ObjectiveTo review the research progress of constructing injectable tissue engineered adipose tissue by adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). MethodsRecent literature about ADSCs composite three-dimensional scaffold to construct injectable tissue engineered adipose tissue is summarized, mainly on the characteristics of ADSCs, innovation of injectable scaffold, and methods to promote blood supply. ResultsADSCs have a sufficient amount and powerful ability such as secretion, excellent compatibility with injectable scaffold, plus with methods of promoting blood supply, which can build forms of injectable tissue engineered adipose tissue. ConclusionIn despite of many problems to be dealt with, ADSCs constructing injectable tissue engineered adipose tissue may provide a promising source for soft-tissue defect repair and plastic surgery.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of using Schwann-like cells derived from human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCBMSCs) as the seed cells to repair large sciatic nerve defect in rats so as to provide the experimental evidence for clinical application of hUCBMSCs. MethodsFourty-five male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats in SPF grade, weighing 200-250 g, were selected. The hUCBMSCs were harvested and cultured from umbilical cord blood using lymphocyte separating and high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch, and then was identified. The hUCBMSCs of 3rd generation were induced to Schwann-like cells, and then was identified by chemical derivatization combined with cytokine. The acellular nerve basal membrane conduit was prepared as scaffold material by the sciatic nerve of SD rats through repeated freezing, thawing, and washing. The tissue engineered nerve was prepared after 7 days of culturing Schwann-like cells (1×107 cells/mL) on the acellular nerve basal membrane conduit using the multi-point injection. The 15 mm sciatic nerve defect model was established in 30 male SD rats, which were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 rats each group). Defect was repaired with tissue engineered nerve in group A, with acellular nerve basal membrane conduit in group B, and with autologous sciatic nerve in group C. The nerve repair was evaluated through general observation, sciatic function index (SFI), nerve electrophysiology, weight of gastrocnemius muscle, and Masson staining after operation. ResultsThe hUCBMSCs showed higher expression of surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells, and Schwann-like cells showed positive expression of glia cell specific markers such as S100b, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and P75. At 8 weeks after operation, the acellular nerve basal membrane conduit had no necrosis and liquefaction, with mild adhesion, soft texture, and good continuity at nerve anastomosis site in group A; group B had similar appearance to group A; adhesion of group C was milder than that of groups A and B, with smooth anastomotic stoma and no enlargement, and the color was similar to that of normal nerve. SFI were gradually decreased, group C was significantly greater than groups A and B, group A was significantly greater than group B (P<0.05). The compound action potential could be detected in anastomotic site of 3 groups, group C was significantly greater than groups A and B, and group A was significantly greater than group B in amplitude and conduction velocity (P<0.05). Atrophy was observed in the gastrocnemius of 3 groups; wet weight's recovery rate of the gastrocnemius of group C was significantly greater than that of groups A and B, and group A was significantly greater than group B (P<0.05). Masson staining showed that large nerve fibers regeneration was found in group A, which had dense and neat arrangement with similar fiber diameter. The density and diameter of medullated fibers, thickness of myelinated axon, and axon diameter of group C were significantly greater than those of groups A and B, and group A was significantly greater than group B (P<0.05). ConclusionTissue engineered nerves from hUCBMSCs-derived Schwann-like cells can effectively repair large defects of the sciatic nerve. hUCBMSCs-derived Schwann-like cells can be used as a source of seed cells in nerve tissue engineering.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of cytoskeleton modification on the adipogenic differentiation of rat Achilles-derived tendon stem cells (TSCs) in vitro. MethodsTSCs were isolated from the tendon tissue of male Sprague Dawley rats (aged 3 weeks) by enzymatic digestion method and cultured for 3 passages. After the 3rd passage cells were cultured with DMEM medium containing 15% fetal bovine serum and cytochalasin D (CYD) at the concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 500, and 1 000 ng/mL, the cell survival condition and morphology changes were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope, the cytoskeleton was observed through fibrous actin (F-actin) staining, and the ratio of F-actin/soluble globular actin (G-actin) was detected and calculated through Western blot. According to the above results, the effective concentration of CYD was selected and used for next experiments. After TSCs were cultured for 3 and 7 days respectively with adipogenic induction media (induction group), adipogenic induction media containing CYD (CYD+induction group), ordinary medium (ordinary group), and ordinary medium containing CYD (CYD+ordinary group), the real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were carried out to measure the mRNA and protein expressions of adipogenic differentiation-related markers, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), 1ipoprotein lipase (LPL), and fatty acid binding protein (aP2). ResultsThe final CYD concentration of 100 ng/mL can inhibit effectively G-actin polymerization into F-actin, but could not affect TSCs survival, which was used for next experiments. qRT-PCR and Western blot suggested that the mRNA expressions of PPARγ, LPL, and aP2 and the protein expressions of PPARγ and aP2 were increased significantly in the CYD+induction group at 3 and 7 days when compared with the induction group (P<0.05). In the CYD+ordinary group, there still was a significant increase in the mRNA expressions of PPARγ, LPL, and aP2 when compared with the ordinary group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of F-actin polymerization can increase adipogenic differentiation of rat Achilles-derived TSCs in vitro, and cytoskeleton modification is a pre-requisite for TSCs differentiation into adipocytes, which might have important implications for the mechanism research of tendinopathy.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of leucocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in treating avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in rabbits. MethodsTwenty-four New Zealand white rabbits (4-6 months old, both genders, weighing 2.0-3.0 kg) were used for the establishment of bilateral ANFH models and divided into 4 groups (n=6). BMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of iliac crest, cultured and identified. L-PRP was prepared by Landesberg method. Core decompression only (group A), core decompression and L-PRP implantation (group B), core decompression and BMSCs implantation (group C), and core decompression and implantation of BMSCs and L-PRP were performed in 4 groups. To evaluate bone formation and remodeling of the defects, X-ray photography was taken at 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively. The modified Lane-Sandhu scoring system was used to evaluate the bone formation. Two rabbits were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation to harvest the specimens for histological observation, new blood vessel count and new bone area ratio. ResultsThe observations of radiology and histology displayed different degrees of bone regeneration at bone defect sites in each group. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively, the results of Lane-Sandhu X-ray photography scoring, new blood vessel count, and new bone area ratio showed that groups C and D were significantly better than groups A and B, group D was significantly better than group C. and group B was significantly better than group A (P<0.05). ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that L-PRP can promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in treating ANFH in rabbits, and core decompression associated with BMSCs and L-PRP is an effective and feasible method to treat ANFH.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) of different concentrations in the culture medium on osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) promoting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) proliferation and differentiation. MethodsBMSCs were separated from limb bones of 8 Sprague Dawley rats (5 weeks old) and purified by adherence method, and BMSCs at passage 3 were divided into 4 groups according to OGP concentration: OGP 1×10-10 mol/L group, OGP 1×10-9mol/L group, OGP 1×10-8 mol/L group, and control group without OGP; and 0, 2%, 5%, 8%, and 10%FBS concentration gradient was used in each group. The cell proliferation rate was detected by MTT method at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 days after culture, and the activity of intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined by the method of p-nitrophenyl phosphate disodium at 9 days after culture. ResultsBMSCs showed adherent growth, rapid proliferation, long fiber vortex, and typical morphology. MTT analysis showed that cells could not sustain proliferation when FBS concentration was less than 5% in each group; when FBS concentration was above 8%, cells proliferated continually. Proliferation promoting effect of OGP 1×10-8 mol/L and 1×10-9 mol/L groups was significantly higher than that of the control group in all serum concentrations (P<0.05); when FBS concentration was lower than 10%, the proliferation promoting effect of OGP 1×10-8 mol/L group was significantly higher than that of the other 2 OGP groups (P<0.05), but when FBS concentration was 10%, OGP 1×10-8 mol/L group had no advantage of promoting proliferation. ALP test results showed that as the FBS concentration increased, ALP activity of all groups also significantly increased (P<0.05). Under the condition of 5%FBS and 8%FBS, the ALP activity of each OGP group was significantly greater than that of the control group, and it was the highest in OGP 1×10-8 mol/L group (P<0.05). Under the condition of 10%FBS, the ALP activity of each OGP group was still greater than that of the control group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the OGP 1×10-8 mol/L group and OGP 1×10-9 mol/L group (P>0.05). ConclusionThe concentration of 8%FBS is the best concentration of serum for OGP promoting the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs, and the most suitable concentration of promoting the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs is OGP 1×10-8 mol/L.
ObjectiveTo comprehensively analyze the recent advancements in the field of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes (MSCs-exosomes) in tissue repair. MethodsThe literature about MSCs-exosomes in tissue repair was reviewed and analyzed. ResultsExosomes are biologically active microvesicles released from MSCs which are loaded with functional proteins, RNA, and microRNA. Exosomes can inhibit apoptosis, stimulate proliferation, alter cell phenotype in tissue repair of several diseases through cell-to-cell communication. ConclusionMSCs-exosomes is a novel source for the treatment of tissue repair. Further research of MSCs-exosomes biofunction, paracellular transport, and treatment mechanism will help the transform to clinical application.
Objective To explore repair role of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BM-MSCs） transplantation on treating hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury （HIRI） in rats. Methods Ten rats were executed to get BM-MSCs， then BM-MSCs were cultured in vitro and dyed by 4，6-diamidino-2-phenylindole （DAPI）. Models of 70% hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury were eatablished. Thirty two rats were randomly divided into sham operation group （Sham group）， ischemia reperfusion group （I/R group）， Vitamin C group （VC group）， and BM-MSCs group. Serum samples were analyzed for ALT and AST， and hepatic tissue were for superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）. Liver sections were stain with hematoxylin and eosin （HE） for histological analysis， TUNEL staining was applied to detect hepatic apoptosis. Serum and tissues were both collected at 24 h after reperfusion. Results The isolated BM-MSCs maintained vigorous growth in vitro. Specific markers for MSCs antigens CD29 and CD44 were detected by flow cytometry， but antigens CD34 and CD45 were not be detected. Models of HIRI were stable， and BM-MSCs were detected around the periportal area by DAPI staining. Compared with I/R group， levels of ALT， AST， MDA， and AI in the VC group and BM-MSCs group decreased at 24 h after reperfusion （P＜0.05）， meanwhile SOD level increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with VC group， levels of ALT， AST， MDA， and AI in the BM-MSC group decreased at 24 h after reperfusion （P＜0.05）， meanwhile SOD level increased （P＜0.05）. Conclusion BM-MSCs could protect HIRI by alleviating oxidative stress and inhibiting cellular apoptosis.
Objective To elucidate whether glucose transporters-4 （GLUT-4） takes part in glucose uptake of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） and whether Akt gene improves translocation and expression of GLUT-4 in MSCs under hypoxic environment ex vivo. Methods MSCs, transfected by Akt gene and no, were cultured with normoxia (5% CO2) or hypoxia (94%N2, 1%O2 and 5% CO2) at 37 ℃ for 8 h. Glucose uptake was assayed by using radiation isotope 2-［3H］-deoxy-Dglucose (3H-G) and the expression of GLUT-4 protein and mRNA was assayed by immunocytochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Results ①3 H-G intake of MSCs was significantly increased in hypoxiatransfection group than that in hypoxia-non-transfection 〔（1.39±0.13） fold, P＜0.05〕, but which was lower than that in normoxia-non-transfection group, P＜0.05. ②GLUT-4 was expressed by MSCs under any conditions. Compared with normoxia-non-transfection group, hypoxia decreased the expressions of GLUT-4 mRNA and protein significantly (P＜0.05). ③Compared with hypoxianontransfection group, the expression of GLUT-4 〔mRNA（1.756±0.152） fold, total protein in cell （1.653±0.312） fold, protein in plasma membrane （2.041±0.258） fold〕 was increased in hypoxia-transfection group significantly (P＜0.05), but which was lower than that in normoxianontransfection group (P＜0.05). ④There was significantly positive relation between 3H-G intake and GLUT-4 protein expression in plasma membrane (r=0.415, P=0.001).Conclusion GLUT-4 may take part in glucose uptake of MSCs, and the capability of Akt gene to improve MSCs anti-hypoxia may be finished by its role in increasing the expression and translocation of GLUT-4.
Objective To observe the effects of cryopreservation and resuscitation on the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived f rom human umbilical cord blood. Methods MSCs were isolated and cultured f rom human umbilical cord blood in vitro. The cells were passaged , and the third generation of MSCs were cryopreserved in－196 ℃ liquid nitrogen for 4 weeks with cryopreservation medium , which contained 10 % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 90 % fetal calf serum ( FCS) . The morphology , proliferation and differentiation of MSCs were investigated and compared with those of MSCs before cryopreservation. Results There was no significant difference of morphology between pre-cryopreserved MSCs and the ones af ter resuscitation. It was observed that all MSCs were spindle-shaped and showed adherence growth characteristic before and af ter cryopreservation. The cell growth curves of MSCs were also similar before and af ter cryopreservation. Even though the curve of resuscitated MSCs descended a little as compared with that of pre-cryopreserved MSCs , there was no significant difference ( Pgt; 0. 05) . After 2-week adipocytic differentiation induction , fat drops could be found in the kytoplasm of MSCs and they were red when stained with oil-red O staining , which suggested that MSCs could be induced and differentiated into adipocytes. Af ter 4-week osteoblastic differentiation induction , MSCs could be induced and differentiated into osteoblasts , and calcium node showed black when stained with Von Kossa staining. There were no significant changes of the differentiating ability of MSCs into adipocyte and osteoblast before and after cryopreservation. Conclusion MSCs derived from human umbilical cord blood maintains their biological characteristics af ter cryopreservation and resuscitation.
Objective To determine if mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) could be reconstructed as a vehicle for angiopoietin-1 ( Ang1) gene therapy in lung injury. Methods MSCs were obtained from adult male inbred mice and cultured to passage four. The cells were identified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting ( FACS) analysis and cell differentiation detection. Lentiviral vectors contained GFP and Ang1 gene were conducted in 293T cells through three plasmids co-transfection method. Then MSCs were transduced with Ang1 gene efficiently through lentiviral vectors. The mRNA expression of Ang1 in MSCs was detected by RT-PCR before and after transfection. Also fluorescence from MSCs was detected by fluorescence microscope every day after transfection. Two hours after LPS inhalation, mice were infused via jugular veinwith normal saline ( NS group) , lentiviral vector carrying Ang1 ( Ang1 group) , lentiviral vector carrying GFP ( MSCs group) , and lentiviral vector carrying Ang1 /GFP ( MSCs-Ang1 group) , respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to compare the effects of MSCs-Ang1 on survival. And ectogenic MSCs origined lung cells were investigated in receipt mice. Results After passaged and purification,MSCs were confirmed to have the potential of differentiation. The lentiviral vectors carrying Ang1 and GFP were also identified. After transfection, the mRNA expression of Ang1 in MSCs was enhanced. Through the fluorescence microscope,MSCs get the most green fluorescence expression five days after the transfection when MOI was 20. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that MSCs-Ang1 infusion had improved survival rates of lung injury rats compared with the control, but it did not reach statistical significance ( P = 0. 066) . Cells expressing GFP in lung tissues can be observed after MSCs were transplanted in vivo. Conclusions MSCs expressing Ang1 high can be constructed through lentiviral vector transfer, and MSCs-origined cells can be detected in receipt lungs after transplantation. So MSCs may serve as a vehicle for gene therapy in lung injury.