• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2012

The Mume Fructus (MF) has been used for relieves cough, arrests arrest chronic diarrhea, treat fluid depletion, and treat ascariasis in Korea. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for simultaneous determination of six main components of MF. Additionally, we were investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of MF extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$/interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells. The analytical column for separation was used a Gemini $C_{18}$ column maintained at $40^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase consisted of 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in water (A) and 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in acetonitrile (B). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detector was a photodiode array (PDA) set at 280 nm and 320 nm. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of MF extract on the production of inflammatory markers, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) in TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells, respectively. We confirmed the genes expression related with TARC, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5) in HaCaT keratinocyte cells by MF extract. The contents of the five compounds in MF were 0.22-1.01 mg/g. Also, the MF extract show inhibition of about 78% and 75% on NO and $PGE_2$ production at the concentration 1000 mg/mL in RAW264.7 cells. MF extract suppressed the hTARC level and genes expression such as TARC, MDC, and RANTES on TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.439-445
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• 2006

Purpose : ${\alpha}$-Galactosylceramide (${\alpha}$-GalCer)-stimulated human $V{\alpha}24$ natural killer T (NKT) cells exert antitumor activity against some leukemia in a CD1d dependent and TCR-mediated manner, but could not kill CD1d - negative neuroblastoma (NB) cells. There are few reports about the direct antitumor effect of highly secreted cytokines by these cells on activation. In this study, using a cell-free supernatant (SPN) collected from plate bound hCD1d/${\alpha}$ GalCer tetramers-stimulated NKT cells, we examined whether they could be helpful in the immunotherapeutic treatment of NB. Methods : Cells were cultured in IMDM. The cytokines produced by NKT cells were measured with Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) analysis. Cell viability was evaluated by calcein-AM fluorescence with digital image microscopy scanning (DIMSCAN). The percentage of specific apoptosis was calculated by flow cytometric detection of apoptosis using annexin V and 7-AAD. Results : The activated NKT cells secreted high levels of IL-2, INF-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$. The SPN was significantly cytotoxic against four out of eight tested NB cell lines, through mainly apoptosis as evidenced by annexin-V staining and inhibition with the pretreatment of pancaspase blocker. This apoptosis was significantly inhibited when anti-TNF-${\alpha}$ and anti-IFN-${\gamma}$ neutralizing mAbs were used separately and it was completely abolished when the two mAbs were combined. Conclusion : IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ produced by NKT cells could exert synergistically direct antitumor activity through apoptosis on some NB cell lines.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

Vitex rotundifolia (V. rotundifolia) has been used for treating headache, dizziness, toothache and removal of fever as a traditional medicine in Korea. In the present study, we examined the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of 85% methanol extract of V. rotundifolia. In various radical scavenging assays, V. rotundifolia exhibited strong scavenging effect on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical, superoxide radical, nitric oxide. To elucidate the anti-inflammatory properties of V. rotundifolia, we investigated the inhibition effects of nitric oxide production in IFN-gamma and LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. V. rotundifolia suppressed nitric oxide production, iNOS and COX-2 expression dose-dependently through suppression of NF-$\hat{e}B$ activation without notable cytotoxicity. These findings mean that V. rotundifolia may be beneficial in oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory disorders.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1038-1044
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• 2012

In the present study, the impact of Salmonella Typhimurium on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was investigated in 5 week-old immuno divergent broiler lines selected for the high and low response to phytohemagglutinin-P. The immune response was assessed in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) induced with Salmonella Typhimurium at different time intervals (0 h, 0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h). The differential mRNA expression patterns of IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2 and iNOS were evaluated by quantitative real time PCR. In-vitro production of nitric oxide (NO) was also estimated in the culture supernatant and correlated with iNOS mRNA expression. Present study showed higher production of NO in the high cell-mediated line (HCMI) as compared to the low cell-mediated line (LCMI) upon stimulation with Salmonella Typhimurium. Correspondingly, higher mRNA expression of iNOS and IFN-${\gamma}$ were observed in high response birds (HCMI); but IL-2 was down regulated in this line compared to the low response birds (LCMI). Significantly (p<0.05) higher expression of iNOS, IFN-${\gamma}$ and higher production of NO in high line indicated that the selection for PHA-P response might be employed for increasing the immune competence against Salmonella Typhimurium in chicken flocks.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2003

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is well-known soluble tumor marker frequently detectable in peripheral blood of carcinoma patients and considered as good target for antigen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, we used a replication-deficient adenovirus containing CEA to study CTL induction in vitro after adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into DC. Methods: DC were obtained from mouse bone marrow and cultured with IL-4 and GM-CSF. For measuring CTL activity, splenocytes were harvested from the mice, which were immunized with DC that had been infected AdV-CEA or pulsed with CEA peptide. Untreated DC was used as a control. Splenocytes were re-stimulated in vitro with DC pulsed with CEA peptide for 7 days and CTL activity with CEA peptide-pulsed EL-4 cells were assessed in a standard $^{51}Cr$-release assay. The frequencies of antigen-specific cytokine-secreting T cell were determined with $mIFN-{\gamma}$ELISPOT. Results: DC infected with recombinant adenovirus expressing CEA induced CEA-specific CTL responses in vivo. Splenocyte induced from mice immunized with AdV-CEA-infected DC increase in the number of $IFN-{\gamma}$ secreting T cells compared with those from mice immunized with CEA peptide-pulsed DC. Conclusion: These results suggested that DC infected with recombinant adenovirus has advantages over other forms of vaccination and could provide an alternative approach vaccination therapies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1873-1881
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• 2019

The innate immune response serves as a first-line-of-defense mechanism for a host against viral infection. Viruses must therefore subvert this anti-viral response in order to establish an efficient life cycle. In line with this fact, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes numerous genes that function as immunomodulatory proteins to antagonize the host immune system. One such mechanism through which KSHV evades the host immunity is by encoding a viral homolog of cellular interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRFs), known as vIRFs. Herein, we summarize recent advances in the study of the immunomodulatory strategies of KSHV vIRFs and their effects on KSHV-associated pathogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.919-928
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• 2017

The immuno-enhancing effects of alginate oligosaccharides from Sargassum coreanum were investigated. The alginate oligosaccharides were produced by an alginate-degrading enzyme from S. oneidensis PKA 1008. The degraded alginate oligosaccharides were visualized by thin-layer chromatography developed using a solvent system of 1-butanol/methanol/water, 4:1:2 (v/v/v). Alginate was degraded into dimmers at 60 h. As a result, the levels of Th1 cytokine [interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ and interleukin (IL)-2] and Th2 cytokine (IL-6 and IL-10) increased with increasing incubation time compared to the control in vitro. Enzymatic extract treatment promoted proliferation of splenocytes at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg at 24 h in vivo. Secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-2 significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h as well as induced higher production of IgG2a in serum. Natural killer cell activity was measured and tended to increase. In addition, complete blood cell counts increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that alginate oligosaccharides produced by crude enzyme from S. oneidensis PKA 1008 may have significant immune activities.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.78-88
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• 2005

Background: Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice is animal model of autoimmune disease known as rheumatic arthritis in human. We investigated CII-specific CD4+ T cell receptor usage in CIA mice. Methods: In CIA model, draining lymph node (dLN) CD4+ T cells and splenocytes at $3^{rd},\;5^{th},\;8^{th}$ week, we investigated CII-specific T cell proliferation, production of IL-17, IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4 and IL-10. And we also performed anti-CII IgG Ab measurements in serum level, TCRV ${\beta}$ usage and T cell clonality with RT-PCR-SSCP analysis. Also, we performed proliferative response against CII when CII-specific T cell subset is deleted. Results: CIA mice showed more increase in the serum level of anti-CII IgG than normal mice after induction of arthritis. And the level of anti-CII IgG2a in CIA mice was increased after $3^{rd}$ week after primary immunization, while anti-CII IgG1 was decreased. Draining LN CD4+ T cells have proliferated against CII stimulation at $3^{rd}$ week after $1^{st}$immunization. CD4+T cells derived from dLN of CIA mice produced proinflammatory cytokine IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-17 etc. Draining LN CD4 T cells of CIA presented higher proportion of CD4+V ${\beta}3$+subset compared to those of normal mice at $3^{rd}$ week after $1^{st}$ immunization, and they were increased in proportion by CII stimulation. Draining LN CD4+ T cells without TCRV ${\beta}3+/V{\beta}8.1/8.2+/V{\beta}$10b+cells were not responsive against CII stimulation. But, CII-reactive response of TCRV ${\beta}3-/V{\beta}8.1/8.2-/V{\beta}$10b- T cells was recovered when $V{\beta}3+$ T cells were added in culture. Conclusion: Our results indicate that CD4+$V{\beta}3+$ T cells are selectively expanded in dLN of CIA mice, and their recovery upon CII re-stimulation in vitro, as well as the production Th1-type cytokines, may play pivotal role in CIA pathogenesis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2004

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa which is triggered by an allergic reaction. When exposed to certain allergens, the IgE covered mast cells degranulate releasing inflammatory mediators and cytokines which results in a local inflammatory reaction. In many recent studies, molecular biological methods have been used to investigate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets of allergic rhinitis. This experimental study was done to research effects of Sochungryong-tang. We have studied effect of mice on OVA-induced production of IL-4, IL-5, IFN-${\gamma}$ by murine splenocytes and effect of OVA-induced total IgE and OVA-specific IgE. The results were as follows; 1. In IL-4 study, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.005). 2. In IL-5 study, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.05). 3. In JFN-${\gamma}$ study, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.000001). 4. In Total IgE, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.000001). 5. In OVA-specific IgE, Sochungryong-tang treated group didn't showed significant inhibitory effect. Depending upon above results, it is considered that Sochungryong-tang has the inhibitory effect on the allergic rhinitis of mice and suggested that it could be used in relieving patients of the symptoms which are caused by allergic rhinitis.