• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.490-497
• /
• 2004

Although the E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB) is known to be a potent mucosal adjuvant towards co-administrated unrelated antigens and immunoregulator in T-helper 1-type-mediated autoimmune diseases, a more efficient and useful LTB is still required for prospective vaccine adjuvants. To determine whether a novel chimeric LTB subunit would produce an enhanced mucosal adjuvant activity and immune response, a number of LTB subunits were genetically fused with chimeric proteins using the epitope genes of the envelope glycoprotein E2 (gp51-54) from the classical swine fever virus (CSFV). It was found that the total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels of BALB/c mice orally immunized with chimeric proteins containing an N-terminal linked LTB subunit (LE1, LE2, and LE3) were higher than those of mice immunized with LTB, E2 epitope, and chimeric proteins that contained a C-terminal linked LTB subunit. In particular, immunization with LE1 markedly increased both the total serum Ig and fecal IgA level compared to immunization with LTB or the E2 epitope. Accordingly, the current results demonstrated that the LTB subunit in a chimeric protein exhibited a strong mucosal adjuvant effect as a carrier molecule, while the chimeric protein containing the LTB subunit stimulated the mucosal immune system by mediating the induction of antigen-specific serum Ig and mucosal IgA. Consequently, an LE1-mediated mucosal response may contribute to the development of effective antidiarrhea vaccine adjuvants.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• /
• v.60 no.10
• /
• pp.504-511
• /
• 2017

Background and Objectives In this study, we evaluated differences in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis and specific immunoglobuline E (IgE) value for some respiratory antigens in Korean adults. Subjects and Method The study was conducted using data from the 5th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2010-2012). All subjects who were aged 19 years or older completed questionnaires on asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. The subjects were first divided into male and female, and then into age groups of 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, ${\geq}70$ each. The lifetime and current prevalence rates for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis were calculated for each age group. The total and specific IgE level for Dermatophagoides farinae (DF), cockroach, and dog dander were also calculated. Results Final participants of 17542 were analyzed for the prevalence rate among the total of 25534 participants. The mean IgE level was calculated from 2028 subjects from the final participants. In asthma, the lifetime prevalence and current prevalence increased with age, but decreased with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Total IgE level increased with age, but IgE level of DF reached its peak at 20-29 years, and then decreased rapidly thereafter. There was no clear trend for cockroach and dog dander. Conclusion The prevalence of allergic diseases in adults varies widely by age group. Asthma has a low prevalence after age 20 and gradually increases after age 50. Atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis are the most prevalent in their 20s and gradually decrease thereafter.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.42.1-42.10
• /
• 2020

Long-lasting post-switched plasma cells (PCs) arise mainly from germinal center (GC) reactions, but little is known about the mechanism by which GC B cells differentiate into PCs. Based on our observation that the expression of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EPBβ) is associated with the emergence of post-switched PCs, we enquired whether a cell-autonomous function of C/EPBβ is involved in the program for PC development. To address this, we generated C/EPBβ-deficient mice in which the Cebpb locus was specifically deleted in B cells after transcription of the Ig γ1 constant gene segment (Cγ1). In response to in vitro stimulation, B cells from these Cebpb^fl/flCγ1^Cre/+ mice had defects in the induction of B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp1) and the formation of IgG1⁺ PCs, but not in proliferation and survival. At steady state, the Cebpb^fl/flCγ1^Cre/+ mice had reduced serum IgG1 titers but normal IgG2c and IgM titers. Moreover, upon immunization with T-dependent Ag, the mice produced reduced levels of Ag-specific IgG1 Ab, and were defective in the production of Ag-specific IgG1 Ab-secreting cells. These results suggest that a cell-autonomous function of C/EPBβ is crucial for differentiation of post-switched GC B cells into PCs through a Blimp1-dependent pathway.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.247-254
• /
• 1996

Differentiation of invasive strains of Entamoebn histolytica according to their pathogenicity has been a topic of long debate, but now the pathogenic species only is regarded as E. histolytica while the non-pathogenic species is E. dispar. The present study applied immunoblot to differentiale infections of the two species among microscopically- detected cyst-passers in Korea. The crude extract of 5. histolyticn separated in 5-20% gradient gels, revealed many fractions of 94. 81. 71, 50. 44, 38.5. 37.5, 29, 19. and 18 kDa when the cysteine proteinase inhibitor. E64, was supplemented. The serum IgG antibody of 3 proven E. histolytirc cases reacted loth the antigenic fractions of 117. 110. 99.68,66,60.54.52, 46. and 45 kDa. Sera of PCR confirmed 3 cases of E. disper reacted only to the 117 kDa fraction or the E. histolytica crude extract which was regarded as non specific. To the antitigen of monoxenic E. dispar. sera or E. dispar and E. histolytica cases showed the same immunoblot reactions. The serum IgG antibody reacted with several antigenic fractions of both E. histolytica and E. dispar. but IgM and IgE antibodies showed no reaction to either antigen. Sera of 24 symptomless amebic cyst-passers were screened with the E. histolytica alltigen; two were found to be infected by E. histolytica and 22 were by E. dispar. The present findings suggest that in Korea most of asymptomatic cyst passers of E. histolytica are carriers of E. dispar. Immunoblot using E. histolytica antigen is a good technique for the differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar infections.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.104-112
• /
• 2006

We previously reported that DA-9601, ethanol herbal extract of Artemisia asiatica, inhibited histamine and leukotriene releases in guinea pig lung mast cells activated with specific antigen/antibody reaction. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of DA-9601 on the OVA-induced airway inflammation in allergic asthma mouse model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. DA-9601 was administered orally 1 h before every local OVA-challenge. OVA-specific serum IgE was measured by ELISA, recruitment of inflammatory cells in BAL fluids and lung tissues by Diff-Quik and H&E staining, respectively, the expressions of CD40, CD40L and VCAM-1 by immunohistochemistry, goblet cell hyperplasia by PAS staining, activities of MMPs by gelatin zymography, expressions of mRNA and proteins of cytokines by RT-PCR and ELISA, activities of MAP kinases by western blot, and activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ by EMSA. DA-9601 reduced IgE level, recruitment of inflammatory cells into the BAL fluid and lung tissues, expressions of CD40, CD40L and VCAM-1 molecules, goblet cell hyperplasia, MMPs activity, expressions of mRNA and productions of various cytokines, activities of MAP kinases and NK-${\kappa}B$ increased from OVA-challenged mice. These data suggest that DA-9601 may be developed as a clinical therapeutic agent in allergic diseases due to suppressing the airway allergic inflammation via regulation of various cellular molecules expressed by MAP kinases/NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.147-153
• /
• 1999

The changes of antibody titer were observed in rats which were experimentally infected with Echinostoma hortense metacercaria. Serum levels of IgG and IgM were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean absorbance values obtained for specific-IgG were from 0.130$\pm$0.014 (mean$\pm$S.D.) to 0.480$\pm$0.073. The peak appeared in the 4th week after infection, then declined slowly during the 5th and 6th week, although mild elevation apperared in the 8th week. The mean absorbance values of specific-IgM were detected from 0.160$\pm$0.034 to 0.409$\pm$0.084. The peak value (0.409$\pm$0.084) was on the 14th day after infection, then declined on the 8th week. Results showed that the assay could be used for detection of E. hortense infection in experimentally infected rats or laboratory experiments where evidence of infection is required.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.75-85
• /
• 1982

In order to demonstrate the effect of specific serum IgG antibody on the adherence of Streptococcus mutans to smooth surface and the mechanism of effective adherence inhibition by IgG antibody, in the present study authors obtained purified IgG from different immunogen preparations of S. mutans NCTC 10449(serotype c) and observed the effect of each IgG preparation on the adherence of each S. mutans strain cultured in different conditions. In addition, the present study was undertaken to observe the cross-reactivity of IgG and the effect of sucrose concentration on the adherence of S. mutans in vitro non-growth condition. The adherence of S. mutans to glass surface was effectively inhibited by serum IgG antibody. At the same IgG concentrations, anti-2% fructose grown/1N NaCl washed S. mutans NCTC 10449 cell showed greater adherence inhibitory effect to S. mutans strains than anti-2% sucrose grown and anti-S. mutans NCTC 10449 cell wall, and the greater inhibitory effects of IgG preparations were observed in assay using 2% fructose grown S. mutans cell preparations than using 0.1% sucrose grown cell preparations. These results suggest that the more effective adherence inhibition by serum IgG antibody is due to the reaction with S. mutans cell surface antigens rather than glucan and cell-associated glucosyltransferase. The greatest adherence inhibitory effect of IgG to S. mutans strains was observed on homologous NCTC 10449 strain and the inhibition cross-reactivities were observed between serotype c, e, and f strains. More pronounced cross-reactivity of adherence inhibition of IgG to S. mutans was observed in assay using anti-2% fructose grown/1N NaCl washed cell than using other IgG preparations, and observed in assay using 2% fructose grown S. mutans cell preparations than 0.1% sucrose grown cell preparations. It was interested that low, but adequate concentration of reactive IgG antibody significantly increased the adherence ability of S. mutans. This result may be due to the formation of small cell aggregates resulted in a increase in the numbers of organisms which adhered to glass surface. The adherence of S. mutans to glass surface was possible in the absence of glucan-synthetic activity. Low level of sucrose significantly increased the adherence ability of S. mutans to glass surface, but excessive amount of sucrose induced large cell aggregates resulted in a decrease in the numbers of organism which adhered.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.337-344
• /
• 2007

We have investigated the relationship between food allergen sensitization and allergic disease in 74 child (male 47, female 27) patients from 0 to 14 years of age diagnosed with allergic disease. The age distribution for the study was: newborn to 3 years old, 34 children; 4 to 6 years old, 24 children; 7 to 9 years old, 8 children and above 10 years old, 8 children. Of the 74 children, 10 children were allergic to 3 of the 21 types of foods tested, 21 children were allergic to 4 types and 15 children were allergic to 5 types. The results of specific IgE tests for class 2 (0.070-3.49 IV/mL, IgE density in serum) showed that 29 children were allergic to milk, 28 children to bean, 21 children to cheese, 7 children to egg, and 18 children to pork, while over class 2, 20 children were allergic to bean, 17 children to milk, 24 children to cheese, 20 children to egg, and 21 children to pork. A questionnaire was used to survey family allergy history and diet patterns for 40 child (male 22, female 18) patients with allergic disease. The frequencies of a family history of allergy were 45.5% for males and 50.0% for females. The allergic diseases included atopic dermatitis: 26.0%, atopic nasitis: 10.5%, atopic dermatitis + atopic nasitis : 31.5%, hives: 21.0%, and asthma: 10.5%. Children on diets of mixed breast feeding and infant formula were more allergic than those on either breast feeding or infant formula feeding. Eliminated allergenic foods were egg + milk: 12.5%, egg: 10.0%, and milk 2.5%.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.101-106
• /
• 2005

The generation of secretory IgA antibodies (Abs) for specific immune protection of mucosal surfaces depends on stimulation of the mucosal immune system, but this is not effectively achieved by parenteral or even oral administration of most soluble antigens. Thus, to produce a possible vaccine antigen against urinary tract infections, the uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) adhesin was genetically coupled to the heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin A2B (ltxa2b) gene and cloned into a pMAL-p2E expression vector. The chimeric construction of pMALfimH/ltxa2b was then transformed into E. coli K-12 TB1 and its nucleotide sequence was verified. The chimeric protein was then purified by applying the affinity chromatography. The purified chimeric protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and westem blotting using antibodies to the maltose binding protein (MBP) or the heat labile E. coli subunit B (LTXB), plus the N-terminal amino acid sequence was analyzedd. The orderly-assembled chimeric protein was confirmed by a modified $G_{M1}$-ganglioside ELISA using antibodies to adhesin. The results indicate that the purified chimeric protein was an Adhesin/LTXA2B protein containing UPEC adhesin and the $G_{M1}$-ganglioside binding activity of LTXB. thisstudy also demonstrate that peroral administration of this chimeric immunogen in mice elicited high level of secretory IgA (sIgA) and serum IgG Abs to the UPEC adhesin. The results suggest that the genetically linked LTXA2B acts as a useful mucosal adjuvant, and that adhesin/LTXA2A chimeric protein might be a potential antigen for oral immunization against UPEC.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.13-18
• /
• 2014

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and their cellular effects warrant further evaluation. In this study, we investigated the effects of an e-cigarette cartridge solution on allergen related asthmatic airway inflammation (AI) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), when it is delivered by intratracheal route in mice. Asthmatic AI and AHR were induced by systemic sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) followed by intratracheal, intraperitoneal, and aerosol allergen challenges in BALB/c mice. The cartridge solution of e-cigarette (containing 16 mg/ml nicotine) was diluted 50 times and $100{\mu}l$ of the diluted solution was intratracheally instilled to OVA-sensitized (OVA-S) mice two times a week for 10 weeks. Long-term e-cigarette inhalation elicited no remarkable changes in the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase enzymes in serum, however, increased infiltration of inflammatory cells including eosinophils, into airways from blood, aggravated the asthmatic AI and AHR, and stimulated the production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, and OVA-specific IgE production. Our data suggest that the inhalation of e-cigarette solutions can function as an important factor to exacerbate the allergy-induced asthma symptoms. Further studies are needed to address the effects of e-cigarette solutions on human health.