【Abstract】ObjectiveTo establish an efficient, effective hepatocyte isolation technique in order to increase cell production and decrease the prime cost. Methods The inferior vena cava below diaphragm was dissected and ligatured, and the inferior vena cava below liver was separated. Subsequently, the liver was perfused with EGTA through the portal vein while the inferior vena cava below liver was opened, and then the liver was harvested. The liver tissue was cut into 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm and digested at 37 ℃ water bath with Ⅳ collagenase for 30-40 minutes, then the hepatocytes were purified and cultured in CO2 incubator. The production and function of hepatocytes were assessed. ResultsThe isolated hepatocytes using this technique were more than 95% among the all isolated cells. No statistic difference was found in cell production and cell function comparing with traditional technique. But this technique was simplified and more economically. ConclusionThis modified hepatocyte isolation technique is efficient and effective. It can ensure the amount of production and purity of hepatocytes.
Objective To investigate the possible association between serum level of hepatocyte growth factor( HGF) and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome( OSAHS) with hypertension.Methods 58 cases of OSAHS without hypertension, 61 cases of OSAHS with hypertension, and 50 normal controls were enrolled. Serum level of HGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA) , and the relationships between the serum HGF level and blood pressure( BP) , apnea hypopnea index( AHI) , lowest SaO2 ( LSaO2 ) were analyzed by linear correlation analysis. Results The serum HGF level ( pg/mL) was 761. 46 ±60. 18, 970. 87 ±60. 94, and 487. 34 ±45. 52 in the OSAHS patients without hypertention, OSAHS patients with hypertention, and normal subjects, respectively. Which was significantly higher in the OSAHSpatients than the normal subjects, and highest in the OSAHS patients with hypertension( P lt; 0. 05) . The serum HGF level was positively related to AHI( r = 0. 452, P lt;0. 05) and negatively related to LSaO2 ( r =- 0. 328, P lt;0. 05) in the OSAHS patients without hypertention, positively related to AHI, SBP, DBP( r =0. 670, P lt;0. 01; r =0. 535, P lt;0. 05; r =0. 424, P lt;0. 05) and negatively related to LSaO2 ( r = - 0. 572,P lt;0. 01) in the OSAHS patients with hypertension. Conclusions SerumHGF level increases significantly in patients with OSAHS especialy in OSAHS patients with hypertension, and positively correlates with the severity of OSAHS and hypertension.
Objective To investigate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the barrier function of retinal peigment epithelium (RPE) and to detect the pathological mechanism of retinal detachment (RD) induced by over expression of HGF in RPE. Methods Sub-retina injection of E1/E3deleted adenoviral vectors encoding HGF (Ad CMV.HGF) and green fluorescent protein (Ad CMV.GFP) in adult pigmented rabbits [5times;104 plaque-forming units (pfu)/eye] to set up the model of retinal detachment. The ocular fundus and pathological changes were observed 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after injection. The expression level of HGF in retina and vitreous body was detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results In the control eyes injected with AdCMV.GFP, expression of GFP only detected in RPE monolayer. The eyes injected with AdCMV.HGF had b HGF immune positive action in RPE cells at the injection site. The expression level of HGF in vitreous body reached the peak 7 days after injection and decreased to the basic level 28 days after injection. Chronic RD and chronic choroidal inflammation were found in the eyes injected with AdCMV.HGF within the time frame of HGF expression. Proliferative RPE cells were found in subretinal space in the region of RD, and multilayered cellular membranes developed in some eyes. Conclusion Over expression of HGF in RPE may induce chronic serous RD with subretinal proliferation of RPE, which suggests that HGF should be further studied as a target for therapeutic intervention in RD. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2007, 23: 193-197)
ObjectiveTo introduce the relationship between the apoptosis hepatocyte and its genic mediation and the ischemia of portal vein. MethodsThe combination of related literatures and our research findings were made.ResultsPortal vein ischemia may induced hepatocyte apoptosis, p53 and bcl2 gene alternatively adjust hepatocyte apoptosis. Expression of p53 gene is enhanced in hepatic tissue when hepatocyte apoptosis is not obvious, but after 24-72 h of portal vein ischemia, when hepatocyte apoptosis is obvious, enhanced expression of p53 gene or reduced expression of bcl2 gene occur. There exists close relationship between portal vein ischemia and hepatocyte apoptosis. Conclusion Apoptosis hepatocyte is involved in organic atrophy after ischemia of portal vein, and p53 and bcl2 gene alternatively adjust hepatocyte apoptosis. At present, the mechanism of apoptosis of hepatocyte induced by ischemia of portal vein is not clear, which needs further study.
【Abstract】Objective To search for the drug that promots the hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Methods Quantitative morphometry technique, 3H-TdR in vivo test and arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) were employed to evaluate the energy metabolism, DNA synthesis, and liver cell nuclear mitosis and hepatocyte regeneration of the residual liver tissue in rats after partial lobectomy when treated with human growth hormone (hGH) and placebo. Results After partial hepatectomy in the experimental group, liver cell nuclear mitosis，nuclear density, new liver cell numbers, AKBR and 3H-TdR in vivo test were much higher than those in the control group (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05). Conclusion hGH promotes the hepatocyte regeneration of the residual liver.
Objective To establ ish a new induction method from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiating into hepatocyte-l ike cells using an adherent culture system with single-step induction. Methods Undifferentiated hESCs were cultured on Matrigel-coated culture plates for 4 days, hepatic differentiation was initiated at 60%-70% confluence by adding Activin A for 5 days. Then the induction medium was replaced by hepatocyte induction medium (HIM) supplemented with fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) for another 6 days. Finally, the cells were treated with HIM adding hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Oncostatin M (OSM) for 5-7 days. The characteristics of differentiated cells were determined by morphology, immunofluorescence staining, RT-PCR, and Periodicacid- Schiff (PAS) test. Results Differentiated cells treated with Activin A, FGF-1, BMP-4, HGF, and OSM sequentially were morphologically larger and became spherical, oval or polygon. Some cells had 2 or 3 nuclei, suggesting that the cells have a hepatocyte-l ike morphology. Differentiated cells at first induction stage could be stained positive by SOX17 and Forkhead (FOX)A2 after induction by Activin A. Then they turned to be α fetoprotein (AFP) and α1 antitripsin positive cells at second induction stage after induction by FGF-1 and BMP-4. Finally, the differentiated cells treated with HGF and OSM showed PAS possitive for glycogen detection. The differentiated cells at various stages also expressed at early (SOX17, FOXA2, and GATA-4),middle (AFP, albumin, and cytokeratin 18), and mature (alcohol dehydrogenase 1C and Cytochrome P4501B1) stage hepatic genes, respectively. Conclusion Using a simple-step induction method and by suppl ied with cytokines consequently, hESCs can be induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-l ike cells. The differentiation method can provide seed cells for hepatic tissue engineering or cell-therapy.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor（HGF）gene transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs）transplantation in pigs with chronic ischemic heart disease. Methods MSCs were isolated from pig bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation and adherent cell culture, purified, and determined by cellsurface antigens（CD34, CD44, CD71, Ⅷ factor and desmin）. MSCs were transfected by adenovirus expressing hepatocyte growth factor（AdHGF）, and the influence of HGF on the biological characteristics of MSCs was tested. The pig model of chronic myocardial ischemia was established by placing Ameroid ring inside the left circumflex coronary artery via leftthoracotomy. A total of 40 pigs were randomly divided into 5 groups （n=8） and were injected 5×106/ml MSCs＋ 4×109 pfu 200 μl AdHGF （MSCs＋ AdHGF group）, 4×109 pfu 200 μl AdHGF （AdHGF group）, 5×106/ml MSCs 200 μl（MSCs group），4×109 pfu 200 μl AdNull （AdNull group）and 1 ml saline（control group） into the ischemic myocardiumrespectively. Echocardiogram, digital subtraction angiography （DSA） of coronary artery, single photon emission computed tomography（SPECT） myocardial perfusion imaging and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were examined after 4 weeks. Results Positive CD44 and CD71 and negative CD34, Ⅷ factorand desmin were detected in MSCs by flow cytometer. HGF had a b influence on stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. Echocardiogram examination showed that left ventricular end-diastolic volume（LVEDV），left ventricular ejection fraction（LVEF），fractional shortening（FS）of MSCs＋ AdHGF group were significantly increased after treatment （P＜ 0.05）. DSA detection showed that ischemic neovascularization of MSCs＋ AdHGF group was significantly higher than those of AdHGF group and MSCs group （P＜ 0.05）. SPECT showed that the left ventricular myocardium of MSCs＋ AdHGF group appeared thickened,myocardial perfusion was significantly improved and the myocardial motion was significantly increased （P＜ 0.05）. Vascular density of MSCs＋ AdHGF group was significantly higher than those of AdHGF group and MSCs group by HE stain of myocardium ［（39.4±1.2）/ HPF vs. （36.5±1.4）/ HPF and（34.5±1.7）/ HPF，P＜ 0.05］. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate of MSCs＋ AdHGF group was significantly lower than those of AdHGF group and MSCs group by TUNEL stain （P＜ 0.05）. Conclusion Combination transplantation can promote the angiogenesis of chronic ischemic myocardium, inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve heart function in pigs with chronic ischemic heart disease. The effect of HGF gene transfected MSCs transplantation is better than that of MSCs or HGF transplantation alone.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the injury of calcium on the liver. Methods By using collagenase-containing solution to perfuse the rat livers, the rat liver suspension with different viability was prepared, preserved hypothermically, and the cytosolic calcium comcentration was detected with Fura2/AM. Results ① The concentration of cytosolic calcium after 2-hour storage: Experiment group 1(viability 5%) (1055.0±30.79) nmol/L, experiment group 2(viability 10%) (853.0±20.42) nmol/L, experiment group 3(viability 30%) (616.0±13.20) nmol/L, experiment group 4(viability 50%) (562.0 ±26.06) nmol/L, experiment group 5(viability 70%-80%) (318.0±13.01) nmol/L, experiment group 6(viability 90%) (114.6±6.11) nmol/L. ②The concentration of cytosolic calcium after 24hour storage: Experiment group A(viability 10%) (1704.0±70.11) nmol/L, experiment group B(viability 50%) (1125.0±23.22) nmol/L. The results showed that the lower was the viability, the higher was the cytosolic calcium concentration.With the same viability the cytosolic calcium concentration elevated more than two times higher than the original concentration with the time lengthened. Conclusion Calcium overload is one of the main factors which attribute to the ischemiareperfusion injury of the hepatocytes.
Objective To investigate the effects of human recombinant hepatocyte growth factor(rh-HGF) on the expression of c-Met in intima of allograft vessels after cardiac transplantation in rats. Methods Heterotopic heart transplantation were established in abdominal cavity with eighty Wistar rats and forty SD rats. Donors’ cardiac grafts from Wistar rats were transplanted to SD rats(allograft) or Wistar rats(isograft).Sixty recipient rats were divided into three groups, control group：20 Wistar rats were injected with normal saline 1ml/kg·d intraperitoneally after transplantation; cyclosporine A (CsA) group:20 SD rats were injected with CsA 5mg/kg·d intraperitoneally on operation day; rhHGF group:20 SD rats were injected with rh-HGF 500μg/kg·d and CsA 5mg/kg·d intraperitoneally on operation day. The cardiac grafts were harvested at the 15th day and 60th day after transplantation. The crosssection of vascular tissues were used for immunohistochemistrical staining of c-Met, and investigated the expression of c-Met messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA ) in intima of allograft vessels by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The pathologic changes of allograft coronary vessels were observed with histopathological method. Results The allograft coronary arteries showed minimal intimal thickening, the endothelium and internal elastic lamina remained almost intact in rh-HGF group after transplantation.The expression of c-Met and c-Met mRNA in intima of allograft vessels after transplantation in rhHGF group were significantly higher than those in CsA group and control group（expression of c-Met at 60d: 1.85±0.26 vs. 0.96±0.10, t=8.491,P=0.000;1.85±0.26 vs. 0.58±0.03, t=13.725,P=0.000; expression of c-Met mRNA at 60d: 192±0.22 vs. 0.88±0.07, t=11.940,P=0.000;1.92±0.22 vs. 0.42±0.02,t=19.206,P=0.000）. Conclusion rh-HGF may prevent the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy through upregulating the expression of c-Met to stimulate endothelial cell repair and growth.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the effects of ethanol on polarization of cultured hepatocytes.Methods Sandwich hepatocytes were used to study the effects of ethanol on polarization of shortperiod cultured hepatocytes. Expression of albumin mRNA and P450-b mRNA,specific distribution of plasma membrance protein and the morphology were observed before and after ethanol was given. Results After treated ethanol, hepatocytes became flat and polynuclear. Its cellular plasma became watery and anatomical networks like board structure disappeared. Immunohistochemical method proved that the distribution of specific plasma membrane protein was damaged, and in situ hybridization studies demonstrated that the levels of albumin mRNA, P450-b mRNA expression decreased after ethanol was given.Conclusion Ethanol induces significant disturbance of cell polarization in cultured hepatocytes to result in injury. The current study is important for exploring the mechanism of alcohol liver disease from the cellular plane to provide a model.