• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.194-198
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• 2013

Recent papers have shown that the initial event in the pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D) comprises sensing of molecular patterns released from apoptotic ${\beta}$-cells by innate immune receptors such as toll-like receptor (TLR). We have reported that apoptotic ${\beta}$-cells undergoing secondary necrosis called 'late apoptotic' ${\beta}$-cells stimulate dendritic cells (DCs) and induce diabetogenic T cell priming through TLR2. The role of other innate immune receptors such as TLR7 or TLR9 in the initiation of T1D has also been suggested. We hypothesized that TLR2 blockade could inhibit T1D at the initial step of T1D. Indeed, when a TLR2 agonist, $Pam3CSK_4$ was administered chronically, the development of T1D in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice was inhibited. Diabetogenic T cell priming by DCs was attenuated by chronic treatment with $Pam3CSK_4$, indicating DC tolerance. For the treatment of established T1D, immune tolerance alone is not enough because ${\beta}$-cell mass is critically reduced. We employed TLR2 tolerance in conjunction with islet transplantation, which led to reversal of newly established T1D. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors are a new class of anti-diabetic agents that have beneficial effects on ${\beta}$-cells. We investigated whether a combination of DPP4 inhibition and TLR2 tolerization could reverse newly established T1D without islet transplantation. We could achieve normoglycemia by TLR2 tolerization in combination with DPP4 inhibition but not by TLR2 tolerization or DPP4 inhibition alone. ${\beta}$-cell mass was significantly increased by combined treatment with TLR2 tolerization and DPP4 inhibition. These results suggest the possibility that a novel strategy of TLR tolerization will be available for the inhibition or treatment of established T1D when combined with measures increasing critically reduced ${\beta}$-cell mass of T1D patients such as DPP4 inhibition or stem cell technology.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.1681-1685
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• 2013

Background: Head and neck SCC is a common cancer related to various factors. IL-10, a pleiotropic cytokine produced by macrophages, T-helper-2 cells, and B lymphocytes, is thought to play a potential pathogenetic or therapeutic role in a number of human conditions, such as inflammation, autoimmunity and cancer. The present study was designed to evaluate the relation between tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of IL-10 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and their correlation with clinicopathologic features. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 30 patients with HNSCCs and 24 healthy volunteers. IHC analysis was used to examine the tissue expression and ELISA was employed to measure serum and salivary levels. Results: Our study showed tissue expression of IL-10 to be significantily higher in patients (P: 0.001), but there was no relation between tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of the marker (P>0.05). Also except for a positive correlation between tissue expression of IL-10 and stage (P: 0.044), there was no relation between this marker and clinicopathologic features. There was no correlation between serum and salivary levels in either patients or controls. Conclusions: It seems there is no correlation between level of IL-10 in serum and saliva and this marker in saliva and serum does not reflect tissue expression.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.113-117
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• 2012

FasL, perforin, $TNF{\alpha}$, IL-1 and NO have been considered as effector molecule(s) leading to ${\beta}$-cell death in autoimmune diabetes. However, the real culprit(s) of ${\beta}$-cell destruction have long been elusive despite intense investigation. Previously we have suggested $IFN{\gamma}/TNF{\alpha}$ synergism as the final effector molecules in autoimmune diabetes of NOD mice. A combination of $IFN{\gamma}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ but neither cytokine alone, induced classical caspase-dependent apoptosis in murine insulinoma and pancreatic islet cells. $IFN{\gamma}$ treatment conferred susceptibility to $TNF{\alpha}$-induced apoptosis on otherwise resistant murine insulinoma cells by STAT1 activation followed by IRF-1 induction. Here we report that $IFN{\gamma}/TNF{\alpha}$ synergism induces apoptosis of human pancreatic islet cells. We also observed STAT1 activation followed by IRF-1 induction by $IFN{\gamma}$ treatment in human islet cells. Taken together, we suggest that $IFN{\gamma}/TNF{\alpha}$ synergism could be involved in human islet cell death in type 1 diabetes, similar to murine type 1 diabetes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.281-290
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare microRNA (miRNA) gene expression in saliva using miRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays in healthy and aggressive periodontitis (AP) patients. Methods: PCR arrays of 84 miRNAs related to the human inflammatory response and autoimmunity from the saliva samples of 4 patients with AP and 4 healthy controls were performed. The functions and diseases related to the miRNAs were obtained using TAM 2.0. Experimentally validated targets of differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained from mirTarBase. Gene ontology terms and pathways were analyzed using ConsensusPathDB. Results: Four downregulated miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-181b-5p, and hsa-miR-23b-3p) were identified in patients with AP. These miRNAs are associated with cell death and innate immunity, and they target genes associated with osteoclast development and function. Conclusions: This study is the first analysis of miRNAs in the saliva of patients with AP. Identifying discriminatory human salivary miRNA biomarkers reflective of periodontal disease in a non-invasive screening assay is crucial for the development of salivary diagnostics. These data provide a first step towards the discovery of key salivary miRNA biomarkers for AP.

• 한국수정란이식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수정란이식학회 2002년도 국제심포지엄
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• pp.63-65
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• 2002

Identification of spermatogonial stem cell-specific surface molecules is important in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance and differentiation of these cells. We have found that spermatogonia from busulfan treated mice expressed an autoantigen that distinguishes between undifferentiated and differentiated spermatogonia. Four to six weeks after busulfan treatment, germ cells located in the basal compartment of seminiferous epithelium show isotype-specific IgG deposits that form due to autoimmunity. Before busulfan treatment, the level of testicular IgG was very low but IgG levels began to increase after week 4 and peaked at week 6. When cells from the busulfan treated testis were analyzed using laser scanning cytomeoy (LSC), the frequency of cells positive for IgG deposits, 6-integrin, and 1-integrin were 16.5${\pm}$3.8%, 11.8${\pm}$2.6%, and 9.0${\pm}$ 1.4%, respectively. Immunofluorescent staining suggested that most, if not all of the cells with IgG-deposits isolated from a laminin-coated dish, were also positive for a spermatogonial stem cell marker \ulcorner6-integrins as well as for a germ cell-specific marker TRA 98. We determined serum and intratesticular IgG levels and the soundness of seminiferous tubule basement membrane from busulfan treated mice using electron microscopy, in order to study the mechanism responsible for IgG deposits in spermatogonia. We found that the basement membranes of seminiferous tubules from busulfan treated mice were severely impaired when compared to those of normal adult, neonates and w/wv mice. Furthermore, new blood cells were observed in the surface of the damaged basement membrane along the seminiferous tubules. These results suggest that the IgG in spermatogonial stem cells accumulates from circulating blood through the impaired basement membranes induced by busulfan treatment. Taken together, our study suggests that IgG can be used as a new marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.174-181
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• 2017

Purpose: Epitope spreading is a phenomenon in which distinct subdominant epitopes become major targets of the immune response. Heat shock protein (HSP) 60 from Porphyromonas gingivalis (PgHSP60) and peptide 19 from PgHSP60 (Pep19) are immunodominant epitopes in autoimmune disease patients, including those with periodontitis. It remains unclear whether Pep19 is a dominant epitope in subjects without periodontitis or autoimmune disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the epitope spreading pattern and verify Pep19 as an immunodominant epitope in healthy teenagers using dot immunoblot analysis. The patterns of epitope spreading in age-matched patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) and healthy 20- to 29-year old subjects were compared with those of healthy teenagers. Methods: Peptide from PgHSP60, Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP60 (MtHSP60), and Chlamydia pneumoniae HSP60 (CpHSP60) was synthesized for comparative recognition by sera from healthy subjects and patients with autoimmune disease (type 1 DM). Dot immunoblot analysis against a panel of peptides of PgHSP60 and human HSP60 (HuHSP60) was performed to identify epitope spreading, and a densitometric image analysis was conducted. Results: Of the peptide from PgHSP60, MtHSP60, and CpHSP60, PgHSP60 was the predominant epitope and was most consistently recognized by the serum samples of healthy teenagers. Most sera from healthy subjects and patients with type 1 DM reacted more strongly with PgHSP60 and Pep19 than the other peptides. The relative intensity of antibody reactivity to Pep19 was higher in the type 1 DM group than in the healthy groups. Conclusions: Pep19 is an immunodominant epitope, not only in autoimmune disease patients, but also in healthy young subjects, as evidenced by their robust immunoreactivity. This result suggests that the Pep19-specific immune response may be an initiator that triggers autoimmune diseases.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.92-104
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• 2002

Objective : Bee venom (BV) has traditionally been used in Oriental medicine to relieve pain and to treat inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Autoimmunity to type II collagen (CII) may involve in the pathogenesis of RA. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of BV on type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) with the naked eye, a immunohistochemical method and the examination of histology. Method : Male mice were immunized by subcutaneously injection of an $200{\mu}g$ emulsion mixed with bovine CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) twice for two weeks. In the control group, normal saline was injected, and in the experimental group, BV was applied. Result : The incidence of arthritis, the mean arthritis index and the number of the arthritic limbs of the BV group were all significantly lower than those of the control group. Among the pro-inflammatory cytokines, the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the BV group was also suppressed compared with the control group, but $IL-1{\beta}$ was not. The examination on the histopathology of joints of CIA mice showed the effect of Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture on the arthritis. Conculusion : Treatment with BV resulted in inhibition of development of arthritis and immune responses to CII.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Type I diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by the T cell-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing ${\beta}$ cells in the pancreatic islets. The onset of T1D is the consequence of a progressive destruction of islet ${\beta}$ cells mediated by an imbalance between effector $CD4^+$ T helper (Th)1 and regulatory $CD4^+$ Th2 cell function. Since interferon-alpha (IFN-${\alpha}$) has been known to modulate immune function and autoimmunity, we investigated whether administration of adenoviralmediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene would inhibit the diabetic process in NOD mice. The development of diabetes was significantly inhibited by a single injection of adenoviral-mediated IFN-${\alpha}$ gene before 8 weeks of age. Next, we examined the hypothesis that Th2-type cytokines are associated with host protection against autoimmune diabetes, whereas Th1-type cytokines are associated with pathogenesis of T1D. The expression of IFN-${\alpha}$ induced increase of serum IL-4 and IL-6 (Th2 cytokines) levels and decrease of serum IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$ (Th1 cytokines) levels. Therefore, overexpression of IFN-${\alpha}$ by adenoviralmediated delivery provides modulation of pathogenic progression and protection of NOD mice from T1D.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.459-465
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• 2011

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) protein induces transcriptions of cytokine genes including IL-2 for T-cell activation. Normally activation of NFAT is important to induce immune responses but excessive NFAT activation provokes immunopathological reactions such as autoimmunity, transplant rejection, and inflammation. Thus, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases drugs repressing the activation of NFAT have been searched. In this study, immnunosuppressive effects of Rosa chinensis Jacq. extracts identified as a potent NFAT inhibitor from a natural product library were examined. NFAT reporter assay, MTS assay, real time PCR, IL-2 ELISA, MLR, and FACS (Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting) were used to measure inhibitory immunocyte activities of Rosa chinensis Jacq. The variety of natural products have been screened and some were found to show inhibitory activities against the NFAT transcription factor. Among them, extract of Rosa chinensis Jacq. showed an strong inhibitory effect on the activation of NFAT without affecting cell viability. Levels of IL-2 transcripts as well as IL-2 protein were decreased with treatment of Rosa chinensis Jacq. extract. In addition, immunosuppressive activity of Rosa chinensis Jacq. extract was exhibited in the mixed leukocytes reaction. The increasement of CD4+CD25+ (Treg) immunocyte was also detected in the analysis using FACS after applying Rosa chinensis Jacq. extract. Immunosuppressive effects of the Rosa chinensis Jacq. extracts were clearly demonstrated in the present study. In addition, Rosa chinensis Jacq. extract also positively affected regulatory T cell induction. Further investigations in particular on purification of single substance responsible for the immunosuppressive effects from the extract and analysis on possible actions of the extract in interfering cell signaling and cytokine production will be needed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.125-130
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• 2009

Tacrolimus is a widely used T cell targeted immunosuppressive drug, known as a calcineurin inhibitor. However, the exact pharmacological effects of tacrolimus on $CD4^+$ T cells have yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the effects of tacrolimus on $CD4^+$ T cell subsets. Mouse or human $CD4^+$ T cells were cultured with immobilized anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies in the presence of tacrolimus. The cell division of $CD4^+$ T cells was analyzed using a flow cytometer according to the expression of Foxp3. The gene expression patterns of tacrolimus-exposed T cells were examined by quantitative PCR. In the case of conventional $CD4^+$ T cells (Tconv cells), tacrolimus inhibited T cell receptor stimulation-induced cell division. In contrast, the cell division of regulatory $CD4^+$ T cells (Treg cells) was even promoted in the presence of tacrolimus, especially in humans. Tacrolimus did not promote conversion of Tconv to Treg cells in mice. Furthermore, tacrolimus modified the expression levels of Foxp3-regulated T cell receptor signal related-genes, PTPN22 and Itk, in human Treg cells. Immunosuppressive effect of tacrolimus may be attributed to the relatively enhanced proliferation of Treg cells in association with altered gene expression levels of TCR signaling molecules.