• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.1248-1254
• /
• 2019

Identification of novel probiotic strains is of great interest in the field of functional foods. Specific strains of heat-killed bacteria have been reported to exert immunomodulatory effects. Herein, we investigated the immune-stimulatory function of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 13314BP (LBP). Treatment with LBP significantly increased the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by macrophages. More importantly, LBP was able to enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophages against bacterial particles. Activation of p38, JNK, ERK, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and STAT3 was involved in the immunomodulatory function of LBP. LBP treatment significantly increased production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ by bone marrow-derived macrophages and splenocytes, further confirming the immunostimulatory effect of LBP in primary immune cells. Interestingly, the immunomodulatory effects of LBP were much stronger than those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a well-known probiotic strain. These results indicate that LBP can be a promising immune-enhancing functional food agent.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.732-736
• /
• 2020

Theobroma cacao L., a fruit of cacao trees, is a perennial plant, which belongs to Sterculiaceae, and is native to the Amazon in South Africa. It also has been known for its various biologically active effects, such as anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial. The spleen cell proliferations of mice were measured at 48 hours after treatment of Theobroma cacao L. water extracts in seven concentrations(0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000 ㎍/mL) an ELISA assay. The production of cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ), is secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS, was detected by ELISA assay using the cytokine kit. From the results of in vitro study, both splenocytes and cytokine production activated by peritoneal macrophages have increased when water extracts were supplemented in the range between 250 and 500 ㎍/mL concentration. Notably, splenocytes production has a signigicant proliferation at 500 ㎍/mL concentration. The result from this research suggests that supplementation with Theobroma cacao L. water extracts may enhance the immune function by stimulating the splenocyte proliferation and improving the cytokine production activating macrophage in vitro.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2022

Agar, a heterogeneous polymer of galactose, is the main component of the cell wall of marine red algae. It is well established as a safe, non-digestible carbohydrate in oriental countries. Neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) prepared by hydrolyzing agar by microbial β-agarase have been reported to show safety. However, their immunological effects have not been reported yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate immune enhancing effects of neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) from marine red algae Gelidium elegans in mice by performing ex vivo experiments. Six-week-old mice were fed ad libitum. NAOs were orally administrated at three different concentrations (100, 500, and 2,500 mg/kg B.W./day) twice a week for four weeks. The group fed with NAOs at 2,500 mg/kg showed the highest proliferation of splenocytes and production levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the ex vivo experiment. In conclusion, NAOs can enhance immune function, increase proliferation of splenocytes, and increase cytokine production by activating macrophages in mice.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.477-481
• /
• 2002

Ellagitannins have been reported to enhance the immune system. In this study, the effects of pedunculagin on langerhans cells were examined. Pedunculagin, an ellagitannin from Alnus hirsuta var. microphylla. Betulaceae, is a novel immunomodulator. Langerhans cell are known as the potent antigen presenting cell and elicit the Contact Hypersensitivity (CHS) response by presenting Ag to trafficking Ag-specific T cells within the skin. For determining the effects af pedunculagin on murine langerhans cell, the expression of TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA was examined by RT-PCR. As a result, the expression of TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA was upregulated by pedunculagin. These results suggest that pedunculagin enhances TNF-$\alpha$ and could be used as an immunomodulator in skin immune system.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.107-123
• /
• 2008

It has now been well documented in a variety of models that T regulatory T cells (Treg cells) play a pivotal role in the maintenance of self-tolerance, T cell homeostasis, tumor, allergy, autoimmunity, allograft transplantation and control of microbial infection. Recently, Treg cell are isolated and can be expanded in vitro and in vivo, and their role is the subject of intensive investigation, particularly on the possible Treg cell therapy for various immune-mediated diseases. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that Treg cells can prevent or even cure a wide range of diseases, including tumor, allergic and autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease. Currently, a large body of data in the literature has been emerging and provided evidence that clear understanding of Treg cell work will present definite opportunities for successful Treg cell immunotherapy for the treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases. In this Review, I briefly discuss the biology of Treg cells, and summarize efforts to exploit Treg cell therapy for autoimmune diseases. This article also explores recent observations on pharmaceutical agents that abrogate or enhance the function of Treg cells for manipulation of Treg cells for therapeutic purpose.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2014

Platycodon grandiflorum have been used as a traditional remedy and food source. This study was performed to investigate the immunomodulating effects of Platycodon grandiflorum in mouse, using ex vivo experiments. Six to seven-week old mice were fed ad libitum on a chow diet, and water extract of Platycodon grandiflorum was orally administrated at two different concentractions (50 and 500 mg/kg B.W./day) every other day for four weeks. In ex vivo experiments, the highest proliferation of splenocytes and levels of cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) production were observed in 500 mg/kg BW/day supplementation group for all three cytokines stimulated by LPS. In conclusion, this study suggests that Platycodon grandiflorum extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation and cytokine production capacity by activating macrophages in mice.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.229-240
• /
• 1999

Background: The impact of the immune response on cancer gene therapy using viral vectors to deliver a "suicide gene" is currently unclear. A vigrous immune response targeted at viral proteins or transgene may enhance the efficacy of tumor destruction and even augment responses to tumor antigens. These responses may involve the release of cytokines and stimulation of tumor specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that enhance therapeutic efficacy. On the other hand, a vigorous rapid cellular immune response may destroy cells expressing the therapeutic gene and attenuate the response to therapy. Furthermore, development of neutralizing antibody responses may prevent readministration of virus, a potentially significant limitation. Evaluating the significance of these limitations in animal models and developing solutions are therefore of obvious importance. Methods: After retroviral transduction of mouse mesothelioma cell line(AB12) with Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene in vitro, subcutaneous flank tumors were established. To study the effect of intact immune system on efficacy of tumor erradication, the ability of the HSVtk/ganciclovir system to inhibit tumor growth was compared among normal Balb/c mice, immunodeficient Balb/c-nude and SCID mice, and Balb/c mice immunosuppressed with cyclosporin. Results: Ganciclovir treatment resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth in Balb/c mice compared with immunodeficient Balb/c-nude mice and SCID mice(in immunodeficient mice, there were no growth inhibition by ganciclovir treatment). Ganciclovir treatment resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth in noncyclosporin (CSA) treated Balb/c mice compared with CSA treated Balb/c mice. On day 8, mean ganciclovir-treated tumor volume were 65% of control tumor volume in Balb/c mice versus 77% control tumor volume in CSA-treated Balb/c mice. This effect was still evident during therapy (day 11 and 13). On day 13, non-CSA treated tumor volume was 35% of control tumor volume versus 60% of control tumor volume in CSA treated Balb/c mice. Duration of expression of HSVtk was not affected by the immunosuppression with CSA. Conclusion: These results indicate that the immune responses against retrovirally transduced cells enhance the efficacy of the HSVtk/ganciclovir system. These findings have important implications for clinical trials using currently available retrovirus vectors as well as for future vector design.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 2006.05a
• /
• pp.57-58
• /
• 2006

Red ginseng is a classical traditional Chinese medicine. Among Chinese herbs, red ginseng has been considered as one of the tonics. Many studies indicated that red ginseng could enhance immune function of the human body. Red ginseng total saponin, ginsenoside, the most important active constituents identified in red ginseng can protect against myocardial ischaemia damage and protect endothelium against electrolysis-induced free radical injury. Macrophages play a significant role in host defense mechanisms. When activated, they inhibit the growth of a wide variety of tumor cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pure ginsenoside Rb1 on immunostimulatory activity such as murine macrophage phagocytosis and proliferation of splenocytes. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on the production of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) in murine macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells. ROS have emerged as important signaling molecules in the regulation of various cellular processes. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly increased production of ROS in dose dependent manner. As NO plays an important role in immune function, ginsenoside Rb1 treatment could modulate several aspects of host defense mechanisms due to stimulation. Treatment with ginsenoside Rb1 to macrophages induced the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines and expression levels of these genes in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, incubation of RAW 264.7 cells with ginsenoside Rb1 showed a dose dependent increased phagocytosis activity and lymphocyte proliferation of splenocytes. Therefore, these results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 has promising potential as a natural medicine for stimulation of the immune system.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.332-338
• /
• 2011

Two feeding trials were conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with Hizikia fusiformis or Ecklonia cava on the non-specific immune responses of parrot fish Oplegnathus fasciatus. Fish were fed experimental diets to which H. fusiformis or E. cava powder were added to final concentrations of 0, 2, 4 and 6%, respectively. After feeding for two weeks, phagocytic activity was significantly higher in fish fed diets containing H. fusiformis, but not E. cava, than in fish fed the basal diet. Lysozyme activity was significantly increased in the fish fed diets containing 6% H. fusiformis and E. cava. Myeloperoxidase activity was also significantly higher in fish fed diets containing 2 and 4% H. fusiformis, as compared to the basal diet, but not in those fish fed E. cava. These two studies indicate that dietary supplementation with H. fusiformis or E. cava could enhance the innate immune responses of parrot fish during their growth stage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.886-895
• /
• 2007

Objective : The immune system is a complex of systems, all of which work together to clear infection from the body. In Korea, red ginsenghas been one of the herbs most widely used to enhance the immune system for thousand of years. More recently, red ginseng has been reported to have many positive effects on the immune system. The purpose of this study was evaluate the effects of Korean red ginseng and Chinese red ginseng on IgG, IgM, and IgA, using immunoglobulin productivity assay. Methods : Male SD rats were separated into 3 groups. We administered Korean red ginseng (KRG) to one group and Chinese red ginseng (CRG) to another, with normal saline for the Control group consecutively and orally for 3 months. The dose of red ginseng was 500mg per day, as a powder with soluble water. Immunoglobulin levels from spleen cell were estimated by ELISA kit. Results : In immunoglobulin productivity assay (cell), the IgG level of the KRG group significantly increased but there was no significant difference in the IgG of the CRG group. The IgM level of the KRG group significantly increased stimulated with PWM. When it was unstimulated, the level of IgM in KRG and CRG increased together. The IgA level of the KRG group significantly increased when it was stimulated with PWM and unstimulated. Conclusion : According to the above results, oral administration of red ginseng for 3 months is considered useful for immunomodulatory effect, and Korean red ginseng may be superior to Chinese red ginseng in that effect.