• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2002

Background: Our previous study showed that purified protein derivative (PPD)-stimulated pleural mononuclear cells (PMC) from tuberculous pleurisy (Tbp) produced significantly more $IFN-{\gamma}$ (10- to 70-fold) after in vitro PPD stimulation than freshly isolated pleural cells from malignant pleurisy. The present study was designed to determine whether blocking the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction decreases $IFN-{\gamma}$ production by altering IL-12 levels. Methods: IL-12 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production after neutralizing anti-CD40L antibody treatment was compared to the efficacy of anti-CD80, anti-CD86, and a combination of anti-CD80 and CD86 (CD80+86) monoclonal antibodies (mAb). These activities were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), after in vitro stimulation with PPO antigen (Ag). Results: Neutralization of CD80, CD86 and CD80+86 did not decrease $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-12 production in Tbp-PMC, whereas neutralization of CD40L significantly depressed IL-12 p40 and $IFN-{\gamma}$. In addition, neutralization of CD40L completely inhibited IL-12 p40 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ mRNA expression. Conclusion: The CD40-CD40L interaction might play a major role in IL-12 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production in Tbp-PMC, thus contributing to protective immunity in human tuberculosis.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.248-256
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if human PDL cells can produce osteoclastogenic mRNA and examine how compressive stress affects the expression of osteoclastogenic mRNA in human PDL cells. Methods: Human PDL cells were obtained from biscupids extracted for orthodontic treatment. The compressive force was adjusted by increasing the number of cover glasses. PDL cells were subjected to a compressive force of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or $4.0\;g/cm^2$ for 0.5, 1.5, 6, 24 or 48 hours. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to examine levels of M-CSF, IL-$1{\beta}$, RANKL, OPG mRNA expression. Results: Human PDL cells could produce M-CSF mRNA. Human PDL cells under compressive stress showed increased M-CSF, IL-$1{\beta}$ and RANKL mRNAs expression in a force (up to $2\;g/cm^2$) and time-dependent manner. However, OPG mRNA expression was constant regardless of the level and duration of stress. Conclusions: Continuous compressive stress induced the mRNA expression of osteoclastogenic cytokines including M-CSF, RANKL, IL-$1{\beta}$ in PDL cells. Together with an unchanged OPG mRNA level, these results suggest that compressive stress-induced osteoclastogenesis in vivo is partly controlled by M-CSF, RANKL and IL-$1{\beta}$ expression in PDL cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.733-737
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• 2018

Cucurbitacin-I, a natural triterpenoid derived from Cucurbitaceae family plants, exhibits a number of potentially useful pharmacological and biological activities. Indeed, the previous study demonstrated that cucurbitacin-I reduced the proliferation of colon cancer cells by enhancing apoptosis and causing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. CD44, a type I transmembrane protein with the function of adhering to cells, mediates between the extracellular matrix and other cells through hyaluronic acid. Recent studies have demonstrated that an overexpression of the CD44 membrane receptor results in tumor initiation and growth, specific behaviors of cancer stem cells, the development of drug resistance, and metastasis. The aim was to examine the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression human ovarian cancer cells because the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression has not been reported. The expressions of CD44 mRNA and protein were detected using a quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and a Western blot analysis, respectively. Treatment with cucurbitacin-I inhibited the expression of CD44 mRNA and protein. A subsequent analysis revealed that cucurbitacin-I blocked the phosphorylation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), which are key regulators of CD44 expression. Taken together, the data demonstrate that cucurbitacin-I regulates the AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, leading to decreased CD44 expression.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.32-41
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• 2012

Objectives: Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) was investigated to determine both its anti-allergic inflammatory effects on mast cells and its detailed mechanism of actions. Methods: We investigated whether RGPS suppress cytokines, enzymes, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with anti-DNP IgE/DNP-HSA. The suppressive effects of RGPS on the levels of cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and GM-CSF were measured using emzyme-linked immunospecific assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of cytokines, enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2 and 5LO) and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}{\beta}{\gamma}$ subunits were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The activation of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling was examined using Western blot analyses. Results: RGPS suppressed production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and GM-CSF) in stimulated RBL-2H3 cells significantly (p < 0.05). RGPS also suppressed mRNA expression of inflammatory enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2, 5LO). In addition, mRNA expression levels of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\alpha}$, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\beta}$and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\gamma}$ were lowered by treatment with RGPS. Finally, RGPS prevented phosphrylation of Lyn, Syk, LAT, Gab2, PLC ${\gamma}1/2$, PI3K, Akt, cPLA2 and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Conclusions: RGPS effectively suppresses mast cell activations such as degranulation and inflammatory response via down-regulation of the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling pathways in IgE/Ag-stimulated mast cells.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2017

Incidence of virus diseases in red pepper of open field in Yeongyang-Gun, Gyeongbuk Province was investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 2012-2016. The infection rate of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2), Pepper mottle virus, Potato virus Y, Pepper mild mottle virus and Tomato spotted wilt virus was 46.1%, 41.5%, 2.0%, 2.0%, 4.4% and 0.1% respectively. Incidence rate of single and mixed infection was 31.2% and 62.6%. Most of single infections were CMV and BBWV2. Among mixed infections, the incidence rate of CMV+BBWV2 mixed infection was the highest as 49.3% and most of mixed infections of triplex and tetraplex included CMV+BBWV2 mixed infection. CMV single infection caused mosaic, chlorosis, yellowing and vein necrosis and BBWV2 single infection induced cholosis and mosaic. CMV+BBWV2 mixed infection caused severe mosaic with chlorosis or malformation.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.23-25
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Ecklonia cava kjellman(ECK) and crude lectin extracted from ECK (CLEEC) on performances and immune responses in broiler chicks. A total of two hundreds thirty four 1 day old male broiler chicks (Ross) were fed corn-soy based diets containing 0 % (with or without vaccination and Salmonella challenge), 1.0 % ECK, 0.05 %, 0.1 % and 0.3 % CLEEC for 38 days and vaccinated against inactivated ND-IB combined oil vaccine on the fourth day. After S. gallinarum challenge. mortality was measured daily. The spleens of birds were removed for RNA extraction and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primer sets for IFN-ν, IL-2, IL-6 and ${\beta}$-actin were performed with RNA samples. At the 28th day, pancreas weights were heavier 0.3 % CLEEC than 1.0 % ECK group. At the 21st day after ND-IB oil vaccine injection, dietary supplementation of ECK and CLEEC tended to increase or significantly (P<0.05) improved ND or IB titer compared to the positive control. Mortality was significantly (P<0.05) decreased by dietary CLEEC treatments. Chicken splenic IFN-ν, IL-2, and IL-6 cytokines mRNA expressions were enhanced by challenge with S, gallinarum. Dietary treatments did not affect mRNA expression of IFN-ν. However, IL-2 and IL-6 expressions in Salmonella challenged birds that fed the 1.0 % ECK or 0.05 % CLEEC groups were enhanced (P<0.05) compare to the positive control. The results demonstrated that dietary ECK and CLEEC enhanced humoral and cellular immunity and therefore. it can be concluded that dietary supplementation of ECK and CLEEC can be used as a feed additive for enhancement of immunocompetence without any adverse effects in broiler chicks.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.252-259
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• 2016

Neuropathic pain is a complex state showing increased pain response with dysfunctional inhibitory neurotransmission. The TREK family, one of the two pore domain $K^+$ (K2P) channel subgroups were focused among various mechanisms of neuropathic pain. These channels influence neuronal excitability and are thought to be related in mechano/thermosensation. However, only a little is known about the expression and role of TREK-1 and TREK-2, in neuropathic pain. It is performed to know whether TREK-1 and/or 2 are positively related in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a mouse neuropathic pain model, the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Following this purpose, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analyses were performed using mouse DRG of CCI model and compared to the sham surgery group. Immunofluorescence staining of isolectin-B4 (IB4) and TREK were performed. Electrophysiological recordings of single channel currents were analyzed to obtain the information about the channel. Interactions with known TREK activators were tested to confirm the expression. While both TREK-1 and TREK-2 mRNA were significantly overexpressed in DRG of CCI mice, only TREK-1 showed significant increase (~9 fold) in western blot analysis. The TREK-1-like channel recorded in DRG neurons of the CCI mouse showed similar current-voltage relationship and conductance to TREK-1. It was easily activated by low pH solution (pH 6.3), negative pressure, and riluzole. Immunofluorescence images showed the expression of TREK-1 was stronger compared to TREK-2 on IB4 positive neurons. These results suggest that modulation of the TREK-1 channel may have beneficial analgesic effects in neuropathic pain patients.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.339-349
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• 2020

Objectives : Wiryeong-tang (WRT) is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat kidney-related diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory and anti-gastritis effect of Wiryeong-tang was not well known. Therefore, we experimented to confirmed the anti-inflammatory and anti-gastritis effects of Wiryeong-tang. Methods : The RAW 264.7 cells were pre treated with Wiryeong-tang mix soft extract (WRT-mse; 50, 100 and 200 ㎍/mL) for 1 hrs, and then incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 500 ng/mL). Cell viability was measured by the MTT method, and nitric oxide (NO) was measured with griess reagent. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For anti-gastritis effect in vivo, acute gastritis was induced using 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol used ICR mice. WRT-mse (133 mg/kg) was pre treated for 3 days and then treated with 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol 1 hrs later. Then gastritis was observed and inflammatory cytokines in the gastric tissue was measured. Results : The 8 marker components of the WRT-mse were determined by simultaneous analysis using HPLC. WRT-mse was not toxic and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α at NO production, protein and mRNA levels. Also, it was confirmed that WRT-mse improved bleeding and edema in gastritis, and suppresses inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion : In summary, our results suggest that the treatment of the WRT-mse reduced and improved the 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol induced acute gastritis and the inflammation caused by LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, this study may provide useful drug or clinical evidence for WRT-mse to prevent inflammation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.650-666
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, the author tried to investigate whether wood vinegar produced from Morus alba (MA) significantly affects the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells of rats, and in vitro airway mucin secretion and PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production / gene expression from human airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods : For the in vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucus and goblet cell hyperplasia by exposure of rats to SO2 over 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered MA over 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats and hyperplasia of goblet cells were assessed using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with alcian blue. For the in vitro experiment, confluent RTSE cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of MA to assess the effect of MA on mucin secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of MA and treated with PMA (10 ng/ml), EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-alpha (0.2 nm) for 24 hrs, to assess both effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Possible cytotoxicities of MA in vitro were assessed by examining LDH release from RTSE cells and the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. In vivo liver and kidney toxicities of MA were evaluated by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN/creatinine concentrations of rats after administering MA orally. Results : 1. MA decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of rats exposed to sulfur dioxide inhalationally. 2. MA decreased in vitro mucin secretion from cultured RTSE cells. 3. MA significantly inhibited PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin productions and the expression levels of MUC5AC mRNA from NCI-H292 cells. 4. MA did not show either in vitro or in vivo hepatic or renal toxicities. Conclusion : The results from this study suggests that MA can regulate the secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in diverse respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and does not show in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration. Effects of MA should be further studied using animal experimental models that simulate the diverse pathophysiology of respiratory diseases via future research.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2016

Objectives: Cornu cervi pantotrichum (CCP) has been widely used in Korean and China, as an anti-fatigue, anti-aging, and tonic agent to enhance the functions of the reproductive and the immune systems. Because CCP has various growth factors that play important roles in the development of hair follicles, we examined whether CCP pharmacopuncture solution (CCPPS) was capable of promoting hair growth in an animal model. Methods: One day after hair depilation, CCPPS were topically applied to the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice once a day for 15 days. Hair growth activity was evaluated by using macro- and microscopic observations. Dorsal skin tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Expressions of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7 were examined by using immunohistochemical staining. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was also conducted to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FGF-7. Results: CCPPS induced more active hair growth than normal saline. Histologic analysis showed enlargement of the dermal papilla, elongation of the hair shaft, and expansion of hair thickness in CCPPS treated mice, indicating that CCPPS effectively induced the development of anagen. CCPPS treatment markedly increased the expressions of BrdU and PCNA in the hair follicles of C57BL/6 mice. In addition, CCPPS up regulated the expression of FGF-7, which plays an important role in the development of hair follicles. Conclusion: These results reveal that CCPPS facilitates hair re-growth by proliferation of hair follicular cells and up-regulation of FGF-7 and suggest that CCPPS can potentially be applied as an alternative treatment for patients with alopecia.