Most embryonic fibroblasts have been widely used as feeder cells to support stem cell cultures, and in the case of human embryonic stem cells, the manipulation with human embryonic stem cells is prohibited in most countries for ethical reasons. However, the importance of tissue origin is increasing because cell surface markers and extracellular matrix proteins are secreted differently depending on the tissue origin of fibroblasts. In particular, as fibroblasts and myoblasts are mixed in skeletal muscle tissue, it is necessary to selectively separate only fibroblasts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOral microbes have the capacity to spread throughout the gastrointestinal system and are strongly associated with multiple diseases. Given that tonsils are located between the oral cavity and the laryngopharynx at the gateway of the alimentary and respiratory tracts, tonsillar tissue may also be affected by microbiota from both the oral cavity (saliva) and the alimentary tract. Here, we analyzed the distribution and association of the microbial communities in the saliva and tonsils of Korean children subjected to tonsillectomy because of tonsil hyperplasia (n = 29).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used for stem cell therapy, and serial passage of stem cells is often required to obtain sufficient cell numbers for practical applications in regenerative medicine. A long-term serial cell expansion can potentially induce replicative senescence, which leads to a progressive decline in stem cell function and stemness, losing multipotent characteristics. To improve the therapeutic efficiency of stem cell therapy, it would be important to identify specific biomarkers for senescent cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report dual therapeutic effects of a synthetic heparin-binding peptide (HBP) corresponding to residues 15-24 of the heparin binding site in BMP4 in a collagen-induced rheumatic arthritis model (CIA) for the first time. The cell penetrating capacity of HBP led to improved cartilage recovery and anti-inflammatory effects via down-regulation of the iNOS-IFN-IL6 signaling pathway in inflamed RAW264.7 cells.
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