This study evaluated the immunogenicity of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in a guinea pig model to refine preclinical assessment methods. 24 guinea pigs were divided into four groups for immunohistochemical, histopathological, and molecular analyses, including qRT-PCR and ELISA. The ELISA results revealed significant elevations in interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN- ), and tuberculosis-specific antibodies in vaccinated guinea pigs, particularly γ notable after 6 weeks. Although lung cytokine levels remained unchanged, spleen gene expression showed significant differences in interleukin-17, interleukin-12, interleukin-1β, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 after 6 weeks. Immunohistochemistry revealed peak IL-2 expression at 8 weeks and significant IFN-γ and TNF-α expression at 6 weeks. This study confirmed the effectiveness of BCG vaccine in guinea pigs, providing crucial insights for future tuberculosis vaccine development and standardizing immune response indicators.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL1B), IL6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), are known to play important roles in regulating the endometrial function in the uterus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in several species. However, the expression and function of these cytokines and their receptors in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle have not been studied in pigs. Thus, this study determined the expression and regulation of IL1B, IL6, TNF and their respective receptors, IL1R1, IL1RAP, IL6R, GP130, TNFRSF1A, and TNFRSF1B during the estrous cycle in pigs. To analyze levels of each gene expression in the uterine endometrium we obtained from endometrial tissues on Days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 of the estrous cycle. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that levels of IL1B, IL1RAP, IL6R, GP130, TNF, TNFRSF1A, and TNFRSF1B mRNAs were highest on Day 15 or 18 of the estrous cycle, which corresponds to the proestrus period. Levels of IL1R1 were highest on Day 0, while levels of IL6 were biphasic with high levels on Day 6 and Day 15. The abundance of IL1B, IL6, IL6R, and TNF mRNAs was decreased by progesterone, while levels of GP130 were increased by progesterone in endometrial tissue explants. These results showed that expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors changed stage-specifically during the estrous cycle and regulated by progesterone in the uterine endometrium in pigs, suggesting that these pro-inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the regulation endometrial function during the estrous cycle in pigs.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) as a storage mite inhabitats in stored grains, hay, and straw at agricultural areas. T. putrescentiae stimulates an immune response and triggers inflammatory cytokines release, and thus it is a source of allergen that sensitize and induce allergic reactions. Also, T. putrescentiae has been reported to cause asthma and atopic disease by cross-reactivity with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp). The study on T. putrescentiae in human monocytic THP-1 cells is not enough to understand cytokine expression and pathological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of T. putrescentiae extract (TpE) on production of inflammatory cytokines and expression of mRNA level in THP-1 cells. THP-1 cells are treated with TpE and supernatants were analyzed for the production of cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). mRNA level in the culture cells was measured by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As a result of this study, TpE significantly induced secretion of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in THP-1 cells in time- and dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that TpE may play a role in contributing to inflammatory disease through stimulation of immune cell. Further research of T. putrescentiae is needed to understand the elucidation of the pathogenic mechanism.

[Background] Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal mushroom, produces a component compound, cordycepin (3’-deoxyadenosine). Cordycepin has been known to have many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, and anti-infection activities. However, the molecular mechanisms of inflammatory mediator’s activity by cordycepin remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigat-ed the effects of cordycepin on the anti- inflammation cascades in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia cells. [Methods] Cordycepin were administered and their effects on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators and MAP kinases were monitored by Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. [Result] Cordycepin significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro- inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in a concentration- dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity. Also, cordycepin suppressed inducible NO, synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression on the mRNA and protein level. In addition, cordycepin suppressed NF-κB translocation by blocking IkappaB- α (IκB-α) degradation and inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK-1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase. Our results indicate that the inhibitory effect of cordycepin on LPS -stimulated inflammatory mediator production in BV2 microglia is associated with the suppression of the NF-κB, Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion: Anti-inflammatory properties of cordycepin may be useful for treating the inflammatory and deleterious effects of microglial activation in response to LPS stimulation.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major etiologic agent of chronic periodontitis and cytokines produced by macrophages play important roles in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. In this study we investigated the cytokine response of phorbol myristate acetatedifferentiated THP-1 cells exposed to P. gingivalis. Compared with the prominent cell wall components of P. gingivalis (lipopolysaccharide and the major fimbrial protein FimA), live P. gingivalis stimulated much higher levels of cytokine production. In addition, whereas low multiplicity of infection challenges (MOI=10) of P. gingivalis 381 stimulated high levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β, high dose challenges with this bacterium (MOI = 100) resulted in a substantially diminished production of MCP-1 and IL-6. Moreover, high MOI P. gingivalis challenges achieved only low levels of induction of MCP-1 and IL-6 mRNA. The decreased production of MCP-1 and IL-6 appeared to be mediated by P. gingivalis proteases, because high MOI challenges with congenic protease mutant strains of this microorganism (MT10 and MT10W) did not result in a diminished production of MCP-1 and IL-6. Similar to its protease mutant strains, leupeptin (a protease inhibitor)- treated P. gingivalis at high doses induced high levels of MCP-1 production. To examine the mechanisms underlying the diminished production of MCP-1 by P. gingivalis proteases, the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and NF-xB was compared between the 381 and MT10W strains. Whilst high doses of both 381 and MT10W similarly activated the three members of the MAP kinase family, the DNA binding activity of NF-xB, as revealed by gel shift assays, was greatly increased only by MT10W. Taken together, our data indicate that P. gingivalis stimulates the production of high levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1 but that high dose challenges with this bacterium result in a diminished production of MCP-1 and IL-6 via the protease-mediated suppression of NF-B activation in THP-1 macrophagic cells.

중성지방(Triglyceride, TG)는 죽상동맥경화증과 같은 혈관의 만성 염증성 병변을 유발하는 인자 중 하나 이다. 종양괴사인자-알파 (TNF-α), 인터루킨-1 베터 (IL-1β)와 같은 염증성 사이토카인은 염증 질환의 주요 요인으로 염증 부위에 T 림프구, 단핵구등의 면역 세포의 침윤을 유도하거나 세포 및 조직 괴사를 일으킴으로써 질병을 더욱 악화시킨다. 본 연구에서는 혈관 염증에 관여하는 Jurkat T 림프구와 U937 단핵구에 T G를 처리하였을 때 TNF-α와 IL-1β의 발현에 미치는 영향을 조사하고자 했다. Jurkat T 세포에서 TG에 의해 TNF-α의 mRNA 발현이 증가하였고, U937 단핵구에서는 TG에 의해 TNF-α와 IL-1β 모두 mRNA 발현이 증가하였다. 또한 유도성 산화질소합성효소(inducible nitric oxide synthase, iNOS)가 TG에 의한 TNF-α와 IL-1β 의 발현 증가에 관여하는지 확인하기 위해 iNOS 억제제인 W1400을 세포에 전처리하여 iNOS의 활성을 차단하였다. 그 결과, W1400을 전처리한 세포에서는 TG에 의한 TNF-α 및 IL-1β mRNA 양이 대조군과 유사하게 낮은 수준으로 관찰되었다. 이는 혈관 내 TG의 증가가 T 림프구와 단핵구를 자극하여 iNOS 신호를 거쳐 염증성 사이토카인을 분비시키고 혈관염증질환을 발생하는데 관여하는 것을 확인시켜주었다. 결론적으로, 중성지방이 염증성 병변을 악화시키는데 있어 iNOS의 활성이 사이토카인 분비 등에 작용하며 병변을 더욱 악화시키는데 기여할 수 있다. 반면, iNOS 발현을 조절하여 고지혈증 환자의 치료에 유효한 표적 물질로 이용될 가능성이 있다고 사료된다.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Corni fructus extracts (CEF, EtOAc extraction; CBF, buthanol extraction; CWF, water extraction) were investigated. The total phenolics of CEF (173.3 mg TAE/g) were significantly higher than those of CWF (26.7 mg TAE/g) and CBF (94.8 mg TAE/g). DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity of CEF (DPPH: RH50; 25.1 μg/mL, ABTS: RC50; 36.1 μg/mL) showed even higher than that of BHA and α-tocopherol used as positive control. All three Corni fructus extracts in the concentration of 1~100 μg/mL were effective inhibitors of NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). NO production was inhibited 71.3~92.2% by CEF, 76.8~85.5% by CBF and 74.4~96.9% by CWF, respectively. CEF, CBF and CWF (1~100 μg/mL) inhibited also pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 very effectively. TNF-α was inhibited up to 51.2% by CWF and IL-1β was inhibited up to 67.1% by CEF. IL-6 was best inhibited by CEF up to 58.9%. This study suggested the potential of Corni fructus for use as an excellent antioxidant substance and inflammatory inhibiting mediators. Therefore CEF, CBF and CWF Corni fructus extracts may be used for therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

This study is a basic study on the development of functional substances involved in obesity prevention, lipid metabolism, and immune regulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. Allium monanthum extracts (AME) were administered orally to obesity-induced rats, and their lipid-lowering, antioxidative and various types of biological effects related to the immune system were examined. Blood free fatty acid and triglyceride concentrations decreased as the dose of AME increased. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations in the blood decreased as the dose of AME increased. The total cholesterol concentrations in the liver of the AME-treated groups were lower than the control group. The thiobarbituric acid reactive concentrations were lower in the plasma and liver of all AME-treated groups than the control group. Plasma AST and ALT activities did not show any significant differences among the treatment groups. IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations in the liver tended to decrease as the dose of AME increased. TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations did now show any significant differences compared to the control group. Lower expression levels of TNF-α, Apo-B and Apo-E genes were found in the AME-treated groups. Taken together, these results indicate that AME may show positive effects in lipid lowering, antioxidation and anti-inflammation.

Lycopene, found in tomatoes and tomato products, has antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. High-mobility-group box 1 (HMGB1) mediates the pro-inflammatory responses in several inflammatory diseases. In this study, the potential roles of lycopene in the HMGB1-mediated pro-inflammatory gene expressions in the primary human-umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated. The data showed that HMGB1 upregulated the expressions of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2)-IIA, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Lycopene pre-incubation for 6 h decreased the HMGB1-mediated induction of MCP-1, IL-6, sPLA2-IIA, and PGE2. Further study revealed that the inhibitory effects of lycopene on the HMGB-1 induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes were mediated by the inhibition of two important inflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. These results suggest that HMGB1 upregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and lycopene inhibited HMGB-1-induced pro-inflammatory genes by inhibiting TNF-α and NF-κB. This finding will serve as an important evidence in the development of a new medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

씀바귀추출물이 LPS shock 염증반응에서 항염증효과에 미치는 영향을 검토하기 위하여 생체 및 세포배양실험에서 전염증성 cytokine들의 생성과 혈액 내 생물학적 수치를 조사했다. 그 결과 LPS 염증유도 rat에서 씀바귀 추출물은 혈액 내 전염증성 cytokines 들, 즉 IL-1β, IL-6 및 TNF-α의 생산을 저해하고, 한편으로는 IL-10의 생산을 촉진하였다. 간장 IL-1β 및 IL-6의 농도는 씀바귀추출물 처리군이 대조군보다 유의하게 낮은 값을 나타내었으나, TNF-α 및 IL-10의 농도는 모든 처리군 간에 유의한 차이를 나타내지 않았다. Raw 264.7 cell의 세포배양실험에서는 TNF-α의 농도가 유의한 차이를 나타내지는 않았지만, 3개 cytokine 모두가 씀바귀 투여량이 증가함에 따라 감소하는 경향을 보였다. IL-10의 농도는 씀바귀 처리군 들 모두가 높은 경향을 나타내었다. 혈액 내 total protein 및 albumin의 농도는 대조군과 유의한 차이를 나타내지는 않았으나, 씀바귀추출물 처리 군에서 높은 경향을 보였다. 이상의 결과들을 종합해 보면 씀바귀 추출물에는 항염증반응에 관여하는 기능성물질이 내재하고 있음을 시사해 준다.