• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.72-81
• /
• 2021

Objectives: We compared research characteristics of western medicine, Chinese medicine and Korean medicine on causes, mechanisms, types, treatments and prevention of psoriasis. Methods: For western medicine, "Psoriasis" was used as keyword on Pubmed, for Chinese medicine, "銀屑病" and "中医" on CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure" and for Korean medicine, "건선" on OASIS. Keyword searches were done for papers and books published after 2010. For Chinese medicine, there were more in-depth searches done for "從血論 (血熱, 血瘀, 血燥)" and "陽虛症". Results: Western medicine puts an emphasis on the foci, and approaches it from molecular and genetic levels based on molecular biology; while it views psoriasis as a disease with multiple possible causes, it ultimately sees it as an inflammation that is immunity-mediated. Western medicine seeks to suppress cytokine in order to prevent and eliminate inflammation at each stage of treatment While they are effective short-term, psoriasis recurs shortly after. Chinese and Korean medicines categorize psoriasis as an internal comprehensive systemic diseases that encompasses the patient's physical and mental characteristics, and defines it as a disease that has many causes and mechanisms such as "血熱, 血瘀, 血燥" and "陽虛". They use herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle interventions to improve the overall health of the patient in addition to treating psoriasis. Treatments are effective, but it takes relatively longer to see results, and can recur. Conclusion: In order for more progress to happen on psoriasis treatment, each branch of medicine must exchange knowledge and information more frequently.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.45 no.7
• /
• pp.502-511
• /
• 2022

Bacterial volatile compounds (BVCs) exert beneficial effects on plant protection both directly and indirectly. Although BVCs have been detected in vitro, their detection in situ remains challenging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of BVCs detection under in situ condition and estimate the potentials of in situ BVC to plants at below detection limit. We developed a method for detecting BVCs released by the soil bacteria Bacillus velezensis strain GB03 and Streptomyces griseus strain S4-7 in situ using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Additionally, we evaluated the BVC detection limit in the rhizosphere and induction of systemic immune response in tomato plants grown in the greenhouse. Two signature BVCs, 2-nonanone and caryolan-1-ol, of GB03 and S4-7 respectively were successfully detected using the soil-vial system. However, these BVCs could not be detected in the rhizosphere pretreated with strains GB03 and S4-7. The detection limit of 2-nonanone in the tomato rhizosphere was 1 µM. Unexpectedly, drench application of 2-nonanone at 10 nM concentration, which is below its detection limit, protected tomato seedlings against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Our finding highlights that BVCs, including 2-nonanone, released by a soil bacterium are functional even when present at a concentration below the detection limit of SPME-GC-MS.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.4.1-4.14
• /
• 2024

Background: Lawsonia intracellularis is the causative agent of proliferative enteropathy and is associated with several outbreaks, causing substantial economic loss to the porcine industry. Objectives: In this study, we focused on demonstrating the protective effect in the mouse model through the immunological bases of two vaccine strains against porcine proliferative enteritis. Methods: We used live-attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) secreting two selected immunogenic LI antigens (Lawsonia autotransporter A epitopes and flagellin [FliC]-peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein-FliC) as the vaccine carrier. The constructs were cloned into a Salmonella expression vector (pJHL65) and transformed into the ST strain (JOL912). The expression of immunogenic proteins within Salmonella was evaluated via immunoblotting. Results: Immunizing BALB/c mice orally and subcutaneously induced high levels of LI-specific systemic immunoglobulin G and mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A. In immunized mice, there was significant upregulation of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 cytokine mRNA and an increase in the subpopulations of cluster of differentiation (CD) 4⁺ and CD 8⁺ T lymphocytes upon splenocytes re-stimulation with LI antigens. We observed significant protection in C57BL/6 mice against challenge with 10^6.9 times the median tissue culture infectious dose of LI or 2 × 10⁹ colony-forming units of the virulent ST strain. Immunizing mice with either individual vaccine strains or co-mixture inhibited bacterial proliferation, with a marked reduction in the percentage of mice shedding Lawsonia in their feces. Conclusions: Salmonella-mediated LI gene delivery induces robust humoral and cellular immune reactions, leading to significant protection against LI and salmonellosis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.9.1-9.8
• /
• 2021

The most important characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission that makes it difficult to control are 1) asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission, 2) low incidence or lack of dominant systemic symptoms such as fever, 3) airborne transmission that may need a high infectious dose, and 4) super-spread events (SSEs). Patients with COVID-19 have high viral loads at symptom onset or even a few days prior to symptom onset, and most patients with COVID-19 have only mild respiratory symptoms or merely pauci-/null-symptoms. These characteristics of the virus enable it to easily spread to the community because most patients are unaware of their potential infectivity, and symptom-based control measures cannot prevent this type of transmission. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is also capable of airborne transmission in conditions such as aerosol-generating procedures, under-ventilated indoor spaces, and over-crowded areas. In this context, universal mask-wearing is important to prevent both outward and inward transmission until an adequate degree of herd immunity is achieved through vaccination. Lastly, the SSEs of SARS-CoV-2 transmission emphasize the importance of reducing contacts by limiting social gatherings. The above-mentioned transmission characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 have culminated in the failure of long-lasting quarantine measures, and indicate that only highly effective vaccines can keep the communities safe from this deadly, multifaceted virus.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.297-302
• /
• 2011

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes a number of extraintestinal diseases in poultry. A virulence factor, P-fimbriae is firmly associated with the diseases. In this study, to develop an effective vaccine for the prevention of APEC, recombinant attenuatted Salmonella Typhimurium vaccines expressing PapA and PapG of P-fimbriae were evaluated whether these induced protective immune responses in murine models. Female BALB/c mice were primed and boosted orally at 7 and 10 weeks of age. In all immunized mice, the antigen-specific serum IgG levels were remained higher than those in the control mice from the fourth week post inoculation till the end of this study. In addition, antigen-specific serum IgG levels in the prime-booster immunized mice were enhanced as compared to the single immunized mice among each immunized group. The antigen-specific mucosal IgA levels in the mice immunized with each strain also induced higher than those in control mice. In addition, serum IgG and fecal IgA levels in mice administered with the combination of both strains were highly induced compared to those in mice immunized with each strain alone. These results indicated that PapA and PapG worked together for inducing high immune responses. To partly discern the nature of immunity induced by the strains, we quantified serum IgG subtypes IgG1 and IgG2a specific to antigens. The PapA and PapG strains biased the immunity to the Th1-type, as determined by the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. On the other hand, the immunization with the both strains in combination produced mixed Th1- and Th2-type immune responses. These indicated that immunization with the combination of PapA and PapG could elicit both humoral and cell-mediated immunities.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.388-393
• /
• 2013

It has been well documented that Bacillus vallismortis strain EXTN-1, a beneficial rhizosphere bacterium, could enhance plant growth and induce systemic resistance to diverse pathogens in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms for how the EXTN-1 promote plant growth and induce resistances to diverse pathogens. Here, we show that 3-Hydroxy-2-butanone, a volatile organic compound (VOCs) emitted from the EXTN1, is a key factor for the bacteria-mediated beneficial effects on plant growth and defense systems. We found that the presence of volatile signals of EXTN-1 resulted in growth promotion of tobacco seedlings. The identification and analysis of EXTN-1-secreted volatile signals by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) indicated that a 3-hydroxy-2-butanone could provide not only the plant growth promotion, but also higher resistance against Pectobacterium carotovorum SCC1. These results suggest that a volatile compound released from EXTN-1 enhances the plant growth promotion and immunity of plants.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.257-262
• /
• 1998

Benzo(a)pyrene(B(a)P), an extensively studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH), is a common contaminant produced through the burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, and from the exhaust products of internal combustion engines. It produces a wide range of toxicities, including carcinogenicity in experimental animals. B(a)P has been shown to suppress systemic immunity in experimental animals, which may contribute to the growth of the chemical-induced tumors. Using colorimetric MTT assay natural killer(NK) cell-mediated growth inhibition of tomor cell was measured in normal and B(a)P-exposed C57BL/6 mice. Non-adherent splenocytes of normal or B(a)P-exposed mice were cultured with Yac-1 cells at four different effector/target(E/T) cell ratios ranging from 200/1, 100/1, 50/1, and 25/1 in an assay volume of 0.1 ml. After the optical density of culture wells containing MTT solution was measured at a wavelength of 540 nm, the percentage of dead cells relative to the control target cell number was calculated. The NK activity of B(a)P-exposed mice was markedly lower than that of non-exposed mice group at all E/T ratios. These results indicated that suppression of NK cell activity may play a role in allowing for the growth of tumors.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2014

Follicular helper T ($T_{FH}$) cells are recently highlighted as their crucial role for humoral immunity to infection as well as their abnormal control to induce autoimmune disease. During an infection, na$\ddot{i}$ve T cells are differentiating into $T_{FH}$ cells which mediate memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells in germinal center (GC). $T_{FH}$ cells are characterized by their expression of master regulator, Bcl-6, and chemokine receptor, CXCR5, which are essential for the migration of T cells into the B cell follicle. Within the follicle, crosstalk occurs between B cells and $T_{FH}$ cells, leading to class switch recombination and affinity maturation. Various signaling molecules, including cytokines, surface molecules, and transcription factors are involved in $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. IL-6 and IL-21 cytokine-mediated STAT signaling pathways, including STAT1 and STAT3, are crucial for inducing Bcl-6 expression and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. $T_{FH}$ cells express important surface molecules such as ICOS, PD-1, IL-21, BTLA, SAP and CD40L for mediating the interaction between T and B cells. Recently, two types of microRNA (miRNA) were found to be involved in the regulation of $T_{FH}$ cells. The miR-17-92 cluster induces Bcl-6 and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, whereas miR-10a negatively regulates Bcl-6 expression in T cells. In addition, follicular regulatory T ($T_{FR}$) cells are studied as thymus-derived $CXCR5^+PD-1^+Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells that play a significant role in limiting the GC response. Regulation of $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation and the GC reaction via miRNA and $T_{FR}$ cells could be important regulatory mechanisms for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we review recent studies on the various factors that affect $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, and the role of $T_{FH}$ cells in autoimmune diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.115-123
• /
• 2011

Toxoplasma gondii Korean isolate (KI-1) tachyzoites were inoculated intraduodenally to BALB/c mice using a silicon tube, and the course of infection and immune responses of mice were studied. Whereas control mice, that were infected intraperitoneally, died within day 7 post-infection (PI), the intraduodenally infected mice survived until day 9 PI (infection with $1{\times}10^5$ tachyzoites) or day 11 PI (with $1{\times}10^6$ tachyzoites). Based on histopathologic (Giemsa stain) and PCR (B1 gene) studies, it was suggested that tachyzoites, after entering the small intestine, invaded into endothelial cells, divided there, and propagated to other organs. PCR appeared to be more sensitive than histopathology to detect infected organs and tissues. The organisms spread over multiple organs by day 6 PI. However, proliferative responses of splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells in response to con A or Toxoplasma lysate antigen decreased significantly, suggesting immunosuppression. Splenic $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T-Iymphocytes showed decreases in number until day 9 PI, whereas IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-10 decreased slightly at day 6 PI and returned to normal levels by day 9 PI. No TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected throughout the experimental period. The results showed that intraduodenal infection with KI-1 tachyzoites was successful but did not elicit significant mucosal immunity in mice and allowed dissemination of T. gondii organisms to systemic organs. The immunosuppression of mice included reduced lymphoproliferative responses to splenocytes and MLN cells to mitogen and low production of cytokines, such as IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-10, in response to T. gondii infection.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.308-312
• /
• 2014

In this study, we conducted a next generation sequencing based microbial community analysis to investigate gut microbiota of the two commercially most available swine breeds, Yorkshire and Landrace. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified from fecal DNA using universal primer sets designed for V4 regions. Our comparison analysis of the gut microbiota of the two breeds suggested that their gut microbiota changed depending on the growth stages, while the difference between the two breeds was insignificant. However, there was a limited number of genera, the abundance of which was found to be different between the breeds. Those included the genus Xylanibacter in the Yorkshire samples, which was previously reported as a fiber digesting bacteria, likely increasing energy harvesting capacity of swine. In addition, others included opportunistic pathogens mostly found in the Yorkshire samples while the Landrace samples had significantly more prevalent Clostridium_IV species that were known to play a key role in systemic immunity of hosts. While microbial community shifts was found to be associated with growth stages, the difference between the two breeds seemed to be insignificant. However, there were several bacterial genera showing differential abundance, which may affect growth of hosts.