• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.301-309
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• 2021

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most recently discovered family of innate immune cells. ILCs can be categorized into three groups on the basis of the transcription factors that direct their functions and the cytokines they produce. Notably, these functions parallel the effector functions of T lymphocytes. ILCs play a frontline role in host defense and tissue homeostasis by responding rapidly to environmental factors, conducting effector responses in a tissue-specific manner, and interacting with hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells throughout the body. Moreover, recent studies reveal that ILCs are involved in development of various inflammatory diseases, such as respiratory diseases, autoimmune diseases, or cancer. In this review, we discuss the recent findings regarding the biology of ILCs in health and inflammatory diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.392-400
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• 2021

It has been more than a year since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged. Many studies have provided insights into the various aspects of the immune response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Especially for antibody treatment and vaccine development, humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has been studied extensively, though there is still much that is unknown and controversial. Here, we introduce key discoveries on the humoral immune responses in COVID-19, including the immune dynamics of antibody responses and correlations with disease severity, neutralizing antibodies and their cross-reactivity, how long the antibody and memory B-cell responses last, aberrant autoreactive antibodies generated in COVID-19 patients, and the efficacy of currently available therapeutic antibodies and vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, and highlight gaps in the current knowledge.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.295-310
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• 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to a global health crisis with substantial mortality and morbidity. To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, various vaccines have been developed, but unexpected serious adverse events including vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, carditis, and thromboembolic events have been reported and became a huddle for COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine-related myocarditis (VRM) is a rare but significant adverse event associated primarily with mRNA vaccines. This review explores the incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, management strategies, and outcomes associated with VRM. The incidence of VRM is notably higher in male adolescents and young adults, especially after the second dose of mRNA vaccines. The pathogenesis appears to involve an immune-mediated process, but the precise mechanism remains mostly unknown so far. Most studies have suggested that VRM is mild and self-limiting, and responds well to conventional treatment. However, a recent nationwide study in Korea warns that severe cases, including fulminant myocarditis or death, are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19 VRM. The long-term cardiovascular consequences of VRM have not been well understood and warrant further investigation. This review also briefly addresses the critical balance between the substantial benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and the rare risks of VRM in the coming endemic era. It emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, research to understand the underlying mechanisms, and strategies to mitigate risk. Filling these knowledge gaps would be vital to refining vaccination recommendations and improving patient care in the evolving COVID-19 pandemic landscape.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.104-113
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• 1997

연구배경 : 호기성 생물에서 산소의 대사과정 중에 산소의 불안전한 환원으로 산소유리기가 생성되는데 이들 산소유리기의 현저한 증가시 페손상 등 임상적으로 중요한 독성을 일으킬 수 있다고 5 알려져 있어 증가된 산화물이 여러 형태로 만성폐쇄성 폐질환의 발생에 관여 할 것으로 생각된다. 산소유리기의 폐손상과 이에 대한 항산화효소의 방어효과 및 활성도 변화를 관찰함으로 만성폐쇄성 폐질환의 병태생리의 일부분을 알 수 있겠다. 방법 : 만성폐쇄성 폐질환 환자군과 정상대조군 각 15명의 혈청과 적혈구에서 thiobarbituric acid reactant 변화와 항산화효소들(superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase)의 활성도, 그리고 glutathione의 sulfhydry1기 를 측정하여 비교하였다. 결과 : Thiobarbituric acid reactant는 만성폐쇄성 폐질환 환자군에서 정상대조군보다 혈청과 적혈구에서 모두 유의한 증가를 보였고, superoxide dismutase활성도는 두 군사이에 유의한 차이가 없었으나, glutathione peroxidase와 catalase활성도는 만성폐쇄성 폐질환군에서 정상대조군보다 유의하게 감소되었다. 그리고 총 sulfhydryl기와 비단백 sulfhydryl기 모두 혈청과 적혈구에서 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론 : 만성폐쇄성 폐 질환 환자에서 thiobarbituric acid reaclant의 증가를 보인 것은 산소유리기에 의한 세포손상을 나타내며, 항산화효소들중 superoxide dismutase는 큰 차이가 없었으나 glutathione peroxidase, catalase등은 대조군에 비해 유의하게 감소하여 만성폐쇄성 폐질환 환자에서 glutathione peroxidase 와 catalase 감소가 세포손상 기전의 한부분으로 작용한 것으로 사료된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제80권1호
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• pp.77-82
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• 2017

Background: Delayed hypersensitivity plays a large role in the pathogenesis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). Macrophages infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) increase the levels of adenosine deaminase2 (ADA2) in the pleural fluid of TPE patients. However, it is as yet unclear whether ADA2 can be produced by macrophages when challenged with MTB antigens alone. This study therefore evaluated the levels of ADA2 mRNA expression, using monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) stimulated with MTB antigens. Methods: Purified monocytes from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers were differentiated into macrophages using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The MDMs were stimulated with early secretory antigenic target protein 6 (ESAT6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10). The mRNA expression levels for the cat eye syndrome chromosome region, candidate 1 (CECR1) gene encoding ADA2 were then measured. Results: CECR1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in MDMs stimulated with ESAT6 and CFP10, than in the unstimulated MDMs. When stimulated with ESAT6, M-CSF-treated MDMs showed more pronounced CECR1 mRNA expression than GM-CSF-treated MDMs. Interferon-${\gamma}$ decreased the ESAT6- and CFP10-induced CECR1 mRNA expression in MDMs. CECR1 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ and interleukin 10, respectively. Conclusion: ADA2 mRNA expression increased when MDMs were stimulated with MTB antigens alone. This partly indicates that pleural fluid ADA levels could increase in patients with culture-negative TPE. Our results may be helpful in improving the understanding of TPE pathogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제67권2호
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• pp.113-120
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• 2009

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and malignancy that are linked to metabolic syndrome. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We examined the relationship between IPF and presenting factors associated with metabolic disorders. Methods: One hundred fourteen patients who met the current consensus of IPF definition were enrolled from March 2000 to April 2006 in Gil Hospital and Samsung Medical Center in Korea. One hundred thirty-four control subjects without pulmonary diseases were selected from subjects who visited Gil hospital for routine medical examinations, including low-dose chest computed tomography from January 2002 to July 2006. Retrospectively, we analyzed the clinical characteristics, the results of blood examinations, and lung function tests from medical records of both groups. Results: IPF patients and control subjects differed in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus as assessed by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that diabetes mellitus and obesity were associated with IPF. The adjusted odds ratios for diabetes mellitus were 2.733 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.282~5.827) and 2.001 (95% [CI], 1.063~3.766) for obesity. The remaining factors tested showed no differences between the patient group and the control. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus and obesity may be associated with IPF development.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.101-112
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• 2002

연구배경 : 알레르기성 천식에서 기관지 재모형의 기전이 세포외 기질 침착에 의한다는 것은 잘 알려져 있다. MMP족중 특히 MMP-9은 천식의 기관지 재모형을 유발하는 주요 단백분해 효소이다. 또한, MMP-9은 기저막을 통한 호산구와 중성구의 이동을 유발한다고 알려져 있다. 최근에는 MMP가 천식의 쥐 모형에서 기도 과민성의 유발과 oval bumin 유발성 기도 염증 세포의 침윤에 있어서 중요한 역할을 한다고 보고되어졌다. 그러나, TDI 유발성 천식에 있어서 MMP의 역할에 대한 유효한 자료는 거의 없는 실정이다. 연구방법 : 특정 항원이 없는 암컷 BALB/c 쥐를 약간 변형된 Sugawara 등의 방법에 따라 ethyl acetate에 3% TDI를 녹인 용액을 5일 연속 매일 한번씩 비강내 주입하여 쥐를 감작시켰다. 기관지폐포 세척액의 채취하여 세포 분석과 MMPs의 측정하였고 폐조직에서 면역화학적 검사를 시행하였다. MMP 억제재를 TDI 부하(challenge) 30분전에 시작하여 24시간 간격으로 3회 복강내로 (10 또는 20mg/kg) 주입하고 기도 반응도를 측정하였다. 결 과 : TDI 감작 부하군에서 기관지폐포 세척액 염증 세포수와 MMP-9 및 폐조직의 면역화학적 검사상 MMP-9의 발현의 유의한 증가가 관찰되었다. MMP 억제재투여후 TDI 감작 부하군에서 기관지 폐포 세척액 염증 세포수와 MMP-9 및 폐조직의 면역화학적 검사상 MMP-9의 발현의 유의한 감소를 보였고 기도 과민성을 억제하였다. 결 론 : 본 연구의 결과는 MMP 억제재가 TDI 유발성 천식에 대한 훌륭한 치료제로서 향후 연구의 가치가 있음을 강력히 시사한다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.185-191
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• 1993

연구배경 : ICAM-1은 90 kD의 당단백으로서 ${\beta}_2$ integrin과 관계를 가지며, 특발성 폐섬유증의 병인론에 있어서 ICAM-1의 발현과 밀접한 관계가 있다고 보고되고 있다. 특발성 폐섬유종에 있어서 ICAM-1의 발현 정도는 상향조절된다. 특발성 폐섬유증에 있어서 ICAM-1의 발현 양상에 대한 보고는 드물다. 방법 : 본 연구는 특발성 폐섬유증에 있어서 ICAM-1의 발현 양상을 연구하고자 개흉폐생검으로 채취된 특발성 간질성 폐섬유증 3예의 6절편과 폐절제시 채취한 3예의 정상조직을 연구재료로 하여 ICAM-1의 단세포군항체를 이용하여 연역조직화학적 검색을 실시하였다. 결과 : ICAM-1은 3예의 정상조직의 기관지 상피세포나 폐포 세포에서는 발현되지 않았다. 3예의 특발성 폐섬유증 6절편 중 5절편에서 폐포벽의 간질성 섬유아 세포들에서 발현되었고, 1절편에서는 증식된 폐포내 폐포세포에서 발현되었다. 그 정도는 비균질적인 양상을 보였다. 3예의 6절편 중 5절편에서 강한 발현을 1절편에서는 약한 발현정도를 나타냈다. 결론 : 위의 연구 결과를 종합하여 보면, ICAM-1의 발현 증가는 특발성 폐섬유증의 병인과 상당한 관련이 있음을 암시해 주는 것으로 추정된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.182-189
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• 1996

연구목적 : 기관지 천식은 기도의 염증반응, 기관지 과민 반응의 증가및 가역적인 기도의 수축을 특징으로 하는 질환으로, 기관지 염증반응의 단계중에서도 호산구등의 염증세포들이 혈관벽을 통과한후 염증 부위로의 이동 및 활성화에 관여하는 RANTES의 농도를 특이 항원으로 유발후 측정하여 기관지 천식의 병인과의 관계를 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1994년 3월부터 1995년 3월까지 전북대학교 병원 내과에 내원한 환자중 알레르기 피부시험과 비특이적 기관지유발 시험에서 양성반응을 보인 아토피성 기관지 천식 환자 16명과 정상 대조군 8명을 대상으로 RANTES를 측정하였다. 결과 : 1) 특이 항원 기관지 유발 검사 전 혈청내 RANTES농도는, 조기 천식반응군이 57740pg/ml, 이중 천식반응환자군이 54430pg/ml으로 정상 대조군의 31087pg/ml에 비해 기관지 천식 환자군에서 유의있게 증가하였으나(P<0.05), 조기 천식환자군에 비해 이중 천식환자군에서 유의한 증가는 볼수 없었다. 2) 기관지 천식환자에서 특이 항원 유발후 30분, 2시간 8시간후에 측정한 RANTES농도는 조기 천식반응군이 각각 51508, 51288, 그리고 52264pg/ml으로 유발전에 비해 유의있는 관찰할수 없었으며, 이중 천식환자군역시 각각 51723, 50110, 그리고 55674pg/ml으로 유발전에 비해 유의있는 변화는 관찰할수 없었다. 결론 : 아토피성 기관지 천식 환자의 병인에 RANTES 농도의 증가가 중요한 역할을 하며, 특히 천식의 만성 염증성 변화에 깊히 관여한다고 생각된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.143-154
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• 1991

Pneumconiosis is a sort of pulmonary fibrosis consequent to the inhalation of the respirable dusts. Thus, the pathogenesis of silicosis have concentrated largely on the early response of alveolar macrophage and the later fibroblastic stimulation. But the role of the other cells and continuing cell injury in the pathogenesis has not been fully studied. And the chemical factors such as prostaglandin, fibroblast stimulating factor and inhibiting factor and chemotaxin are also participated in the mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis. In order to clarify the role of alveolar cells and prostaglandin, we investigated the changes of the cellularities in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and tissue pathology in the experimental silicosis with the time sequence. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups; control group received only intratracheal injection of 0.5 ml saline, silica group received the intratracheal instillation of 40 mg silica with the same amount saline, and aspirin group received 450 mg/kg of aspirin after silica instillation. The results were as follows: 1) The total cells of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the silica group markedly increased in comparison with the control group, but there was no significant difference between the silica and aspirin groups. 2) The percentages of alveolar macrophages to the total number of cells in the silica group tended to be lower than those in the control group and also lower than those in the aspirin group at the 1st week after silica instillation. 3) The percentages of neutrophils to the total number of cells in the silica group were significantly higher than those in the control group during the entire period and also higher than those in the aspirin group at the 3rd day after silica instillation. 4) In the silica group, the percentages of lymphocytes to the total number of cells were increased 143 progressively with the time course and those were significantly higher than those in the control group from the 3rd week after silica administration. There were marked differences of lymphocyte percentages between the silica and aspirin groups at the 1st week after silica instillation. 5) The inflammatory change was observed in the rat lung at the 1st day after silica instillation. Also the silicotic nodule appeared in the silica group at the 1st week but we could not find out that nodule in the aspirin group at that time. The fibrotic changes in the rat lung tended to be increased progressively with the time course, therefore, the diffuse fibrotic pattern appeared in the whole field at the 20th week after silica instillation. 6) By the electron microscopy, there were gradual increases of phagosomes and vacuoles in the alveolar macrophage in the silica group as compared with the control group. These results suggest that the neutrophils and the lymphocytes have also participated in the pulmonary fibrosis even though the alveolar macrophage has a major role, and prostaglandin mediate the inflammation and pulmanary fibrosis in the experimental silicosis.