OBJECTIVE: To investigate a cryophylactic agent (CPA) to protect tissue engineered tendon (TET) in deep low temperature. METHODS: Sixty-four BALB/C inbred nude mice were chosen, which included 4 as blank control group, left sides of 60 as experimental group and their right sides as control group. Transformed human embryonic tendon cells of the 54th passage and artificial materials of carbon fiber (CF) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) were co-cultured in vitro to construct TET. TET was frozen in liquid nitrogen with four kinds of CPA (groups A, B, C, and D) for 2 months. They were thawed quickly and transplanted into hind limbs of nude mice to repair the defects of Achilles tendon, which was 5 mm in length and 65.7% of total Achilles tendon. In control group, no cryopreservation treatment was taken. The morphological, histological, ultrastructure, and immunohistochemistry examinations were made and short tandem repeat loci were detected 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks later. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the morphological properties of tendon cells resumed gradually and the capability of synthesizing collagen enhanced by degrees. Tendon cells survived and could secret type I collagen and there was less difference between experimental and control groups 12 weeks after transplantation. In group A, vacuole in mitochondrion of tendon cell decreased, tendon cell arranged in order and abundant collagen fibers were found and linked. CONCLUSION: The cryopreservation agent in group A can protect TET in deep low temperature.
Objective To study the research method of cell survival rate at the procedure of cryopreservation of tissue engineered tendons.Methods In the 4thgeneration of human fibroblasts, the dead cells were stained with propidium iodine (PI), while the living cells with Hoechst 33342(Ho). The living cells and dead cells emitted fluorescence of red and blue respectively after they were stimulated by suitable ultra-violet, then flow cytometry was applied to distinguishthem. The seeding cells were collected to make them to be the cell suspension of suitable concentration(6.0×105 cell/ml) before they were divided into two parts. We cryopreserved and defrosted one part three times to kill the cells and didnot cryopreserve the other part, then we made cell suspension at different ratios of cryopreserved cell to noncryopreserved cells. The fluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to study the correlation between cell ratios of cryopreservedcell to non-cryopreserved cell and the cell survival rates. We compared the cll survival rates between immediate flow cytometry and that 2 hours after fluorescence staining. Results The results of flow cytometry showed that correlation between the ratio of cryopreservation and the cell survival rate was significant (r=0.970，Plt;0.05), image analysis study also showed the correlation was significant (r=0.982，Plt;0.05).The cell survival rate decreased by use of flow cytometry twohours after fluorescence staining, but there was no significant difference when compared with that of immediate flow cytometry (Pgt;0.05). We could also observe the cells on the tissue engineered tendons by fluorescence image directly.Conclusion Flow cytometry and fluorescence image afterPI and Ho staining is a good way in study cell survival rate at the procedure of cryopreservationof tissue engineered tendons.
Objective As one of the adult stem cells, adi pose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have become an important seed cell source for tissue engineering recently. But whether the thawed cryopreserved ADSCs could be used to tissue engineered bone remains unknown. To investigate the effect of cryopreservation on the growth and osteogenesis of ADSCs invitro. Methods The ADSCs were isolated from the adipose aspirates by collagenase digestion method. For the experimental group, the 2nd generation cells were stored with a simple method of cryopreservation by slow cool ing with dimethyl sulphoxide as a cryoprotectant and rapid thawing. After cryopreserved in l iquid nitrogen for 4 weeks, ADSCs were recovered and cultured in osteogenic media, with non-cryopreserved ADSCs as the control group. The osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkal ine phosphatase (ALP) staining and Al izarin red O staining at 2 and 3 weeks respectively. The cell growth and osteogenesis of ADSCs were further determined using DNA assay and the ALP activity and calcium content were measured. Results The survival percentage of the cryopreserved cells was 90.44% ± 2.62%. The cell numbers and ALP activity increased with osteogenic induction time, and reach plateaus at 7 days and 11 days, respectively. The ALP staining and Al izarin red O staining results were both positive at 2 weeks and 3 weeks after osteogenic induction, respectively. And no significant difference in the cells number, ALP activity, and calcium content were found between experimental group and control group (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Cryopreservation does not affect the growth and osteogenesis of ADSCs, and the cryopreserved ADSCs can be used as cell source for tissue engineered bone.
Abstract In order to determine the fasibility of reestablishment of circulation with cryopreserved microvenous allografts (1.0～1.4mm in diameter), 40 rabbits were divided into 2 groups. In the control group, the fresh autografts were used. In the experimental group, 20 rabbitsfemoral vein segments were treated by a two-step freezing procedure. After stored in liquid nitrogen for 48 hours, the segments were implanted into the femoral veins as allografts. The histological as well as the pathological studies were performed with light and electron microscope, and its patency was determined by angiography. The results showed that the preservation of vein was generally good. The rejective response was weak. The patency rates of 1 week and 12 weeks were 90% and 85% respectively, and there was no significant difference with that of the allogenic fresh autografts (Pgt;0.05). It was suggested that clinical use of cryoperserved allogenic microvein grafts instead of fresh autografts was possible.
Objective To investigate the possibility of establishing the human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) bank as to provide an alternative source for the seed cells of tissue engineering. Methods The cell surface antigensof the purified, expanded hMSCs and the ones following cryopreservation were detected by flow cytometry, cultured in a special medium to induce the ostoegenic and chondrocytic- differentiation. Morphology was studied by light and electronic microscopes. The detection of alkaline phosphatase, collagen type Ⅰ, osteocalcin, and collagen type Ⅱ were also performed by immunochemistry and molecular biology.Results The phenotype and expansion possibility of hMSCs after cryopreservation were remained. It could expand for 10 generations. The doubling time was 40 h.Conclusion The bank of hMSCs is inipiently established and can provide eligible seed cells for tissue engineering.
OBJECTIVE To search an optimal method for improving viability of cryopreserved articular cartilage. METHODS Articular cartilage which was sampled from the rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups. Fresh cartilage was group I, other groups were frozen. Before frozen, other cartilage was exposured in 10% DMSO at 4 degrees C for 30 minutes(group II), 1 hour(group III), 2 hours (group IV), 4 hours(group V), then were stored in liquid nitrogen for 1 week. Viabilities of the chondrocytes were detected by Typan-blue staining, electron transmission microscope, and determination of incorporation 3H-TdR after the temperature returned to normal. RESULTS 1. The cells were injuried at different extent after the cartilage was frozen. In group I, survival rate of cells was 96% and incorporation of 3H-TdR was (4,953.13 +/- 583.27)%, statistic difference was significant between group I and other groups(P lt; 0.01). The microstructure of group I was normal while other groups all had damage of the organella, 2. Structures and functions of cells in group IV were best among frozen groups. Organella were less damaged than group II, III, V, survival rate of cells was 56% and incorporation of 3H-TdR was (1,139.88 +/- 146.39)%, statistic difference was significant between group IV and group II, III, V(P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION If cartilage are exposured in 10% DMSO at 4 degrees C for 2 hours before frozen, optimal cryopreservation can be achieved.
Objective To investigate the effect of cryopreservation (CP) on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the renal tubular epithel ial cells. Methods A total of 40 male Wistar rats (weighing 230-250 g) were used in this study. En bloc removal with in situ cooling both kidneys and hypertonic citrate adenine preservation solution were adopted. The rat kidney was be preserved 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours at 0-4℃ (n=8), respectively. The expression of CTGF of renal tubularepithel ial cells was detected by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization analysis. Results The expression of CTGF was less in CP 0 hour group and CP 12 hours group, the positive unit (PU) values of CTGF protein were 5.91 ± 2.30 and 5.57 ± 2.40 (P gt; 0.05), respectively, and the PU values of CTGF mRNA were 6.24 ± 2.79 and 6.51 ± 2.43 (P gt; 0.05), respectively. The PU values of CTGF protein increased at CP 24 hours group (10.25 ± 2.92), CP 36 hours group (14.31 ± 2.83) and CP 48 hours group (18.11 ± 3.94, P lt; 0.05), respectively, and the PU values of CTGF mRNA increased at CP 24 hours group (15.24 ± 3.95), CP 36 hours group (19.20 ± 4.73) and CP 48 hours group (23.09 ± 4.40, P lt; 0.05), respectively; showing significant differences when compared with CP 0 hour group and CP 12 hours group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion CTGF expression may increase with severe cold ischemia injury, and might play an important role in regeneration and repair of renal tubular epithel ial cell injury.
Objective To investigate the effects of different temperatures on the system of in vitro physiological environment fostering limbs. Methods Twenty-four limbs were harvested from 6 adult Bama mini pigs and were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6) according to different temperatures: limbs were placed in in vitro physiological environment foster-ing limbs at 26℃ (group A), 4℃ (group B), 10℃ (group C), and 18℃(group D). After 12 hours of perfusion, the morphology observation was done for the structure and ultrastructure changes of the skeletal muscle by light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results Histological results showed that the skeletal muscle exhibited mild edema, integrity of the sarcolemma, and occasional perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration in groups B, C, and D, meanwhile, the cells of group C had normal morphology; however, muscle fibers degenerated, muscle cells were seriously damaged, a great number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the fractured muscle fibers in group A. Transmission electron microscope results showed as follows: the muscle fibers arranged in disorder, and many focal solubility necrosis occurred in group A; the muscle fibers arranged in order relatively and sarcolemma was still intact, with mild swelling and flocculent degenerative mitochondria in group B; a large number of muscle fibers arranged in order and regularity with clear sarcomere in group C; and the muscle fibers arranged in disorder and irregularity and partly dissolved in group D. RT-qPCR results showed that the expressions of inflammatory factor TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B, C, and D (P lt; 0.05); the expressions were significantly lower in groups B and C than in group D, and in group C than in group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion In the system of in vitro physiological environment fostering limbs, temperature plays an important role in the preservation of amputated limbs. It is suggested that 10℃ can significantly attenuate the reperfusion-induced skeletal muscle cell injuries in this system.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the repairing effect of transplantation of allogeneic fetal bone in combination with a covering cryopreserved periosteal allograft to bone defect. METHODS: Twenty Long-eared white male rabbits were chosen as experimental model of bilateral 12 mm combined bony and periosteal radial defect. Cryopreserved allograft periosteum with allogeneic fetal bone were implanted in the left defect as experimental side and fetal bone was simply transplanted in the right defect as control side. Bone repair process in the two groups were compared by macroscopy, microscopy, roentgenograms and the contents of calcium and phosphate in the defect area at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: There was significant statistic difference in the contents of calcium and phosphate between the experimental and control sides at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after transplantation (P lt; 0.05). With time passing by, the contents of calcium and phosphate have the increasing trends. In the experimental group, lamella bone was seen and medullary canal recanalized at 8 weeks postoperatively. The histological section showed the bone lacuna and lamella bone were formed. CONCLUSION: It suggests that allogeneic fetal bone in combination with a covering cryopreserved periosteal allograft can promote bone repair, and allogeneic fetal bone is excellent bone substitute.
Objective To summarize the experience of l iving donor l iver transplantation using cryopreserved il iac vein for middle hepatic vein reconstruction. Methods Between July 2006 and June 2009, right l iver transplantation without middle hepatic vein was performed in 37 cases of 85 patients undergoing l iving donor l iver transplantation; of 37 cases, 30 received middle hepatic vein reconstruction using cryopreserved il iac vein. There were 27 males and 3 females, aged from 10 to 57 years (median, 44 years). Thirty cases included 11 hepatocellular carcinoma, 10 hepatic cirrhosis, 2 Wilson’ sdisease, 1 cholangiocarcinoma, 1 hepatoblastoma, 1 congenital hepatic fibrosis, 1 chronic severe hepatitis, and 1 congenital bil iary atresia. Il iac veins harvested from donors were put into 0-4℃ mixed antibiotics sal ine and transported to the operating room. The il iac veins were trimmed, placed into sterile bags (containing RMPI 1640 + 20% DMSO + 10% calf protein solution) and frozen at —70 . In l iving donor l iver transplantation process, the veins were melt and used for middle hepatic vein reconstruction. After operation, the patency of veins was monitored by regular Doppler ultrasound examination or enhanced CT for 3 months. Results In 30 patients, 30 il iac veins were used. The average cryopreserve time was 14 days (range, 3-44 days). Anastomosis were all successful; after cryopreservation, the blood vessels texture and elasticity were fit for surgery. No easily tearing or severe suture bleeding was observed. In 30 patients, 6 had segment V veins reconstruction; 3 had segment VIII; and 21 had both segments V and VIII. The patency rate of reconstructed vessels was 93% at 1 week, 90% at 2 weeks, 90% at 1 month, and 67% at 3 months. No serious compl ication was observed in donors. The prognosis was good with no small-for-size syndrome. Conclusion Cryopreserved il iac vein is an ideal material for the right hepatic l iving donor l iver transplantation in the reconstruction of middle hepatic vein.