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AIM:To explore an ideal method to induce the differen-tiation of human umbilical cord mesenchy-mal stem cells (hUCMSCs) into neuron-like cells and to provide some evidence for the transplantation of hUCMSCs for spi-nal cord injury .METHODS:The hUCMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord digested with collagenase Ⅱ.The hUCMSCs was verified by flow cytometry analysis .The passage 5 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups.The differentiation of hUCMSCs was induced by bFGF in group A , bFGF and BDNF in group B, or BHA, bFGF and BDNF in group C, while the cells in group D served as a control group cultured with DMEM-F12 and 10%FBS.Two weeks later , the expression of nestin , neurofilament protein H ( NEFH) and glial fibrillary acidic protein ( GFAP) was detected by real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry .The morphological changes of cells were observed under an atomic force microscope . RESULTS:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from human umbilical cord by enzyme digestion .hUCMSCs expressed CD29, CD44 and CD105, but no CD34, CD45 or HLA-DR.After cultured with inducing medium for 2 weeks, the cells were successfully induced into neuron-like cells.The appearance of the cells had great change .The induced hUC-MSCs developed round cell bodies with multiple neurite-like extensions observed under an atomic force microscope .The re-sult of real-time PCR showed that nestin was positive in A , B and C groups , and NEFH was positive in A and B groups , but GFAP was negative in 4 groups.The difference of nestin and NEFH expression among the induced groups was signifi -cant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from human umbilical cord by en-zyme digestion in vitro, and all the hUCMACs presented stable biological properties .Moreover, hUCMSCs were induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells in vitro via bFGF combined with BDNF .
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BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures has achieved very good results, but its long-term efficacy as well as impact on patients has been rarely reported so far.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effect of vertebroplasty with bone cement on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures through a follow-up.METHODS: Thirty-four patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty were recruited. Visual analogue scale scoring was measured and compared as well as lesioned vertebral height and kyphosis angle shown on lateral X-ray examination prior to, 1 week and 6 years after percutaneous vertebroplasty.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The kyphosis angle was improved 1 week and 6 years after percutaneous vertebroplasty, and it changed insignificantly during the follow-up period. The vertebral height was also improved significantly after percutaneous vertebroplasty (P < 0.01); however, there was no obvious variation in the vertebral height at 1 week and 6 years after percutaneous vertebroplasty. The visual analogue scale exhibited an improvement after percutaneous vertebroplasty (P < 0.01); however, with time going by, the scoring on the visual analogue scale had an increased tend. All the parameters remained stable and had no large fluctuations. It is proved that the percutaneous vertebroplasty is effective and safe to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with an excellent long-term effect.
ABSTRACT
Obje:ctive To establish an optimized method to isolate, culture and identify human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) in vitro and induce their osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Methods The hUCMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord by digestion with collagenase. After serial subcultivation in vitro, the stem cells were passaged. Morphologic appearance of hUCMSCs was observed under an optical microscope and atomic force microscope. The proliferation rate was measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle and surface antigens were measured by flow cytometry. The osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was tested and evaluated by specific staining methods. Results The isolation of hUCMSCs by digestion with collagenase was efficient. After seeded for 24 hours, the adherent cells showed spindle shape and fibroblast cell-like shape and the size of hUCMSCs was homogeneous. The similar growth curves of passage 3 and 7 exhibited a great potential for proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CD29, CD44 and CD105 were highly expressed on the surface of passages 3 cells, but the expression was negative for CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. After culture in inducing medium, the cells were successfully induced into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. These cells were highly positive for alkaline phosphate staining and also showed mineralization presented with von kossa staining after 4 weeks' culture induction of osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, liquid vacuoles were detected by oil red O staining after 3 weeks' culture induction of adipogenic differentiation. Conclusion An in vitro method for isolation and purification of hUCMSCs from human umbilical cord has been established. The cultured cells were composed of only undifferentiated cells and their biological properties were stable. The hUCMSCs are expected to be a new type of stem cells of tissue engineering.