• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.168-179
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: We evaluated the effect of adipose-derived stem cell-derived conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) on the renal function of rats with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced acute kidney injury. Methods and Results: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, nephrectomy control, IRI control, ADSC-CM. The ADSC-CM was prepared using the three-dimensional spheroid culture system and injected into renal parenchyme. The renal function of the rats was evaluated 28 days before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 14 days after surgical procedures. The rats were sacrificed 14 days after surgical procedures, and kidney tissues were collected for histological examination. The renal parenchymal injection of ADSC-CM significantly reduced the serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels compared with the IRI control group on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 after IRI. The renal parenchymal injection of ADSC-CM significantly increased the level of creatinine clearance compared with the IRI control group 1 day after IRI. Collagen content was significantly lower in the ADSC-CM group than in the IRI control group in the cortex and medulla. Apoptosis was significantly decreased, and proliferation was significantly increased in the ADSC-CM group compared to the IRI control group in the cortex and medulla. The expressions of anti-oxidative makers were higher in the ADSC-CM group than in the IRI control group in the cortex and medulla. Conclusions: The renal function was effectively rescued through the renal parenchymal injection of ADSC-CM prepared using a three-dimensional spheroid culture system.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.585-592
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• 2012

During the past decade, many studies using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been conducted in various medical fields, from cardiovascular research to applications for corneal diseases. Nonetheless, there are several limitations of practical applications of PRP and ASCs. Most reports of PRP are anecdotal and few include controls to determine the specific role of PRP. There is little consensus regarding PRP production and characterization. Some have reported the development of an antibody to bovine thrombin, which was the initiator of platelet activation. In the case of ASCs, good manufacturing practices are needed for the production of clinical-grade human stem cells, and in vitro expansion of ASCs requires approval of the Korea Food and Drug Administration, such that considerable expense and time are required. Additionally, some have reported that ASCs could have a potential risk of transformation to malignant cells. Therefore, the authors tried to investigate the latest research on the efficacy and safety of PRP and ASCs and report on the current state and regulation of these stem cell-based therapies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.404-416
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• 2017

Objective : Functional and neural tissue recovery has been reported in many animal studies conducted with stem cells. However, the combined effect of cytokines and stem cells has not yet been adequately researched. Here, we analyzed the additive effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) infusion in the treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods : Four days after intrathecal infusion tubes implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats, SCI was induced with an infinite horizon impactor. In the Sham group (n=5), phosphate-buffered saline was injected 3, 7, and 14 days after SCI. GCSF, ADSCs, and ADSCs with GCSF were injected at the same time in the GCSF (n=8), ADSC (n=8), and ADSC+GCSF groups (n=7), respectively. Results : The ADSC and ADSC+GCSF groups, but not the GCSF group, showed significantly higher Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores than the Sham group during 8 weeks (p<0.01), but no significant difference between the ADSC and ADSC+GCSF groups. In the ladder rung test, all four groups were significantly different from each other, with the ADSC+GCSF group showing the best improvement (p<0.01). On immunofluorescent staining (GAP43, MAP2), western blotting (GAP43), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (GAP43, nerve growth factor), the ADSC and ADSC+GCSF groups showed higher levels than the Sham and GCSF groups. Conclusion : Our analyses suggest that the combination of GCSF and ADSCs infusions in acute SCI in the rat does not have a significant additive effect. Hence, when combination agents for SCI stem cell therapy are considered, molecules other than GCSF, or modifications to the methodology, should be investigated.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.345-350
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• 2011

Purpose: Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) potentiate the wound healing activity of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), its effect cannot be sustained for a prolonged period of time due to short duration of action. This led us to design and produce platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), in an effort to develop a tool which lasts longer, and apply it on wound healing. Methods: Two symmetrical skin defects were made on the back of seven nude mice. ADSCs were applied to each wound, combined with either PRP or PRF. The wound area was measured over 14 days. By day 16, the wound was harvested and histologic analysis was performed including counting of the blood vessel. Results: The healing rate was more accelerated in PRP group in the first 5 days (p<0.05). However, PRF group surpassed PRP group after 6 days (p<0.05). The average number of blood vessels observed in the PRF group was $6.53{\pm}0.51$, compared with $5.68{\pm}0.71$ for the PRP group. Conclusion: PRF exerts a slow yet pervasive influence over the two-week course of the wound healing process. Thus, PRF is probably more beneficial for promoting the activity of ADSCs for a sustained period of time.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.185-207
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• 2012

Since the Hwang scandal, the South Korean state has expressed often-conflicting interests of encouraging stem cell research and the IVF industry to save the country and introducing the ethical regulation in conformity with "Global Standard." As the tightening ethical regulation of stem cell research has enervated the field of human Embryonic stem cell(hESC) research, somatic stem cells (re-)emerged as an alternative savior that could rescue the future of research communities, bio-industry, practicing doctors, patients and the nation itself from the crisis. The recent literature on Korean biotechnology, however, mainly focus on hESC and relatively little attention has been given to the rapidly growing field of research on somatic stem cells like hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs) or Adipose derived stem cells(ASCs). While the hESC therapy is often regarded as experimental and ethically controversial, the HSCs or Mesenchymal stem cell(MSC) therapies have already made their ways into people's everyday life through market without much public discussion. Many ordinary people in South Korea are familiar with the story of patients who survived leukemia with the HSCs treatment; the number of doctors who are actively marketing the ASCs therapies is on the rapid increase; the concept of cosmetic products made from ASCs is gaining popularity among consumers. In this context, this article argues that the current ethical debates solely focusing on hESC or on the state policy and research regulation are too limiting to fully illuminate the politics of stem cell technologies in South Korea.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.432-441
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• 2024

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.258-258
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• 2009

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

With the progress of regenerative medicine, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have received attention as a way to restore ovarian function. It has been reported that MSCs derived from bone marrow, adipose, umbilical cord blood, menstrual blood, and amniotic fluid improved ovarian function. In light of previous studies and advances in this field, there are increased expectations regarding the utilization of MSCs to restore ovarian function. This review summarizes recent research into potential applications of MSCs in women with infertility or primary ovarian insufficiency, including cases where these conditions are induced by anticancer therapy.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.199-209
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• 2011

Purpose: Osteoporosis, is a major health problem for the elderly and post-menopausal women and shown to alter the properties of bone as well as impair bone healing around titanium implants in both human and animals. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of LIPUS with adipose-derived stem cells on the healing process around a titanium implant in rats with osteoporosis. Methods: Sixteen osteoporosis-induced rats were divided into two groups: an adipose-derived stem cell injected with Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) application group and a control group. Titanium screw implants (diameter, 2.0 mm: length, 3.5 mm, Cowell Medi, Korea) were placed into both tibia of 16 rats, on 8 rats as the control group and the other 8 rats as the experimental group. Rats were sacrificed at different intervals from 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after implantation for histopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: Histopathological analysis revealed newly formed bone in experimental group earlier than that in control group. Especially at 1 week after implantation, more amounts of new bone matrix and collagen around the implant in the experimental group were seen compared with the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression in the experimental group were increased at early stages compared with that of control group until 2 weeks after implantation. But after 2 weeks, the expression level of OPG similar in both groups. The expression levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) were stronger in the experimental group than the control group until 2 weeks after implantation. After 4 weeks, expression of RANKL in experimental group was similar to the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that LIPUS with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in implantation could promote bone healing around titanium implants in rats with osteoporosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.287-295
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• 2022

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is known to induce apoptosis of host immune cells and impair phagocytic clearance, thereby being pivotal in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) exert therapeutic effects against inflammatory and immune diseases. In the present study, we investigated whether systemic administration of ASCs restores the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and decolonizes cutaneous S. aureus under AD conditions. AD was induced by injecting capsaicin into neonatal rat pups. ASCs were extracted from the subcutaneous adipose tissues of naïve rats and administered to AD rats once a week for a month. Systemic administration of ASCs ameliorated AD-like symptoms, such as dermatitis scores, serum IgE, IFN-γ⁺/IL-4⁺ cell ratio, and skin colonization by S. aureus in AD rats. Increased FasL mRNA and annexin V⁺/7-AAD⁺ cells in the PBMCs obtained from AD rats were drastically reversed when co-cultured with ASCs. In contrast, both PBMCs and CD163⁺ cells bearing fluorescent zymosan particles significantly increased in AD rats treated with ASCs. Additionally, the administration of ASCs led to an increase in the mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidin and β-defensin, in the skin of AD rats. Our results demonstrate that systemic administration of ASCs led to decolonization of S. aureus by attenuating apoptosis of immune cells in addition to restoring phagocytic activity. This contributes to the improvement of skin conditions in AD rats. Therefore, administration of ASCs may be helpful in the treatment of patients with intractable AD.