• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.244-253
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• 2003

Objective : Interferon-alpha and Rivabirin are much used at the same time to treat Chronical C viral hepatitis. But interferon caused lots of unexpected side effects, Acupuncture Treatment for them will be an alternative plan. Methods : We first posed questions to a 4 year-old man who ha skin flare, fatigue, itching, insomnia, pronounced a diagnosis based on overall of symptoms and signs and then treated Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Electroacupuncture. We acupunctured a BL17, BL18, BL20 and removed it at once. We electroacupunctured at GV20, Yin tang(Ex-HN3) form 20 minutes, acupunctured at Bi yi(鼻翼, Extra-point), S36, P6. Pizhengge(脾定格) was acupunctured for 10 minutes. Results : The symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, itching are reduced after acupuncture treatments and they made a person keep interferon treatment on. Conclusions : We confirmed that acupuncture treatments make a patient of chronic C viral hepatitis reduce and improve side effects of interferon treatment. We should keep on studying the various and efficient method of acupuncture treatment to improve living quality and treatment efficiency of patients.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2009

Recombinant interferon alpha-2a is an active formula for the treatment of various cancer cells like malignant melanoma and a variety of virus infection diseases like acute or chronic hepatitis. The bioassay system based on the measurement of virus inhibitory activity by interferon has been used for interferon analysis with low repeatability. Here, we developed the HPLC assay to measure reproducibly interferon alpha-2a protein content which is replaceable to the reported bioassay. This method separated interferon alpha-2a from its oxidized forms and human serum albumin used as excipients. The regression coefficient using interferon alpha-2a EP CRS is more than 0.9 in the range from 5 ${\mu}g/ml$ to 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. The recovery result in the range from 15 ${\mu}g/ml$ to 60 ${\mu}g/ml$ is $97{\sim}104%$ and the precision is $0.2{\sim}1.7%$. The interferon alpha contents of 5 products are about 30 ${\mu}g/ml$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1898-1903
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• 2007

We attempted to modulate the overall protein expression rate through the addition of a repressor against the araBAD promoter system of Escherichia coli, in which glucose was used as a repressor. Therefore, 0.5% L-arabinose was initially contained as an inducer in culture medium, and either 2% glucose or 2% glycerol was used as a carbon source, and it was found that the expression of recombinant interferon-${\alpha}$ could be observed at the beginning of the batch culture when glycerol was used as a carbon source. However, when glucose was used, the initiation of recombinant interferon-${\alpha}$ expression was delayed compared with that when glycerol was used. Furthermore, when the addition of 0.5% glucose was carried out once or twice after 0.5% L-arabinose induction during DO-stat fed-batch culture, the distributions of soluble and insoluble recombinant interferon-${\alpha}$ were modulated. When glucose was not added after the induction of L-arabinose, all of the expressed recombinant interferon-${\alpha}$ formed an inclusion body during the later half of culturing. However, when glucose was added after induction, the expressed recombinant interferon-${\alpha}$ did not all form an inclusion body, and about half of the total recombinant interferon-${\alpha}$ was expressed in a soluble form. It was deduced that the addition of glucose after the induction of L-arabinose might lower the cAMP level, and thus, CAP (catabolite activator protein) might not be activated. The transcription rate of recombinant interferon-${\alpha}$ in the araBAD promoter system might be delayed by the partial repression. This inhibition of the transcription rate probably resulted in more soluble interferon-${\alpha}$ expression caused by the reduction of the protein synthesis rate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.637-644
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• 1996

Interstitial pneumonitis associated with interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C was first describe6 in 1994 by Kazoo et al In Japan. The mechanism of interstitial pneumonitis developed by interferon alpha was still unknown but immunologic, allergic of direct lung toxicity were suggested. We experienced a case of interstitial pneumonitis developed during interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C in a 52-year-old male patient. He was treated with 6 million units of interferon alpha intramuscularly 3 times per week for 4 weeks and noted progressive dyspnea and cough. These symptoms were subsided after 6 weeks' discontinuation of interferon alpha therapy. And so, he was retreated with 3 million units of interferon alpha 3 times per week for 8 weeks and felt dyspnea again. He was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of progressive dyspnea. Arterial blood gas(ABG) values were $PaO_2$ 90.7 mmHg and $PaCO_2$ 31.9 mmHg, and antinuclear antibody(ANA) was negative. A chest X-ray film revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular shadows in bilateral lung fields, suggesting a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis. A marked increase in lymphocyte count and suppressor T cell were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid. Lymphocyte stimulation test with interferon alpha was positive. Interstitial pneumonitis was confirmed by transbronchial lung biopsy. After discontinuation of interferon alpha, we gave oral steroid in the condition that clinical symptoms were being improved gradually.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.916-920
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• 2002

This report describes a high-level expression of human alpha-2a interferon ($IFN{\alpha}-2a$) in Escherichia coli and its pilot scale purification by using a monoclonal antibody-independent chromatographic procedure that is based on anion-exchange, cation-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and gel filtration. The recombinant E. coli produced much more $IFN{\alpha}-2a$ in a soluble form, when cultivated at low temperatures than at high-temperature fermentation. However, if the bacterial growth was taken into consideration, fermentation at $30^{\circ}C$ seemed optimal for the interferon production. By using our new protocol, we recovered approximately 160 mg of $IFN{\alpha}-2a$ with a specific activity of $3.59{\times}10^8$ IU/mg from 201 of the broth. The gel permeation chromatographic and SDS-PAGE indicated that the interferon preparation was purified to homogeneity and was of the correctly folded fast-migrating monomer.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.635-641
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• 2004

Interferons regulate a number of biological functions including control of cell proliferation, generation of antiviral activities and immumodulation in human cells. Studies by several investigators have identified a number of cellular signaling cascades that are activated during engagement of interferon receptors. The activation of multiple signaling cascades by the interferon receptors appears to be critical for the generation of interferon mediated biological functions and immune surveillance. The present review summarizes the existing knowledge on the multiple signaling cascades activated by Type I interferons. Recent developments in this research area are emphasized and the implications of these new discoveries on our understanding of interferon actions are discussed.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 1994

Macrtophages play an important role in defense against virus infection by intrinsic resistance and by extrinsic resistance. Since interferon-induced enzymes which are 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase and p1/eIF-2 protein kinase have been shown to be involved in the inhibition of viral replication, I examined the mechanism by which poly I:C, an interferon inducer, exerts its antiviral effects in inflammatory macrophages infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The data presented here demonstrate that poly I:C-induced antiviral activity is partially due to the activation of 2'-5' pligoadenylate synthetase. The activation of 2'-5' oligoadenlate A synthetase by poly I:C is also at least mediated via the production of interferon-.betha.. Taken together, these data indicate that interferon-.betha. produced in response to poly I:C acts in an autocrine manner to activate the 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase and to induce resistance to HSV-1.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.696-701
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• 2015

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes viral double-stranded RNA. It stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokine and interferon production. Here we reported the expression of a novel isoform of TLR3 in human astrocyte cell lines whose message is generated by alternative splicing. The isoform represents the N-terminus of the protein. It lacks many of the leucine-rich repeat domains, the transmembrane domain, and the intracellular Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain of TLR3. Type I interferons (interferon-α and interferon-β) induced the expression of this isoform. Exogenous overexpression of this isoform inhibited interferon regulatory factor 3, signal transducers and activators of transcription 1, and Inhibitor of kappa B α signaling following stimulation. This isoform of TLR3 also inhibited the production of chemokine interferon-γ-inducible protein 10. Our study clearly demonstrated that the expression of this isoform of TLR3 was a negative regulator of signaling pathways and that it was inducible by type I interferons. We also found that this isoform could modulate inflammation in the brain.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2008

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known as the causative agent of blood transmitted hepatitis. Two viral proteins, E2 and NS5A, are known to exert interferon resistance of HCV via PKR pathway. Here, we report a third protein, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) of HCV, induced interferon resistance inhibiting p56 pathway. p56 was shown to interact with p48 subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3). This interaction inhibited formation of ternary complex in translation initiation. Using dual reporter assay system, we observed that the translation decreased when interferon alpha was added to the culture. But, in the presence of HCV NS5B, the translation partly recovered. NS5B and p48 subunit of eIF3 were shown to interact. This interaction seems to inhibit the interaction between p48 and p56. This is the first report that a virus exerts interferon resistance via p56 pathway.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2008

Purpose: Interferon is a widely used treatment for chronic hepatitis B in children. However, additional treatment options are needed because more than 50% of hepatitis B patients are unresponsive to interferon. Although lamivudine is widely used to treat hepatitis B, there are few studies on the effect of lamivudine in hepatitis B patients unresponsive to interferon. Methods: Eight interferon unresponsive patients (6 males and 2 females) were treated with lamivudine (3 mg/kg/day, maximum 100 mg/day) from 6~12 months after interferon treatment was discontinued among 33 children with chronic hepatitis B. They were treated with interferon (interferon ${\alpha}$-2b, 10 MU/$m^2$ or pegylated interferon $1.5{\mu}g/kg$) for 6 months from January 2000 to December 2007 at the Pusan National University Hospital. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The age at treatment with interferon and lamivudine was 4.9${\pm}$3.1 and 6.1${\pm}$3.2 years, respectively. The serum ALT level before treatment with interferon was 148.1${\pm}$105.8 IU/L and the log HBV-DNA PCR mean value was 6.95${\pm}$0.70 copies/mL. The serum ALT level after treatment with interferon was 143.1${\pm}$90.4 IU/L and the log HBV-DNA mean PCR value was 6.46${\pm}$2.08. HBeAg negativization occurred in 2 patients. For all patients, normalization of the serum ALT levels and HBeAg seroconversion (except 2 patients with HBeAg negativization) occurred at 7.4${\pm}$2.1 and 7.9${\pm}$2.1 months respectively after lamivudine treatment. The HBV-DNA PCR became negative in 7 patients (87.5%) at 2.4${\pm}$2.8 months. Complete response was achieved in 7 patients and no recurrence was observed in 2 patients for 3 years after the completion of treatment. Five patients are still under treatment for a mean treatment duration of 24.4${\pm}$9.1 months. In one patient, viral breakthrough occurred and the treatment was stopped. Conclusion: The number of patients was small, however, lamivudine treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B who were unresponsive to interferon was highly effective.