• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2014

Asthma is an allergic inflammation and house dust mite (HDM) is a major allergen to induce asthma pathogenesis. Regulation of eosinophil apoptosis is an essential immune process and its dysregulation is implicated in asthma. In the present study, we examined the effects of HDM on spontaneous apoptosis of asthmatic eosinophils and on cytokine secretion in eosinophils of normal subjects including non-atopic and atopic normal. Extract of Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP) inhibited eosinophil apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. DP increased the secretion of G-CSF, GM-SCF, and IL-4, which is involved in suppression of eosinophil apoptosis, but IL-5 expression was not altered after DP stimulation. DP also elevated the release of IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and CCL2, which are anti-apoptotic or survival factors. The secretion of G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ due to DP is higher in atopic normal than that in non-atopic normal. In conclusion, DP increases the survival of eosinophils and its mechanism may be associated with cytokine release. These findings may enable elucidation of asthma pathogenesis induced by HDM.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2005

We investigated the effect of pycnogenol (PYC) supplementation on retarding the immune dysfunction of CS7BL/6 mice after murine AIDS (MAIDS) development. Dysfunction of T and B cell mitogenesis from primary cultured splenocytes has been observed with retrovirus infection and PYC supplementation partially recovered the dysfunction of T and B cells. There was an abnormal shift of cytokine pattern with retrovirns infection, which was designated by the decreased secretion of Th1 cytokines and increased secretion of Th2 cytokines. PYC supplementation increased IL-2 and $IFN-\gamma$ secretion and decreased IL-4, IL-6, and $TNF-\alpha$ secretion, but it was not sufficient enough to maintain the normal level of these cytokines. Hepatic vitamin E level was significantly decreased by retrovirns infection, in accordance with increased hepatic lipid peroxidation level, whereas PYC supplementation normalized the hepatic level of vitamin E and lipid peroxidation. This study suggests that PYC supplementation may partially help retard the incidence of symptoms during MAIDS.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.631-636
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• 2008

Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus (ADA) have been shown to have various levels of activity such as antioxidant, anticancer, antivirus, and immunostimulatory effects. However, little is known about its mechanism related to the modulation of immune activities. In this study, a water extract of ADA leaves were used to treat human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC) to determine the underlying mechanisms for the immunostimulatory effects. To characterize its immunomodulatory activity, the secretion level of various cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$, and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Treatment of hPBMC with ADA leaf extract in an in vitro experiment induced various Th1 cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. A significant increase of IL-2, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$, and TNF-$\alpha$ secretion was observed in the presence of ADA leaf extract. In contrast, Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-6 were suppressed. There was no significant change in IL-10 release. Our results showed an increase in Th1 and a decrease in Th2 cytokine secretion which suggests that ADA may influence the immune response towards a predominance of Th1 cytokines in the immune system.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

In our study, the several cytokines were determined in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Adamantiades-Behcets patients. Adamantiades-Behcets disease (ABD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder and might involve immune dysfunction. High levels of $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1\beta$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ indicate the activation of inflammatory reactions and immune system in ABD. Gami-Phedoc-San (GPS) is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been used in Korea for the treatment of ABD. GPS (1 mg/ ml) significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, $TNF-\alpha\;and\;IL-1\beta$, compared to absence of GPS (by $50.5{\pm}1.9%$ inhibition for $TNF-\alpha$ and $106.9{\pm}16.8%$ for $IL-1\beta$). GPS also inhibited the production of $IFN-\gamma$, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by $78.4{\pm}2.8%$. The inhibitory effects of GPS on cytokine secretion showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1 mg/ml GPS had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of ABD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that GPS treatment for ABD patients might have pharmacological activity of immune and inflammatory responses through the cytokine modulation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Objectives: The object of this study was to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of Patrinia scabiosaefolia aqueous extract (PSE). Methods: RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated with PSE and then incubated with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability, production of nitric oxide (NO), secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) were measured. In addition, we observed mice survival rate after LPS and their cytokine levels of serum. We also observed inflammatory and hemorrhagic change on the histological sections of the liver. Results: PSE inhibited LPS-induced NO production, interleukin (IL)-6 secretion, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. In addition, PSE reduced the death rate of LPS-induced mice and IL-6 production on the serum of mice. PSE inhibited inflammation and hemorrhage on liver tissue as well. Conclusions: The results suggest that PSE have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ and JNK activation, IL-6 secretion, and NO production. So PSE may be effective treatment for the inflammatory disease.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.538-543
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• 2018

Pancreatic beta cell destruction and dysfunction induced by cytokines is a major cause of type 1 diabetes. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), an arylesterase with antioxidant activity, has been shown to play an important role in preventing the development of diabetes in transgenic mice. However, no studies have examined the anti-diabetic effect of PON1 delivered to beta cells using protein transduction. In this study, we expressed the cell-permeable PON1 fused with PEP-1 protein transduction domain (PEP-1-PON1) to investigate whether transduced PEP-1-PON1 protects beta cells against cytokine-induced cytotoxicity. PEP-1-PON1 was effectively delivered to INS-1 cells and prevented cytokine-induced cell destruction in a dose-dependent manner. Transduced PEP-1-PON1 significantly reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), DNA fragmentation, and expression of inflammatory mediators, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins, and apoptosis-related proteins in cytokine-treated cells. Moreover, transduced PEP-1-PON1 restored the decrease in basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion induced by cytokines. These data indicate that PEP-1-PON1 protects beta cells from cytokine-induced cytotoxicity by alleviating oxidative/nitrosative stress, ER stress, and inflammation. Thus, PEP-1-mediated PON1 transduction might be an effective method to reduce the extent of destruction and dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells in autoimmune diabetes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.682-688
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• 2013

We investigated a physiological function by fermenting a medicinal mushroom, (Cudrania tricuspidata fruit). A fermentation using lactic acid bacteria and the extracts isolated from 70% ethanol fractionation was included in cultured mouse spleen cells for cytokine secretion. As a result, total polyphenol content improved by 47% by organic acid fermentation. This was regarded as immune activity in fermented C. tricuspidata fruits, as the levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 secretion increased. In addition, when the extracts were treated with a stimulant lipopolysaccharide, the secretion of helper T (Th) 1 cytokines IL-2, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ was suppressed, while the secretion of Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 significantly increased. Therefore, this study suggests that fermentative C. tricuspidata fruit extracts can contribute to the suppression of cellular immune reactions induced by the expression of Th1 cells and activation of the expression of Th2 cells inducing humoral immune reactions associated with the antibody generation by B lymphocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.400-405
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• 2014

Recently, cases of Aloe vera induced-toxic hepatitis have been reported. However, the precise inflammatory effects of Aloe vera extract have not been clearly elucidated yet. In this study, the inflammatory effects and the mechanism of 70% ethanolic Aloe vera extract on liver were evaluated by in vitro assays using human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Cell viability was investigated using MTT assay at $0.001{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$ of Aloe vera extract. To evaluate inflammatory effect of the Aloe vera extract, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were detected. Aloe vera extract did not induce cell death at concentrations of $0.001{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$. However, Aloe vera extract significantly increased the IL-8 secretion by 15.7~25.8% and the M-CSF secretion by 36.6~61.5% at the same concentrations. These results indicate that Aloe vera extract shows an inflammation-related mild hepatotoxicity than a severe toxicity such as cell death and this hepatitis is mediated by the secretion of inflammatory cytokine IL-8 and M-CSF.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.121-128
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• 2009

Objectives : The present study purposed to examine the effect of Cudraniae Lignum, which is the wooden part of Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau (Moraceae), on cytokine secretion from the joint cells of mice with arthritis induced by collagen and verify its efficacy against rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : We prepared the hot-water extract, ethanol extract and methanol extract of Cudraniae Lignum, and tested their effects on cytokine secretion from the joint cells of mice with arthritis induced by collagen. Results : 1. Cudraniae Lignum reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1$\beta$, INF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 from joint cells. 2. The effect for reducing the secretion of IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 was strong in order of methanol extract, ethanol extract and hot water extract. 3. Considering the effect on cytokine secretion, the effective element is soluble in organic solvent, and is not volatile. 4. The ethanol extract and methanol extract of Cudraniae Lignum lowered the survival rate of cells significantly, but still the survival rate was over 92%, suggesting the low toxicity of the extracts. Conclusions : Cudraniae Lignum is considered effective for rheumatoid arthritis, and the effective element is considered soluble in organic solvent.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.399-405
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• 1997

Progesterone is necessary for successful pregnancy and had immunosuppressive properties. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from many women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion responded to trophoblast extract in vitro by prolifertion and releasing soluble, heat-labile factors that are toxic to mouse embryos (embryotoxic factors). Accumulating evidence suggests that T Helper (Th)-1 type immunity to trophoblast is correlated with embryotoxic factor production and is associated with pregnancy loss, while Th2-type immunity is associated with successful gestation. The objective of this study was to determine whether progesterone can inhibit Th1-type cytokine secretion (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) by trophoblast-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 nonpregnant women (age 25-35) with unexplained recurrent abortion (median 5, range 3 to 15)who otherwise produce embryotoxic factors in response to trophoblast. We also determined whether progesterone affected Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) in this system in vitro and if IL-10 (1,500 pg/mL) could inhibit Th1-type immunity to trophoblast. IFN-${\gamma}$ was detected in 17 of 23 (74%) trophoblast stimulated PBMC culture supernatants ($77.94{\pm}23.79$ pg/mL) containing embryotoxic activity. TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected in 19 (83%) of these same supernatants ($703.15{\pm}131.36$ pg/mL). In contrast, none of the supernatants contained detectable levels of IL-4 or IL-10. Progesterone ($10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}$, $10^{-9}$M) inhibited Th1-type immunity in a dose dependent manner, but had no effect on Th2-type cytokine secretion. The inhibitory effects of progesterone were abrogated with RU486, but did not affect Th2-type cytokine secretion in trophoblast-activated cell cultures. IL-10, like progesterone also inhibited Th1-type cytokine secretion but had no effect on Th2-type cytokines. These data suggest that therapies designed to suppress Th1-type cytokine secretion in women with recurrent abortion who have evidence of Th1-type immunity to trophoblast may be efficacious in preventing pregnancy loss and should be tested in appropriately designed clinical trials.