• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.112-123
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The biocompatibility and bio-adhesive property of a dental implant abutment are important for proper soft tissue healing and maintenance of osseointegration of implant. However, studies of soft tissue healing and mucosal attachment of various materials of implant abutment other than titanium are still needed. In this study, cell attachment, proliferation, cytotoxicity of human gingival fibroblast for ceramic, gold alloy, Ni-Cr alloy and, commercially available pure titanium as a control were evaluated, using MTS and scanning electron microscopy. Materials and Methods: Specimen was designed to disc, 4mm diameter and 1mm thickness, made of ceramic, gold alloy, Ni-Cr alloy and commercially available pure titanium. Primary culture of human gingival fibroblasts were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics. Cells were inoculated in the multiwell plates placed the specimen disc. Cell Titer 96 AQucous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay were done after 1hour 3hours, 24hours, 3days, 5days of incubation. The discs were processed for scanning electron micrography to evaluate cell attachment and morphologic change. Results: The results were obtained as fellows. 1. The ceramic showed high cell attachment and proliferation and low cytotoxicity, which is as much bioadhesive and biocompatible as titanium. 2. The gold alloy represented limited proliferation of human gingival fibroblast and the highest cytotoxicity among tested materials (p<0.05). 3. The Ni-Cr alloy limited the proliferaion of the human gingival fibroblast compared to titanium(p<0.05) but cytotoxicity on the bottom of well was not so considerable, compared to titanium. 4. On the scanning electron micrographs , the ceramic showed good attachment and proliferation of human gingival fibroblast, which was similar to titanium. But gold alloy and Ni-Cr alloy showed the shrinkage of gingival fibroblast both after 24 hours and 3 days. On 5th day, small amount of the human gingival fibroblast proliferation was observed on the Ni-Cr alloy, while the shrinkage of gingival fibroblast was still observed on the gold alloy. Conclusions: These results suggest that the ceramic abutment is as biocompatible as titanium to make proper mucosal seal. The gold alloy has a high cytotoxicity to limit proliferation of gingival fibroblast, which suggest limited use on the anterior tooth where soft tissue healing is recommeded.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2006

Natural product compounds are the source of numerous therapeutic agents. The marine environment produces natural products from a variety of structural classes exhibiting activity against numerous disease targets including anticancer agents. Among these, pectenotoxin-2 (PTX-2), which was first identified as a cytotoxic entity in marine sponges, which depolymerizes actin filaments, was found to be highly effective and more potent to activate an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in p53-deficient tumor cells compared to those with functional p53 both in vitro and in vivo. However, the anti-proliferative mechanism of the compound at non-cytotoxic concentrations has not yet been explored. In the current study, we sought to investigate anti-proliferation and apoptosis of PTX-2 against U937 human leukemic cells and its underlying molecular mechanism. Exposure of U937 cells to PTX-2 resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay, fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometric analysis. The anti-proliferative effect of PTX-2 was associated with a marked increase in the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase p21 (WAF1/CIP1) mRNA which was tumor suppressor p53-independent. The increase in apoptosis was connected with a time-dependent down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) family such as XIAP and cIAP-2. Though additional studies are needed, these findings suggested that PTX-2-induced inhibition of U937 cells was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death and the results provided important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of PTX-2.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.13 no.8
• /
• pp.3785-3791
• /
• 2012

Dissolved oxygen is one of the most important factors controlling growth in aquatic organisms. Hypoxia is generally defined as dissolved oxygen less than 2.8 mg $O_2/L$ (equivalent to 2 mL $O_2/L$ or 91.4 mM). Therefore, hypoxia zone can cause a serious problem in marine ecosystem. In this study, to investigate embryotoxic (fertilization and embryo development rates) effects of hypoxia on sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus were exposed to dissolved oxygen levels of 7.6 mg $O_2/L$ (normoxia) and 1.8 mg $O_2/L$ (hypoxia) for 2 days at $15^{\circ}C$ and 33 ‰. Also, Expression levels of stress related gene (HSP70) and antioxidant related gene (glutathione reductase) in the sea urchins exposed to hypoxia were confirmed by Immunoblotting and RT-PCR analysis. In results, we showed that developmental rates were dramatically reduced in hypoxia condition. Molecular analysis demonstrated that higher HSP70 (5.5 fold) and glutathione reductase gene (2.79 fold) were present in the sea urchin exposed to hypoxia. Our results suggested that hypoxia can cause the abnormal development and elicits a stress and antioxidant response on sea urchin.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2019

We investigated the fermentation conditions for extracts of leave/branches and sap from Korean Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) using Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) ilchiwhangchil 1785 and L. plantarum ilchiwhangchil 2020. Log growth phase cultured L. plantarum ilchiwhangchil 1785 and L. plantarum ilchiwhangchil 2020 were used for fermentation. The pH and growth of the microorganisms in broth were monitored during the fermentation period. The results revealed that the optimum fermentation conditions for 20 wt% of leave/branches extracts and 1 wt% of sap extract was 2 days incubation at $37^{\circ}C$. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method and a disk diffusion assay were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the fermented extracts of the leave/branches and sap against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial activity increased in all three strains grown on the medium containing fermented extracts of the leave/branches and sap as compared with that of the strains grown on medium containing non fermented extracts. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity increased in proportion to the contents of the fermented extracts. Our data suggest that fermented extracts of leave/branches and sap of D. morbifera have applications as natural bio functional materials, such as preservatives, cosmetic materials, and natural packaging materials.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.19 no.12
• /
• pp.62-70
• /
• 2018

In this study, we synthesized Oligo Peptide (Lys-Val-Ala-Arg-Pro: KVARP) and peptide derivatives using Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis(SPPS). KVARP was commonly known to improve whitening of skin. We measured bio-activity of the synthesized compounds. The whitening effect was measured in tyrosinase inhibition and the result showed to be highly effective with 93% inhibition rate at $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Geranic-KVARP, on the other hand the IC50 value was $68{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The wrinkle-reducing effect was measured by elastase inhibition at a concentration of 63% at $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Salicylic-KVARP, and the IC50 value was $253{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. In the DPPH assay, Caffeic-KVARP showed more than 95% antioxidant activity at $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with high concentration and IC50 value was $31{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nitric Oxide inhibition was 67% at $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Lipoic-KVARP. Therefore, the four types of KVARP derivative that were synthesized from various experiments has shown that it could have potential to be used to develop new medicines, cosmetics as well as in various industries.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2023

Background: Hyperactivated airway mucosa cells overproduce mucin and cause severe breathing complications. Here, we aimed to identify the effects of saponins derived from Panax ginseng on inflammation and mucin overproduction. Methods: NCI-H292 cells were pre-incubated with 16 saponins derived from P. ginseng, and mucin overproduction was induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mucin protein MUC5AC was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, we performed a transcriptome analysis of PMA-treated NCI-H292 cells in the absence or presence of Rg5, and differential gene expression was confirmed using qPCR. Phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, and the abundance of lipid droplets, were measured by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 effectively reduced MUC5AC secretion and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels. A systematic functional network analysis revealed that Rg5 upregulated cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism, resulting in the production of lipid droplets to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory responses. Rg5 induced the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased cellular ROS levels, and N-acetyl-ⳑ-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor, reduced MUC5AC secretion via Rg5. Furthermore, Rg5 hampered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 proteins, affecting the NF-kB signaling pathway and pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Rg5 alleviated inflammatory responses by reducing mucin secretion and promoting lipid droplet-mediated ROS clearance. Therefore, Rg5 may have potential as a therapeutic agent to alleviate respiratory disorders caused by hyperactivation of mucosa cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.337-346
• /
• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rb2, a major active component of Panax ginseng, has various physiological activities, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms underlying the rejuvenation effect of Rb2 in human skin cells have not been elucidated. Methods: We performed a senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining assay to confirm cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The regulatory effects of Rb2 on autophagy were evaluated by analyzing the expression of autophagy marker proteins, such as microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain (LC) 3 and p62, using immunoblotting. Autophagosome and autolysosome formation was monitored using transmission electron microscopy. Autophagic flux was analyzed using tandem-labeled GFP-RFP-LC3, and lysosomal function was assessed with Lysotracker. We performed RNA sequencing to identify potential target genes related to HDF rejuvenation mediated by Rb2. To verify the functions of the target genes, we silenced them using shRNAs. Results: Rb2 decreased β-galactosidase activity and altered the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in senescent HDFs. Rb2 markedly induced the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and LC3 puncta. Moreover, Rb2 increased lysosomal function and red puncta in tandem-labeled GFP-RFP-LC3, which indicate that Rb2 promoted autophagic flux. RNA sequencing data showed that the expression of DNA damage-regulated autophagy modulator 2 (DRAM2) was induced by Rb2. In autophagy signaling, Rb2 activated the AMPK-ULK1 pathway and inactivated mTOR. DRAM2 knockdown inhibited autophagy and Rb2-restored cellular senescence. Conclusion: Rb2 reverses cellular senescence by activating autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR pathway and induction of DRAM2, suggesting that Rb2 might have potential value as an antiaging agent.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.471-480
• /
• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the regulation relationship of Ten-eleven translocation 1 (Tet1) in DNA demethylation and the proliferation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in chickens. Methods: siRNA targeting Tet1 was used to transiently knockdown the expression of Tet1 in chicken PGCs, and the genomic DNA methylation status was measured. The proliferation of chicken PGCs was detected by flow cytometry analysis and cell counting kit-8 assay when activation or inhibition of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway. And the level of DNA methylation and hisotne methylation was also tested. Results: Results revealed that knockdown of Tet1 inhibited the proliferation of chicken PGCs and downregulated the mRNA expression of Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), as well as pluripotency-associated genes (Nanog, PouV, and Sox2). Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the population of PGCs in Tet1 knockdown group displayed a significant decrease in the proportion of S and G2 phase cells, which meant that there were less PGCs entered the mitosis process than that of control. Furthermore, Tet1 knockdown delayed the entrance to G1/S phase and this inhibition was rescued by treated with BIO. Consistent with these findings, Wnt/β-catenin signaling was inactivated in Tet1 knockdown PGCs, leading to aberrant proliferation. Further analysis showed that the methylation of the whole genome increased significantly after Tet1 downregulation, while hydroxyl-methylation obviously declined. Meanwhile, the level of H3K27me3 was upregulated and H3K9me2 was downregulated in Tet1 knockdown PGCs, which was achieved by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion: These results suggested that the self-renewal of chicken PGCs and the maintenance of their characteristics were regulated by Tet1 mediating DNA demethylation through the activation of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.298-303
• /
• 2020

This study aimed to investigate possible applications of Rodgersia podophylla in the food and cosmetic industry. Ethanol extracts of leaves (RP-L), branches (RP-B), and root (RP-R) were prepared, and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities were evaluated. The polyphenol content in the RP-R, RP-L, and RP-B extracts was 79.6, 30.4, and 16.9 mg/g, respectively. An antimicrobial activity assay showed that the RP-L and RP-R extracts exhibited strong growth inhibition of pathogenic and food spoilage Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, the RP-R extract inhibited the growth of the Gramnegative E. coli and P. vulgaris bacteria. All extracts showed strong scavenging activity for DPPH, ABTS, nitrite, and reducing power determined by A 700 nm. In particular, the RC₅₀s of the RP-R extract for the DPPH anion and ABTS cation were 23.0-29.7 and 15.0-18.2 ㎍/ml, respectively, which are comparable to those of vitamin C (9.8 and 8.0 ㎍/ml, respectively). An activity assay of α-glucosidase and β-amylase suggested a high potential for the RP-R extract as an anti-diabetic agent. Its inhibition levels of α-glucosidase and β-amylase at 0.5 mg/ml were 6.9 and 48.5%, respectively. This is the first report of the antimicrobial and anti-diabetic activities of R. podophylla. Our results suggest that RP-L and RP-R extracts could be developed as novel cosmeceutical and functional food resources.