• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2008

Immunity is responsible for the defense mechanism of the body but in case of autoimmune diseases, its role gets diverted. Like so many other diseases, asthma is also considered as one of the most common autoimmune diseases to be occurring in community. Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory airway disease that is characterized by airway hyper reactivity and mucus hypersecretion that result in intermittent airway obstruction. The incidence of allergic asthma has almost doubled in the past two decades. Although, precise causative mechanism of asthma is unknown, but several mechanisms have been proposed that is immunological, pharmacological and genetic mechanisms, and airway and neurogenic inflammation. The inflammatory process observed in the asthmatic patients is the final result of a complex network of interactions between various immunological cell lineages, its mediators and secreted substances. Thus, among the mechanisms proposed, the immunological one plays a key role. Through this article, we have tried to provide some insight into immunological mechanisms in pathogenesis of asthma.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2007

Autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) is the neuromuscular junction disorder mostly caused by antibody against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR antibody) at the muscle endplate. The goal of treatment is to induce and maintain remission, i.e., absence of symptoms, with the least cost-to-benefit ratio. Although corticosteroids are effective in inducing remission in most patients, they have numerous potentially serious adverse effects with their long-term use. In addition, some patients do not respond or are intolerant to the conventional treatment. In this article, we discuss the difficulties encountered in long-term immunosuppressive treatment of MG, and review useful tips for the use of corticosteroids. Long-term immunosuppressive agents that can be used in steroid-refractory or -dependent patients will be reviewed with their safety profiles and efficacy in MG.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.104-115
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to discuss the differential diagnosis of postpartum pain. Methods: In this study, postpartum pain cases reported in the Journal of Korean Medicine were investigated, and a case of postpartum patient who diagnosed syringomyelia was reported. Results: Patients with autoimmune diseases who complained of postpartum pain had a different course of treatment process and they had related family history. Patients with syringomyelia also differed from the usual treatment process. Conclusions: In patients with postpartum pain who differ from usual treatment process, differential diagnosis of autoimmune disease and syringomyelia is necessary.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.366-370
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• 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the main drugs for programmed cell death receptor-1 or ligand-1 expressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) combined with conventional chemotherapy. ICIs are generally more tolerable than cytotoxic chemotherapies in terms of toxicity, and ICI-related adverse events are mild and manageable. However, these drugs may lead to unexpected severe adverse events such as immune-related hematologic toxicities, which could be life-threatening. Here, a rare case of a pembrolizumab-related adverse event in a patient with NSCLC who showed early-onset hemolytic anemia and recovered by high-dose steroid and a series of plasma exchanges is reported.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 2019

Imatinib mesylate is currently used as the first-line treatment for metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity in patients with GIST is very rare. Its features vary from subclinical elevation of serum aminotransferase to clinically apparent acute hepatitis, which is associated with immunologic reactions. Imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity with autoimmune-like features can be treated by the discontinuation of imatinib mesylate and the administration of oral steroids. Here, we report a case of late-onset imatinib-induced hepatitis with autoimmune-like features in a patient with metastatic GIST, which was improved by oral corticosteroids.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2015

Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs, also known as gastric carcinoids) are rare form of hormone-secreting neoplasms that present with varied clinical syndromes. There are four types of GNETs based on size, proliferation, localization, differentiation, and hormone production. Type I GNET is related to autoimmune atrophic gastritis and hypergastrinemia. Type II GNETs are related to multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)-1, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and hypergastrinemia. Type 3 GNETs are not associated with any background pathology, and type 4 GNETs are poorly differentiated tumors. The most useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for gastrointestinal NETs is plasma chromogranin A (CgA) levels. Endoscopic ultrasound is the method of choice to determine tumor size and depth of infiltration. For optimal management, the type, biology, and stage of the tumor must be considered. Here, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of GNETs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.24
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• 2024

Studies over the last 2 decades have identified IL-17 and IL-21 as key cytokines in the modulation of a wide range of immune responses. IL-17 serves as a critical defender against bacterial and fungal pathogens, while maintaining symbiotic relationships with commensal microbiota. However, alterations in its levels can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. IL-21, on the other hand, bridges the adaptive and innate immune responses, and its imbalance is implicated in autoimmune diseases and cancer, highlighting its important role in both health and disease. Delving into the intricacies of these cytokines not only opens new avenues for understanding the immune system, but also promises innovative advances in the development of therapeutic strategies for numerous diseases. In this review, we will discuss an updated view of the immunobiology and therapeutic potential of IL-17 and IL-21.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.271-280
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• 2016

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are ectopic lymphoid tissues involved in chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and cancer. They exhibit almost all the characteristics of secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), which are associated with adaptive immune responses; as such, they contain organized B-cell follicles with germinal centers, distinct areas containing T cells and dendritic cells, high endothelial venules, and lymphatics. In this review, we briefly describe the formation of SLO, and describe the cellular subsets and molecular cues involved in the formation and maintenance of TLS. Finally, we discuss the associations of TLS with human diseases, especially autoimmune diseases, and the potential for therapeutic targeting.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.45.1-45.16
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• 2020

IL-9 has been reported to play dual roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders and cancers. The collaboration of IL-9 with microenvironmental factors including the broader cytokine milieu and other cellular components may provide important keys to explain its conflicting effects in chronic conditions. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the cellular sources of, and immunological responders to IL-9, in order to interpret the role of IL-9 in the regulation of immune responses. This knowledge will provide new perspectives to improve clinical benefits and limit adverse effects of IL-9 when treating pathologic conditions.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2024

Several anti-inflammatory small molecules have been found in the process of the inflammatory response, and these small molecules have been used to treat some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Numerous tools for predicting anti-inflammatory peptides (AIPs) have emerged in recent years. However, conducting experimental validations in the lab is both resource-intensive and time-consuming. Current therapies for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders often involve nonspecific anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants, often with potential side effects. AIPs have been used in treating inflammatory illnesses like Alzheimer's disease and can limit the expression of inflammatory promoters. Recent advances in adverse incident predictions (AIPs) have been made, but it is crucial to acknowledge limitations and imperfections in existing methodologies.