• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.530-538
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• 2006

There are three important components in tissue engineering: the cells, signaling factors (cytokines and growth factors), and scaffolds. To obtain finely engineered tissue, all three components should perform their individual functions and be fully integrated with each other. For the past few years, we have studied the characteristics of photodimerizable HA (CHA)/alginate (CA) composite materials. CHA/CA complex hydrogels, which were irradiated under UV light and, then treated with calcium ions, were found to have good biocompatibility, mechanical properties and water resistance for implantable tissue scaffolds. In this study, we introduced a cell growth factor (basic fibroblast growth factor; bFGF) into the CHA/CA scaffolds and studied its release behavior. We also introduced tetracycline hydrochloride and flurbiprofen into the same scaffolds as model activation factors and evaluated their release behaviors from the scaffolds. The drug release rate from the materials was influenced by various parameters, such as the degree of crosslinking, the cross linker type, the physico-chemical properties of the drug, and the amount of the drug in the polymer. The results indicated that the negatively charged CHA/CA composite materials showed sustained release behavior and that HA has a particularly strong negative charge, making it attractive toward tetracycline hydrochloride and bFGF, but repulsive toward flurbiprofen.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.1041-1048
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• 2018

Purpose: Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a key regulator of the heat shock response and plays an important role in various cancers. However, the role of HSF1 in gastric cancer is still unknown. The present study evaluated the function of HSF1 and related mechanisms in gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The expression levels of HSF1 in normal and gastric cancer tissues were compared using cDNA microarray data from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. The proliferation of gastric cancer cells was analyzed using the WST assay. Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to evaluate the migration and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells. Protein levels of HSF1 were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays from patients with gastric cancer. Results: HSF1 expression was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissue than in normal tissue. Knockdown of HSF1 reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, while HSF1 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, HSF1 promoted the proliferation of gastric cancer cells in vivo. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, high levels of HSF1 were associated with poor prognosis for patients with gastric cancer (p=0.028). Conclusion: HSF1 may be closely associated with the proliferation and motility of gastric cancer cells and poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Accordingly, HSF1 could serve as a prognostic marker for gastric cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.385-393
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• 2021

Tissue factor (TF) activates the coagulation system and has an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Our previous study stated that retinoid receptors (RAR-α and RXR-α) are released as a lipid droplet in monocrotaline/lipopolysaccharide-induced idiosyncratic liver toxicity in mice. Herein, the interdependence between the release of retinoid receptors RAR-α and RXR-α and TF in N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced mice liver toxicity, is investigated. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) level, platelet and white blood cells (WBCs) counts, protein expression of fibrin, TF, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3 in liver tissues are analyzed. In addition, histopathological evaluation and survival study are also performed. The results indicate that using of TF-antisense (TF-AS) deoxyoligonucleotide (ODN) injection (6 mg/kg), to block TF protein synthesis, significantly restores the elevated level of ALT and WBCs and corrects thrombocytopenia in mice injected with APAP. TF-AS prevents the peri-central overexpression of liver TF, fibrin, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3. The release of RXR-α and RAR-α droplets, in APAP treated sections, is inhibited upon treatment with TF-AS. In conclusion, the above findings designate that the released RXR-α and RAR-α in APAP liver toxicity is TF dependent. Additionally, the enhancement of cyclin D1 to caspase-3-dependent apoptosis can be prevented by blocking of TF protein synthesis.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.353-365
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• 2021

Previously, we reported that tissue factor (Tf) was included in the list of differentially expressed genes as an upregulated gene in a rejected porcine heart after xenotransplantation into monkey. In this study, we analyzed that expression of Tf in aortic endothelial cells (pAEC) isolated from alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout pig in response to allogeneic porcine serum and xenogeneic human serum. The consequence was significant upregulation of Tf expression by responding to human serum compared with porcine serum. To analyze the function of Tf gene as a promoter, we constructed reporter vectors for expression of luciferase linked to 1,246 and 787 base pairs of porcine Tf (pTF1246 and pTF787), and 535 base pairs of human TF (hTF535) sequences including putative promoter regions and AP-1 biding site at the 5' end. The reporter vectors were transfected into pAEC including cytomegalovirus enhancer/chicken β-actin (CAG)-luciferase vector as a control. Luciferase assay showed that all of the promoters were insufficient to express luciferase compared with CAG promoter in basic culture conditions. Notably, pTF1246, pTF787, and hTF535 led to a significant increase of luciferase expression in response to human serum compared with porcine serum while no change of CAG. pTF1246 and pTF787 showed higher expression than hTF535. Taken together, our findings suggest that pTF1246 and pTF787 promoters could mediate target gene expression specifically at xenogeneic stress condition.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2022

Purpose: In dental avulsion, delayed replantation usually has an uncertain prognosis. After tooth replantation, complex inflammatory responses promote a return to periodontal tissue homeostasis. Various types of cytokines are produced in the inflammatory microenvironment, and these cytokines determine the periodontal tissue response. This study aimed to identify the gene expression profiles of replanted teeth and evaluate the functional differences between immediate and delayed replantation. Methods: Maxillary molars from Sprague-Dawley rats were extracted, exposed to a dry environment, and then replanted. The animals were divided into 2 groups according to the extra-oral time: immediate replantation (dry for 5 minutes) and delayed replantation (dry for 60 minutes). Either 3 or 7 days after replantation, the animals were sacrificed. Periodontal soft tissues were harvested for mRNA sequencing. Hallmark gene set enrichment analysis was performed to predict the function of gene-gene interactions. The normalized enrichment score (NES) was calculated to determine functional differences. Results: The hallmark gene sets enriched in delayed replantation at 3 days were oxidative phosphorylation (NES=2.82, Q<0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) signaling via the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway (NES=1.52, Q=0.034). At 7 days after delayed replantation, TNF-α signaling via the NF-κB pathway (NES=-1.82, Q=0.002), angiogenesis (NES=-1.66, Q=0.01), and the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway (NES=-1.46, Q=0.051) were negatively highlighted. Conclusions: Differentially expressed gene profiles were significantly different between immediate and delayed replantation. TNF-α signaling via the NF-κB pathway was marked during the healing process. However, the enrichment score of this pathway changed in a time-dependent manner between immediate and delayed replantation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.667-676
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• 1993

Boprosthetic cardiac valves fail from biological and metabolic as well as mechanical reasons, and the limited durability is the main factor of marked withdrawal in their clinical use. Starting the use of bioprosthetic valves in 1976, up to the end of 1992, the consecutive 178 patients have undergone re-replacement of glutaraldehyde-treated xenograft valves for primary tissue failure [PTF]among the patients who had initial valve replacement at Seoul national University Hospital. The explanted valves were 69 porcine aortic [51 Hancock, 12 Angell-Shiley and 6 Carentier-Edwards] and 141 bovine pericardial [129 standard-profile and 12 low-profile ionescu-Shiley] valwes, with an overall incidence of PTF of 15.2%. The operative mortality rate of re-replacement was 5.1%. Calcific degeneration and tissue damage in relation to calcification were the most frequent modes of PTF on gross examinatin of the explanted valves resulting hemodynamically in valvular regurgitation. The number of Hancocg porcine and the standard-profile Ionescu-Shiley valves in valves in mitral position failed more often from tissue damage [tears, holes, and loss or destruction of cuspal tissue] than calcification [68.3% vs. 39.0%, p<0.01] with resultant regurgitation in 61%, the Ionescu-Shiley valves in the same position in 53%. The tendency of more calcification than tissue damage[71.3% vs. 33.3%, p<0.001]with stenosis in 53%. The tendency of more calcification and immobility of cusps in the latter group was partly explainable by the inclusion of patients of pediatric age. Observation made in this study suggest : many of bioprosthetic valves would fail from calcification and tissue damage : some fail prematurely because of mechanical stress probably owing to the valve design in construction ; andeven those valves escaped early damage would be subject to calcify in the prolonged follow-up period. In conclusion, at the present time, the clinical use of bioprostheticxenograft valves seems to be quite limited until further improvement in biocompatibility and refinement in valve design in manufacture are achieved.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.210-219
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• 1995

Many different factors which may affect the prognosis of the soft tissue sarcomas have been reported by many authors ; Generally, tumor size, histologic type, surgical margin, and multi modality therapy therapy as the prognostic factors were reported. The objectives of this retrospective study of soft tissue sarcomas are : 1) to define more clearly prognostic variables that have significant predictive value for disease-free and overall survival ; and 2) to evaluate tumor histologic grade based upon extent of tumor necrosis as a means of stratifying more aggressive soft tissue sarcomas(grade II & III) of the extremities. We treated 94 patients who had soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk from May 1984 to September 1994(average duration of follow-up was 5 years ranging from 2 months to 10 years) and evaluated the prognostic factors of the soft tissue sarcomas; age, sex, depth, size, location, histologic type and grade, stage, therapy modality, surgical margin, local recurrence and distant metastasis. The results were as follows. 1. The patients with poorer prognosis were over the age of fifty, whose mass was deeply located, size of the mass was over 10cm in diameter, grade III in histology, who had local recurrence, metastasis, and received only surgery. 2. Among these prognostic factors, the most significant prognostic factor was histologic grade base upon extent of tumor necrosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.370-379
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• 2022

Human pregnancy is a delicate and complex process where multiorgan interactions between two independent systems, the mother, and her fetus, maintain pregnancy. Intercellular interactions that can define homeostasis at the various cellular level between the two systems allow uninterrupted fetal growth and development until delivery. Interactions are needed for tissue remodeling during pregnancy at both fetal and maternal tissue layers. One of the mechanisms that help tissue remodeling is via cellular transitions where epithelial cells undergo a cyclic transition from epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) and back from mesenchymal to epithelial (MET). Two major pregnancy-associated tissue systems that use EMT, and MET are the fetal membrane (amniochorion) amnion epithelial layer and cervical epithelial cells and will be reviewed here. EMT is often associated with localized inflammation, and it is a well-balanced process to facilitate tissue remodeling. Cyclic transition processes are important because a terminal state or the static state of EMT can cause accumulation of proinflammatory mesenchymal cells in the matrix regions of these tissues and increase localized inflammation that can cause tissue damage. Interactions that determine homeostasis are often controlled by both endocrine and paracrine mediators. Pregnancy maintenance hormone progesterone and its receptors are critical for maintaining the balance between EMT and MET. Increased intrauterine oxidative stress at term can force a static (terminal) EMT and increase inflammation that are physiologic processes that destabilize homeostasis that maintain pregnancy to promote labor and delivery of the fetus. However, conditions that can produce an untimely increase in EMT and inflammation can be pathologic. These tissue damages are often associated with adverse pregnancy complications such as preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). Therefore, an understanding of the biomolecular processes that maintain cyclic EMT-MET is critical to reducing the risk of pPROM and PTB. Extracellular vesicles (exosomes of 40-160 nm) that can carry various cargo are involved in cellular transitions as paracrine mediators. Exosomes can carry a variety of biomolecules as cargo. Studies specifically using exosomes from cells undergone EMT can carry a pro-inflammatory cargo and in a paracrine fashion can modify the neighboring tissue environment to cause enhancement of uterine inflammation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.357-375
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of histochemical characteristics in inflammatory fibrous gingival hyperplasia (FGH), phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia(PIGH), idiopathic gingival hyperplasia(IDGH) and control groups (healthy and inflammatory gingiva) by immunohistochemical method with various antibodies and histomorphological analysis. In immunohistochemical finding, antibodies to inflammatory cells (T/B lymphocytes, macrophages, other monocytes), proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), epidermal growth factor(EGF), factor VIII, and type I collagen were used. 1. The inflammatory infiltrates in FGH were less than those in inflammatory gingiva. The composition of inflammatory cells of PIGH was similar with that of FGH. IDGH showed a similar histologic findings with healthy gingival tissue. 2. In FGH, the number of fibroblasts and newly-formed collagen fibers was increased. No significant increase of fibroblasts and the dense accumulation of thick collagen fibers were seen in PIGH. The increase of fibroblasts and the dense accumulation of thick collagen were seen in IDGH. 3. PCNA-positive cells were localized mainly in the area accumulated with inflammatory cells and blood vessels, significantly increased in all hyperplastic tissue groups, and distributed evenly in IDGH. 4. The distribution of EGF were not observed in healthy gingiva but detected locally in area with confluent blood vessels,without significant difference between the other tissue groups. This results suggest that inflammation plays a significant role in inducing hyperplastic change of gingival tissue. While in DIGH, drug itself as well as inflammation seems to attribute to hyperplastic change.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.869-878
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• 2014

In this study, we performed two-dimensional electrophoresis with protein extracts from lizard tails, and analyzed the protein expression profiles during the tissue regeneration to identify the dedifferentiation factor. As a result, we identified 18 protein spots among total of 292 spots, of which proteins were specifically expressed during blastema formation. We selected lactoferrin as a candidate because it is the mammalian homolog of leech-derived tryptase inhibitor, which showed the highest frequency among the 18 proteins. Lactoferrin was specifically expressed in various stem cell lines, and enhanced the efficiency of iPSC generation upto approximately 7-fold relative to the control. Furthermore, lactoferrin increased the efficiency by 2-fold without enforced expression of Klf4. These results suggest that lactoferrin may induce dedifferentiation, at least partly by increasing the expression of Klf4.