• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.376-382
• /
• 1994

Repeated injections of low-doses of mercuric chloride in rats or mice induce polyclonal activation which includes the induction of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies and circulating immune complex and it results in nephritis. Because this disease is autoimmune mediated disease resulted from immune dysfunction, immunomodulators are used to control the symptoms or to cure the disease. Irpex lacteus Fr. is a kind of new medicinal fungus. The polysaccharide fraction extracted from submerged fermentation of Irpex lacteus Fr. decreased the serum agglutinin, serolysin and IgM plaque forming cells in normal mice. The hitherto obtained clinical results suggested that it significantly improved the oligourea, edema, and hypertension in patients who have nephritis. To elucidate the action-mechanisms of Irpex lacteus Fr., we established the experimental model of HgCl$_2$induced polyclonal activation by intraperitoneal administrations of HgCl$_2$to mice. To assess the immunomodulating effect of Irpex lacteus fraction, we Investigated its effects on the mitogen induced proliferation and IgM PFC counts of splenic lymphocytes in mice during the treatment of HgCl$_2$. The Irpex lacteus polysaccharide reduced the abnormally increased mitogen induced Iymphocyte proliferation and IgM PFCs to almost normal levels. And the Irpex lacteus polysaccharides prevented the increasement of serum immunoglobulin level induced by HgCl$_2$. These data suggested that the Irpex lacteus polysaccharides might have the immunomodulating activity to prevent and /or improve the HgCl$_2$ induced autoimmune disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.932-937
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of Yonggak-san (YGS) on the immune reaction and apoptosis of leukemia cells. Administration of YGS(500 mg/kg) enhanced proliferation of splenocytes, thymocytes and mesenteric lymph node cells, and also YGS accelerated subpopulation of splenic Band T, thymic T and mesenteric lymph node-T lymphocytes, especially significantly increased CD4+-TH cells in BALB/c mice. YGS accelerated phagocytic activity and production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages. YGS induced apoptosis of transplanted-L1210 cells in vivo, increased apoptotic cell death of cultured-L1210 and/or Molt4 human leukemia cells, decreased of mitochondrial transmembrane potential of both cells in vitro. These results suggest that YGS have an immune-regulatory effect and anti-cancer property.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.267-271
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this research was to investigate the immunoregulatory effect, apoptosis of L 1210 leukemia cells of Comus officinalis Sieb.et Zucc. The proliferation of cultured splenocytes and thymocytes were enhanced by the addition of SSY. Splenic, thymic and mesenteric lymph node-T lymphocytes, especially TH cells was significantly increased in SSY-administered (p.o. for 7 days) mice. SSY treatment induced the apoptosis of L1210 mouse leukemia cells. In addition, SSY accelerated the phagocytic activity and nitric oxide production in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that SSY have an immuno-regulatory property and anti-cancer effect.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.79-92
• /
• 2017

Paraproteinemia is caused by a proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells or B lymphocytes. Approximately 10% of idiopathic neuropathies are associated with paraproteinemia, where a certain paraprotein acts like an antibody targeted at constituents of myelin or axolemma in peripheral nerves. The relationship between paraproteinemia and peripheral neuropathy remains unclear despite this being of interest for a long time. Neurologists frequently find paraproteinemia during laboratory examinations of patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy, especially in the elderly. The possibility of a relationship with paraproteinemia should be considered in cases without an explainable cause. We review the causal association between paraproteinemia and neuropathy as well as clinical, laboratory, and electrophysiologic features, and the treatment options for paraproteinemic neuropathy.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.170-173
• /
• 1997

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is a relatively rare disorder of children, characterized by abnormal proliferation of Langerhans' cells. It usually presents as multiple osteolytic lesion with lymphadenopathy or cutaneous manifestations. We experienced a case of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis involving bone and lymph node, diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology of the lymph node. The patient was a 10-year old girl with left inguinal lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspiration cytology from the lymph node disclosed very cellular smear consisted of Langerhans' cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes. The Langerhans' cells had eccentric oval to reniform shape nuclei with grooving and abundant pale cytoplasm. The diagnosis was confirmed later by histologic study of bone lesion.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.170-177
• /
• 2005

Oriental medicinal herb extracts (OHE) showing anticancer activities were investigated for effectiveness as antiviral drugs. Infection of MuLV to cell line resulted in formation of giant syncytia. Number of giant syncytia in culture treated with OHE decreased by 40% compared to that of non-OHE-treated cell culture. To determine OHE effects on progeny release, RT-PCR was performed. In vivo animal studies demonstrated effectiveness of OHE as antiviral drug when administered orally. After OHE administration, viral cytopathic effects decreased. Infected mice showed splenomegaly and over-proliferation of lymphocytes with decreased CD4+ cell counts. These symptoms decreased in OHE-treated mice, indicating OHE maybe useful therapeutics against MuLV/MAIDS as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS animal model. Results show XC plaque assay and in vivo MAIDS model using MuLV are suitable tools for screening anti-retroviral drug candidates.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.114-117
• /
• 1997

A total of 77 Black Bengal goats (67 females and 10 males) of 3.5 to 5.0 years old between 18 and 20 kg liveweights were used in this study. The whole liver with gall-bladder from respective carcass was collected at slaughter following fecal and postmortem examinations. Tissue sections of all lobes of each liver were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin following a standard procedure. Results confirmed the presence of flukes surrounded by fibrous capsule in the liver. All the animals were suffering from chronic Fasciola gigantica infections. The blood vessels in most of the liver tissue were thickened due to proliferation of fibrous tissue around them. Focal infiltration of lymphocytes in the lobules, patches of focal accumulation of neutrophils and eosinophils were found in all the liver tissue. Proliferations of new bile ductules in the hepatic trinity around the bile ducts that were clogged by the flukes were also observed in most tissue sections.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.672-674
• /
• 1999

Cepacidine A was first identified as a novel antifungal antibiotic which was isolated from the culture broth of Pseudomonas cepacia AF200l. It showed a potent in vitro antifungal activity against various pathogenic fungi, but did not show any activity against bacteria. Recently, the immunosuppressive action of cepacidine A was discovered using an in vitro screening system involving inhibition of the proliferation of murine lymphocytes stimulated by 2 mitogens, and also by in vivo mouse models involving inhibition of delayed type hypersensitivity and SRBC hemagglutination. Cepacidine A showed a significant activity of cellular immunosuppression (ED/sub 50/) at concentration levels of 1-3 ㎎/㎏, i.p.. Unfortunately, the delayed toxicity at a dose of above 3 ㎎/㎏ i.p. was apparent.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 1974

Histopathological changes in the pancreas of bovine eurytremiasis were dilatation and thickning of the pancreatic ducts inwhich infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes was prominent. The mucous epithelium showed papilliferous and adenomatoid hyperplasia. Proliferation of tissue mast cells in the mucosa propria of the pancreatic ducts was recognized. In addition, granulomatous inflammation was accompanied with the death of Eurytrema in the pancreatic ducts. Granuloma formation around Eurytrema eggs which were embolized in the lung of rabbit was observed on 15 and 20 days after injection.