• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2002

Background: The chemical characteristics of the exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus (referred to as exo-secretion) including the compositions of amino acids and monosaccharides were investigated. In addition, cytotoxicity of the exo-secretion on 5 tumor cell lines derived from human cancers and its antitumor activity against ascitic sarcoma-180 cells were examined. Methods: The antitumor activity of exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus was determined by measuring parameters including tumor weight, life span of mice, chemotatic activity of leukocytes, counts of immune cells, and activity of cytokines. Results: The exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus showed no direct cytotoxicity to the five tumor cell lines tested, but it had a strong antitumor activity against sarcoma-180 cells in ICR mice as measured by tumor weight and life span of mice. The exo-secretion stimulated the chemotaxis of leukocytes and production of immune cells and cytokines. Conclusion: These results suggest that the exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus do not act as a direct cytotoxic substance to cancer cells but as an immunomodulator.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.176-180
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• 2012

Although the majority of research on CD137 has been directed to T cells, it is becoming clear that this molecule has distinct functions in other lineages of cells, including non-hematopoietic cells. In particular, emerging evidence suggests that the CD137-its ligand (CD137L) network involving immune cells and non-immune cells, directly or indirectly regulates inflammation in both positive and negative manners. Bidirectional signaling through both CD137 and CD137L is critical in the evolution of inflammation: 1) CD137L signaling plays an indispensible role in the activation and recruitment of neutrophils by inducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells such as macrophages, endothelial cells and epithelial cells; 2) CD137 signaling in NK cells and T cells is required for their activation and can influence other cells participating in inflammation via either their production of proinflammatory cytokines or engagement of CD137L by their cell surface CD137: 3) CD137 signaling can suppress inflammation by controlling regulatory activities of dendritic cells and regulatory T cells. As recognition grows of the role of dysregulated CD137 or CD137L stimulation in inflammatory diseases, significant efforts will be needed to develop antagonists to CD137 or CD137L.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 2008

Gangliosides, sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids, are implicated in many neuronal diseases, but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying their pathological activities are poorly understood. Here we report that TLR2 participates in the initiation of ganglioside-triggered inflammatory signaling responses. Using FACS analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy, we found that gangliosides rapidly enhanced the cell surface expression of TLR2 in microglia, while reducing that of TLR4. The ganglioside-dependent increase of TLR2 expression was also observed at the messenger and protein levels. We also showed that gangliosides stimulate the interaction of TLR2 with Myd88, an adaptor for TLRs, and obtained evidence that lipid raft formation is closely associated with the ganglioside-induced activation of TLR2 and subsequent inflammatory signaling. These results collectively suggest that TLR2 contributes to the ability of gangliosides to cause inflammatory conditions in the brain.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.781-786
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on radical scavenger activity and immune responses in female judo athletes(n=18). The age and sex matched sedentary students were used as controls(n=15). The initial plasma vitamin E concentration, lipid peroxide level and radical scavenger activity (RSA) were not different between two groups. The supplementation of $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate(400IU/d) for 4 weeks significantly increased plasma vitamin E concentration of the subjects in both groups. In addition, the decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS)(p<0.05) and enhancement of RSA(p<0.05) were observed in both groups. Percentages of total T-cells in the athletic group was lower than that in the control group(p<0.05). However, the ratio of CD4 / CD8(helper T-cal $l^pressor T-cell) was higher in the sports group, due to more decrease in CD8 subset than in CD4 subset. The concentrations of IgG and IgM in the sports group were significantly lower than those in the control group(p<0.05). Therefore, severe training of the athletic group seems to be associated with the changes of supplementation. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation (400IU/d, 4 weeks) of the female university students improved antioxidative activities of the blood, by decreasing lipid peroxide and enhancing radical scavenger activity. Percentages of T lymphocytes and IgG and IgM concentrations in the athletic group were lower than those in the control group. Meanwhile, vitamin E supplementation had no effects on immune status in both groups.ps.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.11a
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• pp.61-67
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• 1994

One fundamental problem in developing an AIDS vaccine is antigenic variation of HIV. Despite a substantial induced immune response in gp120-immunized monkeys and humans, high titers of V3-directed type specific neutralizing antibodies may not be sufficient to neutralize continuously emerging new isolates. Several studies analyzing anti-gp120 antibodies in HIV-infected individuals have clearly indicated that most broadly neutralizing antibodies are directed to conformation-dependent epitopes. Therefore, it seems important to evaluate the potential efficacy of candidate gp120 vaccines at inducing such antibodies, that might be potentially protective against multiple HIV strains. One concern in the development of any recombinant protein as a vaccine is its stability when mixed with an adjuvant. This could be a particularly important factor for recombinant gp120, given the conformational nature of its major, broadly neutralizing, epitopes. We hypothesized that gp120 complexed with recombinant CD4 could stabilize the conformation-dependent epitopes and effectively deliver these epitopes to the immune system. In this study, a soluble gp120-CD4 complex in Syntex Adjuvant Formulation was tested in mice to analyze the anti-gp120 antibody response. With the aim of defining the fine specificity and neutalizing activities of the immune response, 17Mabs were generated and characterized. The studies indicate that the gp120-CD4 complex elicits neutralizing anti-gp120 antibodies, most of which are directed to the conformation dependent epitopes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2000

On the inter-order protoplast fusants of Lentinus edodes and Ganoderma lucidum was the antitumor activity test performed and the fusant P22 was selected. The hot water extract of the cultured mycelia of P22 were purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatographya and the resulting purified fraction was designated as P22A. It was found to be a proteoglycan whose molecular weight was 47 kDa. When examined for immunopotentiation activity, P22A increased the number of colony forming unit in the bone marrow stem cells to 3-folds. It also potentiated the secretion of nitric oxide in activated macrophages to 2-folds. In humoral immune response, it increased the activities of the alkaline phosphatase in differentiated B cells to 1.6-folds and the number of plaque forming cells to 1.8-folds. In cellular immune response, it restored the depressed response of delayed type hypersensitivity in tumor bearing mice to normal level. These results suggest that P22A have potential to restore the decreased immune activity of the tumor bearing mice to normal level.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.274-281
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• 1996

Ulmus parvifolia has been used as a traditional folk medicine to treat the carbuncle in deep skin. In this study, the effect of water extract of root bark of Ulmus parvifolia (WUP) on the carbuncle, pain, inflammation and hypersensitivity was evaluated in animal models. The administration of WUP significantly decreased the size of Staphylococcus aureus ($10^8$ cells/mouse)-induced carbuncle, and also exhibited analgesic activity in the HAc-induced writhing syndrome at doses of 50-500 mg/kg. It also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the carageenin- and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation. In the histamine-induced anaphylaxis, it decreased the percent of mortality by protecting mice treated with Bordetella pertussis. In the immune responses in the mice sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cells, the Arthus reaction determined by swelling of foot pad at 4 h after challenge, HA titer, HY titer and PFC which can be used to evaluate the humoral immune response were significantly suppressed by oral administration of WUP at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg. The cellular immune responses in the same mice such as delayed type hypersensitivity determined by swelling of foot pad at 24 h after challenge and RFC were also significantly suppressed in the same manner.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2002

The charcoal effects on the immune responses of flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus were studied. Fish were fed an experimental diet supplemented with 1%, 3% or 5% of charcoal to a commercial diet. Several factors such as weight gain, hematological parameters, nonspecific immune responses and resistance against Edwardsiella tarda were evaluated 4 and 8 weeks after the administraion. The changes of body weight and lysozyme activities were not signigicant among tested groups. But cholesterol and total protein concentration in the blood were significantly lower in the 5% supplemented group than in the control. The production of superoxide by macrophage from the head kidney, examined by NBT reduction, was significantly higher in the 3% charcoal supplemented groups than in the control. The survival rate after an artificial challenge with 1×10^exp(7) cells of E. tarda per fish was significantly the highest in the 3% charcoal supplemented group.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2008

The effects of temperatures on pearl oyster, Pincdata fucata were studied by evaluating some functional immune responses of the haemocytes. Water temperature is one of the most important factors in bivalve immune defense. Haemocytes comprise a primary line by inflammation, encapsulation and phagocytosis. These phagocytic abilities of haemocytes were observed in different temperatures. The number of the circulating haemocytes by migratory assay, phagocytic activities by MTT assay and reactive oxygen species production of haemocytes by CL assay were measured at different temperatures. Results showed that pearl oyster maintained at 20℃ and 25℃ displayed significantly higher values for all the measured immune parameters in comparison to maintained at 10, 15, and 30℃.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2005

Gamma radiation causes suppression of the immune function, and immune properties are related to cytokine production. In the present study, the polysaccharide, Ginsan, purified from an ethanol-insoluble fraction of Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Araliaceae) water extract was studied to assess its effects on the immunosuppressive activities of gamma radiation. Gin­san was found to stimulate murine normal splenocytes by inducing the mRNA expressions of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines, and also restore the mRNA expression of IFN-$/gamma$, Th1 cytokine, after its inhibition by whole-body gamma irradiation. Therefore, Ginsan was found to restore the T lymphocytes function that had been suppressed by gamma irradiation in allogenic MLR (mixed lymphocyte reactions). However, Ginsan exhibited no excessive stimulatory effects on the control group. The above results indicated that Ginsan may constitute a new noble agent for the improvement of gamma radiation-induced immunosuppression.