• Title/Summary/Keyword: Immune mechanism

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Automated Protein-Expression Profiling System using Crude Protein Direct Blotting Method

  • Kobayashi, Hironori;Torikoshi, Yasuhiro;Kawasaki, Yuko;Ishihara, Hideki;Mizumoto, Hiroshi
    • 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2003.10a
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    • pp.2356-2361
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    • 2003
  • Proteome research in the medical field is expected to accelerate the understanding of disease mechanism, and to create new diagnostic concept. For protein profiling, this paper proposes a new methodology named CPDIB (Crude Protein Direct Blotting). In the CPDIB procedure, crude protein sample is directly immobilized on a membrane and the expression of protein molecules in the sample are analyzed quantitatively by using a special device called ImmobiChip, where the membrane is used as a field of the immune reaction. The over-all structure of the ImmobiChip is based on the conventional Slot blot device. Mechanical improvement in the air-tightness of the case holding the membrane realizes the direct blotting and results in high performance of stability in the immune reaction. In the measurement of multiple proteins, a dispensing robot is used for increasing the efficiency of handling of liquid. Cooperation of the dispensing robot with the ImmobiChip for immobilizing proteins realizes automated and stable performance of the CPDIB procedure. This paper shows the evaluation of the air-tightness of the ImmobiChip, the ability of analyzing proteins using the CPDIB procedure and the performance of the automated equipment.

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Hominis Placental Pharmacoacupuncture, a Promising Asthma Therapy (자하거(紫河車) 약침의 기관지 천식 치료 가능성에 대한 소고(小考))

  • Choi, Jun-Yong;Oh, Dal-Seok;Jung, Hee-Jae;Choi, Sun-Mi;Jung, Sung-Ki
    • Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.87-94
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    • 2008
  • Objectives : The aim of this study was to find out some rationales for using Hominis placental extract(HPE) pharmaco-acupuncture on asthmatic patients, and to suggest an appropriate clinical research of HPE pharmaco-acupuncture on asthma. Methods : Articles regarding immunologic experiments about HPE and clinical reports about HPE-contained pharmaco-acupuncture on asthmatic patients were reviewed by on-line and off-line searching. Results and Conclusions : HPE is suggested to have several pharmacological effects on allergic diseases including asthma as well as autoimmune diseases. There are some observational studies of HPE-contained pharmaco-acupuncture on asthmatic patients. However, the designs of these studies are not sufficient to investigate the exact effect of HPE pharmaco-acupuncture on asthma. To investigate HPE pharmaco- acupuncture as a novel asthma therapy, it will be needed to perform further experiments about HPE's pharmacological mechanism on asthma and to try further advanced clinical researches such as well-designed randomized controlled trial of HPE pharmaco-acupuncture.

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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Regulate Nitric Oxide Production and Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Raw Cells

  • Choi, Cheol-Hee;Kim, Sang-Hyun
    • IMMUNE NETWORK
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.30-35
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    • 2005
  • Background: p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling are thought to have critical role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immune response but the molecular mechanism underlying the induction of these signaling are not clear. Methods: Specific inhibitors for p38, SB203580, and for ERK, PD98059 were used. Cells were stimulated by LPS with or without specific MAPK inhibitors. Results: LPS activated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), subsequent NO productions, and pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expressions (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12). Treatment of both SB203580 and PD98059 decreased LPS-induced NO productions. Concomitant decreases in the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein were detected. SB203580 and PD98059 decreased LPS-induced gene expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. SB203580 increased LPS-induced expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-12, and reactive oxygen species production, but PD98059 had no effect. Conclusion: These results indicate that both p38 and ERK pathways are involved in LPS-stimulated NO synthesis, and expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. p38 signaling pathways are involved in LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-12, and reactive oxygen species plays an important role in these signaling in macrophage.

Effect of Lactobacilli on Reactive Oxygen Scavenging and Immune Stimulation (유산균의 활성산소 소거 및 면역증강효과)

  • lee, Ho;Yang, Seung-Gak;Park, Soo-Nam;Jeon, Do-Yong
    • KSBB Journal
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    • v.7 no.4
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    • pp.290-295
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    • 1992
  • Reactive oxygen scavenging activity and immune stimulatory activity of lactobacilli were investigated by different free radical scavenging assays and Ig G assay. Lactobacilli culture (S/N) and its complex with $Mn^{2+}$ have significant effects in XOD assay and response to paraquat. Cell free extract significantly prevented the photohemolysis. Thus, it seems that each sample from lactobacilli has a different free radical scavening mechanism. Furthermore, it is assumed that cell free extract from lactobacilli activates antibody stimulation of B cell through a stimulation of T cell.

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Potential Role of Bacterial Infection in Autoimmune Diseases: A New Aspect of Molecular Mimicry

  • Alam, Jehan;Kim, Yong Chul;Choi, Youngnim
    • IMMUNE NETWORK
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2014
  • Molecular mimicry is an attractive mechanism for triggering autoimmunity. In this review, we explore the potential role of evolutionary conserved bacterial proteins in the production of autoantibodies with focus on granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Seven autoantigens characterized in GPA and RA were BLASTed against a bacterial protein database. Of the seven autoantigens, proteinase 3, type II collagen, binding immunoglobulin protein, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, ${\alpha}$-enolase, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein have well-conserved bacterial orthologs. Importantly, those bacterial orthologs are also found in human-associated bacteria. The wide distribution of the highly conserved stress proteins or enzymes among the members of the normal flora and common infectious microorganisms raises a new question on how cross-reactive autoantibodies are not produced during the immune response to these bacteria in most healthy people. Understanding the mechanisms that deselect auto-reactive B cell clones during the germinal center reaction to homologous foreign antigens may provide a novel strategy to treat autoimmune diseases.

Rumex crispus Suppresses Type I Hypersensitive Immune Response (소리쟁이(Rumex crispus) 추출물의 제1형 알레르기 반응 억제 효과)

  • Ko, Eun Kyo;Kim, Young Mi
    • Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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    • v.50 no.4
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    • pp.277-284
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    • 2019
  • Rumex crispus is known to have anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, and bone loss inhibitory activities. Mast cells are critical immune cells that induce a type 1 IgE-mediated allergic reaction. However, there are no reports of inhibitory effects of Rumex crispus on mast cells and allergic reactions. In this study, we performed some experiments to investigate whether Rumex crispus ethanol extract(RCE) has any inhibitory effect on antigen-induced type I allergic response in vitro and in vivo. RCE inhibited degranulation of IgE-mediated mast cells(IC50, ~57 ㎍/ml) and cytokine production such as TNF-α and IL-4 in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, RCE significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis(PCA)(ED50, ~198 mg/kg) in mice. Furthermore, RCE inhibited degranulation of MCs in ear tissue of mice with PCA. Mechanism studies showed that RCE inhibited the activation of Syk and Syk-dependent pathway such as LAT, PLC-γ, Akt, and MAP Kinase. Our results demonstrate for the first time that RCE inhibits type I hypersensitive response by suppressing the activity of Syk in mast cells, thereby reducing degranulation and cytokine production. Taken together, RCE could be used as a novel therapeutic material to suppress allergic diseases.

Degradation of Insect Humoral Immune Proteins by the Proteases Secreted from Enterococcus faecalis

  • Park, Shin-Yong;Kim, Koung-Mi;Kim, Ik-Soo;Lee, Sang-Dae;Lee, In-Hee
    • International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.37-43
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    • 2006
  • Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from the body fluid of dead Galleria mellonella larvae. Upon injection of E. faecalis into the hemocoel of G. mellonella, the bacteria destroyed parts of humoral defense systems in the hemolymph. In a test for the proteolytic activity of E. faecalis CS, it was confirmed that the enzyme degraded three well-known a-helical antimicrobial peptides, cecropin A, melittin and halocidin, and abolished their activities. We also determined putative cleavage sites on the primary sequences of three peptides through purification and mass analysis of peptide fragments digested by E. faecalis CS. Furthermore it was found that apolipophorin-III, recently known as a critical recognition protein for invading microbes in the hemolymph of G. mellonella, was also degraded by E. faecalis CS. Taken together, the present work shows that the protease in secretions from E. faecalis destroyed two critical humoral immune factors in the hemolymph of G. mellonella larvae. In addition, this paper demonstrates that the relationship between the host insect and the pathogenic bacteria might provide a valuable model system to study the enterococcal virulence mechanism, which may be relevant to mammalian pathogenesis.

Cytokines and Depression (사이토카인과 우울증)

  • Kim, Yong-Ku
    • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.175-185
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    • 2008
  • Accumulating evidence has suggested the existence of reciprocal communication between immune, endocrine, and neurotransmitter system. Cytokine hypothesis of depression implies that increased pro-inflammatory cytokine such as -1, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ in major depression, acting neuromodulators, play a key role in the mediation of behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neurochemical disturbances in depression. Concerning the relation between cytokines and serotonin metabolism, pro-inflammatory cytokines have profound effects on the metabolism of brain serotonin through the enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase(IDO) that metabolizes tryptophan, the precursor of 5-HT to neurodegenerative quinolinate and neuroprotective kynurenate. The neurodegeneration process is reinforced by the neurotoxic effect of the hypercortisolemia during depression. From this perspective, it is possible that efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of depression may, at least in part, rely on downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis. So, the use of cytokine synthesis inhibitors or cytokine antagonists may be a new treatment approach in depression. However, at present the question whether cytokines play a causal role in the onset of depression or are mere epiphenomena sustaining depressive symptoms remains to be elucidated. Nevertheless, cytokine hypothesis has created new perspectives in the study of psychological and pathophysiological mechanism that are associated with major depression, as well as the prospect for developing a new generation antidepressants.

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How Z-DNA/RNA binding proteins shape homeostasis, inflammation, and immunity

  • Kim, Chun
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.53 no.9
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    • pp.453-457
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    • 2020
  • The right-handed double-helical structure of DNA (B-DNA), which follows the Watson-Crick model, is the canonical form of DNA existing in normal physiological settings. Even though an alternative left-handed structure of DNA (Z-DNA) was discovered in the late 1970s, Z-form nucleic acid has not received much attention from biologists, because it is extremely unstable under physiological conditions, has an ill-defined mechanism of its formation, and has obscure biological functions. The debate about the physiological relevance of Z-DNA was settled only after a class of proteins was found to potentially recognize the Z-form architecture of DNA. Interestingly, these Z-DNA binding proteins can bind not only the left-handed form of DNA but also the equivalent structure of RNA (Z-RNA). The Z-DNA/RNA binding proteins present from viruses to humans function as important regulators of biological processes. In particular, the proteins ADAR1 and ZBP1 are currently being extensively re-evaluated in the field to understand potential roles of the noncanonical Z-conformation of nucleic acids in host immune responses and human disease. Despite a growing body of evidence supporting the biological importance of Z-DNA/RNA, there remain many unanswered principal questions, such as when Z-form nucleic acids arise and how they signal to downstream pathways. Understanding Z-DNA/RNA and the sensors in different pathophysiological conditions will widen our view on the regulation of immune responses and open a new door of opportunity to develop novel types of immunomodulatory therapeutic possibilities.

The Contents of Tumor Necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$ and Interleukin-6 in Right Auricular Tissue (우심이 조직내의 Tumor necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$와 Interleukin-6의 함량)

  • 김송명;신현우;박성달;이재성
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.1-6
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    • 2000
  • Background: TNF-$\alpha$ plays a major role in producing left ventricular dysfunction cardio-myopathy pulmonary edema and inhibits the compensatory mechanism of congestive heart failure. IL-6 is an acute reactant of immune reaction and also known to control immune reaction but its function in the myocyte was not clearly investigated. Author's performed this experiment to investigate the contents of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 on the assumption that TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 may reside in nonfailing heart that has gone cardiac surgery and play some role in cardiac function. Material and Method : Right auricular tissues were sampled from 12 patients who had undergone total corrective surgery for both congenital and acquired heart diseases from January 1998 to June 1998 in Kosin Universcfy Gospel hospital. The quantitive analysis of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 were assessed by ELISA method in right auricular tissue. Hemodynamic values about the pressure of ventricle atrium aorta pulmonary artery and cardiac index pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output were measured by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization and biochemical analyses of LDH & AST were done before operation. statistical analysis was by Paired Student t-test. Patients were divided into children(under 15 years olds) and adults groups and the data was compared beween two groups. Conclusion: Mild pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary vascular resistance were existed in both group. The contents of tissue TNF-$\alpha$ IL-6 in each group were independent of each data.

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