A Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitor Targeting the IL-6 Receptor β Subunit, Glycoprotein 130

Hong, Soon-Sun,Choi, Jung Ho,Lee, Sung Yoon,Park, Yeon-Hwa,Park, Kyung-Yeon,Lee, Joo Young,Kim, Juyoung,Gajulapati, Veeraswamy,Goo, Ja-Il,Singh, Sarbjit,Lee, Kyeong,Kim, Young-Kook,Im, So Hee,Ahn, Sun The American Association of Immunologists, Inc. 2015 JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY Vol.195 No.1

<P>IL-6 is a major causative factor of inflammatory disease. Although IL-6 and its signaling pathways are promising targets, orally available small-molecule drugs specific for IL-6 have not been developed. To discover IL-6 antagonists, we screened our in-house chemical library and identified-LMT-28, a novel synthetic compound, as a candidate IL-6 blocker. The activity, mechanism of action, and direct molecular target of LMT-28 were investigated. A reporter gene assay showed that LMT-28 suppressed activation of STAT3 induced by IL-6, but not activation induced by leukemia inhibitory factor. In addition, LMT-28 downregulated IL-6-stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3, gp130, and JAK2 protein and substantially inhibited IL-6-dependent TF-1 cell proliferation. LMT-28 antagonized IL-6-induced TNF-alpha production in vivo. In pathologic models, oral administration of LMT-28 alleviated collagen-induced arthritis and acute pancreatitis in mice. Based on the observation of upstream IL-6 signal inhibition by LMT-28, we hypothesized IL-6, IL-6R alpha, or gp130 to be putative molecular targets. We subsequently demonstrated direct interaction of LMT-28 with gp130 and specific reduction of IL-6/IL-6R alpha complex binding to gp130 in the presence of LMT-28, which was measured by surface plasmon resonance analysis. Taken together, our data suggest that LMT-28 is a novel synthetic IL-6 inhibitor that functions through direct binding to gp130.</P>

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>

Involvement of IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms in the susceptibility for childhood asthma.

Kim, Kyung Won,Lee, Kyung Eun,Hong, Jung Yeon,Kim, Mi Na,Heo, Won Il,Sohn, Myung Hyun,Kim, Kyu-Earn Springer International 2011 Lung Vol.189 No.5

<P>Asthma and atopy have a complex background that may result from the interaction of genes and the environment. Interleukin (IL)-10 is known to play various roles in immune-regulating and anti-inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of the IL-10 promoter polymorphisms on susceptibility to childhood asthma. We recruited 333 patients with atopic asthma, 55 with nonatopic asthma, and 248 normal controls. We performed a genetic association study of three genetic polymorphisms (IL-10 -1082A>G, IL-10 -819T>C, and IL-10 -592A>C) of the IL-10 promoter. There was no difference between atopic asthma, nonatopic asthma, and normal controls with respect to allele, genotype, or haplotype frequencies of these IL-10 polymorphisms. However, the -1082A>G polymorphism and ATA haplotype in the IL-10 promoter gene were associated with airway hyper responsiveness (AHR) and the -819T>C, -592A>C, and ATA and ACC haplotypes were also shown to be related to serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Our results suggest that the polymorphisms within the IL-10 promoter may have a disease-modifying effect in the asthmatic airway.</P>

DBA/1JCrj Mouse에 있어서 콜라젠유도관절염에 관한 면역학적 고찰

박승규,이지연,정일엽,최용경,최인성,김효준 大韓免疫學會 1996 大韓免疫學會誌 Vol.18 No.3

There is growing evidence that a variety of cytokines are secreted by cells at the inflammation sites of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and that CDS+ B cell, a minor subtype of B cell population producing natural autoantibodies, is implicated in pathogenesis of RA. In this study, we evaluated the both cytokne levels and change of CDS+ B cell population in the peripheral blood from DBA/lJCrj mice(H-2`) which are collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) susceptible strain. Surprisingly, the healthy DBA/1JCrj and MRL/Ipr/Ipr(H-2'`) mice which were autoimmune susceptible strains tested in this experiment, showed lower IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in serum by 60% than heal-thy normal mouse strains such as Balb/c(H-2d), C57BL/6(H-2') and outbred ICR mice. MRL/lpr/ 1pr mice in which onset of spontaneous autoimmune disease is dependent upon age were similar to healthy DBA/1JCrj mice in levels of the cytokines in the serum when they are young. After the CIA(for DBA/1JCrj) or the spontaneous autoimmune disease(for MRL/lpr/Ipr) had been developed in the susceptible mouse strains, the levels of IL-6 and IL-4 in the serum were increased to 1.8- and 13-fold, respectively, as compaired with those from control groups while level of IL-10 remained relatively constant. The elevated levels of IL-4- and IL-6, however, in the serum from mice with disease status were still below those of the healthy normal mouse strains. On the other hand, CDS+ B cell population in the peripheral blood, which were reported to be increased with the development of RA for human, was rather significantly decreased for the CIA-induced DBA/lJCrj mice as evidenced by FACS analysis. It could be due to the differences in the pathogenic mechanism between CIA and RA. Taken together, our results. suggest that the levels of both these cytokines and CDS+ B cells may be utilized as important diagnostic markers for arthritides.

Interleukin-17이 배양된 류마티스관절염 활막세포에서 vascular endothelial growth factor 생성에 미치는 영향

곽임수 ( Ihm Soo Kwak ),남태수 ( Tae Soo Nam ),나하연 ( Ha Yeon Rha ),서정탁 ( Jeung Tak Suh ),김유선 ( Yoo Sun Kim ),김성일 ( Sung Il Kim ) 대한류마티스학회 2001 대한류마티스학회지 Vol.8 No.3

Objective: To investigate the the effects of interleukin-17 (IL-17) on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from cultured rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes. Methods: Fibroblast-like synovial cells(FLS) were prepared from the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients and cultured in the presence of IL-17, IL-17 with or without transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β). VEGF levels were determined in the culture supernatants by sandwitch ELISA. Results: Stimulation of FLS by serial concentration of IL-17, TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β increased the production of VEGF by 2.1-2.7, 2.2-3.0, 2.0-2.9, 2.3-3.1 fold over the constitutive levels of unstimulated FLS. Stimulation of FLS by IL-17 with TGF-β or TNF-α or IL-1β also increased the production of VEGF according to culture periods by 1.6-1.8, 1.1-1.9, 1.5-1.7 fold over the levels stimulated with TGF-β or TNF-α or IL-1β, respectively. This results indicated that IL-17 increased the effect of TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β on FLS, leading synergistic enhancement of VEGF production. Conclusion: IL-17 may be involved in the neovascularization in rheumatoid synovitis by enhancing the production of VEGF.

Gene therapy of intracranial glioma using interleukin 12-secreting human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Ryu, Chung Heon,Park, Sang-Hoon,Park, Soon A,Kim, Seong Muk,Lim, Jung Yeon,Jeong, Chang Hyun,Yoon, Wan-Soo,Oh, Won-il,Sung, Young Chul,Jeun, Sin-Soo Mary Ann Liebert 2011 Human gene therapy Vol.22 No.6

<P>Clinical trials of gene therapy using a viral delivery system for glioma have been limited. Recently, gene therapy using stem cells as the vehicles for delivery of therapeutic agents has emerged as a new treatment strategy for malignant brain tumors. In this study, we used human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) as delivery vehicles with glioma-targeting capabilities, and modified interleukin-12 (IL-12p40N220Q; IL-12M) as a novel therapeutic gene. We also engineered UCB-MSCs to secret IL-12M (UCB-MSC-IL12M) via tetrameric cell-permeable peptide (4HP4)-mediated adenoviral transduction. We confirmed the migratory capacity of UCB-MSC-IL12M toward GL26 mouse glioma cells by an in vitro migration assay and in vivo injection of UCB-MSC-IL12M into the ipsilateral hemisphere of implanted gliomas in C57BL/6 mice. In vivo efficacy experiments showed that intratumoral injection of UCB-MSC-IL12M significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged the survival of glioma-bearing mice compared with control mice. Antitumor effects were associated with increased local IL-12M levels, followed by interferon-γ secretion and T-cell infiltration in intracranial gliomas, as well as antiangiogenesis. Interestingly, tumor-free mice after UCB-MSC-IL12M treatment were resistant to ipsilateral and contralateral tumor rechallenge, which was closely associated with tumor-specific long-term T-cell immunity. Thus, our results provide the rationale for designing novel experimental protocols to induce long-term antitumor immunity against intracranial gliomas using UCB-MSCs as an effective delivery vehicle for therapeutic cytokines including IL-12M.</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>

Immunostimulating Effects of Enzyme Hydrolysate of Ginseng Marc Polysaccharides in Immune-suppressed Mice

( Jeong Yeon Seo ),( Jun Il Kim ),( Seongcheol Kim ),( Gi Eun Park ),( Hyeon Jeong Kim ),( Jisun Lee ),( Jin Ree ),( Yong Il Park ) 한국키틴키토산학회 2018 한국키틴키토산학회지 Vol.23 No.2

Ginseng contains various health-beneficial bioactive compounds, such as ginsenosides and polysaccharides. Despite ginseng marc is produced after the extraction process and usually discarded as wastes, it still contains considerable amounts of potential bioactive compounds, including saponins and polysaccharides. Previously, we reported that glucan type ginseng oligosaccharides obtained by enzyme hydrolysis of ginseng marc-derived polysaccharides exhibit immunostimulatory activities in macrophages and, activated macrophages are in turn capable of inhibiting the growth of skin melanoma cells via induction of apoptosis. In the present study, an enzymatic hydrolysate (GEH) containing these ginseng oligosaccharides was prepared and immune-enhancing activities of GEH were evaluated in vivo using cyclophosphamide-treated immune-suppressed mice. Immunosuppression was induced by 3 day-intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cyclophosphamide in mice. When comparedh normal control group, the GEH administered orally for 29 days facilitated the recovery of weight gain, indices of spleen and thymus, and enhanced T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine productions of IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 in culture supernatants of Con A-treated splenic T lymphocytes, and increased the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 as well as NK cell activity. These results demonstrated that administration of GEH stimulates and enhances immune function in immune-suppressed mice. The results of this study suggest that GEH of ginseng marc can be developed as a health-beneficial food material with immunostimulatory activity.

LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7세포에 대한 벼메뚜기(Oxya chinensis sinuosa) 에탄올 추출물의 항염증 효과

윤영일(Young-Il Yoon),정미연(Mi Yeon Chung),황재삼(Jae-Sam Hwang),구태원(Tae-Won Goo),안미영(Mi-Young Ahn),이영보(Young-Bo Lee),한명세(Myung-Sea Han),윤은영(Eun-Young Yun) 한국생명과학회 2014 생명과학회지 Vol.24 No.4

본 연구에서는 벼메뚜기 에탄올 추출물의 항염증 효능을 분석하기 위해 LPS로 염증 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포를 이용하였다. OCE의 항염증 효능을 확인 하기 위해서, 염증 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포에 대해 OCE 농도 의존적으로 염증성 사이토카인인 TNF-α와 IL-6의 유전자발현 및 단백질 생성을 감소시킴을 real-time PCR과 ELISA로 확인하였다. 또한, NF-κB p65의 핵으로 이동이 차단됨을 면역형광염색으로 확인하였으며, iNOS와 COX-2 단백질 발현을 감소시키는 것을 Western blot 분석으로 확인하였다. 이상의 연구결과를 통해 벼메뚜기는 염증에 의한 NF-κB p65의 활성과 TNF-α와 IL-6의 생성과 iNOS 및 COX-2의 발현을 억제하는 항염증 효능을 갖고 있는 것을 확인하였다. Although the grasshopper Oxya chinensis sinuosa has long been used as food in Korea, there is little data on its functional effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of O. c. sinuosa ethanol extract (OCE) in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for induction of inflammation. First, we determined that there is no cytotoxicity at 2,000 μg/ml or less of OCE in RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of OCE, we investigated expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, and pro-inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase- 2 (COX-2) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, we examined whether OCE could inhibit translocation of NF-κB p65 into the nucleus in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells after treatment with OCE in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we confirmed a 2,000 ug/ml concentration of OCE inhibited translocation of NF-κB p65 by immunnostaining and Western blot analysis, and a decrease in the protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2. Accordingly, we suppose that OCE has an anti-inflammatory effect through down-regulation of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 related to NF-κB p65 inflammatory signaling pathways.

升麻葛根湯의 항히스타민 효과 및 IL-4와 GM-CSF 발현에 미치는 영향

김홍배,김원일,이승연,Kim, Hong-Bae,Kim, Own-Il,Lee, Seung-Yeon 대한한방소아과학회 2006 대한한방소아과학회지 Vol.20 No.1

We investigated the effect of Sungmagalkun-tang (SGT) on the allergy. We conformed compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylatic shock, anti-dinitrophenyl IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and ovalbumin-induced anaphylatic shock. Also observed IL-4 and GM-CSF mRNA expression in ovalbumin-induced allergic lung tissue and RBL-2H3. Histamine release is measured in RBL-2H3. SGT inhibited active systemic anaphylatic shock, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and ovalbumin-induced anaphylatic shock by oral administration. We observed that SGT was concentration-dependently reduced IL-4 and GM-CSF mRNA expression in ovalbumin-induced allergic lung tissue and RBL-2H3 by SGT. In addition, SGT reduced histamine release in RBL-2H3. These results indicate that SGT has anti-histamic effect and controls IL-4 and GM-CSF mRNA expression on allergy.