• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1395-1403
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• 2020

There is an increasing interest in using inactivated probiotics to modulate the host immune system and protect against pathogens. As the immunomodulatory function of heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KCTC 12777BP (LBB) and its mechanism is unclear, we investigated the effect of LBB on immune response based on the hypothesis that LBB might exert stimulatory effects on immunity. In the current study, we demonstrate that administration of LBB can exert immune-stimulatory effects and promote clearance of foreign matters through enhancing phagocytosis. Treatment with LBB induced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide in macrophages. Importantly, LBB directly increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages against bacterial particles. LBB was able to promote the production of TNF-α in bone marrow-derived macrophages and splenocytes and also increase the proliferation rate of splenocytes, suggesting that the immune-stimulating activity of LBB can be observed in primary immune cells. Investigation into the molecular mechanism responsible revealed that LBB upregulates TAK1 activity and its downstream ERK, p38, and JNK signaling pathways. To further confirm the immunomodulatory capability of LBB in vivo, we orally administered LBB to mice and assessed the effect on primary splenocytes. Splenocytes isolated from LBB-treated mice exhibited higher TNF-α expression and proliferative capacity. These results show that heat-killed L. brevis, a wildly consumed probiotic, may provide protection against pathogens through enhancing host immunity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2005

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent APCs (antigen-presenting cells) and playa critical role in immune responses. Galectin-3 is a biological lectin with a beta-galactoside binding affinity. Recently, proteomic analysis revealed the presence of galectin-3 in the exosome of mature DCs. However, the expression and function of galectin-3 in DCs remains unclear yet. Methods: We used bone marrow-derived DCs of mouse and showed the expression of galectin-3 in DCs by using flow cytometry analysis and Western blot analysis. Results: Galectin-3 was determined as single band of 35 kDa in Western blot analysis. Flow cytometry analysis showed the major growth factor for DCs, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and maturing agents, anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) consistently increased the intracellular expression of galectin-3 in DCs compared to medium alone. In addition, DCs treated with maturing agents did marginally express galectin-3 on their surface. Conclusion: This study suggests that galectin-3 in DCs may be regulated by critical factors for DC function.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.232-239
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• 2010

Stems and roots of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai were extracted with water and treated on immune cells in order to determine their immunomodulatory activites. Various Th-1 type cytokines were measured using ELISA including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon-gamma (IFN-$gamma$), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) secreted by dendritic cells, T-cells, intestinal epithelial cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. As a result, there was a significant increase in IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$, secretion, but there was no change in the secretion of TNF-$alpha$. Additionally T-cells slightly increased the secretion of IL-2, but there was a significant increase of IL-2 in intestinal epithelial cells. Therefore, our results suggest that A. koreanum Nakai may act as an immunomodulator by stimulating the cell-mediated immunity which can help the immune system defend against infections or cancer cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2008

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is an endogenous phospholipid. LPC has various stimulating or modulating activities on immune cells, including lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. Studies generally revealed pro-inflammatory activities of LPC, but accumulating evidence indicates that LPC has also anti-inflammatory actions. Here we summarize immunomodulatory actions of LPC.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.305.2-306
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• 2002

In recent studies on cefodizime, it may potentially have the capability of stimulating chemotactic activity of neutrophils and monocytes as well as the strong immuno-modulator. In turn, infection can result in a drastic change of mediators. which lead to initiate an immune response in an indirect way. With this backgrounds, we have studied to see if cefodizime can be a potential substance to induce an immunological function in dendritic cells and peritoneal macrophages. (omitted)

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2005

Background: As an attempt to develop a strategy to improve the protective immune response to GM-CSF-secreting CT26 (GM-CSF/CT26) tumor vaccine, we have investigated whether the apoptogenic treatment of GM-CSF/CT26 prior to vaccination enhances the induction of anti-tumor immune response in mouse model. Methods: A carcinogeninduced mouse colorectal tumor, CT26 was transfected with GM-CSF gene using a retroviral vector to generate GM-CSF-secreting CT26 (CT26/GM-CSF). The CT26/GM-CSF was treated with ${\gamma}$-irradiation or mitomycin C to induce apoptosis and vaccinated into BALB/c mice. After 7 days, the mice were injected with a lethal dose of challenge live CT26 cells to examine the protective effect of tumor vaccination in vivo. Results: Although both apoptotic and necrotic CT26/GM-CSF vaccines were able to enhance anti-tumor immune response, apoptotic CT26/GM-CSF induced by pretreatment with ${\gamma}$-irradiation (50,000 rads) was the most potent in generating the anti-tumor immunity, and thus 100% of mice vaccinated with the apoptotic cells remained tumor free for more than 60 days after tumor challenge. Conclusion: Apoptogenic pretreatment of GM-CSF-secreting CT26 tumor vaccine by ${\gamma}$-irradiation (50,000 rads) resulted in a significant enhancement in inducing the protective anti-tumor immunity. A rapid induction of apoptosis of CT26/GM-CSF tumor vaccine at the vaccine site might be critical for the enhancement in anti-tumor immune response to tumor vaccine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.10-17
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• 2011

Objective: To evaluate the immune-stimulatory potential of extracts of Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold (BK) on specific cellular and humoral immune responses in ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized mice. Material and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitoneally with OVA/alum ($100{\mu}g/200{\mu}g$) on days 1, 8, and 15. BK (100, 300 or 1000 mg/kg) was given to mice orally for 21 days (from day 1 to day 21). At day 22, OVA-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and OVA-specific and total antibodies were measured in plasma. Further, the effects of BK on expression of cytokine mRNA in OVA-immunized mice splenocytes were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis. Results: BK significantly enhanced OVA-, LPS-, and Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation in OVA-immunized mice (p<0.01). BK also significantly enhanced total IgM and OVA-specific IgG1 levels in plasma compared with the OVA control group. Moreover, BK up-regulated significantly the expression of mRNA level of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in splenocytes. Conclusions: BK has immune-stimulating activity in an OVA-immunized mouse model system, enhancing the Th1 immune response. BK showed no cytotoxicity in this system, suggesting that BK may be a safe and effective adjuvant in humans.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2008

Objectives : The cortex and root of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (AR), a herbal medicine, have been used for several diseases including cancer in Oriental countries. Recently, we reported that AR has an immune-potentiating action. Oga-Power(OP) was made using extract from AR. For these reasons, we hypothesized that OP can potentiate the immune system in terms of accelerating proliferation rates of immune cells such as thymocytes and splenocytes. Methods : In this experiment, proliferation rates of thymocytes and splenocytes were measured using modified 3-[4,5-dimethy -lthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). No production levels in macrophages isolated from normal mice were measured using Griess method. Results : In our results, treatment with OP accelerated proliferation rates of splenocytes, but did not affect those of thymocytes in vitro. On the other hand, proliferation rates of thymocytes was elevated in vivo. In addition, level of NO production from macrophage separated from abdominal cavity of normal mice was elevated by treatment with OP. Conclusions : In conclusion, OP has immune-potentiating action, by acceleration of splenocyte proliferation and elevation of NO production level from macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2010

We describe the immune stimulatory effects of compounds determined by means of activity-monitored extraction and isolation techniques. As a result, 4-carboethoxy-6-methoxy-2-quinolone (1) and 4-carboethoxy-6-hydroxy-2-quinolone (2) were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the Oryza sativa cv. Heugnambyeo bran, and were determined to exert significant inhibitory effects in macrophage cell line (murine RAW 264.7) and murine splenocytes. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, particularly the results obtained via hetero nuclear multiple-bond connectivity and high-resolution MS spectroscopy. Up to date, compound (1) was isolated as natural sources for the first time.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2008

Codonopsis lanceolata has long been used as a seasonal food and as a traditional tonic medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation properties. The present study investigated the in vitro effect of Codonopsis lanceolata extracts on immune function in mice. After preparing a single cell suspension splenocyte proliferation was determined by the MTT(3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y]-2,5-diphenyl terazolium bromide) assay. The cytokines IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ were not secreted by macrophages stimulated with or without LPS as determined by an ELISA cytokine kit assay. After a 48-hr incubation with the mitogens ConA or LPS there was an increase in splenocytes proliferation and in the production of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ in the suspensions supplemented with 50, 100, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ Codonopsis lanceolata water extract. The results suggest Codonopsis lanceolata water extract may enhance immune function by regulating splenocyte proliferation and stimulating cytokine production.