• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.141-152
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• 2016

The demand to develop more safe and efficient methods for treating allergic patient is now continuously growing due to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. Probiotics are endogenous microbial flora that gives health benefits within hosts. Probiotics are now considered as one of solutions to treat allergic patients since recent evidence shows that some of probiotics have immunomodulatory function. Also, the treatment of probiotics to patients is relatively safer than other anti-inflammatory agents. In this review, we summarized on immunomodulatory function of some probiotics which show preventive or therapeutic effects on major allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, or food allergy. Based on previous literature, the treatment of probiotics can alleviate the symptoms of allergic diseases via balancing $Th_1/Th_2$ response or increasing the number of regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cells.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.591-604
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• 2020

The objectives of this study were to find out the best condition of extracting methods of limonene from citron and to determine effects of limonene on immune modulation activity by measuring cytokine secretion using RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. When distilled water was used as a solvent instead of organic solvents to extract limonene from citron, addition of refluxing process to simultaneous steam distillation extraction method was found to be much effective in extracting limonene. However, it required longer extraction time than using other organic solvents. Limonene extracts showed increased IL-β and IL-6 but decreased the TNF-α gene expression in limonene concentration dependant manner. However oral administration of limonene extracts to mice did not influence significantly compared to control in in vivo experiment. It might be due to that the mice were kept in well controlled and complete environment. Limonene, a natural material from citron has been approved to have a immune-modulation activity in the present study and have a potential as a feed additive that is environmentally friendly and no harmful. Further study with protected limonene, for example, for the protection of limonene from oxidation or bypass the ruminal degradation in order consequently to increase immune-modulation activity might be useful as a further research.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

Stephania delavayi Diels. has been used as an immune activator or an anti-inflammatory drug in China. We examined the immune modulation effect and 7-days repeated-dose toxicity to validate its biological safety and efficiency. Mice were repeatedly administrated with 50 mg/kg S. delavayi Diels. daily by I.P for 7 days. S. delavayi Diels. induced B cell activation but had no effect on other immune cells such as T cell, natural killer (NK) cell, and macrophage ($M{\varphi}$). S. delavayi Diels.-treated group exhibited no statistical significance from the control group in physical conditions; body weight, complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemical indexes etc. There was no difference between the control group and S. delavayi Diels.-treated group in gross findings such as histopathological alteration. In conclusion, S. delavayi Diels. is safe above the dose of immune modulation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.267-277
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• 2008

Insects mount a robust innate immune response against a wide array of microbial pathogens. The hallmark of the Drosophila humoral immune response is the rapid production of anti-microbial peptides in the fat body and their release into the circulation. Two recognition and signaling cascades regulate expression of these antimicrobial peptide genes. The Toll pathway is activated by fungal and many Gram-positive bacterial infections, whereas the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway responds to Gram-negative bacteria. Recent work has shown that the intensity and duration of the Drosophila immune response is tightly regulated. As in mammals, hyperactivated immune responses are detrimental, and the proper down-modulation of immunity is critical for protective immunity and health. In order to keep the immune response properly modulated, the Toll and IMD pathways are controlled at multiple levels by a series of negative regulators. In this review, we focus on recent advances identifying and characterizing the negative regulators of these pathways.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.288-298
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• 2023

Host defense peptides are expressed in various immune cells, including phagocytic cells and epithelial cells. These peptides selectively alter innate immune pathways in response to infections by pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and modify the subsequent adaptive immune environment. Consequently, they play a wide range of roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses. These peptides are of increasing importance due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and their functions as mediators linking innate and adaptive immune responses. This review focuses on the pleiotropic biological functions and related mechanisms of action of human host defense peptides and discusses their potential clinical applications.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.24
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• 2024

Studies over the last 2 decades have identified IL-17 and IL-21 as key cytokines in the modulation of a wide range of immune responses. IL-17 serves as a critical defender against bacterial and fungal pathogens, while maintaining symbiotic relationships with commensal microbiota. However, alterations in its levels can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. IL-21, on the other hand, bridges the adaptive and innate immune responses, and its imbalance is implicated in autoimmune diseases and cancer, highlighting its important role in both health and disease. Delving into the intricacies of these cytokines not only opens new avenues for understanding the immune system, but also promises innovative advances in the development of therapeutic strategies for numerous diseases. In this review, we will discuss an updated view of the immunobiology and therapeutic potential of IL-17 and IL-21.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.118-125
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• 2008

Objective :Ginseng is one of the most popular Oriental medicinal plants considered as a tonic worldwide. This study aimed to produce comprehensive understanding for immune-related pharmaceutical activities of Ginseng. Methods: We surveyed all literatures, 168 of immunity-focused papers with Ginseng in Pub-med, and analyzed pharmaceutical characters according to immune elements and Ginseng components. Results : The main functions of Ginseng have been associated with modulation of immunity. Whole body of Ginseng or its ingredients differently show the effects on both cellular and humoral elements of immune system. Ginseng enhances the activities of T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, macrophages and dendritic cells whileas suppresses mast cell-associated allergy and release of histamine. Conclusion : These results will provide Korean doctors or scientists an immune-related overview of Ginseng, and help them in clinical applications and developments of Korean Ginseng as a global competitive drug in world market.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.sup1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put focus on the importance of a healthy immune system for recovery from infection and effective response to vaccination. Several nutrients have been under attention because their nutritional statuses showed associations with the incidence or severity of COVID-19 or because they affect several aspects of immune function. Nutritional status, immune function, and viral infection are closely interrelated. Undernutrition impairs immune function, which can lead to increased susceptibility to viral infection, while viral infection itself can result in changes in nutritional status. Here, we review the roles of vitamins A, C, D, and E, and zinc, iron, and selenium in immune function and viral infection and their relevance to COVID-19.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.631-636
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• 2008

Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus (ADA) have been shown to have various levels of activity such as antioxidant, anticancer, antivirus, and immunostimulatory effects. However, little is known about its mechanism related to the modulation of immune activities. In this study, a water extract of ADA leaves were used to treat human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC) to determine the underlying mechanisms for the immunostimulatory effects. To characterize its immunomodulatory activity, the secretion level of various cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$, and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Treatment of hPBMC with ADA leaf extract in an in vitro experiment induced various Th1 cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. A significant increase of IL-2, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$, and TNF-$\alpha$ secretion was observed in the presence of ADA leaf extract. In contrast, Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-6 were suppressed. There was no significant change in IL-10 release. Our results showed an increase in Th1 and a decrease in Th2 cytokine secretion which suggests that ADA may influence the immune response towards a predominance of Th1 cytokines in the immune system.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2020

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells that exert suppressive function on the immune response. MDSCs expand in tumor-bearing hosts or in the tumor microenvironment and suppress T cell responses via various mechanisms, whereas a reduction in their activities has been observed in autoimmune diseases or infections. It has been reported that the symptoms of various diseases, including malignant tumors, can be alleviated by targeting MDSCs. Moreover, MDSCs can contribute to patient resistance to therapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors. In line with these therapeutic approaches, diverse oligonucleotide-based molecules and small molecules have been evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy in several disease models via the modulation of MDSC activity. In the current review, MDSC-targeting oligonucleotides and small molecules are briefly summarized, and we highlight the immunomodulatory effects on MDSCs in a variety of disease models and the application of MDSC-targeting molecules for immuno-oncologic therapy.