Young-Bong Kim

Transmissible Infection of Human 293T Cells With Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses Subgroup A From NIH-Miniature Pig

In pig-to-human xenotransplantation, zoonotic infections have been an important barrier. The risk of zoonosis has been emphasized in xenotransplantation after finding that porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) can infect human cells in vitro. Until now, transmissions of PERVs from PK15 cells have been studied in vitro and in vivo, but transmission of PERVs originating from miniature pigs have not been extensively reported. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from miniature swine showed PERV transmission to human cells. In contrast, specific pathogen-free (SPF) pig islet cells showed no PERV transmission when co-incubated with 293T cells. To evaluate the risk of zoonosis with our experimental mini pigs, we tested the infectivity of PERVs from NIH-miniature pig primary ear cells for human 293T cells. As a result, all subgroups of infectious PERV virion (PERV-A, -B, and -C) were detected in the primary cell culture media. Unlike PERV-C, PERV-A and -B infected human 293T cells. Interestingly, only proviral PERV-A replicated in 293T cells to produce virions after infection. Our results suggested that a prevention study of PERV xenotransmission from experimental miniature pigs should concentrate on PERV-A control.

Distribution of Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus in Different Organs of the Hybrid of a Landrace and a Jeju Domestic Pig in Korea

Xenotransplantation offers a solution to the shortage of available organs for transplantation, and the pig represents an ideal source of such organs. However, porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), whose genome is integrated in pigs, has been suggested to pose a potential risk of xenotransmission. Expression of PERVs in different organs of pigs was carefully measured at DNA, mRNA, and protein levels, providing information valuable for the application of pig organs in xenotransplantation. An analysis of PERV DNA showed that a very similar number of PERV copies was present in the genome of all organs, whereas mRNA and protein levels of PERV varied depending on the organ, with kidney, liver, and spleen expressing high levels of both mRNA and protein. In contrast, mRNA and protein levels were dissimilar in the lung and brain, where mRNA levels were low but protein levels were high. This discrepancy indicates that mRNA levels are not always reflected in protein expression. In addition, the difference between mRNA and protein highlights the importance of choosing the proper analysis method for diagnosing viral infection. In summary, this study provides insight into the distribution of PERV in various organs at the DNA, mRNA, and protein levels, and also informs the proper selection of tissues or organs for future clinical xenotransplantation.

Transdermal Delivery of Porcine Placenta Extracts using Linolenic Acid-based Emulsion Formulations

For transdermal delivery of porcine placenta extract (PPE), various emulsion formulations were prepared and evaluated. Polysorbate surfactants were used as emulsifiers and various C-18 unsaturated fatty acids as enhancers. The skin permeation of PPE was tested using a cellulose nitrate membrane-loaded Franz cell apparatus. Among emulsifiers, Tween 20 provided higher penetration effect than did Tween 80. Meanwhile, of various fatty acids, linolenic acid (18:3) revealed the highest skin permeation of PPE than the other C-18 unsaturated fatty acids. Stability of PPE emulsions was determined by cycles of freezing and thawing processes. The stability of emulsions depended on the percentage of Tween 20. Minimum 20% of Tween 20 was required to stabilize emulsions at room temperature for several days. Taken together, our results suggest that Tween 20 and linolenic acids might be key components to formulate PPE emulsion to provide the desirable skin permeability and stability.

Analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Leptin Gene in Hanwoo (Korean Cattle)

Leptin, the product of the obese (ob) gene, is an adipocyte-derived hormone for the regulation of whole- body energy storage and energy usage. It has been reported that the homozygous mutations in the gene for leptin (LEP) induce obesity and reduce energy expenditure. In cattle, LEP has significant roles directly or indirectly related with phenotypes such as body weight and fat deposits, therefore SNPs of LEP have been considered important genetic marker to estimate carcass fat content in cattle. In this study, SNPs were screened in LEP (2,222 bp) between intron 1 to 3-UTR from 24 independent Hanwoo (Korean cattle) by PCR and DNA sequencing. Total 25 SNPs were found and two nonsynonymous SNPs including T1163A (V19E) and G3256A (G132D) were newly detected only from Hanwoo. Among 20 SNPs previously reported in cattle, 16 SNPs were found in Hanwoo; however, the frequencies of some SNPs were significantly different between Hanwoo and western cattle breeds. The other 4 SNPs were not detected from Hanwoo. These Hanwoo specific SNP patterns in LEP will be used in development of molecular marker and application to genetic improvement of Hanwoo.

Detection and Classification of Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses by Polymerase Chain Reaction

ABSTRACT Pigs have been considered as an ideal source of donor organs because of their plentiful supply and their numerous anatomical and physiological similarities to the human in xenotransplantation. However, for the public health risks associated with the potential for porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) infection through xenograft from pig to human, the investigation of methods for elimination and/or control of PERV has been required. In this study we developed the detection and classification methods for PERV based on PCR using specific primers. PERV-A and PERV-B were found in all pigs including Berkshire, Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, miniature pig, and Korean native black pig from Jeju by PCR with type-specific primers for PERV. However, PERV-C was detected only from Duroc, miniature pig, and Korean native black pig from Jeju. PERV-A and PERV-B could be distinguished by PCR-RFLP with Bam HI. These methods for PERV will be useful in rapid screening of safe organ for xenograft, furthermore, helpful in monitoring of PERV during and after xenotransplantation.(

Prevalence of PERVs from Domestic Pigs in Korea (pol gene sequences)

돼지를 이용한 이종간 장기 이식은 차세대 장기 공급 부족 문제를 해결해 줄 수 있는 가능성을 제공해준다. 그러나 돼지 장기를 이용한 이종간 장기 이식은 면역학적인 문제 외에도 가축 유래 전염성 병원균에 대한 안전성 문제가 심각하게 고려되어지고 있다. 대부분의 외인성 병원균은 무균 사육환경을 통해 제어되는 반면 내인성 레트로 바이러스(Endogenous Retrovirus, PERVs)는 germ line을 통해 전파됨으로 사육 조건으로 해결할 수는 없다. 본 연구는 이종간 장기 이식용 무균 돼지 생산시 가장 문제가 되는 PERVs에 대한 분포를 알아보고자 국내 돼지(Landrace, Berkshire, Yorkshire, Duroc)의 genome 내 PERVs 분포와 유전자 염기 서열을 비교하였다. 모든 공시 돼지(20두)의 genomic DNA로부터 PCR을 이용하여 PERV A/B/C와 PERV-E의 존재를 확인하였다. pol 유전자 일부 염기 서열 분석 결과 같은 품종내 개체간 또는 품종간 상동성이 99.1과 98.8%로 매우 높게 나왔다. 본 연구의 결과 모든 국내 돼지 유전자내에 PERV A/B/C와 PERV E가 provirus 형태로 많이 존재하며 바이러스간의 높은 상동성은 바이러스 제어에 많은 잇점으로 작용하리라 사료되며 아직 밝혀지지 않은 내인성바이러스에 대한 연구가 요구되어진다. 그러므로 본 연구의 자료는 이종간 장기 이식용 무균돼지 생산 시 PERVs 를 제어하기 위한 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. 【Xenotransplantation of porcine organs has the potential to overcome the severe. shortage of human tissues and organs available for human transplantation. The swine represents an ideal source of such organs because of their plentiful supply and their numerous anatomical and physiological similarities to the human. However, this procedure also carries with a number of safety issues relating to the zoonotic infections. Porcine endogenous retrovinJses(PERVs), Wich are germ line transmitted and persist without symptoms in the pigs, are most concerning zoonotic viroses. In order to analyze the prevalence of PERV in domestic pigs, four kinds of pigs(Landrace, Berkshire, Yorkshire, and Duroc) genomic DNA were isolated from their hair follicles. PCR analysis was carried out for detection of PERVs using subgroup A/B/C and E pol sequence primers. All pigs (20 heads) tested had high copy number of PERVs within genomes. Subgroup A/B/C and E pol gene sequences from 20 isolates were determined by direct sequencing. Sequence analysis showed pol sequences are highly conserved among intra- and inter-subspecies(99.l and 98.8%, respectively). As a first report of PERV prevalence in Korea pigs, our data would be the basic concepts of PERV transmission study in xenotransplantation.】

Sub-acute toxicity study in female ICR mice following repetitive intramuscular injection of cervical cancer vaccines.

Objectives The sub-acute toxic effects following repetitive intramuscular injection of two cervical cancer vaccines newly developed against human papillomaviruse (HPV)16/58/18 and HPV16 were investigated in female ICR (CrljOri: CD1) mice, and the no-observedadverse- effect-level (NOAEL) of the cervical cancer vaccines was estimated. Methods Female ICR mice (n=15 in each group) were exposed to a 1:1 mixture of two cervical cancer vaccines by repetitive intramuscular injection (once a week, 5 times) for 5 weeks. Mortality, body weight, organ weight, hematological/biochemical parameters, and histopathological effects were examined at different concentrations (0, 1×108, 5×108, and 2.5×109 copies/animal) of the cervical cancer vaccines. Results The cervical cancer vaccines did not show toxic responses for body weight, absolute/ relative organ weight, hematological/biochemical parameters, or histopathological parameters. Conclusions Female ICR mice exposed to vaccines for cervical cancer did not show any toxic response. We suggest that a NOAEL of the vaccine following repetitive intramuscular injection for 5 weeks is >2.5×109 copies/animal.

Reduction of N-Tropic Mutant Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus Infectivity by Human Tripartite Motif-Containing 5-Isoform Alpha

In cases of retroviral infection, the host cell deploys antiviral proteins as a type of innate immunity. Tripartite motif-containing 5-isoform alpha (TRIM5α) is a potent antiviral protein. TRIM5α has been reported to restrict human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1 infection in rhesus monkey cells by targeting the incoming viral capsid at the postentry or preintegration stage of the viral life cycle. As a consequence, virus replication and reverse transcription are interrupted. TRIM5α of human origin has also been shown to inhibit N-tropic murine leukemia virus infection. To investigate the inhibitory effect of TRIM5α on porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) infection in humans, we constructed a 293T cell line stably expressing human TRIM5α (293T-huTRIM5α) and tested the infectivity of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein envelope pseudotyped viruses (wild-type PERV [wt-PERV], N-tropic mutant PERV, N-tropic murine leukemia virus, and MoMLV). Infectivity of N-tropic mutant PERV was reduced by 43.3% in 293T-huTRIM5α cells, a decrease in efficiency that was more than 3-fold greater than that of wt-PERV in 293T-huTRIM5α cells. Human TRIM5α exhibited inhibitory activity against N-tropic MLV and N-tropic mutant PERV, but showed no antiviral activity against Moloney murine leukemia virus or wt-PERV.

Effects of Surface Charges on the Retention of Placenta-loaded Liposome Formulations Administered by Intramuscular Route

We aimed to optimize the formulation of porcine placental extract (PPE)-loaded liposomes for intramuscular administration and to investigate the effect of surface charges on the muscular retention in mice. PPE-loaded liposomes were formulated to have neutral, anionic, or cationic surface charges. The in vitro release profiles were studied by spectrofluorometry. In vivo distribution patterns at mice were studied using molecular imaging technology. Among the three types of liposomes, 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-based cationic liposomes showed the most prolonged in vitro release profile. Consistent with the in vitro results, the in vivo distribution study revealed that the cationic liposomes were retained at the site of administration for the longest period. Our results suggest the potential of cationic PPE-loaded liposomes for sustained release of the components after intramuscular administration.

Transdermal Delivery of Ceramide Using Sodium Deoxycholate-based Deformable Liposomes

For transdermal delivery of ceramides, various liposomes formulations were studied and evaluated. Sodium deoxycholate (SDC), Tween 20 and Span 85 were used as edge activators. The skin permeation of ceramides was performed using a Franz cell apparatus with hairless mouse skin. Among edge activators, SDC showed the higher values of deformability index and skin permeation than did others. For optimization of formulations, we varied the ratios of lipids to edge activators and the compositions between phosphatidylcholine (PC) and ceramides. The optimal ratio of lipid to SDC was observed to be 6:1 (w:w) and that of PC and ceramide was 1:1. Our results suggest that the skin permeation of ceramides could be enhanced by optimized deformable formulations of liposomes containing SDC as a major edge activator.