• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.163-177
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• 2008

Periodontal disease, a form of chronic inflammatory bacterial infectious disease, is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in periodontal disease and widely studied for its role in the pathogenesis of CVD. A previous study demonstrating that periodontopathic P. gingivalis is involved in CVD showed that invasion of endothelial cells by the bacterium is accompanied by an increase in cytokine production, which may result in vascular atherosclerotic changes. The present study was performed in order to further elucidate the role of P. gingivalis in the process of atherosclerosis and CVD. For this purpose, invasion of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) by P. gingivalis 381 and its isogenic mutants of KDP150 ($fimA^-$), CW120 ($ppk^-$) and KS7 ($relA^-$) was assessed using a metronidazole protection assay. Wild type P. gingivalis invaded HASMCs with an efficiency of 0.12%. In contrast, KDP150 failed to demonstrate any invasive ability. CW120 and KS7 showed relatively higher invasion efficiencies, but results for these variants were still negligible when compared to the wild type invasiveness. These results suggest that fimbriae are required for invasion and that energy metabolism in association with regulatory genes involved in stress and stringent response may also be important for this process. ELISA assays revealed that the invasive P. gingivalis 381 increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and the chemotactic cytokines (chemokine) IL (interleukin)-8 and monocyte chemotactic (MCP) protein-1 during the 30-90 min incubation periods (P<0.05). Expression of RANTES (regulation upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, a pattern recognition receptor (PRR), was increased in HASMCs infected with P. gingivalis 381 by RT-PCR analysis. P. gingivalis infection did not alter interferon-$\gamma$-inducible protein-10 expression in HASMCs. HASMC nonspecific necrosis and apoptotic cell death were measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and caspase activity assays, respectively. LDH release from HASMCs and HAMC caspase activity were significantly higher after a 90 min incubation with P. gingivalis 381. Taken together, P. gingivalis invasion of HASMCs induces inflammatory cytokine production, apoptotic cell death, and expression of TLR-4, a PRR which may react with the bacterial molecules and induce the expression of the chemokines IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES. Overall, these results suggest that invasive P. gingivalis may participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, leading to CVD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2015

Skin is the soft outer covering of vertebrates that provides protection from pathogenic infection, physical damage, or UV irradiation, and controls body temperature and water content. In this study, we examined the effects of oral intake of kimchi-derived Lactobacillus plantarum K8 lysates on skin moisturizing. In an in vitro study, we observed that the hyaluronic acid content increased in HaCaT cells treated with L. plantarum K8 lysates. Oral administration of L. plantarum K8 lysates effectively attenuated the horny layer formation and decreased epidermal thickening in DNCB-treated SKH-1 hairless mice skin. The damage to barrier function was reduced after 8 weeks of oral administration of L. plantarum K8 lysates as compared with that in the atopic dermatitis mice. For the test with volunteers, we manufactured experimental candy containing 2.1% L. plantarum K8 lysates, while control candy did not contain bacterial lysate. A significant increase in hydration in the experimental candy-administered group as compared with the control candy-administered group was observed on the face after 4 and 8 weeks, and on the forearm after 4 weeks. Decreases in horny layer thickness and TEWL value were observed on the face and forearm of the experimental group. Together, the in vitro cell line and in vivo mouse studies revealed that L. plantarum K8 lysates have a moisturizing effect. A clinical research study with healthy volunteers also showed an improvement in barrier repair and function when volunteers took L. plantarum K8 lysates-containing candy. Thus, our results suggest that L. plantarum K8 lysates may help to improve skin barrier function.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.219-230
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of single- and dualspecies in vitro oral biofilms made by static and dynamic methods. Methods: Hydroxyapatite (HA) disks, 12.7 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick, were coated with processed saliva for 4 hours. The disks were divided into a static method group and a dynamic method group. The disks treated with a static method were cultured in 12-well plates, and the disks in the dynamic method group were cultured in a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) biofilm reactor for 72 hours. In the single- and dual-species biofilms, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis were used, and the amount of adhering bacteria, proportions of species, and bacterial reduction of chlorhexidine were examined. Bacterial adhesion was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results: Compared with the biofilms made using the static method, the biofilms made using the dynamic method had significantly lower amounts of adhering and looser bacterial accumulation in SEM and CLSM images. The proportion of P. gingivalis was higher in the dynamic method group than in the static method group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the biofilm thickness and bacterial reduction by chlorhexidine showed no significant differences between the 2 methods. Conclusions: When used to reproduce periodontal biofilms composed of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis, the dynamic method (CDC biofilm reactor) formed looser biofilms containing fewer bacteria than the well plate. However, this difference did not influence the thickness of the biofilms or the activity of chlorhexidine. Therefore, both methods are useful for mimicking periodontitis-associated oral biofilms.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.245-257
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• 1999

일상 생활에서 우리는 스트레스에 항상 노출되어 있으며, 스트레스는 생체의 신경계, 내분비계 및 면역계의 변화를 수반한 항상성의 파괴로 수많은 정신적, 육체적 질병을 야기시킨다. 특히 구강안면영역에서도 다양한 구강점막질환과 구강건조증 등을 발생시킨다. 스트레스를 제거하는 방법으로는 약물요법 및 상담, 명상요법, 종교요법 등 다양한 방법이 제시되고 있는데, 다소의 부작용이 나타나거나 꾸준히 시행하기가 쉽지 않으며 스트레스의 원인을 근본적으로 제거하기가 현실적으로 용이하지 않은 경우가 많아 스트레스에 대한 해결책에 대하여 많은 관심이 집중되고 있다. 이에 본인은 스트레스가 가해졌을 때 백서 악하선에서 관철되며 apoptosis에 대하여 세포보호작용을 하는 clusterin(SGP-2)을 이용하여 구속스트레스를 가하기에 앞서 오랫동안 경험적으로 사용되어 왔고 부작용이 적은 전통약물인 보혈안신탕을 투여하고 스트레스에 의한 타액선의 조직변화를 관찰하여 그 효과를 확인해 보고자하였다. Sprague-Dawley계 응성 백서(200-230g/bw) 33마리를 정상 대조군(3마리), 구속스트레스군(15마리) 및 보혈안신탕 투여 후 구속스트레스군(15마리)으로 나누고 이틀을 각각 구속장치에 구속한 후 0, 1, 3, 5, 7일에 회생시켜 악하선을 적출하였으며, 면역조직화학법 및 Northern Blot을 이용하여 clusterin의 변화를 관찰하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 구속스트레스군의 악하선 조직에서 clusterin 단백질과 mRNA는 실험 즉일군에서만 미약하게 관찰되었으며 실험 3일과 5일 후에 핵붕괴 및 핵농축 등의 핵변화를 동반한 apoptosis가 관찰 되었다. 2. 보혈안신탕 투여 후 구속스트레스군의 악하선 조직에서 실험 5일군까지 clusterin 이 증가한 후 실험 7일군에서는 감소하였다. 3. 보혈안신탕 투여 후 구속스트레스군의 악하선 조직에서는 apoptosis가 관찰되지 않았다. 4. 보혈안신탕 투여 후 구속스트레스군의 악하선 조직에서 clusterin mRNA가 실험 전군에 걸쳐 미약하게 관찰되었다. 이상의 결과로 타액선 조직은 스트레스 단백질인 clusterin을 생산하여 세포를 보호함으로써 스트레스 상황에 적응하지만, 생리적 적용한계를 넘는 스트레스에 노출될 때는 apoptosis됨이 확인되었다. 그리고 보혈안신탕은 스트레스 상황에서 세포의 생리적 적응력을 높여 세포의 apoptosis를 억제하는 효과를 나타냄이 확인되었다. 따라서 본 연구결과는 구강건조증등의 스트레스성 타액선 질환의 병리기전을 규명하는데 도움이되리라 생각되며, 향후 항스트레스 효과를 가진 보혈안신탕등의 한약재를 임상에 적용함으로써 스트레스로 인한 신체의 병리적 변화를 다소나마 차단할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2094-2103
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• 2017

Aging is associated with distinct changes in immune cells and a decline in immune function, leading to increased susceptibility to infection and reduced responses to vaccination. Certain strains of lactic acid bacteria exert beneficial effects on the immune system. Previously, we reported that Weissella cibaria JW15 isolated from kimchi possesses immune stimulatory activity in vitro. In the present study, we further investigated whether oral administration of JW15 improves immune function in aged mice. Eighteen-month-old female mice were administered JW15 daily at low (JW15-L; $1{\times}10^8CFU/mouse$) or high dosage (JW15-H; $1{\times}10^9CFU/mouse$), or with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) using oral gavage. Two-month-old female mice were included as healthy young mice. After 4 weeks, the mice were euthanized and immune profiles were analyzed using whole blood and spleen. In complete blood count analysis, the numbers of white and red blood cells were significantly increased in the JW15-L group compared with those in the old mouse (OM) control group. In addition, administration of either JW15 of LGG resulted in higher numbers of splenocytes in comparison with the OM group. Furthermore, proliferative potentials were higher in all probiotic groups than OM. Cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-6 were secreted at higher levels in splenocytes isolated from JW15-fed mice than in OM control mice. Similarly, mRNA expression of various cytokines was altered in the JW15 groups. Collectively, these results suggest that JW15 supplementation induces immunomodulatory effects in aged mice and indicate JW15 as a potential probiotic strain to improve immune function in aged animals.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.352-358
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• 2020

In this study we investigated the immune effects of oral administration of anionic macromolecules extracted from Codium fragile (CFAM) and red ginseng extract mixture on the peritoneal macrophage cells in immune-suppressed mice. Cyclophosphamide (CY) induces the immune-suppressed condition. CY-treated mice were orally fed with different concentrations of CFAM supplemented with red ginseng extract and the peritoneal macrophages collected. CY treatment significantly decreased the immune activities of peritoneal macrophages, compared to the normal mice. The administration of CFAM mixed with red ginseng extract significantly boosted the viability of macrophage cells and nitric oxide production of peritoneal macrophages. Further, the oral administration of CFAM mixed with red ginseng extract up-regulated the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and TLR-4 as well as cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ more than the red ginseng-treated group. This study showed that CFAM enhanced the immune activity of red ginseng extract in the peritoneal macrophage cells of immune-suppressed mice. Furthermore, CFAM might be used as a co-stimulant of red ginseng extract through the regulation of macrophage cells for the enhancement of human health and immunity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.357-366
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• 2018

Periodontitis, an infective disease caused by oral pathogens and the intrinsic aging process, results in the destruction of periodontal tissues and the loss of alveolar bone. This study investigated whether Boesenbergia pandurata extract (BPE) standardized with panduratin A exerted anti-periodontitis effects, using an aging model representative of naturally occurring periodontitis. In aged rats, the oral administration of BPE ($200mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) for 8 weeks significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of $interleukin-1{\beta}$, nuclear factor-kappa B, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-8 in gingival tissues (p < 0.01). In alveolar bone, histological analysis with staining and micro-computed tomography revealed the attenuation of alveolar bone resorption in the BPE-treated aged group, which led to a significant reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and cathepsin K (p < 0.01). BPE not only increased the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers, such as alkaline phosphate, and collagen type I (COL1A1), but also increased the ratio of osteoprotegerin to RANKL. Collectively, the results strongly suggested that BPE is a natural resource for the prevention or treatment of periodontal diseases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.244-252
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• 2018

Protein disulfide isomerase A3 (PDIA3) is a major member of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family. PDI proteins commonly reside in the endoplasmic reticulum and mediate important thiol-disulfide interchanges during post-translational protein folding. Unlike other PDI family members, PDIA3 is ubiquitous in various organ systems. However, its physiological activity varies in other tissues. PDIA3 has been associated with cancer, airway inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic diseases. However, the mechanisms of the association of PDIA3 with these pathological conditions remain unclear. Recombinant PDIA3 (rPDIA3) is needed to clarify the interactions between PDIA3 and certain physiological phenomena. In the present study, we aimed to produce highly purified rPDIA3 for use in pathological experiments. We expressed rPDIA3 with a histidine-enriched elongated peptide tag in Escherichia coli and obtained rPDIA3 at 97.8% purity using consecutive His-tag and reverse-phase chromatography. Elongated peptide tags screened from artificially designated library had dual functions for protein expression and simple purification.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.117-121
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• 1981

Safety of yellow pigment produced by Monascus sp. CS-2 was evaluated. Acute oral toxicity, pyrogen test, and histamine test, as well as antimicrobial activity were determined. The results obtained were; LD oral in mice was 132.5 mg/20 g, pyrogen test in rabbit was 5 mg/kg, and histamine test in cat was 10 mg/kg. Also the pigment was particularly sensitive to Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Sarcina lutea (ATCC 9341) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538 P), whereas not sensitive to Pseudomonas pyosyanea (ACTC 10490), Bacillus var. mycoides (ATCC 11778), Bordetella bronchiseptica (ATCC 4617) and Staphylococcus epidermidis(ATCC 12228).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.462-467
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• 2007

The radix of Pueraria thunbergiana BENTHAM (Leguminosae) is traditionally prescribed to attenuate the clinical manifestations of inner ear dysfunction and various clinical situations including fever, gastrointestinal disorders, skin problems, migraine headaches, lowering cholesterol and treating chronic alcoholism in Oriental Medicine. In the present study, we examined the effect of ethanol extract of P. thunbergiana radix (EPR) on cisplatin-mediated HEI-OC1 auditory cell death. In addition, to investingate the protection mechanism of EPR on free radicals. Treatment of EPR protected cells from cisplatin and reduced lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EPR demonstrated significant scavenging activity against various free radicals, including superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and DPPH radical. These results indicate that EPR protects cisplatin-induced damages of HEI-OC1 cells through inhibition of lipid peroxidation and augmenting scavenging activities against free radials.