• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.547-552
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• 2007

Previously, we generated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that bound to the surface of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in an attempt to discover new hESC-specific surface markers. In this study, MAb 47-235 (IgG1, ${\kappa}$) was selected for further characterization. The MAb bound to the surface of undifferentiated hESCs but did not bind to mouse ESCs or mouse embryonic fibroblast cells in flow cytometric analysis. The antibody immunoprecipitated a 47 kDa protein from the lysates of cell surface-biotinylated hESCs. Identification of the protein by quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry revealed that 47-235 binds to Ag 243-5 protein of Mycoplasma arginini. BM-Cyclin treatment of the hESCs that reacted with 47-235 resulted in loss of mycoplasma DNA and the reactivity to 47-235. Nevertheless, the hESCs that were reactive to 47-235 maintained self-renewal and pluripotency and thus could be differentiated into three embryonic germ layers.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.69-70
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• 2001

Lectins have great potential as to determine the alternation of the distribution of cell surface carbohydrates during cellular development and differentiation. Here, we investigated the presence and distribution of cell surface carbohydrates on chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) during the migration and gonadal stages using a variety of lectins. A total of six FITC-labelled lectins from several specificity classes were used: ConA (glucose/mannose), WGA (N-acetylglucosamine), STA (N-acetylglucosamine), DBA (N-acetylgalactosamine/galactose), UEA-I (fucose) and PHA-E (oilgosaccharide). As a results, PGC-specific binding was observed in STA. PGCs of migration stage (2.5- and 5.5-day embyos) were STA-positive whereas PGCs of 10-day embryonic gonad were not. The results suggest that N-acetylglucosamine residuse are present specifically in migrating chicken PGCs and changes during development.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2001

Avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) originate from the epiblast and appear in the germinal crescent. These PGCs enter the developing blood vessels during stage 10∼12 (H&H), circulate in the blood stream, migrate into the developing gonadal anlage and differentiate into germ cells. However, it is not clear until when the migratory ability of PGC is maintained. This study was conducted to examine whether migratory ability is present in PGCs from the gonad at later embryonic developmental stages. In the present study, gonads were dissected from 5-, 6- and 10-day old quail embryos and treated with trypsin-EDTA. Gonadal PGCs (gPGCs) were purified by Ficoll-density-gradient-centrifugation and labeled with PKH26 fluorescent dye. The PKH26-labeled gPGCs were microinjected into the blood vessel of the recipient quail embryo. Manipulated recipients were incubated for 3 days, embedded in paraffin and sdctioned. The foreign gPGCs were detected by fluorescent and confocal laser microscopy. As a result, quail gPGCs, from 10, 6 and 5 day old embryos could migrate through the recipient blood stream at early stage and settle in the gonads. Thus, results suggest that gPGCs from upto 10-day old embryos keep properties seen in circulating PGC. Therefore, the PGCs of 10-day old embryonic gonads can be used for the tools of genetic manipulation.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 1999.11a
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• pp.11-33
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• 1999

This study was conducted to determine the embryonic stages for the isolation of the highest number of PGCs and to improve PGCs enrichment method. The primordial germ cells(PGCs) from different sources of chick embryos were isolated. The embryonic stage having the highest number of PGCs from each sources was selected ; 1-day-old embryos for germinal crescent (stage 6-8), 2.5-day-old embryos for blood (stage 17-18) and 5.5-day-old embryos for gonad (stage 27-28). The number of PGCs from one embryonic germinal crescent, blood and gonad was about 87$\pm$1.8, 103$\pm$4.0, and 932$\pm$10.9, respectively. The viability of PGCs after Ficoll from each sources was similar, showing approximately 70%. the PGCs enrichment method was improved using Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. After this step the purity of PGCs from germinal crescent, blood, and gonad was 45$\pm$9.10%, 85$\pm$1.18%, and 86$\pm$0.19%, respectively. Also, PGCs were picked up by mouth pipette to improve the purity. This improved method for the separation of PGCs from different sources will serve as a useful too to preserve the foundation stocks of poultry and to produce germline chimeras.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2013

Homeobox genes play essential roles in embryonic development and reproduction. Recently, a large cluster of homeobox genes, reproductive homeobox genes on the X chromosome (Rhox) genes, was discovered as three gene clusters, ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, and ${\gamma}$ in mice. It was found that Rhox genes were selectively expressed in reproduction-associated tissues, such as those of the testes, epididymis, ovaries, and placenta. Hence, it was proposed that Rhox genes are important for regulating various reproductive features, especially gametogenesis in male as well as in female mammals. It was first determined that 12 Rhox genes are clustered into ${\alpha}$ (Rhox1-4), ${\beta}$ (Rhox5-9), and ${\gamma}$ (Rhox10-12) subclusters, and recently Rhox13 has also been found. At present, 33 Rhox genes have been identified in the mouse genome, 11 in the rat, and three in the human. Rhox genes are also responsible for embryonic development, with considerable amounts of Rhox expression in trophoblasts, placenta tissue, embryonic stem cells, and primordial germ cells. In this article we summarized the current understanding of Rhox family genes involved in reproduction and embryonic development and elucidated a previously unreported cell-specific expression in ovarian cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.482-489
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• 2019

Reproductive biotechnology has developed rapidly and is now able to overcome many birth difficulties due to infertility or the transmission of genetic diseases. Here we introduce the next generation of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as mitochondrial replacement technique (MRT) or genetic correction in eggs with micromanipulation. Further, we suggest that the transmission of genetic information from somatic cells to subsequent generations without gametes should be useful for people who suffer from infertility or genetic diseases. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can be converted into germ cells such as sperm or oocytes in the laboratory. Notably, germ cells derived from nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells (NT-ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) inherit the full parental genome. The most important issue in this technique is the generation of a haploid chromosome from diploid somatic cells. We hereby examine current science and limitations underpinning these important developments and provide recommendations for moving forward.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1152-1158
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• 2010

In differentiating human embryonic stem (d-hES) cells there are a number of types of cells which may secrete various nutrients and helpful materials for pre-implantation embryonic development. This study examined whether the d-hES could function as a feeder cell in vitro to support mouse embryonic development. By RT-PCR analysis, the d-hES cells revealed high expression of three germ-layered differentiation markers while having markedly reduced expression of stem cell markers. Also, in d-hES cells, LIF expression in embryo implantation-related material was confirmed at a similar level to undifferentiated ES cells. When mouse 2PN embryos were cultured in control M16 medium, co-culture control CR1aa medium or co-cultured with d-hES cells, their blastocyst development rate at embryonic day 4 (83.9%) were significantly better in the d-hES cell group than in the CR1aa group (66.0%), while not better than in the M16 group (90.7%)(p<0.05). However, at embryonic days 5 and 6, embryo hatching and hatched-out rates of the dhES cell group (53.6 and 48.2%, respectively) were superior to those of the M16 group (40.7 and 40.7%, respectively). At embryonic day 4, blastocysts of the d-hES cell group were transferred into pseudo-pregnant recipients, and pregnancy rate (75.0%) was very high compared to the other groups (M16, 57.1%; CR1aa, 37.5%). In addition, embryo implantation (55.9%) and live fetus rate (38.2%) of the d-hES cell group were also better than those of the other groups (M16, 36.7 and 18.3%, respectively; CR1aa, 23.2 and 8.7%, respectively). These results demonstrated that d-hES cells can be used as a feeder cell for enhancing in vitro and in vivo developmental potential of mouse pre-implantation embryos.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2007

One of the goals of stem cell technology is to control the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), thereby generating large numbers of specific cell types for many applications including cell replacement therapy. Although individual hESC lines resemble each other in expressing pluripotency markers and telomerase activity, it is not clear whether they are equivalent in their developmental potential in vitro. We compared the developmental competence of three hESC lines (HSF6, Miz-hES4, and Miz-hES6). All three generated the three embryonic germ layers, extraembryonic tissues, and primordial germ cells during embryoid body (EB) formation. However, HSF6 and Miz-hES6 readily formed neuroectoderm, whereas Miz-hES4 differentiated preferentially into mesoderm and endoderm. Upon terminal differentiation, HSF6 and Miz-hES6 produced mainly neuronal cells whereas Miz-hES4 mainly formed mesendodermal derivatives, including endothelial cells, leukocyte progenitors, hepatocytes, and pancreatic cells. Our observations suggest that independently-derived hESCs may differ in their developmental potential.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.973-979
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• 2023

Objective: The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, which is the most efficient and reliable tool for precisely targeted modification of the genome of living cells, has generated considerable excitement for industrial applications as well as scientific research. In this study, we developed a gene-editing and detection system for chick embryo sexing during the embryonic stage. Methods: By combining the CRISPR/Cas9 technical platform and germ cell-mediated germline transmission, we not only generated Z chromosome-targeted knockin chickens but also developed a detection system for fluorescence-positive male chicks in the embryonic stage. Results: We targeted a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene into a specific locus on the Z chromosome of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs), resulting in the production of Z^GFP-knockin chickens. By mating Z^GFP-knockin females (Z^GFP/W) with wild males (Z/Z) and using a GFP detection system, we could identify chick sex, as the GFP transgene was expressed on the Z chromosome only in male offspring (Z^GFP/Z) even before hatching. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 technical platform with chicken PGCs facilitates the production of specific genome-edited chickens for basic research as well as practical applications.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2012

Epigenetic modification including genome-wide DNA demethylation is essential for normal embryonic development. Insufficient demethylation of somatic cell genome may cause various anomalies and prenatal loss in the development of nuclear transfer embryos. Hence, the source of nuclear donor often affects later development of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. In this study, appropriateness of porcine embryonic germ (EG) cells as karyoplasts for NT with respect to epigenetic modification was investigated. These cells follow methylation status of primordial germ cells from which they originated, so that they may contain less methylated genome than somatic cells. This may be advantageous to the development of NT embryos commonly known to be highly methylated. The rates of blastocyst development were similar among embryos from EG cell nuclear transfer (EGCNT), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (16/62, 25.8% vs. 56/274, 20.4% vs. 16/74, 21.6%). Genomic DNA samples from EG cells (n=3), fetal fibroblasts (n=4) and blastocysts from EGCNT (n=8), SCNT (n=14) and ICSI (n=6) were isolated and treated with sodium bisulfite. The satellite region (GenBank Z75640) that involves nine selected CpG sites was amplified by PCR, and the rates of DNA methylation in each site were measured by pyrosequencing technique. The average methylation degrees of CpG sites in EG cells, fetal fibroblasts and blastocysts from EGCNT, SCNT and ICSI were 17.9, 37.7, 4.1, 9.8 and 8.9%, respectively. The genome of porcine EG cells were less methylated than that of somatic cells (p<0.05), and DNA demethylation occurred in embryos from both EGCNT (p<0.05) and SCNT (p<0.01). Interestingly, the degree of DNA methylation in EGCNT embryos was approximately one half of SCNT (p<0.01) and ICSI (p<0.05) embryos, while SCNT and ICSI embryos contained demethylated genome with similar degrees. The present study demonstrates that porcine EG cell nuclear transfer resulted in hypomethylation of DNA in cloned embryos yet leading normal preimplantation development. Further studies are needed to investigate whether such modification affects long-term survival of cloned embryos.