ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the expression of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis ( TWEAK) in serum, urine and renal tissue in lupus nephritis( LN) . Methods The serum and urine levels of TWEAK were assessed by ELISA in LN patients and normal controls. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of TWEAK in the kidney of patients and healthy controls. Results The serum and urine concentrations of TWEAK and MCP-1 were significantly higher in LN patients than those in healthy controls(P<0. 01). In addition,the level of serum TWEAK showed positive correlation with SLEDAI and negative correlation with serum C3 level ( P <0. 01),the expression of urine TWEAK showed positive correlation with SLEDAI (P<0. 05). In healthy renal tis-sues TWEAK was distributed mainly in renal tubules and rarely seen in glomerular while the expressions of TWEAK increased in renal tubular and glomeruli stainings were found in LN paitients. TWEAK could induce increased mac-rophage migration, may be involved in the pathological progression of lupus nephritis. Conclusion TWEAK may play key roles in the pathogenesis of LN. Meanwhile, TWEAK in serum and urine may be useful as markers of dis-ease activity. The change of TWEAK maybe associated with the pathology category of LN.
ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the optimal time for intravenous injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)by observing the effects of inflammation after spinal cord injury on the survival and immigration of BMSCs injected intravenously.Methods Forty SD rats were randomized into 1 non-injury group and 7 spinal cord injury(SCI)groups in which the injured spinal cords were harvested at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3d, 5 d, and 7 d respectively.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to e-valuate the histopathologic changes.Myoleperoxidase(MPO)activity was measured to study the duration of polymorphonuclear leukocyte(PMNL)infiltration in the spinal cord after injury.Another 40 SD rats were also randomly divided into 1 non-injury group and 7 transplantation groups in which intravenous injection of BMSCs was performed at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3d, 5 d, and 7 d after SCI.The survival counts and immigration distance of BMSCs in the spinal cord in all the groups were measured.Results The PMNL infiltration into the injured spinal cord and the MPO activity started from 6 h after SCI.There were a large number of infiltrating PMNL in the spinal cord and the MPO activity reached its peak value at 24 h.The infiltrating PMNL in the injured spinal cord began to decrease and the MPO activity began to weaken from 3 d.Proliferation of glial cells and formation of empty holes in the spinal cord started from 5 d.The survival counts of BMSCs were smaller but the immigration distance of BMSCs was longer in the 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h transplantation groups.The survival counts of BMSCs were larger and the immigration distance of BMSCs was longer in the 3 d transplantation group.The survival counts of BMSCs were smaller but the immigration distance of BMSCs was shorter in the 5 d and 7 d transplantation groups.Conclusion The optimal time for intravenous injection of BMSCs may be 3 days after SCI.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effects of DU meridian electroacupuncture on the survival,differentiation and immigration of neural stem cells(NSCs) transplanted in the injured site of rat spinal cord transection. Methods Twenty adult SD rats were divided into NSCs transplanted 14d group(NSCsl4d group),DU meridian electroacupuncture plus NSCs transplanted 14d group(EA+NSCs14d group),NSCs transplanted 30d group(NSCs30d group) and DU meridian electroacupuncture plus NSCs transplanted 30d group(EA+NSCs30d group).T10 spinal cord segments of all animals were completely transected.The rats of EA+NSCs14d group and EA+NSCs30d group were treated with DU electroacupuncture at 5 days after operation.The sacrifice times of the rats were respectively at 14 days and 30 days after operation.The spinal cords were taken for observing the survival,differentiation and immigration of neural stem cells transplanted in the injured site of rat spinal cord transection. Results 1.The surviving number of transplanted NSCs in EA+NSCs14d group or EA+NSCs30d group was more than that of NSCsl4d group or NSCs30d group,and the surviving number of transplanted NSCs in EA+NSCs30d group and NSCs30d group was less than that in EA+NSCs14d group and NSCs14d group.2.Some transplanted NSCs at injured site of transected completely spinal cord and neighboring tissue showed microtubule association protein 2(MAP2) positive staining in EA+NSCs30d group or NSCs30d group.3.Many transplanted NSCs at injured site of transected completely spinal cord and neighboring tissue could be observed to show glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) positive staining in EA+NSCs 30d group or NSCs 30d group.4.The immigrating distance of transplanted NSCs toward caudal tissue of injured site of spinal cord was longer in EA+NSCs 14d group and EA+NSCs 30d group than that in NSCs 14d group and NSCs 30d group.Conclusion DU meridian electroacupuncture may promote the survival of neural stem cells transplanted in injured site of rat spinal cord transected completely,and these cells can differentiate into MAP2 or GFAP possive cells.DU meridian electoacupuncture may affect the immigrating direction of neural stem cells transplanted at injured site of spinal cord toward host spinal cord tissue.