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At present, liver transplantation remains the most effective treatment for acute liver failure and advanced cirrhosis, but its use and promotion are limited by insufficient organ donors, financial consideration, and requirements for lifelong immunosuppression. In recent years, stem cell transplantation has been recommended as an effective substitutive therapy for liver disease. Mesenchymal stem cells, also known as pluripotent interstitial stromal cells, are self-renewing cells that can be found in almost all postnatal organs and tissues, including the liver. Their potential to differentiate into hepatocytes and immunomodulatory properties provide new insights into the use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases. This article reviews the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells, their mechanisms in the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases, and related risks.
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Objective To investigate the clinical application of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6)and interleukin-22 (IL-22) levels in predicting the recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after receiving microwave ablation (MWA).Methods Preoperative peripheral blood samples were collected in 49 patients with early-stage HBV-related HCC,and serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-22 were measured by using ELISA.Thirty healthy volunteers were recruited and used as the control group.The xtile software was used to define the best cut-off value,and the IL-6 and IL-22 levels were divided into highlevel group and low-level group.The tumor-free survivals of high-level and low-level groups were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier analysis,log rank test was adopted to determine the difference,and Cox regression model was employed to screen the risk factors affecting HBV-related HCC recurrence.Results The serum IL-6 and IL-22 levels of HCC group were 13.20 pg/ml (11.87-15.79 pg/ml) and 42.18 pg/ml (34.39-57.44 pg/ml) respectively,which were significantly higher than 10.47 pg/ml (9.50-13.82 pg/ml) and 25.45 pg/ml (22.31-30.12 pg/ml) of the control group (P=0.001 and P＜0.001 respectively).Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that preoperative lower IL-6,higher total bilirubin and lower albumin levels indicated a shorter disease-free survival (DFS),and IL-22 levels had no statistically significant effect on the recurrence of HCC.Cox regression multivariate analysis showed that lower serum IL-6 level (≤ 13.2 pg/ml;hazard ratio=3.721;95％ CI=1.674-8.272;P=0.001) and lower serum albumin level (≤41.0 g/L;hazard mtio=2.085;95％CI=1.101-3.950;P=0.024) were independent risk factors affecting HBV-related HCC recurrence Conclusion Preoperative serum IL-6 level and serum albumin level can be used as the predictors of HCC recurrence in patients with HBV-related early HCC who are receiving MWA treatment.(J Intervent Radiol,2017,26:232-236)
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In recent years, the role of immune cells in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver diseases has attracted more and more attention. This article reviews the roles of regulatory T cells (Treg) and T-helper cell type 17 (Th17) in the development, progression, and prognosis of HBV-related liver diseases, especially HBV-related liver fibrosis and liver failure, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma. It is pointed out that the dynamic changes of Treg and Th17 cells in different stages of HBV infection and their roles in hepatocellular carcinoma need further investigation, and future studies on the regulatory effects of various signaling pathways on Treg or Th17 cells are needed to provide a more precise direction for the treatment of HBV-related diseases.
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Objective To summarize and analyze clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment methods of 11 cases with congenital coronary arterial fistula (CCAF). Methods The clinical data of 11 patients who were definited by ultrasonic cardiogram, CT angiography (CTA) and coronary angiography were analyzed retrospectively. Four cases were simple CCAF, 7 cases coexisted with other heart abnormalities. Six cases were given surgical closure of fistula without cardiopulmonary bypass. One of the cases adopted coronary artery under the tangent cotton-padded mattress suture, and 4 cases fistula arterial were ligatured directly. Six cases were given surgical closure of fistula under cardiopulmonary bypass. The right coronary arterial was opened in three of the cases with right coronary artery aneurysm to close fistula. The chambers of heart in the others were opened to close fistula. Results All patients received surgical treatment successfully, and no death happened during the operation. The ultrasonic cardiography showed that all patients recovered well. Follow-up was conducted on 10 patients with the time period ranging from 3 months to 5 years. There was no death and no complication. Conclusions Combined application of ultrasonic cardiogram, coronary angiography and CTA increases the accuracy rate of diagnosis greatly and offers visual bases to formulate operation plan. Surgical operation is quite effective for congenital coronary arterial fistula after definite diagnosis. Operator should try to reserve the expanded coronary arterial, strengthen the anticoagulant after opeation to prevent thrombosis.
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Objective To investigate the expression of stem cell associated protein CD90 in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with clinical pathological characters ;to analyze the relation between CD90 and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E‐cadherin (E‐cad) and N‐cadherin (N‐cad) .Methods The expressions of CD90 ,E‐cad and N‐cad in 53 tissues of HCC were detected by immunohistochemistry streptavidin‐perosidase (SP ) method , and 10 surrounding of liver benign lesions were studied as control .The expression of E‐cad and N‐cad in CD90 positive cells of two HCC cell lines (M HCC97‐L and HCCLM‐3 ) was measured by flow cytometry .Chi square test and Spearman rank correlation analysis were performed for count data .Independent sample t test was used for measurement data comparison .Results There was no CD90 expression in control liver tissue . The positive rate of CD90 expression in HCC tissue was (34% ,18/53) ,and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (χ2 = 4 .755 , P< 0 .05) .The expression of CD90 in HCC was positively correlated with portal vein cancer embolus (r= 0 .378 , P< 0 .05) and was negatively correlated with histological differentiation degree and capsular infiltration (r= -0 .398 and -0 .519 ,both P<0 .05) .The expression of CD90 was negatively correlated with the expression of E‐cad (r= -0 .341 , P<0 .05) ,however was positively correlated with the expression of N‐cad (r=0 .441 ,P<0 .05) .The positive expression rate of E‐cad in CD90 positive HCCLM‐3 cells was lower than that of MHCC97‐L cells ((2 .56 ± 0 .29)% and (4 .31 ± 0 .18)% ,t= 8 .757 ,P< 0 .05) ,while the positive expression rate of N‐cad was higher than that of MHCC97‐L cells ((8 .10 ± 1 .45)% and (5 .51 ± 0 .44)% ,t= -9 .667 ,P<0 .05) .Conclusions The expression of stem cell associated protein CD90 is correlated with the EMT of HCC .Their interaction promote tumor infiltration metastasis w hich may be a new target of HCC treatment .
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Objective To summarize the individualized cavity Single branch stent grafting through rebuilding the aortic arch surgery in 26 cases of the application of the Stanford type A aortic dissection. Methods From 2010 January to 2014 October, 26 patients received Stanford type A aortic dissection surgery, 26 patients received individualized cavity single branch stent grafting to rebuild the aortic arch surgery , together with improved myocardial protection fluid. Results In the present study, 26 cases with aortic dissection that were treated with single branch stent grafting for the reconstruction of aortic arch under DHCA and selective cerebral perfusion. Twenty-six patients received individualized cavity single branch stent grafting reconstruction of aortic arch surgery alone, and were stopped by using deep cryogenic loop (DHCA) plus selective cerebral perfusion surgical treatment. One patient suffered from permanent nerve dysfunction iand give up treatment. Conclusion The sexua branch stent grafting in reconstruction of aortic arch operation could simplify the operation procedures , shorten the operation time, and reduce the amount of blood transfusion and postoperative drainage.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy between total aortic arch reconstruction with a individualized combined branched stent grafting technique and total aortic arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation for patients with Stanford A aortic dissection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 44 patients with Stanford A aortic dissection treated with surgical treatment from January 2007 to July 2013 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 22) patients were treated by total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk procedure. Group B (n = 22) patients received individualized combined branched stent grafting technique. Age, gender and disease severity were similar between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Echocardiography and aortic CT angiography were performed pre-operation and at 1 month after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Operation was successful in all 44 patients. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, circulation arrest time and duration of ventilator assisted breathing were significantly longer, postoperative drainage volume and blood transfusion volume were significantly larger and hospitalization cost was significantly higher in group A patients compared those in group B patients (t = 2.791 to 43.465, all P < 0.05). One month after operation, the maximum internal diameter of aorta was smaller than pre-operation in both group A ((33 ± 1) mm vs. (45 ± 6) mm, t = 10.076, P = 0.000) and group B ((33 ± 2) mm vs. (45 ± 8) mm, t = 5.979, P = 0.000) . Left ventricular ejection fraction had no significant difference before and 1 month after operation in both groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The total aortic arch reconstruction with individualized combined branched stent grafting technique is technically easier, shortens the operation time, reduces the blood transfusion volume compared to the classical aortic arch operation.</p>
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Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Aortic Dissection , General Surgery , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic , General Surgery , Follow-Up Studies , Retrospective Studies , Stents , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the level of CD4+CD25+CD127low regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the peripheral blood of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with HBV infection and to explore the relationship between these cells and HBV infection. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 41 HCC patients infected with HBV, 34 HCC patients without HBV infection and 29 healthy persons. These mononuclear cells were labeled with the monoclonal anti-bodies of CD4, CD25 and CD127, and then Tregs level was determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Moreover, the load of HBV DNA in the blood serum of HCC patients with HBV infection was detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reac-tion (FQ-PCR). Results The percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low Tregs in CD4+T cells in the HCC patients with HBV infec-tion was higher than that in the HCC patients without HBV infection [(8.24±2.20)%vs (7.06±2.46)%, P＜0.05] and that in the healthy persons [(8.24 ± 2.20)% vs (6.51 ± 1.99)%, P ＜ 0.01]. Furthermore, the percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low Tregs in CD4+T cells in the HCC patients without HBV infection was higher than that in the healthy persons [(7.06±2.46)%vs (6.51± 1.99)%, P＜0.05]. In addition, the level of CD4+CD25+CD127low Tregs in the HCC patients with HBV infection was gradually increased following the increase of HBV DNA load and there was a positive correlation between the level of CD 4+CD25+CD127low Tregs and the load of HBV DNA (r=0.350,P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The level of CD4+CD25+CD127low Tregs in HCC patients is increased remarkably and associated with the number of HBV DNA copy, which may be an important mecha-nism of immunologic escape of virus in HCC.
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Objective:To explore the coronary angiographic (CAG)characteristics of young male patients With type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)and coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods:Clinical data of 233 young male CHD inpa-tients,Who Were confirmed by CAG and admitted in Beijing Shunyi Hospital from Jan 2011 to Jan 2013,Were retro-spectively analyzed.According to suffering from T2DM or not,they Were divided into T2DM + CHD group (n=71)and pure CHD group (n=162),baseline data and CAG results Were compared betWeen tWo groups.Results:Compared With pure CHD patients,there Were significant rise in levels of total cholesterol [TC,(4.11 ± 0.26) mmol/L vs.(5.79±0.37)mmol/L],loW density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C,(2.31±0.32)mmol/L vs.(3.91 ±0.45)mmol/L],triglyceride [TG,(1.60±0.25)mmol/L vs.(3.28±0.56)mmol/L],P<0.01 all;CAG indi-cated that there Were significant increase in percentages of multi-vessel coronary disease (15.4% vs.35.2%),seg-mental lesion (13.6% vs.35.2%)and diffused lesion (31.5% vs.57.7%),and significant reduction in percentage of collateral circulation (50.6% vs.29.6%)in T2DM + CHD patients,P<0.01 all.Conclusion:There are more multi-vessel lesions,diffused lesion and less coronary collateral circulation in young male patients With type 2 diabe-tes mellitus complicated coronary heart disease.
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Objective:To explore the correlation among serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI),N terminal pro brain natri-uretic peptide (NT-proBNP)and main endpoint events of heart in patients with chronic stable heart failure.Meth-ods:The present study enrolled 95 patients with NYHA cardiac function class III~IV from Feb 2010 to Feb 2011.According to levels of cTnI and NT-proBNP,the patients were divided into cTnI negative group (n=60)and cTnI positive group (n=35);NT-proBNP negative group (n=40)and NT-proBNP positive group (n=55),all patients were followed up for two years,and the main endpoint events were cardiogenic sudden death and rehospitalization caused by acute aggravation of heart failure.Results:Compared with negative group,the hazard ratio (HR)of end-point events was 2.69 and confidence interval (CI)was 1.54~ 4.72,P = 0.002 in cTnI positive group;HR was 2.54 and CI was 1.35~4.78,P =0.003 in NT-proBNP positive group;further interclass crossover analysis found that,when patients'cTnI and NT-proBNP were both positive,the hazard ratio of cardiac endpoint events was the highest (HR=6.34,CI 2.26~17.9,P <0.001).Conclusion:In patients with chronic stable heart failure,serum elevated levels of cardiac troponin I and N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide are important predictors reflecting prognosis of patients with heart failure.
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Through a series of immune evasion mechanisms,tumor cells can evade immune attack and breed wantonly in human body.In recent years,with the rapid development of oncology,immunology and molecular biology and other related disciplines,immunology treatment method which can effectively kill tumor cells and have fewer side effects draws more and more attention,while the immunotherapy method is different in therapeutic evaluation from the general treatment of solid tumors due to its special feature.This article briefly introduces the latest progress of tumor immunotherapy.
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Human placenta-derived stem cells (hPD-SCs) are a mixed group of stem cells.Stem cell medicine has applications for organ damage or failure through regenerative,anti-apoptotic,anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties in addition to cell function recovery.Presently,human placenta mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) have similar characteristics to the differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells by promoting hepatocyte regeneration,anti-hepatocyte apoptosis and anti-liver fibrosis,in vitro or in animal models.To further our investigation,a summary of the origin,sorting and biological properties of hPDSCs along with a narration of hPDSCs for liver disease therapy was written.This leads to a discussion for new ideas to further explore cell treatment for liver disease.
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Objective To establish the long-term culture system for fetal skin fibroblast by performing long time in vitro cultivation of the cells,and study the potential of its differentiation to hepatocytes.Methods Fibroblast was isolated from human fetus skin tissue.Surface phenotypes of cells were detected by ICC and FCM,and biological characteristics were analyzed by the karyotype analysis and soft agar colony formation observation.ALB、CK18、CK19 were detected by ICC,glycogen stain by PAS,AFP and ALB mRNA by RT-PCR after P3～30cells were induced differentiation by cytokines of HGF,FGF4 and OSM.Results CD29,CD49f,HLA- Ⅰ and CD 105 were highly expressed while CD90 hardly in skin fibroblast.The rate of induced differentiation of fibroblast into hepatocyte-like cells was approximately 5％.The cells could be cultured in vitro for almost 50 passages with normal karyotype and no oncogenic and immortalized characteristics.Conclsion The skin fibroblast possesses the characteristic of mesenchymal stem cell and can be induced into hepatocyte-like cell in vitro.
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Objective Allograft vasculopathy (AV), feature of chronic rejection, is a major serious long-term post-operation complication in organ transplantation. The accurate mechanisms for AV have not been definitively established, but extensive basic and clinical studies demonstrate AV is triggered by immune reaction and nonimmunologic factors, and also possibly attributed to the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Methods The transplanted hearts from Lewis to Sprague-Dawely rats served as allografts and those from Lewis to Lewis rats as isografts based on Ono 's model. The differential proteins in transplanted hearts were separated by comparative proteomic technique, and some enzymes which regulated the metabolism of BCAA were identified and validated.Results All transplanted hearts at second week postoperation were characterized by lumen loss (total area-luminal area/total area) in coronary artery, but more predominant at 8th week. All samples from the left ventricles were analyzed by proteomic techniques and the subunits E1 a, E1β and E3 of branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex were decreased in the heart allografts.Immunohistological detection also showed the expression of BCKDH was reduced not only in the cardiac muscle but also more significantly in blool vessels with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV).BCAA concentrations were increased in the cardiac allografts, but there was no difference in the serum. Conclusion These findings suggest that the catabolic pathways of the BCAA may be inhibited owing to the reduced expression of BCKDH complex, and elevated intracellular concentrations of leucine. The vascular smooth muscle cell and cardiac muscle cell proliferation is stimulated via mTOR-dependent and mTOR-independent pathways, which is associated with the formation of myocardial hypertrophy and AV in the heart allografts.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-paracrine substance on fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) rat, and to study the effect on liver function and hepatocyte proliferation. MethodsMesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)were separated from human umbilical cord, and surface makers of cells were detected by flow cytometry. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium(MSC-CM) was prepared. FHF rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine and they were randomly diveded into three groups: MSC-CM group, NS group, PHGF group. 24 h later, 1 ml MSC-CM, 1 ml 0. 9% NaCl solution and lml PHGF solution was injected into the tail vein of MSC-CM, NS, and PHGF rats, respectively. In each group (n=8 per group), blood samples were collected at 12, 24, 36, and 60 h after treatment from inner canthus for analysis of blood ALT and TBIL levels. We used five rats per group for tissue collection after sacrifice at 36 h after treatment and 10 animals per group for survival analysis. PCNA immunohistochemical staining was used in the sections of liver tissue to detect hepatocyte proliferation. Results24 h after treatment, the levels of ALT and TBIL in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups were lower than those in the NS group(P＜0. 05), but there was no significant difference between the MSC-CM and PHGF groups. There were more PCNA-positive hepatocytes in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups than in the NS group(P＜0.01), but there was no significant difference between MSC-CM and PHGF group. Survival analysis found that the survival rate of rats in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups was higher than that of rats in the NS group (P=0. 049), but there was no significant difference between the MSC-CM and PHGF group. ConclusionsThe paracrine substance of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can stimulate hepatocyte proliferation and improve liver function of FHF rats, potentially creating a new avenue for the treatment of FHF.
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Objective To investigate the effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell paracrine substance on proliferation and apoptosis of liver cells in vitro. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)were separated from human umbilical cord with type Ⅳ collagenase and trypsogen digestion method and cultured in vitro. The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium(MSC-CM) which contain paracrine substance of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSC) was prepared. Hepatocytes were isolated from SD rats by low concentration collagenase perfusion procedure. There were three groups in the experiment, control group, 2% MSC-CM group and 8% MSC-CM group. The proliferation of normal hepatocytes were assayed with MTT method. We detected the urea and albumin level in culture supernatant to assay the hepatocyte function under different concentration MSC-CM. Hepatocytes were induced for apoptosis by Actinomycin D and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α),and the apoptosis effect of different concentration MSC-CM was assayed with LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit. Results The MTT assay showed that the absorbance of 2% MSC-CM group was significantly increased (P＜0. 01), and the urea and albumin levels of 2 % MSC-CM group were also significantly increased when compared with control group(P＜0. 01).LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit revealed that hepatocyte survival rate of 2 % MSC-CM group was increased when compared with control group(P＜0. 05), there were no significant differences in above-mentioned experiments when 8% MSC-CM group compared with control group. Conclusion The low concentration MSC-CM could stimulate normal hepatocyte proliferation, inhibit impaired hepatocyte apoptosis and improve hepatocyte function.
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<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>The purpose of this study with regard to the effects of polyanhydride--three-dimensional vector-glucan material on the fetal liver stem cell adhesion and proliferation was to find a new carrier. The methods of two-step collagenase perfusion digestion and liquid Percoll discontinuous density gradient centrifugation were used for the separation of fetal liver stem cells. The fetal liver stem cells were selected and cultivated in the polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan material. Inverted microscope was used to observe cell adhesion and growth status. Also performed were: Calculation of the rate of cell adhesion; MTT assay of the cells in each group absorbance value (OD value); collecting and counting the cells on the carrier scaffold. Then the cell carriers histological sections (HE staining) were observed. On the 7th day of cell culture, the cells were subjected to immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan promoted liver stem cells growth and adhesion. There were active functions of the liver stem cells within carrier materials. In the three-dimensional surface and the internal culture of liver stem cell, proliferation was sustained. After 40 days, the polyanhydride co-culture-three-dimensional vector-glucan showed no sign of toxicity to stem cells. Human fetal liver stem cells attached to the polyanhydride--three-dimensional vector-glucan stent. The cell proliferation went on well and exhibited sustained expression of markers; 7 days training led up to an increase of 19.7 percent in the number of cells. Conclusively, polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan can be used for promoting the proliferation of liver stem cells, and liver stem cells can be used as vectors in liver tissue engineering.</p>
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Humans , Biocompatible Materials , Cells, Cultured , Culture Media , Fetal Stem Cells , Cell Biology , Glucans , Pharmacology , Hepatocytes , Cell Biology , Polyanhydrides , Pharmacology , Tissue Engineering , Methods , Tissue ScaffoldsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan material on the fetal liver stem cell adhesion and proliferation.METHODS: The two-step collagenase perfusion digestion and bliquid percoll discontinuous density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate fetal liver stem cells. Fetal liver stem cells at the third passage were incubated on the polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan material. Inverted microscope was utilized to observe cell adhesion and growth status. Cell adherent rate, proliferation activity were calculated, and cell number was counted. Cell-vector was obtained for tissue section. Using hematoxylin-eosin staining, cell growth in the vector was observed under the optical microscope. At 7 days,immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to determine marker expression.RESULTS: Polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan promoted grow and adhesion of liver stem cells. There was the active function of the liver stem cells within carrier materials. In the three-dimensional surface and the internal culture, liver stem cell proliferation was sustained. After 10 days, the polyanhydride common culture-three-dimensional vector-glucan on stem cells was non-toxic, and human fetal liver stem cells could be attached to the polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan stent. The cell proliferation was better and dynamic sustained expression of markers. 7-days training received 19.7 percent increase in the number of cells.CONCLUSION: Polyanhydride-three-dimensional vector-glucan promotes the proliferation of liver stem cells, and liver stem cells can be used as the vector in liver tissue engineering.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate biological characteristics of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and to explore the possibility of hepatocyte-like cells differentiation.METHODS: The umbilical cord was provided by healthy term birth woman in Tianjin Third Central Hospital. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human umbilical cord by enzyme digestion method. Cells were passaged at 80%-90% confluent. The ninth passage of cells at a density of 5×10~(10)/L were seeded in 12-well culture plate and incubated with DMEM containing hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-4 and oncostatin for 28 days. Cell growth activity was detected by MTT method; cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry; surface immunological marker in MSC was detected by immunocytochemical stain and flow cytometry; specific surface phenotype of hepatocyte was detected by immunocytochemical staining. Function characteristic of hepatocyte was determined by staining for glycogen.RESULTS: MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord and presented with fibroblastic morphology. 80% of cells were at G_0/G_1 phase with good growth activity and stably passaged over 20 times. These cells were positive for CD29, CD105, and Vimentin, but negative for CD34 and CD31. MSCs were induced to hepatocyte-1 ike cells that were positive for alpha fetoprotein, CK18, CK19 at 1 week and albumin at 3 weeks. At 4 weeks, induced cells were positive for glycogen staining.CONCLUSION: MSCs isolated from human umbilical cord can be cultured in a long periods time in vitro and are able to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells.
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Human umbilical cord (UC) has been attracting increasing research effort in recent years.Since UC is a postnatal organ discarded after birth,the collection of its cells is non-invasive and raises no ethical con-cerns.Human umbilical cord provides large amount of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) which hold unlimited ca-pability of proliferation and great potential of differentiation and. MSCs have stable biological properties and low-er immunogenicity and can function well after amplifications.Studies have demonstrated that MSCs have the po-tential of inhibiting inflammatory response, generation of fibrosis, apoptosis and stimulating regeneration of hepa-tocytes.Therefore, UCMSCs could be an ideal cell source for the therapy of liver diseases.