ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of echinococcus granulosus protoscolices on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into fibroblasts.MethodsFemur bone marrow of 4-week-old C57BL/6 mice was taken and BMSCs were isolated and cultured by adherent culture. Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices was extracted from the liver of sheep infected with echinococcus granulosus. The experiment was divided into two groups. The experimental group was co-cultured with the 3rd generation BMSCs and the echinococcus granulosus protoscolices, and the control group was the 3rd generation BMSCs. Before and after co-culture, the morphology of BMSCs and the activity of echinococcus granulosus protoscolices were observed by inverted microscope. After cultured for 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, the mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type Ⅰ, and collagen type Ⅲ were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, the protein expressions of TGF-β1, collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, Smad7, and phosphorylated Smad2/3 were detected by Western blot, and the contents of collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ in the supernatant of the two groups were detected by ELISA.ResultsAfter 7 days of co-culture, the morphology of BMSCs changed into fusiform and irregular triangle, which was closer to the mouse fibroblasts. The relative mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, collagen type Ⅰ, and collagen type Ⅲ in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group; the relative protein expressions of TGF-β1, collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, and phosphorylated Smad2/3 in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the relative protein expression of Smad7 in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group; the contents of collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ in the supernatant of the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The differences between the two groups were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionEchinococcus granulosus protoscolices may promote the secretion of collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, and TGF-β1 by TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway, which can promote the fibrosis of BMSCs that related to the formation of fibrocystic wall by echinococcosis.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of passive immunization of fetus via mother on preventing the transmission of HBV from mother to infant. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was designed. Fifty-two HBeAg positive pregnant women were randomly allocated to two groups, of which 28 women were allocated to trial group, and injected with 200 IU of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) for 1 injection at the 28th, 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy respectively, 24 women allocated to control group were given no injection of HBIG. The samples of cord blood from the newborns in two groups were collected and tested for HBeAg and HBV-DNA by ELISA and FQ-PCR. Results The rates of HBeAg positive in the newborns were 21.4% in trial group, 79.2% in control group. There was statistically significant difference between two groups ( χ2=17.26, Plt;0.01, RR=0.27). The rates of HBV-DNA positive in newborns were 25.0% in trial group, 83.3% in control group, showing statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=17.62, Plt;0.01, RR=0.30). In the trial group, there were 21 newborns with HBV-DNA negative, 7 with HBV-DNA positive. HBV-DNA quantities were significantly lower in 7 newborns than in their mothers (T=28, P=0.02, Wilcoxon test). Conclusions Multiple injections of HBIG to pregnant women with HBeAg positive before labor could greatly reduce mother-infant transmission of HBV.