Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation on cardiac function and their proliferation and differentiation in the post-infarct myocardium in rabbits. Methods Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, the autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells group (MSCs group,n=10) and control group (n=10). Myocardial infarct model was set up by ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD), two weeks after establishment of the infarct model,either 400μl of cell suspension (total cells 1×106) labled by 1,1’-dioctadecyl3,3,3’,3’-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) or a comparable volume of L-DMEM medium were autologously transplanted into several different points of the periphery of the scar respectively. To evaluate the heart function, echocardiography were performed before modeling,two weeks after modeling, 2 and 4 weeks after the cells transplantation for asurements of left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), tocalculate left ventricular eject fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS). Meanwhile the myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) were performed for evaluating the blood perfusion of the post-infarct myocardium. Eight weeks after the transplantation, the animalswere undergoing euthanasia, specimens were acquired for pathology. Results Echocardiography indicated that:The LVEF and LVFS between two groups were fundamentally the same before modeling,two weeks after modeling respectively (0.72±0.08 vs. 0.71±0.04,0.56±0.11 vs. 0.55±0.09; 0.35±0.06 vs. 0.35±0.04, 0.24±0.08 vs. 0.23±0.03, Pgt;0.05), but those were improved significantly in group MSCs when compared with control group at two weeks and four weeks after the cells transplantation(0.71±0.05 vs. 0.60±0.05，0.72±0.07 vs. 0.62±0.08 and 0.34±0.03 vs. 0.29±0.01， 0.35±0.06 vs. 0.27±0.05 respectively,Plt;0.05). There were no differences in LVESD and LVEDD between two groups in any time points(Pgt;0.05). MCE showed the blood perfusion of the infarct myocardium were improved two and four weeks after the cell transplantation. Pathology indicated that Dil positive cells were survived in MSCs transplanted hearts, stained positively for αsarcomeric actin and desmin eight weeks after cell transplantation, HE slides indicated that the capillary density in all the cells transplanted hearts were much higher when compared with control group (38.6±7.6/mm2 vs. 21.4±3.9/mm2，Plt;0.05). ConclusionMSCs can differentiate into cardiomyocytes, improve myocardial perfusion and cardiac function when transplanted into ischemic myocardium.
Objective Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play an important role in repairing nerve injury, meanwhile external temperature has significant effect on BMSCs transplantation, prol iferation, and differentiation. To investigate the effect of BMSCs transplantation and mild hypothermia on repair of rat spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Forty-five female adult SD rats (weighing 200-250 g) were made the models of hemitransection SCI and divided randomly into 3 groups according to different treatments: group A (SCI group), group B (BMSCs transplantation group), and group C [BMSCs transplantation combined with mild hypothermia (33-35 ) group]. At 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after injury, the fuction of hind l imb was evaluated with Basso Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score and incl ined plane test. At 4 weeks after injury, histopathology and BrdU immunohistochemistry staining were performed. At 8 weeks after injury, horseradishperoxidase (HRP) retrograde nerve trace and transmission electron microscope (TEM) testing were performed to observe the regeneration of axon. Results After 4 weeks, the function of hind l imb obviously recovered in groups B and C, there were significant differences in BBB score between groups B, C and group A (P lt; 0.05), between group B and group C (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in tilt angle among 3 groups after 1 and 2 weeks, and there were significant differences (P lt; 0.05) among 3 groups after 4 weeks. HE staining showed that significant cavity could be seen in group A, l ittle in group B, and no cavity in group C. BrdU immunohistochemistry staining showed that the number of positive cells was 0, 90.54 ± 6.23, and 121.22 ± 7.54 in groups A, B, and C, respectively; showing significant differences (P lt; 0.01) among 3 groups. HRP retrograde neural tracing observation showed that the number of HRP positive nerve fibers was 10.35 ± 1.72, 43.25 ± 2.65, and 84.37 ± 4.59 in groups A, B, and C, respectively, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.01) among 3 groups. TEM observation showed that a great amount of unmyel inated nerve fibers and myel inated nerve fibers were found in central transverse plane in group C. Conclusion The BMSCs transplantation play an impontant role in promotion of recovering the function of hind l imb after SCI, and mild hypothermia has synergism effects.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility and validity of chondrogenic differentiation of marrow clot after microfracture of bone marrow stimulation combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold in vitro. Methods BMSCs were obtained and isolated from 20 New Zealand white rabbits (5-6 months old). The 3rd passage cells were cultured and induced to osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes in vitro, respectively. ECM scaffold was manufactured using the 3rd passage cells via a freeze-dying method. Microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). A full-thickness cartilage defect (6 mm in diameter) was established and 5 microholes (1 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth) were created with a syringe needle in the trochlear groove of the femur of rabbits to get the marrow clots. Another 20 rabbits which were not punctured were randomly divided into groups A (n=10) and B (n=10): culture of the marrow clot alone (group A) and culture of the marrow clot with transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) (group B). Twenty rabbits which were punctured were randomly divided into groups C (n=10) and D (n=10): culture of the ECM scaffold and marrow clot composite (group C) and culture of the ECM scaffold and marrow clot composite with TGF-β3 (group D). The cultured tissues were observed and evaluated by gross morphology, histology, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical composition at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after culture. Results Cells were successfully induced into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes in vitro. Highly porous microstructure of the ECM scaffold was observed by SEM. The cultured tissue gradually reduced in size with time and disappeared at 8 weeks in group A. Soft and loose structure developed in group C during culturing. Chondroid tissue with smooth surface developed in groups B and D with time. The cultured tissue size of groups C and D were significantly larger than that of group B at 4 and 8 weeks (P lt; 0.05); group D was significantly larger than group C in size (P lt; 0.05). Few cells were seen, and no glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II accumulated in groups A and C; many cartilage lacunas containing cells were observed and more GAG and collagen type II were synthesized in groups B and D. The contents of GAG and collagen increased gradually with time in groups B and D, especially in group D, and significant difference was found between groups B and D at 4 and 8 weeks (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The BMSCs-derived ECM scaffold combined with the marrow clot after microfracture of bone marrow stimulation is effective in TGF-β3-induced chondrogenic differentiation in vitro.
Abstract： Objective To construct a nesprin-siRNA lentiviral vector（LV-siNesprin）, transfect it into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs）, and observe morphology changes of MSCs. Methods According to the target gene sequence of nesprin, we designed and synthesized four pairs of miRNA oligo, which were then annealed into double-strand DNA and identified by sequencing. MiRNA interference with the four kinds of plasmids （SR-1,SR-2,SR-3, andSR-4） were transfected into rat vascular smooth muscle cells, and reverse transcriptase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to detect the interference effects and filter out the most effective interference sequence. We used the best interference sequence carriers and pDONR221 to react together to get the entry vectors with interference sequence. Then the objective carrier pLenti6/V5-DEST expressing both entry vectors and lentiviral vectors was restructured to get lentiviral expression vector containing interference sequence （LV-siNesprin＋green fluoresent protein （GFP））, which was packaged and the virus titer was determined. LV-siNesprin＋GFP was transfected to MSCs, and the expression of nesprin protein（LV-siNesprin＋GFP group，GFP control group and normal cell group）was detected by Western blotting. The morphology of MSCs nuclear was observed by 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole （DAPI） stain. The proliferation of MSCs （LV-siNesprin＋GFP group，GFP control group and normal group） was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthia- zol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide（MTT） after lentivirus transfected to MSCs at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Results The four pairs of miRNA oligo were confirmed by sequencing. Successful construction of LV-siNesprin was confirmed by sequencing. The best interference with miRNA plasmid selected by RT-PCR and Western blotting was SR-3. Lentiviral was packaged, and the activity of the virus titer of the concentrated suspension was 1×106 ifu/ml. After MSCs were transfected with LV-siNesprin, nesprin protein expression significantly decreased, and the nuclear morphology also changed including fusion and fragmentation. The proliferation rate of MSCs in the LV-siNesprin＋GFP group was significantly slower than that of the GFP control and normal cell groups by MTT. Conclusion Nesprin protein plays an important role in stabilizing MSCs nuclear membrane, maintaining spatial structure of MSCs nuclear membrane，and facilitating MSCs proliferation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of diammonium glycyrrhizinate (DG) plus bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation in the treatment of acute exacerbation of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM) in rats.MethodsMSCs were isolated from male Wistar rats and cultured in vitro. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The NC group was intratracheally injected with normal saline; the BLM group, the MSC group and the DGMSC group were intratracheally injected with BLM for 7 days; then the MSC group was injected with 0.5 mL of MSCs solution (2.5×106 cells) into the tail vein; the DGMSC group was intraperitoneally injected with DG for 21 days in a dose of 150 mg·kg–1·d–1 on the base of the MSCs injection. The rats were sacrificed on the 28th day and the lung tissue was extracted. Pathological examination was performed to determine the degree of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the number and distribution of alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells. Alkali hydrolysis method was used to determine the content of hydroxyproline (HYP) in lung tissue; thiobarbituric acid method was used to measure the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissue; colorimetric method was used to determine the superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC); enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α ) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in lung tissue homogenates.ResultsThe DG combined with MSCs injection can reduce the degree of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in BLM model rats. The content of HYP and TGF-β1 in lung tissue homogenate of the DGMSC group were significantly lower than those in the MSC group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, DG combined with MSCs injection significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of the BLM model rats. MDA content decreased, SOD activity and T-AOC ability improved significantly in the DGMSC group compared with the MSC group (P<0.05). The alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells were significantly increased and the cell morphology was maintained in the DGMSC group compared with the MSC group.ConclusionsDG has a synergistic effect with MSCs in treatment of acute exacerbation of pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanism may be related to reducing inflammatory factors during pulmonary fibrosis, attenuating oxidative stress and promoting MSCs migration into lung tissue and transformation to alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells.
With the growth of offshore activities, the incidence rates of seawater drowning (SWD) induced acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) increase significantly higher than before. Pulmonary interstitial edema, alveolar septum fracture, red blood cells, and inflammatory cells infiltration can be seen under light microscope in the pathologic changes of lungs. The major clinical manifestations are continual hyoxemia and acidosis, which lead to a severe condition, a high death rate, and a poor treatment effect. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are capable of self-renewal, multilineage differentiation and injured lung-homing, which are induced to differentiate into alveolar epithelial cells and pulmonary vascular endothelial cells for tissues repairing. This may be a new way to treat SWD-ALI and SW-ARDS.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of overexpressing the Indianhedgehog (IHH) gene on the chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a simulated microgravity environment. MethodsThe 2nd generation BMSCs from rabbit were divided into 2 groups: the rotary cell culture system (RCCS) group and conventional group. Each group was further divided into the IHH gene transfection group (RCCS 1 group and conventional 1 group), green fluorescent protein transfection group (RCCS 2 group and conventional 2 group), and blank control group (RCCS 3 group and conventional 3 group). RCCS group cells were induced to differentiate into chondrocytes under simulated microgravity environment; the conventional group cells were given routine culture and chondrogenic induction in 6 well plates. During differentiation induction, the ELISA method was used to detect IHH protein expression and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and quantitative real-time PCR to detect cartilage and cartilage hypertrophy related gene expressions, and Western blot to detect collagen typeⅡ, agreecan (ANCN) protein expression; and methylene blue staining and Annexin V-cy3 immunofluorescence staining were used to observe cell slide. ResultsAfter transfection, obvious green fluorescence was observed in BMSCs under fluorescence microscopy in RCCS groups 1 and 2, the transfection efficiency was about 95%. The IHH protein levels of RCCS 1 group and conventional 1 group were significantly higher than those of RCCS 2, 3 groups and conventional 2, 3 groups (P < 0.05); at each time point, ALP activity of conventional 1 group was significantly higher than that of conventional 2, 3 groups (P < 0.05); ALP activity of RCCS 1 group was significantly higher than that of RCCS 2 and 3 groups only at 3 and 7 days (P < 0.05). Conventional 1 group expressed high levels of cartilage-related genes, such as collagen typeⅡand ANCN at the early stage of differentiation induction, and expressed high levels of cartilage hypertrophy-related genes, such as collagen type X, ALP, and Annexin V at the late stage (P < 0.05). RCCS 1 group expressed high levels of cartilage-related genes and low levels of cartilage hypertrophy-related genes at all stages. The expression of collagen typeⅡprotein in conventional 1 group was significantly lower than that of conventional 2 and 3 groups at 21 days after induction (P < 0.05); RCCS 1 group expressed high levels of collagen typeⅡand ANCN proteins at all stages (P < 0.05). Methylene blue staining indicated conventional 1 group was stained lighter than conventional 2 and 3 groups at 21 days after induction; while at each time point RCCS 1 group was significantly deeper than RCCS 2 and 3 groups. Annexin V-cy3 immunofluorescence staining indicated the red fluorescence of conventional 1 group was stronger than that of conventional 2 and 3 groups at each time point. The expression of red fluorescence in each RCCS subgroup was weak and there was no significant difference between the subgroups. ConclusionUnder the simulated microgravity environment, transfection of IHH gene into BMSCs can effectively promote the generation of cartilage and inhibit cartilage aging and osteogenesis. Therefore, this technique is suitable for cartilage tissue engineering.
Objective To explore the induction of cardiomyogenesis of microRNA-129 （mir-129） in rat bone marrowmesenchymal stem cells （BM-MSCs） and its mechanism. Methods BM-MSCs were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in vitro. Overexpression of mir-129 or both mir-129 and glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β） in BM-MSCs was produced with a lentiviral vector system. All the BM-MSCs were divided into four groups: control group （MSCs），Lentiviral vectors＋MSCs group （Lv-MSCs），mir-129 transfection group （mir-129-MSCs），and mir-129＋GSK-3βdouble transfection group （mir-129＋GSK-3β-MSCs）. Five-Azacytidine （5-Aza） （10 μmol/L） was used to induce BM-MSCsdifferentiation into cardiomyocytes. On the 1st，5 th，10 th，15 th and 20 th day after induction，realtime-PCR was performedto detect mRNA levels of GATA-4，Nkx2.5 and MEF-2C. On the 10 th，15 th and 20 th day after induction，Western blottingwas performed to examine expression levels of cTnI，Desmin，GSK-3β，phosphorylated β-catenin and dephosphorylated β-catenin. Results Compared with the control group，at respective time points，mRNA levels of cardiomyogenic genes and expression levels of cardiomyocyte-related proteins of mir-129 transfection group were significantly elevated，theexpression level of GSK-3β was significantly decreased，and the ratio of dephosphorylated/phosphorylated β-catenin was significantly elevated. When both mir-129 and GSK-3β were overexpressed in BM-MSCs，mRNA levels of cardiomyogenicgenes and expression levels of cardiomyocyte-related proteins were significantly lower than those of mir-129 transfection group，and the ratio of dephosphorylated/phosphorylated β-catenin was significantly decreased. Conclusion Overexpression of mir-129 can promote cardiomyogenesis of rat BM-MSCs possibly via inhibiting GSK-3β production and thus decreasing the inhibition of phosphorylation of β-catenin which then enters the nucleus and activates downstream signaling pathways that regulate cardiomyogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on healing quality of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer. MethodsForty-eight clean grade male Wistar rats were used to establish the model of gastric ulcer with acetic acid and were randomly divided into 3 groups after 3 days of modeling, 16 rats each group. After the abdominal cavity was open and stomach was pulled out, no treatment was given in group A, 150 μL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and 150 μL BMSCs at passage 4+PBS (1×108 cells/100 μL) were injected into the gastric wall surrounding the ulcer at 5 different points in groups B and C respectively. After 10 days, the ulcer area was measured, the mucosal thickness and the number of dilated glands were tested in the regenerative mucosa by histological method. And the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected at ulcerative margin by immunohistochemical method. ResultsThe ulcer area in group C was significantly smaller than that of groups A and B (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found between groups A and B (P>0.05). HE staining showed that group C had thicker regenerative gastric mucosa, less dilated glands, and more regular mucosal structure than groups A and B, showing significant differences in regenerative gastric mucosa thickness and dilated glands number (P<0.01), but no significant difference between groups A and B (P>0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the positive expression of VEGF in the ulcer margin mucosa of group C was significantly higher than that of groups A and B. The integral absorbance (IA) value of VEGF expression in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A and B (P<0.01), but no significant difference between groups A and B (P>0.05). ConclusionBMSCs can accelerate ulcer healing by the secretion of VEGF, and improve the quality of ulcer healing.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the effect of salidroside on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)differentiation into the chol inergic nerve cells, so as to provide the theory basis of the combination of salidroside and stem cellsfor cl inical therapy of nervous system diseases. Methods BMSCs were isolated from 2 Wistar rats (aged 4-6 weeks, weighing 120 g), which were identified by CD34, CD45, CD90, and CD106 with flow cytometry. According to inducing method, BMSCs at passage 2 were divided into 3 groups: In groups A and B, BMSCs were induced by salidroside (20 μg/mL) and retinoic acid (5 μmol/mL) respectively for 1, 3, 6, and 9 days, in group C, BMSCs were cultured with serum-free DMEM/F12 medium as control. MTT assay was used to detect the cellular prol iferation activity. The immunofluorescence chemical technology was used to detect the expressions of nerver growth factor (NGF) and relevant marker molecule of nerve cells, including neuron-specific enolase (NSE), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), β-Tubulin III, gl ial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the marker of cholinergic neuron, such as Acetylcholine (Ach) and NGF. RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA expressions of NSE, β-Tubulin III, GFAP, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). ELISA was used to detect the levels of BDNF and NGF, and the expression level of NGF protein was analyzed by Western blot. Results The results of the flow cytometry showed that the cultured cells were CD90 and CD106 positive, and CD34 and CD45 negative, which indicated that the cells were BMSCs. The cellular proliferation activity in groups A and B were significantly higher than that in group C at 6 days and 9 days (P lt; 0.05). RT-PCR results showed that the expression level of NSE, BDNF, β-Tubulin III, GFAP mRNA were increased in groupA at 6 days; In group B, that expression level of NSE mRNA was up-regulated at 6 days, that expression level of BDNF mRNA increased at 1 days and reached the peak at 6 days, and that expression level of β-Tubulin III mRNA was up-regulated at 3 days, which was significantly higher than that at the other time points, and than that in group C (P lt; 0.01). But no GABA mRNA expression was detected in each group. Immunofluorescence chemical technology staining showed that the positive rates of NSE, MAP2, β-Tubulin III, and GFAP were significantly higher in group A than those in group C at 3 days; the positive rates of Ach were significantly higher at 3, 6, and 9 days than those at 1 day in groups A and B, and in groups A and B than in group C (P lt; 0.01); the positive rates of NGF in groups A and B were significantly higher than those in group C (P lt; 0.01). The levels of BDNF and NGF in groups A and B were significantly higher than those in group C at 1, 3, 6, and 9 days (P lt; 0.01), but no significant difference of BDNF was found between groups A and B (P gt; 0.05). The expression level of NGF protein in groups A and B were significantly higher than that in group C (P lt; 0.01). The NGF expression reached the peak at 6 days in group A and at 3 days in group B. Conclusion Sal idroside could induce rat BMSCs differentiate into chol inergic nerve cells in vitro.