• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.201-215
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• 2000

1. Background and Purpose According to Sasang constitutional medicine, Yuldahansotang(YHT) is a useful prescription for Teaumin patients with a variety of neurologic disorders. Then, I investigated about certain relationships between the effect of YHT and the changes of immune system, especially cytokine network. 2. Methods We studied 8 Taeumin patients with Cerbral infarction. They were treated with YHT in constitutional clinic of Wonkwang Kwagnju Oriental Hospital. We investigated the changes of cytokine network of them. We also investigated cytokine release by lipopolysaccharide- activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy Taeumin controls. 3. Results The mean interleukin (IL)-2 plasma levels were slightly lower in the plasma of patients than in normal group, whereas the mean IL-4, IL-6 and IgE levels were significantly higher. But there were no significant differences in $interferon-{\gamma}$($IFN-{\gamma}$) levels between each group. After administration of YHT for two to four weeks, plasma levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-2 derived from T helper (Th) 1 cells were elevated significantly, whereas plasma levels of IL-4 and IL-6 derived from Th2 cells were reduced significantly. Plasma levels of IgE were reduced significantly, too. During the period of YHT administration, other adverse effects are not shown. It is increased significantly to Cytokine release by lipopolysaccharide -activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy Taeumin controls. And the release of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-2 and IL-6 was progressively decreased in the plasma treated with YHT. It shows regulatory effects of YHT to cytokine production.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.14
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• 2023

Immune status including the immune cells and cytokine profiles has been implicated in the development of endometriosis. In this study, we analyzed Th17 cells and IL-17A in peritoneal fluid (PF) and endometrial tissues of patients with (n=10) and without (n=26) endometriosis. Our study has shown increased Th17 cell population and IL-17A level in PF with endometriosis patients. To determine the roles of IL-17A and Th17 cells in the development of endometriosis, the effect of IL-17A, major cytokine of Th17, on endometrial cells isolated from endometriotic tissues was examined. Recombinant IL-17A promoted survival of endometrial cells accompanied by increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes, including Bcl-2 and MCL1, and the activation of ERK1/2 signaling. In addition, treatment of IL-17A to endometrial cells inhibited NK cell mediated cytotoxicity and induced HLA-G expression on endometrial cells. IL-17A also promoted migration of endometrial cells. Our data suggest that Th17 cells and IL-17A play critical roles in the development of endometriosis by promoting endometrial cell survival and conferring a resistance to NK cell cytotoxicity through the activation of ERK1/2 signaling. Targeting IL-17A has potential as a new strategy for the treatment of endometriosis.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.559-566
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• 2017

This aim of this study was to examine the immunomodulatory activities of crude polysaccharides from Perilla frutescens Britton var. acuta Kudo (PCP) in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) and splenocytes. The immunomodulatory activity was determined by cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, cell surface marker expression (CD 80/86 and MHC class I/II), and cytokine production in BMDC, and cell viability, and cytokine production in splenocytes. Cell proliferation and cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor; TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12) tested in BMDC were significantly increased by PCP treatment. Additionally, the cell surface markers (CD 80/86, MHC class I/II) were highly increased by PCP treatment. For cytokine production in splenocytes, PCP treatment significantly increased the production of Th 1 cytokines [IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$], but not Th 2 cytokines (IL-4). Therefore, PCP can induce immune cell activation and is a potential candidate for the development of nutraceuticals to boost the immune system.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.284-295
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• 2021

Red sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus is an invertebrate animal inhabiting in coasts of Korea, China, and Japan. They are traditionally used for food and medicine and well known for their distinctive biologically and pharmacologically important compounds. We investigated the effect of amyloglucosidase (AMG) enzymatic extracts of S. japonicus (AESJ) on the proliferation and cytokine secretion of murine splenocytes stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). AESJ enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes and the production of IL-2 (Th1 cytokine), IL-1β (Th1 promoting cytokine), and IL-4, IL-10 (Th2 type cytokines) when treated alone. However, under Con A stimulation, AESJ suppressed the proliferation of splenocytes, attenuated the secretion of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and enhanced IL-1β secretion. These results suggest that AESJ exhibits immunomodulatory effect by moderating the proliferation of splenocytes and the secretion of IL-2, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10 differently depending on the absence and presence of Con A stimulation. These data evidence the immunomodulatory potential of AESJ, which can be further developed into a functional food mediating homeostasis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.2056-2060
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• 2007

Transcription factor GATA-3 is the critical transcription factor for Th2 cell differentiation. In spite of its importance in Th2 cell differentiation, the molecular mechanism for its action in Th2 differentiation is poorly understood. Previous studies have suggested that GATA-3 may be involved in the chromatin remodeling in the Th2 cytokine locus. To determine whether GATA-3 exerts its effect on its target sites in the extrachromosomal status, cell transfection assay was performed. In this assay, 800 bp IL4 promoter-luciferase constructs linked with GATA-3 target sites were transfected into the M12 B cell line, D10 mouse Th2 cell lines, and human T lymphoma Jurkat cell lines with or without the GATA-3 expression vector. The GATA-3 effects on its target sites were minimal in the extrachromosomal status, supporting the previous propositions that GATA-3 functions at the chromatin level by remodeling chromatin structure.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Objectives : Trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a sensitizer that induces occupational asthma and atopic dermatitis, is widely used industrially to make epoxy and alkyd resins, plasticizers, high temperature polymer, and surfactants. The aim of this study was to investigative the effects of aqueous extracts of Lonicera japonica Flower(LJFAE) on TMA-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in Balb/c mice. Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was freeze-dried following filteration through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter. Mice were orally administrated with or without LJFE of a different doses(25-100 mg/kg) for 28 days. In the challenge period, mice were externally applied at difference doses of LJFAE one time per day 30 min before TMA treatment. We examined the effects of LJFAE on the the serum levels of IgE and prostagladin E2 (PGE2), the Thl/Th2 cytokine production of spleen cells, ear swelling responses, and the leukocyte infiltration induced by TMA. Results : The orally and externally administration of LJFAE dose-dependently reduced the serum levels of IgE and PGE2 production as well as ear swelling responses and leukocyte infiltration in TMA-induced Balb/c mice. Furthermore, the levels of Thl (TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gammer}$, IL-2)/Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) cytokine production from spleen cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and CD28 mAbs was markedly suppressed by the orally and externally treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppresses the inflammatory mediators and regulates the Thl/Th2 cytokines. Therefore, these properties may contribute to the strong anti-CHS response effect of LJFAE.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2013

Hesperidin (HES), a flavonone glycoside isolated from the citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, has been reported to have many biological properties including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antiallergy activities. In this study, we focused on the action of HES modulating Th2-associated cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13 expression in PMA/ionomycin (PI)-stimulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. The production of IL-4 and IL-13 was quantified by ELISA and the mRNA expression was detected by using RT-PCR assay. In addition, western blot analysis was performed to determine the transcription factors involved in the cytokine expression. We found that HES significantly decreased PI-induced IL-4 and IL-13 productions and also decreased the level of mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, western blot analysis of the transcription factors implied that HES down-regulated the protein level of c-Jun and c-Fos, which are the activating protein 1 (AP-1) family and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-${\kappa}B$) characterized as a transcription factors related to the Th2-associated cytokine expression. Taken together, our data showed that the action of HES responsible for antiallergy activities is based on suppression of Th2-associated cytokines through inhibition of AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription factors.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2011

Objective : Allergic asthma is a chronic airway disease that affects millions of people in the developed world. The disease is characterized by concurring airway inflammation, Th2 cytokine production, increased mucus secretion, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to inhaled antigen, and pulmonary fibrosis. To investigate the therapeutic and anti-asthmatic effects of Drynariae Rhizoma (DR), we examined the influence of DR on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Methods : In this study, BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) followed intratracheally, intraperitoneally, and by aerosol allergen challenges. We investigated the effect of DR on airway hyperresponsiveness, pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration, various immune cell phenotypes, Th2 cytokine production and OVA specific IgE production in a mouse model of asthma. Results : In asthmatic mice, we found that DR.treated groups had suppressed eosinophil infiltration, allergic airway inflammation and AHR by suppressing the production of IL-5, IL-13 and OVA specific IgE. Conclusions : Our data suggest that the therapeutic mechanism by which DR effectively treats asthma is based on reductions of Th2 cytokines (IL-5), eotaxin, OVA-specific IgE production and eosinophil infiltration.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2005

Gamma radiation causes suppression of the immune function, and immune properties are related to cytokine production. In the present study, the polysaccharide, Ginsan, purified from an ethanol-insoluble fraction of Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Araliaceae) water extract was studied to assess its effects on the immunosuppressive activities of gamma radiation. Gin­san was found to stimulate murine normal splenocytes by inducing the mRNA expressions of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines, and also restore the mRNA expression of IFN-$/gamma$, Th1 cytokine, after its inhibition by whole-body gamma irradiation. Therefore, Ginsan was found to restore the T lymphocytes function that had been suppressed by gamma irradiation in allogenic MLR (mixed lymphocyte reactions). However, Ginsan exhibited no excessive stimulatory effects on the control group. The above results indicated that Ginsan may constitute a new noble agent for the improvement of gamma radiation-induced immunosuppression.