• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.173-179
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro developmental promoting effect of human amniotic fluid (AF) on pronucleate 1-cell mouse embryos. The AF was obtained from five patients undergoing amniocentesis for the routine diagnosis of fetal abnormality. The supernatant was filtered ($0.22{\mu}m$) after centrifugation and stored at $-20^{\circ}C$. One-cell embryos were cultured in four study groups (10% AF, 0.4% BSA, 10% AF+0.4% BSA & no-supplement in Ham's F10) for 6 days (EXP. 1). Significantly more embryos hatched in 10% AF (P<0.0l), although no difference was found among other three groups. The embryos were also cultured in varous concentration of AF (0, 10, 50 & 100%) for 7 days (EXP. 2). The rate of hatched blastocysts was significantly higher in 10%- and 50% group than in 0% and 100%- one at day 6 (P<0.05) and day 7 (P<0.005), although no difference was found between 10% and 50%- group.

• 한국생물정보학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물정보시스템생물학회 2006년도 Principles and Practice of Microarray for Biomedical Researchers
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• pp.98-107
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• 2006

Chromosomal copy number changes (aneuploidies) are common in human populations. The extra chromosome can affect gene expression by whole-genome level. By gene expression microarray analysis, we want to find aberrant gene expression due to aneuploidies in Klinefelter (+X) and Down syndrome (+21). We have analyzed the inactivation status of X-linked genes in Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) by using X-linked cDNA microarray and cSNP analysis. We analyzed the expression of 190 X-linked genes by cDNA microarray from the lymphocytes of five KS patients and five females (XX) with normal males (XY) controls. cDNA microarray experiments and cSNP analysis showed the differentially expressed genes were similar between KS and XX cases. To analyze the differential gene expressions in Down Syndrome (DS), Amniotic Fluid (AF)cells were collected from 12 pregnancies at $16{\sim}18$ weeks of gestation in DS (n=6) and normal (n=6) subjects. We also analysis AF cells for a DNA microarray system and compared the chip data with two dimensional protein gel analysis of amniotic fluid. Our data may provide the basis for a more systematic identification of biological markers of fetal DS, thus leading to an improved understanding of pathogenesis for fetal DS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.261-271
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• 2004

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the possibility of prolonged culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESC; SNUhES2) on human amniotic fluid cells (hAFC), which had been storaged after karyotyping. Method: The hAFC was prepared for feeder layer in the presence of Chang's medium and STO medium (90% DMEM, 10% FBS) at $37^{circ}C$ in a 5% $CO_2$ in air atmosphere. Prior to use as a feeder layer, hAFC was mitotically inactivated by mitomycin C. The hESCs on hAFC were passaged mechanically every seven days with ES culture medium (80% DMEM/F12, 20% SR, bFGF). Results: The hAFC feeder layer support the growth of undifferentiated state of SNUhES2 for at least 59 passages thus far. SNUhES2 colonies on hAFC feeder appeared slightly angular and flatter shape as compared with circular and thicker colonies observed with STO feeder layer and showed higher level with complete undifferentiation in seven days. Like hESC cultured on STO feeders, SNUhES2 grown on hAFC expressed normal karyotype, positive for alkaline phosphatase activity, high telomerase activity, Oct-4, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra-1-60 and Tra-1-81 and formed embryoid bodies (EBs). Conclusion: The hAFC supports undifferentiated growth of hESC. Therefore, these results may help to provide a clinically practicable method for expansion of hESC for cell therapies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 1984

In order to determine the extent of the placental transfer of Lithium ion, pregnant rabbits at $27{\sim}29$ days of gestation, which has hemochorial placenta similar to the human placenta, received 2 mM/Kg of $Li^+$ in the form of LiCl intravenously. Maternal arterial blood, placental sinus blood, fetal blood, amniotic fluid and maternal urine were drawn two hours after the single dose of LiCl. Concentrations of $Li^+$, $Na^+$, $K^+$ and osmolarity were measured in plasma of collected bloods, amniotic fluid and urine. Followings are the results obtained. 1) Evident level of $Li^+$ was detected in fetal blood, although fetal plasma concentration of $Li^+$ found to be almost one third of maternal plasma. 2) Plasma concentration of $Li^+$ in placental sinus blood was higher than that in fetal plasma but lower than that in maternal plasma. It means that downward concentration gradient of $Li^+$ from mother to fetus was still remarkable two hours after the injection. 3) Significant level of $Li^+$ was also detected in amniotic fluid. It seemed likely that $Li^+$, at least in part, excreted by the fetal urinary tract. 4) There were no differences in $Na^+$ and osmolar concentration between fetal and maternal blood. 5) From above results, it was concluded that $Li^+$ may transfer across the placenta but limited passage capacity through placental barrier for $Li^+$ is significant, beacause net transfer assumed to be going on even at two hours, at which time maternal equlibrium has been reached.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.31-37
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• 2015

Purpose: We investigated the neurogenic potentials of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) according to the expression levels of stem cell markers and ingredients in the neural induction media. Materials and Methods: Four samples of AFSCs with different levels of Oct-4 and c-kit expression were differentiated neurally, using three kinds of induction media containing retinoic acid (RA) and/or a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine/indomethacin/insulin (neuromix), and examined by immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for their expression of neurospecific markers. Results: The cells in neuromix-containing media displayed small nuclei and long processes that were characteristic of neural cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the number of neural markers showing upregulation was greater in cells cultured in the neuromix-containing media than in those cultured in RA-only medium. Neurospecific gene expression was also higher in Oct-4 and c-kit double-positive cells than in c-kit-low or -negative cells. Conclusion: The stem cell marker c-kit (rather than Oct-4) and the ingredient neuromix (rather than RA) exert greater effects on neurogenesis of AFSCs.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.103-110
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• 2001

$\alpha$-Fetoprotein(AFP) is a good marker for the detection of several diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma, gonadal germ cell tumor, gastric tumor, and Down's syndrome. In this study, we developed ELISA, using synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes of AFP. Five kinds of peptides were synthesized from AFP to produce antibodies in rats that recognize AFP in human plasma as well as amniotic fluid and do not cross-react with serum albumin. All five kinds of antibodies showed good reactivities with their peptide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates. Anti-synthetic peptide 1 (R-N-E-Y-G-I-A-S-I-L, 4-13) antibody, in particular, reacted well with AEP as well as synthetic peptide 1-KLH but not with human serum albumin. The binding affinity(Kd) was 2.7$\times$10$^{-9}$M for peptide 1 and 6.8$\times$10$^{-8}$M for AEP. The range for measurement of AFP was 10~1,000 ng/ml. The within-assay and between-assay coefficients of variance(CV) were 4.83% and 10.97%, respectively. In a sample of 31 sera and 33 amniotic fluids, there was a good correlation between AFP values determined in this assay and those in a commercial kit. These results indicate that the antibodies against synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes of AFP are highly specific to APP and synthetic peptide-based ELISA would be useful for the measurement of human AFP.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2005년도 제48차 춘계 학술대회
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• pp.125.1-125.1
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• 2005

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.115-123
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• 1997

인간 $\alpha$-fetoprotein (AFP)은 간암, 위암, 생식기 종양 및 신경관 이상인 환자를 검사하고 진단하는데 유용한 지표로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 사람의 AFP를 분리정제 하여 폴리클로날 항체를 생산하고 인간 혈장과 양수내의 AFP를 측정하기 위한 경쟁적 효소면역 분석법을 개발하고자 하였다. 친화크로마토그래피법과 SDS-polyacrylamide 전기영동법을 이 용하여 양수로부터 AFP를 분리하였다. 정제된 AFP를 토끼에 주사하여 폴리클로날 항체를 생산하였으며, 이중면역확산법과 Western blot 분석법을 사용하여 본 연구실에서 제조된 항체의 항원 특이성이 대단히 높음을 확인하였다. AFP와 항혈청을 이용하여 표준곡선을 얻었으며, 민감도는 5ng/ml이었고, 작용범위는 5~l,000ng/ml이었다. 분석내 CV는 4.5%이었고, 분석간 CV는 8.5%이었다. 따라서 이러한 결과로 보아 본 연구에서 개발된 경쟁적 효소면역분석법이 AFP를 측정하기에 적절하며, 간암 등의 기초연구에도 많은 기여를 할 것으로 생각된다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.47-50
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• 2001

A one-step, two-site enzyme immunoassay was developed for measuring human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum and amniotic fluid using monoclonal antibodies (McAb) by eliminating the high-dose hook effect. Three McAbs that recognize different epitopes were selected among 16 different clones on the basis of epitope mapping, two for immobilization and one for horseradish peroxidase conjugation. This one-step immunoassay system is more convenient and rapid compared to a conventional two-step sandwich immunoassay system. It did not exhibit the hook effect to around 2.7 mg/ml of AFP, which is probably one of the highest concentrations of AFP in the serum. The dose-response curve of the system was linear to 500 mg/ml of AFP and the system could differentiate as low as 1 mg/ml of AFP The intra- and inter-assay variations were in an acceptable range; 95~104% and 97~105% respectively Its correlation with other commercial systems was around 95%.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.23-29
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• 2000

Objective: Zona pellucida (ZP) has been thought to be the barrier of egg to sperm penetration before and after fertilization. The phenomenon of ZP hardening has been considered as a post-fertilization event until now, and it is generally accepted that it is caused by the secretory products of cortical granules released during the cortical reaction. Hardening of ZP could occur "spontaneously" in mammalian oocytes in standard culture conditions, and that it is probably not a consequence of cortical reaction. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of human amniotic fluid (HAF) on nuclear maturation (NM) and fertilization ability of mouse immature oocytes. Methods: HAF was obtained from patients undergoing amniocentesis at $16{\sim}20$ weeks of gestation. HAF from five to ten patients was centrifuged and the supernatants was pooled. Cumulusenclosed mouse immature oocytes were incubated in the medium containing HAF, and examined to confirm NM and fertilization. Female ICR mice (about 3 weeks old) were stimulated with 7.5 IU PMSG. Immature oocytes were isolated at $48{\sim}52$ hrs post PMSG injection and cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with 20% HAF for 18 hrs. FBS was used as a control for the examination. Matured oocytes (MII) were fertilized with sperms collected from the epididymis of male mice (over 10 weeks old). Fertilization was in conducted T6 medium containing 15 mg/ml BSA, and confirmed at 6 hrs post-insemination. Fertilization rate was assessed in zona-intact or zona-free oocytes (denuded by trypsin). Evaluation of NM and fertilization was carried out by rapid staining method. ZP hardening was evaluated by incubating cumulus cell-free mature oocytes in 0.001% chymotrypsin at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 min. Results: There was no significant difference between the effects of HAF (86.6%) and FBS (87.7%) supplements on NM of immature oocytes. When maturation medium was supplemented with HAF, total fertilization rates (7%) were significantly lower (p<0.01) than that of FBS (85.1%). In HAF group, fertilization rate was increased (p<0.01) in zona-free oocytes (7% versus 100%). The resistance of mouse oocyte ZP to digestion by chymotrypsin after maturation in vitro was significantly higher (p<0.01) in HAF group (86.7%) than in FBS (6.7%). To culture oocytes in FBS were very effective in preventing ZP hardening. However cultured oocytes in HAF showed high rate of ZP hardening (p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that HAF can be used as a supplement for the NM of mouse immature oocytes in vitro. However, HAF induces spontaneous hardening of ZP of mouse immaure oocytes during maturation in vitro.