• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.252-256
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• 2000

A thymic stromal cell line, TFGD, was established from a thymic tumor mass developed spontaneously in p53 knock out mouse, and was found to produce cytokines that could induce bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to differentiate into macrophages. The cytokines produced by the TFGD line were assessed by immunoassays. High level of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-6 was detected in the TFGD-culture supernatant, whereas granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, or interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ was undetectable. Blocking experiments showed that anti-M-CSF monoclonal antibody could neutralize the differentiation-inducing activity shown by the TFGD-culture supernatant. Dot blot analysis of the total RNA isolated from the cultured fetal thymic stromal cells showed that M-CSF transcripts were expressed in the normal thymus. These observations, together with the earlier finding that M-CSF plus IL-6 is the optimal combination of cytokines for the induction of macrophage differentiation from HSCs in vitro, may indicate that thymic macrophages could be generated within the thymus by cytokines involving M-CSF.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-46
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• 1997

Ultrastructure of mouse thymus was evaluated, following the administration of potassium dichromate and mercuric chloride, the heavy metals of evironmental pollutants. Potassium dichromate (20 mg/kg) or mercuric chloride solutions (10 mg/kg) were subcutanously injected to the mice. Six hours, three days and two weeks after the injections, animals were sacrificed. Thymic tissues were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solutions. The procedure was followed by the fixation in 1% osmium tetroxide solutions. Washed and dehydrated tissue-blocks were embedded in the araldite mixture. Ultra-thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate-lead citrate solutions. Results observed were as follows: 1. In electron microscopy, cortical population of thymocytes in the thymus of experimental groups were reduced. especially in the outer cortex. Subcapsular cortices of potassium dichromate treated mice were filled with many epithelial reticular cells, whereas the similar area of mercuric chloride-treated mice exhibited large intercellular spaces. 2. In the thymus of mercuric chloride treated group, large intercellular spaces were formed by shrinkage of epithelial reticular cells, and the space was invaded by numerous cytoplasmic projections of macrophages. Thymocytes nuded out from the shrunken cytoplasm of epithelial reticular cells, presented numerous microvilli. 3. In the thymus of potassium dicromate treated group, many activated macrophages and plasma cells migrated into thymic cortices. 4. In the perivascular spaces of thymic cortices of potassium dichromate- and mercuric chloride-treated mice, activated macrophages. plasma cells, collagen fibrils, and flocculent substance of exudated materials were exhibited. From the above findifgs, it was concluded that potassium dichromate or mercuric chloride could disturb the normal differentiation or 'education' of T cells in the thymic cortex. In turn, these heavy metals may hurt the immunological defense mechanism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1067-1072
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• 2009

Stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1 or CXCL12), one of the CXC chemokines, is widely expressed in many tissues, including the thymus. The thymus can regenerate to its normal mass within 14 days after acute involution induced by cyclophosphamide (CY) in adult rats. Despite the established role of SDF-1 signaling in the development of T and B lymphocytes in the thymus, it has not yet been associated with the regeneration of the adult thymus. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether SDF-1, which is expressed in thymic stromal cells, is modulated during thymic regeneration in adult rats. Here, we showed that SDF-1 mRNAs were expressed in high levels in the thymocyte and thymic stromal cells at day 7 of the CY model. SDF-1 protein was shown to be present at the cortex-medulla junction, paraseptum and within the thymic medulla. Double-immunofluorescence for SDF-1 and ED-1 showed that strong SDF-1 expression was detected in the macrophages of the medulla region displaying immunoreactivity for ED-1 during thymus regeneration. Taken together, our results demonstrated that SDF-1 expression increased in regenerating thymic macrophages, suggesting the roles of SDF-1 as a chemo-attractant for damaged cells produced in the process of thymic regeneration after acute involution induced by CY.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.825-830
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• 2009

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Calendula officinalis extract (CE) on the activation of murine lymphocytes and macrophages. CE was administered p.o. once a day for 7 days at the concentration of 500 mg/kg. The administration of CE increased the viability of thymocytes, but decreased the viability of splenocytes. Also, CE increased the viability of thymocytes and splenocytes at the concentration of $5{\mu}g$/ml in vitro. The administration of CE did not affect the population of thymic $CD4^+$/$CD8^+$ cells and splenic $CD4^+$/$CD8^+$ cells. Furthermore, the administration of CE enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, but decreased the phagocytic activity in vitro. CE decreased the production of nitric oxide from peritoneal macrophages in vivo and in vitro system. These results suggest that CE enhance of cell viability by a direct influence on thymocytes and phagocytic activity by an indirect influence on peritoneal macrophages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.7 s.87
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• pp.923-930
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• 2007

Thymus can regenerate to its normal mass within 14 days after acute involution induced by cyclophosphamide (CY) in adult rat. Despite the established role of Wnt pathways in the process of thymus development, they have not yet been associated with the regeneration of adult thymus. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Wnt7b, which is expressed in developing thymic epithelial cells rather than in thymocytes, is modulated during thymic regeneration in adult rat. Here, we show that Wnt7b expression was up-regulated in the regenerating thymus. Cells immunolabeled for the Wnt7b were identified as macrophages. Furthermore, Wnt7b gene expression was decreased by the treatment of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). Taken together, our results demonstrate that Wnt7b gene expression was increased in macrophages during thymic regeneration and negatively regulated by RANKL.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.70-81
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• 1987

To elucidate action mechanism of lyophyllan A, an antitumor polysaccharide of Lyophyllum decastes, its immunological activities were examined. Lyophyllan A increased significantly the weights of spleen and liver of mice. Lyophyllan A also restored the decreased thymic weight in tumor-bearing mice. It did not show any direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells, but showed immunopotentiating activities by increasing the number of the plaques in hemolytic plaque assays. Lyophyllan A increased the number of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) and inhibited the growth of sarcoma 180 mixed with PEC. Moreover the macrophages from lyophyllan A-treated mice exhibited a strong cytotoxic activity towards L5178Y target cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.668-673
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• 2010

The purpose of this research was the comparative study of 3 kinds of black soybean on murine immune cells. The 3 kinds of black soybean are Glycine max Merr. with inner color-yellow (GY), Glycine max Merr. with inner color-greenish (GG) and Rhynchosia volubilis Lour. (RV). All of the black soybean increased the viability of murine thymocytes in vitro. The combined treatment of GY or GG and mitogen did not affect the viability of splenic T- and B-lymphocytes compared with mitogen-treated group, but the combined treatment of RV and mitogen increased their action compared with mitogen-treated group. Also, the 3 kinds of black soybean were given p.o. once a day for 7 days, respectively. RV increased the population of thymic-$CD8^+$, splenic-$CD8^+$ and $B220^+$ cells in vivo. Furthermore, GY and GG did not affect the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages in vitro, but RV enhanced their action. These results suggest that immunopotentiative action of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour. is more potent than their of Glycine max Merr.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.932-937
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• 2002

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of Yonggak-san (YGS) on the immune reaction and apoptosis of leukemia cells. Administration of YGS(500 mg/kg) enhanced proliferation of splenocytes, thymocytes and mesenteric lymph node cells, and also YGS accelerated subpopulation of splenic Band T, thymic T and mesenteric lymph node-T lymphocytes, especially significantly increased CD4+-TH cells in BALB/c mice. YGS accelerated phagocytic activity and production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages. YGS induced apoptosis of transplanted-L1210 cells in vivo, increased apoptotic cell death of cultured-L1210 and/or Molt4 human leukemia cells, decreased of mitochondrial transmembrane potential of both cells in vitro. These results suggest that YGS have an immune-regulatory effect and anti-cancer property.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.837-840
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• 2004

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of Eunkyo-San(EKS) on the immune system. Administration of EKS(500 mg/kg) enhanced viability of splenocytes and thymocytes in BALB/c mice, and also EKS increased of splenic B, T lymphocytes and thymic T lymphocytes, significantly increased CD4 positive TH cells. EKS markedly enhanced the production of -interferon in mice serum. EKS accelerated the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that EKS have an immune-enhancing activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.267-271
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• 2002

The purpose of this research was to investigate the immunoregulatory effect, apoptosis of L 1210 leukemia cells of Comus officinalis Sieb.et Zucc. The proliferation of cultured splenocytes and thymocytes were enhanced by the addition of SSY. Splenic, thymic and mesenteric lymph node-T lymphocytes, especially TH cells was significantly increased in SSY-administered (p.o. for 7 days) mice. SSY treatment induced the apoptosis of L1210 mouse leukemia cells. In addition, SSY accelerated the phagocytic activity and nitric oxide production in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that SSY have an immuno-regulatory property and anti-cancer effect.