Amino acid transporters are essential for the growth and proliferation in all living cells. Among the amino acid transporters, the system L amino acid transporters are the major nutrient transport system responsible for the Na+-independent transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. The L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), an isoform of system L amino acid transporter, is highly expressed in cancer cells to support their continuous growth and proliferation. 2-Aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid(BCH) is a model compound for study of amino acid transporter as a system L selective inhibitor. We have examined the effect and mechanism of BCH on cell growth suppression in FaDu human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The BCH inhibited the L-leucine transport in a concentration-dependent manner with a IC 50 value of 43.8±4.3μM. The majority of L-leucine uptake is, therefore, mediated by LAT1 in FaDu cells. The growth of FaDu cells was inhibited by BCH in the time- and concentration- dependent manners. The formation of DNA ladder was not observed with BCH treatment in the cells. Furthermore, the proteolytic processing of caspase-3 and caspase-7 in the cells was not detected by BCH treatment. These results suggest that the BCH inhibits the growth of FaDu human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through the intracellular depletion of neutral amino acids for cell growth without apoptotic processing

중국은 일찍 농업에 편중하는 식생산전통과 백성들이 어렵게 생계를 유지하는 식생활상태가 형성되었으며 이런 상황은 중국인들이 신랄(辛辣)한 맛에 대한 기호를 결정하였던 것이다. 중국인들이 신랄(辛辣)한 맛을 즐긴 역사는 선사시대까지 거슬러 올라간다. “랄(辣)”자(字)는 “신랄(辛辣)”이라는 단어에서 분리하여 특별히 매운 맛을 의미하는데 즉 일반적인 “신(辛)” 보다 더욱 “신(辛)”하다는 뜻이며 이 문자는 한(漢)나라 이후에야 나타난다. 고추는 명(明)나라 중엽에 해상을 통해 중국대륙에 전해 들어왔고 짧은 기간 내에 중국인들이 제일 보편적으로 식용하고 좋아하는 매운 음식으로 자리 잡았다. 중국에서 고추는 번초(蕃椒), 해초(海椒), 랄각(辣角), 랄호(辣虎), 랄자(辣子) 등 다양한 명칭을 갖고 있는데 이는 그 분포의 지리적 특징과 인문적인 특징을 반영한 것이다. 고추에 대해 최초로 기록한 한문문헌으로는 1591년에 출간된 「존생팔전(尊生八箋)」이다. 본 논문에서는 상기 문헌의 고추에 관한 기록에 대한 종래 연구자들의 보편적인 견해와는 다른 새로운 관점을 제기하였다. 고추는 짧은 시간 내에 화초(花椒) 등 허다한 전통적인 매운 양념들을 재치고 결국 중국인들의 고추정서가 형성된 것은 “그 맛이 최고로 매웠던 것(기미최랄(其味最辣))” 및 적응성이 강하고 재배 할 때 소요되는 인력물력도 적게 드는 것과 중국인들이 보편적으로 매운 맛을 즐겼던 정서가 결합된 필연적인 결과라고 하겠다. 관습은 쉽게 개변하지 않고 오래 접하면 자연히 은이 생기며 강한 자극을 통쾌하다고 여기는 인간의 통성(通性)은 매운 맛에 대한 오랜 접촉으로 습관을 형성시키고 세월이 흘러도 고추를 먹는 습관만은 남게 되는 중요한 원인이다. 고추가 중국 대륙에서 불균형하게 보급되어 있는 상황에서 경제생활이 상대적으로 빈곤한 지역일수록 매운 맛에 대한 기호가 보다 강함을 알 수 있다.

The prominent side effect of cyclosporin A, immunosuppressive agent, in oral tissues is gingival overgrowth(GO). It is characterized by the gingival enlargement with epithelial thickening, a large number of proliferating fibroblasts and overproduction of ECM components. Fibroblast accumulation in Cs A induced GO is caused by the Inhibition of apoptosis. But CsA effect on normal human oral keratinocyte(NHOK) remains unclear. Transglutaminase 2(TGase 2) which is expressed and activated in tissue where epithelial cells undergo apoptosis has been used as a marker for apoptotic cells. The purpose of this study were to study the effect of CsA on the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured NHOK by TGase 2 expression. After primary cultured NHOK was treated by 0.1, 1.0 and 10ug/ml Cs A, growth curve, MTT assay for succinyl dehydrogenase activity and RT-PCR for TGase 2 mRNA expression were done. The obtained results were as follows. MTT assay showed about 65% cell viability at 1.0μg/ml and 40% at 10μg/ml CsA. Growth curve showed normal S curve on control & DMSO, while decreased growth rate after 3 days of higher CsA tx. TGase 2 mRNA expression of cultured NHOK was the highest at 10μg/ml Cs A. TEM showed chromosome margination, and vacuole formation and clustered mitochodria in cytoplasm of cultured NHOK after CsA tx. It suggested that higher CsA might induce apoptosis of NHOK correlated with increased TGase 2 mRNA expression

Cyto kinc production by epiclerma l keratinocytes has been investiga ted ext ensive ly cluring the past decacle in the skm Furthermore‘ cyto kines produced by pidermal kerat inocytes may be regar decl as important regulators in inflammation, 1 nunune responses‘ and during wound healing, The associa tion of specific cytokine patterns in proliferative a ncl/or infl ammatory related cha nges in the s kin suggests a role in the pathogenesis of certain skin diseases, Although it is conceiva b1e that the pa ttern of cytokine express ion in o1'al kera tinocytes might be sirnilar t o tha t of epidermal origin, the1'e a re only sparse reports that have s hown t his experi menta lly, In addition, there is s ome evidence that there may be differe n ces in the proliferative capacity of oral versus epidermal keratinocytes, Since t his may be crucial for better un clerstanding the biologica l processes in the oral mucosa and how they may differ from the e pidennis, we a na lyzed the cyto kine expression pat tern of human oral kera tinocy tes, The purpose of this study were to investigate mRNA & protein express ion 0 1' va rious cy tokines between NHOK and NHEK by RT-PCR & immunoslot blotting, and to apply its results 1‘0 1' bet ter understancling t he pathological processes in the o1'al mucosal d1seases Cultured NHEK showecl larger a rea of cel lula r s tratil'icat ion tha n cul tu ++ 1'ed NHOK in 0 05mM Ca concentra tion, 1L - 1α , IL- 6 mRNA expression 0 1' cult ured NHOK we1'e hi gher than that of NHEK, TNF- mRNA expression of NHEK was about 1, 2 folds than that 0 1' NHOK, ICAM- 1 mRNA expression of NHOK was a bout 13 folds t han that of NHOK, while NHEK was weakly detected, 1L- 1a , IL-6 pro tein expression of cul tured NHOK were hi gher t han t ha t of NHEK TNF-a protein expression of NHEK was about 1, 2 fo lds than that of NHOK, 1CAM- 1 protein expression of NHOK was about 40 folcls than that of NHOK, whil e NHEK was weakly detectecl , mRNA express ion was associa ted wi th prot ein expression in cul tured NHOK ancl NHEK, It s uggestecl that lL- 1a ‘ 11-6 and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein be highl y expressecl in cultured NHOK, Especially, ICAM- 1 would be a useful ma rker for the pathogenesis of oral mucosal di sease,

사람의 타액선 종양 중 선양닝성암종(adenoid cystic carcinoma) 과 기저세포선암종(basal cell adenocarcinoma)‘ 기저세포선종(basa l cell adenoma) 은 발생학적 기원과 조직학적 소견 등 비슷한 점이 많으나 선양낭성암종은 5년 이후의 생존율이 매우 낮으며 기저세포신 암종은 저 등급의 악성도를 보이는 둥 임상적인 면에서 많은 차이를 보인다 이 연구에서는 조직병리학적으로 비 슷한 소견을 보이는 이 들 타액선 종OJ을 대상으로 이 형접합성 소실 (Loss of Heterozygosity. LOH) 을 분석하여 종양의 발생학적 기전을 파악하고자 히 였다 띤 구 방법으로는 기저세포선 종 4 예 기저세포선암종 5 예 선양낭성암종 30예에서 종양 상피세포의 유전자 변이 분석을 위해 레이저 포획 미세 절제법 (laser capture microdissection) 을 이용하여 조직에서 각각 종양 상피세포를 채취하였다 이 조직에서 각각 DNA를 추출한 후 11 쌍의 현미부수체 불안정성 표지 자(Mi crosatellite instability marker) 를 사용하여 PCR 반응을 시행하였고 이 산물을 8% p이 y acrylamide gel 애 1시간 30분간 전기 영동하여 종양 상피세포의 이형접합성상실의 양상을 판독한 후 SPSS 1400을 사용하여 통계학적 으로 분석하였다 연구 결과 모든 조직에서 종양 상피 세포의 LOH가 나타났으며 11개 표지자 중 LOH가 말현되지 않은 표지자는 없었 다 기저세포선종， 기저세포선암종‘ 선양낭성암종의 LOH 발생 빈도는 기저세포선종과 기저세포신암종과 비교하여 선양낭성암종에서 통 계학적으로 유의하게 높았으며 21번 염색체와 8번 염색체에서 차이를 보였다- 이 중 D21S1922와 D9S171 표지자에서 특히 높은 빈도 차 이 를 보였다. 기저세포선종과 기저세포선암종을 비교하였 을 때 전체 표지자에서 LOH 빈도 차이는 없었으나 21번 염색체와 9 번 염색체에 서 기저세포선암종의 LOH 빈도가 높게 나타났다 3종류의 티액선 종양에서 선양냥성암종에서 D9S168의 발생 빈도가 가장 많았다 D9S168은 기저세포선종에서 는 LOH가 나타나지 않았으나 기저세포선암종 선양낭성암종의 경우 발현 빈도가 통계학적으로 유의하게 증 가하여 종양 발생 과정에 관여하고 있음을 시사하였다

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

Many researchers are interested in wound healing in the t reatment of burns, prevention of post surgical adhesions and cosmetic s urgery by excess collagen production and scar formatlOn Synthetic epidermal substi tutes with cultured epi thelial cells seem to be an attractive strategy since keratinocytes have been demonstrated to modulate fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis. Bioa bsorbable and biocompatible chitosan structurally mimics hyaluronic acid. Recently, a bio compatible synthesi zecl ch itosa n-PVP(polyvinyl pyrrolidone) hydrogels demonstrated in vitro biocompat ibi li ty for bio medical applications . However. there is no re port on this hydrogeJ"s ability to modulate human gingival fibroblast growth. The purpose of this study were to investigate different growth modulation between human gingival fibroblast and normal human oral keratinocyte by chitosan- PVP hydrogel, and to apply this biocompatible synthetic polymer to oral and maxillofacial wound healing. We have synthesized a hydrogel from chitosan-PVP and examined its effect on human gingival fibroblast growth modulation in vitro. Non-toxic and biocompatible hydrogel with human gingival fi broblasts and epithelial cells was tested by MTT assay. HGF showed a higher growth proliferation than that of NHOK after cell seeding. In MTT assay, 30% hydrogel leach out products showed a higher cellular viability in NHOK than that of any other products. In MTT assay, 30% hyclrogel leach out products showed relatively lower cellular viability of HGF ln growth profile, NHOK showed about 7 fo lcls higher than HGF after 1 day, while about 2 fo lds higher after 5 days. And also NHOK showed above about 70% cell ular via bility from 1 to 7 days. It suggested that Chitosan-PVP hydrogel would inhibit relatively the growth of HGF and s timulate the growth of NHOK_ This phenomenon may prove to be of use in wound management 0 1' oral and maxillofacial area as epitheli al substitutes.

본 연구는 사람 H-transferase가 과발현하는 돼지 체세포주를 개발하는데 있다. 돼지 세포에 사람 H-transferase 유전자를 발현시키는 것은 이종간 장기 이식에 있어서 초급성 거부 반응을 방지하기 위한 한 가지 방법이다. 본 연구에서는 과발현 벡터를 구축하기 위하여 사람 H-transferase을 HepG2 세포로부터 동정하였으며, 이 유전자를 CMV promoter를 이용하여 발현할 수 있도록 포유동물 발현 벡터인 pRc/CMV 벡터에 삽입하였다. 또한, 돼지 산자의 귀 세포를 이용하여 체세포를 수립한 후 jetPEI DNA transfection reagent를 이용하여 벡터를 도입하였고, 300 μg/ml의 G418로 12일간 선별하였다. PCR을 이용하여 선별된 colony들을 분석한 결과, 벡터가 도입되었음을 확인하였고, RT-PCR을 이용하여 사람 H-transferase mRNA가 발현하는 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서 확립된 세포주는 사람 H-transferase가 과발현하는 형질 전환 돼지의 생산에 이용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vi tamin D3 and 1'etinoic acid(RA) on the human mesenchymal stem ce!ls(MSC) g1'owth and osteogenic differentiations. Cell proliferation, mineralization, cell cycle, expression of cell cycle regu l atOJγ proteins and markers fo1' osteogenic differenatiaiton were determined by MTI assay, mineralization assay, flow cytomet1'Y‘ and Western blot analysis, respectively. Cell viability was dec1'ease by each vitamin D3 and RA added to MSC. it was more decrease by vitamin D3 and RA. Mineralized nodule formation revealed similar expression pattern with positive cont rol group at vitamin D3 and RA mixed add to MSC. At vitamin D3 and RA mixed add to MSC after 7 days of incubation was increase G1 s tage. after 21 days of incubation was inhibit cell cycle prog1'ess by inc1'ease of sub-G1 Treatment vitamin D3 to MSC inhibits p53 and p21, but inc1'ease pRb. RA inhibit p53, but increase p21 and pRb, vitamin D3 plus RA group was same as added RA group. so two vitamin was effect to inhibited cell growth each different mechanism. Expression of BMP-2 protein was prominent in osteogonic supplement treated g1'oup of MSC at 2 weeks cultivation days, but vi tamin D3 treatment decreased BMP-2 expression rather than in (+) control group. BSP protein was notably increased in the OS compa red to positive controls at 2 weeks cultivation, but similar to that of vitamin D3 group t1'eatment group and was least expressed in plus RA mixed group, at 3 weeks, BSP expression was similar to 1'esult of 2 weeks Collectively, these results shows that vitamin D3 and RA have diffe1'ential effects on the MSCs g1'owth and differ entia tion 211

Cytokines play a vital role in the host immune response by regulating the development and function of im munocompetent ce11s One immunomodulatory agent that has received attention in oncology research recently is interleukin - lO(IL-lO). IL-IO inhibi ted tumor antigen presenta tion and induced energy in T lymphocytes that had been s timu lated by autologous MHC class II positive tumor ce11s Patients with head and neck cancer have been shown to exhibit profound irnmunosuppression. The mechani sm by which tumor ce11s alter immunological function in the host is poorly understood. Recently. production of biological active IL- IO was confirmed in ovar‘ian cancer, melanoma, skin cancel‘ & head and neck cancer, suggesting that IL- lO reduces the function of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and contributes to the tumor growth. IL-IO expression has not been examined extensively in human oral cancer and has not yet been cla rified. The purpose of t his study were to investigate IL-IO mRNA and protein expression in NHOK, IHOK and oral squamous ce11 carcinoma(OSCC) ce11 line by RT-PCR and irnmunoslot blotting, and to apply its results to examine its thera peutic significance for oraJ cancers. Cultured NHOK showed a lower level of IL-IO mRNA and protein expression than cultured IHOK and HN 22 OSCC cell line under pre and postconfluency. HN 22 OSCC cell line under pre and postconfl u ency. showed the highest level of IL-I0 Cul tured IHOK showing a intermediate expression of IL- IO could be as a vaJ u a bJe marker for oral carci nogenesis ste p. During the terminal differentiation of a11 the ce11 lines, IL- IO ex pression was significantly unchangeabl e. IL- IO mRNA expression of a11 the ce11 lines was consistent with IL-10 protein expression. It suggested that IL- lO expression might play an important role in oral carcinogenesis and IHOK could be a valuable marker for oral carcinogenesis step. And aJso IL- 10 related gene may be future targets for gene discovery and possi bJy therapeutic intervention

Previous ly we have s hown that fï brob last• growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and dexamethasone (Dex) in combination strongly stimulate both p l 이 i fe rati o n a nd differe nt iation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts and adipocytes, In the present s tudy we invesL igaLed whether inhibition 01' FGF-2 and Dex-induced adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived s Lem cells (BMSCs) by GW9662, an antagoni s t of proxisome proliferators-activated receptol γ (PPARy) which plays a key role in ad ipogenic differentiation , enhances proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs Proliferation 01' BMSCs t reated wi 네 FGF-2 a nd Dex was further increased by GW9662 up to 9,7, 10,6, and 7,2% at 3, 5, and 7 days of cul Lu re , Expansion of BMSCs with FGF-2, Dex and GW9662 followed by osteoblastic different iation showed that osteoblas tic differentiation 01' BMSCs was in creased by 37 % (p=O, 01) compared to those expanded with FGF-2 and Dex, ln contrast , ad i pogenic di fferenti a tion of FGF-2 and Dex-expanded BMSCs was substantially reduced to 14% (p=O, 036) by GW9662, Taken toget her , these resul ts demonstrate that FGF-2 and Dex in combination with GW9662 f ur t her stimu late proliferation 01' BMSCs and those cells expanded with these factors acquire enhanced potentiaIs to be dif ferentiated i n to osteoblas ts

Extensive oral mucosa loss from a variety of conditions is associated with significant functional morbidity and mortality. Although it is known that keratinocytes are a rich source of wound healing promoting factors such as transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), it is not clear whether differentiated keratinocytes in a multi-layer form release this multi-functional growth factor. This study examined the hypothesis that keratinocytes in mono- and multi-layer forms expressed different levels of TGF-β1. When NHOK reached confluency in serum free medium(KBM), in test medium containing 1.2 mM Ca++ KBM NHOK were allowed to form multi-layers and differentiate. The purpose of this study were to investigate the mRNA level of TGF-β1, FGF-2, and TIMP-1 by RT-PCR analysis and also to evaluate the expression of TGF-β1 and involucrin in keratinocytes at different times of the onset of differentiation. The numbers and sizes of these nodules were increased as the process of keratinocyte differentiation proceed. Cultured NHOK in preconfluency under KBM medium expressed a significantly higher level of TGF-β1 relative to those grown in multi-layer forms, while the level of TGF-β1 mRNA gradually reduced to its lowest level at 7 days of growing cells in test medium. Cultured NHOK in preconfluency of KBM medium expressed a lower level of FGF-2 and TIMP-1 relative to those grown in multi-layer forms, while the level of FGF-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA showed the highest level at 3 days at gradually reduced to its lowest level at 7 days of growing cells in test medium. As a differentiation marker for keratinocytes at different time points, the highest level of involucrin mRNA expression was found at the later stage of cell differentiation. It suggested that the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA be consistent with the expression of FGF-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA in NHOK grown in high calcium medium during the terminal differentiation. But differentiated NHOK expressing higher involucrin mRNA could show constant espression of TGF-β1, FGF-2 and TIMP-1.

Gemcitabine (Gemzar, 2,2-difluorodeoxycytidine, or dFdC) is an analog of cytosine arabinoside with anti-tumor activity in a few human cancers (lung, ovary, pancreatic and breast cancers). However, the mechanism of apoptosis by this compound in carcinoma has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we investigated that gemcitabine alone and combination with cisplatin or 5-FU are cancer toxicity using lung cancer cell line A549 by MTT, FACS analysis, and Western blot assay. Also, to confirm enhanced antitumor activity in vivo using an xenograft tumor model. The MTT assay showed higher cytotoxic effect in combination with gemcitabine-cisplatin or gemcitabine-5-FU than gemcitabine alone. FACS analysis showed that gemcitabine-cisplatin combination increased hypodiploid DNA to 70.84 %. The induction of apoptosis showed more increase in combination with gemcitabine-cisplatin or gemcitabine-5-FU than gemcitabine alone. The Western results showed higher expression of p53 and p21WAF/CIP1 protein in combination treatment with gemcitabine-cisplatin or gemcitabine-5-FU than gemcitabine treatment alone. But, Bcl-2 protein expression decreased. In vivo experiments showed that more decreased tumor size and more increased survival rate on combination with gemcitabine- cisplatin or gemcitabine-5-FU combination than gemcitabine alone. In conclusion, this study suggests that gemcitabine combined with cisplatin or 5-FU are the synergistic effect of anticancer therapy on lung cancer.

Annexin I plays an important role in the process of keratinization as a compont of the cornified envelope of skin epithelium. The effect of annexin I on the terminal ifferentiation of normal human oral keratinocyte(NHOK) have remained to be defined. To understand the role of annexin I on the terminal differentiaiton of NHOK, NHOK and NHEK cells were primarily cultured in KBM bullet kit. When the cells reached confluence, terminal differentiation was induced by switching the medium to KGM bullet kit containing 1.2mM Ca2+. Preconfluency of NHOK under 0.05mM Ca++ conc as control group was used. The cells was examined with inverted microscope. Under 0.05mM Ca++ conc(Precon, Postcon), and 1.2mM Ca++ conc(Postcon), RT-PCR for annexin I mRNA measurement, and immunoblotting for annexin I protein measurements in triplicate, respectively. The purpose of this study were to study differential mRNA & protein expression of annexin I between NHOK & NHEK by using RT-PCR & immunoslot blotting during terminal differentiation, and to apply these results to study a role of annexin I on epithelial differentiation of oral mucosal diseases in the future. Cultured NHEK showed larger area of cellular stratification than cultured NHOK in 1.2mM Ca ++ concentration. Annexin I mRNA and protein expression of cultured NHOK showed higher than that of cultured NHEK in higher calcium concentration. Annexin I mRNA and protein expression of cultured NHOK showed about 2-2.7 fold higher in 1.2mM Ca++ conc. than in 0.05mM Ca++ conc. Although annexin I was involved in the terminal differentiation of cultured NHOK & NHEK in higher calcium concentration, annexin I play an important role in the terminal differentiation of cultured NHOK in higher calcium concentration. From the aboving results, It was suggested that annexin I would play an important role in the terminal differentiation of NHOK in higher calcium, which be helpful to study epithelial differentiation of oral mucosal diseases.

System L amino acid transporter is a major route for providing living cells with neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. To elucidate the expression pattern of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) in the bone formation process, the expressions of LAT1 and its subunit 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc) were investigated in the healing process after the implantation of bone graft materials in the calvarial osseous defected rats. Circular calvarial defects (1 cm in diameter) were made midparietally. The rats were divided into 4 groups of 1 control group and 3 experimental groups. In the control group, the defect was only covered with soft tissue flap. In the experimental groups, they were filled with human particulate dentin (particulate dentin group), with plaster of Paris (plaster of Paris group) and with the mixture of human particulate dentin and plaster of Paris with ratio of 2 : 1 by weight (mixture group). The rats were sacrificed at the 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation and the RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemical analysis were performed. In the RT-PCR analysis, the mRNAs of LAT1 and 4F2hc were strongly detected in all 4 groups. In the immunohistochemical analysis, at 1 week after operation, the LAT1 protein and its subunit 4F2hc protein were mainly expressed in the osteoblasts, osteocytes and interstitial tissues of the around the defect and inner part of newly forming bone in all 4 groups. The expressions of LAT1 and 4F2hc proteins were decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after operation. The LAT1 and 4F2hc proteins were scarcely expressed at 8 weeks after operation in all 4 groups. These results suggest that the LAT1 and its subunit 4F2hc highly expressed at the early stage of new bone formation and may have an important role in providing cells with neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids at that stage.

It has been reported that light-emitting diodes(LED) can be used in the treatment of oral diseases. Although bio-stimulatory effects of LED irradiation such as promotion of wound healing have been well known, there are few reports about molecular mechanisms associated with wound healing by LED irradiation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression pattern of various extracellular matrix(ECM) molecules in relation to wound healing after LED irradiation on primary human gingival fibroblasts(hGFs) in vitro. The source of light for irradiation was a continuous-wave LED emitting at a wavelength of 635 nm, and manufactured that energy density was 5 mW/cm2 on sample surfaces. The hGFs were irradiated for 1 hour at 37℃ in 5% CO2 humidified chamber. Experimental samples were acquired at 0 (right after irradiation), 24 and 48 hour after irradiation. To investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with wound healing, we examined the mRNA expression of 6 types of collagens, 7 types of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and 4 types of tissue inhibition of metalloproteinases(TIMPs) after LED irradiation by RT-PCR. The mRNA expression of collagen 4, MMP-3, 9, and 16, and TIMP-3 was influenced by LED irradiation. Generally, the collagen expression of the irradiation group was slightly increased, particularly collagen 4 was significantly increased at 0 hour. The expression of MMP-3 was increased at 0 and 24 hours and MMP-16 was increased at 24 hours, respectively. The expression of MMP-9 was decreased at 0 hour and increased at 24 and 48 hours. The mRNA expression of TIMP-3 was significantly decreased at 24 and 48 hours after irradiation. These results suggest that the altered expression of ECM molecules after LED irradiation may contribute to the accelerated wound healing.