• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.133-147
• /
• 2005

Objectives: This study was carried out to establish human embryonic stem cells derived from frozen-thawed embryos using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (mEFs), human fetal skin and muscle fibroblasts as feeder cells, and to identify the characteristic of embryonic stem cells. Methods: When primary mEFs, human fetal skin and muscle fibroblasts were prepared, passaging on 4 days from replating could have effective trypsinization and clear feeder layers. Eight of 23 frozenthawed 4~8 cell stage embryos donated from consenting couples developed to blastocysts. Inner cell mass (ICM) was isolated by immunosurgery. ICM was co-cultured on mEFs, human fetal skin or muscle fibroblasts. The ICM colonies grown on mEFs, human fetal skin or muscle fibroblasts were tested the expression of stage specific embryonic antigen-3, -4 (SSEA-3, -4), octamer binding transcription factor-4 mRNA (Oct-4) and alkaline phosphatase surface marker. Results: We obtained 1 ICM colony from 2 ICM co-cultured on mEFs as feeder cells and did not obtain any ICM colony from 6 ICM clumps co-cultured on human fetal skin or muscle fibroblasts. The colony formed on mEFs could be passaged 30 times every 5 days with sustaining undifferentiated colony appearance. When the colonies cultured on mEFs were grown on human fetal skin or muscle fibroblasts, the colonies could be passaged 15 times every 9 days with sustaining undifferentiated colony appearance. The colonies grown on mEFs and human fetal fibroblasts expressed SSEA-4 and alkaline phosphatase surface markers and positive for the expression of Oct-4 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The produced embryoid body differentiated spontaneously to neural progenitorlike cells, neuron-like cells and beating cardiomyocyte-like cells, and frozen-thawed embryonic stem cells displayed normal 46,XX karyotype. Conclusions: The human embryonic stem cells can be established by using mEFs and human fetal fibroblasts produced in laboratory as feeder cells.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.7
• /
• pp.631-638
• /
• 2018

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) derived from mouse testis are unipotent in regard of spermatogenesis. Our previous study demonstrated that SSCs can be fully reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells, so called germline-derived pluripotent stem cells (gPS cells), on feeder cells (mouse embryonic fibroblasts), which supports SSC proliferation and induction of pluripotency. Because of an uncontrollable microenvironment caused by interactions with feeder cells, feeder-based SSC reprogramming is not suitable for elucidation of the self-reprogramming mechanism by which SSCs are converted into pluripotent stem cells. Recently, we have established a Matrigel-based SSC expansion culture system that allows longterm SSC proliferation without mouse embryonic fibroblast support. In this study, we developed a new feeder-free SSC self-reprogramming protocol based on the Matrigel-based culture system. The gPS cells generated using a feeder-free reprogramming system showed pluripotency at the molecular and cellular levels. The differentiation potential of gPS cells was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Our study shows for the first time that the induction of SSC pluripotency can be achieved without feeder cells. The newly developed feeder-free self-reprogramming system could be a useful tool to reveal the mechanism by which unipotent cells are self-reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.143-156
• /
• 2006

Major characteristics of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are sustaining of sternness and pluripotency by self-renewal. In this report, transcriptional profiles of the molecules in the developmentally important signaling pathways including Wnt, BMP4, $TGF-\beta$, RTK, Hh, Notch, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways were investigated to understand the self-renewal of mouse ESCs (mESCs), J1 line, and compared with the NIH3T3 cell line and mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells as controls. In the Wnt signaling pathway, the expression of Wnt3 was seen widely in mESCs, suggesting that the ligand may be an important regulator for self-renewal in mESCs. In the Hh signaling pathway, the expression of Gli and N-myc were observed extensively in mESCs, whereas the expression levels of in a Shh was low, suggesting that intracellular molecules may be essential for the self-renewal of mESCs. IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR and IGF-IIR of RTK signaling showed a lower expression in mESCs, these molecules related to embryo development may be restrained in mESCs. The expression levels of the Delta and HESS in Notch signaling were enriched in mESCs. The expression of the molecules related to BMP and JAK-STAT signaling pathways were similar or at a slightly lower level in mESCs compared to those in MEF and NIH3T3 cells. It is suggested that the observed differences in gene expression profiles among the signaling pathways may contribute to the self-renewal and differentiation of mESCs in a signaling-specific manner.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.86-93
• /
• 2020

The establishment of porcine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) blastocysts is influenced by in vitro culture day of porcine reconstructed embryo and feeder cell type. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the optimal in vitro culture period for reconstructed porcine SCNT embryos and mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cell type for enhancing colony formation efficiency from the inner cell mass (ICM) of porcine SCNT blastocysts and their outgrowth. As the results, porcine SCNT blastocysts produced through in vitro culture of the reconstructed embryos for 8 days showed significantly increased efficiency in the formation of colonies, compared to those for 7 days. Moreover, MEF feeder cells derived from outbred ICR mice showed numerically the highest efficiency of colony formation in blastocysts produced through in vitro culture of porcine SCNT embryos for 8 days and porcine ESCs with typical ESC morphology were maintained more successfully over Passage 2 on outbred ICR mice-derived MEF feeder cells than on MEF feeder cells derived from inbred C57BL/6 and hybrid B6CBAF1 mice. Overall, the harmonization of porcine SCNT blastocysts produced through in vitro culture of the reconstructed embryos for 8 days and MEF feeder cells derived from outbred ICR mice will greatly contribute to the successful establishment of ESCs derived from porcine SCNT blastocysts.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.36-50
• /
• 2009

Purpose: This study was to determine the protective effects of Dioscoreae Rhizoma on the Mouse Embrio Fibroblast (MEF) cells exposed to the ultraviolet rays(UVA). Methods: The samples were assigned randomly to five groups; control group without any treatments, UVA group exposed only to UVA, DR group exposed only to the Dioscoreae Rhizoma, UVA-DR group exposed to UVA before being treated with the Dioscoreae Rhizoma, and DR-UVA group treated with the Dioscoreae Rhizoma before being exposed to UVA. The survival rate of cells, metabolic rate of cells, transformation of nucleus within cells, alteration of cell cycle, effects on the apoptosis, the change of the amount of protein related to cell cycle were measured in order to determine the cell protective effects of the Dioscoreae Rhizoma on each group. Results: 1. DR-UVA group has more cell protective effects compared to the UVA group in all experiments, indicating that the Dioscoreae Rhizoma protects skin from UVA physically and chemically. 2. UVA-DR group shows more efficiency compared to UVA group in rapid recovery of damaged cell and leading highly damaged cells to apoptosis, preventing the expression of abnormal cells. Conclusions: Dioscoreae Rhizoma has effects of protecting MEF cells from UVA, of recovering cells damaged by UVA, and of prohibiting the expression of abnormal cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1993.04a
• /
• pp.170-170
• /
• 1993

유전독성물절외 검출과 평가에 용이하게 사용할 수 있는 모델 시스템의 개발 및 DNA 회복기작을 규명할 목적으로 수종의 돌연변이, 발암원을 이용하여 배양 포유동물세포 및 어류세포에서 세포생존률, DNA 합성 및 복제억제의 양상 등을 비교 분석하였다. MMS및 MNNG 와 같은 알칼라제는 CHO 세포에서 유의한 DNA 합성저해, DNA 복재억제, DNA 단사절단 및 비주기성 DNA 합성률의 증가를 유발하였다. Benzo(a)pyrene과 3-methylcholanthrene좌 같은 DNA 상해 전구물질의 경우 유전독성 여부의 판정에는 반드시 S-9/15과 같은 대사활성계 또는 mouse embryonic fibroblast와 같은 대사 활성능이 있는 세포와의 co-culture system들이 필요함을 확인하였으며, 이들에 의한 DNA 상해와 복재억제 유도의 작용양상은 자외선의 작용양상과 유사하였다. 배양 어류세포에서 자외선에 의한 세포생존율의 측정, 광재활성능의 분석 및 자외선에 의해 유발된 피리미딘 이량체 절제능 검토 및 DNA 합성 저해능의 결과를 분석함으로써 유전독성 평가를 위한 모델 시스템 구축의 기초결과를 얻었다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2001

The use of pluripotent stem cells has tremendous advantages for various purposes but these cell lines with proven germ-line transmission have been completely established only in the mouse. Embryonic germ (EG) cell lines are also pluripotent and undifferentiated stem cells established from primordial germ cells (PGCs). This study was conducted to establish and characterize the chicken EG cells derived from gonadal primordial germ cells. We isolated gonadal PGCs from 5.5-day-old (stage 28) White leghorn (WL) embryos and established chicken EG cells lines with EG culture medium supplemented with human stem cell factor (hSCF), murine leukemia inhibitory factor (mLIF), bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), human interleukin-11 (hIL-11), and human insulin-like growth factor-I (hIGF-I). These cells grew continuously for 4 months (10 passages) on a feeder layer of mitotically active chicken embryonic fibroblasts. These cells were characterized by screening with the Periodic acid-Shiff＇s reaction, anti-SSEA-1 antibody, and a proliferation assay after several passages. As the results, the chicken EG cells maintained characteristics of undifferentiated stem cells as well as that of gonadal PGCs. When cultured in suspension, the chicken EG cells successfully formed an embryoid body and differentiated into a variety of cell types when re-seeded onto culture dish. The chicken EG cells were injected into blastodermal layer at stage X and dorsal aorta of recipient embryo at stage 14 (incubation of 53hrs) and produced chimeric chickens with various differentiated tissues derived from the EG cells. The germline chimeras were also successfully induced by using EG cells. Thus, Chicken EG cells will be useful for the production of transgenic chickena and for studies of germ cell differentiation and genomic imprinting.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.123-129
• /
• 2011

The pig has been considered to serve as an appropriate model of human disease. Therefore, establishment of porcine embryonic stem cell lines is important. The purpose of the present study was to further work in this direction. We produced porcine parthenogenetic embryos, and separately aggregated two of each of two-cell ($2{\times}2$), four-cell ($2{\times}4$), and eight-cell ($2{\times}8$) embryos derived by parthenogenesis. After culture for 4 days, the developmental ability of the aggregates and total blastocyst cell numbers were evaluated. The percentage of blastocysts was significantly higher in both $2{\times}4$- and $2{\times}8$-aggregated embryos ($58.3{\pm}1.9%$ and $37.2{\pm}2.8%$, respectively) than in the control or $2{\times}2$-aggregated embryos ($23.6{\pm}1.1%$ and $12.5{\pm}2.4%$, respectively). Total blastocyst cell numbers were increased in the $2{\times}4$- and $2{\times}8$-aggregated embryos (by $44{\pm}3.0%$ and $45{\pm}3.3%$, respectively) compared with those of control or $2{\times}2$-aggregated embryos ($30.5{\pm}2.1%$ and $30.7{\pm}2.6%$, respectively; p<0.05). The levels of mRNA encoding Oct-4 were higher in both the $2{\times}4$- and $2{\times}8$-aggregated embryos than in the control. When blastocysts derived from $2{\times}4$- aggregated embryos or intact normal embryos were cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder cells to obtain porcine stem cells, blastocysts from aggregated embryos formed colonies that were better in shape compared with those derived from intact blastocysts. Together, the data show that aggregation of porcine embryos not only improves blastocyst quality but also serves as an efficient procedure by which porcine embryonic stem cells can become established.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.397-402
• /
• 2009

The Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea) is a popular herbal medicine in East Asia that was known to possess detoxification, antifebrile and antifungal effects. In the present study, we examined the biological activities of ethanol extracts of P. oleracea under various conditions with NIH3T3, B16F10, and MCF-7 cell line model systems. Extracts of P. oleracea (0.5 mg/ml) showed inhibition of expression of tyrosinase, but does not suppress either of TYRP-1 or DCT expression on B16F10 cells. Extracts of P. oleracea (2 mg/ml) showed anti-inflammatory effects on TNF-$\alpha$-stimulated NIH3T3/$NF{\kappa}B$-Luc cells and increase of the synthesis of collagen on NIH3T3 (wild type) cells. These results suggest that extracts of P. oleracea could be used as a functional biomaterial in developing a skin whitening agent and having the anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle, and anti-aging activities.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.11
• /
• pp.1665-1672
• /
• 2008

Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) is a useful method to preserve endangered species and to study the reprogramming event of a nuclear donor cell by the oocyte. Although several studies of iSCNT using murine cells and bovine oocytes have been reported, the development of murine-bovine iSCNT embryos beyond the 8-cell stage has not been successful. In this paper, we examined the developmental potential of embryos reconstructed with a murine embryonic fibroblast as the nuclear donor and a bovine oocyte as the cytoplasm recipient. The reconstructed embryos were cultured in CZB (murine medium) or CR1aa (bovine medium). In addition, for the development of a murine-bovine iSCNT blastocyst, the antioxidant ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol (${\beta}ME$) was supplemented to CR1aa medium. Furthermore, to verify the mouse genome activation in murine-bovine iSCNT embryos, RT-PCR analysis of murine Xist was performed. The development of the murine-bovine iSCNT embryos cultured in CR1aa was significantly higher than that in CZB (p<0.05). With respect to the effect of BME on the development of the murine-bovine iSCNT blastocyst, addition of BME produced a significant increase in blastocyst development (p<0.05). Karyotype analysis confirmed that the reconstructed embryos were derived from murine cells (40XX). The Xist gene was gradually increased from the 8-cell stage to the blastocyst stage. This is the first report of blastocyst development of iSCNT embryos derived from murine somatic cells and bovine oocytes. These results demonstrate that bovine cytoplasm can support the development of later stages of a preimplantation embryo from murine-bovine iSCNT.