• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2009

Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) isolated from human adult bone marrow have self-renewal capacity and can differentiate into multiple cell types in vitro and in vivo. A number of studies have now demonstrated that MSCs can differentiate into various neuronal populations. Due to their autologous characteristics, replacement therapy using MSCs is considered to be safe and does not involve immunological complications. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Olig2 is necessary for the specification of both oligodendrocytes and motor neurons during vertebrate embryogenesis. To develop an efficient method for inducing neuronal differentiation from MSCs, we attempted to optimize the culture conditions and combination with Olig2 gene overexpression. We observed neuron-like morphological changes in the hMSCs under these induction conditions and examined neuronal marker expression in these cells by RTPCR and immunocytochemistry. Our data demonstrate that the combination of Olig2 overexpression and neuron-specific conditioned medium facilitates the neuronal differentiation of hMSCs in vitro. These results will advance the development of an efficient stem cell-mediated cell therapy for human neurodegenerative diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.384-396
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• 2020

Breast cancer is one of the most common life-threatening malignancies and the top cause of cancer deaths in women. Although many conventional therapies exist for its treatment, breast cancer still has many handicaps to overcome. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a well-known cause of tumor recurrences due to the ability of CSCs for self-renewal and differentiation into cell subpopulations, similar to stem cells. To fully treat breast cancer, a strategy for the treatment of both cancer cells and CSCs is required. However, current strategies for the eradication of CSCs are non-specific and have low efficacy. Therefore, surface biomarkers to selectively treat CSCs need to be developed. Here, 34 out of 641 surface biomarkers on CSCs were identified by proteomic analysis between the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 and MCF-7-derived CSCs. Among them, carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules 6 (CEACAM6 or CD66c), a member of the CEA family, was selected as a novel biomarker on the CSC surface. This biomarker was then experimentally validated and evaluated for use as a CSC-specific marker. Its biological effects were assessed by treating breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) with short hairpin (sh)-RNA under oxidative cellular conditions. This study is the first to evaluate the biological function of CD66c as a novel biomarker on the surface of CSCs. This marker is available as a moiety for use in the development of targeted therapeutic agents against CSCs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.5579-5587
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• 2013

Research indicates that a small population of cancer cells is highly tumorigenic, endowed with the capacity for self-renewal, and has the ability to differentiate into cells that constitute the bulk of tumors. These cells are considered the "drivers" of the tumorigenic process in some tumor types, and have been named cancer stem cells (CSC). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) appears to be involved in the process leading to the acquisition of stemness by epithelial tumor cells. Through this process, cells acquire an invasive phenotype that may contribute to tumor recurrence and metastasis. CSC have been identified in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) using markers such as CD133 and CD44 expression, and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. Head and neck cancer stem cells reside primarily in perivascular niches in the invasive fronts where endothelial-cell initiated events contribute to their survival and function. Clinically, CSC enrichment has been shown to be enhanced in recurrent disease, treatment failure and metastasis. CSC represent a novel target of study given their slow growth and innate mechanisms conferring treatment resistance. Further understanding of their unique phenotype may reveal potential molecular targets to improve therapeutic and survival outcomes in patients with HNSCC. Here, we discuss the state-of-the-knowledge on the pathobiology of cancer stem cells, with a focus on the impact of these cells on head and neck tumor progression, metastasis and recurrence due to treatment failure.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.73-82
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• 2018

Cancer preventive activities of green tea and its main constituent, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been extensively studied by scientists all over the world. Since 1983, we have studied the cancer chemopreventive effects of EGCG as well as green tea extract and underlying molecular mechanisms. The first part of this review summarizes groundbreaking topics with EGCG and green tea extract: 1) Delayed cancer onset as revealed by a 10-year prospective cohort study, 2) Prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence by a double-blind randomized clinical phase II trial, 3) Inhibition of metastasis of B16 melanoma cells to the lungs of mice, 4) Increase in the average value of Young's moduli, i.e., cell stiffness, for human lung cancer cell lines and inhibition of cell motility and 5) Synergistic enhancement of anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines with the combination of EGCG and anticancer compounds. In the second part, we became interested in cancer stem cells (CSCs). 1) Cancer stem cells in mouse skin carcinogenesis by way of introduction, after which we discuss two subjects from our review on human CSCs reported by other investigators gathered from a search of PubMed, 2) Expression of stemness markers of human CSCs compared with their parental cells, and 3) EGCG decreases or increases the expression of mRNA and protein in human CSCs. On this point, EGCG inhibited self-renewal and expression of pluripotency-maintaining transcription factors in human CSCs. Human CSCs are thus a target for cancer prevention and treatment with EGCG and green tea catechins.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2010

The trophectoderm is one of the earliest cell types to differentiate in the forming placenta. It is an important for the initial implantation and placentation during pregnancy. Trophoblast stem cells (TBSCs) develop from the blastocyst and are maintained by signals emanating from the inner cell mass. However, several limitations including rarity and difficulty in isolation of trophoblast stem cells derived from blastocyst still exist. To establish a model for trophoblast differentiation, we isolated TBSCs from human term placenta ($\geq$38 weeks) and characterized. Cell cycle was analyzed by measuring DNA content by FACS analysis and phenotype of TBSCs was characterized by RT-PCR and FACS analysis. TBSCs have expressed various markers such as self-renewal markers (Nanog, Sox2), three germ layer markers (hNF68, alpha-cardiac actin, hAFP), trophoblast specific markers (CDX-2, CK7, HLA-G), and TERT gene. In FACS analysis, TBSCs isolated from term placenta showed that the majority of cells expressed CD13, CD44, CD90, CD95, CD105, HLA-ABC, cytokeratin 7, and HLA-G. Testing for CD31, CD34, CD45, CD71, vimentin and HLA-DR were negative. TBSCs were shown to decrease the growth rate when cultured in conditioned medium without FGF4/heparin as well as the morphology was changed to a characteristic giant cell with a large cytoplasm and nucleus. In invasion assay, TBSCs isolated from term placenta showed invasion activities in in vivo using nude mice and in vitro Matrigel system. Taken together, these results support that an isolation potential of TBSCs from term placenta as well as a good source for understanding of the infertility mechanism.

• 한국정보전자통신기술학회논문지
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

PDRN(Polydeoxyribonucleotide)은 조직재생 활성물질로 손상된 세포 및 조직의 자가 재생을 촉진하는 DNA 유래의 중합물질이다. PDRN은 DNA를 다양한 물리적 또는 화학적 방법으로 작은 크기로 절단한 DNA 조각으로 체내 투여시 조직세포 표면의 adenosine A2A receptor 수용체를 자극하여 세포 재생을 촉진하며 상처를 빠르게 회복시키고, 통증도 감소시키는 효과가 있다. 보통 어류의 정소나 정액으로부터 PDRN 추출을 하지만 본 연구에서는 다양한 식물에서 PDRN 추출 실험을 진행하였다. 실험 결과, 7종의 식물에서 PDRN 수율과 순수도는 단위 식물 중량 당 쑥갓이 가장 높았고, 브로콜리가 그 다음으로 우수했다. 이 두 식물의 PDRN을 대상으로 시험관에서 wound healing assay를 진행하여 PDRN의 효능을 분석한 결과, ㎍/ml 수준의 쑥갓과 브로콜리의 PDRN가 유의하게 wound healing 활성이 높음을 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 이들 식물 유래 PDRN이 연어와 같은 어류 유래의 PDRN의 대체제로 사용할 수 있음을 의미한다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.475-483
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• 2019

세포기반 치료제에 사용되는 줄기세포는 재생능력과 다양한 세포로의 분화능력으로 인해 재생 의학 분야에서 광범위하게 관심을 끌었으며, 많은 불치병에 적용된다. 하지만, 이러한 줄기세포는 여전히 치료 전 세포증식 및 질병 투여부위에서의 낮은 생존률로 인해 충분한 치료효과가 나타나지 않는 단점이 있다. 이것을 해결하고자, 우리는 세포부착능과 항세포자살 기능을 가지고 있는 carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family의 하나인 CEACAM 6를 사용하였다. 이것을 줄기세포에 적용 전, 먼저 세포별로 이 단백질이 발현되는지를 확인하였고, 이 유전자가 발현되는 벡터를 줄기세포에 삽입시키기 위한 최적 조건을 선정하였다. 그 후, 도입된 CEACAM 6발현벡터로부터 줄기세포에서 이 유전자가 발현되는지를 확인하였다. 그리고 인체투여 시 발생되는 산화적 스트레스와 유사한 조건에서의 이 유전자의 기능을 평가하기 위해 과산화수소(H₂O₂)를 처리하였다. 산화적 스트레스 조건하에서 CEACAM 6가 발현되는 줄기세포는 그렇지 않은 세포에 비해 세포의 생존률이 현저히 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. 이를 통해, 이 CEACAM 6는 줄기세포의 치료효능과 세포증식을 강화시킬 수 있는 다른 선택지로서의 가능성이 있음을 확인하였다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.47-54
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• 2017

Unlike mouse results, cloning efficiency of nuclear transfer from porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) is very low. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of cell cycle inhibitors on the cell cycle synchronization of piPSCs. piPSCs were generated using combination of six human transcriptional factors under stem cell culture condition. To examine the efficiency of cell cycle synchronization, piPSCs were cultured on a matrigel coated plate with stem cell media and they were treated with staurosporine (STA, 20 nM), daidzein (DAI, $100{\mu}M$), roscovitine (ROSC, $10{\mu}M$), or olomoucine (OLO, $200{\mu}M$) for 12 h. Flow Cytometry (FACs) data showed that piPSCs in control were in G1 ($37.5{\pm}0.2%$), S ($34.0{\pm}0.6%$) and G2/M ($28.5{\pm}0.4%$). The proportion of cells at G1 in DAI group was significantly higher than that in control, while STA, ROSC and OLO treatments could not block the cell cycle of piPSCs. Both of viability and apoptosis were affected by STA and ROSC treatment, but there were no significantly differences between control and DAI groups. Real-Time qPCR and FACs results revealed that DAI treatment did not affect the expression of pluripotent gene, Oct4. In case of OLO, it did not affect both of viability and apoptosis, but Oct4 expression was significantly decreased. Our results suggest that DAI could be used for synchronizing piPSCs at G1 stage and has any deleterious effect on survival and pluripotency sustaining of piPSCs.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2013

Spermatogenesis is initiated from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that has an ability of self-renewal and unipotency to generate differentiating germ cells. The objective of this study is to develop the simple method for derivation of SSCs using non-sorting of both spermatogonia and feeder cells. Simply uncapsulated mouse testes were treated with enzymes followed by surgical mincing, and single cells were cultured in stempro-$34^{TM}$ cell culture media at $37^{\circ}C$. After 5 days of culture, aciniform of SSC colony was observed, and showed a strong alkaline phosphatase activity. Molecular characterization of mouse SSCs showed that most of the mouse SSC markers such as integrin ${\alpha}6$ and ${\beta}1$, CD9 and Stra8. In addition, pluripotency embryonic stem cell (ESC) marker Oct4 were expressed, however Sox2 expression was lowered. Interestingly, expression of SSC markers such as Vasa, Dazl and PLZF were stronger than mouse ESC (mESC). This data suggest that generated mouse SSCs (mSSCs) in this study has at least similar biomarkers expression to mESC and mSSCs derived from other study. Immunocytochemistry using whole mSSC colony also confirmed that mSSCs generated from this study expressed SSC specific biomarkers such as c-kit, Thy1, Vasa and Dazl. In conclusion, mSSCs from 5 days old mouse testes were successfully established without sorting of spermatogonia, and this cells expressed both mESC and SSC specific biomarkers. This simple derivation method for mSSCs may facilitate the study of spermatogenesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.1067-1072
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• 2013

Hiwi, a human homologue of the Piwi family, plays an important role in stem cell self-renewal and is overexpressed in various human tumors. This study aimed to determine whether an RNA interference-based strategy to suppress Hiwi expression could inhibit tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. A rare population of $SSC^{lo}\;Alde^{br}$ cells was isolated and identified as lung cancer stem cells in our previous study. Plasmids containing U6 promoter-driven shRNAs against Hiwi or control plasmids were successfully established. The xenograft tumor model was generated by subcutaneously inoculating with lung cancer stem cell $SSC^{lo}\;Alde^{br}$ cells. After the tumor size reached about 8 mm in diameter, shRNA plasmids were injected into the mice via the tail vein three times a week for two weeks, then xenograft tumor growth was assessed. In nude mice, intravenously delivery of Hiwi shRNA plasmids significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to treatment with control scrambled shRNA plasmids or the vehicle PBS. No mice died during the experiment and no adverse events were observed in mice administered the plasmids. Moreover, delivery of Hiwi shRNA plasmids resulted in a significant suppressed expression of Hiwi and ALDH-1 in xenograft tumor samples, based on immunohistochemical analysis. Thus, shRNA-mediated Hiwi gene silencing in lung cancer stem cells by an effective in vivo gene delivery strategy appeared to be an effective therapeutic approach for lung cancer, and may provide some useful clues for RNAi gene therapy in solid cancers.