• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.29-44
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Mori Ramulus herbal-acupuncture solution(MR-HAS) on arthritis of mice induced by Collagen II at Joksamni(ST36). Methods : The author performed several experimental items. First, it is the cell survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts. Second, it is the incidence rate of arthritis and arthritis index of CIA. Third, it is the levels of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum and the level of $IFN-{\gamma}$, $IFN-{\gamma}/IL-4$ ratio in CIA mouse spleen cell culture. Fourth, it is histological analysis of the mice joint. Fifth, it is expression ratio of CD3e+ to CD19+ cell, CD4+ to CD8+ cell, CD69+/CD3e+ cells, CD11a+/CD19+ cells and CD11b+/Gr-l+ cells and CD4+/CD25+ cells. Results : 1. In the MR-HA, the incidence of arthritis and the arthritis index were significantly decreased. 2. In MR-HA, the levels of IL-6, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice and the level of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4 ratio in CIA mouse spleen cell culture were significantly decreased. 3. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the MR-HA, and the collagen fiber expressions in the MR-HA were similar with that of the Normal group. 4. In the MR-HA, the expression ratio of CD3e+ to CD19+ cell and CD4+ to CD8+ cell were similarly maintained as Normal group in lymph nodes, and CD69+/CD3e+ cells and CD11a+/CD19+ cells were decreased in lymph nodes, and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells and CD4+/CD25+ cells were decreased in synovium. Conclusion : These results suggest that MR-HA at ST36 has an effect to control synovial cell proliferation and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as prophylaxis is important to treat rheumatoid arthritis in clinic.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.846-860
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• 1998

Background: Endotoxin (LPS : lipopolysaccharide), a potent activator of immune system, can induce acute and chronic inflammation through the production of cytokines by a variety of cells, such as monocytes, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and fibroblasts. LPS stimulate the mononucelar cells by two different pathway, the CD14 dependent and independent way, of which the former has been well documented, but not the latter. LPS binds to the LPS-binding protein (LBP), in serum, to make the LPS-LBP complex which interacts with CD14 molecules on the mononuclear cell surface in peripheral blood or is transported to the tissues. In case of high concentration of LPS, LPS can stimulate directly the macrophages without LBP. We investigated to detect the generation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ and fibrogenic cytokine, TGF-$\beta$, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after LPS stimulation under serum-free conditions, which lacks LBPs. Methods : PBMC were obtained by centrifugation on Ficoll Hypaque solution of peripheral venous bloods from healthy normal subjects, then stimulated in the presence of LPS (0.1 ${\mu}g/mL$ to 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ ). The activities of IL-1, IL-6, TNF, and TGF-$\beta$ were measured by bioassaies using cytokines - dependent proliferating or inhibiting cell lines. The cellular sources producing the cytokines was investigated by immunohistochemical stains and in situ hybridization. Results : PBMC started to produce IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ in 1 hr, 4 hrs and 8hrs, respectively, after LPS stimulation. The production of IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ continuously increased 96 hrs after stimulation of LPS. The amount of production was 19.8 ng/ml of IL-6 by $10^5$ PBMC, 4.1 ng/mL of TNF by $10^6$ PBMC and 34.4 pg/mL of TGF-$\beta$ by $2{\times}10^6$ PBMC. The immunoreactivity to IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ were detected on monocytes in LPS-stimulated PBMC. Some of lymphocytes showed positive immunoreactivity to TGF-$\beta$. Double immunohistochemical stain showed that IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ expression was not associated with CD14 postivity on monocytes. IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$mRNA expression were same as observed in immunoreactivity for each cytokines. Conclusion: When monocytes are stimulated with LPS under serum-free conditions, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ are secreted in early stage of inflammation. In contrast, the secretion of TGF-$\beta$ arise in the late stages and that is maintained after 96 hrs. The main cells releasing IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ are monocytes, but also lymphocytes can secret TGF-$\beta$.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to know the immunity reponse of Esubwhaltong-tang(hereafter referred to ESWTT) to rheumatoid arthrits in CIA(collagen induced arthritis) mice. Methods : For this purpose, ESWTT was orally administerd to mice with arthritis induced by collagen II and then value of immunocyte in paw joint, cytokine(IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$), rheumatoid factor(IgG and IgM) and collagen II specific antibody in the serum were measured. Results : 1. The cytotoxicity was not shown on hFLSs and liver. 2. Marginal erosion, necrotic chodrocytes, cartilage and bone degradation were improved in histological section of paw joints from CIA mice(ESWTT extract administration group). 3. Total cell number of paw joint in CIA mice(ESWTT extract administration group) was decreased significantly. 4. The absolute number of CD3+, CD3+/CD69+, CD4+, CD4+/CD25+, CD49b+, CD3+/CD49b+ cells in CIA mice(ESWTT extract administration group) were decreased significantly. 5. The levels of IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the serum of CIA mice(ESWTT extract administration group) were decreased significantly. 6. The levels of total IgG and IgM in the serum of CIA mice(ESWTT extract administration group) were decreased significantly. 7. The level of collagen II specific antibody in the serum of CIA mice(ESWTT extract administration group) was decreased significantly. Conclusions : Comparison of the results for this study showed that ESWTT had immunomodulatory effects of suppressing. So we expect that ESWTT could be used as an effective drugs for not only rheumatoid arthritis but also auto-immune disease.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.734-741
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• 2016

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has a role in inducing emergency hematopoiesis upon exposure to inflammatory stimuli. Although GM-CSF generated murine bone marrow derived cells have been widely used as macrophages or dendritic cells in research, the exact characteristics of each cell population have not yet been defined. Here we discriminated GM-CSF grown bone marrow derived macrophages (GM-BMMs) from dendritic cells (GM-BMDCs) in several criteria. After C57BL/6J mice bone marrow cell culture for 7 days with GM-CSF supplementation, two main populations were observed in the attached cells based on MHCII and F4/80 marker expressions. GM-BMMs had $MHCII^{low}F4/80^{high}$ as well as $CD11c^+CD11b^{high}CD80^-CD64^+MerTK^+$ phenotypes. In contrast, GM-BMDCs had $MHCII^{high}F4/80^{low}$ and $CD11c^{high}CD8{\alpha}^-CD11b^+CD80^+CD64^-MerTK^{low}$ phenotypes. Interestingly, the GM-BMM population increased but GM-BMDCs decreased in a GM-CSF dose-dependent manner. Functionally, GM-BMMs showed extremely high phagocytic abilities and produced higher IL-10 upon LPS stimulation. GM-BMDCs, however, could not phagocytose as well, but were efficient at producing $TNF{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-12p70 and IL-6 as well as inducing T cell proliferation. Finally, whole transcriptome analysis revealed that GM-BMMs and GM-BMDCs are overlap with in vivo resident macrophages and dendritic cells, respectively. Taken together, our study shows the heterogeneicity of GM-CSF derived cell populations, and specifically characterizes GM-CSF derived macrophages compared to dendritic cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.11
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• 2017

Background: Intrauterine environment plays a pivotal role in the origin of fatal diseases such as the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes is associated with low-grade inflammatory state and dysregulated adipokines production. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of maternal diabetes on adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin and TNF-${\alpha}$) production in F1 offspring in rats. Methods: The offspring groups were as follows: F1 offspring of control mothers under control diet (CD) (CF1-CD), F1 offspring of control mothers under high caloric diet (HCD) (CF1-HCD), F1 offspring of diabetic mothers under CD (DF1-CD), and F1 offspring of diabetic mothers under HCD (DF1-HCD). Every 5 weeks post-natal, 10 pups of each subgroup were culled to obtain blood samples for biochemical analysis. Results: The results indicate that DF1-CD and DF1-HCD groups exhibited hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and impaired glucose homeostasis compared to CF1-CD (p > 0.05). DF1-CD and DF1-HCD groups had high hepatic and muscular depositions of TGs. The significant elevated NEFA level only appeared in offspring of diabetic mothers that was fed HCD. DF1-CD and DF1-HCD groups demonstrated low serum levels of adiponectin, high levels of leptin, and elevated levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ compared to CF1-CD (p > 0.05). These results reveal the disturbed metabolic lipid profile of offspring of diabetic mothers and could guide further characterization of the mechanisms involved. Conclusion: Dysregulated adipocytokines production could be a possible mechanism for the transgenerational transmittance of diabetes, especially following a postnatal diabetogenic environment. Moreover, the exacerbating effects of postnatal HCD on NEFA in rats might be prone to adipcytokine dysregulation. Furthermore, dysregulation of serum adipokines is a prevalent consequence of maternal diabetes and could guide further investigations to predict the development of metabolic disturbances.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.89-102
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was carried out to understand the immunity responses and anti-oxidation effect of the Gamidaeganghwal-tang(GDT) on rheumatoid arthritis by using the THP-1 cells and the serum of CIA mice. Methods : For this purpose, GDT was orally administerd to mice with rheumatoid arthritis induced by collagen II. To investigate the immunity responses, value of cytokine and gene expression in the THP-1 cell, levels of cytokines in the serum of CIA(collagen type II induced arthritis) mice, number of immunocyte in PBMC of CIA mice were measured. Then, anti-oxidant activity, scavenging activity on DHHP(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical and SOD(Superoxide dismutae)-like activity of GDT was observed. Results : 1. The levels of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 at 100, $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GDT were significantly reduced in the THP-1 cell. 2. The levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 mRNA expression at 100, $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GDT and IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 at $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GDT were significantly reduced in the THP-1 cell line. 3. The levels of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ were significantly reduced in the serum of CIA mice. 4. The absolute number of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were significantly induced, CD3+/CD69+, CD3+/CD49+, CD19+, B220+/CD23+ cells were significantly reduced in PBMC. 5. Scavenging activity on DPPH free radical and SOD-like activity were significantly induced in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : Taking all these observations, GDT considered to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore we have to survey continuously in looking for the effective substance and mechanism in the future.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.1409-1412
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• 2014

Sex hormones are important metabolites in vertebrates' development and reproduction. For rapid screening sex hormones, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the promising analytical platforms, but MALDI MS faces many challenges in detecting steroids such as low ionization efficiency and matrix background interference. One potential strategy to overcome matrix interference in the low m/z region is using a cyclodextrin (CD)-supported matrix for steroid analysis since CD-supported matrixes are known to effectively suppress matrix-related ion signals. In this study, we aimed to find the optimal CD-supported matrix for the analysis of the nonderivatized sex steroids. Our results showed that the ${\alpha}CD$-supported 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) matrix efficiently ionized all three major classes of sex hormones, estrogens, androgens, and progestagens, with low or no matrix background and also with high sensitivity. In addition, the ${\alpha}CD$-supported DHB matrix mainly generated molecular ions or protonated ions of sex hormones, and this enabled us to obtain information-rich tandem mass spectra which potentially lead to unambiguous identification of steroid species from complex metabolite mixtures.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.601-610
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• 1997

Background : Monocytes/macrophages play a central role in determining the host response during Gram-negative infection through secretion of a variety of mediators after stimulation of LPS. Even though cytokine production has been shown to play an important role in host defense during sepsis, cytokine release may also lead to tissue injury. Thus, regulation of macrophage response to LPS is critical for host survival during Gram-negative sepsis. In animals exposed to nonlethal doses of endotoxin, a characteristic hyporesponsiveness to subsequent administration of endotoxin has been observed. This phenomenon was known as 'LPS tolerance'. However, little information is available regarding the underlying mechanism of LPS tolerance. Method : Peripheral blood monocyte(PBMC) was isolated from peripheral blood of normal volunteers by adhesion purification method. To evaluate the conditions to obtain LPS tolerance, preculture was carried out with LPS at 10ng/ml for 24 hours. For stimulation, culture plates were washed two times and were stimulated with LPS at $1{\mu}g/ml$ for 4, 6 and 26 hours. To assess the underlying mechanisms of LPS tolerance, autologous serum, PMA, anti-CD14 Ab, Indomethacin or $PGF_2$ were added to preculture solution respectively. Cytokine concentrations in culture supernatants were measured using ELISA for TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-8 and mRNA of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-8 were determined by Northern blot analysis. Results : The exposure of PBMC to low dose of LPS suppressed the cytokine production and mRNA expression of TNF-$\alpha$, but not IL-8. Anti-CD14 Ab partially recovered production of TNF-$\alpha$ which was suppressed by preculture with low dose LPS. The preculture with PMA induces LPS tolerance, as preculture with low dose LPS. Conclusion : LPS tolerance to TNF-$\alpha$ is regulated pretranslationally and is influenced by protein kinase C pathway and CD14.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2004

In the traditional Chinese medicine, Drynariae Rhizoma (DR) has been reported as a good enhancer for bone healing. DR, a plant widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of Korea, has been reported to possess antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Modulation of immune response to alleviate disease has been of interest for a long time. Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodulatory properties. Thus, I have evaluated the anticellular and immunomodulatory properties of ethanolic extract of DR. DR extract inhibited proliferation of mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin; PHA) and antigen (purified protein derivative; PPD)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, DR inhibited growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin. It also inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$. Intracytoplasmic $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ and expression of cell surface markers, CD16 and HLA-DR, on human PBMC, were not affected on treatment with DR but CD25 expression was down regulated. This study demonstrates the antiproliferative and immunosuppressive potential of ethanolic extract of DR in vitro.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.438-445
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• 2010

The immunomodulatory effects of Aureohasidium pullulans SM-2001 exopolymers containing $\beta$-1,3/1,6-glucan were evaluated in cyclophosphamide (CPA)-treated mice. To induce immunosuppression, 150 and 110 mg/kg of CPA were intraperitoneally injected 3 days and 1 day, respectively, before beginning administration of the test material. Exopolymers were delivered subcutaneously or orally, four times, in a volume of 10 ml/kg at 12-h intervals beginning 24 h after the second CPA treatment. Changes in thymus and spleen weights, splenic amounts of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-10, and numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and TNF-$\alpha+$ thymus and spleen cells were monitored in CPA-treated mice. As a result of CPA treatment, dramatic decreases in the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and TNF-$\alpha+$ cells were detected in the thymus and spleen, along with decreases in thymus and spleen weights. In addition, splenic TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-10 contents were also decreased on observation with flow cytometry. However, oral and subcutaneous treatments with exopolymers effectively reduced the immunosuppressive changes induced by CPA. Therefore, it is concluded that exopolymers of A. pullulans SM-2001 can effectively prevent immunosuppression through, at least partially, the recruitment of T cells and TNF-$\alpha+$ cells or enhancement of their activity, and can provide an effective component of prevention or treatment regimens for immunosuppression related to cancer, sepsis, and high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy.