• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.221-246
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• 2004

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Kamikwiryongtang (KKT) on the immune response and growth in a young mouse (3 weeks mice). Methods The viability of thymocytes and splenocytes in vivo and in vitro system, the population of helper T (Th) cells and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells in thymocytes and increased the population of T-lymphocytes and the population of Th cells in splenocytes, the production of ${\gamma}$ -interferon, interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 in splenocytes was investigated. KKT (500mg/kg) was administerd p.o. once a day for 7 days. Results: KKT increased the viability of thymocytes and splenocytes in vivo, but did not affect the viability of thymocytes and enhanced the viability of splenocytes in vitro system. In addition, KKT did not affect the population of helper T (Th) cells and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells in thymocytes and increased the population of T -lymphocytes and the population of Th cells in splenocytes. Also, KKT increased the production of ${\gamma}$-interferon, interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 in splenocytes. Furthermore, KKT increased the production of nitric oxide in vivo, but did not affect the production of nitric oxide in vitro system. KKT enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in vivo, but decreased the phagocytic activity in vitro system: KKT increased the body weight of a young mouse. Conclusions: KKT stimulates the specific immune response via increase of, the viability of thymocytes and splenocytes and the non-specific immune response via increase of phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages and stimulates the growth of a young mouse.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 1986

Ginseng saponin had an effect on the proliferation and viability of cultured murine thymocytes. When the thymocytes were cultured in various concentrations of ginseng saponin, the number of thymocytes increased at $10^{-5}$% ginseng saponin but decreased at $10^{-5}$%. There was little change in the number of thymocytes when cultured in IL 2(Interleukin 2), a factor known for its influence on the proliferation and maturation of thymocytes. When the thymocytes were cultured in various concentrations of IL 2 with $10^{-5}$% ginseng saponin, the number of total cells increased at 1.5% or 3% IL 2 when cultured for 9 hours, or at 6% IL 2 for 12, 24, or 48 hours. But there was little change in the number of viable cells. In vitro, ginseng saponin had an effect on the activity of ADA(Adenosine Deaminase), an enzyme known to affect the production of IL 2. There was a 25% increase in the activity of ADA in the presence of $10^{-5}$% ginseng saponin.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2006

Objective : This Study was to investigate effects of Takliikgi-tang on the anti-cancer and proliferation of immunocytes, nitric oxide (NO) production of peritoneal macrophages. Methods : We used Takliikgi-tang extract (TLT) with freeze-dried, 8weeks-old male mice and cancer cell lines (L1210, Sarcoma-180) for this Study. The cytotoxicity and proliferation of cells were tested using a colorimetric tetrazoliun assay (MTT assay). Results : 1. TLT was significantly showed cytotoxicity on the L1210, 5-180 cell lines. 2. TLT was significantly increased proliferation of thymocytes in vitro. 3. TLT was significantly increased proliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes in normal mice. 4. TLT was significantly increased NO production from peritoneal macrophages in normal mice. 5. TLT was significantly decreased proliferation of L1210 cells in L1210 cells transplanted mice. 6. TLT was significantly increased proliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes by all-dosage in L1210 cells transplanted mice. 7. TLT was significantly increased NO production from peritoneal macrophages in L1210 cells transplanted mice. Conclusions : The present author thought that TLT had action of anti-cancer by becoming immunocytes activity (NO production, proliferation of thymocytes).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.312-317
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• 1998

In this study, the effect of 70% ethyl alcohol fraction of Cervus nippon(CN-E) on mouse T-lymphocyte was investigated in vivo. The administration of CN-E(100 mg/kg) enhanced the proliferation of thymocytes, the population of $CD4^+CD8^-$ single-positive cells and the production of $interferon-{\gamma}$ in thymocytes and splenocytes. The administration of CN-E did not induce DNA fragmentation and reduce mitochondrial transmembrane potential in thymocytes. These results indicate that the CN-E contams a stimulative component on the proliferation of thymocytes, the population of $T_H$ cells and the production of $interferon-{\gamma}$ in T-lymphocytes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2005

Objective : This Study was to investigate effects of Takli-San on the anti-cancer and proliferation of immunocytes, nitric oxide(NO) production of peritoneal macrophages. Methods : We used Takli-San extract(TLS) with freeze-dried, 8wks-old male mice and cancer cell lines(L120, Sarcoma-180) for this Study. The cytotoxicity and proliferation of cells were tested using a colorimetric tetrazoliun assay(MTT assay). Results : 1. TLS was significantly showed cytotoxicity on the L1210 cell lines. 2. TLS was significantly increased proliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes in vitro. 3. TLS was significantly increased proliferation of thymocytes by all-dosage, but proliferation of splenocytes by low-dosage in normal mice. 4. TLS was significantly increased NO production from peritoneal macrophages in normal mice. 5. TLS was significantly decreased proliferation of L1210 cells in L1210 cells transplanted mice. 6. TLS was significantly increase proliferation of thymocytes by all-dosage, but proliferation of splenocytes by low-dosage in L1210 cells transplanted mice. 7. TLS was significantly increased NO production from peritoneal macrophages in L1210 cells transplanted mice. Conclusions : The present author thought that TLS had action of anti-cancer by becoming immunocytes activity(NO production, proliferation of thymocytes).

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2002

The major function of the thymus is to eliminate developing thymocytes that are potentially useless or autoreactive, and select only those that bear functional T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) through fastidious screening. It is believed that glucocorticoids (GCs) are at least in part responsible for cell death during death by neglect. In this review, we will mainly cover the topic of the GC-induced apoptosis of developing thymocytes. We will also discuss how thymocytes that are fated to die by GCs can be rescued from GC-induced apoptosis in. response to a variety of signals with antagonizing properties for GC receptor (GR) signaling. Currently, a lot of evidence supports the notion that the decision is made as a result of the integration of the multiple signal transduction networks that are triggered by GR, TCR, and Notch. A few candidate molecules at the converging point of these multiple signaling pathyways will be discussed. We will particularly describe the role of the SRG3 protein as a potent modulator of GC-induced apoptosis in the crosstalk.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.111-120
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• 2015

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a significant role in establishing self-tolerance through their ability to present self-antigens to developing T cells in the thymus. DCs are predominantly localized in the medullary region of thymus and present a broad range of self-antigens, which include tissue-restricted antigens expressed and transferred from medullary thymic epithelial cells, circulating antigens directly captured by thymic DCs through coticomedullary junction blood vessels, and peripheral tissue antigens captured and transported by peripheral tissue DCs homing to the thymus. When antigen-presenting DCs make a high affinity interaction with antigen-specific thymocytes, this interaction drives the interacting thymocytes to death, a process often referred to as negative selection, which fundamentally blocks the self-reactive thymocytes from differentiating into mature T cells. Alternatively, the interacting thymocytes differentiate into the regulatory T (Treg) cells, a distinct T cell subset with potent immune suppressive activities. The specific mechanisms by which thymic DCs differentiate Treg cells have been proposed by several laboratories. Here, we review the literatures that elucidate the contribution of thymic DCs to negative selection and Treg cell differentiation, and discusses its potential mechanisms and future directions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.377-384
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• 2007

Objective : Immune potentiation including activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells is known to play a key role in prevention and treatment of patients with cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (AR) on the immune system, especially on thymocytes, splenocytes, and macrophages. Methods : We investigated the effects of AR on proliferation of splenocytes in normal mice, and the effects on proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes in tumor-bearing mice. In addition, the effect of AR on NO production using macrophages was investigated. Results : Treatment with AR accelerated proliferation of splenocytes in vitro. AR also accelerated thymocyte proliferation, but did not affect splenocytes proliferation in normal mice. In contrast, AR accelerated proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes significantly in tumor bearing mice. In addition, NO production level from macrophages was elevated by treatment with AR. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that AR has anti-cancer activities and related mechanisms are involved in immune potentiation such as acceleration of immune cell proliferation and elevation of NO production level in macrophages. In addition, we also demonstrate the possibilities of AR as complementary and alternative medicine to standard anti-cancer drugs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.657-662
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• 2006

Immunological activities of the combined-administration of Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex Radicis were examined in BALB/C mice. The 40% ethyl alcohol extract of Acanthopanacis Corter (AE) or the 40% ethyl alcohol extract of Acanthopanacis Coriex and Lycii Cortex Radicis (ALE) were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days, respectively. AE did not affect the viability of thymocytes, but ALE decreased the viability of thymocytes. ALE enhanced the viability of splenocytes increased by AE. Also, AE enhanced the population of cytotoxic T cell in thymocytes, and ALE enhanced the population of helper T cell compared with AE. Furthermore, AE increased the population of $Thy1^+$ cells in splenocytes, and increased the population of splenic $CD4^+$ cells. In addition, ALE enhanced the phagocytic activity which was decreased by AE ALE decreased the production of nitric oxide increased by AE in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that ALE enhance an immune-regulative action of AE.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.575-580
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• 2008

Thymocyte-specific transcriptional regulatory systems can be used to better understand the relationship between transcription and V(D)J recombination during early T cell development. In this study, we generated transgenic mice expressing the transactivator Gal4-VP16 or the Gal4 DNA binding domain (Gal4-DBD) under the control of the lck proximal promoter, which is only active in immature thymocytes. From these studies Gal4-VP16 and Gal4-DBD expression was shown to significantly alter thymic cellularity and differentiation without significantly changing the $CD3^+$ thymocyte distribution. Furthermore, the presence of Gal4-VP16 or Gal4-DBD in the transgenic thymocytes retarded the mobility of the Gal4 DNA binding motif as determined by a gel mobility shift assay, suggesting that the developmental alteration did not affect the functional property of the transgenic proteins. These results indicated that lck promoter-driven Gal4-VP16 or Gal4-DBD expression did not affect $CD3^+$ mature thymocytes, thus this system can be applied to study transcriptional regulation of transresponder genes in bigenic mouse model thymocytes.