Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an intracellular messenger at the physiological level but can be cytotoxic at high concentrations. The cells within periodontal tissues, such as gingival and periodontal fibroblasts, contain nitric oxide syntheses and produce high concentrations of NO when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides and cytokines. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NO-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues are unclear at present. In our current study, we examined the NO-induced cytotoxic mechanisms in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Cell viability and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using a MTT assay and a fluorescent spectrometer, respectively. The morphological changes in the cells were examined by Diff-Quick staining. Expression of the Bcl-2 family and Fas was determined by RT-PCR or western blotting. The activity of caspase-3, -8 and -9 was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased the cell viability of the HGF cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SNP enhanced the production of ROS, which was ameliorated by NAC, a free radical scavenger. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, did not block the SNP-induced decrease in cell viability. SNP also caused apoptotic morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The expression of Bax, a member of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family, was upregulated in the SNP-treated HGF cells, whereas the expression of Bcl-2, a member of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated. SNP augmented the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol and enhanced the activity of caspase-8, -9, and -3. SNP also upregulated Fas, a component of the death receptor assembly. These results suggest that NO induces apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast via ROS and the Bcl-2 family through both mitochondrial- and death receptor-mediated pathways. Our data also indicate that the cyclic GMP pathway is not involved in NO-induced apoptosis.

to malignant transformation. Oral leukoplakia is a common premalignant lesion in oral mucosa and the incidence of cancer progression into SCC has been reported to be 0~43%. The genetic alterations of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and DNA repair genes occur during carcinogenesis. In order to evaluate the role of epithelial cells in the early stage of carcinogenesis, we analyzed the alterations of genetic heterogeneity in epithelial cells of oral leukoplakia samples, using Laser capture microdissection(LCM). The incidence rate of microsatellite instability(MSI) and loss of heterozygosity(LOH) were analysed from the DNA of epithelial cells from 16 leukoplakia samples using adjacent fibroblasts as a normal control. In this study, LOH was found in epithelial cells of all 16 cases of leukoplakias while MSI has been observed in 3 cases. Interestingly, the fibroblasts showed LOH and MSI in some cases, which was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Taken together, this study showed that leukoplakia has multiple genetic alterations in fibroblasts as well as in epithelial cells, suggesting that interaction between epithelial cells and fibroblasts might be involved in the early step of carcinogenesis.

Recent studies on nuclear transfer and induced pluripotent stem cells have demonstrated that differentiated somatic cells can be returned to the undifferentiated state by reversing their developmental process. These epigenetically reprogrammed somatic cells may again be differentiated into various cell types, and used for cell replacement therapies through autologous transplantation to treat many degenerative diseases. To date, however, reprogramming of somatic cells into undifferentiated cells has been extremely inefficient. Hence, reliable markers to identify the event of reprogramming would assist effective selection of reprogrammed cells. In this study, a transgene construct encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the regulation of human Oct4 promoter was developed as a reporter for the reprogramming of somatic cells. Microinjection of the transgene construct into pronuclei of fertilized mouse eggs resulted in the emission of green fluorescence, suggesting that the undifferentiated cytoplasmic environment provided by fertilized eggs induces the expression of EGFP. Next, the transgene construct was introduced into human embryonic fibroblasts, and the nuclei from these cells were transferred into enucleated porcine oocytes. Along with their in vitro development, nuclear transfer embryos emitted green fluorescence, suggesting the reprogramming of donor nuclei in nuclear transfer embryos. The results of the present study demonstrate that expression of the transgene under the regulation of human Oct4 promoter coincides with epigenetic reprogramming, and may be used as a convenient marker that non-invasively reflects reprogramming of somatic cells.

A mutation of UNCL, an inner nuclear membrane RNAbinding protein, has been found to eliminate mechanotransduction in Drosophila. UNCL is expressed in human periodontal tissue including in periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts. However, it is unclear how a mechanical stimulus is translated into cellular responses in PDL fibroblasts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of UNCl on mechanical stress related genes in PDL fibroblasts in response to mechanical stress. The mRNA of TGF-β, COX-2, and MMP-2 was up-regulated after UNCL inactivation in PDL fibroblasts under the compression force. Under the tensile force, inactivation of UNCL decreased the expression of Biglycan, RANKL, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 mRNAs while it increased the expression of TIMP-1. p38-MAPK was expressed in PDL fibroblasts under compression forces whereas phospho-ERK1/2, p65-NFkB, and c-fos were expressed under tension forces. The expression and phosphorylation of the mechanical stress related genes, kinases, and transcription factors were changed according to the types of stress. Furthermore, most of them were regulated by the inactivation of UNCL. This suggests that UNCL is involved in the regulation of mechanical stress related genes through the signaling pathway in PDL fibroblasts.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the optimal wavelength, frequency and energy density for set up the photobiologic treatment of periodontal disease. To establish the present study, λ scan of 500㎚ to 900㎚ was used to search the optimal wavelength for maximal proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts. Cell proliferation assay was carried out as MTT assay. Light intensity of 0.8 to 3.25mW, frequency of 0 to 584㎐ and 0 to 2hours was applied for investigation of optimal energy density, frequency and applied duration. Finally, 628㎚ with 1mW/cm2 for 1hour of LED irradiation resulted in maximal proliferation of gingival fibroblasts. These results suggest that LED irradiation on gingival fibroblast show different proliferation according to the condition of irradiation, and demonstrate that LED irradiation can control the quantity of cell proliferation.

Human gingival fibroblasts are necessary for oral homeostaslS These cells are fundamental in tissue healing and tissuc remodeling processes under a response to physiological actions such as mastication, Collagen and elastin, that are extracell ular glycoprotein of gingival fibroblast, are found in all animals, '1γpe 1 collagen is most dominant protein found in human gingival fibroblasts , Matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) has a role play in destruction of metabolism of extracellular matrix(ECM) and MMP-1 can destroy many ECMs as well as non-ECM molecules MMP-1’s local activation is conytolled by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) , Therefore, it is important to have a balance between in both s ituations MMPs and TIMPs of increased 0 1' decreased extracelluar matrix molecules, The purpose of trus study is to find out the effect of physical stimulus to human gingival fibroblast on mRNA, proteins of collagen 1, elastin, MMP-1, and TIMP-1 Healthy human gingival fibroblasts were separated and cultur때 in DMEM(Dulbeco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium) , When the sample reached to confluence state, it was separated with 0,25% t rypsin and 0‘ 53mM ethylendiaminetetraacetic aCld Separated cells were centrifuged in a cell culturing flask at 1000rpm for 30, 60, 120 mmutes Then it was forced by 35g/cm' continuously, The obtained results that expression of mRNA using histological study and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) , expression of protein using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA) for this study, At 30minutes after cen trifuging, there were s pindl e shaped gingival fibroblasts with long processes parallel to other cells in the control group , However the cell density was simil ar to compared group, At 60minutes after centrifuging, spindle shaped human gingival fibroblast with relatively long process, less densely packed, At 120minutes after centrifuging, cell processes were lengthened 2-3 times‘ and cell density was lower, At 30-60 minutes after centrifuging, it was increased by 1,3-1,7 times in expressoin of collagen 1 mRNA as compared with comparison group, However, there was no change in elastin, TIMP-l, and MMP-1, At 120 minutes after centrifuging, The revealed collagen 1 mRNA was increased 3 times as compared with comparison group, It was increased 2 times in elastin , 12 times in TIMP-1 as compared with comparison group, However, there was no change in MMP-l. At 30-60 minutes after centrifuging, it was increased by 1.1 times in revealing of protein revealing in collagen 1, TIMP-1 But there was no cha nge in elastin, MMP-1 At 120 minutes after centrifuging, it was increased by 1,2 times in revealing collagen 1 protein, 11 times in elastin, 12 times in TIMP-l, but there was no change in MMP-l. ln conclu s ion, it increased in revelation of collagen 1 ,elastin and TIMP-1 by continous stimulus in human gi ngival fibroblast, But there was no change in revelation of MMP-l Therefore, th is type of pressu re is one of the components for healing of gingiva l fibroblast

체세포의 배양 방법은 체세포 핵이식에 의한 형질 전환 돼지 생산에 있어서 중요한 요인 중 하나이다. 본 연구에서는 돼지 태아 섬유 아세포의 효율적인 배양 방법을 수려하였다. 돼지 태아 섬유 아세포는 임신 33일째 태아로부터 제조하였으며, 돼지 태아 섬유아세포의 증식을 혈청과 배지 종류별로 분석하였다. 그 결과, 15% ES screened FBS가 포함된 DMEM 배지에서의 배양은 15% FBS보다 세포수의 증가가 훨씬 더 빠르게 나타났다. 또한, 태아

Tooth loss in elderly is mainly caused by alveolar bone loss via severe periodontitis. Although the severity of periodontitis is known to be affected by age, the aging process or the genetic changes during the aging of periodontal tissue cells are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the effect of in vitro aging on the change of gene expression pattern in periodontal fibroblasts. Gingival fibroblasts (GF) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL) were obtained from two young patients and replicative senescence was induced by sequential subcultivation. When more than 90% cells were positively stained with senescence-associated β-galactosidase, those cells were regarded as aged cells. In aged GF and PDL, the level of phosphorylated retinoblastoma (RB) and p16INK4A protein was significantly decreased and increased, respectively. However, the protein level of p53 and p21, well known senescence-inducing genes, did not increase in aged GF and PDL. Although P27Kip1 and p15INK4B, another cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, were reported to be involved in replicative senescence of human cells, they were decreased in aged GF and PDL. Because senescent cells showed flattened and enlarged cell shape and are known to have increased focal adhesion, we examined the protein level of several integrins. Aged GF and PDL showed increased protein level of integrin α2, αu, and β1. When the gene expression profiles of actively proliferating young cells and aged cells were compared by cDNA microarray of 3,063 genes and were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 7 genes and 15 genes were significantly and commonly increased and decreased, respectively, in aged GF and PDL. Among them, included are the genes that were known to be involved in the regulation of cell cycle, gene transcription, or integrin signaling. The change of gene expression pattern in GF and PDL was minimally similar to that of oral keratinocyte. These results suggest that p16INK4A/RB might be involved in replicative senescence of periodontal fibroblasts and the change of gene expression profile during aging process is cell type specific.