• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the multipotent capacity and this potential can be applied for obtaining valuable cell types which can use for cell therapy on various regenerative diseases. However, insufficient availability of cellular source is the major problem in cell therapy field using adult stem cell sources. Recently, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have been highlighted to overcome a limitation of adult cellular sources because they retain unlimited proliferation capacity and pluripotency. To use of hESCs in cell therapy, above all, animal pathogen free culture system and purification of a specific target cell population to avoid teratoma formation are required. In this study, we describe the differentiation of a mesenchymal stem cell-like cells population from feeder-free cultured hESCs(hESC-MSCs) using direct induction system. hESC-MSCs revealed characteristics similar to MSCs derived from bone marrow, and undifferentiated cell markers were extremely low in hESC-MSCs in RT-PCR, immunostaining and FACS analyses. Thus, this study proffer a basis of effective generation of specialized human mesenchymal stem cell types which can use for further clinical applications, from xenofree cultured hESCs using direct induction system.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Techniques to evaluate gene expression profiling, such as sufficiently sensitive cDNA microarrays or real-time quantitative PCR, are efficient methods for monitoring human pluripotent stem cell (hESC/iPSC) cultures. However, most of these high-throughput tests have a limited use due to high cost, extended turn-around time, and the involvement of highly specialized technical expertise. Hence, there is an urgency of rapid, cost-effective, robust, yet sensitive method development for routine screening of hESCs/hiPSCs. A critical requirement in hESC/hiPSC cultures is to maintain a uniform undifferentiated state and to determine their differentiation capacity by showing the expression of gene markers representing all three germ layers, including ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. To quantify the modulation of gene expression in hESCs/hiPSC during their propagation, expansion, and differentiation via embryoid body (EB) formation, we developed a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and definitive multimarker, semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR platform technology. Among the 9 gene primers tested, 5 were pluripotent markers comprising set 1, and 3 lineage-specific markers were combined as set 2, respectively. We found that these 2 sets were not only effective in determining the relative differentiation in hESCs/hiPSCs, but were easily reproducible. In this study, we used the hES/hiPS cell lines to standardize the technique. This multiplex RT-PCR assay is flexible and, by selecting appropriate reporter genes, can be designed for characterization of different hESC/hiPSC lines during routine maintenance and directed differentiation.

• BMB Reports
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• 제43권12호
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• pp.830-835
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• 2010

Epigenetic modification of the genome through DNA methylation is the key to maintaining the differentiated state of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and it must be reset during differentiation by retinoic acid (RA) treatment. A genome-wide methylation/gene expression assay was performed in order to identify epigenetic modifications of RA-treated hESCs. Between undifferentiated and RA-treated hESCs, 166 differentially methylated CpG sites and 2,013 differentially expressed genes were discovered. Combined analysis of methylation and expression data revealed that 19 genes (STAP2, VAMP8, C10orf26, WFIKKN1, ELF3, C1QTNF6, C10orf10, MRGPRF, ARSE, LSAMP, CENTD3, LDB2, POU5F1, GSPT2, THY1, ZNF574, MSX1, SCMH1, and RARB) were highly correlated with each other. The results provided in this study will facilitate future investigations into the interplay between DNA methylation and gene expression through further functional and biological studies.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2011

The functional cardiovascular system is comprised of distinct mesoderm-derived lineages including endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and other mesenchymal cells. Recent studies in the human embryonic stem cell differentiation model have provided evidence indicating that these cell lineages are developed from the common progenitors such as hemangioblasts and cardiovascular progenitor cells. Also, the studies have suggested that these progenitors have a common primordial progenitor, which expresses KDR (human Flk-1, also known as VEGFR2, CD309). We demonstrate here that sustained activation of BMP4 (bone morphogenetic protein 4) in hESC line, CHA15 hESC results in $KDR^+$ mesoderm specific differentiation. To determine whether the $KDR^+$ population derived from hESCs enhances potential to differentiate along multipotential mesodermal lineages than undifferentiated hESCs, we analyzed the development of the mesodermal cell types in human embryonic stem cell differentiation cultures. In embryoid body (EB) differentiation culture conditions, we identified an increased expression of $KDR^+$ population from BMP4-stimulated hESC-derived EBs. After induction with additional growth factors, the $KDR^+$ population sorted from hESCs-derived EBs displays mesenchymal, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle potential in matrix-coated monolayer culture systems. The populations plated in monolayer cultures expressed increased levels of related markers and exhibit a stable/homologous phenotype in culture terms. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the $KDR^+$ population is stably isolated from CHA15 hESC-derived EBs using BMP4 and growth factors, and sorted $KDR^+$ population can be utilized to generate multipotential mesodermal progenitors in vitro, which can be further differentiated into cardiovascular specific cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권9호
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• pp.4295-4300
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as a vaccine to induce an immune response and provide antitumor protection in a rat model. Methods: Cross-reactivity of antigens between hESCs and tumour cells was screened by immunohistochemistry. Fischer 344 rats were divided into 7 groups, with 6 rats in each, immunized with: Group 1, hESC; Group 2, pre-inactivated mitotic NuTu-19; Group 3 PBS; Group 4, hESC; Group 5, pre-inactivated mitotic NuTu-19; Group 6, PBS; Group 7, hESC only. At 1 (Groups 1-3) or 4 weeks (Groups 4-6) after the last vaccination, each rat was challenged intraperitoneally with NuTu-19. Tumor growth and animal survival were closely monitored. Rats immunized with H9 and NuTu-19 were tested by Western blot analysis of rat orbital venous blood for cytokines produced by Th1 and Th2 cells. Results: hESCs presented tumour antigens, markers, and genes related to tumour growth, metastasis, and signal pathway interactions. The vaccine administered to rats in Group 1 led to significant antitumor responses and enhanced tumor rejection in rats with intraperitoneal inoculation of NuTu-19 cells compared to control groups. In contrast, rats in Group 4 did not display any elevation of antitumour responses. Western blot analysis found cross-reactivity among antibodies generated between H9 and NuTu-19. However, the cytokines did not show significant differences, and no side effects were detected. Conclusion: hESC-based vaccination is a promising modality for immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.200-209
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• 2019

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been used as promising tools for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug screening. Traditional and common strategies for pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation toward disease-relevant cell types depend on sequential treatment of signaling molecules identified based on knowledge of developmental biology. However, these strategies suffer from low purity, inefficiency, and time-consuming culture conditions. A growing body of recent research has shown efficient cell fate reprogramming by forced expression of single or multiple transcription factors. Here, we review transcription factor-directed differentiation methods of PSCs toward neural, muscle, liver, and pancreatic endocrine cells. Potential applications and limitations are also discussed in order to establish future directions of this technique for therapeutic purposes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.283-292
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• 2009

목 적: 인간 배아줄기세포 (human embryonic stem cells; hESCs)는 체외에서 오랫동안 증식할 수 있으며, 모든 종류의 세포로 분화할 수 있는 능력을 가진 세포이다. 그러므로, 인간 배아줄기세포는 세포치료의 세포공급원의 역할을 할 수 있을 것으로 기대를 모으고 있다. 인간 배아줄기세포로의 외래 유전자의 도입은 분화경로 규명 및 특정 유전자의 기능 규명 등에 효과적으로 이용될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 렌티 바이러스를 이용하여 eGFP 유전자를 XY와 XX 핵형을 가진 인간 배아줄기세포주에 도입하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 렌티 바이러스를 이용하여 eGFP 유전자를 인간 배아줄기세포에 도입하였다. 도입된 eGFP의 발현은 형광현미경을 이용하여 확인하였으며, 유세포 분석을 통하여 eGFP 발현세포의 비율을 분석하였다. 또한, eGFP가 도입된 인간 배아줄기세포에서 표지인자인 Oct4, SSEA4 및 Tra-1-81의 발현을 확인하였으며, 배아체의 형성 여부를 확인하여 특성분석을 수행하였다. 결 과: eGFP는 인간 배아줄기세포로 성공적으로 도입되었다. eGFP의 발현은 40 계대 이상 안정적으로 지속되었다. eGFP를 발현하는 인간 배아줄기세포는 eGFP 도입 후에도, 배아줄기세포의 특성을 유지하고 있음이 확인되었다. 또한, 자연적 분화 동안 발현이 감소하는 현상이 관찰되었다. 결 론: 본 연구에서는 렌티 바이러스를 이용하여 eGFP가 도입된 인간 배아줄기세포주를 확립하였으며, 그 특성이 유지되고 있음을 확인하였다. 표지 유전자가 도입된 인간 배아줄기세포주는 분화 및 다른 연구에 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.110-118
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to induce the production of isthmic organizer (IsO)-like cells capable of secreting fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 8 and WNT1 from human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The precise modulation of canonical Wnt signaling was achieved in the presence of the small molecule CHIR99021 ($0.6{\mu}M$) during the neural induction of human ESCs, resulting in the differentiation of these cells into IsO-like cells having a midbrain-hindbrain border (MHB) fate in a manner that recapitulated their developmental course in vivo. Resultant cells showed upregulated expression levels of FGF8 and WNT1. The addition of exogenous FGF8 further increased WNT1 expression by 2.6 fold. Gene ontology following microarray analysis confirmed that IsO-like cells enriched the expression of MHB-related genes by 40 fold compared to control cells. Lysates and conditioned media of IsO-like cells contained functional FGF8 and WNT1 proteins that could induce MHB-related genes in differentiating ESCs. The method for generating functional IsO-like cells described in this study could be used to study human central nervous system development and congenital malformations of the midbrain and hindbrain.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.364-373
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• 2011

인간배아줄기세포는 인간배아줄기세포가 가지는 전 분화능 등의 특이적 특성으로 인해 재생의학 분야에서 세포 치료제의 근원으로 널리 각광받고 있다. 그러나, 미분화 상태의 인간배아줄기세포를 세포치료제로 이용하기 위해서는 인간배아줄기세포 주 유래 기능성 세포를 확립이 반드시 요구된다. 본 연구에서는, 미분화 상태의 인간배아줄기세포주로부터 기능성 세포의 확립을 위해, 혈관계통의 세포로 분화를 유도하였으며, 분화 유도 후 세포의 크기 차이를 이용하여 특정 세포군 만을 분리하여 그 기능성을 비교 분석하였다. 그 결과, VEGF를 이용하여 분화 시킨 세포군에서 약 10%의 PECAM 양성 세포군을 확인할 수 있었으며, 분리 및 세포 이식을 위해 세포를 단일 세포군으로 만들었다. 단일 세포군의 형성 후, 유세포 분석기를 이용한 세포 분리 기법을 이용하여 FCS를 기준으로 한 세포 크기의 차이를 이용하여 특정 세포군 만을 분리하여, 하지 허혈 동물 모델로의 이식을 통해, 비 분리 세포군과 치료 효능을 비교 분석을 실시하였다. 세포 이식 4주 후, 혈류량 복구율이 FSC 기준 분리 군의 경우 54%, 비 분리군의 경우 17%를 보이는 것을 확인하였다. 이 결과는, 초기 분화 유도 후 세포 크기차이를 이용한 세포 분리법이 기능성 세포 획득에 이용될 수 있음을 시사한다. 이와 같은 방법을 통해 다양한 종류의 기능성 세포 분리에 이용될 수 있을 것이라 생각된다.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.137-142
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• 2014

A tremendous increase in the human population has put poultry industry under an increased pressure to meet steep increase in the demand. Poultry is contributing 25% of the total world's meat production and lesser cost of investment per bird makes it more suitable for the further breeding programmes. Major poultry diseases frequently lead to cardiac damage and cause huge economic losses to poultry industry due to mortality. The in vitro embryonic stem cell (ESC) technology has a futuristic approach for homogeneous populace of differentiated cells, for their further transplantations. During in vitro conditions the differentiated cell populace can be used in grafting and transplantation processes to regenerate damaged tissues. Therefore, the current study targeted the use of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in the poultry production system through cardiac regeneration. The current study will also open new boulevard for the similar kind of research in other livestock species for the management of heart diseases.