• BMB Reports
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• 제55권10호
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• pp.473-480
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• 2022

Neutrophils, the most abundant innate immune cells, play essential roles in the innate immune system. As key innate immune cells, neutrophils detect intrusion of pathogens and initiate immune cascades with their functions; swarming (arresting), cytokine production, degranulation, phagocytosis, and projection of neutrophil extracellular trap. Because of their short lifespan and consumption during immune response, neutrophils need to be generated consistently, and generation of newborn neutrophils (granulopoiesis) should fulfill the environmental/systemic demands for training in cases of infection. Accumulating evidence suggests that neutrophils also play important roles in the regulation of adaptive immunity. Neutrophil-mediated immune responses end with apoptosis of the cells, and proper phagocytosis of the apoptotic body (efferocytosis) is crucial for initial and post resolution by producing tolerogenic innate/adaptive immune cells. However, inflammatory cues can impair these cascades, resulting in systemic immune activation; necrotic/pyroptotic neutrophil bodies can aggravate the excessive inflammation, increasing inflammatory macrophage and dendritic cell activation and subsequent T_H1/T_H17 responses contributing to the regulation of the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. In this review, we briefly introduce recent studies of neutrophil function as players of immune response.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.36.1-36.16
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• 2023

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role in thymic development and thymopoiesis. As individuals age, TECs undergo various changes that impact their functions, leading to a reduction in cell numbers and impaired thymic selection. These age-related alterations have been observed in both mice and humans. However, the precise mechanisms underlying age-related TEC dysfunction remain unclear. Furthermore, there is a lack of a comprehensive study that connects mouse and human biological processes in this area. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive transcriptome analysis of young and old TECs in mice, complemented by further analysis of publicly available human TEC single-cell RNA sequencing data. Our analysis revealed alterations in both known and unknown pathways that potentially contribute to age-related TEC dysfunction. Specifically, we observed downregulation of pathways related to cell proliferation, T cell development, metabolism, and cytokine signaling in old age TECs. Conversely, TGF-β, BMP, and Wnt signaling pathways were upregulated, which have been known to be associated with age-related TEC dysfunctions or newly discovered in this study. Importantly, we found that these age-related changes in mouse TECs were consistently present in human TECs as well. This cross-species validation further strengthens the significance of our findings. In conclusion, our comprehensive analysis provides valuable insight into the biological and immunological characteristics of aged TECs in both mice and humans. These findings contribute to a better understanding of thymic involution and age-induced immune dysfunction.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.910-916
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• 2002

Endotoxin tolerance reduces the capacity of monocytes to produce proinflammatory cytokines, results in cellular immune paralysis, and down-regulates the production of helper T (Th)1 type cytokines with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response. Prostaglandin (PG)E$_2$ in the immune system also results in macrophage inactivation and the suppression of Th1 activation and the enhancement of Th2 activation. However, the inhibitory effects of PGE$_2$ on the altered polarization of the Th cell and macrophage interleukin (IL)-6 production characterized in part by cellular immune paralysis in a state of endotoxin tolerance is unclear. This study was undertaken, using indomethacin, to investigate the role of endogenous PGE$_2$ on the Th cytokines and macrophage IL-6 production in a state of endotoxin tolerance compared to those with endotoxemia mice, wherein, in this latter case, the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE$_2$ is exhibited. Endotoxemia was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 mg/kg in saline) i.p. once in BALB/c mice, and endotoxin tolerance was induced by pretreatment with LPS (1 mg/kg in saline) injected i.p. daily for two consecutive days and then with LPS 10 mg/kg on day 4. Splenocytes or macrophages were obtained from endotoxemia and endotoxin tolerance models pretreated with indomethacin, and then cytokine production was induced by Con A-stimulated splenocytes for the Th cytokine assays and LPS-stimulated macrophages for the IL-6 assay. Our results showed that endotoxemia led to significantly reduced IL-2 and IL-4 production, to significantly increased IL-6 production, whereas interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ production was not affected. Indomethacin in the case of endotoxemia markedly attenuated $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-6 production and didnt reverse IL-2 and IL-4 production. Endotoxin tolerance resulted in the significantly reduced production of IL-2 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ and the significantly increased production of IL-4 and IL-6. Indomethacin in endotoxin tolerance greatly augmented IL-2 production, significantly decreased IL-4 production, and slightly attenuated IL-6 production. These findings indicate that endogenous PGE$_2$ may mediate the suppressed Th1 type immune response, with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response in a state of endotoxin tolerance, whereas endotoxemia may be regulated differentially. Also, endogenous PGE$_2$ may mediate macrophage IL-6 production in the case of endotoxemia to a greater extent than in the case of endotoxin tolerance.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.230-236
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• 2015

Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP)는 알레르기 질환과 연관이 있는 집먼지 진드기 중 하나이다. 집먼지 진드기에 의해 생성되는 Cystein 단백질분해효소(Derp-1)가 강력한 알레르겐으로 작용한다. 알레르기 병인기전은 림프구의 사이토카인 분비와 호중구의 자발적인 세포고사와 연관이 있다. 본 연구에서는 Derp-1이 림프구에서 사이토카인 분비를 유도하는지 여부와 이에 의해 호중구 세포고사 조절에 영향을 주는지를 실험 해보았다. 정상인과 알레르기 환자의 림프구에서, Derp-1에 의해 IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1그리고 GM- CSF의 분비가 증가됨을 보였다. Derp-1이 단독으로 호중구에 영향을 주는 것은 아니지만, Derp-1으로 호중구를 자극한 뒤 모은 상층액이 호중구의 세포고사를 억제시킴을 확인하였다. 정상인의 호중구와 림프구를 co-culture하여 Derp-1을 처리한 결과 호중구의 세포고사가 억제되었고, 이보다 알레르기 환자에서 시행되어진 것이 그 효과가 더 크게 나타났다. 즉, Derp-1은 사이토카인의 분비를 증가시키고, 이로 인해 정상인과 알레르기 환자의 호중구의 세포고사를 억제시킨다. 이를 통해 알레르기 질환의 병인기전을 밝히는데 유용한 자료가 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.323-333
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• 2016

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-$1{\beta}$(IL1B), IL6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), are known to play important roles in regulating the endometrial function in the uterus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in several species. However, the expression and function of these cytokines and their receptors in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle have not been studied in pigs. Thus, this study determined the expression and regulation of IL1B, IL6, TNF and their respective receptors, IL1R1, IL1RAP, IL6R, GP130, TNFRSF1A, and TNFRSF1B during the estrous cycle in pigs. To analyze levels of each gene expression in the uterine endometrium we obtained from endometrial tissues on Days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 of the estrous cycle. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that levels of IL1B, IL1RAP, IL6R, GP130, TNF, TNFRSF1A, and TNFRSF1B mRNAs were highest on Day 15 or 18 of the estrous cycle, which corresponds to the proestrus period. Levels of IL1R1 were highest on Day 0, while levels of IL6 were biphasic with high levels on Day 6 and Day 15. The abundance of IL1B, IL6, IL6R, and TNF mRNAs was decreased by progesterone, while levels of GP130 were increased by progesterone in endometrial tissue explants. These results showed that expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors changed stage-specifically during the estrous cycle and regulated by progesterone in the uterine endometrium in pigs, suggesting that these pro-inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the regulation endometrial function during the estrous cycle in pigs.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.771-776
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to evaluate the regulation mechanism of nitric oxide(NO) by water-extracted Cyperus rotundus (WCR) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. We investigated the effects of cell proliferation in mouse spleen cell and RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. WCR enhanced mitogenic activity in the dose-response manner in mouse spleen cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. In nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by WCR, WCR alone had an effect on NO synthesis. It was found that the production of NO of RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could be markedly inhibited by WCR. Inhibition of NO production was achieved by reducing inducible nitric oxide syntheses(iNOS) mRNA expression. The expression of IL-I gene by WCR was investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In RT-PCR, IL-1 family(IL-1 α, IL-1β) expressions were induced by WCR. These finding suggested that regulation of NO production by WCR may be, at least in part, associated with the regulation of iNOS mRNA expression and IL-1 family gene expression.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.162-171
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• 2024

Objectives: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to aid stroke recovery. However, few investigations have focused on identifying the potent molecular targets of EA by comparing EA stimulation between naïve and disease models. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify the potent molecular therapeutic mechanisms underlying EA stimulation in ischemic stroke through a comparison of mRNA sequencing data obtained from EA-treated naïve control and ischemic stroke mouse models. Methods: Using both naïve control and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse models, EA stimulation was administered at two acupoints, Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14), at a frequency of 2 Hz. Comprehensive assessments were conducted, including behavioral evaluations, RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), functional enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: EA stimulation ameliorated the ischemic insult-induced motor dysfunction in mice with ischemic stroke. Comparative analysis between control vs. MCAO, control vs. control + EA, and MCAO vs. MCAO + EA revealed 4,407, 101, and 82 DEGs, respectively. Of these, 30, 7, and 1 were common across the respective groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed upregulated DEGs associated with the regulation of inflammatory immune response in the MCAO vs. MCAO + EA comparison. Conversely, downregulated DEGs in the control vs. control + EA comparison were linked to neuronal development. PPI analysis revealed major clustering related to the regulation of cytokines, such as Cxcl9, Pcp2, Ccl11, and Cxcl13, in the common DEGs of MCAO vs. MCAO + EA, with Esp8l1 identified as the only common downregulated DEG in both EA-treated naïve and ischemic models. Conclusion: These findings underscore the diverse potent mechanisms of EA stimulation between naïve and ischemic stroke mice, albeit with few overlaps. However, the potent mechanisms underlying EA treatment in ischemic stroke models were associated with the regulation of inflammatory processes involving cytokines.

• 약학회지
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.472-476
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• 2002

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) serves as a good model of cell-mediated reaction. Epidermal langerhans cell (LC) are thought to playa crucial role in the regulation of immune reaction of the skin, which elicit the CHS response by presenting Antigen to trafficking Ag-specific T cells within the skin. However, contact hypersensitivity is regarded as a negative side of immunities, caused by increased damaging immune response. Therefore, the study of effector molecule causing immune suppression is thought to be meaningful in the skin immune response. For this aim, this study investigated the influence of pedunculagin on cytokine, IL-$\beta$ expression from langerhans cell (LC). In vitro and in vivo, pedunculagin up-regulated the expression of IL-1$\beta$ mRNA. After PMA stimulation in vitro and DNFB sensitization in vivo, the expression of IL-1$\beta$ mRNA was down-regulated. This results suggested that pedunculagin could be immuno-modulator in skin immune system by modulating IL-1$\beta$ expression.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.127-132
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• 2007

Objectives : FLOS CHRYSANTHEMI (FC) has been reported to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. However, the effect of FC on the dendritic cells has not been determined. Methods : To examine the effect of FC on the immune response, we used several methods such as flow cytometric analyses, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : 1. FC inhibited lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) such as down-regulation of MHC class II and CD40. 2. FC also inhibited uptake of FITC-Dextran in BMDC stimulated with LPS. 3. Furthermore, FC inhibited several kinds of cytokine production such as TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-12 in BMDC. Conclusions : These results suggest that FC plays pivotal role m the development of inflammatory diseases.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.29-40
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• 2013

Objectives: To investigate therapeutic mechanisms of Gyejibokryeong-hwan (GJBRH) against gynaecological diseases, articles on biological assay were gathered and analyzed. Methods: The articles were classified as being from domestic or international journals, and by their year of publication. The mechanisms of the biological effects against gynaecological diseases were noted. Results: Of the 14 articles analyzed, 13 were published in China and 1 was from Japan. GJBRH showed therapeutic effect against uterine and mammary gland diseases. Uterine-related diseases such as endometriosis, hysteromyoma, adenomyosis, cancer, and inflammation can be improved by the administration of GJBRH through anti-angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, the modulation of immune cell and immunoglobulin, and the regulation of hormone secretion. GJBRH also reduced mammary hyperplasia by regulating hormone and cytokine release. Conclusions: We speculate that the inhibitory effect against uterine and mammary gland diseases could be related to the therapeutic efficacy of GJBRH in improving gynaecological diseases.