• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.407-415
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• 1986

This study investigated whether a correlation exists between environmental physical and biochemical factors and adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells by using normal and UV-irradiated strains. The results were as follows: 1. The percentage of germ tube forming activities of normal Candida albicans was 91.5% and UV-irradiated Candida albicans was 15.0%. The $LD_{50}$ of normal strains in mice were $1.0{\times}10\;cells/ml$, but could not be observed in the UV-irradiated strains even with $1.0{\times}10\;cells/ml$. It demonstrated that the virulence is decreased in the UV-irradiated strain. 2. The adherence of normal Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells($166{\pm}29{\sim}207{\pm}17\;cells$/100 epithelial cells) was significantly greater than UV-irradiated Candida albicans($99{\pm}21{\sim}131{\pm}25\;cells$/100 epithelial cells). 3. Candida albicans cultured at $37^{\circ}C$ adhered to buccal epithelial cells($166{\pm}16{\sim}207{\pm}17\;cells$/100 epithelial cells) in greater numbers than cultured at $25^{\circ}C$($80{\pm}15{\sim}143{\pm}22\;cells$/100 epithelial cells). 4. On comparison of the adherence of viable and nonviable(heat-killed) Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells, the nonviable Candida albicans demonstrated poorer adherence than viable Candida albicans. 5. Adherence in vitro of Candida albicans to human epithelial cells appeared to be effected by the pH. The adherence ability was maximum increased at pH 7.0($187{\pm}22\;cells$/100 epithelial cells) other than experimental pH. 6. The adherence was proportional to the incubation time and the Candida cell concentration in the suspension. 7. A strong correlation was shown between germ tube forming activity and increased adherence of Candida albicans to human epithelial cells, indicating that germ tube forming activity were responsible for candidal virulence.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.763-770
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• 1998

A number of substances involved in the proliferation and differentiation of the tracheobronchial epithelium have been identified. The defects in the control of the proliferation and differentiation of tracheobronchial epithelial cells appear to constitute crucial steps in the transition of normal cells to neoplastic ones. Endothelin-1 is produced by tracheal epithelial cells, and its receptors are present in tracheal epithelial cells. However, the effect of endothelin-1 on the proliferation and differentiation of tracheal epithelial cells has not been clearly elucidated. This study was undertaken to investigate these actions of endothelin-1 in primary cultured cells of rat tracheal epithelia. Endothelin-1 stimulated proliferation of tracheal epithelial cells 1.5-fold when compared with that of control cells. Endothelin-1 increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity. Herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibited endothelin-1-induced proliferation of epithelial cells. The treatment of endothelin-1 during the primary culture of tracheal epithelial cells increased AB-PAS-stained cell population and ciliated cell population 6.5 fold and 1.5 fold, respectively, when compared with those in control cells. The responsiveness to carbachol and forskolin in the $Cl^-$ secretion was increased 1.7 and 1.9 fold, respectively, in the endothelin-treated epithelial cells. These results indicated that endothelin-1 increases proliferation via MAPK pathway and stimulates differentiation to secretory and ciliated cells in rat tracheal epithelial cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.562-567
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• 2014

Human Hertwig's epithelial root sheath/epithelial rests of Malassez (HERS/ERM) cells are epithelial remnants of teeth residing in the periodontium. Although the functional roles of HERS/ERM cells have yet to be elucidated, they are a unique epithelial cell population in adult teeth and are reported to have stem cell characteristics. Therefore, HERS/ERM cells might play a role as an epithelial component for the repair or regeneration of dental hard tissues; however, they are very rare population in periodontium and the primary isolation of them is considered to be difficult. To overcome these problems, we immortalized primary HERS/ERM cells isolated from human periodontium using SV40 large T antigen (SV40 LT) and performed a characterization of the immortalized cell line. Primary HERS/ERM cells could not be maintained for more than 6 passages; however, immortalized HERS/ERM cells were maintained for more than 20 passages. There were no differences in the morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of HERS/ERM cells and immortalized HERS/ERM cells. The expression of epithelial stem cell and embryonic stem cell markers was maintained in immortalized HERS/ERM cells. Moreover, immortalized HERS/ERM cells could acquire mesenchymal phenotypes through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition via TGF-${\beta}1$. In conclusion, we established an immortalized human HERS/ERM cell line with SV40 LT and expect this cell line to contribute to the understanding of the functional roles of HERS/ERM cells and the tissue engineering of teeth.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2024

Background: In healthy dentin conditions, odontoblasts have an important role such as protection from invasion of pathogens. In mammalian teeth, progenitors such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can migrate and differentiate into odontoblast-like cells, leading to the formation of reparative dentin. For differentiation using stem cells, it is crucial to provide conditions similar to the complex and intricate in vivo environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of differentiation into odonto/osteoblasts, and compare co-culture with/without epithelial cells. Methods: MSCs and epithelial cells were successfully isolated from dental tissues. We investigated the influences of epithelial cells on the differentiation process of dental pulp stem cells into odonto/osteoblasts using co-culture systems. The differentiation potential with/without epithelial cells was analyzed for the expression of specific markers and calcium contents. Results: Differentiated odonto/osteoblast derived from dental pulp tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells with/without epithelial cells were evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunostaining, calcium content, and ALP staining. The expression of odonto/osteoblast-specific markers, calcium content, and ALP staining intensity were significantly increased in differentiated cells. Moreover, the odonto/osteogenic differentiation capacity with epithelial cells co-culture was significantly higher than without epithelial cells co-culture. Conclusions: These results suggest that odonto/osteogenic differentiation co-cultured with epithelial cells has a more efficient application.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.93-106
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• 1989

The species of the slug used in this experiment is the Korean terrestrial slug (Incilaria fruhstorferi), which is examined for the cytochemical and ultrastructural research on the mucous granule-producing cells and the epithelial cells. I. Epidermal tissue According to the part of the epidermal tissue of this slug, the epidermal tissue is divided into the mantle, the foot and the dorsal epidermis. These epidennal tissue are composed of the irregular simple columnar epithelium, which are formed into the sensory epithelial cells, the supporting epithelial cells, the mucous granule-producing cells, and the clear epithelial cells are similar to the sensory epithelial cells. Both the sensory epithelial cells and the supporting epithelial cells are observed between the mantle and the foot epidermis, but the clear epithelial cells are only seen in the dorsal epidermis. II. Mucous granule-producing cell The acid mucous granule-producing cells and the neutral mucous granule producing cells are observed between the irregular simple columnar epithelium of the mantle, the foot and the dorsal epidermis. According to the part of the epidermal tissue, the number of these mucous granule-producing epithelial cells are differently distributed between the epidermis respectively.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.691-698
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• 2008

Purpose: Periodontal pathogens can invade the host tissue. Morphologic studies have revealed bacteria within the pocket epithelium, gingival connective tissues, alveolar bone, and oral epithelium. The objective of this study was to visualize and evaluate presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia in crevicular epithelial cells of periodontally healthy subjects and chronic periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 666 crevicular epithelial cells in the samples obtained from 27 chronic periodontitis patients and 9 healthy volunteers were examined. Specific probes for P. gingivalis and T. forsythia and a universal probe for detection of all eubacteria targeting 168 rRNA for fluorescence in situ hybridization was used in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: 98.99% of sulcular epithelial cells from healthy volunteers and 84.40% of pocket epithelial cells from periodontitis patients were found to harbor bacteria. P. gingivalis and T. forsythia were discovered more often in crevicular epithelial cells from periodontitis patients. Conclusion: P. gingivalis and T. forsythia can invade crevicular epithelial cells and intracellular bacteria may act as a source of bacteria for persistent infection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2003

Effects of supplementation with ruminal epithelial cells on fiber-degrading activity and cell growth of Ruminococcus albus (R. albus, strain 7) was tested using a basal substrate of rice straw and formulated concentrate. Cultures of R. albus alone and R. albus with rumen protozoa were grown at $39^{\circ}C$ for 48 h with an 8.4% crude protein (CP) substrate, 33% of the CP supplemented with either ruminal epithelial cells or defatted soybean meal. The ruminal epithelial cells had lower amounts of rumen soluble and degradable protein fractions as compared to defatted soybean meal, as determined by an enzymatic method, and the same was found with amino acid composition of protein hydrolysates. Ruminal epithelial cells were directly utilized by the R. albus, and resulted in greater growth of cell-wall free bacteria compared to defatted soybean meal. The effect of epithelial cells on bacterial growth was enhanced by the presence of rumen protozoa. In consistency with cultures of R. albus and R. albus with rumen protozoa, fermentative parameters such as dry matter degradability and total volatile fatty acid did not differ between supplementation with ruminal epithelial cells or defatted soybean meal.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.345-362
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• 1998

In order to the comparative morphological study of the non-ciliated and ciliated epithelial cells, and to elucidate the process of degeneration of non-ciliated epithelial cell of the ductus epididymidis, Korean striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius coreae was examined with light and transmission electron microscopes. The morphological characteristics of non-ciliated epithelial cell, the cell types of the caput epididymidis (Cp), corpus epididymidis (Cr) and cauda epididymidis (Cu) were long-columnar, short-columnar and short-cuboudal, respectively. The mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum tended to be broken as they immigrated from Cp to the Cu. The Golgi acted vigorously at the Cp, but the Golgi was inactive in Cr and Cu. The secretory vesicles and lysosomes were increased gradually from Cp to the Cu. The process of degeneration of the non-ciliated epithelial cells observed in the Cp, Cr and Cu epididymidis. The increase of the non-ciliated epithelial cells, and its degeneration were observed more often from Cp to the Cu. The morphological characteristics of the ciliated epithelial cells, the cell types of the Cp, Cr and Cu were long-columnar, short-columnar and short-cuboudal, respecptively like the non-ciliated epithelial cells. The stereocilia was long and slender at the Cp and Cr, while Cu was very short. The pinocytotic vesicles and absorptive vesicles were increased from the Cp to the Cu. Numerous disintergrated products was existed at the Cr including the Cp, but Cu were not observed. A significant amount of lysosomes existed at the Cp and Cr epithelial cells, but they were not observed in Cu epithelial cells.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2009

Human placenta is abundant source of adult stem cells. Especially, amniotic epithelial cells have stem cell characteristics, expressing surface markers normally present on embryonic stem cells and germ cells. However, culturing and expanding amniotic epithelial cells in vitro without feeder cells are difficult due to endogenous characteristics of epithelial cells. In the present study, amniotic epithelial cells are isolated and proliferated in several passages by applying dithiothreitol and a Rho-associated kinase inhibitor in culture media. The cultured amniotic epithelial cells showed the epithelial and stem cell characteristics. In conclusion, human placenta-derived amniotic epithelial stem cells can be a major source of stem cells for medical treatment of various diseases without any controversial issues.