• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권4호
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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.

• 한국발생생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국발생생물학회 2003년도 제3회 국제심포지움 및 학술대회
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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.

• 한국발생생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국발생생물학회 2003년도 제3회 국제심포지움 및 학술대회
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• pp.60-60
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• 2003

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have property of self-renewal and can differentiate into the cells of all three primary germ layers. Recently, many growth factors, alteration of culture condition and gene modifications have been used to differentiate mouse and human ES cells into specific cell types. This study was performed to evaluate the differentiation protocol for human ES cells to the endodermal lineage cells. Human ES cells (Miz-hESl ) were cultured on STO feeder layer mitotically inactivated with mitemycin C, and embryoid bodies (EBs) were formed by suspension culture. Differentiation protocol of EBs consisted of three steps: stage I, culture of EBs for 6 days with ITSFn medium; stage II, culture of stage I cells for 8 days with N2 medium ; stage III, culture of stage II cells for 22 days with N2 medium. mRNA levels of the endodermal lineage differentiation genes were analyzed by semi- quantitative RT-PCR. The Oct-4 expression, a marker of the pluripotent state, was detected in undifferentiated human ES cells but progressively decreased after EBs formation. Differentiating human ES cells expressed marker genes of endodermal differentiation and pancreatic islet cells. GATA4, a-fetoprotein, Glut-2, and Ngn3 were expressed in all stages. However, albumin and insulin were expressed in only stage III cells. The human ES cells can be differentiated into endodermal lineage cells by multiple step culture system using various supplements. We are developing the more effective protocols for guided differentiation of human ES cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.952-960
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• 2006

As a unicellular green alga that possesses many of the metabolic pathways present in higher plants, Chlorelia offers many advantages for expression of heterologous proteins. Since strong and constitutive promoters are necessary for efficient expression in heterologous expression systems, the development of such promoters for use in the Chlorella system was the aim of this study. Proteins encoded by the early genes of algal viruses are expressed before viral replication, probably by the host transcriptional machinery, and the promoters of these genes might be useful for heterologous expression in Chlorella. In this study, putative promoter regions of DNA polymerase, ATP-dependent DNA ligase, and chitinase genes were amplified from eight Korean Chlorella virus isolates by using primer sets designed based on the sequence of the genome of PBCV-1, the prototype of the Phycodnaviridae. These putative promoter regions were found to contain several cis-acting elements for transcription factors, including the TATA, CAAT, NTBBF1, GATA, and CCAAT boxes. The amplified promoter regions were placed into Chlorella transformation vectors containing a green fluorescence protein (GFP) reporter gene and the Sh ble gene for phleomycin resistance. C. vulgaris protoplasts were transformed and then selected with phleomycin. The GFP fluorescence intensities of cells transformed with chitinase, DNA polymerase, and DNA ligase gene promoter-GFP fusion constructs were 101.5, 100.8, and 95.8%, respectively, of that of CaMV 35S-GFP-transformed Chlorella cells. These results demonstrate that these viral promoters are active in transformed Chlorella.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.237-241
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• 2001

Three STR loci (STRX1[AGAT]$_{n}$, HPRTB[AGAT]$_{n}$ and ARA[AGC]$_{n}$) on X chromosome and three other STR loci (DYS390[CTG(A)T]$_{n}$, DYS392[ATT]$_{n}$ and DYS39［GATA]$_{n}$) on Y chromosome were analyzed in 154 unrelated healthy Korean subjects. Four loci (STRX1, HPRTB, DYS390 and DYS393) were amplified by quadruplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using fluorescent labeled primers (FLP). ARA and DYS392 were amplified separately using single PCR, similarly by using FLP. They were then run in an automated DNA sequencer and were analyzed with Genescan software. We found 7 alleles (308-332 bp) in STRX1, 7 alleles (275-299 bp) in HPRTB, 16 alleles (252-315 bp) in ARA, 6 alleles (203-223 bp) in DYS390, 7 alleles (245-263bp) in DYS392 and 5 alleles (116-132 bp) in DYS393. The ＊13(34%), ＊13(5l%), ＊23 (l8%), ＊23(50%), ＊14(39%) and ＊13(40%) alleles were observed to be the highest frequencies of STRX1, HPRTB, ARA, DYS390, DYS392 and DYS393, respectively. The detection of STR loci on sex chromosomes by quadruplex PCR allows simple determination of sex and identification of an individual. individual.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.298-305
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• 2012

Lutein은 식물에서 발견되는 carotenoid 계열에 속하는 물질로 항산화 기능을 가지고 있는 것으로 널리 알려져 있지만, 호흡기 질환과 관련하여 아직까지 lutein의 효능과 작용 기작이 잘 알려져 있지 않다. Ovalbumin (OVA)으로 유도한 천식(asthma) 생쥐모델에서 lutein은 기도 과민성을 억제하였고, 기관지 폐포 세척액에서 OVA의 감작에 의하여 증가한 각종 염증성 지표들을 감소시켰다. 또한, OVA의 감작에 의하여 증가한 제2형 협조 T 세포(Th2 cell)의 증가된 반응을 약화시키는 결과를 볼 수 있었다. 본 실험에서 lutein이 ovalbumin (OVA)으로 유도한 천식 생쥐 모델에서 제 2형 협조 T세포의 싸이토카인과 유전자 발현을 조절할 수 있는 면역약리학적 기능을 할 수 있는 물질로서의 가능성이 있음을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.27.1-27.13
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• 2022

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent head and neck malignancy, with frequent cervical lymph-node metastasis, leading to a poor prognosis in OSCC patients. The present study aimed to identify potential markers, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes, significantly involved in the etiology of early-stage OSCC. Additionally, the main OSCC's dysregulated Gene Ontology annotations and significant signaling pathways were identified. The dataset GSE45238 underwent multivariate statistical analysis in order to distinguish primary OSCC tissues from healthy oral epithelium. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) with the criteria of p-value < 0.001 and |Log2 fold change| > 1.585 were identified in the two groups, and subsequently, validated targets of DEMs were identified. A protein interaction map was constructed, hub genes were identified, significant modules within the network were illustrated, and significant pathways and biological processes associated with the clusters were demonstrated. Using the GEPI2 database, the hub genes' predictive function was assessed. Compared to the healthy controls, main OSCC had a total of 23 DEMs. In patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), upregulation of CALM1, CYCS, THBS1, MYC, GATA6, and SPRED3 was strongly associated with a poor prognosis. In HNSCC patients, overexpression of PIK3R3, GIGYF1, and BCL2L11 was substantially correlated with a good prognosis. Besides, "proteoglycans in cancer" was the most significant pathway enriched in the primary OSCC. The present study results revealed more possible mechanisms mediating primary OSCC and may be useful in the prognosis of the patients with early-stage OSCC.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.40-45
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• 2022

Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has various underlying causes in children. Identification of the underlying causes of CKD is important. Genetic causes comprise a significant proportion of pediatric CKD cases. Methods: In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify genetic causes of pediatric CKD. From January to June 2021, WES was performed using samples from pediatric patients with CKD of unclear etiology. Results: Genetic causes were investigated using WES in 37 patients (17 males) with pediatric CKD stages 1 (n=5), 2 (n=7), 3 (n=2), 4 (n=2), and 5 (n=21). The underlying diseases were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n=9), congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract including reflux nephropathy (n=8), other glomerulopathies (n=7), unknown etiology (n=6), and others (n=7). WES identified genetic causes of CKD in 12 of the 37 patients (32.4%). Genetic defects were discovered in the COL4A4 (n=2), WT1 (n=2), ACTN4, CEP290, COL4A3, CUBN, GATA3, LAMA5, NUP107, and PAX2 genes. WT1 defects were found in patients whose pathologic diagnosis was membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and identification of CUBN defects led to discontinuation of immunosuppressive agents. Genetic diagnosis confirmed the clinical diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal disease; Alport syndrome; and Joubert syndrome in three of the patients with CKD of unknown etiology (COL4A4 [n=2], CUBN [n=1]). Extrarenal symptoms were considered phenotypic presentations of WT1, PAX2, and CEP290 defects. Conclusions: WES provided a genetic diagnosis that confirmed the clinical diagnosis in a significant proportion (32.4%) of patients with pediatric CKD.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2007

연구목적: 알코올의존에 내재된 분자생물학적 기전을 이해하고 알코올리즘 치료 약물의 새로운 표적을 알아내기 위해서는, 알코올에 반응하는 유전자 혹은 반응 경로를 알아내는 것이 필요하다. DNA microarray 기법의 발달로 고전적 연구 방법과 달리 동시에 수천 수만개의 유전자의 표현을 검사하는 것이 가능하게 되었다. 본 연구에서는 알코올을 흰쥐의 신경아교종 세포에 처리했을 때 어떤 유전자의 발현을 조절하는지 DNA microarray를 이용하여 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 흰쥐 신경아교종 C6 세포주를 배양하여 에탄올 처리하고 총 RNA를 분리한 후 유전자 발현 양상을 조사하기 위해 cDNA microarray를 수행하였다. 결 과: 에탄올 처리군과 대조군간의 유전자 발현의 차이를 비교 분석한 결과 에탄올이 처리된 군에서 대조군에 비해 15개의 유전자가 발현이 증가하였고 12개의 유전자가 발현이 감소하였다. 발현이 증가한 유전자는 Orthodenticle(Drosophila) homolog 1, procollagen type II, adenosine A2a receptor, GATA-bindning protein2를 포함하고 있었고, 발현이 감소한 유전자는 diacylglycerol kinase beta, PRKC, Protein phosphatase 1, clathrin-associated protein 17, nucleoporin p58, proteasome를 포함하였다. 결 론: 흰쥐의 신경아교종 세포주에 알코올을 처치하였을 때 급성기에 알코올에 반응하여 발현이 증가하거나 감소한 유전자는 전반적으로 전사의 조절, 신호전달체계, 허혈성 뇌손상의 중재, 신경세포의 퇴행에 관여하는 것들이었다. 본 연구는 유전자 발현 시스템을 이용하여 에탄올에 반응하는 새로운 후보 유전자들을 관찰하였다는데 의의가 있다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2018

생체 조직 내에서 표지인자의 발견은 해당 세포의 특성과 기능을 이해하는 데 매우 중요하다. 이전의 연구에서 본 연구진은 돼지정원줄기세포에서 특이적으로 IGFBP 3가 발현되어 표지인자로의 가능성을 보고한 바 있다. 본 연구에서는 IGFBP 3이외의 다른 family member가 정원줄기세포에서 특이적으로 발현하는 지와, 이의 발현을 조절하는 PAPP-A의 조직학적인 측면에서의 발현 양상을 5일령 돼지 정소에서 확인하였다. 그 결과 IGFBP 1, 2, 3, 4, 6의 발현은 정소 전체에서 발현되는 수준보다 돼지 정원줄기세포에서 더 높은 수준에서 발현하고 있음을 확인하였다. PAPP-A는 sertoli cell에서 특이적으로 발현하며, 정원줄기세포에서는 발현하지 않는 것을 PGP9.5와의 동시-조직염색으로 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 Sertoli cell에서 발현하는 PAPP-A 단백질은 미성숙 돼지 정소에서 IGFBP family를 통해 정소 세포의 발달과 분화를 조절할 것으로 판단된다.