Objective To compare single cell suspension of neural stem cells (NSCs) with neurospheres transplantation for spinal cord injury (SCI) so as to explore the therapeutic effectiveness of two NSCs transplantation methods for SCI. Methods The NSCs were isolated from the spinal cord of adult Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, purified and cultured. At passage 3, the cells were identified by Hoechst33342, Nestin staining, and gl ial fibrillary acidic protein staining for differentiated cells. Sixty adult SD rats (weighing 230-250 g) were made the SCI models at T10 level with modified Allen method and randomlydivided into 3 groups (20 rats in each). The injury sites were treated by injecting 5 μL sal ine (group A), 5 μL single cellssuspensions of NSCs at passage 3 (group B), and 5 μL neurospheres cell suspensions at passage 3 (group C). At preoperation and 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after operation, the locomotor functions of each group were assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale. HE staining was applied to observe the morphology of spinal cord. Subsequently immunofluorescence staining was used to observe microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2). Results The cells cultured were NSCs by morphological observation and immunofluorescence staining. After 3 days of modeling surgery, BBB score significantly decreased when compared with preoperative score, and there was no significant difference among 3 groups at 3 and 7 days (P gt; 0.05). BBB score increased in different degrees with time; at 14, 21, and 28 days, BBB score of groups B and C was better than that of group A, and group C was better than group B, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). HE staining showed that spinal cord structure of group C was more clear than that of groups A and B, and had less scar. There was no significant difference in the number of MAP-2 positive cells among 3 groups at 3 and 7 days (P gt; 0.05). At 14, 21, and 28 days, the number of MAP-2 positive cells of groups B and C was significantly more than that of group A, and group C was more than group B, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Transplantation of neurospheres suspension compared with single cell can significantly promote NSCsto differentiate into neurons and is conducive to recover the lower extremity function after SCI.
Objective To investigate the influence of Nogo extracellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) gene modification on the survival and differentiation of the neural stem cells (NSCs) after transplantation. Methods NSCs were isolated from the cortex tissue of rat embryo at the age of 18 days and identified by Nestin immunofluorescence. The lentiviruses were transduced to NSCs to construct NEP1-40 gene modified NSCs. The spinal cords of 30 Sprague Dawley rats were hemisected at T9 level. The rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group B (spinal cord injury, SCI), group C (NSCs), and group D (NEP1-40 gene modified NSCs). Cell culture medium, NSCs, and NEP1-40 gene modified NSCs were transplanted into the lesion site in groups B, C, and D, respectively at 7 days after injury. An additional 10 rats served as sham-operation group (group A), which only received laminectomy. At 8 weeks of transplantation, the survival and differentiation of transplanted cells were detected with counting neurofilament 200 (NF-200), glial fibrillary acidic portein (GFAP), and myelin basic protein (MBP) positive cells via immunohistochemical method; the quantity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) positive nerve fiber was detected via HRP neural tracer technology. Results At 8 weeks after transplantation, HRP nerve trace showed the number of HRP-positive nerve fibers of group A (85.17 ± 6.97) was significantly more than that of group D (59.25 ± 7.75), group C (33.58 ± 5.47), and group B (12.17 ± 2.79) (P lt; 0.01); the number of groups C and D were significantly higher than that of group B, and the number of group D was significantly higher than that of group C (P lt; 0.01). Immunofluorescent staining for Nestin showed no obvious fluorescence signal in group A, a few scattered fluorescent signal in group B, and b fluorescence signal in groups C and D. The number of NF-200-positive cells and MBP integral absorbance value from high to low can be arranged as an order of group A, group D, group C, and group B (P lt; 0.05); the order of GFAP-positive cells from high to low was group B, group D, group C, and group A (P lt; 0.05); no significant difference was found in the percentage of NF-200, MBP, and GFAP-positive cells between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion NEP1-40 gene modification can significantly improve the survival and differentiation of NSCs after transplantation, but has no induction on cell differentiation. It can provide a new idea and reliable experimental base for the study of NSCs transplantation for SCI.
Objective To investigate the dose-dependent relationship of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation in improving ischemic myocardial dysfunction? in a rat ischemic heart model. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced in 32 inbred F344 rats by acute ligation of the left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery. One week after ligation, the ratswere randomized? into four equal groups, with eight rats in each group. Equal volume Iscove’s modified Dulbecco’s medium was injected in the control group, 1×103(group 1), 1×105(group 2), and 1×107(group 3) 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeled bone marrow MSCs were injected into the infarcted myocardium. Cardiac function was evaluated by ultrasound before the ligation of the LAD, before the transplantation and the 4th week after transplantation. The expressions of BrdU,Connexin43,Myosin heavy chain β(MHC), and smooth muscle actin α(α-SMA) were detected by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry at the 4th week after transplantation. The amount of functional vessels stained by α-SMA was counted simultaneously. Results At the 4th week? after transplantation, the ejection fraction(EF) in goup 2 was more significantly improved than that in group1(0.54±0.20 vs. 0.34±0.16, P＝0.004) and EF in group 3 was more significantly improved than that in group 2(0.71±0.24 vs. 0.54±0.20,P＝0.018), whereas no significant difference between group 1 and control group was detected (0.34±0.16 vs. 0.36±0.15,Pgt;0.05). The BrdU labeled MSCs could be found in host myocardium. The number of cells in group 2 by double staining both for BrdU and for MHC observed in ischemic myocardium were significantly more than that in group 1? (323.20±91.62 n/HP vs. 51.75±27.58 n/HP,P＝0.049) and the same was true between group 3 and group 2(409.75±106.65 n/HP vs. 323.20±91.62 n/HP,Plt;0.001), whereas the result of control group was negative.The majority of transplanted cells were found positive staining both for MHC and for Connexin43 in all groups. There were lots of positive staining of α-SMA whose form were partly irregular in ischemic myocardium indicating that there was neovascularization in group1 and control group. More neovascularization in group2 was found than that in group 1 (28.38±12.79 n/HP vs. 22.75±9.07 n/HP, P＝0015) and more neovascularization in group 3 was found? than that in group 2 (35.63±13.27 n/HP vs. 28.38±12.79 n/HP, P＝0.002) . Conclusion Transplanted into infarcted myocardium, bone marrow MSCs may have significant and dose-dependent potential for cardiomyogenesis with functional recovery from myocardial ischemia.
Objective To explore the middle-term outcome of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation in the treatment of lower l imb ischemia. Methods From March 2003 to June 2005, 65 patients with lower l imb ischemia were treated by autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation. Of the patients, there were 50 males and 15 females, with a mean age of 66.5 years (range 36-89 years), including 4 cases of simple arteriosclerotic occlusion,5 cases of thromboangiitis obl iterans and 56 cases diabetic lower l imb ischemia. A total of 400 mL bone-marrow blood were extracted from the posterior superior il iac crest. And then the mononuclear cells were isolated from the bone-marrow blood in the laboratory. The amount of transplantation bone marrow mononuclear cells was (0.60-1.80) × 109 (mean 1.05 × 109). Twelve patients received cell transplantation from two to four times and the other patients one time. According to the improvement of cl inical finding, the outcome was evaluated. Results All the patients were followed up for 8-56 months (mean 21.5 months). There were 8 deaths, and the mortal ity was 12.3%; 5 were due to myocardial infarction and heart failure and 3 were due to cerebral infarction. The general effective rate was 70.8% (46/65) and the recurrent rate was 10.7% (7/65). Of them, the response to treatment lasted over 12 months in 42 cases, accounting for 91.3% (42/46); over 24 months in 24 cases, accounting for 52.2% (24/46); and over 37 months in 12 cases, accounting for 26.1% (12/46). The effective rates were 100% in 12 patients who received 2-4 times transplantation and 64.2% in 53 patients who received 1 time transplantation, showing statistically significant difference between them (P lt; 0.001). Conclusion The middle-term outcome of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation show that it is a feasible and simple method for treatment of lower l imb ischemia.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation on lower l imb chronic venous ulcer. Methods Between May 2009 and September 2010, 17 patients with lower l imb chronic venous ulcer were treated with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation (transplantation group) and 10patients treated without cells transplantation served as control group. In the transplantation group, there were 9 males and 8 females with age of (33.3 ± 6.1) years, including 11 cases of simple great saphenous vein varicosity and 6 cases of chronic venous insufficiency; the area of ulcer was (4.39 ± 2.46) cm2; and the duration of ulcer ranged from 3 months to 6 years. In the control group, there were 4 males and 6 females with age of (39.2 ± 10.3) years, including 7 cases of simple great saphenous vein varicosity and 3 cases of chronic venous insufficiency; and the area of ulcer was (5.51 ± 2.63) cm2; and the duration of ulcer ranged from 3 months to 2 years. All patients in both groups were classified as C6 according to Cl inical Etiology Anatomy Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification. No signficant difference was found in the general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The heal ing process of ulcer was observed. The granulation tissue was harvested for HE staining before operation and at 3 days after operation in the transplantation group. The microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF) expression of ulcer granulation tissue were observed. Results In the transplantation group, ulcer heal ing was accelerated; complete heal ing was observed in 15 cases, partial heal ing in 1 case, and no heal ing in 1 case with the median heal ing time of 22 days. However, in the control group, the heal ing process was slower; complete heal ing of ulcer was observed in 7 cases and no heal ing in 3 cases with the median heal ing time of 57.5 days. There was significant difference in the heal ing time between 2 groups (Z=0.001 4, P=0.002 7). HE staining showed a great number of microvessels in the granulation tissue in the transplantation group. The immunohistochemical staining showed that MVD was significantly increased (t=3.120, P=0.008) after cell ransplantation (32.1 ± 12.8) when compared with that before transplantation (22.1 ± 6.7). The VEGF expressionafter transplantation (8.05% ± 5.10%) was increased sl ightly when compared with that before transplantation (6.13% ±4.20%), but the difference was not significant (t=1.150, P=0.268). Conclusion Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cellstransplantation can stimulate granulation tissue growth and improve ulcer heal ing.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor（HGF）gene transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs）transplantation in pigs with chronic ischemic heart disease. Methods MSCs were isolated from pig bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation and adherent cell culture, purified, and determined by cellsurface antigens（CD34, CD44, CD71, Ⅷ factor and desmin）. MSCs were transfected by adenovirus expressing hepatocyte growth factor（AdHGF）, and the influence of HGF on the biological characteristics of MSCs was tested. The pig model of chronic myocardial ischemia was established by placing Ameroid ring inside the left circumflex coronary artery via leftthoracotomy. A total of 40 pigs were randomly divided into 5 groups （n=8） and were injected 5×106/ml MSCs＋ 4×109 pfu 200 μl AdHGF （MSCs＋ AdHGF group）, 4×109 pfu 200 μl AdHGF （AdHGF group）, 5×106/ml MSCs 200 μl（MSCs group），4×109 pfu 200 μl AdNull （AdNull group）and 1 ml saline（control group） into the ischemic myocardiumrespectively. Echocardiogram, digital subtraction angiography （DSA） of coronary artery, single photon emission computed tomography（SPECT） myocardial perfusion imaging and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were examined after 4 weeks. Results Positive CD44 and CD71 and negative CD34, Ⅷ factorand desmin were detected in MSCs by flow cytometer. HGF had a b influence on stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. Echocardiogram examination showed that left ventricular end-diastolic volume（LVEDV），left ventricular ejection fraction（LVEF），fractional shortening（FS）of MSCs＋ AdHGF group were significantly increased after treatment （P＜ 0.05）. DSA detection showed that ischemic neovascularization of MSCs＋ AdHGF group was significantly higher than those of AdHGF group and MSCs group （P＜ 0.05）. SPECT showed that the left ventricular myocardium of MSCs＋ AdHGF group appeared thickened,myocardial perfusion was significantly improved and the myocardial motion was significantly increased （P＜ 0.05）. Vascular density of MSCs＋ AdHGF group was significantly higher than those of AdHGF group and MSCs group by HE stain of myocardium ［（39.4±1.2）/ HPF vs. （36.5±1.4）/ HPF and（34.5±1.7）/ HPF，P＜ 0.05］. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate of MSCs＋ AdHGF group was significantly lower than those of AdHGF group and MSCs group by TUNEL stain （P＜ 0.05）. Conclusion Combination transplantation can promote the angiogenesis of chronic ischemic myocardium, inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve heart function in pigs with chronic ischemic heart disease. The effect of HGF gene transfected MSCs transplantation is better than that of MSCs or HGF transplantation alone.
Objective To observe the effect of BMSCs on the cardiac function in diabetes mellitus (DM) rats through injecting BMSCs into the ventricular wall of the diabetic rats and investigate its mechanism. Methods BMSCs isolated from male SD rats (3-4 months old) were cultured in vitro, and the cells at passage 5 underwent DAPI label ing. Thirty clean grade SD inbred strain male rats weighing about 250 g were randomized into the normal control group (group A), the DM group (group B), and the cell transplantation group (group C). The rats in groups B and C received high fat forage for 4 weeks and the intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin to made the experimental model of type II DM. PBS and DAPI-labeledpassage 5 BMSCs (1 × 105/μL, 160 μL) were injected into the ventricular wall of the rats in groups B and C, respectively. After feeding those rats with high fat forage for another 8 weeks, the apoptosis of myocardial cells was detected by TUNEL, the cardiac function was evaluated with multi-channel physiology recorder, the myocardium APPL1 protein expression was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry test, and the NO content was detected by nitrate reductase method. Group C underwent all those tests 16 weeks after taking basic forage. Results In group A, the apoptosis rate was 6.14% ± 0.02%, the AAPL1 level was 2.79 ± 0.32, left ventricular -dP/dt (LV-dP/dt) was (613.27 ± 125.36) mm Hg/s (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), the left ventricular end-diastol ic pressure (LVEDP) was (10.06 ± 3.24) mm Hg, and the NO content was (91.54 ± 6.15) nmol/mL. In group B, the apoptosis rate was 45.71% ± 0.04%, the AAPL1 level 1.08 ± 0.24 decreased significantly when compared with group A, the LVdP/ dt was (437.58 ± 117.58) mm Hg/s, the LVEDP was (17.89 ± 2.35) mm Hg, and the NO content was (38.91±8.67) nmol/mL. In group C, the apoptosis rate was 27.43% ± 0.03%, the APPL1 expression level was 2.03 ± 0.22, the LV -dP/dt was (559.38 ± 97.37) mm Hg/ s, the LVEDP was (12.55 ± 2.87) mm Hg, and the NO content was (138.79 ± 7.23) nmol/ mL. For the above mentioned parameters, there was significant difference between group A and group B (P lt; 0.05), and between group B and group C (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion BMSCs transplantation can improve the cardiac function of diabetic rats. Its possible mechanismmay be related to the activation of APPL1 signaling pathway and the increase of NO content.
Abstract: Objective To observe the changes in morphology, structure, and ventricular function of infarct heart after bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) implantation. Methods Twenty-four dogs were divided into four groups with random number table, acute myocardial infarction (AM I) control group , AM I-BMMNC group , old myocardial infarct ion (OMI) control group and OM I-BMMNC group , 6 dogs each group. Autologous BMMNC were injected into infarct and peri-infarct myocardium fo r transplantation in AM I-BMMNC group and OM I-BMMNC group. The same volume of no-cells phosphate buffered solution (PBS) was injected into the myocardium in AM Icontrol group and OM I-control group. Before and at six weeks of cell t ransplantation, ult rasonic cardiography (UCG) were performed to observe the change of heart morphology and function, then the heart was harvested for morphological and histological study. Results U CG showed that left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LV EDD) , left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV ) , the thickness of left ventricular postwall (LVPW ) in AM I-BMMNC group were significantly less than those in AM I-control group (32. 5±5. 1mm vs. 36. 6±3. 4mm , 46. 7±12. 1m l vs. 57. 5±10. 1m l, 6. 2±0. 6mm vs. 6. 9±0. 9mm; P lt; 0. 05). LVEDD, LVEDV , LVPW in OM I-BMMNC group were significantly less than those in OM I-control group (32. 8±4. 2 mm vs. 36. 8±4. 4mm , 48. 2±12. 9m l vs. 60.6±16.5m l, 7. 0±0. 4mm vs. 7. 3±0. 5mm; P lt; 0. 05). The value of eject fraction (EF) in OM I-BMMNC group were significantly higher than that in OM I-control group (53. 3% ±10. 3% vs. 44. 7%±10. 1% ). Compared with their control group in morphological measurement, the increase of infarct region thickness (7. 0 ± 1. 9mm vs. 5. 0 ±2.0mm , 6.0±0. 6mm vs. 4. 0±0. 5mm; P lt; 0. 05) and the reduction of infarct region length (25. 5±5. 2mm vs. 32. 1±612mm , 33. 6±5. 5mm vs. 39. 0±3. 2mm , P lt; 0. 05) were observed after transplantation in AM I-BMMNC group and OM I-BMMNC group, no ventricular aneurysm was found in AM I-BMMNC group, and the ratio between long axis and minor axis circumference of left ventricle increased in OM I-BMMNC group (0. 581±0. 013 vs. 0. 566±0.015; P lt; 0. 05). Both in AM I-BMMNC group and OM I-BMMNC group, fluorescence expressed in transplantation region was observed, the morphology of most nuclei with fluorescencew as irregular, and the differentiated cardiocyte with fluorescence was not found in myocardium after transplantation. The histological examination showed more neovascularization after transp lantation both in AMI and in OM I, and significant lymphocyte infiltration in AM I-BMMNC group. Conclusion BMMNC implantation into infarct myocardium both in AMI and OMI have a beneficial effect, which can attenuate deleterious ventricular remodeling in morphology and st ructure, and improve neovascularization in histology, and improve the heart function.
Objective To introduce the research of nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods The original articles in recent years about nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration were extensively reviewed, and retrospective and comprehensive analysis was performed. Results Nucleus pulposus cells are not only simply a remnant of embryonic notochordal cells, but have also an important influence on the well-being of the whole disc. The biological treatment strategies aim to regenerate the disc by either trying to improve the micro-enviroment within the disc or to increase the popoulation of the nucleus pulposus, which includes transplanting mesenchymal stem cellsto differentiate into nucleus-l ike cells in the degenerated intervertebral disc. Conclusion Nucleus pulposus cells or ucleus pulposus l ike cells based cell transplantation methods prove to be a promising and real istic approach for the intervertebral disc regeneration.
ObjectiveTo investigate the co-transplantation of C57-green fluorescent protein (GFP) mouse epidermis and dermis cells subcutaneously to induce the hair follicle regeneration. MethodC57-GFP mouse epidermis and dermis were harvested for isolation the mouse epidermis and dermis cells. The morphology of epidermis and dermis mixed cells at ratio of 1:1 of adult mouse, dermis cells of adult mouse, cultured 3rd generation dermis cells were observed by fluorescence microscope. Immunocytochemistry staining was used to detect hair follicle stem cells markers in cultured 3rd generation dermis cells from new born C57-GFP mouse. And then the epidermis and dermis mixed cells of adult mouse (group A), dermis cells of adult mouse (group B), cultured 3rd generation dermis cells of new born mouse (group C), and saline (group D) were transplanted subcutaneously into Balb/c nude mice. The skin surface of nude mice were observed at 4, 5, 6 weeks of transplantation and hair follicle formation were detected at 6 weeks by immunohistochemistry staining. ResultsThe isolated C57-GFP mouse epidermis and dermis cells strongly expressed the GFP under the fluorescence microscope. Immunocytochemistry staining for hair follicle stem cells markers in cultured 3rd generation dermis cells showed strong expression of Vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin, indicating that the cells were dermal sheath cells; some cells expressed CD133, Versican, and cytokeratin 15. After transplanted for 4-6 weeks, the skin became black at the injection site in group A, indicating new hair follicle formation. However, no color change was observed in groups B, C, and D. Immunohistochemical staining showed that new complete hair follicles structures formed in group A. GFP expression could be only observed in the hair follicle dermal sheath and outer root sheath in group B, and it could also be observed in the hair follicle dermal sheath, outer root sheath, dermal papilla cells, and sweat gland in group C. The expression of GFP was negative in group D. ConclusionsCo-transplantation of mouse epidermis and dermis cells can induce the hair follicle regeneration by means of interaction of each other. And transplantation of isolated dermis cells or cultured dermis cells individually only partly involved in the hair follicles formation.