• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.21 no.12
• /
• pp.1264-1269
• /
• 2011

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a vital cytokine secreted by activated T lymphocytes, and plays an important role in the regulation of cellular functions and immunity of animals. In this study, the recombinant duck IL-2 (rduIL-2) was secretory expressed in Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris). The recombinant P. pastoris strain was cultured in shake flasks and then scaled up in a 5.0-l bioreactor. The result showed that the maximal fresh-cell-weight of 594.1 g/l and the maximal $OD_{600}$ of 408 were achieved in the bioreactor. The rduIL-2 was purified by two steps of purification procedures, and approximately 311 mg of rduIL-2/L fermentation supernatant was obtained. SDS-PAGE showed that the purified rduIL-2 constituted a homogeneous band of ~16 kDa or ~14 kDa corresponding to the glycosylated or non-glycosylated duIL-2 protein in size, respectively. The bioactivity of rduIL-2 was determined by lymphocyte proliferation assay. The result indicated that the rduIL-2 greatly promoted the proliferation of ConA-stimulated lymphocytes in vitro. The P. pastoris expression system described here could provide promising, inexpensive, and large-scale production of the rduIL-2, which lays the foundation for development of novel immunoadjuvants to enhance both the immunity of ducks against various infectious pathogens and vaccine efficacy.

• Korean journal of dermatology
• /
• v.56 no.10
• /
• pp.609-613
• /
• 2018

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with an incidence of 0.5~3% of the worldwide population. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is related to dysregulated keratinocyte function and immune reactions. Notably, genetic factors are considered important etiological contributors. Globally, several researchers have recently performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify the genes related with psoriasis. Objective: We aimed to investigate the expression pattern of 2 candidate genes that were identified by GWAS. These include interleukin 28 receptor alpha (IL28RA) and CUB and Sushi multiple domains 1 (CSMD1). Methods: We applied imiquimod cream to develop a psoriasis-like mouse model and obtained skin tissue. We performed immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of IL-28A and CSMD1. Results: IL28RA expression increased at an early time point such as 1 day after the topical application of 5% imiquimod cream. However, its expression returned to baseline levels 2 weeks after the topical application of imiquimod cream. CSMD1 expression also increased after the topical application of imiquimod, with increased expression particularly observed in the upper epidermal layer. Notably, CSMD1 expression decreased 7 days after imiquimod cream application. Conclusion: These results suggest that IL28RA and CSMD1 may play key roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.769-773
• /
• 1998

Brazilin was examined for its effects on the induction of immunological tolerance. Brazilin was administered to C57BL/6 female mice for 2 consecutive days before the immunization with high dose SRBC (109 cells) which can produce immunological tolerance. Delayed type hypersensitivity, IgM plaque forming cells, ConA induced IL-2 production and mitogen- or antigen-induced proliferation of lymphocytes were measured as evaluation parameters. Administration of brazilin prior to immunization could keep the DTH and IL-2 production almost optimaly immunized levels. Brazilin also inhibited the elevation of non-specific suppressor cell activity. ConA induced proliferation of splenocytes in high dose SRBC immunized mice was significantly decreased by pretreatment of brazilin. And this might be one of the reason for augmentation of DTH by brazilin. However, IgM plaque forming cells were not affected by the treatment of brazilin. These results indicate that brazilin prevents the induction of mmunological tolerance caused by high dose SRBC by suppressing the elevation of suppressor cell activity and by inhibiting the decrease in IL-2 production in C57BL/6 female mice.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.1272-1278
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Kyung Hee Allergic Disease Herbal Formula (KAHF) on atopic dermatitis (AD) and its mode of action. Our clinical study showed KAHF reduced Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) indexes and subjective symptom scores. In parallel, the decreased levels of interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ and interleukin (IL)-5 in serum, which contributed to its AD-mitigating effect was observed. To reveal the underlying mechanisms of KAHF in AD, its anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses in RAW 264.7 cells was examined. KAHF was found to significantly inhibit the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and IL-$1{\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Consistently, KAHF potently inhibited protein and mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, KAHF inhibited LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-$\kappa}B$. Taken together, our data suggest that KAHF has a beneficial effect on several eicosanoid-related skin inflammations, such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.74-92
• /
• 2005

The high resolution solution structure of MCP-3 was determined using multinuclear, multidimensional NMR spectroscopy with an expressed and $^{13}C-\;and\;^{15}N-labeled$ protein. The MCP-3 has a typical chemokine fold including 3 anti-parallel $\beta-sheets$, and a C-terminal helix, but it exists as a monomer in solution under the conditions where the structure was determined (2 mM, pH 5.1 at $30^{\circ}C$). Based on the structure and the amino acid sequence compared to other chemokines we propose that Ile20 and Leu25 in MCP-3 play key roles in the formation of N-loop (residues between the $2^{nd}$ cysteine and the I sheet) which has been implicated as a determinant of chemokine specificity. Additional receptor binding surface is supplied by the 40s loop (residues between the 2 and the 3 sheet) and the binding interface of the acidic N-terminal region of chemokine receptor to MCP-3 would resemble the dimerization interface of CC type dimer.

• Journal of Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2009

GD68 is newly developed herb complex prescription. The constituent herbs of GD68 were Massa Medicata Fermentata, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Poria, Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Saccarum Granorum, Agastachis Herba, Taraxaci Herba, Perillae Herba, Scutellariae Radix, Astragali Radix, Ginseng Radix, Houttuyniae Herba and Halloysitum Rubrum. The aim of this study was to examine feed value of GD68 in duck. The weight gain of ducks fed with supplemental GD68 high compared to those of the control. The feed intake and mortality of ducks fed with supplemental GD68 low compared to those of the control. The moisture, crude lipid and calorie content of the ducks fed GD68 were decreased, but the crude protein content of the ducks fed GD68 was increased. And we investigated the effect of GD68 on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells. GD68 plus concanavalin A (Con A) increased the interferon-$\gamma$ and interleukin-2 production compared with Con A alone. These results indicate that the supplemental GD68 may improve the production, meat quality and immunity of ducks.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.610-617
• /
• 2012

Trifoliate orange components consist of several kinds, such as monoterpenes, limonoids, flavonoids, and coumarins. Coumarin derivatives were shown to possess valuable pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and dietary effect. Among them, 7-geranyloxycoumarin 6 is a promising chemopreventive agent againist skin, tongue, oesophaqus and colon carcinogenesis in rodents. Seven new coumarin derivatives structurally related to 7-geranyloxycoumarin were synthesised in good yields by $Cs_2CO_3$/acetonitrile condition. We investigated the effect of anti-inflammatory activity on interleukin-6 for synthesised geranyloxycoumarin derivatives. 6-Geranyoxycoumarin 9 (68.9% / $1{\mu}M$ ; 72.6% / $10{\mu}M$) of the anti-inflammatory activity is far higher than 7-Geranyloxycoumarin 5 (40.1% / $1{\mu}M$ ; 61.1% / $10{\mu}M$) and their other derivatives.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.661-670
• /
• 2018

Fimasartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist, reduces myocyte damage and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque through its anti-inflammatory effect in animal studies. We investigated the protective effects of pretreatment with fimasartan on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in a mouse model of ischemic renal damage. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with or without 5 (IR-F5) or 10 (IR-F10) mg/kg/day fimasartan for 3 days. Renal ischemia was induced by clamping bilateral renal vascular pedicles for 30 min. Histology, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis assays were evaluated 24 h after IRI. Compared to the untreated group, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in the IR-F10 group. IR-F10 kidneys showed less tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis than untreated kidneys. The expression of F4/80, a macrophage infiltration marker, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, decreased in the IR-F10 group. High-dose fimasartan treatment attenuated the upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in ischemic kidneys. Fewer TUNEL positive cells were observed in IR-F10 compared to control mice. Fimasartan caused a significant decrease in caspase-3 activity and the level of Bax, and increased the Bcl-2 level. Fimasartan preserved renal function and tubular architecture from IRI in a mouse ischemic renal injury model. Fimasartan also attenuated upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and decreased apoptosis of renal tubular cells. Our results suggest that fimasartan inhibited the process of tubular injury by preventing apoptosis induced by the inflammatory pathway.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.61 no.3
• /
• pp.184-190
• /
• 2016

We investigated the antioxidative and protective effects of corn silk (Zea mays L.) ethanol extracts on human HaCaT cells and erythrocytes. The NICS-2 fraction, extracted from corn silk, exhibited favorable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities with $IC_{50}$valuesof$13.3{\pm}0.3{\mu}g/mL$ and $14.2{\pm}0.1{\mu}g/mL$ when compared with those of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, a positive control, with $IC_{50}=10.4{\pm}02.2$ and $22.2{\pm}3.6{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In addition, we investigated skin protection effects of NICS extracts of corn silk in HaCaT keratinocytes. To investigate the pharmacological potential of NICS-1 and NICS-2 extracts of corn silk on UV-B-induced damage in HaCaT cells, we measured the activity of interleukin (IL) 1a. Our results showed that all the corn silk extracts inhibited the UV-B-induced activity of IL-1a. In particular, NICS-1 extracts of corn silk significantly suppressed IL-1a activity in a dose-dependent manner without inducing cytotoxicity. These results indicate that the ethanol extracts of corn silk (Zea mays L.) could function as natural cytoprotective agents and antioxidants in biological systems, particularly the skin exposed to UV radiation, by protecting cellular membrane against reactive oxygen species (ROS).