Prof. Dr. Ji-Young Joo

Cathepsin K (CTSK) is a cysteine protease that is mainly produced from mature osteoclasts and contributes to the destruction of connective tissues and mineralized matrix as a consequence of periodontal disease (PD). However, few studies have reported its regulatory role in osteoclastogenesis-supporting cells in inflammatory conditions. Here, we investigated the role of CTSK in osteoclastogenesis-supporting cells, focusing on the modulation of paracrine function. Microarray data showed that CTSK was upregulated in PD patients compared with healthy individuals, which was further supported by immunohistochemistry and qPCR analyses performed with human gingival tissues. The expression of CTSK in the osteoclastogenesis-supporting cells, including dental pulp stem cells, gingival fibroblasts, and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) was significantly elevated by treatment with inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-1β. Moreover, TNFα stimulation potentiated the PDLF-mediated osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow-derived macrophages. Interestingly, small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of CTSK in PDLF noticeably attenuated the TNFα-triggered upregulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and RANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio, thereby abrogating the enhanced osteoclastogenesis-supporting activity of PDLF. Collectively, these results suggest a novel role of CTSK in the paracrine function of osteoclastogenesis-supporting cells in periodontal disease.

About Me

Ji-Young Joo received her Doctor of Phylosophy in Periodontics from the Pusan National University in 2016. She worked as Associate Professor at Pusan National Univeristy Dental Hospital (2014–present) . She received her board of periodontitis license from the Korean government in 2009. She is a director of department of periodontology at Pusan National University Dental Hospital (2019-present). She is a faculty member of the Korena Academy of Periodontology. She received the young researcher award from the Korean Academy of Periodontology (2017). She received the best paper award from the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (2019). Her research topics mainly include: periodontitis, the periodontal-systemic relationship, and peri-implantitis

Prof. Dr. Ji-Young Joo

Prof. Dr. Ji-Young Joo

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