Correlation of serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 with the number and function of circulating EPCs in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the number and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in children with cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CHD) and study their correlation with serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen children with tetralogy of Fallot (cyanotic group) and 15 age-and sex-matched children with ventricular septal defect (control group) were enrolled. Serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 were measured using ELISA. Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and cultured in vitro. EPCs were identified by immunofluorescence and were counted under a microscope. Modified Boyden chamber assay and the MTT assay were used to measure the migration and proliferation capacities of EPCs. EPCs adhesion ability assay was performed by replating cells on fibronectin-coated dishes, and then adherent cells were counted. The correlations of serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 with the number and function of circulating EPCs were assessed by linear regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum levels of VEGF (201.42+/-44.74 ng/L vs 113.56+/-35.62 ng/L; P<0.05) and SDF-1 (3.45+/-1.07 ng/L vs 1.05+/-0.99 ng/L; P<0.05) in the cyanotic group were higher than those in the control group. There was a positive correlation between serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1(r=0.675, P<0.01). The number of EPCs (*200 field) in the cyanotic group significantly increased compared with that of the control group (72.2+/-9.73 vs 51.2+/-3.83; P<0.01). The functional activities of EPCs, including proliferation, migration and adhesion capacities, were augmented in the cyanotic group compared with those in the control group. The increased number and function of EPCs and the increased serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 were consistent in the cyanotic group, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8395, 0.5491, 0.6376 and 0.7392 respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The number and functional activity of EPCs as well as serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 increased in children with cyanotic CHD. Serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 were correlated to the number and functional activity of EPCs. Serum VEGF and SDF-1 together with circulating EPCs may play important roles in the pathology and physiology in these patients.</p>

Effect of decellular treatment on the framework of extracellular matrix in bovine jugular vein conduit / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of decellular treatment on the framework constituents of extracellular matrix and tissue stability in bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC), and to provide an evidence for tissue engineering of vascular prosthesis.@*METHODS@#Bovine jugular veins were obtained fresh from a local slaughterhouse and were stored in chilled PBS. In the laboratory, any fat and loose connective tissue on the outer surface of the vessel was trimmed. BJVCs were decellularized by a 3-step extraction method as detergent Triton X-100 (0.5%), Trypsin (0.025%) EDTA (0.02%), and DNase I(30kU/L) RNaseA(0.3g/L). Histological and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were used to study the framework constituents of extracellular matrix of treated the examples, and fresh tissues were used as controls. Tissue contents of hydroxyproline(alkaline hydrolysis method) and elastin (Fastin Elastin Assay) were assayed respectively in the fresh and decellularized groups (n=10). The vascular wall heat shrinking temperature and mechanical strength were measured to evaluate the tissue stability (n=10).@*RESULTS@#Histochemical and TEM analysis of BJVCs treated with decellularization proved a complete removal of nuclear and other cell components. Tissue collagen was well kept,but elastin was partly lessened. Tissue content of hydroxyproline increased comparatively [(25.73+/-2.97)mg/g vs. (29.25+/-2.99)mg/g, P<0.05] and the elastin content obviously decreased [(159.71+/-21.06)mg/g vs. (134.91+/-35.40)mg/g, P<0.05] in the decellular treatment group compared with the control group. The heat shrinking temperature and tensile stress of decelluarized tissue were lower than those of the fresh tissue[(72.50+/-0.53) degrees C vs. (69.75+/-0.54)degrees C ,P<0.05], [(5.19+/-0.65)MPa vs. (3.13+/-0.94)MPa, P<0.05].@*CONCLUSION@#The basic framework of extracellular matrix in the decellularized BJVC is partly damaged and tissue stability is reduced. Decellularized BJVC should be further crosslinked before being used as a tissue engineering scaffold for clinical pulmonary artery graft.

Bovine jugular venous conduit treated with the polyepoxy compound / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the feasibility whether the bovine jugular venous conduit (BJVC) can be fixed with polyepoxy compound (PC).@*METHODS@#Twenty-four BJVCs were divided into 3 groups and fixed with polyepoxy compound (PC group, n = 8), glutaraldehyde (GA group, n = 8), and unfixed group (Control group, n = 8), respectively. The morphologic and mechanical properties of BJVCs in the 3 groups, including thickness, diameter, moisture content, denaturation temperature, tensile strength, elongation at break, and fixation index were measured. The rat subcutaneous model for the assessment of tissue calcification was used. The calcium content in bovine jugular vein patches and valves was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.@*RESULTS@#There was no difference in the wall thickness, diameter, and tissue water content between PC and the control group, but significant difference was found between GA and PC groups. The mechanical properties of PC group and GA group were not significantly different, but they were better than those of the control group. GA-fixed BJVC samples showed clear calcification, while PC fixed BJVC were calcified significantly less.@*CONCLUSION@#PC is an effective and suitable choice for the treatment of BJVC since it can effectively preserve the structure and the anti-reflow function of valves in bovine jugular vein and it has better anti-calcification properties.