• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.139-142
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• 2021

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a potentially life-threatening complication in many autoimmune diseases. Early recognition and intervention are essential for a favorable outcome. Neonatal lupus, an acquired autoimmune disease in neonates caused by the transplacental passage of maternal autoantibodies, is rare and usually self-limited. Herein, we report a case of MAS in a patient with neonatal lupus, which improved with intravenous immunoglobulin.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.559-563
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• 2003

Cytokines produced by immune cells infiltrating pancreatic islets have been incriminated as important mediators of $\beta$-cell destruction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In non insulin-dependent diabetes, cytokines are also associated with impaired $\beta$-cell function in high glucose condition. By the screening of various natural products blocking $\beta$-cell destruction, we have recently found that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can prevent the in vitro destruction of RINm5F cell, an insulinoma cell line, that is induced by cytokines. In that study we suggested that EGCG could prevent cytokine-induced $\beta$-cell destruction by down-regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) through inhibition of NF-kB activation. Here, to verify the in vivo antidiabetogenic effect of EGCG, we examined the possibility that EGCG could also prevent the experimental autoimmune diabetes induced by the treatment of multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-STZ), which is recognized as an inducer of type I autoimmune diabetes. Administration of EGCG (100 mg/day/kg for 10 days) during the MLD-STZ induction of diabetes reduced the increase of blood glucose levels caused by MLD-STZ. Ex vivo analysis of $\beta$-islets showed that EGCG downregulates the MLD-STZ-induced expression of inducible NOS (iNOS). In addition, morphological examination showed that EGCG treatment ameliorated the decrease of islet mass induced by MLD-STZ. In combination these results suggest that EGCG could prevent the onset of MLD-STZ-induced diabetes by protecting pancreatic islets. Our results therefore revealed the possible therapeutic value of EGCG for the prevention of diabetes mellitus progression.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.299-306
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• 2011

Background: $CD4^+Fop3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are needed to maintain peripheral tolerance, but their role in the development of autoimmune arthritis is still debated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism by which Tregs influence autoimmune arthritis, using a mouse model entitled K/BxN. Methods: We generated Treg-deficient K/BxNsf mice by congenically crossing K/BxN mice with Foxp3 mutant scurfy mice. The arthritic symptoms of the mice were clinically and histopathologically examined. The proportions and activation of $CD4^+$ T cells and/or dendritic cells were assessed in the spleens, draining lymph nodes and synovial tissue of these mice. Results: K/BxNsf mice exhibited earlier onset and more aggressive progression of arthritis than their K/BxN littermates. In particular, bone destruction associated with the influx of numerous RANKL+ cells into synovia was very prominent. They also contained more memory phenotype $CD4^+$ T cells, more Th1 and Th2 cells, and fewer Th17 cells than their control counterparts. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing high levels of CD86 and CD40 were elevated in the K/BxNsf synovia. Conclusion: We conclude that Tregs oppose the progression of arthritis by inhibiting the development of $RANKL^+$ cells, homeostatically proliferating $CD4^+$ T cells, Th1, Th2 and mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and by inhibiting their influx into joints.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2007

Autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the joints and then results in their progressive destruction. Effector Th cells have been classified as Th1 and Th2 subsets based on their cytokine expression profiles and immune regulatory function. Another subset of T cells termed Th17 was recendy discovered and known to selectively produce IL-17. Also, Th17 was shown to be generated by TGF${\beta}$ and IL-6 and maintained by IL-23. IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine that is considered to involve the development of various inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as RA, asthma, lupus, and allograft rejection. IL-17 is present in the sera, synovial fluids and synovial biopsies of most RA patient. IL-17 activates RA synovial fibroblasts to synthesize IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF via PI3K/Akt and NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent pathway. IL-17 increases IL-6 production, collagen destruction and collagen synthesis. In addition, it not only causes bone resorption but also increases osteoclastogenesis and fetal cartilage destruction. Inhibition of the IL-17 production may contribute a novel therapeutic approach along with potent anti-inflammatory effect and with less immunosuppressive effect on host defenses.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.115-118
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• 2017

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is characterized by spontaneous hypoglycemia, extremely high serum insulin levels, and high titers of autoantibodies against endogenous insulin, in the absence of exogenous insulin injection. IAS often occurs following exposure to sulfhydryl-containing drugs, including alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). A 30-year-old woman without diabetes visited our outpatient clinic with recurrent hypoglycemia. She had been taken ALA for weight reduction since 3 weeks ago. Further hypoglycemia work up revealed very high insulin levels, C-Peptide levels and positive insulin antibodies. And conventional imaging examinations were negative for insulinoma or other pancreatic tumors. Finally, the diagnosis of Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) was made. Following the cessation of ALA, hypoglycemia improved, with no medication, and the patient experienced no further hypoglycemic attacks over the next month. The use of ALA as a nutritional supplement is increasing. We report a case of IAS associated with ALA in a non-diabetic patient.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 1997

Protein kinase C an enzyme of signal transduction has been known to regulate cell proliferation activation as well as apoptosis in some cancer cell lines. To explore the role of PKC in the course of cell mediated autoimmune disease such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) EAE was induced in Lewis rats(6-8 weeks old) with immunization of myelin basic protein supplemented with complete Freund's adjuvants and affected spinal cords were sampled at days 13 postimmunization(PI) as peak stage of EAE and at days 21 PI as recovery stage. The spinal cords with EAE were subjected to Northern blot analysis and insitu hybridization of PKC delta which is one of prominant isotypes of PKC in the haematopoietic cells. Northern blot analysis showed that levels of PKS delta mRNA in the spinal cords of rats withEAE was significantly increased at days 13 PI in which inflammatory cells including T cells and macrophages in the EAE lesions appeared. however the stage. By in situ hybridization signals of PKC delta in EAE lesions was intensely expressed on the delta is also expressed on some brain cells in normal rat central nervous system This finding suggests that PKC plays an important role on either activation of inflammatory cells including encephalitogenic T cells and macrophages or apoptotic elimination of some inflammatory cells depending on the stge of EAE.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6007-6010
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• 2015

Background: Chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) is a malignant hematopoietic disorder, the most common of all adult leukemias with a distinctive immunophenotype. It is well established that CLL patients can have autoimmune complications, amongst them autoimmune hemolytic anemia as the most frequent. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of direct Coombs Test positivity in CLL patients and its possible correlation with Rai staging, hematological parameters and biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was carried at Liaquat National Hospital from January 2011 to June 2013. Sixty untreated patients with B- chronic lymphoid leukemia were enrolled. Complete blood count, direct Coombs test, serum urea, creatinine, uric acid and LDH levels were determined. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Out of 60 patients, 42(70%) were males and 18(30%) were females. Mean age was $59{\pm}9.2years$. Male to female ratio was 2.1: 1. The frequency of direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positivity was found to be 23.3%. The monospecific IgG was positive in 11 patients (18.3%); C3d positivity was evident in 1 patient (1.6%) and 2 patients (3.3%) had dual IgG and C3d positivity. The mean hemoglobin was $10.8{\pm}2.4gm/dl$. Significantly low mean hemoglobin of $8.3{\pm}3.0gm/dl$ was seen in Coombs positive patients compared with negative patients having a mean hemoglobin level of $11.7{\pm}1.6gm/dl$ (P<0.001). DAT positivity also demonstrated a positive association with advanced Rai stage III disease (P<0.01). No associations were noted with age, gender and biochemical markers. Conclusions: Direct Coombs test positivity in CLL in our patients, unlike in Western studies, appears relatively high, indicating significant autoimmune hemolytic anemia and advanced Rai stage in our setting. DAT positivity can be considered as a surrogative marker for advanced clinical disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.265-269
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• 1999

Thrombocytopenic patients without detectable bound antiplatelet antibody should be diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) if no other cause of their decreased platelet count could be found. More recently the term "autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) has supplanted ITP since the disease is related to the production of autoantibodies against one's own platelets. This entity should not be confused with isoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (also called alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura). In this cases maternal antiplatelet antibodies directed against the PLA 1 antigen on the fetal platelets causes severe fetal and neonatal thrombocytopenia in a situation analogous to Rheusus disease. Antibodies to the negatively charged phospholipids, lupus anticoagulant, and anticardiolipin have been linked to adverse pregnancy events. Pregnant women possessing these antibodies have an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, intrauterine fetal growth retardation, preterm birth, and arterial and venous thrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibodies decrease or may even disappear between pregnancies only to recur with increased activity in a subsequent pregnancy and lead to loss. We have experienced a case of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in patient with recurrent spontaneous abortion. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2019

■ Objectives In this case report, we address a case of a 83-year-old female patient diagnosed with suspicious autoimmune hepatitis. ■ Methods A patient was treated with herbal medication, Injinoryung-san gagam. We evaluated the improvements of symptoms by AST, ALT, GGT, ALP and total score of Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS). ■ Results After 4 weeks of taking Injinoryung-san gagam, there were decrease in abnormal liver enzyme levels with improvement of the patient's fatigue. ■ Conclusion This study suggested that Injinoryung-san gagam might be effective in autoimmune hepatitis patient's liver enzyme levels and fatigue recovery.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2018

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune central nervous system disease characterized by inflammation with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate an anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige okamurae on EAE-induced paralysis in rats. An ethanolic extract of I. okamurae significantly delayed the first onset and reduced the duration and severity of hind-limb paralysis. The neuropathological and immunohistochemical findings in the spinal cord were in agreement with these clinical results. T-cell proliferation assay revealed that the ethyl-acetate fraction of I. okamurae suppressed the proliferation of myelin basic protein reactive T cells from EAE affected rats. Flow cytometric analysis showed $TCR{\alpha}{\beta}^+$ T cells was significantly reduced in the spleen of EAE rats with I. okamurae treatment with concurrent decrease of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and cyclooxygenase-2. Collectively, it is postulated that I. okamurae ameliorates EAE paralysis with suppression of T-cell proliferation as well as decrease of pro-inflammatory mediators as far as rat EAE is concerned.