UAAT International Young Visiting Scholar Program
Tomomi Sano

Assistant professor
Kyushu university
Email: tomoming@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Webpage: https://kyushu-u.elsevierpure.com/ja/persons/tomomi-sano
Host Scholar: Wei-jen Chang, Professor
Hosting Department/Institution: School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University
Biography:
Education
Ph.D. in Dental Science Mar 2016
Hiroshima University
D.D.S. Mar 2011
Hiroshima University
Professional experience
Assistant professor Oct 2020–present
Department of Cell Biology, Aging Science, and Pharmacology, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University
Assistant professor May 2016–Sep 2020
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University
Lecture [1]:
Time: 2025/02/20 12:00–13:00
Venue: Taipei Medical University, Oral Medicine Building
Title: Epicatechin, potential use as an anti-periodontitis substance
Abstract:
Periodontitis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease requiring the development of drug-based therapies. Epicatechin is a major polyphenol in cocoa extract and possesses numerous pharmacological properties. During chronic inflammation state, such as periodontitis, macrophages play an important role in the progress of inflammation. C-C motif chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19), also known as macrophage inflammatory protein 3 beta, is a chemokine. I investigated the distinct effect of epicatechin on the inflammatory responses and alveolar bone loss in periodontitis, focusing on its role in modulating CCL19 expression. The results I present demonstrate that epicatechin protects against periodontitis by reducing CCL19 levels, which may be a promising countermeasure for periodontitis in clinical practice.
Lecture [2]:
Time: 2025/03/06 11:30–12:30
Venue: Taipei Medical University, Shuang Ho Hospital
Title: Periodontal tissue organoid culture for clinical application of epicatechin
Abstract:
There is an increasing interest in the use of dietary supplements and natural products for the treatment and prevention of periodontitis. Epicatechin (EC), a flavonoid abundant in cocoa, green tea, and red wine, possesses excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Periodontitis is an infectious disease caused by periodontal pathogens that chronically destroy periodontal tissues. Our findings suggest that EC can reduce inflammatory responses and improve periodontal disease status. Periodontal tissue organoids reproduce realistic microstructures and biological functions and have the anatomical and functional characteristics of human periodontal tissue. This UAAT program conducted experiments to construct periodontal tissue organoids and use them to conduct basic research leading to the clinical application of epicatechin. We will present data on the structure of cell populations obtained by 3D culture and the anti-inflammatory effect of ECs against inflammation induced by LPS derived from periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis.