• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권8호
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• pp.1307-1314
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• 2015

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a member of the IL-6 cytokine family, having pleiotropic actions such as maintaining stem cell pluripotency and enabling blastocyst implantation. Because the action of LIF is mediated by a ligand-receptor interaction with the LIF receptor (LIF-R), an antagonist for LIF-R has been developed to inhibit LIF-induced signaling. In this study, we present a novel method for the production and purification of an antagonist to human LIF-R (hLA). His-tagged hLA was expressed in E. coli, and simple purification methods without any endopeptidase cleavage were designed. In addition, we determined the optimal temperature conditions for enhancing the production of soluble hLA. Finally, the bioactivity of His-tagged hLA was examined using STAT3 phosphorylation and receptivity of human endometrial ECC-1 cells. Our strategy provides a rapid and efficient method to produce biologically active recombinant hLA.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.268-272
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• 2021

Bone marrow-derived cell (BMDC) therapy has numerous applications as potential biological cells for use in regenerative medicine. Here, we present an original case of endometrial atrophy associated with genital tuberculosis in a woman who achieved a live birth with BMDC. This 27-year-old woman came to our center with endometrial atrophy and primary infertility. She had a past history of genital tuberculosis and amenorrhea. Her husband's semen quality was normal. The patient was counseled for hysteroscopy due to thin endometrium and advised in vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs in lieu of poor ovarian reserve. Several attempts of IVF with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were made, but the desired thickness of the endometrium was not achieved. Uterine artery injection of BMDC through interventional radiology was given, followed by HRT for three months, which resulted in improved endometrium. This was subsequently followed by IVF with donor egg. The treatment resulted in the conception and delivery of a 3.1-kg baby boy through lower segment caesarean section with no antenatal, intranatal or postnatal complications. Recently, there has been massive interest in stem cells as a novel treatment method for regenerative medicine, and more specifically for the regeneration of human endometrium disorders like Asherman syndrome and thin endometrium, which was the reason behind using this strategy for treatment.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2005년도 제49차 추계학술대회
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• pp.114-114
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• 2005

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2002년도 제43차 추계학술대회
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• pp.84.2-85
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• 2002

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.399-402
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• 2012

Bufalin is a traditional oriental medicines which induces apoptosis in some lines of human tumor cells. It constitutes the major digoxin-like immunoreactive component of Chan Su, obtained from the skin and parotid venom glands of toads. Bufalin is cardioactive C-24 steroids that exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as cardiotonic, anaesthetic, blood pressure stimulatory, respiratory and antineoplastic effects. In terms of its anti-tumor activity, bufalin has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of tumors, such as endometrial and ovarian cancers. This commentary introduces biologic and therapeutic effects of bufalin in treating some cancers. The compound is able to mediate inhibition of cell growth, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and expression of genes related to the malignant phenotype in human cancer cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

Implantation of an embryo occurs during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, known as the "implantation window." During this implantation period, there are significant morphologic and functional changes in the endometrium, which is followed by decidualization. Many immune cells, such as dendritic and natural killer (NK) cells, increase in number in this period and early pregnancy. Recent works have revealed that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and NK cells are involved in vascular remodeling of spiral arteries in the decidua and lack of APCs leads to failure of pregnancy. Paternal and fetal antigens may play a role in the induction of immune tolerance during pregnancy. A balance between effectors (i.e., innate immunity and helper T [Th] 1 and Th17 immunity) and regulators (Th2 cells, regulatory T cells, etc.) is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The highly complicated endocrine-immune network works in decidualization of the endometrium and at the fetomaternal interface. We will discuss the role of immune cells in the implantation period and during early pregnancy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.678-684
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• 2021

Luteolin, a flavonoid present in several fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs reportedly exhibits anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of luteolin on endometriosis, a painful condition characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial tissue and pelvic inflammation, remains elusive. Herein, we observed that luteolin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis of 12Z human endometriotic cells by activating caspase-3, -8, and -9. Additionally, luteolin significantly inhibited the expression of key chemokines, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and CCL5, required for monocyte/macrophage influx at endometriotic sites. In macrophages stimulated by endometriotic cells, luteolin treatment suppressed the intracellular expression of M2 markers and endometriosis-promoting factors. Collectively, our data suggest that luteolin exerts anti-endometriotic effects by stimulating endometriotic cell apoptosis and hindering the alternative activation of macrophages.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.315-323
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• 1994

Mammalian oviductal epithelial cells have been known to improve in vitro fertilization and embryonic development. Recently, co-cultured human embryos with the epithelial cells in human genital tract has been reported to improve the pregnancy rate. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the epithelial cells of human genital tract on the development of mouse early embryos and human fertilized oocytes. The epithelial cells of human genital tract were collected from the fallopian tubes which were obtained during hysterectomy in fertile women and from the endometrium during endometrium biopsy. Collected human ampullary cells(HACs) and endometrial cells(HECs) were cultured for 10 days to establish primary monolayer. Second passaged HACs and HECs were obtained by trypsinization were cryopreserved in PBS with 1.5 M DMSO for later use. To investigate the effect when co-cultured with HACs and HECs, we tried to apply strict quality control on mouse embryo, from two cell to blastocyst prior to human trial. The results of quality control were as follows; In Group I (Ham's F10 with 10% FCS), Group IT (co-cultured with HACs) and Group ill (co-cultured with HECs), developmental rates to blastocyst were 63.3%(253/400), 76.0%(304/ 400),74.0%(296/400), respectively. Hatching rates were 36.8%(147/400), 41.80/0(167/400), 38.0%(152/400), respectively(p<0.05). To perform the human IVF, cryopreserved HACs were thawed at 37$^{\circ}C$ waterbath, seeded on the well dish and cultured for 48 hI'S. The pronuclear stage embryos were transferred to the seeded well dish. After 24 hRS, co-cultured embryos were examined and transferred to patient's uterus. The results of human IVF when co-cultured with HACs were that fertilization and developmental rates were 61.8% (256/414), 95.3% (244/256) as compared with 57.2% (279/488) and 94.6%(264/279) in Ham's F10 supplemented with 10% FCS(control). However, 62.9% (161/256) of co-cultured human embryos showed good embryos(no or slight fragmentation) as compared with 53.8 % (150/279) in control(p < 0.05). Pregnancy rate was 40.0% (12/30) when co-cultured with HACs whereas 30.6%(11/36) in control. In conclusions, co-culture system using HACs and HECs improved the developmental and hatching rates of mouse embryo. Also, in human IVF system when co-cultured with HACs, it improved both the quality of human embryos and the pregnancy rate.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Purpose: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are common estrogen-dependent uterine tumors. Houttuynia cordata thunberg has cancer-preventing properties and often used in Chinese medicine. In the present study we used Houttuynia cordata thunberg to determine its effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human uterine leiomyoma cells. Methods: Primary cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells were treated with Houttuynia cordata thunberg. Cell viability analysis was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTS) assay and Flow cytometry was performed to ascertain the effects Houttuynia cordata thunberg. Expression of cell cycle related proteins and apoptosis related proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability was significantly influenced by Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment in a dose-dependent manner in leiomyoma cells compare to normal myometrial cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that Houttuynia cordata thunberg induced Sub G1 arrest. DNA fragmentation assay was carried out and apoptosis was detected. Activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2, with concomitant increase in p21 was observed. Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment of uterine leiomyoma cellsresulted in a concentration-dependent cell death induced via the caspase dependent mechanism. Conclusion: These results suggest that Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment in uterine leiomyoma cells leads to growth inhibition and induced apoptosis. These results suggest that Houttuynia cordata thunberg will be a promising agent for use in therapeutics agents against human uterine endometrial cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.99-113
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• 2010

목 적: 최근 다능성을 가진 극소형 줄기세포가 생쥐와 인간에서 발견된다고 보고되었다. 이 연구의 목적은 극소형 추정줄기세포들이 인간 자궁내막에 존재하는지, 그리고 이 세포들이 줄기세포의 고유 특성들과 줄기세포 표지자들을 발현시키는지 확인하기 위함이다. 연구방법: 자궁내막조직검사로부터 채취한 여성 5명의 자궁내막세포를 2주 동안 배양하였으며, alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4, CXCR4 면역화학염색을 통해 줄기세포 표지자 발현 여부를 확인하였다. 이후 percoll density gradient method 방법으로 극소형 추정줄기세포들을 분리하여 배양하였으며, 또한 극소형 추정줄기세포들과 그 유래의 세포들이 OCT-4와 CXCR4를 발현시키는지 확인하였다. 결 과: $3{\mu}m$ 미만의 극소형 추정줄기세포들과 5~15 ${\mu}m$의 과다염색질 원형세포들로 구성된 군집들이 모든 여성의 자궁내막세포에서 발견되었으며, alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4 및 CXCR4를 강하게 발현시켰다. Percoll을 이용하여 극소형 추정줄기세포들을 분리 배양한 결과, 극소형 추정줄기세포들은 자가재생, 배아체양 형성, 군집 형성, 분화 가소성과 같은 줄기세포의 형태학적 및 기능적인 특성들을 나타내었다. 극소형 추정줄기세포들은 세포간 응집 혹은 세포융합을 통하여 약 5~15 ${\mu}m$ 과다염색질 원형세포들과 약 10~20 ${\mu}m$ 구형세포들을 점진적으로 형성시켰다. 이후이 세포들은 섬유아세포 유사세포, 신경유사세포, 혈관내피유사세포를 포함하는 다양한 세포로 분화하였다. 또한 극소형 추정줄기세포들과 극소형 추정줄기세포에서 유래한 세포들은 흔히 OCT-4와 CXCR4를 강하게 발현시켰다. 결 론: 3 ${\mu}m$ 미만의 극소형 추정줄기세포들과 극소형 추정줄기세포에서 유래한 세포들이 인간 자궁내막에서 발견되며, 이 세포들은 줄기세포의 고유 특성들과 줄기세포 표지자인 alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4, CXCR4를 발현시킨다.