• Biomaterials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2018

Background: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are, due to their pluripotency, useful sources of cells for stem cell therapy and tissue regeneration. The phenotypes of hMSCs are strongly influenced by their microenvironment, in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM), the composition and structure of which are important in regulating stem cell fate. In reciprocal manner, the properties of ECM are remodeled by the hMSCs, but the mechanism involved in ECM remodeling by hMSCs under topographical stimulus is unclear. In this study, we therefore examined the effect of nanotopography on the expression of ECM proteins by hMSCs by analyzing the quantity and structure of the ECM on a nanogrooved surface. Methods: To develop the nanoengineered, hMSC-derived ECM, we fabricated the nanogrooves on a coverglass using a UV-curable polyurethane acrylate (PUA). Then, hMSCs were cultivated on the nanogrooves, and the cells at the full confluency were decellularized. To analyze the effect of nanotopography on the hMSCs, the hMSCs were re-seeded on the nanoengineered, hMSC-derived ECM. Results: hMSCs cultured within the nano-engineered hMSC-derived ECM sheet showed a different pattern of expression of ECM proteins from those cultured on ECM-free, nanogrooved surface. Moreover, hMSCs on the nano-engineered ECM sheet had a shorter vinculin length and were less well-aligned than those on the other surface. In addition, the expression pattern of ECM-related genes by hMSCs on the nanoengineered ECM sheet was altered. Interestingly, the expression of genes for osteogenesis-related ECM proteins was downregulated, while that of genes for chondrogenesis-related ECM proteins was upregulated, on the nanoengineered ECM sheet. Conclusions: The nanoengineered ECM influenced the phenotypic features of hMSCs, and that hMSCs can remodel their ECM microenvironment in the presence of a nanostructured ECM to guide differentiation into a specific lineage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.729-738
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• 2000

Objective : We examined patients admitted to Dong Eui University Oriental Medical Hospital from 1st January to 31st December in 2000. We studied 110 cases of patients who were diagnosed as Brain stem(pons, mid brain, medullar) infarction with brain CT, MRI scan, MR Angiography. Methods : We analyzed patients into sex, age, onset time, invasion lesion, past and family history, risk factor, abnormal vital sign for early 2 weeks, prodromal symptoms, symptoms at entry, progress and incidental symptoms at acute stage, complications, the state of condition at discharge, demonstrations, herb medications, western and oriental medical cooperation and admission period. Results : Our study was similar to existing studies in the distribution of sex, age, past and family history and risk factors. But there was some differences in the prodromal symptoms, symptoms at entry progress and incidental symptoms at acute stage, and the state of condition at discharge. Conclusions : Our study shows the brain stem infarction patients differed from other cerebrovascular accident patients in the symptoms. We hoped that our study would be further studied in western and oriental medicine.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.259-264
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• 2019

Social requirements are needed for living in an aging society and individual longevity. Among them, improved health and medical cares, appropriate for an aging society are strongly demanded. Human cord blood-derived plasma (hUCP) has recently emerged for its unique anti-aging effects. In this study, we investigated brain rejuvenation, particularly olfactory function, that could be achieved by a systemic administration of young blood and its underlying mechanisms. Older than 24-month-old mice were used as an aged group and administered with intravenous injection of hUCP repetitively, eight times. Anti-aging effect of hUCP on olfactory function was evaluated by buried food finding test. To investigate the mode of action of hUCP, brain, serum and spleen of mice were collected for further ex vivo analyses. Systemic injection of hUCP improved aging-associated olfactory deficits, reducing time for finding food. In the brain, although an infiltration of activated microglia and its expression of cathepsin S remarkably decreased, significant changes of proinflammatory factors were not detected. Conversely, peripheral immune balance distinctly switched from predominance of Type 1 helper T (Th1) cells to alternative regulatory T cells (Tregs). These findings indicate that systemic administration of hUCP attenuates age-related neuroinflammation and subsequent olfactory dysfunction by modulating peripheral immune balance toward Treg cells, suggesting another therapeutic function and mechanism of hUCP administration.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.684-687
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• 2000

Primary anaplastic oligodendroglioma in brain stem is extremely rare. The authors present a case of a anaplastic oligodendroglioma arising from pons. A 29 year-old male patient was admitted because of cranial nerve palsy and visual disturbance. Neurological examination revealed bilateral sixth and left seventh cranial nerve plasies. Near-total resection of tumor mass was performed through midline suboccipital appraoch. Tumor was not related with choroid plexus and major vessels but it was firmly attached to the fourth ventricle floor. Tumor was considered to be arised from the tegmental portion of pons, growing dorsally into the 4th ventricle. Hitopathological exmination revealed primary anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Postoperative course was uneventful. The authors believe that this type of tumor with dorsally growing pattern can be successfully resected without major neurological deficit.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.343-349
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• 1986

Histopathological diagnosis of brain stem glioma should be performed for the purpose of the determination of its management and clinical course, but its surgical biopsy has been followed by high mortality and morbidity. We performed the tissue sampling for histological examination with BRW stereotaxic system under local anesthesia successfully.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.310-312
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• 2005

We report a case of endodermal cyst of the posterior fossa. A 44-year-old man presented with headache for three months. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a $6{\times}2.5{\times}2cm$ sized extra-axial non-enhancing cystic lesion on the ventral aspect to brain stem. To avoid retraction injury to brain stem, far lateral transcondylar approach was selected. Right suboccipital craniotomy and partial removal of occipital condyle with resection of C-1 and C-2 hemilaminae exposed the extra-axial cyst well. The cyst has a whitish thick membrane. It was not adherent to brain stem and lower cranial nerves. Total removal of the cyst was done without difficulty. Histological analysis disclosed a layer of pseudostratified columnar epithelium with basement membrane. The result of immunohistochemical study was consistent with endodermal cyst.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2010

Hypoglycemic encephalopathy is a rare problem among diabetic patients who are receiving treatment with insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs. The MRIs of patients with hypoglycemic encephalopathy commonly show scattered lesions in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and basal ganglia, but lesions in the cerebellum or brain stem are extremely rare. A 44-year-old alcoholic woman without diabetes was admitted with a semicomatose mentality and seizure with severe hypoglycemic encephalopathy with extensive brain lesions seen on MRI at the middle cerebellar peduncle and midbrain, as well as in the other brain areas.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.214.2-215
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• 2001

No Abstract, See Full Text

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.438-447
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• 2023

Recently, ex-vivo gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by introducing functional genes in vitro. Here, we explored the need of using selection markers to increase the gene delivery efficiency and evaluated the potential risks associated with their use in the manufacturing process. We used MSCs/CD that carry the cytosine deaminase gene (CD) as a therapeutic gene and a puromycin resistance gene (PuroR) as a selection marker. We evaluated the correlation between the therapeutic efficacy and the purity of therapeutic MSCs/CD by examining their anti-cancer effect on co-cultured U87/GFP cells. To simulate in vivo horizontal transfer of the PuroR gene in vivo, we generated a puromycin-resistant E. coli (E. coli/PuroR) by introducing the PuroR gene and assessed its responsiveness to various antibiotics. We found that the anti-cancer effect of MSCs/CD was directly proportional to their purity, suggesting the crucial role of the PuroR gene in eliminating impure unmodified MSCs and enhancing the purity of MSCs/CD during the manufacturing process. Additionally, we found that clinically available antibiotics were effective in inhibiting the growth of hypothetical microorganism, E. coli/PuroR. In summary, our study highlights the potential benefits of using the PuroR gene as a selection marker to enhance the purity and efficacy of therapeutic cells in MSC-based gene therapy. Furthermore, our study suggests that the potential risk of horizontal transfer of antibiotics resistance genes in vivo can be effectively managed by clinically available antibiotics.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2005

Objective : Many recent reports have shown that the mature mammalian brain harbors multipotent stem cells, rendering the brain capable of generating new neurons and glia throughout life. Harvested stem cells from an adult rat are transplanted in order to evaluate the cell survival and differentiation. Methods : Using a percoll gradient with a high speed centrifugation method, we isolate neural stem/progenitor cells were isolated from the subventricular zone[SVZ] of a syngeneic adult Fisher 344 rats brain. For 14days expansion, the cultured cells comprised of a heterogeneous population with the majority of cells expressing nestin and/or GFAP. After expanding the SVZ cells in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor-2, and transplanting then into the hippocampus of normal rats, the survival and differentiation of those cells were examined. For transplantation, the cultured cells were labeled with BrdU two days prior to use. In order to test their survival, the cells were transplanted into the dorsal hippocampus of normal adult Fisher 344 rats. Results : The preliminary data showed that at 7days after transplantation, BrdU+ transplanted cells were observed around the injection deposition sites. Immuno-fluorescent microscopy revealed that the cells co-expressed BrdU+ and neuronal marker ${\beta}$-tubulin III. Conclusion : The data demonstrate that the in vitro expanded SVZ cells can survive in a heterotypic environment and develop a neuronal phenotype in the neurogenic region. However more research will be needed to examine the longer survival time points and quantifying the differentiation in the transplanted cells in an injured brain environment.