Although the mechanism of the abnormal calcification in the calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) was not elucidated so far, it has been known that the ghost cells are closely related to the calcification, producing dystrophic globular cementum-like materials, comparable to pilomatricoma in epithelium1). Here, we presented a case of COC occurred in left maxillary canine area of 23 years old female, exhibiting a collection of aberrant ossification admixed with basophilic ghost cells in comparison with seven cases of COC. In the polarizing microscope observation with Masson trichrome stain the present case clearly disclosed the typical birefringence of bony tissue, stained red in von Gieson stain, indicating the collagenous backbone. Some ghost cells showed the features of interdigitating epithelial attachments, empty spaces of nuclei, and reticular basophilic cytoplasms, which were similar to the basophilic ghost cells of philomatricoma. The present case demonstrated the aberrant ossification by basophilic ghost cells in COC similar to the ossification of pilomatricoma

Recently, extensive research has been performed in the field of orthopedic medicine to develop cell-based therapies for the restoration of injured bone tissue. But there has been rarely reported about rehabilitaton of oral and maxillofacial bone defect using self-derived osteoblasts. Normal human osteoblast cell(NHost) was previously established into marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells for their capacity to proliferate and differentiate into osteoblasts under various culture conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine proliferation and differentiation of NHosts effected by growth factors with ALP activity and RT-PCR. After NHosts were cultured under basal and osteogenic medium at 37℃ and 5% CO2, they were analyzed by ALP activity and RT-PCR. BMP-2 under osteogenic medium decreased growth rate of NHosts compared to under osteogenic medium. BMP-2 under osteogenic medium induced osteoblastic differentiation in NHosts by increased ALP activity. The differentiating capacity of NHosts under osteogenic medium showed that NHosts expressed higher mRNA expression levels of OSX and OCN, while that of RUNX2 decreased after BMP-2 treatment. It suggested that NHosts having characteristics of osteoprecursor cells might be more advanced in their osteogenesis development by BMP-2, making NHosts an interesting biological tool for treatment of skeletal defects and diseases of oral and maxillofacial bone.

Adult stem cell transplantation has been increased every year, because of the lack of organ donors for regenerative medicine. Therefore, development of reliable and safety cryopreservation and bio-baking method for stem cell therapy is urgently needed. The present study investigated safety of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) such as common cryoprotectant on porcine bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (pBM-MSCs) by evaluating the activation of Caspase-3 and -7, apoptosis related important signal pathway. pBM-MSCs used for the present study were isolated density gradient method by Ficoll-Paque Plus and cultured in A-DMEM supplemented 10% FBS at in 5% incubator. pBM-MSCs were cryopreserved in A-DMEM supplemented either with 5%, 10% or 20% DMSO by cooling rate at /min in a Kryo 360 (planner 300, Middlesex, UK) and kept into . Survival rate of cells after thawing did not differ between 5% and 10% DMSO but was lowest in 20% DMSO by 0.4% trypan blue exclusion. Activation of Caspase-3 and -7 by Vybrant FAM Caspase-3 and -7 Assay Assay Kit (Molecular probes, Inc.OR, USA) was analyzed with a flow cytometer. Both of cryopreserved and control groups (fresh pBM-MSCs) were observed after the activation of Caspase-3 and -7. The activation did not differ between 5% and 10% DMSO, but was observed highest in 20% DMSO. Therefore 5% DMSO can be possibly used for cell cryopreservation instead of 10% DMSO.

The synovial tissues are a valuable MSCs source for cartilage tissue engineering because these cells are easily obtainable by the intra-articular biopsy during diagnosis. In this study, we isolated and characterized the canine MSCs derived from synovial fluid of female and male donors. Synovial fluid was flushed with saline solution from pre and post-puberty male (cM1-sMSC and cM2-sMSC) and female (cF1-sMSC and cF2-sMSC) dogs, and cells were isolated and cultured in advanced-DMEM (A-DMEM) supplemented with 10% FBS in a humidified 5% atmosphere at . The cells were evaluated for the expression of the early transcriptional factors, such as Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 by RT-PCR. The cells were induced under conditions conductive for adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, then evaluated by specific staining (Oil red O, von Kossa, and Alcian Blue staining, respectively) and analyzed for lineage specific markers by RT-PCR. All cell types were positive for alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and early transcriptional factors (Oct3/4 and Sox2) were also positively detected. However, Nanog were not positively detected in all cells. Further, these MSCs were observed to differentiate into mesenchymal lineages, such as adipocytes (Oil red O staining), osteocytes (von Kossa staining), and chondrocytes (Alcian Blue staining) by cell specific staining. Lineage-specific genes (osteocyte; osteonectin and Runx2, adipocytes; PRAR-, FABP and LEP, and chondrocytes; collagen type-2 and Sox9) were also detected in all cells. In this study, we successfully established synovial fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells from female and male dogs, and determined their basic biological properties and differentiation ability. These results suggested that synovial fluid is a valuable stem cell source for cartilage regeneration therapy, and it is easily accessible from osteoarthritic knee.

Various small molecules can be used to control major signaling pathways to enhance stemness and inhibit differentiation in murine embryonic stem cell (mESC) culture. Small molecules inhibiting the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/ERK pathway can preserve pluripotent cells from stimulation of differentiation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of pluripotin (SC-1), an inhibitor of the FGF/ERK pathway, on the colony formation of outgrowing presumptive mESCs. After plating the zona pellucida-free blastocyst on the feeder layer, attached cell clumps was cultured with SC-1 until the endpoint of the experiment at passage 10. In this experiment, when the number of colonies was counted at passage 3, SC-1-treated group showed 3.4 fold more mESC colonies when compared with control group. However, after passage 4, there was no stimulating effect of SC-1 on the colony formation. In conclusion, SC-1 treatment can be used to promote mESC generation by increasing the number of early mESC colonies.

The key regulators of apoptosis are the interacting protein of the Bcl-2 family. Bcl-2, an important member of this family, blocks cytochrome C release by sequestering pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins such as Bid, Bad, Bax and Bim. The pro-survival family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-W) are critical for cell survival, since loss of any of them causes cell death in certain cell type. However, its role during early porcine embryonic development is not sufficient. In this study, we traced the effects of Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-737, on early porcine embryonic development. We also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including gene expression (apoptosis-related genes) and apoptosis, which are affected by ABT-737. Porcine embryos were cultured in the PZM-3 medium with or without ABT-737 for 6 days. In result, significant differences in developmental potential were detected between the embryos that were cultured with or without ABT-737 (14.7±3.0 vs 30.3±4.8%, p<0.05). TUNEL assay showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the ABT-737 treated group compared with control (4.7 vs 3.7, p<0.05). The mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in ABT-737 treated group (p<0.05), whereas expressions of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-W) decreased (p<0.05). Also, expressions of the ER stress indicator genes (GRP78, XBP-1 and sXBP-1) increased in ABT-737 treated group (p<0.05). In conclusion, Bcl-2 is closely associated with of apoptosis- and ER stress-related genes expressions and developmental potential in pig embryos.

This study was carried out to investigate effective condition for producing somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos of Jeju native cattle. As donor cells for SCNT, ear skin cells from Jeju native cattle were used. In experiment 1, the effect of recipient oocyte sources on the development of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos were examined. Fusion rate of recipient oocyte and donor cell was not different between the Hanwoo and Holstein recipient oocytes (86.0% vs 89.9%). The rate of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Hanwoo recipient oocytes than in Holstein recipient ones (28.2% vs 14.7%). Blastocysts derived from Hanwoo recipient oocytes contained higher numbers of total cells than those derived from Holstein ones ( vs ), although there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the sources of recipient oocytes. In experiment 2, the development of Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos were compared. Hanwoo oocytes were used as the recipient oocytes. Fusion rate was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos (92.1% vs 92.9%). The blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Jeju native cattle than in Hanwoo (16.9% vs 31.0%). Blastocysts derived from Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos contained smaller numbers of total cells than those derived from Hanwoo ones ( vs ), but there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos. The present study demonstrated that Hanwoo recipient oocytes were more effective in supporting production of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos, although Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos showed reduced developmental capacity when compared to Hanwoo SCNT embryos.

Malignant tumor of the paranasal sinus is a rare, occurring most frequently in the maxillary sinus. Carcinomas of the maxillary sinus are usually diagnosed at the advanced stage because most tumors have no symptom or nonspecific symptoms such as pain, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and epistaxis. In addition to these features, it is difficult to distinguish carcinoma from inflammatory or cystic lesion on imaging study until the carcinoma destroys the surrounding structures. Therefore, the diagnosis is prone to be delayed. Here, we report a case of an 83‐year‐old male with nonkeratinizing carcinoma on the maxillary sinus, which was initially misdiagnosed as a cystic lesion. The aim of this study is to emphasize the effort for early diagnosis in order to improve prognosis and avoid inadequate treatment

The extracellular polysaccharide production from suspension culture of Aloe vera L. was analyzed, and the optimization for suspension cultivation was investigated. From specific polysaccharide assay of glucomannan, FT-IR and 1H NMR spectrum, the extracellular polysacchride from suspension culture was found to be similar to β-1,4-glucomannan originated from Aloe vera fresh leaf. The polysaccharide existed in an acetylated form and its molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography was estimated to be 490 kD (Mn = 440 kD; polydispersity = 1.115). From medium optimization by simplex-cemtroid design using MINITAB®, the callus growth on the 2,4-D of 11.82 μM, kinetin of 13.84 μM and α-naphthalene acetic acid of 4.34 μM was turned out to be significantly superior than the growth on the other culture media combinations. Under this optimal culture media, other conditions such as the suspension culture's temperature, pH and the growth terms were determined. These results showed that the callus growth was optimum at 25oC, pH 5.5 and in 2 weeks. The maximum levels of growth and extracellular polysaccharide production of callus by optimal conditions were about 20.4 and 2.5 g/L, respectively, showing the profile of extracellular polysaccharide production was closely related to the callus growth.

In this study, we determined total polyphenol content(TPC) and total flavonoid content(TFC) of extracts from Korean cabbage and cabbage using a spectrophotometric method as well as glucosinolates concentration by HPLC. TPCs of Korean cabbage and cabbage extracts were 308.48 ㎍ GAE/g dry weight and 344.75 ㎍ GAE/g dry weight, respectively. TFCs of Korean cabbage and cabbage extracts were 5.33 ㎍ QE/g dry weight and 5.95 ㎍ QE/g dry weight, respectively. We found six different glucosinolates, namely progoitrin, glucoalyssin, gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, glucobrassicin and 4- methoxyglucobrassicin in the Korean cabbage extract. In the cabbage extract, there was four glucosinolates, namely glucoraphanin, sinigrin, glucobrassicin and 4-methoxyglucobrassicin. We determined the cytotoxic effect of Korean cabbage and cabbage extracts in AGS human stomach cancer cells, HepG2 human hepatic cancer cells and LNCaP human prostate cancer cells by MTT assay. Dose-dependent relationships were found between the extract concentrations and cancer cell growth inhibition. The overall results support that both Korean cabbage and cabbage, the major vegetables in Korea, contain bioactive compounds such as polypheol, flavonoids as well as glucosinolates and they may play a positive role in cancer prevention.

Several recent studies have detected genetic and cytogenetic alterations in epithelial odontogenic tumors. However, the detailed mechanisms of oncogenesis, cytodifferention, and tumor progression remain unknown. p63 as p53 homolog gene has been identified at loci 3q27-29. The p53 signaling cascade has an important role in oncogenesis or cyto- differentiation of odontogenic epithelium. Recently, several syndromes associated with p63 gene mutations have shown to include various tooth abnormalities of both the primary and permanent dentition. But little is known about p63 expression in odontogenic tumors, especially ameloblastomas. The purpose of this study were to examine various expression of p63 in ameloblastomas by immunohistochemistry and to clarify the possible biological role of p63 in ameloblastomas. 15 specimens including 6 follicular, 4 plexiform, 3 acanthomatous, and 2 granular cell types were fixed in 10% neutral formalin. 4um thick sections were used for routine H&E and immunohistochemical examinations. After immuno- histochemical satining, they were examined at a final magnification of 400X. For each case a minimum of 1000 nuclei located in the central and peripheral layers were counted in up to 10 consecutive microscopic fields per case. The immunoreactive cells were evaluated semiquantitatively. Immunoreactivity for p63 in all the types of ameloblastomas was higher in peripheral neoplastic cells than in central neoplastic cells. Keratinizing cells in acanthomatous ameloblastoma and granular cells in granular cell ameloblastoma showed markedly decreased reactivity for p63 in acanthomatous and granular cell ameloblastoma. Labelling index of acanthomatous, plexiform, and granular cell type was 86±11%, 81±17% and 83±15% in peripheral area while 88±14%, 82±11% and 76±10% in central area, respectively. Labelling index of follicular type was 17±4% in peripheral area while 21±3% in central area. There was no significant relationship between plexiform, acanthomaous, and granular cell type, while significant relationships between follicular and acanthomatous type, between plexiform and follicular type, and between granular cell and follicular type, respectively. It suggested that p63 expression could paly an important role in the pathogenesis of ameloblastomas. Morever plexiform, acanthomatous, and granular cell type would show more aggressive proliferative potentiality than follicular type.

Numerous reports on the immunopathogenesis of an oral lichen planus (OLP) have shown some inconsistency in terms of the role and distribution of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and Langerhans cells (LC). This has led to the hypothesis that although the clinical and histopathological manifestations of OLPs appear similar, they can be grouped into CD4+ predominant lesions and CD8+ ones on the varied immunopathogenesis or clinical progress. This study investigated the distribution of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, LC and the ratio of CD4/CD8 and defined the important immunocompetent cells. In addition, the clinicopathological and histopathological correlation with those immunocompetent cells were investigated. Frozen sections of 16 OLPs and 5 normal buccal mucosae were immunostained. Quantification was done using KAPPA Imagebase software and statistical analysis using SPSS 10.0 statistical package. CD8+ T cells were consistently more abundant in the epithelium of the OLP than CD4+ T cells, but no difference between the two cells was detected in the lamina propria. The intra-epithelial CD4+ T cells revealed a positive linear correlation with the intra-epithelial CD8+ T cells. In the lamina propria, the number of LC had a positive linear correlation with CD4/CD8 ratio. The number of LCs was higher in the reticular type of OLP compared to the erosive type. The histopathological features such as hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, the band-like infiltration of mononuclear cells, and liquefaction degeneration did not show significant correlation with the CD4/CD8 ratio. The results suggest that CD8+ T cells play major role in immunopathogenesis of OLP. The immunopathogenesis of OLP appears to vary from lesion to lesion in relation to the clinical progress.

동물의 장기를 인간에게 이식하게 되면 초급성거부반응(Hyperacute rejection, HAR)이 일 어난다. 초급성거부반응은 면역계의 구성요소 중 보체(complement)에 의해 일어나는 거부 반응으로 돼지의 혈관세포 표면에 있는 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자에 인간의 항체가 즉각 반응하 기 때문에 일어나며, α1,3-galactosyltransferase(α1,3-GT) 유전자는 돼지 혈관세포 표면의 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자 생성에 관여한다. 따라서 인간에게 돼지의 장기를 이식하기 위해서는 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자를 제거하는 것이 필요한 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구 실 의 이전 연구에서, 시카고 미니돼지 귀체세포에서 상동 재조합(Homologous recombination) 을 통해 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자가 제거된 체세포를 개발한 바 있으며, 이 체세 포 를 통하여 α1,3-GT 유전자가 제거된 돼지도 생산된 바 있다. 본 연구에서는, Human serum 처리 시 돼지 세포를 보호해준다고 보고되고 있는 human complement regulator인 human Decay-accelerating factor(hDAF)와 human α1,2-fucosyltransferase(hHT) 유전자를 α1,3 -GT 유전자 위치에 gene targeting하여 동시에 hDAF와 hHT가 발현하는 체세포를 개발하였다. Knock-in vector는 hDAF와 hHT 두 유전자가 발현할 수 있도록 IRES로 연결하였으며 α 1,3-GT 유전자의 start codon을 이용하여 발현할 수 있도록 구축하였다. 구축한 vector는 electroporation을 통해 미니돼지 체세포에 도입하였으며, PCR 결과 α1,3-GT 유전자 위치 에 서 상동 재조합이 일어났음을 확인하였다. Positive-negative 선별 방법을 통해 얻은 gene targeting된 체세포는 RT-PCR에 의해 hDAF와 hHT 유전자의 발현이 확인되었으며, 대조군 (NIH minipig)에 비해 α1,3-GT 유전자의 발현이 감소하였다. 또한, 이들 세포에 100% human complement serum을 처리하였을 때 Knock-in 세포가 대조군에 비해 30% 정도 더 높 은 생존율을 보였다. 따라서 개발된 체세포는 이종간 장기이식을 위한 돼지 생산과 함께 이를 이용한 이종간의 장기 이식 시 초급성 거부반응을 억제하는 데 사용 될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

현재 널리 사용되고 있는 목적 유전자 발현 조절 시스템은 Gossen과 Bujard에 의해 개발 된 tetracycline-inducible gene expression system (Tet system)으로서, 유도체인 tetracycline 계열의 물질의 공급 여부에 따라 외래 유전자의 발현을 가역적이며 유도적으로 조절할 수 있다. 이 시스템은 중금속이나 steroid hormone 등을 이용한 발현 조절 시스템에 비해 발 현 유도율이 높고 비특이적인 발현이 상대적으로 낮으며, 유도물질에 의한 세포 독성이나 다 면 적 영향이 거의 나타나지 않는 장점을 가진다. 그러나 비유도 조건에서 완벽한 발현 억제가 이루어 지지 않은 관계로 background 활성이 미미하게 존재하고 있어서 이를 해결하기 위 한 연구가 진행되고 있으며 유도물질에 대한 transactivator의 감수성을 향상시켜서 낮은 유 도체의 농도에서도 유전자의 발현을 극대화하기 위한 시도도 이루어지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 가장 개선된 형태의 Tet system의 각 요소들을 재조합하여 one vector 형 태의 유전자 발현 조절 시스템을 구축한 후, 일차배양한 세포주에서 이 시스템의 효율성을 증명하고자 하였다. 재조합한 요소는 유전자 발현 조절을 위한 Tet system의 구성에 있어 서 가장 중요한 2가지 요소인 transactivator와 tetracycline response element (TRE)로 각 각 의 일부 서열이 변형된 형태이다. 도입한 transactivator는 유도 조건에서의 외래 유전자의 발현을 극대화시키고 발현 유도물질인 doxycycline에 대한 감수성을 높여서 저농도의 doxycycline 조건에서도 발현 유도가 가능하다. 또한, 변형된 TRE 서열에는 endogenous mammalian transcription factor 결합 부위가 존재하지 않으므로 transactivator가 없는 경우 유전 자의 발현이 turn on되지 않으므로 background 활성이 거의 나타나지 않는다. 실제적으로 기존의 Tet system에서는 비유도 조건에서의 외래 유전자인 GFP의 발현을 미미하게 나타 낸 데에 비해 개선된 Tet system에서는 GFP의 발현이 거의 나타나지 않았다. 또한, 유도 조건에서는 기존의 system에 비해 새롭게 구축한 system에서 강한 발현을 나타내었으며 발현 유도율도 매우 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 구축한 Tet vector system에서 WPRE 서열의 위치와 표적세포주의 종류에 따른 GFP의 발현 양상을 확인한 결과, 소의 태아섬유아세포 에서는 WPRE가 transactivator 서열의 3′ 위치에 존재한 vector에서 발현이 가장 강하게 나 타났으며 닭의 배아섬유아세포에서는 WPRE가 TRE 서열의 3′ 위치에 존재한 vector에서 강한 발현을 보였다. 본 연구에서 구축한 개선된 형태의 Tet system은 완벽한 외래 유전자의 발현 조절을 가 능하게 함으로써 세포 수준에서나 개체 수준에서의 관련 연구에 있어서 유용한 유전자 전 이 수단으로 이용될 수 있을 것이다. * 본 연구는 농촌진흥청 차세대 바이오그린21사업(과제번호: PJ007990042012)의 지원에 의해 이루어졌다.

복제동물 생산을 위한 체세포 핵이식 성공률은 공여세포 준비를 포함하여 많은 요소들에 의한 변수가 크다. 체세포 핵이식의 공여세포로 사용되는 세포는 G0/G1기로 세포주기를 맞 춘 confluence한 신선 배양세포를 일반적으로 이용하고 있다. 그러나 본 연구에서는 돼지 체세포 복제수정란 생산시 동결융해세포의 이용가능성을 확인하고자 일반세포와 형질전환 세포에서 신선한 배양세포와 동결융해세포를 이용한 복제수정란의 체외발달능력 및 배반 포 의 세포자연사를 비교하였다. 공여세포는 유전자가 삽입되지 않은 일반 미니돼지 귀세포와 상기세포에 GalT 유전자가 적중된 형질전환세포를 이용하였다. 배양세포는 confluence상태에서, 동결융해세포는 confluence 상태에서 동결된 세포를 융해하여 핵이식에 사용하였다. 수핵란과 공여세포가 융합 된 복제수정란은 PZM-3 배양액에서 38.5℃, 5% CO2, 5% O2 조건하에서 6일간 배양하여 배반포 발달율을 조사하였으며, 배반포의 세포자연사는 TUNEL법을 이용하여 분석하였다. 일반세포의 경우, 융합율(83.3 vs 79.1%), 배반포 발달율(18.0 vs 15.0%), 배반포 세포수 (38.4±12.8 vs 42.0±12.4) 그리고 배반포의 세포자연사 비율(2.1±2.7 vs 1.9±3.7%)은 배 양 세포와 동결융해세포 간에 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 형질전환세포의 경우, 융합율 (87.0 vs 82.4%), 배반포 발달율(24.6 vs 17.3%) 그리고 배반포 세포수(35.3±11.9 vs 37.7± 15.4)는 두 세포군 간에 통계적 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났지만, 배반포의 세포자연사 비율 (6.0±4.8 vs 10.6±9.4%)은 배양세포가 동결융해세포보다 유의하게 낮은 것으로 나타났다 (p<0.05). 본 연구 결과는 배양된 신선 체세포를 대체하여 confluence 상태에서 동결보존된 돼지 체 세포는 융해 직후 공여세포로서 돼지 복제수정란 생산에 유용하게 활용될 수 있음을 제시 하고 있다.

돼지는 인간과 생리적으로 유사하기 때문에 다양한 목적으로 연구되고 있다. 최근에는 돼 지를 이용한 이종장기이식 관련 연구가 큰 주목 받고 있으며, 치료용 단백질을 생산하기 위 한 생체반응기로써 이용되고 있다. 이러한 연구에 있어서 당 사슬의 역할은 매우 중요하다. 당 사슬은 치료용 단백질의 체내 안정성에 큰 영향을 미치며 다양한 방법으로 면역을 조절 한다고 알려져 있다. 하지만 돼지에서의 당 사슬 관련 연구는 미비하며, 많은 당 전이효소 들의 서열이나 기능이 정확히 분석되지 않고 있다. 따라서 이번 연구에서는 당 전이효소 중 하나인 β‐1,3‐N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 (B3GNT1)을 돼지로부터 동정 후 PK‐15 세 포주를 이용하여 기능분석을 하였다. 이 유전자는 다양한 glycan epitope를 형성하는데 있 어서 중요한 기능을 한다. 먼저 간 조직으로부터 획득된 cDNA를 주형으로 degenerated PCR을 수행하여 유전자를 동정하였다. 동정된 유전자는 368개의 아미노산을 encoding하 는 1227개의 nucleotide로 구성되어 있으며, 다른 종에서 보고된 B3GNT1과 높은 상동성을 가 지고 있는 것을 확인하였다. 또한, 기능 분석을 위하여 돼지 신장세포인 PK‐15에서 B3- GNT1의 과 발현을 유도하였다. RT‐PCR과 Western blot을 통하여 유전자의 과발현을 확인 하고, Lycopersicon esculentum lectin (LEA)를 이용한 ELISA 분석 방법을 통해 효소의 기 능을 확인하였다. B3GNT1은 poly N‐acetylactosamine (polyLacNAc) 형성에 중요한 역할 을 하기 때문에 이를 특이적으로 인지하는 LEA를 사용하였다. 이를 통해 B3GNT1의 과발현이 유도된 세포에서 더 많은 polyLacNAc이 합성되었음을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, Gal(β1‐ 3)GalNAc structure를 이용한 기질반응을 통해 효소의 기능을 확인하였다. 과발현이 유도 된 세포에서 약 3배 이상의 높은 기질 반응성을 보였으며, 이를 통해 돼지로부터 클로닝 된 B3GNT1의 기능을 확인할 수 있었다. 돼지로부터 당 전이효소를 동정하고 분석하는 연구는 생체반응기로써 돼지를 이용하는 다른 연구에 중요한 기반이 될 것이라고 생각한다

유즙 내에 들어있는 유용 단백질을 분리, 정제하였을 때 예상되는 경제적 가치 때문에 우 리는 유즙 내에 들어있는 재조합 hEPO 단백질을 추출하고 정제하려는 많은 시도를 하고 있다. 이러한 노력에도 불구하고 유즙 내에 들어있는 target 단백질의 정제가 매우 어렵고, 그 순도 역시 20%에 지나지 않는다. 우리는 hEPO 유전자를 가지고 있으며 유선에서 hEPO를 분비하는 형질전환 돼지를 생산 보유하고 있다. 그러나, 이들 형질전환 돼지들은 체내에 도입된 유전자의 발현에 의해 야기되는 적혈구 과다증 그리고 혈소판 감소증과 같 은 순환기의 문제가 유발되고 있다. 명백하게, 이러한 종류의 혈액학적 변화는 장기의 정상 적인 기능을 방해하며 형질전환 돼지의 갑작스런 죽음을 초래한다. 그러므로, 앞서 언급한 문제점들을 해결하기 위한 alternative한 방법이 필요하다. 현재 연구에서, 우리는 외인성 hEPO를 발현하는 돼지에서 비정상의 생리학적 증후에 관해서 실험하였으며 hEPO를 생산 하기 위한 alternative choice로서 형질전환 돼지 유래 세포의 배양 system을 제안하였다. 5마리의 F6 hEPO 형질전환 돼지와 4마리와 대조군으로 일반돼지(랜드레이스)를 국립축 산과학원 동물바이오공학과에서 사육 도축하고 순환 장기를 채취하였다. 형질전환 돼지 순 환기 조직(유선, 신장, 폐, 비장)을 계대 배양 후 hEPO mRNA의 발현을 RT-PCR 방법으로 분석하였다. 또한, 면역조직화학 염색법을 통해서 hEPO 형질전환돼지 순환 장기조직에서 발현되는 hEPO의 발현 양상을 분석한 결과로서 유선, 신장 및 폐 조직에서 hEPO의 발현 이 확인되었으나, hEPO 발현 양상이 모든 형질전환동물 조직에서 발현되는 경향을 보이지 는 않았다. 한편, 세포면역화학 분석법에서는 형질전환돼지 유래 세포의 배양 시 hEPO가 발현되고 있는 양상을 확인하였다. 또한, 형질전환 돼지와 일반돼지의 세포 증식률과 증식 속도는 신장 세포에서는 빠른 증식을 나타낸 반면, 폐와 비장 세포에서는 느린 증식률이 확 인되었다. 배양 후 지속적인 세포 증식과 세포의 생존성을 분석하기 위하여 Apoptosis를 TUNEL과 Annexin V를 이용한 방법으로 조사한 결과, 형질전환돼지 유래의 세포와 일반돼 지의 세포 사이에 유의적 차이는 발견하지 못했다. 이들의 결과들로서 본 연구에서는 형질 전환돼지를 생산하여 유용 단백질을 이용하고자 할 경우, 목적으로 하는 세포 뿐 만 아니라 형질전환가축 유래의 다양한 세포를 이용 할 수 있는 가능성을 시사하고 있다.