• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.429-437
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• 2000

This study investigated the successful introduction of genes of erythropoietin (EPO) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in bovine embryos following nuclear transfer of bovine fetal fibroblasts (bFF), which were transfected by retrovirus vector system. Non-starved bFF were, transferred into perivitelline space of enucleated oocytes. The bFF-oocyte units were accomplished by cell to cell fusion and activated with calcium inophore and 6-dimethylaminopurine. Reconstructed embryos were co-cultured with bovine oviduct epithelial cells in CRlaa medium for 8 days. Out of 187 (EPO) and 210 (EGFP) bovine eggs reconstructed by nuclear transfer, 149 (EPO : 80.0%) and 158 (EGFP : 75.2%) embryos were cleaved, and among them 36 (EPO : 24.2%) and 35 (EGFP : 22.2%) embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. Of these blastocysts, 100% integration of EPO gene in 36 embryos was determined by PCR, and 100% expression of EGFP gene in 35 embryos was observed under the fluorescent microscope. This result indicates that bovine oocytes reconstructed by nuclear transfer of transfected bFF can successfully develop to the blastocyst stage. Furthermore, this novel procedure may be presumably an attractive method efficiently to produce the transgenic cattles.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2008

Our previous study showed that transgenic (TG) pigs harboring human EPO (hEPO) gene have been shown to have reproductive disorders, including low pregnancy rates, irregular estrus cycle and low little size. To investigate these reasons, we assessed estrus behavior (standing response) and plasma $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level, which partly reflect reproductive function, during the estrus cycles after synchronization and superovulation by hormone treatments. Then, we analysed blood composition and expression of hEPO gene in TG pigs. Pigs were injected with PG600. After 10 days, pigs were fed with Regumate porcine for 6 days. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein. Analysis of blood composition and $E_2$ level were measured by Hemavet 950 and $E_2$ ELISA kit, respectively. And, the expression of hEPO gene in reproductive organs was quantitated by real-time RT-PCR. The percentage of estrus behavior in TG was significantly decreased. Hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) number were significantly higher in TG than wild type (WT). On the other hand, high expression of hEPO gene in TG was observed in the mammary gland as well as in the uterus. Moreover, plasma $E_2$ level was significantly higher in TG than WT. These results suggest that nonspecific expression of hEPO gene in the other organs of TG may affect blood composition and plasma $E_2$ level, thereby causing reproductive disorders.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine the effect of IRES controlled reporter gene on screening and production of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) proteins from cultured CHO cells. The cDNA was cloned for EPO from human liver cDNA Using site-directed mutagenesis, we generated recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) with two additional N-glycosylations (Novel erythropoiesis-stimulating protein: NESP). Wild type hEPO and NESP were cloned into expression vectors with GFP reporter gene under regulatory control of CMV promoter and IRES so that the vectors could express both rhEPO and GFP. The expression vectors were transfected to cultured CHO-K1 cells. Under microscopy, expression of GFP was visible. Using supernatant of the culture, ELISA assay, immunocytochemistry and in vitro assay using EPO dependant cell line were performed to estimate biological activity to compare the production characteristics (secretion levels, etc.) between rhEPO and NESP. The activity of NESP protein, obtained by mutagenesis, was described and compared with its rhEPO counterpart produced under same conditions. Although NESP had less secretion level in CHO cell line, the biological activity of NESP was greater than that of rhEPO. These results are consistent with previous researches. We also demonstrated that rhEPO and GFP proteins expressed simultaneously from transfected CHO cell line. Therefore we conclude that use of GFP reporter gene under IRES control could be used to screen and produce rhEPO in cultured CHO cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2002

Human eryhropoietin (EPO) is acidic glycoprotein hormone that plays key role in hematopoiesis by facilitating differentiation of erythrocyte and formation of hemoglobin (Hb) and is used for the treatment of anemia. Human EPO is consist of 166 amino acids which is modified by three N-glycosylations (24, 38, 83) and single O-glycosylation (126). N-glycosylation is reported to be related to the cellular secretion and activity of EPO. In this study, we examined effects of mutagenesis in glycosylation site of recombinat hEPO for the cellular secretion during production from cultured CHO cell. We produced rhEpo which was cloned by PCR from human liver cDNA (TaKaRa) in cultured CHO cell. Using supernatant of the culture, ELISA assay and western analysis were performed. To estimate biological activity, 20IU of rhuEpo was subcutaneously injected into four ICR mice. After 8 days, HCT level was increased average 13 per cent, RBC was increased ca. 2${\times}$10$\^$6//${\mu}\ell$. In disease model Rat (anemia c-kit, WSRC-WS/WS), HCT was increased ca. 12%, RBC was increased ca. 1.6${\times}$10$\^$6//${\mu}\ell$. These results suggests that rhEpo we produced has biological activity. To remove glycosylation site by substituting 24, 38, 83, and 126th asparagine (or serine) with glutamic acid, overlapping -extension site-directed mutagenesis was performed. To add novel glycosylation sites, 69, 105th leucine was mutated to asparagine. Mutant EPO construct was transfected into CHO cell. Supernatant of the cell culture was analyzed using ELISA assay with monoclonal anti-EPO antibody (Medac, Germany). Since, several reports for mutagenesis of glycosylation sites showed case-by-case results, we examined both transient expression and stable expression. Addition of novel glycosylation sites resulted no secretion while deletion mutants had little effect except some double deletion mutants (24/83 and 38/83) and triple mutant. We suggest that not single but combination of glycosyl group affect secretion of EPO.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.330-333
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• 2004

본 연구는 ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin 처리를 이용하여 우유에서 cholesterol을 제거하여 호상요구르트를 제조하고 혈중 콜레스테롤 저하 물질인 달맞이꽃 종자유(EPO)의 양을 다르게 첨가하여 호상요구르트의 저장기간 중 이화학적 변화와 물성 및 관능적 특성을 살펴보았으며, 그 결과 pH는 저장기간 15일이 경과함에 따라 모든 군에서 pH의 저하가 일어났고, 각 실험군 간 유의적 차이는 없었다. 마찬가지로 산도도 저장기간 15일이 경과함에 따라 모든 실험군에서 계속적인 증가가 나타났으며, 실험군간 유의적 차이는 없었다. 지방산화도측정결과 TBA가(535nm)는 저장 0일에 0.045에서 저장 15일에 0.196까지 증가하였고, EPO 첨가 호상요구르트는 0.188까지 증가하였으나 실험군간 유의적 차이는 보이지 않았다. 점도는 ${\beta}$-CD를 처리하여 2% EPO를 첨가한 호상요구르트가 저장 0일에 3.7에서 저장 15일에 8.4로 가장 큰 점도 감소를 나타내었고, 저장 15일 동안 모든 군에서 점도감소가 나타났다. 관능검사결과 ${\beta}$-CD처리하여 EPO를 첨가한 호상요구르트의 산패취와 산패한 맛이 control보다 높았지만 저장기간이 지날수록 점차 낮아졌고, 신맛과 쓴맛은 control과 유사하게 나타났다. 결론적으로 EPO를 첨가한 호상요구르트는 이화학적 변화와 물성 및 관능적으로 긍정적인 결과로 나타나 산업화의 가능성을 보였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.553-559
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• 1998

cDNA of human thrombopoietin (hTPO) amplified by polymerase chain reaction from a cDNA library of human fetal liver was cloned. EPO-like domains ($hTPO_{153} \;or\; hTPO_{l63})\; of\; hTPO(hTPO_{332}$) were expressed in Escherichin coli using several kinds of expression systems, such as ompA secretion, thioredoxin fusion, and the $P_L$ and T7 expression systems. To obtain $hTPO_{153}$ in soluble form, $hTPO_{153}$ cDNA was fused in-frame behind the gene encoding ompA signal sequence and thioredoxin protein. When fused with either of the genes, $hTPO_{153}$ was not expressed to the detectable level. However, a high level expression of the EPO-like domain of hTPO was obtained using the PL and T7 expression system. $hTPO_{153} \;or\; hTPO_{l63} cDNA were subcloned into the pLex and pET-28a(＋) vectors under the control of the inducible$ P_L\;T_7$ promoter, respectively. Proteins expressed using pl.ex vector and pET-28a(＋) detected in insoluble forms with an expression level of about 14% and 9% of total cellular proteins, respectively, and the level of expression was rapidly diminished in 2 h after the maximum level of expression was reached.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.65-65
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• 2002

본 연구는 태아 섬유아세포에 hEPO 를 도입하여 transfedtion된 체세포를 공여핵으로 사용하여 복제수정란을 생산함에 있어서 배반포 발달율을 조사하고자 하였다. 실험에 공시된 공여핵은 임신 30일령의 태아로부터 섬유아 세포를 회수하여 10% FBS 첨가된 ES-DMEM 배지에서 3-4일 동안 배양하여 confluent 를 형성시킨 후 0.25% trypsin을 처리하여 neo-EGFP 와 UPⅢ-hEPO 유전자가 1:9로 함유된 배지에서 electroporation을 실시하였다. (중략)

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 1998

Mutagenicity of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) was examined in the reverse mutation test on bacteria, in the chromosomal aberration test on cultured mammalian cells and in the micronucleus test on mice. The reverse mutation test was performed by a plate incorporation method with or wothout a metabolic activation system (59 Mix) using Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100, TA1535, TA98 and TA 1537. The rhEPO did not significantly increase revertant colonies in any of the test strains under any conditions at dose levels ranging from 1000 H/ml to 62.5 lu/plate, compared with the vehicle control. In the chromosomal aberration test using cultured Chinese Hamster Lung (CHL) cells, the number of aberrant cells was not increased in the presence or absence of 59 Mix at concentrations of 1000 lU/ml to 250 lU/ml, compared with the vehicle control. In the micronucleus test, male ICR mice were given rhEPO intraperitoneally at a dose level of 25000, 12500 and 6250 lU/kg. The incidence of bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was not different from that of the vehicle control. From these results, rhEPO is considered to be non-mutagenic under the present test conditions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2007

We have expressed human erythropoietin (EPO) in transgenic mice using a recombinant EPO cDNA combined with a partial TPO construct. The gene was microinjected using standard techniques and five mice were detected as transgenic by PCR and further used as founders. The life span of the transgenic founders was much shorter than that of their normal littermates. Most of the tissues of the transgenic founders contained human EPO transcripts as judged by RT-PCR. Especially high expression levels were seen in the liver and lung. EPO protein levels in serum were examined by ELISA and ranged from 266-414 mIU/ml. The number of red blood cell, white blood cell and hemoglobin in the hEPO transgenic mice was higher than in normal mice. These results indicate that overexpression of hEPO is deleterious and can provoke lung failure and erythrocytosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2009

Purpose : Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of neonatal mortality and subsequent lifelong neurodevelopmental handicaps. Although many treatment strategies have been tested, there is currently no clinically effective treatment to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of hypoxia and ischemia in humans. Erythropoietin (Epo) has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in various brain injury models although the exact mechanisms through which Epo functions are not completely understood. This study investigates the effect of Epo on hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury and the possibility that its neuroprotective actions may be associated with iron-mediated metabolism. Methods : HI brain injury was produced in 7-day-old rats by unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia with 8% oxygen for 2 h. At the end of HI brain injury, the rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 5,000 units/kg erythropoietin. Random premedication with iron, deferoxamine, iron-deferoxamine, or saline were performed 23 d before HI brain injury. The severity of the brain injury was assessed at 7 d after HI. Results : Single Epo treatment post-HI brain injury reduced the gross and histopathological findings of brain injury. Iron premedication did not increase the incidence or severity of the injury as measured by the damage score. Deferoxamine administration before HI brain injury improved the brain injury as compared to no treatment or Epo treatment. Conclusion : These findings indicate that Epo provides neuroprotective benefits after HI in the developing brain. These findings suggest that Epos neuroprotective actions may involve reducing iron in tissues that mediate the formation of free radicals.