• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.236-241
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• 2018

Flammulina velutipes is an edible mushroom and contains a lot of fiber, vitamin $B_1$, $B_2$, niacin and folic acid. This study was conducted to explore the effects of the Flammulina velutipes mushroom on immune cells and immunity. Th1 cytokine productions as $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-2 were measured in an activated macrophage by Flammulina velutipes water extract in seven concentrations (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and $1,000{\mu}g/mL$). Also, the splenocyte proliferation index was measured at 48 hours after treatment of the Flammulina velutipes water extract in seven concentrations or mitogen, LPS and ConA. The $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ productions were increased by treatment of the Flammulina velutipes water extract. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was significantly higher in the $50{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$ Flammulina velutipes water extract treated macrophages. The $IFN-{\gamma}$ production of macrophages treated with the Flammulina velutipes water extract increased significantly in all groups, and the highest $1000{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. The splenocyte proliferation index was enhanced when the $10{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$ Flammulina velutipes water extracts were treated compared to the control. These primary results suggest that Flammulina velutipes may enhance the immune function by activation of the macrophage and spleen cell.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2007

To investigate the immunomodulatory roles of cyclic AMP (CAMP) on macrophage- and T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses, CAMP elevating agents were employed and carefully re-examined under the activation conditions of the cells. Various inhibitors tested dose-dependently blocked tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production with IC$_{50}$ values ranged from 0.04 to 300 ${\mu}$M. Of the inhibitors, cAMP-elevating agents showed lower cytotoxicity assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, suggesting less toxic and more selective. In particular co-treatment of dbcAMP with a protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine displayed the synergistic inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ production. The modulatory effect of dbcAMP on TNF-${\alpha}$ and nitric oxide (NO) was significantly affected by treatment time of dbcAMP. Thus, post-treatment of dbcAMP (three hours before LPS) abrogated dbcAMP's inhibitory activity and rather enhanced TNF-${\alpha}$ level up to 60%. In contrast, additional NO production was shown at the co-treatment of dbcAMP with LPS. Unlike simultaneous treatment of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$co-treatment, the combination of dbcAMP with other NO-inducing stimuli did not show drastic overproduction of NO. cAMP elevating agents also diminished splenocyte proliferation stimulated by concanavalin (Con) A, phytohemaglutinin A (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, dbcAMP but not rolipram strongly suppressed CD8$^+$ T cells (CTLL-2). Finally, cAMP elevating agents were differentially involved in regulating CD98-mediated cell-cell adhesion. Thus, dbcAMP and rolipram significantly enhanced the cell-cell adhesion, whereas forskolin blocked. Therefore, our results suggest that CAMP elevating agents participate in various immune responses mediated by macrophages and T cells with a different fashion depending on cellular environments and activation signals.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.15-28
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was designed to examine the anti-cancer activity by innate immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory effects of liriopis tuber water extract (LPE). Methods: Cell cytotoxicity was tested with 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cells, spleen cells, macrophage, and RAW264.7 cells. To investigate innate immunomodulating effects of LPE on macrophage, we measured tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). To investigate innate immunomodulating effects of LPE on RAW264.7 cell, we measured TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured after treating with LPE to observe innate immunomodulating effect of LPE on RAW264.7 cell. Also, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) were examined by western blot analysis. Results: In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, LPE affected tumor cell growth above specific concentration. As compared with the control group, the production of TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-10 were increased in macrophage. As compared with the control group, the production of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased in RAW 264.7 cell. The expression of TNF-α and NO induced by LPS after treating LPE was decreased. In addition, treatment of RAW 264.7 cell with LPE increased the phosphorylation levels of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and p-p38. Conclusions: LPE might have impact on the anti-cancer effect by activation of innate immune system and inflammation control.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.446-454
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• 2012

In order to evaluate the efficacy of SHT against atopic dermatitis (AD), various immune related cytokines as well as histological comparison were performed in animal models, and the results are described. Clinical skin index of the SHT treated group decreased significantly in weeks 11 and 13, compared to the control group. Also, CD4+ immune cell ratio in the dorsal skin was significantly decreased to 69%, and both epidermal and dermal skin thickness was decreased. Serum IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-${\alpha}$, which are all important markers of inflammation, were decreased to 64%, 44%, 87%, 48%, and 45%, respectively. The expression of histamine, a chemical transmitter increasingly released during the progression of inflammation, was significantly decreased to 47%. The production of IgE immunoglobulin was significantly decreased to 16% compared to the control group. In conclusion, SHT pacifies the activation of T cells, leading to suppression of both Th2 cytokine overexpression and infiltration of immune cells into skin. As a result, relative thinning of both epidermis and dermis were observed. With the results obtained from in vitro studies, the immune modulatory effect of SHT in AD animal models was experimentally demonstrated. This study should provide solid information to construct EBM and for clinical practice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2020

We previously demonstrated that Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) antigen (Ag) enhances the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Ag-specific immune response. The focus of this study was whether acellular bacterin of B. bronchiseptica could be used as an adjuvant to increase antigen-presenting capability of dendritic cells (DCs) by increasing the level of activation. The metabolic activity of DCs was increased by B. bronchiseptica, similar to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Flow cytometry analysis revealed that B. bronchiseptica increases the expression of major histocompatibility complex class-2, cluster of differentiation (CD)40, CD54, and CD86 which are closely related to DC-mediated immune responses. B. bronchiseptica enhanced the production of cytokines related to adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, the survival rate of B. bronchiseptica-injected groups was 100% at 15 and 20 mg/kg doses, whereas that of LPS-injected groups was only 20%, 0% at 15 and 20 mg/kg doses respectively, and so B. bronchiseptica is likely to be safer than LPS. Taken together, these results indicate that B. bronchiseptica can be used as an adjuvant to enhance the antigen-presenting capability of DCs. B. bronchiseptica is a candidate for producing vaccines, especially in case of DC-mediating efficacy and safety demands. This study provides researchers and clinicians with valuable information regarding the usage of B. bronchiseptica as a safe bacteria-derived immunostimulating agent for developing efficient vaccines.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

Job's Tears(Yul-Moo) is a grass crop long-used as a traditional medicine; it is also a nourishing food. There are reports of its anti-inflammatory, stomachic, antiallergic activity, and antispastic effects and Job's Tears has been used in China to treat rheumatism, and neuralgia although its warts, rheumanism remains unclear. Thus, the present study was performed to investigate the in vitro effect of Job's Tears extracts on immune function. Here mouse splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production$(IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha})$ by peritoneal macrophages cultured with ethanol and water extracts of Job's Tears were examined. splenocytes proliferation increased with Job's Tears water extracts supplement at concentrations investigated The cytokine production$(IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha})$ by ELISA using a cytokine kit And $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production increased water extracts supplementation. This in vitro study suggests that supplementation with Job's Tears water extracts may enhance immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing cytokine production of activated macrophages.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.453-462
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), an oriental herbal medicine, has been known to improve liver function, and has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the immune-enhancing effects of PG and its mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermented PG extract (FPGE), which has increased platycodin D content, activates the immune response in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using Griess reagent. Cytokine messenger RNA levels of were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory actions of FPGE in RAW 264.7 cells, we have conducted luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that FPGE treatment induced macrophage cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. FPGE also modulated the expression of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The activation and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were increased by FPGE treatment. Moreover, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an activator of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), significantly reduced both lipopolysaccharides- and FPGE-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest that FPGE may be a novel immune-enhancing agent acting via AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

In our study, the several cytokines were determined in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Adamantiades-Behcets patients. Adamantiades-Behcets disease (ABD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder and might involve immune dysfunction. High levels of $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1\beta$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ indicate the activation of inflammatory reactions and immune system in ABD. Gami-Phedoc-San (GPS) is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been used in Korea for the treatment of ABD. GPS (1 mg/ ml) significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, $TNF-\alpha\;and\;IL-1\beta$, compared to absence of GPS (by $50.5{\pm}1.9%$ inhibition for $TNF-\alpha$ and $106.9{\pm}16.8%$ for $IL-1\beta$). GPS also inhibited the production of $IFN-\gamma$, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by $78.4{\pm}2.8%$. The inhibitory effects of GPS on cytokine secretion showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1 mg/ml GPS had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of ABD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that GPS treatment for ABD patients might have pharmacological activity of immune and inflammatory responses through the cytokine modulation.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2006

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) RTA transcription factor is recruited to its responsive elements through interaction with RBP-Jk that is a downstream transcription factor of the Notch signaling pathway that is important in development and cell fate determination. This suggests that KSHV RTA mimics cellular Notch signal transduction to activate viral lytic gene expression. Here, I demonstrated that unlike other B lymphoma cells, KSHV -infected primary effusion lymphoma BCBL1 cells displayed the constitutive activation of ligand-mediated Notch signal transduction, evidenced by the Jagged ligand expression and the complete proteolytic process of Notch receptor I. In order to investigate the effect of Notch signal transduction on KSHV gene expression, human Notch intracellular (hNIC) domain that constitutively activates RBP-Jk transcription factor activity was expressed in BCBL1 cells, TRExBCBL1-hNIC, in a tetracycline inducible manner. Gene expression profiling showed that like RTA, hNIC robustly induced expression of a number of viral genes including KS immune modulatory gene resulting in downregulation of MHC I and CD54 surface expression. Finally, the genetic analysis of KSHV genome demonstrated that the hNIC-mediated expression of KS during viral latency consequently conferred the downregulation of MHC I and CD54 surface expression. These results indicate that cellular. Notch signal transduction provides a novel expression profiling of KSHV immune deregulatory gene that consequently confers the escape of host immune surveillance during viral latency.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.125-130
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• 2006

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Bopaewon-tang (BT) on immune reaction in mice. BT (500 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the viability of thymocytes, but decreased the viability of splenocytes in vivo. BT enhanced the population of $CD4^+$cells in thymocytes and enhanced the population of $Thy1^+$ cells in splenocytes and splenic $CD8^+$ cells. Also, BT decreased the production of IL-4 from splenocytes. Furthermore, BT enhanced the production of nitric oxide and the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that BT enhances the immune response via activation of thymocytes and macrophages.