• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권7호
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• pp.824-835
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• 2019

최근 수십 년 간 종양 용해성 바이러스(Oncolytic viruses; OV)는 암 치료제로서의 잠재성에 의해 광범위하게 연구되어왔다. 종양 용해성 바이러스는 두 가지의 독특한 장점을 가지고 있는데, 첫째로 암세포만을 특이적으로 감염시키고 사멸시킬 수 있다는 것이고, 두 번째로는 암이 진행되는 초기 단계에 숨어서 인식되지 않는 상태인 종양 관련 항원들을 인식하는 특정한 적응 면역을 활성화 시키는 것이다. 2015년에는 유전자 변형 종양 용해성 바이러스인 Talminogene laherparepvec (T-VEC)이 미국 식약청(FDA)의 승인을 받았으며, 현재는 다양한 종양 용해성 바이러스들이 단일로 사용되거나 기존의 암 치료 방법인 면역 치료법, 방사선 치료법, 화학 치료법과 함께 사용되어 임상 시험에서 활성이 연구되고 있다. 종양 용해성 바이러스 치료법의 효능은 항 종양 면역 활성과 항바이러스 반응의 균형이 어느 정도인가에 의해 조절되기 때문에, 획기적인 성과에도 불구하고 암 치료를 위한 종양 용해성 바이러스의 개발은 전달 방법, 바이러스를 인식하는 신체 내 항체 및 종양의 복잡성, 가변성, 반응성에 따른 항바이러스의 면역 유도와 같은 다양한 장애물을 극복하여야 하는 문제가 있다. 종양 내에 직접 종양 용해성 바이러스를 투여하는 방법은 눈에 띄는 부작용이 없이 고형 종양을 줄이는 것에 성공하였으나, 아쉽게도 뇌종양 같은 일부 종양에는 사용할 수 없고 전신 투여가 필요한 단점이 존재한다. 이러한 장애물들을 극복하기 위해서 종양 용해성 바이러스의 효능을 높이기 위한 형질 전환 유전자의 삽입 혹은 면역 조절 물질과 바이러스를 조합하는 등의 다양한 전략들이 개발되고 있다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.2095-2105
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• 2018

In our previous studies, we have identified several in vivo-induced antigens and evaluated their potential as subunit vaccine candidates in a murine model, in which the recombinant protein GalT showed the most potent immunogenicity and immunoprotective efficacy against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. To exploit a more efficient way of delivering GalT proteins, in this study, we employed the widely studied E. coli outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) as a platform to deliver GalT protein and performed the vaccine trial using the recombinant GalT-OMVs in the murine model. Results revealed that GalT-OMVs could elicit a highly-specific, IgG antibody titer that was comparable with the adjuvant GalT group. Significantly higher lymphocyte proliferation and cytokines secretion levels were observed in the GalT-OMVs group. 87.5% and 50% of mice were protected from a lethal dose challenge using A. pleuropneumoniae in active or passive immunization, respectively. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses showed remarkably reduced pathological changes and infiltration of neutrophils in the lungs of mice immunized with GalT-OMVs after the challenge. Taken together, these findings confirm that OMVs can be used as a platform to deliver GalT protein and enhance its immunogenicity to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.

• 대한간학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.384-391
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• 2018

Backgrounds/Aims: The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological, laboratory, and serological characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and normal transaminases. The study also aimed to evaluate liver damage by measuring the liver fibrosis (LF) grade and to identify possible factors associated with the presence of fibrosis. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in patients with chronic HBV infection and classified as inactive carriers or immune-tolerant. Epidemiological variables of age, sex, immigrant, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI), as well as virological variables (HBV DNA) and transaminase level were collected throughout the follow-up. The LF grade was evaluated by transient elastography. The cutoff value for significant fibrosis (SF) was liver stiffness ${\geq}7.9kPa$. Results: A total of 214 patients were included in the analysis, and 62% of them had a BMI ${\geq}25kg/m^2$. During follow-up, 4% of patients showed transaminase elevation (<1.5 times normal). Most patients had a viral DNA level <2,000 IU/mL (83%). Data on LF were available in 160 patients; of these, 14% had SF, 9% F3, and 6% F4. The variables associated with the presence of SF were transaminase alteration during follow-up, as 23% of patients with SF had elevated transaminases versus 3% of patients without SF (P<0.005), and BMI, as the vast majority of patients with SF (88%) had a BMI ${\geq}25kg/m^2$ versus 56% of patients without SF (P<0.05). Conclusions: In patients with chronic HBV infection and normal transaminases, liver damage does not seem to be related to DNA levels, alcohol consumption, or immigrant status. SF seems to be associated with transaminase alteration during follow-up and elevated BMI. It is therefore recommended to measure LF grade with validated non-invasive methods in such patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권6호
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• pp.609-617
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• 2020

Plasmodium vivax reemerged in 1993. It has been sustained for more than 25 years and become one of the important indigenous parasitic diseases in northern and western parts of the Republic of Korea near the demilitarized zone. In particular, relapse is a significant concern for the control of malaria, as short- and long-term incubation periods vary among those infected in Korea. In this study, the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers was examined among residents of high endemic areas of vivax malaria during nonseasonal transmission of mosquitoes. Blood samples from 3 endemic regions in northwestern Korea were evaluated by microscopic examination, rapid diagnostic testing, and nested PCR to identify asymptomatic patients carrying malaria parasites in the community. However, no positive malaria case among residents of endemic areas was detected. Additionally, serological analysis was carried out to measure antibodies against 3 antigenic recombinant proteins of P. vivax, merozoite surface protein 1-19, circumsporozoite surface protein-VK210, and liver-stage antigen (PvLSA-N), by the protein array method. Interestingly, seropositivity of sera between previous exposure and samples without exposure to malaria was significantly higher using the PvLSA-N antigen than the other antigens, suggesting that PvLSA-N can be used as a serological marker to analyze the degree of exposure for malaria transmission in endemic areas. This indicates a very low asymptomatic carrier prevalence during the nonmalaria season in the endemic areas of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• 제60권10호
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• pp.504-511
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• 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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권11호
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• pp.1583-1590
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• 2021

Studies have demonstrated that PE_PGRS45 is constitutively expressed under various environmental conditions (such as nutrient depletion, hypoxia, and low pH) of the in vitro growth conditions examined, indicating that PE_PGRS45 protein is critical to the basic functions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, there are few reports about the biochemical function and pathogenic mechanism of PE_PGRS45 protein. The fact that this M. tuberculosis gene is not easily expressed in E. coli may be mainly due to the high content of G+C and the use of unique codons. Fusion tags are indispensable tools used to improve the soluble expression of recombinant proteins and accelerate the characterization of protein structure and function. In the present study, His6, Trx, and His6-MBP were used as fusion tags, but only MBP-PE_PGRS45 was expressed solubly. The purification using His6-MBP tag-specific binding to the Ni column was easy to separate after the tag cleavage. We used the purified PE_PGRS45 to immunize New Zealand rabbits and obtained anti-PE_PGRS45 serum. We found that the titer of polyclonal antibodies against PE_PGR45 was higher than 1:256000. The result shows that purified PE_PGRS45 can induce New Zealand rabbits to produce high-titer antibodies. In conclusion, the recombinant protein PE_PGRS45 was successfully expressed in E. coli and specific antiserum was prepared, which will be followed by further evaluation of these specific antigens to develop highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for tuberculosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.356-364
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• 2024

림프절은 인체에 침입한 감염원에 대하여 면역반응을 일으키는 곳이다. 림프절은 스트로마세포에 의해 뚜렷하게 구획화되어 있다. 스트로마세포들은 면역세포의 이동, 활성화, 분화를 야기하기 위해 상호작용을 위해 미세환경을 제공한다. FRC는 림프절의 T zone에서 3차원 구조물을 형성하여 면역세포의 통로를 제공한다. FRC는 림프절 구조, 면역세포 리쿠르트, 면역세포와의 상호작용, 항원제시 등을 촉진시키는 역할을 한다. 염증반응 동안, FRC는 면역세포들의 면역반응을 조절하기 위해 국부적이며 분비성 물질을 통해 면역반응을 조절하고 있다. 본문 면역반응 조절을 위해 FRC가 면역반응의 setup, support 그리고 suppress 단계로 3부분에 관여하여 면역반응을 조절하고 있는 것으로 나누어 설명하였다. 전체적으로 FRC는 T 세포생물학적 효율성 증대를 위해 기능을 하는 것으로 보인다. 더불어, FRC는 식작용을 통해 선천성 면역반응에 영향을 미치고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 FRC는 림프절에서 면역반응의 immune gate-keepers로써 위치적 역할을 하는 것으로 사료된다. 전체적으로 FRC는 선천성면역과 적응면역의 조절기능에 대한 내용으로 설명하다. 이러한 협력적 피드백 루프는 염증반응 동안 림프절의 기능을 유지하는데 기여를 할 것으로 사료된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.16.1-16.20
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• 2022

The gastrointestinal tract is the first organ directly affected by fasting. However, little is known about how fasting influences the intestinal immune system. Intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) capture antigens, migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, and provoke adaptive immune responses. We evaluated the changes of intestinal DCs in mice with short-term fasting and their effects on protective immunity against Listeria monocytogenes (LM). Fasting induced an increased number of CD103⁺CD11b^- DCs in both small intestinal lamina propria (SILP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN). The SILP CD103⁺CD11b^- DCs showed proliferation and migration, coincident with increased levels of GM-CSF and C-C chemokine receptor type 7, respectively. At 24 h post-infection with LM, there was a significant reduction in the bacterial burden in the spleen, liver, and mLN of the short-term-fasted mice compared to those fed ad libitum. Also, short-term-fasted mice showed increased survival after LM infection compared with ad libitum-fed mice. It could be that significantly high TGF-β2 and Aldh1a2 expression in CD103⁺CD11b^- DCs in mice infected with LM might affect to increase of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells. Changes of major subset of DCs from CD103⁺ to CD103^- may induce the increase of IFN-γ-producing cells with forming Th1-biased environment. Therefore, the short-term fasting affects protection against LM infection by changing major subset of intestinal DCs from tolerogenic to Th1 immunogenic.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.155-165
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• 2024

Purpose: Pertussis bacteria have many pathogenic and virulent antigens and severe adverse reactions have occurred when using inactivated whole-cell pertussis vaccines. Therefore, inactivated acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines and genetically detoxified recombinant pertussis (rP) vaccines are being developed. The aim of this study was to assess the safety profile of a novel rP vaccine under development in comparison to commercial diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines. Materials and Methods: The two positive control DTaP vaccines (two- and tri-components aP vaccines) and two experimental recombinant DTaP (rDTaP) vaccine (two- and tri-components aP vaccines adsorbed to either aluminum hydroxide or purified oat beta-glucan) were used. Temperature histamine sensitization test (HIST), indirect Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cluster assay, mouse-weight-gain (MWG) test, leukocytosis promoting (LP) test, and intramuscular inflammatory cytokine assay of the injection site performed for safety assessments. Results: HIST results showed absence of residual pertussis toxin (PTx) in both control and experimental DTaP vaccine groups, whereas in groups immunized with tri-components vaccines, the experimental tri-components rDTaP absorbed to alum showed an ultra-small amount of 0.0066 IU/mL. CHO cell clustering was observed from 4 IU/mL in all groups. LP tests showed that neutrophils and lymphocytes were in the normal range in all groups immunized with the two components vaccine. However, in the tri-components control DTaP vaccine group, as well as two- and tri-components rDTaP with beta-glucan group, a higher monocyte count was observed 3 days after vaccination, although less than 2 times the normal range. In the MWG test, both groups showed changes less than 20% in body temperature and body weight before the after the final immunizations. Inflammatory cytokines within the muscle at the injection site on day 3 after intramuscular injection revealed no significant response in all groups. Conclusion: There were no findings associated with residual PTx, and no significant differences in both local and systemic adverse reactions in the novel rDTaP vaccine compared to existing available DTaP vaccines. The results suggest that the novel rDTaP vaccine is safe.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.177-186
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• 1986

폐(肺)디스토마증(症)의 면역혈청학적(免疫血淸學的) 진단(診斷)에 사용(使用)하는 성충항원(成蟲抗原)을 몇가지 생화학적(生化學的) 방법(方法)으로 분획(分劃)하여 정제항원(精製抗原)으로서의 가치(價値)를 검토(檢討)하고자 하였으며, 실험적(實驗的)으로 폐(肺)디스토마 피낭유충(被囊幼蟲)을 감염(感染)시킨 고양이에서 감염강도(感染强度), 감염경과(感染經過) 및 치료(治療)에 따른 ELISA 항체가(抗體價)의 변동(變動)을 추적(追跡)하였다. 폐(肺)디스토마 조항원(粗抗原)은 ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography 및 gel permeation을 거쳐 5개(個)의 분획항원(分劃抗原)으로 나누었으며 폐(肺)디스토마 피낭유충(被囊幼蟲)을 60개(個)(60mc군(群)), 30개(個)(30mc군(群)), 15개(個)(15mc군(群)) 그리고 5개(個)(5mc군(群))씩 각각(各各) 고양이 10마리에 경구투여(經口投與)하고, 5마리씩에는 150일후(日後)에 praziquantel을 100mg/kg로 2회(回) 1일(日) 투여(投與)하였으며 혈청(血淸)은 10일(日) 간격(間隔)으로 채취하였다. 항원(抗原)은 $2{\mu}g/ml$의 농도(濃度)로 사용(使用)하고 실험혈청(實驗血淸)은 100배(倍) 희석(稀釋)하여 ELISA법(法)을 실시(實施)하여 다음의 결과(結果)를 얻었다. 1. Ammonium sulfate precipitation에 의(依)해 분회(分劃)된 항원(抗原)들의 양성혈청(陽性血淸)에 대(對)한 ELISA값은 $51{\sim}55%$ ammonium sulfate 농도(濃度)에서의 침전분획(沈澱分劃)(PA2)이 가장 높았고 다음이 $0{\sim}5%$ 침전분획(沈澱分劃)(PA1), $66{\sim}80%$ 침전분획(沈澱分劃)(PA3)의 순(順)이었으며 $81{\sim}90%$ 침전분획(沈澱分劃)(PA4) 및 침전(沈澱)안된 분획(分劃)(PA5)은 ELISA값이 매우 낮았다. 2. PA1, PA2 및 PA3 분획(分劃)들을 DEAE-cellulose column에 통과(通過)시켜 얻은 분획(分劃)들은 ELISA값에서 유의(有意)한 차이(差異)가 없었다. 3. Sephadex G-200 gel을 통과(通過)한 PA1과 PA2 분획(分劃)들은 분자량(分子量)이 큰 배분(部分)(PA1-I, PA2-I)과 분자량(分子量)이 작은 배분(部分)(PA1-II, PA2-II)에서 높은 ELISA갖을 보였으며 PA3 분획(分劃)은 분자량(分子量)이 큰 배분(部分)(PA3-I)에서만 ELISA값이 높게 나타났다. 4. 전기영동(電氣泳動)의 결과(結果) PA1-I 분획(分劃)은 주(主)로 분자량(分子量) $270K{\sim}196K$ dalton의 단백질(蛋白質)로 되어있고 220K dalton의 단백질(蛋白質)이 가장 많았으며 PA2-I 분획(分劃)은 $255K{\sim}225K$ dalton의 단백질(蛋白質)들로, PA3-I 분획(分劃)은 $235K{\sim}240K$ dalton의 단백질(蛋白質)들로 구성(構成)되어 있었다. 그리고 PA1-II 및 PA2-II 분획(分劃)들은 30K dalton의 단백질(蛋白質)로 이루어져 있었다. 5. 폐(肺)디스토마 감영경과(感染經過)에 따른 ELISA값을 보면 감염후(感染後) $10{\sim}20$일(日) 부터 상승(上昇)하여 $140{\sim}180$일(日)에 최고치(最高値)에 달하며 이후(以後) $0.05{\sim}0.1$정도 하강(下降)한 값으로 계속 유지(維持)되었다. 그리고 폐(肺)디스토마 감염강도(感染强度)에 따른 ELISA값의 차이(差異)는 볼 수 없었다. 6. 고양이에 폐(肺)디스토마를 감염(感染)시킨 150일후(日後)에 praziquantel로 치료(治療)하였을 때 60mc 투여군(投與群)은 치료후(治療後) 150일(日)까지 양성범위(陽性範圍)의 ELISA값을 유지(維持)하였으나 치료전(治療前)에 비(比)하여는 유의(有意)하게 ELISA값이 하강(下降)하였다. 30mc, 15mc 및 5mc 투여군(投與群)의 경우에는 치료후(治療後) $60{\sim}80$일(日)에 ELISA값이 피낭유충(被囊幼蟲) 투여전(投與前)과 비슷한 수준(水準)으로 떨어졌다. 7. 각(各) 항원(抗原)에 따른 ELISA값은 PA1-I 분획항원(分劃抗原)이 가장 높았고 PA2-I 분획항원(分劃抗原)이 다음이었다. PA1-I, PA2-II 및 PA3- I 분획항원(分劃抗原)들은 서로 비슷한 ELISA 값으로 그 다음이었으며 조항원(粗抗原)이 가장 낮은 값을 나타내었다. 특(特)히 PA1-II 분획(分劃)은 감염초기(感染初期)부터 ELISA값이 급격(急激)히 상승(上昇)하여 감염(感染) $20{\sim}30$일후(日後)에는 양성범위(陽性範圍)의 값을 나타내었다. 그리고 Praziquantel로 치료(治療)한 후(後)의 ELISA값은 각(各) 항원(抗原)에 따라 차이(差異)를 볼 수 없었다.