OBJECTIVE: From the point of view of material science, the methods of tissue repair and defect reconstruct were discussed, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), growth factors, gene therapy and tissue engineered tissue. METHODS: The advances in tissue engineering technologies were introduced based on the recent literature. RESULTS: Tissue engineering should solve the design and preparation of molecular scaffold, tissue vascularization and dynamic culture of cell on the scaffolds in vitro. CONCLUSION: Biomaterials play an important role in the tissue engineering. They can be used as the matrices of MSCs, the delivery carrier of growth factor, the culture scaffold of cell in bioreactors and delivery carrier of gene encoding growth factors.
Objective To study the vascularization of the compositeof bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) gene transfected marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biodegradable scaffolds in repairing bone defect. Methods Adenovirus vector carrying BMP-2 (Ad-BMP-2) gene transfected MSCs and gene modified tissue engineered bone was constructed. The 1.5 cm radial defect models were made on 60 rabbits, which were evenly divided into 4 groups randomly(n=15, 30 sides). Different materials were used in 4 groups: Ad-BMP-2 transfected MSCs plus PLA/PCL (group A), AdLacz transfected MSCs plus PLA/PCL (group B), MSCs plus PLA/PCL (group C) and only PLA/PCL scaffolds (group D). The X-ray, capillary vessel ink infusion, histology, TEM, VEGF expression and microvacular density counting(MVD) were made 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation. Results In group A after 4 weeks, foliated formed bones image was observed in the transplanted bones, new vessels grew into the bones, the pores of scaffolds were filled with cartilage callus, osteoblasts with active function grew around the microvessels, and VEGF expression and the number of microvessels were significantly superior to those of other groups, showing statistically significant difference (Plt;0.01); after 8 weeks, increasingly more new bones grew in the transplanted bones, microvessels distended and connected with each other, cartilage callus changed into trabecular bones; after 12 weeks, lamellar bone became successive, marrow cavity recanalized, microvessels showed orderly longitudinal arrangement. In groups B and C, the capability of bone formation was weak, the regeneration of blood vessels was slow, after 12 weeks, defects were mostly repaired, microvessels grew among the new trabecular bones. In group D, few new vessels were observed at each time, after 12 weeks, broken ends became hardened, the defectedarea was filled with fibrous tissue. Conclusion BMP-2 gene therapy, by -upregulating VEGF expression, indirectly induces vascularization ofgrafts,promotes the living of seed cells, and thus accelerates new bone formation.
Objective To explore the feasibility of allogeneic marrow stromal stem cells(MSCs) as seed cells to construct tissue engineered bone bydetecting the expressions of interleukin 2(IL-2) and IL-2 receptor in rhesus monkeys after implanting these tissue engineered bones.Methods Engineered bones were constructed with osteoblasts which derived from allogeneic MSCs and bio-derived materials in vitro, and then were implanted to bridge 2.5 cm segmental bone defects of left radius in 15 rhesus monkeys as experimental group, bioderived materials only were implanted to bridge same size defects of right radius as control group. Every 3 monkeys were sacrificed in the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd, the 6th andthe 12th weeks postoperatively and the expressions of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor in blood and graft samples were detected quantitatively by enzymelinked immuneosorbent assay (ELISA).Results There was no significant difference in the contents of IL-2 and its receptor between 2 groups（P＞0.05）. The contents ofIL-2 and its receptor increased from the 2nd week and maintained high level from the 2nd to the 6th week, but decreased after 6 weeks.ConclusionTissue engineered bones constructed with allogeneic MSCs and bio-derived materials show low immunogenicity. Allogeneic MSCs may be used as seed cells to construct tissue engineered bone.
Objective To investigate the possibility of differentiation of theisolated and cultured adipose-derived adult stem cells into chondrocytes, which is induced by the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2). Methods The rabbit adipose tissue was minced and digested by collagenase Type Ⅰ. The adposederived adult stem cells were obtained and then they were cultured inthe micropellet condition respectively in the rhBMP-2 group, the rhTGF-β1 group, the combination group, and the control group for 14 days. The differentiation of the adiposederived stem cells into chondrocytes was identifiedby the histological methods including HE, Alcian blue, Von kossa, and immunohistochemical stainings. Results After the continuous induction by rhBMP-2 and continuous culture for 14 days, the HE staining revealed a formation of the cartilage lacuna; Alcian blue indicated that proteoglycan existed in the extracellular matrix; the immunohistochemical staining indicated that collagen Ⅱ was in the cellular matrix; and Von kossa indicated that the adipose-derived stem cells couldnot differentiate into the osteoblasts by an induction of rhBMP-2. Conclusion In the micropellet condition, the adipose-derived adult stemcells can differentiate into the chondrocytes, which is initially induced by rhBMP-2. This differentiation can provide a foundation for the repair of the cartilage injury.
Objective To explore the effect of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in China goat in vitro. Methods MSCs from the bone marrow of China goat were cultured. The third passage of MSCs were treated with PRP in the PRP group (the experimental group), but the cells were cultured with only the fetal calf serum (FCS) in the FCS group (the control group). The morphology and proliferation of the cells were observed by an inverted phase contrast microscope. The effect of PRP on proliferation of MSCs was examined by the MTT assay at 2,4,6 and 8 days. Furthermore, MSCs were cultured withdexamethasone（DEX）or PRP; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the calcium stainingwere used to evaluate the effect of DEX or PRP on osteogenic differatiation of MSCs at 18 days. The results from the PRP group were compared with those from the FCS group. Results The time for the MSCs confluence in the PRP group was earlier than that in the FCS group when observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope. The MTT assay showed that at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days the mean absorbance values were 0.252±0.026, 0.747±0.042, 1.173±0.067, and 1.242±0.056 in the PRP group, but 0.137±0.019, 0.436±0.052, 0.939±0.036, and 1.105±0.070 in the FCS group. The mean absorbance value was significantly higher in the PRP group than in the FCS group at each observation time (P＜0.01). Compared with the FCS group, the positive-ALP cells and the calcium deposition were decreased in the PRP group; however, DEX could increase boththe number of the positiveALP cells and the calcium deposition. Conclusion The PRP can promote proliferation of the MSCs of China goats in vitro but inhibit osteogenic differentiation.
Retinal degeneration mainly include age-related macular degeneration, retinitispigmentosa and Stargardt’s disease. Although its expression is slightly different, its pathogenesis is photoreceptor cells and/or retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cel1 damage or degeneration. Because of the 1ack of self-repairing and renewal of retinal photoreceptor cells and RPE cells, cell replacement therapy is one of the most effective methods for treating such diseases.The stem cells currently used for the treatment of retinal degeneration include embryonicstem cells (ESC) and various adult stem cells, such as retinal stem cells (RSC), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). and mesenchyma1 stem cells (MSC). Understanding the currentbasic and clinical application progress of ESC, iPSC, RSC, MSC can provide a new idea for the treatment of retinal degeneration.
Objective To investigate the method and conditions of isolation，proliferation of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs）from human umbilical cord blood in vitro, and to induce osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation directly for identification. Methods Human umbilical cord blood was collected in asepsis condition, isolated by density gradient centrifugation,or sedimented red cell with methylcellulose, and then the same centrifugation was done, or obtained by negative immunodepletion of CD34+. These isolated mononuclear cells were used to carry on plastic adherent culture. To obtain single cellderived colonies, these cells were proliferated clonally in medium which consists of L-DMEM orMesencultTM medium and 10% fetal calf serum（FCS） respectively, then their differentiation potentiality to osteoblasts and lipoblasts was tested. Results The mononuclear cells isolated by sedimented and centrifugated way cultured in MesencultTM medium and 10%FCS were most available. These adhesive cells could become obviously short rodshape or shuttle-shape cells after 5-7 days.The colonies form well in 3rdpassage cells. The mononuclear cells obtained by onlycentrifugalized in density gradient were hard to form colony, isolated by immunomagnetic beads were hard to culture. The surface antigens of these colonies cells presented CD29, CD59, CD71 but not CD34,CD45 and HLADR etc. The colony cells differentiating into osteoblasts that produce mineralized matrices, stained by alizarin red, and differentiating into adipocytes that accumulate lipid vacuoles, stained by oil red. Conclusion MSCs can be isolated from human umbilical cord blood and proliferate it in vitro. The way that mononuclear cells are sedimented red cell by methylcellulose and cultured by MesencultTM medium and 10% FCS is the valid method of isolation. Proliferation colonies cells present matrix cell immunophenotypes, and candifferentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes.
Objective To construct inducible lentiviral vector containing human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP-2) gene and to study its expression in human umbil ical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs). Methods hBMP-2 gene was ampl ified by PCR from a plasmid and was cloned into pDown by BP reaction. pLV/EXPN2-Neo-TRE-hBMP-2 and pLV/EXPN2-Puro-EF1A-reverse transactivator (rtTA) were obtained with GATEWAY technology, and then were sequenced and analyzed by PCR. The recombinant vectors were transfected into 293FT cells respectively through l ipofectamine, and the lentiviral viruses were harvested from 293FT cells, then the titer was determined. Viruses were used to infect HUMSCs in tandem. In order to research the influence of induction time and concentration, one group of HUMSCs was induced by different doxycl ine concentrations (0, 10, 100 ng/mL, and 1, 10, 100 μg/mL) in the same induction time (48 hours), and the other by the same concentration (10 μg/mL) in different time points (12, 24, 48, and 72 hours). The expression of target gene hBMP-2 was indentified by ELISA method. After 2-week osteogenic induction of transfected HUMSCs, the mineral ization nodes were detected with Al izarin bordeaux staining method. Results Therecombinant inducible lentiviral vectors (pLV/EXPN2-Neo-TRE-hBMP-2 and pLV/EXPN2-Puro-EF1A-rtTA) were successfully constructed. The lentiviruses were also obtained and mediated by 293FT cells, and the virus titers were 3.5 × 108 TU/mL and 9.5 × 107 TU/mL respectively. HUMSCs could expression hBMP-2 by induction of doxycycl ine. The expression of hBMP-2 reached the peak at 10 μg/mL doxycl ine at 48 hours of induction. After 2-week osteogenic induction, a lot of mineral ization nodes were observed. Conclusion The recombinant inducible lentiviral vectors containing hBMP-2 gene can be successfully constructed, which provide an effective and simple method for the further study of stem cells and animal experiment in vivo.
Objective To investigate the effect of Kartogenin (KGN) combined with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rabbits. Methods After the primary ADSCs were cultured by passaging, the 3rd generation cells were cultured with 10 μmol/L KGN solution for 72 hours. The supernatant of KGN-ADSCs was harvested and mixed with fibrin glue at a ratio of 1∶1; the 3rd generation ADSCs were mixed with fibrin glue as a control. Eighty adult New Zealand white rabbits were taken and randomly divided into 4 groups: saline group (group A), ADSCs group (group B), KGN-ADSCs group (group C), and sham-operated group (group D). After the ACL reconstruction model was prepared in groups A-C, the saline, the mixture of ADSCs and fibrin glue, and the mixture of supernatant of KGN-ADSCs and fibrin glue were injected into the tendon-bone interface and tendon gap, respectively. ACL was only exposed without other treatment in group D. The general conditions of the animals were observed after operation. At 6 and 12 weeks, the tendon-bone interface tissues and ACL specimens were taken and the tendon-bone healing was observed by HE staining, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL apoptosis assay. The fibroblasts were counted, and the positive expression rate of JNK protein and apoptosis index (AI) were measured. At the same time point, the tensile strength test was performed to measure the maximum load and the maximum tensile distance to observe the biomechanical properties. Results Twenty-eight rabbits were excluded from the study due to incision infection or death, and finally 12, 12, 12, and 16 rabbits in groups A-D were included in the study, respectively. After operation, the tendon-bone interface of groups A and B healed poorly, while group C healed well. At 6 and 12 weeks, the number of fibroblasts and positive expression rate of JNK protein in group C were significantly higher than those of groups A, B, and D (P<0.05). Compared with 6 weeks, the number of fibroblasts gradually decreased and the positive expression rate of JNK protein and AI decreased in group C at 12 weeks after operation, with significant differences (P<0.05). Biomechanical tests showed that the maximum loads at 6 and 12 weeks after operation in group C were higher than in groups A and B, but lower than those in group D, while the maximum tensile distance results were opposite, but the differences between groups were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion After ACL reconstruction, local injection of a mixture of KGN-ADSCs and fibrin glue can promote the tendon-bone healing and enhance the mechanical strength and tensile resistance of the tendon-bone interface.
ObjectiveTo observe the influence of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSC) transplantation into vitreous cavity of diabetic rats on the retinal morphology, and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and rhodopsin (RHO). Methods78 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. 70 rats were injected with streptozotocin by tail vein injection at a dose of 40 mg/kg to establish the diabetes mellitus model, and another 8 rats were injected with 0.1 mol/L pH 4.0 citric acid buffer at the same dose as the normal control group. After 6 weeks of modeling, 10 rats were taken as the control group of diabetic model. hUCMSC suspension was injected into the right eye vitreous cavity of the remaining 60 rats, and the same volume of Dulbecco's modified Eagle/F12 medium was injected into the left vitreous cavity as control eyes. 1, 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation, follow-up experiments were performed. The experimental eyes were labeled as U1, U2, and U4 groups, while the control eyes were recorded as D1, D2, D4, and each group consisted of 20 eyes. After paraffin section and hematoxylin-eosin staining, the structure of the retina was observed by optical microscopy and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer and the inner nuclear layer (INL) were measured. The distribution and migration of hUCMSC in rat retina were observed by frozen section-tissue immunofluorescence assay. The mRNA and protein expression of GFAP and RHO in the retina were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot assays. ResultsThe results of optical microscope observation showed the normal structure of retina in normal control group. The retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) was thinned and the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in the control group of diabetic rats was decreased. The decreased number and disorder arrangement of RGC were observed as well in U1, D1 rats. The RGC number of U2, U4, D2, D4 rats was gradually decreased. Compared with D4 group, the thickness of INL in U4 group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Tissue immunofluorescence assay showed that hUCMSC were distributed along the inner limiting membrane in the retina of the U1 group, while the number of hUCMSC in the U2 group was gradually decreased, mainly in the NFL and ganglion cell layers. Real-time PCR and Western blot data indicated that the relative expression of GFAP mRNA and protein in the diabetic retina was significantly increased, and the relative expression of RHO mRNA and protein decreased gradually in the diabetic model group and the D1, D2, D4 groups. Compared with D2 and D4 groups, the mRNA and protein expression of GFAP in U2 and U4 groups were decreased, and the relative expression of RHO mRNA and protein were all increased (P < 0.01). ConclusionhUCMSC could migrate and integrate into the retina, after the transplantation into the vitreous cavity of diabetic rats, which reduced the expression of GFAP, but enhanced the expression of RHO.