• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.25.1-25.13
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• 2020

Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its multidrug antibiotic resistance. New approaches to treating drug-resistant bacterial infections are urgently required. Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is a murine antimicrobial peptide that exerts diverse immune functions, including both direct bacterial cell killing and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we sought to identify the role of CRAMP in the host immune response to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wild-type (WT) and CRAMP knockout mice were infected intranasally with the bacteria. CRAMP^-/- mice exhibited increased bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after A. baumannii infection compared to WT mice. The loss of CRAMP expression resulted in a significant decrease in the recruitment of immune cells, primarily neutrophils. The levels of IL-6 and CXCL1 were lower, whereas the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the BAL fluid of CRAMP^-/- mice compared to WT mice 1 day after infection. In an in vitro assay using thioglycollate-induced peritoneal neutrophils, the ability of bacterial phagocytosis and killing was impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils compared to the WT cells. CRAMP was also essential for the production of cytokines and chemokines in response to A. baumannii in neutrophils. In addition, the A. baumannii-induced inhibitor of κB-α degradation and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils, whereas ERK and JNK phosphorylation was upregulated. Our results indicate that CRAMP plays an important role in the host defense against pulmonary infection with A. baumannii by promoting the antibacterial activity of neutrophils and regulating the innate immune responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.709-717
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• 2017

Mucosal tissues are the initial site through which most pathogens invade. As such, vaccines and adjuvants that modulate mucosal immune functions have emerged as important agents for disease prevention. Herein, we investigated the immunomodulatory mechanisms of the B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin type IIa ($LT-IIa-B_5$), a potent non-toxic mucosal adjuvant. Alternations in gene expression in response to $LT-IIa-B_5$ were identified using a genome-wide transcriptional microarray that focused on dendritic cells (DC), a type of cell that broadly orchestrates adaptive and innate immune responses. We found that $LT-IIa-B_5$ enhanced the homing capacity of DC into the lymph nodes and selectively regulated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cytokine receptors. These data are consistent with a model in which directional activation and differentiation of immune cells by $LT-IIa-B_5$ serve as a critical mechanism whereby this potent adjuvant amplifies mucosal immunity to co-administered antigens.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.83-88
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• 1988

황산화제인 propyl gallate가 in vivo에서 정상 웅성 마우스의 면역기능과 aniline 유도 methemoglobin 함량에 미치는 영향에 관한 실험 결과, 1. Propyl gallate는 혈중 백혈구 수를 용량 의존적으로 감소시켰다. 2. 상대적 면역 장기 무게는 propyl gallate에 의해 영향 받지 않았다. 3. IgM $PFCs/10^{6}$ spleen cell 과 IgM PFCs/spleen 은 propyl gallate 처치군에서 유의성 있는 감소를 보였다. 4. 항체 유도 염증 반응인 Arthus 반응은 propyl gallate에 의해 억제되었다. 5. Aniline으로 유도한 methemoglobin 에 있어서 propyl gallate는 유의성 있는 영향을 나타내지 않았다.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.265-272
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• 2005

Purpose: To investigate the effect of infant massage on stress, immune function and self-confidence in postpartum mothers. Method: From September, 2003 to February, 2004, 65 women who had delivered babies and were enrolled in the postpartum clinic were assigned to the experimental group or control group. In the experimental group, infant massage was given for 20 minute sessions twice a day from 4 days to 14 days after delivery. The instruments were Parental Stress Index, serum cortisol levels, WBCs, lymphocytes, and Self Confidence Scale. Results: Stress scores, WBCs and lymphocytes showed significant differences by the time, but there weren't significant differences according to the group and interactions between the group and the time. Cortisol and self-confidence scores showed significant differences by the time and the group. Conclusions: Applying massage to their newborn baby influenced cortisol levels of postpartum mothers. Therefore stress, cortisol, and immune functions in postpartum mothers should be generally screened and follow up studies are needed for the effective application of massage in postpartum mothers.

• 식품과학과 산업
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.244-263
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• 2022

Coronavirus, known as one of the causes of colds including mild upper respiratory tract disease in humans, has mutated into the infectious severe disease, COVID-19 through SARS and MERS. The mortality and symptoms of COVID-19 are related to the ability to regulate innate immunity, which acts as the first barrier against microorganisms and viruses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for food that helps to strengthen immunity is rapidly increasing. Functional foods promote general health and alleviate the risk of disease symptoms by activating multiple biological functions. A recent, there is an interest in discovering functional substances that can induce enhancement of immunity and prevent viral infection as well as relieve disease symptoms. Therefore, this article focus to understand the concept of immune response and highlights the recent status of functional foods and research trends that can help prevent and treat viral infections by inducing the enhancement of immune function.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.36.1-36.16
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• 2023

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role in thymic development and thymopoiesis. As individuals age, TECs undergo various changes that impact their functions, leading to a reduction in cell numbers and impaired thymic selection. These age-related alterations have been observed in both mice and humans. However, the precise mechanisms underlying age-related TEC dysfunction remain unclear. Furthermore, there is a lack of a comprehensive study that connects mouse and human biological processes in this area. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive transcriptome analysis of young and old TECs in mice, complemented by further analysis of publicly available human TEC single-cell RNA sequencing data. Our analysis revealed alterations in both known and unknown pathways that potentially contribute to age-related TEC dysfunction. Specifically, we observed downregulation of pathways related to cell proliferation, T cell development, metabolism, and cytokine signaling in old age TECs. Conversely, TGF-β, BMP, and Wnt signaling pathways were upregulated, which have been known to be associated with age-related TEC dysfunctions or newly discovered in this study. Importantly, we found that these age-related changes in mouse TECs were consistently present in human TECs as well. This cross-species validation further strengthens the significance of our findings. In conclusion, our comprehensive analysis provides valuable insight into the biological and immunological characteristics of aged TECs in both mice and humans. These findings contribute to a better understanding of thymic involution and age-induced immune dysfunction.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.11.1-11.26
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• 2022

When epithelial cells are exposed to potentially threatening external stimuli such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, and helminths, they instantly produce "alarmin" cytokines, namely, IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP. These alarmins alert the immune system about these threats, thereby mobilizing host immune defense mechanisms. Specifically, the alarmins strongly stimulate type-2 immune cells, including eosinophils, mast cells, dendritic cells, type-2 helper T cells, and type-2 innate lymphoid cells. Given that the alarm-raising role of IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP was first detected in allergic and infectious diseases, most studies on alarmins focus on their role in these diseases. However, recent studies suggest that alarmins also have a broad range of effector functions in other pathological conditions, including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Therefore, this review provides an update on the epithelium-derived cytokines in both allergic and non-allergic diseases. We also review the progress of clinical trials on biological agents that target the alarmins and discuss the therapeutic potential of these agents in non-allergic diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.6.1-6.20
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• 2020

IL-17 is produced by RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt)-expressing cells including Th17 cells, subsets of γδT cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). The biological significance of IL-17-producing cells is well-studied in contexts of inflammation, autoimmunity and host defense against infection. While most of available studies in tumor immunity mainly focused on the role of T-bet-expressing cells, including cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells and NK cells, and their exhaustion status, the role of IL-17-producing cells remains poorly understood. While IL-17-producing T-cells were shown to be anti-tumorigenic in adoptive T-cell therapy settings, mice deficient in type 17 genes suggest a protumorigenic potential of IL-17-producing cells. This review discusses the features of IL-17-producing cells, of both lymphocytic and myeloid origins, as well as their suggested pro- and/or anti-tumorigenic functions in an organ-dependent context. Potential therapeutic approaches targeting these cells in the tumor microenvironment will also be discussed.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.221-227
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• 2013

인간면역결핍바이러스(Human immunodeficiency virus; HIV), B형 간염 바이러스(Hepatitis B virus; HBV), 그리고 C형 간염 바이러스(Hepatitis C virus; HCV)는 만성 감염질환을 일으키는 대표적인 바이러스들이다. 인체내 감염시 임상적 진행경과에 따른 바이러스 특이 T림프구의 항바이러스 기능변화 및 바이러스의 체내 지속성과 T림프구에 발현되는 다양한 면역인자(e.g., CD28, CD25, FoxP3, PD-1, CTLA-4)들과의 구체적인 상관관계는 최근 많은 국내외 연구진들을 통해 연구되고 있다. 그 중 FoxP3 (forkhead box P3), PD-1 (programmed death-1) 그리고 CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4)는 T림프구에서 발현되는 면역조절인자로 만성 바이러스성 감염시 그 발현이 증가되는 것으로 관찰되었으며, 항바이러스 작용을 가지는 T림프구의 기능결핍과 밀접한 상관관계가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 총설에서는 만성적인 HIV, HBV, 그리고 HCV 감염에서 바이러스 특이 T림프구에서 발현되는 FoxP3, PD1, 그리고 CTLA-4의 발현변화와 각 질환의 임상적 진행경과와의 상관성, 그리고 이들 발현이 T림프구의 항바이러스 기능에 미치는 영향 등을 중심으로 기술하였다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.448-461
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• 2013

크론병과 궤양성 대장염으로 잘 알려져 있는 염증성 장질환은 재발과 호전을 반복하는 만성적인 염증 및 이에 따른 합병증을 특징으로 하는 원인 불명의 질환이다. 염증성 장질환의 발생 원인은 아직 명확히 알려져 있지 않지만 흡연이나 식이와 같은 환경적 요인, 장내 세균총과 같은 미생물학적 요인, 면역 매개에 의한 조직 손상과 같은 면역학적 요인 그리고 유전학적 요인 등이 복합적으로 발생기전에 관여 할 것이라고 추정한다. 특히 사이토카인과 같은 염증매개물질에 의해 세포매개염증반응의 일련의 과정이 유발 혹은 증폭되거나, 면역 조절 기능의 면화로 장 점막의 국소적 조직 손상을 유발하게 되며 면역 및 염증 반응이 적절하게 감소되지 않고 지속되어 만성 염증에 이르게 된다. 최근 이러한 염증반응에 중요한 역할을 담당하는 사이토카인 유전자에 관심이 몰리고 있다. 사이토카인은 활성화된 면역세포에서 주로 생성되는 당단백으로서 분자량이 8~10 kD 정도이며, 면역 반응시 T세포, B세포, 대식세포 등의 면역세포 상호간에 활성화, 증식 및 분화 등에 관계하여 국소적 조직 손상 및 염증반응을 일으킨다. 반면에 장의 구조와 기능에 있어 중요한 기질인 식이 섬유소에서 유래되는 Butyrate는 친염증성 사이토카인을 감소시키고 항염증성 사이토카인을 증가시킴으로써 장관 면역계에 대한 조절기능을 보이고 있다. 따라서 본 총설에서는 Butyrate의 항염증 효과에 대한 분자적 기작을 면역세포에서 Butyrate가 가지는 사이토카인 조절 능력을 통해 이해하고 Butyrate가 염증성 장질환에 대해 새로운 치료 전략을 제시 해 줄 것으로 기대한다.