• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제27권5호
• /
• 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.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• 제24권4호
• /
• pp.383-392
• /
• 2009

아토피피부염 (AD)은 천식, 음식 알레르기, 비염 같은 전신아토피질환을 동반하는 만성재발성 피부염증질환이다. 아토피피부염과 관련된 IL-17의 임상적 역할은 다양한 조건에서 보고되고 있으며, 또한 건선 피부 상태에 깊숙이 관여하고 있다. IL-17은 각질세포 (keratinocytes)에서 과잉으로 생산되며, 아토피피부염의 말초임파구에서도 다량 생성됨을 세포내염색을 통하여 확인된 바 있다. 본 연구에서는 창이자 추출물 (XS-E와 XS-FL)이 NC/Nga 생쥐의 $CD4^+$ T 세포에서 유도된 Th17 세포의 분화억제 및 IL-17의 생산량 감소 효과에 대한 실험을 하였다. 그 결과 XS-E와 XS-FL을 처리한 섬유아세포에서 세포독성은 나타나지 않았고, 4일간 XS-E와 XS-FL에 동시배양 한 $CD4^+$ T 세포의 IL-17 생산량을 FACS로 분석한 결과 $100\;{\mu}g$/mL XS-E 처리군의 IL-17 생산량은 32.3%로 대조군에 비하여 2배 이상의 감소를 나타내었으며, $20\;{\mu}g$/mL XS-30% AFL (acetone XS-FL) 처리군의 Th17 세포는 19.6%으로 대조군에 비하여 3.5배 억제되었다. 또한 real-time PCR을 이용하여 IL-17A와 IL-22 mRNA의 유전자 발현량을 비교 분석한 결과, IL-17A와 IL-22 mRNA의 유전자발현의 RQ값은 XS-E와 XS-30% AFL를 처리한 실험군이 대조군에 비하여 유의성 있는 감소를 나타내었다(p < 0.01, p < 0.001). ELISA로 측정한 IL-17A 생산량은 XS-E와 XS-30% AFL를 처리한 실험군이 대조군에 비하여 현저히 감소 (p < 0.05, p < 0.001)하였다. Th17 세포의 증식을 알아보기 위하여, rIL-6와 TGF-$\beta$로 분화시킨 Th17 세포를 CFSE로 표지한 후 rIL-23 처리를 하여 4일간 배양하여 증식을 유도시켰다. 대조군의 Th17 세포 분열은4일 동안 4번에 걸쳐 비슷한 세포수의 증식이 일어나는 것을 CFSE를 통하여 확인하였고, XS-30% AFL 처리군은 CFSE의 형광 분포가 점점 감소하여 Th17 세포의 증식이 억제됨을 알 수 있었다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제16권1호
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2016

Th2 cell immunity is required for host defense against helminths, but it is detrimental in allergic diseases in humans. Unlike Th1 cell and Th17 cell subsets, the mechanism by which dendritic cells modulate Th2 cell responses has been obscure, in part because of the inability of dendritic cells to provide IL-4, which is indispensable for Th2 cell lineage commitment. In this regard, immune cells other than dendritic cells, such as basophils and innate lymphoid cells, have been suggested as Th2 cell inducers. More recently, multiple independent researchers have shown that specialized subsets of dendritic cells mediate Th2 cell responses. This review will discuss the current understanding related to the regulation of Th2 cell responses by dendritic cells and other immune cells.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제42권3호
• /
• pp.228-236
• /
• 2019

CD4 T cells differentiate into $ROR{\gamma}t/IL$-17A-expressing cells in the small intestine following colonization by segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB). However, it remains unclear whether SFB-specific CD4 T cells can differentiate directly from naïve precursors, and whether their effector differentiation is solely directed towards the Th17 lineage. In this study, we used adoptive T cell transfer experiments and showed that naïve CD4 T cells can migrate to the small intestinal lamina propria (sLP) and differentiate into effector T cells that synthesize IL-17A in response to SFB colonization. Using single cell RT-PCR analysis, we showed that the progenies of SFB responding T cells are not uniform but composed of transcriptionally divergent populations including Th1, Th17 and follicular helper T cells. We further confirmed this finding using in vitro culture of SFB specific intestinal CD4 T cells in the presence of cognate antigens, which also generated heterogeneous population with similar features. Collectively, these findings indicate that a single species of intestinal bacteria can generate a divergent population of antigen-specific effector CD4 T cells, rather than it provides a cytokine milieu for the development of a particular effector T cell subset.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제42권11호
• /
• pp.747-754
• /
• 2019

The incidence of atherosclerosis is higher among patients with several autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is well documented that innate immune cells including macrophages and dendritic cells sense lipid species such as saturated fatty acids and oxidized low-density lipoprotein and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. However, whether a hyperlipidemic environment also impacts autoimmune T cell responses has been unclear. Among $CD4^+$ T cells, Th17 and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are known to play pathogenic roles in the development of hyperlipidemia-associated autoimmune diseases. This review gives an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which dysregulated lipid metabolism impacts the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, with specific emphasis on Th17 and Tfh cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제42권12호
• /
• 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.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.156-166
• /
• 2023

Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of Rubus coreanus-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermented feed (RC-LAB fermented feed) and three types of LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis) on the expression of transcription factors and cytokines in Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells in the intestinal lymph nodes and spleens of rats. In addition, the effect on intestinal microbiota composition and body weight was investigated. Methods: Five-week-old male rats were assigned to five treatments and eight replicates. The expression of transcription factors and cytokines of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells in the intestinal lymph nodes and spleens was analyzed using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Intestinal tract microbiota compositions were analyzed by next-generation sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: RC-LAB fermented feed and three types of LAB increased the expression of transcription factors and cytokines in Th1, Treg cells and Galectin-9, but decreased in Th2 and Th17 cells. In addition, the intestinal microbiota composition changed, the body weight and Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio decreased, and the relative abundance of LAB increased. Conclusion: LAB fermented feed and three types of LAB showed an immune modulation effect by inducing T cell polarization and increased LAB in the intestinal microbiota.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제31권5호
• /
• 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 Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.469-476
• /
• 2016

This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of dead nano-sized Lactobacillus plantarum (nLp) in RAW 264.7 cells and murine primary splenocytes. nLp is a dead, shrunken, processed form of L. plantarum nF1 isolated from kimchi (a traditional Korean fermented cabbage) and is less than 1 μm in size. It was found that nLp treatment stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production more in RAW 264.7 macrophages than pure live L. plantarum (pLp), and that the stimulatory properties were probably largely derived from its cell wall. In addition, nLp induced murine splenocyte proliferation more so than pLp; in particular, a high dose of nLp (1.0 × 10¹¹ CFU/ml) stimulated proliferation as much as lipopolysaccharide at 2 μg/ml. Moreover, according to our cytokine profile results in splenocytes, nLp treatment promoted Th1 (TNF-α, IL-12 p70) responses rather than Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) responses and also increased Th17 (IL-6, IL-17A) responses. Thus, nLp stimulated NO release in RAW 264.7 cells and induced splenocyte proliferation more so than pLp and stimulated Th1 and Th17 cytokine production. These findings suggested that dead nLp has potential use as a functional food ingredient to improve the immune response, and especially as a means of inducing Th1/Th17 immune responses.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제38권3호
• /
• pp.119-125
• /
• 2011

Implantation of an embryo occurs during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, known as the "implantation window." During this implantation period, there are significant morphologic and functional changes in the endometrium, which is followed by decidualization. Many immune cells, such as dendritic and natural killer (NK) cells, increase in number in this period and early pregnancy. Recent works have revealed that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and NK cells are involved in vascular remodeling of spiral arteries in the decidua and lack of APCs leads to failure of pregnancy. Paternal and fetal antigens may play a role in the induction of immune tolerance during pregnancy. A balance between effectors (i.e., innate immunity and helper T [Th] 1 and Th17 immunity) and regulators (Th2 cells, regulatory T cells, etc.) is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The highly complicated endocrine-immune network works in decidualization of the endometrium and at the fetomaternal interface. We will discuss the role of immune cells in the implantation period and during early pregnancy.