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

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2018

Objective: DNA methylation plays a major role in regulating the expression of genes related to traits of economic interest (e.g., weight gain) in livestock animals. This study characterized and investigated the functional inferences of genome-wide DNA methylome in the loin (longissimus dorsi) muscle (LDM) of swine. Methods: A total of 8.99 Gb methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequence data were obtained from LDM samples of eight Duroc pigs (four pairs of littermates). The reference pig genome was annotated with 78.5% of the raw reads. A total of 33,506 putative methylated regions (PMR) were identified from methylated regions that overlapped at least two samples. Results: Of these, only 3.1% were commonly observed in all eight samples. DNA methylation patterns between two littermates were as diverse as between unrelated individuals (p = 0.47), indicating that maternal genetic effects have little influence on the variation in DNA methylation of porcine LDM. The highest density of PMR was observed on chromosome 10. A major proportion (47.7%) of PMR was present in the repeat regions, followed by introns (21.5%). The highest conservation of PMR was found in CpG islands (12.1%). These results show an important role for DNA methylation in species- and tissue-specific regulation of gene expression. PMR were also significantly related to muscular cell development, cell-cell communication, cellular integrity and transport, and nutrient metabolism. Conclusion: This study indicated the biased distribution and functional role of DNA methylation in gene expression of porcine LDM. DNA methylation was related to cell development, cell-cell communication, cellular integrity and transport, and nutrient metabolism (e.g., insulin signaling pathways). Nutritional and environmental management may have a significant impact on the variation in DNA methylation of porcine LDM.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.403-407
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• 2011

This study describes a canine lymphosarcoma with a rapid proliferation and recurrence. A 4-year-old, male, Shih Tzu dog was examined for acute swelling mass. The mass had been identified since 3 months ago and enlarged $10{\times}7$ cm and located in the right axillary region. The surgical removal was recommended when patient visited veterinarian and the operation was conducted. The removed tumor was $11{\times}8{\times}7$ cm and firm, lobulated and white cut surface. Routine screening laboratory test was assessed with blood and radiological analysis. The metastasis sign was not detected on thoracic and abdominal radiography. Blood test revealed decreased lymphocytes. After surgical removal of the mass, microscopic histopathological examination was performed to determine the final diagnosis. Histopathologically, the tumors are characterized by the same histological features, including the presence of neoplastic cellular populations, and lymphocytes infiltration in varying proportions. Also, DNA was extracted and PCR analysis was employed to analyze the origin of tumor cells. T-cell specific nucleic acid fragments were specifically amplified by PCR. On the basis of the laboratory results, the tumor was diagnosed with canine T-cell lymphosarcoma. On the basis of our knowledge, this is the first report of canine T-cell lymphosarcoma in a Shih Tzu dog.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.199-203
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• 2013

This experiment was conducted to investigate the genetic effects of candidate genes on the growth of spleen and liver tissues using dietary Curcuma longa (C. longa) supplementation. Expression analyses of candidate genes regarding animal growth was performed in order to determine the factors affecting the growth related to immune components of Curucumin, Turmerone, and Zingiberene as the bile secretion Paratolyl methyl carbinol (PTMC). The animals were divided into four groups of five chicks supplied with experimental diets of C. longa at 0.25, 0.5 and 1% and controls. The 19 growth-related genes were known to cell maturation, differentiation significant expression patterns in this analysis. Expression of growth response-related genes in chicks supplemented with 1% of C. longa showed better growth performance than chicks with 0.25 and 0.5% in spleen (p<0.05). The IGF1, MSTN, POU1F1, ADCYAP1 gene were known to central roles in mediating gonadotropin function, regulating steroidogenesis and promoting oocyte growth and maturation. Sex steroids, androgen and estrogen can affect sex differentiation and also can affect muscle development. On the other hand, GHSR and FABP3 gene showed significant expression patterns in this analysis. The results would be used as basic information for the variation of growth-related genes expression on the cell growth, sex cell growth, and sex hormones according to dietary supplementation with C. longa in chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.492-499
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• 2009

A Silkie Bantam embryo fibroblast line (named SBF59 line) was successfully established by using direct explant culture and cryopreservation techniques. Cell morphology, viability, dynamic growth and contamination were tested and the karyotype and levels of isoenzymes of lactic dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase were analyzed. Four kinds of fluorescent protein extrogenes, including $pEGFP-N_3$, $pECFP-N_1$, $pEYFP-N_1$ and $pDsRed1-N_1$ were transfected into the cells. The results showed that the cells were healthy and possessed a fibrous structure without a change in morphology. The average viability of the cells was 96% before freezing and 90.5% after thawing. The growth curve appeared as typical "S" shape and the cell growth passed through a detention phase, a logarithmic phase and a platform phase; the estimated population doubling time (PDT) was 38.5 h; assays for the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses and mycoplasmas were negative; the cell line showed no cross contamination when assessed by isoenzyme analysis; the chromosome number was 2n = 78 on more than 88% of occasions; four kinds of fluorescent protein extro-genes appeared to be expressed effectively with a high transfection efficiency between 18.3% and 42.3%. The cell line met the required quality control standard. It not only preserves the genetic resources of the important Silkie Bantam at the cellular level but also provides valuable materials for genomic, post-genomic, somatic cell cloning research and other applications.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2018

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are useful candidates for tissue engineering and cell therapy. Physiological cell environment not only connects cells to each other, but also connects cells to the extracellular matrix that provide mechanical support, thus exposing the entire cell surface and activating signaling pathways. Hydrogel is a polymeric material that swells in water and maintains a distinct 3-dimensional (3D) network structure by cross linking. In this study, we investigated the optimized cellular function for canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (cAD-MSCs) using hydrogel. We observed that the expression levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, which are involved in cell proliferation and stemness, were increased in transwell-hydrogel (3D-TN) compared to the transwell-normal (TN). Also, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ and SOX9, which are typical bone morphogenesis-inducing factors, were increased in 3D-TN compared to the TN. Collagen type II alpha 1, which is a chondrocyte-specific marker, was increased in 3D-TN compared to the TN. Osteocalcin, which is a osteocyte-specific marker, was increased in 3D-TN compared to the TN. Collectively, preconditioning cAD-MSCs via 3D culture systems can enhance inherent secretory properties that may improve the potency and efficacy of MSCs-based therapies for bone regeneration process.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Alpha-linolenic acid is an important polyunsaturated fatty acid that exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of alpha-linolenic acid on the cell proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells under essential amino acid-deficient conditions. Different concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids were added to the growth and differentiation media. The concentrations of 10 µM of alpha-linolenic acid and 2% essential amino acid were chosen for subsequent experiments. Supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids improved the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells and significantly increased the mRNA levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, B-cell lymphoma-2, and beclin-1 as well as the protein levels of PPARγ coactivator-1α compared to those in the controls. Moreover, supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids reduced the levels of phosphorylated H2A.X variant histone, Bcl-2-associated X, p53, and light chain 3 during C2C12 cell proliferation, and increased the expression levels of myogenic factors 4 (myogenin) and 5 during C2C12 cell differentiation. Overall, we determined that alpha-linolenic acid and essential amino acids maintained the cell proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells via their anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagic effects.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.767-778
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• 2023

The aim of the research is to identify that porcine oocytes can function as recipients for interspecies cloning and have the ability to develop to blastocysts. Furthermore each mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in interspecises cloned embryos was analyzed. For the study, mouse-porcine and porcine-porcine cloned embryos were produced with mouse fetal fibroblasts (MFF) and porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFF), respectively, introduced as donor cells into enucleated porcine oocytes. The developmental rate and cell numbers of blastocysts between intraspecies porcine-porcine and interspecies mouse-porcine cloned embryos were compared and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for the estimate of mouse and porcine mtDNA copy number in mouse-porcine cloned embryos at different stages.There was no significant difference in the developmental rate or total blastocyst number between mouse-porcine cloned embryos and porcine-porcine cloned embryos (11.1 ± 0.9%, 25 ± 3.5 vs. 10.1 ± 1.2%, 24 ± 6.3). In mouse-porcine reconstructed embryos, the copy numbers of mouse somatic cell-derived mtDNA decreased between the 1-cell and blastocyst stages, whereas the copy number of porcine oocyte-derived mtDNA significantly increased during this period, as assessed by real-time PCR analysis. In our real-time PCR analysis, we improved the standard curve construction-based method to analyze the level of mtDNA between mouse donor cells and porcine oocytes using the copy number of mouse beta-actin DNA as a standard. Our findings suggest that mouse-porcine cloned embryos have the ability to develop to blastocysts in vitro and exhibit mitochondrial heteroplasmy from the 1-cell to blastocyst stages and the mouse-derived mitochondria can be gradually replaced with those of the porcine oocyte in the early developmental stages of mouse-porcine cloned embryos.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.205-212
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• 2022

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating chronic disorder characterized by suprapubic pain and urinary symptoms such as urgency, nocturia, and frequency. The prevalence of IC/BPS is increasing as diagnostic criteria become more comprehensive. Conventional pharmacotherapy against IC/BPS has shown suboptimal effects, and consequently, patients with end-stage IC/BPS are subjected to surgery. The novel treatment strategies should have two main functions, anti-inflammatory action and the regeneration of glycosaminoglycan and urothelium layers. Stem cell therapy has been shown to have dual functions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic option for IC/BPS, but they come with several shortcomings, such as immune activation and tumorigenicity. MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) hold numerous therapeutic cargos and are thus a viable cell-free therapeutic option. In this review, we provide a brief overview of IC/BPS pathophysiology and limitations of the MSC-based therapies. Then we provide a detailed explanation and discussion of therapeutic applications of EVs in IC/BPS as well as the possible mechanisms. We believe our review will give an insight into the strengths and drawbacks of EV-mediated IC/BPS therapy and will provide a basis for further development.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2016

In animal reproduction, the quality of oocytes and embryos has been evaluated by the expression of specific molecules. Follistatin (FST), which was isolated from follicular fluid, binds and bio-neutralizes the TGF-${\beta}$ superfamily members. Previous studies using the bovine model showed FST could be an important molecular determinant of embryo developmental competence. However, the effect of FST treatment on porcine embryo developmental competence has not been established. In this study, the effect of exogenous FST on porcine embryo developmental competence was investigated during in vitro culture. FST (10 ng/ml) treatment induced a significant decrease in the rate of cell arrest at the 4-cell stage. The expression levels of DNA-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) were decreased in 4-cell stage embryos. FST treatment also resulted in significant improvements in developmental competence of embryos in terms of blastocyst formation rate and OCT-4 mRNA levels, the latter being related to pluripotency. In conclusion, during in vitro culture, FST treatment significantly ameliorated 4-cell block during embryonic development and improved embryo developmental competence. Therefore, FST treatment may potentially have a functional role in porcine embryogenesis that is broadly applicable to enhance in vitro embryo development.