Bong Kyu Choi
Seoul National University · 歯学
研究室紹介
Professor Bong Kyu Choi's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions, particularly in periodontal and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab investigates the role of bacterial virulence factors—such as extracellular vesicles, quorum-sensing molecules like AI-2, and misfolded proteins like α-synuclein—in driving chronic inflammation, bone loss, and neurotoxicity. Key research directions include the pathogenesis of periodontitis, the contribution of spirochetes and biofilms to disease progression, and the systemic effects of periodontal pathogens on bone metabolism and neurodegeneration. The lab employs molecular microbiology, host-pathogen interaction studies, and advanced molecular techniques to explore microbial diversity and pathogenicity in complex host environments.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
15Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies are featured with the formation of Lewy bodies composed mostly of α-synuclein (α-Syn) in the brain. Although evidence indicates that the large oligomeric or protofibril forms of α-Syn are neurotoxic agents, the detailed mechanisms of the toxic functions of the oligomers remain unclear. Here, we show that large α-Syn oligomers efficiently inhibit neuronal SNARE-mediated vesicle lipid mixing. Large α-Syn oligomers preferentially bind to the N-termina
To determine the genetic diversity of cultivable and uncultivable spirochetes in the gingival crevice of a patient with severe periodontitis, partial 16S rRNA genes were cloned from PCR-amplified products of DNA and RNA extracted from a subgingival plaque sample. Approximately 500 bp were amplified in PCRs by using universally conserved primers with polylinker tails. Purified PCR products were cloned into Escherichia coli by using the plasmid vector pUC19. The resultant clone library was screene
Digital dermatitis (DD), first described in 1974 by Cheli and Mortellaro (R. Cheli and C. Mortellaro, p. 208-213, in Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Diseases of Cattle, 1974), is a major problem in diary cows and beef cattle causing significant economic losses worldwide. Lesions are typically found at the volar skin proximal to the heel bulbs. Microscopic examination of biopsies or touch preparations of these lesions revealed a variety of different bacterial morphotypes includ
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease induced by local infection in tooth-supporting tissue. Periodontitis is associated with systemic bone diseases, but little is known about the mechanism of the causal effect of periodontitis on systemic bone resorption. Bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as natural carriers of virulence factors that are responsible for systemic inflammation. In this study, we investigated the role of EVs derived from Filifactor alocis, a Gram-positive, anaer
Autoinducer 2 (AI-2) is a quorum sensing molecule to which bacteria respond to regulate various phenotypes, including virulence and biofilm formation. AI-2 plays an important role in the formation of a subgingival biofilm composed mostly of Gram-negative anaerobes, by which periodontitis is initiated. The aim of this study was to evaluate D-galactose as an inhibitor of AI-2 activity and thus of the biofilm formation of periodontopathogens. In a search for an AI-2 receptor of Fusobacterium nuclea
BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that often leads to destruction of alveolar bone; a number of bacteria in subgingival plaque are associated with bone destruction in periodontitis. To understand the mechanism of how periodontopathogens induce osteoclastogenesis, we determined which mediators are involved in the osteoclastogenesis. METHODS: We investigated effects of sonicates from three periodontopathic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Treponema so
BACKGROUND: Although extensive microbial analyses have been performed from subgingival plaque samples of periodontitis patients, systematic analysis of subgingival microbiota has not been carried out in a Korean population so far. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of major putative periodontopathogens in Korean patients by culture-independent methods. METHODS: A total of 244 subgingival plaque samples (5 sites in each participant) were taken from 29 advanced adult periodon
Alveolar bone destruction is a characteristic feature of periodontitis. Treponema denticola is known to be involved in periodontitis. To elucidate the role of T. denticola in alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis, the effects of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) from T. denticola on osteoclast formation and on expression of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNAs were examined in a coculture system by using mouse calvaria and bone marrow cells. In addition, the effec
Recently, Riviere et al. reported as yet uncultivable invasive oral spirochetes that cross-reacted with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for Treponema pallidum (G. R. Riviere, K. S. Elliot, D. F. Adams, L. G. Simonson, L. B. Forgas, A. M. Nilius, and S. A. Lukehart, J. Periodontol. 63:131-136, 1992; G. R. Riviere, M. A. Wagoner, S. A. Baker-Zander, K. S. Weisz, D. F. Adams, L. Simonson, and S. A. Lukehart, N. Engl. J. Med. 325:539-543, 1991; G. R. Riviere, K. S. Weisz, D. F. Adams, and D. D