• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.501-505
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• 2005

Immu-Forte composed of chitosan, ${\beta}-glucan$, manno-oligosaccharide and pangamic acid was evaluated for its effectiveness as a nonspecific immunostimulator in mice. The effects of Immu-Forte were determined by analysis of cytokines using ELISA and phenotype of leukocyte subpopulations using monoclonal antibodies specific to mouse leukocyte differentiation antigens and flow cytometry. All T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in Immu-Forte A-treated group increased in 1 months posttreatment and were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of control at 1 months posttreatment. All T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages and IL-2 in Immu-Forte EX-treated low and middle dose groups increased in 1 months posttreatment and were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of control at 1 months posttreatment. In the Immu-Forte soybean-treated group, NK cells and IL-4 were significantly higher in middle dose-treated group, and IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-r were significantly higher in low dose-treated group. In the Immu-Forte F-treated group, all T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages, NK cells, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in high dose-treated group and all T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in middle dose-treated group and NK cells, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in low dose-treated group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of control at 1 months posttreatment. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that Immu-Forte had an immunostimulatory effect on mice through proliferation and activation of mouse immune cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2007

Germanium-fortified yeast (GY) is a organic germanium-fortified yeast with potent immune modulating activities including anti-inflammatory effect. Through cell line studies, we observed that GY can modulate the diverse immune activity but little evidence was provided on the mechanism of GY in modulating immune activities in other higher animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of GY on modulation of immune function in mice. GY was administered in normal mice or tumor-bearing mice and then effect of GY on modulation of host immune system was analyzed by using ex vivo isolated macrophages, B cells, NK cells. Admistration of GY in mice induced macrophage activation thereby increased effector function of macrophage such as increased phagocytosis, chemotaxis, adherence, $O_2-release$, NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. In addition, GY administration Increased B lymphocyte activation and plaque forming cells. Furthermore, GY administration increased NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, GY administration suppressed progression of tumor in mice by increasing $TNF-{\alpha}$ production and effector function of NK cells. Our results showed that GY has a potent immunostimulatory function in vivo mice model. Proper modulation and administration of GY in human could be helpful to maintaining immunological homeostasis by modulating host immune system.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.300-314
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• 1993

Periodontal disease research has been focused on understanding the immunopathologic mechanisms which may operate in the development and maintenance of peiodontal inflammatory changes. Immunologic and inflammatory responses may relate to the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In order to research immunopathology of periodontal disease, previous investigators have spent much time on the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cells but they have spent less time on the changes of those cells to the periodontal disease severity. The purpose of study was performed to investigate the changes of the distribution of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, T lymphocyte subsets, and Natural Killer cells in the gingival epithelium and connective tissue of the periodontal disease with the various clinical parameters including Gingival Index, Sulcular Bleeding Index, and pocket depth. Gingival tissues were obtained from 25 patients with different severity of periodontal disease. Serial cryostat sections displaying a cross section of gingiva were labelled with monoclonal antibody for pan T cells, T cytotoxic/suppressor cells, T helper/inducer cells, pan B cells, and NK cells were develped using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase system. Lymphocyte populations were enumerated in repeatable fields from gingival section. 1. T cells were more increased at grade 1 and 3 than at grade 0 of gingival index (p<0.05). Helper T cells and NK cells were significantly increased at grade 1, 2, 3 than at grade 0(p<0.05). 2. T cells were more decreased at grade 3 and 4 than at grade 1 of sulcular bleeding index (p<0.01, p<0.05). Especially, Natural Killer cells were significantly increased at grade 1, 2, 3, 4 than at grade 0 (p<0.05, p<0.001). 3. The ratios of helper T/suppressor T cells were more decreased at grade 4 than at grade 0 and at grade 4 than at grade 2 of sulcular bleeding index (p<0.05, p<0.05). 4. Helper T cells were significantly decreased at grade II and III than at grade I, however the Natural Killer cells showed a increasing tendency with the increase of the pocket depth, there were no significant differences between each grade of pocket depth. 5. The ratios of helper T/suppressor T cells were tended to be decreased with the increase of the pocket depth, there were no significant differences between each grades of pocket depth. There was a very weak change in the distribution of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, T lymphocyte subsets, and Natural Killer cells in the gingival epithelium and connective tissue of the periodontal lesion with the various clinical parameters including gingial index, sulcular bleeding index, and pocket depth. But, the number of T lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells were significantly changed in gingival index and sulcular bleeding index.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.493-499
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• 2002

We investigated the antitumor activity of oregonin, a diarylheptanoid derivative purified from Alnus hirsuta Turcz, Betulaceae. Oregonin is a potential novel immunomodulator, which augments the activation of natural killer (NK) cells, and thereby leads to a powerful antitumor activity. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of oregonin against tumor cells, we examined the effectiveness of NK cells and determined that oregonin could increase NK cell cytotoxicity. This was confirmed by MTT assay. In addition, the survival time of C57BL/6 mice were measured by inoculating 816-F10 melanoma cells to mice via intra muscular (i.m.) injection. Oregonin treatment after 10 hours of inoculation at 10 mg/kg dosage showed a significant extension of survival time by up to 51.32%, when compared to the control group. Moreover, oregonin significantly reduced the incidence of pulmonary metastasis, which may be developed from 816-F10 melanoma cells. These findings suggest that oregon in may be classified as a new and novel immunomodulator due to its potential antitumor activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.920-929
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• 2024

As a pivotal defensive line against multitudinous malignant tumors, natural killer (NK) cells exist in the tumor microenvironment (TME). RAD18 E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (RAD18) has been reported to foster the malignant progression of multiple cancers, but its effect on NK function has not been mined. Here, the study was designed to mine the mechanism by which RAD18 regulates the killing effect of NK cells on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Expression of E2F Transcription Factor 7 (E2F7) and RAD18 in CRC tissues, their correlation, binding sites, and RAD18 enrichment pathway were analyzed by bioinformatics. Expression of E2F7 and RAD18 in cells was assayed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Dual-luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay verified the regulatory relationship between E2F7 and RAD18. CCK-8 assay was utilized to assay cell viability, colony formation assay to detect cell proliferation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test to assay NK cell cytotoxicity, ELISA to assay levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and immunofluorescence to detect expression of toxic molecules perforin and granzyme B. High expression of RAD18 and E2F7 was found in CRC tissues and cells. Silencing RAD18 could hamper the proliferation of CRC cells, foster viability and cytotoxicity of NK cells, and increase the secretion of GM-CSF, TNF-α, IFN-γ as well as the expression of perforin and granzyme B. Additionally, ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assay ascertained the binding relationship between RAD18 promoter region and E2F7. E2F7 could activate the transcription of RAD18, and silencing RAD18 reversed the inhibitory effect of E2F7 overexpression on NK cell killing. This work clarified the inhibitory effect of the E2F7/RAD18 axis on NK cell killing in CRC, and proffered a new direction for immunotherapy of CRC in targeted immune microenvironment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.309-314
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• 2013

Aim: Brain tumors almost universally have fatal outcomes; new therapeutics are desperately needed and will only come from improved understandins of glioma biology. Methods: Exosomes are endosomally derived 30~100 nm membranous vesicles released from many cell types. Examples from GL26 cells were here purified using density gradient ultracentrifugation and monitored for effects on GL26 tumor growth in C57BL/6j mice (H-2b). Lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to detect the cytotoxic activity of CD8+T and NK cells. Percentages of immune cells producing intracellular cytokines were analyzed by FACS. Results: In this study, exosomes from murine-derived GL26 cells significantly promoted in vivo tumor growth in GL26-bearing B6 mice. Then we further analyzed the effects of the GL26 cells-derived exosomes on immune cells including CD8+T, CD4+T and NK cells. Inhibition of CD8+T cell cytotoxic activity was demonstrated by CD8+T cell depletion assays in vivo and LDH release assays in vitro. The treatment of mice with exosomes also led to a reduction in the percentages of CD8+T cells in splenocytes as determined by FACS analysis. Key features of CD8+T cell activity were inhibited, including release of IFN-gamma and granzyme B. There were no effects of exosomes on CD4+T cells and NK cells. Conclusion: Based on our data, for the first time we demonstrated that exosomes from murine derived GL26 cells promote the tumor growth by inhibition of CD8+T cells in vivo and thus may be a potential therapeutic target.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.179-189
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• 2008

Objectives: Effects of Rhodiola rosea root on immunity were examined. Methods: Water extracts and methanol extracts of Rhodiola rosea root were treated on the increase of immunity cells and the activation of cytokines were examined. Results: 1. Water extracts and methanol extracts of Rhodiola rosea root had positive effects on the increase of B-cells, T-cells, and NK cells, and on the facilitation of cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$. 2. Water extracts and methanol extracts of Rhodiola rosea root activated NK cells, and induced the generation of NO- of NK cells and macrophages. Conclusions: Rhodiola rosea root can be used to increase immunity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1 s.37
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• pp.75-83
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• 1999

To investigate the effects of negative therapy at back meridian points on blood gas components and immune functions in male college students, this study was conducted on treatment types(abdomen group and back group) at three sampling times (before, post-2 wks and post-4 wks) by using $2{\times}3$ factoral design. Blood gas $components(pH,\;PCO_2,\;PO_2,\;HCO_3^-,\;O_2SAT,\;BE)$, red blood cell, hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cell and subsets(neutrophil, basophil, eosinophil. lymphocyte, monocyte), total T cells, helper T cells, suppressor T cells, Th/Ts ratio, total B cells, serum immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE), Cytokines(Interlukin$-1{\beta}$, -2, -4, 2 receptor, -6 and ${\gamma}$-interferon), NK cells were measured. Collected with data were analyzed statistically by repealed measured ANOVA. The pattern of change between two groups for hematocrit, hemoglobin, suppressor T cells, interleukin-6, ${\gamma}-interferon$, NK cells at post-2 weeks and BE, lymphocyte, basophil at post-4 weeks was significantly different(p<0.05) And also the pattern of change over time for ${HCO_3}^-$(2 wks vs 4 wks), WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte(0 wks vs 2 wks and 2 wks vs 4 wks) was significantly different(p<0.05). In summary, these data suggest that negative therapy at back meridian points had an effect on blood gas components and immune functions in male college students because practicing negative therapy at back meridian points was not associated with changes of all blood gas components and immune factors but associated with changes of BE, hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC. neutrophil, lymphocyte, interleukin-6. ${\gamma}-interferon$, NK cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.304-314
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenosides are biologically active components of ginseng and have various functions. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of a ginseng product generated from ginseng powder (GP) via enzymatic bioconversion. This product, General Bio compound K-10 mg solution (GBCK10S), exhibited increased levels of minor ginsenosides, including ginsenoside-F1, compound K, and compound Y. Methods: The immunomodulatory properties of GBCK10S were confirmed using mice and a human natural killer (NK) cell line. We monitored the expression of molecules involved in immune responses via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, NK cell-targeted cell destruction, quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses. Results: Oral administration of GBCK10S significantly increased serum immunoglobulin M levels and primed splenocytes to express pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ. Oral administration of GBCK10S also activated NK cells in mice. Furthermore, GBCK10S treatment stimulated a human NK cell line in vitro, thereby increasing granzyme B gene expression and activating STAT5. Conclusion: GBCK10S may have potent immunostimulatory properties and can activate immune responses mediated by B cells, Th1-type T cells, and NK cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1032-1037
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• 2017

The poly-${\gamma}$-$\small{D}$-glutamic acid (PGA) capsule, a major virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis, provides protection of the bacterium from phagocytosis and allows its unimpeded growth in the host. We investigated crosstalk between murine natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages stimulated with the PGA capsule of Bacillus licheniformis, a surrogate of the B. anthracis capsule. PGA induced interferon-gamma production from NK cells cultured with macrophages. This effect was dependent on macrophage-derived IL-12 and cell-cell contact interaction with macrophages through NK cell receptor NKG2D and its ligand RAE-1. The results showed that PGA could enhance NK cell activation by inducing IL-12 production in macrophages and a contact-dependent crosstalk with macrophages.