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>

이질아메바에 의한 인체 대장상피세포주 HT-29에서의 interleukin-8 유전자의 발현

김정목,정현채,임경일,조양자,김정룡 INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE YONSEI UNIVERSITY 1995 YONSEI REPORTS ON TROPICAL MEDICINE Vol.26 No.1

이질아메바에 의한 장염 환자의 조직 또는 이질아메바를 실험적으로 감염시킨 동물의 조직 검사에서 호중구의 침윤이 특징적으로 관찰된다. 그러나 이와같은 호중구의 침윤을 설명할 수 있는 기전에 대한 연구는 매우 미흡하다. 따라서 본 연구자들은 아메바 감염 초기에 인체 대장상피세포에서 interleukin-8(IL-8)이 유도되어 호중구 침윤과 같은 염증반응이 유발될 것이라는 가설을 설정하였다. 이를 위하여 인체 대장상피세포주인 HT-29에 이질아메바 영양형을 실험적으로 노출시킨 뒤 발현되는 IL-8 mRNA를 역전사 중합효소법(reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR)으로 검사함과 동시에 발현된 IL-8 mRNA를 인공적으로 합성시킨 표준 RNA와 RT-PCR법을 이용하여 정량하였다. 실험 결과 이질아메바 영양형에 노출된 30분 후 부터 IL-8 mRNA가 발현되기 시작하였다. 그리고 그 발현 분자수는 노출 시간의 증가에 따라 계속 증가하여 3시간 대에는 3.1×10(7) molecules/㎍ total RNA를 나타내었다. 동시에 IL-8 mRNA의 발현은 노출시킨 이질아메바 영양형의 수에 비례하였다. 즉, HT-29/아메바 영양형의 비율이 10:1인 경우 IL-8 mRNA의 발현 분자수는 1.2×10(7) molecules/㎍ total RNA로 나타났다. 이와같은 IL-8 mRNA의 발현은 IL-8 단백질 분비로 이어짐을 ELISA 검사로 확인할 수 있었다. 한편 이질아메바 파쇄액(lysate)도 대장상피세포주인 Caco-2에서 IL-8 mRNA발현을 유도하였다. 결론적으로 본 실험은 이질아메바 감염 초기에 대장상피세포로 부터 IL-8이 발현되며 이에 의하여 염증반응이 촉발될 가능성이 있음을 시사해 준다. The protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, is one of major causative agents of intestinal disease all over the world. In acute experimental infection, the early host response to E. histolytica is characterized by an infiltration of neutrophils. However, the chemotactic signal for this response is not well known. Based on the finding that human epithelial cells produce the potent neutrophil chemoattractant and activator, interlukin-8 (IL-8), IL-8 gene expression was examined thoroughly in human colon epithelial cells exposed to E. histolytica trophozoites. Cellular RNAs were extracted from HT-29 or Caco-2 human colon epithelial cells exposed to E. histolytica trophozoities for 30 minutes. 1 and 3 hours. IL-8 mRNA transcripts were measured by reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using synthetic standard RNA. The number of IL-8 mRNA molecules increased from 30 minutes to 3 hours of exposure period, reaching 3.1×10(7) molecules/㎍ of total RNA. Expression pattern of IL-8 mRNA transcripts was parallel to the amounts of IL-8 protein measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lysates of E. histolytica also induced expression of mRNA for IL-8 in colon epithelial cells. These results suggest that acute inflammatory reaction by E. hisstolytica may be initially triggered by proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 secreted from epithelial cells of the colon.

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>

Sequential evolution of IL-17 responses in the early period of allograft rejection

Sang Il Min,하종원,박정규,Jae Kyung Won,Yang Jin Park,민승기,김상준 생화학분자생물학회 2009 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.41 No.10

In addition to CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells which protect against autoimmune tissue injury, IL-17-producing CD4+ T (Th17) cells have been recently described and shown to play a crucial role in autoimmune injury. It appears that there is a reciprocal developmental pathway between Th17 and Treg cells. Although IL-17 is known to be associated with allograft rejection, the cellular source of IL-17 and the nature of Th17 in the context of allograft rejection remain unknown. In the current study, the dynamics of Treg and IL-17-producing cells after syngeneic and allogeneic transplantation were examined using a wild-type murine cardiac transplantation model. Ly6G+ cells were found to produce IL-17 during the early postoperative period and CD8+ as well as CD4+ T cells were also found to produce IL-17 during alloimmune response. Graft-infiltrating Ly6G+, CD4+, and even CD8+ cells were found to express IL-17 highly compared to those in spleen. Although the frequencies of Th17 and Treg were found to gradually increase in both syngeneic and allogeneic recipients, Th17/Treg ratios were significantly higher in recipients with allograft rejection than in syngeneic recipients. In conclusion, IL-17 is produced by neutrophils during the early postoperative period and subsequently by Th17 and CD8+ T cells during allograft rejection. Th17/Treg imbalance is associated with the development of allograft rejection. This study would provide basic information on Th17 biology for future investigation in the field of transplantation.

Oleoylethanolamide induces eosinophilic airway inflammation in bronchial asthma

Kwon Eun-Kyung,최영우,Yoon Il-Hee,Won Ha-Kyeong,심소윤,Lee Hee-Ra,Kim Hyoung Su,예영민,신유섭,박해심,Ban Ga-Young 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

Asthma is a chronic eosinophilic inflammatory disease with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Endocannabinoids are known to have immunomodulatory biological effects. However, the contribution of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) to airway inflammation remains to be elucidated. To investigate the effect of OEA, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines was measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA in airway epithelial (A549) cells. The numbers of airway inflammatory cells and cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, airway hyperresponsiveness, and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) were examined in BALB/c mice after 4 days of OEA treatment. Furthermore, eosinophil activation after OEA treatment was evaluated by measuring cellular CD69 levels in eosinophils from human peripheral eosinophils using flow cytometry. OEA induced type 2 inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. OEA increased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, and IL-33, in A549 cells. In addition, it also induced eosinophilic inflammation, the production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-33 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and airway hyperresponsiveness. OEA increased the numbers of IL-5- or IL-13-producing ILC2s in a mouse model. Finally, we confirmed that OEA increased CD69 expression (an eosinophil activation marker) on purified eosinophils from patients with asthma compared to those from healthy controls. OEA may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma by activating ILC2s and eosinophils.

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.

Cynara scolymus L. Inhibits the LPS-induced Inflammatory Reaction via Suppression of NF-κB Activity in RAW 264.7 Cells

Kyung-Jun Boo(Kyung-Jun Boo),Kiman Lee(Kiman Lee),Il-Ho Park(Il-Ho Park),Tae Jin Kang(Tae Jin Kang) 대한약학회 2023 약학회지 Vol.67 No.1

Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke) has been traditionally used in the treatment of digestive-related disease, severe hyperlipidemia and liver disease. Recently, anti-inflammatory effect of artichoke has been reported by several studies, but its mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of artichoke was studied using an in vitro acute inflammation model. The effect of artichoke on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin- 1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7, was examined by using ELISA and RT-PCR. As a result, artichoke inhibited the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose dependent manner. The expression of inflammatory mediators such as NO and PGE2 was next investigated in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Artichoke also inhibited the production of NO and PGE2 in the cells at a dose dependent manner. Artichoke suppressed the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophages by LPS. The effect of artichoke on the activation of NF-κB was examined and LPS-induced NF-κB activation was decreased by treatment of artichoke, suggesting that artichoke has anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting NF- κB activation.

Association of DOCK8, IL17RA, and KLK12 Polymorphisms with Atopic Dermatitis in Koreans

( Won Il Heo ),( Kui Young Park ),( Mi-kyung Lee ),( Yu Jeong Bae ),( Nam Ju Moon ),( Seong Jun Seo ) 대한피부과학회 2020 Annals of Dermatology Vol.32 No.3

Background: Early-onset and severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients increase the probability of the development of allergic rhinitis or asthma. Treatment and prevention strategies in infants and young children with AD are targeted toward treating the symptoms, restoring skin barrier functions, and reducing the absorption of environmental allergens in an attempt to attenuate or block the onset of asthma and food allergy. Objective: Given that the initiating events in AD remain poorly understood, identifying those at risk and implementing strategies to prevent AD is necessary. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in a 43 control group and a disease group with 20 AD patients without atopic march (AM) and 20 with AM. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate found variants in cohorts. Results: DOCK8, IL17RA, and KLK12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified by WES as missense mutations: c.1289C>A, p.P97T (rs529208); c.1685C>A, p.P562G (rs12484684); and c.457+27>C, rs3745540, respectively. A case-control study show that total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was significantly increased in the AA genotype of DOCK8 compared to the CA genotype in allergic patients. The rs12484684 of IL17RA increased risk of adult-onset AD (odds ratio: 1.63) compared to the control for (A) allele frequency. AD and AM Patients with the IL17RA CA genotype also had elevated IgE levels. rs3745540 of KLK12 was associated with AD in dominant model (odds ratio: 2.86). Conclusion: DOCK8 (rs529208), IL17RA (rs12484684), and KLK12 (rs3745540), were identified using a new WES filtering method. the result suggests that polymorphism of DOCK8 and IL17RA might be related to increase the total IgE level. (Ann Dermatol 32(3) 197∼205, 2020)

P179 : Activin suppresses LPS-induced Toll-like receptors, cytokines, and nitric oxide expression by inhibiting activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways in normal human melanocytes

( Young Il Kim ),( Seung Won Park ),( Jeong Hwee Choi ),( Myong Il Bae ),( Min Kyung Shin ),( Mu Hyoung Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2013 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.65 No.2

Background: Activins are dimeric growth and differentiation factors which belong to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Objectives: To know the mechanism how activin regulates transcription of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokines, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human melanocytes, and the involvement of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Methods: Normal human melanocytes were pretreated with activin A before exposure to LPS. Total RNAs were purified and real-time PCR was performed. Also we conducted immunoblot analysis to know the expression levels of proteins. Results: LPS increased mRNA expressions of TLRs (1-10) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α), and enhanced mRNA and protein expression of iNOS. Activin inhibited LPS-induced mRNA expressions of TLRs and cytokines, and decreased mRNA and protein expression of LPS-induced iNOS. Also activin suppressed NF-κB p65 activation and blocked IκBα degradation in LPS-stimulated melanocytes, and reduced LPS-induced p38 MAPK and MEK/ERK activations. Conclusion: Activin inhibited expression of genes of TLRs, cytokines, and iNOS in LPS-activated normal human melanocytes. Moreover, anti-inflammatory effect of activin was mediated through suppressing activation of NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways in LPS-activated normal human melanocytes, resulting in reduced expression of TLRs, cytokines, and nitric oxide.