• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2024

Hepatocyte damage caused by medications or herbal products is one of the important problem when these compounds are chronically administrated. Thus, improving hepatocyte survival during treatment offers a wide range of opportunities. Valproic acid (VPA), a branched short-chain fatty acid derived from naturally occurring valeric acid, is commonly used to treat epilepsy and seizures. Although VPA exerts numerous effects in cancer, HIV therapy, and neurodegenerative disease, its effects on the liver and its mechanism of action have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that VPA caused moderate liver cell toxicity and apoptosis. Interestingly, VPA treatment increased transcription levels of PPAR alpha (PPAR-α) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in murine (Hepa1c1c7) hepatoma cells in a time and concentration dependent manner. VPA-induced FGF21 expression was significantly weaker under PPAR-α silencing condition than in cells transfected with non-targeting control siRNA. Subsequent experiments showed that cell viability was significantly lowered when the FGF21 signaling pathway was blocked by FGF receptor antagonist. Finally, we further determined that AMPK phosphorylation was not responsible for VPA-induced FGF21 expression and PPAR-a increments. These results indicate that increases of FGF21 expression alleviate VPA-induced hepatic toxicity, thereby making FGF21 a potential biomarker for predicting liver damage during VPA treatments.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.550-557
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• 2017

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is the connective tissue between tooth root and alveolar bone containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). It has been suggested that human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) differentiate into osteo/cementoblast and ligament progenitor cells. The periodontitis is a representative oral disease where the PDL tissue is collapsed, and regeneration of this tissue is important in periodontitis therapy. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) stimulates proliferation and differentiation of fibroblastic MSCs into various cell lineages. We evaluated the dose efficacy of FGF-2 for cytodifferentiation of hPDLSCs into ligament progenitor. The fibrous morphology was highly stimulated even at low FGF-2 concentrations, and the expression of teno/ligamentogenic markers, scleraxis and tenomodulin in hPDLSCs increased in a dose dependent manner of FGF-2. In contrast, expression of the osteo/cementogenic markers decreased, suggesting that FGF-2 might induce and maintain the ligamentogenic potential of hPDLSCs. Although the stimulation of tenocytic maturation by $TGF-{\beta}1$ was diminished by FGF-2, the inhibition of the expression of early ligamentogenic marker by $TGF-{\beta}1$ was redeemed by FGF-2 treatment. The stimulating effect of BMPs on osteo/cementogenesis was apparently suppressed by FGF-2. These results indicate that FGF-2 predominantly differentiates the hPDLSCs into teno/ligamentogenesis, and has an antagonistic effect on the hard tissue differentiation induced by BMP-2 and BMP-4.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 2006

It is well known that unidentified factors in sera, hormones and growth factors promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and nuclear maturation of bovine COCs (cumulus oocytes complexes) in vitro. Attempts had been developed the simple composition of culture media and similar system to in vivo conditions has been applied. In the present study, we investigated the effect of FGF (fibroblast growth factor) on in vitro maturation and in vitro development of Hanwoo COCs. When the COCs were matured in HPM 199 (Inst. of Functional peptide, Japan) containing 0.1, 1 and 10 ng/ml FGF for 24 hr, maturation rates to metaphase II ($70.0{\sim}75.0%$) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of control group (0 ng/ml FGF, 37.5%). When matured COCs with FGF were cultured in maturation medium after in vitro fertilization, developmental rates to blastocysts were 9.5, 0 and 2.9%, respectively, compared to 25.0% of the control group (p<0.05). When the matured COCs with FGF were cultured in HPM 199 (IFP971, Inst. of Functional peptide, Japan) containing 10% FBS, 0.8% BSA or 0.1% PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), the blastocyst formation rates were 12.4, 12.8 and 8.5%, respectively, while the rates of matured COCs with FGF and cultured with IVMD and IVD (Inst. of Functional peptide, Japan) without serum were 38.4% and 34.8%, respectively (p<0.05). These results suggested that FGF is available for in vitro maturation of bovine COCs and is not suitable for in vitro development, but further investigation would be need for finding the synergistic autocrine/paracrine fashion of other growth factors in early bovine embryo development.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 1998.07a
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• pp.57-58
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• 1998

From the present study, following conclusions can be drawn: 1. lide in other species, axolotl FGF-8 is proposed to play a similar role in the early phase of limb development. However, the mechanism of its expression might be somewhat different from amniotes considering its characteristic mesenchymal expression. 2. In the regenerating axolotl limbs, Fgf-8 expression profile suggests that it is involved in wound gealing, dedifferentiation, and blastema formation. 3. Exoggenously supplied FGF-8 can accelerate blastema formation and concomitantly increase the Msx-1 expression level at the early stage of limb regeneration. Furthermore, it can partially substitute for nerve factor(s) as has been indicated by the induction of blastema formation in the denervated regenerates after FGF-8 application. 4. The unique expression feature of Fgf-8 in hte mesenechymal tissue of the regenerating axolotl limb might be casually related to its remarkable regeneration capacity of urodele.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2006

This study aimed to find out suitable culture conditions for the differentiation of human amniotic membrane-derived stem cells(HAM) into hepatocyte-like cells. Almost homogenous population of fibroblast-like cells was successfully isolated from the amniotic membrane. In comparison to the non-coated plates and in the absence of insulin/transferrin/selenium(ITS), HAM cultured on the fibronectin-coated plates and in the presence of ITS showed the more intense immunocytochemical staining against the albumin. Addition of both fibroblast growth factor(FGF)-1 and -2 to the differentiation medium gave stronger staining compared to the treatment with FGF-1 or -2 alone. Periodic acid Schiff's base staining of glycogen and morphological turnover of fibroblast-like appearance of HAM into round shape matched the results of immunocytochemical studies. When the efficiency of two-step culture method was examined on the differentiation of HAM into hepatocyte-like cells, all of the results of immunocytochemical staining, periodic acid Schiff's staining and morphological change exhibited effective hepatic differentiation of HAM compared to the continuous culture method. Immunoblot analyses of HAM- conditioned media against the albumin showed that the culture of HAM in the presence of both ITS and fibronectin always gave a stronger staining intensity than those in the absence of them, and that the addition of ether mixture of FGF-4 and either FGF-2 or transforming growth $factor(TGF)-{\alpha}$ to the culture medium significantly enhanced the albumin secretion by HAM. Based on these observations, it is suggested that HAM could differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells under a culture condition consisting of fibronectin and ITS, and addition of FGF-4 with either one of FGF-2 or $TGF-{\alpha}$ could enhance the hepatic differentiation of HAM.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

This study was designed to localize the distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in the developing rat condylar region and to elucidate the associated function of bFGF in the condyle development. The condyles of temporomandibular joint of Sprague-Dawley rats (27g of weight) were used. The tissues were examined with electron microscope and immunohistochemical method. The results were as follows: 1. The developing condylar region are divided in to 5 zones apparently: proliferative, maturation, hypertrophic, calcifying, and ossification zones. 2. The cells in the proliferative zone are condensed and have under-developed cell organells in the cytoplasm. This zone shows a strong immunoreactivity of bFGF. 3. The cells in the maturation zone are typical chondroblasts showing well-developed cell organells and round nucleus. The cartilaginous matrix does not show the immunoreactivity of bFGF, while the chondroblasts show the immunoreactivity. 4. The cells in the hypertrophic zone show hypertrophic change having the degenerated cell organelles and small nucleus. There are no immunoreactivity of bFGF in this zone except the nucleus and endoplasmic region showing mild immunoreactivity. 5, The cells in the calcifying zone show hypertrophic change and cell organelles are disappeared. The cells are surrounded by the calcified cartilaginous matrix. There are no immunoreactivity of bFGF in this zone except the endoplasmic region showing mild immunoreactivity. 6. In the zone of bone formation, chondroblasts are disappeared. Newly differentiated osteoblasts secreting osteoid around the calcified cartilaginous matrix. The bone marrow shows the immunoreactivity of bFGF, while the bone matrix does not show the immunoreactivity of bFGF.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2008

A variety of stem cells has been emerging as therapeutic cells that can replace organ transplantation in human liver diseases. The present study focused on whether human eyelid adipose-derived stem cells (HAD) might differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. HAD were isolated from human eyelid adipose tissue. Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and FGF-4 on the hepatic differentiation of HAD have been examined in vitro. Immunocytochemical analysis and PAS staining showed that HAD cultured in both DMSO and FGF-4 exhibited the most intense staining than HAD of the other experimental groups. These HAD expressed numerous hepatocyte-related genes. Immunoblotting analyses showed that HAD cultured in the presence of DMSO and FGF-4 secreted higher amount of human albumin than HAD cultured in other conditions. Urea analysis also demonstrated that these HAD produced higher amount of urea than any other groups of HAD. In conclusion, combined treatment of DMSO and FGF-4 could effectively induce the functional differentiation of HAD into hepatocyte-like cells.

• 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.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.291-296
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• 2009

In most larvae of ascidian, two sensory pigment cells, otolith and ocellus, lie in their brain vesicle. They also have a third type of sensory cells: hydrostatic pressure receptor (Hpr) cells. The Hpr cells were presumed to be hydrostatic pressure-detection cells, but their precise functions is still disputed. In this study, we investigated whether an FGF signaling is involved in formation of Hpr cells. When fertilized eggs were injected with Hr-FGF9/16/20 antisense MO, the resulting larvae showed severe abnormalities with no expression of the Hpr cell-specific Hpr-1 antigen. Similar results were obtained using an FGF receptor inhibitor, SU5402, and an MEK inhibitor, U0126. Embryos treated with SU5402 or U0126 during the 32-cell and hatching stages did not express the Hpr-1 antigen. To elucidate the temporal requirement for the FGF signaling in formation of Hpr cells, embryos were treated with SU5402 for 2 h, or U0126 for 20 min during various embryonic stages. Larvae treated with SU5402 from the 16-cell stage to the 64-cell stage did not express the Hpr-1 antigen, whereas those treated at the early gastrula stage expressed the Hpr-1 antigen. When U0126 treatment was carried out at various stages between the 8-cell and late gastrula stages, larvae scarcely formed the Hpr cells. They showed expression of the Hpr-1 antigen when embryos were placed in U0126 just before the neural plate stage. These results suggest that FGF9/16/20 signaling is involved in formation of Hpr cells from the primary neural induction stage to the late gastrula stage.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2003

In this study, we examined the effects of the methanolic extract(CL-ex) of Codonopsis lanceolata on the angiogenesis stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in vitro, using porcine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells(PPAECs). In addition, we investigated the endothelial functions involved in angiogenesis, such as proliferation, migration and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs), using human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECS). CL-ex inhibited FGF-induced sprout formation in vitro at concentrations of 0.1-100 ug/ml. Although CL-ex did not affect the proliferation of endothelial cells, CL-ex strongly inhibited the FGF-induced migration of HUVECS at concentrations of 0.1-1 ug/ml; the degree of inhibition of endothelial cells by C-ex was 49.4% at 0.1 ug/ml and 71.9 % at 1.0 ug/ml. Moreover, CL-ex inhibited the secretion of MMPs from HUVECS stimulated with FGF. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of CL-ex on angiogenesis in vitro could be explained by the inhibition of endothelial cell migration. From these results, we suggest that Codonopsis lanceolata is a useful herb for the development of therapeutics or preventive food factors for angiogenesis related diseases, such as tumors.