ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation for treating spinal cord injury (SCI) in rat and the cytokine expression changes in the local injury tissues. MethodsBMSCs were separated from Sprague Dawley (SD) rat and cultured with the whole bone marrow culture method. rAd-EGFP was used to transfect the 5th generation BMSCs for green fluorescent protein (GFP) label. Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into experimental group (n=6) and control group (n=6). After the T10 SCI model was established with Allen's impact device in 2 groups, 1×106 GFP-labeled BMSCs and PBS were administered by subarachnoid injection in situ in experimental group and control group, respectively. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to detect the motor function at immediat, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after SCI. At 5 weeks, the spinal cord tissues were harvested for the histological and immunofluorescent staining examinations to measure the expressions of neural marker molecules, including Nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN). Cytokine was analyzed with antibody array. ResultsAt 5 weeks, 2 rats died of urinary tract infection in 2 groups respectively, the other rats survived to the end of experiment. BBB score of experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks (P < 0.05). At 5 weeks, histological results showed that there were many cells with regular arrangement in the experimental group; there were less cells with irregular arrangement in the control group. Compared with the control group, Nestin and NeuN expressions significantly increased (P < 0.05), and GFAP expression significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the experimental group. Leptin and ciliary neurotrophic factor levels were higher in the experimental group than the control group, but granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factorα, interleukin 1β, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 levels were lower in the experimental group than the control group. ConclusionBMSCs transplantation can improve survival and regeneration of nerve cells and enhances the recovery of nerve function by regulating secretion of cytokines from grafted BMSCs.
Objective To compare the cl inical outcomes of the core decompression combined with autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation with the isolated core decompression for the treatment of earlyavascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH). Methods From May 2006 to October 2008, 8 patients (16 hips) with earlyANFH were treated. There were 7 males and 1 female with an average age of 35.7 years (range, 19-43 years). According to the system of the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO): 4 hips were classified as stage II a, 2 as stage II b, 1 as stage II c, and 1 as stage III a in group A; 2 hips were classified as stage II a, 2 as stage II b, 3 as stage II c, and 1 as stage III a in group B. The average disease course was 1.1 years (range, 4 months to 2 years). The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to left or right side: group A, only the core decompression was used; group B, both the core decompression and autologous BMSCs transplantation were used. The Harris score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were determined, imaging evaluation was carried out by X-rays and MRI pre- and post-operatively. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, l iver function, renal function, and immunoglobul in were detected for safety evaluation. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Eight patients were followed up 12-42 months (23.5 months on average). The cl inical symptoms of pain and claudication were gradually improved. The Harris scores and VAS scores of all patients were increased significantly at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups A and B 3 and 6 months after operation (P gt; 0.05), but there was significant difference between groups A and B 12 months after operation (P lt; 0.05). The necrosis area of femoral head in groups A and B were 18.13% ± 2.59% and 13.25% ± 2.12%, respectively, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). In group A, femoral head collapsed 12 months after operation in 1 case of stage III. No compl ication of fever, local infectionoccurred. Conclusion The core decompression and the core decompression combined with BMSCs transplantation are both effective for the treatment of early ANFH. The core decompression combined with BMSCs transplantation is better than core decompression in the rel ief of pain and postponing head collapse.
【Abstract】 Objective To review the progress in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) by graft of neuralstem cells (NSCs) or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as well as immune characteristics of two stemcells. Methods Different kinds of documents were widely collected, and then immunologic characteristics of NSCs andBMSCs were summarized. The therapy of SCI by stem cell transplantation was reviewed. Additionally, some problems intreatment were analyzed. Results Experimental study showed that graft of NSCs and BMSCs can promote the functionalrecovery of the injured spinal cord in animals. Due to immunologic properties of two stem cells, rejection reaction oftransplantation could produce a harmful effect on SCI treatment. Conclusion Transplantation of NSCs or BMSCs might bean effective measure for SCI treatment, but immunologic rejection reaction must be considered.
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 Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play an important role in repairing nerve injury, meanwhile external temperature has significant effect on BMSCs transplantation, prol iferation, and differentiation. To investigate the effect of BMSCs transplantation and mild hypothermia on repair of rat spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Forty-five female adult SD rats (weighing 200-250 g) were made the models of hemitransection SCI and divided randomly into 3 groups according to different treatments: group A (SCI group), group B (BMSCs transplantation group), and group C [BMSCs transplantation combined with mild hypothermia (33-35 ) group]. At 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after injury, the fuction of hind l imb was evaluated with Basso Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score and incl ined plane test. At 4 weeks after injury, histopathology and BrdU immunohistochemistry staining were performed. At 8 weeks after injury, horseradishperoxidase (HRP) retrograde nerve trace and transmission electron microscope (TEM) testing were performed to observe the regeneration of axon. Results After 4 weeks, the function of hind l imb obviously recovered in groups B and C, there were significant differences in BBB score between groups B, C and group A (P lt; 0.05), between group B and group C (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in tilt angle among 3 groups after 1 and 2 weeks, and there were significant differences (P lt; 0.05) among 3 groups after 4 weeks. HE staining showed that significant cavity could be seen in group A, l ittle in group B, and no cavity in group C. BrdU immunohistochemistry staining showed that the number of positive cells was 0, 90.54 ± 6.23, and 121.22 ± 7.54 in groups A, B, and C, respectively; showing significant differences (P lt; 0.01) among 3 groups. HRP retrograde neural tracing observation showed that the number of HRP positive nerve fibers was 10.35 ± 1.72, 43.25 ± 2.65, and 84.37 ± 4.59 in groups A, B, and C, respectively, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.01) among 3 groups. TEM observation showed that a great amount of unmyel inated nerve fibers and myel inated nerve fibers were found in central transverse plane in group C. Conclusion The BMSCs transplantation play an impontant role in promotion of recovering the function of hind l imb after SCI, and mild hypothermia has synergism effects.
Objective To compare the growth and extracellular matrix biosynthesis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs)and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel and to choose seed cells for injectable tissue engineered nucleus pulposus. Methods NPCs were isolated and cultured from 3-week-old New Zealand rabbits (male or female, weighing 150-200 g). BMSCs were isolated and cultured from bone marrow of 1-month-old New Zealand rabbits (male or female, weighing 1.0-1.5 kg). The thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel scaffold was made of chitosan, disodium β glycerophosphate, and hydroxyethyl cellulose. Then, NPCs at the 2nd passage or BMSCs at the 3rd passage were mixed with chitosan hydrogel to prepare NPCs or BMSCs-chitosan hydrogel complex as injectable tissue engineered nucleus pulposus. The viabil ities of NPCs and BMSCs in the chitosan hydrogel were observed 2 days after compound culture. The shapes and distributions of NPCs and BMSCs on the scaffold were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) 1 week after compound culture. The histology and immunohistochemistry examination were performed. The expressions of aggrecan and collagen type II mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR 3 weeks after compound culture. Results The thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel was l iquid at room temperature and sol idified into gel at37 (after 15 minutes) due to crossl inking reaction. Acridine orange/propidium iodide staining showed that the viabil ity rates of NPCs and BMSCs in chitosan hydrogel were above 90%. The SEM observation demonstrated that the NPCs and BMSCs distributed in the reticulate scaffold, with extracellular matrix on their surfaces. The results of HE, safranin O histology and immunohistochemistry staining confirmed that the NPCs and BMSCs in chitosan hydrogel were capable of producing extracellular matrix. RT-PCR results showed that the expressions of collagen type II and aggrecan mRNA were 0.564 ± 0.071 and 0.725 ± 0.046 in NPCs culture with chitosan hydrogel, and 0.713 ± 0.058 and 0.852 ± 0.076 in BMSCs culture with chitosan hydrogel; showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel has good cellular compatibil ity. BMSCs culture with chitosan hydrogel maintains better cell shape, prol iferation, and extracellular matrix biosynthesis than NPCs.
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of G protein coupled receptor kinase interacting protein 1 (GIT1) affecting angiogenesis by comparing the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiated into endothelial cells between GIT1 wild type mice and GIT1 gene knockout mice.MethodsMale and female GIT1 heterozygous mice were paired breeding, and the genotypic identification of newborn mice were detected by PCR. The 2nd generation BMSCs isolated from GIT1 wild type mice or GIT1 gene knockout mice were divided into 4 groups, including wild type control group (group A), wild type experimental group (group A1), GIT1 knockout control group (group B), and GIT1 knockout experimental group (group B1). The cells of groups A1 and B1 were cultured with the endothelial induction medium and the cells of groups A and B with normal cluture medium. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), VEGFR-3, and phospho-VEGFR-2 (pVEGFR-2), and pVEGFR-3 proteins were detected by Western blot. The endothelial cell markers [von Willebrand factor (vWF), platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cadherin)] were detected by flow cytometry. The 2nd generation BMSCs of GIT1 wild type mice were divided into 4 groups according to the different culture media: group Ⅰ, primary cell culture medium; group Ⅱ, cell culture medium containing SAR131675 (VEGFR-3 blocker); group Ⅲ, endothelial induction medium; group Ⅳ, endothelial induction medium containing SAR131675. The endothelial cell markers (vWF, PECAM-1, and VE-Cadherin) in 4 groups were also detected by flow cytometry.ResultsWestern blot results showed that there was no obviously difference in protein expressions of VEGFR-2 and pVEGFR-2 between groups; and the expressions of VEGFR-3 and pVEGFR-3 proteins in group A1 were obviously higher than those in groups A, B, and B1. The flow cytometry results showed that the expressions of vWF, PECAM-1, and VE-Cadherin were significantly higher in group A1 than in groups A, B, and B1 (P<0.05), and in group B1 than in groups A and B (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between groups A and B (P>0.05). In the VEGFR-3 blocked experiment, the flow cytometry results showed that the expressions of vWF, PECAM-1, and VE-Cadherin were significantly higher in group Ⅲ than in groupsⅠ, Ⅱ, and Ⅳ, and in group Ⅳ than in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P>0.05).ConclusionGIT1 mediates BMSCs of mice differentiation into endothelial cells via VEGFR-3, thereby affecting the angiogenesis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of LOC103693069 on hypoxic apoptosis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods BMSCs from 1-week-old Sprague Dawley rat bone marrow were isolated, cultured, and passaged by the whole bone marrow adherent culture method. After identification of adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation, the 3rd generation cells were treated with hypoxia under 5%O2, 1%O2, and anaerobic conditions. After 48 hours, the cell viability, apoptosis, and apoptosis-related proteins [hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), Caspase-3, B cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 (Bcl-2)] expressions were detected, and normal BMSCs were used as controls. Based on the research results, the concentration group with the most obvious apoptosis was selected and used for subsequent experiments. After 48 hours of hypoxia treatment, BMSCs were taken and analyzed by gene chip and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) to screen the most significantly down-regulated gene and construct their high-expression, low-expression, and negative control lentiviruses; BMSCs were transfected with the different lentiviruses, respectively. After qRT-PCR detection confirmed that the transfection was successful, the BMSCs were treated with hypoxia for 48 hours to observe the cell viability and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins. ResultsAfter cell viability, apoptosis, and apoptosis-related proteins were detected, cell apoptosis was the most significant under anaerobic conditions after 48 hours. The above indicators were significantly different from other groups (P<0.05), and this group was used for treatment conditions for subsequent experiments. Gene chip analysis showed that after 48 hours of hypoxia treatment, AC125847.1, LOC102547753, AABR07017208.2, and LOC103693069 were significantly down-regulated in BMSCs, and the expressions of LOC103693069 was the most significant down-regulation detected by qRT-PCR (P<0.05). It was selected to construct lentivirus and transfect BMSCs. Afterwards, qRT-PCR detection showed the successful transfection into the cells. After hypoxia treatment, the apoptosis rate and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins of BMSCs overexpressed by the gene were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion LOC103693069 can relieve the hypoxic apoptosis of BMSCs.
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 construct chemically extracted acellular nerve allograft (CEANA) with Schwann cells (SCs) from different tissues and to compare the effect of repairing peripheral nerve defect. Methods Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and adi pose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were isolated and cultured from 3 4-week-old SD mice with weighing 80-120 g. BMSCs and ADSCs were induced to differentiated MSC (dMSC) and differentiated ADSC (dADSC) in vitro.dMSC and dADSC were identified by p75 protein and gl ial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). SCs were isolated and culturedfrom 10 3-day-old SD mice with weighing 6-8 g. CEANA were made from bilateral sciatic nerves of 20 adult Wistar mice with weighing 200-250 g. Forty adult SD mice were made the model of left sciatic nerve defect (15 mm) and divided into 5 groups (n=8 per group) according to CEANA with different sources of SCs: autografting (group A), acellular grafting with SCs (5 × 105) (group B), acellular grafting with dMSCs (5 × 105) (group C), acellular grafting with dADSCs (5 × 105) (group D), and acellular grafting alone (group E). Motor and sensory nerve recovery was assessed by Von Frey and tension of the triceps surae muscle testing 12 weeks after operation. Then wet weight recovery ratio of triceps surae muscles was measured and histomorphometric assessment of nerve grafts was evaluated. Results BMSCs and ADSCs did not express antigens CD34 and CD45, and expressed antigen CD90. BMSCs and ADSC were differentiated into similar morphous of SCs and confirmed by the detection of SCs-specific cellsurface markers. The mean 50% withdrawal threshold in groups A, B, C, D, and E was (13.8 ± 2.3), (15.4 ± 6.5), (16.9 ± 5.3), (16.3 ± 3.5), and (20.0 ± 5.3) g, showing significant difference between group A and group E (P lt; 0.01). The recovery of tension of the triceps surae muscle in groups A, B, C, D, and E was 87.0% ± 9.7%, 70.0% ± 6.6%, 69.0% ± 6.7%, 65.0% ± 9.8%, and 45.0%± 12.1%, showing significant differences between groups A, B, C, D, and group E (P lt; 0.05). No inflammatory reactionexisted around nerve graft. The histological observation indicated that the number of myel inated nerve fiber and the myel in sheath thickness in group E were significantly smaller than that in groups B, C, and D (P lt; 0.01). The fiber diameter of group B was significantly bigger than that of groups C and D (P lt; 0.05) Conclusion CEANA supplementing with dADSC has similar repair effect in peripheral nerve defect to supplementing with dMSC or SCs. dADSC, as an ideal seeding cell in nerve tissue engineering, can be benefit for treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.