• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.16-26
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• 2015

The female reproductive tract has two main functions: protection against microbial challenge and maintenance of pregnancy to term. The upper reproductive tract comprises the fallopian tubes and the uterus, including the endocervix, and the lower tract consists of the ectocervix and the vagina. Immune cells residing in the reproductive tract play contradictory roles: they maintain immunity against vaginal pathogens in the lower tract and establish immune tolerance for sperm and an embryo/fetus in the upper tract. The immune system is significantly influenced by sex steroid hormones, although leukocytes in the reproductive tract lack receptors for estrogen and progesterone. The leukocytes in the reproductive tract are distributed in either an aggregated or a dispersed form in the epithelial layer, lamina propria, and stroma. Even though immune cells are differentially distributed in each organ of the reproductive tract, the predominant immune cells are T cells, macrophages/dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, and mast cells. B cells are rare in the female reproductive tract. NK cells in the endometrium significantly expand in the late secretory phase and further increase their number during early pregnancy. It is evident that NK cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells are extremely important in decidual angiogenesis, trophoblast migration, and immune tolerance during pregnancy. Dysregulation of endometrial/decidual immune cells is strongly related to infertility, miscarriage, and other obstetric complications. Understanding the immune system of the female reproductive tract will significantly contribute to women's health and to success in pregnancy.

• 전자공학회논문지SC
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.50-57
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• 2009

본 논문에서는 뜸의 열적 효과를 구현할 수 있는 심부 열 자극 시스템을 제작하고 뜸 자극에 의한 온도변화와 유사한 자극 프로토콜을 설계하고 평가하였다. 뜸은 질병에 대한 면역력을 높이고 질병을 치유하는데 사용하지만, 체표면에 화상을 입히는 부작용 및 열 자극의 세기를 조절하기 힘든 한계점이 있다. 이런 한계점을 극복하기 위해 자극의 세기 조절이 용이한 고주파 심부 열 자극 시스템을 개발하고, 심부에 뜸과 동일한 열 자극을 전달할 수 있는 프로토콜을 제안하여 뜸의 심부온도와 비교 하였다. 심부의 온도측정은 고주파의 영향을 받지 않는 적외선 열 센서를 사용해 측정하였고, 적외선 열 카메라 및 thermometer를 이용해 온도를 측정하고 비교하였다. 뜸과 심부 열 자극 시스템을 이용하여 심부에 자극을 인가한 후 측정한 온도변화를 비교한 결과, 표피에 가까울수록 유사한 온도 변화 패턴을 보여준 반면 심부로 내려갈수록 심부 열 자극 시스템의 열적효과가 뜸에 비해 더 효과적인 것을 알 수 있었다. 이를 통해 제작한 심부 열 자극 시스템과 열 자극 프로토콜의 유용성을 확인 할 수 있었다.

• 약학회지
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.536-544
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• 2001

increase the viability of oral typhoid vaccine during the passage through the castro-intes-tidal tract, numerous attempts have been made including the vaccine coating. However problems such as high death rate during the coating process and its instability in the gastric juice still remain to be solved. In this study, the oral vaccine was made as the micro-enteric beads by adding Salmomella typhi Ty21a cells to sodium alginate solution and spraying onto calcium chloride solution (ionotropic relation method). The vaccine showed more than 90% of its original viability after treating it for 1 hour in the artificial gastric juice (37$^{\circ}C$, 300 rpm). The clearance rate of the Ty21a in the liver and spleen of the mice orally administrated with coated Ty21a was similar to that of the mice intraperitoneally administrated with uncoated Ty21a. The peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) isolated from the mice orally administered with this vaccine produced 15.5 fold higher specific IgA antibody titer than that from the control mice administerd with saline solution. furthermore, the mice treated with the coated Ty21a had higher survival rates (50~87%) than the control mice treated with saline solution (0~10%) in the intraperitoneal challenge test with wild type S. typhi Ty21a cells. These results suggest that the alginate-based coating technique is effective to protect live Ty21a from acidic environments, and produces better intestinal immune responses thereby providing a potentially excellent oral typhoid vaccine.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.261-268
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• 2006

The Drosophila methuselah (mth) mutant has an approximately 35 percent increase in average lifespan, and enhanced resistance to various forms of stress, including starvation, high temperature, and dietary paraquat. To examine the transcriptional regulation of mth, we used luciferase assays employing Drosophila S2 cells. Two positive control elements were found at -542 ~ -272 (PE1) and +28 ~ +217 (PE2), where putative binding sites for transcription factors including Dorsal (Dl) were identified. Cotransfection of a Dl expression plasmid with a mth-luciferase reporter plasmid resulted in decreased reporter activity. PE1 and PE2, the minimal elements for strong promoter activity, were required for maximal repression by Dl protein. The N-terminal Rel homology domain (RHD) of Dl was not sufficient for repression of mth. We demonstrated by chromatin affinity precipitation (ChAP) assays in S2 cells that Dl bound to the putative PE1 binding site. Unexpectedly, semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the level of mth transcripts was reduced in dl flies. However, the in vivo result support the view that mth expression is regulated by dl, since it is well known that Dl functions as both a transcriptional activator and repressor depending on what other transcription factors are present. These findings suggest that both innate immunity and resistance to stress are controlled by Dl protein.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to know the immunity response of Haedongpibokhap-bang($H{\check{a}}it{\acute{o}}ngp{\acute{i}}f{\grave{u}}h{\acute{e}}-f{\bar{a}}ng$) to rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) mice. Methods : For this purpose, Haedongpibokhap-bang($H{\check{a}}it{\acute{o}}ngp{\acute{i}}f{\grave{u}}h{\acute{e}}-f{\bar{a}}ng$) was orally administerd to mice with arthritis induced by collagen II and then value of immunocyte in spleen, draining lymph node and paw joint and cytokine(IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$), rheumatoid factor (IgG and IgM) in serum were measured. Results : 1. The arthritis index was significantly decreased. 2. In total cell counts of spleen, DLN and paw joint, the cells in spleen decreased while there was a significant increase in DLN and significant decrease in paw joint. 3. In lymph nodes, CD3+, CD3+/CD69+, CD4+, CD8+ cells increased significantly. 4. In joints, CD3+ and CD11+b/Gr-1+ cells decreased significantly. 5. Serum IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were decreased significantly. 6. Production of serum IgG and IgM decreased significantly. Conclusions : The results present that Haedongpibokhap-bang($H{\check{a}}it{\acute{o}}ngp{\acute{i}}f{\grave{u}}h{\acute{e}}-f{\bar{a}}ng$) controls abnormal activity of immune system, inhibitig collagen-induced arthritis(CIA).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.29-38
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• 2005

Effect of dietary brown seaweed(Undaria pinnatifida) levels on the anti-oxidant enzyme system was evaluated in blood of broiler chicks activated innate immune response. Day-old broiler chicks were fed diets containing 0.0(basal), 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 % of brown seaweed for 4 weeks. The innate immune response was activated by injecting Salmonella typhymurium lipopolysaccharide(LPS) i.p. at 8, 10 and 12 day of age. The activation of innate immune response enhanced(p< 0.01) and the brown seaweed 1.0 and 2.0 % diets reduced(P< 0.05) the superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in erythrocyte cytosol significantly. The activation of innate immune response elevated significantly the levels of peroxide and the activity of peroxidase in plasma, while the levels of dietary brown seaweed resulted in a significant linear increase in peroxidase activity in plasma of normal bird. Experience of the innate immune response in 4 week-old chicks reduced linearly the plasma level of peroxide with the level of brown seaweed and enhanced the plasma peroxidase activity. Also, the plasma of normal birds fed the brown seaweed showed higher level of peroxide and lower activity of peroxidase. The results indicated that dietary brown seaweed affected SOD and peroxidase activities in blood of broiler chicks during activation of innate immune response.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.133-137
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• 2013

This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate ($NO_x$) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, IL-6, and $NO_x$. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and $NO_x$ was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of $NO_x$ were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.1823-1831
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• 2018

This study examined the efficacy of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) protein and polysaccharide extracts as adjuvant or adjuvant booster when given together with porcine pleuropneumonia vaccine. Experimental mice (n = 5/group) were subcutaneously immunized with $25{\mu}g$ ApxIIA #3 antigen, a target protein against A. pleuropneumoniae, together with alum and/or various concentrations ($0-500{\mu}g$) of the AMK extracts, while the control group received PBS only. Immunization with ApxIIA #3 antigen increased the antigen-specific IgG titer and this increase was enhanced in the immunization together with AMK protein, but not polysaccharide extract. Supplementation of AMK protein extract exhibited dose-dependent increases in the antigen-induced protective immunity against A. pleuropneumoniae challenge and in the lymphocyte proliferation specific to the antigen. Glycoproteins present in the AMK extract were the active components responsible for immune response induction. Collectively, the present findings suggest that AMK glycoproteins are useful as immune stimulating adjuvant or adjuvant booster.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제64권3호
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• pp.277-284
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• 2021

The emergence and rapid spread of the potentially fatal coronavirus disease 2019, caused due to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, has led to worldwide interest in developing functional bioactive ingredients that act as immunomodulatory agents. In this study, we aimed to characterize Carica papaya extract and explore its potential as an immunomodulator by performing in vitro cell screening. Papaya leaf water extract (PLW) was found to significantly increase the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) by upregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 activity, respectively. Additionally, PLW increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 1β in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, PLW activated the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not that of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results indicate that PLW increased the production of NO, PGE₂, and pro-inflammatory cytokines by activating the JNK and ERK pathways in macrophages, thus demonstrating immunomodulatory properties. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint analysis indicated the presence of rutin, narirutin, and ρ-coumaric acid in PLW (6.30, 119.76, and 47.25 ppm, respectively). Treating cells with these compounds at non-toxic concentrations had no effect on NO production. Taken together, these results suggest that PLW may have potential as an immunity-enhancing supplement.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.666-675
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• 2019

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been widely used as an herbal medicine to normalize and strengthen body functions. Although many researchers have focused on the biological effects of KRG, more studies on the action mechanism of red ginseng are still needed. Previously, we investigated the proteomic changes of the rat spleen while searching for molecular signatures and the action mechanism of KRG. The proteomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were involved in the increased immune response and phagocytosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of KRG, especially the immune-enhancing response of KRG. Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups: 0 (control group), 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg administration of KRG powder for 6 weeks, respectively. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation was performed with Q-Exactive LC-MS/MS to compare associated proteins between the groups. The putative DEPs were identified by a current UniProt rat protein database search and by the Gene Ontology annotations. Results: The DEPs appear to increase the innate and acquired immunity as well as immune cell movement. These results suggest that KRG can stimulate immune responses. This analysis refined our targets of interest to include the potential functions of KRG. Furthermore, we validated the potential molecular targets of the functions, representatively LCN2, CRAMP, and HLA-DQB1, by Western blotting. Conclusion: These results may provide molecular signature candidates to elucidate the mechanisms of the immune response by KRG. Here, we demonstrate a strategy of tissue proteomics for the discovery of the molecular function of KRG.