• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.138-148
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• 2018

Objective: Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), common contaminants in the feed of farm animals, cause immune function impairment and organ inflammation. Consequently, the main objective of this study was to elucidate DON and ZEN effects on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune related genes in the kidneys of piglets. Methods: Fifteen 6-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments for 4 weeks: control diet, and diets contaminated with either 8 mg DON/kg feed or 0.8 mg ZEN/kg feed. Kidney samples were collected after treatment, and RNA-seq was used to investigate the effects on immune-related genes and gene networks. Results: A total of 186 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened (120 upregulated and 66 downregulated). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the immune response, and cellular and metabolic processes were significantly controlled by these DEGs. The inflammatory stimulation might be an effect of the following enriched Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis found related to immune and disease responses: cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and chemical carcinogenesis. The effects of DON and ZEN on genome-wide expression were assessed, and it was found that the DEGs associated with inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10 receptor, beta, chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand 9, CXCL10, chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 4), proliferation (insulin like growth factor binding protein 4, IgG heavy chain, receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, cytochrome P450 1A1, ATP-binding cassette sub-family 8), and other immune response networks (lysozyme, complement component 4 binding protein alpha, oligoadenylate synthetase 2, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-9, ${\alpha}$-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, Ig lambda chain c region, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4, carboxylesterase 1), were suppressed by DON and ZEN. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that high concentrations of DON and ZEN suppress the inflammatory response in kidneys, leading to potential effects on immune homeostasis.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2014

The variation in the level of immune response related gene expression in silkworm, Bombyx mori following infection with Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) was analyzed at different time intervals. The occlusion bodies of BmNPV orally inoculated to the two most divergent silkworm races viz., Sarupat (resistant to BmNPV infection) and CSR2 (susceptible to BmNPV infection) were subjected to oral BmNPV inoculation. The expression profile of gp 41 gene of BmNPV in the Sarupat and CSR2 races revealed that the virus could invade the midguts of both susceptible and resistant races. However, its multiplication was significantly less in the midgut of resistant race, while, in the susceptible race, the viral multiplication reached maximum level within 12 h. These findings indicate that potential host genes are involved in the inhibition of viral multiplication within larval midgut. The immune response genes arylphorin, cathepsin B, gloverin, lebocin, serpin, Hsp 19.9, Hsp 20.1, Hsp 20.4, Hsp 20.8, Hsp 21.4, Hsp 23.7, Hsp 40, Hsp 70, Hsp90 revealed differential level of expression on NPV infection. The gloverin, serpin, Hsp 23.7 and Hsp 40 genes are significantly up-regulated in the resistant race after NPV infection. The early up-regulation of these genes suggests that these genes could play an important role in baculovirus resistance in the silkworm, B. mori.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.8
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• 2023

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness, and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type. Due to inadequate diagnosis, treatment is often not administered until symptoms occur. Hence, approaches enabling earlier prediction or diagnosis of POAG are necessary. We aimed to identify novel drugs for glaucoma through bioinformatics and network analysis. Data from 36 samples, obtained from the trabecular meshwork of healthy individuals and patients with POAG, were acquired from a dataset. Next, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. In both stages, the genes were enriched by studying the critical biological processes and pathways related to POAG. Finally, a drug-gene network was constructed, and novel drugs for POAG treatment were proposed. Genes with p < 0.01 and |log fold change| > 0.3 (1,350 genes) were considered DEGs and utilized to construct a PPI network. Enrichment analysis yielded several key pathways that were upregulated or downregulated. For example, extracellular matrix organization, the immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and cytokine signaling were upregulated among immune pathways, while signal transduction, the immune system, extracellular matrix organization, and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling were downregulated. Finally, novel drugs including metformin hydrochloride, ixazomib citrate, and cisplatin warrant further analysis of their potential roles in POAG treatment. The candidate drugs identified in this computational analysis require in vitro and in vivo validation to confirm their effectiveness in POAG treatment. This may pave the way for understanding life-threatening disorders such as cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2002

The effect of allicin, the major component of garlic (Allium sativum), on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors was analyzed. DNA microarray which can detect expression signal of 862 genes revealed that allicin induced the expression of cytokine, chemokine, and immune-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In contrast, allicin repressed the expression of adaptive immune-related genes, which are expressed in T helper 1 Iymphocytes. Simultaneous inhibitory and stimulatory effects of allicin were found on inflammatory cells. It is likely that allicin down-regulated the expression of specific genes that were previously up-regulated in resting cells, suggesting a new mechanism by which they exert positive and negative effect. Considering the broad and renewed interest in allicin, the profiles we describe here will be useful in designing more specific and efficient treatment strategies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1412-1419
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• 2020

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a leading cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. However, the paucity of appropriate cell culture models for HuNoV replication has prevented developing effective anti-HuNoV therapies. In this study, first, the replication of the virus at various temperatures in different cells was compared, which showed that lowering the culture temperature from 37℃ significantly increased virus replication in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Second, the expression levels of autophagy-, immune-, and apoptosis-related genes at 30℃ and 37℃ were compared to explore factors affecting HuNoV replication. HuNoV cultured at 37℃ showed significantly increased autophagy-related genes (ATG5 and ATG7) and immune-related genes (IFNA, IFNB, ISG15, and NFKB) compared to mock. However, the virus cultured at 30℃ showed significantly decreased expression of autophagy-related genes (ATG5 and ATG7), but not significantly different major immune-related genes (IFNA, ISG15, and NFKB) compared to mock. Importantly, expression of the transcription factor FOXO1, which controls autophagy- and immune-related gene expression, was significantly lower at 30℃. Moreover, FOXO1 inhibition in temperature-optimized MDCK cells enhanced HuNoV replication, highlighting FOXO1 inhibition as an approach for successful virus replication. In the temperature-optimized cells, various HuNoV genotypes were successfully replicated, with GI.8 showing the highest replication levels followed by GII.1, GII.3, and GII.4. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis of the infected cells revealed functional HuNoV replication at low temperature, with increased cellular apoptosis and decreased autophagic vacuoles. In conclusion, temperature-optimized MDCK cells can be used as a convenient culture model for HuNoV replication by inhibiting FOXO1 and providing adaptability to different genotypes.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 1996

To investigate the genes which is related to immune reaction of Bombyx mori, differential screening was carried out using naive and induced B. mori mRNA probe. To begin with, we constructed the cDNA library with mRNA isolated from fifth instar larvae injected with E. coli(4 X 106 cells/larva) using Uni ZAP XR vector kit. Thirty-two inducible cDNAs showing higher intensity on the induced mRNA probing membranes were selected. Partial nucleotide sequences of 29 clones were determined and their expessed sequence tags (ESTs) were produced. Nineteen ESTs in 29 ESTs were matched in GenBank database and the rest of them were found to be unknown. These unmatched ESTs were presumed to be novel genes. The nineteen ESTs contained variable genes related to biological process in Bombyx mori and four classes immune genes. Four clones, BmInc 6, 8, 18 and 27 were similar to two antibacterial peptide genes, hemolin gene and transferrin gene, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.880-890
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• 2024

The immunomodulatory effects of Euglena gracilis (Euglena) and its bioactive component, β-1,3-glucan (paramylon), have been clarified through various studies. However, the detailed mechanisms of the immune regulation remain to be elucidated. This study was designed not only to investigate the immunomodulatory effects but also to determine the genetic mechanisms of Euglena and β-glucan in cyclophosphamide (CCP)-induced immunosuppressed mice. The animals were orally administered saline, Euglena (800 mg/kg B.W.) or β-glucan (400 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and CCP (80 mg/kg B.W.) was subsequently administered to induce immunosuppression in the mice. The mice exhibited significant decreases in body weight, organ weight, and the spleen index. However, there were significant improvements in the spleen weight and the spleen index in CCP-induced mice after the oral administration of Euglena and β-glucan. Transcriptome analysis of the splenocytes revealed immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) regulated in the Euglena- and β-glucantreated groups. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that pathways related with interleukin (IL)-17 and cAMP play significant roles in regulating T cells, B cells, and inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, Ptgs2, a major inflammatory factor, was exclusively expressed in the Euglena-treated group, suggesting that Euglena's beneficial components, such as carotenoids, could regulate these genes by influencing immune lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines in CCP-induced mice. This study validated the immunomodulatory effects of Euglena and highlighted its underlying mechanisms, suggesting a positive contribution to the determination of phenotypes associated with immune-related diseases and the research and development of immunotherapies.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2007

Aging causes thymus involution, and genes in thymus play an important role in the development of the immune system. In this study, we compared genes expressed in thymus of neonatal and peripubertal rats using annealing control primers (ACPs)-based GeneFishing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. We identified 10 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with 20 ACPs. Of 10 DEGs, bystin-like, collagen type V alpha 1 (COL5A1), and T-cell receptor beta-chain segment 2 (TCRB2) that are related to immune-function were detected in rat thymus. Bystin-like and TCRB2 were up-regulated, while COL5A1 was down-regulated in peripubertal thymus. Semiquantitative RT-PCR confirmed postnatal changes in expression of bystin-like, COL5A1, and TCRB2. These results suggest that bystin-like, COL5A1, and TCRB2 could regulate immune function controlled in thymus as age increases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1510-1517
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• 2008

Expresssed sequence tag (EST) analysis was developed from three cDNA libraries constructed from cells of the digestive tract, gonad, and liver of sea squirt. Randomly selected cDNA clones were partially sequenced to generate a total of 922 ESTs, in which 687 unique ESTs were identified respectively. Results of BLASTX search showed that 612 ESTs (89%) have homology to genes of known function whereas 75 ESTs (11%) were unidentified or novel. Based on the major function of their encoded proteins, the identified clones were classified into ten broad categories. We also identified several kinds of immune-related genes as identifying novel genes. Sequence analysis of ESTs revealed the presence of microsatellite-containing genes that may be valuable for further gene mapping studies. The accumulation of a large number of identified cDNA clones is invaluable for the study of sea squirt genetics and developmental biology. Further studies using cDNA microarrays are needed to identify the differentially expressed transcripts after disease infection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.958-968
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• 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the important role that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play in the immunological process of hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). An increasing number of studies have shown that certain lncRNAs hold great potential as viable options for diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice. The primary objective of our investigation was to devise an immune lncRNA profile to explore the significance of immune-associated lncRNAs in the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of LIHC. Gene expression profiles of LIHC samples obtained from TCGA database were screened for immune-related genes. The optimal immune-related lncRNA signature was built via correlational analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Then, the Kaplan-Meier plot, ROC curve, clinical analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and principal component analysis were performed to evaluate the capability of the immune lncRNA signature as a prognostic indicator. Six long non-coding RNAs were identified via correlation analysis and Cox regression analysis considering their interactions with immune genes. Subsequently, tumor samples were categorized into two distinct risk groups based on different clinical outcomes. Stratification analysis indicated that the prognostic ability of this signature acted as an independent factor. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to conduct survival analysis, results showed a significant difference between the two risk groups. The predictive performance of this signature was validated by principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, data obtained from gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed several potential biological processes in which these biomarkers may be involved. To summarize, this study demonstrated that this six-lncRNA signature could be identified as a potential factor that can independently predict the prognosis of LIHC patients.