• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.96-102
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• 1998

Primary hepatocytes of small animals such as rat and rabbit were often used for the study of extracorporeal liver support systems. Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes form spheroids within tow days when cultivated as suspension in spinner vessels. These spheroids showed enhanced liver specific functions and more differentiated morphology compared to hepatocytes cultured as monolayers However, shear stress caused by continuous agitation deteriorated spheroids gradually. In this work we immobilized spheroids to prolong liver specific activities. First, hepatocyte spheroids were suspended in collagen solution containing calcium chloride and then dropped into alginate solution. A thin layer of calcium alginate was formed around the droplet and then was removed after the inner collagen was gelled by treatment of sodium citrate buffer. Spheroids embedded in collagen-gel bead maintained liver specific functions such as albumin secretion rate longer than hepatocyte spheroids exposed to shear stress. Therefore, we suggest that this immobilization technique may offer an effective long-term hepatocyte cultivation and facilitase the development of a bioartificial liver support device.

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.132-141
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• 2021

Objective: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria causes poor uterine receptivity by inducing excessive inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface. This study aimed to investigate the detrimental effects of LPS on the attachment and outgrowth of various types of trophoblastic spheroids on endometrial epithelial cells (ECC-1 cells) in an in vitro model of implantation. Methods: Three types of spheroids with JAr, JEG-3, and JAr mixed JEG-3 (JmJ) cells were used to evaluate the effect of LPS on early implantation events. ECC-1 cells were treated with LPS to mimic endometrial infection, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The attachment rates and outgrowth areas were evaluated in the various trophoblastic spheroids and ECC-1 cells treated with LPS. Results: LPS treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (CXCL1, IL-8, and IL-33) and decreased the protein expression of adhesion molecules (ITGβ3 and ITGβ5) in ECC-1 cells. The attachment rates of JAr and JmJ spheroids on ECC-1 cells significantly decreased after treating the ECC-1 cells with 1 and 10 ㎍/mL LPS. In the outgrowth assay, JAr spheroids did not show any outgrowth areas. However, the outgrowth areas of JEG-3 spheroids were similar regardless of LPS treatment. LPS treatment of JmJ spheroids significantly decreased the outgrowth area after 72 hours of coincubation. Conclusion: An in vitro implantation model using novel JmJ spheroids was established, and the inhibitory effects of LPS on ECC-1 endometrial epithelial cells were confirmed in the early implantation process.

• 대한치과의사협회지
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.592-603
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• 2017

Purpose: The effects of various concentrations of ascorbic acid on stem cell spheroids derived from intraoral areas are not known yet. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of ascorbic acid on the morphology and cellular viability of stem cell spheroids derived from the gingival tissues. Materials and Methods: Stem cells were plated onto silicon elastomer-based concave microwells and grown in the presence of ascorbic acid at concentrations ranging from 0.003% to 0.3%. The morphology of the cells was viewed under an inverted microscope at day 1, 2, 3 and 5. Qualitative live/dead assay and quantitative cellular viability using Cell Counting Kit-8 were performed on day 2 and day 5. Results: Gingiva-derived stem cells formed spheroids irrespective of ascorbic acid concentration in silicon elastomer-based concave microwells. Increase in the diameter of spheroid were seen with higher concentrations of ascorbic acid. Higher cellular viability was seen in higher concentrations of ascorbic acid. Conclusion: Within the experimental setting, the application of ascorbic acid on stem-cell spheroids produced an increase in the size and higher viability with higher dosage. It can be suggested ascorbic acid be applied with stem cell spheroids for tissue engineering purposes.

• 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.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.264-268
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• 2001

Aggregates of specific cells are often regarded as better from in artificial organs and mammalian cell bioreactors in terms of cell-specific functionality. In this study, the morphology and liver specific functions of freshly harvested primary rat hepatocytes, which were cultivated as spheroids and entrapped in a synthetic thermo-reversible extracellular matrix, were examined and compared to a control (hepatocytes in single cell form). A copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide(98 mole % in feed) and acrylic acid (poly (NiPAAm-co-AAC)), a thermo- reversible copolymer gel ma- trix, was used to entrap hepatocytes either in spheroids or single cells. During a 7-day culture pe-riod, the spheroids maintained higher viability and produced albumin and urea at a relatively con-stant rate, while, the single cell culture showed a slight increase in cell numbers and a reduction in albumin secretion Hepatocytes cultrured as spheroids present a potentially useful three-dimensional cell culture system for application in bioartificial liver device.

• 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.

• 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.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.131-134
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• 2011

본 논문에서는 한시적 세포포집 구조물을 이용한 다세포 스페로이드의 형성 및 추출칩을 제안하였다. 종래의 웰 플레이트와 플라스크는 작은 스페로이드 형성이 어렵고, 기존 마이크로칩은 고정된 세포포집 구조물을 이용하여 스페로이드 추출이 어려운 단점이 있다. 반면, 제안된 칩은 한시적 세포포집 구조물을 이용하여 스페로이드의 형성과 추출이 모두 용이한 장점이 있다. 50kPa 의 박막압력으로 형성된 세포포집 구조물에 145~155Pa 의 세포입력압력으로 유입되는 세포를 포집한 후, 24 시간 배양하여 스페로이드를 형성하였다. 또한, 박막압력 제거 후 5kPa 의 세포입력압력으로 추출된 스페로이드의 지름과 활성도는 각각 $197{\pm}11.7Bm$, $80.3{\pm}7.7%$로 측정되었다. 제안된 칩은 스페로이드의 균일한 형성과 안정적 추출이 용이하여 스페로이드의 후처리에 적용될 수 있다.

• 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.