• 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.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.829-835
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• 2014

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused by dysregulation of colon mucosal immunity and mucosal epithelial barrier function. Recent studies have reported that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Lactobacillus plantarum K8 reduces excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokine. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally pretreated with lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 (low dose or high dose) or live Lb. plantarum K8 prior to the induction of colitis using 4% DSS. Disease progression was monitored by assessment of disease activity index (DAI). Histological changes of colonic tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The colon mRNA expressions of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and toll like receptor-2 (TLR-2) were examined by quantitative real-time-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 suppressed colon shortening, edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of DSS-induced crypts. The groups that received lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 exhibited significantly decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in the colon. Interestingly, colonic expression of toll like receptor-2 mRNA in the high-dose lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 group increased significantly. Our study demonstrates the protective effects of oral lysate of Lb. plantarum K8 administration on DSS-induced colitis via the modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators of the mucosal immune system.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.459-464
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• 2005

The immune reinforcement of the probiotic lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum was studied in RAW 264.7 cell line treated with diluted solution (dilution to $2^{5}$) of the supernatnats of lactic acid bacteria. RAW 264.7 cell line was used as a macrophage model to assess the effects of lactic acid bacteria on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and cell morphological changes. The production of NO and TNF-$\alpha$ were largely affected by lactic acid bacteria in dose-dependent manner in 24 or 48 hr cultures and cell morphological changes were also largely affected by lactic acid bacteria. Especially Bifidobacterium bifidum differentially stimulated the production of NO and TNF-$\alpha$. NO production was increased by Bifidobacterium bifidum 25 $\mu$l/ml more than LPS (20 ng/ml) control, and TW-$\alpha$ by Bifidobacterium bifidum 6.25 $\mu$l/ml more than LPS (10 ng/ml) control. The in vitro approaches employed here should be useful in further characterization of the effects of lactic acid bacteria on systemic immunity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.352-359
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• 2006

MMP-2 and MMP-9, type IV collagenases which degrade basement membrane, have been known to play important roles in invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, In addition, they seem to be involved in cell differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and immunity, etc. We immunohistochemically examined epithelial and stromal expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in irritation fibroma, oral leukoplakia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and have some results as follows: 1. Irritation fibromas, oral leukoplakias and OSCCs mostly showed increased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the epithelium and connective tissue compared with normal mucosa. 2. There was a significant difference in the epithelial expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 between irritation fibroma and oral leukoplakia. 3. There was a significant difference in the epithelial and stromal expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 between irritation fibroma and OSCC. 4. There was a significant difference in the stromal expression of MMP-9 between oral leukoplakia and OSCC. We concluded that rritation fibroma, oral leukoplakia and OSCC have somewhat different characteristics of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions, which perhaps result from different pathogenesis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.675-685
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• 2005

Bone resorption involves sequential stages of osteoclast precursor migration and differentiation of osteoclast precursors into multinucleated osteoclasts. Stromal cell derived factor (SDF)-1 is a chemotactic factor for osteoclast precursor migration. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is involved in migration of osteoclast precursors and activation of $interleukin(IL)-1{\beta}$. Alveolar bone destruction is a characteristic feature of periodontal disease. Treponema lecithinolyticum is a oral spirochete isolated from the periodontal lesions. The effect of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) from T. lecithinolyticum on expression of SDF-1 and MMP-9 was examined in cocultures of bone marrow cells and osteblasts derived from mouse calvariae. T. lecithinolyticum LPS increased expression of MMP-9 in the coculture. Polymyxin B, an inhibitor of LPS, abolished the increase of MMP-9 mRNA expression by LPS. LPS did not increase the expression of SDF-1, $IL-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha}$ mRNA in cocultures. Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ up-regulated the expression of MMP-9 and NS398, an inhibitor of $PGE_2$ synthesis, down-regulated the induction of MMP-9 expression by T. lecitbinolyticm LPS. These results suggest that T. lecitbinolyticm LPS increases MMP-9 expression in bone cells via $PGE_2$ and that the induction of MMP-9 expression by T. lecitbinolyticm LPS is involved in alveolar bone destruction of periodontitis patients by the increase of osteoclast precursor migration and the activation of bone resorption-inducing cytokine.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.246-252
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• 2011

Korean mistletoe Lectin (KML-C) is composed of A and B sub-chain. B chain binds to carbohydrates on cell surface and A chain hinders translation and induces an apoptosis as a RIP (ribosome inactivating protein). KML-C has very strong biological activities, it has seriously limits to use as a cancer therapy or adjuvant because of its toxicity to normal cells. This study is therefore conducted to see if B chain of KML-C might have immunological activity, especially adjuvant activities with less toxicity. We isolated B chain from KML-C using the lactose affinity chromatography, and examined their immunoadjuvant activity. The isolated B-chain did not show any cytotoxicity against tumor cell, RAW264.7, and P388D1 while KML-C had a very strong toxicity. This non-toxic effect was observed also by in-vivo study. Both humoral and cellular immunities were observed ; the antibody titer was increased when the mice were immunized with B-chain used as adjuvant like Freund's adjuvant, indicating that B chain of mistletoe lectin alone might be used for adjuvant; it also increased DTH in cellular immunity. These results suggest that B-chain of KML-C might be used for adjuvant used for the production of antibody or vaccine with less toxicity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 2013

This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate ($NO_x$) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, IL-6, and $NO_x$. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and $NO_x$ was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of $NO_x$ were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1634-1640
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• 2007

The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activities and ferric- reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay against extracts of Kalopanax pictus (KP) were measured. Radical scavenging and antioxidant activities were increased depend on the concentration and the effects were enhanced by ascorbic acid (AA). KP extracts and AA had a good anti-proliferating activity against HepG2 cells by MTT assay and induces cells apoptosis, which was demonstrated by flow cytometric analysis. KP extracts and AA caused the arrest of cell-cycle progression at either G0-G1-phase or G2/M-phase, which might be depending upon the KP extracts concentration. In addition, KP extracts and AA are effective in enhancing immunity and nitric oxide production by RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. KP extracts and AA inhibited tumor cell growth and exerted antioxidant effects as compared to controls. These results demonstrate that simultaneous AA and KP extracts treatment could be useful in preventing the oxidative damage and anti-proliferating HepG2 cells, and are effective in enhancing immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 2021

The emergence and rapid spread of the potentially fatal coronavirus disease 2019, caused due to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, has led to worldwide interest in developing functional bioactive ingredients that act as immunomodulatory agents. In this study, we aimed to characterize Carica papaya extract and explore its potential as an immunomodulator by performing in vitro cell screening. Papaya leaf water extract (PLW) was found to significantly increase the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) by upregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 activity, respectively. Additionally, PLW increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 1β in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, PLW activated the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not that of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results indicate that PLW increased the production of NO, PGE₂, and pro-inflammatory cytokines by activating the JNK and ERK pathways in macrophages, thus demonstrating immunomodulatory properties. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint analysis indicated the presence of rutin, narirutin, and ρ-coumaric acid in PLW (6.30, 119.76, and 47.25 ppm, respectively). Treating cells with these compounds at non-toxic concentrations had no effect on NO production. Taken together, these results suggest that PLW may have potential as an immunity-enhancing supplement.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 2019

Brain aging induces neuropsychological changes, such as decreased memory capacity, language ability, and attention; and is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, most of the studies on brain aging are focused on neurons, while senescence in astrocytes has received less attention. Astrocytes constitute the majority of cell types in the brain and perform various functions in the brain such as supporting brain structures, regulating blood-brain barrier permeability, transmitter uptake and regulation, and immunity modulation. Recent studies have shown that SIRT1 and SIRT2 play certain roles in cellular senescence in peripheral systems. Both SIRT1 and SIRT2 inhibitors delay tumor growth in vivo without significant general toxicity. In this study, we investigated the role of tenovin-1, an inhibitor of SIRT1 and SIRT2, on rat primary astrocytes where we observed senescence and other functional changes. Cellular senescence usually is characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and induces senescence- associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity. Tenovin-1-treated astrocytes showed increased SA-${\beta}$-gal-positive cell number, senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, including IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$, and cell cycle-related proteins like phospho-histone H3 and CDK2. Along with the molecular changes, tenovin-1 impaired the wound-healing activity of cultured primary astrocytes. These data suggest that tenovin-1 can induce cellular senescence in astrocytes possibly by inhibiting SIRT1 and SIRT2, which may play particular roles in brain aging and neurodegenerative conditions.