• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.20.1-20.15
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• 2020

Memory CD8+ T cells in the immune system are responsible for the removal of external Ags for a long period of time to protect against re-infection. Naïve to memory CD8+ T cell differentiation and memory CD8+ T cell maintenance require many different factors including local environmental factors. Thus, it has been suggested that the migration of memory CD8+ T cells into specific microenvironments alters their longevity and functions. In this review, we have summarized the subsets of memory CD8+ T cells based on their migratory capacities and described the niche hypothesis for their survival. In addition, the basic roles of CCR7 in conjunction with the migration of memory CD8+ T cells and recent understandings of their survival niches have been introduced. Finally, the applications of altering CCR7 signaling have been discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

Objective : Infectious spinal disease is regarded as an infection by a specific organism that affects the vertebral body, intervertebral disc and adjacent perivertebral soft tissue. Its incidence seems to be increasing as a result of larger proportion of the older patients with chronic debilitating disease, the rise of intravenous drug abuser, and the increase in spinal procedure and surgery. In Korea, studies assessing infectious spinal disease are rare and have not been addressed in recent times. The objectives of this study are to describe the epidemiology of all kind of spinal infectious disease and their clinical and microbiological characteristics as well as to assess the diagnostic methodology and the parameters related to the outcomes. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in all infectious spinal disease cases presenting from January 2005 to April 2010 to three tertiary teaching hospitals within a city of 1.5 million in Korea. Patient demographics, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes were assessed. Risk factors entailed the presence of diabetes, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, immunosuppressants, remote infection, underlying malignancy and previous spinal surgery or procedure. We comparatively analyzed the results between the groups of pyogenic and tuberculous spinal infection. SPSS version 14 statistical software was used to perform the analyses of the data. The threshold for statistical significance was established at p<0.05. Results : Ninety-two cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Overall, patients of tuberculous spinal infection (TSI) and pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) entailed 20 (21.7%) and 72 (78.3%) cases, respectively. A previous spinal surgery or procedure was the most commonly noted risk factor (39.1%), followed by diabetes (15.2%). The occurrence of both pyogenic and tuberculous spondylitis was predominant in the lumbar spine. Discs are more easily invaded in PSI. At initial presentation, white cell blood count and C-reactive protein levels were higher in PSI compared to TSI (p<0.05). Etiological agents were identified in 53.3%, and the most effective method for identification of etiological agents was tissue culture (50.0%). Staphyococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated infective agent associated with pyogenic spondylitis, followed by E. coli. Surgical treatment was performed in 31.5% of pyogenic spondylitis and in 35.0% of tuberculous spondylitis cases. Conclusion : Many previous studies in Korea usually reported that tuberculous spondylitis is the predominant infection. However, in our study, the number of pyogenic infection was 3 times greater than that of tuberculous spinal disease. Etiological agents were identified in a half of all infectious spinal disease. For better outcomes, we should try to identify the causative microorganism before antibiotic therapy and make every effort to improve the result of culture and biopsy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2009

The $\beta$-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) $\beta$-glucan (Sophy $\beta$-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-$\gamma$ and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy $\beta$-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis ($1\;{\times}\;10^7$) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy $\beta$-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-$\gamma$ level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy $\beta$-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

Follicular helper T ($T_{FH}$) cells are recently highlighted as their crucial role for humoral immunity to infection as well as their abnormal control to induce autoimmune disease. During an infection, na$\ddot{i}$ve T cells are differentiating into $T_{FH}$ cells which mediate memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells in germinal center (GC). $T_{FH}$ cells are characterized by their expression of master regulator, Bcl-6, and chemokine receptor, CXCR5, which are essential for the migration of T cells into the B cell follicle. Within the follicle, crosstalk occurs between B cells and $T_{FH}$ cells, leading to class switch recombination and affinity maturation. Various signaling molecules, including cytokines, surface molecules, and transcription factors are involved in $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. IL-6 and IL-21 cytokine-mediated STAT signaling pathways, including STAT1 and STAT3, are crucial for inducing Bcl-6 expression and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. $T_{FH}$ cells express important surface molecules such as ICOS, PD-1, IL-21, BTLA, SAP and CD40L for mediating the interaction between T and B cells. Recently, two types of microRNA (miRNA) were found to be involved in the regulation of $T_{FH}$ cells. The miR-17-92 cluster induces Bcl-6 and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, whereas miR-10a negatively regulates Bcl-6 expression in T cells. In addition, follicular regulatory T ($T_{FR}$) cells are studied as thymus-derived $CXCR5^+PD-1^+Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells that play a significant role in limiting the GC response. Regulation of $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation and the GC reaction via miRNA and $T_{FR}$ cells could be important regulatory mechanisms for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we review recent studies on the various factors that affect $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, and the role of $T_{FH}$ cells in autoimmune diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2016

Trichomonas vaginalis causes the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Trichomonads have been detected in prostatic tissues from prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer. Chronic prostatic inflammation is known as a risk factor for prostate enlargement, benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms, and acute urinary retention. Our aim was to investigate whether T. vaginalis could induce inflammatory responses in cells of a benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell line (BPH-1). When BPH-1 cells were infected with T. vaginalis, the protein and mRNA of inflammatory cytokines, such as CXCL8, CCL2, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6, were increased. The activities of TLR4, ROS, MAPK, JAK2/STAT3, and NF-${\kappa}B$ were also increased, whereas inhibitors of ROS, MAPK, PI3K, NF-${\kappa}B$, and anti-TLR4 antibody decreased the production of the 4 cytokines although the extent of inhibition differed. However, a JAK2 inhibitor inhibited only IL-6 production. Culture supernatants of the BPH-1 cells that had been incubated with live T. vaginalis (trichomonad-conditioned medium, TCM) contained the 4 cytokines and induced the migration of human monocytes (THP-1 cells) and mast cells (HMC-1 cells). TCM conditioned by BPH-1 cells pretreated with NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor showed decreased levels of cytokines and induced less migration. Therefore, it is suggested that these cytokines are involved in migration of inflammatory cells. These results suggest that T. vaginalis infection of BPH patients may cause inflammation, which may induce lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7161-7165
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• 2015

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common cancer in the north east of India. The present study concerned the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the ESCC in north eastern India and its impact on response to chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: p16 expression, a surrogate marker for HPV infection was assessed in 101 pre-treatment biopsies of locally advanced ESCC, reported from a comprehensive cancer centre in north east India, using immunohistochemistry. All patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Response was assessed clinically and histopathologically with attention to p16 expression. Results: p16 was expressed in 22% of ESCC (22 out of 101) and was more prevalent in patients who were more than 45 years of age (P=0.048). p16 positive tumors appeared more commonly in the upper 2/3 of the thoracic esophagus (18 in 22). Nine of the 22 (41%) p16 positive tumors achieved pathologic complete response following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.008). There was a trend towards reduced mortality in this group (P=0.048). Some 9 of the 20 (45%) patients who achieved pathologic complete response were p16 positive. Conclusions: Expression of p16 in ESCC correlates with higher rate of pathologic complete remission in patients undergoing neo adjuvant chemotherapy and could be a predictive marker for response assessment.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.125-127
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• 2010

The coexistence of aspergillosis and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the maxillary sinus was very rare. To our knowledge, this is the second report of coexistent SCC and aspergillosis in the maxillary sinus. A 58-year-old man underwent surgery for unilateral maxillary sinus infection with oroantral fistula. In the surgical specimen, SCC and aspergillosis were co-detected with routine and immunohistochemical stainings. Moreover, human papillomavirus 18 (HPV-18) was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the sinus specimen. The patient was re-operated with subtotal maxillectomy and has been followed up for two years without any evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Although it is not understood how aspergillosis could induce carcinoma formation, the chronic inflammation caused by prolonged fungal infection might be carcinogenic. Moreover, HPV-16 and -18 were another causative pathogens of SCC in the head and neck region. We recommend careful examination, including preoperative cytology, in patients with maxillary sinus fungal infections because of the potential for cancer development.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.435-443
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• 1999

Orientia tsutsugamushi is obligate intracellular bacterium that grows within the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic host cells. Therefore capability of the attachment, entry into the host cell and intracellular survival should be critical process for oriential infection. In this study we investigated the cellular invasion mechanism of Orientia tsutsugamushi and the role of transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, which binds diverse components at the cellular microenvironment and is implicated as host cell receptors for a variety of microbial pathogens. First of all Orientia tsutsugamushi can invade a wide range of nonprofessional phagocytic cells including fibroblast, epithelial cells and endothelial cells of various host species, including Band T lymphocytes. Thus, it was postulated that the attachment of O. tsutsugamushi requires the recognition of ubiquitous surface structures of many kinds of host cells. Treatments with heparan sulfate and heparin inhibited the infection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in dose-dependent manner for L cell, mouse fibroblast, whereas other glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin sulfate had no effect. Collectively, these findings provide strong evidence that initial interaction with heparan sulfate proteoglycan is required for the oriential invasion into host cells.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-158
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• 2010

Early nematode development and subcellular responses in resistant soybean lines PI 88788 and PI 437654 infected with races 3 (R3) and 14 (R14) of soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, were compared. SCN R14 nematodes penetrated and developed significantly more than R3 at 5-6 days after inoculation. Both races also penetrated and developed more in PI 88788 than in PI 437654. Syncytia, characterized by cell wall dissolution and cellular hypertrophy, were developed more in PI 88788 than in PI 437654 and more by R14 than R3, for which less necrotic responses occurred in the former than the latter. This suggests that the latter two may be more resistant and less virulent than the former two, respectively. A common structural feature found in each of PI 437654 and PI 88788 in relation to SCN-resistance was the formation of prominent cell wall appositions and nuclear degeneration prior to cytoplasmic degradation in syncytial cells, respectively. Necrosis and cell wall apposition are types of hypersensitive responses occurring at early stages of the nematode infection so that these structural modifications indicate the inhibition of initial syncytial development related to the early nematode development. As soybean cultivars and lines with identical or similar genotypes have the same types of structural features related to SCN-resistance, the structural modifications induced by SCN infection may result from the expression of inheritable resistance genes, of which the information can be used for breeding soybean cultivars and lines specifically resistant to SCN races.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.597-601
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• 1996

Twelve Philippine does of 3.5-5.0 years old were used in this study. They were divided into three groups, $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$. Four animals were randomly allocated to each group. Before infection, they were dewormed and housed in individual pens with concrete floors. They were provided with a uniform management. They were infected orally with a single dose of three levels (0, 15,000 and 30,000) of infective Haemonchus contortus larvae. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each animal at fortnightly intervals for 17 fortnights. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was determined using hemoglobinometer and packed cell volume (PCV) by microhematocrit methods. Animals in infected groups showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower hemoglobin values than the control except during fortnight 1 for group 2 and fortnights 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 for group 3. Hemoglobin concentration did not significantly (p > 0.05) differ between the animals in infected groups throughout the sampling period except fortnight 2. The PCV values of animals in infected groups were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the control for most of the sampling periods. The PCV values of animals in group 2 did not significantly (p > 0.05) differ from group 3.