• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.85-93
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• 2014

Purpose: Nodal metastasis is the main prognostic factor in the patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We investigated the association between tumor-associated lymphatics and OSCC characteristics. Methods: Thirty-four specimens were used for the immunohistochemical staining with the antibody for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, phosphorylated VEGFR-3, D2-40, and matrix metallproteinases (MMPs). We observed the distribution of the lymphangiogenic factors and quantified the degree of expression. We determined lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and lymphatic vessel dilatation with D2-40 immunostaining. We assessed the association of LVD or lymphatic vessel dilatation with tumor progression or tumor differentiation. Results: OSCC cells expressed lymphangiogenic ligands. Lymphangiogenic receptor, VEGFR-3, was expressed and activated in some tumor cells as well as in tumor-associated endothelial cells. LVD was not associated with tumor size or nodal status, but lymphatic vessel dilatation was higher in tumors with nodal metastasis, and also higher in poorly differentiated tumors. In stromal area of OSCC, MMP-1 and MMP-10 were up-regulated and the basement membrane of tumor-associated endothelial cells was destroyed by these collagenases. Conclusion: In the primary tumors with nodal metastasis, especially in poorly differentiated OSCC, tumor cells invaded the dilated lymphatic vessels via ruptured sites. MMP-1 and MMP-10 are important in the lysis of the glycocalyx inside the tumor-associated lymphatic endothelial cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.497-502
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• 2014

Microfluidics can provide unique experimental tools to visualize the development of neural structures within a microscale device, which is followed by guidance of neurite growth in the axonal isolation compartment. We utilized microfluidics technology to monitor the differentiation and migration of neural cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We co-cultured hESCs with PA6 stromal cells, and isolated neural rosette-like structures, which subsequently formed neurospheres in suspension culture. Tuj1-positive neural cells, but not nestin-positive neural precursor cells (NPCs), were able to enter the microfluidics grooves (microchannels), suggesting that neural cell-migratory capacity was dependent upon neuronal differentiation stage. We also showed that bundles of axons formed and extended into the microchannels. Taken together, these results demonstrated that microfluidics technology can provide useful tools to study neurite outgrowth and axon guidance of neural cells, which are derived from human embryonic stem cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.21
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• 2024

The cytokine IL-7 plays critical and nonredundant roles in T cell immunity so that the abundance and availability of IL-7 act as key regulatory mechanisms in T cell immunity. Importantly, IL-7 is not produced by T cells themselves but primarily by non-lymphoid lineage stromal cells and epithelial cells that are limited in their numbers. Thus, T cells depend on cell extrinsic IL-7, and the amount of in vivo IL-7 is considered a major factor in maximizing and maintaining the number of T cells in peripheral tissues. Moreover, IL-7 provides metabolic cues and promotes the survival of both naïve and memory T cells. Thus, IL-7 is also essential for the functional fitness of T cells. In this regard, there has been an extensive effort trying to increase the protein abundance of IL-7 in vivo, with the aim to augment T cell immunity and harness T cell functions in anti-tumor responses. Such approaches started under experimental animal models, but they recently culminated into clinical studies, with striking effects in re-establishing T cell immunity in immunocompromised patients, as well as boosting anti-tumor effects. Depending on the design, glycosylation, and the structure of recombinantly engineered IL-7 proteins and their mimetics, recombinant IL-7 molecules have shown dramatic differences in their stability, efficacy, cellular effects, and overall immune functions. The current review is aimed to summarize the past and present efforts in the field that led to clinical trials, and to highlight the therapeutical significance of IL-7 biology as a master regulator of T cell immunity.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.103-106
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• 2010

Purpose: Giant cell tumors of the bone are rare, locally aggressive lesions that primarily affect the epiphysis of the long bones in young adults. These tumors occur very rarely on the skull, principally in the sphenoid and temporal bones. The occipital bone is an unusual site. We report a rare case of a giant cell tumor of the occipital bone with a review of the relevant literature. Methods: A 7-year-old boy presented with a mass of the right occipital area, which was accompanied by localized tenderness and mild swelling. The mass was first recognized approximately 1 year earlier and grew slowly. There was no significant history of trauma. The physical examination revealed a nonmobile and non-tender bony swelling on the occipital region. The neurological evaluation was normal. The serial skull radiography and CT scan showed focal osteolytic bone destruction with a bulged soft tissue mass in the right occipital bone. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniectomy and a complete resection of the epidural mass. The lesion was firm and cystic. The mass adhered firmly to the dura mater. Results: The postoperative clinical course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 5 days later. The histopathology report revealed scattered multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear stromal cells at the tumor section, and the giant cells were distributed evenly in the specimen, indicating a giant cell tumor. Conclusion: Giant cell tumors are generally benign, locally aggressive lesions. In our case, the lesion was resected completely but a persistent long term follow up will be needed because of the high recurrence rate and the possible transformation to a malignancy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2022

Background: The expression of calcium signaling pathway molecules is altered in various carcinomas, which are related to the proliferation and altered characteristics of cancer cells. However, changes in calcium signaling in anti-cancer drug-resistant cells (bearing a T790M mutation in epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]) remain unclear. Methods: Afatinib-mediated changes in the level of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE)-related proteins and intracellular Ca²⁺ level in non-small cell lung cancer cells with T790M mutation in the EGFR gene were analyzed using western blot and ratiometric assays, respectively. Afatinib-mediated autophagic flux was evaluated by measuring the cleavage of LC3B-II. Flow cytometry and cell proliferation assays were conducted to assess cell apoptosis and proliferation. Results: The levels of SOCE-mediating proteins (ORAI calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 [ORAI1], stromal interaction molecule 1 [STIM1], and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase [SERCA2]) decreased after afatinib treatment in non-small cell lung cancer cells, whereas the levels of SOCE-related proteins did not change in gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells (PC-9/GR; bearing a T790M mutation in EGFR). Notably, the expression level of SOCE-related proteins in PC-9/GR cells was reduced also responding to afatinib in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Moreover, extracellular Ca²⁺ influx through the SOCE was significantly reduced in PC-9 cells pre-treated with afatinib than in the control group. Additionally, afatinib was found to decrease the level of SOCE-related proteins through autophagic degradation, and the proliferation of PC-9GR cells was significantly inhibited by a lack of extracellular Ca²⁺. Conclusion: Extracellular Ca²⁺ plays important role in afatinib-mediated autophagic degradation of SOCE-related proteins in cells with T790M mutation in the EGFR gene and extracellular Ca²⁺ is essential for determining anti-cancer drug efficacy.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.949-965
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• 1996

The main goal of periodontal therapy is to restore the lost periodontal tissue and establish the attachment appratus. Current acceptable therapeutic techniques are included : removal of diseased soft tissue, demineralization of exposed root surface, using the barrier membrane for preventing the downgrowth of gingival epithelial cell, insertion of graft materials as a scaffolding action, and biological mediators for promoting the cell activity. The latest concept one among them has been studied which based on the knowledge of cellular biology of destructed tissue. Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) is one of the polypeptide growth factor which have been reported as a biological mediator to regulate activities of wound healing progress including cell proliferation, migration, and metabolism. The purposes of this study is to evaluate the influences of the PDGF as biological mediator to periodontal ligament and bone marrow cell. Both right and left maxillary first molar were extracted from rat which had treated with 0.4% ${\beta}-Aminopropionitril$ for 5 days, and feeded until designed date to sacrifice under anesthesisa. Periodontal ligament were removed from the extracted socket of the rat, and cultured with Dulbecco's Modified Essential Medium(DMEM) contained with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum, 100U/ml penicillin, $100{\mu}g/ml$ streptomycin, $0.5{\mu}g/ml$ amphotericin-B. Bone marrow cell were culture from bone marrow suspension with which washed out from femur with same medium. The study was performed to evaluate the effect of PDGF to periodontal ligament and bone cell, cell proliferation rate, total protein synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase activity of rat periodontal ligament(PDL) cell and bone stromal(RBS) cell in vitro. The effects of growth factors on both cells were measured at 3, 5th day after cell culture with (control group) or without growth factors(experimental group). The results were as follows: 1. The tendency of cell proliferation under the influence of PDGF showed more rapid proliferation pattern than control at 3 and 5 days after inoculation. 2. The activity of Alkaline phosphatase revealed 14, 80% increased respectively at 3, 5 days culture than control group. Measurements of ALPase levels indicated that PDL cells had significantly higher activity when compared with that of co-culture groups and GF only(P<0.05). And, ALPase activity in 10 days was higher than that of 7 days(P<0.05). 3. The tendency of formation of the mineralized nodule were observed dose-depend pattern of PDL cells. There was statistically significant difference among group l(PDL 100%), 2(PDL 70%:GF 30%), and 3(PDL 50%:GF 50%)(P<0.01). But, there was no difference among group 3, 4(PDL 30%:GF 70%), and 5(GF 100%). 4. Also, the number of nodule was greater in co-culture of PDL 70% and GF 30% than in culture of PDL 70%(P<0.05). From the above results, it is assumed that the PDGF on PDL cells and RMB cell culture. GF stimulates the cell growth, which is not that of PDL cells but GF. And, the activity of ALPase depends on the ratio of PDL cells, and ALPase may relate to the initial phase of nodule formation. Also, it is thought that the calcified nodule formation principally depends on PDL cells, is inhibited by GF, and affected by cell density. In conclusion, platelet-derived growth factor can promote rapid osteogenesis during early stage of periodontal tissue regeneration.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2011

Objective: Ovarian angiogenesis plays an important role in folliculogenesis. However, little is known about the expression of angiogenic factors during follicular development according to female age. Stromal cell derived factor-$1{\alpha}$ (SDF-$1{\alpha}$) plays a role in granulosa cell survival and embryo quality as an angiogenic chemokine. Leptin is also involved in folliculogenesis and angiogenesis. This study examined expression of SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin, and their effects on the expression of angiogenic factors in the ovary during follicular development according to female age. Methods: Ovaries were collected from C57BL mice of two age groups (6-9 weeks and 24-26 weeks) at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after 5 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injection. The expression of ovarian SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin mRNA was evaluated by RT-PCR. In the organ culture experiment, the ovaries were cultured in transwell permeable supports with Waymouth's medium treated with various doses of SDF-$1{\alpha}$(50-200 ng/mL) or leptin (0.01-1 ${\mu}g$/mL) for 7 days. Then, mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and visfatin were examined in the cultured ovaries. Results: Expression of SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin in the ovary was significantly lower in the aged mouse group compared to the young mouse group ($p$ <0.05). Expression of these two factors increased with follicular development after PMSG administration. SDF-$1{\alpha}$ treatment stimulated visfatin expression in a dose-dependent manner, while leptin treatment significantly increased eNOS expression. Conclusion: These results suggest that decrease of ovarian SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin expression may be associated with aging-related reduction of ovarian function. SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin may play a role in follicular development by regulating the expression of angiogenic factors in mouse ovaries.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-119
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Hominis Placenta pharmacopuncture (HPP) therapy on the experimentally-induced endometriosis in the rats. Materials and Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and HPP treated group. Sham-operated group and control group were inject with normal saline once a every other day for 30days, while treated group was injected with HPP extract once a every other day for same duration. Injected point of HPP and normal saline were subcutaneous tissue at Gwanwon (CV4) acupoint. Then we measured the body weight, the volume of endometriotic implants, the weigh of uterus and ovaries, and investigated the concentration of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemisty for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results: The volume ($mm^2$) of endometriotic implants in HPP treated group ($55.4{\pm}41.6$) was significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group ($140{\pm}66.1$). And the concentration (pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in HPP treated group ($1117.6{\pm}60.5$) was significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group ($1446.2{\pm}280.3$). The concentration (pg/ml) of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluids in HPP treated group ($80.6{\pm}31.4$) was decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group ($145.3{\pm}86.9$). Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cell and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of HPP treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. The COX-2 expression in endometrial, epithelial and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of HPP treated group was decreased compared with control group. The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cell in transplanted uterine tissue of HPP treated group were weakly observed than those of control goup. Conclusions: HPP is effect on Endometriosis of rats by Experimentally-induced.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer significant therapeutic promise for various regenerative therapies. However, MSC-based therapy for injury exhibits low efficacy due to the pathological environment in target tissues and the differences between in vitro and in vivo conditions. To address this issue, we developed adipose-derived MSC spheroids as a novel delivery method to preserve the stem cell microenvironment. MSC spheroids were generated by suspension culture for 3 days, and their sizes increased in a time-dependent manner. After re-attachment of MSC spheroids to the plastic dish, their adhesion capacity and morphology were not altered. MSC spheroids showed enhanced production of hypoxia-induced angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stromal cell derived factor (SDF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In addition, spheroid culture promoted the preservation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as laminin and fibronectin, in a culture time- and spheroid size-dependent manner. Furthermore, phosphorylation of AKT, a cell survival signal, was significantly higher and the expression of pro-apoptotic molecules, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and cleaved caspase-3, was markedly lower in the spheroids than in MSCs in monolayers. In the murine hindlimb ischemia model, transplanted MSC spheroids showed better proliferation than MSCs in monolayer. These findings suggest that MSC spheroids promote MSC bioactivities via secretion of angiogenic cytokines, preservation of ECM components, and regulation of apoptotic signals. Therefore, MSC spheroid-based cell therapy may serve as a simple and effective strategy for regenerative medicine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2006

Objective : There have been recent reports that mesenchymal stromal cells that are harvested from adipose tissue are able to differentiate into neurons. In the present study, we administered adipose tissue derived stem cells in rats with cerebral infarction in order to determine whether those stem cells could enhance the recovery of motor function. Methods : Cerebral infarction was induced by intraluminal occlusion of middle cerebral artery in rats. The adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were harvested from inguinal fat pad and proliferated for 2 weeks in DMEM media. Approximately $1{\times}10^6$ cells were injected intravenously or into subdural space of the peri-lesional area. The rotor rod test was performed at preoperative state[before MCA occlusion], and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after the cell therapy. Results : The motor functions that were assessed by rotor rod test at 1 week of the cell therapy were nearly zero among the experimental groups. However, there was apparent motor function recovery after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of cell injection in intravenously treated rats and peri-lesionaly treated rats, respectively, while there was no significant improvement till 8 weeks in vehicle treated rats. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the adipose derived stem cell treatment improves motor function recovery in rats with cerebral infarction.