• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.447-454
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• 2023

In the environment in which humans live, there are various antigens that invade the human body and interfere with humans leading a healthy life, so the immune system recognizes the antigen then removes them through a complex mechanism. Macrophages are widely distributed immune cells involved in the innate immune system, and produce various immune modulators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase-induced nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2 induced prostaglandin E2 and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha. On the other hand, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae are a type of edible insect that have emerged as an alternative to the future food supply problem. The immuno-modulatory effect through the activation of murine macrophage RAW264.7 cell via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways has been reported. Based on this report, in this study, we confirmed how the expression of immune modulators induced by Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae extracts in RAW264.7 cells was changed by treatment with pharmacological inhibitors of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. As a result, reduction of immune modulators was confirmed in the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor treatment group and NF-κB inhibitor treatment group among the Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae-treated RAW264.7 cell. Furthermore, in the TLR4 inhibitor-treated group, decreases in phosphorylation of JNK and NF-κB factors were confirmed in Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae-treated RAW264.7 cell, as well as decreases in immune modulators. This results suggest that Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae activates RAW264.7 cells by the engagement of TLR4-JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

Innate immune cells survey antigenic materials beneath our body surfaces and provide a front-line response to internal and external danger signals. Dendritic cells (DCs), a subset of innate immune cells, are critical sentinels that perform multiple roles in immune responses, from acting as principal modulators to priming an adaptive immune response through antigen-specific signaling. In the gut, DCs meet exogenous, non-harmful food antigens as well as vast commensal microbes under steady-state conditions. In other instances, they must combat pathogenic microbes to prevent infections. In this review, we focus on the function of intestinal DCs in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis. Specifically, we describe how intestinal DCs affect IgA production from B cells and influence the generation of unique subsets of T cell.

• Radioisotope journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.38-45
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• 2006

A new herbal composition. HemoHIM, was developed using irradiated animal models and was successfully applied as an immune-improving agent. In a view that the protection and recovery of immune, hematopoietic and self-renewal tissues are essential for radioprotective agents, HemoHIM was developed based on a novel combination of three edible herbs (Angelica Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma. Paeonin Radix) that meet all those requirements. HemoHIM significantly protected the immune and hematopoietic system and enhanced their recovery in y-irradiated mice. For the application of HemoHIM as a health functional food and a supplementary agent for the cancer patients, the efficacy of HemoHIM to improve the immune functions was further evaluated in immune-depressed animals and humans. Animal studies demonstrated that HemoHIM significantly improved the immune functions in cyclophosphamide-treated mice, aged mice, and dexamethasone-treated mice. In human studies, HemoHIM enhanced the immune activity and cytokine secretion in sub-healthy volunteers, and alleviated the severe leukocyre depression in cancer patients during radiation and chemotherapy. Based on these results, HemoHIM was approved by Korea FDA as a material of health functional food for immune function improvement and will be commercially available soon. This case of HemoHIM research and development suggested that irradiated animals can be good models for biological degenerations such as immune depression, self-renewal tissue damage, and aging for the development of biological modulators.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.569-577
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• 2017

Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by systemic inflammatory responses to a severe infection. Acute hyper-inflammatory reactions in the acute phase of sepsis have been considered as a primary reason for organ dysfunction and mortality, and advances in emergency intervention and improved intensive care management have reduced mortalities in the early phase. However it has been recognized that increased deaths in the late phase still maintain sepsis mortality high worldwide. Patients recovered from early severe illness are unable to control immune system with sepsis-induced immunosuppression such as immunological tolerance, exhaustion and apoptosis, which make them vulnerable to nosocomial and opportunistic infections ultimately leading to threat to life. Based on strategies to reverse immunosuppression, recent developments in sepsis therapy are focused on molecules having immune enhancing activities. These efforts are focused on defining and revising the immunocompromised status associated with long-term mortality.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.9
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• pp.400-416
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• 2024

Matricellular proteins are integral non-structural components of the extracellular matrix. They serve as essential modulators of immunometabolism and tissue homeostasis, playing critical roles in physiological and pathological conditions. These extracellular matrix proteins including thrombospondins, osteopontin, tenascins, the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) family, the Cyr61, CTGF, NOV (CCN) family, and fibulins have multi-faceted functions in regulating immune cell functions, metabolic pathways, and tissue homeostasis. They are involved in immune-metabolic regulation and influence processes such as insulin signaling, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, and immune cell function, playing significant roles in metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, their modulation of tissue homeostasis processes including cellular adhesion, differentiation, migration, repair, and regeneration is instrumental for maintaining tissue integrity and function. The importance of these proteins in maintaining physiological equilibrium is underscored by the fact that alterations in their expression or function often coincide with disease manifestation. This review contributes to our growing understanding of these proteins, their mechanisms, and their potential therapeutic applications.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.80-85
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• 2009

Objective: This study aimed to build an overview of randomized clinical controlled trials (RCTs) for chronic fatigue-related symptoms to extract the useful data for management of patients and development of therapeutics using Korean traditional medicine in the future. Methods: All RCT-derived papers for chronic fatigue-related symptoms were collected via PubMed Database. We surveyed elementary information of RCTs such as clinical question, study design, and its quality and results. Results: A total of fifty-three RCTs met these review criteria. Most of the RCTs were performed in Western countries, particularly the UK and USA. The major portion of RCTs focused on chronic fatigue syndrome using immune modulators, psychotherapeutic and anti-depressants. Five RCTs using complementary and alternative medicine, including herbal remedies, showed positive results. Conclusions: Fatigue-related symptoms are a main target of Oriental medicine. This study provides helpful information for planning clinical study of chronic fatigue-related symptoms using traditional Korean medicine.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.481-490
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• 2007

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of MOS, lectin and organic acid mixture(Organic acid F, Organic acid G) on the egg production, egg quality, profile of leukocytes and erythrocytes, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens. A total of 900 Hy-line BrownⓇ laying hens of 48 wks old were assigned to one of the following 6 dietary treatments:control(C), C+AvillamycinⓇ 6ppm, C+MOS 250ppm, C+lectin 12.5ppm, C+Organic acid F(formic acid 35.4%, formate 34.6%, potassium 30.0%) 0.3% and C+0rgarnic acid G(fumaric acid 23%, calcium formate 14%, potassium sorbate 5%, calcium propionate 7%) 0.06%. Each treatment was replicated five times with thirty birds per replicate, housed in 2 bird cages. Feeding trial lasted for 6 wks under 16 hours lighting regimen. All supplemental groups were higher than the control in 6 wks hen-day and hen-housed egg production showing the highest with MOS treatment(P<0.05). Soft & broken egg productions were lower in supplemental groups than in the control except lectin treatment(P<0.05). Eggyolk color of supplemental groups was higher than that of the control except Organic acid G treatment(P<0.05). The values of RBC, HB, MCHC were highest in lectin treatment and lowest in MOS treatment(P<0.05). The numbers of intestinal microflora were not significantly different among the treatments. Serum IgG levels of all supplemental groups were higher than those of the control(P<0.05). In conclusion, for supplementation of antibiotics, immune modulators and organic acid mixture improved production parameters in general. Among the supplements, MOS showed the best performance in egg production and eggyolk color.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.883-898
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Probiotics have been suggested as potent modulators of age-related disorders in immunological functions, yet little is known about sex-dependent effects of probiotic supplements. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sex-dependent effects of probiotics on profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, healthy elderly individuals ≥ 65 yrs old were administered probiotic capsules (or placebo) for 12 wk. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. Peripheral immune cells were profiled using flow cytometry for lymphocytes (natural killer, B, CD4⁺ T, and CD8⁺ T cells), dendritic cells, monocytes, and their subpopulations. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, phylum Firmicutes was significantly reduced in the probiotic group in women, but not in men. At the genus level, sex-specific responses included reductions in the relative abundances of pro-inflammatory gut microbes, including Catabacter and unclassified_Coriobacteriales, and Burkholderia and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, in men and women, respectively. Peripheral immune cell profiling analysis revealed that in men, probiotics significantly reduced the proportions of dendritic cells and CD14⁺ CD16^- monocytes; however, these effects were not observed in women. In contrast, the proportion of total CD4⁺ T cells was significantly reduced in women in the probiotic group. Additionally, serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein levels showed a decreasing tendency that were positively associated with changes in gut bacteria, including Catabacter (ρ = 0.678, P < 0.05) and Burkholderia (ρ = 0.673, P < 0.05) in men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that probiotic supplementation may reduce the incidence of inflammation-related diseases by regulating the profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy elders in a sex-specific manner.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.174-180
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• 2005

Antigen presenting cells (APCs), dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, playa critical role not only in the initiation of immune responses, but also in the induction of immune tolerance. In an effort to regulate immune responses through the modulation of APC function, we searched for and characterized APC function modulators from natural products. Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum SPM1204 (SPM1204) isolated from feces of healthy Korean in the age of 20s was used in this experiment. DCs and macrophages were cultured in the presence of supernatants of SPM 1204 and then examined for their activities for the presentation exogenous antigen in association with major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) and macrophage activation. SPM1204 increased class I MHC-restricted presentation of exogenous antigen (cross-presentation) in a DC cell line, DC2.4 cells. The RAW 264.7 cell line was used to test the nonspecific effect of immune reinforcement of SPM1204 as a source of biological regulating modulator for the macrophage activation, include nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine production. Results showed that the production of NO, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin 1 (IL-1)-$\beta$ and morphological changes in macrophages were largely affected by SPM1204 in a dose-dependent manner. Our results demonstrated that SPM1204 promote cross-presentation of dendritic cells as well as the induction of NO, TNF-$\alpha$ production, and activation of macrophage.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.150-156
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• 2005

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) playa critical role not only in the initiation of immune responses, but also in the induction of immune tolerance. In an effort to regulate immune responses through the modulation of antigen presenting cell (APC) function of DCs, we searched for and characterized APC function modulators from natural products. Methods: DCs were cultured in the presence of propolis components, WP and CP, and then examined for their ability to present exogenous antigen in association with major histocompatibility complexes (MHC). Results: WP and CP inhibited class I MHC-restricted presentation of exogenous antigen (cross-presentation) in a DC cell line, DC2.4 cells, and DCs generated from bone marrow cells with GM-CSF and IL-4. The inhibitory activity of WP and CP appeared to be due not only to inhibition of phagocytic activity of DCs, but also to suppression of expression of MHC molecules on DCs. We also examined the effects of WP and CP on T cells. Interestingly, WP and CP increased IL-2 production from T cells. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that WP and CP inhibit MHC-restricted presentation of exogenous antigen through down-regulation of phagocytic activity and suppression of expression of MHC molecules on DCs.