Impact of interleukin-21 in the pathogenesis of primary Sjogren's syndrome: increased serum levels of interleukin-21 and its expression in the labial salivary glands

Kang, Kwi Young,Kim, Hyun-Ok,Kwok, Seung-Ki,Ju, Ji Hyeon,Park, Kyung-Su,Sun, Dong-Il,Jhun, Joo Yeon,Oh, Hye Jwa,Park, Sung-Hwan,Kim, Ho-Youn BioMed Central 2011 ARTHRITIS RESEARCH AND THERAPY Vol.13 No.5

<P><B>Introduction</B></P><P>Interleukin (IL)-21 is a cytokine that controls the functional activity of effector T helper cells and the differentiation of Th17 cells, and promotes B-cell differentiation. To test whether IL-21 participates in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), serum IL-21 level was measured and IL-21 expression in the labial salivary glands (LSG) was examined.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Serum IL-21 levels in 40 primary SS, 40 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 38 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 20 healthy controls were measured. Serum IL-21 levels of SS patients were assessed for correlations with laboratory data, including anti-nuclear antibody, anti-Ro/La antibodies, globulin, immunoglobulin (Ig) class, and IgG subclass. LSGs from 16 primary SS and 4 controls with sicca symptoms were evaluated for IL-21 and IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) expression by immunohistochemistry. Confocal microscopy was performed to further characterize the IL-21 positive cells.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Primary SS patients had significantly higher serum IL-21 levels than controls, and these increments correlated positively with levels of IgG, IgG1. Serum IgG1 levels correlated with anti-Ro antibody titers. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that lymphocytic foci and the periductal area of the LSGs from SS patients expressed high levels of IL-21 and lower levels of IL-21R, whereas the control LSGs showed minimal expression of both antigens. The more the lymphocyte infiltrated, IL-21expression in LSGs showed a tendency to increase. Confocal microscopic analyses revealed that IL-21 expressing infiltrating lymphocytes in the LSGs of SS patients also expressed CXCR5.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Primary SS is associated with high serum IL-21 levels that correlate positively with serum IgG, especially IgG1, levels. The expression of IL-21 is increased as more lymphocytes infiltrated in LSGs. These observations suggest that IL-21 may play an important role in primary SS pathogenesis.</P>

금은화, 연교, 포공영 혼합물의 항염증 작용에 관한 연구

최강민 ( Kang Min Choi ),전주현 ( Ju Hyun Jeon ),김은석 ( Eun Seok Kim ),성기정 ( Ki Jung Sung ),김영일 ( Young Il Kim ) 대전대학교 한의학연구소 2021 혜화의학회지 Vol.30 No.1

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the inflammatory-control effects of Cheonghyeol-antidote complex(Lonicera japonica Thunberg, Forsythia viridissima Lindley, and Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt complex, CHA) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell and mouse inflammation models. Method : For in vitro and in vivo experiment, Indicators such as cell viability, mRNA expression level(iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, TNF-a), Inflammatory factor production(NO, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-a), and protein phosphorylation level(ERK, JNK, p38) were analyzed. For in vivo experiment, Indicators such as mRNA expression level(iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, TNF-a), Inflammatory factor production(IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-a), protein phosphorylation level(ERK, JNK, p38) and immune cell(white blood cell, lymphocyte) were analyzed. Results : 1. In vitro experiment In cell viability of CHA, CHA showed cell viability below 90% at concentrations of 400 μg / ml or more. In mRNA expression level, IL-6 and IL-1β showed a significant decrease at all concentrations except 25 μg / ml concentration, and iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-a showed a significant decrease at all concentrations of CHA compared to the control group. In inflammatory factor production, NO and TNF-a showed a significant decrease at all concentrations except 25 μg / ml concentration of CHA, and IL-1β showed a significant decrease at 100, 200 μg / ml concentration of CHA compared to the control group. IL-6 showed a significant decrease at all concentration of CHA compared to the control group. In protein phosphorylation level, ERK and p38 showed a significant decrease at all concentrations except 25 μg / ml concentration of CHA and JNK showed a significant decrease at all concentrations of CHA compared to control group. 2. In vivo experiment In mRNA expression level, iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-a showed a significant decrease in all administration groups of CHA compared to the control group. In Inflammatory factor production, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-a showed a significant decrease in all the administration groups of CHA. In protein phosphorylation level, ERK, JNK, and p38 showed a significant decrease in all the administration groups of CHA. In the immune cells, leukocytes and lymphocytes showed a significant decrease in all the administration groups of CHA. Conclusions : This study shows that CHA has antioxidant and inflammatory-control effects on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. It is hoped that further research will be conducted on the individual mechanisms of Lonicera japonica Thunberg, Forsythia viridissima Lindley, and Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt.

A Novel Function of Interleukin-10 Promoting Self-Renewal of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Kang, Young-Ju,Yang, Seung-Jip,Park, Gyeongsin,Cho, Bin,Min, Chang-Ki,Kim, Tae-Yoon,Lee, Joon-Sung,Oh, Il-Hoan Wiley (John WileySons) 2007 Stem Cells Vol.25 No.7

<P>Self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is key to their reconstituting ability, but the factors regulating the process remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a pleiotropic immune modulating cytokine, can also play a role in regulating HSC self-renewal. First, a quantitative decrease of primitive hematopoietic cell populations, but not more matured cells, was observed in the bone marrows of IL-10 disrupted mice as determined by long-term in vitro cultures or in vivo competitive repopulation assays. In contrast, normal HSCs from 5-fluorouracil treated marrows cultured on the IL-10 secreting stroma displayed an enhanced repopulating activity compared with cells grown on control stroma, with ninefold higher numbers of donor-derived HSCs in the reconstituted recipient marrows. Moreover, limiting dilution transplantation assay demonstrated that exogenous addition of IL-10 in the stroma-free cultures of purified Lin- Sca-1+ c-kit+ cells caused three- to fourfold higher frequencies of HSCs in the 5-day short-term culture without indirect inhibitory effect of IL-10 on tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interferon-gamma secretion. Interestingly, primitive hematopoietic cells, including Lin- Sca-1+ c-kit+ or side population cells, expressed the surface receptor for IL-10, and microenvironmental production of IL-10 was sharply increased in the osteoblasts lining the trabecular regions of the radiation-stressed marrow but not in the steady-state marrows. These results show that IL-10 may be a ligand that can stimulate self-renewal of HSCs to promote their regeneration in addition to being a ligand for immune regulation. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.</P>

IL-17A induces osteoblast differentiation by activating JAK2/STAT3 in ankylosing spondylitis

Jo, Sungsin,Wang, Sung Eun,Lee, Young Lim,Kang, Suman,Lee, Bitnara,Han, Jinil,Sung, Il-Hoon,Park, Ye-Soo,Bae, Sang-Cheol,Kim, Tae-Hwan BioMed Central 2018 Arthritis research & therapy Vol.20 No.-

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>IL-17A has recently emerged as a potential target that regulates the extensive inflammation and abnormal bone formation observed in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Blocking IL-17A is expected to inhibit bony ankylosis. Here, we investigated the effects of anti IL-17A agents in AS.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>TNFα, IL-17A, and IL-12/23 p40 levels in serum and synovial fluid from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), or healthy controls (HC) were measured by ELISA. Bone tissue samples were obtained at surgery from the facet joints of ten patients with AS and ten control (Ct) patients with noninflammatory spinal disease. The functional relevance of IL-17A, biological blockades, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and non-receptor tyrosine kinase was assessed in vitro with primary bone-derived cells (BdCs) and serum from patients with AS.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Basal levels of IL-17A and IL-12/23 p40 in body fluids were elevated in patients with AS. JAK2 was also highly expressed in bone tissue and primary BdCs from patients with AS. Furthermore, addition of exogenous IL-17A to primary Ct-BdCs promoted the osteogenic stimulus-induced increase in ALP activity and mineralization. Intriguingly, blocking IL-17A with serum from patients with AS attenuated ALP activity and mineralization in both Ct and AS-BdCs by inhibiting JAK2 phosphorylation and downregulating osteoblast-involved genes. Moreover, JAK2 inhibitors effectively reduced JAK2-driven ALP activity and JAK2-mediated events.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Our findings indicate that IL-17A regulates osteoblast activity and differentiation via JAK2/STAT3 signaling. They shed light on AS pathogenesis and suggest new rational therapies for clinical AS ankylosis.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1582-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.</P>

Intracellular IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma levels of leukemic cells and bone marrow T cells in acute leukemia.

Park, Hun Hee,Kim, Myungshin,Lee, Bong-Hee,Lim, Jihyang,Kim, Yonggoo,Lee, Eun Jung,Min, Woo Sung,Kang, Chang Suk,Kim, Won Il,Shim, Sang In,Han, Kyungja Institute for Clinical Science] 2006 Annals of clinical and laboratory science Vol.36 No.1

<P>The quantitative levels of intracellular cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma (ie, the number of bound PE-conjugated antibody molecules/cell) of leukemic cells and bone marrow T cells (bmT cells) of acute leukemia patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. One hundred, thirty-one (95 AML, 25 ALL, 11 ABL) patients were studied. The leukemic cell IL-4 level was highest in the monocytic AML group (1735 +/- 1056) and lowest in the dysplastic AML group (960 +/- 545). The IFN-gamma level was highest in the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) group (495 +/- 159), and lowest in the ALL group (252 +/- 119). The IL-10 level was not significantly different among the diagnosis groups. In bmT cells, the IL-10 level was highest in the dysplastic AML group (972 +/- 1049) and lowest in the APL group (397 +/- 352). The leukemic cell cytokine levels were lowest and bmT cell cytokine levels were highest in the dysplastic AML group. There were no significant correlations of these cytokine levels with 2-yr survival rate, complete remission (CR) rate, or relapse rate. The cytokine levels of bmT cells at the time of CR became normal and were not different among the diagnosis groups. In summary, leukemic cell and bmT cell cytoplasmic expression profiles of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma are characteristic for each diagnostic group of acute leukemia patients and the profiles of bmT cells are normal at the time of CR.</P>

Acetyl salicylic acid inhibits Th17 airway inflammation via blockade of IL-6 and IL-17 positive feedback

문형근,Chil Sung Kang,최준표,최동식,Hyun Il Choi,최용욱,전성규,유주연,Myoung Ho Jang,고용송,김윤근 생화학분자생물학회 2013 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.45 No.1

T-helper (Th)17 cell responses are important for the development of neutrophilic inflammatory disease. Recently, we found that acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) inhibited Th17 airway inflammation in an asthma mouse model induced by sensitization with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-containing allergens. To investigate the mechanism(s) of the inhibitory effect of ASA on the development of Th17 airway inflammation, a neutrophilic asthma mouse model was generated by intranasal sensitization with LPS plus ovalbumin (OVA) and then challenged with OVA alone. Immunologic parameters and airway inflammation were evaluated 6 and 48 h after the last OVA challenge. ASA inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-17 from lung T cells as well as in vitro Th17 polarization induced by IL-6. Additionally, ASA, but not salicylic acid, suppressed Th17 airway inflammation,which was associated with decreased expression of acetyl-STAT3 (downstream signaling of IL-6) in the lung. Moreover, the production of IL-6 from inflammatory cells, induced by IL-17, was abolished by treatment with ASA, whereas that induced by LPS was not. Altogether, ASA, likely via its acetyl moiety, inhibits Th17 airway inflammation by blockade of IL-6 and IL-17positive feedback.

Two-Track Medical Treatment Strategy According to the Clinical Scoring System for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Kim, Dong-Kyu,Kang, Seong Il,Kong, Il Gyu,Cho, Young Hoon,Song, Seul Ki,Hyun, Se Jin,Cho, Sung Dong,Han, Sang-Yoon,Cho, Seong-Ho,Kim, Dae Woo The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical 2018 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.10 No.5

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The previously reported Japanese clinical scoring study (JESREC) suggests that chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can be divided into 4 subtypes according to the degree of eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) and offers the information regarding the prognosis of CRS to clinicians. However, this scoring system has not yet been validated by an immunological study and needs to provide treatment guidelines based on underlying immunologic profiles. We investigated the immunologic profile of each CRS subgroup according to the JESREC classification and suggest its clinical application.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>A total of 140 CRS patients and 20 control subjects were enrolled. All patients were classified into 4 groups according to the JESREC (non-, mild, moderate and severe ECRS). Nasal tissues were analyzed for mRNA expression of major cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23p19, IFN-γ, periostin, thymic stromal lymphopoietin [TSLP] and ST2), major chemokines (CCL11, CCL24, CXCL1 and CXCL2), transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORC and FOXP3) and COL1A1 for type I collagen. Protein levels of 3 major cytokines (IL-5, IL-17A and IFN-γ) were also measured by multiplex immunoassay. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to investigate the overall profile of multiple mediators.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The moderate/severe ECRS showed up-regulation of type 2-related mediators (IL-5, IL-13, periostin, TSLP and ST-2), whereas INF-γ (type 1 cytokine) and CXCL1 (neutrophil chemokine) expressions were increased in non-/mild ECRS compared with moderate/severe ECRS. The JESREC classification reflected an immunological endotype. In PCA data, PCA1 indicates a relative type 2 profile, whereas PCA2 represents a type 1/type 17-related profile. In this analysis, mild ECRS was indistinguishable from non-ECRS, whereas moderate to severe ECRS showed a distinct distribution compared with non-ECRS. The JESREC classification could be divided into 2 categories, non-/mild vs. moderate/severe ECRS based on underlying immunological analyses.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The CRS clinical scoring system from the JESREC study reflects an inflammatory endotype. However, the immunologic profile of mild ECRS was similar to that of non-ECRS. Therefore, we propose type 2-targeted medical treatment for moderate to severe ECRS and type 1/type 17-targeted for non-ECRS and mild ECRS as the first treatment option.</P>

류마티스 활막염에 있어 염증매개물질에 의한 Transforming Growth Factor-β-inducible Gene-h3 (βig-h3) 생산 조절 기전

강영모 ( Young Mo Kang ),김성일 ( Sung Il Kim ),김정섭 ( Jeong Seup Kim ),유동완 ( Dong Wan You ),사금희 ( Kheum Hee Sa ),박은주 ( Eun Ju Park ),김성욱 ( Sung Uk Kim ),서재석 ( Jae Seok Seo ),한승우 ( Seung Woo Han ),남언정 ( Eon 대한류마티스학회 2005 대한류마티스학회지 Vol.12 No.2

Objective: To investigate the expression pattern of transforming growth factor-β-inducible gene-h3 (βig-h3) within rheumatoid synovial tissue and the regulation of βig-h3 synthesis in fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS). Methods: Synovial tissues obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis were obtained during joint replacement surgery. βig-h3 expression was evaluated with immunohistochemical stain. FLS was isolated from synovial tissues and stimulated with cytokines including TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10. βig-h3 synthesis was measured using semiquantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence stain, and flow cytometry. Results: Expression of βig-h3 was diffuse and abundant in both lining and sublining layers of rheumatoid synovium, which was more prominent than those of osteoarthritis. Production of βig-h3 in FLS was regulated by TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner and was highest at 5 ng/mL of TGF-β1. TNF-α and IL-1β upregulated the production of βig-h3 from FLS synergistically with TGF-β1 but other cytokines such as IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 did not affect. βig-h3 synthesis was efficiently inhibited by dexamethasone at higher dose (100 nM) but not by cyclosporine-A. Conclusion: Production of βig-h3, which is highly upregulated in rheumatoid synovitis, is differentially regulated by inflammatory cytokines.

Free Paper Session : Upper Gastrointestinal Tract 1 ; Prevalence And Risk Factors For Atrophic Gastritis And Intestinal Metaplasia

( Na Young Kim ),( Dong Ho Lee ),( Joo Sung Kim ),( Hyun Chae Jung ),( In Sung Song ),( Kyung Phil Kang ),( Jung Hoon Lee ),( Jae Il Chung ),( Hyun Cheul Choi ),( Taek Man Nam ),( Sang Hyup Lee ),( Yo 대한소화기학회 2007 SIDDS Vol.9 No.-

Background/Aims: The prevalence of gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is high in Korea. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence rate of atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) and their risk factors in the aspect of Hp virulence factors, environmental and host factors in normal population. Methods: The subjects consisted of 389, 135 H. pylori-negative and 254 H. pylori-positive. AG and IM were scored histologically by the Sydney classification in the antrum and body, respectively. Prevalence rate and bacterial factors such as cagA, vacA m1, m2, and oipA; environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking; host factors such as genetic polymorphisms for IL-IB-511, IL-IRN, TNF-A, IL-10-592, IL-10-819, IL-10-1082, IL-8-251, IL-6-572, GSTP1, and p53 codon 72 were evaluated. Risk factors were calculated by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence rate of AG increased from 25%, 0% in the age of 20s, 45% and 22% in the 40s and 50% and 35% in the over 70s in the antrum and body, respectively (p<0.001). In case of IM it increased from 11.1% and 6.4% in the 30s up to 43% and 43% in over 70s in the antrum and body, respectively, (p<0.001). The positive rates of AG and IM were significantly higher in the Hp-positive than in the Hp-negative subjects. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for AG were Hp infection, age ≥60, cagA and vacA m1 positive. In case of IM the risk factors were Hp infection, age ≥60, smoking, spicy food, occupation (unemployed or non professional vs. professional), IL6-572 G carrier over C/C and IL10-592 C/A vs. A/A. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of AG and IM increased proportional to age. The most risk factor for AG and IM was Hp infection. Bacterial factors were important for AG but environmental and host factors were rather important in case of IM.

The flavonoid ellagic acid from a medicinal herb inhibits host immune tolerance induced by the hepatitis B virus-e antigen

Kang, Eun Hwa,Kown, Tae Young,Oh, Goo Taeg,Park, Weung Feel,Park, Sung-Il,Park, Sung Kyu,Lee, Young Ik Elsevier 2006 ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH Vol.72 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>The aim of this study is to characterize the role of ellagic acid, a flavonoid from a medicinal herb which blocks HBeAg secretion in a HBV infected cell line and in HBeAg transgenic mice, in immune tolerance in chronic HBV infection. Using the mouse strain C57ML/6, HBeAg-producing transgenic mice (HBeAg-Tg), under the control of metal ion-inducible promoter were generated. The effect on immune tolerance of HBeAg-Tg and the release of immune tolerance by the inhibitor of HBeAg secretion, ellagic acid, was tested using T/B cell proliferation, HBeAg/HBeAb production, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and cytokine assays.</P><P>C57ML/6 based HBeAg-producing HBeAg-Tg mice were tolerant to HBeAg at the T and B-cell level, did not produce antibodies to HBeAg in vivo and in vitro, produced minimal levels of cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-gamma) and decreased CTL responses, while feeding mice with ellagic acid (5mg/kg body weight) blocked the immune tolerance caused by HBeAg. Our results suggest that host immune tolerance induced by HBeAg during HBV infection, a viral strategy to guarantee HBV infection, can be overcome by ellagic acid, thus it can be used as a therapeutic for HBV-carriers.</P>