Little is known to date about neural development of pig and directed differentiation of porcine pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to neuronal cells remains elusive. To determine whether soluble factors from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) promoted the neural differentiation from porcine induced PSCs (iPSCs), cells were treated cultured media of GBM cells. First of all, we isolated and established primary GBM cell line (WHO grade IV). The cellular morphology of GBM cancer cell line are dendritic-like with positive expression in NESTIN, SOX2, VIMENTIN and GFAP using immunofluorescence analysis. G-banded karyotype from primary GBM cell line revealed severe numerical chromosomal aberrations. GBM-cultured medium (CM) treated iPSC-NPCs survive well in vitro when supplemented with a combination of growth factors, including EGF and bFGF. The GBM-CM treated differentiated cells showed an increased mRNA expression level of astrocyte marker, GFAP and the dopaminergic neuron marker, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). However, there was no significant difference in mRNA expression level of oligodendrocyte marker, MBP. The protocol developed in the present study for large animal models might provide an exciting tool to bridge the present gaps in neuroscience studies between rodents and humans.

Background : Ginseng, one of most famous traditional oriental medicines, has been known for a number of pharmacological properties including anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-fatigue, anti-stress, anti-oxidative, and anti-aging effects. 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD), a intestinal metabolite of ginsenosides, is one of the active ingredients in ginseng. In this study, we investigated the synergistic anticancer effect of 20(S)-PPD and temozolomide (TMZ) and the mechanism of 20(S)-PPD on glioblastoma cells. Methods and Results : We examined cell viability and the morphological changes of C6 cells after treatment of 20(S)-PPD and TMZ. 20(S)-PPD showed a potent antiproliferative activity against C6 cells by triggering apoptosis. 20(S)-PPD-induced apoptosis was characterized by a dose-dependent mitochondrial damage. 20(S)-PPD and TMZ had a synergistic effect in increasing mitochondrial damage via caspase 3 activation. Conclusion : These results revealed an unexpected mechanism of 20(S)-PPD and TMZ, triggering a mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in C6 cells. Our findings encourage further studies of 20(S)-PPD as a promising chemopreventive agent against glioblastoma.

본 연구는 교모세포종 (Glioblastoma multiform, GBM)에 대한 방사선 진단학적/치료학적 연구에 필수적으로 필요한 악성뇌종양 동물모델을 개발하기 위해 수행되었다. 악성뇌종양 동물모델 개발을 위해 뇌정위 기구(stereotactic instrument)를 이용하여 C6 세포(Glioblastoma cell line)를 SD rat의 우측 선조체 내에 동종이식하였다. 개발된 동물모델의 검증을 위해 MRI와 해부조직학적 검사방법을 이용하였다. 해부조직학적 검사방법으로는 H&E 염색법을 이용하였다. MRI를 이용한 종양 형성 검사에서 C6 세포 이식 7일 후 종양 형성이 확인되었고, 14일 후에는 이식한 우측 뇌의 대부분이 종양으로 변화한 것을 확인하였다. 해부조직학적 검사에서는 과세포 발현 및 다형성 세포에 의해 형태학적 변화가 발생하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구에서 개발된 악성뇌종양 동물모델은 in vivo level에서 교모세포종에 대한 방사선 진단학적 기술 개발 및 새로운 치료법 개발을 위한 필수적인 도구로서 활용될 수 있을 것이다.