Objective To study the effect of recombinant lentiviral vector mediated human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the immunological rejection after allograft l iver transplantation in rats, and to reveal the mechanism of immune tolerance. Methods Eight male Sprague Dawley (SD)rats of clean grade (aged 3 to 4 weeks, weighing 75-85 g) were selected for the isolation and culture of BMSCs; 64 adult male SD rats of clean grade (weighing 200-250 g) were used as donors; and 64 adult male Wistar rats of clean grade (weighing 230-280 g) were used as receptors. After establ ishing a stable model of rat allogeneic l iver transplantation, 1 mL sal ine, 2 ×106/mL of BMSCs 1 mL, 2 × 106/mL of BMSCs/green fluorescent protein 1 mL, and 2 × 106/mL of BMSCs/hHGF 1 mL were injected via the portal vein in groups A, B, C, and D respectively. Then the survival time of the rats was observed. The hepatic function was determined and the histological observation of the l iver was performed. The hHGF mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, the level of cytokine including hHGF, interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, and interferon γ (IFN-γ) by ELISA assay, the level of apoptosis by TUNEL method, and the expression level of prol iferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by immunohistochemical method. Results The survival time of group D was significantly higher than that of groups A, B, and C (P lt; 0.01); the survival time of groups B and C was significantly higher than that of group A (P lt; 0.01), but there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P gt; 0.05). RT-PCR demonstrated the transcription of hHGF mRNA in the grafts of group D; the serum cytokine hHGF reached to (6.2 ± 1.0) ng/mL. Compared with groups B and C, group D exhibited significant inhibitory effect, significantly improved l iver function, and showed mild acute rejection. In addition, the levels of cytokine IL-2 and IFN-γ decreased; the levels of cytokine IL-4 and IL-10 increased; the level of apoptosis reduced; and the expression level of PCNA increased. Except for the expression of IL-4 (P gt; 0.05), there were significant differences in the other indexes between group D and groups B, C (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion BMSCs/hHGF implanting to rat l iver allograft via portal vein can induce immune tolerance. Compared with injection of BMSCs alone, BMSCs/hHGF treatment can alleviate acute rejection and prolong the survival time significantly. The immunosuppressive effect of BMSCs/hHGF is correlated with Th2 shifts up of Th1/Th2 shift, reduced apoptosis, promoted l iver regeneration.
With immunohistochemical technique, epithelial membrane antigen monoclonal antibody (EMA) has been used to detect the micrometastatic focus in bone marrow of patients with primary gastric cancer since 1992. In the exmamination of 65 patients, the positive rate of bone metastasis was 58.46%. After comprehensive treatment to these patients, comparative observation showed that there were marked differences between pre-therapeutic (9.45) and post-therapeutic (2.19). The result demonstrates that this technique provides identification of blood micrometastases and has insttructive signnificance for clinical comprehensive treatment.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of tissue interface stiffness change on the spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and to find the suitable stiffness range for stem cell differentiation. MethodsBone marrow of male Sprague Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were selected to isolate and culture BMSCs by whole bone marrow cell adherent method. The third generation BMSCs (1×105 cells/mL) were inoculated into the ordinary culture dishes covered with polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel (PA) which elastic modulus was 1, 4, 10, 40, and 80 kPa (cells seeded on PA), and ordinary culture dish (75 MPa extreme high elastic modulus) as control. Spreading of cells in different stiffness of PA was observed under light microscope. The elastic modulus values of 4, 10, and 40 kPa PA were selected as groups A, B, and C respectively; the ordinary culture dish (75 MPa extreme high elastic modulus) was used as control group (group D). Cell counts was used to detect the growth conditions of BMSCs, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit to detect the concentration of ALP, alizarin red staining technique to detect calcium deposition status, and real-time quatitative PCR technique to detect the expressions of bone gla protein (BGP), Runx2, and collagen type I mRNA. ResultsWith increased PA stiffness, BMSCs spreading area gradually increased, especially in 10 kPa and 40 kPa. At 1 and 2 days after culture, the growth rate showed no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05); at 3-5 days, the growth rate of groups B and C was significantly faster than that of groups A and D (P < 0.05), but difference was not statistically significant between groups A and D (P < 0.05); at 5 days, the proliferation of group C was significantly higher than that of group B (P < 0.05). ALP concentrations were (53.69±0.89), (97.30±1.57), (126.60±14.54), and (12.93±0.58) U/gprot in groups A, B, C, and D respectively; groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than group D, and group C was significantly higher than groups A and B (P < 0.05). Alizarin red staining showed that the percentages of calcium nodules was 20.07%±4.24% in group C; group C was significantly higher than groups A, B, and D (P < 0.05). The expression levels of BGP and collagen type I mRNA were significantly higher in groups A, B, and C than group D, and in group C than groups A and B (P < 0.05). The expression level of Runx2 mRNA was significantly higher in groups B and C than group D, and in group C than group B (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and D (P > 0.05). ConclusionPA elastic modulus of 10-40 kPa can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and the higher the stiffness, the stronger the promoting effect.
Objective To elucidate whether glucose transporters-4 （GLUT-4） takes part in glucose uptake of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） and whether Akt gene improves translocation and expression of GLUT-4 in MSCs under hypoxic environment ex vivo. Methods MSCs, transfected by Akt gene and no, were cultured with normoxia (5% CO2) or hypoxia (94%N2, 1%O2 and 5% CO2) at 37 ℃ for 8 h. Glucose uptake was assayed by using radiation isotope 2-［3H］-deoxy-Dglucose (3H-G) and the expression of GLUT-4 protein and mRNA was assayed by immunocytochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Results ①3 H-G intake of MSCs was significantly increased in hypoxiatransfection group than that in hypoxia-non-transfection 〔（1.39±0.13） fold, P＜0.05〕, but which was lower than that in normoxia-non-transfection group, P＜0.05. ②GLUT-4 was expressed by MSCs under any conditions. Compared with normoxia-non-transfection group, hypoxia decreased the expressions of GLUT-4 mRNA and protein significantly (P＜0.05). ③Compared with hypoxianontransfection group, the expression of GLUT-4 〔mRNA（1.756±0.152） fold, total protein in cell （1.653±0.312） fold, protein in plasma membrane （2.041±0.258） fold〕 was increased in hypoxia-transfection group significantly (P＜0.05), but which was lower than that in normoxianontransfection group (P＜0.05). ④There was significantly positive relation between 3H-G intake and GLUT-4 protein expression in plasma membrane (r=0.415, P=0.001).Conclusion GLUT-4 may take part in glucose uptake of MSCs, and the capability of Akt gene to improve MSCs anti-hypoxia may be finished by its role in increasing the expression and translocation of GLUT-4.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transforming growth factorβ1 (TGF-β1) and basic fibroblast growth factor 1 (bFGF-1) on the cellular activities, prol iferation, and expressions of ligament-specific mRNA and proteins in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and ligament fibroblasts (LFs) after directly co-cultured. MethodsBMSCs from 3-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were isolated and cultured using intensity gradient centrifugation. LFs were isolated using collagenase. The cells at passage 3 were divided into 6 groups: non-induced BMSCs group (group A), non-induced LFs group (group B), non-induced co-cultured BMSCs and LFs group (group C), induced BMSCs group (group D), induced LFs group (group E), and induced co-cultured BMSCs and LFs group (group F). The cellular activities and prol iferation were examined by inverted contrast microscope and MTT; the concentrations of collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ were determined by ELISA; and mRNA expressions of collagen types I andⅢ, fibronectin, tenascin C, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. ResultsA single cell layer formed in the co-cultured cells under inverted contrast microscope. Group F had fastest cell fusion ( > 90%). The MTT result indicated that group F showed the highest absorbance (A) value, followed by group D, and group B showed the lowest A value at 9 days after culture, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). Moreover, the result of ELISA showed that group F had the highest concentration of collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ (P < 0.05); the concentration of collagen type Ⅲ in group E was significantly higher than that in group D (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the concentration of collagen type Ⅰ between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The ratios of collagen type Ⅰ to type Ⅲ were 1.17, 1.19, 1.10, 1.25, 1.17, and 1.18 in groups A-F; group D was higher than the other groups. The real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR results revealed that the mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ and fibronectin were highest in group F; the expression of tenascin C was highest in group D; the expression of MMP-2 was highest in group E; and all differencs were significant (P < 0.05). ConclusionDirectly co-cultured BMSCs and LFs induced by TGF-β1 and bFGF-1 have higher cellular activities, proliferation, and expressions of ligament-specific mRNA and protein, which can be used as a potential source for ligament tissue engineering.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of imaging of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide(SPIO) transplanted into coronary artery in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the redistribution of the cells into other organs. Methods BMMSCs were isolated, cultured from bone marrow of Chinese mini swine, and double labeled with SPIO and CMDiI(Cell TrackerTM C-7001). The labeled cells were injected into left anterior descending coronary artery through a catheter. The injected cells were detected by using MRI at 1 week,3weeks after transplantation. And different organs were harvested and evaluated the redistribution of transplanted cells through pathology. Results The SPIO labeled BMMSCs injected into coronary artery could be detected through MRI and confirmed by pathology and maintained more than 3 weeks. The SPIO labeled cells could be clearly imaged as signal void lesions in the related artery. The pathology showed that the injected cells could be distributed into the area of related artery, and the cells injected into coronary artery could be found in the lung, spleen, kidney, but scarcely in the liver, the structures of these organs remained normal. Conclusion The SPIO labeled BMMSCs injected into coronary artery can be detected by using MRI, the transplanted cells can be redistributed into the non-targeted organs.
Objective To observe the clinical efficiency of the implantation of the autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells for treatment of lower limb ischemia after the bone marrow stimulation. Methods From May to December 2005, 43 ischemic limbs in 35 patients (23 males,12 females; aged 3490 years,averaged 71.3 year) were treated. Of the 35 patients, 30 had diabetic lowerlimb ischemia with 38 lower ischemic limbs, 2 had atherosclerosis obliterans with 2 ischemic lower limbs, and 3 had thromboangiitis obliterans with 3 ischemic lower limbs. Five patients with 5 ischemic limbs were in stage Ⅰ lower limb ischemia (intermittentclaudication), 15 patients with ischemic 19 limbs were in stage Ⅱ (rest pain),9 patients with 12 ischemic limbs were in stage Ⅲa(ulceration), and 6 patients with 7 ischemic lower limbs in stage Ⅲb (gangrene); 88.4% of all the ischemic lower limbs （38/43）had a pain, 79.1%（34/43） had coldness, and 69.8%（30/43）had limb numbness. The bone marrow of each patient was stimulated by an injection of the recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulatory factor 300 μg/d for 2-3 days. The bone marrow 130-200 ml was drawn from the iliac spine and the mononuclear cells were obtained. Each patient received implantation of the autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells by an intramuscular injection, an arterial intraluminal injection or a combined injection of the two routes.Results The pain relief was found in 94.7% of theischemic lower limbs, and pain improvement in 97.1% . Relived numbness was found in 93.3%. The distance of the claudication was increased by all the ischemic limbs. An increase in the ankle/ brachial index (ABI)was found in 47.9%. The transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) increased in 92.3%. The ulcer heal rate was 9.1% (1/11). Markedlyreduced ulcer wound was found in 27.3% (3/11). The amputation rate was 6.3% (3/48). Arterial angiography revealed that there was a new collateral vessel formationin 91.2%. Complications were as follows: fever and mild fatigue-developed respectively in 1 patient after the bone marrow stimulation, but relieved by themselves. Acute but mild myocardial infarction was found in 1 patient with a slight precordial pain and elevation of myocardial enzymes 1 week after transplantation of the bone marrow mononuclear cells, but recovered after medical treatment. The follow-up averaged 5 months. According to the subjective criteria, the overall efficacy was90%. ABI increased in 62.5% of the patients after operation and the value of TcPO2 was higher in 90% of the patients after this kind of therapy. Arterial angiography revealed a new collateral vessel formation in 90.5% of the 21 ischemic limbs. The foot ulcer healed in 7 and obviously improved in 3. Three of the foot ulcer patients were discharged 2-3 months after the amputation was performed on the diseased toes. Conclusion Implantation of the autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells after the bone marrow stimulation of treatment of the lower limb ischemia has advantages of less marrow aspiration, more mononuclear cell content, satisfactory shortterm effect, and relatively high safety. Itis a new method of treating the lower limb ischemia besides the autologous bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cell implantation. The longterm effect of this method needs a further study.
Abstract To examine the effects of porous tricalcium phosphate (TCP) combined with autogenous red bone marrow (BM) in therepar of bone defects, 21 cases of bone defects were implanted with the above prepared composite material, 17 cases had benign or low-grade malignant tumors and 4cases had old fractures. Serial X-ray films were taken after surgery. The results showed that new bone formation was seen between the interface of the implantand surrounding host bone after 6 weeks, and osseous union developed after 12 weeks. Evident osteogenesis in all patients was observed after a follow-up for 1～3 years. TCP-BM is both osteoconductive and osteoinductive. Its function was similar to the fresh autogenous cancellous bone graft and TCP-BM had the potencyof promoting the repair of osseous defect. It was suggested that TCP-BM might be an ideal material for treating bone defects.
Objective The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into insul in-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. However, low differentiation efficiency and poor maturity are the main obstacles. To investigate the feasibil ity of BMSCs differentiation into IPCs in diabetic pancreatic microenvironment of pigs. Methods BMSCs were isolated and purified from the bone marrow of a 4-week-old male pig. Fifteen female pigs (aged 8 to 10 weeks, weighing 8 to 10 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group (group A, n=5), diabetic control group (group B, n=5), and BMSCs transplanted group (group C, n=5). The pigs of groups B and C were treated by auris vein injections of styeptozocin and alloxan for 3 days to induce diabetes mell itus (DM) model, whose blood glucose level 2 days all greater than 17 mmol/L was successful DM model. A total of 1.1 mL of the 3rd passage BMSCs labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), with cell density of 5 × 107/ mL, were injected into subcapsular pancreas of group C at multi ple points, normal saline at the same dosage into those of groups A and B. After 30 days of monitoring blood glucose, the histological analysis of islet number and size were done; the immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the protein expression of insul in in the new-formed islets. The EGFP+ cells were collected from the sections using laser-capture microdissection; RT-PCR was used to detect insulin mRNA and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX1) mRNA expressions from EGFP+ cells, and the insul in and sexdetermining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) genes were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results The blood glucose level decreased significantly in group C when compared with that in group B from 18 days and gradually decreased with time (P lt; 0.05). The histological observation showed that the number of islets was increased significantly in group C when compared with that in group B (10.9 ± 2.2 vs. 4.6 ± 1.4, P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference when compared with that in group A (10.9 ± 2.2 vs.12.6 ± 2.6, P gt; 0.05). The size of new-formed islets in group C was significantly smaller than that in group A [(47.2 ± 19.6) μm vs. (119.6 ± 27.7) μm, P lt; 0.05]. The immunofluorescence staining showed that new-formed islets of group C expressed insulin protein. RT-PCR showed that the microdissected EGFP+ cells of group C expressed insulin mRNA and PDX-1 mRNA. FISH showed that the new-formed islet cells of group C contained SRY gene in Y chromosome and insulin double positive cells. Conclusion BMSCs can differentiate into IPCs in diabetic pancreatic microenvironment of pigs.
Objective To evaluate the osteogenic potential of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transferred with human bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP 2) gene by adenovirus. Methods The MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow and cultured in vitro. They were divided into 3 groups: Adv hBMP 2 transduced group; Adv βgal transduced group; untransduced group. Western immunoblot analysis, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) staining, Von Kossa staining, and a quantitative ALP activity assay were performed. Nine unde mice received injection into a thigh muscle to test the osteoinductivity of the three types of cells. Results In the Adv-hBMP-2 transprotein; most MSCs were stained positively for ALP activity 9 day after transduction; the MSCs reached the peak of ALP activity 12 day after transduction; the calcified nodes formed 21 days after transduction. The ectopic bones formed in the thigh muscles of the nude mice. Little bone formation was observed in the other groups 4 weeks after cell injection. Conclusion Adenovirus mediated hBMP-2 gene transfection can induce osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.