Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of the fibroblasts inducing the vascularization of dermal substitute. Methods Fibroblasts were seeded on the surface of acellular dermal matrix and cultivated in vitro to construct the living dermal substitute. The release of interleukin 8 (IL 8) and transfonming growth factor β 1(TGF β 1) in culture supernatants were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the mRNA expression of acid fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were detected by RT-PCR. Then, the living substtute was sutured to fullth ickness excised wound on BALBouml;C m ice, and the fate of fibroblast w as observed by using in situ hybridizat ion. Results Fibroblasts cultured on acellular dermalmat rix p ro liferated and reached a single2layer confluence. Fibroblasts could secret IL 28 (192. 3±15. 9) pgouml;m l and TGF-B1 (1. 105±0. 051) pgouml;m l. There w as the mRNA exparession of aFGF and bFGF. Fibroblasts still survived and proliferated 3 weeks after graft ing. Conclusion Pept ides secreted by fibroblasts and its survival after graft ing may be relat ive to the vascularizat ion of the dermal subst itute.
OBJECTIVE Influence of irradiation and phenytoin sodium on modulatory activities of wound fluid on proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen synthesis was studied. METHODS The male Wistar rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into irradiated and non-irradiated groups, and in each of them it was subdivided into phenytoin group and control. A 7 cm long incisional wound was made on the back of each rat, in which a polyvinyl alcohol sponge (PVAS) with a size of 1.0 cm x 0.4 cm was implanted into the wound and the wound was sutured up. The PVAS was prepared by rinsing in running water over night and then was boiled for 30 minutes. Before implantation, the sponge was immersed in phenytoin sodium solution (10 mg/l ml) or normal saline (as control). From each wound the wound fluid and fibroblasts were collected. The methods of incorporation of 3H were adopted to assess the proliferation of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen. RESULTS It was shown that proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen synthesis were stimulated by wound fluid remarkably on 5 to 8 days after wounding, and that 6 Gy to total-body irradiation wound decrease this effect. It was also noted that topical phenytoin sodium increased the modulatory activity of wound fluid irrespective of being irradiated or not. CONCLUSION It could be drawn that, after total-body irradiation, stimulation of hyperplasia of fibroblasts and collagen synthesis by wound fluid was markedly lowered indicating the total-body irradiation resulted in changes of local conditions of the wound which was unbenefitted to repair of tissue cells, while phenytoin sodium could enhance the stimulating action of wound fluid on proliferation of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen which was beneficial to wound healing.
Objective To compare the efficiency of epidermis cell culture between big graft method and small strip method. Methods The big graft method was to cut the skin tissue reticularly from dermis layer while the epidermis were not cut off. After it was digested fully in trypsin, theepidermis was separated from skin and was used to culture epidermal cells. The small strip method was routine. The time to cut the skin and to separate the epidermis was recorded, and the number and quality of cells were compared between two methods. Results It took 8-10 minutes to cut an area of 5 cm2 skin into small strips and 1-2 minutes into big grafts. It took 10-15 minutes to separate the epidermis from the same area skin by small strip method and 2 minutes by big graft method. The cells showed better vigor and its number was more by big grafts than by small strips.The chance of fibroblast contamination was reduced obviously. Conclusion The big graft method is simpler than the small strip method and can culture more epidermis cells with less chance of fibroblast contamination.
Objective To explore the osteogenic potential of cervical intervertebral disc fibroblasts in vitro, to investigate the regulatory factors of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2(rhBMP-2) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) on osteogenic phenotype of fibroblasts and to discuss the condition that facilitates osteogenesis of fibroblasts. Methods Theannulus fibroblasts cell lines of experiment goats were established in vitro and the biologicspecificity was found. According to different medias, 4 groups were included in this experiment: control group, TNF-α group ( 50 U/ml TNF-α), rhBMP-2 group (0.1 μg/ml rhBMP-2) and TNF-α+rhBMP-2 group (50 U/ml TNF-α+0.1 μg/ml rhBMP-2). Thefibroblasts were incubated in the media for about 3 weeks,and then the markers for osteogenic features were investigated by biochemistry, histochemistry observations. Results rhBMP-2 and TNF-α had no effect on the proliferation of fibroblasts from the experiment goats. rhBMP-2 or TNF-α could stimulate fibroblasts to secrete alkaline phosphatase and collagen type Ⅰ. The combined use of rhBMP-2 and TNF-α or the single use of rhBMP-2 could make fibroblasts to secrete osteocalin and the morphological changes of the fibroblasts were very obvious. Histochemical study of the nodules with specific new bone labeler(Alizarin red S) revealed positive reaction, denoting that the nodules produced by the fibroblasts werebone tissues. There was statistically significant difference(Plt;0.05) inALP activity between 3 experimental groups and control group and in secretion of osteocalcin between rhBMP-2 group, TNF-α+rhBMP-2 group and control group. Conclusion The results point out clearly that rhBMP-2 can induce theosteogenic potential of annulus fibroblasts in vitro.
Objective To investigate the influence of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of normal human skin fibroblasts so as to elucidate its relation with skin wound healing. Methods Fibroblasts wereisolated and cultured in vitro, and then exposed to different doses of LPS(0.005, 0.010, 0.050, 0.100, 0.500, and 1.000 μg/ml) from E.coli055∶B5 respectively. Then the absorbance (A) value of fibroblasts was determined with the colorirneteric thiazolylblue (MTT) assay, and the cell number was counted under inverted phase contrast microscope from the 1st day to the 9th day after LPS administration, and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts in culture medium was measured with the method of pepsin digestion after incorporation of 3Hproline into stable, single-layered, confluent fibroblasts at 7 days after LPS administration. Results Compared with control group, A value increased with the increasing concentration of LPS (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and LPS of 0.100 μg/mlgroup had the best effect. The difference was remarkable from the 5th day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). A value decreased when challenged with the LPS of 1.000 μg/ml and the difference was remarkable from the 3rd day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). Cell number increased with theadministration of LPS of different concentrations (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and LPS of 0.100 μg/mlgroup had the best effect. The difference was remarkable from the 1st day to the 6th day(P＜0.05). Cell number decreased remarkably when challenged with LPS of 1.000 μg/ml and the difference was remarkable from the 2nd day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). Collagen synthesis increased when challenged with LPS of different concentrations (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and the 0.100 μg/ml group had the best effect. However, when the dose of LPS reached 1.000 μg/ml, it inhibited collagensynthesis. Conclusion LPS could promote the proliferation andcollagen synthesis of fibroblasts within a certain range of low doses, but over-high dose ofLPS might inhibit the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts, suggesting that LPS of certain concentrations might contribute to wound healing, while excessive LPS has negative effect on wound healing.
Objective To determine whether fibroblasts can be used to promote endochondral bone formation in vivo by transfer of human bone morphogenetic protein-2(hBMP-2) into fibroblasts. Methods pcDNA3-hBMP-2 was constructed by use of gene clone and recombined technique.NIH3T3 fibroblasts were transfected with pcDNA3hBMP-2. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. In NIH3T3 fibroblaststransferred with pcDNA3-hBMP-2, the expression of hBMP-2 was determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis; alkaline phosphatase activity was measured. hBMP-2producing fibroblasts were implanted into nude mouse muscle to observe endochondral bone formation in vivo. Results pcDNA3-hBMP-2 was successfully constructed. In NIH3T3 fibroblasts transfected with -pcDNA3-hBMP-2,the BMP-2 expression was stable; alkaline phophatase activity was much higher than that in nontransfectedNIH3T3 cells. Endochondral bone formation invivo was observed at the site of implantation 4 weeks later.Conclusion Fibroblasts transfected by hBMP-2 gene can be used to promote endochondral bone formation in vivo.
OBJECTIVE: To construct human bone morphogenetic protein-2(hBMP-2) expressing eukaryotic vector and observe whether it can be expressed in eukaryotic cells. METHODS: pUC19 was digested with Sal I and Xba I. The resulting Sal I-Xba I fragment (1.24 kb) which contains the full length of human BMP-2 cDNA was separated on agarose gel and ligated into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3 digested with XhoI and XbaI. The recombinant pcDNA3-hBMP-2 plasmid was transferred into fibroblasts cell line NIH3T3. The stable expression of hBMP-2 in the positive cells G418 selected was determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The two fragments digested from recombinant pcDNA3-hBMP-2 plasmid by EcoR I and Xba I represented 1.3 kb and 5.38 kb respectively by agarose electrophoresis, meanwhile the Xho I site was disappeared in pcDNA3-hBMP-2 indicating the successful construction of recombinant pcDNA3-hBMP-2 plasmid. Stable expression of hBMP-2 in pcDNA3-hBMP-2 transfected cells was confirmed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSION: hBMP-2 expressing eukaryotic vector is successfully constructed and can be expressed in eukaryonic cells.
ObjectiveTo explore the reaction of normal skin fibroblasts from different sites of human body to cyclic stretch. MethodsThe normal skin tissues from scapular upper back and medial side of upper arm of 3 patients were cultured in vitro. Fibroblasts of experimental group were loaded by cyclic stretch with 10% amplitude for 24, 36, and 48 hours respectively. Fibroblasts of control group were cultured without cyclic stretch. The morphologic changes were observed using inverted microscope. CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation of the fibroblasts. The expressions of integrin β1 mRNA, p130Crk-associated substance (P130Cas) mRNA, transform growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA, and collagen type Ⅰ α1 chain (COL1A1) mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein levels of collagen type Ⅰ and TGF-β1 were detected by ELISA. ResultsThe cultured cells showed a significantly increased cell proliferation ability, and apparent orientation after the applied strain. The proliferation activity, mRNA expression levels of integrin β1, P130Cas, and TGF-β1, protein levels of TGF-β1 in back skin were significantly higher than those in arm skin (P<0.05) when the fibroblasts were loaded for 36 and 48 hours, but no significant difference between back skin and arm skin at 24 hours (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in mRNA expression level of COL1A1 and protein level of collagen type Ⅰ between back skin and arm skin at 24, 36, and 48 hours (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in all above indexes between back skin and arm skin in control group (P>0.05). ConclusionFibroblasts from scapular upper back and medial side of upper arm display different reactions to cyclic stretch, which indicates that there exists site difference in the reactions of fibroblasts to cyclic stretch. It might be related with the incidence of hypertrophic scar in different sites of the body.
Objective To investigate the effects of caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide ( CSD-p)on expressions of extracellular matrix and Smads in human fetal lung fibroblasts. Methods Human fetal lung fibroblasts were cultured in vitro and divided into four groups. A control group: the cells were cultured in DMEMwithout TGF-β1 or CSD-p. A CSD-p treatment group: the cells were cultured in DMEMcontaining 5 μmol /L CSD-p. A TGF-β1 treatment group: the cells were cultured in DMEMcontaining 5 μg/L TGF-β1 .A TGF-β1 + CSD-p treatment group: the cells were cultured in DMEM containing 5 μg/L TGF-β1 and 5 μmol /L CSD-p. Caveolin -1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Caveolin-1, collagen-Ⅰ, α-SMA, p-Smad2,p-Smad3 and Smad7 proteins were measured by Western blot. Results Compared with the control group,the Caveolin -1 mRNA and protein expressions in the cells of TGF-β1 group significantly reduced ( mRNA:0. 404 ±0. 027 vs. 1. 540 ±0. 262; protein: 0. 278 ±0. 054 vs. 1. 279 ±0. 085; P lt; 0. 01) , and the expression levels of collagen-Ⅰ and α-SMA proteins significantly increased ( collagen-Ⅰ: 1. 127 ±0. 078 vs.0. 234 ±0. 048; α-SMA: 1. 028 ±0. 058 vs. 0. 295 ±0. 024) . Meanwhile, the expression levels of p-Smad2 ( 1. 162 ±0. 049 vs. 0. 277 ±0. 014) and p-Smad3 proteins ( 1. 135 ±0. 057 vs. 0. 261 ±0. 046) increased with statistical significance ( P lt; 0. 01) , but the expression level of Smad7 protein significantly reduced( 0. 379 ±0. 004 vs. 1. 249 ±0. 046, P lt;0. 001) . In the CSD-p group, CSD-p had no significant effects on the expressions of above proteins compared with the control group. But in the TGF-β1 +CSD-p group, the overexpressions of collagen-Ⅰ, α-SMA, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 induced by TGF-β1 were obviously inhibited by CSD-p ( collagen-Ⅰ: 0. 384 ±0. 040 vs. 1. 127 ±0. 078; α-SMA: 0. 471 ±0. 071 vs. 1. 127 ±0. 078;p-Smad2: 0. 618 ±0. 096 vs. 1. 162 ±0. 049; p-Smad3: 0. 461 ±0. 057 vs. 1. 135 ±0. 057; P lt; 0. 01) .Otherwise, the up-regulation of Smad7 ( 0.924 ±0. 065 vs. 0.379 ±0. 004) was found. Conclusions CSD-p can reduce fibroblast collagen-I and α-SMA protein expressions stimulated by TGF-β1 , possibly through regulation of TGF-β1 /Smads signaling pathway. It is suggested that an increase in caveolin -1 function through the use of CSD-p may be an intervention role in pulmonary fibrosis.
Objective To evaluate the effects of cryopreserved cultured allogenic dermal fibroblasts on angiogenesis and fibroplasia while artificial dermis grafting by spraying the cells on the graft bed.Methods Full thickness skin defect was made on the back of Wistar rat, fibroblasts mixed into fibrin glue (fibroblast group) and same amount fibrin glue (control group) were sprayed separately between the wound bed and artificial dermis in cell density of 1.0×105 cells/cm2 before the artificial dermis was grafted. On day 5 after grafting, the graft and surrounding tissue were examined histologically for angiogenesis and fibroplasia in the dermis and wound bed with hematoxylin eosin stain, VEGF antibody stain, Masson’s trichrome stain and India ink stain. Evans blue perfusion methodwas also used for detecting the angiogenesis quantitatively.Results In the fibroblast group, the angiogenesis of graft bed was significantly accelerated onday 5 after grafting; the numbers of the newly formed capillaries were 9.64±2.36/HP in the fibroblast group and 3.88±1.62/HP in the control group (P＜0.05). And on day 10 after grafting the angiogenesis was accelerated not only in graft bed but also in the artificial dermis when compared with control group, the newly formed capillaries network was clearly observed in the artificial dermis. Otherwise, the synthesis of collagen was increased in the dermis on day 10 after grafting in the fibroblast group when compared with control group. The immunoreactivity of VEGF antibody in the fibroblast group also showed a ber expression than that in control group on day 5 after grafting, the numbers of positive cells were 46.04±8.90/HP in the fibroblast group and 30.08±7.76/HP in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Transplantation of cryopreserved dermal fibroblasts while artificial dermis grafting can accelerate the angiogenesis and fibroplasia in the artificial dermis and graft bed, thereby accelerate the formation of dermallike tissue in the artificial dermis.