• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2012

$Toxoplasma$ $gondii$ can modulate host cell gene expression; however, determining gene expression levels in intermediate hosts after $T.$ $gondii$ infection is not known much. We selected 5 genes ($ALDH1A2$, $BEX2$, $CCL3$, $EGR2$ and $PLAU$) and compared the mRNA expression levels in the spleen, liver, lung and small intestine of genetically different mice infected with $T.$ $gondii$. ALDH1A2 mRNA expressions of both mouse strains were markedly increased at day 1-4 postinfection (PI) and then decreased, and its expressions in the spleen and lung were significantly higher in C57BL/6 mice than those of BALB/c mice. BEX2 and CCR3 mRNA expressions of both mouse strains were significantly increased from day 7 PI and peaked at day 15-30 PI ($P$<0.05), especially high in the spleen liver or small intestine of C57BL/6 mice. EGR2 and PLAU mRNA expressions of both mouse strains were significantly increased after infection, especially high in the spleen and liver. However, their expression patterns were varied depending on the tissue and mouse strain. Taken together, $T.$ $gondii$-susceptible C57BL/6 mice expressed higher levels of these 5 genes than did $T.$ $gondii$-resistant BALB/c mice, particularly in the spleen and liver. And ALDH1A2 and PLAU expressions were increased acutely, whereas BEX2, CCL3 and EGR2 expressions were increased lately. Thus, these demonstrate that host genetic factors exert a strong impact on the expression of these 5 genes and their expression patterns were varied depending on the gene or tissue.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.53-65
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• 2006

Calcium concentration in the bone resorption lacunae is high and is in the mM concentration range. Both osteoblast and osteoclast have calcium sensing receptor in the cell surface, suggesting the regulatory role of high extracellular calcium in bone metabolism. In vitro, high extracellular calcium stimulated osteoclastogenesis in coculture of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells. Therefore we examined the genes that were commonly regulated by both high extracellular calcium and $1,25(OH)_2vitaminD_3(VD3)$ by using mouse oligo 11 K gene chip. In the presence of 10 mM $[Ca^{2+}]e$ or 10 nM VD3, mouse calvarial osteoblasts and bone marrow cells were co-cultured for 4 days when tartrate resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells start to appear. Of 11,000 genes examined, the genes commonly regulated both by high extracellular calcium and by VD3 were as follows; 1) the expression of genes which were osteoclast differentiation markers or were associated with osteoclastogenesis were up-regulated both by high extracellular calcium and by VD3; trap, mmp9, car2, ctsk, ckb, atp6b2, tm7sf4, rab7, 2) several chemokine and chemokine receptor genes such as sdf1, scya2, scyb5, scya6, scya8, scya9, and ccr1 were up-regulated both by high extracellular calcium and by VD3, 3) the genes such as mmp1b, mmp3 and c3 which possibly stimulate bone resorption by osteoclast, were commonly up-regulated, 4) the gene such as c1q and msr2 which were related with macrophage function, were commonly down-regulated, 5) the genes which possibly stimulate osteoblast differentiation and/or mineralization of extracellular matrix, were commonly down-regulated; slc8a1, admr, plod2, lox, fosb, 6) the genes which possibly suppress osteoblast differentiation and/or mineralization of extracellular matrix, were commonly up-regulated; s100a4, npr3, mme, 7) the genes such as calponin 1 and tgfbi which possibly suppress osteoblast differentiation and/or mineralization of extracellular matrix, were up-regulated by high extracellular calcium but were down-regulated by VD3. These results suggest that in coculture condition, both high extracellular calcium and VD3 commonly induce osteoclastogenesis but suppress osteoblast differentiation/mineralization by regulating the expression of related genes.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2000

Purpose : This retrospective study has been undertaken to find out the clinical outcome of children with HS nephntis and its relationship with initial clinical presentation and/or renal pathologic finding. Patients and methods : Study population consisted of 59 children with HS nephritis who have been admitted to the Pediatric department of Kyungpook University Hospital from 1987 to 1999, and biopsy was done with indications of heavy proteinuria (> 1 g/m2/day) lasting over 1 month, nephrotic syndrome, and persistent hematuria and/or proteinuria over 1 year. Patients were divided clinically into 3 groups ; isolated hematuria, hematuria with proteinuria and heavy proteinuria (including nephrotic syndrome). Biopsy findings ore graded from I-V according to International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC). Results : Mean age of presentation was $8.1{\pm}3.0$ years and slight male preponderance m noted (33 boys md 26 girls). Histopathologic grading showed Grade I ; 2, Grade II ; 44, and Grade III ; 13 cases. Clinical outcome at the follow-up period of 1-2 year (49 cases) and 3-4 years (30 cases) shooed normal urinalysis in 75 (30.6$\%$) and 18 cases (60.0$\%$), persistent isolated hematuria in 20 (40.8$\%$) and 2 cases (6.7$\%$), hematuria with proteinuria in 11 (22.5$\%$) and 8 cases (26.6$\%$), and persistent heavy proteinuria in 3 (6.1$\%$) and 2 cases (6.7$\%$) respectively. Clinical outcome according to histopathologic grading showed the frequency of normalization of urinalysis being lower in Grade III compared to grade I or II. Clinical outcome according to initial clinical presentation showed no relationship to the normalization or urinalysis at follow-up periods. However, 15-20$\%$ of children with initial heavy proteinuria showed persistent heavy proteinuria (3 out of 20 cases at 1-2 years, and 2 out of 10 case at 3-4 years of follow-up periods). Conclusion : The majority of children with HS nephritis (histopathologic grade I, II, III) improved within 3-4 years and persistent heavy proteinuria was seen only in a kw of children with initial clinical presentation of heavy proteinuria.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1210-1218
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• 2007

Recently Atopic Dermatitis(AD) is increasing along with allergic disease. At present, there is no infallible cure for AD. Then AD patients undergo great suffering. This study is carried out to see whether or not the administering Danggwieumja(DG) along with Samhwangseje-gamibang(SG} as a medicine for external aplication, is effective in treating atopic dermatitis. To examine the effectiveness of the above prescription, the author made an observation of diverse immune responses. through the model of NC/Nga atopic mice. Results provided evidence that the DG administration along with SG can be used as a treatment means to atopic dermatitis. The results are as follows: The extent of Clinical skin severities in 13 and 16 week old NC/Nga mice treated with DG and SG, were reduced by 50.9%, 53.9% respectively, compared to the control NC/Nga mice with no drug treatment. IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM and IgG1 levels in the serum of the NC/Nga mice treated with DG and SG were significantly decreased compared to those of the untreated control mice. In contrary, to the $IFN-{\gamma}$ level, significantly increased. The spleen weight of the NC/Nga mice treated with DG and SG significantly decreased compared to those of the untreated control mice. CCR3 gene expression in the skin tissue of NC/Nga mice treated with DG and SG were highly decreased, and the IL-6 expression significantly decreased, and the $IFN-{\gamma}$ gene expression increased compared to those of the untreated control mice. Histological observation of the ear and dorsal skin tissue of the NC/Nga mice treated with DG and SG, showed that the extents of inflammation and infiltrated immune cells in the epidermal tissue and dermis, were highly reduced compared to those of the untreated control mice. In the model inducing COX-2 activity in RAW 264.7 cell, the denser DG became, the more COX-2 activity was inhibited, compared to those of the untreated control group. $IL-1{\beta}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 gene expression in RAW 264.7 cell with DG, significantly decreased, compared to those of the untreated control group. According to the assessment of cell toxicity in L929 cell, the rate of cell multiplication increased by 3% in consistency to 100ppm of DG compared to the untreated control group and in more than the 200 ppm consistency, cell toxicity was occurred.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.124-132
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• 2007

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been investigated intensively for some decades. These cells regulate the immune system, prevent overactivated immune responses and can be used therapeutically. For rheumatoid arthritis (RA), understanding the functions and status of Tregs is an important step for understanding immune regulation in this autoimmune disease. Methods: We investigated the percentages, phenotypes and suppressive functions of $CD4^+CD25^+$ Tregs in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with RA. Results: The percentages were higher in the patients (n=12) than in healthy controls (n=10), and the cells expressed the $CD45RB^{low}$, CTLA-4 and CCR7 phenotypes. We also investigated the expression of Foxp3 and secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 induced $CD4^+CD25^+$ Tcells by anti-CD3 antibody treatment. A suppressive function of the patients' cells was shown through coculture with $CD4^+CD25^-$ T cells in vitro. Conclusion: We suggest that, despite their increased numbers and suppressive function, they manage the ongoing inflammation ineffectively. It might be possible to apply IL-10 to induce the proliferation of IL-10-producing Tregs as therapy for RA.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2008

Objectives: Galgeunhaegitang-gamibang(GH) and Samhwangseze-gamibang(SG) has been known that they are helpful for treatment of atopic dermititis clinically, but there is no report about the effect of GH and SG. So, author aimed to investigate the effects of GH and SG on atopic dermititis of NC/Nga mice. Methods : NC/Nga mice were divide into three group : normal, control, and experimental group. Atopic dermatitis was induced in the control and experimental group by spreading DNCB. Then GH was orally administered three times in a week for 8 weeks to the experimental group and SG was spreaded two times in a day for 8 weeks to the experimental group, while the control group was given normal saline. We observed changes of clinical skin severity score, serum IgE, IL-4, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgGl, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and so on. We used one-way ANOVA test statistically(p<0.01). Results : Clinical skin severities of experiment group in 13 and 16weeks were significantly decreased by 48% and 55% compared to the control group. Serum IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgGl levels of experimental group were singnificantly decreased compared to the control group. Serum $IFN-{\gamma}$ level of the experimental group was significantly increased against control group. mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and CCR3 in the skin tissues of experimental group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. In contrary, $IFN-{\gamma}$y mRNA expression level were increased compared to the control group. Histological observation of the ear and skin tissues showed that the extents of inflammation and infiltrated immune cells in the epidermis and dermis of experimental group were highly deminished compared to the control group. Judging from that $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 expression of gene, the effects of inflammatory cytokine revelation were significantly decreased compared to the control group. In the model inducing COX-2 activity in RAW 264.7 cell, COX-2 activity was significantly inhibited depending on the density of GH compared to the control serum. According to cell multiplication, examination of cell toxicity showed that GH is safe at the density of 10, 50, 100mg/l and even 1000mg/l. Conclusion : Accordin to the above results, it is considered that GH and SG is effective treatment for the atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.23-35
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Asthma-depression and Immunoregulation with PR-HAS(Herbal-acupuncture with Platycodi Radix infusion solution) infection at Joksamni(St36) on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week). The experimental group(OVA-PR-HA) was treated with concentrations(1%) of PR-HAS at Joksamni(St36) for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). The second experimental group(OVA-Needle prick) was treated with Needle-Prick at Joksamni(St36) for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). Results : 1. The weight and total cells in the mice lung treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 2. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased remarkably compared with those of control group. 3. The sticking of collagen on histological analysis of lung sections, the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 4. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IgE in BALF, and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in serum of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 5. The number of Gr-1+/CD11b+ and CD11b+ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 6. The numbers of CCR3+ cells, CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells in the lungs, and CD3e+/CD69+ in the lungs of the mice group treated with PA-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 7. The mRNA expression of ${\beta}$-actin, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the mice group treated with PR-HA with RT-PCR decreased significantly compared with those of control group. Conclusions : These result suggests that Platycodi Radix Herbal-acupuncture at Joksamni(St36) in C57BL/6mice may be an effictive part to OVA-induced asthma in C57BL/6 mice.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.232-236
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• 1999

IgA 신병증은 사구체 중맥에 IgA가 침착하는 것이 특징적인 질환이며 막성 사구체 신염은 IgG가 사구체 기저막의 상피하에 미만성으로 침착하는 질환이다. 원발성 사구체 질환중 IgA 신병증과 막성 사구체신염은 비교적 흔한 질환이나 전체적인 빈도는 낮은 편으로, 한 환자의 사구체에서 두 질환이 동시에 발생하는 경우는 매우 드물다. IgA 신병증과 막성 사구체신염의 중복 신염은 Doi등이 1983년 원발성 신질환으로서 처음 보고한 이래, 성인에서 20여례가 보고되었다. 저자들은 신증후군이 발생한 환아에서 신생검을 시행한 결과 원발성 신질환으로서 IgA 신병증과 막성 사구체신염의 소견이 동시에 보이는 중복신염의 드문 예를 경험하였기에 보고하는 바이다. 환아는 7세된 남아로 내원 한달 전부터 발생한 전신부종을 주소로 내원하였다. 가족력과 과거력상 특이 소견없었으며, 내원시 이학적 소견상 전신적인 허약감과 안와부종, 복부팽만, 하지의 함요부종이 관찰되었고, 검사소견에서는 WBC $19,800/mm^3$, Hb 14.1g/dL, Platelet $397,000/mm^3$, BUN/Cr 10/0.4mg/dL, protein/albumin 4.43/2.73g/dL, cholesterol 429mg/dL, IgA 85mg/dL, $C_3$ 68.8mg/dL, $C_4$ 13.4mg/dL, ANA(-), ANCA(-), RF(-), HBsAg/Ab(-/-)이었다. 뇨검사에서는 RBC many/HPF, WBC 2-3/HPF, protein ${\le}\;300mg/dL$ 였으며, 24시간 소변 검사상 protein 9.18g/day, Ccr 66.67ml/min의 소견을 보였다. 신생검을 시행한 결과 광학현미경상에서 몇몇 사구체의 분절성 경화와 중맥역의 증식이 관찰되었고, 면역형광현미경검사에서는 IgA(3+)가 과립상으로 미만성 분포를 보이며 중맥역에 침착되어 있고, 미세한 과립상과 위선의 양상으로 IgG(1+)가 모세혈관벽에 침착되어 있었으며, 전자현미경 소견상 중맥역과 모세혈관 기저막 상피하에 소량의 전자 고밀도 침착이 함께 관찰되었다. 환아는 prednisolone을 경구 투여 받았으나 단백뇨와 혈뇨가 지속되어 solumedrol pulse therapy, captopril과 cyclophophamide로 치료 받은 후, 전신 상태 호전되고, 혈뇨가 사라졌으며, 24시간 소변 검사상 단백뇨가 487.5mg/day로 감소하여 외래에서 추적 관찰 중이다.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.116-134
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• 2005

Although the parallel prescription of Sopoongsangagambang (SG) administration along with external treatment such as spraying or ointment application on the skin is clinically used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), molecular mechanism underlying its effectiveness is unknown. Thus in the present study, diverse immune responses in terms of chemical mediators related to AD were investigated using an atopic mouse model NC/Nga after SG administration and external treatment (ET), and major findings are summarized as follows. 1. The clinical severities in 16 and 20 week old NC/Nga mice with SG and ET treatment were decreased to 72.2% and 62.3% respectively compared to the control NC/Nga mice with no drug treatment. 2. IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, IgM, IgG1 and IgG2a levels in the serum of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mouse group were significantly decreased compared to the untreated control mice. In contrast, $IFN-{\gamma}$ showed a significant increase in the experimental group compared to the untreated control group. 3. The spleen weight of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice was significantly decreased compared to the untreated control group. 4. The B/T ratio in the lymph node of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice was increased compared to the untreated control group. $CD4^+\;and\;CD8^+$ cell numbers in the lymph node of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice were significantly increased compared to the untreated control group, but $CD69^+\;and\;CD11a^+$ cells were significantly decreased. 5. mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, and CCR3 in the skin tissues of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice were significantly decreased, and expression levels of IL-6, IL-13, $CD69^+/CD3{\varepsilon}^+\;and\;CD19^+/CD44^+$ in the skin tissues of SG and ET treated NC/Mga mice were significantly decreased compared to the untreated control group. $IFN-{\gamma}$ mRNA expression levels were increased compared to the untreated control group. 6. Histological observation of the ear and neck skin tissues showed that the extents of inflammation and infiltrated immune cells in the epidermis and dermis of SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice were highly reduced compared to the untreated control group. 7. Lymphokine assay showed a significant decrease in IL-4 levels in SG and ET treated NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group, but the levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretion were significantly increased drug treated NC/Nga mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1168-1177
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• 2008

Atopic dermatitis(AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. AD has increased gradually, many people are tortured with AD. Chunggi-san(CG) and Samhwangseze-gamibang(SG) has been used for many kinds of skin disease in the Oriental medicine. But reports about the effect of CG and SG are insufficient. So, author investigated the effect of CG and SG on NC/Nga atopic mice. Major findings are summarized as follows: The clinical skin severity scores of experimental group in 13 and 16 week were decreased by 42% and 50% compared to the control group. Serum IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgGI levels of experimental group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Serum $IFN-\nu$ was significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, and CCR3 in the skin tissues of experimental group were significantly decreased, and expression level of IL-6 in the skin tissues of experimental group was significantly decreased compared to the control group. $IFN-\nu$ mRNA expression levels was increased compared to the control group. According to biopsy reports of the ear and skin tissues showed that the tissue damage, experimental group were highly reduced compared to the control group. Judging from that $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 express of gene, the effects of inflammatory cytokines revelation were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Depending on the density of CG, inflammatory RAW 264.7 in the serum of CG were significantly inhibited compared to the control serum that leaded a COX-2 activity model.