• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2011

This experiment was conducted to assess the changing patterns and relative values of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines in experimental caprine coccidiosis. Eighteen newborn kids were allocated to 3 equal groups. Two groups, A and B, were inoculated with a single dose of $1{\times}10^3$ and$1{\times}10^5$sporulated oocysts of Eimeria arloingi, respectively. The third group, C, received distilled water as the control. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each kid in both groups before inoculation and at days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 post-inoculation (PI), and the levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured. For histopathological examinations, 2 kids were selected from each group, euthanized, and necropsied on day 42 PI. Mean Hp concentrations in groups A and B (0.34 and 0.68 g/L) at day 7 PI were 3.2 and 6.3 times higher than the levels before inoculation. The mean SAA concentrations in groups A and B (25.6 and 83.5 ${\mu}g$/ml) at day 7 PI were 4.2 and 13.7 times higher than the levels before inoculation. The magnitude and duration of the Hp and SAA responses correlated well with the inoculation doses and the severity of the clinical signs and diarrhea in kids. These results were consistent with the histopathological features, which showed advanced widespread lesions in group B. In both groups, significant correlations were observed for TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ with SAA and Hp, respectively. In conclusion, Hp and SAA can be useful non-specific diagnostic indicators in caprine coccidiosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2019

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG; Panax ginseng Meyer) is a widely used medicinal herb known to exert various immune modulatory functions. KRG and one of its purified components, ginsenoside Rg3, are known to possess anti-inflammatory activities. How they impact helper T cell-mediated responses is not fully explored. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effect of KRG extract (KRGE) and ginsenoside Rg3 on Th1 cell responses. Methods: Using well-characterized T cell in vitro differentiation systems, we examined the effects of KRGE or enhanced Rg3 on the Th1-inducing cytokine production from dendritic cells (DC) and the naïve $CD4^+$ T cells differentiation to Th1 cells. Furthermore, we examined the change of Th1 cell population in the intestine after treatment of enhanced Rg3. The influence of KRGE or enhanced Rg3 on Th1 cell differentiation was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: KRGE significantly inhibited the production level of IL-12 from DCs and subsequent Th1 cell differentiation. Similarly, enhanced Rg3 significantly suppressed the expression of interferon gamma ($IFN{\gamma}$) and T-bet in T cells under Th1-skewing condition. Consistent with these effects in vitro, oral administration of enhanced Rg3 suppressed the frequency of Th1 cells in the Peyer's patch and lamina propria cells in vivo. Conclusion: Enhanced Rg3 negatively regulates the differentiation of Th1 cell in vitro and Th1 cell responses in the gut in vivo, providing fundamental basis for the use of this agent to treat Th1-related diseases.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2019

Background: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom (BV) through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa beta ($NF-{\kappa}B$) expression in macrophages and keratinocytes. Methods: Cell viability assays were performed to investigate the cytotoxicity of BV in activated macrophages [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] and keratinocytes [interferon-gamma/tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($IFN-{\gamma}/TNF-{\alpha}$)]. A luciferase assay was performed to investigate the cellular expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in relation to BV dose. The expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitors ($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and p50 and p65) were determined by Western Blot analysis, and the electromobility shift assay. A nitrite quantification assay was performed to investigate the effect of BV, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor on nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages. In addition, Western Blot analysis was performed to investigate the effect of BV on the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Results: BV was not cytotoxic to activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Transcriptional activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, and p50, p65, and $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ expression was reduced by treatment with BV in activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Treatment with BV and an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, reduced the production of NO by activated macrophages, and also reduced $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity in activated keratinocytes (compared with either BV, or $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor treatment). Furthermore, BV decreased p38, p-p38, JNK, and p-JNK expression in LPS-activated macrophages and $IFN-{\gamma}/TNF-{\alpha}$-activated keratinocytes. Conclusion: BV blocked the signaling pathway of $NF-{\kappa}B$, which plays an important role in the inflammatory response in macrophages and keratinocytes. These findings provided the possibility of BV in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.61-68
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• 2013

Objectives : Hibisci Flos has long been used for inflammatory diseases in traditional Korean medicine. However, little scientific investigation has been carried out. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of Hibisci Flos water extract (HF) on inflammatory cytokines production in Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccaride (LPS). Method : HF was prepared by extracting with boiling water for 2 hours. We observed the cell viability of mouse macrophage Raw 264.7, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Result : The MTT assay was carried out to check the cellular toxicity of HF. No significant toxicity was observed in the experiment. HF significantly inhibited the increase of NO in the macrophages induced by LPS after 24 hour treatment. HF significantly inhibited the production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-15, TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, VEGF, GM-CSF and M-CSF in the Raw 264.7 cells induced by LPS in the concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : These results suggest that HF might have regulatory effects on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.1121-1127
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of Myagropsis myagroides ethanol extract (MMEE) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice. The effects of MMEE on DNCB-induced BALB/c mice were evaluated by examining skin symptom severity, levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 in serum, and levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and $interferon-{\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$) in splenocytes. MMEE significantly reduced the total clinical severity score, total IgE levels, as well as $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4 production in an AD mouse model but increased IL-10 production. Production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in splenocytes was reduced by MMEE, whereas $IFN-{\gamma}$ production increased. These results suggest that MMEE can inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice by modulating the immune response and may be an effective potential therapeutic agent for AD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2009

Background: Uteroglobin (UG) is a secretary protein that has strong immunomodulatory properties, and which is synthesized in most epithelia including lung tissue. Overexpression of UG is associated with decreased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and suppression of cancer cell growth. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) catalyzes tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway, and both the reduction in local tryptophan and the production of tryptophan metabolites contribute to the immunosuppressive effects of IDO. Methods: In this study, we investigated the pattern of expression of COX-2 and IDO, and the effect of UG transduction in the expression of COX-2 and IDO in several non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, especially A549. Results: Both COX-2 and IDO were constitutionally expressed in A549 and H460 cells, and was reduced by UG transduction. In A549 cells, the slightly increased expression of COX-2 and IDO with the instillation of interferon-gamma (IFN-$\gamma$) was reduced by UG transduction. However, the reduced expression of COX-2 and IDO by UG transduction was not increased with IFN-$\gamma$ instillation in A549 cells. In both the A549 COX-2 sense and the A549 COX-2 anti-sense small interfering RNA (siRNA)-transfected cells, IDO was expressed; expression was reduced by UG transduction, irrespective of the expression of COX-2. Conclusion: The results suggest that the anti-proliferative function of UG may be associated with the immune tolerance pathway of IDO, which is independent of the COX-2 pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2012

Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) gene is a member of the IRF-family, and plays functionally diverse roles in the regulation of the immune system. In this report, the 13,720 bp porcine IRF6 genomic DNA structure was firstly identified with a putative IRF6 protein of 467 amino acids. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the porcine IRF6 amino acid sequences with their homologies to other species showed high identity (over 96%). Tissues expression of IRF6 mRNA was observed by RT-PCR, the results revealed IRF6 expressed widely in eight tissues. One SNP (HQ026023:1383 G>C) in exon7 and two SNPs (HQ026023:130 G>A; 232 C>T) in the 5′ promoter region of porcine IRF6 gene were demonstrated by DNA sequencing analysis. A further analysis of SNP genotypes associated with immune traits including IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL10 concentrations in serum was carried out in three pig populations including Large White, Landraces and Songliao Black pig (a Chinese indigenous breed). The results showed that the SNP (HQ026023:1383 G>C) was significantly associated with the level of IFN-${\gamma}$ (d 20) in serum (p = 0.038) and the ratio of IFN-${\gamma}$ to IL10 (d 20) in serum (p = 0.041); The other two SNPs (HQ026023:130 G>A; 232 C>T) were highly significantly associated with IL10 level in serum both at the day 20 (p = 0.005; p = 0.001) and the day 35 (p = 0.004; p = 0.006). Identification of the porcine IRF6 gene will help our further understanding of the molecular basis of the IFN regulation pathway in the porcine immune response. All these results should indicate that the IRF6 gene can be regarded as a molecular marker associated with the IL10 level in serum and used for genetic selection in the pig breeding.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1119-1125
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• 1999

Since Robert Koch found tubercle bacilli in 1882, the studies on tubercle bacilli of human and animal had been carried out. Being old tuberculin(OT) introduced in 1890, the specificity of the diagnosis of tuberculosis has been improved by continual uses of heat concentrated synthetic medium(HCSM) and purified protein derivatives(PPD) tuberculin. Now, two types of tuberculin test are used worldwidly ; the single intradermal test(SIT) using bovine tuberculin and the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test(SICTT) using avian and bovine tuberculins. In the SICTT, each countries have used with different combination of both avian and bovine tuberculins' titers. However, this kinds of studies have not reported in Korea. Therefore, the studies on the combination of their tuberculins' titers were performed through intradermal test of guinea pigs sensitized with either Mycobacterium bovis or M avium and were examined in 10 cattles of SIT positive reactors. Also, IFN-${\gamma}$ assay, the latest diagnostic method of bovine tuberculosis, was experimentally applied to SIT positive reactors. For determining the optimal titers, sensitized guinea pigs with M bovis and M avium were intradermally injected avian and bovine tuberculin. In guinea pigs sensitized with M bovis, bovine tuberculin 50 T.U. showed significant difference from all tested concentrations of avian tuberculin(p < 0.05). In guinea pigs sensitized with M avium, there is significantly different between bovine tuberculin and avian tuberculin by 25 T.U.(p < 0.01). Therefore, optimal titers of bovine and avian PPD tuberculins' titers for the SICTT in Korea were 5,000 and 2,500 tuberculin units, respectively, and the swelling diffences between bovine and avian site in SIT positive reactors were above 3mm. Also, in IFN-${\gamma}$ assay, the 9 SIT positive reactors were showed all the positive reactions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.90-98
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• 1998

Background : The CD4+ T-helper cells comprise functionally distinct subsets of Th1 and Th2 cells that are distinguished on the basis of differential cytokines production Th1 cells secrete interferon-$\gamma$, lymphotoxin, interleukin-2. Th2 cells produce interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-10. A previous study shown that Th2 cells and their cytokines increased in patients with atopic asthma. We compared cytokines(IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$) activity and subpopulation of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood from atopic asthmatics versus non-asthmatics. Method: Fifteen patients with atopic asthma(nine men, six women), twelve patients with chronic bronchitis(six men, six women), five healthy persons(three men, two women) were studied. Activity of IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$ and T-cell subpopulation in peripheral blood were estimated. Results: Patients had a median age of 55yr. The mean activity of IL-4 of asthmatics was significantly increased(control $0.75{\pm}1.1pmol/L$, atopic asthmatics $3.50{\pm}0.75pmol/L$, chronic bronchitis $2.01{\pm}1.2pmol/L$), but IFN-$\gamma$ was not significantly increased. In the T lymphocyte sunsets the percent of CD62L+ T-lymphoeytes of asthmatics was not significantly increased (control $16.7{\pm}16.4%$, atopic asthmatics $24.8{\pm}23.6%$, chronic bronchitis $17.0{\pm}16.9%$). Conclusion: In this study elevated production of IL-4 was observed in atopic asthmatics. CD62L+T-lymphoeytes was not increased in atopic asthma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1039-1049
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• 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by immune dysregulation. Meanwhile, the supernatant of lactic acid bacteria (SL) was recently reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, HaCaT keratinocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) are widely used for studying AD-like responses. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of SL from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced HaCaT keratinocytes, and then we investigated the strains' probiotic properties. SL was noncytotoxic and regulated chemokines (macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)) and cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-25, and IL-33) in TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced HaCaT keratinocytes. SL from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus MG4644, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MG4693, and Lactococcus lactis MG5474 decreased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Furthermore, the safety of the three strains was demonstrated via hemolysis, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, and toxicity tests, and the stability was confirmed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, L. rhamnosus MG4644, L. paracasei MG4693, and Lc. lactis MG5474 have potential applications in functional food as they are stable and safe for intestinal epithelial cells and could improve atopic inflammation.