• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.146-154
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• 1996

The impact of stress on immune function is known to be associated with the interactions among the central nervous system(CNS), neuroendocrine system, and immune system. The main pathways between stress and immune system are wiring of lymphoid organs and neuroendocrine system. Immune system also produces neuropeptides, which modulate immune system. Mediators of psychosocial influences on immune function are found to be peptides released by the pituitry, hormones, md autonomic nervous system. Hypothalamus integrates endocrine, neural and immune systems. Particularly, paraventricular nucleus appears to play a central role in this integration. On the other hand, endocrine system receives feedback from the immune system. The major regulatory pathways which pituitary modulates include the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-thymic(HPAT) axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-thymic(HPGT) axis, pineal-hypothalamic-pituitary(PHP) axis. Bidirectional pathways such as feedforward and feedback pathways are suggested in the interaction between stress and immune system. It suggests that psychosocial inputs affect immune function, but also that immunological inputs affect psychosocial function. Thus, prospective studies for elucidating the relationship between stress and immune function should incorporate measures of immune function as well as measures of endocrine, autonomic, and brain activities at the same time.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.126-135
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• 2006

In a previous study, a biological response modifier (BRM) specifically enhancing the function of B-cells was isolated from Korean fermented soybean paste (Kfsp), but not from non-fermented soybeans. In this study, we attempted to isolate the bacteria producing the BRM from Kfsp (KfspBRM) by ELISA using anti-KfspBRM and by B-cell proliferation. Five bacteria whose culture supernatants showed the BRM activities were isolated, and one of them was identified as Bacillus licheniformis E1. The bacterial BRM (bBRM) originated from a slime layer of B. licheniformis El had a molecular weight of 1,594 kDa, and contained $33\%\;(w/w)$ of reduced sugar and $4.6\%\;(w/w)$ of protein content. The bBRM appeared to be a glycoprotein that is physically, structurally, and functionally similar to the KfspBRM, suggesting that the isolates including B. licheniformis El may produce the KfspBRM in the fermentation process of soybean paste. The mass production of the BRM by the bacterium may help to study B-cells in immunology, and the enrichment of the BRM in Kfsp may help patients in future who are medically in need of potentiation of B-cell proliferation and antibody production.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.70-73
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• 2002

Acute autonomic neuropathy is a rare disease. Since the first case was reported by Young et.al., in 1969, a number of similar cases have been described, with some variation of the accompanied neurologic deficits. Acute autonomic and sensory neuropathy(AASN) is characterized by the acute onset of autonomic dysfunction and sensory disturbances. A 16-year-old girl experienced high fever($40^{\circ}C$) and erythematous rash on whole trunk and face followed by pain and sensory loss over the whole body, dysphagia, ataxia, urinary retention, and postural hypotension. There was no evidence of limb weakness. The electrophysiologic studies of this patient revealed sensory polyneuropathy and the various autonomic function test showed autonomic dysfunction. The recovery of her autonomic and sensory symptoms is incomplete, three months after the onset of the symptoms. The etiology of the acute autonomic and sensory neuropathy is not known. Most previous authors have suggested the dysautonomia may be an acute immunological damage to peripheral fibers of the autonomic nervous system. We report a case of acute autonomic and sensory neuropathy.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.425-437
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• 2004

Medicinal plants are of great importance in providing healthcare to a large portion of the population in Korea. A number of plants are described in Dong-Ui-Bo-Gam for use in the treatment of allergic disorders, namely psoriasis, eczema, bronchial asthma, etc. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AllerQ, which is multi-complexes of various plants extracts such like Mori folium, Scutellaria baicallensis, Glycyrrhiza uralnsis, Mentha sacharinensis and Poncirus trifoliata on compound 48/80 induced anaphylactic shock, ovalbumin induced asthma in vivo and anti-IgE antibody induced hypersensitivity in vitro. We found antianaphylactic or antiallergic properties of AllerQ when given orally. AllerQ for prophylactic treatment for anaphylactic shocks have produced good results. AllerQ may modulate various aspects of immune function and allergic inflammation. In the present study, we analyse the effects of AllerQ on mast cell degranulation, mortality, cAMP/cGMP, O₂, H₂O₂ level, cyokine production and on the elicitation of IgE-mediated mast cell-dependent allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro. We have established that AllerQ inhibited histamine release, cAMP/cGMP, O₂, H₂O₂ level, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and IL-6 production without having any significant physical change. These effects have been observed in mast cell(in vitro) and serum(in vivo) derived from three different origins that were activated by either immunological or non-immunological stimuli. These results suggest that the antianaphylactic and antiasthma tic action of AllerQ may be associated with an increase in the intracellular inhibition of the cAMP phosphodiesterase. Furthermore, AllerQ identified as potent inhibitors on O₂, H₂O₂ and cytokine activity. these data suggest that AllerQ may have an inhibitory role in mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation, and thus might be considered as an useful functional food.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.828-835
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to examine the biochemical parameters of hepatic function such as serum level of ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and content of TG (triglyceride) and cholesterol, and tissue immunological changes of the $CCl_4$-treated rats with administration of the mixed sample extract (MSE). The liver weight in $CCl_4$-administered experimental control group (EC) was slightly higher than that of normal control (NC) group. Hepatic damage parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH & TG) in serum of the EC group were significantly higher than those in serum of the NC and silymarin-treated positive control (PC) group. On the other hand, these hepatic damage parameters of MSE-treated experimental (E1 & E2) groups were significantly lower than those of EC group. The number of WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets, and the contents of hemoglobin, and hematocrit in EC group were significantly higher than those of NC group. However, the number of WBC and lymphocytes in E1 and E2 groups were significantly lower than those of EC group. Also, the collagen developmental areas in the liver of NC and PC groups by hepatic immuno-histological findings were found slightly positive. Whereas, hepatic fibrous developmental tissue of EC group was strongly positive brown color band, those of E1 & E2 groups were decreased. Therefore, it was concluded that the induction of hepatic fibrous tissue activation had a preventive effect of MSE against the $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damage in rats. However, further study is needed in this filed.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.449-452
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• 2020

The inner ear is a complex and delicate structure composed of the cochlea and the vestibular system. To maintain normal auditory function, strict homeostasis of the inner ear is needed. A proper immune response against infection, thus, is crucial. Also, since excessive immune reaction can easily damage the normal architecture within the inner ear, the immune response should be fine regulated. The exact mechanism how the inner ear's immune response, specifically the innate immunity, is regulated was unknown. Recently, we reported a protein selectively localized in the inner ear during bacterial infection, named cochlin, as a possible mediator of such regulation. In this review, the immunological function of cochlin and the mechanism behind its role within inner ear immunity is summarized. Cochlin regulates innate immunity by physically entrapping pathogens within scala tympani and recruiting innate immune cells. Such mechanism enables efficient removal of pathogen while preserving the normal inner ear structure from inflammatory damage.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.24
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• 2023

Intestinal microorganisms interact with various immune cells and are involved in gut homeostasis and immune regulation. Although many studies have discussed the roles of the microorganisms themselves, interest in the effector function of their metabolites is increasing. The metabolic processes of these molecules provide important clues to the existence and function of gut microbes. The interrelationship between metabolites and T lymphocytes in particular plays a significant role in adaptive immune functions. Our current review focuses on 3 groups of metabolites: short-chain fatty acids, bile acids metabolites, and polyamines. We collated the findings of several studies on the transformation and production of these metabolites by gut microbes and explained their immunological roles. Specifically, we summarized the reports on changes in mucosal immune homeostasis represented by the Tregs and Th17 cells balance. The relationship between specific metabolites and diseases was also analyzed through latest studies. Thus, this review highlights microbial metabolites as the hidden treasure having potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets through a comprehensive understanding of the gut-immune interaction.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2024

Prokaryotes encode clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) arrays and CRISPR-associated (Cas) genes as an adaptive immune machinery. CRISPR-Cas systems effectively protect hosts from the invasion of foreign enemies, such as bacteriophages and plasmids. During a process called 'adaptation', non-self-nucleic acid fragments are acquired as spacers between repeats in the host CRISPR array, to establish immunological memory. The highly conserved Cas1-Cas2 complexes function as molecular recorders to integrate spacers in a time course manner, which can subsequently be expressed as crRNAs complexed with Cas effector proteins for the RNA-guided interference pathways. In some of the RNA-targeting type III systems, Cas1 proteins are fused with reverse transcriptase (RT), indicating that RT-Cas1-Cas2 complexes can acquire RNA transcripts for spacer acquisition. In this review, we summarize current studies that focus on the molecular structure and function of the RT-fused Cas1-Cas2 integrase, and its potential applications as a directional RNA-recording tool in cells. Furthermore, we highlight outstanding questions for RT-Cas1-Cas2 studies and future directions for RNA-recording CRISPR technologies.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.282-287
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• 2007

The antiviral mechanism of KT5720 is known to inhibit the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), on the VSV infection in BHK-21 cell cultures. The virus inducted CPE (cell rounding) was almost completely suppressed by KT5720 at 5 uM. The inhibitor, however, did not affect the replication of the virus and the synthesis of viral macromolecules. Immunological studies showed the viral matrix (M) protein displayed intimate association with the cytoskeletal components and probably the cell rounding. KT5720, did not block the cytoskeletal disruption, while the cell rounding was suppressed. These observations suggest that the interaction between the viral M protein and the cytoskeletal components may not be enough to cause the morphological change of the cell. And, the KT5720-sensitive function may be involved in developing the VSV-induced CPE, but not essential for the virus replications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.208-218
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• 1998

To clarify the activating effects of Buthus martensi Karsch on immunological function, its effect on primary and secondary antibodies production in mice of various ages was investigated. Buthus martensi Karsch increased the number of both antibody producing cells(anti-IgM and anti-IgG producing plaque forming cells, PFC) and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage. Futhermore, these phenomena were significantly increased with aging in mice. Buthus martensi Karsch also increased natural killer cell activity concerning to cancer immunology. These results suggest that Buthus martensi Karsch markedly increases the reduced activity in the elderly and activates the immune response in senescence mice.