• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.91-95
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• 2008

Embryonic stem cells have a pluripotency and a potential to differentiate to all type of cells. In our previous study, we have shown that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) lines can be generated from murine parthenogenetic embryos. This parthenogenetic ESCs line can be a useful stem cell source for tissue repair and regeneration. The defect in full-term development of parthenogenetic ESCs line enables researchers to avoid the ethical concerns related with ESCs research. In this study, we presented the results demonstrating that parthenogenetic ESCs can be induced into osteogenic cells by supplementing culture media with ascorbic acid and $\beta$-glycerophosphate. These cells showed morphologies of osteogenic cells and it was proven by Von Kossa staining and Alizarin Red staining. Expression of marker genes for osteogenic cells (osteopontin, osteonectin, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, bone-sialoprotein, collagen type1, and Cbfa1) also confirmed osteogenic potential of these cells. These results demonstrate that osteogenic cells can be generated from parthenogenetic ESCs in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1510-1516
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• 2007

These experiments were carried out to optimize the parameters of electrical activation, methods of parthenogenetic activation and embryo culture in vitro and meanwhile to isolate embryonic stem cells-like (ESCs) derived from porcine parthenogenetic blastocysts (pPBs). These results showed that, as the electric field strength increased from 1.0 to 2.7 kV/cm, the cleavage rate of parthenogenetic embryos increased gradually but the rate of oocyte lysis was significantly increased when using 2.7 kV/cm field strength. The rate of cleavage in 2.2 and 2.7 kV/cm groups was significantly increased in comparison with that of the 1.0 kV/cm group. A voltage field strength of 2.2 kV/cm DC was used to investigate blastocyst development following activation with a single pulse of 30 or $60-{\mu}sec$ pulse duration. The optimum pulse duration was 30-${\mu}sec$, with a blastocyst rate of 20.7%. Multiple pulses were inferior to a single pulse for blastocyst yield (8.0% vs. 29.9) (p<0.05). For porcine oocyte parthenogenetic activation methods, the rates of cleavage (79.0% vs. 59.8%) and blastocysts (19.4% vs. 3.4%) were significantly increased in electrical activation in contrast to chemical activation with ionomycin/6-DMAP (p<0.05). Rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation in NCSU-23 and PZM-3 embryo media were higher than those of G1.3/G2.3 serial culture media, but there was no significant difference among the three groups. The total cell number of blastocysts in PZM-3 embryo culture media containing $5{\mu}g/ml$ insulin was significantly higher than that of the control (no insulin) ($44.3{\pm}9.1$ vs. $33.9{\pm}11.7$). For isolation of PESCs-like, the rates of porcine blastocysts attached to feeder layers and ICM colony formation in Method B (nude embryo culture) were better than those in Method A (intact embryo culture).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

Parthenogenetic embryonic stem (pES) cells could provide a valuable model for research into genomic imprinting and X-linked diseases. In this study, pES cell lines were established from oocytes of hybrid offspring of Kunming and 129/Sv mice, and pluripotency of pES cells was evaluated. The pES cells maintained in the undifferentiated state for more than 50 passages had normal karyotypes with XX sex chromosomes and exhibited high activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and telomerase. Meanwhile, these cells expressed ES cell molecular markers SSEA-1, Oct-4, Nanog, and GDF3 but not SSEA-3 detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The pES cells could be differentiated into various types of cells from three germ layers in vitro by analysis of embryoid bodies (EBs) with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and in vivo by observation of pES cell-derived teratoma sections. Therefore, the established pES cell lines contained all features of mouse ES cells. This work provides a new strategy for isolating pES cells from Kunming mice, and the pES cell lines could be applied as the cell model in research into genomic imprinting and epigenetic regulation of Kunming mice.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.83-83
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• 2002

This study was to compare the characteristics of parthenogenetic mES (P-mES) cells and in vitro fertilization mES cells. Mouse oocytes were recovered from superovulated 4wks hybrid F1 (C57BL/6xCBA/N) female mice. The oocytes were treated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and 5 ㎍/㎖ cytochalasin-B for 4 h. For IVF, the oocytes were inseminated with epididymal sperm of hybrid Fl male mice (1×10/sup 6//㎖). IVF and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in M16 medium for 4 days. Cell number count in blastocysts was carried out differential labelling using propidium iodide (red) and bisbenzimide(blue). (omitted)

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.20-20
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• 2002

This study was to establish the use of parthenogenetic mouse ES (P-mES02) cells as a reproducible differentiation system for mouse cardiomyocytes. To induce differentiation, P-mES02 cells were dispersed by dissociation and the formation of ES cell aggregates in differentiation medium. After 7 days in differentiation culture, the embryoid bodies (EBs) were plated onto gelatin-coated dish. Cultures were observed daily using an inverted light microscope to determine the day of contraction onset and total duration of continuous contractile activity for each contracting focus. (omitted)

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2002

Objective: This study was to compare the characteristics between parthenogenetic mES (P-mES) cells and in vitro fertilization mES cells. Materials and Methods: Mouse oocytes were recovered from superovulated 4 wks hybrid F1 (C57BL/6xCBA/N) female mice. For parthenogenetic activation, oocytes were treated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and $5{\mu}g$/ml cytochalasin-B for 4 h. For IVF, oocytes were inseminated with epididymal sperm of hybrid F1 male mice ($1{times}10^6/ml$). IVF and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in M16 medium for 4 days. Cell number count of blastocysts in those two groups was taken by differential labelling using propidium iodide (red) and bisbenzimide (blue). To establish ES cells, b1astocysts in IVF and parthenogenetic groups were treated by immunosurgery and recovered inner cell mass (ICM) cells were cultured in LIF added ES culture medium. To identify ES cells, the surface markers alkaline phosphatase, SSEA-1, 3,4 and Oct4 staining were examined in rep1ated ICM colonies. Chromosome numbers in P-mES and mES were checked. Also, in vitro differentiation potential of P-mES and mES was examined. Results: Although the cleavage rate (${\geq}$2-cell) was not different between IVF (76.3%) and parthenogenetic group (67.0%), in vitro development rate was significantly low in parthenogenetic group (24.0%) than IVF group (68.4%) (p<0.05). Cell number count of ICM and total cell in parthenogenetic b1astocysts ($9.6{\pm}3.1,\;35.1{\pm}5.2$) were signficantly lower than those of IVF blastocysts ($19.5{\pm}4.7,\;63.2{\pm}13.0$) (p<0.05). Through the serial treatment procedure such as immunosurgery, plating of ICM and colony formation, two ICM colonies in IVF group (mES, 10.0%) and three ICM colonies (P-mES, 42.9%) in parthenogenetic group were able to culture for extended duration (25 and 20 passages, respectively). Using surface markers, alkaline phosphatase, SSEA-l and Oct4 in P-mES and mES colony were positively stained. The number of chromosome was normal in ES colony from two groups. Also, in vitro neural and cardiac cell differentiation derived from mES or P-mES cells was confirmed. Conclusion: This study suggested that P-mES cells can be successfully established and that those cell lines have similar characteristics to mES cells.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.80-80
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• 2003

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms, accompanied by marked cell death in the striatum and cortex. Stereotaxic injection of quinolinic acid (QA) into striatum results in a degeneration of GABAergic neurons and exhibits abnormal motor behaviors typical of the illness. The objective of this study was carried out to obtain basic information about whether parthenogenetic mouse embryonic stem (PmES) cells are suitable for cell replacement therapy of HD. To establish PmES cell lines, hybrid F1 (C57BL/6xCBA/N) mouse oocytes were treated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and cytochalasin-B for 4 hr to initiate spontaneous cleavage. Thus established PmES cells were induced to differentiate using bFGF (20ng/ml) followed by selection of neuronal precursor cells for 8 days in N2 medium. After selection, cells were expanded at the presence of bFGF (20 ng/ml) for another 6 days, then a final differentiation step in N2 medium for 7 days. To establish recipient animal models of HD, young adult mice (7 weeks age ICR mice) were lesioned unilaterally with a stereotaxic injection of QA (60 nM) into the striatum and the rotational behavior of the animals was tested using apomorphine (0.1mg/kg, IP) 7 days after the induction of lesion. Animals rotating more than 120 turns per hour were selected and the differentiated PmES cells (1$\times$10$^4$cells/ul) were implanted into striatum. Four weeks after the graft, immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of cells reactive to anti-NeuN antibody. However, only a slight improvement of motor behavior was observed. By Nissl staining, cell mass resembling tumor was found at the graft site and near cortex which may explain the slight behavioral improvement. Detailed experiment on cell viability, differentiation and migration explanted in vivo is currently being studied.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2011

In general, zona pellucida (ZP) of the blastocyst has to be removed first, then either isolated the inner cell mass (ICM) or ZP-removed whole blastocyst, which is then cultured on the feeder layer to induce ICM outgrowth for the generation of embryonic stem cells (ESC). However, it is unclear whether ICM isolation before seeding on feeder layer is beneficial or not because the interaction between ICM and trophoblasts may affect cellular growth and/or pluripotency during the culture on the feeder. In the present study, two ZP removal methods (mechanically by splitting with a 28-gauge needle versus chemically by the treatment of acid-Tyrode's solution) and two ICM isolation methods (ZP-free whole blastocyst seeding versus mechanical isolation of ICM) were evaluated for the efficient isolation and culture of putative parthenogenetic bovine ESC. The number of maintained outgrown colonies was counted in each experimental group. As the result, mechanical removal of ZP with a needle and followed by whole ZP-free blastocyst seeding on feeder cells tended to attach more on the feeder layer and resulted in more outgrown colonies with its simple and less time-costing benefits. Currently we are generating ESC lines in HanWoo cattle by using this method for initial outgrowth of the parthenogenetic bovine blastocysts.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2017

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a biological membranes compound. As the antioxidant, it decreases the oxidized forms of other antioxidant substances such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione (GSH). To examine the effect of ALA on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes, we investigated intracellular GSH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). Intracellular GSH levels in oocytes treated with 50uM ALA increased significantly (P < 0.05) and exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in intracellular ROS levels compared with the control group. Oocytes matured with 50 uM of ALA during IVM displayed significantly higher cleavage rates (67.8% vs. 83.4%, respectively), and higher blastocyst formation rates and total cell number of blastocysts after PA (31.6%, 58.49 vs. 46.8%, 68.58, respectively) than the control group. In conclusion, these results suggest that treatment with ALA during IVM improves the cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes by increasing the intracellular GSH levels, thereby decreasing the intracellular ROS levels and subsequent embryonic developmental potential of PA.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2002

Objective : This study was to establish a reproducible differentiation system from the parthenogenetic mouse embryonic stem (P-mES02) cells into functional cardiomyocytes like as in vitro fertilization mouse embryonic stem (mES01) cells. Materials and Methods: To induce differentiation, P-mES02 cells were dissociated and aggregated in suspension culture environment for embryoid body (EB) formation. For differentiation into cardiomyocytes, day 4 EBs were treated with 0.75% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for another 4 days (4-/4+) and then were plated onto gelatin-coated dish. Cultured cells were observed daily using an inverted light microscope to determine the day of contraction onset and total duration of continuous contractile activity for each contracting focus. This frequency was compared with the results of DMSO not treated P-mES02 group (4-/4-) and mES01 groups (4-/4+ or 4-/4-). For confirm the generation of cardiomyocytes, beating cell masses were treated with trypsin-EDTA, dispersed cells were plated onto glass coverslips and incubated for 48 h. Attached cells were fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde and incubated with specific antibodies (Abs) to detect cardiomyocytes (anti-sarcomeric ? -actinin Ab, 1 : 100; anti-cardiac troponin I Ab, 1 : 2000) for 1 h. And the cells were finally treated with FITC or TRITC labelled 2nd Abs, respectively, then they were examined under fluorescence microscopy. Results: Rhythmically contracting areas in mES01 or P-mES02 cells were firstly appeared at 9 or 10 days after EBs plating, respectively. The highest cumulative frequency of beating EBs was not different in both treatment groups (mES01 and P-mES02, 4-/4+) with the results of 61.3 % at 13 days and 69.8% at 15 days, respectively. Also, the contracting duration of individual beating EBs was different from minimal 7 days to maximal 53 days. However, DMSO not treated groups (mES01 and P-mES02, 4-/4-) also had contracting characteristics although their frequency was a few compared to those of DMSO treated groups (6.0% and 4.0%). Cells recovered from the spontaneously contracting areas within EBs in both treated groups were stained positively with muscle specific anti-sarcomeric ? -actinin Ab and cardiac specific anti-cardiac troponin I Ab. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the P-mES02 cell-derived cardiomyocytes displayed similarly structural properties to mES01 cell-derived cardiomyocytes and that the DMSO treatment enhanced the cardiomyocytes differentiation in vitro.