• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.437-442
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• 2016

We aimed to study the role of protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase (PIMT) in neuronal differentiation using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced neuronal differentiation, characterized by cell-body shrinkage, long neurite outgrowth, and expression of neuronal differentiation markers light and medium neurofilaments (NF). The bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells was induced through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules [MAPK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p90RSK], and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling molecules PI3Kp110β, PI3Kp110γ, Akt, and mTOR. Inhibitors (adenosine dialdehyde and S-adenosylhomocysteine) of protein methylation suppressed bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. PIMT-eficiency caused by PIMT-specific siRNA inhibited neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells by suppressing phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the MAPK signaling pathway and Akt and mTOR in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, these results suggested that PIMT was critical for bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and regulated the MAPK and Akt signaling pathways.

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2004

Tumor angiogenesis was simulated using a two-dimensional computational model. The equation that governed angiogenesis comprised a tumor angiogenesis factor (TAF) conservation equation in time and space, which was solved numerically using the Galerkin finite element method. The time derivative in the equation was approximated by a forward Euler scheme. A stochastic process model was used to simulate vessel formation and vessel elongation towards a paracrine site, i.e., tumor-secreted basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). In this study, we assumed a two-dimensional model that represented a thin (1.0 mm) slice of the tumor. The growth of the tumor over time was modeled according to the dynamic value of bFGF secreted within the tumor. The data used for the model were based on a previously reported model of a brain tumor in which four distinct stages (namely multicellular spherical, first detectable lesion, diagnosis, and death of the virtual patient) were modeled. In our study, computation was not continued beyond the 'diagnosis' time point to avoid the computational complexity of analyzing numerous vascular branches. The numerical solutions revealed that no bFGF remained within the region in which vessels developed, owing to the uptake of bFGF by endothelial cells. Consequently, a sharp, declining gradient of bFGF existed near the surface of the tumor. The vascular architecture developed numerous branches close to the tumor surface (the brush-border effect). Asymmetrical tumor growth was associated with a greater degree of branching at the tumor surface.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.375-381
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• 2008

Objective : The effects on neural proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSC) of basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (bFGF). insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I). brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). and nerve growth factor (NGF) were assessed. Also, following combinations of various factors were investigated : bFGF+IGF-I, bFGF+BDNF, bFGF+NGF, IGF-I+BDNF, IGF-I+NGF, and BDNF+NGF. Methods : Isolated NSC of Fisher 344 rats were cultured with individual growth factors, combinations of factors, and no growth factor (control) for 14 days. A proportion of neurons was analyzed using $\beta$-tubulin III and NeuN as neural markers. Results : Neural differentiations in the presence of individual growth factors for $\beta$-tubulin III-positive cells were : BDNF, 35.3%; IGF-I, 30.9%; bFGF, 18.1%; and NGF, 15.1%, and for NeuN-positive cells was : BDNF, 34.3%; bFGF, 32.2%; IGF-I, 26.6%; and NGF, 24.9%. However, neural differentiations in the absence of growth factor was only 2.6% for $\beta$-tubulin III and 3.1% for NeuN. For $\beta$-tubulin III-positive cells, neural differentiations were evident for the growth factor combinations as follows : bFGF+IGF-I, 73.1 %; bFGF+NGF, 65.4%; bFGF+BDNF, 58.7%; BDNF+IGF-I, 52.2%; NGF+IGF-I, 40.6%; and BDNF+NGF, 40.0%. For NeuN-positive cells : bFGF+IGF-I, 81.9%; bFGF+NGF, 63.5%; bFGF+BDNF, 62.8%; NGF+IGF-I, 62.3%; BDNF+NGF, 56.3%; and BDNF+IGF-I, 46.0%. Significant differences in neural differentiation were evident for single growth factor and combination of growth factors respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion : Combinations of growth factors have an additive effect on neural differentiation. The most prominent neural differentiation results from growth factor combinations involving bFGF and IGF-I. These findings suggest that the combination of a mitogenic action of bFGF and post-mitotic differentiation action of IGF-I synergistically affects neural proliferation and NSC differentiation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.102-102
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• 2003

Embryonic stem (ES) cells proliferate extensively in the undifferentiated state and have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types in response to various environmental cues. The generation of functional dopaminergic neurons from ES cells is promising for cell replacement therapy to treat Parkinson's disease. We compared the in vitro differentiation potential of pluripotent human embryonic stem (hES, MB03) cells induced with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or retinoic acid (RA). Both types of treatment resulted in similar neural cell differentiation patterns at the terminal differentiation stage, specifically, 75% neurons and 11% glial cells. Additionally, treatment of hES cells with brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or transforming growth factor (TGF)- $\alpha$ during the terminal differentiation stage led to significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, compared to control (P<0.05). In contrast, no effect was observed on the rate of mature or glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive neurons. Immunostaining and HPLC analyses revealed the higher levels of TH (20.3%) and dopamine in bFGF and TGF-$\alpha$ treated hES cells than in RA or BDNF treated hES cells. The results indicate that TGF-$\alpha$ may be successfully used in the bFGF induction protocol to yield higher numbers of functional dopaminergic neurons from hES cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2004

Objective: This study was to examine the in vitro neural cell differentiation patterns of human embryonic stem (hES) cells following treatment of various neurotrophic factors [basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), retinoic acid (RA), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-$\alpha$], particulary in dopaminergic neuron formation. Methods: The hES cells were induced to differentiate by bFGF and RA. Group I) In bFGF induction method, embryoid bodies (EBs, for 4 days) derived from hES were plated onto gelatin dish, selected for 8 days in ITSFn medium and expanded at the presence of bFGF (10 ng/ml) for another 6 days followed by a final differentiation in N2 medium for 7, 14 and 21 days. Group II) For RA induction, EBs were exposed of RA ($10^{-6}M$) for 4 days and allowed to differentiate in N2 medium for 7, 14 and 21 days. Group III) To examine the effects of additional neurotrophic factors, bFGF or RA induced cells were exposed to either BDNF (10 ng/ml) or TGF-$\alpha$ (10 ng/ml) during the 21 days of final differentiation. Neuron differentiation and dopamine secretion were examined by indirect immunocytochemistry and HPLC, respectively. Results: The bFGF or RA treated hES cells were resulted in similar neural cell differentiation patterns at the terminal differentiation stage, specifically, 75% neurons and 11% glial cells. Additionally, treatment of hES cells with BDNF or TGF-$\alpha$ during the terminal differentiation stage led to significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression of a dopaminergic neuron marker, compared to control (p<0.05). In contrast, no effect was observed on the rate of mature neuron (NF-200) or glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive neurons. Immunocytochemistry and HPLC analyses revealed the higher levels of TH expression (20.3%) and dopamine secretion (265.5 $\pm$ 62.8 pmol/mg) in bFGF and TGF-sequentially treated hES cells than those in $\alpha$ RA or BDNF treated hES cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that the generation of dopamine secretory neurons from in vitro differentiated hES cells can be improved by TGF-$\alpha$ addition in the bFGF induction protocol.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2007

Efficient gene delivery to specific tissues, such as inflammatory and cancerous tissues, is currently a major concern in disease treatment. The human transferrin receptor (hTR) has been detected in the synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), which raises the possibility that expression of hTR is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To investigate whether the hTR is a useful target for gene transduction into the FLS of RA patients, recombinant adenoviruses with wildtype fiber (AdLac) and transferrin peptide-tagged fiber (Tf-AdLac) were used. The hTR expression level in FLS was notably increased by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Gene transduction to FLS was significantly higher by the hTR-targeted adenovirus than by the AdLac adenovirus, and treatment of the FLS with bFGF resulted in increased gene transduction by Tf-AdLac. Taken together, these data support Tf-AdLac as a new strategy for gene transduction in the treatment of RA patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.753-760
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• 2005

목적 : 본 연구는 100명의 암환자를 대상으로 항암단의 항혈관형성 효과를 측정하기 위하여 고안되었다. 방법 : 100명의 암환자 전체의 치료전후의 VEGF, bFGF 및 혈소판 수치의 변화량을 측정하였고, 병기, 삶의 질 및 암종별로 환자를 나누어 각각의 치료전후의 VEGF, bFGF 및 혈소판 수치의 변화량을 측정하여 통계적 유의성을 살펴보았다. 결과 : 항암단으로 치료한 암환자의 bFGF 수치는 치료전 후 통계적으로 유의성 있게 감소하였다. 특히 유방암 환자에서 bFGF 수치의 감소가 눈에 띄었다. 비록 통계적으로 유의하지는 않았지만 VEGF수치도 항암단으로 치료 후 다소 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 결론 : 따라서 항암단이 암환자 치료에 있어 항혈관형성 약물로써 작용한다고 추론할 수 있다.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.429-432
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• 2000

Chitosan scaffold is widely applied to drug delivery and tissue engineering. We have developed chitosan scaffolds, with various pore size, by differing freezing temperature and duration of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, for reconstructing skin equivalent. Chitosan scaffold was coated with type I collagen, fibronectin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in various combinations and concentrations, to evaluate the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) and bFGF on cell adhesion, growth and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts. Human dermal fibroblasts, isolated from newborn foreskin and passaged between 3 and 5, were seeded on the top of scaffolds and cultivated for 2 weeks. We examined the morphology and the secretion of ECM of fibroblasts using scanning electron microsopy (SEM) and histochemistry. A stellate morphology of fibroblasts were seen in all groups. The scaffold coated with either type I collagen and bFGF or type I collagen and fibronectin, however, showed the best condtion of dermal fibroblasts, in that the highest cell number and ECM secretion were seen. On the contrary, scaffolds coated with all three factors, type I collagen, bFGF and fibronectin, showed lower number of cells and ECM secretion than scaffolds with two factors. There was a tendency of dose-dependence in all three factors for fibroblast growth and ECM secretion. In conclusion, we may suggest that chitosan scaffold coated with either type I collagen/bFGF or type I collagen/fibronectin could provide more favorable environment for the growth and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.381-387
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate volumetric and histologic changes in edentulous alveolar ridge areas after ridge preservation using basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (bFGF-2) in combination with collagenated biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). Methods: The experiments were performed in 6 adult male beagle dogs. The following 3 groups were created: 1) ridge preservation with bFGF-2 and collagenated BCP (experimental group), 2) ridge preservation with collagenated BCP (positive control group), and 3) a negative control group in which no ridge preservation procedure was performed. Volumetric change analysis was performed using an optical scanner and casts. Histological observations were made using light microscopy. Results: After the initial swelling subsided, the magnitude of the volumetric change in the experimental group and positive control group was smaller than in the negative control group. In the experimental group, a distinct trend was observed for the resorption of residual bone and collagen fibers at 4 weeks and for more mature bone and faster healing at 12 weeks. Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, bFGF-2 may be considered for use as a therapeutic molecule in ridge preservation procedures.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.530-538
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• 2006

There are three important components in tissue engineering: the cells, signaling factors (cytokines and growth factors), and scaffolds. To obtain finely engineered tissue, all three components should perform their individual functions and be fully integrated with each other. For the past few years, we have studied the characteristics of photodimerizable HA (CHA)/alginate (CA) composite materials. CHA/CA complex hydrogels, which were irradiated under UV light and, then treated with calcium ions, were found to have good biocompatibility, mechanical properties and water resistance for implantable tissue scaffolds. In this study, we introduced a cell growth factor (basic fibroblast growth factor; bFGF) into the CHA/CA scaffolds and studied its release behavior. We also introduced tetracycline hydrochloride and flurbiprofen into the same scaffolds as model activation factors and evaluated their release behaviors from the scaffolds. The drug release rate from the materials was influenced by various parameters, such as the degree of crosslinking, the cross linker type, the physico-chemical properties of the drug, and the amount of the drug in the polymer. The results indicated that the negatively charged CHA/CA composite materials showed sustained release behavior and that HA has a particularly strong negative charge, making it attractive toward tetracycline hydrochloride and bFGF, but repulsive toward flurbiprofen.