• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.1 s.32
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• pp.177-194
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• 2007

Fructus of Rubus coreanus $M_{IQ.}$. (FRCM) has been used for stuttering urination, prostate gland disease, and impotence in Korean traditional medicine. Water extract of FRCM (WFRCM) treatment significantly attenuated airway hyperreactivity (AHR). Airway recruitment of leukocytes and eosinophils was also markedly reduced by WFRCM administration, suggesting that WFRCM can alleviate the airway inflammation. However, the level of cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung was not different compared with positive control. WFRCM reduced the number of draining lymph node cells during OVA-induced allergic asthma. I further examined transcription level of cytokine in lung. WFRCM treatment reduced IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA in lung and inhibited IgE and IgG1 but not IgG2a. My data suggest that WFRCM attenuates OVA-induced allergic asthma through inhibition of Th2 cell response.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.955-960
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• 2002

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2006

Objective : Although management of asthma has become increasingly effective, its cure remains elusive, necessitating a new modality to prevent or eliminate causes triggering clinical progress. Based in the clinical experiences, a novel decoration Cheongsangbiyeum (CSB), has been developed to treat asthma, which consists of Polyporus, Semen Myristicae, Pericarpium citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Cimicifugae, Cortex Albizziae, Fructus Rubi, Rhizoma Zedoariae, and Rhizoma Rhei. In the current study, its anti-asthmatic efficacy was evaluated using a mouse model of asthma. Methods : Experimental allergic asthma was induced by repeated intraperitioneal sensitization and intranasal challenge of ovalbumin (OVA). Water extract of CSB (1 mg/mouse/day) was administrated orally whereas control mice on given with identical volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 5 days during the course of antigen challenge. When airway hyperreactivity(AHR) measured by ${\bata}-methacoline-induced$ airflow obstruction was compared, AHR of CSB-treated mice was significantly lower than those of control mice, indicating that CM extract can attenuate an asthmatic symptom. Airway recruitment of leukocytes and eosinophils was also markedly reduced by CSB treatment suggesting that oral treatment of CSB can alleviate the airway inflammation. For a better understanding of possible mechanisms underlying anti-asthmatic effet of CSB, cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and $IFN{\gamma}$ levels in bronchoalveola lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were determined. Results : The results showed that cytokine levels were significantly lowered by CSB treatment. Additionally, number of draining lymph node cells was significantly lower than those of control mice. These data indicate that CSB suppress in vivo allergen-specific response. However, notably, levels of type 2 cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-13 were more profoundly influenced. Moreover, in vitro OVA-specific proliferative response and type 2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) production lymph node cells was markedly decreased in CSB-treated mice, whereas their $IFN{\gamma}$ production was not significantly altered Thrse data clearly showed a preferential inhibition of type 2 T cell (Th2) response by CSB treatment. This finding was also supported by serum antibody data showing that levels of OVA-specific type 2 antibodies, IgE and IgG1, in CSB-treated mice were significantly lower than in control mice, while type 1 antibody, IgG2a level m rather higher than controls, although the difference was in significant. Conclusions : In conclusion, oral administration of CSB attenuates asthmatic manifestations including AHR ad airway recruitment of eosinophils in a mouse model which possibly results from selective inhibition of Th2 cell response to allergen. Our data suggest a potential clinical application of CSB for control of allergic asthma.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.45.1-45.15
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• 2022

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by reversible airway obstruction and airway hyperreactivity to various environmental stimuli, leading to recurrent cough, dyspnea, and wheezing episodes. Regarding inflammatory mechanisms, type 2/eosinophilic inflammation along with activated mast cells is the major one; however, diverse mechanisms, including structural cells-derived and non-type 2/neutrophilic inflammations are involved, presenting heterogenous phenotypes. Although most asthmatic patients could be properly controlled by the guided treatment, patients with severe asthma (SA; classified as a treatment-refractory group) suffer from uncontrolled symptoms with frequent asthma exacerbations even on regular anti-inflammatory medications, raising needs for additional controllers, including biologics that target specific molecules found in asthmatic airway, and achieving the precision medicine for asthma. This review summarizes the immunologic basis of airway inflammatory mechanisms and current biologics for SA in order to address unmet needs for future targets.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.69-76
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• 2005

Objectives : HERBA EPHEDRAE (HE) has been used cough and asthma for long time in korea. In the present study, we examined the effect HE on the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway hyper-reactivity (AHR). Methods : To examine the effect of HE on AHR, mice were sensitized with 100 mg of OVA and 1mg of alum intraperitoneally on day 0 and 14. On day 28, mice were challenged on 3 consecutive days with 3% OVA and AHR was assessed 24 h after the last challenge. To examine severity of airway hyper-reactivity, we examined eosinophil population and cytokine production in bronchoaveloar lavage fluid(BALF) and stained with hematoxylin and eosin in lung. Results : HE potently inhibited the development of airway hyper-reactivity and also reduced the number of eosinophil during OVA-induced airway hyper-reactivity. HE also inhibited cytokines production such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in BALF. Furthermore, HE inhibited proliferation of eosinophil in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that HE may be beneficial oriental medicine for AHR.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.373-379
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• 2011

Purpose: 4-1BB (CD 137) is a costimulatory molecule expressed on activated T-cells. Repression by 4-1BB is thought to attenuate Th2-mediated allergic reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4-1BB on allergic airway inflammation in a murine asthma model. Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized to and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Hu.4-1BB-Fc was administered 1 day before the first OVA sensitization or 1 day after the second OVA sensitization. Following antigen challenge, airway responsiveness to methacholine was assessed and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was analyzed. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, OVA-specific IgE, $IgG_1$, and $IgG_{2a}$ levels in sera were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lung pathology was also evaluated. Results: In mice treated with Hu.4-1BB-Fc before the first OVA sensitization, there was a marked decrease in airway hyperresponsiveness, total cell count, and eosinophil count in the BAL fluid. In addition, Hu.4-1BB-Fc treatment decreased serum OVA-specific $IgG_1$ levels and increased serum $IgG_{2a}$ level significantly compared with the corresponding levels in mice sensitized to and challenged with OVA. Hu.4-1BB-Fc-treated mice also showed suppressed peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration. In contrast, treatment with Hu.4-1BB-Fc 1 day after sensitization had no effect on airway hyperresponsiveness and showed less suppression of inflammation in lung tissue. Conclusion: Administration of Hu.4-1BB-Fc can attenuate airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. In addition, administration before sensitization may be more effective. These findings suggest that 4-1BB may be a useful therapeutic molecule against asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 1991

To evaluate the effect of damaged bronchial epithelium on epithelial permeability and physiologic changes of the airway in patients with bronchial asthma, we measured the concentration of protein and albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the width of intercellular junction and bronchial hyperreactivity in 22 patients with bronchial asthma and 21 healthy subjects. The results were as follows: 1) The concentration of protein in BALF from patients with bronchial asthma was higher when compared with that of normal subjects ($237{\pm}182$ vs $113{\pm}78\;{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.05), and the concentration of albumin was also higher than that of normal subjects ($116{\pm}126$ vs $32{\pm}88\;{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.05). The ratio of the concentration of protein in BALF to that in serum was increased in patients with bronchial asthma when compared with that of normal subjects ($0.35{\pm}0.30$ vs $0.16{\pm}0.11%$, p<0.05). 2) The intercellular junction of bronchial epithelium was widened in 14 of 20 patients with bronchial asthma, in contrast, 5 of 14 normal subjects (p<0.05). The mean width of intercellular junction was greater when compared with that of normal subjects ($1.71{\pm}1.81$ vs $0.56{\pm}0.85\;{\mu}m$, p<0.05). The width was well correlated with the ratio of protein in BALF to that of serum (r=0.3226, p=0.047) when observed in 18 patients with bronchial asthma and 10 patients with normal subjects. 3) The bronchial hyperreactivity, expressed as $PC_{20}$, was inversely correlated with the concentration of protein in BALF (r=-0.3030, p=0.038) in when observed in 18 patients with bronchial asthma and 19 normal subjects. 4) The width of intercellular junction was well inversely correlated with $PC_{20}$ (r=-0.5006, p=0.002) when observed in 19 patients with bronchial asthma and 11 patients with normal subjects. In conclusion, increased permeability and the damage of bronchial epithelium may lead to change of bronchial hyperreactivity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 1991

It has been well known that the integrity of airway epithelium is important in development of bronchial hyperreactivity and bronchial asthma. But the mechanisms involved are still unclear. To evaluate that airway epithelium is able to modulate the contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, we investigated the responsiveness of intact and epithelium-denuded tracheal strips to histamine and acetylcholine. And to evaluate whether cyclooxgenase products play a role in this modulatory mechanism, we also investigated the effect of indomethacin pretreatment on the tracheal responsiveness to histamine. Results were as follows: 1) In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle the presence of airway epithelium significantly reduced the response to histamine. 2) In the presence of indomethacin dose-response curves and $EC_{50}$ values were similar between intact and epithelium-denuded tracheal strips, that is, indomethacin abolished the influence of epithelium on the contracion of tracheal smooth muscle. 3) The response of tracheal smooth muscle to acetylcholine was similar both in the presence and absence of epithelium. These results suggest that airway epithelium of guinea pig may generate an inhibitory signal to decrease the response of tracheal smooth muscle to histamine and cyclooxygenase products may contrbute to the modulation of airway epithelium on the contracion of tracheal smooth muscle.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.171-181
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• 2014

Asthma is a common pulmonary disease with several different forms. The most studied form of asthma is the allergic form, which is mainly related to the function of Th2 cells and their production of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) in association with allergen sensitization and adaptive immunity. Recently, there have been many advances in understanding non-allergic asthma, which seems to be related to environmental factors such as air pollution, infection, or even obesity. Cells of the innate immune system, including macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer T cells as well as the newly described innate lymphoid cells, are effective producers of a variety of cytokines and seem to play important roles in the development of non-allergic asthma. In this review, we focus on recent findings regarding innate lymphoid cells and their roles in asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.270-279
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• 1991

It has been well known that the integrity of airway epithelium is important in developing of bronchial hyperreactivity or bronchial asthma. But the mechanisms underlying this nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness are not yet determined. To evaluate the ability of guinea pig trachea to release an epithelium derived relaxing factor (EpDRF) which relax rat vascular smooth muscle, we performed the coaxial bioassay using guinea pig trachea and rat aorta. And to evaluate the nature of EpDRF we investigate the influence of methylene blue and indomethacin on the coaxial bioassay. Results were as follows. 1) Vascular smooth muscle mounted into the epithelium intact trachea which was precontracted with phenylephrine was relaxed by addition of histamine or acetylcholine. But vascular smooth muscle mounted into epithelium denuded trachea failed to be relaxed. 2) Epithelium dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle was not affected by pretreatment of methylene blue or indomethacin. These results strongly suggests that guinea pig tracheal epithelium releases EpDRF which is able to relax rat vascular smooth muscle. And EpDRF released by airway epithelium is not related to endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) or cyclooxygenase products.