• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.438-445
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• 2010

The immunomodulatory effects of Aureohasidium pullulans SM-2001 exopolymers containing $\beta$-1,3/1,6-glucan were evaluated in cyclophosphamide (CPA)-treated mice. To induce immunosuppression, 150 and 110 mg/kg of CPA were intraperitoneally injected 3 days and 1 day, respectively, before beginning administration of the test material. Exopolymers were delivered subcutaneously or orally, four times, in a volume of 10 ml/kg at 12-h intervals beginning 24 h after the second CPA treatment. Changes in thymus and spleen weights, splenic amounts of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-10, and numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and TNF-$\alpha+$ thymus and spleen cells were monitored in CPA-treated mice. As a result of CPA treatment, dramatic decreases in the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and TNF-$\alpha+$ cells were detected in the thymus and spleen, along with decreases in thymus and spleen weights. In addition, splenic TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-10 contents were also decreased on observation with flow cytometry. However, oral and subcutaneous treatments with exopolymers effectively reduced the immunosuppressive changes induced by CPA. Therefore, it is concluded that exopolymers of A. pullulans SM-2001 can effectively prevent immunosuppression through, at least partially, the recruitment of T cells and TNF-$\alpha+$ cells or enhancement of their activity, and can provide an effective component of prevention or treatment regimens for immunosuppression related to cancer, sepsis, and high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.289-294
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• 2019

The present study evaluated the role of AHNAK in Bartonella henselae infection. Mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with $2{\times}10^8$ colony-forming units of B. henselae Houston-1 on day 0 and subsequently on day 10. Blood and tissue samples of the mice were collected 8 days after the final B. henselae injection. B. henselae infection in the liver of Ahnak-knockout and wild-type mice was confirmed by performing polymerase chain reaction, with Bartonella adhesion A as a marker. The proportion of B. henselae-infected cells increased in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice. Granulomatous lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels, and liver enzyme levels were also higher in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice than in the liver of the wild-type mice, indicating that Ahnak deletion accelerated B. henselae infection. The proportion of CD4+interferon-${\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}^+$) and $CD4^+$ interleukin $(IL)-4^+$ cells was significantly lower in the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-knockout mice than in the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice. In vitro stimulation with B. henselae significantly increased $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice, but did not increase $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-KO mice. In contrast, $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ secretion was significantly elevated in the splenocytes obtained from both B. henselae-infected wild-type and Ahnak-knockout mice. These results indicate that Ahnak deletion promotes B. henselae infection. Impaired $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 secretion in the Ahnak-knockout mice suggests the impairment of Th1 and Th2 immunity in these mice.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.8.1-8.15
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• 2022

Background: Brucella infection induces brucellosis, a zoonotic disease. The intracellular circulation process and virulence of Brucella mainly depend on its type IV secretion system (T4SS) expressing secretory effectors. Secreted protein BspJ is a nucleomodulin of Brucella that invades the host cell nucleus. BspJ mediates host energy synthesis and apoptosis through interaction with proteins. However, the mechanism of BspJ as it affects the intracellular survival of Brucella remains to be clarified. Objectives: To verify the functions of nucleomodulin BspJ in Brucella's intracellular infection cycles. Methods: Constructed Brucella abortus BspJ gene deletion strain (B. abortus ∆BspJ) and complement strain (B. abortus pBspJ) and studied their roles in the proliferation of Brucella both in vivo and in vitro. Results: BspJ gene deletion reduced the survival and intracellular proliferation of Brucella at the replicating Brucella-containing vacuoles (rBCV) stage. Compared with the parent strain, the colonization ability of the bacteria in mice was significantly reduced, causing less inflammatory infiltration and pathological damage. We also found that the knockout of BspJ altered the secretion of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ) in host cells and in mice to affect the intracellular survival of Brucella. Conclusions: BspJ is extremely important for the circulatory proliferation of Brucella in the host, and it may be involved in a previously unknown mechanism of Brucella's intracellular survival.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.43.1-43.14
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• 2021

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), which express IL-22 and IL-17A, has been introduced as one of pathologic cells in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Dyslipidaemia should be managed in axSpA patients to reduce cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidaemia promotes inflammation. This study aimed to reveal the role of circulating ILC3 in axSpA and the impact of dyslipidaemia on axSpA pathogenesis. AxSpA patients with or without dyslipidaemia and healthy control were recruited. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and flow cytometry analysis of circulating ILC3 and CD4⁺ T cells was performed. The correlation between Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and circulating immune cells was evaluated. The effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL-C) on immune cell differentiation was confirmed. AxSpA human monocytes were cultured with with oxLDL-C, IL-22, or oxLDL-C plus IL-22 to evaluate osteoclastogenesis using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and real-time quantitative PCR of osteoclast-related gene expression. Total of 34 axSpA patients (13 with dyslipidaemia and 21 without) were included in the analysis. Circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 and Th17 were significantly elevated in axSpA patients with dyslipidaemia (p=0.001 and p=0.034, respectively), and circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 significantly correlated with ASDAS-CRP (Rho=0.4198 and p=0.0367). Stimulation with oxLDL-C significantly increased IL-22⁺ ILC3, NKp44^- ILC3, and Th17 cells, and these were reversed by CD36 blocking agent. IL-22 and oxLDL-C increased TRAP⁺ cells and osteoclast-related gene expression. This study suggested potential role of circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 as biomarker in axSpA. Furthermore, dyslipidaemia augmented IL-22⁺ ILC3 differentiation, and oxLDL-C and IL-22 markedly increased osteoclastogenesis of axSpA.

• Mycobiology
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.297-311
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• 2017

Saprolegniasis is one of the most devastating oomycete diseases in freshwater fish which is caused by species in the genus Saprolegnia including Saprolegnia parasitica. In this study, we isolated the strain of S. parasitica from diseased rainbow trout in Korea. Morphological and molecular based identification confirmed that isolated oomycete belongs to the member of S. parasitica, supported by its typical features including cotton-like mycelium, zoospores and phylogenetic analysis with internal transcribed spacer region. Pathogenicity of isolated S. parasitica was developed in embryo, juvenile, and adult zebrafish as a disease model. Host-pathogen interaction in adult zebrafish was investigated at transcriptional level. Upon infection with S. parasitica, pathogen/antigen recognition and signaling (TLR2, TLR4b, TLR5b, NOD1, and major histocompatibility complex class I), pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin $[IL]-1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, interferon ${\gamma}$, IL-12, and IL-10), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9 and MMP13), cell surface molecules ($CD8^+$ and $CD4^+$) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) related genes were differentially modulated at 3- and 12-hr post infection. As an anti-Saprolegnia agent, plant based lawsone was applied to investigate on the susceptibility of S. parasitica showing the minimum inhibitory concentration and percentage inhibition of radial growth as $200{\mu}g/mL$ and 31.8%, respectively. Moreover, natural lawsone changed the membrane permeability of S. parasitica mycelium and caused irreversible damage and disintegration to the cellular membranes of S. parasitica. Transcriptional responses of the genes of S. parasitica mycelium exposed to lawsone were altered, indicating that lawsone could be a potential anti-S. parasitica agent for controlling S. parasitica infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제82권2호
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• pp.133-142
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• 2019

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis involves irreversible alveolar destruction. Although alveolar epithelial type II cells are key functional participants within the lung parenchyma, how epithelial cells are affected upon bleomycin (BLM) exposure remains unknown. In this study, we determined whether BLM could induce cell cycle arrest via regulation of Schlafen (SLFN) family genes, a group of cell cycle regulators known to mediate growth-inhibitory responses and apoptosis in alveolar epithelial type II cells. Methods: Mouse AE II cell line MLE-12 were exposed to $1-10{\mu}g/mL$ BLM and $0.01-100{\mu}M$ baicalein (Bai), a G1/G2 cell cycle inhibitor, for 24 hours. Cell viability and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by MTT and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Apoptosis-related gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cellular morphology was determined after DAPI and Hoechst 33258 staining. To verify cell cycle arrest, propidium iodide (PI) staining was performed for MLE-12 after exposure to BLM. Results: BLM decreased the proliferation of MLE-12 cells. However, it significantly increased expression levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, and transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$. Based on Hoechst 33258 staining, BLM induced condensation of nuclear and fragmentation. Based on DAPI and PI staining, BLM significantly increased the size of nuclei and induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Results of qRT-PCR analysis revealed that BLM increased mRNA levels of BAX but decreased those of Bcl2. In addition, BLM/Bai increased mRNA levels of p53, p21, SLFN1, 2, 4 of Schlafen family. Conclusion: BLM exposure affects pulmonary epithelial type II cells, resulting in decreased proliferation possibly through apoptotic and cell cycle arrest associated signaling.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제87권1호
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• pp.65-79
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• 2024

Background: Exhaled condensates contain inflammatory biomarkers; however, their roles in the clinical field have been under-investigated. Methods: We prospectively enrolled subjects admitted to pulmonology clinics. We collected exhaled breath condensates (EBC) and analysed the levels of six and 12 biomarkers using conventional and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Among the 123 subjects, healthy controls constituted the largest group (81 participants; 65.9%), followed by the preserved ratio impaired spirometry group (21 patients; 17.1%) and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group (21 patients; 17.1%). In COPD patients, platelet derived growth factor-AA exhibited strong positive correlations with COPD assessment test (ρ=0.5926, p=0.0423) and COPD-specific version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) score (total, ρ=0.6725, p=0.0166; activity, ρ=0.7176, p=0.0086; and impacts, ρ=0.6151, p=0.0333). Granzyme B showed strong positive correlations with SGRQ-C score (symptoms, ρ=0.6078, p=0.0360; and impacts, ρ=0.6007, p=0.0389). Interleukin 6 exhibited a strong positive correlation with SGRQ-C score (activity, ρ=0.4671, p=0.0378). The absolute serum eosinophil and basophil counts showed positive correlations with pro-collagen I alpha 1 (ρ=0.6735, p=0.0164 and ρ=0.6295, p=0.0283, respectively). In healthy subjects, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity demonstrated significant correlation with CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (ρ=0.3897 and p=0.0068). FEV₁ exhibited significant correlation with CCL11/eotaxin (ρ=0.4445 and p=0.0017). Conclusion: Inflammatory biomarkers in EBC might be useful to predict quality of life concerning respiratory symptoms and serologic markers. Further studies are needed.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.46.1-46.18
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• 2020

Background: High concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 ㎛ in diameter (PM2.5) in poultry houses is an important cause of respiratory disease in animals and humans. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can induce severe respiratory disease in animals under stress or with abnormal immune functions. When excessively high concentrations of PM2.5 in poultry houses damage the respiratory system and impair host immunity, secondary infections with P. aeruginosa can occur and produce a more intense inflammatory response, resulting in more severe lung injury. Objectives: In this study, we focused on the synergistic induction of inflammatory injury in the respiratory system and the related molecular mechanisms induced by PM2.5 and P. aeruginosa in poultry houses. Methods: High-throughput 16S rDNA sequence analysis was used for characterizing the bacterial diversity and relative abundance of the PM2.5 samples, and the effects of PM2.5 and P. aeruginosa stimulation on inflammation were detected by in vitro and in vivo. Results: Sequencing results indicated that the PM2.5 in poultry houses contained a high abundance of potentially pathogenic genera, such as Pseudomonas (2.94%). The lung tissues of mice had more significant pathological damage when co-stimulated by PM2.5 and P. aeruginosa, and it can increase the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α through nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: The results confirmed that poultry house PM2.5 in combination with P. aeruginosa could aggravate the inflammatory response and cause more severe respiratory system injuries through a process closely related to the activation of the NF-κB pathway.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.13-18
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• 2003

해당화 뿌리의 추출물 모두 0.5g/L 이하의 농도로 투여 시는 정상세포 생존율을 80%이상으로 유지시켜 시료자체에 의한 독성은 나타나지 않으며, 각 추출물의 암세포에 대한 생육억제활성은 0.1 mg/ml의 낮은 농도에서도 비교적 $40{\sim}60%$의 높은 억제율을 나타내었다. 추출물들은 0.5mg/ml 이상의 농도에서 MCF7에 대하여 66%이상, A549에 대하여서는 70%이상의 생육억제활성을 나타내었다. Hep3B에 대하여서는 에탄을 추출물은 78%이상의 높은 암세포 생육억제활성을 나타내었으며, AGS에 대하여 물 추출물이 약 68%정도의 암세포 생육억제활성을 나타내었다 각 추출물의 selectivity에 있어서 각 추출물이 0.1mg/ml에서 1.0mg/ml의 농도에서 4이상의 수치를 나타내어 해당화 뿌리 추출물들이 암세포를 선택적으로 사멸하는 기작을 지닌 것을 확인하였다. 또한 암세포와 정상세포의 시간에 따른 산화 정도를 Microphysiometer를 이용하여 측정한 결과 시료 투여 후 점차적으로 산화도가 빠르게 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. 각 시료들의 면역세포생육 증진 기능은 0.5 mg/ml 이상의 농도에서 B세포의 생장을 $1.2{\sim}1.3$배 이상 증가시켰으며, T세포의 경우 $1.2{\sim}1.5$배 이상의 생장율의 증가를 나타내었다 에탄올 추출물이 물 추출물들에 비하여 높은 면역세포의 생육증진활성을 나타냄을 확인하였고, cytokine의 생성측정정도를 측정한 결과, IL-6는 에탄을 추출물이 배양 6일째 0.5mg/ml의 농도에서 최고 61.3 pg/ml의 분비량을 나타내었으며, $TNF-{\alpha}$도 에탄올 추출물이 배양 6일째 최고 61.9 pg/ml의 분비량을 나타내었다. acridine orange와 ethidium bromide로 형광염색하여 인간 면역 T cell에 대한세포 사멸형태를 측정한 결과 배양 4일째부터 15% 이상의 세포들이 자가 사멸 형태로 사멸함을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-24
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the protective effect of Gamijipaesan aqueous extracts(GJS), which has been traditionally used in Korean medicine in obstetrics & gynecological fields as anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory agents, against mastitis induced by Staphylococcus aureus infection in a rat model through antibacterial, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidant effects. Methods: Antibacterial activities of GJS against S. aureus were detected using standard agar microdilution methods, with the effects on the bacterial invasion and intracellular killing of individual test materials in human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7) and murine macrophages(Raw 264.7) at MIC1/2, MIC and MIC2 concentration levels. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, nitric oxide(NO), tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells. The changes on the mammary tissue viable bacterial numbers, myeloperoxidae(MPO), inducible nitric oxide synthetase(iNOS), TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 contents were observed in the S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious rat model. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were compared with ciprofloxacin and piroxicam, respectively in the present study. Results: MIC of GJS and ciprofloxacin against S. aureus were detected as $0.860{\pm}0.428$ (0.391-1.563) mg/ml and $0.371{\pm}0.262$(0.098-0.782) ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, GJS and ciprofloxacin were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of the both bacterial invasion and intracellular killing assays using MCF-7 and Raw 264.7 cells at MIC1/2, MIC and $MIC{\times}2$ concentrations, respectively. $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and NO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 releases of GJS were detected as 0.72, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.11 mg/ml, and as 19.04, 4.18, 5.37 and 4.27 ${\mu}g/ml$ in piroxicam, respectively. 250 and 500 mg/kg of GJS also inhibit the intramammary bacterial growth, MPO, iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 contents in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infected rats, respectively. GJS 500 mg/kg showed quite similar antibacterial and anti-infectious effects as compared with ciprofloxacin 40 mg/kg and also showed similar anti-inflammatory effects as piroxicam 10 mg/kg, in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious models. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that over 250 mg/kg of GJS showed favorable anti-infectious effects against S. aureus infection in a rat model through their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-oxidant effects and therefore expected that GJS can be used as alternative therapies, having both anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious activities. However, more detail mechanism studies should be conducted in future with the efficacy tests of individual herbal composition of GJS and the screening of the biological active compounds in individual herbs. In the present study, GJS 500 mg/kg showed quite similar anti-infectious effects were detected as compared with ciprofloxacin 40 mg/kg treated rats, and also GJS shows quite similar anti-inflammatory effects as compared with piroxicam 10 mg/kg in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious rats, but ciprofloxacin did not showed any anti-inflammatory effects, and piroxicam did not showed anti-infectious effects in this study.