• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.289-299
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• 2004

Background : Although the pathophysiology of asthma has been reported, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The mast cell is an effector cells in allergic inflammation and secretes a number of chemokines. Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of infection, which is essential in host defense. Chemokines also contribute to the pathogenesis of several disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Objective : In this study, the aim was to identify the effect of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) on expression of chemokines. This was examined by RT-PCR using the human mast cell line (HMC-l) Materials and Methods : HMC-l cells were used, which is known to secrete and express chemokines. In order to investigate the protective effect of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯), HMC-l cells were incubated with pretreatment of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) for 24 hrs. RT-PCR analyses of chemokine genes of cells pretreated with Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) showed that expressions of IL-8, $MIP-l{\beta}$, and RANTES genes in these cells were lower and $MIP-l{\alpha}$ showed a similar pattern compared to the calcium ionophore-treated group. In addition, cell cytotoxicity concentration measurements were performed by MTT assay method. Results : After stimulation with 1 uM calcium ionophore A23178 for 2 hrs, IL-8, major one of CXC chemokines, was highly expressed, and expression of $MIP-l{\beta}$ and RANTES (CC chemokines) increased, while expression of $MIP-l{\alpha}$ did not change. The cell cytotoxicity of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) with treatments at various concentrations and times was not observed, respectively. Conclusion : This study suggests that Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) has dose-dependent effects on mRNA expression of IL-8(CXC chemokines), $MIP-l{\beta}$ and RANTES(CC chemokines) in human mast cellline(HMC-l). So these herbal medicines may inhibit the inflammatory process of asthma. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanism of inhibition by herbal medicine in the asthma model. This study provides basic data on the possibility of the clinical treatment of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) for allergic disorders.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.4 s.127
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• pp.280-286
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• 2001

Epigallocathechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenol component in green tea, inhibits angiogenesis, urokinase, and matalloproteinases, and EGCG also has the antioxidative property. Recent reports proposed that EGCG may modulate the immune response on allergy or asthma. Human nasal mucosal fibroblasts are a rich source of cytokines, inflammatory mediators, and chemokines. Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of infection, which is essential in host defense. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of EGCG on the expression of the chemokines such as RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted), eotaxin, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human nasal mucosal fibroblasts after stimulation with cytokines like IL-4, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$, and $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$. To detect the expression of chemokine genes, RT-PCR was performed. Expressions of RANTES, eotaxin, and IL-8 mRNA stimulated with IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were increased, respectively, while the expression of those genes incubated with $IFN-{\gamma}$ was similar pattern compared to control group. Analyses of chemokine genes of cells pretreated with EGCG showed that the expressions of eotaxin, and IL-8 genes stimulated $IFN-{\gamma}$ were higher compared with those not pretreated with EGCG.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.518-526
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• 2008

Recently a major goal in asthma therapy is to reduce or prevent the inflammatory response of airway. Eosinophilic accumulation in the tissue is a prominent feature of allergic diseases including asthma. Production of chemokines by bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to the allergic inflammation by recruiting eosinophils. In this study we evaluated the inhibitory effect of Gamichungsangbohatang (GMCSBHT), used traditionally in treating asthma, on secretion of chemokines for eosinophils in human A549 epithelial cells. Chemokines such as eotaxin, RANTES, IL-8 were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, but IL-16 showed no inhibition by GMCSBHT. These findings indicate that GMCSBHT might be a therapeutic value in treating asthma by suppression of chemokines secretion associated with local accumulation of eosinophils.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2000

The non-ELR-containing CXC chemokines Mig and IP-10 have been shown to function as chemotactic cytokines for activated T lymphocytes. In this study, we examined the potential involvement of Mig and IP-10 in antimycobacterial response of mice immunized or infected with M. bovis BCG. The accumulation of Mig and IP-10 mRNA in resident peritoneal monocytes ($RPM{\Phi}$) was slightly reduced by stimulation with vBCG, and the degree was greater for 24 hr culture even though IFN-${\gamma}$ was added. Expression of Mig, IP-10, and IFN-${\gamma}$ in 24 hr delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was stronger in vBCG-immune mice than in the non-immune. The increase of DTH measured by foot-pad thickness appears to be clearly related to the levels of chemokines Mig and IP10 messages and those of IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-12. Stimulation with vBCG for 2 days decreased or completely dropped the levels of Mig message in non-immune or immune splenocytes, respectively, whereas IP-10 message was slightly decreased in 2 days culture. Moreover, messages for IL-12 (p40) showed similar kinetics for Mig. The levels of Mig and IP-10 mRNA during the course of infection with BCG were not readily changed in lungs, livers, and spleens from BCG-infected mice. Although there was no obvious changes of Mig and IP-10 messages in the target organs during infection process, we found that the infection progressed over the first 3 wk before being contained by the emerging immune response suggested from detectable amount of IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA around this time. In view of selectivity of chemokines Mig and IP-10 for activated T cells, these data suggest that chemokine Mig and IP-10, especially in collaboration with IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$, may playa role as T cell recruiters in immune response against mycobacterial infection.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.257-261
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• 2009

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) is an important pathogen casuing aggressive periodontitis. The present study was designed to investigate the chemokines expression regulated by A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Chemokines genes expression profiling was performed in Raw 264.7 cells by analyses of microarray and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Microarray results showed that the induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-$1{\alpha}$ (MIP-$1{\alpha}$), MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-$1{\gamma}$, regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and interferon-${\gamma}$ inducible protein 10 (IP 10) by A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS was increased to 12.5, 1.53, 9.09, 17.3, 2.82, 16.1, and 18.1 folds at 18 h, respectively. To check these chemokines expression by A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS, we examined gene expressions by RT-PCR, and found that the expression of MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-$1{\gamma}$, RANTES, MIP-2, and IP 10 was increased 107.1, 93.6, 106.8, 86.5, and 162.0 folds at 18 h, respectively. These results indicate that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS stimulates the several chemokines expressions (MIP-$1{\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-$1{\gamma}$, RANTES, MIP-2, and IP 10) in Raw 264.7 cells.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.194-198
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• 2004

This review will present a brief overview on the adipocytokines and chemokines in terms of their classifications and functions, and further discuss the most recent results of chemokine research into their regulation of adipocyte functions and/or adipocyte-related pathologies. The potential link between preadipocytes/adipocytes and macrophages will also be highlighted.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2011

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease that is associated with Th2 cell-mediated allergy. The process that leads to infiltration of inflammatory cells into an AD lesion is remarkably dependent on various chemokines, especially TARC (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17) and MDC (macrophage-derived chemokine/CCL22). Serum levels of these chemokines are over-expressed in AD patients. Citrus unshiu, which is known as Satsuma mandarin, has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammation, and anti-microviral activity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of EtOH extract of premature C. unshiu on AD. We did this using a DNCB-induced AD mouse model. We also tried to confirm an inhibitory effect for premature C. unshiu on the expression of inflammatory chemokines in IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulated HaCaT human keratinocytes. We found that extract of premature C. unshiu reduced DNCB-induced symptoms such as hyperkeratosis, increased skin thickness, and infiltrated mast cells, in our AD-like animal model. The extract decreased levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 in ConA-stimulated splenocytes isolated from DNCB-treated mice. Also, extract of premature C. unshiu inhibited mRNA expression and protein production of TARC and MDC through the inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation. These results suggest that C. unshiu has anti-atopic activity by regulating inflammatory chemokines such as TARC and MDC.

• The Journal of Korean Oriental Chronic Disease
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2005

Background and Objective: The importance of the presence of eosinophils in the airways of patients with fetal asthma has long been recognized, but the mechanism by which these cells are recruited and retained in the lung are only now being elucidated. Eotaxin is a potent and specific eosinophil chemoattractant that is mobilized in the respiratory epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods: We used water extracts of Liripois Tuber and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human typeII-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils. We estimated cytotoxic effects of Liripois Tuber via MTS assay, and estimated the effects of Liripois Tuber on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. We conducted chemotaxis assay on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Liripois Tuber. Result: In this study we demonstrated that $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4 and $IL-1{\beta}$ induced the accumulation of chemokines mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in dose-dependent manner. Chemokines were inhibited by Liripois Tuber in dose-dependent manner. The eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentration of Liripois Tuber. Conculusion: These findings indicate that the supression of the expression of chemokines can be accomplished by Liripois Tuber treatment, raising the possibility that Liripois Tuber might be of therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.223-226
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• 2002

Background: The type 2 deviated immunological state is predominant in lepromatous leprosy. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immune-complex mediated reaction that typically occurs in lepromatous leprosy. To date, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, IL-10, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-1 receptor antagonist and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were reported to be higher in lepromatous leprosy. TNF-${\alpha}$ is also known to be higher in ENL, which is reduced after thalidomide treatment. However the serum type 2 chemokine levels in lepromatous leprosy patients have not been reported. Methods: The serum levels of the type 2 chemokines such as thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and eotaxin together with IL-12 and IL-10 in the sera from leprosy patients were detected using an enzyme-linked solvent assay (ELISA) method. Results: The Serum TARC, MDC, eotaxin, IL-10 and IL-12 levels in lepromatous leprosy patients were not significantly different from the normal control levels. The serum levels were not significantly different between the paucibacillary group and multibacillary group. The serum TARC or MDC levels in the ENL patients were more reduced after a treatment containing thalidomide. Conclusion: The type 2 chemokines are not related to the severity of lepromatous leprosy. The larger reducing effect of the TARC or MDC levels in ENL patients by a treatment containing thalidomide suggests the potential role of these chemokines in the development of ENL and the therapeutic mechanism of thalidomide.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.129-142
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• 2005

Objective : Asthma is known as chronic airway inflammatory disease. This inflammation is conducted by various inflammatory cells including eosihophil. Chemotaxis is one way that circulating inflammatory cells invade a specific lesion. This study examines the degree to which Lonicerae Flos inhibits eosinophil chemotaxis at pulmonary epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods : Water extracts of Lonicerae Flos and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils were used. Cytotoxic effects of Lonicerae Flos via MTS assay were estimated, as well as the effects of Lonicerae Flos on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. Chemotaxis assay was conducted on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Lonicerae Flos. Result : In this study $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, $IL-l{\beta}$ were seen to induced the accumulation of chemokines mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in a dose-dependent manner. Chemokines were inhibited by Liripois Tuber in a dose-dependent manner and especially, IL-8 and ICAM-l were inhibited considerably at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration of Lonicerae Flos. The eosinophil migration is inhibited in high concentration of Lonicerae Flos in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These findings indicate that the supression of the expression of chemokines can be accomplished by Lonicerae Flos treatment, raising the possibility that Lonicerae Flos might be of therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma.