• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.134-149
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• 2016

Objectives : Gal-Geun-Tang (GT) has been described from SANGHAN in Korean traditional medicine and known to act against cold, fever, hypertension, and nasal catarrh. However, little has yet been learned about the effect of GT on immune function. In the current study, in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory activity of GT (water extract) was investigated.Methods : Water extract of GT induced in vitro proliferation of spleen cells and significantly increased their proliferative responses during anti-CD3 activation. Using purified splenic T and B cells, it was revealed that GT has a mitogenic activity to B cells and promotes their proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide, whereas T cell proliferation was not triggered and GT was rather inhibitory to T cell activation caused by anti-CD3 antibody. In the presence of antigen presenting cells (APC), GT addition resulted in a significant increase of IFNγ and IL-4, but not IL-2, production. However, addition of high concentration (1,000㎍/㎖) of GT led to a marked reduction in T cell cytokine production and under such condition, GT facilitated apoptosis of T cells when examined by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining.Results : In vivo immunomdulation of GT was also investigated using a mouse model. Following keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) immunization, GT (1 ㎎/day) was orally administered for 9 days. Cell numbers in thymus, spleen and peripheral blood were not altered by GT administration, indicating that such dose is not immunotoxic. Cell numbers in draining lymph nodes (LN) and ex vivo Ag-specific proliferation of LN cells were significantly elevated by GT administration. However, any preferential stimulation of T or B and CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cell subpopulations was not observed in a flow cytometric analysis of LN cells. This result shows that GT does not promote in vivo B cell proliferation while GT enhances Ag-specific proliferation of LN cells, unlike what was observed in vitro.Conclusions : For a further understanding of in vivo immunomodulatory activity of GT, ex vivo cytokine production of LN cells obtained from KLH-immunized mice was evaluated. Ag-specific IFNγ production was significantly higher in GT-treated mice when compared to PBS-treated control mice. In contrast, IL-4 production in GT-treated group was comparable to control group unlike to in vitro data. In addition, GT administration did not result in any significant differences in serum levels of Ig (IgM, IgG1 and IgG2a) between GT-treated and control groups. Taken together, these data strongly support that GT promotes immune response, more profoundly type 1 helper T cell (Th1) activity and GT may be applicable for treatment of intracellular parasite infection such as viral diseases.

• Clean Technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-59
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• 1998

Continuous immobilized-cell culture was carried out for the production of kasugamycin, a secondary metabolite by a filamentous bacteria, Streptomyces kasugaensis, with an intention of reducing waste generation. A sporulation medium was developed for production of bulk amounts of spores, and the spores were entrapped into celite biosupports for immobilization. It was possible to effectively keep the immobilized-cells inside the reactor during the continuous culture by an efficient immobilized cell separator of decantor type on the outlet of the fermentor. Using this continuous immobilized-cell fermentor system, we investigated the effects of feed substrate and phosphate concentrations on kasugamycin production and chemical oxygen demand(COD). Comparing with the conventional suspended-cell batch culture, the kasugamycin productivity was observed to increase by 2.5 times, whereas COD per unit kasugamycin production decreased by 2.3 times in the continuous immobilized-cell culture. Based on these results, the continuous immobilized-cell system was considered to be a cleaner bioprocess than the conventional batch suspended-cell system.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.264-270
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• 2014

Fuel cell technology is the most representative area of alternative energy field on vehicle industry according to the limitation of petroleum resources. In recent years, the technology of fuel cell vehicles has made rapid progress, Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) reached to mass production of the Tucson ix hydrogen fuel cell vehicles first in the world. In addition, HMC is accelerating the development of hydrogen fuel cell buses, which have a number of advantages for hydrogen infrastructure and mass transport personnel. In this study, we examined potential of the commercialization through the demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell buses. As a result, we identified that the mass-production possibility of FCB has high potential and HMC's technology will lead to fuel cell bus industry.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1316-1323
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• 2017

Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), responsible for earthy or musty smell, are a major concern for safe drinking water supplies. This study investigated the effects of environmental factors on odorous compound production and cell growth in cyanobacterial strains. Anabaena sp. FACHB-1384, a 2-MIB producer, was sensitive to low temperature (<$20^{\circ}C$). However, geosmin producers, Anabaena sp. Chusori and Anabaena sp. NIER, were sensitive to high light intensity (>$100{\mu}mol/m^2/sec$), but not to low temperature. Geosmin concentrations increased under higher nitrate concentrations, being linearly proportional to cell density. A P-limited chemostat showed that P-stress decreased the geosmin productivity and extracellular geosmin amount per cell in Anabaena sp. NIER. However, only 2-MIB productivity was reduced in Planktothrix sp. FACHB-1374 under P-limitation. The extracellular 2-MIB amount per cell remained constant at all dilution rates. In conclusion, high light intensity and P-stress can contribute to the lower incidence of geosmin, whereas 2-MIB reduction could be attainable at a lower temperature.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.584-589
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• 2006

Bifidobacteria has been suggested to exert health promoting effects on the host by maintaining microbial flora and modulating immune functions in the human intestine. We assessed modulatory effects of the different cell fractions of Bifidobacterium sp. BGN4 on macrophage cells and other immune cells from the spleen and Peyer's patches (PP) of mouse. Cell free extracts (CFE) of the BGN4 fractions induced well-developed morphological changes in the macrophages and increased the phagocytic activity more effectively than other fractions in the mouse peritoneal cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production was significantly reduced by both the cell walls (CW) and CFE in the cultured cells from the spleen and PP. The production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) was eminent in the spleen cells treated with experimental BGN4 cell fractions. However, in the PP cells, IL-6 was slightly decreased by the treatment with the whole cell (WC) and CW, whereas IL-10 was significantly increased by the treatment with the CW and CFE. These results suggest that different types of bifidobacterial cell fractions may have differential immunomodulatory activities depending on their location within the host immune system.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.53-58
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• 2008

Background: Molecular mechanisms of natural killer (NK) cell development from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have not been clearly elucidated, although the roles of some genes in NK cell development have been reported previously. Thus, searching for molecules and genes related NK cell developmental stage is important to understand the molecular events of NK cell development. Methods: From our previous SAGE data-base, Gpnmb (Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B) was selected for further analysis. We confirmed the level of mRNA and protein of Gpnmb through RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, and FACS analysis. Then we performed cell-based ELISA and FACS analysis, to know whether there are some molecules which can bind to Gpnmb. Using neutralizing antibody, we blocked the interaction between NK cells and OP9 cells, and checked IFN-${\gamma}$ production by ELISA kit. Results: Gpnmb expression was elevated during in vitro developmental stage and bound to OP9 cells, but not to NK precursor cells. In addition, we confirmed that the levels of Gpnmb were increased at NK precursor stage in vivo. We confirmed syndecan4 as a candidate of Gpnmb's binding molecule. When the interaction between NK cells and OP9 cells were inhibited in vitro, IFN-${\gamma}$ production from NK cells were reduced. Conclusion: Based on these observations, it is concluded that Gpnmb has a potential role in NK cell development from HSCs.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.30-45
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• 2012

Objectives The suppressive effect of CSBHT has been mysterious. Thus, the present study is designed to investigate the suppressive effect and its mechanism. Methods To investigate the anti-allergy effect from ChungShimBoHyeolTang(CSBHT), RBL-2H3 cell was used and examined by Real-Time PCR, and IL-4 and IL-13 from RBL-2H3 was examined by ELIS. In addition, GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos, c-Jun, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors of RBL-2H3 mast cell were examined by Western Blotting. Also, OVA/alum-sensitized mice were orally administrated CSBHT and serum OVA-specific IgE production, IL-4, and IL-13 production in splenocytes supernatant were examined. Results As a result of treating with CSBHT extract, RBL-2H3 mast cells significantly suppressed the IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA expression and IL-4 and IL-13 production. Western blot analysis of transcription factors involving IL-4 and IL-13 expression also revealed a prominent decreases of mast cell's specific transcription factors including GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos, and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65. Also, examining the mice, administration of CSBHT suppressed the amount of OVA-specific IgE in OVA/alum-sensitized mice and IL-4 and IL-13 production in splenocytes supernatant. Conclusions The study suggested that the anti-allergic activities of CSBHT suppresses IL-4 and IL-13 production from the Th2 cytokines by suppressing transcription factors as GATA-1, GATA-2, NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Fos and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 in mast cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2008

Background: Coptis chinensis rhizome has been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Oriental medicine. We investigated the effects of Coptis chinensis extract on inflammatory mediators and delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. Methods: The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of Coptis chinensis (CCE) on cell proliferation was evaluated using MTS assay. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and the Con A-activated mouse splenocytes were cultured with various concentrations of CCE. Total nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by Griess reaction. The amounts of secreted prostaglandine E2 ($PGE_2$), interleukin (IL)-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured by ELISA. To investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of CCE, oxazolone-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was used. Results: The CCE at $100{\mu}g/ml$ significantly blocked the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE) in RAW264.7 macrophages. Also, it significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$) production in splenocytes. Furthermore, when splenocytes from CCE fed mice (200 mg/kg for 2 weeks) were activated with Con A, cell proliferation and cytokine production were significantly inhibited. In addition, CCE decreased in vivo inflammation in oxazolone-induced DTH model mice. Conclusion: We suggest that Coptis chinensis can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug by exerting an inhibitory effect in inflammatory mediator- and cell-mediated inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.687-697
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• 2015

With the shortage of edible fats and oils and depletion of fossil fuels in many countries, microbial lipids is emerging as one of the most promising sources of fats and oils in the global market. Oleaginous microorganisms, also called single cell oils (SCOs), can accumulate lipids more than 25% in the cell volume. Triacylglycerols are the major storage lipids. SCOs offer several advantages for lipid production as follows: SCOs have short life span which would shorten production time, cultivation conditions are not affected by climate and place; the production process is easy to control. There are a number of oleaginous yeasts, molds, and microalgae. Furthermore, the lipid productivity of SCOs can be enhanced through strain improvement and the optimization of cultivation conditions. The new strains developed using recent advanced biotechnical methods showed greatly improved oleaginicity. Further, hydrolysates of lignocellulosic materials can be used as carbon sources for economic production of SCO.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2007

Silybin is known to be a major active flavonoid component isolated from Silybum marianum, a hepatoprotective medicinal plant. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory role of silybin on T cell and macrophage-mediated immune responses. To do this, the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and CD8+ CTLL-2 cells under mitogenic stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concanavalin (Con) A and interleukin (IL)-2 and the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO from LPS- and $IFN-{\gamma}$-activated macrophages was evaluated under silybin treatment. The mitogenic proliferation of splenic lymphocytes induced by LPS and Con A was strongly diminished by silybin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the proliferation of CD8+ CTLL-2 cells was also negatively modulated by the compound. In contrast, silybin did not strongly suppress the proliferation of normal splenocytes and T cell line Sup-T1 cells, indicating that the inhibitory effect of silybin may be due to blocking only mitogenic responses of splenic lymphocytes. In addition, silybin inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Effect of silybin however was distinct, according to NO-inducing stimuli. Thus, silybin only blocked NO production induced by $IFN-{\gamma}$ but not LPS and the inhibition was increased when PMA was co-treated with $IFN-{\gamma}$. Unlike NO inhibition, however, this compound protected the cytotoxic damage of RAW264.7 cells induced by both LPS and $IFN-{\gamma}$. Therefore, our data suggest that silybin may participate in host immune responses mediated by T cells and macrophages via regulating mitogenic proliferation, and the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO, depending on cellular stimuli.