• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 1998

Effects of swainsonine (SW: 8${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$-indolizidine-1alpha, 2${\alpha}$, 8${\beta}$-triol from Locoweed) on the cellular and nonspecific immune responses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) wer e studied in ICR mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups (10mice/group), and LPS was given to each mouse 1 hr after i.p. injection with 3.7mg/kg of SW by i.p. injection twice a week for 14 days at a dose of 2mg/kg. Immune responses of the delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTH) to sheep red blood cells (s-RBC), phagocytic activity and natural killer (NK) cell activity were evaluated. LPS treatment didn`t affect NK cell activity, phagocytic activity, DTH to s-RBC compared with those in controls, and phagocytic activity of sareoma 180 tumor bearing mice. However, circulating leukocytes were significantly decreased. Combinaton of LPS and SW increased circulating leukocytes significantly compared vath that in LPS alone, and DTH to s-RBC, NK cell activity and phagocytic activities of normal and sarcoma tumor bearing mice were not affected. These findings indicate that SW didn`t affected the cellular immune responses suppressed by LPS but significantly increased circulating leukocytes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.398-403
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• 2019

Dioscorea japonica Thunberg (DJ) has been widely used as a healthy food in Korea for the enhancement of physical stamina. Hence, the present study evaluated the immune-enhancing effect of DJ in forced swim test of mouse model. The immobility time of the group treated with DJ for 7 days was significantly reduced in comparison with that of the control group. After a forced swimming test, the changes in blood biochemical parameters and splenic T lymphocyte populations induced by the administration of DJ were assessed. Serum levels of lactic dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly decreased in DJ-administered group compared to the control group. However, administration of DJ did not affect the splenic T lymphocyte populations. Moreover, DJ significantly increased the production of interferon-g and interleukin-2 compared to the media control in splenocytes. Collectively, it may be concluded that DJ is useful for enhancement of physical and immune function.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

Cells must fine-tune their gene expression programs for optimal cellular activities in their natural growth conditions. Transcriptional memory, a unique transcriptional response, plays a pivotal role in faster reactivation of genes upon environmental changes, and is facilitated if genes were previously in an active state. Hyper-activation of gene expression by transcriptional memory is critical for cellular differentiation, development, and adaptation. TREM (Transcriptional REpression Memory), a distinct type of transcriptional memory, promoting hyper-repression of unnecessary genes, upon environmental changes has been recently reported. These two transcriptional responses may optimize specific gene expression patterns, in rapidly changing environments. Emerging evidence suggests that they are also critical for immune responses. In addition to memory B and T cells, innate immune cells are transcriptionally hyperactivated by restimulation, with the same or different pathogens known as trained immunity. In this review, we briefly summarize recent progress in chromatin-based regulation of transcriptional memory, and its potential role in immune responses.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.17
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• 2019

Aging is a complex process associated with dysregulation of the immune system and low levels of inflammation, often associated with the onset of many pathologies. The lacrimal gland (LG) plays a vital role in the maintenance of ocular physiology and changes related to aging directly affect eye diseases. The dysregulation of the immune system in aging leads to quantitative and qualitative changes in antibodies and cytokines. While there is a gradual decline of the immune system, there is an increase in autoimmunity, with a reciprocal pathway between low levels of inflammation and aging mechanisms. Elderly C57BL/6J mice spontaneously show LGs infiltration that is characterized by Th1 but not Th17 cells. The aging of the LG is related to functional alterations, reduced innervation and decreased secretory activities. Lymphocytic infiltration, destruction, and atrophy of glandular parenchyma, ductal dilatation, and secretion of inflammatory mediators modify the volume and composition of tears. Oxidative stress, the capacity to metabolize and eliminate toxic substances decreased in aging, is also associated with the reduction of LG functionality and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Although further studies are required for a better understanding of autoimmunity and aging of the LG, we described anatomic and immunology aspects that have been described so far.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2008

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is an endogenous phospholipid. LPC has various stimulating or modulating activities on immune cells, including lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. Studies generally revealed pro-inflammatory activities of LPC, but accumulating evidence indicates that LPC has also anti-inflammatory actions. Here we summarize immunomodulatory actions of LPC.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1992

Brazilin, the main constitutent of Caesalpinia sappan, was examined for its immunomodulating activities in normal CBA mice. Mitogen induced proliferation and production of ConA induced T-cell growth factors (TCGF) of splenocytes were significantly reduced in brazilin treated group, cmpared to control group. It was also found that suppressor activities of splenocytes in brazilin treated group was significantly increased compared to those in normal control group.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 1987

Polysaccharide fraction isolated from Coriolus versicolor (Copolang) was studied on the antitumor activity and immunostimulation activities with reference to PS-K. Copolang showed nearly equal antitumor activities to the PS-K and exhibited marked augmentation effects on the antibody mediated hypersensitivity reaction, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction and NK-cell activity in tumor bearing mice. But it did not show any noticeable effect on the antibody secreting cell and macrophage function in normal mice. These results indicate that the antitumor activity and immunostimulating effect of Copolang are comparable to those of PS-K.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2004

Acanthopanax species (Araliaceae) has been traditionally used as analgesics, stimulants of immune system, and replenishment of body functions. Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus is a indigenous plant in Korea. The anti-lipid peroxidation activities of the loaves and root bark extracts of A divaricatus var. albeofructus were determined. Activities of MeOH extracts were examined in vitro and in vivo with control group intoxicated by carbon tetrachloride. Both extracts showed significant inhibitory effects on the lipid peroxidation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.361-364
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• 2003

Acanthopanax species (Araliaceae) has been traditionally used as tonic, analgesic, stimulant of immune system, and replenishment of body function. The antioxidant activities of leaf and root bark of Acanthopanax species were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) on human plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL). Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus and Acanthopanax for. nambunensis showed potent antioxidant activities.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2007

Germanium-fortified yeast (GY) is a organic germanium-fortified yeast with potent immune modulating activities including anti-inflammatory effect. Through cell line studies, we observed that GY can modulate the diverse immune activity but little evidence was provided on the mechanism of GY in modulating immune activities in other higher animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of GY on modulation of immune function in mice. GY was administered in normal mice or tumor-bearing mice and then effect of GY on modulation of host immune system was analyzed by using ex vivo isolated macrophages, B cells, NK cells. Admistration of GY in mice induced macrophage activation thereby increased effector function of macrophage such as increased phagocytosis, chemotaxis, adherence, $O_2-release$, NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. In addition, GY administration Increased B lymphocyte activation and plaque forming cells. Furthermore, GY administration increased NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, GY administration suppressed progression of tumor in mice by increasing $TNF-{\alpha}$ production and effector function of NK cells. Our results showed that GY has a potent immunostimulatory function in vivo mice model. Proper modulation and administration of GY in human could be helpful to maintaining immunological homeostasis by modulating host immune system.