Comparsion between Intravenous Delivered Human Fetal Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Mononuclear Cells in the Treatment of Rat Cerebral Infarct / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To compare the effecacy of human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) with human mononuclear cell (hMNC) in treating rat cerebral infarct.Methods The SD rat models of cerebral infarct were established by distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO). Rats were divided into four groups: sham,ischemia vehicle,MSC,and MNC transplantation groups. For the transplantation group,1×10hMSCs or hMNCs were intravascularly transplanted into the tail vein 1 hour after the ischemia onset. The ischemia vehicle group received dMCAO surgery and intravascular saline injection 1,3,5,and 7 days after the ischemia onset,and then behavioral tests were performed. At 48 h after the ischemia onset,the abundance of Iba- 1,the symbol of activated microglia,was evaluated in the peri-ischemia striatum area; meanwhile,the neurotrophic factors such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in ipsilateral peri-ischemia striatum area were also measured. Results The relative infarct volume in ischemia vehicle group,hMSC group,and hMNC transplantation group were (37.85±4.40)%,(33.41±3.82)%,and (30.23±3.63)%,respectively. The infarct volumes of MSC group (t=2.100,P=0.034) and MNC group (t=2.109,P=0.0009) were significantly smaller than that of ischemia vehicle group,and that of MNC group was significantly smaller than that of MSC group (t=1.743,P=0.043). One day after transplantation,the score of ischemia vehicle group in limb placing test was (4.32±0.71)%,which was significantly lower than that in sham group (9.73±0.36)% (t=2.178,P=8.61×10). The scores of MSC and MNC group,which were (5.09±0.62)% (t=2.1009,P=0.024) and (5.90±0.68)% (t=2.1008,P=0.0001),respectively,were significantly higher than that of ischemia vehicle group; also,the score of MNC group was significantly higher than that of MSC group(t=2.1009,P=0.0165). The contralateral forelimb scores of MSC and MNC groups in beam walking test were (5.56±0.86)% (t=2.120,P=0.020) and (5.13±0.95)% (t=2.131,P=0.003),were both significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group [(6.47±0.61)%]. Three days after the transplantation,the limb placing test score of MNC group [(6.91±1.10)%] was significantly higher than that of ischemia vehicle group (5.80±0.82)% (t=2.110,P=0.027). The score of MSC group [(6.30±0.77)%] showed no statistic difference with that of ischemia vehicle group(t=2.101,P=0.199).The contralateral forelimb scores of MNC group in beam walking test [(4.34±0.58)%] was significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group [(5.31±0.65)%] (t=2.100,P=0.006) and MSC group [(4.92±0.53)%] (t=2.100,P=0.041); there was no statistic difference between MSC group and ischemia vehicle group (t=2.109,P=0.139). The relative abundance of Iba- 1 in sham,ischemia vehicle,MSC,and MNC groups was 1.00+0.00,1.72±0.21,1.23±0.08,and 1.48±0.06,respectively. The Iba-1 relative abundance of ischemia vehicle group was significantly higher than that of sham group (t=2.262,P=2.9×10). The Iba-1 relative abundances of both MSC (t=2.178,P=3.91×10)and MNC (t=2.200,P=0.007)groups were significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group. It was also significantly lower in MNC group than in MSC group also (t=2.120,P=7.09×10). Three days after transplantation,the BDNF and GDNF levels of MSC group,which were (531.127±73.176)pg/mg (t=2.109,P=0.003)and(127.780±16.733)pg/mg(t=2.100,P=2.76×10),respectively,were significantly higher than those of ischemia vehicle group,which were (401.988±89.006)pg/mg and (86.278±14.832) pg/mg,respectively. The BDNF and GDNF levels of MNC group,which were (627.429±65.646)pg/mg (t=2.144,P=0.017) and (153.117±20.443)pg/mg (t=2.109,P=0.010),respectively,were all significantly higher than that of MSC group. At day 7,the BDNF and GDNF levels of MSC group,which were (504.776±83.282)pg/mg (t=2.101,P=0.005) and (81.641±11.019)pg/mg (t=2.100,P=0.002),respectively,were significantly higher than those of ischemia vehicle group,which were (389.257±70.440)pg/mg and (64.322±9.855) pg/mg,respectively. The BDNF and GDNF levels of MNC group,which were (589.068±63.323)pg/mg (t=2.100,P=0.027) and (102.161±19.932)pg/mg (t=2.144,P=0.017),respectively,were all significantly higher than that of MSC group. Conclusions Both hMSC and hMNC are beneficial to the ischemia-damaged brain when they are intravascularly transplanted within 1 h after the onset of ischemia. The anti-inflammation ability and secretion of neurotrophic factors are the underlying mechanisms of the therapeutic effects. MNC is more effective than MSC in reducing infarct area and improving behaviors,which might be explained by the fact that MNC induces more GDNF and BDNF in brain than MSC.

Salvianolic Acid B Down-regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity and Expression in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-induced Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is a bioactive water-soluble compound of Salviae miltiorrhizae, a traditional herbal medicine that has been used clinically for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This study sought to evaluate the effect of Sal B on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and on the underlying mechanisms in tumor necrosis factor-α± (TNF-α±)-activated human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), a cell model of Kawasaki disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HCAECs were pretreated with 1-10 αμmol/L of Sal B, and then stimulated by TNF-α± at different time points. The protein expression and activity of MMP-9 were determined by Western blot assay and gelatin zymogram assay, respectively. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation was detected with immunofluorescence, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and Western blot assay. Protein expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK], extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK], and p38) were determined by Western blot assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After HCAECs were exposed to TNF-α±, 1-10 αμmol/L Sal B significantly inhibited TNF-α±-induced MMP-9 expression and activity. Furthermore, Sal B significantly decreased IκBα± phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation in HCAECs stimulated with TNF-α± for 30 min. In addition, Sal B decreased the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2 proteins in cells treated with TNF-α± for 10 min.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The data suggested that Sal B suppressed TNF-α±-induced MMP-9 expression and activity by blocking the activation of NF-κB, JNK, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.</p>

Effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on endothelial progenitor cell for coronary artery lesion in Kawasaki disease mice model / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Number and function of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and coronary artery lesion in Kawasaki disease (KD) model were evaluated to investigate therapeutic efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>C57BL/6 mice were injected with L. casei cell wall extract (LCWE); 48 mice were divided into 3 groups randomly: KD model group; G-CSF treated model group and control group, 16 in each. G-CSF was subcutaneously injected from day 5 to day 9 after injection of LCWE. Coronary artery lesion, number of circulating EPC and the function of bone marrow EPC were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In model group, inflammatory infiltration was found around coronary artery at 14 days. The number of circulating EPC was significantly decreased in model group (0.017% ± 0.008%) compared to control (0.028% ± 0.007%) (t = 2.037, P < 0.05). Disruption of elastin was consistently observed at 56 days. Stimulated by G-CSF, inflammatory infiltration was found around the coronary artery at day 14, while the number of circulating EPC (0.042% ± 0.015%) was increased significantly compared to models (t = 4.629, P < 0.05). At the day 56, the number of circulating EPC was decreased slightly (0.029% ± 0.012%), but still higher than the model group (t = 2.789, P < 0.05), and have no significant difference compared to controls (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no elastin disruption in the G-CSF group. In model group, bone marrow EPC's proliferation ability of absorbance (A value) was 0.38 ± 0.09 in thiazolyl blue assay, less than controls (0.61 ± 0.14, P < 0.01). Adhesion and migration function were down-regulated compared to controls [(3.1 ± 0.6) cells/HPF and (3.3 ± 0.6) cells/HPF vs. (6.4 ± 1.2) cells/HPF and (6.2 ± 0.5) cells/HPF, both P < 0.01]. In the G-CSF treated group, proliferation ability (A 0.58 ± 0.10), adhesion [(6.17 ± 1.13) cells/HPF], migration [(6.29 ± 0.42) cells/HPF] function were increased significantly compared to the model group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>G-CSF can up-regulate EPC number and function to prevent coronary artery lesion in mice model of KD.</p>

Endothelial progenitor cell transplantation ameliorates elastin breakdown in a Kawasaki disease mouse model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Coronary artery damage from Kawasaki disease (KD) is closely linked to the dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of EPCs transplantation in KD model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE)-induced KD model in C57BL/6 mice was established. The model mice were injected intravenously with bone marrow-derived in vitro expanded EPCs. Histological evaluation, number of circulating EPCs and the function of bone marrow EPCs were examined at day 56.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Inflammation was found around the coronary artery of the model mice after 14 days, Elastin breakdown was observed after 56 days. CM-Dil labeled EPCs incorporated into vessel repairing foci was found. At day 56, the number of peripheral EPCs in the KD model group was lower than in EPCs transplanted and control group. The functional index of bone marrow EPCs from the KD model group decreased in proliferation, adhesion and migration. Increased number of circulating EPCs and improved function were observed on the EPCs transplanted group compared with model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exogenously administered EPCs, which represent a novel strategy could prevent the dysfunction of EPCs, accelerate the repair of coronary artery endothelium lesion and decrease the occurrence of aneurysm.</p>

Endothelial progenitor cell down-regulation in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cardiovascular complications of Kawasaki disease (KD) are a common cause of heart disease in pediatric populations. Previous studies have suggested a role for endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in coronary artery lesions associated with KD. However, long-term observations of EPCs during the natural progression of this disorder are lacking. Using an experimental model of KD, we aimed to determine whether the coronary artery lesions are associated with down-regulation of EPCs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To induce KD, C57BL/6 mice were administered an intraperitoneal injection of Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE; phosphate buffered saline used as control vehicle). Study groups included: group A (14 days following LCWE injection), group B (56 days following LCWE injection) and group C (controls). Numbers of circulating EPCs (positively staining for both CD34 and Flk-1 while staining negative for CD45) were evaluated using flow cytometry. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were cultured in vitro to expand EPCs for functional analysis. In vitro EPC proliferation, adhesion and migration were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The model was shown to exhibit similar coronary artery lesions to KD patients with coronary aneurysms. Numbers of circulating EPCs decreased significantly in the KD models (groups A and B) compared to controls ((0.017 ± 0.008)% vs. (0.028 ± 0.007)%, P < 0.05 and (0.016 ± 0.007)% vs. (0.028 ± 0.007)%, P < 0.05). Proliferative, adhesive and migratory properties of EPCs were markedly impaired in groups A and B.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Coronary artery lesions in KD occur as a consequence of impaired vascular injury repair, resulting from excess consumption of EPCs together with a functional impairment of bone marrow EPCs and their precursors.</p>

Culture and characterization of and lentiviral vectors mediated glial cell derived neurotrophic factor expression in mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord blood / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and culture mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB-MSCs), study its biological characterization in vitro, transfect UCB-MSCs using lentiviral vectors encoding glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene, evaluate the biological function change of UCB-MSCs, and detect GDNF expression level in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We isolated monocyte by Ficoll density gradient, separated two kinds of adherent cells through different trypsin digestion time, and detected the cells surface markers by fluorescence activated cell sorting when it was proliferated for P7 passages. At the same time, we sub-cloned GDNF gene into lentiviral vectors and packaged lentiviral supernatant through three plasmids co-transfection method, then transfected the UCB-MSCs using lentiviral vectors encoding GDNF at different multiplicity of infection, and evaluated the change of biological function by observing the ability of proliferation and differentiation, morphology, and the cells surface markers. We detected the GDNF mRNA and protein expression level by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The UCB-MSCs were successfully isolated and cultured in vitro, and induced it to differentiate into fat cells. FACS results showed that the UCB-MSCs expressed CD90, CD73, and CD105 positively, and CD14, CD34, CD45, CD19, HLA-DR, Stro-1, and CD106 negatively. Real-time PCR and ELISA showed that the expressions of GDNF protein and mRNA were correlated with the copy number of transfected cells: high copy number of transfected cells were associated with high GDNF expression. The biological characterization of UCB-MSCs did not obviously change after sub-cloning with GDNF.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>UCB-MSCs was successfully isolated and cultured in vitro. By transfecting UCB-MSCs with GDNF gene-containing lentiviral vectors, the secretion of GDNF protein and mRNA expression level can be controlled by the copy number of transfected cells, and thus make it constantly express GDNF at high level.</p>

Comparison of two tracing method of transplanted mouse embryonic stem cell / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To trace the embryonic stem (ES) cells transplanted into rat brain by labeling the cells with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and by mouse neuronal specific antibody Thy-1 and compare their features.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>For GFP labeling,transfect pEGFP-N1 plasmid containing GFP and anti-neomycin sequences into embryonic stem cell and add neomycin for more than 10 passages. To test the GFP expression in vivo, the GFP-ES was transplanted into healthy rat brain, and the frozen sectioned slides were observed under fluorescence microscope and laser con-focal microscope 21 days later. For the antibody labeling,embryonic stem cells were directly transplanted into the rat brain. The specific mouse thy-1 antibody was used in immunostaining of transplanted cells. For both of the two labeling method, the slides were also examined by double labeling with the antibodies,neuronal nuclei (NeuN) or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to identify the differentiation of transplanted cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both single ES cell and cell pellets expressed bright green fluorescence the day after plasmid transfection, and more than 30% ES cells were labeled. The GFP-labeled cells could still be found gathered around the infusion channel at least 21 days later, but the GFP fluorescent could not be overlapped with NeuN or GFAP staining. On the contrary, Thy-1 antibody overlapped well with NeuN or GFAP staining.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Liposome-helped plasmid GPF transfection is effective in labeling mouse embryonic stem cell in vivo,but is not effective in showing the differentiated cells. On the contrary, Thy-1 antibody can not only show the transplanted cells, but also trace the transplanted cells after their differentiation.</p>

Different types of feeder cells for maintenance of human embryonic stem cells / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of different types of feeder cells on supporting undifferentiation and high proliferation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>hESC were seeded on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), human marrow stromal cells (hMSC), and human foreskin fibroblasts (hFF), respectively. Colony number, cell quantity after digestion, and survival rate were observed by alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining and Trypan blue, and the biological properties of hESC after 5 passages were observed by immunofluorescence staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Although all the three feeder layers could support the formation of hESC colonies and maintain pluripotency, the morphology of colonies on different feeder layers remarkably varied. The stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 and AP staining were positive on three types of feeders. The number of colonies, number of cells produced, and cell survival rates were significantly higher on MEF than on human feeder cells (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the number of AP-positive colonies and cell quantity were also significantly higher on hMSC than on hFF (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>All three types of feeder cells are able to support the growth of hMSC, although MEF are more favourable for the proliferation. Two types of human feeder cells lay the foundation for the removal of animal-derived hESC culture system. hMSC is superior to hFF in supporting the proliferation of hESC.</p>

Removing Murine Embryonic Stem Cells From the Differentiating Cell Culture By Using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting / 中国生物工程杂志

Objective:To remove murine embryonic stem cells(mESC)from the differentiating cell culture and purify the differentiated cells by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting(MACS).Methods:Neural differentiation of mESC was induced by a 5-stage method.The specific cell surface marker,SSEA-1,was used to identify ES cells in the differentiating cells.The optimal dilutions of mouse anti mouse SSEA-1 IgM primary antibody and FITC conjugated goat anti mouse secondary antibody were determined before the flow cytometry test.The incubation time and incubation temperature of primary antibody were all optimized to make the cytometry test accurate.After the optimization,stage 4 cells were dissociated into single cell suspension,incubated with antibody of SSEA-1 and microbeads conjugated goat anti mouse IgM,and then sorted through the magnetic field.The rate of SSEA-1 positive cells in pre-and post-separation groups was assessed by flow cytometry,and the viability of cells was evaluated by trypan blue staining counting under light microscopy.Results:The proportion of SSEA-1 positive cells in the separated cells can be reduced from(7.19?1.36)% to(1.34?0.80)%.The survival rate of sorted cells was more than 92%,similar to that of pre-separation cells.Conclusions:The MACS system we used can effectively remove mESC from the differentiated cells.The sorted cells will be well provided for the subsequent studies about transplantation therapy.

Construction of OTX1 Lentiviral Vector and Overexpression Research / 中国生物工程杂志

OTX1 gene is one of the pivotal transcriptional factors involved in the neurogenesis.In order to overexpress the OTX1 gene in distinct cell types and find out its contribution to the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells in vitro,OTX1 cDNA was subcloned into lentiviral vectors.The resulting constructions pDUETOTX1,pDUETGFPOTX1 and pDUETGFP were packaged in 293 cells producing viral particles to transduce 293T cells,SY5Y cells,mouse embryonic stem cells and E15 neural stem cells.It was proved that the transferred OTX1 gene was located in the nuclei of the transduced cells in stead of plasma.Lentivirus is an ideal vector delivering gene to different cells.The overexpression of OTX1 in transduced 293T cells were validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence.