• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.85-85
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• 2002

Pregnancy block by male pheromones in mice differs in incidence depending on the combination of strains. Female mice of BALB/cA strain mated with BALB/cA males show a 100% pregnancy block when exposed to males of inbred strain DDK shortly after copulation (Chung et al., Biol Reprod 1997). In the present study, BALB/cA females mated with the males of other strains (CBA/J, C3H/HeN, C57BL/6Cr, and IXBL) showed higher pregnancy rates (66.6-87.5%) even when they were exposed to DDK males. In the pharmacological induction of pregnancy block with dopamine agonist (Bromocriptine, 4mg/kg BW), BALB/cA females mated with BALB/cA males showed a 100% pregnancy block. In contrast, BALB/cA females mated with CBA/J, C3H/HeN, and C57BL/6Cr males showed higher pregnancy rates (40-70%). These results suggest that the better pregnancy rate of BALB/cA females mated with alien males may be due to the stronger viability of F 1 embryos. This interpretation was confirmed by an embryo transfer experiment in which a higher implantation rate was observed when BALB/cA embryos grown in BALB/cA females exposed to BALB/cA males were transferred into recipient BALB/cA females exposed to DDK males. These results suggest that the embryonic genotype or viability of the embryo is one factor contributing to the occurrence of pregnancy block by male pheromones in mice.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2003

In the intestinal mucosa, mast cells are thought to be responsible for the expulsion of parasites. We investigated the relationship of worm expulsion and mast cells in C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice infected with Echinostoma hortense. In addition, we examined whether the worm recovery rate was associated with the strain of mice, and whether a toluidine stain and immunohistochemistry using the c-kit antibody was effective in the detection of mast cells. In order to investigate the mucosal immune response of C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice, each mouse was infected orally with 30 E. hortense metacercariae. Then, the number of mucosal mast cells and worm recovery rates was observed in experimentally infected mouse strains between 1 week and 8 weeks post infection (PI). Mucosal mast cells were increased in 3 weeks P.I. in C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice. On the other hand, only mucosal goblet cells and worm recovery rates correlated in C3H/HeN mice (P=0.0482). Worm recoveries in C3H/HeN mice were 65.7$\pm$5.6, 53.3$\pm$5.4 and 6.7$\pm$0.6 in week 1, 2, and 3 P.I. and strongly decreased in week 3 P.I. Worm recoveries in BALB/c mice were 23.0$\pm$2.5, 10.0$\pm$1.0, and 6.7$\pm$0.6% in week 1, 2, and 3 P.I. and gradually decreased from week 1 P.I. to week 3 P.I. Worm recoveries in C3H/HeN mice were significantly higher than in BALB/c mice (P<0.00l). The number of mast cells in C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice using the anti-c-kit antibody reached to a peak in week 3 P.I. and recovered as normal level in week 5 P.I. and 6 P.I. The number in E. hortense-infected C3H/HeN mice (P=0.0015) was higher than in E. hortense-infected BALB/c mice (P=0.01) compared with the control group. There were significant differences in the number of mast cells among regions of the intestine in in C3H/HeN mice (P<0.05) but not in BALB/c mice (P>0.05). Immunohistochemistry using the anti-c-kit antibody was significant method as an examination of the number of mast cells (P=0.0002). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that mast cells play an important role in worm recovery, and immunohistochemistry using the anti-c-kit antibody was superior to toluidine stain as an examination of mast cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 1998

Mucosal mast cell (MMC) and goblet cell (GC) responses were observed in the small intestine of two strains of mice (BALBfc and C3H) infected with Weodiplostomum seouLehTe, and their roles in the host defense and worm expulsion were studied. From day 3 to 28 post-infection (Pl) with 200 metacercariae, the worm recovery rate from BALB/c mice was consistently and remarkably higher than that from C3H mice. In the duodenum of both strains of mice, the main habitat of the flukes, mastocytosis was pronounced on day 7 Pl but quickly diminished thereafter. Similar kinetics were observed in the jejunum and ileum, although the extent of mastocytosis was lesser in the ileum than other two areas. These MMC kinetics were not different between the ko strains of mice. Moreover, the extent of mastocytosis was stronger in BALB/C mice than in C3H mice. GC hyperplasia was remarkable in the duodenum of BALBlc mice throughout the course of infection except day 14 Pl, whereas it was recognizable only in the jejunum and ileum of C3H mice on day 7 Pl. Mucin activation was evidently demonstrated in both strains of mice throughout the course of infection, but more marked in BALB/c than in C3H mice. The results strongly suggest that mastocytosis and GC hyperplasia are local immune responses against N. seoulense, however, they play a minor role in the host defense and worm expulsion.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.4
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• pp.114-118
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• 1986

The study was conducted to find out the gene effects on litter size and birth weights in mice with 362 progenies from full-diallel crosses of four lines of BALB/c, CBA, C3H and C57BL. The progenies were farrowed at the Experimental Animal Farm, College of Agriculture, Kyungpook National University in November, 1984, and data were analyzed into general combining ability, specific combining ability and reciprocal effects with Griffing's model. General combining ability effects estimated in line-crosses were -0.4163~0.3337 for litter size and -0.0356~0.0894 for birth weights. However, no significant differences were observed in general combining ability effects on litter size and birth weights. Specific combining ability effects estimated in line-crosses were -1.0388~1.7913 for litter size and -0.1144~0.1343 for birth weights. However, the specific combining ability effects for litter size and birth weights appeared to be insignificant. The reciprocal effects, which appeared to be significant, were -2.26 from BALB/c ${\times}$ C3H, 1.84 from CBA ${\times}$ C57BL and -1.50 from BALB/c ${\times}$ CBA for litter size. For birth weights, the reciprocal effects were estimated -0.26 from CBA ${\times}$ C57BL, 0.15 from BALB/c ${\times}$ CBA and -0.15 from BALB/c ${\times}$ C57BL.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2012

This study was evaluated the antiatopic activity of cream containing a herb extracts mixed with Houttuynia cordata in DNCB-induced BALB/c atopy mouse. The randomized complete block design was done by BALB/c mouse into two groups, of which the control group with atopy and the cream treatment group. It was found that each level of IgE and histamine in blood was significantly decreased in the cream treatment group, compared with the DNCB-induced atopy control group. When the cream was applied to the atopy mouse, it could be observed that its skin recovered to normal condition with the skin surface being clean and smooth without any horny tissue. The results suggest that the application of herb extracts mixed with Houttuynia cordata has an antiatopic activity through a inhibition of histamin emissions with reducing the levels of blood IgE in BALB/C atopy mouse.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.4
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• pp.119-123
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• 1986

The study was conducted to find out the gene effects on body weights at weaning and at the age of 60 days in mice, with 343 progenies from full-dialell crosses of four lines of BALB/c, CBA, C3H and C57BL. The progenies were reared at the Experimental Animal Farm, College of Agriculture, Kyungpook National University from November, 1984 to February, 1985, and data collected from the progenies were analyzed into general combining ability, maternal effects, specific combining ability and reciprocal effects with Harvey's model. General combining ability effects estimated in line-crosses were -0.6033~0.5298 for weaning weights and -0.5086~1.0012 for body weights at the age of 60 days. General combining ability for BALB/c and C57BL were significantly better than general combining ability for CBA and C3H for both traits (P<0.05). Maternal effects for C3H were significantly larger than the maternal effects of BALB/c for both traits (P<0.05). The estimates of maternal effects were -0.9678~0.4609 for weaning weights and -1.1886~0.0729 for body weights at the age of 60 days. Specific combining ability effects were estimated to be significant (P<0.05), and the estimates were -0.1999~0.3380 for weaning weights and -0.4056~0.3317 for body weights at the age of 60 days. Reciprocal effects were found to be largest in BALB/c${\times}$C57BL and BALB/c${\times}$C3H. The estimates were -0.5049 from BALB/c${\times}$C57BL and 0.4972 from BALB/c${\times}$C3H form weaning weights, and -1.0336 from BALB/c${\times}$C57BL and 1.2793 from BALB/c${\times}$C3H for body weights at the age of 60 days.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.17
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• 2023

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are critical immune-response mediators. Although they largely reside in mucosal tissues, the kidney also bears substantial numbers. Nevertheless, kidney ILC biology is poorly understood. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are known to display type-2 and type-1 skewed immune responses, respectively, but it is unclear whether this extends to ILCs. We show here that indeed, BALB/c mice have higher total ILCs in the kidney than C57BL/6 mice. This difference was particularly pronounced for ILC2s. We then showed that three factors contributed to the higher ILC2s in the BALB/c kidney. First, BALB/c mice demonstrated higher numbers of ILC precursors in the bone marrow. Second, transcriptome analysis showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys associated with significantly higher IL-2 responses. Quantitative RT-PCR also showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys expressed higher levels of IL-2 and other cytokines known to promote ILC2 proliferation and/or survival (IL-7, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin). Third, the BALB/c kidney ILC2s may be more sensitive to the environmental signals than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s since they expressed their transcription factor GATA3 and the IL-2, IL-7, and IL-25 receptors at higher levels. Indeed, they also demonstrated greater responsiveness to IL-2 than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s, as shown by their greater STAT5 phosphorylation levels after culture with IL-2. Thus, this study demonstrates previously unknown properties of kidney ILC2s. It also shows the impact of mouse strain background on ILC2 behavior, which should be considered when conducting research on immune diseases with experimental mouse models.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2007

Leishmania (L.) tropica is a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and occasionally of visceral or viscerotropic leishmaniasis in humans. Murine models of Leishmania infection have been proven to be useful for elucidation of mechanisms for pathogenesis and immunity in leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to establish a murine model for human viscerotropic leishmaniasis, and the growth pattern of L. tropica was studied in different tissues of BALB/c mice in order to find out whether the parasite visceralizes in this murine model. L. major was used as a control as this species is known to cause a progressive infection in BALB/c mice. L. tropica or L. major was injected into the footpad of mice, and thickness of footpad, parasite loads in different tissues, and the weight of the spleen and lymph node were determined at different intervals. Results showed that L. tropica visceralizes to the spleen and grows there while its growth is controlled in footpad tissues. Dissemination of L. tropica to visceral organs in BALB/c mice was similar to the growth patterns of this parasite in human viscerotropic leishmaniasis. The BALB/c model of L. tropica infection may be considered as a good experimental model for human diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-5
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• 2009

Objectives : HRHDT has been known as a useful prescription with antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and immunosuppressive activity. To evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of HRHDT, we treated HRHDT-skin in Balb/c mice model induced contact hypersensitivity. Methods : Contact hypersensitivity, a local inflammatory respinse of skin, was induced by spreading the back skin of Balb/c mice with 1% DNCB. HRHDT-skin was prepared by dissolving 3% 1,3-butylene glycol extract of HRHDT in solution and treated 2 weeks on the back skin. Results: HRHDT-skin significantly reduced TEWL and erythema by 0.4-1% of DNCB treatment compared with control group. HRHDT-skin reduced IgE on serum obtained from blood of DNCB-treated Balb/c mice. Histopathological examination showed that thickening of the epidermis, hyperkeratosis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were found in Balb/c mice under conventional circumstances. Conclusions : These results showed that HRHDT-skin could be used as a pharmaceutical material with antiinflammatory effects by reducing IgE in contact hypersensitivity dermatitis Balb/c mice by DNCB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.229-240
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• 1999

Background: The impact of the immune response on cancer gene therapy using viral vectors to deliver a "suicide gene" is currently unclear. A vigrous immune response targeted at viral proteins or transgene may enhance the efficacy of tumor destruction and even augment responses to tumor antigens. These responses may involve the release of cytokines and stimulation of tumor specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that enhance therapeutic efficacy. On the other hand, a vigorous rapid cellular immune response may destroy cells expressing the therapeutic gene and attenuate the response to therapy. Furthermore, development of neutralizing antibody responses may prevent readministration of virus, a potentially significant limitation. Evaluating the significance of these limitations in animal models and developing solutions are therefore of obvious importance. Methods: After retroviral transduction of mouse mesothelioma cell line(AB12) with Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene in vitro, subcutaneous flank tumors were established. To study the effect of intact immune system on efficacy of tumor erradication, the ability of the HSVtk/ganciclovir system to inhibit tumor growth was compared among normal Balb/c mice, immunodeficient Balb/c-nude and SCID mice, and Balb/c mice immunosuppressed with cyclosporin. Results: Ganciclovir treatment resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth in Balb/c mice compared with immunodeficient Balb/c-nude mice and SCID mice(in immunodeficient mice, there were no growth inhibition by ganciclovir treatment). Ganciclovir treatment resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth in noncyclosporin (CSA) treated Balb/c mice compared with CSA treated Balb/c mice. On day 8, mean ganciclovir-treated tumor volume were 65% of control tumor volume in Balb/c mice versus 77% control tumor volume in CSA-treated Balb/c mice. This effect was still evident during therapy (day 11 and 13). On day 13, non-CSA treated tumor volume was 35% of control tumor volume versus 60% of control tumor volume in CSA treated Balb/c mice. Duration of expression of HSVtk was not affected by the immunosuppression with CSA. Conclusion: These results indicate that the immune responses against retrovirally transduced cells enhance the efficacy of the HSVtk/ganciclovir system. These findings have important implications for clinical trials using currently available retrovirus vectors as well as for future vector design.