• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.283-288
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• 2007

Acanthopanacis Cortex (AC) has been popularly used as an herbal medicine for medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, insomnia, impotence and diabetes. Here, we investigated immunostimulating effects of the aqueous extract of AC on macrophage. We studied nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ release in response to AC treatment, as they are important secretory products of macrophage. AC alone induce the NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ production. AC increase c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation but does not p38 activation in RAW 264.7 cells. Also AC resulted in the enhanced cell-surface expression of CD80 and CD14. In addition, AC resulted in enhanced T cell-stimulatory capacity and increased T cell secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma. After feeding with AC to mouse for 10 days, the change of $CD28^+$ and $CD40^+$ population was analyzed. AC increased $CD28^+$ population in splenocytes in vivo. These studies indicate that AC induces macrophage activation and suggest the possible use of AC in macrophage-based immunotherapies.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.72.1-72.10
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• 2020

Background: Fenbendazole, a dewormer drug, is used widely in the clinical treatment of parasite infections in animals. Recent studies have shown that fenbendazole has substantial effects on tumor growth, immune responses, and inflammatory responses, suggesting that fenbendazole is a pluripotent drug. Nevertheless, the antiviral effects have not been reported. Fenbendazole can disrupt microtubules, which are essential for multiple viruses infections, suggesting that fenbendazole might have antiviral effects. Objectives: This study examined whether fenbendazole could inhibit bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) productive infection in cell cultures. Methods: The effects of fenbendazole on viral production, transcription of the immediate early (IE) genes, viron-associated protein expression, and the cellular signaling PLC-γ1/Akt pathway were assessed using distinct methods. Results: Fenbendazole could inhibit BoHV-1 productive infections significantly in MDBK cells in a dose-dependent manner. A time-of-addition assay indicated that fenbendazole affected both the early and late stages in the virus replication cycles. The transcription of IE genes, including BoHV-1 infected cell protein 0 (bICP0), bICP4, and bICP22, as well as the synthesis of viron-associated proteins, were disrupted differentially by the fenbendazole treatment. The treatment did not affect the cellular signaling pathway of PLC-γ1/Akt, a known cascade playing important roles in virus infection. Conclusions: Overall, fenbendazole has antiviral effects on BoHV-1 replication.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.83-88
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• 2021

Treatment guidelines for postnatal cytomegalovirus (pCMV) infection in preterm have not been established yet. Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, colitis, and sepsis-like disease are among the clinical manifestations, which range from moderate to serious. We present a case of autopsy diagnosed as pCMV infection in a premature infant delivered at gestational age of 24 weeks and 5 days. On the 7th and 14th days of birth, urinary CMV polymerase chain reaction samples were negative, ruling out congenital CMV infection. However, autopsy examination revealed that the patient had disseminated pCMV infection. CMV inclusion bodies were found in the majority of tissues, including the lung, liver, pancreas, breast, kidney, and adrenal gland, but not the placenta. The thymus exhibited significant cortical atrophy and T-cell immunodeficiency, possibly induced by dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia or by pCMV infection itself. If dexamethasone treatment is extended or high doses are considered, it may be beneficial to test the CMV infection status to prevent aggravation of infection. This case demonstrates that, despite the low prevalence, pCMV infection should be considered a differential diagnosis in preterm if other conditions or etiology cannot justify clinical deterioration.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.272-278
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• 1994

약독화된 수두 바이러스(Varicella-zoster virus: VZV)를 샤람 폐세포(human embryonic lung c cells)에서 배양하였으며, 수두 바이러스의 생산에 미치는 혈청의 종류와 농도의 효과를 조샤하였다. 수두 바이러스는 바이러스 감염 비율이 높을수록 높 은 역가를 보였으며, 배양시간이 경과함에 따라 바 이러스 감염된 세포의 파괴로 인하여 세포수가 감소 되었다 .. Newborn calf serum(NCS), calf serum (CS), horse serum(HS) 등의 혈청을 샤용한 배양에서의 수두 바이러스의 역가는 CSis와 FBS를 사 용한 배양에서보다 낮아서 수두 바이러스 생산을 증 가하기 위해 이들 혈청의 사용은 적합하지 못하였 다. 그러나, calf serum iron supplemented(CSis) 혈청을 첨가한 배지에서의 세포 친화 바이러스(cell­a associated virus)와 세포 유리 바이러스( cell-free v virus)수율은 fetal bovine serum(FBS)을 첨가한 배지에서의 수율과 비슷하였으며, 고농도의 혈청사 용은 고려되어져야 할 요소이었다. 또한, 수두 바이 러스의 증식 벚 감염력 유지가 혈청성분과 농도에 의해서 영향을 받고 있음을 보였다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.11
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• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an ongoing pandemic disease. In the current review, we describe SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses in acute and convalescent COVID-19 patients. We also discuss the relationships between COVID-19 severity and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses and summarize recent reports regarding SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells in SARS-CoV-2-unexposed individuals. These T cells may be cross-reactive cells primed by previous infection with human common-cold coronaviruses. Finally, we outline SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses in the context of vaccination. A better understanding of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses is needed to develop effective vaccines and therapeutics.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.10.1-10.13
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• 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a global infectious disease with rapid spread. Some patients have severe symptoms and clinical signs caused by an excessive inflammatory response, which increases the risk of mortality. In this study, we reanalyzed scRNA-seq data of cells from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of patients with COVID-19 with mild and severe symptoms, focusing on Ab-producing cells. In patients with severe disease, B cells seemed to be more activated and expressed more immunoglobulin genes compared with cells from patients with mild disease, and macrophages expressed higher levels of the TNF superfamily member B-cell activating factor but not of APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand). In addition, macrophages from patients with severe disease had increased pro-inflammatory features and pathways associated with Fc receptor-mediated signaling, compared with patients with mild disease. CCR2-positive plasma cells accumulated in patients with severe disease, probably because of increased CCL2 expression on macrophages from patients with severe disease. Together, these results support the hypothesis that different characteristics of B cells might be associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권7호
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• pp.610-615
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• 2015

Alveolar epithelial cells have been functionally implicated in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. This study investigated the role of ursolic acid (UA)-a triterpenoid carboxylic acid with potent antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tuberculosis properties in mycobacterial infection of alveolar epithelial A549 cells. We observed that M. tuberculosis successfully entered A549 cells. Cytotoxicity was mediated by nitric oxide (NO). A549 toxicity peaked along with NO generation 72 h after infection. The NO generated by mycobacterial infection in A549 cells was insufficient to kill mycobacteria, as made evident by the mycobacteria growth indicator tube time to detect (MGIT TTD) and viable cell count assays. Treatment of mycobacteria-infected cells with UA reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, NO generation, and eventually improved cell viability. Moreover, UA was found to quench the translocation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), from the cytosol to the nucleus in mycobacteria-infected cells. This study is the first to demonstrate the cytotoxic role of NO in the eradication of mycobacteria and the role of UA in reducing this cytotoxicity in A549 cells.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.233-239
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• 2012

Hematological analysis can provide crucial information for monitoring the health of fish. However, there is no current information available regarding hematological changes in olive flounder following infection by Vibrio scophthalmi. In this study, hematological and biochemical alterations were determined in olive flounder infected by the high virulence strain (HVS) and low virulence strain (LVS) of V. scophthalmi. Survival in serum, skin mucus, and macrophages of olive flounder was also compared between the HVS and LVS. The results demonstrated that the hematocrit value in infected fish declined from 23.4% at 0 h to 18.0% at 168 h post infection. The total protein concentration in fish infected with the HVS was significantly higher than in fish infected with the LVS and a non-infected control. Lysozyme activity was significantly different between infected and control fish. The HVS survived in serum and cell numbers increased substantially, while cell numbers of the LVS in serum decreased. These changes in hematological characteristics in fish infected by V. scophthalmi can be used as an effective and sensitive index to monitor the physiological and pathological conditions of fish. The survival and reproduction of V. scophthalmi in host serum, skin mucus, and macrophages play a major role in systemic infection and can serve as a virulence indicator for different strains.

• BMB Reports
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• 제54권8호
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• pp.425-430
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• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and may increase the risk of adverse outcomes in lung cancer patients. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of mucin 1 (MUC1) after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung epithelial cancer cell line Calu-3. MUC1 is a major constituent of the mucus layer in the respiratory tract and contributes to pathogen defense. SARS-CoV-2 infection induced MUC1 C-terminal subunit (MUC1-C) expression in a STAT3 activation-dependent manner. Inhibition of MUC1-C signaling increased apoptosis-related protein levels and reduced proliferation-related protein levels; however, SARS-CoV-2 replication was not affected. Together, these results suggest that increased MUC1-C expression in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger the growth of lung cancer cells, and COVID-19 may be a risk factor for lung cancer patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.259-264
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• 1997

폐흡충 감염시 일어나는 비만세포 (mastcell)의 반응이 감염경로에 따라 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보고자 비호적숙주인 마우스에 폐흡충의 피낭유충 10개를 피하 또는 경구 감염시킨 후 감염 시기별로 진피 내에 동원되는 비만세포의 숫적 변동 및 탈과립률 (%)을 경시적으로 관찰하였다. 피하로 감염시킨 마우스는 감염 1주 ($38.3/\textrm{mm}^2$)부터 진피 내 비만세포의 수가 PBS주입군 (대조군) (범위: $19.4-25.1/\textrm{mm}^2$)에 비해 유의한 수준 (P<0.05)으로 증가하기 시작하여 전 실험기간 동안 증가하였다. 이때 비만세포는 충체의 낭 (cyst)주위의 피하층에도 집중적으로 침윤되어 있었다. 경구로 감염시킨 마우스 는 감염 2주 ($33.5/\textrm{mm}^2$)부터 진피 내 비만세포의 수가 비감염군 (대조군)(범위: $17.4-22.3/\textrm{mm}^2$)에 비 해 유의 한 수준 (p<0.05)으로 증가하기 시작하여 전 실험 기간인 감염 6주 ($38.4/\textrm{mm}^2$)까지 높게 운지 되었다. 진피 내에 동원된 비만세포의 평균 탈과림률 (%)은 피하 감염 및 경구 감염군 모두 감염 2주부 터 6주까지 60%이상을 보인 반면 PBS주입군 (대조군)및 비감염군 (대조군)에 있어서는 전 실험기간 동안 10%정도의 탈과립률이 관찰되었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 폐흡충을 마우스에 감염시켰을 때 일어 나는 진피 내 비만세포 반응은 감염경로와는 상관없이 충체에서 분비되는 배설-분비 항원의 자극과 깊은 관계가 있음을 알 수 있었다.