• BMB Reports
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• 제51권11호
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• pp.578-583
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• 2018

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein complexes that function to protect eukaryotic chromosomes from recombination and erosion. Several telomere binding proteins (TBPs) have been characterized in higher plants, but their detailed in vivo functions at the plant level are largely unknown. In this study, we identified and characterized OsTRFL1 (Oryza sativa Telomere Repeat-binding Factor Like 1) in rice, a monocot model crop. Although OsTRFL1 did not directly bind to telomere repeats $(TTTAGGG){_4}$ in vitro, it was associated with telomeric sequences in planta. OsTRFL1 interacted with rice TBPs, such as OsTRBF1 and RTBP1, in yeast and plant cells as well as in vitro. Thus, it seems likely that the association of OsTRFL1 with other TBPs enables OsTRFL1 to bind to telomeres indirectly. T-DNA inserted OsTRFL1 knock-out mutant rice plants displayed significantly longer telomeres (6-25 kb) than those (5-12 kb) in wild-type plants, indicating that OsTRFL1 is a negative factor for telomere lengthening. The reduced levels of OsTRFL1 caused serious developmental defects in both vegetative and reproductive organs of rice plants. These results suggest that OsTRFL1 is an essential factor for the proper maintenance of telomeres and normal development of rice.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1996년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.80-104
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• 1996

The development of routine techniques for the isolation and in vitro maintenance of conducting airway epithelial cells in a differentiated state provides an ideal model to study the factors involved in the regulation of the expression of mucocilicary differentiation. Several key factors and conditions have been identified. These factors and conditions include the use of biphasic culture technique to achieve mucociliary differentiation and the use of such stimulators, the thickness of collagen gel substratum, the calcium level, and vitamin A, and such inhibitors, the growth factors EGF and insulin, and steroid hormones, for mucous cell differentiation. Using the defined culture medium, the life cycle of the mucous cell population in vitro was investigated. It was demonstrated that the majority of the mucous cell population in primary cultures is not involved in DNA replication. However, the mucous cell type is capable of self-renewal in culture and this reproduction is vitamin A dependent. furthermore, differentiation from non-mucous cell type to mucous cell type can be demonstrated by adding back a positive regulator such as vitamin A to the “starved” culture. Cell kinetics data suggest that vitamin A-dependent mucous cell differentiation in culture is a DNA replication-independent process and the process is inhibited by TGF-${\beta}$1.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.13-25
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• 2016

Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered to play major roles during the induction of T cell immune responses as well as the maintenance of T cell tolerance. Naive CD4⁺ T cells have been shown to respond with high plasticity to signals inducing their polarization into effector/helper or regulatory T cells. Data obtained from in vitro generated bone-marrow (BM)-derived DCs as well as genetic mouse models revealed an important but not exclusive role of DCs in shaping CD4⁺ T cell responses. Besides the specialization of some conventional DC subsets for the induction of polarized immunity, also the maturation stage, activation of specialized transcription factors and the cytokine production of DCs have major impact on CD4⁺ T cells. Since in vitro generated BM-DCs show a high diversity to shape CD4⁺ T cells and their high similarity to monocyte-derived DCs in vivo, this review reports data mainly on BM-DCs in this process and only touches the roles of transcription factors or of DC subsets, which have been discussed elsewhere. Here, recent findings on 1) the conversion of naive into anergic and further into Foxp3^- regulatory T cells (Treg) by immature DCs, 2) the role of RelB in steady state migratory DCs (ssmDCs) for conversion of naive T cells into Foxp3⁺ Treg, 3) the DC maturation signature for polarized Th2 cell induction and 4) the DC source of IL-12 for Th1 induction are discussed.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권9호
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• pp.472-477
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• 2020

Osteoclasts are hematopoietic-derived cells that resorb bone. They are required to maintain proper bone homeostasis and skeletal strength. Although osteoclast differentiation depends on receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) stimulation, additional molecules further contribute to osteoclast maturation. Here, we demonstrate that protocadherin-7 (Pcdh7) regulates formation of multinucleated osteoclasts and contributes to maintenance of bone homeostasis. We found that Pcdh7 expression is induced by RANKL stimulation, and that RNAi-mediated knockdown of Pcdh7 resulted in impaired formation of osteoclasts. We generated Pcdh7-deficient mice and found increased bone mass due to decreased bone resorption but without any defect in bone formation. Using an in vitro culture system, it was revealed that formation of multinucleated osteoclasts is impaired in Pcdh7-deficient cultures, while no apparent defects were observed in differentiation and function of Pcdh7-deficient osteoblasts. Taken together, these results reveal an osteoclast cell-intrinsic role for Pcdh7 in maintaining bone homeostasis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권8호
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• pp.1164-1169
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• 2009

비정상적 DNA메칠화는 암 발생에 있어 중요한 역할을 한다. 최근 연구에 의하면 암줄기세포 유지에 있어 DNA과메칠화가 연관되어 있다고 보고하고 있다. 따라서 본 연구는 4T1 유방암 실험모델에서 demethylating agent인 AZA 처리에 따른 후성유전적 변화가 암줄기세포의 유지 및 증식에 있어 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 조사 하였다. 4T1 세포에서 AZA 처리에 따른 tumorsphere 형성이 감소 하는 것을 in vitro 실험을 통해 관찰 하였고, in vivo 실험에서는 줄기세포 조절 유전자들 (Oct-4, Nanog. Sox2)의 발현이 감소 되는 것을 확인 하였다. 본 연구 결과로 볼 때 4T1 유방암 실험모델에서 AZA에 의한 후성유전적 변화는 줄기세포 조절 유전자(SRG)들의 발현을 조절하면서 암줄기세포 특성을 변화시켜 암줄기세포의 증식 및 유지를 억제 할 것으로 사료된다. 향후 이러한 DNA 메칠화 억제를 항암치료에 응용하면, 암줄기세포를 파괴함으로써 암의 재발 및 악성화를 효과적으로 제어 할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.239-244
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• 2015

본 연구는 자생 난초과식물인 금새우난초의 기내 비대배 유도, 발아 및 배직경에 미치는 몇 가지 영향(NaOCl, 배지, 식물생장조절제)을 조사하기 위해 수행되었다. 1% NaOCl을 30분간 처리한 후 POM배지에 배양할 경우, 비대배 유도는 28.3%, 발아율은 54.8%, 배직경은 $205.8{\mu}m$로 가장 높게 조사되었다. NaOCl 무처리 종자를 POM배지에 배양할 경우, 비대배 유도는 8.5%, 발아율은 13.4%, 배직경은 $14.6{\mu}m$로 조사되었다. 또한 식물생장조절물질의 처리가 발아에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과, 1.0 mg/L의 BA 처리구(95.6%)의 발아율은 대조구(54.5%)에 비해 1.75배 높게 조사되었다. AC와 sucrose의 처리 농도가 기내 식물체 생장에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과, 엽장은 10 g/L의 sucrose 처리구에서 6.8 cm로 가장 길었고, 대조구는 3.3 cm로 가장 짧았다. 근장은 50 g/L의 sucrose 처리구에서 5.8 cm로 가장 길었고, 대조구는 1.7 cm로 가장 짧았다. 생중량과 건중량은 AC와 sucrose 처리구가 대조구에 비해 2~5배 이상 높은 결과를 보였다. 결과적으로 본 연구는 금새우난초의 기내 발아 및 증식에 미치는 몇 가지 요인에 관해 구체적인 결과를 제시하였고, 이러한 결과는 향후 자생 난초과식물의 증식 및 보존전략 개발에 중요한 기초자료로 제공 될 것이다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.131-143
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• 2003

메뚜기 체내와 체외에서 혈구 분화경로를 광학현미경과 전자현미경으로 관찰하였다. 조혈기관에서 혈구의 형성은 망상세포에 둘러싸인 줄기세포에서부터 유래되었으며, 줄기세포에서부터 원시혈구, 무정형혈구, I형 과립혈구, II형 과립혈구, 소구혈구 및 편도혈구가 각각 분화되는 것을 확인하였다. 곤충배지에 배양된 조혈조직에서 각각 다른 형태의 혈구들이 분화되어 방출되었다. 그러나, 이들 혈구들의 유사분열상은 관찰되지 않았다. 배지의 조혈기관에서 분화된 세포들의 형태학적 특징들은 메뚜기 체내의 조혈기관에서 분화된 세포들과 같았다. 이와 같은 결과는 줄기세포가 각각의 서로 다른 혈구들로 직접 분화하는 것을 의미한다. 본 연구 결과 조혈기관의 줄기세포는 각각의 혈구로 직접 분화할 수 있는 기능을 가지고 있었으며, 체내와 체외에서 한번 형성된 순환 혈구는 다른 혈구의 형태로 변형되지 않았다. 메뚜기에서 순환혈구의 유지는 복부 등쪽 첫 번째 마디에서 여덟 번째 마디 사이의 익상근 위에 광범위하게 존재하고 있는 조혈기관에 전적으로 의존하였다.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.310-316
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• 2016

In this study, the anti-osteoarthritis effects of Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa, and Angelica gigas extract (CPAE), observed and confirmed in previously clinical studies were further investigated by in vitro and in vivo studies. Anabolic biomarkers related to healthy cartilage maintenance, such as aggrecan, type II collagen ${\alpha}$-1 (Col2a1), sex determining region Y-box-9 (Sox-9), and catabolic biomarkers related to osteoarthritis, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (Mmp13), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($Nf{\kappa}b$), were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and reporter gene assay. In vitro study results showed significant changes in both anabolic and catabolic biomarkers. For anabolic factors, significant changes in the level of aggrecan (P<0.05), Col2a1 (P<0.05), and Sox-9 (P<0.01) activation were shown after treatment of cartilage cells with CPAE (50 ng/mL) with similar efficacy compared to insulin growth factor, the positive control (100 ng/mL). For catabolic factors, significant changes in the inhibition activity of Cox-2 (P<0.05), Mmp13 (P<0.01), and $Nf{\kappa}b$ (P<0.05) were shown for CPAE (50 ng/mL) with similar efficacy compared to Celecoxib, the positive control ($10{\mu}M$). In the in vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema model study results showed that CPAE-treated groups (100 mg/kg) and Celecoxib-treated groups (60 mg/kg) showed comparably significant efficacy of inhibition by 37.1% and 52.1%, respectively. Furthermore, CPAE (200 mg/kg) showed similar effect to Celecoxib (60 mg/kg) with an inhibition rate of 54.3%. This result confirms that CPAE effectively inhibited the inflammation-induced osteoarthritis symptoms.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.75-85
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• 2019

Omega-3 α-linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid are essential fatty acids for health maintenance of human and animals because they are not synthesized in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid supplementation on in vitro maturation and developmental potential of porcine oocytes. Various concentrations of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid were added into in vitro maturation medium, and we evaluated the degree of cumulus expansion, oocyte nuclear-maturation rate, blastocyst rate, blastocyst quality, and levels of prostaglandin E₂, 17β-estradiol, and progesterone in the spent medium. High doses (100 μM) of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid supplementation significantly inhibited cumulus expansion and oocyte nuclear maturation, and prostaglandin E₂ synthesis also significantly decreased compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 50 μM α-linolenic acid and 10 μM linoleic acid showed higher quality blastocysts in terms of high cell numbers and low apoptosis when compared with other groups (p < 0.05), and synthesis ratio of 17β-estradiol / progesterone also significantly increased compared with control group (3.59 ± 0.22 vs. 2.97 ± 0.22, 3.4 ± 0.28 vs. 2.81 ± 0.19, respectively; p < 0.05). Our results indicated that supplementation with appropriate levels of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid beneficially affects the change of hormone synthesis (in particular, an appropriate increase in the 17β-estradiol / progesterone synthesis ratio) for controlling oocyte maturation, leading to improved embryo quality. However, high doses of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid treatment results in detrimental effects.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.473-479
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• 2014

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs, also called germline stem cells) are self-renewing unipotent stem cells that produce differentiating germ cells in the testis. SSCs can be isolated from the testis and cultured in vitro for long-term periods in the presence of feeder cells (often mouse embryonic fibroblasts). However, the maintenance of SSC feeder culture systems is tedious because preparation of feeder cells is needed at each subculture. In this study, we developed a Matrigel-based feeder-free culture system for long-term propagation of SSCs. Although several in vitro SSC culture systems without feeder cells have been previously described, our Matrigel-based feeder-free culture system is time- and cost-effective, and preserves self-renewability of SSCs. In addition, the growth rate of SSCs cultured using our newly developed system is equivalent to that in feeder cultures. We confirmed that the feeder-free cultured SSCs expressed germ cell markers both at the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the functionality of feeder-free cultured SSCs was confirmed by their transplantation into germ cell-depleted mice. These results suggest that our newly developed feeder-free culture system provides a simple approach to maintaining SSCs in vitro and studying the basic biology of SSCs, including determination of their fate.