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Fulltext Effect of Geometric Curvature on Collective Cell Migration in Tortuous Microchannel Devices

Mazalan MB, Ramlan MAB, Shin JH, Ohashi T

Micromachines (Basel), 2020 Jul 02;11(7).
PMID: 32630662 DOI: 10.3390/mi11070659

Collective cell migration is an essential phenomenon in many naturally occurring pathophysiological processes, as well as in tissue engineering applications. Cells in tissues and organs are known to sense chemical and mechanical signals from the microenvironment and collectively respond to these signals. For the last few decades, the effects of chemical signals such as growth factors and therapeutic agents on collective cell behaviors in the context of tissue engineering have been extensively studied, whereas those of the mechanical cues have only recently been investigated. The mechanical signals can be presented to the constituent cells in different forms, including topography, substrate stiffness, and geometrical constraint. With the recent advancement in microfabrication technology, researchers have gained the ability to manipulate the geometrical constraints by creating 3D structures to mimic the tissue microenvironment. In this study, we simulate the pore curvature as presented to the cells within 3D-engineered tissue-scaffolds by developing a device that features tortuous microchannels with geometric variations. We show that both cells at the front and rear respond to the varying radii of curvature and channel amplitude by altering the collective migratory behavior, including cell velocity, morphology, and turning angle. These findings provide insights into adaptive migration modes of collective cells to better understand the underlying mechanism of cell migration for optimization of the engineered tissue-scaffold design.
Fulltext Lactobacillus acidophilus Antimicrobial Peptide Is Antagonistic to Aeromonas hydrophila

Akter N, Hashim R, Pham HQ, Choi SD, Lee DW, Shin JH, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2020;11:570851.
PMID: 33162953 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.570851

We identified an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) from Lactobacillus acidophilus that was antagonistic to Aeromonas hydrophila. In vitro studies such as well-diffusion and field trials revealed that the AMP was active against A. hydrophila. The field trials of AMP using A. hydrophila-infected Channa striatus with a mannone oligosaccharide (MOS) prebiotic, A. hydrophila antigens, A. hydrophila-infected fish serum, L. acidophilus, and Lactobacillus cell free-supernatant (LABS-CFS) on an indicator organism further revealed that the antimicrobial agent could protect C. striatus. Other than the AMP, none of the above were able to eliminate the infectious agent A. hydrophila, and were only able to delay the death rate for 3-4 days. Thus, we conclude that the AMP is antagonistic to A. hydrophila and may be used for treatment of A. hydrophila infections. Subsequent L. acidophilus whole-genome sequence analyses enabled an understanding of the (probable) gene arrangement and its location on the chromosome. This information may be useful in the generation of recombinant peptides to produce larger quantities for treatment.
Fulltext Report on the seventh meeting of national control laboratories for vaccines and biologicals of the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia member states

Shim SB, Choi CW, Shin JH, Kim JW, Schepelmann S, Jung JH, et al.

Biologicals, 2023 Nov;84:101712.
PMID: 37797484 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2023.101712

The Biregional Network of National Control Laboratories (NCLs) of the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regions has been meeting annually since 2018 to enhance NCLs' voluntary participation capacity. Its seventh meeting was hosted by the Korea National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), in conjunction with the Global Bio Conference, in Seoul on September 6, 2022. Over 60 participants from seven countries, (India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam) attended the meeting on-site and online. The theme of this meeting was 'Quality Control Issues and International Trends for Biologicals including Vaccines and Plasma-Derived Medicinal Products.' Three special speeches were presented on sharing the quality control system for biologicals, including NCLs' considerations in preparing the WHO Listed Authorities and sharing MFDS experiences. Furthermore, the participating NCLs shared country-specific issues related to national lot releases during the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged the meeting's crucial role in response preparedness for pandemic emergencies and enhancing regulatory capacity through coalitions and information exchange among NCLs. The NIFDS will cooperate closely with other Asian NCLs to enhance biological product quality control, aiming to establish regional standards and standardize test methods through collaboration.
Report of the Ninth Asian National Control Laboratory Network meeting in 2024, with a focus on regional harmonization of regulatory systems to prepare for cross-border transfer of plasma

Choi CW, Choi Y, Maryuningsih YS, Shin JH, Chantarasomchin P, Mizukami T, et al.

Biologicals, 2025 Feb 23;90:101823.
PMID: 39993352 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2025.101823

The National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, under the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea, organized and hosted the 2024 Asian National Control Laboratory (NCL) Network meeting which focussed on regional harmonization of regulatory systems to prepare for cross-border transfer of plasma. The meeting brought together representatives from seven World Health Organization (WHO) member states, along with experts from the WHO, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and Thailand Institute of Biological Products, for special lectures. Key topics included considerations for cross-border plasma transfers for fractionation, ensuring the safety of blood and blood products in the Western Pacific region, and the current status of local plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) production in Thailand. Participating countries also shared their latest experiences and updates on national lot release and biological standardization activities. All participants emphasized the need for ongoing coordination among Asian NCLs to address the increasing movement of plasma across borders and the growing demand for PDMPs in Asia. The meeting concluded with agreements to strengthen regulatory capacities and enhance cooperation among Asian NCLs, with WHO playing a central role in supporting these efforts.
GCH1 p.Ser80Asn Confers Risk for Parkinson's Disease in East Asian Populations

Tay YW, Lee AL, Schee JP, Lin CH, Tan EK, Shin JH, et al.

Mov Disord, 2026 Oct 14.
PMID: 42876073 DOI: 10.1002/mds.70530

INTRODUCTION: GCH1 has been implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD), but its risks variants and associations are not well defined.
OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to investigate the clinical relevance and PD risk associated with the GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant.
METHODS: We first identified a segregating GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant in a Malaysian Chinese PD family via whole genome sequencing (WGS). We assessed its risk association using multi-ancestry WGS data from the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2) (n = 22,372PD vs. n = 8,826Controls) and meta-analysis of East Asian (EAS) cohorts (n = 4,712PD vs. 38,733Controls). Haplotype analyses were performed and clinico-demographic details of affected variant carriers were collated.
RESULTS: The GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant was enriched in GP2 EAS PD populations (n = 9/2,757; 0.33%), but not detected in other ancestries. Meta-analysis revealed increased PD risk in EAS populations (odds ratio = 5.1; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 2.3-10.7; P = 2.89 × 10-5). A shared haplotype (~330 kbp) was identified among variant carriers. Affected carriers (mean age at onset: 56.3 ± 12.5 years) had additional occurrence of dystonia, whereas dementia was rare.
CONCLUSIONS: The GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant is a rare, EAS-enriched risk variant for PD. © 2026 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. © 2026 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Fulltext GCH1 p.Ser80Asn Confers Risk for Parkinson's Disease in East Asian Populations

Tay YW, Lee AL, Schee JP, Lin CH, Tan EK, Shin JH, et al.

medRxiv, 2026 Jun 22.
PMID: 42396327 DOI: 10.64898/2026.06.11.26354827

INTRODUCTION: GCH1 has been implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD), but its risks variants and associations are not well defined.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical relevance and PD risk associated with the GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant.
METHODS: We first identified a segregating GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant in a Malaysian Chinese PD family via whole genome sequencing (WGS). We assessed its risk association using multi-ancestry WGS data from the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2) (n=22,372PD vs n=8,826Controls) and meta-analysis of East Asian (EAS) cohorts (n=4,712PD vs 38,733Controls). Clinico-demographic details of affected variant carriers were collated.
RESULTS: The GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant was enriched in GP2 EAS PD populations (n=9/2,757; 0.33%) but not detected in other ancestries. Meta-analysis revealed increased PD risk in EAS populations (odds ratio:5.1; 95%CI:2.3-10.7; p=2.89×10-5). Affected carriers (mean age at onset:56.3±12.5 years) had additional occurrence of dystonia, while dementia was rare.
CONCLUSIONS: The GCH1 p.Ser80Asn variant is a rare, EAS-enriched risk variant for PD.
Exome Sequencing Identifies Population-Specific Genetic Risk Factors for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in Asia

Chen PS, Lin RJ, Chen HY, Cheng L, Hung MZ, Lee NC, et al.

Mov Disord, 2026 Nov 01.
PMID: 42967813 DOI: 10.1002/mds.70595

BACKGROUND: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a debilitating primary tauopathy. Although genome-wide association studies have identified risk loci in European populations, the genetic architecture of PSP in Asia remains largely undefined.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify population-specific genetic risk factors in Asian patients with PSP.
METHODS: We performed whole-exome sequencing in 549 patients with PSP recruited across East and Southeast Asia. Variant frequencies were compared with 1492 whole-genome-sequenced controls from the Taiwan Biobank. Novel variants were functionally evaluated using cellular and Drosophila models.
RESULTS: Among 549 patients (mean age at onset 65.1 ± 7.4 years; 60.47% male), 29 (5.28%) carried heterozygous pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, including 12 novel variants. Additionally, 127 patients (23.13%) harbored 144 rare variants of uncertain significance with minor allele frequency