• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.299-305
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• 2012

Endochondral bone formation is the process by which mesenchymal cells condense to become chondrocytes, which ultimately form new bone. The process of chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophy is critical for bone formation and as such is regulated by many factors. In this study, we aimed to indentify novel factors that regulate chondrogenesis. We investigated the possible role of isopsoralen in induction of chondrogenic differentiation in clonal mouse chondrogenic ATDC5 cells. Isopsoralen treatment stimulated the accumulation of cartilage nodules in a dose-dependent manner. Further, ATDC5 cells treated with isopsoralen were stained more intensely with Alcian blue than control cells, suggesting that isopsoralen increases the synthesis of matrix proteoglycans. Similarly, isopsoralen markedly induced the activation of alkaline phosphatase activity compared with control cells. Isopsoralen enhanced the expressions of chondrogenic marker genes such as collagen II, collagen X, OCN, Smad4 and Sox9 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, isopsoralen induced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAP kinase, but not that of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Isopsoralen significantly enhanced the protein expression of BMP-2 in a time-dependent manner. PD98059 and SB 203580, inhibitors of ERK and p38 MAPK, respectively, decreased the number of stained cells treated with isopsoralen. Taken together, these results suggest that isopsoralen mediates a chondromodulating effect by BMP-2 or MAPK signaling pathways, and is therefore a possible therapeutic agent for bone growth disorders.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.326-336
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• 2021

Background: Sulfation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) is critical for the binding and signaling of ligands that mediate inflammation. Extracellular 6-O-endosulfatases regulate posttranslational sulfation levels and patterns of HSPGs. In this study, extracellular 6-O-endosulfatases, sulfatase (Sulf)-1 and Sulf-2, were evaluated for their expression and function in inflammatory cells and tissues. Methods: Harvested human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were treated with phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide, and murine peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β for the evaluation of Sulf-1 and Sulf-2 expression. Sulf expression in inflammatory cells was examined in the human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium by immunofluorescence staining. The antigen presentation and phagocytic activities of macrophages were compared according to the expression state of Sulfs. Sulfs-knockdown macrophages and Sulfs-overexpressing macrophages were generated using small interfering RNAs and pcDNA3.1 plasmids for Sulf-1 and Sulf-2, respectively. Results: Lymphocytes and monocytes showed weak Sulf expression, which remained unaffected by IL-1β. However, peritoneal macrophages showed increased expression of Sulfs upon stimulation with IL-1β. In human RA synovium, two-colored double immunofluorescent staining of Sulfs and CD68 revealed active upregulation of Sulfs in macrophages of inflamed tissues, but not in lymphocytes of lymphoid follicles. Macrophages are professional antigen-presenting cells. The antigen presentation and phagocytic activities of macrophages were dependent on the level of Sulf expression, suppressed in Sulfs-knockdown macrophages, and enhanced in Sulfs-overexpressing macrophages. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that upregulation of Sulfs in macrophages occurs in response to inflammation, and Sulfs actively regulate the antigen presentation and phagocytic activities of macrophages as novel immune regulators.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.27.1-27.13
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• 2022

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent head and neck malignancy, with frequent cervical lymph-node metastasis, leading to a poor prognosis in OSCC patients. The present study aimed to identify potential markers, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes, significantly involved in the etiology of early-stage OSCC. Additionally, the main OSCC's dysregulated Gene Ontology annotations and significant signaling pathways were identified. The dataset GSE45238 underwent multivariate statistical analysis in order to distinguish primary OSCC tissues from healthy oral epithelium. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) with the criteria of p-value < 0.001 and |Log2 fold change| > 1.585 were identified in the two groups, and subsequently, validated targets of DEMs were identified. A protein interaction map was constructed, hub genes were identified, significant modules within the network were illustrated, and significant pathways and biological processes associated with the clusters were demonstrated. Using the GEPI2 database, the hub genes' predictive function was assessed. Compared to the healthy controls, main OSCC had a total of 23 DEMs. In patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), upregulation of CALM1, CYCS, THBS1, MYC, GATA6, and SPRED3 was strongly associated with a poor prognosis. In HNSCC patients, overexpression of PIK3R3, GIGYF1, and BCL2L11 was substantially correlated with a good prognosis. Besides, "proteoglycans in cancer" was the most significant pathway enriched in the primary OSCC. The present study results revealed more possible mechanisms mediating primary OSCC and may be useful in the prognosis of the patients with early-stage OSCC.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.16-24
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• 2023

This study aimed to compare complete ruptured tendon healing between two different repair methods using the Achilles tendon of New Zealand white rabbits. Thoracolumbar fascia (TF) padded Kessler suture, polypropylene mesh (PM) padded Kessler suture, and Kessler suture only were performed on the completely transected lateral gastrocnemius tendon, and biomechanical and histologic characteristics were assessed after 8 weeks. For biomechanical assessment, the tensile strength of each repaired tendon was measured according to the established methods. For histomorphometric analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining for general histology, and Masson's trichrome (MT) staining for collagen fibers, Alcian blue (AB) staining for proteoglycans were performed and analyzed. Significant increases in tensile strength with remarkable decreases in the abnormalities against nuclear roundness, cell density, fiber structure, and fiber alignment and significant decreases in the mean number of infiltrated inflammatory cells and AB-positive proteoglycan-occupied regions with increases in MT-positive collagen fiber-occupied regions were demonstrated in the Kessler suture with PM or TF padding groups as compared to those of the Kessler suture group. Both of PM and TF provided potent tensile strength and supported healing with the evidence of histological examinations. This means that augmentation with PM is useful for repairing a completely ruptured Achilles tendon, without additional surgery for autograft material harvesting.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.629-639
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• 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cardiovascular system disorders. Cellular senescence is a key mechanism associated with dysfunction of aged vascular endothelium. Hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1) has been known to non-covalently link hyaluronic acid (HA) and proteoglycans (PGs), and forms and stabilizes HAPLN1-containing aggregates as a major component of extracellular matrix. Our previous study showed that serum levels of HAPLN1 decrease with aging. Here, we found that the HAPLN1 gene expression was reduced in senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, a recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) decreased the activity of senescence-associated β-gal and inhibited the production of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, including IL-1β, CCL2, and IL-6. rhHAPLN1 also downregulated IL-17A levels, which is known to play a key role in vascular endothelial senescence. In addition, rhHAPLN1 protected senescent HUVECs from oxidative stress by reducing cellular reactive oxygen species levels, thus promoting the function and survival of HUVECs and leading to cellular proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. We also found that rhHAPLN1 not only increases the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels, but also reduces the cellular senescence markers levels, such as p53, p21, and p16. Taken together, our data indicate that rhHAPLN1 delays or inhibits the endothelial senescence induced by various aging factors, such as replicative, IL-17A, and oxidative stress-induced senescence, thus suggesting that rhHAPLN1 may be a promising therapeutic for CVD and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.261-271
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• 2011

측두하악관절에서 발생하는 골관절염은 저작시 통증, 개구제한, 관절잡음, 교합변화를 유발하여 환자의 삶의 질을 저하시키는데 관여하는 주요한 질환이다. 골관절염의 진행과정과 그에 따른 제어방법을 연구하기 위하여 다양한 연구방법이 시도되고 있다. 이 중 골조직면에서의 조직변화, 활막액의 성분변화, 활막의 조직변화, 주변조직의 변화, 통증에 대한 반응을 확인할 수 있는 동물모델이 주로 많이 이용된다. 본 연구에서는 실험동물에서 다양한 방법으로 측두하악관절 골관절염을 유도하여 하악관절표면에서 일어난 조직변화를 비교 관찰하였으며 각 동물모델의 연구 활용방안에 대하여 탐색하였다. 측두하악관절의 관절강에 monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) 와 interleukin-$1{\alpha}$(IL-$1{\alpha}$)를 직접 주입하여 약물로 관절염을 유도하여 관절조직면을 관찰하였다. 또한 여성호르몬인 에스트로겐에 의한 골변화를 확인하기 위하여 난소절제술로 인한 골다공증 유발모델에서의 하악관절을 관찰하였으며, 노화된 백서의 관절면을 확인함으로써 노화로 인한 골변화를 관찰하였다. Safranin-O 염색 법과 Masson's trichrome 염색법을 이용하여 각각의 관절면에서 세포배열의 변화, 콜라겐의 변화, 골조직의 변화 및 파괴양상에 대하여 확인하였고 Safranin-O의 양성반응을 확인하여 proteoglycans (PGs)의 조직내 분포를 추적하였다.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.404-416
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was to clarify the changes in mandibular condyle after unilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis throughout histological changes and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Materials & Methods : Intraoral distractors were placed via submandibular incision in 8 dogs. Two unoperated animals served as controls. Distraction was performed five days after osteotomy as a rate of 0.5 mm twice per day for 10 days. Two animals were sacrificed on 7, 14, 28, and 56 days after completion of distraction, respectively. Ipsilateral condyles were harvested and processed for histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Results : The condyle cartilage is separated into four layers: fibrous layer, proliferative layer, hypertrophic layer, and calcified layer. At 7 days and 14 days after distraction, the condylar cartilage showed the decreased thickness of the articular cartilage and reduced cellularity. At 28 days after distraction, there was an increase in cellularity of fibrous, proliferative, and hypertrophic layer. However, it demonstrated reduced cellularity compared to the control. At 56 days of after distraction, the articular cartilage was an almost normal histologic structure. Positive Safranin-O staining, indicative of sulfated proteoglycans, was examined in the condylar cartilge of nonloaded control. At 7 days and 14 days after distraction, the sulfated proteoglycans is almost completely depleted from the noncalcified part of the condylar cartilage. At 28 days after distraction, there was an increase in Safranin-O staining intensity. However, the staining intensity of the experimental condyle was weaker than that of the control. At 56 days of after distraction, the condylar cartilage showed almost normal Safranin-O staining pattern. In control condyle, MMP-2 immunostaining was seen in fibrous, proliferative, and hypertrophic layer of condylar cartilage, however, it demonstrated lack of staining in fibrous and proliferative layer. At 7 days and 14 days after distraction, strong MMP-2 immunoreactivity was seen in the fibrous, proliferative and hypertrophic layer of the condylar cartilage. At 28 days after distraction, MMP-2 immunostaining was seen in the fibrous and hypertrophic layer of condylar cartilage, however, their immunoactivity was reduced. At 56 days after distraction, MMP-2 immunoreactivity showed almost normal immunostaining pattern. In control condyle, TIMP-2 immunostaining was primarily seen in fibrous and hypertrophic layer of condylar cartilage, however, it demonstrated lack of staining in proliferative layer. At 7 days after distraction, very weak TIMP-2 immunoreactivity appeared in fibrous, proliferative and hypertrophic layer of the condylar cartilage. At 14 days after distraction, weak TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was seen in the fibrous, proliferative and hypertrophic layer of the condylar cartilage. At 28 days after distraction, TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was increased in the fibrous and hypertrophic layer of condylar cartilage. At 56 days after completion of distraction, TIMP-2 immunoreactivity showed almost normal immunostaining pattern. Conclusions : The results show that short-term outcome of physiologic distraction osteogenesis may lead to degenerative changes in the condylar cartilage. These alterations in the condylar cartilage may be considered as a pressure-related degeneration of the cartilage tissue. However, the long-term results suggest that the condylar cartilage display repair activity after mandibular distraction osteogenesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.16-26
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• 2007

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine protease catalyzing the proteolytic conversion of plasminogen into plasmin, which is involved in thrombolysis. During last two decades, the role of tPA in brain physiology and pathology has been extensively investigated. tPA is expressed in brain regions such as cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum, and major neural cell types such as neuron, astrocyte, microglia and endothelial cells express tPA in basal status. After strong neural stimulation such as seizure, tPA behaves as an immediate early gene increasing the expression level within an hour. Neural activity and/or postsynaptic stimulation increased the release of tPA from axonal terminal and presumably from dendritic compartment. Neuronal tPA regulates plastic changes in neuronal function and structure mediating key neurologic processes such as visual cortex plasticity, seizure spreading, cerebellar motor learning, long term potentiation and addictive or withdrawal behavior after morphine discontinuance. In addition to these physiological roles, tPA mediates excitotoxicity leading to the neurodegeneration in several pathological conditions including ischemic stroke. Increasing amount of evidence also suggest the role of tPA in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis even though beneficial effects was also reported in case of Alzheimer's disease based on the observation of tPA-induced degradation of $A{\beta}$ aggregates. Target proteins of tPA action include extracellular matrix protein laminin, proteoglycans and NMDA receptor. In addition, several receptors (or binding partners) for tPA has been reported such as low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and annexin II, even though intracellular signaling mechanism underlying tPA action is not clear yet. Interestingly, the action of tPA comprises both proteolytic and non-proteolytic mechanism. In case of microglial activation, tPA showed non-proteolytic cytokine-like function. The search for exact target proteins and receptor molecules for tPA along with the identification of the mechanism regulating tPA expression and release in the nervous system will enable us to better understand several key neurological processes like teaming and memory as well as to obtain therapeutic tools against neurodegenerative diseases.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.122-133
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• 2006

Objectives : The amyloid $\beta$-protein ($A\beta$) is the principal component of the senile plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and elicits a toxic effect on neurons in vitro and in vivo. Many environmental factors including antioxidants and proteoglycans modify $A{\beta}toxicity$. In this study, we have investigated the protective effects of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol on $A\beta$-induced oxidative cell death in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Methods : For this study, we used MTT reduction assay for detection of protective effects of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol on $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells. We also used cell-based $\beta$-secretase assay system to investigate the inhibitory effect of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root on $\beta$-secretase activity. Results : We previously reported that methanol extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root strongly attenuated cytotoxicity induced by the three $A\beta$ fragments ($A{\beta}_{25-35},\;A{\beta}_{1-42}\;A{\beta}_{1-43}$) to both SK-N-MC and PC12 cells. In the present study, we found that butanol-, ethylacetate-, chloroform-, and water-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol had strong protective effects against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells and inhibitory potency to $\beta$-secretase activity. Conclusion : These results suggest that butanol-, ethylacetate-, chloroform-, and water-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol may contain the protective component(s) against $A\beta$-induced cell death in PC12 cells as well as inhibitory component(s) to $\beta$-secretase activity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.271-281
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• 2004

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is malignant tumor in salivary gland, and its behavior is very invasive. Of all malignant tumor adenoid cystic carcinoma is occured in frequency of 4.4% in major salivary gland, and 1.29% in minor salivary gland. Histopathologically, adenoid cystic carcinoma is characterized by a cribriform appearance, and tubular form and solid nest type tumor can be seen. The tumor cell structure composed of modified myoepithelial cell, and basaloid cell. Extracellular matrix of this tumor cell contains variable ground substance with basement membrane component. Basement membrane matrix composed of collagen fibers, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and its function is well known that it participate in differentiation, proliferation, and growth of tumor cell. Basement membrane molecule is essential for invasion of peripheral nerve, blood vessel, skeletal muscle in tumor cell of adenoid cystic carcinoma. In many studies, the tumor cell of adenoid cystic carcinoma containing modified myoepithelial cell participate in synthesis of proteoglycan. In this study, tissue sample of adenoid cystic carcinoma of human salivary gland were obtained from 15 surgical specimen, and all specimen were routinely fixed in 10% formalin and embedded. Serial $4-{\mu}m$ thick sections were cut from paraffin blocks. the histopathologic evaluation was done with light microscopy. And, the immunohistochemical staining, characteristics of glycosaminoglycan were observed. For biochemical analysis of glycosaminoglycan, isolation of crude glycosaminoglycan from tumor tissue and Western bolt analysis were carried out. With transmission electomicroscopy, tumor cell were observed. Biologic behavior of adenoid cystic carcinoma was observed with distribution and expression of basement membrane of glycosaminoglycan in tumor cells, The results obtained were as follows: 1. In immunohistochemical study, chondroitin sulfate is postively stained in tumor cell and interstitial space, dermatan sulfate is weakly stained in ductal cell. But keratan sulfate is negatively stained. 2. In immunohistochemical study, heparan sulfate is strong positive stained in tumor cell and basement membrane, especially in invasion area to peripheral nerve tissue. 3. In transmission electromicroscpic view, the tumor cells are composed modifed myoepithelial cells, and contains many microvilli and rough endoplasmic reticulum. 4. In Western blot analysis, the expression of glycosaminoglycan is expressed mostly in heparan sulfate. From the results obtained in this study, tumor cell of adenoid cystic carcinoma is composed modified myoepithelial cell, and glycosaminoglycan of basement membrane molecule of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate mostly participate in the development and invasiveness of adenoid cystic carcinoma by immunohistochemical study and western blot analysis.