Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Cells/cytology , Culture Media , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Animals , Bone Marrow , Bone Marrow Transplantation , Cattle , Cell Culture Techniques , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Centrifugation , Fetal Blood , Humans , Immunophenotyping , Serum , Statistics, Nonparametric , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To find out the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the development of dendritic cells (DC) from the peripheral monocytes. METHODS: The study was carried out in Black Sea Technical University Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey between 2003-2004. Seven different cytokine combinations were employed to assess phenotypical and functional differences of DCs from the peripheral monocytes in serum free culture media. Peripheral monocytes were incubated in media with cytokines for 5 days. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was added to the cell culture on day 5 and incubated for another 2 days. Surface and co-stimulating molecules on the cells were assessed by flowcytometry. The functional capacity of the DCs was evaluated on day 7 by purified protein derivative loading and subsequent lymphoproliferation test using methyl tetrazolium staining. RESULTS: On the 5th day of incubation DC development was observed in all cytokine groups, but cells were superior in cultures maintained in the presence of interleukin-4 combinations with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or with GM-CSF+HGF. Moreover, the expression of surface and co-stimulating molecules increased significantly after incubation with TNF-alpha. The effect of PPD loaded-DCs on proliferation of lymphocytes was more striking in HGF containing groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that HGF supplemented cultures exert some additive effects in relation to function of monocyte-derived DCs. But HGF alone does not seem to augment monocyte-derived DC proliferation and maturation significantly.
Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation/physiology , Dendritic Cells/cytology , Hepatocyte Growth Factor/physiology , Monocytes/cytology , Cells, Cultured , HumansABSTRACT
Iatrogenic facial nerve paralysis is one of the major and drastic complications of ear surgery. We report a case of a 20-year-old female patient with simple chronic otitis media who underwent mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty. During the mastoidectomy process the facial nerve was unintentionally destroyed, leaving a gap of 8-10 mm in the third segment of the intratemporal facial nerve. The nerve was repaired with a nerve cable graft obtained from the vicinity. On the 42nd day, autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation was performed after facial nerve trauma. The patient's facial nerve paralysis has recovered from House-Brackmann grade VI to IV within a week and then to III in the fifth month. The rapid, postoperative progress, and the early follow-up results are discussed. This case represents the first bone marrow stem cell application in a peripheral nerve, namely the facial nerve.
Subject(s)
Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy , Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation , Adult , Facial Nerve Injuries/etiology , Female , Humans , Iatrogenic Disease , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Otitis Media/surgeryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Ischemic heart disease accounts for 50% of all cardiovascular deaths and is the leading cause of congestive heart failure. Medical therapy, cardiac assist devices and surgical procedures including heart transplantation have limited efficiency and availability. Stem cell transplantation represents a new therapeutic opportunity for such patients. METHOD: Six patients with the diagnosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy were included in this study. All of the patients had clinical, radiological and echocardiographic signs of heart failure, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF< or =25%). They underwent coronary angiography and stress tests with dobutamine echocardiography, thallium scintigraphy and positron emission tomography to assess myocardial ischemia and viability. Peripheral stem cells were mobilized and collected by apheresis. They were transplanted into areas of injury with open-heart surgery. To increase blood flow to the engrafted areas, coronary artery by-pass surgery was also performed. RESULTS: The patients were followed at least for 4 months. Echocardiography, thallium scintigraphy and positron emission tomography were repeated after at least 6 weeks following surgery. There was a significant increase in life quality and NYHA class. Some benefit was documented on echocardiography, thallium scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography. CONCLUSION: This approach opens a new window in the treatment of 'no hope' patients with congestive heart failure.
