Visualization of Bonghan Microcells by Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy

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Date

2009-04-13

Authors

Baik, Ku Youn
Ogay, Vyacheslav
Jeoung, Sae Chae
Soh, Kwang-sup

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

Abstract

Objectives: The origin of adult stem cells remains an open question. If they derive from embryos, it is difficult to determine the mechanism which interrupts their differentiation during tissue formation. In the 1960s, the Bonghan microcell was suggested as one possible, yet to be described, route of stem cell production, such that they have the potential to proliferate to produce normal cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, Bonghan microcells were isolated from Bonghan tissues on rat organ surfaces, and their detailed morphology examined by electron and atomic force microscopy. Results: The ultrastructure observed distinguished them from apoptotic bodies and other microorganisms, and their unique, possible proliferation feature, as protruding threads, was imaged by atomic force microscopy.

Description

*Corresponding author. Biomedical Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea. E-mail: kssoh1@gmail.com

Keywords

atomic force microscopy, Bonghan microcell, budding, electron microscopy, stem cell, Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE::Microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases::Microbiology

Citation

©2009 Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute