• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.90-100
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Jeokbaekhaogwanjung-tang (JGT) distillate on the immune activity of spleen cells of aged rats. Methods: Spleen cells of 10w, 52w 72w old SD rats were cultured and treated with JGT distillate and the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured. Results: 1. The levels of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleen cells of 52w old rats were significantly decreased by JGT treatment. 2. The level of IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleen cells of 72w old rats were significantly decreased by JGT treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that Jeokbaekhaogwanjung-tang distillate has an immune regulative effect by way of suppressing the change of immune activity caused by aging in rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.362-364
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• 2000

Opuntia ficus-indca(Op) extract has been claimed to have several therapeutic properties in oriental medicine including anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects. Little is known of its effect on the activation of immune cells such as T cells and macrophages. To evaluate the functional effect of Op extract on immune cells, we examined whether Op extract stimulates the proliferation of T cells and the secretion of cytokines including IL-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in THP-1 cell lines by RT-PCR. Op extract significantly enhanced the proliferation of T cell clone(D10S). Transcription of cytokines including IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha peaked 6 hrs after exposure to Op extract(100g/ml) in the THP-1 cell line and declined and declined thereafter. In an experiment to test the dose dependency of transcription of cytokines, transcription increased at a dose of 10 g/ml and the maximum expression was obtained at 100 g/ml, 6 hrs after exposure to Op extract. These findings suggest that Op extract is a potent stimulant of immune cells including T cells and macrophages, which acts by stimulating T cell proliferation and upregulating cytokines. These phenomena imply that some edible plants may be beneficial to living animals through the activation of immune functions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.187-200
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• 2014

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are the most common cause of genital ulceration in humans worldwide. Typically, HSV-1 and 2 infections via mucosal route result in a lifelong latent infection after peripheral replication in mucosal tissues, thereby providing potential transmission to neighbor hosts in response to reactivation. To break the transmission cycle, immunoprophylactics and therapeutic strategies must be focused on prevention of infection or reduction of infectivity at mucosal sites. Currently, our understanding of the immune responses against mucosal infection of HSV remains intricate and involves a balance between innate signaling pathways and the adaptive immune responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated that HSV mucosal infection induces type I interferons (IFN) via recognition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activates multiple immune cell populations, including NK cells, conventional dendritic cells (DCs), and plasmacytoid DCs. This innate immune response is required not only for the early control of viral replication at mucosal sites, but also for establishing adaptive immune responses against HSV antigens. Although the contribution of humoral immune response is controversial, $CD4^+$ Th1 T cells producing IFN-${\gamma}$ are believed to play an important role in eradicating virus from the hosts. In addition, the recent experimental successes of immunoprophylactic and therapeutic compounds that enhance resistance and/or reduce viral burden at mucosal sites have accumulated. This review focuses on attempts to modulate innate and adaptive immunity against HSV mucosal infection for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. Notably, cells involved in innate immune regulations appear to shape adaptive immune responses. Thus, we summarized the current evidence of various immune mediators in response to mucosal HSV infection, focusing on the importance of innate immune responses.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.318-327
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• 2021

CD4+ T helper (Th) cells play a crucial role in the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses through the differentiation of Th precursor cells into several subsets, including Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T (Treg) cells. Effector Th and Treg cells are distinguished by the production of signature cytokines and are important for eliminating intracellular and extracellular pathogens and maintaining immune homeostasis. Stimulation of naive Th cells by T cell receptor and specific cytokines activates master transcription factors and induces lineage specification during the differentiation of Th cells. The master transcription factors directly activate the transcription of signature cytokine genes and also undergo post-translational modifications to fine-tune cytokine production and maintain immune balance through cross-regulation with each other. This review highlights the post-translational modifications of master transcription factors that control the differentiation of effector Th and Treg cells and provides additional insights on the immune regulation mediated by protein argininemodifying enzymes in effector Th cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-41
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• 2011

The discovery of microRNA (miRNA) is one of the major scientific breakthroughs in recent years and has revolutionized current cell biology and medical science. miRNAs are small (19~25nt) noncoding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for degradation of translation repression. Genetic ablation of the miRNA machinery, as well as loss or degradation of certain individual miRNAs, severely compromises immune development and response, and can lead to immune disorders. Several sophisticated regulatory mechanisms are used to maintain immune homeostasis. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance, preventing autoimmune diseases and limiting chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent publications have provided compelling evidence that miRNAs are highly expressed in Treg cells, that the expression of Foxp3 is controlled by miRNAs and that a range of miRNAs are involved in the regulation of immunity. A large number of studies have reported links between alterations of miRNA homeostasis and pathological conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as psychiatric and neurological diseases. Although it is still unclear how miRNA controls Treg cell development and function, recent studies certainly indicate that this topic will be the subject of further research. The specific circulating miRNA species may also be useful for the diagnosis, classification, prognosis of diseases and prediction of the therapeutic response. An explosive literature has focussed on the role of miRNA. In this review, I briefly summarize the current studies about the role of miRNAs in Treg cells and in the regulation of the innate and adaptive immune response. I also review the explosive current studies about clinical application of miRNA.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Swiprosin-1 exhibits the highest expression in $CD8^+$ T cells and immature B cells and has been proposed to play a role in lymphocyte biology through actin remodeling. However, regulation of swiprosin-1 gene expression is poorly understood. Here we report that swiprosin-1 is up-regulated in T cells by PKC pathway. Targeted inhibition of the specific protein kinase C (PKC) isotypes by siRNA revealed that $PKC-{\theta}$ is involved in the expression of swiprosin-1 in the human T cells. In contrast, down-regulation of swiprosin-1 by A23187 or ionomycin suggests that calcium-signaling plays a negative role. Interestingly, swiprosin-1 expression is only reduced by treatment with $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitors but not by NF-AT inhibitor, suggesting that the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway is critical for regulation of swiprosin-1 expression. Collectively, these results suggest that swiprosin-1 is a $PKC-{\theta}$-inducible gene and that it may modulate the late phase of T cell activation after antigen challenge.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.742-751
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Samjawhadam-jeon (SJHDJ; 三子化痰煎) on immune cells in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Material and Methods : C57BL/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (four times a week) for asthma induction. Two experimental groups were treated with different concentrations of SJHDJ group (400 mg/kg) extracts and cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg) for the latter 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the mouse lung. peripheral lymph node (PLN) and spleen were removed and immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometer. Results : Lung weight, total cells in lung, PLN, and spleen of the SJHDJ group decreased significantly compared with that of the control group. Number of $CD3e^+/CD69^+$, $CD3e^+/DX5^+$ cells in lung, PLN and spleen, number of $CD3^+$ cells in PLN and spleen, number of $CD3e^-/CCR3^+$ cells in lung and PLN, and number of $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in PLN of the SJHDJ group decreased compared with that of the control group. Number of $CD4^+/CD25^+$ cells in PLN and spleen of the SJHDJ group increased compared with that of the control group. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that SJHDJ will be a desirable alternative therapy for allergic asthma by inhibiting the expression of immune cells.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.218-232
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Yongyukjowitang(YJT) distillate on the immune activity of spleen cells of aged SD rats. Methods Spleen cells from 10w, 52w, 72w old rats were stimulated with Concanavalin A(Con A) and treated with Vitamin C(Vit.C) or Yongyukjowitang distillate(YJT). After 24 hours, levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured using ELISA in spleen cells. Results and Conclusions 1. The concentration of IL-2, IL-4 in spleen cells of 52 weeks old SD rats(YJT group) significantly decreased in comparison with ConA group. 2. The concentration of IFN-${\gamma}$ in spleen cells of 72 weeks old SD rats significantly increased in comparison with 10 weeks old SD rats(NT group), but decreased in comparison with 10 weeks old SD rats(YJT group). These results suggest that Yongyukjowitang distillate has an effect on the immune activity of spleen cells of aged SD rats.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.377-384
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• 2007

Objective : Immune potentiation including activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells is known to play a key role in prevention and treatment of patients with cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (AR) on the immune system, especially on thymocytes, splenocytes, and macrophages. Methods : We investigated the effects of AR on proliferation of splenocytes in normal mice, and the effects on proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes in tumor-bearing mice. In addition, the effect of AR on NO production using macrophages was investigated. Results : Treatment with AR accelerated proliferation of splenocytes in vitro. AR also accelerated thymocyte proliferation, but did not affect splenocytes proliferation in normal mice. In contrast, AR accelerated proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes significantly in tumor bearing mice. In addition, NO production level from macrophages was elevated by treatment with AR. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that AR has anti-cancer activities and related mechanisms are involved in immune potentiation such as acceleration of immune cell proliferation and elevation of NO production level in macrophages. In addition, we also demonstrate the possibilities of AR as complementary and alternative medicine to standard anti-cancer drugs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.335-341
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• 2021

Zinc is an essential micronutrient with crucial roles in multiple facets of biological processes. Dysregulated zinc homeostasis impairs overall immune function and resultantly increases susceptibility to infection. Clinically, zinc supplementation is practiced for treatment of several infectious diseases, such as diarrhea and malaria. Recent focus on zinc as a beneficial element for immune system support has resulted in investigation of the immunomodulatory roles of zinc in a variety of immune cells. Besides its classical role as a cofactor that regulates the structural function of thousands of proteins, accumulating evidence suggests that zinc also acts, in a manner similar to calcium, as an ionic regulator of immune responses via participation as an intracellular messenger in signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the role of zinc as a signaling molecule in major pathways such as those downstream of Toll-like receptors-, T cell receptor-, and cytokine-mediated signal transduction that regulate the activity and function of monocytes/macrophages and T cells, principal players in the innate and adaptive immune systems.