• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.451-464
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• 2009

Background and Objective : Cyperus rotundus L. (CR) is a commonly used herbal medicine in Asian countries such as Korea, China and Japan. The present study was designated to evaluate the direct effects of CR on helper T cell activities and on Th1/Th2 lineage development in vitro. Materials and Methods : Spleen cells from 8 week BALB/c mice were cultured in CR extracts containing medium without activation for 24 hours and with activation for 48 hours. CD4+ T cells were isolated and analyzed for mRNA expression levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, T-bet and GATA-3 by RT-PCR and secretion cytokines levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 by ELISA. Results : The results demonstrated that CR had no mitogenic effects on unstimulated CD4+ T cells, but augmented CD4+ T-cell proliferation upon activation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. CR treatment significantly increased CD4+ T cell population and the IFN-$\gamma$ expression was significantly enhanced, while IL-4 expression was significantly decreased. In addition, in vitro Th1/Th2 polarization experiments revealed that CR enhanced IFN-$\gamma$ secretion in Th1 cells, but reduced the IL-4 in Th2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that CR treatment could be a desirable alternative therapy for the prevention or correction of Th2 dominant pathological disorders, such as allergy and asthma.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.99-105
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• 2014

In this study, to further understand the mechanism of animal growth and to develop a miniature transgenic animal model, we constructed and tested tetracycline-inducible RNAi system using shRNA targeting the mRNA of mouse insulin-like growth factor (mIGF-1) or mouse growth hormone receptor (mGHR) gene. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of mouse liver cell (Hepa1c1c7) cells transfected with these vectors showed 85% or 90% of expression inhibition effect of IGF-1 or GHR, respectively. In ELISA analysis, the protein level of IGF-1 in the cells expressing the shRNA targeting IGF-1 mRNA was reduced to 26% of non-transformed control cells. Unexpectedly, in case of using shRNA targeting GHR, the IGF-1 protein level was decreased to 75% of control cells. Further experiments are needed to explain the lower interference effect of GHR shRNA in IGF-1 protein. Accumulated knowledge of this approach could be applicable to a variety of related biological area including gene function study, gene therapy, development of miniature animals, etc.

• 대한한방성인병학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.1-20
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• 2005

Background and Objective: The importance of the presence of eosinophils in the airways of patients with fetal asthma has long been recognized, but the mechanism by which these cells are recruited and retained in the lung are only now being elucidated. Eotaxin is a potent and specific eosinophil chemoattractant that is mobilized in the respiratory epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods: We used water extracts of Liripois Tuber and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human typeII-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils. We estimated cytotoxic effects of Liripois Tuber via MTS assay, and estimated the effects of Liripois Tuber on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. We conducted chemotaxis assay on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Liripois Tuber. Result: In this study we demonstrated that $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4 and $IL-1{\beta}$ induced the accumulation of chemokines mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in dose-dependent manner. Chemokines were inhibited by Liripois Tuber in dose-dependent manner. The eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentration of Liripois Tuber. Conculusion: These findings indicate that the supression of the expression of chemokines can be accomplished by Liripois Tuber treatment, raising the possibility that Liripois Tuber might be of therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.199-212
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• 2005

Objective : Airway inflammation is now regarded as a defining feature of asthma. The importance of eosinophits in the airway inflammation of asthma patients is widely recognized, and eosinophils mobilization in the respiratory epithelium is activated by chemoattractants and cytokines. This study was designed to examine the extent of the ability of Moutan Cortex Radicis to inhibit eosinophil chemotaxis of pulmonary epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods : Water extracts of Moutan Cortex Radicis and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils were used. Cytotoxic effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis were estimated via MTS assay, and the effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells were estimated by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. Chemotaxis assay on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Moutan Cortex Radicis. was conducted Result : In this study we demonstrated that $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, $IL-1{\beta}$ induced the accumulation of chemokines' mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in a dose-dependent manner. Chemokines of eotaxin, ICAM-1, YCAM-1, IL-8, IL-16 were inhibited by Moutan Cortex Radicis in a dose dependent manner, but RANTES showed no inhibition due to Moutan Cortex Radicis. Eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentrations of Moutan Cortex Radicis. Conculusion : These findings are indicative of supression of chemokines accomplished by Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment, demonstrating the potential therapeutic value of Moutan Cortex Radicis for treating diseases such as asthma.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.117-128
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study the antidepressant effects of mixture of Citri Peticulatae Viride Pericarpium and Lycii Radicis Cortex on the change of HPA-Axis and Catecholamic system was investigated Methods : The forced swimming test(FST) was performed. The expression of corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF), c-Fos in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN), and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the ventral tegmental area(VTA) and locus coeruleus(LC) was measured with immunohistochemical method and the concentration of seum adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) was measured with ELISA method. And the experimental groups were divided into the extraction after mixing(A) and mixture after extraction(B). The effects of both group were compared. Results : The duration of immobility in the forced swimming test was significantly decreased in the A400 group(P<0.01). The expression of CRF in PVN were significantly reduced in the A100, A400, B100, B400groups(P<0.001). but the expression of c-fos in PVN weren't reduced in all groups. And the concentration of ACTH in Plasma were significantly reduced in the A 100 group(P<0.01). The expression of TH in LC were significantly reduced in the A 400, B 100 and B400 groups(P<0.05~P<0.01). Conclusion : Mixture of Citri Peticulatae Viride Pericarpium and Lycii Radicis Cortex has antidepressant effects. But the difference between mixing and extracting methods was not shown.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.52-66
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• 2001

연구배경 : 폐상피세포가 능동적으로 IL-8을 분비한다는 것은 주지의 사실이다. NF-${\kappa}B$는 IL-8 발현 조절에 있어서 가장 중요한 역할을 담당하는 전사인자이다. Triptolide는 최근 밝혀진 NF-${\kappa}B$ 억제제로서 중국한약제인 뇌공등 (Tripterygium Wilfordii)에서 추출된약제이다. 연자들은 새로운 NF-${\kappa}B$ 억제제인 triptolide가 폐상피세포에서 NF-${\kappa}B$ 의존성 IL-8 유전자의triptolide가 염증성 폐질환에서 새로운 치료제로서의 가능성을 확인하기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방법 : 폐상피세포로서 A549 사용하였고 triptolide는 미국의 Pharamagenesis(Palo Alto, CA)사로부터 제공받았다. NF-${\kappa}B$ 활성유도물질로는 IL-$1{\beta}$(R&D)와 PMA(Sigma)를 이용하였다. IL-8 유전자의 발현은 RT-PCR과 ELISA를 이용하여 측정 하였다. NF-${\kappa}B$의존성 IL-8 유전자의 전사활성을 평가하기 위하여는 IL-8 NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase construct를 안정적으로 유전자주입한 A549 IL-8 NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase 세포주를 제조해 사용하였고 NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA 결합은 electromobility shift assay(EMSA)를 이용하였다. p65 전사활성을 assay하기 위해서는 Gal4-p65 fusion protein expression system을 유전자주입과 luciferase assay를 통하여 시행하였다. Transcriptional coactivator의 역할을 규명 하가 위하여서는 CBP(CREB-binding protein)와 SRC-1(steroid receptor coactivator-1) 발현 벡터를 유전자 주입하고 luciferase assay를 이용하여 확인하였다. 결과 : Luciferase assay로 triptolide가 PMA와 IL-$1{\beta}$자극에 의한 IL-8 NF-${\kappa}B$ 활성을 의미있게 감소시킴을 확인하였다. IL-8 ELISA와 RT-PCR로 triptolide가 PMA와 IL-$1{\beta}$ 자극에 의해 유도되는 IL-8 발현을 각각 단백질과 mRNA 수준에서 억제함을 관찰하였다. Triptolide가 PMA와 IL-$1{\beta}$에 의한 IL-8 NF-${\kappa}B$의 전사활성을 억제시킨 반면 EMSA와 $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ Western blot을 이용한 실험에서는 triptolide가 NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA 결합과 $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$의 분해에 전혀 영향을 미치지 못함을 확인하였다. 이러한 전사활성 억제와 DNA 결합 간의 불일치의 원인으로서는 DNA 결합 이후에 발생하는 핵내 에서의 transactivation에 triptolide가 영향을 미치리라고 생각되어 p65 transactivation study를 Gal4-p65T A(p65의 transactivation domain) fusion protein 발현 시스템과 luciferase assay를 이용하여 시행한 결과 triptolide가 p65 transactivation을 억제함으로써 NF-${\kappa}B$를 억제함을 확인하였다. 그러나 CBP나 SRC-1과 같은 coactivator의 역할을 규명하기 위한 유전자주입 실험에서 triptolide에 의한 p65 transactivation 억제에 대해 CBP나 SRC-1의 과발현이 별다른 영향을 미치지 못하였다. 결론 : Triptolide는 폐상피세포에서 NF-${\kappa}B$ 의존성 IL-8 유전자의 전사활성을 억제하고 그 기전은 $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ 경로가 아닌 핵내에서의 p65 transactivation 억제에 의해 발생하며 이에는 CBP나 SRC-1과 같은 coactivator가 관여하지 않음을 확인하였다.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.681-693
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• 2007

Background and Objective : Atractylodes japonica (AJ) is a commonly-used herbal medicine in Asian countries such as Korea, China and Japan. The present study was designated to evaluate the direct effects of AJ on helper T cell activities and on Th1/Th2 lineage development in vitro. Materials and Methods : Spleen cells from 8-week BALB/c mice were cultured in CR extracts containing medium without activation for 24 hours and with activation for 48 hours. CD4+ T cells were isolated and analyzed for mRNA expression levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, T-bet and GATA-3 by RT-PCR and secretion cytokines levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 by ELISA. Results : The results demonstrated that AJ had no mitogenic effects on unstimulated CD4+ T cells, but augmented CD4+T-cell proliferation upon activation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. AJ treatment significantly increased CD4+ T cell population and IFN-$\gamma$ expression was significantly enhanced, while IL-4 expression significantly decreased. In addition, in vitro Th1/Th2 polarization experiments revealed that AJ enhanced IFN-$\gamma$ secretion in Th1 cells, but reduced the IL-4 in Th2 cells in dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that AJ treatment could be a desirable alternative therapy for the prevention or correction of Th2 dominant pathological disorders, such as allergy and asthma.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.57-71
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• 2000

BACGROUND: To examine effect of omahwan(烏麻丸)-赤何首烏(Polygonum multiflorum THUNB.), 白何首烏(Cynanchum wilfordii H.), 黑芝流(Sesamum indicum L.)-on the aged human immune system a series of humoral immunological parameters was compared in aged female (age 60-70 years) before and after administration of omahwan(烏麻丸). METHODS: Peripheral blood was obtained from fifteen healthy young (age 20-29, mean=66.3) female volunteers. B cell, T cell(T cells, T helper, and T suppressor/ cytotoxic) subsets was examined with specific monoclonal antibodies and isotype controls, using dural color flow cytometer IL-2 was examined with ELISA kit RESULT: By comparing the immune characteristics of the younger and elder groups the total ratio of T-cell, CD8 T-cell and quantify of IL-2 was significantly lower while CD4/CDB ratio was considerably greater in the elder group. ( p(0.05, student t-test) After giving Omahwan for 30 days to the elder group, by comparing the ratio before and after Prescription the total T cell and CD8 T cell ratio was considerably greater after prescription (p(0.05, Paired t-test) The quantity of IL-2 tended to increase after prescription but has no statistical meaning. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that administration of Omahwan(烏麻丸) differentially affects various aspects of the immune system in aged human.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.1267-1274
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• 2004

Colostrum contains various kinds of cytokines including TGF-$\beta$ that has potent regulatory effects on cells of the immune system. We compared the levels of TGF-$\beta$1 and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine and human colostrum. Based on the isoform-specific ELISA, bovine colostrum collected on day 1 post-delivery retained $53.71{\pm}29.55\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $40.41{\pm}21.78\;{\mu}g/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=4), while in human, $381.45{\pm}158.24\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $41.47{\pm}9.63\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=5). Thus, dominant TGF-$\beta$ isoforms were completely opposite between human and bovine colostrum samples. The concentrations of both isoforms declined as lactation proceeded. Biological activities of the colostrum samples were determined using an MV1LU cell line. Consistent with the result from the immunoassay, TGF-$\beta$1 in human and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum were responsible for the anti proliferative activity against MV1LU cells. Furthermore, bovine colostrum increased IgA secretion by LPS-stimulated mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells, and this effect was abrogated by either anti­TGF-$\beta$2 antibody or combined anti-TGF-$\beta$1/$\beta$2 antibody, but not by anti- TGF-$\beta$1 antibody alone. Similarly, TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum enhanced the Ig germ line (GL) promoter activity, which is the earliest event toward IgA isotype switching. Taken together, these results suggest that TGF-$\beta$ isoforms, differentially expressed in human and bovine colostrum, may promote IgA isotype production in the neonatal intestine.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.146-160
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• 2008

Objectives: The present study was designated to evaluate the direct effects of Fructus Liquidambaris on suppression of eosinophil activity and on suppression of chemokines such as eotaxin, IL-8, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, in vitro. Methods: A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-$\alpha$ (100 ng/ml), IL-4 (100 ng/ml) or IL-$1{\beta}$(10 ng/ml) to induce chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in eosinophil chemotaxis. Then after treatment of Fructus Liquidambaris, inhibition effect assay such as ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and chemotaxis assay was performed. Results: Eotaxin level was suppressed in both protein secretion and mRNA expression. Eosinophil recruitment to lung epithelial cells was also reduced by Fructus Liquidambaris, implying the role of eotaxin in eosinophil recruitment. In addition, expression of IL-8 was also suppressed by Fructus Liquidambaris (p<0.05). However, expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) related to eosinophil was not affected. The eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentration of Fructus Liquidambaris (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that Fructus Liquidambaris may regulate a common signaling pathway of eotaxin and IL-8. FS might be of therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma.