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>

Chronological changes in inflammatory cytokines immunoreactivities in the mouse hippocampus after systemic administration of high dosage of tetanus toxin.

Yan, Bing Chun,Park, Joon Ha,Kim, In Hye,Shin, Bich Na,Ahn, Ji Hyeon,Yoo, Ki-Yeon,Lee, Deuk-Sik,Kim, Myong Jo,Kang, Il-Jun,Won, Moo-Ho Springer-Verlag 2012 Experimental brain research Vol.223 No.2

<P>Tetanus toxin (TeT) is an exotoxin and has a capacity for neuronal binding and internalization. In the present study, we compared changes in the immunoreactivities and protein levels of interleukin (IL-) 2 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine and IL-4 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine in the hippocampus proper (HP) and dentate gyrus (DG) after systemic treatment of 10 or 100?ng/kg TeT into mice. In this study, we could not find any neuronal damage or loss in any subregions of the hippocampus after TeT treatment. In the control groups, strong IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in the stratum pyramidal (SP) of the HP and in the granule cell layer (GCL) of the DG. At 6?h post-treatment, IL-2 immunoreactivity was hardly detected in the SP and GCL; however, strong IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in the stratum oriens of the HP in both the groups. Thereafter, intermediate IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in the SP and GCL. On the other hand, intermediate IL-4 immunoreactivity was detected in the SP and GCL of the control groups. At 6?h post-treatment, IL-4 immunoreactivity in the SP and GCL was apparently increased. Thereafter, IL-4 immunoreactivity was lower than that at 6?h post-treatment. In brief, IL-2 and 4 immunoreactivities were easily detected in SP and GCL in the controls and dramatically decreased and increased at 6?h post-treatment, respectively.</P>

Vitamin C Deficiency Causes Severe Defects in the Development of the Neonatal Cerebellum and in the Motor Behaviors of <i>Gulo^−/−</i> Mice

Kim, Hyemin,Kim, Yejin,Bae, Seyeon,Lim, Seung Hyeon,Jang, Mirim,Choi, Jiyea,Jeon, Jane,Hwang, Young-il,Kang, Jae Seung,Lee, Wang Jae Mary Ann Liebert 2015 ANTIOXIDANTS AND REDOX SIGNALING Vol.23 No.16

<P>Aims: The developing brain of a neonate is particularly susceptible to damage by vitamin C deficiency because of its rapid growth and immature antioxidant system. Cognitive impairment and sensory motor deficits are found in the adult brain upon vitamin C deficiency. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify the role of vitamin C in its own right and its related mechanisms in Gulo(-/-) mice incapable of synthesizing vitamin C. Results: When vitamin C supplementation was ceased for 2 weeks until delivery, stillbirths and a significant reduction in neonatal mice were observed and the growth of neonates was remarkably decreased. In addition, intraparenchymal hemorrhages were found in most of the brains, especially in the stillborn neonates. In addition, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-isoprostanes were increased and structural abnormalities were found in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Especially, vitamin C deficiency caused the failure of or a delay in the formation of cerebellar fissures accompanied by abnormal foliation and altered Purkinje cell alignment. In the developed adult brains from vitamin C-deficient Gulo(-/-) mice, the levels of glutathione, MDA, nitrate, IL-6, TNF-, and Bax were increased and the expression of the GABRA6 and calbindin-28k was decreased. Due to atrophy of the granule and Purkinje cells, the motor behavior of vitamin C-deficient Gulo(-/-) mice declined. Innovation and Conclusion: Vitamin C deficiency during gestation induces intraparenchymal hemorrhages and severe defects in the development of the cerebellum. In fully developed brains, it induces the functional impairment by altering the cellular composition in the cerebellum. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 23, 1270-1283.</P>

<i>In vivo</i> genotoxicity evaluation of lung cells from Fischer 344 rats following 28 days of inhalation exposure to MWCNTs, plus 28 days and 90 days post-exposure

Kim, Jin Sik,Sung, Jae Hyuck,Choi, Byung Gil,Ryu, Hyeon Yeol,Song, Kyung Seuk,Shin, Jae Hoon,Lee, Jong Seong,Hwang, Joo Hwan,Lee, Ji Hyun,Lee, Gun Ho,Jeon, Kisoo,Ahn, Kang Ho,Yu, Il Je Informa Healthcare 2014 INHALATION TOXICOLOGY Vol. No.

<P>Despite their useful physico-chemical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) continue to cause concern over occupational and human health due to their structural similarity to asbestos. Thus, to evaluate the toxic and genotoxic effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on lung cells <I>in vivo</I>, eight-week-old rats were divided into four groups (each group = 25 animals), a fresh air control (0 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), low (0.17 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), middle (0.49 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), and high (0.96 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>) dose group, and exposed to MWCNTs <I>via</I> nose-only inhalation 6 h per day, 5 days per week for 28 days. The count median length and geometric standard deviation for the MWCNTs determined by TEM were 330.18 and 1.72 nm, respectively, and the MWCNT diameters ranged from 10 to 15 nm. Lung cells were isolated from five male and five female rats in each group on day 0, day 28 (only from males) and day 90 following the 28-day exposure. The total number of animals used was 15 male and 10 female rats for each concentration group. To determine the genotoxicity of the MWCNTs, a single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) was conducted on the rat lung cells. As a result of the exposure, the olive tail moments were found to be significantly higher (<I>p</I> < 0.05) in the male and female rats from all the exposed groups when compared with the fresh air control. In addition, the high-dose exposed male and middle and high-dose exposed female rats retained DNA damage, even 90 days post-exposure (<I>p</I> < 0.05). To investigate the mode of genotoxicity, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, TGF- β, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ) were also measured. For the male rats, the H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> levels were significantly higher in the middle (0 days post-exposure) and high- (0 days and 28 days post-exposure) dose groups (<I>p</I> < 0.05). Conversely, the female rats showed no changes in the H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> levels. The inflammatory cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid did not show any statistically significant difference. Interestingly, the short-length MWCNTs deposited in the lung cells were persistent at 90 days post-exposure. Thus, exposing lung cells to MWCNTs with a short tube length may induce genotoxicity.</P>

백혈병 마우스 모델의 동종골수이식에서 활성화된 자연살해세포들의 보충이 이식편대백혈병효과와 이식편대숙주반응에 미치는 영향

엄현석,한치화,박수정,김소연,정낙균,정대철,진종률,최일봉,양형모,서영훈,송현근,최인표,민우성,김춘추 대한조혈모세포이식학회 2001 대한조혈모세포이식학회지 Vol.6 No.1

배경: 백혈병에서 동종골수이식 (allogeneic bone marrow transplantation)의 성공적 치료 효과를 얻기 위해서는 이식편대숙주반응 (graft-versus-host disease, GVHD) 발생의 극복과 재발의 방지가 중요한 과제이다. 골수를 역류원심성 세포분리 (counterflow centrifugal elutriation, CCE) 방법으로 분리하여 얻은 rotor off (R/O) 세포분획은 T 세포의 수는 적지만 조혈모세포들을 다량 포함하고 있어 동종골수이식에서 주조직적합복합체 (major histocompatibility complex, MHC) 차이를 극복할 수 있고, 이식편의 생착 성공과 GVHD 발생 예방에 효과적이다. 그러나 골수로부터 T 세포를 제거하면 백혈병세포를 공격하는 이식편대백혈병 (graft-versus-leukemia, GVL) 효과가 감소되기 때문에 백혈병 재발의 빈도가 높다. 자연살해세포 (natural killer cell, NK cell)의 보충 첨가는 동종골수이식 후 GVHD 발생을 줄이면서 충분한 GVL 효과를 얻을 수가 있다. 따라서 저자는 분리 후 IL-2로 활성화시킨 NK 세포들을 골수 R/O 세포분획과 함께 백혈병 마우스 모델에 동종이식함으로써 GVHD와 GVL에 미치는 효과를 관찰하였다. 방법: Balb/c (H-2^(d)) 마우스에서 유래된 A20 (murine B-lymphoma/leukemia cell line, H-2^(d)) 백혈병 세포를 이식 2 일 전에 Balb/c 마우스에 주입하고, 치사량의 전신 방사선을 조사한 직후에 Balb/c 또는 C57BL/6 (H-2^(b)) 마우스의 골수 R/O 세포분획을 꼬리정맥을 통하여 주입하였다. 이들은 모두 이식 후 6-8 주 이내에 사망하였다. 동종이식의 대조군 (n=9)에는 1 × 10^(7)의 R/O 세포분획만을 주입하였고, 실험군 (n=9)에는 C57BL/6 마우스의 비장세포들로부터 단클론항체들을 이용한 negative selection방법으로 분리한 후 IL-2로 활성화된 5 × 10^(5)의 NK 세포분획을 1 × 10^(7)의 R/O 세포분획과 함께 주입하였다. GVL 효과의 판정은 이식 후 14 일과 28 일 째 되는 날 마우스에서 골수, 비장, 간 등을 얻어 백혈병 세포들의 침윤을 조직학적으로 관찰하였으며, GVHD의 정도는 육안적 관찰법으로 평가하였다. 결과: R/O 세포분획만을 이식한 대조군의 골수, 비장, 그리고 간 조직에서는 A20 백혈병 세포의 침윤이 각각 89% (8/9), 78% (7/9)와 22% (2/9)에서 관찰되었고, R/O 세포분획과 NK 세포분획을 함께 이식한 실험군에서는 비장과 간을 제외한 골수에서만 89% (8/9)에서 A20 백혈병 세포의 침윤이 관찰되어 두 군 사이에 장기별 분포의 차이를 볼 수 있었다 (P= 0.0001). 한편 GVHD는 두 군 모두에서 경하게 나타나서 유의한 차이는 없었다. 또한 생착 부전으로 사망한 마우스는 없었다. 결론: CCE를 이용하여 T 세포를 제거한 동종골수이식에서 NK 세포의 보충은 GVHD의 악화는 일으키지 않으면서, 백혈병의 진행을 억제하는 GVL 효과를 얻을 수 있었다. Background: Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with T cell-depleted marrow accompanies engraftment failure and relapse of leukemia by a loss of the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect frequently, while it can prevent GVHD. Supplement of NK cells could prevent GVHD and enhance GVL effect in several murine allogeneis BMT models Roter off (R/O) cell fraction obtained by counterflow centriation elutriatio (CCO) contains small number of T cells and many hematopoietic stem cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of R/O cell fraction supplemented with IL-2 activated NK cells on GVL and GVHD within the leukemic mouse BMT model. Methods: Inoculation of A20 (H-2d, murine B-lymphoma/leukemia, Balb/c origin) cells into Balb/c mice via the tail vein 2 days prior to lethal total body irradiation (TBI) and infusion of the Balb/c BM or C57BL/6 (H-2b) R/O fraction were performed. It resulted in 100% mortality within 6 to 8 weeks. The irradiated mice in the control group were injected with 1 × 107 R/O cell fraction alone (n=9) and in the experimental group mice were injected with 1 × 107 R/O cell fraction plus 5 × 105 negatively selected IL-2 activated NK cell fractions of the spleens via the tail vein (n=9). On day 14 and 28 after BMT, the bone marrows, spleens, and livers of mice were harvested for histopathologic analysis of the infiltrations of leukemic cells. We then evaluated the GVHD within the mice. Results: A histopathologic study of the recipients receiving R/O fraction alone showed infiltration of leukemic cells, 89% (8/9) in bone marrows, 78% (7/8) in spleens, and 22% (2/9) in livers. The experimental group of mice showed only the infiltration of leukemic cells 89% (8/9) in bone marrows, not in spleens and livers. There were the organ differences of the leukemic cells infiltrations between the two groups (P=0.0001). There were no obvious differences in the GVHD scores between these two groups, and severe GVHD was not observed. There was no engraftment failure among groups. Conclusion: Thus, our findings suggest that R/O cell fraction obtained by CCE and supplemented with NK cells can promote GVL effect without mediating clinically overt GVHD in allogeneic BMT of mouse leukemia.

제2형 당뇨병 환자에서 체내 총항산화능 측정의 의의

윤여일,윤석기,김선규,김용현,남일송,차건영,황의원,김영선 순천향의학연구소 2001 Journal of Soonchunhyang Medical Science Vol.7 No.2

Background: The diabetic patients are at significantly increased risk of developing vascular disease. It's etiology may involve oxidative damage by free radiacals and protection againse such damage can be offered by antioxidants. We investigated that oxidative stress as assessed by measurement of total antioxidant status may play a role in development of diabetes mellitus. Method: We measured total antioxiant status using merchandised kit, glycated hemeglobin(HbA1c) in 46 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 50 healthy matched control subjects. Result: The total antioxidant status(TAS) was 2.10(±0.04) mmol/L in uncontrolled type 2 DM patients, 2.60(±0.03) in controlled type 2 DM patients and 2.70(±0.16) in healthy control subjects. TAS was significantly lower(P<0.05) in uncontrolled type 2 DM patients, but no significant association between in controlled type 2 DM patients and healthy control subjects. The TAS was 2.00(±0.17) mmol/L in complicated type 2 DM patients and 2.10(±0.29) uncomplicated type 2 DM patients. There was no significant associations between complicated type 2 DM patients and uncomplicated type 2 DM patients. Conclusion: Poor glycemic control is associated with reduced TAS in type 2 DM patients. TAS was thought indirect index that predict glycemic control of type 2 DM patients.

The Role of Cyclosporine and Mycophenolate in an Orthotopic Porcine-to-Rat Corneal Xenotransplantation

Lee, Hyeon Il,Kim, Mee Kum,Oh, Joo Youn,Ko, Jung Hwa,Lee, Hyun Ju,Wee, Won Ryang,Lee, Jin Hak The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 2008 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.23 No.3

<P>We performed this study to investigate the feature of rejection in porcine-to-rat corneal orthotopic transplantation and to evaluate the effect of cyclosporine and mycophenolate on the xeno-rejection. Orthotopic corneal transplantation was done at 91 Sprague-Dawley rats, and they were divided into 10 groups based on the combination of immunosuppressants including dexamethasone, cyclosporine, and mycophenolate mofetil. Graft survival was analyzed and grafted eyes were examined with Hematoxylin & Eosin and CD4 or CD8 staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were done for interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and interferon (IFN)-γ in cornea, lacrimal gland, and cervical lymph nodes. The longest median survival of the immune suppressant group was 11.00±1.96 days, which showed no statistical differences compared with that of control (8.00±1.52 days). The neutrophils were prominent in the early phase but soon gave way to the monocytes. The number of CD8+ cells was higher than that of CD4+ cells. IL-2 and IFN-γ markedly increased at 10 to13 days in cornea, lacrimal glands, and cervical lymph nodes, which showed a decrease with immunosuppressants except in the cornea. In conclusion, cyclosporine and mycophenolate could not prevent the rejection in porcine to rat orthotopic corneal xenograft associated with infiltraton of CD8+ and innate immune cells.</P>

Interleukin-2가 호산구 생존에 미치는 영향과 기전에 관한 연구

김효석 ( Hyo Seok Kim ),이영목 ( Young Mok Lee ),최영수 ( Young Soo Choi ),김경호 ( Kyung Ho Kim ),임건일 ( Geon Il Im ),문승혁 ( Jeong Sung Whan ),정성환 ( Moon Seung Hyug ),김현태 ( Hyeon Tae Kim ),어수택 ( Uh Soo Taek ),김용훈 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 1996 Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Vol.43 No.3

Effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. on Proteoglycan Release, Type II Collagen Degradation and Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in Rabbit Articular Cartilage Explants

Baek, Yong-Hyeon,Seo, Byung-Kwan,Lee, Jae-Dong,Huh, Jeong-Eun,Yang, Ha-Ru,Cho, Eun-Mi,Choi, Do-Young,Kim, Deog-Yoon,Cho, Yoon-Je,Kim, Kang-Il,Park, Dong-Suk The Korean Acupuncture Moxibustion Medicine Societ 2005 대한침구의학회지 Vol.33 No.4

Background & Objective: Articular cartilage is a potential target for drugs designed to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to stop or slow the destruction of the proteoglycan and collagen in the cartilage extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. in inhibiting the release of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), the degradation of collagen, and MMP activity in rabbit articular cartilage explants. Methods : The cartilage-protective effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. were evaluated by using glycosaminoglycan degradation assay, collagen degradation assay, colorimetric analysis of MMP activity, measurement of lactate dehydrogenase activity and histological analysis in rabbit cartilage explants culture. Results : Interleukin-la (IL-1a) rapidly induced GAG, but collagen was much less readily released from cartilage explants. Aralia cordata Thunb. significantly inhibited GAG and collagen release in a concentration-dependent manner. Aralia cordata Thunb. dose-dependently inhibited MMP-3 and MMP-13 expression and activities from IL-1a-treated cartilage explants cultures when tested at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 mg/ml. Aralia cordata Thunb. had no harmful effect on chondrocytes viability or cartilage morphology in cartilage explants. Histological analysis indicated that Aralia cordata Thunb. reduced the degradation of the cartilage matrix compared with that of IL -1a-treated cartilage explants.

Effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. on Proteoglycan Release, Type II Collagen Degradation and Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in Rabbit Articular Cartilage Explants

Baek, Yong-Hyeon,Seo, Byung-Kwan,Lee, Jae-Dong,Huh, Jeong-Eun,Yang, Ha-Ru,Cho, Eun-Mi,Choi, Do-Young,Kim, Deog-Yoon,Cho, Yoon-Je,Kim, Kang-Il,Park, Dong-Suk The Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2005 대한침구의학회지 Vol.22 No.2

Background & Objective: Articular cartilage is a potential target for drugs designed to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to stop or slow the destruction of the proteoglycan and collagen in the cartilage extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. in inhibiting the release of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), the degradation of collagen, and MMP activity in rabbit articular cartilage explants. Methods : The cartilage-protective effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. were evaluated by using glycosaminoglycan degradation assay, collagen degradation assay, colorimetric analysis of MMP activity, measurement of lactate dehydrogenase activity and histological analysis in rabbit cartilage explants culture. Results : Interleukin-la (IL-1a) rapidly induced GAG, but collagen was much less readily released from cartilage explants. Aralia cordata Thunb. significantly inhibited GAG and collagen release in a concentration-dependent manner. Aralia cordata Thunb. dose-dependently inhibited MMP-3 and MMP-13 expression and activities from IL-1a-treated cartilage explants cultures when tested at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 mg/ml. Aralia cordata Thunb. had no harmful effect on chondrocytes viability or cartilage morphology in cartilage explants. Histological analysis indicated that Aralia cordata Thunb. reduced the degradation of the cartilage matrix compared with that of IL -1a-treated cartilage explants.