Seulgi Lee

miR-449a regulates the chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells through direct targeting of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1

microRNAs are small molecules, about 17-23 nucleotides in length, that act as translational regulators of their target gene. By binding to a target, microRNAs are known to either inhibit translation or induce degradation of the target. Despite the great interest in microRNAs, however, the exact targets of each individual microRNA in different processes remain largely unknown. In this study, we determined that the lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1 (LEF-1) was expressed during the chondrogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) and sought to identify a novel microRNA targeting this gene. Through subsequent studies, we have identified, for the first time, one particular microRNA, miR-449a, that recognizes and regulates the expression of LEF-1 in a dose-dependent and sequence-specific manner. In addition, we observed that the inhibition of LEF-1 via miR-449a led to the subsequent repression of Sox 9, which is a well-established regulator of chondrogenesis. Collectively, this study demonstrated that miR-449a directly targets LEF-1, which in turn affects the expression of Sox 9, ultimately leading to the proper regulation of the differentiation and chondrogenesis of human MSCs (hBM-MSCs).

Interleukin-6 induces the lineage commitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal multipotent cells through down-regulation of Sox2 by osteogenic transcription factors

Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM‐MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that differ in size and morphology. BM‐MSCs become committed to the osteogenic lineage as senescence approaches and lose multipotency. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of cell‐cell interaction between different populations on stemness loss and lineage commitment. The current study aimed to identify mechanisms by which cell‐cell interactions between heterogeneous BM‐MSCs affect stemness and lineage commitment of multipotent subpopulation. The lineage commitment of primitive multipotent cells was strongly induced in the presence of cytokines secreted by senescent‐like cells in a cell culture insert system. Senescent‐like cells secreted higher levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) than primitive multipotent cells in a human cytokine array. IL‐6 induced the lineage commitment and stemness loss in multipotent cells by decreasing Sox2 expression. Furthermore, we confirmed that IL‐6 decreased the transcriptional activity of Sox2 through up‐regulation of Runx2 and Dlx5. We suggest a mechanism by which IL‐6 modulates the expression of Sox2, resulting in decreased multipotency and causing primitive multipotent cells to undergo osteogenic lineage commitment. This is the first study to identify mechanisms in which the cell‐cell interactions between the different populations play important roles in the stemness loss and lineage commitment of multipotent populations.—Yoon, D. S., Kim, Y. H., Lee, S., Lee, K.‐M., Park, K. H., Jang, Y., Lee, J. W. Interleukin‐6 induces the lineage commitment of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal multipotent cells through down‐regulation of Sox2 by osteogenic transcription factors. FASEB J. 28, 3273–3286 (2014). www.fasebj.org

Cultural heritage fashion branding in Asia

In “the century of culture,” a current drift is toward utilizing cultural heritage branding. Cultural heritage brand referred to in this study means a brand with value proposition based on cultural heritage. As Asian cultures are gathering global focus amid ongoing trend of exoticism and the growth of Asian economies, there is more opportunity especially for Asian brands to benefit from cultural heritage branding. Also, the advantages of cultural heritage branding can benefit fashion brands, considering that designs of great importance in fashion brands competitiveness can earn creativity and originality from cultural heritage. Therefore, this study (1) profiles cultural heritage fashion brands based on Asia: Japan, China, and Korea, (2) identifies components of cultural heritage fashion branding by comparative analysis, and (3) identifies characteristics in brand management strategy from the brands, and offer managerial implications for upcoming cultural heritage fashion brands. This study adopts a case study approach that focuses on Asian fashion brands; Issey Miyake (Japan), Shanghai Tang (China), and Damyeon designed by Lee Hye Soon (Korea). The analytical contents of this research include general profiles (i.e., brand history, brand philosophy and concept, and BI and visual representation), cultural heritage perspectives and brand management perspective (i.e., product, price, place, promotion, and brand extension). Most of the information was retrieved from multiple sources including books, academic papers, brands annual report, brand official website, news articles, etc. Overall, this study shows cultural heritage fashion branding can be useful in distinctiveness in positioning and delivering brand value in depth, authenticity, and credibility for customers (Urde, 2007). The findings suggest some managerial as well as cultural heritage-related indications for upcoming cultural heritage fashion brands. Although common components of cultural heritage fashion branding (i.e., utilization of traditional prototype, emphasis on traditional fabric, and preservation of traditional craftsmanship) were drawn out, achieving optimal balance between tradition and modernity was found critical as well. Managerial guidelines include foreign brand naming, premium pricing, art-related promotions, and extension for a total lifestyle brand. In further research, the type of industry and different country-of-origins can be applied in order to extensively study about the issue of cultural heritage branding.

A study of the authenticity of traditional cultural products: focus on Korean, Chinese, and Japanese consumers

ABSTRACT Countries’ specific traditional cultures are becoming popular subjects for commercialization. The research discussed here focuses on “traditional cultural products” (TCPs) and investigates consumer attitudes and behaviors with respect to cultural aspects. Consumer attitudes and the purposes of consumption within the commercialization of traditional cultures encircling cultural authenticity are scrutinized. Results show that while the personal factor of consumers’ open-mindedness toward other cultures positively influences their attitudes toward TCPs, the ethnocentrism and familiarity of the culture have negative effects. This analysis of the purchasing purpose model of culture products among three countries – Korea, China, and Japan – shows that positive attitudes toward the aesthetic elements are crucial in raising the will to consume traditional cultural goods. Moreover, Korean and Chinese consumers have significantly considered the cultural/historical authenticity of goods whereas Japanese consumers have found craftsmanship to be more vital.

Cinderella Storytelling in 21st Century: Interpreting Popular Culture in the Movies via Visual Narrative Arts

This study explores the meaning of Cinderella archetype through the use of visual narrative art (VNA) created from the chosen motion film. First, the present study describes basic concepts of several qualitative research methodologies including visual sociology, cognitive sculpting (CS), storytelling, and VNA. Mapping contexts that the movie describes deepens the understanding of the stories and enactments. Second, the paper briefly examines the Cinderella archetype in storytelling. Finally, the paper illustrates VNA via CS of a subject movie for improving interpretations and sense-making of the story.

Air Shower Events of High‐Energy Cosmic Rays Measured at Seoul, South Korea

The COsmic ray Research and Education Array (COREA) collaboration has installed an array of six detector stations at two high schools in and near Seoul, Korea for measurement of air‐shower events from high‐energy cosmic rays. Three stations are installed at each site, where each station consists of four plastic scintillation detectors covering an area of 2m2. In this presentation, we report the currenst status of the COREA project, describing the experimental equipment and measurement of coincident events.