• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.702-707
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• 2014

Corneal endothelium is mono-inner cell layer of cornea and lay on Descmet's membrane which comprised of various proteins called extracellular matrix such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, and proteoglycan, etc. In this study, we fabricated transparent poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) film because PLGA is widely used for tissue engineering based on their properties. We investigated the behaviors of rabbit corneal endothelial cells (rCEnCs) on PLGA film surfaces coated with various cell-adhesive molecules like fibronectin, laminin, collagen type I and IV and FNC coating mix. The morphologic images, proliferation and adhesion assay, immunofluorescence for ZO-1 and $Na^+/K^+-ATPase$ and RT-PCR for expression of specific markers were conducted. These results showed that PLGA film plays a role as CEnC carriers in vitro and the cell-adhesive molecules give positive effects on the behaviors of rCEnC.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.170-177
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• 2002

The herb, Chrysanthemum zawadskii var, latilobum commonly known as Gu-Jul-Cho in Korea, used in traditional medicine to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, common cold, pharyngitis, bladder-related disorders, gastroenteric disorders, and hypertension. Linarin is the main active compound and the biological mechanisms of its activity are unclear. It is believed that effects of this herb may be exerted through the pluripotent effectors of linarin due to its ability to treat a variety of afflictions. In this study, the effects of linarin on the mouse macrophages cell line, RAW 264.7, were investigated. It was found that linarin could activate macrophages by producing cytokines. Monocytes and tissue macrophages produce at least two groups of protein mediators of inflammation, interleukin 1 (IL-1 ) and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Recent studies have shown that TNF and IL-1 modulate the inflammatory function of endothelial cells, leukocytes, and fibroblasts. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production by macrophages treated with linarin occured in a dose dependent manner However, IL-1 production was largely unaffected by this natural product. This study demonstrated the ability of linarin to activate macrophages both directly and indirectly. Linarin also affect both cytosine production and nitric oxide inhibition, in addition to the expression of some surface molecules. Nitric oxide (NO), derived from L-argin-ine, is produced by two forms(constitutive and inducible) of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The NO produced in large amounts by inducible NOS is known to be responsible for the vasodilation and hypotension observed in septic shock. Linarin was found to inhibit NO production in the LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Linarin may be a useful candidate as a new drug for treating endotoxemia and the inflammation accompanied by NO overproduction. The linarin-treated total Iymphocytes exhibited cytotoxicity in a dose dependent manner between $20{\;}{\mu}g/ml{\;}and{\;}40{\;}{\mu}g/ml$. These results suggest that linarin may function through macrophage activation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1593-1595
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• 2007

In the study of investigate the expression and effects of adrenomedullin (AM) in the tissue injured by ethanol in our laboratory, there were lymphosarcomas involving mesenteric lymph node and intestine discovered in experimental mice. Lymphosarcoma is probably the second most common spontaneous neoplastic disease, the incidence of which is dependent on the strain of mouse. The diagnosis of lymphosarcoma was based on gross and light microscopic studies. Crossly, the excised intestine and mesentery showed soft-to-firm, cream-colored, displayed protuberance into the lumen. The neoplastic cells had mainly infiltrated into the mucosal and mesenteric lymph node, and have round hyperchromatic nuclei and a small amount of cytoplasm. The origin of these tumor cells was determined by immunohistochemistry positive of CD20, CD3 and Vimentin.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2008

Tissue ischemia resulting from the constriction or obstruction of blood vessels leads to an illness that may affect many organs including the heart, brain, and legs. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the field of therapeutic angiogenesis and the new approaches are expected to cure those "no-option patients" who are unsuited to conventional therapies. Although single angiogenic growth factor may be successful in inducing angiogenesis, combination of multiple growth factors is increasingly sought these days to augment the therapeutic responses. This trend is proper in light of the fact that blood vessel formation is a complex and multi-step process that requires the actions of many different factors. To meet the growing need for functionally significant blood flow recovery in the ischemic tissues, a novel strategy that can provide concerted actions of multiple factors is required. One way to achieve such a goal is to use a transcription factor that can orchestrate the expression of multiple target genes in the ischemic region and thus induce significant level of angiogenesis. Here, a putative transcription factor, cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP), was evaluated in adenoviral vector context for angiogenic activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results indicated significant increase in proliferation, capillary-like structure formation, and induction of vascular endothelial growth factor, a typical angiogenic gene. Taken together, these results suggest that CARP represents itself as a novel target for therapeutic angiogenesis and warrants further investigation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.277-285
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• 2001

Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation and subsequent loss and/or damage to tooth-supporting tissues such as bone, cementum,and periodontal ligament. Periodontal ligament and cementum are the key tissues in the initial process of regeneration following periodontal disease. Therefore, studies on cementoblasts, which form cementum are emphasized. It is still unclear which cells cementoblast differentiate from. This study was conducted under the hypothesis that PDL fibroblast can differentiate into either cementoblast or osteoblast depending on the conditions of surrounding tissue. Clinically, with excessive traction force of orthodontic appliances or excessive occlusion hypercementosis is observed, and this has been confirmed histologically. Consequently, activation of cementoblast can be expected in rats when mechanical stimuli are given to PDL fibroblast. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to prove that PDL fibroblast differentiates into cementoblast in rats under mechanical stimuli using histologic and molecular methods. In this study, twenty rats were given hard diet. Ten of them were sacrificed after 1 week, and the others were sacrificed after two weeks. Slides were made from tooth specimen, and they were studied under the microscope. In addition, PDL fibroblast and cementum from the extracted teeth were analyzed with Northern blotting. In histologic examination, as time passed, PDL fibroblast migrated to the dentin side, differentiated into cementoblast, and formed new cementum. In Northern blotting, it was found that mRNA expression of cementoblast-specific proteins such as BSP, OC, OPN, and type I collagen were more prominent in rats sacrificed after 2 weeks of hard-diet than rats sacrificed after 1 week. From these findings we can conclude that PDL fibroblast can differentiate into cementoblast under mechanical stimuli. We think that 'Rat Models' used in this study will be beneficial to future studies regarding cementoblast.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.145-157
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was to determine the possible effects of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) through cell survival genes of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway when applying an hydrophobically modified glycol chitosan (HGC)-based nanocontrolled release system to human gingival fibroblasts in oral soft tissue regeneration. Materials and Methods: An HGC-based nano-controlled release system was produced, followed by the loading of TCA and EGF. The group was divided into control (CON), TCA-loaded nano-controlled release system (EXP1), and the TCA- and EGF- individually loaded nano-controlled release system (EXP2). A total for 29 genes related to the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were analyzed after 48h of culture in human gingival fibroblasts. Real-time PCR, 1- way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were performed. Results: Cell survival genes were significantly upregulated in EXP1 and EXP2. From multiple regression analysis, ITGB1 was determined to be the most influential factor for AKT1 expression. Conclusion: The application of TCA and EGF through the HGC-based nano-controlled release system can up-regulate the cell survival pathway.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2007

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) would influence healing of periapical tissues by modulating the production of growth factors and cytokines from PDL fibroblasts, however, the studies are insufficient. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to monitor the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 $(TGF-\beta1)$, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from PDL fibroblasts in the presence of MTA. The human PDL fibroblasts were seeded onto the set MTA or IRM at a level of $1\times10^5$ cells per unit well, and further incubated for 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. The levels of $TGF-\beta1$, FGF-2 and IL-6 from the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The level of $TGF-\beta1$ was down-reg ulated when the cells were grown in the presence of MTA except at 6 hours. The levels of FGF-2 release were significantly suppressed when PDL fibroblasts were grown in the presence of MTA or IRM at all time intervals (p < 0.05). The expressions of IL-6 from MTA treated co)Is were comparable to those of untreated control cells throughout the observation periods. We presume that this material inhibits the stimulatory function of growth factors on granulation tissue formation and in turn, it promotes the healing process modulated by other bone-remodeling cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2012

The Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway regulates diverse developmental processes and adult tissue homeostasis. Inappropriate regulation of this pathway has been associated with human diseases, such as cancers, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Using a cell-based chemical screening with natural compounds, we discovered silybin, a plant flavonoid isolated from the Silybum marianum, which activated the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway in a synergy with Wnt3a-conditioned medium (Wnt3a-CM). In the presence of Wnt3a-CM, silybin up-regulated ${\beta}$-catenin response transcription (CRT) in HEK293-FL reporter cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through stabilization of intracellular ${\beta}$-catenin protein. Silybin and Wnt3a-CM synergistically reduced expression of important adipocyte marker genes including peroxisome-proliferator-activated $receptor{\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CAATT enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ (C/$EBP{\alpha}$) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, accompanied by the activation of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that silybin is a small-molecule synergist of the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway and can be used as a controllable reagent for investigating biological processes that involve the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2018

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Neuroinflammation plays critical role in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the effect of three licorice varieties, Glycyrhiza uralensis, G. glabra, and Shinwongam (SW) on a mouse model of inflammation-induced memory and cognitive deficit. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and orally administrated G. uralensis, G. glabra, and SW extract (150 mg/kg/day). SW, a new species of licorice in Korea, was combined with G. uralensis and G. glabra. Behavioral tests, including the T-maze, novel object recognition and Morris water maze, were carried out to assess learning and memory. In addition, the expressions of inflammation-related proteins in brain tissue were measured by western blotting. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in spatial and objective recognition memory in LPS-induced cognitive impairment group, as measured by the T-maze and novel object recognition test; however, the administration of licorice ameliorated these deficits. In addition, licorice-treated groups exhibited improved learning and memory ability in the Morris water maze. Furthermore, LPS-injected mice had up-regulated pro-inflammatory proteins, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6, via activation of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF{\kappa}B$) pathways in the brain. However, these were attenuated by following administration of the three licorice varieties. Interestingly, the SW-administered group showed greater inhibition of iNOS and TLR4 when compared with the other licorice varieties. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain of LPS-induced cognitively impaired mice that were administered licorice, with the greatest effect following SW treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The three licorice varieties ameliorated the inflammation-induced cognitive dysfunction by down-regulating inflammatory proteins and up-regulating BDNF. These results suggest that licorice, in particular SW, could be potential therapeutic agents against cognitive impairment.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.501-507
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• 2005

Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) had been widely used as a biomaterial without immune rejection responses. SIS sponges prepared by crosslinking with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). SIS powders dissolved in $3\%(v/v)$ acetic acid aqueous solution for 48hrs and freeze-dried. EDC solution ($H_2O$ : ethanol = 5 : 95) as a crosslink agent was used in concentration of 100mM. In vitro, rat-BMSCs seeded in SIS sponges and induced the osteogenesis for 28 days. We have characterized the osteogenic potential of rat-BMSCs in SIS sponges by alkaline phosphatase activity(ALP), n assay, SEM and RT-PCR for osteogenic phenotype. In SEM, all morphology of SIS sponges was regular and showed interconnected pore structure. By RT-PCR analysis, we observed type I collagen expression. These results demonstrate osteogenic differentiation of rat-BMSCs. In conclusion, we confirmed that the morphology of surface, cross-section, and side of SIS sponges were highly porous with good interconnections between each pores, which can support the surface of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. This result indicates that SIS sponge is useful for osteogenesis of BMSCs.