• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2002

Background: Our previous study showed that purified protein derivative (PPD)-stimulated pleural mononuclear cells (PMC) from tuberculous pleurisy (Tbp) produced significantly more $IFN-{\gamma}$ (10- to 70-fold) after in vitro PPD stimulation than freshly isolated pleural cells from malignant pleurisy. The present study was designed to determine whether blocking the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction decreases $IFN-{\gamma}$ production by altering IL-12 levels. Methods: IL-12 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production after neutralizing anti-CD40L antibody treatment was compared to the efficacy of anti-CD80, anti-CD86, and a combination of anti-CD80 and CD86 (CD80+86) monoclonal antibodies (mAb). These activities were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), after in vitro stimulation with PPO antigen (Ag). Results: Neutralization of CD80, CD86 and CD80+86 did not decrease $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-12 production in Tbp-PMC, whereas neutralization of CD40L significantly depressed IL-12 p40 and $IFN-{\gamma}$. In addition, neutralization of CD40L completely inhibited IL-12 p40 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ mRNA expression. Conclusion: The CD40-CD40L interaction might play a major role in IL-12 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production in Tbp-PMC, thus contributing to protective immunity in human tuberculosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.533-537
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• 2014

Purpose: Obesity is related to systemic inflammatory processes causing cardiovascular complications. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), CD40 ligand (CD40L), P-selectin are newly described mediators of inflammation and have a significant effect in atherosclerosis. Adiponectin has shown anti-inflammatory effects in adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between adiponectin and inflammatory mediators in children and adolescents. Methods: Fifty children or adolescents, twenty two with a body mass index (BMI) over 95th percentile, and twenty eight with a BMI below 75th percentile were included in the study. Serum soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), P-selectin, CD40L, lipid profiles, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose and insulin were measured to evaluate associations with adiponectin. Comparison of these variables was performed between the obese and the nonobese group. Results: We found a adiponectin to be significant lower and sICAM-1 significant higher in the obese group compared to the nonobese group, but there were no significant differences in P-selectin and soluble CD40L. Adiponectin was negatively associated with ICAM-1 and P-selectin in the obese group. Conclusion: Negative associations of adiponectin with ICAM-1 and P-selectin in obese children and adolescents suggest that serum adiponectin level may represent the inflammatory status.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2015

IL-10-producing B (Breg) cells regulate various immune responses. However, their phenotype remains unclear. CD40 expression was significantly increased in B cells by LPS, and the Breg cells were also enriched in $CD40^{hi}CD5^+$ B cells. Furthermore, CD40 expression on Breg cells was increased by IL-10, CD40 ligand, and B cell-activating factor, suggesting that $CD40^{hi}$ is a common phenotype of Breg cells. LPS-induced CD40 expression was largely suppressed by an anti-IL-10 receptor antibody and in IL-$10^{-/-}CD5^+CD19^+$ B cells. The autocrine effect of IL-10 on the CD40 expression was largely suppressed by an inhibitor of JAK/STAT3. In vivo, the LPS treatment increased the population of $CD40^{hi}CD5^+$ Breg cells in mice. However, the population of $CD40^{hi}CD5^+$ B cells was minimal in IL-$10^{-/-}$ mice by LPS. Altogether, our findings show that Breg cells are largely enriched in $CD40^{hi}CD5^+$ B cells and the autocrine effect of IL-10 is critical to the formation of $CD40^{hi}CD5^+$ Breg cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1492-1496
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• 2007

In vitro IgE class switching could be induced through co-culture of CD40L-expressing KU812 cells and CD40-expressing B cells in the presence of IL-4 or IL-13. It has been generated several B cell lines, which produce rice allergen (RA)-specific IgM antibody by in witγo immunization (IVI) using peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL). In this study, induction of RA-specific IgE antibody by KU812 cells was attempted. Before co-culture, we determined the CD40 expression in RA-specific B cell lines, RA9G11 and the CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression in activated KU812 cells by treatments with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin for 6 hrs. Flow cytometric analysis shown that RA9G11 and activated KU812 cells expressed high level of CD40 and CD40L, respectively. RA9G11 cells were cultured with activated KU812 cells for 12 days in the presence of IL-4 for IgE class switching. Mature $C{\varepsilon}$ mRNA level and RA-specific IgE spot forming cells (SFC) were observed in all culture condition, and especially, high level of RA-specific IgE synthesis was determined the same ratio of RA9G11 and activated KU812 cells in the presence of 50U IL-4. Therefore, induction of RA-specific IgE synthesis by activated KU812 cells can be contributed in the application for allergic therapy and prevention.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2011

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which recognize structurally conserved components among pathogens, are mainly expressed by antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), B cells, and macrophages. Recognition through TLRs triggers innate immune responses and influences antigen-specific adaptive immune responses. Although studies on the expression and functions of TLRs in antigen-presenting cells have been extensively reported, studies in lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells have been limited. In this study, we observed that LTi cells expressed TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA as well as TLR2 protein and upregulated OX40L, CD30L, and TRANCE expression after stimulation with the TLR2 ligand zymosan or TLR4 ligand LPS. The expression of tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) members was significantly upregulated when cells were cocultured with DCs, suggesting that upregulated TNFSF expression may contribute to antigen-specific adaptive immune responses.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2003

Purpose : Hyper IgM syndrome(HIGM) is characterized by severe recurrent bacterial infections with decreased serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE but elevated IgM levels. Recently, it has been classified into three groups; HIGM1, HIGM2 and a rare form of HIGM. HIGM1 is a X-linked form of HIGM and has now been identified as a T-cell deficiency in which mutations occur in the gene that encodes the CD40 ligand molecule. HIGM2 is an autosomal recessive form of HIGM. Molecular studies have shown that the mutation of HIGM2 is in the gene that encodes activation-induced cytidine deaminase(AID). Recently, another rare form of X-linked HIGM syndrome associated with hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia has been identified. We encountered a patient with a varient form of HIGM2. To clarify the cause of this form of HIGM, we evaluated the peripheral B cells of this patient. Methods : The lymphocytes of the patient were prepared from peripheral blood. B cells were immortalized with the infection of EBV. Cell cycle analysis was done with the immortalized B cells of the patient. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stained with monoclonal anti-CD40L antibody. Total RNA was extracted from the peripheral mononuclear cells. After RT-PCR, direct sequencing for CD40L gene and HuAID gene were done. Immunostainings of a lymph node for CD3, CD23, CD40, Fas-L, bcl-2, BAX were done. Results : The peripheral B cells of this patient showed normal expression of CD40L molecule and normal sequencing of CD40L gene, and also normal sequencing of AID gene. Interestingly, the peripheral B cells of this patient showed a decreased population of G2/mitosis phase in cell cycles which recovered to normal with the stimulation of IL-4. Conclusion : We suspect that the cause of increased serum IgM in this patient may be from a decrease of G2/mitosis phase of the peripheral B cells, which may be from the decreased production or secretion of IL-4. Therefore, this may be a new form of HIGM.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1366-1370
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• 2013

A series of phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes 1-4 based on phenylpyrazole were synthesized and their photophysical properties were investigated. To evaluate their electroluminescent properties, OLED devices with the structure of ITO/NPB/mCP: 8% Iridium complexes (1-4)/TPBi/Liq/Al were fabricated. Among those, the device with 3 showed the most efficient white emission with maximum luminance of 100.6 $cd/m^2$ at 15 V, maximum luminous efficiency of 1.52 cd/A, power efficiency of 0.71 lm/W, external quantum efficiency of 0.59%, and CIE coordinates of (0.35, 0.40) at 15.0 V, respectively.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.90-96
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• 2011

Simultaneous removal of heavy metals (Cd, Pb) and diesel-fuel from a soil column was evaluated by respectively flushing with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution, mixture of SDS and sodium iodide (SDS + NaI), and surfactant foam (SDS + NaI foam). First, this study evaluated these flushing methods to the heavy metals only-contaminated soil for removal of heavy metals from the heavy-metal only contaminated soil column. After 7 pore volume flushing of the soil column, Cd removal efficiencies from the soil were 40% by SDS solution, 50% by SDS + NaI mixture, and 60% by surfactant foam. The flushing results implied that anionic surfactant and ligand can be efficiently applied to extraction of Cd from the heavy metal contaminated soil. Furthermore, surfactant foam flushing showed an increased flushing efficiency with enhancing the contact between surfactant solution and soil. However, Pb removal efficiency by these flushing methods did not show any difference unlike those of Cd. Second, this study eventually evaluated flushing methods for simultaneous removal of heavy metals and diesel-fuel from the soil column with 7 pore volume flushing. Diesel-fuel removal efficiencies were 50% by SDS + NaI flushing and 90% by SDS + NaI foam flushing. Cd removal efficiency by the foam flushing reached to 80% which was higher than the result of the previous heavy metals onlycontaminated soil experiment. This result implied that diesel-fuel could act as a metal-solvent while it contacted to heavy metals present in the soil. This study clearly showed that surfactant foam flushing simultaneously removed heavy metals and diesel fuel from the soil column.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.40.1-40.14
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• 2023

Glucocorticoids suppress the vascular inflammation that occurs under hypercholesterolemia, as demonstrated in an animal model fed a high-cholesterol diet. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects remain poorly understood. Because cholesterol is oxidized to form cholesterol oxides (oxysterols) that are capable of inducing inflammation, we investigated whether glucocorticoids affect the immune responses evoked by 7α-hydroxycholesterol (7αOHChol). The treatment of human THP-1 monocytic cells with dexamethasone (Dex) and prednisolone (Pdn) downregulated the expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as TLR6 and CD14, and diminished 7αOHChol-enhanced response to FSL-1, a TLR2/6 ligand, and lipopolysaccharide, which interacts with CD14 to initiate immune responses, as determined by the reduced secretion of IL-23 and CCL2, respectively. Glucocorticoids weakened the 7αOHChol-induced production of CCL2 and CCR5 ligands, which was accompanied by decreased migration of monocytic cells and CCR5-expressing Jurkat T cells. Treatment with Dex or Pdn also reduced the phosphorylation of the Akt-1 Src, ERK1/2, and p65 subunits. These results indicate that both Dex and Pdn impair the expression of PRRs and their downstream products, chemokine production, and phosphorylation of signaling molecules. Collectively, glucocorticoids suppress the innate immune response and activation of monocytic cells to an inflammatory phenotype enhanced or induced by 7αOHChol, which may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects in hypercholesterolemic conditions.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.3645-3650
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• 2012

Two new blue emitting cationic iridium(III) complexes with two substituted 2-phenlypyridine ligands as main ligands and one 2,2'-biimidazole as an ancillary ligand, $[(L1)_2Ir(biim)]Cl$ (1) and $[(L2)_2Ir(biim)]Cl$ (2), where L1 = 2-(2',4'-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine, L2 = 2-(2',4'-difluoro-3'-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-methylpyridine and biim = 2,2'-biimidazole, were synthesized for applications in phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs). Their photophysical, electrochemical and electroluminescent (EL) device performances were examined. The photoluminescent (PL) spectra revealed blue phosphorescence in the 450 to 485 nm range with a quantum yield of more than 10%. The iridium(III) compounds studied showed good solubility in organic solvents with no solvatochromism dependent on the solvent polarity. The solution-processed OLEDs were prepared with the configuration, ITO/PEDOT:PSS (40 nm)/mCP:Ir(III) (70 nm)/OXD-7 (20 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (100 nm), by spin coating the emitting layer containing the mCP host doped with the iridium phosphors. The best performance of the fabricated OLEDs based on compound 1 showed an external quantum efficiency of 4.5%, luminance efficiency of 8.52 cd $A^{-1}$ and blue emission with the CIE coordinates (x,y) of (0.16, 0.33).