Nga Mice. Atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice was induced by DNCB treatment on the dorsal skin of mice for 8 weeks. The mixture of ratio of each essential oil drop was 1 (eucalyptus) : 2 (lemon) : 2 (lavender) and this mixture was blended with jojoba oil 50ml (0.025%). The ELL-ointment was supplied for 8 weeks. We evaluated the effects of ELL on cell viability of mouse lung fibroblast, clinical skin features and severity, the level of serum Immunoglobulin (Ig) E & Ig G1, Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and Interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$. Results : ELL showed safety on the cell viability of mouse lung fibroblast compared with control group. The cell viability was measured by SRB method. The effects of ELL on clinical skin features and severity in DNCB-induced dermatitis model of NC/Nga mice was significant compared with control group. EEL also showed significant effects on clinical symptom score compared with control group. Serum IgE & IgG1 level and development of atopy dermatitis skin lesions were evaluated. Serum IgE & IgG1 production was significantly down-regulated in EEL group compared with control group. ELL also down-regulated the levels of IL-4 and IL-13, and up-regulated the level of IFN-$\gamma$ compared with control group significantly. Conclusion : ELL was effective on atopy dermatitis by modulating Th2 related factors.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2020

Objectives : Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. There is no clear treatment or remedy for Parkinson's disease; therefore, the development of novel therapies related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects is required. This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of water extracts from Cervi Cornu (CC) in dopaminergic cells. Methods : We studied effects of CC on apoptosis, cell death and inflammation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated by methylpyridinium ion (MPP+). SH-SY5Y cell line was treated with CC for 24 hours and then 500 μM MPP+ for 18 hours. Results : Cervi Cornu treatment inhibited the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and decreased the activation of inflammatory factors mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase (COX2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) against MPP+ neurotoxicity. Apoptosis factors BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX) levels were decreased and B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2 (BCL2) levels were increased. Conclusions : These results suggest that CC treatment had neuroprotective effects in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against toxicity induced by MPP+. The results suggest new possibilities of CC for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.