• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.177-186
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• 1989

Observations were made on the differences in cell-mediated immune responses in the mice infected with strongly pathogenic Naegleria fewleyi ITMAP 359, weakly pathogenic Naegzeria jadini 0400, or non.pathogenic Naegleria gruberi EGB, respectively. Variations in cell-mediated responses and changes in antibody titers according to the duration after infection wore noted. Infections were done by dropping $5{\;}{\mu}l$ saline suspension containing $10{\times}10^4$ trophozoites cultured Bxenically in the CGVS medium into the right nasal cavity of ICR mice aging about 6~7 weeks, under the anesthesia by intraperitoneal injection of'secobarbital. Following infection, delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH) iesponses in the footpad and blastogenic responses of the mouse spleen cells using [$^3H$]-thymidine were observed on the day 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14 after infection. For the preparation of amoeba Iysates, each of cultured trophosoites were homogenized with an ultrasonicator, and centrifugated at 20,000 g. The supernatants of amoeba Iysates were used as the mitogen'and antigen for ELISA. Confanavalin A(Con. A) and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) were also used as mitogens in the blastogenic response. 1. The mice infected with N, fowleri showed the mortality rate of 75.7%. The rate was 6.2% for the N. jadini infected group, while no dead mouse was observed for N. gruberi infections. 2. In regard to DTH responses in the H. fewleri infected mice, the level increased in com- parison to the control group but declined after 7 days. An increase was also noted for the JV. jadini group after 1 day, but gradual decreases were observed through the infection period. In addition, no difference was noted between the N. gruberi infected and control groups. 3. Concerning the blastogenic response of the splenocytes, it increased after 10 days in the experimental group of N, fcwleri infection, but the differences ware not statistically significant compared with control group. It was evident that N. jadini group was not different from control group either, while there was a tendency of decrease in SV. gruberi infected group. In regard to the blastogenic response of the splenocytes by LPS, it was found that the N. fowlgri, N. jadini and N. gruberi infected groups had no differences from the control group. 4. The serum antibody titer of N. fcwleri and N. jadini infected mice increased from the day 7 and 14 after infection respectively, while the N. gruberi infected mice showed no increase. In summary of the results, it was observed that there were differences in the cell-mediated immune responses and serum antibody titers in the mice infected with strongly pathogenic JV. fowleri, weakly pathogenic N. jadini, or non.pathogenic N. gruberi, respectively.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.41.1-41.21
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• 2023

CD4 and CD8 T cells are key players in the immune response against both pathogenic infections and cancer. CD4 T cells provide help to CD8 T cells via multiple mechanisms, including licensing dendritic cells (DCs), co-stimulation, and cytokine production. During acute infection and vaccination, CD4 T cell help is important for the development of CD8 T cell memory. However, during chronic viral infection and cancer, CD4 helper T cells are critical for the sustained effector CD8 T cell response, through a variety of mechanisms. In this review, we focus on T cell responses in conditions of chronic Ag stimulation, such as chronic viral infection and cancer. In particular, we address the significant role of CD4 T cell help in promoting effector CD8 T cell responses, emerging techniques that can be utilized to further our understanding of how these interactions may take place in the context of tertiary lymphoid structures, and how this key information can be harnessed for therapeutic utility against cancer.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2001

Background and Objectives： Deep neck infections, which affect soft tissues and fascial compartments of the head and neck and their contents, have decreased after the develop ment of chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics. However they may still result in significant morbidity and mortality despite the use of chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics. Materials and Methods : A retrospective study was performed on 66 deep neck infections in patients admitted for diagnosis and treatment at Asan medical center from June 1994 to December 2000. Results : Age of the patients varied from 1 to 86-year-old and sex ratio of male to female was 1.2：1. Most frequently involved site was submandibular space (21.2%). Most common cause of infection was dental disease (28.8%). The isolated pathogenic organisms were Streptococcus species in 19 cases, Staphylococcus species in 7 cases, Klebsiella in 5 cases, mixed infection of Staphylococcus and Klebsiella in 3 cases and a case of Corynebacterium. 51 cases were treated surgically, 15 cases were medically. Mean duration of admission was 9.6 days in cases of single space infection, 17.5 days in multiple spaces, 8.1 days when the infection resulted in cellulitis, 13.4 days in abscess, 7.9 days when the infection treated medically and 13.4 days when treated surgically. Conclusion Early diagnosis and treatment is important to manage deep neck infection and the duration of admission was increased when the infection involved multiple spaces.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.555-562
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• 2003

The present study has been performed to evaluate Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis) heat shock protein(HSP)60 as a candidate vaccine to inhibit multiple bacteria-induced alveolar bone loss. Rats were immunized with P.gingivalis HSP60 and experimental alveolar bone loss was induced by infection with multiple periodonto -pathogenic bacteria. Post-immune rat anti-P.gingivalis HSP IgG levels were significantly elevated and have demonstrated highly significant inverse relationship with the amount of alveolar bone loss induced by multiple bacteria. Results from PCR detection of subgingival bacterial plaque indicated that the vaccine successfully eradicated the multiple pathogenic species. We concluded that P.gingivalis HSP60 could potentially be developed as a vaccine to inhibit periodontal disease induced by multiple pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2003

The present study was performed to identify pathogenic factors of Chlamydia trachomatis, which invade the host cell membrane. We prepared monoclonal antibody against C. trachomatis and searched for pathogenic factors using this antibody, and subsequently identified the surface components of the elementary body of C. trachomatis, i.e., major outer membrane protein (MOMP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and two other surface exposure proteins. These proteins are believed to be important in the pathogenesis of host cell chlamydial infection. Additionally, to identify factors related to the host cell and C. trachomatis, we prepared C. trachomatis infected and non-infected McCoy cell extracts, and reacted these with anti-chlamydial LPS monoclonal antibody. We found that anti-chlamydial LPS monoclonal antibody reacted with a 116 kDa proteinaceous McCoy cell membrane component.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1551-1562
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• 2024

Fungi employ diverse mechanisms for iron uptake to ensure proliferation and survival in iron-limited environments. Siderophores are secondary metabolite small molecules with a high affinity specifically for ferric iron; these molecules play an essential role in iron acquisition in fungi and significantly influence fungal physiology and virulence. Fungal siderophores, which are primarily hydroxamate types, are synthesized via non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) or NRPS-independent pathways. Following synthesis, siderophores are excreted, chelate iron, and are transported into the cell by specific cell membrane transporters. In several human pathogenic fungi, siderophores are pivotal for virulence, as inhibition of their synthesis or transport significantly reduces disease in murine models of infection. This review briefly highlights siderophore biosynthesis and transport mechanisms in fungal pathogens as well the model fungi Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Understanding siderophore biosynthesis and transport in pathogenic fungi provides valuable insights into fungal biology and illuminates potential therapeutic targets for combating fungal infections.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.40-50
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• 2002

Fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster has developed efficient immune mechanisms to prevent microbial infection, which are consisted of cellular and humoral responses. During the systemic or local infection, two distinct pathways (Toll and Imd) play major roles in antimicrobial peptide synthesis. The Toll pathway is required to defend Gram-positive bacterial and fungal infections, whereas the Imd pathway is important in Gram-negative bacterial infection. We have shown that the infection of the opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 (PA14) into fly dorsal thorax can kill the flies within 48 h ($100\%$ mortality) in our optimized infection condition, suggesting that the PA14 strain can cause disease progress in fly model system. We found that flies carrying a constitutively activated mutant form of the Toll receptor $(Tl^{10b})$ showed increased resistance to P. aeruginosa infection and that flies carrying mutations in the Toll signaling pathway as well as in the Imd signaling pathway was more susceptible to PA14 infection. All these results imply that the Toll pathway might be important in the resistance to this pathogenic Gram-negative bacterial infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.287-299
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• 2020

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus larvae. It seriously affects the development of animal husbandry and endangers human health. Due to a poor understanding of the cystic fluid formation pathway, there is currently a lack of innovative methods for the prevention and treatment of CE. In this study, the protoscoleces (PSCs) in the encystation process were analyzed by high-throughput RNA sequencing. A total of 32,401 transcripts and 14,903 cDNAs revealed numbers of new genes and transcripts, stage-specific genes, and differently expressed genes. Genes encoding proteins involved in signaling pathways, such as putative G-protein coupled receptor, tyrosine kinases, and serine/threonine protein kinase, were predominantly up-regulated during the encystation process. Antioxidant enzymes included cytochrome c oxidase, thioredoxin glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase were a high expression level. Intriguingly, KEGG enrichment suggested that differentially up-regulated genes involved in the vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption metabolic pathway may play important roles in the transport of proteins, carbohydrates, and other substances. These results provide valuable information on the mechanism of cystic fluid production during the encystation process, and provide a basis for further studies on the molecular mechanisms of growth and development of PSCs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2022

Fusarium wilt disease caused by Fusarium species is a major problem affecting cultivated cucurbit plants worldwide. Fusarium species are well-known soil-borne pathogenic fungi that cause Fusarium wilt disease in several cucurbit plants. In this study, we aimed to identify and classify pathogenic Fusarium species from cultivated Korean cucurbit plants, specifically watermelon and cucumber. Thirty-six Fusarium isolates from different regions of Korea were obtained from the National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science Germplasm collection. Each isolate was morphologically and molecularly identified using an internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA, elongation factor-1α, and the beta-tubulin gene marker sequence. Fusarium species that infect the cucurbit plant family could be divided into three groups: Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum), Fusarium solani (F. solani), and Fusarium equiseti (F. equieti). Among the 36 isolates examined, six were non-pathogenic (F. equiseti: 15-127, F. oxysporum: 14-129, 17-557, 17-559, 18-369, F. solani: 12-155), whereas 30 isolates were pathogenic. Five of the F. solani isolates (11-117, 14-130, 17-554, 17-555, 17-556) were found to be highly pathogenic to both watermelon and cucumber plants, posing a great threat to cucurbit production in Korea. The identification of several isolates of F. equiseti and F. oxysporum, which are both highly pathogenic to bottle gourd, may indicate waning resistance to Fusarium species infection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.367-372
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• 2004

Infection of Drosophila melanogaster adults with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14) can kill the flies within 48h. We found that the virulence of PA14 was significantly attenuated when treated with a reducing agent, dithiothreitol (DTT), prior to infection. Infection with DTT-treated PA14 elevated Metchnikowin expression at 22 h post-infection and the virulence of DTT-treated PA14 was not attenuated in Dif and Relish mutants. These results suggest that DTT pre-treatment of PA14 can aggravate certain virulence factors that may be required to paralyze fly immune responses, triggering Metchnikowin expression via Dif and Relish activations.