ObjectiveTo explore the endothelial cells from human peripheral blood and islet of rat co-transplantation under the renal capsule of diabetic nude mice to improve the survival and function of transplanted islet. MethodsThe endothelial cells from human peripheral blood(5×105)and freshly isolated rat islet cells were co-transplanted under the renal capsule of diabetic nude mice model, then the fasting blood glucose, body weight, peripheral blood C-peptide level, and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT) were measured to evaluated the islet graft survival and function. ResultsCompared with the control group, the fasting blood glucose level significantly decreased(P < 0.01), peripheral blood C-peptide level rised(P < 0.01), and body weight increased(P < 0.01) of receptor nude mice in experience group, the IPGTT also improved. ConclusionThe endothelial cells from human peripheral blood and islet of rat co-transplan-tation can obviously improve the survival and function of transplanted islet of nude mice.
Objective To study effect of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive targeted lymphocytes on gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Methods The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. The recombinant vector anti-CEA-scFv-CD3ζ-pcDNA3.0 was transfected into the PBMCs by lipofectamine 2000, by this means, the CEA special lymphocytes were obtained. Meanwhile, the PBMCs transfected with empty plasmid pcDNA3.0 were used as control (empty vector lymphocytes). The different lymphocytes and gastric cancer cells (CEA positive KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells and CEA negative BGC-823 gastric cancer cells) were co-cultured, then the ability to identify the gastric cancer cells and it’s effect on apoptosis of gastric cancer cells were observed at 24 h or 36 h later respectively. The CEA special lymphocytes and empty vector lymphocytes were injected by the tail vein of nude mice bearing gastric cancer cells, then it’s effect on the tumor was observed. Results ① The CEA special lymphocytes could strongly identify the KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells (identification rate was 72.3%), which could weakly identify the BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (identification rate was 7.8%). ② The apoptosis rate of the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells was significantly higher than that of the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells (P=0.032), which had no significant difference between the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells and the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (P=0.118). ③ The tumor volume of the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells was significantly smaller than that of the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and KATOⅢ gastric cancer cells (F=5.010, P<0.01) or the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (F=4.982, P<0.01), which had no significant difference between the co-culture of CEA special lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells and the co-culture of empty vector lymphocytes and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells (F=1.210, P>0.05). Conclusion CEA special lymphocytes can promote cell apoptosis and inhabit tumor reproduction of CEA positive gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of circulating estrogen level on the outcome of free fat grafting in nude mice.MethodsEighteen female nude mice aged 6-8 weeks (weighing, 20-25 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6). The nude mice in the ovariectomized group were treated with ovariectomy. The nude mice in the high estrogen group and the normal estrogen group only made the same incision to enter the peritoneum without ovariectomy. The nude mice in the high estrogen group were given the estradiol (0.2 mg/g) every 3 days for 30 days. The other two groups were given the same amount of PBS every 3 days. At 30 days after operation, the tail vein blood of nude mice in 3 groups were detected by estradiol ELISA kit, and the free fat (0.3 mL) donated by the females was injected into the sub-scalp of nude mice. After 8 weeks of fat grafting, the samples were taken for gross observation and weighing, and the prepared slices were stained with HE staining, CD31-perilipin fluorescence staining, immunohistochemical staining of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and immunofluorescence staining of estrogen receptor α. The diameter of adipocytes and vascular density of adipose tissue were measured. The mRNA expressions of UCP1 and estrogen receptor α were detected by realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).ResultsAll nude mice survived during experiment. ELISA test showed that the concentration of estradiol significantly decreased in the ovariectomized group and increased in the high estrogen group compared with the normal estrogen group (P<0.05). At 8 weeks after fat grafting, the graft volume from large to small was ovariectomized group, normal estrogen group, and high estrogen group. There was significant difference in wet weight between the ovariectomized group and high estrogen group (P<0.05). Section staining showed that compared with the normal estrogen group, the adipocytes in the ovariectomized group were larger, the expression of peri-lipoprotein was weaker, the vascular density decreased, and the expressions of UCP1 was negative, and the estrogen receptor α positive cells reduced. The above observation results in the high estrogen group were contrary to those in the ovariectomized group. There were significant differences in the diameter of adipocytes, the vascular density of adipose tissue, the number of the estrogen receptor α positive cells between groups (P<0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of UCP1 and estrogen receptor α significantly increased in the high estrogen group and decreased in the ovariectomized group compared with the normal estrogen group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionThe level of circulating estrogen has a significant effect on the outcome of free fat grafting in nude mice. Low estrogen level leads to hypertrophy of graft adipocytes, while high estrogen level leads to the production of a large amount of beige fat and high vascular density in fat grafts, which may be related to the activation of estrogen receptor α on adipocytes.
Objective Tissue engineered bone (TEB) lacks of an effective and feasible method of storage and transportation. To evaluate the activity of osteogenesis and capabil ity of ectopic osteogenesis for TEB after freeze-dried treatment in vitro and in vivo and to explore a new method of preserving and transporting TEB. Methods Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and decalcified bone matrix (DBM) were harvested from bone marrow and bone tissue of the healthy donators. TEB was fabricated with the 3rd passage hBMSCs and DBM, and they were frozen and dried at extremely low temperatures after 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 15 days of culture in vitro to obtain freeze-dried tissue engineered bone (FTEB). TEB and FTEB were observed by gross view and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Western blot was used to detect the changes of relative osteogenic cytokines, including bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and insul in-l ike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) between TEB and FTEB. The ectopic osteogenesis was evaluated by the methods of X-ray, CT score, and HE staining after TEB and FTEB were transplanted into hypodermatic space in athymic mouse. Results SEM showed that the cells had normal shape in TEB, and secretion of extracellular matrix increased with culture time; in FTEB, seeding cells were killed by the freeze-dried process, and considerable extracellular matrix were formed in the pore of DBM scaffold. The osteogenic cytokines (BMP-2, TGF-β1, and IGF-1) in TEB were not decreased after freeze-dried procedure, showing no significant difference between TEB and FTEB (P gt; 0.05) except TGF-β1 15 days after culture (P lt; 0.05). The ectopic osteogenesis was observed in TEB and FTEB groups 8 and 12 weeks after transplantation, there was no significant difference in the calcified level of grafts between TEB and FTEB groups by the analysis of X-ray and CT score. On the contrary, there was no ectopic osteogenesis in group DBM 12 weeks after operation. HE staining showed that DBM scaffold degraded and disappeared 12 weeks after operation. Conclusion The osteogenic activity of TEB and FTEB is similar, which provides a new strategy to preserve and transport TEB.
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) mediated contactin-1 (CNTN1) gene silencing on growth of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 transplanted tumors in nude mice.MethodsEighteen nude mice (4-week-old male BALB/c) were randomly equally divided into three groups: blank control group, empty vector group, and silencing group. The MDA-MB-468 cells (blank control group), MDA-MB-468 cells transfected by nonsense shRNA (empty vector group), and MDA-MB-468 cells transfected by shRNA (silencing group) were collected in the logarithmic growth period, respectively. The subcutaneous tumor models of nude mice were prepared by the subcutaneous injection of the different group cells. The tumor growth was observed and the expressions of CNTN1 and Ki-67 proteins in the transplanted tumor were detected by the immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe xenograft models of human breast cancer cells were established successfully. The tumor growth in the silencing group was significantly slower than that of the other two groups at every 3 d point (P<0.05). The tumor volume and the tumor weight in the silencing group were significantly smaller or slighter than those of the other two groups at day 18 (P<0.05). The positive rates of CNTN1 and Ki-67 protein expressions in the tumor tissues of the silencing group were lower than those of the other two groups (P<0.05), respectively.ConclusionSilencing expression of CNTN1 gene might inhibit growth of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 transplanted tumors in mude mice.
ObjectiveTo discuss the possibility of constructing injectable tissue engineered adipose tissue, and to provide a new approach for repairing soft tissue defects.MethodsHuman adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were extracted from the lipid part of human liposuction aspirate by enzymatic digestion and identified by morphological observation, flow cytometry, and adipogenic induction. The hADSCs underwent transfection by lentivirus vector expressing hepatocyte growth factor and green fluorescent protein (HGF-GFP-LVs) of different multiplicity of infection (MOI, 10, 30, 50, and 100), the transfection efficiency was calculated to determine the optimum MOI. The hADSCs transfected by HGF-GFP-LVs of optimal MOI and being adipogenic inducted were combined with injectable fibrin glue scaffold, and were injected subcutaneously into the right side of the low back of 10 T-cell deficiency BALB/c female nude mice (transfected group); non-HGF-GFP-LVs transfected hADSCs (being adipogenic inducted) combined with injectable fibrin glue scaffold were injected subcutaneously into the left side of the low back (untransfected group); and injectable fibrin glue scaffold were injected subcutaneously into the middle part of the neck (blank control group); 0.4 mL at each point. Twelve weeks later the mice were killed and the implants were taken out. Gross observation, wet weight measurement, HE staining, GFP fluorescence labeling, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to assess the in vivo adipogenic ability of the seed cells and the neovascularization of the grafts.ResultsThe cultured cells were identified as hADSCs. Poor transfection efficiency was observed in MOI of 10 and 30, the transfection efficiency of MOI of 50 and 100 was more than 80%, so the optimum MOI was 50. Adipose tissue-like new-born tissues were found in the injection sites of the transfected and untransfected groups after 12 weeks of injection, and no new-born tissues was found in the blank control group. The wet-weight of new-born tissue in the transfected group [(32.30±4.06) mg] was significantly heavier than that of the untransfected group [(25.27±3.94) mg] (t=3.929, P=0.001). The mature adipose cells in the transfected group [(126.93±5.36) cells/field] were significantly more than that in the untransfected group [(71.36±4.52) cells/field] (t=30.700, P=0.000). Under fluorescence microscopy, some of the single cell adipocytes showed a network of green fluorescence, indicating the presence of GFP labeled exogenous hADSCs in the tissue. The vascular density of new-born tissue of the transfected group [(16.37±2.76)/field] was significantly higher than that of the untransfected group [(9.13±1.68)/field] (t=8.678, P=0.000).ConclusionThe hADSCs extracted from the lipid part after liposuction can be used as seed cells. After HGF-GFP-LVs transfection and adipose induction, the hADSCs combined with injectable fibrin glue scaffold can construct mature adipose tissue in vivo, which may stimulate angiogenesis, and improve retention rate of new-born tissue.
Objective To study the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the survival and quality of fat grafts in the nude mice so as to provide a method and the experimental basis for clinical practice. Methods Fat tissue was harvested from the lateral thigh of a 25-year-old healthy woman and the fat was purified by using saline. The venous blood was taken from the same donor. PRP was prepared by centrifugation (200 × g for 10 minutes twice) and activated by 10% calcium chloride (10 : 1). Then 24 female nude mice [weighing (20 ± 3) g, 5-week-old] were allocated randomly to the experimental group and the control group (12 mice per group). Each subcutaneous layer of two sides of the back (experimental group) was infiltrated with 0.8 mL fat tissue-activated PRP mixtures (10 : 2); the control group was infiltrated with 0.8 mL fat tissue-saline mixtures (10 : 2); 0.14 mL activated PRP and 0.14 mL saline were injected into the experimental group and the control group respectively at 5 and 10 days after the first operation. At 15, 30, 90, and 180 days after the first operation, the samples were harvested for gross and histological observations. Results All nude mice survived to the end of the experiment. No inflammation and abscess formation of the graft were observed. Experimental group was better than control group in angiogenesis, liquefaction, and necrosis. The grafted fat weight and volume in the experimental group were significantly larger than those in the control group at 15, 30, and 90 days (P lt; 0.05); but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at 180 days (P gt; 0.05). Histological observation showed good morphological and well-distributed adipocytes, increasing vacuoles, few necrosis and calcification in the experimental group; but disordered distribution, obvious necrosis, and calcification in the control group. The necrosis area ratio of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P lt; 0.05), and the number of micro-vessels was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 15 and 180 days (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The method of repeatedly using the PRP within 180 days in assisting fat grafts can obviously improve the survival and quality.
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.
The model of transplanted colonic SW480 cell line carcinoma in gymnomouse body was set up to observe the effect of octapeptide somatostatin (SMS 201-995,SMS) on the transplanted carcinoma and elucidate its mechanism. Results: the volume, weight, DNA and protein content in carcinoma cell, cell amount and proliferation index of S and G2M phase in SMS group and SMS+PG (pentagastrin) group were markedly lower than those in PG group and control group, those of PG group were markedly higher than those in control group.The cell amount of G0/G1 phase in SMS group and SMS+PG group was markedly higher than that in PG group and control group, and that of PG group was markedly lower than that in control group.All these suggested that somatostatin could not only inhibit the growth of transplanted human colonic SW480 cell line carcinoma directly but also inhibit the growthpromoting effect of gastrin on the transplanted carcinoma.The mechanism might be that somatostatin inhibit the synthesis of cAMP, DNA and protein in carcinoma cells, then inhibit the cell growing from G0/G1 phase to S and G2M phases.Our study might provide experimental basis for the homonotherapy with analogue of somatostatin in patients with large intestine carcinoma.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and characteristic of tissue engineered testicular prosthesis with highdensity polyethylene(HDPE，trade name: Medpor) and polyglycolic acid(PGA). Methods The chondrocytes were isolated from the swine articular.The PGA scaffold was incorporated with medpor which semidiameters were 6mmand 4mm respectively.Then, the chondrocytes (5×10 7/ml) were seeded onto Medpor-PGA scaffold and cultured for 2 weeks. The ten BALB／C mice were divided into two groups randomly(n=5). In the experimental group, the cell-scaffold construct was implanted into subcutaneous pockets on the back of nude mice. In the control group, the Medpor-PGA scaffold was implanted. The mice of two groups were sacrificed to harvest the newly formed cartilage prosthesis after 8 weeks. Macroscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry observations were made. Results The gross observation showed that on changes were in shape and at size, the color and elasticity were similar to that of normal cartilage and that the cartilage integrated with Medpor in the experimental group; no cartilage formed and fiberlike tissue was found in the control group. HE staining showed that many mature cartilage lacuna formed without blood vessel and some PGA did not degradated completely. Toluidine blue staining showed extracellular matrix had metachromia. Safranin O-fast green staining showed that many proteoglycan deposited and collagen type Ⅱ expression was bly positive. In the control group, Medpor was encapsulated by fiber tissue with rich blood vessel. Conclusion The newly formed complex of Medpor-PGA and cells was very similar to testicle in gross view and to normal cartilage in histology. This pilot technique of creating testicular prosthesis by incorporating tissue-engineered cartilage with Medpor demonstrated success.