• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2010

To evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of a water extract (KMF-WE) of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) fruit, we examined its ability to induce humoral and cellular immune response against keyhole limpet hemocyanine (KLH). Immunized mice with KLH admixed with KMF-WE (KLH/KMF-WE) showed significant induction of KLH-specific antibodies compared to mice immunized with KLH alone. The assay for determining isotypes of antibodies revealed that KMFWE augmented KLH-specific-IgG1 and -IgG2a production. In vitro T lymphocyte proliferation analysis against KLH revealed that the splenocytes of mice immunized with KLH/KMF-WE showed a significantly higher proliferative ability than those from mice immunized with KLH alone. The culture supernatants of splenocytes, which were harvested from mice immunized with KLH/KMF-WE, showed higher levels of both Th-1 type (IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$) and Th-2 type (IL-4) cytokines in response to KLH stimulation compared to those from mice immunized with KLH alone. Also, in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay, mice immunized with KLH/KMF-WE showed a significantly higher reaction to KLH than mice treated with KLH alone. These results suggest that KMF-WE possess immunoadjuvant activity to enhance both antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses against protein antigens (KLH).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was designed to test the effect of heating condition and Panax ginseng on body temperature, hematologicala changes, and immune response. Methods : The extract from Panax ginseng was made by the pharmacy department of Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Hospital. The animals were divided into four groups; control, room temperature Panax ginseng (G), $28^{\circ}C$ heating, and $28^{\circ}C$ heating Panax ginseng (heating G). Each group has 8 Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured body weight & temperature twice a week. After 2 weeks of experiment, serum lipid level, WBC, differential count, lymphocyte proliferation and immune cytokine concentration were measured. Results : 1. Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng induced decreased body weight and increased body temperature. 2. Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng induced decreased AST, ALT and BUN. 3. Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng tended to decrease TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration, while application of room temperature and Panax ginseng tended to increase TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration. Conclusions : Simultaneous application of heating condition and Panax ginseng decreseas body weight, increases, body temperature and has a tendency to decrease TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1613-1619
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• 2016

Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent pathogen of humans and other mammals. Moreover, F. tularensis has been designated a category A biothreat agent, and there is growing interest in the development of a protective vaccine. In the present study, we determine the in vitro and in vivo immune responses of a subunit vaccine composed of recombinant peptides Tul4 and FopA from epitopes of the F. tularensis outer membrane proteins. The recombinant peptides with adjuvant CpG induced robust immunophenotypic change of dendritic cell (DC) maturation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12). In addition, the matured DCs enabled ex vivo proliferation of naive splenocytes in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Lastly, we determined the in vivo immune response by assessment of antibody production in C57BL/6 mice. Total IgG levels were produced after immunization and peaked in 6 weeks, and moreover, Tul4-specific IgG was confirmed in the mice receiving peptides with or without CpG. Based on these results, we concluded that the recombinant peptides Tul4 and FopA have immunogenicity and could be a safe subunit vaccine candidate approach against F. tularensis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2005

TRPM7, a cation channel protein permeable to various metal ions such as $Mg^{2+}$, is ubiquitously expressed in variety of cells including lymphocytes. The activity of TRPM7 is tightly regulated by intracellular $Mg^{2+}$, thus named $Mg^{2+}$-inhibited cation (MIC) current, and its expression is known to be critical for the viability and proliferation of B lymphocytes. In this study, the level of MIC current was compared between immature (WEHI-231) and mature (Bal-17) B lymphocytes. In both cell types, an intracellular dialysis with $Mg^{2+}$-free solution (140 mM CsCl) induced an outwardly-rectifying MIC current. The peak amplitude of MIC current and the permeability to divalent cation ($Mn^{2+}$) were several fold higher in Bal-17 than WEHI-231. Also, the level of mRNAs for TRPM7, a molecular correspondence of the MIC channel, was significantly higher in Bal-17 cells. The amplitude of MIC was further increased, and the relation between current and voltage became linear under divalent cation-free conditions, demonstrating typical properties of the TRPM7. The stimulation of B cell receptors (BCR) by ligation with antibodies did not change the amplitude of MIC current. Also, increase of extracellular $[Mg^{2+}]_c$ to enhance the $Mg^{2+}$ influx did not affect the BCR ligation-induced death of WEHI-231 cells. Although the level of TRPM7 was not directly related with the cell death of immature B cells, the remarkable difference of TRPM7 might indicate a fundamental change in the permeability to divalent cations during the development of B cells.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2012

Steamed ginseng is well known as a tonic medicine for restoring and enhancing human health. Steamed ginseng had more pharmacologically activity than white ginseng. The effects of steamed ginseng on transplantable tumors, proliferation of lymphocyte and rat liver lipid peroxidation were studied. This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidation and antiwrinkle effects of three ginseng extracts. Raw ginseng (RGS) and dried ginseng (DGS) mature like red ginseng in addition to the ready-made red ginseng (GS) purchased in the market, were steamed and extracted by red ginseng extractor. Three extracts of steamed ginseng were investigated to determine effects of superoxide radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, autooxidation inhibition of linoleic acid, collagenase inhibition and collagen synthesis in normal fibroblast. RGS showed not only the highest superoxide radical scavenging activity at a concentration of 100 ug/mL but also the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity higher than vitamin C. Also RGS showed the highest activity in inhibition of autooxidation of linolic acid, collagen synthesis, and collagenase inhibition.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.547-553
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• 2001

Glycoprotein from the water extract of dried root barks of slippery Elm was investigated for its anticancer immunostimulating activity, The glycoprotein contained molecular weight 15,000 to 500,000 Da, total carbohydrates 55.8 to 72.1%), total uronic acid 30.0 to 30.5%, and total proteins 5.0 to 6.1%. The anticancer immunostimulating activities were examined for both in vitro bioassays such as immune cell proliferation assay, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), direct mitogenicity, T-dependent antibody production, and in vivo bioassays such as septic shock test and anticancer activity test in B16 melanoma transplanted mouse model. In vivo assay, the glycoprotein at the concentration of 3 mg/kg showed the best result that median survival time increased to about 140% in contrast to control groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1496-1501
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• 2002

A $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a completely randomized design to determine the effects of dietary Zn on performance and immune response of acutely endotoxemic growing pigs (n=96, mean BW=24.9 kg). Factors included 1) intramuscular injection of $10{\mu}g/kg$ BW of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or control and 2) supplemental Zn at 10, 50, or 150 ppm. Diets were fed beginning after weaning (initial body weight=7.6 kg) in the nursery and continued for 16 d into the grower phase. The basal corn-soybean meal grower diet contained 1% lysine and 34.3 ppm Zn. Pigs were acclimated for 12 d in the growerfinishing facility before LPS treatment on d 13. Gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency were unaffected by dietary Zn. Feed intake decreased (p<0.10) and gain/feed was greater (p<0.10) from d 13 to d 16 for pigs injected with LPS. Serum Zn and alkaline phosphatase activity increased (p<0.05) with increasing Zn levels. The febrile response to LPS peaked at 6 h post exposure and pigs were afebrile within 12 h. Rectal temperature was greater (p<0.05) in pigs receiving 50 and 150 ppm Zn than in pigs supplemented with 10 ppm Zn. In vivo cellular immune response, measured on d 13 by skin thickness response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), was greater after 6 h (p<0.05) in pigs fed 10 ppm Zn and exposed to LPS compared to all other treatments, but was not affected at 12, 24 or 48 h. Zinc did not affect mitogen induced lymphocyte proliferation. Zinc supplemented at 50 or 150 ppm resulted in an enhanced febrile response in pigs subjected to iatrogenic endotoxemia, but did not affect pig performance or immune response measurements.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.462-470
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• 2011

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) actively suppress immune cells and have been considered as an impediment to successful cancer immunotherapy. Many approaches have been made to overcome such immunosuppressive factors and to exert effective anti-tumor effects, but the possibility of using medicinal plants for this purpose has been overlooked. Korean red ginseng (KRG) is widely known to possess a variety of pharmacological properties, including immunoboosting and anti-tumor activities. However, little has been done to assess the anti-tumor activity of KRG on MDSCs. Therefore, we examined the effects of KRG on MDSCs in tumor-bearing mice and evaluated immunostimulatory and anti-tumor activities of KRG through MDSC modulation. The data show that intraperitoneal administration of KRG compromises MDSC function and induces T cell proliferation and the secretion of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$, while it does not exhibit direct cytotoxicity on tumor cells and reduced MDSC accumulation. MDSCs isolated from KRG-treated mice also express significantly lower levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and IL-10 accompanied by a decrease in nitric oxide production compared with control. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that KRG enhances T cell function by inhibiting the immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs and suggests that although KRG alone does not exhibit direct anti-tumor effects, the use of KRG together with conventional chemo- or immunotherapy may provide better outcomes to cancer patients through MDSC modulation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to test the effect of a warm environment and Bujaijung-tang on immune and lipid metabolism in rats. Methods : The extract from Bujaijung-tang was made by the pharmacy department of Kyung-Hee oriental medical hospital. The animals were divided into four groups, by room or warm environment and Bujaijung-tang administration. Each group had 8 Sprague-Dawley Rats. We measured body temperature twice a week, body weight three times a week. After 3 weeks of experiment, serum lipid level, WBC, differential count, lymphocyte proliferation and immune cytokine concentration were measured. Results : 1. warm environment induced weight loss in rats. 2. warm environment induced a decrease of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol gain. 3. warm environment and Bujaijung-tang induced an increase of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ concentration. Conclusions : The warm environment had a hyperlipidemia modulating effect. The warm environment and Bujaijung-tang had an immune modulating effect.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2007

Background: CD40-activated B (CD40-B) cells might be an attractive source of autologous antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for immunotherapy due to the convenience to obtain from peripheral blood and expand in vitro. Moreover, CD40-B cells were found to be comparable with DCs in their capacity to raise antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Here, we have established K562 cells expressing CD40L to expand CD40-activated B cells used for APCs. Methods: After activation of B cell by K562/CD40L, CD40-B cells were examined by counting B cell numbers. Surface expression of CD54, CD80, CD86 and HLA class II was measured by flow cytometry. The CD40-B cells were tested for its function as APC by mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) and by induction of T cell responses specific for pp65 peptide in vitro. Results: The expansion of B cells by K562/CD40L increased about 6-folds compared with anti-CD40 or K562. Furthermore, the expression of CD54, CD80, CD86 and HLA class II was up-regulated by K562/CD40L. B cells by K562/CD40L showed comparable antigen presentation activity with mature DCs as shown in MLR, INF-${\gamma}$ ELISPOT assay. Conclusion: These results suggest that K562/CD40L could be used to generate activated B cells as potent APCs which could be useful for cellular vaccination and adoptive immunotherapy.