• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 2019

Cells must fine-tune their gene expression programs for optimal cellular activities in their natural growth conditions. Transcriptional memory, a unique transcriptional response, plays a pivotal role in faster reactivation of genes upon environmental changes, and is facilitated if genes were previously in an active state. Hyper-activation of gene expression by transcriptional memory is critical for cellular differentiation, development, and adaptation. TREM (Transcriptional REpression Memory), a distinct type of transcriptional memory, promoting hyper-repression of unnecessary genes, upon environmental changes has been recently reported. These two transcriptional responses may optimize specific gene expression patterns, in rapidly changing environments. Emerging evidence suggests that they are also critical for immune responses. In addition to memory B and T cells, innate immune cells are transcriptionally hyperactivated by restimulation, with the same or different pathogens known as trained immunity. In this review, we briefly summarize recent progress in chromatin-based regulation of transcriptional memory, and its potential role in immune responses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
• /
• 2005.09a
• /
• pp.344-347
• /
• 2005

Helper T(Th) cells regulate immune response by producing various kinds of cytokines in response to antigen stimulation. The regulatory functions of Th cells are promoted by their differentiation into two distinct subsets, Th1 and Th2 cells. Th1 cells are involved in inducing cellular immune response by activating cytotoxic T cells. Th2 cells trigger B cells to produce antibodies, protective proteins used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign substances. Because cellular and humoral immune responses have quite different roles in protecting the host from foreign substances, Th cell differentiation is a crucial event in the immune response. The destiny of a naive Th cell is mainly controlled by cytokines such as IL-4, IL-12, and IFN-${\gamma}$. To understand the mechanism of Th cell differentiation, many mathematical models have been proposed. One of the most difficult problems in mathematical modeling is to find appropriate kinetic parameters needed to complete a model. However, it is relatively easy to get qualitative or linguistic knowledge of a model dynamics. To incorporate such knowledge into a model, we propose a novel approach, fuzzy continuous Petri nets extending traditional continuous Petri net by adding new types of places and transitions called fuzzy places and fuzzy transitions. This extension makes it possible to perform fuzzy inference with fuzzy places and fuzzy transitions acting as kinetic parameters and fuzzy inference systems between input and output places, respectively.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.243-250
• /
• 2009

Recent studies suggest a novel role of $HIF-1{\alpha}$ under nonhypoxic conditions, including antibacterial and antiviral innate immune responses. However, the identity of the pathogen-associated molecular pattern which triggers $HIF-1{\alpha}$ activation during the antiviral response remains to be identified. Here, we demonstrate that cellular administration of double-stranded nucleic acids, the molecular mimics of viral genomes, results in the induction of $HIF-1{\alpha}$ protein level as well as the increase in $HIF-1{\alpha}$ target gene expression. Whole-genome DNA microarray analysis revealed that double-stranded nucleic acid treatment triggers induction of a number of hypoxia-inducible genes, and induction of these genes are compromised upon siRNA-mediated $HIF-1{\alpha}$ knock-down. Interestingly, $HIF-1{\alpha}$ knock-down also resulted in down-regulation of a number of genes involved in antiviral innate immune responses. Our study demonstrates that $HIF-1{\alpha}$ activation upon nucleic acid-triggered antiviral innate immune responses plays an important role in regulation of genes involved in not only hypoxic response, but also immune response.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.22-29
• /
• 2023

Background: The existing research results on the combined toxicity of these pollutants using mammals, such as rodents, are insufficient, especially in relation to changes in the immune system. Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the cellular immune response to PE-MPs solely or when combined with Pb, which possess excellent adsorption capacity with PE-MPs and is commonly co-exposed in our daily lives. Methods: The study investigated the cellular immune function of 9-week ICR mice with 28 days exposure to PE-MPs (2 mg/mouse/day) and Pb (0.1 mM in distilled water) individually and in combination. PE-MPs were administered via gastric intubation while the lead intake was conducted via the oral drinking water route. Cellular immunity was evaluated by analyzing the production for T_H1 cytokines namely, TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 and T_H2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-6 in culture supernatants from polyclonally activated splenic mononuclear cells ex vivo. Results: Both the PE-MPs only and the PE-MPs+Pb exposure group revealed an increased T_H1 response with elevated TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 levels and downregulated T_H2 response with low IL-4, and IL-6 production levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, an increased IFN-𝛾/IL-4 ratio was found in the PE-MPs only and PE-MPs+Pb exposure groups, which indicated the skewedness to T_H1 response. Meanwhile, reduced blood hemoglobin levels and increased levels of IL-4, the dominant T_H2 cytokine in the Pb-only exposure group, were observed. Conclusions: Our current findings on the predominance of T_H1 immune response in the PE-MPs and PE-MPs+Pb groups suggest that PE-MPs could be responsible for the predominant induction of the cellular immune changes. This finding could be used as an important landmark in research related to T_H1 predominance, such as autoimmune diseases. It suggests that additional research on immune modulation using longer exposure durations or the same exposure route is required to elucidate stronger findings.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.211-221
• /
• 2001

A literature study on oncological immune therapy was done, and the results were as follows. 1. Oncological immune therapy is classified as specific non specific therapy or active inactive therapy, and in tumor immune response, cellular immunity operates mainly, so activity of T lymphocytes and macrophages are closely related with growth, progress, metastasis and prospect of tumor. Recently, Immune therapies of gene which use cytokines and HLA-B7 are carrying out. 2. In oriental medicine, development of disease is closely related to up and down of healthy qi, so healthy qi operates as a immune factor and resistance factor. 3. On the base of theory "Increasing healthy qi reduces mass(養正則積自除)", strengthening body resistance is emphasized in cancer therapy. Also strengthening body resistance activates cellular immune response and promote killing tumor facility of T-cell. 4. In clinical view, using immune therapy after operation, radiation, and chemotheraphy is more effective than immune therapy itself, so it is expected that east-west cooperation will be effective in cancer therapy. 5. The study of oncological immunity is progressed on emphasizing T-cell and it is related to oriental medical theory "strengthening healthy qi to eliminate pathogen(扶定祛邪)" and advanced study is expected in future.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.384-391
• /
• 2021

The recent appearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people around the world and caused a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has been suggested that uncontrolled, exaggerated inflammation contributes to the adverse outcomes of COVID-19. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the innate immune response elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection and the hyperinflammation that contributes to disease severity and death. We also discuss the immunological determinants behind COVID-19 severity and propose a rationale for the underlying mechanisms.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.267-277
• /
• 2008

Benzene and ethylbenzene (BE), the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common constituents of cleaning and degreasing agents, paints, pesticides, personal care products, gasoline and solvents. VOCs are evaporated at room temperature and most of them exhibit acute and chronic toxicity to human. Chronic exposure of benzene is responsible for myeloid leukemia and also ethylbenzene is also recognized as a possible carcinogen. To evaluate the BE effect on human, whole human genome 35 K oligonucleotide microarray were screened for the identification of the differential expression profiling. We identified 280 up-regulated and 201 down-regulated genes changed by more than 1.5 fold by BE exposure. Functional analysis was carried out by using DAVID bioinformatics software. Clustering of these differentially expressed genes were associated with immune response, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, toll-like signaling pathway, small cell lung cancer, immune response, apoptosis, p53 signaling pathway and MAPKKK cascade possibly constituting alternative or subordinate pathways of hematotoxicity and immune toxicity. Gene ontology analysis methods including biological process, cellular components, molecular function and KEGG pathway thus provide a fundamental basis of the molecular pathways through BEs exposure in human lymphoma cells. This may provides a valuable information to do further analysis to explore the mechanism of BE induced hematotoxicity.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.3 no.3_4
• /
• pp.29-37
• /
• 1988

Experiments were performed on mice to investigate the effect of panax ginseng extracts on the immunotoxicity of ethanol. Immune response were evaluated by antibody production, Arthus reaction, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), Rosette froming cell (RFC) and macrophage activity in mice, sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cells. The weight of liver, spleen and thymus were measured. Following results obtained in this experiment. The exposure of ethanol decreased humoral and cellular immune response, the body weight and macrophage activity. Ginseng extracts such as ethanol extract, petroleum ether extract and n-butanol fraction were significantly increased the body weight. The administration of ginseng ethanol extract and ginseng petroleum ether extract were restored or increased humoral and cellular immune response. Macrophage activity was decreased by ethanol, but restored by the ginseng extracts.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.2 no.1_2
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 1987

Experiments were performed to investigate effects of ethanol and saccharin on the immune system in rats. 4% ethanol and 0.02, 0.20, 2.00% saccharin solution in 4% ethanol were provided ad libitum by tap water for 4 weeks. Rats were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cells (S-RBC). Immune responses were evaluated by relative immuno organ weight, antibody production, Arthus reaction, delayed type hypersensitivity, and rosette forming cell. Ethanol exposure decreased thymus weight and delayed type hypersensitivity. A combined solution of ethanol and saccharin decreased water intake, growth rate, spleen weight, thymus weight, humoral and cellular immune response. Especially, a 2% saccharin solution in 4% ethanol very significantly suppressed cellular immunity.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 2007

The innate immune response which is seen as the initial defense mechanism induced upon foreign invasion has been well documented in higher vertebrates. This has also been observed in fish infected with NNV. However, the fish immune system based on fully established genome project has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in this review, we hope to correlate NNV infection in fish that has devastated the aquaculture industry, to its host immune system. Further, we discuss the potential preventive measures in overcoming the widespread of this neurodisease.