• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.569-573
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• 2020

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella infections and humans usually contract this disease from close contact with infected animals or their products, usually via the ingestion of cheese or crude milk. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in susceptibility/resistance and the immunopathogenesis of Brucella infection. These cytokines are crucial factors in the initiation and progression of protective immunity against Brucella infection but the role of MIF has not been well studied in the human response to intracellular microbes. This study was designed to investigate the effect of MIF expression on Brucella susceptibility. A total of 85 positive rose Bengal tests and 24 samples from healthy individuals were collected for this study and subjected to polymerase chain reaction assays (PCR) of the bcsp31 diagnostic gene. MIF concentrations were evaluated using Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the results showed that 46 (54%) of the rose Bengal test samples were positive and 39 (46%) were negative for bcsp31 (p ≤ 0.05) and used as the gold standard for all of the comparisons in this study. The ELISA results indicate that the mean concentration of MIF was significantly higher in patients with positive rose Bengal tests when compared to the control groups and that its concentration increases with increasing age in both the patient and control groups (p ≤ 0.05).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2010

Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (Araliaceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to Korea. The root and stem barks of Acanthopanax species have been used as a tonic and sedative as well as in the treatment of rheumatism and diabetes. In our study, three lignans, eleutheroside E (EE), tortoside A (TA), and syringaresinol (SY), were isolated from the stem and root of A. koreanum in an effort to study the immunomodulating effect. We treated natural killer cells and dendritic cells with lignans (EE, TA, or SY), and analyzed their cytokine (IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$) secretion. EE, TA, or SY markedly enhanced IL-12 secretion in mouse lymphoid (DC1) and myeloid type (DC2.4) dendritic cells after 48 hr of treatment. There were no significant differences in the cytokine stimulatory effects between EE, TA, or SY. Moreover, treatment of EE, TA, or SY significantly induced IFN-${\gamma}$ secretion by human NK cells (NK92MI) confirmed by ELISA assay. This study suggests that lignans from A. koreanum modulate cytokines, and that such modulation may provide the mechanism of action for many of their therapeutic effects.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.202-210
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• 2018

Abeliophyllum distichum is a medicinal plant used in regional traditional medicine to relieve pain in inflammatory processes. In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of Abeliophyllum distichum flower (ADF) extract were examined. Furthermore, possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects were dissected. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in murine macrophage-like cell line Raw264.7 cells. The measurement of the induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were carried out by ELISA. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and MAPK, and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were investigated by Western blot analysis. The extract of ADF significantly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 in activated cells. Our findings provide evidence for the popular use of Abeliophylli distichum in inflammation around Goesan region and also suggest that the flower extract has potential therapeutic benefits against various inflammatory diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.225-230
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• 2012

We investigated the effects of ${\beta}$-glucan purified from Paenibacillus polymyxa JB115 on the viability and proliferation of splenocytes. Splenocytes play a critical role in host immunity. MTT assays and trypan blue exclusion tests revealed that ${\beta}$-glucan significantly promoted the viability and proliferation of splenocytes over a range of concentrations. However, there was no specific subset change. ${\beta}$-glucan protected splenocytes from cytokine withdrawal-induced spontaneous cell death. For further mechanistic studies, ELISA assay revealed that ${\beta}$-glucan enhanced the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules and interleukin 7 (IL-7), a cytokine critical for lymphocyte survival. We also investigated the IL-2 dependency of ${\beta}$-glucan-treated splenocytes to determine if treated cells could still undergo clonal expansion. In flow cytometric analysis, ${\beta}$-glucan induced increased levels of the activation marker CD25 on the surface of splenocytes and ${\beta}$-glucan-treated splenocytes showed higher proliferation rates in response to IL-2 treatment. This study demonstrates that ${\beta}$-glucan can enhance the survival of splenocytes and provides valuable information to broaden the use of ${\beta}$-glucan in research fields.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2008

Betulinic acid, a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid, is found in abundance in the outer bark of white birch (Betula alba). In this study, we investigated if betulinic acid affects cytokine expression from activated macrophage cells. ELISA result showed that stimulation of HL-60 cells with proinflammatory cytokine such as $TNF-{\alpha}$ resulted in MCP-1 release into culture medium. In addition, transcriptional upregulation of MCP-1 in response to $TNF-{\alpha}$ was observed by RT-PCR analysis. However, incubation of HL-60 cells with betulinic acid prior to $TNF-{\alpha}$ treatment abrogated MCP-1 expression in transcription and translational level. Consistent with a number of studies which reported requirement of ERK activation for $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression, Western blot analysis showed that $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ ERK activation was suppressed by pretreatment of HL-60 cells with betulinic acid. Taken together, our data indicate that betulinic acid exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ ERK activation which is required for the subsequent MCP-1 release.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2008

Codonopsis lanceolata has long been used as a seasonal food and as a traditional tonic medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation properties. The present study investigated the in vitro effect of Codonopsis lanceolata extracts on immune function in mice. After preparing a single cell suspension splenocyte proliferation was determined by the MTT(3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y]-2,5-diphenyl terazolium bromide) assay. The cytokines IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ were not secreted by macrophages stimulated with or without LPS as determined by an ELISA cytokine kit assay. After a 48-hr incubation with the mitogens ConA or LPS there was an increase in splenocytes proliferation and in the production of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ in the suspensions supplemented with 50, 100, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ Codonopsis lanceolata water extract. The results suggest Codonopsis lanceolata water extract may enhance immune function by regulating splenocyte proliferation and stimulating cytokine production.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.156-168
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of Pinelliae Rhizoma (PR) extract on immune cells and cytokines in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice. Methods : In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and handicapped by OVA for 12 weeks. During this experiment, the one group was then treated with PR extract for the 8 weeks (3 times per week) and analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometer. Results : In vivo, there were significant decreases in eosinophils, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE in BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) compared with that of control group. However, $IFN-{\gamma}$ in BALF of GS group increased significantly, compared with that of control group. Additionally, the population of $CD3e^-/CCR3^+,\;CD69^+/CD3e^+,\;IgE^+/B220^+,\;CD11b^+/Gr-l^+$ cells in the PR group decreased, compared with that of control group. Conclusion : The results of this study support a role for PR as an effective treatment for asthma in its experimental success in significantly decreasing inflammation and asthma reactions, and in increasing $IFN-{\gamma}$, which helps prevent such reactions.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.89-89
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• 2018

Abeliophyllum distichum is a medicinal plant used in regional traditional medicine to relieve pain in inflammatory processes. In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of Abeliophyllum distichum stem (ADS) ethyl acetate extract were examined. Furthermore, possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects were dissected. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in murine macrophage-like cell line Raw264.7 cells and human microglial cell line BV2 cells. The measurement of the induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were carried out by ELISA. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and MAPK, and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 were investigated by Western blot analysis. The extract of ADS significantly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 in activated cells. Our findings provide evidence for the popular use of Abeliophylli distichum in inflammation around Goesan region and also suggest that the stem extract has potential therapeutic benefits against several inflammatory diseases.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.90-90
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• 2018

Kochiae Fructus is a medicinal plant used as medicine of the urinary organs, skin disease and inflammation. In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of Kochiae Fructus extract and its possible mechanisms of action were examined. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO), pro-inflammatory cytokine production and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) in murine macrophage-like cell line Raw 264.7 cells. The measurement of the induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were carried out by ELISA. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and MAPK and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 were investigated by Wesern blot analysis. The extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 in activated cells. As a result, we suggest that the extract of Kochiae Fructus decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6), nitric oxide, MMP-9 in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells. Kochiae Fructus has possibility to be used as therapeutic benefits against inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.799-811
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• 2005

This study was carried out to examine the potency of the three surface compo- nents from Porphyromonas gingivalis to stimulate the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 to synthesize the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$) and nitric oxide (NO). Lipopolysaccharide(LPS). lipid A-associated proteins(LAP) and saline-extractable surface -associated material(SAM) were isolated from P. gingivalis 381. $TNF-{\alpha}$ release into culture supernatants was determined by two-site ELISA. NO production was assayed by measuring the accumulation of nitrite in culture supernatants. Western blot analysis of iNOS and analysis of reverse transcription(RT)-PCR products were carried out. The surface components extracted from this bacterium were almost equally potent in stimulating release of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO by RAW264.7 cells. $TNF-{\alpha}$ that was being measured immunologically was due to activation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ gene transcription. The present study clearly shows that P. gingivalis surface components fully induced iNOS expression in RAW264.7 cells in the absence of other stimuli. The ability of P. gingivalis surface components to promote the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO may be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease.