You-Mee Lee

Iron chelator differentially activates macrophage inflammatory protein-3α/CCL20 in immortalized and malignant human oral keratinocytes

Macrophage inflammatory protein-3alpha (MIP-3alpha or CCL20) is an intriguing molecule in cancer immunotherapy, but MIP-3alpha expression and signalling are not well understood in oral cancer cells. We investigated CCL20 expression and signal transduction by treating immortalized human oral keratinocyte (IHOK) and oral cancer (HN4) cells with deferoxamine (DFO) and examined the mRNA expression of CCL20 using RT-PCR and ELISA. IHOK and HN4 cells treated with DFO showed increased mRNA and protein expression of CCL20, and the upregulation of DFO-induced CCL20 expression was higher in IHOK cells than in HN4 cells. Selective inhibitors of p38 and ERK1/2 abolished DFO-induced CCL20 expression in both IHOK and HN12 cells, and p38 and ERK1/2 inhibitors prevented DFO-induced degradation of I-kappaB and NF-kappaB activation. Activation of c-fos and c-jun also occurred following DFO treatment in IHOK and HN4 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that DFO-induced MIP-3alpha, which is involved in the MAP kinase, c-fos, c-jun, and NF-kappaB pathways, may be an important mediator of the antitumour immune response in oral keratinocytes and warrants consideration as a target molecule for oral cancer treatment.

Evaluation of Quality of Life according to Temporomandibular Disorder Symptoms in Dental Hospital Worker

Temporomandibular disorder(TMD) is relatively prevalent disease, and quality of life may be impaired in TMD patients. Like general population, dental hospital workers are also exposed to the risk of TMD. But, many of them tend to overlook or tolerate their symptoms for lack of time and interest. Therefore, problems may become more serious, causing interference of performing task and decrease of quality of life. The aim of this study were to obtain data for TMD prevalence in dental hospital workers and to evaluate quality of life according to TMD symptoms. Subjects were recruited from Wonkwang University Dental Hospital. After consent, subjects completed quality of life questionnaire and were evaluated for subjective and objective signs and symptoms of TMD. Subjects were classified into 4 groups : (1) normal group (2) joint disorder group, (3) local myalgia group, and (4) myofascial pain group. The result of the study indicated that TMD negatively influences the quality of life in dental hospital worker. TMD symptoms can deteriorate quality of life in dental hospital worker. Future effort to make protocol for proper management is needed.