Previously we have shown that human abdominal adipose derived-stem cells (ADSCs) could aggregate during the high-density culture in the presence of human serum (HS). In the present study, we observed that human cord blood serum (CBS) and follicular fluid (HFF) also induced aggregation. Similarly, porcine serum could induce aggregation whereas bovine and sheep sera induced little aggregation. qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that, compared to FBS-cultured ADSCs, HScultured cells exhibited higher level of mRNA expression of CLDN3, -6, -7, -15, and -16 genes among the tight junction proteins. ADSCs examined at the time of aggregation by culture with HS, BSA, HFF, CBS, or porcine serum showed significantly higher level of mRNA expression of JAM2 among JAM family members. In contrast, cells cultured in FBS, bovine serum or sheep serum, showed lower level of JAM2 expression. Immunocytochemical analyses demonstrated that the aggregates of HS-cultured cells (HS-Agg) showed intense staining against the anti-JAM2 antibody whereas neither nonaggregated cells (HS-Ex) nor FBS-cultured cells exhibited weak staining. Western blot results showed that HS-Agg expressed JAM2 protein more prominently than HS-Ex and FBS-cultured cells, both of latter reveled weaker intensity. These results suggest that the aggregation property of ADSCs during high-density culture would be dependent on the specific components of serum, and that JAM2 molecule could play a role in the animal sera-induced aggregation in vitro.

Human serum (HS) has been reported to induce aggregation of human eyelid adipose-derived stem cells (HEACs) during high-density culture in vitro. The present study focused on the role of cell adhesion molecules and gelatinases during HS-induced aggregation of HEACs. HS-induced aggregation occurred between 9-15 days of culture. Cells aggregated by HS medium (HS-agg) showed stronger expression of α2, α2B, αX, and CEACAM1 genes compared to non-aggregated cells in HS medium (HS-ex) or in control FBS-cultured cells. HS-agg were distinctly labeled with antibodies against α2, α2B, and αX proteins. Western blot results demonstrated that the two integrin proteins were greatly expressed in HS-agg compared to HS-ex and control FBS-cultured cells. Treatment of HEACs with anti-integrin α2 antibody during culture in HS medium delayed aggregation formation. HS-agg exhibited strong expression of MMP1 and MMP9 compared to HS-ex or FBS-cultured cells. Conditioned media from HS-culture showed remarkable increase of MMP9 gelatinolytic activity in comparison to those from FBS-culture. However, there was no change of TIMP mRNA expression in relation to the HS-induced aggregation. Based on these results, it is suggested that integrin α2, α2B, and αX, and MMP9 might play an important role in the HS-induced aggregation of HEACs.

“Shinmichal1”, a waxy red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA. It was derived from the cross “Alchan”/“Chal2”during 1997. “Alchan” is a soft red winter wheat with high yield and good noodle quality. “Chal2” is a waxy wheat line crossed by “Kanto107” (Wx-A1b and Wx-B1b) and “BaiHuo” (Wx-D1b). “Shinmichal1” was evaluated as “Suwon306” in Advanced Yield Trial Test in 2002. It was tested in the regional yield trial test between 2003 and 2006. “Shinmichal1” is an awned, semi dwarf and soft red winter wheat, similar to “Uri” (check cultivar). The Heading and maturing date of “Shinmichal1” were similar to “Uri”. Culm and spike length of “Shinmichal1“ were 79 cm and 7.8 cm. “Shinmichal1“ had greater test weight (802 g) and lower 1,000-grain weight (31.8 g) than “Uri” (782 g and 35.2 g, respectively). It has resistance to winter hardiness, wet-soil tolerance, lodging tolerance and moderate post-harvest sprouting damage. “Shinmichal1” had higher flour yield (66.2%), ash (0.73%), protein (10.9%) and SDS sedimentation volume (40.7 ml) than “Uri” (64.7%, 0.53%, 9.3%, and 32.5 ml, respectively) and similar flour color to “Uri”. “Shinmichal1” had higher dough extensibility and lower dough strength than “Uri”. It is 5.2% of amylose content and had typical waxy starch pasting properties. Average yield of “Shnmichal1” in the regional adaptation yield trial was 5.24 MT ha-1 in upland and 5.58 MT ha-1 in paddy field, which was 3% and 8% lower than those of “Uri” (5.39 MT ha-1 and 6.09 MT ha-1, respectively). “Shinmichal1” would be suitable for the area above the daily minimum temperature of -10℃ in January in Korean peninsula.