• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.466-473
• /
• 2019

Angelica gigas has been used as a Korean traditional medicine for pain relief and gynecological health. Although the extracts are reported to have an anti-inflammatory property, the bioactive compounds of the herbal plant and the effect on T cell responses are unclear. In this study, we identified decursinol angelate (DA) as an immunomodulatory ingredient of A. gigas and demonstrated its suppressive effect on type 17 helper T (Th17) cell responses. Helper T cell culture experiments revealed that DA impeded the differentiation of Th17 cells and IL-17 production without affecting the survival and proliferation of CD4 T cells. By using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model, we determined the therapeutic potential of DA for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. DA treatment attenuated the severity of colitis including a reduction in weight loss, colon shortening, and protection from colonic tissue damage induced by DSS administration. Intriguingly, Th17 cells concurrently with neutrophils in the colitis tissues were significantly decreased by the DA treatment. Overall, our experimental evidence reveals for the first time that DA is an anti-inflammatory compound to modulate inflammatory T cells, and suggests DA as a potential therapeutic agent to manage inflammatory conditions associated with Th17 cell responses.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.12
• /
• pp.776-787
• /
• 2009

T helper (Th) 17 cells have recently been described as a third subset of T helper cells, and have provided new insights into the mechanisms that are important in the development of autoimmune diseases and the immune responses that are essential for effective antimicrobial host defense. Both protective and harmful effects of Th17 responses during infection have been described. In general, Th17 responses are critical for mucosal and epithelial host defense against extracellular bacteria and fungi. However, recent studies have reported that Th17 responses can also contribute to viral persistence and chronic inflammation associated with parasitic infection. It has become evident that the type of microorganisms and the setting in which they trigger the Th17 response determines the outcome of the delicate balancethat exists between Th17 induced protection and immunopathogenesis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.14-20
• /
• 2014

CD28/T cell receptor ligation activates the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling cascade during CD4 T cell activation. NF-${\kappa}B$ activation is required for cytokine gene expression and activated T cell survival and proliferation. Recently, many reports showed that NF-${\kappa}B$ activation is also involved in T helper (Th) cell differentiation including Th17 cell differentiation. In this review, we discuss the current literature on NF-${\kappa}B$ activation pathway and its effect on Th17 cell differentiation.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.89-110
• /
• 1998

Yookmijihwangtang has been widely used oriental herb prescriptions, which is healing some discuss that come from insufficiency of innate essence and deficiency of kidney Ki. The meaning of healing discusses tonification of insufficient innate essence and insufficient kidney Ki can be regarded as reinforcement of wholely power of keeping homeostasis, that is correlated with immuno-responsibility which protects subject from outer antigen to keep normal vital condition. This study was aimed to investigate correlative effects of Yookmijihwangtang water abstract on the RBC, WBC, blood CD4+ T helper cell count, blood testosterone, blood cAMP and blood cortisol. 40 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 5 groups(Normal, Control, Sample I, Sample II, Sample III), 6 animals in every group. Normal group was not treated anything, control group was administrated normal saline in the same dosage of Sample I. 3 Sample groups were received some of Yookmijihwangtang water abstract at one time per 24 hours during 5 days in different dosage. Sample I(1/310pack/ml), Sample II(1/62pack/ml), Sample III(1/2.4pack/ml). After finishing treatment, all experimental subjects were killed for blood sample on RBC, WBC, blood CD4+ T helper cell count, spleen CD4+ T helper cell count, axillary lymph node CD4+ T helper cell count. blood cAMP, blood testosterone and blood cortisol. The results were as follows; RBC and WBC were increased in all sample groups. Blood CD4+ T helper cell count(CD4+ T cell count in the blood/whole lymphocyte count in the blood ${\times}100%$) was Normal $46.17{\pm}5.88$, Control $44.50{\pm}4.37$, Sample I $53.00{\pm}2.28$, Sample II $53.83{\pm}3.87$, Sample III $52.17{\pm}2.93$. By the 95% Duncan ANOVA all experimental groups(sample I, Sample II, Sample III) showed slight significant difference from Normal and Control. Blood cAMP(nmol/l) were Normal $1.12{\pm}0.17$, Control $1.16{\pm}0.32$, Sample I $0.46{\pm}0.07$, Sample II $0.44{\pm}0.04$, Sample III $0.54{\pm}0.04$. All experimental groups were singificantly different from both Normal and Control groups(p<0.05). Blood cortisol(nl/ml) were Normal $100.00{\pm}2.00$ Control $90.00{\pm}4.00$, Sample I $440.00{\pm}5.00$, Sample II $520.00{\pm}40.00$, Sample III $470.00{\pm}7.00$. Blood cortisol of all experimental groups were significantly increased(p<0.05). The results suggest that Yookmijihwangtang water abstract could be administrated to patients who have some diseases insufficient essence.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.171-176
• /
• 2012

HaCaT cells are the immortalized human keratinocytes and have been extensively used to study the epidermal homeostasis and its pathophysiology. T helper cells play a role in various chronic dermatological conditions and they can affect skin barrier homeostasis. To evaluate whether HaCaT cells can be used as a model cell system to study abnormal skin barrier development in various dermatologic diseases, we analyzed the gene expression profile of epidermal differentiation markers of HaCaT cells in response to major T helper (Th) cell cytokines, such as $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-17A and IL-22. The gene transcriptional profile of cornified envelope-associated proteins, such as filaggrin, loricrin, involucrin and keratin 10 (KRT10), in HaCaT cells was generally different from that in normal human keratinocytes (NHKs). This suggests that HaCaT cells have a limitation as a model system to study the pathophysiological mechanism associated with the Th cell cytokine-dependent changes in cornified envelope-associated proteins which are essential for normal skin barrier development. In contrast, the gene transcription profile change of human ${\beta}2$-defensin (HBD2) in response to $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4 or IL-17A in HaCaT cells was consistent with the expression pattern of NHKs. $IFN{\gamma}$ also up-regulated transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) gene transcription in both HaCaT cells and NHKs. As an alternative cell culture system for NHKs, HaCaT cells can be used to study molecular mechanisms associated with abnormal HBD2 and TGM2 expression in response to $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4 or IL-17A.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.49-54
• /
• 2017

Previously, we reported that vitamin C facilitates the CpG demethylation of Foxp3 enhancer in $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) by enhancing the activity of a DNA demethylase ten-eleven-translocation (Tet). However, it is not clear whether vitamin C affects other helper T cell lineages like T helper type 17 (Th17) cells which are related with Tregs. Here, we show that the expression of interleukin-17A (IL17) increases with the treatment of vitamin C but not with other antioxidants. Interestingly, the upregulation of IL17 was not accompanied by DNA demethylation in Il17 promoter and was independent of Tet enzymes. Rather, vitamin C reduced the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me3) in the regulatory elements of the Il17 locus, and the effects of vitamin C were abrogated by knockdown of jumonji-C domain-containing protein 2 (jmjd2). These results suggest that vitamin C can affect the expression of IL17 by modulating the histone demethylase activity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.8.1-8.17
• /
• 2024

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) play a crucial role in generating high-affinity antibodies (Abs) and establishing immunological memory. Cytokines, among other functional molecules produced by Tfh, are central to germinal center (GC) reactions. This review focuses on the role of cytokines, including IL-21 and IL-4, in regulating B cell responses within the GC, such as differentiation, affinity maturation, and plasma cell development. Additionally, this review explores the impact of other cytokines like CXCL13, IL-10, IL-9, and IL-2 on GC responses and their potential involvement in autoimmune diseases, allergies, and cancer. This review highlights contributions of Tfh-derived cytokines to both protective immunity and immunopathology across a spectrum of diseases. A deeper understanding of Tfh cytokine biology holds promise for insights into biomedical conditions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.667-675
• /
• 2021

Streptococcus agalactiae is an important bacterial pathogen and causative agent of diseases including neonatal sepsis and meningitis, as well as infections in healthy adults and pregnant women. Although antibiotic treatments effectively relieve symptoms, the emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant strains indicate the need for an effective immunotherapy. Effector T helper (Th) 17 cells are a relatively newly discovered subpopulation of helper CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, and which, by expressing interleukin (IL)-17A, play crucial roles in host defenses against a variety of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. However, whether S. agalactiae infection can induce the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells into Th17 cells, and whether IL-17A can play an effective role against S. agalactiae infections, are still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the responses of CD4⁺ T cells and their defensive effects after S. agalactiae infection. The results showed that S. agalactiae infection induces not only the formation of Th1 cells expressing interferon (IFN)-γ, but also the differentiation of mouse splenic CD4⁺ T cells into Th17 cells, which highly express IL-17A. In addition, the bacterial load of S. agalactiae was significantly increased and decreased in organs as determined by antibody neutralization and IL-17A addition experiments, respectively. The results confirmed that IL-17A is required by the host to defend against S. agalactiae and that it plays an important role in effectively eliminating S. agalactiae. Our findings therefore prompt us to adopt effective methods to regulate the expression of IL-17A as a potent strategy for the prevention and treatment of S. agalactiae infection.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.656-661
• /
• 2003

The specific immune response of unripened fruits and ripened fruits of Rubus coreanus Miquel was examined in BALB/C mice. The 70% ethyl alcohol extracts (20 or 100 mg/kg) of unripened fruits (RCE-I) and of ripened fruits (RCE-II) were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days. RCE-I and RCE-II decreased the viability of thymocytes, but increased the viability of splenocytes. Also, RCE-I enhanced the population of helper T and cytotoxic T cells in thymocytes and RCE-II enhanced the population of helper T cells. Furthermore, RCE-I and RCE-II decreased the population of B220/sup +/ cells and Thy1/sup +/ cells and helper T cells in splenocytes. In a general way, the immunosuppressive action of RCE-I was more potent than those of RCE-II. These results suggest that RCE-I and RCE-II have a regulative action of immune response via decrease the viability of thymocytes and increase the viability of splenocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.214-223
• /
• 2017

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.