• Toxicological Research
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.301-306
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• 2006

Microcystin-LR(MC-LR), a cyanobacterial toxin produced by Microcystis aeruginosa, causes severe hepatotoxicity. Here we investigated the morphologic changes of rat hepatocyte spheroid induced by exposure of MC-LR($10^{-6}M$) in vitro. In addition, to determine the effects of such toxin in the process of hepatocyte spheroid formation, primarily isolated hepatocytes were incubated with MC-LR and the process of spheroid formation was observed. In both hepatocyte spheroid and suspension culture systems, the morphologic changes caused by MC-LR were noticible at 5 min post exposure and were characterized by the loss of microvilli, cytoplasmic vacuolation, the accumulation of lipid droplets, and blob formation. Especially, the size and numbers of blob on the cell surface were increased as the incubation time prolonged and the appearance of electron dense bodies were observed in the cytoplasm of hepatocyte at 20 min post exposure. Furthermore, bile canaliculi-like structures in the hepatocyte spheroids were slightly widened and the process of spheroids formation was inhibited in the isolated hepatocytes incubated with MC-LR. These results indicate that morphologic changes in. the hepatocyte membrane and organelles seem to be typical events in showing the MC-LR induced hepatotoxic effects and the spheroid culture method might be a useful experimental tool to evaluate hepatoxicity since it reflects the in vivo status of hepatocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.260-267
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer significant therapeutic promise for various regenerative therapies. However, MSC-based therapy for injury exhibits low efficacy due to the pathological environment in target tissues and the differences between in vitro and in vivo conditions. To address this issue, we developed adipose-derived MSC spheroids as a novel delivery method to preserve the stem cell microenvironment. MSC spheroids were generated by suspension culture for 3 days, and their sizes increased in a time-dependent manner. After re-attachment of MSC spheroids to the plastic dish, their adhesion capacity and morphology were not altered. MSC spheroids showed enhanced production of hypoxia-induced angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stromal cell derived factor (SDF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In addition, spheroid culture promoted the preservation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as laminin and fibronectin, in a culture time- and spheroid size-dependent manner. Furthermore, phosphorylation of AKT, a cell survival signal, was significantly higher and the expression of pro-apoptotic molecules, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and cleaved caspase-3, was markedly lower in the spheroids than in MSCs in monolayers. In the murine hindlimb ischemia model, transplanted MSC spheroids showed better proliferation than MSCs in monolayer. These findings suggest that MSC spheroids promote MSC bioactivities via secretion of angiogenic cytokines, preservation of ECM components, and regulation of apoptotic signals. Therefore, MSC spheroid-based cell therapy may serve as a simple and effective strategy for regenerative medicine.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.278-283
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• 1992

쥐 간세포를 분리하고 여러가지 물질로 표면이 처리된 용기를 이용하여 배양하였다. 표면처리를 하지 않았을 경우와 collagen으로 처리하였을 경우 간세포는 monolayer형태를 이루며 자랐고, heparin과 hyaluronic acid의 경우에는 multilayer, 그리고 proteoglycan, dermatan sulfate(D. S.), BSA의 경우에는 hemispheroid, 그리고 표면처리를 하지 않은 Primaria는 spheroid형태를 형성하였다. 세포 생존도 면에서는 monolayer가 우수하였고, 간세포의 중요한 대사능이라고 볼 수 있는 암모니아의 제거능이나 albumin생산성 면에서는 hemispheroid 혹은 spheroid가 우수하였다.

• 한국고분자학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국고분자학회 2006년도 IUPAC International Symposium on Advanced Polymers for Emerging Technologies
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• pp.266-266
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• 2006

The cell spheroid (multicellular mass) is enhanced cell functions because of the cell-cell interaction compared with the individual cell. The objective of this study is synthesis, characterization and evaluation of novel crosslinkers to form spheroid in a short time. Our approach to bridge cells is based on the crosslinking of the cell membrane via the hydrophobic interaction. The crosslinker was prepared by the reaction between ethylenediamine and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivative with oleyl group as hydrophobic group at the terminal group. The product was characterized with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and FT-IR. Furthermore, cell culture experiment was also performed to confirm spheroid formation. The function of prepared spheroids was evaluated.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.246-254
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• 2022

Current studies have revealed the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in term of immunomodulatory properties, and this distinct potential is downgraded according to the disease duration of patients-derived MSCs. In order to enhance the immunomodulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties of the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints-derived MSCs, we aggregate synovial fluid-derived MSCs from RA joints (RA-hMSCs) into 3D-spheroids by the use of hanging drop culture method. Cells were isolated from synovial fluids of RA joints with longstanding active status over 13 years. For aggregation of RA-hMSCs into 3D-spheroids, cells were plated in hanging drops in 30 μL of advanced DMEM (ADMEM) containing 25,000-30,000 cells/drop and cultured for 48 h. To analyze the comparative immunomodulatory effects of 3D-spheroid and 2D monolayer cultured RA-hMSCs and then cells were cultured in ADMEM supplemented with 20% of synovial fluids of RA patients for 48 h and were evaluated by qRT-PCR for their expression of mRNA levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers. Cellular aggregation of RA-hMSCs was observed and cells were aggregate into a single sphere. Following treatment of RA patient's synovial fluids into the RA-hMSCs, spheroids formed RA-hMSCs showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression of TNFα stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6) than the monolayer cultured RA-hMSCs. Therefore, the 3D-spheroid culture methods of RA-hMSCs were more effective than 2D monolayer cultures in suppressing inflammatory response treated with 20% of RA-synovial fluids by expression of TNFα (TSG-6) according to the immune response and enhanced secretion of inflammatory factors.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1994년도 춘계학술대회 and 제3회 신약개발 연구발표회
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• pp.137-144
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• 1994

Spherical multicellular aggregates of adult rat hepatocytes (spheroid) which have tissue like structure, were formed and immobilized in the pores of polyurethane foam (PUF) which was used as a culture substratum. These hepatocyte/spheroids, about 100 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in diameter, have maintained higher differentiated functions than those of hepatocyte/monolayer for about 3 weeks in serum-free medium. Then, we designed a prototype module of an artificial liver support system using a PUF/spheroid packed-bed, in which hepatocyte/spheroids were immobilized at high density. The urea synthesis activity of the artificial liver was maintained at least 10 days in 100% rat blood plasma. We start examining the performance of hybrid artificial liver in an ex vivo extracorporeal experiment with an acute hepatic failure rat.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제67권
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• pp.80-91
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• 2018

Here, we engineered spheroids by using ECM mimicking nano-fragments (NFs) with fibroblasts and investigated their effect on proliferation and cell/ECM interactions. NF incorporation resulted in formation of a stable spheroid, which improved proliferation and viability of cells by assisting oxygen transport confirmed by LOX-1 staining. In addition, hypoxic and apoptotic genes were significantly downregulated in spheroids with PD-NFs. Furthermore, ECM and cell junction proteins were highly expressed. Overall, our findings suggest that incorporation of NFs within spheroids for assembly with various cell types can be an alternative approach for 3D cell culture in many applications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.149-156
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• 1989

HeLa 세포의 spheroid를 배 양시켜 cis-platinum과 carboplatin으로 처리한 후 그 반응을 세포의 생존분획으로 분석하였다. 체외실험 model인 spheroid를 사용하여 platinum유사체의 약효와 방사선 감수성을 평가하고 약제에 대한 단층 세포와 spheroid의 감수성 차이를 세포-생존곡선에서 규명하기 위하여 본 실험을 시행하였다. Cis-platinum 농도-곡선에서 spheroid의 $Cq=3.4{\mu}M$이고 $Co=1.2{\mu}M$이었다. 이 것은 단층세포에 비하여 Co는 큰 변화가 없으나 Cq가 증가되어 cis-platinum이 저산소층 세포보다 활동적으로 분화하는 표면세포에 주로 작용하였으며, 반대로 carboplatin의 효과는 spheroid에 대한 $(Co=15.0{\mu}M)$ 감수성이 단층세포$(Co=32.5{\mu}M)$에 비하여 크게 증가되어, spheroid의 심층 세포에 주로 작용하였다. 방사선과 carboplation의 병용효과를 세포 생존분획이 0.01 수준에서 isobologram으로 분석한 결과 상호작용으로 supra-additive 효과를 나타내었다. 따라서, carboplatin은 cis-platinum에 비하여 신장과 위장에 대한 독성작용이 적고, 방사선과 병용함으로써 향후 더욱 효과적 인 종양 치료에 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 기대한다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권9호
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• pp.1209-1216
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• 2022

To better understand the effects of PEGylation and biotinylation on the delivery efficiency of proteins, the cationic protein lysozyme (LZ) and anionic protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) were chemically conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and biotin-PEG to primary amine groups of proteins using N-hydroxysuccinimide reactions. Four types of protein conjugates were successfully prepared: PEGylated LZ (PEG-LZ), PEGylated BSA (PEG-BSA), biotin-PEG-conjugated LZ (Bio-PEG-LZ), and biotin-PEG-conjugated BSA (Bio-PEG-BSA). PEG-LZ and Bio-PEG-LZ exhibited a lower intracellular uptake than that of LZ in A549 human lung cancer cells (in a two-dimensional culture). However, Bio-PEG-BSA showed significantly improved intracellular delivery as compared to that of PEG-BSA and BSA, probably because of favorable interactions with cells via biotin receptors. For A549/fibroblast coculture spheroids, PEG-LZ and PEG-BSA exhibited significantly decreased tissue penetration as compared with that of unmodified proteins. However, Bio-PEG-BSA showed tissue penetration comparable to that of unmodified BSA. In addition, citraconlyated LZ (Cit-LZ) showed reduced spheroid penetration as compared to that of LZ, probably owing to a decrease in protein charge. Taken together, chemical conjugation of targeting ligands-PEG to anionic proteins could be a promising strategy to improve intracellular delivery and in vivo activity, whereas modifications of cationic proteins should be more delicately designed.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

암조직의 내부에서 hypoxia와 glucose depletion 등의 microenvironmental stress를 받게 되면 necrosis가 유도되고, 실제로 암 조직 내부에서 necrotic core 형성이 관찰된다. Necrotic cells은 high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)를 extracellular space로 방출하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 방출된 HMGB1은 tumor-promoting cytokine으로 작용함으로써 tumor development 시 inflammation, metabolism 및 metastasis에 기여한다. 본 연구에서 non-invasive breast cancer cells MCF-7이 solid tumor의 in vitro model인 multicellular tumor spheroid (MTS) 배양을 통해 완전한 구형의 MTS를 형성하며 MTS가 성장함에 따라 inner region에 necrosis가 유도됨을 밝혔다. 또한 MCF-7 세포의 MTS 배양은 Snail 의존적으로 epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)를 유도함을 관찰하였다. HMGB1의 cell surface receptors인 RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 발현이 MTS 배양에 의해 증가됨을 발견하였다. RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 를 knockdown한 결과 MTS 성장을 억제할 뿐만 아니라 MTS에 의해 증가되는 Snail 발현을 억제함을 밝혔다. 이는 MTS-induced Snail 발현이 RAGE/TLR2/TLR4의존적으로 조절되며 RAGE/TLR2/TLR4-Snail이 MTS 성장에 관여하는 것으로 보인다. 또한 Snail, RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 shRNA는 MTS 배양에 의해 유도되는 EMT를 억제함을 밝혔다. 실제 인간 암조직에서 정상조직에 비해 RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 유전자의 발현이 높음을 관찰하였다. 따라서 HMGB1이 RAGE/TLR2/4-Snail axis를 통해 MTS 배양에 따른 성장 및 EMT에 중요하게 작용할 것으로 예상된다.