• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2020

Diabetes mellitus is a common heterogeneous metabolic disorder, characterized by deposition of extracellular matrix, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction, thereby leading to gradual loss of function in multiple organs. However, little attention has been paid to gene expression changes in the lung under hyperglycemic conditions. In this study, we found that diabetes inuced histological changes in the lung of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Global gene expression profiling revealed a set of genes that are up- and down-regulated in the lung of diabetic mice. Among these, expression of Amigo2, Adrb2, and Zbtb16 were confirmed at the transcript level to correlate significantly with hyperglycemia in the lung. We further evaluated the effect of human umbilical cord-derived perivascular stem cells (PVCs) on these gene expression in the lung of diabetic mice. Our results show that administration of PVC-conditioned medium significantly suppressed Amig2, Adrb2, and Zbtb16 upregulation in these mice, suggesting that these genes may be useful indicators of lung injury during hyperglycemia. Furthermore, PVCs offer a promising alternative cell therapy for treating diabetic complications via regulation of gene expression.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.519-524
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to establish the most effective method of cell therapy by comparing and analyzing the level of wound healing after various cell delivery methods. Methods: Human mesenchymal stem cells were administered using 5 different methods on full thickness skin defects which were deliberately created on the back of 4 - week old mice using a 8 mm punch. Different modes of administration, cell suspension, local injection, collagen GAG matrix seeding, fibrin, and hydrogel mix methods were used. In each experiment group, $4{\times}105$ mesenchymal stem cells were administered according to 5 deferent methods, and were not for the corresponding control group. Results: The wound healing rate was fastest in the local injection group. The wound healing rate was relatively slow in the collagen matrix group, however, the number of blood vessels or VEGF increased most in this group. Conclusion: For rapid wound healing through wound contraction, it is advantageous to administer MSC by the local injection method. For the healing process of a wide area, such as a burn, the seeding of cells to collagen matrix is thought to be effective.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proposed as an alternative therapy to be applied into several pathologies of the nervous system. These cells can be obtained from adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood and bone marrow, among other tissues, and have remarkable therapeutic properties. MSCs can be isolated with high yield, which adds to their ability to differentiate into non-mesodermal cell types including neuronal lineage both in vivo and in vitro. They are able to restore damaged neural tissue, thus being suitable for the treatment of neural injuries, and possess immunosuppressive activity, which may be useful for the treatment of neurological disorders of inflammatory etiology. Although the long-term safety of MSC-based therapies remains unclear, a large amount of both pre-clinical and clinical trials have shown functional improvements in animal models of nervous system diseases following transplantation of MSCs. In fact, there are several ongoing clinical trials evaluating the possible benefits this cell-based therapy could provide to patients with neurological damage, as well as their clinical limitations. In this review we focus on the potential of MSCs as a therapeutic tool to treat neurological disorders, summarizing the state of the art of this topic and the most recent clinical studies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.580-590
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• 2021

Patients with severe asthma have unmet clinical needs for effective and safe therapies. One possibility may be mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, which can improve asthma in murine models. However, it remains unclear how MSCs exert their beneficial effects in asthma. Here, we examined the effect of human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUC-MSC) on two mouse models of severe asthma, namely, Alternaria alternata-induced and house dust mite (HDM)/diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced asthma. hUC-MSC treatment attenuated lung type 2 (Th2 and type 2 innate lymphoid cell) inflammation in both models. However, these effects were only observed with particular treatment routes and timings. In vitro co-culture showed that hUC-MSC directly downregulated the interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 production of differentiated mouse Th2 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asthma patients. Thus, these results showed that hUC-MSC treatment can ameliorate asthma by suppressing the asthmogenic cytokine production of effector cells. However, the successful clinical application of MSCs in the future is likely to require careful optimization of the route, dosage, and timing.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.403-412
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• 2022

Hypoxia leads to significant cellular stress that has diverse pathological consequences such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of regulators of the adaptive pathway in hypoxia. We identified a hypoxia-induced miRNA, miR-34c, that was significantly upregulated in hypoxic human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in murine blood vessels on day 3 of hindlimb ischemia (HLI). miR-34c directly inhibited BCL2 expression, acting as a toggle switch between apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo. BCL2 repression by miR-34c activated autophagy, which was evaluated by the expression of LC3-II. Overexpression of miR-34c inhibited apoptosis in HUVEC as well as in a murine model of HLI, and increased cell viability in HUVEC. Importantly, the number of viable cells in the blood vessels following HLI was increased by miR-34c overexpression. Collectively, our findings show that miR-34c plays a protective role in hypoxia, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for hypoxic and ischemic diseases in the blood vessels.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.833-845
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• 2022

Although asthma is a common chronic airway disease that responds well to anti-inflammatory agents, some patients with asthma are unresponsive to conventional treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases owing to their immunomodulatory properties. However, the target cells of MSCs are not yet clearly known. This study aimed to determine the effect of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) on asthmatic lungs by modulating innate immune cells and effector T cells using a murine asthmatic model. Intravenously administered hUC-MSCs reduced airway resistance, mucus production, and inflammation in the murine asthma model. hUC-MSCs attenuated not only T helper (Th) 2 cells and Th17 cells but also augmented regulatory T cells (Tregs). As for innate lymphoid cells (ILC), hUC-MSCs effectively suppressed ILC2s by downregulating master regulators of ILC2s, such as Gata3 and Tcf7. Finally, regarding lung macrophages, hUC-MSCs reduced the total number of macrophages, particularly the proportion of the enhanced monocyte-derived macrophage population. In a closer examination of monocyte-derived macrophages, hUC-MSCs reduced the M2a and M2c populations. In conclusion, hUC-MSCs can be considered as a potential anti-asthmatic treatment given their therapeutic effect on the asthmatic airway inflammation in a murine asthma model by modulating innate immune cells, such as ILC2s, M2a, and M2c macrophages, as well as affecting Tregs and effector T cells.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.490-497
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• 2019

Owing to the recent advances in biological knowledge on stem cells, many efforts are being made to apply them to clinical practice. Although mesenchymal stem cells were first found in bone marrow aspirates, they are understood to be multipotent stromal cells that can be extracted from a variety of tissues, such as adipose, dermal, skeletal muscle, and umbilical-cord tissues. The osteogenicity of mesenchymal stem cells has been verified through various experiments and animal studies. Some successful bone regenerations have also been reported in difficult clinical situations, such as large bone defects, osteonecrosis, and nonunion. On the other hand, there are no standardized indications or application methods for each clinical situation, and convincing evidence of its efficacy and safety is still lacking. Bone regeneration therapies using mesenchymal stem cells are likely to expand further in the future, but there are some issues that need to be addressed in order for them be recognized as standard treatments.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.218-232
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• 2023

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of a tube-shaped poly(ε) caprolactone - β tricalcium phosphate (PCL-TCP) scaffold with the incorporation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for bone regeneration in the procedure of single-stage sinus augmentation and dental implantation in minipigs. Methods: Implants were placed in the bilateral sides of the maxillary sinuses of 5 minipigs and allocated to a PCL-TCP+hUCMSCs+PRP group (n=5), a PCL-TCP+PRP group (n=5), and a PCL-TCP-only group (n=6). After 12 weeks, bone regeneration was evaluated with soft X-rays, micro-computed tomography, fluorescence microscopy, and histomorphometric analysis. Results: Four implants failed (2 each in the PCL-TCP+hUCMSCs+PRP and PCLTCP+hUCMSC groups). An analysis of the grayscale levels and bone-implant contact ratio showed significantly higher mean values in the PCL-TCP+hUCMSCs+PRP than in the PCL-TCP group (P=0.045 and P=0.016, respectively). In fluoromicroscopic images, new bone formation around the outer surfaces of the scaffolds was observed in the PCLTCP+hUCMSCs+PRP group, suggesting a tenting effect of the specially designed scaffolds. Bone regeneration at the scaffold-implant interfaces was observed in all 3 groups. Conclusions: Using a tube-shaped, honeycombed PCL-TCP scaffold with hUCMSCs and PRP may serve to enhance bone formation and dental implants' osseointegration in the procedure of simultaneous sinus lifting and dental implantation.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.80-99
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• 2012

It is known that there are two Gabong taesil (shrine for King's umbilical cord) of King Danjong, the 6th king of Joseon, remaining today. One of them is Mt. Sogok in Sacheon-city, Gyeongsangnam-do and the other is Mt. Beomnim in Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The academic sector argued about this matter as there cannot be two Gabong taesil for one king. I once argued that Taesil on Mt. Beomnim in Seongju is King Danjong's Gabong taesil and Danjong taesil in Sacheon is the one for Prince Inseongdaegun, the eldest son of King Yejong. At that time, however, I had not examined the archaeological relics found in these places. In result of making an archaeological approach, I have come to the following conclusions :1. King Danjong had two Taesil : Agi taesil(shrine for baby's umbilical cord) and Gabong taesil. The first Agi taesil was created on Taebong of Mt. Seonseok in Seongju on November 26, 1441, but was moved to Mt. Beomnim in Seongju in 1451 to form the second Agi taesil. In 1458, King Sejo eliminated his Taesil. The stone structures of Gabong taesil still remains on Taebong of Mt. Beomnim, so it has been assumed that King Danjong established them during his reign (1452-1455). 2. Taesil in Sacheon has been known as King Danjong's Taesil because of King Danjong's reinstatement during the reign of King Sukjong. His Taesil was repaired with the reinstatement and King Sukjong was mistaken that Taesil in Sacheon was King Danjong's Taesil to fix it. The time of restoration has been assumed to be soon after the restoration of King Danjong's tomb (1699-1719). Taesil is missing the book of records and rails around the stone structure because the tombs of reinstated kings were restored without rails. 3. It is incorrect that Taesil in Sacheon was known as King Danjong's Taesil, It has been concluded that this Taesil was for Prince Inseongdaegun who was born in 1462. I focused on the fact that Prince Inseongdaegun's Taesil was in Seosamneung Taesil instead of King Danjong's Taesil. When Yiwangjik stored King Danjong's Taesil in Seoul in 1928 and moved it to Seosamneung in 1930, he found that the epitaph on the tombstone recorded that it was Prince Inseongdaegun, not King Danjong, and created Prince Inseongdaegun's Taesil in Seosamneung. I referred to "Taebong", which was created when Seosamneung Taesil was built during the Japanese imperial rule over Joseon, and the relics found in Taesil in Sacheon and Seosamneung.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2003

Coculture of HSC with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) is one of used methods to increase cell numbers before transplant to the patients. However, because of difficulties to purify HSCs after coculture with BM-MSCs, it needs to develop a method to overcome the problem. In the present study, we have examined whether a culture insert placed over a feeder layer might support the expansion of HSCs within the insert. $CD34^+/ $ cells isolated from the umbilical cord blood by using midiMACS were divided into three groups. A group of 1 $\times$ $10^5$ cells were grown on a culture insert without feeder layer (Direct). The same number of HSCs was directly cocultured with BM-MSCs (Contact). The third group was placed onto an insert below which BM-MSCs were grown (Insert). To distinguish feeder cells from HSCs, BM-MSCs was pre-labeled fluorescently with PKH26 and 1 $\times$ $10^5$ cells were seeded in the culture dishes. After culture for 13 days, the expansion factor (x) of HSCs that were grown without feeder layer (Direct) was $26.6 \pm 8.4.$ In contrast, the number of HSCs directly cocultured with feeder layer was 59.6 $\pm$ 0.5 and that of HSCs cultured onto an insert was $46.9 \pm 8.4.$ The percentage of BM-MSCs cells remained being fluorescent was $97.9 \pm 0.3%$ after culture. Immune-phenotypically large proportion of cultured cells were founded to be differentiated into myeloid/monocyte progenitor cells. The ability of BM-MSCs, fetal lung, cartilage and brain tissue cells to support ex vivo expansion of HSCs was also examined using the insert. After 11 days of coculture with each of these cells, the expansion factor of HSCs was 15.0, 39.0, 32.0 and 24.0, respectively. Based upon these observations, it is concluded that the coculture method using insert is very effective to support ex vivo expansion of HSCs and to eliminate the contamination of other cells used to coculture wth HSCs.