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Bora Nam

Hanyang University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Bora Nam's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying spinal structural damage in axial spondyloarthritis, particularly ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The lab investigates key signaling pathways—such as PDGFB, TGFβ1, and TNF-induced DKK1—involved in enthesophyte formation and abnormal bone formation. Using in vitro and in vivo models, along with clinical cohort studies, the lab explores the roles of growth factors and inflammatory mediators in radiographic progression and disease activity. The ultimate goal is to identify novel therapeutic targets to halt or prevent spinal ankylosis in AS.

ankylosing spondylitisbone formationgrowth factorsradiographic progressionTGFβ1 signaling

Research Overview

Papers
52
Total Citations
370
Papers (5y)
23
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
23total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
87total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|47 citations·2020
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor B Is a Key Element in the Pathological Bone Formation of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Sungsin Jo, Seung Hoon Lee, Jinsung Park, Bora Nam, Hyunsung Kim, Jeehee Youn, Seunghun Lee, Tae‐Jong Kim, Tae‐Jong Kim, Il‐Hoon Sung, Sung Hoon Choi, Ye‐Soo Park
SJR Q1Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Enthesophyte formation plays a crucial role in the development of spinal ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We aimed to investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) in enthesophyte formation of AS using in vitro and in vivo models and to determine the association between PDGFB and spinal progression in AS. Serum PDGFB levels were measured in AS patients and healthy controls (HC). Human entheseal tissues attached to facet joints or spinous processes were harvested at th

RheumatologyMedicine
2
Article|42 citations·2020
TGFβ1 Suppressed Matrix Mineralization of Osteoblasts Differentiation by Regulating SMURF1–C/EBPβ–DKK1 Axis
Bora Nam, Hyosun Park, Young Lim Lee, Younseo Oh, Jinsung Park, So Yeon Kim, Subin Weon, Sung Hoon Choi, Jae Hyuk Yang, Sungsin Jo, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a major mediator in the modulation of osteoblast differentiation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still not fully understood. Here, we show that TGFβ1 has a dual stage-dependent role in osteoblast differentiation; TGFβ1 induced matrix maturation but inhibited matrix mineralization. We discovered the underlying mechanism of the TGFβ1 inhibitory role in mineralization using human osteoprogenitors. In particular, the matrix mineralization-rela

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
3
Article|20 citations·2022
Clinical and genetic factors associated with radiographic damage in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Bora Nam, Sungsin Jo, So‐Young Bang, Young‐Ho Park, Ji Hui Shin, Ye‐Soo Park, Seunghun Lee, Kyung Bin Joo, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q1Annals of the Rheumatic DiseasesOA

This study identified clinical and genetic factors that contributed to better understanding of the pathogenesis and biology associated with radiographic damage in AS.

RheumatologyMedicine
4
Article|19 citations·2010
Concealment, depression and poor quality of life in patients with congenital facial anomalies
So-Young Lim, Dongsoo Lee, Kap Sung Oh, Bora Nam, Sa Ik Bang, Goo‐Hyun Mun, Jai‐Kyong Pyon, Ji‐Hae Kim, Se Chang Yoon, Hyo-Seok Song, Hong Jin Jeon
SJR Q1Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
GeneticsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
5
Article|19 citations·2019
Malignancy risk in Korean male patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Bora Nam, Hyoungyoung Kim, Eun Jin Jang, Soo‐Kyung Cho, Yoon‐Kyoung Sung, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q2Rheumatology International
RheumatologyMedicine
6
Article|18 citations·2020
Conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs therapy may not slow spinal radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis: results from an 18-year longitudinal dataset
Tae-Han Lee, Bon San Koo, Bora Nam, Ji Seon Oh, Seo Young Park, Seunghun Lee, Kyung Bin Joo, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q1Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal DiseaseOA

OBJECTIVES: The clinical benefit of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is generally limited to improvements in peripheral arthritis. However, cDMARDs could be conditionally considered as alternatives to established drugs for improving axial manifestations in exceptional circumstances. However, there are few studies of the impact of cDMARDs on radiographic progression outcomes. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of cDMAR

RheumatologyMedicine
7
Article|18 citations·2021
The TNF-NF-κB-DKK1 Axis Promoted Bone Formation in the Enthesis of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Sungsin Jo, Bora Nam, Young Lim Lee, Hyosun Park, Subin Weon, Sunghoon Choi, Ye‐Soo Park, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q2Journal of Rheumatic DiseasesOA

TNF induced DKK1 expression in the enthesis through NF-<i>k</i>B activation TNF-induced DKK1 expression may play a bone formation in the radiologic progression of ankylosing spondylitis.

RheumatologyMedicine
8
Article|16 citations·2021
Gender differences in factors associated with low quality of life and depression in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Bora Nam, Bon San Koo, Seoung Wan Nam, Ji-Hui Shin, Yoonah Song, Soo‐Kyung Cho, Yoon‐Kyoung Sung, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q1Quality of Life Research
RheumatologyMedicine
9
Article|13 citations·2021
Low BASDAI score alone is not a good predictor of anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment efficacy in ankylosing spondylitis: a retrospective cohort study
Bora Nam, Bon San Koo, Tae-Han Lee, Ji-Hui Shin, Jin‐Ju Kim, Seunghun Lee, Kyung Bin Joo, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q2BMC Musculoskeletal DisordersOA

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of high disease activity as measured using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients who nonetheless have low Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores after anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment. Its clinical impact on anti-TNF survival was also investigated. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study of AS patients hav

RheumatologyMedicine
10
Article|10 citations·2022
The impact of smoking status on radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis on anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment
Bora Nam, Bon San Koo, Nayeon Choi, Ji-Hui Shin, Seunghun Lee, Kyung Bin Joo, Tae‐Hwan Kim
SJR Q1Frontiers in MedicineOA

Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by back pain which can lead to spinal ankylosis. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) dramatically alleviates symptoms, but spinal damage can still be progressive even during anti-TNF treatment. Smoking is a one of well-known risk factors for structural damage in AS. However, it has not been confirmed that smoking can affect radiographic progression even during anti-TNF treatment. Objective To investigate factors associated with radiographic pr

RheumatologyMedicine
11
Article|5 citations·2021
Fracture Risk and Its Prevention Patterns in Korean Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Bora Nam, Yoon‐Kyoung Sung, Chan‐Bum Choi, Tae‐Hwan Kim, Jae‐Bum Jun, Sang‐Cheol Bae, Dae‐Hyun Yoo, Soo‐Kyung Cho
SJR Q2Journal of Korean Medical ScienceOA

The incidence rate of fractures in Korean patients with PMR was 3.93/100 PYs. Female sex, advanced age, longer follow-up duration, and increased glucocorticoid dose are risk factors for osteoporotic fracture.

GeneticsMedicine
12
Article|3 citations·2020
AB0116 DECREASED SERUM LEVEL OF IRISIN IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
Bora Nam, Sungsin Jo, S. Lee, T. H. Kim
SJR Q1Annals of the Rheumatic DiseasesOA
PhysiologyMedicine
13
Article|2 citations·2025
Evaluating the impact of the ASAS early axial spondyloarthritis definition on radiographic progression over 12years
Bora Nam, Jung Ho Yang, So‐Young Bang, Ji Hui Shin, Seunghun Lee, Tae‐Hwan Kim, Tae-Jong Kim
SJR Q2Joint Bone Spine
RheumatologyMedicine
14
Article|2 citations·2024
Unique cartilage matrix-associated protein inhibits osteoclast differentiation by alleviating RANKL-induced reactive oxygen species
Bora Nam, Na Rae Park, Eui Kyun Park, Jung‐Eun Kim
SJR Q2Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
15
Article|1 citations·2019
Human plasmablast migration toward CXCL12 requires glucose oxidation by enhanced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity via AKT
Bora Nam, Hyo-Kyung Pak, Chan-Sik Park
SJR Q1The Journal of Immunology

Abstract Migration of human plasmablast to the bone marrow is essential for the final differentiation of plasma cells and maintenance of effective humoral immunity. This migration is controlled by CXCL12/CXCR4-mediated activation of the protein kinase AKT. Herein, we show that the CXCL12-induced migration of human plasmablasts is dependent on glucose oxidation. Glucose depletion markedly inhibited plasmablast migration by 67%, and the glucose analog 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) reduced the migration by

SurgeryMedicine

Research Areas

RheumatologyMolecular BiologyGeneticsSurgeryImmunologyPhysiology

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