• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.196-203
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• 2013

Recent accumulating studies have reported that hypoxic preconditioning during ex vivo expansion enhanced the self-renewal or differentiation of various stem cells and provide an important strategy for the adequate modulation of oxygen in culture conditions, which might increase the functional bioactivity of these cells for cardiac regeneration. In this study, we proposed a novel priming protocol to increase the functional bioactivity of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) for the treatment of cardiac regeneration. Firstly, patient-derived c-$kit^+$ CPCs isolated from the atrium of human hearts by enzymatic digestion and secondly, pivotal target molecules identified their differentiation into specific cell lineages. We observed that hCPCs, in response to hypoxia, strongly activated ERK phosphorylation in ex vivo culture conditioning. Interestingly, pre-treatment with an ERK inhibitor, U0126, significantly enhanced cellular proliferation and tubular formation capacities of CPCs. Furthermore, we observed that hCPCs efficiently maintained the expression of the c-kit, a typical stem cell marker of CPCs, under both hypoxic conditioning and ERK inhibition. We also show that hCPCs, after preconditioning of both hypoxic and ERK inhibition, are capable of differentiating into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs), but not endothelial cells (ECs), as demonstrated by the strong expression of ${\alpha}$-SMA, Nkx2.5, and cTnT, respectively. From our results, we conclude that the functional bioactivity of patient-derived hCPCs and their ability to differentiate into SMCs and CMs can be efficiently increased under specifically defined culture conditions such as short-term hypoxic preconditioning and ERK inhibition.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.9.1-9.10
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• 2019

Mesangial cell proliferation has been identified as a major factor contributing to glomerulosclerosis, which is a typical symptom of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels are increased in the glomerulus of the kidney in diabetic mice. LPA is a critical regulator that induces mesangial cell proliferation; however, its effect and molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The proportion of ${\alpha}-SMA^+/PCNA^+$ cells was increased in the kidney cortex of db/db mice compared with control mice. Treatment with LPA concomitantly increased the proliferation of mouse mesangial cells (SV40 MES13) and the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK4. On the other hand, the expression of $p27^{Kip1}$ was decreased. The expression of $Kr{\ddot{u}}ppel$-like factor 5 (KLF5) was upregulated in the kidney cortex of db/db mice and LPA-treated SV40 MES13 cells. RNAi-mediated silencing of KLF5 reversed these effects and inhibited the proliferation of LPA-treated cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were activated, and the expression of early growth response 1 (Egr1) was subsequently increased in LPA-treated SV40 MES13 cells and the kidney cortex of db/db mice. Moreover, LPA significantly increased the activity of the Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac1) GTPase in SV40 MES13 cells, and the dominant-negative form of Rac1 partially inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 and upregulation of Egr1 and KLF5 induced by LPA. LPA-induced hyperproliferation was attenuated by the inhibition of Rac1 activity. Based on these results, the Rac1/MAPK/KLF5 signaling pathway was one of the mechanisms by which LPA induced mesangial cell proliferation in DN models.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.281-294
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• 1999

Vasospasm causes microvascular surgery to fail as a main factor in the loss of transferred flap dye to the diminution of blood flow in reconstruction surgery. Although there has been extensive research to resolve the vasospasm problem, no one has reached an ideal solution to date. However, cryotherapy, which is often used for destruction of tumor lesions, is being presented as a new way of releasing vasospasm. After making a histomorphometric measurement on vasodialation during the course of 1, 3 and 7 days, 2 and 4 weeks, and 5 months periods and observing the change of blood vessel in a histologic, immunohistochemical, and scanning electronic microscopic approach, the results were as follows : 1. Vascular inner diameters of the experimental 1 and 3 days groups were measured $476.3{\pm}28.20{\mu}m$, $497.15{\pm}48.79{\mu}m$ respectively showing statistically meaningful vasodilation(P<0.05), which continued by the experiment 4 weeks group. However, in the experimental 5 months group, the vascular inner diameter appeared similar to the control groups. Even though the thickness of smooth muscular layers come out to be thinner in all the experimental groups compared to the control group, it was difficult to find any statistical meaningfulness. In addition, the vascular external diameters of every experimental groups were shown to be longer than the control group. 2. In light microscopic view, severe injury was evident on the smooth muscular layer cell from the experimental 1 day group, started recovering partially from the experimental 7 days group, and was mostly restored in the experimental 4 weeks group and layer of adventitial stripping were nearly recoverd 2 weeks group. 3. The PCNA positive cells of smooth muscular layer were observed from the experimental 7 days group and had a tendency to increase by the experimental 2 weeks group. In the experimental 4 weeks and 5 months group, the number of PCNA possitive cells observed was comparable to the control group. 4. ${\alpha}$-SMA level of smooth muscular layer cells, having been significantly lower than the control group in the severly damaged experimental 1 day group. It was seen to be increased in the experimental 7 days group and turned out to show similar ${\alpha}$-SMA level in 4 weeks to the control group. 5. In the view of SEM, the endothelial cells were destructed and falling off, and also present the appearance of flattening in the experiment 1 day group. The endothelial layer cells started partially recovering from the 7 days group after the freezing injury. On 4 weeks and 5 months, the endothelial cells were fully coverd the damaged area, also it's appearance is similar to control group. In conclusion, the vascular freezing after the removal of adventitia caused damages to smooth muscular layer cells, and brought about vasodilation, which continued by the 4th week. The smooth muscular layer cells started partially reviving from the 7rd day after the damage by vascular freezing, and recovered their similar figure to the control group's 4 weeks later. This was considered the result of cells which surround the damaged blood vessel being influxed into the smooth muscular layers. Therefore, this local freezing injury on the blood vessel was thought to be applied clinically to relieve severe vasospasm which cannot be treated by vasodilation drug, a microvascular surgery.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.129-141
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• 2001

When oral microorganisms were sampled from occlusal surfaces of caries and non-caries teeth, $3.43\times10^5$ CFU and $3.47\times10^3$ CFU of bacteria were counted on MSB agar plates, respectively. All the 20 colonies isolated from a caries surface were Streptococcus mutans but, only two of 20 colonies were identified as Streptococcus mutans by API test. S. mutans SM1 from caries tooth and S. mutans SM2 from non-caries tooth showed the same results except for $\alpha-galactosidase$ activity on sugar fermentation tests and biochemical tests. For the bacterial replication, both SM1 and SM2 were actively multiplicated at pH 5.5. And the viability of SM1 was high at 20% of sucrose, while that of SM2 was high at 5% of sucrose in the media. SM1 actively replicated at 16mM of $CaCl_2$, 160mM of KCl, and 6.4mM of $MgCl_2$, and the replication of SM2 was increased at 16mM of $CaCl_2$, 40mM of KCl, 6.4mM of $MgCl_2$. At 1mM of sodium bicarbonate and sodium phosphate, both bacteria were actively multiplicated. SM1 and SM2 were actively replicated at 1mM and 10mM of Tris, respectively. For potassium phosphate buffer, SM1 grew well proportionally to the concentration up to 100mM, while the growth of SM2 were inhibited by the increase of concentration. The 4.6 kb of gtf gene was amplified with a pair of primer, gtfB-F961 and gtfC-R5574 by polymerase chain reaction from the chromosomal DNA of SM1 and SM2. When 4.6kb bands were eluted from gel and were treated with restriction enzyme, EcoR I produced the same RFLP like 0.8kb and 3.8kb of DNA fragments for S. mutans GS-5, SM1 and SM2. By Hind III, the PCR products weren't digested for S. mutans GS-5 and SM1, but 3 fragments such as 2.4kb, 1.8kb and 400bp were examined for SM2. These results indicated the difference between gtf genes of SM1 and SM2. BamH I treatment showed 4 fragments for SM1 and SM2, while the 3 fragments for S. mutans GS-5. The PCR products were not digested by Kpn I, Sma I, Xho I and Pst I.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.13-22
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• 2007

The stem cell research is emerging as a cutting edge topic for a new treatment for many chronic diseases. Recently, dental stem cell would be possible for regeneration of tooth itself as well as periodontal tissue. However, the study of the cell characterization is scarce. Therefore, we performed the genetic profiling and the characterization of mouse fetus/neonate derived dental tissue and cell to find the identification during dental development. We separated dental arch from mandibles of 14.5 d fetal mice and neonate 0 d under the stereoscope, and isolated dental cells primarily from the tissues. Then, we examined morphology and the gene expression profiles of the primary cells and dental tissues from fetus/neonate and adult with RT-PCR. Primary dental cells showed heterogeneous but the majority was shown as fibroblast-like morphology. The change of population doubling time levels (PDLs) showed that the primary dental cells have growth potential and could be expanded under our culture conditions without reduction of growth rate. Immunocytochemical and flow cytometric analyses were performed to characterize the primary dental cell populations from both of fetus (E14.5) and neonate. Alpha smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}-SMA$), vimentin, and von Willebrand factor showed strong expression, but desmin positive cells were not detected in the primary dental cells. Most of the markers were not uniformly expressed, but found in subsets of cells, indicating that the primary dental cell population is heterogeneous, and characteristics of the populations were changed during culture period. And mesenchymal stem cell markers were highly expressed. Gene expression profile showed Wnt family and its related signaling molecules, growth factors, transcription factors and tooth specific molecules were expressed both fetal and neonatal tissue. The tooth specific genes (enamelin, amelogenin, and DSPP) only expressed in neonate and adult stage. These expression patterns appeared same as primary fetal and neonatal cells. In this study we isolated primary cells from whole mandible of fetal and neonatal mice. And we investigated the characteristics of the primary cells and the profile of gene expressions, which are involved in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during tooth development. Taken together, the primary dental cells in early passages or fetal and neonatal mandibles could be useful stem cell resources.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권11호
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• pp.790-796
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• 2016

Dental pulp is a highly vascularized tissue requiring adequate blood supply for successful regeneration. In this study, we investigated the functional role of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) as a perivascular source for in vivo formation of vessel-like structures. Primarily isolated SHEDs showed mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like characteristics including the expression of surface antigens and in vitro osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potentials. Moreover, SHEDs were positive for NG2, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (SMA), platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta ($PDGFR{\beta}$), and CD146 as pericyte markers. To prove feasibility of SHEDs as perivascular source, SHEDs were transplanted into immunodeficient mouse using Matrigel with or without human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Transplantation of SHEDs alone or HUVECs alone resulted in no formation of vessel-like structures with enough red blood cells. However, when SHEDs and HUVECs were transplanted together, extensive vessel-like structures were formed. The presence of murine erythrocytes within lumens suggested the formation of anastomoses between newly formed vessel-like structures in Matrigel plug and the host circulatory system. To understand underlying mechanisms of in vivo angiogenesis, the expression of angiogenic cytokine and chemokine, their receptors, and MMPs was compared between SHEDs and HUVECs. SHEDs showed higher expression of1VEGF, SDF-$1{\alpha}$, and $PDGFR{\beta}$ than HUVECs. On the contrary, HUVECs showed higher expression of VEGF receptors, CXCR4, and PDGF-BB than SHEDs. This differential expression pattern suggested reciprocal interactions between SHEDs and HUVECs and their involvement during in vivo angiogenesis. In conclusion, SHEDs could be a feasible source of perivascular cells for in vivo angiogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.163-172
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• 2004

Mast cells (MCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. However, the role of MC in the development of liver fibrosis has not been fully elucidated. Stem cell factor (SCF) is known to recruit MCs to the liver following injury as it induces mast cell proliferation, survival and differentiation from resident tissue precursors. This study examines the interaction between activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and MCs in rat fibrotic liver, and SCF production by HSCs during culture in vitro. Rats were studied 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after bile duct ligation (BDL). Fibrogenesis was assessed by a measurement of collagen stained with sirius red F3B. Activated HSCs and MCs were identified by ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}-SMA$) immunohistochemical and alcian blue staining and measured by a computerized image analysis system. SCF production was determined in rat HSC cultures using Western blotting. Mild fibrotic changes were noted in BDL rat livers as early as 4 days after induction of cholestasis. Significant expansion and organization of fibrous tissue has occurred in day 14 BDL rats which progressed to bridging fibrosis by day 21. In BDL rats, both a large number of activated HSCs and MCs were detected in portal tracts and fibrous septa. Both area of activated HSCs infiltration and density of MCs were significantly higher in all BDL group compared with Shams. In BDL rats, both areas of activated HSCs infiltration and density of MCs were no significant difference between day 4 and 7 and were significantly higher in day 14. However, the areas of activated HSCs infiltration were significantly lesser in day 21 and the densities of MCs were significantly higher in day 21 compared with day14 BDL. In BDL rats, both areas of activated HSCs infiltration and density of MCs were highly correlated with areas of fibrosis. Western blotting showed that SCF protein was consistently produced in activated HSCs by culture on plastic and freshly isolated HSCs expressed relatively little 30kD SCF compared to late primary culture activated HSCs (day 14) and passaged HSCs. These results suggest that HSCs activated in vitro produce SCF, and may play an important role in recruiting mast cells to the liver during injury and fibrosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.81-93
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• 2006

Obstructive sialadenitis is one of common disease in salivary gland, and most common histologic features are loss of acinar cell and ductal dilatation associated with fibrosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Although many experimental studies has been accomplished for the salivary acinar cell change in obstructive salivary gland disease, studies for myoepithelial cell were deficient. This study is designed for salivary gland tissue change, especially myoepithelial cell when nonspecific chronic sialadenitis or salivary duct injury by duct obstruction or cut can be occurred that is common encounted clinically. After ligation and cutting of submandibular gland of rabbit, groups of aminmal were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 weeks postoperatively, submandibular gland were removed. The histopathologic evaluation was done with light microscopy. And, with immunohistochemical staining with ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin, characteristics of myoepithelial cell were examined. With transmission electron microscopy, ultrastructure of myoepithelial cell were examined for distribution and ultrastructure of myoepithelial cell. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In the histopathologic evaluation, ligation and cutting group of 1 week, linkage of myoepithelial cell associated with acinar atrophy and degeneration were disappeared in both group. 2. More prominent squamous metaplasia was seen in acinar cells of ligation group of 2 weeks experimental rabbit than cutting group. 3. Acinar cells are nearly disappeared in both ligation and cutting group of 4 weeks, and myoepithelial cell also disappeared associated with acinar cell atrophy, and duct-like structure composed by squamous cells by squamous metaplasia in acinar cells were distributed. 4. In immunohistochemical study, both ligation and cutting group ${\alpha}$-SMA distribution were diminished at 1 week experimental rabbits, but myoepithelial cell was more diminished in ligation group than cutting group, which were distributed around cells of squamous metaplasia. 5. Nuclear condensation, chromosome margination, and cytoplasmic vaculoation were appeared in myoepithelial cell of both cutting and ligation group after 1 week with transmission electron microscopy. But degenerative substance were seen in cytoplasm of myoepithelial cell of ligation group of 4 weeks. From the results obtained in this study, atrophy and degeneration of myoepithelial cell was more prominent in duct ligation group than duct cutting group, and myoepithelial cells were seen around cells squamous metaplasia of acinar cell.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.451-460
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• 2015

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a mammalian $NAD^+$-dependent protein deacetylase that regulates cellular metabolism and inflammatory response. The organ-specific deletion of SIRT1 induces local inflammation and insulin resistance in dietary and genetic obesity. Macrophage-mediated inflammation contributes to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, however, the macrophage-specific SIRT1 function in the context of obesity is largely unknown. C57/BL6 wild type (WT) or myeloid-specific SIRT1 knockout (KO) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal diet (ND) for 12 weeks. Metabolic parameters and markers of hepatic steatosis and inflammation in liver were compared in WT and KO mice. SIRT1 deletion enhanced HFD-induced changes on body and liver weight gain, and increased glucose and insulin resistance. In liver, SIRT1 deletion increased the acetylation, and enhanced HFD-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), hepatic inflammation and macrophage infiltration. HFD-fed KO mice showed severe hepatic steatosis by activating lipogenic pathway through sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), and hepatic fibrogenesis, as indicated by induction of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), alpha-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), and collagen secretion. Myeloid-specific deletion of SIRT1 stimulates obesity-induced inflammation and increases the risk of hepatic fibrosis. Targeted induction of macrophage SIRT1 may be a good therapy for alleviating inflammation-associated metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.463-472
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• 2015

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide expressed in all body tissues, and its related receptors are increased in liver fibrosis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AM deficiency on liver fibrogenesis induced by $CCl_4$ using AM heterozygous (HT) mice. The animals received a single injection of $CCl_4$ or olive oil for the acute experiment, and received $CCl_4$ or olive oil three times a week for 6 weeks for the chronic experiment. Fibrosis was accessed using histopathological analysis and the western blot. The AM HT mice showed mild pericentrilobular degeneration when compared to the AM wild type (WT) mice. In the acute experiment, there was no significant difference between the AM WT and AM HT mice. However, in the chronic experiment, the $CCl_4$-treated AM HT mice showed more severe liver fibrosis than that of the CCl₄-treated AM WT mice. The AST and ALT levels of the AM HT $CCl_4$ group were higher than those of the AM WT CCl₄ group. Additionally, the collagen deposition, $\alpha$- SMA protein and TGF-$\beta$ protein were increased in the AM HT $CCl_4$ group when compared to the AM WT $CCl_4$ group. The AM HT mice also exhibited severe lipid peroxidation through the GSH decrement. Taken together, our data suggest that AM deficiency increases the susceptibility to liver fibrosis induced by $CCl_4$, indicating a novel therapeutic target for patients with liver fibrosis.