• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.32.1-32.20
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• 2022

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily targets the salivary and lacrimal glands. The pathology of these exocrine glands is characterized by periductal focal lymphocytic infiltrates, and both T cell-mediated tissue injury and autoantibodies that interfere with the secretion process underlie glandular hypofunction. In addition to these adaptive mechanisms, multiple innate immune pathways are dysregulated, particularly in the salivary gland epithelium. Our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of SS has substantially improved during the past decade. In contrast to viral infection, bacterial infection has never been considered in the pathogenesis of SS. In this review, oral dysbiosis associated with SS and evidence for bacterial infection of the salivary glands in SS were reviewed. In addition, the potential contributions of bacterial infection to innate activation of ductal epithelial cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and B cells and to the breach of tolerance via bystander activation of autoreactive T cells and molecular mimicry were discussed. The added roles of bacteria may extend our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for this autoimmune exocrinopathy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.1189-1197
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• 2017

Lichen-forming fungi are known to have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammation, and anti proliferative effects. However, the immunosuppressive effects of Bryoria sp. extract (BSE) have not previously been investigated. In this study, the inhibitory activity of BSE on the proliferation of $CD8^+$ T cells and the mixed lymphocytes reaction (MLR) was evaluated in vitro. BSE was non-toxic in spleen cells and suppressed the growth of splenocytes induced by anti-CD3. The suppressed cell population in spleen cells consisted of $CD8^+$ T cells and their proliferation was inhibited by the treatment with BSE. This extract significantly suppressed the IL-2 associated with T cell growth and $IFN-{\gamma}$ as the $CD8^+$ T cell marker. Furthermore, BSE reduced the expression of the IL-2 receptor alpha chain ($IL-2R{\alpha}$) on $CD8^+$ T cells and CD86 on dendritic cells by acting as antigen-presenting cells. Finally, the MLR produced by the co-culture of C57BL/6 and MMC-treated BALB/c was suppressed by BSE. IL-2, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and CD69 on $CD8^+$ T cells in MLR condition were inhibited by BSE. These results indicate that BSE inhibits the MLR via the suppression of $IL-2R{\alpha}$ expression in $CD8^+$ T cells. BSE has the potential to be developed as an anti-immunosuppression agent for organ transplants.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.131-135
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• 2009

The sublingual locus has recently received great attention as a delivery site for various immunotherapies, including those that induce allergen-specific tolerance, and for vaccines that generate protective immunity. To further understand the immune functions of the human sublingual mucosa, we characterized the distribution of various immunocytes therein by immunohistochemistry. We identified professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), including Langerhans cells (LCs) and macrophages. $CD1a^+$ and $langerin^+$ LCs were further found to be distributed in the basal and supra-basal layers of the epithelium, and macrophages were identified in the lamina propria. HLA-$DR^+$ cells were observed in both the epithelium and the lamina propria, which mirrors the tissue distribution of LCs and macrophages within these tissues. $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, and $CD8^+$ T cells were found to be distributed along the basal layer of the epithelium and also in the lamina propria. Although B cells, plasma cells, and $Foxp3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were only occasionally observed in the human sublingual mucosa in the absence of inflammation, they did show enrichment at inflammatory sites. Hence, we have further elucidated the immune cell component distribution in human sublingual mucosa.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권12호
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• pp.2033-2041
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• 2007

For many years, it has been demonstrated that neurotrophins regulate the adult nervous system, implicating their potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We generated adenoviral vectors encoding brain-derived neutotrophin factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT3) and tested either separately or together for the ability to induce differentiation of neuronal precursor cells with two different origins. Separate transduction of adenovirus delivering BDNF (BDNF-Ad) or NT3 (NT3-Ad) induced the neuronal differentiation in hippocampal and cortical precursor cells. NT3-Ad infected cells extended short neurites, whereas BDNF-Ad infected cells had longer neurites. In the early differentiation of hippocampal precursor cells, simultaneous infection of BDNF-Ad and NT3-Ad promoted further differentiation and neurite elongation compared with the separate infection of each virus. In contrast, simultaneous infection did not show the synergistic effect in the cortical precursor cells, suggesting that the neurotrophins play distinct roles in different regions of the brain. However, the numbers of neurites and spines per differentiated cells were markedly increased in cortical as well as hippocampal precursor cells, indicating the promotion of efficient neurite elongation and formation of dendritic spine, when BDNF-Ad and NT3-Ad were co-infected. These results suggest more studies in the effect of a combinatorial use of neurotrophins on different sites of brain need to be carried out to develop gene therapy protocols for neurodegenerative diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.348-357
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• 2011

Background: N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2), a member of a newly described family of differentiation-related genes, has been characterized as a regulator of dendritic cells. However, the role of NDRG2 on the expression and activation of transcription factors in blood cells remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of NDRG2 overexpression on GATA-1 expression in PMAstimulated U937 cells. Methods: We generated NDRG2-overexpressing U937 cell line (U937-NDRG2) and treated the cells with PMA to investigate the role of NDRG2 on GATA-1 expression. Results: NDRG2 overexpression in U937 cells significantly induced GATA-1 expression in response to PMA stimulation. Interestingly, JAK2/STAT and BMP-4/Smad pathways associated with the induction of GATA-1 were activated in PMA-stimulated U937-NDRG2 cells. We found that the inhibition of JAK2 activation, but not of BMP-4/Smad signaling, can elicit a decrease of PMA-induced GATA-1 expression in U937-NDRG2 cells. Conclusion: The results reveal that NDRG2 promotes the expression of GATA-1 through activation of the JAK2/STAT pathway, but not through the regulation of the BMP-4/Smad pathway in U937 cells. Our findings further suggest that NDRG2 may play a role as a regulator of erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation during hematopoiesis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.310-317
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• 2021

Cluster of differentiation 1 (CD1) is a family of cell-surface glycoproteins that present lipid antigens to T cells. Humans have five CD1 isoforms. CD1a is distinguished by the small volume of its antigen-binding groove and its stunted A' pocket, its high and exclusive expression on Langerhans cells, and its localization in the early endosomal and recycling intracellular trafficking compartments. Its ligands originate from self or foreign sources. There are three modes by which the T-cell receptors of CD1a-restricted T cells interact with the CD1a:lipid complex: they bind to both the CD1a surface and the antigen or to only CD1a itself, which activates the T cell, or they are unable to bind because of bulky motifs protruding from the antigen-binding groove, which might inhibit autoreactive T-cell activation. Recently, several studies have shown that by producing T_H2 or T_H17 cytokines, CD1a-restricted T cells contribute to inflammatory skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis, and wasp/bee venom allergy. They may also participate in other diseases, including pulmonary disorders and cancer, because CD1a-expressing dendritic cells are also located in non-skin tissues. In this mini-review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding the biology of CD1a-reactive T cells and their potential roles in disease.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권12호
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• pp.1690-1697
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• 2009

CD11c와 CD80 및 CD86과 같은 보조 수용체는 주로 수지상 세포에서 발현되는 세포 표지 인자이다. 본 연구에서는 KG-1, HL-60, NB4 및 THP-1 세포와 같은 여러 종류의 백혈병 세포를 이용하여 이들 세포에 재조합 Flt-3 리간드를 처리하였을 때 수지상 세포의 표면 인자인 CD11c의 발현에 어떠한 변화가 있는가를 조사하였다. KG-1 세포뿐만 아니라 NB4세포와 HL-60 세포에서도 Flt-3 수용체가 발현됨을 확인하였으나 THP-1 세포에서는 이들 수용체가 발현되지 않았다. KG-1 세포를 Flt-3 리간드나 granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)와 tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$를 섞은 배양액에서 배양하였을 때 세포 증식은 억제되었으며 CD11c 발현은 현저히 증가되었다. 그러나 Flt-3 리간드를 처리한 KG-1세포에서는 GM-CSF와 TNF-$\alpha$를 처리한 세포에서와는 다르게 major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I 및 MHC-II의 발현은 증가되지 않았다. Flt-3 리간드는 HL-60 세포와 NB4 세포의 CD11c 발현도 증가시켰으나 THP-1 세포에서는 아무런 영향이 없었다. CD11c의 발현과 비교하여 CD11b의 발현은 Flt-3 리간드에 의하여 KG-1 세포에서는 약하게 증가하였으나 NB4 세포와 HL-60 세포에서는 증가되지 않았다. KG-1 세포를 Flt-3 리간드로 처리하였을 때 extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2)와 p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK)의 단백질 인산화가 증가되었으며 Flt-3 리간드에 의한 CD11c 발현의 증가는 MEK의 억제제인PD98059에 의하여 사라짐을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과는 Flt-3 수용체 리간드의 처리에 의하여 $CD34^+$ myelomonocyte분화 단계인 KG-1 세포와 promyelocyte 분화 단계의 백혈병 세포에서 수지상 세포와 유사한 세포 형으로 분화된다는 것을 보였고 Flt-3 수용체 리간드에 의한 이들 백혈병 세포의 수지상 세포유사 세포로의 분화는 ERK-1/2의 활성화에 의하여 일어날 수 있음을 보여 준다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.728-734
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• 2009

본 연구에서는, PBMC로부터 고순도 및 고수율의 단세포를 분리하기 위해 Histopaque 용액의 density 및 osmolarity를 PBS와 NaCI 용액으로 1.072 g/ml 및 335 mOsm로 조절하여 간단하고 경제적인 방법인 부유밀도구배 원심분리법을 개발하였다. 위와 같이 조절된 Histopaue 용액을 사용하여 부유밀도구배 원심분리를 시행한 결과 단세포는 Top층에서 가장 많이 회수되었다. 회수된 단세포의 순도는 71.44${\sim}$82.38%의 범위를 나타내었고 평균 74.75${\pm}$3.84% 이었다. 또한, 수율은 21.02${\sim}$53.63%의 범위를 나타내어 평균 32.62${\pm}$11.16% 이었다. 이러한 방법의 부유밀도구배 원심분리에 의해 분리된 단세포를 수지상세포로 분화 유도시켜 그 형태, 표현형, 기능적인 면을 분석해 보았을 때 전형적인 수지상세포의 기능을 나타내었다. 결론적으로, PBMC로부터 단세포를 분리하기 위해 본 연구에서 사용된 부유밀도구배 원심분리 방법은 plastic adherence, elutriation 및 immunomagnetic selection보다 용이하고 경제적인 방법이다. 나아가 이러한 장점을 바탕으로 임상단계에서 수지상세포를 안전하고, 효율적으로 배양할 수 있는 closed system에도 적용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.160-170
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• 2019

The lactic acid bacteria species Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) has been used extensively for vaccine delivery. Considering to the critical role of dendritic cells in stimulating host immune response, in this study, we constructed a novel CD11c-targeting L. plantarum strain with surface-displayed variable fragments of anti-CD11c, single-chain antibody (scFv-CD11c). The newly designed L. plantarum strain, named 409-aCD11c, could adhere and invade more efficiently to bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) in vitro due to the specific interaction between scFv-CD11c and CD11c located on the surface of BMDCs. After incubation with BMDCs, the 409-aCD11c strain harboring a eukaryotic vector pValac-GFP could lead to more efficient expression of GFP compared with wild-type strains shown by flow cytometry analysis, indicating the enhanced translocation of pValac-GFP from L. plantarum to BMDCs. Similar results were also observed in an in vivo study, which showed that oral administration resulted in efficient expression of GFP in both Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) within 7 days after the last administration. In addition, the CD11c-targeting strain significantly promoted the differentiation and maturation of DCs, the differentiation of $IL-4^+$ and $IL-17A^+$ T helper (Th) cells in MLNs, as well as production of $B220^+$ $IgA^+$ B cells in the PP. In conclusion, this study developed a novel DC-targeting L. plantarum strain which could increase the ability to deliver eukaryotic expression plasmid to host cells, indicating a promising approach for vaccine study.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.205-212
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• 2013

Dectin-1, which specifically recognizes ${\beta}$-glucan of fungal cell walls, is a non-Toll-like receptor (TLR) pattern recognition receptor and a representative of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). The importance of Dectin-1 in innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, has previously been well studied. However, the function of Dectin-1 in B cells is very poorly understood. To determine the role of Dectin-1 in B cell activation, we first investigated whether mouse B cells express Dectin-1 and then assessed the effect of Dectin-1 stimulation on B cell proliferation and antibody production. Mouse B cells express mRNAs encoding CLRs, including Dectin-1, and surface Dectin-1 was expressed in B cells of C57BL/6 rather than BALB/c strain. Dectin-1 agonists, heat-killed Candida albicans (HKCA) and heat-killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HKSC), alone induced B cell proliferation but not antibody production. Interestingly, HKSC, HKCA, and depleted zymosan (a selective Dectin-1 agonist) selectively enhanced LPS-driven IgG1 production. Taken together, these results suggest that, during fungal infection, ${\beta}$-glucan-stimulated Dectin-1 may cooperate with TLR4 to specifically enhance IgG1 production by mouse B cells.