• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2014

Cystatins (CSTs) are reversible and competitive inhibitors of C1A cysteine proteases, corresponding to papain-like cathepsins in plants and animals. A viral CST (CpBV-CST1) was identified from a polydnavirus, Cotesia plutellae bracovirus (CpBV). Our previous study indicated that a transient expression of CpBV-CST1 interfered with immune response and development of Plutella xylostella larvae. To directly demonstrate the protein function, this study produced a recombinant CpBV-CST1 protein (rCpBV-CST1) using bacterial expression system to determine its inhibitory activity against cysteine protease and to assess its physiological alteration in insect immune and development. The open reading frame of CpBV-CST1 encodes a polypeptide of 138 amino acids (${\approx}15kDa$). rCpBV-cystatin protein in BL21 STAR (DE3) competent cells containing a recombinant pGEX4T-3:CpBV-CST1 was over-expressed by 0.5 mM IPTG for 4 h. In biological activity assay, the purified rCpBV-CST1 showed a significant inhibition against papain activity. It inhibited a cellular immune response of hemocyte nodule formation in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. Moreover, its oral administration retarded larval development of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that CpBV-CST1 may be applied to control insect pest populations.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

Background: The regulation of maternal immunity is critical for the establishment and maintenance of successful pregnancy. Among many cell types regulating the immune system, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are known to play an important role in innate immunity. Although some reports show that ILCs are present at the maternalconceptus interface in humans and mice, the expression and function of ILCs in the endometrium have not been studied in pigs. Methods: Thus, we determined the expression, localization, and regulation of ILC markers, CD127 (a common marker for ILCs), BCL11B (a ILC2 marker), and RORC (a ILC3 marker) at the maternal-conceptus interface in pigs. Results: The expression of BCL11B and RORC, but not CD127, in the endometrium changed during pregnancy in a stage-specific manner and the expression of CD127, BCL11B, and RORC was greatest on Day 15 during pregnancy. CD127, BCL11B, and RORC were also expressed in conceptus tissues during early pregnancy and in chorioallantoic tissues during the later stage of pregnancy. BCL11B and RORC proteins were localized to specific cells in endometrial stroma. The expression of CD127 and BCL11B, but not RORC, was increased by the increasing doses of interferon-γ (IFNG) in endometrial explants. Conclusions: These results suggest that ILCs present at the maternal-conceptus interface may play a role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy by regulating the innate immunity in pigs.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.519-526
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• 2023

Present study explored immunostimulatory effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Zanthoxylum schinifolium 1:1 (w:w) mixture (AZM-1:1) in Raw264.7 cells, mouse macrophage derived cells. Treatment with 100-400 ㎍/mL of AZM-1:1 in Raw264.7 cells significantly increased nitric oxide production in parallel with inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression without affecting cytotoxicity. In addition, AZM-1:1 dose-dependently increased prostaglandin E₂ production in conditioned medium along with cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA induction. Moreover, AZM-1:1 induces the transcription of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Immunoblot analyses revealed that AZM-1:1 significantly increased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, provoked phosphorylation-mediated degradation of inhibitory-κBα, and phosphorylated p65. Furthermore, treatment with AZM-1:1 promoted phagocytosis of Escherichia coli particle labeled with green fluorescence. Taken together, AZM-1:1 may be a promising nutraceutical for stimulation the innate immune system, including macrophages.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2485-2490
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• 2016

The liver is one of the most common sites of cancer in the world, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predominating. HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death overall. Hepatitis C is a major risk factor and HCV is a rapid spreading virus which has become a problem globally, including in Pakistan. Interferon alpha therapy is used against HCV disease to regulate cell reproduction and to boost the immune system. In minute amounts interferon alpha is produced naturally by the immune system in HCV patients in response to hepatitis C virus and binds to receptors in the target cells and starts transcription of 20-30 genes due to which it develops an antiviral influence. Interferon is also administered artificially to overcome HCV disease and remove the biological effect of the virus from the infected site. The use of interferon or Peg-IFN plus Ribavirin treatment is also associated with adverse effects on body. For the current study, a convenient sample of 156 HCV positive patients of both males and females were taken. To collect blood CP and ALT, a reduction of level data and other important information were collected from the patients at regular intervals. Findings were 11.4 % in the red blood cells (RBC), 9.64 % in the total leukocyte count (WBC), 8.4 % in the hemoglobin levels (HB), 30.3 % in the platelet (Plt) count in both sexes. There was significant reduction in ALT levels due to Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Hence strict haemotological monitoring of blood CP and ALT levels is necessary at regular intervals to reduce severe side effects which may lead to morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.244-250
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• 2014

Background: Panax ginseng has distinct and impressive health benefits, such as improved blood pressure and immune system functioning. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (REKRG) isolated from Korean Red Ginseng contains a high percentage of Rg3. Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of REKRG on endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and vascular function in rats. Results: REKRG dose-dependently increased eNOS phosphorylation and nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. In addition, REKRG markedly inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-mediated induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions in endothelial cells. REKRG improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared with controls. Furthermore, REKRG treatment for 6 weeks increased serum NO levels and reduced the mean aortic intima-media thickness compared with controls. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that REKRG increased vascular function and improved immune system functioning. Therefore, REKRG is a very useful food for preventing or improving various cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 2023

As a famous herbal medicine in China and Asia, ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is also known as the "King of All Herbs" and has long been used in medicine and healthcare. In addition to the obvious biological activities of ginsenosides, ginseng polysaccharides (GPs) exhibit excellent antitumor, antioxidant stress, and immunomodulatory effects. In particular, GPs can exert an antitumor effect and is a potential immunomodulator. However, due to the complexity and diversity in the structures and components of GPs, their specific physicochemical properties, and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this article, we have summarized the factors influencing the antitumor activity of GPs and their mechanism of action, including the stimulation of the immune system, regulation of the gut microbiota, and direct action on tumor cells

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.441-448
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• 2007

Heart rate variability (HRV) in electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important index for understanding the health status of heart and the autonomic nervous system. Most HRV analysis approaches are based on the proper heart rate (HR) data. Estimation of heart rate is thus a key process in the HRV study. In this paper, we report an innovative method to estimate the heart rate. This method is mainly based on the concept of periodicity transform (PT) and instantaneous period (IP) estimate. The method presented is accordingly called the "PT-IP method." It does not require ECG R-wave detection and thus possesses robust noise-immune capability. While the noise contamination, ECG time-varying morphology, and subjects' physiological variations make the R-wave detection a difficult task, this method can help us effectively estimate HR for medical research and clinical diagnosis. The results of estimating HR from empirical ECG data verify the efficacy and reliability of the proposed method.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2001.11c
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• pp.161-164
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• 2001

생명체의 면역계는 외부에서 침입해 세포나 장기에 피해를 주는 물질인 항원을 스스로 자기세포와 구분해 인식하고 제거하는 기능을 가지고 있다. 이러한 면역계의 특징 중의 하나는 항원과 구별되는 자기 세포의 확실한 인식을 가지고 구분하는 자기/비자기(self/non-self) 인식방법이다. 이러한 기능을 가장 잘 보여주는 면역 T세포 중의 하나인 세포독성 T세포(T-cytotoxic Cell)는 자기세포를 인식하는 부분과 항원으로 인식하는 부분으로 구성되어 항원에 의해 감염된 자기세포를 찾아 제거하는 역할을 한다. 본 논문에서는 생명체의 면역계에서 중요한 역할을 하는 세포독성 T세포의 생성중의 자기인식 과정의 하나인 Positive Selection을 모델링하여 자기-인식 알고리즘 구현하였다. 구현한 알고리즘을 자기 공간의 국소변경과 블록변경에 대한 자기인식률을 통해 알고리즘의 유효성을 검증하며 응용 시스템으로 지문 인식에 적용하였다.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.224-229
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• 2009

Human lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein with many biological activities, including the protection against microbial and virus infection and stimulation of the immune system. We introduced a human lactoferrin (hLf) cDNA under the control of 35S promoter into sweet potato by particle bombardment. Transgenic plants were regenerated via somatic embryogenesis. Transgenic plants were produced typical tuberous roots in soil. PCR, Southern and northern analyses confirmed that the hLf cDNA was incorporated into the plant genome and was properly expressed in plants. Western blot analysis showed that the 80 kDa full length hLf protein was produced in transgenic tuberous roots. Overall results indicated that sweet potato would be an excellent host to produce human therapeutic proteins.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2019

Eucommiae Cortex (EC), bark of Eucommia ulmoides, has been known as a traditional medicine to regulate hypertension and immune system. Because silk of gum in the EC blocks the release of active ingredients, EC generally has been utilized after processing with carbonization or salt-water to breakdown it. This study aimed to investigate the differences of non-processed EC and processed EC on antioxidant and anticancer properties. Antioxidant capacity was assessed by measuring the content of total polyphenols, reducing power, and ABTS radical scavenging effect. And anticancer effects were examined by evaluating the viability of pancreatic cancer cells and wound healing ability. The results demonstrated that processed EC contained more content of polyphenols and exhibited more potent reducing power and radical scavenging effect than non-processed EC. In addition, processed EC more efficiently inhibited proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. These results suggest that processing of medicinal plants can improve the biological properties such as antioxidant or anticancer activity, which may lead to the development of herbal medicine treatment technology.