Objective To investigate the effect of the serum from severe burn patients on the biology characteristics of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) in vitro, so as to explore the feasibility of hUCMSCs transplantation for treating severe burn. Methods The 3rd passage of hUCMSCs were randomly divided into 3 groups: 10% fetal bovine serum group (group A), 10% normal serum group (group B), and 10% burn serum group (group C). At 24 hours, 72 hours, and 6 days after culture, the cell morphology and density were observed by inverted microscope; the cell proliferation was assessed by MTT; after 6 days of culture, the cell cycle by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry, the apoptosis by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and the cell senescence by β-galactosidase staining; the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in serum were detected by a double-antibody sandwich ELISA kit. Results hUCMSCs were long spindle/polygon in 3 groups. The cell fusion of group C was obviously faster than that in group A and group B. The cell proliferation curves showed that the velocity and number of cell proliferation in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B at 2-6 days after culture (P lt; 0.05). The rates of proliferation period (S) of hUCMSCs were 9.21% ± 1.02%, 11.79% ± 1.87%, and 20.54% ± 2.03%, respectively in groups A, B, and C at 6 days, and group C was significantly higher than that of group A and group B (P lt; 0.05). The hUCMSCs showed normal morphology and structure in 3 groups, and no apoptosis cells was observed. The positive cells percentage of group C (2.6% ± 0.1%) was significantly lower than that of group A (4.8% ± 0.2%) and group B (3.8% ± 0.4%) (P lt; 0.05). The levels of TNF-α, IL-1, PDGF, and IGF-1 in group C were significantly higher than those in group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The higher levels of cytokines in serum from the severe burn patients can significantly stimulate hUCMSCs proliferation, prevent cells apoptosis, and reduce cells senescence. Therefore, it is feasible to use hUCMSCs transplantation for treating severe burn patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the expression of senescence marker protein-30 (SMP-30) in human lung tissues and the significance in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsLung tissue specimens ( > 5 cm away from cancerous tissues) obtained by surgery resection in 20 subjects with solitary peripheral carcinoma in Jiangsu Province Hospital were investagted. The subjects were divided into three groups according to lung function and smoking history, ie. a COPD group (6 cases), a healthy smoking group (7 cases) and a healthy control group (7 cases). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to determine the distribution and expression of SMP-30 in human lung tissues. ResultsSMP-30 protein mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of alveolar macrophages (AM). The numbers of AM and SMP-30-positive AM were significantly increased in the COPD group. Western blot analysis confirmed a significant increase in SMP-30 expression in the healthy smokers compared with the non-smokers (2.16±0.23 vs. 1.10±0.14, P < 0.01) and further enhanced in the patients with COPD compared with the healthy smoking subjects (4.62±0.97 vs. 2.16±0.23, P < 0.05). The levels of the protein in different groups were: COPD group > smoking group > control group with significant difference. ConclusionThese results suggest that SMP-30 expression may be involved in the mechanism of prolonged survival and the increase in number of AM and may be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research situation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) senescence, including the characteristics and mechanisms of senescence. MethodsThe original articles in recent years about MSCs senescence were extensively reviewed, and comprehensively analyzed. ResultsThe senescence of MSCs which manifests as morphological senescence, reduced proliferation and differentiation potential, altered immunoregulation are found during the cultivation in experiment, which profoundly affects clinical application of MSCs. The research about the mechanisms of MSCs senescence includes telomere and telomerase, and stress-mediated injury etc, involving regulation of telomerase, and regulation of signal pathways of p53/p21, P13K/Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin etc. ConclusionThe further study of senescence mechanisms will help to accelerate the clinical application of MSCs in the future.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading irreversible causes of blindness in China. The pathogenesis of AMD is not fully understood at present. Under various stress conditions, cellular senescence is activated, characterized by telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and the release of various senescence-related secretory phenotype factors. Senescence is implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD through multiple pathways, contributing to chronic inflammation and the onset and progression of AMD. Mechanisms such as oxidative stress, lipofuscin, β amyloid protein and the membrane attack complex have become hotspots of study in the pathogenesis of AMD. The cyclic guanosine phosphate - adenosine synthase - interferon stimulating factor synthase-stimulator of interferon gene pathway has emerged as a critical signaling pathway in the early development of AMD, providing direction for further research on AMD. Currently, senolytics, selective agents targeting the induction of senescent cell apoptosis, show significant potential in the treatment of AMD. The integration of new technologies with cellular senescence may offer a novel approach to AMD treatment, and intervening in the AMD treatment through anti-cellular senescence pathways holds promising prospects.