ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of L-Phenylalanine on the efficiency of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell derivation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsH1 hESCs were routinely cultured with mTeSR medium and divided into control and experimental groups. When cells reached over-confluence, spontaneous differentiation was triggered using 10% KSR differentiation medium without bFGF. L-Phenylalanine (0.2 mmol/L) was supplemented in the experimental group from the 3rd week. The expression of RPE markers and Wnt signaling components in the two groups was detected by Real time-RCR, Western blot and Flow cytometry analyses. Purified hESC-RPE cells and PBS were injected into the subretinal space of sodium iodine-induced retinal degeneration rats separately. Retinal function was assessed by ERG 6 weeks after the transplantation. ResultsOn the 7th week, much more pigment cell clumps appeared in the experimental group compared to the control group. Within these areas there were monolayer hexagonal RPE cells full of pigment granules. The experimental group showed significantly higher expression of Pax6, MITF, Tyrosinase, RPE65, Wnt3a, Lef1 and Tcf7 genes than the control group (P < 0.01). Higher expression level of MITF and RPE65 proteins and higher percentage of RPE65 (+) cells (P < 0.01) were detected in the experimental group. 6 weeks after sub-retinal transplantation of hESC-RPE cells, the amplitudes of a-b wave in the transplanted eyes were significantly higher than those in the control eyes (P < 0.01) at the stimulus intensity of 3.0 cd·s/m2. ConclusionsL-Phenylalanine effectively promoted the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells, and its impacts on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may partially explain the underlying mechanisms. Subretinal transplantation of hESC-RPE remarkably improved the retinal functions of retinal degenerative animal models.
Previous studies have shown that growth arrest, dedifferentiation, and loss of original function occur in cells after multiple generations of culture, which are attributed to the lack of stress stimulation. To investigate the effects of multi-modal biomimetic stress (MMBS) on the biological function of human bladder smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs), a MMBS culture system was established to simulate the stress environment suffered by the bladder, and HBSMCs were loaded with different biomimetic stress for 24 h. Then, cell growth, proliferation and functional differentiation were detected. The results showed that MMBS promoted the growth and proliferation of HBSMCs, and 80 cm H2O pressure with 4% stretch stress were the most effective in promoting the growth and proliferation of HBSMCs and the expression level of α-smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle protein 22-α. These results suggest that the MMBS culture system will be beneficial in regulating the growth and functional differentiation of HBSMCs in the construction of tissue engineered bladder.
Objective To probe the relationship of differentiation degree with spread or survival prognosis in retinoblastoma (RB). Methods Clinical data, follow up status and eyeball specimens in 156 RB cases were investigated retrospectively. The tumors were divided into differentiated and undifferentiated groups. Conditions of the tumor invasion of ocular or surrounding tissues were reviewed. The fatality rate was obtained from the follow-up materials of 82 cases of RB. The fatality rate and the invasion rate between the two types were compared statistically by Chi-square test. In addition, the relation between the tumor invasion and death ,and the average survival time for dead people after surgery were explored. Results Local invasion of tumor cell was found in 8 eyes among 17 eyes with differentiated RB (47.06%),and in 66 eyes among 139 eyes with undifferentiated RB (47.48%).There was no significant difference with regards to the local invasion between the two types ( The fatality rate of cases of differentiated RB was 27.27%,and 22.54% in undifferent iated RB, and there was no statistical difference between the two types .The fat ality rate for patients with orbital and scleral extension was 100%, optic nerve invasion (grade Ⅳ) was 62.50%,and uveal invasion was 22.22%.The survival time for the dead victims were from 5 months to 41 months and averaged to 21.92 months. Conclusion There was no significant differ ence both in survival prognosis and local invasion between the two types. The survival prognosis of metastatic RB was dependent on the degree of spread and the efforts of treatment and regardless of the types of differentiation of RB cells. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,17:18-20)
Objective To investigate the feasibility of Y27632 to induce transdifferentiation from human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells into neuron-like cells in vitro. Methods The third to sixth generation of primary hRPE cells were cultured with 2% fetal bovine serum + Dulbecco's modified eagle medium/F12 culture solution, with (experimental group) or without (control group) 10 mu;mol/L Y27632. At 3, 6 hours and 1, 3, 5, 7 days after induction, the morphologic changes of RPE cells were observed by inverted microscope. The expression rate of CK18, Map2, NF200 and Pax6 at 3 days after induction in the experimental and control group were detected by immunofluorescent staining. chi;2 test was employed for comparison between the two groups. Results 50.1% cells of the experimental group formed axon-like processes and interconnected each other with typical neuron-like appearance. The expression rates of CK18, Map2, NF200 and Pax6 in the experimental group were 43.88%, 31.90%, 57.45% and 65.79%, while the above indexes in the control group were 93.97%, 4.49%, 22.37% and 8.33% respectively. Compared the expression rate of CK18 (chi;2=64.763), Map2 (chi;2=23.634), NF200 (chi;2=21.261) and Pax6 (chi;2=25.946) between the two groups, the differences were significant (P＜0.01). Conclusion The hRPE cells can be trans-differentiated into neuron-like cells in vitro by Y27632.
Objective To investigate the regulating effect of Notch-1 on retinal progenitor cells (RPC) differentiating into retinal ganglion cells (RGC). Methods RPC of 14-day embryonic SD rats were induced and differentiated in the culture medium with Notch-1 antisense oligonucleotides (experimental group) or missense oligonucleotides (control group) for 14 days. The condition of growth and differentiation of the cells were observed daily under the phase-contrast microscope. RGC were identified by Thy1.1 immunocytochemistry methods and the cellular number was counted. Results RPC in both of the two groups differentiated into various retinal cells, including Thy1.1-positive RGC. The percentage of RGC derived from RPC was 31.19%plusmn;6.90% in experimental group and 16.57%plusmn;4.31% in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=9.84，Plt;0.001). Conclusion Notch-1 may down-regulate the differentiation of RPC, and the inhibition of Notch-1 may promote RPC differentiating into RGC. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2007, 23: 101-103)
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of small molecule compound XAV939 to induce mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) to differentiate into cardiac myocytes. MethodsWe revived and cultured undifferentiated mESC growing confluently on trophoderm made of mouse embryonic inoblast cell. The mESCs were digested by trypsin to form embryoid bodies (EBs) by handing drop method. After plated, EBs were induced by XAV939 to differentiate into cardiac myocytes. We observed the cardiac myocytes with lightmicroscopy and identified it with immunofluorescence method. Result The XAV939 can effectively induce mESC into cardiac myocytes with the mean efficiency rate of 71.85%±1.05%. The differentiated cardiac myocytes shrinked spanteously and rhythmicly. The cardiac troponin T as the special marker of cardiac myocyte was positive. ConclusionThe small molecule compound XAV939 could effectively induce mES cells into cardiac myocytes.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of differentiation of invitro induced rat bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells（rMSCs） into retinal pigment epithelial （RPE） cells.Methods The rMSCs from BrwonNorway (BN) rats were isolated and cultured by adherent screening method. RPE cells lysate made by repeated freezethawing was put into the rMSCs culture system to identify whether the induced cells could express characteristic label cytokeratin（CK）and S-100 simultaneously or not.Results The growth rate of rMSCs induced by RPE cells lysate was slower and protuberant burr surrounded the fusiform cells. The results of immunoblotting and double immunofluorescence showed that partial induced cells expressed CK and S-100 simultaneously. The result of flow cytometry indicated that 14.1% induced cells expressed CK and S-100 simultaneously.Conclusion Induced by RPE cells lysate, rMSCs can differentiate into RPE cells.
Objective To isolate neural stem cells (NSCs) from rabbit retina and brain, and induce differentiation of those NSCs using different culture media. Methods Single-cell suspensions of retina and cerebral cortex were prepared from rabbit embryo, cultured in 5 types of different media to isolate the NSCs by continual passages. After 3 passages, NSCs were induced to differentiation in 2 types of different media for 8 to 10 days. NSCs and inducedretinal cells were examined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry for the expression pattern of some specific antigens.Results Immunofluorescence showed that NSCs from retina and brain, cultured in serumfree media, both expressed Nestin partially. Flow cytometry showed that Nestin positive cells were significantly decreased while the Rhodopsin and Thy1.1 positive cells were increased after induction. Compared with the combined induction of alltrans retinoid acid (ATRA) and serum, 5%FBS (fetal bovine serum) led to higher expression of Rhodopsin（P＜0.01），but lower expression of Thy1.1（P=0.01）.Conclusion Serumfree media with N2, EGF, bFGF, LIF is the best for NSCs purification. Both induciton media can induce NSCs to differentiate.Retina NSCs have higher potentials to differentiate into retinal neuroepithelial cells than brain NSCs.
ObjectiveTo investigate the differentiation potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) into hepatocytes induced by rat fibrotic liver tissue extracts. MethodsLiver fibrosis was induced in the Sprague Dawley rats (weighting, 180-220 g) by repeated intraperitoneal injections of 3% thioacetamide-saline at a dose of 200 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks;fibrotic liver tissues were used to prepare liver homogenate supernatants. The HUCMSCs at passage 3 were cultured in DMEM/F12 with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (control group) and in DMEM/F12 with 10%FBS and 50 g/L liver homogenate supernatants (experimental group) for 7 days. The morphological changes of the cells were recorded;the protein levels of cytokeratin 18 (CK18), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and CYP3A4 were measured using Western blot. The glycogen storing ability of the cells was detected by periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining. Furthermore, the synthesis of albumin (ALB) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was measured. ResultsIn experimental group, after 1 day of induction, the stem cells of fusiform shape began to lose sharp edges and progressively shrunk, and then they changed into hepatocyte-like cells with round and irregular shape at 7 days. Positive expressions of AFP, CK18, and CYP3A4 were observed in the experimental group, but negative expression in the control group. The concentrations of BUN and ALB were (0.43±0.07) mmol/L and (8.08±0.41) μg/mL in the control group and were (2.52±0.20) mmol/L and (41.48±4.11) μg/mL in the experimental group, showing significant differences (t=24.160, P=0.000;t=19.810, P=0.000). PAS staining results showed navy blue nucleus and lavender cytoplasm in the control group, but dark purple cell body and visible nucleus in the experimental group. ConclusionHUCMSCs could differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells induced by rat fibrotic liver tissue extracts, which have hepatocyte biomarkers (AFP, CK18, and CYP3A4) and hepatocyte-specific functions of glycogen storage, urea production and ALB secretion, so they could partially replace the function of hepatocytes, that may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of stem cell transplantation.
Objective To analyze MC3T3E1 cell morphology, prol iferation, and osteogenic differentiation in fibrin gel (FG) so as to lay a fundament for use of FG in tissue engneering. Methods MC3T3E1 cells were incubated in three concentrations (20, 10 and 5 mg/mL)of FG as the experimental groups (groups A, B and C) and in the common medium culture as the control group (group D). The cell morphology and distribution in FG were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope at different time. The cell prol iferation was assessed by fluorospectrophotometer. The alkal ine phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by automatic biochemistry analyses and von Kossa staining was used to analyze calcium salts mineralization. RT-PCR was used to analyze the ALP and bone sialoprotein (BSP)mRNA expression at 14 and 21 days. Results In groups A, B and C, the MC3T3E1 cells had long processes which connected each other and formed network; but fusiform or cube cells were observed in group D at 21 days. The fluorescence intensity was increased gradually with time, was the highest at 14 days and the lowest at 28 days in group D; it was highest in groups A, B and C at 28 days, there were statistically significant differences when compared with group D (P lt; 0.05). The ALP activity was increased gradually with time, and it was the highest at 28 days in group D and at 21 days in groups A and B, there were significant differences (P lt; 0.05), no statistically significant differences compared with group D at other time points (P gt; 0.05). The mineral ization nodus were seen at 21 and 28 days in group A, but no mineral ization nodus was seen in group D at 28 days. The RT-PCR results showed the mRNA expressions of ALP and BSP were enhanced in group A when compared with group D (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The osteogenic differentiation was most obvious and cell prol iferation was most active after 21 days of incubation in FG.