Effects of Chorda-lingual Denervation on NOS Expression in the Rat Submandibular Gland / 체질인류학회지

Nitric oxide (NO) gas has been recognized to diffuse readily across the membrane and bind directly to molecule (s) inside target cells. In the salivary gland, eNOS and nNOS are constitutively expressed. iNOS was also reported to express in neoplastic salivary tissues. Regarding the role of NO in the salivary gland, it has been suggested that it may control blood flow to the glands and furthermore involve in growth and development of the gland. The present study hypothesized that denervation of parasympathetic secretomotor fibers may lead to salivary secretion dysfunction, changing NOS expression. The gland weight on the denervated side significantly decreased from 3 days after the denervation, comparing the control (p.0.01). Some atrophic and hyperchromatic changes, but no inflammatory reactions were found for the whole period of the experiment. All three kinds of NOS were mainly expressed in the ducts of the gland in both the control and experimental sides. Immunoreactivities of nNOS and eNOS were not noticeably different from those of the control. However, iNOS was also detected in ducts in the normal submandibular gland by immunohistochemical staining. The iNOS expression increased more than 2 times at denervated side of the gland than the control. These results suggest that NOS isoforms, especially iNOS following chorda-lingual denervation may lead to matrix loss or cell death in the salivary gland.

Distribution of HIV-1 Subtypes by Transmission Routes in Korea / 감염

BACKGROUND: Previous data have been reported that subtype B is prevalent in South Korea, but neither the extent nor the proportion of subtypes could be evaluated. This study was designed to analyze the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes, temporal instructions and transmission dynamics between epidemiological groups. METHODS: 1,280 Koreans had been diagnosed as HIV seropositive during the period 1985 to 2000. Among them, 134 individuals were selected for this molecular epidemiological study. 134 DNAs were isolated from uncultured or cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells. V3-V5 (0.7 kb) fragment of HIV-1 env gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction and was sequenced. RESULTS: HIV-1 isolates from thirty-seven homosexuals were all subtype B (100%). On the other hand, 66 isolates from 94 heterosexuals were subtype B (70%) and 28 were non B subtypes (30%:13 A, 4 C, 2 D, 8 E, 1 G). Only subtype B strains were isolated from 73 males who were infected with HIV inside Korea while 16 B and 20 non B subtype strains were isolated from 36 males who were HIV infected outside of Korea. However, B and non B strains were isolated half and half from females who were infected inside Korea except one. CONCLUSION: The HIV-1 subtype B strains are prevalent in Korea from the early HIV infection until present in both homo and heterosexuals. Non B strains have been transmitted from men who were infected outside Korea to their spouses and casual partners. So, we need further study to monitor subtype B and non B HIV transmission in epidemiological groups of Korea.

Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses to Sequential Periodontopathic Bacterial Immunization in Animal Model / 대한치주과학회지

Antigen-specific T cell clones were obtained from mice immunized with Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953(F. nucleatum) and/or Porphyromonas gingivalis 381(P. gingivalis). 10 Balb/c mice per group were immunized with F. nucleatum followed by P. gingivalis, or with P. gingivalis alone by intraperitoneal injection of viable microorganisms. Spleen T cells were isolated and stimulated in vitro with viable P. gingivalis cells to establish P. gingivalis-specific T cell clones. T cell phenotypes and cytokine profiles were determined along with T cell responsiveness to F. nucleatum or P. gingivalis. Serum IgG antibody titers to F. nucleatum or P. gingivalis were also determined by ELISA. All the T cell clones derived from mice immunized with F. nucleatum followed by P. gingivalis demonstrated Th2 subsets, while those from mice immunized with P. gingivalis alone demonstrated Th1 subsets based on the flow cytometric analysis and cytokine profiles, All T cells clones from both groups were cross-reactive to both P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum antigens. Phenotypes of T cell clones were all positive for CD4. Mean post-immune serum IgG antibody levels to F. nucleatum or P. gingivalis were significantly higher than the preimmune levels(p<0.01, respectively). There were no significant differences in the antibody titers between the two groups. It was concluded that P. gingivalis-specific T cells initially primed by cross-reactive F. nucleatum antigens were polarized to Th2 subsets, while T cells stimulated with P. gingivalis alone maintained the profile of Th1 subset.