Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 4 (TRAF4)는 TNF receptor associated factor 군의 하나로 암세포 전이, 활성산소 생성, 세포극성에 관여한다. 쥐 배아발생의 8.5 에서 13.5 days post-coitum 시기에 TRAF4 의 발현이 높게 관찰된다. 세포 특성의 변화를 보이는 상피간엽이행(EMT)시에 TRAF4 가 세포막의 세포밀접에 위치하는 것으로 알려져 세포분화가 시작되는 배 발생 시에도 주요한 역할을 할 것으로 여겨진다. 하지만 돼지에서는 TRAF4 의 기능과 특성에 대한 연구가 미비하다. 본 연구는 돼지 TRAF4 의 mRNA 전장서열과 조직에서의 발현을 확인함으로써 TRAF4 의 특성에 대한 정보를 제공할 것이다. TRAF4 mRNA 의 전장 서열을 밝히기 위해서 돼지 신장유래세포(pK15)에서 total RNA 를 추출하여 RACE(Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends) PCR 이 수행되었다. 이 후 클로닝을 통해 얻은 암호영역, 5`UTR, 3`UTR 의 서열로 2,030 염기쌍의 mRNA 전장서열을 확인하였다. 조직에서 TRAF4 의 발현은 qPCR 로 상대정량되었다. 돼지 TRAF4 는 470 개의 아미노산을 지정하는데 이는 사람과는 8 개, 쥐와는 12 개 차이를 보였다. TRAF4 단백질의 TRAF 도메인은 다른 TRAF 군과 다르게 GTWRGS 의 고리를 가지는데 돼지에서도 동일한 서열이 확인되었다. 돼지에서 TRAF4 는 난소와 위에서 상대적으로 높은 발현을 보였다. TRAF4 의 mRNA 서열은 돼지의 TRAF4 에 대한 기초정보가 될것으로 여겨진다.

이종이식 시 사람과 돼지는 면역학 적으로 일치하지 않으므로, 면역세포의 활성화 및 조직의 병변 등을 유발한다. 특히, 영장류에는 존재하지 않고 돼지의 전 조직에서 발현되는 alpha-gal 인자에 의해, 이종이식 시 alpha-gal 항원에 대한 항체의 급격한 증가로 거부반응이 유발되며 영장류를 사망에 이르게 한다. 이에, 본 연구는 alpha-gal 합성에 관여하는 효소인 alpha-galactosyltransferase를 knock out(Gal-/-)한 돼지의 세포를 기반으로, 보체의 활성을 조절하는 membrane cofactor protein(MCP)과 혈액 응고를 저해하는 thrombomodulin(TBM)의 과발현을 유도하고자 하였다. 이는, 이종이식 시 발생하는 염증반응과 혈액응고 현상을 억제하는 복합형질 전환 돼지를 개발함으로 이종이식 후의 생존성 향상에 기여하고자 하였다. 따라서 codon modification 을 통해 염기서열을 변형한 MCP cDNA 는 CAG 프로모터를 이용하여 전 조직에서 발현되도록 하였고, TBM 은 Icam2 프로모터를 통해 혈관 내피세포 특이적인 발현을 유도하였다. 제작된 벡터를 Gal-/- 돼지의 섬유아세포에 도입하고 MCP 발현 수준이 높은 세포를 선별하여 세포주를 구축하였다. 구축된 체세포를 이용하여 체세포 복제란을 생산하고 외과적 방법으로 수란 돈에 이식하였다. 체외성숙(78%) 한 난자를 복제 및 융합(58%)한 후 4 두의 대리모에 각각 약 310 개의 복제란을 이식하였다. 대리모 1 두에서 임신(25%) 및 분만(25%)에 성공하였으며, 9 두의 산자 중 6 두가 생존하고 3 두는 사망하였다. 본 연구에서 생산된 TBM 유전자가 도입된 형질전환 복제돼지는 증식과정을 통해 축군을 조성하고 향후 영장류를 활용한 이종이식 연구에 활용될 예정이다.

The identification of biomarkers of a living tissues is essentially required to understand specific functions of the cells. In previous study, we reported IGFBP 3 as one of the putative biomarkers, by showing specific expression at porcine spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) of early stage of porcine testis. In this study, we analyzed the expression of seven members of IGFBP family (IGFBPs) in SSCs and histological expression pattern of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), which plays a role on the growth promoting enzyme by cleavage of IGFBPs in testis of 5 days old pig. RT-PCR analysis showed that IGFBP 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 were expressed at high level specifically in porcine SSCs compared with whole testis. We performed immunohisotochemical staining of testis sections with PAPP-A and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) which are the known biomarkers for SSCs. We were not able to find co-expression of PAPP-A and PGP9.5; PAPP-A was expressed only in Sertoli cells and PGP9.5 expression was confirmed in spermatogonium. Additionally, we were able to confirm the GATA4 expression in Sertoli and Leydig cells as a regulator of Sertoli cell function was not detected PGP9.5 expressing cells, indicating indirect evidence of that cytolocalization of PAPP-A expression is limited in Sertoli cells. These results suggested that the PAPP-A expressed in Sertoli cells may play role on regulation of development and differentiation of testicular cells through the IGF axis in neonatal porcine testis.

Acute vascular rejection has been known as a main barrier occurring in a xenograted tissue of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase knock-out (GalT KO) pig into a non-human primate (NHP). Adenosine which is a final metabolite following sequential hydrolysis of nucleotide by ecto-nucleotidases such as CD39 and CD73, act as a regulator of coagulation, and inflammation. Thus xenotransplantation of CD39 and CD73 expressing pig under the GalT KO background could lead to enhanced survival of recipient NHP. We constructed a human CD39 and CD73 expression cassette designed for endothelial cell-specific expression using porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD39/hCD73). We performed isolation of endothelial cells (pAEC) from aorta of 4 week-old GalT KO and membrane cofactor protein expressing pig (GalT-MCP/-MCP). We were able to verify that isolated cells were endothelial-like cells using immunofluorescence staining analysis with von Willebrand factor antibody, which is well known as an endothelial maker, and tubal formation assay. To find optimal condition for efficient transfection into pAEC, we performed transfection with GFP expression vector using four programs of nucleofection, M-003, U-023, W-023 and Y-022. We were able find that the program W-023 was optimal for pAEC with regard to viability and transfection efficiency by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy analyses. Finally, we were able to obtain GalT-MCP/-MCP/CD39/CD73 pAEC expressing CD39 and CD73 at levels of 33.3% and 26.8%, respectively. We suggested that pACE isolated from GalT-MCP/-MCP pig might be provided as a basic resource to understand biochemical and molecular mechanisms of the rejections and as an alternative donor cells to generate GalT-MCP/-MCP/CD39/CD73 pig expressing CD39 and CD73 at endothelial cells.

Pig has been known to be one of the most feasible animals as a bioreactor to produce pharmaceuticals in milk and as a mediator in xenotransplantation research. Previously, we generated transgenic pigs for both purposes, which were expressing Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, and hEPO in milk, along with expression of MCP at GalT gene locus (GalT-MCP/-MCP) as well as expressing MCP at GalT gene loci with CD73 expression (GalT-MCP/+/CD73). In this study, we performed comparative analyses of sperm parameters between wild type male (WT) pig and those transgenic males to examine the effects of transgenes integrated into the pigs on motility, morphology, viability, and acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa. Our results showed that the rates of actively motile spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 85.0%, 83.3%, 82.5%, 83.3%, 82.5%, 77.5%, and 78.7%, respectively. Whereas, the rates of morphologically normal spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 90.0%, 80.0%, 80.0%, 83.3%, 85.0%, 91.8%, and 80.8%, respectively. In addition, the viability in spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 93.9%, 82.4%, 89.9%, 83.9%, 87.4%, 92.8%, and 83.6%, respectively. The rates of spermatozoa with normal acrosome integrity in WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 98.1%, 98.6%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.1%, 99.5%, and 95.1%, respectively. There were no significant differences in motility, morphology, viability, and acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa among WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, and hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs. These mean that neither random integration nor targeted integration of the transgene into chromosome of pig effect on characteristics of spermatozoa. Ultimately, the transgenic male pigs subjected in this study could apply to propagate their progenies for production of human therapeutic proteins and advancing the xenotransplantation research.

Pigs have been extensively used as mediators of xenotransplantation research. Specifically, the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) miniature pig was developed to fix major histocompatibility antigens for use in xenotransplantation studies. We generated transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation using MGH pigs. However, it has not been studied yet whether these pigs show similarity of reproductive physiological characteristics to wild types of MGH miniature pig. In this study we analyzed the estrous cycles and pregnancy characteristics of wild type (WT) and transgenic MGH miniature pigs, which were α1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) heterozygous and homozygous knock-out, and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) inserted in its locus, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs. Estrous cycles of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 20.9±0.74, 20.1±1.26, and 17.3±0.87 days, respectively, and periods of estrous were 3.2±0.10, 3.1±0.12, and 3.1±0.11 days. The periods of gestation of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 114.2±0.37, 113.3±0.67, and 115.4±0.51 days, respectively. Litter sizes of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 4.8±0.35, 4.8±1.11 and 3.0±0.32 respectively. There were no significant differences on estrous cycle, periods of estrous and gestation, and litter size among WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs, meaning that GalT knock-out and additional expression MCP of the MGH miniature pig did not effect on reproduction traits. These results provide relevant information to establish breeding system for MGH transgenic pig, and for propagation of GalT-MCP/-MCP pig to supply for xenotransplantation research.

Tissue engineering (TE) has been developed to create functional organs and tissue by combining 3D matrix and cells in vitro. Vascularization and angiogenesis are utmost important for supply of nutrients and oxygen in tissue engineered organs. The present study was performed to isolate and characterize primary endothelial cells (EC) from aorta of alpha 1, 3-enzyme galactosyltransferase knock out (GalT KO) pig, to minimize immune rejection and analyze body immune system for future xenotransplantation studies. Isolation of primary EC from aorta were performed by incubation with dispase for 8-10 min at 37°C. Primary EC were cultured in EC growth medium on different extra cellular matrix (ECM), either collagen or gelation. Primary EC exhibits morphological characteristics and showed positive expressions of EC specific marker proteins i.e. PECAM1, KDR and VWF despite of their ECM surface; however, on collagen based surface they showed increase in mRNA level analyzed by qPCR. Primary EC cultured on collagen were sorted by flow cytometer using KDR marker and cultured as KDR positive cells and KDR negative cells, respectively. KDR positive cells showed dramatically increased in PECAM1 and VWF level as compared to KDR negative cells. Based on the above results, primary EC derived from GalT KO are successfully isolated and survived continuously in culture without becoming overgrown by fibroblast. Therefore, they can be utilize for xeno organ transfer, tissue engineering, and immune rejection study in future.

Transplantation is considered to be a very useful approach to improve human welfare and to prolong life-span. Heterologous organ transplantation using pig organs which are similar to human beings and easy to make mass-production has known as one of the alternatives. To ensure potential usage of the pig organ for transplantation application, it is essentially required to generate transgenic pig modifying immuno-related genes. Previously, we reported production of heterozygous α 1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out and human membrane cofactor protein (MCP) expressing pig (GalT-MCP/+), which is enforced for suppression of hyperacute and acute immunological rejection. In this study, we reported generation of homozygous pig (GalT-MCP/-MCP) by crossbreeding GalT-MCP/+ pigs. Two female founders gave birth to six of GalT-MCP/-MCP, and seven GalT-MCP/+ pigs. We performed quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry analyses to confirm GalT and MCP expression. We showed that fibroblasts of the GalT-MCP/-MCP pig do not express GalT and its product Gal antigen, while efficiently express MCP. We also showed no expression of GalT, otherwise expression of MCP at heart, kidney, liver and pancreas of transgenic pig. Taken together, we suggest that the GalT-MCP/-MCP pig is a useful candidate to apply xenotransplantation study.

돼지의 장기를 영장류에 이식할 때 단시간 내에 발생하는 초급성 면역거부반응 문제를 해결하기 위해 이를 제어할 수 있는 alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase knock out (Gal-T-/-) 돼지를 생산하였다. 그럼에도 불구하고 그 심장을 이식을 받은 영장류가 사망하는 것으로 보고되었으며, 그 원인은 non-Gal 항원-항체 반응에 의한 면역반응과 돼지와 영장류 간 분자, 생리적 차이에 의해 발생하는 급성 체액성 거부반응 때문이라고 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 어떤 인자와 기전에 의해 이식된 장기가 손상되고 사망하게 되는지 분자 수준에 서 알아보기 위하여, 영장류에 이식한 Gal-T-/- 돼지 심장에서 유전자의 발현 변화를 분 석하였다. 이를 위해 동일 부모에서 태어난 Gal-T-/- 돼지의 이식에 활용하지 않은 심장 을 대조군으로 하여 cynomolous 원숭이에 이식 후 9일째 채취한 심장으로부터 총 RNA 를 추출한 후 Sequencing을 통해 전 돼지 유전자의 발현수준을 비교하였다. 분석 결과, 이식된 심장에서 1292개의 유전자 발현이 유의적으로 증가하였고, 949개는 유의적으로 감 소하는 것으로 분석되었다. 이 중에서 심근 경색 등과 같이 심장이 손상되면 발현이 증가 하는 matricellular 단백질 유전자인 tenascin C(23.7배), Tsp-1(13.9배), -2(5.8배), -4(6.6 배), SPARC(3.6)의 발현이 증가한 것으로 분석되었다. 특히 혈관에서 혈액 응고를 촉진 시킨다고 알려진 Tsp-1의 발현이 유의하게 증가한다는 것을 quantitative RT-PCR 분석 으로 확인하였다. 또한 혈액응고의 중요한 조절 인자인 TF의 발현이 증가한 반면 억제 인자인 TFPI와 TBM의 발현은 변화가 없다는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 이식 과 정 중에 가해진 생리적 또는 물리적 손상 및 원숭이 혈액의 재관류 자극에 의해 심장의 기능 마커 유전자가 지속적으로 발현되는 것으로 예측된다.

최근 조직공학 기술의 발달로 재해와 질병으로 인한 손상된 조직과 장기의 대체연구들 이 진행되고 있다. 장기 대체 연구의 핵심 요소 중 하나는 재건된 조직이나 장기가 혈관 망을 형성하여 host tissue로부터 양분과 산소의 전달이다. 본 연구는 조직공학 기법을 이용하여 장기 재건에 필수적인 혈관 재건을 위해 혈관을 구성하는 주세포인 endothelial cell을 체외에서 배양하는 것이다. Endothelial cell(EC)배양을 위해서는 세포지지체인 세 포외 기질(External cellular metrics, ECM)을 필요로 하기 때문에 ECM중에 대표적인 collagen과 gelatin을 사용하여 지지체에 따른 체외배양능을 비교하였다. 실험 동물로는 돼지 대동맥을 채취하여, 대동맥 속에 collagenase type I을 주입하고, 혈관의 입·출구를 봉합한 상태로 10분 간 37℃에서 처리하였다. 관류된 용액은 10% FBS가 함유된 기본배 양액(EGM-2 media)을 사용하여 2번 수세한 후 회수된 세포를 각각의 ECM이 처리된 dish위에서 배양 하였다. EC세포인지를 확인하기 위해서 EC표지 인자인 CD31과 vWF 항체의 발현을 flow cytometry로 확인 하였고, 회수된 세포에서 두 단백질이 모두 발현 되었다. ECM에 따른 EC의 세포 형태를 비교하였을 때 형태학적 차이는 없었다. Basement Membrane Extract위에서 calcein-AM으로 염색된 EC는 ECM의 종류와 상관 없이 2-6시간 사이에 Tube Formation을 보였다. 또한 endothelial cell의 표지 마크인 CD31, Flk1, vWF의 mRNA 발현양과 IHC에 의한 단백질 발현을 조사한 결과 collagen 지지체 위에서 배양된 endothelial cells에서 발현양이 더 높았다. 결론적으로 두 가지 ECM에서 모두 성공적으로 endothelial cell의 배양이 가능하지만 collagen위에서 배양된 endothelial cell이 더 우수한 maintenance능력을 가짐을 확인 할 수 있었다.

노화와 재해 등으로 인한 인간의 치명적인 간 부전 문제를 해결하기 위한 대안 중의 한 축으로 교차분화 기법을 적용한 induced hepatocyte (iHep)연구가 진행되고 있지만, 분화효율은 극히 낮다. 본 연구에서는 돼지 섬유아세포에 교차분화기법을 사용하여 piHep을 만들고, 소분자 화합물(A83-01)의 첨가에 따른 교차분화의 효율개선을 시도 하 였다. piHep의 유도를 위해서 세가지 간 전사 인자를 [human hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (hHNF1A), human hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (hHNF4A), human forkhead box protein A3 (hFOXA3)]를 렌티바이러스를 이용하여 체세포에 도입하였다. 3가지 유전자가 도입된 세포는 기본 배양액으로 hepatocyte induction medium (HIM)을 사용하였고, 여기에 A83-01을 첨가군과 미 첨가군(대조군)으로 나누어 교차분화를 유도 하였다. 그 결과 대조군에서 4주 후에 불완전한 간세포의 형태가 낮은 빈도로 나타났지 만, A83-01 처리군은 도입 2주 후부터 epithelial-like cell의 형성을 통해 점점 다핵을 가 지는 성숙한 piHep(명확한 핵, 다각형의 세포질)의 특성이 확인되었다. 간세포로의 기능 적 분화를 검증하기 위해 albumin (ALB)과 transferrin (TF)의 mRNA의 발현을 real-time PCR을 통해 분석하였다. A83-01 처리군에서 ALB와 TF의 발현이 교차분화 4 주차까지 증가되었다. 섬유아세포 표지 인자인 vimentin의 발현은 A83-01의 처리와 상관 없이 모두 감소되었다. 대조군과 달리 A83-01처리군은 piHep의 유도를 위해 사용된 3가 지 간 전사인자들 중 HNF4Α와 FOXA3에서 교차분화 후 4주차까지 endogenic expression 을 보였다. 결론적으로 간세포 교차 분화의 효율 개선을 위해 사용된 A83-01은 돼지 섬 유아세포의 내재된 간 특이적 전사 인자들을 활성화시켜 간세포의 분화를 촉진함을 확인 할 수 있었다.

There is a growing interest in the application of primary hepatocytes for treatment of liver diseases in humans and for drug development. Several studies have focused on long-term survival and di-differentiation blocking of primary hepatocytes in an in vitro culture system. Therefore, the present study also aimed to optimize an in vitro culture system using primary rat hepatocytes. Primary rat hepatocytes from 6-week-old male Crl:CD rats were isolated using a modified two-step collagenase perfusion. Healthy 3.5 × 106 primary rat hepatocytes were seeded into a 2 dimensional (2D) culture in a 25T culture flask coated with collagen type I or into a 3D culture in a 125-ml spinner flask for 7 days. Production of plasma protein (ALB and TF), apoptosis (BAX and BCL2), and CYP (CYP3A1) related genes were compared between the 2D and 3D culture systems. The 3D culture system had an advantage over the 2D system because of the relatively high expression of ALB and low expression of BAX in the 3D system. However, the level of CYP3A1 did not improve in the 3D culture with and without the presence of a dexamethasone inducer. Therefore, 3D culture has an advantage for albumin production and primary rat hepatocyte survivability, but a low expression of CYP3A1 indicated that primary rat hepatocytes require a high–density culture for stress reduction by continuous flow.

Nucleotide metabolism in endothelium is variable between different species. Recent studies demonstrated that this variability could contribute coagulation dysfunction, even though organs of the alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout pig were transplanted into the primate. CD73 (ecto-5'-nucelotidase) is an enzyme at cell surface catalyzing the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate to adenosine, which plays role on a substance for anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant. Thus, overexpression of CD73 in endothelial cells of the pig is considered as an approach to reduce coagulopathy. In this study, we constructed a human CD73 expression vector under control of porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD73), which is expressed specifically at endothelial cells, and of CMV promoter as a control (CMV-CD73). First, we transfected the CMV-CD73 vector into HEK293 cells, and then confirmed CD73 expression at cell surface by flow cytometry analysis. Next, we transfected the pIcma2-CD73 and CMV-CD73 vectors into primary porcine fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Consequence was that the pIcma2-CD73 vector was expressed only at the porcine endothelial cells, meaning that the pIcam2 promoter lead to endothelial cell-specific expression of CD73 in vitro. Finally, we nucleofected the pIcam2-hCD73 vector into passage 3 fibroblasts, and enforced hygromycin selection of 400mg/ml. We were able to obtain forty three colonies harboring pIcam2-CD73 to provide donor cells for transgenic cloned porcine production.

Diabetes mellitus, the most common metabolic disorder, is divided into two types: type 1 and type 2. The essential treatment of type 1 diabetes, caused by immune-mediated destruction of β-cells, is transplantation of the pancreas; however, this treatment is limited by issues such as the lack of donors for islet transplantation and immune rejection. As an alternative approach, stem cell therapy has been used as a new tool. The present study revealed that bone marrowderived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) could be transdifferentiated into pancreatic cells by the insertion of a key gene for embryonic development of the pancreas, the pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX1). To avoid immune rejection associated with xenotransplantation and to develop a new cell-based treatment, BM-MSCs from α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT KO) pigs were used as the source of the cells. Transfection of the EGFP-hPDX1 gene into GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs was performed by electroporation. Cells were evaluated for hPDX1 expression by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Transdifferentiation into pancreatic cells was confirmed by morphological transformation, immunofluorescence, and endogenous pPDX1 gene expression. At 3∼4 weeks after transduction, cell morphology changed from spindle-like shape to round shape, similar to that observed in cuboidal epithelium expressing EGFP. Results of RT-PCR confirmed the expression of both exogenous hPDX1 and endogenous pPDX1. Therefore, GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs transdifferentiated into pancreatic cells by transfection of hPDX1. The present results are indicative of the therapeutic potential of PDX1-expressing GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs in β-cell replacement. This potential needs to be explored further by using in vivo studies to confirm these findings.

체외 배양액에 성장호르몬 및 사이토카인의 첨가는 초기배 발육 및 생산된 배반포의 질에 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 본 연구는 돼지 유도만능줄기세포(porcine induced pluripotent stem cell, piPSC)의 조정배지(conditioned medium, CM)가 돼지 난자의 체외성숙 및 단위발생 후 초기배 발육에 미치는 영향을 검토하기 위하여 수행하였다. 난자-난구세포 복합체(cumulus-oocyte complex, COC)는 0(control), 25, or 50%의 줄기세포 배양액(stem cell medium, SM) 또는 CM이 첨가된 체외성숙 배양액으로 배양하였으며, 성숙된 난자는 활성화 유도 후 같은 농도의 SM 또는 CM을 첨가한 체외배양액에서 배양하였다. 체외 성숙율은 CM-25% 그룹에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 높았으나(p<0.05), 다른 SM 또는 CM 처리구와는 차이가 없었다. 배반포 형성율은 CM-25% 그룹(29.2%)에서 대조구(20.7%), SM-50%(19.6%) 및 CM-50%(23.66%) 처리구보다 유의적으로 높았다(p<0.05). 배반포에서의 세포수 및 세포사 비율은 SM-25% 그룹이 대조구에 비하여 유의적인 차이가 나타났다(p<0.05). 난자의 질과 연관되어 있는 유전자들(Oct4, Klf4, Tert 및 Zfp42)의 발현은 CM-25% 그룹에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 증가되었다(p<0.05). 따라서 본 실험의 결과 체외성숙(IVM) 및 체외발달(IVC) 배양액에 25% 수준의 CM의 첨가는 돼지 단위발생 난자의 배발달과 난자의 질적 향상에 기여하는 것으로 사료된다.

Xenotransplantation of pig organs into primates results in fatal damage, referred as hyperacute rejection (HAR), and acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR), to the organ graft mediated by antibodies pre-existing and newly-producing in primates against their cognate pig antigens. Functional ablation of α1,3-galactosyltransferase (Gal-T KO) of pig which is an enzyme involved in synthesis of Gala1-3Galb1-4GlcNAc-R antigen is essentially required to prevent HAR. Moreover, additional genetic modification under Gal-T KO background for enforced expression of human complement regulatory proteins which can inhibits complement activation is known to effectively imped HAR and AHXR. In this study, we constructed a membrane cofactor protein (MCP) expression cassette under control of human EF1α promoter. This cassette was inserted between homologous recombination regions corresponding to Gal-T locus. Subsequently this vector was introduced into ear skin fibroblasts of female pig by nucleofection. We were able to obtained 40 clones by neomycin selection and 4 clones among them were identified as clones targeted into Gal-T locus of MCP expression cassette by long-range PCR. Real time RT-PCR was shown to down-regulation of Gal-T expression. From these results, we demonstrated human EF1α promoter could induce efficient expression of MCP on cell surface of fibroblasts of female pig.

A major barrier to progress in pig to primate organ transplantation or cell therapy is the presence of terminal α -1,3-galactosyl epitopes on the surface of pig cells. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to establish and cha- racterize mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) derived from α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock out (GalT KO) pig to confirm their potential for cell therapy. Bone marrow (BM)-MSCs from GalT KO pig of 1 month old were isolated by Ficoll-Paque PLUS gradient and cultured with A-DMEM + 10% FBS on plastic dishes in 5% CO2 incubator at 38.5. GalT KO BM-MSCs were analyzed for the expression of CD markers (CD45－, 29+, 90+ and 105+) and in vitro differentiation ability (adiopogenesis and osteogenesis). Further, cell proliferation capacity and cell aging of GalT KO BM-MSCs were compared to Wild BM-MSCs by BrdU incorporation assay (Roche, Germany) using ELISA at intervals of two days for 7 days. Finally, the cell size was also evaluated in GalT KO and Wild BM-MSCs. Statistical analysis was performed by T-test (P<0.05). GalT KO BM-MSCs showed fibroblast-like cell morphology on plastic culture dish at passage 1 and exhibited CD45－, 29+, 90+ and 105+ expression profile. Follow in ginduction in StemPro adipogenesis and osteogenesis media for 3 weeks, GalT KO BM-MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes, as demonstrated by Oilred Ostaining of lipid vacuoles and osteocytes, as confirmed by Alizarinred Sstaining of mineral dispositions, respectively. BrdU incorporation assay showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation capacity of GalT KO BM-MSCs compared to Wild BM-MSCs from 3 day, when they were seeded at 1×103 cells/well in 96-well plate. Passage 3 GalT KO and Wild BM-MSCs at 80% confluence in culture dish were allowed to form single cells to calculate cell size. The results showed that GalT KO BM-MSCs (15.0 ± 0.4 μm) had a little larger cell size than Wild BM-MSCs (13.5 ± 0.3 μm). From the above findings, it is summarized that GalT KO BM-MSCs possessed similar biological properties with Wild BM-MSCs, but exhibited a weak cell proliferation ability and resistance to cell aging. Therefore, GalT KO BM-MSCs might form a good source for cell therapy after due consideration to low proliferation potency in vitro.

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of Hh-Ag1.5, a small-molecule chemical agonist of SMOothened receptor, on the in vitro maturation and development of in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos in pigs. Oocytes or fertilized embryos were cultured in a maturation or embryo culture medium supplemented with 0 (control), 25, 50 or 100 nM of Hh-Ag1.5, respectively. Although the maturation rate were not different among treatment groups, the blastocyst formation rate in the group treated with 25 nM Hh-Ag1.5 was significantly increased compared to other groups (P<0.05). While the highest dose of Hh-Ag1.5 (100 nM) did negatively affect to the embryo development and cell number in blastocysts compared to other groups (P<0.05), the apoptotic cell index in blastocysts was significantly lower in 25 and 50 nM groups than in control and 100 nM groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of the proapoptotic gene Bax and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-XL decreased in among treatment groups compared to control (P<0.05). The embryo quality related genes, Tert and Zfp42, were significantly decreased in 50 and 100 nM groups compared with control and 25 nM groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 25 nM Hh-Ag1.5 to in vitro maturation and culture medium can enhance the developmental potential as well as quality of IVF embryos in pig.

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.