https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/319 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:34:15 GMT 2026-08-03T09:34:15Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60516 Title: Expression and purification of the ectodomain of erythropoietin receptor fused to mCitrine or mTFP1 fluorescent protein in Escherichia coli Author(s): 강은호; Ashim Janbolat; Ji, Sangho; Han, Min Ae; Yu, Wookyung; Kim, Sung Jae; Hong, Eunmi; Moon, Cheil; Lee, Chang-Hun Abstract: The erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) is a single-pass transmembrane protein that homo-dimerizes upon binding with its renal ligand erythropoietin (EPO) to trigger downstream signaling. Its extracellular ectodomain mediates ligand binding. Therefore, a fusion protein of the EPOR ectodomain can be useful for various in vitro assays, such as a binding assay with an EPO-like peptide, if overexpressed in Escherichia coli (E.coli). In this study, we hypothesized that fusion proteins of the EPOR ectodomain with mCitrine or mTFP1, expressed in bacteria, could enable in vitro Fo & uml;rster resonance energy transfer experiments. Two fusion proteins, EPOR-mCitrine and EPORmTFP1, were overexpressed in E. coli but obtained as inclusion bodies. Urea solubilization and stepwise dialysis yielded soluble fusion proteins. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that EPOR-mCitrine had greater secondary structure content than EPOR-mTFP1. When combined with recombinant human EPO, the hydrodynamic radius of EPOR-mCitrine changed, as measured using dynamic light scattering, confirming binding. This interaction was further validated using isothermal titration calorimetry. We propose that bacterially produced EPOR-mCitrine is a useful in vitro tool for measuring EPO binding. Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60516 2026-06-30T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60353 Title: MLPH-mediated activation of dermal papilla IGF-1 signaling drives human hair shaft elongation and anagen induction Author(s): Kwack, Mi Hee; Kang, Eunho; Kim, Jewoo; Ji, Youngheum; Ju, Hyeonchang; Lee, Chang-Hun; Sung, Young Kwan; Kim, So Yeon; Moon, Cheil Abstract: Introduction Hair loss (alopecia) is a multifactorial disorder that often causes distress. Approved therapies such as minoxidil and finasteride act indirectly and do not specifically target hair follicle (HF) cells. Erythropoietin (EPO), however, has been shown to activate dermal papilla (DP) cells via the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), suggesting a potential role in hair follicle regeneration and hair growth. Objectives This study aimed to develop and validate Helix C-1–based EPO-derived peptides that activate DP cells and increase IGF-1 expression, while not inducing overt systemic erythropoietic effects (e.g., increases in red blood cell counts, reticulocytes, hemoglobin, or hematocrit) under the tested experimental conditions. Methods Peptides derived from the Helix C-1 region of EPO were synthesized and characterized by EPOR-binding affinity, CD spectroscopy, and ERK/AKT activation. In vitro, DP-cell metabolic activity, proliferation, and IGF-1 secretion were assessed. Ex vivo efficacy was evaluated by hair shaft elongation in hair follicle organ culture, and in vivo efficacy was tested in a murine depilation-induced anagen model with concurrent hematologic assessment to exclude erythropoiesis-related effects. Results The peptides increased DP-cell metabolic activity and proliferation, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced IGF-1 production via EPOR-mediated ERK/AKT activation. They promoted hair shaft elongation ex vivo and promoted anagen entry in mice without significant changes in standard hematologic parameters under the tested dosing regimen. Conclusion These findings support the conclusion that MLPH promotes hair growth via an EPOR-linked, IGF-1–dependent mechanism in DP cells. Future pharmacokinetic and disease-model studies are warranted to evaluate its translational potential. © 2026 The Authors. Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60353 2026-02-28T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60221 Title: Odors modulate self face perception and frontal ERP responses Author(s): Yoon, Seongwon; Moon, Sun Ae; Kim, Kwangsu; Bae, Jisub; Lee, Jeewon; Moon, Cheil Abstract: The face is crucial for social interactions, as it conveys various personal characteristics and influences social judgments. Although previous studies have demonstrated that odors can modulate facial perception and evaluation, these investigations largely focused on others’ faces (other-face). The neural mechanisms underlying self-face perception remain less explored. This study examined how odors differing in pleasantness modulate self-face perception and associated neural responses measured via event-related potentials (ERPs). Thirty-one healthy participants (14 women, 17 men) evaluated their self-faces after exposure to a neutral odor (lavender), an unpleasant odor (isovaleric acid), or solvent control (control). Exposure to isovaleric acid, compared with air and lavender, significantly reduced self-face attractiveness and preference ratings. Beyond these behavioral effects, we observed odor-related modulation of ERP amplitude and latency across multiple time windows, and Positive potential (PP) amplitude in the 300–600 ms interval was positively associated with self-face preference and attractiveness. These neural responses correlated with subjective self-evaluations, highlighting a critical period for affective self-assessment influenced by olfactory stimuli. These results suggest that odors modulate self-face perception and frontal ERP responses. Our findings suggest that everyday olfactory environments subtly shape self-perception, underscoring the broader impact of odors on social and psychological functioning. Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:00:00 GMT https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/60221 2025-12-31T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59909 Title: Erythropoietin-derived Non-erythropoietic Peptides Conferring Oxidative Stress Resistance to Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts Author(s): Han, Min Ae; Ashim, Janbolat; Ji, Youngheum; Kang, Eunho; Jeong, Minchan; Kim, Sung Jae; Yu, Wookyung; Kim, Jin Hae; Moon, Cheil; Lee, Chang-Hun Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO) exerts tissue-protective effects; however, its erythropoietic activity limits broader use. Three EPO-derived peptides (ML1-C1/C2/C3) were designed from the C-helix of EPO to remove erythropoietic activity while retaining cell-protective activity. Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies were used to assess the solution structures of ML1-C1/C2/C3 peptides. The peptide activities for cytoprotection and growth support were assessed using skin-relevant cells, HaCaT cells and 3T3-L1 cells, which proposes an effect on skin epithelial keratinocytes and pre-adipocytic fibroblasts, respectively. Also, an erythroid-precursor cell line, TF-1, was used to evaluate the erythropoietic function of the three peptides. Spectroscopic analyses of ML1-C1/C2/C3 peptides revealed similar secondary structures and different flexibilities between the peptides. While ML1-C1 and ML1-C3 had highly flexible loop-like structures, ML1-C2 had less flexible loop-like structures. Also, their cellular effects vary in a cell type-dependent manner. The EPO-derived peptides can attenuate H2O2-induced loss of viability in HaCaT cells and 3T3-L1 cells. Under low-serum conditions, the three peptides promoted HaCaT proliferation, whereas only ML1-C1 improved 3T3-L1 proliferation. In TF-1 cells, none of the peptides increased cell viability or hemoglobin staining, whereas recombinant human EPO did, indicating the lack of erythropoietic activity of the peptides under experimental conditions. These findings support the potential of EPO-derived peptides as skin-protective agents and motivate future work for skin therapeutics or cosmetic purposes. https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59909