Kyu-Sup Cho

IFATS collection: Immunomodulatory effects of adipose tissue-derived stem cells in an allergic rhinitis mouse model.

Adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ASCs) exhibit immunosuppressive effects in allogeneic transplantation. However, there is no report that evaluates the in vivo immune‐modulating effect of ASCs in an experimental allergic rhinitis (AR) model. We investigated whether ASCs migrate to the nasal mucosa in an AR mouse model and evaluated the immune‐modulating effect of ASCs in the AR mouse model. Cultured ASCs (2 × 106) were injected i.v. before the first allergen challenge in the AR mouse model. Migration of ASCs to the nasal mucosa was evaluated by immunofluorescence. The immunomodulatory effects of ASCs were evaluated by nasal symptoms, histology, serum ovalbumin (OVA)‐specific antibody, and the cytokine profile of the spleen. ASCs migrated to the nasal mucosa in the AR mouse model. ASCs significantly reduced allergic symptoms and inhibited eosinophilic inflammation in the nasal mucosa. ASCs significantly decreased the serum allergen‐specific IgE level and the IgG1/IgG2a ratio and significantly increased the IgG2a level in the AR mouse model. ASCs inhibited interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐5 production from OVA‐incubated splenocytes, but enhanced interferon‐γ production. In conclusion, ASCs can migrate to the nasal mucosa in the AR mouse model and inhibit eosinophilic inflammation partly via shifting to a T‐helper 1 (Th1) from a Th2 immune response to allergens. STEM CELLS 2009;27:259–265

Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells Inhibit Allergic Airway Inflammation in Mice

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory airway disease caused by T helper type 2 (Th2)-driven immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated that adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) have an immunosuppressive effect on T-cell activity. This study was performed to investigate whether ASC can inhibit Th2-dependent allergic airway inflammation in mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection. To investigate the effect of ASC on the development of asthma phenotypes, 2 × 10⁶ ASC were injected intravenously before OVA challenge. We evaluated the airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), the proportion of eosinophils and cytokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), airway inflammation, and the intracellular cytokine staining of T cells in the BALF and spleen. Airway hyperresponsiveness, airway eosinophilia, and mucus production were markedly reduced after ASC administration before OVA challenge. The increased interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 levels in the BALF after OVA challenge were significantly reduced by the administration of ASC. This inhibition was accompanied by decreased IL-4(+) CD4(+) T cells and increased interferon (IFN)-γ(+) CD4(+) T cells in the BALF and spleen. The results of this study suggest that ASC administration before an allergen challenge inhibits AHR, lung inflammation, and Th2 cytokine production induced by an allergen challenge through inhibition of Th2 cell activity.

Development of a sensor information integrated expert system for optimizing die polishing

Abstract This paper presents a polishing expert system integrated with sensor information which can modify the polishing sequence and conditions initially set by the system using the on-site polishing status detected. A practical system using AE sensors is developed for rotational and curved-surface polishing. A database and a knowledge base for polishing processes are established by using the results of experiments and also experts experience. Evaluations are performed for a die of an automobile headlight lamp by using both the sensor-integrated expert system and the expert system without sensor. The results show that the sensor-integrated expert system provides more optimal polishing conditions since the proposed system takes advantage of the on-line sensor information.

Long-term Sinonasal Outcomes of Aspirin Desensitization in Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Objective This study aimed to assess sinonasal outcomes in patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) undergoing aspirin desensitization following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting University hospital. Subjects and Methods A retrospective review of sinonasal outcomes was conducted for 30 AERD patients undergoing aspirin desensitization and maintenance therapy following ESS. Sinonasal outcomes were prospectively assessed by the Sinonasal Outcomes Test-22 (SNOT-22) and endoscopic polyp grading system. Data were collected preoperatively, 1 and 4 weeks postsurgery (before desensitization), and 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after aspirin desensitization. Results Twenty-eight of 30 patients (93.3%) successfully completed aspirin desensitization, whereas 2 of 30 (6.7%) were unable to complete desensitization due to respiratory intolerance. Of the 21 patients who successfully completed a minimum of 24 weeks of follow-up, 20 (95.2%) patients demonstrated sustained endoscopic and symptomatic improvement for a median follow-up period of 33 months. After surgical treatment but before desensitization, patients experienced significant reductions in SNOT-22 and polyp grade scores. In the first 6 months after aspirin desensitization, patients experienced further significant reductions in SNOT-22 scores, whereas polyp grade remained stable. The improvements in symptom endoscopic scores were preserved throughout the follow-up period after desensitization. No patients required additional sinus surgery. One patient had to discontinue aspirin therapy due to gastrointestinal side effects. No other adverse reactions to aspirin were noted. Conclusion Aspirin desensitization following ESS appears to be a well-tolerated and effective adjunctive therapy for long-term control of nasal polyposis in patients with AERD.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Ameliorate Allergic Airway Inflammation by Inducing Regulatory T Cells in a Mouse Model of Asthma

Although several studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ASCs) can ameliorate allergic airway inflammation, the immunomodulatory mechanism of ASCs remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether regulatory T cells (Tregs) induction is a potential mechanism in immunomodulatory effects of ASCs on allergic airway disease and how these induced Tregs orchestrate allergic inflammation. Intravenous administration of ASCs significantly reduced allergic symptoms and inhibited eosinophilic inflammation. Airway hyperresponsiveness, total immune cell and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, mucus production, and serum allergen-specific IgE and IgG1 were significantly reduced after ASCs administration. ASCs significantly inhibited Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and enhanced Th1 cytokine (IFN-γ) and regulatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung draining lymph nodes. Furthermore, levels of IDO, TGF-β, and PGE2 were significantly increased after ASCs administration. Interestingly, this upregulation was accompanied by increased Treg populations. In conclusion, ASCs ameliorated allergic airway inflammation and improved lung function through the induction of Treg expansion. The induction of Treg by ASCs involves the secretion of soluble factors such as IDO, TGF-β, and PGE2 and Treg might be involved in the downregulation of Th2 cytokines and upregulation of Th1 cytokines production.

Modification of the lund‐kennedy endoscopic scoring system improves its reliability and correlation with patient‐reported outcome measures

To compare three existing endoscopic scoring systems and a newly proposed modified scoring system for the assessment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Intelligently automated polishing for high quality surface formation of sculptured die

Abstract An intelligent polishing system that improves the surface quality of sculptured die surfaces on a 5-axis polishing machine including a pneumatic polishing head is proposed. In general, a mechanically automated polishing system has the critical drawback of not being able to adjust polishing conditions as adequately as an experienced operator can. One of the main reasons is that the system does not have sensors equal to human fingers that can adapt to the changing conditions of the polished surface. In the proposed system, acoustic emission (AE) sensors are adopted to detect even a tiny change of the polishing status. Based on the on-site status information, polishing conditions such as pressure, feed rate and tool mesh are adjusted in process to achieve better surface quality as fast as possible using an AE-based intelligent monitoring scheme.

A Spatial Scheduling System for Block Painting Process in Shipbuilding

Abstract This paper deals with a spatial scheduling problem for the painting process in shipbuilding. This problem is complicated because both scheduling and spatial allocation of the blocks in the paint shop, and the workload balance among working teams should be considered simultaneously. The spatial scheduling system for the block painting process includes an operation strategy algorithm, a block scheduling algorithm, a block arrangement algorithm, and a block assignment algorithm. This system generates the block painting schedules that satisfy due date, working space constraint, and workload balance among working teams. This system has been tested using actual scheduling data from a shipyard and successfully implemented in a paint shop in a shipbuilding company.

Prostaglandin E2 and Transforming Growth Factor-β Play a Critical Role in Suppression of Allergic Airway Inflammation by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Background The role of soluble factors in the suppression of allergic airway inflammation by adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) remains to be elucidated. Moreover, the major soluble factors responsible for the immunomodulatory effects of ASCs in allergic airway diseases have not been well documented. We evaluated the effects of ASCs on allergic inflammation in asthmatic mice treated with a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibitor or transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) neutralizing antibodies. Methods and Findings Asthmatic mice were injected intraperitoneally with a PGE2 inhibitor or TGF-β neutralizing antibodies at approximately the same time as ASCs injection and were compared with non-treated controls. In asthmatic mice, ASCs significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, the number of total inflammatory cells and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), eosinophilic inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and serum total and allergen-specific IgE and IgG1. ASCs significantly inhibited Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and enhanced the Th1 cytokine (Interferon-γ) and regulatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) in the BALF and lung draining lymph nodes (LLNs). ASCs engraftment caused significant increases in the regulatory T cell (Treg) and IL-10+ T cell populations in LLNs. However, blocking PGE2 or TGF-β eliminated the immunosuppressive effect of ASCs in allergic airway inflammation. Conclusions ASCs are capable of secreting PGE2 and TGF-β, which may play a role in inducing Treg expansion. Furthermore, treatment with a PGE2 inhibitor or TGF-β neutralizing antibodies eliminated the beneficial effect of ASCs treatment in asthmatic mice, suggesting that PGE2 and TGF-β are the major soluble factors responsible for suppressing allergic airway inflammation.

A comparison of dexmedetomidine versus propofol during drug-induced sleep endoscopy in sleep apnea patients.

In this study, we compared the effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine on the upper airway collapse pattern and cardiopulmonary parameters of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).