A pandemic H1N1 influenza virus-like particle vaccine induces cross-protection in mice

Inn, Kyung-Soo,Lee, Gi-Ja,Quan, Fu-Shi Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2014 Immunological investigations Vol.43 No.3

<P>Influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) represent promising alternative vaccines. However, it is necessary to demonstrate that influenza VLPs confer cross-protection against antigenically distinct viruses. In this study, a VLP vaccine comprising hemagglutinin (HA) and M1 from the A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) were used and its ability to induce cross-protective efficacy against heterologous viruses A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) and A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) in mice was assessed. Vaccination with 2009 H1 VLPs induced significantly higher levels of IgG cross-reactive with these heterologous viruses after the second boost compared to after the prime or first boost. Lung virus titers also decreased significantly and the lung cross-reactive IgG response after lethal virus challenge was significantly greater in immunized mice compared to naïve mice. Vaccinated mice showed 100% protection against A/PR/8/34 and A/Caledonia/20/99 viruses with only moderate body weight loss and induction of cross-reactive recall, IgG antibody-secreting cell responses. The variations in HA amino acid sequences and antigenic sites were determined and correlated with induction of cross-protective immunity. These results indicate that VLPs can be used as an effective vaccine that confers cross-protection against antigenically distinct viruses.</P>

Fungal Corneal Ulcer and Bacterial Orbital Cellulitis Occur as Complications of Bacterial Endophthalmitis after Cataract Surgery in an Immunocompetent Patient

Kim, Eun Chul,Kim, Man Soo,Kang, Nam Yeo Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2013 Seminars in ophthalmology Vol.28 No.2

<P><I>Purpose:</I> To report a case of fungal corneal ulcer and bacterial orbital cellulitis as complications of bacterial endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. <I>Methods:</I> A 51-year-old man underwent anterior chamber irrigation and aspiration in the left eye one day after cataract surgery because of bacterial endophthalmitis. Marked lid swelling with purulent discharge was developed after 5 days. Slit lamp examination showed generalized corneal ulcer and pus in the total anterior chamber. A computerized tomography scan showed left retrobulbar fat stranding with thickened optic disc. Streptococcus pneumonia was cultured from corneal scraping, vireous, and subconjunctival pus. <I>Results:</I> The patient improved gradually with antibiotics treatments, but the corneal ulcer did not fully recover 2 months after cataract surgery. Candida albicans was detected in repetitive corneal culture. After antifungal and antibacterial therapy, the corneal epithelium had healed, but phthisis bulbi had developed. <I>Conclusion:</I> Fungal corneal ulcer and bacterial orbital cellulitis can occur as complications of endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent patient.</P>

3D Asthenopia in Horizontal Deviation

Kim, Seung-Hyun,Suh, Young-Woo,Yun, Cheol-Min,Yoo, Eun-Joo,Yeom, Ji-Hyun,Cho, Yoonae A. Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2013 Current eye research Vol.38 No.5

<P><I>Purpose:</I> This study was conducted to investigate the asthenopic symptoms in patients with exotropia and esotropia while watching stereoscopic 3D (S3D) television (TV).</P><P><I>Methods:</I> A total 77 subjects who more than 9 years of age were enrolled in this study. We divided them into three groups; Thirty-four patients with exodeviation (Exo group), 11 patients with esodeviation (Eso group) and 32 volunteers with normal binocular vision (control group). The S3D images were shown to all patients with S3D high-definition TV for a period of 20 min. Best corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, angle of strabismus, stereopsis test and history of strabismus surgery, were evaluated. After watching S3D TV for 20 min, a survey of subjective symptoms was conducted with a questionnaire to evaluate the degree of S3D perception and asthenopic symptoms such as headache, dizziness and ocular fatigue while watching 3D TV.</P><P><I>Results:</I> The mean amounts of deviation in the Exo group and Eso group were 11.2 PD and 7.73PD, respectively. Mean stereoacuity was 102.7 arc sec in the the Exo group and 1389.1 arc sec in the Eso group. In the control group, it was 41.9 arc sec. Twenty-nine patients in the Exo group showed excellent stereopsis (≤60 arc sec at near), but all 11 subjects of the Eso group showed 140 arc sec or worse and showed more decreased 3D perception than the Exo and the control group (<I>p</I> < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). The Exo group reported more eye fatigue (<I>p</I> < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test) than the Eso and the control group. However, the scores of ocular fatigue in the patients who had undergone corrective surgery were less than in the patients who had not in the Exo group (<I>p</I> < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test) and the amount of exodeviation was not correlated with the asthenopic symptoms (dizziness, <I>r</I> = 0.034, <I>p</I> = 0.33; headache, <I>r</I> = 0.320, <I>p</I> = 0.119; eye fatigue, <I>r</I> = 0.135, <I>p</I> = 0.519, Spearman rank correlation test, respectively).</P><P><I>Conclusion:</I> Symptoms of 3D asthenopia were related to the presence of exodeviation but not to esodeviation. This may indicate that S3D symptoms are closely related to the convergence demand.</P>

Pinacidil stimulates osteoblast function in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Suh, Kwang Sik,Lee, Young Soon,Choi, Eun Mi Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2013 Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology Vol.35 No.3

<P>This study examined the effect of pinacidil, a nonselective adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Pinacidil caused a significant elevation of collagen synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin synthesis and mineralization in the cells (<I>p</I> < 0.05). Pinacidil significantly decreased the production of osteoclast differentiation inducing factors such as TNF-α, IL-6 and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in the presence of antimycin A, which inhibits mitochondrial electron transport. Moreover, pinacidil prevented antimycin A-induced reactive oxygen species and nitrotyrosine production. These results demonstrate that pinacidil may have positive effects on skeletal structure.</P>

<i>Saengmaeksan</i> inhibits inflammatory mediators by suppressing RIP-2/caspase-1 activation

Jeong, Mi-Young,Park, Dae-Hee,Kim, Min-Cheol,Park, Jinbong,Kim, Dae-Seung,Jeon, Yong-Deok,Kim, Su-Jin,Ahn, Kwang Seok,Kim, Sung-Hoon,Lee, Jong-Hyun,Jung, Hyun-Ju,Hong, Seung-Heon,Um, Jae-Young Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2013 Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology Vol.35 No.2

<P><I>Background and objectives</I>: <I>Saengmaeksan</I> (SMS) is a Korean herbal prescription consisting of three different herbal drugs: Liriopis Tuber (tuber of <I>Liriope platyphylla</I>, Liliaceae), Ginseng Radix (root of <I>Panax ginseng</I>) and Schisandrae Fructus (fruit of <I>Schisandra chinensis</I>). SMS is commonly used in Korea to treat various diseases that involve the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. However, to date, the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of SMS is not clearly understood. In this study, we attempt to determine the effects of SMS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages.</P><P><I>Methods</I>: Cell viability was measured by using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured by using Griess reagent. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels secreted by the cells were measured using a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), respectively was investigated using a western blot analysis. A caspase colorimetric assay kit was used to assay enzymatic caspase-1 activity.</P><P><I>Results</I>: The findings of this study showed that SMS reduced TNF-α and IL-6 production induced by LPS. During the inflammatory process, COX-2 and NO levels were increased in mouse peritoneal macrophages, but SMS decreased the enhanced levels of COX-2 and the production of NO. In addition, SMS suppressed the activation of NF-κB and receptor interacting protein-2/caspase-1.</P><P><I>Discussion and conclusion</I>: Our results provide novel insights into the pharmacological actions of SMS, a molecule that can potentially be exploited in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.</P>

Pilot study on photodynamic therapy for acne using chlorophyll: Evaluator-blinded, split-face study

Kim, Jung Eun,Hwang, Jong Ik,Lee, Jae In,Cho, Baik Kee,Park, Hyun Jeong Informa Healthcare USA on behalf of Informa UK Ltd 2012 The Journal of dermatological treatment Vol.23 No.1

Fluctuations in pathogenic CD4+ T-cell subsets in a murine sclerodermatous model of chronic graft-versus-host disease

Lim, Ji-Young,Cho, Byung-Sik,Min, Chang-Ki,Park, Gyeongsin,Kim, Yoo-Jin,Chung, Nak-Gyun,Jeong, Dae-Chul,Min, Woo-Sung Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2014 Immunological investigations Vol.43 No.1

<P>To determine the roles of CD4<SUP>+</SUP> T-cell (Th) subsets, including Th17 cells, in the development of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), we used a Th-dependent cGVHD model comprising B10.D2 donor and BALB/c recipient mice. The clinical GVHD score increased beginning at day +14, peaked at day +42, and remained elevated until day +70. In the skin, increased dermal thickness was apparent at day +14, and maintained with few changes until day +70. In contrast, the liver had peak pathologic scores at day +28, and the tissue damage began to improve at day +56. To determine possible associations between improvement of liver pathology and changes in Th subsets, we analyzed Th subsets using flow cytometry. Th1 frequencies in the livers were greater than other Th subsets throughout the disease course, but the frequencies decreased over time. Notably, Th17 cells were rarely detected during earlier periods, but emerged at day +56, which correlated with the improved hepatic inflammation. In contrast, other Th subsets (Th2 and regulatory T cells) did not change significantly during the disease course. These results indicate the association of attenuation on cGVHD with a later emergence of Th17 cells and concomitant decrease of Th1 cells.</P>

Taurine exerts anti-osteoclastogenesis activity via inhibiting ROS generation, JNK phosphorylation and COX-2 expression in RAW264.7 cells

Jang, Hae Jin,Kim, Sung-Jin Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2013 Journal of receptors and signal transduction Vol.33 No.6

<P>Taurine is one of the abundant amino acids present in mammalian cells. It exerts various physiological actions such as wound healing, radioprotection, neuroprotection and anti-anxiety. In the present study, we sought to determine if taurine could inhibit osteoclastogenesis and explore the potential role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) with reactive oxygen species (ROS). The level of intracellular ROS generated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was measured with DCFH-DA staining and fluorescence microscopic analysis was also performed in response to taurine in RAW264.7 cells. The expression of COX-2 and phosphorylation status of JNK by LPS was analyzed by Western blot analysis in the presence of taurine. Osteoclastogenesis was induced by LPS in the absence or presence of taurine and TRAP assay was performed to confirm the formation of osteoclast cells. ROS production was significantly enhanced by LPS and taurine treatment inhibited the ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner. The fluorescence microscopic analysis clearly showed the inhibition of ROS staining by taurine. Western blot analysis indicated that taurine significantly inhibited LPS induced COX-2 protein expression and it also inhibited phosphorylation of JNK. Taurine at the same concentration inhibited osteoclastogenesis induced by LPS, suggesting that taurine prevent osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting ROS generation. Inhibition of COX-2 expression and JNK phoshorylation could be an important mechanism by which taurine exerts anti-osteoclastogeneis.</P>

Progression of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thinning in Glaucoma Assessed by Cirrus Optical Coherence Tomography-guided Progression Analysis

Na, Jung Hwa,Sung, Kyung Rim,Baek, Seunghee,Lee, Jin Young,Kim, Soa Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2013 Current eye research Vol.38 No.3

<P><I>Purpose</I>: To evaluate the performance of Cirrus spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)-guided progression analysis (GPA) software to detect progression of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in glaucoma patients.</P><P><I>Materials and methods:</I> This retrospective cohort study included 272 eyes of 154 glaucoma patients. Median follow-up time was 2.2 years, during which time data from at least four good-quality OCT examinations were collected. Glaucomatous eyes were classified as either early or advanced group according to visual field (VF) severity. Reference standard of glaucoma progression was defined by expert assessment of optic disc/RNFL photographs or VF GPA data, or visual field index (VFI) linear regression analysis. Sensitivity and specificity of OCT GPA, and agreement between OCT GPA findings and each reference standard strategy were estimated.</P><P><I>Results</I>: Fifty-three eyes (19.5%) showed progression by at least one of the reference standard strategies, while OCT GPA detected progression in 36 eyes (13.2%). When expert assessment of optic disc/RNFL photographs and/or VF analysis was used as the reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of OCT GPA employed to detect glaucoma progression were 20.8% and 88.6%. Agreement between OCT GPA and either optic disc/RNFL photographic evaluation or VF analysis was poor (<I>κ</I> = 0.12 and 0.03, respectively). RNFL photographic assessment in early stage glaucoma showed best agreement with OCT GPA in terms of progression detection.</P><P><I>Discussion</I>: The Cirrus OCT GPA detected a considerable number of eyes exhibiting glaucoma progression. OCT GPA may be useful for progression detection in earlier stage of glaucoma to complement other reference standard strategies.</P>

Baicalin Attenuates Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization

Yang, Sung Jae,Jo, Hyoung,Kim, June-Gone,Jung, Sang Hoon Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2014 Current eye research Vol.39 No.7

<P><I>Purpose</I>: To determine whether intravitreally-injected baicalin inhibits the growth of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) experimentally induced via laser photocoagulation through analysis of angiogenic factors.</P><P><I>Materials and methods</I>: Six CNVs were induced in the left eyes of 8-week-old male Brown Norway rats. Immediately after the induction of CNV, 4 μl of baicalin solution (0.1, 1 or 5 nmol) and 4 μl of a solution containing 100 μg of bevacizumab were slowly injected into the vitreous cavity under direct observation with an operating microscope. At 14 days after CNV induction, fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed, and choroidal flat mounts were produced for quantitative assessment of CNV. The levels of the anti-angiogenic proteins vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were determined via Western blot analysis.</P><P><I>Results</I>: FA of bevacizumab- and baicalin-treated rats showed significantly reduced CNV and leakage from the CNV lesions compared to control rats at day 14. Choroidal flat mounts revealed that baicalin inhibited the growth of CNV lesions in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis demonstrated that baicalin significantly attenuated the up-regulation of VEGF, PDGF and MMP-2.</P><P><I>Conclusion</I>: Baicalin suppressed laser-induced CNV formation in rats. These results suggest that baicalin should be considered as a candidate drug for treating exudative age-related macular degeneration.</P>