Roles of activated astrocyte in neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

Recent studies demonstrated that the molecules secreted from astrocytes play important roles in the cell fate determination of neural stem cells (NSCs). However, the exact molecules involved and its possible mechanisms in the process remain largely unknown. In this study, astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) obtained from astrocytes unstimulated or stimulated by lipopolysaccharide was prepared to treat NSCs. The results showed that both the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs treated with stimulated ACMs were significantly increased compared with those treated with unstimulated ACM. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) antibody neutralization of the ACMs decreased NSC proliferation and astrogliogenesis, while NSC neurogenesis was increased. In contrast, recombinant IL-6 cytokine increased NSC proliferation and astrogliogenesis, but decreased neurogenesis. Furthermore, the expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-stat3) protein as well as serial of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors (bHLH) mRNA in NSCs exposed to stimulated ACMs significantly increased, respectively. The expression levels of p-stat3 protein and bHLH mRNA of NSCs were significantly altered after adding anti-IL-6 antibody or recombinant IL-6, respectively. The data suggest that IL-6 secreted from activated astrocytes participates in ACM-induced proliferation and differentiation of NSCs via the phosphorylation of stat3 signals and the expression of bHLH transcription factors.

Insulin-producing cells derived from rat bone marrow and their autologous transplantation in the duodenal wall for treating diabetes.

Islet cell transplantation is one of the most promising therapies for diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the limited availability of purified islets for transplantation and the risk of immunological rejection severely limit its use. In vitro transdifferentiation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) could provide an abundant source of cells for this procedure and avoid immunological rejection. Here, we isolated and characterized BMSCs and induced their in vitro differentiation into IPCs. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that these IPCs could express Ins1, Ins2, glucagon, glucose transporter 2, and pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1. Insulin production by the IPCs was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. On this basis, donor rats supplying BMSCs were made diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The IPCs were then autologously transplanted into the duodenal submucosa of diabetic rats. Grafted cells could be visualized in sections after 2, 4, and 8 weeks by immunohistochemical staining for insulin. Furthermore, in the IPC-implanted group, hyperglycemia was normalized, compared with a persistent increase in glucose levels in the diabetic group and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test-induced responses were observed in the IPC-implanted group. These results on autologous transplantation of IPCs derived from BMSCs into the duodenal wall could offer a novel potential therapeutical protocol for DM.