• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2011

Purpose: The present study was conducted to investigate whether refractive powers of soft contact lenses were induced by the deposition of tear proteins when wearing soft contact lenses. Methods: The soft contact lenses (material: etafilcon A, hilafilcon A and comfilcon A) with refractive powers of -1.00 D, -3.00 D, -5.00 D and -7.00 D were incubated in artificial tear for 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 14 days, respectively. After incubation, their refractive powers were measured by wet cell method with an auto-lens meter and their protein deposited on the lenses was determined by the method of Lowry. Results: Among three types of soft contact lenses, the most protein deposition was detected in ionic etafilcon A lens material and significant change of its refractive power was manifested. In other words, refractive powers of etafilcon A lenses firstly decreased after 1 day incubation in artificial tear and then gradually increased with increasing incubation period again. The observed change in refractive powers of all diopters of etafilcon A material was beyond the scope of standard error and bigger in the lens with lower optical power. On the other hand, non-ionic hilafilcon A showed less protein deposition as much as about 20% in etafilacon A and statistically significant increase of refractive powers with increasing incubation period in artificial tear. The change in refractive power of hilafilcon A was also beyond the scope of the standard of error when incubating in artificial tear and greater in the lens with lower diopter. The least protein deposit was shown in silicone hydrogel lens material, comfilcon A as approximately 10% of it in etafilcon A, indicating less change in refractive power within the standard range of error. Conclusions: The large change of refractive powers that was beyond the scope of standard error by the deposition of tear proteins on soft contact lenses was differently detected depending on lens materials in the current study. Thus, the deposition of tear proteins induced by longer period of lens wearing may be one of the causes that induces blurred vision, suggesting that soft contact lens wearers with the amount of tear proteins may need to choose proper lens material.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.17.1-17.16
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• 2024

We have reported that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury leads to the differential dysregulation of the complement system in the synovium as compared to meniscus tear (MT) and proposed this as a mechanism for a greater post-injury prevalence of post traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). To explore additional roles of complement proteins and regulators, we determined the presence of decay-accelerating factor (DAF), C5b, and membrane attack complexes (MACs, C5b-9) in discarded surgical synovial tissue (DSST) collected during arthroscopic ACL reconstructive surgery, MT-related meniscectomy, osteoarthritis (OA)-related knee replacement surgery and normal controls. Multiplexed immunohistochemistry was used to detect and quantify complement proteins. To explore the involvement of body mass index (BMI), after these 2 injuries, we examined correlations among DAF, C5b, MAC and BMI. Using these approaches, we found that synovial cells after ACL injury expressed a significantly lower level of DAF as compared to MT (p<0.049). In contrast, C5b staining synovial cells were significantly higher after ACL injury (p<0.0009) and in OA DSST (p<0.039) compared to MT. Interestingly, there were significantly positive correlations between DAF & C5b (r=0.75, p<0.018) and DAF & C5b (r=0.64 p<0.022) after ACL injury and MT, respectively. The data support that DAF, which should normally dampen C5b deposition due to its regulatory activities on C3/C5 convertases, does not appear to exhibit that function in inflamed synovia following either ACL injury or MT. Ineffective DAF regulation may be an additional mechanism by which relatively uncontrolled complement activation damages tissue in these injury states.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.220-224
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• 2014

Protein adsorption kinetics was studied with the amount of proteins adsorbed to contact lens hydrogels over time scales. Hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and silicone hydrogels were dipped in protein solutions (albumin or IgG) and adsorption amounts were measured over time scales. The amount of protein adsorbed to both hydrogel types increased rapidly in 10 min, and remained consistently in 90 min. Decreasing interfacial energetics was taken slowly up to an hour in spite of rapid diffusion of protein molecules. This is due to the fact that water deprivation from three dimensional interphase initially formed by protein diffusion took over an hour. Interpretation of adsorption kinetics on contact lens hydrogels was discussed with understanding of relationship between surface energy and protein adsorption capacity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.104-108
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• 2001

Aging is a senescence and defined as a normal physiologic and structural alterations in almost all organ systems with age. As Leonard Hayflick, one of the first gerontologists to propose a theory of biologic aging, indicated that a theory of aging or longevity satisfies the changes of above conditions to be universal, progressive, intrinsic and deleterious. Although a number of theories have been proposed, it is now clear that cell aging (cell senescence) is multifactorial. No single mechanism can account for the many varied manifestations of biological aging. Many theories have been proposed in attempt to understand and explain the process of aging. Aging is effected in individual by genetic factors, diet, social conditions, and the occurrence of age-related diseases as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis. It involves an endogenous molecular program of cellular senescence as well as continuous exposure throughout life to adverse exogenous influences, leading to progressive infringement on the cell's survivability so called wear and tear. So we could say the basic mechanism of aging depends on the irreversible and universal processes at cellular and molecular level. The immediate cause of these changes is probably an interference in the function of cell's macromolecules-DNA, RNA, and cell proteins-and in the flow of information between these macromolecules. The crucial questions, unanswered at present, concerns what causes these changes in truth. Common theories of aging are able to classify as followings for the easy comprehension. 1. Biological, 1) molecular theories - a. error theory, b. programmed aging theory, c. somatic mutation theory, d. transcription theory, e. run-out-of program theory, 2) cellular theories - a. wear and tear theory, b. cross-link theory, c. clinker theory, d. free radical theory, e. waste product theory, 3) system level theory-a. immunologic/autoimmune theory, 4) others - a. telomere theory, b. rate of living theory, c. stress theory, etc. Prevention of aging is theoretically depending on the cause or theory of aging. However no single theory is available and no definite method of delaying the aging process is possible by this moment. The most popular action is anti-oxidant therapy using vitamin E and C, melatonin and DHEA, etc. Another proposal for the reverse of life-span is TCP-17 and IL-16 administration from the mouse bone marrow B cell line study for the immunoglobulin VDJ rearrangement with RAG-1 and RAG-2. Recently conclusional suggestion for the extending of maximum life-span thought to be the calory restriction.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2015

As FK506 binding proteins (FK506BPs) are known to play an important role in the regulation of a variety of biological processes related to cell survival, this study was designed to examined the protective effects of FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) on low humidity air flow induced dry eye in a rat model using transduced PEP-1-FK506BP. After the topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP, tear volumes were markedly increased and significant prevention of cornea damage was observed compared with dry eye rats. Further, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that PEP-1-FK506BP markedly prevented damage to the cornea, the bulbar conjunctiva, and the palpebral conjunctiva epithelial lining compared with dry eye rats. In addition, caspase-3 and PARP expression levels were found to be decreased. These results demonstrated that topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP significantly ameliorates dry eye injury in an animal model. Thus, we suggest that PEP-1-FK506BP can be developed as a new ophthalmic drop to treat dry eye diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.14
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• 2023

Microvilli are outer membrane organelles that contain cross-linked filamentous actin. Unlike well-characterized epithelial microvilli, T-cell microvilli are dynamic similar to those of filopodia, which grow and shrink intermittently via the alternate actin-assembly and -disassembly. T-cell microvilli are specialized for sensing Ags on the surface of Ag-presenting cells (APCs). Thus, these finger-shaped microprotrusions contain many signaling-related proteins and can serve as a signaling platforms that induce intracellular signals. However, they are not limited to sensing external information but can provide sites for parts of the cell-body to tear away from the cell. Cells are known to produce many types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, microvesicles, and membrane particles. T cells also produce EVs, but little is known about under what conditions T cells generate EVs and which types of EVs are released. We discovered that T cells produce few exosomes but release large amounsts of microvilli-derived particles during physical interaction with APCs. Although much is unanswered as to why T cells use the same organelles to sense Ags or to produce EVs, these events can significantly affect T cell fate, including clonal expansion and death. Since TCRs are localized at microvilli tips, this membrane event also raises a new question regarding long-standing paradigm in T cell biology; i.e., surface TCR downmodulation following T cell activation. Since T-cell microvilli particles carry T-cell message to their cognate partner, these particles are termed T-cell immunological synaptosomes (TISs). We discuss the potential physiological role of TISs and their application to immunotherapies.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.261-270
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• 2013

Purpose: Adsorption properties of lysozyme and albumin according to physiochemical properties of commercial contact lens classified with the FDA categories and a contact lens fabricated in the laboratory were investigated. Methods: The contact lens were prepared using HEMA(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and TRIM(3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate) in a cast mold. Artificial tears containing lysozyme and albumin were prepared. We measured the amounts of protein adsorbed on the each lenses with varying adsorbed time (48 hour) and the pH range (6, 6.8, 7.4, 8.2, 9) of artificial tear. Amount of the proteins absorbed on the contact lenses were measured by using HPLC. Results: Time to reach the equilibrium of protein adsorption for silicone hydrogel lens was taken longer than hydrogel lens. The amount of adsorbed both lysozyme and albumin at equilibrium were greater for the hydrogel lens than the silicone hydrogel lens, and larger for the ionic lens than the non-ionic lens. Lysozyme was more adsorbed on the higher water content of contact lens, whereas albumin was more adsorbed on the lower water content of contact lens. Only lysozyme was adsorbed on the Group IV hydrogel lens of ionic higher water content. The adsorption of protein on contact lens increased with pH of artificial tears as close to the isoelectric point of each protein. Conclusions: The adsorption amount of lysozyme is more affected by the ionic strength of the contact lens surface than the water content of contact lens. Albumin adsorption is more affected by water content than the ionic strength of the contact lens surface. For the adsorption of proteins on the silicone hydrogel lens, the pore size, determined both by the number of Si atoms and the chemical structure of the silicone-containing monomers, as well as the polarity of contact lens should be also considered.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was aimed to investigate the cleaning efficacy of multi-purpose solutions containing different types and content of surfactants and their effect on the visible light transmittance of soft lens. Methods: Soft lenses made of different materials (etafilcon A and hilafilcon B) were deposited tear proteins by using the artificial tear and then compared the resulting cleaning efficacy and visible light transmittance after cleaning the lens with 6 types of multi-purpose solutions containing different content of surfactants. Results: The cleaning efficacy of multi-purpose solutions was variously shown as approximately 23~43% according to the active concentration of surfactants and surface tension in multi-purpose solution when etafilcon A lens cleaned with rubbing. The highest cleaning efficacy was detected when cleaned with the multi-purpose solution containing hydrogen peroxide besides surfactant however, the amount of remaining protein was still high on the lens. After washed with multi-purpose solution, the visible light transmittance of lens was in 89.8 to 90.8%. The amount of protein deposited on hilafilcon B lens was very small compared with it on etafilcon A lens even though it was incubated in artificial tears for 7 days, which showed 5~10% of protein amount in etafilcon A lens and the decrease of visible light transmittance was also not significant. In case of rubbing with multi-purpose solution, the cleaning efficacy on hilafilcon B lens was in 45.4 to 67.4% however, the order of cleaning efficacy of multi-purpose solution was different from it on etafilcon A lens. The visible light transmittance of hilafilcon B lens has been restored to the level of new lens. Conclusions: From the result, it is concluded that the appropriate multi-purpose solution should be selected according to the lens material and the amount of protein deposit on the basis of understanding surfactants and active principle for proper care of protein deposit on soft lens and the cleaning with rubbing is more efficient for lens care regardless of manufacturer's guideline.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether in patients with rotator cuff tears a correlation exists between molecular changes and clinical parameters such as age, duration of symptom, range of motion, and tear size. Molecular changes of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) were assessed by measuring messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the two proteins. Methods: The rotator cuff tissue from was obtained from the edge of a torn tendon revealed after debridement by a motorized shaver. Using the sample of rotator cuff tissue, the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression. To determine whether mRNA levels and the clinical variables, such as age, defect size, range of motion (ROM) of shoulder, and duration of symptoms, show any correlation, Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to test for significant differences. Results: There was an inverse correlation between the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 from the torn rotator cuff tendons regardless of the clinical variables. However, comparison of mRNA levels versus clinical parameters such as age, defect size, range of motion and duration of symptoms revealed a number of findings. We found a significant correlation between age and mRNA levels of MMP-2 from torn cuffs (r = 0.513, p = 0.021). Further, we found a significant correlation between defect size in the full thickness tears and mRNA levels of MMP-2 (r = 0.454, p = 0.045). Conversely, no significant association between mRNA levels of MMP-2 and ROM or duration of symptom was found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 may be involved in the disease process of rotator cuff tears. Although the level of mRNA expression of MMP-2 and TMP-2 remain constant in torn rotator cuffs irrespective of the clinical variables, their levels may be influenced by age and defect size, which could account to change in tendon degradation and the healing process.