• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.357-363
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• 2022

Immunological imbalance eventually results in the development of various diseases. A typical example is an imbalance of cytokines with immunomodulatory abilities. In this paper, we propose a two-variable delay model to anti-pro-inflammatory cytokine therapy for autoimmune diseases, which are caused by an imbalance between the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The interaction between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were modeled mathematically to investigate the relevance of cytokines in disease processes. The delay time was estimated to maintain the stability of a biologically important steady state. In particular, the effects of delay with anti-pro-inflammatory cytokines therapy in autoinflammatory diseases were studied.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.98-105
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• 2009

Background: It has been recently noticed that type 2 diabetes (T2D), one of the most common metabolic diseases, causes a chronic low-grade inflammation and activation of the innate immune system that are closely involved in the pathogenesis of T2D. Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal mushroom, produces a component compound, cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine). Cordycepin has been known to have many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, and anti-infection activities. The molecular mechanisms of cordycepin in T2D are not clear. In the present study, we tested the role of cordycepin on the anti-diabetic effect and anti-inflammatory cascades in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: We confirmed the levels of diabetes regulating genes mRNA and protein of cytokines through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and followed by FACS analysis for the surface molecules. Results: Cordycepin inhibited the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-activated macrophages via suppressing protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. T2D regulating genes such as $11{\beta}$-HSD1 and PPAR${\gamma}$ were decreased as well as expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as ICAM-1 and B7-1/-2 were also decreased with the increment of its concentration. In accordance with suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production lead to inhibition of diabetic regulating genes in activated macrophages. Cordycepin suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in LPS-activated macrophages. Conclusion: Based on these observations, cordycepin suppressed T2D regulating genes through the inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent inflammatory responses and suggesting that cordycepin will provide potential use as an immunomodulatory agent for treating immunological diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 2024

Background: Delirium is a recognized neurological complication following cardiac surgery and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including elevated mortality and prolonged hospitalization. While several clinical risk factors for post-cardiac surgery delirium have been identified, the pathophysiology related to the immune response remains unexamined. This study was conducted to investigate the immunological factors contributing to delirium in patients after thoracic aortic surgery. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 43 consecutive patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery between July 2017 and June 2018. These patients were categorized into 2 groups: those with delirium and those without it. All clinical characteristics were compared between groups. Blood samples were collected and tested on the day of admission, as well as on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 30. Levels of helper T cells (CD4), cytotoxic T cells (CD8), B cells (CD19), natural killer cells (CD56+CD16++), and monocytes (CD14+CD16-) were measured using flow cytometry. Results: The median patient age was 71 years (interquartile range, 56.7 to 79.0 years), and 21 of the patients (48.8%) were male. Preoperatively, most immune cell counts did not differ significantly between groups. However, the patients with delirium exhibited significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 and lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) than those without delirium (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that lower TNF-α levels were associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium (p<0.05). Conclusion: Postoperative delirium may be linked to perioperative changes in immune cells and preoperative cytokine levels. Additional research is required to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying delirium.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.952-955
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• 2020

Bacteroides sp. CACC 737 was isolated from a feline, and its potential probiotic properties were characterized using functional genome analysis. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using the PacBio RSII and Illumina HiSeq platforms. The complete genome of strain CACC 737 contained 4.6 Mb, with a guanine (G) + cytosine (C) content of 45.8%, six cryptic plasmids, and extracellular polysaccharide gene as unique features. The strain was beneficial to animal health when consumed as feed, for example, for ameliorating immunological dysfunctions and metabolic disorders. The genome information adds to the comprehensive understanding of Bacteroides sp. and suggests potential animal-related industrial applications for this strain.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.28-38
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• 2008

In traditional oriental medicine, Gentianae Radix has been used clinically for clearing away 'heat', removing dampness and purging fire in the liver and gall bladder. However, there has been a lack of studies regarding the effects of Gentianae Radix on the immunological activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Gentianae Radix on the regulatory effects of cytokines and nitric oxide(NO) for the immunological activities in Raw 264.7 cells. After the treatment of Gentianae Radix MeOH extract, cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. The expression of COX-2 and iNOS was determined by immunoblot analysis, and the content of levels of cytokines in media was analyzed by ELISA kit. Results provided evidence that Gentianae Radix inhibited the production of nitrite and nitrate (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), $interleukin-l{\beta}$ $(IL-l{\beta})$ and IL-6, and the activation of phospholylation of inhibitor ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ ($p-I {\kappa}B{\alpha}$) in Raw 264.7 cells activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These findings suggest that Gentianae Radix can make anti-inflammatory effect, which may playa role in adjunctive therapy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the immunological activities, we evaluated the combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix (AG) on murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and ovalbumin/aluminium (OVA/Alum)-immunized mice. Methods : The cellular proliferation and the production of nitric oxide were examined in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, in the presence of the combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix. C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitonially with ovalbumin/aluminium ($100{\mu}g/200{\mu}g$) on day 1, 8, and 15. The combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix (1 g/kg/day) was orally administrated for 3 weeks. On day 22, splenocyte and plasma were collected for mitogen-induced proliferation, lymphocyte subpopulation by flow cytometry and measurement of AST (Aspirate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), and antibodies (OVA-specific antibodies of the IgG, IgG1, and total IgM classes). Results : Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata treatment had no influence on immune responses. The proliferation and NO production of macrophage and proliferation of splenocyte were increased as the higher ratio of Glycrrhizae Radix. The proliferation of splenocyte, lymphocyte subpopulation and production of antibody (total IgM, OVA-specific IgG and OVA-specific IgG1) were increased as the higher ratio of Glycrrhizae Radix on OVA-immunzed mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that the higher ratio of Glycyrrhizae Radix can increase immunological activities such as NO production in RAW264.7 cells, splenocyte proliferation and immunoglobulin production in OVA-immunized mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.468-473
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• 2004

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by epidermal hyperplasia, dermal angiogenesis, infiltration of activated T cells, and increased cytokine levels, and affects 1-3% of the world-wide population. Although many immunological and clinical reports indicate a role for the immune system in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, puzzling questions about psoriasis remain unsolved. During the several decade, immunosuppressor and PUVA treatment are ubiquitously used to psoriasis therapy. But recently, to promote terminal differentiation of keratinocytes, block either NK-Tcell or T-cell activation, and interrupting the angiogenic switch represent another therapeutic opportunity in psoriasis. To keep face with immunological therapy, the needs of newly designed prescription on the psoriasis treatments were demanded. With the object of understand the psoriasis from an orient medical point of view, patients were administrated the GY during several weeks. We investigated the changes of gene expression in involved and uninvolved skin samples during the oriental remedy. Microarray data showed several important results. First, Gene expression profiling is similar to each patient. Second, precursor proteins that organize cornified envelops are decreased at the end of remedy. But genes which related to apoptosis, G-protein signalling, and lipid metabolism are increased. Third, 68.5% of clustering genes localized on the psoriasis susceptibility locus. In our results indicated that GY influence on the keratinocytes hyperproliferation by regulating the gene, which located on the psoriasis susceptibility locus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.529-535
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• 2011

Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a fusion protein of the variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains of immunoglobulin, connected with a short linker peptide of 10 to about 20 amino acids. In this study, the scFv of a monoclonal antibody against the third domain of human CD4 was cloned from OKT4 hybridoma cells using the phage display technique and produced in E. coli. The expression, production, and purification of anti-CD4 scFv were tested using SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and the specificity of anti-CD4 scFv was examined using ELISA. A 31 kDa recombinant anti-CD4 scFv was expressed and produced in bacteria, which was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot assays. Sequence analysis proved the ScFv structure of the construct. It was able to bind to CD4 in quality ELISA assay. The canonical structure of anti-CD4 scFv antibody was obtained using the SWISS_MODEL bioinformatics tool for comparing with the scFv general structure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for generating scFv against human CD4 antigen. Engineered anti-CD4 scFv could be used in immunological studies, including fluorochrome conjugation, bispecific antibody production, bifunctional protein synthesis, and other genetic engineering manipulations. Since the binding site of our product is domain 3 (D3) of the CD4 molecule and different from the CD4 immunological main domain, including D1 and D2, further studies are needed to evaluate the anti-CD4 scFv potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.648-658
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• 1995

The present study has been performed to evaluate the clinical, microbiological, biochemical and immunological parameters associated with the periodontal disease activity in adolescent periodontitis. 21 young adolescents with evidences of periodontal attachment loss participated in the study for upto 3 years of examination. Probing pocket depths and attachment levels of whole dentitions were annually recorded and 4 deepest pockets, with initial probing depth ${\geq}$ 4mm, were selected as the representative experimental sites of a patient. Sites experiencing attachment loss ${\geq}$ 1mm during the 3-year experimental period were designated as the active sites and these sites were examined for the microbiological and biochemical profiles at the time when attachment loss occurred. Microbiological assay included cultural studies and PerioScan for monitoring BANA(+) organisms(e.g. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Bacteriodes forsythus). Biochemical assay has been performed for monitoring GCF levels of neutral protease. Serum IgG and IgG2 titers against Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 were determined of a patients at the beginning and the end of the study, respectively for patient-based analysis. The results indicated that the parameters consisting of microbiological cultures and GCF neutral protease exhibited low association with the periodontal disease activity in adolescents. However, the specificity for microbiological culture of the selected periodontopathic organisms(Aa,Pg,Pi) were considerably high. Moreover, the clinical pameters such as bleeding on probing and presence of plaque as well as IgG levels against Pg at the baseline exminations were closely associated with the subsequent evidences of attachment loss during the whole experimental period(3-year).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.721-727
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• 2007

Scorpion (SCP) has been clinically used for the treatment of endogenous wind to relieve convulsion, clearing away toxins, resolving hard masses and removing obstruction in the collaterals to relieve pain. Recent studies showed that scorpion toxins that affect the activating mechanism of sodium channels and indian black scorpion venom induced anti-proliferative and apoptogenic activity against human leukemic cell lines U937 and K562. There is lack of studies regarding the effects of SCP on the immunological activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of SCP on the regulatory effects of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) for the immunological activities in Raw 264.7 cells. After the treatment of SCP MeOH extract dissolved in media for 1 h prior to the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS: 1 ${\mu}$g/ml), cell viability was measured by MTT assay, NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. As results, SCP inhibited the production of nitrite and nitrate (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml), iNOS and p-$I_KB_{\alpha}$ protein, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml) and interleukin-6 (1.0mg/ml) in Raw 264.7 cells activated with LPS. These findings suggest that SCP can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.