• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.699-709
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a major health concern in current scenario which has been found to affect people of almost all ages. The disease has huge impact on global health; therefore, alternate methods apart from insulin injection are being explored to cure diabetes. Therefore, this review mainly focuses on the current status and therapeutic potential of stem cells mainly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for Type 1 diabetes mellitus in preclinical animal models as well as humans. METHODS: Current treatment for Type 1 diabetes mellitus mainly includes use of insulin which has its own limitations and also the underlying mechanism of diseases is still not explored. Therefore, alternate methods to cure diabetes are being explored. Stem cells are being investigated as an alternative therapy for treatment of various diseases including diabetes. Few preclinical studies have also been conducted using undifferentiated MSCs as well as in vitro MSCs differentiated into ${\beta}$ islet cells. RESULTS: These stem cell transplant studies have highlighted the benefits of MSCs, which have shown promising results. Few human trials using stem cells have also affirmed the potential of these cells in alleviating the symptoms. CONCLUSION: Stem cell transplantation may prove to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.629-636
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• 2009

Mechanical stimulation is known to play a vital role on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to pre-osteoblasts. In this research, we developed a tensile cell stimulator, composed of a DC motor-driven actuator and LVDT sensor for measuring linear displacement, to study the effects of tensile stress on osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. First, we demonstrated the reliability of this device by showing the uniform strain field in the silicon substrate. Secondly, we investigated the effects of tensile stretching on osteogenic differentiation. We imposed a pre-set cyclic strain at a fixed frequency on cell monolayer cultured on a flexible silicon substrate while varying its amplitude and duration. 60 min of resting period was allowed between 30 min of cyclic stretching and this cycle is repeated up to 7 days. Under the combined stimulation with osteogenic media and mechanical stretching, the osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osterix, and osteopontin began to get expressed as early as 4 days of stimulation, which is much shorter than what is typically required for osteogenic media induced differentiation. Moreover, different markers were induced at different magnitudes of the applied strains. Lastly, for the case of ALP, we observed the antagonistic effects of osteogenic media when combined with mechanical stretching.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.78-78
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• 2003

Adult stem cells can make identical copies of themselves for long periods of time. They also give rise to many differentiated mature cell types that have characteristic morphology and specialized function. Human adult stem cells are the attractive raw materials for the cell/tissue therapy, however, it is not easy to get from the adult tissues. In the present study, we tried to isolate a cell population derived from human umbilical cord vein which has been discarded after birth. The cells were isolated after treatment of the umbilical vein with collagenase or trypsin. After 3 days of culture, two kinds of cell populations were found consisting of adherent cells with endothelial cell-like and fibroblast-like morphology, respectively. When these cells were subcultured 12 times over a period of 3 months, almost cells appeared uniformly to exhibit fibroblastoid morphology which was different from that of mesenchymal stem cells obtained from human bone marrow The results of RT-PCR analyses showed distinct expression of BMP-4, oct-4, and SCF genes but not of GATA, PAX-6 and Brachyury genes. On immunohistochemical staining, the cells were negative for the von Willebrand factor(vWF), alpha-smooth muscle actin and placental alkaline phosphatase. From these observations, it is suggested that stem-like cells might be present in human umbilical cord vein.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.3
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• pp.116-123
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• 2014

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from bone marrow or adipose tissue can successfully repair emphysematous animal lungs, which is a characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Here, we describe the cellular distribution of MSCs that were intravenously injected into mice with elastase-induced emphysema. The distributions were also compared to the distributions in control mice without emphysema. Methods: We used fluorescence optical imaging with quantum dots (QDs) to track intravenously injected MSCs. In addition, we used a human Alu sequence-based real-time polymerase chain reaction method to assess the lungs, liver, kidney, and spleen in mice with elastase-induced emphysema and control mice at 1, 4, 24, 72, and 168 hours after MSCs injection. Results: The injected MSCs were detected with QD fluorescence at 1- and 4-hour postinjection, and the human Alu sequence was detected at 1-, 4- and 24-hour postinjection in control mice (lungs only). Injected MSCs remained more in mice with elastase-induced emphysema at 1, 4, and 24 hours after MSCs injection than the control lungs without emphysema. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results show that injected MSCs were observed at 1 and 4 hours post injection and more MSCs remain in lungs with emphysema.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.467-476
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• 2013

Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the hypotheses that administration routes [intra-arterial (IA) vs. intravenous (IV)] affect the early stage migration of transplanted human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) in acute brain infarction. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were subjected to photothrombotic infarction. Three days after photothrombotic infarction, rats were randomly allocated to one of four experimental groups [IA group : n=12, IV group : n=12, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) group : n=8, control group : n=8]. All groups were subdivided into 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours groups according to time point of sacrifice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consisting of T2 weighted image (T2WI), $T2^*$ weighted image ($T2^*WI$), susceptibility weighted image (SWI), and diffusion weighted image of rat brain were obtained prior to and at 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours post-implantation. After final MRI, rats were sacrificed and grafted cells were analyzed in brain and lung specimen using Prussian blue and immunohistochemical staining. Results : Grafted cells appeared as dark signal intensity regions at the peri-lesional zone. In IA group, dark signals in peri-lesional zone were more prominent compared with IV group. SWI showed largest dark signal followed by $T2^*WI$ and T2WI in both IA and IV groups. On Prussian blue staining, IA administration showed substantially increased migration and a large number of transplanted hBM-MSCs in the target brain than IV administration. The Prussian blue-positive cells were not detected in SPIO and control groups. Conclusion : In a rat photothrombotic model of ischemic stroke, selective IA administration of human mesenchymal stem cells is more effective than IV administration. MRI and histological analyses revealed the time course of cell migration, and the numbers and distribution of hBM-MSCs delivered into the brain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1837-1847
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the pancreatic differentiation potential of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalTKO) pig-derived bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) using epigenetic modifiers with different pancreatic induction media. Methods: The BM-MSCs have been differentiated into pancreatic β-like cells by inducing the overexpression of key transcription regulatory factors or by exposure to specific soluble inducers/small molecules. In this study, we evaluated the pancreatic differentiation of GalTKO pig-derived BM-MSCs using epigenetic modifiers, 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) and valproic acid (VPA), and two types of pancreatic induction media - advanced Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (ADMEM)-based and N2B27-based media. GalTKO BM-MSCs were treated with pancreatic induction media and the expression of pancreas-islets-specific markers was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Morphological changes and changes in the 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' (CpG) island methylation patterns were also evaluated. Results: The expression of the pluripotent marker (POU class 5 homeobox 1 [OCT4]) was upregulated upon exposure to 5-Aza and/or VPA. GalTKO BM-MSCs showed increased expression of neurogenic differentiation 1 in the ADMEM-based (5-Aza) media, while the expression of NK6 homeobox 1 was elevated in cells induced with the N2B27-based (5-Aza) media. Moreover, the morphological transition and formation of islets-like cellular clusters were also prominent in the cells induced with the N2B27-based media with 5-Aza. The higher insulin expression revealed the augmented trans-differentiation ability of GalTKO BM-MSCs into pancreatic β-like cells in the N2B27-based media than in the ADMEM-based media. Conclusion: 5-Aza treated GalTKO BM-MSCs showed an enhanced demethylation pattern in the second CpG island of the OCT4 promoter region compared to that in the GalTKO BM-MSCs. The exposure of GalTKO pig-derived BM-MSCs to the N2B27-based microenvironment can significantly enhance their trans-differentiation ability into pancreatic β-like cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.329-341
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• 2021

Purpose: Periodontal treatment aims at complete regeneration of the periodontium, and developing strategies for periodontal regeneration requires a deep understanding of the tissues composing the periodontium. In the present study, the stemness characteristics and gene expression profiles of cementum-derived cells (CDCs) were investigated and compared with previously established human stem cells. Candidate marker proteins for CDCs were also explored. Methods: Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), pulp stem cells (PULPSCs), and CDCs were isolated and cultured from extracted human mandibular third molars. Human bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were used as a positive control. To identify the stemness of CDCs, cell differentiation (osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic) and surface antigens were evaluated through flow cytometry. The expression of cementum protein 1 (CEMP1) and cementum attachment protein (CAP) was investigated to explore marker proteins for CDCs through reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. To compare the gene expression profiles of the 4 cell types, mRNA and miRNA microarray analysis of 10 samples of BMSCs (n=1), PDLSCs (n=3), PULPSCs (n=3), and CDCs (n=3) were performed. Results: The expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers with a concomitant absence of hematopoietic markers was observed in PDLSCs, PULPSCs, CDCs and BMSCs. All 4 cell populations also showed differentiation into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. CEMP1 was strongly expressed in CDCs, while it was weakly detected in the other 3 cell populations. Meanwhile, CAP was not found in any of the 4 cell populations. The mRNA and miRNA microarray analysis showed that 14 mRNA genes and 4 miRNA genes were differentially expressed in CDCs vs. PDLSCs and PULPSCs. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, CDCs seem to have stemness and preferentially express CEMP1. Moreover, there were several up- or down-regulated genes in CDCs vs. PDLSCs, PULPSCs, and BMSCs and these genes could be candidate marker proteins of CDCs.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.133-141
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• 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to differentiate into multiple lineages, making neurogenic differentiation an important target in the clinical field. In the present study, we induced the neurogenic differentiation of cells using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and studied their mechanisms for further differentiation in vitro. We treated cells with the HDAC inhibitors, MS-275 and NaB; and found that the cells had neuron-like features such as distinct bipolar or multipolar morphologies with branched processes. The mRNA expressions encoding for NEFL, MAP2, TUJ1, OLIG2, and SYT was significantly increased following HDAC inhibitors treatment compared to without HDAC inhibitors; high protein levels of MAP2 and Tuj1 were detected by immunofluorescence staining. We examined the mechanisms of differentiation and found that the Wnt signaling pathway and downstream mitogen-activate protein kinase were involved in neurogenic differentiation of MSCs. Importantly, Wnt4, Wnt5a/b, and Wnt11 protein levels were highly increased after treatment with NaB; signals were activated through the regulation of Dvl2 and Dvl3. Interestingly, NaB treatment increased the levels of JNK and upregulated JNK phosphorylation. After MS-275 treatment, Wnt protein levels were decreased and GSK-3β was phosphorylated. In this cell, HDAC inhibitors controlled the non-canonical Wnt expression by activating JNK phosphorylation and the canonical Wnt signaling by targeting GSK-3β.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.565-572
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• 2006

Recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), which is known as one of the major local stimuli for osteogenic differentiation, was immobilized on the surface of hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified poly$(\varepsilon-caprolactone)$ (PCL) (HA-PCL) scaffolds to improve the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) for bone tissue engineering. The rhBMP-2 proteins were directly immobilized onto the HA-modified PCL scaffolds by the chemical grafting the amine groups of proteins to carboxylic acid groups of HA. The amount of covalently bounded rhBMP-2 was measured to 1.6 pg/mg (rhBMP/HA-PCL scaffold) by using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. The rhBMP-2 immobilized HA-modified-PCL scaffold exhibited the good colonization, by the newly differentiated osteoblasts, with a statistically significant increase of the rhBMP-2 release and alkaline phosphatase activity as compared with the control groups both PCL and HA-PCL scaffolds. We also found enhanced mineralization and elevated osteocalcin detection for the rhBMP-2 immobilized HA-PCL scaffolds, in vitro.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.281-287
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• 2013

A major barrier to progress in pig to primate organ transplantation or cell therapy is the presence of terminal ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyl epitopes on the surface of pig cells. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to establish and cha- racterize mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) derived from ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock out (GalT KO) pig to confirm their potential for cell therapy. Bone marrow (BM)-MSCs from GalT KO pig of 1 month old were isolated by Ficoll-Paque PLUS gradient and cultured with A-DMEM + 10% FBS on plastic dishes in 5% $CO_2$ incubator at 38.5. GalT KO BM-MSCs were analyzed for the expression of CD markers ($CD45^-$, $29^+$, $90^+$ and $105^+$) and in vitro differentiation ability (adiopogenesis and osteogenesis). Further, cell proliferation capacity and cell aging of GalT KO BM-MSCs were compared to Wild BM-MSCs by BrdU incorporation assay (Roche, Germany) using ELISA at intervals of two days for 7 days. Finally, the cell size was also evaluated in GalT KO and Wild BM-MSCs. Statistical analysis was performed by T-test (P<0.05). GalT KO BM-MSCs showed fibroblast-like cell morphology on plastic culture dish at passage 1 and exhibited $CD45^-$, $29^+$, $90^+$ and $105^+$ expression profile. Follow in ginduction in StemPro adipogenesis and osteogenesis media for 3 weeks, GalT KO BM-MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes, as demonstrated by Oilred Ostaining of lipid vacuoles and osteocytes, as confirmed by Alizarinred Sstaining of mineral dispositions, respectively. BrdU incorporation assay showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation capacity of GalT KO BM-MSCs compared to Wild BM-MSCs from 3 day, when they were seeded at $1{\times}10^3$ cells/well in 96-well plate. Passage 3 GalT KO and Wild BM-MSCs at 80% confluence in culture dish were allowed to form single cells to calculate cell size. The results showed that GalT KO BM-MSCs($15.0{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$) had a little larger cell size than Wild BM-MSCs ($13.5{\pm}0.3{\mu}m$). From the above findings, it is summarized that GalT KO BM-MSCs possessed similar biological properties with Wild BM-MSCs, but exhibited a weak cell proliferation ability and resistance to cell aging. Therefore, GalT KO BM-MSCs might form a good source for cell therapy after due consideration to low proliferation potency in vitro.