• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2016

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells, and play an important role in the induction of antigen-specific adaptive immunity. However, some DC populations are involved in immune regulation and immune tolerance. These DC populations are believed to take part in the control of immune exaggeration and immune disorder, and maintain immune homeostasis in the body. Tolerogenic DCs (tolDCs) can be generated in vitro by genetic or pharmacological modification or by controlling the maturation stages of cytokine-derived DCs. These tolDCs have been investigated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in experimental animal models. In the last decade, several in vitro and in vivo approaches have been translated into clinical trials. As of 2015, three tolDC trials for RA are on the list of ClinicalTrial.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov). Other trials for RA are in progress and will be listed soon. In this review, we discuss the evolution of tolDC-based immunotherapy for RA and its limitations and future prospects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.122-136
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• 2004

To evaluate effect of CRSST on inhibiting the occurrence of arthritis, we performed the experiments including production of inflammatory cytokine and immunoglobin in collagen induced arthritis model. The results were obtained as follows. CRSST extract shows any cytotoxicity effect on mouse lung fibroblast cells at dose of 400 ㎍/㎖. CRSST group shows inhibitory effect on arthritis incidence than control group for six weeks. Arthritis index of CRSST group reduces from 4 weeks (75±17.4%) to 6 weeks (33.3±10.0%) compared with control group. In CRSST group, production of cytokines which shows suppressive effect on inflammation (IL-4, IL-10 ) are increased and which promotes inflammation (TNF-α, INF-γ) are decreased in blood. In CRSST group, production of immunogloblin (IgG2b, IgG3 and IgM) is reduced compared with control group, and rate of CD4+ and CD3+ T cell is lower in joint and higher in lymph node compared with control group. From above results it could be accepted that CRSST shows anti-arthritis effect via immune system especially through the controlling the inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobins. CRSST could be usefully applied for the prevention and treatment of RA. And also is expected to be clinically helpful on the treatment of RA through modification.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2007

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease involving multiple joint. In order to access the suppressive effects of JTT on rheumatoid arthritis and it's effects on immune system we investigated whether JTT could suppress the disease progression of collagen-induced arthritis. DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen. After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with DW, JTT (200 or 400 mg/kg) or methotrexate (MTX, 30 mg/kg) as a positive control. Oral administration of JTT significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which extend is comparable to that of MTX. Histological examination reveled that JTT inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells into affected paw joint and bone erosion and cartilage destruction were greatly reduced compared with control. Total cell number of spleen, lymph node and peripheral blood were significantly reduced. The absolute number of CD19$^+$, CD3$^+$/CD69$^+$, CD4$^+$/CD25$^+$ cell in spleen from JTT treated mice were significantly decreased. The absolute number of CD19$^+$, CD3$^+$, CD3$^+$/CD69$^+$, CD4$^+$, CD4$^+$/CD25$^+$ CD8$^+$, CD49b, CD3/CD49b cells in draining lymph node were significantly increased compared with control. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells of JTT treated mice, the absolute number of CD4$^+$, CD4$^+$/CD25$^+$, CD3$^+$/CD69$^+$ cells were significantly decreased compared with control, while that of CD49b$^+$ was slightly increased. Infiltration of CD3$^+$ cells and CD11b$^+$/Gr-1$^+$ cells into paw joint was significantly reduced in JTT treated mice. The levels of pathologic cytokines including TNF-a and IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased by oral treatment with JTT The levels of IFN-g in the culture supernatant of splenocyte stimulated with CD3$^+$/CD28$^+$ or collagen were dramatically decreased, while the levels of IL-4 was increased under CD3$^+$/CD28$^+$ or collagen stimulation. Rheumatoid factors including IgG, IgM and collagen specific antibody were present much lower in the serum of JTT treated mice than control. Taken together, JTT has suppressive effects on rheumatoid arthritis by modulating immune system, and has potential to use anti-rheumatic arthritic agent in human.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1311-1314
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• 2006

This study was peformed to investigate possible mechanisms underlying possible effect of Coicis Semen composition (CSC) on inflammatory diseases using in vivo model of RA in the mice. Results are summarized as follows. In production of inflammatory cytokines, INF-${\gamma}$ in the spleen and IL-6 in the serum were decreased by CSC treatment. TNF-${\alpha}$ in serum was significantly decreased, IL-4 in the spleen was significantly increased by CSC treatment. In production of rheumatoid factors, IgM and IgG were significantly decreased by CSC treatment. The present data suggest that CSC treatment can improve pathological damage by CIA. So we expect that CSC should be used as a effective drugs for not only rheumatoid arthritis but also another autoimmune disease. Therefore we have to survey continuously in looking for the effective substance and mechanism in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.10-27
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• 2002

연구목적 : 면역억제와 활성 작용을 지닌 것으로 알려진 녹용약침(CPH)을 type II collagen 유발 관절염 (CIA) 백서와 인산이온 유발 연골세포의 세포사에 있어 보호활성 효과를 연구하였다. 연구방법 : 7주된 암컷 Sprague-Dawley 쥐를 collagen으로 관절염을 유발시킨 후 CPH의 효과를 관절염 점수, 체중감소 등의 평가기준으로 검정하였다. CPH는 일주일에 5번씩 각각 10, 20, 30 및 $100{\mu}g/kg/day$의 용량으로 양측 신수혈에 주입하였다. 연구결과 : 1. 300 mg/kg/day CPH처리로 관절염점수의 감소를 기초로 한 collagen 유발 관절염의 발생을 완전히 억제하였으며 관절염 점수상에서 CPH의 효과작인 용량은 64 mg/kg이었다. 2. CHP는 쥐의 간에 있는 DHO-DHase 활성을 $Ki=843{\pm}43{\mu}g/ml$의 비교적 높은 비활성으로 억제하였다. 3. 관절염관련 세포의 증식억제활성을 검정한 결과 CPH의 항 증식효과는 세포주기 S기에서 정지시키는 활성을 나타내었다. 4. 쥐의 늑연골로부터 완전히 최종 분화된 비대연골세포를 분리 배양하여 3~5mM/L Pi를 첨가함으로서 세포사멸을 측정하였다. $10{\mu}g/ml$ CPH 처리에 의한 보호(억제) 효과가 Pi-유발 연골세포의 세포사에 대한 Na-Pi cotransport의 경쟁적 저해제로 알려진 phosphonoformic acid(PFA)의 억제활성과 상응하는 수준으로 CPH의 활성을 확인하게 되었다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2007

목적 : 본 연구는 화피의 연골 보호 및 소염 진통 작용을 알아보고, 화피를 이용한 관절염치료 약침액 개발의 기초자료를 얻기 위해 고안되었다. 방법 : In vitro에서는 토끼 무릎관절에서 배양된 연골조직에 5ng/ml IL-1${\alpha}$ 처리 후， 화피의 연골보호 효과, 연골세포에 대한 독성을 조사하였다. In vivo에서는 토끼 무릎관절내 collagenase를 주입, CIA 유발 후, 28일간 매일 토끼의 구강으로 화피, 증류수, CEX를 투여하였으며, 연골보호, 소염, 진통에 대한 측정을 하였다. 결과 : 화피는 proteoglican 및 collagen분해 억제, MMPs 활성 억제로 연골 보호 효과가 있었으며, 연골 세포에 대한 독성이 없었다. 소염작용은 PGE2 생산 억제 및 COX-2발현 억제, carrageenan 유발 쥐 모델에서의 부종 억제로 확인되었다. 진통작용은 tail flick test에서의 latency time 증가, formalin test에서의 염증성 통증억제로 나타났다. 결론 : 화피가 퇴행성관절염에 대한 연골 보호 효과 및 소염 진통 작용이 있으므로, 이를 근거로 약침액을 개발 응용하면 퇴행성관절염 치료에 활용될 수 있다고 사료된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.172-183
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• 2020

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is considered as a promising therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its involvement in inflammatory processes. However, limited studies have reported the involvement of PI3KC2γ in RA, and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of PI3KC2γ as a novel therapeutic target for RA and the effect of its selective inhibitor, PBT-6. In this study, we observed that PI3KC2γ was markedly increased in the synovial fluid and tissue as well as the PBMCs of patients with RA. PBT-6, a novel PI3KC2γ inhibitor, decreased the cell growth of TNF-mediated synovial fibroblasts and LPS-mediated macrophages. Furthermore, PBT-6 inhibited the PI3KC2γ expression and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in both synovial fibroblasts and macrophages. In addition, PBT-6 suppressed macrophage migration via CCL2 and osteoclastogenesis. In CIA mice, it significantly inhibited the progression and development of RA by decreasing arthritis scores and paw swelling. Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography confirmed that PBT-6 enhanced the joint structures in CIA mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that PI3KC2γ is a therapeutic target for RA, and PBT-6 could be developed as a novel PI3KC2γ inhibitor to target inflammatory diseases including RA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.105-116
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• 2008

Objectives : The objective of this study is to investigate the suppressing effect of the cervi pantotrichum cornu pharmacopuncture on the expression of iNOS mRNA and production of NO in synoviocytes from artificially arthritis-induced mice. Methods : In vitro test, synoviocytes extracted from a knee joint of a mouse were cultivated, and the herbal extract of cervi pantotrichum cornu($0.4mg/m{\ell}$, $0.6mg/m{\ell}$, $0.8mg/m{\ell}$, and $1.0mg/m{\ell}$) was added into the wells of synoviocytes to suppress the expression of iNOS mRNA and production of NO. In vivo test, each ten mice were allocated into three groups; Normal group, CIA-elicitated group(CIA), and group treated with cervi pantotrichum cornu pharmacopuncture after CIA elicitation(CCA). The extract of cervi pantotrichum cornu was injected into the acupoint of $SP_{10}$ to observe the changes of foot thickness in mice and the suppression of MIF, TNF-$\alpha$, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, and iNOS. Results : In vitro test, the expression of iNOS mRNA and production of NO were dose-dependently decreased in the wells of synoviocytes treated with PMA. In vivo test, the suppression of MIF, TNF-$\alpha$, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, and iNOS was clearly shown in the pieces of the synovial joint treated with the extract of cervi pantotrichum cornu. The foot thickness also decreased dose-dependently. Conclusions : It is speculated that the cervi pantotrichum cornu pharmacopuncture can be applicable to the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the expression of iNOS mRNA and production of NO.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2020

Background: Classical acupuncture is being used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To explore the biological response to acupuncture, a network-based analysis was performed on gene expression data collected from an animal model of RA treated with acupuncture. Methods: Gene expression data were obtained from published microarray studies on blood samples from rats with collagen induced arthritis (CIA) and non-CIA rats, both treated with manual acupuncture. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify gene clusters expressed in association with acupuncture treatment time and RA status. Gene ontology and pathway analyses were applied for functional annotation and network visualization. Results: A cluster of 347 genes were identified that differentially downregulated expression in association with acupuncture treatment over time; specifically in rats with CIA with module-RA correlation at 1 hour after acupuncture (-0.27; p < 0.001) and at 34 days after acupuncture (-0.33; p < 0.001). Functional annotation showed highly significant enrichment of porphyrin-containing compound biosynthetic processes (p < 0.001). The network-based analysis also identified a module of 140 genes differentially expressed between CIA and non-CIA in rats (p < 0.001). This cluster of genes was enriched for antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen (p < 0.001). Other functional gene clusters previously reported in earlier studies were also observed. Conclusion: The identified gene expression networks and their hub-genes could help with the understanding of mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of RA, as well understanding the effects of acupuncture treatment of RA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.227-241
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• 2005

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Asari Herba Cum Radice herbal-acupuncture solution(AHCR-HAS) on arthritis of mice induced by Collagen II at Joksamni(ST36). The author performed several experimental items. First, it is the cell survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts and expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in synovial cells. Second, it is the incidence rate of arthritis and the weight of spleen. Third, it is the levels of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, INF-${\gamma}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum Fourth, it is histological analysis of the mice joint. Fifth, it is expression ratio of CD3e+ to CDl9+ cell, CD4+ to CD8+ cell, CD69+/CD3e+ cells, CD11+/CD19+ cells and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Result : 1. The highest survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts were measured in the 1% AHCR-HAS, and the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in synovial cells were significantly decreased in the 1% AHCR-HAS. 2. In the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups, the incidence of arthritis and the weight of spleen were significantly decreased. 3. In AHCR-HAI & AHCR-HAII groups, the levels of IL-6, INF-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice were significantly decreased. 4. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups, and the collagen fiber expressions in the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups were similar with that of the Normal group. 5. In the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HA II groups, the expression ratio of CD3e+ to CD19+ cell and CD4+ to CD8+ cell were similarly maintained as Normal group in lymph nodes, and CD69+/CD3e+ cells and CD11a+/CD19+ cells were decreased in Iymph nodes, and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells were decreased in synovium. Conclusion : Taking all these observations into account, AHCR-HA is considered to be effective in prophylaxis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and then more effective in prophylaxis than treatment, so put to practical use in future rheumatoid arthritis clinic.