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>

Early Phase of UVB - induced GM - CSF Upregulation in Epithelial Cell Line is not Totally Dependent on IL - 1α

Park, Kyoung Chan,Kim, Kyu Han,Ahn, Jong Seong,Chung, Jin Ho,Youn, Jai Il,Whang, Ji Hwan,Youn, Sang Woong,Kim, Young Gull,Koh, Woo Seok,Jung, Hyun Chae 대한피부과학회 1997 Annals of Dermatology Vol.9 No.4

Backgrounds : It was demonstrated that ultraviolet(UV) B light induces the release of IL-la in cultured human epithelial cell line and augmentation of GM-CSF production by UVB is reported to be mediated by IL-1α in the murine keratinocyte cell line Pam 212. Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of UVB on kinetic profile of IL-1 and GM-CSF mRNA expression and to see whether synthesis of GM-CSF by UVB can be completely inhibited by blocking IL-1α mediated pathway. Method : We used a competitive RT-PCR for measuring cytokine gene expression in epithelial cell line after UV radiation. Results : The IL-1α mRNA increased as early as 1h after UV irradiation, and then decreased at 3h after the irradiation. Thereafter, the response of IL-1α mRNA was upregulated with a second peak at 6h after the UV irradiation. However, mRNA for GM-CSF increased at 1h after UV light exposure and anti-IL-1α antibodies could only partially inhibit UV-augmented GMCSF production. Conclusion : UVB induced GM-CSF production seemed to be mainly mediated by UVB induced IL-1α but these results suggest that UVB may also induce GM-CSF production through an IL-1α independent pathway.

Interferon-γ Inhibits in vitro Mobilization of Eosinophils by Interleukin-5

Park, Choon-Sik,Choi, Eun Nam,Kim, Jung Sun,Choi, Yun Sung,Rhim, Tai Youn,Chang, Hun Soo,Chung, Il Yup S. Karger AG 2005 International archives of allergy and immunology Vol.136 No.3

<P><I>Background:</I> Th2 cytokines play pivotal roles in allergic inflammation, including eosinophilia, and their actions are antagonized by Th1 cytokines, conferring them therapeutic potential. <I>Methods:</I> In this study, we examined the ability of a number of cytokines to suppress the activation of eosinophils that function as effector cells for allergic airway diseases. <I>Results:</I> Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced an eosinophil shape change, whereas interferon (IFN)-γ significantly inhibited the shape change. Other cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, had little or only slightly enhancing or reducing effects on the shape change. We further analyzed the IFN-γ effect, showing that pretreatment with IFN-γ strongly suppressed IL-5-induced eosinophil shape change, and cycloheximide (CHX) abrogated the suppression by IFN-γ, suggesting that new protein synthesis is required for the inhibitory effect by this cytokine. In agreement with these results, IFN-γ blocked the eosinophil migration and ERK phophorylation induced by IL-5, and the addition of CHX restored eosinophil chemotaxis. <I>Conclusions:</I> Collectively, IFN-γ may attenuate eosinophilic inflammation by directly negating eosinophil mobilization.</P><P>Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

The Effect of Abdominal Visceral Fat, Circulating Inflammatory Cytokines, and Leptin Levels on Reflux Esophagitis

( Su Youn Nam ),( Il Ju Choi ),( Kum Hei Ryu ),( Bum Joon Park ),( Young Woo Kim ),( Hyun Beom Kim ),( Jeongseon Kim ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2015 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.21 No.2

Background/Aims Although adipocytes secrete inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, their role in reflux esophagitis is controversial. We investigated the association between visceral fat and inflammatory cytokines or adipokines in reflux esophagitis. Methods Abdominal visceral fat and cytokines were measured in 66 individuals with reflux esophagitis and 66 age- and sex-matched controls. The mean values for visceral fat and cytokines were compared in cases and controls. Second, correlations between visceral fat and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Finally, multiple logistic regression models for odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the effects of visceral fat and cytokines on reflux esophagitis. Results Visceral fat, leptin, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β were higher in reflux esophagitis compared to controls. Visceral fat showed a strong positive correlation with IL-6 (r = 0.523, P < 0.001), IL-8 (r = 0.395, P < 0.001), and IL-1β (r = 0.557, P < 0.001), and a negative correlation with adiponectin (r = -0.466, P < 0.001). With adjusted analysis, visceral fat/100 (OR, 4.32; 95% CI, 2.18-8.58; P < 0.001) and leptin (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.10-1.69; P = 0.005) independently increased the risk of reflux esophagitis, but the effects of other cytokines were abolished. Conclusions Visceral fat may increase the risk of reflux esophagitis by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Leptin showed a positive association with reflux esophagitis that was independent of visceral fat. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2015;21:247-254)

Association between chronic hepatitis B virus infection and interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α gene promoter polymorphisms

Cheong, Jae Youn,Cho, Sung Won,Hwang, Il Lan,Yoon, Seung Kew,Lee, June Hyuk,Park, Choon Sik,Lee, Jong Eun,Hahm, Ki Baik,Kim, Jin Hong Blackwell Publishing Asia 2006 Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology Vol.21 No.7

<P>Abstract</P><P>Background: </P><P>The reasons for the viral persistence of hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) are unknown, but are probably related to host immune factors. Cytokines play a significant role in immune defense. The present study was undertaken to investigate the association between HBV infection and polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-10 gene promoter.</P><P>Methods: </P><P>A total of 412 Korean patients with HBV infection (72 inactive carriers, 261 witih chronic hepatitis, 79 with liver cirrhosis) and 204 healthy individuals who recovered from HBV infection, were studied. The polymorphisms in IL-10 gene promoter (−1082, −819, −592), and TNF-α gene promoter (−308, −238) were assessed by single base primer extension assay.</P><P>Results: </P><P>The frequency of C/C genotype at position −592 of IL-10 gene promoter was higher in the HBV clearance group than that in the persistence group in univariate analysis (12.7% vs 7.5%, <I>P</I> = 0.036). The IL-10 gene promoter −592 C/C genotype was related to clearance of HBV infection in logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age and sex (<I>P</I> = 0.003). Genotype frequencies of TNF-α gene promoter at position −308 and −238 were not different between the clearance and the persistence group in univariate analysis, but in multivariate analysis after adjusting for age and sex, −308G/−238G homozygotes were associated with HBV persistence (<I>P</I> = 0.005). Genotype distributions of both gene promoters in inactive carriers were similar to those in patients with chronic progressive liver disease.</P><P>Conclusions: </P><P>The carriers of the −592A allele in the IL-10 promoter and −308G/−238G haplotype homozygotes in the TNF-α promoter region have higher risk of persistent HBV infection.</P>

Expression of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 in dermatomyositis and polymyositis

Kim, Geun-Tae,Cho, Mi-La,Park, Young-Eun,Yoo, Wan Hee,Kim, Jung-Hee,Oh, Hye-Jwa,Kim, Dae-Sung,Baek, Seung-Hoon,Lee, Sun-Hee,Lee, Jun-Hee,Kim, Ho-Youn,Kim, Sung-Il Springer-Verlag 2010 CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY Vol.29 No.3

<P>The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, TLR9, and their correlations with the expression of cytokines that are associated with activation of CD4<SUP>+</SUP> T cells and inflammation including interferon γ (IFNγ), interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 17 (IL17), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in muscle tissues of patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM). The expressions of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, IFNγ, IL4, IL17, and TNFα were measured by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in muscle tissues from 14 patients with DM and PM (nine patients with DM, five patients with PM) and three controls. The expressions of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 were also localized with immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, IFNγ, IL4, IL17, and TNFα were significantly high in patients with DM and PM compared with those in the controls, and the expression levels of TLR4 and TLR9 had significant positive correlations with the expressions of IFNγ, IL4, IL17, and TNFα. Immunohistochemistry showed that TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 were expressed by infiltrating cells of perimysium in DM, whereas they were expressed by infiltrating cells of endomysium in PM. These results suggest that the involvement of TLR4 and TLR9 in immunopathogenesis of DM and PM might be connected with activation of CD4<SUP>+</SUP> T cells.</P>

다탐색(多探索) 법을 통한 저자극성 액체 세정제 조성물 개발

김배환 ( Peter Kim ),현기안 ( Ki-an Hyeon ),정지윤 ( Ji-youn Chung ),윤삼숙 ( Sanm-sook Yoon ),강한철 ( Han Chyul Kang ),박선희 ( Sun Hee Park ),고강일 ( Kang Il Ko ),김기호 ( Ki Ho Kim ) 대한화장품학회 2005 대한화장품학회지 Vol.31 No.1

세정제에 널리 상용화되어 있는 알킬에톡시설페이트 계의 음이온 계면활성제는 피부 흡착의 특성 때문에 충분히 헹구어 내지 않으면 피부에 잔존되어 자극의 원인이 되어 염증 반응을 일으키게 된다. 따라서 기존의 음이온 계면활성제를 대체 또는 보완하기 위해 기존의 계면활성제들을 단백질 변성 실험, 세포 독성 그리고 IL-1α 측정을 통해 선별하였다. 본 연구는 저자극성의 음이온 또는 비이온, 양쪽성 이온의 14종의 계면활성제와 민감성 피부를 위해 제조된 13종의 기존 세정제 제품에 대한 세포독성을 실시하여, 가장 독성이 낮은 계면활성제로 sodium laureth sulfate (음이온), sodium cocoyl isethionate (음이온), sodium lauroamphoacetate (양성이온), cocamidopropyl betaine (양성이온), alkyl polyglycoside (비이온)가 선택되었고 2종의 기존 세정제 제품을 비교 제형으로 선택하였다. 5종의 계면활성제를 20종의 formulation으로 제조하여 단백질 변성(<3M SLS (13.2%)), 세포독성 실험 및 폐첩포 실험을 통하여 다시 5종을 선별하였다. 이들 제형을 진피 배양으로 세포독성 및 IL-1α 방춘량을 조사하여 가장 자극이 낮은 계면활성제 제형을 선택하였으며, 첨가된 계면활성제의 자극을 완화하기 위하여 항염과 보습 효과가 우수한 마치현 추출물(3%, 5%)과 fructan (3%, 5%)을 농도별로 첨가한 제형을 제조하여 가장 안전성이 뛰어난 농도를 선택하였다. 최종적으로 선택된 제형 5번을 3차원 세포 배양을 통한 인공피부를 이용하여 가장 자극이 낮게 나타난 기존의 제품들과 세포 독성 및 IL-1α 방출량을 비교 조사하여 저자극성의 액체 세정제를 개발하였다. Alkyl ethoxy sulfate type surfactants, widely used in commercial cleansers, are easily adsorbed to skin to often cause skin irritation and inflammation if not thoroughly rinsed nut. In order to replace or complement existing surfactants, we screened the existing surfactants through protein denaturation method, cell cytotoxicity assay and human IL-1α assay, etc. Fourteen surfactants have been chosen from among too irritant anionic, cationic and/or zwitter-ionic ones and investigated for cell cytotoxicity in human fibroblast cell lines using monolayer culture with the thirteen commercially available cleansers for sensitive skin. From these results, we selected 5 surfactants and 2 commercial cleansers (names not shown), such as sodium laureth sulfate (anionic), sodium cocoyl isethionate (anionic), sodium lauroamphoacetate (zwitter-ionic), and cocamidopropyl betaine (zwitter-ionic), alkyl polyglycoside (non-ionic). 20 formulations were made out of 5 surfactants and five of them were chosen through a protein denaturation method (lower than 3 M sodium dodecyl sulfate solution (13.2%)), cell cytotoxicity and human patch test. These five selected formulations containing preservatives were compared to two selected commercial cleansers by cell cytotoxicity and human IL-1α ELISA assay using dermal equivalent. Finally, we selected the best formulation. To this formulation, fructan (3% or 5%) or/and portulaca extract (3% or 5%) well known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects were added and investigated for cell cytotoxicity using dermal equivalent. In cytotoxicity assay using dermal equivalent, two formulations containing 5% fructan and 3% or 5% portulaca extract were less toxic than the others. In cytotoxicity assay and human IL-1α ELISA using 3D culture, the selected formulation containing 5% fructan and 5% portulaca extract showed better efficiency than those of the others and 2 commercial cleansers. As a result, we could develop a low irritant and safe liquid cleanser.

Amelioration of inflammatory responses by <i>Socheongryong-Tang</i> , a traditional herbal medicine, in RAW 264.7 cells and rats

Park, Sang Mi,Lee, Tae Hoon,Zhao, Rongjie,Kim, Youn Sook,Jung, Ji Yun,Park, Chung A.,Jegal, Kyung Hwan,Ku, Sae Kwang,Kim, Jae Kwang,Lee, Chul Won,Kim, Young Woo,Cho, Il Je,An, Won G.,Kim, Sang Chan D.A. Spandidos 2018 International journal of molecular medicine Vol.41 No.5

<P>Socheongryong-Tang (SCRT) is a natural medicine prescription that has been mainly used in East Asia for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of SCRT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and in a rat model of carrageenan (CA)-induced paw edema. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E<SUB>2</SUB> (PGE<SUB>2</SUB>) in the culture supernatant were quantified and nitric oxide (NO) production was monitored. In addition, the effect of SCRT on the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was assessed by western blot analysis. Furthermore, the effects of SCRT on acute inflammation <I>in vivo</I> and changes in the histomorphometry and histopathology of paw skin were observed using CA-treated rats. SCRT (1 mg/ml) inhibited the LPS-induced changes in the protein expression of NF-κB, JNK, ERK1/2, iNOS and COX-2, as well as the production of NO, PGE<SUB>2</SUB> and cytokines. In the rat paw edema assay, administration of 1 g/kg of lyophilized powder obtained from the aqueous extracts of SCRT for 3 consecutive days inhibited the CA-induced increases in skin thickness, mast cell degranulation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ventral and dorsal pedis skin within 4 h. These results demonstrated that SCRT exerts its anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells through decreasing the production of inflammatory mediators, including PGE<SUB>2</SUB>, NO and cytokines, via suppression of the NF-κB and JNK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In addition, the data of the CA-induced paw edema indicated an anti-edema effect of SCRT. SCRT (1 g/kg) reduced acute edematous inflammation through inhibition of mast cell degranulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Therefore, the present study provided scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory activities of SCRT as well as the underlying mechanisms.</P>

Involvement of E-selectin in recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenesis in ischemic muscle

Oh, Il-Young,Yoon, Chang-Hwan,Hur, Jin,Kim, Ji-Hyun,Kim, Tae-Youn,Lee, Choon-Soo,Park, Kyung-Woo,Chae, In-Ho,Oh, Byung-Hee,Park, Young-Bae,Kim, Hyo-Soo American Society of Hematology 2007 Blood Vol.110 No.12

<B>Abstract</B><P>E-selectin plays critical roles in tethering leukocytes to endothelial cells (ECs). We studied the role of E-selectin in endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) homing and vasculogenesis. After ischemia, the expression of E-selectin on ECs peaked 6 to 12 hours and returned to baseline at 24 hours, whereas the level of soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) in serum increased over 24 hours and remained high at day 7. Mouse bone marrow-derived EPCs expressed not only E-selectin but also its ligand. Homing of circulating EPCs to ischemic limb was significantly impaired in E-selectin knock-out mice, as well as wild-type mice pretreated with blocking antibody against E-selectin, which was rescued by local sE-selectin injection. Mechanism for this is that sE-selectin stimulated not only ECs to express ICAM-1, but also EPCs to secrete interleukin-8 (IL-8), leading to enhanced migration and incorporation to ECs capillary formation. In therapeutic aspect, local treatment with sE-selectin enhanced efficacy of EPC transplantation for vasculogenesis and salvage of ischemic limb. Conversely, when E-selectin was knocked down by E-selectin small interfering RNA, blood flow recovery after EPC transplantation was significantly impaired. But this impaired vasculogenesis was rescued by sE-selectin. In conclusion, these data demonstrate E-selectin is a pivotal molecule for EPCs' homing to ischemic limb and vasculogenesis.</P>

Tobacco Smoking Could Accentuate Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Th2-Type Response in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

Lee Ki-Il,Han Younghwan,Ryu Jae-Sung,In Seung Min,Kim Jong-Yeup,Park Joong Su,Kim Jong-Seok,Kim Juhye,Youn Jubin,박석래 대한면역학회 2022 Immune Network Vol.22 No.4

Tobacco smoking (TS) has been known as one of the most potent risk factors for airway inflammatory diseases. However, there has been a paucity of information regarding the immunologic alteration mediated by TS in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). To identify the effect of TS, we harvested human tissue samples (never smoker: n=41, current smoker: n=22, quitter: n=23) and analyzed the expression of epithelial-derived cytokines (EDCs) such as IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. The expressions of Th2 cytokines and total serum IgE showed a type-2 inflammatory alteration by TS. In addition, the epithelial marker E-cadherin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated markers (N-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin) were evaluated. Histological analysis showed that EDC expressions were upregulated in the current smoker group and downregulated in the quitter group. These expression patterns were consistent with mRNA and protein expression levels. We also found that the local Th2 cytokine expression and IgE class switching, as well as serum IgE levels, were elevated in the current smoker group and showed normal levels in the quitter group. Furthermore, the expressions of E-cadherin decreased while those of N-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin increased in the current smoker group compared those in the never smoker group. Taken together, these results indicate that TS contributes to the deterioration of pathogenesis by releasing local EDCs and Th2 cytokines, resulting in EMT in patients with CRSwNP. We verified that alterations of immunological response by TS in sinonasal epithelium can play a vital role in leading to CRSwNP.