• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 2024

Glucocorticoids play a physiologic role in the adult male reproductive functions, modulating gonadal steroid synthesis and spermatogenesis, through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The expression of GR has been described in several key testicular cell types, including somatic cells and early germ cell populations. Nothing is known on GR in human spermatozoa. Herein, we explored the GR expression and its possible role in normal and testicular varicocele semen samples from volunteer donors. After semen parameter evaluation by macro- and microscopic analysis, samples were centrifuged; then spermatozoa and culture media were recovered for further investigations. By western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses we evidenced for the first time in spermatozoa the presence of GR-D3 isoform which was reduced in sperm from varicocele patients. By treating sperm with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEXA), we found that survival, motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction were increased in both healthy and varicocele samples. GR involvement in mediating DEXA effects, was confirmed by using the GR inhibitor mifepristone (M2F). Worthy, we also discovered that sperm secretes different cortisol amounts depending on its physio-pathological status, suggesting a defence mechanism to escape the immune system attach in the female genital tract thus maintaining the immune-privilege as in the testis. Collectively, our data suggests a role for glucocorticoids in determining semen quality and function, as well as in participating on sperm immune defensive mechanisms. The novelty of this study may be beneficial and needs to take into account in artificial insemination/drug discovery aimed to enhancing sperm quality.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.448-461
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• 2013

Inflammatory bowel disease, known as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is an unexplained disease characterized by chronic inflammation that repeats a cycle of relapse, improvement, and complications. The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not clearly known, but it is predicted that a complex of various factors precipitate its occurrence. In particular, inflammatory mediators, such as cytokine, induce an increase in cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Focal tissue damage then occurs in the intestinal mucosa because of the weakening of the immune-modulating functions of cotton. Immune and inflammatory responses do not decrease appropriately but continue until they lead to chronic inflammation. Current research has focused on the cytokine genes, which have important roles in these inflammatory responses. Cytokine is a glycoprotein that is produced mostly in activated immune cells. It connects the activation, multiplication, and differentiation between immune cells, which causes focal tissue damage and inflammatory response. Moreover, butyrate, which originates in dietary fiber and plays an important role in the structure and function of the intestinal area, shows control functions in the intestinal immune system by decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine and increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine. Therefore, this research investigated the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effects of butyrate to comprehend the cytokine controlling abilities of butyrate in the immune cells. Butyrate is expected to have potential in new treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.418-423
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• 2018

Emergency granulopoiesis is a very important strategy to supply efficient neutrophil number in response to infection. However, molecular mechanism involved in this process remains unclear. Here, we found that administration of WKYMVm, an immune modulating peptide, to septic mice strongly increased neutrophil number through augmented emergency granulopoiesis. WKYMVm-induced emergency granulopoiesis was blocked not only by a formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) antagonist (WRW4), but also by FPR2 deficiency. As progenitors of neutrophils, $Lin^-c-kit^+Sca-1^-$ cells expressed FPR2. WKYMVm-induced emergency granulopoiesis was also blocked by a phospholipase C inhibitor (U-73122). These results suggest that WKYMVm can stimulate emergency granulopoiesis via FPR2 and phospholipase C enzymatic activity.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.303-309
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• 2017

${\beta}$-sitosterol, one of phytosterols, exhibited numerous pharmacological effect including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immune-modulating properties. This study attempted to determine the pharmacological effects of ${\beta}$-sitosterol on atopic dermatitis (AD). We investigated to ascertain the pharmacological effects of ${\beta}$-sitosterol on 2, 4-dinitrochlrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD symptom and histamine-induced scratching behaviors in mice. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of ${\beta}$-sitosterol on the interleukin (IL)-6 levels in HaCaT cells and skin tissue of AD. The findings of this study demonstrated that ${\beta}$-sitosterol reduced AD clinical symptoms such as eczematous, erythema and dryness and serum histamine and IgE levels in DNCB-induced AD model and histamine-induced scratching behaviors in mice. Additionally, ${\beta}$-sitosterol inhibited the IL-6 expression in AD-like skin lesion and HaCaT cells. Collectively, these findings provide that ${\beta}$-sitosterol could be a therapeutic agent for skin inflammation including AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2003

Plants are known as important source in the search for new drugs. The twelve compounds from Viscum album (Loranthaceae), lupeol (1), betulonic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), terminic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), $\beta$-sitosterol (6), $\alpha$-spinasterol (7), oleanolic acid (8), 5-hydroxy-1-(4′-hydoxyphenyl)-7-(4"-hydroxyphenyl)-hepta-1-en-3-on (9), 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxychalcone-4-O-glucoside (10), 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxychalcone-4-O-[apiosyl(l$\longrightarrow$2)]glucoside (11) and syringin (12) were evaluated for their immunomodulatory properties. Compounds 6 and 11 induced the macrophage tumoricidal activity and the lymphocyte blastogenesis. In addition, these compounds stimulated the macrophages to induce the production of TNF-$\alpha$ and NO. These findings suggest that compounds 6 and 11 are modulating various elements of the host immune response.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.53-57
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• 2009

Engagement of the immunoreceptors initiates signaling cascades resulting in lymphocyte activation and differentiation to effector cells, which are essential for the elimination of pathogens from the body. For the transduction of these immunoreceptor-mediated signals, several linker proteins termed transmembrane adaptor proteins (TRAPs) were shown to be required. TRAPs serve as platforms for the assembly and membrane targeting of the specific signaling proteins. Among seven TRAPs identified so far, LAT and LIME were shown to act as a positive regulator in TCR-mediated signaling pathways. In this review, we will discuss the functions of LAT and LIME in modulating T cell development, activation and differentiation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.371-374
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• 1994

Effects of the polysaccharide fractions purified from Artemisia selengensis and Artemisia iwayomogi on the immune system was studied. The polysaccharide fractions, respectively called ASP1 and AIP1, may interact with macrophages and lymphocytes in spleen, increasing the population of those cell types in vivo and in vitro. Both ASP1 and AIP1 fractions also syuppress transplanted tumor cell growth and augment antibody production. This study suggests that ASP1 and AIP1 fractios may have immunomodulating and antitumor activities.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.9
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• pp.345-354
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• 2020

The widespread and contagious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has become a burden in the global health domain. The subsequent discovery of the virus features and pathogenesis, and prompt and adequate management are still lacking and remain inconclusive. Children usually present milder symptoms than adults, and management focuses on providing symptomatic and respiratory supports. Several treatment modalities, including the utilization of mechanical ventilation (MV), antivirals, immune-modulating drugs, or other agents, may present promising results in reducing the symptoms of COVID-19, particularly in severe cases. Although no randomized clinical trials have been published to date, it is interesting to explore potential modalities for treating COVID-19 in children, based on review articles, case reports, and recent guidelines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2012

Melatonin has been studied as a potential treatment of cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), circadian rhythm sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction and some forms of insomnia. Prolonged release melatonin has shown good results in treating insomnia in older adults. It may ameliorate circadian misalignment and SAD. Basic research indicates that melatonin may play a significant role in modulating the effects of drugs of abuse such as cocaine. A 2004 review found that melatonin significantly increased total sleep time in people suffering from sleep restriction. Therefore, in this study, in order to explain characteristics of melatonin, total energy, net charge, vibrational mode of melatonin are calculated by PM3 methods of HyperCam 6.0.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2001

For defining the possibilities of the commercial mass liquid culture of Cordyceps sinensis, the pharmacological activities of mycelia were analyzed. The mycelium of C. sinensis consists of carbohydrate (5.1%) and fat (1.3%), and contains a low content of protein (0.7%) and ash (0.5%), and 92.4% moisture. The molecular sugar ratio of carbohydrate was composed mainly of glucose, mannose (1.0 : 0.9), in addition a small amount of galactose and arabinose (0.2 : 0.1). The cellular materials of mycelia were fractionated into ethylacetate (EA), MeOH (M) and hot-water extract fraction (HW). HW fraction showed the most potent intestinal immune system modulating activity, anti-coagulant activity, and anti-complementary activity, and M fraction had the inhibition activity of radical generation as effective as genistine. These results reveal that the mycelium of liquid cultured C. sinensis showed pharmacological activities and could be used for commercial purpose.