Objective To induce embryonic stem cell (ESC) to differentiate into endothel ioid cells using a simple adhesive culture method, and to provide a new cells seed source for vascular tissue engineering or cell therapy. Methods SV129-derived ESC were seeded at 2 × 104/cm2 and maintained undifferentiated on ESC culture medium in the presence of 1 000 U/mL leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Embryoid body (EB) formatted when ESC cultured in suspension in the lack of LIF. At 4 days, EB was transferred to 0.1% gelatin coated dish and cultured with medium supplementary of VEGFto be induced differentiation. The characteristics of differentiated cells were determined by immunohistochemistry staining, flow cytometry (FCM), 1, 1-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3, 3-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine-labeled acetylated low density l ipoprotein (DiIAc- LDL) takeup test, and TEM detection. Results Differentiated cells were morphologically characterized as endothel ial cells. They could takeup DiI-Ac-LDL, be stained positive by Flk-1 and CD31. The CD31 positive cells reached above 90% when measured by FCM. Furthermore, Weibel-Palade bodies were detected and tight junctions were found when differentiated cells were examined by TEM. Conclusion Using a simple adhesive culture method and by suppl ied with VEGF alone, ESCs can be induced to differentiate into endothel ioid cells. The differentiation method is simple and economic, and can provide seed cells for vascular tissue engineering or cell-therapy.
Objective To investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2VD3 on differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into osteoblasts. Methods Osteoblasts were isolated and cultured from calvarium of 2-day-old Kunming white mice, embryoid bodies (EBs) were prepared with modified zur Nieden method. EBs were divided into 4 groups according to different mediums: group A, as the control group, in which EBs medium contained no leukemia inhibitory factor; group B, in which EBs medium contained supplements of Vitamin C (VC, 50 μg/mL) and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP, 50 mmol/L); group C, inwhich EBs medium was the same as that of group B and 5 × 104 osteoblasts of 3rd passage were seeded into each well; group D, in which the medium contained supplements of VC (50 μg/mL), β-GP (50 mmol/L) and 1,25(OH)2VD(4 × 10-9 mol/L), and 5 × 104 osteoblasts of 3rd passage were seeded into each well. The ALP activity was determined by ALP reagent kit every 5 days. The RQ-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expressions of osteocalcin (OCN). Al izarin red S staining was performed to count the bone nodules. Results The expression of ALP witnessed no obvious change in each group within 5 days after adherence of EBs, but increased gradually after 5 days. The expression of ALP in group D reached the peak at 20 days. Red nodules with clear outl ine and different sizes were evident by microscope. Al izarin red S staining testified the number of bone noudles in groups A, B, C and D was 20 ± 8, 18 ± 5, 31 ± 1 and 50 ± 1, respectively, indicating significant differences between groups C, D and groups A, B (P lt; 0.05), no significant difference between group A and group B (P gt; 0.05), and a significant difference between group C and group D (P lt; 0.05). The result of RQ-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of OCN in groups A, B, C and D was 10.18 ± 1.17, 20.29 ± 1.03, 18.84 ± 4.07 and 32.15 ± 5.23, respectively, indicating significant differences between groups C, D and groups A, B (P lt; 0.05), no significant difference between group A and group B (P gt; 0.05), and a significant difference between group C and group D (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The combined action of 1,25(OH)2VD(4 × 10-9 mol/L), VC, and β-GP can effectively promote the differentiation of the ESCs-derived osteoblasts.
Objective To review the progress, methods and obstacles in the differentiation of embryonic stem cells(ESCs) into osteoblasts in vitro. Methods The recent literature concerned with the differentiation of ESCs into the osteoblasts was extensively reviewed and briefly summarized. Results ESCs was a good tool for derivation of obsteoblasts.Conclusion The study on the induction of ESCsinto the osteogenic lineage provides a model for analyzing the molecular processes of osteoblasts development in vivo and establishes the foundation for the use of ESCs in skeletal tissue repair.
Objective To review the latest development of the research on the selfrenwal signaling pathway and culture system in vitro of the embryonic stem cells(ESCs). Methods The recent articlesabout the selfrenewal signaling pathway and culture system in vitro of the ESCs were extensively reviewed. Results Understanding of the molecular mechanism of the selfrenewalin vitro and pluripotency of the ESCs was considered important for developing improved methods of deriving, culturing and differentiating these cells into the cells that could be successfully used in the clinical practice. Conclusion A further research is needed to elucidate the selfrenewal signaling pathway and the pluripotency of the ESCs and the culture systemin vitro forthe human ESCs remains to be further improved and developed.
Objective To observe the effect of transplantation of embryonic stem cell(ES) on neurological functional recovery of injured spinal cord in adult mouse. Methods The ES cells were cultured and induced in vitro. Fifty C57/BL6J mice were made animal model of semicut mice of T9，10. The ES cellderived neural precursors cells were transplanted into the vertebral canalaround injured spinal cord semi-cut mice. Twenty-eight C57/BL6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group(group A,n=9), operation／cell group (group B，n=10), and operation／DMEM group(group C,n=9). RT-PCR analysis, X-gal staining and immunofluorescence were used to observe the cells survival and differentiation in the spinal crod. BBB test was performed to study functional improvement. Results ES cells induced and cultured in vitro displayed clonal growth with circle or ovoid shape and had one or more nucleoli. RT-PCR result showed that the induced ES cells expressed mRNA of Nestin and microtubuleassociated protein, but did not express glial fibrillory acidic protein(GFAP). There was statistically significant difference in BBB scoring between group A and groups B, C after operation (P＜0.01). There was statistically significant difference in BBB scoring at 1, 2 and 4 weeks of operation(P＜0.01), but no statistically significant difference at 6 and 8 weeks of operation between groups B and C(P＞0.05). The X-gal staining results werepositive in group B and negative in groups A and C. The immunoflurescence resultshowed neurofilament green fluor and no expression of GFAP in injured spinal cord region. Conclusion After transplantation, ES cellderived cells can survive, transfer into the injury position, and differentiate into neurons, but spinal cord function has no obvious improvement.
Objective To explore an optional condition to induce mouse embryonic stem cell(ESC) to differentiate into endothelial cells so as to provide seedcells for tissue engineered vascular. Methods The embryos from one pregnant 12.5days mouse was harvested to culture the mouse embryonic fibroblasts(MEF). The ESC was reanimated by common method, and used to cultured into embryoid body(EB) in vitro. The EB which was used to induce into endothelial cells was divided into two groups. The EB was cultured in the EB medium with 3ng/ml transforming growth factor β1, 50 ng/ml vascular endothelial cell growth factor and 1 μmol/L potent and selective inhibitor of activin receptorlike kinase receptors in experimental group. The EB was cultured in the EB medium in the control group. After 14 days, RTPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect vWF and CD34, to analyze the morphology and type of the differentiated cells fromESC. Results The primary MEF had a high proliferation activity. At the 3rdday, the fusion rate of MEF was about 90% with a fusiform shape. The cells was fusiform shape and arranged compactly with fullness of nucleus and 2-3 entoblasts. The 3rd5th generations EB was polygonal with fullness of cytoplasm and 3-4 entoblasts. ESC could maintain undifferentiated state, and the cells unit lookedlike bird nest with smooth margin; the cells was small at size and b refractivity with high rate of nuclein and rapid proliferation. At 3 days of dropculture, EB can seen grossly and at 3 days of suspension, large and transparent EBformed. EB was spread radiately with an intensive adhesion at the 2nd day. In experimental group, many round cells was differentiated around EB from the 4thday to the 7th day, and form tubular structures from the 10th day to the 14th day. The vWF and CD34 were expressed. In control group, EB could not form tubularstructures, and the vWF and CD34 were not expressed. Conclusion ESC can differentiate into endothelial cells under some conditions, and form vessellike structure under condition culture, which can provide sources of seed cells for tissue engineered vessel.
Objective To observe the expression of miR-204 and 211 human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods RPE cells were derived from hESCs by natural differentiation method, and were identified. miRNA expression profiles and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of miR-204 and 211 were generated from the following groups: hESCs, hESCs-derived cells containing pigmented foci, hESCs-derived RPE cells and human fetal RPE (hfRPE) cells. Results miRNA-204 was continuously upregulated throughout the entire differentiation process of hESCs to RPE cells. It increased 5.026 times in hESCs-derived cells containing pigmented foci compared to hfRPE cells; it was increased 3.337 times in hESCs-derived RPE cells compared to hESCs-derived cells containing pigmented foci; it increased 13.574 times in hfRPE cells compared to hESCs-derived RPE cells. miR-211 does not change during differentiation from hESC to RPE, but it increased 44.333 times in hESCderived RPE cells compared to hfRPE cells. miR-211 was the biggest difference in the miRNA expression pattern. In four cell types of hESCs, hESCs-derived cells containing pigmented foci, hESCs-derived RPE cells and hfRPE cells, RT-PCR showed the levels of miR-204 were 91.81plusmn;4.43, 2263.09plusmn;206.39, 5996.80plusmn;235.42, and 171676.45plusmn;999.82 respectively. miR-204 was significantly increased during the whole course (t=18.22, 20.66, 279.38;P＜0.001). The levels of miR-211 were 2.23plusmn;0.31, 129.33plusmn;3.75, 125.7592plusmn;4.78, and 16682.00plusmn;352.97 respectively. miR-211 was significantly increased from hESCs to cells containing pigmented foci and from hESCs-derived RPE cells to hfRPE (t=58.58, 81.24; P＜0.001). Conclusion There is a continuous change of miR-204 and 211 in differentiation of RPE cells from hESCs.
Objective To establish the heterologous recombinant embryonic stem cell （ES cell） with ghrelin receptor (GHS-R) gene deletion in order to study the function of the GHS-R gene. Methods PGK-neo cassette was replaced by TK-neo in X-pPNT agent. The target region was located in exon 1 and exon 2 of GHS-R. Two homologous arms were amplified from mouse ES cells genomic DNA and constructed into X-pPNT with SalⅠ/NotⅠand EcoRⅠ/BamHⅠ, respectively. ES cells were electrotransfected with the linearized targeting vector and screened with G418 and Gancyclovir. Finally, the positive ES cell clones were identified by PCR and sequencing. Results The X-pPNT-TK-neo vector was obtained. And two homologous arms were inserted correctly. Finally, 328 positive clones were obtained by G418 and Gancyclovir screening, and 3 clones were confirmed as GHS-R gene homologous recombination. Conclusion This study provides the necessary basis for the establishment of the GHS-R knock out mouse model and the further study on GHS-R gene function in vivo.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of over expression of Mash-1 gene on the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) into neural cells in vitro. MethodsThe ESC of rats (CE3 cells) were transfected with MSCVMash- 1 (MSCV-Mash-1-CE3 group) or MSCV (MSCV-CE3 group). The expression of Mash-1 gene was detected by RT-PCR. After transfection, hanging-drop culture was used to form embryonic bodies, and then embryonic bodies were cultured with neural induction medium. The cell morphology was observed under inverted phase contrast microscopy at 7 and 21 days; the positive rates of neural stem cells marker protein (nestin) and neuron marker protein (β-tubulin Ⅲ) were measured by immunofluorescence staining after cell attachment; and the gene expressions of α-fetal protein (AFP), Brachyury, fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF-5), Oct3/4, nestin, and β-tubulin Ⅲ were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR at 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after culture. The CE3 cells were used as control (CE3 group). ResultsCompared with MSCV-CE3 and CE3 groups, the expression of Mash-1 gene in MSCV-Mash-1-CE3 group was significantly increased. At 7 and 21 days after neural induction cultured, cells in MSCV-Mash-1-CE3 group had axons growth and showed neural stem cell-like and neuron cell-like morphology (unipolar, bipolar, and multipolar neurons), but few cells had axons growth in MSCV-CE3 and CE3 groups. The positive rates of nestin at 7 days and β-tubulin Ⅲ at 21 days in MSCV-Mash-1-CE3 group were significantly higher than those in MSCV-CE3 and CE3 groups (P<0.05). Real-time fluorescence quatitative PCR results showed that the gene expression of Brachyury was significantly decreased after 1 day (P<0.05), and the gene expressions of FGF-5 and nestin were significantly increased after 1 day (P<0.05) in MSCV-Mash- 1-CE3 group when compared with CE3 and MSCV-CE3 groups; the gene expression of β-tubulin Ⅲ was significantly increased after 7 days (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in above indexes between CE3 and MSCV-CE3 groups (P>0.05). The expressions of AFP and Oct3/4 showed no significant difference among groups at each time point (P>0.05). ConclusionOver expression of Mash-1 gene can promote differentiation of ESC into neural cells in vitro.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of TGF-β receptor inhibitor Compound C on the directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. MethodsH1 hESC were divided into control group and experimental group. When the hESC reached over confluence, the medium was changed to knockout serum replacement medium without bFGF to induce RPE differentiation. The experimental group was supplemented with 1 μmol/L TGF-β receptor inhibitor Compound C at the first six days of induction. Real-time PCR was carried out to examine the expression of paired-box gene 6 (PAX6), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), cellular retinaldehyde blinding protein (CRALBP), and RPE65 in both groups at the 1, 3, 5 weeks of the induction process. hESC-derived RPE (hESC-RPE) cells were isolated mechanically and purified. Real-time PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to characterize the purified hESC-RPE cells. ResultsPigmented colonies were observed in experimental group at the 4 weeks of the induction process, while no pigmented colony could be detected in the control group. All the purified pigmented cells from experimental group showed polygons morphology. Experimental group showed significantly higher expression of RPE marker genes PAX6, MITF, CRALBP and RPE65 than the control group(P<0.05). Compared with the hESC and ARPE-19 cells line, purified hESC-RPE cells showed much higher expression of PAX6, MITF, CRALBP and RPE65(P<0.05).High expression level of PAX6 and RPE65 proteins were observed in hESC-RPE cells. Immunofluorescence verified the expression of PAX6 and ZO-1 in hESC-RPE cells. ConclusionTGF-β receptor inhibitor Compound C significantly improved the differentiation efficiency of hESC into RPE.