• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.265-271
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• 2014

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a potent anti-apoptotic cytokine that enhances immune effector cell functions and is essential for lymphocyte survival. While it known to induce differentiation and proliferation in some haematological malignancies, including certain types of leukaemias and lymphomas, little is known about its role in solid tumours, including breast cancer. In the current study, we investigated whether IL-7 could enhance the in vivo antitumor activity of tumor-reactive $CD8^+$ T cells with induction of IFN-${\gamma}$ in a murine breast cancer model. Human IL-7 cDNA was constructed into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1, and then the recombinational pcDNA3.1-IL-7 was intratumorally injected in the TM40D BALB/C mouse graft model. Serum and intracellular IFN-${\gamma}$ levels were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. $CD8^+$ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity was analyzed using the MTT method. Our results showed that IL-7 administration significantly inhibited tumor growth from day 15 after direct intratumoral injection of pcDNA3.1-IL-7. The anti-tumor effect correlated with a marked increase in the level of IFN-${\gamma}$ and breast cancer cells-specific CTL cytotoxicity. In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that IL-7-treatment could augment cytolytic activity of $CD8^+$ T cells from tumor bearing mice, while anti-IFN-${\gamma}$ blocked the function of $CD8^+$ T cells, suggesting that IFN-${\gamma}$ mediated the cytolytic activity of $CD8^+$ T cells. Furthermore, in vivo neutralization of $CD8^+$ T lymphocytes by CD8 antibodies reversed the antitumor benefit of IL-7. Thus, we demonstrated that IL-7 exerts anti-tumor activity mainly through activating $CD8^+$ T cells and stimulating them to secrete IFN-${\gamma}$ in a murine breast tumor model. Based on these results, our study points to a potential novel way to treat breast cancer and may have important implications for clinical immunotherapy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.11.1-11.18
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• 2024

IL-15 belongs to the common gamma chain cytokine family and has pleiotropic immunological functions. IL-15 is a homeostatic cytokine essential for the development and maintenance of NK cells and memory CD8⁺ T cells. In addition, IL-15 plays a critical role in the activation, effector functions, tissue residency, and senescence of CD8⁺ T cells. IL-15 also activates virtual memory T cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells and γδ T cells. Recently, IL-15 has been highlighted as a major trigger of TCR-independent activation of T cells. This mechanism is involved in T cell-mediated immunopathogenesis in diverse diseases, including viral infections and chronic inflammatory diseases. Deeper understanding of IL-15-mediated T-cell responses and their underlying mechanisms could optimize therapeutic strategies to ameliorate host injury by T cell-mediated immunopathogenesis. This review highlights recent advancements in comprehending the role of IL-15 in relation to T cell responses and immunopathogenesis under various host conditions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.43.1-43.11
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• 2020

Capicua (CIC) is a transcriptional repressor that regulates several developmental processes. CIC deficiency results in lymphoproliferative autoimmunity accompanied by expansion of CD44^hiCD62L^lo effector/memory and follicular Th cell populations. Deletion of Cic alleles in hematopoietic stem cells (Vav1-Cre-mediated knockout of Cic) causes more severe autoimmunity than that caused by the knockout of Cic in CD4⁺CD8⁺ double positive thymocytes (Cd4-Cre-mediated knockout of Cic). In this study, we compared splenic CD4⁺ T cell activation and proliferation between whole immune cell-specific Cic-null (Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre) and T cell-specific Cic-null (Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre) mice. Hyperactivation and hyperproliferation of CD4⁺ T cells were more apparent in Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre mice than in Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre mice. Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre CD4⁺ T cells more rapidly proliferated and secreted larger amounts of IL-2 upon TCR stimulation than did Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre CD4⁺ T cells, while the TCR stimulation-induced activation of the TCR signaling cascade and calcium flux were comparable between them. Mixed wild-type and Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre bone marrow chimeras also exhibited more apparent hyperactivation and hyperproliferation of Cic-deficient CD4⁺ T cells than did mixed wild-type and Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre bone marrow chimeras. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CIC deficiency at the beginning of T cell development endows peripheral CD4⁺ T cells with enhanced T cell activation and proliferative capability.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.115-124
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• 2010

목 적: 임신 전 $CD3^-/CD56^+/CD16^+$ 말초혈액 자연살해세포 (pbNK cell)의 분획과 세포용해 활성도를 정상군과 습관성 유산의 기왕력을 가진 환자군으로 나누어 비교, 분석하고 습관성 유산의 위험도를 제시할 수 있는 각각의 cut-off value를 설정하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 전향적 연구로서 습관성 유산의 기왕력이 있는 여성을 환자군 (n=35)으로 하였으며, 대조군으로 불임이나 습관성 유산의 기왕력이 없으며 정상아의 출산 경험이 있는 여성을 대조군 (n=15)으로 설정하였다. 유세포분석기를 이용하여 pbNK cell 분획 및 세포용해 활성도를 측정 후 그 결과를 비교 분석하였다. 결 과: pbNK cells의 분획은 습관성 유산 환자군에서 대조군에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높은 결과를 보였다($14.2{\pm}5.2$ vs. $9.4{\pm}3.7%$, p=0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8~7.8). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) 곡선을 이용하여 pbNK cell의 분획에 대한 cut-off values을 12.1%로 정하였을 때 습관성 유산의 위험도는 8.4배 증가하였다. pbNK cell의 K562 세포용해 활성도를 3가지 다른 Effector to Target (E:T) 비율 (50:1, 25:1, 12.5:1)을 사용하여 측정한 결과 각각의 경우에 있어 습관성 유산 환자군에서 대조군에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 증가된 결과를 보였다 ($48.3{\pm}19.0$ vs. $31.3{\pm}11.9%$ in 50:1 ratio, p=0.002; $37.0{\pm}18.1$ vs. $20.2{\pm}9.2%$ in 25:1 ratio, p<0.001; $23.5{\pm}12.7$ vs. $12.4{\pm}7.3%$ in 12.5:1 ratio, p=0.001). ROC 곡선을 이용하여 각각 E:T 비율에서 세포용해 활성도의 cut-off values (43.1% in 50:1, 26.9% in 25:1, and 17.4% in 12.5:1)을 설정하여 분석한 결과 습관성 유산의 위험도는 각각 10.0배, 11.4배, 그리고 15.0배 증가된 결과를 보였다. 결 론: 원인이 분명하지 않은 습관성 유산 환자에서 pbNK cell의 분획과 세포용해 활성도를 측정하는 것은 면역학적 원인, 특히 동종면역 요인에 의한 습관성 유산의 유용한 진단 지표로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. 향후 동종 면역반응에 의한 습관성 유산 환자에서 면역학적 원인의 치료 전, 후 pbNK cell의 분획과 세포용해 활성도를 측정, 비교하여 그 효과를 증명하는 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권12호
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• pp.1425-1431
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• 2015

면역 시스템의 림프구는 B 림프구와 T 림프구 두 종류로 나눌 수 있다. B 림프구는 플라즈마 세포로 분화하여 항체를 생성하는 체액성 면역을 담당하며, T 림프구는 다른 세포나 세균을 죽이는 세포성 면역을 담당한다. 고전적으로 B 림프구와 T 림프구의 작용은 한 방향으로 이뤄졌다. T 림프구는 B 림프구의 분화를 촉진하고 면역글로불린종류의 전환을 조절한다. T 림프구가 부족한 경우 B 림프구의 부족을 초래함이 보고되어 있다. 그러나 최근에 역으로 B 림프구가 T 림프구의 분화와 활성을 조절할 수 있다는 보고가 있다. 예를 들어, B 림프구는 CD8+ T 림프구의 tolerance를 직접 조절할 수 있고, TGF-β의 분비를 통해 T 림프구의 anergy를 유도할 수 있다. 본 연구는 LPS에 의해 자극된 B 림프구가 수지상세포에서 IL-12의 분비를 억제하여 Th1 림프구의 분화를 억제할 수 있음을 보여준다. 이 억제는 B 림프구와 수지상세포의 직접적인 interaction에 의해 일어나는 것이 아니며 B 림프구가 수지상세포의 성숙을 조절하여 일어나는 것도 아니다. B 림프구에서 분비되는 soluble factor가 LPS에 의해 증가되는 수지상세포의 IL-12p35 transcription을 억제한다. 이 결과들은 B 림프구가 매개하는 새로운 면역억제 기전이 존재함을 보여준다. 이것은 고전적인 방향성을 가진 T 림프구에 의한 B 림프구 작용조절로 면역반응이 결정되는 것이 아니라 T 림프구와 B 림프구가 서로 작용을 하여 면역평형을 결정하는 기전이 존재함을 보여준다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Type I diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by the T cell-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing ${\beta}$ cells in the pancreatic islets. The onset of T1D is the consequence of a progressive destruction of islet ${\beta}$ cells mediated by an imbalance between effector $CD4^+$ T helper (Th)1 and regulatory $CD4^+$ Th2 cell function. Since interferon-alpha (IFN-${\alpha}$) has been known to modulate immune function and autoimmunity, we investigated whether administration of adenoviralmediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene would inhibit the diabetic process in NOD mice. The development of diabetes was significantly inhibited by a single injection of adenoviral-mediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene before 8 weeks of age. Next, we examined the hypothesis that Th2-type cytokines are associated with host protection against autoimmune diabetes, whereas Th1-type cytokines are associated with pathogenesis of T1D. The expression of IFN-${\alpha}$ induced increase of serum IL-4 and IL-6 (Th2 cytokines) levels and decrease of serum IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$ (Th1 cytokines) levels. Therefore, overexpression of IFN-${\alpha}$ by adenoviralmediated delivery provides modulation of pathogenic progression and protection of NOD mice from T1D.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.126-131
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• 2005

Objective : The choice of tumor antigen for dendritic cell[DC]-loading has still been an unresolved problem in the DC-based vaccine strategies against malignant gliomas that has not been found well-characterized tumor specific antigens. In this study, we compare tumor-specific T cell response induced by glioma apoptotic body[GAB]-pulsed DCs to response induced by glioma cell lysate-pulsed ones quantitatively. Methods : DCs generated in the presence of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and interleukin[IL]-4 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells[PBMCs] of HLA-A2 positive healthy donors were cultured. Each GABs and glioma cell lysate generated from HLA-A2 positive T98G glioblastoma cells were co-incubated with DCs. $CD8^+$ T lymphocytes isolated from PBMCs of same donors were cultured in media containing IL-2 and either stimulated by GAB- or lysate-pulsed DCs three times at a weekly interval. The interferon[IFN]-${\gamma}$ concentrations of each cell culture supernate were measured by enzyme immunoassay technique. Cytolytic activity of the generated cytotoxic $CD8^+$ T cells either stimulated with GAB- or lysate-pulsed DCs was determined by a standard 4-h $^{51}Cr$-release assay. Results : IFN-${\gamma}$ production and cytolytic activity of effector T cells stimulated by GAB-pulsed DCs were significantly higher than those of T cells stimulated by lysate-pulsed ones. Conclusion : These results indicate the choice of antigen is a critical determinant in the induction of antitumor immunity against malignant glioma. Antigen preparations from GABs represent a promising alternative to glioma cell lysate in DC-based glioma vaccine strategies.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.78.1-78.15
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• 2020

Background: Enteritis is one of the most frequently reported symptoms in piglets infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), but the immunopathogenesis has not been reported. Objectives: This study examined the effect of a PCV2 infection on the intestinal mucosal immune function through morphological observations and immune-related molecular detection. Methods: Morphological changes within the ileum of piglets during a PCV2 infection were observed. The expression of the related-molecules was analyzed using a gene chip. The immunocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. The secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) content was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The PCV2 infection caused ileal villus damage, intestinal epithelial cells exfoliation, and an increase in lymphocytes in the lamina propria at 21 days post-infection. Differentially expressed genes occurred in the defense response, inflammatory response, and the complement and coagulation cascade reactions. Most of them were downregulated significantly at the induction site and upregulated at the effector site. The genes associated with SIgA production were downregulated significantly at the induction site. In contrast, the expression of the Toll-like receptor-related genes was upregulated significantly at the effector site. The frequencies of dendritic cells, B cells, and CD8⁺T cells were upregulated at the 2 sites. The SIgA content decreased significantly in the ileal mucosa. Conclusions: PCV2 infections can cause damage to the ileum that is associated with changes in immune-related gene expression, immune-related cell subsets, and SIgA production. These findings elucidated the molecular changes in the ileum after a PCV2 infection from the perspective of intestinal mucosal immunity, which provides insights into a further study for PCV2-induced enteritis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.497-509
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• 2002

연구배경 : 대표적 세포내 감염질환인 결핵에 대한 숙주의 방어기전 및 면역반응은 아직도 정확히 이해되지 못하고 있으며 이러한 병리기전을 연구하기 위하여서는 적절한 감염모델이 필요하다. 전혈 (whole blood)은 체액성 면역과 세포성 면역을 모두 포함한 생체의 상태를 반영하므로 다양한 대상에서 면역상태의 차이에 따른 개체간 결핵균 살균력의 차이를 비교 할 수 있는 적절한 모델로 추정된다. 따라서 본 연구의 목적은 인체의 결핵균 전혈 배양모델을 개발하여 궁극적으로 시험관내에서 숙주면역의 정도를 측정하는 대리 표지자를 개발하고자하는 것이다. 방 법 : PPD 양성 정상인을 대상으로 제대혈, 결핵환자, 당뇨 및 폐암환자와 비교하였다. 전혈을 희석하여 결핵균 Mycobacterium avium과 M. tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$에 낮은 감염률로 감염시키고 $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ 배양기 속의 회전교반기에서 회전시키면서 배양(rotating culture) 하였다. 배양 1 일, 3일 및 4일 뒤 증류수로 긴장저하용해 시킨 후 Middlebrook 7H10/OADC 평판배지에서 결핵균 집락이 형성될 때까지 3-4주간 $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ 배양기에 배양하여 집락수를 계산하였다. 일부실험에서 TNF-${\alpha}$의 분비능을 90%이상 감소시키 기 위하여 methylpredmsolone과 pentoxifylline을 첨가하여 면역조정을 하였으며, CD4+ T-림프구와 CD8+ T-림프구를 magnetic bead에 코팅된 단클론 항체를 사용하여 제거하였다. 결핵균의 수는 용해질 $m{\ell}$ 당 CFU로 계산하였다. 살균력은 ${\Delta}$ log killing ratio로 표시하였다. ${\Delta}$ logKR=$log_{10}$(Final CFU/Initial CFU). 결 과 : 1. 제대혈의 결핵균 살균력이 PPD 양성 대조군에 비하여 다소 감소된 경향을 보였으며, 결핵환자의 결핵균 살균력은 PPD 양성 대조군과 특별한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 또한 당뇨군과 폐암군의 결핵균 살균력도 정상 대조군에 비하여 특별한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 2. Methylprednisolone과 pentoxyfylline을 사용한 면역조정 시에 제대혈, PPD 양성 정상 대조군과 결핵군 모두에서 전혈에서의 결핵균의 살균력이 감소되는 경향을 보였다. 3. CD4+ 및 CD8+ T-림프구 삭제시 log KR가 증가되어 유의하게 결핵균 살균력이 감소되었으며 CD4+ 및 CD8+ T-림프구 동시 삭제시 현저한 상승효과를 보였고 이러한 결과는 Mycobacterium avium보다는 독력이 없는 균인 Mycobacterium tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra$에서 보다 뚜렷하였다. 4. 폐결핵 치료후의 결핵균 살균력은 치료 전과 비교하여 유의하게 ${\Delta}$ logKR가 감소하였으며, 배양 3-4일에도 현저한 결핵균 증식의 억제를 보였다. 결 론 : 인체의 결핵균에 대한 감수성인 개체간의 면역상태를 전혈에서 결핵균 살균력을 통하여 비교할 수는 없었다. 그러나 인체 전혈 모델은 간단하고 임상경과 관찰이 쉬우며 결핵환자에서 치료 전과 후에 현저한 결핵균 살균력의 차이를 보이므로, 최근 결핵연구의 가장 중요한 과제의 하나인 백신 개발에서 그 성과를 판단하는 vaccine trial에 이용할 수 있을 가능성을 시사한다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.79-94
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• 2011

Background: Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are currently being evaluated as a novel strategy for tumor vaccination and immunotherapy. However, inducing long-term regression in established tumor-implanted mice is difficult. Here, we show that deoxypohophyllotoxin (DPT) induces maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived DCs via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 activation of MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Methods: The phenotypic and functional maturation of DPT-treated DCs was assessed by flow cytometric analysis and cytokine production, respectively. DPT-treated DCs was also used for mixed leukocyte reaction to evaluate T cell-priming capacity and for tumor regression against melanoma. Results: DPT promoted the activation of $CD8^+$ T cells and the Th1 immune response by inducing IL-12 production in DCs. In a B16F10 melanoma-implanted mouse model, we demonstrated that DPT-treated DCs (DPT-DCs) enhance immune priming and regression of an established tumor in vivo. Furthermore, migration of DPT-DCs to the draining lymph nodes was induced via CCR7 upregulation. Mice that received DPT-DCs displayed enhanced antitumor therapeutic efficacy, which was associated with increased IFN-${\gamma}$ production and induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that the adjuvant effect of DPT in DC vaccination is associated with the polarization of T effector cells toward a Th1 phenotype and provides a potential therapeutic antitumor immunity.