• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.474-480
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• 2018

Most angiogenesis assays are performed using endothelial cells. However, blood vessels are composed of two cell types: endothelial cells and pericytes. Thus, co-culture of two vascular cells should be employed to evaluate angiogenic properties. Here, we developed an in vitro 3-dimensional angiogenesis assay system using spheroids formed by two human vascular precursors: endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). ECFCs, MSCs, or ECFCs+MSCs were cultured to form spheroids. Sprout formation from each spheroid was observed for 24 h by real-time cell recorder. Sprout number and length were higher in ECFC+MSC spheroids than ECFC-only spheroids. No sprouts were observed in MSC-only spheroids. Sprout formation by ECFC spheroids was increased by treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or combination of VEGF and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Interestingly, there was no further increase in sprout formation by ECFC+MSC spheroids in response to VEGF or VEGF+FGF-2, suggesting that MSCs stimulate sprout formation by ECFCs. Immuno-fluorescent labeling technique revealed that MSCs surrounded ECFC-mediated sprout structures. We tested vatalanib, VEGF inhibitor, using ECFC and ECFC+MSC spheroids. Vatalanib significantly inhibited sprout formation in both spheroids. Of note, the $IC_{50}$ of vatalanib in ECFC+MSC spheroids at 24 h was $4.0{\pm}0.40{\mu}M$, which are more correlated with the data of previous animal studies when compared with ECFC spheroids ($0.2{\pm}0.03{\mu}M$). These results suggest that ECFC+MSC spheroids generate physiologically relevant sprout structures composed of two types of vascular cells, and will be an effective pre-clinical in vitro assay model to evaluate pro- or anti-angiogenic property.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.197-203
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• 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells in the dental pulp exhibit a tendency for differentiation into various dental lineages and hold great potential as a major conduit for regenerative treatment in dentistry. Although they can be readily isolated from teeth, the exact characteristics of these stem cells have not been fully understood so far. When compared to two-dimensional (2D) cultures, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have the advantage of enriching the stem cell population. Hence, 3D-organoid culture and 3D-sphere culture were applied to dental pulp cells in the current study. Although the establishment of the organoid culture proved unsuccessful, the 3D-sphere culture readily initiated the stable generation of cell aggregates, which continued to grow and could be passaged to the second round. Interestingly, a significant increase in SOX2 expression was detected in the 3D-spheroid culture compared to the 2D culture. These results indicate the enrichment of the stemness-high population in the 3D-sphere culture. Thus, 3D-sphere culture may act as a link between the conventional and 3D-organoid cultures and aid in understanding the characteristics of dental pulp stem cells.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물공학회 2005년도 생물공학의 동향(XVII)
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• pp.389-389
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• 2005

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.393-399
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• 2004

For the efficient determination of activity against solid tumors, an in vitro tumor model that resembles the condition of in vivo solid tumors, is required. The purpose of this study was to establish a rapid culture method and viability assay for an in vitro 3-dimensional tumor model, multicellular spheroid (MCS). Among 12 human cancer cell lines, a few cell lines including DLD-1 (human colorectal carcinoma cells) formed fully compact MCS which was adequate for in vitro viability assay. DLD-1 MCS showed steady growth reaching $700\;{\mu}m$ diameter after 11 day culture. DLD-1 cells grown as MCS showed significant increase in $G_0/G_1$ phase compared to the monolayer cells (73.9% vs 45.7%), but necrotic regions or apoptotic cells were not observed. The cells cultured as MCS showed resistance to 5-FU (10.3 fold higher $IC_{50}$) compared to monolayers, however, tirapazamine (a hypotoxin) showed similar activity in both culture systems. In summary, MCS may be a valid in vitro model for activity screening of anticancer agents against human solid tumors and also exploitable for studying molecular markers of drug resistance in human solid tumors.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권11호
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• pp.1313-1319
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• 2016

암은 비균질적으로 구성된 세포집합체로 간질세포 및 세포 외 기질로 구성된 미세환경과 상호작용에 의해 발병, 전이, 심화되는 복잡한 질병이다. 하지만, 기존의 2차원 배양 세포 기반 플랫폼이 3차원적 생체 환경과 암의 비균질성을 대표하기 힘든 한계를 극복하기 위해 스페로이드 배양 세포를 비롯한 다양한 플랫폼 개발이 활발해지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 특히 감염, 염증 및 식이적 환경성 영향력에 민감한 HCT-8 대장암 세포주를 기반으로 하여 3차원 스페로이드 배양법을 보다 효과적인 방법으로 개선하고, 대장암 스페로이드 세포를 기반으로 암의 비균질적인 특질과 항암내성 연구의 간단하고 개선된 플랫폼을 제시고자 하였다. 3차원 배양법 최적화를 위해 물리적 배양환경 조성과 배양배지 구성에 따른 스페로이드 형태형성을 비교 분석하고 암 줄기세포군의 증가 양상을 확인한 결과, 필수요소로 구성된 제한 배지와 균일한 형태의 비부착성 표면 배양접시에서 배양된 스페로이드가 균일한 형태의 구형을 형성하고 암 줄기세포군이 증가함을 확인하였다. 대장암 스페로이드 세포를 기반으로 대장암 치료제인 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)에 대한 화학적 감응성 변화를 측정한 결과, 암 줄기세포가 5-FU에 대한 화학적 감수성 저해의 원인이 되며, 최적배양 조건에서 암 줄기세포의 약제 내성의 표현이 증대되었다. 이는 암줄기세포의 항암제 내성에 대한 잠재적 위험성을 내포하는 것으로, 이 방법론은 감염, 염증 및 식이적 요인과 연관된 대장암 스페로이드 세포 기반 항암제 약물반응을 검증하기 위해 효과적이면서 간소한 시험법으로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.321-329
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• 2019

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is a common dermatological condition of psychosocial significance; development of therapeutic candidates for the treatment of this condition is, hence, important. Silibinin, a secondary metabolite from Silybum marianum, is an effective antioxidant that also prevents various cutaneous problems. In this study, we have investigated the effect of silibinin on hair induction using three-dimensional (3D) cultured, human dermal papilla (DP) spheroids. Silibinin was found to significantly increase viability through AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) activation in 3D DP spheroids. This was correlated with an increase in the diameter of the 3D DP spheroids. The activation of the wingless and INT-1 (Wnt)/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway, which is associated with hair growth induction in the DP, was evaluated using the T cell-specific transcription factor and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factor reporter assay; results indicated significantly increased luciferase activity. In addition, we were able to demonstrate increased expression of the target genes, WNT5a and LEF1, using quantitative real-time PCR assay. Lastly, significantly elevated expression of signature genes associated with hair induction was demonstrated in the 3D DP spheroids treated with silibinin. These results suggest that silibinin promotes proliferation and hair induction through the AKT and Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathways in 3D DP spheroids. Silibinin can be a potential candidate to promote hair proliferation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.7-13
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• 2005

Chitosan-alginate capsules were formed by electrostatic interactions and exhibited an appropriate mechanical strength, permeability, and stability for the culture of hepatocytes. Pig hepatocytes were isolated and hepatocyte spheroids formed and immobilized in chitosan-alginate capsules. An encapsulation procedure of 3 min and spheroid formation period of 24 h were the optimum conditions for the best liver functions. Pig hepatocytes with a cell density of $6.0{\tomes}10^6$ cells/ml in the capsules were found to be most suitable for application in a bioartificial liver support system. The encapsulated pig hepatocyte spheroids exhibited stable ammonia removal and urea secretion rates in a bioreactor for 2 weeks. Accordingly, chitosan-alginate encapsulated hepatocyte spheroids in a packed-bed bioreactor would appear to have potential as a bioartificial liver.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.215-224
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• 1998

본 논문은 급성 간 부전 환자나 간이식 대기상태에 있는 환자에 이용하기 위한 체외 간 보조장치를 개발하기 위한 기초 실험에 관한 것이다. 밀도 33kg/m, 평균 직경 500um, 60-70%의 window를 가진 폴리우레탄 폼을 15% NCO-프리폴리머로 제조하였다. 폴리우레탄 폼에 접종된 간세포는 3일 후에 거의 모두 100-150um 크기의 구상체를 형성하였다. BSA 코팅을 한 폴리우레탄 폼은 BSA로 코팅하지 않은 폴리우레탄 폼보다 간세포 구상체 형성 시간이 더 짧았다. 폴리우레탄 폼에 형성된 간세포 구상체의 간 기능을 증명하기 위하여 암모니아 제거율과 요소 및 알부민 분비율을 측정하였다. 폴리우레탄 폼은 간세포 구상체 배양에 적합하며, 폴리우레탄 폼 내에서의 간세포 구상체 배양은 체외 간 보조장치로의 개발 가능성이 높다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제20권8호
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• pp.618-626
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• 2019

줄기세포를 기반으로 한 세포치료제는 생체 이식시 생착률이 낮아서 치료효과를 기대하기 어렵다. 이를 극복하기 위하여 줄기세포를 탑재할 수 있는 다양한 세포담체들이 개발되어 활용되고 있다. 이렇게 개발된 세포담체를 3-dimentional (3D) 프린팅하여 스캐폴드를 만들 경우, 환자의 손상부위 맞춤형 이식재를 제작할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라, 줄기세포를 탑재하여 손상부위를 기계적으로 보완하는 동시에 세포치료제로서의 효과도 얻을 수 있다. Polycaprolactone (PCL)은 저렴할 뿐 아니라 현재 가장 널리 쓰이고 있는 3D 프린팅 소재이기 때문에, PCL을 프린팅하여 세포담체로 활용할 경우 빠르고 경제적인 기술발전을 도모할 수 있다. 하지만 PCL 소재는 세포담체로서의 성능이 우수하지 못하여, 극히 일부의 세포만이 PCL 표면에서 생존한다. 본 연구에서는 이를 극복하기 위해서 PCL 소재에 세포의 탑재능력을 극대화되는 조건을 찾고자 하였다. PCL의 표면에 플라즈마를 처리하는 조건, PCL 표면을 콜라겐 코팅처리, PCL의 3D 프린팅 형상, 세포배양방법 변경 등 다양한 조건을 바탕으로 하여 PCL 소재에 인간 중간엽줄기세포의 세포탑재능력을 확인하였다. 세포탑재능력을 향상시킨다고 알려진 콜라겐 코팅과 플라즈마 처리를 적용하여, 플라즈마 처리 후 3% 콜라겐 코팅을 하였을 때 세포탑재능력이 가장 우수함을 확인하였고, 세포탑재능력에 영향을 줄 수 있는 세포배양방법과 스캐폴드의 구조변화를 적용하여, spheroid 세포배양시 기존의 단일세포배양법보다 탑재능력이 우수함을 확인하였으며, 스캐폴드의 구조는 세포탑재능력에 영향을 주지 못함을 확인하였다. 이를 바탕으로 PCL 소재를 세포 담체로 활용한 다양한 연구를 시도하고자 한다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.276-281
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• 2013

In this study, we aimed to compare the morphogenetic and neuronal characteristics between monolayer cells and spheroids. For this purpose, we established spheroid formation by growing SH-SY5Y cells on the hydrophobic surfaces of thermally-collapsed elastin-like polypeptide. After 4 days of culture, the relative proliferation of the cells within spheroids was approximately 92% of the values for monolayer cultures. As measured by quantitative assays for mRNA and protein expressions, the production of synaptophysin and neuronspecific enolase (NSE) as well as the contents of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are much higher in spheroids than in monolayer cells. Under the all-trans-retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation condition, spheroids extended neurites and further up-regulated the expression of synaptophysin, NSE, CAMs, and ECM proteins. Our data indicate that RA-differentiated SH-SY5Y neurospheroids are functionally matured neuronal architectures.