Objective To study a simple and practical method of isolation, culture and identification of hepatic oval cells from adult rat. Methods Wistar adult rats were fed by 2-acetaminofluorere （AAF） and were stimulated by partial hepatectomy to activate the proliferation of hepatic oval cells. After operation 12 days, the livers were resected for isolating oval cells. Hepatic tissue was digested by 0.10% collagenase Ⅳ and the obtained heterogeneous liver cells were then isolated and purified by density gradient centrifugation. The expressions of albumin and CK19 mRNA in hepatic oval cells were analyzed by immuno-fluorescence and RT-PCR. Results The survival rate of the newly isolated oval cells was more than 90%. The hepatic stem cells were shown by immuno-fluorescence of stem cell’s antigen c-kit. The expressions of mRNA CK19 and albumin of the oval cell were also detected by PCR. The proliferation activity of the newly isolated oval cells was significantly high and they could be induced to differentiate into both hepatic and bile ductal cells by some growth factors. Conclusion The successful development of the simple and feasible isolation and purification procedure as well as the identification method for hepatic oval cells may provide a fundamental for further studies about bionomics of the hepatic stem cell and the relation between stem cells and hepatic carcinoma.
ObjectiveTo explore the suitable method for isolation and maintenance of primary cultures of human gallbladder epithelial cells (GECs) for establishing the basis of research works in physiological function of gallbladder and its related diseases.MethodsGECs were isolated with collagenase type Ⅳ and blunt separation.The dishes were coated with fibronectin, laminin and polyDlysine respectively.Additional 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor was added to DMEM medium containing 20% fetal calf serum.The cells were studied under light and electron microscope to determine their shape and distribution.ResultsEach gallbladder yielded approximately (1-5)×107columnar epithelial cells,greater than 95% of which were viable by trypan blue exclusion.The cells grew vigorously within one week which was flat and multangular in shape. CK19 expressed positive.Electron microscope showed typical gallbladder epithelia with microvilli,tight junctions and mucus droplets.ConclusionCombination of collagenase type Ⅳ，mechanical blunt separation and twostep attachment is of great benefit for separating and harvesting GEC.Fibronectin coated culture dish and DMEM medium containing 20% calf serum and 10 ng/ml hEGF is of great benefit for culturing gallbladder epithelial cells.
Objective\ To promote the differentiation of cultured endothelial cells and enhance their resistance to fluid shear stress.\ Methods\ Using the mended parallel plate flow apparatus and peristalsis pump providing fluid shear stress, endothelial culture models were established in vitro with the same environment factors as steady culture. According to the increasing degree of shear stress, the experiment included:(1) Group A, exposing to the gradual increasing fluid shear stress, (2) Group B, exposing to step ...
Objective The biological effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) may be different under different intensities and durations. To investigate the impact of sustained increasing FGF signal upon the development of epiphyseal plate. Methods Epiphyseal plates cultured in vitro were obtained from embryonic C57BL/6J mice, and were divided into control group (0.1% DMSO), basic FGF (bFGF) group (100 μg/L bFGF and 0.1% DMSO), and PD98059 group (100 μg/L bFGF and 50 μmol/L PD98059 with 0.1% DMSO). The total length (TL) and ossified tissue length (OSL) of the cultured bones weremeasured with Calcein staining 6 days after culture. The expressions of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), collagen type II (Col II), and Col X genes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantative PCR 7 days after culture. Results The embryonic bones cultured in vitro continued growth. At 6 days after culture, there was no significant difference in increased percentage of TL between bFGF group and control group (P gt; 0.05), the increased percentage of OSL in bFGF group was significantly less than that in control group (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the increased percentage of TL and OSL between PD98059 group and control group (P gt; 0.05), but they were significantly higher than those of bFGF group (P lt; 0.05). At 7 days after culture, the gene expressions of Ihh, Col II, and Col X in bFGF group significantly decreased when compared with those in control group (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the gene expressions of Col II and Col X between PD98059 group and control group (P gt; 0.05), but the gene expressions were significantly higher than those of bFGF group (P lt; 0.05); the expression of Ihh in PD98059 group was significantly higher than that in control group and bFGF group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Sustained increasing FGF signal may affect the Col II and Col X expressions by down-regulating Ihh, which may lead to the development retardation of epiphyseal plate cultured in vitro. The external signal regulated kinase pathway may play an important role in the process.
Objective To compare the myogenic differentiation abil ity in vitro of rabbit adipose-derived stem cells (ADCSs) from different sites so as to provide ideal seed cells for repair and reconstruction of urinary tract. Methods Adipose tissues were obtained from the nape of the neck, post peritoneum, and vicinity of epididymis of a 4-month-old male New Zealand rabbit and ADSCs were harvested through collagenase digestion. ADSCs were purified by differential attachment method. The protein marker CD44 of rabbit ADSCs was used to identify the stem cells by immunocytochemistry, then the5th generation of ADSCs were induced to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, and myogenic cells. Multi- differentiation was confirmed by Oil red O staining, von Kossa staining, and RT-PCR. Myogenic differentiation abil ities of ADSCs from 3 different sites were compared between the control group (L-DMEM medium containing 10%FBS) and the experimental group (myogenic medium) by RT-PCR method. Results ADSCs could be easily isolated from adipose tissues of the nape of the neck, post peritoneum, and vicinity of epididymis. ADSCs displayed a typical cobblestone morphology. Brown particles could be seen in ADSCs by CD44 immunocytochemistry staining. Oil red O staining showed red fat drops in ADSCs after 14 days of adipogenic culture. Black matrix could be seen in ADSCs by von Kossa staining after 28 days of osteogenic culture. RT-PCR detection showed moderate α-actin expression in the control group and b α-actin expression in the experimental group after 42 days of myogenic culture. The growth rate of α-actin from the adipose tissue of post peritoneum (28.622% ± 4.879%) was significantly lower (P lt; 0.05) than those from the adipose tissues of the nape of the neck (35.471% ± 3.434%) and vicinity of epididymis (38.446% ± 4.852%). Conclusion The ADSCs from different sites show different myogenic differentiation abil ities in vitro. ADSCs from the adipose tissues of the nape of the neck and vicinity of epididymis can be used as ideal seed cells for tissue engineering of lower urinary tract.
To study the effect of autogeneic PRP on prol iferation and osteogenetic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro. Methods ADSCs were isolated from adipose tissue obtained from donor undergoing l iposuction and were cultured, and growth condition of the cells was observed by inverted microscope. ADSCs at passage 3 were cultured in adipogenic or chondrogenic medium and underwent identification, immunofluorescence staining observations for CD29 and CD44 were performed. ADSCs at passage 3 were divided into 2 groups: PRP group cultured by osteogenic induction culture medium containing 10 mL/L PRP, and control group cultured by osteogenic induction culture medium without PRP. Then growth condition of the cells was observed by inverted microscope. MTT method was used to observe cell prol iferation activity 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days after culture. ALP activity detection was conducted 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after culture. ALP staining was performed on PRP group 7 and 14 days after culture. Al izarin red staining was performed on PRP group 14 days after culture to detect the formation of calcium nodule. Results Under the inverted microscope, most ADSCs at passage 3 were spindle-shaped and the doubl ing time was about 35 hours. Adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation were confirmed, and the cells were positive for CD29 and CD44 immunofluorescence staining. MTT method revealed the absorbance value of PRP group at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days was 0.137 ± 0.015, 0.219 ± 0.023, 0.367 ± 0.031, 0.586 ± 0.039 and 0.948 ± 0.046, respectively, and in the control group, it was 0.081 ± 0.009, 0.115 ± 0.012, 0.162 ± 0.017, 0.242 ± 0.025 and 0.356 ± 0.032, respectively, suggesting there were significant differences between two groups (P lt; 0.01). At 7 days after osteogenic induction, PRP group was positive for ALP staining, grey-black cell plasm and black precipitate were evident; the positive cells increased
To investigate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on prol iferation of cultured human eccrine sweat gland epithel ial cells (hESGc) and the involvement of phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Methods hESGc were cultured in keratinocyte serum free medium (KSFM) and the first generation of hESGc was harvested. The expression of C-met was detected by immunocytochemistry. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of HGF on the prol iferation of hESGc. The cells were divided into blank group, control group and experimental group. The culture density was 2 × 103 cells/hole in control group and experimental group. Two hundred μL KSFM with HGF in different levels was added to every hole. hESGcwere cultured in KSFM with HGF at different levels (2, 20, 40 and 80 ng/mL) in experimental group, in KSFM without HGF incontrol group, and in KSFM without HGF and no hESGc in blank group. The cell prol iferation was observed in xperimental group 2 and 4 days later. Western blot was used to detect the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 at 40 ng/mL HGF after 0, 5, 30, 90 and 120 minutes. Results The results were positive for anti-C-met staining in the cytoplasm. HGF (40 ng/mL and 80 ng/mL) significantly improved the prol iferation of hESGc (P lt; 0.05). When cultured in the KSFM with 40 ng/mL HGF, the cell prol iferation rate and the absorbance were 74.2%, 0.239 3 ± 0.070 9 at 2 days and 74.8%, 0.287 8 ± 0.074 3 at 4 days; showing significant differences when compared with control group (P lt; 0.05). When cultured in KSFM with 80 ng/mL HGF, the cell prol iferation rate and the absorbance were 54.5%, 0.212 3 ± 0.059 2 at 2 days and 40.3%, 0.231 0 ± 0.056 7 at 4 days; showing significant differences when compared with control group (P lt; 0.05). The expression of p-ERK1/2 reached to the maximum after stimulation of 40 ng/mL HGF for 5 minutes, and relative integral absorbance (RIA) was 0.593 2 ± 0.192 2, increased 8.1 times compared with instant stimulation (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion HGF could induce the prol iferation of hESGc and activate the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 protein.
Objective To research the biological feature of intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) by observing cell morphous, phenotype and ultramicrostructure. Methods The NPCs from 2-week-old healthy rabbit werecultured in DMEM/F12 medium with 15% FBS. The cell biological features were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope, l ight microscope, electron microscope, cell vital ity assay, cell growth curve and cells staining after harvest and during the periods of culturing the primary, the 1st passage and 2nd passage. Results The results of inverted phase contrast microscope showed that the primary passage adhered at 5 days, grew exponentially at 6-8 days, and were subcultured after covering the bottom at 17 days. The phenotype of the NPCs changed from polygon to long fusiform with passage increased; the vital ity assay showed that there was about 95%-97%, 98%-100%, 100% and 75%-80% NPCs survived just after isolation from intervertebral disc, during the period of culturing the primary, the 1st passage and the 2nd passage, respectively. The toluidine blue staining of the NPCs was bly positive, and HE staining showed clear cell nucleus and cytoplasm. The I collagen immunohistochemical staining showed negative results in the 1st passage, but II collagen immunohistochemical staining and safranin O staining showed positive results. However, the I collagen immunohistochemical staining showed positive result in the 2nd passage, and II collagen immunohistochemical staining and safranin O staining showed weakly positive results. The cell growth curve showed the same as the growth course of cell cultured in vitro. The results of TEM showed that there were many glycogen particles and less chondriosomes in the primary passage. With the increased passage, the glycogen particles decreased and the chondriosomes increased, and cell organ became swell. Conclusion This study clarifies the biological feature of NPCs in vitro, providing the experimental basis for the seed cell research of the nuclues pulposus tissue.
Objective To study the differenation of adult marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) into vascular endothelial cells in vitro and to explore inducing conditions. Methods MSCs were isolated from adult marrow mononuclear cells by attaching growth. MSCs were divided into 4 groups to induce: the cells seeded at a density of 5×103/cm2 in 2% and 15% FCS LDMEM respectively (group1 and group 2)， at a density of 5×104/cm2 in 2% and 15% FCS LDMEM respectively (group 3 and group 4); vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) supplemented with Bovine pituitary extract was used to induce the cell differentiation. The differentiated cells were identified by measuring surfacemarks (CD34, VEGFR2, CD31 and vWF ) on the 14th day and 21st day and performed angiogenesis in vitroon the 21st day.The cell proliferation index（PI）of different inducing conditions were measured. Results After induced in VEGF supplemented with Bovine pituitary extract, the cells of group 3 expressed the surface marks CD34, VEGFR-2, CD31 and vWF on the 14th day, the positive rates were 8.5%, 12.0%, 40.0% and 30.0% respectively, and on the 21st day the positive ratesof CD34 and VEGFR2 increased to 15.5％ and 20.0％, while the other groups did not express these marks; the induced cells of group 3 showed low proliferating state(PI was 10.4%) and formed capillary-like structure in semisolid medium. Conclusion Adult MSCs can differentiate into vascular endothelial cellsafter induced by VEGF and Bovine pituitary extract at high cell densities and low proliferatingconditions，suggesting that adult MSCs will be ideal seed cells forthe therapeutic neovascularization and tissue engineering.
Objective To explore an effective method of culturing the canine bladder smooth muscle cells, observe the morphological characteristics of the bladder smooth muscle cells growing on acellular small intestinal submucosa（SIS） and offer an experimental basis for reconstruction of the bladder smooth muscle structure by the tissue engineering techniques. Methods The enzymetreatment method and the explant method were respectively used to isolate and harvest the canine bladder smooth muscle cells, and then a primary culture of these cells was performed. The canine bladder smooth musclecells were seeded on the SIS scaffold, and the composite of the bladder smooth muscle cells and the SIS scaffold were co cultured for a further observation. At 5,7 and 9 days of the co culture, the specimens were taken; the bladder smooth muscle cells growing on the SIS scaffold were observed by the hematoxylin staining, the HE staining, and the scanning electron microscopy. The composite of the bladder smooth muscle cells on the SIS scaffold was used as the experimental group, and the bladder smooth muscle cells with no SIS were used as the control group. In each group, 9 holes were chosen for the seeded bladder smooth muscle cells, and then the cells were collected at 3, 5 and 7 days for the cell counting after the enzyme treatment. Morphological characteristics of the cells were observed under the phase contrast microscope and the transmission electron microscope. Expression of the cell specific marker protein was assessed by the immunohistochemical examinaiton. The proliferation of the cells was assessed by the cell counting after the seeding on the SIS scaffold. Results The primary bladder smooth muscle cells that had been harvested by the enzyme treatment method were rapidly proliferated, and the cells had good morphological characteristics. After the primary culture in vitrofor 5 days, the bladder smooth muscle cells grew in confluence. When the bladder smooth muscle cells were seeded by the explant method, a small amount of the spindleshaped bladder smooth muscle cells emigrated from the explant at 3 days. The cells were characterized by the welldeveloped actin filaments inthe cytoplasm and the dense patches in the cell membrane under the transmissionelectron microscope. The immunohistochemical staining showed the canine bladdersmooth muscle cells with positive reacting α actin antibodies. The bladder smooth muscle cells adhered to the surface of the SIS scaffold, growing and proliferating there. After the culture in vitro for 5 days, the smooth muscle cells covered all the surface of the scaffold, showing a singlelayer cellular structure. The cell counts at 3, 5 and 7 days in the experimental group were（16.85±0.79）×105，（39.74±2.16）×105 and （37.15±2.02）×105, respectively. Thecell counts in the control group were（19.43±0.54）×105，（34.50±1.85）×105 and （33.07±1.31）×105, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups at 5 days （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWith the enzyme treatment method, the primarily cultured canine bladder smooth muscle cells can produce a great amount of good and active cells in vitro. The acellular SIS can offer an excellent bio scaffold to support the bladder smooth muscle cells to adhere and grow, which has provided the technical foundation for a further experiment on the tissue engineered bladder reconstruction.