• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.976-985
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• 2017

Iron is an essential divalent ion for aerobic life. Life has evolved to maintain iron homeostasis for normal cellular and physiological functions and therefore imbalances in iron levels exert a wide range of consequences. Responses to iron dysregulation in blood development, however, remain elusive. Here, we found that iron homeostasis is critical for differentiation of Drosophila blood cells in the larval hematopoietic organ, called the lymph gland. Supplementation of an iron chelator, bathophenanthroline disulfate (BPS) results in an excessive differentiation of the crystal cell in the lymph gland. This phenotype is recapitulated by loss of Fer1HCH in the intestine, indicating that reduced levels of systemic iron enhances crystal cell differentiation. Detailed analysis of Fer1HCH-tagged-GFP revealed that Fer1HCH is also expressed in the hematopoietic systems. Lastly, blocking Fer1HCH expression in the mature blood cells showed marked increase in the blood differentiation of both crystal cells and plasmatocytes. Thus, our work suggests a relevance of systemic and local iron homeostasis in blood differentiation, prompting further investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying iron regulation and cell fate determination in the hematopoietic system.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.117-123
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• 2007

Background: This study was designed to investigate the role of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with regards to differentiation of somatic stem cells originating from the human umbilical cord blood (UCB) into hepatic lineage cells in vitro culture system. Methods: Mononuclear cells from UCB were cultured with and without HGF based on the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1, FGF-2, and stem cell factor. The cultured cells were confirmed by immunofluorescent staining analysis with albumin (ALB), cytokeratin-19 (CK-19), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) MoAb. ALB and CK-18 mRNA were also evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In order to observe changes in proliferating capacity with respect to the cultured period, CFSE with affinity to proliferating cells were tagged and later underwent flow cytometry. Results: In the HGF-treated group, cultured cells had a large oval shaped appearance with adherent, but easily detachable characteristics. In the HGF-non treated group, these cells were spindle-shaped with strong adherent characteristics. Expressions of ALB and CK-19 were evident in HGF-treated group compared to non-expression of those in to HGF-non treated group. Dual immunostaining analysis of the ALB producing cells showed presence of PCNA in their nuclei, and ALB and CK-18 mRNA were detected on the 21st day of cultured cells in the HGF-treated group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that HGF has a pivotal role in differentiating somatic stem cells of human UCB into hepatic lineage cells in vitro.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.179-183
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• 2008

In the present study, we examined the effects of several therapeutics of Alzheimer's disease, such as donepezil hydrochloride, tacrine and $\alpha$-phenyl-n-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) on choline efflux from brain to circulating blood. The brain-to-blood efflux of [$^3H$]choline in rats was significantly inhibited by tacrine and PBN. Also the [$^3H$]choline efflux was reduced by tacrine and donepezil hydrochloride in the TR-BBB cells, in vitro the blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. These results suggest that these drugs may influence choline efflux transport from brain to blood and regulate the choline level in brain resulting in the increase of acetylcholine synthesis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.109-118
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• 1992

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a naturally occurring nitrosoamide used extensively to produce diabetes in experimental animals. Since streptozotocin reportedly decrease deformability of red blood cells (RBC), we sought to investigate its potential toxicity at RBC. In addition to elevation blood glucose, 100mg/kg iv streptozotocin caused significant RBC hemolysis in female Sprague-Dawley at 48 hrs post treatment. Streptozotocin induced hemolysis was found to be dose and time-dependent` complete hemolysis required a relatively high streptozotocin concentration (500 mM, 4 hrs incubation), which is much more than in vivo dose.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.3.2-3.2
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• 2009

Microfluidics and BioMEMStechnology has increasingly been used as a tool for studying small volumes oftissue and even individual cells. One of the most important benefits ofmicrofluidic technology is the potential to build devices that analyze and sortmammalian cells. The "sorting problem" typically requires that a fewcells be selected and isolated from a larger population of hundreds, thousandsor even millions of other cells. For example, cancer tumor cells may resideamong a large population of healthy cells, but it would be of great interest toidentify, isolate and study only the cancer cells. In another application, onemay want to determine the number of white blood cells within a sample of blood.We have developed microfluidic devices that enable researchers to select cellsfrom a population by a variety of methods, including antibody staining,dielectrophoretic selection, and physical size selection. These devices haveapplications in cancer research where cancer cells must be identified fromnormal tissue, but where only small samples of tissue are available. In thistalk, we will present some of our microfluidic cell sorting devices, discusstheir physical principles, and their use in biological applications.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2 s.70
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• pp.126-136
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• 2007

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of Kuwonsimsin-hwan (KSS) was tested in methotrexate (MTX)-induced immunosuppressed SD rats. Methods : Methotrexate was fed to white rats once a day for 4 days. After the immune responses of the rats deteriorated, dried extracts of Kuwonsimsin-hwan mixed in water was fed to the rats once a day for 14 days. We then measured the number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and the percentage of B-cells, T-cells, CD3+CD4+T-cells, CD3+CD8+ T-cells and IL-2 productivity sampled from spleen and peripheral region. Results : (1) The number of lymphocytes and the percentage of T-cells and CD3+CD4+ T-cellsin peripheral blood increased significantly in the KSS group as compared with the control group. (2) The percentage of B-cells, CD3+CD8+ T-cells, and CD4+/CD8+ T-cells in peripheral blood were not different statistically. (3) The percentage of T-cells in spleen and IL-2 productivity of spleen cells increased significantly in the KSS group as compared with the control group. (4) The percentage of CD3+CD4+ T-cells in spleen increased in KSS the group as compared with the control group but without statistical significance. (5) The percentage of B-cells, CD3+CD8+ T-cells, and CD4+/CD8+ T-cells in spleen were not different statistically. Conclusion : It is concluded that Kuwonsimsin-hwan has immunostimulating effect on MTX-induced immunosuppressed SD rats.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.230-235
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• 2001

Background: Finding of the regulation of various gene expression by cytokine including $IFN-{\gamma}$ in hematopoietic stem cell will light up the understanding of pathogenesis of aplastic anemia in various aspects. To study on aplastic anemia, however, we have to circumvent the difficulty of directly obtaining bone marrow stem cells from the patient. Therefore, we tried to find out a cell can replace the bone marrow stem cells for study on cell signaling pathway and regulation of gene expression by $IFN-{\gamma}$. Materials and Methods: HL-60 cells, of 20 ng/mL of $IFN-{\gamma}$. Total RNA was isolated from the cells and RT-PCR of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), $IFN-{\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, $MIP-1{\alpha}$, and $TGF-{\beta}2$ was carried out for the estimation of the gene expression. Results: $IFN-{\gamma}$ induced IDO gene expression of mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood showed similar pattern as compared to that of bone marrow. Whether $INF-{\gamma}$ was treated or not, $TNF-{\alpha}$ was expressed in both mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow. However, HL-60 cells showed different expression patterns. HL-60 cells would express neither IDO nor $TNF-{\alpha}$ even under the culture with 20ng/mL of $IFN-{\gamma}$. Conclusion: Our results showed bone marrow can be replaced with mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood in the study on the relation between aplastic anemia and $IFN-{\gamma}$ including $IFN-{\gamma}$ cell signaling pathway.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.225-230
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• 2009

The genotoxic effects of DHU001, a polyherbal formula were evaluated using the mouse micronucleus test. DHU001 was administered once a day for 2 continuous days by oral gavage to male ICR mice at doses of 2000, 1000 and 500 mg/kg. Cyclophosphamide was used as a known genotoxic agent in a positive control. The appearance of a micronucleus is used as an index for genotoxic potential. In addition, the changes on the total white blood cells and differential counts on the lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes in the prepared blood smears were also conducted to observe the possible immunosuppression. The results indicats that DHU001 showed no genotoxicity effects up to 2000 mg/kg dosing levels and did not influenced on the total white blood cells and differential counts. In addition, it is also considered that there were no problems from cytotoxicity of DHU001 tested in this study because the polychromatic erythrocyte ratio was detected as > 0.41 in all tested groups.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.295-302
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• 2008

In the present study, we examined the changes of uptake and efflux of taurine under various conditions inducing oxidative stress using rat conditionally immortalized syncytiotrophoblast cell line, TR-TBT cell, as blood-placental barrier in vitro model. In addition, we identified the characteristics of taurine transport in TR-TBT cells including general features, besides effect of calcium ion on taurine transport. Taurine uptake showed time, $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ dependency, and was decreased by PKC activator in TR-TBT cells. Also, calcium free condition decreased taurine uptake and evoked taurine efflux in the cells. Oxidative stress induced the change of taurine transport in TR-TBT cells, but the changes were different depending on the types of stimulation inducing oxidative stress. The taurine uptake was increased by TNF-$\alpha$, LPS and DEM stimulation but decreased by $H_2O_2$ and NO stimulation. Also, the taurine efflux was regulated by TNF-$\alpha$ stimulation. In conclusion, the taurine transport through the blood-placental barrier was regulated in oxidative stress conditions, and these results demonstrated that oxidative stress affected the taurine supplies to fetus and taurine level of fetus.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.236-242
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• 2004

1,2-benzopyrone can stimulate macrophages to increase the ability of phagocytosis. Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and macrophages destroy microbial organisms with reactive oxygen species (ROS), called oxidative burst activity (OBA). This study was undertaken to determine whether 1,2-benzopyrone affects the OBA on the phagocytic response of canine peripheral blood phagocytes. The OBA of phagocytes in the addition or absence of latex beads was analyzed by flow cytometry system using dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR). The direct treatments of 1,2-benzopyrone have no effect on the OBA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), PMN and monocyte-rich cells regardless of addition of latex beads. When latex beads are added to PMN, the OBA of PMN was remarkably enhanced by culture supernatant from PBMC but not PMN treated with 1,2-benzopyrone. Similary, it was also enhanced by human recombinant (hr) $TNF-\alpha.$ However, when latex beads were not added to PMN, its OBA was not enhanced by culture supernatant from either PBMC or PMN treated with 1,2-benzopyrone. The OBA of latex beads-phagocytized PBMC and monocyte-rich cells was not enhanced by culture supernatant from either PBMC or PMN treated with 1,2-benzopyrone. These results strongly suggested that 1,2-benzopyrone has an immunoenhancing effect on the OBA of PMN when phagocytic response occurred only. This enhanced OBA may be mediated through active humoral substance(s), such as $TNF-\alpha,$ produced by PBMC stimulated with 1,2-benzopyrone.