• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.51.1-51.20
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• 2022

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, is an intracellular protozoan parasite, which is now present in most industrialized countries. About 40% of T. cruzi infected individuals will develop severe, incurable cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or neurological disorders. The molecular mechanisms by which T. cruzi induces cardiopathogenesis remain to be determined. Previous studies showed that increased IL-6 expression in T. cruzi patients was associated with disease severity. IL-6 signaling was suggested to induce pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses, however, the role of this pathway during early infection remains to be elucidated. We reported that T. cruzi can dysregulate the expression of host PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) during early infection. Here, we aim to evaluate the dysregulation of IL-6 signaling and the piRNAs computationally predicted to target IL-6 molecules during early T. cruzi infection of primary human cardiac fibroblasts (PHCF). Using in silico analysis, we predict that piR_004506, piR_001356, and piR_017716 target IL6 and SOCS3 genes, respectively. We validated the piRNAs and target gene expression in T. cruzi challenged PHCF. Secreted IL-6, soluble gp-130, and sIL-6R in condition media were measured using a cytokine array and western blot analysis was used to measure pathway activation. We created a network of piRNAs, target genes, and genes within one degree of biological interaction. Our analysis revealed an inverse relationship between piRNA expression and the target transcripts during early infection, denoting the IL-6 pathway targeting piRNAs can be developed as potential therapeutics to mitigate T. cruzi cardiomyopathies.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.91-106
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• 2024

The mechanisms of the chronic pain and depression comorbidity have gained significant attention in recent years. The complement system, widely involved in central nervous system diseases and mediating non-specific immune mechanisms in the body, remains incompletely understood in its involvement in the comorbidity mechanisms of chronic pain and depression. This review aims to consolidate the findings from recent studies on the complement system in chronic pain and depression, proposing that it may serve as a promising shared therapeutic target for both conditions. Complement proteins C1q, C3, C5, as well as their cleavage products C3a and C5a, along with the associated receptors C3aR, CR3, and C5aR, are believed to have significant implications in the comorbid mechanism. The primary potential mechanisms encompass the involvement of the complement cascade C1q/C3-CR3 in the activation of microglia and synaptic pruning in the amygdala and hippocampus, the role of complement cascade C3/C3a-C3aR in the interaction between astrocytes and microglia, leading to synaptic pruning, and the C3a-C3aR axis and C5a-C5aR axis to trigger inflammation within the central nervous system. We focus on studies on the role of the complement system in the comorbid mechanisms of chronic pain and depression.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.37.1-37.17
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• 2021

Hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein has been reported as a key protein regulating the pathogenesis of HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent evidence has shown that HBx is implicated in the activation of autophagy in hepatic cells. Nevertheless, the precise molecular and cellular mechanism by which HBx induces autophagy is still controversial. Herein, we investigated the molecular and cellular mechanism by which HBx is involved in the TRAF6-BECN1-Bcl-2 signaling for the regulation of autophagy in response to TLR4 stimulation, therefore influencing the HCC progression. HBx interacts with BECN1 (Beclin 1) and inhibits the association of the BECN1-Bcl-2 complex, which is known to prevent the assembly of the pre-autophagosomal structure. Furthermore, HBx enhances the interaction between VPS34 and TRAF6-BECN1 complex, increases the ubiquitination of BECN1, and subsequently enhances autophagy induction in response to LPS stimulation. To verify the functional role of HBx in liver cancer progression, we utilized different HCC cell lines, HepG2, SK-Hep-1, and SNU-761. HBx-expressing HepG2 cells exhibited enhanced cell migration, invasion, and cell mobility in response to LPS stimulation compared to those of control HepG2 cells. These results were consistently observed in HBx-expressed SK-Hep-1 and HBx-expressed SNU-761 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that HBx positively regulates the induction of autophagy through the inhibition of the BECN1-Bcl-2 complex and enhancement of the TRAF6-BECN1-VPS34 complex, leading to enhance liver cancer migration and invasion.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.44.1-44.15
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• 2021

Tumor peptides associated with MHC class I molecules or their synthetic variants have attracted great attention for their potential use as vaccines to induce tumor-specific CTLs. However, the outcome of clinical trials of peptide-based tumor vaccines has been disappointing. There are various reasons for this lack of success, such as difficulties in delivering the peptides specifically to professional Ag-presenting cells, short peptide half-life in vivo, and limited peptide immunogenicity. We report here a novel peptide vaccination strategy that efficiently induces peptide-specific CTLs. Nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated from a biodegradable polymer, poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid), attached to H-2K^b molecules, and then the natural peptide epitopes associated with the H-2K^b molecules were exchanged with a model tumor peptide, SIINFEKL (OVA_257-268). These NPs were efficiently phagocytosed by immature dendritic cells (DCs), inducing DC maturation and activation. In addition, the DCs that phagocytosed SIINFEKL-pulsed NPs potently activated SIINFEKL-H2K^b complex-specific CD8⁺ T cells via cross-presentation of SIINFEKL. In vivo studies showed that intravenous administration of SIINFEKL-pulsed NPs effectively generated SIINFEKL-specific CD8⁺ T cells in both normal and tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, intravenous administration of SIINFEKL-pulsed NPs into EG7.OVA tumor-bearing mice almost completely inhibited the tumor growth. These results demonstrate that vaccination with polymeric NPs coated with tumor peptide-MHC-I complexes is a novel strategy for efficient induction of tumor-specific CTLs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.15.1-15.16
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• 2022

Foreign molecules, including viruses and bacteria-derived toxins, can also induce airway inflammation. However, to the best of our knowledge, the roles of these molecules in the development of airway inflammation have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the precise role and synergistic effect of virus-mimicking double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in macrophages and epithelial cells. To identify cytokine expression profiles, both the THP-1-derived macrophages and BEAS-2B epithelial cells were stimulated with dsRNA or SEB. A total of 21 cytokines were evaluated in the culture supernatants. We observed that stimulation with dsRNA induced cytokine production in both cell types. However, cytokine production was not induced in SEB-stimulated epithelial cells, compared to the macrophages. The synergistic effect of dsRNA and SEB was evaluated observing cytokine level and intracellular phospho-signaling. Fifteen different types were detected in high-dose dsRNA-stimulated epithelial cells, and 12 distinct types were detected in macrophages; those found in macrophages lacked interferon production compared to the epithelial cells. Notably, a synergistic effect of cytokine induction by co-stimulation of dsRNA and SEB was observed mainly in epithelial cells, via activation of most intracellular phosphor-signaling. However, macrophages only showed an accumulative effect. This study showed that the type and severity of cytokine productions from the epithelium or macrophages could be affected by different intensities and a combination of dsRNA and SEB. Further studies with this approach may improve our understanding of the development and exacerbation of airway inflammation and asthma.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.25.1-25.11
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• 2022

IL-34 can promote osteoclast differentiation and activation, which may contribute to steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Animal model was constructed in both BALB/c and IL-34 deficient mice to detect the relative expression of inflammation cytokines. Micro-CT was utilized to reveal the internal structure. In vitro differentiated osteoclast was induced by culturing bone marrow-derived macrophages with IL-34 conditioned medium or M-CSF. The relative expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, osteoclast marker genes, and relevant pathways molecules was detected with quantitative real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Up-regulated IL-34 expression could be detected in the serum of ONFH patients and femoral heads of ONFH mice. IL-34 deficient mice showed the resistance to ONFH induction with the up-regulated trabecular number, trabecular thickness, bone value fraction, and down-regulated trabecular separation. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-2, and IL-17A, showed diminished expression in IL-34 deficient ONFH induced mice. IL-34 alone or works in coordination with M-CSF to promote osteoclastogenesis and activate ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. These data demonstrate that IL-34 can promote the differentiation of osteoclast through ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways to aggravate steroid-induced ONFH, and IL-34 can be considered as a treatment target.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.7.1-7.11
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• 2019

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects mainly salivary and lacrimal glands, but its cause remains largely unknown. Clinical data indicating that SS occurs in a substantial proportion of patients with lupus points to common pathogenic mechanisms underlying the two diseases. To address this idea, we asked whether SS develops in the lupus-prone mouse strain sanroque (SAN). Owing to hyper-activation of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, female SAN mice developed lupus-like symptoms at approximately 20 wk of age but there were no signs of SS at that time. However, symptoms typical of SS were evident at approximately 40 wk of age, as judged by reduced saliva flow rate, sialadenitis, and IgG deposits in the salivary glands. Increases in serum titers of SS-related autoantibodies and numbers of autoantibody-secreting cells in cervical lymph nodes (LNs) preceded the pathologic manifestations of SS and were accompanied by expansion of Tfh cells and their downstream effector cells. Thus, our results suggest that chronic dysregulation of Tfh cells in salivary gland-draining LNs is sufficient to drive the development of SS in lupus-prone mice.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.16-21
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• 2024

Haepyoijin-tang and its main components have been used for phlegm, cough and dyspnea. Using a respiratory inflammation model, we intend to reveal the anti-inflammatory effect and pharmacological mechanism of Haepyoijin-tang. We induced the respiratory inflammation model by Aspergillus oryzae protease and ovalbumin administration. Female Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were classified into four groups as follows: saline control group, aspergillus oryzae protease and ovalbumin induced respiratory inflammation group (vehicle), inflammation with Haepyoijin-tang (200 mg/kg) administration group, inflammation with dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) administration group (n=7). To identify the anti-inflammatory effects of Haepyoijin-tang water extracts, we measured the inflammatory cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total live lung cell number. In addition, we checked eosinophil ratio and number in BALF. And Interleukin (IL)-5 level was also measured in lung cell culture supernatant. To confirm the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects, we analyzed the activated helper T cell (CD4⁺CD25⁺ cell) and Th2 cell (CD4⁺GATA3⁺ cell) ratio and number in lung by using flow cytometry. Finally, we attempted to confirm the immune mechanism by measuring the ratio and number of regulatory T cells (CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ cell). Haepyoijin-tang extracts treatment diminished inflammatory cell, especially, eosinophil number in BALF and total live lung cell number. Moreover, IL-5 level was reduced in Haepyoijin-tang treated group. Surprisingly, Haepyoijin-tang extracts administration not only decreased the activated helper T cell but also Th2 cell population in lung. Additionally, regulatory T cell population was increased in Haepyoijin-tang administration group. Our findings proved that Haepyoijin-tang extract have anti-inflammatory efficacy by suppressing Th2 cell activation and promoting regulatory T cell population.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.904-910
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• 2006

수지상세포는 종양면역에서 필수적인 강력한 CTL 반응을 개시할 수 있는 유일한 세포이다 . 특히 외인성 종양항원에 대한 CTL 반응 유도는 활성화된 수지상세포의 IL-12 분비를 통한 CD4+ helper T세포의 cross-priming을 필요로 한다. 그러나 최근에 활성화된 수지상세포는 $Th_1$ 면역반응을 유도하지만 활성화 시간이 경과함에 따라 오히려 $Th_2$반응을 유도 할 수 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 OVA를 종양항원 모델로 설정하여 종양특이적인 CTL 반응을 형성하기 위한 최적의 수지상세포 활성화 조건을 조사하였다. 마우스 골수세포에 서 수지상세포로의 분화는 항원제시 기능을 위한 표면분자의 발현 측면에서 볼 때 배양 6일-7일 정도가 적합하였다. 수지상세포의 IL-12 생성능은 배양 6일 이상, OVA 항원 탑재 8시간 이상의 경우에 연이은 LPS 성숙자극으로 오히려 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 즉 배양 6일의 수지상세포에 OVA 항원 탑재를 8시간 수행한 경우(8-h DC)가 in vitro에서의 IL-12생성능, ex vivo에서의 세포내 $IFN-{\gamma}$를 발현하는 CD8+ T세포의 증가 및 OVA 특이적인 세포독성효과 등에서 가장 좋은 결과를 보였다. 또한 in vivo에서 종양 치료 및 예방효과에서도 8-h DC로 면역한 경우에 가장 우수한 종양형성 억제 효과와 생존기간 연장효과를 보였다. 현재 대부분의 수지상 세포를 이용한 항종양 백신에서 항원 탑재반응을 24시간 동안 수행하고 있으나, 본 실험의 결과로 볼 때, 8시간의 in vitro 항원 탑재가 보다 효과적인 종양특이적 CTL 반응과 항종양 면역반응을 유도함을 알 수 있다. 결론적으로 본 연구를 통하여 8시간 이상의 항원접촉은 수지상세포의 기능적 활성능력을 오히려 고갈시킬 수 있음을 제시한다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Zerumbone은 야생 생강의 일종인 Zingiber zerumbet Smith의 정유(essential oil)에 포함되어 있는 주요성분으로, 다양한 연구를 통해 혈액종양을 포함한 암, 염증질환, 활성산소 감소 등에 이용할 가능성이 꾸준히 제기되어왔다. 또한 면역세포들의 증식과 세포주기진행, 사이토카인의 생성 발현에도 효과를 나타낸다고 알려져 있다. 이외에도 간보호, 통증완화, 항동맥경화, 항미생물 등 다양한 생물학적 기능이 보고되었다. 본 연구에서는 zerumbone이 단구의 활성과 기능에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보고자 하였다. 우선, 단구세포주 THP-1세포의 활성이 zerumbone에 의해 증가되는 것을 확인하였다. LPS 처리 후 가장 강한 THP-1 증식 증가는 $5{\mu}M$의 zerumbone 처리 시 나타났으며, 세포 단독 증식 증가는 $10{\mu}M$의 zerumbone 처리 시 가장 증가하였다. 반면에 $50{\mu}M$ 의 zerumbone 처리 시에는 LPS 존재 여부와 관계없이 급격한 증식 감소가 관찰되었다. LPS의 처리에 의해 유도되는 신호전달 단백질 Erk의 인산화도 zerumbone에 의해 증가되었다. 가장 강한 인산화 증가는 증식 감소가 나타난 $50{\mu}M$의 zerumbone을 처리했을 때 관찰되었다. 전사인자 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성은 zerumbone 단독 처리 시에는 큰 변화가 없었지만, LPS 와 동시에 처리했을 경우 증가하는 것으로 관찰되었다. 나아가, $NF-{\kappa}B$에 의해 발현이 조절되는 염증 사이토카인 $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-8의 전사도 zerumbone 에 의해 증가되는 것을 확인하였다. 이와 같은 결과를 통해 zerumbone이 단핵구의 증식과 활성을 강화시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 나아가, zerumbone이 LPS 를 보유한 세균 감염 시 단핵구 활성 증가를 통하여 효과적인 탐식과 면역반응을 강화시켜 효과적인 세균 처리에 도움을 줄 수 있을 것으로 여겨진다.