• BMB Reports
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.20-29
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• 2022

Stem cell-based therapy is a promising approach for treating a variety of disorders, including acute brain insults and neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), circular membrane fragments (30 nm-1 ㎛) that are shed from the cell surface, carrying several therapeutic molecules such as proteins and microRNAs. Because EV-based therapy is superior to cell therapy in terms of scalable production, biodistribution, and safety profiles, it can be used to treat brain diseases as an alternative to stem cell therapy. This review presents evidences evaluating the role of stem cell-derived EVs in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson' disease. In addition, stem cell-derived EVs have better profiles in biocompatibility, immunogenicity, and safety than those of small chemical and macromolecules. The advantages and disadvantages of EVs compared with other strategies are discussed. Even though EVs obtained from native stem cells have potential in the treatment of brain diseases, the successful clinical application is limited by the short half-life, limited targeting, rapid clearance after application, and insufficient payload. We discuss the strategies to enhance the efficacy of EV therapeutics. Finally, EV therapies have yet to be approved by the regulatory authorities. Major issues are discussed together with relevant advances in the clinical application of EV therapeutics.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권11호
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• pp.851-860
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• 2021

Label-free optical diffraction tomography (ODT), an imaging technology that does not require fluorescent labeling or other pre-processing, can overcome the limitations of conventional cell imaging technologies, such as fluorescence and electron microscopy. In this study, we used ODT to characterize the cellular organelles of three different stem cells-namely, human liver derived stem cell, human umbilical cord matrix derived mesenchymal stem cell, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-based on their refractive index and volume of organelles. The physical property of each stem cell was compared with that of fibroblast. Based on our findings, the characteristic physical properties of specific stem cells can be quantitatively distinguished based on their refractive index and volume of cellular organelles. Altogether, the method employed herein could aid in the distinction of living stem cells from normal cells without the use of fluorescence or specific biomarkers.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.75-82
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• 2021

We studied steroid metabolites produced from red-spotted grouper ovarian follicles during maturation. Oocytes with 350-500 ㎛ diameter were in vitro incubated in the presence of [³H] 17α-hydroxyprogesterone as a precursor. Steroid metabolites were extracted from incubated media and oocytes. The extracts were separated and identified using thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The identified metabolites were androstenedione (A₄), testosterone (T) and estrone (E₁). The metabolites of A₄ was dominant in all size of oocytes and it was the highest in 480 ㎛ diameter oocytes. The metabolites of two progestins, 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 17α,20α-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one were detected in the oocytes less than 480 ㎛ diameter although they were not identified definitely. In the oocytes of 480 ㎛ diameter, metabolite of progestin was the highest, and germinal vesicle (GV) was still in the middle of cytoplasm. In the oocytes of 500 ㎛ diameter, GV was began to migrate and the major metabolites were A₄ and E₁. The metabolite of E₁ was detected in all size of oocytes and it was higher than that of E₂. These results suggest that oocytes of 480 ㎛ diameter are the transitional stage involving steroidogenic shift to final oocyte maturation and potential function of E₁ during maturation process.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.65-71
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• 2022

Regenerative medicine is a research field that develops methods to restore damaged cell or tissue function by regeneration, repair or replacement. Stem cells are the raw material of the body that is ultimately used from the point of view of regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapy uses cells themselves or their derivatives to promote responses to diseases and dysfunctions, the ultimate goal of regenerative medicine. Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are recognized as an attractive source because they can enrich exogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) by targeting pathological recipient cells for disease therapy and can overcome the obstacles faced by current cell therapy agents. However, there are some limitations that need to be addressed before using miRNA-enriched EVs derived from stem cells for multiplexed therapeutic targeting in many diseases. Here, we review various roles on miRNA-based stem cell EVs that can induce effective and stable functional improvement of stem cell-derived EVs. In addition, we introduce and review the implications of several miRNA-enriched EV therapies improved by multiplexed targeting in diseases involving the circulatory system and nervous system. This systemic review may offer potential roles for stem cell-derived therapeutics with multiplexed targeting.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권9호
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• pp.603-609
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• 2022

Cells can communicate in a variety of ways, such as by contacting each other or by secreting certain factors. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proposed to be mediators of cell communication. EVs are small vesicles with a lipid bilayer membrane that are secreted by cells and contain DNA, RNAs, lipids, and proteins. These EVs are secreted from various cell types and can migrate and be internalized by recipient cells that are the same or different than those that secrete them. EVs harboring various components are involved in regulating gene expression in recipient cells. These EVs may also play important roles in the senescence of cells and the accumulation of senescent cells in the body. Studies on the function of EVs in senescent cells and the mechanisms through which nonsenescent and senescent cells communicate through EVs are being actively conducted. Here, we summarize studies suggesting that EVs secreted from senescent cells can promote the senescence of other cells and that EVs secreted from nonsenescent cells can rejuvenate senescent cells. In addition, we discuss the functional components (proteins, RNAs, and other molecules) enclosed in EVs that enter recipient cells.

• Journal of Species Research
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.419-421
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• 2021

The genus Mesyatsia Ricker & Ross, 1975 is a small genus of the family Taeniopterygidae with only six species worldwide. This genus is mainly distributed in Asia, but has never been reported in Korea. In this paper, we report Mesyatsia makartchenkoi Teslenko & Zhiltzova, 1992 for the first time from the Korean Peninsula. The specimens were collected from Odaesan National Park, Bangtaesan Natural Recreation Forest, and Gariwangsan Natural Recreation Forest in Gangwon-do, South Korea by mainly Malaise traps and a few by sweep net. Some pharate larvae and adults crawling on the snow were also collected by handpicking. This species is characterized by the following features: pterostigma with dark spots; abdominal sternum 9 with vesicle; abdominal tergum 10 medially divided into two; subgenital plate strongly elongated, scoop-shaped, upcurved with tongue-shaped apex; cercus blunt. We provide materials, diagnosis for newly recorded species, and distributions. Additionally, we include a provisional key to the genera of Taeniopterygidae from Korea based on males.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.582-590
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• 2023

Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic aggregates of RNA-protein complexes that form in response to various cellular stresses and are known to restrict viral access to host translational machinery. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of SGs during viral infections require further exploration. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SG formation on cellular responses to coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection. Sodium arsenite (AS)-mediated SG formation suppressed cell death induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a)/cycloheximide (CHX) treatment in HeLa cells, during which G3BP1, an essential SG component, contributed to the modulation of apoptosis pathways. SG formation in response to AS treatment blocked CVB3-mediated cell death, possibly via the reduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, we examined whether AS treatment would affect small extracellular vesicle (sEV) formation and secretion during CVB3 infection and modulate human monocytic cell (THP-1) response. CVB3-enriched sEVs isolated from HeLa cells were able to infect and replicate THP-1 cells without causing cytotoxicity. Interestingly, sEVs from AS-treated HeLa cells inhibited CVB3 replication in THP-1 cells. These findings suggest that SG formation during CVB3 infection modulates cellular response by inhibiting the release of CVB3-enriched sEVs.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.127-135
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• 2023

Effects of changes in photoperiod on the reproductive events in fish are suggested to be mediated mainly via the action of melatonin (MEL). Changing levels of plasma MEL throughout the day and year are suggested to influence the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in fish. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MEL on oocyte maturation and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in the marine fish, Chaenogobius annularis, in vitro. Oocytes at three different stages (pre-, mid-, and late-vitellogenesis) were incubated with (a) only MEL (5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 pg/mL) and (b) 50 pg/mL of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α20βP), maturation-inducing hormone (MIH) of this species, and MEL (4-h incubation before addition of MIH). Any single MEL treatment did not significantly induce GVBD. However, treatment with 50 pg/mL MEL or MIH significantly induced GVBD. These results suggest that preincubation with MEL accelerates the effect of MIH on longchin goby oocyte maturation.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권8호
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• pp.369-374
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• 2024

Antigen 43 (Ag43) proteins, found on the outer membrane of Escherichia coli, are β-sheets that fold into a unique cylindrical structure known as a β-barrel. There are several known structural similarities between bacterial Ag43 autotransporters and physical components; however, the factors that stabilize the barrel and the mechanism for Ag43 passenger domain-mediated translocation across the pore of the β-barrel remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed Ag43β-enhanced green fluorescent protein chimeric variants to provide new insights into the autotransporter Ag43β-barrel assembly, focusing on the impact of the α-helical linker domain. Among the chimeric variants, Ag43β700 showed the highest surface display, which was confirmed through extracellular protease digestion, flow cytometry, and an evaluation of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The Ag43β700 module offered reliable information on stable barrel folding and chimera expression at the exterior of the OMVs.

• 한국잠사곤충학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.1-31
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• 1984

가잠에 있어서 피해가 많은 전염성 연화병(Flacherie Virus; FV)과 농핵병 바이러스(Densonucleosis virus; DNV)의 증식에 관한 연구를 행하기 위하여 서당밀도 구배 초원심분리법에 의한 양바이러스의 정제 및 전자현미경에 의한 관찰, 바이러스 감염잠의 중장과 체액에서의 핵산과 단백질의 변동 및 감염중장 피막세포의 전자현미경에 의한 병리조직학적 관찰 등, 일연의 조사를 통하여 다음과 같은 연구결과를 얻었다. 1. 서당밀도구배에 의한 초원심분리법을 이용하여 FV 및 DNV를 분획한 결과, base line이 낮고 좌우상칭의 단일 peak를 나타내는 전형적인 바이러스 분획을 얻었으며, 또한 이들 바이러스의 negative 염색에 의한 전자현미경 관찰에서 FV는 27nm, DNV는 21nm의 균일한 구형입자임이 확인되었다. 2. 두 바이러스 감염잠의 체중은 바이러스 접종 6일 후부터, 중장중은 바이러스 접종 3일 후부터 건전잠에 비해 뚜렷한 감소를 나타냈다. 3. DNA의 양적 변화는 FV 및 DNV 감염잠에서 공히 중장에서는 전기간을 통해 건전잠에서 보다 높았고, 체액에서는 바이러스 접종 초ㆍ중기에는 큰 변화가 없고 바이러스 접종 7일 이후에는 건전잠에서 보다 훨씬 낮았다. 4. RNA의 양적 변화는 FV 및 DNV 감염잠에서 다같이 바이러스 접종 초기에 중장에서는 건전잠에 비해 높았고, 체액에서는 건전잠에 비해 매우 낮았으나, 바이러스 접종 말기에는 중장 및 체액의 경우 공히 건전잠에서 보다 현저히 낮았으며 그 정도는 DNV 감염잠에서 더 심했다. 5. FV 및 DNV 감염잠에서 중장과 체액의 단백질은 바이러스 접종 중기까지는 건전잠에 비해 큰 변화가 없었으나, 접종 말기에서는 건전잠에서 보다 월등히 낮았다. 6. 바이러스 접종 8일 후의 FV 및 DNV 감염잠 중장 RNA 전기영동상은 건전잠의 중장 RNA인 26S, 17S, 5S 및 4S의 4종 band와 동일했다. 7. FV 및 DNV 감염잠의 중장 단백질 전기영동상은 바이러스 접종 1일과 5일 후에는 건전잠의 것과 큰 차이가 없고, 접종 8일 후에는 건전잠에 존재하는 이동도가 낮은 L band가 양 바이러스 감염잠에서는 공히 소실되는 반면, 건전잠에서 볼 수 없는 이동도가 중간인 M band가 새로이 나타났으며 비교적 이동도가 높은 건전잠의 N band는 양 바이러스 감염잠에서는 2개로 분리되었다. 8. 체액단백질의 전기영동상은 FV 및 DNV감염잠 공히 건전잠의 것과 유사하나, 바이러스 접종 8일 후에는 양적인 감소를 나타내어 건전잠의 약 40%에 지나지 않았다. 9. FV 감염중장조직을 pyronin-methyl green 2종 염색을 하여 광학현미경으로 관찰한 결과, 바이러스 접종 8일 후의 중장원동세포내에서 A형 및 B형 봉입체가 형성되었음을 확인하였다. 10. FV감염 중장조직세포의 전자현미경 관찰에서는 바이러스 접종 5일 후에 배상세포의 'cytoplasmic wall'이 비대해지고 그 내부에 virus-specific vesicle이 형성되었으며, 바이러스 접종 8일 후에는 virus-specific vesicle, 바이러스 입자, linear structure, tubular structure 및 전자밀도가 높은 matrix 등의 바이러스 감염에 대한 특이적인 구조물이 배상세포의 세포질에서 관찰되었으며, microvilli내에서 바이러스 입자의 존재도 확정되었다. 특히 virus-specific vesicle 주위에서는 전자밀도가 높은 구형의 바이러스 입자 유사체가 관찰되었는데, 이것은 virus-specific vesicle 주위에서 바이러스 조립이 일어나는 것을 추정된다. 한편 원통세포 내에서 봉입체 관찰되고, 변형소구화된 배상세포가 중장강으로 탈락되는 것이 관찰되었다. 11. DNV감염 중장조직을 acridine orange 염색을 하여 형광현미경으로 관찰한 결과, DNV접종 5일 후에 본 바이러스 증식 장소인 원동세포핵의 비대가 뚜렷이 관찰되었다. 12. 전자현미경에 의해 DNV감염 중장조직세포를 관찰한 결과, 바이러스 접종 5일 후에 원동세포 핵내의 인이 소형 과립으로 붕괴되어 산재되었고, 접종 8일후에는 전자밀도가 높은 virogenic stroma가 출현하였으며, 감염 말기로 추정되는 핵내의 전자밀도가 전자보다 낮고 더욱 확대되어 핵의 대부분을 차지하는 virogenic stroma도 관찰되었다. 또한 이들 virogenic stroma내에서 바이러스 입자유사체가 관찰되는 것으로 보아 이 virogenic stroma는 바이러스 전구물질의 합성 및 바이러스 조립장소임을 시사하고 있다.