• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1348-1354
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• 2008

mi transcription factor (MITF) is important in regulating the differentiation of mast cells. In particular, MITF regulates the transcription of the mouse mast cell-specific serine protease (mMCP)-6 gene, which is generally expressed by the connective tissue-type of mast cells. In this study, we investigated alternative isoforms of MITF that regulate transcription of the mMCP-6 gene in bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells in mice. The expression of MITF isoforms was examined by RT-PCR. We observed that MITF-A, -E, -H and -Mc were expressed by mucosal-type mast cells cultured in the presence of IL-3, whereas the connective tissue-type mast cells cultured in the presence of stem cell factor (SCF) expressed MITF-A. Overexpression of MITF isoforms increased luciferase activity through the mMCP-6 promoter in NIH-3T3 cells and elevated the level of mMCP-6 expression in the MC/9 mast cell line. Moreover, mMCP-6 expression in mast cells was significantly inhibited by the depletion of MITF. The transcriptional activity and DNA binding of MITF-A was comparable to that of MITF isoforms, including MITF-E, -H, and -Mc. Our results therefore suggest that MITF-A may be an important isoform of MITF in regulating the transcription of mMCP-6 in mouse connective tissue mast cells.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2012

We examined the distribution of uterine mast cells in cycling mice of different ages between 7 weeks and 38 weeks by toluidine blue staining. Mast cell density increased gradually depending on the age and culminated at 30 weeks after birth. Of the estrous stages, uteruses at metestrus showed markedly higher density of mast cells than those at the other stages in cycling mice of all ages analysed in this study and the majority of the mast cells were found in myometrium. We also discriminated types of the uterine mast cells in cycling mice at 10 weeks old by Alcian blue-safranin double staining. Mucosal type was most abundant among three types, including connective-tissue types and mixed types, through the entire estrous cycles. The portion of mixed types increased slightly after estrous. The abundance of uterine collagen protein determined by Masson trichrome staining was exactly consistent with the density distribution of the uterine mast cells during estrous cycles. Taken together, these results may imply that uterine mucosal mast cells, together with collagen proteins, are heavily involved in tissue remodeling of cycling mouse uterus.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.209-236
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• 2000

The last two decades witnessed significant advances in the efforts of immune-parasitologists to elucidate the nature and role of the host mucosal defence mechanisms against intestinal nematode parasites. Aided by recent advances in basic immunology and biotechnology with the concomitant development of well defined laboratory models of infection, immunoparasitologists have more precisely analyzed and defined the different immune effector mechanisms during the infection; resulting in great improvement in our current knowledge and understanding of protective immunity against gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasites. Much of this current understanding comes from experimental studies in laboratory rodents, which have been used as models of livestock and human GI nematode infections. These rodent studies, which have concentrated on Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Strongyloides ratti/5. venezuelensis. Trichinella spiralis and trichuris muris infections in mice and rats, have helped in defining the types of T cell responses that regulate effector mechanisms and the effector mechanisms responsible for worm expulsion. In addition, these studies bear indications that traditionally accepted mechanisms of resistance such as eosinophilia and IgE responses may not play as important roles in protection as were previously conceived. In this review, we shall, from these rodent studies, attempt an overview of the mucosal and other effector responses against intestinal nematode parasites beginning with the indices of immune protection as a model of the protective immune responses that may occur in animals and man.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.101-115
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• 2004

Objective : The present studies investigated the effects of 120 Hz high frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on the stress-induced stomach dysfunction in relation to its effect on the level of stress hormones and gastric mucosal damages. The gastric mucosal injury was induced by cold-restraint stress and two acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man were used. Methods : Cold-restraint stress produced typical gastric lesions in all rats of the stressed groups, but the number of ulcers as well as the mean ulcer diameter were reduced by 120 Hz EA pre-treatment. Results : The degranulation value of gastric mast cell was significantly higher in cold-restrained rats than in control ones. However, with the significant reduction of degranulation values of gastric mast cells in EA pre-treated rats compared with cold-restrained rats. Cold-restarint stress induced an elevated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory gene such as cyclooxygenases-2 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, but these expression were down-regulated in EA pre-treated rats. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that while the $inhibitory-{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ immunorection in the surface epithelium of the stomach tended to increase, both reactions in the EA pre-treated rats showed similar pattern as observed in controls. Conclusion : These results suggest that 120 Hz EA may act as a therapeutical means for gastric mucosal damages through an activation of pituitary adrenal system. It could be concluded that 120 Hz high frequency electroaucupuncture affords a good protective potential against stress-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2008

Mast cells containing a variety of mediators in their cytoplasmic granules are widely distributed in connective tissues and mucosal surfaces of skin, airways, and guts. Within these tissues, mast cells are involved in the pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation, self-defense, tissue-remodeling, and autoimmunity. In order to understand the functional roles of master cells in the uterus, we histologically examined the distribution and density of uterine mast cells in the different aged mice. Until 6 weeks mast cells were sparsely detected in the uterus. But at 7 weeks after birth, when estrous cycle begins, the number of mast cells within uterine tissues increased dramatically and the increment of mast cell density continued up to 32 weeks-age. After then, uterine glandular tissue degenerated gradually and density of uterine mast cell decreased. Uterine mast cells were mainly found in the myometrium and they were closely associated with smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and collagens, which contents were changed according to the uterine development in the myometrium. These results suggest that uterine mast cells could be involved in myometrial contractions mediated by smooth muscle cells and tissue reconstitution or remodeling during estrous cycle and parturition including the various immunological functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.695-705
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenosides have beneficial effects on several airway inflammatory disorders primarily through glucocorticosteroid-like anti-inflammatory activity. Among inflammatory cells, eosinophils play a major pathogenic role in conferring a risk of severe refractory diseases including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, the role of ginsenosides in reducing eosinophilic inflammation and CRS pathogenesis is unexplored. Methods: We investigated the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanism of ginsenoside F1 (G-F1) in comparison with those of dexamethasone, a representative glucocorticosteroid, in a murine model of CRS. The effects of G-F1 or dexamethasone on sinonasal abnormalities and infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells were evaluated by histological analyses. The changes in inflammatory cytokine levels in sinonasal tissues, macrophages, and NK cells were assessed by qPCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Results: We found that G-F1 significantly attenuated eosinophilic inflammation, mast cell infiltration, epithelial hyperplasia, and mucosal thickening in the sinonasal mucosa of CRS mice. Moreover, G-F1 reduced the expression of IL-4 and IL-13, as well as hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase required for prostaglandin D2 production. This therapeutic efficacy was associated with increased NK cell function, without suppression of macrophage inflammatory responses. In comparison, dexamethasone potently suppressed macrophage activation. NK cell depletion nullified the therapeutic effects of G-F1, but not dexamethasone, in CRS mice, supporting a causal link between G-F1 and NK cell activity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that potentiating NK cell activity, for example with G-F1, is a promising strategy for resolving eosinophilic inflammation in CRS.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 1997

The responses of gastric mucosal mast cells (GMMCS) to infection with coccid- ian protozoa, Clptosporinium muris, in mice were examined during primary and challenge infections. Each of three-week-old ICR SPF mice was orally inoculated with a single dose of 2 × 106 oocysts of C. muffs (strain MCR). After oocyst shedding ceased, the mice were orally challenged with a single dose of 2×106 oocysts of the same species. GMMCS reached a peak on days 20-30 postinoculation (Pl) in number, and decreased thereafter. An increase on days 20-30 post-challenge-infection (PCI) was also observed. The mice showed, on the whole, normal profiles of oocyst shedding in droppings. The number of the cells of uninfected control mice remained constant. .Tudging from the above results, it is suggested that mastocytosis correlate with expulsion of C. mans in primary infection and the defense mechanism of challenge infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 1998

Mucosal mast cell (MMC) and goblet cell (GC) responses were observed in the small intestine of two strains of mice (BALBfc and C3H) infected with Weodiplostomum seouLehTe, and their roles in the host defense and worm expulsion were studied. From day 3 to 28 post-infection (Pl) with 200 metacercariae, the worm recovery rate from BALB/c mice was consistently and remarkably higher than that from C3H mice. In the duodenum of both strains of mice, the main habitat of the flukes, mastocytosis was pronounced on day 7 Pl but quickly diminished thereafter. Similar kinetics were observed in the jejunum and ileum, although the extent of mastocytosis was lesser in the ileum than other two areas. These MMC kinetics were not different between the ko strains of mice. Moreover, the extent of mastocytosis was stronger in BALB/C mice than in C3H mice. GC hyperplasia was remarkable in the duodenum of BALBlc mice throughout the course of infection except day 14 Pl, whereas it was recognizable only in the jejunum and ileum of C3H mice on day 7 Pl. Mucin activation was evidently demonstrated in both strains of mice throughout the course of infection, but more marked in BALB/c than in C3H mice. The results strongly suggest that mastocytosis and GC hyperplasia are local immune responses against N. seoulense, however, they play a minor role in the host defense and worm expulsion.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.17-34
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was carried out to observe and compare the effects of Pinellia ternata, Zingiber officinale and Sobanhatang on the reflux esophagitis induced by gastric fundus and pylorus ligation in mice with esomeprazole. Methods: Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity at four different concentration of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and $1.0mg/102{\mu}{\ell}$. Zingiber officinale water extract(ZE), Pinellia ternata water extract(PE) and Sobanhatang water extract(SBE) and esomeprazole were treated orally for 14 days before gatric fundus and pylorus ligation. In the histochemistry, changes in suface mucous cells, muscle tissue and connective tissue in gastro esophageal junction(GEJ) and mast cell on the esophageal mucosa were observed. The change of Hemo oxygenase(HO)-1, ghrelin, gastrin and substance P in gastric body tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: DPPH radical scavenging activity exhibited concentration dependently increases in ZE, PE, SBE. ZE was significantly higher at all concentrations than PE. The gastric surface mucous cells were more in the treated group than in the reflux esophagitis elicited group(GE) in the order of PE, SBE, ZE and esomeprazole treateded group(PT, SBT, ZT, ET). Lower esophageal sphincter muscle damage and intercellular space in the GEJ were less in the treated group than GE. In the esophageal mucosa, the mast cell distribution and the migration of inflammatory cells were lower in the treateded troup than GE in order to ZT, SBT, PT and ET. The antioxidative enzyme, HO-1 was more in the order of ZT, SBT, control group, PT, ET than in GE. ZT was significantly higher than the other groups and SBT was significantly higher than ET. Ghrelin was found to be higher in ZT, ET, SBT and PT than in GE, and ZT was significantly higher than all other groups except ET. Gastrin showed the highest positivity in GE, and was lower in the order of ET, ZT, SBT, PT, and control group. Substance P was the highest in GE, and was lower in the order of ET, ZT, SBT, PT and control group, and PT were significantly lower than ET. Conclusion: ZT, PT and SBT showed superior antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and mucosal protective effects on mouse reflux esophagitis as compared with ET. In particular, ZE was more effective in antioxidant and gastric motility enhancement, while PE was more effective in mucosal protection and anti-inflammatory effects. Sobanhatang is expected to be effective treatment because it has advantages of both drugs and reduces toxicity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.195-201
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• 2002

Background: IgE is closely related to the development of allergies. However, the poor relationship between the specific IgE level and the severity of allergic diseases suggests the possibility of functionally different IgE isoforms. With this in mind, rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 activation was analyzed with each type of rat IgE for two parameters, exocytosis and IL-4 mRNA production. RBL-2H3 has been well documented in the rat mucosal mast cell line. Methods: RBL-2H3 cells sensitized with each kind of rat IgE was activated by cross-linking FcRI with B5 (monoclonal anti-rat IgE mouse IgG antibodies). The RBL-2H3 exocytosis was measured by analyzing the ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase level, and the level of IL-4 mRNA synthesis was analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Rat IgE, which was produced by a parasite infection (REP), was prepared using either Paragonimus westermani metacercariae (REP-PW) or Anisakis simplex third stage larvae (REP-AS). A rat IgE prototype of IR162 was prepared by a peritoneal injection of immunocytoma. Results: The level of exocytosis showed a linear relationship with the rat IgE concentration when REP-PW or REP-AS was applied. However, it exhibited a biphasic response with IR162. In addition, the time course of heating at $56^{\circ}C$ illustrated the similarity between REP-PW and REP-AS, which differed from that of IR162. In contrast, the level of IL-4 mRNA synthesis in the RBL-2H3 cells with IR162 was comparable to that of either REP-PW or REP-AS. Conclusion: These results suggest that functionally different rat IgE isoforms exists in RBL-2H3 exocytosis.