Jung-Ho Hong

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a pluripotent cell type that can differentiate into several distinct lineages. Two key transcription factors, Runx2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), drive MSCs to differentiate into either osteoblasts or adipocytes, respectively. How these two transcription factors are regulated in order to specify these alternate cell fates remains a pivotal question. Here we report that a 14-3-3-binding protein, TAZ (transcriptional coactivator

Shear stress activates cellular signaling involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration. However, the mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation under interstitial flow are not fully understood. Here, we show the increased osteogenic differentiation of MSCs under exposure to constant, extremely low shear stress created by osmotic pressure-induced flow in a microfluidic chip. The interstitial level of shear stress in the proposed microfluidic system stimulated

Myoblast differentiation is indispensable for skeletal muscle formation and is governed by the precisely coordinated regulation of a series of transcription factors, including MyoD and myogenin, and transcriptional coregulators. TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif) has been characterized as a modulator of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes through its regulation of lineage-specific master transcription factors. In this study, we investigated

After occurrence of RAO, there is a high risk of a subsequent vascular event, particularly ipsilateral stroke, within one month. LAA is an independent factor for the occurrence of a subsequent vascular event. Management for the prevention of secondary vascular events is necessary in patients with RAO especially with LAA. Large clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Osteoporosis arises from an imbalance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. In this study, we screened molecules from marine natural products that stimulate osteoblast differentiation. We found that phorbaketal A significantly stimulates osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal cells. Increased interaction of TAZ and Runx2 stimulated phorbaketal A-induced expression of osteoblastic marker genes. The activation of ERK was important for the stimulation of different

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease characterized by low bone mass and is caused by an imbalance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. It is known that the bioactive compounds present in green tea increase osteogenic activity and decrease the risk of fracture by improving bone mineral density. However, the detailed mechanism underlying these beneficial effects has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the osteogenic effect of (-)-epicatechin

Insulin regulates blood glucose levels by binding its receptor and stimulating downstream proteins through the insulin receptor substrate (IRS). Impaired insulin signalling leads to metabolic syndrome, but the regulation of this process is not well understood. Here, we describe a novel insulin signalling regulatory pathway involving TAZ. TAZ upregulates IRS1 and stimulates Akt- and Glut4-mediated glucose uptake in muscle cells. Muscle-specific TAZ-knockout mice shows significantly decreased Irs1

Mitochondria are energy-generating organelles and mitochondrial biogenesis is stimulated to meet energy requirements in response to extracellular stimuli, including exercise. However, the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial biogenesis remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle. In muscle-specific TAZ-knockout (mKO) mice, mitochondrial biogenesis, respiratory metabolism, and exercise abi

In response to liver injury, the liver undergoes a regeneration process to retain its mass and function. However, the regeneration mechanism has not been fully clarified. This study investigated the role of transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), a Hippo-signaling effector, in liver regeneration. We observed that TAZ stimulates liver regeneration after liver injury. After partial hepatectomy (PHx) or carbon tetrachloride damage, TAZ was required for liver regeneration to increa

Background and Purpose— We investigated whether statin pretreatment can dose dependently reduce periprocedural complications in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting because of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Methods— We enrolled a consecutive series of 397 symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (≥50% stenosis on conventional angiography) treated with carotid artery stenting at 2 tertiary university hospitals over a decade. Definition of periprocedural complications included any stroke,