Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel monoclonal antibody which is specifically bound to a transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) protein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody which is specifically bound to a human TM4SF5 protein, to polynucleotides coding for the monoclonal antibody, to an expression vector comprising the nucleotides, to a transformant with the vector introduced thereto, to a method for preparing the monoclonal antibody, to a composition comprising the monoclonal antibody, to a method for treating liver fibrosis using the monoclonal antibody, to a method for treating cancer using the monoclonal antibody, to a method for inhibiting metastasis of cancer, to a method for diagnosing cancer using the monoclonal antibody and to a cancer diagnosis kit comprising the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antiviral composition containing an Aleurites fordii or Daphne kiusiana extract or a fraction thereof as an active ingredient. In detail, extracts of Aleurites fordii or Daphne kiusiana or fractions thereof can induce the secretion of an immune-related cytokine, interferon-? (IFN-?) in natural killer (NK) cells, and thus exhibit potent antiviral activity and superior effects for viral diseases, and therefore can be effectively used in an antiviral composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel monoclonal antibody which is specifically bound to a transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) protein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody which is specifically bound to a human TM4SF5 protein, to polynucleotides coding for the monoclonal antibody, to an expression vector comprising the nucleotides, to a transformant with the vector introduced thereto, to a method for preparing the monoclonal antibody, to a composition comprising the monoclonal antibody, to a method for treating liver fibrosis using the monoclonal antibody, to a method for treating cancer using the monoclonal antibody, to a method for inhibiting metastasis of cancer, to a method for diagnosing cancer using the monoclonal antibody and to a cancer diagnosis kit comprising the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antiviral composition containing an Aleurites fordii or Daphne kiusiana extract or a fraction thereof as an active ingredient. In detail, extracts of Aleurites fordii or Daphne kiusiana or fractions thereof can induce the secretion of an immune-related cytokine, interferon-? (IFN-?) in natural killer (NK) cells, and thus exhibit potent antiviral activity and superior effects for viral diseases, and therefore can be effectively used in an antiviral composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for differentiating hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells and a method for the differentiation, more precisely an agent for differentiating hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells comprising YC-I [3-(5?-hydroxymethyl-2?-furyl)-1-benzylindazole] or IL-21 (Interleukin-21) as an active ingredient and a method for differentiating hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells using the same. The YC-I and IL-21 regulate the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells and increase the killing activity of NK cells. Therefore, the agent for NK cell differentiation of the present invention can be effectively used for cell therapy for the treatment of cancer by regulating the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells having tumor cell killing activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for activating natural killer cells (NK cells), and more particularly, to a method for enhancing the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells by inducing the overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) which is a protein involved in cell-signaling pathways in natural killer cells. The inventors of the present invention observed that when natural killer cells were treated with IL-15, a cytokine involved in natural killer cell differentiation, the expression of SOCS2 increased and the expression of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) was inhibited by the SOCS2, the expression of which increased. In addition, when Pyk2 was overexpressed, the ability to produce IFN-? and the ability to kill tumor cells of natural killer cells decreased. Therefore, SOCS2 can be used for activating natural killer cells and the natural killer cells activated by the method can be used for the prevention or treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for efficiently proliferating and differentiating natural killer cells (NK cells) from umbilical cord blood, more precisely a method for efficiently proliferating and differentiating natural killer cells from umbilical cord blood comprising the following steps: 1) preparing CD3 negative cells by eliminating CD3 positive T-cells from umbilical cord blood derived mononuclear cells; and 2) culturing the CD3 negative cells after treating various cytokines thereto. The present invention is advantageous in obtaining high purity NK cells in a short period of time by inducing NK cells from CD3 negative cells, compared with the conventional method inducing NK cells from haematopoietic stem cells, and in promoting NK cell proliferation and differentiation by treating different cytokines together, for example by the co-treatment of IL-15 and IL-21.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for differentiating natural killer cells comprising osteopontin (OPN) as an active ingredient and a method for differentiation using the same. More precisely, osteopontin of the present invention accelerates differentiation of natural killer cells from hematopoietic stem cells and increases cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells, so that it can be effectively used as a composition for differentiating natural killer cells. OPN of the present invention regulates differentiation of natural killer cells capable of killing cancer cells, so that it can be effectively used for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for differentiating hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells and a method for the differentiation, more precisely an agent for differentiating hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells comprising YC-I [3-(5?-hydroxymethyl-2?-furyl)-1-benzylindazole] or IL-21 (Interleukin-21) as an active ingredient and a method for differentiating hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells using the same. The YC-I and IL-21 regulate the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells and increase the killing activity of NK cells. Therefore, the agent for NK cell differentiation of the present invention can be effectively used for cell therapy for the treatment of cancer by regulating the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into natural killer cells having tumor cell killing activity.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an agent for differentiating hematopoietic stem cell into natural killer cell comprising VDUP1 protein or gene encoding the same, and a method of differentiating hematopoietic stem cell into natural killer cell using thereof. The present invention reveals for the first time that the VDUP1 gene is a critical factor for the regulation of differentiation of natural killer cell by generating a mouse deficient in VDUP1 gene, which confirms that VDUP1 gene is required for NK maturation. Thus, through the regulation of VDUP1 gene, the modulation of NK cells that have ability to kill cancer cells is possible and can be utilized for cell therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell differentiation regulating agent containing a gene regulating differentiation from stem cells into natural killer cells as an effective ingredient, more precisely, a cell differentiation regulating agent containing a gene regulating differentiation from stem cells into premature natural killer cells as an effective ingredient and a screening method of the gene by taking advantage of SAGE. The gene of the present invention is a novel one that is confirmed not to be like any other known genes regulating differentiation from stem cells into natural killer cells. Though, the gene can be easily screened by SAGE and a natural killer cell differentiation-regulating agent containing the gene as an effective ingredient can be effectively used as an anticancer agent.

Abstract: Method for inhibiting the production of interleukin-6 (hereinafter, referred to as "IL-6") in human body, which comprises administering extracts from a root of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore; and method for treating a patient of an immune disease caused by an overproduction of interleukin-6 by inhibiting the production of interleukin-6, which comprises administering extracts from a root of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore to the patient.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of (-)-pimara-9(11),15-diene-19-oic acid(acanthoic acid) and pharmaceutical compositions comprising acanthoic acid useful for the treatment of diseases caused by an excessive production of interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor-.alpha..