• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.233-241
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• 2010

Human adipose stem cells are an abundant, readily available population of multipotent progenitor cells that reside in adipose tissue and these cells have characteristics very similar to bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSCs). However, liposuction procedure, donor age, body mass index, and harvesting sites might generate differences in the initial cell population and the preparations are a heterogeneous mixture of precursors with different subsets. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the characteristics of human thigh adipose stem cells and the differentiation potential into mesodermal and endodermal lineage. Thigh adipose stem cells maintained fibroblast-like morphology similar to BM-MSCs and they underwent average 56.5 doublings and produced $5{\times}10^{22}$ cells. These cells expressed SCF, Oct4, nanog, vimentin, CK18, FGF5, NCAM, Pax6, BMP4, HNF4a, nestin, GATA4, HLA-ABC, and HLA-DR genes at p3 and they also expressed Oct4, Thy-1, FSP, vWF, vimentin, desmin, CK18, CD54, CD4, CD106, CD31, a-SMA, HLA-ABC proteins. Moreover, they could differentiate into mesodermal lineage cells such as adipocyte, osteoblast and chondrocyte. In addition, they also differentiated into insulin secreting cells in our culture condition. In conclusion, human thigh adipose stem cells retain proliferative potential and expression patterns similar to BM-MSCs and they also differentiate into various cell types. Thus, human thigh adipose stem cells might be useful alternative cell source for clinical application.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.259-261
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• 2003

The nsdD gene has been predicted to encode a GATA type transcription factor with the type IVb zinc finger DNA binding domain functions in activating sexual development of A. nidulans. In several allelic mutants of nsdD producing truncated NsdD polypeptides lacking the C-terminal zinc finger, the transcription level of nsdD gene was greatly increased. Also in an over-expressed mutant, the transcription under its own promoter was reduced. These results suggest that the expression of nsdD is negatively autoregulated. When the nsdD gene was over-expressed, cleistothecia were formed in excess amounts even in the presence of 0.6 M KC1 that inhibited sexual development of the wild type. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of nsdD was repressed by 0.6 M KC1. These results strongly suggest that the inhibition of sexual development by salts was carried out via the nsdD involved regulatory network.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2005

Although much is known about the molecular biology of platelets, the megakaryocytes' (MKs) molecular biology was not understood so well because of their rareness. By the cloning and characterization of thrombopoietin (TPO), which is the principal regulator of the growth and development of the MKs, researches on the MKs have been growing rapidly. To understand megakaryocytopoiesis, we investigated the gene expression profile of the MKs using oligonucleotide microarray where 10,108 unique genes were spotted. Comparing the fluorescence intensities of which ratio is $\ge$ ${\mid}2{\mid}$, 372 genes were up-regulated and 541 genes were down-regulated in MKs. For confirmatory expression, RNase protection assay (RPA) establishing abundant apoptotic gene expression was carried out. In MKs, many of the known genes, including several platelet related genes, GATA binding protein were highly expressed. Particularly, TGF beta, clusterin (complement lysis inhibitor), and thymosin beta 4 (actin-sequestering molecules) were expressed highly in MKs. As MKs specific expressed genes may regulate normal and pathologic platelet (and/or MK) functions, the transcript profiling using microarray was useful on molecular understanding of MKs,

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.583-589
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• 2002

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 is a cytoplasmic-transcription factor that is phosphorylated by Janus kinases (Jak) in response to interferon $\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$). The phosphorylated STAT1 translocates to the nucleus, where it turns on specific sets of IFN-$\gamma$-inducible genes, such as the interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1. We show here that gamma irradiation reduces the IFN-$\gamma$ mRNA expression. The inhibition of the STAT1 phosphorylation and the IRF-1 expression by gamma irradiation was also observed. In contrast, the mRNA levels of IL-5 and transcription factor GATA-3 were slightly induced by gamma irradiation when compared to the non-irradiated sample. Furthermore, we detected the inhibition of cell-mediated immunity by gamma irradiation in the allogenic-mixed lymphocytes' reaction (MLR). These results postulate that gamma irradiation induces the polarized-Th2 response and interferes with STAT1 signals, thereby causing the immunosuppression of the Th1 response.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.589-594
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• 2002

Natural clonal stock of triploid crucian carp, Carassius aurahs was identified and its cytogenetic, molecular genetic and morphological traits were studied. Cytogenetic analysis of the clonal crucian carp revealed that they were natural triploidy, evidenced by 1.5-fold increases of cell size, DNA content, and chromosome number. Multi-locus DNA fingerprinting using $(GATA)_4$ probe showed that they had an identical fingerprint profile, indicating the clonal propagation of the population. External morphology and morphometric characteristics of triploid individuals were much uniform compared to those of diploids. Natural triploid crucian carp was proven to be all-female in this study.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.659-666
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• 2021

After Candida albicans, Candida glabrata is one of the most common fungal species associated with candidemia in nosocomial infections. Rapid acquisition of nutrients from the host is important for the survival of pathogens which possess the metabolic flexibility to assimilate different carbon and nitrogen compounds. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nitrogen assimilation is controlled through a mechanism known as Nitrogen Catabolite Repression (NCR). NCR is coordinated by the action of four GATA factors; two positive regulators, Gat1 and Gln3, and two negative regulators, Gzf3 and Dal80. A mechanism in C. glabrata similar to NCR in S. cerevisiae has not been broadly studied. We previously showed that in C. glabrata, Gln3, and not Gat1, has a major role in nitrogen assimilation as opposed to what has been observed in S. cerevisiae in which both factors regulate NCR-sensitive genes. Here, we expand the knowledge about the role of Gln3 from C. glabrata through the transcriptional analysis of BG14 and gln3Δ strains. Approximately, 53.5% of the detected genes were differentially expressed (DEG). From these DEG, amino acid metabolism and ABC transporters were two of the most enriched KEGG categories in our analysis (Up-DEG and Down-DEG, respectively). Furthermore, a positive role of Gln3 in AAA assimilation was described, as was its role in the transcriptional regulation of ARO8. Finally, an unexpected negative role of Gln3 in the gene regulation of ABC transporters CDR1 and CDR2 and its associated transcriptional regulator PDR1 was found. This observation was confirmed by a decreased susceptibility of the gln3Δ strain to fluconazole.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2018

In this study, we examined the efficacy of the immune regulation of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and Lactobacillus plantarum LM1004 on atopic dermatitis models. The oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 on mice significantly decreased the amount of scratching, leakage to evans blue, and concentrations of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine compared with the atopic dermatitis - induced group. When atopic dermatitis was induced, the transcription factors (GATA-3, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor ${\gamma}$ T [$ROR{\gamma}T$]) and cytokines (interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-17) of Th2 and Th17 cells were overexpressed at the transcriptional level, and they significantly decreased with oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004. In addition, ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 were shown to modulate the immune balance by increasing the expression of Th1 and Treg transcription (T-bet, forkhead box p3 [Foxp3]) and cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$ [IFN-${\gamma}$], transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ [TGF-${\beta}$]). Galectin-9 and filaggrin were significantly lower in the atopic dermatitis - induced group and significantly higher in the ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan-treated group. In contrast, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was highest in the atopic dermatitis-induced group, while mice that were orally administered ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 showed similar TSLP levels to the control group. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 have immunomodulatory effects and atopic dermatitis improvement effects in an animal model of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is expected that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 can be used as natural materials in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 2020

The six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 (Steap4) is a metalloreductase that plays a role in intracellular iron and cupper homeostasis, inflammatory response, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Previously, Steap4 has been reported to stimulate adipocyte differentiation; however, the underlying mechanisms of this action remain unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in Steap4-induced adipocyte differentiation using 3T3-L1 cells, immortalized brown adipocyte (iBA) cells, and mouse embryonic fibroblast C3H10T1/2 cells. The knockdown of Steap4 using adenovirus-containing shRNA attenuated mitotic clonal expansion (MCE), as evidenced by the impaired proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells, iBA cells, and C3H10T1/2 cells within 48 hr after adding the differentiation medium. Steap4 knockdown downregulated G1/S phase transition-related cell cycle regulators (including cyclin A and cyclin D) and upregulated cell cycle inhibitors (including p21 and p27). Furthermore, Steap4 knockdown inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and Akt. Moreover, Steap4 knockdown repressed the expression of early adipogenic activators, such as CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and Kruppel-like factor family factor 4 (KLF4). On the other hand, Steap4 knockdown stimulated the expression of adipogenic inhibitors, including KLF2, KLF3, and GATA2. The overexpression of Steap4 using an adenovirus removed the repressive histone marks H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 on the promoter of C/EBPβ. These results indicate that Stepa4 stimulates adipocyte differentiation through the induction of MCE and the modulation of early adipogenic transcription factors, including C/EBPβ, during the early phase of adipocyte differentiation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.294-312
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of GGX on an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mice model. Methods: Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA and then treated with three concentrations of GGX (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). After sacrifice, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lungs of the mice were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, ELISA, real-time PCR, H&E, Masson's trichrome, PAS and AB-PAS staining, and immunohistofluorescence staining. Results: GGX significantly inhibited the increase of total cells, immune cells (lymphocyte, neutrophils, macrophage, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD69+, CD62L-CD44high+, Gr-1+SiglecF-), and the expression of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ) in BALF. It also significantly inhibited the increase of total cells, immune cells (lymphocyte, neutrophils, eosinophil/macrophage, CD3+, CD19+, CD3+CD193+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD69+, CD62L-CD44high+, and Gr-1+SiglecF-), and the expression of IL-13, TARC, and MCP-1 in lung tissue. GGX decreased the severity of histological lung injury and the expressions of STAT3 and GATA3. Conclusion: This study suggests the probability of using GGX for the treatment of asthma by inhibiting inflammatory immune response.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.214-223
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• 2017

Objective: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. Methods: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p< 0.007), $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.013), and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p< 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p< 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (p= 0.001), Foxp3 (p= 0.02), and $interferon-{\gamma}$ (p= 0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p= 0.02), Rorc (p< 0.001), IL-23 (p= 0.04), IL-17 (p= 0.02), IL-6 (p< 0.001), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ (p= 0.01), and IL-35 (p< 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. Conclusion: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.