• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권11호
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• pp.959-965
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• 2015

Inducible and reversible gene silencing in desired types of cells is instrumental for deciphering gene functions using cultured cells or in vivo models. However, efficient conditional gene knockdown systems remain to be established. Here, we report the generation of an inducible expression system for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeted to PTEN, a well-documented dual-specificity phosphatase involved in tumor suppression and ontogenesis. Upon induction by doxycycline (DOX), the reverse tetracycline transcriptional activator (rtTA) switched on the concomitant expression of GFP and a miR-30 precursor, the subsequent processing of which released the embedded PTEN-targeted shRNA. The efficacy and reversibility of PTEN knockdown by this construct was validated in normal and neoplastic cells, in which PTEN deficiency resulted in accelerated cell proliferation, suppressed apoptosis, and increased invasiveness. Transgenic mice harboring the conditional shRNA-expression cassette were obtained; GFP expression and concurrent PTEN silencing were observed upon ectopic expression of rtTA and induction with Dox. Therefore, this study provides novel tools for the precise dissection of PTEN functions and the generation of PTEN loss of function models in specific subsets of cells during carcinogenesis and ontogenesis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.796-803
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• 2008

알츠하이머 질환은 신경퇴행성질환으로 노령인구에서 뿐만 아니라 $30{\sim}60$세 사이에서도 상염색체성우성형으로 발생하여 사회문제로 대두되고 있으며 발병기전도 명확하게 규명되지 않은 상태이다. 따라서 이 연구에서는 hAPP695sw 돌연변이를 neuron-specific enolase (NSE) 유전자의 프로모터 조절 하에 연결시킨 융합 유전자(pNSE/APP695sw fusion gene)를 과 발현시킨 알츠하이머 질환 모델생쥐를 대상으로 16주간 지구성 운동에 따른 알츠하이머 질환 모델생쥐의 인지능력의 변화와 주병변인 $A{\beta}-42$ 단백질과 함께 GLUT-1, BDNF, HSP-70 단백질의 발현량을 분석하였다. 그 결과 지구성 운동은 APPsw 알츠하이머 질환 모델생쥐의 인지능력을 개선시키는데 긍정적인 영향을 미친 것으로 나타났으며 이러한 인지능력의 개선은 알츠하이머 질환의 주 병변인 뇌의 $A{\beta}-42$ 감소뿐만 아니라 BDNF, GLUT-1과 HSP-70 단백질의 발현 증가와 관련이 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 지구성 운동은 약물 처치 이외에 알츠하이머 질환을 예방하거나 지연시킬 수 있는 전략적인 방법으로 활용할 수 있음을 알 수 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Objective: Autophagy contributes to the clearance and recycling of macromolecules and organelles in response to stress. We previously reported that vitrified mouse oocytes show acute increases in autophagy during warming. Herein, we investigate the potential role of Atg7 in oocyte vitrification by using an oocyte-specific deletion model of the Atg7 gene, a crucial upstream gene in the autophagic pathway. Methods: Oocyte-specific Atg7 deficient mice were generated by crossing Atg7 floxed mice and Zp3-Cre transgenic mice. The oocytes were vitrified-warmed and then subjected to in vitro fertilization and development. The rates of survival, fertilization, and development were assessed in the Atg7 deficient oocytes in comparison with the wildtype oocytes. Light chain 3 (LC3) immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine whether this method effectively evaluates the autophagy status of oocytes. Results: The survival rate of vitrified-warmed $Atg7^{f/f}$;Zp3-Cre ($Atg7^{d/d}$) metaphase II (MII) oocytes was not significantly different from that of the wildtype ($Atg7^{f/f}$) oocytes. Fertilization and development in the $Atg7^{d/d}$ oocytes were significantly lower than the $Atg7^{f/f}$ oocytes, comparable to the $Atg5^{d/d}$ oocytes previously described. Notably, the developmental rate improved slightly in vitrified-warmed $Atg7^{d/d}$ MII oocytes when compared to fresh $Atg7^{d/d}$ oocytes. LC3 immunofluorescence staining showed that this method can be reliably used to assess autophagic activation in oocytes. Conclusion: We confirmed that the LC3-positive signal is nearly absent in $Atg7^{d/d}$ oocytes. While autophagy is induced during the warming process after vitrification of MII oocytes, the Atg7 gene is not essential for survival of vitrified-warmed oocytes. Thus, induction of autophagy during warming of vitrified MII oocytes seems to be a natural response to manage cold or other cellular stresses.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.360-372
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• 2020

The basal ganglia network has been implicated in the control of adaptive behavior, possibly by integrating motor learning and motivational processes. Both positive and negative reinforcement appear to shape our behavioral adaptation by modulating the function of the basal ganglia. Here, we examined a transgenic mouse line (G2CT) in which synaptic transmissions onto the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the basal ganglia are depressed. We found that the level of collaterals from direct pathway MSNs in the external segment of the globus pallidus (GPe) ('bridging collaterals') was decreased in these mice, and this was accompanied by behavioral inhibition under stress. Furthermore, additional manipulations that could further decrease or restore the level of the bridging collaterals resulted in an increase in behavioral inhibition or active behavior in the G2CT mice, respectively. Collectively, our data indicate that the striatum of the basal ganglia network integrates negative emotions and controls appropriate coping responses in which the bridging collateral connections in the GPe play a critical regulatory role.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.194-201
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• 2017

유채는 십자화과로 분류되는 유지작물로써 전 세계적으로 재배되는 작물이다. 이전 연구결과에서 가뭄저항성을 증대시키는 것으로 보고된 애기장대의 ${\beta}$-glucosidase 1 (AtBG1) 유전자를 도입함으로써 가뭄저항성 형질전환 유채를 개발하였다. 새로 개발된 형질전환 작물들은 그 이용에 대한 안전성에 대하여 어떠한 정보도 제공되지 않기 때문에 작물의 안정성에 대한 증명이 필수적이다. 이러한 안정성 평가는 작물의 역사적 사용과 과학적 증거를 기초로 한다. 이번 연구에서는 AtBG1이 도입된 형질전환 유채의 급성투여독성시험을 통하여 암수 마우스 각각에서 한계투여 용량을 확인하는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 이를 위해 OECD의 급성독성의 권고안에 따라 AtBG1 단백질을 암수 각각 5마리의 ICR 마우스에 몸무게 1 kg 당 2,000 mg을 부형제에 녹여 강제구강투여 하였다. 투여일부터 14일 동안 운동성, 병리학적 이상, 몸무게를 측정하였고 마지막 14일에는 안락사 후에 부검을 통해 AtBG1 투여군과 비투여군의 차이를 확인하였다. 이상의 실험을 통하여 AtBG1 단백질이 운동성, 병리학적 이상, 몸무게 및 부검 결과에서 대조구와 실험구, 두 그룹간의 특이적인 차이를 보이지 않음을 확인하였다. 또한 AtBG1 단백질은 급성독성의 측면에서 안전한 물질로 판단되며, 한계허용치 용량이 2,000 mg을 상회함을 확인하였다. 따라서, 이는 차후 AtBG1 도입 유채의 인체위해성 평가 자료로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.65-71
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• 2015

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and reversible airway obstruction. Methacholine (MCh) is widely used in broncho-provocation test to evaluate airway resistance. For experimental investigation, ovalbumin-induced sensitization is frequently used in rodents (Ova-asthma). However, albeit the inflammatory histology and AHR in vivo, it remains unclear whether the MCh sensitivity of airway smooth muscle isolated from Ova-asthma is persistently changed. In this study, the contractions of airways in precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) from control, Ova-asthma, and IL-13 overexpressed transgenic mice (IL-13TG) were compared by analyzing the airway lumen space (AW). The airway resistance in vivo was measured using plethysmograph. AHR and increased inflammatory cells in BAL fluid were confirmed in Ova-asthma and IL-13TG mice. In the PCLS from all three groups, MCh concentration-dependent narrowing of airway lumen (${\Delta}AW$) was observed. In contrast to the AHR in vivo, the $EC_{50}$ of MCh for ${\Delta}AW$ from Ova-asthma and IL-13TG were not different from control, indicating unchanged sensitivity to MCh. Although the AW recovery upon MCh-washout showed sluggish tendency in Ova-asthma, the change was also statistically insignificant. Membrane depolarization-induced ${\Delta}AW$ by 60 mM $K^+$ (60K-contraction) was larger in IL-13TG than control, whereas 60K-contraction of Ova-asthma was unaffected. Furthermore, serotonin-induced ${\Delta}AW$ of Ova-asthma was smaller than control and IL-13TG. Taken together, the AHR in Ova-asthma and IL-13TG are not reflected in the contractility of isolated airways from PCLS. The AHR of the model animals seems to require intrinsic agonists or inflammatory microenvironment that is washable during tissue preparation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.40.1-40.24
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• 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive alternatives to conventional anti-asthmatic drugs for severe asthma. Mechanisms underlying the anti-asthmatic effects of MSCs have not yet been elucidated. This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of intravenously administered MSCs, focusing on macrophages and monocytes. Seven-week-old transgenic (Tg) mice with lung-specific overexpression of IL-13 were used to simulate chronic asthma. MSCs were intravenously administered four days before sampling. We examined changes in immune cell subpopulations, gene expression, and histological phenotypes. IL-13 Tg mice exhibited diverse features of chronic asthma, including severe type 2 inflammation, airway fibrosis, and mucus metaplasia. Intravenous administration of MSCs attenuated these asthmatic features just four days after a single treatment. MSC treatment significantly reduced SiglecF^-CD11c^-CD11b⁺ monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMs) and inhibited the polarization of MoMs into M2 macrophages, especially M2a and M2c. Furthermore, MSCs downregulated the excessive accumulation of Ly6c^- monocytes in the lungs. While an intravenous adoptive transfer of Ly6c^- monocytes promoted the infiltration of MoM and Th2 inflammation, that of MSC-exposed Ly6c^- monocytes did not. Ex vivo Ly6c^- MoMs upregulated M2-related genes, which were reduced by MSC treatment. Molecules secreted by Ly6c^- MoMs from IL-13 Tg mice lungs upregulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes in fibroblasts, which were also suppressed by MSC treatment. In conclusion, intravenously administered MSCs attenuate asthma phenotypes of chronic asthma by modulating macrophages. Identifying M2 macrophage subtypes revealed that exposure to MSCs transforms the phenotype and function of macrophages. We suggest that Ly6c^- monocytes could be a therapeutic target for asthma management.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.611-621
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• 2022

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)는 친유성 화합물을 용해하는 성질과 뇌혈관장벽(Blood-brain barrier)을 투과하는 화학적 특성으로 인해 근위축성 측삭경화증(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) 등의 퇴행성 뇌신경질환을 타겟으로 하는 전임상 연구에서 용매로 널리 활용되고 있다. 그러나 DMSO를 활용한 연구 결과에 대하여 본 물질에 대한 생화학적 효과는 간과되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 근위축성 측삭경화증의 질환동물 모델인 SOD1-G93A형질 전환 마우스에 5% DMSO를 장기간 경구 투여하여 질병 표현형에 미치는 영향을 생존기간을 포함하여 신경학적, 기능학적, 조직학적으로 분석하였다. DMSO를 투여한 SOD1-G93A 동물군에서 DMSO 비투여군 보다 생존 기간과, 로타로드와 악력 측정으로 평가한 근육 기능이 유의미하게 증가했고, neurological score 가 감소했다. 반면, DMSO 투여군에서 DMSO 비투여군 대비하여 척수 운동 신경 세포와 신경근접합부가 보존되지 않았다. DMSO 투여는 SOD1-G93A형질 전환 마우스의 운동 신경 세포의 조직학적 영향을 미치지 않았지만, 신경 증상 완화와 생존 기간 등 개선된 마우스의 quality of life을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과, DMSO를 이용한 퇴행성 뇌 질환 전임상 연구 및 후보 약물 효능 평가 시 DMSO의 생화학적 특성에 대한 종합적인 고려가 필요한 것으로 보인다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.7.1-7.19
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• 2024

Viral load and the duration of viral shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are important determinants of the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019. In this study, we examined the effects of viral doses on the lung and spleen of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice by temporal histological and transcriptional analyses. Approximately, 1×10⁵ plaque-forming units (PFU) of SARS-CoV-2 induced strong host responses in the lungs from 2 days post inoculation (dpi) which did not recover until the mice died, whereas responses to the virus were obvious at 5 days, recovering to the basal state by 14 dpi at 1×10² PFU. Further, flow cytometry showed that number of CD8+ T cells continuously increased in 1×10² PFU-virus-infected lungs from 2 dpi, but not in 1×10⁵ PFU-virus-infected lungs. In spleens, responses to the virus were prominent from 2 dpi, and number of B cells was significantly decreased at 1×10⁵ PFU; however, 1×1² PFU of virus induced very weak responses from 2 dpi which recovered by 10 dpi. Although the defense responses returned to normal and the mice survived, lung histology showed evidence of fibrosis, suggesting sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings indicate that specific effectors of the immune response in the lung and spleen were either increased or depleted in response to doses of SARS-CoV-2. This study demonstrated that the response of local and systemic immune effectors to a viral infection varies with viral dose, which either exacerbates the severity of the infection or accelerates its elimination.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권12호
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• pp.1919-1927
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• 2006

Tumor cells genetically engineered to secrete cytokines are effective in tumor therapy, but various unexpected side effects are observed, which may result from the bulk activation of various bystander cells. In this study, we tested tumor vaccines expressing various membrane-bound forms of IL-2 (mbIL-2) on MethA fibrosarcoma cells to focus antitumor immune responses to CTL. Chimeric forms of IL-2 with whole CD4, deletion forms of CD4, and TNF were expressed on the tumor cell surface, respectively. Tumor clones expressing mbIL-2 or secretory form of IL-2 were able to support the cell growth of CTLL-2, an IL-2-dependent T cell line, and the proliferation of spleen cells from 2C TCR transgenic mice that are responsive to the $p2Ca/L^d$ MHC class I complex. Expression of mbIL-2 on tumor cells reduced the tumorigenicity of tumor cells, and the mice that once rejected the live IL-2/TNF tumor clone acquired systemic immunity against wild-type MethA cells. The IL-2/TNF clone was inferior to other clones in tumor formation, and superior in the stimulation of the CD8+ T cell population in vitro. These results suggest that the IL-2/TNF clone is the best tumor vaccine, and may stimulate CD8+ T cells by direct priming. Expression of IL-2/TNF on tumor cells may serve as an effective gene therapy method to ameliorate the side effects encountered in the recombinant cytokine therapy and the conventional cytokine gene therapy using the secretory form of IL-2.