• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2023

The plant microbiota plays a crucial role in promoting plant health by facilitating the nutrient acquisition, abiotic stress tolerance, biotic stress resilience, and host immune regulation. Despite decades of research efforts, the precise relationship and function between plants and microorganisms remain unclear. Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a widely cultivated horticultural crop known for its high vitamin C, potassium, and phytochemical content. In this study, we investigated the microbial communities of kiwifruit across different cultivars (cvs. Deliwoong and Sweetgold) and tissues at various developmental stages. Our results showed that the microbiota community similarity was confirmed between the cultivars using principal coordinates analysis. Network analysis using both degree and eigenvector centrality indicated similar network forms between the cultivars. Furthermore, Streptomycetaceae was identified in the endosphere of cv. Deliwoong by analyzing amplicon sequence variants corresponding to tissues with an eigenvector centrality value of 0.6 or higher. Our findings provide a foundation for maintaining kiwifruit health through the analysis of its microbial community.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2018

Over the past decade, circulating tumor cell have received tremendous attention as new biomarkers and basic research subjects.In recent years, research on circulating tumor DNA, exosomes and microRNAs has also been actively conducted.These circulating tumor markers have the potential to become the basis of precision medicine, such as determining the genome / immune profile, monitoring response and tolerance, and selecting therapeutic agents beyond the early diagnosis and prognosis prediction.In this article, we introduce the diagnostic methods, efficacy, meaning, and applicability of various circulating tumor markers.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.223-251
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• 2017

Objectives : A lot of experiment results of Yugmijihwangtang(YM) are reported in various kinds of journals. Many of them report on the new effects that are not recorded in the traditional medical texts. So it is necessary to take it into consideration that newly reported effects could be of help to clinical practice, because this process of comparison of Donguibogam and scientific experiment results will have basis to lead into the evidence based medicine. Methods : We compared the effects of in Donguibogam and the experiment results of YM. Results : The effects of YM in Donguibogam are to replenish essence and marrow, and to treat red wen, fatigue, treat hypouresis, urinary sediment, urinary urgency, hematuria, hydrocephalus, speech and movement retardation, yin-deficiency, diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver, melanoma, disability to see near and far sight, tinnitus, hearing loss, alopecia, angiogenesis, cough, cough at night, trachyphonia, and, infantile convulsion. The experiment results of YM since 2000 in both Korea and China are to inhibit atopic dermatitis, renal interstitial fibrosis, anti-oxidant, emphysema, stress, glomerulosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis, hemorrhage, plantar sweating, dermal aging, kidney aging, bone loss, breast cancer, pathological myocardial cell, primary liver cancer, thrombosis, osteoporosis, intrauterine growth retardation, chronic renal failure, IgA nepropathy, slow cerebral development, and hippocampal tissue lesions on the one hand, and to help bone formation, renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system, cerebral recovery, cognitive function and expression, osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, learning and memory, cold-tolerance and oxygen deficit-tolerance and anti-fatigue, endometrial formation, humoral and cell-mediated immunity, immune regulation effect, Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovary Axis, and spermatogenesis, on the other hand. Conclusion : When we compared the effects of YM with the experiment results of YM, there existed a considerable gap between them. So, from now on, it is expected that a great effort and consideration are needed to solve these gaps from an academic and clinical point of view.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2008

Background: A co-inhibitory molecule, B7-H4, is believed to negatively regulate T cell immunity by suppressing T cell proliferation and inhibiting cytokine production. However, the mechanism behind B7-H4-mediated tolerance remains unclear. Methods: Balb/c $(H-2^d)$ mice were fed with dendritic cell line, DC2.4 $(H-2^d)$ every day for 10 days. Meantime, mice were hydrodynamically injected with recombinant plasmid expressing B7-H4 fusion protein (B7-H4.hFc) or hFc via tail vein. One day after last feeding, mice were immunized with allogeneic B6 spleen cells. 14 days following immunization, mice were challenged with B6 spleen cells to ear back and the ear swelling was determined the next day. Subsequently, a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was also performed and cytokines profiles from the reaction were examined by sandwich ELISA. Frequency of immunosuppressive cell population was assayed with flow cytometry and mRNA for FoxP3 was determined by RT-PCR. Results: Tolerant mice given plasmid expressing B7-H4.hFc showed a significant reduction in ear swelling compared to control mice. In addition, T cells from mice given B7-H4.hFc plasmid revealed a significant hyporesponsiveness of T cells against allogeneic spleen cells and showed a significant decrease in Th1 and Th2 cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-5, and TNF-${\alpha}$. Interestingly, flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in spleen was increased in tolerant mice given recombinant B7-H4.hFc plasmid compared to control group. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that B7-H4 synergistically potentiates oral tolerance induced by allogeneic cells by increasing the frequency of FoxP3+ CD4+CD25+ Treg and reducing Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

Follicular helper T ($T_{FH}$) cells are recently highlighted as their crucial role for humoral immunity to infection as well as their abnormal control to induce autoimmune disease. During an infection, na$\ddot{i}$ve T cells are differentiating into $T_{FH}$ cells which mediate memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells in germinal center (GC). $T_{FH}$ cells are characterized by their expression of master regulator, Bcl-6, and chemokine receptor, CXCR5, which are essential for the migration of T cells into the B cell follicle. Within the follicle, crosstalk occurs between B cells and $T_{FH}$ cells, leading to class switch recombination and affinity maturation. Various signaling molecules, including cytokines, surface molecules, and transcription factors are involved in $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. IL-6 and IL-21 cytokine-mediated STAT signaling pathways, including STAT1 and STAT3, are crucial for inducing Bcl-6 expression and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. $T_{FH}$ cells express important surface molecules such as ICOS, PD-1, IL-21, BTLA, SAP and CD40L for mediating the interaction between T and B cells. Recently, two types of microRNA (miRNA) were found to be involved in the regulation of $T_{FH}$ cells. The miR-17-92 cluster induces Bcl-6 and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, whereas miR-10a negatively regulates Bcl-6 expression in T cells. In addition, follicular regulatory T ($T_{FR}$) cells are studied as thymus-derived $CXCR5^+PD-1^+Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells that play a significant role in limiting the GC response. Regulation of $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation and the GC reaction via miRNA and $T_{FR}$ cells could be important regulatory mechanisms for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we review recent studies on the various factors that affect $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, and the role of $T_{FH}$ cells in autoimmune diseases.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2003

Streptococcus mutans is known to be a major causative organism of human dental caries. The development of a vaccine against dental caries involves identification of appropriate antigens of mutans streptococci against which protective immune responses can be mounted, and the selection of a method of immunization that will generate sustained levels of protective antibodies. Antigens receiving most attention include streptococcal surface proteins that are involved in attachment to tooth surfaces and glucosyltransferases (GTF) that synthesize adhesive glucans from sucrose. The induction of antibody responses to orally administered antigens is often difficult due to digestive destruction of antigens and immune tolerance. Here we report the induction of antibody responses to an anti-caries vaccine containing retinoic acid (RA). Subcutaneous immunization with formalin-fixed bacteria or GTF supplemented with RA induced higher serum IgM and IgA responses to GTF compaired to oral adminstration. Antisera induced by Ingbritt strain showed partial cross-reaction with LM-7 strain, but not with OMZ175. These results suggest that subcutaneous immunization with GTF combined with an immunomodulator, RA, may be applied to anti-caries vaccine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.896-904
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the probiotic characteristics and immune activities of selected lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains as feed additives in livestock. 301 LAB strains isolated from traditional fermented foods were first assessed for their antibacterial activity potential. Of the 301 isolates, five showed antibacterial activity against five livestock pathogens (Esherichia coli KCCM11234, Listeria monocytogens KCTC3710, Salmonella Typhimurium KCTC1926, Staphylococcus aureus KCCM11593, and Shigella flexneri KCTC2517). The probiotic characteristics of the five selected strains were also investigated by antioxidative activity, hemolysis, bile salt hydrolase, acid resistance and bile tolerance. The SRCM102607 strain was found to have superior probiotic properties and was selected for further experimentation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that SRCM102607 is Pediococcus acidilactici, which was labeled as P. acidilactici SRCM102607 (KCCM 12246P). The survival characteristics of P. acidilactici SRCM102607 in artificial gastrointestinal conditions were assessed under exposed acidic (pH 2.0) and bile (0.5% and 1.0%) conditions. P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was also confirmed to have resistance to various antibiotics, including amikacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and etc. The TNF-α production by P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was 171.86±4.00 ng/ml. These results show that P. acidilactici RCM102607 has excellent potential for use as a probiotic livestock feed additive.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.17.1-17.14
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• 2022

We aimed to investigate associations of dietary diversity (DD) with gut microbial diversity and the development of hen's egg allergy (HEA) in infants. We enrolled 68 infants in a high-risk group and 32 infants in a control group based on a family history of allergic diseases. All infants were followed from birth until 12 months of age. We collected infant feeding data, and DD was defined using 3 measures: the World Health Organization definition of minimum DD, food group diversity, and food allergen diversity. Gut microbiome profiles and expression of cytokines were evaluated by bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. High DD scores at 3 and 4 months were associated with a lower risk of developing HEA in the high-risk group, but not in the control group. In the high-risk group, high DD scores at 3, 4, and 5 months of age were associated with an increase in Chao1 index at 6 months. We found that the gene expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-8 were higher among infants who had lower DD scores compared to those who had higher DD scores in high-risk infants. Additionally, high-risk infants with a higher FAD score at 5 months of age showed a reduced gene expression of IL-13. Increasing DD within 6 months of life may increase gut microbial diversity, and thus reduce the development of HEA in infants with a family history of allergic diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.299-306
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• 2011

Background: $CD4^+Fop3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are needed to maintain peripheral tolerance, but their role in the development of autoimmune arthritis is still debated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism by which Tregs influence autoimmune arthritis, using a mouse model entitled K/BxN. Methods: We generated Treg-deficient K/BxNsf mice by congenically crossing K/BxN mice with Foxp3 mutant scurfy mice. The arthritic symptoms of the mice were clinically and histopathologically examined. The proportions and activation of $CD4^+$ T cells and/or dendritic cells were assessed in the spleens, draining lymph nodes and synovial tissue of these mice. Results: K/BxNsf mice exhibited earlier onset and more aggressive progression of arthritis than their K/BxN littermates. In particular, bone destruction associated with the influx of numerous RANKL+ cells into synovia was very prominent. They also contained more memory phenotype $CD4^+$ T cells, more Th1 and Th2 cells, and fewer Th17 cells than their control counterparts. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing high levels of CD86 and CD40 were elevated in the K/BxNsf synovia. Conclusion: We conclude that Tregs oppose the progression of arthritis by inhibiting the development of $RANKL^+$ cells, homeostatically proliferating $CD4^+$ T cells, Th1, Th2 and mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and by inhibiting their influx into joints.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2009

Human erythropoietin(EPO) is a glycoprotein that enhances red blood cell production by stimulating proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD) suffer from anemia caused by reduced production of EPO in the kidney. Recombinant human EPO protein has been used successfully for the treatment of anemia associated with CKD. Recently, attention has been paid to the development of side effect of EPO, pure red cell aplasia(PRCA), in some patients with CKD. PRCA is a rare disorder of erythropoiesis that leads to a severe anemia due to an almost complete cessation of red blood cell production. EPO-related PRCA is caused by the production of EPO-neutralizing antibodies(Abs) that eliminate the biological activity of EPO as well as endogenous EPO in patients undergoing therapy. Since 1988, almost 200 cases worldwide have been reported with Ab-positive PRCA after receiving EPO therapeutics. The underlying mechanisms of the breaking of immune tolerance to self-EPO have been investigated. Modification of formulation, organic compounds of container closures, and route of administration has been suggested for the possible mechanism of increased immunogenicity of EPO. A number of assays have been used to detect Abs specific to EPO. These assays are generally grouped into two major categories: binding Ab assays and neutralizing Ab assays(bioassays). There are several types of binding Ab assays, including radioimmunoprecipitation assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the BIAcore biosensor assay. In vitro cell-based bioassays have been utilized for the detection of neutralizing Abs. Finally, the recent experience with anti-EPO Abs may have considerable implications for the future development and approval of EPO preparations. Also, considering that millions of patients are being treated with EPO, clinicians need to be aware of signs and consequences of this rare but severe clinical case.