• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2023

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have attracted scientific and medical interest due to their self-renewing properties, pluripotency, and paracrine function. However, one of the main limitations to the clinical application of MSCs is their loss of efficacy after transplantation in vivo. Various bioengineering technologies to provide stem cell niche-like conditions have the potential to overcome this limitation. Here, focusing on the stem cell niche microenvironment, studies to maximize the immunomodulatory potential of MSCs by controlling biomechanical stimuli, including shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, stretch, and biophysical cues, such as extracellular matrix mimetic substrates, are discussed. The application of biomechanical forces or biophysical cues to the stem cell microenvironment will be beneficial for enhancing the immunomodulatory function of MSCs during cultivation and overcoming the current limitations of MSC therapy.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.357-363
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• 2022

Immunological imbalance eventually results in the development of various diseases. A typical example is an imbalance of cytokines with immunomodulatory abilities. In this paper, we propose a two-variable delay model to anti-pro-inflammatory cytokine therapy for autoimmune diseases, which are caused by an imbalance between the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The interaction between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were modeled mathematically to investigate the relevance of cytokines in disease processes. The delay time was estimated to maintain the stability of a biologically important steady state. In particular, the effects of delay with anti-pro-inflammatory cytokines therapy in autoinflammatory diseases were studied.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.62-70
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Currently, the management of patients with COVID-19 depends mainly on repurposed drugs which include chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, remdesivir, favipiravir, umifenovir, interferon-α, interferon-β and others. In this review, the potential of Nigella sativa (black cumin seeds) to treat the patients with COVID-19 analyzed, as it has shown to possess antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, bronchodilatory, antihistaminic, antitussive, antipyretic and analgesic activities. Medline/PubMed Central/PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Directory of open access journals (DOAJ) and reference lists were searched to identify articles associated with antiviral and other properties of N.sativa related to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Various randomized controlled trials, pilot studies, case reports and in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that N.sativa has antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, bronchodilatory, antihistaminic, antitussive activities related to causative oraganism and signs and symptoms of COVID-19. N. sativa could be used as an adjuvant therapy along with repurposed conventional drugs to manage the patients with COVID-19.

• BMB Reports
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.250-256
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• 2010

Natural phosphodiester bond CpG-DNA that contains immunomodulatory CpG motifs (PO-DNA) upregulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and induces an Ag-driven Th1 response in a CG sequence-dependent manner in mice. In humans, only phosphorothioate backbone-modified CpG-DNA (PS-DNA) and not PO-DNA has immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we found that liposome-encapsulated PO-DNA upregulated the expression of human $\beta$-defensin-2 (hBD-2) and major histocompatibility class II molecules (HLA-DRA) in a CG sequence-dependent and liposome- dependent manner in human B cells. Of the three different liposomes, DOTAP has the unique ability to enhance the immunomodulatory activity of PO-DNA. In contrast, HLA-DRA and hBD-2 promoter activation can be induced by liposome-encapsulated PS-DNA in a CG sequence-independent manner, depending on the CpG-DNA species. Our observations demonstrate that, when encapsulated with a proper liposome in the immune system, natural PO-DNA has the potential to be a useful therapy for the regulation of the innate immune response.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.79-89
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• 1998

목 적: 만성 B형 간염 환자의 치료에 많은 항바이러스제와 면역조절 물질이 시도되었지만 현재까지는 ${\alpha}$-interferon만이 일정한 효과가 있는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 또 면역조절제 중에는 현재thymodulin 등의 면역증강 물질이 시도되어지고 있다. 저자들은 interferon 치료시 thymodulin을 병용하면 소아의 B형 만성 활동성 간염에 interferon 단독 치료보다 효과가 있는지를 조사해 보았다. 대상 및 방법: 1990년 3월부터 1996년 2월까지 경북대학교병원 소아과에 입원하였던 환아 중 6개월 이상 HBsAg과 HBeAg 및 HBV DNA가 양성(1+~4+)이고, 혈청 AST와 ALT치가 상승되어 있으며 간조직 검사상 만성 활동성 간염으로 확진된 환아 23명($9.8{\pm}2.8$세)을 대상으로 recombinant ${\alpha}$-interferon 300 MU($280\;MU/m^2{\pm}68$; 범위: $189{\sim}448\;MU/m^2$)를 주 3회씩 6개월간 피하 주사하였다. 그 중 10명에게는 thymodulin 60 mg을 매일 복용시켰고 13명은 ${\alpha}$-interferon만 투여하였으며 치료 종료 후 최소 12개월 이상 추적 검사를 하였다. 양군간의 모든 변수에서 통계학적 유의차는 없었다. 결 과: 1) 23명 전예에서 interferon 치료 중에 AST, ALT 및 HBV DNA의 감소가 있었고 12개월째 추적 검사상 9명(39%)에서 평균 3.1개월째에 HBeAg과 anti-HBe의 혈청전환 및 HBV DNA의 음전이 생겼으며 18개월째 추적검사에서는 이 중 2명에서 ${\alpha}$-interferon 중단 후 8개월과 9개월에 HBeAg이 다시 나타났고 또 다른 2명에서 추가로 혈청전환이 생겨서 전체적으로는 23명의 환아 중 11명(48%)에서 혈청전환이 생겼고 재발한 2명을 빼면 최종 성적은 9명(39%)이 된다. 2) 수직 감염이 있는 7례 중 2례(29%)에서 혈청 전환이 생긴 반면 수직 감염이 없는 12례 중 6례(50%)에서 혈청전환이 생겨 수직 감염 유무는 혈청전환과의 상관 관계가 밀접하다고 생각한다. 3) ${\alpha}$-interferon 치료 전의 ALT치가 정상치의 2배 이하인 경우 8례 중 3례(38%)에서 혈청전환이 있었는데 비해 2배 이상이었던 경우는 15예 중 8례(53%)에서 혈청전환이 있어서 ${\alpha}$-interferon 치료전의 높은 ALT치가 좋은 치료 효과를 예측하는데 도움이 될 수 있을 것으로 생각한다. 4) ${\alpha}$-interferon 치료 전의 HBV DNA가 3+ 이상이었던 경우는 12례 중 5례(42%)에서 혈청전환이 있었는데 비해 1+ 이었던 경우는 11례 중 6례(55%)에서 혈청전환이 있어서 ${\alpha}$-interferon 치료전의 낮은 HBV DNA가 좋은 치료 효과를 예측하는데 도움이 될 수 있을 것으로 생각한다. 5) B형 만성 활동성 간염 환아 23례 중 10례에게 thymodulin을 병용하여 투여하였으나 10례 중 5례(50%)에서 혈청전환이 있었으며 이는 대조군인 ${\alpha}$-interferon 단독 치료 시의 13례 중 6례(46%)와 비교할 때 통계적인 의의를 찾을 수 없었다. 결 론: 면역조절 물질인 thymodulin의 투여로써 숙주 면역계의 기능을 증강시켜 바이러스의 제거를 촉진하고자 소아의 B형 만성 활동성 간염에 ${\alpha}$-interferon 치료시 thymodulin을 병용하여 치료하였으나 ${\alpha}$-interferon 단독 치료보다 더 효과가 있다고 볼 수는 없었으며 향후 더 많은 환아를 대상으로 한 interferon과 다른 종류의 항바이러스제 및 면역조절제 등과의 병용 치료 연구가 더 좋은 결과를 얻기 위해 필요할 것으로 생각한다.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.1316-1321
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• 2009

Multiple beneficial properties of Opuntia ficus indica (OPF) are well established. In the present study, we have investigated the immunological role of OPF extract (OPFE) on murine splenocytes. OPFE dose- and time-dependently enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes without cytotoxicity. Our results also showed that the number of $CD4^+$ helper T cells and CD45R/$B220^+$ pan B cells increased markedly, but not $CD8^+$ cytotoxic T cells or $CD11b^+$ granulocytes/macrophages. In addition, OPFE significantly decreased the production levels of T helper (Th) 1 type cytokines, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, although had no significantly differences in those of interleukin (IL)-4, a Th2 type cytokine in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated blastogenic cells. Furthermore, OPFE alone strongly increased IL-4 production and decreased TNF-$\alpha$ production even in the absence of Con A. On the basis of these results, this study suggests that OPFE enhances immunity by regulating the pro- and anti-inflammatory response, indicating that this extract exerts a marked immunomodulatory effect, confirming its usefulness as therapy for immune-related diseases.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권12호
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• pp.795-810
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Myocarditis is a potentially fatal disease, but curative treatments have not yet been established. Myocardial inflammation is an important pathogenesis of this disease, and immunosuppressants such as methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin have been used for treatment; however, the effectiveness needs to be improved. Thalidomide and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) 4 inhibitors were recently investigated regarding their immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to test whether thalidomide or a DPP4 inhibitor (evogliptin) can improve the effectiveness of myocarditis treatment using a rat model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). Methods: Rats with or without myocarditis were administered thalidomide at 100 mg/kg/day and DPP4 inhibitor at 10 mg/kg/day orally. Measurement of echocardiography, serum inflammatory cytokines, myocardial histopathological examination, and immunohistochemical staining for leukocytes, macrophages, CD4+ T cells, and cytoskeleton were performed after 3 weeks, and the fibrosis area was measured after 3 and 6 weeks. Results: Thalidomide and DPP4 inhibitor did not reduce the severity of myocarditis compared with the EAM without treatment rats by comparing the echocardiographic data, myocardial CD4⁺, macrophages, neutrophil infiltrations, and the heart weight/body weight ratio in 3 weeks. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were not lower in the thalidomide and DPP4 inhibitor-treated group than in the untreated group in 3 weeks. In 6 weeks, thalidomide and DPP4 inhibitors did not reduce the fibrosis area compared to untreated groups. Conclusions: Although thalidomide and the DPP4 inhibitor had an immunomodulatory effect and are used against inflammatory diseases, they did not ameliorate myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in this rat model of EAM.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.268-272
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• 2006

Cimicifugae Rhizoma (CR) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which has been traditionally used to treat climacteric complaints, antipyretics and diaphoresis as an alternative medicine for estrogen hormone replacement therapy with estrogens. Recently, it has been reported that different extract fractions of CR have various effects such as anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. The current study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Cimicifugae Rhizoma water extracts (CRE) in the macrophage-like cell line, Raw 264.7. Our results showed that CRE ($1\sim50\;{\mu}g/mL$) stimulated tumoricidal activity and NO production, whereas phagocytic activity was inhibited at the same concentrations. Additionally, iNOS mRNA expression was significantly increased in Raw 264.7 exposed to CRE as demonstrated by RT-PCR. These results indicate that the tumoricidal activity induced by CRE may be mediated by the production of NO and these activities may be useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.65-75
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• 2021

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) has recently associated to the increase in antiresorptive and anti-angiogenic drugs prescriptions in the treatment of oncologic and osteoporotic patients. The physiopathogenesis of MRONJ remains unclear and available treatments are unsatisfactory. Newer pharmacological treatments have shown good results, but are not curative and could have major side effects. At the same time as pharmacological treatments, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality for tissue regeneration and repair. MSCs are multipotential non-hematopoietic progenitor cells capable to differentiating into multiple lineages of the mesenchyme. Bone marrow MSCs can differentiate into osteogenic cells and display immunological properties and secrete paracrine anti-inflammatory factors in damaged tissues. The immunomodulatory, reparative, and anti-inflammatory properties of bone marrow MSCs have been tested in a variety of animal models of MRONJ and applied in specific clinical settings. The aim of this review is to discuss critically the immunogenicity and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs, both in vitro and in vivo, the possible underlying mechanisms of their effects, and their potential clinical use as modulators of immune responses in MRONJ, and to identify clinical safety and recommendations for future research.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

엑소좀은 나노 크기의 세포외 소포체로 핵산, 단백질, 지질 등 다양한 생리활성 물질을 함유하고 있다. 엑소좀의 생리활성 물질들은 주변 세포나 조직으로 전달될 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 기원된 세포의 고유 특정 물질들을 지니고 있기 때문에 엑소좀 유래 물질들은 진단 및 치료를 위한 도구로 광범위하게 사용될 수 있음이 입증되고 있으며, 이러한 이유로 엑소좀은 진단을 위한 바이오마커, 약물 전달을 위한 운반체 및 치료제로 활용될 수 있는 가능성에 많은 연구자들의 관심이 높아지고 있다. 줄기세포 분야에서 엑소좀은 줄기세포를 기반으로 한 비세포 치료제로서 보다 안전한 치료제로 사용될 수 있다는 점에서 매력적인 소재가 되고 있으며, 최근에는 중간엽줄기세포 유래 엑소좀이 항염증 및 면역조절능이 있어 코로나-19 증상 완화 효능에 대한 안전성과 효능이 입증되기도 했다. 이렇게 계속적인 엑소좀에 대한 축적된 연구는 임상 진단 및 치료를 위한 차세대 혁신적 결과물들을 제공할 것으로 생각되며, 이 종설에서는 엑소좀의 다양한 가치에 초점을 두고 미래의학의 강력한 도구로 어떻게 활용될 수 있는지에 대한 엑소좀의 잠재력을 살펴보고자 한다.