• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.432-441
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• 2024

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.206-215
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• 2024

Objectives: The current in vitro study aimed to assess the effects of ascorbic acid augmented albumin platelet-rich fibrin (AA Alb-PRF) on the wound healing activity of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) purported to be a regenerative biomaterial in surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: All assays were performed on three HGF groups, group I: complete media; group II: Alb-PRF, and group III: AA Alb-PRF. Alb-PRF was prepared following the protocol by Fujioka-Kobayashi et al. (2021). For preparation of AA Alb-PRF, 2,500 ㎍ AA was added to the blood pre-centrifugation. All groups were subjected to 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to estimate cell viability and proliferation, scratch assay for migration (0, 4, 12, and 24 hours) and transwell migration assay for chemotactic migration assessment (24 hours). Outcome variables were optical density (OD) for MTT assay, percentage of wound closure in scratch assay, and number of migrated cells in transwell migration assay. One-way ANOVA for MTT and transwell migration assays and two-way ANOVA for scratch assay with Bonferroni correction were performed with significance set at P<0.05. Results: Cell viability and proliferation (OD: 0.684±0.003 and proliferation: 28%) and wound closure (49.92%±1.62% at 4 hours and 61.39%±0.88% at 12 hours) were significantly higher in group III, while group II demonstrated the maximum number of HGFs migrating across the transwell membrane (9.25±2.49) with P<0.05. Conclusion: HGFs demonstrated a significant increase in viability and proliferation along with rapid wound closure in the presence AA Alb-PRF compared to Alb-PRF alone, indicating additional beneficial effects of AA. Thus, AA Alb-PRF potentiates the wound healing activity of HGFs and could be employed in oral, maxillofacial, and periodontal surgeries as a regenerative biomaterial.

• International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1641-1652
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• 2019

Conditioned media from various sources comprise numerous growth factors and cytokines and are known to promote the regeneration of damaged tissues. Among these, natural killer cell conditioned medium (NK-CdM) has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis and the migration of fibroblasts during the wound healing process. With a long-term aim of developing a treatment for skin photoaging, the ability of NK-CdM to prevent ultraviolet-B (UV-B) damage was assessed in neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) and an in vitro reconstructed skin model. The factors present in NK-CdM were profiled using an antibody array analysis. Protein and mRNA levels in UV-B exposed NHDFs treated with NK-CdM were measured by western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, respectively. The total antioxidant capacity of NK-CdM was determined to assess its ability to suppress reactive oxygen species. The anti-photoaging effect of NK-CdM was also assessed in a 3D reconstituted human full skin model. NK-CdM induced proliferation of UV-B-treated NHDFs, increased procollagen expression, and decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression. NK-CdM also exhibited a potent antioxidant activity as measured by the total antioxidant capacity. NK-CdM inhibited UV-B-induced collagen degradation by inactivating MAPK signaling. NK-CdM also elicited potential anti-wrinkle effects by inhibiting the UV-B-induced increase in MMP-1 expression levels in a 3D reconstituted human full skin model. Taken together, the suppression of both UV-B-induced MMP-1 expression and JNK activation by NK-CdM suggests NK-CdM as a possible candidate anti-skin aging agent.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-30
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mixed extracts of aralia cortex and phellodendron cortex (P55A) on activities of human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells in vitro. First experiment was done to evaluate the effect of P55A in normal condition. In control group, the cells($4.5{\times}10^4$ cells/ml) were cultured with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium contained with 10% fetal bovine serum. In experimental groups, P55A was added to the above culture condition at the final concentrations of 0.1 ${\mu}g/ml$(Test group 1), 1 ${\mu}g/ml$(Test group 2) and 10 ${\mu}g/ml$(Test group 3). Then each group was tested for the cell proliferation rate at $\frac{1}{2}$, 2, 5 days, protein levels at 2, 5 days, and alkaline phosphatase activity at 2, 5 days. Second experiment was done to evaluate the effect of P55A in high glucose condition. 200 mg/dl glucose was added to the same culture condition of all groups in first experiment. Then each group was tested for the cell proliferation rate at $\frac{1}{2}$ , 2, 5 days, protein levels at 2, 5 days, and alkaline phoaphatase activity at 2, 5 days. The results were as follows ; 1. First experiment 1) As P55A concentration increased, cell proliferation rate increased significantly in test group 2 at 2 days, and test group 2 and 3 at 5 days in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells(P<0.05). 2) In human gingival fibroblasts, all test groups showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 5 days. In periodontal ligament cells, test group 2 and 3 showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 2, 5 days(P<0.05). 3) Alkaline phosphatase activity of human periodontal ligament cells increased as P55A concentration increased. The test group 2 and 3 showed significant increase as compared to control group at 5 days(P<0.05). 2. Second experiment 1) As P55A concentration increased, cell proliferation rate increased significantly in test group 2 at 2 days, and test group 2 and 3 at 5 days in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells(P<0.05). 2) In human gingival fibroblasts, test group 3 showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 2 days, and all test groups at 5 days. In periodontal ligament cells, test group 2 and 3 showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 2, 5 days(P<0.05). 3) Alkaline phosphatase activity of human periodontal ligament cells increased as P55A concentration increased. The test group 2 and 3 showed significant increase as compared to control group at 2 days, and all test groups at 5 days(P<0.05). From the above results, mixed extracts of aralia cortex and phellodendron cortex appeared to enhance cellular activities including cell proliferation rate, protein levels and alkaline phosphatase activity of human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells in normal and high glucose condition. This study suggests that mixed extracts of aralia cortex and phellodendron cortex seem to be able to subside the inflammation of periodontal tissue and regenerate the destructed periodontal tissue.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2018

Previous studies to elucidate the etiology of cyclosporine(Cs)-induced gingival overgrowth in children have not completely excluded all factors that may cause differences among individuals. This study examined the effect of cyclosporine on the metabolism of type 1 collagen(CoL-I) in experimental models that controlled the effects of biological variations on individuals. Five 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered Cs by gastric feeding for 6 weeks. Gingival specimens were harvested from the mandibular posterior area before beginning Cs administration and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks thereafter. Gingival fibroblasts were cultured from all the 20 biopsies collected from the gingiva. Half of the fibroblasts collected prior to the Cs administration were designated as Control. The other half of the fibroblasts were treated with Cs in vitro and called in vitro test group(Tt). The fibroblasts collected 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the Cs administration were called in vivo test groups : T2, T4, T6, respectively. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to detect CoL-I in all the fibroblasts. CoL-I was analyzed at both the gene and protein expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Changes in CoL-I before and after Cs treatment were evaluated from the gingiva of each rat. There was no significant difference in gene expression of CoL-I in the control and test groups. CoL-I protein expression levels of fibroblasts increased in in vitro Cs treatment for each individual, and also increased in in vivo Cs treatment. In this study, the experimental method that control biological variations that can occur due to differences among individuals was useful. Subsequent studies on other factors besides CoL-I and in-depth studies in humans are needed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1998

Pathophysiological mechanism of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is not fully understood. Major clinical findings of HFRS patients are widespread hemorrhage, acute renal failure and shock. Basic lesion is vascular injury with microvascular hemorrhage and relatively little inflammation. According to autopsy findings, renal medulla shows focal hemorrhage, tubular necrosis and interstitial mononuclear infiltrates. The predominant cell type in the renal and pulmonary interstitium is a fibroblast and it participates in the healing process at the injury site by secreting a large amount of extracellular matrix proteins. Cultured human lung fibroblasts and Mongolian gerbil fibroblasts were known to be good host cells for the hantaan virus. It is possible that not only the endothelial cell but also the fibroblast is a target of Hantaan virus and the fibroblast might be involved in the pathogenesis and the healing process in HFRS. Integrins are adhesion molecules, and act as receptors for many extracellular matrix proteins. Recently, there are many reports that cell surface integrins influence on some viral infections or reversely viruses influence on the expression of integrins. The ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin is a major receptor for the fibronectin which is an important extracellular matrix protein secreted by fibroblasts. In this study, the role of ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin in the infection of Hantaan virus was examined by using anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin, anti-${\alpha}_5$ integrin and anti-${\beta}_1$, integrin antibodies in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and Mongolian gerbil fibroblasts(MGF). The treatment of anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin antibody in CEF reduced the virion titers 26.8% and the amount of nucleocapsid N protein 32.6% when compared with control CEF. When MGF were treated with anti-${\alpha}_5$, anti-${\beta}_1$ and anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin antibodies, virion titers were reduced by 26.5%, 29.4% and 28.7% and the amount of nucleocapsid N protein were reduced by 65.2%, 59.7% and 72.6%. These results suggested that ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin might act as a receptor for the Hantaan virus or blocking of ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin influences on the viral replication in CEF and MGF. It is also possible that the blocking of only one subunit of integrin represents similar results in that of whole molecule.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2016

Nucleotide metabolism in endothelium is variable between different species. Recent studies demonstrated that this variability could contribute coagulation dysfunction, even though organs of the alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout pig were transplanted into the primate. CD73 (ecto-5'-nucelotidase) is an enzyme at cell surface catalyzing the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate to adenosine, which plays role on a substance for anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant. Thus, overexpression of CD73 in endothelial cells of the pig is considered as an approach to reduce coagulopathy. In this study, we constructed a human CD73 expression vector under control of porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD73), which is expressed specifically at endothelial cells, and of CMV promoter as a control (CMV-CD73). First, we transfected the CMV-CD73 vector into HEK293 cells, and then confirmed CD73 expression at cell surface by flow cytometry analysis. Next, we transfected the pIcma2-CD73 and CMV-CD73 vectors into primary porcine fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Consequence was that the pIcma2-CD73 vector was expressed only at the porcine endothelial cells, meaning that the pIcam2 promoter lead to endothelial cell-specific expression of CD73 in vitro. Finally, we nucleofected the pIcam2-hCD73 vector into passage 3 fibroblasts, and enforced hygromycin selection of 400mg/ml. We were able to obtain forty three colonies harboring pIcam2-CD73 to provide donor cells for transgenic cloned porcine production.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.677-693
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• 1999

Extracellular matrix component is degraded by enzymes of thematrix metalloproteinases(MMPs). MMPs are produced by both hemopoietic and structural cells. Increased activity of MMP-3 in periodontium is strongly associated with inflammatory periodontal disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of tetracycline analogues on the activity of MMP-3. Tetracycline-HCl, doxycycline-HCl, and minocycline-HCl were applied to huamn gingival fibroblasts at various concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200${\mu}g$/ml, and 1 hour later IL-$1{\beta}$ of 25ng/ml was added. After incubation for 24 hours the cells were reacted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using proMMP-3 ELISA kit. The optical density was measured by microwell plate reader at 450nm. The relative activity of MMP-3 was calculated as the percentage of the optical density of each experimental group to that of the control. The difference of the optical density and the relative activity of MMP-3 between the experimental groups and the control wasstatistically analyzed by one way ANOVA. The results were as follows: 1. Tetracycline-HCl showed the tendency to inhibit the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration lower than 25${\mu}g$/ml, but increased significantly the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration of 200${\mu}g$/ml(p<0.05). 2. Doxycycline-HCl inhibited significantly the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration lower than 100${\mu}g$/ml, but increased significantly the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration of 200${\mu}g$/ml(p<0.05). 3. Minocycline-HCl inhibited the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration in the range of 10 to 200${\mu}g$/ml. Within the limit of the present study, the above results suggested that the low concentration of tetracycline analogues could inhibit the activity of MMP-3 induced by IL-$1{\beta}$ in human gingival fibroblasts.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.151-160
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• 2000

The effect of concentration as factor in cytotoxicity, protein synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity was compared for pulpotomy medicaments (formaldehyde, formocresol, paraformaldehyde, ferric sulfate) Human pulp fibroblasts were exposed to a range of concentrations(0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, $1.00{\mu}l/ml$) of each agents, for period of 24hrs. The cell activities were evaluated by MTT assay, protein assay and alkaline phosphatase activity examination. The results as follows : 1. After 24hrs culture, pulp fibroblasts adding formaldehyde, formocresol and paraformaldehyde were suppressed cell activities with concentration increasing, but, no depression of cell activities by ferric sulfate. No significant difference was in formaldehyde, formocresol and paraformaldehyde. 2. Protein synthesis by pulpotomy agents were not significant difference in pulp fibroblasts but protein synthesis were a little decreased by paraformaldehyde. 3. Alkaline phosphatase activity was a little decreased by pulpotomy medicaments.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.13-30
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• 1998

Geraniol (1), olivetol (2), cannabinoids (3 and 4) and 5-fluorou.a.il (5). were tested for their growth inhibitory effects against SK-MEL-3 cell lines using two different 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and sulforhodamine B protein (SRB) assay. These compounds showed inhibitory activity in vitro in the micromolar range against SK-MEL-3 cell lines. In general, the antitumor activity of these compounds (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) was in a dose-dependent over the micromolar concentration range $1\;to\;100{\mu}M$. The comparison of $IC_{50}$ values of these compounds in tumor cell lines shows that their susceptibility to these compounds decrease in the following order : OLVTL > CBG > CBD > 5-FU > CRNL in MTT assay, CBG > OLVTL > CBD > GRNL > 5-FU in SRB assay. Cannabinoids (3 and 4) and 5-fluorouracil (5) were tested for their cytotoxic effects on NIH 373 fibroblasts using two different MTT assay and SRB assay. These compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic activities in vitro in the micromolar range against NIH 373 fibroblasts. In general, the cytotoxic activities of these compounds (3, 4 and 5) were in a dose-dependent over the micromolar concentration range $1\;to\;100{\mu}M$. The comparison of $CD_{50}$ values of these compounds on NIH 373 fibroblasts shows that their susceptibility to these compounds decrease on the following order ; CBD > 5-FU > CBG in MTT assay and SRB assay. Cannabigerol (3) was shown the least cytotoxic activity on NIH 373 fibroblasts. Cannabigerol (3) exhibited the most growth-inhibitory activity against SK-MEL-3 cell lines.