Effects of Activin A on Cytokine Expression in Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes Under Atopic Dermatitis-Like Conditions

Han Young-Min,Kim Young Il,Shin Min Kyung 대한피부과학회 2026 Annals of Dermatology Vol.38 No.2

Background: Activin A is involved in the inflammatory response, wound repair, and skin fibro- sis. Serum activin A concentrations change during the menstrual cycle, and this can lead to periodic exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Objective: To determine the effect of activin A on the cytokine expression profiles of human fibroblasts and keratinocytes under atopic dermatitis-like conditions. Methods: Cultured human fibroblasts and keratinocytes were treated with activin A in combi- nation with interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 to determine the changes in cytokine concentrations. Results: Activin A decreased the expression of IL-1β and IL-23 mRNA in fibroblasts. IL-4 and IL-13 increased the expression of IL-6 and IL-16 and decreased the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-23 in fibroblasts. In keratinocytes, IL-4 and IL-13 increased the expression of IL-1α and IL-1β and decreased the expression of IL-8. Activin A treatment in combination with IL-4 and IL-13 significantly increased the expression of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-16, and IL-23 and decreased the expression of IL-1β in fibroblasts. In keratinocytes, only IL-8 expression was significantly increased following treatment with activin A, IL-4, and IL-13. Conclusion: Activin A modulates cytokine expression in a cell type dependent manner under conditions mimicking atopic dermatitis, suggesting its potential involvement in cutaneous inflammatory regulation.

Up-Regulation of Interleukin-4 Receptor Expression by Interleukin-4 and CD40 Ligation via Tyrosine Kinase-Dependent Pathway

Kim, Hyun-Il,So, Eui-Young,Yoon, Suk-Ran,Han, Mi-Young,Lee, Choong-Eun Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 1998 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.31 No.1

Recently a B cell surface molecule, CD40, has emerged as a receptor mediating a co-stimulatory signal for B cell proliferation and differentiation. To investigate the mechanism of synergy between interleukin-4 (IL-4) and CD40 ligation in B cell activation, we have examined the effect of CE40 cross-linking on the IL-4 receptor expression in human B cells using anti-CE40 antibody. We observed that IL-4 and anti-CD40 both induce IL-4 receptor gene expression with a rapid kinetics resulting in a noticeable accumulation of IL-4 receptor mRNA within 4 h. While IL-4 caused a dose-dependent induction of surface IL-4 receptor expression, the inclusion of anti-CD40 in the IL-4-treated culture, further up-regulated the IL-4-induced IL-4 receptor expression as analyzed by flow cytometry. Pretreatment of B cells with inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) resulted in a significant inhibition of both the IL-4- and anti-CD40-induced IL-4 receptor mRNA levels, while protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors had no effects. These results suggest that IL-4 and CD40 ligation generate B cell signals, which via PTK-dependent pathways, lead to the synergistic induction of IL-4 receptor gene expression. The rapid induction of IL-4 receptor gene expression through the tyrosine kinase-mediated signal transduction by B cell activating stimuli, would provide cells capacity for an efficient response to IL-4 in the early phase of IL-4 action, and may in part constitute the molecular basis of the reported anti-CD40 co-stimulatory effect on the IL-4-induced response.

Up - Regulation of Interleukin - 4 Receptor Expression by Interleukin - 4 and CD40 Ligation via Tyrosine Kinase - Dependent Pathway

Hyun Il Kim,Eui Young So,Suk Ran Yoon,Mi Young Han,Choong Eun Lee 생화학분자생물학회 1998 BMB Reports Vol.31 No.1

Recently a B cell surface molecule, CD40, has emerged as a receptor mediating a co-stimulatory signal for B cell proliferation and differentiation. To investigate the mechanism of synergy between interleukin-4(IL-4) and CD40 ligation in B cell activation we have examined the effect of CD40 cross-linking on the IL-40 receptor expression in human B cells using anti-CD40 antibody. We observed that IL-4 and anti-CD40 both induce IL-40 receptor gene expression with a rapid kinetics resulting in a noticeable accumulation of IL-4 receptor mRNA within 4 h. While IL-4 caused a dose-dependent induction of surface IL-4 receptor expression, the inclusion of anti-CD40 in the IL-4-treated culture, further up-regulated the IL-4-induced IL-4 receptor expression as analyzed by flow cytometry. Pretreatment of B cells with inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) resulted in asignificant inhibition of both the IL-4- and anti-CD40-induced IL-4 receptor mRNA levels, while protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors had no effects. These results suggest that IL-4 and CD40 ligation generate B cell signals, which via PTK-dependent pathways, lead to the synergistic induction of IL-4 receptor gene expression. The rapid induction of IL-4 receptor gene expression through the tyrosine kinase-mediated signal transduction by B cell activating stimuli, would provide cells capacity for an efficient response to IL-4 in the early phase of IL-4action, and may in part constitute the molecular basis of the reported anti-CD40 co-stimulatory effect on the IL-4-induced response.

IL-17A induces osteoblast differentiation by activating JAK2/STAT3 in ankylosing spondylitis

Jo, Sungsin,Wang, Sung Eun,Lee, Young Lim,Kang, Suman,Lee, Bitnara,Han, Jinil,Sung, Il-Hoon,Park, Ye-Soo,Bae, Sang-Cheol,Kim, Tae-Hwan BioMed Central 2018 Arthritis research & therapy Vol.20 No.-

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>IL-17A has recently emerged as a potential target that regulates the extensive inflammation and abnormal bone formation observed in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Blocking IL-17A is expected to inhibit bony ankylosis. Here, we investigated the effects of anti IL-17A agents in AS.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>TNFα, IL-17A, and IL-12/23 p40 levels in serum and synovial fluid from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), or healthy controls (HC) were measured by ELISA. Bone tissue samples were obtained at surgery from the facet joints of ten patients with AS and ten control (Ct) patients with noninflammatory spinal disease. The functional relevance of IL-17A, biological blockades, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and non-receptor tyrosine kinase was assessed in vitro with primary bone-derived cells (BdCs) and serum from patients with AS.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Basal levels of IL-17A and IL-12/23 p40 in body fluids were elevated in patients with AS. JAK2 was also highly expressed in bone tissue and primary BdCs from patients with AS. Furthermore, addition of exogenous IL-17A to primary Ct-BdCs promoted the osteogenic stimulus-induced increase in ALP activity and mineralization. Intriguingly, blocking IL-17A with serum from patients with AS attenuated ALP activity and mineralization in both Ct and AS-BdCs by inhibiting JAK2 phosphorylation and downregulating osteoblast-involved genes. Moreover, JAK2 inhibitors effectively reduced JAK2-driven ALP activity and JAK2-mediated events.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Our findings indicate that IL-17A regulates osteoblast activity and differentiation via JAK2/STAT3 signaling. They shed light on AS pathogenesis and suggest new rational therapies for clinical AS ankylosis.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1582-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.</P>

Two-Track Medical Treatment Strategy According to the Clinical Scoring System for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Kim, Dong-Kyu,Kang, Seong Il,Kong, Il Gyu,Cho, Young Hoon,Song, Seul Ki,Hyun, Se Jin,Cho, Sung Dong,Han, Sang-Yoon,Cho, Seong-Ho,Kim, Dae Woo The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical 2018 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.10 No.5

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The previously reported Japanese clinical scoring study (JESREC) suggests that chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can be divided into 4 subtypes according to the degree of eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) and offers the information regarding the prognosis of CRS to clinicians. However, this scoring system has not yet been validated by an immunological study and needs to provide treatment guidelines based on underlying immunologic profiles. We investigated the immunologic profile of each CRS subgroup according to the JESREC classification and suggest its clinical application.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>A total of 140 CRS patients and 20 control subjects were enrolled. All patients were classified into 4 groups according to the JESREC (non-, mild, moderate and severe ECRS). Nasal tissues were analyzed for mRNA expression of major cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23p19, IFN-γ, periostin, thymic stromal lymphopoietin [TSLP] and ST2), major chemokines (CCL11, CCL24, CXCL1 and CXCL2), transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORC and FOXP3) and COL1A1 for type I collagen. Protein levels of 3 major cytokines (IL-5, IL-17A and IFN-γ) were also measured by multiplex immunoassay. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to investigate the overall profile of multiple mediators.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The moderate/severe ECRS showed up-regulation of type 2-related mediators (IL-5, IL-13, periostin, TSLP and ST-2), whereas INF-γ (type 1 cytokine) and CXCL1 (neutrophil chemokine) expressions were increased in non-/mild ECRS compared with moderate/severe ECRS. The JESREC classification reflected an immunological endotype. In PCA data, PCA1 indicates a relative type 2 profile, whereas PCA2 represents a type 1/type 17-related profile. In this analysis, mild ECRS was indistinguishable from non-ECRS, whereas moderate to severe ECRS showed a distinct distribution compared with non-ECRS. The JESREC classification could be divided into 2 categories, non-/mild vs. moderate/severe ECRS based on underlying immunological analyses.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The CRS clinical scoring system from the JESREC study reflects an inflammatory endotype. However, the immunologic profile of mild ECRS was similar to that of non-ECRS. Therefore, we propose type 2-targeted medical treatment for moderate to severe ECRS and type 1/type 17-targeted for non-ECRS and mild ECRS as the first treatment option.</P>

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

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

Background: 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-la 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-la mediated pathway. Method: We used a competitive RT-PCR for measuring cytokine gene expression in epithelial cell line after UV radiation. Results: The IL-la mRNA increased as early as 1h after UV irradiation, and then decreased at 3h after the irradiation. Thereafter, the response of IL-la 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-la antibodies could only partially inhibit UV-augmented GM- CSF production. Conclusion: UVB induced GM-CSF production seemed to be mainly mediated by UVB induced IL-la but these results suggest that UVB may also induce GM-CSF production through an IL-la independent pathway. (Ann Dermatol 9:(4):246-252, 1997).

Up-Regulation of Interleukin-4 Receptor Expression by Interleukin-4 and CD40 Ligation via Tyrosine Kinase-Dependent Pathway

Lee, Choong-Eun,Kim, Hyun-Il,So, Eui-Young,Yoon, Suk-Ran,Han, Mi-Young The Korea Science and Technology Center 1998 BMB Reports Vol.31 No.1

Recently a B cell surface molecule, CD40, has emerged as a receptor mediating a co-stimulatory signal for B cell proliferation and differentiation. To investigate the mechanism of synergy between interleukin-4(IL-4) and CD40 ligation in B cell activation we have examined the effect of CD40 cross-linking on the IL-40 receptor expression in human B cells using anti-CD40 antibody. We observed that IL-4 and anti-CD40 both induce IL-40 receptor gene expression with a rapid kinetics resulting in a noticeable accumulation of IL-4 receptor mRNA within 4 h. While IL-4 caused a dose-dependent induction of surface IL-4 receptor expression, the inclusion of anti-CD40 in the IL-4-treated culture, further up-regulated the IL-4-induced IL-4 receptor expression as analyzed by flow cytometry. Pretreatment of B cells with inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) resulted in asignificant inhibition of both the IL-4- and anti-CD40-induced IL-4 receptor mRNA levels, while protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors had no effects. These results suggest that IL-4 and CD40 ligation generate B cell signals, which via PTK-dependent pathways, lead to the synergistic induction of IL-4 receptor gene expression. The rapid induction of IL-4 receptor gene expression through the tyrosine kinase-mediated signal transduction by B cell activating stimuli, would provide cells capacity for an efficient response to IL-4 in the early phase of IL-4action, and may in part constitute the molecular basis of the reported anti-CD40 co-stimulatory effect on the IL-4-induced response.

Association of Increased Pulmonary Interleukin-6 with the Priming Effect of Intra-Amniotic Lipopolysaccharide on Hyperoxic Lung Injury in a Rat Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Kim, Do-Hyun,Choi, Chang Won,Kim, Ee-Kyung,Kim, Han-Suk,Kim, Beyong Il,Choi, Jung-Hwan,Lee, Myong Jin,Yang, Eun Gyeong S. Karger AG 2010 NEONATOLOGY Vol.98 No.1

<P><I>Background:</I> The authors previously demonstrated the priming effect of intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on hyperoxic lung injury in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). <I>Objectives:</I> To investigate the mechanism underlying this priming effect by determining biochemical profiles in a rat model of BPD. <I>Methods:</I> The rat model involved intra-amniotic LPS administration and postnatal hyperoxia (85%). The mRNA expressions of <I>interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF),</I> and <I>transforming growth factor </I>β<SUB><I>1</I></SUB><I> (TGF-</I>β<SUB><I>1</I></SUB><I>),</I> as well as the protein levels of IL-6, VEGF, and protein carbonyl in lung tissue were compared between the LPS plus hyperoxia, the LPS only, the hyperoxia only, and the control groups. <I>Results:</I> Morphometric analysis of lung tissues demonstrated that alveolarization was significantly inhibited only in the LPS plus hyperoxia group. IL-6 protein levels and its mRNA expression in the lungs were significantly increased only in the LPS plus hyperoxia group. Neither LPS nor hyperoxia increased IL-6 in the lungs independently. <I>bFGF</I> mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the LPS-treated groups. VEGF protein levels were significantly reduced by hyperoxia, whereas protein carbonyl levels were increased by intra-amniotic LPS or hyperoxia. No additional significant change to VEGF or protein carbonyl levels was produced by intra-amniotic LPS or hyperoxia. There were no significant differences in the mRNA expressions of <I>VEGF, VEGFR-2,</I> and <I>TGF-</I>β<SUB><I>1</I></SUB>. <I>Conclusions:</I> The priming effect of intra-amniotic LPS on hyperoxic lung injury may be associated with IL-6 elevation in the lungs.</P><P>Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor–related protein co-stimulation facilitates tumor regression by inducing IL-9–producing helper T cells

Kim, Il-Kyu,Kim, Byung-Seok,Koh, Choong-Hyun,Seok, Jae-Won,Park, Jun-Seok,Shin, Kwang-Soo,Bae, Eun-Ah,Lee, Ga-Eun,Jeon, Hyewon,Cho, Jaebeom,Jung, Yujin,Han, Daehee,Kwon, Byoung S,Lee, Ho-Young,Chung, Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan P 2015 Nature medicine Vol.21 No.9

<P>T cell stimulation via glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-related protein (GITR) elicits antitumor activity in various tumor models; however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we demonstrate a crucial role for interleukin (IL)-9 in antitumor immunity generated by the GITR agonistic antibody DTA-1. IL-4 receptor knockout (Il4ra(-/-)) mice, which have reduced expression of IL-9, were resistant to tumor growth inhibition by DTA-1. Notably, neutralization of IL-9 considerably impaired tumor rejection induced by DTA-1. In particular, DTA-1-induced IL-9 promoted tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses by enhancing the function of dendritic cells in vivo. Furthermore, GITR signaling enhanced the differentiation of IL-9-producing CD4(+) T-helper (T(H)9) cells in a TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)- and NF-kappa B-dependent manner and inhibited the generation of induced regulatory T cells in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that GITR co-stimulation mediates antitumor immunity by promoting T(H)9 cell differentiation and enhancing CTL responses and thus provide a mechanism of action for GITR agonist-mediated cancer immunotherapies.</P>

Intracellular IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma levels of leukemic cells and bone marrow T cells in acute leukemia.

Park, Hun Hee,Kim, Myungshin,Lee, Bong-Hee,Lim, Jihyang,Kim, Yonggoo,Lee, Eun Jung,Min, Woo Sung,Kang, Chang Suk,Kim, Won Il,Shim, Sang In,Han, Kyungja Institute for Clinical Science] 2006 Annals of clinical and laboratory science Vol.36 No.1

<P>The quantitative levels of intracellular cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma (ie, the number of bound PE-conjugated antibody molecules/cell) of leukemic cells and bone marrow T cells (bmT cells) of acute leukemia patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. One hundred, thirty-one (95 AML, 25 ALL, 11 ABL) patients were studied. The leukemic cell IL-4 level was highest in the monocytic AML group (1735 +/- 1056) and lowest in the dysplastic AML group (960 +/- 545). The IFN-gamma level was highest in the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) group (495 +/- 159), and lowest in the ALL group (252 +/- 119). The IL-10 level was not significantly different among the diagnosis groups. In bmT cells, the IL-10 level was highest in the dysplastic AML group (972 +/- 1049) and lowest in the APL group (397 +/- 352). The leukemic cell cytokine levels were lowest and bmT cell cytokine levels were highest in the dysplastic AML group. There were no significant correlations of these cytokine levels with 2-yr survival rate, complete remission (CR) rate, or relapse rate. The cytokine levels of bmT cells at the time of CR became normal and were not different among the diagnosis groups. In summary, leukemic cell and bmT cell cytoplasmic expression profiles of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma are characteristic for each diagnostic group of acute leukemia patients and the profiles of bmT cells are normal at the time of CR.</P>