RESUMO
Objective: The use of stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs], with genes and various growth factors as treatments for myocardial infarction and various other diseases is highly regarded. However these cells meet with inflammation and a hypoxic environment in the target tissue. Hence, treatment with factors that increase the resistance of these stem cells is of importance. Stem cells also can be used as carriers for gene therapy. The aim of the present research is to produce VEGF expressing MSCs. We investigate the effect of stromal derived factor 1 on MSC survival in order to use these cells in a future rat myocardial infarction model
Methods: MSCs were purified from young male rats by aspirating the cavity of femurs and tibias. After characterization, MSCs were transduced with VEGF using lipofectamine. Expression and function of VEGF was confirmed. Next, we treated MSCs with SDF1alpha at various time points. The effect of this chemokine was investigated using the LDH assay and by viable cell counts
Results: The experiments confirmed the production and function of VEGF by MSCs. The LDH levels decreased significantly in SDF1alpha treated MSCs. Cell viability increased significantly in the presence of this chemokine
Conclusion: Treatment of MSCs with the SDF1alpha chemokine has increased the survival of these cells. These MSCs are proper candidates for increasing angiogenesis and for further analysis in a rat model of myocardial infarction
RESUMO
Spermatogonia are the male germ line stem cells whose life long expansion is needed for permanent production of spermatozoa. The present study was designed to examine the effect of hCG treatment on germ cell proliferation following stem cell transplantation in mice. Spermatogonial stem cells were isolated from neonatal mice testes and characterized by alkaline phosphatase, immunoreactivity and morphological analysis. hCG was injected into normal and cell transplanted mice. We then evaluated the testosterone levels and cell number in normal mice. After that, cyclin B1 gene expression was investigated in transplanted mice. Different doses of busulfan were injected to investigate the effects of chemotherapy on morphological criteria and preparation of recipient mice for transplantation. In this report we show proliferative potential of spermatogonial stem cells after cytotoxic treatment, transplantation efficiency by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and hCG effect on stem cell regeneration in normal mice and following cell transplantation. The results indicate the spermatogonial stem cells can proliferate after transplantation, and the efficiency of their transplantation depends on hormonal treatment. Therefore, hormonal treatment after stem cell transplantation will be a powerful avenue for increasing the efficiency of transplantation and fertility restoration