• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제30권6호
• /
• pp.540-545
• /
• 2022

Betulin is a triterpenoid natural product contained in several medicinal plants including Betulae Cortex. These medicinal plants have been used for controlling diverse inflammatory diseases in folk medicine and betulin showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer activities. In this study, we tried to examine whether betulin exerts a regulative effect on the gene expression of MUC5AC mucin under the status simulating a pulmonary inflammation, in human airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with betulin for 30 min and then stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin mRNA expression and mucin glycoprotein production were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. To elucidate the action mechanism of betulin, effect of betulin on PMA-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway was also investigated by western blot analysis. The results were as follows: 1) Betulin significantly suppressed the production of MUC5AC mucin glycoprotein and down-regulated MUC5AC mRNA expression induced by PMA in NCI-H292 cells. 2) Betulin inhibited NF-κB activation stimulated by PMA. Suppression of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) by betulin led to the inhibition of the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκBα), and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC glycoprotein production in NCI-H292 cells. These results suggest betulin inhibits the gene expression of mucin through regulation of NF-kB signaling pathway, in human airway epithelial cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제45권6호
• /
• pp.695-705
• /
• 2021

Background: Ginsenosides have beneficial effects on several airway inflammatory disorders primarily through glucocorticosteroid-like anti-inflammatory activity. Among inflammatory cells, eosinophils play a major pathogenic role in conferring a risk of severe refractory diseases including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, the role of ginsenosides in reducing eosinophilic inflammation and CRS pathogenesis is unexplored. Methods: We investigated the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanism of ginsenoside F1 (G-F1) in comparison with those of dexamethasone, a representative glucocorticosteroid, in a murine model of CRS. The effects of G-F1 or dexamethasone on sinonasal abnormalities and infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells were evaluated by histological analyses. The changes in inflammatory cytokine levels in sinonasal tissues, macrophages, and NK cells were assessed by qPCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Results: We found that G-F1 significantly attenuated eosinophilic inflammation, mast cell infiltration, epithelial hyperplasia, and mucosal thickening in the sinonasal mucosa of CRS mice. Moreover, G-F1 reduced the expression of IL-4 and IL-13, as well as hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase required for prostaglandin D2 production. This therapeutic efficacy was associated with increased NK cell function, without suppression of macrophage inflammatory responses. In comparison, dexamethasone potently suppressed macrophage activation. NK cell depletion nullified the therapeutic effects of G-F1, but not dexamethasone, in CRS mice, supporting a causal link between G-F1 and NK cell activity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that potentiating NK cell activity, for example with G-F1, is a promising strategy for resolving eosinophilic inflammation in CRS.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권5호
• /
• pp.634-643
• /
• 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is caused by repeated exposure to harmful matter, such as cigarette smoke. Although Lilium longiflorum Thunb (LLT) has anti-inflammatory effects, there is no report on the fermented LLT bulb extract regulating lung inflammation in COPD. Thus, we investigated the protective effect of LLT bulb extract fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus 803 in COPD mouse models induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and porcine pancreas elastase (PPE). Oral administration of the fermented product (LS803) suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators and the infiltration of immune cells involving neutrophils and macrophages, resulting in protective effects against lung damage. In addition, LS803 inhibited CSE- and LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production in airway epithelial H292 cells as well as suppressed PMA-induced formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in HL-60 cells. In particular, LS803 significantly repressed the elevated IL-6 and MIP-2 production after CSE and LPS stimulation by suppressing the activity of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NFκB) in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Therefore, our results suggest that the fermented product LS803 is effective in preventing and alleviating lung inflammation.

• 대한본초학회지
• /
• 제39권3호
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2024

Objectives : Lysimachia mauritiana Lam. is known as a medicinal plant native to Korea that has antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. However, until now, research on the cultivation technology of L. mauritiana is insufficient, and there are no research data on the systematic cultivation method and mass production of L. mauritiana. Therefore, this study aims to establish a cultivation system of L. mauritiana. Methods : The cultivation environment of open land and facilities according to the growth of L. mauritiana was compared and tested. In addition, the equivalence of the origin collection extract and the cultivation extract was evaluated through Ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) patterns analysis according to cultivation and comparison of the effect of inhibiting respiratory inflammation using BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells. Results : The cultivation technology system was established through cultivation research of L. mauritiana raw materials. In addition, as a result of comparing and evaluating the equivalence of cultivated plants and L. mauritiana raw materials for suppressing respiratory inflammation, the same results were confirmed, and the equivalence was confirmed as a result of analyzing the UHPLC pattern with L. mauritiana raw materials. Conclusions : This study suggests that extract from cultivation research of L. mauritiana plants, which are native to Korea, can be used as a health functional food or medicine to improve respiratory health.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제22권5호
• /
• pp.40.1-40.24
• /
• 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive alternatives to conventional anti-asthmatic drugs for severe asthma. Mechanisms underlying the anti-asthmatic effects of MSCs have not yet been elucidated. This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of intravenously administered MSCs, focusing on macrophages and monocytes. Seven-week-old transgenic (Tg) mice with lung-specific overexpression of IL-13 were used to simulate chronic asthma. MSCs were intravenously administered four days before sampling. We examined changes in immune cell subpopulations, gene expression, and histological phenotypes. IL-13 Tg mice exhibited diverse features of chronic asthma, including severe type 2 inflammation, airway fibrosis, and mucus metaplasia. Intravenous administration of MSCs attenuated these asthmatic features just four days after a single treatment. MSC treatment significantly reduced SiglecF^-CD11c^-CD11b⁺ monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMs) and inhibited the polarization of MoMs into M2 macrophages, especially M2a and M2c. Furthermore, MSCs downregulated the excessive accumulation of Ly6c^- monocytes in the lungs. While an intravenous adoptive transfer of Ly6c^- monocytes promoted the infiltration of MoM and Th2 inflammation, that of MSC-exposed Ly6c^- monocytes did not. Ex vivo Ly6c^- MoMs upregulated M2-related genes, which were reduced by MSC treatment. Molecules secreted by Ly6c^- MoMs from IL-13 Tg mice lungs upregulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes in fibroblasts, which were also suppressed by MSC treatment. In conclusion, intravenously administered MSCs attenuate asthma phenotypes of chronic asthma by modulating macrophages. Identifying M2 macrophage subtypes revealed that exposure to MSCs transforms the phenotype and function of macrophages. We suggest that Ly6c^- monocytes could be a therapeutic target for asthma management.

• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.106-113
• /
• 2005

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of airways that is induced by Th2 cytokines and inhibited by Th1 cytokines. In this study we wanted to investigate the effect of SCT and BJT on eosinophilla and cytokines of BALF in a mouse model established airway inflammmation. Asthma was induced to male c57/bl6 mice. Allergen-specific antibody responses, cytokine$(IL-4,\;IL-5,\;INF-{\gamma})$, and eosinophil inflammation of the airways were investigated on the BALF and splenocyte. SCT and BJT effectively induced $INF-{\gamma}$ and inhibited IL-4, IL-5 as well as eosinophilic inflammation when SCT and BJT were administered. Total Ig E level in the BALF decreased. SCT was more effectiveness than BJT. It is considered that SCT and BJT have faborable effect on the asthma because the asthma specific series of abnormalities in respiratory system were decreased.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제58권12호
• /
• pp.459-465
• /
• 2015

Postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is an irreversible obstructive lung disease characterized by subepithelial inflammation and fibrotic narrowing of the bronchioles after lower respiratory tract infection during childhood, especially early childhood. Although diagnosis of PIBO should be confirmed by histopathology, it is generally based on history and clinical findings. Irreversible airway obstruction is demonstrated by decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 second with an absent bronchodilator response, and by mosaic perfusion, air trapping, and/or bronchiectasis on computed tomography images. However, lung function tests using spirometry are not feasible in young children, and most cases of PIBO develop during early childhood. Further studies focused on obtaining serial measurements of lung function in infants and toddlers with a risk of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) after lower respiratory tract infection are therefore needed. Although an optimal treatment for PIBO has not been established, corticosteroids have been used to target the inflammatory component. Other treatment modalities for BO after lung transplantation or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been studied in clinical trials, and the results can be extrapolated for the treatment of PIBO. Lung transplantation remains the final option for children with PIBO who have progressed to end-stage lung disease.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to evaluate the inflammation mechanisms of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-$1{\beta}$-induced stimulation of A549 human epithelial cells. In the present study, A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-$\alpha$, IL-4 and IL-$1{\beta}$ to induce expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in eosinophil chemotaxis. The effects of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-4 and IL-$1{\beta}$ on gene expression profiles in A549 cells were evaluated by oligonucleotide microarray and Real time RT-PCR. The gene expression profiles for the A549 cells varied depending on the cytokines. Also, the results of the microarray and Real time RT-PCR revealed that inflammatory-related genes were up-regulated in cytokine stimulated A549 cells. Cytokines can affect inflammation in A549 cells. A microarray-based genomic survey is a high-throughput approach that enables evaluation of gene expression in cytokine stimulated cell lines.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제32권4호
• /
• pp.460-466
• /
• 2024

Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation and respiratory tract remodeling. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play important roles in the pathogenesis and regulation of chronic inflammatory processes in asthma. The role of PPARγ has been studied using synthetic PPARγ agonists in patients with asthma. However, involvement of PPARα/δ has not been studied in asthma. In the present study, we investigated if elafibranor, a PPARα/δ dual agonist, can modulate ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma, which is a potential drug candidate for non-alcoholic fatty liver in obese patients. Elafibranor suppresses antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 mast cells without inducing cytotoxicity in vitro. In mice with OVA-induced allergic asthma, the administration of elafibranor suppressed OVA-induced airway hyper-responsiveness at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Elafibranor also suppressed the OVA-induced increase in immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histological studies suggested that elafibranor suppressed OVA-induced lung inflammation and mucin hyper-production in the bronchial airways. In addition, elafibranor suppressed OVA-induced increases in serum immunoglobulin E and IL-13 levels in BALF. Conversely, the present study suggests that elafibranor has the potential for use in patients with allergic asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제46권1호
• /
• pp.44-52
• /
• 1999

연구배경: 기관지천식은 호산구성 기도내 염증반응을 특징으로 하는데 호산구의 침윤에 관여하는 cytokine으로 T 림프구에서 분비되는 IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF 등이 잘 알려져 있다. 한편 IL-10은 항염증성 cytokine으로 이러한 cytokine 분비를 억제할뿐만아니라, 호산구에 대해서는 직접적으로 자사(apoptosis)를 유도하고 조직내 첨착을 억제하는 기능을 갖고 있다. 본 연구에서는 기관지천식 환자에서의 기관지폐포세척액과 말초 혈액단핵세포에서 분비되는 IL-10을 정상대조군과 비교하고 기도내 염증반응정도와의 연관성을 분석하여 기관지천식에서의 IL-10 역할을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 기관지천식환자 23명, 정상대조군 11명을 대상으로 기관지폐포세척액내와 말초혈액단핵구에서 분비되는 IL-10을 ELISA 방법으로 측정하고, 기도의 염증반응정도는 기관지세포세척액내 총세포수 및 호산구분율과 기관지 생검조직내 호산구 침윤정도, methacholine 기관지유발 검사에서 $PC_{20}$값으로 평가하였다. 결 과: 기관지폐포세척액내 IL-10과 말초혈액단핵구에서 분비되는 IL-10은 기관지천식 환자군과 정상대조군 사이에 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다. 기관지천식환자군에서 기관지폐포세척액내 IL-10은 기관지폐포세척액내 호산구분율 및 기관지 조직내 침윤된 호산구수와는 유의한 역상관관계를 보였고, 메타콜린에 대한 PC20에 따른 차이는 없었다. 말초혈액단핵구에서 분비되는 IL-10은 기관지폐포세척액내 IL-10과 상관 관계가 없었으며, 말초혈액내 호산구수나 eosinophilic cationic protein과도 유의한 상관관계가 없었다. 결 론: 기관지천식 환자군의 기관지폐포세척액내 IL-10은 기관지폐포세척액이나 기관지 조직내 호산구 침윤과 역상관관계를 보였지만, 정상대조군과 비교해서 IL-10 감소가 관찰되지 않았기 때문에 기관지천식에서는 항염증 효과가 있는 IL-10이 중요하게 작용하지 않을 것으로 생각된다.