ObjectiveTo review the research progress of different ways of stem cells generation and cells dedifferentiation induced by reversine. MethodsThe papers related to reversine inducing cells dedifferentiation and stem cells generation were reviewed. ResultsTo obtain stem cells, there are always some disadvantages via somatic cell nuclear transfer or gene transfection. However reversine, a small molecule, can induce cells dedifferentiation which has unique advantage. But its mechanism is still unclear. ConclusionThe chemical approach for generation of induced pluripotent stem cells by reversine may take the place of other methods.
Objective To review new progress of related research of bone tissue engineering in recent years. Methods Domestic and international l iterature concerning bone tissue engineering was reviewed and analyzed. Results In the recent years, great progression had been made in the research and development of bone tissue engineering, it had been used in more and more hospitals, and relevant national regulations and protocols had been set up. As to seed cells of bone tissue engineering, autologous and allogeneic stem cells had been widely used, while recently embryonic stem cells and induced pluri potent stem cells had attracted most attentions. In the field of scaffolds materials, significant improvementshad been made, from natural extractions to artificial polymers; from single construction to multiple compounds with surface modifications. As to the methods of construction, the static seeding approach had been widely accepted, and the appl ications of bioreactor had provided a stable and various micro-enviroment for the vitro-culture of different stem cells, which had beenregarded as an alternative way of vitro-culture and construction for bone tissue engineering. Conclusion With the tremendous help of the techniques and approaches above, we shall expect a promising future of a new generation bone tissue engineering based medical products in the years to come.
ObjectiveTo review the research advance of differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) into Schwann cells in vitro in recent years. MethodsRelated literatures on differentiation of iPS into Schwann cells in vitro at present were consulted, the induction methods of iPS differentiating into Schwann cells in vitro were summarized, and the differentiated cells were identified and detected. ResultsThe research results indicate that iPS can differentiate into Schwann cells. So far, the iPS have to differentiate into neural crest cells or neural crest stem cells firstly, and then differentiate into Schwann cells. S100-β and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are recognized as the marker of Schwann cells. The evidence of generating Schwann cells was that the neural crest cells or neural crest stem cells were labelled by p75+, HNK1+, or nestin+ before differentiation, and by S100-β+ and GFAP+ after induction. ConclusionDespite the increasing reported studies of Schwann cells from iPS, there have been few successful induction methods, so this field of cytology needs further study.
ObjectiveTo study the external biocompatibility bewteen the mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (miPSCs) and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx). MethodsAfter we recovered and subcultured miPSCs, we divided them into two groups. There was one group cultured with material of PHBHHx films outside the body. We observed the adhesive pattern of miPSCs on film by fluorescence of 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. The cell vitality was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The morphology of miPSCs attached on the film was visualized under scanning electron microscope (SEM). We used the traditional petri dish to culture miPSCs and detect the cell activity by CCK-8. ResultsMiPSCs can adhere and proliferate on PHBHHx films. The result of cell vitality which detected by CCK-8 showed that there was a statistical difference in OD value between culturing on PHBHHx films and traditional cultivation (0.617±0.019 vs. 0.312±0.004, P < 0.05). ConclusionThere are adhesion and proliferation on the surface of cells patch made by miPSCs co-culturing with PHBHHx film. Compared with traditional culturing in the cell culture dish, culturing in PHBHHx films have great advantages in the process of adhesion and proliferation. PHBHHx can be used as one of the scaffold for stem cells treating various disease.
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanical properties of the novel compound calcium phosphate cement (CPC) biological material as well as the biological activity and osteogenesis effects of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) seeding on scaffold and compare their bone regeneration efficacy in cranial defects in rats.MethodsAc- cording to the different scaffold materials, the experiment was divided into 4 groups: pure CPC scaffold group (group A), CPC∶10%wt chitosan as 2∶1 ratio mixed scaffold group (group B), CPC∶10%wt chitosan∶whisker as 2∶1∶1 ratio mixed scaffold group (group C), and CPC∶10%wt chitosan∶whisker as 2∶1∶2 ratio mixed scaffold group (group D). Mechanical properties (bending strength, work-of-fracture, hardness, and modulus of elasticity) of each scaffold were detected. The scaffolds were cultured with fifth generation iPS-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and the absorbance (A) values of each group were detected at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method; the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Live/Dead fluorescence staining and quantitative detection, ALP, Runx2, collagen typeⅠ, osteocalcin (OC), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) gene expressions by RT-PCR were detected at 1, 7, and 14 days; and the alizarin red staining were detected at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days. Twenty-four 3-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish the 8 mm-long skull bone defect model, and were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6); 4 kinds of scaffold materials were implanted respectively. After 8 weeks, HE staining was used to observe the repair of bone defects and to detect the percentage of new bone volume and the density of neovascularization.ResultsThe bending strength, work-of-fracture, hardness, and modulus of elasticity in groups B, C, and D were significantly higher than those in group A, and in groups C, D than in group B, and in group D than in group C (P<0.05). CCK-8 assay showed that cell activity gradually increased with the increase of culture time, theA values in groups B, C, and D at 3, 7, 14 days were signifiantly higher than those in group A, and in groups C, D than in group B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups C and D (P>0.05). Live/Dead fluorescence staining showed that the proportion of living cells in groups B, C, and D at 7 and 14 days was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.05), and in groups C, D at 7 days than in group B (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between groups C and D (P>0.05). RT-PCR showed that the relative expressions of genes in groups B, C, and D at 7 and 14 days were significantly higher than those in group A, and in groups C, D than in group B (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between groups C and D (P>0.05). Alizarin red staining showed that the red calcium deposition on the surface of scaffolds gradually deepened and thickened with the prolongation of culture time; theA values in groups B, C, and D at 14 and 21 days were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.05), and in groups C and D than in group B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups C and D (P>0.05).In vivo repair experiments in animals showed that the new bone in each group was mainly filled with the space of scaffold material. Osteoblasts and neovascularization were surrounded by new bone tissue in the matrix, and osteoblasts were arranged on the new bone boundary. The new bone in groups B, C, and D increased significantly when compared with group A, and the new bone in groups C and D was significantly higher than that in group B. The percentage of new bone volume and the density of neovascularization in groups B, C, and D were significantly higher than those in group A, and in groups C and D than in group B (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between groups C and D (P>0.05).ConclusionThe mechanical properties of the new reinforced composite scaffold made from composite chitosan, whisker, and CPC are obviously better than that of pure CPC scaffold material, which can meet the mechanical properties of cortical bone and cancellous bone. iPS-MSCs is attaching and proliferating on the new reinforced composite scaffold material, and the repair effect of bone tissue is good. It can meet the biological and osteogenic activity requirements of the implant materials in the bone defect repair.
Objective To review the application of urine derived stem cells (USCs) in regeneration of musculoskeletal system. Methods The original literature about USCs in the regeneration of musculoskeletal system was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results The source of USCs is noninvasive and extensive. USCs express MSCs surface markers with stable proliferative and multi-directional differentiation capabilities, and are widely used in bone, skin, nerve, and other skeletal and muscle system regeneration fields and show a certain repair capacity. Conclusion USCs from non-invasive sources have a wide application prospect in the regeneration of musculoskeletal system, but the definite biological mechanism of its repair needs further study.
ObjectiveTo construct bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) gelatin/chitosan hydrogel sustained-release system, co-implant with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to hydroxyapatite (HA)/zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) bio porous ceramic foam, co-culture in vitro, and to explore the effect of sustained-release system on osteogenic differentiation of iPS-MSCs.MethodsBMP-2 gelatin/chitosan hydrogel microspheres were prepared by water-in-oil solution. Drug encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, and in vitro sustained release rate of the microspheres were tested. HA/ZrO2 bio porous ceramic foam composite iPS-MSCs and BMP-2 gelatin/chitosan hydrogel sustained release system co-culture system was established as experimental group, and cell scaffold complex without BMP-2 composite gelatin/chitosan hydrogel sustained release system as control group. After 3, 7, 10, and 14 days of co-culture in the two groups, ALP secretion of cells was detected; gene expression levels of core binding factor alpha 1 (Cbfa1), collagen type Ⅰ, and Osterix (OSX) were detected by RT-PCR; the expression of collagen type Ⅰ was observed by immunohistochemical staining at 14 days of culture; and cell creep and adhesion were observed by scanning electron microscopy.ResultsBMP-2 gelatin/chitosan hydrogel sustained-release system had better drug encapsulation efficiency and drug loading, and could prolong the activity time of BMP-2. The secretion of ALP and the relative expression of Cbfa1, collagen type Ⅰ, and OSX genes in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at different time points in the in vitro co-culture system (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the amount of fluorescence in the experimental group was significantly more than that in the control group, i.e. the expression level of collagen type Ⅰ was higher than that in the control group. The cells could be more evenly distributed on the materials, and the cell morphology was good. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the sustained-release system could adhere to cells well.ConclusioniPS-MSCs have the ability of osteogenic differentiation, which is significantly enhanced by BMP-2 gelatin/chitosan hydrogel sustained-release system. The combination of iPS-MSCs and sustained-release system can adhere to the materials well, and the cell activity is better.
Objective To explore the role of over-expression of TBX3 and TBX18 in inducing human induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPS) to enrich and differentiate into sinoatrial node-like cells. Methods The expression of stemness markers OCT3/4, SOX2, and NANOG in HiPS was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT- PCR), and compared with human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expression of HiPS stemness markers OCT3/4, NANOG, SSEA4, and TRA-1-60. The HiPS were directional differentiated into cardiomyocytes, the expressions of ISL1, NK2 homeobox 5 (NKX2-5), ACTN1, and TNNT2 were detected by qRT-PCR, and human adult cardiomyocytes (hACM) were used as positive control. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expressions of NKX2-5, cardiac troponin (cTnT), α-actinin, atria myosin light chain 2A (MLC-2A), and ventricular myosin light chain 2V (MLC-2V). The positive rate of α-actinin was detected by flow cytometry. On the 3rd day after HiPS were differentiated into cardiomyocytes (mesodermal stage), lentiviral over-expressions of sinoatrial node-related genes TBX3 and TBX18 were carried out for 21 days. The relative expressions of specific markers TBX3, TBX18, SHOX2, NKX2-5, HCN4, and HCN1 in sinoatrial node cells were detected by qRT-PCR, and compared with enhanced green fluorescent protein blank virus. Results OCT3/4, SOX2, and NANOG were highly expressed in HiPS and ESCs, and there was no significant difference in the relative expression of each gene (P>0.05); OCT3/4 and NANOG were specifically distributed in the nucleus of HiPS, while SSEA4 and TRA-1-60 were distributed in the cell membrane. The relative expressions of ISL1 gene at 5, 7, 21, and 28 days and NKX2-5 gene at 7, 21, and 28 days of HiPS differentiation into cardiomyocytes were significantly higher than those of hACM (P<0.05), and the relative expressions of ACTN1 and TNNT2 genes at 3, 5, 7, and 21 days of HiPS differentiation into cardiomyocytes were significantly lower than those of hACM (P<0.05). NKX2-5 was expressed in most of the nuclei, cTnT and α-actinin, MLC-2A and MLC-2V signals were localized in the cytoplasm, presenting a texture-like structure of muscle nodules. Flow cytometry results showed that HiPS was successfully induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. The expressions of TBX18, SHOX2, HCN4, and HCN1 in the over-expression TBX3 group were up-regulated when compared with the control group, and difference in the relative expression of SHOX2 gene was significant (P<0.05); the relative expression of NKX2-5 gene was lower than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the relative expression of each gene between the over-expressed TBX18 group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion HiPS and hESCs have similar pluripotency, and we have established a stable method for maintaining and culturing the stemness of HiPS. A technological platform for the efficient differentiation of HiPS into cardiomyocytes has been successfully established. Although TBX3 and TBX18 do not play a significant role in promoting the enrichment and differentiation of HiPS into sinoatrial node-like cells, TBX3 shows a certain promoting trend, which can be further explored in the future.
ObjectiveTo explore the role of joint regulation of Wnt and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into cardiomyocytes.MethodsHiPSCs were cultured and observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expressions of hiPSCs pluripotent markers (OCT3/4, NANOG, and TRA-1-60). HiPSCs were passaged which were taken for subsequent experiments within the 35th passage. When the fusion degree of hiPSCs was close to 100%, the CHIR99021 (Wnt pathway activator) was added on the 0th day of differentiation. Different concentrations of IWP4 (inhibitor of Wnt production) were added on the 3rd day of differentiation, and the best concentration of IWP4 was added at different time points. The optimal concentration and the best effective period of IWP4 were obtained by detecting the expression of troponin T (TNNT2) mRNA by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Then, on the basis of adding CHIR99021 and IWP4, different concentrations of BMP-4 were added on the 5th day of differentiation, and the best concentration of BMP-4 was added at different time points. The optimal concentration and best effective period of BMP-4 were obtained by detecting the expression of TNNT2 mRNA. Finally, hiPSCs were divided into three groups: Wnt group, BMP group, and Wnt+BMP group. On the basis of adding CHIR99021 on the 0th day of differentiation, IWP4, BMP-4, and IWP4+BMP-4 were added into Wnt group, BMP group, and Wnt+BMP group respectively according to the screening results. Cells were collected on the 7th and the 15th days of differentiation. The expressions of myocardial precursor cell markers [ISL LIM homeobox 1 (ISL1), NK2 homeobox 5 (NKX2-5)] and cardiomyocyte specific markers [myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), myosin light chain 2 (MYL2), MYL7, and TNNT2] were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Cells were collected on the 28th day of differentiation, and the expression of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsThe results of cell mophology and immunoflurescence staining showed that the OCT3/4, NANOG, and TRA-1-60 were highly expressed in hiPSCs, which suggested that hiPSCs had characteristics of pluripotency. The optimal concentration of IWP4 was 10.0 μmol/L (P<0.05) and the best effective period was the 3rd day (P<0.05) in inducing hiPSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. The optimal concentration of BMP-4 was 20.0 ng/mL (P<0.05) and the best effective period was the 3rd day (P<0.05). The relative expressions of ISL1, NKX2-5, MEF2C, MYL2, MYL7, and TNNT2 mRNAs, the positive expression ratio of cTnT detected by flow cytometry, and sarcomere structure detected by immunofluorescence staining of Wnt+BMP group were superior to those of Wnt group (P<0.05).ConclusionJoint regulation of Wnt and BMP signaling pathways can improve the differentiation efficiency of hiPSCs into cardiomyocytes.