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>

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.

화상환자에서 면역억제 기전

정태호,황일우,장수일,김문규,서정민,정치영,김정철 慶北大學校 醫科大學 1995 慶北醫大誌 Vol.36 No.4

목적 : 본 연구는 화상환자에서 면역이상의 기전을 조사코져 T-세포의 활성을 나타내는 가용성 interleukin-2 수용체(IL-2R), 대식세포의 활성을 나타내는 neopterin, tumor necrosis factor(TNF) 및 interleukin-6 (IL-6), 그리고 호중구의 활성을 반영하는 elastase-α1-antitrypsin을 측정하였다. 또한 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)가 이들 면역세포의 활성화에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 30예의 화상환자를 대상으로 화상후 1일, 7일, 14일, 21일, 28일에 각각 혈액을 채취하여 혈청중 가용성 IL-2R, TNF, IL-6, 그리고 elastase-α1-antitrypsin은 각각 효소면역법으로, 혈청중 neopterin은 radioimmunoassay법으로 측정하였다. LPS가 말초 단핵세포에 미치는 영향은 역전사 중합효소 연쇄반응을 통하여 각종 cytokines의 mRNA 발현을 측정하였다. 결과 : 화상환자에서 혈청중 가용성 IL-2R은 화상후 1일째부터 대조군에 비하여 유의성 있게 증가되어 7일과 14일째에 최고치를 나타냈으며 그 이후에는 다소 감소하였으나 대조군보다는 유의한 증가를 나타냈다. 화상환자를 중화상, 중등도화상, 경도화상으로 분류하여 혈청중 가용성 IL-2R 치를 비교해본 결과 중증 화상일수록 더욱 높은 치를 나타냈다. 화상환자에서 혈청중 neopterin 역시 화상후 1일째부터 증가되어 전 관찰기간 동안 대조군에 비해 유의한 높은 치를 나타냈다. 경도화상과 중등도 화상에서는 서로 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았으나 중환자에서는 경도 혹은 중등도 화상환자에 비해 유의한 증가를 보였다. 화상환자에서 혈청중 TNF 농도는 화상후 1일부터 증가되어 관찰전기간에 걸쳐 유의한 증가를 나타냈으며 중등도 화상환자에서 가장 높은 치를 보였다. 혈청중 IL-6치 역시 화상 전기간에 걸쳐 대조군보다 유의한 증가를 나타냈으며 중화상 환자에서 가장 높은 치를 나타냈다. 화상은 또한 혈청중 elastase-α1-antitrypsin 농도를 현저히 증가시켰다. 즉 화상후 1일에 elastase-α1-antitrypsin 농도는 정상인보다 5배 높았으며 그 이후 약 4주간 계속 높은 농도를 유지하다가 환자가 회복되면서 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 중등도화상 및 중화상환자의 혈청중 elastase-α1-antitrypsin 농도는 경도 화상환자에서 비해 유의한 증가를 보였다. 한편 화상환자에서 면역이상을 초래하는 주된 요인으로 여겨지는 lipopolysaccharide는 면역세포를 총체적으로 활성화시켜 IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ, TGF-β, GM-CSF, IL-2R의 유전자발현을 현저히 증가시켰다. 결론 : 화상환자에서 T-세포, 대식세포, 호중구의 활성화를 반영하는 가용성 IL-2R, neopterin, ,TNF, IL-6, elastase-α1-antitrypsin치가 혈중에 증가되어 있으며 화상의 정도가 심할수록 더 높았다. Cell-mediated immunity frequently becomes severely impaired after thermal injury. However, the cause of postburn immune dysfunction is unclear and controversy exists over both pathophysiology and clinical relevance of these abnormalities. This study was undertaken to investigate the immune responses in vivo of patients with burn. Levels of soluble IL-2R, a sensitive marker of T-cell activation, levels of serum TNF, IL-6, and neopterin, an index of macrophage activation, and levels of serum elastase-α1-antitrypsin, an index of neutrophil activation, were measured in serial serum samples taken from 30 burned patients. In patients with burn, soluble IL-2R levels were increased over a 4-week interval with peak concentrations reached during the 2nd week after burn. Patients with severe burn showed a higher soluble IL-2R levels than those with mild or moderate burn. In addition soluble IL-2R significantly correlated with burn size. The levels of serum neopterin were already increased at the first day following burn, and remained at a high level throughout the total period studied (28 days). Patients with severe burn showed significantly higher concentration of serum neopterin than mild or moderate burn. There was positive relationship between the burn sizes and the levels of neopterin. A significant positive correlation was also found between serum soluble IL-2R levels and neopterin levels in burn patients. Levels of serum TNF and IL-6 were also significantly increased over a 4-week interval in burn patients. The levels of serum elastase-α1-antitrypsin were also already increased at the first day following burn, and remained at a high level over a 4-week. Patients with moderate or severe burn showed significantly higher concentration of serum elastase-α1-antitrypsin than those with mild burn. There was no significant relationship between the burn extent and the level of elastase-α1-antitrypsin. LPS increased the transcription of all the cytokines we examined in peripheral mononuclear cells, i.e., IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5_IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF, TGF-β, GM-CSF, and IL-2R. We conclude that soluble IL-2R, neopterin, TNF, IL-6, and elastase-α1-antitrypsin might be useful parameters for monitoring of the clinical course in burn patients. Moreover, they indicate that T-cell, macrophage, and neutrophil activation might play the central role in the pathogenesis of the immuno-logic and metabolic disturbance that follows thermal injury.

인간 재조합 인터루긴-32 면역조절작용에 대한 유세포 분석

이광수,김영관,채정일,심정현,김은미,강형식,김수현,윤도영,명평근 충남대학교 생물공학연구소 2006 생물공학연구지 Vol.12 No.-

Xenotransplantation of porcine organs has the potential to overcome the severe shortage of human tissues and organ available for human transplantation. however, it remains various hurdles for clinical xenotransplantation. In pig and mouse xenotransplantation, porcine xenograft evoke a strong cellular rejection response in immunocompetent host and grafts are destroyed within a week. This cellular immune response could involved both T cells and NK cells. A number of groups have shown that human NK cells can recognize and damage porcine endothelial cells. In addition, human T cells can respond to porcine endothelial cells through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Cellular rejection of porcine tissues requires T cells, particularly CD4^(+) cells. A new cytokine recombinant human interleukin-32α,β(IL-32α,β) has a role innate and acquired immune system. In order to investigate the role of recombinant mouse IL-18 and recombinant human IL-32α,β in xenograft rejection, we transplanted the PK(15) cells to C57BL/6 mice with or without intraperitoneal injection of recombinant mouse IL-18 or recombinant human IL-32 α,β. It was analyzed the population of NK cell, T cell and B cell in the C57BL/6 mice transplanted with PK(15) cells and recombinant mouse IL-18 or recombinant human IL-32α,β by flow cytometry analysis. As a result, lymph node and thymus of PK15/IL18, PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected group were increased to T cell activation population than normal injected groups. CD8^(+) T cells were decreased in lymph node of PK15/IL18, PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected groups. CD4^(+) T cells were increased in lymph node cell of PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected group and also, B cell population were increased in lymph node cell and spleen of PK15/IL18, PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected group. Therefore, we suggest that recombinant mouse IL-18 and recombinant human IL-32α,β suppress xenograft rejection in cellular xenotransplantation.

Interleukin-1B(1L-1B) polymorphisms and gastric mucosal levels of IL-Iβ cytokine in Korean patients with gastric cancer

Chang, Young-Woon,Jang, Jae-Young,Kim, Nam-Hoon,Lee, Jae Won,Lee, Hyo Jung,Jung, Woon Won,Dong, Seok-Ho,Kim, Hyo-Jong,Kim, Byung-Ho,Lee, Joung-Il,Rin Chang KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER 2006 고황의학상 수상논문집 Vol.21-22 No.-

Interleukin-1B and IL-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (GC) in Caucasian populations. However, recent studies could not find any association between IL-1B-511T polymorphism and the risk of GC in Asians. We tested for an association between IL-1 loci polymorphisms with increased gastric mucosal levels of IL-1β and an increased risk of developing GC in a Korean population. Polymorphisms of IL-1A-889, IL-1B-31, IL-1B-511 and IL-1RN were genotyped in 434 controls and 234 patients with GC. Mucosal IL-1β cytokine was measured using an ELISA. The frequencies of IL-1A, IL-1B-511, IL-1B-31 and IL-1RN were not statistically different between controls and all patients with GC. After subclassification of GC, only patients with intestinal-type GC showed a higher frequency of IL-1B-31T homozygotes (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1-4.3) compared with controls. Risk was also significantly increased in these patients for IL-1B-31T homozygotes compared with patients with diffuse-type GC (OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.5-7.7). As in Caucasian populations, linkage disequilibrium between IL-1B-31 and IL-1B-511 was nearly complete, but the pattern of haplotype related to the risk of GC (IL-1B-31T/IL-1B-511C) was opposite (IL-1B-511T/IL-1B-31C). Mucosal IL-1β levels in H. pylori-infected GC patients were higher in patients homozygous for IL-1B-31T compared with IL-1B-31C/T and IL-1B-31C/C. Thus, the combined effects of H. pylori infection and IL-1B-31T/IL-1B-511C polymorphisms with enhanced mucosal IL-1β production contributed to the development of intestinal-type GC in this Korean population.

The Correlation of Serum IL-12B Expression With Disease Activity in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Lee, Hye Won,Chung, Sook Hee,Moon, Chang Mo,Che, Xiumei,Kim, Seung Won,Park, Soo Jung,Hong, Sung Pil,Kim, Tae Il,Kim, Won Ho,Cheon, Jae Hee Williams & Wilkins Co 2016 Medicine Vol.95 No.23

<▼1><P>Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Genetic variants in <I>IL12B</I>, encoding the p40 subunit common in interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23, were identified as the susceptibility loci for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to identify the correlation of serum IL-12B expression with disease activity in patients with IBD and evaluate the possibility of IL-12B as a biomarker for assessing inflammatory status in IBD.</P><P>A total of 102 patients with IBD, including 38, 32, and 32 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and intestinal Behçet's disease (intestinal BD), respectively, were included. The clinical and laboratory data from the patients were collected at the time of serum IL-12B measurement. Serum IL-12B levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</P><P>The median IL-12B levels in patients with CD, UC, and intestinal BD were significantly higher than those in controls (1.87, 2.74, and 2.73 pg/mL, respectively, vs. 1.42 pg/mL, all <I>P</I> <0.05). IL-12B concentrations were associated with disease activity in patients with UC and intestinal BD but not in those with CD. IL-12B levels were increased with increasing disease activity in patients with UC (<I>P</I> <0.001). Likewise, patients with active intestinal BD had higher IL-12B levels than those without active disease (<I>P</I> = 0.008). IL-12B levels were correlated with the endoscopic disease activity of UC (<I>P</I> = 0.002) and intestinal BD (<I>P</I> = 0.001) but not that of CD.</P><P>Serum IL-12B levels were significantly correlated with clinical and endoscopic disease activity in patients with UC and intestinal BD, suggesting its potential use as a biomarker for assessing disease activity in these patients.</P></▼2>

폐포 대식세포 및 단핵구가 Interleukin-2 Enhanced Natural Killer 및 LAK Activity에 미치는 영향

조철호 ( Jo Cheol Ho ),김병일 ( Kim Byeong Il ),김세규 ( Kim Se Gyu ),천선희 ( Cheon Seon Hui ),김형중 ( Kim Hyeong Jung ),장준 ( Jang Jun ),안철민 ( An Cheol Min ),김성규 ( Kim Seong Gyu ),이원영 ( Lee Won Yeong ),윤정구 ( Yun J 대한내과학회 1992 대한내과학회지 Vol.42 No.5

저자들은 폐포 대식세포 및 말초혈액내의 단핵구가 NK 활성도 및 LAK 활성도에 미치는 영향을 보기위하여, 임파구에 여러 가지 농도(0, 100 : 1, 10 : 1, 1 : 1)의 폐포 대식세포와 단핵구를 넣어 IL-2 enhanced NK 활성도 및 LAK 활성도를 비교하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) 여러 가지 농도의 단해구는 IL-2 enchanced NK 활성도 및 LAK 활성도에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 2) 동량의 페포대식세포(임파구 : 폐포 대식세포= 1 : 1)는 IL-2 enhanced NK 활성도를 의의있게 억제하였으나(p<0.05), 소량의 폐포대식세포(임파구 : 폐포 대식세포-10 : 1과 100 : 1)는 IL-2 enhanced NK 활성도를 억제하지 못하였다. 3) 임팍와 폐포 대식세포의 비율이 1 : 1과 10 : 1에서는 LAK 활성도를 의의있게 억제하였으나, 소량의 폐포대식세포(임파구 : 폐포 대식세포=100 : 1)는 LAK 활성도를 억제하지 못하였다(p<0.05). 이상의 결과로 IL-2 enhanced NK 활성도 및 LAK 활성도는 폐포 대식세포의 양에 비례하여 억제되었으나, 말초혈액내의 단핵구에 의해서는 영향받지 않는 것을 알 수 있었다. Alveolar macrophages (AM) are thought to function as primary effector cells against tumors growing in the lung. Systemic administration of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells and IL-2 resulted in partial antitumor response in patients with advanced cancer. LAK activity is influenced by various factors. We studied the effects of AM and blood monocytes from healthy donors on IL-2 enhanced NK activity against K-562 cells and LAK activity against Raji cells utilizing a 4h ^(51)Cr release assay. The following results were obtained: 1) The addition of different doses of human blood monocytes showed no suppression or enhancement of IL-2 enhanced NK and LAK activity. 2) The addition of high dose of AM (Lymphocyte: AM=1:1) significantly suppressed IL-2 enhanced NK activity. Smaller doses of AM (Lymphocyte: AM= 10:1and 100:1) did not suppress IL-2 enhanced NK activity. 3) The addition of high dose of AM (Lymphocyte: AM = 1:1 and 10:1) significantly suppressed LAK activity. The smallest dose of AM (Lymphocyte: AM= 100:1) did not suppress LAK activity. In conclusion, IL-2 enhanced NK and LAK activity were dose-dependently suppressed by human alveolar macrophages. However IL-2 enhanced NK and LAK activity were not suppressed by blood monocytes.

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.

한국인의 연, 망간, 알루미늄 및 실리콘의 혈중 농도

김정만,안정모,김원술,김정일,신해림,정갑열,김준연 동아대학교 산업의학연구소 2000 산업의학연구소 논총 Vol.- No.5

Blood Lead, Manganese, Aluminium and Silicon Concentrations in Korean Adults Jung Man Kim, Jung Mo Ahn, Won Sul Kim1), Jung Il Kim2), Hai Rim Shin, Kap Yeol Jung2), Joon Youn Kim Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine and Industrial Medicine Research Institute. Dong-A University Department of Health Care, Handong University Sunlin Presbyterian Hotpital1) Department of Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University2) 0bjectives : This study was performed to determine the reference values of blood lead, manganese, aluminium, and silicon in healthy adults. Methods : The subjects were 132 (67 male and 65 female), and classified to three age groups (≤39,40∼49, and 50≤). Hood lead, manganese and aluminium were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and blood silicon was analyzed by direct current plasma optical omission spectrometer. Results : Blood lead levels(geometric mean, S.D) were (3.49, 1.70) ㎍/dL in male auld (3.04, 1.65) ㎍/dL in female, but the difference is not significant, and there was no significant difference between age groups. Mean blood manganese level was 0.99±0.41㎍/dL, and there was no significant difference between sex or age groups. Mean blood aluminium level was 0.59±0.35㎍/dL and there was no significant difference between sex or age groups. Mean blood silicon level was 54.41±27.64㎍/dL in male and 43.34±23.51㎍/dL in female, and the level in male was significantly higher than that in female (p〈0.05). There was significant difference between age groups, and the oldest showed the highest level in male (p〈0.05), but no significant difference between age groups in female. Conclusions : Authors hope that this study would provide basic data for determininig reference values and evaluating health effects.

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>