ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effects of retinol on the expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), stem cell factor (SCF), colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in cultured human umbilical-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human UCMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord and identified for immunophenotypes. The cells were then cultured in DMEM/F12 media supplemented with 12% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 12% FBS+1 µmol/L retinol, 15% knockout serum replacement (KSR) and 15% KSR+ 1 µmol/L retinol. The expressions of the cytokines EGF, SCF, CSF1 and LIF in the cells were detected using RT-PCR and ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The isolated cells exhibited characteristic immunophenotypes of human UCMSCs and expressed EGF, CSF1 and SCF at both mRNA and protein levels but not LIF protein. Retinol (1 µmol/L) significantly promoted the expressions of SCF and CSF1 at both mRNA and protein levels but did not result in changes of EGF and LIF expressions in human UCMSCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Retinol at the concentration of 1 µmol/L can promote expression of SCF and CSF1 in human UCMSCs in vitro.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Cell Differentiation , Cells, Cultured , EGF Family of Proteins , Metabolism , Immunophenotyping , Leukemia Inhibitory Factor , Metabolism , Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor , Metabolism , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Metabolism , Stem Cell Factor , Metabolism , Umbilical Cord , Cell Biology , Vitamin A , PharmacologyABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the ultrasonographic features of retroperitoneal ifbrosis (RPF). Methods Totally 13 patients with retroperitoneal ifbrosis from February 2000 to October 2012 in the Long Gang central Hospital of Shenzhen were retrospectively analyzed. Results In all patients who underwent ultrasound examination, there were ten cases of idiopathic RPF and three cases of secondary RPF with abdominal tumors. In 11 cases, the masses were hypoechoic locating at retroperitoneum and surrounding the abdominal aorta without deifnitive margin. One case showed hypoechoic mass with clear boundary. In ten cases, the internal echogenicity of masses were uniform. In two cases, the internal echogenicity of masses were uneven with a small amount of ifbrous separator with slightly higher echogenicity. No blood was found in all masses. The encasement of inferior vena cava was found in three casesand the masses extended to iliac arteries in three cases. Hydronephrosis could be found in 11 patients (84.6%) and ureter dilatation was found in ten cases. Ureteral localized stenosis were found in two cases. Conclusion Ultrasonography is a preferred imaging method in diagnosing RPF.