• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.27-41
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• 2007

Aim : This study aimed at elucidating the effects of Inonotus obliquus on anti-tumor effects in vivo and immune-based characterization of the mushroom as a potential candidate for cancer remedy. Methods : To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Inonotus obliquus, we investigated macrophage functions and NK cell activities through the measurement of NO production of macrophage, NK cell cytotoxicity and expressions of cytokines and genes regulating immune responses, in addition to pulmonary metastasis model in vivo. Results : Inonotus obliquus showed general cytotoxicity at high concentrations over the 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ on the both of normal and cancer cell lines. Inonotus obliquus showed both inhibitory and promotive effects on pulmonary colonization of CT-26 cell depending on period or route of administration in vivo. Conclusion : From these results, it cannot be concluded that Inonotus obliquus has cancer-specific activity. Furthermore, Inonotus obliquus has the provability to show adverse effects differently according to the concentration and the method of administration.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.728-733
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) effectively reduce airway inflammation and regenerate the alveolus in cigarette- and elastase-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) animal models. The effects of stem cells are thought to be paracrine and immune-modulatory because very few stem cells remain in the lung one day after their systemic injection, which has been demonstrated previously. In this report, we analyzed the gene expression profiles to compare mouse lungs with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke with non-exposed lungs. Gene expression profiling was also conducted in a mouse lung tissue with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke following the systemic injection of human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hCB-MSCs). Globally, 834 genes were differentially expressed after systemic injection of hCB-MSCs. Seven and 21 genes, respectively, were up-and downregulated on days 1, 4, and 14 after HCB-MSC injection. The Hbb and Hba, genes with oxygen transport and antioxidant functions, were increased on days 1 and 14. A serine protease inhibitor was also increased at a similar time point after injection of hCB-MSCs. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that the levels of genes related to immune responses, metabolic processes, and blood vessel development were altered, indicating host responses after hCB-MSC injection. These gene expression changes suggest that MSCs induce a regeneration mechanism against COPD induced by cigarette smoke. These analyses provide basic data for understanding the regeneration mechanisms promoted by hCB-MSCs in cigarette smoke-induced COPD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.655-663
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng is known to exhibit immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties. The immune-enhancing effects of the nonsaponin fraction (NSF) of Korean Red Ginseng have been studied in many reports. However, the gastroprotective effect of this fraction is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate the activities of NSF for gastrointestinal protection and its related critical factor. Methods: The in vitro and in vivo regulatory functions of NSF on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) messenger RNA and protein levels were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting analyses. Gastroprotective effects of NSF were investigated by histological score, gastric juice pH, and myeloperoxidase activity on indomethacin-induced, cold stress-induced, and acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastritis and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in in vivo mouse models. Results: NSF did not show cytotoxicity, and it increased COX-1 messenger RNA expression and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells. This upregulation was also observed in colitis and gastritis in vivo models. In addition, NSF treatment in mice ameliorated the symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammation, including histological score, colon length, gastric juice pH, gastric wall thickness, and myeloperoxidase activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that NSF has gastroprotective effects on gastritis and colitis in in vivo mouse models through COX-1 upregulation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 2012

To develop a new starter culture for Mozzarella cheese, the immunomodulatory action of Streptococcus macedonicus LC743 in male C57BL/6 mice was studied. Mice were fed for 7 wk with feed containing 1% Mozzarella cheese made with three kinds of starter cultures from S. macedonicus LC743 (G3), FD-DVS TCC-3 (G2) and S. macedonicus LC743 : FD-DVS TCC-3(1:1) (G4) and control (feed only, G1), respectively. No significant differences in body weight gain were observed among the various groups of mice. The spleen index and thymus index were observed and no significant differences were found among the groups. The production of TNF-${\alpha}$ of S. macedonicus LC743 group significantly increased compared to the control group. The production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was significantly enhanced by the feeding of S. macedonicus LC743 group compared to the control group. In regards to the white blood cell counts, the neutrophil percentages were significantly higher in the G1 group compared to other groups. The lymphocyte percentages were significantly higher in G2, G3 and G4 groups in comparison to the control group. The results of this study may suggest that the supplementation of S. macedonicus LC743 can increase the cytokine production activity by the activated macrophages in mice. Based on the result of this study, it could be concluded that S. macedonicus LC743 could stimulate the immune functions of mice.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Inonotus obliquus is one of the immune-regulatory substances and is recognized to play the role in the metabolic process of inflammation, allergy and immuntiy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of Inonotus obliquus (IOW) on the liver lymphocyte immune function in the Sprague-Dawley male rats treated with carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) to induce liver damage. Rats were fed with each experimental diet and water for 4 weeks. We found that effects of IOW on interferon-gamma (IFN-$\gamma$), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (pSTAT1) and GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) were decrease in vivo. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), STAT6, pSTAT6 and T-box expressed in T-cells (T-bet) decreased significantly lower in $CCl_4$+IOW group than the $CCl_4$ group. Our data indicated that cytokine protein production were increased in $CCl_4$ group and $CCl_4$+IOW group. As a result of this study, we assume that IOW fed could regulate the immuno-modulating functions through regulate the cytokine production capacity activated by liver damage.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2010

Gangliosides are a ubiquitous component of the membranes of mammalian cells that have been suggested to play important roles in various cell functions such as cell-cell interaction, adhesion, cell differentiation, growth control and signaling. However, the role that gangliosides play in the immune rejection response in xenotransplantation is not yet clearly understood. In this study, differential expression patterns of gangliosides in HEK293 (human embryonic kidney cells), PK15 (porcine kidney cells), NIH-kd (NIH-mini pig kidney cells, primary cultured) and the cortex, medulla and calyx of the NIH-mini pig kidney were investigated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The results revealed that HEK293, PK15 and NIH-kd contained GM3, GM2 and GD3 as major gangliosides. Moreover, GM3, which are the gangliosides of NIH-kd, were expressed at higher levels than HEK293 and PK15. Especially, GT1b were expressed in HEK293 and NIH-kd but not in PK15. Finally, GM1 and GD1a were expressed in NIH-kd, but not in HEK293 or PK15. These results suggest that differential expression patterns of gangliosides from HEK293, PK15 and NIH-kd are related to the immune rejection response in xenotransplantation.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.19-28
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• 2000

It is not so easy to control the wheeled mobile robot because of some causes like non-holonomic constraints. To overcome these problems, a controller that PD system is combined with fuzzy process is composed of several steps that have each separate algorithm and niche search algorithm and immune algorithm is applied partly. Output term set is changed by search that is performed to get optimal elements and then the rule base is also reformed. The fitness for the altered system is estimated and the surplus elements are removed. After the adjustment of output term set and rule base is finished, input and output membership functions is tuned.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.503-511
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• 2019

As sessile organisms, plants have developed sophisticated system to defend themselves against microbial attack. Since plants do not have specialized immune cells, all plant cells appear to have the innate ability to recognize pathogens and turn on an appropriate defense response. The plant innate immune system has two major branches: PAMPs (pathogen associated molecular patterns)-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). The ability to discriminate between self and non-self is a fundamental feature of living organisms, and it is a prerequisite for the activation of plant defenses specific to microbial infection. Arabidopsis cells express receptors that detect extracellular molecules or structures of the microbes, which are called collectively PAMPs and activate PTI. However, nucleotidebinding site leucine-rich repeats (NB-LRR) proteins mediated ETI is induced by direct or indirect recognition of effector molecules encoded by avr genes. In Arabidopsis, plasmamembrane localized multifunctional protein RIN4 (RPM1-interacting protein 4) plays important role in both PTI and ETI. Previous studies have suggested that RIN4 functions as a negative regulator of PTI. In addition, many different bacterial effector proteins modify RIN4 to destabilize plant immunity and several NB-LRR proteins, including RPM1 (resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola 1), RPS2 (resistance to P. syringae 2) guard RIN4. This review summarizes the current studies that have described signaling mechanism of RIN4 function, modification of RIN4 by bacterial effectors and different interacting partner of RIN4 in defense related pathway. In addition, the emerging role of the RIN4 in plant physiology and intercellular signaling as it presents in exosomes will be discussed.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2022

Purpose: Macrophages play crucial roles as early responders to bacterial pathogens and promote/ or impede chronic inflammation in various tissues. Periodontal macrophage-induced pyroptosis results in physiological and pathological inflammatory responses. The transcription factor Dec2 is involved in regulating immune function and inflammatory processes. To characterize the potential unknown role of Dec2 in the innate immune system, we sought to elucidate the mechanism that may alleviate macrophage pyroptosis in periodontal inflammation. Methods: Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce pyroptosis in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Subsequently, we established an LPS-stimulated Dec2 overexpression cellular model in macrophages. Human chronic periodontitis tissues were employed to evaluate potential changes in inflammatory marker expression and pyroptosis. Finally, the effects of Dec2 deficiency on inflammation and pyroptosis were characterized in a P. gingivalis-treated experimental periodontitis Dec2-knockout mouse model. Results: Macrophages treated with LPS revealed significantly increased messenger RNA expression levels of Dec2 and interleukin (IL)-1β. Dec2 overexpression reduced IL-1β expression in macrophages treated with LPS. Overexpression of Dec2 also repressed the cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD), and the expression of caspase-11 was concurrently reduced in macrophages treated with LPS. Human chronic periodontitis tissues showed significantly higher gingival inflammation and pyroptosis-related protein expression than non-periodontitis tissues. In vivo, P. gingivalis-challenged mice exhibited a significant augmentation of F4/80, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1β. Dec2 deficiency markedly induced GSDMD expression in the periodontal ligament of P. gingivalis-challenged mice. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that Dec2 deficiency exacerbated P. gingivalis LPS-induced periodontal inflammation and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis. Collectively, our results present novel insights into the molecular functions of macrophage pyroptosis and document an unforeseen role of Dec2 in pyroptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.304-314
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenosides are biologically active components of ginseng and have various functions. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of a ginseng product generated from ginseng powder (GP) via enzymatic bioconversion. This product, General Bio compound K-10 mg solution (GBCK10S), exhibited increased levels of minor ginsenosides, including ginsenoside-F1, compound K, and compound Y. Methods: The immunomodulatory properties of GBCK10S were confirmed using mice and a human natural killer (NK) cell line. We monitored the expression of molecules involved in immune responses via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, NK cell-targeted cell destruction, quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses. Results: Oral administration of GBCK10S significantly increased serum immunoglobulin M levels and primed splenocytes to express pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ. Oral administration of GBCK10S also activated NK cells in mice. Furthermore, GBCK10S treatment stimulated a human NK cell line in vitro, thereby increasing granzyme B gene expression and activating STAT5. Conclusion: GBCK10S may have potent immunostimulatory properties and can activate immune responses mediated by B cells, Th1-type T cells, and NK cells.