• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.787-801
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• 2001

The molecular mechanisms control the function of PDL(periodonta1 ligament) cells and/or fibroblasts remain unclear. PDLsl7, PDL-specific gene, had previousely　identified the cDNA for a novel protein from cultured　PDL fibroblasts using subtraction hybridization between gingival fibroblasts and　PDL fibroblasts. The purpose　of this study was to determine the regulation by growth factors and cytokines on　PDLsl7 gene expression in　cultured human periodontal ligament cells and observe the immunohistochemical　localization of PDLsl7 protein in various tissues of mouse. Primary PDL fibroblasts isolated by scraping the root of the extracted human mandibular third molars. The cells were incubated with various concentration of human recombinant $IL-1{\beta}$, PDGF-BB and TGF\;${\beta}$ for 48h nd 2 weeks. At each time point total RNA was extracted and the levels of transcription ere assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR assay). polyclonal antiserum raised against PDLsl7 peptides, CLSVSYNRSYQINE and SEAVHETDLHDGC, were made, and stained the tooth, periodontium, developing bone, bone marrow and mid-palatal suture of the mouse. The results were as follows. 1. PDLsl7 mRNA levels were increased in response to PDGF (10ng/ml) and $TGF\;{\beta}$(20ng/ml) after treatment of the $IL-1{\beta}$, PDGF-BB and $TGF{\beta}$for 48 h. 2. PDLsl7 was up-regulated only by $TGF{\beta}$(20 ng/ml) after treatment of the $IL-1{\beta}$, PDGF-BB and $TGF\;{\beta}$ for 2 weeks and unchanged by the other stimulants. 3. PDLsl7 was a novel protein coding the 142 amino acid peptides in the ORF and the nucleotide sequences of the obtained cDNA from RT-PCR was exactly same as the nucleotides of the database. 4. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that PDLsl7 is preferentially expressed in the PDL, differentiating osteoblast-like cells and stromal cells of the bone marrow in the adult mouse. 5. The expression of PDLsl7 protein was barely detectable in gingival fibroblasts, hematopoetic cells of the bone marrow and mature osteocytes of the alveolar bone. These results suggest that PDLsl7 might upregulated by PDGF-BB or $TGF{\beta}$ and acts at the initial stage of differentiation when the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the bone marrow and PDL differentiate into multiple cell types. However, more research needs to be performed to gain a better understanding of the exact function of PDLsl7 during the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal and PDL cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1844-1854
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• 2017

Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogen that triggers severe immune responses in hosts. T. vaginalis ${\alpha}$-actinin 2 ($Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2) has been used to diagnose trichomoniasis. $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 was dissected into three parts; the N-terminal, central, and C-terminal portions of the protein (#1, #2, and #3, respectively). Western blot of these $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 proteins with pooled patients' sera indicated that #2 and #3, but not #1, reacted with those sera. Immunofluorescence assays of two different forms of T. vaginalis (trophozoites and amoeboid forms), using anti-$Tv{\alpha}$- actinin 2 antibodies, showed localization of $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 close to the plasma membranes of the amoeboid form. Fractionation experiments indicated the presence of $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 in cytoplasmic, membrane, and secreted proteins of T. vaginalis. Binding of fluorescence-labeled Trichomonas to vaginal epithelial cells and prostate cells was decreased in the antibody blocking experiment using anti-$Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 antibodies. Pretreatment of T. vaginalis with anti-$rTv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 antibodies also resulted in reduction in its cytotoxicity. Flow cytometry, ligand-binding immunoblotting assay, and observation by fluorescence microscopy were used to detect the binding of recombinant $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 to human epithelial cell lines. Specifically, the truncated N-terminal portion of $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2, $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 #1, was shown to bind directly to vaginal epithelial cells. These data suggest that ${\alpha}$-actinin 2 is one of the virulence factors responsible for the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis by serving as an adhesin to the host cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.187-196
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• 2006

The mammalian trematode Paragonimus westermani is a typical digenetic parasite, which can cause paragonimiasis in humans. Host tissues and blood cells are important sources of nutrients for development, growth and reproduction of P. westermani. In this study, a cDNA clone encoding a 47 kDa hemoglobinase of P. westermani was characterized by sequencing analysis, and its localization was investigated immunohistochemically. The phylogenetic tree prepared based on the hemoglobinase gene showed high homology with hemoglobinases of Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma spp. Moreover, recombinant P. westermani hemoglobinase degradaded human hemoglobin at acidic pH (from 3.0 to 5.5) and its activity was almost completely inhibited by E-64, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor. Immunohistochemical studies showed that P. westermani hemoglobinase was localized in the epithelium of the adult worm intestine implying that the protein has a specific function. These observations suggest that hemoglobinase may act as a digestive enzyme for acquisition of nutrients from host hemoglobin. Further investigations may provide insights into hemoglobin catabolism in P. westermani.