• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2009

Tacrolimus is a widely used T cell targeted immunosuppressive drug, known as a calcineurin inhibitor. However, the exact pharmacological effects of tacrolimus on $CD4^+$ T cells have yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the effects of tacrolimus on $CD4^+$ T cell subsets. Mouse or human $CD4^+$ T cells were cultured with immobilized anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies in the presence of tacrolimus. The cell division of $CD4^+$ T cells was analyzed using a flow cytometer according to the expression of Foxp3. The gene expression patterns of tacrolimus-exposed T cells were examined by quantitative PCR. In the case of conventional $CD4^+$ T cells (Tconv cells), tacrolimus inhibited T cell receptor stimulation-induced cell division. In contrast, the cell division of regulatory $CD4^+$ T cells (Treg cells) was even promoted in the presence of tacrolimus, especially in humans. Tacrolimus did not promote conversion of Tconv to Treg cells in mice. Furthermore, tacrolimus modified the expression levels of Foxp3-regulated T cell receptor signal related-genes, PTPN22 and Itk, in human Treg cells. Immunosuppressive effect of tacrolimus may be attributed to the relatively enhanced proliferation of Treg cells in association with altered gene expression levels of TCR signaling molecules.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.143-146
• /
• 2021

A 2-year-old intact female Maltese dog was presented with generalized involuntary tremors and nystagmus without regular direction. The dog was conscious the whole time while it was trembling. Its involuntary tremors were alleviated at rest or during sleep. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed asymmetric hydrocephalus and caudal occipital malformation. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, a trace of protein was found and total nucleated cell count (TNCC) was slightly increased. However, infectious pathogens were not found. In complete blood count, there was a mild leukocytosis. After the patient received anticonvulsants (midazolam, phenobarbital, KBr), diuretics (furosemide) with an anti-inflammatory drug (prednisolone, 0.5 mg/kg PO bid), and a proton-pump inhibitor (omeprazole), it showed no improvement. The patient was tentatively diagnosed with corticosteroid responsive tremor syndrome. So the anticonvulsants and diuretics were discontinued and the dose of prednisolone was increased to an immunosuppressive dose (1 mg/kg PO bid). After administering the immunosuppressive dose of prednisolone, the patient did not show nystagmus. Its tremors were much alleviated. However, they did not disappear. Five weeks later, the patient showed gradual improvement but still was trembling when moving around. Nine weeks later, its tremors were similar to before. So diazepam (0.3 mg/kg PO sid) was added to the treatment. After that, its tremors were alleviated more. Prednisolone and diazepam were maintained for about five months, with tapering of the dose of prednisolone (until 0.5 mg/kg PO sid). About 7 months later after the treatment was started, the dog was trembling rarely except when it was excited. Therefore, diazepam was discontinued. This case describes a refractory white dog shaker syndrome successfully managed with long-term administration of a steroid and diazepam.

• Journal of fish pathology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.77-85
• /
• 1992

This study was carried out in order to investigate the immunosuppressive factor and immune response of color carp. The protection and serum antibody production of juvenile color carp aganist Aeromonas hydrophila were investigated on the effect of temperature differences and injected several aquatic drugs, i.e. Hydrocortisone, Oxytetracycline, Chloramphenicol and Ascorbic acid. The fish were injected intraperitoneally with 1mg/fish of HKC and FKC at three different temperature conditions as $16^{\circ}C$, $24^{\circ}C$, and $32^{\circ}C$ respectively. There were induced better protection and serum antibody production in the fish which had been kept at $24^{\circ}C$ than in the fish which had been kept at $16^{\circ}C$ and $32^{\circ}C$. The FKC immunized fish were followed 24 hrs later with intraperitoneal injection of 40mg/kg body weight of Hydrocortisone, 60mg/kg body weight of Oxytetracycline. 60mg/kg body weight of Chloramphenicol and 30mg/kg body weight of Ascorbic acid, respectively. The control fish were injected PBS only. The fish given the above aquatic drugs reduced serum antibody production level and protection rate when compared to control fish. As the results, immune response of juvenile color carp immunized FKC at $24^{\circ}C$ was more effective than $16^{\circ}C$ or $32^{\circ}C$ and immune response of juvenile color carp injected several aquatic drugs which was seemed to be immunosuppressive factor.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.293-298
• /
• 2013

Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HRT) is a traditional herbal medicine, which has been known as a useful prescription for anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and immunosuppressive activity. In this study, the variation in the amount of eight bioactive components of Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HRT) and its fermentation HRT with Lactobacillus casei KFRI 127, Lactobacillus curvatus KFRI 166 and Lactobacillus confuses KFRI 227 was investigated via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of eight bioactive components; geniposide, genipin, baicalin, wogonoside, palmatine, berberine, baicalein and wogonin was achieved by comparing their retention times ($t_R$) and UV spectra with those of the standard components. All calibration curve of standard components showed good linearity ($r^2$ >0.979). As a result, the geniposide amount was $15.52{\pm}0.19{\mu}/mg$ that as a main components in HRT. The wogonoside was decreased by 29.28~58.35% with Lactobacillus casei KFRI 127 and L. confuses KFRI 227 ($3.17{\pm}0.31{\mu}g/mg$ and $3.55{\pm}0.13{\mu}g/mg$) compared with the original HRT ($5.02{\pm}0.14{\mu}g/mg$). Otherwise wogonin was increased by 16.28~41.86% with Lactobacillus casei KFRI 127 and L. confuses KFRI 227 ($0.61{\pm}0.01{\mu}g/mg$ and $0.50{\pm}0.02{\mu}g/mg$) compared with the original HRT($0.43{\pm}0.00{\mu}g/mg$). HRT fermented with L. casei KFRI 127 and L. confuses KFRI 227 were evaluated as creating the changes in wogonoside to that aglycon wogonine. In the fermented HRT using Lactobacillus acidophilus KFRI 166, the genipin was only detected, among 3 species of fermentation strains. Thus, these results considered that the strains 166 were exhibited the remarkable changes in genipin.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.12-25
• /
• 1994

This research was undertaken to determine the effects of the anticancer and immunosuppressive drug cyclophosphamide (CP) on the epididymis of the male rat in terms of ultrastructural alteration and protein analysis by SDS-PAGE at different groups; control group, 1 week group, 3 weeks group, 5 weeks group were treated with saline (control group) or CP at doses of 20mg/Kg/week, 1 time a week, respectively. In the cytoplasm of the principal cells on the epididymis, the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes were significantly swollen or disrupted. The cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) were also swollen, and a number of Golgi vesicles were increased, respectively. It is suggested that treatment with CP alters the specific cell organelles in all segments of the epididymis. CP caused changes in protein concentrations in cauda of epididymis after CP treatment. Total proteins of 30 to 39 species such as lactate dehydrogenase, carnitine acetyltransferase and acid phosphatase were expressed in the cauda fluid. Then the more CP was increased, the more concentration of proteins caused to decrease, synthesize or increase in epididymal cauda. In contrast to the control group, in particular 29KD and the other 10 proteins in the cauda fluid were decreased or disappeared, respectively, whereas 89KD and the other 6 proteins in the cauda, were increased or synthesized, respectively. The other proteins are not showed distinctive difference. Therefore, it is possible that CP at a high dose accumulation alters epididymal function with dose-related increase or decrease in specific activity of marked proteins for all regions of the epididymis (particularly, specific segment of cauda). These alterations could be mediated by direct, toxic effects of the drug on the epithelium or be secondary to changes in the spermatozoa as a result of the CP treatment.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.89-102
• /
• 1992

This research was undertaken to determine the effects of the anticancer and immunosuppressive drug cyclophosphamide (CP) on the epididymal caput of the male rat in terms of ultrastructural alteration and protein analysis by SDS-PAGE at different groups; control group, 1 week group, 3 weeks group, 5 weeks group were treated with saline (control group) or CP at doses of 20 mg/kg/week, 1 time a week, respectively. In the cytoplasm of the principal cells on the epididymis, the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes were significantly swollen or disrupted. The lumens of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) were also swollen, and the number of Golgi vesicles were increased, respectively. It is suggested that treatment with CP alters the specific cell organelles in the epididymis. CP caused changes in protein concentrations in caput of epididymis after CP treatment. Total proteins of 32 to 37 species such as lactate dehydrogenase, carnitine acetyltransferase and succinate dehydrogenase were expressed in the caput fluid. Then the more CP was increased, the more concentration of proteins caused to decrease, synthesize or increase in epididymis. In contrast to the control group, in particular carnitine acetyltransferase and the other 9 proteins in the caput fluid were decreased or disappeared, respectively, whereas lactate dehydrogenase and the other 5 proteins in the caput fluid were increased or synthesized, respectively. The other proteins are not showed distinctive difference. These alterations could be direct mediated by toxic effects of the drug on the epithelium or be secondary to changes in the spermatozoa as a result of the CP treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.536-544
• /
• 2021

5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) is a standard therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) whereas more severe forms involve the use of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan that has shown epithelium protective effects in experimental colitis recently. In this study, both 5-ASA (30 mg/kg) and HA (15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) were administered rectally and investigated for their potential complementary therapeutic effects in moderate or severe murine colitis models. Intrarectal treatment of moderate and severe colitis with 5-ASA alone or HA alone at a dose of 30 mg/kg led to a significant decrease in clinical activity and histology scores, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in colitis mice compared to untreated animals. The combination of HA (30 mg/kg) and 5-ASA in severe colitis led to a significant improvement of colitis compared to 5-ASA alone. Combined rectal therapy with HA and 5-ASA could be a treatment alternative for severe cases of IBD as it was the only treatment tested that was not significantly different from the healthy control group. This study further underlines the benefit of searching for yet unexplored drug combinations that show therapeutic potential in IBD without the need of designing completely new drug entities.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.35-39
• /
• 2017

Azathioprine is commonly used as immunosuppressive therapy for various inflammatory diseases including chronic glomerulonephritis. Myelosuppression is a common side effect of azathioprine, resulting in the need for dose reduction. However, severe pancytopenia or alopecia is not often encountered. Here, we report a case of severe myelosuppression, and alopecia totalis that occurred after azathioprine treatment in a patient with IgA nephropathy. A 10-year-old boy with IgA nephropathy was treated with oral deflazacort and later with azathioprine. After 4 weeks, the patient complained of hair loss, and despite a dose reduction in azathioprine, he developed bone marrow suppression and alopecia totalis in two weeks. The blood indices and alopecia of the patient had returned to normal after azathioprine withdrawal and 3 consecutive doses of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. We suggest that physicians remain vigilant to the side effects of azathioprine. Unusual hair loss after azathioprine treatment might suggest a defect in the metabolism of the drug, warranting the discontinuation of azathioprine to prevent more severe side effects.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2002

The cyclophilins (Cyps) are family members of proteins that exhibit peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase, EC 5.2.1.8) activity and bind the immunosuppressive agent cyclosprin A (CsA) in varying degrees. During the process of random sequencing of a cDNA library made from Giardia intestinalis WB strain, the cyclophilin gene (gicypl) was isolated. An open reading frame of gicyp1 gene was 576 nucleotides, which corresponded to a translation product of 176 amino acids (Gicypl). The identity with other Cyps was about 58-71%. The 13 residues that constituted the CsA binding site of human cyclophilin were also detected in the amino acid sequence of Gicypl, including tryptophan residue essential for the drug binding. The single copy of the gicypl gene was detected in the G. intestinalis chromosome by southern hybridization analysis. Recombinant Gicyp 1 protein clearly accelerated the rate of cis ${\rightarrow}$ trans isomerization of the peptide substrate and the catalysis was completely inhibited by the addition of $0.5{\;}{\mu}M$ CsA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.375-383
• /
• 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections is thought to account for more than 80% of primary liver cancers. Both HBV and HCV can establish chronic liver inflammatory infections, altering hepatocyte and liver physiology with potential liver disease progression and HCC development. Cyclophilin A (CypA) has been identified as an essential host factor for the HCV replication by physically interacting with the HCV non structural protein NS5A that in turn interacts with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase NS5B. CypA, a cytosolic binding protein of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A, is overexpressed in many cancer types and often associated with malignant transformation. Therefore, CypA can be a good target for molecular cancer therapy. Because of antiviral activity, the CypA inhibitors have been tested for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Nonimmunosuppressive Cyp inhibitors such as NIM811, SCY-635, and Alisporivir have attracted more interests for appropriating CypA for antiviral chemotherapeutic target on HCV infection. This review describes CypA inhibitors as a potential HCC treatment tool that is contrived by their obstructing chronic HCV infection and summarizes roles of CypA in cancer development.