• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.293-299
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• 1985

This study is to verify the protective ability against experimental Naegleria meningoencephalitis by immunization with Naegleria fowleri in mice. Naegleria fewleri, strain 0359, and Naegleria gruberi, strain EGB, were used in this study, and cultured in CGVS medium akenically. Inbred BALB/C mice, weighing about 20g, were immunized by three intraperitoneal injection of $1{\times}10^6$ N. fowleri trophozoites at the interval of one week. This N. fowleri trophozoites antigen was fixed with 5% formaldehyde. N. fowleri trophozoites from culture were homogenized with soiicator at $4^{\circ}C$ as monitored by phase contrast microscopy, and their membrane and cell content preparations were made for the immunization of mice. Their inoculation dose in volume was equivalent to the $1{\times}10^6$ trophozoites in each injection for immunization. And N. gruberi trophosoites, whieh was fixed with 5% formaldehyde, were also used for immunisation. Mice were inoculated intranasally with $5{\times}10^4$ N. fowleri trophozoites in a 511 suspension under anesthesia by as intraperitoneal injection of about 1 mg secobarbiturate. Nervousness, rotation or sluggish behaviour were observed in the mice which were infected with N. fewleri. Necrotic lesion was demonstrated in the anterior portion of brain, especially in the olfactory lobe. The inflammatory cell infiltration with numerous H. fowleri trophozoites was noticed. This pathological changes were more extensive in the control than in the experimental groups. Mice were dead due to experimental primary amoebic meningoencephalitis that developed between 8 days and 23 days after inoculation. Mortality rate of the mice was low in the immunized experimental group. Mean survival time, which is the survival duration of mice from the infection to death, was prolonged significantly in the immunized mice except in the mice immunized with JV, fowleri membrane. Even in the mice immunized with N. gruberi, survival time was delayed. In summary, the effectiveness of immunization is demonstrated in terms of protective immunity against Naegleria meningoencephalitis in mice.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 1999

Background: Ineffective cell-mediated immune response in human tuberculosis is associated with a depressed Thl cytokine response and reduced production of IFN-$\gamma$. Most persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis are healthy tuberculin reactors with protective immunity, but a minority with ineffective immunity develop extensive pulmonary tuberculosis. The cell-mediated immune response is an important aspect of host resistance to mycobacterial infection and is believed to be tightly regulated by a balance between Th1 cytokines including IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-18, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and Th2 counterparts such as IL-4, monocyte chemoattractant protein-l (MCP-l). Methods: Proliferation and mRNA expression of IFN-$\gamma$, RANTES and MCP-l by RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to in vitro stimulation with mycobacterial antigens were compared in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with cured and treatment failure and in tuberculin-positive and tuberculin-negative healthy subjects. Results: Defective proliferative responsiveness to aqueous TSP antigen was involved with treatment failure tuberculosis patients. Aqueous TSP antigen-induced IFN-$\gamma$ and RANTES mRNA expression was decreased in treatment failure tuberculosis patients compared with healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (23.1 % versus 90.0% for IFN-$\gamma$ and 46.2% versus 70.0% versus 46.2% for RANTES). The frequency of MCP-l mRNA expression to aqueous TSP antigen in treatment failure tuberculosis patients was greater than in healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (76.9% versus 40.0%). Conclusion: The increasing expression of MCP-1 mRNA in response to aqueous TSP antigen might be predicted to favor Th1 responses and restricted Th1 responses in treatment failure of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.507-515
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• 2014

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is commonly found in aging men, is characterized by hyperplasia of prostatic stromal and epithelial cells beginning in the periurethral zone of the prostate. The prevalence of BPH increases in an age-dependent manner. Here, we investigated the protective effects of unripe Rubus occidentalis extracts (UROE) on BPH development using a prostate cancer cell line and testosterone-induced BPH rat model. Experiments using an established hormone-dependent prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) showed that UROE treatment significantly decreased expression of androgen-related genes, including androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and 5-alpha reductase 2, but not 5-alpha reductase 1, which was also observed in flutamide-treated cells. Further, AR and PSA gene expression was reduced by UROE treatment under androgen-stimulated conditions using dihydrotestosterone (DHT). BPH animals displayed elevated prostate weights. However, UROE as well as finasteride treatment significantly reduced prostate weights and DHT levels compared to testosterone-induced BPH animals. Histopathological analysis also showed that UROE treatment suppressed testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia. Taken together, the results suggest that UROE may effectively inhibit the development of BPH and thus may be a useful agent in BPH treatment.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate dietary effects of illite on humoral immune response against Salmonella typhimurium flagella in Hyline Brown laying hens. Total of twenty eight 36-week-old hens were divided into two groups; The first was fed commercial diet as control and the other was fed diet containing 2 % illite. Each group was divided into 2 sub-groups and then performed immunization of Salmonella flagella with different adjuvants which were Freund's adjuvant and croton oil. The rates of egg-production in all groups were normal range but no difference was found between illite-treated and untreated groups. The serum antibody titers of Freund's adjuvant-used subgroup in illite fed groups were significantly increased, especially from 6-to 9-week after $1^{st}$ immunization compared to those of control groups (p<0.05). And the antibody titers of croton oil-used subgroup in illite-fed groups were also significantly increased, especially at 4-, 6- and 7-week (p<0.05). The results demonstrated that the feeding illite stimulated the immune response against S. typhimurium flagella antigen in laying hens and suggest that the supplementation of illite to the poultry diets may support protective effects against bacterial infections such as Salmonellosis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 1999

In this study, to evaluate newly developed Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine candidate CJ50003, we assessed its immunogenicity along with a previously commercialized inactivated JE Biken vaccine. The CR0003 viral antigens produced in Vero cells were administered suhcutaneouly to mice either with alum-adjuvanled or free form. The ELISA titers and neutralizing (NEUV antibody titers accounting for major protective immunity in JE were determined. Mice given alum-adjuvanted vaccine had a 10 times higher antigen-specific NEUT antibody response than did those which {lad received free antigens. This NEUT antibody response was maintained until day 168 with NEUT titer more than 1:160. Even with the 0.5 ng of alum-adjuvanted antigen dose, NEUT titer was induced more than 1:10 which is considered as an evidence for seroconversion and protection. Thc mice immune sera had a similar rate of cross-reactivity against three different viral antigens, Nakayama-NlH, P3 and SA14; as determined by ELISA assay. In a mice challenge model, vaccination with the GI50003 conferred more protection than with commercialized Biken vaccine against Nakayama virus. These data demonstrated that CJ50003 vaccine candidate has an excellent prophylactic efficacy and implicated it has a strong potential for further development and commercialization.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.423-434
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• 1986

The role of macrophages in the resistance of ICR mice to Candida albicans and Salmonella typhimurium was assessed using silica, agent which selectively inactivates macrophages or poly-2-vinylpyridine-N-oxide(PVNO), a lysosomal stabilizing agent. In addition, effect of silica on humoral and cellular immune responses to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) or polyvinylpyroridone(PVP) was examind. Colonyforming units(CFU) of C. albicans or S. typhimurium in the spleen, livers and kidneys of silica-treated or diluent-treated mice were enumerated at various times after infection. Silica was given i. v. to mice at 4 days or 1 day before infection. Although there was no apparent differences in the number of CFU of C. albicans cultured from the spleens or livers of silica-treated and control mice at every assay period, significant differences in the number of CFU of C. albicans in the kidneys of silica-treated and control mice. Namely, silica given to mice 1 day before infection significantly increased the number of CFU of C. albicans in the kidneys at 2, 4 and 6 days after infection, but did not change the number of CFU at 8 days after infection. Silica given to mice at 4 days before infection significantly increased the number CFU in the kidneys at 2 and 4 days after infection, but rather decreased the number of CFU at 8 days after infection. The number of CFU of C. albians cultured from the kidneys of splenectomized which were experimentally infected mice was similar to the number recovered from sham-operated mice at 4 and 8 days postinfection irrespective of time of infection relative to operation. The pretreatment of mice with PVNO appeared to abrogate the silica-induced susceptibility of mice to C. albicans. PVNO alone showed somewhat protective effect against challenge with C. albicans. In contrast, silica treatment did not alter the number of CFU of S. typhimurium recovered from the spleens and kidneys of mice. The administration of silica to mice at 4 days or 1 day before SRBC immunization significantly suppressed delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH) reactions to SRBC and antibody production to SRBC, a thymus-dependent antigen and PVP, a thymus-independent antigen. These results provide evidence that macrophages play an important role in susceptibility to Candida infection and strongly demonstrated that macrophages play an essential role in the induction of immune responses in mice.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2024

The intracellular parasite Babesia microti is among the most significant species causing human babesiosis and is an emerging threat to human health worldwide. Unravelling the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of babesiosis is crucial in developing new diagnostic and preventive methods. This study assessed how priming with B. microti surface antigen 1 (BHSA 1) and seroreactive antigen 5-1-1 (BHSA 5-1-1) mediate protection against B. microti infection. The results showed that 500 ㎍/ml rBMSA1 and rBMSA5-1-1 partially inhibited the invasion of B. microti in vitro by 42.0±3.0%, and 48.0±2.1%, respectively. Blood smears revealed that peak infection at 7 days post-infection (dpi) was 19.6%, 24.7%, and 46.7% in the rBMSA1, rBmSA5-1-1, compared to the control groups (healthy mice infected with B. microti only), respectively. Routine blood tests showed higher white blood cell, red blood cell counts, and haemoglobin levels in the 2 groups (BMSA1 and BMSA5 5-1-1) than in the infection control group at 0-28 dpi. Moreover, the 2 groups had higher serum interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-17A levels, and lower IL-10 levels than the infection control group throughout the study. These 2 potential vaccine candidate proteins partially inhibit in vitro and in vivo B. microti infection and enhance host immunological response against B. microti infection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1743-1749
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• 2010

A research group demonstrated that the 37 kDA protein of Edwardsiella tarda, a causing causative agent of edwardsiellosis in fish, exhibited high antigenicity in Japanese flounder. The research group also showed that the N-terminus amino acid sequences of the 37 kDa protein were mapped to the N-terminus of GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase). Using degenerated primer sets based on the known N-terminus sequence, the corresponding E. tarda DNA was amplified and cloned. The nucleotide sequences of the cloned gene revealed high homology with a bacterial gene for GAPDH, as we was expected. The amino acid sequence of E. tarda GAPDH (etGAPDH) revealed a <70% similarity with GAPDH proteins in other Enterobacteriaceae. With the application of artificial protein overexpression system in Escherichia coli, the recombinant etGAPDH (rGAPDH) was produced and purified. In this study, Using the purified rGAPDH, the etGAPDH specific polyclonal antibody has been was generated using the purified rGAPDHin this study. The immunoblotting analyses demonstrated that the location of the GAPDH protein is located with the association of is associated with the envelops of E. tarda. The rGAPDH was administrated into Japanese flounder via IP route for evaluation of the protective ability. Although the specific antibody titer against etGAPDH was increased about 3-fold after 4 weeks post-vaccination, the survival rates of vaccinated Japanese flounder and the control group with wild type E. tarda was were 12.5% and 0%, respectively. Our results indicated that rGAPDH is immunoreactive antigen but that it will not generate protective immunity in Japanese flounder.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9635-9641
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• 2014

Background: This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving TACE and compare the difference between lamivudine and entecavir. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 203 HBV-related HCC patients receiving TACE were analyzed including 91 patients given prophylactic agents. Virologic events, defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA level to more than 1 log10 IU/ml higher than the nadir level, hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation and progression free survival (PFS) were the main endpoints. Results: Some 48 (69.6%) reached virologic response. Prophylaxis significantly reduced virologic events (8.8% vs 58.0%, p=0.000) and hepatitis flares (1.1% vs 13.4%, p=0.001). Patients presenting undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significantly improved PFS as compared to those who never achieved undetectable HBV DNA. Prophylaxis and e-antigen positivity were the only significant variables associated with virologic events. In addition, prophylaxis was the only independent protective factor for hepatitis flares. Liver cirrhosis, more cycles of TACE, HBV DNA negativity, a lower Cancer of the Liver Italian Program score, non-metastasis and no hepatitis flares were protective factors for PFS. Prophylactic lamivudine demonstrated similar efficacy as entecavir. Conclusions: Prophylactic agents are efficacious for prevention of HBV reactivation in HCC patients receiving TACE. Achievement of undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significant capability in improving PFS. Moreover, persistent tumor residual lesions, positive HBV DNA and hepatitis B flares might be causes of tumor progression in these patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.272-278
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• 2005

Background : The immune responses mediated by CD8+T cells are known to be significant in controlling M. tuberculosis infections. In order to determine the role of cytotoxic CD8+T cells in the protective immune mechanism in latently infected subjects, this study examined whether or not the cytotoxic immune responses of CD8+T cells specific to the M. tuberculosis somatic antigens are induced in BCG vaccinated healthy subjects. Methods : Cytotoxicity and $IFN-{\gamma}$ elispot assays were used to investigate the activities of CD8+T cells specific for the $thyA_{30-38}$ peptide epitope in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from BCG-vaccinated HLA-A*0201 and A*0206 subjects. Results : The results indicate the cytotoxic and $IFN-{\gamma}$ immune responses of CD8+T cells specific for $thyA_{30-38}$ were induced in BCG vaccinated healthy subjects. Conclusion : The cytotoxic and $IFN-{\gamma}$ responses by CD8+T cells specific for the M. tuberculosis somatic antigens are induced in BCG-vaccinated subjects, and appear to be involved in the protective immune mechanism in latently infected people against a M. tuberculosis infection.