• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.645-654
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• 1995

Porphyromonas endodontalis is a black-pigmented anaerobic Gram negative rod which is associated with endodontal infections. It has been isolated from infected dental root canals and submucous abscesses of endodontal origin. DNA probe is an available alternative, offering the direct detection of a specific microorganism. Nucleic-acid probes can be off different types: whole different: whole-genomic, cloned or oligonucleotide probes. Wholegenomic probes are the most sensitive because the entire genome is used for possible hybridization sites. However, as genetically similar species of bacteria are likely to be present in specimences, cross-reactions need to be considered. Cloned probes are isolated sequences of DNA that do not show cross-reactivity and are produced in quantity by cloning in a plasmid vector. Cloned probes can approach the sensitivity found with whole-genomic probes while avoiding known cross-reacting species. Porphyromonas endodontalis ATCC 35406 (serotype $O_1K_1$) was selected in this experiment to develop specific cloned DNA probes. EcoR I-digested genomic DNA fragments of P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 were cloned into pUC18 plasmid vector. From the E. coli transformed with the recombinant plasmid 4 clones were selected to be tested as specific DNA probes. Restriction-digested whole-genomic DNAs prepared from P. gingivalis 38(serotype a), W50(serotype b), A7A1-28(serotype C), P. intermedia 9336(serotype b), G8-9K-3(serotype C), P. endodontalis ATCC 35406(serotype $O_1K_1$), A. a Y4(serotype b), 75(serotype a), 67(serotype c), were each seperated on agarose gel electrophoresis, blotted on nylon membranes, and were hybridized with digoxigenin-dUTP labeled probe. The results were as follows: 1. Three clones of 1.6kb(probe e), 1.6kb(probe f), and 0.9kb(probe h) in size, were obtained. These clones were identified to be a part of the genomic DNA of P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 judging from their specific hybridization to the genomic DNA fragments of their own size on Southern blot. 2. The clones of 4.9kb(probe i) was identified to be a part of the genomic DNA of P. endodontalis ATCC 35406. but not to specific for itself. It was hybridized to P. gingivalis A7A1-28, P. intermedia G89K-3.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.328-338
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• 1998

Porphyromonas endodontalis, an anaerobic Gram negative cocobacillus which was known to be associated with the infected root canals and periapical lesions, is very difficult to culture and to detect by the traditional method in that it requires much time to induce the specific black pigmentation, and it is very sensitive to oxygen and the antibiotics added in the culture medium. In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the 'probe h' (0.73kb), one of the specific DNA probes top. endodontalis (ATCC 35406) which had been developed by our department, was determined and then a pair of primers for PCR amplification was fabricated to identify P. endodontalis. The plasmids containing 'probe h' were purified by $Wizard^{TM}$ Midipreps DNA Purification System (Promega Corp.), and the nucleotide sequences of the 'probe h' were determined by the dideoxy chain termination method using TaqTrack Sequencing System (Promega Corp.) and detected by fluorescent labelling method. The sense/antisense PCR primers were designed with computer software (Lasergene, DNASTAR Ind. PCR was done with a programmable GeneAmp PCR System 2400 (Perkin Elmer-Cetus Co.). Each sample containing the whole genomic DNA of P. endodontalis and other black-pigmented Bacteroides was itailly denatured at $94^{\circ}C$ for 5 min and then subjected to 30 cycles, each of them consisting of 60s at $94^{\circ}C$, 60s at $60^{\circ}C$, and 90s. at $72^{\circ}C$. The amplified DNA was resolved electrophoretically in a 1.0 % agarose gel in 1X TAE buffer, stained with EtBr, and photographed on a UV transilluminator. The results were as follows : 1. The nucleotide sequences of 'probe h' (743 base pairs) were obtained by dideoxy chain termination method, and from that results the specific primers to P. endodontalis (ATCC 35406), 'Primer H1/ Primer H2', were designed. 2. It has been found that 'Primer H1/H2' could detect P. endodontalis (ATCC 35406) using PCR. 3. The PCR system with this primers may be a powerful technique to amplify the specific sequences of 'probe h' of P. endodontalis (ATCC 35406) that produce distinct identification of it from other black-pigmented Bacteroides, and this could help us to determine the nature of periapical disease.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.437-446
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• 1999

Porphyromonas endodontalis(P. endodontalis) is one of the important causative bacteria of pulpal and periapical disease. P. endodontalis has lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and it plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of cytokines from immune cells and prostaglandin $E_2$ from host cells. The purpose of this study is to prepare LPS from P. endodontalis and to evaluate the effect of LPS on membrane permeability of fibroblast. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted. LPS was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Human periodontal ligament cell, colon fibroblast(CCD-18Co, KCLB 21459) and skin fibroblast(Detroit 551, KCLB 10110) were perfused with 0.01% P. endodontalis LPS solution, high concentration of $K^+$ solution and $Ca^{2+}$-free solution, $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ratio was measured by microfluorometry. 1. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration was not changed in human periodontal fibroblast and skin fibroblast(Detroit 551) stimulated by P. endodontalis LPS. 2. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration was increased in colon fibroblast(CCD-18Co) stimulated by P. endodontalis LPS. 3. Colon fibroblast(CCD-18Co) has voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel activated by high concentration of $K^+$ solution. 4. P. endodontalis LPS has no effect on the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration during perfusion of $Ca^{2+}$-free solution.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 1996

There are many advantages when using IIF and DNA probe methods over anaerobic culture method in that they are time-and effort-saving, more precise and more sensitive. Furthermore, in IIF and DNA probe methods, the detection is possible only with small amount of bacteria, the quantitative analysis is possible, and the cell viability is not necessary. The purpose of this study is to observe the incidence of P.endodontalis by carrying out anaerobic culture, IIF and colony lift using DNA probe method respectively, and to compare these 3 methods in terms of effectiveness and sensitivity in order to identify the most effective detection method. 30 teeth with at least one clinical symptoms, with single canal, and with pulp necrosis were sampled. For sampling bacteria, access cavity was prepared after disinfecting tooth and its surroundings. Then the paper point was inserted up to the periapical area, leave there for a while, and finally it was placed into PRAS Ringer's sol. and PBS sol. In anaerobic culture method, P.endodontalis was identified by biochemical tests after subculturing black and brown colonies which were produced after 7 days of incubation on BAP and Brucella BAP in anaerobic chamber. To identify P.endodontalis in IIF method, species-specific polyclonal rabbit-antisera of P.endodontalis(ATCC 35406) was reacted with sampled PBS sol. dispensed onto glass slide, and then P.endodontalis was examined by phase contrast microscopy after incubating with Goat anti-rabbit lgG conjugated to Fluorescein isothiocyanate. For colony lift using DNA probe method, membranes were laid over colonies on the surface of BAP and were hybridized with cloned DNA probe of P.endodontalis. The existence of P.endodontalis was then identified by the methods of chemiluminescent detection and color metric detection. Black colony was found in 11 teeth out of 30 teeth and P.endodontalis was detected in 6 teeth (20 %) by anaerobic culture method, 16 teeth (53 %) by IIF method, and 7 teeth (23 %) by DNA probe method. IIF method is significantly better in detecting P.endodontalis than DNA probe method and anaerobic culture method. There was no significant differences between DNA probe method and anaerobic culture method. There was significant correlation between the formation of black colony and the existence of P.endodontalis. The probability of detecting P.endodontalis when black colony being present is 2.89 times higher than when not being present. There was significant relationship between the foul odor of clinical symptoms and P.endodontalis. The sensitivity of existing P.endodontalis when foul odor being present was 93.75 %, while the specificity of not existing P.endodontalis when foul odor not being present was 28.57 %. These results suggested that the probes of P.endodontalis will be used to decide the method and prognosis in endodontic treatments.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.561-574
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• 2000

Poly-P has been used to prevent decomposition of foods and has been shown to have inhibitory effect on the growth of gram positive bacteria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of poly-P on the growth of Porphyromonas endodontalis, a gram negative obligate anaerobic rod, endodontopathic bacterium. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was in BHI broth containing hemin and vitamin K with or without poly-P. Inhibitory effect of each poly-P which was added at the beginning(lag phase) or during(exponential phase) the culture, MIC(minimum inhibitory concentration) was determined by measuring the optical density of the bacterial cell at 540nm. Viable cell counts were measured to determined whether poly-P has a bactericidal effect. Leakage of intracellular nucleotides from P. endodontalis was determined at 260nm and morphological change of P. endodontalis was observed under the TEM(transmission electron microscope). Binding of 32P-labeled poly-P to P. endodontalis was examined. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and zymography were performed to observe the changes in protein and enzyme profiles of P. endodontalis, respectively. The results from this study were as follows : 1. The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) of poly-P to P. endodontalis appeared to be 0.04~0.05%. 2. Poly-P added to the P. endodontalis culture during the exponential phase of P. endodontalis was as much effective as poly-P added at the begining of the culture, suggesting that the antibacterial effect of poly-P is not much dependent on the initial inoculum size of P. endodontalis. 3. Poly-P are bactericidal to P. endodontalis, demonstrating the decrease of the viable cell counts. 4. Intracellular nucleotide release from the P. endodontalis, was not increased in the presence of poly-P and was not reversed by the addition of divalent cations like $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2-}$. 5. Under the TEM, it was observed that fine electro-dense materials were prominent in the poly-P grown P. endodontalis, appearing locally in the cell, and the materials were more abundant and more dispersed in the cell as the incubation time with poly-P increased. In addition, highly electron dense granules accumulated in many poly-P grown cells, most of which were atypical in their shape. 6. Binding of 32P-labeled poly-P to P. endodontalis appeared to be 32.8 and 45.5 and 53.4% at 30 minutes, 1 hours and 2 hours, respectively. 7. In the presence of poly-P. the synthesis of proteins with apparent molecular masses of 25, 27, 35, 45 was lost or drastically decreased whereas expression of a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 75 was elevated. 8. Proteolytic activity of P. endodontalis was decreased by poly-P. The overall results suggest that use of poly-P may affect the growth of P. endodontalis, and the anti-bacterial activity of poly-P seems largely bactericidal. Changes in shape, protein expression, and proteolytic activity of P. endodontalis by poly-P may be directly and indirectly attributed to the antibacterial effect of poly-P. Further studies will be needed to confirm the effect of poly-P.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.451-463
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• 2001

목적 - Inflammatory cytokine으로 알려진 interleukin 1$\beta$, tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$는 치수 및 치근단질환에서 주요한 역할을 하며, 골흡수를 자극하고 골형성을 방해하는 것으로 알려져 왔다. 이들 cytokine은 주로 단핵세포/대식세포가 형성하는 것으로 알려져 왔으나 최근 연구에 의하면, PMN도 또한 이 런 cytokine들을 형성할 수 있다는 것이 보고되었다. 오랫동안 염증반응이나 면역반응에서 PMN의 역할이 주로 포식작용 을 통해 병원균을 제거하는 것이라고만 생각되어져 왔던 것을 생각하면, 새로운 발견이라 할 수 있다. 또, PMN은 IL-1ra도 생성하는 것으로 보고되었는데, IL-1ra란 IL-1의 생물학적 작용을 방해하는 인자이므로, IL-1과 밀접한 관련을 가지는 질환의 발전에 있어서 IL-1과 IL-1ra의 balance가 매우 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 생각된다 즉, IL-1ra는 IL-1$\beta$의 proinflammatory effect를 제한할 수 있는 negative feedback mechanism이라고 할 수 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 치수 및 치근단 조직의 감염에 있어서 주요 원인균인 Porphyromonas endodontalis의 LPS가 PMN의 IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1ra생성에 미치는 영향을 단백질과 mRNA 수준에서 관찰하는 것이다. 잘 알려진 non-oral bacterium인 E. coli의 LPS를 positive control로 사용하였으며, IL-1ra가 IL-1$\beta$의 생물학적 작용을 방해하는 작용을 관찰하기 위해, IL-1의 biological assay도 시행하였다. 방법 - P. endodontalis ATCC 35406을 혐기성 조건에서 배양하고, hot phenol-water extraction의 방법으로 LPS를 추출(crude LPS)한 후, 제조회사로부터 구입한 E. coli의 crude LPS와 함께 정제하였다. 건강한 자원자들을 대상으로 말초혈액을 채취한 후 dextran sedimentaion을 거쳐 Lymphoprep을 이용하여 PMN층을 분리하였다. 얻어진 세포들은 RPMI 1640 (supplemented with fetal bovine serum antibiotics)에 5$\times$$10^{6}$cells/ml이 되도록 resuspend시킨 후 각기 다른 농도 (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10$\mu$g/ml)의 LPS를 처리하여, 각기 다른 시간(Northern blot : 1, 2, 4시간 ELISA : 2, 6, 12, 18시간)동안 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ 의 조건으로 배양하였다. 상층액은 -7$0^{\circ}C$에 보관하였다가 추후에 ELISA를 이용한 단백질 농도 측정과 IL-1 biological assay에 사용되어졌으며, 배양된 세포로부터 RNA를 추출하여 Northern hybridization을 통해 mRNA expression을 관찰하였다. (중략)

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.463-472
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• 2002

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of the principal osteoclast-activating cytokines, namely, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ from immune cells. Although rnonocytes/macrophages are the main producers of these cytokines, recent evidence has indicated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have the ability to release IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to be an effective medicament in root canal infections, reducing the microbial titre within the canal. It has been proposed that the therapeutic effect of Ca(OH)$_2$ may also be the result of direct inactivation of LPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment of Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS with calcium hydroxide alters its biological action as measured by human PMN secretion of IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$, and it was compared with Escherichia coli LPS. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted using the hot-phenol water extraction method and purified. Purchased E. coli LPS was also purified. 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of each LPS in pyrogen free water were incubated with 25mg/ml Ca(OH)$_2$ at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The supernatants were subjected to ultrafiltration, and the isolates were lyophilized and weighed. PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by centrifugation layered over Lymphoprep. The cells were resuspended (4$\times$10$^6$ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 followed by treatment with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The supernatants of cells were collected and the levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL=1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were as follows ; 1. The levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ from PMN treated with each LPS were significantly higher than those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p<0.05). 2. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with each untreated LPS (p<0.05), while they were not significantly different from those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p>0.05) 3. The levels of secretion for all three cytokines were affected in a dose-dependent manner in PMN stimulated with each LPS (p<0.05), but not in PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS (p>0.05). 4. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with p. endodontalis LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with E coli LPS (p<0.05).