• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.322-336
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• 2021

Objective: Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity. Pelvic soreness and infertility are the usual association. Due to the poor effectiveness of the hormone therapy and the high incidence of recurrence following surgical excision, there is no single effective option for management of endometriosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells studied for their broad immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties; however, their efficiency in endometriosis cases is still a controversial issue. Our study aim was to evaluate whether adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) could help with endometriosis through their studied anti-inflammatory role. Methods: Female Wistar rats weighting 180 to 250 g were randomly divided into two groups: group 1, endometriosis group; established by transplanting autologous uterine tissue into rats' peritoneal cavities and group 2, stem cell treated group; treated with AD-MSCs on the 5th day after induction of endometriosis. The proliferative activity of the endometriosis lesions was evaluated through Ki67 staining. Quantitative estimation of interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth factor β expression, as well as immunohistochemical detection of CD68 positive macrophages, were used to assess the inflammatory status. Results: The size and proliferative activity of endometriosis lesions were significantly reduced in the stem cell treated group. Stem cells efficiently mitigated endometriosis associated chronic inflammatory reactions estimated through reduction of CD68 positive macrophages and the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy can be considered a novel remedy in endometriosis possibly through its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.327-337
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• 1999

Background: Reactive oxygen species are involved in multi-stage process of carcinogenesis. The moot of cancer cell lines and cancer cells in tumor tissue produce reactive oxygen species and on the other hand, the activities of catalase, Mn- and CuZn-superoxide dismutase in tumor cells are usually low. These persistent oxidative stress in tumor tissue facilitates tumor invasion and metastasis. 12-kDa thioredoxin, which regulates the intracellular redox potential with glutathione and glutaredoxin is involved in cell activation, proliferation, differentiation and redox-mediated apoptosis. It is also purified as 14-kDa and 10-kDa eooinophilic cytotoxic enhancing factor(ECEF) from human histiocytic cell(U937) and 10-kDa ECEF has more than 20 times eosinophilic stimulation activity than 14-kDa ECEF. It has been reported that adult T-cell leukemia, squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, and hepatocellular carcinoma show increased amounts of human thioredoxin and thioredoxin mRNA is increased in lung cancer. In this study, we investigated the expression of conventional antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, CuZn-SOD, and glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin in lung cancer tissue compared to adjacent normal lung tissue and the induction of thioredoxin in macrophage cells after treatment of oxidative stress and endotoxin Methods: We measured the amount of conventional antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, CuZn-SOD, and glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin in lung cancer tissue compared to adjacent normal lung tissue by immunoblot analysis and the induction of thioredoxin in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells(RAW 264.7) by treatment of 5 ${\mu}M$ menadione and 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ endotoxin Results: On immunoblot analysis, the expression of 12-kDa thioredoxin was increased in lung cancer tissue compared to paired normal lung tissue. but the expression of catalase and CuZn-SOD were decreased in lung cancer tissue compared to paired normal tissue and the expression of glutathione peroxidase in lung cancer was variable. The expression of truncated thioredoxin was also increased in lung cancer. When mouse monocyte-macrophage cells were treated with 5 ${\mu}M$ menadione and 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ endotoxin, the expression of thioredoxin was peaked at 12 hrs and sustained to 48 hrs. Conclusion: In contrast with other conventional antioxidants, the expression of 12-kDa and truncated thioredoxin in lung cancer were increased and it is closely associated with persistent oxidative stress in tumor microenvironment. Considering especially the biological functions of truncated thioredoxin, the increased amount of truncated thioredoxin has significant role in tumor growth through cell proliferation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.535-563
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• 1993

New techniques for regenerating the destructed periodontal tissue have been studied for many years. Current acceptable methods of promoting periodontal regeneration alre basis of removal of diseased soft tissue, root treatment, guided tissue regeneration, graft materials, biological mediators. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of polypeptide growth factor. PDGF have been reported as a biological mediator which regulate activities of wound healing progress including cell proliferation, migration, and metabolism. The purposes of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using the PDGF as a regeneration promoting agent for furcation involvement defect. Eight adult mongrel dogs were used in this experiment. The dogs were anesthetized with Pentobarbital Sodium (25-30 mg/kg of body weight, Tokyo chemical Co., Japan) and conventional periodontal prophylaxis were performed with ultrasonic scaler. With intrasulcular and crestal incision, mucoperiosteal flap was elevated. Following decortication with 1/2 high speed round bur, degree III furcation defect was made on mandibular second(P2) and fourth(P4) premolar. For the basic treatment of root surface, fully saturated citric acid was applied on the exposed root surface for 3 minutes. On the right P4 20ug of human recombinant PDGF-BB dissolved in acetic acid was applied with polypropylene autopipette. On the left P2 and right P2 PDGF-BB was applied after insertion of ${\beta}-Tricalcium$ phosphate(TCP) and collagen (Collatape) respectively. Left mandibular P4 was used as control. Systemic antibiotics (Penicillin-G benzathine and penicillin-G procaine, 1 ml per 10-25 1bs body weight) were administrated intramuscular for 2 weeks after surgery. Irrigation with 0.1% Chlorhexidine Gluconate around operated sites was performed during the whole experimental period except one day immediate after surgery. Soft diets were fed through the whole experiment period. After 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed by perfusion technique. Tissue block was excised including the tooth and prepared for light microscope with H-E staining. At 2 weeks after surgery, therer were rapid osteogenesis phenomenon on the defected area of the PDGF only treated group and early trabeculation pattern was made with new osteoid tissue produced by activated osteoblast. Bone formation was almost completed to the fornix of furcation by 8 weeks after surgery. New cementum fromation was observed from 2 weeks after surgery, and the thickness was increased until 8 weeks with typical Sharpey’s fibers reembedded into new bone and cementum. In both PDGF-BB with TCP group and PDGF-BB with Collagen group, regeneration process including new bone and new cementum formation and the group especially in the early weeks. It might be thought that the migration of actively proliferating cells was prohibited by the graft materials. In conclusion, platelet-derived growth factor can promote rapid osteogenesis during early stage of periodontal tissue regeneration.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.25 no.1 s.48
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• pp.31-42
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• 1995

This study was designed to evaluate the expression of growth factor in periodontal tissue during the experimental movement of rat incisors by LSAB(Labelled streptavidine Biotin) immunohistochemical staining for EGF(Epidermal growth factor). 23 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group(3rats) and experimental groups(20rats), where a force(75g) from helical springs across the maxillary incisors was applied. Experimental groups were sacrificed at 12 hours, 1, 4, 7 and 14 days, after force application, respectively. And Tissue slides of control and experimental groups were studied immunohistochemically and histologically. The results were as follows : 1. In 14days after force application, periodontal fibers were strectched on the tension side, and compressed In pressure side of all experimental groups, and the arrangement of periodontal fibers was not recovered yet. 2. The degree of EGF expression in control group was strongly positive in the oral epithelium, predentin, capillaries in pulp and periodontal spaces. But osteoblasts and osteoclasts were stained mildly positive. 3. EGF expression was mild and diffuse in 12 hours, 1, 4 and 7 days of experimental groups and was not significantly different between the tension and pressure sides. 4. The degree of EGF expression in the 14-day experimental group was higher than any other group. And the tension side showed a more positive EGF expression than the pressure side. The apical area revealed a more positive EGF expression than the cervical area.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2007

Purpose: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is known to accelerate and/or enhance hard and soft tissue healing and regeneration. As such, PRP has been used in various clinical fields of surgery. Recently there have been several attempts to use PRP in the field of tissue engineering. However, some controversies still exist on exact mechanism and benefits of PRP. Therefore various animal experiments are necessary to reveal the effect of the PRP. However, even if animal experiment is performed, the efficacy of the experiment could not be validated due to absence of an animal PRP model. The purpose of this study is to establish rat PRP model by comparing several PRP fabricating methods, and to assay growth factor concentration in the PRP. Materials and methods: Rat blood samples were collected from nine SD rat (body weight: 600-800g). PRP was prepared using three different PRP fabricating methods according to previously reported literatures. (Method 1: 800 rpm, 15 minute, single centrifuge; Method 2: 1000 rpm, 10 minute, double centrifuge; Method 3: 3000 rpm, 4min and 2500 rpm, 8 min, double centrifuge). Platelet counts were evaluated in an automated machine before and after PRP fabrications. In terms of growth factor assay, prepared PRP were activated with 100 unit thrombin and 10% calcium chloride. Growth factor (PDGF-BB, VEGF) concentrations on incubation time were determined by sandwich-ELISA technique. Results: An average of 3ml (via infraorbital venous plexus) to 15ml (via celiac axis) the rat blood could be collected. By using Method 3 (3000 rpm, 4 min and 2500 rpm, 8 min, double centrifugation), around 1.5ml of PRP could be prepared. This method allowed us to concentrate platelet 3.77-fold on average. PDGF-BB concentration (mean, 1942.10 pg/ml after 1 hour incubation) and VEGF concentration (mean, 952.71 pg/ml after 1 hour incubation) in activated PRP were higher than those in untreated blood. Also PDGF-BB showed constant concentration during 4-hour incubation, while VEGF concentration was decreased after 1 hour. Conclusion: Total 11,000 g minute separation and condensation double centrifuge method can produce efficient platelet-rich plasma. Platelet-rich plasma activated with thrombin has showed higher concentrations of growth factors such as PDGF-BB and VEGF, compared to the control group. Platelet-rich plasma model in a rat model was confirmed in this study.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.2
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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 Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2013

Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) have therapeutic potential, including the ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple lineages. Understanding of molecular mechanisms of stem cell differentiation is important for improving the therapeutic efficacies of stem cell transplantation. In this study, we determined the role of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT5) in the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. The down-regulation of NFAT5 expression by the transfection of a specific siRNA significantly inhibited osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs and decreased the activity of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) promoter without affecting their proliferation and adipogenic differentiation. The inhibition of NFAT5 expression inhibited the basal and Tumor Necrosis Factor ${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) induced activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, but it did not affect TNF-${\alpha}$-induced degradation of the $I{\kappa}B$ protein. These findings indicate that NFAT5 plays an important role in the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs through the modulation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-328
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• 2020

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a calcium-dependent zinccontaining collagenase, is involved in the initial degradation of native fibrillar collagen. Tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is rapidly produced by dermal fibroblasts, monocytes/macrophages, and keratinocytes and regulates inflammation and damaged-tissue remodeling. MMP-1 is induced by TNFα and plays a critical role in tissue remodeling and skin aging processes. However, the regulation of the MMP1 gene by TNFα is not fully understood. We aimed to find additional cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of TNFα-induced MMP1 gene transcription in addition to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP1) sites. Assessments of the 5'-regulatory region of the MMP1 gene, using a series of deletion constructs, revealed the requirement of the early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)-binding sequence (EBS) in the proximal region for proper transcription by TNFα. Ectopic expression of EGR-1, a zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to G-C rich sequences, stimulated MMP1 promoter activity. The silencing of EGR-1 by RNA interference reduced TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression. EGR-1 directly binds to the proximal region and transactivates the MMP1 gene promoter. Mutation of the EBS within the MMP1 promoter abolished EGR-1-mediated MMP-1 promoter activation. These data suggest that EGR-1 is required for TNFα-induced MMP1 transcriptional activation. In addition, we found that all three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase, mediate TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression via EGR-1 upregulation. These results suggest that EGR-1 may represent a good target for the development of pharmaceutical agents to reduce inflammation-induced MMP-1 expression.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.39
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• pp.8.1-8.8
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• 2017

Background: For an effective bone graft for reconstruction of the maxillofacial region, an adequate vascular network will be required to supply blood, osteoprogenitor cells, and growth factors. We previously reported that the secretomes of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-CM) contain numerous growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can affect the cellular characteristics and behavior of regenerating bone cells. We hypothesized that angiogenesis is an important step for bone regeneration, and VEGF is one of the crucial factors in MSC-CM that would enhance its osteogenic potential. In the present study, we focused on VEGF in MSC-CM and evaluated the angiogenic and osteogenic potentials of MSC-CM for bone regeneration. Methods: Cytokines in MSC-CM were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with MSC-CM or MSC-CM with anti-VEGF antibody (MSC-CM + anti-VEGF) for neutralization, and tube formation was evaluated. For the evaluation of bone and blood vessel formation with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and for the histological and immunohistochemical analyses, a rat calvarial bone defect model was used. Results: The concentrations of IGF-1, VEGF, and $TGF-{\beta}1$ in MSC-CM were $1515.6{\pm}211.8pg/mL$, $465.8{\pm}108.8pg/mL$, and $339.8{\pm}14.4pg/mL$, respectively. Tube formation of HUVECs, bone formation, and blood vessel formation were increased in the MSC-CM group but decreased in the MSC-CM + anti-VEGF group. Histological findings suggested that new bone formation in the entire defect was observed in the MSC-CM group although it was decreased in the MSC-CM + anti-VEGF group. Immunohistochemistry indicated that angiogenesis and migration of endogenous stem cells were much more abundant in the MSC-CM group than in the MSC-CM + anti-VEGF group. Conclusions: VEGF is considered a crucial factor in MSC-CM, and MSC-CM is proposed to be an adequate therapeutic agent for bone regeneration with angiogenesis.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.229-246
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• 1997

Implantation is a most important biological process during pregnancy whereby conceptus establishes its survival as well as maintenance of pregnancy. During the periimplantation period, both uterine endometriurn and conceptus synthesize and secrete a host of growth factors and cytokines which mediate the actions of estrogen and /or progesterone and also exert their steroid-independent actions. Growth factors expressed by the materno-conceptal unit en masse have important roles in cell migration, stimulation or inhibition of cell proliferation, cellular differentiation, maintenance of pregnancy and materno-conceptal communications in an autorcrine /paracrine manner. The present review focuses on the role of the intrauterine IGF system during periimplantation conceptus development. The IGF system comprises of IGF- I and IGF- II ligands, types I and II IGF receptors and six or more IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs). IGFs and IGFBPs are expressed and secreted by uterine endometrium with tissue, pregnancy stage and species specificities under the influence of estrogen, progesterone and other growth factor(s). Conceptus also synthesizes components of the IGF system beginning from a period between 2-cell and blastocyst stages. Maternal IGFs are utilized by both maternal and conceptal tissues; conceptus-derived growth factors are believed to be taken up primarily by conceptus. IGFs enhance the development of both maternal and conceptal compartments in a wide range of biological processes. They stimulate proliferation and differentiation of endometrial cells and placental precursor cells including decidual transformation from stromal cells, placental formation and the synthesis of some steroid and protein hormones by differentiated endometrial cells or placenta. It is also well-documented in a number of experimental settings that both IGFs stimulate preimplantation embryo development. In slight contrast to these, prenatal mice carrying a null mutation of IGF and /or IGF receptor gene do not exhibit any apparent growth retardation until after implantation. Reason (s) for this discrepancy between the knock-out result and the in vitro ones, however, is not known. IGFBPs, in general, are believed to inhibit IGF action within the materno-conceptal unit, thereby allowing endometrial stromal cell differentiation as well as dampening ex cessive placental invasion into maternal tissue. There is evidence, however, indicating that IGFBP can enhance IGF action depending on environrnental conditions perhaps by directioning IGF ligand to the target cell. There is also a third possibility that certain IGFBPs and their proteolytic fragments may have their own biological activities independent of the IGF. In addition to IGFBPs, IGFBP proteases including those found within the uterine tissue or lumen are thought to enhance IGF bioavailability by degrading their substrates without affecting their bound ligand. In this regard, preliminary results in early pregnant pigs suggest that a partially characterized IGFBP protease activity in uterine luminal fluid enhances intrauterine IGF bioavailability during conceptus morphological development. In summary, a number of in vitro results indicate that IGFs stimulates the development of the rnaterno-conceptal unit during the periimplantation period. IGFBPs appear to inhibit IGF action by sequestering their ligands, whereas IGFBP proteases are thought to enhance intrauterine bioavailability of IGFs. Much is remaining to be clarified, however, regarding the roles of the individual IGF system components. These include in vivo evidence for the role of IGFs in early conceptus development, identification of IGF-regulated genes and their functions, specific roles for individual IGFBPs, identification and characterization of IGFBP proteases. The intrauterine IGF club house thus will be paying a lot of attention to forthcoming results in above and other areas, with its door wide-open!