• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.265-271
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• 2014

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a potent anti-apoptotic cytokine that enhances immune effector cell functions and is essential for lymphocyte survival. While it known to induce differentiation and proliferation in some haematological malignancies, including certain types of leukaemias and lymphomas, little is known about its role in solid tumours, including breast cancer. In the current study, we investigated whether IL-7 could enhance the in vivo antitumor activity of tumor-reactive $CD8^+$ T cells with induction of IFN-${\gamma}$ in a murine breast cancer model. Human IL-7 cDNA was constructed into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1, and then the recombinational pcDNA3.1-IL-7 was intratumorally injected in the TM40D BALB/C mouse graft model. Serum and intracellular IFN-${\gamma}$ levels were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. $CD8^+$ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity was analyzed using the MTT method. Our results showed that IL-7 administration significantly inhibited tumor growth from day 15 after direct intratumoral injection of pcDNA3.1-IL-7. The anti-tumor effect correlated with a marked increase in the level of IFN-${\gamma}$ and breast cancer cells-specific CTL cytotoxicity. In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that IL-7-treatment could augment cytolytic activity of $CD8^+$ T cells from tumor bearing mice, while anti-IFN-${\gamma}$ blocked the function of $CD8^+$ T cells, suggesting that IFN-${\gamma}$ mediated the cytolytic activity of $CD8^+$ T cells. Furthermore, in vivo neutralization of $CD8^+$ T lymphocytes by CD8 antibodies reversed the antitumor benefit of IL-7. Thus, we demonstrated that IL-7 exerts anti-tumor activity mainly through activating $CD8^+$ T cells and stimulating them to secrete IFN-${\gamma}$ in a murine breast tumor model. Based on these results, our study points to a potential novel way to treat breast cancer and may have important implications for clinical immunotherapy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

Objective : Sinapis alba L. (SA) is a korean traditional herbal medicine that is usually used to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases, such as respiratory infection and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the effects of SA supplementation in vitro on serum antibody levels, splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage immune responses have not yet been determined. In this study, we examined the effect of SA on the production of Th1/Th2 cytokines. Methods : Splenocytes were isolated from naive C57BL/6 mice. Cells were enriched for CD4+ cell populations by first staining the cells with anti-CD4 (BD PharMingen, Calif, USA). CD4+ T cells were selected on a (CS) column, and the flow-through was collected as CD4+ T cells. Isolated cells were activated by overnight incubation on 24-well plates coated with $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD3, $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD28 and with SA ($100{\mu}g/mL$). Primary macrophages were collected from the peritoneal cavities of mice (8-week-old female C57BL/6). The peritoneal macrophages were washed and plated with RPMI-1640 overnight for the experiments. After 48-hours cultures, samples were centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the supernatants were stored at $-80^{\circ}C$. Mouse IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were quantified using ELISA kits (BioSource International, Camarillo, Calif, USA) according to the manufacturer's protocols. Results : SA at 100ug/ml decreased the generation of Th1 cytokine (IFN-$\gamma$) by 0.5-fold. However, SA has no effect on Th2 (IL-4) production. Conclusions : These results suggest that SA may play an important role in the control of T-cell-mediated autoimmunity by down-regulation of Th1 cytokine (especially IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$). These data may contribute to the design of new immunomodulating treatments for a group of autoimmune diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.114-125
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• 2006

objective : The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of Scutellaria Radix(SR) extract on immune cells and cytokines in ovalbumin(OVA)-induced asthmatic mice. Methods : In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and handicapped by OVA for 9 weeks. In this experiment, one group was not treated, and the other group was treated with SR extract for six weeks(five times per week) and analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometer. Results : In vivo, there were significant decreases in eosinophils, IL-4, IL-13 in BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) compared with that of control group. However,$IFN{\gamma}$ in the SR group increased significantly compared with that of control group. Additionally, the population of $CD3e^-/CCR3^+,\;CD69^+/CD3e^+,\;IgE^+/B220^+,\;CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells in the SR group decreased compared with that of control group. conclusion : The results of this study support a role for SR as an effective treatment for asthma in its experimental success in significantly decreasing inflammation and asthma reactions, and in increasing $IFN{\gamma}$, Which helps prevent such reactions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.457-463
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• 2009

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of Seonpye-tang (SPT) using OVA-induced asthmatic mice model. Scavenging activity of SPT on DPPH free radical and SOD-like activity of SPT were measured at final concentration 62.5, 125, 250, 500 (${\mu}g/m{\ell}$), RBL-2H3 cells were treated with DNP IgE for 24hr, and treated with SPT (1, 10, 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$) for 1hr, followed by treatment with DNP-HSA for 1hr at $37^{\circ}C$. The level of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured by ELISA. Asthmatic mice model was conducted by repeated challenge of OVA using C57BL/6 mice. Each group was treated with distilled water, SPT (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) extract or cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg) for the later 8 weeks. Immune cells subpopulation, eotaxin, IL-5 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in BALF were analyzed. SPT dose-dependently increased Scavenging activity on DPPH free radical and SOD-like activity. SPT significantly ameliorated the increase of total cells number and eosinophil including of immune cell subpopulation of $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CCR3^+$, $B220^+/CD22^+$, $B220^+/CD45^+$ and $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in BALF comparing to control group. Eotaxin and IL-5 level in BALF were significantly decreased by SPT. These results strongly suggest that SPT would be a effective candidate for herbal-originated anti-asthmatic drug. However, this drug should be further studied for characterization of the accurate action and underlying mechanisms using variant disease model in the future.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.3 s.126
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• pp.226-232
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• 2001

To explore the possible cancer therapeutic application of "Bo-yang-hwan-oh-tang" (BH), a herbal medicinal recipe used for improvement of blood stasis, we have examined its direct cytotoxicity against tumor cell, and induction of cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes. Water extract of BH alone did not exhibit direct cytotoxicity to Yac-1 target cells even with high concentrations (10 mg/ml). By exposure for 3 days, BH did not induce any nonspecific cytotoxic activity of mouse spleen cells, either, when assessed in a 4 hr $^{51}Cr-release$ assay. However, when BH was added during CD3 stimulation of non-adherent spleen cells, non-specific CTL activity was markedly promoted in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, BH did not alter activated NK cell activity following IL-2 stimulation. These data suggest that BH does not induce but upregulates non-specific CTL effecter function and that activated NK cell does not respond to BH. For elucidation of the mechanism underlying this function of BH, time kinetic study for IL-2 production using ELISA was undertaken. IL-2 production following CD3 stimulation was significantly augmented and higher level of IL-2 is sustained over 3 days in the culture medium by BH treatment. Moreover, addition of exogenous IL-2 during CD3 stimulation resulted in a similar level of cytotoxicity between control and BH-treated culture. These data indicate that the BH-mediated upregulation of non-specific CTL activity is contributed by augmentation of IL-2 production. Our data imply the possible application of BH for combination therapy of cancer with non-specific activator.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.1 s.136
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• pp.6-15
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the hemopoietic effects of 6 species of deer antlers from origins and parts in vitro. CD34 positive cells were isolated and confirmed the its population by FACS analysis. In a week liquid culture, there was any statistical significance between extracts of three parts of six species of deer antlers in the experiments as colony forming assay, proliferation assay, differentiation assay and observation of morphology. However, after 2 weeks- culture with extracts of three parts of six species of deer antlers, colonies were counted. six species of deer antlers, such as middle part of Korean nippon deer, upper part of Chinese nippon deer, upper part of Newzealand horse deer, middle part of Korea horse deer and middle part of Newzealand red deer, significantly increased the CFU-GM (colony forming unit garnulocyte-macrophage) of CD34 positive cells re1atεd to production of leucocytes such as eosinophil, basophil and neutrophil, while only middle part of Korea horse deer significantly increased the BFU-E (burst forming unit-erythroid) at 1 mg/ml seggesting progenting red blood cells (RBC). In the molecular study with CD34+ cells pretreated with cyclophosphamide, antagonist of hemopoietic activity, upper Part of Korean nippon deer and upper part of Chinese nippon deer effectively increased TPO involved in a late pathway of hematopoiesis just like in ELISA assay of IL-3, TPO and GM-CSF. Taken together, these results indicate exσacts of deer antler had some hemopoietic activity still proposing more clinical study and more basic mechanism research.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.591-598
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• 2021

Background: Hematopoiesis is the production of blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that reside in the bone marrow. Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a chemotherapy drug that suppresses the immune system. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and Colla corii asini (CCA) have been traditionally used for boosting the immune system. Methods: HSCs in the bone marrow, and immune cell subtype in splenocytes, PBMCs, and thymocytes were investigated. Serum levels of hematopoietic-related markers were analyzed using ELISA. Protein expression in spleen tissue was analyzed using western blot analysis. Hematoxylin & eosin staining in the femurs of mice were also conducted. Results: The combination of KRG and CCA with a ratio of 3:2 increased HSCs, CD3 and CD8⁺ T cells in the circulation, and CD3 T cells in the spleen. A ratio of 2:3 (KRG:CCA) increased the thymic regulatory T cells and recovered the CD3 T cells in the spleen and circulation while recovering proteins in the JAK-STAT pathway in the spleen. Overall, blood cell population and differentiating factors vital for cell differentiation were also significantly recovered by all combinations especially in ratios of 3:2 and 2:3. Conclusion: A ratio of 3:2 (KRG:CCA) is the most ideal combination as it recovered the HSC population in the bone marrow of mice.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.427-436
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• 2005

Objective: MMP-8 is a neutrophil enzyme and its level increases in some inflammatory diseases, including periodontal disease. We knew that the lipopolysaccharide of E.coli(E-LPS) induced MMP-8 release from human neutrophils. E-LPS is known to induce the production and release of inflammatory cytokines through CD14, Toll-like receptor(TLR). In the present study, we investigated whether MMP-8 release by E-LPS is induced via CD14-TLR pathway and the cellular mechanism of MMP-8 release in human neutrophils. Material and methods: Human neutrophils were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and pre-incubated in medium containing antibodies against CD14, anti-TLR2 and anti-TLR4 or several inhibitors of microtubules and microfilaments and then incubated with E-LPS. The cells were treated TPCK and E-LPS simultaneously. The MMP-8amount in the culture medium was determined using ELISA. Results: E-LPS increased MMP-8release from neutrophils and its induction was inhibited by anti-CD14 and anti-TLR4 but not by anti-TLR2 antibodies. The inhibitors of microtubule and microfilament polymerization significantly decreased E-LPS-induced MMP-8release. TPCK inhibited E-LPS-induced MMP-8 release. Conclusion: These results suggest that MMP-8 release is induced by E-LPS via the CD14-TLR4 signal pathway in human neutrophils and may be depedent on microtubule and microfilament systems and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was carried out for the purpose of knowing the effect from anti-arthma action of the abstraction from a extract of Paridis Rhizoma(EPR). In order to know what the effect of controlling an abstraction from Paridis Rhizoma. and about the expression of B cells and Ig E cells, mast cells it was necessary for it to be activated by ovalbumin. Methods : In order to know what the effect was on the organization of cytokine gene expression from The increase and divorce of the B cells and allergic acting by EPR, we found it necessary to examine the BALF. At the same time, as we examined the histamine release by ELISA method, we also examined the effect of EPR. Results : EPR at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, the highest concentration examined did not have any cytotoxic effects on mLFCs. In FACS analysis, number of granulocyte/lymphocyte, $CD3e^+/CCR3^+,\;CD4^+\;and\;CD23^+/B220^+$ in asthma-induced lung cells were significantly decreased by EPR treatment compared to the control group. In RT-PCR analysis, mRNA expression for CCR3, eotaxin and histamine in asthma-induced lung cells, which was induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 treatments, was significantly decreased by EPR treatment. In ELISA analysis, production levels of IL-4, IL-13 and histamine in asthma-induced lung cells, which were induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 co-treatment, were significantly decreased by EPR treatment. EPR treatments significantly inhibited the proliferation of eosinohils prepared from asthma-induced mouse lung tissues compared to the non-EPR treated control cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that EPR treatment significantly decreased the levels of eosipnphil activation compared to non-treated cells. Conclusion : The present data suggested that Paridis Rhizoma may have an effects on the inhibition of parameters associated with asthma responses in eosinpophils, and thus implicate the possibility for the clinical application of Paridis Rhizoma.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.393-405
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• 2005

In prion pathogenesis, the structural conversion of the cellular prion protein $(PrP^c)$ to its abnormal isomer $(PrP^{Sc})$ is believed to be a major event. The susceptibility or resistance to natural sheep scrapie is associated with polymorphisms of host PrP gene (PRNP) at amino acid residues 136, to a lesser extent 154. The 112 residue in ovine PrP displays a natural polymorphism, Methionine to Threonine, which has not been thoroughly investigated. However the cell-free conversion assay showed that ARQ with Thr112 $(T_{112}ARQ)^{1)}$ presents lower convertibility to $PrP^{Sc}$than wild type ARQ $(M_{112}ARQ)$ [1] In this study we generated ovine recombinant PrPs of 112 allelic variants by metal chelate affinity chromatography and cation exchange chromatography. The final purity of the ovine PrP ARQ was more than $95\%$. These variants showed similar immunoreactivity against anti-PrP monoclonal antibodies in Western blot and ELISA. The refolded $M_{112}ARQ$ and $M_{112}ARQ$ presented the secondary structural content to similar extent via CD spectroscopy analysis. The inherited structural features of $M_{112}ARQ$ and $M_{112}ARQ$ under the different biophysical conditions are in the middle of investigation.