• BMB Reports
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• 제57권7호
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• pp.311-317
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• 2024

Brain organoid is a three-dimensional (3D) tissue derived from stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that reflect real human brain structure. It replicates the complexity and development of the human brain, enabling studies of the human brain in vitro. With emerging technologies, its application is various, including disease modeling and drug screening. A variety of experimental methods have been used to study structural and molecular characteristics of brain organoids. However, electrophysiological analysis is necessary to understand their functional characteristics and complexity. Although electrophysiological approaches have rapidly advanced for monolayered cells, there are some limitations in studying electrophysiological and neural network characteristics due to the lack of 3D characteristics. Herein, electrophysiological measurement and analytical methods related to neural complexity and 3D characteristics of brain organoids are reviewed. Overall, electrophysiological understanding of brain organoids allows us to overcome limitations of monolayer in vitro cell culture models, providing deep insights into the neural network complex of the real human brain and new ways of disease modeling.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.69-73
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• 2011

High-voltage electron microscope (HVEM) has higher resolution and penetration power than conventional transmission electron microscope that could be load thick specimen. Some researchers have taken this advantage of HVEM to explore 3-dimensional configuration of the biological structures including tissue and cells. Whole mount preparations has been employed to study some cell lines and primary culture cells. In this study, we would like to introduce useful whole mount preparation method for neuronal studies. The plastic coverslips were punched, covered by formvar membrane and coated with carbon. The neurons obtained embryonic 18 rat hippocampus were seeded on the prepared cover slip. The coverslips were fixed, dried in freeze drier and kept in a descicator until HVEM observation. We could observe detailed neuronal structures such as soma, dendrite and spine under HVEM without conventional thin section and heavy metal stain. The anaglyphic image based on stereo paired image ($-8^{\circ},+8^{\circ}$) provides three dimensional perception of the neuronal dendrites and their spines. This method could be applied to sophisticated analysis of dendritic spine under the various experimental conditions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.321-329
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• 2019

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is a common dermatological condition of psychosocial significance; development of therapeutic candidates for the treatment of this condition is, hence, important. Silibinin, a secondary metabolite from Silybum marianum, is an effective antioxidant that also prevents various cutaneous problems. In this study, we have investigated the effect of silibinin on hair induction using three-dimensional (3D) cultured, human dermal papilla (DP) spheroids. Silibinin was found to significantly increase viability through AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) activation in 3D DP spheroids. This was correlated with an increase in the diameter of the 3D DP spheroids. The activation of the wingless and INT-1 (Wnt)/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway, which is associated with hair growth induction in the DP, was evaluated using the T cell-specific transcription factor and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factor reporter assay; results indicated significantly increased luciferase activity. In addition, we were able to demonstrate increased expression of the target genes, WNT5a and LEF1, using quantitative real-time PCR assay. Lastly, significantly elevated expression of signature genes associated with hair induction was demonstrated in the 3D DP spheroids treated with silibinin. These results suggest that silibinin promotes proliferation and hair induction through the AKT and Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathways in 3D DP spheroids. Silibinin can be a potential candidate to promote hair proliferation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.175-184
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and conditioned medium (CM) derived from endometrial stromal cells on mouse preantral follicle culture in a two-dimensional system to produce competent mature oocytes for fertilization. Methods: In total, 240 preantral follicles were isolated from female mouse ovarian tissue and divided into four groups. The preantral follicles were isolated three times for each group and then cultured, respectively, in the presence of alpha minimum essential medium (control), PRP, CM, and PRP+CM. The in vitro growth, in vitro maturation, and cleavage percentage of the preantral follicles were investigated. Immunocytochemistry (IHC) was also conducted to monitor the meiotic progression of the oocytes. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the two folliculogenesis-related genes (Gdf9 and Bmp15) and two apoptosis-related genes (Bcl2 and Bax) were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: In the PRP, CM, and PRP+CM groups, the preantral follicle maturation (evaluated by identifying polar bodies) were greater than the control group. The cleavage rate in the CM, and PRP+CM groups were also greater than the control group. IHC analysis demonstrated that in each treatment group, meiotic spindle was normal. In the PRP+CM group, the gene expression levels of Bmp15, Gdf9, and Bcl2 were greater than in the other groups. The Bax gene was more strongly expressed in the PRP and control groups than in the other groups. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that the combination of CM and PRP can effectively increase the growth and cleavage rate of mouse preantral follicles in vitro.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제87권1호
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• pp.52-64
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• 2024

Chronic respiratory diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory infections injure the alveoli; the damage evoked is mostly irreversible and occasionally leads to death. Achieving a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of these fatal respiratory diseases has been hampered by limited access to human alveolar tissue and the differences between mice and humans. Thus, the development of human alveolar organoid (AO) models that mimic in vivo physiology and pathophysiology has gained tremendous attention over the last decade. In recent years, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been successfully employed to generate several types of organoids representing different respiratory compartments, including alveolar regions. However, despite continued advances in three-dimensional culture techniques and single-cell genomics, there is still a profound need to improve the cellular heterogeneity and maturity of AOs to recapitulate the key histological and functional features of in vivo alveolar tissue. In particular, the incorporation of immune cells such as macrophages into hPSC-AO systems is crucial for disease modeling and subsequent drug screening. In this review, we summarize current methods for differentiating alveolar epithelial cells from hPSCs followed by AO generation and their applications in disease modeling, drug testing, and toxicity evaluation. In addition, we review how current hPSC-AOs closely resemble in vivo alveoli in terms of phenotype, cellular heterogeneity, and maturity.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.681-687
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• 2018

홍해삼 또는 Apostichopus japonicas는 동남아시아에서 발견되는 stichopodiae의 한 종이다. 본 연구에서는 홍해삼의 화장품 소재로서 사용가능한지 알아보기 위해 홍해삼 추출물의 미백, 항주름에 관한 실험을 진행하였다. tyrosinase 활성 분석 결과, 홍해삼 추출물 $200{\mu}g/ml$에서 tyrosinase 활성을 억제하였다. 또한, 홍해삼은 tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, MITF 및 matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs)의 mRNA 발현을 억제하였다. 이어서 HaCaT과 human Fibroblast를 이용한 3차원 세포배양을 통해 홍해삼의 피부 턴오버 주기 개선효과를 검증하였다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 홍해삼이 높은 미백효과 및 주름개선효과를 가지는 화장품 소재로서 충분한 가치를 지닐 것으로 판단된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권7호
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• pp.476-484
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• 2024

항암 활성 연구를 위한 최적의 모델로서 2-D culture 모델은 여전히 널리 사용되고 있으나, 종양 환경에 더 잘 근접할 수 있는 3D MTS 모델은 시험관 내 모델 연구와 동물 모델 연구 간의 격차를 해소하기 위한 대안이 될 수 있다. Isoalantolactone은 목향(木香: Elecampane, Inula helenium L.)을 포함한 약용 식물에서 발견되는 sesquiterpene lactone 중의 하나로서 항암 활성을 포함한 다양한 약리학적 활성을 가지고 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 HCC Hep3B 세포에서 유래된 2D 모델에서 관찰된 isoalantolactone의 항암 활성이 3D MTS 모델에서도 재현될 수 있는지를 조사하였다. 우리들의 결과에 의하면 isoalantolactone은 처리 농도 의존적으로 MTSs 형성을 억제하였으며, ROS 생성의 증가를 동반하였다. 특히 isoalantolactone 처리 및 배양 시간이 증가하면서 증식성 세포 영역이 세포사멸이 유발된 세포로 대체되었다. 또한, MTSs에서 isoalantolactone은 DR 관련 단백질들의 발현과 caspase-3의 활성을 증가시켰고, Bax/Bcl-2 발현 비율 및 총 PARP 단백질의 발현은 감소시켰다. 그러나 ROS의 생성을 인위적으로 차단하였을 경우, isoalantolactone에 의한 이러한 변화들이 모두 차단되면서 MTSs 구성 세포들의 세포 생존율을 회복시켰다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 isoalantolactone에 의한 Hep3B 세포 유래 MTSs의 세포사멸 유도는 외인성 및 내인성 경로의 활성화를 통하여 이루어지며 이는 ROS 의존적임을 시사한다.

• 폴리머
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.14-21
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• 2006

조직공학 기술은 in vitro와 in vivo에서 초기 세포 부착과 차후의 조직형성을 위해 3차원적인 지지체로서 다공성의 생분해성 담체의 사용이 필수적이다. 소장점막하조직(small intestinal submucosa, SIS)은 고유의 인장력과 생체적합성 때문에 생체물질로서 사용될 잠재력을 가지고 있는 콜라겐 조직이다. 근육유래 줄기세포는 배양조건에 따라 골세포, 연골세포, 및 근육세포 등으로 분화가 가능하다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 SIS를 함유한 락타이드-글리콜라이드 공중합체(PLGA) 다공성 지지체를 용매캐스팅/염추출법으로 제조하였고, 전자주사현미경 및 수은다공측정계를 이용하여 특성을 결정하였다 세포의 생존율과 성장률은 MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide) 분석 방법을 이용하였고 골로 분화된 세포를 알칼라인 포스파테이즈(ALP) 활성을 측정하여 확인하였다. SIS가 함유된 지지체와 SIS가 함유되지 않은 지지체를 면역결핍 쥐의 피하에 삽입하여 이들의 골형성 정도를 비교하여 보았다. 조직을 파라핀으로 고정시켜 슬라이드를 제조한 후 hematoxylin과 eosin, 트라이크롬 및 본쿠사 염색을 실시하였다. 천연/합성 하이브리드 담체로서의 SIS/PLGA 담체가 PLGA 단독으로 사용하였을 때와 비교하여 볼 때 골형성이 우수하였는데 이는 SIS 내에 함유하고 있는 여러 생체활성분자에 기인한 것으로 추측되었다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.1-23
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• 2001

Chitosan is biodegradable natural polymer that has been demonstrated its ability to improve wound healing, and calcium metaphosphate(CMP) is a unique class of phosphate minerals having a polymeric structure. In this study, chitosan/CMP and platelet derived growth factor(PDGF-BB) loaded chitosan/CMP sponges were developed, and the effect of the sponges on bone regeneration and their possibility as scaffolds for bone formation by three-dimensional osteoblast culture were examined. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponges were prepared by freeze-drying of a mixture of chitosan solution and CMP powder, and soaking in a PDGF-BB solution. Fabricated sponge retained its 3-dimensional porous structure with $100-200\;{\mu}m$ pores. The release kinetics of PDGF-BB loaded onto the sponge were measured in vitro with $^{125}I-labeled$ PDGF-BB. In order to examine their possibility as scaffolds for bone formation, fetal rat calvarial osteoblastic cells were isolated, cultured, and seeded into the sponges. The cell-sponge constructs were cultured for 28 days. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity were measured at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days, and histologic examination was performed. In order to examine the effect on the healing of bone defect, the sponges were implanted into rat calvarial defects. Rats were sacrificed 2 and 4 weeks after implantation and histologic and histomorphometrical examination were performed. An effective therapeutic concentration of PDGF-BB following a high initial burst release was maintained throughout the examination period. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponges supported the proliferation of seeded osteoblastic cells as well as their differentiation as indicated by high alkaline phosphatase activities. Histologic findings indicated that seeded osteoblastic cells well attached to sponge matrices and proliferated in a multi-layer fashion. In the experiments of implantation in rat calvarial defects, histologic and histomorphometric examination revealed that chitosan/CMP sponge promoted osseous healing as compared to controls. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponge further echanced bone regeneration. These results suggested that PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponge was a feasable scaffolding material to grow osteoblast in a three-dimentional structure for transplantation into a site for bone regeneration.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제67권
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• pp.388-395
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• 2018

Significant efforts have been applied toward fabricating three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds using 3D-bioprinting tissue engineering techniques. Gelatin has been used in 3D-bioprinting to produce designed 3D scaffolds; however, gelatin has a poor printability and is not useful for fabricating desired 3D scaffolds using 3D-bioprinting. In this study, we fabricated pore size controlled 3D gelatin scaffolds with two step 3D-bioprinting approach: a low-temperature ($-10^{\circ}C$) freezing step and a crosslinking process. The scaffold was crosslinked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The pore sizes of the produced 3D gelatin scaffolds were approximately 30% smaller than the sizes of the designed pore sizes. The surface morphologies and pore sizes of the 3D gelatin scaffolds were confirmed and measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were cultured on a 3D gelatin scaffold to evaluate the effect of the 3D gelatin scaffold pore size on the cell proliferation. After 14 days of culture, HDFs proliferation throughout the 3D gelatin scaffolds prepared with more than $580{\mu}m$ pore size was approximately 14% higher than proliferation throughout the 3D gelatin scaffold prepared with a $435{\mu}m$ pore size. These results suggested that control over the 3D gelatin scaffold pore size is important for tissue engineering scaffolds.