• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.311-315
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• 2001

The relationship among leaf size, leaf protoplast (cell) size, chloroplast size, and chloroplast number were investigated in tobacco and Arabidopsis thaliana at various developmental stages. In tobacco, protoplasts, less than 15.6 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter had less than 20 chloroplasts, 0.93 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in thickness and 3.3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in length on average. As protoplast size increased from 30 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ to 45 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter, chloroplast size remained the same (1.57 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter and 5.55 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in length on average), but chloroplast number increase from 42 to 101 on average. A similar relationship was also observed in A. thaliana. The ratio of total chloroplast volume to protoplast volume was constant (0.105 in tobacco and 0.325 in A. thaliana) over various developmental stages.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate expression of apoptosis-related differentially expressed gene (DEG) in ovaries of Korean cattle with follicular and luteal cysts and to identify the relationship between cyst and apoptosis using microarray, real-time PCR, TUNEL staining, and Western blot analysis. Microarray data showed that PIK3R2 and AKT1 were significantly up-regulated in follicular cyst, and TNF-RAF2, PRLR, FOXL2, STK4, and COL4A3 were up-regulated whereas INHA, CIDEB, BCL10, and FASLG were down-regulated in luteal cyst. Real-time PCR was performed to validate DEGs altered in luteal cyst. Of nine DEGs, four DEGs down-regulated in luteal cyst showed a positive corelation between microarray data and real-time PCR data. In this study, we focused on INHA, among many DEGs, which was highly down-regulated in both follicular and luteal cysts. Real-time PCR and micro array data showed that INHA was down-regulated by 12.3-fold and by 1.4-fold, respectively, in the bovine follicular cyst. TUNEL assay and Western blot analysis for ERK, JNK, p38, PI3K, and Akt, which were used to detect whether apoptosis is occurred, showed no significant changes in cystic ovaries (p>0.05). In the expression and activity of caspase-3, Bax, Bel-2, and Bel-xL, there was no significant changes between follicular cystic ovary and normal ovary. Rather, the expression levels of PI3K and p-Akt were decreased in follicular cystic ovary. These results suggest that deficiency of apoptosis in cystic ovary is associated with decreased expression of apoptotic effectors.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.759-769
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• 2004

Periodontal therapy has dealt primarily with attempts at arresting progression of disease, however, more recent techniques have focused on regenerating the periodontal ligament having the capacity to regenerate the periodontium. The effect of chitosan, a carbohydrate biopolymer extracted from chitin, on periodontal ligament regeneration is of particular interest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chitosan on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins in primary rat calvarial cells in Vitro. In the control group, cells was cultured with BGjb media. In the experimental groups, cells were cultured with chitosan in concentration of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml. Then each group was characterized by examining alkaline phosphatase activity at 3 and 7 days, and the ability to produce mineralized nodules of rat calvarial cells at 14 and 21 days. Synthesis of type I collagen (COL-I), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP) was evaluated by RT-PCR at 14 days. The results were as follows: 1. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in the concentration of chitosan 0.01mg/ml, 0.1mg/ml and 1.0mg/ml compared to control (p<0.05). 2. The percentage of mineralized bone nodule was more in the concentration of chitosan 0.1mg/ml and 1.0mg/ml than the control. 3. At 14 day culture, the expression of OCN was increased by chitosan in concentration of 1.0 mg/ml and 2.0 mg/ml. These results suggested that chitosan in concentration of 0.1 and 1,0 mg/ml stimulate the extracellular matrix of primary rat calvarial cells and may facilitate the formation of bone.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.528-533
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• 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder that can result in the loss of articular cartilage. No effective treatment against OA is currently available. Thus, interest in natural health products to relieve OA symptoms is increasing. However, their qualities such as efficacy, toxicity, and mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we determined the efficacy of avenanthramide (Avn)-C extracted from oats as a promising candidate to prevent OA progression and its mechanism of action to prevent the expression of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) in OA pathogenesis. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine as a main causing factor of cartilage destruction, was used to induce OA-like condition of chondrocytes in vitro. Avn-C restrained IL-1β-mediated expression and activity of MMPs, such as MMP-3, -12, and -13 in mouse articular chondrocytes. Moreover, Avn-C alleviated cartilage destruction in experimental OA mouse model induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. However, Avn-C did not affect the expression of inflammatory mediators (Ptgs2 and Nos) or anabolic factors (Col2a1, Aggrecan, and Sox9), although expression levels of these genes were upregulated or downregulated by IL-1β, respectively. The inhibition of MMP expression by Avn-C in articular chondrocytes was mediated by p38 kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling, but not by ERK or NF-κB. Interestingly, Avn-C added with SB203580 and SP600125 as specific inhibitors of p38 kinase and JNK, respectively, enhanced its inhibitory effect on the expression of MMPs in IL-1β treated chondrocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that Avn-C is an effective candidate to prevent OA progression and a natural health product to relieve OA pathogenesis.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2016

Purpose: Wnt signaling plays an essential role in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme during tooth morphogenesis. Deletion of the Wntless (Wls) gene in odontoblasts appears to reduce canonical Wnt activity, leading to inhibition of odontoblast maturation. However, it remains unclear if autonomous Wnt ligands are necessary for differentiation of dental pulp cells into odontoblast-like cells to induce reparative dentinogenesis, one of well-known feature of pulp repair to form tertiary dentin. Materials and Methods: To analyze the autonomous role of Wls for differentiation of dental pulp cells into odontoblast-like cells, we used primary dental pulp cells from unerupted molars of Wls-floxed allele mouse after infection with adenovirus for Cre recombinase expression to knockout the floxed Wls gene or control GFP expression. The differentiation of dental pulp cells into odontoblast-like cells was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Result: Proliferation rate was significantly decreased in dental pulp cells with Cre expression for Wls knockout. The expression levels of Osterix (Osx), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and nuclear factor I-C (Nfic) were all significantly decreased by 0.3-fold, 0.2-fold, and 0.3-fold respectively in dental pulp cells with Wls knockout. In addition, the expression levels of Bsp, Col1a1, Opn, and Alpl were significantly decreased by 0.7-fold, 0.3-fold, 0.8-fold, and 0.6-fold respectively in dental pulp cells with Wls knockout. Conclusion: Wnt ligands produced autonomously are necessary for proper proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of mouse dental pulp cells toward further tertiary dentinogenesis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.357-366
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• 2018

Periodontitis, an infective disease caused by oral pathogens and the intrinsic aging process, results in the destruction of periodontal tissues and the loss of alveolar bone. This study investigated whether Boesenbergia pandurata extract (BPE) standardized with panduratin A exerted anti-periodontitis effects, using an aging model representative of naturally occurring periodontitis. In aged rats, the oral administration of BPE ($200mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) for 8 weeks significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of $interleukin-1{\beta}$, nuclear factor-kappa B, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-8 in gingival tissues (p < 0.01). In alveolar bone, histological analysis with staining and micro-computed tomography revealed the attenuation of alveolar bone resorption in the BPE-treated aged group, which led to a significant reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and cathepsin K (p < 0.01). BPE not only increased the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers, such as alkaline phosphate, and collagen type I (COL1A1), but also increased the ratio of osteoprotegerin to RANKL. Collectively, the results strongly suggested that BPE is a natural resource for the prevention or treatment of periodontal diseases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.393-399
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• 1998

Enterobacter sp.B54 which shows antagonistic activity to Phytophthora capsici on potato dextrose agar was selected among 112 strains isolated from Korean soil. After Tn5 lac-induced mutants were obtained through Pl :: Tn5 lac mutagenesis, 2 mutants for loss of antibiosis and 1 mutant for increased antibiosis were screened by using in vitro fungal inhibition assay. When the 3 mutants affected in antibiosis were analyzed by southern hybridization with pRZ102 (ColEl :: Tn5) as a probe, its results suggest that Tn5 lac was randomly inserted into different chromosomal sites in these mutants.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.676-686
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• 2013

Background To overcome the potential drawbacks of a short half-life and dose-related adverse effects of using active transforming growth factor-beta 1 for cartilage engineering, a cell-mediated latent growth factor activation strategy was developed incorporating latent transforming growth factor-${\beta}$1 (LTGF) into an electrospun poly(L-lactide) scaffold. Methods The electrospun scaffold was surface modified with NH3 plasma and biofunctionalised with LTGF to produce both random and orientated biofunctionalised electrospun scaffolds. Scaffold surface chemical analysis and growth factor bioavailability assays were performed. In vitro biocompatibility and human nasal chondrocyte gene expression with these biofunctionalised electrospun scaffold templates were assessed. In vivo chondrogenic activity and chondrocyte gene expression were evaluated in athymic rats. Results Chemical analysis demonstrated that LTGF anchored to the scaffolds was available for enzymatic, chemical and cell activation. The biofunctionalised scaffolds were non-toxic. Gene expression suggested chondrocyte re-differentiation after 14 days in culture. By 6 weeks, the implanted biofunctionalised scaffolds had induced highly passaged chondrocytes to re-express Col2A1 and produce type II collagen. Conclusions We have demonstrated a proof of concept for cell-mediated activation of anchored growth factors using a novel biofunctionalised scaffold in cartilage engineering. This presents a platform for development of protein delivery systems and for tissue engineering.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 1993

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of tooth brushing, mouth gargling and gum chewing in reducing halitosis, 84 individuals ranging in age from 22 59 28 years old were examined. These individuals had no gross oral abnormalities, other than mild gingival inflammation, dental caries, nasopharyngeal disorder, or systemic diseases that were associated with halitosis. They were divided into a tooth brushing group, a mouth garging group, a gum chewing group and a control group that did not use any halitosis removing method. Each of the groups included 21 persons, B.B. Checker (Tokuyama Soda Col, LTDl, Japan) was used to measure the concentrations of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan of each group. The concentrations of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan were measured before and after lunch, and after removing halitosis by toothe brushing, mouth gargling and gum chewing. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The average concentration of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan before lunch was 1.79ppm and after lunch it was 2.02ppm, an increase of 12.9%. 2. In the tooth brushing group the average concentration of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan was 0.61ppm, in the mouth gargling group it was 1.15ppm, in the gum chewing group it was 1.64ppm and in the control group it was 1.92ppm. It decreased 69.5% in the tooth brushing group, 43.8% in the mouth gargling group, 18.4% in the gum chewing group and 5.4% in the control grop (p<0.05). 3. There were significant differences between the tooth brushing and control group, tooth brushing and gum chewing group and between mouth gargling and control group in concentrations of intraoral volatile methyl mercaptan after using the halitosis removing methods (p<0.05). According to the above results, tooth brushig and mouth gargling are effective ways to reduce halitosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.200-206
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• 2019

This study was performed to assess the anti-inflammatory and cartilage regenerative effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on canine chondrocytes. Proliferation and migration assays under both normal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory conditions were performed with various concentrations of PRP (1% to 10%). The expression levels of genes related to osteoarthritis were evaluated in the following groups: PRP group, LPS group and LPS + PRP group. mRNA expression levels were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Proliferation assays showed significantly enhanced proliferation in all PRP-treated groups compared with the no serum group. Compared with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), PRP concentrations above 3% in the normal condition and 1% to 7% PRP in the LPS-induced inflammatory condition were found to significantly promote chondrocyte proliferation. In the normal condition, all PRP-treated groups showed significantly increased cell migration compared with the no serum group. Chondrocyte migration was decreased with LPS-induced inflammation, but PRP treatment resulted in significantly enhanced migration compared with the other groups in this condition. According to RT-PCR, the LPS + PRP group showed significantly higher levels of COL1A1, IL-6, aggrecan and lower levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$, MMP-1, MMP-3 mRNA expression compared to the LPS group. The results of this study suggest that PRP application can enhance the proliferation and migration of canine chondrocytes and improve canine articular cartilage regeneration.