• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.17-35
• /
• 1998

Chitosan, with a chemical structure similar to hyaluronic acid, has been implicated as a wound healing agent. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of chitosan on the characteristics of periodontal ligament cells, calvaria cells and gingival fibroblasts and to define the effects of chitosan on bone formation in vitro. In control group, the cells were cultured alone with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium contained with 10% Fetal bovine serum, 100unit/ml penicillin, $100{\mu}g/ml$ streptomycin, $0.5{\mu}g/ml$ amphotericin-B. In experimental group, chitosan($40{\mu}g/ml$) is added into the above culture condition. And then each group was characterized by examining the cell proliferation at 1,3,5,7,9,12,15 day, the amount of total protein synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity at 3, 7 day and the ability to produce mineralized nodules of rat calvaria cell at 11 day. The results were as follows : 1. At early time both periodontal ligament cells and calvaria cells in chitosan-treated group proliferated more rapidly than in non-treated control group, but chitosan-treated group of periodontal ligament cells at 9 days and calvaria cells at 12days showed lower growth rate than control group. Gingival fibroblast in chitosan-treated group had lower growth rate than in control group but the difference was not statistically significant (P< 0.01).2. Both periodontal ligament cells and calvaria cells in chitosan-treated group showed much protein synthesis than in control group at 3 days, but showed fewer than in control group at 7 days. Amount of total protein synthesis of gingival fibroblast didn't have statistically significant difference among the two groups(P< 0.01). 3. At 3 and 7 days, alkaline phosphatase activity of periodontal ligament cells and calvaria cells was increased in chitosan-treated group, but at 7 days there was not statistically significant difference among the two groups of calvaria cells (P< 0.01). Alkaline phosphatase activity of gingival fibroblast didn't have statistically significant difference among the two groups(P<0.01). 4. Mineralized nodules in chitosan-treated group of rat calvaria cells were more than in control group. In summery, chitosan had an effect on the proliferation, protein systhesis, alkaline phosphatase activity of periodontal ligament cells and calvaria cells, and facilitated the formation of bone. It is thought that these effects can be used clinically in periodontal regeneration therapy.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.765-785
• /
• 1999

Bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 (BMP-2/4) are members of Transforming Growth $Factor-{\beta}\;(TGF-{\beta})$ superfamily and they may differentiate the osteoprogenitor cell and induce formation of cartilage and bone in vivo. This study was performed to investigate the effects of bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 on the characteristics of rat periodontal ligament cells(RPDL) and rat calvaria cells(RCV). In the control group, the cells were cultured alone with Dulbeco's Modified Eagle's Medium contained with 20% fetal bovine serum, $100{\mu}/ml$ penicillin, $100{\mu}/ml$ streptomycin. In the experimental groups, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 (25ng, 100ng, 250ng/ml) were added into the above culture condition. And then each group was characterized by examing the cell proliferation at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7th day, the amount of total protein synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity at 2, 5, 7th day. And also, the calcified nodule was examed. The results were as follows ; 1 . Both RCV and RPDL cells in both control and experimental groups proliferated during the entire experimental period, but there is no stastically significant difference according to the BMP-2/4 concentration. 2 . Amount of total protein synthesis of both cells in both groups was steadily increased until 5th day, but all experimental groups were significantly different from the control group at 7th day. 3. Alkaline phosphatase activity of both cells in both groups was increased during the entire experiment period. In RCV cells, the experimental group treated with 100ng/ml and 250ng/ml BMP-2/4 were significantly different from the control group at 7th day. In RPDL cells, the experimental group treated with 100ng/ml and 250ng/ml BMP-2/4 were significantly different from the control group at 5th day, and all experimental groups were significantly different from the control group at 7th day. 4. In the both of the cultured Rat Periodontal ligament and calvaria cell treated with BMP-2/4 to compared with control group, it revealed more rapid cell polarization, cell aggregation and hyperchromatic stained on HE agent, and even though only 1 day treated with BMP-2/4 both RPDL and RCV showed more rapid cell reaction than control group. More sensivitve cell reaction of RCV were observed than RPDL in this experiment. From the above results, we could conclude that BMP-2/4 influenced the induction, proliferation and differentiation of bone forming cells

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.347-353
• /
• 2000

To examine influence of artificial digestive juice on the antitumor activity of Ganoderma lucidum-A(GL-A), protein-bound polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum, we compared the digested protein-bound polysaccharide with undigested one both on immunopotentiating activity and influence of digestive juices. Protein-bound polysaccharide GL-B was obtained by digesting the antitumor component GL-A with artificial digestive Juices in vitro. When GL-A was administered orally to sarcoma 180 tumor-bearing ICR mice, the life prolonging effect was exhibited in a dose dependent manner Not only GL-A but GL-B increased the production of colony forming unit (CFU) to 10- and 8-fold of that of the control, respectively. Both of the protein-bound polysaccharides also showed the secretion of nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 cell lines to 3.5-and 3.7-fold of that of the control, respectively: GL-A activated components of the alternative complement pathway, whereas GL-B did not. In humoral immunity GL-A increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase in differentiated B cells to 3 times and GL-B to 4 times of that of the control. These results showed that the artificial digestive juices had no influence on the antitumor activity of the protein-bound polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum and that its immunomodulating activity retained after treatment with artificial digestive juice. And this provides a basis of the protein-bound polysaccharide of Ganoderma lucidum as an peroral anticancer drug.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.266-276
• /
• 1997

To investigate the effects of dietary protein and calcium levels on calcium and bone metabolism Sprague-Dawley male growing rats weighting approximately 91.4g were divided into four groups and fed one of the following four experimental diets-15% protein 0.2% calcium ; 15% protein 0.5% calcium ; 30% protein 0.2% calcium ; 30% protein 0.5% calcium-for five weeks. Calcium intake and excretion, apparent calcium absorption were measured and bone densities and mineral contents of femur and scapula were analyzed. Calcium excretion through feces and urine was significantly greater in animals receiving diets of higher calcium. Fecal calcium but not urinary calcium excretion was greater when the protein level was increased from 15% to 30%. Apparent calcium absorption rate was significantly higher with lower calcium intakes. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in 0.2% calcium group than in 0.5% calcium group, while urinary hydroxyproline excretion was essentially same among all experimental groups. Weights and mineral contents or protein. Bone weights were greater, but calcium and ash contents of femur and scapula were lower in animals on the diet containing low calcium and high protein, which suggests that bone metabolism may be affected by the interaction between calcium and protein intake. These results indicate that during growth high protein intake might be beneficial to bone health if the diet is sufficient in calcium, however, if the diet fails to provide an optimum amount of calcium, such practice might be detrimental.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 2013

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well-known pattern recognition receptors. Among the 13 TLRs, TLR2 is the most known receptor for immune response. It activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are counterbalanced by MAPK phosphatases [MKPs or dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs)]. However, the regulatory mechanism of DUSPs is still unclear. In this study, the effect of a TLR2 ligand (TLR2L, Pam3CSK4) on DUSP4 expression in Raw264.7 cells was demonstrated. Methods: A Raw264.7 mouse macrophage cell line was cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics (100 U/mL penicillin and 100 g/mL streptomycin) at $37^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$. TLR2L (Pam3CSK4)-mediated DUSP4 expressions were confirmed with RT-PCR and western blot analysis. In addition, the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured with lucigenin assay. Results: Pam3CSK4 induced the expression of DUSP1, 2, 4, 5 and 16. The DUSP4 expression was also increased by TLR4 and 9 agonists (lipopolysaccharide and CpG ODN, respectively). Pam3CSK4 also induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and ROS production, and the Pam3CSK4-induced DUSP4 expression was decreased by ERK1/2 (U0126) and ROS (DPI) inhibitors. U0126 suppressed the ROS production by Pam3CSK4. Conclusion: Pam3CSK4-mediated DUSP4 expression is regulated by ERK1/2 and ROS. This finding suggests the physiological importance of DUSP4 in TLR2-mediated immune response.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.305-314
• /
• 2005

Investigation of chemically synthesized inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [$Ins(1,4,5)P_3$] analogs has led to the isolation of a novel binding protein with a molecular size of 130 kDa, characterized as a molecule with similar domain organization to phospholipase C-${\delta}1$ (PLC-${\delta}1$) but lacking the enzymatic activity. An isoform of the molecule was subsequently identified, and these molecules have been named PRIP (PLC-related, but catalytically inactive protein), with the two isoforms named PRIP-1 and -2. Regarding its ability to bind $Ins(1,4,5)P_3$ via the pleckstrin homology domain, the involvement of PRIP-1 in $Ins(1,4,5)P_3$-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ signaling was examined using COS-1 cells overexpressing PRIP-1 and cultured neurons prepared from PRIP-1 knock-out mice. Yeast two hybrid screening of a brain cDNA library using a unique N-terminus as bait identified GABARAP ($GABA_A$ receptor associated protein) and PP1 (protein phosphatase 1), which led us to examine the possible involvement of PRIP in $GABA_A$ receptor signaling. For this purpose PRIP knock-out mice were analyzed for $GABA_A$ receptor function in relation to the action of benzodiazepines from the electrophysiological and behavioral aspects. During the course of these experiments we found that PRIP also binds to the b-subunit of $GABA_A$ receptors and PP2A (protein phosphtase 2A). Here, we summarize how PRIP is involved in $Ins(1,4,5)P_3$-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and $GABA_A$ receptor signaling based on the characteristics of binding molecules.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.43-53
• /
• 2003

Drynariae Rhizorna (DR), an herbal medicine known for its effect to purify blood quality and improve circulation, frequently appears as the main ingredient in prescriptions for bone injuries. Currently, how pharmacologically it contributes to the reformation of bone is unclear. In the present study, the effect of the aqueous extract of DR on bone cells was investigated in vitro for the first time. The human osteoprecursor cells (OPC-I) were incubated in the medium with different concentrations of the aqueous extract of DR and the cell proliferation was studied. When the concentration of DR aqueous extract was $<120{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, the proliferation of OPC-I was enhanced. However, the proliferation of OPC-I was inhibited by DR extract with the concentrations $>250{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$. Under most treatments, the cells presented very pale expression for cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox 2) protein; a slightly intensified band showed at the highest DR concentration, 1.0 mg/ml during the course of culture. From the results, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of DR was found to directly stimulate the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, protein secretion and particularly type I collagen synthesis of OPC-I at dose-dependent manner.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.52-57
• /
• 2007

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) on the inhibition activities by oleanolic acid analogues (1-19) as a potent inhibitor against protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B were studied quantitatively using 2D-QSAR and HQSAR methodologies. The inhibition activity was dependent on the variations of $R_{4-}$substituent, and as shown in 2D-QSAR model ($r^2=0.928$), it has a tendency to increase as the negative Randic Indice (RI) goes up. The size of the molecular fragments used in HQSAR varied from five to eight. The fragment distinctions had the best statistic value, whose predictability is $q^2=0.785$ and correlation coefficient is $r^2=0.970$, on condition of connections. From the atomic contribution maps, the factor that contributes to the inhibition activities is the $C_{15}{\sim}C_{17}$ bond in the D ring. From the analysis result of these two the models, the structural distinctions and descriptors that contribute to the inhibition activities were obtained.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.298-308
• /
• 1995

To investigate the effect of estrogen and dietary protein level on Ca metabolism, female rats were undergone ovariectomy or sham-operation. Ovariectomized rate were divided into either estrogen-or vehicle-treated groups. Each treatment group was again divided into 40%-casein(H) or 10%-casein(L) diet groups. All experimental diets contained 0.2% Ca, 0.4% P and fed to rats for 8 weeks. Apparant Ca absorption and Ca balance were not affected by dietary protein level and ovariectomy, however they were increased by estrogen injection and this effect was even higher in low protein groups. Urinary Ca excretion were higher in high protein groups. GFR was not affected by dietary protein level, ovariectomy, or by estrogen injection. Urinary protein excretion was higher in high protein groups, which implies that the kidney funtion was deteriorated by high protein diet, and this may account partly for the higher urinary Ca in high protein groups. Ovariectomy or estrogen treatment had no effect on urinary protein excretion. Urinary hydroxyproline was higher in ovariectomized rats and increased in high protein grous. Elevated value of ovarictomized rats was lowered by estrogen injection, especially in low protein group. Alkaline phosphatase tended to increase in ovariectomized groups and lowered with estrogen treatment, but this difference was not statistically significant. Serum PTH was not affected by ovariectomy and dietary protein level. Therefore the increased hydroxproline excretion does not seem to be attributed to PTH. Dietary protein level, ovariectomy and estrogen treatment did not affect the weights and components of femur, scapular, and 4th vertebra. Ash/wt ratio of femur was, however, lower in ovariectomized rats and increased with estrogen treatment. Therefore, among the bones studied, femur seemed to be the most vulnerable. The results of this study shows that estrogen treatment may alleviate or reduce bone loss in postmenopausal women somewhat, especially for those people with low protein diet.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.183-186
• /
• 2005

Arabidopsis AHL gene encodes a 3'(2')-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphate (PAP)-specific phosphatase that plays a role in the sulfate activation pathway. We complemented E. coli cysQ mutant defective in cysteine biosynthesis with the AHL gene. AHL cDNA was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pKK388-1 and transformed into the bacterial mutant. Since cysQ mutant is a leaky cysteine auxotroph only under aerobic conditions, the bacteria were grown in liquid media with vigorous shaking to provide more aeration. In cysteine-free medium, cysQ mutant and the mutant harboring empty vector did not grow well, whereas cells harboring AHL cDNA exhibited significantly improved growth with doubling time of approximately 3 h. cysQ is known to encode a 3'(2'),5'-diphosphonucleoside 3'(2')-phosphohydrolase (DPNPase). However, our data suggest that cysQ protein has PAP-specific phosphatase activity in addition to DPNPase activity. Microbial complementation procedure described in this paper is useful for structure-activity studies of PAP-specific phosphatases identified from microbes and plants.