Kyungpyo Park

Nanomaterials with antioxidant properties are promising for treating reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related diseases. However, maintaining efficacy at low doses to minimize toxicity is a critical for clinical applications. Tuning the surface strain of metallic nanoparticles can enhance catalytic reactivity, which has rarely been demonstrated in metal oxide nanomaterials. Here, it is shown that inducing surface strains of CeO₂ /Mn₃ O₄ nanocrystals produces highly c

In this study, we investigated purinergic receptor P2X7 and NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome expressions, and their role in head and neck cancer. We found upregulation of purinergic receptor P2X7 and all NLRP3 inflammasome components in biopsied head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues. Similarly, the expression of purinergic receptor P2X7, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD, and pro-form caspase 1 in A253 cells derived from epidermoi

Recently, there has been growing interest in replacing severely damaged salivary glands with artificial salivary gland functional units created in vitro by tissue engineering approaches. Although various materials such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polylactic acid, poly(glycolic acid), and polyethylene glycol hydrogels have been used as scaffolds for salivary gland tissue engineering, none of them is effective enough to closely recapitulate the branched structural complexity and heterogeneou

Peri-implantitis is a major cause of dental implant failure. Bacterial biofilm contamination on the implant induces surrounding bone resorption and soft tissue inflammation, leading to severe deterioration of oral health. However, conventional biofilm removal procedures, such as mechanical decontamination and antiseptic application, are not effective enough to induce reosseointegration on decontaminated implant surfaces. This is due to (1) incomplete decontamination of the biofilm from inaccessi

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanilyl-6-nonenamide) is a unique alkaloid isolated from hot chili peppers of the capsicum family. Capsaicin is an agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), which is expressed in nociceptive sensory neurons and a range of secretory epithelia, including salivary glands. Capsaicin has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in sensory neurons. Recently, increasing evidence has indicated that capsaicin also affects saliva secretion and infla

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cyclic AMP (cAMP)-regulated chloride channel, is critical for secretion and absorption across diverse epithelia. Mutations or absence of CFTR result in pathogeneses, including cancer. While CFTR has been proposed as a tumor suppressing gene in tumors of the intestine, lung, and breast cancers, its effects in head and neck cancer (HNC) have yet to be investigated. This study aimed to define expression patterns and epigenetic modificati

Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases the susceptibility of cells to pathogenic diseases, including inflammatory diseases and septic syndrome. In our experiments, we examined whether LPS induces epithelial barrier disruption in secretory epithelia and further investigated its underlying mechanism. The activities of Ca²⁺-activated Cl^- channels (CACC) and epithelial Na⁺ channels (ENaC) were monitored with a short-circuit current using an Ussing

Sodium bicarbonate cotransporters (NBCs) are involved in the pH regulation of salivary glands. However, the roles and regulatory mechanisms among different NBC isotypes have not been rigorously evaluated. We investigated the roles of two different types of NBCs, electroneutral (NBCn1) and electrogenic NBC (NBCe1), with respect to pH regulation and regulatory mechanisms using human submandibular glands (hSMGs) and HSG cells. Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured and the pHi recovery rate from cell