• Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.48-57
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• 2024

Laryngeal dysfunction, previously referred to as vocal cord dysfunction or paradoxical vocal cord movement, is characterized by inappropriate, transient, and reversible narrowing of the larynx in response to external triggers, without any structural or neurological defects. This condition can manifest in various clinical ways and can be mistaken for other respiratory diseases, such as asthma. It is crucial to accurately recognize and diagnose laryngeal dysfunction to ensure the provision of appropriate treatment. Laryngoscopy with provocation, which is a standard tool for the diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction, has been designated as a new medical technology in Korea in July 2022. In this review, we discuss the concept, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of laryngeal dysfunction as well as introduce the diagnostic procedure using laryngoscopy with provocation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.281-285
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• 2009

Paragonimiasis typically results from the consumption of raw or improperly cooked crustacea, especially crabs and crayfish. Although previously endemic in Korea, the prevalence of this disease decreased in the early 1970s because of educational campaigns and fewer intermediate hosts as a result of ecological changes. Recently, we were presented with a family where all members were infected with Paragonimus after ingestion of Kejang (= drunken crab). The mother was hospitalized for general myalgia and weakness first, followed by the father, who was hospitalized for dyspnea 2 month later. After the parents were diagnosed with paragonimiasis, we recommended their daughter to visit our hospital for a checkup, because they all had eaten freshwater crabs soaked in soybean sauce. She complained of generalized myalgia, fever, and pleuritic pain, and was also diagnosed with paragonimiasis. Peripheral blood of the 3 patients revealed hypereosinophilia, and computed tomography (CT) scans of their chests showed pleural effusion. The results of antibody tests by ELISA were positive for paragonimiasis. We report here the case series of familial paragonimiasis in a modern urban city, rather than in a typical endemic area.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Background: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects about 350 million people worldwide, which have a high risk of development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment of chronic HBV infection relies on IFN-${\alpha}$ or lamivudine. However, interferon-${\alpha}$ is effective in only about 30% of patients. Also, the occurrence of escape mutations limits the usage of lamivudine. Therefore, the development and evaluation of new compounds or approaches are urgent. Methods: We comparatively evaluated DNA and adenoviral vaccines expressing HBV antigens, either alone or in combined regimens, for their ability to elicit Th1-type immune responses in Balb / c mice which are believed to be suited to resolve HBV infection. The vaccines were tested with or without a genetically engineered IL-12 (mIL-12 N220L) which was shown to enhance sustained Th1-type immune responses in HCV E2 DNA vaccine. Results: Considering the Th1-type cytokine secretion and the IgG2a titers, the strongest Th1-type immune response was elicited by the DNA prime-adenovirus boost regimen in the presence of mIL-12 N220L. In addition, the codelivery of mIL-12 N220L modulated differentially the immune responses by different vaccination regimens. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the DNA prime-adenovirus boost regimen in the presence of mIL-12 N220L may be the best candidate for HBV vaccine therapy of the regimens tested in this study and will be worthwhile being evaluated in chronic HBV patients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.106-115
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• 2010

Phosphorylated dextran (P-Dex) is an acidic polysaccharide that functions as an immune adjuvant. P-Dex is known to regulate immune response by maintaining a balance between Th1 and Th2 cells in vitro, and thus may also be important in the control of allergic reactions. In the current study, we report the optimum conditions required for the efficient phosphorylation of dextran without toxicity. We found that when dextran was heated at 160${^{\circ}C}$ for 24 h in phosphate buffer (pH 5.0), the resulting P-Dex demonstrated the highest phosphorus content (6.8%). We also report that P-Dex enhances mitogenic activity in mouse splenocytes and induces expression of CD69 and CD86 on the surface of B cells and dendritic cells (DC) in vitro. Oral administration of P-Dex to ovalubmin (OVA)-immunized mice was found to reduce antigen-induced cell proliferation and suppress the expression of CD86 on Th2-inducing DC via exogenous OVA stimulation. P-Dex was also found to increase IL-10 expression in the splenocytes of treated mice. These findings suggest that oral administration of P-Dex increases immunological tolerance and improves the specificity of immunological response to specific antigens.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.486-493
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• 2007

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and the pathogenesis of AD is associated with the release of various cytokines/chemokines due to activated $Th_2$ immune responses. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotide in the context of particular base sequence (CpG motifs) are known to have the immunostimulatory activities in mice and to convert from Th2 to Th1 immune responses in AD. We aimed to investigate that CpG ODN, especially phosphodiester form, can stimulate the protective immunity in NC/Nga mice with AD. We isolated BMDCs from NC/Nga mice and then, cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 for 6 days, and treated for 2 days by either phosphorothioate ODN or phosphodiester ODN. CpG ODN-treated DCs resulted in more production of IL-12. When CpG ODN-treated DCs were intravenously injected into the NC/Nga mice, the NC/Nga mice with CpG ODN-treated DCs showed significant improvement of AD symptoms and decrease of IgE level. Histopathologically, the NC/Nga mice skin with CpG ODN-treated DCs showed the decreased IL-4 and TARC expression comparing with non-injected mice. These results may suggest that phosphodiester CpG ODN-treated DCs might function as a potent adjuvant for AD in a mouse model.

• 대한미생물학회지
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.555-559
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• 1999

The 38 kDa protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which was known previously as antigen 5, has been extensively used in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis. In an attempt to develop and evaluate a serodiagnostic test using the antigen, we expressed the 38 kDa protein in BCG and its seroreactivity was compared to that expressed in Escherichia coli. The coding region of the 38 kDa protein was amplified by PCR, and the gene was cloned into a Mycobacterium-E. coli shuttle expression vector pYMC-his and pQE30 expression vector and expressed in BCG and E. coli, respectively. Both recombinant 38 kDa proteins showed strong seroreactivity against pooled serum from tuberculosis patients. There was no significant difference in seroreactivity between the two recombinant antigens in sera from the far advanced tuberculosis patients. However, of 25 tuberculosis patients graded as "minimal" by chest X-ray, 5 (20.0%) were seropositive by r38 kDa expressed in E. coli, while 8 (32.0%) by that expressed in BCG. Likewise, higher seroreactivity by r38 kDa expressed in BCG was found in sera from the moderately advanced tuberculosis. This study thus indicates that the recombinant 38 kDa expressed in BCG is more effective than that expressed in E. coli in detecting antibodies to the native 38 kDa protein of M. tuberculosis in sera from minimally affected tuberculosis patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.463-468
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• 2010

T-cell activation depends on signals received by the T-cell receptor and CD28 co-stimulatory receptor. Since B7.1 and B7.2 molecules expressed on the surface of antigen presenting cells provide co-stimulatory signals through CD28 to T-cells, an inhibitor of CD28-B7.1/B7.2 binding has been proposed as a therapeutic agent for suppression of excessive T-cell activity. Although anti-B7.1/B7.2 antibodies are known to block B7.1 and B7.2 molecules, their effects on intracellular events in antigen presenting cells remain unclear. In this study, anti-B7.1/B7.2 antibodies decreased secretion of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells and peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, anti-B7.1/B7.2 antibodies inhibited $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and down-regulated expression of co-stimulatory molecules including B7.1, B7.2, and PD-L1 in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. These findings suggest that CTLA4-Ig and anti-B7.1/B7.2 antibodies may be candidates to treat chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmune responses caused by excessive activation of both T-cells and macrophages.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.350-354
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• 2008

In order to investigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in Korean commercial sex workers (CSWs), we selected 188 CSWs (age range 20-44 years, median age 24 years) who regularly visited one public health center in Seoul, Korea. HPV genotypes were analyzed by using a HPV DNA Chip, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect type-specific IgG against HSV2 antibody identifying seropositivity for HSV2 infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with specific primers to detect HPV and HSV1/2 in cervical swabs from the CSWs. The prevalence of HPV infection was 83.5% in 188 cervical swab specimens and the main high-risk HPV genotypes were HPV16, 18, 56, and 58. The principal low-risk HPV genotypes were HPV6 and 11. The prevalence of HSV1/2 DNA was 13.8% and HSV2 seroprevalence was 86.2%. These results suggest that high frequencies of HPV and HSV2 infection might contribute to the rapid spread of STD viruses in CSWs in Korea. Additionally, an understanding of why high-risk HPV genotypes are so prevalent could provide guidelines for prophylactic vaccine development in Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.280-287
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• 2015

Current influenza vaccines are produced in embryonated chicken eggs. However, egg-based vaccines have various problems. To address these problems, recombinant protein vaccines have been developed as new vaccine candidates. Unfortunately, recombinant proteins frequently encounter aggregation and low stability during their biogenesis. It has been previously demonstrated that recombinantly expressed proteins can be greatly stabilized with high solubility by fusing stabilizing peptide (SP) derived from the C-terminal acidic tail of human synuclein (ATS). To investigate whether SP fusion proteins can induce protective immunity in mice, we produced influenza HA and SP fusion protein using a baculovirus expression system. In in vitro tests, SP-fused recombinant HA1 (SP-rHA1) was shown to be more stable than recombinant HA1 (rHA1). Mice were immunized intramuscularly with baculovirus-expressed rHA1 protein or SP-rHA1 protein ($2{\mu}g/mouse$) formulated with aluminum hydroxide. Antibody responses were determined by ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition assay. We observed that SP-rHA1 immunization elicited HA-specific antibody responses that were comparable to rHA1 immunization. These results indicate that fusion of SP to rHA1 does not negatively affect the immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate. Therefore, it is possible to apply SP fusion technology to develop stable recombinant protein vaccines with high solubility.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.359-365
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• 2013

The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a multifunctional cytokine-like molecule that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of tumors. In this study, real-time polymerase chain reactions and Western blot assays indicated that HMGB1 transcriptional activity and protein level are increased in $Tax^+$-T cells (TaxP). To clarify the mechanisms, a series of HMGB1 deletion reporter plasmids (pHLuc1 to pHLuc6) were transfected into $Tax^-$-T cells (TaxN, Jurkat) and $Tax^+$-T cells (TaxP). We found that promoter activity in $Tax^+$-T cells to be higher than that in $Tax^-$-T cells, indicating a significant increase in pHLuc6. Bay11-7082 (NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor) treatment did not block the enhancing effect. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Tax was retained on a HMGB1 promoter fragment encompassing -1163 to -975. Bioinformatics analysis showed six characteristic cis-elements for CdxA, AP-1, AML-1a, USF, v-Myb, and C/EBP in the fragment in question. Mutation of cis-elements for C/EBP reduced significant HMGB1 promoter activity induced by Tax. These findings indicate that Tax enhances the expression of HMGB1 gene at the transcriptional level, possibly by interacting with C/EBP.