• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제53권5호
• /
• pp.312-315
• /
• 2013

Aspergillosis in the central nervous system (CNS) is a very rare disease in immune-competent patients. There was a case of a healthy man without a history of immune-compromised disease who had invasive aspergillosis with unusual radiologic findings. A 48-year-old healthy man with diabetes mellitus, presented with complaints of blurred vision that persisted for one month. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple nodular enhancing lesions on the right cerebral hemisphere. The diffusion image appeared in a high-signal intensity in these areas. Cerebrospinal fluid examination did not show any infection signs. An open biopsy was done and intraoperative findings showed grayish inflammatory and necrotic tissue without a definitive mass lesion. The pathologic result was a brain abscess caused by fungal infection, morphologically aspergillus. Antifungal agents (Amphotericin B, Ambisome and Voriconazole) were used for treatment for 3 months. The visual symptoms improved. There was no recurrence or abscess pocket, but the remaining focal enhanced lesions were visible in the right temporal and occipital area at a one year follow-up MRI. This immune-competent patient showed multiple enhancing CNS aspergillosis in the cerebral hemisphere, which had a good outcome with antifungal agents.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제32권2호
• /
• pp.256-262
• /
• 2022

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is well known as traditional herbal medicine, and ginseng berries are known to exhibit potential immune-enhancing functions. However, little is known about the in vivo immunomodulatory activity of Korean ginseng berries. In this study, crude Korean ginseng berries polysaccharides (GBP) were isolated and their immunomodulatory activities were investigated using cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced immunosuppressive BALB/c mice. In CY-treated mice, oral administration of GBP (50-500 mg/kg BW) remarkably increased their spleen sizes and spleen indices and activated NK cell activities. GBP also resulted in the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes (coordinating with ConA: plant mitogen which is known to stimulate T-cell or LPS: endotoxin which binds receptor complex in B cells to promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GBP significantly stimulated mRNA expression levels of immune-associated genes including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in CY-treated mice. These results indicate that GBP is involved in immune effects against CY-induced immunosuppression. Thus, GBP could be developed as an immunomodulation agent for medicinal or functional food application.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.307-311
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify excellent immune-enhancing substance from Korean wheats(Eunpa, Gueru, Alchan, Topdong, Suwon 267, Gobun) compared with imported ones(Australian standard white, ASW; Dark northern spring, DNS). Phagocytic activities of PBS (phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4) and EA(ethanol-acetic acid) extracts from the wheats were determined using mouse macrophage J774 cell line. In order to set the optimal experimental condition up, the cultured cells were tested in varying experimental conditions. About two to five times higher phagocytic activity was shown in EA extract of Korean wheats compared to that of imported wheats. PBS extracts of wheats did not show increased phagocytic activity compared to control that did not add any extract. The EA extract of Gobun wheat showed the highest phagocytic activity. From the experiment we found that the optimal experimental condition was shown in two hours of reaction time and 0.05mg amout of EA extract added to J774 cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• 제63권5호
• /
• pp.1159-1168
• /
• 2021

Ovotransferrin (OTF), an egg protein known as transferrin family protein, possess strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. This is because OTF has two iron binding sites, so it has a strong metal chelating ability. The present study aimed to evaluate the improved immune-enhancing activities of OTF hydrolysates produced using bromelain, pancreatin, and papain. The effects of OTF hydrolysates on the production and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 macrophages were confirmed. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated using Griess reagent and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). And the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α and interleukin [IL]-6) and the phagocytic activity of macrophages were evaluated using an ELISA assay and neutral red uptake assay, respectively. All OTF hydrolysates enhanced NO production by increasing iNOS mRNA expression. Treating RAW 264.7 macrophages with OTF hydrolysates increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the phagocytic activity. The production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by OTF hydrolysates was inhibited by the addition of specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. In conclusion, results indicated that all OTF hydrolysates activated RAW 264.7 macrophages by activating MAPK signaling pathway.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• 제6권1호
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 2006

Ji-Jang-Soo (JJS) is known to have a detoxification effect. However, it is still unclear how JJS has these effects in experimental models. In this study, we investigated the effect of JJS on the viability of cells and production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells, and human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells. The MOLT-4 cells were cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of JJS. As the result, JJS (1/100 dilution) significantly increased the cell viability about 78% (P < 0.05) and also increased the interleukin (IL)-2, and interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ production compared with media control at 24 h. But had no effect on IL-4 production. Hypoxia mimic compound, desferroxamine (DFX) decreased the immune cell viability. Cell viability decreased by DFX was increased by JJS. In conclusion, these data indicate that JJS may have an immune-enhancing effect.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국자원식물학회 2020년도 춘계학술대회
• /
• pp.86-86
• /
• 2020

The leaves of Staphylea bumalda (S. bumalda) as a deciduous tree distributed in Korea, China and Japan are used to treat respiratory diseases or inflammation. However, there is no scientific research on the immune-enhancing activity of S. bumalda leaves. Thus, in this study, we investigated the effect of water extracts from S. bumalda leaves (SBL) on the macrophage activity using mouse macrophage cells, RAW264.7. SBL increased production of immunomodulators such as NO, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1 in RAW264.7 cells and activated phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 blocked SBL-mediated production of immunomodulators in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, SBL-mediated production of immunomodulators was attenuated by JNK inhibition in RAW264.7 cells. SBL increased JNK phosphorylation, while Inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 blocked SBL-mediated JNK phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells. These results are thought to be evidence that SBL activates JNK through stimulation of TLR2 and TLR4 in macrophage to induce the production of immunomodulators. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, SBL inhibited over-production of immunomodulators. Summarizing the results, SBL showed immunostimulatory activity under normal conditions and immunosuppressive activity under LPS-induced excessive immune response conditions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제30권9호
• /
• pp.1395-1403
• /
• 2020

There is an increasing interest in using inactivated probiotics to modulate the host immune system and protect against pathogens. As the immunomodulatory function of heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KCTC 12777BP (LBB) and its mechanism is unclear, we investigated the effect of LBB on immune response based on the hypothesis that LBB might exert stimulatory effects on immunity. In the current study, we demonstrate that administration of LBB can exert immune-stimulatory effects and promote clearance of foreign matters through enhancing phagocytosis. Treatment with LBB induced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide in macrophages. Importantly, LBB directly increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages against bacterial particles. LBB was able to promote the production of TNF-α in bone marrow-derived macrophages and splenocytes and also increase the proliferation rate of splenocytes, suggesting that the immune-stimulating activity of LBB can be observed in primary immune cells. Investigation into the molecular mechanism responsible revealed that LBB upregulates TAK1 activity and its downstream ERK, p38, and JNK signaling pathways. To further confirm the immunomodulatory capability of LBB in vivo, we orally administered LBB to mice and assessed the effect on primary splenocytes. Splenocytes isolated from LBB-treated mice exhibited higher TNF-α expression and proliferative capacity. These results show that heat-killed L. brevis, a wildly consumed probiotic, may provide protection against pathogens through enhancing host immunity.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.89-101
• /
• 2004

Objective : The present experiments were designed to study on the immune-enhancing effect of Mountain grown ginseng, Mountain cultivated ginseng, and Panax ginseng Method : In order to compare the immune-enhancing effect of moutain grown ginseng, moutain cultivated ginseng and Panax ginseng, the study was done through the forced swimming test (FST), measurement of T helper Th1, Th2 cytokines and fatigue related factors. Result : Moutain grown ginseng and panax ginseng decreased the immobility time in the FST compared to the control. Glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Total-protein (T-protein) in serum were investigated. The serum achieved from ginseng administered mouse showed higher BUN, T-protein than the control. moutain grown ginseng administered group showed lower LDH than the control group. moutain grown ginseng administered mouse showed higher glucose than the control. Creatinine was same in either experimental or control group. Ginseng-induced cytokine production in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages were compared. Moutain cultivated ginseng (10-4 dilution) and panax ginseng (10-3 dilution) were increased the interferon $IFN-{\gamma}$ production compared with media control (about 1.6-fold P<0.05) at 48 h. Moutain grown ginseng (10-4 dilution) was increased the $IFN-{\gamma}$ and interleukin IL-4 production compared with media control (about l.4-fold for $IFN-{\gamma}$ and 1.6-fold for IL-4 P<0.05) at 48 h. Moutain grown ginseng (10-3 dilution) and moutain cultivated ginseng (10-4 dilution) were increased the turmor necrosis factor $TNF-{\alpha}$ production compared with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ treated cells (about 1.9-fold for $TNF-{\alpha}$ P<0.05), respectively. Moutain cultivated ginseng (10-3 dilution) was increased the IL-12 production compared with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ treated cell (about 1.7-fold for IL-12 P<0.05). Conclusion : These data suggest that three different three kinds of ginseng act on immune responses in different aspects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.206-217
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The immunomodulatory effect of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been reported, but studies on its mechanism are still lacking. This study was undertaken to confirm whether the hydrolyzed and fermented PG extract (HFPGE) obtained by adding hydrolysis and fermentation to the extraction process has an immune-enhancing effect in the in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NOR), control group (CON), 150 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day HFPGE-treated group (T150), and 300 mg/kg BW/day HFPGE-treated group (T300). The mice were administered HFPGE for 4 weeks and intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide (CPA, 80 mg/kg BW/day) on day 6, 7, and 8, respectively, to induce immunosuppression. The levels of immunoglobulins (Igs) and cytokines were measured in the serum. In splenocytes, proliferation and cytokine levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum IgA, IgG, and IgM levels were observed to decrease after CPA treatment, which was recovered by HFPGE administration. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were also decreased after exposure to CPA but increased after HFPGE administration. Decreased splenocyte proliferation was seen in CPA-treated mice, but was observed to increase in the T150 and T300 groups as compared to the NOR group. Compared to the CON group, splenocyte proliferation stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the HFPGE-treated groups was significantly increased. The cytokines secreted by ConA-stimulated splenocytes (IL-2, IL-12, interferon-γ, TNF-α) were increased in the T150 and T300 groups, and cytokines secreted by LPS-stimulated splenocytes (IL-4, IL-8, TGF-β) were also increased by HFPGE administration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HFPGE stimulates the immunity in immunosuppressed conditions, thereby enhancing the immune response. Therefore, it is expected that HFPGE has the potential to be used as functional food and medicine for immune recovery in various immunocompromised situations.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제46권1호
• /
• pp.26-33
• /
• 2017

본 연구에서는 상지에 배양한 상황버섯 균사체 유래 다당류의 기능성 식품 소재로의 활용 가능성을 확인하기 위해 조다당류의 분리 및 정제를 통해 분획을 얻었으며, 다양한 면역증강 효과를 확인하였다. 건조된 조다당류를 DEAE-sepharose CL-6B를 이용하여 크로마토그래피한 후 340 nm에서의 흡광도, 단백질, 당 및 uronic acid 함량을 분석한 결과, 증류수로 용출되는 비흡착 분획(PF-1, 분획번호 3~15)과 흡착된 후 NaCl 용액에 의해 용출되는 분획(PF-2, 분획번호 24~33)을 얻었다. 분획물 PF-1 및 PF-2의 유용성분 함량으로 총당 함량은 각각 75.51%, 52.38%, 총단백질 함량은 1.63%, 8.41%, uronic acid 함량은 17.53%, 15.04% 및 ${\beta}-glucan$ 함량은 28.33%, 25.04%로 나타났다. PF-1 및 PF-2에 대해 대식세포주에 처리하여 세포생존율을 확인한 결과 $100{\mu}g/mL$ 농도까지 유의적으로 세포사멸이 나타나지 않아 세포독성이 없음을 확인할 수 있었다. Nitric oxide 생성량은 PF-1 $100{\mu}g/mL$에서는 nitric oxide 생성량이 $23.11{\mu}M$로 나타나 양성대조군으로 사용된 LPS 100 ng/mL 처리군($30.30{\mu}M$)의 약 76%의 효과가 있는 것으로 확인되었으며, cytokine 생성량($TNF-{\alpha}$ 및 IL-6) 또한 무처리군에 비하여 높은 생성량을 나타내었다. Polymerase chain reaction을 통한 면역 관련 유전자 발현분석 결과, iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6에서 PF-1 분획에서 높은 발현량을 나타내어 면역 증강을 목적으로 한 기능성 식품 개발에 활용 가능하다고 판단된다.