• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.99-108
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• 2016

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cancer worldwide. Although incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer are gradually decreasing in the US, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have poor prognosis with an estimated 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Over the past decade, advances in combination chemotherapy regimens for colorectal cancer have led to significant improvement in progression-free and overall survival. However, patients with metastatic disease gain little clinical benefit from conventional therapy, which is associated with grade 3~4 toxicity with negative effects on quality of life. In previous clinical studies, cell-based immunotherapy using dendritic cell vaccines and sentinel lymph node T cell therapy showed promising therapeutic results for metastatic colorectal cancer. In our preclinical and previous clinical studies, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells treatment for colorectal cancer showed favorable responses without toxicities. Here, we review current treatment options for colorectal cancer and summarize available clinical studies utilizing cell-based immunotherapy. Based on these studies, we recommend the use CIK cell therapy as a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.245-250
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• 1992

This study was performed to demonstrate the presence of large granular lymphocyte(LGL) in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats and morphologically observe NK cell and also establish the method of isolation of natural killer cell in SD rats. By percoll discontinuous density gradients centrifugation, highly enriched LGL population were shown to fraction 2(border line between 44.2% and 50.8%). LGL were shown to bind selectively to YAC1 mouse lymphoma cell. This fraction expressed very high NK cell cytolysis. Therefore, we thought that LGL have NK activity in SD rats. The Morphology of rat LGL is very similar to that of human LGL. These cells have an eccentric kidney-shaped nucleus. Their most distinctive feature was their cytoplasmic azurophilic granules. Another distinguishing feature of rat LGL was their high cytoplasmic : nuclear ratio. It was concluded that LGL played a role part in mediating natural killer activity in this species.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.365-371
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• 2014

Recent findings, notably on adipokines and adipose tissue inflammation, have revised the concept of adipose tissues being a mere storage depot for body energy. Instead, adipose tissues are emerging as endocrine and immunologically active organs with multiple effects on the regulation of systemic energy homeostasis. Notably, compared with other metabolic organs such as liver and muscle, various inflammatory responses are dynamically regulated in adipose tissues and most of the immune cells in adipose tissues are involved in obesity-mediated metabolic complications, including insulin resistance. Here, we summarize recent findings on the key roles of innate (neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, eosinophils) and adaptive (regulatory T cells, type 1 helper T cells, CD8 T cells, B cells) immune cells in adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in obesity. In particular, the roles of natural killer T cells, one type of innate lymphocyte, in adipose tissue inflammation will be discussed. Finally, a new role of adipocytes as antigen presenting cells to modulate T cell activity and subsequent adipose tissue inflammation will be proposed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2009

Natural killer (NK) cells play key roles in innate and adaptive immune defenses. NK cell responses are mediated by two major mechanisms: the direct cytolysis of target cells, and immune regulation by production of various cytokines. Many previous reports show that the complex NK cell activation process requires de novo gene expression regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Specialized un-translated regions (UTR) of mRNAs are the main mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation. Analysis of posttranscriptional regulation is needed to clearly understand NK cell biology and, furthermore, harness the power of NK cells for therapeutic aims. This review summarizes the current understanding of mRNA metabolism during NK cell activation, focusing primarily on post-transcriptional regulation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7335-7338
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• 2013

There is increasing evidence that natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in antitumor immunity following dendritic cell (DC) vaccination. Little is known, however, about the optimal stimulation of DCs by epitopes and NK interactions for cytotoxicity in tumors. In this study, DC cells activated by the HPV16E7.49-57 epitope and LPS were co-cultured with NK cells in vitro, and then used ot immunize mice to study CTL activity of TC-1, which constitutively expresses HPV16E6E7, with an LDH release assay. Cytotoxicity in mice immunized with DC loaded with epitope HPVE7.49-57 vaccine co-cultured with NK was enhanced significantly (p<0.01). In conclusion, talk-across between DC and NK cells enhances their functions, also improving cytotoxicity againsttumor cells, suggesting that activated DC-NK by epitopes has potential application for cancer-specific immuno-cellular therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제52권9호
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• pp.554-559
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• 2019

Despite reports suggesting that tissue-resident natural killer (trNK) cells cause ischemic kidney injury, their contribution to the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis has not been determined. This study hypothesized that the depletion of trNK cells may ameliorate renal fibrosis by affecting transglutaminase 2/syndecan-4 interactions. Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) was induced in C57BL/6 mice as an experimental model of kidney fibrosis. The mice were treated with anti-asialo GM1 (ASGM1) or anti-NK1.1 antibodies to deplete NK cells. Although both ASGM1 and NK1.1 antibodies suppressed renal $NKp46^+DX5^+$ NK cells, renal $NKp46^+DX5^-$ cells were resistant to suppression by ASGM1 or NK1.1 antibodies during the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the AAN-induced mouse model. Western blot analysis showed that both antibodies increased the expression of fibronectin, transglutaminase 2, and syndecan-4. These findings indicate that trNK cells played an exacerbating role in tubulointerstitial fibrosis by activating transglutaminase 2 and syndecan-4 in the AAN-induced mouse model.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.11-14
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• 2010

Human tumors, including those of the hepatobiliary system, express a number of specific antigens that can be recognized by T cells, and may provide potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Dendritic cells (DCs) are rare leucocytes that are uniquely potent in their ability to capture, process and present antigens to T cells. The ability to culture sufficient numbers of DCs from human bone marrow or blood progenitors has attracted a great deal of interest in their potential utilization in human tumor vaccination. $CD34^+$ peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) were obtained from a patient with a hepatocellular carcinoma. The PBSCs were cultured in the X-VIVO 20 medium supplemented with the Flt-3 Ligand (FL), GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-$\alpha$ for 12 days. The morphology and functions of the cells were examined. The generated cells had the typical morphology of DCs. When the DCs were reinjected into the same patient, an augmentation of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was observed. Concomitantly, an increase in the natural killer (NK) cell activity was also detected in the patient. These results suggest that DCs-based cancer immunotherapy may become an important treatment option for cancer patients in the future.

• 생약학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.293-299
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• 1998

The effects of Buthus martensi Karsch (BMK) on natural killer (NK) cell activity in mouse spleen were studied. Water extracted solution of BMK was orally administrated to Balb/c mice for 2 weeks. Among splenic cells, T cell fractions were separated by Nylon wool column. Furthermore, NK cell purification was performed 4.5% percoll gradients methods. The cytotoxcity of NK cell to K562 cell was determined by lactic acid dehydrogenase and $[^3H]-thymidine $ incorporation methods. And the cytotoxicity of effector cell was most effectively induced in a ration of 50:1 (effector/target cell). As a result, cytotoxicity of NK cells was significantly increased compared with control group both in vivo and in vitro systems. The similar cytotoxic effect was shown in $[^3H]-thymidine $ incorporation methods. This suggests that when BMK is administrated to mice with malignant tumors, an increase in NK cell activity may occur and affect K562 tumor cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Background: Chronic pain reportedly exerts complex effects on immune function. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play a critical role in cellular and innate immunity. This study examined changes in the subset populations and cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with chronic pain. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic moderate-to-severe pain (group P) and age-matched pain-free subjects (group NoP) were enrolled. Peripheral whole blood was analyzed for the percentage and expression of NK cell surface markers (CD56 and CD16) by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic activity was assayed by evaluating CD69 expression on $CD3^-/CD56^+NK$ cells. Results: The percentage of NK cells among total lymphocytes was not significantly different between groups P and NoP ($16.3{\pm}9.3$ vs. $20.2{\pm}10.5%$). Likewise, the percentages of two major NK cell subsets, $CD56^{bright}$ and $CD56^{dim}$, were also not significantly different between the two groups. However, the percentage of $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, was slightly but significantly increased in group P ($1.0{\pm}0.9%$; P< 0.01) compared with group NoP ($0.5{\pm}0.6%$). The cytotoxicity of NK cells was not different between the two groups, showing similar CD69 expression (P vs. $NoP=29.2{\pm}15.2$ vs. $32.0{\pm}15.0%$). These findings were not influenced by pain intensity, opioid use, or disease causing pain in group P. Conclusions: NK cell cytotoxic activity and major subset populations, with the exception of an increased percentage of the $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, are not significantly altered in patients with chronic severe pain.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.211-222
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• 1996

수태기간중 태아가 모체에 의해 면역학적으로 거부반응을 일으키지 않고 동종이식 상태로 유지되는 기작을 밝히는 연구의 일환으로 C3H/HeJ계의 암컷 생쥐와 DBA/2계의 수컷 생쥐를 교배하여 모체에서 발생되는 체계적인 면역기능 및 국소적 면역기능현상에 대하여 연구하고자 수태기 간별로 비 장 및 자궁으로 들어가는 림프절에서 T세포 및 B세포의 아형을 측정하였고 자연살해 세포의 활성도를 측정하였다. 또한 수태혈청 및 수태성 호르몬이 자연살해세포의 활성도에 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 각 수태기간별로 비장세포에 있어서 T세포와 B세포의 아형을 관찰한 결과, Thy-1.2$^{+}$세포는 수태기간중 중기 이후에 감소하기 시작하여 수태 4기에는 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 감소하였으며 수태말기에는 회복하였다. L3T4$^{+}$세포도 Thy-1.2$^{+}$ 세포와 비교하여 비슷한 경향으로 감소 또는 증가하였다. Ly2$^{+}$세포는 수태중기 이후부터 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 증가하였으며 B세포는 수태중기 이후부터 수태말기까지 계속 증가하였다. 비장에 있어서 자연살해세포의 세포독성은 수태 5일에서 수태 8일 사이에 가장 증가하였으며 그 이후는 대조군 수준으로 감소하였다. 정상혈청 및 수태혈청의 자연살해세포의 세포독성에 대한 영향을 수태시기별로 조사한 결과, 정상혈청과 수태혈청 모두 자연살해세포의 세포독성을 유의하게 억제하였으며, Progesterone은 시험관내실험과 생체내 실험 모두 약리적인 농도이상에서 농도에 의존적으로 자연살해세포의 세포독성을 증가시켰으며, HCG는 5 unit/ml에서 5000 unit/ml까지 처리농도에 비례하여 자연살해세포의 세포독성을 억제하였다. 자궁으로 들어가는 림프절에서 T세포의 아형은 Thy-1.2$^{+}$세포는 수태 2기부터 증가하여 대조군에 보다 유의하게 증가하였으며, L3T4$^{+}$세포의 유의한 변화없이 Ly2$^{+}$세포가 수태 2기 이후부터 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 증가하였고 분만 직전에는 조금 감소하였다. 자궁으로 들어가는 림프절에서의 자연살해세포의 세포독성은 착상직후 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 증가하였으며, 수태중기와 수태후기에도 대조군에 비하여 세포독성이 증가하였으며, 같은 시기의 비장세포의 자연살해세포의 세포독성보다 높게 나타났다.