• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제78권2호
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• pp.56-63
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• 2015

A small number of viable tuberculosis bacilli can reside in an individual with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) without obvious clinical symptoms or abnormal chest radiographs. Diagnosis and treatment for LTBI are important for tuberculosis (TB) control in public and private health, especially in high-risk populations. The updated 2014 Korean guidelines for TB recommend that tuberculin skin tests, interferon-gamma release assays, or a combination of the two can be used for LTBI diagnosis according to age and immune status of the host as well as TB contact history. The regimens for LTBI treatment include isoniazid, rifampicin, or isoniazid/rifampicin. However, results of drug susceptibility test from the index case must be considered in selecting the appropriate drug for recent contacts. Standardized LTBI diagnosis and treatment based on the new 2014 guidelines will contribute to the effective TB control in Korea as well as to the establishment of updated guidelines.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.255-261
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• 1999

The effect of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (PMC) on the cellular and nonspecific immunosuppressions by ketoconazole (KCZ) was investigated in ICR mice. PMC at a dose of 6 mg/kg was administered orally to mice daily for 14 consecutive days. KCZ was suspended in RPMI 1640 medium and orally administered at 160 mg/kg/day 2 hrs after the administration of PMC. Immune responses of the delayed-type hypersensitively (DTH) reaction to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), phagocytic activity and natural killer (NK) cell activity were evaluated. DTH reaction to SRBC was enhanced to normal level by the combination of PMC and KCZ, as compared with treatment of KCZ alone. In the combination of PMC and KCZ, as compared with treatment of KCZ alone, there were also significant increases in activities of natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes along with circulating leukocytes. These findings indicate that PMC shows a significant restoration from the immunotoixc status induced by KCZ.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.7.1-7.24
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• 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has severely impacted global health and economy. There is currently no effective approved treatment for COVID-19; although vaccines have been granted emergency use authorization in several countries, they are currently only administered to high-risk individuals, thereby leaving a gap in virus control measures. The scientific and clinical communities and drug manufacturers have collaborated to speed up the discovery of potential therapies for COVID-19 by taking advantage of currently approved drugs as well as investigatory agents in clinical trials. In this review, we stratified some of these candidates based on their potential targets in the progression of COVID-19 and discuss some of the results of ongoing clinical evaluations.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.6.1-6.11
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• 2021

Adenovirus was originally used as a vector for gene therapy. In recent years, with the development of the next-generation vectors with increased safety and high immunogenicity to transgene products, its utility as a vaccine vector has continued to increase. Adenovirus-based vaccines are currently being tested not only to prevent various infectious diseases but also to be applied as cancer vaccines. In this review, I discuss the innate and adaptive aspects of the immunological characteristics of adenovirus vectors and further examine the current status of advanced adenovirus-based vaccine development. Various methods that can overcome the limitations of currently used adenoviruses as vaccine vehicles are also discussed. Through this study, I hope that vaccine development using adenovirus vectors will be expedited and more successful.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제42권7호
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• pp.605-614
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• 2009

방사선 치료는 대부분의 암환자 치료에 적용되고 있다. 그러나 방사선 조사로 인한 부작용으로 환자들은 고통을 받고 있으며, 이러한 방사선치료의 부작용을 줄이고 환자의 영양상태 및 면역기능을 강화시킴으로써 암을 이겨낼 수 있는 능력을 강화시키는 것은 매우 중요한 일이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 방사선 조사로 염증이 유도된 흰쥐를 사용하여 고단백식이와 레스베라트롤을 식이에 첨가하였을 경우 영양상태와 면역지표에 변화가 있는지를 조사하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1) 방사선 조사로 인한 체중 감소 현상이 모든 군에서 뚜렷하게 나타났다. 정상식이 섭취량에 있어서는 방사선조사 전에는 모든 군에서 유사하게 나타났으나 방사선 치료후 유의하게 식이섭취가 감소하였다. 증가된 IL-6는 leptin의 분비와 단백질 분해를 야기시키고 이로 인하여 식욕감 퇴로 이어져 체중감소가 생긴다. 2) 본 연구에서는 방사선 조사로 인한 영양상태 변화를 살펴 본 결과 혈중 총 단백질과 알부민 농도가 모든 군에서 현저하게 감소하였으며, 레스베라트롤을 식이에 첨가하였을 경우 식이단백질 수준에 상관없이 혈중 알부민 농도를 증가시켰다. 3) 방사선 조사로 인하여 혈중 중성지방 농도가 증가하였으며, LDL-cholesterol 농도의 증가와 함께 HDL-cholesterol 농도가 감소됨으로써 지질 영양상태는 매우 불량한 상태를 초래하였다. 이 경우 단백질 섭취 수준을 높이거나 식이에 레스베라트롤을 첨가한 모든 군에서 혈중 중성지방 농도를 유의하게 감소시킬 수 있었으며, 특히 레스베라트롤을 첨가함으로써 혈중 LDL-cholesterol 수준도 유의하게 낮출 수 있는 것으로 나타났다. 3) 방사선 조사에 따른 혈액세포 수의 변화에 있어서는 유의한 백혈구의 증가와 혈소판의 감소를 들 수 있는데 고단백과 레스베라트롤을 동시에 처리한 군에서 백혈구수를 정상대조군 수준으로 낮출 수 있었으며, 감소된 혈소판 농도는 식이단백질 수준을 높임으로써 정상대조군 수준으로 회복시킬 수 있었다. 4) 또한 본 실험에서는 방사선조사에 의한 백혈구 백분율 변화에 있어서도 림프구의 백분율이 현저하게 감소한 반면 중성구와 호산구의 비율은 유의하게 증가하였다. 이 경우 레스베라트롤 첨가와 무관하게 단백질 섭취 수준을 높임으로써 방사선 조사에 의한 호산구 비율의 증가를 유의하게 낮출 수 있었다. 5) 방사선조사에 의하여 혈중 사이토카인 농도에도 변화가 있었다. 가장 현저한 변화로는 방사선 조사에 의하여 혈중 IL-2와 IL-6의 농도가 유의하게 증가하였으며 두 경우 모두에서 단백질 수준을 높이거나 레스베라트롤을 첨가함으로써 사이토카인의 농도를 정상대조군 수준으로 회복 시켰다. 또한 방사선 조사에 의하여 혈중 IL-12 농도가 현저히 감소하였는데 레스베라트롤을 첨가함으로써 식이단백질 수준에 상관없이 정상대조군 수준으로 증가시켰다. 본 연구의 결과를 통해 항암치료를 위하여 널리 사용되고 있는 방사선 조사는 환자의 영양상태와 면역능에 있어 다양한 변화를 초래함으로써 부작용을 야기시키는 것으로 확인되었다. 이 경우 식이의 단백질 수준을 높이거나 식이에 적정 수준의 레스베라트롤을 첨가함으로써 저하된 환자의 기능을 증진시켜 영양불균형을 개선함과 동시에 면역기능을 높여 염증반응의 부작용을 완화시킬 수 있는 것으로 나타났다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권12호
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• pp.1532-1540
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• 2013

Tbr2는 T-box family 전사인자의 하나로써 뇌의 발달, 전구세포의 증식, 그리고 CD8+ T 세포와 자연살상세포의 분화와 기능에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 마우스에서 pilocarpine을 이용하여 경련중첩증을 유도한 후 나타나는 병리기전에 Tbr2의 연관성을 확인하였다. 경련중첩증은 해마의 CA3, hilus 그리고 조롱박피질 등에서 뚜렷한 신경세포의 손상을 유발하였다. 흥미롭게도 Tbr2를 이용한 조직 염색에서 경련중첩증 2일 후에 CA3와 조롱박피질에서 면역반응성이 뚜렷하게 증가하는 것을 관찰하였다. 또한 CA3와 조롱박피질에서 Tbr2를 발현하는 세포는 미세아교세포와 단핵구, CD8+ T세포 또는 자연살상세포 등 백혈구의 표지물질인 CD11b 와 이중염색되는 것을 발견하였다. Tbr2와 CD11b에 동시에 염색된 세포는 아메바 모양의 형태를 갖추고 있는 것을 발견하였다. 게다가 혈관 내피세포에서 발혈되는 platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(PECAM-1)과 이중 염색한 결과 Tbr2를 발현하는 세포가 CA3 지역의 혈관내에 다량 존재하는 것을 확인하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합할 때 Tbr2를 발현하는 세포는 뇌 조직으로 이주하는 백혈구일 가능성이 높음을 보여준다. 이러한 결과는 경련중첩증에 따른 신경병리기전에 Tbr2가 관여할 가능성이 높음을 처음으로 제시하였다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.100-109
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• 2015

Controlling balance between T-helper type 1 (Th1) and T-helper type 2 (Th2) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the biological rhythm of Th1/Th2 and circumventing diseases caused by Th1/Th2 imbalance. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is a Th2-type cytokine and often associated with hypersensitivity-related diseases such as atopic dermatitis and allergies when overexpressed. In this study, we have tried to elucidate the function of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-acetyl-rac-glycerol (EC-18) as an essential modulator of Th1/Th2 balance. EC-18 has showed an inhibitory effect on the production of IL-4 in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR analysis has proved EC-18 affect the transcription of IL-4. By analyzing the phosphorylation status of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), which is a transcriptional activator of IL-4 expression, we discovered that EC-18 induced the decrease of STAT6 activity in several stimulated cell lines, which was also showed in STAT6 reporter analysis. Co-treatment of EC-18 significantly weakened atopy-like phenotypes in mice treated with an allergen. Collectively, our results suggest that EC-18 is a potent Th2 modulating factor by regulating the transcription of IL-4 via STAT6 modulation, and could be developed for immune-modulatory therapeutics.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2015

Objectives : TheHaedokgumhwa-sanwater extract (HDKHS) is used in Korea, Japan and China as a traditional therapeutic agent to cure an infectious disease. But its study is not enough. Therefore, the present study focused on the elucidation of HDKHS to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and to established the possible mechanisms involved in its action on LPS-stimulated immune response in murine macrophages.Methods : Inflammatory status was induced by LPS and measured by increasement of inflammatory mediators. LPS induced secretions of NO and PGE₂in RAW 264.7 cells were measured using griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit respectively. production of IL-6 was examined using ELISA kit and expression of IL-6 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR method. To investigate the effects of HDKHS on inflammatory mediators, such as iNOS, COX-2 and MAPKs, western blot and RT-PCR were performed.Results : HDKHS significantly reduced production of NO and PGE2 which were induced by LPS. Also, activation of IL-6 was reduced both protein and mRNA levels. The expressions of inflammatory mediator include iNOS and COX-2 were decreased by pretreatment with HDKHS. futhermore The result showed HDKHS down-regulate the LPS induced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, one of the MAPK family, which is considered as a main regulator of transmission from pathogens to nucleus of immune cells.Conclusions : Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of HDKHS may stem from the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators via suppression of initiation of inflammatory response by inhibiting MAPKs signaling pathways.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.569-577
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• 1996

This study was performed to determine the effect of maternal protein intake on 1) the concentration of immune substances in milk 2) degree of passive immunity to pups via lactation, and 3) specific antibody production to a specific antigen, $\beta$-lactoglobulin(BLG). 4) the effect of passive immunity that pups received from mother during lactation on the production of antibodies when the pups were challenged to the same antigen. Part of the female rats were immunized with BLG before and during pregnancy. The pregnant rats were placed into either 25% or 10% isolated soy protein diet throughout gestation and lactation. After weaning, pups from each group continued to be fed the same diet. At 18 weeks of age, all the pups were challenged with BLG. Total IgA and IgG, lysozyme, BLG-specific IgA and IgG were measured in dam's serum, dam's milk, and pup's serum. Total IgG, and lysozyme in dam's serum and milk were higher in high protein group. Total IgA and IgG in pup's serum remained higher in high protein group from 5 to 18 weeks of age. BLG-specific antibodies were found in the milk and serum of immunized dams, and in serum of pups born to immunized dams but not in the non-immunized group. BLG-specific IgA and IgG were again higher in high protein group and declined with time. The concentration decreased faster in the low proetein group than in the high protein groups. After immunization the pups with LBG, serum BLG-specific antibodies were not differ between rats born to immunized dams and those born to non-immunized dams. Therefore passive immunity rats received via milk as a pup had no effect on the BLG-specific antibody production later in life. This study shows the importance of protein status of mother and strongly support to the endorsement of breast feeding.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.3-12
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• 1993

This study was performed to investigate effects of dietary fat content and degree of saturation on the function of the immune system. Sixty male BALB/c mice average-weighing 17g were divided into three dietary groups: 5% safflower oil group, 20% safflower oil group, 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil group. Food intake and body weight were measured every day. At 4th, 7th, 10th week after dietary treatment, organ weight measurements, delayed-type hypersensitivity test, plaque forming cell test, agglutination test, differential white cell count and histological examination of spleen were performed. Results are follows; 1) Body weight, food intake and calorie intake were not different in the three dietary groups during the experimental period($\alpha$=0.05). 2) Liver weight was significantly higher in 5% safflower oil group($\alpha$=0.05). Spleen index was slightly higher in mice fed 5% safflower oil and 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil. Thymus index in all mice was decreased by aging. 3) Delayed-type hypersensitivity of the mice fed 5% safflower oil and 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil was significantly higher than that of the mice fed 20% safflower oil. 4) The number of plaque forming cell was significantly reduced at 10th week compared to 7th week in all group($\alpha$=0.05). Although there was no difference in plaque forming cell among three groups at 10th week, 5% safflower oil group showed slightly higher plaque forming cell than 20% safflower oil group at 7th week. 5) At 4th week, agglutination test seems to be higher in 5% safflower oil group and 19.3% beef tallow & 0.7% safflower oil group compared to 20% safflower oil group. 6) Percentage of neutrophil and eosinophil was slightly reduced in 20% safflower oil group. 7) Spleen tissue was not affected by and dietary treatments. According to our results, the higher the fat content & unsaturation of the diet the lower the cell-mediated immunity of the mice. Humoral-immunity did not appear to be affected by the dietary manipulation. However humoral-immunity was decreased significantly by aging in all dietary groups.