Differentiation of human bone marrow precursor cells into neuronal-like cells after transplantation into canine spinal cord organotypic slice cultures / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Treatments to regenerate different tissue involving the transplantation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal precursor cells are anticipated. Using an alternative methods, in vitro organotypic slice culture method, would be useful to transplant cells and assessing the effects. This study was to determine the possibility of differentiating human bone marrow precursor cells into cells of the neuronal lineage by transplanting into canine spinal cord organotypic slice cultures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) of patients that had undergone spinal fusion due to a degenerative spinal disorder. For cell imaging, mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) were pre-stained with PKH-26 just before transplantation to canine spinal cord slices. Canine spinal cord tissues were obtained from three adult beagle dogs. Spinal cords were cut into transverse slices of 1 mm using tissue chopper. Two slices were transferred into 6-well plate containing 3 ml DMEM with antibiotics. Prepared MPCs (1×10(4)) were transplanted into spinal cord slices. On days 0, 3, 7, 14, MPCs were observed for morphological changes and expression of neuronal markers through immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The morphological study showed: spherical cells in the control and experiment groups on day 0; and on day 3, cells in the control group had one or two thick, short processes and ones in the experiment group had three or four thin, long processes. On day 7, these variously-sized processes contacted each other in the experiment group, but showed typical spindle-shaped cells in the control group. Immunofluorescence showed that PKH-26(+) MPCs stained positive for NeuN(+) and GFAP(+) in experimental group only. Also RT-PCR showed weak expression of β-tubulin III and GFAP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Human bone marrow mesenchymal precursor cells (hMPCs) have the potential to differentiate into the neuronal like cells in this canine spinal cord organotypic slice culture model. Furthermore, these findings suggested the possibility that these cells can be utilized to treat patients with spinal cord injuries.</p>

Clinical study of nanometer calcium phosphate ceramic artificial bone / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical effects and security of nanometer ceramics artificial bone transplantation to treat the bone defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2005 to November 2007, 32 patients (artificial bone group) with extremity bone defects applied nanometer ceramics artificial bone transplantations, included 19 males and 13 females, aged from 17 to 63 years old (averaged 31.4 years). The other 36 patients (internal fixation group) with extremity bone defects were treated by the internal fixation in the same period, included 21 males and 15 females, aged from 16 to 65 years old (averaged 32.6 years). Ca, P, B-ALP, IgG, IgA, IgM, CIC, C3, SL-2R and CD4+/CD8+ in the peripheral venous blood were measured in the 1st and 2th week and 1st, 3rd, 6th month after operation. All patients were followed up and the limb function was evaluated according to Enneking standard.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The wounds of all patients smoothly healed after operation. Every immunological indicators had no significant difference between two groups. Serum calcium and phosphorus content did not significantly increased. Serum B-ALP of all patients were increased after operation, fell to normal levels in the internal fixation group, but remained at a relatively high level in the artificial bone group. All patients were followed-up for from 9 to 24 months (averaged 15 months). All patients get the excellent physical function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The artificial bone has no immunogenicity, no rejection,does not affect the blood calcium and phosphorus content, and has higher osteogenic activity. It is affirmed that nanometer ceramics artificial bone is used to treat the smaller bone defect on clinical.</p>