• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Background: Chronic pain reportedly exerts complex effects on immune function. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play a critical role in cellular and innate immunity. This study examined changes in the subset populations and cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with chronic pain. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic moderate-to-severe pain (group P) and age-matched pain-free subjects (group NoP) were enrolled. Peripheral whole blood was analyzed for the percentage and expression of NK cell surface markers (CD56 and CD16) by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic activity was assayed by evaluating CD69 expression on $CD3^-/CD56^+NK$ cells. Results: The percentage of NK cells among total lymphocytes was not significantly different between groups P and NoP ($16.3{\pm}9.3$ vs. $20.2{\pm}10.5%$). Likewise, the percentages of two major NK cell subsets, $CD56^{bright}$ and $CD56^{dim}$, were also not significantly different between the two groups. However, the percentage of $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, was slightly but significantly increased in group P ($1.0{\pm}0.9%$; P< 0.01) compared with group NoP ($0.5{\pm}0.6%$). The cytotoxicity of NK cells was not different between the two groups, showing similar CD69 expression (P vs. $NoP=29.2{\pm}15.2$ vs. $32.0{\pm}15.0%$). These findings were not influenced by pain intensity, opioid use, or disease causing pain in group P. Conclusions: NK cell cytotoxic activity and major subset populations, with the exception of an increased percentage of the $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, are not significantly altered in patients with chronic severe pain.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.365-371
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• 2014

Recent findings, notably on adipokines and adipose tissue inflammation, have revised the concept of adipose tissues being a mere storage depot for body energy. Instead, adipose tissues are emerging as endocrine and immunologically active organs with multiple effects on the regulation of systemic energy homeostasis. Notably, compared with other metabolic organs such as liver and muscle, various inflammatory responses are dynamically regulated in adipose tissues and most of the immune cells in adipose tissues are involved in obesity-mediated metabolic complications, including insulin resistance. Here, we summarize recent findings on the key roles of innate (neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, eosinophils) and adaptive (regulatory T cells, type 1 helper T cells, CD8 T cells, B cells) immune cells in adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in obesity. In particular, the roles of natural killer T cells, one type of innate lymphocyte, in adipose tissue inflammation will be discussed. Finally, a new role of adipocytes as antigen presenting cells to modulate T cell activity and subsequent adipose tissue inflammation will be proposed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.151-159
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• 1994

To evaluate the anticarcinogenic effect and its mechanism of red ginseng, the mice were treated with red ginseng and received subcutaneous Bl6 melanoma cell line injection on the back. Tumor incidence was same (100%) both in water and red ginseng-treated groups, but tumor production was delayed in red ginseng-treated group. Survival time was somewhat longer in red ginseng-treated group. The histopathological findings were similar in both groups, but lymphocytic infiltration around the tumor and melanin production in the tumor cells were prominent in the red ginseng-treated group. Flow cytometric analysis on T lymphocytes and natural killer cells revealed increased $T_H$/$T_S$ ratio and increased NK cells in red ginseng-treated group. These results suggest that the anticarcinogenic effect of red ginseng may be exerted by the increased cell-mediated immunity and natural killer cell activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-14
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• 2010

Human tumors, including those of the hepatobiliary system, express a number of specific antigens that can be recognized by T cells, and may provide potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Dendritic cells (DCs) are rare leucocytes that are uniquely potent in their ability to capture, process and present antigens to T cells. The ability to culture sufficient numbers of DCs from human bone marrow or blood progenitors has attracted a great deal of interest in their potential utilization in human tumor vaccination. $CD34^+$ peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) were obtained from a patient with a hepatocellular carcinoma. The PBSCs were cultured in the X-VIVO 20 medium supplemented with the Flt-3 Ligand (FL), GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-$\alpha$ for 12 days. The morphology and functions of the cells were examined. The generated cells had the typical morphology of DCs. When the DCs were reinjected into the same patient, an augmentation of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was observed. Concomitantly, an increase in the natural killer (NK) cell activity was also detected in the patient. These results suggest that DCs-based cancer immunotherapy may become an important treatment option for cancer patients in the future.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 1999

The effect of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (PMC) on the cellular and nonspecific immunosuppressions by ketoconazole (KCZ) was investigated in ICR mice. PMC at a dose of 6 mg/kg was administered orally to mice daily for 14 consecutive days. KCZ was suspended in RPMI 1640 medium and orally administered at 160 mg/kg/day 2 hrs after the administration of PMC. Immune responses of the delayed-type hypersensitively (DTH) reaction to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), phagocytic activity and natural killer (NK) cell activity were evaluated. DTH reaction to SRBC was enhanced to normal level by the combination of PMC and KCZ, as compared with treatment of KCZ alone. In the combination of PMC and KCZ, as compared with treatment of KCZ alone, there were also significant increases in activities of natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes along with circulating leukocytes. These findings indicate that PMC shows a significant restoration from the immunotoixc status induced by KCZ.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated changes in psychological and physiological indices in cancer survivors who participated in a forest therapy camp in Korea. Methods: A total of 37 cancer survivors (19 and 18 in the experimental and control groups, respectively) participated in this study. Over a 2-night and 3-day period, the participants in the experimental group took part in a forest therapy camp that included activities such as gymnastics, walking, five-senses experiences, and meditation. Both groups completed self-report questionnaires that measured their stress levels and profile of mood states, both before and after the forest therapy camp. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of cortisol, serotonin, and natural killer (NK) cells. Results: After the forest therapy camp, the experimental group exhibited reduced stress levels (p = .031) and a significant improvement in total mood disturbance (p = . 047) when compared with the control group. The level of serotonin also significantly increased (p < .001). However, in contrast to the prediction, a significant increase in cortisol was noted in the experimental group relative to the control group (p = .016). Moreover, no significant difference in NK cells was noted between the two groups. Conclusion: Forest therapy can be easily applied to cancer survivors. The positive psychological effects of the forest therapy camp were confirmed by improvements in stress and mood states and the increased level of serotonin in forest therapy camp participants. However, there is a need for a follow-up evaluation of cortisol and NK cells due to the absence of significant between-group differences.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1204-1208
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• 2017

Natural killer (NK) cells have been reported to be dysfunctional in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. However, the functional recovery of NK cells under antiviral therapeutic agents in CHB was not clearly understood. In this study, we investigated the phenotypic changes of NK(CD56+CD3-) cells in terms of their functional markers (CD16, NKG2A, NKG2D) during tenofovir therapy in CHB. The frequency of NK(CD56+CD3-) cells in CHB patients was significantly increased after 12 months of tenofovir therapy when compared with baseline. The expression levels of CD16+/CD56+CD3- and NKG2A+/CD56+CD3- cells were also affected by tenofovir treatment. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the proportion of NK(CD56+CD3-) cells and HBV DNA (log copies/ml) in CHB patients.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.307-316
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• 1990

This study was undertaken to test the effects of Daturae Flos(DF) and Daturae Semen(DS) on the cellular and humoral immune responses, and the functions of the cells involved in immunoinflammation. Both extracts decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase, and the decrease was greater in the mouse group which was treated with DS. Both extracts decreased the phagocytic activity as measured by assessing the number of the latex particle within the phagocyte after incubation of peritoneal macrophages with fluorochrome-labelled latex particle and decreased natural killer cell activity as measured by enumerating the viable YAC-1 cells after treatment of target cells with splenic natural killer cells. Both extracts also decreased the cell-mediated immunity in vivo as assessed by measuring the ear thickness after sensitization and challenge with dinitrofluorobenzene, however, had no effects on the humoral immune responses as measured by checking hemolysin and hemagglutinin titers after immunization with sheep red blood cells(SRBC). Extracts of Semen caused decrease in the number of rosette forming cells between the splenic cells and SRBC. The results of this study suggested that both Daturae extracts could depress the immunoinflammation by affecting the various cell types involved in inflammation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.181-187
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• 2010

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the critical causative factors leading to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD is characterized by a wide spectrum of liver damage, ranging from simple uncomplicated liver steatosis (fatty liver) to steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. It has been believed that the obvious underlying cause for ALD is due to hepatocyte death induced by alcohol itself. However, recent sparkling studies have shown that diverse immune responses contribute to ALD because liver is enriched with numerous immune cells. Especially, a line of evidence has suggested that innate immune cells such as Kupffer cells and natural killer (NK)/NKT cells are significantly involved in the pathogenesis of ALD via production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other mediators. Indeed, more interestingly, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), known as a major cell inducing liver steatosis and fibrosis, can be killed by liver NK cells, which could be suppressed by chronic alcohol consumption. In this review, with the view of liver as predominant innate immune organ, we describe the pathogenesis of ALD in which what roles of innate immune cells are and how they are interacting with HSCs.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 1996

This study was to evaluate the antitumor and immunopotentiation effects of Manda Enzyme (ME). Oral administration of ME (0.2ml/mouse) to tumor bearing mice significantly prolonged survival rate compared to the control group with the prolongation ratio of 40%. The inhibition ratios for the first and the second experiments were 51.8% and 26.4%, respectively. Only the spleen index was significantly increased in the MEF-treated group, but not in the control group. Gamma globulin level of the MEF-treated group was elevated when mice were injected with sarcoma-180 cells on the left groin. Activities of natural killer (NK) and lymphokineactivated killer (LAK) cells were observed by $^{51}Cr-release$ method. Activities of NK cell against YAC-1 cells were significantly increased in the MEF treated group. And LAK cell activities against P815 cells were also significantly increased in the experimental group. These observations, therefore, suggest that ME may have an anticancer effect and immunopotentiating effect in vivo.