ObjectiveTo observe the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on blood glucose levels and diabetic retinopathy in diabetes mellitus (DM) rats. MethodA total of 45 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (group A, 10 rats) and DM group (33 rats). Diabetic model was established in DM group by tail vein injection of streptozotocin.The DM group was further randomly divided into 3 groups (11 rats in each group), including group B (no transplantation), group C (hUCMSC was injected through tail vein) and group D (hUCMSC was injected into the vitreous). Blood glucose, retina wholemont staining and expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the retina were measured at 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks after hUCMSC injection. The blood glucose was significantly different between A-D groups before injection (t=-64.400, -60.601, -44.065, -43.872; P=0.000) BDNF expression was studied by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry staining. ResultsThe blood glucose was significantly different between A-D groups after hUCMSC injection (F=400.017, 404.410, 422.043, 344.109; P=0.000), and between group C and group B/D (t=4.447, 4.990; P < 0.01). Immuno-staining shown that BDNF was positive in ganglion cell layer (RGC) of group A, weak in group B while BDNF expression increased in group C/D. BDNF mRNA expression was significantly different between group B, C and D at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after hUCMSC injection (F=29.372, 188.492, 421.537; P=0.000), and between group B and C/D (t=66.781, 72.401, 63.880, 88.423, 75.120, 83.002; P < 0.01) by RT-PCR analysis. The BDNF mRNA expression was significantly different between C and D groups only at 8 weeks after hUCMSC injection (t=127.321, P=0.005). ConclusionsTail vein injection of hUCMSCs can significantly reduce the blood glucose levels of rats. Intravenous and intravitreal injection of hUCMSCs can increase the expression of BDNF.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (CMVR)-related uveitis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From October 2015 to May 2020, 14 cases of 21 eyes of CMVR patients with CMVR after HSCT confirmed by the ophthalmological examination of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included in the study. Among them, there were 5 males with 8 eyes and 9 females with 13 eyes. The average age was 35.12±12.24 years old. All the affected eyes were examined by slit lamp microscope combined with front lens and fundus color photography. At the same time, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) was performed to examine 10 eyes of 5 cases; 3 cases of 3 eyes were examined for inflammatory cytokines in aqueous humor. All eyes received intravitreal injection of ganciclovir; patients with a history of systemic CMV infection received intravenous infusion of ganciclovir/foscarnet. The retinal lesions in the eye were completely resolved or the aqueous CMV-DNA was negative as a cure for CMVR. The uveitis symptoms, signs, FFA manifestations and the test results of inflammatory factors in aqueous humor before and after the CMVR cure was observed. The follow-up time after CMVR was cured was 3-42 months, and the average follow-up time was 14.28±13.12 months.ResultsAll eyes with CMVR were diagnosed with retrocorneal dust and/or stellate keratic precipitates (KP), anterior chamber flare and cells, and varying degrees of vitreous flocculent opacity; the retina was typical of a mixture of hemorrhage and yellow-white necrosis like "scrambled eggs with tomatoes". After CMVR was cured, there were 16 eyes (71.4%, 10/14) in 10 cases with KP, anterior chamber flare, cell and vitreous opacity. FFA examination revealed that the majority of retinal leakage during the active period of CMVR was necrotic foci and surrounding tissues; after CMVR was cured, the majority of retinal leakage was the retina and blood vessels in the non-necrotic area. The test results of inflammatory factors in aqueous humor showed that interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecules were significantly increased in the active phase of CMVR; after 3 months of CMVR cured, inflammatory factors did not increase significantly.ConclusionCMVR-associated uveitis after HSCT show as chronic panuveitis, with no obvious eye congestion, KP, anterior chamber flare, cell and vitreous opacity, and retinal vessel leakage which could exist for a long time (＞3 months).
ObjectiveTo observe the morphological and functional changes of retinal degeneration in mice with CLN7 neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, and the therapeutic effects of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and/or ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) based on neural stem cells (NSC) on mouse photoreceptor cells. MethodsA total of 100 CLN7 mice aged 14 days were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group, with 80 and 20 mice respectively. Twenty C57BL/6J mice aged 14 days were assigned as wild-type group (WT group). Mice in control group and WT group did not receive any interventions. At 2, 4, and 6 months of age, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to examine alterations in the distribution and quantity of cones, rod-bipolar cells, and cone-bipolar cells within the retinal of mice while electroretinography (ERG) examination was utilized to record scotopic a and b-waves and photopic b-wave amplitudes. At 14 days of age, the mice in the experimental group were intravitreally injected with 2 μl of CNTF-NSC, GDNF-NSC, and a 1:1 cell mixture of CNTF-NSC and GDNF-NSC (GDNF/CNTF-NSC). Those mice were then subdivided into the CNTF-NSC group, the GDNF-NSC group, and the GDNF/CNTF-NSC group accordingly. The contralateral eyes of the mice were injected with 2 μl of control NSC without neurotrophic factor (NTF) as their own control group. At 2 and 4 months of age, the rows of photoreceptor cells in mice was observed by immunohistochemical staining while ERG was performed to record amplitudes. At 4 months of age, the differentiation of grafted NSC and the expression of NTF were observed. Statistical comparisons between the groups were performed using a two-way ANOVA. ResultsCompared with WT group, the density of cones in the peripheral region of the control group at 2, 4 and 6 months of age (F=285.10), rod-bipolar cell density in central and peripheral retina (F=823.20, 346.20), cone-bipolar cell density (F=356.30, 210.60) and the scotopic amplitude of a and b waves (F=1 911.00, 387.10) in central and peripheral retina were significantly decreased, with statistical significance (P＜0.05). At the age of 4 and 6 months, the density of retinal cone cells (F=127.30) and b-wave photopic amplitude (F=51.13) in the control group were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the NSC transplanted in the experimental group preferentially differentiated into astrocytes, and stably expressed CNTF and GDNF at high levels. Comparison of retinal photoreceptor nucleus lines in different treatment subgroups of the experimental group at different ages: CNTF-NSC group, at 2 months of age: the whole, central and peripheral regions were significantly different (F=31.73, 75.06, 75.06; P＜0.05); 4 months of age: The difference between the whole area and the peripheral region was statistically significant (F=12.27, 12.27; P＜0.05). GDNF/CNTF-NSC group, 2 and 4 months of age: the whole (F=27.26, 27.26) and the peripheral area (F=16.01, 13.55) were significantly different (P＜0.05). In GDNF-NSC group, there was no statistical significance at all in the whole, central and peripheral areas at different months of age (F=0.00, 0.01, 0.02; P＞0.05). ConclusionsCLN7 neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis mice exhibit progressively increasing degenerative alterations in photoreceptor cells and bipolar cells with age growing, aligning with both morphological and functional observations. Intravitreal administration of stem cell-based CNTF as well as GDNF/CNTF show therapeutic potential in rescuing photoreceptor cells. Nevertheless, the combined application of GDNF/CNTF-NSC do not demonstrate the anticipated synergistic protective effect. GDNF has no therapeutic effect on the retinal morphology and function in CLN7 neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis mice.
Objective To observe the survival of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) after injection into the vitreous of rabbits,and the animal safety under those procedures.Methods Twentyseven pigmented rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (intravitreal injection 1 week group，2 weeks group and 4 weeks group)， each with 9 rabbits.For each animal the right eye was the experimental eye receiving hUCMSCs injection,while the left eye was the control eye receiving culture medium. The rabbit eyes were examined by slitlamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, fundus fluorescence angiography（FFA）and Tonopen tonometer before and after injection. hUCMSCs were labeled by CMDil in vitro, and their survival status was measured by confocal fluorescence microscopy, light microscope and transmission electron microscope at 4 weeks after injection. Results Four weeks after injection, a large number of the hUCMSCs were still alive in the vitreous cavity. The overall condition of those rabbits was good. The anterior segment and retina of experimental eyes were normal, without hyperfluorescence, hypofluorescence and leakage in the retina at 1,2 and 4 weeks after injection. There was no significant difference on IOP before and after injection at different time points (P＞0.05), and no obvious changes at cornea, anterior chamber angle,lens,retinal structure by.light microscope and transmission electron microscope examination.Conclusion hUC-MSCs can survive in the rabbit vitreous for four weeks；intravitreal injection of hUCMSCs was safe and feasible.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST) for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) after first autologous stem cell transplantation. MethodsSuch databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 5, 2013), PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched to collect studies investigated the efficacy and safety of NST and non-NST for the treatment of MM after first autologous stem cell transplantation from the date of their establishment to June 13th 2013. Two reviewers independently screened studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. ResultsSeven studies involving 1 961 participants were included, of which 626 cases were in the NST group and 1 335 cases were in the non-NST group. The results of meta-analysis showed that no significant difference was found between both groups in the overall survival rate (HR=1.06, 95%CI 0.78 to 1.44, P=0.69) and progress-free survival rate (HR=0.92, 95%CI 0.76 to 1.11, P=0.39). However, there were significant differences in the complete remission rate (RR=1.29, 95%CI 1.13 to 1.48, P=0.000 2) and treatment-related mortality rate (RR=3.40, 95%CI 2.27 to 5.07, P < 0.000 01). ConclusionThe efficacy of NST is not superior to non-NST for patients with MM which has received first autologous stem cell transplantation. It is not sufficient to recommend NST as the first-line treatment of MM based on the currently available evidence.
Objective To systematically review the survival outcome and safety of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) for β-thalassemia. Methods The PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect studies on haplo-HSCT for β-thalassemia from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using RevMan 5.4.1 software and Stata 16.0 software. Results A total of 6 case-series studies involving 286 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated that overall survival (OS) and thalassemia-free survival (TFS) for β-thalassemia patients undergoing haplo-HSCT were 92.5% (95%CI 86.1% to 96.1%) and 88.5% (95%CI 74.6% to 95.3%), the incidence of Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree acute graft versus host disease (Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGvHD) and chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) were 11.5% (95%CI 6.5% to 20.0%) and 23.1% (95%CI 12.3% to 39.8%), and the transplantation related mortality was 6.5% (95%CI 3.8% to 10.7%). Conclusion Relevant clinical studies published in the past 5 years provide the latest information and progress of haplo-HSCT for β-thalassemia. At present, great efficacy has been shown in NF-14-TM therapeutic regimen, but the long-term efficacy remains unclear. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality evidence from long-term comparative studies is still needed.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of palifermin on oral mucositis (OM) and acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) for hematological malignancy patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, Clinicaltrials.gov, CNKI and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the efficacy of palifermin on OM and aGVHD for hematological malignancy patients undergoing HSCT from inception to September 30th, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 7 RCTs involving 904 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: palifermin could reduce the duration of OM grade 2 to 4 (MD=−4.21, 95%CI −7.83 to −0.58, P=0.02), OM grade 3 to 4 (MD=−2.54, 95%CI −4.61 to −0.46, P=0.02) significantly for hematological malignancy patients undergoing HSCT. However, no significant difference was found in the prevalence of aGVHD grade 2 to 4 (RR=1.29, 95%CI 0.95 to 1.75, P=0.11), aGVHD grade 3 to 4 (RR=0.99, 95%CI 0.55 to 1.77, P=0.97), OM grade 2 to 4 (RR=0.86, 95%CI 0.72 to 1.03, P=0.11) and OM grade 3 to 4 (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.65 to 1.03, P=0.08) between palifermin group and placebo group. The prevalence of paresthesia (RR=4.24, 95%CI 1.24 to 14.56, P=0.02) and erythema (RR=1.49, 95%CI 1.06 to 2.09, P=0.02) were significantly higher in palifermin group.ConclusionsThe durations of OM grade 2 to 4, 3 to 4 are significantly reduce in patients receiving palifermin compared with those receiving a placebo, however, no statistically significant difference are found in the incidence of aGVHD grade 2 to 4, 3 to 4, OM grade 2 to 4, 3 to 4. Parethesia and erythema are more prevalent among patients using palifermin. Therefore, advantages and disadvantages of palifermin should be considered when used in clinical.
Objective To observe the retinal apoptosis of laser-induced retinal injury in mice after bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation. Methods Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled MSCs from C57BL/6 mice were cultured in vitro. A total of 135 C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups including normal control group (15 mice), injured control group (60 mice) and MSCs treatment group (60 mice). Laser retinal injuries were induced by laser photocoagulation. One day after photocoagulation, 02 ml cell suspension, which contained 1times;106 GFP-MSCs, were injected into the mice in treatment group via tail vein, and the mice in injured control group were given equal volume of phosphate buffer solution. Animal were execute on three, seven, 14 and 21 days following laser damage. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess the changes of injured retinas. The diameters of laser spots and areas with total loss of cells in outer nuclear layer (ONL) were analyzed by image processing software. The apoptosis of retinal cells was examined by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The migration of GFP-MSCs into the retina was observed by fluorescence microscope. Results HE staining showed that the retinal structures were integrated in normal control group. Retinal damages were observed both in injured control group and MSCs treatment group, but milder in the latter. Though the average diameter of area with total loss of cells in ONL of MSCs treatment group was less than the injured control group (t=5.769, P＜0.05), the diameters of laser spots show no difference (t=0.964,P＞0.05) on day three. Both the average diameter of laser spots (t=5.180, 5.417, 2.381) and area with total loss of cells in ONL (t=3.530, 3.224, 3.162) were less in the MSCs treatment group on day seven, 14 and 21 (P＜0.05). TUNEL staining shows that the apoptosis were decreased after MSCs transplantation on day three, seven, 14 and 21 (t=11.142, 7.479, 6.678, 3.953,P＜0.05). No apoptosis was observed in normal control group. Very few GFP-MSCs were observed in the retina at all time-points. They were only seen in the subretinal and choroidal neovascularization occasionally on day seven and 14. Conclusion MSCs transplantation can effectively limit the range of retinal laser damage and inhibit cell apoptosis.
Objective To summarize the research progress of stem cell transplantation in treating spinal cord injury (SCI) at different stages based on the pathophysiological mechanism of SCI. Methods The relevant research literature at home and abroad was extensively reviewed to explore the impact of transplantation timing on the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation in treating SCI. Results Researchers performed different types of stem cell transplantation for subjects at different stages of SCI through different transplantation approaches. Clinical trials have proved the safety and feasibility of stem cell transplantation at acute, subacute, and chronic stages, which can alleviate inflammation at the injured site and restore the function of the damaged nerve cells. But the reliable clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation at different stages of SCI are still lacking. Conclusion Stem cell transplantation has a good prospect in treating SCI. In the future, the multi-center, large sample randomized controlled clinical trials are needed, with a focus on the long-term effectiveness of stem cell transplantation.