• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of chestnut inner skin tea, brown rice-green tea and Cassia lora tea on the activation of physiological functions (regional cerebral blood flow, mean arterial blood pressure, proliferation of immunocytes in vitro and in vitro, suppression of cancer cell proliferation) in mouse and rat. We used 8 weeks-old balb/c male mice, 300g ICR rats and L1210 cell lines. Regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure(BP) were measured using Leser-Doppler Flowmetry(LDF) and the proliferation of cells was measured using a colorimetric tetrazolium assay(MTT assay). The experimental results are as follows : 1. rCBF was increased by Cassia tora tea, but decreased by chestnut inner skin tea in rats. 2. BP was increased by brown rice-green tea in rats. 3. Proliferation of mouse thymocytes and splenocytes were significantly increased by chestnut inner skin tea in vitro. 4. Proliferation of mouse thymocytes was decreased by Cassia tora tea and brown rice-green tea in vitro. 5. Proliferation of mouse thymocytes was decreased by Cassia tora tea and brown rice-green tea in L1210 transplanted mice. 6. Proliferation of splenocytes was accelerated by chestnut inner skin tea in L1210 transplanted mice. 7. Proliferation of L1210 cells was inhibited by chestnut inner skin tea and Cassia tora tea in L1210 transplanted mice.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.217-222
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• 2002

Background: Scid.adh is a recently developed murine thymic lymphoma cell line, which has been used as in vitro model for the study of double negative stage III thymocytes. In this study, we compared the expression profile of a number of genes and proteins, which are tightly related to T cell development and apoptosis, in thymic lymphoma cell lines, R1.1, EL-4, and Scid.adh for the developmental staging. Methods: We examined the expression of development marker genes and proteins in three lymphoma cell lines by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. In addition, the expression of apoptosis-related molecules including bcl-2, bax and Fas was also investigated. Results: As previously reported, Scid.adh cell line expressed CD8 and CD25 but not TCR ${\alpha}$ chain, while R1.1 cells expressed TCR ${\alpha}$ chain and both CD4 and CD8 transcripts. These suggest that R1.1 might be in double positive stage, and low level of CD44 expression and the absence of CD25 support this suggestion. In contrast, EL-4 cells showed high level of TCR ${\alpha}$ chain transcript, and low-level of CD4 expression, suggesting that EL-4 is in more mature stage than R1.1. Further, this suggestion was supported by the lack of mT-20 in EL-4 cells, which is expressed in the immature thymocytes, and Scid.adh and R1.1 cell lines, but not in the terminally differentiated thymocytes and peripheral T cells. Among the apoptosis-related gene, transcripts of bcl-2 gene were detected in both R1.1 and EL-4 but not in Scid.adh cells, while bax was expressed in all cell lines. Fas expression was the highest in EL-4 cells and low in Scid.adh cell line. Conclusion: R1.1 cell may represent double positive stage, and EL-4 is more differentiated cell line. In addition, Scid.adh and EL-4 cell lines are suspected to be useful for the study of function of bcl-2 family and Fas during the thymocyte development, respectively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.420-427
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• 2006

Immunological activities of the combined-administration of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus were examined in C57BL/6 mice. Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus were extracted with distilled water or 40% ethyl alcohol. Ginseng Radix Rubra water extracts (GW), the mixture (1:1) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus water extracts [GVW(1:1)], the mixture (1:3) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus water extracts [GVW(1:3)], 40% ethyl alcohol extracts of Ginseng Radix Rubra (GE), the mixture (1:1) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus 40% ethyl alcohol extracts [GVE(1:1)] and the mixture (1:3) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus 40% ethyl alcohol extracts [GVE(1:3)] were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days, respectively. GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) decreased the viability of thymocytes increased by GW, but GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) increased the viability of thymocytes decreased by GE. GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) increased the viability of splenocytes decreased by GW or GE. Also, GVW(1:1) and GVE(1:1) enhanced the population of helper T cell in thymocytes, and GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) decreased the population of cytotoxic T cells increased by GE. Furthermore, GVW(1:1), GVW(1:3), GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) enhanced the population of $B220^+$ cells decreased by GW or GE, and decreased the population of $Thyl^+$ cells increased by GW or GE, and decreased the population of splenic $CD4^+$ cells increased by GW or GE. In addition, GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) decreased the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages increased by GW, but GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) enhanced the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages decreased by GE. These results suggest that Vitis Fructus has an regulative action on immune response of Ginseng Radix Rubra.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.602-609
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Gunbibosinhangam-tang (GBHT I) and Gunbibosinhangam-tang-gamibang (GBHT II, GBHT III) on solid tumor and immune cells. The animals were divided into 4 groups ; Control, no treatment. GBHT I, treatment with GBHT itself. GBHT II, treatment with GBHT increased the quantity of Hedyotis Diffusae twice. GBHT III, treatment with GBHT increased the quantity of Hedyotis Diffusae four times. We investigated the effects of GBHT on proliferation of solid tumor cells (S-180), thymocytes, splenocytes in vitro in order to examine cytotoxicity for S-180 and immuno-stimulating activities. The experiments that is about solid tumor weight and survival rate in tumor bearing mice were performed also. As compared with the control group, treatments with GBHT II and GBHT III suppressed the proliferation of S-180 effectively. Treatments with all experimental groups accelerated the proliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes significantly. In addition, GBHT III was significantly decreased on solid tumor weight and increased on survival rate in tumor bearing mice. Based upon these results, we suggest that GBHT and GBHT-gamibang have both anti-cancer effects for S-180 and immuno-stimulating activities for thymocytes and splenocytes. Therefore, we conclude that GBHT and Hedyotis Diffusae is useful to treat the patients with cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.279.2-279
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• 2000

No Abstract, See Full Text

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1976

The rabbit anti-rat brain associated ${\theta}(RBA{\theta})$ serum wich was obtained by immunization of rabbit with DA rat brain tested against rat lymphoid tissues for cytotoxicity, indirect immunofluorescent staining and ability to inhibit a graft-vs-host reaction. It was founded that the antiserum was a potent anti-${\theta}$ like antiserum, and rat brain associated ${\theta}$ antigen was cross-reactive with mouse thymocytes and brain antigen. Using the RBA ${\theta}$ sera, distribution of ${\theta}$-bearing lymphocytes in rat lymphoid tissues was detected. And it was found that approximately 98% of thymocytes, 70-76% of lymph node lymphocytes, 72% of peripheral blood lymphocytes, 36-44% of spleen lymphocytes, and 4% of bone marrow were ${\theta}$-bearing.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2007

Objectives : This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Acanthopanax, sessiliflorus SEEM extracts following gamma-ray irradiation on immuno-stimulating and anti-tumor activity in terms of proliferation of tumor cells, thymocytes, splenocytes, and NO production from peritoneal macrophages in mice. Methods: 10AS and 100 AS were the bark powders of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus $S_{EEM}$ stems which were exposed in 10 kGy or 100 kGy of electron beam respectively. Results : Treatment with either 10AS or 100AS increased proliferation rates of thymocytes and splenocytes significantly, and treatment with l0AS also decreased proliferation rates of tumor cells significantly. Treatment with either l0AS or l00AS promoted NO production from peritoneal macrophages significantly. Conclusion : These results suggested that AS has direct inhibition effect of tumor growth and immuno-stimulating activity. In conclusion, we demonstrate that AS could be used to treat cancer patient as complementary or alternative medicine to typical anti-cancer medication.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-46
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• 1997

Ultrastructure of mouse thymus was evaluated, following the administration of potassium dichromate and mercuric chloride, the heavy metals of evironmental pollutants. Potassium dichromate (20 mg/kg) or mercuric chloride solutions (10 mg/kg) were subcutanously injected to the mice. Six hours, three days and two weeks after the injections, animals were sacrificed. Thymic tissues were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solutions. The procedure was followed by the fixation in 1% osmium tetroxide solutions. Washed and dehydrated tissue-blocks were embedded in the araldite mixture. Ultra-thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate-lead citrate solutions. Results observed were as follows: 1. In electron microscopy, cortical population of thymocytes in the thymus of experimental groups were reduced. especially in the outer cortex. Subcapsular cortices of potassium dichromate treated mice were filled with many epithelial reticular cells, whereas the similar area of mercuric chloride-treated mice exhibited large intercellular spaces. 2. In the thymus of mercuric chloride treated group, large intercellular spaces were formed by shrinkage of epithelial reticular cells, and the space was invaded by numerous cytoplasmic projections of macrophages. Thymocytes nuded out from the shrunken cytoplasm of epithelial reticular cells, presented numerous microvilli. 3. In the thymus of potassium dicromate treated group, many activated macrophages and plasma cells migrated into thymic cortices. 4. In the perivascular spaces of thymic cortices of potassium dichromate- and mercuric chloride-treated mice, activated macrophages. plasma cells, collagen fibrils, and flocculent substance of exudated materials were exhibited. From the above findifgs, it was concluded that potassium dichromate or mercuric chloride could disturb the normal differentiation or 'education' of T cells in the thymic cortex. In turn, these heavy metals may hurt the immunological defense mechanism.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2007

Apoptosis is a step of the cell cycle which is important in the regulation of immune cell populations. Chungkookjang is a Korean traditional fermented soybean containing microorganisms, enzymes, and bioactive compounds which was used in the treatment of mouse spleen as well as thymus cells (CH1-fermented soybean containing barley, wormwood, and sea tangle; CH2-fermented soybean) and was found to exhibit substantially reduced small DNA fragmentation. An MTT assay showed that the treatment of CH1 and CH2 into the mouse splenocytes and thymocytes sharply increased their survival. Moreover, a FACS analysis also showed that CH1 and CH2 are effective at suppressing the apoptosis of splenocytes and thymocytes. The fermented soybean isoflavone concentrations, which are implicated in lowering breast and prostate cancers, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and improving bone health, were determined using Capillary Electrophoresis-Electrochemical Detection (CE-ED). The amount of Daidzein in fermented soybean significantly increased by 44-fold dramatically, compared with those in unfermented soybean. In this study, we demonstrated that ethanol extracts of Chungkookjang promote the survival of the mouse spleen and thymus cells in culture by suppressing their apoptotic death. Future studies should investigate which genes are related to apoptosis of the immune cells.