• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.13.1-13.19
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• 2021

Macrophages are important for the first line of defense against microbial pathogens. Integrin CD11b, which is encoded by Itgam, is expressed on the surface of macrophages and has been implicated in adhesion, migration, and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. However, the functional impact of CD11b on the inflammatory responses of macrophages upon microbial infection remains unclear. Here, we show that CD11b deficiency resulted in increased susceptibility to sepsis induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection by enhancing the pro-inflammatory activities of macrophages. Upon infection with MRSA, the mortality of Itgam knockout mice was significantly higher than that of control mice, which is associated with increased production of TNF-α and IL-6. In response to MRSA, both bone marrow-derived macrophages and peritoneal macrophages lacking CD11b produced elevated amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide. Moreover, CD11b deficiency upregulated IL-4-induced expression of anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10 and arginase-1, and an immunomodulatory function of macrophages to restrain T cell activation. Biochemical and confocal microscopy data revealed that CD11b deficiency augmented the activation of NF-κB signaling and phosphorylation of Akt, which promotes the functional activation of macrophages with pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory phenotypes, respectively. Overall, our experimental evidence suggests that CD11b is a critical modulator of macrophages in response to microbial infection.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.519-527
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• 2017

Excessive activation of microglia causes the continuous production of neurotoxic mediators, which further causes neuron degeneration. Therefore, inhibition of microglial activation is a possible target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Balanophonin, a natural neolignoid from Firmiana simplex, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects and mechanism of balanophonin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia cells. BV2 microglia cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of balanophonin. The results indicated that balanophonin reduced not only the LPS-mediated TLR4 activation but also the production of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), $Interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), in BV2 cells. Balanophonin also inhibited LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) protein expression and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK. Interestingly, it also inhibited neuronal cell death resulting from LPS-activated microglia by regulating cleaved caspase-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage in N2a cells. In conclusion, our data indicated that balanophonin may delay the progression of neuronal cell death by inhibiting microglial activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.649-660
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• 2018

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent and disabling severe headaches. Although several anticonvulsant drugs that block voltagedependent $Na^+$ channels are widely used for migraine, far less is known about the therapeutic actions of carbamazepine on migraine. In the present study, therefore, we characterized the effects of carbamazepine on tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) $Na^+$ channels in acutely isolated rat dural afferent neurons, which were identified by the fluorescent dye DiI. The TTX-R $Na^+$ currents were measured in medium-sized DiIpositive neurons using the whole-cell patch clamp technique in the voltage-clamp mode. While carbamazepine had little effect on the peak amplitude of transient $Na^+$ currents, it strongly inhibited steady-state currents of transient as well as persistent $Na^+$ currents in a concentration-dependent manner. Carbamazepine had only minor effects on the voltage-activation relationship, the voltage-inactivation relationship, and the use-dependent inhibition of TTX-R $Na^+$ channels. However, carbamazepine changed the inactivation kinetics of TTX-R $Na^+$ channels, significantly accelerating the development of inactivation and delaying the recovery from inactivation. In the current-clamp mode, carbamazepine decreased the number of action potentials without changing the action potential threshold. Given that the sensitization of dural afferent neurons by inflammatory mediators triggers acute migraine headaches and that inflammatory mediators potentiate TTX-R $Na^+$ currents, the present results suggest that carbamazepine may be useful for the treatment of migraine headaches.

• 고려인삼학회:학술대회논문집
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• 고려인삼학회 1993년도 학술대회지
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• pp.84-93
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• 1993

It has been reported that ginseng is effective in the central nervous system, immune system, and the strong inflammatory responses. However, there has been no research report yet about the effect of ginseng on allergic hypersensitivity reactivity. To confirm the ginseng effects on the release of mediators(histamine. leukotrienes etc.) which cause the hypersensitivity reactivity and inflammatory response, we used actively sensitized guinea pig airway tissues by utilizing the superfusion technique. In this procedure. the contractile response and mediators released after antigen stimulation of sensitized tissues, and IgG and IgE antibody products were measured in sera of immunized animals. Then the results of the controll group were compared to those of ginseng pretreatment groups. In the total saponin(TS) and panaxatriol(PT) pretreatment, histamine release decreased by $20\%$ in the tracheal tissues after active sensitization by ovalbumin(OVA, 10mg/kg), but in the lung parenchyma, histamine release decreased by $40\%.$ Panaxadiol(PD) significantly decreased histamine release by $40\%$ in the both tissues after active sensitization. TS, PT and PD of ginseng poorly blocked leukotrienes (LTs) and prostagrandin $D_2(PGD_2)$ release(less than $10\%$). Ginseng TS and PT had no effect on the serum IgG antibody production by ovalbumin, whereas PD significantly increased serum IgG antibody contents(approximately by 2 times). However, $IgG_1$ antibody products in the serum of guinea pig actively sensitized with ovalbumin after PD pretreatment were decreased, compared to that with ovalbumin alone. IgE antibody production by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis(PCA) titer in the TS pretreatment increased 3 times more than in the absence of TS(PCA titer by PT was not detected). These studies show that some ginseng saponins can in part act to inhibit mediator release in antigen - induced airway smooth muscle by inducing the IgG antibody production which has been changed in the specificity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.436-446
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• 2018

Background: The potential therapeutic values of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) in autoimmune disorders of nervous system have not been fully investigated. Methods: We used an acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of multiple sclerosis and determined the effects and mechanism of KRGE on spinal myelination. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE (100 mg/kg, orally) for 10 days before immunization with myelin basic protein $(MBP)_{68-82}$ peptide exerted a protective effect against demyelination in the spinal cord, with inhibited recruitment and activation of immune cells including microglia, decreased mRNA expression of detrimental inflammatory mediators (interleukin-6, interferon-${\gamma}$, and cyclooxygenase-2), but increased mRNA expression of protective inflammatory mediators (insulin-like growth factor ${\beta}1$, transforming growth factor ${\beta}$, and vascular endothelial growth factor-1). These results were associated with significant downregulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathways in microglia/macrophages, T cells, and astrocytes. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRGE alleviates spinal demyelination in acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through inhibiting the activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway. Therefore, KRGE might be used as a new therapeutic for autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, although further investigation is needed.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.203-208
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• 2005

Scoparone is a major component of the shoot of Artemisia capillaris (Compositae), which has been used for the treatment of hepatitis and biliary tract infection in oriental countries. In the present study we observed that, scorparone exhibited no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but reduced the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ upon stimulation by IFN-${\gamma}$/LPS or LPS. The inhibitory effects were found to be in conjuction with the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in IFN-${\gamma}$/LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, scoparone also attenuated the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that scoparone decreases the production of the inflammatory mediators such as NO and $PGE_2$ in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression.

• 약학회지
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• 제58권2호
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• pp.81-90
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• 2014

In order to determine the functional benefits of Cordyceps militaris in the immune system, we examined the immunomodulatory activities of C. militaris using an immunocompromised C57BL/6 mice, mouse spleen cells, RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and A549 lung carcinoma cells. Mice were injected intraperitioneally with an immunosuppressive drug, cyclophosphamide, and then administered orally with 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg of 50% ethanol extract of C. militaris (CME 30, CME 100 and CME 300) for 14 days. CME increased splenocyte proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity compared to 3% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-treated control mice. CME also increased the production of Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in spleen cells isolated from CME-injected mice and in vitro, which suggested the enhanced cellular immunity in response to CME. CME also increased splenocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, and IL-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production compared to 1 ${\mu}M$ methotrexate-treated spleen cells in vitro. We examined whether C. militaris regulates the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. CME inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in a dose dependent manner, while COX-2 expression was remained unchanged. In addition, CME also has free radical scavenging activity, indicating its antioxidant activity. These results indicate that C. militaris enhances immune activity by promoting immune cell proliferation and cytokine production.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 1995

Alveolar macrophages play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of silicosis since the macrophages may release a wide variety of toxic and inflammatory mediators as well as mitogenic growth factors. In the present study, the effects of in vitro exposure to silica on release of various mediator such as reactive oxygen species, platelet activating factor(PAF), and interleukin-1 (IL-1) by alveolar macrophages were examined. First, hydrogen peroxide release from alveolar macrophages was monitored by measuring the change in fluorescence of scopoletin in the absence or presence of graded concentration of silica. Significantly enhanced release of hydrogen peroxide was observed at 0.5 mg/ml and above. A maximal enhancement of 10 fold above control was observed at 5 mg/ml silica. Similarly, in vitro exposure to silica also significantly stimulated the generation of chemiluminescence from alveolar macrophages at 0.5 mg/ml and above with n maximal enhancement of 8 fold at 5 mg/ml silica. Second, PAF release from alveolar macrophages after 30 min incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ in absence or presence of zymosan and silica was determined by measuring $^{3}H-serotonin$ release ability of the conditioned macrophage supernates from platelets. 5 mg/ml zymosan as a positive control fur the PAF assay increased PAF release by 19 % of total serotonin release. Furthermore, silica also resulted in significant enhancement of the PAF release compared with that in unstimulated (control) cells, i.e., $17.7{\pm}5.8%$ and $24.0{\pm}4.9%$ of total serotonin release at 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml silica, respectively, which represents the release of nanomole levels of PAF. Lastly, IL-1 production by alveolar macrophages was analysed following their stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and silica by their capacity to stimulate thymocyte proliferation. $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ LPS resulted in an 11 fold increase in IL-1 production. In comparison, $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ silica resulted in a 4 fold increase in IL-1 release. These data indicate that in vitro exposure of alveolar macrophages to silica activates the release of various bioactive mediators such as reactive oxygen species, PAF and IL-1 which thus contribute to amplification of inflammatory reactions and regulation of fibrotic responses by the lung after inhalation of silica.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권11호
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• pp.578-583
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• 2017

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is a coinhibitory molecule and plays a pivotal role in immune regulation. Here, we demonstrate a role for PD-1 in pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Wild-type (WT) mice had severe wasting disease during experimentally induced colitis, while mice deficient for PD-1 ($PD-1^{-/-}$) did not develop colon inflammation. Interestingly, $PD-1^{-/-}$ mice cohoused with WT mice became susceptible to colitis, suggesting that resistance of $PD-1^{-/-}$ mice to colitis is dependent on their gut microbiota. 16S rRNA gene-pyrosequencing analysis showed that $PD-1^{-/-}$ mice had altered composition of gut microbiota with significant reduction in Rikenellaceae family. These altered colon bacteria of $PD-1^{-/-}$ mice induced less amount of inflammatory mediators from colon epithelial cells, including interleukin (IL)-6, and inflammatory chemokines. Taken together, our study indicates that PD-1 expression is involved in the resistance to experimental colitis through altered bacterial communities of colon.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.878-883
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• 2008

Conchiolin is a complex protein which is secreted by the mollusc's outer epithelium to be the organic basis of mollusc shell. This study is to investigate a potential anti-inflammatory activity of conchiolin of oyster shell (COS). We tested the effects of COS on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2) in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. COS inhibited production of NO and PGE2 in a dose dependent manner and also decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These results suggest that COS can inhibit production of pro-inflammatory mediators and might be a useful source to treat inflammation.